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Purpose: Accurate and precise MRS fitting is crucial for metabolite concentration quantification of 1 H-MRS spectra. LCModel, a spectral fitting software, has shown to have certain limitations to perform advanced spectral fitting by previous literature. Herein, we propose an open-source spectral fitting algorithm with adaptive spectral baseline determination and more complex cost functions. Theory: The MRS spectra are characterized by several parameters, which reflect the environment of the contributing metabolites, properties of the acquisition sequence, or additional disturbances. Fitting parameters should accurately describe these parameters. Baselines are also a major contributor to MRS spectra, in which smoothness of the spline baselines used for fitting can be adjusted based on the properties of the spectra. Three different cost functions used for the minimization problem were also investigated. Methods: The newly developed ProFit-1D fitting algorithm is systematically evaluated for simulations of several types of possible in vivo parameter variations. Although accuracy and precision are tested with simulated spectra, spectra measured in vivo at 9.4 T are used for testing precision using subsets of averages. ProFit-1D fitting results are also compared with LCModel. Results: Both ProFit-1D and LCModel fitted the spectra well with induced parameter and baseline variations. ProFit-1D proved to be more accurate than LCModel for simulated spectra. However, LCModel showed a somewhat increased precision for some spectral simulations and for in vivo data. Conclusion: The open-source ProFit-1D fitting algorithm demonstrated high accuracy while maintaining precise metabolite concentration quantification. Finally, through the newly proposed cost functions, new ways to improve fitting were shown.

Purpose: To present 31 P whole brain MRSI with a high spatial resolution to probe quantitative tissue analysis of 31 P MRSI at an ultrahigh field strength of 9.4 Tesla. Methods: The study protocol included a 31 P MRSI measurement with an effective resolution of 2.47 mL. For SNR optimization, the nuclear Overhauser enhancement at 9.4 Tesla was investigated. A sensitivity correction was achieved by applying a low rank approximation of the γ-adenosine triphosphate signal. Group analysis and regression on individual volunteers were performed to investigate quantitative concentration differences between different tissue types. Results: Differences in gray and white matter tissue 31 P concentrations could be investigated for 12 different 31 P resonances. In addition, the first highly resolved quantitative MRSI images measured at B0 = 9.4 Tesla of 31 P detectable metabolites with high SNR could be presented. Conclusion: With an ultrahigh field strength B0 = 9.4 Tesla, 31 P MRSI moves further toward quantitative metabolic imaging, and subtle differences in concentrations between different tissue types can be detected.

ZusammenfassungAuch wenn die Therapieoptionen der Amyotrophen Lateralsklerose (ALS) nach wie vor unbefriedigend sind und Riluzol das einzige Medikament ist, das den Krankheitsverlauf beeinflusst, so gibt es doch vielfältige neue Forschungsergebnisse hinsichtlich Genetik, Biomarkern und Pathogenese, welche auf die Entwicklung neuer Therapieansätze hoffen lassen. Zudem gibt es Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der symptomatischen Therapie. In diesem Artikel sollen die wichtigsten Erkenntnisse der ALS-Forschung der vergangenen Jahre zusammengefasst werden.

Durch die Verbindung von Erkenntnissen der Beziehungsforschung und der Psychosomatik auf Grundlage der Bindungstheorie wird eine mogliche Pufferwirkung eines sicheren Bindungsmusters bei Patienten mit chronischen Hauterkrankungen uberpruft. Einundzwanzig Neurodermitis- und 22 Psoriasispatienten fullten folgende Fragebogen aus: Beschwerdenerfassungsbogen (BEB), Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ), Partnerschaftsfragebogen (PFB) und Problemliste (PL), selbst entwickelter Fragebogen zu soziodemografischen Daten und speziellen Hypothesen. Unsicher gebundene Neurodermitispatienten empfinden mehr psychische Beeintrachtigungen und berichten haufiger Zusammenhange zwischen psychischen Belastungen und Hautveranderungen als sicher gebundene Psoriasispatienten. Die angenommenen Puffereffekte deuten sich tendenziell an. Die Studie liefert Hinweise fur die Relevanz der Bindungstheorie bei psychosomatischen Hauterkrankungen. Bei der Behandlung von Patienten mit chronischen Hauterkrankungen sollten psychosoziale Aspekte besonders beachtet und partnerschaftliche Komponenten als mogliche Ressourcen genutzt werden.

