Biomedical subjects

C Schröter

Publications and source records attributed to C Schröter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

[Strategies for the prevention and treatment of allergies in children and adolescents].

Over and beyond the avoidance of allergies, prophylactic measures can also prevent the development of lower airway disease from upper airway disease, for example, bronchial asthma from allergic rhinitis. A further protective effect can be achieved by reducing both prenatal and postnatal allergens. A major concept of prevention--not merely of pulmonary function changes and the development of allergies--is the avoidance of exposure to passive smoking. With regard to pharmacotherapeutic agents, both official approval for their use by the respective age group, and the dearth of study-based data need to be taken into account. To ensure the successful application of inhalative agents, the use of appropriate inhalation aids as also ensuring the correct inhalation technique are urgently recommended, particularly in the case of children and adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[The Explanatory Model-Interview in the diagnosis of orthopaedic pain patients].

AIM: This study aims to clarify weather the Explanatory Model Interview (EMIC, Weiss, 1997) can detect differences between pain patients with somatoform disorders and pain patients without any psychiatric disorder. We consider the importance of psychological symptom reporting, somatic illness attribution and the subjective experience of exhaustion. METHODS: The (EMIC) and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SKID) were administered to 87 in-patients recruited from the pain therapy ward of the Orthopaedic Clinic in Heidelberg, Germany. The analysis of the EMIC strongly reflects interactional factors and the subjective importance for the patients. RESULTS: Patients with somatoform disorders reported more psychological distress than patients without psychiatric disorder, especially after inquiry. Physical exhaustion was clearly more important in the symptom attribution of somatic pain patients, but an exclusive somatic illness attribution did not appear more often in this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Most pain patients with somatoform disorders report psychological distress when they are encouraged. In spite of this emotional strain, most of the pain patients with somatoform disorders attribute their pain complaints to somatic causes. The conspicuous importance of exhaustion in the attribution of patients with somatoform disorders confirms clinical observations and requires further research.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

The alien hand syndrome: classification of forms reported and discussion of a new condition.

The term "alien hand" refers to a variety of clinical conditions whose common characteristic is the uncontrolled behavior or the feeling of strangeness of one extremity, most commonly the left hand. A common classification distinguishes between the posterior or sensory form of the alien hand, and the anterior or motor form of this condition. However, there are inconsistencies, such as the phenomenon of diagonistic dyspraxia, which is largely a motor syndrome despite being more frequently associated with posterior callosal lesions. We discuss critically the existing nomenclature and we also describe a case recently reported by us which does not fit any previously reported condition, termed agonistic dyspraxia. We propose that the cases of alien hand described in the literature can be classified into at least five broad categories: (i) diagonistic dyspraxia and related syndromes, (ii) alien hand, (iii) way-ward hand and related syndromes, (iv) supernumerary hands and (v) agonistic dyspraxia.

Apraxias↗

PubMed2001

[A structured pain interview for geriatric patients].

BACKGROUND: In old age, assessment of pain often is hampered by sensory and cognitive deficits that do not allow the patients to fill in standardized questionnaires without help from significant others. Therefore, as an alternative, we developed a structured pain interview, and examined its properties and acceptance in a sample of geriatric patients with pain. METHODS: The interview covers site of pain, intensity of pain, its duration and persistency, pain related disability and, finally, emotional and cognitive variables. In addition, the interviewer addresses significant others to get information about medication, previous treatment, and residence, and administers the Mini-Mental-State-Examination (MMSE). The analysis includes 128 patients of pain centers older than 74 years, of whom 80% are female. RESULTS: Forty percent of the subjects score below the critical MMSE value < or =23 indicative of cognitive impairment. These patients are responsible for 36 out of a total of 39 missing values. A significant increase of missing values is observed in patients with a MMSE score below 10. Cognitive impairment goes along with greater functional and social disability. On the other hand, cognitive impairment is unrelated to localization, intensity, and duration of pain. The memory item of the MMSE can be used as a screening tool for cognitive impairment. Patients, who are unable to recall any of the three objects, comprise 80% of the total of missing values and demonstrate a low MMSE score. CONCLUSION: As long as geriatric patients are able to communicate verbally, they are most likely to profit from the structured pain interview in spite of existing cognitive impairment. A MMSE score <10 indicates that the interpretation of the data obtained may be difficult, especially due to a high frequency of missing values.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Generation of reactive oxygen species by Candida albicans in relation to morphogenesis.

