Biomedical subjects

Joachim Bargon

Publications and source records attributed to Joachim Bargon.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

[Charcoal smoke causes bronchial anthracosis and COPD].

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary disease due to inhalation of smoke from open woodfires represents a major health problem in developing countries. Due to increasing migration such patients also present to medical services in Europe. CASE REPORT AND DISCUSSION: An 84-year-old Afghan housewife who never smoked nor has a history of exposure to inorganic dusts, presents with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in association with bronchial anthracosis and stenosis of a bronchus. The complaints are found to be caused by chronic inhalation of smoke from an open woodfire which was used for cooking. The main complaints of "woodsmoke-associated lung disease" are cough und dyspnea with bronchial obstruction. Radiology and bronchoscopy usually reveal changes which are similar to pneumoconiosis of miners but without patients' relevant exposure. There is a frequent association of anthracotic bronchial stenosis and infection with tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: Since patients rarely recognize the risks of woodsmoke inhalation, they hardly report their exposure. Thus, the anamnesis is crucial to establish the right diagnosis and guide the patient to the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Afghanistan↗

PubMed2006

The inter-relationship between triplet energies and spin chemistry.

Triplet energies play a considerable role in optical spectroscopy, and can be determined from phosphorescence or the quenching thereof. Their role in spin chemistry may not be as obvious, but the triplet state has always had an important function or utility, namely of reaction intermediates such as radical pairs, their precursors, of carbenes, and of the final products. In situ NMR spectroscopy represents a useful tool to explore certain properties of the triplet state, especially in cases with no phosphorescence. The 'phase' of CIDNP resonances, i.e., emission or enhanced absorption, reflects the spin selectivity of electron transfer reactions. In radical ion pairs the spin selectivity is determined by the relation between the change of the standard free enthalpy DeltaG degrees during the electron back transfer and the triplet energies (E(T)) of the products. If triplet recombination is energetically feasible (DeltaG degrees > E(T)), it is typically the more efficient process in agreement with the Marcus theory.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) down-regulation in cystic fibrosis lymphocytes.

BACKGROUND: PPARs exhibit anti-inflammatory capacities and are potential modulators of the inflammatory response. We hypothesized that their expression and/or function may be altered in cystic fibrosis (CF), a disorder characterized by an excessive host inflammatory response. METHODS: PPARalpha, beta and gamma mRNA levels were measured in peripheral blood cells of CF patients and healthy subjects via RT-PCR. PPARalpha protein expression and subcellular localization was determined via western blot and immunofluorescence, respectively. The activity of PPARalpha was analyzed by gel shift assay. RESULTS: In lymphocytes, the expression of PPARalpha mRNA, but not of PPARbeta, was reduced (-37%; p < 0.002) in CF patients compared with healthy persons and was therefore further analyzed. A similar reduction of PPARalpha was observed at protein level (-26%; p < 0.05). The transcription factor was mainly expressed in the cytosol of lymphocytes, with low expression in the nucleus. Moreover, DNA binding activity of the transcription factor was 36% less in lymphocytes of patients (p < 0.01). For PPARalpha and PPARbeta mRNA expression in monocytes and neutrophils, no significant differences were observed between CF patients and healthy persons. In all cells, PPARgamma mRNA levels were below the detection limit. CONCLUSION: Lymphocytes are important regulators of the inflammatory response by releasing cytokines and antibodies. The diminished lymphocytic expression and activity of PPARalpha may therefore contribute to the inflammatory processes that are observed in CF.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Generating long-lasting 1H and 13C hyperpolarization in small molecules with parahydrogen-induced polarization.

Recently, Levitt and co-workers demonstrated that conserving the population of long-lasting nuclear singlet states in weak magnetic fields can lead to a preservation of nuclear spin information over times substantially longer than governed by the (high-field) spin-lattice relaxation time T1. Potential benefits of the prolonged spin information for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy were pointed out, particularly when combined with the parahydrogen induced polarization (PHIP) methodology. In this contribution, we demonstrate that an increase of the effective relaxation time by a factor up to three is achieved experimentally, when molecules hyperpolarized by PHIP are kept in a weak magnetic field instead of the strong field of a typical NMR magnet. This increased lifetime of spin information makes the known PHIP phenomena more compatible with the time scales of biological processes and, thus, more attractive for future investigations.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Assessment of body composition of patients with COPD.

