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Biomedical subjects

M Strasser

Publications and source records attributed to M Strasser.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Bovine virus diarrhea/mucosal disease: a review].

Infections with the Bovine Viral Diarrhea/Mucosal Disease Virus (BVDV) are widespread and cause a variety of diseases including reproductive disorders, abortion and malformation, pneumoenteritis, thrombocytopenia and mucosal disease. Together with the closely related border disease virus of sheep (BDV) and European Swine fever virus (CSFV), also referred to as Hog Cholera virus, BVDV is now classified in the genus pestivirus of the Flaviviridae family. The BVDV exists in two biotypes, noncytopathic and cytopathic, the latter differing in structural proteins from the noncytopathic biotypes. In virus-free animals infection is transient and mostly subclinical or mild but may also lead to an array of diverse symptoms such as pneumoenteritis (often in combination with other microorganisms). Infection of the developing fetus early in gestation with a noncytopathic biotype of BVDV may result in persistent infection and birth of apparently healthy calves. Such calves may later in their lives develop Mucosal Disease, a lethal course of infection associated with a mutation to the cytopathic biotype or superinfection with a cytopathic BVDV antigenically similar to the non-cytopathic virus already present in these animals. Diagnosis of infections with BVDV is based on the clinical symptoms and demonstration of virus. Paired serum samples allow the detection of seroconversion in acute infections while persistently infected animals are immunotolerant and generally lack antiviral antibody. Although generally found in their respective host species, pestiviruses of cattle, sheep and pigs are capable of crossing the species barrier into the other species. The existence of pestiviruses in wild ruminants and boars may complicate control strategies that are aimed at removing virus carriers and the control of animal movements.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Immunological and pathological reactions in piglets experimentally infected with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and/or Mycoplasma flocculare.

The aim of this work was to examine in vivo whether infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyop) and/or Mycoplasma flocculare (M. floc) would interact and influence the severity of enzootic pneumonia in piglets. Specific pathogen-free, hysterectomy-derived piglets were allocated to six groups and experimentally inoculated with M. hyop. and/or M. floc at the age of 2 or 8 weeks. Clinical symptoms, frequency of coughing and temperature measurement were noted daily. Lung lesions were recorded by post-mortem examination and histological observations. The cross-inoculation with both mycoplasmas did not influence the clinical or the pathological picture of the disease. Evolution of specific and crossreacting antibodies was analyzed by ELISA and immunoblotting. Animals inoculated with M. floc did not develop any lesions but showed a weak antibody response 6-8 weeks post-infection (p.i.). No cross-reacting antibodies against M. hyop proteins were detected. In animals inoculated with M. hyop, the first antibody response was detectable 4-5 weeks p.i. and was stronger in piglets infected at the age of 2 weeks than at the age of 8 weeks. Three cross-reacting antibodies against M. floc proteins with molecular weights of 110, 47 and 33 kDa were detected by antibodies to M. hyop. Experimental infections with both mycoplasmas did not show differences in the pattern of species-specific proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of autoregression and fast Fourier transform techniques for power spectral analysis of heart period variability of persons with sudden cardiac arrest before and after therapy to increase heart period variability.

Clinical studies have used two types of analysis of the power spectral estimates of heart period variability: autoregressive and fast Fourier transform techniques. Controversy exists regarding which method is the most valid. The specific aims of this study are: (1) to describe the power spectra of heart period variability before and after an intervention designed to increase heart period variability in persons after sudden cardiac arrest; (2) to compare the integral of power spectral density between autoregressive and fast Fourier transform techniques within low and high-frequency bands; (3) to compare the magnitude of the spectral peak values determined by autoregressive and fast Fourier transform techniques approaches within low and high-frequency bands; and (4) to compare the aforementioned parameters using 4-minute, 1-hour, and 24-hour blocks of heart period data. Results indicated high correlations between spectral estimations by autoregressive and fast Fourier transform techniques using integrals or peak values within either the low or high-frequency ranges. The autoregressive technique demonstrated better resolution of sharp peaks than the fast Fourier transform technique, and makes a smoother, more interpretable curve. Lastly, people can cognitively change their heart rate variability.

