The Influence of Comprehensibility on Interest and Comprehension

Abstract. Comprehensibility (readability) is understood as the ease with which a certain reader can conduct the processes needed to comprehend a certain text in a certain situation. Comprehensibility is a special form of fluency and has been shown to have a considerable influence on comprehension. Based on fluency theory and the four-phase model of interest development, hypotheses are derived regarding the positive influence of comprehensibility on comprehension, interestingness, and interest. A study with N = 302 university students and 15 texts showed substantial effects of comprehensibility on all dependent variables, regardless of which of three instruments was used to assess comprehensibility: one of two comprehensibility questionnaires or the LIX readability formula. The results highlight the importance of fluency for the design of learning materials.

Does the use of Gender-Fair Language Impair the Comprehensibility of Video Lectures? – An Experiment Using an Authentic Video Lecture Manipulating Role Nouns in German

Gender-fair language makes women and other genders, their interests, and their achievements more visible and is particularly relevant to grammatical gender languages such as German, in which most nouns and personal pronouns are assigned to a specific gender. The present study tested the often repeated critical claims that gender-fair language impairs the comprehensibility and aesthetic appeal of videos. In an experiment with N = 105 students, participants watched a video on self-determination theory, either with masculine-only forms or using the glottal stop, a form of spoken gender-fair language that inserts an abrupt and sustained closure of the vocal cords in the larynx between the masculine form or the stem and the feminine ending of words (e.g. in German “Leserʔinnen”, ∼feʔmale readers). Subsequently, participants completed a questionnaire regarding the video's comprehensibility. The results show no statistically significant impairment regarding the general subjective comprehensibility (partial η2 < .01), the ease of ascribing meaning to the words (partial η2 < .01), the ease of decoding the syntax of the sentences (partial η2 = .03), or the aesthetic appeal of the videos (partial η2 = .02). The critics’ claims are therefore questioned.

The Influence of the Gender Asterisk ("Gendersternchen") on Comprehensibility and Interest

Recently, the gender asterisk ("Gendersternchen") has become more widespread in grammatical gender languages in order to represent all genders. Such gender-fair language is intended to help better address women and other genders and make their interests and achievements more visible. Critics often argue this would make the language less comprehensible and less aesthetically appealing. Two experiments examined the effects of the gender asterisk on text comprehensibility, aesthetic perception, and interest. N = 159 and N = 127 participants were randomly provided with a text in either masculine-only form or alternatively in gender-fair language with the gender asterisk. The results of the first experiment showed no impairment of comprehensibility and aesthetic evaluation of the texts by the gender asterisk and no effect on interest in the game, while the second experiment showed significant impairments of comprehensibility, aesthetic evaluation, and interest in the game by the gender asterisk. The proportion of singular forms is discussed as a possible explanation for the different results. Experiment 1 predominantly used plural forms like die Spieler*innen (∼"the fe*male players") and did not include forms such as der*die Spieler*in (∼"the*the fe*male player"), whereas Experiment 2 included many such more complex singular forms. We argue that this issue might be crucial, and that it deserves full attention in future studies.

Social Exclusion, Subjective Academic Success, Well-Being, and the Meaning of Trust

Abstract. This article uses a person-environment fit perspective to investigate whether and how educational background and general trust are related to fit (or not) with university life as well as to criteria of subjective academic success and well-being. To analyze how students perceive fit with their university, we measured their perception of exclusion and their affective commitment. The sample includes N = 424 students from two German universities, about half of whom have at least one parent with tertiary education. The results show that especially general trust is related to the subjective criteria of academic success, and that this relationship is mediated by the perception of exclusion, on the one hand, and by the affective commitment, on the other hand. A comparison of the two mediators shows that the perception of exclusion is particularly potent in terms of predicting satisfaction with coping with study demands and general well-being. We discuss the results in terms of their significance to the future diversity management at universities for overcoming social inequality and increasing social inclusion.

