PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Weiser

Publications and source records attributed to M Weiser.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Effect of caerulein on expression of the immediate-early genes c-fos and zif/268 in the rat brain.

The effect of caerulein, an analog of cholecystokinin-8, on expression of the immediate-early genes c-fos and zif/268 was studied in the rat brain using Northern blot analysis and an in situ hybridization technique. Intraperitoneal injection of caerulein did not change the basal c-fos and zif/268 expression. Administration of the convulsant, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), caused a dramatic increase of c-fos and zif/268 mRNAs in the hippocampus and dentate gyrus. Pretreatment with caerulein suppressed the PTZ-induced c-fos and zif/268 expression. It is considered that systemically administrated caerulein modifies neuronal activities by exerting a suppressed effect on induction of the immediate-early genes.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Region-specific expression of a K+ channel gene in brain.

Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization studies reveal the highly localized expression in rat brain of transcripts from a gene (KShIIIA) encoding components for voltage-gated K+ channels. KShIIIA expression is particularly prominent throughout the dorsal thalamus. The expression of KShIIIA is compared to that of a closely related gene, here called NGK2-KV4. These two genes encode transcripts that induce currents in Xenopus oocytes that are as of yet indistinguishable, but they show very different patterns of expression in rat brain. NGK2-KV4 transcripts are particularly abundant in the cerebellar cortex, where KShIIIA expression is very weak. These results demonstrate the existence of cell-type-specific K+ channel components and suggest that one reason for the unusually large diversity of K+ channel proteins is the presence of subtypes that participate in specific brain functions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Peroxidation-induced perturbations of erythrocyte lipid organization.

Peroxidation of erythrocyte membrane lipids by hydrogen peroxide perturbs the lipid bilayer and increases phagocytosis by macrophages. This study addresses the underlying mechanism of these processes, and in particular the role of malondialdehyde, a major byproduct of lipid peroxidation. When erythrocytes were treated with hydrogen peroxide or ascorbate/iron to generate malondialdehyde, or with malondialdehyde itself, only those cells treated with hydrogen peroxide showed increased phospholipid spacing and enhanced phagocytosis. This result indicates that the alterations observed are unique to hydrogen peroxide treatment, and that malondialdehyde does not play a role in inducing these changes in surface properties. Comparison of adherence to human umbilical vein endothelial cells and phagocytosis showed that increased phagocytosis was not mirrored by enhanced adherence. This result suggests that two different signals may mediate recognition of erythrocytes by macrophages and by endothelial cells.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1990

Effects of L-deprenyl and amantadine in an MPTP-model of parkinsonism.

Mongolian gerbils of both sexes received a single daily dose of 40 mg/kg of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) over 4 consecutive days. On the fifth day the animals were treated with 15 mg/kg i.p. of L-deprenyl or amantadine or the combination of both drugs. At different time intervals (1, 2, 5 hours) the animals were sacrificed. In the caudate nuclei dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were measured by an HPLC technique. MPTP affected the dopaminergic (HVA -25%) as well as the serotoninergic system (5-HT -54%, 5-HIAA -31%). L-deprenyl and amantadine accumulated DA and 5-HT in the MPTP affected caudates. Synergistic effects of the drug combination could be proven.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗
PubMed1990

Pitch interactions in the perception of isolated musical triads.

In previous work done in our laboratory, we have investigated the perceived pitch class of isolated musical triads. We have found that as the amount of musical training increased, listeners perceptions progress, from very confused percepts of pitch class, to analytic percepts corresponding to the pitch class of the highest note in the triad, and finally to synthetic percepts corresponding to the root note for the more harmonic triad types. In the present work, we used a pitch matching technique to determine the actual pitch, rather than merely the pitch class, perceived when listeners analytically "hear out" a particular note in a major triad. There was a strong tendency for the pitch of the analytically perceived note to be displaced by as much as 60 cents in the direction of the other notes in the triad. The magnitude of this effect decreased as musical training increased, and it was also affected by the relative salience of the individual triad notes. These results have implications for the mechanism of triad perception, and for claims regarding the harmonic equivalence of triad inversions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Opthalomoplegic migraine].

We report the case of a 24 year old man with a 22 year history of attacks of migraine without aura and attacks of ophthalmoplegic migraine. A persistent right 3rd nerve palsy appeared after the 17th attack. Although its existence has been debated, ophthalmoplegic migraine is recognized as such in the International Headache Society (IHS) classification. A review of published cases satisfying the IHS diagnostic criteria for ophthalmoplegic migraine is presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[The effect of subtherapeutic quantities of native gelatin and Haemaccel 35 (polygeline) on the fibronectin level and wound healing. An experimental animal study in rats with burn wounds].

Posttraumatically, opsonic plasma fibronectin is consumed by collagen-like degradation products that enter the vascular system. Additional administration of gelatin (= denatured collagen) results in an essential lack of fibronectin with subsequent retardation of wound healing even when subtherapeutic amounts are given. Therefore, in an experiment with rats we studied the question of whether similar effects are evoked by equal amounts of Haemaccel 35 (cross-linked polypeptides from degraded gelatin). The animals received standardized third degree burn injuries of about 1% of body surface. Immediately after wounding and on the following 2 days native gelatin or Haemaccel was applied intraperitoneally in 2 different dosages (61 mg/kg and 122 mg/kg). The burn injury by itself did not cause a significant decrease of plasma fibronectin. After injection of gelatin a dramatic deprivation of plasma fibronectin occurred and, in consequence, a delay of the healing process. After administration of equal amounts of Haemaccel 35, however, there was neither a depletion of plasma fibronectin nor any significant effect on wound healing.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Ureteral obstruction in patients with breast cancer.

