Biomedical subjects

M Münch

Publications and source records attributed to M Münch.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

Deeply bound 1s and 2p pionic states in 205Pb and determination of the s-wave part of the pion-nucleus interaction.

We observed well-separated 1s and 2p pi(-) states in 205Pb in the 206Pb(d,3He) reaction at T(d) = 604.3 MeV. The binding energies and the widths determined are B(1s) = 6.762+/-0.061 MeV, Gamma(1s) = 0.764(+0.154)(-0.171) MeV, B(2p) = 5.110+/-0.045 MeV, and Gamma(2p) = 0.321(-0.062)(+0.060) MeV. They are used to deduce the real and imaginary strengths of the s-wave part of the pion-nucleus interaction, which translates into a positive mass shift of pi(-) in 205Pb.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Glucocorticoids mediate reduction of epithelial acetylcholine content in the airways of rats and humans.

The cholinergic system in rat and human airways and the effects of glucocorticoids were investigated by assay of choline acetyltransferase activity, by high-pressure liquid chromatography measurement of acetylcholine, and by anti-choline acetyltransferase immunocyto-/histochemistry. Human bronchi were obtained at surgery from patients with lung cancer. Group 1 patients did not suffer from additional lung diseases and had not been treated with glucocorticoids. Group 2 patients, who suffered in addition to lung cancer from chronic obstructive bronchitis, had been treated for at least 6 weeks before surgery with four puffs of flusinolid daily. Isolated bronchial epithelial cells as well as intact surface epithelium of human bronchi expressed choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity and choline acetyltransferase enzyme activity (3 +/- 1 nmol/mg protein per h). Ciliated epithelial cells showed strong choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity at the basal body and the roolet of cilia. Surface epithelium in group 1 and 2 bronchi contained 23 +/- 6 (n = 14) and 1.8 +/- 0.3 pmol/g acetylcholine) (n = 7, P < 0.001), respectively, whereas the transmural acetylcholine content did not differ significantly between both groups. The amount of choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity appeared similar in the surface epithelium of both groups. In an animal (rat) study the effects of oral dexamethasone (3 mg/day, 1 week) on choline acetyltransferase activity and acetylcholine levels were investigated. Dexamethasone treatment reduced epithelial acetylcholine in the airways and small intestine by about 80% and inhibited epithelial choline acetyltransferase activity. In conclusion, epithelial cells of human airways possess components of the cholinergic system, i.e., contain the synthesizing enzyme choline acetyltransferase and store acetylcholine. The data obtained from the animal study indicate that glucocorticoids can inhibit epithelial acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1997

Non-neuronal acetylcholine, a signalling molecule synthezised by surface cells of rat and man.

Acetylcholine acts as a prominent transmitter in the central and peripheral nervous system. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether mammalian non-neuronal cells can synthesize and store acetylcholine. A cotton tipped applicator (Q-tip) was used to collect surface cells from airways and alimentary tract. Histological inspection indicated that rubbing of the luminal surface of human bronchi did not penetrate the basal membrane. Acetylcholine was measured by an HPLC-method using substrate-specific enzyme reactor-columns. Non-neuronal acetylcholine was found in cells covering inner and outer surfaces of rat and man. For example, acetylcholine was detected in the surface epithelium of human bronchi (33 pmol/g), mouth (female 0.7 and male 8 pmol/sample), small and large intestine (800 and 16 pmol/g, respectively), gall bladder (12 pmol/g), vagina (6 pmol/sample), skin 1000 (pmol/g) and in pulmonary pleura (5 pmol/sample). Somewhat higher amounts of acetylcholine were found in rat tracheal and intestinal epithelium and in rat skin. The synthesizing enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was demonstrated in human surface epithelium by immunohistochemistry and by Western blot analysis. Enzymatic ChAT activity was demonstrated in isolated epithelial cells of human bronchi and small intestine (3.5 and 28 nmol/mg protein/h, respectively). Applied acetylcholine (in nM concentrations) increased, whereas inhibition of ChAT activity by bromoacetylcholine (10 microM) reduced the growth of cultured human bronchial epithelial cells. Inhibition of cell growth occurred also in the presence of atropine (1 microM) together with (+/-)-tubocurarine (30 microM). In conclusion, the present experiments demonstrate a widespread existence of non-neuronal acetylcholine in surface cells of man. Non-neuronal acetylcholine may act as a local signalling molecule.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1995

[Intracytoplasmic versus subzonal spermatozoa injection. A comparison of 2 different methods of micro-assisted fertilization].

