[Crystallographic picture of the gingival fluid in healthy teeth and by inflammatory periodontal disease].

The research revealed crystallographic structure of the gingival fluid in healthy teeth and by inflammatory periodontal disease. Comparing the results with clinical data both crystallographic patterns in healthy teeth gingival fluid and markers of periodontal tissue pathology were established.

[Myocardial revascularization in correction of electrical instability of the heart in patients with postinfarction cardiosclerosis].

We have assessed parameters of myocardial electrical instability in patients with postinfarction atherosclerosis before and in one year after coronary bypass surgery. Inclusion criteria were history of myocardial infarction, surgical myocardial revascularization between 1 and 2 years before; stable course of coronary heart disease during previous month; preserved ejection fraction ( more or equal 50%), stable sinus rhythm. Heterogeneity of myocardial electrophysiological properties has diminished after coronary bypass surgery due to improvement of coronary perfusion and restoration of function of ischemic myocardium. This have been associated with positive dynamics of interval QT dispersion, parameters of turbulence and variability of cardiac rhythm, reduction of the rate of registration of ventricular late potentials.

[Influence of laser radiation of the whole blood in vitro on adhesion and aggregation of blood platelets].

The authors revealed dependence of reaction blood plates to photoeffect on the dose and rate of blood movement at laser radiation of donor blood in vitro. The red light decreases adhesion and aggregation of blood plates both at high and low rate of shift. Infrared laser radiation is effective only at high rate of shift leading to increase of adhesion and decrease of aggregation of blood plates. Blue laser is effective in small doses only and at low rate of sift it leads to decrease of adhesion and at high rate it provokes increase of adhesion. Blue laser do not have a significant influence on aggregation of blood plates. These results make possible to suppose ambiguity of biological response of venous and arterial blood to radiation.

Differential response of platelets to chemokines: RANTES non-competitively inhibits stimulatory effect of SDF-1 alpha.

BACKGROUND: Among the chemokines related to CXC and CC receptor groups and released from platelets, leukocytes and endothelial cells, SDF-1, TARC and MDC have been found to be platelet agonists. Platelets do not contain SDF-1 alpha. In contrast, RANTES is constitutively present in platelet alpha-granules and released upon platelet activation. OBJECTIVES: To study a possible role of RANTES as a modulator of SDF-1 alpha effect on platelets, in relation to CXCR4 and various CC receptors. METHODS: CXCR-4 (CXCL12) receptor expression and platelet activation were evaluated by flow cytometry, platelet deposition was studied by cone and plate(let) analyzer, and platelet aggregation by turbidometric aggregometry. RESULTS: Flow cytometry studies revealed similar expression of CXCR-4, the specific receptor of SDF-1 alpha on intact, inactivated, and activated platelets. Preincubation of platelets with RANTES affected neither CXCR-4 expression, nor SDF-1 alpha binding to the platelet membrane. In the presence of fibrinogen, SDF-1 alpha activated gel-filtered platelets. RANTES did not activate platelets, but substantially (by 70%) inhibited SDF-1 alpha-induced fibrinogen binding. Similarly, RANTES abrogated the promoting effect of SDF-1 alpha on whole blood platelet adhesion to endothelial cell monolayer under venous flow conditions. In platelet-rich plasma, RANTES moderately inhibited SDF-1 alpha-induced platelet aggregation, while it did not affect aggregation induced by thrombin-receptor activation peptide, adenosine diphosphate, or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. A synergistic inhibitory effect of RANTES and prostaglandin E1 used at subthreshold concentrations, on SDF-1 alpha-induced aggregation and SDF-1 alpha-induced fibrinogen binding to platelets was observed, which may suggest involvement of RANTES in a cAMP-dependent signal transduction pathway. CONCLUSIONS: RANTES non-competitively inhibits activation of platelets by SDF-1 alpha, and thus may play a regulatory role in platelet response to inflammation.

Tirandalydigin, a novel tetramic acid of the tirandamycin-streptolydigin type. II. Isolation and structural characterization.

Tirandalydigin a structurally unique hybrid of the tirandamycin-streptolydigin families of tetramic acid antibiotics has been isolated from the fermentation beers of Streptomyces sp. AB-1006A-9. The structure of this anti-anaerobic antibiotic has been characterized based upon NMR, UV and mass spectrometric data.

Spenolimycin, a new spectinomycin-type antibiotic. II. Isolation and structure determination.

