A case with 46, XX, del (11) (q21)

The cytogenetic analysis of a child with unspecific dysplastic signs revealed the karyotype: 46, XX, del(11) (q21). Two hypotheses could explain the mild phenotypical expression of this deletion:
1) The material of the deficient part of chromosome 11 is genetically inert or redundant (which seems unlikely);
2) "Gene-dosis-compensation" occurs for the loss of genes on the deficient part of chromosome 11.     

Modifizierung von homo- und copolymeren des epichlorhydrins durch polymeranaloge umsetzungen

Poly(epichlorohydrin) and poly(epichlorohydrin-co-ethylene oxide) were modified by reaction with potassium thiocyanate (KSCN), tetrabutylammonium p-toluenesulfinate (NBu₄SO₂C₇H₇) and tetrabutylammonium benzenesulfinate (NBu₄SO₂C₆H₅). Though the substitution of chlorine in the polymers with these nucleophilic reagents in most cases is accompanied by side reactions, appropriate reaction conditions allow degrees of substitution higher than 90% to be obtained. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of the thiocyanate-modified homo- and copolymer exhibits only a small increase with increasing degree of substitution. While the T_g of the original homo- and copolymer is observed at ?20°C and ?38°C, respectively, the glass transition of the highly substituted homopolymer occurs at ?12°C and for the copolymer at ?31°C. On the other hand, the thiocyanate-modified polymers show a remarkably higher decomposition temperature of about 250°C as compared with that of the unmodified polymers (160–180°C). In addition, the solubility is markedly influenced by the substitution. While the original homo- and copolymers are soluble in, e.g., benzene and toluene, the highly modified products are only soluble in polar solvents such as THF, acetone, DMSO and diglyme. Introducing sulfonyl groups, the resulting polymers exhibit a glass transition temperature increased to a greater extent. For the homopolymer with the highest degree of substitution (98,3%), a T_g of 73°C is observed. Concerning the decomposition temperature, a drastical increase up to 370°C occurs. Finally the influence of phase transfer catalysts on the described reactions was investigated.     

Description of a hybridoma bank towards Bordetella pertussis toxin and surface antigens

This paper describes the development of a murine bank of monoclonal antibodies against Bordetella pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), pili, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or outer membrane proteins (OMPs). Subunits S1, S2, S3 of pertussis toxin (PT) bound immunoglobulins and glycoproteins such as fetuin and haptoglobin in an unspecific manner. The specificity of monoclonal antibodies towards subunits S1, S2, S3 or S4 of PT could be demonstrated by using purified immunoglobulins or their Fab2 fragments. A set of FHA-specific monoclonal antibodies could be differentiated on the basis of their binding to the various breakdown products present in FHA preparations. Pili-specific monoclonal antibodies reacted with either native pili or denatured pilin, and both demonstrated serotype specificity. Monoclonal antibodies to Bordetella pertussis OMPs were directed to either the virulent phase-regulated trypsin-sensitive, detergent-extractable OMPs 92 kDa, 32 kDa, and 30 kDa or the non-virulent phase-expressed, not-trypsin sensitive OMPs 38 kDa, 33kDa, and 18 kDa.     

"Effort" thrombosis of the subclavian vein in a competitive swimmer

"Effort" thrombosis is a unique form of subclavian and axillary vein thrombosis because it is the result of an unusual variant of the thoracic outlet syndrome. Another cause of subclavian vein thrombosis is local compression from trauma, tumor, or development anomalies; a third is intimal damage from indwelling central venous catheters. This is a case report of "effort" thrombosis of the subclavian vein in a competitive swimmer. A recently developed technique of local infusion of low-dose streptokinase therapy is used for clot lysis. Early diagnosis is essential for effective thrombus dissolution with streptokinase. The rationale, risk, and method of streptokinase administration are discussed. Since "effort" thrombosis is secondary to thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), decompression of the thoracic outlet by removal of the first rib after clot lysis is recommended.     

