Search

The detection of IgG/IgM antibodies is a crucial tool for the diagnosis of infectious diseases as they give specific information such as the stage of infection or when it approximately occurred. In this work, a linear cryogel array (LCA) technology is described for the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies, indicative of a borreliosis infection in human sera. The LCA consists of a transparent capillary filled with functionalized cryogel compartments. For the generation of these cryogel arrays, solutions containing a photo-copolymer and the appropriate antigens are sucked into a surface-modified glass capillary. The solution compartments are separated from each other through air pockets. After freezing the solutions, a photo-induced cross-linking process is performed, through which the solutions are transformed into cryogel compartments, covalently attached to the capillary walls. We show that the LCA technology allows the simultaneous detection of IgG and IgM antibodies via a sandwich immunoassay in sera from Borrelia-infected patients within 1 h for sample sizes of only 12 μL. A study with sera from 42 patients conducted with the LCAs and referenced - depending on the source of the sera - to a commercial line immunoassay and a chemiluminescent immunoassay, which are currently widely used for Lyme disease screening, demonstrates the diagnostic potential of the approach.

Background: Histologically nephroblastomatosis consists of ≥2 microscopic foci of nephrogenic rests. In contrast, clinically apparent nephroblastomatosis consists of single, multiple or diffuse hyperplastic nephrogenic rests (HNR) that can be mistaken for nephroblastoma on imaging. Their treatment and outcome are as variable as published results.Methods: Analysis of 78 patients having clinically apparent uni- or bilateral nephroblastomatosis out of 2347 patients registered for a renal tumor in the consecutive International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP)93-01/GPOH and SIOP2001/GPOH studies between 1993 and 2014. Results: Median age at diagnosis and follow-up was 13 months (0–12.7 years) and 9.2 years, respectively. 59% of patients were female, 57% had bilateral and 53% multifocal or diffuse nephroblastomatosis. Radiologic diagnosis was conclusive in 67% when reviewed centrally versus 30% without review (p=0.015). 27% of patients developed nephroblastoma(s). On histology 45% were high-risk, 30% intermediate-risk and 25% upfront-surgery-blastemal subtype. 5-year-event-free (EFS), nephroblastoma-free-(NFS) and overall-survival (OS) were 60.7%, 79.8% and 95.5%, respectively. Univariate risk factors for EFS/NFS were female gender (p), bilateral (p=0.002/p=0.03) and diffuse HNR at diagnosis (p), and non-complete remission (non-CR) at the end of first-line-treatment (both p). Gender and non-CR remained significant in multivariate COX regression analysis for EFS (p=0.005 and ), non-CR also for NFS (p=0.002). 34 of 74 evaluable patients achieved CR within 12 weeks after diagnosis, 25 of them had no further treatment and were followed, 9 received chemotherapy. Their EFS was 78% and 100%, respectively.Conclusion: Nephroblastomatosis confronts clinicians with a variety of pitfalls, but overall survival is excellent. However, patients need an extended follow-up for more than a decade. In patients who have achieved CR within 12 weeks, a relatively short treatment is sufficient. Contrary, the risk of progression for patients having bilateral and diffuse HNR is significantly increased, despite prolonged treatment. A clear common terminology is needed for future trials to facilitate true comparability of results.

Already at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, an extensive PCR and antigen testing strategy was considered necessary and subsequently also proved successful in order to limit the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections on international and national levels. However, equally important will be the continuous monitoring of the seroprevalence status of populations from defined regions to detect—in a timely manner—any recurrence of infections or an eventual decline in antibody levels of vaccinated individuals, especially in the emerging post-pandemic situation. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in the federal state of Upper Austria (Austria) during the period of December 2020 until April 2021. To achieve this goal, we have analyzed anonymized data on the immune status of self-referral volunteers that have been determined at local pharmacies through a low-entry-barrier point-of-care analysis approach. The seroprevalence values for immunoglobulin type G antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 antigens obtained by rapid diagnostic testing on peripheral blood from volunteers reflect the current population-based estimates reported in the literature as well as the positivity rates detected by PCR-screening analyses. In conclusion, broad-based monitoring of IgG antibodies by means of a point-of-care testing network represents a valuable tool to assess the current immune situation within regionally defined populations. Graphical abstract

