Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) induces in vitro invasion and in vivo hormone independent growth of breast carcinoma cells

Breast cancer cell lines migrated towards a BMP-2 source depending on BMP-2 concentration. After a short exposure to BMP-2, the cells were able to migrate through matrigel. MCF-7 cells transfected with the BMP-2 gene also showed enhanced migratory properties and high expression of the metastasis-related gene BCSG1. In a xenograft model without estrogen supplementation MCF-7/BMP-2 cells formed tumors. These tumors were characterised by an enhanced vasculature and the formation of chondroid and osseous structures. In conclusion elevated levels of BMP-2 enhance the tumorigenic properties of breast carcinoma cells and drive the cells towards a more aggressive phenotype with estrogen independent growth.     

Is unexplained third trimester intrauterine death of fetuses with gastroschisis caused by umbilical cord compression due to acute extra-abdominal bowel dilatation?

We report on a case of gastroschisis in which sudden dilatation of extra-abdominal bowel at 34+1 weeks was followed by an unusual umbilical flow velocity waveform (diastolic notching). The condition was associated with normal umbilical Doppler indices, brain sparing effect and a non-reactive cardiotocograph (CTG). Findings at postnatal surgery strongly suggested severe cord compression by the herniated dilated bowel. The significance of notching in the umbilical artery waveform is discussed, as is the potential importance of this sign in the prepartum management of fetuses with gastroschisis.     

New aspects in the histological examination of polyethylene wear particles in failed total joint replacements

The most important long-term complication in total joint replacements is aseptic osteolysis. Wear particles such as polyethylene (PE) debris are considered to be one of the causes that play a central role. Several studies indicated that PE can be visualised in paraffin-embedded tissue sections not only by polarised light, but also after oil red staining. To determine whether oil red staining enables sensitive detection of PE, we examined staining of mechanically-produced PE particles by oil red. Furthermore, we studied oil red staining of paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of patients with failed uncemented and cemented total knee and hip prostheses. We applied double labelling of sections by immunohistochemistry using the macrophage marker anti-CD68 and oil red staining. We found that oil red stains both isolated PE particles and PE particles in paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Polymethylmethacrylate particles in failed cemented arthroplasties did not stain in paraffin sections. Double labelling showed strong colocalisation of CD68 and PE. We suggest that oil red staining is a sensitive method to detect PE particles. Oil red staining is particularly helpful in these cases which show a characteristic histological feature of aseptic prosthesis loosening without particles being detectable with routine microscopy and polarised light. We also established that immunohistochemical methods can be applied together with the oil red staining method.     

Altersetin,a new antibiotic from cultures of endophytic Alternaria spp. Taxonomy,fermentation, isolation,structure elucidation and biological activities

A novel antibacterial antibiotic, for which the name altersetin is proposed, was isolated from the culture broth of two endophytic Alternaria species. The relative and absolute configuration were assigned by NOESY or CD data, respectively. Altersetin is chemically related to equisetin and showed potent MIC against several pathogenic gram-positive bacteria, whereas gram-negative bacteria and pathogenic yeast were not or much less susceptible. Moderate in vivo efficiacy was observed for altersetin in a murine sepsis model.     

以PGA为三维支架同种异体工程化软骨的构建

为探讨以聚羟基乙酸（PGA）为三维支架材料的同种异体软骨细胞构建组织工程化软骨的能力,采用胶原酶消化方法分离乳兔肋软骨获取种子细胞,收集体外培养传2-3代的软骨细胞,接种于经多聚赖氨酸处理的PGA支架材料上,将细胞-材料复合物种植在成兔皮下,一定时间取材,对获得的同种异体工程化软骨进行组织学评价。结果显示,软骨细胞体外培养1天后,在PGA支架上分布均匀;培养1周左右,PGA纤维间有呈蜘蛛网状基质产生。种植复合物4周取材可见PGA纤维未完全降解,软骨细胞不成熟,周边存在一定程度炎细胞浸润;8周取材,PGA纤维消失,软骨基本成熟,炎细胞浸润不明显。软骨基质含量丰富,分布与正常肋软骨组织学特征相似,提示以PGA为支架材料同种异体软骨细胞在有免疫力的动物体内可形成工程化软骨,无明显免疫排斥反应。     

“Minimized rotational vestibular testing” as a screening procedure detecting vestibular areflexy in deaf children: screening cochlear implant candidates for Usher syndrome Type I

Morbus Usher (USH), a combination of sensorineural hearing loss and retinal visual impairment, is classified into group I-III. USH I patients are born deaf. Within the first 10 years of life, they develop a severe vision impairment due to progressive retinal dystrophy (retinitis pigmentosa). USH I patients show vestibular deficits. The incidence of USH I among congenitally deaf children is assumed to be as high as 10%. We intend to create a simple examination procedure for screening congenitally deaf children for vestibular deficiency and subsequently USH I. The examination procedure is named "Minimized Rotation". The vestibular function of deaf children was examined by Minimized Rotation during their preoperative cochlear implant candidacy examination. A lack of postrotational nystagmus was seen as an indication for vestibular deficit. Subsequently some of these patients were examined under general anaesthesia by electroretinography (ERG) at the Department of Ophthalmology. A total of 117 children were examined by Minimized Rotation. In 19 children (16.2%) no rotational nystagmus was found. Six of these children were additionally examined at the Department of Ophthalmology using Ganzfeld ERG. Three of them (50%) showed generalized dysfunction of the retina; 8.1% of the children undergoing preoperative evaluation for cochlear implatation are assumed to show abnormalities of the retina. Rotational examination seems to be an appropriate screening method to detect vestibular deficits, which is one sign of USH I. The results always have to be verified by Ganzfeld-ERG or further genetic investigations. Children with USH I are threatened by progressive reduction of vision. We, therefore, consider USH I children always to be implanted bilaterally with a cochlear implant to maximize the benefit of auditory rehabilitation.