Infraspinatus Kontraktur beim Cavalier King Charles

Ein 6,5 Jahre alter Cavalier King Charles Spaniel wurde mit einer seit 6 Wochen bestehenden Lahmheit der linken Vorderextremität vorgestellt. In der klinischen Untersuchung wurden eine Abduktion der linken Vordergliedmaße, eine Atrophie des M. infraspinatus, M. supraspinatus und M. deltoideus, eine Dolenz bei Palpation bzw. Flexion des Schultergelenks sowie eine mittelgradige Hangbeinlahmheit mit charakteristischer Aussenrotation der Schulter festgestellt. Als Diagnose wurde eine Kontraktur des M. infraspinatus gestellt, und die komplette Tenektomie seiner Ansatzsehne führte zur Wiederherstellung der normalen Gliedmaßenfunktion.

Mutation in beta1-tubulin correlates with macrothrombocytopenia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

BACKGROUND Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) have a high prevalence of inherited macrothrombocytopenia. The purpose of this study was to determine if a mutation in beta1-tubulin correlated with presumptive inherited macrothrombocytopenia. HYPOTHESIS A mutation in beta1-tubulin results in synthesis of an altered beta1-tubulin monomer. alpha-beta tubulin dimers within microtubule protofilaments are unstable, resulting in altered megakaryocyte proplatelet formation. ANIMALS Blood samples were obtained from CKCS and non-CKCS dogs. METHODS DNA was used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to evaluate beta1-tubulin. Platelet numbers and mean platelet volume (MPV) were evaluated for a correlation with the presence or absence of a mutation identified in beta1-tubulin. Platelets obtained from homozygous, heterozygous, and clear CKCS were further evaluated using electron microscopy and immunofluorescence. RESULTS A mutation in the gene encoding beta1-tubulin correlated with macrothrombocytopenia in CKCS. Electron microscopy and immunofluorescence studies suggest that platelet microtubules are present but most likely are unstable and decreased in number. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The macrothrombocytopenia of CKCS correlated with a mutation in beta1-tubulin. alpha-beta tubulin dimers within protofilaments most likely are unstable, leading to altered proplatelet formation by megakaryocytes. This information will aid in distinguishing inherited from acquired thrombocytopenia. It also provides insight into the mechanism of platelet production by megakaryocytes, and also may prove useful in understanding heart-related changes in macrothrombocytopenic CKCS with concurrent mitral valve regurgitation.

Charles Darwin über die Religion

Was hatte Darwin zum Thema "Religion" zu sagen? Was waren seine religiösen oder auch anti-religiösen Glaubensvorstellungen? Glaubte er, dass seine Evolutionstheorie dem Glauben an einen Schöpfer widersprach? War es seine revolutionäre Wissenschaft, die ihn in einen Agnostiker verwandelt hat? Es ist wichtig, diese Fragen sorgfältig zu beantworten, denn Darwins Autorität und Beispiel werden oft herangezogen, um metaphysische oder theologische Behauptungen zu rechtfertigen, die weit über die Einzelheiten seiner evolutionären Biologie und die seiner wissenschaftlichen Nachfolger hinausgehen.

Clinical and inflammatory characteristics of the European U-BIOPRED adult severe asthma cohort

U-BIOPRED is a European Union consortium of 20 academic institutions, 11 pharmaceutical companies and six patient organisations with the objective of improving the understanding of asthma disease mechanisms using a systems biology approach.This cross-sectional assessment of adults with severe asthma, mild/moderate asthma and healthy controls from 11 European countries consisted of analyses of patient-reported outcomes, lung function, blood and airway inflammatory measurements.Patients with severe asthma (nonsmokers, n=311; smokers/ex-smokers, n=110) had more symptoms and exacerbations compared to patients with mild/moderate disease (n=88) (2.5 exacerbations versus 0.4 in the preceding 12 months; p<0.001), with worse quality of life, and higher levels of anxiety and depression. They also had a higher incidence of nasal polyps and gastro-oesophageal reflux with lower lung function. Sputum eosinophil count was higher in severe asthma compared to mild/moderate asthma (median count 2.99% versus 1.05%; p=0.004) despite treatment with higher doses of inhaled and/or oral corticosteroids.Consistent with other severe asthma cohorts, U-BIOPRED is characterised by poor symptom control, increased comorbidity and airway inflammation, despite high levels of treatment. It is well suited to identify asthma phenotypes using the array of "omic" datasets that are at the core of this systems medicine approach.

Working with A Secular Age. Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Charles Taylor's Master Narrative

Charles Taylor’s monumental book A Secular Age has been extensively discussed, criticized, and worked on. This volume, by contrast, explores ways of working with Taylor’s book, especially its potentials and limits for individual research projects. Due to its wide reception, it has initiated a truly interdisciplinary object of study; with essays drawn from various research fields, this volume fosters substantial conversation across disciplines.