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H Hauser

Publications and source records attributed to H Hauser.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

IRF-1 induced cell growth inhibition and interferon induction requires the activity of the protein kinase PKR.

Expression of the tumor suppressor IRF-1 results in the inhibition of cell growth and transcriptional activation of the IFN-beta gene. IFN production is not responsible for the IRF-1 mediated cell growth inhibition. It is shown here that activation of the IRF-1 causes induction of PKR expression. PKR is a serine/threonine kinase with tumor suppressor activity. IRF-1 mediated cell growth inhibition and IFN induction correlates with PKR expression. A catalytically inactive dominant negative PKR mutant abolishes both activities of IRF-1. These data demonstrate that the tumor suppressor activity of IRF-1 is mediated, at least in part, by PKR.

3T3 Cells↗

Heterologous expression as a tool for gene identification and analysis.

These days, genome research mainly concerns the accumulation of sequence data and their theoretical interpretation based on analogies to known genes, proteins and structures. However, a final identification of gene function can only be verified by experimental data. One step in this process is the expression of the isolated gene in pro- and eukaryotes. In this article we will review some of the basic features of expression in Escherichia coli and mammalian cells that are relevant to the design of expression experiments. Emphasis is put on the first instance of attaining a high enough level of expression in order to be able to detect the cellular effects or to isolate the product of the transferred gene.

Animals↗

Characterization of lipid exchange proteins isolated from small intestinal brush border membrane.

Subjecting rabbit small intestinal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) to freeze-thaw cycles releases water-soluble lipid exchange (transfer) proteins into the supernatant. They differ widely in apparent molecular weight and catalyze cholesterol, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylinositol exchange between two populations of small unilamellar lipid vesicles. In order to determine their interrelations, the smallest water-soluble lipid exchange protein was purified to homogeneity by gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 and cation exchange chromatography on Mono S. It is a basic protein of apparent molecular mass of 13 +/- 0.5 kDa. The purified protein was used to raise polyclonal antibodies. Polyclonal antibodies were also produced against a lipid exchange protein of apparent molecular mass of 100-120 kDa. By comparing lipid exchange, lipid binding, and immunological properties of the water-soluble lipid exchange proteins it can be shown that the 13-kDa (peak 3) protein is related to the 100-120 kDa (peak 1) protein; the properties of these two proteins are different from those of the peak 2 lipid exchange protein of apparent molecular mass of 22 kDa. Based on the immunological cross-reactivity observed between the 13 and 100-120 kDa and the lipid binding properties of these two proteins, a working hypothesis is proposed: both proteins are probably part of an integral membrane protein of the brush border membrane that facilitates cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine absorption in this membrane. Evidence derived from immunogold labeling of BBMV supports the notion that this protein is located on the external (luminal) side of the brush border membrane. The analogous behavior of rabbit and human small intestinal brush border membrane in terms of lipid absorption and the release of water-soluble lipid exchange proteins is discussed.

Animals↗

Multistep tumor targeting in nude mice using bispecific antibodies and a gallium chelate suitable for immunoscintigraphy with positron emission tomography.

To improve tumor:tissue ratios in immunoscintigraphy, a three-step targeting method has been developed. The reagents used were (a) a radioactive, low molecular weight chelate prepared from ionic gallium and a phenolic polyaminocarboxylic acid, which can be labeled either with the single-photon emitter 67Ga or with the short-lived positron emitter 68Ga (t1/2 = 68 min); (b) a bispecific monoclonal antibody (bs-mAb) synthesized from the F(ab)2 fragment of the 1.1ASML antibody specific for the glycoprotein CD44v associated with a rat pancreas carcinoma cell line and the F(ab') fragment of an antibody specific for the gallium chelate; and (c) the nonradioactive gallium chelate covalently coupled to transferrin, which served as a high molecular weight blocker to prevent binding of the radioactive gallium chelate to bs-mAbs in the circulation. Targeting experiments in tumor-bearing nude mice with different doses of bs-mAbs, blocker, and 67Ga chelate were adjusted to maximize tumor to tissue contrasts and tumor uptake. Compared with the biodistribution of the 131I-labeled, native 1.1ASML antibody 24 h postinjection, a schedule using 100 pmol bs-mab 24 h later 100 pmol blocker, 15 min later 16 pmol 67Ga chelate, 1 h later examination, increased tumor:blood and tumor: liver ratios by a factor of 5 while keeping the localization of radioactivity in the tumor constant (10.1% injected dose/g). High-contrast images using either 67Ga or 68Ga were obtained within 1 h. The targeting method described enables the use of the short-lived positron emitter 68Ga and thus allows the combination of an improved immunoscintigraphy and positron emission tomography.

Animals↗

Malignant schwannoma of the breast.

Malignant schwannoma (MS) is a tumor of the Schwann or nerve sheath cells, most frequently occurring in the lower and upper extremities, trunk and head region. We report the third known case of MS of the breast, which occurred in a 27-year-old woman. The palpable tumor, about 1.2 cm in diameter, was localized in the upper inner quadrant of the right breast. After ultrasonography, mammography and fine needle aspiration cytology, the tumor was removed surgically.