Biofeedback, Psychology↗
PubMed1991

Calcium-dependent and calcium-independent gelatinolytic proteinase activities of the rat ventral prostate and its secretion: characterization and effect of castration and testosterone treatment.

Calcium-dependent and calcium-independent proteinase activities were detected in extracts of rat ventral prostate and its secretion by use of gelatin-containing SDS-PAGE zymography. Ca(2+)-independent proteinase activities of 22, 26, and 73-79 kDa and Ca(2+)-dependent activities of 58, 63, and 66 kDa were found in the adult gland. The 26- (most intense activity of gland) and 22-kDa activities were present in secretion and were not expressed in the undifferentiated gland of the 10-day-old animal. The Ca(2+)-dependent activities were also present in the secretion, where the 63-kDa form was more prominently expressed than the 58- and 66-kDa bands. The Ca(2+)-dependent and Ca(2+)-independent proteinase activities both responded to a broad range of pH values in the incubation media. The 73-79-kDa Ca(2+)-independent activities were sensitive to benzamidine and the Ca(2+)-dependent activities were inhibited by EDTA and EGTA. Both Ca(2+)-dependent and Ca(2+)-independent proteinase activities responded to androgenic manipulations. Castration was followed by the appearance of a 35-kDa Ca(2+)-independent proteinase (at 2 days) and a 43-kDa Ca(2+)-dependent proteinase (at 4 days). In the Ca(2+)-independent proteinase group, the 73-79-kDa activities were increased somewhat and the 22- and 26-kDa activities decreased after castration. The Ca(2+)-dependent proteinases of 58, 63, and 66 kDa increased in activity with castration, but activity of the 58-kDa form decreased again at 7 days after castration. Treatment of animals upon castration for 4 days with hydrocortisone prevented these changes in proteinase activities whereas treatment with actinomycin D or tranexamic acid did not. Testosterone propionate replacement therapy of rats castrated for 16 days stimulated the activities of the 22- and 26-kDa and 73-79-kDa Ca(2+)-independent and the 58- and 63-kDa Ca(2+)-dependent proteinases with 4 days of therapy. The activities of the 35-kDa Ca(2+)-independent and the 43-kDa Ca(2+)-dependent proteinases were repressed with 8 days of testosterone treatment. Thus, individual proteinases show differential changes in activity during development and in response to androgenic manipulation: this suggests that in addition to proteinases which are secreted, others may be involved in intracellular functions or in mediating tissue organization changes.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Cloning and expression of a species-specific early immunogenic 36-kilodalton protein of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in Escherichia coli.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, the etiologic agent of porcine enzootic pneumonia, synthesizes a 36-kDa protein which is an early and strong immunogenic factor in experimentally and naturally infected swine. The gene encoding this protein was cloned by screening a gene library of M. hyopneumoniae DNA with rabbit hyperimmune serum made against whole M. hyopneumoniae cells and convalescent-phase swine serum. Analysis of the recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli by immunoblot techniques showed that the protein is expressed in E. coli in its full length and does not cross-react with proteins from M. flocculare or M. hyorhinis. Genetic analysis showed that the gene was expressed from the lac promoter of the vector and seems to be translationally initiated from its own ribosome binding site. Subcloning in a transcriptional fusion vector to optimize expression resulted in production of the 36-kDa protein in E. coli at levels up to 30% of total protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

CA15.3, MCA, CAM26, CAM29 are members of a polymorphic family of mucin-like glycoproteins.

The monoclonal antibodies that define the tumor markers CA15.3, MCA, CAM26 and CAM29 were found to react with coexisting epitopes present on mucin-like glycoproteins. Despite their immunologic relationship, the markers showed distinct concentration levels in various body fluids. Particularly, MCA and CAM26 were high in urine and amniotic fluid. Sera collected from pregnant or lactating women and especially human milk samples contained considerable amounts of CAM29 and MCA, but comparably small quantities of CAM26 and CA15.3. The concentrations of CA15.3, MCA, CAM26 and CAM29 were correlated in serum samples from patients with metastatic breast cancer. The discrepancy between immunologic relationship and dissimilar biologic behavior could be explained by a limited coexistence of epitopes on subsets of heterogeneous polymorphic mucins. All mucin markers which were investigated showed improved sensitivity for metastatic breast cancer compared with the established marker CEA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Mill and the right to remain uninformed.

