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Biomedical subjects

S Foerster

Publications and source records attributed to S Foerster.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Kidney transplantation substantially improves endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are involved in endothelial repair and maintenance. Dysfunction of EPC may contribute to accelerated arteriosclerosis in chronic kidney disease. Kidney transplantation (KTx) improves both survival and endothelial function of dialysis patients. In a prospective study, we tested to which extent KTx changes EPC biology. We studied number and function (migratory activity, adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins and to mature endothelial cells [EC]) of EPC in 20 patients during dialysis and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after KTx. Twenty-two healthy volunteers served as matched controls. Circulating precursor populations were measured by flow cytometric analysis. Cytokines relevant for EPC mobilization were monitored. Compared to the dialysis state, KTx increased the migration of EPC to approximately 2-fold. Adhesion to fibronectin and to collagen type IV was significantly increased after KTx. An improved adhesion rate of EPC to mature EC was observed. The number of EPC decreased. The amount of precursor populations showed no difference compared to the pretransplant state. Our study shows an improved function of EPC after KTx. This finding indicates an improved potential for endothelial repair which in turn may contribute to enhanced endothelial function and reduced cardiovascular morbidity after KTx.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Endothelial dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is associated with a reduced number and impaired function of endothelial progenitor cells.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality attributable to accelerated atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. OBJECTIVE: To determine the role played by endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in the defence system against arteriosclerosis. METHODS: The number and function of EPC in 13 young patients with RA with low disease activity (DAS28 3.5 (0.3)) and 13 healthy control subjects was studied. Endothelial function was investigated by agonist-induced, endothelium dependent vasodilatation measured by the forearm blood flow technique. Migratory activity and adhesion of EPC to tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) activated mature endothelial cells and components of the extracellular matrix were tested in vitro. Putative precursor populations (CD34(+), CD34(+)/CD133(+), and CD34(+)/KDR(+) haematopoietic stem cells) were measured by flow cytometric analysis. RESULTS: Acetylcholine-induced, endothelium dependent vasodilatation was reduced by about 50% in patients with RA, indicating endothelial dysfunction, whereas endothelium-independent vasodilatation in response to glyceryl trinitrate was at control level. Significantly reduced numbers of EPC were found in the patients compared with controls. Migratory activity of EPC was decreased in patients with RA. Adhesion to mature endothelial cells after activation with TNFalpha was enhanced only in controls. The adhesion to matrix proteins and the number of putative precursor cell lineages was comparable in both groups. CONCLUSION: Endothelial dysfunction in patients with RA with low grade inflammation is associated with a reduced number and partial dysfunction of EPC. Further studies are needed to explore whether interventions that potentially ameliorate the number and function of EPC also improve endothelial function in these patients.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2001

A simple and non-invasive vacuum mouthpiece-based head fixation system for high precision radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate why conventional non-invasive mouthpiece-based fixation has not achieved the expected accuracy and to suggest a solution of the problem. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Vogele Bale Hohner (VBH) head holder is a non-invasive vacuum mouthpiece-based head fixation system. Feasibility and repositioning accuracy were evaluated by portal image analysis in 12 patients with cranial tumors intended for stereotactic procedures, fixated with the newest version (VBH HeadFix-ARC). RESULTS: Portal image analysis (8 patients evaluated in 2-D, 4 patients in 3-D) showed that even in routine external beam radiation therapy, treatment can be applied to within a mean 2-D and 3-D accuracy of under 2 mm (SD 0.92 mm and 1.2 mm, respectively) with cost and repositioning time per patient and patient comfort comparable to that of common thermoplastic masks. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results show that high repositioning accuracy does not rule out simple and quick application and patient comfort. Paramount, however, is tensionless repositioning via the vacuum mouthpiece.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

Review of evaluation tools used to assess the impact of nutrition education on dietary intake and quality, weight management practices, and physical activity of low-income audiences.

Nutrition education programs and social marketing campaigns frequently focus on low-income audiences with the goal of improving dietary intake and quality, weight management practices, and physical activity. The impact of nutrition education can be assessed by measuring change in relation to any or all of these broad variables. Unfortunately, little information is available concerning the reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of measures used to assess these constructs with low-income audiences of adults and adolescents. This article reviews the literature and discusses the types of available measures that have been used and evaluated for the above audiences. It describes specific measures used to assess total diet, consumption of food groups from the Food Guide Pyramid, and behaviors related to weight management and physical activity. Overall, this review suggests that there is a critical need for additional development and evaluation of dietary quality measurement tools for low-income and minority audiences.

Body Weight↗
PubMed2001

Spectroscopic investigation and determination of reactivity and structure of the tetraheme cytochrome c3 from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans Essex 6.

