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Abstract Objectives Oxidative stress is suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The present study was aimed to compare plasma levels of antioxidants in patients suffering from NASH and healthy controls. Methods Plasma levels of the antioxidants α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, α-carotene β-carotene were determined in 57 patients with biopsy-proven NASH and 40 healthy controls. Results Levels of α-tocopherol (22.4 vs. 26.8 nmol/ ml; p < 0.01), lutein (0.19 vs. 0.33 nmol/ml; p < 0.0001), zeaxanthin (0.04 vs. 0.08 nmol/ml; p < 0.0001), lycopene (0.15 vs. 0.42 nmol/ml; p < 0.0001), α-carotene (0.03 vs. 0.06 nmol/ml; p < 0.005) and β-carotene (0.25 vs. 0.39 nmol/ml; p < 0.01) were significantly decreased in NASH patients compared to controls. Age, aminotransferase status (ALT, AST) and BMI were not correlated with the levels of tocopherols or carotenoids. Conclusions Given the decreased levels supplementation of lipophilic antioxidants might be a rational treatment option for patients with NASH.

The rotational spectrum and internal rotation of tricarbonyl(isoprene) iron is recorded.

Laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) at 337 nm laser wavelength was used to analyze retinol and several long-chain fatty acid esters of retinol. Employing this ionization technique helped to overcome the inherent problems resulting from thermal instability of retinyl esters which render this group of compounds rather difficult for standard ionization techniques. Mass spectra were recorded with a linear time-of-flight instrument in positive ion mode. Under these conditions, retinyl esters formed radical molecular ions ([M.sup.[center dot]+]) and in addition fragmented by elimination of the fatty acyl chain to uniformely form a peak at m/z = 269 u. The elimination of carbon dioxide was also observed in the spectra. The method is suitable to identify specific retinyl esters in complex mixtures of these compounds. A gradient reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is described for the separation of retinol and 15 related fatty acid esters within 28 min. HPLC was applied to separate retinyl esters from rat liver extracts. The LDI mass spectrum of the collected HPLC fraction of rat liver extract showed the molecular parent ions of retinyl myristate, pentadecanoate, palmitoleate, palmitate, heptadecanoate, linoleate, oleate, stearate, and 3,4-didehydroretinyl palmitate. LDI-MS was found to be more appropriate than matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization for the described analytical task.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems has built a completely self-sufficient solar house (SSSH) in Freiburg, Germany. The entire energy demand for heating, domestic hot water, electricity, and cooking is supplied by the sun. The combination of highly efficient solar systems with conventional means to save energy is the key to the successful operation of the house. Seasonal energy storage is accomplished by electrolysis of water and pressurized storage of hydrogen and oxygen. The energy for electricity and hydrogen generation is supplied by solar cells. Hydrogen can be reconverted to electricity with a fuel cell or used for cooking. It also serves as a back-up for low temperature heat. There are provisions for short term storage of electricity and optimal routing of energy. The SSSH is occupied by a family. An intensive measurement program is being carried out. The data are used for the validation of the dynamic simulation calculations, which formed the basis for planning the SSSH.

The calicheamicin gamma (sub 1)(super I) oligosaccharide portion was totally synthesized for the first time in the form of its methyl glycoside. The stereochemical difficulties associated with a (3,3)-sigmatropic realignment of an allylic thionoimidazolide, were overcome by the easy identification and examination of the synthetic challenge of the B-ring.

Transparent insulation materials (TIM) represent a class of new materials for application in solar thermal conversion systems. A U-value below 1 W/(m squared K) and an energy transmittance greater than 70% characterize TI materials. With these physical properties TI materials outperform all conventional glazing systems and further increase the efficiency of thermal conversion of solar radiation. In winter, low elevation solar irradiance on vertical surfaces can be used effectively. Experiments, simulation calculations and results from demonstration projects have shown the space heating potential of transparently insulated walls. A properly built passive TI element on a sun-facing massive building facade can save heating energy by up to 200 kWh/(m squared yr) each annual heating period. The paper describes the transparent insulation of building facades from the basic idea to the satisfying results of demonstration projects. Fundamental considerations for TIM and wall parameters, a list of projects, exact descriptions of TI wall constructions, the reduction of space heating demand and future developments form part of this paper. It is a summary of the work done in this specific field in the past 10 years giving examples of the dynamic developments in solar energy from the basic ideas to commercial systems. A Self-Sufficient Solar House, which is almost totally heated with transparently insulated walls, is an outstanding culmination of TI research and TI application.