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In der vorliegenden Studie wurden die biomechanischen Eigenschaften von 5 verschiedenen Implantaten zur Fixierung der Tibiasegmente nach aufklappender medialer Tibiakopfosteotomie untersucht. Mithilfe einer Materialprüfmaschine wurden statische und zyklische Belastungsversuche in axialer Richtung bis zum Versagen der Knochen-Implantat-Konstruktion durchgeführt. Alle getesteten Platten wiesen eine ausreichende Stabilität unter statischer Belastung auf. Unphysiologisch hohe statische Belastungen führt bei allen Knochen-Implantat-Konstruktionen zu einer Fraktur der Gegenkortikalis. Die Ergebnisse der zyklischen Versagungstests zeigen einen Zusammenhang zwischen breitem proximalem Implantatdesign der ContourLock®-Platte sowie dem breiten Knochen-Implantat-Kontakt des iBalance®-Implantats und einer zunehmenden Stabilität und Steifigkeit im Vergleich zur schmalen TomoFix™- und PEEKPower®-Platte auf. Klinische Studien müssen zeigen, ob die Zunahme an Stabilität und Steifigkeit der neueren Implantate die schon hohen Heilungsraten der TomoFix™- und PEEKPower®-Platte erreichen können oder ob nicht eher – der Dehnungstheorie von Perren et al. folgend – die Induktionsgrenze für die Heilungsstimulation unterschritten wird und die Komplikationen durch steifere Implantate zunehmen werden. Biomechanical characteristics of 5 tibial osteotomy plates for the treatment of medial knee joint osteoarthritis were examined. Fourth-generation tibial bone composites underwent a medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy, using TomoFix™ standard, PEEKPower®, ContourLock®, TomoFix™ small stature plates, and iBalance® implants. Static compression load to failure and load-controlled cyclic fatigue failure tests were performed. All plates had sufficient stability up to 2400 N in the static compression load to failure tests. Screw breakage in the iBalance® group and opposite cortex fractures in all constructs occurred at lower loading conditions. The highest fatigue strength in terms of maximal load and number of cycles performed prior to failure was observed for the ContourLock® group followed by the iBalance® implants, the TomoFix™ standard and small stature plates. PEEKPower® had the lowest fatigue strength. All plates showed sufficient stability under static loading. Compared to the TomoFix™ and the PEEKPower® plates, the ContourLock® plate and iBalance® implant showed a higher mechanical fatigue strength during cyclic fatigue testing, suggesting that both mechanical static and fatigue strength increase with a wider proximal T‑shaped plate design together with diverging proximal screws. Mechanical strength of the bone–implant constructs decreases with a narrow T‑shaped proximal end design and converging proximal screws (TomoFix™) or a short vertical plate design (PEEKPower®). Published results indicate high fusion rates and good clinical results with the TomoFix™ plate, which is contrary to our findings. A certain amount of interfragmentary motion rather than high mechanical strength and stiffness seem to be important for bone healing which is outside the scope of this paper.

16q24 deletion involving the ANKRD11 gene, ranging from 137 kb to 2 Mb, have been associated with a microdeletion syndrome characterized by variable cognitive impairment, autism spectrum disorder, facial dysmorphisms with dental anomalies, brain abnormalities essentially affecting the corpus callosum and short stature. On the other hand, patients carrying either deletions encompassing solely ANKRD11 or its loss-of-function variants were reported in association with the KBG syndrome, characterized by a very similar phenotype, including mild-to-moderate intellectual disability, short stature and macrodontia of upper incisors, with inter and intrafamilial variability. To assess whether the haploinsufficiency of ANKRD11-flanking genes, such as ZFPM1, CDH15 and ZNF778, contributed to either the severity of the neurological impairment or was associated with other clinical features, we collected 12 new cases with a 16q24.2q24.3 deletion (de novo in 11 cases), ranging from 343 kb to 2.3 Mb. In 11 of them, the deletion involved the ANKRD11 gene, whereas in 1 case only flanking genes upstream to it were deleted. By comparing the clinical and genetic features of our patients with those previously reported, we show that the severity of the neurological phenotype and the frequency of congenital heart defects characterize the deletions that, besides ANKRD11, contain ZFPM1, CDH15 and ZNF778 as well. Moreover, the presence of thrombocytopenia and astigmatism should be taken into account to distinguish between 16q24 microdeletion syndrome and KBG syndrome. The single patient not deleted for ANKRD11, whose phenotype is characterized by milder psychomotor delay, cardiac congenital malformation, thrombocytopenia and astigmatism, confirms all this data.