Candida albicans is able to generate significant amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, ROS generation by yeast and hyphal forms of the strain 3153 A was analyzed to determine whether ROS generation could be a major factor in the invasive behavior of germinative cells. Furthermore, the virulent strain CA6 and its avirulent and agerminative mutant VIR3 were compared. ROS were measured by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence and a cytochrome c assay. During the blastoconidial phase of all strains moderate amounts of ROS were found at cell concentrations > 1 x 10(5)/ml. However, ROS generation appeared to be specifically inhibited at cell concentrations > 1 x 10(8)/ml, and this was found in both assays. As shown in comparative experiments, the medium used for measurement markedly affected the total amount of ROS. Hyphae of strain 3153 A generated a significantly higher amount of ROS than yeast cells and cells with germ tubes (P < 0.001). The strain CA6 showed significantly higher ROS generation than the VIR3 strain for both blastoconidiae and after 30 min of induction of hypha formation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, hypha formation, usually acknowledged as a major factor in Candida pathogenicity, was associated with markedly increased ROS formation. ROS generation was not closely linked to the ability to form hyphae, but was highest in germinative cells.

Candida albicans↗

PubMed2000

Two new proteases in the MHC class I processing pathway.

The proteasome generates exact major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I ligands as well as NH2-terminal-extended precursor peptides. The proteases responsible for the final NH2-terminal trimming of the precursor peptides had, until now, not been determined. By using specific selective criteria we purified two cytosolic proteolytic activities, puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase and bleomycin hydrolase. These proteases could remove NH2-terminal amino acids from the vesicular stomatitis virus nucleoprotein cytotoxic T cell epitope 52-59 (RGYVYQGL) resulting, in combination with proteasomes, in the generation of the correct epitope. Our data provide evidence for the existence of redundant systems acting downstream of the proteasome in the antigen-processing pathway for MHC class I molecules.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

PubMed1996

[Fatal complications in tracheotomized children].

BACKGROUND: Tracheotomy in the pediatric patient has become a routine procedure since the late 19th century, when it was used in treating diphtheria. Although underlying diseases have changed, the child with an artificial airway still faces numerous risks. This study investigates fatal complications in 280 patients with tracheostomy who were seen in the Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital for laryngo-tracheo-bronchoscopy. METHOD: Data was acquired from patients' records of the Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital and communications with other institutions. RESULTS: Nineteen deaths were investigated. Three patients died of acute cannula obstruction although hospitalized in different institutions. Two patients who died at home may also have suffered cannula obstruction, although this could not be verified. The majority of patients succumbed to the underlying disease. CONCLUSIONS: Permanent close supervision or monitoring at all times is critical to prevent cannular related deaths. Our results are compared with major series in other studies. In addition, we propose a booklet for the pediatric tracheotomy patient to document patient data and examination findings, e. g. type and size of cannula, duration of cannulation, laryngotracheometry, and complications. Its purpose will be to support communication between patients, parents, pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, and otolaryngologists. Furthermore, this booklet will help in evaluating risks, which may encounter pediatric tracheostomy patients, thereby enabling future studies.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

[Depression in Parkinson disease. A literature review].

