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Biomedical subjects

J Rohde

Publications and source records attributed to J Rohde.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Role of the Vam3p transmembrane segment in homodimerization and SNARE complex formation.

Intracellular membrane fusion in eukaryotic cells is mediated by SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein receptor) proteins and is known to involve assembly of cognate subunits to heterooligomeric complexes. For synaptic SNAREs, it has previously been shown that the transmembrane segments drive homotypic and support heterotypic interactions. Here, we demonstrate that a significant fraction of the yeast vacuolar SNARE Vam3p is a homodimer in detergent extracts of vacuolar membranes. This homodimer exists in parallel to the heterooligomeric SNARE complex. A Vam3p homodimer also formed from the isolated recombinant protein. Interestingly, homodimerization depended on the transmembrane segment. In contrast, formation of the quaternary SNARE complex from recombinant Vam3p, Nyv1p, Vti1p, and Vam7p subunits did not depend on the transmembrane segment of Vam3p nor on the transmembrane segments of its partner proteins. We conclude that Vam3p homodimerization, but not quaternary SNARE complex formation, is promoted by TMS-TMS interaction. As the transmembrane segments of Vam3p and other SNARE homologues were previously shown to be critical for membrane fusion downstream of membrane apposition, our results may shed light on the functional significance of SNARE TMS-TMS interactions.

Dimerization↗
PubMed2003

[The vitality of obese patients after a weight reduction by fasting].

INTRODUCTION: The objective documentation of the positive results of natural medicine or physiotherapy gains raising importance in medicine. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the application of the vitality test according to Pöthig in the objective holistic evaluation of treatment by natural and physical medicine. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 48 obese patients (28 males and 20 females) with a body mass index of 32.1 to 56.5 kg/m(2) a weight reduction therapy was carried out for 21 days (16-25 days) by means of fasting according to Buchinger, accompanied by physiotherapeutic treatments. At the beginning and at the end all patients underwent a multidisciplinary functional diagnosis by means of the vitality test according to Pöthig and a bioelectrical impedance analysis. On the basis of the 47 measured parameters of the entire body function (physical, mental and emotional/social) the Vitality Index and the Functional Age Index (FAI) were calculated. RESULTS: The reduction of body weight was 9.1 +/- 2.4 (5.1-15.0) kg, the reduction of body fat 5.5 +/- 1.3 (3.3-8.5) kg. At the beginning 31% of the patients showed a reduced vitality, i.e. the FAI was at least 5 years (maximum 16 years) higher then the real age. 56% of the patients matched the real age and in 13% of the patients the FAI was better with respect to the corresponding age group. During the treatment 94% of the patients showed an improvement of their FAI by 5 +/- 3 years on average (maximum 12 years). CONCLUSIONS: With the help of the presented multidisciplinary vitality test it is possible to objectively document the positive results of natural medicine and physical medicine on the whole human organism.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[New findings about Priessnitz from the unknown Vinzenz Priessnitz Familien-Wasserbuch from 1847].

The large scope of therapies that Priessnitz used for his cure treatments in Gräfenberg completely fell into oblivion. More than 50 different applications of water, partly created by Priessnitz, dietary therapy for every patient, a lot of physical exercise, air as well as sun baths, improvement of fitness, and a regular life style were included in Priessnitz' treatments. He treated a variety of indications, not only chronic but also severe acute ones. The Vinzenz Priessnitz'sche Familien-Wasserbuch is a real treasury of forgotten facts about the genius who was the first to rediscover and remodel hydrotherapy before Kneipp.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

The TOR kinases link nutrient sensing to cell growth.

Rapamycin is an immunosuppressive natural product that inhibits the proliferation of T-cells in response to nutrients and growth factors. Rapamycin binds to the peptidyl-prolyl isomerase FKBP12 and forms protein-drug complexes that inhibit signal transduction by the TOR kinases. The FKBP12 and TOR proteins are conserved from fungi to humans, and in both organisms the TOR signaling pathway plays a role in nutrient sensing. In response to nitrogen sources or amino acids, TOR regulates both transcription and translation, enabling cells to appropriately respond to growth-promoting signals. Rapamycin is having a profound impact on clinical medicine and was approved as an immunosuppressant for transplant recipients in 1999. Ongoing clinical studies address new clinical applications for rapamycin as an antiproliferative drug for chemotherapy and invasive cardiology.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

A conserved membrane-spanning amino acid motif drives homomeric and supports heteromeric assembly of presynaptic SNARE proteins.

