[Not Available].
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Animal Population Groups↗
Biomedical subjects
J Süss
Publications and source records attributed to J Süss.
Influenza virus subtypes in aquatic birds of eastern Germany.
We report the findings of a 12-year surveillance study (1977-89) of avian influenza A viruses in eastern Germany. Viruses were isolated directly from feral ducks (n = 236) and other wild birds (n = 89); from domestic ducks (n = 735) living on a single farm; and from white Pekin ducks (n = 193) used as sentinels for populations of wild aquatic birds; mainly sea birds. The efficiency of virus isolation was 9.9% overall, with considerable variability noted among species: 8.7% in wild ducks, 0.9% in other feral birds and 38% in Pekin ducks. Use of sentinel ducks in wild pelagic bird colonies improved virus detection rates fivefold, suggesting that this approach is advantageous in ecological studies. Among the 40 different combinations of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) subtypes we identified, H6N1 predominated (23.6% for all avian species), followed by H4N6 (11%). Among individual species, the frequency profiles favored H2N3 (20.8%) and H4N6 (20.3%) in feral ducks; H7N7 (22.3%), H4N6 (24.4%) and H2N3 (10.4%) in Pekin ducks used as sentinels; and H6N1 (34.8%) and H6N6 (15.1%) in domestic ducks maintained on a single farm. By relying on sentinel birds for serological assays, it was possible to trace an "influenza season" in feral swan populations, beginning in August and continuing through the winter months. Comparison of subtype distribution of influenza viruses for Europe and North America showed significant differences. This supports the fact of two geographically distinct gene pools of influenza viruses in birds connected with their distinct flyways of each hemisphere. The high frequency of isolation of H2 influenza viruses is of considerable interest to those interested in the recycling of this subtype in humans. Similarly the frequent isolation of H7N7 influenza viruses raises concern about reservoirs of potentially pathogenic influenza virus for domestic poultry. Our results confirm the existence of a vast reservoir of influenza A viruses in European aquatic birds, which possesses sufficient diversity to account for strains that infect lower animals and humans.
Animals↗
Rapid detection of tick-borne encephalitis virus sequences by cDNA amplification coupled to a simple DNA enzyme immunoassay.
BACKGROUND: The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) causes many cases of severe neurological disease in Europe and Asia. Rapid and virus specific laboratory tests are needed for epidemiological studies and for diagnosis of human diseases. OBJECTIVES: A newly developed colorimetric method, DNA enzyme immunoassay (DEIA), was applied to the detection of TBEV-specific sequences. STUDY DESIGN: Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PRC) were used for g genomic amplification. The specificity of PCR products was confirmed using an internal biotinylated probe from the 5'-NCR immobilized on streptavidin coated microtiter wells. The hybridization event was revealed by monoclonal antibodies to double stranded DNA in a standard ELISA reaction. RESULTS: A total of 23 TBEV strains among them prototype strains and isolates from Germany and other European countries was investigated. In all cases hybridization with the internal probe has occurred. CONCLUSION: The DEIA described here is a simple and rapid method facilitating the handling of a large number of samples and therefore seems to be especially valuable to surveillance studies of endemic areas and for diagnosis of human diseases.
Journal Article↗
[Increased mortality in home delivery].
103 current publications on perinatal mortality of home delivery (HD) have been investigated concerning their possible usage for statistics. Only few could meet the necessary statistical requirements. All publications which were in favour of home delivery showed statistical faults; therefore, they cannot give clear evidence of advantages and disadvantages of HD. The group of the described HD (approximately 85,000 home deliveries) were compared with a statistically comparable group of hospital deliveries. The risk for children to die during or after birth is between 3 and 23 times higher for home-born children than for those born in hospitals. The rate of unexpected incidents during delivery, where transport to hospital was required, is about 11%; this corresponds to the rate of unexpected incidents in hospitals. In home delivery, it is not possible to provide obstetrical operative interventions. The frequency of operatively terminated deliveries is about 40% in the group of secondarily transferred patients. The Netherlands have about 30% home deliveries; their perinatal mortality rate (0.96%) is the highest of all comparable high-developed countries (Germany: 0.6%). Considering the necessary safety of the child, home delivery is irresponsible.