ZusammenfassungFür junge Menschen, die an Krebs erkranken, ist die Familienplanung oftmals noch nicht abgeschlossen. Die Entscheidung für oder gegen ein Kind wird individuell von verschiedenen Motiven bestimmt. Diese können sich durch die Krebserkrankung verändern bzw. neu entstehen. Zu spezifischen Kinderwunschmotiven wurden Krebspatienten (N=15) und Experten (N=9) befragt. 80% der Patienten hatten zum Diagnosezeitpunkt einen Kinderwunsch. Positive Motive nannten die Patienten selten. Die Gesundungsmotivation, eigene Hinterlassenschaft, Verbesserung der Partnerschaft und der gestiegene Familienwert sprachen aus Expertensicht für ein Kind. Negative gesundheitliche Folgen für das Kind, gesundheitliche Risiken für die Patienten wurden u.a. als negative Motive angeführt. Trotz eines starken vorhandenen Kinderwunschs überwiegen bei den Patienten ängste. Kinderwunschmotive sollten daher in die psychosoziale Betreuung junger Krebspatienten einbezogen werden.

In einer prospektiven Studie wurde bei einer Gruppe konsekutiv zugewiesener Manner (n = 321, Alter zwischen 16 und 86 Jahren) durch ein standardisiertes klinisches Untersuchungsprogramm in 254 Fallen (79 %) eine Osteoporose diagnostiziert. Das Programm umfaste sorgfaltige Anamneseerhebung und korperliche Untersuchung, klinischchemische Untersuchungen, Rontgenaufnahme des Skeletts und Osteodensitometrie. Bei daraus resultierendem Verdacht auf bestimmte Grundkrankheiten oder Risikofaktoren wurde das Programm gezielt erweitert. 39 % der Manner (n = 98) wiesen eine praklinische Osteoporose auf, 61 % (n = 156) eine manifeste Erkrankung mit einer oder mehreren Wirbelkorperfrakturen. Bezuglich der Knochendichtemeswerte waren praklinische und manifeste Falle nicht signifikant verschieden. Bei 76 der 254 Patienten (30 %) fehlten jegliche pathogenetische Faktoren, daher wurde die Osteoporose als idiopathisch klassifiziert (mittleres Alter 51 Jahre), bei 16 alteren Patienten als senile Osteoporose (mittleres Alter 78 Jahre). In den ubrigen 162 Fallen lagen 286 Risikofaktoren zugrunde, die 24 verschiedenen Kategorien zuzuordnen waren. Je nach Dauer, Intensitat und Kombination dieser Risikofaktoren wurden die Krankheitsfalle als primare Osteoporosen mit geringen Risikofaktoren, monoatiologische oder polyatiologische sekundare Osteoporosen eingestuft (mittleres Alter dieser Gruppen 51, 56 und 52 Jahre). Die wichtigsten nachgewiesenen Risikofaktoren waren in abnehmender Haufigkeit: Glucocorticoidtherapie, Alkoholkonsum, Rauchen, Hypogonadismus, Hypercalcurie, Hepatopathie, Morbus Crohn, Calciummangelernahrung, Hyperthyreose, korperliche Inaktivitat, Magenoperation und Plasmozytom. - Der Nachweis eines bedeutsamen Risikofaktors und besonders der Kombination mehrerer Risikofaktoren sollte als Indikation fur eine vorsorgliche Knochendichtemessung angesehen werden, um fruh eine Osteoporosetherapie einleiten zu konnen. Bei bereits diagnostizierter Osteoporose ist eine Stadienzuordnung und genaue Risikofaktorenanalyse Voraussetzung fur eine ursachenorientierte Therapie. In a prospective study, 321 consecutive male patients, aged between 16 and 86 years, referred to the Department of Medicine of the Medical Centre at Leverkusen from many parts of Germany over a three-year period with the diagnosis of osteoporosis, underwent a standardized programme of clinical investigation: 254 (79 %) were found to have the condition. The Programme consisted of a detailed history, physical examination, a battery of laboratory tests, X-ray examination of the skeleton and osteodensitometry. Where, as a result, underlying disease or risk factors were suspected, further tests were performed. 98 patients (39 %) were found by densitometric criteria to have preclinical, 156 (61 %) manifest osteoporosis with one or more vertebral body fractures. There was no significant difference regarding bone density between the preclinical and manifest cases. 76 of the 254 (30 %) patients had no detectable pathogenetic factors, i. e. their osteoporosis was classified as idiopathic (mean age 51 years), while as senile osteoporosis in 16 elderly patients (mean age 78 years). The remaining 162 patients had 286 risk factors within 24 different categories. Depending on duration, intensity and combination of these risk factors, the osteoporosis was classified as primary with few risk factors or as secondary osteoporosis of single or multiple aetiology (mean age of these three groups was 51, 56 and 52 years, respectively). The most important demonstrable risk factors were (in decreasing order of frequency) glucocorticoid treatment, alcohol consumption, smoking, hypogonadism, hypercalciuria, liver disease, Crohn's disease, low calcium nutrition, hyperthyroidism, physical inactivity, stomach operation and plasmacytoma. - This study indicates that if there is evidence of significant risk factors detailed bone densitometry should be performed so that any necessary treatment can be initiated early. If there is known osteoporosis, staging and exact analysis of risk factors is a precondition for any cause-oriented treatment.

