Showing papers by "University of Münster published in 1992"
TL;DR: The data suggested that hypertriglyceridemia is a powerful additional coronary risk factor, when excessive triglycerides coincide with a high ratio of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to HDL cholesterol (greater than 5.0).
Abstract: The incidence of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) was assessed in 4,559 male participants (aged 40 to 64 years) from the Prospective Cardiovascular Munster study, over a 6-year follow-up period. During this time, 186 study participants developed atherosclerotic CAD (134 definite nonfatal myocardial infarctions and 52 definite atherosclerotic CAD deaths including 21 sudden cardiac deaths and 31 fatal myocardial infarctions). Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between the incidence of atherosclerotic CAD and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p less than 0.001) and triglycerides (p less than 0.001). The relation to HDL cholesterol remained after adjustment for other risk factors. By contrast, the relation between the incidence of atherosclerotic CAD and triglycerides disappeared if, in a multivariate analysis by means of a multiple logistic function, cholesterol or HDL cholesterol were taken into account. However, the data suggested that hypertriglyceridemia is a powerful additional coronary risk factor, when excessive triglycerides coincide with a high ratio of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to HDL cholesterol (greater than 5.0). Even though the prevalence of this subgroup was only 4.3%, it included a quarter of all atherosclerotic CAD events observed.
907 citations
TL;DR: The sonographic criteria evaluated in this study assist in the differentiation of benign from malignant superficial lymph nodes.
Abstract: Ultrasonography has proved a valuable tool for the detection of enlarged lymph nodes; however, differentiation between benign and malignant nodal disease remains a problem. High-frequency probes with improved spatial and contrast resolution display superficial nodes to advantage and also show the internal structure of the nodes. Ninety-four superficial nodes in patients with suspected nodal disease were examined by using 7.5-MHz probes to evaluate longitudinal-transverse diameter ratio (L/T), the central hilus, cortical widening, and size. Histologic diagnosis was obtained after sonographic examination in 73 nodes (five reactive nodes, 35 primary nodal malignancies, and 33 nodal metastases). The remaining 21 nodes regressed after either antibiotic or no therapy. Marked differences were observed among the proportions of benign and malignant nodes in terms of L/T, hilus, and cortex; the latter two structures, however, must be interpreted together. Eccentric cortical widening was seen in only malignant nodes...
547 citations
University of Ulm1, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg2, University of Münster3, University of Düsseldorf4, University of Göttingen5, University of Greifswald6, University of Hamburg7, University of Marburg8, Augsburg College9, University of Mannheim10, Free University of Berlin11, University of Innsbruck12, University of Tübingen13
TL;DR: The perioperative application of octreotide reduces the occurrence of typical postoperative complications after pancreatic resection, particularly in patients with tumors.
Abstract: Though morbidity and mortality rates following pancreatic resection have improved in recent years, they are still around 35% and 5%, respectively. Typical complications, such as pancreatic fistula, abscess, and subsequent sepsis, are chiefly associated with exocrine pancreatic secretion. In order to clarify whether the perioperative inhibition of exocrine pancreatic secretion prevents complications, we assessed the efficacy of octreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analogue. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial in 246 patients undergoing major elective pancreatic surgery. Patients were stratified into a high-risk stratum (limited to patients with pancreatic and periampullary tumors) or low-risk stratum (patients with chronic pancreatitis). Patients received octreotide (3 x 100 micrograms) or placebo subcutaneously for 7 days perioperatively. Eleven complications were defined: death, leakage of anastomosis, pancreatic fistula, abscess, fluid collection, shock, sepsis, bleeding, pulmonary insufficiency, renal insufficiency, and postoperative pancreatitis. Two hundred patients underwent pancreatic head resection, 31 patients underwent left resection, and 15 patients had other procedures. The overall mortality rate within 90 days was 4.5%, with 3.2% in the octreotide group and 5.8% in the placebo group. The complication rate was 32% in the patients receiving octreotide (40 of 125 patients) and 55% in patients receiving placebo (67 of 121 patients) (p less than 0.005). In the patients in the high-risk stratum, complications were observed in 26 of the 68 (38%) patients treated with octreotide and in 46 of 71 (65%) patients given placebo (p less than 0.01). Whereas in patients in the low-risk stratum, the complication rate was 25% (14 of 57 patients) in those treated with octreotide and 42% (21 of 50 patients) in patients given placebo (p = NS). The perioperative application of octreotide reduces the occurrence of typical postoperative complications after pancreatic resection, particularly in patients with tumors.
