Precision measurements of collective oscillations in the BEC-BCS crossover.

We report on precision measurements of the frequency of the radial compression mode in a strongly interacting, optically trapped Fermi gas of (6)Li atoms. Our results allow for a test of theoretical predictions for the equation of state in the BEC-BCS crossover. We confirm recent quantum Monte Carlo results and rule out simple mean-field BCS theory. Our results show the long-sought beyond-mean-field effects in the strongly interacting Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) regime.

Precise determination of 6Li cold collision parameters by radio-frequency spectroscopy on weakly bound molecules.

We employ radio-frequency spectroscopy on weakly bound (6)Li(2) molecules to precisely determine the molecular binding energies and the energy splittings between molecular states for different magnetic fields. These measurements allow us to extract the interaction parameters of ultracold (6)Li atoms based on a multichannel quantum scattering model. We determine the singlet and triplet scattering lengths to be a(s) = 45.167(8)a(0) and a(t) = -2140(18)a(0) (1a(0) = 0.052 917 7 nm), and the positions of the broad Feshbach resonances in the energetically lowest three s-wave scattering channels to be 83.41(15), 69.04(5), and 81.12(10) mT.

[The drug industry and research: status in Germany]. / Arzneimittelindustrie und Forschung: Standort Deutschland.

If globally active pharmaceutical companies are to remain competitive, it is essential for them to be able to conduct research and development on an appropriate scale. Generally, their respective domestic market forms their base. For that reason, conditions there should be research-and innovation-friendly. In addition, pharmaceutical research calls for very long-term investment decisions. Companies that become involved in this interaction of profit and loss differ fundamentally from state or public organizations. The ensuing conflict of interest has become increasingly evident in Germany since the end of the 70s. The regulatory environment surrounding the market has changed in all fields, be they fiscal, sociopolitical or in pharmaceutical legislation, into a confusing and incoherent body of regulations. Moreover, part of society is undecided about its attitude towards pharmaceutical progress and the introduction of new technologies. In view of these developments it is high time to change course and help ensure that one of the few remaining competitive sectors in Germany-and one with a promising future-stays in the country.

Combined antiviral effects of acyclovir or bromovinyldeoxyuridine and human immunoglobulin in herpes simplex virus-infected mice.

Suboptimal dosage regimens of antivirals (acyclovir or bromovinyldeoxyuridine) and human immunoglobulin have been combined in the treatment of hairless mice infected with herpes simplex virus type 1. The aim of this study was to establish how late after infection human immunoglobulin could be given to still be effective and for how long would the protective effect last. The combination of acyclovir or bromovinyldeoxyuridine with passive immunization proved additive or even synergistic depending on the time of immunoglobulin administration and the observation period after infection. When the survival rate of the mice was followed for up to 20 days postinfection, synergistic action seemed to occur with immunoglobulin given as late as 2 or 3 days after infection. When the mice were followed for up to 100 days after infection, however, it turned out that only the immunoglobulin given 4 h after infection led to a synergistic effect with the antivirals. Most of the mice subjected to combined treatment, in contrast to mice treated with the antivirals only, did not develop anti-HSV antibodies. This lack of a specific humoral immune response possibly reflects the rapid inhibition of virus replication early after challenge by the combined treatment, thus preventing the production of a sufficient amount of viral antigen in the body needed for a measurable antibody induction.

Dose-response relationship in the treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura with intravenous immunoglobulin.

The dose-response relationship in the intravenous immunoglobulin treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was studied in 20 adult patients in a multicenter prospective crossover trial. The rate of response increases from 3 out of 11 (27%) to 6 out of 10 treatment periods (60%) by raising the 7S-IgG dose given on 5 consecutive days from 164.50 +/- 24.55 to 359.65 +/- 58.62 mg/kg body weight. The onset and duration of response as well as the peak platelet count were found to be independent of the doses. A long-term benefit induced by intravenous immunoglobulin treatment could be achieved in 2 out of 14 patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Quality criteria for i.v. immunoglobulins: importance of tests and product properties.

Quality criteria for i.v. immunoglobulins (i.v. Igs) are critically discussed laying emphasis on spontaneous anticomplementary activity (aca) and size-dependent composition. Considering the percentage of fractions obtained by gel filtration (Ultrogel AcA 34), however, the monomeric IgG containing fraction contributed the major part of aca under the experimental conditions chosen. Subclass IgG3 seems to contribute considerably to aca. No correlation was found between aca and the percentage of fractions containing components larger in size than IgG dimers in various commercially available Igs. Moreover, the subclass distribution in different batches of individual products showed considerable variations. The amount of IgG4 is correlated with that of IgA in chemically unmodified products relatively poor in IgA (approx. less than or equal to 10 mg/5 g Ig), indicating that attempts to reduce IgA consequently result in removal of IgG4.

