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Biomedical subjects

R Barth

Publications and source records attributed to R Barth.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Ultrasound biometry of the fetal heart].

We report on biometric measurements of the fetal heart with the TM-technique; these measurements were carried out between the 20th and 40th gestational week. The right and left endsystolic atrial and ventricular diameters were, measured, as well as the diameters of the large vessels, i.e. aorta and pulmonary artery; finally, the septal thickness was determined. Our measurements show a linear progression of the diameters in question, the right-left ratio of the atria and ventricles was close to one, so was the ratio between aorta and pulmonary artery. Our results are compared, as far as possible, to the literature.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1991

Effect of gallopamil on myocardial ischaemia during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

This report summarises selected preliminary results from an ongoing study designed to investigate the effect of the calcium antagonist gallopamil on myocardial ischaemia during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). To date, 12 adult males with coronary artery disease and significant proximal stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) have been randomly assigned to gallopamil or placebo under double-blind conditions. Patients with recent myocardial infarction, apparent collateralisation of the LAD, myocardial failure, sinoatrial or atrioventricular block, severe hepatic disease or renal failure were excluded from the study. PTCA was performed using at least 2 balloon inflations, each of 2 minutes' duration. Gallopamil 0.4 mg or placebo (normal saline) were administered during the 10-minute interval between the 2 inflations. Blood samples were taken simultaneously from the coronary sinus and the femoral artery before and immediately after each inflation. Lactate concentration and the relative amount of activated neutrophils were selected for trend analysis. Furthermore, ECG changes were analysed by calculating the sum of the absolute ST-segment deviations (80 msec after J point, maximal T deviation) of leads I, II, III, V2, V4 and V6. In the presence of gallopamil, the degree of ST-segment/T-wave changes induced by balloon inflation was reduced. Additionally, gallopamil attenuated myocardial lactate release and appeared to prevent the increase in activated neutrophils observed during control inflations. These preliminary results suggest a beneficial effect from intracoronary administration of gallopamil during PTCA, achieved by attenuation of the ischaemic reaction during coronary occlusion.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Purified chick-embryo-cell (PCEC) rabies vaccine: its potency performance in different test systems and in humans.

The potency of purified chick embryo cell rabies vaccine Rabipur was evaluated by four different in vivo test systems: (1) NIH test with homologous strain LEP challenge; (2) intramuscular challenge of vaccinated laboratory animals; (3) postexposure vaccine treatment trials in laboratory animals; and (4) antibody induction tests in laboratory animals. These different test systems were compared with the Standard NIH test and an in vitro test, the modified ABT. Each of the four in vivo methods chosen demonstrated potency values superior to that of the Standard NIH test in which challenge was with CVS strain. Potency relations were: Standard NIH test versus alternative methods versus modified ABT 1.0-2.2-1.85 respectively. There was good correlation between alternative in vivo methods and the ABT. In addition examples of antibody induction in man following administration of various postexposure treatment regimens are presented which lead to the conclusion that postexposure vaccination method and composition of the study group play a more important role in achieving optimum treatment results than vaccine potency, provided that it corresponds to WHO requirements (minimum 2.5 IU per dose).

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Impact of intensive educational approach to dietary change in NIDDM.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of an intensive educational approach incorporating longer time, greater simplicity, repetition, and cognitive motivational techniques with a conventional one in subjects with established non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) whose weight, glycemic control, and diet were not optimal. Subjects were randomly allocated to intensive or conventional education. Of 350 subjects, 70 met the study criteria, which included established NIDDM (greater than or equal to 3 mo), suboptimal recent glycemic control, dietary fat intake greater than or equal to 35% of total energy intake, and body mass index greater than or equal to 25 kg/m2. The intensive approach was associated with significantly greater improvements in dietary compliance, dietary intake (complex carbohydrate, [P = 0.013], legumes [P less than 0.0001], fiber [P less than 0.0001], total fat [P less than 0.004], saturated fat [P less than 0.004]), and total cholesterol level (P = 0.007). The transient improvement in glycemic control was similar in both groups. An intensive education program can improve dietary compliance in established NIDDM subjects more than a conventional one. These recommended dietary improvements achieve better improvement in total cholesterol but do not necessarily improve glycemic control.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Teaming up for diabetes education.

Education is a key component in living well with diabetes. Successful management of diabetes is enhanced by a team effort that involves the physician working collaboratively with the patient and informed and concerned health professionals. This article shares insights into the diabetes education process from the perspective of various team members.