Depressive disorders occur in Parkinson's disease in about 40%. They often manifest--not seldom preceding diagnosis of Parkinson's syndrome--like monopolar depression. Their cause has not yet been explained in a satisfactory way. Neurotransmitter disturbances are discussed as well as psychogenic factors. There seems to be a subtype of Parkinson's disease with more frequent depression, which is characterized by increased rigidity and bradykinesia, lower age at onset and family history of Parkinson's disease. Especially antidepressants, but also sleep deprivation and electroconvulsive therapy are efficient. The review is illustrated by a case report.

Depressive Disorder↗

PubMed1993

[Long-term treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia with etofibrate].

In the treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia, longterm results are of particular interest. Fifty-five patients with mixed hyperlipidemia, who had been treated with Etofibrat in a controlled clinical trial, underwent a follow-up examination one year after conclusion of the study, and data of current lipid treatment and lipid status were recorded. Also investigated were the compliance and motivation of the patients. Within the course of the clinical study, patients with combined hyperlipidemia showed a marked decrease in cholesterol levels of 21%, and of triglycerides of 38%. At the end of the trial, 20 patients continued to receive Etofibrat. Under this treatment, the lowered cholesterol and triglyceride levels were maintained, while in patients receiving other lipid-lowering agents, the triglycerides rose again, and patients not receiving any further medication showed an increase in both triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

Clofibric Acid↗

PubMed1992

Phosphorylation-dependent epitopes of neurofilament antibodies on tau protein and relationship with Alzheimer tau.

We have studied the phosphorylation of tau protein from Alzheimer paired helical filaments, of tau from normal human brain, and of recombinant tau isoforms. As a tool we used monoclonal antibodies against neurofilament protein [Sternberger, N., Sternberger, L. & Ulrich, J. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82, 4274-4276] that crossreact with tau in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. This allowed us to deduce the state of phosphorylation in normal and pathological tau, as well as antibody epitopes. The epitope of antibody SMI33 is at the first Lys-Ser-Pro sequence motif (residues 234-236) and requires an unphosphorylated Ser-235. Antibody SMI31 binds between Ser-396 (in the second Lys-Ser-Pro motif) and Ser-404, both of which must be phosphorylated. SMI34 has a conformational epitope that depends on the interaction between regions on either side of the microtubule-binding region; it also requires phosphorylation. The phosphorylatable serines detected by the SMI antibodies are part of Ser-Pro motifs and can be phosphorylated by a protein kinase activity that can be used to induce a paired helical filament-like state in human brain tau in vitro. The phosphates are incorporated in several stages that can be identified by antibody reactivity and gel shift. This suggests a role for the phosphorylation sites in Alzheimer disease, as well as the involvement of a Ser-Pro-directed protein kinase.

Alzheimer Disease↗

PubMed1992

The switch of tau protein to an Alzheimer-like state includes the phosphorylation of two serine-proline motifs upstream of the microtubule binding region.

The paired helical filaments (PHFs) of Alzheimer's disease consist mainly of the microtubule-associated protein tau. PHF tau differs from normal human brain tau in that it has a higher Mr and a special state of phosphorylation. However, the protein kinase(s) involved, the phosphorylation sites on tau and the resulting conformational changes are only poorly understood. Here we show that a new monoclonal antibody, AT8, records the PHF-like state of tau in vitro, and we describe a kinase activity that turns normal tau into a PHF-like state. The epitope of AT8 is around residue 200, outside the region of internal repeats and requires the phosphorylation of serines 199 and/or 202. Both of these are followed by a proline, suggesting that the kinase activity belongs to the family of proline-directed kinases. The epitope of AT8 is nearly coincident with that of another phosphorylation-dependent antibody, TAU1 [Binder, L.I., Frankfurter, A. and Rebhun, L. (1985) J. Cell Biol., 101, 1371-1378], but the two are complementary since TAU1 requires a dephosphorylated epitope.

Alzheimer Disease↗

PubMed1991

[Neurologic and psychiatric manifestations of lead poisoning in adults (case report and review of the literature)].