406 citations
TL;DR: The cis-to-trans modification of the fatty acids studied here apparently is a new way of adapting the membrane fluidity to the presence of phenols, thereby compensating for the elevation of membrane permeability induced by these toxic substances.
Abstract: A trans unsaturated fatty acid was found as a major constituent in the lipids of Pseudomonas putida P8. The fatty acid was identified as 9-trans-hexadecenoic acid by gas chromatography, argentation thin-layer chromatography, and infrared absorption spectrometry. Growing cells of P. putida P8 reacted to the presence of sublethal concentrations of phenol in the medium with changes in the fatty acid composition of the lipids, thereby increasing the degree of saturation. At phenol concentrations which completely inhibited the growth of P. putida, the cells were still able to increase the content of the trans unsaturated fatty acid and simultaneously to decrease the proportion of the corresponding 9-cis-hexadecenoic acid. This conversion of fatty acids was also induced by 4-chlorophenol in nongrowing cells in which the de novo synthesis of lipids had stopped, as shown by incorporation experiments with labeled acetate. The isomerization of the double bond in the presence of chloramphenicol indicates a constitutively operating enzyme system. The cis-to-trans modification of the fatty acids studied here apparently is a new way of adapting the membrane fluidity to the presence of phenols, thereby compensating for the elevation of membrane permeability induced by these toxic substances.
400 citations
TL;DR: A new technique for removing alkali cations from nucleic acid samples during sample preparation on the sample support is demonstrated and the amount of oligonucleotide sample consumed during a typical measurement in IR-MALDI-MS was determined.
Abstract: A number of different matrices have been tested and compared for ultraviolet and infrared (UV and IR) matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) of oligodeoxyribonucleotides and mixtures thereof, as well as ribonucleic acids (tRNA from yeast and rRNA from E. coli). A new technique for removing alkali cations from nucleic acid samples during sample preparation on the sample support is demonstrated. The amount of oligonucleotide sample consumed during a typical measurement in IR-MALDI-MS was determined.
355 citations
TL;DR: The texture and modal composition of fourteen carbonaceous chondrites of the CM group were studied in detail to unravel the origin of their various components and the evolution of their parent body as mentioned in this paper.
347 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the ionization in ultraviolet laser desorption was investigated for a large number of small polar organic molecules which have a strong resonance absorption at the laser wavelength, and a model was proposed and discussed which explains these features assuming photoionization as the common initial ionization step followed by ion-molecule reactions to the final product ions.
Abstract: The ionization in ultraviolet laser desorption was investigated for a large number of small polar organic molecules which have a strong resonance absorption at the laser wavelength. In many cases, both positive- and/or negative-ion mass spectra show strong signals of ion species which deviate from the simple scheme of even-electron quasimolecular and fragment ion formation commonly expected for desorption techniques. These are radical cations and ion species formed by single and multiple hydrogen cleavage or addition. A model is proposed and discussed which explains these features assuming photoionization as the common initial ionization step followed by ion-molecule reactions to the final product ions. The mass spectra of all compounds proved to function well in matrix-assisted ultraviolet laser desorption/ionization show characteristic features indicative of their photochemical reactivity. This observation substantiates the hypothesis of tbe essential role of the matrix in analyte ionization.
322 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that in patients with ALS, glucose consumption is decreased in parts of the brain other than the motor cortex accompanied by mild neuropsychological deficits based on the tests employed in this study.
