Search

Bio-banding has been introduced to reduce the impact of inter-individual differences due to biological maturation among youth athletes. Existing studies in youth soccer have generally examined the pilot-testing application of bio-banding. This is the first study that investigated whether bio-banded (BB) versus chronological age (CA) competition affects reliable physiological and technical-tactical in-game key performance indicators (KPIs) using a randomized cross-over repeated measures design. Sixty-five youth elite soccer players from the under-13 (U

The importance of considering information related to athletes’ biological maturation within talent identification and development processes is frequently emphasized by both sport scientists and practitioners. Although there is evidence for the use of objective diagnostics for assessing biological maturation, little is known about its subjective determinations by coaches. Such approaches are particularly relevant when scientific support is limited. Therefore, the current study aimed to compare a practical subjective approach (coaches’ eye) to assess biological maturity timing (BMT) with objective reference diagnostics (MRI). For this purpose, data were collected from 63 male elite soccer players of the U12 and U14 age group who were part of the German talent promotion program. Players’ BMT (i.e., skeletal – chronological age) was assessed by MRI and a subjective rating of two coaches. Data analyses revealed high-rank correlations ( rs = .55; p s = .65; p s = .42; p

This actigraphy study tests whether daily work stressors (time pressure, social stressors), work resources (control, social support) and mental detachment from work predict sleep quality, when controlling for demands and control after work. Fifty-two railway employees participated during five consecutive workdays by completing diary questionnaires and wearing an actigraphy device. The results confirmed that social stressors from supervisors predicted more frequent sleep fragmentation and lower sleep efficiency the following night. Higher levels of daily time control at work predicted shorter sleep-onset latency and better self-reported sleep quality. Leisure time control as a covariate turned out to be a private resource, followed by fewer awakenings the following night. Detachment after work related negatively to social stressors and time pressure at work but was unrelated to indicators of sleep quality; detachment after work neither mediated nor moderated the relationship between social stressors from supervisors and sleep quality. Work redesign to increase time control and reduce social stressors is recommended to preserve daily recovery in railway employees. Practitioner summary: Sleep is important to renew health- and safety-related resources in railway employees. This diary and actigraphy study shows that higher daily work stressors were antecedents of lower sleep quality the following night, while more time control was followed by better sleep quality. Work redesign could promote health and safety by improving sleep quality.

Bacterial strains used as starter cultures in the production of fermented foods may act as reservoirs for antibiotic resistance (AbR) genes. To avoid the introduction of such genes into the food chain, the presence of acquired AbR in bacterial strains added to food must be tested. Standard protocols and microbiological cut-off values have been defined to provide practitioners with a basis for evaluating whether their bacterial isolates harbor an acquired resistance to a given antibiotic. Here, we tested the AbR of 24 strains of Pediococcus acidilactici by using the standard protocol and microbiological cut-off values recommended by the European Food Safety Authority. Phenotypic data were complemented by searching for known AbR genes using an in silico analysis of whole genomes. The majority (54.2%) of the strains were able to grow at a tetracycline concentration above the defined cut-off, even though only one strain carried a known tetracycline resistance gene, tetM. The same strain also carried the AbR gene of an erythromycin resistance methylase, ermA, and displayed resistance toward clindamycin and erythromycin. Our results bolster the scarce data on the sensitivity of P. acidilactici to tetracycline and suggest that the microbiological cut-off recommended by the European Food Safety Authority for this antibiotic should be amended.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs), predominantly caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), belong to the most prevalent infectious diseases worldwide. The attachment of UPEC to host cells is mediated by FimH, a mannose-binding adhesin at the tip of bacterial type 1 pili. To date, UTIs are mainly treated with antibiotics, leading to the ubiquitous problem of increasing resistance against most of the currently available antimicrobials. Therefore, new treatment strategies are urgently needed. Here, we describe the development of an orally available FimH antagonist. Starting from the carboxylate substituted biphenyl α-d-mannoside 9, affinity and the relevant pharmacokinetic parameters (solubility, permeability, renal excretion) were substantially improved by a bioisosteric approach. With 3'-chloro-4'-(α-d-mannopyranosyloxy)biphenyl-4-carbonitrile (10j) a FimH antagonist with an optimal in vitro PK/PD profile was identified. Orally applied, 10j was effective in a mouse model of UTI by reducing the bacterial load in the bladder by about 1000-fold.

