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Biomedical subjects

K Summer

Publications and source records attributed to K Summer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Cu metabolism in the liver.

This paper has, given some idea of our concepts of the processes involved in the transport of Cu across cell membranes in the liver, which we have summarised in Fig 1. Cu(II)His2 is reduced to Cu(I). This is transported across the membrane, re-oxidised, either before or after binding to glutathione (Freedman et al., 1989) or HAH1 (Klomp et al., 1997), binds to SAHH, and donates Cu(II) to the ATPase. It is very interesting that cells which are very diverse from an evolutionary point of view still use very similar methods to handle the metal. Whether regulation of transport is also the sam remains to be seen. We would guess that, although there will be strong similarities, there will also be very significant differences, reflecting the different environments seen by different tissues in mammalian cells and given the different requirements of the tissues.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1991

L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, a cysteine prodrug: pharmacokinetics and effects on thiols in plasma and lymphocytes in human.

L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (OTC), a prodrug of cysteine, was administered at a dose of 0.15 and 0.45 mmol/kg to healthy volunteers. The plasma concentration of OTC reached a peak between 45 and 60 min after p.o. administration. The p.o. clearance of 0.15 mmol/kg of OTC was 0.57 +/- 0.20 liters/(hr.kg) S.D.. The peak increase in plasma OTC was followed by an increase in the plasma concentration of cysteine which rose by 18 to 75 microM over the average basal concentration of 17 microM. The plasma concentrations of free glutathione and total glutathione (i.e., glutathione in small molecular and protein mixed disulfides) did not change significantly during 8 hr after the ingestion of OTC. In contrast, there was a significant increase in the average concentration of cysteine from 0.37 to 0.99 nmol/mg of protein and of glutathione from 8.7 to 15.6 nmol/mg of protein in lymphocytes 2 to 3 hr after ingestion of OTC. The present data shows that OTC is a prodrug of cysteine after p.o. administration in humans and that OTC can raise the circulating concentration of cysteine and the intracellular concentration of cysteine and glutathione in lymphocytes.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Plasma exchange (PE) and lymphocytapheresis (LCA) in multiple sclerosis (MS).

In 96 patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) 277 plasma exchanges (PE) including 176 lymphocytaphereses were performed. Improvement was mainly seen in patients with a short course of disease and at acute exacerbations. Patients with chronic progressive and relapsing intermittent courses responded only poorly. One or two PE were sufficient to induce improvement which was only marginally altered by subsequent PE. Our data confirm that only selected patients will benefit from PE-treatment especially those with acute exacerbations.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

[Clinical significance of symmetric basal ganglia calcification].

Since CT it has been possible to detect subtle SCBG. Usually they are without any symptoms. Massive calcification is visible in conventional radiogram; it can form the patho-anatomical substrate for neuro-psychiatric defects. Fahr's triad consists of SCBG, typical neuropsychiatric symptoms, and decreased activity of the parathyroid glands leading to a pathologic calcium-metabolism. In our opinion SCBG is of clinical relevance in each stage. Calcium-metabolism, intoxications and sclerosis of cerebral vessels have to be looked for. The combination of hypoparathyroidism and sclerosis of the cerebral vessels turned out to be fatal with one of our patients. In a case of SCBG the neuro-psychiatric symptoms were progressive. Interventions in the calcium-metabolism e. g. in strumectomy should depend on the status of the cerebral vessels.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

[Multiple sclerosis and chromosomal aberrations (author's transl)].

Chromosomal investigations were performed after peripheral lymphocytes taken from 25 healthy females and from 35 female patients suffering from various types of multiple sclerosis had been cultured for 48 hours. The incidence of cells with chromosomal breaks in multiple sclerosis patients (2.0%) was significantly higher than in controls (1.1%): Chi2 = 7.26; DF = 1; p less than 0.01. Furthermore, chromosomal rearrangements (dicentric chromosomes, translocation chromosomes, chromatid exchange figures) were observed more frequently in the MS patients than in the controls. Analysis of the interchromosomal distribution of breaks found in the patients revealed a relative surplus in chromosome A2 and D-group chromosomes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

[Urological complications in patients with multiple sclerosis (author's transl)].

63 patients with multiple sclerosis underwent urodynamic evaluation. Hyperreflexia of the bladder was found in 64% and areflexia in 8%. Hypertrophy or sclerosis of the bladder neck (internal sphincter) was detected in 27% of the patients and a spastic external sphincter (dyssynergia) was encountered in 57%. 16 patients were admitted for surgery: 9 for TUR of the bladder neck, 5 for percutaneous selective sacral nerve block, 2 for ileal diversion, 2 for prolonged bladder distension and 1 for nephrectomy for staghorn calculi of the renal pelvis. Highly effective conservative therapy is available in the form of Lioresal for treatment of the hyperactive detrusor muscle and Dibenzyran - an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent - to relieve bladder neck spasticity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Stiff-man syndrome with abnormalities in CSF and computerized tomography findings. Report of a case.

We report a case of stiff-man syndrome with abnormal spinal fluid. Serum protein values were normal, but the spinal fluid levels of immunogammaglobulin G and acute-phase proteins were elevated. We discuss the possibility of an inflammatory process of the nervous system as a cause for these findings. Another interesting observation in our patient was that of local atrophies seen on computerized tomography, indicating hemispheral and especially brainstem lesions. Furthermore, as a new therapeutic possibility, we demonstrated the improvement of spasms and rigidity under the influence of heat.

