[Hyperthyroid and acute tonsillitis in a 23-year-old woman]. / Hyperthyreose und akute Tonsillitis bei einer 23-jährigen Patientin.

A 23-year-old woman with preexisting Graves' disease who received thiamazole treatment presented with fever, dysphagia, hyperthyroidism and leukopenia. With suspicion of thyreotoxicosis accompanied by drug-induced agranulocytosis she was successfully managed by plasmapheresis, G­CSF administration and inhibition of periphereal conversion of thyroid hormones. In due course she underwent thyroidectomy. Thiamazole is frequently associated with drug-induced agranulocytosis. Long-term therapy with thiamazole requires critical evaluation and alternatives should be considered early. Plasmapheresis is an adequate treatment option to achieve normal thyroid hormonal status.

Quantitative immunohistochemical examination of the local cellular reactions following implantation of biomaterials.

Examining the biocompatibility of implant materials includes the in vivo investigation of the local tissue response following implantation in experimental animals. By contrast to qualitative and semi-quantitative approaches often used in this field, a quantitative technique would facilitate a more accurate determination and better comparability of different studies. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the applicability of the free image analysis software ImageJ for fast, easy and reproducible quantification of the tissue response following implantation of titanium samples in rats with subsequent immunohistochemical examination of peri-implant tissue samples for monocytes and macrophages (ED1) and MHC class II positive antigen presenting cells (OX6). The quantification of positively stained cells in the vicinity of the implant pockets was based on a grid-supported manual count carried out using two ImageJ plugins (CellCounter, Grid) and resulted in a mean coefficient of variation of 13.8% (ED1) and 19.6% (OX6) between different investigators and 10.0% (ED1) and 13.8% (OX6) for repeated counting by the same investigator. In conclusion, ImageJ was found to be suitable for morphometric evaluation of the tissue response following implantation, particularly the analysis of discrete cellular events at the tissue-biomaterial interface. The procedure which was used is described in detail, and its advantages and disadvantages are discussed.

Antibody response to collagen after functional implantation of different polyester vascular prostheses in pigs.

Besides inflammation, specific immune responses are seen also after implantation of biomaterials. The aim was to investigate the humoral response to bovine collagen type I following implantation of various polyester (Dacron) prostheses into pigs. In 24 randomized pigs, the infrarenal aorta was replaced with a segment of collagen-impregnated, woven polyester prosthesis of low, medium, or high porosity. IgG antibodies were detected by immunoassay using native and denatured collagen type I as a target for blood samples taken on day 1 (implantation), 10, 17, 24, 62, and 116. As generally observed, antibodies to native and denatured collagen are of low titer and were significantly correlated with enhanced binding to the denatured form (p < 0.001). The highest overall antibody prevalence to native and denatured collagen was obtained on day 116 with 68% and on day 62 with 59%, respectively. Prostheses with high porosity induced an early immune response on day 10; those with low and medium porosity induced the highest antibody levels later after 2 months. Collagen antibodies neither correlated with serum IgG contents nor with antibodies to the prosthesis polyester matrix. Thus, humoral immune response against implant components may provide a further parameter in describing biocompatibility but also a potential marker that may facilitate monitoring of individual perigraft reaction.

[Effect of gum guar diet on feces microbiology in rats]. / Einfluss einer guarmehlhaltigen Diät auf die Fäkalflora von Ratten.

Approximately 8--10 days after gum guar was added to the diet of rats, the total bacterial counts in their feces, in particular Clostridium and Lactobacillus, were increased, whereas the number of coliforms was reduced. In contrast to the long, slender, rod-shaped cells in the Gram-stained fecal smears of the control animals, the feces of the gum guar-fed animals showed a predominance of short, broad, Gram-positive rods. When gum guar was omitted from the diet of these animals, their feces could not be distinguished from those of control animals.

Effect of indigestible polysaccharides on protein digestibility and nitrogen retention in growing rats.

The effect of five indigestible polysaccharides (IP) of different origin and chemical structure on N balance and dry matter digestibility was studied in growing rats. The diets contained 10% of gum guar (GG), carob bean gum (CBG), Na-alginate (Na-A), agar-agar (AA) or carrageenan (C), respectively. Dry matter digestibility and apparent protein digestibility were significantly decreased below control values by all 5 IP. N retention was significantly lower after ingestion of AA or C. In the rats receiving GG, CBG or Na-A urinary N excretion was reduced, thus compensating for increased fecal N losses by these animals. The different effects of the 5 substances on N balance are attributed to their partial breakdown through the action of intestinal microflora and/or their ability to partially inhibit the activity of proteolytic enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract. Trypsin inhibition in vitro was observed for C only. Suitability of the various IP as bulking agents in reducing diets is discussed.

