Skeletal muscle cellularity and glycogen distribution in the hypermuscular Compact mice

The TGF-beta member myostatin acts as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass. The Compact mice were selected for high protein content and hypermuscularity, and carry a naturally occurring 12-bp deletion in the propeptide region of the myostatin precursor. We aimed to investigate the cellular characteristics and the glycogen distribution of the Compact tibialis anterior (TA) muscle by quantitative histochemistry and spectrophotometry. We have found that the deficiency in myostatin resulted in significantly increased weight of the investigated hindlimb muscles compared to wild type. Although the average glycogen content of the individual fibers kept unchanged, the total amount of glycogen in the Compact TA muscle increased two-fold, which can be explained by the presence of more fibers in Compact compared to wild type muscle. Moreover, the ratio of the most glycolytic IIB fibers significantly increased in the Compact TA muscle, of which glycogen content was the highest among the fast fibers. In summary, myostatin deficiency caused elevated amount of glycogen in the TA muscle but did not increase the glycogen content of the individual fibers despite the marked glycolytic shift observed in Compact mice.

Synthese und Kristallstruktur von [(C6Et6)(C6H5Me)GaGaCl4]· 1/2 (C6Et6): Ein gemischter Bis(η6-aren)gallium(I)-Komplex / Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [(C6Et6)(C6H5Me)GaGaCl4] · 1/2 (C6Et6): A Mixed Bis(η6-arene)gallium(I) Complex

Crystals obtained from solutions of hexaethylbenzene and anhydrous Ga[GaCl4] in toluene on cooling have the stoichiometry [(C6Et6)(C6H5Me)GaGaCl4] · 1/2 C6Et6. a = 9.760(1), b = 21.447(2), c = 17.754(2) Å. β = 95.47(1)°; monoclinic. space group P21/n. Z = 4.

Each Ga(I) center is η6-bonded to one molecule of hexaethylbenzene and to one molecule of toluene. The two rings form an angle of 38,8°. The remaining crystal hexaethylbenzene is situated between two complex units, which are related by an inversion center located in the center of the ring.

Addition der schweren Chalkogen-Atome und Halogenonium-Ionen an Carbodiphosphorane / Addition of the Heavy Chalkogen Atoms and Halogenonium Ions to Carbodiphosphoranes

Hexaphenylcarbodiphosphorane Ph3P=C=PPh3 (1) forms deeply coloured, crystalline 1:1 ad- ducts with elemental sulfur, selenium and tellurium (2, 3 and 7, respectively). A superior method of synthesis for 7 is the reaction of Na2Te with (Ph3P)2CCl⊕Cl⊖. All three compounds are thermally unstable and decompose at or below room temperature. A selenium adduct 5 was also obtained with Me3P = C = PPh, (4). The compounds 2 and 3 can be alkylated at the chalkogen atoms using MeOSO2F or PhCH2Cl. Oxydation of 3 leads to Se - Se coupling.

Addition of elemental iodine to 1 in molar ratios 1:1. 2:3 and 1:2 affords salt-like products composed of the (Ph2P)2Cl⊕ cation associated with I⊖ and/or I3 ⊖ anions (8a-c).

The crystal and molecular structures of 3 and 8b have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. 3′, containing one half equivalent of disordered tetrahydrofuran, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n (a = 10.848(6), b = 17.433(8). c = 16.848(9) Å, β = 91.51(5)°. V = 3185.07 Å3, ϱx = 1359 gcm-3, Z = 4). Based on 3488 structure factors, the final R value was 0.103. The selenium is attached to the ylidic carbon atom without major changes of the Ph3P=C=PPh3 skeleton (C - Se = 1.99 Å). 8b crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1̄ (a = 9.935(2). b = 11.507(2), c = 16.646(3) Å, α = 90.91(1), β = 112.00(1), γ = 96.60(1)°, V = 1749.15 A3, ϱx = 1.741 gcm-3, Z = 2). Refinement of 382 parameters on 5096 structure factors converged at R = 0.043. The molecular structure shows close similarities to the selenium adduct 3 (C-I = 2.12 Å).