A new water-soluble, basic antibiotic has been isolated from the fermentation beers of Streptomyces gilvospiralis sp. nov. The structure of the antibiotic has been deduced from spectral studies and confirmed by chemical degradation to spectinomycin. This structure, 3'-O-methylspectinomycin-3',4'-enol ether has led to the name spenolimycin.

Arizonins, a new complex of antibiotics related to kalafungin. II. Isolation and characterization.

A new complex of anti-Gram-positive antibiotics was produced by the fermentation of Actinoplanes arizonaensis sp. nov. The antibiotics were recovered from the fermentation broth with Amberlite XAD-7 resin and from the mycelium by acetone lysis. UV, IR, MS and NMR spectral studies characterized these compounds as kalafungin-type antibiotics. They differ from other known members by an unusual oxidation pattern on the aromatic ring. They vary from one another by the degree and position of O-methylation on the aromatic ring and in the aliphatic portion of the molecules. The structure of one component was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.

Altromycins, novel pluramycin-like antibiotics. II. Isolation and elucidation of structure.

A novel complex of Gram-positive antibiotics was produced from the fermentation of an actinomycete culture AB 1246E-26. The antibiotics were recovered from the whole fermentation broth by extraction with organic solvent and isolated using counter-current chromatography. UV and IR data place these compounds in the anthraquinone-derived class of antibiotics. Mass spectral and NMR data indicate a new complex of compounds related to, but distinctly different from the pluramycin type antibiotics.

Calbistrins, novel antifungal agents produced by Penicillium restrictum. II. Isolation and elucidation of structure.

The novel antifungal agents, calbistrins A, B, C and D have been isolated from a strain of Penicillium restrictum (AB 1875C-28). The four congeners were separated by bioactivity directed fractionation using countercurrent chromatography and preparative-HPLC. NMR studies revealed that the calbistrins each contain a carboxylic acid conjugated tetraene attached through an aliphatic ester linkage to a hexahydronaphthalene system.

Dunaimycins, a new complex of spiroketal 24-membered macrolides with immunosuppressive activity. II. Isolation and elucidation of structures.

A novel complex of antifungal and immunosuppressant compounds has been isolated from the fermentation broth and mycelia of two strains of Streptomyces diastatochromogenes. The structures of eight related components were determined employing 1D and 2D homonuclear and the heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. These structures represent the first reported spiroketal 24-membered macrolide natural products related to the common 26-membered oligomycins.

Novel triterpene sulfates from Fusarium compactum using a rhinovirus 3C protease inhibitor screen.

Two novel triterpene sulfates have been isolated from Fusarium compactum by bioactivity-directed fractionation using an assay which measures the inhibition of proteolytic activity of rhinovirus 3C protease on a fluorogenic peptide substrate. The compounds were purified by countercurrent and reverse phase chromatographies. NMR, MS, UV and IR studies revealed two triterpene sulfates, uncommon metabolites of terrestrial fungi.

Dibefurin, a novel fungal metabolite inhibiting calcineurin phosphatase activity.

The novel calcineurin inhibitor, dibefurin, has been isolated from the fungal culture AB 1650I-759. The isolation was bioactivity-directed fractionation using an assay which measures the phosphatase activity of calcineurin. The compound was purified by countercurrent, reverse phase and gel filtration chromatographies. Several studies, including crystallographic, NMR and MS, revealed that dibefurin is a novel dimeric compound of a unique structural type.

[Diagnosis of postpartum complications using CT and MRT]. / Diagnose postpartaler Komplikationen mittels CT und MRT.

Severe puerperal infections, iliacal and ovarian vein thrombosis are post-partum complications which are potentially life-threatening. They require prompt medical treatment. CT and MR enable diagnosis by noninvasive methods.

[Pelvimetry using magnetic resonance tomography]. / Pelvimetrie mittels Kernspintomographie.

20 woman were examined before and after partum by means of conventional and magnetic resonance pelvimetry. Besides the usual data regarding the morphology and diameters of the pelvis, MRI gives information on the soft tissues of the birth canal without the added risk of irradiation to the mother and foetus. As shown by studies done in the USA it is also possible to determine foetal maturity by MRI; this will be done in the future.

[Magnetic resonance tomography in the differential diagnosis of pathologic changes in scrotal contents--a comparison with computed tomography]. / Kernspintomographie (KST) in der Differentialdiagnose pathologischer Veränderungen des Skrotalinhaltes--ein Vergleich mit der Computertomographie (CT).

