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Biomedical subjects

M Kraus

Publications and source records attributed to M Kraus.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Estimating genetic differences in natural resistance in Rhön and Merinoland sheep following experimental Haemonchus contortus infection.

Genetic parameters of natural resistance were estimated in Rhön and Merinoland (German Merino) sheep following experimental infection with Haemonchus contortus. A total of 133 Rhön and 244 Merinoland lambs descending from 5 and 6 rams, respectively, were evaluated. Each helminth-naive lamb was orally infected with 5000 infective third-stage larvae (L(3)) of the nematode H. contortus at 12 weeks of age. Faecal egg counts (FEC) and haematocrit values were measured in all lambs at 16 and 20 weeks of age. Seventy-nine Merinoland and 29 Rhön male lambs were slaughtered immediately after the second sampling and worms were collected. Mean worm burden was calculated and the length of adults worms from an aliquot was measured.FEC of Rhön sheep was higher compared with Merinoland sheep (P<0.01). H. contortus L(3)-larvae specific antibody (IgL) level was higher in Rhön sheep (P<0.05). However, no differences in haematocrit, worm burden and IgG antibody values could be found between the breeds. Heritabilities for log FEC (+/-S.E.) were 0.0 and 0.07 (+/-0.07) for the first sample in Rhön and Merinoland sheep, respectively. Values for the second sample were higher in both breeds (Rhön 0.35+/-0.14, P<0.05; Merinoland 0.17+/-0.07, P<0.05). Corresponding heritabilities for haematocrit were higher in Merinoland (0.56+/-0.20 and 0.51+/-0.27) compared with Rhön (0.29+/-0.12 and 0.08+/-0.13). Heritabilities for worm burden were high in Rhön (0.54+/-0.2) and low in Merinoland (0.06+/-0.14 and 0.11+/-0.15). Estimated values for IgL were between 0.13 (+/-0.11) for the first sample in both breeds and 0.30 (+/-0.18) for the second sample in Rhön sheep. Corresponding heritabilities for IgG were not different from 0.0 in both breeds (P>0.05). Positive phenotypic correlations were estimated for IgG and IgL values in both breeds (P<0.01). IgG was significantly (P<0.05) and positively correlated with worm burden in male Merinoland and IgL with worm burden in male Rhön sheep.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Reverse effect of indomethacin on the immunosuppressive activity of boar seminal immunosuppressive fraction.

The inhibitory activity of seminal immunosuppressive fraction (ISF) on mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and on production of antibody to a soluble antigen was modified by indomethacin or monoclonal antibody to ISF. The ability of indomethacin or monoclonal antibody to ISF to reverse the ISF-induced inhibition of mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation was estimated by measuring bromodeoxyuridine incorporation into replicated DNA. Splenocytes from mice treated with indomethacin or monoclonal antibody to ISF prior to the application of ISF were tested. The ability of indomethacin or monoclonal antibody to ISF to reverse ISF-induced suppression of antibody production was estimated by measuring antibody titers by ELISA in the blood sera from mice immunized with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). These animals were treated with indomethacin or monoclonal antibody to ISF prior to the application of ISF. The results showed that both indomethacin and monoclonal antibody to ISF reversed the inhibitory effect of ISF on mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation as well as on antibody production.Recently, we have identified ISF as a complex of the major seminal glycoproteins PSP I and PSP II. PSP II is the part that is responsible for immunosuppressive properties of the complex. To learn whether the ISF immunosuppressive effect is associated with its protein or saccharide part, we examined the deglycosylated PSP II for its antiproliferative effect on mitogen-stimulated mouse lymphocytes. The results suggest that deglycosylation of PSP II did not affect its antiproliferative activity. This suggest that PSP II immunosuppressive properties are associated with the protein and not the saccharide part of the molecule.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Interference with immunoglobulin (Ig)alpha immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) phosphorylation modulates or blocks B cell development, depending on the availability of an Igbeta cytoplasmic tail.