Teaching Happiness to Teachers - Development and Evaluation of a Training in Subjective Well-Being

Teachers' health is a persistent challenge for educational systems all over the world. Moreover, research results - especially in the domain of positive psychology - indicate that high levels of well-being are associated with additional benefits improving teachers' professional performance. Therefore, a training to foster subjective well-being with one training day, two booster sessions, and exercises before, during, and after the meetings was developed. It consisted of about 10 h of face-to-face time and about 3 h for the exercises in total over a 5-week training period. Main contents were conditions and consequences of positive and negative emotions and well-being, emotion regulation, time management, savoring and gratitude and the application of positive psychological interventions (like Three Good Things). Analyses of planned contrasts by means of a waiting control group design with three measurement points (pre, post, and follow-up) showed a significantly higher increase for the training group (n = 42) than for the control group (n = 47) in the frequency of positive emotions, life satisfaction, and flourishing (interaction effects d = 0.44, d = 0.31, and d = 0.32) and a significantly stronger decrease in the frequency of negative emotions, perceived stress, and experiencing emotional exhaustion (interaction effects d = 0.69, d = 0.51, and d = 0.47) from pre to 1-month follow-up. Training effects were also visible up to 5 months, although no control group could be realized for this period due to the field approach.

Does the Use of Gender-Fair Language Influence the Comprehensibility of Texts?

Abstract. In many languages masculine nouns and pronouns can be interpreted to refer to both male and female referents. However, even when the authors expressly point out that masculine forms are being used to refer to both women and men, readers and listeners predominantly form mental images of men. A gender-fair language that uses either masculine and feminine forms or gender-neutral forms to refer to women and men more equally elicits mental images of women and men. Critics often argue, however, that gender-fair language makes texts less comprehensible (readable). The present study tests this assumption for the German language: 355 students read a randomly assigned text that either used masculine-only forms or consistently used both masculine and feminine forms. After that, they answered the comprehensibility questionnaire by Friedrich (2017) . Participants who had read a text in gender-fair language did not give statistically significant lower ratings of comprehensibility than participants who had read a text that used masculine-only forms (partial η2 < .01; p > .05). The results indicate that the use of gender-fair language does not impair the comprehensibility of texts.

A Multilab Preregistered Replication of the Ego-Depletion Effect

Good self-control has been linked to adaptive outcomes such as better health, cohesive personal relationships, success in the workplace and at school, and less susceptibility to crime and addictions. In contrast, self-control failure is linked to maladaptive outcomes. Understanding the mechanisms by which self-control predicts behavior may assist in promoting better regulation and outcomes. A popular approach to understanding self-control is the strength or resource depletion model. Self-control is conceptualized as a limited resource that becomes depleted after a period of exertion resulting in self-control failure. The model has typically been tested using a sequential-task experimental paradigm, in which people completing an initial self-control task have reduced self-control capacity and poorer performance on a subsequent task, a state known as ego depletion Although a meta-analysis of ego-depletion experiments found a medium-sized effect, subsequent meta-analyses have questioned the size and existence of the effect and identified instances of possible bias. The analyses served as a catalyst for the current Registered Replication Report of the ego-depletion effect. Multiple laboratories (k = 23, total N = 2,141) conducted replications of a standardized ego-depletion protocol based on a sequential-task paradigm by Sripada et al. Meta-analysis of the studies revealed that the size of the ego-depletion effect was small with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) that encompassed zero (d = 0.04, 95% CI [-0.07, 0.15]. We discuss implications of the findings for the ego-depletion effect and the resource depletion model of self-control.

Measuring the frequency of emotions-validation of the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE) in Germany

The Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE) measures the frequency of positive and negative affect. It consists of two subscales, one for positive and one for negative affect with six adjectives each and assesses a broad range of emotions. In this study, the psychometric properties of the German version of the scale were explored with reliability and confirmatory factorial analysis by using a German sample of N = 498. To examine the convergent validity of the SPANE we correlated its subscales with other well-being and happiness measures. Retest-reliabilities were tested after four weeks, taking into account the occurrence of emotionally significant life events. The scale was also applied to evaluate a training of subjective well-being and in a study on text comprehensibility. The results confirmed the postulated two-factor structure of the SPANE and showed good psychometric properties and convergent validity. In conclusion, the German version of the scale behaves in accordance with the original scale and may be used in future studies of well-being.