Diabetes Mellitus↗
PubMed1989

Unsatisfactory nutritional parameters in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Four-day food records, body mass index and glycosylated hemoglobin levels were measured in 212 subjects with established non-insulin-dependent diabetes, who volunteered for a trial of educational programmes. Of these subjects, 79% were above their ideal body weights and 75% of subjects had a glycosylated haemoglobin level that was above the normal range. Ninety-five per cent of subjects reported a total fat intake greater than 30% of their total energy intake, and 80% of subjects reported total carbohydrate intake of less than 50% of their total energy intake. These results suggest that the current methods for the management of non-insulin-dependent diabetes do not achieve optimal long-term dietary results.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

NIH test, a problematic method for testing potency of inactivated rabies vaccine.

A critical review of the NIH test is given. The results of four studies are presented which show that in the case of purified chick embryo cell inactivated rabies vaccine there is a profound difference between the result after heterologous intracerebral challenge with the prescribed CVS strain and homologous challenge with the LEP-C 26 strain. CVS strains from various laboratories produced relatively uniform results following intracerebral administration. Two in vitro tests, the single radial immunodiffusion test and the modified antibody binding test were employed in the studies. The results are discussed and alternative procedures to the NIH test are recommended for future consideration.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Pre-exposure studies with purified chick embryo cell culture rabies vaccine and human diploid cell vaccine: serological and clinical responses in man.

Clinical reactions and neutralizing antibody responses to six pre-exposure regimens of purified chick embryo cell culture rabies vaccine (PCECV) and human diploid cell strain rabies vaccine (HDCSV) were studied in 177 volunteers. Antibody kinetics, height of the response and persistence of antibody over two years were virtually identical after PCECV and HDCSV. An antibody response was detected in all subjects on day 14 when the highest titres were found after two intramuscular (i.m.) 1.0 ml doses of a schedule of immunization on days 0, 7 and 21. In comparison, a schedule of immunization on days 0, 28 and 56 ultimately evoked the highest titres 21 days after the final injection, but antibody persisted equally well over two years with either schedule. Neutralizing antibody titres were lower after intradermal (i.d.) vaccination with 0.1 ml compared to 1.0 ml i.m. on days 0, 7 and 21, but when given on days 0, 28 and 56 the responses were comparable. Three subjects with a personal or family history of atopy developed urticarial lesions after PCECV. Both vaccines were otherwise well tolerated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Validation of an in vitro assay for the determination of rabies antigen.

The modified antibody binding test, an in vitro method, was validated by a number of studies and was used as a reliable method for in process controls in the manufacture of rabies vaccines for man and animals over the last 6 years. A calculation was made showing the number of laboratory mice which were not needed for animal experiments because these were substituted by the in vitro method mentioned above.

Animal Testing Alternatives↗
PubMed1985

[New special eyeglass lens for emmetropic presbyopes].

Emmetropic presbyopes are not used to wearing bifocal or progressive-power lenses all the time. Reading spectacles have the disadvantage that they have to be removed when the wearer wishes to look into the distance. Therefore, these people are turning increasingly to pulpit spectacles, which correct their vision for reading while leaving the long-range vision to which they are accustomed unchanged. However, conventional pulpit spectacles do not enable emmetropic presbyopes to see clearly at intermediate distances. This article deals with a type of pulpit spectacles which have been specially developed for emmetropic presbyopes. The glasses have an aspheric surface which provides for clear vision at reading distance as well as at all intermediate distances.

Eyeglasses↗
PubMed1985

Effect of dietary ascorbic acid on the incidence of spontaneous mammary tumors in RIII mice.

A study of the effect of different amounts of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), between 0.076% and 8.3%, contained in the food has been carried out with ten groups of RIII mice (seven ascorbic acid and three control groups), with 50 mice in each group. With an increase in the amount of ascorbic acid there is a highly significant decrease in the first-order rate constant for appearance of the first spontaneous mammary tumor after the lag time to detection by palpation. There is also an increase in the lag time. The mean body weight and mean food intake were not significantly different for the seven ascorbic acid groups. Striking differences were observed between the 0.076% ascorbic acid and the control groups (which synthesize the vitamin): smaller food intake, decreased lag time, and increased rate constant of appearance of the first mammary tumor. This comparison cannot be made experimentally for guinea pigs and primates because the control groups would develop scurvy.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Purification of a neutral proteinase, associated with the actomyosin complex, from uterine myometrium.

