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Notizen: Dispersibility of soy protein isolates was improved by adjusting pH to 12 and acidifying to pH 6.5. Alkaline treated isolates added to reconstituted nonfat milk reduced rennet induced coagulum firmness and syneresis more than did untreated soy protein isolates. Treated soy protein added to reconstituted nonfat dry milk reduced coagulum firmness and syneresis more than untreated soy protein. Soy protein interference with coagulum firmness and syneresis increased with an increase in pH becoming most severe at pH values above 11. Adjusting the pH of reconstituted NFDM in the absence of soy protein to pH 8 and holding for 30 min before adjusting it back to pH 6.5 had no effect on coagulum firmness or syneresis. However, higher pH treatments (pH 10 and above) caused reduction in coagulum firmness and in syneresis.

Notizen: The morphology of the lipid phase and resistance to penetration of different brands of commercial wieners, ring bologna and braunschweiger were studied. Even though consistent results were not obtained from all products, it was suggested that products with a smaller lipid globule size had a greater resistance to penetration.

Notizen: Abstract Induction by light of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL; EC 4.3.1.5) and of anthocyanin in cotyledons of the mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seedling is strongly affected by a light pretreatment which operates through phytochrome. If PAL or anthocyanin is induced by a light pulse, the effectiveness of phytochrome (Pfr) is strongly increased by a light pretreatment; however, if the increase of the PAL level or synthesis of anthocyanin is elicited by continuous far-red light (operating via phytochrome in the ‘High Irradiance Response’), effectiveness of light is strongly reduced by the same light pretreatment. This reduction of effectiveness is correlated with a decrease of total phytochrome (Ptot) caused by the light pretreatment. It is argued that the observations are compatible only with the ‘open phytochrome-receptor model’ as suggested by Schäfer (J. Mathem. Biol. 2, 41–56, 1975). The peaks of the time courses of the PAL levels under continous far-red light are located at 48 h after sowing and do not depend on the original level of phytochrome. The decrease of the PAL levels beyond 48 h after sowing takes place independently of phytochrome and of the actual level of PAL.

Notizen: Summary A simple method for the combined examination of the cervical spinal canal with Amipaque, and of the craniocervical junction with air, by one and the same puncture without changing the patient's position during the examination, is described.

Notizen: Summary The non-ionic water-soluble contrast medium metrizamide (Amipaque®) allows the examination of all regions of the spinal canal. Excellent visualization, the low toxicity for nervous tissue, and small side effects make metrizamide the best contrast medium for myelography, even in infants and children. The technique used is described and results are demonstrated.

Notizen: Summary Within a test of interobserver variability 88 CCT images were described by four physicians. In spite of a standardized documentation method, first results demonstrate that continuous quality control is necessary if the data is gathered into CCT data bases. The evaluation of uncontrolled data seems to be limited.

Notizen: Summary Lumbar myelography was carried out with the contrast media Amipaque, Dimer X and Myelografin in 10 patients each. Five of the patients treated with each contrast medium were kept in a sitting position after the examination, the others lay flat. Blood levels and excretion were measured up to 24 h. The results are interpreted as follow: 1. After lumbar injection of the contrast media there is a short phase of distribution in the subarachnoid space (lag time) and they then are transferred into the blood with a half-life of 3.9±2.4 h. The transport from the CSF is almost completed approximately after 24h. The velocity of transport varies greatly between the individual patients. Watersoluble contrast media presumably flow passively with the CSF through the arachnoid villi into the venous blood. 2. The horizontal position of the patient reduces the lag time until the beginning of the actual transfer of the contrast medium. 3. The transfer of Dimer X begins somewhat later compared with Amipaque and Myelografin.