Adult↗

Behavior of cholesterol and spin-labeled cholestane in model bile systems studied by electron spin resonance and synchrotron x-ray.

The behavior of mixed bile salt micelles consisting of sodium taurocholate, egg phosphatidylcholine, and cholesterol has been studied by ESR spin labeling and synchrotron x-ray scattering. Consistent with published phase diagrams, pure and mixed bile salt micelles have a limited capacity to incorporate and, hence, solubilize cholesterol. Excess cholesterol crystallizes out, a process that is readily detected both by ESR spin labeling using 3-doxyl-5 alpha-cholestane as a probe for cholesterol and synchrotron x-ray scattering. Both methods yield entirely consistent results. The crystallization of cholesterol from mixed bile salt micelles is indicated by the appearance of a magnetically dilute powder spectrum that is readily detected by visual inspection of the ESR spectra. Both the absence of Heissenberg spin exchange and the observation of a magnetically dilute powder spectrum provide evidence for the spin label co-crystallizing with cholesterol. In mixed bile salt micelles containing egg phosphatidylcholine, the solubility of cholesterol is increased as detected by both methods. With increasing content of phosphatidylcholine and increasing mole ratio cholesterol/phosphatidylcholine, the anisotropy of motion of the spin probe increases. The spin label 3-doxyl-5 alpha-cholestane is a useful substitute for cholesterol provided that it is used in dilute mixtures with excess cholesterol: the cholesterol/spin label mole ratio in these mixtures should be greater than 100. Despite the structural similarity between the two compounds, there are still significant differences in their physico-chemical properties. These differences come to the fore when cholesterol is totally replaced by the spin-label: 3-doxyl-5a-cholestane is significantly less soluble in bile salt and mixed bile salt micelles than cholesterol and, in contrast with cholesterol, it interacts only very weakly, if at all,with phosphatidylcholine. The potential of the ESR method for detecting cholesterol crystal growth in human bile is discussed.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Neuroendocrine tumours in various organ systems in a ten-year period.

Neuroendocrine cells are present in various organ systems. These widely distributed cells as well as their histogenetically related tumours can produce various peptides and peptide hormones. From 1984 to 1993, 349 neuroendocrine tumours were found among 511,382 histological diagnoses at the Institute of Pathology of the Medical School of the Karl Franzens University in Graz. In 30% carcinoid of the appendix was diagnosed, in 16% carcinoid of the colorectum, in 9% carcinoid of the small intestine and in 2% duodenal carcinoid. Carcinoid of the stomach was detected in 14%. Seven of these cases showed microcarcinoidosis and five of them were combined with an adenocarcinoma. Carcinoid of the oesophagus was present in 1%, neuroendocrine pancreatic tumours in 6%. Neuroendocrine tumours of the bronchial system were found in 12%, medullary thyroid cancer in 5%. In 1% a Merkel-cell tumour was diagnosed. Other more rare localizations of neuroendocrine tumours were the uterus, ovary, breast, testes, epididymis, anal region and the upper respiratory tract.

Adult↗

The actin-related protein Act3p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is located in the nucleus.

Actin-related proteins, a group of protein families that exhibit about 50% sequence identity among each other and to conventional actin, have been found in a variety of eukaryotic organisms. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, genes for one conventional actin (ACT1) and for three actin-related proteins (ACT2, ACT3, and ACT5) are known. ACT3, which we recently discovered, is an essential gene coding for a polypeptide of 489 amino acids (Act3p), with a calculated molecular mass of 54.8 kDa. Besides its homology to conventional actin, Act3p possesses a domain exhibiting weak similarity to the chromosomal protein HMG-14 as well as a potential nuclear localization signal. An antiserum prepared against a specific segment of the ACT3 gene product recognizes a polypeptide band of approximately 55 kDa in yeast extract. Indirect immunofluorescence experiments with this antiserum revealed that Act3p is located in the nucleus. Nuclear staining was observed in all cells regardless of the stage of the cell cycle. Independently, immunoblotting experiments with subcellular fractions showed that Act3p is indeed highly enriched in the nuclear fraction. We suggest that Act3p is an essential constituent of yeast chromatin.

Actins↗

Preoperative diagnosis of a pulmonary artery sarcoma.

A pulmonary artery sarcoma was diagnosed preoperatively by magnetic resonance imaging enhanced with gadolinium and confirmed by percutaneous computed tomographic guided needle biopsy. Accurate preoperative diagnosis allowed planned curative surgery with removal of the right ventricular outflow tract and reconstructive surgery using a cryopreserved homograft.

Adult↗

Barriers to condom use among women attending planned parenthood clinics.

