Sex ratio rather than population size affects genetic diversity in Antennaria dioica

Habitat fragmentation and small population size can lead to genetic erosion in threatened plant populations. Classical theory implies that dioecy can counteract genetic erosion as it decreases the magnitude of inbreeding and genetic drift due to obligate outcrossing. However, in small populations, sex ratios may be strongly male- or female-biased, leading to substantial reductions in effective population size. This may theoretically result in a unimodal relationship between sex ratios and genetic diversity; yet, empirical studies on this relationship are scarce. Using AFLP markers, we studied genetic diversity, structure and differentiation in 14 highly fragmented Antennaria dioica populations from the Central European lowlands. Our analyses focused on the relationship between sex ratio, population size and genetic diversity. Although most populations were small (mean: 35.5 patches), genetic diversity was moderately high. We found evidence for isolation-by-distance, but overall differentiation of the populations was rather weak. Females dominated 11 populations, which overall resulted in a slightly female-biased sex ratio (61.5%). There was no significant relationship between population size and genetic diversity. The proportion of females was not unimodally but positively linearly related to genetic diversity. The high genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation suggest that A. dioica has been widely distributed in the Central European lowlands in the past, while fragmentation occurred only in the last decades. Sex ratio has more immediate consequences on genetic diversity than population size. An increasing proportion of females can increase genetic diversity in dioecious plants, probably due to a higher amount of sexual reproduction.

High genetic diversity declines towards the geographic range periphery of Adonis vernalis, a Eurasian dry grassland plant

Genetic diversity is important for species' fitness and evolutionary processes but our knowledge on how it varies across a species' distribution range is limited. The abundant centre hypothesis (ACH) predicts that populations become smaller and more isolated towards the geographic range periphery - a pattern that in turn should be associated with decreasing genetic diversity and increasing genetic differentiation. We tested this hypothesis in Adonis vernalis, a dry grassland plant with an extensive Eurasian distribution. Its life-history traits and distribution characteristics suggest a low genetic diversity that decreases and a high genetic differentiation that increases towards the range edge. We analysed AFLP fingerprints in 28 populations along a 4698-km transect from the geographic range core in Russia to the western range periphery in Central and Western Europe. Contrary to our expectation, our analysis revealed high genetic diversity (range of proportion of polymorphic bands = 56-81%, He = 0.168-0.238) and low genetic differentiation across populations (Φ(ST) = 0.18). However, in congruence with the genetic predictions of the ACH, genetic diversity decreased and genetic differentiation increased towards the range periphery. Spanish populations were genetically distinct, suggesting a divergent post-glacial history in this region. The high genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation in the remaining A. vernalis populations is surprising given the species' life-history traits and points to the possibility that the species has been widely distributed in the studied region or that it has migrated from a diverse source in an East-West direction, in the past.

Zur Systematik von Enzymfunktionen II. Modifikationen und Molekulargewichts-Vergrößerungen am α-Chymotrypsin

α-Chymotrypsin wurde mit a) Phosphor-Iliden, b) Carboxymethylcelluloseazid, c) Albumin und d) Säureanhydriden umgesetzt. Zum Schütze des aktiven Zentrums erfolgte die Umsetzungsreaktion in der Regel am Zymogen, das erst nach der Reaktion mit Trypsin aktiviert wurde.

Der indirekte Einfluß, den die Modifizierung auf das aktive Zentrum bewirkt, zeigt sich u. a. in der unterschiedlichen Temperaturabhängigkeit, den abweichenden Werten für die Michaelis-Konstante sowie den Wechselzahlen der Enzympräparationen. Die Modifizierungen beeinflussen die esterolytische und proteolytische Aktivität in gleicher Weise, wenngleich die proteolytische Aktivität gegenüber Modifikationen wesentlich empfindlicher ist.

Durch reversible Denaturierungs-Versuche wurde untersucht, inwieweit durch die Umsetzung die Konformation des Restproteins, also seine Sekundär- und Tertiärstruktur, verändert wird. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß die veränderten Randgruppen des Proteins keinen Einfluß auf die wiedereingestellte Sekundär- und Tertiärstruktur erkennen lassen.

