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Biomedical subjects

W Hermann

Publications and source records attributed to W Hermann.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Contralateral and ipsilateral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in Parkinson patients].

In seven women and two men with Parkinson's disease, Hoehn and Yahr stage 1 or 2, the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was evaluated. Primary endpoint outcome measure was the changing of the motor items of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (subscale III of UP-DRS) 24 h after stimulation. Kinesiologic tests and writing samples were secondary outcome measures. After discontinuing all medication, stimulation was performed with 5 Hz at 90% of the motor threshold over the primary motor cortex of the more affected. There were 2250 stimuli applied, divided into 15 trains at intervals of 10 s. The identical treatment of the opposite side served as control treatment. Only treatment of the more affected side resulted in a significant improvement of the clinical symptoms of 46% as assessed by the UPDRS (p < 0.02). This effectiveness differed significantly from the control treatment (21%, p < 0.02). The kinesiological testing did not show any significant speeding of movements (p > 0.05). Some patients showed a normalisation of the previously disturbed handwriting specimen. These data confirm the previous observation that rTMS of primary motor regions leads to at least temporary clinical improvement of symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Dominance, Cerebral↗
PubMed2001

Differential alteration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system in Wilson's disease investigated with [123I]ss-CIT and high-resolution SPET.

Wilson's disease (WD) is a copper deposition disorder which can result in a number of extrapyramidal motoric symptoms such as parkinsonism. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate, for the first time, nigrostriatal dopaminergic function in WD in relation to different courses and severity of the disease. Using high-resolution single-photon emission tomography (SPET) after administration of 2ss-carbomethoxy-3ss-(4[123I]iodophenyl)tropane ([123I]ss-CIT), striatal dopamine transporters (DAT) were imaged in 43 WD patients and a control group of ten subjects. From the SPET images, specific [123I]ss-CIT binding ratios were obtained for the caudate heads, putamina and entire corpus striatum. In addition, to evaluate a putative dissociation between the caudate and putaminal [123I]ss-CIT binding ratios, the ratio between these binding ratios was calculated (CA/PU ratio). The SPET data were compared with clinical data on the course of the disease (CD), the severity of neurological symptoms and the degree of hepatic alteration. Whereas the specific regional [123I]ss-CIT binding ratios in patients with asymptomatic/hepatic CD did not differ from those in the control group (e.g. striatal ratios: 13.4+/-3.0 vs 11.7+/-2.8), in patients with neurological CD the ratios were significantly reduced for all striatal substructures (P=0.003 after one-factor ANOVA). For the different subgroups a tendency was detected towards a stepwise decrease in the specific [123I]ss-CIT binding ratios from pseudo-sclerosis CD (9.4+/-2.3), through pseudo-parkinsonian CD (9.1+/-2.1) to arrhythmic-hyperkinetic CD (8.5+/-1.6). However, these group differences reached significance only for the comparison with asymptomatic/hepatic CD (P=0.02). The CA/PU ratio was significantly higher in WD than in the control group (1.30+/-0.19 vs 1.11+/-0.08; P=0.003). Severity of neurological symptoms was significantly correlated with all specific regional [123I]ss-CIT binding ratios (r=-0.49 to -0.57). For degree of liver alteration, significant correlations were obtained with the putaminal binding ratio (r=-0.37) and the CA/PU ratio (r=0.44). From these results is concluded that in WD the nigrostriatal dopaminergic function is compromised to varying extents. The degree of this presynaptic alteration of dopaminergic neurotransmission depends on the clinical course and severity of this copper deposition brain disorder and also varies in the different striatal substructures.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

