Gender and smoking-related risk reduction of periodontal disease with variant myeloperoxidase alleles

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an oxidative enzyme expressed in polymorphonuclear leukocytes. It is involved in the defence against periodontal bacteria, and is also able to mediate inflammatory tissue destruction in periodontal disease. A G/A polymorphism in the promoter region of the MPO gene at position -463 has been assumed to exert profound effects on the expression of the enzyme. It is the aim of this study to evaluate whether this polymorphism may influence the risk of periodontal diseases. A total of 3148 subjects were randomly selected from the general population in the SHIP study (Study of Health in Pomerania). Periodontal status, health-related and socio-economic items were assessed. All subjects aged 40-60 years (n = 1103) were included in this study, and 1083 genotyped for the MPO -463 G/A polymorphism by PCR and RFLP methods. The genotype frequencies determined were homozygous wild type G/G 65.9% (95% CI 63.5-68.6), heterozygous A/G 31.4% (28.8-34.4), and homozygous variant A/A 2.7% (2.0-3.8). Only female subjects have a significantly reduced risk of severe periodontal disease when bearing the variant genotypes A/G or A/A. In female subjects the reduction in periodontal risk was significant for non-smokers (OR = 0.48; 95% CI 0.23-0.96); the smoke-related increase in risk was also reduced (OR = 0.50; 95% CI 0.22-1.10). When adjusted for age, smoking, and education the odds ratios were calculated as 0.52 (P = 0.01) and 0.97 (P = 0.90) for female and male subjects, respectively. The results of this study confirm the assumption that the MPO -463A allele variants are protective in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. This holds true only with women but not with men. The results are discussed with respect to the known influences of sexual hormones on MPO activity.     

Identical expression of ELAM-1, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 in sarcoidosis and usual interstitial pneumonitis

Extravasation of leucocytes in tissues is mediated by leucocyte—endothelial cell interactions in which adhesion molecules play an important role. Until now, two pathways have been unravelled, i.e., the LFA-1/ICAM-1 and the VLA-4/VCAM-1 pathways. ELAM-1 has been shown to be involved in granulocyte accumulation and recently also in lymphocyte migration. The role of HECA-452 is under investigation. In this study we have investigated the expression of the above-mentioned adhesion molecules in lung tissue of patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and usual interstitial pneumonitis (UIP), and in mediastinal lymph nodes of patients with sarcoidosis. ICAM-1 (CD54) was broadly distributed on the endothelium of all the vessels found in sarcoidosis and UIP. VCAM-1 was present on the endothelium of the venules, capillaries, and arterioles in both sarcoidosis and UIP. ELAM-1 reacted with endothelial cells lining venules and capillaries in chronic progressive sarcoidosis and in the active phase of UIP but not in the stationary phases of both diseases. HECA-452 activity could be detected only on high endothelial venules within sarcoid lymph nodes. In lung tissues, macrophages bearing the ICAM-1 antigen were present in sarcoid tissue but not in the interstitium and alveolar space of UIP. LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) and VLA-4 (CD49d/CD29) were present on all leucocytes found but seemed to be more highly expressed on lymphocytes in sarcoidosis. These findings suggest that the LFA-1/ICAM-1 and VLA-4/VCAM-1 pathways are involved in leucocyte migration in both types of lung disease, while in the active phases of sarcoidosis and UIP, ELAM-1 is also involved.     

