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Background The Modified Mini-Mental State Examination-revised (3MS-R) is a brief cognitive test designed to detect cognitive impairment, which is often used in Canada and USA. Objective To assess the accuracy of the 3MS-R in identifying Alzheimer's disease (AD) in comparison with the conventional Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in a German-speaking population. Subjects The study refers to 31 patients with early AD and 5 patients with moderate dementia of AD etiology, as well as to 46 age-matched cognitively normal participants. Method The 3MS-R and the MMSE were validated against an expert diagnosis based on a comprehensive diagnostic workup. The 3MS scores were adjusted for educational attainment. Statistical analysis was performed using the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC). Results ROC curves demonstrated the superiority of the ACE over the MMSE in identifying AD (Area under the Curve: 3MS-R vs. MMSE: 0.995 vs.0.953). The optimal cut-off score for the 3MS for detecting AD was 88 and had a sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 94%. The German version of the 3MS-R is a short and practical but accurate test battery for the identification of AD. The effectiveness of the German version of the test in detecting other forms of dementias or mild cognitive impairment could be a task for future studies.

We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of the German version of the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (ACE) in identifying early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild vascular dementia (VaD) in comparison with the conventional Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The study refers to 50 patients with mild dementia of AD, 26 patients with mild dementia of vascular etiology and to 54 cognitively normal subjects. The ACE and MMSE were validated against an expert diagnosis based on a comprehensive diagnostic workup. Statistical analysis was performed using the receiver operator characteristics method. The optimal cut-off score for the ACE for detecting dementia in patients with early AD was 85/86, which had a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 86%. The optimal cut-off for the ACE for the identification of dementia in patients with mild VaD was also 85/86 and it had a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 100%. The ĸ values imply a substantial agreement between the diagnoses made by the ACE and the MMSE. The German version of the ACE is a short and practical but accurate test battery for the identification of AD and VaD, assessing a broad range of cognitive functions and providing a wide profile of cognitive functions/dysfunctions.

Identification of proteins previously separated by one-dimensional (1-D) or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis requires significant manipulations to digest the proteins into their respective peptides and to extract them from the gel prior to mass analysis. This article describes the simultaneous transfer and digestion of proteins directly from 1-D gels onto a membrane ready for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric (MS) analysis. Protein transfer and digestion efficiencies are estimated to be more than 95%. The effectiveness of this procedure is demonstrated by identifying 110 unique proteins derived from a lysate of Escherichia coli and 149 proteins derived from a mouse liver homogenate separated by 1-D sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE). Using crude mouse liver homogenates, four distinct glutathione S -transferase classes, ranging from 23 to 27 kDa, are identified from a separating gel, indicating the discriminating potential for this method. A Visual Basic program allowed visualization of the identified proteins according to their respective positions on the 1-D gels. In many cases, two or more proteins could be identified within a single band of the SDS gel. The “digital” images generated resemble Western blots without the use of antibodies or signal amplification techniques.

Antifibronectin, monoclonal antibody was monitored through 52 h of production. Samples were automatically drawn from a bioreactor into the injection valve of an HPLC system without prior sample preparation. The hybridoma cell line was nonadherent, so whole cells were injected directly onto the perfusable protein A affinity column. There was only a modest column back pressure (ca. 1700 psi at a linear flow rate of 1.5 cm/s) after over 75 injections over the 52-h experiment. These experiments demonstrate the utility of high-speed chromatography for rapid process monitoring.

Nodule-specific root proteins – so called nodulins – were identified in root nodules of pea plants by an immunological assay. Nodulin patterns were examined at different stages of nodule development. About 30 nodulins were detectable during development. Some were preferentially synthesized before nitrogen fixation started, whereas the majority were synthesized concomitantly with leghaemoglobin. Some of the nodulins were located within the peribacteroid membrane. Ineffective Rhizobium strains (a natural nod+fix- and a pop -fix-) appeared to be useful in studying the expression of nodulin genes. Synthesis of some nodulins was repressed in ineffective root nodules, indicating that nodulins are essential for the establishment of nitrogen fixation. In both types of ineffective root nodules, leghaemoglobin synthesis was not completely repressed. Low amounts of leghaemoglobin were always detected in young ineffective root nodules whereas in old nodules no leghaemoglobin was present.

Es werden 3 Operationsmethoden vorgestellt: 1. Die Rectotomia posterior als hinterer Zugang bei Tumoren des Rectum bis 12 cm Hohe. 2. Die Operationstechnik einer freien Transplantation autologer Dickdarmmuskulatur als Sphincterersatz bei endstandiger Colostomie. 3. Ein Gerat zur Herstellung tiefer maschineller Dickdarmanastomosen.

Bericht uber 49 Falle von intra- und extrahepatischen Stenosen der Gallenwege (1970–1977), bei denen durch eine transhepatische Endlosdrainage nach Goetze-Dick der Galleabflus wieder hergestellt wurde. Hauptindikation ist ein Verschlusikterus durch inoperable Tumoren der Gallenblase (21 Falle), der Gallengange (12 Falle) und des Pankreas (8 Falle). In 5 Fallen wurde eine benigne intrahepatisch gelegene Stenose mit Verschlusikterus durch die Endlosdrainage nach Dick beseitigt. Auf Indikationsstellung, Fruh- und Spatkomplikationen sowie auf die postoperative Nachsorge wird naher eingegangen.