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B Herrmann

Publications and source records attributed to B Herrmann.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Amplification of human short tandem repeats from medieval teeth and bone samples.

The suitability of typing hypervariable DNA loci for the genetic analysis of prehistoric populations is demonstrated for the first time. Alleles of the human short tandem repeat locus VWA31/A have been amplified from ancient teeth and bone samples derived from an early medieval burial site at Weingarten, Germany, using the polymerase chain reaction. The DNA results for 76 individuals reveal remarkable similarity of the allelic frequencies between the past and modern populations. A surplus of apparent homozygotes in the ancient population is most likely due to a stochastic problem of amplification of degraded DNA. Therefore technical obstacles for the application to ancient DNA were evaluated. The substantial perspectives of using microsatellite typing for the analysis of heritable diseases, determination of relatedness, and establishment of genealogies in prehistoric populations are outlined.

Alleles↗
PubMed1996

[Lipogranuloma of the orbit. Apropos of a case].

We present a case of orbital lipogranuloma with a supero-nasal retrobulbar localisation associated with axial proptosis and major choroidal thickening. No clinical sign of inflammation, neither orbital nor in the posterior segment, was revealed. The systemic work-up as well as paraclinical data were within normal limits. The diagnosis was made after histopathologic examination of the biopsy taken via superior orbit. Outcome was favorable following long-term systemic corticotherapy. Orbital lipogranuloma is a rare particular form of orbital pseudotumour of unknown etiology. It is characterized, histologically, by orbital fat necrosis. Pathogenesis remains controversial. The differential diagnosis includes iatrogenic lipogranulomas secondary to sinus surgery (paraffinoma), orbital granulomas in sarcoidosis and Wegener's disease and orbital lymphomas. The prognosis is usually good following treatment with steroids.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

aDNA analysis in paleopathology: mini-review and prospects.

The epidemiology of human diseases is a major indicator of living conditions. Cardiovascular diseases are said to be a phenomenon of modern industrial societies, but infectious diseases have always been an indicative determinant in historic and prehistoric human populations. The spread of infectious agents is closely related to socioeconomic factors, e.g., nutritional status, population density, and hygienic conditions. Gathering more paleoepidemiological data on infectious diseases would also be helpful in studying human adaptivity and the evolutionary capability of pathogenic microorganisms. Until now, the collection of paleoepidemiological data was restricted to those human diseases that left traces on the skeletal remains, e.g., the terminal stages of syphilis, tuberculosis, and leprosy, or degenerative disorders of the joints. With modern molecular techniques, the spectrum of detectable infectious and heritable human diseases will foreseeably be enlarged. By detecting the infectious agent, or analysing the genetic codes, it will be possible to focus systematically on those diseases that either lead to sudden death or do not affect the skeleton because of their specific course.

DNA Mutational Analysis↗
PubMed1995

[aDNA--a new approach to old questions].

aDNA-analyses are presented for ancient bones, teeth, soft tissues and dried body fluids. The implications and perspectives for Historical Anthropology are discussed. Methods are described on examples of molecular sex determination and kinship analysis. Finally, first amplifications of DNA-sequences from pathogenes of tuberculosis and plague from ancient skeletal material are reported.

Anthropology, Physical↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of DNA extraction and amplification from ancient human bone and mummified soft tissue.

South american precolumbian male mummies were employed as source material for a comparative investigation of bone and soft tissues by DNA analysis. The suitability of the DNA extracts from both sources was tested and evaluated by their effectiveness as target DNA in PCR amplifications. The results suggest that skeletal material should be given preference over soft tissues for PCR analysis if the material is severely degraded. This seems to be independent of the specific anatomical origin of the samples.

Anthropology, Physical↗
PubMed1994

Viral pathogens and clinical manifestations associated with acute lower respiratory tract infections in children of the Sudan.

BACKGROUND: Incomplete knowledge regarding the viral agents causing respiratory infections in children living in developing countries impedes diagnosis and management of patients. OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of viral pathogens in Sudanese children presenting with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI). STUDY DESIGN: The study population consisted of patients presenting with ALRI at the Children's Emergency Hospital in Khartoum during 2 periods (December 1987 to April 1988 and September 1990 to March 1991). Identification of viral infections was based an antigen detection by immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on nasopharyngeal secretions and/or serology. RESULTS: After exclusion of children with measles, 102 and 111 children, respectively, were prospectively enrolled in the study during the 2 periods. Their ages ranged between one mouth and 14 years (mean 2.0 years). Radiologic pulmonary infiltrations were detected in 135 (66%) of the 206 patients who had chest radiographs, whereas 7 (3%) showed lobar pneumonia. The case fatality rate was 2.3%. Of 83 virus infections detected, 79 were in children < years and consisted mainly of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, 28%), followed by parainfluenza (7%), adenovirus (5%) and influenza A (2%). Infiltrates on radiographs were significantly less often found in virus-infected cases than in ALRI-cases with negative virus tests. CONCLUSIONS: RSV predominantly infected young infants (</= 3 months) compared with those who were 5 years or older (28% and 13%, respectively). A tendency for respiratory viruses to be more prevalent was seen during the cooler months (January and February). There were no significant differences in clinical features between virus-positive cases and others. The panorama of viral infections proved to be the same as in other developing countries.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1994

Chlamydial etiology of acute lower respiratory tract infections in children in the Sudan.

