Measurement of the form factors for B-bar0-->D*+
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Journal Article↗
Biomedical subjects
R Wanke
Publications and source records attributed to R Wanke.
Tau decays into three charged leptons and two neutrinos.
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Journal Article↗
[Freund's complete adjuvant in the chicken: efficient immunostimulation with severe local inflammatory reaction].
To quantify the enhancing activity of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), the humoral immune response of hens to the antigen human serum albumin (HSA) injected intramuscularly combined with FCA was measured. Local tissue reaction was examined on macroscopic and microscopic level. Other hens were injected with HSA in physiological sodium-chloride solution and served as controls. The immunization of hens without using FCA resulted in a short-term rise in immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titres, while the hens injected with HSA and FCA developed a long-term response (plateau-form of antibody titres). Local tissue reaction after injection of HSA in sodium-chloride solution was a mild and transient form of interstitial myositis. The immunization with HSA combined with FCA regularly resulted in a persisting granulomatous myositis. It is therefore a matter of animal protection to demand restricted use of FCA and to promote adjuvants of comparable efficiency, but better tolerance.
Animals↗
Effects of growth hormone overproduction on grip strength of transgenic mice.
Growth hormone (GH) is used by athletes like bodybuilders to increase muscle strength and weight gain. On the other hand, chronic hypersecretion of GH in active acromegaly may result in outwardly hypertrophied but functionally weaker muscles. As a model for studying long-term effects of GH on muscle strength, we analysed transgenic mice (TM) carrying rat phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-bovine GH (PEPCKbGH) fusion genes, which are expressed in liver and kidney but not in skeletal muscle. Circulating GH levels in TM ranged between 0.5 and 3 micrograms/ml, resulting in increased (p < 0.001) body weight (wt) as well as increased (p < 0.01) weights of forelimb and hindlimb muscles. However, muscle weight/body wt ratios of TM were 16-20% smaller than in controls (p < 0.05). Forelimb grip strength of hemizygous TM (16 males, 132 +/- 45 days old, body wt = 56.8 +/- 8.3 g; 32 females, 146 +/- 38 days old, body wt = 54.9 +/- 6.1 g) and non-transgenic controls (28 males, 127 +/- 47 days old, body wt = 40.5 +/- 2.9 g; 33 females, 126 +/- 47 days old, body wt = 32.1 +/- 3.6 g) was determined using an automated grip strength meter. Data were computed by analysis of variance, taking into account effects of group, sex and age. Least-squares means estimated for the grip strength (N) of male TM (1.91) and controls (1.92) were significantly (p < 0.05) greater than those of female TM (1.78) and controls (1.61). A significant difference between groups was only seen in females (p < 0.01). Least-squares means estimated for grip strength/body wt ratios (N/10 g) of male (0.34) and female TM (0.33) were 29% and 35% lower than those of male (0.48) and female controls (0.51), respectively (p < 0.001). In summary, long-term elevated GH levels in TM increased muscle weight less efficiently than body weight, and muscle strength did not increase proportionally with muscle weight.
Analysis of Variance↗
[Segregation of pigment cell anomalies in Munich miniature swine (MMS) Troll crossed with German Landrace].
In order to study the inheritance of melanocytic lesions in the Munich Miniature Swine (MMS) Troll, we established the F1-, F2- and R1-generations, starting with one melanoma-bearing MMS-Troll boar and four German Landrace sows as founder animals. A total of 168 animals were born, 24 in the F1-, 111 in the F2-, 19 in the B1DL-, and 14 in the B1Troll-generation. Benign lesions with lentigoid melanocytic hyperplasia or nests of hyperplastic melanocytes like in human junctional nevus were seen in 10 (41.7%) F1-, 17 (15.3%) F2-, 2 (10.5%) B1DL-, and 6 B1Troll-animals. Malignant melanomas occurred only in the F2-(4 animals; 3.6%) and in the B1Troll-(1 animal; 7.1%) generation. The observed segreation suggests different modes of inheritance for nevi and melanomas. The segregation of nevi can be explained by a major gene model with additional modification by a polygenic component. For melanoma, a major gene model does not fit the data sufficiently. Therefore, a two-or-three-locus model with doubled or tripled recessive affected animals has to be supposed for the inheritance of melanoma. Influence of SLA-haplotypes could not be observed.
Animals↗
Sensitive detection of human growth hormone mRNA in routinely formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded transgenic mouse tissues by non-isotopic in situ hybridization.
