Sauerstoffverbrauch und Alterung in Langzeitkulturen von Linsenepithel

Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe der beschriebenen Technik gelang es, Linsenepithelien über 40 Passagen zu züchten; zugleich fanden morphologische Alterungsveränderungen und Sauerstoffverbrauch der Zellen im Warburg-Apparat Beachtung. Vergleichbare Untersuchungen sind derzeit nicht bekannt. Morphologisch überwogen Alterationen wie Vergrößerung des Zelleibes neben bekannten Degenerationszeichen. Der Sauerstoffverbrauch von 2 l pro Stunde pro 10⁵ Zellen zeigte sich in konstanter Höhe bis zur 39. Passage und sank dann abrupt auf etwa ein Viertel. Nachdem die Zellen ohne ersichtlichen Grund danach plötzlich starben, liegt die Folgerung nahe, daß der aerobe Stoffwechsel der Linsenepithelien unabhängig von ihrem Alter und ohne sich signifikant abzeichnenden Tagesrhythmus mit ihrem Überleben verbunden erscheint.

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Oxygen consumption and aging in longterm cultures of lens epithelia

By means of the described technique lens epithelia were cultured in 40 subcultures; at the same time, both the morphological aging processes and oxygen consumption of the cells, were observed using the Warburg respirometer. To date comparable studies are not available. Morphologically, cell enlargement took place in conjunction with signs of degeneration. Oxygen consumption of 2 l per hour per 10⁵ cells ±0.8 remained at a constant level without any significant diurnal rhythm up to subculture 39 and then suddenly fell to about one-fourth of the initial value. As the cells died of an unknown cause, it was concluded that the aerobic metabolism of lens epithelia seemed to be linked to survival without being age related.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. E. Schreck, dem damaligen Direktor der Klinik, in Dankbarkeit zum 70. Geburtstag     

The functional restoration approach for chronic spinal disability

The functional restoration approach to treating chronic spinal disability consists of a medically directed, interdisciplinary team approach to physical reconditioning and a cognitive-behavioral crisis intervention procedure for dealing with related psychosocial problems. One- and two-year follow-up studies have demonstrated the clinical efficacy of this approach. The present article describes this approach and summarizes the research documenting its success in treating patients with chronic spinal disability. This article also highlights the pitfalls in misunderstanding and misrepresenting the components of the functional restoration approach when evaluating treatment efficacy.     

Characterization of soluble platelet guanylyl cyclase with peptide antibodies

Summary Soluble guanylyl cyclase partially purified from bovine and human platelets was characterized with antibodies raised against synthetic peptides corresponding to different sequences of the ₁- and ₁-subunits of the bovine lung enzyme. On immunoblots, the platelet guanylyl cyclase was recognized by the four antisera used, with the exception of an antiserum against the C-terminus of the ₁-subunit which did not react with the human platelet but with the bovine platelet ₁-subunit. Furthermore the human platelet ₁-subunit exhibited a slightly lower molecular mass than the bovine protein. The C-terminal antibodies precipitated native platelet and lung guanylyl cyclase activity. In contrast an antibody against a peptide out of the putative catalytic domain, which is highly conserved between all guanylyl cyclases sequenced so far, did not precipitate native guanylyl cyclase, although it recognized both subunits on immunoblots, suggesting that the respective amino acid sequence is located in an inner site of the protein.Abbreviations GC_pep2 YGPEVWEDIKKEA (one letter code) - GC_pep3 SRKNTGTEETEQDEN - GC_pep5 VYKVETVGDKYMTVSGLP - GC_pep8 KKDVEEANANFLGKASGID - TBS-T Tris-buffered saline, containing 0.0501o Tween 20 Correspondence to E. Böhme at the above address     

Preliminary evaluation of flicker sensitivity as a predictive test for exudative age-related maculopathy.