ZusammenfassungDie Amyotrophe Lateralsklerose (ALS) ist eine chronischprogredient verlaufende Erkrankung, die vorwiegend das motorische Nervensystem betrifft und zu fortschreitenden Muskelatrophien und Paresen führt. Die Ätiologie der ALS ist weitgehend unbekannt, was die Entwicklung kausaler Therapiemöglichkeiten erschwert. Eine kurative Behandlungsmöglichkeit existiert nicht. Auf der Basis neuer Zugänge zur Pathogenese der Erkrankung sind in den letzten Jahren zahlreiche potenziell wirksame Substanzen entdeckt worden, welche im Tierversuch teilweise eine Verlangsamung des Krankheitsverlaufs bewirkten, in kontrollierten Therapiestudien am Menschen aber zumeist enttäuschende Ergebnisse lieferten. Daher kommt der palliativen ALS-Therapie mit der Behandlung häufiger Symptome wie Hypoventilation, Gewichtsabnahme oder Speichelfluss eine wichtige Bedeutung zu. Der folgende Artikel gibt eine Übersicht über den aktuellen Stand der kausalen und symptomatischen Therapiemöglichkeiten.

There is increasing evidence that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has to be regarded as multisystem degeneration rather than as purely a motor neuron disease, as it also includes various dnonmotor symptoms. This modern view has been confirmed by neuropathological and imaging findings.To review recent findings supporting the idea of multisystem degeneration and to describe the implications for diagnostics and therapy.A discussion of recent clinical, imaging, and neuropathological findings is presented.Symptoms of ALS include not only motor symptoms but also cognitive impairment, oculomotor abnormalities, and extrapyramidal and sensory symptoms. As a neuropathological correlate, a systematic spreading of "transactive response DNA binding protein 43 kDa" (TDP-43) over functionally connected cortical structures has been described.Nonmotor symptoms are regularly seen in ALS, although they usually do not dominate the clinical picture. Recent neuropathological findings offer new perspectives for diagnostics and therapy in ALS.

This article discusses the role of consortia in academic libraries, specifically the Illinois Digital Academic Library (IDAL). Interviews were conducted with several Illinois academic librarians representing a cross-section of university libraries. The article focuses on a variety of issues surrounding full text database research including content, searching functionality, peer- reviewed status, embargoes, publisher relations, etc. The conclusion affirms the validity and benefit of IDAL as experienced by member libraries.