To determine the function of immunoglobulin (Ig)alpha immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) phosphorylation, we generated mice in which Igalpha ITAM tyrosines were replaced by phenylalanines (Igalpha(FF/FF)). Igalpha(FF/FF) mice had a specific reduction of B1 and marginal zone B cells, whereas B2 cell development appeared to be normal, except that lambda1 light chain usage was increased. The mutants responded less efficiently to T cell-dependent antigens, whereas T cell-independent responses were unaffected. Upon B cell receptor ligation, the cells exhibited heightened calcium flux, weaker Lyn and Syk tyrosine phosphorylation, and phosphorylation of Igalpha non-ITAM tyrosines. Strikingly, when the Igalpha ITAM mutation was combined with a truncation of Igbeta, B cell development was completely blocked at the pro-B cell stage, indicating a crucial role of ITAM phosphorylation in B cell development.

Amino Acid Motifs↗
PubMed2001

Relation between directly detected patent foramen ovale and ischemic brain lesions in sport divers.

BACKGROUND: In divers, the significance of a patent foramen ovale and its potential relation to paradoxical gas emboli remain uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of symptoms of decompression illness and ischemic brain lesions in divers with regard to the presence of a patent foramen ovale. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: University hospital and three diving clubs in Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS: 52 sport divers and 52 nondiving controls. MEASUREMENTS: Prevalence of self-reported decompression events, patent foramen ovale on contrast transesophageal echocardiography, and ischemic brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: The risk for decompression illness events was 4.5-fold greater in divers with patent foramen ovale than in divers without patent foramen ovale (risk ratio, 4.5 [95% CI, 1.2 to 18.0]; P = 0.03). Among divers, 1.23 +/- 2.0 and 0.64 +/- 1.22 ischemic brain lesions per person (mean +/- SD) were detected in those with and those without patent foramen ovale, respectively. Among controls, 0.22 +/- 0.44 and 0.12 +/- 0.63 lesion per person were detected (P < 0.001 for all groups). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of whether a diver has a patent foramen ovale, diving is associated with ischemic brain lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

B cell development is arrested at the immature B cell stage in mice carrying a mutation in the cytoplasmic domain of immunoglobulin beta.

The B cell receptor (BCR) regulates B cell development and function through immunoglobulin (Ig)alpha and Ig beta, a pair of membrane-bound Ig superfamily proteins, each of which contains a single cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine activation motif (ITAM). To determine the function of Ig beta, we produced mice that carry a deletion of the cytoplasmic domain of Ig beta (Ig beta Delta C mice) and compared them to mice that carry a similar mutation in Ig alpha (MB1 Delta C, herein referred to as Ig alpha Delta C mice). Ig beta Delta C mice differ from Ig alpha Delta C mice in that they show little impairment in early B cell development and they produce immature B cells that respond normally to BCR cross-linking as determined by Ca(2+) flux. However, Ig beta Delta C B cells are arrested at the immature stage of B cell development in the bone marrow and die by apoptosis. We conclude that the cytoplasmic domain Ig beta is required for B cell development beyond the immature B cell stage and that Ig alpha and Ig beta have distinct biologic activities in vivo.

Alleles↗
PubMed2001

The kyphoscoliosis (ky) mouse is deficient in hypertrophic responses and is caused by a mutation in a novel muscle-specific protein.

