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The three-dimensional structure of the dimeric flavoenzyme glutathione reductase from human erythrocytes has been elucidated by an X-ray diffraction analysis at 0.3 nm resolution. The polypeptide chain has been traced, and the binding positions of FAD, NADP and glutathione have been determined. A mechanism for the electron transfer is discussed.

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In a population-based case-control study in the Rhein-Neckar-Odenwald area (containing 1.3 million inhabitants) of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), risk factors were assessed for brain tumor development in 226 cases with primary brain tumors (ICD-9 191, 192.1, 192.0) and 418 population controls, interviewed by a standardized questionnaire. The analysis of occupational risk factors and smoking is presented. No elevated risk was found for smoking. Similarly, no significant effects were found for most occupations. Five specific occupational groups were examined because of a priori determination that they were of interest. Some categories showed slightly elevated risks but in none was the elevation statistically significant. A significant increase in risk for brain tumor development was found associated with working in electrical occupations for women (relative risk [RR] = 5.2; 95 percent confidence interval [CI] 1.4-20.1) but not for men (RR = 0.9, 95 percent CI 0.3-2.3).

This prospective clinical trial (1983-1989) compares life-quality scores according to Karnofsky in patients with intra-cranial who had been operated upon. Karnofsky's performance status was evaluated during a follow-up period of 36 months. The patients were between 20 to 77 years of age; 132 patients had an astrocytoma grade III or IV; 42 patients with brain metastases were investigated; 72 had an astrocytoma grade I + II, and 144 had a meningioma. The median survival in patients with astrocytomas grade III or IV was 12 months; a short period with nearly normal activity (Karnofsky score 75) was followed by rapid deterioration. In patients with brain metastases, postoperatively the median functional ability reached its highest value three weeks after treatment and then decreased continuously (average score from 50-25). In patients with astrocytomas grade I and II, life-quality was reasonably good (mean score up to 75). The score was observed to increase slightly during the first year after treatment. A performance status improvement up to 80 could be obtained in patients with meningiomas; however, 35% were left unfit for work.

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We compared memory disorders of three patient groups suffering from brain lesions with a word list corresponding to the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLTgcor). Dependent measures were learning rate and efficiency, retention, and strategic control of the learning process. Compared to a control group of patients with right hemispheric lesions, a left Arteria cerebri posterior (LACP) group showed general memory deficits, an inflated recency effect, and increased serial clustering. A left prefrontal cortex (LPFC) group documented slowed learning and increased recall after semantic cues. Discriminant analysis correctly classified 86.11% of the patients. It is argued that (a) the CVLT helps to cover differences in memory disorders recently discussed in cognitive neuropsychology; (b) differences between PFC and ACP patients become evident only if strategic aspects of learning and increased recall after semantic cueing are taken into account. The results are discussed within the framework of recent cognitive neuropsychological findings and with a distinction between fronto-subcortical and cortical memory disorders.

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