[Studies on the kinetics of methaqualone in the course of labour (author's transl)]. / Untersuchungen zur Kinetik von Methaqualon sub partu.

A 0,4 g (1598,06 mumol) dose of methaqualone was administered orally to 19 parturient at the beginning of the first stage of delivery. In comparison with former results, got from a control-group of nonpregnant and pregnant women in the last third of pregnancy, it was found a significantly prolonged biological half-life and a decrease of the fictitious initial concentration.

Inhibition of macrophage migration by a factor from ascites fluids of ovarian cancer patients. I. Biochemical characterization and purification.

A nonspecific inhibitor of macrophage migration was found in large quantities in the cell-free ascitic fluids from patients with ovarian tumours. MIF-like activity was assigned by the ability of various dilutions of ascitic fluids to inhibit migration of guinea pig macrophages from agarose droplets. The factor was purified in 3 subsequent steps including ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration, and isoelectric focusing. The data obtained indicate molecular heterogeneity according to net charge and molecular weights. The main MIF activity was found at about 45, 20, and 10 kD, respectively, and partially at less than 10 kD. Isoelectric focusing of the various MIF species revealed activity peaks in the pH range from 3.8 to 5.0. A further peak was detected at pH 6.0 in crude material. The factor was purified about 10 000-fold compared to the starting material. The action of OC-MIF was inhibited by L-fucose, and when target cells were incubated with alpha-L-fucosidase, they did not respond any longer to OC-MIF. Furthermore, purified MIF-like activity is a nondialyzable glycoprotein, sensitive to treatment with neuraminidase, chymotrypsin, trypsin and pronase, however, unaffected by incubation at 60 degrees C for 1 h. The physicochemical properties of OC-MIF activity studied are comparable to lymphocyte-derived conventional MIF.

Inhibition of macrophage migration by a factor from ascites fluids of ovarian cancer patients. II. Production and characterization of an anti-MIF antibody.

A macrophage migration inhibition factor (OC-MIF) has been isolated from ascites fluid of ovarian cancer patients by affinity chromatography on L-fucose-Sepharose 6B, and characterized biochemically. OC-MIF activity was purified approximately 10 000-fold as compared to the starting material. It exhibits molecular heterogeneity with respect to net charge and molecular weights. Compared to it, purified and radioiodinated OC-MIF is fairly homogeneous and contains a major protein component with a molecular mass of about 45 kD, and two isoelectric points of 3.0-4.0 and about 5.0. Rabbits were immunized with the highly purified MIF material and an antiserum was prepared and was used to prepare immunoadsorbent beads. Beads made with anti-OC-MIF antiserum, but not with rabbit control serum, could remove specifically OC-MIF activity and showed weak reactivity towards Con A induced MIF. Using a radioimmunoassay (RIA) anti-OC-MIF antiserum reacts with OC-MIF and also with Con A induced MIF. This antigenic relationship between conventional MIF and OC-MIF and common biochemical properties suggest that the two mediator substances are very similar and may, perhaps, be identical. Furthermore, the possibility to determine various MIF activities by means of RIA was investigated.

[Liquid-crystal-contact-thermography (LCCT)--a new diagnostic method for determination of skin circulation. Results of 300 studies]. / Die "Liquid-Crystal-Contact-Thermography" (LCCT)--ein neues diagnostisches Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Hautdurchblutung. Erfahrungen nach 300 Untersuchungen.

In cases where minor differences in skin temperature are of importance, LCCT can be used. Furthermore LCCT can be used to document the malperfusion of the leg and postoperative flow control of a bypass after revascularization, as well as determination of the site of amputation in cases where revascularization is not possible. General surgery, traumatology: LCCT is well suited as a screening method in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis. Our clinical trial with more than 300 patients documents the simple, non-invasive use of LCCT. More than 80 patients had parallel ascending venography performed in order to document sensitivity and specificity of LCCT. We found LCCT to have a sensitivity to 95% and a specificity of 86% when compared to venography. LCCT must be performed by a physician to rule out other pathogenic factors leading to either a rise or a fall in skin temperature. As LCCT is an absolutely non-invasive method and having a high sensitivity and specificity it is well suited as screening method in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis. LCCT can be recommended to all angiologic wards and certainly to very surgical clinic, as the early recognition or exclusion of postoperative deep venous thrombosis is its main goal.

Pharmacokinetics during pregnancy and delivery.

The pharmacokinetics of certain drugs were studied in the following patient groups: in women in stage III of pregnancy, in women in labor, and in non-pregnant women as a control group. In late gravidity several parameters of distribution and elimination change. Nevertheless, it is not necessary to modify the usual dose schedule. However, sulfonamides and antibiotics should be administered in the upper range of dosage. In contrast to late pregnancy, we found elimination of drugs to be always retarded during labor. Attention must be paid to accumulation, which may occur.