The intention of the study was to determine nutritional state and body cell mass in patients with COPD in comparison with healthy volunteers between 50 and 75 years of age. Therefore, body cell mass (BCM), phase angle and the relation between extra cellular mass and body cell mass ECM/BCM was measured with the help of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). While 10.4 % of COPD patients (male 5.0 %, female 18.8 %) had a BMI of < 18.5, no subject was underweight in the healthy volunteers. Overweight was found in 31.7 % patients (male 36.0 %, female 25.0 %) and in 54.2 % healthy subjects (male: 62.5 %, female 46.9 %), 17.1 % of our patients (male 16.0 %, female 18.8 %) versus 21.7 % of healthy subjects (male 14.3 %, female 28.1 %) were obese. While there was no statistic significance for a lower BMI in COPD patients, there were significantly decreased values concerning muscle mass -- represented by BCM-values -- and state of nutrition -- represented by BCM, phase angle and ECM/BCM values -- in COPD patients compared with healthy volunteers. These results suggest that BMI alone doesn't allow conclusions regarding to nutritional state and physical training. A malnutrition requiring intervention might exist in spite of a normal or even high BMI in COPD patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Transfer of parahydrogen-induced hyperpolarization to 19F.

Homogeneous hydrogenations of unsaturated substrates with parahydrogen yield strong NMR signal enhancements of the transferred 1H nuclei if the symmetry of H2 is broken in the resulting hydrogenated products. This chemically induced hyperpolarization known as Parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) is also transferred to other protons and heteronuclei (2H, 13C, 29Si, 31P) when the hydrogenation is initiated at low magnetic fields. Hydrogenating various fluorinated styrenes and phenylacetylenes, we show that PHIP-derived hyperpolarization is transferred to 19F not only in the Earth's magnetic field (ALTADENA condition) but also in a strong magnetic field, e.g., when carrying out the reaction in the NMR spectrometer (PASADENA condition). Upon conducting a systematic analysis of the observed PHIP transfer to 1H, 13C, and 19F in the hydrogenation products to elucidate the mechanisms that govern this parahydrogen-aided resonance transfer (PART), we conclude that high- and low-field PHIP transfer mechanisms differ in detail depending on either through-bond or through-space interactions. Substrates with high hydrogenation rates and long spin-lattice relaxation times (T1) yield the highest degree of heteronuclear hyperpolarization. Possible medical applications for hyperpolarized 19F-containing molecules as "active" contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are outlined.

Fluorine Radioisotopes↗

PubMed2006

Peak expiratory flow as a predictor for the effectiveness of sport for patients with COPD.

This study intended to find simple parameters that were able to determine the increase in physical performance as a result of sport in a group of patients with COPD (lung sport). We regularly investigated pulse, oxygenation and peak expiratory flow in participants with COPD of a "lung sport group", who participated in a structured weekly training program under professional supervision. Ten volunteers (7 females, 3 males, median of age = 69) with COPD (grade II-III) took part in the study. - The relative changes after 3 and 6 months were compared with the values of the first month of exercise. Measurements were carried out before exercise, after stamina training and at the end of the program. - Pulse and oxygenation did not show any changes. However, there was a significant improvement of peak flow after 6 months. - These peak flow changes represent further evidence of positive effects of sport in COPD and provide a parameter which allows the patients themselves to measure and evaluate the success of their physical activity.

Exercise↗

PubMed2005

Interleukin-8 in whole blood and clinical status in cystic fibrosis.

Cytokines and polymorphonuclear leukocytes play a key role in immune mediated inflammation in progressive pulmonary damage due to cystic fibrosis. The aim of this study is to establish a simple measure of the host's propensity to secrete inflammatory cytokines and to correlate this with clinical status. Patients (n=44, median age 16 years) with the DeltaF 508 mutation (homozygous) were grouped according to their Shwachman score: Patients with mild disease (Shwachman score 71-100 points, group A, n=22, median FEV(1) 79%) were compared with those with more severe disease (Shwachman score 41-55 points, group B, n=22, median FEV(1) 55%) and age-matched controls (group C, n=22, median FEV(1) 102%). Whole blood was stimulated with 5 ng of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Interleukin-8 (IL-8) was measured by chemiluminescent immunometric assay (DPC, Bad Nauheim, Germany). Though there was a significant difference at baseline for IL-8 (median group A/B/C 6.1/30.5/5.8 pg/ml; p<0.001), there was no significant difference after stimulation. Moreover, in Pseudomonas aeruginosa positive (Psa+) patients (n=26) there was a significant negative correlation (r=-0.539; p<0.004) between baseline IL-8 and FEV(1) (%). Clinical course and lung function (in Psa+) correlate with IL-8 levels.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Antioxidant properties of cystic fibrosis sputum.