Assessed condom use, barriers to condom use, oral contraceptive use, partnership status and STD history in 457 15-30 year-old women attending four family planning clinics. Subjects were classified into three condom use groups: Non Users (37%); Current Users (33%); and Past Users (30%). Factor analysis revealed five barriers to condom use: Partner's Perception, Peer's Perception, Pleasure/Intimacy, Communication, and Low Perceived Need. Multivariate analyses revealed significant group differences on only two barrier factors: Pleasure/Intimacy and Low Perceived Need. Low Perceived Need accounted for 13.5% of the variance in condom use. Women with low perceived need to use condoms were more likely to use oral contraceptives.

Adolescent↗

Laparoscopic partial splenic resection.

Twenty domestic pigs with an average weight of 30 kg were subjected to laparoscopic partial splenic resection with the aim of determining the feasibility, reliability, and safety of this procedure. Unlike the human spleen, the pig spleen is perpendicular to the body's long axis, and it is long and slender. The parenchyma was severed through the middle third, where the organ is thickest. An 18-mm trocar with a 60-mm Endopath linear cutter was used for the resection. The tissue was removed with a 33-mm trocar. The operation was successfully concluded in all animals. No capsule tears occurred as a result of applying the stapler. Optimal hemostasis was achieved on the resected edges in all animals. Although these findings cannot be extended to human surgery without reservations, we suggest that diagnostic partial resection and minor cyst resections are ideal initial indications for this minimally invasive approach.

Animals↗

[Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS)--evaluating the clinical status].

In 44 patients with biliary obstructions, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) was performed during percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage procedures (PTCD). In all patients the obstruction could be decompressed via the PTCD sufficiently. 30 of these cases who had PTCS showed suspect hepatic and pancreatic malignancies. In contrast to the brush cytology (14% false negative) the biopsies revealed insufficient histology in 33%. However, in 3 cases a more extended tumor site was seen that at the initial exploration, shown by ERCP.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗

[A new concept in imaging pelvic recurrence of curatively operated rectal carcinoma--image fusion of nuclear magnetic resonance tomography and anti-CEA immunoscintigraphy (SPECT): technique and clinical example].

We present a new technique of image fusion (IF) of magnetic resonance imaging (MRT) and anti-CEA-immunoscintigraphy (Behring 431/26) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). We performed SPECT and MRT within 8 hours on the same day. Glucagon intravenously was used to reduce artefacts due to intestinal motility. Before image fusion we analysed the SPECT and MRT images independently of each other. The MRT and SPECT were connected by a local area network (LAN) to a Gateway computer, which is also used as a picture archive. There a program automatically starts, translates the MRT data from the ACR/NEMA format to the Elscint one and these data are sent for image fusion to the nuclear medicine computer Elscint SP1. By means of a clinical example we present anatomic concordant superimposition and explain the findings and the clinical value of our technique. This system and technique are equally applicable to other digital imaging investigations. By IF, on the basis of the certain evidence of the tracer depot of a pathological lesion diagnosed by MRT and the reliability of the anatomical assignment of a focal lesion diagnosed by SPECT, early detection of local recurrence after surgical treatment of rectal cancer, the correct localisation of recurrent disease and its distinction from non-malignant tissue becomes possible. This enables planning of further therapeutical strategies.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Epithelioid leiomyosarcoma of the stomach. Clinical experiences with a rare stomach tumor].

Gastric epithelioid leiomyosarcoma (epLMS), which generally occurs in mid- or late adult life, is a rare smooth muscle tumor of the stomach. Out of 25 soft tissue tumors of the stomach operated at the Department of Surgery, University of Graz, two epLMS were diagnosed. This paper presents the case of a 67-year-old male with an epLMS in the corpus and of a 80-year-old female with an epLMS in the fundus of the stomach. The tumors were not diagnosed by gastroscopy; they were localized by sonography and CT-scan. In both cases the tumor was completely removed surgically, using a TA 90 4.8 mm respectively a TA 55 4.8 mm stapler. Diagnosis was reached by histological and immunohistochemical examination of the tumor tissue. Surgical excision with wide tumor-free resection margins is the therapy of choice in this tumor group.

Adult↗

A multifunctional vector family for gene expression in mammalian cells.

A family of different promoters and vector backbones for multiple use in mammalian cells in vivo and in vitro experiments has been created. The elements allow high-level constitutive, as well as adjustable expression with mono- and dicistronic transcription units and several in vitro manipulations of the inserted ORFs. The vector components are designed to be combined in a simple cloning step.

Animals↗

A new hybrid promoter directs transcription at identical start points in mammalian cells and in vitro.

A hybrid promoter which generates large amounts of mRNAs with transcription start points (tsp) differing in one nt, both in mammalian cells and in vitro, was constructed by integrating the promoter of bacteriophage T7 in between the TATA box and the tsp of the retroviral myeloproliferative sarcoma virus (MPSV) long terminal repeat (LTR). This promoter was designed for sequence and secondary structure studies of 5' untranslated regions (UTR) with respect to mRNA stability and translatability.

Animals↗