Einsatz einer Mischkultur in Acetat-Fermentationen

Bacterial cultures were selected from the native flora of liquid manure in order to metabolize liquid manure substances. The mixed culture used in the growth experiments is characterized by low growth rates when maximum degradation of acetate occurs. The biomass concentration reached 2.2 g/l.     

Two tyrosinase nonapeptides recognized on HLA-A2 melanomas by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes

A number of cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones derived from several melanoma patients have been found to recognize a majority of melanomas from HLA-A2 patients. We have reported previously that two such CTL clones recognize a product of the tyrosinase gene that is presented by HLA-A2. Here we show that one of these CTL clones recognizes a peptide encoded by the first nine amino acids of the putative signal sequence of tyrosinase. The other CTL clone recognizes a different tyrosinase peptide corresponding to amino acids 368–376. Both peptides contain consensus motifs of HLA-A2 binding peptides.     

Microalbuminuria and nerve conduction velocity in type-I diabetics during conventional therapy and during continuous I.V. insulin infusion

Summary The objective of this study was to follow the development of microalbuminuria and nerve conduction velocity under continuous i.v. insulin therapy over a limited period of 4 months. For this purpose, 8 labile type I diabetics were selected (age 33±8 years, duration of diabetes 16±9 years) and treated conventionally with two insulin injections daily over 4 months. Afterwards, the same patients were treated with continuous i.v. insulin infusion and finally again with two injections daily over 4 months each. This procedure allowed each diabetic to serve as his own control. HbA₁, microalbuminuria, nerve conduction velocity and relative refractory period of the ulnar nerve were checked at montly intervals. During the continuous i.v. infusion over 4 months, blood sugar values were significantly lower, glucosuria had disappeared almost completely and the glycosylated hemoglobin had fallen to near normal values. The mean rate of albumin excretion was 16±5 μg/min at rest and 76±26 μg/min during exercise (normal: 3.9±0.4 and 4.8±1.2 μg/min, respectively) and did not change significantly. Nerve conduction velocity in the ulnar nerve rose significantly under i.v. insulin therapy from 47.9±0.6 m/sec to 52±0.6 m/sec. Similarly, the relative refractory period of the same nerve fell significantly from 3.7±0.2 to 1.9±0.1 msec (i.e. to within normal range). It is concluded that functional disturbances of peripheral nerve can regress by improved blood sugar control with continuous i.v. insulin infusion over 4 months. On the other hand, incipient microangiopathy measured as microalbuminuria remains unchanged over the same period of time. If an improvement is at all possible, considerably longer periods of euglycemia are likely to be necessary. Supported by Grant No. 3.964-0.80 from the Swiss National Science Foundation.     

Posterior chamber IOL implantation during keratoplasty for aphakic or pseudophakic corneal edema

Because of their many advantages, posterior chamber (PC) intraocular lenses (IOLs) were sutured to the posterior iris (in the absence of a lens capsule) in combination with penetrating keratoplasty for aphakic and pseudophakic corneal edema in 53 cases. Secondary PC IOL implantations were performed in aphakic corneal edema (nine cases), and IOLs were exchanged for PC IOLs in pseudophakic corneal edema (44 cases). Ninety-six percent of the grafts remained clear. Forty-three percent of the eyes had 20/40 or better visual acuity, 38% between 20/50 and 20/200, and 19% worse than 20/200, with an average follow-up time of 6.4 (range 3-13) months. The most common cause of poor vision was cystoid macular edema present preoperatively in 20 eyes and postoperatively in 22 eyes. Other causes of persistent visual impairment included macular degeneration (five cases), retinal detachment (two cases), preoperative glaucoma damage (one case), severe postoperative glaucoma damage (one case), endophthalmitis (one case), and graft rejection (one case). Our short-term results indicate that this procedure may be a viable alternative to the use of secondary anterior chamber IOL implantation during penetrating keratoplasty.     

Herovici's picropolychromium. Application to the identification of type I and III collagens

A staining technique differentiating two colorimetric types of connective fibers had been proposed by Herovici previously to the identification of collagen types. This technique has been applied to skin, lung and liver specimens and the results have been compared with immunotyping and literature data on collagen types I, III and IV. The conclusions are focused on the ability of the technique to identify at a first approach collagen types I and III, which are known to be of crucial importance in mechanical tissular properties.     

One-stage phalloplasty in transsexuals

Until now, phalloplasty in transsexuals has been done with cutaneous and musculocutaneous flaps from the abdomen or the thigh in multiple procedures over a long period. We report a one-stage phalloplasty in female transsexuals with a modified Chinese forearm flap, including the cutaneous nerves anastomosed to the genital branches of the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves and the perineal branches of the pudendal nerve to obtain true genital sensibility. Immediate hysterectomy and vaginal closure are performed, providing vaginal skin to complete the neoscrotum built up with the labia and to cover the glans. A vaginal flap draped around the catheter provides the urethra, which is stripped through the dermal tube of the forearm flap acting as a corpus spongiosum. Autogenous costal cartilage is used as a stent for reinforcement, substituting for the corpora cavernosa. The donor forearm area is covered with split skin.