An electron microscopic study of degeneration of nerve terminals after administration of epinephrine

6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) has been used clinically to create a chemical sympathectomy and has been shown to cause acute, selective degeneration of sympathetic nerve terminals. Because epinephrine, an endogenous catecholamine, resembles 6-OHDA structurally, it was reasoned that some doses of epinephrine might cause similar degeneration. Supralethal doses of epinephrine were given to five cats pretreated with phenozybenzamine (an alpha receptor blocker known to protect animals from epinephrine's lethal effects) and the irises and spleen capsules were examined with the electron microscope and compared to control animals. In addition, high doses of epinephrine alone were given to three cats and specimens were taken and compared to controls. It appears systemic epinephrine administration can result in acute degeneration of nerve terminals while leaving other structures intact as has been reported for 6-OHDA.     

Familial Band-shaped Nodular Keratonathy

A family is reported in which two brothers have a bilateral, symmetrical corneal disorder characterized by small yellowish to ambercolored globules arranged in a band-shaped configuration in the central superficial layers of the cornea. The globules have a similar clinical appearance to those found in Bietti's “band-shaped nodular dystrophy,” a keratopathy that is nonfamilial, has an onset later in life, and initially involves the peripheral cornea. Light and electron microscopic studies of corneal tissue obtained from the proband showed that the globular deposits autofluoresce, that they stain black with Verhoeff's elastic stain, and that they correspond to an electron-dense material found within corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes and within the extracellular tissues of the anterior cornea. A third, younger brother appears to have the early corneal signs of the condition. Unlike the condition described by Bietti, the keratopathy we report is unique in its familial nature, early onset in life, and initial, marked central corneal involvement.     

Über die Sicherung von Kell-Befunden

Zusammenfassung Positive Befunde mit konglutinierenden Anti-Kell-Seren können unspezifisch sein. Durch Waschen der Erythrocyten sind keine spezifischen Reaktionen zu erreichen. Einwandfreie Ergebnisse sind dagegen durch Anwendung des Absorptionsverfahrens zu erzielen.

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Summary Positiv findings with conglutinating anti-Kell-sera may be unspecific. No specific reactions are found by washing of the erythrocytes. Excellentes result are however found by using the absorption-method.

     

BARD1 content correlates with increased DNA fragmentation associated with muscle wasting in tumour-bearing rats

Apoptotic events have been clearly associated with muscle wasting in different types of experimental cancer cachexia. In these conditions, cell death is triggered by cytokines or tumour-produced factors. BARD1 is a nuclear protein that is also involved in apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. The results presented here demonstrate that BARD1 content in skeletal muscle correlates with increased DNA fragmentation during experimental cancer cachexia. It is suggested that BARD1 acts as a modulator of muscle apoptosis or, alternatively, that BARD1 participates in the protein degradation by functioning as ubiquitin ligase.     

Is there more to BARD1 than BRCA1?

It has been over a decade since mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 were found to be associated with a small number of familial breast cancer cases. BRCA1 is a large protein that interacts with many other proteins that have diverse functions, so it has been a challenge to determine how defects in its function could lead to cancer. One particular protein, BARD1, seems to be an important regulator of the tumour-suppressor function of BRCA1, as well as acting as a tumour suppressor itself. BARD1 is indispensable for cell viability, so loss-of-function mutations are rare, but mutations and truncations that alter its function might be involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.     

Plant phenolics inhibit neutrophil elastase

Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a serine protease, which is present in its active form in inflamed tissue as well as in psoriatic lesions. In extension of our research on natural compounds as inhibitors of HNE or of its release, several phenolics of different size were tested. The ellagitannins agrimoniin and pedunculagin were the most potent direct HNE inhibitors (IC (50) = 0.9 and 2.8 microM, respectively). Ligand docking calculations provided evidence that inhibition may occur in an unspecific manner. Agrimoniin also showed anti-proliferative effects in the ATP assay (IC (50) = 3.2 microM), suggesting that this type of tannin could have beneficial effects in the treatment of diseases such as psoriasis. Tests with other phenolics combined with ligand docking experiments revealed that, besides the presence of ORTHO-dihydroxy groups, a specific lipophilic shape is necessary for an inhibitory activity. The phenolic genistein deserves special interest as an inhibitor of elastase release because its effect was remarkably potent (IC (50) = 0.6 microM).     

Interactions of chemicals and metal ions with proteins and role for immune responses

Chemicals and metal ions often induce allergic contact dermatitis. We review here recent advances in the development of in vitro assays for prediction of skin sensitizing potency based on chemical and biological reactivity as well as in the identification of physiological binding partners and immunological pathomechanisms of chemical and metal ion induced disease.     

Gen-Defekte im Haptoglobin-System

Zusammenfassung Bericht über einen Fall von entgegengesetzter Reinerbigkeit im Hp-System in 3 Generationen, der zu der Annahme eines stummen Gens zwingt. Auf die rechtlichen Konsequenzen wird hingewiesen und der Vorschlag gemacht, bei Vaterschaftsausschluß im Haptoglobin-System auf Grund entgegengesetzter Reinerbigkeit zwischen Kind und Mann die Untersuchung auf Angehörige des Mannes zu erweitern.

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Summary The paper deals with a case of adverse homocygoty in the Hp-system in 3 generations leading to the assumption of a silent gene. Reference is made to the legal consequences. It is proposed to enlarge the examinations to relatives of the man in case of exclusion of the fatherhood in the Haptoglobin-system because of adverse homocygoty between the child and the man.

     

Metastatic spermatocytic seminoma--an extremely rare disease

Metastatic spermatocytic seminoma is an extremely rare disease with only one documented case in literature. We present another patient with metastatic disease confirmed by histological work-up after laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (L-RPLND).