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Biomedical subjects

H Wolf

Publications and source records attributed to H Wolf.

At least 631 records · Page 35Linked to original sources

Histological types of nasopharyngeal carcinoma as compared to EBV serology.

One hundred and thirteen cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) were classified histologically according to the WHO-, French and Cologne systems. The various histological tumor types were then correlated with data on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serology (EA, VCA, EBNA, CF, IgA-VCA). The results showed non-keratinizing carcinomas with lymphoid infiltration, and undifferentiated carcinomas to be associated with significantly elevated anti-EBV titers. These two tumor types can be easily grouped together according to the French classification scheme as "undifferentiated carcinoma of the nasopharyngeal type (UCNT)". Such a procedure, which may have therapeutic implication, simplifies the rapid diagnostic screening of NPC patients and also may enhance the reproducibility of histological tumor typing.

Antibodies, Viral↗

[Disease with storage of neutral lipids (author's transl)].

Storage of cholesterol, cholesterol esters, and triglycerides with distribution in different organs is characteristical in 5 distinguishable familiary thesaurismoses. Cholesterol storage disease is due to relatively benign storage of cholesterol esters predominantly in the liver with gross enlargment of this organ. Acid lipase is lysosomes is also nearly inactive in the maligne Wolman's disease with calcification of the adrenals, hepatosplenomegalia and death during infancy by gastrointestinal complications. Very similar are other diseases without renal calcification but partly with pulmonal storage of cholesterol. In only one family another type of cholesterol lipidosis and cirrhosis together with aplasia of gall bladder, renal cysts, and hydronephrosis has been observed. Two types of pure triglyceride storage disease are described, but each of them in only few cases. Tendinous xanthomatosis by storage of cholestanol predominantly in brain with mental retardation, and xanthomatosis with beta-sitosterol but normal mental development are two rare steatoses with abnormal cholesterol-like lipids, in which xanthomatas are visible.

Child↗

[Course of pulmonary involvement in patients with Hodgkin's disease].

65 patients with Hodgkin's disease and pulmonary involvement were observed during the fifteen years from 1964 to 1978. Polychemotherapy was administered to 24 patients and monochemotherapy to 28. Six of the 24 patients on polychemotherapy reached the four-year limit after diagnosis of pulmonary involvement. The results in the patients on monochemotherapy were significantly worse. None of the male patients lived longer than 28 months. None of the patients with mixed cellularity and lymphocyte depleted histology had a survival of more than one year after diagnosis of the pulmonary involvement.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

[Bioavailability of cimetidine after partial gastrectomy (author's transl)].

Absorption characteristics of cimetidine were studied in 10 patients after Billroth I and 12 patients after Billroth II gastrectomy and compared with 9 patients without gastric disease. The onset of absorption after 400 mg cimetidine was identical in all groups, but peak plasma concentrations occurred somewhat (18%) later in B I and significantly (42%) later in B II patients (p less than 0.05). Plasma half life was not different between the 3 groups. The area under the plasma level curve as a measure for bioavailability was significantly increased in the two gastrectomy groups (17% and 23%, resp.). In addition, the duration of effective plasma concentrations above 0.5 microgram/ml was significantly prolonged in the two groups.

Biological Availability↗

Epstein--Barr virus-induced cell fusion.

Serological and molecular biological studies have shown an association between Epstein--Barr virus (EBV) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Although it has been shown that the epithelioid tumour cells carry EBV genomes, they are apparently devoid of receptors for EBV (H.W., unpublished observations). Other have suggested that fusion of EBV carrying cells with epithelial cells may be the mode of entry of the virus into cells unable to absorb the virus and that this may be mediated by one of the known syncytium-forming viruses which inhabit the respiratory tract (for example, members of the paramyxovirus group). de Thé and colleagues suggested that intercellular bridges could be seen in NPC tumour material. We have developed a technique which permits the preparation of stable monolayers of viable human lymphoblastoid cell lines. Using this technique we have now demonstrated that EBV can induce fusion between EBV-superinfected lymphoblastoid cells and cells devoid of EBV receptors.

Cell Fusion↗

Carnitine deficiency in premature infants receiving total parenteral nutrition.

Carnitine plays a significant role in fatty acid utilization and ketone body production. Its availability is especially important during the immediate postnatal period. To determine whether low birth weight infants who cannot be orally fed are at risk of developing carnitine deficiency, we compared the carnitine blood levels and urinary excretion of 12 premature infants (Group A) receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with those of 8 infants of similar gestational age and birth weight (Group B) who received carnitine-containing milk formulas. In Group A, serum levels of total and free carnitine fell after 5 days of carnitine-deficient parenteral nutrition, and urinary excretion was significantly reduced. Serum levels and urinary excretion increased after the onset of oral feedings. The control Group B exhibited no significant changes in carnitine blood levels between the first and fifth days of life, but did show a later increase. Children in Group A had lower carnitine blood levels compared to those in Group B on the fifth day of life. These findings suggest that premature infants are not able to synthesize enough carnitine to maintain blood levels, and that carnitine deficiency can occur following TPN. Further investigation of metabolic consequences secondary to deficient carnitine intake in premature infants is necessary before carnitine supplementation should be considered.

