SYNTHESIS,RESOLUTION AND CHARGE-DONOR PROPERTIES OF SIX TRYPTOPHAN ANALOGUES

In order to investigate the special function of tryptophan in peptide hormones, six tryptophan analogues have been synthesized, in which structural resemblance has been grossly retained and potentially essential properties have only partially been varied. The l -enantiomers have been isolated after enzymatic digestion of racemic dipeptide derivatives, and charge-transfer properties of the compounds have been studied.     

Clinical Use of an Intraoral Silicoating Technique

I A ceramic fracture rate of metal-ceramic fixed prosthodontics of up to almost 9% calls for an efficient and effective intraoral repair system. For the repair of fractured veneering material, an intraoral silicoating technique was introduced. In contrast to other repair techniques, the silicoating can successfully be used on a variety of dental restorative materials and, therefore, offers additional applications in the field of the intraoral adhesive technique. This silicoating technique, consisting of a chairside air-abrasion device filled with a specific silica-coated air-abrasion medium, has been used intraorally by the authors since 1993 for clinical purposes. The clinical procedure is described for different applications in the field of the adhesive technique: intraoral repair, preconditioning of core buildups, implant abutments, and surfaces of fixed prosthodontics for the bonding of orthodontic brackets or periodontal splints.     

Management of Lower Lid Ectropion

BACKGROUND: Ectropion repair is a challenge in plastic surgery. Depending on the etiology of the underlying problem, a variety of surgical techniques are available. The etiology, operative management, and recurrence rate are presented. OBJECTIVE: An improvement of the deformity or, in the ideal case, a functional and aesthetic restoration should be accomplished. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 58 patients with ectropion treated from June 2002 until March 2004 were analyzed, 33 with scar contractures, 13 with a tumor of the lid margin, 8 with facial paralysis, and 4 with senile ectropion. Surgical procedures included lateral or medial canthopexy, lateral tarsorrhaphy, wedge excision, skin graft, local flaps, cartilage graft, fascial slings, and combined procedures in one-third of the patients. RESULTS: Postoperative complications included incomplete correction and others in 18.9% of the patients. Eight patients (13.8%) had to be reoperated. CONCLUSION: Correction of the lower lid area including restoration of the lid margin in terms of shape and position is the surgical end point. The preoperative analysis is mandatory for a surgical solution to this severe problem, which is associated with a high incidence of recurrence, especially in difficult reconstructive cases. An individual sophisticated strategy combined with experience in the variety of surgical techniques is mandatory. Frequently, multiple procedures are necessary.     

If functional sinus surgery fails: A radical approach to sinus surgery

Radical surgery of the nose and paranasal sinuses was performed in 56 patients as a last resort for severe recurrent treatment-resistant rhinosinusitis. Surgery consists of removal of all walls between the nasal fossa and the paranasal sinuses, creating one cavity. All patients were permanently relieved of sinusitis and nasal obstruction, and other symptoms were greatly reduced. Morbidity is low in relation to preoperative symptoms. We conclude that radical sinus surgery is an effective last resort if functional sinus surgery repeatedly fails. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1996;114:745-7.)     

Clinical Experience with the Rate Responsive Pacemaker Sensolog® 703

Pacemaker therapy with rate responsive systems becomes increasingly more important. Numerous clinical and experimental trials have been conducted thus far to investigate different sensors of metabolic demands of the body, functioning independently of an atrial electrogram. To transform mechanical energy into electrical energy, activity-triggered systems utilize a piezo-quartz as their sensor. Thirty jive patients suffering from pathological bradyarrhythmias and therefore from an inadequate increase of the heart rate during exercise were supplied with a Sensolog® 703. Clinical follow-up was first performed with the help of treadmill ergometry, later on by walking on flat ground and climbing steps. The settings due to the first test caused inadequately high stimulation rates. A 24-h-Hoher-ECG was necessary to control the programming and the rate profile in the patient's daily life. Using only the histogram and the rateread function, all rate adaptive parameters of the Sensolog® 703 could be set by walking on flat ground and climbing steps. We defined a frequency of 75–85 min⁻¹ to be appropriate during walking, respectively "low work." Individual programming ranged from 2–5/8–15/high-low/very fast-medium/fast-medium (slope, threshold, gain, reaction and recovery time). Reprogramming based on 24-h-Holter ECG was only necessary if the pacemaker was formerly adjusted with the help of treadmill ergometry. Besides, we observed an increase of the stimulation rate due to vibrations not related to exercise, e.g., by driving in a car.     

TRYPTOPHAN REPLACEMENT IN THE C-TERMINAL OCTAPEPTIDE OF CCK-PZ

Six sulphated octapeptide amide analogues, representing the C-terminal sequence of pancreozymin have been prepared in addition to the natural sequence. The tryptophyl residue which is essential for biological activity was replaced in this series by structurally, closely related analogues each of which resemble the properties of the original moiety to varying extents. The syntheses were so conducted that the C-terminal tetrapeptide amides (modified tetragastrins) could be secured. The results of the measurement of one of the biological parameters are indicated. The activity was determined to elucidate which of the physicochemical properties of the tryptophyl residue is most essential for exertion of biological activity in the described test.     

Ambroxol Improves the Broncho-spasmolytic Activity of Clenbuterol in the Guinea-Pig

The effects of ambroxol on the spasmolytic action of clenbuterol were investigated on acetylcholine-induced bronchospasm in guinea-pigs. Ambroxol (50 mg kg^?1 day^?1) or vehicle was administered orally for 14 days. Approximately 45 min after the final dose on day 14, the animals were anaesthetized and the spasmolytic effects of clenbuterol (3, 6 or 12 μg kg^?1 injected intravenously) were determined by use of acetylcholine (40 μg kg^?1, i.v.)-induced bronchoconstriction. For both vehicle- and ambroxol-treated animals, a positive linear relationship was observed between the log-dose of clenbuterol and the percent inhibition of bronchospasm. The calculated ED25 of clenbuterol (i.e. the dose producing 25% inhibition of the acetylcholine-induced bronchospasm) was 3.98 μg kg^?1 (3.29 to 4.82 μg kg^?1, 95% confidence interval) in the presence of ambroxol and 5.81 μg kg^?1 (4.98 to 6.79 μg kg^?1) in the absence of ambroxol. The linear regressions with or without ambroxol differed from each other (P < 0001) but ran parallel (covariance analysis), enabling us to calculate a relative potency, the value of which was 1.46 (1.16 to 1.84). These results demonstrate that the spasmolytic activity of clenbuterol is significantly improved in animals pretreated with ambroxol.