We seek to predict in‐season land productivity to guide irrigation management decisions designed to optimize water utilization in the Ogallala Aquifer region. YieldTracker is a mathematical model that simulates growth and yield of graminoid crops using weather and leaf area index (LAI) as inputs, where LAI can be derived by remote sensing. We tested this model using 3 yr of maize (Zea maysL.) yield data from Colby, KS. Four replications of three treatments—rainfed and subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) at 3.8 and 7.6 mm d−1—were compared with simulated yields (36 model runs). Results indicated that YieldTracker has potential as a decision aid for managing irrigated maize, but has insufficient mechanistic complexity to simulate yields of water‐stressed maize. YieldTracker projected canopy development well, but LAI does not necessarily correlate with canopy efficiency in capturing solar radiation and converting it to biomass and then partitioning biomass to grain under conditions of limiting soil water. Remotely sensed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), a surrogate for LAI, tends to saturate at LAI > 3. Using hyperspectral reflectance data, we found a total chlorophyll vegetation index (TCI) responded nearly linearly to LAI values as high as 6. Similarly, a simple ratio vegetation index, based on a narrow band of wavelengths in the red edge spectral region, responded linearly to increasing LAI. Water band indices (WBI) in the 900 to 970 nm waveband were sensitive to changes in TCI as available soil water decreased. Incorporating TCI and a WBI might improve YieldTracker performance across a range of soil water conditions.

Abstract Site-specific soil and crop management will require rapid low-cost sensors that can generate position-referenced data that measure important soil properties that impact crop yields. Apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) is one such measure. Our main objective was to determine which commonly measured surface soil properties were related to ECa at six sites in the Texas Southern High Plains, USA. We used the Veris 3100 and Geonics EM-38 EC mapping systems on 12 to 47 ha areas in six center-pivot irrigation sites. Soil samples were taken from 0–150 mm on a 0.1 to 0.8 ha grid and analyzed for routine nutrients and particle size distribution. At four of the six sites, shallow ECa measured with the Veris 3100 (ECa-sh) positively correlated to clay content. Clay content was negatively related with ECa-sh at one site, possibly due to low bulk density of the shallow calcic horizon at that site. Other soil properties that were often correlated with ECa included soil extractable Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, CEC, silt and soluble salts. Extractable K+, NO3-, SO4-, Mehlich-3-P, and pH were not related to ECa. Partial least squares regression (PLS) of seven soil properties explained an average of 61%, 51% and 37% of the variation in observed shallow ECa-sh, deep ECa with the Veris 3100 (ECa-dp) and ECa with the Geonics EM-38 (ECa-em), respectively. Including nugget, range and sill parameters from a spherical semivariance model of the residuals from PLS regression improved the fit of mixed models in 15 of 18 cases. Apparent EC, therefore can provide useful information to land-users about key soil properties such as clay content and extractable Ca2+, but that spatial covariance in these relationships should not be ignored.

Multispectral reflectance of emerging cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and corn (Zeamays) seedlings was measured during the 2000 and 2001 growing seasons. Reflectance in blue, green, red, and near infrared (NIR) wave lengths was used to detect seedling emergence, to monitor leaf area growth, and to measure the effect of bare soil reflectance on scene (bare soil and seedlings) reflectance. Cotton and corn seedlings were detected 1 day after initial emergence (1 DAE) in 2000 by the red band. The red band detected seedlings in 2001 at 9 and 8 DAE in early and late planted corn, respectively, and on 0 DAE for cotton. The normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) detected seedlings at 1 DAE or 2 DAE in both years. Seedling ground cover in 2000 on the initial detection date in the target areas averaged 1.3% and 0.9%, respectively, for cotton and corn; comparable values in 2001 for cotton, early planted corn, and late planted corn, were 1.4%, 0.4%, and 0.8%, respectively. The red wave band was the most sensitive single band for detecting the presence of seedlings, but NDVI was the most sensitive spectral indicator, which was apparently due to the red band since the NIR band did not always detect seedlings. Seedling leaf area was linearly correlated with NDVI values beginning at 1 or 2 DAE. Bare soil was the major component of the scene during stand establishment and dominated single band reflectance and NDVI values. A dry soil surface that was smoothed and sealed by rain usually caused single band reflectance to increase. The high variability in spectral characteristics of bare soil restricted the interpretation of the spectral data to concluding whether or not seedlings were emerging, but without estimating numbers and seedling size.