We developed quantitative fimA genotype assays and applied them in a pilot study investigating the fimbrial genotype distribution of Porphyromonas gingivalis in European subjects with or without chronic periodontitis. P. gingivalis was found in 71% and 9% of the samples from patients and healthy subjects, respectively. Enumeration of total P. gingivalis cell numbers by polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence showed excellent correspondence (r = 0.964). 73% of positive samples contained multiple fimA genotypes, but generally one genotype predominated by one to three orders of magnitude. Genotype II predominated in 60% of the samples. Genotype IV occurred with similar prevalence (73%) as genotype II but predominated in only 20% of the samples. Genotypes I, III and V were of much lower prevalence and cell densities of the latter two remained sparse. Our results suggest marked differences among the fimA genotypes' ability to colonize host sites with high cell numbers.

The meromictic Lake Cadagno is characterized by a compact chemocline with high concentrations of anoxygenic phototrophic purple sulfur bacteria (PSB) and green sulfur bacteria (GSB). The co-occurrence of phylogenetically distant bacterial groups such as PSB and GSB in the same ecological niche, makes the chemocline of Lake Cadagno an ideal system for studying the conditions and consequences of coexistence of photosynthetic bacteria populations. In this study, we applied flow cytometry (FCM) as a fast tool to identify metabolic changes due to the production and consumption of inclusion bodies such as sulfur globules (SGBs), and follow population dynamics of closely related anoxygenic photosynthetic sulfur bacteria in their natural environment. Large-celled PSB Chromatium okenii and GSB Chlorobium populations were reliably separated and identified due to differences in auto-fluorescence and cell size. Moreover, we showed that these dominant taxa share the same ecological niche over seasonal periods. Taking advantage of FCM detection of dynamic cellular complexity variation during phases of photosynthetic activity, we identified an unexpected alternation in PSB versus GSB metabolic activity, indicating dynamic interspecific interactions between these two populations.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of ketoconazole, erythromycin and rifampicin on the pharmacokinetics of saquinavir soft-gelatin formulation (Fortovase; FTV) in healthy volunteers with that in HIV-infected patients at steady state after administration of 1200 mg three times daily. Methods: In two open-labelled, randomised, crossover studies pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated in healthy volunteers who received on one occasion multiple doses of 1200 mg FTV three times daily alone and on the other occasion in combination with multiple doses of either 400 mg ketoconazole once daily or 600 mg rifampicin once daily. In another open-labelled, multicentre study, 33 HIV-infected patients underwent a pharmacokinetic assessment after 36–51 weeks of treatment with FTV and were then given additionally multiple doses of either 200 mg ketoconazole once daily, 250 mg erythromycin four times daily or 600 mg rifampicin once daily. Pharmacokinetic parameters of saquinavir were determined again at the end of the combination treatment. Results: In healthy volunteers, coadministration of ketoconazole increased saquinavir area under the curve from time 0 to 8 h (AUC0–8h) by 190% (95% CI: 90–343) whereas coadministration with rifampicin resulted in a decrease for AUC0–8h by 70% (95% CI: 50–82). In HIV-infected patients, coadministration of ketoconazole and erythromycin increased AUC0–8h of saquinavir by 69% (95% CI: 14–150) and 99% (95% CI: 33–198), respectively. When saquinavir was given together with rifampicin, exposure of saquinavir in terms of AUC0–8h was decreased by 46% (95% CI: 18–65) compared with the baseline assessment. Conclusion: Interactions of saquinavir with ketoconazole, erythromycin and rifampicin were observed in healthy volunteers as well as patients. The effects observed in patients, however, appear to be less pronounced. The enzyme induction caused by rifampicin might lead to subtherapeutic levels of saquinavir and this finding appears to be of clinical relevance.

BACKGROUND. Prostate cancer has one of the highest incidence rates of all cancers. Vitamin intake and tobacco use may have an impact on incidence and mortality, but epidemiologic evidence is scarce and inconsistent. METHODS. Plasma vitamins C, E, retinol, and carotene were measured in 1971-1973 in 2,974 men working in Basel, Switzerland. In 1990, the vital status of all participants was assessed. RESULTS. Two hundred and ninety men had died from cancer, including 30 with prostate cancer. On average, prostate cancer cases were 15 years older and smoked slightly more frequently than survivors. The mean values of plasma carotene, and of vitamin C, were nonsignificantly lower in prostate cancer cases than in survivors. After calculation of relative risk using the Cox model with exclusion of mortality during the first 2 years of follow-up, low vitamin E levels in smokers were related to an increased risk for prostate cancer. Relative risks of low vitamin C and carotene levels were about 1. A slightly but nonsignificantly increased risk was observed for low levels of retinol. CONCLUSIONS. Given the profound implication if the risk of prostatic cancer could be reduced, the relationship with vitamin E and smoking requires further study.