Abstract: In this study the regional cerebral glucose utilization and the neuropsychological performance of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was investigated. Special attention was given to neuropsychological tests thought to mirror frontal lobe dysfunction. The regional cerebral glucose utilization was studied in 18 patients using high-resolution positron emission tomography. Clinically all patients displayed upper and lower motor neurone signs. In ALS patients glucose metabolism was significantly reduced in the frontal and in the entire cortex compared with controls; no changes were seen in the cerebellum. Comprehensive neuropsychological assessment of ALS patients compared to a pair matched control group revealed mild frontal dysfunction which in part significantly correlated with reduced glucose metabolism in the cortex and subcortical structures. We conclude that in patients with ALS, glucose consumption is decreased in parts of the brain other than the motor cortex accompanied by mild neuropsychological deficits based on the tests employed in this study.
300 citations
TL;DR: A detailed analysis of the applied phase evaluation algorithm as function of the number of steps, N, is given and the alternating feature of the phase measurement precision ϵ(N), which lead to the obvious choice of seven or five steps, is demonstrated.
282 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the influence of the intergroup context on the perception of ingroup and outgroup homogeneity is investigated, and it is shown that the tendency to perceive more outgroup than ingroup is by no means a universal law, rather, both outgroup and ingroup homogeneity effects are found.
Abstract: This chapter investigates the influence of the intergroup context on the perception of ingroup and outgroup homogeneity. Specifically, three determinants of perceived group homogeneity which originate in the intergroup context are examined: (1) the numerical relation between ingroup and outgroup; (2) the relevance of the dimensions or attributes in question for ingroup definition or social identity; (3) the socially prevailing group stereotypes. It is shown that the outgroup homogeneity effect (i.e. the tendency to perceive more outgroup than ingroup homogeneity) is by no means a universal law—rather, both outgroup and ingroup homogeneity effects are found—and that models of category representation which ignore the influence of the intergroup context are insufficient. Finally, the relations between perceived group homogeneity and three other social psychological phenomena, namely minority influence, ingroup favouritism and self-stereotyping, are briefly discussed.
208 citations
TL;DR: The authors examined ingroup favoritism and fairness in negative outcome allocations and found that only minority and low status group members favored the ingroup over the outgroup, provided group members were particularly motivated to assure positive social identity.
TL;DR: The 27E10 antigen is formed by noncovalent association of the two Ca2+‐binding proteins MRP8 and MRP14 which belong to the S100 protein family and is confirmed immunochemically, by matrix‐assisted UV‐laser desorption/ionization spectrometry and by partial amino acid sequencing.
Abstract: Monocytes/macrophages expressing an epitope recognized by a monoclonal antibody 27E10 are present in acute but are absent in chronic inflammatory disorders. This report shows that the 27E10 antigen is formed by noncovalent association of the two Ca(2+)-binding proteins MRP8 and MRP14 which belong to the S100 protein family. Identification has been confirmed immunochemically, by matrix-assisted UV-laser desorption/ionization spectrometry and by partial amino acid sequencing. Surface expression of the MRP8/MRP14 complex on a subset of monocytes is reported for the first time and shown to be up-regulated in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. The 27E10 surface-positive monocytes isolated by cell separation techniques release high amounts of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta in contrast to their 27E10 surface-negative counterparts thus emphasizing their role in inflammation.
TL;DR: In the impact cratering regime (impact velocities > 0.5 to 1 km/s) shocked rocks and impact melts are formed and incorporated into crater deposits or in the crater basement of asteroidal surface-subsurface units in which various types of impact breccias can be recognized as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Shock effects in meteorites comprise two major phenomena: (1) Shock metamorphism defined as the mechanical deformation and transformation of rocks below or above the solidus by shock compression and (2) breccia formation which involves ballistic or non-ballistic transport and the relative movement of rock fragments and melts by displacement from the primary location in the parent target bodies. Various collision scenarios lead to specific combinations of shock metamorphism and breccia formation if the relative sizes and velocities of the colliding bodies and the specific impact energy are freely variable above a certain threshold value of the impact velocity. In the low velocity regime accretionary breccias can be formed by catastrophic disruption and reaccretion of the fragmented bodies. These breccias may lack distinct shock-induced features of their constituents. In the impact cratering regime (impact velocities >0.5 to 1 km/s) shocked rocks and impact melts are formed and incorporated into crater deposits or in the crater basement of asteroidal surface-subsurface units in which various types of impact breccias can be recognized: monomict breccias and polymict breccias such as regolith breccias, fragmental breccias, impact melt breccias and granulitic breccias
TL;DR: Based on the way imposex develops in this species the VDS is recommended as the most valid index for TBT biomonitoring and only in highly polluted areas should the uncubed RPS be used as a second index.