The ky mouse mutant exhibits a primary degenerative myopathy preceding chronic thoraco-lumbar kyphoscoliosis. The histopathology of the ky mutant suggests that Ky protein activity is crucial for normal muscle growth and function as well as the maturation and stabilization of the neuromuscular junction. Muscle hypertrophy in response to increasing demand is deficient in the ky mutant, whereas adaptive fibre type shifts take place. The ky locus has previously been localized to a small region of mouse chromosome 9 and we have now identified the gene and the mutation underlying the kyphoscoliotic mouse. The ky transcript encodes a novel protein that is detected only in skeletal muscle and heart. The identification of the ky gene will allow detailed analysis of the impact of primary myopathy on idiopathic scoliosis in mice and man.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Association between different attributes of physical activity and fat mass in untrained, endurance- and resistance-trained men.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess different attributes of physical activity and fitness and their relationship to nutritional state in endurance- and resistance-trained, compared to untrained men. The subjects were 42 men matched for age, of which 13 were untrained [UT, mean age 30.2 years, mean height 180.7 cm, mean body mass 83.6 kg, mean body mass index (BMI) 25.6 kg.m-2], 14 were endurance-trained athletes (ET, mean age 29.6 years, mean height 178.4 cm, mean body mass 74.0 kg, mean BMI 23.2 kg.m-2) and 15 were resistance-trained athletes (RT, mean age 28.4 years, mean height 183.4 cm, mean body mass 94.1 kg, mean BMI 27.4 kg.m-2). Fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM) and total body water (TBW) were assessed using anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Resting energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry (IC) and total energy expenditure (TEE) by a combination of IC and individually calibrated 24-h heart-rate monitoring. The activity related energy expenditure (AEE) and the physical activity level were calculated. Movements were assessed using pedometry. Aerobic fitness was determined using ergometry, muscle strength [quadriceps muscle (Famax), ischiocruralis muscle (Fbmax), biceps muscle (Fcmax), triceps muscle (Fdmax)] by computer tensiometry. Different time domain indexes of heart rate variability (HRV) were examined during sleep, rest and the whole day as an index of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity. When compared with UT and RT, ET had reduced body masses and FM, but increased percentage TBW (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). FFM and MM were increased in RT, when compared with UT and ET (P < 0.01). ET had higher TEE, AEE, pedometry derived activities, oxygen consumption and power during vigorous exercise than RT and UT (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Respiratory exchange ratio at moderate exercise intensities was increased in RT (P < 0.05). In the 12 time domain indexes of HRV 6 and 10 were higher in ET than in RT and UT respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01, respectively) suggesting an increased SNS activity in ET. By contrast, Famax, Fcmax and Fdmax were elevated in RT (P < 0.01). FM was negatively associated with aerobic fitness, but not with muscle strength. We concluded that the physiological and metabolic adaptations to exercise and nutritional state differ between ET and RT subjects. Participation in RT results predominantly in changes in body composition and strength but not in energy expenditure, movements and SNS activity. The opposite was the case for ET. Aerobic fitness, physical activity, movements and activity of SNS were all increased but body mass and FM were decreased. The latter finding may support the idea that, with regard to possible health benefits, ET is more effective than RT.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2001

Heparin-binding proteins of human seminal plasma homologous with boar spermadhesins.

