[Liver transplantation in familial amyloid polyneuropathy].
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Amyloid Neuropathies↗
Biomedical subjects
M Krüger
Publications and source records attributed to M Krüger.
[A new Bordetella species in sheep?].
Occasionally the occurrence of isolates of the genus Bordetella has been reported, with unclear assignment to one of the known species in sheep from New Zealand and Great Britain. In this study we describe the isolation of strains belonging to the genus Bordetella in a flock of sheep from Germany. These isolates were characterized biochemically by serological tests and whole cell fatty acid analysis. Our isolates could be divided into three subgroups by their differential growth on MacConcey- and Tyrosine agar. A clear assignment to one of the known Bordetella species was not possible.
Animals↗
Famciclovir treatment of hepatitis B virus recurrence after liver transplantation: a pilot study.
Despite hepatitis B immunoprophylaxis hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence is a frequent and often fatal complication after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The purine nucleoside analogues penciclovir and its oral form famciclovir (FCV) proved to be well tolerated and effective against herpes simplex and zoster virus infections. In addition, an effective reduction of duck and human HBV replication was observed. Therefore, we conducted an uncontrolled pilot study of famciclovir in patients with HBV recurrence after OLT. Twelve patients have received famciclovir for at least 3 months in an open compassionate-use protocol. FCV was administered orally 500 mg three times a day for all patients (except one patient who was started on 750 mg three times a day for the first 2 weeks). Immediately after starting famciclovir, serum HBV DNA levels declined in 9 of 12 patients (75%) with a mean reduction from baseline levels of 80% after 3 months, 90% after 6 months, and > 95% after 12 months of treatment. With continued treatment, 5 of these 9 patients became negative by conventional hybridization assay, and in one of these HBV DNA became undetectable by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 28 weeks after the start of treatment. Three patients showed no (sustained) reduction in HBV DNA after at least 3 months of treatment; therefore, FCV was stopped. Latest serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels decreased in 6 of 12 patients (50%) with a median decrease of 80% (range, 40%-95%) in comparison to pretreatment ALT values. ALT levels normalized in 4 patients (33%). One patient died due to sepsis and peritonitis in week 13 of treatment. This event was not related to FCV. No clinically significant side effects were noticed in any patient. The oral nucleoside analog famciclovir reduces HBV replication and transaminase levels in patients with HBV recurrence after liver transplantation. Because long-term FCV treatment is well tolerated, famciclovir appears to be a promising antiviral strategy in the treatment of HBV in immunocompromised patients.
2-Aminopurine↗
Postexercise albuminuria in children with different duration of type-1 diabetes mellitus.
About 30% of diabetic patients develop progressive renal failure. We studied albumin, IgG, and transferrin excretion during exercise in diabetic children without signs of nephropathy to investigate proteinuria under these conditions: 39 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and 21 healthy children undertook a bicycle exercise test. Albuminuria measured by nephelometry was calculated as the albumin excretion rate (AER) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio before and after exercise. The diabetic group was divided into three subgroups according to disease duration (DI < 5 years, DII 5-10 years, DIII > 10 years). No significant difference in metabolic control (hemoglobin A1c was detected between the diabetic groups (median hemoglobin A1c: DI 7.2%, DII 7.6%, DIII 8.6%). There was no increase in AER in the healthy children after exercise. Before exercise the diabetic groups had an AER similar to controls. No significant increase in albuminuria after exercise was seen in group DI. Both groups with a disease duration of more than 5 years had a significant increase in albuminuria [median before/after: DII 7.8/16.7 (P < 0.05), DIII 0/57.9 (P < 0.05) micrograms/min per 1.73 m2). Of these patients, 43% also had a measurable urinary excretion of IgG and transferrin, indicating structural glomerular damage. There was no correlation of albuminuria and parameters of metabolic control or renal function. We conclude that in diabetic children an exercise test unveils albuminuria in certain patients, while their AER may be normal at rest.
Adolescent↗
Isolation of two apsA suppressor strains in Aspergillus nidulans.