Cross-Sectional Studies↗
[The forgotten pioneers of the negative feedback of estrogens].
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Austria↗
Origin of the pandemic 1957 H2 influenza A virus and the persistence of its possible progenitors in the avian reservoir.
H2N2 influenza A viruses caused the Asian pandemic of 1957 and then disappeared from the human population 10 years later. To assess the potential for similar outbreaks in the future, we determined the antigenicity of H2 hemagglutinins (HAs) from representative human and avian H2 viruses and then analyzed the nucleotide and amino acid sequences to determine their evolutionary characteristics in different hosts. The results of longitudinal virus surveillance studies were also examined to estimate the prevalence of avian H2 isolates among samples collected from wild ducks and domestic poultry. Reactivity patterns obtained with a large panel of monoclonal antibodies indicated antigenic drift in the HA of human H2 influenza viruses, beginning in 1962. Amino acid changes were clustered in two regions of HA1 that correspond to antigenic sites A and D of the H3 HA. By contrast, the antigenic profiles of the majority of avian H2 HAs were remarkably conserved through 1991, resembling the prototype Japan 57 (H2N2) strain. Amino acid changes were distributed throughout HA1, indicating that antibodies do not play a major role in the selection of avian H2 viruses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two geographic site-specific lineages of avian H2 HAs: North American and Eurasian. Evidence is presented to support interregion transmission of gull H2 viruses. The human H2 HAs that circulated in 1957-1968 form a separate phylogenetic lineage, most closely related to the Eurasian avian H2 HAs. There was an increased prevalence of H2 influenza viruses among wild ducks in 1988 in North America, preceding the appearance of H2N2 viruses in domestic fowl. As the prevalence of avian H2N2 influenza viruses increased on turkey farms and in live bird markets in New York City and elsewhere, greater numbers of these viruses have come into direct contact with susceptible humans. We conclude that antigenically conserved counterparts of the human Asian pandemic strain of 1957 continue to circulate in the avian reservoir and are coming into closer proximity to susceptible human populations.
Americas↗
Detection of tick-borne encephalitis virus RNA in ticks (Ixodes ricinus) by the polymerase chain reaction.
A polymerase chain reaction for the detection of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) RNA in ticks was developed. Two pairs of primers for nested PCR were selected from the 5'-NCR and the 5'-terminus of the C protein coding region, which are highly conserved among the TBEV isolates sequenced so far. The sensitivity of the nested PCR was tested by dilution experiments of a TBEV positive brain suspension. The specificity of the PCR products was confirmed by Southern blotting. In a pilot study, 60 homogenates of 7200 ticks (I. ricinus) were examined by PCR. Two homogenates were found positive. The PCR for TBEV RNA appears to be a valuable method to define endemic areas of TBE.
Animals↗
[The early history of the negative feedback of estrogens on gonadotropins of the anterior hypophysis. The priority dispute between Dorothy Price and Walter Hohlweg. A contribution to self-deception in scientific priority claims].
From printed manuscripts of lectures held in August 1930 in London, we learn, that Carl R. Moore and Dorothy Price from Chicago, as well as Max Dohrn and Walter Hohlweg from Berlin, deduced, from different experiments, a negative feedback of oestrogens on the gonadotropic function of the anterior pituitary and--in general--a kybernetic system between pituitary and ovary. In 1975, both Price and Hohlweg claimed to be the discoverer of that system. A historical analysis reveals, that these priority claims are open to doubt.
Estrogens↗
Epidemiology and ecology of tick-borne encephalitis in the eastern part of Germany between 1960 and 1990 and studies on the dynamics of a natural focus of tick-borne encephalitis.