Die Bedeutung von Diversität und Diversitätsmanagement für die Studienzufriedenheit

Angesichts zunehmender Forderungen nach einem Diversitätsmanagement (DiM) im Hochschulkontext prüft die vorliegende Studie, inwieweit studentische Diversität und das von den Studierenden subjektiv wahrgenommene DiM der Lehrenden mit der Studienzufriedenheit im Zusammenhang stehen. Vor dem Hintergrund der Person-Environment-Fit-Theorie wird ein adäquates DiM als studentisches Bedürfnis interpretiert und mit dem von den Studierenden beurteilten Angebot durch die Lehrenden kontrastiert. 138 Studierende aus Anfangssemestern wurden zu objektiven Diversitätsmerkmalen, wahrgenommenem DiM und der Studienzufriedenheit befragt. Eine Hauptkomponentenanalyse ergab vier DiM-Komponenten: Basismerkmale, Kulturelle Merkmale, Kognitive und motivationale Voraussetzungen sowie Berufstätigkeit und Kindererziehung. Neben der objektiven Diversität wird der subjektive P-E-Fit auf diesen DiM-Komponenten in multiplen Regressionsanalysen zur Vorhersage der drei Komponenten der Studienzufriedenheit nach Westermann, Heise, Spies und Trautwein (1996) verwendet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass der DiM-Fit bezüglich der kognitiven und motivationalen Voraussetzungen ein signifikanter Prädiktor der Zufriedenheit mit den Studienbedingungen und der Zufriedenheit mit der Bewältigung von Studienbelastungen ist.

Der Einfluß glykolytischer Fermente auf den Stoffwechsel von Tumorzellen

Es wird über Versuche berichtet, durch mechanische und chemische Behandlung mikrosomengebundene G-6-Pase in Lösung zu bringen. Während diese Versuche nicht zum Ziel führten, gelang es durch kombinierte Behandlung mit Natriumdesoxycholat und Digitonin die G-6-Pase zu lösen.

Distraction during learning with hypermedia: difficult tasks help to keep task goals on track

In educational hypermedia environments, students are often confronted with potential sources of distraction arising from additional information that, albeit interesting, is unrelated to their current task goal. The paper investigates the conditions under which distraction occurs and hampers performance. Based on theories of volitional action control it was hypothesized that interesting information, especially if related to a pending goal, would interfere with task performance only when working on easy, but not on difficult tasks. In Experiment 1, 66 students learned about probability theory using worked examples and solved corresponding test problems, whose task difficulty was manipulated. As a second factor, the presence of interesting information unrelated to the primary task was varied. Results showed that students solved more easy than difficult probability problems correctly. However, the presence of interesting, but task-irrelevant information did not interfere with performance. In Experiment 2, 68 students again engaged in example-based learning and problem solving in the presence of task-irrelevant information. Problem-solving difficulty was varied as a first factor. Additionally, the presence of a pending goal related to the task-irrelevant information was manipulated. As expected, problem-solving performance declined when a pending goal was present during working on easy problems, whereas no interference was observed for difficult problems. Moreover, the presence of a pending goal reduced the time on task-relevant information and increased the time on task-irrelevant information while working on easy tasks. However, as revealed by mediation analyses these changes in overt information processing behavior did not explain the decline in problem-solving performance. As an alternative explanation it is suggested that goal conflicts resulting from pending goals claim cognitive resources, which are then no longer available for learning and problem solving.

HLA phenotypes of ESRD patients are risk factors in the panel-reactive antibody (PRA) response