Zur Chromosomen-Replikation in Zellen der chronischen myeloischen Leukämie

Zusammenfassung Späte Replikation an Chromosomen von Blut- oder Knochenmarkszellen mit Philadelphia-Chromosom von Kranken mit CML wurde in 6 Fällen autoradiographisch untersucht und mit Befunden an normalen kultivierten Lymphocyten verglichen.1. Mitosen von Leukämiezellen fanden sich erst nach relativ langer Anwesenheit von³H-Thymidin markiert, woraus sich für Zellen der CML eine längere G₂-Phase als für kultivierte Lymphocyten ergab.2. Das Philadelphia-Chromosom wich in den meisten Zellen nicht wesentlich von den übrigen Chromosomen Nr. 21 und 22 ab und war autoradiographisch nicht sicher einem der beiden Paare zuzuordnen, in dem es zum Teil stärker mit dem spätreplizierenden und ebenso häufig mit dem früher replizierenden G-Chromosomenpaar übereinstimmte.3. Wie in der Lymphocytenkultur waren charakteristische Regionen der Autosomen Nr. 3–5 und 13–15 spät replizierend, wobei die Homologen weitgehend übereinstimmten.4. Feine Unterschiede in der Lokalisation der spätreplizierenden Zonen bzw. der maximalen Markierung gegenüber kultivierten Lymphocyten zeigten die Chromosomen Nr. 1 und 2. Diese Eigentümlichkeit wird im Hinblick auf die Auflösungsfähigkeit der Methode, die Spezifität hämatopoetischer Zellen des Knochenmarks und leukämisch entarteter Zellen im einzelnen besprochen.

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Chromosome replication in chronic myelocytic leukemia cells

Summary Late replication in chromosomes from blood or bone marrow cells with the Philadelphia chromosome from patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) was studied autoradiographically in 6 cases. These observations were compared with the findings in normal cultivated lymphocytes. (1) Mitoses of leukemia cells were only found to be labelled after relatively long presence of³H-thymidine. Consequently, the G₂ phase was longer for CML cells than for cultured lymphocytes. (2) In most instances the Philadelphia chromosome did not differ from the other chromosomes number 21 and 22. Autoradiographically it could not be classified as one of the two pairs. In the same number of cells this chromosome had a similar replication pattern compared to the later or the earlier replicating pair. (3) As in lymphocyte cultures, the characteristic regions of the autosomes number 3 to 5 and 13 to 15 were late replicating; in these instances the homologous autosomes were quite similar. (4) The chromosomes number 1 and 2 showed slight differences in the localization of late replicating areas or the highest labelling as compared to cultivated lymphocytes. These properties are discussed in detail as to the sensitivity of the method used, the specificity of haemopoietic cells of bone marrow and leukemia cells.

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Mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Buchbesprechungen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Efficacy and tolerability of a new estradiol delivering matrix patch (Estraderm MX) in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy and tolerability of a new matrix patch delivering estradiol (E2 Matrix) at doses of 0.05 and 0.10 mg per day (Estraderm MX 50, 100) in the treatment of moderate to severe postmenopausal symptoms. METHODS: A total of 254 postmenopausal women were randomized to receive treatment with E2 Matrix 0.10 mg (N = 86), E2 Matrix 0.05 mg (N = 82), or placebo (N = 86) in a double-blind, double-dummy fashion for a period of 12 weeks continuously. Patches were applied twice weekly to the buttocks with each patient wearing two patches at all times. The primary efficacy criterion was the difference from baseline of the mean number of moderate to severe hot flushes per 24 h during the last 2 weeks of treatment. Other efficacy variables included reduction in hot flushes at 4 and 8 weeks, reduction in daytime flushing and night sweats, and Kupperman Index at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: E2 Matrix 0.10 and 0.05 mg were both significantly superior to placebo in reducing hot flushes per 24 h after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment (P < 0.001). Also, for all other efficacy parameters studied, both dosage strengths of E2 Matrix were statistically significantly superior to placebo at all time points (P < 0.001). Local tolerability was good in both groups. A slight increase in estrogen related adverse effects (breast tenderness, leukorrhoea) was seen with the 0.10 mg patch. Adhesion of patches and compliance were good. Overall systemic tolerability was good in both treated groups. However, a 4.8% overall incidence of endometrial hyperplasia was observed in patients with an intact uterus. CONCLUSIONS: This new matrix patch offers an effective and well tolerated dosage form for delivery of 0.05 and 0.1 mg estradiol per day. It may be particularly suitable for those women who experience local sensitivity to alcohol-containing systems. In light of the observed hyperplasia after treatment in five patients, estrogen therapy should as yet be supplemented monthly with a progestogen in women with an intact uterus.     

