PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Trost

Publications and source records attributed to M Trost.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Postgraduate education in neurology in Central and Eastern Europe.

The policy of the European co-operation in the new atmosphere of an international solidarity became one of the priorities of the European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS). It could be hardly pursued more efficiently in any other field of neurological performance as in education. To review several aspects of neurological practice and education the 'First European Co-operation Neurology Workshop' was held in the castle of Trest', Czech Republic, 13-20 April 2000. Participants from 15 countries (Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovak Republic and Slovenia), covering a region of 316 million inhabitants and 25 000 neurologists, presented their national postgraduate education systems (besides other topics). We refer data on density of medical doctors and that of neurologists, pre-board certification phase, board examination, continuing medical education (CME), and qualification rewards. Illustrative data were put in the comparative tables. This first meeting has founded the basis for a dynamic future collaboration in order to continue the integration process and an exchange of current information regarding CME amongst central and eastern countries as well as western Europe.

Certification↗
PubMed2000

Characterization of a novel serine/threonine kinase associated with nuclear bodies.

A novel protein kinase, Mx-interacting protein kinase (PKM), has been identified in a yeast two-hybrid screen for interaction partners of human MxA, an interferon-induced GTPase with antiviral activity against several RNA viruses. A highly conserved protein kinase domain is present in the N-terminal moiety of PKM, whereas an Mx interaction domain overlaps with C-terminal PEST sequences. PKM has a molecular weight of about 127,000 and exhibits high sequence homology to members of a recently described family of homeodomain-interacting protein kinases. Recombinant PKM has serine/threonine kinase activity that is abolished by a single amino acid substitution in the ATP binding domain (K221W). PKM catalyzes autophosphorylation and phosphorylation of various cellular and viral proteins. PKM is expressed constitutively and colocalizes with the interferon-inducible Sp100 protein and murine Mx1 in discrete nuclear structures known as nuclear bodies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Molecular cloning and functional expression of a stress-induced multifunctional O-methyltransferase with pinosylvin methyltransferase activity from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.).

Formation of pinosylvin (PS) and pinosylvin 3-O-monomethyl ether (PSM), as well as the activities of stilbene synthase (STS) and S-adenosyl-1-methionine (SAM):pinosylvin O-methyltransferase (PMT), were induced strongly in needles of Scots pine seedlings upon ozone treatment, as well as in cell suspension cultures of Scots pine upon fungal elicitation. A SAM-dependent PMT protein was purified and partially characterised. A cDNA encoding PMT was isolated from an ozone-induced Scots pine cDNA library. Southern blot analysis of the genomic DNA suggested the presence of a gene family. The deduced protein sequence showed the typical highly conserved regions of O-methyltransferases (OMTs), and average identities of 20-56% to known OMTs. PMT expressed in Escherichia coli corresponded to that of purified PMT (40 kDa) from pine cell cultures. The recombinant enzyme catalysed the methylation of PS, caffeic acid, caffeoyl-CoA and quercetin. Several other substances, such as astringenin, resveratrol, 5-OH-ferulic acid, catechol and luteolin, were also methylated. Recombinant PMT thus had a relatively broad substrate specificity. Treatment of 7-year old Scots pine trees with ozone markedly increased the PMT mRNA level. Our results show that PMT represents a new SAM-dependent OMT for the methylation of stress-induced pinosylvin in Scots pine needles.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

