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Biomedical subjects

A Schuller

Publications and source records attributed to A Schuller.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A family of auxin conjugate hydrolases from Brassica rapa: characterization and expression during clubroot disease.

During the obligate biotrophic interaction of Plasmodiophora brassicae with members of the Brassicaceae, the host roots show hypertrophy and galls are established. An increased auxin pool appears to correlate with cell expansion and cell division, but the origin of the free auxin is not yet clear. As previous results point to increased IAA-hydrolytic activity in infected roots of Brassica rapa at later time points of infection, we isolated IAA-amidohydrolase-like genes from various tissues. We cloned full-length cDNAs of two genes with high homology to the Arabidopsis IAR3 (Br-IAR3) as well as full-length clones corresponding to the Arabidopsis ILL2/ILL1 (Br-ILL2) and ILL6 (Br-ILL6) hydrolase genes. Using heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, we showed that Br-IAR3 24 and Br-ILL2 possess hydrolytic activity in vitro. Real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR revealed that only Br-IAR3 25 and Br-ILL6 are expressed differentially during clubroot disease, but showed a decreased expression at later time point of infection. These findings are discussed with regard to a negative regulation in IAA homeostasis during clubroot disease.

Actins↗
PubMed2004

Risk of hip fracture in protected and unprotected falls in nursing homes in Norway.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the probability of hip fracture in protected and unprotected falls in a real world setting in nursing homes. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Seventeen nursing homes (965 beds) in Norway. SUBJECTS: All residents in the nursing homes with at least one fall during the intervention period. INTERVENTION: Hip protectors were introduced as a regular part of the health care service for all the residents for an intervention period of 18 months. Residents who were considered high risk were especially encouraged to be regular users of hip protectors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hip fracture in protected and unprotected falls. RESULTS: At the time of the first fall within each faller, 430 were non-users of hip protectors, while 84 were registered as users, but did not wear it, and 191 were users and did wear it. The odds ratio of suffering a hip fracture was 0.31, 95% confidence interval 0.13 to 0.75 for wearers compared with non-wearers in the first fall, adjusted for age, gender, and whether they were registered as users or not. CONCLUSION: The odds of suffering a hip fracture for nursing home high risk residents was reduced to less than a third in protected falls compared with unprotected falls. Or, in other words, the odds of hip fracture showed a 69% reduction in protected falls compared with unprotected falls.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2004

Compliance with external hip protectors in nursing homes in Norway.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate compliance with hip protector use. DESIGN: Observational prospective study. SETTING: 19 nursing homes (1040 beds). SUBJECTS: All residents during an 18 month period were included in this study. INTERVENTION: Hip protectors were introduced as a regular part of health care service for all residents. Residents at high risk were encouraged to use hip protectors regularly. Each nursing home had a contact person. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The percentage of residents accepting the hip protector offer, probability of continued use, reasons for terminating use, and percentage of falls with hip protector were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty five percent of the residents accepted the hip protector offer. The percentage increased by age, but showed no significant dependence on gender, profession of the contact person, or size of nursing home. The probability of continued use showed no significant dependence on age and gender. Nursing homes with a nurse as contact person showed 51% higher risk of residents terminating regular hip protector use than nursing homes with a physiotherapist as contact person (relative risk (RR) 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11 to 2.05, p = 0.008). The corresponding result for large (75-92 beds) compared with small (24-68 beds) nursing homes was RR = 1.44 (95% CI 1.02 to 2.02, p = 0.036). Seventy six percent of 2323 falls occurred while using hip protectors. CONCLUSION: The contact person and size of the nursing home seemed to be important factors for continued use of hip protectors while age and gender seemed to be less important.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2001

Female preproenkephalin-knockout mice display altered emotional responses.