During the past 7 years 45 patients have been operated upon using the Childs-Phillips method. Of those, 37 were subsequently examined for the study – 7 patients had died in the meantime. None of the deaths occurred as a direct result of transmesenteric small-bowel plication. An early recurrence of intestinal obstruction occurred in 4.4 % and a laparotomy was repeated. During the most recent examinations 86.5 % of those patients checked had (virtually) no complaints – 91.9 % based upon the Visick classification. A subtotal intestinal obstruction occurred during the period of the study in 8.1 % of cases, but could be conservatively treated. Up until the most recent examination there were still no instances of a late recurrence. Most intestinal obstruction recurrences are due to errors specific to the technique and are early recurrences. On the basis of our results, we are of the opinion that plication in the presence of existing peritonitis, as well as partial plication, is acceptable.

For the prolongation of life expectancy and reduction of ischemic heart disease (IHD) dietary guidelines generally recommend lowering saturated mammalian fat with partial replacement by vegetable oils and increasing generously vegetables, legumes, and fruits, which provide more essential antioxidants. Plasma antioxidants as assayed in epidemiological studies of complementary type (ie the cross-cultural MONICA Vitamin Substudy reevaluation considering the "Finland-Factor", the Edinburgh Angina-Control Study, and the Basel Prospective Study) consistently revealed an increased risk of IHD (and stroke) at low plasma concentrations of antioxidants, with the rank order as follows: lipid-standardized vitamin E >> carotene = vitamin C > vitamin A, independently of classical IHD risk factors. Decreasing IHD risk through nutrition may be possible when plasma concentrations have the following values: > 27.5-30.0 mumol vitamin E/L, 0.4-0.5 mumol carotene/L, 40-50 mumol vitamin C/L and 2.2-2.8 mumol vitamin A/L. Thus, previous prudent regimens may now be updated, aiming at an optimal status of all essential and synergistically linked antioxidants.

Ausweitung der Venen mit konsekutiver Klappeninsuffizienz bedingt durch chronische Stauung und Bindegewebsschwache

Serose Flussigkeit bzw. Blut zwischen Pleura visceralis und parietalis. Der Pleuraerguss/Hamatothorax komprimiert das Lungenparenchym mit konsekutiver Beluftungsstorung.

Plasma antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E and carotene were measured in a group of 2,974 men participating in the third examination of the prospective Basel Study in 1971-1973. In 1985, the vital status and mortality of all participants were assessed. A total of 204 men had died from cancer, including 68 with bronchus cancer and 37 with gastrointestinal cancer (20 with stomach cancer and 17 with large bowel cancer excluding cancer of the rectum). Overall mortality from cancer was associated with low mean plasma levels of carotene adjusted for cholesterol (p less than 0.01) and of vitamin C (p less than 0.01). Bronchus and stomach cancers were associated with a low mean plasma carotene level (p less than 0.01). Subjects with subsequent stomach cancer also had lower mean vitamin C and lipid-adjusted vitamin A levels than did survivors (p less than 0.05). After calculation of the relative risk using the Cox model with exclusion of mortality during the first 2 years of follow-up, low plasma carotene (below quartile 1) was associated with a significantly increased risk for bronchus cancer (relative risk (RR) = 1.8, p less than 0.05), low plasma levels of carotene and vitamin A with all cancers (RR = 2.47, p less than 0.01), and low plasma retinol in older subjects (greater than age 60 years) with lung cancer (RR = 2.17, p less than 0.05). Low levels of vitamin C increased the risk of stomach cancer (RR = 2.38) and gastrointestinal cancer (RR = 2.46) in older subjects, but only significantly with the inclusion of the first 2 years. The authors conclude that low plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins are associated with an increased risk of subsequent cancer mortality. This effect was stronger in men above age 60 years at blood sampling, and the effect seems to be site-specific.