Konsiliarisch-psychiatrische versorgung eines Allgemeinkrankenhauses im zusammenhang mit stationärer kriseninterventio

Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Arbeit untersuchten wir die konsiliarisch-psychiatrische Versorgung eines großen Allgemeinkrankenhauses in Verbindung mit der Aufnahme auf eine Kriseninterventionsstation.Besonders interessierten uns Zusammenhänge zwischen der Häufigkeit des Auftretens von Suizidalität, psychiatrischer Krise und Übernahme von konsiliarisch-psychiatrisch untersuchten Patienten. Von insgesamt 6004 Patienten des Allgemeinkrankenhauses wurden in einem Zeitraum von 2 Monaten 227 (130 Frauen, 97 Männer) psychiatrisch untersucht. Am häufigsten wurden psychogene Reaktionen und Anpassungsstörungen (ICD-9: 308.0–309.9) mit 36.6%, am zweithäufigsten Suchterkrankungen (ICD-9: 303, 305.0, 304.0–304.9, 305.1–305.9) mit 26.8% diagnostiziert. In 90 Fällen lag eine psychiatrische Krise vor. Das Durchschnittsalter dieser Patienten war niedriger als das der Übrigen. Bei 91 Patienten fand man ein suizidales Syndrom. Es wurden 23 Patienten innerhalb und 7 nach Ablauf von 24 Std auf die Kriseninterventionsstation (KIS) übernommen.Mit Hilfe der Konfigurationsfrequenzanalyse (KFA) fanden wir 3 signifikante Typen: (1) Krisen-Patienten (N = 18), bei denen sowohl Suizidalitat, Krise und Ubernahme auf die Kriseninterventionsstation innerhalb von 24 Std zusammentraf; (2) typische Nicht-Krisen-Patienten (N = 111), bei denen keine der 3 Variablen bejaht wurde; (3) eine Gruppe (N = 48), die trotz des Vorliegens eines suizidalen Syndroms und einer aktuellen Krise nicht auf die KIS übernommen wurden.Bei der Gruppe von Patienten (N = 23), die eine angebotene Aufnahme auf die Kriseninterventionsstation ablehnten, bestätigte sich durch eine Nachuntersuchung nach Ablauf eines Jahres unsere Hypothese eines hohen Risikos.Die vorliegende Arbeit ist Herrn Prof. Dr. med. Wilhelm Feuerlein zum 65. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Experimental study on drug therapy of “traction retinal detachment” after posterior penetrating eye injury in the rabbit

In an experimental study on rabbits, a standarized eye injury was created by using the pars-plana incision model. Subsequently, the effect of intravenous application of dexamethasone and penicillamine on traction retinal detachment was investigated. The two drugs were applied in varying concentrations and combinations (single and combined use in varying intervals), followed by a 3-month control period without medication. Clinical and histological findings showed that intravitreal instillation of 1.2 mg dexamethasone reduces the incidence of retinal detachment from 46% to 27%. Higher concentrations of dexamethasone, as well as the use of penicillamine or a combination of both substances, proved to enhance traction retinal detachment.     

p63 deficiency activates a program of cellular senescence and leads to accelerated aging

The p53 tumor suppressor plays a key role in organismal aging. A cellular mechanism postulated to drive the aging process is cellular senescence, mediated in part by p53. Although senescent cells accumulate in elderly individuals, most studies have relied on correlating in vitro senescence assays with in vivo phenotypes of aging. Here, using two different mouse models in which the p53-related protein p63 is compromised, we demonstrate that cellular senescence and organismal aging are intimately linked and that these processes are mediated by p63 loss. We found that p63(+/-) mice have a shortened life span and display features of accelerated aging. Both germline and somatically induced p63 deficiency activates widespread cellular senescence with enhanced expression of senescent markers SA-beta-gal, PML, and p16(INK4a). Using an inducible tissue-specific p63 conditional model, we further show that p63 deficiency induces cellular senescence and causes accelerated aging phenotypes in the adult. Our results thus suggest a causative link between cellular senescence and aging in vivo, and demonstrate that p63 deficiency accelerates this process.     

Procedure- and age-dependent hyperactivity in a new animal model of endogenous depression

We have replicated the findings of Mirmiran and colleagues that neonatal administration of the antidepressant clomipramine (CLI) to male rats results in hyperactivity in open-field tests in adulthood. We report that this effect does not reliably occur in a "Digiscan" activity device. The difference in effect between the two activity measuring devices may be due to more stress being present in the open-field test, and we propose that the CLI-treated rats may be more reactive to stress. This hypothesized enhanced reactivity to stress may be similar to the proposed vulnerability of depressed humans to stress. In addition, we have found that the open-field effect does not occur until the rats are at least 4 months old; this delayed effect may be analogous to the progressive onset of endogenous depression in humans.