The innervation of synovium of human osteoarthritic joints in comparison with normal rat and sheep synovium.

OBJECTIVE: To study whether osteoarthritis (OA) in the knee is associated with a change of the innervation pattern in the synovial layer. DESIGN: In synovial tissue from the normal knee joint of rat and sheep we studied the presence of vessels and of nerve fibres using transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Synovial material was also obtained from patients who underwent total knee replacement surgery. This material was examined for inflammatory changes, and the presence of vessels and nerve fibres was assessed. RESULTS: The synovium in the parapatellar region of the normal knee joint of rat and sheep exhibited a dense capillary and neuronal network. It was entered by calcitonin gene-related peptide containing sensory fibres and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive sympathetic nerve fibres. Synovial material from patients with knee OA exhibited different degrees of inflammation. Synovial material without inflammation exhibited a similar vascular and neuronal network as the normal knee joint from rat and sheep. However, in synovium with inflammatory changes we found a significant decrease of nerve fibres in depth ranges close to the synovial lining layer depending on the degree of inflammation whereas deeper regions were less affected. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory changes in the synovium of OA joints are associated with a massive destruction of the capillary and neuronal network which is present in normal synovium. Due to the disappearance of the sensory fibres it is unlikely that OA pain is initiated directly in the synovium. The loss of normally innervated vascularisation may have multiple consequences for the physiological functions of the synovium.

N,N-Dialkylaminostyryl dyes: specific and highly fluorescent substrates of peroxidase and their application in histochemistry.

Fluorescent labeling of immuno-bound or endogenous peroxidase (PO) activity has been achieved to date by means of phenol derivatives with a low substitution degree. Here it is demonstrated that N,N-dialkylamino-styryl dyes can also act as fluorescent substrates of PO. They undergo enzymatically cross-linking reactions to surrounding cell constituents in an analogous manner thus permitting highly fluorescent and permanent labeling. This approach is narrowly related to the catalyzed reporter deposition (CARD) technique based on tyramine conjugates and the recently described catalytic cross-linking approach of hydroxystyryl derivatives. The substitution patterns for optimal cross-linking capability and the spectral properties of obtained specific reaction products were studied using an iterative semi-empirical approach. The best staining performance is achieved with N,N-dimethylaminoaryl derivatives. Their N,N-dialkyl homologues as well as the primary aryl amine pendants failed as PO substrates. Due to their basic character, novel substrates occasionally tend to unspecific interactions (staining nuclei, mast cells, or keratin). Centering this side specificity and repressing the staining capability of PO was achieved by chemical modification of the respective dye leading to new specific probes for keratin and cytoplasmatic RNA. In conclusion, catalytic cross-linking of heterocyclic 4-N,N-dimethylamino-styryl dyes represents a promising approach for the permanent fluorescent staining of PO in fixed cells and tissues, complementing the CARD technique. In contrast to CARD-related approaches, new substrates are characterized by a broad excitation and emission range of fluorescence and the outstanding spatial resolution of specific fluorescence signaling known so far from their 4-hydroxystyryl analogues. They currently represent the smallest fluorescent substrates of PO. Histochemical and immuno-histochemical applications share several outstanding features: High detection sensitivity, spatial resolution of fluorescence signaling, and photo stability. 4-N,N-dimethylamino-styryl substrates are compatible with their phenol and phenol-ester analogues. Their combination facilitates the trichromatic immuno-histochemical demonstration of three different targets simultaneously at one excitation wavelength in a conventional epi-fluorescence microscope.

Optimization of heterocyclic 4-hydroxystyryl derivatives for histological localization of endogenous and immunobound peroxidase activity.

