Synthesis of M-UiO-66 (M = Zr, Ce or Hf) employing 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid as a linker: defect chemistry, framework hydrophilisation and sorption properties.

Metal-organic frameworks of general composition [M6(OH)4(O)4(PDC)6-x(Cl)2x(H2O)2x] with M = Zr, Ce, Hf; PDC2- = 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylate and 0 ≤ x ≤ 2 were obtained under reflux using formic, nitric or acetic acid as an additive. Rietveld refinements carried out using a fixed occupancy of the linker molecules according to the results of thermogravimetric measurements confirmed that the MOFs crystallize in the UiO-66 type structure and demonstrate that the structural models describe the data well. Further characterization was carried out by NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Zr K-edge EXAFS- and Ce L3-edge XANES measurements. To highlight the influence of the additional nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring, luminescence and vapour sorption measurements were carried out. The hydrophilisation of the MOFs was shown by the adsorption of water at lower p/p0 (<0.2) values compared to the corresponding BDC-MOFs (0.3). For water and methanol stability cycling adsorption experiments were carried out to evaluate the MOFs as potential adsorbents in heat transformation applications.

Hiding and perspective taking in long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis).

Seven long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) were trained by threats not to drink from a juice nipple as long as an experimenter was facing them. However, they were allowed to drink when the experimenter was standing with his or her back turned. During transfer tests, the monkeys had a choice between 2 juice nipples, one uncovered and the other hidden from the experimenter by a wooden screen, while the experimenter was facing them. We tested whether the monkeys would then prefer to drink behind the screen, thus demonstrating that they transferred knowledge acquired during training. Results did not yield a significant outcome, suggesting that the macaques did not transfer the observable "experimenter's visible open eyes" and that they did not take the experimenter's perspective.

[Ethological methods exemplified by early childhood autism]. / Ethologische Untersuchungsmethoden am Beispiel des frühkindlichen Autismus.

When humans are primarily impaired or overtaxed in their more elaborate abilities of coping with the social environment they seem to fall back on more primitive coping behaviours known from other mammals in severe conflict situations. This seems true for some behaviours in early childhood autism. Ethology has specialized in analyzing such non-verbal behaviour. Ethological motivation analysis, the study of context dependence and of the development of such behaviours in the individual patient should be exploited for their interpretation. Mere description of behaviour is not likely to contribute much. Psychiatric thinking on the interaction of genetic and environmental factors does not fully agree with ethological and biological views.

[Resistant anemia in resistant patients]. / Resistente Anämie bei resistentem Patienten.

A 93 year old man with a severe anaemia with possible origin in the gastrointestinal tract refused any clarifying examinations except palliative blood transfusions. Within half a year, he received 48 red blood cell transfusions without any diagnostic or other therapeutically steps. To further decide on treatment strategies, we discussed this problematic case with our local ethic committee and found a reasonable treatment solution

[Hyperuricemia: explain, ignore or treat?]. / Hyperurikämie: abklären, vergessen, behandeln?

Human purin metabolism is summarized briefly and the terms primary and secondary gout are defined. Asymptomatic hyperuricemia as a risk factor for gout, urate nephropathy and ischemic heart disease is discussed. Treatment modalities of hyperuricemia are presented.

Characterization of a lectin-binding storage protein from pea (Pisum sativum).

From the storage proteins of the pea (Pisum sativum), the fraction which interacts with the pea lectin by the sugar-binding site was studied. By electrophoretical subunit patterns and other criteria, this fraction resembles the group of the 7S storage proteins (vicilins). The fraction was resolved into subunits by micropreparative SDS PAGE. The N-terminal sequences of the individual subunits were determined. Most of these are identical with published vivilin subunit sequences; therefore this lectin-binding fraction belongs to the vicilins. Selected subunits and tryptic fragments were analysed for amino-acid compositions. Though unequivocal assignments to vicilin segments were possible, significant differences could be recognized, in particular in the tryptic fragments.

[Case report and discussion of a patient with polymyositis, fibrosing alveolitis and scleroderma-like involvement of the right hand]. / Fallbeschreibung und Diskussion eines Patienten mit Polymyositis, fibrosierender Alveolitis und sklerodermieähnlichem Befall der rechten Hand.

It is important to know the diagnostic procedure and therapy of polymyositis (PM) inspite of its rare incidence. We describe a case with PM, interstitial lung disease, high titers of anti-Jo-1-antibodies and affection of the right hand, that could be followed over 11 years. The differentiation of PM from neurologic diseases and toxic myopathies is mentioned. The patient was successfully treated with cyclosporin over a period of 20 months, but he is now in remission while receiving steroids alone. We emphasize the importance of early treatment of PM with high-dose steroids and the addition of immunosuppressive drugs (azathioprin, methotrexate, cyclophosphamid) in cases with high disease activity or resistance to steroids. In the treatment of PM/DM immunoglobulins play an increasingly important role. The problems of long-term treatment with steroids are of special interest.

[Granulomatous hepatitis caused by nomifensine]. / Granulomatöse Hepatitis auf Nomifensin.

Four patients are described who developed granulomatous hepatitis 4-6 weeks after treatment with nomifensin. The granulomas were located both in the portal tract and the liver parenchyma, and contained eosinophils and a few polynuclear giant cells. Serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and bilirubin were raised in three, two and one patient respectively. After medication was discontinued all abnormalities disappeared within 6-10 weeks. After oral intake of 25-50 mg nomifensin all patients experienced paroxysms of high body temperature for several hours. Reexposure in one patient resulted in another fever spike 6 hours after ingestion. No other cause of the fever or the granulomatous hepatitis was identifiable. The clinical data, especially the simultanous occurrence of drug fever and the histologic pattern, are compatible with an allergic mechanism of the liver granulomas. In the presence of high fever and abnormal liver tests in relation to nomifensin treatment, an allergic drug reaction should be considered.