Aspergillus nidulans reproduces asexually with single nucleated conidia. In apsA (anucleate primary sterigmata) strains, nuclear positioning is affected and conidiation is greatly reduced. To get further insights into the cellular functions of apsA, aconidial apsA strains were mutagenized and conidiating suppressor strains were isolated. The suppressors fell into two complementation groups, samA and samB (suppressor of anucleate metulae), samA mapped on linkage group 1 close to pyrG. The mutant allele was dominant in diploids homozygous for apsA. Viability of conidia of samA suppressor strains (samA-; apsA-) was reduced to 50% in comparison to wild-type conidia. Eighty percent of viable spores produced small size colonies that were temperature and benomyl-sensitive. samB mapped to chromosome VIII and was recessive. Viability of conidia from samB suppressor strains (apsA-; samB) was also affected but no small size colonies were observed. Both suppressors produced partial defects in sexual reproduction and both suppressed an apsA deletion mutation. In wild-type background the mutant loci affected hyphal growth rate (samA) or changed the colony morphology (samB) and inhibited sexual spore formation (samA and samB). Only subtle effects on conidiation were found. We conclude that both suppressor genes bypass the apsA function and are involved in microtubule-dependent processes.
Aspergillus nidulans↗
Differentiation of Pasteurella multocida subspecies multocida isolates from the respiratory system of pigs by using polymerase chain reaction fingerprinting technique.
PCR fingerprinting technique was applied to subtype 44 Pasteurella multocida subspecies multocida (P.m.sp.m.) isolates from the respiratory system of pigs. Two single primers were tested for their abilities to generate individual fingerprints by using PCR. Primer 1 (core sequence of the M13 phage) grouped the 44 P.m.sp.m. strains into five distinct fingerprinting profiles, while primer 2 ((GACA)4) grouped them into seven profiles. The results suggest that PCR fingerprinting is an efficient technique to detect DNA polymorphism in the species P.m.sp.m. This technique could be used to differentiate P.m.sp.m. strains of the same capsular serotype.
Animals↗
[A special hospital stay--the Spina bifida week at the pediatric hospital Auf der Bult].
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Child↗
[The problem of viral hepatitis in transplantation medicine].
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Hepatitis, Viral, Human↗
Involvement of the Ca(2+)-dependent phosphatase calcineurin in gene transcription that is stimulated by cAMP through cAMP response elements.
Gene transcription can be induced by cAMP and Ca2+ through distinct protein kinases phosphorylating the transcription factor CREB, which binds to cAMP response elements (CREs) in various genes. Induction of gene transcription by Ca2+ has been shown recently to depend on the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin in pancreatic islet cells. This study investigates the role of calcineurin in CRE-directed gene transcription after stimulation by cAMP. Reporter fusion genes under the transcriptional control of CREs were transiently transfected into the cell line HIT. Pharmacological evidence suggests that cAMP stimulates CRE-mediated transcription through a Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism. The immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporin A and FK506 inhibited CRE-mediated transcription stimulated by cAMP. At the same concentrations they also inhibited calcineurin phosphatase activity. Reversal of calcineurin inhibition by rapamycin or overexpression of calcineurin led to disinhibition of CRE-mediated gene transcription. Immunoblots with a phosphoCREB-specific antibody showed that cyclosporin A and FK506 do not interfere with CREB phosphorylation at serine 119 stimulated with cAMP or membrane depolarization. These results indicate that in HIT cells stimulation of CRE-mediated transcription depends not only on the activity of protein kinases phosphorylating CREB but also on the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin that is necessary for the transcriptional competence of phosphorylated CREB.
Animals↗
The morphology of xenotransplanted human breast carcinoma MX-1 growing in nude mice. A light and transmission electron microscopic study.