Synthese und Kristallstruktur des Bis(benzol)gallium(I)-tetrabromogallat(III)-Dimeren / Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Bis(benzene)gallium (I) Tetrabromogallate(III) Dimer

Anhydrous Ga[GaBr4] is readily dissolved in benzene. The resulting solutions show discrete 71Ga NMR signals for Ga(I) und Ga(III) centers. Narrow line-widths of the former indicate a small electric field gradient of the Ga(I) nucleus due to almost spherical shielding by the 4 s2 lone pair of electrons.

Crystals obtained from the benzene solution on cooling have the stoichiometry [(C6H6)2Ga · GaBr4]2 ·3 C6H6, and are isomorphous with the analogous chloride compound: a = 9.390(2). b = 10.847(1), c = 13.118(2) Å; α = 85.54(1). β = 102.91(1). γ = 105.62(1)°; triclinic, space group Ρ1̄, Z = 1.

The centrosymmetric dimers are composed of bis(benzene)gallium(I) and tetrabromogallate(III) units bridged by six bromine atoms. Only two bromine atoms are not engaged in coordinative bonding. The two benzene rings are both η6-bonded to the gallium(I) center, but not equidistant. They are enclined by 57.5°. The remaining benzene molecules are crystal benzene with no specific cation or anion contacts.

Komplexe von Silber(l)-Salzen mit Naphthalino(cyclo)phanen, Strukturbestimmung von (rac-[2](1,5)Naphthalino[2]- paracyclophan)-silber(I)-perchlorat / Complexes of Silver(I) Salts with Naphthalino(cyclo)phanes, Structure Determination of (rac-[2](1,5)Naphthalino[2]- paracyclophane)silver(I) Perchlorate

The 1:1 complexes of Ag[GaCl4 ] with anti-[2.2](1 ,4)naphthalinophane and of Ag[ClO4 ] with [2](1.4)naphthalino[2]paracyclophane and rac-[2](1,5)naphthalino[2]paracyclophane have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses and IR spectra. The crystal structure of the last compound, ([2](1,5)naphthalino[2]paracyclophane)silver(I) Perchlorate, has been determined by X-ray methods. It crystallizes in the centrosymmetrical space group P21/n with cell dimensions a = 12.495(2), b = 8.546(1), c =16.196(2) Å, β = 101.27(1)°. Both enantiomers of the ligands are present in the unit cell and related by centrosymmetry. Each silver atom is connected with the naphthalin systems of two ligands and with two Perchlorate anions, one of which is chelating, while the other is only monodentate. The cation/anion chains are linked through the organic ligands in such a way that a sheet structure is formed. The benzene rings of the cyclophanes are not involved in the metal coordination, the naphthaline rings are μ3 -bonded to the silver atoms, which are not ring-centered.

Über die Wirkung von Fermentinhibitoren auf INH-sensible und -resistente Zellen von Mycobacterium phlei

An Hand der Literatur wird ein kurzer Überblick über die bisher bei Mykobakterien aufgefundenen Stoffwechselvorgänge bzw. die sie steuernden Fermente gegeben.

Mit Hilfe verschiedener Inhibitoren wird die endogene Atmung und der Stoffwechsel des Glycerins sowohl bei ruhenden als auch bei proliferierenden INH-sensiblen und -resistenten M. phlei vergleichend untersucht.

Auf Grund der Hemmung durch Fluorid, Jodacetat und Arsenit ist sowohl bei der endogenen als auch bei der Ruhe- und Vermehrungsatmung ein dem Embden-Meyerhof - Schema entsprechender Reaktionsverlauf anzunehmen.

Der weitere Abbau ist noch nicht geklärt. Es wird der sog. „Glyoxylsäurecyclus“ diskutiert. Mit Sicherheit wird die Beteiligung des Citronensäurecyclus bei ungehinderten Vermehrungsvorgängen nachgewiesen.

Der oxydative Endabbau verläuft über cyanidempfindliche Fermente. Die Entkopplung der Phosphorylierungs-Vorgänge wird besonders bei proliferierenden Bakterien deutlich.

Malonsäure zeigt ein nicht zu erwartendes Verhalten. Es wird - besonders sichtbar bei endogener Atmung - von den Bakterien als Nährstoff aufgenommen.

Pyridin-3-sulfonat zeigt bei INH-sensiblen und -resistenten Keimen dem INH analoge Hemm effekte, so daß ein gemeinsamer Wirkungsmechanismus angenommen werden kann.