Oxidative stress is a likely contributor to the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. However, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), a physiological oxidant, is not elevated in CF exhalates. H(2)O(2) may be neutralized by antioxidants in CF airway secretions. The H(2)O(2)-detoxifying capacity of CF airway secretions, obtained via sputum induction, was studied in an in vitro H(2)O(2) cytotoxicity model. 16HBE14o- cells were exposed to H(2)O(2) in culture medium containing either 0 or 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) or 10% CF sputum supernatant (extracted without use of dithiothreitol). The efficiency of H(2)O(2) neutralization was estimated by measuring intracellular oxidant levels (dihydrorhodamine 123) after 2 h and cell viability (propidium iodide) after 24 h of H(2)O(2) exposure. Furthermore, the presence of reduced thiols (DTNB assay) and reduced glutathione (recycling assay) in CF sputum samples was evaluated. CF sputum extracts completely prevented intracellular oxidant accumulation seen in cells incubated with H(2)O(2) in both control media (i.e., 0 or 10% FBS). Furthermore, CF sputum abolished cell death in 16HBE14o- cells exposed to up to 1 mM H(2)O(2). In contrast, there was 100% cytotoxicity in cells exposed to 600 microM H(2)O(2) in both control media. The H(2)O(2)-detoxifying potential of CF sputum was sustained after catalase and heme peroxidases were inactivated by sodium azide, which does not affect glutathione peroxidase. In addition, reduced protein thiols were found in abundance in CF sputum. In conclusion, CF sputum is capable to neutralize H(2)O(2) and abundant reduced thiols and/or glutathione peroxidase are fully sufficient to detoxify H(2)O(2).

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[COPD, a systemic disease--nutritional approaches].

BACKGROUND: Within the last few years our knowledge concerning the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has grown. We now know that COPD is not simply a lung disease but a type of systemic disease. The systemic inflammation which can be found in COPD and the oxidant burden lead to systemic changes in muscles, endocrinium, bones, and blood vessels. Patients with COPD are often undernourished and have a low muscle mass even if the body mass is normal. MUSCLE AND WEIGHT LOSS: Loss of muscle mass, caused by different mechanisms, influences the muscle endurance of COPD patients. Weight loss as well as loss of muscle mass are negatively correlated with morbidity and mortality of these patients. NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT AND EXERCISE: Nutritional support like dietary advice, including supplements especially in combination with exercise, which could improve the quality of life of these patients, are approaches which are not sufficiently considered in the treatment of COPD.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

PubMed2002

Monitoring apple flavor by use of quartz microbalances.

"Electronic noses", i.e. arrays of differently coated quartz microbalances (QMB), have been used for selective detection of, and discrimination between, volatile organic compounds (VOC) formed during the post-harvest ripening of apples. The flavor components to be differentiated are chemically rather similar carbonyl compounds, chiefly aldehydes and esters. Because their relative ratios change during the post-harvest ripening period, appropriately selected sensor-active layers lead to characteristic patterns of the sensor responses which can be analyzed via pattern-recognition methods. This enables qualitative and quantitative identification of individual components whereby the post-harvest ripening of apples and other fruits can be monitored. Different kinds of apple differ in type and concentration of individual carbonyl compounds.

Aldehydes↗

PubMed2002

Expression of human beta defensin (HBD-1 and HBD-2) mRNA in nasal epithelia of adult cystic fibrosis patients, healthy individuals, and individuals with acute cold.

