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Biomedical subjects

H Seidel

Publications and source records attributed to H Seidel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Synthetic human tRNA(UUULys3) and natural bovine tRNA(UUULys3) interact with HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and serve as specific primers for retroviral cDNA synthesis.

Full-length and 5'-truncated variants of human (h) tRNA(UUULys3) were synthesized by in vitro transcription using SP6 RNA polymerase. Bovine(b) tRNA(SUULys3) was purified from calf liver. Both full-length tRNA species were shown to be biologically active in an aminoacylation assay. Gel retardation assays revealed that both full-length tRNA species, as well as a 5'-truncated h-tRNA(UUULys3) molecule containing 24 nucleotides (nt) at the 3' end (Lys24), interact with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). Competition studies with these three tRNA species demonstrate that the 3' end of h-tRNA(UUULys3) contributes to the interaction with HIV-1 RT. Escherichia coli tRNA(UUULys) and tRNA(UUCGlu2) were also able to interact with the enzyme, whereas unrelated RNA molecules such as E. coli 5S rRNA did not bind to RT. Both b-tRNA(SUULys3) and h-tRNA(UUULys3) molecules, as well as the 5'-truncated variants, could be demonstrated to prime cDNA synthesis specifically using a HIV-1 RNA template, prepared by in vitro transcription, indicating that other viral or cellular proteins are not essential for this process. E. coli tRNA(UUULys) and tRNA(UUCGlu2), although able to interact with HIV-1 RT, failed to prime retroviral transcription. Products of cDNA synthesis were characterized by polymerase chain reaction, demonstrating that at least 18 nt at the 3' ends of h-tRNA(UUULys3) and b-tRNA(SUULys3) are still present in the cDNA product, whereas the 5' ends of both primer molecules were removed by the RNase H activity of HIV-1 RT.

Animals

Effects of isolated and combined exposures to whole-body vibration and noise on auditory-event related brain potentials and psychophysical assessment.

Auditory event-related brain potentials (ERP) in response to two different tone stimuli (1.1 kHz or 1 kHz, 80 dB, 50 ms; given by headphones at a regular interstimulus interval of 5 s with a probability distribution of 70:30) were recorded from 12 healthy male subjects (Ss) during four different conditions with two repetitions: A-60 dBA white noise (wN), no whole-body vibration (WBV); B-60 dBA wN plus sinusoidal WBV in the az-direction with a frequency of 2.01 Hz and acceleration of 2 m.s-2 root mean square; C-80 dBA wN, no WBV; D-80 dBA wN plus WBV. Each condition consisted of two runs of about 11 min interrupted by a break of 4 min. During the break with continuing exposure, but without auditory stimuli, Ss judged the difficulty of the tone-detection task and intensity of noise by means of cross-modality matching (CMM). Vibration-synchronous activity in the electrocardiogram was eliminated by a subtraction-technique. Noise caused an attenuation of the N1 and P2 amplitudes and prolongation of P3 latencies. The WBV did not cause systematic ERP effects. Condition B was associated with higher N1 and smaller P3 amplitudes. The factor "condition" had a significant effect on the peak latencies of P3 to target stimuli and the task difficulty judged by CMM. Both effects exhibited significant linear increases in the sequence of conditions A, B, C, D. For the evaluation of exposure conditions at work, it can be suggested that noise has a strong systematic effect which can be enhanced by WBV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acoustic Stimulation

De novo interstitial deletion 16(q12.1q13) of paternal origin in a 10-year-old boy.

A 10-year-old boy with a de novo del(16)(q12.1q13) and many features of the deletion 16q phenotype is described. The deletion occurred in a paternal chromosome as demonstrated by DNA studies with polymorphic (AC)n microsatellite repeat markers. Comparison with published cases suggests that deletion of either of two regions (q13 and q22.1) on the long arm of chromosome 16 is associated with an apparently identical phenotype. No parental imprinting of this region was demonstrated.

Abnormalities, Multiple

Cerebrospinal fluid exchange after intrathecal methotrexate overdose. A report of two cases.

Two patients aged 11 and four years, were accidentally given a 10-fold overdose of intrathecal methotrexate while being treated for malignant disease. Neither patient developed any signs of neurotoxicity and exchange of lumbar cerebro-spinal fluid was started 3 and 5 h later, respectively. In one of the patients, who received 120 mg of methotrexate intrathecally, 31% of the given dose was recovered during 2 h of cerebrospinal fluid exchange that was started 3 h after the accidental overdosage. No sequelae were observed in any of the patients. Cerebrospinal fluid exchange is safe and can be recommended in all cases of intrathecal methotrexate overdosage. Ventriculo-cisternal perfusion is not necessary in cases of a 10-fold overdose if the patient has no signs of acute neurotoxicity.

