Multiple polypeptide hormone expression in pancreatic islet cell carcinomas derived from phosphoenolpyruvatecarboxykinase-SV40 T antigen transgenic rats.

Transgenic rats carrying a PEPCK-SV40 large T-antigen (TAg) transgene rapidly develop numerous pancreatic islet cell neoplasms, the cells of which express TAg. Although many of the larger neoplasms contain relatively undifferentiated cells, many tumors contain areas of well-differentiated cells with abundant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and secretory granules for endocrine hormones like those observed in normal pancreatic islets. In the well-differentiated lesions, glucagon-producing alpha-cells, insulin-producing beta-cells, and somatostatin-producing delta-cells are readily identifiable morphologically under the electron microscope. Beta-cells were observed in all normal and hyperplastic islets, and nests of these cells were scattered throughout the larger neoplasms. These nests varied from small clusters of epithelium-like cells that stain intensely for insulin, to sheets of small, basophilic cells that stain more diffusely for the hormone. Alpha-cells were also present in all of the normal and hyperplastic islets, but in larger hyperplastic islets, the peripheral localization was absent. Larger neoplasms contained many nests of glucagon-expressing cells, as well as scattered glucagon-producing single cells. Delta-cells were rarely observed in the hyperplastic islets and in the neoplasms. Blood-glucose levels were unaltered in the transgenic animals relative to their nontransgenic litter mates. Thus although these islet cell neoplasms express several polypeptide hormones, there is no obvious clinical effect of such expression in vivo.

The mechanism of thioacetamide-induced apoptosis in the L37 albumin-SV40 T-antigen transgenic rat hepatocyte-derived cell line occurs without DNA fragmentation.

The hepatotoxicant thioacetamide (TH) has classically been used as a model to study hepatic necrosis; however, recent studies have shown that TH can also induce apoptosis. In this report we demonstrate that 2.68+/-0.54% of the albumin-SV40 T-antigen transgenic rat hepatocytes undergo TH-induced apoptosis, a level comparable to other in vivo models of liver apoptosis. In addition, TH could induce apoptosis and necrosis in the L37 albumin-SV40 T-antigen transgenic rat liver-derived cell line. Examination of dying L37 cells treated with 100 mM TH by electron microscopy revealed distinct morphological characteristics that could be attributed to apoptosis. Quantitation of apoptosis by FACS analysis 24 h after treatment with 100 mM TH revealed that 81.3+/-1.6% of the cells were undergoing apoptosis. In contrast, when L37 cells were treated with 250 mM TH, cells exhibited characteristics consistent with necrotic cell death. DNA fragmentation ladders were produced by growth factor withdrawal-induced apoptosis; however, in 100 mM TH-induced apoptosis, DNA fragmentation ladders were not observed. Analysis of endonuclease activity in L37 cells revealed that the enzymes were not inactivated in the presence of 100 mM TH. The data presented in this report indicate that the L37 cell line could be used to study the mechanism of TH-induced apoptosis that was not mediated through a mechanism requiring DNA fragmentation.

[Traumatology and athletic injuries in basketball]. / Traumatologie und Sportschaden im Basketballsport.

This analysis outlines the facts concerning sports injuries and damages of 473 active basketball players covering a 5-year period in more than 100 clubs in southern Germany. The average age was 26.8 years and 34.5% were women. 658 medically treated basketball injuries were described in detail. With 40.7% distortions were the most frequent injuries followed by ruptures of ligaments in 24.6% and fractures in 9.3%. In the majority of cases the lower extremities were involved (65.3%), of which most commonly the ankle joint was injured (45.6%). Another 14% were lesions to the fingers and 12.9% trauma to the knee. In 3600 reported cases players did not consult a physician after inflicting distortions to a ankle or a finger. Aside from interaction with adversaries (41%) also the relatively heavy ball (650 g) caused 11.9% accidents. Survey shows, that younger players and "center"-players were most often subject to injuries. More than 2/3 of actives in question suffer from permanent pain due to basketball activities. 43.8%, mainly younger players, report continues pain in the knee and 28.1%, predominantly older players, suffer from permanent damage of the ankle joint, caused by repeatedly occurring, however light, distortions of the ankle.

[Traumatology in indoor handball sports. A sports medicine analysis of the incidence of injuries and accident epidemiology of indoor handball sports in senior players in the Federal Republic of Germany after 1981]. / Traumatologie im Hallenhandballsport. Eine sportmedizinische Analyse der Verletzungshäufigkeit und Unfallepidemiologie im bundesdeutschen Hallenhandballsport der Senioren nach 1981.