ZusammenfassungBei einem 66jährigen Patienten wurde drei Wochen nach Tragen eines Kompressionsstrumpfes der Klasse 2, Größe 3, a-d kurz, klinisch eine Läsion des N. peronaeus communis festgestellt und elektromyogaphisch bestätigt. Die Lähmung trat wahrscheinlich deshalb auf, weil aus irgendwelchen Gründen (z.B. konstitutionell, Inaktivitätsatrophie der Wade) der Strumpf wiederholt nach unten, d.h. unterhalb das Caput fibulae rutschte, an die Stelle, wo der Nerv erfahrungsgemäß leicht durch Druck geschädigt wird. Durch aktive Eigentherapie hat sich die Peronäuslähmung nach fünf Monaten vollständig zurückgebildet.

Objective Our objective was to investigate the clinical pharmacologic characteristics of saquinavir given as a soft gelatin capsule, either alone or in combination with nelfinavir, to children and adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Methods The pharmacokinetics of 50 mg/kg saquinavir 3 times a day (tid) alone versus 33 mg/kg saquinavir tid plus 30 mg/kg nelfinavir tid was assessed after single-dose administration and after short- and long-term administration. The single-dose pharmacokinetics of fixed (1200 mg) versus unrestricted weight-adjusted dosing (50 mg/kg) was also investigated. Results Saquinavir as the sole protease inhibitor resulted in lower saquinavir exposure in children (steady-state geometric mean area under the concentration–time curve from time zero to 24 hours [AUC (0–24 h)], 5790 ng · h/ml; steady-state concentration 8 hours after drug administration [C8h,SS], 65 ng/ml) and adolescents [steady-state geometric mean AUC(0–24 h), 5914 ng · h/ml] than that reported in adults treated with 1200 mg tid [steady-state geometric mean AUC(0–24 h), 21,700 ng · h/ml; C8h,SS, 223 ng/ml]. This finding appeared to be attributable to markedly higher apparent oral clearance, potentially as a result of increased systemic clearance and reduced oral bioavailability. Nelfinavir combined with saquinavir reduced apparent oral clearance, increasing saquinavir exposure in children [steady-state geometric mean AUC(0–24 h), 11,070 ng · h/ml; C8h,SS, 380 ng/ml] to levels that approach those observed in adults. A significant correlation between average trough concentration and sustained viral load suppression was observed in children. The apparent threshold for maintaining viral load suppression was a mean trough saquinavir concentration above 200 ng/ml. Conclusions The pharmacokinetics of saquinavir in children is different from that of adults, and administration of saquinavir alone will not give consistently efficacious plasma levels. The best way of improving saquinavir exposure in children is through combination therapy with other protease inhibitors that inhibit saquinavir metabolism. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2002) 71, 122–130; doi: 10.1067/mcp.2002.121423

In der vorgestellten Pilotstudie sollte evaluiert werden, inwieweit mit der extracorporalen Fibrinogen-Depletion bei Patienten mit PAVK, die auf konventionelle Therapieversuche refraktar sind, eine Verbesserung erzielt werden kann. Methode: Die Therapie basiert auf der extracorporalen Absorption von Fibrinogen, das durch ein an eine Sepharose-Matrix fixiertes Pentapeptid gebunden wird. Die Fibrinogenkonzentration wird auf Tiefnormalwerte gesenkt. Die Filterfrequenz ist abhangig vom Schweregrad und der Symptomatik. Als Beurteilungsparameter dienen Schmerzsymptomatik, Gehstrecke und Perfusionsmessung mit Indoxyaningrun. Ergebnisse: Bisher wurden acht klinisch auswertbare Patienten behandelt. Alle Patienten waren gefasschirurgisch austherapiert und kamen wegen zunehmenden Ruheschmerzen (PAVK III) oder beginnender Nekrosebildung (PAVK IV) zur Therapie. Von diesen acht Patienten zeigten sieben ein klinisch gutes Ansprechen. Nach wenigen Filtertagen verschwanden der Ruheschmerz und die Gehstrecke stieg auf uber 500 m, mit in einem Fall Verhinderung der Amputation. Es hat sich allerdings gezeigt, dass zur Therapie des Stadium PAVK IV bis zur Abheilung der Nekrosen eine Mehrzahl von Apharesen notig ist, so dass die Kostenfrage diskutiert werden muss. Im Stadium PAVK III gelingt es innert kurzer Zeit die Ruheschmerzen zu nehmen und die Gehstrecke zu verbessern. Ein Patient mit PAVK IV entwickelte nach vier Filtertagen einen computertomographisch nachgewiesenen ischamischen Insult, so dass die Fibrinogen-Absorption nicht weitergefuhrt werden konnte. Die laboranalytische Diagnostik zeigt eine klare Tendenz zur Abnahme des ACTH, bei jedoch im wesentlichen unveranderten Cortisolspiegeln. Ausserdem ist eine Tendenz zur Abnahme der Immunglobuline A und M nachweisbar, wobei diese jedoch zu jedem Zeitpunkt innerhalb des Referenzbereiches liegen. Zusammenfassungg: Die extracorporale Fibrinogen-Depletion bei Patienten mit PAVK und klinisch progredientem Perfusionsdefizit scheint aufgrund der bis jetzt vorliegenden Erfahrung eine sichere effektive Methode zur Behandlung der PAVK bei Patienten mit schweren Verlaufen zu sein. Im Rahmen einer Multizenterstudie wird dies evaluiert.