A criptococose é uma micose de natureza sistêmica oportunista, considerada uma zoonose causada pelo complexo Cryptococcus neoformans que compreende dois agentes etiológicos, o C. neoformans e o C. gattii, capazes de acometer aves, homens, animais domésticos e silvestres. A infecção ocorre por inalação dos esporos do agente que é frequentemente isolado em excretas de pombos (Columba livia), considerados os reservatórios naturais do fungo. As alterações são encontradas em diversos sistemas do organismo. A criptococose é uma das micoses de mais fácil diagnóstico por apresentar marcado tropismo neurológico, abundância de elementos fúngicos no líquor e nas lesões. Para o tratamento em animais e humanos, as drogas selecionadas são diferenciadas para que não haja a seleção de estirpes resistentes.

Ubersetzt man den Namen „Kendrick Traction Device“ (KTD), wird schnell klar, was das Besondere an ihm ist. Wahrend „Kendrick“ der Eigenname ist, steht „Traction“ fur Zug oder Zugkraft und „Device“ fur Gerat oder auch Vorrichtung. Das KTD ist also eine Schiene, die neben der reinen Ruhigstellung auch die Aufrechterhaltung eines konstanten Langszugsbietet.

Vertrauen stellt ein komplexes latentes Konstrukt dar, fur welches in der Literatur keine allgemeingultige Definition vorliegt. Dies ist insbesondere darauf zuruckzufuhren, dass der Begriff aufgrund der Verwendung in unterschiedlichen Disziplinen jeweils mit einem kontextual gepragten Bedeutungsinhalt versehen wird. Innerhalb einzelner Disziplinen bestehen zudem ebenso zahlreiche wie auch widerspruchliche Definitionen.

Die Literaturauswertung in den vorangehenden Kapiteln ergab, dass zur Vertrauensvergabe Erkenntnisse unterschiedlicher Theorien vorliegen. Eine systematische Uberprufung der Anwendbarkeit dieser Erkenntnisse im Kontext der Abschlussprufung sowohl auf theoretischer als auch auf empirischer Basis liegt bisher nicht vor. Hinsichtlich der Transparenz in der Abschlussprufung liegen bisher nur vereinzelte Aussagen vor. Eine Untersuchung des Einflusses transparenzfordernder Masnahmen auf die Vertrauensvergabe im Prufungskontext ist nicht gegeben.

Depot gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist (GnRHa) therapy is the treatment of choice for patients with central precocious puberty (CPP). It is still unclear whether long-term exposure to GnRHa is associated with impaired reproductive function in adulthood. The present study was performed on 46 women, former CPP patients, 12.5 ± 3.7 years after the discontinuation of treatment with depot GnRHa. In a structured interview, we assessed general health status, clinical signs possibly associated with hyperandrogenism, menstrual cycle, gynaecological diseases and reproductive function. It appears that long-term treatment with depot GnRHa is safe and does not impair reproductive function. The risk of former CPP patients to develop hirsutism and/or polycystic ovary syndrome does not seem to be increased compared to the normal population but this issue needs to be addressed in further long-term follow-up studies.

The ability to produce the Alternaria mycotoxins alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) and altenuene (ALT) were studied on 87 Alternaria strains. 50 isolates were studied to produce tenuazonic acid (TeA). The strains were isolated from CCM-maize and stored hay. They were cultured under optimum conditions and analysed by various chromatographic methods for the 4 mycotoxins. All Alternaria strains studied produced AME and TeA, 77 per cent also AOH. A production of ALT was detected only in 18 per cent of the isolates. The concentrations of toxins produced were 0.08-482 (162) ppm for AME, 0.05-1862 (121) ppm for AOH, 0.1-34 (9.1) ppm for ALT and 0.02-42 (11.3) mg/100 ml liquid medium for TeA. The species Alternaria alternata (Fries) Keissler and Alternaria tenuissima (Kunze:Fr.) Wiltshire produced the greatest amounts of all mycotoxins studied.