Treatment of acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura of childhood with intravenous immunoglobulin G: comparative efficacy of 7S and 5S preparations.

A prospective randomized study comparing 7S immunoglobulin G to a 5S IgG preparation for therapy of acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was conducted. The 5S preparation differed from the 7S preparation in that it lacked part of the Fc portion of the IgG molecule. Both groups were given 400 mg IgG/kg body weight over 5 days. All patients had platelet counts less than or equal to 30 X 10(9)/L before IgG infusion. Nine of the 10 patients in the 7S treatment group, compared with three of 10 patients in the 5S treatment group, responded to therapy with an increment in platelet counts greater than 100 X 10(9)/L within 4 days of completing the infusion treatment. Furthermore, the rate of increase of the platelets was more rapid in the 7S group. The results emphasize the efficacy of partial Fc for management of acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Quality criteria for i.v.-immunoglobulins: importance of tests and product properties.

Quality criteria for i.v.-immunoglobulins (i.v.- Igs) are critically discussed laying emphasis on spontaneous anticomplementary activity (aca) and size-dependent composition. Considering the percentage of fractions obtained by gel filtration (Ultrogel AcA 34), however, the monomeric IgG containing fraction contributed the major part of aca under the experimental conditions chosen. Subclass IgG3 seems to contribute considerably to aca. No correlation was found between aca and the percentage of fractions containing components larger in size than IgG dimers in various commercially available Igs. Moreover, the subclass distribution in different batches of individual products showed considerable variations. The amount of IgG4 is correlated with that of IgA in chemically unmodified products relatively poor in IgA (approx. less than or or equal to 10 mg/5 g Ig), indicating that attempts to reduce IgA consequently result in removal of IgG4.

[Chickenpox prevention in patients at risk with a special immunoglobulin]. / Varizellen-Prophylaxe bei Risikopatienten durch spezielles Immunglobulin.

Chickenpox, which normally is an innocuous disease in children, may cause serious sequelae in immunocompromised hosts. An open prospective study is presented, that comprised 96 of such patients. They were treated with 0,2 ml/kg Varicella-Zoster-Immunoglobulin (VZIG) prophylactically or after exposure. The immunoglobulin was given in between 72 hours after known contact, newborns received the injection at the day of delivery. After that the patients were followed for six weeks for documentation and assessment of protection. In 85 (88,5%) cases there was no manifestation of varicella. 10 patients showed mild forms of the disease; 3 of these had got the preparation within the recommended time gap of 72 hours after exposure. One child died from varicella pneumonia and haemorrhage. In this case the preparation had only been given 10 days after contact.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in renal transplant recipients. Preliminary results of prophylaxis by an intramuscular human hyperimmune CMV IgG.

Infectious diseases are the most serious complications in immunosuppressed patients and the major cause of death in renal transplant recipients (23, 44). Besides bacterial, fungal and protozoan infections, viruses of the human herpes group (herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus) are known to be of major importance (21, 37). The most common and clinically relevant virus of this group is the cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Treatment of vitreous hemorrhage in Rh-positive patients by intravitreal injection of anti-Rho-immunoglobulin.

22 Rh-positive patients suffering from vitreous hemorrhage caused by injuries to the eye, hypertension, or associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage, were treated with anti-Rh-immunoglobulin by intravitreal injection. 8 patients (36.4%) needed only one immunoglobulin injection and rapidly regained their former visual acuity. In 2 cases with repeated hemorrhage the result of the treatment was not satisfactory. The incidence of adverse effects was low.

Clinical trials in healthy volunteers with the new purified chick embryo cell rabies vaccine for man.

Behringwerke has developed the new, safe and economical purified chick embryo cell (PCEC) rabies vaccine. Due to the purification by zonal centrifugation the compatibility of this vaccine is excellent. Among 933 vaccinations in 219 healthy volunteers the only side-effect was mild pain at the injection-site in 17 vaccinations (1.7 per cent). The sero-conversion of PCEC rabies vaccine was 100 per cent in the tested healthy volunteers. The kinetics of antibody induction after PCEC rabies vaccine is comparable to antibody induction after HDC rabies vaccine. PCEC rabies vaccine induces cellular immunity as measured in lymphocyte transformation test, but no interferon activity.

Cytomegalo-immunoglobulin for intramuscular use. First experiences on bioavailability.

Results are given on tolerability and bioavailability of an intramuscular immunoglobulin (Ig) preparation (BI 2.011) with high titer against cytomegalo-virus (CMV). For rapid and long-lasting protection a dosage of 0.2 ml/kg body weight anti-CMV-Ig with a titer of 1:50 000 (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is recommended. Prophylaxis should be taken into account in seronegative patients suffering from immune defects, that experience transplantation surgery and/or multiple injections of blood products.