Assembly of the SNARE proteins synaptobrevin/VAMP, syntaxin, and SNAP-25 to binary and ternary complexes is important for docking and/or fusion of presynaptic vesicles to the neuronal plasma membrane prior to regulated neurotransmitter release. Despite the well characterized structure of their cytoplasmic assembly domains, little is known about the role of the transmembrane segments in SNARE protein assembly and function. Here, we identified conserved amino acid motifs within the transmembrane segments that are required for homodimerization of synaptobrevin II and syntaxin 1A. Minimal motifs of 6-8 residues grafted onto an otherwise monomeric oligoalanine host sequence were sufficient for self-interaction of both transmembrane segments in detergent solution or membranes. These motifs constitute contiguous areas of interfacial residues assuming alpha-helical secondary structures. Since the motifs are conserved, they also contributed to heterodimerization of synaptobrevin II and syntaxin 1A and therefore appear to constitute interaction domains independent of the cytoplasmic coiled coil regions. Interactions between the transmembrane segments may stabilize the SNARE complex, cause its multimerization to previously observed multimeric superstructures, and/or be required for the fusogenic activity of SNARE proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

[Sensitivity of bovine and equine streptococci to beta-lactam antibiotics (benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, oxacillin, cefotaxime) in the agar diffusion and E-test].

368 streptococcal strains from udder secretions of cattle (Sc. agalactiae, Sc. dysgalactiae, Sc. uberis) and 191 streptococcal isolates from horse specimens (Sc. equi ssp. zooepidemicus, Sc. equi ssp. equi) originating from different agricultural regions in Germany (Lower Saxony, in particular the region of Weser-Ems, Bavaria, Altmark) were investigated for their sensitivity to 4 beta-lactam antibiotics (benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, oxacillin, cefotaxime). Two different test methods were applied: the agar diffusion test for determination of the diameter of the zone of inhibition and the E-test for determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). According to the evaluation code of DIN 58,940, 98% to 100% of the isolates from the cow udder as well as of the Streptococcus strains from horses were sensitive to the four antibiotics tested. Only Sc. uberis was less sensitive to benzylpenicillin (79.7%) and Oxacillin (83.2%). The strains from different agricultural regions did not differ from each other concerning their sensitivity to beta-lactams. The results of the two methods of sensitivity testing were in satisfactory agreement: Compared to the MIC reference values, misclassifications occurred in the agar diffusion test only at an error rate of between 1.62% (for ampicillin) and 5.21% (for benzylpenicillin).

Ampicillin↗
PubMed2000

Thyroid cancer: patients' experiences of receiving iodine-131 therapy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To enhance understanding of the experiences and educational needs of patients receiving iodine-131 (131I) therapy for the treatment of thyroid cancer. DESIGN: Qualitative design using interpretive description. SETTING: A 24-bed oncology/acute-care medical unit in a large tertiary hospital in western Canada. SAMPLE: 5 men and 22 women (18-80 years of age) who have received 131I therapy in the past two years. METHODS: Unstructured focus group and telephone interviews and field notes. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic analysis. FINDINGS: Researchers elicited four major themes from the analysis: (a) recognizing the totality of the cancer experience, (b) being isolated, (c) recognizing the totality of the treatment experience, and (d) understanding barriers to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers require a better understanding of thyroid disease and the treatment and side effects of 131I therapy. Furthermore, educational programs are required to adequately prepare nurses and patients for future care. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: A need exists to improve the care and education provided to patients receiving 131I therapy. In particular, recognition of the totality of the cancer experience and the need for both staff and patient education were illustrated. If nurses are to provide comprehensive cancer care, both psychosocial and physical needs must be addressed and fulfilling these needs requires a collaborative approach among patients, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

First chromosomal restriction map of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and localization of putative virulence-associated genes.

Combined physical and genetic maps of the genomes of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae AP76 (serotype 7 clinical isolate) and of A. pleuropneumoniae ATCC 27088 (serotype 1 reference strain) were constructed by using the restriction endonucleases ApaI, AscI, NotI, and SalI. The chromosome sizes as determined by the addition of estimated fragment sizes were 2.4 Mbp, and both maps had a resolution of approximately 100 kbp. The linkages between the ApaI, AscI, NotI, and SalI fragments and their relative positions were determined by (i) fragment excision and redigestion and (ii) partial digests of defined fragments and Southern blot using end-standing probes. The single SalI site within the chromosome of strain A. pleuropneumoniae AP76 was defined as position 1 of the map; for the map of A. pleuropneumoniae ATCC 27088, the corresponding SalI site was chosen. Putative virulence-associated genes (apx, omlA, sodA, tbpBA, ureC, and a repeat element) and housekeeping genes (glyA, metJ, recA, and rhoAP) were positioned on the physical maps and located on the ApaI and NotI fragments of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype reference strains.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae↗
PubMed1999

[Diagnosis of swine dysentery and spirochaetal diarrhea. 2. Effort of macrorestriction analysis for differentiation of intestinal Serpulina relative to determination by culture-biochemical markers following species classification].

