Accurate ground state potential of Cu2 up to the dissociation limit by perturbation assisted double-resonant four-wave mixing

Perturbation facilitated double-resonant four-wave mixing is applied to access high-lying vibrational levels of the X ¹Σ_g ⁺ (0_g ⁺) ground state of Cu₂. Rotationally resolved transitions up to v^″ = 102 are measured. The highest observed level is at 98% of the dissociation energy. The range and accuracy of previous measurements are significantly extended. By applying the near dissociation equation developed by Le Roy [R. J. Le Roy, J. Quant. Spectrosc. Radiat. Transfer 186, 197 (2017)], a dissociation energy of D_e = 16 270(7) hc cm^-1 is determined, and an accurate potential energy function for the X ¹Σ_g ⁺ (0_g ⁺) ground state is obtained. Molecular constants are determined from the measured transitions and by solving the radial Schrödinger equation using this function and are compared with results from earlier measurements. In addition, benchmark multi-reference configuration interaction computations are performed using the Douglas-Kroll-Hess Hamiltonian and the appropriate basis of augmented valence quadruple ζ type. Coupled-cluster single, double, and perturbative triple calculations were performed for comparison.

Identification of a new low energy 1u state in dicopper with resonant four-wave mixing

The low energy electronic structure of the copper dimer has been re-investigated using non-linear four-wave mixing spectroscopy and high level ab initio calculations. In addition to the measurement of the previously reported A, B, and C electronic states, a new state denoted A' is identified with T₀ = 20 100.4090(16) cm^-1 (⁶³Cu₂). Rotational analysis of the A'-X (0,0) and (1,0) transitions leads to the assignment of A' 1_u. Ab initio calculations present the first theoretical description of the low energy states of the copper dimer in Hund's case (c) and confirm the experimental assignment. The discovery of this new low energy excited state emphasizes that spin-orbit coupling is significant in states with d-hole electronic configurations and resolves a decades-long mystery in the initial assignment of the A state.

Perturbation facilitated two-color four-wave-mixing spectroscopy of C3

Perturbation-facilitated two-color resonant four-wave-mixing spectroscopy is realized to access the (dark) triplet manifold of the C3 molecule from the singlet X̃(1)Σg (+) ground state. The inherent nonlinear signal dependence and coherence of the technique result in a favorable detection of the excited triplet states of interest. The observation of a newly found (3)Δu electronic state is achieved by a two-step excitation via "gate-way" levels (i.e., singlet-triplet mixed levels). Additionally, by fixing the probe laser on a transition exhibiting mainly triplet-triplet character and scanning the pump laser, we demonstrate an effective spin-filtering in a four-wave mixing measurement where only transitions to the perturber (3)Σu(-) state appear exclusively in an otherwise congested spectral range of the Comet band. Ab initio calculations of excited triplet states complement our analysis with the electronic assignment of the observed resonances.

Circuit topology and control principle for a first magnetic stimulator with fully controllable waveform

Magnetic stimulation pulse sources are very inflexible high-power devices. The incorporated circuit topology is usually limited to a single pulse type. However, experimental and theoretical work shows that more freedom in choosing or even designing waveforms could notably enhance existing methods. Beyond that, it even allows entering new fields of application. We propose a technology that can solve the problem. Even in very high frequency ranges, the circuitry is very flexible and is able generate almost every waveform with unrivaled accuracy. This technology can dynamically change between different pulse shapes without any reconfiguration, recharging or other changes; thus the waveform can be modified also during a high-frequency repetitive pulse train. In addition to the option of online design and generation of still unknown waveforms, it amalgamates all existing device types with their specific pulse shapes, which have been leading an independent existence in the past years. These advantages were achieved by giving up the common basis of all magnetic stimulation devices so far, i.e., the high-voltage oscillator. Distributed electronics handle the high power dividing the high voltage and the required switching rate into small portions.

