Spinal MRI in vacuolar myelopathy, and correlation with histopathological findings

We correlated MRI features with histopathological findings in an HIV-positive patient with vacuolar myelopathy. On MRI symmetrical nonenhancing high-signal areas in the posterior columns on T2-weighted images result from extensive vacuolation visible on histological sections. Received: 18 November 1997 Accepted: 23 March 1997     

Pneumocandins from Zalerion arboricola. III. Structure elucidation.

Pneumocandin B0 (6) and six related lipopeptides are antifungal and anti-Pneumocystis carinii agents from mutants of Zalerion arboricola, whose structures were determined mainly on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. They belong, along with pneumocandin A0 (L-671,329) previously isolated from these laboratories, to the echinocandin class of antifungal agents. The product from base-catalyzed ring opening involving the hemiaminal position of the dihydroxyornithine residue of B0, has been clearly defined as 6b. Modifications were limited to the 3-hydroxy-4-methylproline, 3,4-dihydroxyhomotyrosine and 4,5-dihydroxyornithine residues of pneumocandin A0.     

Rechtsprechung aktuell

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Rechtsprechung aktuell

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Immunologie bei Schwerverletzten

Zusammenfassung. Der klinische Verlauf bei polytraumatisierten Patienten wird durch das h?ufige Auftreten schwerwiegender immunologischer Komplikationen beeintr?chtigt. Die Immunantwort auf schweres Trauma kann durch die vermehrte Freisetzung proinflammatorischer Mediatoren über das „systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)“ zum Mehrorganversagen [„multisystem organ failure (MOF)“] führen, welches mit einer Letalit?t von bis zu 80 % behaftet ist. Charakteristisch für die Entwicklung des Multiorganversagens ist das Auftreten des „remote organ failure (ROF)“, eine Fehlfunktion von Organen, die durch das eigentliche Trauma keinen direkten Schaden erlitten haben. Diese Arbeit gibt einen kurzen überblick über die neueren Entwicklungen auf dem Gebiet der tierexperimentell-immunologischen Traumaforschung und geht eingehend auf den aktuellen Stand der klinisch-immunologischen Traumaforschung ein. Insbesondere wird die Bedeutung der sog. pro- und antiinflammatorischen Cytokine bei der Entstehung von SIRS, MOF und ROF er?rtert. Trotz der vielen Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der klinischen Immunologie und der vielf?ltigen Informationen über die Trauma-induzierten Immunfunktionsst?rungen müssen jedoch noch viele offene Fragen gel?st werden, bevor die immunologischen Ver?nderungen nach schwerem Trauma durch immunmodulatorische Therapieans?tze nachhaltig positiv beeinflu?t werden k?nnen.      

Rechtsprechung aktuell

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Rechtsprechung aktuell

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Inflammatory regulation of extracellular matrix remodeling in calcific aortic valve stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Calcific aortic stenosis (AS), the most frequent heart valve disorder in developed countries, leads to the calcification and fibrous thickening of the valve. While several studies have addressed the process of valvular calcification, the molecular pathomechanisms of the extensive matrix remodeling remain unclear. Because inflammation is present in stenotic valves, we hypothesized that the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) might influence cell proliferation and regulate the expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)--enzymes that are thought to be involved in calcific AS. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry for leukocytes, TNFalpha, MMP-1, and the endogenous MMP inhibitor tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 was performed on human stenotic (n = 19) and control (n = 8) valves. Primary cultures of human aortic valve myofibroblasts were incubated with and without TNFalpha, and cell proliferation was assessed. The expression and activation of MMP-1 were detected by Western blotting and a specific MMP-1 activity assay. RESULTS: Control valves showed scattered macrophages and low expression of TNFalpha, MMP-1, and TIMP-1. In stenotic valves, leukocyte infiltration and a strong, colocalized expression of TNFalpha and MMP-1 were present, while TIMP-1 remained unchanged. Double-label immunofluorescence localized TNFalpha mainly to macrophages. In cultured human aortic valve myofibroblasts, TNFalpha stimulated proliferation and induced a time-dependent increase in MMP-1 expression and activation, while TIMP-1 remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that matrix remodeling in calcific AS involves the expression and activation of MMPs. Activated leukocytes, by the secretion of TNFalpha, may stimulate valvular myofibroblasts to proliferate and express MMPs, thus regulating actively the matrix remodeling in calcific AS.