Carnitine↗

Expression of Epstein-Barr virus genes in different cell types after microinjection of viral DNA.

Gene expression of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was studied after microinjection of viral DNA into different types of cells. Raji TK- cells, known to express viral gene functions after superinfection with the EBV-P3HR-1 virus strain, were attached to plastic dishes by using anti-lymphocyte IgG, phytohemagglutinin, or concanavalin A as a ligand. It was difficult to inject DNA into the small and fragile Raji cells. After formation of polykaryons by cell fusion, microinjection became more efficient. At 24 hr after injection of P3HR-1 virus DNA, 90-100% of the injected cells expressed the early antigen complex as observed by immunofluorescence staining; 70-80% of the cells simultaneously incorported [3H]thymidine, indicating that thymidine kinase is expressed after injection of viral DNA. Additionally, synthesis of the virus capsid antigen was demonstrated in 20-30% of the recipient Raji cells. Human diploid fibroblasts, African green monkey kidney cells, and rat fibroblasts, which do not represent natural target cells for EBV, could also be induced to synthesis of early antigen complex by injection of P3HR-1 virus DNA.

Animals↗

Purification of myosin light chain kinase from bovine cardiac muscle.

Myosin light chain kinase was purified > 100,000-fold to apparent homogeneity with a yield of 10% from bovine cardiac muscle. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gels of the purified kinase showed one stained band corresponding to a Mr of 94,000. The enzyme was activated > 10-fold in the presence of Ca2+ (apparent Ka = 0.6-1.2 microM) and calmodulin (apparent Ka = 3-5 nM). The purified enzyme had a specific activity of 20-30 mumol of phosphate transferred per min per mg from ATP to cardiac myosin light chain 2. One mole of phosphate was incorporated per 94,000 g of the kinase in the presence of Ca2+ and calmodulin or of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase or of both additions. In addition to myosin light chain kinase, a calmodulin-binding protein of unknown function was purified from bovine cardiac muscle. This protein had a Mr of 85,000, was composed of two dissimilar subunits (Mr of 61,000 and 15,000), and competed with myosin light chain kinase for calmodulin. The protein appears to be closely related to the calmodulin-binding protein I purified from brain.

Animals↗

The kynurenine load test, an adjunct to the tryptophan load test.

The kynurenine load test was introduced to distinguish, in vivo, between abnormal tryptophan metabolism caused by induction of tryptophan oxygenase or by impaired kynureninase function. This test was carried out by giving a loading dose of 700 mumol L-kynurenine sulphate followed by determination of urinary metabolites of the tryptophan-nicotinic acid ribonucleotide pathway. The results of the kynurenine load test in a group of healthy post-menopausal female subjects show a consistant increase in urinary excretion of some metabolites of the tryptophan-nicotinic acid ribonucleotide pathway (kynurenine, 3-hydroxy-kynurenine, and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid) of a magnitude comparable to the increase seen after a loading dose of 9800 mumol L-tryptophan (the tryptophan load test).

3-Hydroxyanthranilic Acid↗

Effect of natural oestrogens on tryptophan metabolism: evidence for interference of oestrogens with kynureninase.

Urinary excretion of metabolites of the tryptophan-nicotinic acid ribonucleotide pathway, urinary excretion of 4-pyridoxic acid and blood concentrations of oestradiol and pyridoxal phosphate were studied in groups of post-menopausal women before or during treatment with natural oestrogens, i.e. oestradiol and oestriol, before and after loading doses of 9800 mumol L-tryptophan or 700 mumol L-kynurenine sulphate. Natural oestrogens induced abnormalities of tryptophan metabolism similar to those induced by synthetic oestrogens, and there was a dose related increase in urinary excretion of metabolites of the tryptophan-nicotinic acid ribonucleotide pathway before the kynureninase step. The increase in urinary excretion of these metabolites also after a loading dose of 700 mumol L-kynurenine indicates an inhibitory effect of oestrogens on kynureninase in vivo. Evidence is presented that this inhibition is an effect mediated through decreased availability of vitamin B6, the coenzyme of kynureninase, although the possibility of a direct effect of oestrogens on kynureninase can not be excluded.

Aged↗

Role of N-acetyltransferase phenotype in human susceptibility to bladder carcinogenic arylamines.

N-acetyltransferase activity is species-specific and in animal experiments a determinant of the susceptibility of each species to arylamine bladder carcinogens. The effect of N-acetylation is that of inactivation. In humans, N-acetyltransferase activity is also genetically determined so that two N-acetyltransferase phenotypes exist, a rapid acetylator phenotype and a slow acetylator phenotype. N-acetyltransferase phenotype was determined in 71 bladder cancer patients and in 74 control subjects from Copenhagen. The distribution of the slow acetylator phenotype among the bladder cancer patients was 65% in control to 51% among the control subjects, indicating that the N-acetyltransferase phenotype also in humans may be a determinant of the susceptibility of each individual to arylamine carcinogens. In addition, this finding indicates that carcinogenic arylamines also play a role in bladder carcinogenesis in Copenhagen. Such studies may identify risk groups in a population and may reveal geographical areas with arylamine induced bladder cancer.

Acetylation↗