Effect of nutrient supply on photosynthesis and pigmentation to short-term stress (UV radiation) in Gracilaria conferta (Rhodophyta)

The effects of increased photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), UV radiation (UVR), and nutrient supply on photosynthetic activity, pigment content, C:N ratio and biomass yield were studied in tank cultivated Gracilaria conferta (Rhodophyta). Electron transport rate (ETR) and biliprotein content were higher under high nutrient supply (HNS), obtained from fishpond effluents, compared to low nutrient supply (LNS), in contrast to mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) dynamic. The high MAA content in LNS-algae could be explained by higher UVR penetration in the thallus and by the competition for the use of nutrients with other processes. Effective quantum yield decreased after short-term exposure to high irradiance whereas full recovery in shade was produced only under slightly heat shock. UVA radiation provoked an additional decrease in photosynthesis under high water temperature. UVB radiation reversed UVA's negative effect mainly with HNS. Results support that nutrient-sufficiency help G. conferta to resist environmental changes as short-term temperature increase.

[Quality assured ultrasound simulation training for the detection of fetal malformations--can a training benefit be evidenced?]

INTRODUCTION

The factual sonographic training in obstetrics differs in Germany in a broad range. In this context, a tendency towards minimalistic dealings with this issue prevails. In contrast to this, the provisions of the German maternity guidelines relating to ultrasound clearly define quality oriented requirements serving altogether as a basic sonographic standard which mandatorily has to be met by all German Obstetricians. In order to close this gap between professional education and social demand, a training concept regarding obstetric ultrasound was devised by the German Association of Gynecologists utilizing the ultrasound simulator system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and the effectiveness of this method and its potential role and benefit in structured sonographic training.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between October 2004 and August 2005, 74 obstetric ultrasound training courses according to the ultrasound simulator concept of the Medical School of Hanover were realized in nine federal states of Germany by the German Academy of Gynecology. The aim of these courses was it to procure ultrasound knowledge regarding the structured sonographic exclusion of fetal malformations in a compact manner. As a measure of quality assurance, a standardized questionnaire was issued before and after the courses in order to analyze the benefit of these simulator-based ultrasound courses.

RESULTS

The concept found prevailing approval (90 %) at the level of principle, practical implementation and clinical usefulness. 88,2 % of the participants estimated their subjective training effect as being good. The analysis of the questionnaire showed a statistically significant improvement of sonographic knowledge. On average, 74.1 % of the questions were answered correctly by the end of the course as opposed to a mere 46.3 % at the beginning.

CONCLUSION

Structured ultrasound training courses based on the ultrasound simulator system seem to be able to define a basic quality of training and significantly improves examiners' skills in prenatal medicine possible independent of local or structural factors. Hence they seem to be a suitable instrument to close the gap between the sonographic education worthy of improvement and the existing social demand for efficiacy of obstetric sonography.

A new lysozyme fold. Crystal structure of the muramidase from Streptomyces coelicolor at 1.65 A resolution

Cellosyl is a bacterial muramidase from Streptomyces coelicolor. Similar to other lysozymes, the enzyme cleaves the beta-1,4-glycosidic bond between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetylglucosamine units, but it also exhibits a beta-1,4-N,6-O-diacetylmuramidase activity. The latter enables Cellosyl to degrade the cell walls of Staphylococcus aureus, which are not hydrolyzed by chicken-, goose-, or bacteriophage T4-type lysozymes. The enzymatic activity and amino acid sequence of Cellosyl group it with lysozymes of the Chalaropsis type, for which no detailed structural information has been available so far. The crystal structure of Cellosyl from S. coelicolor has been determined to a resolution of 1.65 A and refined to an R-factor of 15.2%. The enzyme is comprised of a single domain and possesses an unusual beta/alpha-barrel fold. The last strand, beta 8, of the (beta/alpha)(5)beta(3)-barrel is found to be antiparallel to strands beta 7 and beta 1. Asp-9, Asp-98, and Glu-100 are located at the active site. The structure of Cellosyl exhibits a new lysozyme fold and represents a new class of polysaccharide-hydrolyzing beta/alpha-barrels.

Micropachometric quantification of tear assessment tests

After reviewing the results of available methods for defining the dry eye with an exact assessment of severity, we found that micropachometry was the most sensitive. The following is a ranking of the other tests according to usefulness: Tear resistance, Schirmer, and BUT. Rose bengal stained eyes were usually decompensated; the meniscus test's primary use was as an "all or nothing" indicator, but recording the widths of extant menisci were unproductive.

