Effects of cell walls (CWs) from two almost identical strains of Bifidobacterium adolescentis were studied in rats, using three different doses. A single i.p. injection of both CWs triggered a long-lasting arthritis with CW degradation products present in the joint tissue. Histologically, the arthritis was characterized by inflammatory cells, synovial hyperplasia, pannus formation and bone erosion, closely resembling human rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, CWs of the other strain induced a remarkable granuloma formation in the spleen and liver. Both CWs have the same peptidoglycan (PG) type A4alpha/beta, but differ from each other in three aspects. CW of the granuloma inducing strain: firstly has more lysine and less ornithine in PG stem peptides; secondly is more resistant to lysozyme degradation, and thirdly is better retained in the spleen. All these in comparison to the other strain used. Such characteristics are associated with the capacity to induce chronic arthritis, but it remains open how crucial they are for the granuloma formation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

DNA content and ploidy level of bovine placentomal trophoblast giant cells.

Cytophotometric measurement of the DNA content of Feulgen-stained nuclei in touch preparations of bovine placentomes (n =5) revealed that 8C nuclei occurred in all, 16C nuclei in two, and 32C nuclei in one specimen. The determination of ploidy level by in situ hybridization with a Y-chromosome specific DNA probe showed that the majority of the fetal nuclei in touch preparations of placentomes from male fetuses (n =5) are tetraploid. Generally two tetraploid nuclei lie close together. These findings indicate that polyploidization is a normal feature in the development of the mostly binucleate trophoblast giant cells (TGCs). A new model for the development of these cells is proposed: a primary acytokinetic mitosis leads to a binucleate cell with two diploid nuclei. This cell enters a second acytokinetic mitosis during which the chromosomes of both nuclei form a common metaphase plate. The resulting cell with two tetraploid nuclei undergoes an additional S-phase but does not enter a renewed mitosis. The functional significance of this genome multiplication may be an increased synthetic capacity of bovine TGCs, caused by an increased number of gene copies available for transcription. Since genome multiplication is a property of invasive trophoblast cells of different species, it may be advantageous for trophoblast invasion.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Fabry disease--a provocation for pediatrics].

Fabry disease is an inherited metabolic disease caused by the deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-Galactosidase A. In consequence, globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) accumulates in nearly all tissues and body fluids. Typically, the disease manifestation is in childhood with acroparaesthesia of burning character in hands and feet. Angioceratoma, cornea verticillata and proteinuria may be found as well at an early stage of the disease. With ongoing age vital organs are increasingly affected. Major causes for death are cerebrovascular events, myocardial infarction, and progressive renal insufficiency. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) offers an efficient treatment of Fabry disease. On the basis of newly diagnosed patients we describe the clinical picture, diagnosis and principles of ERT.

Adolescent↗