The fragmentation of natural habitats is gener- ally considered to be a major threat to biodiversity. We investigated short-term responses of vascular plants (grasses and forbs) and four groups of invertebrates (ants, butterflies, grasshoppers and gastropods) to exper- imental fragmentation of calcareous grassland in the north-western Jura mountains, Switzerland. Three years after the initiation of fragmentation - which was created and maintained by mowing the area between the frag- ments - we compared species richness, diversity and composition of the different groups and the abundance of single species in fragments of different size (area: 20.25 m 2 , 2.25 m 2 and 0.25 m 2 ) with those in corre- sponding control plots. The abundances of 19 (29%) of the 65 common species examined were affected by frag- mentation. However, the experimental fragmentation af- fected different taxonomic groups and single species to a different extent. Butterflies, the most mobile animals among the invertebrates studied, reacted most sensitive- ly: species richness and foraging abundances of single butterfly species were lower in fragments than in control plots. Of the few other taxonomic groups or single spe- cies that were affected by the experimental fragmenta- tion, most had a higher species richness or abundance in fragments than in control plots. This is probably because the type of fragmentation used is beneficial to some plants via decreased competition intensity along the frag- ment edges, and because some animals may use frag- ments as retreats between foraging bouts into the mown isolation area.

Plasma vitamins C, E, retinol and carotene were measured in 1971-1973 in 2,974 men working in Basel Switzerland. In 1990, the vital status of all participants was assessed. A total of 290 men had died from cancer during the 17 years of follow-up, including 87 with lung cancer, 30 with prostate cancer, 28 with stomach cancer and 22 with colon cancer. Overall mortality from cancer was associated with low mean plasma levels of carotene (adjusted for cholesterol) and of vitamin C. Lung and stomach cancers were associated with low mean plasma carotene level. After calculation of the relative risk, using the Cox model, with exclusion of mortality during the first 2 years of follow-up, simultaneously low levels of plasma carotene (below quartile I) and lipid-adjusted retinol were related to a significantly increased mortality risk for all cancers and for lung cancer. Simultaneously, low levels of plasma vitamin C and lipid-adjusted vitamin E also were associated with a significantly increased risk for lung cancer. Additionally, low vitamin E levels in smokers were related to an increased risk for prostate cancer. It is concluded that low plasma levels of the vitamins C, E, retinol and carotene are related to increased risk of subsequent overall and lung-cancer mortality and that low levels of vitamin E in smokers are related to an increased risk of prostate-cancer mortality.

Several parameters (pH, osmotic pressure) influencing the local tolerance of injectable drugs have been well-documented; however, little attention has been paid to pain following an injection--a common problem in clinical practice. A pain questionnaire was used to record pain up to 24 h after a deep ventrogluteal injection. Two groups of healthy volunteers were recruited: the first group (n = 6) received 3 different cotrimoxazole preparations and placebo and the second group (n = 10) received 4 different multivitamin preparations and placebo (double-blind, cross-over). Parameters monitored during and after injection included pain localization (line drawing), pain intensity (visual-analog scale: VAS) and verbal description of pain (pain rating index: PRI). In both groups, the equality of pain (VAS, PRI) induced by the preparations was rejected in all cases (Friedman's test, por = 1%). The pairwise comparisons of the groups showed significant differences (por = 5%) between various preparations. The correlation (Spearman's rank correlation) between pain parameters VAS and PRI was high. The present investigations have shown that the pain questionnaire is a valuable tool to investigate the subjective pain symptoms during and after the injection of different preparations.