To determine whether recipient HLA phenotypes are correlated with an increased or decreased risk of alloantibody sensitization in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) candidates for first or repeat kidney transplantation; we analyzed 19440 kidney allograft recipients consisting of 13,216 Caucasians and 6224 non-Caucasians transplanted between 10/87 and 11/98 at South-Eastern Organ Procurement Foundation (SEOPF) member institutions. Relative risk values and 95% confidence limits were obtained using Wolfe's method. Logistic regression was used to adjust for covariates that influence sensitization, i.e. ethnicity, gender, age, pregnancies, transfusions, primary/repeat transplant and living versus cadaver donor. Univariate analysis of the entire cohort indicated that nine HLA allelotypes (DR1,4,7; B8,12,40; A1,2,11) were associated with a significantly reduced risk of sensitization, and five allelotypes (B42,B53; A 10,19,36) were associated with an increased risk of PRA responses. Corrected for the number of statistical comparisons, recipients with DR1, DR4, A1 or A2 were 15% less likely to be sensitized per allelotype. Recipients with B42, B53 or A36 were at increased risk of preformed antibodies, after correction of the P value, for an average of 38% increased risk per allelotype. In the multivariate analysis, HLA phenotypes identified as independent risk factors associated with protection against sensitization were DR1,4,7; B12(44,45); and A1,2, with an average reduced risk of 9% per allelotype. The only independent susceptibility allelotype was A36 with an increased risk of 29%. The A10 (25,26,34,66) group reached borderline significance. We also looked for HLA-DR,-B,-A combinations that could potentially represent protective or at risk haplotypes/genotypes. Stepwise logistic regression identified five combinations associated with protection: DR1-B35-A3; DR1-B35-A2; DR1-B44-A2; DR4-B44-A2; DR7-B57-A1 (RR range 0.83-0.63) with 27% average reduced risk per combination. Phenotype combinations associated with an increased risk of sensitization were: DR2-B44-A2; DR2B53-A2; DR3-B8-A1: DR3-B42-A30; DR6-B42-A30; DR11-B53-A30 (RR range 2.76-1.48) with an average increased risk of 70% per combination. This study provides strong evidence that HLA-linked genes influence the anti-HLA PRA response. The magnitude of the altered PRA response risk in DR-B-A combinations was approximately twice that of the allelotypes at individual loci. HLA-DR genes seemed to contribute most of the altered risk. The correlations between DR types and PRA responsiveness are consistent with the DR types previously regarded as predictors of kidney graft survival. The magnitude of increased PRA risk attributable to an allelotype or combination was approximately twice that associated with a decreased risk. We conclude that some HLA class II-linked genes modulate the PRA response in a clinically significant manner. This immune response gene (Ir) regulation probably operates through polymorphic HLA molecules in their physiologic roles of antigen processing and presentation to helper T cells.

Handlungskontrolldefizite und störungsspezifische Zielintentionen bei der Hyperkinetischen Störung

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: In diesem Beitrag wird innerhalb der Rubikontheorie der Handlungsphasen eine integrative Beschreibung hyperkinetischer Verhaltensauffälligkeiten entwickelt. Fragestellung: Es wird geprüft, ob sich auf diese Weise verschiedene vorliegende Erklärungsansätze unter einer einheitlichen Rahmenkonzeption zusammenführen lassen. Methode: Mithilfe der Handlungsphasentheorie lässt sich einerseits ein motivationaler Erkärungsansatz für die Hyperkinetische Störung elaborieren, der störungsspezifische stimulationsbezogene Zielintentionen als Grundlage hyperkinetischer Verhaltensauffälligkeiten postuliert. Andererseits kann ein volitionaler Erklärungsansatz formuliert werden, der Handlungskontrolldefizite bei der Abschirmung von Zielintentionen in den Vordergrund stellt. Ergebnisse: Auf der Grundlage dieses theoretischen Ansatzes lassen sich empirische Hypothesen ableiten, die die Rolle verschiedener möglicher Teilursachen der hyperkinetischen Störung bei der Entstehung störungsspezifischer Verhaltensauffälligkeiten betreffen. Schlussfolgerung: Das zugrundegelegte handlungspsychologische Rahmenmodell ist damit sowohl zur Integration von Erklärungsansätzen als auch zur Ableitung neuer empirischer Vorhersagen geeignet.

Handlungskontrolldefizite und störungsspezifische Zielintentionen bei der Hyperkinetischen Störung

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Diesem Beitrag liegt ein handlungspsychologisches Rahmenmodell hyperkinetischer Verhaltensauffälligkeiten zugrunde. Fragestellung: Zwei daraus ableitbare Erklärungsansätze, die hyperkinetisches Verhalten auf störungsspezifische stimulationsbezogene Zielintentionen bzw. auf Handlungskontrolldefizite bei der Abschirmung von Zielintentionen zurückführen, werden experimentell überprüft. Methode: Dazu bearbeiteten 15 HKS-Kinder und 15 Kontrollkinder einen Continuous Performance Test (CPT-AX). Als anschließende Zweitaufgabe sollten Tiernamen genannt werden. Zur Variation des Stimulationsgrades bei der CPT-Bearbeitung wurde phasenweise Rockmusik dargeboten. Zur Variation der Abschirmanforderung bei der CPT-Bearbeitung wurden phasenweise Tierdias präsentiert, die auf die spätere Zweitaufgabe bezogen waren. Ergebnisse: Die CPT-Leistung hyperkinetischer Kinder verbesserte sich unter akustischer Stimulation, diejenige unauffälliger Kontrollkinder nicht. Unauffällige Kontrollkinder verbesserten sich unter hoher Abschirmanforderung, hyperkinetische Kinder jedoch nicht. Schlussfolgerung: Dieses Ergebnismuster kann im Sinne unseres Rahmenmodells als Hinweis auf HKS-spezifische Zielintentionen und Handlungskontrolldefizite interpretiert werden.

