Position-resolved determination of trace elements in mandibular gnathobases of the Antarctic copepod Calanoides acutus using a multimethod approach.

Previous studies have revealed silica formation in the teeth of mandibular gnathobases of copepods while significant amounts of zinc and copper are present, which might improve mechanical stability of the teeth and represent an adaptation to compact food particles. The present study aimed at analysing the distribution and concentration of trace elements in the mandibular gnathobases of females of the Antarctic copepod species Calanoides acutus. Because of the low overall masses of few micrograms per specimen the application of a combination of position-resolved micro-beam techniques was necessary and micro-particle-induced X-ray emission spectrometry and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to determine Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Ni, P, S, Si and Zn in the samples with μm to sub-μm resolution.

[Color vision defects in patients with arterial hypertension].

Purpose: In view of the generally impaired vascular condition in patients with arterial hypertension, we were interested in their colour perception.

Methods: Patients (n = 35, f:m = 14:21, mean age 52 +/- 11 years) with arterial hypertension without damage in end-organs and normal subjects (n = 62, :m = 28:34, mean age 49 +/- 9 years) as a control group were included in this study. Exclusion criteria were other systemic or ophthalmological diseases.

[Eosinophil cationic protein in a 39-year-old patient with Churg-Strauss syndrome].

History And Clinical Findings: A 39-year-old woman in good health suddenly developed painful paraesthesia and incomplete paresis of all four limbs. Furthermore, arterial hypertension and tachycardia were found. The patient reported a history of chronic allergic rhinitis for 10 years and asthma one year.

[The diagnostic significance of alpha-MSH in malignant melanoma of man].

In malignant melanoma, melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) has been found to influence the cellular metabolism of melanoma cells (c-AMP production, protein and RNA synthesis, and tyrosinase activation). In some publications elevated alpha-MSH levels have been described in melanoma patients. In the present study we used a commercially available radioimmunoassay to examine the alpha-MSH levels in patients with malignant melanoma and a control group consisting of apparently healthy volunteers (laboratory assistants) and dermatological patients without malignant tumours.

[Effect of structure of hapten carrying model substances on contact reaction: DNP conjugates of stereoisomers of alpha-alanine following DNCB sensitization].

By means of epicutaneous tests under standard conditions we studied the cell-mediated contact sensitivity to dinitrophenyl (DNP) conjugates of the stereoisomeric amino acids L-alpha-alanine and D-alpha-alanine, respectively, in patients sensitized with dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). There was no difference in the number of positive skin responses with the two enantiomeric compounds DNP-L-alpha-alanine (16/26) and DNP-D-alpha-alanine (17/26). However, as in earlier studies, no patient has shown a positive reaction to the position-isomeric DNP-beta-alanine.