Zur Anatomie der Zungenbalgdrüsen und Tonsillen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Über die Bedeutung der Speicheldrüseninfektion bei der Schlafkrankheitsfliege (Glossina palpalis)

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Interleukin (IL)-5 but not immunoglobulin E reconstitutes airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in IL-4-deficient mice

We studied the role of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E in the development of allergen-induced sensitization, airway inflammation, and airway hy-perresponsiveness (AHR). Normal, IL-4-, and IL-5-deficient C57BL/6 mice were sensitized intraperitoneally to ovalbumin (OVA) and repeatedly challenged with OVA via the airways. After allergen sensitization and airway challenge, normal and IL-5-deficient, but not IL-4-deficient, mice developed increased serum levels of total and antigen-specific IgE levels and increased IL-4 production in the lung tissue compared with nonsensitized control mice. Only normal mice showed significantly increased IL-5 production in the lung tissue and an eosinophilic infiltration of the peribronchial regions of the airways, whereas both IL-4- and IL-5-deficient mice had little or no IL-5 production and no significant eosinophilic airway inflammation. Associated with the inflammatory responses in the lung, only normal mice developed increased airway responsiveness to methacholine after sensitization and airway challenge; in both IL-4- and IL-5-deficient mice, airway responsiveness was similar to that in nonsensitized control mice. Reconstitution of sensitized, IL-4-deficient mice before allergen airway challenge with IL-5, but not with allergen-specific IgE, restored eosinophilic airway inflammation and the development of AHR. These data demonstrate the importance of IL-4 for allergen-driven airway sensitization and that IL-5, but not allergen-specific IgE, is required for development of eosinophilic airway inflammation and AHR after this mode of sensitization and challenge.     

Influence of donor MHC class I antigen expression on graft survival after rat parathyroid allotransplantation

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We investigated the influence of donor MHC antigen expression on graft survival after parathyroid transplantation in three different strain combinations. METHODS: MHC class I and II expression on parathyroid tissue of Lewis (LEW), Dark Agouti (DA), and Wistar-Furth (WF) rats was first analysed semiquantitatively by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, five groups were transplanted: (1) LEW to LEW, (2) DA to DA, (3) LEW to DA, (4) WF to LEW, and (5) DA to LEW. METHODS: MHC class I expression was strong in DA, moderate in WF, and weak in LEW rats; MHC class II expression was negative in all three strains. In the interstitium of all investigated tissue specimens, the proportion of MHC class II-expressing cells was low. RESULTS: After syngeneic transplantation, graft survival could be documented over the whole observation period. A mean graft survival of 20 (+/-2) days was observed following transplantation from LEW to DA, grafts in the group WF to LEW were rejected after 13 (+/-1) days, and graft function lasted 8 (+/-2) days in the group DA to LEW. The number of intragraft leukocytes expressing MHC class II molecules was equal in all groups, whereas increased levels of MHC class I on rat parathyroid tissue before transplantation resulted in a more rapid rejection. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that immunogenicity of rat parathyroid tissue seems to be determined by the amount of MHC class I expressed on donor parenchymal cells.     

Preoperative evaluation of microencapsulated human parathyroid tissue aids selection of the optimal bioartificial graft for human parathyroid allotransplantation

Allotransplantation of microencapsulated parathyroid tissue is a promising approach to the treatment of permanent hypoparathyroidism. Preoperative assessment of the quality of microencapsulated parathyroid tissue could facilitate selection of the optimal bioartifical graft for human parathyroid allotransplantation. Parathyroid tissue from patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (n = 15) was processed mechanically or enzymatically (collagenase type II). Tissue particles and single cells/cell clusters were routinely microencapsulated with amitogenic Ba(2+) alginate. Parathyroid secretion dynamics in response to stimulation of nonencapsulated and microencapsulated parathyroid tissue with Ca(2+) were evaluated in a perifusion system. The stability of the different types of microcapsule was assessed using an osmotic pressure test. Mechanical cutting of parathyroid tissue led to peripheral necrosis of tissue particles and impaired their vitality. Collagenase digestion, in contrast, resulted in single cells and cell clusters without peripheral necrosis. The quality of microencapsulation of single cells/cell clusters was significantly better than that of tissue particles (deformed and imperfect capsules). Microencapsulation itself did not decrease cell vitality. Nonencapsulated and microencapsulated tissue particles and single cells/cell clusters from different donors maintained their own levels of response to stimulation with low Ca(2+). Microcapsules containing tissue particles showed poor stability compared with those containing single cells/cell clusters. Preoperative evaluation of microencapsulated parathyroid tissue can disclose differences in vitality and function and thus facilitate selection of the optimal bioartifical graft for human parathyroid allotransplantation.     

Tuberkul?se Meningoenzephalitis: klinisches Bild, Diagnostik und Behandlung

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Die tuberkulöse Meningoenzephalitis (TBM) ist auch heute noch eine Erkrankung, die mit eienr hohen Letalität einhergeht. Die relative Seltenheit der TBM in Westeuropa sowie die sehr heterogene und z. Z. unspezifische Symptomatik wirken sich erschwerend auf die Diagnosestellung aus. Patienten und Methodik: Wir berichte über sechs HIV-negative Patienten (Alter 37-72 Jahre9 mit einer laborchemisch gesicherten oder klinisch wahrscheinlichen Diagnose einer TBM. Die Diagnose konnte bei drei Patienten durch den kulturellen Nachweis im Liquor, bei einem Patienten durch den Nachweis von Mycobacterium tuberculosis im Trachealsekret gesichert werden. In den Fällen mit einer wahrscheinlichen TBM begründete sich der Verdacht aus der Kombination von klinischer Symptomatik, typischem Liquorbefund und zerebraler Bildgebung. Diskussion: Die diagnostischen und therapeutischen Probleme werden anhand der vorliegenden Fälle geschildert. Darüber hinaus werden die neurologischen Komplikationen im klinischen Verlauf angezeigt, die sich bei allen Patienten troz frühzeitiger antituberkulöser Therapie entwickelten. Abstract. Background: Tuberculous meningoencephalitis (TBM) is still associated with a high mortality. The relative rareness of TBM in Western European countries and the accompanying heterogeneous and unspecific clinical symptoms often result in a delayed diagnosis. Patients and Methods: We present six HIV-negative patients (age 37-72 years) with a laboratory-confirmed or clinically probable diagnosis of TBM. The diagnosis could be confirmed in three patients by culture of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), in one patient by positive tracheal aspirate culture. In the cases with probable TBM, the diagnosis was confirmed by the combination of clinical symptoms, CSF analysis, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Discussion: The diagnostic and therapeutic problems in TBM are discussed. Moreover, the neurologic complications are presented which developed in all patients during the clinical course despite immediate antituberculous therapy.     

Identification of two urine metabolites of vinyl chloride by GC-MS-investigations

Summary Thiodiacetic acid and S-(carboxymethyl)cysteine are found in the urine of rats after a 48 h exposure to 1000 ppm vinyl chloride. The structure of both compounds could be clarified by GC-MS investigations. Chloroethylene oxide, chloroacetaldehyde and chloroacetic acid are assumed to be intermediates in vinyl chloride metabolism. Compounds which can be transformed to one of these alkylating agents in vivo should also lead to renal excretion of thiodiacetic acid and S-(carboxymethyl)cysteine.