The mast cell: distribution and maturation in the peritoneal cavity of the adult rat.

In the peritoneal cavity of the adult rat mast cells at the four stages of progressive maturation (and corresponding increase of sulphation of granules) are best demonstrated in free peritoneal fluid. Of the 0.1-0.2x10(6) cells in the free fluid, 26% are at stage 1 of maturation (all granules are stained by Alcian blue). 24% at stage 2 (majority of granules are stained by Alcian blue, minority by safranin), 20% at stage 3 (majority of granules are safranin-positive), and 30% at stage 4 (all granules are safranin-positive). Peritoneal washings yield a mean of about 1.3-1.8x10(6) mast cells of which 16% are at stage 1, 24% at stage 2, 34% at stage 3 and 26% at stage 4. The greater number recovered by washing, compared with the number in free peritoneal fluid, suggests that a substantial number of mast cells lie on the surface of the peritoneal membranes.     

Der Einfluss von Trematoden auf den Gasstoffwechsel von Stagnicola palustris Müll.

Zusammenfassung 1. Der Sauerstoffverbrauch pro mg nichtinfizierter Stagnicola palustris ist, statistisch gesichert, dem Gesamtgewicht nicht linear proportional. Bei den infizierten Tieren scheinen ähnliche Verhältnisse zu herrschen.2. Nach dem X²-Verfahren von Pearson kann ein Unterschied im Sauerstoffverbrauch zwischen nichtbefallenen und befallenen Schnecken statistisch gesichert werden.Die nichtbefallenen veratmen pro Gewichtseinheit mehr Sauerstoff als die befallenen Tiere.3. Der geringeren Sauerstoffverbrauch der befallenen Schnecken wird auf deren verringerte Bewegungsaktivität zurückgeführt.4. Die Sporocysten sind in der Lage, sowohl Glukose wie Glykogen aus dem sie umgebenden Medium aufzunehmen und zu veratmen.5. Lichteinwirkung aktiviert die Kriechbewegungen der in der Sporocyste zu etwa einem Drittel vorhandenen Cercarien. Gleichsinnig damit erhöht sich der respiratorische Quotient, wenn den Tieren Glukose geboten wird.6. Der Parasit ist in den Stoffwechsel seines Wirts so eingefügt, daß sich hinsichtlich des Gasstoffwechsel, sowohl qualitativ wie quantitativ kein nennenswerter Unterschied ergibt.Mit 10 TextabbildungenMeinem sehr verehrten Lehrer, Herrn Prof. Dr. W. Neuhaus, danke ich für die Überlassung des Themas und seine stetige, freundliche Unterstützung in allen Fragen.     

Erratum: Sodium channel gene (SCN5A) mutations in 44 index patients with brugada syndrome: Different incidences in familial and sporadic disease

In supplementation of previously published cardiac sodium channel (SCN5A) gene mutations that were cited in the text, in Table 2 and in Figure 2 we here apply an updated gene mutation nomenclature (Human Genome Variation Society, 2005) to facilitate mutation annotation comparison (SCN5A cDNA reference: NM_198056.1 or GI: 37622906; amino acid reference sequence: SWISS‐PROT entry Q14524, long splice variant, 2,016 amino acids): Mutation: c.2602delC Amino acid change: p.Glu868X Mutation: c.2581_2582delTT Amino acid change: p.Phe861Trp fsX90 Mutation: c.4477_4479delAAG Amino acid change: p.Lys1493del Mutation: c.5425C>A Amino acid change: p.Ser1812X     

Surface tension of animal cartilage as it relates to friction in joints

Measurements of the surface tension of articular cartilage and friction experiments were carried out to provide further evidence in support of a new theory regarding the mechanism of friction in joints. To determine the surface tension of cartilage, contact angle measurements were used in conjunction with the equation of state for interfacial tensions. The advancing contact angle between saline drops and articular cartilage was found to be 100°±5°, indicating a highly hydrophobic surface. The corresponding surface tension value was calculated to be 22.5 ergs/cm². Friction of cartilage against hydrophobic surfaces is shown to be lower than the friction of cartilage against hydrophilic surfaces. All these results further support the theory that lubrication by nonwetting drops occurs in joints and may be responsible for the exceptional friction characteristics of the joints.     

Alteration of the LRP1B gene region is associated with high grade of urothelial cancer

We have delineated regions of interest at chromosome 2q21.2, 2q36.3, and 2q37.1 by deletion mapping of 114 urothelial cancers (UC). Altogether, 17%, 18%, and 63% of the G1, G2, and G3 tumors displayed loss of heterozygosity at chromosome 2q, respectively, The region at 2q21.2 was narrowed down to the LRP1B gene (NT_005129.6). Hemi- and homozygous deletion at the LRP1B gene region was seen in 31 of 114 UCs. Only 8% of the UCs with G1 and none with G2 tumors showed loss of heterozygosity at the LRP1B gene, whereas 49% of the G3 UCs had allelic loss at this region. RT-PCR analysis of the LRP1B gene showed the lack of expression of several exons in 2 of 9 cases analyzed. Our analysis suggests that the LRP1B gene is a candidate tumor suppressor gene in UCs.     

Zur Katalyse der stereospezifischen Butadienpolymerisation mit den Katalysatorsystemen aus Nd(η3-C3H5)3 · dioxan und methylaluminoxan (MAO) sowie Hexaisobutylaluminoxan (HIBAO)

The activation of the tris(allyl)neodymium complex Nd(η³-C₃H₅)₃ · dioxane with alkylaluminoxanes (MAO or HIBAO) results in highly selective catalysts for the 1,4-cis-polymerization of butadiene (cis-selectivity up to 80%). Under standard conditions (50°C, toluene), the turnover frequency (TOF) of the catalyst/MAO system amounts to 10–15000 mol butadiene/(mol Nd · h). Molecular weight determinations indicate the formation of only one polymer chain per neodymium center as in a living polymerization reaction, and for the catalyst/HIBAO system the rate law r_p = k_p [Nd][C₄H₆] with k_p = 8,7 · 10^?2 mol/(L · s) (at 25°C) has been derived. As the catalytically active species, a cationic monobutenyl neodymium(III) complex is discussed, which is stabilized through coordinative interaction with the counter anion as well as the growing polybutadiene chain. This cationic complex reacts under insertion with butadiene in a bimolecular fashion.     

Cytologic features of papillary-cystic variant of acinic-cell adenocarcinoma: A case report

A case of papillary-cystic variant of acinic-cell adenocarcinoma is described. The cytologic findings differed significantly from the classic features of this tumor with smears showing large monolayer sheets and small papillary groups, no acinic structures or naked tumor cell nuclei, sparse cell dissociation and many vacuolated cells. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.