差速贴壁法原代培养椎间盘髓核细胞中的应用优势

BACKGROUND: As the main function cell of intervertebral disc, nucleus pulposus cells are the focus of studying the degenerative mechanism; thereby, it is crucial to maintaining the physiological function of nucleus pulposus cells in vitro and the stability of the cell phenotype. OBJECTIVE: To study the excellence of differential velocity adherent procedure in primary culture of nucleus pulposus cells of rat intervertebral disc through comparison. METHODS: Twenty male Wistar rats aged 4 weeks were enrolled, and then nucleus pulposus cells of intervertebral disc were isolated and cultured in vitro; cell passage culture was performed in different groups when the primary cells were merged to 90%. Differential velocity adherent group cells adhered for 30 minutes, and non-adherent cells were aspirated and transferred to new culture dish after readjusting the concentration; the controls received no intervention. Passages 1 and 2 cells in the differential velocity adherent group were isolated and purified by the same procedure. The morphology of three generations of cells in the two groups was compared, the purity of the identification was detected by immunohistochemistry, the cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 and the cell growth curve was drawn. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Inverted phase contrast microscope and hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed that the cell homogeneity of the differential velocity adherent group was significantly higher than that of the control group, and there were more kinds of fibroblast-like cells in nucleus pulposus cells in the control group. Identification and purity analysis of collagen type II showed that the cytoplasm of two groups were both stained brown, indicating that they were the nucleus pulposus chrondrocytes. The positive rate of differential velocity adherent group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The cell growth curve of cell counting kit-8 showed cells in the two groups all passed by the latency phase within 2 days, then to the logarithmic phase of 3 days, and entered the lag phase, while the growth rate of the control group was more rapid during the latency and the early logarithmic phases. These findings suggest that differential velocity adherence method is a practical and effective procedure for the isolation and purification of primary cultured rat nucleus pulposus cells. Through the primary culture, twice differential velocity adherence procedure, the passage 3 rat nucleus pulposus cells are metabolic exuberant, consistent with the phenotype, the cell purity is higher, and the logarithmic growth phase can be used as the optimal time for studying the mechanism of intervertebral disc cells. 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

生长分化因子5诱导脂肪干细胞向软骨细胞的转化

BACKGROUND: Growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF5) has been shown to play a crucial role in the development of chondrocytes via different regulatory mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of GDF5 on the chondrogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). METHODS: ADSCs in passage 4 isolated from Japanese White rabbits were cultured in the medium containing 0 (blank control group), 10, 50, 100, 150 and 200 μg/L, respectively. The morphological changes were observed, and the optimal concentration of GDF-5 was screened, and its round coverslips at 1, 2 and 3 weeks of culture were selected to undergo immunocytochemistry, toluidine blue staining and immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The growth of ADSCs was stable in the medium containing 10 and 50 μg/L GDF5, while apoptotic cells appeared after induction with 200 μg/L GDF5. In the medium containing 100 and 150 μg/L GDF5, some spindle-shaped cells changed into irregular shape, and became round or oval after 7-10 days of culture. The optimal concentration of GDF5 was 100 μg/L. The cells transfected by 100 μg/L GDF5 were positive for type II collagen obviously and with blue-stained nucleus. The transfected cells were positive for toluidine blue, and metachromatic granules were visible in the cytoplasm. The proteoglycan mRNA expression of the transfected cells was significantly increased, and reached the highest at 3 weeks. These results suggest that GDF5 promotes the chondrocytic differentiation of ADSCs. 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