An Andean radiation: polyploidy in the tree genus Polylepis (Rosaceae, Sanguisorbeae)

The Andean tree genus Polylepis (Rosaceae) is notorious for the high morphological plasticity of its species and the difficulty in their circumscription. The evolutionary mechanisms that have driven diversification of the genus are still poorly understood, with factors as diverse as ecological specialisation, reticulate evolution, polyploidisation and apomixis being proposed to contribute. In the present study, chromosome counts, flow cytometry and stomata guard cell size measurements were employed to document for the first time the presence of polyploidy in the genus and to infer ploidy levels for most species. Inferred ploidy levels show a clear progression from diploidy in cloud forest species to polyploidy (tetra- to octoploidy) in the morphologically and ecologically specialised incana group, indicating that polyploidisation may have played a major role in speciation processes and the colonisation of novel habitats during the Andean uplift. At least two species of Polylepis comprise populations with varying degrees of ploidy. More extensive studies are needed to obtain a better understanding of the prevalence and effects of intraspecific polyploidy in the genus.

On the shear rate dependence of red cell aggregation in vitro

Non-Newtonian viscosity of blood, i.e., the rise in apparent viscosity at low flow, was believed to be a result of reversible aggregation of red cells at low velocity gradients (shear rate). By making a cone-plate viscometer transparent, direct observation was made possible of the blood flowing under defined shear rates. Red cell aggregates, occurring in all cases at low flow, were reversibly dispersed by increasing the shear rate. This behavior was independent of the addition of anticoagulants, but it could be altered by changing the plasma protein composition. Red cells in serum did not form aggregates; such nonaggregating samples did show an increase in viscosity at low shear rates. Since the sedimentation rate can be influenced by many parameters, it is not reliable in describing red cell aggregation. Aggregation of red cells is linked with a marked separation of plasma and cells. Such a separation is of considerable influence on cone-plate viscometry.

Cognitive disfunctions in women with breast cancer treated with adjuvant chemotherapy: A preliminary report

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Background: Recent studies suggest that women diagnosed with breast cancer and treated with adjuvant chemotherapy may suffer cognitive deterioration. These studies, however, present a number of limitations including a small sample of patients, retrospective evaluation of cognitive skills, lack of cognitive-function measurements previous to the chemotherapy and a lack of evaluation of psycho-pathological factors that could potentially influence on the cognitive function of the subjects. The aim of this study is to present the preliminary results of a prospective study about the impact of conventional adjuvant chemotherapy on a series of cognitive domains in adult women diagnosed with breast carcinoma, monitoring frequent psycho-pathological variables such as anxiety and depression. Methods: The present is a cohort, observational study. It includes patients with a diagnosis of stage I and II breast carcinoma, treated with standard chemotherapy and able to give their consent. The protocol has 3 stages of evaluation. First evaluation: a basal measurement between diagnosis and the first chemotherapy course. The second and third evaluations are done at 8 and 14 months respectively after the first one. Each patient has been studied using a neuro-psychological battery of 17 different tests which evaluate the following cognitive domains: global cognitive functioning, intelligence, memory, language and executive functions. The levels of anxiety and depression were studied simultaneously. Further tests will be done for related samples, so as to compare changes within a group. Results: Up to date 14, patients have completed the basal battery of tests. We expect to find differences in the cognitive functions of the patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. The aforementioned differences will be controlled with psycho-pathological measurements. Conclusions: The present study will allow us to evaluate in a prospective and exhaustive way cognitive deficiencies in women with breast carcinoma treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. In addition, the use of psycho-pathological instruments will allow monitoring and understanding the neuro-psychological results in a more reliable way.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Differences between male and female patients with regard to baseline demographics and clinical outcomes in the Asymptomatic Cardiac Ischemia Pilot (ACIP) Trial

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common problem in men and women; however, men and women with similar clinical presentations of myocardial ischemia may receive different revascularization treatments.