48 patients with scrotal pathology were examined by magnetic resonance tomography (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). The diagnostic results were compared to surgical and histological findings. The correct diagnosis could be detected in 81% by CT and in 85% by MR. Another 27 patients were examined only by MR with positive results in 88%. Demonstration of tunica albuginea, imaging of testes in various planes and diagnostic accuracy in about 88% with missing ionising irradiation make MRI the most reliable diagnostic imaging in the classification of scrotal pathology. False negative results were found in 1/48 by CT and none by MRI. False positive results could be found in 2/75 of MRI examinations but none in CT.

[Quantitative radiocardiography in the differential diagnosis and follow-up of cardiac disease (author's transl)]. / Quantitative Radiokardiographie zur Differential-diagnose und Verlaufskontrolle von Herzkrankheiten.

Gated blood pool studies have been performed in about 400 patients, evaluating the regional motility and, by Fourier analysis, the following functional parameters: ejection fraction, peak ejection rate and its time, peak filling rate and its time. Wih the calibration procedure used during the first passage, we measured also the endsystolic and endiastolic volume of the left ventricle and the cardiac outpout. The changes of the different parameters caused by various diseases of the heart are discussed. It can be shown tha the measured values allow important conclusions to be made concerning the differential diagnosis. The examinations before and after surgery facilitate evaluation of therapeutic results.

[Nuclear medical estimation of ejection fraction, cardiac output and time volume-differentials (author's transl)]. / Nuklearmedizinische Bestimmung der Ejektions-fraktion, des Herzminutenvolumens und zeitlichen Volumen-Differentials.

Gated blood pool investigation yield the ejection fraction as ratio of two volumes. To obtain absolut volumina (e.g. output volume in ml) the authors utilize the first transit of the tracer through the heart cava. Radionuclide output of the heart equals input during the first tracer passage, homogeneous infusion of the tracer provided. The resulting calibration factor makes possible the calculation of the stroke volume in the gated bloodpool procedure. Good correlation could be proven in 35 patients (r = 0.86 and 0.9, respectively).

[Clinical value of the ultrafast gradient echo sequence "Quickflash"]. / Klinische Wertigkeit der ultraschnellen Gradienten-Echo-Sequenz "Quickflash".

It is possible to develop faster sequences with 6 mT/m gradient field strength. However, the short gradient switch times which are advantageous for a better image contrast cannot be achieved. Using longer measurement times the influence of the preparation pulses is less dominant. The image quality of the quickflash is poorer than that of conventional SE and GE sequences. In some cases, especially for outline views and in the evaluation of Gd inflow into pathologic tissue or in restless patients, we use the quickflash in clinical routine.

[Tuberous sclerosis: broadening of the diagnosis using MR tomography and computed tomography]. / Tuberöse Sklerose: Erweiterung der Diagnostik durch MR-Tomographie und Computertomographie.

Ten children and a 22-y old women with tuberous sclerosis were studied. All children were epileptic but only 8 had skin lesions (white spots, sebaceous adenoma), 4 had rhabdomyoma of the heart and 4 children had astrocytoma of the retina; only in 4 children was the entire triad of tuberous sclerosis seen. The young woman with a hemorrhage of an angiolipoma of the kidney had no other symptoms of tuberous sclerosis. All patients had pathologic CT and MRT findings; 4 different types of lesion were seen in MRT. In order to elucidate human genetic aspects and to demonstrate the underlying disease all children with epileptic disorders and also all patients without the full triad of symptoms should be examined by MRT.

Radioisotopic diagnosis and quantitation of left to right shunts in childhood and adolescence.

In 187 patients (141 adults and 46 children) left to right shunts were assessed using quantitative radionuclide angiography. After injection of 99mTc into the femoral vein time activity curves were registered over both lungs and the heart (Ohio Nuclear Camera, ON SIGMA 400, 110, HP 5407 computer). Using a modified gamma function area ratio technique the shunt sizes were calculated. The radioisotopic method allows a precise quantitation of left to right shunts ranging from 15--80%. There was a good agreement between the shunt sizes calculated by the radioisotopic method and oximetry or dye-dilution at cardiac catheterization (adults r = 0,87, children r = 0,85). The shunts sizes assessed with this nontraumatic method appear sufficiently reliable to be a real alternative to conventional techniques in screening for shunts.