The present investigation is concerned with the morphological features of the human breast carcinoma MX-1, transplanted subcutaneously into nude mice. Three weeks after transplantation the tumor tissue is clearly distinct from the dermis. Solid tumor cell groups are separated incompletely by thin connective tissue septa, giving rise to a lobular appearance. The tumor cells are characterized by very irregularly formed nuclei with three or more nucleoli. The cytoplasm of these cells displays some lysosomes, the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and a variable number of ribosomes. The Golgi fields are frequently observed, particularly near the nucleus. The cells are connected to each other by desmosomes, which also persist during mitotic activity. Ductular formations can occasionally be seen. The ultrastructure of the blood vessels discloses the morphological features necessary for the regulation of blood flow. Capillaries present a sinusoidal aspect with distended and narrow lumina. Interruptions of the endothelial wall, however, were not observed. This morphological appearance was found in all the MX-1 tumors investigated, reflecting the stable growth of this tumor cell line in nude mice.
Animals↗
[C-reactive protein (CRP)--an acute-phase protein with importance in laboratory medicine in veterinary medicine].
CRP is an acute phase protein (APP) formed by hepatic cells in acute phase reaction (APR). APR is initiated by a broad spectrum of cytokines of activated macrophages of blood and tissues. During the APR, plasma concentrations of APP are changed. Cytokines regulate APPs. CRP is a phylogenetically very old molecule. The degree of homology of amino acids in CRP is very high in a lot of species. CRP binding specificities depend on Ca++. The diagnostic importance of CRP in veterinary medicine is discussed.
Animals↗
[C-reactive protein as a new parameter of mastitis].
The C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein. Its deposit can be seen on several animal species. Following the development of a test system (enzyme-immunoassay/EIA) for the quantitative determination of bovine CRP, it was possible to detect this protein in bovine raw milk for the first time. It was shown in the first extensive investigations that the CRP concentration in raw milk was increased, sometimes as much as tenfold as a result of udder inflammation (mastitis). In several screening analyses of a herd of cows, the CRP-values were compared with the somatic cell number, fat, protein and lactose content. The degree of CRP concentrations in raw milk in cows suffering from mastitis during the antibiotic treatment was reflected in the treatment success. When CRP was used as an additional parameter of selection, a better average udder health could be seen after five months. The first results of our investigations demonstrate that CRP is a practicable indicator of inflammation and may be effectively used to determine and control udder illness in cows.
Animals↗
Prostaglandin E plus famciclovir--a new concept for the treatment of severe hepatitis B after liver transplantation.
New concepts for the treatment of hepatitis B in immunocompromised patients are urgently needed. We describe our first experience with the new antiviral agent famciclovir in combination with a short course of prostaglandin E in a patient with severe hepatitis B after liver transplantation. Initial treatment with prostaglandin E reduced the inflammatory activity, as measured by transaminase activities, but did not affect viral replication. Consecutive long-term treatment with famciclovir further normalized liver function and profoundly suppressed viral replication. HBeAg and HBV-DNA -PCR all became negative and only HBsAg persisted. Histology documented marked reduction of cellular infiltration. The patient completely recovered and is back to regular work as a teacher.
2-Aminopurine↗
Immunogenetics of chronic liver diseases.
The genetic background of autoimmune diseases becomes more and more evident. Immunogenetics comprises the analysis of genes and their products located at the region 6p21 on the short arm of chromosome 6, which is also known as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). MHC class I and II genes are highly polymorphic. The complement genes C2, C4A, C4B, and BF, which are also polymorphic, became known as MHC class III genes. In autoimmune hepatitis type 1, there is a dual association for white persons with either HLA-A1-B8-DR3 or HLA-DR4. In patients from Japan, autoimmune hepatitis type 1 is predominantly associated with HLA-DR4. This dual association is confirmed at the DNA level. Whereas only limited data are available for autoimmune hepatitis type 2, the association of primary biliary cirrhosis with HLA-DR8 is based on several studies. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is associated with HLA-B8-DR3 and -DR52a. This association was confirmed at the DNA level because of a significant increase of the DRB3*0101 allele. For DRB3*0101-negative individuals, a second association with DRB5*0101 (= DR2) was described. Further analysis of the hypervariable region of the HLA class II molecule indicates that lysine at position 71 is crucial for autoimmune hepatitis type 1 in white persons, whereas position 13 is important for people from Japan. In contrast, leucine at position 35 is important for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, whereas leucine at position 38 is an important risk factor for primary sclerosing cholangitis. The MHC class III allele C4A-QO is significantly increased in autoimmune hepatitis type 1 and 2 and in primary biliary cirrhosis. Advances in immunogenetics will certainly increase our knowledge of the etiology and pathogenesis of immune-mediated liver diseases, which hopefully will lead to more specific therapeutic interventions.