Abstract: Specimens from the prosobranch Hinia reticulata collected along the coast of Brittany and Normandy from 1988 to 1991 exhibited imposex (occurrence of male parts in addition to the female genital duct) in response to tributyltin (TBT) pollution. Four stages of imposex development (1 to 4) with two different types in the Stages 1, 3 and 4 could be distinguished and have been documented with scanning electron micrographs for the first time. Furthermore, three additional alterations of the genital tract are shown. Neither TBT-induced sterilization nor sex change occurred. TBT accumulation in whole body and selected tissues is described and sex-related differences are shown. The VDS (vas deferens sequence) index, cubed and uncubed RPS (relative penis size) index and average female penis length of a population were analysed with regard to their quality as indices for TBT biomonitoring. Based on the way imposex develops in this species the VDS is recommended as the most valid index. Only in highly polluted areas should the uncubed RPS be used as a second index.
TL;DR: The hypothesis of a higher dimensionality ("complexity") of imagery compared to actual perceptual processing was confirmed and statistical evidence that the EEG cannot completely be described by the model of filtered noise was found.
Abstract: The insights gained by the concept of deterministic chaos for the EEG is that this seemingly disordered process may be governed by relatively few simple laws which could be determined. One of the quantitative measures of a complex dynamical system is that of its dimension. The term ‘dimension’ refers to the ability of a space to contain a set of points. We estimated the correlational dimension of the EEG and compared the outcome to traditional Fourier analyses. In addition, we tested the hypothesis that the EEG can be described as filtered noise. Data from 15 electrode sites and 31 subjects are reported in the present study. We have utilized a variety of tasks that cut across sensory modalities including touch, vision, and imagery which reflect neuropsychological processes that differentially engage areas of the cortex in the first part of the study. In the second part, the differences between the perception of an object and the imagination of the same object were evaluated. The outcome shows variations between scalp sites for all measures and also variations between tasks in terms of dimensionality of the EEG. The hypothesis of a higher dimensionality ("complexity") of imagery compared to actual perceptual processing was confirmed. A statistical comparison between the maps generated by means of the various measures shows that different informations are extracted when using the different measures. There is also statistical evidence that the EEG cannot completely be described by the model of filtered noise.
TL;DR: In this paper, a combination of radiometric and paleontological dates is used to estimate cooling and uplift exhumation rates for the final stage of the orogenic development in a major part of the Betic Cordilleras.
Abstract: Cooling-rate estimates of 150-350 °C/m.y., suggesting magnitudes of uplift and exhumation of ∼15-20 km at rates of 5-10 km/m.y., are proposed for the final stage of the orogenic development in a major part of the Betic Cordilleras. The results are based on a combination of radiometric and paleontological dates. Six isotopic chronometers (muscovite and biotite whole-rock Rb-Sr, muscovite and biotite 40 Ar/ 39 Ar, biotite K-Ar, and whole-rock Rb-Sr) yield analytical ages between 23 and 18.5 Ma for rocks from Alpine nappe complexes. Nappe-sealing marine sedimentary rocks contain early Miocene foraminifera and nannoplankton indicating minimum ages of 18-15.5 Ma. The very high estimates of cooling and uplift-exhumation rates suggest tectonic unroofing, which is tentatively connected geodynamically to lithospheric slab detachment and concomitant diapirism in the upper mantle, and extensional tectonics in the crustal section.
TL;DR: In this paper, an American and a German scholar attempt to bring results from studies in both their countries to bear on some of the more popular questions being asked by risk communication researchers and practitioners.