Six breast cancer patients were treated recently for renal insufficiency secondary to neoplasic involvement of the ureters. This complication usually occurs in long standing hormonal-dependent breast cancer with bone metastases. Diagnosis was performed by abdominal echography. Ureteral catheterization or percutaneous nephrostomy with or without irradiation always resulted in rapid recovery of renal function. Systemic chemotherapy could then be given, sometimes with antitumoral responses, allowing the removal of the endoureteral catheters.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1987

Identification of Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus faecium and susceptibility studies with newly developed antimicrobial agents.

Identification and susceptibility studies were performed on 301 blood and urine Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus faecium isolates. Strep Trio-Tubes S4, S5, and S3 (Carr-Scarborough Microbiologicals, Inc.) were compared with conventional methods for accuracy and rapidity. Of 282 isolates identified as S. faecalis, 98% were identified by species in 4 h with Trio-Tubes; the same percentage of isolates analyzed by conventional methods were identified in 24 h. All 14 S. faecium isolates (approximately 5% of the total number of isolates) were identified by Trio-Tubes in 24 h. In vitro MIC susceptibility testing of the isolates was performed by the Dynatech 2000 microdilution technique (Dynatech Laboratories, Inc.). Several newly developed antimicrobial agents, including imipenem (a carbapenem) and some of the quinolone drugs, i.e., CI-934, ciprofloxacin, A-56619, A-56620, amifloxacin, norfloxacin, and enoxacin, were tested, as were ampicillin, erythromycin, and vancomycin. Both ampicillin and vancomycin showed good activity against S. faecalis, with MICs for 90% of isolates tested (MIC90S) of 1 and 2 micrograms/ml, respectively; with S. faecium, ampicillin exhibited an MIC90 of 16 micrograms/ml and vancomycin exhibited an MIC90 of 2 micrograms/ml. Of the newer antimicrobial agents, imipenem and CI-934 exhibited the greatest activity against S. faecalis strains, with MIC90S of 2 and 0.5 micrograms/ml, respectively. MBCs against the isolates were determined with CI-934, with 90% of S. faecalis strains showing MBCs of 1 microgram/ml or less.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed1986

Preliminary brain autopsy findings in progredient Rett syndrome.

Postmortem human brain analyses have been performed to further evaluate pathogenetic aspects of the Rett syndrome. While there are no significant abnormalities with respect to amino acid concentrations in putamen, caudate nucleus, red nucleus and thalamus, the concentration of kynurenine is increased in putamen, caudate nucleus, gl. pallidus, raphe and amygdaloid n. In contrast, serotonin and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid are below normal levels. D2-receptor number is decreased and there is a significant drop in the concentration of the iron-binding protein ferritin. It can be concluded, that reduction of D2-receptors is due to loss of cholinergic and GABA-ergic cell bodies in the striatum or may be a response to iron deficiency. Low serotonergic and high kynurenergic activity may be of pathogenetic importance in the frequently observed cerebral seizures in Rett syndrome.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1986

Staphylococcal scalded-skin syndrome.

Staphylococcal scalded-skin syndrome, an exfoliative dermopathy, affects neonatal and infant children. A classification of this disorder, as well as etiology and therapeutic modalities, is discussed. Topical medications such as used for treating partial-thickness burns cannot always be used in the newborn because of potential toxicity. Supportive therapy, specific antibiotics, and relatively inert dressings are recommended.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1985

[Incidence of lipid changes in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, retinal vein occlusion and primary chronic glaucoma].

Several studies suggest that vascular factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, retinal vein occlusion and primary chronic glaucoma. We explored the lipoprotein abnormalities in three groups of 45 patients suffering from each of these diseases compared to three control groups. We did not find significant abnormalities of cholesterol, cholesterol lipoproteins, nor Apolipoprotein B. The only significant abnormality was the presence of a higher rate of hypertriglyceridemia in the retinal vein occlusion and primary chronic glaucoma groups in comparison with their control group. In these two affections, hypertriglyceridemia should be systematically researched and treated.

Apolipoproteins B↗
PubMed1978

Chemical analysis of renal stones from 377 Belgian patients by using qualitative or quantitative methods.

The renal stones of 377 patients from the Brussels' area have been studied by chemical methods; 239 stones were submitted to qualitative analysis and the other 138 to a quantitative analysis. The results of the study demonstrate that, in Belgium as well as in other Western countries like the USA and Great Britain, calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate and magnesium ammonium phosphate are, in decreasing order of frequency, the major constitutents of renal calculi. The fact that calcium oxalate-containing stones are mainly found in men associated with sterile urine, and magnesium ammonium phosphate stones in women associated with urinary infection, is confirmed in the present series. The percentage of uric acid-containing stones is similar to that in the USA and Great Britain, but lower than that observed in several European countries including France, Spain, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Sweden. A small group of Mediterranean patients living in Belgium show no specific pattern, suggesting that the formation of calculi could be more dependent upon environmental than upon ethnic factors.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1978

Human cerebral free amino acids in hepatic coma.

Free amino acids and some related compounds in autopsy specimens of different human brain areas have been determined by column chromatography. Only in patients with hepatic coma could a significant difference in the contents of tyrosine and lysine between caudate nucleus and N. amygdalae be found. In comparison with control subjects the brains of patients with hepatic coma contained significantly higher concentrations of glutamine, isoleucine, histidine and ammonia. In patients with hepatic coma after complete parenteral nutrition plus L-valine administration, dying from other causes, the brain levels of alanine and valine were decreased, while the content of taurine was significantly increased. However, most of the amino acid levels in brain tended toward lower levels. A very significant reduction after treatment with L-valine could be observed in glutamine and ammonia concentration. It is suggested that L-valine has some beneficial action on ammonia detoxification and has also a competing action on amino acid uptake mechanism (specially with the large neutral amino acids).

Adult↗