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H Weiss

Publications and source records attributed to H Weiss.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Use of in vitro release of interferon-gamma in the diagnosis of contact allergy to potassium dichromate - a controlled study.

The use of in vitro release of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the diagnosis of contact allergy to potassium dichromate was studied in 20 patients who had positive patch tests to chromate and in 30 control subjects (10 patients with contact dermatitis, allergic to other allergens, 10 patients with other dermatologic diseases and 10 healthy subjects). The release of IFN-gamma in the supernatants of the peripheral blood lymphocytes was significantly higher in the patients with proven allergy to chromate (P = 0.001). Further studies are needed to determine if IFN-gamma release may serve as an additional diagnostic tool in contact dermatitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Is antenatal syphilis screening still cost effective in sub-Saharan Africa.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the cost effectiveness of on-site antenatal syphilis screening and treatment in Mwanza, Tanzania. To compare this intervention with other antenatal and child health interventions, specifically the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). METHODS: The economic costs of adding the intervention to routine antenatal care were assessed. Cost effectiveness (CE) ratios of the intervention were obtained for low birth weight (LBW) live births and stillbirths averted and cost per DALY saved. Cost per DALY saved was also estimated for previous CE studies of syphilis screening. The CE of the intervention at different syphilis prevalence rates was modelled. RESULTS: The economic cost of the intervention is $1.44 per woman screened, $20 per woman treated, and $187 per adverse birth outcome averted. The cost per DALY saved is $110 with LBW as the only adverse outcome. When including stillbirth, this estimate improves 10-fold to $10.56 per DALY saved. The cost per DALY saved from all syphilis screening studies ranged from $3.97 to $18.73. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis screening is shown to be at least as cost effective as PMTCT and more cost effective than many widely implemented interventions. There is urgent need for scaling up syphilis screening and treatment in high prevalence areas. The CE of screening interventions is highly dependent on disease prevalence. In combination, PMTCT and syphilis screening and treatment interventions may achieve economies of scope and thus improved efficiency.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed2002

Relationship between cholesteryl ester transfer protein and atherogenic lipoprotein profile in morbidly obese women.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from atherosclerotic disease. Lipid abnormalities contribute to the increased relative risk in obese subjects. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mass is increased in these patients and might mediate the atherogenic lipoprotein pattern observed in obesity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-one morbidly obese, middle-aged, female subjects participated in this prospective study. Subjects were examined before and 1 year after surgical treatment. Fat mass was determined by body impedance analysis; CETP mass, by ELISA; CETP activity, by exogenous substrate assay; and LDL particle diameter, by gradient gel electrophoresis. Mean weight loss after 1 year was 28.7 kg; mean fat mass loss was 22.6 kg. Mean CETP mass decreased from 1.81 to 1.32 microg/mL (P=0.008); mean CETP activity decreased from 244 to 184 nmol x mL(-1) x h(-1) (P=0.004); and in parallel, the mean diameter of LDL particles increased (256.8 to 258.4 A, P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that weight loss is associated with a pronounced decrease in CETP mass and activity and a consistent increase in LDL particle diameter. After 1 year of this prospective study in morbidly obese subjects undergoing weight loss by surgical treatment, it has been determined that some features of the atherogenic lipoprotein profile can be reversed.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma mRNA in blood cells correlates with depression scores during an acute attack in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Depression is a common problem in multiple sclerosis (MS) and affects about 50% of MS patients. Since a dysregulation of cytokine levels has been implicated in the pathogenesis of MS and alterations in cytokine serum levels have been found in depressive illness, we examined the relationship between depressive symptoms, cytokine mRNA expression levels of Th1-type and Th2-type cytokines and neurological disability among early diagnosed MS patients in a prospective study. Sixteen patients with clinically or laboratory supported MS were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Cytokine mRNA in whole blood was serially determined by a new quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. BDI sum scores (2,9 fold) and the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha; 4 fold), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma; 4,6 fold) and interleukin-10 (IL-10; 6,1 fold) mRNA were increased in MS patients during an acute attack compared to age and sex matched healthy controls. We detected a significant positive correlation between TNF-alpha (r=0.55) and interferon-gamma (r=0.54) mRNA expression and the BDI sum scores during an acute attack in MS patients. At follow-up after 3-6 months, only TNF-alpha mRNA expression was correlated with BDI sum scores (r=0.62 resp. r=0.31). No correlation of the BDI sum scores with Th2-type cytokine mRNA expression for interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) or with the extent of neurological disability was observed. The possible contribution of Th1-type cytokines to the development of depression in MS is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Pregnancy in sport.

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Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed2002

Markers of chronic inflammation and obesity: a prospective study on the reversibility of this association in middle-aged women undergoing weight loss by surgical intervention.