[Modification of tear film break-up time by beta blocker eyedrops without preservatives]

Traditional beta-blocking eye drops preserved with benzalkonium chloride show an adverse effect on the precorneal tear film, which can be measured by checking the break-up-time (BUT). To decide, whether this adverse effect is caused more by the beta-blocking drug or the preservative, we tested the influence of timolol eye drops without preservative in single dose units Timosine) on the BUT in a prospective, open study. These eyedrops caused no significant shortening of the BUT in persons, which where untreated before. Patients using preserved beta-blocking eye drops and having irritations of their eyes showed significant prolongation of the BUT after changing the therapy to Timosine. Preservative-free beta-blocking eye drops are a real improvement in the therapy of glaucoma patients with irritated eyes.

Increased yield of a lysozyme after self-cloning of the gene in Streptomyces coelicolor "Müller"

Streptomyces coelicolor "Müller" DSM3030 excretes a lysozyme comprising both beta-1,4-N-acetyl- and beta-1,4-N,6-O-diacetyl muramidase activities. The lysozyme is named Cellosyl. Gene libraries have been established using genomic DNA from the wild-type strain, S. coelicolor DSM3030, and from an overproducing mutant, S. coelicolor HP1, which exhibits about a twofold increase in lysozyme production. The lysozyme-encoding genes (cel) from both strains were detected by oligodeoxynucleotide hybridization. The nucleotide sequence of the cel genes isolated from both strains was shown to be identical. The different levels of lysozyme production could not be correlated with any mutations at the cel gene locus. The cel gene isolated from the wild-type strain could not be expressed in some other species of Streptomyces. However, self-cloning of the cel gene into S. coelicolor DSM3030 and HP1 resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in lysozyme production.

Mutations in the HML E silencer of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yield metastable inheritance of transcriptional repression

Mating-type genes resident in the silent cassette HML at the left arm of chromosome III are repressed by the action of four SIR gene products, mediated independently through two cis-acting sites, termed the E and I silencers. We have found that in the absence of the I silencer, deletion of any one of three distinct elements within E yields partial derepression of the mating-type genes resident at HML, whereas deletion of any two yields full derepression. These elements correspond to a binding site for the abundant DNA-binding protein RAP1, an autonomous replicating sequence (ARS), and an as yet undistinguished region. From detailed deletion analysis of the E site we conclude that the ARS element contributes to silencer function in a capacity distinct from its role as an initiator of DNA replication. In addition, we find that strains deleted for any one of these elements comprise two genetically identical but phenotypically distinct types of cells: Those with HML apparently fully derepressed, and those with HML apparently completely repressed. These results reinforce the notion that epigenetic inheritance is an intrinsic characteristic of silencer action.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the recA gene of Methylomonas clara and construction of recA deficient mutant

The recA gene of the methylotrophic bacterium Methylomonas clara has been isolated from a genomic library by hybridization with the Escherichia coli recA gene. Its complete nucleotide sequence consists of 1029 bp encoding a polypeptide of 342 amino acids. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the M. clara recA gene revealed extensive homologies to recA genes from E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Part of the physiological activity of the M. clara RecA protein has become evident in that E. coli recA mutant HB101 is complemented. The cloned recA gene has been modified in vitro by site-specific mutagenesis and by insertion of a kanamycin-resistance gene cassette into the recA coding sequence. M. clara recA mutants were obtained by replacement of the active recA gene by an in-vitro inactivated gene copy.

[Chronic conjunctivitis]

The etiology, clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases of the conjunctiva are described. It is emphasized that, despite the respective specific etiology, the symptomatology has common factors, treatment is difficult and all too often only symptomatic, and chronic inflammatory diseases of the conjunctiva sooner or later lead to the so-called dry eye syndrome.

Determination and in vivo characterization of the basic replicon of natural plasmids of Methylomonas clara

The basic replicon of the endogenous Methylomonas clara plasmid pBE-2 and its derivatives was defined to a region of 2.7 kb by in vivo deletions and conjugative transfer experiments using Escherichia coli-M. clara hybrid plasmids. Origin activity was found to be confined to a maximal length of 1.3 kb. The origin consists of two fragments which can be separated more than 4 kb by the integration of foreign DNA fragments without loss of function. A fragment having a maximum size of 2.1 kb supports in trans replication initiation at the origin. In addition, two incompatibility determinants were revealed, one localized in the origin fragment and the other outside the origin. Incompatibility between two basic replicons of the natural M. clara plasmids can be overcome by the integration of one of them in the compatible IncP plasmid R68-Kms. No homology was found between the plasmid basic replicon and the chromosomal DNA of M. clara.

