"Wider aller Willen disen Altar auß der Kirkhen gethon". Pluralisierung und Konkurrenz auf dem Markt der Wunder in der Landschaft Disentis (17. und 18. Jahrhundert)

Die katholische Kultlandschaft Disentis erfuhr im Zeitraum von ca. 1650–1750 eine tiefgreifende Umgestaltung. Während das Benediktinerkloster mit den Reliquien der Klosterheiligen lange Zeit das religiöse Zentrum bildete, entstanden im Verlaufe des 17. Jahrhunderts in den umliegenden Kirchen und Kapellen zahlreiche weitere Heiligenkulte, von denen sich die Gläubigen Wunder und Gnaden erhoffen konnten. Der Artikel argumentiert, dass diese Pluralisierung katholischer Kultformen auf die innerkatholische Konkurrenz um die Gunst der Gläubigen zurückzuführen war. Sowohl die einheimischen Benediktiner als auch die aus Italien kommenden Kapuziner versuchten, die Laien mit wunderversprechenden Kultpraktiken an ihre ordensspezifische Frömmigkeit zu binden und so den eigenen Einfluss auf Kosten des jeweils anderen Ordens zu stärken. Für die Laien war diese Situation ein Glücksfall: Von Kapuzinern, Benediktinern und Jesuiten umgarnt, konnten sie aus den konkurrenzierenden Heils- und Heilungsangeboten diejenigen auswählen, die ihnen zur Befriedigung ganz alltäglicher Bedürfnisse am nützlichsten erschienen. Der Einfluss der Laien auf die Ausgestaltung kirchlicher Kultformen ist daher höher zu veranschlagen, als dies die klassische Kirchengeschichte und die Konfessionalisierungsforschung getan hatten.

BPAG1 isoform-b: Complex distribution pattern in striated and heart muscle and association with plectin and α-actinin

BPAG1-b is the major muscle-specific isoform encoded by the dystonin gene, which expresses various protein isoforms belonging to the plakin protein family with complex, tissue-specific expression profiles. Recent observations in mice with either engineered or spontaneous mutations in the dystonin gene indicate that BPAG1-b serves as a cytolinker important for the establishment and maintenance of the cytoarchitecture and integrity of striated muscle. Here, we studied in detail its distribution in skeletal and cardiac muscles and assessed potential binding partners. BPAG1-b was detectable in vitro and in vivo as a high molecular mass protein in striated and heart muscle cells, co-localizing with the sarcomeric Z-disc protein alpha-actinin-2 and partially with the cytolinker plectin as well as with the intermediate filament protein desmin. Ultrastructurally, like alpha-actinin-2, BPAG1-b was predominantly localized at the Z-discs, adjacent to desmin-containing structures. BPAG1-b was able to form complexes with both plectin and alpha-actinin-2, and its NH(2)-terminus, which contains an actin-binding domain, directly interacted with that of plectin and alpha-actinin. Moreover, the protein level of BPAG1-b was reduced in muscle tissues from plectin-null mutant mice versus wild-type mice. These studies provide new insights into the role of BPAG1-b in the cytoskeletal organization of striated muscle.

Pregnancy and reproduction in autoimmune rheumatic diseases

Despite evidence for the important role of oestrogens in the aetiology and pathophysiology of chronic immune/inflammatory diseases, the previous view of an unequivocal beneficial effect of oestrogens on RA compared with a detrimental effect on SLE has to be reconsidered. Likewise, the long-held belief that RA remits in the majority of pregnant patients has been challenged, and shows that only half of the patients experience significant improvement when objective disease activity measurements are applied. Pregnancies in patients with SLE are mostly successful when well planned and monitored interdisciplinarily, whereas a small proportion of women with APS still have adverse pregnancy outcomes in spite of the standard treatment. New prospective studies indicate better outcomes for pregnancies in women with rare diseases such as SSc and vasculitis. Fertility problems are not uncommon in patients with rheumatic disease and need to be considered in both genders. Necessary therapy, shortly before or during the pregnancy, demands taking into account the health of both mother and fetus. Long-term effects of drugs on offspring exposed in utero or during lactation is a new area under study as well as late effects of maternal rheumatic disease on children.

Adiponectin isoform distribution in serum and in follicular fluid of women undergoing treatment by ICSI

Adiponectin is an adipokine, present in the circulation in comparatively high concentrations and different molecular weight isoforms. For the first time, the distribution of these isoforms in serum and follicular fluid (FF) and their usefulness as biological markers for infertility investigations was studied.

Increased endometrial placenta growth factor (PLGF) gene expression in women with successful implantation

To analyze the vascularization of the endometrium via hysteroscopy and to assess its correlation with angiogenic factor gene expression and embryo implantation rate.