BACKGROUND: Human adipose tissue expresses and releases proinflammatory cytokines and these measures of chronic inflammation have recently been associated with obesity. HYPOTHESIS: To test whether the proinflammatory state is reversible in subjects undergoing weight loss by surgical measures. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty morbidly obese women participated in this prospective study. Subjects were examined for fat mass, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) before and 1 y after Swedish adjustable gastric banding. RESULTS: Anthropometric measures displayed a significant reduction of the body mass index (BMI) from 41.6+/-5.4 to 30.8+/-6.1 kg/m(2) and the fat mass from 53.9+/-10.3 to 29.8+/-12.1 kg (mean+/-s.d.). Hs-CRP levels decreased significantly from 1.33+/-1.21 mg/dl in pre-gastric banding subjects to 0.40+/-0.61 mg/dl in post-gastric banding subjects, respectively. IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels did not differ significantly between pre- and post-gastric banding subjects. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that in these patients the marked reduction in C-reactive protein might be beneficial in reducing their cardiovascular risk and is not solely mediated by IL-6 and TNF-alpha.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2002

Psychotic symptoms and emotional distress in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Psychological disturbances in 49 most severely compromised Guillain-Barré syndrome patients were prospectively studied by a semistructured interview and assessed by repeat psychiatric examination during the patients' stay in the neuro-intensive care unit (ICU). Additional information was obtained from attending physicians, nurses and relatives. Anxiety (82%), acute stress disorder, depressive episodes (67%) and brief reactive psychosis (25%) were observed, with oneiroid psychosis (14%) among the latter. Psychotic episodes were strongly associated (p < 0.001) with severe tetraparesis, artificial ventilation and multiple cranial nerve dysfunction. CSF protein concentration was also correlated with the occurrence of psychotic symptoms. Patients themselves experienced loss of communication to be the most difficult condition to cope with. Fifty-five percent explicitly felt reassured by the environment of the ICU and 90% described contact with relatives to be most helpful. Our data suggest that motor deprivation and loss of communication are the conditions most closely connected with the occurrence of psychotic symptoms. Therapeutically, continuous psychosocial support and psychopharmacological measures may both be valuable tools to ameliorate distress.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Determinants of gonorrhoea infection among STD clinic attenders in Trinidad--II: sexual behavioural factors.

Sexual behavioural factors associated with gonococcal infection among 991 STD clinic attenders in Trinidad, West Indies (WI) were determined by univariate and stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis. Casual sex (odds ratios [OR] 1.6) was the only predictor of gonorrhoea. Among males, significant associations were identified by univariate analysis between concurrent partnerships, > or =one sexual partner(s) in the past 6 months, and drug use prior to engaging in casual and/or oral sex. No significant associations were identified between gonorrhoea and sexual behaviour factors among females. This study is the first to describe sexual behaviours associated with gonococcal infection in Trinidad and to evaluate risk behaviours by gender.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Determinants of gonorrhoea infection among STD clinic attenders in Trinidad--I: sociodemographic factors, knowledge, risk perception and history of STD.

We determined the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and describe sociodemographic factors, knowledge and sexually transmitted disease (STD) history associated with gonococcal infection among 991 STD clinic attenders in Trinidad, West Indies (WI). The prevalence of gonorrhoea was 25%. Predictors for gonorrhoea were: male gender (odds ratios [OR] 3.5), age 15-19 (OR 2.5) and 20-29 years (OR 2.1), unawareness of the term STD (OR 1.5), self-perceived risk for STDs (OR 1.7) and no history of syphilis (OR 2.0). When the data were analysed by gender, significant associations were identified between gonococcal infection and age <30 years, single status, and self-perceived risk for STDs for males. Among females, significant associations existed between gonorrhoea and age <30 years, and unawareness of the term STD. This study is novel in describing sociodemographic characteristics of STD clinic attenders, and risk markers associated with gonococcal infection in Trinidad.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Statistical principles of "good clinical practice" in veterinary medicine--a position paper for planning, implementation and evaluation of empirical studies].

The complexity of the design, conduct, analysis and evaluation of empirical studies necessitates a high degree of interdisciplinary collaboration in all areas of research. In order to make sure that no essential harmonisation is missed among the plenitude of processes, it has become common to provide direction on the essential operating procedures in so called "Good ... Practice" guidelines in recent years. In pharmaceutical research on human medicinal products guidelines on Good Clinical Practice have been an integral part of research and development in industry, academia, and the regulatory authorities for a long time. On the other hand, in the development and registration of pharmaceuticals for veterinary use such procedures are not yet established to this extent in Germany. Notwithstanding there being a lot of regulations on specialised subjects. This paper tries to summarise the current state of the discussion and to give an overview on the important points in the design, conduct, analysis and reporting of veterinary clinical studies mainly from an biometrical point of view.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Barrett's esophagus in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Medical therapy or antireflux surgery?