Abstract: Research on media communication of risks has become a reasonably well funded and popular domain for scholars around the world. Although one can find a great deal of collaboration among these scholars within countries, cross-cultural collaborations are far more rare. In this article, an American and a German scholar attempt to bring results from studies in both their countries to bear on some of the more popular questions being asked by risk communication researchers and practitioners. With a few exceptions, studies from the two countries demonstrate highly consonant results, suggesting great similarities between (1) the general social and technological cultures of these two developed countries, (2) the ways in which their scientific and journalistic cultures deal with the concept of risk, and (3) the ways in which risk communication researchers in these two countries conceptualize and operationalize this domain of inquiry. The review concentrates on studies that examine the construction of risk stories by...
TL;DR: The data suggested that hypertriglyceridemia is a powerful additional coronary risk factor, when excessive triglycerides coincide with a high ratio (> 5.0) of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to HDL cholesterol.
Abstract: The incidence of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) was assessed in 4,576 male participants of the Prospective Cardiovascular Munster (PROCAM) study, aged 40–64 years, over a 4-year follow-up period. In this time, 122 study participants developed atherosclerotic CAD (89 definite nonfatal myocardial infarctions and 33 definite atherosclerotic CAD deaths). Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between the incidence of atherosclerotic CAD, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p 5.0) of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to HDL cholesterol. Even though the prevalence of this subgroup was only 3.7%, it included a quarter of all atherosclerotic CAD events observed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the reproducibility of assessment of sperm concentration, motility, and morphology was obtained for the same sample measured by different technicians (between or intertechnician variation) and for different samples assessed by each technician with time (within or intratechnician variation).
TL;DR: The review focuses on the compartmentation of the reactions and the proteolytic fragmentation of lysosomal enzyme precursors, which is characterized mainly by modifications of carbohydrate side chains.
Abstract: Lysosomal enzymes are subjected to a number of modifications including carbohydrate restructuring and proteolytic maturation. Some of these reactions support lysosomal targeting, others are necessary for activation or keeping the enzyme inactive before being segregated, while still others may be adventitious. The non-segregated fraction of the enzyme is secreted and can be isolated from the medium. It is considered that the secreted lysosomal enzymes fulfill certain physiological and pathophysiological roles. By comparing the secreted and the intracellular enzymes it is possible to distinguish between the reactions that occur before and after the segregation. In this review the reactions that may influence the segregation are referred to as the early processing and those characteristic for the enzymes isolated from lysosomal compartments as the late processing. The early processing is characterized mainly by modifications of carbohydrate side chains. In the late processing, proteolytic fragmentation represents the most conspicuous changes. The review focuses on the compartmentation of the reactions and the proteolytic fragmentation of lysosomal enzyme precursors. While a plethora of proteolytic reactions are involved, our knowledge of the proteinases responsible for the particular maturation reactions remains very limited. The review points also to work with cells from patients affected with lysosomal storage disorders, which contributed to our understanding of the lysosomal apparatus.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: It is shown that the transferrin receptor antigen alone is not sufficient for enrichment of fetal nucleated erythrocytes, and the group has used discontinuous density gradient centrifugation for this purpose.
Abstract: The analysis of fetal cells from the maternal circulation would be the least invasive method of prenatal diagnosis. Potential fetal cell types to enter the maternal circulation are lymphocytes, trophoblast cells and nucleated erythrocytes. With conventional methods, such as cytology and interphase or metaphase cytogenetics, the ratio of fetal to maternal cells was overestimated in the past. Currently most groups use polymerase chain reaction-based Y-sequence analysis for the detection of fetal cells in pregnancies with male fetuses, either with or without prior enrichment of fetal cells. For fetal cell separation, fluorescence-activated cell sorting and immunomagnetic beads have been applied, and recently our group has used discontinuous density gradient centrifugation for this purpose. We have shown that the transferrin receptor antigen alone is not sufficient for enrichment of fetal nucleated erythrocytes. Despite some initial promising results with fluorescence in situ hybridization, the reproducibility and reliability of the techniques are still limited, mainly due to the lack of very specific cell markers and the very low and variable concentrations of fetal cells among numerous maternal cells.