A sensitive technique of non-isotopic in situ hybridization (NISH) is presented, which permits the detection of human growth hormone (hGH) mRNA in routinely formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded transgenic mouse tissues and human post mortem pituitaries; the latter were used as positive tissue controls in this study. In addition, a double staining procedure combining NISH and immunohistochemistry for the visualization of both hGH and hGH mRNA in the same paraffin section is described. Digoxigenin-labelled antisense hGH RNA was used for NISH of hGH mRNA. The NISH protocol was based upon an established radioactive method. Alkaline phosphatase and horseradish peroxidase-based immunoenzymatic procedures for the detection of digoxigenin-labelled RNA probes using different chromogens [4-nitro blue tetrazolium chloride (NBT), Fast Blue BB, New Fuchsin, and 3,3'-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (DAB) with or without intensification of the DAB staining] were compared. The proteolytic tissue pretreatment and the detection procedure were found to be the most critical steps for successful visualization of hGH mRNA. After optimization of the permeabilization conditions, hGH mRNA could be visualized in each case studied when alkaline phosphatase/NBT-based detection was employed. The NISH technique presented here, performed either separately or in combination with immunohistochemistry, permits retrospective analyses, of hGH (trans)gene expression in archival, paraffin-embedded specimens.
Animals↗
Familial nephropathy in Bernese mountain dogs.
Between January 1988 and March 1992 nephropathies were frequently diagnosed in Bernese Mountain Dogs. During this period, 20 animals (16 females, four males), ages 2-5 years (average age at time of diagnosis = 3.3 years) presented with clinically renal insufficiency. Morphologic diagnosis of the renal lesions was identical in all cases, i.e., membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) with concomitant interstitial nephritis. Deposits of immunoglobulin-M (IgM) and of the third complement component were regularly demonstrated immunohistochemically in the glomeruli; deposits of immunoglobulin-A (IgA) and immunoglobulin-G (IgG) were found only in isolated cases. Reduplication of glomerular basement membranes, mesangial interposition, and subendothelial deposits of the immunocomplex type were also detected by electron microscopy. A pedigree analysis indicated that the MPGN in these 20 Bernese Mountain Dogs of approximately the same age was of hereditary genesis. Thus, MPGN should be allocated to the group of familial nephropathies. Serologically, high IgG titers against Borrelia burgdorferi were found in 17 dogs. These findings are discussed in relation to familial nephropathies in humans.
Animals↗
Effects of long-term elevated serum levels of growth hormone on life expectancy of mice: lessons from transgenic animal models.
In this study, we characterize transgenic mice carrying fusion genes, in which the genes coding for human (h) or bovine (b) growth hormone (GH) have been put under the transcriptional control of the mouse metallothionein I (MT) or the rat phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK) promoter as models for investigating the long-term effects of elevated GH on life expectancy. Circulating GH concentrations ranged from 3000 to 900,000 ng/ml, from 320 to 2960 ng/ml and from 34 to 1050 ng/ml in transgenic mice belonging to the MThGH, the PCKbGH and the MTbGH groups, respectively, and were high on a short-, medium-, and long-term basis. As a consequence of excess GH in their serum, GH transgenic mice exhibited drastically reduced life span which was primarily due to severe kidney lesions (glomerular hypertrophy, sclerosis and hyalinosis associated with tubulo-interstitial changes) consistently found in these animals. Alterations of the liver observed in transgenic mice included both hepatocellular megaly and various degrees of regressive, regenerative and fibrotic changes. In older MTbGH and PCKbGH transgenic mice, hepatocellular neoplasms including both adenoma and carcinoma were frequently found in addition to non-neoplastic changes. Our study points out the suitability of GH transgenic mice to evaluate the effects of various levels of GH in long-term studies without having to take antibody production against the heterologous hormone into account. Findings in GH transgenic animals suggest that the long-term benefits and risks of GH therapy should be carefully evaluated.
Aging↗
The GH-transgenic mouse as an experimental model for growth research: clinical and pathological studies.
The objectives and the methodology of mammalian gene transfer are discussed and findings in growth hormone (GH) transgenic mice are reported to illustrate the potential offered by genetically designed animal models for investigations in various areas of biomedical research. Transgenic mice expressing hybrid genes composed of either human or bovine GH coding sequences fused to the mouse metallothionein I promoter show high serum levels of heterologous GH, increased growth rates and final adult size, decreased life expectancy and a variety of pathological changes.