ZusammenfassungDie Fragestellungen, die sich mit dem Einfluss der Elternschaft auf die psychosoziale Situation und die Lebensqualität der Krebspatienten selbst befassen, sind bislang ungenügend erörtert. Das betrifft sowohl epidemiologische als auch Hypothesen prüfende Themenfelder und Versorgungsanalysen. Die Ursache für diese ungenügende Problemzentrierung liegt in der relativ kleinen Inzidenz (rund 12% aller Krebserkrankten haben Kinder bis 18 Jahre) – die meisten Diagnosen werden jenseits des Alters von 60 Jahren gestellt (Männer 72%, Frauen 70%), in welchem kleine Kinder kaum noch eine Rolle spielen. Studien verweisen allerdings auf die Kumulationen von Belastungen und Problemen gerade in diesen Familien. Es ist auf der einen Seite dringend notwendig, die Generierung epidemiologischer Daten voranzutreiben, um belastbare Informationen zur Entwicklung und Anwendung psychoonkologischer Interventionsangebote zur Verfügung zu haben. Auf der anderen Seite ist für die Aufarbeitung der Forschungsdefizite die Erhebung repräsentativer Längsschnittdaten notwendig, um den Einfluss der Kombination Elternschaft und Krebs auf innerfamiliäre Belastungsprofile und -verläufe differenziert zu verdeutlichen.

On the basis of attachment, the study combines results in relationship and psychosomatic research. A buffering hypothesis of a secure attachment in patients with chronic skin diseases is checked.Patients with atopic dermatitis (n = 21) and psoriasis (n = 22) were tested with various questionnaires: the German questionnaire for partnership attributes (PFB) and problem list (PL), questionnaire for psychosomatic complaints (BEB), Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ), and a self-designed questionnaire.Unsecurely attached patients with atopic dermatitis feel mentally more disturbed and report more coherence between mental strains and changes in skin surface than securely attached psoriasis patients. There are tendencies to the assumed buffering effects. The study shows hints of the importance of attachment theory in psychosomatic skin diseases.In the treatment of patients with chronic skin diseases psychosocial aspects should be taken into consideration. Partnership factors might be used as a resource.

In its most basic aspects, the process of identifying and selecting materials for a library's collection has not seen substantial change in a century. Fundamentally, selection involves the informed judgment of an individual being applied to the available universe of “published” knowledge, in order to build a coherent collection of materials that will serve the needs of a discrete clientele. While this may seem deceptively simple in concept, its perfection in practice has consumed many distinguished careers.

Here we illustrate a 74-year-old patient presenting with clinical signs of slowly progressive motor neuron disease. After electromyography demonstrated myopathic changes, a skeletal muscle biopsy was performed showing histological signs of granulomatous myositis. In extensive diagnostic workup underlying primary granulomas forming diseases were excluded and corticoid therapy was initiated, but without clinical effect. We want to point out that granulomatous myositis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of slowly progressive motor neuron diseases, especially in atypical clinical presentations.

Granulomatous myositis is a rare neuromuscular disorder histologically characterized by the development of endomyseal and/or perimyseal granulomas. Clinical hallmarks are generalized muscle weakness, myalgias, and bulbar symptoms. The association of granulomatous myositis with sarcoidosis is well known; less recognized is the association with several infectious diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, malignancy, thymoma, graft-vs-host disease, and myasthenia gravis. In absence of sarcoidosis or other underlying disorders, the diagnosis of isolated or primary granulomatous myositis must be considered. Therapeutic strategies focus on immunosuppression, whereas the therapy response is unpredictable. Here we discuss the clinical features, diagnosis, and differential diagnosis and therapeutic strategies of primary and secondary granulomatous myositis.

We previously discovered a novel missense mutation (Lys650Met) in the tyrosine kinase domain of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene in four unrelated individuals with a condition we called "severe achondroplasia with developmental delay and acanthosis nigricans" (SADDAN) [Tavormina et al., 1999: Am. J. Hum. Genet. 64:722-731]. Here we present a more detailed clinical account of the SADDAN phenotype. The FGFR3 Lys650Met mutation results in severe disturbances in endochondral bone growth that approach and overlap those observed in thanatophoric dysplasia, type I. However, this mutation is most often compatible with survival into adulthood. Other unusual bone deformities, such as femoral bowing with reverse (i.e., posterior apex) tibial and fibular bowing and "ram's horn" bowing of the clavicle, are also seen in some patients. In addition to skeletal dysplasia, progressive acanthosis nigricans, and central nervous system structural anomalies, seizures and severe developmental delays are observed in surviving SADDAN patients. Despite its location within the same FGFR3 codon as the thanatophoric dysplasia type II mutation (Lys650Glu) and a similar effect on constitutive activation of the FGFR3 tyrosine kinase, the Lys650Met is not associated with cloverleaf skull or craniosynostosis.

