Die Ausbildung der Haptoglobintypen im Säuglingsalter

Zusammenfassung Das gesunde Neugeborene bildet seinen eigenen Haptoglobintyp innerhalb der 1. Lebenswoche aus. Unreife (Frühgeborene) und starke Hämolyse können das Auftreten verzögern. Am Ende des 3. Monats war der eigene Typ bei allen untersuchten Säuglingen (865) nachweisbar.     

Efficacy of Amodiaquine in uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Nigeria in an area with high-level resistance to Chloroquine and Sulphadoxine/Pyrimethamine

Falciparum Malaria is hyperendemic in southern Nigeria and chloroquine resistance is an increasing problem. Therefore, the parasitological and haematological response to treatment with amodiaquine was studied in children under 5 years during a 14-day follow-up. Of 105 children who accomplished the study (out of 114 who were enrolled), 95.3% were parasite-negative on thick blood film on day 7, which decreased to 89.5% on day 14. The haemoglobin levels increased on average by 1.3% on day 14 (±1.9) and more pronounced in children with anaemia < 10 g/dl on enrolment. The number of patients with adverse events (mainly pruritus and nausea) was few. This study shows that amodiaquine is effective, safe and affordable in an area with high resistance to chloroquine.     

Characterization of DEAE-dextran by means of light scattering and combined size-exclusion chromatography/low-angle laser light scattering/viscometry

Ten DEAE (2-(diethylamino)ethyl) dextran samples were investigated by means of static and dynamic light scattering, viscometry and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) in combination with on-line small-angle laser light scattering (LALLS) and viscometry (VISC). In dilute solution the behavior of DEAE-dextran was compared with that of unsubstituted dextran and the molecular weight M dependences of the radius of gyration R_g, hydrodynamic radius R_h, intrinsic viscosity [η], second virial coefficient A₂ and z-average diffusion coefficient D _z were determined. The relationships for DEAE-dextran dissolved in a 0,8 molar sodium nitrate solution were nearly the same as for dextran dissolved in water with 0,05 wt.-% sodium azide and gave the same exponents. The molecular weight dependence of the intrinsic viscosity cannot be described by a Kuhn-Mark-Houwink relationship with a constant exponent. The slope in the plot of log [η] versus log M decreases with increasing molecular weight which indicates the occurrence of branching. By means of SEC/LALLS/VISC measurements the molecular weight distributions were determined. The distributions were calculated (1) directly from the light scattering signal, (2) from a calibration line obtained by light scattering data of a DEAE-dextran sample with a broad distribution and (3) from the intrinsic viscosity distribution obtained by the on-line viscosity/refractive index detector in combination with the [η]-M relationship. In order to get the correct molecular-weight dependence of the intrinsic viscosity it is necessary to determine the molecular weight distribution directly by LALLS (technique 1) and to combine this with the appropriate intrinsic viscosity data from the viscometer. Only the third technique, which is an extension of technique 1, gave satisfactory results over the whole molecular weight region observed.     

Crystalline and disordered state of poly(dihexylsilylene) copolymers

A systematic comparison of random copolymers, derived from poly(dihexylsilylene) (PDHS) by incorporation of monomeric units with shorter unbranched alkyl side chains, has been carried out based on calorimetry, variable temperature UV spectroscopy, and ²⁹Si MAS (magic angle spinning) solid state NMR investigations. Also, hexylmethylsilylene units and branched monomers have been copolymerized. Up to 10% comonomer with shorter linear side chains (i. e., pentyl to propyl) could be incorporated into PDHS without impeding the all-trans order of the crystalline phase. In this case, the UV absorption maximum of the crystalline low-temperature phase was affected only slightly according to the length and fraction of the comonomer side chains. A less ordered crystal structure (λ_max = 345–355 nm) was observed when the content of comonomers with shorter side chains was about 20%. Yet, all these materials form conformationally disordered mesophases. A clear disordering transition and corresponding thermochromism was not observed any more when 50% of propyl side chains were incorporated. The order of the crystalline and the mesophase is also strongly perturbed if only a small fraction (4%) of the side chains are branched at C².     

Dioxygen sensitivity of a photoexcited thin film of phthalocyanine dispersed in poly(N-vinylcarbazole)

Thin films (thickness 0,3 μm) of a mixture of phthalocyaninatozinc(II) ( 1 ) and poly(1-vinylcarbazole) ( 2 ) are prepared by coating from a solution on ITO glass. The blue coloured films are investigated in an electrochemical cell under irradiation with visible light. In the presence of dioxygen from air the films exhibit an intensive cathodic photocurrent. The action spectrum of the photocurrent corresponds to the absorption spectrum of the phthalocyanine. The results show a device which can be switched by air and visible light.     

Long-Term Outcomes of Everolimus Therapy in De Novo Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BackgroundRisk of nephrotoxicity in liver transplant patients on calcineurin inhibitors (CnIs) is a concern. Several controlled trials reported benefit of everolimus (EVR) in minimizing this risk when combined with a reduced CnI dose.BackgroundTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of EVR, alone or with reduced CnI dose, as compared to CnI alone post-liver transplantation.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials comparing EVR- and CnI-based regimens post-liver transplantation. Assessment of studies and data extraction were undertaken independently.ResultsEight studies were selected, describing 769 patients. Cockcroft-Gault GFR was higher at one (P = .05), 3, and 5 years (P = .030) in patients on EVR compared to those receiving CnI therapy. The composite endpoint of efficacy failure was similar between the 2 arms after 1, 3, and 5 years of study. More patients discontinued EVR due to adverse effects in 1 year; however, no difference was noted after 3 or 5 years. A higher rates of proteinuria, peripheral edema, and incisional hernia occurred in patients on EVR.ConclusionsThe analysis confirms noninferiority of EVR and reduced CnI combination. Combination regimen resulted in better renal function compared to standard CnI therapy.