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Biomedical subjects

F Bergmann

Publications and source records attributed to F Bergmann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Twice-weekly pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine effectively prevents Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia relapse and toxoplasmic encephalitis in patients with AIDS.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a fixed 25mg pyrimethamine--500mg sulfadoxine combination plus 15mg folinic acid given twice weekly for the prevention of relapses of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and primary episodes of toxoplasmic encephalitis. METHODS: Ninety-five HIV-infected patients with successfully treated PCP and without history of toxoplasmic encephalitis were enrolled between January 1990 and October 1995 in a single-arm open-label prospective study. No patient was receiving highly active antiretroviral treatment, including protease inhibitors or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, while on study medication. Efficacy was analysed on an "as-treated" basis. RESULTS: Five patients (5.3%) suffered a PCP relapse while on study medication, three of whom had been non-compliant. No relapse occurred in the first year. Probabilities of freedom from relapse were 0.96 after 24 months and 0.90 after 36 months. Of 69 patients positive for anti-toxoplasma IgG antibodies, one (1.5%) developed cerebral lesions compatible with toxoplasmic encephalitis after 50 months. Cutaneous allergic reactions were observed in 16 patients (16.8%) resulting in permanent discontinuation in six patients (6.3%). Two patients (2.1%) developed serious adverse reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), both of whom had continued prophylaxis despite progressive hypersensitivity reactions. CONCLUSIONS: The prophylactic regimen used is effective in preventing PCP relapses and toxoplasmic encephalitis. The regimen appears to be safe. Severe adverse events can likely be prevented by discontinuation of prophylaxis at the time allergic reactions are noted. Rechallenge frequently results in tolerance of the regimen. Efficacy and safety compare favourably with previously studied regimens. This simple prophylactic regimen may provide a convenient alternative for patients unable to tolerate approved regimens.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2000

Clonal chromosome abnormalities in enchondromas and chondrosarcomas.

We report cytogenetic findings in short-term cell cultures from five enchondromas and four chondrosarcomas. Clonal chromosome aberrations were found in one case of enchondroma, and in all cases of chondrosarcoma. The only enchondroma with nonrandom abnormalities had a reciprocal t(8;17)(q23;p13), and monosomies 9, 19, and/or 22. In contrast to the few karyotypic findings in one of five enchondromas, the four chondrosarcomas were commonly characterized by cytogenetic heterogeneity, with a tendency for increasing karyotypic complexity in higher grade tumors. Two cases, one grade III and one metastasizing grade II chondrosarcoma, revealed hypodiploid stem- and sidelines with loss of chromosomes 6, 10, 13, 14, and 22, as common chromosomal abnormalities, suggesting a distinct karyotypic pattern in a subset of biologically aggressive chondrosarcomas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Efficacy and safety of twice daily first-line ritonavir/indinavir plus double nucleoside combination therapy in HIV-infected individuals. German Ritonavir/Indinavir Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the virological efficacy and safety of quadruple therapy with two nucleoside analogues and ritonavir (400 mg twice daily) plus indinavir (400 mg twice daily) combination in antiretroviral therapy-naive patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: An open-label, uncontrolled multicentre trial. Antiretroviral therapy-naive patients (n = 90) with high median baseline HIV RNA levels of 220,000 copies/ml (range, 36,000-2,943,000 copies/ml) and median CD4 cell count of 189 x 10(6)/l (range, 4-656 x 10(6)/l) were started on a twice daily regimen of either zidovudine/lamivudine (49%), stavudine/lamivudine (38%) or stavudine/didanosine (13%) plus ritonavir 400 mg twice daily and indinavir 400 mg twice daily combination therapy. CD4 cell counts and HIV RNA were determined at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24. Statistical analysis was performed on treatment as well as intent-to-treat, where missing values were accounted for as failure. RESULTS: In the intent-to-treat analysis at week 24, the proportion of patients with HIV RNA of < 500 copies/ml, and < 80 copies/ml was 86.7% and 71.1%, respectively. In the on-treatment analysis at week 24, 80.0% of patients had undetectable viral load in the ultrasensitive assay (< 80 copies/ml; n = 80). The quadruple therapy was well tolerated except for mild diarrhoea, initial nausea and increased triglyceride levels. Treatment was stopped in seven (7.7%) patients because of adverse events and three (3.3%) were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary data suggest that the protease inhibitor combination ritonavir/indinavir plus double nucleoside therapy appears to be effective and safe in short-term treatment (up to 24 weeks).

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The promoter for constitutive expression of the human ICln gene CLNS1A.