Genotypic differentiation by means of macrorestriction fragment profile analysis using Mlul restriction enzyme was carried out differentiating 41 Serpulina field strains from swine (38), dog (2) and a rat as well as ten type and reference strains into 40 electrophoretic types. A dendrogram was created using the average linkage between groups method. At a level of 50% similarity the patterns could be divided into six groups that roughly corresponded to the results yielded by cultural and biochemical methods formerly (FELTRUP et al. 1999). Five of these clusters corresponded to the five known porcine Serpulina species, one cluster contained the S. pilosicoli isolates from dog and rat included in this study. Interestingly all nine investigated indole negative, strongly haemolytic isolates were clustered together in one group with the S. hyodysenteriae strains, so that incidence of indole negative variants of S. hyodysenteriae was confirmed. Because of being grouped together with two S. intermedia isolates, the suitability of B 256 as S. innocens type strain is--in accord to investigations carried out by PETTERSSON et al (1996)--called in question.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Health screening for people with Down's syndrome.

All adults over the age of 18 years with Down's syndrome living in a borough of London, England, were identified through a case register. A questionnaire seeking information on health status and screening was sent to their carers. The reply rate was 70%. The attendance for general health care is reasonable, but there are some gaps in screening. The implications for primary health care and health promotion are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Investigations into the occurrence and the antibiotic susceptibility of gram negative anaerobes of the genera Bacteroides, Prevotella, Porphyromonas and Fusobacterium in specimens obtained from diseased animals].

From different samples of 247 diseased animals (cattle, sheep, goat, horse, pig, dog, cat, rodent, zoo-animals), 410 strains of gram-negative anaerobes were cultured. 297 isolates (72.4%) could be differentiated to the species level by using cultural-biochemical methods, gaschromatography and cell-wall-lipidanalysis. They belonged to 29 different species. For an additional 113 strains (27.6%) only the genus could be determined. Bacteria belonging to the genus Fusobacterium occurred with the highest isolation rates (36% of all strains) in the samples examined, followed by Bacteroides spp. (26.1%), Prevotella spp. (19.9%) and Prophyromonas spp. (17.8%). Fusobacterium necrophorum was the single species isolated most frequently. Antibiotic susceptibility tests by E-test were performed on 100 strains belonging to the the above mentioned genera. Of these strains 18% were resistant to penicillin and 20% to tetracycline. The resistant strains belonged mainly to the Bacteroides fragilis-group. Resistant rates to most other antimicrobial agents tested were Amoxicillin in combination with clavulanic acid: 1%, Chloramphenicol: 3%, Clindamycin:8%. All 100 selected strains proved to be susceptible to Metronidazol.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Towards the development of a multi-axial classification of people with learning difficulties.

The complexity of need experienced by people with learning disabilities might best be described by a multi-axial classification. The data routinely collected for a register of people with learning disabilities were analysed to see whether factors that might discriminate between individuals could be identified. Three factors were identified. The factor scores were used in a cluster analysis. A ten-cluster model formed from these factors made empirical sense. The present investigation indicates that a multi-axial classification is feasible and may be useful. However, the results cannot be applied beyond the data set used for its development at the present time. Ultimately, it will be necessary to collect additional information in order to calibrate the factor scores.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1993

Is the money following the clients with learning disabilities?

For the past decade patients with learning disabilities living in long stay mental handicap hospitals have been resettled in the community. Local authorities have also taken on the care of new patients who would once have been long stay residents. The imperfect data that are available suggest that in England about half the residents in mental handicap hospitals in 1981 are now the responsibility of local authorities; the figures for Wales and Northern Ireland are 38% and 33%. Data on revenue suggest that the savings to the health service are much less--perhaps 9% in Northern Ireland and 3.6% in England, although there have also been capital gains through the sale of hospitals. Existing methods of transferring money from health to local authorities--joint finance and "dowries" for individual patients--do not seem adequately to have compensated local authorities. Moreover, as patients still to be transferred are more severely disabled local authorities will require larger sums--about 26 000 pounds per patient per year plus 39 200 pounds in capital. If the government chooses not to transfer these resources from health authorities it will be switching funds away from learning disabled people to other care groups.

Community Mental Health Services↗
PubMed1993

Identification of neutral endopeptidase mRNA in human nasal mucosa.

Neutral endopeptidase (NEP) may regulate peptide-induced inflammation in the upper respiratory tract. NEP mRNA was detected by Northern blotting in poly(A)+ mRNA prepared from human turbinates. NEP mRNA bands were detected at 3.9 and 1.8 kb. In situ hybridization identified NEP mRNA in epithelial cells, serous cells of submucosal glands, and vessel walls. The vacuoles of goblet and mucous cells were not stained, but it is likely that the cytoplasm of these cells contained some NEP mRNA. Radioactive in situ hybridization with 35S-UTP appeared to be more sensitive than nonradioactive in situ hybridization with biotin-UTP and immunogold detection. The NEP mRNA-containing cells identified by in situ hybridization were the same as those identified by immunohistochemistry to contain immunoreactive NEP. These NEP-containing cells have been previously shown to possess peptide receptors. This is consistent with the hypothesis that NEP on cells bearing peptide receptors may regulate neuropeptide-induced inflammation in human nasal mucosa.

Biotin↗