Die Fermente mit Thiolgruppen werden bei der sensiblen Variante stärker inhibiert als die dei resistenten Bakterien. Weitere charakteristische Unterschiede zeigen sich in den Phosphorylierungsvorgängen und in der Hemmbarkeit des Citronensäurecyclus.

Designing optical free-form surfaces for extended sources

LED lighting has been a strongly growing field for the last decade. The outstanding features of LED, like compactness and low operating temperature take the control of light distributions to a new level. Key for this is the development of sophisticated optical elements that distribute the light as intended. The optics design method known as tailoring relies on the point source assumption. This assumption holds as long as the optical element is large compared to the LED chip. With chip sizes of 1 mm² this is of no concern if each chip is endowed with its own optic. To increase the power of a luminaire, LED chips are arranged to form light engines that reach several cm in diameter. In order to save costs and space it is often desirable to use a single optical element for the light engine. At the same time the scale of the optics must not be increased in order to trivially keep the point source assumption valid. For such design tasks point source algorithms are of limited usefulness. New methods that take into account the extent of the light source have to be developed. We present two such extended source methods. The first method iteratively adapts the target light distribution that is fed into a points source method while the second method employs a full phase space description of the optical system.

Knee cartilage assessment with MRI (dGEMRIC) and subjective knee function in ACL injured copers: a cohort study with a 20 year follow-up

OBJECTIVE

To assess knee cartilage quality and subjective knee function, 20 years after injury in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injured copers.

METHOD

We examined 32 knees using delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cartilage (dGEMRIC), 20 years after a complete ACL tear. Only subjects who had coped with the ACL injury without ACL reconstruction (ACLR), and who presented without radiographic signs of osteoarthritis (OA) at an earlier 16-year follow-up, were included in this study. The quality of the central weight-bearing parts of the medial and lateral femoral cartilage was estimated with dGEMRIC (T1Gd). These results were compared with corresponding results in 24 healthy individuals, and with the subjects' self-reported subjective knee function using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire.

RESULTS

The values of T1Gd in the medial and lateral femoral cartilage of the study group (mean (95% CI)), were 404 (385-423) and 427 (399-455) ms, not statistically different from those of the healthy reference group (P = 0.065 and 0.31). The subjective knee function 20 years after the injury, according to the five domains of the KOOS score, was good, with a mean score of 90 ± 11. Values of T1Gd for the medial femoral cartilage were correlated with the KOOS subgroup QOL (P = 0.021, Pearson correlation).

CONCLUSIONS

Subjects who have managed to cope with their ACL injury for 20 years with sustained good subjective knee function also seem to have knee cartilage of good quality, with T1Gd values not very different from a healthy reference group.

Assessment of small fiber neuropathy to predict future risk of type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Sudomotor dysfunction due to small fiber neuropathy can be observed very early in pre-diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive power of EZSCAN, a non invasive, quick and simple measurement of sudomotor function to identify glucose impairment.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study was performed in 76 German subjects at risk of diabetes. Glucose metabolism was assessed by using, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at baseline and after 2 year follow-up. Sudomotor function was evaluated by measuring hand and foot electrochemical sweat conductances to calculate a risk score.

RESULTS

At baseline, 38 patients had normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 34 had pre-diabetes (impaired fasting glucose, IFG and/or impaired glucose tolerance, IGT) and 4 had newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. The AUC values for FPG, 2h-OGTT glucose, 1h-OGTT glucose, HbA1C and EZSCAN score to predict pre-diabetes were 0.50, 0.65, 0.64, 0.72 and 0.76, respectively. Subjects having a moderate or high EZSCAN score (>50) at baseline had a substantially increased risk for having IFG and/or IGT at follow-up visit presented by an odds ratio of 12.0 [1.4-100.5], the OR for having 1h-OGTT ≥ 8.6mmol/L at follow-up was 9.8 [1.0-92.8] and for having HbA1C ≥ 5.7% was 15.7 [1.9-131.5] compared to subjects with low EZSCAN risk.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary study, which must be confirmed in a larger population, shows that EZSCAN risk score is associated with diabetes progression which have implications for prevention and disease management.

["Back pain coach". A project for patients with back pain]

QUESTION

Back pain is a challenge for case management but is a health insurance fund (HIF) that identifies high risk patients and includes them in a back pain assessment and a multimodal program cost-effective?

