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Biomedical subjects

W Thiemann

Publications and source records attributed to W Thiemann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Gas chromatography for in situ analysis of a cometary nucleus. IV. Study of capillary column robustness for space application.

As part of the development of the European Space Agency Rosetta space mission to investigate a cometary nucleus, the selection of columns dedicated to the gas chromatographic subsystem of the Cometary Sampling and Composition (COSAC) experiment was achieved. Once the space probe launched, these columns will be exposed to the harsh environmental constraints of space missions: vibrations, radiation (by photons or energetic particles), space vacuum, and large temperature range. In order to test the resistance of the flight columns and their stationary phases, the columns were exposed to these rough conditions reproduced in the laboratory. The comparison of the analytical performances of the columns, evaluated prior and after the environmental tests, demonstrated that all the columns withstand space constraints, and that their analytical properties were preserved. Therefore, all the selected capillary columns, even having porous layer or chiral stationary phases, were qualified for space exploration.

Chromatography, Gas↗

Analysis of oxidative degradation products of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol treated with air ions.

The analysis of oxidative degradation products of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) treated with air ions, which are generated by electric discharge, is reported. Due to the complex nature of the degradation products, a combination of different detection techniques was employed to characterize them. The oxidative degradation of TCP is usually dependent on the treating approaches, and in this system, a stepwise degradation, beginning with the formation of a major product 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzenediol as well as other minor ones (e.g., 3,5-dichlorocatechol) via substitution, is first proposed through a detailed analysis of GC/MS, etc., though some chromogenic quinones can transiently be present. Furthermore, high dechlorination (53%) was observed for TCP after a 60-min treatment, indicating that air ions can serve as an efficient dechlorination means.

Air↗

Morphine self-administration in mu-opioid receptor-deficient mice.

Morphine-induced place preference was demonstrated recently in wild-type mice, whereas this conditioned behaviour was not observed in mu-opioid receptor-deficient mice. In the present study, we investigated locomotor effects of subcutaneously (s.c.) injected morphine as well as intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) morphine self-administration in mu-opioid receptor-knockout mice. After s.c. morphine injection, locomotor activity significantly increased in wild-type animals. As expected, in the self-administration test the rate of self-administration constantly increased in wild-type mice reflecting reward effects of morphine. This increase was independent of locomotor/motor activity. In contrast, self-administration rates and locomotor/motor activity significantly decreased in the receptor-deficient animals. It was shown that this aversive effect might partly be due to kappa-opioid receptor interaction.

Analysis of Variance↗

Pentylenetetrazol-kindling modulates stimulated dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens of rats.

Kindling-induced activation of dopaminergic neurones in the nucleus accumbens in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-kindled rats was studied using microdialysis. Dopamine (DA) release after PTZ challenge was measured: (1) two weeks and (2) ten weeks after kindling completion and (3) two weeks after a kindling procedure with diazepam (DZP) treatment. In (1) a significant increase in DA concentration was found after PTZ challenge and this increase was still evident 10 weeks after kindling completion (2). Coadministration of DZP in the course of kindling development inhibited the increase in sensitivity of the accumbens dopaminergic system (3).

Animals↗

Design of a multiple slice interface chamber and application for resolving the temporal pattern of CREB phosphorylation in hippocampal long-term potentiation.

We describe an improved method for the investigation of time-dependent intracellular events giving rise to long-lasting changes in synaptic efficacy. A new interface chamber for the simultaneous superfusion of approximately 30 rat hippocampal slices was designed. The slice chamber contains an upper and a lower medium reservoir connected by a grooved incubation platform which is mounted at an angle of 7 degrees on a thermoregulation unit. Surface slices placed in the chamber are perfused with oxygenated medium at a rate of 1 ml/min and are maintained synaptically viable for at least 6 h. At different time points after induction of long-term potentiation by stimulation of the Schaffer collateral pathway, slices were either fixed in Zamboni's fixative or the CA1 region was excised and lysed in boiling SDS-sample buffer. Fixed 400 microm hippocampal slices were cut into 30 microm sections and immunocytochemically stained with an anti-serine 133 phosphorylated cAMP-responsive element binding protein (pCREB) antibody. Binding of primary antibody was detected with the avidin-biotinylated peroxidase complex method and enhanced using peroxidase-catalyzed deposition of biotinylated tyramine. Staining was visualized with streptavidin-cyanine 3.18 and observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope. CA1 lysates were electrophoresed and subjected to Western blot analysis. Both pCREB immunocytochemical staining and Western blotting showed that CREB is rapidly and transiently phosphorylated after induction of long-term potentiation. pCREB levels peaked within 30 min and declined back to control after 60 min. Immunocytochemistry also showed that pCREB was localized to the nuclei of CA1 pyramidal cells near the tetanization site.

Animals↗

[Organochlorine pesticide residues in raw and roasted coffee and their degradation during the roasting process].

An analysis method for determination of organochloro pesticides in green and roasted coffees was developed. 17 Arabica and 2 Robusta coffees originating from 11 countries were investigated. With the exception of two samples the amounts of pesticide residues found in the green coffees were considerably lower than the amounts permitted, according to the "Höchstmengenverordnung". In 2 coffees no residues were detectable. The residues were reduced to insignificant amounts during the roasting process. The degradation rates ranged from 85% to 100%. Since the residues detected in all of the roasted coffees were insignificant, no further investigation of the corresponding beverages was necessary.

Chromatography, Gas↗

Aliphatic hydrocarbons as biological markers in 250-million-year-old rock salt deposits near Kassel, West Germany.

Organic matter sedimented within salt deposits from the Carboniferous Perm epoch has been investigated for hydrocarbons by gas-liquid-chromatography, mass spectrometry, and spectropolarimetry. Main constituents were made of aliphatic and olefinic hydrocarbons which retained a considerable part of their optical activity thus resisting complete racemization over 250 mio years.

Chromatography, Gas↗

[Apparative therapy of enuresis nocturna, experience and problems].

Eleven patients aged 5 7/12 to 15 9/12 years were treated with the "pillow wakener" (a device developed by the author and his associates) within the framework of an exploratory study of apparatus-assisted treatment of bed-wetting. The critical analysis of this device and form of therapy has as its objective to encourage investigators to make further studies in the field of treatment of bed-wetting. Particular difficulties such as technical deficiencies, the need for the interruption stimulus immediately following the activity of the bladder the problem of deep sleep, etc. are pointed out.

Adolescent↗

Life and chirality beyond the earth.

An attempt is made to show that the phenomenon of chirality- of which optical activity is but one consequence- is by no means restricted to life on Earth, but is common throughout the universe. Several independent sources have been investigated including: statistical fluctuations; stereoselective physical factors; and energetic differences between enantiomeric molecules. It is emphasised that a search for chirality as an indicator for life elsewhere in space provides an excellent tool for the fascinating question of exobiology. Still one must be aware of the limitations of the experimental methods and their interpretations.

Extraterrestrial Environment↗