Analytical methods are described for detection of the Alternaria mycotoxins alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), altenuene (ALT) and tenuazonic acid (TeA) in natural and semisynthetic laboratory cultures. After extraction and purification of the crude extract by column chromatography on silica gel the qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out by thin layer (TLC)- and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC separations were achieved using a Hypersil ODS column with methanol/water containing a complexing agent as eluent. Detection at 340 nm (AOH, AME, ALT) and 280 nm (TeA), respectively, has proved to be favourably. AME and TeA were produced in high purity and high yields as standard substances by two Alternaria strains. The identity of the toxins could be confirmed by EI-, CI- and FAB-mass spectrometry.

Summary The numbers of fungi and the portions of Alternaria species in silage maize before harvesting and in hay stored were determined. Alternaria is present in growing maize with 18.3 percent of the total numbers of fungi. It occures mainly on leaves and husks. Fungi of the genus Alternaria also were found in hay, that has been stored for 8 months when total numbers of fungi have been decreased slowly. More than 80 percent of all Alternaria strains isolated were determined systematically as Alternaria alternata Fries (Keissler) and A. tenuissima (Kunze:Fr.) Wiltshire. Based on these results there is discussed the potential hazard of a contamination of the roughages with Alternaria mycotoxins.

Summary The identification of species in Alternaria (Nees:Fr.) is mainly based on shape, size and septation of conidia. Because of the great variances in these marks a reliable determination of species in that genus sometimes is difficult. 137 strains of Alternaria isolated from forage are attempted to identify. Various macro-and micromorphological methods used are described as well as their sources of errors. It is emphasized that a stringent standardization of all determination methods is necessary. Beyond it there are discussed some molecularbiological and biochemical characteristics to complete the data of taxonomy in the genus of Alternaria .

Summary Infantile acne is a rare condition which usually begins after the third month of life and appears mainly on the cheeks. Spontaneous healing typically occurs within 2 years. A 2-year-old boy developed acne infantum during the first days after birth; it failed to respond to topical treatment. Detailed physical examination and endocrinologic evaluation confirmed the presumed diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and showed it was caused by 11-beta-hydroxylase deficiency. CAH comprises a group of autosomal-recessively inherited disorders. These hereditary enzyme defects in steroid biosynthesis cause glucocorticoid deficiency and an overproduction of biosynthetic precursor steroids. Adrenal androgen biosynthesis is not impaired but shows a massive reactive overproduction due to the increased ACTH secretion within the up-regulated hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal system. The characteristic features of CAH in male infants are demonstrated on the basis of this case report. Zusammenfassung Die Acne infantum ist eine seltene Hauterkrankung, die gewohnlich nach dem 3. Lebensmonat beginnt und sich hauptsachlich im Bereich der Wangen manifestiert. Eine spontane Abheilung innerhalb von 2 Jahren ist typisch. Wir berichten uber einen knapp 2-jahrigen Jungen mit einer seit den ersten Lebenstagen bestehenden Akne, die sich als therapieresistent erwies. Ausfuhrliche klinische und endokrinologische Untersuchungen bestatigten die Verdachtsdiagnose eines adrenogenitalen Syndroms, das sich in weiterfuhrenden Untersuchungen auf einen 11-beta-Hydroxylase-mangel zuruckfuhren lies. Das adrenogenitale Syndrom (AGS) beinhaltet eine Gruppe autosomal-rezessiv vererbter Enzymdefekte in der Steroidhormonbiosynthese, die zu einem Mangel an Glukokortikoiden und zu einer Uberproduktion der Steroidvorlaufer fuhren. Die nicht beeintrachtigte Androgensynthese erfahrt uber das adrenokortikotrope Hormon (ACTH), das innerhalb des Regelsystems “Hypothalamus-Hypophy-senvorderlappen-Nebennierenrinde” reaktiv verstarkt ausgeschuttet wird, eine massive Uberproduktion. Anhand der Kasuistik werden die Charakteristika des AGS beim mannlichen Kleinkind dargestellt.

Infantile acne is a rare condition which usually begins after the third month of life and appears mainly on the cheeks. Spontaneous healing typically occurs within 2 years. A 2-year-old boy developed acne infantum during the first days after birth; it failed to respond to topical treatment. Detailed physical examination and endocrinologic evaluation confirmed the presumed diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH),and showed it was caused by 11-beta-hydroxylase deficiency. CAH comprises a group of autosomal-recessively inherited disorders. These hereditary enzyme defects in steroid biosynthesis cause glucocorticoid deficiency and an overproduction of biosynthetic precursor steroids. Adrenal androgen biosynthesis is not impaired but shows a massive reactive overproduction due to the increased ACTH secretion within the upregulated hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal system. The characteristic features of CAH in male infants are demonstrated on the basis of this case report.

