Beurteilung des Einsamkeitserlebens im Verlauf endogener Psychosen

Zusammenfassung Je 32 endogen Depressive und Schizophrene wurden im akuten Stadium ihrer Erkrankung und kurz vor der Entlassung aus der stationären Behandlung hinsichtlich ihres Einsamkeitserlebens untersucht. Depressive fühlen sich intrapsychotisch sehr signifikant einsamer und leiden mehr unter ihrer Einsamkeit als Schizophrene. Postpsychotisch besteht kein Unterschied zwischen den Krankheitsgruppen. Die Kontaktfähigkeit und der aktive Umweltbezug der Depressiven ist während der Erkrankung sehr signifikant geringer als bei Schizophrenen, bei denen sich wiederum keine Änderung dieses Erlebnisaspektes intraoder postpsychotisch ergibt.Das Verhalten der Persönlichkeitsdimensionen Neurotizismus und Extraversion nach Eysenck im Verlauf der beiden Krankheitsbilder wird diskutiert und mit Angaben aus der Literatur verglichen.In Abgrenzung gegenüber dem Autismus-Begriff E. Bleulers, über den ein kurzer Literaturaufriß informiert, wird die Bedeutung des Einsamkeitserlebens vor allem für die endogen Depressiven unter Hinzuziehung der Literatur diskutiert und hieraus die unterschiedliche psychotherapeutische Ansprechbarkeit während der akuten Krankheitsphase abgeleitet.Herrn Prof. Dr. W. Klages zum 50. Geburtstag herzlich zugeeignet.     

Polymere 3-acryloyloxyalkyl- und 3-acryloyloxyaryl-4-thiazolidone als strahlenschutzsubstanzen

The syntheses of 3-acryloyloxyalkyl- and 3-acryloyloxyaryl-2-phenyl-4-thiazolidones ( 3a–c ) from the corresponding hydroxyl derivatives 2a–c and acrylic acid chloride are described. These monomers were homopolymerized and copolymerized with N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone by radical initiation. The resulting water soluble copolymers were tested in animals for radioprotective activity and prolongation of efficiency.     

Accelerated growth and visceral lesions in transgenic mice expressing foreign genes of the growth hormone family: an overview

Effects of growth hormone (GH) overproduction were studied in transgenic mice expressing murine metallothionein I-GH fusion genes. The most obvious consequence was the acceleration of growth, which led to substantial increases in body weight of up to more than twice that seen in controls. Growth of the internal organs was stimulated, with hepatomegaly and nephromegaly as the most prominent features. GH transgene expression was also reflected in increased skeletal growth which affected various bones to different extents. The mean life-span of human GH transgenic mice with serum levels of hGH ranging from 3×10³ to 9×10⁵ ng/ml was drastically reduced at 160 days in both sexes. Severe renal lesions were the primary cause of the decrease in life expectancy and were characterized by marked nephron atrophy, obsolescence of numerous glomeruli, and a massive cystic dilation of the tubules. Initial changes involved the glomeruli, which showed significant enlargement and sclerotic lesions. The liver exhibited a pronounced hepatocellularmegaly and progressive degenerative as well as hyperplastic changes. One-third of the hGH transgenic animals displayed myocardial fibrosis. Hepatocellylar carcinoma was found in bovine GH transgenic mice older than 12 months. Our observations are compared with results of other investigators.     

High levels of 5′-nucleotidase activity in blastic chronic myelogenous leukemia with common all-antigen

The activity of 5′-nucleotidase (5′-N) on the surface of leukemia cells was determined in 44 patients with blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and in 52 patients with acute myeloblastic (AML) or acute lymphoblastic (ALL) leukemia. The phenotype of blast cells was classified according to immunological surface markers, including the common ALL-antigen (cALLA). High 5′-N activities were found in the presence of cALLA, whereas low to undetectable levels were characteristic for cALLA-negative leukemias, the difference being highly significant (p 0.0001). While there was a certain overlap of 5′-N levels between cALLA-positive ALL and cALLA-negative AML, no overlap of 5′-N was observed between cALLA-positive lymphoid and cALLA-negative myeloid blast crisis of CML. Thus, 5′-N affords an additional easily-testable biochemical marker that may have its diagnostic and prognostic value especially in the case of blastic chronic myelogenous leukemia.     

