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Biomedical subjects

O Bellmann

Publications and source records attributed to O Bellmann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

DGAT1, a new positional and functional candidate gene for intramuscular fat deposition in cattle.

Intramuscular fat content, also assessed as marbling of meat, represents an important beef quality trait. Recent work has mapped a quantitative trait locus (QTL) with an effect on marbling to the centromeric region of bovine chromosome 14, with the gene encoding thyroglobulin (TG) being proposed as a positional and functional candidate gene for this QTL. Recently, the gene encoding diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (DGAT1), which also has been mapped within the region of the marbling QTL, has been demonstrated to affect the fat content of milk. In the present study, the effects of a 5'-polymorphism of TG and of a lysine/alanine polymorphism of DGAT1 on the fat content of musculus (m.) semitendinosus and m. longissimus dorsi in 55 bovine animals (28 German Holstein and 27 Charolais) has been investigated. Significant effects were found for both candidate genes in both the breeds. These effects seem to be independent of one another because the alleles of the two polymorphisms showed no statistically significant disequilibrium. The DGAT1 effect is mainly on the m. semitendinosus. The TG polymorphism only affects m. longissimus dorsi. However, both intramuscular fat enhancing effects seem to be recessive. The possibility of two linked loci, acting recessively on intramuscular fat content, will require special strategies when selecting for higher marbling scores.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMed2002

Comparing mRNA levels of genes encoding leptin, leptin receptor, and lipoprotein lipase between dairy and beef cattle.

Body weight and fat mass vary distinctly between German Holstein (dairy cattle) and Charolais (beef cattle). The aim of this study was to determine whether the expression of the obese (Ob) gene and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene in fat tissues and expression of the long isoform leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) gene in the hypothalamus were different between these two cattle breeds. Body weight and the area of longissimus muscle cross-section of German Holstein were lower (P<0.001), while body fat content, as well as the omental and perirenal fat mass were higher (P<0.001), compared to Charolais. Plasma insulin and leptin levels between two cattle breeds were determined by radioimmunoassay. Compared to Charolais, plasma insulin concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.01), and plasma leptin levels were tended to be higher (P<0.1) in German Holstein. Ob mRNA levels in subcutaneous and perirenal fat depots, but not in the omental fat depot, were significantly higher (P<0.05) in German Holstein than in Charolais. LPL mRNA expression in the perirenal fat depot of German Holstein was greater in abundance than that of Charolais. No significantly different LPL mRNA levels were found in subcutaneous and omental fat depots, and Ob-Rb mRNA levels in the hypothalamus between these two cattle breeds (P<0.05). Both Ob and LPL expression was greater in perirenal and omental fat depots than in the subcutaneous fat depot (P<0.05). Data indicated that in bovine the Ob and LPL gene expression levels in perirenal fats are an important index that is associated with body fat content, while Ob-Rb in hypothalamus is not.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2001

Activation of skeletal muscle protein breakdown following consumption of soyabean protein in pigs.

Diets with protein of inferior quality may increase protein breakdown in skeletal muscle but the experimental results are inconsistent. To elucidate the relationship, pigs were fed isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets based on soyabean-protein isolate or casein for 15 weeks, with four to six animals per group. A higher plasma level of urea (2.5-fold the casein group value, P = 0.01), higher urinary N excretion (2.1-fold the casein group value, P = 0.01), a postabsorptive rise in the plasma levels of urea, 3-methylhistidine and isoleucine in soyabean protein-fed pigs suggested recruitment of circulatory amino acids by protein breakdown in peripheral tissues. Significant differences between dietary groups were detected in lysosomal and ATP-dependent proteolytic activities in the semimembranosus muscle of food-deprived pigs. A higher concentration of cathepsin B protein was found, corresponding to a rise in the cathepsin B activity, in response to dietary soyabean protein. Muscle ATP-stimulated proteolytical activity was 1.6-fold the casein group value (P = 0.03). A transient rise in the level of cortisol (2.9-times the casein group value, P = 0.02) occurred in the postprandial phase only in the soyabean group. These data suggest that the inferior quality of dietary soyabean protein induces hormonally-mediated upregulation of muscle protein breakdown for recruitment of circulatory amino acids in a postabsorptive state.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1991

Depression of serum melatonin in patients with primary breast cancer is not due to an increased peripheral metabolism.

Serum melatonin and its main metabolic product 6-sulfatoxymelatonin were determined in 17 patients with breast cancer (BC) with either a fresh primary tumor (nine) or a secondary tumor (eight) as well as in four patients with untreated benign breast disease (controls). Circadian rhythms were detected in all groups with acrophases around 2 AM for melatonin and around 3 AM for 6-sulfatoxymelatonin. The nocturnal melatonin and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin concentrations were significantly depressed in the group of patients with primary breast cancer compared with controls (P less than 0.01, P less than 0.025). The circadian amplitudes of melatonin and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin were also depressed by 81% (P less than 0.01) and 63% (P less than 0.01). In contrast, patients with secondary BC had nocturnal melatonin and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin concentrations and amplitudes similar to controls. These results demonstrate that the depression of circulating melatonin in patients with primary BC is not due to an enhanced degradation to 6-sulfatoxymelatonin in the liver but must be due to a reduced activity of the pineal gland.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Stage-dependent depression of melatonin in patients with primary breast cancer. Correlation with prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormone, and steroid receptors.