Cytochrome c3, a small (14-kDa) soluble tetraheme protein was isolated from the periplasmic fraction of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans strain Essex 6. Its major physiological function appears to be that of an electron carrier for the periplasmic hydrogenase. It has been also shown to interact with the high-molecular-mass cytochrome complex in the cytoplasmic membrane, which eventually feeds electrons into the membraneous quinone pool, as well as with the membrane-associated dissimilatory sulfite reductase. The EPR spectra show features of four different low-spin Fe(III) hemes. Orthorhombic crystals of cytochrome c3 were obtained and X-ray diffraction data were collected to below 2 A resolution. The structure was solved by molecular replacement using cytochrome c3 from D. desulfuricans ATCC 27774 as a search model.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

The national 5 A Day for Better Health Program: a large-scale nutrition intervention.

As cancer gains on heart disease as the leading cause of death, there is increased urgency to improve the current diet that contributes to 35 percent of cancer deaths. Lacking have been consensus about the strength of the science base, political will, resources, and conceptualization about what can be done in communities to change dietary behaviors. Over the past 10 years, the 5 A Day for Better Health Program has emerged as the major population-based initiative for nutrition and cancer prevention. The 5 A Day Program is a national theory-based program that approaches Americans with a simple, positive message: eat five or more servings of fruit and vegetables daily as part of a low-fat, high-fiber diet. This article describes the elements and theories woven into the national 5 A Day Program, provides a description of the important components of the program, and outlines the issues that will face dietary change initiatives in the future.

Community Participation↗
PubMed1995

Environmental and policy approaches to cardiovascular disease prevention through nutrition: opportunities for state and local action.

This article reviews environmental and policy intervention approaches to cardiovascular disease prevention through nutrition and recommends opportunities for state and local health departments to initiate and participate in environmental and nutrition policy initiatives. By addressing these complementary aims, the authors hope to stimulate further efforts to achieve progress in nutrition promotion among state and local health-related organizations. Key categories of opportunity to develop new or expanded nutrition policies and environmental strategies include economic incentives, food assistance and feeding programs, regulations for institutional food service operations, and nutrition services in health care. Environmental strategies to reduce barriers to following dietary guidelines, such as point-of-choice programs and school nutrition programs, should be tailored for local communities and widely disseminated. In addition, current federal policy efforts, notably nutrition labeling rules, will provide a valuable focal point for state and local advocacy, education, and monitoring.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed1989

Crane hepatitis herpesviruses.

Comparative studies were performed on crane herpesviruses obtained from two different enzootics in Austria and France. The examined viruses appear to be identical in their physico-chemical properties, morphology and biological reactions in ovo. The crane viruses are tentatively classified as beta-herpesviruses. Crane herpesvirus antisera produced in rabbits reacted in cross neutralization tests with each other and with a herpesvirus obtained from a bobwhite quail. No reactivity was observed with other avian herpesviruses and with human herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Progress toward meeting the 1990 nutrition objectives for the nation: nutrition services and data collection in state/territorial health agencies.

Promoting Health, Preventing Disease, Objectives for the Nation, specifies nutrition as a priority area for improving the health of Americans by 1990. Eleven of the 15 nutrition objectives target adults or the public while four address pregnant and lactating women, infants, and children. To determine progress by states toward achieving the nutrition objectives, the Association of State and Territorial Public Health Nutrition Directors conducted a survey in 1985 to which 54 state and territorial nutrition directors responded. Three-fourths of the nutrition personnel focused efforts on maternal and child populations, and were supported largely by federal funds from the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. Only 15 per cent were funded by state and local sources. While most agencies reported using nutrition consultation in adult health programs, only 25 per cent paid for these personnel. Data to monitor progress were commonly available for only five of the 15 objectives. Achievement of the nutrition objectives by states will require a more comprehensive approach to nutrition programming with increased allocation of appropriate resources and expansion of health data systems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Survey of nutritionists in state and local public health agencies.

A spring 1985 survey of 50 state and four territorial public health nutrition directors identified 2,931 budgeted positions for public health nutritionists--1,128 in state agencies and 1,803 in local health departments. To achieve the recommended staffing ratio of one public health nutritionist per 50,000 population, an estimated 1,827 more public health nutritionists are needed nationwide with more needed in some states than in others. About half of the state personnel systems require registration or registration eligibility to assure expertise of public health nutrition personnel; about one-third also require graduate training in public health for leadership, planning, and policymaking positions. Sixty-two percent of the funding for state and local health agency nutritionist positions is from the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). When that is added to the 11% of funds from the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, 73% of the public health nutritionist positions are federally supported to serve women of childbearing age, infants, and children. That leaves the remaining state and local funding sources and the federal Prevention Block Grant (2%) to pay salaries of nutritionists to serve the general public, including men, postmenopausal women, and the elderly.

Data Collection↗