Hematopoietic reconstitution by multipotent adult progenitor cells: precursors to long-term hematopoietic stem cells

For decades, in vitro expansion of transplantable hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has been an elusive goal. Here, we demonstrate that multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs), isolated from green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transgenic mice and expanded in vitro for >40–80 population doublings, are capable of multilineage hematopoietic engraftment of immunodeficient mice. Among MAPC-derived GFP⁺CD45.2⁺ cells in the bone marrow of engrafted mice, HSCs were present that could radioprotect and reconstitute multilineage hematopoiesis in secondary and tertiary recipients, as well as myeloid and lymphoid hematopoietic progenitor subsets and functional GFP⁺ MAPC-derived lymphocytes that were functional. Although hematopoietic contribution by MAPCs was comparable to control KTLS HSCs, approximately 10³-fold more MAPCs were required for efficient engraftment. Because GFP⁺ host-derived CD45.1⁺ cells were not observed, fusion is not likely to account for the generation of HSCs by MAPCs.

[Max Weber's disease. Research on the disease and therapeutic management at the turn of the century]

This article on the German economist and sociologist Max Weber (1864-1920) continues our pathographic and psychohistoric studies on the interrelations between his life, his illness, and his work on "Protestantic Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism". In a former paper (Frommer u. Frommer, 1993) we focussed on Weber's definition of modern society as an "iron cage" determined by Western rationalism. His theory, which shows that this cultural background demands a great amount of role conformity from the individual, converges with current psychopathological approaches on the personality of depressed patients. In the second article we report on results of our research on further personal documents, and some medical certificates by Weber's physicians. These documents demonstrate the diagnosis of a severe depression in a narcisstic and hypernomic personality.

[From hysteria to nervousness. Comments on Willy Hellpach's sociopathologic prognoses for the 20th century]

The very rich, extensive, and complex work of the psychologist, doctor of medicine, and politician Willy Hellpach (1877-1955) is largely forgotten today. Our article sheds light upon his contribution to the nosology of neuroses, which emphasizes the impact of history, society, and culture on the neurotic syndromes. Hellpach states that during the process of civilisation hysteria is more and more replaced by nervousness. In contemporary nosology this hypothesis leads to the discussion how the relationship of neuroses with depressive symptomatology on the one hand and neuroses with panic attacks and phobia on the other should be conceptualised.

[Max Weber's illness--sociologic aspects of the depressive structure]

Between 1897 and 1902 the economist and sociologist Max Weber from Heidelberg suffered from a severe depressive crisis with multiple recurrences of its symptomatology in the following years. The biographic background of the disease process is examined. Questions regarding the specific diagnosis are discussed. Furthermore, his work shows that Weber was indirectly deeply concerned with the cultural, historical and social background conditions of depressive experience and behavior in the context of his study on Protestantic Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism. Weber's definition of modern society as an iron cage, determined by Occidental Rationalism, shows that this cultural background demands a great amount of role conformity from the individual. Weber's theoretical approach should spark interest in the current psychopathological discussion of the characteristic structural features of a depressed personality.