Context: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a group of autosomal recessive inherited disorders of steroidogenesis. The deficiency of steroid 11-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) resulting from mutations in the CYP11B1 gene is the second most frequent cause.Objective: We studied the functional and structural consequences of two CYP11B1 missense mutations, which were detected in a 1.8-yr-old boy with acne and precocious pseudopuberty, to prove their clinical relevance and study their impact on CYP11B1 function.Results: The in vitro expression studies in COS-7 cells revealed an almost complete absence of CYP11B1 activity for the P94L mutant to 0.05% for the conversion of 11-deoxycortisol to cortisol. The A368D mutant severely reduced the CYP11B1 enzymatic activity to 1.17%. Intracellular localization studies by immunofluorescence revealed that the mutants were correctly localized. Introducing these mutations in a three-dimensional model structure of the CYP11B1 protein provides a possible explanation for the effects measured in vitro. We hypothesize that the A368D mutation interferes with structures important for substrate specificity and heme iron binding, thus explaining its major functional impact. However, according to structural analysis, we would expect only a minor effect of the P94L mutant on 11-hydroxylase activity, which contrasts with the observed major effect of this mutation both in vitro and in vivo.Conclusion: Analyzing the in vitro enzyme function is a complementary procedure to genotyping and a valuable tool for understanding the clinical phenotype of 11-hydroxylase deficiency. This is the basis for accurate genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and treatment. Moreover, the combination of in vitro enzyme function and molecular modeling provides valuable insights in cytochrome P450 structural-functional relationships, although one must be aware of the limitations of in silico-based methods.

Golge M, Muller M, Dreesmann M, Hoppe B, Wenzelburger R, Kuhtz-Buschbeck JP. Recovery of the precision grip in children after traumatic brain injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:1435-44. Objective: To identify quantitative parameters that are sensitive enough to detect impairments and improvements of grasping in children after traumatic brain injury (TBI) by analyzing the isometric fingertip forces of a precision grip-lift task. Design: Follow-up and case-control study. Setting: Tertiary pediatric trauma rehabilitation center in Germany. Participants: Thirteen children (age range, 5–14y) with moderate or severe TBI. Trauma severity was assessed with the Glasgow Coma Scale (score range, 3–9) and the Injury Severity Score (range, 16–66 points). Control data were obtained from 13 age- and gender-matched healthy children. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Children were examined 3 times (t0, t1, t2). The first date of examination (t0) was defined by the Barthel Index (part B, >20 points). Reexaminations followed after 1 (t1) and 5 (t2) months of inpatient rehabilitation. Quantitative measures included 3 grip-force parameters, 2 load force parameters, 1 parameter of the coordination between grip force and load force, and 3 timing parameters in a precision grip-lift task. Clinical improvements and recovery of activities of daily living were described with the Barthel Index (qualitative measure). Results: Peak grip force, maximum negative load force, grip force in the static phase and its standard deviation, and grip-force/load-force ratio at maximum grip force showed significant improvements during the observation period (5mo). Also, the preparation phase and preload duration, but not the load duration, changed significantly. Conclusions: Impairments and the recovery of grasping in children after TBI can be objectified with quantitative analyses of the precision grip. Several grip-force and timing parameters were sensitive for the description of restitution processes.

Moderne Industriegesellschaften sind durch eine Dominanz der Okonomie charakterisiert. Okonomische Zielsetzungen und Funktionsweisen dringen in die anderen gesellschaftlichen Bereiche ein und fiinktionalisieren diese fur ihre Zwecke. Traditionale Wertmuster und Gemeinschaftsbeziehungen weichen okonomischen Nutzenkalkulen und geldwirtschaftlichen Austauschverhaltnissen. Damit entstehen neue gesellschaftliche Konfliktpotentiale, aus denen wiederum spezifisch modeme Interessensgegensatze und Machtkonstellationen erwachsen konnen.