Sind Frauen mitgemeint? Eine empirische Untersuchung zum Verständnis des generischen Maskulinums und seiner Alternativen

Zusammenfassung: Die vorliegende Untersuchung prüft, ob sogenannte “generisch” (d.h. in geschlechtsneutralem Sinne verwendete) maskuline Sprachformen dazu führen, dass Personen geschlechtsausgewogen mental repräsentiert werden. Unter dem Vorwand einer Untersuchung zur Kreativität wurden 150 studentischen Versuchspersonen schriftlich Sätze vorgegeben, die eine Personenbezeichnung im Plural in verschiedenen Sprachformen (generisches Maskulinum, Binnen-I, Schrägstrich-Schreibweise) als Satzsubjekt enthielten. Die Versuchspersonen sollten kurze Geschichten über die bezeichneten Personen schreiben und diese Personen dabei auch namentlich benennen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass generisch maskuline Formen zu mehr Repräsentationen männlicher Personen führten als die sprachlichen Alternativen. Eine Gleichverteilung männlicher und weiblicher Repräsentationen trat ausschließlich bei der Verwendung der Schrägstrich-Schreibweise auf, wohingegen das generische Maskulinum zu einem höheren Anteil repräsentierter Männer, die Binnen-I-Form dagegen zu einem höheren Anteil repräsentierter Frauen führte.

Taste and olfactory disturbances after treatment for acne with isotretinoin, a 13-cis-isomer of retinoic acid

We report an olfactory disturbance after acne treatment with isotretinoin. A disturbance in taste was also reported by the patient. Examination of the nose showed no pathological findings. A CT scan was done to exclude a tumor or a lesion at the lamina cribrosa. Taste and smell examinations were performed and verified the lost qualities.

Leukoencephalopathy after cisplatin therapy

Cisplatin is a neurotoxic chemotherapeutic agent known to cause sensory peripheral neuropathy or ototoxicity. We report a patient with an oropharynx carcinoma who developed a multifocal, necrotizing leukoencephalopathy after cisplatin treatment. This indicates that cisplatin can induce, similar to other chemotherapeutic agents, demyelinating, necrotizing lesions in the white matter of the cerebrum.

Activation of the estrogen receptor from N-nitrosomethylurea-induced rat mammary tumors

The activation of the estrogen receptor (ER) from N-nitrosomethylurea (NMU)-induced rat mammary tumors was studied in vitro. The activation of the receptor induced by heating of the cytosol containing occupied ER was measured by a 3-4-fold increase of receptor binding to nuclei in comparison with the nuclear binding of the nonactivated ER. The activation of the ER was further shown by alteration of the elution profile from DEAE-cellulose. A shift of the receptor peak from 234 mM (Peak II, nonactivated ER) to 70 mM (Peak I, activated ER) phosphate buffer could be obtained. The overall recoveries of activated ER following chromatography on DEAE-cellulose were significantly lower than the recoveries of the nonactivated ER, 71 and 85%, respectively. Binding of the activated ER to nuclei and chromatography of the supernatant which is not able to bind to nuclei on DEAE-cellulose resulted in a decrease of Peak I and in an increase of the overall recovery. These findings suggest that the nuclear bound ER consists of two parts. One is represented partially by Peak I of the elution profile and the other one by that part of the receptor which can not be eluted from the column under the conditions used. Furthermore, the dissociation of tritiated estradiol (E3H) from the nonactivated ER followed a two component exponential function whereas after activation a monophasic dissociation curve could be observed. The mean half times for the dissociation of E3H from the activated and nonactivated ER were 101 and 7.2 min, respectively. Finally, the nonactivated molybdate stabilized ER sedimented in 5-20% sucrose density gradients as two peaks, one at 9.5 S and the other at 4 S. After activation of the ER only the smaller 4 S peak was evident. Molybdate inhibited the activation of the ER measured by nuclear binding assays, sucrose density gradient analysis, dissociation kinetics or ion exchange chromatography but not completely in every case.