Barrett's esophagus is the most serious form of gastroesophageal reflux disease. It may develop due to uncontrolled chronic duodenogastroesophageal reflux and represents a premalignant abnormality. The question of the development of Barrett's esophagus and the progression to adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is addressed by comparison of the data available in the literature. A retrospective review of the literature on the outcome of GERD patients after surgical and medical therapy, is made. Surgical therapy is able to eliminate reflux of gastric and duodenal contents and therefore seems to be superior over medical therapy in the prevention of Barrett's esophagus and its progression to invasive cancer. Surgery should be considered in all Barrett's patients especially in young patients, patients with large hiatal hernia, increasing drug doses or noncompliance to medical therapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Virologic and immunologic determinants of heterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in Africa.

More than 80% of the world's HIV-infected adults live in sub-Saharan Africa, where heterosexual transmission is the predominant mode of spread. The virologic and immunologic correlates of female-to-male (FTM) and male-to-female (MTF) transmission are not well understood. A total of 1022 heterosexual couples with discordant HIV-1 serology results (one partner HIV infected, the other HIV uninfected) were enrolled in a prospective study in Lusaka, Zambia and monitored at 3-month intervals. A nested case-control design was used to compare 109 transmitters and 208 nontransmitting controls with respect to plasma HIV-1 RNA (viral load, VL), virus isolation, and CD4(+) cell levels. Median plasma VL was significantly higher in transmitters than nontransmitters (123,507 vs. 51,310 copies/ml, p < 0.001). In stratified multivariate Cox regression analyses, the risk ratio (RR) for FTM transmission was 7.6 (95% CI: 2.3, 25.5) for VL > or = 100,000 copies/ml and 4.1 (95% CI: 1.2, 14.1) for VL between 10,000 and 100,000 copies/ml compared with the reference group of <10,000 copies/ml. Corresponding RRs for MTF transmission were 2.1 and 1.2, respectively, with 95% CI both bounding 1. Only 3 of 41 (7%) female transmitters had VL < 10,000 copies/ml compared with 32 of 93 (34%) of female nontransmitters (p < 0.001). The transmission rate within couples was 7.7/100 person-years and did not differ from FTM (61/862 person-years) and MTF (81/978 person-years) transmission. We conclude that the association between increasing plasma viral load was strong for female to male transmission, but was only weakly predictive of male to female transmission in Zambian heterosexual couples. FTM and MTF transmission rates were similar. These data suggest gender-specific differences in the biology of heterosexual transmission.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

A subpopulation of mitochondria prevents cytosolic calcium overload in endothelial cells after cold ischemia/reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: Calcium represents a key mediator of cold ischemia/reperfusion (CIR) injury presumably by affecting mitochondrial function. In this study, we investigated cellular and mitochondrial changes of calcium homeostasis in sublethally damaged human endothelial cells. METHODS: Changes in cellular and mitochondrial calcium concentrations were studied after cold ischemia in University of Wisconsin solution for 12 hr and reperfusion in ringer solution. Cytosolic-free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) and mitochondrial-free calcium content ([Ca2+]m) were analyzed by fura-2 and rhod-2 fluorescence, respectively. Pretreatment of cells with ruthenium red (RR) or a H+-ionophore was used to inhibit mitochondrial calcium uptake. Mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) was measured by 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro- 1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide and 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide fluorescence. RESULTS: Twelve-hr cold ischemia did not induce apoptosis in endothelial cells. In such sublethally damaged cells, [Ca2+]c rose from approximately 20 nmol/L after cold ischemia to approximately 120 nmol/L during reperfusion. Pretreatment with RR leads to an approximately 5-fold rise in [Ca2+]c. Image analysis revealed a significant increase of [Ca2+]m in a subpopulation of mitochondria during reperfusion. This was not the case in RR-pretreated cells. DeltaPsim decreased significantly during cold ischemia and was sustained during reperfusion. The loss of DeltaPsim can be related to a reduced portion of mitochondria exhibiting high DeltaPsim. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that cytosolic calcium influx during CIR is buffered by a selective portion of mitochondria in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These mitochondria protect cells against cytosolic calcium overload and probably against subsequent cell injury.

