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Summary A method to produce viable and stabile dry microorganisms for food and agricultural purposes was developed. Spray-dried, freeze-dried or liquid culture concentrates of lactic acid-producing bacteria were mixed with various bulking agents to form a homogeneous wet granulation having a water content of 35–60% (w/w). The wet granulation was extruded through a dye onto a spinning plate (350–500 rpm) of a spheronizing device which resulted in the formation of discrete spherical particles. After forming spheres, the aggregate cell particles, both coated and uncoated, were dried to a moisture level of 5–10% using a temperature below the microorganism's optimum growth temperature. The coated and uncoated products were stored at different temperatures and periodically sampled to determine stability. Uncoated cell particles were more stabile at 4°C than at 22°C for 76 days. While both coated (with sodium alginate or carboxymethyl-cellulose) and uncoated particles showed similar stability at 4°C, at higher storage temperatures the applied coating improved the storage stability of the culture particles.

Seminiferous tubule basement membrane (STBM) plays an important role in spermatogenesis. In the present study, the composition and structural organization of type IV collagen of bovine STBM was investigated. STBM was found to be composed of all six alpha-chains of type IV collagen based upon immunocytochemical and biochemical analysis. The content of alpha3(IV) chain (40%) and the alpha4(IV) chain (18%) was substantially higher than in any other basement membrane collagen. The supramolecular structure of the six alpha(IV) chains was investigated using pseudolysin (EC 3.4.24.26) digestion to excise triple-helical molecules, subsequent collagenase digestion to produce NC1 hexamers and antibody affinity chromatography to resolve populations of NC1 hexamers. The hexamers, which reflect specific arrangements of alpha(IV) chains, were characterized for their alpha(IV) chain composition using high performance liquid chromatography, two-dimensional electrophoresis, and immunoblotting with alpha(IV) chain-specific antibodies. Three major hexamer populations were found that represent the classical network of the alpha1(IV) and alpha2(IV) chains and two novel networks, one composed of the alpha1(IV)-alpha6(IV) chains and the other composed of the alpha3(IV)-alpha6(IV) chains. The results establish a structural linkage between the alpha3(IV) and alpha5(IV) chains, suggesting a molecular basis for the conundrum in which mutations in the gene encoding the alpha5(IV) chain cause defective assembly of the alpha3(IV) chain in the glomerular basement membrane of patients with Alport syndrome.

Abstract Endothelial dysfunction precedes and predicts transplant vasculopathy. We investigated the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and the vasoactive mediators nitric oxide and endothelin, 33.7 ± 2.0 days after heart transplantation. Coronary flow was measured in 18 patients to determine the endothelial microvascular vasomotor response to acetylcholine. Endomyocardial biopsies were taken to determine the levels of gene expression of isozymes of endothelin and nitric oxide synthases (NOS). Blood samples from the coronary sinus and aorta were withdrawn for measurement of endothelin, nitrite and cytokines. Five patients (30 %) showed an impaired coronary flow reserve response to acetylcholine, significantly higher inducible NOS gene expression and significant transcardiac nitrite production. Plasma nitrite correlated with tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels in coronary sinus and a transcardiac net extraction of endothelin was noted in all patients. In conclusion, 30 % of patients develop endothelial dysfunction early after heart transplantation; this correlates with the expression and activation of vasoactive and immunomodulatory mediators, which may predict the development of transplant vasculopathy.

Zusammenfassung Vor Beginn einer Schwangerschaft sollten alle gängigen Impfungen durchgeführt sein. Für Röteln ist die Feststellung des Immunstatus vor Schwangerschaftsbeginn angezeigt. Gegen andere die Schwangerschaft und das werdende Kind gefährdende Infektionen (Zytomegalie, Herpes simplex, Varizellen, Toxoplasmose, Ringelröteln) besteht die Möglichkeit der Feststellung des Immunstatus. Bei positivem Befund wurde die Infektion früher durchgemacht und es besteht Schutz vor Primärinfektion. Bei Zytomegalie-, Herpessimplex- und Varizelleninfektionen besteht allerdings die Möglichkeit einer rekurrierenden Infektion in der Schwangerschaft. Diese ist für das Kind jedoch weniger bedeutungsvoll als die Primärinfektion. Bei negativem Antikörperbefund für letztere Infektion sollte man sich vor Kontakt in der Schwangerschaft hüten. Bei Frauen der Risikogruppen in bezug auf Hepatitis B und HIV ist die Antigen- bzw. Antikörperbestimmung vor bzw. auch in der Schwangerschaft angezeigt. Bei Kontakt in Schwangerschaft mit Röteln, Varizellen, Hepatitis A und B besteht für die Seronegative die Möglichkeit der schnellen Verabreichung von Hyperimmunglobulinen, im Falle der Hepatitis B simultan mit der aktiven Impfung. Impfungen mit Lebendimpfstoffen in der Schwangerschaft sind prinzipiell kontraindiziert, jedoch im Falle der Röteln, Masern, Mumps, Varizellen oder Gelbfieber, falls erfolgt, keine Indikation zur Interruptio. Die Poliomyelitis-Auffrischimpfung kann auch im 1. und 2. Trimenon der Schwangerschaft durchgeführt werden. Die Impfung mit inaktivierten Impfstoffen oder Toxoiden ist auch in der Schwangerschaft möglich. Vorsichtshalber sollte man all diese Impfungen erst ab 2. Trimenon durchführen. Dies gilt auch bei Reisen in Gebiete, die eine Impfung gegen die eine oder andere Infektion erforderlich machen. Von Reisen z.B. in gelbfieber- oder auch malariaverseuchte Gebiete mit der Notwendigkeit einer z.Z. nicht mehr sicheren medikamentösen Prophylaxe und evtl. notwendigen Selbsttherapie sollte schwangeren Frauen abgeraten werden.