Chronic Disease↗
[Optimizing a contrast medium bolus in spiral CT].
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Adolescent↗
Influence of culture conditions on expression of antigens in Bordetella bronchiseptica.
Bordetella (B.) bronchiseptica isolates from the respiratory tract of rat and pig in their virulent phase-I and their spontaneously developed avirulent phase-III were investigated. The strains were cultured on Bordet-Gengou agar, on nutrition agar with 10% horse blood, and with 5% sheep blood, on yeast agar, on minimal nutrition agar (MM) and Simmon's citrate agar with glycerol, starch, and nicotinic acid. Antigenic modulation was induced by MgSO4 on Bordet-Gengou agar. The B. bronchiseptica strains were cultivated at 37 degrees C for 48 h. The influence of different MgSO4 concentrations after five passages (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 50, 100 mM/ml and low (20 degrees C) and high (42 degrees C) temperatures on antigenic modulation was investigated on Bordet-Gengou (B-G) agar. B. bronchiseptica colonies were characterized in relation to morphology, haemolysis, slide agglutination with B. bronchiseptica phase-I polyclonal antibodies, haemagglutination with horse and calf erythrocytes and polypeptide and LPS patterns in SDS-PAGE. Cultivation of B. bronchiseptica phase-I on B-G agar and ACMM agar at 37 degrees C for 48 h resulted in strong phase-I antigenic patterns, and, on peptone-rich media, in antigenic modulation. The morphology of B. bronchiseptica phase-I-strain colonies on peptone media was different from that of B-G and ACMM agar. The LPS pattern of both strains resembled that of phase-III strains. MgSO4 concentrations of 1 mM/ml (strain 1636 I) and 3 mM/ml (Ratte I) were able to induce LPS-pattern-like phase III.
Agglutination Tests↗
[The lipopolysaccharide structure of Haemophilus parasuis strains in SDS-PAGE].
The LPS patterns of 231 H.p. strains were studied by using SDS-PAGE. The strains were isolated from the nasal mucous membrane of clinical healthy animals, from animals with GK and from animals with pneumonia without any symptoms of GK. The LPS patterns of H.p. strains consists of 2 to 4 bands of high electrophoretical mobility. In all it was possible to distinguish seven different LPS electrophoretic profiles. The distribution of the H.p. isolates from clinically healthy animals and animals with GK or pneumonia to the 7 LPS electrophoretic profiles shows a similar picture. Variation in the growth conditions showed a process of a standardization of the LPS structure as a result of an increased CO2 atmosphere or lack of O2 respectively.
Animals↗
[Detection of atypical toxin-producing Pasteurella strains on the nasal mucosa of calves and their differential diagnostic limits for Pasteurella haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida].
The bacterial colonisation on nasal mucous membranes of calves at age of 3, 5 to 5 months was investigated by cotton swabs. Three Pasteurella species were found (P. multocida subspecies multocida, P. haemolytica, P. avium) as monocausal infection as well as pluricausal infection. P. avium was characterised by colonial morphology, bacterioscopy, biochemical properties, polypeptide-pattern in SDS-PAGE and by electronmicroscopic investigation and was differentiated from P. multocida and P. haemolytica. It is very interesting, that the P. avium strains possess an antigen structure, reacting with monoclonal antibodies directed against the heat labile-toxin of P. multocida subspecies multocida.
Animals↗