The endogenous opioid system has been implicated in sexual behavior, palatable intake, fear, and anxiety. The present study examined whether ovariectomized female transgenic preproenkephalin-knockout (PPEKO) mice and their wild-type and heterozygous controls displayed alterations in fear and anxiety paradigms, sucrose intake, and lordotic behavior. To examine stability of responding, three squads of the genotypes were tested across seasons over a 20-month period. In a fear-conditioning paradigm, PPEKO mice significantly increased freezing to both fear and fear + shock stimuli relative to controls. In the open field, PPEKO mice spent significantly less time and traversed significantly less distance in the center of an open field than wild-type controls. Further, PPEKO mice spent significantly less time and tended to be less active on the light side of a dark-light chamber than controls, indicating that deletion of the enkephalin gene resulted in exaggerated responses to fear or anxiety-provoking environments. These selective deficits were observed consistently across testing squads spanning 20 months and different seasons. In contrast, PPEKO mice failed to differ from corresponding controls in sucrose, chow, or water intake across a range (0.0001-20%) of sucrose concentrations and failed to differ in either lordotic or female approach to male behaviors when primed with estradiol and progesterone, thereby arguing strongly for the selectivity of a fear and anxiety deficit which was not caused by generalized and nonspecific debilitation. These transgenic data strongly suggest that opioids, and particularly enkephalin gene products, are acting naturally to inhibit fear and anxiety.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Improgan, a cimetidine analog, induces morphine-like antinociception in opioid receptor-knockout mice.

Improgan is an analog of the H(2) antagonist cimetidine that does not act on known histamine receptors, but induces highly effective analgesia in rodents following intracerebroventricular (icv) administration. Since the mechanism of action of this compound remains unknown, improgan analgesia was characterized presently with the tail immersion nociceptive test in mutant mice lacking either the mu (exon 1 of MOR-1), delta (exon 2 of DOR-1) or kappa (exon 3 of KOR-1) opioid receptor. Improgan (30 microg, icv) induced reversible, maximal analgesia in both sexes of all three genotypes (+/+, +/- and -/-) of MOR-1 mutant mice 10 and 20 min after administration, whereas morphine analgesia was reduced (+/-) or abolished (-/-) in these subjects. In DOR-1 mutant mice, improgan was equally effective in all three genotypes, despite the reduction (+/-) or complete loss (-/-) of delta opioid receptor (3H-[D-Pen(2), D-Pen(5)]enkephalin, DPDPE) binding. Similarly, improgan analgesia was equivalent in all three genotypes of KOR-1 mutant mice, whereas kappa-mediated analgesia (U50,488) and kappa opioid (3H-U69,593) binding were abolished in the homozygous (-/-) mice. These studies demonstrate that improgan analgesia does not require intact MOR-1, DOR-1, or KOR-1 genes, and support the hypothesis that improgan-like analgesics act in the CNS by non-opioid mechanisms.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗
PubMed1999

Mu-opioid receptor modulation of calcium channel current in periaqueductal grey neurons from C57B16/J mice and mutant mice lacking MOR-1.

1. The actions of opioid receptor agonists on the calcium channel currents (IBa) of acutely dissociated periaqueductal grey (PAG) neurons from C57B16/J mice and mutant mice lacking the first exon of the mu-opioid receptor (MOR-1) were examined using whole cell patch clamp techniques. These effects were compared with the GABA(B)-receptor agonist baclofen. 2. The endogenous opioid agonist methionine-enkephalin (met-enkephalin, pEC50 6.8, maximum inhibition 40%), the putative endogenous mu-opioid agonist endomorphin-1 (pEC50 6.2, maximum inhibition 35%) and the mu-opioid selective agonist DAMGO (Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-N-Me-Phe-Gly-ol enkephalin, pEC50 6.9, maximum inhibition 40%) inhibited IBa in 70% of mouse PAG neurons. The inhibition of IBa by each agonist was completely prevented by the mu-receptor antagonist CTAP (D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2). The delta-opioid receptor agonists DPDPE ([D-Pen2,5]enkephalin, 1 microM) and deltorphin II (1 microM), and the kappa-opioid receptor agonist U-69593 (1-10 microM), did not affect IBa in any cell tested. 3. The GABA(B) agonist baclofen inhibited IBa in all neurons (pEC50 5.9, maximum inhibition 42%). 4. In neurons from the MOR-1 deficient mice, the mu-opioid agonists met-enkephalin, DAMGO and endomorphin-1 did not inhibit IBa, whilst baclofen inhibited IBa in a manner indistinguishable from wild type mice. 5. A maximally effective concentration of endomorphin-1 (30 microM) partially (19%), but significantly (P<0.005), occluded the inhibition of IBa normally elicited by a maximally effective concentration of met-enkephalin (10 microM). 6. This study indicates that mu-opioid receptors, but not delta- or kappa-opioid receptors, modulate somatic calcium channel currents in mouse PAG neurons. The putative endogenous mu-agonist, endomorphin-1, was a partial agonist in mouse PAG neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Future treatment needs in children, adults and the elderly.