Atrophy↗
PubMed1979

Serum cortisol levels of multiple sclerosis patients during ACTH treatment.

The adrenocortical function in 52 multiple sclerosis patients was studied and compared to that of ten healthy control subjects. The basic secretion rate of cortisol of the MS patients was within the range of normal. Reactivity of the adrenal cortex to stimulation by synthetic ACTH was markedly reduced independent of the duration of the disease with the exception of four patients who were in an early stage of the disease. No difference could be demonstrated between patients undergoing a bout and patients in a stage of remission. The pathogenetic and prognostic significance of the results of the present study are discussed.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1979

[Immunoreactions of the delayed type in patients with multiple sclerosis (author's transl)].

Skin tests were performed in 34 multiple sclerosis patients. The incidence of positive reactions was reduced in these patients compared with healthy controls, with regard to different recall antigens with the exception of varidase, as well as the PHA and DNCB. No definite differences in reaction between patients who had been suffering from multiple sclerosis for a long time or for a short time, could be established. However, there was a certain dependence on the stage of the disease in so far as positive reactions were less frequent during the acute episode--more pronounced during the subsiding attack than at the onset of the episode--, than during the interval between two attacks. These results suggest that multiple sclerosis is primarily characterised by a weakness of cell-mediated immunity and that this weakness becomes more pronounced during the acute episode. The differences between the skin test reactions performed during the individual phases of the disease are too slight to assist in defining the acute episodes. It may be possible to identify changes in the reaction level via long-term studies.

Humans↗
PubMed1977

[Characteristic features of ischaemic strokes in young adults (author's transl)].

Clinical symptoms, angiographic findings and risk factors were recorded according to a classification system in 28 women and 39 men who suffered an ischaemic cerebral stroke before the age of 40. This enabled correlations to be made within the group of young patients and the discovery--by comparison with a corresponding group of patients over 40--of statistically significant age-specific features of cerebro-vascular disease. Vascular lesions in young patients show a sex-specific distribution and a characteristic relationship to clinical symptoms. The prognosis is more favorable in young patients; risk factors which predispose to stroke and influence its further development are less frequent. It is, therefore, suggested that characteristic features of strokes in young adults can be partially explained by the fact that they are usually caused by single pathological alterations in otherwise healthy persons.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Subacute encephalitis during lactation (author's transl)].

Two cases of encephalitis during lactation are reported. The illness started with psychotic symptoms and some weeks later neurological disturbances appeared. The course of the illness was subacute and both cases the brain scan was abnormal with numerous nodules. A CSF proteinogram showed an acute phase reaction, pointing to an organic lesion of the nervous system, but no impairment of the blood CSF barrier and normal immunoglobulin G levels. The possible aetiological factors, as well as the CSF and brain scan findings are discussed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1975

[Eosinophil leucocytes in csf after myelography (author's transl)].

2 cases one of polyneuropathy and one of funicular myelosis, in which myelography was performed, are reported. After the insertion of the contrast medium an increase of eosinophil leucocytes was observed. In one case an additional increase of IgG and IgA, as well as a penetration of macromolecular proteins and an increase of the total protein, was detected. The second case showed an increase in haptoglobulin in addition to the cellular reaction described. After removal of the contrast medium, the CSF became normal in both cases. These changes were on one hand interpreted as a functional lesion of the barrier, and on the other hand as a special cellular and humoral immune reaction. This could be distinctly detected in the lumbar CSF while in the suboccipital CSF there was only an indication of it. This emphasizes the assumption of a pathological reaction in the section of the cerebrospinal region that was in contact with the contrast medium (allergen-hyperergic reaction of the vascular fibrous tissue of the leptomeninges). No marked changes were observed in the serum.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[The acid-base balance in the CSF of normal subjects regulatory mechanisms (author's transl)].

1. The acid-base balance (pH, pCO2 and HCO-3) of 23 normal subjects was determined both in arterialized capillary blood and in the CSF. 2. Statistically significant correlations (determined by means of Spearman's rank correlation) were found between: pCO2 in arterialized blood and CSF pH (Rs=--0.372, p is less than 0.05), pCO2 in the CSF and CSF pH (Rs=--0.421, p is less than 0.05), HCO-3 in the CSF and in arterialized blood (Rs=0.623, p is less than 0.05), blood pH and CSF pH (Rs=0.485, p is less than 0.025), pCO2 in the CSF and HCO-3 in the CSF (Rs=0.559, p is less than 0.005). 3. The regulatory mechanisms of the CSF acid-base balance in normal subjects and also in patients with extra-neural or CNS disturbances are discussed.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1975

[Acid-base balance in the cerebrospinal fluid of normal subjects. Comparison of cisternal and lumbar CSF (author's transl)].

1. An investigation was carried out on 40 normal subjects of the acid-base balance in arterialized capillary blood and in the CSF (17 cisternal and 23 lumbar samples). The pH value was 7.324 in the cisternal CSF and 7.317 in the lumbar CSF, giving a difference of 0.007. The respective pCO2 values were 45.0 mm Hg and 45.9 mm Hg. The HCO3-minus value was 21.8 mMol/l, both in the cisternal and the lumbar CSF. 2. A comparison of the cisternal and lumbar CSF samples by means of the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Test did not show any significant differences. 3. Neither of the groups showed a statistically significant dependence on age or sex. 4. Comparative studies by several authors of the acid-base balance in the cisternal and lumbar CSF are mentioned and discussed with reference to the present results.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