The deterioration of cardiovascular reflexes in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVES: We have investigated the deterioration of cardiovascular reflexes in Parkinson's disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a group of 20 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and in a group of 10 age-matched control subjects a battery of cardiovascular reflex (CVR) tests (Valsalva manoeuvre, deep breathing test, handgrip test, orthostatic test) was repeated after 3 years. RESULTS: In PD patients at deep breathing test, at Valsalva manoeuvre and at orthostatic test the heart rate response decreased significantly (P<0.05). The impairment of systolic and diastolic blood pressure response at orthostatic test was significant as well (P < 0.005). At hand grip test no significant changes in heart rate and blood pressure response were found. In control subjects only heart rate response at orthostatic test decreased significantly after 3 years. CONCLUSION: Our results show progression of an impairment of sympathetic and parasympathetic control of the cardiovascular functions in patients with PD over a period of 3 years.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Effects of tumor necrosis factor gene polymorphisms on patients with congestive heart failure. VEST Investigators for TNF Genotype Analysis. Vesnarinone Survival Trial.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is known to be elevated in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Two biallelic polymorphisms have been identified in the TNF gene locus: one in the promoter region of TNF-alpha (TNFA1/2), and the other in the first intron of TNF-beta (TNFB1/2). Both TNFA2 and TNFB2 alleles are associated with high TNF-alpha production in vitro and susceptibility to inflammatory diseases. Given the importance of TNF-alpha in the pathogenesis of CHF, we studied the prevalence of TNF gene polymorphisms in CHF patients and the correlation of genotypes to in vivo TNF-alpha levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: TNFA and TNFB genotypes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. There were no differences in the TNF allele frequencies between CHF (n=229; TNFA1/2=0.84/0.16, TNFB1/2=0.33/0.67) and control subjects (n=139; TNFA1/2=0.84/0.16, TNFB1/2=0.32/0.68). In 211 patients with CHF, circulating levels of TNF-alpha and the soluble receptors type I and type II were measured by ELISA: 6.18+/-3.59 pg/mL, 1768+/-761 pg/mL, and 4484+/-1750 pg/mL, respectively. There were no correlations between TNFA or TNFB genotypes and circulating levels of TNF-alpha or its soluble receptors in the CHF patients. CONCLUSIONS: Despite their association with other inflammatory diseases, neither TNFA nor TNFB polymorphisms are related to the presence of CHF or the elevation of circulating TNF-alpha. Thus, other factors may be more important in determining the circulating levels of TNF-alpha in CHF.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

MxA GTPase: oligomerization and GTP-dependent interaction with viral RNP target structures.

MxA protein is an interferon-induced GTPase of human cells that inhibits the multiplication of several RNA viruses, including influenza viruses and bunyaviruses. Studies on MxA transgenic mice have shown that MxA is a powerful antiviral agent in vivo. It has been suggested that this cellular protein also protects humans from viral disease, but the mechanism(s) by which MxA exerts its antiviral action is still poorly understood. Using an in vitro cosedimentation assay, we now demonstrate that MxA tightly interacts with components of the ribonucleoprotein complex of Thogoto virus, an influenza-like virus transmitted by ticks. This assay demonstrates for the first time a physical interaction between MxA GTPase and a viral target structure. It is based on three elements, namely, highly active MxA GTPases as effector molecules, viral ribonucleoprotein particles as viral targets, and GTPgammaS as a stabilizing factor. Furthermore, using a simple nuclear translocation assay, we show that human MxA protein forms oligomers in vivo. This assay provides a stringent test for tight association of partner molecules in intact mammalian cells. It not only will be useful for studying physical interactions of MxA with partner molecules, but may also be applicable to other studies on protein-protein interactions in living cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Biochemical plant responses to ozone : I. Differential induction of polyamine and ethylene biosynthesis in tobacco.

Polyamine metabolism was examined in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) exposed to a single ozone treatment (5 or 7 hours) and then postcultivated in pollutant-free air. The levels of free and conjugated putrescine were rapidly increased in the ozone-tolerant cultivar Bel B and remained high for 3 days. This accumulation was preceded by a transient rise of l-arginine decar-boxylase (ADC, EC 4.1.1.19) activity. The ozone-sensitive cultivar Bel W3 showed a rapid production of ethylene and high levels of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid after 1 to 2 hours of exposure. Induction of putrescine levels and ADC activity was weak in this cultivar and was observed when necrotic lesions developed. Leaf injury occurred in both lines when the molar ratio of putrescine to 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid or ethylene fell short of a certain threshold value. Monocaffeoyl-putrescine, an effective scavenger for oxyradicals, was detected in the apo-plastic fluid of the leaves of cv Bel B and increased upon exposure to ozone. This extracellular localization could allow scavenging of ozone-derived oxyradicals at the first site of their generation. Induction of either polyamine or ethylene pathways may represent a control mechanism for inhibition or promotion of lesion formation and thereby contribute to the disposition of plants for ozone tolerance.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1985

[Behavior of microorganisms in wastes from medical practice and household refuse deposited in a model landfill].

