Biomedical subjects

F Reiter

Publications and source records attributed to F Reiter.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

WS5, a direct target of oncogenic transcription factor Myc, is related to human melanoma glycoprotein genes and has oncogenic potential.

We have isolated a gene (WS5) that is specifically expressed at the mRNA and protein level in avian fibroblasts transformed by the v-myc oncogene of avian acute leukemia virus MC29. In a conditional cell transformation system, WS5 gene expression was tightly correlated with v-myc activation. The WS5 gene contains 11 exons, encoding a 733-amino acid protein with a transmembrane region and a polycystic kidney disease (PKD) domain. Near the transcriptional start site, the WS5 promoter contains a cluster of four binding sites for the Myc-Max complex and a binding site for transcription factor C/EBPalpha. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that Myc, Max and C/EBPalpha bind specifically to these sites. Functional promoter analyses revealed that both the Myc-binding site cluster and the C/EBPalpha-binding site are essential for strong transcriptional activation, and that Myc and C/EBPalpha synergistically activate the WS5 promoter. Ectopic expression of WS5 led to cell transformation documented by anchorage-independent growth. The human melanoma antigen Pmel17, a type I transmembrane glycoprotein, is the mammalian protein with the highest amino acid sequence identity (38%) to WS5. The Pmel17 gene is regulated by the MITF protein, a bHLHZip transcription factor with DNA binding specificities similar to those of Myc/Max. WS5 is also related to human glycoprotein GPNMB expressed in metastatic melanoma cells and implicated in the progression of brain and liver tumors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

[Food allergy in the child: an exploratory study on the impact of the elimination diet on food neophobia].

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to analyse the impact of an elimination diet in children with food allergy, and its perception by their parents on the later reticence of children to test unknown foods, food neophobia. METHODS: The degree of food neophobia of children having outgrown their allergy (mean age, 7 years 2 months) was compared to that of a sibling (9 years 5 months) using a standardized scale and a questionnaire of food friendliness. Parents were also asked to fill in a questionnaire on the disease and its burden on the family. RESULTS: Children having outgrown their allergy are more reluctant to test new foods than their non-allergic brother or sister, as shown by their scoring on the food neophobia scale and the number of unknown foods following the cure of the disease. Two factors increase the level of food neophobia, the distressing effect and the duration of the period elapsed until the diagnosis was made, as well as the distressing effect and the lack of variety in the meal preparation. CONCLUSION: Food neophobia, a normal phase between 2 and 10 years, is worsened by the elimination diet required by food allergy, especially in case of late diagnosis and when the time elapsed before diagnosis and the preparation of meals were perceived as difficult to bear.

Child↗

PubMed2001

JAC, a direct target of oncogenic transcription factor Jun, is involved in cell transformation and tumorigenesis.

Using subtractive hybridization techniques, we have isolated a gene termed JAC that is strongly and specifically activated in avian fibroblasts transformed by the v-jun oncogene of avian sarcoma virus 17 (ASV17), but not in cells transformed by other oncogenic agents. Furthermore, JAC is highly expressed in cell lines derived from jun-induced avian fibrosarcomas. Kinetic analysis using a doxycycline-controlled conditional cell transformation system showed that expression of the 0.8-kb JAC mRNA is induced rapidly upon activation of the oncogenic v-jun allele. Nucleotide sequence analysis and transcriptional mapping revealed that the JAC gene contains two exons, with the longest ORF confined to exon 2. The deduced 68-amino acid chicken JAC protein is rich in cysteine residues and displays 37% sequence identity to mammalian high-sulfur keratin-associated proteins. The promoter region of JAC contains a consensus (5'-TGACTCA-3') and a nonconsensus (5'-TGAGTAA-3') AP-1 binding site in tandem, which are both specifically bound by the Gag-Jun hybrid protein encoded by ASV17. Mutational analysis revealed that the two AP-1 sites confer strong transcriptional activation by Gag-Jun in a synergistic manner. Ectopic expression of JAC in avian fibroblasts leads to anchorage-independent growth, strongly suggesting that deregulation of JAC is an essential event in jun-induced cell transformation and tumorigenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Low-dose botulinum toxin with ankle taping for the treatment of spastic equinovarus foot after stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a combined treatment for spastic foot using selective injections of botulinum toxin (BTA) into the tibialis posterior muscle followed by ankle taping, and to compare it with current BTA treatment procedure. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized control trial. Three-month follow-up after treatment. SETTING: Neurorehabilitation clinic. SUBJECTS: Eighteen outpatients with equinovarus foot due to severe spasticity after stroke. INTERVENTIONS: (1) Injection of 190 to 320 BTA U into several calf muscles (group A); (2) injection of 100 BTA U into the tibialis posterior muscle, followed by ankle-foot taping (group B). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ankle range of motion (ROM), Ashworth scale, gait velocity, and step length. RESULTS: Average Ashworth scores decreased 1 point in both groups, but the benefit appeared of shorter duration in group B. Changes in both foot position at rest and passive ankle ROM were observed in all patients, without treatment-related differences, except for gain in passive dorsiflexion that appeared higher in group A. Gait velocity and step length showed similar increases in both groups. CONCLUSION: The combination of selective injections of low BTA doses with ankle-foot taping is as effective as the injection of the current doses for the reduction of foot inversion with positive effects on gait parameters.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Immediate effects of therapeutic facilitation on the gait of hemiparetic patients as compared with walking with and without a cane.