The prevalence of osteoporosis in men has been underestimated in the past. Vertebral fractures were found in about 10% in men of age 50 and over 20 to 30% of all hip fractures in advanced age occur in men. Lower life expectancy of men but also differences in bone geometry and remodeling contribute to the lower rate of fractures in comparison to the female gender. In men with suspected osteoporosis a thorough history, physical and clinical examination is mandatory to exclude other localized or generalized osteopathies and to differentiate in primary and secondary osteoporosis. Only some small studies have been published so far on treatment of osteoporosis in men, i.e. therapeutic decisions are mainly based on existing results in postmenopausal osteoporosis. The basis of treatment is calcium and vitamin D supplementation and individually adapted recommendations on life style and risk factor avoidance. In established osteoporosis in adequate analgesic therapy is very important. In cases with secondary osteoporosis, if possible, etiological therapy should be started. Antiresorptive therapy (e.g. calcitonin, bisphosphonates) or osteoanabolic therapy (e.g. fluoride) can later be added, while in idiopathic osteoporosis this is the first option. According to the existing experiences there is in general a good chance to ameliorate the condition in men. There is however an urgent need for further data on therapy of osteoporosis in men.

A 67-year-old woman has a 20-year history of recurrent abdominal pain, diarrhea and diffuse bone pain. During the course of numerous hospitalisations the diagnoses "iron deficiency anemia", "iron absorption disorder", "osteoporosis" and "hyperparathyroidism" had been made. Despite treatment with vitamin D3, calcium, fluorides and iron, the patient's condition deteriorated to such a degree that she became in need of constant care. After 20 years of illness, nontropical sprue (celiac disease) with secondary intestinal osteopathy was identified. High-dose parenteral treatment with vitamin D3, oral calcium supplementation and a gluten-free diet resulted in an improvement of the patient's condition within three months, and the patient can now largely look after herself again.

In a prospective study, 321 consecutive male patients, aged between 16 and 86 years, referred to the Department of Medicine of the Medical Centre at Leverkusen from many parts of Germany over a three-year period with the diagnosis of osteoporosis, underwent a standardized programme of clinical investigation: 254 (79%) were found to have the condition. The programme consisted of a detailed history, physical examination, a battery of laboratory tests, X-ray examination of the skeleton and osteodensitometry. Where, as a result, underlying disease or risk factors were suspected, further tests were performed. 98 patients (39%) were found by densitometric criteria to have preclinical, 156 (61%) manifest osteoporosis with one or more vertebral body fractures. There was no significant difference regarding bone density between the preclinical and manifest cases. 76 of the 254 (30%) patients had no detectable pathogenetic factors, i. e. their osteoporosis was classified as idiopathic (mean age 51 years), while as senile osteoporosis in 16 elderly patients (mean age 78 years). The remaining 162 patients had 286 risk factors within 24 different categories. Depending on duration, intensity and combination of these risk factors, the osteoporosis was classified as primary with few risk factors or as secondary osteoporosis of single or multiple aetiology (mean age of these three groups was 51, 56 and 52 years, respectively). The most important demonstrable risk factors were (in decreasing order of frequency) glucocorticoid treatment, alcohol consumption, smoking, hypogonadism, hypercalciuria, liver disease, Crohn's disease, low calcium nutrition, hyperthyroidism, physical inactivity, stomach operation and plasmacytoma.--This study indicates that if there is evidence of significant risk factors detailed bone densitometry should be performed so that any necessary treatment can be initiated early. If there is known osteoporosis, staging and exact analysis of risk factors is a precondition for any cause-oriented treatment.

The concept of nature conservation has greatly varied in recent years. Instead of forbidding any human interference with nature the modern conservationnists think that man must control the natural balance in the protected areas through appropriate measures.

