Optimization methods in inverse problems and applications to science and engineering

Optimization and Engineering -     

Microscopical studies of water/flour systems

Summary Wheat flour particles sprinkled on a water surface form strands which are visible in the light microscope. These strands form aggregates by means of mechanical forces which show viscoelastic behaviour. Amino acid analysis of both the protein strands and the aggregates formed shows that they consist of gluten protein. The formation of the protein strands occurs at the air/water interface and results from the action of a protein film which spreads around the flour particles.

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Mikroskopische Untersuchungen von Mehl/Wasser-Systemen

Zusammenfassung Weizenmehlpartikel, die auf Wasser gestreut werden, bilden lichtmikroskopisch sichtbare Stränge aus. Durch mechanische Beanspruchung lassen sich these Stränge zu Aggregaten zusammenfassen, die visco-elastisches Verhalten zeigen. Die Aminosäureanalyse sowohl der Proteinstrange wie auch der daraus gebildeten Aggregate zeigt, daß es sich dabei um Kleberprotein handelt. Die Proteinfäden entstehen an der Wasser-Luft-Grenzflache als Folge eines spreitenden Proteinfilms, der sich um die Mehlpartikel herum ausbreitet.

     

Diagnostic and prognostic relevance of malignancy-associated changes in cervical smears

OBJECTIVE: For approximately 15 years, malignancy-associated changes (MACs) have been consistently found by means of high-resolution cytometry in different tissues, especially in visually normal appearing cervical cells. Their biologic nature is not yet fully understood. The aim of this investigation was to assess the expression of MACs in cervical smears and to evaluate their prognostic relevance. STUDY DESIGN: This study was performed on normal intermediate cells obtained from 53 cytologically positive and 78 cytologically negative cervical smears. From a second sample, 31 cases showing negative cytology were selected for a prospective longitudinal study. Densitometric and texture features were generated, and MACs were described on the basis of multivariate discriminant analysis. RESULTS: Discrimination between positive and negative cases was possible, with a correct classification rate of approximately 80%. After a mean period of 29.5 months, we noted no statistically significant increase in the incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in the group of healthy but MAC-positive women as compared to those who were MAC negative. CONCLUSION: MACs were constantly expressed in the epithelium of the cervix. Although their prognostic relevance remains unclear, MACs play an important role in the effort to automate cervical cytology.     

Isolation and enzymatic fragmentation of the coeliac-active gliadin peptide CT-1

Summary Investigations on the structure/toxicity relationships of gliadin peptides were continued with the coeliac-active gliadin peptide CT-1, which is derived from the N-terminal portion (residues 3–24 of the amino acid sequence) of-gliadins [this journal (1986) 182:115–117]. CT-1 was produced by chymotryptic digestion and reversed-phase (RP) HPLC from the peptide fraction G3 [this journal (1992) 194:1–6] and digested with the proteases endoproteinase Glu-C, pancreatin, papain and thermolysin. The fragment peptids were separated by preparative RP-HPLC and characterized by amino acid analysis. On the basis of the specifity of the enzymes for CT-1 and the toxic effect of enzymatic hydrolysates of gliadin described in the literature, the significance of partial sequences, in particular of the sequence -Pro-Ser-Gln-Gln-Gln-Pro- for the coeliac-toxicity effect, is discussed.

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Isolierung und enzymatische Fragmentierung des coeliakieaktiven Gliadinpeptids CT-1

Zusammenfassung Die Untersuchungen über die Zusammenhänge zwischen der Struktur von Gliadinpeptiden und ihrer Toxizität wurden mit dem coeliakieaktiven Gliadinpeptid CT-1 fortgesetzt, das aus dem N-terminalen Bereich (Positionen 3–24 der Aminosäuresequenz) von-Gliadinen stammt [diese Zeitschrift (1986) 182:115–117]. CT-1 wurde aus der Peptidfraktion G3 [diese Zeitschrift (1992) 194:1–6] durch chymotryptische Partialhydrolyse und Umkehrphasen-HPLC gewonnen und mit den Proteasen Endoproteinase Glu-C, Pankreatin, Papain und Thermolysin umgesetzt. Die entstandenen Fragmentpeptide wurden durch präparative Umkehrphasen-HPLC getrennt und durch Aminosäurenanalyse charakterisiert. Anhand der Spezifität der Enzyme gegenüber CT-1 und der aus der Literatur bekannten toxischen Wirkung von enzymatischen Gliadinhydrolysaten wird die Bedeutung einzelner Sequenzabschnitte, insbesondere der Sequenz-Pro-Ser-Gln-Gln-Gln-Pro-, für die coeliakiespezifische Wirkung diskutiert.

     

Coeliac activity of the gliadin peptides CT-1 and CT-2

Summary The coeliac active peptide B 3142, which has been isolated from a peptic-tryptic digest of gliadin [1] and which consists of 53 amino-acid sequences [2], was partially hydrolyzed with -chymotrypsin. The two fragment peptides CT-1 (positions 1–22 of B 3142) and CT-2 (positions 23–53) were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography on octadecyl silica gel and purified by gel filtration on Biogel P2. The examination in the organ-culture test including 18 coeliac patients on normal diet and 7 control persons have shown that the toxicity is preserved after the chymotryptic treatment and that the peptides B 3142, CT-1 and CT-2 do not significantly differ from one another according to their coeliac-specific effect.

