Characterization and alkaline pretreatment of rice husk varieties in Uganda for potential utilization as precursors in the production of activated carbon and other value-added products.

In this study, 13 rice husk (RH) varieties from 4 agro-ecological zones in Uganda were characterized, NaOH-pretreated, and evaluated for their potential utilization as precursors for production of bio-oil, ash, char, and activated carbon for selected applications. RH varieties were characterized through particle size analysis, bulk density, proximate and ultimate analyses, specific surface area, pore volume, as well as lignocellulosic and inorganic compositions. Selected RH varieties were subsequently pretreated at NaOH concentrations of 1-4%w/v, using pretreatment ratios of 5 g RH: 40 mL NaOH.

Physicochemical features of ultra-high viscosity alginates.

The physicochemical characteristics of the ultra-high viscosity and highly biocompatible alginates extracted from Lessonia nigrescens (UHV(N)) and Lessonia trabeculata (UHV(T)) were analyzed. Fluorescence and (1)H NMR spectroscopies, viscometry, and multi-angle light scattering (MALS) were used for elucidation of the chemical structure, molar mass, and coil size. The sequential structures from NMR spectroscopy showed high guluronate content for UHV(T), but low for UHV(N).

GAS TRANSPORT IN THE HAEMOLYMPH OF ARACHNIDS - CARBON DIOXIDE TRANSPORT AND ACID-BASE BALANCE.

The relationships between PCO2 and pH were determined in cell-free undiluted haemolymph of the arachnids Eurypelma californicum, Pandinus imperator and Cupiennius salei. The pH/bicarbonate diagrams and the CO2 equilibrium curves were calculated, using the Henderson­Hasselbalch equation, for haemolymph sampled at rest and during recovery from exercise. The calculations of solubility (alphaCO2) and dissociation constant (pK"') were based on additional ion concentration measurements.

GAS TRANSPORT IN THE HAEMOLYMPH OF ARACHNIDS - OXYGEN TRANSPORT AND THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLE OF HAEMOCYANIN.

Oxygen equilibrium curves and the relationships between the partial pressure of CO2 and pH were determined for the haemolymph of the arachnids Eurypelma californicum, Pandinus imperator and Cupiennius salei. A new type of experimental apparatus was constructed, tested and used to make these measurements on small undiluted cell-free haemolymph samples. Most of its components were made in our workshop and were inexpensive.

Hemocyanins in spiders, XXIII. Complete amino-acid sequence of subunit a of Eurypelma californicum hemocyanin.

The complete amino-acid sequence of subunit a of the hemocyanin of the tarantula Eurypelma californicum was determined by manual sequencing. By limited chymotrypsinolysis, subunit a is split into two fragments of 25 kDa and 40 kDa, respectively, only one single peptide bond being attacked. The whole chain contains 15 methionine residues, after cyanogen bromide cleavage, 15 peptides were identified indicating that one residue (Met85) was not split by the cyanogen bromide reaction.

Clinical, biochemical and immunological effectiveness of diacetyl-splenopentin (BCH 069) in hay fever.

Diacetyl-splenopentin (BCH 069) is a new pentapeptide of splenin modified by twofold acetylation. BCH 069 has thymopentin-like activity demonstrated by in vivo animal and in vitro human studies. Two groups of patients received 50 mg BCH 069 and placebo, respectively, by subcutaneous injection 3 times weekly for 4 weeks.

[Disease-specific and non-specific seasonal parameter changes in hayfever patients].

10 patients have been treated by subcutaneous injections of placebo three times weekly for 4 weeks within a phase-I trial of BCH-069. Immunological, hematological and biochemical parameters were observed at different times: preseasonal, seasonal and postseasonal. --Some new observations are reported, which are induced by the seasonal inflammation.

[Age-dependent sensitivity of human lymphocytes to the immunomodulating effect of bovine and human diacetyl splenopentin].

Both newborns and elderly adults suffer from physiological immunodeficiency. The molecular mechanisms responsible for this immunodeficiency are currently investigated by many laboratories. The aim of our investigations was to answer the question wether these immunodeficiencies could be influenced by bovine and/or human diacetyl-splenopentin, two newly developed immunostimulatory peptides.

[Status and developmental trends in the use of fluorescence microscopy studies in microbiology].