人类脂肪来源成体干细胞体外定向成软骨的诱导实验

Objective To investigate the feasibility of inducing human adipose derived adult stem cells (hADASc) into chondrocytes by gene transfection.Methods hADASc were cultured in vitro, and transfected with gene PGL3-TGF-pl, whose Luceferase activity (RUL value) was measured.PT-PCR was used to monitor the expression of tranfected hADASc.Anti collagen II immunohistochemical staining was performed in the experimental group (transfected hADASc) , active control group (untransfected hADASc cultured in chondrocytes induction medium) and negative control group (untransfected hADASc cultured in conventional medium).The immuno-staining image was analyzed with an automated imaging analysis system and computed for PU values.Results Nucleated tissue cells with features of stem cells were isolated from in vitro culture of human subcutaneous adipose tissue.The RUL value of the experimental group (9 212.583±315.240) was higher than that of the control group(317.000?0.710, P＜0.01).RT-PCR revealed that the transfected hADASc could express the TGF-β1.Anti collagen Ⅱ immunohistochemical staining was positive in experimental group and active control group, with PU values (13.864±2.416 and 13.637±2.548,respectively) statistically different from that of the negative control group (6.013 ±0.827, P＜0.05).Conclusions Nucleated tissue cells with features of stem cells can be isolated from culture of human subcutaneous adipose tissue in vitro.The PGL3-TGF-β1-transfected hADASc may express TGF-β1.The endogenous TGF-β1-induced hADASc produces collagen Ⅱ , with similar actions of exogenous TGF-β1.     

猪心脏瓣膜成肌纤维细胞的分离、鉴定与培养

BACKGROUND: Valvular interstitial cells are the main components of the heart valves. Myofibroblasts, as a kind of valvular interstitial cells, can express alpha-smooth muscle actin and type I collagen fiber, and hold differentiation potential. These cells cannot only play a support role in the valve structure, but also play a regulatory role in the process of the valve normal physiological and pathological responses. OBJECTIVE:To obtain a reliable method of separation, primary culture and identification of myofibroblasts laying a foundation for further study on the cardiac valvular calcification. METHODS: Aortic valve myofibroblas extracted from porcine hearts were primary cultured by trypsin and collagenase combined digestive method, common enzyme-digestion method and tissue-culture method, respectively. The myofibroblast activity and morphology were observed using microscope, and myofibroblasts were identified using light microscope and immunocytochemistrial method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Myofibroblasts had a higher activity and purity cultured by trypsin combined with collagenase II digestion method. Aortic valve myofibroblasts were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and negative for von Willebrand factor under fluorescence microscope, suggesting that myofibroblasts were successfully obtained. 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

大鼠皮质少突胶质细胞培养条件的优化

BACKGROUND: Oligodendrocytes are mostly differentiated from oligodendrocyte precursor cells. A suitable medium and cell seeding density have a significant impact on the process of the isolation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells to obtain oligodendrocytes. OBJECTIVE: To explore the optimization of oligodendrocyte culture conditions. METHODS: Oligodendrocyte precursor cells isolated from the newborn rats 48 hours after birth were cultured in DMEM/high glucose medium or DMEM/F12 medium using seeding densities of 2×104 cells/cm2, 4×104 cells/cm2, 8×104 cells/cm2, 16×104 cells/cm2, 32×104 cells/cm2, and 64×104 cells/cm2, respectively. Oligodendrocyte precursor cells were induced to differentiate into oligodendrocytes at 72 hours after cell adhesion. Morphology of differentiated oligodendrocyte precursor cells were observed under a light microscope, and the differentiation results were identified by immunofluorescence staining after 7-day induced differentiation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Morphology of oligodendrocyte precursor cells were recognized when cultured in DMEM/high glucose medium or DMEM/F12 medium using seeding densities of 2×104 cells/cm2, 4×104 cells/cm2, and 8×104 cells/cm2, respectively. Immunofluorescence staining showed that myelin basic protein-positive cells were found after 7-day induced differentiation, and the positive cell number were 16.40±3.30, 49.95±2.33, and 76.95±4.86 in DMEM/F12 medium, and 12.65±2.53, 32.10±1.17, and 54.05±1.56 in DMEM/high glucose medium (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that DMEM/F12 medium is more suitable for culturing oligodendrocyte precursor cells compared with DMEM/high glucose medium to some extent. The number of differentiated oligodendrocytes was gradually increased with the enhanced seeding density of oligodendrocyte precursor cells, and the seeding densities from 4×104 to 8×104 cells/cm2 were appropriate for the observation of cell morphology. 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