HYPOTHESIS

Using the data base of the Asymptomatic Cardiac Ischemia Pilot (ACIP) trial, this study was undertaken to compare by gender the baseline demographic data and the clinical outcome results in patients randomized to various treatments in the ACIP study.

METHODS

This randomized trial compared three treatment regimens [pharmacologic management of angina, pharmacologic management of angina and ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) evidence of ischemia, and revascularization--that is, angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery], in patients with known CAD, positive stress ECG tests, and ECG evidence of ischemia during 48 h ambulatory monitoring. In all, 558 patients were randomized, 79 of whom were women (mean age: men 61.6 years, women 60.6 years) Ambulatory ECG evidence of ischemia, clinical events, that is, death, myocardial infarction, hospital admission for coronary events, and exercise performance were monitored.

RESULTS

Although of the same age as men at baseline, women had a higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes. Women had less severe CAD by angiography and higher left ventricular ejection fractions. Men had longer exercise tolerance times on the treadmill. However, men and women had similar numbers and duration of ambulatory ECG ischemic abnormalities. Regarding revascularization, men more commonly underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (p = 0.025) while women underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty more frequently (p = 0.10). Clinical outcomes were comparable in men and women, although the numbers of events were relatively small.

CONCLUSIONS

Men and women of comparable age manifest CAD with similar ischemic ECG abnormalities seen on both exercise tolerance and ambulatory ECG examinations. In ACIP, women tended to have more risk factors for CAD and less severity in anatomical disease, which may explain why women are less likely than men to have coronary bypass surgery.

Treatment and Prognosis of AIDS-Related Lymphoma in the Era of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: Findings from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study

Objective

To assess the characteristics of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) administered concomitantly with chemotherapy and to establish prognostic determinants of patients with AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Methods

The study included 91 patients with AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study enrolled between January 1997 and October 2003, excluding lymphomas of the brain. We extracted AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma- and HIV-specific variables at the time of lymphoma diagnosis as well as treatment changes over time from charts and from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study database. Cox regression analyses were performed to study predictors of overall and progression-free survival.

Results

During a median follow up of 1.6 years, 57 patients died or progressed. Thirty-five patients stopped chemotherapy prematurely (before the sixth cycle) usually due to disease progression; these patients had a shorter median survival than those who completed six or more cycles (14 versus 28 months). Interruptions of cART decreased from 35% before chemotherapy to 5% during chemotherapy. Factors associated with overall survival were CD4+ T-cell count (<100 cells/μl) (hazard ratio [HR] 2.95 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.53–5.67], hepatitis C seropositivity (HR 2.39 [95% CI 1.01–5.67]), the international prognostic index score (HR 1.98–3.62 across categories) and Burkitt histological subtypes (HR 2.56 [95% CI 1.13–5.78]).

Conclusions

Interruptions of cART were usually not induced by chemotherapy. The effect of cART interruptions on AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma prognosis remains unclear, however, hepatitis C seropositivity emerged as a predictor of death beyond the well-known international prognostic index score and CD4+ T-cell count.

CD4+ T-Cell Count Increase in HIV-1-Infected Patients with Suppressed Viral Load Within 1 year after start of antiretroviral therapy

Background

CD4+ T-cell recovery in patients with continuous suppression of plasma HIV-1 viral load (VL) is highly variable. This study aimed to identify predictive factors for long-term CD4+ T-cell increase in treatment-naive patients starting combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).

Methods

Treatment-naive patients in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study reaching two VL measurements <50 copies/ml >3 months apart during the 1st year of cART were included ( n=1,816 patients). We studied CD4+ T-cell dynamics until the end of suppression or up to 5 years, subdivided into three periods: 1st year, years 2–3 and years 4–5 of suppression. Multiple median regression adjusted for repeated CD4+T-cell measurements was used to study the dependence of CD4+ T-cell slopes on clinical covariates and drug classes.

Results

Median CD4+ T-cell increases following VL suppression were 87, 52 and 19 cells/μl per year in the three periods. In the multiple regression model, median CD4+ T-cell increases over all three periods were significantly higher for female gender, lower age, higher VL at cART start, CD4+ T-cell <650 cells/μ l at start of the period and low CD4+ T-cell increase in the previous period. Patients on tenofovir showed significantly lower CD4+T-cell increases compared with stavudine.

