Multicontrast MRI of remyelination in the central nervous system

Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represents the most sensitive tool for the detection of white matter abnormalities in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), the heterogeneity of MS placques severely hampers the elucidation of specific pathophysiological processes. In order to identify putative MRI markers for de- and remyelination, we employed the cuprizone mouse model which leads to a selective and reversible demyelination of the corpus callosum with little or no axonal damage. Apart from histopathology, animals were studied with high-resolution three-dimensional MRI in vivo using multiple contrasts. While individual MRI findings significantly correlated with electron microscopy, the differentiation of regions with normal, demyelinated or remyelinated white matter by one contrast alone was less specific than by histology or electron microscopy. However, an accurate MRI prediction of the in vivo myelin status was achieved by a discriminant function analysis using a combination of T1, T2 and magnetization transfer contrast. With a correct assignment of 95% of all animals examined, the procedure will allow for the survey of new therapeutic approaches aiming at improved remyelination.     

Feasibility of simultaneous fluorescence immunophenotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization study for the detection of estrogen receptor expression and deletions of the estrogen receptor gene in breast carcinoma cell lines

For the first time, combined immunophenotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique according to the ”fluorescence immunophenotyping and interphase cytogenetics as a tool for investigation of neoplasms” (FICTION) technique have been successfully applied in solid tumors. Thus, we were able to visualize the antigen expression of cells with chromosomal deletions of a tumor suppressor region directly. In six breast carcinoma cell lines, we investigated the correlation between estrogen receptor (ER) expression status and deletions of the estrogen receptor gene (ESR). To screen for deletions of the ESR gene, dual-color FISH was performed with a YAC (yeast artificial chromosome) probe containing the ESR gene and, as internal control, with a centromeric probe of chromosome 6. Deletions of the ESR gene were detected in four of six cell lines. For direct comparison of ER expression with the copy number of the ESR gene at the single cell level, immunophenotyping with mouse anti-human ER antibody was combined with FISH with the YAC probe containing the ESR gene according to the FICTION technique. There was no correlation between lack of or reduced ER expression and deletions of the ESR gene. One cell line with deletions of the ESR gene did express ER on the protein level, while another cell line without a deletion did not. Cells with deletions of the ESR gene were either ER expression positive or negative. The staining intensity of ER expression was not associated with the copy number of the ESR gene. Thus, this FICTION study unequivocally shows that deletions of the ESR gene are not the major cause of absent or reduced ER expression in breast carcinoma cell lines. Received: 6 September 1999 / Accepted: 14 September 1999     

Prevalence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Dromedary Camels,Tunisia

Free-roaming camels, especially those crossing national borders, pose a high risk for spreading Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). To prevent outbreaks, active surveillance is necessary. We found that a high percentage of dromedaries in Tunisia are MERS-CoV seropositive (80.4%) or actively infected (19.8%), indicating extensive MERS-CoV circulation in Northern Africa.     

COVID-19- und influenzaassoziierte Sterbefälle in München ab März 2020 – eine standardisierte Auswertung von Todesbescheinigungen

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz - Vor dem Hintergrund der derzeitigen COVID-19-Pandemie entstand die Idee zur Durchführung einer Studie, in der die...     

Management des blutenden Patienten mit Immunthrombozytopenie

Die Anaesthesiologie - Die Immunthrombozytopenie (ITP) ist eine seltene, erworbene Thrombozytopenie mit einer Inzidenz von 2–4/100.000 Personen und Jahr. Sie wird durch eine Thrombozytenzahl...