By absorption with protein A and specific immunosorption using insolubilized adsorbentia (CPG), a method was developed for rapid elimination of IgG and IgA from patients' serum samples. This test technique was examined in the diagnosis of rubella infections, i.e., rubella-specific IgM antibodies. The procedure has proven to be as reliable as determinations carried out with IgM fractions separated on a sucrose density gradient.

Zusammenfassung: Sowohl f�r die forstliche Praxis als auch f�r Regionalplanungen k�nnen Schattenkartierungen eine reelle Entscheidungshilfe bieten. Zur Vermeidung aufwendiger Gel�ndearbeiten wird ein theoretisch-mathematisches Verfahren angegeben, um einzig aus topographischen Karten mit Hilfe von EDV-Anlagen tages- und jahreszeitliche Variationen von Besonnung und Beschattung (ohne Bew�lkungseinflu�) zu ermitteln. Die horizontale und zeitliche Aufl�sung des Modells ist variabel. Als Beispiel werden ausgew�hlte Schattenkartierungen f�r das Gebiet des k�nftigen Nationalparks K�nigssee vorgelegt.

We have examined the adhesion of primary Sertoli cells to a seminiferous tubule basement membrane (STBM) preparation in vitro. The STBM isolation procedure (Watanabe, T.K., L.J. Hansen, N.K. Reddy, Y.S. Kanwar, and J.K. Reddy, 1984, Cancer Res., 44:5361-5368) yields segments of STBM that retain their histotypic form in both three-dimensional tubular geometry and ultrastructural appearance. The STBM sleeves contain two laminae: a thick, inner basal lamina that was formed in vivo between Sertoli cells and peritubular myoid cells; and a thinner, outer basal lamina that was formed between myoid cells and sinusoidal endothelial cells. Characterization by immunofluorescence and SDS PAGE revealed that the isolated STBM retained fibronectin, laminin, and putative type IV collagen among its many components. When the STBM sleeves were gently shaken with an enriched fraction of primary Sertoli cells, the Sertoli cells bound preferentially to the lumenal basal lamina at the ends of the STBM sleeves. Few Sertoli cells bound to either the outer basal lamina of the STBM sleeves or to vascular extracellular matrix material which contaminated the STBM preparation. 3T3 cells, in contrast, bound to all surfaces of the STBM sleeves. Pretreatment of the STBM sleeves with proteases, 0.1 M Na metaperiodate, 4 M guanidine HCl, or heating to 80 degrees-90 degrees C inhibited lumenal Sertoli cell binding, but binding was not inhibited by chondroitinase ABC, heparinase, hyaluronidase, or 4 M NaCl. The lumenal Sertoli cell binding occurred in the presence or absence of added soluble laminin, but not fibronectin. The addition of soluble laminin, but not fibronectin, restored random binding of Sertoli cells to trypsinized STBM sleeves. Our in vitro model system indicates that Sertoli cells recognize differences in two basal laminae produced in vivo on either side of myoid cells.

Die forstlich notwendige detaillierte klimatologische Beschreibung stark differenzierter Standorte im montanen Bereich kann wegen des erforderlichen Aufwandes zur Zeit nicht von ausführlichen Feldmessungen abgeleitet werden. Mathematisch-statistische Modellrechnungen erlauben aber, die wichtigsten energetischen und hydrologischen Parameter mit ausreichender Auflösung zu kartieren, auch wenn nur wenige gemessene Anschlußwerte zur Verfügung stehen. Karten der Sonnenstrahlung und der Hang-exposition werden in einem für die forstliche Praxis brauchbaren Maßstab vorgelegt. In mountainous areas change of climatic factors is too great to determine their variety with expensive field works. Therefore mathematical-statistical methods are developed using measurements at some distinct points to map the most important energetic and hydrological parameters with sufficient solution in space and time.

The core-antigen-coding region of all hepadnaviruses is preceded by a short, in-phase open reading frame termed precore whose expression can give rise to core-antigen-related polypeptides. To explore the functional significance of precore expression in vivo, we introduced a frameshift mutation into this region of the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) genome and examined the phenotype of this mutant DNA by intrahepatic inoculation into newborn ducklings. Animals receiving mutant DNA developed DHBV infection, as judged by the presence in hepatocytes of characteristic viral replicative intermediates; molecular cloning and DNA sequencing confirmed that the original mutation was present in the progeny genomes. Infection could be efficiently transmitted to susceptible ducklings by percutaneous inoculation with serum from mutant-infected animals, indicating that infectious progeny virus was generated. These findings indicate that expression of the precore region of DHBV is not essential for genomic replication, core particle morphogenesis, or intrahepatic viral spread.