Conclusions

In our observational study, long-term CD4+ T-cell increase in drug-naive patients with suppressed VL was higher in regimens without tenofovir. The clinical relevance of these findings must be confirmed in, ideally, clinical trials or large, collaborative cohort projects but could influence treatment of older patients and those starting cART at low CD4+ T-cell levels.

Mesothelioma after lung transplantation

The case history is presented of a lung transplant recipient who developed malignant mesothelioma. This is thought to be the first such report. Mesothelioma should be suspected in lung transplant recipients with a haemorrhagic pleural effusion in the native lung when there is no convincing evidence for bronchogenic carcinoma or post transplant lymphoproliferative disease, even in the absence of exposure to asbestos.

Perspectives on psychological distress in cancer patients: Comparison between expected, perceived and actual disturbances in a clinic from Argentina

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Background: Psychological distress is a widespread phenomenon in cancer patients (pts.) Notwithstanding, its recognition and the threshold criteria for referral to a specialized unit are still problematic in clinical practice. Correspondingly, the aim of this study was to explore how much psychological distress (PD) is expected by the oncologists, how much distress is actually present in these pts., and finally how many of them are detected as having significant problems and referred to the mental health unit (MHU). Methods: Three sources of data were compared for the purpose of this study. Firstly, a survey to the practicing oncologists (n =18) was carried out in order to establish the rate of PD expected by them. Secondly, a consecutive sample of 259 pts. was evaluated in the waiting room with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for establishing an estimation of the actual rate of PD in this population. Finally, 115 pts. from the MHU were studied for determining the rate and the accuracy of the referral made by the oncologists. Results: Sixty one percent of the surveyed oncologists considered that 75% or more of their pts would need psychological assistance. The waiting room sample evaluated with the HADS showed that 74.9% of patients surpassed the cutoff score (11 points) for either anxiety or depression, or both. Despite this, less than 5% of the total population of the clinic was referred to the MHU. From this sample, 38.3% of the pts. scored below the cutoff line. The proportion of pts. who exceeded the cutoff score for depression was significantly higher in the MHU sample. Conclusions: Most of the oncologists expect a high rate of PD in their patients, and even overestimate it. Actual rates of anxiety and depression were also high. On the contrary, the rate of referral to specialized mental health treatment was extremely low and the pts. referred were not necessarily highly disturbed. Depression is probably better recognized than anxiety by oncologists. In conclusion, both quantitative and qualitative problems were detected in the referral to the MHU, regardless the awareness of the oncologists about PD.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Phsychotherapy results: What do our patients think?]

The present paper shows the way a mental health organization works and, at the same time, examines some results upon the post-therapy follow-up for outpatient treatments, the therapists' qualities perceived by the patients and the readmission rate. The results are twofold: for internal purposes, they allow a feedback for continuous quality improvement. For the outside, they generate information for future comparisons among other similar organizations. This paper also address the debate between two major stands in the field of psychotherapy research (one for the Evidence Based Psychotherapy and the other for the Psychotherapy Based on Common Features).

[Vulvar pseudolymphoma: detection of infection by Borrelia burgdorferi using polymerase chain reaction]

We report on a 42-year-old patient with a vulvar pseudolymphoma in association with an infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. The diagnosis was made using PCR amplification on a paraffin-embedded tissue sample. The lesions healed completely within 3 weeks of oral doxycycline therapy.

Applications of holographic gratings to two-dimensional spectroscopy

Calculations are presented for a set of aberration-corrected holographic concave gratings for possible use in space mission instruments. It is concluded that, for the visible range 0.26-1.02 μm when detectors with a 15-μm pixel size are used, a total field of view of ∼1° is possible at an aperture of ƒ/7.0. For the infrared regions 0.9-2.5 μm and 2.4-4.2 μm, in which detector arrays have larger pixel sizes of 30-40 μm, a spatial field of view of ∼2° at ƒ/7.0 and ∼1.0° at ƒ/3.5 can be achieved. An exploration of spectrum lengths showed that performance starts to fall off sharply for lengths over 15 mm at a focal length of 150 mm (i.e., a spectral angular extent of∼6°).