METHODS

Case managers of a HIF contacted selected patients and requested information on pain and current perspectives. Patients in the intervention group were offered a multimodal assessment and, if applicable, a multimodal treatment program. Control group patients received verbal or written (back book) information. Cost data were evaluated with respect to the interview data 1 year prior and 1 year afterwards.

FINDINGS

Of the 800 insured persons contacted 621 were nationwide, 88 were regional controls and 91 were intervention patients. Inability to work was still rising in all groups but less in the intervention group versus both control groups. Drugs, hospital as well as cure/adjuvant costs were less for intervention patients than in both control groups. The investment for the program was thus more than refinanced.

INTERPRETATION

Case management was well accepted but the intervention was in need of training for case managers and the specific diagnostic and treatment option regionally.

FUNDING

The HIF was responsible for the study investment and project partners shared the training of the HIF regional case managers.

Differences in the atherogenic risk of patients treated by lipoprotein apheresis according to their lipid pattern

In high-risk patients who are already on a maximal lipid-lowering therapy, a lipoprotein apheresis is an important therapeutic option in preventing further progress of vascular complications as it may decrease both LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels. We looked at the occurrence of cardiovascular events before apheresis and during apheresis in three groups defined by their lipid patterns at the start of an apheresis treatment: Group 1 (LDL-C ≥ 3.4 mmol/l and Lp(a) ≤ 600 mg/l; n = 35), Group 2 (LDL-C ≤ 3.4 mmol/l and Lp(a) ≥ 600 mg/l n = 37) and Group 3 (LDL-C ≥ 3.4 mmol/l and Lp(a) ≥ 600 mg/l; n = 15). Group 2 shows a time period of about 10 years from the first event until the start of apheresis treatment (compared to 2-6 years in the other two groups). Before the start of apheresis treatment 2.1 events per patient had occurred in Group 1, 3.4 events per patient in Group 2 and 1.8 events per patient in Group 3. Under apheresis therapy just 0.9 events per patient occurred in Group 1, 0.5 in Group 2 and 0.5 in Group 3. When comparing the two years before the start of apheresis treatment with the first two years under apheresis we saw the following reduction rates of cardiovascular events: Group 1-54%; Group 2-83%; Group 3-83.5%. Our results show that the reduction of cardiovascular events due to lipoprotein apheresis is especially high in patients with elevated levels of Lp(a) compared to patients with elevated LDL-C only indicating that physicians should be more focused on the risk factor elevated Lp(a).

Residual antimicrobial effect of chlorhexidine digluconate and octenidine dihydrochloride on reconstructed human epidermis

The objective of the present investigation was to examine the residual antimicrobial activity after a topical exposure of reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) to equimolar solutions of either chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG, 0.144% w/v) or octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT, 0.1% w/v) for 15 min. RHE-associated antiseptic agents were more effective on Staphylococcus aureus than on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. S. aureus was not detected after 24 h of contact, which demonstrated a microbicidal efficacy of greater than 5-log10 reduction. In contrast, P. aeruginosa was reduced by approximately 2 log10 at the same incubation time, which parallels the growth of the initial inoculum. This result could be interpreted either as a microbiostatic effect or as an adherence of P. aeruginosa to a low positively charged surface. Small amounts of CHG and OCT can penetrate the stratum corneum. Using these antiseptic agents, the viability of keratinocytes was reduced to 65-75% of that of the untreated RHE control following 24 h incubation in the presence of test microorganisms. With consideration of antimicrobial activity and cytotoxic effect, OCT corresponds better to a biocompatible antiseptic agent than CHG.

The European perspective of diabetes prevention: the need for individualization of diabetes prevention

Over the last decade the situation for people with diabetes mellitus in Europe has changed significantly. The number of patients increases continuously, the age of diagnosis decreases and effective management grows to become a burden for European healthcare systems. In this situation numerous stakeholders try to develop concepts for innovative chronic care management as well as individualized and personalized diabetes management. A major focus is set to activities for early screening and prevention of the diabetes and associated diseases. The present article will give an overview about current achievements in European projects addressing the unmet needs in diabetes management and also to introduce undergoing projects in the field of diabetes prevention and care. Furthermore, the SweetSmart concept will be presented, which is the initiation of a strategy to individualize interventions for the prevention of diabetes and care management. In the current discussion about the management of health care resources it is important to have a strategic vision about a realistic future of innovative chronic care management.