[Dextran 40 or HES 200/0.5? Hemorheology of the long-term treatment of ischemic cerebral attacks].

Haemorheological parameters on long-term treatment of ischaemic stroke were measured in two groups of 12 patients receiving dextran 40 or hydroxyethyl starch (HES 200). Both substances similarly lowered haematocrit and whole-blood viscosity. Dextran produced a clear-cut increase in plasma viscosity and red-cell aggregation.

Pharmacokinetic evaluations with highly sophisticated analytical methods.

26 patients, aged between 53 and 72 years, with chronic myocardial insufficiency of different degrees, proved radiologically by an enlargement of the heart and a mean reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction by more than 50%, were subjected to 4 weeks of treatment with 3 x 60 drops/day Miroton, (Chemische) Werke Minden GmbH), a cardioactive glycoside mixture, following a washout phase of 4 weeks. The effect on end-diastolic volume (EDV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was recorded and calculated by ECG-triggered radionuclide angiography both before, and after 2 and 4 weeks of medication with Miroton. On therapy with Miroton the EDV decreased by 4% after 14 days and by 18% after 4 weeks (compared to the baseline value of 126.

Purification to homogeneity of pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase of barley.

An enzyme has been purified to homogeneity from barley seedlings which has ;proline dehydrogenase' and the pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid reductase activities. The purification achieved is 39,000-fold as calculated from the proline dehydrogenase activity. The subunit molecular weight of the protein is 30 kilodaltons.

[Psychopharmaceuticals and cancer. Modification of tumor growth by psychoactive drugs].

Psychotropic agents can promote tumors and inhibit neoplastic cell growth. Diazepam which is cancerogenic in some animal models has no such potency in large epidemiologic studies. Neuroleptics increase serumprolactine but psychiatric patients treated with these agents are not of higher risk for breast cancer.

Influence of Water Stress on the Vacuole/Extravacuole Distribution of Proline in Protoplasts of Nicotiana rustica.

Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica) plants were stressed by addition of polyethylene glycol solution (-20 bar) to the growth medium. The proline contents and concentrations in total protoplasts, vacuoles, and extravacuolar fractions of these plants have been determined and compared with protoplasts and cell fractions of well-watered plants. As compared to the control, the stress treatment of intact plants results in a 7-fold increase of the proline content in the extravacuolar fraction while the vacuolar content was enriched only 2.

Subcellular distribution and chemical form of cadmium in bean plants.

The subcellular distribution and chemical form of Cd in bean plants grown in nutrient solutions containing Cd were investigated. Cd was accumulated mainly in roots and to a minor extent in leaves. Subcellular fractionation of Cd-containing tissues (pH 7.

[Blood pressure and renin under treatment of hypertension with guanfacine (author's transl)].

The effect of treatment with guanfacine for 12 weeks on blood pressure and plasma renin activity was investigated in 24 hypertensive patients (WHO I--III). After 4 weeks of treatment with varying doses, the blood pressure decreased to 157/91/118 mmHg, and after 12 weeks of treatment it leveled off at 147/83/109 mmHg. Heart rate remained essentially unchanged throughout the observation period.