High prevalence of the H1069Q mutation in East German patients with Wilson disease: rapid detection of mutations by limited sequencing and phenotype-genotype analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Wilson disease is caused by a large number of different mutations in the ATP7B gene. Wilson disease patients from a homogeneous ethnical background (Saxonia) were studied for distribution and phenotypes of ATP7B mutations. METHODS: Eighty-two patients were analyzed. The H1069Q mutation was assayed by a polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism test. Exons 8 and 15 were sequenced in all, and the entire gene in 30, non-H1069Q-homozygotes. RESULTS: Four novel and 12 known mutations were found. Thirty-two (39%) Wilson disease patients were homozygous and 39 (48%) heterozygous for the H1069Q mutation (allele frequency 63%). Together with sequence analysis of exons 8 and 15 mutations in both alleles were identified in 65% of patients. Only one patient had both mutations at other locations. In H1069Q homozygotes symptoms started later (21.3+/-7.2 years) than in H1069Q compound heterozygotes (14.6+/-5.8, P<0.001) or H1069Q negatives (10+/-4.4, P<0.001), and they had more frequently neurologic symptoms (93 vs. 47%, P<0.001) and Kayser-Fleischer rings (82 vs. 51%, P<0.001). Mutation status did not correlate with liver biopsy findings, serum ceruloplasmin levels or (64)Cu-assay results. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of many known ATP7B mutations, only few occur in this homogeneous population. Limited genetic testing is useful to confirm Wilson disease in this population.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed2001

Influence of drug treatment on the microacidity in rat and human skin--an in vitro electron spin resonance imaging study.

PURPOSE: The possibilities of the noninvasive examination of microacidity (5) in different depths of the skin in vitro was explored, and the impact of drug treatment on the pH inside the skin was studied. METHODS: Spectral-spatial electron spin resonance imaging (ss-ESRI) and pH-sensitive nitroxides were used to obtain a pH map of rat and human skin in vitro. RESULTS: The dermal application of therapeutically used acids, such as salicylic acid and azelaic acid, caused a plain change of microacidity (pH) inside the skin. Species-linked differences between rat and human skin samples with respect to penetration and microacidity were found. CONCLUSIONS: ESRI has been shown to be a new and completely noninvasive method to monitor microacidity in different skin layers and on the skin surface. This nondestructive method allows serial measurements on skin samples to be performed without any preparatory steps.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Topical Mitomycin C for the prophylaxis of recurrent haze after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) - a pilotstudy of 5 patients].

PURPOSE: Corneal haze is a severe complication after excimer laser PRK and may lead to a compromised visual performance and regression. Currently, corticosteroids are topically applied to inhibit the appearance of haze. However, this therapy is not always successful in preventing haze. Various animal studies have shown that topical applied mitomycin C reduces keratocyte activity and collagen synthesis and subsequently haze. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have treated 5 patients (5 eyes) with severe haze and regression after PRK. In all eyes we have mechanically debrided the haze and 0.02 % mitomycin C was applied to the area of previous ablation for 1 minute. In 2 eyes we have only performed the debridement, whereas in 3 eyes we also have performed a re-PRK after the laser ablation the mitomycin was applied. The postop follow-up was 9 months. RESULTS: In all eyes the surgery and the postop time was without any complications. The haze could be removed in all eyes completely and in the entire postop period recurrent haze was not more than trace. Regression could be eliminated in the three eyes with a re-PRK, whereas the 2 eyes without re-PRK still remained myop. We could not observe any mitomycin C associated complications on the conjunctiva or cornea. CONCLUSION: Topical applied mitomycin C seems to be a promising therapy to prevent recurrent haze after a second PRK procedure. As mitomycin C can be associated with a variety of serious complications, it should only be used in patients with high risk of haze.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Hallervorden-Spatz disease: findings in the nigrostriatal system].

Hallervorden-Spatz disease (HSD), a rare extrapyramidal motor illness, is usually only confirmed after death. In vivo diagnosis has relied hitherto on the combination of typical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings (the "eye of the tiger" sign) and heterogeneous clinical symptoms of movement disorder which have been regarded as almost pathognomonic. We report on the diagnostic contribution of 123J-beta-CIT single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and 123J-IBZM SPECT in akinetic-rigid Parkinson's syndrome occurring in a case of HSD. In contrast to Parkinson's disease and multisystem atrophies, the results of both tests were normal. This constellation of findings shows that the degeneration lies primarily outside the nigrostriatal system, supporting arguments for the nosologic distinction of HSD from other extrapyramidal illnesses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Clinical and fine motor therapy assessment in Wilson disease].