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Coeliakieaktivitat der Gliadinpeptide CT-1 und CT-2

Zusammenfassung Das coeliakieaktive Peptid B 3142, das aus einem peptisch-tryptischen Partialhydrolysat von Gliadin gewonnen wurde [1] und aus einer Sequenz von 53 Aminosäureresten besteht [2], wurde mit -Chymotrypsin partiell hydrolysiert. Die beiden Fragment-peptide CT-1 (Positionen 1–22 von B 3142) und CT-2 (Positionen 23–53) wurden durch Hochdruckflüssig-keitschromatographie an Octadecyl-Kieselgel aufgetrennt und an Biogel P2 gereinigt. Die Prüfung im Organkultur-Test unter Einbeziehung von 18 Coeliakie-patienten unter Normalkost und von 7 Kontrollpersonen zeigte, daß die Toxizität nach chymotryptischer Spaltung erhalten bleibt, und daß sich die Peptide B 3142, CT-1 und CT-2 in ihrer coeliakiespezifischen Wirkung nicht wesentlich unterscheiden.

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Supported by a grant from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. We gratefully acknowledge the excellent assistance given by Mrs. U. Schützler and Ms. B. Mosler     

Bitterstoffe beim Erhitzen von Saccharose, Maltose und Prolin 2. Mitteilung

Summary In addition to the mono- and dipyrrolidinohexosereductones described recently (Z Lebensm Unters Forsch (1984) 178:356) two further bittertasting compounds were isolated from heated mixtures of proline and sucrose (molar ratio 3: 1, 190 °C, 30 min) and also synthesized, namely 2,3-bis-(1-pyrrolidinyl)2-cyclopenten-l-one and 2,3-bis(1-pyrrolidinyl)-5methyliden-2-cyclopenten-l-one. The recognition thresholds (mmol/1) are 0.15–0.25 and 0.06–0.12 respectively. Both compounds have a burning bitter taste character. From a maltose-proline reaction mixture 2--glucosyl-5-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-piperidinyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one was isolated. When the dihydroxypyranone VI was heated with proline, 2,5-dihydroxy-5-methyl-4-prohnyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one and the cyclopent(b)azepinones XI and XII were among the compounds formed. These compounds also have a bitter taste character.Zusammenfassung Zusätzlich zu den kürzlich beschriebenen Mono- and Dipyrrolidinohexosereduktionen (Z Lebensm Unters Forsch (1984) 178:356) wurden zwei weitere bittere Verbindungen aus erhitzten Mischungen von Prolin and Saccharose (Molverhältnis 3:1, 190 °C, 30 min) isoliert and synthetisiert. Es handelt sich um 2,3-Bis-(1-Pyrrolidinyl)-2-cyclopenten-1-on und 2,3-Bis-(1-Pyrrolidinyl)-5-methyliden-2-cyclopenten-1-on. Die Erkennungsschwellenwerte (mmol/1) sind 0,15-0,25 and 0,06-0,12. Beide Verbindungen haben einen brennend-bitteren Geschmack. Aus einem Maltose-Prolin-Umsetzungsgemisch gelang die Isolierung des 2--Glucosyl-5-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-piperidinyl-2-cyclopenten-1-ons. Bei der Reaktion des Dihydropyranons VI mit Prolin wurden u. a. das 2,5-Dihydroxy-5-methyl-4-prolinyl2-cyclopenten-1-on sowie die Cyclopent(b)azepinone XI and XII gebildet. Diese Verbindungen sind ebenfalls mehr oder weniger stark bitter.     

13C- and 23Na-NMR investigations on alkali cellulose

Summary Solid state ²³Na- and ¹³C-NMR spectra of alkali cellulose are presented as a function of NaOH-concentration of the steeping lye, steeping temperature and amount of adhering lye (press factor). Results are discussed with regard to chemical binding of NaOH to the cellulose chain in the system cellulose/ NaOH/H₂O.Presented at the 22nd Microsymposium, Characterization of Structure and Dynamics of Macromolecular Systems by NMR Methods, Prague, CSSR, July 20–23,1981     

Spezifische Bedarfe bei zahnärztlichen Patienten mit Demenz und ihre ethischen Implikationen

Definition of the problem

The central foundations of successful dental treatment consist of a trustful patient-dentist relationship, the professional and psychosocial expertise of the team treating the patient, and consideration of ethical aspects both during the therapeutic decision-making process and during the subsequent execution of therapy. This is especially true of the dental treatment of (mostly elder) persons with dementia, calling for an in-depth assessment of the various normative implications.

Arguments

In geriatric dentistry in particular, situational dilemmas regarding treatment often arise from specific constellations (e.?g. greatly reduced potential for dental therapy, lack of ability regarding oral hygiene and lack of individual patient responsibility) combined with an acute need for treatment and the necessary involvement of third parties. These dilemmas frequently place additional professional and normative demands on the dentist. The current contribution discusses this specific situation, first by way of theoretical discourse and subsequently with a case-related approach on the basis of two case histories.

Conclusion

It becomes clear here that classic state-of-the-art therapies are replaced by “compromise treatment” in many cases in geriatric dentistry. Such treatment follows divergent diagnostic and therapeutic rules, poses changed requirements in terms of communication and presents specific ethical challenges and pitfalls.