Primary skin fibroblasts as human model system for proteome analysis.

Elucidation of cellular processes and their changes at the level of protein expression and post-translational modification patterns may allow identification of novel proteins and thereby mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of multigenic diseases. The aim of this study was to test cultured, nontransformed primary fibroblasts derived from human skin biopsies as a suitable model system for proteome analysis. Therefore soluble protein fractions were separated on several overlapping ultrazoom gels covering the pH range from 3.

Isolated extrarenal papillary carcinoma in a child.

A previously healthy 12-year-old boy presented with a mass in the right retroperitoneum adjacent to an ipsilateral hypoplastic kidney. Complete resection of the tumor and kidney were done. The tumor was found to be papillary adenocarcinoma lying 3 cm apart from a contracted kidney, which was free of tumor.

Evidence for expression of melanocortin-1 receptor in human sebocytes in vitro and in situ.

Many lines of evidence indicate that the activity of sebaceous glands can be modulated by neuropeptides. Direct evidence in man, however, is still missing. We show that SZ95 sebocytes, an immortalized human sebaceous gland cell line, express receptors for alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone.

[Death by illegal drugs in Bavaria-data from 1990 up to 2000].

Abstract. Mortality has often been regarded as a measure for overall outcome and both treatment and drug policy effectiveness. The number of deaths by illegal drugs from the years 1990 - 2000 in Bavaria were analysed using statistical trend tests (Spearman rho and Kendall tau).

[Cyclic neutropenia. Detection of a mutation in the gene for neutrophil elastase (ELA2)].

Background And Objective: Cyclic neutropenia is a rare congenital hematopoietic disease which occurs sporadically or as an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder. Recently, the locus for cyclic neutropenia was mapped to chromosome 19p13.3.

Human dermal fibroblasts express prohormone convertases 1 and 2 and produce proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides.

In the last few years it has become apparent that the skin is a locoregional source for several proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides including alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropin, and beta-endorphin. The enzymes that regulate expression of these neuropeptides are the prohormone convertases 1 and 2. In this study we demonstrate, by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western immunoblotting, that cultured human dermal fibroblasts express prohormone convertases 1 and 2 as well as 7B2, which is an essential cofactor for enzymatic activity of prohormone convertase 2.

Expression of multiple larger-sized transcripts for several genes in oligodendrogliomas: potential markers for glioma subtype.

Astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas are two brain tumors that follow different clinical courses. Although many of these tumors can be identified based on standard histopathological criteria, a significant percentage present notable problems in diagnosis. To identify markers that might prove useful in distinguishing glioma subtypes, we prepared and analyzed cDNA libraries for differential expression of genes in an astrocytoma (grade II), an oligodendroglioma (grade II), and a meningioma (benign).

Differential gene expression in a murine model of cancer cachexia.

Murine adenocarcinoma 16 (MAC16) tumors and cell lines induce cachexia in NMRI nude mice, whereas histologically similar MAC13 tumors do not. After confirming these findings in BALB/c nude mice, we demonstrated that this tissue wasting was not related to decreased food intake or increased total body oxidative metabolism. Previous studies have suggested that MAC16's cachexigenic properties may involve the production of tumor-specific factors.

Genes expressed in the mouse pituitary corticotrope AtT-20/D-16v tumor cell line.

The pituitary corticotrope AtT-20 stable cell line has been used as a model system to study peptide secretion, glucocorticoid regulation, and several other processes. In order to better understand this model cell line, a phage cDNA library was generated from AtT-20/D-16v cell mRNA and cDNA sequences were obtained for 317 clones representing 203 known genes and 48 novel cDNAs. The sequencing results revealed the prevalence of the mouse leukemia virus in this cell line and also identified a number of putatively secreted molecules that were not previously recognized as being secreted from AtT-20/D-16v cells or pituitary corticotropes.

Terbinafine-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Background: Recently, the induction of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) and exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus by terbinafine have been reported.

Objective: We describe 4 cases of SCLE, one associated with chilblain lupus, which occurred during therapy with oral terbinafine for onychomycosis.

Methods: Of 21 consecutive patients with SCLE attending the outpatient dermatology department at Muenster University clinic during a 1-year period, 4 patients with terbinafine-induced SCLE were seen.

Observational assessment of family functioning at mealtime in preschool children with cystic fibrosis.

Objective: To examine functioning during a dinner meal in families of a child with a chronic illness that requires dietary treatment recommendations, as compared to families of a child without a chronic illness.

Methods: Ratings of seven dimensions of family functioning on the McMaster Mealtime Family Interaction Coding System (MICS) were obtained on 29 families of children with CF and 29 families of children with no chronic illness, ages 2 to 6 years, during a videotaped dinner meal at home.

Results: Ratings of families with a child with CF were significantly lower than those for families of children without a chronic illness on Overall Family Functioning and five of the six MICS dimensions: Communication, Interpersonal Involvement, Affect Management, Behavior Control, and Role Allocation and approached significance on the Task Accomplishment dimension.

Diffuse melanosis arising from metastatic melanoma: pathogenetic function of elevated melanocyte peptide growth factors.

The origin of diffuse melanosis resulting from metastatic melanoma is unknown. We examined the light microscopic and ultrastructural changes in the skin of an affected 35-year-old woman and determined the peripheral blood levels of melanocyte growth factors. A total of 7 biopsy specimens were examined by light and electron microscopy and immunohistology (S-100, HMB45, MART1, CD68, MAC387).

