Release of certain ribosomal proteins from 70-S Escherichia coli ribosomes by mild ribonuclease digestion.

A method for the release of some proteins from Escherichia coli (MRE 600)ribosomes is described, avoiding extraction with denaturing reagents. High-salt-washed, 70-S ribosomes were treated with pancreatic ribonuclease which led to the release of 12 proteins of the larger ribosomal subunit. Separation of released protein was first attempted by gel filtration and by fractionation with (NH4)2SO4. The number and type of the released proteins were identified by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gels and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The method should prove of use in the large scale purification of proteins L1, L7, and L25.

Multiple polypeptide hormone expression in pancreatic islet cell carcinomas derived from phosphoenolpyruvatecarboxykinase-SV40 T antigen transgenic rats.

Transgenic rats carrying a PEPCK-SV40 large T-antigen (TAg) transgene rapidly develop numerous pancreatic islet cell neoplasms, the cells of which express TAg. Although many of the larger neoplasms contain relatively undifferentiated cells, many tumors contain areas of well-differentiated cells with abundant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and secretory granules for endocrine hormones like those observed in normal pancreatic islets. In the well-differentiated lesions, glucagon-producing alpha-cells, insulin-producing beta-cells, and somatostatin-producing delta-cells are readily identifiable morphologically under the electron microscope. Beta-cells were observed in all normal and hyperplastic islets, and nests of these cells were scattered throughout the larger neoplasms. These nests varied from small clusters of epithelium-like cells that stain intensely for insulin, to sheets of small, basophilic cells that stain more diffusely for the hormone. Alpha-cells were also present in all of the normal and hyperplastic islets, but in larger hyperplastic islets, the peripheral localization was absent. Larger neoplasms contained many nests of glucagon-expressing cells, as well as scattered glucagon-producing single cells. Delta-cells were rarely observed in the hyperplastic islets and in the neoplasms. Blood-glucose levels were unaltered in the transgenic animals relative to their nontransgenic litter mates. Thus although these islet cell neoplasms express several polypeptide hormones, there is no obvious clinical effect of such expression in vivo.

The mechanism of thioacetamide-induced apoptosis in the L37 albumin-SV40 T-antigen transgenic rat hepatocyte-derived cell line occurs without DNA fragmentation.

The hepatotoxicant thioacetamide (TH) has classically been used as a model to study hepatic necrosis; however, recent studies have shown that TH can also induce apoptosis. In this report we demonstrate that 2.68+/-0.54% of the albumin-SV40 T-antigen transgenic rat hepatocytes undergo TH-induced apoptosis, a level comparable to other in vivo models of liver apoptosis. In addition, TH could induce apoptosis and necrosis in the L37 albumin-SV40 T-antigen transgenic rat liver-derived cell line. Examination of dying L37 cells treated with 100 mM TH by electron microscopy revealed distinct morphological characteristics that could be attributed to apoptosis. Quantitation of apoptosis by FACS analysis 24 h after treatment with 100 mM TH revealed that 81.3+/-1.6% of the cells were undergoing apoptosis. In contrast, when L37 cells were treated with 250 mM TH, cells exhibited characteristics consistent with necrotic cell death. DNA fragmentation ladders were produced by growth factor withdrawal-induced apoptosis; however, in 100 mM TH-induced apoptosis, DNA fragmentation ladders were not observed. Analysis of endonuclease activity in L37 cells revealed that the enzymes were not inactivated in the presence of 100 mM TH. The data presented in this report indicate that the L37 cell line could be used to study the mechanism of TH-induced apoptosis that was not mediated through a mechanism requiring DNA fragmentation.

[Traumatology in indoor handball sports. A sports medicine analysis of the incidence of injuries and accident epidemiology of indoor handball sports in senior players in the Federal Republic of Germany after 1981]. / Traumatologie im Hallenhandballsport. Eine sportmedizinische Analyse der Verletzungshäufigkeit und Unfallepidemiologie im bundesdeutschen Hallenhandballsport der Senioren nach 1981.