Assisted by the development of light excitation and measuring techniques and the commercial availability of highly sensitive equipment, luminescent labels are sensitive detection tools for life sciences research. By contrast to a wide variety of well established chromogenic techniques, fluorescent labels for detecting peroxidase (PO) have been confined to only a few substrates. We describe here novel fluorescent substrates of PO derived from heterocyclic 4-hydroxy styrenes as useful tools for detecting endogenous and exogenous targets in fixed cells and tissues. Excellent localization, high staining sensitivity, outstanding photostability, and exceptionally low background staining were achieved by optimizing the substrate through chemical synthesis. Structure/staining behavior relationships are discussed. By contrast to tyramine-fluorochrome conjugates employed in the catalyzed reporter deposition (CARD) technique, reporting and anchoring functions are no longer separated. Consequently, enzymatic cross-linking of the substrate yields an altered fluorochrome with different properties. Spectral properties and anchoring capability are interdependent and influenced by environmental effects and pH. We screened overall staining capability of 4-hydroxy styryl derivatives using an iterative semi-empirical approach, and ascertained optimal substitution patterns for high PO staining specificity and high fluorescence response. Reliable staining performance was achieved with alkyl chains of short or medium length at the positively charged nitrogen, whereas introducing polar groups often impaired the staining specificity of PO. Catalytic cross-linking of heterocyclic 4-hydroxy-styryl derivatives is a promising approach for permanent fluorescent staining of PO in fixed cells and tissues, and complements the CARD technique. Histochemical and immunohistochemical applications are presented using conventional and confocal fluorescence microscopes with different excitation sources. Spectral properties of selected stains are discussed. Novel stains also are of potential interest as "reactive-tracers" for living cells under multi-photon laser excitation conditions, because they exhibit pronounced nonlinear optical properties.

[Industrial medicine focal points in the preparation for old age]. / Arbeitsmedizinische Schwerpunkte der Vorbereitung auf das dritte Alter.

Occupational medicine takes a certain key position at preparation for an active and healthy old age. Focal points are in this sight: --the active integration of the elder workers into the system of medical investigations of fitness --the dispensary care for elder workers --the shaping of working conditions and claims --health education and --geropsychohygiene.

[Geropsychologic tasks in inpatient care]. / Geropsychologische Aufgaben in der stationären Betreuung.

It is necessary to have regard to the individuality of the older people. Old age must not be identified with illness, debility, and loss of power of performance. We have to activate all capacities of rehabilitation and learning untiringly. Between generations, between old and young, to shape a harmonious relationship, is a further aim of geropsychohygiene.

[Basic theoretical approach to the long-term preparations for an active old age (author's transl)]. / Theoretische Grundkonzeption der Langfristigen Vorbereitung auf das aktive Alter.

The authors single out the following principles as being especially important for the long-term preparations for an active old age: --Given our social conditions, the early and long-term preparation of young people for old age is a task facing the whole of society and one that can only be accomplished through an interdisciplinary approach. --Necessary changes in the attitude of young people towards old age and of older people towards the young can only be achieved through close contacts between young and old people. --In contacts between young and old people the emphasis should not be on help and care, but on mutual understanding and respect and the promotion of self-confidence. --In organizing their living and working conditions young and old people must cooperate in order to stimulate activity-promoting behavior at every stage of life.

[Mental health aspects of programs of preparation for active old age in socialist enterprises]. / Psychohygienische Inhalte von Programmen für die Vorbereitung auf das aktive Alter in der sozialistischen Gesellschaft.

The influencibility of psychic health and the trainability of psychic efficiency form the basic conception of the geropsychohygiene. The aim is the creation of prerequisites for the optimum development of the personality also of the worker at the prepension and pension age by scientific organisation of work and psychologic planning of work in the socialist enterprise. Apart from this, the psychologic column of the preparation on the active age contains suggestions for the psychic condition training and recommendations for personal planning of life.

[Psychological aspects of professional work at old age (author's transl)]. / Psychologische Aspekte der Berufstätigkeit im Alter.

Already in early gero-hygienic studies the social influenceability of psychic health was to be discovered as conceptual conclusion. Investigations on old-age people also confirm the far-reaching dependence of psycho-physical health of old age on social factors of influence. Favourable living conditions result in satisfaction, whereas hospitalization, segregation and qualifications deficiencies promote psychic disorders. Longitudinal section studies likewise revealed the effects of the socio-economic psychic disorders. Longitudinal section studies likewise revealed the effects of the socio-economic status on activity and educational ambitions. Analogous results are shown by recent gerohygienic research work. Destitution and infirmity in old-age correlate strongly with a low socio-economic status. Social activities and creative spare-time activities are to be found more frequently with residents of homes. Physical and psychic stresses of medium level at work have a more favourable effect on the degree of needing care at old age than overstrain or understrain. Low qualification also reduces the desire to continue work after having reached the retirement age limit. Consequences from the knowledge gained must be utilized for an aimed preparation of working pre-pensioners with poor qualification for an active old age. Scientific labour organisation at the factory also for the elder worker as well as strengthening the integration of the ageing citizen in the socialist society are additional means for maintaining the psychic health up to highest age.