TL;DR: In spite of the availability of a fast and effective separation method (magnetic-activated cell sorter) the use of the transferrin receptor antigen alone is not likely to enable a reliable identification of fetal cells in maternal circulation.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Data support the antiadhesive role of decorin regardless of whether subsequent cell spreading is supported or not, and it is concluded that several structural features of thrombospondin and of decorations contribute to the mutual interaction of the two macromolecules.
TL;DR: In conclusion, single injections of 600 mg TB in hypogonadal patients show favorable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and this new long-acting T ester is a promising new agent for substitution therapy of male Hypogonadism and for male contraception.
Abstract: Due to unfavorable pharmacokinetics of the available androgen esters for substitution therapy of male hypogonadism, there is a demand for new testosterone (T) preparations producing constant serum levels in the physiological range. To assess the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the new ester testosterone buciclate (TB) [20 Aet-1] in hypogonadal men a clinical phase I-study was performed. After two control examinations 8 male patients with primary hypogonadism were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups (n = 2 x 4) given single doses of either 200 (group I) or 600 mg (group II) TB im. Blood samples were obtained 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days post injection and then weekly in the course of 4 months. In group I serum androgen levels did not rise to normal values. However, in group II androgens increased significantly and were maintained in the normal range up to 12 weeks with maximal serum levels of 13.1 +/- 0.9 nmol/L (mean +/- SE) in study week 6. No initial peak release of T was observed in either study group. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a terminal elimination t1/2 beta of 29.5 +/- 3.9 days and a mean residence time of 65.0 +/- 9.9 days in group II. In one patient in group II dihydrotestosterone levels slightly exceeded the upper normal limit during the study course. Sex hormone-binding globulin remained unchanged and estradiol serum levels never exceeded the normal range in any patient. In group II gonadotropins were significantly suppressed, whereas no change was seen in group I. A significant increase in body weight, hematological parameters, and libido/potency was observed after TB injection which was more pronounced in the higher dose group. Regardless of the dose administered, no significant change was seen in uroflow, prostate volume measured by transrectal ultrasonography, or prostate specific antigen. No adverse side-effects including changes in clinical chemistry were observed. In conclusion, single injections of 600 mg TB in hypogonadal patients show favorable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. This new long-acting T ester is a promising new agent for substitution therapy of male hypogonadism and for male contraception.
TL;DR: The physiological role of the cis/trans conversion is probably the regulation of membrane fluidity when the most important mechanism for this, the modification of the degree of saturation, cannot by used by the cells due to inhibition of growth and lipid biosynthesis.
Abstract: The physiological significance of trans unsaturated fatty acids, which are constituents of membrane lipids of the phenol-degrading bacterium Pseudomonas putita P8, was studied. The addition of phenol or phenol derivatives to the cells induced the formation of trans unsaturated fatty acids, yielding an overall maximal amount of 41.3% of total fatty acids. The inhibition of de-novo lipid synthesis by cerulenin prevented the change in the degree of saturation in the lipids. However, the cells could still respond to phenols with an amplified conversion of cis into trans unsaturated fatty acids, which is apparently a post-synthesis mechanism of isomerization of the double bond. The cis/trans conversion correlated with growth inhibition induced by toxic concentrations of 4-chlorophenol, whereas only growing cells were able to change the degree of saturation. In cells that were protected against phenol by immobilization in calcium alginate, the conversion of cis into trans fatty acids occurred at higher toxin concentrations compared with free cells. Cells entering the stationary growth phase increased the prodortion of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids but maintained a constant trans/cis ratio.P. putida P8 reacted to an increase or decrease in the growth temperature with an appropriate change in the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids and in cells inhibited by cerulenin with a change in the trans/cis ratio. This study shows that the physiological role of the cis/trans conversion is probably the regulation of membrane fluidity when the most important mechanism for this, the modification of the degree of saturation, cannot by used by the cells due to inhibition of growth and lipid biosynthesis.