Platelet-rich plasma combined with naringin induces osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells In vitro北大核心

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and naringin can both promote proliferation and induce osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. However, their combined use is rarely reported. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of PRP combined with naringin on the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) in vitro. METHODS: BMSCs at passage 3 were divided into four groups: (1) blank control group, cells were cultured in α-MEM; (2) PRP group, cells were cultured in α-MEM containing PRP; (3) naringin group, cells were cultured in α-MEM containing naringin; and (4) combined group, cells were cultured in a-MEM containing PRP and naringin. The contents oO used PRP and naringin were 12.5% and 50 µg/L respectively. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. Expression oO related genes in hBMSCs was detected by RT-PCR. Alkaline phosphatase staining, collagen type I immunohistochemical staining, and alizarin red staining were used to analyze the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The proliferation of hBMSCs was increased in each group, especially in the combined group. Cells in all the groups oxcept the blank control group were positive for alkaline phosphatase staining, collagen type I immunohistochemical staining, and alizarin red staining, and the positive effect was more obvious in the combined group. However, negative or weakly positive response was found in the blank control group. At 7 and 14 days, the expression of alkaline phosphatase and collagen type I was significantly higher in the PRP, naringin and combined groups than the blank control group (P < 0.05); at 14 days, the expression of alkaline phosphatase and collagen type I was significantly higher in the combined group than the PRP and naringin groups (P < 0.05). To conclude, PRP combined with naringin can promote the proliferation of hBMSCs and induce the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. Moreover, there is a synergistic effect between PRP and naringin. © 2018, Journal of Clinical Rehabilitative Tissue Engineering Research. All rights reserved.     

一氧化氮及一氧化氮合酶抑制剂对髓核细胞线粒体功能的影响

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide can interfere with the function of mitochondria, and accelerate the intervertebral disc damage and degeneration by interfering with the release of inflammatory cytokines. Nitric oxide is an important inflammatory cell medium leading to degeneration of intervertebral disc induced by pressure and other external factors. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effect of nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor niacinamide on mitochondrial function and its association with biological behavior of rabbit nucleus pulposus. METHODS: Cultured nucleus pulposus cells of rabbit lumbar intervertebral disc were randomly divided into six groups: normal blank control group, 10 μmol/L sodium nitroprusside group, 100 μmol/L sodium nitroprusside group, 200 μmol/L sodium nitroprusside group, 0.05 g/L nicotinamide group (100 μmol/L sodium nitroprusside+0.05g/L nicotinamide), and 0.5 g/L nicotinamide group (100 μmol/L sodium nitroprusside and 0.5 g/L nicotinamide). Different doses of nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside and nicotinamide were added in the medium of each group. Three days after intervention, cell proliferation activity, intracellular ATP concentration, cell nitric oxide synthase activity, cellular reactive oxygen species level, and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) After 3 days of rabbit nucleus pulposus cells intervened by different concentrations of sodium nitroprusside, intracellular nitric oxide synthase content increased with sodium nitroprusside volume increase, and ATP concentration decreased along with sodium nitroprusside volume increase; there were significantly differences between the normal control group and sodium nitroprusside groups (P < 0.01). (2) Reactive oxygen species could be increased in the sodium nitroprusside group. Niacinamide groups indicated a dose-dependent manner to improve the increase of cellular reactive oxygen species levels with sodium nitroprusside intervention (P < 0.01). (3) In the sodium nitroprusside groups, nucleus pulposus cell membrane potential decreased. In the niacinamide groups, sodium nitroprusside- induced decline in mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced (P < 0.01). (4) Niacinamide groups also indicated a dose-dependent manner to improve the proliferative activity of nucleus pulposus cells as compared with sodium nitroprusside groups (P < 0.01). Significant differences were determined between the two groups (P < 0.01). (5) Results suggest that the excess nitric oxide can damage mitochondrial metabolic function of rabbit nucleus pulposus cells and cause cell energy metabolism. Niacinamide can reverse these damages by inhibiting nitric oxide synthesis, thereby contributing to the prevention against intervertebral disc degeneration. 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