Protein homologues to boar seminal plasma spermadhesins with the N-terminal sequence AQN (AQN spermadhesins) and with the N-terminal sequence AWN (AWN spermadhesins) were detected in human seminal plasma and characterized. They were isolated as heparin-binding (HB) proteins from human seminal plasma by affinity chromatography on heparin-Sepharose and then separated into 12 fractions (HB1-HB12) by RP HPLC or into four major fractions (HB-I-HB-IV) by gel filtration. Rabbit antibody against boar seminal plasma AQN 1 spermadhesin cross-reacted with 10-14 kDa proteins of fraction HB7, and antibody against AWN 1 spermadhesin cross-reacted with 11-14 kDa proteins of fractions HB9 and HB11. Both antibodies interacted with 10-14 kDa proteins in fractions HB-I and HB-II. The N-terminal amino acid sequence (1)AQNKG(5)... was determined in the 14 kDa protein of fraction HB-I cross-reacting with AQN 1 antibodies. A component detected among 10-14 kDa proteins of HB7 cross-reacting with rabbit antiserum against AQN 1 had the N-terminal sequence (1)GELKFVTLVFAVGDYE(16), which is similar to the sequence of a fragment of prostatic acid phosphatase. Lactoferrin and its fragments were immunodetected with rabbit antibody against human milk lactoferrin in fractions HB7-HB11. This was proved by N-terminal sequencing of a lactoferrin fragment immunodetected in fraction HB7. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the dominant component of fraction HB2 revealed the presence of a fragment of semenogelin I.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Repair of traumatic inferior orbital wall defects with nasoseptal cartilage.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effectiveness of nasoseptal cartilage for repairing traumatic orbital floor defects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Autogenous septal cartilage was used in 20 patients. They were evaluated for the presence or absence of diplopia, enophthalmus, infraorbital nerve paresthesia, and ocular motility disorders. Surgical indications for orbital exploration included entrapment of orbital tissues, large orbital defect (greater than 50% of the orbital floor or more than 8 mm), or orbital floor defects with involvement of other zygomaticofrontal complex fractures. RESULTS: All patients were successfully treated by restoration of the orbital wall continuity. Follow-up at 1 week to 6 months showed 1 patient with postoperative enophthalmos and 1 patient with lower lid edema. There were no donor site and graft infections or graft extrusion. CONCLUSIONS: Nasal septal cartilage is a readily accessible autogenous tissue that should be considered when an autogenous graft is needed for orbital floor defect reconstruction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Does high-frequency pseudo-random rotational chair testing increase the diagnostic yield of the eng caloric test in detecting bilateral vestibular loss in the dizzy patient?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the incremental diagnostic yield of testing vestibulo-ocular (VOR) gain with high-frequency pseudo-random rotational chair (PsRRC) over testing with bithermal electronystagmography caloric tests in the dizzy patient, particularly in detecting bilateral vestibular loss. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred ninety-eight patients presenting with dizziness underwent PsRRC and caloric testing. The VOR gain on PsRRC was measured at 0.32 to 5.0 Hz, with gain categorized as normal or decreased. PsRRC results were compared with caloric responses, also categorized as normal, or into graded categories of unilateral or bilateral vestibular loss. RESULTS: Reduced PsRRC gain was found in 29 (15%) patients, and reduced caloric tests responses in 70 (35%), with 25 (13%) having bilateral loss. Of patients with reduced chair gain, 25 of 29 (86%) demonstrated bilateral caloric loss. PsRRC gain was normal in most patients with unilateral caloric weakness, but was decreased in all patients with bilateral caloric weakness. The probability of a patient with completely normal caloric responses having an abnormal rotation chair in this study group was under 1% (1 of 128). CONCLUSIONS: PsRRC testing does not offer much additional diagnostic benefit when caloric responses are normal. It is useful in specific conditions, such as unilateral caloric loss for which the patient is not compensating, borderline caloric loss when traditional water caloric tests cannot be used, or for monitoring progressive bilateral vestibular loss.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Quantitative assessment of the ischemic brain by means of perfusion-related parameters derived from perfusion CT.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Besides the delineation of hypoperfused brain tissue, the characterization of ischemia with respect to severity is of major clinical relevance, because the degree of hypoperfusion is the most critical factor in determining whether an ischemic lesion becomes an infarct or represents viable brain tissue. CT perfusion imaging yields a set of perfusion related parameters which might be useful to describe the hemodynamic status of the ischemic brain. Our objective was to determine whether measurements of the relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF), relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), and relative time to peak (rTP) can be used to differentiate areas undergoing infarction from reversible ischemic tissue. METHODS: In 34 patients with acute hemispheric ischemic stroke <6 hours after onset, perfusion CT was used to calculate rCBF, rCBV, and rTP values from areas of ischemic cortical and subcortical gray matter. Results were obtained separately from areas of infarction and noninfarction, according to the findings on follow-up imaging studies. The efficiency of each parameter to predict tissue outcome was tested. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between infarct and peri-infarct tissue for both rCBF and rCBV but not for rTP. Threshold values of 0.48 and 0.60 for rCBF and rCBV, respectively, were found to discriminate best between areas of infarction and noninfarction, with the efficiency of the rCBV being slightly superior to that of rCBF. The prediction of tissue outcome could not be increased by using a combination of various perfusion parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of cerebral ischemia by means of perfusion parameters derived from perfusion CT provides valuable information to predict tissue outcome. Quantitative analyses of the severity of ischemic lesions should be implemented into the diagnostic management of stroke patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

D-fructose-binding proteins in bull seminal plasma: isolation and characterization.

