Biomedical subjects

M Kuiper

Publications and source records attributed to M Kuiper.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Combined mapping of AFLP and RFLP markers in barley.

AFLP marker technology allows efficient DNA fingerprinting and the analysis of large numbers of polymorphic restriction fragments on polyacrylamide gels. Using the doubled haploids from the F1 of the cross Proctor x Nudinka, 118 AFLP markers were mapped onto a barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) RFLP map, also including five microsatellite and four protein marker loci. The AFLP markers mapped to all parts of the barley chromosomes and filled in the gaps on barley chromosomes 2L, 4L and 6 in which no RFLP loci had been mapped. Interestingly, the AFLP markers seldom interrupted RFLP clusters, but grouped next to them. The combined map covers 1873 cM, with a total of 282 markers. The merging of AFLP and RFLP markers increased the total map length; 402 cM were added to the map at the tips of chromosomes or in regions corresponding to earlier gaps. Another 375 cM resulted from mapping AFLP markers near to RFLP clusters or in between non-clustered RFLP markers.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Changed transferrin sialylation in Parkinson's disease.

Variation in the sialylation pattern of transferrin was studied in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 90 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), dementing and non-dementing, de novo and treated, and was compared with the variation observed in a group of 21 age-matched healthy controls. In serum and CSF of PD patients the proportional contribution of the different sialo-transferrins was independent of sex or dementia. However, a significant shift was found towards the more sialylated fractions for serum transferrin in both de novo and treated PD patients. This shift was not observed for CSF transferrin. The contribution of the tau-transferrin fraction, reduced in de novo PD patients, returns on treatment to the level observed for healthy controls. These observations may be important, as the degree of sialylation of transferrin in serum and CSF plays a role in the homeostasis of iron, and suggest that alterations in transferrin sialylation may play a role in the pathophysiology of PD.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Prediction of clinical response to methylphenidate in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the pattern of individual responses to to methylphenidate (MPH) in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and to examine factors that predict drug response. METHOD: Individual drug response was defined on the basis of changes on the Abbreviated Conners Rating Scales completed by parents and teachers. These scales were the main outcome measures in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of MPH. Response prediction was examined in stepwise discriminant analyses, in which baseline variables and the response to a single, 10-mg dose of MPH were entered. RESULTS: Predictors of a strong MPH response were a high IQ, considerable inattentiveness, young age, low severity of disorder, and low rates of anxiety. A positive response to a single dose of MPH significantly improved the prediction of less stringently defined levels of MPH response. CONCLUSION: Only strong levels of response could be predicted by baseline characteristics. Severity of disorder based on clinical judgment and improvement after a single dose of MPH are found to be important contributors to response prediction.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Ovarian tumour antigens as potential targets for immune gene therapy.

Major new developments in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in immune recognition of self, and immune mediated rejection of foreign antigens, have resulted in the development of a variety of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer. Cornerstones of the advances in this area have been the identification of tumour antigens and demonstration of immune recognition of neoplastic cells, most notably in malignant melanoma. There are now a number of clinical immune gene therapy trials in progress for the treatment of cancer by stimulating immune mediated rejection of malignant cells. Here we examine the evidence for immune recognition of ovarian tumour cells and the presence of putative ovarian tumour antigens as potential targets for immune gene therapy of ovarian carcinoma.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗

PubMed1992

Atrophy of medial temporal lobes on MRI in "probable" Alzheimer's disease and normal ageing: diagnostic value and neuropsychological correlates.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown a great reduction in medial temporal lobe and hippocampal volume of patients with Alzheimer's disease as compared to controls. Quantitative volumetric measurements are not yet available for routine clinical use. We investigated whether visual assessment of medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) on plain MRI films could distinguish patients with Alzheimer's disease (n = 21) from age matched controls (n = 21). The degree of MTA was ascertained with a ranking procedure and validated by linear measurements of the medial temporal lobe including the hippocampal formation and surrounding spaces occupied by cerebrospinal fluid. Patients with Alzheimer's disease showed a significantly higher degree of subjectively assessed MTA than controls (p = 0.0005). Linear measurements correlated highly with subjective assessment of MTA and also showed significant differences between groups. Ventricular indices did not differ significantly between groups. In Alzheimer's disease patients the degree of MTA correlated significantly with scores on the mini-mental state examination and memory tests, but poorly with mental speed tests. This study shows that MTA may be assessed quickly and easily with plain MRI films. MTA shown on MRI strongly supports the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, is related to memory function, and seems to occur earlier in the disease process than does generalised brain atrophy.

Aged↗