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Changes in auditory evoked brain potentials during ultra-low frequency whole-body vibration of man or of his visual surround.

Auditory evoked brain potentials (AEP) were recorded from nine healthy male subjects during three types of condition: A - subject and visual field stationary; B - subject vibrated (z-axis, 0.6 Hz, 1.85 ms-2 rms), visual field stationary; C - subject stationary, visual field vibrated (as for B). The visual surround was confined to a checkerboard pattern in front of the subject. Auditory stimuli (1000 Hz, 86 dB, interstimulus interval 7 s) were delivered via headphones to evoke AEP. Vibration-synchronous activity in the EEG was eliminated by a subtraction technique. In comparison with condition A, conditions B and C caused an attenuation of P2 and N1P2 components of AEP together with an increased latency of N1. Effects of conditions B and C did not differ. Direct vestibular stimulation and mechanisms specific for whole-body vibration were rejected as modes of action. The AEP-changes and the subjective evaluation of experimental conditions, arousal and performance, as well as symptoms of kinetosis (motion sickness) suggest a sensory mismatch, leading to a "latent kinetosis" with de-arousal, as the dominating mechanism by which the processing of information was affected. This suggestion was supported by an additional pilot study. Under real working conditions a similar effect can be expected during relative motion between the driver and his visual surround, i.e. even with perfect vibro-isolation of the driver's seat.

Adult

The effect of low-frequency whole-body vibration under different visual conditions on auditory evoked potentials.

Auditory evoked brain potentials (AEP) were recorded from 9 healthy males during sinusoidal whole-body vibration (WBV) in the longitudinal (+/- az) direction with 0.6 Hz, 1.85 ms-2rms (F1), 1.01 Hz, 4.27 ms-2rms (F2) and without WBV (F3) under 3 visual conditions--homogeneous bright visual field (B), normal vision (N), and complete darkness (D). The sequences of the different experimental conditions were arranged according to a 9 X 9 Latin Square design. A subtraction technique was used to eliminate vibration-synchronous activity from the EEG. The N1 and N1P2 amplitudes decreased during F1 and F2, compared to F3. The latencies of N1 and P2 increased during F1 and F2. The effects of F1 and F2 did not differ. The visual conditions exhibited no systematic effect on the AEP. The results suggest (1) F1 and F2 to be equivalent exposure conditions and (2) the dominance of vestibular-auditory interactions, compared with visual-auditory ones.

Acoustic Stimulation

Psychophysical assessment of sinusoidal whole-body vibration in z-axis between 0.6 and 5 Hz combined with different noise levels.

Nine healthy sitting males evaluated the intensity of vertical whole-body vibration (WBV) in z-axis at four frequencies (F1 = 0.63 Hz, F2 = 1.25 Hz, F3 = 2.5 Hz, F4 = 5 Hz) and two intensities (I1 = 1 ms-2 rms, I2 = 2 ms-2 rms) by cross-modality matching (CMM). The subjects were simultaneously exposed to low-frequency noise at two levels (L1 = 65 dBA, L2 = 86 dBA). L1 and L2 were context conditions which did not have to be evaluated by CMM. The results indicate a flat response between F2 and F3; the sensitivity increases towards F1. Different exponents of Stevens' power law for the frequencies of WBV contradict the frequency range tested to be a sensory continuum. L2 caused practically significantly stronger sensations of the WBV-intensity from F1 to F3 (I1) and at F2 (I2). No synergistic effect of noise and WBV was shown at F3I2. Weighting factors were calculated for all exposure conditions using Stevens' power law. The weighting of F2 and F3 contradicts that of the International Standard ISO 2631-1985 (E). The results enable recommendations for the frequency weighting of WBV between 0.63 and 1 Hz, as well as for the equivalence of noise and WBV with combined exposure.

Adult

Electromyography of lumbar erector spinae muscles--influence of posture, interelectrode distance, strength, and fatigue.

