Estrogen receptor-beta immunoreactivity in luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone neurons of the rat brain.

Feedback regulation of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neurons by estradiol plays important roles in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction. Recently, we found that the majority of LHRH neurons in the rat contain estrogen receptor-beta (ER-beta) mRNA, whereas, they seemed to lack ER-alpha mRNA expression. In addition, we observed nuclear uptake of (125)I-estrogen by a subset of these cells. These data suggest that ER-beta is the chief receptor isoform mediating direct estrogen effects upon LHRH neurons. To verify the translation of ER-beta protein within LHRH cells, the present studies applied dual-label immunocytochemistry (ICC) to free-floating sections obtained from the preoptic area of rats. The improved ICC method using the silver-gold intensification of nickel-diaminobenzidine chromogen, enabled the observation of nuclear ER-beta-immunoreactivity in the majority of LHRH cells. The incidence of ER-beta expression was similarly high in LHRH neurons of ovariectomized female (87.8 +/- 2.3%, mean +/- SEM), estradiol-primed female (74.9 +/- 3.2%) and intact male (85.0 +/- 4.7%) rats. The presence of ER-beta mRNA, ER-beta immunoreactivity and (125)I-estrogen binding sites in LHRH neurons of the rat provide strong support for the notion that these cells are directly regulated by estradiol, through ER-beta. The gene targets and molecular mechanisms of this regulation remain unknown.

[Analysis of cause of death in Central Rhine prisons and in police detention centers 1949 to 1990]. / Analyse der Todesursachen in mittelrheinischen Haftanstalten und im Polizeigewahrsam von 1949 bis 1990.

Using the documents from the Institute of Legal Medicine in Bonn, the deaths (86) in Middle Rhine detention centres and police custody since 1949 were investigated. All the deceased were male (average age 37, range: 18-67 years). As far as deaths from natural causes were concerned, death caused by myocardial infarction was the most frequent. The average age of myocardial infarction victims was 48. In two of these cases Koch's disease of the lung was diagnosed. Death of unnatural causes was the most frequently recorded, accounting for 63% of cases (suicide by hanging of incision injuries = 51%, and death by intoxication = 12.5%). Hanging was the most common means of committing suicide usually being discovered in the morning. Items of clothing and cell windows were the most commonly used objects. Nearly all the suicides were under the influence of alcohol. In 6.8% of cases the drug tests were positive.

[Work absenteeism data--a source of information for epidemiological research in occupational risks?]. / Arbeitsunfähigkeitsdaten--eine Informationsquelle für die epidemiologische Berufsrisikoforschung?

The usefulness of data on absence from work due to sickness (absenteeism) as an indicator of specific and detailed information of diagnoses is widely discussed in the international literature. In occupational health indicators for health risks (e g sickness absence of more than 14 days), details on diagnosis and workplace are very useful, if analysed by epidemiological means. A pilot project, initiated by a high sickness absence in the automobile industry, led to a test of an industrial health information system, which was abruptly stopped by data protection arguments. The epidemiologic approach of an age-adjusted comparison of incidences relies on the access to morbidity data of the health insurance system. With the diagnostic information at hand differences of incidences in one production branch (as recognized by the incidence ratio SIR) are to be discovered if related to certain specific diagnoses. Thus, a direct comparison of comparable rates helps to identify specific reasons for increased absence from work. Practical solutions were found if the owner of the data, the National Federation of Enterprise Sickness Funds, conducted the analyses. First results showed as yet unknown associations of myocardial infarction and obstructive lung diseases in the metallurgical industry. In such cases not only the validity of such results has to be verified, but also other epidemiological tools, such as a case-referent approach to determine risk ratios, are required for the identification of any causally important relationship.

[Tetralogy of Fallot in a father and son]. / Beobachtung einer Fallotschen Tetralogie bei Vater und Sohn.

A family is reported on, in which the tetralogy of Fallot is present in the father and the eldest son. In both the patients a total correction took place. The mother and the second son are healthy.