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M Steidl

Publications and source records attributed to M Steidl.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Improved limits on nu(e) emission from mu+ decay.

We investigated mu(+) decays at rest produced at the ISIS beam stop target. Lepton flavor (LF) conservation has been tested by searching for nu(e) via the detection reaction p(nu(e),e(+))n. No nu(e) signal from LF violating mu(+) decays was identified. We extract upper limits of the branching ratio (BR) for the LF violating decay mu(+)-->e(+)+nu(e)+nu(-) compared to the standard model (SM) mu(+)-->e(+)+nu(e)+nu(mu) decay: BR<0.9(1.7) x 10(-3) (90% C.L.) depending on the spectral distribution of nu(e) characterized by the Michel parameter rho=0.75(0.0). These results improve earlier limits by one order of magnitude and restrict extensions of the SM in which nu(e) emission from mu(+) decay is allowed with considerable strength. The decay mu(+)-->e(+)+nu(e)+nu(mu) often proposed as a potential source for the nu(e) signal observed in the LSND experiment can be excluded.

Journal Article↗

Lupus vulgaris confirmed by polymerase-chain reaction.

We report a case of lupus vulgaris with typical clinical and histological findings. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was not only identified by a conventional culture technique, but also by a recently established system which has been designed to detect mycobacterial DNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue by polymerase-chain reaction (PCR). Because results can be obtained within days, the PCR-based technique may markedly facilitate the diagnosis of skin tuberculosis.

DNA, Bacterial↗

Regulation of potassium conductance by prostaglandins in cultured renal epitheloid (Madin-Darby canine kidney) cells.

Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells form arachidonic acid metabolites following stimulation of several hormones known to modify the ion conductances at the plasma membrane. The present study has been performed to elucidate the influence of arachidonic acid on the electrical properties of subconfluent MDCK cells. As a result, arachidonic acid (1 or 10 mumol/l) leads to a transient hyperpolarization of the cell membrane, followed by a transient depolarization and a second, sustained hyperpolarization. The effects are inhibited by cycloxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (1 mumol/l). The initial transient hyperpolarization is mimicked by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2, 0.1 mumol/l), the sustained hyperpolarization by both PGE2 (0.1 mumol/l) and PGF2 alpha (0.1 mumol/l). The transient hyperpolarization is paralleled by an increase of potassium selectivity and a decrease of cell membrane resistance and is thus the result of increased potassium conductance. The transient depolarization is paralleled by an increase of chloride selectivity, reflecting an increase of chloride conductance. The sustained hyperpolarization is paralleled by an increase of cell membrane resistance, and increase of potassium selectivity and a decrease of chloride selectivity, and is thus the result of decreasing chloride conductance. The observations reveal a role of prostaglandins in the regulation of ion conductances in MDCK cells, which could well participate in the transport regulation by hormones.

Animals↗

Inhibition of ion conductances by osmotic shrinkage of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

Osmotic swelling of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells enhances the ion conductances of the cell membrane, which allows release of cellular ions and subsequent regulatory cell volume decrease. The present study has been performed to test whether cell shrinkage similarly affects the ion conductances of MDCK cell membranes. Increase of extracellular osmolarity by addition of 50 mM NaCl or 100 mM mannitol leads within 3 min to a hyperpolarization of the cell membrane, a marked increase of cell membrane resistance [by 223 +/- 38% (n = 8) and 228 +/- 21% (n = 5), respectively], as well as a moderate increase of the K+ selectivity of the cell membrane (by 37 +/- 13%, n = 9). Thus exposure to hypertonic extracellular fluid decreases the cell membrane conductances including the K+ conductance. Cell volume measurements reveal a regulatory cell volume increase, which is sensitive to both furosemide and dimethylamiloride. Extracellular ATP (10 microM), which activates calcium-sensitive K+ channels, hyperpolarizes the cell membrane close to the K+ equilibrium potential. The respective values are -69.9 +/- 3.1 mV (n = 9) in isotonic fluid, -79.4 +/- 1.8 mV (n = 9) within 3 min, and -76.4 +/- 1.8 mV (n = 7) within 16-h exposure to hypertonic extracellular fluid. This observation points to a sustained increase of intracellular K+ activity after exposure to hypertonic extracellular fluid.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Progesterone inhibits K conductance in plasma membrane of cultured renal epitheloid MDCK cells.