.Background:
The management of traumatic optic neuropathy remains controversial. This retrospective study presents the results of 19 cases of indirect optic neuropathy where surgical decompression represented the primary mode of treatment.
Methods:
Nineteen patients (20 optic nerves) with traumatic optic neuropathy underwent primary surgical decompression. The surgery was performed using the transethmoidal technique.
Results:
The extent of bony optic canal injury documented during surgery indicated that this had been underestimated in this series by CT findings. Vision improved in eight patients, five of whom had had no light perception preoperatively.
Conclusion:
Primary surgical decompression of the optic nerve within 48 h of injury produces beneficial results. Testing of visual acuity 6 weeks after surgery does not serve as a reliable predictor of final outcome.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and human T cell leukemia virus type II (HTLV-2) use a similar mechanism for -1 translational frameshifting to overcome the termination codon in viral RNA at the end of the gag gene. Previous studies have identified two important RNA signals for frameshifting, the slippery sequence and a downstream stem-loop structure. However, there have been somewhat conflicting reports concerning the individual contributions of these sequences. In this study we have performed a comprehensive mutational analysis of the cis-acting RNA sequences involved in HIV-1 gag-pol and HTLV-2 gag-pro frameshifting. Using an in vitro translation system we determined frameshifting efficiencies for shuffled HIV-1/HTLV-2 RNA elements in a background of HIV-1 or HTLV-2 sequences. We show that the ability of the slippery sequence and stem-loop to promote ribosomal frameshifting is influenced by the flanking upstream sequence and the nucleotides in the spacer element. A wide range of frameshift efficiency rates was observed for both viruses when shuffling single sequence elements. The results for HIV-1/HTLV-2 chimeric constructs represent strong evidence supporting the notion that the viral wild-type sequences are not designed for maximal frameshifting activity but are optimized to a level suited to efficient viral replication.

The Zab domain of the editing enzyme ADAR1 binds tightly and specifically to Z-DNA stabilized by bromination or supercoiling. A stoichiometric amount of protein has been shown to convert a substrate of suitable sequence to the Z form, as demonstrated by a characteristic change in the CD spectrum of the DNA. Now we show that Zab can bind not only to isolated Z-forming d(CG)(n) sequences but also to d(CG)(n) embedded in B-DNA. The binding of Zab to such sequences results in a complex including Z-DNA, B-DNA, and two B-Z junctions. In this complex, the d(CG)(n) sequence, but not the flanking region, is in the Z conformation. The presence of Z-DNA was detected by cleavage with a Z-DNA specific nuclease, by undermethylation using Z-DNA sensitive SssI methylase, and by circular dichroism. It is possible that Zab binds to B-DNA with low affinity and flips any favorable sequence into Z-DNA, resulting in a high affinity complex. Alternatively, Zab may capture Z-DNA that exists transiently in solution. The binding of Zab to potential as well as established Z-DNA segments suggests that the range of biological substrates might be wider than previously thought.

Cholesteryl ester storage disease and Wolman disease are rare autosomal recessive lipoprotein-processing disorders caused by mutations in the gene encoding human lysosomal acid lipase. Thus far we have elucidated the genetic defects in 15 unrelated CESD patients. Seven were homozygotes for the prevalent hLAL exon 8 splice junction mutation which results in incomplete exon skipping, while eight probands were compound heterozygotes for E8SJM and a rare mutation on the second chromosome. In this report, we describe the molecular basis of CESD in three compound heterozygous subjects of Czech and Irish origin. RFLP and DNA sequence analysis revealed that they were heteroallelic for the common G(934)-->A substitution in exon 8 of the hLAL gene and a mutation which, if inherited on both alleles, would be expected to result in complete loss of enzyme activity and to cause Wolman disease. In patients A. M. and J. J., two nucleotide deletions in exons 7 and 10 were detected, involving a T at position 722, 723, or 724 and a G in a stretch of five guanosines at positions 1064;-1068 of the hLAL cDNA. Both mutations result in premature termination of protein translation at residues 219 and 336, respectively, and in the production of truncated, inactive enzymes. Subject D. H., in contrast, is a compound heterozygote for the Arg(44)-->Stop mutation previously described in a French CESD proband. Combined with data in the literature, our results demonstrate that compound heterozygosity for a mutation causing Wolman disease is common among cholesteryl ester storage disease patients.

