Trennung des Aloins in Diastereomere und deren Charakterisierung

Resolution of Aloin into Diastereomers and Their Characterization Aloin was separated into aloin A and aloin B by HPLC. Aloin A may also be obtained by crystallization of aloin from methanol. The two aloins differ mostly in optical rotation and circular dichroism. The synthesis from anthrones and acetobromoglucose shows that in both aloins the anthrone is in the β-position of the D-glucose. C-1′ of the D-glucose has the R-configuration. Aloin A and aloin B have different configurations at C-10 of the anthrone part. ¹H-NMR spectra show that aloin A is the 10 R,1′R- compound, whereas the chemically less stable aloin B is the 10S, 1′-R-compound.     

Temporomandibular joint arthrography: comparison of morbidity with ionic and low osmolality contrast media

We compared patient morbidity associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrography using both meglumine/sodium diatrizoate (60%) and the new monoacidic dimer, Hexabrix, in a double-blind randomized clinical trial in 31 patients. Patients experienced maximal discomfort from TMJ arthrography with the initial joint filling and joint distension; this rapidly resolved over 10 minutes. Delayed exacerbation of pain is less than described for shoulder arthrography. The newer contrast media promise to decrease patient morbidity with arthrography.     

Fc receptors and their interaction with complement in autoimmunity

Genetic studies in mice indicate a crucial role for Fc receptors (FcR) in antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases. Like other immune regulatory receptor pairs, the FcR system is constituted by activating and inhibitory receptors that bind the same ligand, the Fc portion of Ig. Analyses of animal models have shown that the inhibitory Fc receptor, FcgammaRIIB can suppress antibody-mediated autoimmunity, whereas activating-type FcR, such as FcgammaRIII promote disease development. This review summarizes recent advances of FcR, as obtained from gene deletion studies in mice, and highlights the importance of factors that interact with FcR in autoimmunity. There is emerging evidence for an indispensable role of the complement component C5a in the regulation of FcR and the sensing of FcR-dependent effector cell responses. On the other hand, FcR might be alternatives to serum complement in the generation of C5a at sites of inflammation. Thus, FcR and complement interact with each other at the level of C5a by linking regulatory events with effector cell activities in autoimmunity. This connecting pathway is now proposed to be a promising new therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammation and autoimmune disease in both mice and humans.