Quantification of mitral valve stenosis by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the diagnostic potentials of transesophageal 3D-echocardiography in the determination of mitral valve stenosis. 54 patients were investigated by transthoracic and multiplane transesophageal echocardiography. In 41 patients cardiac catheterization was performed. 3D-echocardiographic data acquisition was performed by automatic transducer rotation at 2° increments over a span of 180°. The transesophageal probe was linked to an ultrasound unit and to a 3D-workstation capable of ECG- and respiration gated data acquisition, postprocessing and 2D/ 3D image reconstruction. The mitral valve was visualized in sequential cross-sectional planes out of the 3D data set. The spatial position of the planes was indicated in a reference image. In the cross-sectional plane with the narrowest part of the leaflets the orifice area was measured by planimetry. For topographic information a 3D view down from the top of the left atrium was reconstructed. Measurements were compared to conventional transthoracic planimetry, to Doppler-echocardiographic pressure half time and to invasive data. The mean difference to transthoracic planimetry, pressure half time and to invasive measurements were 0.3 ± 0.1 cm², 0.2 ± 0.1 cm² and 0.1 ± 0.1 cm², respectively. Remarkable differences between the 3D- echocardiographic and the 2D- or Doppler- echocardiographic methods were observed in patients with severe calcification or aortic regurgitation. In 22% of the patients the 3D data set was not of diagnostic quality. New diagnostic information from a 3D view of the mitral valve could be obtained in 69% of the patients. Thus, although image quality is limited, 3D- echocardiography provides new topographic information in mitral valve stenosis. It allows the use of a new quantitative method, by which image plane positioning errors and flow-dependent calculation is avoided.     

Detection of multiple human herpes viruses by DNA microarray technology.

BACKGROUND: The detailed characterization of virus DNA is a challenge, and the genotyping that has been achieved to date has only been possible because researchers have sent a great deal of time and effort to do so. Instead of the simultaneous detection of hundreds of viruses on a single high-density DNA-chip at very high costs per chip, we present here an alternative approach using a well-designed and tailored microarray which can establish whether or not a handful of viral genes are present in a clinical sample. METHODS: In this study we applied a new concept of microarray-based, optimized and robust biochemistry for molecular diagnostics of the herpesviruses. For comparison, all samples were genotyped using standard procedures. RESULTS: The biochemical procedure of a knowledge-based, low-density microarray was established based on the molecular diagnostics of human herpes viruses: herpes simplex virus (HSV) HSV-1, HSV-2, varicella zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and HHV-6. The study attempted to optimize parameters of microarray design, surface chemistry, oligonucleotide probe spotting, sample labeling and DNA hybridization to the developed DNA microarray. The results of 12 900 hybridization reactions on about 150 configured herpes virus microarrays showed that the established microarray-based typing procedure was reproducible, virus-specific and sufficiently sensitive with a lower limit of 100 viral copies per mL sample. CONCLUSIONS: The developed method utilizes low-fluorescence background coverslips, epoxy surface chemistry, standardized oligonucleotide probe spotting, PCR-labeling with Cy3 of isolated DNA, array hybridization, and detecting of specific spot fluorescence by an automatic microarray reader. We expect the configured microarray approach to be the method for high-throughput associated studies on human herpes viruses.     