[Central areolar choroid dystrophy. Report of involvement of 3 generations]

Central areolar chorodial atrophy was first classified as a hereditary disease by Sorsby in 1935. The mode of inheritance can be both autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant. The authors present a case with autosomal dominant inheritance affecting three generations.

Ocular perfusion pressures in different types of glaucoma

It is widely accepted that a disturbed blood supply of the optic disc may cause (in addition with an increased intraocular pressure) optic nerve fibre damage. Therefore we measured ocular perfusion pressures in 79 healthy subjects. In 18 patients with low tension glaucoma, in 27 patients suffering from ocular hypertension and in 49 glaucoma (OAG) patients. For measuring perfusion pressures we used the technique of oculo-oscillo-dynamography (OODG) as described by Ulrich. Additionally we measured intraocular pressure and systemic blood pressure. In OODG the IOP is simultaneously increased in both eyes by application of a suction cup. After increase of the IOP the negative pressure in the suction cup is slowly and linearly decreased. During this decrease the pulse-depending oscillations of each eye are recorded on a strip-chart-recorder. By means of this method retinal and ciliary perfusion pressures can be separated. As a result we could show that mean arterial blood pressure and systolic retinal perfusion pressure were comparable and not statistically significantly different between the groups examined. The systolic ocular perfusion pressures in patients with low tension glaucoma showed a highly statistically significant reduction compared with the other groups. Between healthy subjects, OAG-patients and patients suffering from ocular hypertension there was no difference in systolic ciliary perfusion pressure detectable.

[Ocular hemodynamics following local administration of clonidine]

The influence of topically applied clonidine 0.125% on ocular hemodynamics was investigated in ten patients with open-angle glaucoma and ten healthy volunteers, using a new, differentiated method. Ocular perfusion pressures were determined by Ulrich's method of oculo-oscillodynamography. Following monocular application of clonidine 0.125% eye drops a clear decrease in systemic blood pressure and a somewhat less pronounced reduction of ocular perfusion pressure was observed in both groups of patients. The reduction in ocular perfusion pressures was higher in the eye after drop application than in the untreated control eye. It must therefore be assumed that clonidine 0.125% eye drops have a local perfusion pressure-reducing effect in addition to their systemic effect.

[Ocular hemodynamics following suction cup oculopression]

In the study reported here the authors investigated the influence on ocular perfusion pressures of suction-cup oculopression, a procedure which permits oculopression without orbital compression. Patients over 50 years of age were examined before cataract extraction. Ulrich's method of ocular oscillodynamography was used to determine ocular perfusion pressures. A Mikuni and Yoneyama suction-cup dynamometer was applied for suction-cup oculopression. Ocular hypotonia following suction-cup oculopression was adequate and comparable to that achieved by other oculopression methods. After oculopression a significant increase in ocular perfusion pressures (retinal, ciliary, and diastolic) was found. However, ocular blood pressure remains constant after oculopression. Moreover, the increase in ocular perfusion pressure could not be explained by oculocardiac reflexes, because there was no change in systemic arterial blood pressure. It must be assumed, therefore, that the increase in ocular perfusion pressures is caused by a lowering of resistance, i.e., a drop in intraocular pressure.

[Clinical experiences with a therapeutic collagen contact lens. Initial results]

Clinical treatment with a self-dissolving collagen bandage lens was studied in 29 eyes. The lens was used in ten eyes with corneal abrasion, seven with lamellar perforating corneal injuries, six with corneal abrasion following foreign body removal, two after pterygium surgery, in one corneal abrasion caused by radiation, in two eyes with photoelectric keratoconjunctivitis, and in one patient with a trophic-sterile corneal ulcer. In all cases wearing comfort was excellent and no allergic reactions were observed. The patients with corneal abrasions experienced a significant reduction in pain immediately after application of the lens, so that no pressure patch was necessary. In the cases with corneal abrasion due to radiation and trophic-sterile ulcer, re-epithelialization occurred more rapidly than with the customary treatment.

