Lithium-(F(2)(+))(A) centers in alkali-halide crystals

New absorption and emission bands are reported for KBr, KI, and RbI that are attributed to the lithium-(F(2)(+))(A) center.

Tunable, continuous-wave laser action using (F2+)A centers in lithium-doped KCl

Continuous-wave, broadly tunable laser action is reported for an (F2+)A center in lithium-doped KC1. The laser is continuously tunable from about 2.00 to 2.50 microm, is highly efficient, has a low threshold for absorbed power, and retains its laser capability after several weeks of storage at room temperature.

[Histochemical and electron microscopical studies of histiocytoma (author's transl)]

In histiocytomas the alkaline phosphatase technique reveals a surprising number of capillaries. The capillaries branch out from the center to the periphery of the histiocytoma and even the capillaries beneath the epidermis proliferate. The cellular elements outside the capillaries, however, are fibroblasts, histiocytes and mast cells, as is revealed by various histochemical and electron microscopical examinations. Histiocytomas of short duration differ from older histiocytomas in that the former contain fibroblasts similar to those found in healing wounds (C-fibroblasts).

Sporozoite-induced malaria: therapeutic effects of glycolipids in liposomes

Liposomes containing neutral glycolipids with a terminal glucose or galactose, when injected intravenously, prevented the appearance of erythrocytic forms of malaria (Plasmodium berghei) in mice previously injected with sporozoites. Inhibitory glycolipids included glucosyl, galactosyl, or lactosyl ceramide. Inhibition was not observed with liposomes containing ceramide, phosphocholine ceramide, sulfogalactosyl ceramide (sulfatide), or ganglioside GM1. Liposomes containing glycolipids did not inhibit infection transmitted by injecting blood containing erythrocytic stages of malaria. These results may have therapeutic implications in the treatment of malaria. Analysis of the mechanism of interference with the life cycle of malaria by liposomal glycolipids may yield information about the interactions of parasites with cellular membranes.

Hepato-erythropoietic porphyria presenting as scleroderma and acrosclerosis in a sibling pair

Clinical and biochemical data are reported on a sibling pair with clinical and biochemical features of both erythropoietic protoporphyria and hepatic cutaneous porphyria. After many years of photosensitivity the clinical picture resembles systemic sclerosis.

Images of the mind: psychiatry in the commercial film

There are many striking temporal and cultural parallels in the development of commercial films and psychiatry. The psychiatrist has been depicted in widely varying ways--as madman, as a powerful force for tinkering with the soul, and as a wonder worker who cures patients by uncovering a single traumatic event. The early years, in which psychiatric issues were often treated simplistically or sensationally, were followed by a "latency period". After the war there was a deluge of psychological films, which also began to deal with emerging social issues. Contemporary films tend to focus on madness as a metaphor or on the struggle of seemingly normal, successful people to find fulfillment. Psychiatry and film are "toys that have grown up together," along with the consumers of both.

Diffraction by M centers in KCI

Diffraction efficiencies as high as 15% have been measured for thick plane wave holograms consisting of grating arrays of oriented M centers in additively colored KCl. The values obtained agree well with calculated estimates based on the induced birefringence and dichroism.

[Ultrasonic doppler technique for microvascular bypass (author's transl)]

Following an operative microvascular extraintracranial bypass, 50 patients were re-examined by the ultrasonic Doppler technique. The findings were compared with the results achieved by post-operative angiography. This examination of the patency of extraintracranial anastomoses with the ultrasonic Doppler technique can be conducted on an outpatient basis, is noninvasive and can be frequently repeated. It has a high degree of accuracy (96%). In addition, there were indications that, in certain areas, a gauge could be established for the function of the anastomosis by comparing the amplitude indices from the bypass and the afferent vessels. Key-words: Ultrasonic Doppler technique - microvascular bypass - cerebral blood flow - cerebrovascular disorders

Immunological characterization of an arylamidase (aminopeptidase) occurring in histiocytoma

Histiocytomas display a remarkably strong proteolytic activity. Electrophoretic and immunological studies reveald that this proteolytic activity is due, at least partially, to the presence of an arylamidase, previously described as "aminopeptidase I". This enzyme has been identified in various tissues of ectodermal, mesodermal and entodermal origin.

[Results of the myocardial infarct registers in the German Democratic Republic and their significance for the reduction of early mortality in myocardial infarce]

From preliminary results of the registers of myocardial infarction in the GDR follows that the definitive myocardial infarction (classification of the WHO) occurs in Berlin with an incidence rate of 17 cases per 10,000 inhabitants and annum, in Erfurt 10 and at Pasewalk 11 cases per 10,000 inhabitants and annum. More than three fourths of all cases of myocardial infarction appear outside the hospital. After three months the lethality is 60%, whereby the half of all cases of death appears already in the prehospital phase. More than 8 hours are passing before half of all patients with infarction are admitted into the hospital. The greatest retardation takes place between arrival of the physician and admission into the hospital. In the second place follows the interval onset of the infarction and demand of medical aid. An improvement of the early diagnostics and the transport of the patient as well as an adequate information and collaboration of the patient and his surroundings might contribute to a shortening of the prehospital phase and thus to a decrease of the early mortality in cases of myocardial infarction.

[Laryngotracheoscopic findings before and after closure of a sewed-up tracheostoma in children with special regards to functional results. IIIrd communication (author's transl)]

13 children of all age groups, suffering from a respiratory insufficiency, and treated with a sewed-up-tracheostoma, were examined by tracheoscopies in regular intervals. The patients were followed up for at least two years and six months. 46 bronchoscopies were performed. Very quick epithelization of the transplantate with two typical forms of the transplantate could be found: development of a pad, and a prolaps of the transplantate. The development of a pad could be considered as the more favourable form with regard to the pulmonary function. The bronchological and roentgenological follow-up-examinations revealed good functional results in all cases except one.

The Histochemistry of Prefascial Lymph Vessels in Recurrent Erysipelas

For histochemical examination, excisions were taken from the prefascial lymph vessels of the dorsum of the foot in the case of 54 patients with recurrent erysipelas immediately before lymphangiography. The results obtained were compared with the data of a simultaneous histological study. In the course of the studies, the lymph vessel adenosine triphosphatase, leucine aminopeptidase, succinic dehydrogenase, nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide(-phosρhate) diaphorase, glutamate dehydrogenase and Na-<i>dl</i>-<i>α</i>-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity were considered. In the inflammatory lymph vessel processes (thrombolymphangitis obliterans, endolymphangitis proliferans, perilymphangitis chronica, etc.), the activity of adenosine triphosphatase and mitochondrial (oxidative) enzymes was observed to be increased, while in lymphangiopathia obliterans of a degenerative nature they were found to be decreased. It is believed that in the processes accompanied by lumen narrowing, the infiltration of the vessel wall due to inflammatory tissue leads to the stiffening of the vessel wall, the discontinuing of its rhythmic movement, the development of edema in the distal part of the limb, and the further degeneration of the vessel wall.