Biological aspects of the house dust mite (dermataphagoides pteronyssinus) in relation to house dust atopy

To examine the validity of the old idea of the possible significance of mites for house dust atopy it was necessary to study the mite fauna of house dust. The most important findings in this investigation are that mites occur regularly, rather than occasionally, in house dust, and that the mite genus Dermatophagoides is represented by much higher numbers than any of the other genera found in dust.

Furthermore, it appears that there is a seasonal periodicity in the numbers of mites in dust with a maximum from August to October, and also that the numbers of mites in the dust from various houses differ considerably. House dust from high-mountain areas contains very few mites.

These observations fit very well with the knowledge of the seasonal and topographical variations in the allergen content of various dust samples.

Based on laboratory observations on the temperature and humidity requirements of Dermatophagoides, a model is constructed which makes the relation between the degree of dampness of houses and the numbers of mites in the dust understandable.

In this paper only very short mention is made of the many experiments showing the identity between the house dust allergen and the allergen produced by Dermatophagoides.

From the comparison of skin reactions to equivalent extracts of different species of mites it appears that the allergenic products of mites of one family tend to be identical.

     

Histamine release during induction of anaesthesia and preparation for operation in patients undergoing general surgery: Incidence and clinically severe cases

Histamine release events were shown in a prospective randomized controlled trial in patients undergoing elective general surgery with an extraordinarily high incidence: 73 per cent. This high incidence was explained by several factors: — the sample size which was much greater than in previous studies — the improved plasma histamine assay — the precise definition of histamine release in clinical conditions and its measurement at the top of Bateman functions — the standardized induction of anaesthesia and preparation of the surgical patient — and finally the considerable number of cancer patients since more than 60% of the reactions >5 ng/ml occurred in this group which comprised only 20% of the study population.

Two cases of life-threatening anaphylactoid reactions occurred in this trial corresponding to an incidence of 1 per cent. This was — again — very high compared to previous epidemiological studies. Both cases were again cancer patients and occurred in the placebo group — information given by the external study advisory group for further treatment of the individual patient.

The data on the high incidence of histamine release including the high incidence of life-threatening reactions favourrationally a preoperative H₁ ⁻+H₂-prophylaxis with the drugs used in this study: dimetindene and cimetidine. The question of the incidence was one of the unsettled problems which led to this trial. Analysis of the first 180 patients already answered this question more than we had ever expected.

     

Characterization of hemagglutinin variant strains of adenovirus 15 and 9

Summary Five adenovirus 15/Hx and one Ad9/Hx strain with a common novel hemagglutinin were compared serologically and by DNA restriction analysis with six endonucleases with the related prototypes. The five Ad15/Hx strains represented five different genome types.With 1 FigureAided by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Wi 2/21-1), Bundesministerium für Jugend, Familie und Gesundheit, and Förderverein der Deutschen Vereinigung zur Bekämpfung der Viruskrankheiten e. V., FRG.     

Light and electron microscopic studies onMyxobolus cotti El-Matbouli and Hoffmann, 1987 infecting the central nervous system of the bullhead (Cottus gobio)

Myxobolus cotti (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) is described as found in the central nervous system of the bullhead (Cottus gobio) caught in the Alpine lake Königssee and in a brook in the Bavarian Forest, Federal Republic of Germany (El-Matbouli and Hoffmann 1987). Aggregations of spores and polysporoblastic trophozoites compressed and replaced large areas of the white and grey matter of the brain and spinal cord. These aggregations may be surrounded by a thin, connective tissue capsule; in a few cases they were associated with loose infiltrates of glial cells. Neither conspicuous tissue reactions nor inflammatory responses were evident. No other organs were seen to be infected withM. cotti. Mature spores are oval, with a tapering anterior end, and the pyriform polar capsules are nearly equal in size. Fresh spores measured 8.9–15.1 m in length (mean, 12.4 m) and 8–12.4 m in width (mean, 9.6 m); polar capsules were 4.3–9 m long (mean, 6.4 m); and 2–3.8 m wide (mean, 2.9 m). Light microscopy, the ultrastructure of pansporoblasts, sporogenesis and mature spores are described.