髓核细胞凋亡调控中的MicroRNA-182

BACKGROUND: Previous study has found that hsa-miR-182 is probably related to the apoptosis-related genes such as cytochrome C (Cycs C) and calcineurin subunit CnB (PPP3R1) in nucleus pulposus cells. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether miR-182 plays a regulatory role in nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis by detecting the relative gene expression levels after transfecting miR-182 with Cycs C and PPP3R1 into nucleus pulposus cells via plasmid delivery. METHODS: After a bioinformatics prediction about miR-182, miR-182 and target genes were transfected into the nucleus pulposus cells, and at the same time, blank control group was established. Then the expression levels of the target genes were detected through cell lysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: miR-182 significantly inhibited the expression of Cycs C in nucleus pulposus cells compared with the blank control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the blank control group, miR-182 made no inhibitory effect on the expression of PPP3R1. These findings suggest that miR-182 may play a regulatory part in nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis by inhibiting the expression of Cycs C. 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

体外静水压环境下细胞因子诱导骨髓间充质干细胞向髓核样细胞分化

BACKGROUND: Differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells is induced by integrated factors. In vitro interaction of cytokine complex and certain cell mechanical stimulation is carried out to further improve the efficiency of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells differentiating into nucleus pulposus-like cells.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into nucleus pulposus-like cells induced by transforming growth factor-β1 and insulin-like growth factor-1 under hydrostatic pressure.METHODS:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from adult rats were separated, cultured and purified in vitro. Passage 3 cells were induced in vitro with transforming growth factor-β1 and insulin-like growth factor-1 under hydrostatic pressure (hydrostatic pressure group), with transforming growth factor-β1 and insulin-like growth factor-1 under normal pressure (drug group), or with normal culture medium under normal pressure (blank control group).RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At day 14 after culture, polygonal nucleus pulposus-like cells were observed in the hydrostatic pressure group, but irregular cells in the drug group. There was no obvious change in the blank control group. Levels of collagen type II and DNA were higher in the hydrostatic pressure group than the other two groups. These findings indicate that the combination of transforming growth factor-β1 and insulin-like growth factor-1 can successfully induce the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into nucleus pulposus-like cells under hydrostatic pressure, and the differentiation efficiency is higher under hydrostatic pressure than under normal pressure.  中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

结缔组织生长因子诱导人肾小管上皮细胞向间充质细胞转化的实验研究

Objective To investigate the role of connective tissue growth factor ( CTGF) in epithelial mesenchymal transition of HK-2 cells in vitro.Methods HK-2 cells were randomly divided into two groups; (1) control group including cells cultured in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum only; and (2) experimental group including cells cultured in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and recombinant CTGF at a final concentration of 5 p-g/L The cells were collected at 72 h time points.Direct immunoiluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the E-cadherin,Vimentin,α-SMA and ERK2 in cells.Western-blotting was used to detect the E-cadherin,Vimentin and ERK2 protein expression.Boyden Chamber was used to detect the migration of tubular endothelium at 1 d,3 d and S d.Results There were less E-cadherin but more Vimentin expressed in cells of the experimental group.The presence of α-SMA was detected at 48 h with peak at 72 h in the cells of the experimental group.On the first day,the cellular migration in the two groups showed no difference.However,after 3 days,the transformed cells migrated surpassed the control group with peak at the 5th day [ (45.0±1.1) : (14.0±1.2),P < 0.05 ) ].Conclusion Connective tissue growth factor induces mesenchymal transformation of HK-2 cells,in which the ERK2 signaling pathway may play an important role.     