Expression cloning and characterization of a pupal cuticle protein cDNA of Galleria mellonella L

Epidermal mRNA of freshly ecdysed pupae of Galleria mellonella was used to establish a cDNA library in phage lambda gt11. A cDNA clone was isolated by means of a pupal cuticle protein (PCP) specific antibody. Nucleic acid sequence data show an insert of 1212 bp with an open reading frame of 1062 bp. The presence of start, stop, and polyadenylation sites suggests, that this insert represents a full length transcript. Conceptual translation resulted in a protein of 353 amino acids including a signal peptide. The final processed protein product is rich in alanine and charged amino acids like glutamic acid. It has a calculated pI of 4.19 and a molecular mass of 34.272 kDa. In hybrid selection/in vitro translation and in vitro transcription/translation experiments a translational product of 54 kDa was synthesized. The difference between apparent and calculated molecular mass is thought to be due to the relatively high amount of glutamic acid residues clustered in two regions. The developmental profile of expression of the corresponding gene was analyzed by northern blot hybridization using a cDNA probe. The time course of expression is coincident with developmentally regulated metamorphic changes in the integument.

[Laser-induced thermotherapy of liver metastases with MRI control. Prospective results of an optimized therapy procedure]

In a prospective study MR-guided laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) of liver metastases was optimized and the clinical parameters evaluated. Seventeen patients (4 women, 13 men) with a total of 29 lesions underwent LITT in 25 sessions through 1 March 1994. Twelve of them suffered from colorectal carcinomas, 5 from other primary tumors. Under local anesthesia a maximum of 5 lesions per patient were treated. For MR-guided LITT a neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet laser (Nd-YAG 1064 nm) with energy varying from 3 to 7.5 W was used. Energy and application time were defined through a computer program; they varied, dependent on the lesion size, location and consistency. To monitor the progress of LITT two special thermosensitive MR sequences (Thermo-Turbo-FLASH and FLASH-2D sequences) were individually optimized, whereby the increase in temperature correlates with an increase in signal loss. All procedures were well tolerated without significant early or late side effects. In only one patient was minimal air documentated in the pleural cavity with spontaneous resorption. Patients were dismissed without complaints after 24-h hospitalization. The control parameters of the contrast-enhanced dynamic MRI documented at optimal response a hypointense signal around the tip of the laser applicator, in accordance with laser-induced necrosis. In lesions 20 mm or smaller, nearly 100% tumor necrosis was achieved and in lesions larger than 20 mm, only 50%. Follow-up evaluation 6 months after treatment shows a significantly better response in lesions with a diameter of 20 mm or smaller, with a local tumor control rate of 66%. In lesions larger than 20 mm only a local tumor control rate of 35% could be achieved. Laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) represents a new, minimally invasive technique for tumor destruction and a high response rate in small liver metastases.

HCG contamination of alglucerase: clinical implications in low-dose regimen

Alglucerase (Ceredase) is currently the treatment of choice for patients with symptomatic Gaucher disease. The contamination of this placental enzyme with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has raised concern regarding possible endocrinological complications. We examined 32 patients treated with low-dose alglucerase and 27 untreated patients as controls, and found no significant clinical differences between the two groups: no prepubertal children were affected, no menstrual irregularities were reported, and all hCG levels were well within normal range. Conversely, our finding of a statistically significant difference between the groups underscores the importance of initiating parallel studies of hCG contamination in patients receiving high-dose protocol.

