Surfactant proteins (SP) have been studied intensively in the respiratory system. Surfactant protein A and surfactant protein D are proteins belonging to the family of collectins each playing a major role in the innate immune system. The ability of surfactant protein A and surfactant protein D to bind various pathogens and facilitate their elimination has been described in a vast number of studies. Surfactant proteins are very important in modulating the host's inflammatory response and participate in the clearance of apoptotic cells. Surfactant protein B and surfactant protein C are proteins responsible for lowering the surface tension in the lungs. The aim of this study was an investigation of expression of surfactant proteins in the central nervous system to assess their specific distribution patterns. The second aim was to quantify surfactant proteins in cerebrospinal fluid of healthy subjects compared to patients suffering from different neuropathologies. The expression of mRNA for the surfactant proteins was analyzed with RT-PCR done with samples from different parts of the human brain. The production of the surfactant proteins in the brain was verified using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The concentrations of the surfactant proteins in cerebrospinal fluid from healthy subjects and patients suffering from neuropathologic conditions were quantified using ELISA. Our results revealed that surfactant proteins are present in the central nervous system and that the concentrations of one or more surfactant proteins in healthy subjects differed significantly from those of patients affected by central autoimmune processes, CNS infections or cerebral infarction. Based on the localization of the surfactant proteins in the brain, their different levels in normal versus pathologic samples of cerebrospinal fluid and their well-known functions in the lungs, it appears that the surfactant proteins may play roles in host defense of the brain, facilitation of cerebrospinal fluid secretion and maintenance of the latter's rheological properties.

Our study gives recommendations on how to improve various measures to increase the quality of medical attention given to persons taken into police custody.

The atrophy, reinnervation, and metabolism of free muscle flaps were studied in a rat model, by syngeneic and orthotopic transplantation of abdominal wall muscle flaps with neurovascular anastomoses. The three parameters were examined at different time periods, using electrophysiologic and 31-P-spectroscopic measurements. Results show that a certain degree of atrophy (one-fifth of the original volume) must be expected, even when new axons grow throughout the nerve. This is explained by the early reduction of flap metabolism, leading to a loss of parenchyma until neuromuscular conduction is restored. As the maximum duration of ischemia is 2 hr, muscular damage due to reduced metabolism was not produced.

9 typical cases of dermatofibroma or histiocytoma cutis resp. were studied by the aid of histochemical, enzyme histochemical and electron microscopical methods to examine the cellular composition of these lesions. The results suggest an anabolic and katabolic function of cells. Electron microscopically a broad spectrum of patterns of mesenchymal cells was found. Besides defined fibroblast-like and histiocyte-like elements a cell type was detected which was characterized by particular traits, as irregular nuclear outline, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes, bundles of filaments with single dense zones, micropinocytotic vesicles and a basement membrane-like material on the outer cell surface. This cell type constitutes the majority of cells in dermatofibroma or histiocytoma cutis resp. In some cells an arrangement of filament bundles resembling that in smooth muscle could be seen. By reason of these findings a certain resemblance to the so-called myofibroblasts can be stated. The variegation of the morphological picture suggests a multipotent precursor cell; the possibility of an origin from pericytes is discussed.

Highly sensitive short tandem repeat-based stain analysis of weak biological stains has been improved during the last years. The risk of transfer of cellular material from handled items contaminated with biological stains such as blood and saliva is of forensic relevance. Although the policemen working with crime scene items are very careful, there exists a potential risk of transfer contamination. To obtain estimates for the risk of stain transfer by handling, we have carried out an experimental study on 288 dried blood and saliva stains in two laboratories. DNA quantification showed only small amounts of DNA that could be transferred, especially from stains on paper and cotton. The saliva and especially the blood stains from plastic surface resulted in higher amounts of transferred DNA, depending on the relation of blood volume to included area: Of 192 direct transfers, 17% gave extracts above 10 pg DNA/μl, and only 3% of 96 secondary transfers resulted in amounts above 10 pg DNA/μl.