Schizophrenia in a North Swedish geographical isolate, 1900–1977. Epidemiology, genetics and biochemistry

Over 200 schizophrenic patients belonging to three major and interrelated pedigree complexes have been investigated over the past 30 years in a North Swedish geographically isolated population, presently numbering about 6,000. An intensive investigation of a number of biochemical correlates and genetic markers in a few selected families belonging to one of the major pedigrees has indicated new strategies for the current research program.
Schizophrenia, as defined operationally, is significantly associated with decreased activities of two enzymes (1) blood platelet monoamine oxidase, (2) plasma dopamine-β-hydroxylase, and (3) with the genetic marker Gc² (group specific antigen). Both enzymes are subject to genetic variation. A positive score for linkage between schizophrenia and low plasma DBH activity has been calculated, but, so far, available data are insufficient for discrimination between linkage and partial contribution of genetically controlled low plasma DBH to the pathogenesis of the disease. Alternatively, both mechanisms could be involved.
As a model for continued research, schizophrenia is explained as based on a double dominant-recessive genotype (Aabb), representing a vulnerability which in about 50 % of cases develops into clinical schizophrenia. It is suggested that the dominant mutation (A) operates on or affects MAO activity, and that the recessive genotype (bb) is instrumental in low variates of DBH activity and very likely such variates within the normal range of physiological variation. Moreover, it is suggested that the combined effects of MAO- and DBH-reduced efficiency on the metabolism of e.g. dopamine could be an essential pathogenic mechanism for the schizophrenic illness which is segregating in this population.     

The dominant diseases of modernized societies as omega-3 essential fatty acid deficiency syndrome: Substrate beriberi

About 1900, modern food selection and processing caused widespread $\text{epidemics}$ of the B vitamin deficiency diseases of beriberi and pellagra which, for genetic reasons, often expressed as different diseases ranging from bowel and heart disease to dermatoses and psychoses. But the B vitamins merely help convert essential fatty acids (EFA) into the prostaglandin (PG) tissue regulators and it now turns out that, through hydrogenation, milling and selection of w3-poor southern foods, we have also been systematically depleting, by as much as 90%, a newly discovered trace Nordic EFA (w3) of special importance to primates and sole precursor of the PG3(4) series, even as a concurrent fiber deficiency increases body demand for EFA. Since substrate EFA is processed by many B vitamin catalysts, an EFA deficiency will mimic a $\text{panh}$ypovitaminosis B, i.e., a mixture of $\text{substrate}$ beriberi and $\text{substrate}$ pellagra resembling vitamin beriberi and pellagra but exhibiting as even more diverse $\text{endemic}$ disease. This would consitute a second stage of the Modern Malnutrition and explain why some workers now hold the dominant diseases of modermized societies to be new, nutritionally based, pellagraform yet lipid-related and to range, once again, from heart disease to psychosis. It is an assumption that our dominant diseases are unrelated to each other or are merely revealed by our diagnostic acumen and therapeutic success; and that hydrogenating millions of tons of food oils annually, to destroy the rancidity producing w3-EFA, is safe for $\text{primates}$. Extensive beriberiform disease is reported here in 32 typical cases taken from medical practice which responds strikingly to linseed oil supplements (60% w3-EFA) in confirmation of identical results in Capuchins.     

The universal muscular chain reaction,muscle spasm,Torsions, ruptures and extravasations. Chameleons of pathology and some manifestations of simple muscular disorders

Most bodily functions require the coordinated actions of complementary and supplementary paired muscle groups. Where this essential muscular cooperation is lacking, hollow organs may burst and others become literally screwed up, giving rise to many similar spastic diseases such as Torticollis, Twisted ovarian cyst, Torsion of the Testis, Volvulus of the intestines, Varicose Veins, Megacolon, Aortamegaly, Scoliosis, Erb's Palsy, Peyronie's Disease, Main-en-Griffe, Undescended Foot (Pes Cavus), Talipes, Strabismus. Spasm is “panenepidemic” and unclassified examples of Torsion Dystonia and Dyskinesia really are as common as debt and taxes.     