There are many applications for fluorescence microscopy in the field of microbiology for diagnostic and scientific purposes. Autofluorescence as well as secondary fluorescence induced by staining of specimen with fluorochromes or with fluorochrome labeled antibodies are used for detection and differentiation of microorganisms. Small demands for object preparation and short test times are advantages for screening tests.

Double staining technique using a combination of indirect and direct immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies.

A simple method for double staining by immunofluorescence is described. If for double staining using monoclonal antibodies of the same species only one antibody is conjugated with FITC or TRITC, a combination of indirect and direct immunofluorescence is possible. For cell staining the following incubation steps are carried out: Monoclonal antibody I (unlabelled, mouse), anti-mouse immunoglobulin serum FITC- or TRITC-conjugated, normal mouse serum for blocking of free binding sites of the anti-mouse immunoglobulin, and monoclonal antibody II (mouse) which is conjugated with an alternative fluorochrome.

Photomicrography of weakly fluorescent objects--employment of p-phenylene diamine as a blocker of fading.

By adding p-phenylene diamine (PPD) to the embedding medium, the fading of fluorescent objects labeled with FITC or mithramycin is substantially reduced. Thus, a multiple quantity of light, as compared to without additive, may be obtained from the objects and so photomicrography be improved or made possible at all. For microfluorometry as well as for subjective fluorescence microscopy the employment of PPD is not very helpful.

Hemocyanins in spiders, XIX. Complete amino-acid sequence of subunit d from Eurypelma californicum hemocyanin, and comparison to chain e.

The complete primary structure of subunit d of the hemocyanin from the tarantula Eurypelma californicum was determined by manual micro sequencing. Subunit d of Mr = 73000 is split about in the middle of the chain during limited trypsinolysis, only one single bond being attacked. The whole chain contains 14 methionine residues and after cyanogen bromide cleavage 15 peptides could be isolated by gel and ion exchange chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography.

[Subacute idiopathic polymyositis with rare antiribosomal antibodies in the serum - clinical course during immunosuppressive long-term therapy].

In a 66-year-old woman a polymyositis with subacute course was observed. The proof of very rare antiribosomal antibodies with a high titre on the serum was remarkable. Only after a cytostatic immunosuppressive therapy a clinical improvement developed, parallel to which there was a tendency to normalisation of immunological and enzyme-pathological parameters.

[Problems in the characterization of autoantibodies in patients' sera by microfluorometry as exemplified by antimitochondrial antibodies].

Attention is called to various problems of subjective differentiation of fluorescence patterns for demonstrating autoantibodies by the indirect immunofluorescent technique. For the objective measurement of the fluorescent intensity, the main problem is the dependence of the measuring results upon the thickness of the tissue sections. The determination of the relationships of the fluorescent intensity in one preparation is independent on the thickness of the section.

[Instrumentation technology problems in immunofluorescence microscopy].

The influence of construction units of the microscope such as filters, lamps and objectives upon fluorescent intensity and contrast is demonstrated. Further, the bleaching of fluorescence and the possibilities of contrast illumination are dealth with. Of crucial importance to the evaluation of the fluorescent images is their contrast rather than the intensity of fluorescence.

Marker and functional characterization of immunoregulatory cells in rheumatoid arthritis.

In 34 patients with rheumatoid arthritis we determined the regulatory index OKT 4: OKT 8 and the suppressor index delta 24: delta 0. There is no correlation between the results of the detection of subpopulations with monoclonal antibodies and of the functional test to determine the suppressor activity. The enhanced mitogen-induced proliferation after 24-h preincubation is regularly associated with a rise in the regulatory index; however, without convincing quantitative correlation.

Investigations of fading of immunofluorescence objects.

Fading of immunofluorescent objects was influenced by attenuation of fluorescence intensity whether by attenuation of excitation, post-fixation or counterstaining. In comparison with the wide-band excitation, narrow-band excitation had an influence on the fading rate via the attenuation of the excitation intensity only. Compared with aqueously immersed objects we obtained only half of the intensity and a quite stronger decrease of fluorescence with dry objects or objects embedded with fast-hardening medium.

[Standardization of indirect immunofluorescence for detection of autoantibodies (author's transl)].

Seven laboratories made a chessboard titration with a serum containing antimitochondrial antibodies and two conjugates labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. The variation of the plateau titer and the titer of the serum as well as the plateau-end point was slight with the exception of one case. The standardization of indirect immunofluorescence needs a close contact between the laboratories, the availability of reference sera and conjugates, and similar microscopic equipment.