Editorial

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Expression of epithelial adhesion proteins and integrins in chronic inflammation.

Epithelial cell behavior in chronic inflammation is poorly characterized. During inflammation of tooth-supporting structures (periodontal disease), increased proliferation of epithelial cells into the inflamed connective tissue stroma is commonly seen. In some areas ulceration and degeneration take place. We studied alterations in the expression of adhesion molecules and integrins during chronic periodontal inflammation. In inflamed tissue, laminin-1 and type IV collagen were still present in the basement membrane and surrounding blood vessels, but they were also found extravascularly in inflamed connective tissue stroma. Type VII collagen and laminin-5 (also known as kalinin, epiligrin, or nicein) were poorly preserved in the basement membrane zone, but both were found in unusual streak-like distributions in the subepithelial connective tissue stroma in inflamed tissue. Both fibronectin and tenascin were substantially decreased in chronically inflamed connective tissue, showing only punctate staining at the basement membrane zone. Integrins of the beta 1 family showed two distinct staining patterns in epithelial cells during chronic inflammation; focal losses of beta 1 integrins (alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 3 beta 1) were found in most areas, while in other areas the entire pocket epithelium was found to be strongly positive for beta 1 integrins. No members of the alpha v integrin family were found in any epithelia studied. Expression of the alpha 6 beta 4 integrin was high in basal cells of healthy tissue, but weak in epithelium associated with chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation therefore involves alterations in both adhesion proteins and integrins expressed by epithelial cells. Basement membrane components found at abnormal sites in stroma in chronic inflammation might serve as new adhesive ligands for various cell types in inflamed stroma.     

Arginine depletion in macrophage medium inhibits collagen synthesis by fibroblasts

In the present work we demonstrate that non-activated, cultured rat peritoneal macrophages deplete arginine from their culture medium and that the use of this medium in fibroblast cultures may lead to decreased synthesis of collagen by fibroblasts.     

Dielectric properties of a liquid crystalline siloxane copolymer

An investigation on the molecular dynamics of a liquid crystalline side chain polymer using the dielectric relaxation method on oriented samples in the frequency range of 0,1 to 10 000 kHz is presented. The compound under investigation is a polysiloxane copolymer with two different mesogenic side chains and a phase sequence glassy-smectic A-nematic-isotropic. Three main relaxation processes are found and assigned to the rotation of the side chains around the main chain, the glass transition process coupled with side chain motions, and a local motion in the glassy state, respectively. Evidence is found for a layered arrangement of the polymer main chain in the smectic phase and for a parallel correlation between the transverse components of the dipole moments.     

Relationship between Hip Extension Range of Motion and Postural Alignment

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between hip extension range of motion (ROM) and three determinants of postural alignment: standing pelvic tilt, standing lumbar lordosis, and abdominal muscle performance. The subjects were 25 healthy adults ranging in age from 21 to 49 years. The Pearson product-moment correlation of hip extension ROM with pelvic tilt was -0.04, with lumbar lordosis -0.09, and with abdominal muscle performance 0.09. These results indicate that these variables are not related. This study demonstrates that the hypothetical correlation among these clinical parameters needs to be reassessed. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1990;12(6):243-247.