Enhancement of endothelium-dependent vasodilation by low-dose nitroglycerin in patients with congestive heart failure

BACKGROUND

Since organic nitroesters and endothelium-derived nitric oxide mediate vasodilation through a final common pathway, that is, by activation of soluble guanylate cyclase in vascular smooth muscle, nitroglycerin (NTG) could specifically enhance the endothelium-dependent vasodilatory response to acetylcholine (Ach) in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and endothelial cell dysfunction. Accordingly, the net effects of an intra-arterial infusion of NTG (10(-9) mol/L) on endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation were assessed in the forearm circulation of patients with CHF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The forearm blood flow responses to intra-arterial administration of graded concentrations of Ach (10(-7) to 10(-5) mol/L) were determined by venous occlusion plethysmography (mL/min per 100 mL) in 18 patients with CHF and 5 age-matched normal subjects before and during intra-arterial infusion of NTG (10(-9) mol/L) for 20 minutes. In eight patients, the duration of the infusion of NTG (n = 5) or vehicle control solution (n = 3) was extended to 12 hours with measurement of the forearm blood flow responses to Ach at 20 minutes, 4 hours, and 12 hours. In five additional patients, forearm blood flow response to intra-arterial administration of two doses of phentolamine (0.05 and 0.5 mg) were determined before and during a 20-minute NTG infusion. Regional administration of NTG 10(-9) mol/L did not change resting forearm blood flow in either normal subjects or patients with CHF. Before administration of NTG 10(-9) mol/L, intra-arterial infusions of Ach 10(-7), 10(-5) and 10(-5) mol/L increased forearm blood flow to 14.7 +/- 6.2, 20.2 +/- 4.7, and 38.4 +/- 7.9 mL/min per 100 mL in normal subjects and to 4.1 +/- 0.8, 5.0 +/- 1.1, and 10.6 +/- 2.3 mL/min per 100 mL in patients with CHF. After administration of NTG 10(-9) mol/L for 20 minutes, the vasodilatory response to Ach significantly increased to 5.6 +/- 1.0, 6.9 +/- 1.6, and 17.7 +/- 3.4 mL/min per 100 mL in patients with CHF but did not change in normal subjects. The enhanced forearm blood flow responses to administration of Ach observed after 20 minutes of NTG administration in patients with CHF were sustained throughout a 12-hour NTG infusion. In contrast, regional administration of NTG did not change the vasodilatory responses to phentolamine.

CONCLUSIONS

NTG, when administered intra-arterially for 20 minutes at a dose that does not affect resting forearm blood flow, specifically increased the vasodilatory response to intra-arterial administration of Ach in patients with CHF but not in normal subjects. The vasodilatory response to Ach was consistently enhanced by low-dose NTG throughout a 12-hour period. The vasodilating effects of organic nitroesters on the peripheral vasculature of patients with CHF may result in part from an interaction with the vascular endothelium.

Diagnosis of segmental necrosis in a pancreas transplant by thallium-201 perfusion scintigraphy

Thallium-201 was used to image a patient with a pancreatic transplant. Incomplete visualization of the graft on the 201Tl scan, compared to CT, led to the diagnosis of segmental necrosis of the tail of the graft. Due to the low background and favorable target-to-non-target ratio, 201Tl pancreas scintigraphy may be useful in the follow-up of pancreatic transplants.

Recovery of auditory evoked potentials after long-term complete brain ischemia

Complete cerebral ischemia lasting 20 and 30 min was produced in dog brains. Before and after complete ischemia early and middle latency auditory evoked potentials were recorded simultaneously. In all cases of complete ischemia for 30 min amplitudes of evoked potentials were diminished during the reperfusion period of 8 to 12 hours. In some cases evoked potentials reappeared only temporarily. After complete ischemia of 20 min duration, the amplitude of evoked potentials varied within a wide range. They could reach nearly normal values.