Future treatment needs for dental services are discussed in the perspective of the objective which the services are meant to fulfill. These are, broadly speaking, equal distribution of services and economic efficiency. Within the Nordic countries, the emphasis has been on equity, perhaps less on efficiency. Equity of utilization is best understood as being a situation where patients with equal needs for oral health care receive equal treatment, in terms of both the volume and the quality of the services. The justification for arguing that equality of utilization is the appropriate measure is mainly based on the externality argument: health-care consumption by one person may be the source of utility to another person. According to that view there are two beneficiaries of dental care: the patient who is sick, and the rest of society who care for the sick patient and who derive utility from seeing the patient become healthy. The public dental services for children in the Nordic countries are organized according to the principle of equity of utilization. Equity of access is best understood as being a situation where people with equal needs have equal opportunity to use dental services. It is a supply-side phenomenon; equal access is achieved when patients with the same needs face the same costs of dental-care consumption in terms of both time and money. The oral health situation among children, adults and the elderly is exemplified by national service data and recent studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Ambulatory management during the transformation process--a survey of physicians in new German districts].

The transformation of the health care system in the former GDR is demonstrated empirically on the basis of postal surveys conducted in 1990/91 with reference to the following spheres: 1. Routine problems. In diagnosis and therapy, the central problem was that the equipment required was often either lacking or defective. 2. Social perception. Female doctors regarded themselves as more understanding, progressive, sensitive, and friendly than their male colleagues. 3. Dynamics of transformation. The percentage of doctors with a practice of their own increased from 1990 to 1991 from 4.2 to 61.4%. 4. Reasons for starting a private practice. For male doctors the motives of greater latitudes in defining working hours and work routines as well as long-term expectations of increasing income were significantly more important than for female doctors. 5. Initial problems. Three aspects proved to be the most significant: too little time for family, work load too high, accounting problems. 6. Job satisfaction. In the course of time, the greatest increase in satisfaction was found to be related to possibilities of advanced professional training and income. A significant trend toward decreasing satisfaction was noted for dimensions such as work load, relationship between work and leisure, as well as secretarial work and accounting.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Genetic ablation of IGFBP-2 suggests functional redundancy in the IGFBP family.

Gene targeting allows mutations to be introduced selectively into any mouse locus of interest. This approach has already been used to demonstrate that insulin-like growth factor (IGF) peptides and receptors are required in vivo for normal prenatal growth. One of the IGFBP genes, IGFBP-2, has also been disrupted using gene targeting, and homozgyous null BP-2 mice are characterized by a decreased spleen size most apparent during early postnatal stages and increased adult circulating levels of several other IGFBPs. These alterations are considered less dramatic than the phenotypes initially predicted based on the fetal IGFBP-2 expression pattern, although several physiological paradigms can be envisioned that will provide additional tests for specific aspects of IGFBP function. Since all six IGFBP genes are expressed during prenatal rodent development, as well as in adult tissues, the IGFBP-2 null phenotype must also be compared with genetic ablations involving members of other gene families and in the context of the other IGFBP expression patterns in rodent embryonic, extraembryonic, and uterine tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Serum osteocalcin and bone turnover in hyperthyroidism].

In hyperthyroidism an increased bone turnover may appear, essentially due to a higher bone resorption. In order to evaluate this complication we have measured the serum levels of Osteocalcin (BGP) in 41 patients, mean age 43 +/- 18 (+/- SD) years. BGP is a protein synthesized by osteoblasts which may be employed as an specific and non-aggressive marker of bone turnover. Serum BGP was significantly increased in these patients with respect to normals (6.2 +/- 4.2 vs 3.7 +/- 1.3 ng/ml). The total group was divided according to BGP values higher and lower than 3.7 ng/ml, emerging two groups with BGP 7.9 +/- 3.8 (n = 30) y 2.2 +/- 1.2 ng/ml (n = 11), respectively. There were not differences between these two groups regarding to thyroid hormones or other data of mineral metabolism. In the total group, only serum BGP and T3 were correlated. Our results suggest the existence of a double effect of hyperthyroidism on bone, as well as a temporal dissociation between thyroid synthesis and bone metabolism.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Acetylated low density lipoproteins promote the release and metabolism of arachidonic acid by murine macrophages.

