Dielectric properties of a combined main-chain/side-chain liquid-crystalline polymer

The dielectric relaxation properties of a combined main-chain/side-chain liquid-crystalline polymer were investigated. It was found that the rotation of the side chain about the main chain (δ-process) is not as strongly restricted as in side-chain liquid-crystalline polymers. This is attributed to the facts that the side chain is attached to the flexible spacer within the chain backbone and that the concentration of the side chains is comparatively small. Two low-temperature relaxation processes were observed to occur in the glassy smectic and the crystalline state. They are attributed to intramolecular motions with in the mesogenic groups.     

Styles of coping with handicap in mentally retarded adults

Based on a conceptual analysis how mentally retarded adults experience their intellectual impairment four different styles of coping with the handicap were postulated. They could be demonstrated empirically from data of a standardized interview. The groups with different styles of coping also show difference in personality traits, in their social history, the level of independence in daily living and in psychosomatic complaints. The variables "norm orientation", "stigmatization" and "attention getting behavior" were used in a prediction analysis to characterize the coping styles in the following way: (1) the positive-passive style is characterized by high norm orientation with little tendency to get attention, (2) the negative-passive style only by a high tendency to get attention, (3) the assertive style by low norm orientation together with high stigmatization and a low tendency to get attention, (4) the defensive style by low stigmatization and a low tendency to get attention. In addition to behavior-oriented intervention in rehabilitation those cognitive processes should be considered, which contribute to the development of a mentally retarded person's coping style.     

Biosynthesis of phenylalanine and tyrosine in claviceps

Some enzymes of the terminal steps of phenylalanine and tyrosine biosyntheses were investigated in various alkaloid-forming ergot strains. All strains studied utilize both arogenate and phenylpyruvate as an intermediate in L-phenylalanine synthesis. L-Tyrosine is preferentially or exclusively synthesized via the arogenate pathway. No feedback inhibition of arogenate pathway enzymes by aromatic amino acids was observed.     

Verlorene Lebensjahre: Bekanntes und Neues zur Methodik am Beispiel der häufigsten Todesursachen in Deutschland

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz - Verlorene Lebensjahre (Years of Life Lost, YLL) sind ein aussagekräftiger, in Deutschland jedoch wenig verwendeter Indikator...     

Adolescent Substance Use Behavior Change Through School Intervention Is Improved by Teacher and School Implementation Support Together,Especially for Girls

Prevention Science - An earlier trial of a school-based, preventative intervention, HealthWise South Africa, demonstrated some efficacy in preventing adolescent drinking and smoking in the Western...     

Efficacy of vaccination with StroVac for recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a comparative single-centre study

International Urology and Nephrology - To assess the efficacy of prophylaxis for urinary tract infections (UTI) in a two-year follow-up in women with StroVac compared to a therapy with...     

Functional and molecular characterization of a monoclonal antibody against human interleukin 2

Human recombinant interleukin 2 (r-IL2) was used as an immunizing antigen to yield a murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) termed BO-7. Although the antibody binds to r-IL2 more avidly, it also reacted strongly with IL2 from natural sources in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), allowing the detection of the purified lymphokine at sensitivity levels closely approaching those found with the IL2 biological assay. Binding to the antigen is specific, as deduced from the close correlation of ELISA immunoreactivity with IL2 biological activity and from immunoblot analysis of electrophoretically separated IL2 from various sources. Binding studies with synthetic IL2-derived peptides revealed the location of the epitope, which is recognized by mAb BO-7: A peptide representing amino acid residues 59-72 (peptide 84) is strongly reactive with the antibody, while an overlapping peptide (residues 48-69) is not. Peptide 84, moreover, can be applied for immunopurification of mAb BO-7 and competes for binding to the antibody with the intact IL2 molecule. In turn, another monoclonal anti-IL2 antibody (35H10), showing the same reactivity pattern with peptides, competes with mAb BO-7 for binding to IL2. The application of mAb BO-7 as a specific reagent for the quantitation of IL2 in a sandwich-type ELISA is demonstrated.