A 59-year-old potter presented with lead polyneuropathy after 37 years of occupational exposure. There was a 25-year history of normochromic normocytic anaemia with moderate basophilic stippling, mild renal failure, hyperuricaemia and abnormal porphyrins. Since 1964 three short psychotic episodes were noted. Cranial computed tomography showed extensive bilateral symmetrical calcification in the cerebellar hemispheres and slight calcification in the subcortical area of the cerebral hemispheres and basal ganglia. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging disclosed high signal intensities in the periventricular white matter, basal ganglia, insula, posterior thalamus and pons. Differential diagnostic aspects are discussed with special regard to CT and MRI findings. A review of the literature on neurological and psychiatric manifestations of lead intoxication in adults is given.

Brain↗

PubMed1990

[The so-called turnip-harvester palsy--a rare differential diagnosis today].

This is a report on a student of biology of 25 years of age who presented with left-sided pareses in the innervated area of the n. peronaeus communis after having remained in a squatting position for several hours for withdrawing and processing water samples. Aspects of differential diagnosis are discussed with particular reference to the so-called turnip-harvester's pressure palsy syndrome, a neuropathy triggered by occupational stress caused by out-dated plucking or digup methods for beets and potatoes. This syndrome is now rare, and the authors deliberate on its etiology.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗

PubMed1990

Binding of T-antigen-bearing neoglycoprotein and peanut agglutinin to cultured tumor cells and breast carcinomas.

Chemical conjugation of appropriate carbohydrate ligands to an inert labeled carrier renders probes available to screen for the presence of respective binding sites. A set with a certain plant lectin and a suitable neoglycoprotein can thus determine complementary parts of a potentially relevant glycobiological interaction system. Owing to the interest in the peanut agglutinin-reactive T-antigen, we performed chemical synthesis of the respective disaccharide structure to serve as glycohistochemical ligand and established refinements of the synthetic patway. Coupling of the derivatized monomers had to be performed in the presence of sodium sulfate for optimal results. Complete removal of the protective groups from the p-nitrophenyl derivative of the N-acetylgalactosamine moiety was achieved under mild conditions with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone without affecting any other functional groups. Specific binding sites for the synthetic neoglycoprotein as well as for the plant lectin were demonstrated in cell lines of human breast carcinoma colon adenocarcinoma, and erythroleukemia. ABC reagents in conjunction with DAB as peroxidase substrate were used to visualize specific binding sites. Binding complied with the accepted criteria for specificity. Moreover, carbohydrate-specific binding sites were detected in sections of nine out of 14 cases with malignant breast lesions. The percentage of positive tumor cells with both neoglycoprotein and lectin was similar in each of the individual sections, regardless of quantitative variations between cases, lectin staining intensity often being more pronounced. The reactivity pattern in sections of primary and metastatic lesions was not significantly correlated with the lymph node status. This study emphasized that custom synthesis of saccharides and histochemical application of the resulting neoglycoprotein has a remarkable potential for complementary assessment of endogenous binding sites for carbohydrate structures, localized by external tools such as plant lectins, as a step to elucidate the importance of a putative proteincarbohydrate interaction.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1987

Dose-response studies on the effects of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane on putative preneoplastic foci, monooxygenases, and growth in rat liver.

