Zur Methodik des Nachweises der zentralanaleptischen Blutdrucksteigerung

Ohne ZusammenfassungMit 7 Textabbildungen.     

Beitrag zur umschriebenen Großhirnrindenatrophie (Picksche Krankheit)

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Agglutininbildung bei Keuchhusten zugleich eine immunbiologische Studie an rachitischen und nichtrachitischen Kindern

Ohne ZusammenfassungMit 7 Textabbildungen.     

Genetically modified fibroblasts induce angiogenesis in the rat epigastric island flap

Methods: Gene therapy was tested for inducing functional angiogenesis in the superficial rat epigastric island flap to allow earlier pedicle division. Autologous rat fibroblasts were grown, harvested, cultured and retrovirally transfected to produce platelet-derived growth factor AA (PDGF-AA), an angiogenetically active protein. Stable gene expression was monitored by PDGF-AA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One hundred and eighty animals were divided into three groups (I–III) and a bilateral flap created in each animal. In all experiments, the right-sided flap was subjected to experimental treatment and the left-sided flap served as control (1 ml saline 0.9%). During flap elevation, group I received 5×10⁶ GMFB (genetically modified fibroblasts) plus 1 ml Dul-becco's modified Eagle's medium. Group II was treated with 5×10⁶ NMFB (non-modified fibroblasts) plus 1 ml medium and group III received 1 ml medium only. The flaps were sutured back and the vascular pedicle was bilaterally ligated and divided in each of ten animals during the following 6 days. After 7 days, the flaps were harvested, the amount of necrosis measured and histologically examined. Results: The GMFB produced up to 560 times more PDGF-AA than the NMFB, measured by ELISA. The GMFB-treated flaps tolerated surgical division of the vascular pedicle significantly earlier than groups II and III. Histologically, fibroblasts persisted in all flaps of groups I and II, without major inflammatory reaction. In all GMFB-treated flaps, massive angiogenesis could be demonstrated. Conclusion: By means of retroviral gene transfer, autologous rat fibroblasts can be genetically modified for stable expression of the PDGF-A gene to produce high amounts of PDGF-AA, which is angiogenetically active. After injection into the panniculus carnosus, these cells induce functional angiogenesis to permit earlier division of the vascular pedicle in this flap model. Received: 5 January 1998 / Accepted: 17 June 1998     

Effect of linoleic acid, linoleic acid anilide, and arachidonic acid on the expression of adhesion molecules on human neutrophils

The effects of linoleic acid, linoleic acid anilide, and arachidonic acid on the expression of CD11b/CD18, CD11c/CD18 integrins and l-selectin on human neutrophils were studied by flow cytometry in a whole blood assay. None of these compounds had any effect on the basal expression of CD11b, CD11c, or l-selectin in the concentration range of 20–100 μM. However, linoleic acid at a concentration of 1000 μM slightly up-regulated CD11b and CD11c by a factor of 2.1 and 1.7, respectively. Linoleic acid, linoleic acid anilide, and arachidonic acid did not affect the formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine induced up-regulation of CD11b or CD11c. However, linoleic acid and linoleic acid anilide slightly inhibited the phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced expression of CD11b, which was decreased by 27 and 21% at concentrations of 100 and 1000 μM, respectively. Likewise, arachidonic acid at 40 μM inhibited the PMA-induced expression of CD11b by 19%. Our results suggest that linoleic acid, linoleic acid anilide, and arachidonic acid do not dramatically affect the expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules in a whole blood assay. Received: 17 February 1997  / Accepted: 5 May 1997     

Oral 5-aminosalicylic acid preparations in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease an update

Therapeutic efficacy of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) preparations is reviewed. In the acute treatment of Crohn's disease, Pentasa and Salofalk seem to be more effective than placebo. When it is given in an equimolar 5-ASA regimen, Salofalk appears to be at least as effective as sulfasalazine (SAS) in the treatment of both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Asacol and SAS are equally effective in maintenance therapy of ulcerative colitis. Dipentum was more efficient than placebo. There was only a low incidence of side effects from oral 5-ASA preparations, but larger-scale trials may be needed for a more accurate profile of adverse reactions.     

Location of motoneurones projecting to the cat distal forelimb. II. Median and ulnar motornuclei

The position of the motornuclei projecting through the median (Mn) and ulnar (Ul) nerves to the cat distal forelimb has been investigated. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and fluorescent (Fl) compounds have been used as retrograde tracers. They were either injected into forelimb muscles or applied to the proximal end of transected forelimb nerves. Limb muscles that were not investigated were carefully denervated. The position and the architecture of the individual motornuclei were traced with HRP. The topographical relations between the nuclei were established with application of up to three different Fl compounds in the same animal. The Mn motoneurones had a bimodal distribution in the brachial spinal cord. The motoneurones to the pronator teres and flexor carpi radialis muscles were located in C7 and the other Mn motoneurones were located in C8 and Th1. In C7 the Mn motoneurones occupied a single representation area, which is located some distance medially of the lateral funiculus. In C8 and Th1 two Mn representation areas were found: A dorsal one that contacts the lateral funiculus and is located at the level of the central canal; a ventral one that is located ventrally in the ventral horn. The dorsal area is occupied by the motornuclei projecting to the intrinsic hand muscles and the ventral one by the nuclei projecting to the limb. The Ul motoneurones extend with an unimodal distribution from the caudal C7 to the caudal Th1 segments. They occupy a single, broad representation area. The dorsal part, which contacts the lateral funiculus, is located at the level of the central canal and harbours the nuclei to the intrinsic hand muscles. The other Ul nuclei are located ventromedially deep in the ventral horn. These results, together with those from the companion paper on the location of the deep radial motornuclei, provide important anatomical information for the investigation of the cat brachial enlargement.     

Second nonocular tumors in cured unilateral retinoblastoma patients

Summary According to recent data the incidence of second tumors in cured hereditary unilateral retinoblastoma patients is 20% within 10 years, 50% after 20 years and rises to 90% after 30 years. Nonhereditary unilateral retinoblastoma patients have not been regarded as susceptible for second nonocular tumors so far. A case is reported of such a patient having developed a second presacral retroperitoneal tumor after successful treatment of a nonhereditary unilateral retinoblastoma group V without intracranial extension or pulmonary metastases. Consequently all (hereditary and non-hereditary) retinoblastoma patients should receive at least quarterly intensive follow-up examinations after primary ophthalmologic treatment.