Epileptische Enzephalopathie und Zahnschmelzdefekt (Kohlschütter-Tönz-Syndrom)

Kohlschütter-Tönz syndrome is a rare genetic disorder with neurologic symptoms – epilepsy and severe developmental delay – and defective enamel leading to yellow or brownish discoloration of teeth. The first family was described in 1974, all affected patients were male. In the meantime, families with both male and female patients were identified as well. Inheritance is thus most probably autosomal recessive; genetic heterogeneity can however not be ruled out. Clinical course and disease severity may differ even within one family. As the genetic basis has not yet been elucidated, diagnosis must be made on clinical grounds. We report three new children with Kohlschütter-Tönz syndrome in comparison to the 21 hitherto published cases.     

Azurin interaction with the lipid raft components ganglioside GM-1 and caveolin-1 increases membrane fluidity and sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs

Membrane lipid rafts are highly ordered microdomains and essential components of plasma membranes. In this work, we demonstrate that azurin uptake by cancer cells is, in part, mediated by caveolin-1 and GM-1, lipid rafts’ markers. This recognition is mediated by a surface exposed hydrophobic core displayed by azurin since the substitution of a phenylalanine residue in position 114 facing the hydrophobic cavity by alanine impacts such interactions, debilitating the uptake of azurin by cancer cells. Treating of cancer cells with azurin leads to a sequence of events: alters the lipid raft exposure at plasma membranes, causes a decrease in the plasma membrane order as examined by Laurdan two-photon imaging and leads to a decrease in the levels of caveolin-1. Caveolae, a subset of lipid rafts characterized by the presence of caveolin-1, are gaining increasing recognition as mediators in tumor progression and resistance to standard therapies. We show that azurin inhibits growth of cancer cells expressing caveolin-1, and this inhibition is only partially observed with mutant azurin. Finally, the simultaneous administration of azurin with anticancer therapeutic drugs (paclitaxel and doxorubicin) results in an enhancement in their activity, contrary to the mutated protein.     

Differences in marker expression among branched histiocytic cells in T-cell areas of the lymphoreticular system and among their epidermis- and mucosa-associated equivalents

Summary Branched histiocytic cells of the epidermis, the oral and anal mucosa, the tonsillar crypt epithelium, the thymus and of the T-cell-dependent areas of lymph node, spleen, and tonsil were examined with immunohistochemical single- and double-staining techniques. The markers used were a monoclonal anti-T6-antibody, a monoclonal anti-HLA-DR-antibody, heteroantiserum to S-100 protein and peanut agglutinin. Anti-HLA-DR and peanut agglutinin reacted with a considerable number of branched histiocytic cells, whereas anti-T6 and anti-S-100 protein only stained relatively small subpopulations. Concerning the population of branched histiocytic cells, double-staining revealed that the tissue distributions of all the markers used overlapped each other to various degrees; this was demonstrated by the different numbers of double-stained cells obtained in the experiments using all six possible combinations of primary reagents. The number of branched histiocytic cells co-expressing the markers varied depending upon marker combinations, types of tissue and microenvironment. We suggest that much of the immunologic phenotype of branched histiocytic cells is dynamic rather than static.Abbreviations used BHCs branched histiocytic cells - anti-T6 monoclonal antibody to T6 antigen - anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibody to HLA-DR - anti-S-100p antiserum to S-100 protein - (anti-)PNA (anti-)peanut agglutinin - GAM goat anti-mouse IgG - RAM rabbit anti-mouse IgG - GAR-AP alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit Ig - SAR porcine anti-rabbit Ig - PAP peroxidase-anti-peroxidase complex - APAAP alkaline phosphataseanti-alkaline phosphatase complex - iAP indirect alkaline phosphatase - AEC 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole - FB fast blue BB salt - levamisole L[-]2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole - DMF NN-dimethylformamide - PBS phosphate-buffered saline solution - + positive reaction of a cell with a resp. marker - – negative reaction of a cell with a resp. marker This work was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG: Mo.384/1-2)     

Der Mann aus dem Eis

New scientific findings on the Iceman The Iceman, commonly referred to as Ötzi, is the world's oldest glacier mummy and one of the best studied ancient humans in the world. Since the discovery of the 5300-year-old Copper Age individual in 1991, at the Tisenjoch in the Eastern Italian Alps, a variety of morphological, radiological, and molecular analyses have been applied that revealed important insights into his ancestry, his life habits and the circumstances surrounding his violent death. In more recent research, the mummy was subjected to modern research methodologies focusing on high-throughput sequence analysis of ancient biomolecules (DNA, proteins, lipids) that are still found to be preserved in his mummified tissues. Thereby, a genetic predisposition for increased risk for coronary heart disease and the stomach pathogen Helicobacter pylori were detected. This application of innovative “-omics” technologies have allowed the reconstruction of his last meal, that was mainly composed of fat and game meat from wild animals supplemented with cereals from einkorn.     

Structural changes and relaxations monitored by luminescence

Luminescence data have often been used to study imperfections and to characterize lattice distortions because the signals are sensitive to changes of structure and composition. Previous studies have included intentionally added probe ions such as rare earth ions to sense distortions in local crystal fields caused by modified structural environments. An under‐exploited extension of this approach was to use luminescence to monitor crystalline phase changes. A current overview of this new and powerful technique shows that continuous scanning of the sample temperatures immediately offered at least three types of signatures for phase transitions. Because of high sensitivity, luminescence signals were equally responsive to structural changes from inclusions and nanoparticles. These coupled to the host material via long‐range interactions and modified the host signals. Two frequently observed examples that are normally overlooked are from nanoparticle inclusions of water and CO_2. Examples also indicated that phase transitions were detected in more diverse materials such as superconductors and fullerenes. Finally, luminescence studies have shown that in some crystalline examples, high dose ion implantation of surface layers could induce relaxations and/or structural changes of the entire underlying bulk material. This was an unexpected result and therefore such a possibility has not previously been explored. However, the implications for ion implication are significant and could be far more general than the examples mentioned here. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Osteogenesis imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is the most frequently occurring congenital disorder with an increased fracture rate and systemic skeletal involvement. The vast majority of patients have an autosomal dominant form of OI resulting from a mutation in one of the two type I collagen genes COL1A1 or COL1A2. Since 2006, eight genes for autosomal recessive forms of the disorder have been identified, as well as one additional gene for autosomal dominant OI. Our knowledge concerning molecular pathophysiology has been substantially broadened, such that the paradigm of OI as a pure ??collagenopathy?? no longer applies and the clinical classification system will have to be revised. Standard therapy for the more severe forms of OI comprises intravenous administration of bisphosphonates. Additional elements of a multimodal therapeutic concept include surgical intervention for bone deformities or fractures and physiotherapy.