Bakteriologische,Serologische und Sero-Cytologische Untersuchungen am Durstenden und Fastenden Menschen

Zusammenfassung Es wird über bakteriologische, serologische und serocytologische Untersuchungen am durstenden und fastenden Menschen berichtet.Bei derSchrothschen Trockensemmelkur kam es zu einer Verschiebung der Darmflora nach der Gram-negativen Seite, trotzdem die gereichte Kost kohlehydratreich ist.Bei derFastenkur blieb die Flora mikroskopisch und kulturell gleich. Erst bei regelwidrigem Fastenbrechen mit großen Mengen Eiweiß wurden die sonst immer in den Aussaaten feststellbaren Kolonien von Bact. coli imperfectum durch typische, Milchzucker vergärende Colikeime verdrängt.Die bakteriologische Untersuchung der Rachenflora bei der Schrothschen Kur ergab ein Verschwinden der in der Vor- und Nachperiode sowie einem Teil des Hauptversuchs nachweisbaren Gram-negativen Catarrhalisflora und das Auftreten von vergrünenden Streptokokken.Die serocytologischen Untersuchungen zeigten, daß sowohl der Opsoningehalt wie die Freßtätigkeit der Phagocyten, unabhängig von den Opsoninschwankungen, durch die Durstkur anders als durch das Fasten beeinflußt werden. Die vonMorgulis vertretene Ansicht, daß die Schrothsche Trockensemmelkur auch nur eine Art Fastenkur ist, und durch Fasten dieselben Erfolge erzielt werden können, ist dadurch hinfällig.Die Untersuchungen über den Komplementgehalt des Serums sowie die Heterolysine gegen Hammelblut, die Isoagglutinine Anti A und B und die Heteroagglutinine gegen Kaninchenblut geben ein Bild von der außerordentlichen Konstanz, mit der diese Antikörper, auch unter schwierigen Verhältnissen, erhalten werden. Dieser Befund bei der Schrothschen Kur entspricht den vonFischer bei derselben Versuchsperson anläßlich einer Fastenkur erzielten Ergebnissen.     

Conditioning of dendritic cells by pathogen-derived stimuli

No Abstract     

Modification of electron-beam dose distributions by transverse magnetic fields

By applying a transverse magnetic field to a dosimetry phantom, an incident high-energy electron beam is made to follow a spiral path in the course of slowing down. Certain levels, determined by the electron energy and the magnetic field strength, will be traversed several times by the same electrons. The net result of this process is an enhancement of the depth dose in relation to the entrance dose, and a more sharply defined depth of penetration. Experiments with 50- and 55-MeV electrons traversing a 20.5-kG field are shown to support the predictions of a detailed Monte Carlo calculation.     

Generalization tests with intraventricularly applied pro-enkephalin B-derived peptides in rats trained to discriminate the opioid kappa receptor agonist ethylketocyclazocine

Rats were trained in a two-lever food-reinforced procedure to discriminate between the effects of saline and the opioid kappa receptor agonist ethylketocyclazocine. After acquisition of this discrimination, generalization tests with opioid peptides such as -endorphin, -neoendorphin, dynorphin A and some dynorphin-derived peptides were conducted. The rats dose-dependently generalized the effects of intracerebroventricularly injected ethylketocyclazocine but not -endorphin, -neoendorphin, dynorphin A_1–8, dynorphin A_1–13, D-Cys²-L-Cys⁵-dynorphin A_1–13 or dynorphin A. D-Cys²-L-Cys⁵-dynorphin A_1–13, in contrast to dynorphin A itself, dose-dependently caused analgesia and catatonia that was reversible with naloxone. Studies into the receptor preference of this derivative, using the technique of selective tolerance, revealed that this dynorphin derivative is almost devoid of kappa-receptor activity.     

Opioid dependence prevents the action of pertussis toxin in the guinea-pig myenteric plexus

Summary The longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus preparation of the guinea-pig ileum has been employed for the study of the effect of pertussis toxin (IAP) on opioid dependence. Guinea-pigs were treated with IAP (120 g/kg, i.p.) either prior to chronic administration of an opioid or after opioid dependence had been established. The isolated preparations were tested in vitro for dependence; that is, the naloxone-precipitated withdrawal contracture. Naloxone almost failed to evoke a sign of dependence in preparations treated with IAP prior to chronic exposure to an opioid. In contrast, IAP failed to affect the withdrawal contracture when applied to an animal after dependence has been established. It is concluded that theN _i-unit, the substrate for IAP, plays a critical function in the development of dependence. The continuous activation of the opioid receptor associated with the development of dependence may induce changes inN _i which in turn prevent the interaction of IAP with its substrate.     

Time-resolved fluorometric assay for the detection of endostatin in chromatographically separated extracts of natural peptides

We present a heterogeneous non-competitive immunological detection assay for peptide and protein antigens from crude extracts of biological sources. This time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) has been designed in a solid-phase mode using 96-well microtiter plates. Using the rare-earth metal europium as a fluorescent marker, a highly sensitive, selective and efficient procedure was developed. This technique prevents from interferences of intrinsic protein fluorescence which is highly important for antigen measurement in complex matrices. The TR-FIA has been applied for the detection of circulating forms of the potential anti-tumor agent endostatin, a C-terminal fragment of collagen XVIII, and its close homolog collagen XV (restin) from hemofiltrate. Endostatin was detected with a limit of detection of 3 ng (150 fmol/well) and a broad dynamic range from 10-1000 ng/well.     

Management practices and priorities for mental health system performance: evidence from England and West Germany

Performance priorities for high quality care, multiprofessional team care and deinstitutionalization of patients among mental health services in England and West Germany were found to be significantly influenced by management practices fostering goal congruence, peer review and staff participation in decision making.     

Predictors of perceived health status in elderly men and women. The Cardiovascular Health Study

Baseline data on the perceived health status of participants (N = 5,201) in the Cardiovascular Health Study of the Elderly (CHS) are reported. The authors examined the predictive utility of health-related factors representing eight different domains, assessed gender differences in the prediction of perceived health, and tested a hypothesis regarding the role of known clinical conditions versus subclinical disease in predicting perceived health. Multivariate analyses showed that the majority of the explained variance in self-assessed health is accounted for by variables that fall into four general categories. Although gender differences were small, the analysis showed that the relative importance of several predictor variables did vary by gender.     

Directional coronary atherectomy: experience in 310 patients

This article describes the acute and long-term clinical outcomes of 310 consecutive patients who underwent directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) for treatment of coronary artery disease. An overall procedural success rate of 95% was noted with a total major complication rate of 5%. Analyses of minimal luminal diameter (MLD) were performed pre- and post-procedure for 160 patients. Clinical follow-up including treadmill testing and/or clinical symptoms was obtained on 293 patients. Results of angiographic analyses corresponded with the Kuntz model suggesting that larger MLDs are associated with lower restenosis rates. The overall target vessel revascularization rate was 27.6%, with a mean post-procedure percent diameter stenosis of 16%. These results indicate that DCA is associated with acceptable clinical restenosis rates, complications and long-term outcome.