Chemical characterization and opioid activity of an exorphin isolated from in vivo digests of casein

The in vivo formation of an opioid peptide (exorphin) derived from beta-casein has been proved for the first time. It was isolated from duodenal chyme of minipigs after feeding with the milk protein casein. The exorphin has been identified as a beta-casein fragment by end-group determinations and qualitative amino acid analysis of the purified peptide. This peptide, named beta-casomorphin-11, displayed substantial opioid activity in an opiate receptor-binding assay.

[Hepatitis and imported infectious diseases. A. Hepatitis. 1. Virologic findings in acute hepatitis]

The properties of the hepatitis-A-virus and the hepatitis-B-virus are described. The authors refer to the fact that despite the far-reaching development, particularly in the field of the hepatitis-B-infection up to a usable active immunoprophylaxis many questions concerning the natural history, pathogenesis and epidemiology are still unclarified. The development of demonstration methods of the 3rd generation and their use in the diagnostics of hepatitis rendered possible the gain of new realizations. The authors contributed to the introduction of these methods essentially by own developments, as for instance of ELISA for the demonstration of HBeAg and anti-HBe. The solution of some still open questions can be expected only by the successful establishment of a suitable virus-host-cell system.

Comparison of direct and indirect two-site binding enzyme immunoassay

Rabbit IgG, directed against HBsAg, was purified by positive and by negative affinity chromatography and applied in horseradish peroxidase labelled as well as in unlabelled form in the direct and indirect two-site binding enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Comparing direct and indirect assay the latter is more sensitive and less conjugate consuming. In contrast to the indirect assay in which antibodies, purified by positive affinity chromatography, do not alter detection limit, a 4- to 8-fold higher sensitivity was achieved in the direct EIA in contrast to antibodies, purified by negative affinity chromatography. In the indirect EIA unlabelled second and labelled third antibodies were incubated successively as well as simultaneously. The latter procedure shortened the assay time but needed antibodies purified by positive affinity chromatography and a 10-fold higher conjugate concentration. Greatest sensitivity was obtained in the indirect EIA by the use of labelled second and labelled third antibodies (20-30 ng/l HBsAg).

Thermal response of paraplegic skin to the application of localized pressure

The skin temperature response of paraplegic skin to application of localized pressure has been measured and compared to the response of nonparalyzed skin. Following pressure release, skin temperature generally increased to a maximum value and then decreased slowly. The peak temperature rise observed was dependent on the magnitude and duration of applied pressure, with higher values of peak temperature rise associated with higher values of both the magnitude and duration of applied pressure. This trend is similar to that observed with nonparalyzed subjects. For both of these groups, the general pattern of temperature response curves are similar, and the magnitudes of peak temperature values are not much different. Skin temperature responses are believed to be due to reactive hyperemia. Pressure magnitudes and pressure application times used were below those needed to cause pressure sore formation.