[Perforating eye injuries caused by darts]

Four perforating eye injuries sustained by children playing with darts are analyzed. The injuries occurred within a period of 17 months. All the patients had minor injuries of the anterior segment and severe injuries in the posterior segment, such as vitreous hemorrhages and double perforations. Precautions should be taken to prevent such injuries: games involving darts are not suitable for children.

[Gelatinous tear substitutes and nonspecific eye ointments in the critical care unit and in perioperative use]

The effect of Vidisic (a new jelly artificial tear solution) and an ointment basing on Dexpanthenol on the tear production and the tear film stability was studied both on patients in the intensive care units (ICU) and during operations. In 10 relaxed and ventilated patients of the ICU there was no significant change in the tear production after application of either therapy. In 30 patients, undergoing surgery in endotracheal anaesthesia, the break-up-time and the test according to Schirmer were measured pre- and postoperatively. Like in the ICU-patients no difference in tear production could be found. Regarding the stability of the precorneal tear film however Vidisic was more effective than ointment basing on Dexpanthenol. Especially this clear jelly artificial tear solution allowed in contrast to the ointment a permanent and reliable judgement of the pupillary reaction. In addition the patients felt more comfortable with Vidisic.

[Corneal contact time of artificial tear solutions]

In 30 subjects without ophthalmological disease the corneal contact time of a new artificial polyacrylic-based tear gel (Vidisic, produced by Dr. Mann, Berlin) was compared with a well-known artificial polyvinyl alcohol-based tear solution. The Vidisic concentration remained in the corneal tear film 7 times longer than the substance it was compared with. In a second study including 7 normal subjects and 5 patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca, the influence of Vidisic on break-up time (BUT) and the Schirmer test was demonstrated. It was found that tear secretion improved for 2-4 hours (Schirmer test) and the stability of the tear film (BUT) improved for about 6 hours with Vidisic. These results suggest that application of Vidisic four times a day is sufficient for efficatious therapy even in cases of severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

[Diagnostic tests in the evaluation of the tear film]

Critical appraisal of the most important testing methods for diagnosing normal and disturbed stability of the tear film meniscus. Only a carefully compiled history, a thorough inspection of the eye and several tests to determine the type and severity of the disorder can provide information about the disturbed stability of the tear film meniscus.

[Treatment of dry eye with a new gel in eyedrop form]

Vidisic, a liquid gel derived from a polymerisate of acrylic acid for the treatment of dry eyes, was tested for 3 months in an open prospective study in 55 patients with severe dry eye. Vidisic spreads well over the cornea and conjunctiva and does not cause streaks. Compared with other tear substitutes so far available, Vidisic has a much longer viability, so that no more than 3 or 4 drops a day are necessary. Also, Vidisic is better tolerated and more effective. Moreover, there was a significant improvement, both subjectively and objectively, in the patients' conditions.

Cartilage choristoma of the eye

A young girl had a rigid, white tumor that penetrated the sclera. It was partially resected, and histopathologic study demonstrated choristoma of elastic cartilage.

[The malignancy of choroidal melanomas (author's transl)]

In the destruction of choroidal melanomas with conservation of the globe two clinical parameters, the size and growth-rate of the tumor, are especially important. The malignancy can be determined from these two parameters. It is important to know that neoplasms metastasize when they are composed of more than 400 cells (10 doubling times). However, at this early stage clinical diagnosis it rarely possible. As a rule, the tumor cannot be diagnosed until it reaches a size of 5 mm (27 doubling times). Metastases must be at least 10 mm in diameter (38 doubling times) to be recognized. In the case of the fast-growing choroidal melanomas it can therefore be calculated that the formation of metastases reaches a peak after a period of three to four years, assuming that diagnosis is made as early as possible. In 64 patients followed up for five years we found that the more numerous the number of mitoses in the tissue are, the higher the mortality is and the sooner the patients die. According to our results the most important clinical parameter in the assessment of choroidal melanoma, apart from the size of the tumor, is the estimation growth-rate, as indicated by the number of mitoses.