TL;DR: Diallyl disulfide and allyl mercaptan were identified as metabolites of allicin, whereby diallyl Disulfide probably is the metabolic precursor of allyl Mercaptan as shown by perfusion with dially l disulfides alone.
Abstract: The metabolic and kinetic behaviour of different garlic (Allium sativum L., Alliaceae) constituents were investigated in the isolated perfused rat liver, using aqueous extracts of garlic powder as well as isolated allicin, the main product of the enzymatic degradation of alliin. Allicin (allyl thiosulfinate) showed a remarkable first pass effect and passed the liver unmetabolized only at high concentrations which caused considerable cell injuries. Diallyl disulfide and allyl mercaptan were identified as metabolites of allicin, whereby diallyl disulfide probably is the metabolic precursor of allyl mercaptan as shown by perfusion with diallyl disulfide alone. The metabolites diallyl disulfide and allyl mercaptan could be determined in the perfusion medium as well as in the bile and the liver tissue. Other degradation products of garlic were also investigated in this model. Ajoenes and vinyldithiins were detected in perfusion medium after liver passage but no metabolites of them could be identified up to now.
TL;DR: Nonlinear analysis revealed that subjects with high IQs demonstrate higher dimensional complexity of the EEG attractors than subjects with low IQs only during resting conditions, and the less intelligent subjects increase the complexity of electrical brain dynamics such that IQ-dependency vanishes.
TL;DR: It is concluded that the features of acute inflammation during leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice are sustained over a prolonged period that is ineffective in the elimination of L. major.
Abstract: Sites of cutaneous infection with Leishmania major in genetically susceptible (BALB/c) and resistant (C57B1/6) mice were investigated for the early inflammatory response (6 h to 12 days) by electron microscopy combined with enzyme-histochemical methods Susceptible BALB/c mice spontaneously recruited only polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) at the site of infection Infiltrating mononuclear phagocytes (and eosinophils) were first observed at day 1 in a ratio equal to the influx of PMNs (about 40%) This pattern persisted during the following 11 days of infection In the resistant C57/B16 mice, the first cellular infiltrate at the infected site contained mononuclear phagocytes (25%) and eosinophils (15%) besides PMNs (60%) Within 3 days after infection, mononuclear phagocytes became the dominant population of cells in cutaneous lesions (up to 80%) It was found in situ that L major accumulated and replicated in immature macrophages, that is, intermediate stages between monocytes and resident macrophages, which were found in lesions of both strains The burden of parasites was, however, degraded more rapidly by the infiltrating cells of the resistant mice than by those of the susceptible ones Within the first 4 days of infection, the parasites were found in PMNs, mononuclear phagocytes, and extracellular spaces in both strains In susceptible mice this distribution pattern persisted up to 12 days after infection; in resistant C57B1/6 mice parasites accumulated inside mononuclear phagocytes within this period It is concluded that the features of acute inflammation during leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice are sustained over a prolonged period that is ineffective in the elimination of L major
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that at centers with an inactive donor side, excitation energy is quenched by charge recombination between Q A and P-680 +.
TL;DR: This method was used to investigate sitting postures and whole-body vibration to demonstrate the applicability of the procedure to quantify spinal strain (and, therefore, estimate comparative loading) in applied ergonomics.
Abstract: A refined procedure for measuring stature is described; this provides a reproducibility error of 0.4 mm. The procedure accommodates the natural diurnal change in stature and permits estimation of the net stature changes caused by a change in spinal loading. A series of measurements done with a cohort of 20 young and middle-aged persons showed that stature decrease was related linearly to the quasistatic load on the spine. The coefficient of proportionality between load and height loss was inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area of the lumbar discs. This method was used to investigate sitting postures and whole-body vibration to demonstrate the applicability of the procedure to quantify spinal strain (and, therefore, estimate comparative loading) in applied ergonomics. Sitting invariably led to an increase in stature, regardless of the type of chair used or the posture maintained. Whole-body vibration did not induce any loss of stature. Thus this novel approach was able to enhance understanding of spinal behavior under different loading conditions.