Human lysosomal acid lipase/cholesteryl ester hydrolase (hLAL) is essential for the intralysosomal metabolism of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides taken up by receptor-mediated endocytosis of lipoprotein particles. The key role of the enzyme in intracellular lipid homeostasis is illustrated by two lysosomal storage diseases inherited as autosomal recessive traits. Wolman disease, associated with deficient hLAL activity, leads to massive intracellular substrate accumulation and is always fatal in early infancy. Cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD), in contrast, is characterized by very low levels of enzymic activity sufficient to allow survival of the affected patients into adulthood. In order to elucidate the underlying molecular defects in Wolman disease, we have characterized the hLAL gene in two female Wolman patients of German and Turkish origin by SSCP and DNA sequence analysis. Our results demonstrate that the German proband was compound heterozygous for an 8-bp deletion in exon 3 and a 2-bp deletion in exon 4 of the hLAL gene. These frameshift mutations lead to protein truncation at amino acid positions 24 and 116 and to complete loss of hydrolytic activity. The Turkish proband, in contrast, was homozygous for a G(1064)-->T substitution in exon 10 of the hLAL gene which converts the completely conserved glycine (GGG) residue at position 321 of the mature enzyme to tryptophan (TGG). In vitro expression of the hLAL(Gly(321)-->Trp) cDNA construct revealed that the amino acid replacement results in a more than 99% reduction of neutral lipid hydrolysis.The mutations provide new insights into the molecular basis of Wolman disease which is apparently more heterogeneous at the genetic level than cholesteryl ester storage disease.-Lohse, P., S. Maas, P. Lohse, A. C. Sewell, O. P. van Diggelen, and D. Seidel. Molecular defects underlying Wolman disease appear to be more heterogeneous than those resulting in cholesteryl ester storage disease.

Grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench] plants characteristically exhibit an increase in the areas of successively older leaves on the shoot up to a maximum value, followed thereafter by a decrease in leaf areas. Data from 2 yr of field studies were used to develop empirical functions relating average areas of successive leaves. These functions were representative for a number of published data sets and exhibited the following characteristics: (i) an early exponential phase of leaf area increase apparently terminated by the onset of intraplant competition; (ii) a transition between two linear phases of leaf area increase that appears to be invariant among years, cultivars, and treatments; and (iii) a final phase of decreasing leaf areas that is apparently sensitive to interplant competition and reproductive growth. Data from the literature and studies involving water stress, plant population, and N fertilizer application effects indicate that, while reproductive organ growth may affect some aspects of leaf area development, the onset and severity of intraplant and interplant competition may be more important factors determining individual leaf areas.

Four calanoid species found in Darfur, Western Sudan, all belong to previously known Nile Valley elements, but had not been reported from its Western sector. One species is morphologically characterized and given a new name. Another had been found on the East African Plateau and in the Chad basin only. It is now recorded from an intermediate locality as well.