In a recent article in the Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, David Ost (1984) claims that patients do not have a right to waive their right to information. He argues that patients cannot make informed rational decisions without full information and thus, a right to waive information would involve a right to avoid one's responsibility to act as an autonomous moral agent. In support of his position, Ost cites a passage from Mill. Yet, a correct interpretation of the passage in question would support one's right to remain uninformed in certain situations. If the information would hurt one's chances for survival or hurt one's ability to make calm, rational decisions, then one not only does not have a duty to find out the information, but one's exercising one's right to remain uninformed may be the only rational course of action to take.

Ethical Analysis↗
PubMed1985

Immunomodulating activities of ethylene-2,2'-bis(dithio)bis(ethanol) and related compounds. Effects on murine lymphocyte proliferation and functions in vitro.

HEDS (2-hydroxyethyl disulfide) and structurally related compounds were found to affect lymphocyte proliferation and functions in vitro. HEDS, and ADA 202-718 (ethylene-2-2'-bis(dithio)bis(ethanol], were shown to stimulate the proliferation of murine spleen cells. The growth of populations of murine T-cells (thymocytes) was not stimulated. HEDS and ADA 202-718 enhanced the allogeneic response in the mixed lymphocyte reaction and stimulated the formation of antibody producing cells in a primary humoral immune response. A similar stimulatory effect was observed in a secondary humoral response towards a T-cell specific antigen, DNP-keyhole limpet hemocyanine. Neither ADA 202-718 nor HEDS exhibited gamma-interferon inducing ability, when tested on quiescent Balb/c spleen cell cultures in absence of antigen. However, HEDS, and especially ADA 202-718 potentiated the allogen-induced gamma-interferon production and release in the mixed lymphocyte reaction. Both HEDS and ADA 202-718 seemed to induce or stimulate the release of an interleukin-1-like activity as well as interleukin-2 in Balb/c spleen cells. No obvious effect, however, was seen with either compound on maturation or immune-phagocytic activity of bone-marrow derived macrophages.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1985

Immunostimulatory properties of ethylene-2,2' -bis(dithio)bis(ethanol) and related compounds in vivo.

ADA 202-718, as well as HEDS and higher homologues of ADA 202-718, were found to profoundly stimulate the delayed type hypersensitivity reaction in mice when given i.p. or orally in a dose range of 0.1 - 10 mg/kg. While even a single application of ADA 202-718 at the time of sensitization resulted in a stimulation of the hypersensitivity reaction, administration of the compound at the time of challenge was without effect. When ADA 202-718 was given to animals which were subjected to immunosuppressive therapy by cyclosporine, the suppressed hypersensitivity reaction was restored to normal. At much higher doses (50-200 mg/kg) ADA 202-718 enhanced the local graft-vs-host reaction in the rat. ADA 202-718 did not interfere with the suppressed graft-vs-host reaction obtained by immunosuppressive treatment with cyclosporine nor with the immunosuppressed skin transplant rejection. Single applications of HEDS or ADA 202-718 enhanced the humoral response of mice to sheep erythrocytes as well as to haptenized sheep or chicken erythrocytes. Although antibody levels at the time of maximal antibody production (day 4 for IgM) were only moderately enhanced, elevated antibody titres (IgM and IgG) were found even 23 days after sensitization. The age-dependent decreased humoral response of mice to sheep erythrocytes tended to be partially restored by twice weekly oral applications of HEDS or ADA 202-718 (0.1 to 1 mg/kg for 4 weeks). ADA 202-718 did not decrease the swelling in the Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis in the rat, but reduced the pain in this model. Swelling in a locally induced oedema was reduced in a dose-independent fashion. ADA 202-718 was more effective than acetyl salicylic acid in alleviating the oedema-associated pain.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Physicians, battery, and the duty to give informed consent.

This essay discusses the issue of informed consent as it relates not only to physician duty but also to patient duty. The author is particularly concerned with the possibility of battery charges against the physician unless a clear patient duty is articulated. In summary, the author concludes that we can prevent doctors from being forced to commit battery in a way which allows them to make reasonable choices for their patients without being open to the charge of having committed battery. At the same time, we would not allow doctors to abuse this privelege.

Disclosure↗