Protocol of a prospective study on the diagnostic value of transcranial duplex scanning of the substantia nigra in patients with parkinsonian symptoms

Background  

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. As there is no definitive diagnostic test, its diagnosis is based on clinical criteria. Recently transcranial duplex scanning (TCD) of the substantia nigra in the brainstem has been proposed as an instrument to diagnose PD. We and others have found that TCD scanning of substantia nigra duplex is a relatively accurate diagnostic instrument in patients with parkinsonian symptoms. However, all studies on TCD so far have involved well-defined, later-stage PD patients, which will obviously lead to an overestimate of the diagnostic accuracy of TCD.     

Zur Kenntnis vonGloeococcus bavaricus Skuja

Zusammenfassung Die Entwicklung vonGloeococcus bavaricus auf Agarplatten und in Nährlösungs-Kolbenkultur wird beschrieben und der Einfluß der Kultur-bedingungen auf den Ablauf der Entwicklung geschildert.Die Bedingungen für das Auftreten von Zoosporen und für die Vermehrung durch unbewegliche Tochterzellen werden erörtert.Die Bildung von Gameten und ihre Vereinigung zu Zygoten wird nachgewiesen und beschrieben.Auf Grund der an den Kulturen gemachten Erfahrungen werden die Faktoren diskutiert, welche zum typischen Habitus und zum Auftreten dieser Alge in lockeren Kolonien und größeren Zellverbänden führen.Unserer technischen Assistentin, Frl. Erika Konz, danken wir für zuver-lässige Mitarbeit und für die sorgfältige Ausführung der Zeichnungen.     

Acute Fluoxetine Treatment Induces Slow Rolling of Leukocytes on Endothelium in Mice

ObjectiveActivated platelets release serotonin at sites of inflammation where it acts as inflammatory mediator and enhances recruitment of neutrophils. Chronic treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) depletes the serotonin storage pool in platelets, leading to reduced leukocyte recruitment in murine experiments. Here, we examined the direct and acute effects of SSRI on leukocyte recruitment in murine peritonitis.MethodsC57Bl/6 and Tph1−/− (Tryptophan hydroxylase1) mice underwent acute treatment with the SSRI fluoxetine or vehicle. Serotonin concentrations were measured by ELISA. Leukocyte rolling and adhesion on endothelium was analyzed by intravital microscopy in mesentery venules with and without lipopolysaccharide challenge. Leukocyte extravasation in sterile peritonitis was measured by flow cytometry of abdominal lavage fluid.ResultsPlasma serotonin levels were elevated 2 hours after fluoxetine treatment (0.70±0.1 µg/ml versus 0.27±0.1, p = 0.03, n = 14), while serum serotonin did not change. Without further stimulation, acute fluoxetine treatment increased the number of rolling leukocytes (63±8 versus 165±17/0.04 mm²min⁻¹) and decreased their velocity (61±6 versus 28±1 µm/s, both p<0.0001, n = 10). In Tph1−/− mice leukocyte rolling was not significantly influenced by acute fluoxetine treatment. Stimulation with lipopolysaccharide decreased rolling velocity and induced leukocyte adhesion, which was enhanced after fluoxetine pretreatment (27±3 versus 36±2/0.04 mm², p = 0.008, n = 10). Leukocyte extravasation in sterile peritonitis, however, was not affected by acute fluoxetine treatment.ConclusionsAcute fluoxetine treatment increased plasma serotonin concentrations and promoted leukocyte-endothelial interactions in-vivo, suggesting that serotonin is a promoter of acute inflammation. E-selectin was upregulated on endothelial cells in the presence of serotonin, possibly explaining the observed increase in leukocyte-endothelial interactions. However transmigration of neutrophils in sterile peritonitis was not affected by higher serotonin concentrations, indicating that the effect of fluoxetine was restricted to early steps in the leukocyte recruitment. Whether SSRI use in humans alters leukocyte recruitment remains to be investigated.     

Floristic variation and willow carr development within a southwest England wetland

Abstract. Woodland colonization on wetlands is considered to have a detrimental effect on their ecological value, even though detailed analysis of this process is lacking. This paper provides an evaluation of the ecological changes resulting from succession of poor fen (base‐poor mire) to willow wet woodland on Goss Moor NNR in Cornwall, UK. Different ages of willow carr were associated with eight understorey communities. During willow colonization, in the ground flora, there was a progressive decrease in poor fen species and an associated increase in woodland species, which appeared to be related to an increase in canopy cover and therefore shade. The most diverse community was found to be the most recent willow and was dominated by poor fen species. The oldest willow was the second most diverse and was associated with a reduction in poor fen species and an increase in woodland species. Architectural features were used successfully to assess the general condition and structure of willow. Tree height and DBH were identified as useful parameters to accurately assess willow age in the field. The implications of active intervention to remove willow in order to conserve the full range of communities within the hydrosere are discussed.     

Erste Beobachtungen über die Eignung von Coelastrum proboscideum Bohlin zur Massenkultur

Die coenobienbildende Grünalge Coelastrum proboscideum Bohlin wurde aus Proben vom Eggstädter Seengebiet isoliert und auf ihre Eignung für die Massenkultur geprüft Der Entwicklungsgang ist sehr einfach. Die Vermehrung in Nährlösungskulturen erfolgt durch die Bildung von Tochtercoenobien in den ausgewachsenen Teilzellen der Muttercoenobien Aufbau und Größe der Coenobien bedingen eine gute Schwebefähigkeit und eine ausgezeichnete Filtrierbarkeit Das Massenwachstum erscheint vielversprechend. Unter günstigen Versuchsbedingungen konnten wir Zuwachsraten von mehr als 0,5 g Trockenmasse/l und Tag erzielen Noch offene Fragen, wie Empfindlichkeit bzw. Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen Giftstoffe und Infektionen, werden diskutiert. Eine Analyse der wichtigeren Inhaltsstoffe und möglichst günstiger Wachstumsbedingungen ist im Gange     

Referate

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Referate

Ohne Zusammenfassung