Indoor handball sport is steadily gaining in importance in Germany in terms of sports medicine: not only is there a rapid increase of the number of members of the German Handball Association (DHB), but also an increase of sport injuries caused by handball playing, both in respect of incidence and severity. Sport injuries of 286 indoor handball players of the Federal German teams of senior players that occurred during the past 5 years, were analysed. 540 injuries and damage caused by stress were analysed that had been given medical attention; these were included in the survey and classified according to epidemiology and incidence. It is possible to advance suggestions regarding the prevention of injuries on this basis, with particular emphasis on changing the rules governing indoor handball playing in the sense of restricting the physically emphasised manner of playing which is particularly injury-prone.

[Traumatology and athletic injuries in basketball]. / Traumatologie und Sportschaden im Basketballsport.

This analysis outlines the facts concerning sports injuries and damages of 473 active basketball players covering a 5-year period in more than 100 clubs in southern Germany. The average age was 26.8 years and 34.5% were women. 658 medically treated basketball injuries were described in detail. With 40.7% distortions were the most frequent injuries followed by ruptures of ligaments in 24.6% and fractures in 9.3%. In the majority of cases the lower extremities were involved (65.3%), of which most commonly the ankle joint was injured (45.6%). Another 14% were lesions to the fingers and 12.9% trauma to the knee. In 3600 reported cases players did not consult a physician after inflicting distortions to a ankle or a finger. Aside from interaction with adversaries (41%) also the relatively heavy ball (650 g) caused 11.9% accidents. Survey shows, that younger players and "center"-players were most often subject to injuries. More than 2/3 of actives in question suffer from permanent pain due to basketball activities. 43.8%, mainly younger players, report continues pain in the knee and 28.1%, predominantly older players, suffer from permanent damage of the ankle joint, caused by repeatedly occurring, however light, distortions of the ankle.

[Multilocular myositis ossificans--damage caused by excessive stress in performance sports?]. / Die multilokuläre Myositis ossificans--ein Uberlastungsschaden im Leistungssport?

This is a report of a girl of 16 years of age who complained of pain in both legs after intensive competitive sports, the main event being the 800 m race. Radiologically visualised were periostal reactions and new periostal bone formations at the femur and lower leg. Diagnosis was extremely difficult due to generalised signs and symptoms, such as temperature, associated with inappetence and a "run-down" feeling, increase of alkaline phosphatase and liver enzyme levels and of the blood sedimentation rate. Differential diagnosis of heterotopic ossifications is dealt with in detail.

[Phagocytic activity of granulocytes after UV-irradiation]. / Fagotsitarnaia aktivnost' granulotsitov posle UF-oblucheniia.

The effect of UV-irradiation on three functions of human isolated granulocytes (viability, phagocyte activity and capacity to reduce nitrotetrazolium blue) was investigated. The phagocytosis appeared to be the most sensitive function. The number of phagocytic cells was decreased under UV-doses as low as 0.63 kJ.m-2. Cell lethality was increased under UV-doses 4.32 kJ.m-2 and higher. The capacity to reduce nitrotetrazolium blue was uneffected even at the dose as high as 10.17 kJ.m-2.

[Diagnosis and therapy of the extragenital manifestations of gonorrhea]. / Diagnostik und Therapie extragenitaler Manifestationen der Gonorrhoe.

Among the several infections gonorrhoe occupies the first place. Long-term complications are rare. The arthritis gonorrhoica, the perihepatitis acuta gonorrhoica (Fitz-Hugh-Curtis-syndrome) and the gonococci sepsis, the clinical picture differential diagnosis of which were discussed, possess clinical relevancy. Apart from few exceptions penicillin even nowadays is still the remedy of choice.

[How dangerous is squash? Results of an investigation on injury risk (author's transl)]. / Wie gefährlich ist Squash? Ergebnisse einer Umfrage über das Verletzungsrisiko.