We have purified and characterized a neutral proteinase activity from pig uterine myometrium. The proteinase co-purified with the actomyosin complex and could only be separated from it by a high concentration of a chaotropic ion, 3M-NaBr. The proteinase was further purified by gel filtration and affinity chromatography. The purified protein showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis corresponding to an Mr of 28 000. Gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 in a buffer containing 3M-NaBr gave an Mr of 27 500. Without the addition of the chaotropic Br- ion, the proteinase aggregates to high-Mr forms of more than 10(6)Da. The proteinase has optimum hydrolytic activity with casein as substrate at pH 7.5-8.0. The thiol-group-blocking reagents p-chloromercuribenzoate, p-chloromercuribenzenesulphonate and Hg2+, as well as soya-bean trypsin inhibitor and 4-aminobenzamidine, inhibited the proteinase. Other bivalent cations, chelating agents and the serine-specific reagents 7-amino-1-chloro-3-tosylamido-L-heptan-2-one and phenylmethanesulphonyl fluoride were without any effect on proteinase activity. The proteinase degraded myosin very rapidly at a molar ratio of proteinase to myosin of 1:50, concomitant with the rate of loss of the ATPase activity. Compared with myosin, actin was only a poor substrate and was degraded at a much lower rate, even at a high molar ratio of the proteinase to actin.

Actins↗
PubMed1984

Cathepsin D from pig myometrium. Characterization of the proteinase.

The purification of cathepsin D from pig uterus by two-step affinity chromatography on concanavalin A- and pepstatin-Sepharose was described previously [Afting & Becker (1981) Biochem. J. 197, 519-522]. In this paper, chemical and physical properties of the proteinase are presented. The purified enzyme showed three bands on SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate)/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, one main band corresponding to an Mr of 31 000 and two minor bands with Mr values of 43 000 and 15 000 respectively. Gel filtration on Bio-gel P-150 and sedimentation-diffusion equilibrium studies give an Mr for the main band of about 35 000. The pI of the enzyme was determined to be 7.2. Haemoglobin was the best substrate, with a Km value of 6.4 X 10(-6)M. It was hydrolysed with a pH optimum between 3.0 and 3.3 for a substrate concentration of 100 microM. The proteinase was stable over the pH range of 3.5-6.5. At pH 6 the enzyme showed stability up to a temperature of 50 degrees C; at pH 3 the activity was already decreased below 40 degrees C. Carbohydrate studies resulted in the staining of all three bands on an SDS/polyacrylamide gel by thymol/H2SO4. After treatment with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H, all three bands were shifted to a region of lower Mr. Of various inhibitors tested, only pepstatin was strongly inhibiting, with a Ki of 2.1 X 10(-9)M.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

A new inactivated tissue culture rabies vaccine for use in man. Evaluation of PCEC-vaccine by laboratory tests.

A new inactivated rabies vaccine (purified chick embryo cell vaccine) has been developed using the Flury LEP-C 25 strain of rabies virus propagated in primary chick embryo cell cultures. The antigen was purified and concentrated by continuous density gradient centrifugation and inactivated by betapropiolactone. This vaccine was tested for innocuity, tolerability and protective capacity in a series of laboratory tests and compared with human diploid cell strain (HDC)-vaccines of similar antigenicity. The results indicated that this new vaccine was excellently tolerated and that its protective activity met the high standard of HDC-vaccine, conditions which were imposed on this vaccine before entering clinical trials in man.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Purified chick embryo cell (PCEC) rabies vaccine for human use. Laboratory data.

A new inactivated rabies vaccine (Purified Chick Embryo Cell vaccine) for use in humans has been developed. The FLURY-LEP C25 strain of rabies virus was adapted to propagate in primary chick embryo cell cultures. The antigen was purified and concentrated by continuous density gradient centrifugation and inactivated by Betapropiolactone. The PCEC-rabies vaccine was tested for innocuity, tolerability and protective capacity in a series of laboratory tests and compared with Human Diploid Cell Strain rabies vaccine (HDCSV) of similar antigenicity. The results of the laboratory tests indicated that this new vaccine was excellently tolerated and that its protective activity met the high standard of HDCS-vaccine, conditions which were imposed on the PCEC-vaccine before clinical trials in man were initiated.

Animals↗