[Effect of gum guar in diet on nitrogen balance, protein metabolism and food transit time in rats]. / Der Einfluss von Guarmehl in der Nahrung auf die Stickstoffbilanz, den Proteinstoffwechsel und die Transitzeit der Nahrung in Ratten.

The addition of 5% gum guar to a diet containing 10% casein did not change the overall N retention of young rats but induced a significant shift in the N excretion from urine to feces, resulting in a markedly decreased apparent protein digestibility. The increase in total fecal dry matter over control values accounted for only 30% of the ingested gum guar implying that 70% was absorbed, possibly after being degraded by intestinal micro-organisms. The elimination of 14C activity following oral application of 14C protein indicated an accelerated turnover of amino acids during the first 3 h. After 25 h no difference between experimental and control animals was evident with respect to 14C activity remaining in the carcass. The transit time of food, as determined by neutron activation analysis of an Ytterbium marker, was somewhat decreased in the presence of gum guar.

The effect of non-protein food constituents on the nutritive value of radiation-sterilized casein.

The effect of radiation sterilization on casein alone and in the presence of glucose or starch was assessed by means of nitrogen balance studies in growing rats and compared to the effect of heat sterilization. No decrease in protein digestibility and utilization was noticed in the irradiated samples nor did the presence of glucose or starch during processing cause and changes of these parameters. Following heat sterilization of casein in the presence of glucose there was a significant reduction in protein digestibility and Net Protein Utilization (NPU). These changes were accompanied by a drastic decline of available lysine. The inclusion of 3% agar-agar (aqueous solution) in the diet induced a drastic rise in endogenous faecal nitrogen losses and a corresponding decrease in apparent protein digestibility and NPU.

The nutritional value of irradiated casein-fat mixtures-effect of anaerobic conditions, storage time, added vitamin E and degree of unsaturation of lipids.

The effect of oxygen elimination during irradiation (5 Mrad) and subsequent storage, storage time (12 weeks), degree of lipid-unsaturation and added antioxidant (vitamin E) in protein-lipid mixtures (casein : fat - 11.1 : 4) on the nutritive value of protein was studied during 8-day nitrogen balance trials in 12 groups of 6 weanling rats each. When casein-cocofat-cornoil mixtures were irradiated and stored under aerobic conditions a reduction of NPU appeared upon prolonged storage time, which was prevented by excluding oxygen during irradiation and storage. When the lipid component consisted entirely of cocofat no loss in NPU occurred under aerobic processing and storage conditions throughout the 12 week storage period. Replacement of cocofat through sunfloweroil resulted in a drastic reduction of NPU and in growth inhibition, which was not prevented by the addition of vitamin E (0.05 g/100 g lipid). Irradiation of casein-lipid mixtures resulted in a significant increase of carbonyl compounds. A further increase was effectively prevented by elimination of oxygen during irradiation and storage. A drastic increase of carbonyl compounds as well as a significant reduction of available lysine occurred in casein-sunfloweroil mixtures. Added vitamin E afforded only limited protection against these changes.

[Thoracic aortic interventions]. / Intervention an der thorakalen Aorta.

The treatment of thoracic aortic diseases has undergone a paradigm shift due to the introduction and further development of interventional techniques in recent years. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of the descending aorta has significantly lower mortality and complication rates compared to open repair. Meanwhile this endovascular approach is the first option for the treatment of the majority of thoracic aortic diseases.

In vivo investigation of the inflammatory response against allylamine plasma polymer coated titanium implants in a rat model.