From 1960 to 1990, attempts to isolate TBE virus from ticks and small mammals were made and investigations to detect TBE antibody in small mammals, game and humans were performed in the five new federal Länder of Germany. The confirmed TBE cases for which the site of exposure could be determined were also registered. As a result of these epidemiological and ecological investigations, a map is presented showing the natural foci of TBE which are primarily located in the subatlantic and mountainous climatic regions. TBE was endemic in the area of investigation from 1960 to 1990 showing a morbidity of up to 0.7 per 100,000 inhabitants which decreased in recent years to 0.02 per 100,000 inhabitants. The natural foci of TBE virus in eastern Germany showed a high activity between 1960 and 1970. Since that time, there have hardly been any cases of human disease and TBE virus could no longer be detected, neither in ticks nor in small mammals. Taking the natural focus on the Island of Usedom as an example, attempts have been made to elucidate whether such foci have become extinct or whether they have persisted. From 1983 to 1989, a surveillance programme was performed to detect antibodies to TBE virus in small mammals and game and to attempt to culture virus from ticks and small mammals. The attempts to isolate virus from a total of 8200 ticks were negative. Attempts to isolate virus from the brains of small mammals were also negative. Antibody prevalence in 446 small mammals and 500 animals of game was ca. 1%. At one site, the sero-positive reactions converted from 0% (1983-1988) to 4.5% (1989) among small mammals population. The investigations performed on the Island of Usedom have shown that this natural focus has not disappeared but is in a state of endemic latency. Moreover, the seroconversion observed in the small mammals population shows that further surveillance of such foci is necessary. This becomes obvious by the sporadic occurrence of single TBE cases as well as by a low antibody prevalence of 1% in small mammals and game. The epidemiological situation in eastern Germany is thus completely different from that in western Germany where an average of 70-120 TBE cases per year are registered, occurring mainly in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
Animals↗
In vitro phagocytosis by crevicular phagocytes in various forms of periodontitis.
Phagocytes from the gingival crevice fluid (CF-cells) of 11 patients with localized juvenile and post-juvenile periodontitis (LJP/PJP), 14 with rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP), 11 with adult periodontitis (AP), and 14 controls without periodontal disease were examined. Phagocytic activity in vitro was assessed. Crevicular washings were obtained from healthy sites of controls and diseased sites of patients after completion of the oral hygiene phase (professional and home care). The cells were carefully processed to avoid mechanical damage. The in vitro phagocytosis by uptake of opsonized C. albicans was performed in a moist chamber (30 minutes, 37 degrees C) and examined by light microscopy. CF-cells were differentiated on the basis of their morphological appearance. The majority of cells in crevicular washings were PMNs, some macrophages, and few lymphocytes. Phagocytic activity in patients with LJP/PJP and RPP was significantly decreased in comparison with that from AP and the control group. The decreased percentage of cells phagocytosing opsonized C. albicans was associated with the enhanced adherence of opsonized C. albicans. Moreover cell viability of CF-cells from LJP/PJP sites was significantly reduced. The data from the present study suggest that the in vitro phagocytosis of crevicular phagocytes in juvenile and rapidly progressive periodontitis lesions is diminished.
Adolescent↗
Analysis of internal proteins of influenza A (H2N2) viruses isolated from birds in East Germany in 1983.
Proteins and RNAs of influenza A (H2N2) viruses isolated from birds in 1983 in East Germany were compared antigenically with those of H2N2 human strains. The electrophoretic mobility of the viral proteins and of the S1-treated double-stranded RNAs from two human and six avian strains, as well as the results of EIA-tests using monoclonal antibodies to their matrix protein and nucleoproteins indicate an antigenic relationship between the avian isolates and human strains of H2N2 subtype. One of the avian strains had a reduced amount of matrix protein.
Animals↗
["Preformation and prediction" of the human sex. Wilhelm Weinberg's critique of Otto Schöner's "theory"].
