Linkage between atopy and the IgE high-affinity receptor gene at 11q13 in atopic dermatitis families.

Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disease frequently associated with allergic disorders such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Controversial linkage findings between atopy and markers at chromosome 11q13 led us to search chromosome 11 for genes conferring susceptibility to atopic dermatitis and atopy. Twelve families were investigated using highly polymorphic markers and a powerful model-free linkage test. Two markers gave evidence for linkage, D11S903 (P = 0.02) and FCER1B (P = 0.005). A two-point lod-score analysis between these two markers revealed significant evidence for linkage (zmax = 4.02 at (theta = 0.0). In regard to model-dependent lod-score analyses between atopic disorders and FCER1B, two-point analysis gave a lod score of z = 0.78 whereas two-locus analysis using a recessive-dominant mode of inheritance displayed a significant lod score of z = 3.55. Only 2 of 12 families showed evidence for linkage using the latter oligogenic model. In conclusion, the results of our study map the FCER1B gene in close proximity to D11S903, support the finding of Cookson et al. implicating the IgE high-affinity receptor gene (FCER1B) at 11q13, and furthermore suggest an oligogenic mode of inheritance as well as heterogeneity in the genetic susceptibility to atopy and atopic dermatitis.

[Postmenopausal hormone substitution and its effects on the climacteric syndrome, body weight and blood pressure]. / Postmenopausale Hormonsubstitution und ihre Auswirkungen auf das Beschwerdebild des klimakterischen Syndroms, auf Gewicht und Blutdruck.

The effect of 0.6 mg conjugated equine estrogens in combination with sequential medrogestone (5 mg from day 11 to 21) on climacteric symptoms, blood pressure and weight were investigated in 46 postmenopausal women. The climacteric symptoms were quantified by a modified Kuppermann-Index. After a 3 months' treatment the index decreased from 20.58 to 8.47 (p < 0.001). 28 patients (65%) showed a 50% and more reduction of climacteric symptoms. 40 patients (93%) reported an improvement of their complaints. The body weight remained stable. One patient had to interrupt the treatment due to a cerebral ischemic disease (PRIND). The systolic blood pressure was decreased by 7% and the diastolic by 16% under treatment (p < 0.001). 11 patients with borderline or not treated hypertension returned to normal ranges. 3 of the 4 patients treated with antihypertensiva came off the medicines.

Lack of influence of histopathological changes on carbamazepine and carbamazepine-10, 11-epoxide concentrations in the brain cortex of epileptic patients.

Post-mortem concentrations of carbamazepine (CBZ) and its anticonvulsive metabolite carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (CE) were determined in different lesions of the cerebral cortex and in the serum (total and free) from 13 epileptic patients. Twenty cortical specimens were obtained from the superior frontal gyrus, the temporopolar region and the neocerebellum. The cortical samples showed various pathological changes characterized by augmented glial cells, fibre gliosis or ulegyria as well as abundant corpora amylacea or encephalitic signs of viral type besides neuronal depletion. The CBZ and CE concentrations in the 20 cortical lesions were not significantly decreased when compared to the control specimens of 32 epileptic patients without essential histopathological alterations of the specified cortical areas (p < 0.05). A comparable result had been found in our former study on phenytoin (PHT) and phenobarbital (PB). Six patients with cortical lesions of the present series had already been included in this PHT/PB study. Five of these patients revealed unchanged CBZ and CE as well as PHT and PB concentrations. Only in one neocerebellar specimen the CE concentration was just above the upper 95% confidence limit of the control group. But, most probably this finding has no further relevance. The results greatly favour the nonspecific binding of CBZ and CE to cerebral tissue constituents.

Impact of hormone replacement therapy on postprandial lipoproteins and lipoprotein(a) in normolipidemic postmenopausal women.

In 43 normolipidemic postmenopausal women we studied fasting and postprandial (oral fat load with 50 g fat per square meter; blood sampling for 5 h) lipoprotein components and lipoprotein(a) levels before and with the administration of conjugated equine estrogens opposed by medrogestone (on days 11-21). Data was compared intraindividually; the second testing was performed during the last 5 days of the combined estrogen/progestogen phase of the third cycle. Fasting low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol concentrations decreased significantly; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, including subfractions HDL2 and HDL3, was not changed. Fasting triglyceride concentrations increased. All lipoprotein fractions measured showed a postprandial elevation with the exception of chylomicron cholesterol concentrations. There was a significant effect of hormone replacement therapy on the postprandial course of total cholesterol (decrease; P < 0.001), VLDL cholesterol (increase; P = 0.025), and the triglyceride proportion in the LDL plus HDL fraction (increase; P < 0.001). With hormone replacement therapy the postprandial curve of total triglycerides was increased only 1 h after the fat load while chylomicron triglyceride concentrations were lowered after 5 h. VLDL triglycerides were not influenced. In all patients with lipoprotein(a) levels above 10 mg/dl, this parameter decreased (about 25%). Although increasing fasting triglyceride concentrations, hormone replacement therapy does not bring about an exaggerated postprandial increase in triglycerides. Postprandial chylomicron clearance is evidently promoted. Hormone replacement therapy leads to a small increase in triglycerides in the LDL plus HDL fraction by inhibiting hepatic lipase activity. Moreover, the decrease in lipoprotein(a) levels may contribute to the antiatherosclerotic effect.

[Metastatic bile duct cancer in secondary biliary cirrhosis associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis in ulcerative colitis]. / Metastasierendes Gallengangskarzinom bei sekundär biliärer Zirrhose auf dem Boden einer primär sklerosierenden Cholangitis bei Colitis ulcerosa.

By means of a case-report of a 33 years old pat., having colitis ulcerosa for 16 years with serious epitheldysplasia and developing primary sclerosing cholangitis, the typical progress of the disease with manifestation of a secondary biliary cirrhosis is shown. The course was complicated by the development of a bile-duct carcinoma. Present possibilities of diagnosis and therapy are discussed.

[A model of a rat cage for the collection of urine free of fecal matter]. / Modell eines Rattenkäfigs zur kotfreien Uringewinnung.

A cage for total separation of feces and urine in the awake rat is presented. Construction and function are described in detail. Two important indications (investigation of the urinary enzyme activity, and determination of the endogenous creatinine clearance) are denominated.

[Perfusion machine for hypothermic pulsatile preservation of rat kidneys. Use in PUVA treatment of allogenic kidney transplants]. / Perfusionsmaschine zur hypothermen pulsatilen Konservierung von Rattennieren. Anwendung bei der PUVA-Behandlung allogener Nierentransplantate.

A machine for continuous hypothermic pulsatile perfusion preservation of rat kidneys is described in detail. The use of longwave ultraviolet irradiation during hypothermic pulsatile kidney perfusion using Euro-Collins solution containing 8-MOP did not prolong graft survival compared with untreated controls. Systemic application of 8-MOP to the kidney donor may be necessary for effective action of the combined photochemical treatment as a method of immunoalteration.