Epithelial antimicrobial peptides: innate local host response elements

Multicellular organisms have to survive in an environment laden with numerous microorganisms, which represent a potential hazard to life. Different strategies have been developed to ward off infections by preventing microorganisms from entering surfaces and by preventing the attack of microorganisms that have already entered the epithelia. Therefore, it is not surprising that epithelia are equipped with various antimicrobial substances that act rapidly to kill a broad range of microorganisms. This review summarizes our present knowledge about epithelial peptide antibiotics produced in plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates including humans. There is now strong evidence that in addition to constitutively secreted peptide antibiotics, others are induced upon contact with microorganisms or by proinflammatory cytokines. beta-Defensins represent one family of vertebrate antimicrobial peptides, members of which are inducible and have recently been identified in humans. The defensin-characteristic local expression pattern may indicate that specialized surfaces express a characteristic surface antimicrobial peptide pattern that might define the characteristic microflora as well as the density of microorganisms present on the surface.     

Electrical conduction through DNA molecules

The question of whether DNA is able to transport electrons has attracted much interest, particularly as this ability may play a role as a repair mechanism after radiation damage to the DNA helix. Experiments addressing DNA conductivity have involved a large number of DNA strands doped with intercalated donor and acceptor molecules, and the conductivity has been assessed from electron transfer rates as a function of the distance between the donor and acceptor sites. But the experimental results remain contradictory, as do theoretical predictions. Here we report direct measurements of electrical current as a function of the potential applied across a few DNA molecules associated into single ropes at least 600 nm long, which indicate efficient conduction through the ropes. We find that the resistivity values derived from these measurements are comparable to those of conducting polymers, and indicate that DNA transports electrical current as efficiently as a good semiconductor. This property, and the fact that DNA molecules of specific composition ranging in length from just a few nucleotides to chains several tens of micrometres long can be routinely prepared, makes DNA ideally suited for the construction of mesoscopic electronic devices.     

Der Einfluss des Urin-pH auf die Aktivität von Urinenzymen

Summary The relationship between the pH of urine and the measured activity of ULDH, UAP and UAA was investigated in vivo and in vitro. The activity of ULDH and UAP is only half as much, or less, in acid urine (pH 4.8–5.1) as it is in alkaline urine (pH 7.0–8.1). The UAA activity, however, does not change in the pH range measured. The isoenzymes ULDH 2–4, present in alkaline urine of normal adults, does not appear in acid urine.     

Experimentelle Reversion von Tumorzellen in vivo

Summary European eels with fast growing epidermal papillomas (cauliflower disease) were treated with quinine-sulphate. At concentrations of 15 to 60 mg/l and after 8 weeks of treatment, there occurred newly formed mucous cells and club cells in the tumor tissue. Tight contact between all cells was reestablished. The nucleus-plasma-relation had evidently decreased. Electron microscopical studies showed a restauration of degenerated cell organelles, especially of the outer membrane. Growth rate of the tumors was reduced, and at a concentration of 60 mg/l the tumor tissue ceased growing from the beginning of treatment.     

Dosis-Wirkungs-Beziehungen zwischen Koronardurchfluss und Herzfrequenz für Adenosin

Summary In the isolated guinea-pig heart, it has been found that the amount of adenosine which slows the heart rate is about 100 times greater than the amount which increases coronary flow.     

Analytisch-chemische Bestimmung nichtradioaktiver Stoffe mit einem Flüssig-Szintillationsspektrometer durch Radiolumineszenz und Absorptionsphotometrie im Čerenkov-Licht

Summary Three techniques are described which allow a quantitative chemical determination of non-radioactive substances by the means of a liquid scintillation counter. The first method is based on the chemical quenching of a radioluminescent solution through the substance that is to be determined. The second method may be described as absorption photometry in erenkov-light and the third one as absorption photometry in radiofluorescence light.     

Acidolytic cleavage of peptide bonds during acetylation

Zusammenfassung Eine Spaltung von Peptiden tritt auf, wenn versucht wird, gewisse Derivate in an sich üblicher Weise herzustellen. Damit wird auf die Möglichkeit einer Fehlinterpretation hingewiesen.