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Biomedical subjects

J G Meyer

Publications and source records attributed to J G Meyer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Heat shock response: presence and effects in burn patient neutrophils.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are present in neutrophils (PMNs) from critically ill patients. We investigated whether HSPs were present in PMNs from burn patients and whether heat shock contributed to the functional defects observed in burn PMNs. Using both flow cytometry and Western blot techniques it was observed that inducible HSP72 (iHSP72) was present in PMNs and leukocytes from burn patients, especially in patients with inhalation injury. Similar to burn PMNs, and in contrast to normal cells, heat shocked PMNs (43 degrees C incubation) expressed iHSP72 and were unable to increase the expression of CD11b/CD18 in response to pro-inflammatory stimuli. Degranulation after pro-inflammatory stimuli was decreased for both burn- and heat-shocked PMNs when compared to normal controls. In burn PMNs these functional abnormalities were mainly due to decreased quantities of proteins (CD11b, albumin, B12 binding protein, beta-glucuronidase) present within cytoplasmic granules. However, in heat-shocked PMNs the abnormalities were primarily related to abnormal exocytosis. In conclusion, our data show that decreased quantities of cytoplasmic granule proteins and, to a smaller degree, defective exocytosis are involved in the functional abnormalities observed in burn PMNs.

Burns↗
PubMed1990

Lipolytic enzymes of the human pancreas. III. Auxiliary function of lipase in the cholesterol-esterase-dependent oral test on exocrine pancreatic output.

In the oral exocrine pancreatic function test using fluorescein dilaurate, this synthetic substrate attaches primarily to the triglyceride surfaces of the neutral lipids administered as part of the breakfast: these fluorescein dilaurate molecules cannot be attacked by cholesterol esterase. In the course of triglyceride saponification by lipase and colipase, however, the fluorescein dilaurate is liberated and hydrolyzed by cholesterol esterase. The pancreatic function test, therefore, measures the lipolytic activities not merely of cholesterol esterase, but indirectly of lipase, as well.

Bile Acids and Salts↗
PubMed1989

Lipolytic enzymes of the human pancreas. II. Purification and properties of cholesterol ester hydrolase.

Cholesterol ester hydrolase (sterol-ester acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.13) was purified from human pancreatic tissue by column chromatography and acetone precipitation, leading to a 400-fold enrichment. Isoelectric focusing of this product reveals a double-band at pH 4.5 and 4.6. The molecular weight was estimated at 320 kDa by means of Sephadex filtration on calibrated columns. Obviously these large molecules represent a tetrameric form of the monomeric subunit (molecular mass 76-80 kDa), which is also enzymatically active. It was found together with the dimeric form in pancreatic juice, where the tetrameric enzyme is responsible for the major part of the hydrolytic activity, splitting cholesterol ester as well as synthetic substrates, such as fluorescein or p-nitrophenyl esters. Attempts to split the tetrameric cholesterol ester hydrolase, isolated from pancreatic tissue, into active subunits found additionally in pancreatic juice by the influence of bile acids and proteolytic enzymes failed. The spectral shift method using Rhodamine fluorescence was employed in order to prove that fluorescein dilaurate forms micellar solutions and mixed micelles when bile salts are present.

Acetone↗
PubMed1987

[Determination of thromboplastin time with a new standardized thromboplastin from human placenta: results of a cooperative study].

In five centres a new sensitive standardized thromboplastin from human placenta (Thromborel S) for determination of prothrombin time (PT) was evaluated on plasmas from healthy subjects, from patients on oral anticoagulant therapy and from patients with different diseases, especially of the liver. The standardization of the human placenta thromboplastin (HPT) for prothrombin time determination was performed by comparison with a lot of the Reference Preparation British Comparative Thromboplastin (BCT). The obtained International Sensitivity Index (ISI) for 14 differents lots of the new thromboplastin varied between 1.04 and 1.29 (mean value: 1.16). The reagent is highly sensitive to the factors of the extrinsic coagulation pathway and is not affected by heparin at least up to 0.6 IU/ml. From the comparison with the British Comparative Thromboplastin lot No. 235, a therapeutical range for the stable phase of the oral anticoagulation of 2.4-4.0 prothrombin ratio or 15-27% of normal, respectively, was obtained. Comparison of prothrombin time determination using the Human Placental Thromboplastin and the British Comparative Thromboplastin lot No. 235 in 330 patients on oral anticoagulation showed good correlations either in "percent normal" or in prothrombin ratio.

Anticoagulants↗
PubMed1981

[Psychogenic deafness - a rare problem in the differential diagnosis of the sudden deafness (author's transl)].

The sudden deafness is in our days a well known clinical picture, which incidence seems to augment. Already in 1950 Fowler described the frequent coincidence of psychosomatic disturbances with the sudden deafness. On these conditions a psychogenic deafness can be taken in some cases for a sudden deafness, if there is not carried out at least one simulation test. An additional hint at an "hysteric" deafness could be the otalgia, which we found in patients. The unilateral hearing disturbance is not a reliable sign against the psychogenic deafness as could be demonstrated in our cases as well as in a case of Hallberg (1956).

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[Latency of transient and steady state potentials evoked by pattern reversal stimulation. Investigation of patients with retrobulbar neuritis].