'Very sore nights and days': the child's experience of illness in early modern England, c.1580-1720

Sick children were ubiquitous in early modern England, and yet they have received very little attention from historians. Taking the elusive perspective of the child, this article explores the physical, emotional, and spiritual experience of illness in England between approximately 1580 and 1720. What was it like being ill and suffering pain? How did the young respond emotionally to the anticipation of death? It is argued that children’s experiences were characterised by profound ambivalence: illness could be terrifying and distressing, but also a source of emotional and spiritual fulfilment and joy. This interpretation challenges the common assumption amongst medical historians that the experiences of early modern patients were utterly miserable. It also sheds light on children’s emotional feelings for their parents, a subject often overlooked in the historiography of childhood. The primary sources used in this article include diaries, autobiographies, letters, the biographies of pious children, printed possession cases, doctors’ casebooks, and theological treatises concerning the afterlife.     

Guidelines for the Validation and Use of Immunoassays for Determination of Introduced Proteins in Biotechnology Enhanced Crops and Derived Food Ingredients

Recent advancements in agricultural biotechnology have created a need for analytical techniques to determine introduced proteins in crops enhanced through modern biotechnology techniques. These proteins are expressed in plant tissues and may be present in food ingredients. Immunoassays are ideally suited for protein detection and may be used as both quantitative and threshold methods. Microplate ELISA and lateral flow devices are two of the most commonly used immunoassay formats for agricultural biotechnology applications. This paper provides general background information and a discussion of criteria for the validation and application of immunochemical methods to the analysis of proteins introduced into plants and food ingredients using biotechnology methods. It is the result of a collaborative effort of members of the Analytical Environmental Immunochemical Consortium. This collaborative effort represents the combined expertise of several organizations to reach consensus on establishing guidelines for the validation and use of immunoassays. Further, the paper offers developers and users a consistent approach to adopting the technology as well as aid in producing accurate and meaningful results.     

Ultracryotomy: development and application (with examples from the yeast cytology) (author's transl)

The preparation steps usually necessary for obtaining ultrathin frozen sections of biological material (chemical prefixation, enclosing, cryoprotective treatment, freezing, sectioning, and post-staining the sections for transmission electron microscopy) are submitted to a critical analysis. The application of cryo-ultramicrotomy, in particularly for cytochemical purposes, is reviewed. Fundamental considerations of chemical prefixation and poststaining are supported by examples from yeast cytology. Furthermore, the efficiency of the cryo-ultramicrotomy (electron optical resolution of ultrastructural details) is demonstrated on yeast cells and protoplasts.     