Titanium (Ti) is an established biomaterial for bone replacement. However, facilitation of osteoblast attachment by surface modification with chemical groups could improve the implant performance. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of a plasma polymerized allylamine (PPAAm) layer on the local inflammation in a rat model. Three series (RM76AB, RM78AB, RM77AB) of PPAAm-treated Ti plates were prepared using different plasma conditions. Twelve male LEW.1A rats received one plate of each series and one uncoated control plate implanted into the back musculature. After 7, 14 and 56 days, four rats were euthanized to remove the implants with surrounding tissue. Total monocytes/macrophages, tissue macrophages, T-cells and MHC-class-II-positive cells were morphometrically counted. On day 14, the macrophage/monocyte number was significantly higher for the controls than for the PPAAm samples. On day 56, the RM76AB and RM78AB samples had significantly lower numbers than RM77AB and the controls. The same was found for the tissue macrophages. No change over time and no differences between the implants were found for the T-cells. For the number of MHC-class-II-positive cells, a significant decrease was found only for the RM78AB implants between day 14 and day 56. Physico-chemical analysis of the PPAAm implants revealed that the RM77AB implants had the lowest water absorption, the highest nitrogen loss and the lowest oxygen uptake after sonication. These results demonstrate that the PPAAm samples and the controls were comparable regarding local inflammation, and that different plasma conditions lead to variations in the material properties which influence the tissue reaction.

[Effect of germination on protein quality of wheat and mung beans--studies of nitrogen balance in growing rats]. / Der Einfluss der Keimung auf die Proteinqualität von Weizen und Mungbohnen--Stickstoffbilanzversuche an wachsenden Ratten.

The bioavailability of limiting amino acids (lysine, cystine and methionine), which are formed during the germination of wheat and mung beans, was assessed in nitrogen balance trials on growing rats. In addition, the influence of heat treatment on the protein nutritional value of wheat and mung beans was determined. Compared to ungerminated wheat, net protein utilization (NPU) and biological value (BV) increased from 30% and 36% to 41% and 52%, respectively. Apparent protein digestibility (PD) decreased from 82% to 79% during 4 day germination. Heat treatment improved PD from 82% to 85% in ungerminated wheat, but not during germination. NPU and BV were not changed by heat treatment. Feeding germinated mung beans caused a markedly reduced feed intake by the animals, which made it impossible to evaluate changes in protein nutritional value during germination. Heat treatment of ungerminated mung beans improved PD, NPU and BV from 77%, 38% and 49% to 81%, 48% and 60%, respectively. The results indicate that the amino acids, in particular lysine, which are formed in germinating wheat, are available to the rat. Heat treatment will improve considerably the protein nutritional value of ungerminated mung beans.

[Biological availability of zinc in whole grain products with different phytate contents]. / Biologische Verfügbarkeit von Zink in Getreidevollkornprodukten mit unterschiedlichem Phytatgehalt.

Due to its high phytate content, the bioavailability of zinc in whole meal cereal products is distinctly lower as compared to foods of animal origin. The effect of reducing the phytate content of cereal products made from rye and wheat on growth, zinc content of femur and blood serum, as well as on the activity of serum alkaline phosphatase was investigated during a 3-week feeding trial in growing rats. The reduction of phytate was achieved by controlling the phytase activity originally present in cereals. By these treatments, the molar phytic acid/zinc ratio in the cereal products was reduced from 27-37 to 3-18. The four parameters under investigation showed a significant improvement in zinc bioavailability with decreasing phytic acid/zinc ratios. The relevance of these results for man and the value of the molar phytic acid/zinc ratio as an indicator of the bioavailability of zinc in foods are discussed.

[Determination of fecal bacterial nitrogen in rats]. / Ein Beitrag zur Bestimmung des bakteriellen Kotstickstoffs bei Ratten.

A simple method is described by which the fecal flora of rats has been isolated with high recovery and a high purity grade. Total nitrogen and 2.6-diamino-pimelic acid were determined in the isolated bacteria. From both values a factor was calculated, which permits the estimation of fecal bacterial nitrogen from fecal DAP content. In the feces of rats on a semisynthetic control diet (4% cellulose) this factor was 15.7. Addition of 8% guar (by substitution for starch) resulted in a drastic increase in fecal DAP content thus lowering the factor to 11.5. When the proportion of cellulose in the control diet was raised from 4 to 12%, no change in the factor was observed. This indicates a pronounced effect on the bacterial activity by guar but not by cellulose. It is concluded that the factor used to calculate fecal microbial nitrogen from fecal DAP content is dependent on the kind of dietary fiber ingested.

[Effect of guar flour on endogenous nitrogen excretion in rats determined by the 15N-tracer technic]. / Der Einfluss von Guarmehl auf die endogene Stickstoffausscheidung bei Ratten, bestimmt mit Hilfe der 15N-Tracer-Technik.