Binding of estrogen receptor from N-nitrosomethylurea-induced rat mammary tumors to nuclei

The binding of the cytoplasmic estrogen receptor (ERc) from N-nitrosomethylurea (NMU)-induced rat mammary tumors to the nucleus using a cell-free system is described. All tumors studied were estrogen-receptor-positive and most of them were hormone-dependent. Sixty-two percent of all tumors investigated (n = 134) decreased in size more than 30% 4-5 days after ovariectomy. Brief heating of the cytosol loaded with tritiated estradiol induced activation of the ERc measured by an increase of nuclear binding activity. Temperature-dependent activation was evident in every case. The optimal time and temperature of activation were 15-60 min at 30 degrees C. After denaturation of the ERc by heating for 20 min at 56 degrees C only small parts of free estradiol could be bound to nuclei. Mg2+ ions and EDTA inhibited the nuclear binding of the receptor. The nuclear binding assay was performed for 1 hr at 0-4 degrees C. After this time the activated ERc was bound nearly maximally to nuclei. Under optimized conditions 50-60% of the ERc could be bound to nuclei maximally. Using the same medium for the preparation of crude and purified nuclei the binding of the receptor to both kinds of nuclei was similar. Na2MoO4 prevented the activation of the ERc from NMU-tumors completely but did not influence the binding of the previously activated receptor to nuclei.

Spontaneous and aggregated IgG induced rheumatoid factor producing cells in rheumatoid arthritis

Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were found to have high numbers of spontaneously occurring cells making rheumatoid factor (RF) reactive with human IgG as measured by a RF plaque forming cell (RF-PFC) assay. There was a significant positive correlation between the number of RF-PFC and both disease activity measured by the sedimentation rate and RF titer measured by the RA latex test. Aggregated IgG and pokeweed mitogen were equally effective stimulators of RF-PFC in cultures of RA peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes. The rheumatoid ratio of helper (T4): suppressor (T8) T lymphocytes was also significantly increased over the ratio of normal controls, but this ratio did not correlate with the number of RF-PFC. Aggregated IgG or immune complexes may be responsible for stimulating RA RF-PFC in vivo.

Kinetic data of cytoplasmic estradiol receptor

Association and dissociation equilibrium constants and rate constants have been determined in human breast cancer tissues, human lymph node metastases, experimentally induced rat mammary tumors and pooled uteri of normal rats. When the dissociation constants gained from the Scatchard plot applying the Chamness correction were compared to those calculated as the quotient of the rate constants, relatively large differences were found, predominantly due to the values of measured association rate constants. In contrast, there were no specific differences between the constants of distinct tissues. The differences among the association rate constants were presumably caused by a contamination of cytosols by steroid binding proteins of serum. Increasing amounts of serum added to tissue samples resulted in an increasing interference with the determination of the dissociation constants using the Scatchard analysis.

Studies of random Black and White populations in North Carolina: hla antigen profile

As HLA testing is becoming a major vehicle for parentage determination with non-excluded, alleged fathers being compared to their racial peers, it is important to ensure that the population data used accurately reflect the genetic profile of the region from which the alleged fathers are drawn. This paper presents data on the HLA profile of Black and White residents of North Carolina. Significant differences were observed for certain antigens when the North Carolina data were compared to nationally derived population tables. Differences were observed for B7 (increase) and Bw16 (decrease) in Whites and A10 (decrease), B7 (increase) and Bw42 (decrease) in Blacks. Internal controls comparing the testing from the two participating centers showed complete agreement for White persons, but a significant difference for B5 between the two Black populations.

