Bubble statistics and dynamics in double-stranded DNA.

The dynamical properties of double-stranded DNA are studied in the framework of the Peyrard-Bishop-Dauxois model using Langevin dynamics. Our simulations are analyzed in terms of two distribution functions describing localized separations ("bubbles") of the double strand. The result that the bubble distributions are more sharply peaked at the active sites than thermodynamically obtained distributions is ascribed to the fact that the bubble lifetimes affect the distributions. Certain base-pair sequences are found to promote long-lived bubbles, and we argue that this is a result of length scale competition between the nonlinearity and disorder present in the system.

Studies on the pre-alpha-lipoprotein in patients with familial lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency.

The present study shows that regular alpha1- and pre-alpha-lipoproteins cannot be detected in serum of patients with familial lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency. After electrophoresis on agarose gel only one single band of albumin mobility was observed in the alpha1-pre-alpha-region. In contrast to sera of normal subjects neither the anodic front nor the cathodic part of this region revealed any lipoprotein bands in the patients studied. The lack of the cathodic part might be related to a low amount of alpha1-lipoprotein. The apparent lack of the anodic front could be related to a low amount of "albumin-Apo-A-I-containing lipoprotein" (AAL). AAL was not detected with conventional methods in LCAT deficient sera. The alpha1-lipoprotein was made up of two immunologically identical peaks, both of which had a Sudanophilic character. After incubation of lysolecithin with albumin and AAL and subsequent thin layer chromatography, a significant lysolecithin-binding capacity of AAL was demonstrated, superior to that possessed by albumin.

Learning cyclic signaling pathway structures while minimizing data requirements.

Bayesian network structure learning is a useful tool for elucidation of regulatory structures of biomolecular pathways. The approach however is limited by its acyclicity constraint, a problematic one in the cycle-containing biological domain. Here, we introduce a novel method for modeling cyclic pathways in biology, by employing our newly introduced Generalized Bayesian Networks (GBNs). Our novel algorithm enables cyclic structure learning while employing biologically relevant data, as it extends our cycle-learning algorithm to permit learning with singly perturbed samples. We present theoretical arguments as well as structure learning results from realistic, simulated data of a biological system. We also present results from a real world dataset, involving signaling pathways in T-cells.

On the origin of the invasive olives (Olea europaea L., Oleaceae).

The olive tree (Olea europaea) has successfully invaded several regions in Australia and Pacific islands. Two olive subspecies (subspp. europaea and cuspidata) were first introduced in these areas during the nineteenth century. In the present study, we determine the origin of invasive olives and investigate the importance of historical effects on the genetic diversity of populations. Four invasive populations from Australia and Hawaii were characterized using eight nuclear DNA microsatellites, plastid DNA markers as well as ITS-1 sequences. Based on these data, their genetic similarity with native populations was investigated, and it was determined that East Australian and Hawaiian populations (subsp. cuspidata) have originated from southern Africa while South Australian populations (subsp. europaea) have mostly derived from western or central Mediterranean cultivars. Invasive populations of subsp. cuspidata showed significant loss of genetic diversity in comparison to a putative source population, and a recent bottleneck was evidenced in Hawaii. Conversely, invasive populations of subsp. europaea did not display significant loss of genetic diversity in comparison to a native Mediterranean population. Different histories of invasion were inferred for these two taxa with multiple cultivars introduced restoring gene diversity for europaea and a single successful founder event and sequential introductions to East Australia and then Hawaii for cuspidata. Furthermore, one hybrid (cuspidata x europaea) was identified in East Australia. The importance of hybridizations in the future evolution of the olive invasiveness remains to be investigated.

[Retrolental fibroplasia--a preventable disease? (author's transl)]. / Retrolentale Fibroplasie--eine vermedibare Krankheit?

Retrolental Fibroplasia has a high incidence in premature infants of low gestational age. The most susceptible period for developing retrolental fibroplasia is the immature vascularisation of the retina during the 28th to 40th gestational week. The disease is caused by the direct effect of oxygen administration. Retrolental fibroplasia is associated with the concentration of oxygen administered and the length of time in supplemental oxygen. There is also a significant association between its development and severe apnea requiring bag and mask resuscitation maintaining ambient oxygen concentration during the procedure. Furthermore there is an association between retrolental fibroplasia and the amount of adult blood transfused. Infants with these factors are at high risk to develop retrolental fibroplasia. Preductal PaO2-level should be kept between 60 and 70 mm Hg and supervised by continuous transcutaneous readings. There is some concern about intermittent arterial sampling. Problems of interpreting PaO2-analyses are discussed. 25 mg Vitamin E are recommended for prevention. There are many management protocols and techniques during neonatal intensive care of premature infants for prevention of the disease. Premature infants at risk should have a close time schedule for ophthalmoscopy.

[Intensive care in pediatrics (author's transl)]. / Intensivmedizin in der Pädiatrie.

Centralized treatment of critically ill pediatric patients and related problems are presented. Pediatric intensive care allows to overbridge deranged or interrupted organ functions while simultaneously treating the disease causing the disturbance. Its efficiency depends on continuity of medical care. Medical and nursing staff should be trained in the use of specialized equipment, especially monitoring equipment and ventilators. Medical and nursing staff must know who is responsible for the patients all the time. Undivided medical responsibility and coordinated specialist care are essential. Some general points concerning design features, equipment and organisation of a pediatric intensive care unit are made. Some special aspects such as staffing, transportation of high-risk neonates, economy of operation and personal training programm are discussed. Results of pediatric intensive care at the University Children's Hospital Heidelberg are documented. Regionalisation of neonatal care is discussed based on the actuell situation in Baden-Württemberg.