Alpha-, beta-, and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (alpha-, beta-, gamma-HCH) isomers are widespread environmental pollutants; alpha-HCH can cause liver tumors in rats and mice. In the present study we have checked first the tumor-initiating activity of HCH using the appearance of phenotypically altered foci in female rat liver as an end point. Foci were identified by means of the gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) reaction and by morphological alterations. No evidence of initiating activity was found. Secondly, we have attempted to determine quantitatively the ability of HCH isomers to promote tumor development. For this purpose growth and phenotypic changes of foci were used as an end point. Rats received a single dose of N-nitrosomorpholine. Then five different doses of each HCH isomer or phenobarbital (PB) (as a positive control) were administered continuously via the diet for 4, 15, and 20 weeks. Both number and size of altered foci were enhanced by doses of 2 to 3 mg/kg or more of the three isomers; in addition, foci phenotypes showed a pronounced shift towards strong expression of GGT and sharp demarcation from the surrounding liver. Based on daily doses the three HCH isomers were approximately equipotent; based on concentrations in liver or adipose tissue, gamma-HCH was severalfold more effective than alpha- and beta-HCH. Thirdly, size and DNA and monooxygenase activities of the liver were determined. All three parameters were enhanced by HCH isomers and PB. However, no strict correlations were found. Rather, at the highest doses tested PB was the most effective inducer of monooxygenases, alpha-HCH was the most potent inducer of liver growth, and all three HCHs were more potent than PB as inducers of focal expansion. Thus, induction of liver growth appears to be associated with foci expansion (tumor promotion); however, neither liver growth nor monooxygenase induction can be used for quantitative predictions of foci expansion by chemical compounds. Finally, no-observed-effect levels were estimated for the parameters studied and are discussed in relation to human exposure.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1978

[Effect of the propellants O2 and CO2 on the efficacy of oral irrigation].

The therapeutical results obtained with oral irrigations when O2 or CO2 was used as a propellant air compared with those achieved with compressed air. The assessment of the therapeutical success was based on the periodontal disease index according to Kötzschke and the exsudate heights according to Egelberg. A significant improvement in the periodontal condition was stated in all three groups of patients. Though only the exsudate values for the O2 group were significantly better than those for the compressed air group, being the only difference between the groups which was significant, the greater efficiency of the O2 and CO2 application (compared to compressed air application) is, nevertheless, obvious and interpretable. The therapeutical results obtained permit the statement that a technically perfect device and the further increase of the partial pressure of O2 or CO2 in the irrigation fluid will lead to even better therapeutical results, for which purpose the suggestions given should be considered in establishing the indication. The favourable results achieved with compressed air testify to the beneficial action of each irrigation or spray treatment.

Aerosols↗

PubMed1977

[Isolation of growth hormone from swine hypophysis].

The present work describes a procedure for the isolation of a highly purified growth hormone from fresh-frozen porcine pituitary glands. With regard to the similarity of the primary structure and the physicochemical behaviour between the hormone molecules of canine and porcine it was possible to use a method for the isolation of the growth hormone from canine pituitaries according to a direction of Wilhelmi, carried out by a partially modified technique. The concentration and further purification was performed by a fractionation with ammonium sulfate and ion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethylcellulose. Porcine growth hormone was obtained in a yield of 1,43 mg per g fresh weight of glands. With the aid of a double antibody radioimmunoassay for porcine growth hormone 0,78 mg hormone per 1 mg of the purified product could be determined. The disc-gel electrophoretic patterns contained besides the typical double band of growth hormone no mark of any other protein component.

Animals↗

PubMed1976

[Relationships between hemopoiesis and peripheral blood counts in untreated and 32P-treated patients with polycythaemia vera (author's transl)].

The composition of the hemopoiesis was determined in iliac crest biopsies of 51 patients with polycythaemia vera. There was a good correlation between thrombopoiesis and thrombocytes and, to a minor degree also between erythropoiesis and erythrocytes in untreated patients as well as between granulopoiesis and granulocytes in 32P-treated patients. In patients with normal blood counts there existed no correlation between the bone marrow and the blood counts within smaller limits of the cell count. Histomorphometric analysis shows no difference either between untreated and 32P-treated patients or between patients with and without splenomegaly. This is an argument against a significant intrasplenic hemopoiesis or an intrasplenic cell pooling, or destruction (hypersplenism), respectively. The blood sinusoids are hyperplastic and distended. With increasing hyperplasia of the hemopoiesis the sinusoids become relatively smaller. So changes in vascularisation may be of importance in the infrequent transitions into myelofibrosis and/or leukemia.

Biopsy↗