In order to secure a safer and healthy work situation, the heavy physical loads imposed on 23 refuse collectors (aged 26-54) working in the city of Haarlem, in The Netherlands, were studied in a series of three experiments between 1984 and 1987. The aims were respectively (1) to study the load for workers collecting dustbins or polythene bags; (2) to introduce changes to reduce the load to avoid exceeding the overload criteria by individual refuse collectors; and (3) to investigate the effects of interventions to improve the efficiency of refuse collecting. The maximal isometric lifting force (Fmax) and the maximal aerobic power( V˙O2max of 23 refuse collectors were measured in the laboratory. Fmax was measured with an isometric dynamometer pulling with one arm from the floor; the mean value was 912 (± 127)N. VO2max was measured running on a treadmill; the mean value was 43-3 (±0-8) ml O2 per kg body mass per min. The physical load on the oxygen transport system was measured through work analysis and by a continuous registration of the heart rate over three working days. Criteria for overload were set at a mean external load of 20% Fm„ and a mean energy expenditure of 30% VO2max and an energy expenditure of 50% VO2max or more for a maximum of 60 min per day. Replacement of dustbins by polythene bags resulted in a 70% increase in the total amount of refuse collected, an increase in throwing frequency, but a lower mean load per throw, and no significant differences in the mean heart rate over the working day. When polythene bags were used the mean values did not exceed the overload criteria, but 39% of the individual collectors did have a workload that was too high with respect to one of the criteria. In the last experiment the collectors were advised to reduce their work load by (a) lifting no more than two bags at a time; (b) reducing their walking pace; and (c) taking more breaks. Although compliance with the recommendations was good, and the weight lifted and the walking speed decreased, the physiological load remained the same. This may have been caused by a 15% increase in the total amount of refuse that had to be collected at that time.

Presents a biographical entry for each author and co-author included in this issue of the publication.

The very large array (VLA), presently under construction by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, is an array of 27 25-m-diam antennas. This paper describes the feed and low-noise, front-end systems used on the antennas. The receiving system allows operation at any one of the four frequency bands: 1.35-1.73 GHz, 4.5-5.0 GHz, 14.4-15.4 GHz, 22-24 GHz. The feed system uses an offset Cassegrain geometry so that the feeds for all four frequency bands can be in position on the antenna simultaneously. The front end comprises a cryogenically cooled parametric amplifier for the 4.5-5.0-GHz range. This paramp is preceded by cooled upconverters or cooled mixers for the other frequency ranges. Measured system performance is presented and some construction details are given.

Pre-mRNAs for brain-expressed ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits undergo RNA editing by site-specific adenosine deamination, which alters codons for molecular determinants of channel function. This nuclear process requires double-stranded RNA structures formed by exonic and intronic sequences in the pre-mRNA and is likely to be catalyzed by an adenosine deaminase that recognizes these structures as a substrate. DRADA, a double-stranded RNA adenosine deaminase, is a candidate enzyme for L-glutamate-activated receptor channel (GluR) pre-mRNA editing. We show here that DRADA indeed edits GluR pre-mRNAs, but that it displays selectivity for certain editing sites. Recombinantly expressed DRADA, both in its full-length form and in an N-terminally truncated version, edited the Q/R site in GluR6 pre-mRNA and the R/G site but not the Q/R site of GluR-B pre-mRNA. This substrate selectivity correlated with the base pairing status and sequence environment of the editing-targeted adenosines. The Q/R site of GluR-B pre-mRNA was edited by an activity partially purified from HeLa cells and thus differently structured editing sites in GluR pre-mRNAs appear to be substrates for different enzymatic activities.

BACKGROUND: Germline mutations of the RET proto-oncogene identical to those found in the tumour predisposition syndrome multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A), were detected in 2.5-5% of sporadic and familial cases of Hirschsprung's disease. Some patients with Hirschsprung's disease may therefore be exposed to a highly increased risk of tumours. AIMS: To define clinical use of RET gene testing in Hirschsprung's disease and related patient management from an oncological point of view. METHODS: Sixty patients with Hirschsprung's disease were screened for RET mutations. In three, MEN2A type RET mutations were detected. Case reports for these three patients are presented. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Only 22 families or sporadic patients with Hirschsprung's disease and MEN2A type RET mutations have been reported. Therefore, it is difficult to predict tumour risk for patients with familial or sporadic Hirschsprung's disease, and their relatives, who carry these mutations. For these mutation carriers, periodic screening for tumours as in MEN2A is advised, but prophylactic thyroidectomy is offered hesitantly. RET gene testing in familial or sporadic Hirschsprung's disease is not recommended at present outside a complete clinical research setting. In combined MEN2A/Hirschsprung's disease families RET gene testing, tumour screening, and prophylactic thyroidectomy are indicated as in MEN2A.