In order to define the usefulness of subzonal sperm insertion (SUZI) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), we studied in a comparative trial 46 consecutive treatment cycles of microassisted fertilisation by SUZI and ICSI. By ICSI 9% of the oocytes in metaphase II were damaged in 26 treatment cycles, by SUZI, however, not one single egg in 20 cycles (p < 0.001). Fertilisation rate after ICSI (65%) was, particularly in cases with combined sperm defects as well, significantly higher than after SUZI (35%; p < 0.001). Additionally, after ICSI a higher transfer (100% vs. 75%; p < 0.05) and pregnancy rate could be obtained (38% vs. 10% per cycle; p < or = 0.05). At the moment, 3 healthy children are born (2 after SUZI, 1 after ICSI), 4 patients are in the 2nd and 3rd trimenon, respectively, the remaining 5 patients aborted. In conclusion, the ICSI technique yields better results than SUZI, especially in cases of very severe male subfertility.

Cytoplasm↗

PubMed1994

Changes in sleep and sleep electroencephalogram during pregnancy.

The impairment of sleep quality is a common complaint during pregnancy. To investigate the changes in sleep in the course of pregnancy, the sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded and analyzed in nine healthy women on 2 consecutive nights during each trimester of pregnancy. Waking after sleep onset increased from the second (TR2) to the third (TR3) trimester, whereas rapid eye movement (REM) sleep decreased from the first trimester (TR1) to TR2. Spectral analysis of the EEG in nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep revealed a progressive reduction of power density in the course of pregnancy. In comparison to TR1, the values in TR2 were significantly lower in the 10.25-11.0-Hz and 14.25-17.0-Hz bands. In TR3, the significant reduction extended over the ranges of 1.25-12.0 Hz and 13.25-16.0 Hz. The largest decrease (30%) occurred in the 14.25-15.0-Hz band. In REM sleep, the spindle frequency range was not affected, and a minor reduction of power density in some frequency bins below 12 Hz was present only in TR3. The study documents major alterations of the sleep EEG that are not evident from the sleep scores and that may be associated with the characteristic hormonal changes occurring during pregnancy.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Micro-insemination--a novel treatment method for sterility in severe male subfertility].

Microinsemination is a new method of treating sterility. It improves the chance of fertilization in cases of severe male subfertility and of unexplained infertility. Fertilization is assisted by opening the zona pellucida with a microneedle (PZD), by introducing a small number of sperms with a micropipette into the perivitelline space (SUZI) or by direct insertion of a spermatozoon into the ooplasm (ICSI). We report on the first delivery achieved by microinsemination (SUZI) at the University Hospital Zurich and, as far as we know, in Switzerland.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Effect of zolpidem on sleep and sleep EEG spectra in healthy young men.

A single 10 mg dose of zolpidem, an imidazopyridine hypnotic, was administered to young, healthy male volunteers prior to bedtime. The drug reduced REM sleep but did not significantly affect other sleep stages and subjective sleep parameters. All-night spectral analysis of the EEG revealed that power density in nonREM sleep was reduced in the low-frequency range (1.25-2.5 Hz; 5.25-10.0 Hz) and increased in the spindle frequency range (12.25-13.0 Hz). Significant changes in the EEG spectrum were present in the first 4 h of sleep. The pattern of the spectral changes was similar to those induced by other hypnotics that bind to the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor complex. There were no residual effects of zolpidem on psychomotor performance in the morning, on the self-rated state in the morning and at noon, and on sleep and EEG parameters in the subsequent drug-free night.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Acceptance of corpus cavernosum auto-injection therapy in long-term treatment of erectile dysfunction].

A total of 121 patients suffering from erectile dysfunction were evaluated by means of a questionnaire. In all these cases corpus cavernosum autoinjection therapy had been recommended. The aim of the study was to determine the acceptance and complications of the therapy, general level of satisfaction with it, and reasons for refusal. Completed questionnaire were received from 89 patients (75.5%), 56.2% of whom had applied the therapy continuously, while 18% had broken it off and 25.8% had never started on therapy (cumulative dropout rate 43.8%). The complications encountered were temporary hematomas (25.8) and deviations of the penis (10.1%). In 6.1% indurations of the penis were found. The frequency of prolonged erection needing an antidote was 0.07% in the continuous treatment group. The relatively high drop-out rate in the autoinjection therapy group shows the necessity for intensive patient care and the need for alternative therapy options and a more critical view of reports already published of success with autoinjection therapy.

Erectile Dysfunction↗

PubMed1987