At the time of diagnosis and after therapy, we examined 33 patients suffering from Wilson's disease. We applied a standardized diagnostic score system on the basis of clinical signs. Without observing any differences between pseudoparkinsonian and pseudosclerosis subtypes, patients with neurological symptoms significantly improved by 2.33 points. Patients with initially more severe symptoms showed the same improvement as less affected patients. Fine motor disturbances were evaluated using the V-scope system. Finger tapping and drawing a spiral were compared to values of a healthy control group (n = 52). Patients with neurological symptoms showed significantly decreased frequencies in both tests. The clinical score was related to frequencies in finger tapping but not in drawing a spiral. Therefore finger tapping can be used as an objective diagnostic tool to evaluate the severity of Wilson's disease, while spiral testing appears to be a sensitive screening tool.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Otolith-semicircular canal interaction during postrotatory nystagmus in humans.

The otolith-semicircular canal interaction during postrotatory nystagmus was studied in ten normal human subjects by applying fast, short-lasting, passive head and body tilts (15, 30, 45, or 90 degrees in the roll or pitch plane) 2 s after sudden stop from a constant-velocity rotation (100 degrees/s) about the earth-vertical axis in yaw. Eye movements were measured with three-dimensional magnetic search coils. Following the head tilt, activity in the semicircular canal primary afferents continues to reflect the postrotatory angular velocity vector in head-centered coordinates, whereas otolith primary afferents signal a different orientation of the head relative to gravity. Despite the change in head orientation relative to gravity, postrotatory eye velocity decayed closely along the axis of semicircular canal stimulation (horizontal in head coordinates) for large head tilts (90 degrees) and also for small head tilts (15-45 degrees) for reorientations in the pitch plane. Only for small head tilts (15-45 degrees) in the roll plane was there a reorientation of the eye rotation axis toward the gravitational vector. This reorientation was approximately compensatory for 15 degrees head tilts. For 30 degrees and 45 degrees head tilts the eye rotation axis tilted toward the gravitational vector by about the same amount as for 15 degrees head tilts. These results suggest that, with the exception of small head tilts in the roll plane, there was no compelling data showing a relationship between the eye rotation axis and head tilt and that postrotatory nystagmus is largely organized in head-centered rather than gravity-centered coordinates in humans. This indicates a rudimentary, nonlinear, and direction-specific interaction of semicircular canal and otolith signals in the central vestibular system in humans.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The influence of head position and head reorientation on the axis of eye rotation and the vestibular time constant during postrotatory nystagmus.

Reorienting the head with respect to gravity during the postrotatory period alters the time course of postrotatory nystagmus (PRN), hastening its decline and thereby reducing the calculated vestibular time constant. One explanation for this phenomenon is that the head reorientation results in a corresponding reorientation of the axis of eye rotation with respect to head coordinates. This possibility was investigated in 10 human subjects whose eye movements were monitored with a three-dimensional magnetic field - search - coil technique using a variety of head reorientation paradigms in a randomized order during PRN following the termination of a 90 degrees/s rotation about earth vertical. Average eye velocities were calculated over two time intervals: from 1 s to 2 s and from 7 s to 8 s after cessation of head rotation. The time constant was estimated as one third of the duration of PRN. For most conditions, a reorientation of the head with respect to gravity 2 s after the rotation had stopped did not significantly alter the direction of the eye velocity vector of PRN with respect to head coordinates. This strongly indicates that, in humans, PRN is mainly stabilized in head coordinates and not in space coordinates, even if the otolith input changes. This finding invalidates the notion that the shortening of PRN due to reorientation of the head could be due to a change of the eye velocity vector towards a direction (torsion), which is not detectable with the eye recording methods (electrooculography) used in earlier studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Time estimation and the experience of time in endogenous depression (Melancholia): an experimental investigation.

The importance of disturbances in time experience in endogenous depression (melancholia) has long been under discussion. In the present study alterations of time experience were examined by means of time estimation experiments. 25 endogenous depressive patients (according to ICD-9) underestimated prospectively a 30-second interval by 6 s, whereas 12 healthy controls overestimated this interval by more than 10 s. The results are based on eight successive measurements over a period of 2 days. In the endogenous depressives, a feeling of being unwell was accompanied by a more pronounced time estimation error than a relatively good state of well-being. The influence of various patient data on the results of time estimation is also discussed in detail. The findings show clearly that time estimation provides a satisfactory delineation between depressive patients and healthy controls.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

[Hypercarotenemia, amenorrhea and a vegetarian diet].