Effect of hormones on phospholipid metabolism in human cultured fibroblasts

The effect of hormones on phospholipid metabolism, pool size, 32P labeling and changes in fatty acid of human adult fibroblasts was determined. Simultaneously the change in membrane fluidity of single cells was recorded via fluorescence recovery after photobleaching under the influence of hormones. From all substances tested (isoproterenol, phenylephrine, adrenalin, histamine, angiotensin II, dansylcadaverine, propranolol) only isoproterenol and adrenalin slightly decreased total amount of phosphatidylcholine (PC). The amount of the other phospholipids analyzed remained unchanged. The 32P incorporation rate into phospholipids (PC, phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)) was affected basicly different analyzing either PC, PI or PE. Histamine and propranolol provoked the highest incorporation of 32P (240% increase in PI labeling). Isoproterenol and adrenalin decreased PC labeling (45% and 18%) whereas isoproterenol decreased 32P incorporation into PI (18%), and adrenalin led to an increase (37%). PE labeling showed no or a slight increase in 32P incorporation applying the other agonists or antagonists. The fatty acid pattern of the respective phospholipids changed only to a minor extend. A decrease in hexadecanoic acid content of PI was found after administration of either isoproterenol, adrenalin or histamine. Parallel determination of membrane fluidity of single cells by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching showed an increase in the diffusion coefficient of a fluorescent lipid probe sticking in the membrane, following administration of isoproterenol and adrenalin, other substances tested exerted no effect. A relationship to changes in phospholipid metabolism became obvious. These results are discussed considering known mechanisms of receptor coupling and change in phospholipid metabolism and fluidity.

Abnormal communication between the left atrium and the coronary sinus. Presentation of 2 cases and review of the literature

A large communication between coronary sinus and left atrium is a rare cardiac anomaly. Twenty-four cases from the literature and 2 of our own observations are presented. In most cases a considerable left-to-right shunt may exist on the atrial level that can be misinterpreted as an atrial septal defect. The anomaly may be isolated or in combination with an atrial septal defect or complex cardiac malformations. It is difficult to diagnose this abnormality by cardiac catheterization and even during surgery. Continuous oximetry during a fiberoptic catheter pull-back in the coronary sinus ensures the diagnosis in the case of atrial left-to-right shunt. The anatomy, hemodynamics, diagnostic procedures, and the therapy of the cases reported are discussed.

[Comparison of 2 theophylline delayed-action preparations of different galenic forms]

Serum concentrations of Theophylline were measured in patients with reversible airways-obstruction during oral and intravenous treatment. The comparison of two sustained-release preparations of Aminophylline (Euphyllin retard 350 mg, Mundiphyllin retard 225 mg), administered according to a randomised study, shows no significant difference. Plasma levels from 5 to 20 mg/l were measured after five days of treatment with either preparation given in average dosage of 10 mg Theophylline per kg body weight. Similar plasma levels, which are associated with therapeutic effects, were measured after the intravenous application of the same dose of Theophylline over 24 hours.

Recovery of the electrocorticogram after incomplete and complete ischaemia of the brain

Incomplete cerebral ischaemia of 10 to 60 minutes duration was performed by reducing the perfusion pressure of completely isolated canine heads at brain temperatures of 37 and 32 degrees C. Complete cerebral ischaemia of the same duration was performed by complete stopping of the perfusion. The latency of recovery of the electrocorticogram, i.e. the time interval from the end of the cerebral ischaemia until reappearance of the first spontaneous cortical potentials, was shorter after incomplete ischaemia than after complete ischaemia. At 37 degrees C brain temperature the latency of recovery of the electrocorticogram was zero after a perfusion of the brain with a perfusion pressure of 22 mm Hg for 1 hour. After an incomplete ischaemia of 1 hour produced by a perfusion pressure of 20 mm Hg the latency of recovery was 0 to 4 minutes. Lower perfusion pressures increased the latency of recovery considerably. Reduction of brain temperature to 32 degrees C decreased the latency of recovery. At perfusion pressures of 22 mm or more there was no difference in the latency of recovery between 37 and 32 degrees C brain temperature.

Recovery of the electrocorticogram of canine brains after complete cerebral ischaemia at 37 degrees and 32 degrees C

Complete cerebral ischemia was produced in totally isolated dog heads, perfused from a donor dog. The temperature of the isolated brain was kept constant before, during and after the complete ischaemia, at either 37 degrees C or 32 degrees C. At a brain temperature of 37 degrees C electrocortical potentials were found to reappear spontaneously as long as complete ischaemia did not exceed 50 min. In canine brains kept at a temperature of 32 degrees C no reappearance of spontaneous electrical activity occurred if ischaemia exceeded 100 min.