Stillmonitoring in Deutschland – aktueller Handlungsbedarf und Perspektiven

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz - Stillmonitoring bezeichnet die systematische Erhebung aktueller, umfassender und genauer Daten zu Stillquoten, Stillverhalten und...     

Bedeutung des Stillens für das Kind

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz - Muttermilch ist die natürliche Ernährung für Säuglinge. Neben Nährstoffen enthält Muttermilch eine...     

Standardized peptidome profiling of human urine by magnetic bead separation and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

BACKGROUND: Peptidome profiling of human urine is a promising tool to identify novel disease-associated biomarkers; however, a wide range of preanalytical variables influence the results of peptidome analysis. Our aim was to develop a standardized protocol for reproducible urine peptidome profiling by means of magnetic bead (MB) separation followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). METHODS: MBs with defined surface functionalities (hydrophobic interaction, cation exchange, and metal ion affinity) were used for peptide fractionation of urine. Mass accuracy and imprecision were calculated for 9 characteristic mass signals (M(r), 1000-10,000). Exogenous variables (instrument performance, urine sampling/storage conditions, freezing conditions, and freeze-thaw cycles) and endogenous variables (pH, urine salt and protein concentrations, and blood and bacteria interferences) were investigated with urine samples from 10 male and 10 female volunteers. RESULTS: We detected 427 different mass signals in the urine of healthy donors. Within- and between-day imprecision in relative signal intensities ranged from 1% to 14% and from 4% to 16%, respectively. Weak cation-exchange and metal ion affinity MB preparations required adjustment of the urinary pH to 7. Storage time, storage temperature, the number of freeze-thaw cycles, and bacterial and blood contamination significantly influenced urine peptide patterns. Individual urine peptide patterns differed significantly within and between days. This imprecision was diminished by normalization to a urinary protein content of 3.5 microg. CONCLUSION: This reliable pretreatment protocol allows standardization of preanalytical modalities and facilitates reproducible peptidome profiling of human urine by means of MB separation in combination with MALDI-TOF MS.     

Active elimination of the marine biotoxin okadaic acid by P-glycoprotein through an in vitro gastrointestinal barrier

The consumption of okadaic acid (OA) contaminated shellfish can induce acute toxic symptoms in humans such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain; carcinogenic and embryotoxic effects have also been described. Toxicokinetic studies with mice have shown that high cytotoxic doses of OA can pass the gastrointestinal barrier presumably by paracellular passage. However, in vitro studies using human intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayers to represent the intestinal barrier have shown that at low-dose exposure OA is transported against a concentration gradient suggesting an active efflux mechanism. Since P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transports a wide variety of substrates, we investigated its possible influence on the observed elimination of OA. We used two different cellular transwell models: (i) Caco-2 cell monolayer endogenously expressing human P-gp and simulating the intestinal barrier and (ii) MDCK-II cell monolayer stably over-expressing P-gp. Our study demonstrates clearly that OA at non-cytotoxic concentrations passes the monolayer barrier only to a low degree, and that it is actively eliminated by P-gp over the apical membrane. Therefore, our in vitro data indicate that humans appear to have efficient defense mechanisms to protect themselves against low-dose contaminated shellfish by exhibiting a low bioavailability as a result of active elimination of OA by P-gp.     

Development and effectiveness of struma prevention in East Germany

For the control of iodine deficiency disorders in man and animal since 1985/1986 measures have been introduced which were interdisciplinary attuned: 84% of the paketed salt are iodized (32 mg KIO3/kg) and iodized mixtures of mineral substances are used in the animal production of agricultural useful animals. The effectiveness of the iodine prevention becomes visible by an increase of the renal iodine excretion, regression of the frequency of connatal goitre and iodine deficiency disorders in the animal production. Increased manifestations of cases of hyperthyroidism as sequelae are of transient importance.     

The genome sequence of Clostridium tetani,the causative agent of tetanus disease

Tetanus disease is one of the most dramatic and globally prevalent diseases of humans and vertebrate animals, and has been reported for over 24 centuries. The manifestation of the disease, spastic paralysis, is caused by the second most poisonous substance known, the tetanus toxin, with a human lethal dose of approximately 1 ng/kg. Fortunately, this disease is successfully controlled through immunization with tetanus toxoid; nevertheless, according to the World Health Organization, an estimated 400,000 cases still occur each year, mainly of neonatal tetanus. The causative agent of tetanus disease is Clostridium tetani, an anaerobic spore-forming bacterium, whose natural habitat is soil, dust, and intestinal tracts of various animals. Here we report the complete genome sequence of toxigenic C. tetani E88, a variant of strain Massachusetts. The genome consists of a 2,799,250-bp chromosome encoding 2,372 ORFs. The tetanus toxin and a collagenase are encoded on a 74,082-bp plasmid, containing 61 ORFs. Additional virulence-related factors could be identified, such as an array of surface-layer and adhesion proteins (35 ORFs), some of them unique to C. tetani. Comparative genomics with the genomes of Clostridium perfringens, the causative agent of gas gangrene, and Clostridium acetobutylicum, a nonpathogenic solvent producer, revealed a remarkable capacity of C. tetani: The organism can rely on an extensive sodium ion bioenergetics. Additional candidate genes involved in the establishment and maintenance of a pathogenic lifestyle of C. tetani are presented.