The role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in 110 Sudanese children with signs of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) was investigated. Four (3.6%) had evidence of C. pneumoniae infection, of whom 3 were culture-positive, while 1 had an antibody response suggesting a recent infection. IgG antibodies at a titer of > or = 1:32 to C. pneumoniae, Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis were detected in 27 (24.5%), 27 (24.5%) and 7 (6.4%) of the 110 ALRI cases, respectively. C. pneumoniae, C. trachomatis or C. psittaci were not detected in nasopharyngeal secretions from any of 110 patients when fluorescence-labeled specific monoclonal antibodies were used. In a seroepidemiological survey, 318 healthy Sudanese persons aged between 1 month and 67 years were studied for C. pneumoniae antibodies.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

A primary requirement for nodal in the formation and maintenance of the primitive streak in the mouse.

The 413.d insertional mutation arrests mouse development shortly after gastrulation. nodal, a novel TGF beta-related gene, is closely associated with the locus. The present study provides direct evidence that the proviral insertion causes a loss of function mutation. nodal RNA is initially detected at day 5.5 in the primitive ectoderm. Concomitant with gastrulation, expression becomes restricted to the proximal posterior regions of the embryonic ectoderm. nodal RNA is also expressed in the primitive endoderm overlying the primitive streak. A few hours later, expression is strictly confined to the periphery of the mature node. Interestingly 413.d mutant embryos show no morphological evidence for the formation of a primitive streak. Nonetheless, about 25% of mutant embryos do form randomly positioned patches of cells of a posterior mesodermal character. Data presented in this report demonstrate the involvement of a TGF beta-related molecule in axis formation in mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Electro-immortalization of B lymphocytes isolated from stomach carcinoma biopsy material.

The advantages of electrofusion were used to immortalize the small number of B-cells from fresh biopsy material taken from a gastric carcinoma of a patient. Two stable human antibody secreting clones could be produced which exhibited functional activity against the autologous tumour cells (inhibition of cell adhesion and immunofluorescence staining of the membranes). This shows that a variety of hitherto inaccessible B lymphocyte populations from other human organ biopsies can be immortalised by the improved electrofusion technique.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

[Pericardial tamponade caused by catheter infection in an extremely small premature infant].

A 610 g infant born after 27 weeks of gestation required central venous infusion therapy by a 23 gauge silastic catheter with its tip located in the superior vena cava. During adequate antibiotic therapy for sepsis the infant developed cardiac tamponade with circulatory failure. Therapeutic pericardiocentesis revealed pericarditis and not hydropericardium. Central venous infusion could be continued relapse-free without a change in catheter position. After bacteriologic identification of Staphylococcus epidermidis in blood culture and pericardial aspirate, the central venous line was removed and identified as the source of infection by identical bacterial growth from the catheter tip. While cardiac perforation has been recognized as a rare complication of central venous infusion even by very soft and thin silastic catheters, this is to our knowledge the first report on cardiac tamponade from bacterial pericarditis following catheter sepsis in a neonate.

Cardiac Tamponade↗
PubMed1993

[5th day convulsions of the newborn infant in rotavirus infections].

AIM OF THE STUDY: The pathogenesis of fifth day fits in newborns has not yet been explained. From 1989-1991 we observed an epidemic occurrence of 21 cases in 1917 hospitalized newborn children. After finding rotavirus in the faeces of several cases we suspected a coincidence. METHODS: We tested the faeces of 19 fifth day fitters as well as 30 healthy newborns (4.-6. day of life) for rotavirus infection. The results of all clinically indicated rotavirus examinations in neonates of 4 to 6 days of age from 1989-1991 were analysed. In 6 rotavirus positive fifth day fitters we performed an immunologic and electron microscopic examination of cerebrospinal fluid. RESULTS: 18 of 19 examined children with fifth day fits (95%) had rotavirus in the faeces. Within the healthy control group we found 12 of 30 (40%, Chi-square 12.46, p < 0.001) and in the group of sick neonates without convulsions 98 of 202 (48.5%, Chi-square 12.44, p < 0.001). This shows a statistically significant coincidence of rotavirus positive faeces with fifth day fits. Rotavirus was not present in cerebrospinal fluid. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest a causal relation between fifth day fits and rotavirus infections. Pathogenetic details remain unclear.

Cerebrospinal Fluid↗
PubMed1992

[Position on the publication of S. Ehrhardt (1990): Setukesen. A population group between Estonians and Russians in southeast Estonia. Homo 40, 159-175. Reflections on responsibility in anthropological works].

The uncommented publication of data on Setukesen people (SE Estonia), which were collected in 1942, by the scientific journal Homo (40, 159-175, 1990) is remarkably unreceptive to discussions within the scientific community at large. Therefore some basic considerations on scientific ethics in anthropology are outlined. Unfortunately Homo has refused to publish this statement which was written on appointment of the advisory board of the German Society of Anthropology and Human Genetics.

Anthropology↗
PubMed1991

Intraepidemic variants of influenza virus H3 hemagglutinin differing in the number of carbohydrate side chains.

During the epidemic outbreak in the region of Greifswald in the winter 1974/75, we found influenza virus variants which showed differences in the electrophoretic mobility of HA. Among the 25 isolates 13 were of slower and 12 of higher mobility. HA1 of 6 isolates was studied by determining the number of the carbohydrate side chains and by direct sequencing of vRNA. Evidence is presented that variants showing a slower electrophoretic mobility of HA1 had consistently acquired a seventh carbohydrate side chain at Asn 126 in epitope A. All the isolates differed from the reference strain A/Port Chalmers/1/73 by the loss of the oligosaccharide at Asn 81. The field strain A/Dresden/3/71 possessed only 5 oligosaccharides in HA1. These results suggest that changes in glycosylation are an important mechanism in the structural variation underlying antigenic drift of HA.

Antigenic Variation↗