Collagen specific amino acids in skin in localized scleroderma

Hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine and proline were determined on skin from 18 patients with localized scleroderma (10 with localized morphoea plaque and 8 with generalized morphoea). Three skin biopsies (4mm punch) were obtained from each patient: One from the center of a sclerotic plaque, one from the perilesional area, and one (control) from unaffected skin of the same region. Clinically, the sclerosis was more pronounced (p less than 0.01) in localized morphoea plaque as compared to generalized morphoea. Patients with localized morphoea plaque had an increased concentration of hydroxylysine (p less than 0.01) and an increased ratio of hydroxylysine to hydroxyproline (p less than 0.01) in the plaques. Hydroxylysine concentration was not changed in patients with generalized morphoea. In the entire material, increased hydroxylysine concentration were related to shorter age of the plaques (p less than 0.05) and to advanced degree of sclerosis (p less than 0.05). The hydroxylysine and hydroxyproline content per mm2 skin surface, and the weight of the dried defatted biopsy cores were increased in sclerotic plaques (p less than 0.01) in localized as well as generalized morphoea. There were no changes in the hydroxyproline and proline concentrations in any of the groups. Specimens from perilesional area showed intermediate changes. The results were compared with selected cases of lichen sclerosis et atrophicus and atrophic skin diseases. The increase in hydroxylysine concentration and ratio to hydroxyproline indicate that patients with localized morphoea plaque contain an increased proportion of newly synthesized collagen in the fibrotic plaque.     

Regional glycosaminoglycans composition of the human sclera

Human sclera from different parts of the normal adult eye was analyzed for content of uronic acid and the distribution of specific glycosaminoglycan types. Uronic acid is widely determined as representative of glycosaminoglycans in biological substances and variations of about 2-fold were found. Differences of up to 50% were detected in the relative abundance of hyaluronic acid and of dermatan sulphate, depending on the site on the globe from which the sample was taken. Sclera from around the papilla was found to be rich in content of dermatan sulphate. Sclera from the posterior eyeball showed a higher percentage of chondroitin sulphate as compared with sclera from equator and limbus. Equatorial sclera was richer in hyaluronic acid than posterior sclera. Sclera from the posterior eyeball showed a higher content of uronic acid as compared with sclera from equator and limbus. This work is an addition to the understanding of the scleral biochemistry and this finding may have some relevance in connection with ocular disease, as the proteoglycans and their content of glycosaminoglycans play a key role in the regulation of collagen fibril assembly and in the biomechanical strength of collagen fibrils.     

Predictive validity of a service-setting-based measure to identify infancy mental health problems: a population-based cohort study

Measures to identify infancy mental health problems are essential to guide interventions and reduce the risk of developmental psychopathology in early years. We investigated a new service-setting-based measure the Copenhagen Infant Mental Health Screening (CIMHS) within the general child health surveillance by community health nurses (CHN). The study population of 2973 infants was assessed by CIMHS at age 9–10 months. A subsample of 416 children was examined at age 1½ years, using parent interviews including the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL 1½–5), Check List of Autism and Toddlers (CHAT), Infant–Toddler Symptom Checklist (ITSCL), and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) and observations of behavior, communication, and interaction. Child mental disorders were diagnosed according to ICD-10 and parent–child relationship disorders according to DC:0-3R. Statistical analyses included logistic regression analyses adjusted and weighted to adjust for sampling and bias. CIMHS problems of sleep, feeding and eating, emotions, attention, communication, and language were associated with an up to fivefold increased risk of child mental disorders across the diagnostic spectrum of ICD-10 diagnoses. Homo-type continuity was seen in problems of sleep and feeding and eating being associated with a threefold increased risk of disorders within the same area, OR 3.0 (95% CI 1.6–5.4) and OR 2.7 (95% CI 1.7–4.2), respectively. The sensitivity at high CIMHS problem scores was 32% and specificity 86%. In summary, CIMHS identify a broad range of infants’ mental health problems that are amenable to guide intervention within the general child health surveillance.     

Excretion of urinary collagen metabolites correlates to severity of pulmonary disease in cystic fibrosis

The urinary excretion of collagen metabolites (hydroxylysine, hydroxyproline and proline) was significantly increased in 10 patients with cystic fibrosis and chronic broncho-pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection as compared with 14 age matched controls. The increase was significantly correlated to impaired pulmonary function (FVC and FEV1). The results indicate that urinary collagen metabolites reflect degradation of lung connective tissue and may be an indicator of the severity of pulmonary disease in cystic fibrosis. Parts of the excreted hydroxyproline may be degradation products of elastin.     

Residential exposure to traffic noise and leisure-time sports – A population-based study

Background

Traffic levels have been found a significant environmental predictor for physical inactivity. A recent study suggested that traffic noise annoyance was associated with lower physical activity.

The effect of hyaluronic acid on cartilage in the immobilized rabbit knee

Out of 30 adult rabbits, 20 had one knee immobilized with a plaster of Paris cast for 6 or 12 weeks, and 10 rabbits were used as untreated controls. Prior to immobilization, 10 knees were injected with high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid. The articular cartilage of the femoral condyles was studied by light microscopy, whereas that of the patella and tibia was analyzed biochemically. Degenerative changes of the articular cartilage similar to those seen in arthrosis were observed after 6 weeks. The intraarticular injection of hyaluronic acid did not prevent these changes; instead, the reparative processes seemed inhibited.     

Collagen components in the duodenal and rectal mucosa in progressive systemic sclerosis and other diseases

Small intestinal mucosa from 14 patients suffering from progressive systemic sclerosis and 22 patients with various other diseases was analysed for collagen components. There was no significant difference in the concentration of hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine and proline between the two groups. Rectal mucosa from 11 progressive systemic sclerosis patients, 5 patients with ulcerative colitis and 7 patients with various other diseases was analysed for collagen components. No significant difference was demonstrated in the concentration of hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine and proline between progressive systemic sclerosis patients and patients with various other diseases, but in patients with ulcerative colitis the concentration of hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine and proline were found to be significantly lower than in the two other groups.     

Serum and urinary aminoterminal type III procollagen peptide in progressive systemic sclerosis: relationship to sclerodermal involvement, serum hyaluronan and urinary collagen metabolites

Increased serum values of aminoterminal type III procollagen peptide and hyaluronan (hyaluronate) and enhanced urinary content of hydroxyproline and hydroxylsine containing polypeptides were demonstrated in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). The serum propeptide level and the relative urinary excretion of hydroxyproline as polypeptides were related to the extent of cutaneous involvement. Elevated serum propeptide and hyaluronan values were seen in patients who progressed within the following 6 months. Patients with CREST syndrome had normal propeptide values. Reduced renal propeptide clearance is a likely cause of high serum levels of propeptide degradation products demonstrated in PSS. Serum propeptide seems to be a useful novel marker for disease activity and progression in PSS because of its linkage to the actual connective tissue metabolism.