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Biomedical subjects

C Frick

Publications and source records attributed to C Frick.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Progression of dysautonomia in multiple system atrophy: a prospective study of self-perceived impairment.

To assess severity and progression of self-perceived dysautonomia and their impact on health-related quality of life (Hr-QoL) in multiple system atrophy (MSA), twenty-seven patients were recruited by the European MSA Study Group (EMSA-SG). At baseline, all patients completed the Composite Autonomic Symptom Scale (COMPASS) and the 36 item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and they were assessed using the 3-point global disease severity scale (SS-3) and the Unified MSA Rating Scale (UMSARS). After 6 months follow-up, the self completed COMPASS Change Scale (CCS), the SF-36, SS-3, and UMSARS were obtained. MSA patients showed marked self-perceived dysautonomia at baseline visit and pronounced worsening of dysautonomia severity on the CCS at follow-up. Severity and progression of dysautonomia did not correlate with age, disease duration, motor impairment and overall disease severity at baseline. There were no significant differences between genders and motor subtypes. Baseline COMPASS scores were, however, inversely correlated with SF-36 scores. Progression of self-perceived dysautonomia did not correlate with global disease progression. Hr-QoL scores were stable during follow-up. This is the first study to investigate self-perceived dysautonomia severity in MSA and its evolution over time. Our data suggest that dysautonomia should be recognized as a key target for therapeutic intervention in MSA.

Aged↗

[Intraoperative flow measurement of coronary bypass grafts using the ultrasound transit time flowmeter].

The aim of the study was to compare the mean and maximum flow and the flow pattern of coronary vein grafts (SVG) supplying target vessels of the inferior and lateral wall with internal mammary (IMA) grafts to the left anterior descending artery (LAD). In 21 patients 25 bypass grafts (13/25 SVG, 12/25 IMA) were investigated. Using the transit time ultrasound method, flow was measured every 5 ms and the flow data of 60 s were acquired. The flow pattern showed significant differences between both graft types during their cycle. IMA grafts showed only one peak occurring after 22.1+/-12.3% and the second after 63.4+/-15.5% of their cycle. The mean flow was not different in both graft types (IMA: 45.3+/-27.0 ml/min and SVG: 41.8+/-26.7 ml/min, p = n. s.) as it was the case for the maximum flow (IMS: 98. 4+/-45.2 ml/min and SVG: 75.7+/-55.4 ml/min, p = n. s.). In conclusion, there is a different flow pattern for both graft types concerning the number and the occurrence of flow-peaks in the bypass cycle. The mean and peak flow showed no significant difference.

Adult↗

The gene encoding IFP 53/tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase is regulated by the gamma-interferon activation factor.

We have obtained genomic DNA encoding the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-inducible IFP 53/tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase. Comparison with several different IFP 53 cDNA clones revealed a complex pattern of alternatively spliced 5'-untranslated regions. The interferon-responsive region within the IFP 53 promoter was found to contain a gamma-interferon activation site (GAS) but not the interferon-stimulated response element and to bind the gamma-interferon activation factor (GAF). GAF.GAS complexes contained the IFN-regulated 91-kDa protein. Competition experiments defined the GAS boundaries and showed that GAF binding to the IFP 53 GAS could be prevented by an excess of the IFN-gamma response regions of several other IFN-gamma-inducible genes. We thus provide evidence for a central role of GAS.GAF in gene transcription mediated by IFN-gamma and suggest a consensus sequence defining more precisely the requirements for GAF binding to DNA.

Base Sequence↗

Molecular basis for the insensitivity of the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) to cardiac glycosides.

The Monarch (Danaus plexippus) sequesters cardiac glycosides for its chemical defence against predators. Larvae and adults of this butterfly are insensitive towards dietary cardiac glycosides, whereas other Lepidoptera, such as Manduca sexta and Creatonotos transiens are sensitive and intoxicated by ouabain. Ouabain inhibits the Na+,K(+)-ATPase by binding to its alpha-subunit. We have amplified and cloned the DNA sequence encoding the respective ouabain binding site. Instead of the amino acid asparagine at position 122 in ouabain-sensitive insects, the Monarch has a histidine in the putative ouabain binding site, which consists of about 12 amino acids. This change may explain the ouabain insensitivity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The weight of the evidence among group C carcinogens.

Pesticide chemicals (more than 40) with limited evidence for carcinogenicity in animal experiments, and assigned to Group C according to the EPA Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment, were further analyzed and ranked by refining the weight of the evidence evaluation. For some of these chemicals there were considerable concern with respect to their potential as human carcinogens and for others there was minimal concern. A clear tumor response at several doses, malignancy of the tumors, the tumor type (rare versus common), the timing of the tumor, and the observance of tumors in both sexes raised the concern for potential human carcinogenicity, as did ancillary information such as the structure-activity relationship and genotoxicity. The design and quality of the studies used in the evaluation were significant factors in reaching a conclusion concerning the carcinogenic potential of the chemicals. Potency factors (Q1*) calculated for these chemicals indicated no correlation with the level of biological evidence for carcinogenicity.

Animals↗