Calcium↗
PubMed2001

Inhibition of store-operated calcium entry contributes to the anti-proliferative effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in human colon cancer cells.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit proliferation and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer. We examined a possible involvement of store-operated calcium (SOC) entry in human colon carcinoma cells (HRT-18), which require calcium for proliferation. Acetyl-salicylic-acid (ASA), mefenamic acid (MEF) and sulindac sulfide (SUS) inhibited cell proliferation with the following order of potency: SUS > MEF >> ASA. SUS but not MEF and ASA induced apoptosis following low-dose treatment. Furthermore, SUS and MEF significantly altered the cell cycle distribution. The ability of NSAIDs to inhibit SOC entry was assessed by measuring the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in response to calcium store depletion using the endoplasmic calcium ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin. SUS and MEF, but not ASA significantly inhibited SOC entry. A causal link between SOC entry inhibition and anti-proliferative activity was tested using the inorganic SOC entry inhibitor La3+ and the specific organic inhibitor N-1-n-octyl-3,5-bis-(4-pyridyl)triazole (DPT). Both La3+ and DPT inhibited cell proliferation and SOC entry. Analogous to MEF, the anti-proliferative effect of DPT was mediated by cell cycle arrest and not by induction of apoptosis. These data indicate a role of SOC entry for cell proliferation in cancer cells and suggest a novel anti-proliferative NSAID mechanism in addition to its known influence on lipid metabolism.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed2001

Negative functional effects of cGMP mediated by cGMP protein kinase are reduced in T4 cardiac myocytes.

We tested the hypothesis that in isolated rabbit cardiac myocytes, the negative functional effects of cyclic GMP are partly mediated by cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase activity, and that these effects are altered in thyroxine (T4, 0.5 mg/kg/day for 16 days)-induced hypertrophic myocytes. Using isolated ventricular myocytes from control (N=8) and T4 (N=8) hypertrophic hearts, data for percent cell shortening (%) and maximum rate of contraction (microm/s) were collected using a video edge detector at baseline, after the addition of 10(-6) M 8-bromo-cyclic GMP (8-Br-cGMP), 10(-5) M 8-Br-cGMP, and 10(-6) M KT5823 (10-methoxy-10-methoxycarbonyl-9, 10, 11, 12-tetrahydro-9, 12-epoxy-(1H)-diinidolo [1, 2, 3, f-g: 3', 2', 1'-k-j]-pyrrolidino-[3,4-i] [1,6]-benzodiazocin-2-methyl-1-one, cyclic GMP protein kinase inhibitor). Protein phosphorylation was determined autoradiographically after gel electrophoresis. In both control and T(4) myocytes, 8-Br-cGMP caused a significant decrease in percent shortening (5.56+/-0.49% to 3.02+/-0.47% in control and 4.34+/-0.33% to 3.13+/-0.17% in T4 myocytes) and maximal rate of contraction 57.35+/-6.05 to 36.82+/-3.17 microm/s in control and 58.49+/-3.28 to 42.88+/-2.29 microm/s in T4 myocytes). KT5823 significantly increased percent shortening to 3.77+/-0.28% and rate to 48.68+/-4.71 microm/s after 8-Br-cGMP only in control myocytes. In T4 myocytes, the changes in percent shortening and rate after KT5823 were not significant. Protein phosphorylation was increased by 8-Br-cGMP in control and to a lesser extent in T4 myocytes, but the increment was reduced by KT-5823 in control only. These data demonstrated that cyclic GMP had negative functional effects partially mediated by cyclic GMP protein kinase in control myocytes. Cyclic GMP also exerted negative functional effects in thyroxine-induced hypertrophic myocytes, but cyclic GMP protein kinase activity was not an important regulator of these effects in T4 ventricular myocytes.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2001

Identification of two tetranuclear FeS clusters on the ferredoxin-type subunit of NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I).

The proton-translocating NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase of respiratory chains (complex I) contains one flavin mononucleotide and five EPR-detectable iron-sulfur clusters as redox groups. Because of the number of conserved motifs typical for binding iron-sulfur clusters and the high content of iron and acid-labile sulfide of complex I preparations, it is predicted that complex I contains additional clusters which have not yet been detected by EPR spectroscopy. To search for such clusters, we used a combination of UV/vis and EPR spectroscopy to study complex I from Neurospora crassa and Escherichia coli adjusted to distinct redox states. We detected a UV/vis redox difference spectrum characterized by negative absorbances at 325 and 425 nm that could not be assigned to the known redox groups. Redox titration was used to determine the pH-independent midpoint potential to be -270 mV, being associated with the transfer of two electrons. Comparison with UV/vis difference spectra obtained from complex I fragments and related enzymes showed that this group is localized on subunit Nuo21.3c of the N. crassa or NuoI of the E. coli complex I, respectively. This subunit (the bovine TYKY) belongs to a family of 8Fe-ferredoxins which contain two tetranuclear iron-sulfur clusters as redox groups. We detected EPR signals in a fragment of complex I which we attribute to the novel FeS clusters of complex I.

Animals↗