Studies on the pre-alpha-lipoprotein of human serum. I. characterization of an albumin-containing lipoprotein.

In this study an albumin-containing lipoprotein is isolated by column affinity chromatography and electrophoresis. Its electrophoretic mobility is faster than that of albumin in agarose gel. Immunologically it reacts with anti-albumin and anti-apolipoprotein-A-I. No reaction is obtained against antibodies to any of the other previously known lipoportein families: Apo-AII, Apo-B, Lp(a), Apo-C, LpX, Apo-D or Apo-E ('the arginine rich peptide'). It differs from purified albumin in having higher amounts of glycine, serine and glutamic acid. Moreover, the molecular weight is estimated to 80,000 as compared to 67,000 for albumin.

Salicylate saturation index in neonatal jaundice.

30 serum samples from premature and newborn infants with non-haemolytic hyperbilirubinaemia were analyzed to prove the accuracy of determination of albumin binding capacity for bilirubin. The salicylate method of Odell was used to determine the saturation index of albumin indicated by a decrease in optical density through displaced bilirubin. Bilirubin is stoichometrically displaced from albumin by the addition of salicylate. The values of the sautration index correspond to free binding sites. Analysis of our data demonstrated that there is no direct correlation between the saturation index (SI) and total serum bilirubin/albumin concentration quotient. Methodical errors, problems in statistics and other theoretical concepts are discussed. The salicylate method is not suitable for accurate determination of albumin binding capacity for bilirubin.

[Transporation of high-risk new borns (author's transl)]. / Zum Transport von Risiko -Neugeborenen

Organisation and results of a mobile intensive unit for high-risk neonates are reported. Within one year 134 transporations were required. Temperatures of the incubator from the beginning and the end of the transports as well as body temperature, blood gas analysis and blood sugar concentration of the neonates at arrival were choosen for quality control. The mortality of the newborn infants after admission was evaluated. The indications for transportation of severely ill infants are listed and the transport equipment is described.

[Technique for intraventricular application of antibiotics in bacterial meningitis of the newborn (author's transl)]. / Technik der intraventrikulären Antibiotika-Applikation bei bakterieller Neugeborenen-Meningitis.

A new technique for intraventricular application of antibiotics by means of an indwelling catheter is described for the treatment of bacterial meningitis in the newborn. In cases of neonatal gram-negative meningitis with proven ventriculitis resistant to systemic therapy alone, a ventricular tap is performed. Through the needle an indwelling catheter is inserted into the right lateral ventricle. After removal of the needle the remaining catheter is used for obtaining ventricular fluid for diagnostic purposes as well as for direct intraventricular injection of antibiotics. This catheter can easily be inserted while the child is in the incubator in a neonatal intensive care unit, avoiding neurosurgery. Our present treatment procedure for neonatal meningitis is described.

[Hyaline membrane disease: pulmonary changes and complications during ventilatory assistance in preterm infants (authors transl)]. / Das idiopathische Atemnotsyndrom: Pulmonale Veränderungen und Komplikationen unter Respiratortherapie bei Frühgeborenen

The changing pattern of hyaline membrane disease and its iatrogenic complications during respiratory treatment are reviewed. The typical roentgenologic symptoms of pulmonary interstitial emphysema, pseudocyst, pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum, pneumothorax, pneumopericardium, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary heamorrhage are described and illustrated. Their relevance for clinical management is discussed.

[Neonatal information system II: computer-adapted examination form for the newborn (author's transl)]. / Neonatales Informationssystem II. Computerlesbarer Untersuchungsbogen für Neugeborene

For the documentation of the neonatal status we use computer-adapted optic mark reader forms since 1972. All important symptoms and signs are scheduled on two sheets and are assigned by pencil marking. The forms can be read automatically and are suitable for data processing. A copy remains in the patients clinical file and can be used like a conventionally written status. The mark reader forms improved singificantly our knowledge about the newborn's status. The problems of introducing the new documentation into the hospital routine are reported.

Accessory diaphragm. Report of 6 cases and a review of the literature.

Six cases of accessory diaphragm, associated with respiratory symptoms are reported and of them two have so far been proved, by operation and autopsy, respectively. The described 15 cases in the medical literature are reviewed. The accessory diaphragm consists of a fibromuscular membrane separating the affected hemithorax into two cavities and in three cases a nerve supply has been reported. The diagnosis can be made by simple frontal and lateral roentgenograms of the chest. Typically they show a small lung with shift of the mediastinum to the affected side, an area of increased hazy density, lack of sharpness of the mediastinal structures and the cardiac border on the affected side and a characteristic strip of increased density paralleling the sternum in the lateral view. Roentgenologic differential diagnosis includes lobar atelectasis and pulmonary hypoplasia. There is a high incidence of associated pulmonary maldevelopment of the ipsilateral side and of vascular and cardiac malformations. Improper timing in the interaction of lung buds and septum transversum with the development of a double diaphragm possibly is responsible for this rare congenital anomaly. Usually it is encountered on the right side. Since pulmonary maldevelopment maintains repeated or chronic respiratory infections, recognition and operative therapy are essential.

Development of biclonal gammopathy in a patient with von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis.

A well established case of von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis, in which a biclonal gammopathy developed, has been studied. One of the paraproteins was characterized as IgG kappa, the other as IgG lambda. This combination of anomalies has not been described previously in the literature.