Purpose In this study, different single-voxel localization sequences were implemented and systematically compared for the first time for phosphorous MRS (31 P-MRS) in the human brain at 9.4 T. Methods Two multishot sequences, image-selected in vivo spectroscopy (ISIS) and a conventional slice-selective excitation combined with localization by adiabatic selective refocusing (semiLASER) variant of the spin-echo full intensity-acquired localized spectroscopy (SPECIAL-semiLASER), and two single-shot sequences, semiLASER and stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM), were implemented and optimized for 31 P-MRS in the human brain at 9.4 T. Pulses and coil setup were optimized, localization accuracy was tested in phantom experiments, and absolute SNR of the sequences was compared in vivo. The SNR per unit time (SNR/t) was derived and compared for all four sequences and verified experimentally for ISIS in two different voxel sizes (3 × 3 × 3 cm3 , 5 × 5 × 5 cm3 , 10-minute measurement time). Metabolite signals obtained with ISIS were quantified. The possible spectral quality in vivo acquired in clinically feasible time (3:30 minutes, 3 × 3 × 3 cm3 ) was explored for two different coil setups. Results All evaluated sequences performed with good localization accuracy in phantom experiments and provided well-resolved spectra in vivo. However, ISIS has the lowest chemical shift displacement error, the best localization accuracy, the highest SNR/t for most metabolites, provides metabolite concentrations comparable to literature values, and is the only one of the sequences that allows for the detection of the whole 31 P spectrum, including β-adenosine triphosphate, with the used setup. The SNR/t of STEAM is comparable to the SNR/t of ISIS. The semiLASER and SPECIAL-semiLASER sequences provide good results for metabolites with long T2 . Conclusion At 9.4 T, high-quality single-voxel localized 31 P-MRS can be performed in the human brain with different localization methods, each with inherent characteristics suitable for different research issues.

Purpose To develop a robust design of a human head double-tuned 31 P/1 H array, which provides good performance at both 31 P and 1 H frequencies for MR spectroscopic imaging at 9.4T. Methods Increasing the number of surface loops in a human head array improves the peripheral signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), while the central SNR doesn't substantially change. High peripheral SNR can contaminate MR spectroscopic imaging data at both 1 H and 31 P frequency. To minimize this effect, we limited the number of elements in the 31 P array to 10, i.e., 8 transceiver surface loops circumscribing the head and 2 receive "vertical" loops placed at the superior location. The 1 H-portion of the array also consists of 10 elements, i.e., 8 transceiver surface loops circumscribing the head and 2 transceiver "vertical" loops at the superior location of the head. Both the 31 P array and 1 H array are placed in a single layer at the same distance to the head, which provides high loading and, thus, a good performance for both arrays. Results Transmit efficiency of the 1 H-portion of the double-tuned array was very similar to that of the single-tuned arrays of similar size. Also, addition of the cross-loops substantially improved the brain coverage. Conclusion We developed a novel 31 P/1 H double-tuned array for MR spectroscopic imaging of a human brain at 9.4T. Placing both 31 P and 1 H loops in a single layer provides for high transmit efficiency at both frequencies without compromising SNR near the brain center at the 31 P-frequency. Addition of the cross-loops at the superior location improves the brain coverage.

Band 3, the main integral protein of the human erythrocyte membrane, was solubilized and purified in high concentrations of acetic acid, and afterwards the organic solvent was exchanged against aqueous solutions by dialysis. It was demonstrated by analytical ultracentrifugation that, under appropriate conditions, the solubilized protein exists in a monomer/dimer/tetramer association equilibrium. We have suggested that band 3 will show this type of association also in the intact erythrocyte membrane1.

Osteogenesis imperfecta is the common term for a heterogeneous group of heritable disorders of connective tissue with lethal and nonlethal forms. Prenatal diagnosis presents difficult medical and ethical issues. Of concern are the following: 1) the certainty of diagnosis, 2) the severity of disease, 3) the prognosis for survival and ambulation, and 4) the appropriate mode of delivery. A case of nonlethal fetal osteogenesis imperfecta managed by vaginal delivery is discussed.

Band 3, the main integral protein of the human erythrocyte membrane, was solubilized and purified in high concentrations of acetic acid. After removal of the organic solvent by dialysis, the self-association of the protein in aqueous solutions was studied by analytical ultracentrifugation. Sedimentation velocity and sedimentation equilibrium experiments clearly demonstrate that, under appropriate conditions of protein preparation, at protein concentrations c less than 200 micrograms/ml, ionic strengths 2 less than 10mM and pH values remote from the isoelectric pH of the protein, band 3 shows a monomer/dimer/tetramer-association equilibrium. With some preparations, as well as at higher values of c or I, hexamers and octamers contribute to the association equilibrium. The time needed for relaxation towards association equilibrium depends on the blood donor from whom the membranes were derived and varies between less than one minute and more than several hours. The results of analytical ultracentriguation, together with previously published data on the incorporation of band 3 into planar lipid bilayers, from chemical crosslinking and from electronmicroscopy suggest that band 3 will also show a monomer/dimer/tetramer-association equilibrium in the human erythrocyte membrane. This hypothesis contrasts the widely-held assumption that, in the membrane, band 3 is a stable dimer; however, it is consistent with nearly all known data on band 3-self-association.