Genetic predictors of patient response and side effects in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with a high dose nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug regimen

Clinical, laboratory, genetic, and radiologic studies were evaluated for 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were treated for a mean of 16.6 months with a regimen involving supplementary aspirin and piroxicam, an investigational, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agent. Although improvement in disease activity was seen, progression was evident on successive radiographs. Disease activity was not associated with the presence of any of the genetic markers. Peptic ulcers developed in 33% of patients, all of whom had type O blood. ABO blood typing may therefore be useful in patients with rheumatoid arthritis before consideration of therapy with potentially ulcerogenic drugs.

Insulin binding and response to insulin of adipocytes from thyroxine-treated rats

Insulin binding to isolated fat cells from rats rendered hyperthyroid by daily injections of T4 (1 mg/kg) for 5 days was approximately doubled. The Scatchard curves reflected a large increase in receptor number, as well as an elevation in affinity of the high affinity binding sites. The response to insulin of the fat cells, however, was not increased accordingly: glucose incorporation into lipid in the presence of insulin did not differ significantly from that observed in the control group, whereas the effect of insulin on the lipolytic response to isoprenaline (isoproterenol) was even reduced in the T4-treated animals. T4 treatment had thus dissociated insulin binding from the metabolic effects of insulin, since the increase in membrane receptors was not paralleled by an enhanced effect of the hormone. Since levels of serum insulin were increased in the treated animals, the increase in number of insulin receptors was not mediated by reduced exposure to insulin. Propranolol failed to fully antagonize the effect of T4 on insulin binding, and reserpine treatment even enhanced it. It seems unlikely, therefore, that the increase in insulin receptors of adipocytes results from an augmented response to endogenous catecholamines in T4-treated rats.

Estradiol receptor activity in human breast cancer, disease free interval and survival time

Disease-free interval and survival time of breast cancer patients were investigated in regard to the estradiol receptor (ER) status as measured in the corresponding primary tumours. Disease-free interval and survival time of patients with ER positive breast cancers were found to be significantly longer than those of patients with ER negative tumours. The percentage of ER positive tumours in patients with finished free interval, or that died as a consequence of their disease, is lower than that found in an unselected material. The ER concentrations did not, however, differ significantly. Patients with ER positive breast cancers of stage IV did not survive longer than patients with ER negative tumours. No correlations could be found between disease-free interval and survival time of the patients, and the ER concentrations measured in their corresponding tumours individually. The menopausal status of the patients influenced the disease free interval regardless the ER status of the primary tumours. The survival time of postmenopausal patients with ER positive breast cancers were found to be significantly longer than that of premenopausal patients with ER negative cancers. The average ER concentration of breast cancers of postmenopausal patients with finished free interval is significantly higher than the valve found in cancers of premenopausal patients.

Estradiol receptor in human breast cancers throughout the menstrual cycle

The existence and the concentration of the estradiol receptor (ER) in breast cancers of pre- and postmenopausal patients were measured. ER status and concentration are significantly higher in cancers of postmenopausal women. Breast cancers operated at various phases of the menstrual cycle showed remarkable differences in ER incidence and concentration. The highest values were found in the early proliferative phase, whereas the ER incidence is lowest in cancers which were operated at early secretory phase. ER concentrations found in late proliferative and late secretory phases are significantly lower than those found in cancers of postmenopausal patients. Statistically significant differences of the ER concentrations between the various phases of the menstrual cycle could not be secured.

Comparison of estradiol receptor investigations and histochemical investigations on enzymes in human mammary cancers

The best way to predict the responsiveness of human breast carcinomas to hormone therapy is to investigate the estradiol receptor-binding abilities of these tumors. This binding induces many hormone-regulated changes in the activities of several enzymes. Therefore, enzyme activities after short-term organ culture exposed to added hormones were tested to see whether a correlation of enzyme activities exists with estradiol receptor binding. The results from both the estradiol receptor investigations and histochemical investigations on enzymes revealed a high degree of conformity, which confirms the existence of such a correlation. However, for this reason histochemical investigations on enzymes cannot eliminate the discrepancy between the experimentally verified existence of estradiol receptor binding and the response of mammary tumors to hormone therapy, which is not higher than 50-60%.