Serum melatonin was determined over 24 hours in 35 patients with breast cancer with either a fresh primary tumor (n = 23) or a secondary tumor (n = 12) and in 28 patients with untreated benign breast disease (controls) having a fibroadenoma (n = 10), fibrocystic mastopathy (n = 14), or other breast diseases (n = 4). Circadian rhythms existed in all groups with acrophases at 2 a.m. A 50% depression of peak and amplitude occurred in the group of patients with primary breast cancer compared with age-matched controls (P less than 0.001, P less than 0.01). The peak declined with increasing tumor size: 27% at Stage T1, 53% at T2 (P less than 0.001), and 73% at T3 (P less than 0.05). In contrast, patients with secondary breast cancer, particularly those receiving antiestrogen therapy, had a melatonin peak similar to controls. These results demonstrated a transient depression of pineal melatonin secretion in primary breast cancer and indicated a dynamic role of the pineal gland in malignancy. To investigate some endocrine effects of a depressed melatonin peak, the 24-hour rhythms of prolactin (PRL) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined in patients with primary breast cancer and compared with patients with secondary breast cancer. The PRL had significant circadian rhythms in both groups; but acrophases occurred at midnight in patients with secondary breast cancer, and there were unusually high concentrations at noon in patients with primary breast cancer. Circadian rhythms were not seen for TSH, but the 24-hour average secretion was depressed by 45% (P less than 0.01) in patients with primary breast cancer. The abnormal concentrations of PRL and TSH in these patients could be due to a depressed melatonin peak normally serving as a central circadian synchronizer and modulator of the secretion of adenohypophysial hormones. Additionally, a positive correlation existed between the nocturnal melatonin peak and progesterone and androgen receptor concentrations in primary tumors indicating a direct involvement of melatonin in the growth control of breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Relationship between serum prolactin concentration, vascular angiotensin sensitivity and arterial blood pressure during third trimester pregnancy.

Prolactin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and preeclampsia. In 105 normotensive nulliparous women at 28 to 32 weeks of gestation, the relationship between serum prolactin concentration (PRL) and blood pressure behaviour was examined under standardized conditions. Neither postural change from left lateral to supine recumbency nor the infusion of low doses of angiotensin-II-amide had an effect on PRL levels. Similar mean PRL levels were found in pregnant women with a low angiotensin pressor dose (ADP less than 10 ng x kg-1 x min-1) or "angiotensin sensitivity", a positive supine pressor response (delta pd greater than or equal to 20 mmHg) or an increased serum uric acid concentration (greater than 3.6 mg/dl), which are criteria for an increased risk of developing hypertensive complications. However, in the group of subjects with angiotensin sensitivity, a significant correlation was found (a) between PRL levels and the APD and (b) between PRL levels and diastolic blood pressure increase after 5 min of supine recumbency. These results may reflect diminished dopaminergic activity in the central nervous system, which could influence both blood pressure and prolactin secretion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Immunocytochemical detection of the estrogen receptor and lectin binding sites in tumor cell colonies growing in vitro].

Since it became clear that tumor cell colonies growing in soft agar are closely related to embryonic tumor cells, it has been possible to examine, with the aid of immunohistochemical methods, the behavior of estrogen receptors (ER) and lectin binding sites on those tumor components which determine malignant growth. With this aim in mind, 14 breast cancers, four ovarian cancers, and one corpus cancer with ER concentrations known from DCC studies were cultured in a colony assay. Using immunohistochemical techniques it was possible, after preparing permanent cultures, to demonstrate the estrogen receptors and lectin binding sites on the tumor cell colonies cultured in vitro.

Breast↗
PubMed1988

[Disorders of liver function, thrombopenia and hemolysis in a special clinical form of hypertension in pregnancy (the so-called HELLP syndrome)].

The so called HELLP syndrome is a severe complication of pregnancy-induced hypertension, characterized by haemolysis (H), elevated liver enzymes (EL) and low platelet counts (LP). The data of 37 patients with a HELLP syndrome are presented. In addition to the clinical symptoms of pregnancy-induced hypertension, 21 patients suffered from abdominal pain and 5 patients from icterus. Thrombocytopenia, haemolysis and elevated liver enzymes were observed in every case. In 28 of the patients a Caesarean section was performed to prevent further deterioration of the disease. Three patients died post partum as a consequence of severe complications. In five pregnancies intrauterine deaths were observed. The results of this retrospective study confirm the great risk for both the mother and the foetus, if pregnancy-induced hypertension is complicated by a so called HELLP syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Scintigraphic detection of malignancies with radioactively labelled tumor antibodies. Clinical results based on immunohistochemical research].

