Synthesis and chromatographic characterization of [Tc-99m]technetium-humic acid species

A natural moor soil humic acid (HA) was labeled with Tc-99m via reduction of pertechnetate with stannous chloride. The humic acid species obtained were characterized by thin layer chromatography (TLC), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), sequential chromatographic analysis (SCA), paper electrophoresis and micropore filtration. Labeling was found to take place in all ranges of molecular weight. Due to the complex humic acid composition and the formation of hydroxo species the labeling yields strongly depend on the separation conditions, ranging from 42% to 80%. The pH-dependent distribution of mobile and immobile species was determined by SCA for HTcO4, HA and for Tc-HA-species obtained after labeling. Geochemically relevant properties of HA remain unchanged after the labeling procedure, only macroscopic amounts of the reducing agent Sn2+give rise to a shift to lower molecular weight species.

[Guidelines for the sociomedical assessment of performance in patients suffering from chronic non-malignant diseases of the liver and the bile ducts--for the Medical Assessment Services of the German Pension Fund]

The following guidelines were developed for the medical assessment services of the German pension fund. Starting from day-to-day practice, criteria and attributes to guide decisions for a systematisation of the sociomedical assessment of performance in diseases of the liver and the bile ducts were compiled. The guidelines aim at standardising the sociomedical assessment of performance and help to make the decision-making process more transparent, e. g., for the assessment of applications for decreased earning capacity benefits. The guidelines summarise the typical manifestations of diseases of the liver and the bile ducts and describe the necessary medical information for the sociomedical assessment of performance. Relevant assessment criteria for the medical history, clinical examination, and for diagnostic tests are illustrated. The assessment of the individual's capacity is outlined, taking occupational factors into account. Following the determination of dysfunctions, the remaining abilities and disabilities, respectively, are deduced and compared with occupational demands. Finally, inferences are drawn regarding the occupational capacity of the individual. The guidelines followed from an extended procedure to attain a wide consensus in the setting of the German Pension Fund and an upgraded evidence base.

Benign hidradenoma: magnetic resonance and ultrasound features of two cases

Tumors of sweat gland origin are rare in the hand but should be considered in the differential diagnosis when certain imaging features are present. We present a case of nodular hidradenoma of the hand, with previously unreported magnetic resonance imaging features, and a further case in the thigh, both with ultrasound and histopathological correlation. The imaging literature of this tumor is reviewed, and its significance is discussed with respect to the current understanding of its malignant potential.

[Guidelines for the sociomedical assessment of performance in patients suffering from breast cancer]

The following guidelines were developed for the medical assessment services of the German Pension Insurance Federal Institution. Starting from day-to-day practice, criteria and attributes to guide decisions for a systemisation of the sociomedical assessment of performance in breast cancer were compiled. The guidelines aim at standardising the sociomedical assessment of performance and help to make the decision-making process more transparent, e. g., for the assessment of applications for decreased earning capacity benefits. The guidelines summarise typical manifestations of breast cancer and describe the necessary medical information for the sociomedical assessment of performance. Relevant assessment criteria for the medical history, clinical examination, and for diagnostic tests are illustrated. The assessment of the individual's capacity is outlined, taking occupational factors into account. Following the determination of dysfunctions, the remaining abilities and disabilities, respectively, are deduced and compared with occupational demands. Finally, inferences are drawn regarding the occupational capacity of the individual.

FEA analysis of silicone MCP implant

This paper discusses finite element study of silicone rubber prosthesis for the metacarpophalangeal joint of the hand. Based on the experimental data, a material model which incorporates test data available for different stress states was chosen and calibrated. Finite element models for three commercially available silicone joint prosthesis were developed. All models incorporated the same material model and allowed for large deformations. These models were validated against the experimental data and analyzed under demanding loading conditions. Results such as highly non-linear material behavior, dependence on the loading history and large deformations near wrinkle formation in the hinge area of the joint clearly show the necessity and importance of using multi-stress- state non-linear material models and accounting for large deformations.

[Guidelines for the sociomedical assessment of performance in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease]

The following guidelines were developed for the medical assessment services of the German Federal Insurance Institute for Salaried Employees (BfA). Starting from day-to-day practice, criteria and attributes to guide decisions for a systemization of the sociomedical assessment of performance in inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) were compiled. The guidelines aim at standardising the sociomedical assessment of performance and help to make the decision-making process more transparent -- e. g. for the assessment of applications for decreased earning capacity benefits. The guidelines summarise typical manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease and describe the necessary medical information for the sociomedical assessment of performance. Relevant assessment criteria for the medical history, clinical examination, and for diagnostic tests are illustrated. The assessment of the individual's capacity is outlined, taking occupational factors into account. Following the determination of dysfunctions the remaining abilities and disabilities, respectively, are deduced and compared with occupational demands. Finally, inferences are drawn regarding the occupational capacity of the individual.

Methylation discriminators in NSCLC identified by a microarray based approach

Aberrant DNA methylation is a frequent phenomenon in non-small cell lung cancers. We have used a microarray approach to assess the methylation status of 245 CpG positions in 59 candidate genes in 26 squamous cell carcinomas, and 22 adenocarcinomas as well as 26 normal adjacent lung tissue samples from smokers to identify genes that show a distinct methylation status difference between the two different tumour type tissues and normal adjacent tissue. Tumour tissue samples were grouped together and compared to the normal tissue sample group. A multivariate test was performed, taking into account all CpG positions that were analyzed for a particular gene, to calculate p-values for each gene based on the observed methylation difference between the two groups, p-values obtained were corrected for multiple testing. The highest degree of differential DNA methylation in squamous cell carcinoma compared to normal was observed in ARHI, MGMT, GP1bbeta, RARbeta and TMEFF2 genes, while TMEFF2, MGMT and CDKNIC genes differentiated between adenocarcinomas and normal tissue. It is of note that some of the genes for which differential methylation status was observed, have not been previously described in lung cancer. Our results provide compelling evidence that different histological types of lung cancer may be distinguished from normal tissue based on methylation profiles of specific genes.

Regional migratory osteoporosis: a review illustrated by five cases

Regional migratory osteoporosis is an uncommon self-limiting disease characterized by an arthralgia which migrates between the weight-bearing joints of the lower limb. The radiological features of the disease obtained by conventional radiography, CT, MRI and radionuclide scintigraphy are illustrated by means of five case reports. These range from the most common presentation of sequential, proximal to distal spread in the lower limb to the rare intra-articular form, and disease involving the axial skeleton is also recognized. Clinical and radiographical features often overlap with those of diseases such as transient osteoporosis of the hip and transient bone marrow oedema syndrome, which is reflected in confusing terminology. Histological sampling is usually unnecessary; the radiological features are characteristic and the histological findings are not specific. Regional migratory osteoporosis is associated with systemic osteoporosis. This association is probably under-recognized, and has implications for the pathophysiology of the disease and for treatment.