Treatment of humoral rejection after heart transplantation.

Background: Until a few years ago, the incidence of humoral rejection after heart transplantation was underestimated. These episodes were frequently very aggressive and often fatal, because the maintenance and emergency immunosuppression available at the time only inadequately covered the humoral branch of the immune response. In spite of individual case reports, the effects of blood purification procedures or cyclophosphamide in this situation can only be insufficiently estimated.

Detection of inhibition of HIV-1 protease activity by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

An ELISA is described for the detection of HIV-1 protease activity using an immobilized gag-related polyprotein as substrate. Proteolytic activity was demonstrated with either bacterial lysates expressing HIV-1 protease or purified protease. No cleavage was observed with a protein preparation from control bacteria not expressing HIV-1 protease.

[Biofreezer BF 80--a universally employed apparatus in preservation at very low temperatures].

A computer-controlled freezing apparatus is described which uses liquid nitrogen (LN2) as coolant. The freezing equipment BF 80 consists of a big cryochamber (volume 24 l), a LN2 tank and a computer for the control of the freezing procedure. The biofreezer functions in the range from 40 to -180 degrees C.

[Immunochemical determination of human thiol protein disulfide oxidoreductase in cell and tissue homogenates by competitive EIA].

Different monospecific antisera against thiol-protein disulfide oxidoreductase (TPO, EC 1.8.4.

[Controlled study of the effect of sports training on cardiopulmonary functions in asthmatic children and adolescents].

The influence of physical training on the cardiopulmonary system and on lung function of asthmatic children was determined in a controlled study. The children were all indoor patients of the Hochgebirgsklinik Davos, Switzerland. 36 children at the age of 10 to 16 years entered the study.