Acute effect of cyclosporin on renal function following the initial changeover to a microemulsion formulation in stable kidney transplant patients

Potential differences in the acute effect of cyclosporin on renal function when dosed orally as the current market formulation or following a milligram-to-milligram conversion to a new microemulsion formulation were investigated in 14 stable kidney transplant patients. The study consisted of three sequential periods of 2 weeks duration each. Patients entered (period I) and completed (period III) the investigation with the market formulation and received the microemulsion formulation in period II; individualized cyclosporin doses remained unchanged throughout the study. Over one steady-state dosing interval at the end of each study period, whole blood cyclosprin pharmacokinetic profiles were assessed in parallel with endogenous creatinine clearances over sequential 1-to 2-h intervals. The rate and extent of cyclosporin absorption were significantly greater (P<0.01) from the microemulsion formulation with average increases of 73% in peak concentration and 44% in area under the curve compared to the market formulation. Sequential creatinine clearances exhibited a transient decrease with the nadir occurring on average between 4 and 6h post dose followed by a rapid return to baseline. Specifically in period I on the market formulation, clearances decreased from a baseline of 71.7±20.6 to a minimum of 51.1±17.9 ml/min per 1.73 m² (similar values in period III) and from 76.8±24.8 to 53.5±17.5 ml/min per 1.73 m² in period II on the microemulsion. Neither the baseline nor minimum clearances were significantly different among the study periods. Hence, the pharmacokinetic differences between the formulations did not acutely influence the pattern of glomerular filtration rate following the initial milligramto-milligram changeover in stable renal transplant patients.     

Interferenzmikroskopische charakterisierung von faserstrukturen, 1. Die ermittlung ortsabhängiger strukturparameter von fasern

The interferometric determination of refractive indices of fibers as a function of the radius of the fiber allows statements about order and orientation along the fiber radius and therefore gives an important contribution to the analysis of the structure of fibers. An analytical model for the interpretation of interferograms of fibers is developed; its application is demonstrated in comparison with a shell model for the example of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber.     

Interferenzmikroskopische charakterisierung von faserstrukturen, 3. Die änderung des radialen verlaufes der physikalischen struktur von polyethylenterephthalat-fasern beim färben mit dispersionsfarbstoffen

The change of the radial structure during the diffusion of dyestuffs in fibers of poly(ethylene terephthalate), [poly(oxyethyleneoxyterephthaloyl)], is studied with regard to the relationship between the dyestuff diffusion and the structure of high polymers. The fiber structure is described by interferometric measurements, which allow statements about order and orientation as a function of the diffusion path. The experimental results show that C. I. Disperse Red 60 raises the parameters which describe the order and orientation and that C. I. Disperse Blue 139 lowers these structure parameters.     

Gesundheitsförderung im Krankenhaus — Evaluation von Gesundheitszirkeln als Instrumente der Arbeits- und Organisationsgestaltung

Health circles are often used as a means of health promotion in firms and companies. In a pilot project it is tested, in how far this means can also be applied to hospitals. The project is based on three phases comprising analysis, intervention and evaluation. The implementation of a health circle was based on an analysis of the existing job situation in the form of a health report for firms and companies. Organization, work flow, stress and job satisfaction were regarded as important data. In two organizational units (cardiology and internal medicine, dialysis) health circles were established which held meetings on topics chosen by themselves. Based on a problem analysis, solutions were developed and to some extent implemented directly. Subject of the evaluation process were aspects regarding structure and process as well as the results achieved by the circles; these were related to changes in the structure and process of work organization and work flow. It became clear that not only the participants in the health circles came out in favour of these circles but that also non-participants profit from their work. Moreover, the quality of medical care was improved so that the work of the circles also had effects on the patients’ care. The positive effect of this initiative can also be seen by the fact that even after the project had expired officially, a health circle and interest group called “health promotion in hospitals” continued to exist so that further circles were set up and members of all professional groups qualified for these activities. The success of this initiative shows that health circles can serve as a means of health promotion in hospitals and that their results can be evaluated so that structures for self teaching can be developed and implemented in hospitals.