Flicker contrast sensitivity was tested in the "good" eyes of 13 patients with monocular exudative age-related maculopathy (ARM). The stimulus was a foveal, long-wavelength, low spatial frequency 2.8 degrees circle in an equiluminant (photopic) surround. Two of these ARM-risk eyes have since developed exudative ARM. Compared to healthy age-matched eyes, the two eyes that developed exudative ARM had significantly lower sensitivity at 10-40 Hz up to 9 mo before exudative symptoms appeared. The implications of these results regarding the time-course of ARM and the predictive value of foveal contrast sensitivity testing are considered. Based upon data and theoretical considerations, the authors speculate that sensitivity loss between 10 and 40 Hz is a good predictor of which eyes will develop exudative ARM. This proposal will be tested by new data from current as well as new ARM-risk subjects.     

Induced abortion--a critical life change event]

In the present survey the psychic and physical mastering of abortion is considered to be a subject of the research of a "critical life-event". Special interest was devoted to the consequences of the process of mastering before and after abortion on the mental and physical condition of the examined human females (n = 39). The diagnosis showed that especially before abortion in a time of a serious state of inner conflict, interference concerning the physical condition and psyche of women arise, while actually after abortion the mood is more euphoric. The inconvenience increased in dependence on experience of social welfare and support. Three months after abortion specific complaints such as pains in the lower abdomen, bleeding and sudden urge to cry occur. The administration of contraception after abortion is becoming significantly safer.     

The natural history of somatosensory and autonomic nerve dysfunction in relation to glycaemic control during the first 5 years after diagnosis of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus

Summary The natural evolution of neural dysfunction was studied prospectively over 5 years following diagnosis of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes in 32 patients aged 12–36 years. Motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities, heart rate variation at rest and during deep breathing, and pupillary function were measured at diagnosis and after 3,12, 24,48, and 60 months. Thermal and vibration sensation thresholds were determined after 24, 48, and 60 months of diabetes. Mean HbA₁ levels of months 3–60 within the normal range of <8.3% (7.3±0.2%) were observed in 13 patients (Group 1), while a mean HbA₁ of months 3–608.3% (10.0±0.3%) was found in 19 patients (Group 2). Mean nerve conduction was significantly diminished in Group 2 as compared with Group 1 in at least 4 out of 6 nerves tested during months 12–60 (p<0.05). Both tests of heart rate variation were significantly impaired in Group 2 as compared with Group 1 after 24 and 60 months (p<0.05), but no differences in pupillary function were observed between the groups. Thermal discrimination but not vibration perception thresholds on the foot were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 at 40 and 60 months (p<0.05). Abnormalities in nerve conduction, thermal discrimination, and heart rate variation, but not vibration perception threshold and the pupillary function tests were significantly more frequent in Group 2 than in Group 1 at 60 months (p<0.05). After 60 months, none of the patients of Group 1, but 6 and 4 patients of Group 2 developed subclinical or symptomatic neuropathy, respectively (p<0.05). These findings suggest that the evolution of subclinical and symptomatic neuropathy during the first 5 years after diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes may be predicted by poor glycaemic control and prevented by near-normoglycaemia.     

Escherichia coli-induced alterations of human spermatozoa. An electron microscopy analysis

This study evaluated if the negative influence of Escherichia coli on the motility of human spermatozoa is a consequence of E. coli-induced ultrastructural alterations. Suspensions of spermatozoa were artificially infected with E. coli from a serotyped, pathogenic strain and incubated at 37 degrees C for 6 h. After incubation, spermatozoa were fixed in glutaraldehyde, stained with osmium tetroxide and ruthenium red and embedded in Spurr(R)-resin followed by ultramicrotomy. The sections were analysed subsequently by use of transmission electron microscopy. Uninfected suspensions of spermatozoa in medium and bacterial suspensions served as controls. Negative contrast technique was performed to facilitate visualization of ultrastructural details of the bacterial capsule after experimental exposure to spermatozoa. Electron microscopic evaluation revealed multiple and profound alterations in the ultrastructure of spermatozoa such as membrane defects and cytoplasmic vacuoles exclusively in spermatozoa of infected samples (> 90%). Morphological alterations involved all superficial structures of spermatozoa, in particular the plasma membrane of the mid-piece and neck as well as the inner and outer acrosomal membrane of the acrosome, indicating that morphological defects account for the immobilization of spermatozoa by E. coli. The results suggest that E. coli infection of ejaculates results in immobilization and impaired acrosomal function in human spermatozoa, findings that support the indication for antimicrobial chemotherapy in symptomatic and silent infections that affect the ejaculate.