An understanding of the optical properties of plant leaves is basic to the application of remote sensing to agriculture. This study was conducted to demonstrate the effects of pigments on light reflectance, transmittance and absorptance spectra of corn (Zea maysL.) leaves. Three treatments were used to produce corn seedlings with different pigmentations. Normal seedlings contained the natural complement of colored pigments (predominantly chlorophylls and carotenoids). Etiolated seedlings (grown in the dark) contained carotenoids but not chlorophylls. Albino seedlings, produced by treating seeds with fluridone (l‐methyl‐3‐phenyl‐5‐[3‐(trifluromethyl) phenyl]‐4(1H)‐ pyridinone) contained no colored pigments. The morphology and histology of seedlings in the three treatments were basically similar, except that the leaves of the etiolated seedlings were characteristically elongated. Pigments did not affect leaf reflectance, transmittance, and absorptance spectra at infrared (< 2500 nm) wavelengths. Over most of the visible waveband, albino leaf reflectance was the same as the maximum observed at infrared wavelengths. The leaf absorptance spectrum of the etiolated seedlings at ultraviolet (> 350 nm) and visible wavelengths resembled the in vitro absorptance spectrum of β‐carotene masked by the background absorptance of the unpigmented albino system. Because fluridone‐induced albino seedlings can be used to separate the contributions of pigments from leaf structure and water content, they represent a potentially important tool in studying leaf optical properties.

It has been proposed that remotely sensed information from satellites could complement the performance of crop growth models. A study was conducted to determine how a model could effectively utilize satellite data and if model estimates of crop yield could be significantly improved by satellite data. A simple model was developed for simulating growth and yield of grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench] on an individual‐field basis. The model contained three state variables (stage of development, green leaf area index [GLAI], and aboveground dry mass) and utilized daily meteorological observations. When available, GLAI values for target fields could be used to adjust the initial values of the state variables until a “best fit” of the observed data was iteratively achieved by the simulation. GLAI values could be obtained by ground‐based measurements, but satellite observations were demonstrated to be an appropriate source of data for initializing the model. The model was developed and verified using data from 10 fields observed in Central Texas in 1976. The model was tested using a completely independent data set containing yield and satellite observations from 37 fields in South Texas in 1973, 1975, 1976, and 1977. Without using the initializing procedure, the average yield for the 37 fields was underestimated by approximately 30%. Use of satellite‐derived GLAI data to initialize the same simulations resulted in a 2% overestimate of average yield. The results of this study confirm the usefulness of the initializing procedure and satellite data to improve model estimates of crop yield.

Since 1991 we have been gaining experience in the surgical removal of submacular subretinal membranes in patients with presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (POHS), idiopathic subretinal neovascularisation, myopia and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Seventeen patients were operated between 1991 and 1993. Significant improvement of vision was achieved in 4 out of 5 patients with POHS, 3 out of 5 with idiopathic neovascularisation, 2 out of 4 with myopia but none of 3 patients with AMD.The results suggest that subretinal neovascularisation can be succesfully removed in POHS and in some forms of idiopathic neovascularisation and myopia but probably not in AMD.

The mammalian RNA-specific adenosine deaminases DRADA/dsRAD (alias ADAR) and RED1 (alias ADARB1) have been implicated in the site-selective editing of brain-expressed pre-mRNAs for glutamate receptor subunits and of antigenomic RNA of hepatitis delta virus. These enzymes are expressed in many if not all tissues, predicting an as yet unappreciated significance for adenosine deamination-mediated recoding of gene transcripts in the mammalian organism. We now report the molecular cloning of cDNA for RED2 (alias ADARB2), a third member of the RNA-specific adenosine deaminase family in the rodent. RED2 is closely sequence-related to RED1 but appears to be expressed only in the brain, where expression is widespread reaching highest levels in olfactory bulb and thalamus. RED2 further differs from RED1 in having a 54-residue amino-terminal extension which includes an arginine-rich motif. Different from DRADA and RED1, recombinantly expressed RED2 did not deaminate adenosines in extended synthetic dsRNA or in GluR-B pre-mRNA. However, a chimera of RED1 and RED2 edited the GluR-B Q/R and R/G sites with moderate efficiency. Our data suggest that RED2 may edit brain-specific transcripts with distinct structural features.