Notizen: Summary This manuscript reviews recent studies on the characterization of functional surface antigens on human NK cells. A series of cloned NK cell lines has been utilized for examination of these structures. These clones provide a relatively large number of cells with a stable phenotype and consistent specific cytotoxicity, which reflect the diversity of uncultured NK cells in normal peripheral blood. Almost all clones express the T11 antigen, some have a mature T-cell phenotype (T3+, T11+), and only one (JT1) does not reveal any T-cell antigen at all (T3−, T11+). Using NK clones to generate monoclonal antibodies specific for NK-associated antigens, two structures have been identified, NKH1 and NKH2. NKH1 appears to be exclusively expressed on large granular lymphocytes (LGL) of peripheral blood and was found to be a pan-NK cell antigen. NKH2 is also expressed primarily by LGL, but NKH2-positive LGL do not display a high level of NK activity. Another surface structure that has been found to play an important role in NK cell function is the T11 antigen/E rosette receptor complex, which is expressed in 80% of peripheral blood NK cells. The T11 antigen complex has been described as possessing the T111, T112, and T113 antigens and is an important alternate pathway for antigen-independent T-cell activation. Using anti-T112 and anti-T113 monoclonal antibodies, IL-2 receptor expression could be induced on various NK clones if they expressed the correct T11 antigenic epitope. As anti-T112/3 antibodies had a direct proliferative effect on NK cells with mature T-cell phenotype (T3+), it is proposed that the production of IL-2 by NK clones is largely dependent on the T-cell phenotype of NK cells. All NK clones expressed IL-2 receptor at low density and therefore needed a ten fold higher concentration for maximal proliferation than T-cell clones. For some T-cell-like NK clones, the T3 antigen complex and a T-cell receptor-like structure, NKTa or NKTb, have been shown to define the target cell specificity. The activation antigen, TNKTAR, was characterized as the recognition structure on the target cell for these NK cells. For both T3− and T3+ NK clones, the LFA-1 antigen has been shown to play an important role in effector/target cell interaction. As previously described for CTL, the LFA-1 molecule is involved in NK cytotoxicity as a nonspecific adhesion-strengthening molecule at the effector cell level. In summary, NK cells have been found to have a number of unique surface antigens such as NKH1 and NKH2, which can be used to identify and characterize NK cells in vivo. In addition, analysis of surface antigens on NK cells has identified a number of functional structures, such as T11, T3, NKTa and LFA-1, which are shared by T-cells and which function in a fashion similar to both types of cells. Taken together, this analysis therefore indicates that NK cells have a strong functional relationship with T-cells and supports the conclusion that these cells are derived from the T-cell lineage.

Notizen: Summary The study reported here was undertaken to establish the degree to which a person in a preclinical state of hyperthyroidism, with (by definition) euthyroid T3 and T4 levels but suppressed TRH on testing, already exhibits psychological changes and clinical symptoms. Two groups of 20 patients each, with clear clinical and preclinical hyperthyroidism (as defined by laboratory parameters), were studied, as well as a group of 20 controls. The subjects' psychological state of mind was investigated using self-rating scales, including the state-trait-anxiety inventory (STAI), „Befindlich-keits“-Skala (Bf-S'), depression scale (D-S'), and a list of adjectives (EWL-K) with 14 different aspects of affective moods. Cognitive achievements were evaluated using the d2 test. Subjects were examined for somatic symptoms in accordance with Crooks' index of hyperthyroidism. The results clearly showed that typical psychological and somatic changes are already present in preclinical hyperthyroidism, these changes being partly identical with those of definite hyperthyroidism. In both patient groups, a significant increase in anxiety, a sense of not feeling well, and emotional irritability were found, as well as a tendency towards depressiveness, and an increased lack of vitality and activity. Attentiveness and concentration in both patient groups were lower than in the control group. Both patient groups showed the same prevalence of symptoms, such as palpipations, preference of cold over heat, excessive sweating, nervousness, fine digital tremor, and increased heart rate. With regard to the results, the diagnosis “preclinical hyperthyroidism” thus gains importance. Further prospective studies are required to answer the question whether antithyroidal treatment will influence the described psychological and somatic state of patients with preclinical hyperthyroidism.