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C Heimann

Publications and source records attributed to C Heimann.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Expression pattern of galectin-3 in neural tumor cell lines.

Galectin-3 is a member of the galectin family of beta-galactoside-specific animal lectins. Here we show that galectin-3 is constitutively expressed in 15 out of 16 glioma cell lines tested, but not by normal or reactive astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, glial O-2A progenitor cells and the oligodendrocyte precursor cell line Oli-neu. Galectin-3 is also expressed by one oligodendroglioma cell line, but not by primitive neuroectodermal tumor and 4 neuroblastoma cell lines tested so far. In all galectin-3 expressing cell lines, the lectin is predominantly, if not exclusively, localized intracellularly and carries an active carbohydrate recognition domain (shown for C6 rat glioma cells). Moreover, in contrast to primary astrocytes, glioma cells do not or only weakly adhere to substratum-bound galectin-3, probably reflecting an unusual glycosylation pattern. Our findings indicate that the expression of galectin-3 selectively correlates with glial cell transformation in the central nervous system and could thus serve as a marker for glial tumor cell lines and glial tumors.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Isolation and characterization of human patched 2 (PTCH2), a putative tumour suppressor gene inbasal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma on chromosome 1p32.

Mutations of the human Patched gene ( PTCH ) have been identified in individuals with the nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) as well as in sporadic basal cell carcinomas and medulloblastomas. We have isolated a homologue of this tumour suppressor gene and localized it to the short arm of chromosome 1 (1p32.1-32.3). Patched 2 ( PTCH2 ) comprises 22 coding exons and spans approximately 15 kb of genomic DNA. The gene encodes a 1203 amino acid putative transmembrane protein which is highly homologous to the PTCH product. We have characterized the genomic structure of PTCH2 and have used single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis to search for mutations in PTCH2 in NBCCS patients, basal cell carcinomas and in medulloblastomas. To date, we have identified one truncating mutation in a medulloblastoma and a change in a splice donor site in a basal cell carcinoma, suggesting that the gene plays a role in the development of some tumours.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Presence of pressure ulcer prevention methods used among patients considered at risk versus those considered not at risk.

PURPOSE: This study examined pressure ulcer-prevention strategies available for patients considered at risk versus those considered not at risk. DESIGN: The study used a prospective, longitudinal design. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Six hundred ninety-four patients from units of five acute care hospitals, a rehabilitation facility, and two nurses' home care caseloads participated in the investigation. INSTRUMENTS: Data-collection instruments included the Braden Scale for risk assessment, demographic information, and the Pressure Ulcer-Prevention Strategies tool, which assessed for the presence of 16 pressure ulcer-prevention strategies. METHODS: All patients admitted to a participating unit during a 2-month period were followed up until discharge. Depending on the site, patients were assessed for the presence of pressure ulcer-prevention strategies one to three times per week. RESULTS: Patients in the at-risk group versus those in the not-at-risk group were more likely (p < 0.01) to have the head of the bed in a low position, a pressure-reducing bed surface, pressure ulcer prevention charted, a positioning wedge, incontinence cleanser and ointment, heel protection, a prevention care plan, a trapeze, and a posted turning schedule. The at-risk group had significantly (p < 0.01) more prevention strategies present than did the not-at-risk group. However, the percentage of patients placed on a pressure ulcer-prevention program was low for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pressure ulcer prevention was evident for the at-risk group, but at a low rate. Institutions must continue to explore this critical area affecting patient outcomes.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Occurrence of skin lesions/conditions in ill persons.

The purpose of this study was to examine the occurrence of common skin lesions that potentially may be misdiagnosed as a pressure ulcer, and to examine the characteristics of ill persons who have these skin changes. This was a prospective, descriptive study which included five acute care hospitals, a rehabilitation hospital, and a home care agency. Results indicated that patients with skin lesions/conditions were significantly older and had longer lengths of stay, more diseases, lower Braden Scale scores, and lower serum albumin levels. Nurses must gain knowledge about identifying and treating skin conditions. Assessment of the patient's skin should occur throughout their length of stay.

Age Distribution↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hypotonic symptoms and pregnancy].

To our knowledge there is no study that answers the question, whether low blood pressure itself or the fall of blood pressure during standing have a negative effect on pregnant women. These patients suffer from signs of reduced central and/or peripheral blood flow like fatigue, headache, cold extremities, paresthesia, flickering, black outs and dizziness. In addition, it is of interest whether frequency, occurrence and intensity of these hypotensive symptoms alter during pregnancy. In a longitudinal study 12 hypotensive pregnant women were compared with 13 normotensive and later on in a randomized study 102 clinical healthy pregnant women were tested with a modified orthostatic test over defined time periods during pregnancy. Blood pressure and heart rate were registered in one minute intervals over 30 minute period with an automatic Dinamap measuring device. This period was subdivided in a 10 minutes lying period, 10 minutes standing period followed by a 10 minutes lying period. In addition, the pregnant women were asked about frequency, occurrence and intensity of typical hypotensive symptoms. The frequency of subjective symptoms were related to low blood pressure (p less than 0.001) but not to the fall in blood pressure during standing. The occurrence of different hypotensive symptoms (p less than 0.05) and their intensity (p less than 0.01) were most often in early pregnancy and decreased until term. We conclude that the subjective symptoms were twice as much during early pregnancy than during late pregnancy and were more often in patients with low blood pressure. Furthermore, fatigue, headache and cold extremities occur frequently during pregnancy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Behavior of blood pressure and heart rate at rest and during standing in pregnancy].

This study was designed to answer three questions: 1. Is there a change in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate during pregnancy? 2. Are there alterations of these parameters during standing? 3. Is there a relationship between mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate at rest and during standing? In a randomized study 161 clinically healthy pregnant women between 8th and 41st week of pregnancy were tested with a modified orthostatic test over defined time periods during pregnancy. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were registered in one minute intervals over a 30 minute period with an automatic Dinamap measuring device. This period was subdivided in a 10 minutes lying period, 10 minutes standing period followed by a 10 minutes lying period. There was a marked increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure at rest with the beginning of the 34th week of gestation (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). Despite this, maternal heart rate continued to rise over the whole course of pregnancy (p < 0.01). Furthermore, women with a fall in heart rate on standing were only seen in late pregnancy. Finally, pregnant women with a low mean arterial blood pressure (< or = 85 mmHg) did not experience a fall in blood pressure on standing more frequently than normal controls (> 85 mmHg). We conclude that a fall in blood pressure on standing is not dependent on blood pressure at rest during pregnancy.

Adolescent↗