Animals↗
Accelerated growth and visceral lesions in transgenic mice expressing foreign genes of the growth hormone family: an overview.
Effects of growth hormone (GH) overproduction were studied in transgenic mice expressing murine metallothionein I-GH fusion genes. The most obvious consequence was the acceleration of growth, which led to substantial increases in body weight of up to more than twice that seen in controls. Growth of the internal organs was stimulated, with hepatomegaly and nephromegaly as the most prominent features. GH transgene expression was also reflected in increased skeletal growth which affected various bones to different extents. The mean life-span of human GH transgenic mice with serum levels of hGH ranging from 3 x 10(3) to 9 x 10(5) ng/ml was drastically reduced at 160 days in both sexes. Severe renal lesions were the primary cause of the decrease in life expectancy and were characterized by marked nephron atrophy, obsolescence of numerous glomeruli, and a massive cystic dilation of the tubules. Initial changes involved the glomeruli, which showed significant enlargement and sclerotic lesions. The liver exhibited a pronounced hepatocellularmegaly and progressive degenerative as well as hyperplastic changes. One-third of the hGH transgenic animals displayed myocardial fibrosis. Hepatocellular carcinoma was found in bovine GH transgenic mice older than 12 months. Our observations are compared with results of other investigators.
Animals↗
Natural killer (NK) activity of porcine blood lymphocytes against allogeneic melanoma target cells.
Allogeneic PM/86 melanoma cells of Munich Troll miniature swine have been used for the demonstration of porcine peripheral blood NK cell activity. Compared with the specific lysis of xenogeneic K562-, U937- and Vero-target cells, NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity (NK-CMC) against PM/86 melanoma tumor cells was significantly lower in a 16 h chromium release assay. The target cell susceptibility to peripheral blood NK-CMC of both adult Troll miniature swine and German Landrace sows was very similar. Cold target inhibition assays revealed the allogeneic PM/86 melanoma cells to be the most powerful inhibitors of NK-CMC. Nylon wool non-adherent lymphocytes produced interferon (IFN)-alpha in different quantities upon contact with NK susceptible target cells. The NK effector cells could be stimulated to a higher lytic activity against all susceptible targets by a moderate dose of natural human interleukin-2 (nhuIL-2). The role of NK-CMC in melanoma tumor rejection and/or prevention of metastases is yet unknown in swine although porcine melanoma serves as a good model for the disease in man.
Animals↗
[Hypopituitarism as the possible cause of prolonged gestation in cattle].
Multiple malformations were shown in a bovine fetus delivered at slaughter after a gestation period of 469 days. Hypoplasia of the adenohypophysis and a bilateral agenesis of the adrenal cortex suggest that the failure of initiation of parturition resulted from a fetal deficiency of ACTH and glucocorticoid hormones. ACTH, GH (growth hormone) and prolactin could not be demonstrated immunohistochemically within the adenohypophysis. However, TSH immunoreactive pituitary cells were demonstrable. Nevertheless, considering the extremely reduced size of the adenohypophysis a fetal deficiency of TSH is suspected. This view is supported by a bilateral hypoplasia of the thyroid gland. Additionally, the complex fetal endocrine dysfunction had led to a growth retardation of the fetus.
Abnormalities, Multiple↗
Growth characteristics of metallothionein-human growth hormone transgenic mice as compared to mice selected for high eight-week body weight and unselected controls. I. Body weight gain and external body dimensions.
Body weight gain and external body dimensions of MT-hGH transgenic mice were compared with mice (NMRI) selected for high 8-week body weight (N8) and unselected controls derived from the NMRI strain (Pop). The growth curves from day 30 to 120 of transgenic mice exhibited a significantly steeper slope than those of male and female controls and of female N8 mice and did not show sex-related differences. The continuous pattern of GH secretion in transgenic mice is discussed as a possible reason for this phenomenon. Body weight gain of transgenic mice did not significantly exceed that of male N8 mice. None of the groups showed an obvious prolongation of the period of rapid daily weight gain. Maximum body weights of male and female transgenic mice were significantly higher than those of sex-matched controls but not of N8 mice. A drastic loss of body weight of about 25% of the maximum value was observed in the transgenic group prior to death. External body dimensions were largest in MT-hGH transgenic animals, followed by N8 mice and controls. In addition to these absolute measurements, values were related to the cube root of maximum body weight of the same animal. This is the first study that provides a comparative analysis of the effects of GH gene transfer and selection for body weight gain on body growth of mice derived from an outbred strain.