Refuse from medical consulting rooms, a mixture of those refuse with municipal refuse (1:10), and municipal refuse were disposed aerobically and roughly anaerobically for over six months in a model landfill. Survival, proliferation, and transportation of microorganisms were estimated at different periods of time. Concentrations of aerobic bacteria and hyphomycetes decreased during the first weeks of deposition but remained later almost unchanged. Concentrations of nonsporeforming indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli, feacal streptococci) decreased more strongly, and E. coli could not be found at latest after 23 weeks. In municipal refuse alone and mixed with refuse from medical consulting rooms, Pseudomonas aeruginosa proliferated temporarily. Leaching of microorganisms from the model landfill was observed in the whole course of the disposal period.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1985

[Mineralization activity of microorganisms in refuse from medical consulting rooms and in municipal refuse].

Mineralization activity of microorganisms in refuse from consulting rooms of general practitioners, E.T.N.-specialists, dermatologists, dentists, veterinarians, and in municipal refuse was estimated by means of CO2 and NH3 measurement. In comparison to municipal refuse, the refuse from medical consulting rooms released only low amounts of CO2 and NH3. Only in refuse from the veterinarians consulting rooms relative high mineralization was found, due to specific consistency (fecal contamination) of those refuse. A slight enrichment in pepton of all refuse under test resulted in a strong enhancement of the CO2 and NH3 evolution. That effect indicates either high potential mineralization activity of microorganisms in the refuse from medical consulting rooms and their relative resistance to microbial degradation.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1985

[Microbiological studies of waste from medical practice and household refuse].

Microbiological investigations were made during a one year period on refuse from consulting rooms of general practitioners, E.N.T.-specialists, dermatologists, dentists, and veterinarians. Concentrations of total aerobic bacteria, hyphomycetes, yeasts, actinomycetes, indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli, feacal streptococci, anaerobic sulfite reducing spore-forming bacteria), of some facultative pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus), and pathogens (Salmonella sp.) were estimated. The refuse from medical consulting rooms showed definitely differences in microbiological properties. Usually the highest counts of microorganisms were found in the refuse from veterinarian consulting rooms. In generally, refuse from medical consulting rooms had lower microbial counts as compared to the municipal refuse. Feacal indicators and facultative pathogenic bacteria, however, were found more frequently, and usually at higher concentrations in refuse from medical consulting rooms. Salmonella sp. was not found in the refuse samples under test. Conclusively, refuse from medical consulting rooms should be handled with caution. However, the results of this study do not indicate those kinds of refuse as a source of acute hygienic risk.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1985

[Mineralization of refuse from medical consulting rooms and municipal refuse in a model landfill].

Refuse originated from consulting rooms of medical doctors of five different specializations were disposed of for more than six months in a model landfill. Another variants of the same experiment consisted of a mixture, made from refuse as above with municipal refuse (1:10), and of municipal refuse alone. Using estimation of either CO2 and NH3 evolution before and after disposal, continuous temperature measurement, organic matter and moisture contents, the mineralization process in the disposed refuse was followed. In model landfill which was kept under aerobic conditions the results indicated a low rate of mineralization in refuse from medical consulting rooms. The mixture containing municipal refuse and refuse from medical consulting rooms showed mineralization rate similar to that of municipal refuse alone. If the model landfills were kept nearly anaerobic almost no mineralization occurred in all kind of refuse disposed of.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

A comparison of secretory proteinases from different strains of Candida albicans.

Randomly selected strains of Candida albicans were grown with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a single nitrogen source. From all strains tested, culture supernatant contained carboxyl proteinase (E.C.3.4.23) as has been shown that with hemoglobin as a substrate and by specific inhibition with pepstatin-A. According to the separation pattern of BSA fragments, secretory proteinases from C. albicans belong to at least three groups. We have purified the partially proteolytic enzyme of strain 113 and have compared its properties with those of the totally proteolytic enzyme of strain CBS 2730. Both enzymes have virtually identical molecular weight (ca. 44,000) and cross-react immunologically; they differ in pH optimum, isoelectric point, substrate specificity, and resistance against alkali. IgG1, which is the prevalent immunoglobulin of human serum, was not cleaved by enzyme 113. Immunoglobulins A1, A2 and secretory component were cleaved by both enzymes, which points to a role of the secretory proteinases in the persistence of yeasts on mucous membranes. Differences in the course of alkaline denaturation indicate that only a fraction of strain-specific proteinases is capable to convey long-range effects in the host.

Antibodies, Fungal↗