The heparin-binding activity of bull seminal plasma proteins was inhibited by D-fructose, D-glucose, inulin and glycogen; D-galactose, dextran and mannan had no effect. While the ejaculated sperm-heparin interaction was not influenced by the presence of saccharides, the heparin-binding activity of epididymal sperm was inhibited by D-fructose. The results of the binding studies were confirmed by affinity chromatography on immobilized heparin followed by elution with monosaccharides. Proteins adsorbed to a heparin-polyacrylamide column and eluted with D-fructose were analyzed by RP HPLC, SDS electrophoresis and by determination of the N-terminal amino-acid sequence. RNAase dimer, PDC-109 and metalloproteinase inhibitor (TIMP-2) were identified.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

[Breed and sex differences in the temperament of calves in a cow-calf operation].

Behavioural traits related to temperament were studied in German Angus (Aberdeen Angus x German dual purpose breeds) and German Simmental cattle. Temperament was defined as the animal's behavioural response to handling. 498 calves (279 German Angus, 219 German Simmental) were tested with two different restrain tests. The animals were tested three times individually during a fixation procedure (days of live: 5, 19, 33) or weighting (days of live: 62, 138, 193). LSQ-means were calculated with a model including breed, year and sex as fixed effects and the sire as a random. Furthermore a regression on the age of the calf was included. Behaviour of the animals were recorded. Significant differences in the recorded parameters were found between the breeds on day 19 and 33 for one test and day 62 for another test. German Angus and male calves were less difficult to handle regarding the different parameters. Both tests could be used to show differences between the breeds.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

[Generalized intestinal CMV infection with protein-losing syndrome in ulcerative colitis].

Infection by cytomegalovirus (CMV) in immunocompetent patients is rare, and if it occurs it is most often associated with ulcerative colitis. This case illustrates a CMV infection in a patient with an ulcerative colitis combined with CMV-induced protein losing enteropathy, a condition reported in immunocompetent individuals in only a very few cases worldwide. It demonstrates the importance of differentiating between a flare-up of ulcerative colitis and CMV colitis. The indication for antiviral therapy is discussed. A 76-years-old patient with a 23-year history of leftsided ulcerative colitis presented with acute pancolitis sparing the rectum. He showed no evidence of impaired host defence, nor has he ever had taken immunosuppressive drugs. Disseminated primary CMV infection involving of the colon, the oesophagus and the small intestine with protein losing enteropathy was diagnosed on the basis of histology, culture and serology. In view of the long duration of the illness and the highly active infection, antiviral therapy with ganciclovir was given and led to a dramatical improvement of all disease manifestations. The patient subsequently remained in remission from ulcerative colitis for three years.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Sperm surface proteins in mammalian fertilization.

Boar seminal plasma was separated into five protein fractions (I-V) (> 100, 55, 45, 30, 5-15 kDa) by gel chromatography on Sephadex G-75 SF at pH 7.2. RP-HPLC of protein fractions I-V and N-terminal sequencing of their individual components revealed that the high-molecular-weight aggregates consisted mainly of DQH sperm surface protein and AQN, AWN, PSP II spermadhesins, whereas fraction IV consisted of heterodimers of PSP spermadhesins only. Spermadhesins as monomers were present in seminal plasma in a very low amount. Aggregates containing the DQH protein and AWN spermadhesins as well as HPLC-separated monomeric proteins interacted strongly with acidic polysaccharides. The strongest interaction was observed between biotinylated glycoproteins of porcine zona pellucida and AWN 1-containing aggregates and separated proteins. PSP II interacted with some acidic polysaccharides, whereas the fraction IV corresponding to heterodimer PSP I/PSP II did not show any binding to acidic polysaccharides and zona pellucida. Aggregates containing AWN, AQN, DQH, PSP II proteins, and their separated monomeric forms (fractions I-III) interacted with phosphorylcholine. Fractions I-III showed affinity to cholesterol. Biotinylated aggregates containing AWN, AQN, DQH, and PSP proteins (fractions I-IV) bound stronger to boar epididymal spermatozoa than to ejaculated spermatozoa. These results suggest that under physiological conditions, the aggregates of seminal plasma proteins (DQH, AQN, AWN, PSP II) rather than the individual proteins might take part in coating the sperm surface, in sperm capacitation, and in primary binding of spermatozoa to zona pellucida of the ovum.

Animals↗