[Arthroscopic rotator cuff reconstruction].

Although most subacromial decompressions are performed arthroscopically, rotator cuff repair is still performed using an open or mini-open procedure. Arthroscopic techniques have improved in the last decade, however, so that rotator cuff repair can also be performed arthroscopically. The potential complications of open repair are thus reduced and the superior functional results of cuff repair in comparison to débridement alone are maintained.

Expression of proopiomelanocortin peptides in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells: evidence for a regulation by ultraviolet light and interleukin-1.

Proopiomelanocortin peptides such as alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and adrenocorticotropin are expressed in the epidermal and dermal compartment of the skin after noxious stimuli and are recognized as modulators of immune and inflammatory reactions. Human dermal microvascular endothelial cells mediate leukocyte-endothelial interactions during cutaneous inflammation by the expression of cellular adhesion molecules and cytokines such as interleukin-1. This study addresses the hypothesis that human dermal microvascular endothelial cells express both proopiomelanocortin and prohormone convertases, which are required to generate proopiomelanocortin peptides.

[Not Available].

Although most subacromial decompressions are performed||| arthroscopically, rotator cuff repair is still performed using an open or||| mini-open procedure. Arthroscopic techniques have improved in the last decade,||| however, so that rotator cuff repair can also be performed arthroscopically.||| The potential complications of open repair are thus reduced and the superior||| functional results of cuff repair in comparison to debridement alone are||| maintained.

Humoral autoreactivity to an alternatively spliced variant of ICA512/IA-2 in Type I diabetes.

Aims/hypothesis: The receptor tyrosine phosphatase like-protein ICA512/IA-2 occurs as a proteolytically-processed 65,000 Mr type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein in beta cells and is a major autoantigen of Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. We investigated whether alternative splicing could affect humoral autoreactivity to the molecule.

Methods: Genomic and cDNA sequence analysis showed the presence of a ICA512 variant in islets and lymphoid tissues with an in-frame deletion of exon 13 which produces a secreted form lacking aa 557-629 including the transmembrane domain (aa 577 to 600).

Clinical nutrition managers have access to sources of empowerment.

Objective: To ascertain perceived access of dietitians to power in the workplace.

Design: The conceptual framework was Kanter's theory of organizational power. The Conditions for Work Effectiveness Questionnaire was used to measure perceived access to sources of power: information, support, resources, and opportunities.

Characterization of a polyclonal antibody raised against the human melanocortin-1 receptor.

We have generated a polyclonal antibody raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the amino acids 2-18 of the extracellular, N-terminal domain of the human melanocortin-1 receptor (MC-1R). Specificity of the affinity-purified anti-MC-1R antibody was confirmed by dot blot analysis with the antigenic peptide. The antibody detected MC-1R antigenicity on the surface of normal human melanocytes and WM35 melanoma cells, as shown by FACS and immunofluorescence analysis.

Utility of routine drug screening in a psychiatric emergency setting.

Objective: The study determined whether dispositions from an urban psychiatric emergency service would differ between patients who received a mandatory urine drug test and those who may or may not have had a test based on the attending psychiatrist's clinical judgment. The accuracy of clinicians' suspicion of substance use among mandatorily screened patients was also examined.

Methods: A total of 392 consenting patients presenting to an urban psychiatric emergency service were randomly assigned to a mandatory-screen group (N=198) or a usual-care group (N=194).

Characterization of a postreceptor signaling defect that impairs cfos expression in cultured fibroblasts of a patient with insulin resistance.

Induction of cfos expression is a definite end point of signal transduction by receptor tyrosine kinases via MAPK cascades. We have examined signal transduction to transcription factor cFos in isolated fibroblasts of a patient with an inherited syndrome of insulin resistance. MAPK phosphorylation and activity were unaltered, but inducibility of cfos transcription was strongly impaired by insulin and reduced by PDGF.

Patterns of substance use among patients in an urban psychiatric emergency service.

Data from patients visiting an urban psychiatric emergency service in California were examined to document incidence and patterns of substance use and ethnic differences among users. A total of 392 patients were randomly assigned to receive a drug screen (N = 198) or to receive usual care (N = 194). Forty-four percent of the mandatorily screened patients had positive screens for any substances: 37 percent were positive for any drugs, and 7 percent were positive for alcohol only.

Evaluation of anterior knee joint instability with the Rolimeter. A test in comparison with manual assessment and measuring with the KT-1000 arthrometer.

We report on a comparative measurement of anterior knee joint laxity on 30 healthy test subjects and 30 patients with anterior knee joint instability using a new knee testing device (Rolimeter) and the KT- 1000 arthrometer compared to manual assessment of the anterior tibial translation in 30 degrees flexion (Lachman's test). We wanted to establish the reliability of the Rolimeter device compared to manual assessment and to the KT- 1000 arthrometer. The statistical evaluation by means of an analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significance level of 5% showed no significant difference in the exactitude of measurement between the Rolimeter and the KT-1000 arthrometer, but altogether a significant difference between both instrumental methods compared with manual assessment.

[Localized reticulate hyperpigmentation].

34 year-old pregnant woman presented with reticulate pigmentation of the flexures, the dorsum of the hands and the genitoperianal region. She was in good health and her family history was unremarkable. Histologic examination of the hyperpigmented patches revealed pigmented filiform downgrowths of the interfollicular epidermis and follicular infundibula, as well as small epithelial cysts.