It has been postulated that the ratio of prostacyclin/thromboxane A2 in the blood is an important marker for atherosclerosis. We studied the role of the Acetylated Low Density Lipoprotein (Acetyl-LDL) on the arachidonic acid metabolism in macrophages, the progenitor of the foam-cells in atheroma. When stimulated by Acetyl-LDL, macrophage released and metabolized arachidonic acid. This effect was time- and dose-dependent. Only 50% of the Acetyl-LDL-induced arachidonic acid released was metabolized while more than 90% of zymosan or A23187 induced arachidonic acid released was metabolized. Furthermore, when the macrophages were stimulated by Acetyl-LDL, a decrease of prostaglandin E2 and an increase of the levels of prostacyclin and thromboxane were noted. The implications of these observations in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis are discussed.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1989

[Study of bone involvement in hypothyroidism determining the blood levels of osteocalcin].

Several bone abnormalities, characterized by a decreased bone turnover, may develop in patients with hypothyroidism. We have used the measurement of serum Osteocalcin (BGP), a protein synthesized by osteoblasts and proposed as a marker of bone formation, in order to elucidate the bone status in 62 hypothyroid patients, mean age 52 +/- 15 (SD) years. As a group, BGP results in hypothyroidism were not different from normal (3.6 +/- 3.2 vs 3.7 +/- 1.3 ng/ml). However, we were able to differentiate 3 groups: 1) patients with significantly lower BGP values (p less than 0.01) (primary hypothyroidism and total thyroidectomy with body scan); 2) patients with antithyroid drugs had significantly higher BGP levels (p less than 0.05); 3) in the other groups (post-1311, post-surgery, and insufficiently treated hypothyroidism) BGP values were within normal limits. In the total group BGP was significantly correlated with T3T, TSH, alkaline phosphatase and age. Lower serum BGP values in some etiologic groups of hypothyroidism may reflect a greater pathologic effect on the bone in these patients, with a decrease in bone formation.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Membrane fluidity and thromboxane synthesis in platelets from patients with severe atherosclerosis.

Platelets play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. The arachidonic acid, whose oxygenated metabolites are potent regulators of the platelet-vessel wall interactions, is released from membrane phospholipids by the phospholipase (s) system (s). These membrane-linked phenomena are strongly modulated by the membrane physical properties. The present study was carried out to investigate the relationship between membrane fluidity and arachidonic acid metabolism in platelets from atherosclerotic patients. Twenty-one patients with peripheral vascular disease and twelve controls were studied. Platelets from patients showed an increase in membrane fluidity and enhanced thrombin-stimulated thromboxane synthesis. No alterations were found, however, in total phospholipid fatty acid composition. A significant decrease in the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio could account for the alterations in the membrane physical properties described in the platelets from patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

Jaccoud's arthropathy in patients with chronic rheumatic valvular heart disease.

In a prospective study over a period of 3 yr, involving all patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease seen at our hospital, we found the diagnostic signs of Jaccoud's arthropathy in 17 of 400 cases (4.2%). All 17 patients had a past history of acute arthritis involving the joints and showed deformities at the time of diagnosis. The valvular lesions were mitral and aortic in 11 cases, mitral in 5 cases and aortic in 1 case. The most frequent joint deformities were: ulnar deviation at the metacarpo-phalangeal joints (12 cases), lateral deviation at the metatarso-phalangeal joints (12 cases), and hammer toe deformity (6 cases). The deformities were reducible in all of them. None of the patients had pain or signs of acute inflammation and functional capacity was normal. Other causes of joint deformity were ruled out by means of radiographic and serologic studies. Jaccoud's arthropathy is not a rare entity and its recognition is important for a differential diagnosis with chronic arthritis of other etiologies, also associated with valvular heart lesions.

Adolescent↗