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H W Kuhlmann

Publications and source records attributed to H W Kuhlmann.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Does gastric restriction surgery reduce the risks of metabolic diseases?

BACKGROUND: Certain risk factors for arteriosclerosis are associated with obesity, e.g. hypertension, insulin resistance, the high triglyceride - low HDL pattern. One aim in treating morbid obesity is to reduce these risk factors. This study was designed to follow metabolic risk factors after weight loss in 165 morbidly obese patients who underwent a gastric restriction operation. METHODS AND PATIENTS: Lipid and hormone levels were analyzed before surgery and after 25, 50, 75 and 100% loss of excess weight. Mean cholesterol and triglyceride levels were normal or slightly elevated. HDL cholesterol was also normal (41 mg/dl). Thirty eight percent of the patients had elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Insulin levels were measured as an indicator of potential insulin resistance, and with a mean of 21 microU/ml it was at the upper normal level. RESULTS: After reaching 75% reduction of overweight in a mean time of 10 months, serum cholesterol levels were unchanged. Serum triglycerides, however, decreased by 35% (P<0.0001) and HDL cholesterol increased by 24% (P<0.0001). Insulin levels decreased to 8 microU/ml (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: We found an amelioration in the metabolic parameters in 75% of the patients. Nevertheless morbidly obese patients were found to have fewer abnormalities in lipid and glucose metabolism than expected from data of overweight patients with metabolic syndrome. Further long-term studies with careful evaluation of the metabolic parameters as risk factors in patients with morbid obesity need to be performed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Low-dose iloprost infusions compared to the standard dose in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease Fontaine stage IV. DAWID Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous iloprost, titrated from 0.5 up to 2.0 ng/kg/min has been shown in patients with PAOD III/IV to significantly improve healing of trophic lesions, relief of rest pain, and reduce the rate of major amputation or death at 6 months as compared to placebo. The effect is considered related to improvement of the microcirculation. The aim of the present trial was to identify an optimum dose regarding treatment response and tolerability, by studying 4 doses of 25, 50, 75 and 100 micrograms iloprost daily. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 302 patients with PAOD IV were randomised via a double-blind fashion to one of the 4 doses. The primary endpoint was the responder rate at end of treatment. Responders were defined as patients with very good or good global efficacy, as judged by lesion healing and pain relief. Side effects were documented and a pre-defined benefit/risk index was calculated. RESULTS: No dose-dependency of iloprost regarding primary or secondary endpoints was observed. The rate of responders ranged between 48.7-53.5%. Side effects, mainly related to vasodilation, increased dose-dependently (p < 0.001, chi 2-test), with a significant decrease of the benefit/risk index from 2.19 +/- 1.19 to 1.64 +/- 0.97 (p = 0.012, ANOVA). Responders had a better outcome at 6 months than non-responders (2.6 fold higher rate of major amputation or death; life table analysis). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that iloprost should be titrated to the optimum rather than maximum tolerated dose, since a higher incidence of side effects not associated with an increased treatment response was observed at higher doses.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Pheromones of the ciliate Euplotes octocarinatus not only induce conjugation but also function as chemoattractants.

Cells of the ten mating types of the ciliate Euplotes octocarinatus communicate by pheromones before they enter conjugation. The pheromones induce homotypic pairing when applied to mating types that do not secrete the same pheromone(s). Heterotypic pairs (i.e., those between cells of different mating types) are formed only when both mating types in a mixture secrete a pheromone that the other does not. The genetics of mating types is based on four codominant mating type alleles, each allele determining production of a different pheromone. Here we report that the pheromones not only induce pair formation but also attract cells. This was shown by placing cells of various mating types in neighboring agar wells so that the pheromones could diffuse from one well to the next. We found that the cells accumulated on the side of the well where a pheromone entered by diffusion. This response was observed only if the pheromone had the capacity to induce the cells to conjugate. That the pheromones and not some other substances attract the cells was shown by placing pheromone 3, expressed in Escherichia coli, in wells next to tester strains. Mating types known to respond to pheromone 3 by pair formation also showed accumulation on the side of the well at which the pheromone entered by diffusion. Since the pattern of cell attraction corresponds with the pattern of conjugation induction, we suggest that not only conjugation induction but also cell attraction is governed by pheromone-specific receptors. In addition, we describe a succession of changes in the behavior of cells affected by the pheromones.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Obesity].

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Adult↗
PubMed1985

Is the initiation of macronuclear DNA synthesis in Euplotes dependent on micronuclear functions?

To determine whether the micronucleus makes essential contributions during asexual reproduction, observations were made on cells of Euplotes octocarinatus from which the micronucleus had been removed with a micropipette. Most cells underwent one postenucleation division, then became arrested in macronuclear G1, slowed down in food uptake, developed macronuclear deformations, and finally died. Such cells could be rescued if a micronucleus was reimplanted before macronuclear deformations had developed. When provided with a new micronucleus, cells initiated macronuclear DNA synthesis about 12-16 h later. The data suggest that the micronucleus is involved in the control of the cell's transition from macronuclear G1 to S, and a model is proposed which postulates that in Euplotes macronuclear DNA synthesis is initiated when a micronucleus-encoded "initiator protein" has accumulated to a critical amount.

Animals↗