The aims of the study were to obtain information (1) on surface electromyograms (SEMG) from the lumbar erector spinae muscles at different interelectrode distances and postures during short isometric contractions with constant force, (2) on the relationships between SEMG and extension force at different postures, and (3) on changes in SEMG during fatiguing isometric contractions at different postures and strengths. Six male subjects developed target forces in prone postures without gravity confounding the measurement of the extension torque. The angles between the constantly horizontal upper trunk and thighs were 90 degrees (P1), 135 degrees (P2), 170 degrees (P3), and 190 degrees (P4). Standard deviations of the distribution of SEMG amplitudes (RMS values), autoregressive (AR) time series models of the 15th order and spectral densities, including mean power frequency (MPF), were computed. Smaller interelectrode distances accompanied smaller RMS values and higher MPF. At a constant extension torque of about 110 Nm, RMS values and MPF increased from P1 to P4. Changes of interelectrode distance were of relatively minor importance, compared with the variation in the posture. With increasing torque, the increase in RMS values was steeper at P3 than at P2. The AR structure and MPF did not exhibit distinct effects of force. During sustained contractions at P2 and P3, only the highest force (mean = 140 Nm) at P3 caused a significant decrease of the MPF at the very beginning of the contraction. Endurance at P2 was greater than at P3. Higher forces and/or shorter muscles (P3) induced more pronounced and earlier relative decreases of the MPF and residual variance of AR models. Up to the "failure point", RMS values increased slightly, but without significant differences.

Adult

Hierarchy of different muscles in postural control.

The effects of muscle spindle activation on different postural muscles were examined in eight volunteers, using a force platform technique. Small electrical vibrators were placed symmetrically over the muscles concerned and the effects of vibration frequencies of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 Hz were studied at a constant amplitude of 0.4 mm (peak-to-peak). Significant responses were observed in most muscles. The responses were observed (in maximum response order) from: the neck, triceps surae, gluteus, abdominal, hamstring, quadriceps, lumbar and tibialis anterior muscles. The response direction did not follow anatomical gonistic vis-à-vis antagonistic distribution of the muscles studied, indicating that it is the functional properties of the muscles that determine posture stabilization. The large inter-individual variability in responses, but the consistency in intra-individual muscle responses indicates that the subjects used afferent muscles to a varying extent in postural control. The vibration-induced activation of the muscles was presumably derived by activation of stretch-sensitive secondary endings of muscle spindles that control postural stability.

Adult

[ Ulcerative colitis and pregnancy].

Ulcerative colitis is a disease confined to the colon in an age from 20 to 40 years mainly. Fertility and pregnancy are not disturbed generally. The influence of pregnancy on the course of the colitis is not foreseeable, however. The therapy with Salazosulfapyridine is possible in pregnancy, too.

Adult

[Laboratory studies of vibration transmission in motor vehicle seats].

Operator seats (Models 050 and 500, Möve) were examined with vertical sinusoidal whole-body vibration (WBV) in the frequency range from 1 to 40 Hz (1.5 and 3.0 ms-2rms) and with simulated stochastic vibration of combines for the harvest of sugarcane. Six male subjects volunteered for the experiments. The WBV transmitted from the seat mounting base to the seat cushion and head were compared with data of a hard experimental seat. Interindividual differences cannot be explained by different body masses only. The iolation and main resonance of the two operator seats differed. Additional resonant peaks occurred above 6 Hz. They can cause unfavourable conditions at certain applications. The operator seats tested are probably suited for the reduction of WBV exposure on combines for the harvest of sugarcane.

Adult

[Laboratory studies on the subjective evaluation of motor vehicle seats].

Operator seats (Models 050 and 500, Möve) were examined with vertical sinusoidal whole-body vibration (WBV) in the frequency range from 1 to 40 Hz (1.5 and 3.0 ms-2 rms) and with simulated stochastic vibration of combines for the harvest of sugarcane. Six male subjects volunteered for the experiments. The subjective assessments of operator seats by cross-modality matching, paired comparisons, and questionnaires were compared with data of a hard experimental seat. Transmitted WBV and subjective evaluation correlated partially only. Suggestions are derived for the improvement of the seats tested.

Adult

[The effect of low-frequency whole-body vibration on the vestibular apparatus].

For the first time, effects of very low-frequency whole-body vibration (WBV) on the functional state of the vestibular system were examined by means of electronystagmography (ENG) which is considered as a sensitive and adequate method. During vertical WBV-exposure with 0.6 Hz and 1.87 ms-2 rms for 50 minutes, a vertical nystagmus was observed. The results suggest the applicability of the ENG under laboratory conditions with WBV-exposure as a method for the assessment of the vestibular function. Changes of ENG amplitudes occurred with longer duration of WBV-exposure; they were different between subjects.

Adult

[Amaurosis sub partu].

The appearance of amaurosis as a symptom of pre-eclampsia or eclampsia is a very rare clinical picture. There is a difference between the transitional and the permanent course of the disease. A case of transitional amaurosis lasting about half an hour is reported.

Adult