69 patients with different tumors (colorectal, melanoma, testicle, ovary, bladder, carcinoid, lungs) were investigated by radioimmunoscintigraphy. The corresponding antibodies or their F(ab')2 fragments against CEA (n = 30), melanoma antigen (n = 25), TPA (n = 6), beta-HCG (n = 5), HMFG-2 (n = 2) and CEA/CA 19-9 (n = 1) were selected on the basis of immunohistochemical investigations of the primary tumors. The precision was 62%, and the number of false-negative findings was 32%. Additional clinical information (detection or exclusion of a suspected recurrence) could be obtained in 22 patients. From these results, it can be concluded that the corresponding tumor antibodies should be selected on the basis of immunohistochemical investigations of the primary tumor before performing radioimmunoscintigraphy to screen for recurrences or metastases.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1987

[Decreased alpha fetoprotein in maternal serum in relation to increased alpha fetoprotein in amniotic fluid in a case of fetal trisomy 21 associated with esophageal atresia].

A subnormal maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein level associated with elevated alpha-fetoprotein level in amniotic fluid was found in a case of trisomy 21 combined with esophageal atresia in a fetus at 36 + 5 weeks of gestation. The significance of this observation is discussed in view of the possible biologic mechanisms resulting in maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein reduction in cases of fetal autosomal trisomies. The most likely hypotheses seem to be a reduced fetal alpha-fetoprotein production and/or an alteration of the placental regulation of the alpha-fetoprotein transfer from fetal to maternal blood via the placenta.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Concanavalin A reactivity of alpha-fetoprotein in the amniotic fluid in autosomal trisomies of the fetus].

Fetal trisomies 21 and 18 have been found to be associated with low maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein values in the second trimester of pregnancy. The concanavalin A reactivity of amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein of 35 fetuses with trisomy 21 and 7 fetuses with trisomy 18 between the 16th and 24th week's gestation has a normal pattern of distribution. In 7 cases of autosomal trisomies in association with other malformations (neural tube defect, omphalocele, non-immune hydrops fetalis), the percentage of the fraction without affinity for concanavalin A was significantly lowered. These results do not support the hypothesis of a qualitatively altered fetal production of alpha-fetoprotein as a cause of lowered maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels in cases of fetal autosomal trisomy.

Chromatography, Affinity↗
PubMed1986

Therapy of gestational diabetes.

Even minor abnormalities of maternal carbohydrate metabolism may influence foetal development. This study aimed at examining the relations between impaired glucose tolerance and blood glucose behavior under a standardized diet in late pregnancy and at looking for the obstetrical and neonatal outcome after normalization of blood glucose profiles in gestational diabetics. The study included 97 women in the second half of pregnancy. Severely abnormal blood glucose profiles were observed in most patients with impaired glucose tolerance who had a fasting capillary blood glucose concentration above 4.7 mmol/l. Normalization could usually only be achieved by combining a strict dietary regimen with insulin treatment. The obstetrical and neonatal outcome in the group of patients treated with diet plus insulin was similar to that in the group of patients treated with diet alone.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1986

Clinical results of immunoscintigraphy in a variety of malignant tumors with special reference to immunohistochemistry.

Radioimmunoscintigraphy was performed in 52 patients with a variety of malignant tumors (colorectal, melanoma, lung, testicular, ovarian, bladder, carcinoid). Respective antibodies or their F(ab')2 fragments against CEA (n = 23), melanoma antigen 225.28 S (n = 18), TPA (n = 4), beta HCG (n = 5) and HMFG2 (n = 2) were selected by immunohistochemistry of the primary tumor. Most patients were suspected of recurrence or of hitherto unknown distant or local metastases. Overall accuracy was 61% (32/52). False negatives amounted to 33% (17/52). Useful additional clinical information-not available by CT, ultrasonics or serum levels of tumor markers-was obtained in 17 out of 52 patients (= 33%). From these results it seems obvious that antibodies used for radioimmunoscintigraphy should be selected on the basis of immunohistochemistry.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1984

[Electrostimulation anesthesia in comparison with enflurane-nitrous-oxide inhalation anesthesia during gynecologic operations. 2. Hormonal reactions in the pre-, intra- and postoperative course].

This study describes the secretion of cortisol, growth hormone, prolactin and catecholamines before, under, and following gynaecological surgery in electrostimulation anaesthesia combined with nitrous oxide (ESA). The hormonal stress reactions of ESA were compared to inhalation anaesthesia with enflurane-nitrous oxide ( EFL ). Twenty-two patients undergoing laparotomy were allocated evenly to one of these procedures. In both groups serum levels for cortisol, growth hormone, and prolactin increased during surgery. Growth hormone showed a considerably higher increase during ESA at the end of the operation, whereas prolactin was higher at all periods of surgery during EFL . Cortisol, however, was identical for both groups. Renal excretion rates of adrenaline and noradrenaline were not significantly different. During surgery more metanephrine and normetanephrine were excreted in the urine under ESA than under EFL . There is no advantage with ESA intra- or postoperatively as compared to other routine procedures of anaesthesia for abdominal gynaecological surgery with regard to the so-called stress hormones or sympathetic activity.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