The ICln protein is expressed ubiquitously in mammals. Experiments designed to knock down the ICln protein in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts as well as in epithelial cells led to the conclusion that this protein is crucially involved in volume regulation after cytoplasmic swelling. Reconstitution of the ICln protein in lipid bilayers revealed the ion channel nature of ICln. Here we describe a new human promoter sequence, composed of 89 nucleotides, which is responsible for a highly constitutive expression of the ICln protein. The promoter sequence lacks a TATA box, and the transcription can be effected at multiple sites. In addition to the starting sites, upstream sequence elements are mandatory for an efficient transcription of the ICln gene (CLNS1A). These new nucleotide elements were defined by site-directed mutagenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Comparison between a nucleic acid sequence-based amplification and branched DNA test for quantifying HIV RNA load in blood plasma.

HIV RNA was quantified in blood plasma from 209 patients and in control specimen comparing the NucliSens HIV-1 QT test (Organon Teknika), which is based on the nucleic acid sequence amplification procedure, and the Quantiplex 3.0 test (Bayer), which uses hybridization signal enhancement by branched DNA (bDNA) probes. A highly significant correlation (P=0.01) was found between the two methods with 88% of the samples showing similar results. In cases of discrepant findings, higher virus load was observed with either test (14xNASBA>bDNA; 12xbNDA>NASBA). Differences could neither be related to clinical features nor to divergent virus subtypes. Standard preparations containing 35000 and 222000 copies were quantified with intra-assay coefficients of variation of <20% using both methods. A preparation of 192 copies was measured with lower precision by both tests, yet was detected more reliably by the bDNA method.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2000

Cutaneous gnathostomiasis in a woman from Bangladesh.

A woman from Bangladesh who had lived in Germany for more than 2 years presented with migratory, painful swellings on her left hand and arm of 5 months duration. Laboratory examinations yielded a marked eosinophilia and a grossly elevated IgE level in combination with an inflammatory reaction restricted to the subcutaneous tissues. A preliminary diagnosis of gnathostomiasis was established and confirmed by a positive gnathostoma serology by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Treatment was initiated with albendazole, leading to the outward migration of a larva and complete resolution of clinical disease. Currently, there is no definitive therapy that has been proved to be both safe and highly effective. A wide range of potential agents has been used in clinical studies, but only albendazole has proved to be reliably effective to date, stimulating the outward migration of larvae in a proportion of cases of cutaneous disease, as observed in the present case.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A reciprocal relationship between the genetic diversity at two metabolically-linked isozyme loci in several conifer species.

In the context of a general survey on genetic variation of isozyme-gene systems which function in the carbohydrate degradation and conversion, we detected a reciprocal relationship between genetic diversity at the hexokinase (HEK-A) and phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI-B) loci in Scots pine populations. Further studies on Norway spruce, Douglas-fir and Siberian stone pine revealed that this relationship appears to be a more general phenomenon in conifers such that increasing diversity at one locus is correlated with a decrease in diversity at the other locus. Since the two gene loci are not structurally linked but are encoding enzymes of two sucessive metabolic steps in the glucose conversion towards glycolysis, it is assumed that some sort of selection, especially during germination and early embryo development, may be the causal explanation. A metabolically-based model incorporating selective advantage and disadvantage of alternate two-locus genotypes at HEK-A/PGI-B was presented in order to elucidate the possible adaptive nature of this reciprocal relationship.

Genetic Linkage↗
PubMed2000

Case reports. Disseminated cryptococcoses without cryptococcal antigen detection.

During the last decade cryptococcoses were most frequently diagnosed in AIDS patients, where serologically high amounts of glucoronoxylomannan (GXM) were detectable. Disseminated cryptococcoses without cryptococcal antigen detection is unusual. Between August and October 1998 disseminated cryptococcoses were diagnosed in three patients consecutively although cryptococcal antigen was not detectable. Only one of the patients was HIV infected.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2000

Molecular biology and clinical manifestation of hereditary factor VII deficiency.

Inherited factor VII (FVII) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. Mutations and polymorphisms of the FVII gene were characterized in more than 40 unrelated patients with FVII deficiency. Among the 29 different mutations, the most frequent were Ala294 Val, Ala294Val;404delC, IVS7+7, and Val281 Phe. Four novel mutations (IVS2+1G>C, Arg247 Cys, Glu265 Lys, Asp343 His) were detected. The relationships between genotypes of mutations and polymorphisms of the FVII gene, FVII deficiency, and clinical phenotype were investigated. Homozygosity of the Phe4 Leu, IVS4+1G>A, Cys135 Arg, Ala244 Val, and Ala294 Val;404delC and the double heterozygosity of Tyr68 Cys / IVS3-1G>A, Val252 Met / IVS2+5G>T, Val281 Phe / Cys135 Arg, Ala294 Val / Val281 Phe, Ala294 Val;404delC / Val281Phe, Ala294 Val;404delC / Arg152 stop, Ala294Val;404delC / Gln(-35) stop, Ala294 Val / Val252 Met, Ala294 Val / Gly156 Asp, and Thr359 Met / Asp242 His were related to clinical symptoms. Double heterozygotes for Arg247 Cys / IVS2+1G>C, Ala206 Thr / Pro303 Arg, Leu(-20) Pro / Val252 Met as well as IVS7+7 /Ala294 Val, IVS7+7 /Ala206 Thr, and IVS7+7 / Met298 Ile were asymptomatic. The clinical symptomatology is rather poor in correlation with the FVII activity. Concerning the clinical phanotype, a correlation seems to exist between specific mutations and clinical symptoms.