Reocclusion of infarct-related coronary arteries within 2 weeks of thrombolytic therapy varies from 5% to 45% and neither clinical nor angiographic variables have been proved to be predictive of reocclusion. The goal of the present study was to evaluate whether aspirin could prevent coronary reocclusion and recurrent ischemia after thrombolysis. For this purpose, a meta-analysis including 32 studies was performed. Although the studies showed very similar demographic data, the reocclusion rate assessed by angiography in 419 patients treated with aspirin was 11% compared with 25% in 513 patients without aspirin therapy (p less than 0.001). Recurrent ischemic events were present in 25% of 2,977 patients treated with aspirin and 41% of 721 patients treated without aspirin (p less than 0.001). The effect of aspirin was similar in trials with either streptokinase or recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA). Thus, aspirin in the presence of heparin might prevent coronary reocclusion after thrombolysis.

In 1971-1973 at the third examination of the Basel Study started in 1959, the major antioxidant vitamins and carotene were measured in the plasma of 2974 men. A subsample and their families were reinvestigated in 1977-79. During the 12-y observation period (1973-85) 553 men died, 204 of cancer (lung cancer 68, stomach cancer 20; colon cancer 17, all other malignancies 99). We found significantly lower mean carotene levels for all cancer, bronchus cancer, and stomach cancer (all P less than 0.01) compared with the 2421 survivors. The relative risk of subjects with low carotene (less than 0.23 mumol/L) was significantly elevated (P less than 0.05) for lung cancer (Cox's model). Higher risks were noted for all cancer (P less than 0.01) if both carotene and retinol were low. Low plasma carotene which is known to reflect carotene intake is in our study associated with increased cancer risk.

The analytical program Delta was used to determine long-term fluctuations and accuracy of measurement of the program 31 of the Octopus when used with glaucoma patients. Program 31 examines the 30 degree field. The test locations are arranged in a square grid with 6 degree resolution. The program Delta determines and compares 1) the disturbed area in %; 2) the total loss, the total sensitivity being around 2000 dB; 3) the total loss in dB per mean number of disturbed points. 32 eyes of 22 patients with established glaucomatous field defects were examined twice within 2 to 6 days and 2 months later, twice again within this number of days. The size of the disturbed area served for classification of our sample into 3 groups: 1st group: disturbed area 1-33%; 2nd group: disturbed area 34-66%; 3rd group: disturbed area 67-100%. Long-term fluctuations and accuracy of measurement were determined as follows: 1) Disturbed area between 0.7 +/- 8% in group 3 and 1.7 +/- 13% in group 2. 2) The total loss increases proportionately to the disturbed area and was 4.9 +/- 29.2 dB in group 1 and 31.8 +/- 82.4 dB in group 3. 3) The total loss per mean number of disturbed points was 0.5 +/- 2 dB in group 1 and 0.3 +/- 1.2 dB in group 2. This means that, if the learning effect is over, changes of more than 2 dB, especially if several adjacent points are affected, are a significant loss, the learning effect, as determined in an earlier study, may go up as high as 2dB per point.

Low-affinity receptors (Fc epsilon R) and secreted factors (IgE-BF) which bind to immunoglobulins of the IgE isotype play a key role in the regulation of human IgE synthesis. We report here the cloning of a cDNA coding for the Fc epsilon R of the human B-lymphoblast cell line RPMI 8866. The nucleotide sequence of this cDNA predicts a polypeptide with 321 amino acids and a mol. wt of 36,281 daltons. A functional Fc epsilon R capable of binding IgE was expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells after stable transformation with the cDNA which had been cloned into a mammalian expression vector. Amino acid sequence analysis of IgE-BF purified from RPMI 8866 cells revealed an amino-terminal sequence of 19 residues which coincides with the predicted amino acid sequence of the Fc epsilon R, starting at residues 148 and 150. A computer search with the translated amino acid sequence of the Fc epsilon R revealed a domain of 120 amino acids having striking homology to the human asialoglycoprotein receptors.

The results of clinical trials investigating various therapies in acute ischemic stroke have been inconsistent. The effect of glycerol therapy and a combination therapy of glycerol and dextran was evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Repeated neurologic examinations (Day 0, Weeks 1, 6, 12, and 24) according to a modified Mathew score were performed on 62 patients. Statistical analysis showed no superiority of either treatment compared with placebo in acute ischemic stroke. A retrospective estimation of the Type II error of the study yielded approximately p = 0.25. A major side effect was hemolysis in 98% of patients treated with glycerol.