Library of random copolypeptides by solid phase synthesis.

Random copolypeptides are promising and versatile bioinspired macromolecules of minimal complexity for studying their interactions with both living and synthetic matter. They provide the opportunity to investigate the role of, for example, total net charge and hydrophobicity through simply changing the monomer composition, without considering the effect of specific sequences or secondary structure. However, synthesizing large libraries of these polymers so far was prohibited by the time-consuming preparation methods available (ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides and enzymatic polymerization of amino acids).

Ion-association complexes unite classical and non-classical theories for the biomimetic nucleation of calcium phosphate.

Despite its importance in many industrial, geological and biological processes, the mechanism of crystallization from supersaturated solutions remains a matter of debate. Recent discoveries show that in many solution systems nanometre-sized structural units are already present before nucleation. Still little is known about the structure and role of these so-called pre-nucleation clusters.

[Significance of monitoring histamine serum levels, cryoglobulins and complement titers during cold tests in patients with cold allergy and Raynaud's phenomenon].

The aim of our investigations is to evaluate blood histamine, complement titer and cryoglobulins before and after cold stimulation (extremity water immersion test) in patients with cold urticaria and Raynaud phenomenon. In our investigations patients were put into five groups according to the following diagnoses: cold urticaria (40 patients), chronic urticaria (15 patients), Urticaria-Vasculitis Syndrome (15 patients), Raynauds Disease (16 patients), and Raynauds phenomenon (15 patients). The investigations demonstrated that the test was always positive in cold urticaria and that a high percentage of patients had a rise in blood histamine.

[Proteinuria in dermal vasculitis (incidence, degree and possible mechanisms of onset)].

The paper comprises 63 patients with diagnosed vasculitis of the skin who had abnormal findings in the urine. Thirteen of these patients had positive skin findings and abnormal findings in the urine, with concomitant attacks of dyspnea as seen in bronchial asthma. These patients account for 20% of the entire group, while there was an incidence of 37% of systemic manifestations.

[Effect of ranitidine on the pharmacokinetics of theophylline in patients with obstructive pulmonary disease].

Investigations were performed on 20 patients with mild and moderately severe forms of bronchiale asthma or chronic obstructive bronchitis. Theophylline for oral use (sustained release form) and Ranitidine (second generation H2-blocker) were used in the first group of patients (7 females and 3 males, average age 37.9).