Factor VII↗
PubMed2000

[Papillary renal cell carcinoma: comparison of CT and gross morphology].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the CT appearance of papillary renal cell tumor (pRCT) under consideration of gross pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preoperative CT-scans of 10 patients suffering from pRCT were re-evaluated by two experienced radiologists. CT appearance was correlated to gross morphology. RESULTS: On CT, 9/10 tumors were depicted as rounded, well circumscribed and sharply delineated masses. These tumors presented a hypodense central area correlating to necrosis in gross pathology. The central area of necrosis was surrounded by vital tumor tissue, presenting as a serpiginous, contrast-enhancing margin on CT. One tumor was polycyclic due to multiple tumor nodules, but sharply demarcated towards the surrounding renal tissue. CONCLUSIONS: pRCT presents a quite unique CT appearance similar to its gross pathology.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Evaluation of phenotypic markers for selection and identification of Candida dubliniensis.

Candida dubliniensis is often associated with C. albicans in cultures. Easy-to-perform selective isolation procedures for these closely related species do not exist. Therefore, we evaluated previously described discriminatory phenotypic markers for C. dubliniensis. A total of 150 oral rinses from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients were cultured on CHROMagar Candida. Dark green colonies described as being indicative of C. dubliniensis and other green colonies, 170 in total, were isolated. Chlamydospore formation, intracellular beta-D-glucosidase activity, ability to grow at 42 degrees C, carbohydrate assimilation pattern obtained by the API ID 32C, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were used for phenotypic characterization. Sequencing of the 5' end of the nuclear large-subunit (26S) ribosomal DNA gene was used for definitive species identification for C. dubliniensis. C. dubliniensis was found in 34% of yeast-colonized HIV-infected patients. The color of the colonies on CHROMagar Candida proved to be insufficient for selecting C. dubliniensis, since only 30 of 53 proven C. dubliniensis isolates showed a dark green color in primary cultures. The described typical chlamydospore formation can give only some indication of C. dubliniensis. The assimilation pattern proved to be insufficient to discriminate C. dubliniensis from C. albicans. All C. dubliniensis strains showed no or highly restricted growth at 42 degrees C and a lack of beta-D-glucosidase activity. Unfortunately, atypical C. albicans strains can also exhibit these phenotypic traits. FT-IR spectroscopy combined with hierarchical clustering proved to be as reliable as genotyping for discriminating the two species.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1999

A Convergent Strategy for the Modification of Peptide Nucleic Acids: Novel Mismatch-Specific PNA-Hybridization Probes.

Coupling of nonnatural nucleobases to the orthogonally protected backbone 1 on the solid phase provided access to novel peptide nucleic acid (PNA) conjugates 2, which are difficult to synthesize by standard routes. Hybridization probes containing the thiazolorange dye might allow DNA sequence analysis in real time. B-CH(2)CO=modified nucleobase, fluorescent dye, etc; Boc, Fmoc=protecting groups.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Severe protein C deficiency and aseptic osteonecrosis of the hip joint: a case report.

UNLABELLED: Homozygous congenital protein C deficiency is accompanied by severe thrombophilia. Thrombotic events can be reduced in number and severity by lifelong oral anticoagulation therapy. A 4-year-old boy was first diagnosed as having severe congenital homozygous protein C deficiency during the neonatal period when purpura fulminans occurred as the first manifestation of thrombosis. From this time he had been treated with phenprocoumon (INR 3.5-4.5). During an infection of the upper respiratory tract he developed signs of a new episode of purpura fulminans (INR 2.6). Additional anticoagulation therapy with LMW heparin (Clexane) and protein C concentrate was given while the oral anticoagulation therapy was continued. On the third day of this episode the boy suffered from pain of unknown origin. MRI of the abdomen and of the pelvis revealed nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the hip joint. After a few weeks of immobilisation no special treatment was necessary. One year later he was able to walk with no problem. CONCLUSION: Aseptic osteonecrosis of the hip joint is associated with a variety of disorders including vascular thrombosis and haemorrhage. Especially young children and handicapped patients with thrombophilia and pain of unknown origin are suspected to have thrombosis in atypical regions.

Child, Preschool↗