HLA-B17 and the HLA-A1, B17 haplotype in acute myelogenous leukemia

Seventy-nine Caucasians with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) were genotyped to determine whether AML, the induction of remission or patient survival were associated with particular HLA phenotypes or haplotypes. HLA-B17 and B27 were increased in AML patients over 40 years of age. Combined analysis of four independent studies indicates that HLA-B17 is significantly but weakly associated with AML, relative risk = 1.48 (.01 less than P less than .025). The A1, B17 and Aw24, Bw35 haplotypes occurred more frequently in the AML group as compared to racial and geographic controls (uncorrected P = 0.0068 and 0.0098, respectively Fisher's Exact Test). Induction of remission occurred less frequently in patients with the B17 phenotype as compared to patients lacking this antigen (P = 0.047). Patient survival was associated with remission status (P = 0.002) but was not significantly associated with particular HLA phenotypes or haplotypes. These results indicate that a gene or genes in the HLA-B region of the major histocompatibility complex can influence susceptibility to AML and also the response to chemotherapy.

Chemotherapeutic agents and estradiol receptor binding capacity

Cytotoxic agents used for the treatment of breast cancer did not inhibit the growth of uterus following estradiol injection to ovariectomized rats. They had no effect on the estradiol binding ability and on the dissociation constant of estradiol receptor binding of rat uterus. In addition, 1,2:5,6-dianhydrogalactitol, a highly active, proximal alkylating agent, applied in vitro did not alter the relative binding ability to tamoxifen to the cytoplasmic estradiol receptor of rat uterus and human breast cancer tissue. In summary, the present experiments did not reveal any disadvantageous interaction between simultaneously administered hormonal and cytotoxic drugs.

Der Einfluß glykolytischer Fermente auf den Stoffwechsel von Tumorzellen

Durch einen aus Rinderleber angereicherten FDPasehaltigen Extrakt kann in Kombination mit DPN die Glykolyse von Ascites-Tumorzellen stärker herabgesetzt werden als mit FDPase allein. Atmung und aerobe Glykolyse werden durch DPN nicht weiter beeinflußt. Durch DPNH wird die anaerobe Glykolyse vermindert, ein FDPase-Zusatz steigert diese Hemmwirkung nicht weiter.

Durch spektrophotometrische Untersuchungen konnte festgestellt werden, daß Leberextrakte DPN nicht hydrieren und FDPase-Lösungen nur wenig DPNH enthalten. Die Glykolysehemmung ist der FDPase-Aktivität und nicht dem DPNH-Gehalt proportional.

Über die Beeinflussung der Glykolyse von Ehrlich-Ascites-Tumorzellen durch phosphorylierte Fructosen

Fructose-1.6-diphosphat kann bei Tumor-Ascites-Zellen im glucosefreien Medium eine Glykolyse hervorrufen, die nur ca. 20% der Glykolyse unter normalen Bedingungen beträgt.

Die Milchsäurebildung verläuft bei geringen FDP-Konzentrationen proportional der Substratmenge. Höhere Konzentrationen als ca. 19 µMole FDP steigern die Glykolyse nicht weiter.

Enzymatisch hergestelltes Fructose-6-phosphat ruft eine größere Glykolyse als entsprechende FDP-Konzentrationen hervor. Dies scheint auf einer besseren Penetrationsfähigkeit des F6P durch die Zellmembran zu beruhen.

Zusatz von Insulin steigert die durch FDP induzierte Milchsäurebildung um ca. 100 Prozent.

Der Einfluß von Fructose-1.6-Diphosphatase auf die Glykolyse von Ehrlich-Ascites-Tumorzellen

Durch Fructose-1.6-Diphosphatase (FDPase) aus Rinderleber kann sowohl die anaerobe als auch die aerobe Glykolyse von Ehrlich-Ascites-Carcinomzellen um 50 — 60% gehemmt werden. FDPase setzt die Atmung dieser Zellen nur unwesentlich (5—7%) herab, Mg-Ionen haben keinen Einfluß auf die Glykolyse, Mn-Ionen setzen sie bis zu 20% herab. In Kombination mit FDPase wird diese Wirkung eliminiert. Durch O2-Durchströmung kann die Aktivität des Fermentes sehr stark herabgesetzt werden, ein Zusatz von Cystein stellt auch in der Wirkung auf die Glykolyse von Ascites-Zellen die ursprüngliche Fermentaktivität wieder her. Letzteres ist vermutlich auf die Notwendigkeit von freien Sulfhydrylgruppen für die Fermentaktivität zurückzuführen.