Progesterone causes natriuresis, an effect largely attributed to displacement of aldosterone from its receptor. The present study, however, demonstrates that progesterone (0.1, 1, and 10 mumol/1, respectively) also causes a rapid, fully reversible depolarization of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells (by 1.3 +/- 0.5, 4.1 +/- 0.7 and 12.3 +/- 1.5 mV, respectively). 17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone and dihydroxytestosterone are, by two orders of magnitude, less effective, whereas cholesterol, aldosterone, hydrocortisone, and estradiol (each up to 10 mumol/l) did not significantly alter the potential difference across the cell membrane. The effect of progesterone is blunted by antiprogestogen RU 486 (5 mumol/l). The progesterone-induced depolarization is paralleled by a decrease of potassium selectivity and an increase of cell membrane resistance and is abolished in the presence of the potassium channel blocker barium (10 mmol/l), as well as in the presence of 40 mmol/l potassium in the extracellular fluid. Neither removal of extracellular chloride or bicarbonate nor amiloride, ouabain, or pretreatment with pertussis toxin abolish the depolarizing effect of 5 mumol/l progesterone. In conclusion, acute administration of progesterone depolarizes MDCK cells by decreasing the potassium conductance of the cell membrane.

Animals↗

Consequences of 6 weeks of strength training on red cell O2 transport and iron status.

Effects of endurance training on O2 transport and on iron status are well documented in the literature. Only a few data are available concerning the consequences of strenuous anaerobic muscular exercise on red cell function. This study was performed to test the influence of strength training alone on parameters of red cell O2 transport and iron status. Twelve healthy untrained males participated in a strength-training programme of 2-h sessions four times a week lasting 6 weeks. After 6 weeks a small but significant reduction of haemoglobin (Hb; -5.4 g.l-1) was found (p less than 0.05). Mean red cell volume did not change, but a pronounced decrease of mean cell Hb concentration (from 329.2 g.l-1, SE 2.5 to 309.8 g.l-1, SE 1.2; p less than 0.001) and mean corpuscular Hb (from 29.6 pg, SE 0.4 to 27.7 pg, SE 0.3; p less than 0.01) was observed. Serum ferritin decreased significantly by 35% (p less than 0.01); transferrin, serum iron and iron saturation of transferrin were unaltered. Serum haptoglobin concentration was diminished significantly by 30.5% (p less than 0.01). The reticulocyte count had already increased after 3 weeks of training (p less than 0.05) and remained elevated during the following weeks. Strength training had no significant influence on the O2 partial pressure at which Hb under standard conditions was 50% saturated, red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and ATP concentration as well as on erythrocytic glutamate-oxalacetate transaminase activity. The data demonstrate that mechanical stress of red cells due to the activation of large muscle masses led to increased intravascular haemolysis, accompanied by a slightly elevated erythropoiesis, which had no detectable influence on Hb-O2 affinity. Training caused an initial depletion of body iron stores (prelatent iron deficiency). Although Hb had decreased by the end of the training phase a true "sports anaemia" could not be detected.

Adult↗

Ion channels in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

Ion channels in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells serve transepithelial chloride transport and probably cell volume regulation. Three distinct potassium channels and one anion channel have been revealed by patch clamp studies in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. The potassium channels are activated by an increase in intracellular calcium activity. A number of hormones activate the potassium channels by an increase in intracellular calcium activity. However, under certain conditions the hormones hyperpolarize the cell membrane without increasing intracellular calcium activity sufficiently to activate the calcium-sensitive potassium channels. Thus, the hormones may activate potassium channels via another, as yet undefined, intracellular mechanism. The anion channel is stimulated by cAMP. Another factor modifying channel activity is cell volume: cell swelling leads probably to subsequent activation of potassium and anion channels. The net result is a variable transient hyperpolarization followed by a sustained depolarization of the cell membrane.

Animals↗