The latencies of transient potential (TP) and steady state potentials (SSP) were compared in patients with definite or probable retrobulbar neuritis and in normal controls. TP show different components whereas SSP being simple sinusoidal responses. Only the comparison of the responses elicited by stimulation with different frequencies may allow for measurement of SSP latencies. For this comparison we used a new method based upon a model suggested by Diamond (4). It was modified for clinical application. Its principles are described in detail. For its clinical application two aspects were of special interest: 1. modification of the supposed model because of impaired conduction in the demyelinated optic nerve and 2. additional information by SSP in cases of probable retrobulbar neuritis if an altered TP configuration prevents latency measurements.

Electrophysiology↗
PubMed1979

[Course of alcoholic predelirium during treatment with piracetam: results of serial psychometric tests (author's transl)].

Thirty-six male alcoholics in a mild predelirial state were studied with a series of psychometric tests (reaction time to light and sound, reaction to multiple sequential stimuli, apprehension and tachistoscopic appreciation test, achievement and concentration test analogous to the Pauli test). The degree of psychometrically determined abnormalities pointed to serious cerebral lesions even in the mild predelirial stage and exceeded the expectations gained from clinical impression. The disorders decreased in the course of treatment but were present for at least another three days. Additional treatment with piracetam (Normabrain, Nootrop, 9 g/d intravenously) in eighteen patients significantly improved the results of the achievement and concentration tests, while there was no or only slight improvement in the other tests.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

[So-called late epilepsy (author's transl)].

411 patients with epileptic seizures manifest only after the age of 25 were investigated as to aetiology, seizure type and frequency and age and sex distribution. Neurological, neuro-radiological and EEG findings are reported: There was a clear prevalence of male patients (67%). Manifestation occurred mainly between 30 and 40 years of age (65%). Most seizures were primarily of the generalized grand mal type (68%). Grand mal with focal onset occurred in 13%, partial seizures in 11%, complex partial seizures (psychomotor seizures) in 5%, the latter plus grand mal seizures in 2% and other types in 1% of the cases. Aetiological factors were: chronic alcoholism (31%), vascular diseases (17%), tumours (12%), traumatic brain lesions (8,5%), toxic metabolic lesions (6%) and other factors (6%). Idiopathic epilepsy of late onset was a rare cause (4%). The aetiology remained unknown in 15% of cases. We found that the differences in age distribution, seizure type and the EEG findings are significant factors in the differential diagnosis and we compared them with those found in similar investigations.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

[Evaluation of blocking and activation response of focal EEG abnormalities by opening and closing the eyes (author's transl)].

Blocking and activation of constant focal EEG abnormalities by opening and closing the eyes were assessed by visual analysis in 173 EEG recordings of 173 patients. Correlations between single variable were weak in general and did not gain statistical significance in any case. The blocking response had similar extent on both hemispheres. There was no sign of direct dependence from extra- or intracerebral localisation of the causal process. However, the biplot method of computing the results discovered several constellations of variables responsible for blocking and activation. Two of them are reported here. 1) Both responses were more prominent at frontal than at occipital areas. 2) A prodominant slowing localized in mainly frontal regions on the left hemisphere and caused by a process extending from extracerebral or cortical to subcortical showed the greatest tendency to be blocked by opening the eyes while the cause of the focus had no influence.

Alpha Rhythm↗
PubMed1977

Amyloid neuropathy due to monoclonal gammopathy. A case report.

A case with peripheral neuropathy due to monoclonal gammopathy is reported. There was striking, dissociated symmetrical sensory loss and paresis, the legs being affected predominantly. The case is compared with the few reported cases of myelomatous neuropathy, and the clinical and histological findings are discussed in view of the pathogenesis.

Amyloidosis↗
PubMed1977

A psychometric evaluation of the acute tremulous state.

The acute alcohol withdrawal state (tremulous state), with mainly vegetative symptoms and without evident loss of conciousness or confusion, was evaluated as to functional psychopathological disturbances aiming to present a complete and objective record of the clinical findings and to establish a control of the course and drug treatment. We tried to meet the inherent inability to cooperate by using proven and also new test devices (flicker fusion, simple reaction time on light and tone, reaction on multiple serial stimuli, visual motor coordination, tachistoscopic perception and memory test, test of concentration and sustained performance with simple arithmetical calculation by analogy with the Pauli test) to circumvent the difficulties arising when patients have to answer long questionnaires. The tests enabled a measurement of the disturbances as objective as possible and proved to have a discriminating sensitivity for different functions. The correlations between the results were found to be similar for alcoholics and controls. tthe degree of the established functional cerebral and cerebellar defects which was revealed was more severe than expected in this mild stage of withdrawal.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Electrolyte changes and acid base balance after alcohol withdrawal, with special reference to rum fits and magnesium depletion.

70 chronic alcoholics in the withdrawal state, 45 with convulsions and 25 controls without convulsive seizures, were tested with respect to electrolyte changes and acid base balance in serum or blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It was of special interest to note that there was a partial independence between magnesium levels in serum and CSF. Thus the serum level has only a limited liability as to magnesium depletion suggested to be responsible for seizure precipitation. In the seizure group a slightly but significantly lower magnesium, potassium and calcium in CSF and a significant decrease of potassium and calcium in serum were revealed. In the nonzeizure controls a similar decrease of magnesium in serum and potassium in CSF was observed while serum potassium and calcium in CSF and serum remained in low normal range. In both groups there was a prominent respiratory alkalosis. The role of magnesium depression for seizure precipitation is discussed with respect to the concomitant changes of other electrolytes and acid base disturbances.

Acid-Base Imbalance↗