Hypo- und Hypermagnesämie aus kardiologischer Sicht

Zusammenfassung Eine Reihe pathologischer Zustände bedingen Magnesiummangel. Zustände mit Hypermagnesämie sind ebenfalls bekannt, doch wesentlich seltener. Für den Kardiologen beachtenswert ist, daß unter Therapie mit bestimmten Diuretica bei Herzinsuffizienz, bei Herzinfarkt, Kardiomyopathie, Digitalisintoxikation und bestimmten Herzrhythmusstörungen Hypomagnesämie beobachtet wurde. Leider kann in der klinischen Routine nur ein extracelluläres Magnesiumdefizit durch Serumbestimmungen gemessen werden; über Magnesiummangel einzelner Organe kann nichts ausgesagt werden. Hinweise für Magnesiummangel geben aber neben der Messung des Serumspiegels Anamnese, klinischer Befund, bestimmte EKG-Veränderungen wie auch evtl. Hypokalämie, ein Zustand, bei dem sich oft — besonders bei Aldosteronismus — parallele Veränderungen zeigten.Tierexperimente deuten darauf hin, daß infarktähnliche Läsionen unter Magnesiummangel entstehen, doch ob Herzinfarkt beim Menschen durch Magnesiummangel ausgelöst werden kann, ist noch ungeklärt. In Leichenherzen zeigte sich im Infarktgebiet neben Calciumakkumulation signifikanter Magnesiumverlust, wobei unklar blieb, ob sich Ursache oder Folge des Infarktes widerspiegelten. Falls ein ursächlicher Zusammenhang besteht, ist er im Myokardstoffwechsel selbst zu suchen, wie bei der Alkoholkardiomyopathie, wo myokardialer Magnesiummangel zumindest als pathogenetischer Teilfaktor anerkannt wird. Andererseits versucht man aber auch Beziehungen zwischen Atherosklerose, Blutgerinnung und Hypomagnesämie herzustellen, in der Meinung, daß Magnesiummangel auch über den coronaren Pathomechanismus des Herzinfarktes wirken könnte. Sicher scheint, daß gewisse EKG-Veränderungen und Herzrhythmusstörungen durch einen irritierten Magnesiumhaushalt bedingt sein können, da sie bei Gabe bzw. Entzug von Magnesium verschwinden. Daß Magnesiummangel die Glykosidtoleranz verringert, wird tierexperimentell bestätigt. Unter Hypomagnesämie bewirkt Acetylstrophanthidin eher und länger Rhythmusstörungen als ohne, außerdem lassen diese sich durch Magnesiumgaben eliminieren. Da in gewissen Fällen spontane und digitalisinduzierte Herzrythmusstörungen durch Magnesiuminjektionen beseitigt wurden, scheint Magnesium als Therapeuticum angebracht. Einsatz verschiedener Magnesiumsalze bei Angina pectoris, degenerativen Herzerkrankungen und Herzinsuffizienz ohne geprüften und offensichtlich gestörten Magnesiumhaushalt ist fragwürdig, weil keine eindeutigen klinischen Erfolgsbeweise vorliegen. Immerhin mag es aber larvierte, durch Serumbestimmungen nicht erfaßbare Mangelzustände geben. Allgemein erscheint es aus kardiologischer Sicht ratsam, den Magnesiumhaushalt zu überwachen und in entsprechenden Fällen auszugleichen, um möglichen Myokardläsionen oder fatalen Herzrhythmusstörungen entgegenzuwirken.     

Renal dysplasia and asplenia in two sibs

A family is reported in which two sibs, one male and the other female, both died within 24 hours of birth with enlarged polycystic kidneys. Postmortem histology in the second child showed gross renal dysplasia. In both children the pancreas was enlarged, nodular and cystic but the liver appeared macroscopically normal. In the second child, histological examination confirmed pancreatic fibrosis with cystic dilation of ducts, but showed portal fibrosis with bile duct proliferation in the liver.
This combination of findings is very reminiscent of those in a girl and her brother reported by Ivemark et al. (1959). The children reported here also showed absence or hypoplasia of the spleen, cardiac anomalies and other features of the Ivemark syndrome (Ivemark 1955), a quite different, usually sporadic, congenital disorder. It is suggested that the children described here have a distinct lethal congenital disorder, probably inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.     

HLA in North Colombia Chimila Amerindians

HLA-A,-B,-C,-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles have been studied in Chimila Amerindians from Sabana de San Angel (North Colombian Coast) by using high resolution molecular typing. A frequent extended haplotype was found:HLA-A*24:02-B*51:10-C*15:02-BRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02 (28.7%) which has also been described in Amerinndian Mayos Mexican population (Mexico, California Gulf, Pacific Ocean). Other haplotypes had already been found in Amerindians from Mexico (Pacific and Atlantic Coast), Peru (highlands and Amazon Basin), Bolivia and North USA. A geographic pattern according to HLA allele or haplotype frequencies is lacking in Amerindians, as already known. Also, five new extended haplotypes were found in Chimila Amerindians. Their HLA-A*24:02 high frequencies characteristic is shared with aboriginal populations of Taiwan; also, HLA-C*01:02 high frequencies are found in New Zealand Maoris, New Caledonians and Kimberly Aborigines from Australia. Finally, this study may show a model of evolutionary factors acting and rising one HLA allele frequency (-A*24:02), but not in others that belong to the same or different HLA loci.