Alterations of the nailfold capillary morphology associated with Raynaud phenomenon in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Quantitative analysis of nailfold capillary morphology was performed in age and sex matched groups of 29 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting Raynaud phenomenon (RP), 29 RP negative patients with SLE with the same duration of the disease, and 29 healthy controls. Percentages of tortuous, meandering and bushy capillaries were significantly increased in both groups of patients without influence of RP. Capillary density was lower, mean diameters of the capillary loops were higher in patients, especially when RP was present (at the venular branch in microns, mean +/- SD: controls: 15.0 +/- 2.0, RP negative patients with SLE: 17.6 +/- 3.6, RP positive patients with SLE: 20.5 +/- 6.3). In a subgroup of 13 patients with frequent Raynaud's attacks (more than 1/week), diameters were still higher (22.1 +/- 7.1, p to controls less than 0.0005; p to RP negative patients less than 0.05). In patients with SLE, the prevalence of RP seems not to be associated with the increased number of abnormal capillaries but with capillary enlargement, correlating with the frequency of attacks.

[Deliberations and computer computations on the epidemiology of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the Federal Republic of Germany]. / Uberlegungen und Hochrechnungen zur Epidemiologie des "Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome" in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.

A computer simulation of the morbidity and mortality rates of the "Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome" in the Federal Republic of Germany was performed. Since sexual intercourse is the main mode of transmission, the population was divided into six groups with different sexual behaviour. In several variations of the program it is demonstrated that during the next 15 years up to 41,000 AIDS patients can be expected. The importance of female prostitutes and male bisexuals as "vectors" who may transmit the infection into exclusively heterosexual groups is shown. Using this program, the effect of prophylaxis against infection as well as of changes of sexual behaviour within the population at large can also be examined.

[Complement fragment C 3d in the plasma of patients with chronic polyarthritis]. / Complement-Fragment C 3d im Plasma von Patienten mit chronischer Polyarthritis.

Activation of the complement system via immune complex formation plays an important role in the perpetuation of chronic inflammatory disorders. The serum levels of C3 or C4 do not necessarily reflect the actual complement catabolism. By measurement of the long-lived C3 split product "C3d" direct information about complement activation can be obtained. C3d was measured with a modified immunoelectrophoresis technique in EDTA-plasma of 106 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 36% of them showed significantly elevated C3d levels (mean: 8.93 micrograms/ml). Significant linear correlations were found for C3d with ESR, Lansbury-Index and plasma viscosity.

Performance and biocompatibility of the FD 100 Gambrane hollow-fiber dialyzer.

In order to obtain performance data and biocompatibility characteristics of the two new Gambrane FD 100 polycarbonate hollow-fiber dialyzers (y-sterilized, dry or prefilled with isotonic saline) a paired in vivo evaluation was carried out. The measured data indicate that residual blood volume and small molecular weight clearances of Gambrane hollow-fiber dialyzers are not significantly different from comparable Cuprophan dialyzers. Small molecular clearance values are not affected by the significantly different ultrafiltration coefficients of the two tested FD 100 dialyzers. Biocompatibility of Gambrane as reflected by white blood cell count, platelet count and C3d is superior to Cuprophan.