The interim results of a multicentered clinical trial with the combination therapy Pilogel®/topical ß-blocker (twice daily) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension are discussed. Six patients were treated with Pilogel® and a topical ß-blocker for one month. Four out of six patients responded well to the combination therapy. Most patients experienced some difficulty in applying the gel and their eyelids stuck together on awakening. In two patients a superficial punctate keratitis was observed. We found an average decrease in intra-ocular pressure (IOP) of 22.5% 22.5 hours after Pilogel® administration, but there was some tendency towards higher evening values compared to morning values. In view of the appearance of a corneal haze as described by Johnson et al. during long-term treatment, longer follow-up is necessary.

In a multicentre clinical trial thirteen patients with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were followed during at least six months while selfinstilling Pilogel (once daily) and topical β-blocker (twice daily). After six months of combination therapy there was an average decrease in intra-ocular pressure (IOP) of 33.6% 9.5 hours after Pilogel administration and an IOP decrease of 23.4% 22.5 hours after Pilogel administration. With topical β-blocker alone, an average IOP decrease of 15% was measured. Throughout the study we observed in six patients (46.1%) a superficial punctate keratitis which mostly spontaneously cleared. We did not see any serious side-effects after six months of combination therapy.

The morphology of a liquid-crystalline ABA triblock copolymer with polystyrene (PS) blocks (12 vol %) and a side chain nematic liquid crystalline B block has been studied by TEM and temperature dependent SAXS measurements. Above the clearing temperature (Tc = 122 °C) the morphology is characterized by a body-centered cubic (bcc) lattice of polystyrene spheres. The transition to the nematic phase induces a reversible transition to a morphology of hexagonally packed cylinders by coalescence of the PS spheres along the [1,1,1] direction of the bcc lattice.

The accuracy of using the HR/V˙O2 relation determined in running to predict V˙O2 from HR in tasks involving static and combined static/dynamic exercise was examined in a group of 8 healthy subjects (age 20-27 years). The HR measured in weight-holding tasks (with static exercise) and weight-carrying tasks (with combined static/dynamic exercise) with weights varying from 4-12 kg was inserted into the linear relation between HR and V˙O2 in the running task (dynamic exercise). The predicted V˙O2 was compared with measured valueThe conclusions were as follows. It is not accurate to use a simple dynamic task to predict V˙O2 from a measured HR in static work. The percentage differences vary between 78 and 186%. In combined static-dynamic work a simple dynamic task can be accurately used to predict V˙O2 from measured HR, while carrying small weights (4, 8 and 10 kg). However, more static work (12 kg) makes the estimations poorer with a significant percentage difference in V˙O2 of 38%.

Tropodiaptomus turkanaesp. nov.is described from Lake Turkana (formerly Lake Rudolph), Kenya. After years of confusion withT. banforanus,the identity of this taxon as an endemic of Lake Turkana is established. The species is described, and its relationship with otherTropodiaptomusspecies discussed.

In neurons of the mammalian brain primary transcripts of genes encoding subunits of glutamate receptor channels can undergo RNA editing, leading to altered properties of the transmitter-activated channel. Editing of these transcripts is a nuclear process that targets specific adenosines and requires a double-stranded RNA structure configured from complementary exonic and intronic sequences. We show here that the two independent editing sites in alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor GluR-B pre-mRNA are edited with positional accuracy by nuclear extract from HeLa cells. Nucleotide analysis by thin layer chromatography of the edited RNA sequences revealed selective adenosine to inosine conversion, most likely reflecting the participation of double-stranded RNA adenosine deaminase. Our results predict the presence of inosine-containing codons in other mammalian mRNAs.

Zusammenfassung: Die Ergebnisse zeigen beim Menschen zum ersten mal die Mglichkeit auf, durch repetitive Oxytocin-Gaben die intraovarielle E2-Synthese in der Follikelphase stimulieren zu knnen und somit indirekt eine Zunahme der LH-Rezeptoraktivitt der Theka und Granulosazellen zu erreichen. Zeitgleich resultiert eine Abnahme der LH-Pulsfrequenz. Ob in unserem Versuchsdesign die negative Wirkung des exogenen Oxytocin auf die LH-Pulsfrequenz ber einen Beeinflussung der hypothalamischen GnRH-Sekretion erfolgt oder indirekt aus der Zunahme der E2-Konzenttration resultiert, mu durch weitere Studien gezeigt werden. Unsere Ergebnisse lassen im Einklang mir der Literatur die Annahme zu, da Oxytocin einen wichtige Rolle im Regelmechanismus der Ovulation spielt.