In order to analyse the role of hypercarotenemia in amenorrhoea, we have studied the ovarian function of 20 patients presenting with hypercarotenemia (serum carotene greater than 5 mumol/l). 12 of these were complaining of secondary amenorrhoea (group I), 7 with a normal weight (group I A) and 5 with a weight below 85% of ideal weight (group I B). Another group of 8 patients had normal menstrual cycles and a body weight within normal limits (group II). Group I presented an ovarian insufficiency of hypothalamic origin with an increase in the FSH/LH ratio. The patients in group I A although of normal weight differed from group II by a history of important weight variations, strenuous sports activity and an essentially vegetarian diet, the most likely reason for their hypercarotenemia. The high carotene levels however do not seem to be directly responsible for the amenorrhoea, in view of the normal menstrual cycles of the patients in group II. Hypercarotenemia can be considered as a biologic marker of weight loss with fat mobilisation and low T3 levels. It can also be due to a vegetarian diet. The latter may be an aetiological factor in anovulation by increasing faecal excretion of oestrogens and thus decreasing blood levels of oestradiol particularly when associated with other compounding factors such as excessive physical activity, loss of weight or affective problems.

Amenorrhea↗
PubMed1989

Hamartoma of the spleen with haematological symptoms.

We report the case of a 29 year old male patient with a splenic hamartoma suffering from infections, anaemia and thrombocytopenia. Shortly after surgical removal of the tumour the blood cell count was within normal range. Hamartomas of the spleen are rare benign tumour-like lesions composed mainly of vascular elements. Most of them remain small in size and asymptomatic and are therefore incidental findings at laparotomy or autopsy. However, occasionally they present with symptoms, among which haematological disturbances appear in very few cases; only 16 cases of splenic hamartomas with haematological symptoms are described in the literature. The major symptoms were anaemia and/or thrombocytopenia as well as frequent infections. After removal of these lesions the symptoms disappeared.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Preparative high-performance liquid chromatography of peptides on a new reversed-phase packing material, Kromasil C18.

Preparative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography has found wide use in the production of peptides for pharmaceutical formulations. Purity of the substance and overall economy of the chromatographic system are the most important criterias. In this sense optimized, silica particles and production process with capability to separately control parameters important to chromatography, are essential to high-performance chromatography. Kromasil C18 packing material was tested and evaluated in respect of its selectivity, flow and pressure properties, resolution, load capacity, recovery, adsorption effects, mechanical strength and chemical degradation.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1985

Cytochemical study of macrophage lysosomal inorganic trimetaphosphatase and acid phosphatase.

Cytochemical investigations have associated acid inorganic trimetaphosphatase (TMPase) activity with the lysosomes of certain cell types. We have used the modified staining technique of Berg to show that this enzyme activity is present in normal mononuclear phagocytes and macrophage cell lines. We have found this enzyme activity to be present in murine RAW264 macrophages, in human U937 macrophages, in normal human blood monocytes, and in guinea pig peritoneal macrophages. All of the RAW264 and U937 macrophages showed intense TMPase activity. Many of the human monocytes and most of the guinea pig macrophages were labeled by this method. The reaction product was associated with the lysosomes of these cell types. The lysosomal staining-pattern was similar to that of acid phosphatase. Differences with regard to Golgi staining were noted. This indicates that TMPase is a lysosomal enzyme of mammalian macrophages. The distinction between TMPase and acid phosphatase activity has been demonstrated by measuring the pH optimum of each enzyme. Using substrates identical to those of the ultrastructural cytochemistry, we show that the pH optimum of TMPase is 4.0 and that of acid phosphatase is 5.0. The enzymatic activities are therefore ultrastructurally and biochemically distinct. Following phagocytosis of latex, yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), or Corynebacterium parvum, TMPase has been found to be associated with phagosomes. This enzyme may take part in the degradation of phagocytosed materials, particularly microorganisms which contain inorganic polyphosphates and metaphosphates.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