OBJECTIVES: Although the neurodevelopmental technique (Bobath) is the most widely used approach in the gait rehabilitation of hemiparetic subjects in Europe, there is little neurophysiological evidence for its presumed effects on gait symmetry and facilitation of paretic muscles during the therapeutic intervention. The study, therefore, investigated the immediate effects of gait entrainment by a physical therapist on the gait of hemiparetic subjects. METHODS: Cycle parameters, gait symmetry, hip joint movement and the electromyographic activity of several lower limb muscles were assessed in 22 patients during a classic intervention by five Bobath therapists and while walking with and without a cane. RESULTS: Multivariate statistics revealed that, while being assisted by the therapist, patients walked faster (P = 0.022), with a longer relative stance period of the affected leg (P = 0.005), a higher symmetry (P = 0.002), larger hip extension (P = 0.001) and more activation (P = 0.026) of the Mm. triceps surae, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and gluteus medius as compared to walking with and without a cane. Extensor spasticity of the plantar-flexor tended to increase (n.s.). In five subjects, no after-effect could be documented 1 h after a gait training of 30 min. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed a more balanced walking pattern in conjunction with facilitation of various weight bearing muscles during the therapeutic intervention. A prolonged single stance period of the affected leg, an unobstructed hip movement, enhanced weight acceptance and a faster gait seemed to be responsible for the observed immediate effects of the therapeutic intervention.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Botulinum toxin type A and short-term electrical stimulation in the treatment of upper limb flexor spasticity after stroke: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the combined approach of botulinum toxin type A (BtxA) and electrical stimulation was more effective than the toxin alone in the treatment of chronic upper limb spasticity after stroke. DESIGN: Randomized, placebo-controlled study with four treatment groups: 1000 units BtxA (Dysport) + electrical stimulation (A), 1000 units BtxA (B), placebo + electrical stimulation (C) and placebo (D). SETTING: A neurological rehabilitation clinic. SUBJECTS: Twenty-four stroke patients with chronic upper limb spasticity after stroke, six patients in each treatment group. INTERVENTIONS: Intramuscular injection of either toxin or placebo into six upper imb flexor muscles. In group A and C additional electrical stimulation of the injected muscles with surface electrodes, three times half an hour each day for three days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Muscle tone rated with the modified Ashworth score, limb position at rest and difficulties encountered during three upper limb motor tasks assessed before and 2, 6 and 12 weeks after injection. RESULTS: Most improvements were observed in patients of group A. Cleaning the palm (p = 0.004) differed across groups. Pairwise comparison for this target variable showed that group A differed from group B and D (p <0.01), but not from C. Indicative across-group differences were obtained for elbow spasticity reduction (p = 0.011), and improvement of putting the arm through a sleeve (p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: The placebo-controlled trial favours the concept that electrical stimulation enhances the effectiveness of BtxA in the treatment of chronic upper limb flexor spasticity after stroke.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1997

Asymmetry of gait initiation in hemiparetic stroke subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate symmetry of gait initiation in healthy and hemiparetic subjects. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: Kinematic laboratory affiliated with a hospital-based department of rehabilitation. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Ten healthy and 14 hemiparetic stroke subjects starting five times with their right and left leg, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Duration of defined periods, step length, center of pressure, and center of mass were recorded and calculated using two triaxial force plates, contact switches, and a video camera system. RESULTS: Healthy subjects displayed a high degree of independence of kinetic and kinematic parameters of the starting limb. Hemiparetic patients showed differences with respect to the starting limb: when starting with the nonaffected leg, the swing period and step length was shorter and the center of pressure displayed a more marked medio-lateral sway with no corresponding initial movement of the center of mass; when starting with the affected leg the movement pattern of the center of pressure and center of mass was comparable to that of normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The trajectories of the center of pressure and center of mass and the symmetry parameters are in accordance with a higher degree of uncertainty when starting with the non-affected limb in hemiparetic subjects.

Aged↗

PubMed1987

[Long-term therapy of oligozoospermia with the aromatase inhibitor testolactone].

In a pilot study, 13 subfertile men with idiopathic normogonadotropic oligozoospermia were treated by the aromatase inhibitor testolactone for a period of 6 months. During the administration of 1 g testolactone daily, a significant increase in the sperm count, total sperm output and the absolute number of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa was observed 3 and 6 months after the initiation of therapy, but there were no significant changes in the percentage of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa, sperm morphology or ejaculate volume. The serum hormone levels of testosterone, LH, FSH and oestradiol were assessed before and during testolactone administration; there was a significant increase of testosterone and FSH after 1 and 3 months of treatment, but LH levels increased only during the 1st month of therapy. The oestradiol level showed a significant decrease, while the increase in testosterone/oestradiol ratio was more than twice as expected. The pregnancy rate was 17%. No severe side-effects were reported during testolactone therapy. The results of the study support the hypothesis that oestrogens are involved in the regulation of human spermatogenesis.

Adult↗

PubMed1976