[Sociological aspects of preparations for retirement as well as the spare time behaviour of pensioners (author's transl)]. / Soziologische Aspekte der Vorhereitung auf die Pensionierung sowie des Freizeitverhaltens der Rentner.

On the basis of common experiences in the research cooperation in the gero-hygienic and social-gerontological fields the authors depict the sociological aspects of preparing for retirement and the spare time behaviour of old-age pensioners. The short-term preparation for retirement in the pre-retirement age of pensioners should be dealt with preferably by industrial medicine. Preparatory steps on reaching the retirement age must pass over into the territorial level. The transition to retirement age and spare-time behaviour are creative social processes in sociological respect. The sociopolitical and health measures in the USSR and in the GDR take this knowledge fully into account.

[A programme for preparing the working people to an active seniorship (author's transl)]. / Ein Programm zur Vorbereitung von Werktätigen auf ein aktives Alter.

On the basis of the idea about the general necessity of being prepared to the seniorship, and the fundamental possibilities existing in the socialist society and considering the national and international experiences a programme for the preparation to an active seniorship has been developed. The programme has been tested for its efficiency in a rural, suburban and in a large-city industrial plants. The echo and the participation in preparation courses, the attitude and changes in attitude of the test persons asked towards a healthy life, getting older and seniorship, towards occupation during seniorship have been tested with help of mathematic-statistical methods before and after the programme. From these results conclusions have been drawn for internal and social practice for the preparation to an active seniorship.

[Theoretical basis for preparation for an active old age (author's transl)]. / Theoretische Grundlagen der Vorbereitung auf ein aktives Alter.

To theoretically substantiate the preparation for an active old age, as regards gerontological hygiene and social gerontology, we can refer to the four crucial points of our research results. 1. The basic mechanisms of aging are biological-genetically controlled; speed, type and forms of manifestation, however, can be essentially influenced by the environment 2. Regarding the factors of influence we must differentiate between negative and positive features to ensure the desired course of the aging process in accordance with the basic needs by controlling and regulating it 3. For working women and men of pre-pensionable and pensionable age, from the present state of the motivation structure the complex of material and ideological contents of preparatory measures can be derived relating both to the transition to pensionable age and to organizing a creative and active old age 4. Geropsychohygiene and health education rank high in the structure of all-social health protection; for they are suited to improve health, capability, and joy of living, and to help prevent losses and decompositions in the psychophysical field.

Psychohygiene and sanitary education for elder people.

Psychohygiene and sanitary education must help to be incorporated in the complex attendance to elder people as immanent ingredients. A healthy style of living involves salubrious behaviour and facilitates the health promoting shaping of living conditions. The psychic health and the psychic efficiency are accessible to a sphere of influence in the same way as the physical efficiency assumptions. Psychic training covers both thinking, speaking and deciding as well as adaptation, change-over and creative activity. Psychic health in old age is principally possible and can be supported by psychohygienic measures.

[Youth and old age (author's transl)]. / Jugend und Alter.

Gerohygiene as standard branch of socialist gerontology is faced with the short, medium and long-term preparation for an active old age. The foundations for a healthy ageing and a positive attitude towards old age must be laid as early as in childhood and youth. Investigations on juveniles indicate the ideological barriers that have to be overcome yet. Wrong attitudes of young people about old age might be overcome by means of improved contacts between young and old as well as by extending the competence of the respective role of generation. Theses for a further approach to the subject presented demand for the aspects of aid and care not to be overemphasized but to stimulate an activity-promoting behaviour up to the high age by understanding and loving affection on both sides. The development of self-confidence and personality of young and old people is promoted substantially by mutual fruitful relations.