To determine which of the major ground squirrel hepatitis virus RNAs serve as mRNAs and which serve as templates for reverse transcription of the genome, we analyzed the subcellular distribution of these RNAs in livers of infected ground squirrels. Both major classes of viral RNA, the 2.3- and 3.5-kilobase (kb) classes, are unspliced, are polyadenylated at a common position, and display heterogeneous 5' ends that can encode proteins with different amino termini (G.H. Enders, D. Ganem, and H. Varmus, Cell 42:297-308, 1985). Both of the 2.3-kb RNAs, which encode surface antigens, appear to be predominantly associated with polyribosomes. Of the three 3.5-kb RNAs, the two longer, which can encode a protein initiated from the first methionine codon in the core antigen gene, appear to be predominantly associated with polyribosomes, and a minority of the shortest 3.5-kb RNAs, which can encode a protein initiated from the second methionine in the core antigen gene, appears to be associated with polyribosomes. This last RNA is instead found predominantly within viral core particles, consistent with evidence that indirectly implicates it in two steps of viral DNA synthesis (C. Seeger, D. Ganem, and H.E. Varmus, Science 232:477-484, 1986). None of the other viral RNAs is detectably packaged into cores. These findings provide independent evidence that the shortest 3.5-kb RNA is the template for synthesis of the viral genome and reveal a novel selectivity in viral RNA packaging.

Hepatocytes of estradiol-treated rats, which express many low density lipoprotein receptors, rapidly accumulate intravenously injected low density lipoprotein in multivesicular bodies (MVBs). We have isolated MVBs and Golgi apparatus fractions from livers of estradiol-treated rats. MVB fractions were composed mainly of large vesicles, approximately 0.55 micron diam, filled with remnantlike very low density lipoproteins, known to be taken up into hepatocytes by receptor-mediated endocytosis. MVBs also contained numerous small vesicles, 0.05-0.07 micron in diameter, and had two types of appendages: one fingerlike and electron dense and the other saclike and electron lucent. MVBs contained little galactosyltransferase or arylsulfatase activity, and content lipoproteins were largely intact. Very low density lipoproteins from Golgi fractions, which are derived to a large extent from secretory vesicles, were larger than those of MVB fractions and contained newly synthesized triglycerides. Membranes of MVBs contained much more cholesterol and less protein than did Golgi membranes. We conclude that two distinct lipoprotein-filled organelles are located in the bile canalicular pole of hepatocytes. MVBs, a major prelysosomal organelle of low density in the endocytic pathway, contain remnants of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, whereas secretory vesicles of the Golgi apparatus contain nascent very low density lipoproteins.

In seven patients suffering from polyneuroradiculitis of the Guillain-Barré type and one case of Fisher syndrome, a cytomegalovirus infection was found. The elevation of the virus-specific IgM-antibodies was confirmed in all cases. The clinical course was severe and acute with respiratory disturbances, but complete remission occurred within 1–4 months.

Seit geraumer Zeit werden in mehreren Höhen über einem Fichtenaltbestand des Nationalparks „Bayerischer Wald” kontinuierlich Ozonmessungen durchgeführt. In den Sommermonaten 1987 war dabei ein häufiges Auftreten von „negativen” Ozongradienten mit höheren Konzentrationen in Kronennähe als in den darüber liegenden Luftschichten zu beobachten. Die Gründe hierfür werden in einer Wechselwirkung zwischen Ozon und Terpenen vermutet. Continuous measurements of ozone at different heights above a mature spruce stand show that at certain times some reactions exist which lead either to an ozone production near the top of the canopy layer or to a reduction well above it. During summer 1987, vertical ozone gradients have been observed very frequently with higher concentrations close to the canopy than 20 m above. The possibility of gas phase reactions between ozone and terpenes is discussed.

Ohne Zusammenfassung:

The serological and virological course of parvovirus B19 infection was followed in 14 women who suffered symptomatic or subclinical acute infection during pregnancy. Serial serum samples from the patients were tested for IgG and IgM antibodies and the levels of parvovirus B19 DNA were monitored using a semi-quantitative PCR assay. In addition, the outcome of the pregnancies was documented by clinical information and by testing cord blood for parvovirus B19 specific antibodies as well as for parvovirus B19 DNA by PCR. Levels of IgG antibodies rose steadily within 2 months of infection and in some cases began to decline at the end of pregnancy. IgM antibodies were usually detected for at least 2 months and persisted for as long as 9 months in one case. Viral DNA was detectable for at least 8 weeks following infection and semi-quantitative analysis revealed a gradual reduction in virus load during the viraemic phase of infection. There were no apparent differences in the course of antibody development and duration of viraemia in symptomatic versus subclinical infections.