Injury risk for squash lies above the international average of total sport injuries. According to a nation-wide assessment, 7 accidents occur yearly in 100 squash-players. Only half of these injuries, however, require treatment. A temporary sports- and work incapacity results relatively frequently. With the exception of eye injuries, the rate of severe injuries leading to permanent damage is low. If appropriate preventive measures are taken, particularly with respect to eye injuries, squashplaying does not entail significantly higher dangers than other racket-games.

[Trends in some treatment-criteria of patients of a dermatological children-ward (author's transl)]. / Entwicklungstendenzen im Patientengut einer dermatologischen Kinderstation.

In comparative studies on some treatment-criteria of patients of a dermatological children-ward between 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975 and 1977 we found a tendency to increased out-patient-treatment, a reduction in period of clinical sojourn and a significant increase in patients drug consumption. Most important reasons of this development are the following: Temporary decrease of birth rate in GDR; increased capacity of out-patient-treatment in the Leipzig-area; application of more effective drugs; improvements in management of clinical treatment. About 50% of treated in-patients are 0 to 3 years old. The great importance of a qualified dermatological treatment for success of clinical sojourn on a children-ward is underlined.

[The possibilities of osteoplastic measures in mid-foot amputation and osteomyelitis of the tarsus]. / Möglichten knochenplastischer Massnahmen bei der Mittelfussamputation und Fusswurzelosteomyelitis.

Osteomyelitis after trauma or after operations and amputations at the midfoot or tarsus leads to a disadvantage in terms of motion and of weightbearing on the foot. Once local fistula, exophytic bone growth, skin defects and instability of the metatarsus have arisen, hygiene and recovery of joint function are difficult. Four patients were treated by reamputation at the midfoot and bone autografts. The osteomyelitic part was excised and the tarsal and metatarsal bones stabilized. The result at follow up showed painfree stumps without recurrence of infection within 3 years. Little support is needed in the way of orthopedic appliances, and all four patients can walk easily with no pain. This operation is recommended for the primary surgical procedure.

[The Sézary syndrome--an erythrodermic T-cell-lymphoma]. / Das Sézary-Syndrom--ein erythrodermisches T-Zell-Lymphom.

Report on a 75-year-old patient with Sézary syndrome which is characterized by the following leading symptoms: Erythrodermia, leukocytosis, circulating atypical lymphocytes with cerebriformous nuclei (Sézary cells) and swollen lymph nodes. Light microscopic and electron microscopic findings refer to a transitory situation of the Sézary cells from the reactive character to the (pre)neoplastic one. The disease is classified by T-(helper)cells as a low grade non-Hodgkin-lymphoma in parallel to mycosis fungoides and in general it finishes lethally after a course of 5 to 8 years. Apart from local steroid ointments and UV-irradiations the internal application of steroids, in the late stage if necessary in combination with cytostatics is recommended for therapy.

[The effect of monochromatic and polychromatic UV irradiation and of 8-MOP on phagocytosis of neutrophilic granulocytes]. / Zum Einfluss von monochromatischer und polychromatischer UV-Bestrahlung sowie von 8-MOP auf die Phagozytose neutrophiler Granulozyten.

We investigated the inhibition of granulocyte phagocytosis by 8-MOP and monochromatic or polychromatic UV light. After application of 8-MOP and UV there was an additional inactivation compared with UV alone, as expected from studies on other cell species. This additional inhibition of phagocytosis was found to be increasing with 8-MOP level. The action spectra of granulocyte inactivation by 8-MOP and UV involves the investigated UVB range (until 300 nm). A marked inactivation of granulocytes was seen after erythemogenic fluences only. Therefore we assume that inactivation of granulocytes by direct UV action does not play an essential role in UV therapy in vivo.

Impairment to viability of neutrophils and lymphocytes by angular psoralens and UV-radiation.

The angular psoralen derivative, 4,5'-dimethylangelicin (Dm Agn), both without and with UV-radiation induces under adequate conditions a higher percentage of lethally damaged cultured human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) as compared with angelicin (Agn). In general, PMN photosensitized with Dm Agn are less resistant than similarly photosensitized lymphocytes. These results suggest that Dm Agn might be used to improve the photochemo (PUVA-)therapy of skin diseases where PMN are of pathogenic importance.