The metabolic fecal nitrogen was determined in 8 young rats (90-100 g body weight) using a single oral dose of 75 mg 15N-glycine. Four rats were fed a diet containing 8% guar and 4 rats received a control diet without guar. Compared to the control group, apparent protein digestibility and nitrogen balance were significantly lower in the guar group. After an initial steep rise the 15N-elimination in feces and urine (days 2-8 after 15N-glycine application) followed an exponential curve in at least 2 phases, with increasing half-time values. The proportion of metabolic fecal nitrogen to total fecal nitrogen was calculated from the 15N-atom-% excess, determined daily in urine and in feces. This calculation is based on the assumption that the specific 15N-activity (15N-atom-% excess) in urine represents the specific 15N-activity of the endogenous nitrogen pool. The addition of guar raised the proportion of metabolic fecal nitrogen from 51% (control) to 73%, corresponding to an increase in total fecal nitrogen loss (24 mg) observed in the guar-fed animals. This indicates that the rise in fecal nitrogen loss caused by guar is due almost entirely to enhanced secretion of endogenous nitrogen and not to undigested food protein. Based on the analysis of 2,6-diamino-pimelic acid in the feces of 4 rats the proportion of bacterial nitrogen in the feces was calculated. It amounted to 19.8% of total fecal N in the control group, and to 30.1% in the guar group, or to 39.4% and 44.4% of metabolic fecal nitrogen respectively. Obviously the increased dietary fiber intake also caused a rise in the amount of metabolic fecal nitrogen, which is derived from gastro-intestinal secretions and epithelial tissue.

Effect of dietary fiber on mineral absorption in growing rats.

The effect of "indigestible" polysaccharides fed at the 10% level in a semi-synthetic diet on absorption of Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr and Co, on weight gain and on fecal dry matter excretion was studied over a period of 8 days in five groups of 12 weanling male rats each and compared to a control group. Carrageenan (C) and agar-agar (AA) reduced absorption of all minerals tested, Na-alginate (NA-A) decreased Fe-, Cr- and Co-absorption, carob bean gum (CBG) and gum guar (GG) interfered with the absorption of Zn, Cr, Cu and Co. In a second study the long-term effect of GG and AA-ingestion at the 10% dietary level on mineral absorption was investigated during three 4-day balance periods of a 21-week feeding trial in 24 young rats. Mineral content of rat carcasses, assayed at the termination of the experimental period, did not reveal any significant differences between controls and animals fed AA or GG, suggesting that the rat is able to compensate for the increased fecal losses, presumably by reduced urinary losses. Ingestion of AA, C or Na-A resulted in a marked increase of fecal dry matter, indicating that hardly any of these substances were degraded, whereas a considerable portion of GG and CBG was metabolized, presumably due to the action of intestinal bacteria.

[The effect of cellulose on endogenous nitrogen excretion in rats, evaluated using N-15 technics]. / Der Einfluss von Cellulose auf die endogene Stickstoffausscheidung bei Ratten, bestimmt mit Hilfe der 15N-Technik.

Metabolic faecal nitrogen excretion was assessed in 8 young rats (90-100 g body weight) following an oral application of 75 mg 15N-glycine (95 atom-% 15N). Four rats received an experimental diet containing 12% cellulose, while a control diet containing 4% cellulose was fed to the remaining 4 animals. The high cellulose content induced a highly significant reduction of the N balance due to a greatly increased urinary N excretion. The metabolic faecal nitrogen was determined by measuring 15N excretion in faeces and urine from day 5 (3) to day 8 following 15N glycine administration. During this time interval 15N elimination follows an exponential curve. Increasing the dietary cellulose content from 4 to 12% produced a rise in metabolic faecal nitrogen from 13.9 to 15.7 mg/day and in total faecal nitrogen from 21.3 to 24.4 mg/day. From these values a mean true protein digestibility of 98% was calculated for both groups of rats, regardless of the difference in dietary cellulose content. The fraction of endogenous faecal nitrogen which is of bacterial origin was determined through the analysis of 2, 6-diamino-pimelic acid (DAP). The added cellulose in the experimental diet caused a rise in faecal DAP from 0.302 to 0.402 mg/day corresponding to an increase of bacterial nitrogen from 5.2 to 6.4 mg/day. Accordingly the observed rise in endogenous faecal nitrogen is largely due to increased bacterial nitrogen.