BACKGROUND: Lack or inactivation of defensins may facilitate chronic bacterial colonization in the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung. CF nasal epithelium exhibits typical biochemical abnormalities and can be used to study defensin expression in CF. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the expression of beta defensin (HBD-1 and HBD-2) mRNA and the presence of inflammatory markers (percentage of neutrophils and IL-8 mRNA expression) in CF and non-CF nasal mucosa. METHODS: Case-control study. Nasal brushing samples were obtained from 22 stable adult CF patients and 32 non-CF controls (25 healthy individuals and 7 individuals with acute cold). Samples were subjected to analysis involving mRNA expression (semiquantitative RT-PCR) and differential cell counting. RESULTS: Defensins and inflammatory markers were expressed at low levels in healthy individuals and at high levels in subjects with acute cold. In non-CF controls, defensin expression correlated significantly with inflammatory parameters (p < 0.001). In CF, defensin mRNA expression was comparable to healthy individuals (p = 0.2). In contrast to non-CF controls, in CF patients high levels of inflammatory markers did not correlate with defensin mRNA levels. CONCLUSIONS: Defensin expression is not upregulated in CF epithelium in response to inflammatory stimuli. Further studies are necessary to elucidate whether this is a consequence of the CF gene mutation.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2002

Sonographic findings of the hepatobiliary-pancreatic system in adult patients with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: Sonography of the liver, biliary system, and pancreas in adult patients with cystic fibrosis is by far less systematically documented than in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. In this prospective study, duplex sonographic findings of the liver, biliary system, and pancreas in adult patients with cystic fibrosis were compared with those of healthy control subjects. METHODS: Seventy-two consecutive patients with cystic fibrosis and 60 healthy control subjects were examined by high-resolution sonography. The incidence of perihepatic lymphadenopathy, the hepatic echo pattern, the detection rate of liver tumors, the flow patterns in the hepatic and portal veins, and pathologic gallbladder and pancreas findings were recorded. Additionally, cholestasis-indicating enzyme levels (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase), liver function test results (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels), and amylase and lipase levels were recorded as well. RESULTS: Patients with cystic fibrosis, when compared with healthy subjects on sonographic examination, had a higher incidence of microgallbladder (25% versus 0%) and cystic lesions of the pancreas (18% versus 0%). The number of abnormal echo patterns of the liver was increased (46% versus 15%), with a higher incidence of a nontriphasic flow pattern in the right hepatic vein. The differences proved to be statistically significant (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Typical sonographic findings in adult patients with cystic fibrosis are a microgallbladder and small cystic lesions of the pancreas. Pathologic findings of the liver can be shown by B-mode and duplex sonography, but the resulting patterns are less characteristic.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Polyphenylene Dendrimers as Sensitive and Selective Sensor Layers This work has been supported by the TMR European Research Program, through the SISITOMAS Project, by the Volkswagen Foundation, the German Science Foundation (DFG), the German Federal Ministry for Science and Technology (BMBF), and the Fonds of the German Chemical Industry, Frankfurt (Main); U.M.W. thanks the latter for a graduate fellowship, we all thank C. Beer and S. Spang for valuable support during the syntheses.

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Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

TNF-alpha promoter polymorphism in relation to TNF-alpha production and clinical status in cystic fibrosis.

The severity of lung disease in cystic fibrosis may be related to the genetic propensity of the host to produce tumor necrosis fector alpha (TNF-alpha). A polymorphism in the promoter region of the TNF-alpha gene at nucleotide 308 relative to the transcription start site may be important in determing the host's TNF-alpha response. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between a TNF-308 promoter polymorphism, ex vivo TNF-alpha production (before and after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation), and clinical status [FEV1, weight (z-score), BMI, Shwachman score, incidence of diabetes mellitus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection). Genotyping for the biallelic TNF-308 polymorphism was performed by using a real-time PCR cycler. Patients (homozygous for Delta F 508) were grouped according to genotype (TNF2 carriers, n = 16, median age = 15 yr, female/male = 5/11; TNF1 homozygotes, n = 37, median age = 21 yr, female/male = 18/19). TNF-alpha was measured using a chemiluminescent immunometric assay. There was a trend toward higher TNF-alpha values [median TNF2 carriers vs. TNF1 homozygotes: x = 56 vs. 43.5 pg/ml, n.s. (Mann-Whitney U-test] in those carrying the polymorphism and better lung function results [FEV(1) (%) 81 vs. 65, n.s.]. These differences equalized [TNF2 carriers vs. TNF1 56 vs. 51 pg/ml, n.s.; FEV1 (%) 84 vs. 79, n.s.] after age adjustment (+/- 2 yr, n = 15, median age TNF2 vs. TNF1-17/18 yr). There were no significant differences for TNF values after LPS stimulation and the incidence of diabetes mellitus. The TNF-308 promoter polymorphism does not seem to influence TNF-alpha release in whole blood cells and clinical status.

Adolescent↗