Testicular tissue and blood samples (V. spermatica interna) were taken from 32 boars during castration. The animals were different age groups. Against this background, studies were conducted into the correlations between testicular and plasma testosterone, on the one hand, and the amount of interstitial cells of Leydig in testicular tissue as well as the latters' cell nuclei volumes, on the other. The results seemed to support the conclusion that any age-dependent increase of testicular and plasma testosterone concentrations was caused unambigously by an absolute increase in volume of androgenic testicular tissue, in concomitance with testicular growth, in other words, by rise in the total number of interstitial cells of Leydig.

A clearly morphokinetic effect was recorded from the parts of the hypothalamo-adenohypophyseo-gonadal axis in boars that had been treated with chloromadinone acetate (CAP). Luteinising hormone release is inhibited by CAP, which is reflected in an increase of luteinising hormone cells in their storage form. This leads to statistically significant decline in androgenic testicular tissue percentage and in the cell nucleus volumes of Leydig's cells. Excessive weight decrease of the testicle is caused primarily by some 60 per cent reduction in tube length. The neurons of the tested hypothalamic nuclear region, that is the nucleus praeopticus medialis, have shown that in treated animals cell nucleus volumes were significantly depressed.

Morphokinetic effects caused in parts of the hypothalamic adenohypophyseogonadal axis of boars by treatment, using No. 547 steroid test substance (ZIMET, Jena) were to some extent identical with those resulting from analogous CAP application (inhibition of testicular androgen producers, anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, nucleus praeopticus medialis) or those following analogous norgestrel treatment (testes weight, tubule length). The findings recorded were largely attributed to the androgenic properties of No. 547 steroid test substance.

In natural ambient conditions at Possession Island the resting metabolism of the emancipated King Penguin is 50.40 kcal/kg/D. A bird whose insulation is good and which maintains its stomachic temperature at a high level can reduce its heat production by 42% during the long fasting periods which characterize its reproductive cycle, in particular by social and individual thermoregulating behaviour.

Ponderal loss of fasting Pygoscelis adeliae in an enclosure is linear; minimum for brooders, it triples during moult, and it the fasting period continues to a level below 3,3-3,5 kg, it quintuples. This critical slope could indicate the passage from a lipidic to a protidic metabolism.

Steroid test substance 547 and Norgestrel were used in a combination treatment of parts of the hypothalamo-adenohypophyseo-gonadal axis of boars. The quantifiable parameters of the morphokinetic effect thus produced (cell nucleus volumes of Nucleus praeopticus medialis hypothalami and its neurons as well as those of Leydig's cells testicle weight, length and diameter of tube, percentage of Leydig's cells, testicle weight, length and diameter of tube, percentage of Leydig's cells) did not differ significantly from the findings obtained from boars treated with Norgestrel only (cf. Dorst and co-workder, 1978). The same combination treatment, however, differed from exclusive Norgestrel treatment by causing the occurrence of socalled castration cells, which led to the assumption of an anti-androgenic effect of such combination treatment.

Norgestrel treatment of boars differed from analogous chloromandinone acetate treatment in that no significant morphokinetic effect was recordable from all parts of the hypothalamic-adenohypophyseal-gonadal axis. The morphometric parameters as well as the histological pattern obtained of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland appear to prove that in boar the antigonadotropic effect of norgestrel is lower than that of chloromadinone acetate, with dosage and duration of treatment identical.

Close, statistically fully secured correlations were found to exist in boars, aged between four and four-a-half as well as seven and nine months, between the testosterone content in the blood of the V. spermatica interna, on the one hand, and morphometric parameters essential to quantitative sperm production, on the other (testicular volume, volume of germinativum, overall length of tubules, diameter of tubules, and cell density of the germinal epithelium).