Animals↗
Growth characteristics of metallothionein-human growth hormone transgenic mice as compared to mice selected for high eight-week body weight and unselected controls. II. Skeleton.
Growth hormone and mechanical loading are known to be important factors influencing bone growth. We have measured proportions of the skull and the postcranial skeleton of metallothionein-human growth hormone (MT-hGH) transgenic mice expressing high levels of hGH in their serum, of NMRI mice being large as a result of selection for high 8-week body weight (N8), and of unselected controls (Pop) derived from the NMRI strain. Absolute bony dimensions of transgenic mice were as a rule significantly larger than those of controls, the differences ranging between 3% and 32% in males and from 6% to 28% in females. By contrast, the enlargement of skeletal dimensions of N8 mice did not exceed 10% and was restricted to distinct bones. When related to the cube root of maximum body weight of the same animal, bones of controls were as a rule larger than those of N8 and MT-hGH transgenic mice. A detailed analysis of bony dimensions of GH transgenic mice and of mice selected for high body weight was carried out to judge the effects of GH overexpression and mechanical loading due to increased body weight on bone growth. The fact that bones of transgenics were as a rule larger than those of selected mice in spite of both groups reaching similar maximum body weights, suggests that skeletal gigantism in MT-hGH transgenic mice can only in part be a result of increased body weight.
Animals↗
[Cervical hygroma in the calf as an absolute cause of dystocia. An unusual malformation possibly of hereditary genesis in Braunvieh x Brown-Swiss breeds].
Large cervical lymphocytes causing dystocia were observed in two Braunvieh x Brown-Swiss calves. The cysts were located on both sides of the neck and contained aqueous liquid. One of the animals was necropsied. The volumetric capacity of the cysts was 11 and 4 liters respectively. The hygroma are supposed to be the result of an interruption in the development of the lymphatic system resulting in the persistence of embryonic lymph sacs. Hypoplasia of the diaphragm, the pericardium and the mediastinum, and malformations of internal organs and the skeletal system were additional pathological findings. The lymphocysts and the other morphological anomalies, except those which may be explained as a consequence of cyst development are considered to be combined accidentally. Analysis of the pedigrees indicates that the lymphocysts may represent a hereditary malformation.
Abnormalities, Multiple↗
Chicken egg antibodies for prophylaxis and therapy of infectious intestinal diseases. II. In vitro studies on gastric and enteric digestion of egg yolk antibodies specific against pathogenic Escherichia coli strains.
Specific antibodies directed against enterotoxic E. coli strains from the yolk of immunized hens were exposed in vitro to the influence of varying digestive phenomena like reduction of pH and proteolytic digestion. The remaining antibody activity was tested in a specific ELISA system. It could be shown that already within the stomach a considerable loss in antibody activity caused by a lowering of pH and peptic cleavage can be expected. A further loss in antibody activity is due to the proteolytic effect of the pancreas proteases trypsin and chymotrypsin. It was found that antibodies in protein rich solutions like egg or yolk suspensions were more resistant than mere globulin fractions or antibodies isolated by affinity chromatography. Prospects for further in vivo tests are discussed.
Animals↗
Production of antibodies to canine distemper virus in chicken eggs for immunohistochemistry.
The present study describes the application of egg yolk antibodies in immunohistochemistry. In order to obtain specific antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV), chickens were immunized with attenuated virus. Distinct antibody titres in serum and yolk could be detected by means of a modified plaque/focus immunoassay (ELISA) two weeks after a second immunization. The lower concentrations in corresponding yolk globulin preparations are attributed to the loss of antibodies caused by the isolation procedure (dextran and ammonium sulfate precipitation). After verification of the antibody specificity by indirect immunofluorescence technique high titred globulin fractions were employed in immunohistochemistry using the Avidin-Biotin-Complex method. A specific and distinct immunostaining in formalin fixed and paraffin embedded brain sections of CDV-infected dogs was obtained. The advantages of egg yolk antibodies for immunological purposes are discussed in detail.
Animals↗
[Epidemic disease in a sheep herd with a possible relationship to a pestivirus].
In connection with a case of epidemic disease with high morbidity and mortality in a flock of sheep, a pestivirus infection could be diagnosed. Pathological-anatomical abnormalities were very similar to the character of BVD/MD. Scientific findings on pestivirus infections in sheep are discussed.
Animals↗