[Radiation accidents affecting the eye and their treatment (author's transl)]

Eye injuries which can occur as a result of radiation accidents of leaks in nuclear power plants are described and their treatment discussed. The trauma may be due to mechanical or thermal influences or the result of exposure to chemicals or radioactivity. After stopping the blepharospasm careful inspection of the conjunctiva is mandatory. If the bulbus is intact, rinsing with a pulsating water jet (Waterpik) is recommended, while if it is perforated primary operative treatment of the injury must be performed before radiation damage sets in. It is pointed out that the special medical centers for the treatment of radiation damage are equipped for ophthalmic surgery.

[Studies relating to tear film stability (author's transl)]

Basic tear secretion (Schirmer test) and tear stability (fluorescein break-up time (BUT) were determined in 121 healthy subjects and related to age and goblet cell count. None of the eyes thus investigated had any inflammatory or degenerative changes of the lids, conjunctiva or cornea. A low goblet cell count was found in subjects with a short BUT but a short BUT was not uniformly correlated with a certain goblet cell count. There was no clear relation between goblet cell count and BUT or basic tear secretion. Basic tear secretion and BUT decrease continuously after the age of 50 to about half the values obtained in younger individuals. The generally held view that values of below 10 mm (Schirmer test) and below 10 s (BUT) are pathologic cannot be maintained without caution.

[Dye-filling patterns in routine serial angiograms]

Rapid-sequence fluorescein angiograms of 127 healthy eyes with cilioretinal arteries were analyzed with regard to the time of dye entry into the central retinal artery, the cilioretinal artery and the choroid. In younger patients up to age 49) the cilioretinal artery filled simultaneously just as often as prior to the central retinal artery (42.9% and 41.4%, respectively); only rarely (15.7%) was a later filling noticed. In older persons (50 years of age and older) this filling pattern was reversed. The cilioretinal artery most frequently filled later than the central retinal artery (48.7%) and only rarely prior to it (15.8%). Similar results were obtained when comparing the filling time of the central retinal artery with the first choroidal fluorescein. With increasing age the circulation in the choroid and the cilioretinal arteries slows down in comparison to the central retinal artery, due to sclerotic vessel changes which have been shown to be much more pronounced in the choroidal vessels than in the retinal vessels. These findings are important for the understanding of age-related diseases of the optic nerve head, which derives almost all its blood supply from the choroidal circulation.

[Histological studies of goblet cell counts in human conjunctiva (author's transl)]

In 121 healthy subjects of all age groups the goblet cells were counted by means of conjunctival biopsies; none of these individuals showed any inflammatory or degenerative changes in their eye lids, conjunctivae or corneas. Three groups were distinguished: a small group with relatively few, a large group with an average number and a third small groups with a relatively large number of goblet cells. The number of goblet cells was usually between 26 and 40 to the square mm, but fluctuated to a great extent in all three groups. On determining age distribution, the average goblet cell counts were found to be astonishingly similar: they did not vary significantly in the different age groups. At most, one could say the goblet cell count is slightly lower from age 61 onward.

[Retinal circulation times as determined by fluorescein angiography (author's transl)]

Using a standardized technique of rapid fluorescein angiography applying a special diaphragm in the camera to reduce the patient stress by the frequent flashes and an automatic dye injection retinal circulation times of 173 healthy eyes were measured and statistically analysed. Circulation time was defined as the time interval between first visible arterial and venous fluorescence of corresponding vessels near the disc margin. The circulation time for the temporal vessels (1.1--1.2 s) was significantly faster than that of the nasal vessels (1.3 s) whereas there was no significant difference between the upper and lower main vessels. The very short circulation times are caused by short circuits near the disc. The difference between the shorter temporal and longer nasal times is caused by the macular circulation. It would therefore be more accurate to speak of peripapillary circulation times or of circulation times of the posterior pole of the fundus.

[Effects of dopamine and orciprenalin on human metabolism (author's transl)]

10 healthy probands were given on several subsequent days by intravenous infusion lasting 20' only orciprenalin and dopamine in therapeutic doses of 0.1 mg/kg bodyweight and 0.5 mg, respectively. In all cases application of orciprenalin resulted in a significant rise of glucose, insuline, lactate and free fatty acids. By contrast, no such changes were observed after infusion of dopamine. This suggests that a rise of free fatty acids in the serum may be important for the occurrence of cardiac arrythmia.