In 1909 Otto Schöner, a district medical officer, claimed human sex to be determined by ovarian preformation and to be precisely predicted. Up to his death in 1940 Schöner denied not only the role of sex chromosomes, but chromosomes as carrier of heritage in general. His "theory" of sex preformation in the human ovary and sex prediction was published in renowned journals, e.g. "Zentralblatt für Gynäkologie" and "Zeitschrift für Geburtshilfe und Gynäkologie". His statistics as well as the "theory" were criticized by Wilhelm Weinberg, a general practitioner, obstetrician and statistician. Weinberg's name has been firmly linked to a principle of population genetics by the eponym "Hardy-Weinberg-law". This paper is intended to give an extensive description of the controversy between Schöner and Weinberg.
Female↗
Immune reactions against rabies viruses--infection and vaccination.
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Humans↗
The modulation of the specific and non-specific host response in case of influenza virus infection and vaccination in man.
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Antibody Formation↗
A phagocytosis capacity assay: parallel measurement of the phagocytosis and the intracellular killing in granulocytes and the influence of some substances on these processes.
A radiometric technique is described for the assessment of phagocytosis and killing of viable yeast cells by granulocytes. This technique does not require separation of extra- and intracellular microorganisms. In this method the phagocytes which contain viable yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans) were disrupted by Triton X-100, and only the remaining yeast cells were isotope-labelled. The uptake of [75 Se]L-selenomethionine was used to measure the killing ability of phagocytes. This method is recommended to measure the influence of biological and pharmacological agents to ingest and kill leucocytes in vitro. The following substances affected phagocytosis and killing: Granatomycin C (decreased phagocytosis), cis-DDP (no influence), bestatin (stimulation of phagocytosis) and Z 190/69-HCl (oxazole) (stimulation of phagocytosis and killing).
Candida albicans↗
[Acute infantile cerebral form of Gaucher disease].
A foetus causing attention by disharmonic growth retardation and suspected CTG, died within the 34th week of gestation. The infantile cerebral form (type II) of Gaucher's disease was detected by histological examination. In another pregnancy a second afflicted child was discovered by decreased cerebroside-beta-glucosidase activity in amniotic fluid cells. Abortion was therefore induced.
Abortion, Eugenic↗
Phagocytosis activity of polymorphonuclear cells of normal persons and dialysis patients is influenced by different dialysis membranes.
Leukocyte (PMN) functional capacity has been investigated through evaluation of phagocytosis of opsonised yeast cells in a radiometric test system. The PMN of dialysis patients (DP) had a slightly lower ability to ingest opsonised yeast cells in comparison with normal persons (NP), suggesting that an intrinsic cellular defect may exist. Under the influence of six membranes (cellulose acetate, regenerated cellulose, modified cellulose, cuprophane, polysulphone, and polymethylmethacrylate) the phagocytosis index decreased significantly between 10 and 17% in NP and between 13 and 23% in DP. There is a clear correlation with the membrane surface area. These results are not explained by the number of dead leukocytes (4-6.5% in DP and also in NP independently of membrane contact). The direct membrane effect could be responsible for the diminished phagocytic activity of leukocytes in NP and DP. Aqueous extracts of membranes alone resulted in no change of the phagocytic ability of PMN. Extracellular or 'uraemic factors' were excluded by the test procedure. The killing rate of yeast cells by PMN in NP and DP was not influenced in any of the membranes tested.
Adult↗
[The effect of potential antineoplastic antibiotics and the metal complex compound cisplatin on in vitro phagocytosis].
Under standardized conditions the influence of the drugs lambdamycin, violamycin, granatomycin C, daunorubicin and cisplatin on the phagocytosis has been tested. Therapeutical doses of lambdamycin, daunorubicin and cisplatin did not have any obvious impairment on the phagocytosis. Contrarily to this granatomycin C (an isochromanchinon antibiotic) and violamycin (an anthracyclin in high concentrations) significantly depressed the phagocytosis of PMN.
Aminoglycosides↗