Indoor handball sport is steadily gaining in importance in Germany in terms of sports medicine: not only is there a rapid increase of the number of members of the German Handball Association (DHB), but also an increase of sport injuries caused by handball playing, both in respect of incidence and severity. Sport injuries of 286 indoor handball players of the Federal German teams of senior players that occurred during the past 5 years, were analysed. 540 injuries and damage caused by stress were analysed that had been given medical attention; these were included in the survey and classified according to epidemiology and incidence. It is possible to advance suggestions regarding the prevention of injuries on this basis, with particular emphasis on changing the rules governing indoor handball playing in the sense of restricting the physically emphasised manner of playing which is particularly injury-prone.

[The effect of monochromatic and polychromatic UV irradiation and of 8-MOP on phagocytosis of neutrophilic granulocytes]. / Zum Einfluss von monochromatischer und polychromatischer UV-Bestrahlung sowie von 8-MOP auf die Phagozytose neutrophiler Granulozyten.

We investigated the inhibition of granulocyte phagocytosis by 8-MOP and monochromatic or polychromatic UV light. After application of 8-MOP and UV there was an additional inactivation compared with UV alone, as expected from studies on other cell species. This additional inhibition of phagocytosis was found to be increasing with 8-MOP level. The action spectra of granulocyte inactivation by 8-MOP and UV involves the investigated UVB range (until 300 nm). A marked inactivation of granulocytes was seen after erythemogenic fluences only. Therefore we assume that inactivation of granulocytes by direct UV action does not play an essential role in UV therapy in vivo.

[Phagocytic activity of granulocytes after UV-irradiation]. / Fagotsitarnaia aktivnost' granulotsitov posle UF-oblucheniia.

The effect of UV-irradiation on three functions of human isolated granulocytes (viability, phagocyte activity and capacity to reduce nitrotetrazolium blue) was investigated. The phagocytosis appeared to be the most sensitive function. The number of phagocytic cells was decreased under UV-doses as low as 0.63 kJ.m-2. Cell lethality was increased under UV-doses 4.32 kJ.m-2 and higher. The capacity to reduce nitrotetrazolium blue was uneffected even at the dose as high as 10.17 kJ.m-2.

[The possibilities of osteoplastic measures in mid-foot amputation and osteomyelitis of the tarsus]. / Möglichten knochenplastischer Massnahmen bei der Mittelfussamputation und Fusswurzelosteomyelitis.

Osteomyelitis after trauma or after operations and amputations at the midfoot or tarsus leads to a disadvantage in terms of motion and of weightbearing on the foot. Once local fistula, exophytic bone growth, skin defects and instability of the metatarsus have arisen, hygiene and recovery of joint function are difficult. Four patients were treated by reamputation at the midfoot and bone autografts. The osteomyelitic part was excised and the tarsal and metatarsal bones stabilized. The result at follow up showed painfree stumps without recurrence of infection within 3 years. Little support is needed in the way of orthopedic appliances, and all four patients can walk easily with no pain. This operation is recommended for the primary surgical procedure.

[The action of linear and angular derivatives of furocoumarin on the viability of polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocytes in vitro]. / Deistvie lineinykh i anguliarnykh proizvodnykh furokumarina na zhiznesposobnost' polimorfnoiadernykh neitrofil'nykh granulotsitov in vitro.

The authors compare the effects of UV irradiation combined with angular and linear furocoumarines on the viability of polymorphonuclear granulocytes. They suppose, that 4,5-dimethylangelicin contributes to the efficacy of photochemotherapy.

[Multilocular myositis ossificans--damage caused by excessive stress in performance sports?]. / Die multilokuläre Myositis ossificans--ein Uberlastungsschaden im Leistungssport?

This is a report of a girl of 16 years of age who complained of pain in both legs after intensive competitive sports, the main event being the 800 m race. Radiologically visualised were periostal reactions and new periostal bone formations at the femur and lower leg. Diagnosis was extremely difficult due to generalised signs and symptoms, such as temperature, associated with inappetence and a "run-down" feeling, increase of alkaline phosphatase and liver enzyme levels and of the blood sedimentation rate. Differential diagnosis of heterotopic ossifications is dealt with in detail.