Helicity amplitudes A1/2 and A3/2 for the D13(1520) resonance obtained from the gamma-->p-->-->ppi(0) Reaction

The helicity dependence of the gamma-->p-->-->ppi(0) reaction has been measured for the first time in the photon-energy range from 550 to 790 MeV. The experiment, performed at the Mainz microtron MAMI, used a 4pi-detector system, a circularly polarized, tagged photon beam, and a longitudinally polarized frozen-spin target. These data are predominantly sensitive to the D13(1520) resonance and are used to determine its helicity amplitudes.

The use of diclazuril in extended withdrawal anticoccidial programs: 2. Immunity to Eimeria tenella challenge after drug withdrawal

The effect of diclazuril medication on the development of natural immunity to Eimeria tenella was determined. Birds in two treatments, nonexposed, non-challenged (NENC) and nonexposed, challenged (NEC), were from a holding group raised under conditions designed to prevent coccidial infection. Birds in five other treatments, from the same hatch and source as birds in the first two treatments, were from a floor pen study involving a natural exposure to Eimeria spp. These birds were assigned to the current study based on their respective treatments in the original floor pen study as follows: unmedicated (UNM), 66 ppm salinomycin (SAL) + 50 ppm roxarsone in the starter and grower diets to Day 28 (SAL 28), 66 ppm SAL + 50 ppm roxarsone in the starter diet and 1 ppm diclazuril (DIC) in the grower diet to Day 28 (DIC 28) or to Day 35 (DIC 35), or in the grower and finisher diets to Day 42 (DIC 42). Each treatment comprised three floor pens of 10 birds (female) in a randomized complete block design. All birds were fed an UNM finisher diet during the 7-d challenge study. Birds in each treatment, except NENC, were individually inoculated (p.o.) with 1 x 10(5) Eimeria tenella sporulated oocysts on Day 1. Based on bird performance and cecal lesion scores, birds in the DIC 35 and 42 treatments had a low immunity to the challenge infection, birds in the DIC 28 treatment were partially immunized, and the highest levels of immunity were observed in the UNM and SAL 28 treatments.

The use of diclazuril in extended withdrawal anticoccidial programs: 1. Efficacy against Eimeria spp. in broiler chickens in floor pens

A 49-d floor pen study was conducted with broiler chickens to compare the effects of different anticoccidial withdrawal times on the efficacy of 1 ppm diclazuril. The starter diet in three treatments contained 66 ppm salinomycin + 50 ppm roxarsone (3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid), followed by 1 ppm diclazuril in the grower diet commencing on Day 17. Diclazuril was withdrawn from these treatments on Day 28, 35, or 42 (finisher diet), respectively. Two other treatments in the study were given 66 ppm salinomycin + 50 ppm roxarsone in the starter and grower diets to Day 28 or no anticoccidial (unmedicated). The starter (Days 0 to 16), grower (Days 17 to 35), and finisher (Days 36 to 49) diets in each treatment included 55 ppm bacitracin methylene disalicylate for growth promotion. Fifty 1-d-old chicks were randomly allotted to each of 10 pens per treatment using a randomized complete block design. Birds in each pen were raised on litter naturally contaminated with a mixture of Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, and Eimeria tenella. The results demonstrated that some performance loss occurred in the salinomycin Day 28 treatment. Means for weight gain and feed conversion on Day 49 were improved (P < 0.05) in each diclazuril treatment in comparison with the salinomycin and unmedicated treatments. Feed conversion means in the diclazuril Day 35 and Day 42 treatments were improved (P < 0.05) in comparison with the diclazuril Day 28 treatment, indicating that shorter withdrawal times provided further benefit.

[Mono- or bilateral abducens paralysis as the initial symptom of sinus vein thrombosis]

BACKGROUND

Sinus vein thrombosis is a rare intracerebral complication of mastoiditis. We report on the clinical ophthalmologic symptomatology of this secondary illness.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

HISTORY

two young female patients, aged 14 and 3.5 years, presented at our pediatric ophthalmology section due to diplopia. Both girls had suffered 1-2 weeks earlier from otitis media, which had been treated with antibiotics. Other neurological symptoms were not reported.

CLINICAL COURSE

Best corrected visual acuity was 20/20 OD/OS in both patients. Ocular alignment revealed a bilateral abduction deficit in the 14-year-old girl and a monolateral abduction deficit of the right eye in the younger patient. Ophthalmoscopic examination evidenced bilateral papilledema in both patients. Magnetic resonance tomography and magnetic resonance angiography showed mastoiditis and thrombosis of the sigmoid and transverse sinuses.

THERAPY

Following mastoidectomy, high-dose antibiotic therapy, and full-dose heparin therapy, rapid improvement occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Thrombosis of the sigmoid sinus following mastoiditis is a rare but severe complication of middle ear inflammation. Immediate surgical and antibiotic therapy is necessary. Symptoms can possibly occur even when the primary focus seems to resolve.

[Surgical procedures and risk factors in therapy of benign multinodular goiter. A statistical comparison of the incidence of complications]

BACKGROUND

The best surgical approach for bilateral resections in the therapy of benign multinodular goiter is still controversial.

METHODS

The purpose of this study was to compare different modes of resection concerning differences in complication rates and risk factors influencing the outcome. 2235 thyroid resections for multinodular goiter between 1985 and 1999 were analysed.

RESULTS

When compared to bilateral subtotal resection (n = 327; 14.6%), those patients who received lobectomy and contralateral subtotal resection (n = 952; 42.6%) showed a statistically significant higher incidence of temporary hypocalcaemia (22.6% versus 15.9%) only. The "nerve at risk"-analysis demonstrated no significant difference of laryngeal nerve paralysis between the side of lobectomy and subtotal resection, respectively. In comparison to the entire patient population operations for recurrent goiters had an equal operative risk, whereas patients with goiter WHO III or an intrathoracic location had significant higher rates of temporary laryngeal nerve paralysis and hypocalcaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Lobectomy and contralateral subtotal resection offers numerous advantages concerning intraoperative variability and definitive resection of suspicious nodules. With an adequate standardized surgical technique and identification of the laryngeal nerve, the complication rate is comparable to bilateral subtotal resection.

Intraoperative measurement of intact parathyroid hormone in renal hyperparathyroidism by an inexpensive routine assay

Although the kinetics of intraoperative intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) are well characterised in primary hyperparathyroidism, no data are available for patients with renal hyperparathyroidism and renal insufficiency, partially because of the high costs of intraoperative quick iPTH measurement. Therefore we evaluated an inexpensive laboratory test with a duration of 18 min for intraoperative use and measured iPTH intraoperatively in 34 patients with renal hyperparathyroidism. Samples were taken before and 5 min and 15 min after parathyroid resection. Blood samples were put on ice immediately and sent to the hospital central laboratory via a pneumatic tube system. The first 76 probes were measured in parallel using three assays: the Nichols Quick PTH, the Roche Elecsys and the Biermann Immulite assay. The subsequent samples were only measured using the Elecsys assay. Determination of iPTH from 76 samples showed a correlation coefficient of 0.997 between the Immulite and Elecsys assay and a correlation coefficient of 0.987 for the Nichols Quick PTH and the Elecsys test. In renal hyperparathyroidism the mean iPTH was 26+/-2% of the starting value 5 min after subtotal parathyroidectomy and 18+/-2% after 15 min. Renal function influenced absolute iPTH values in patients with renal hyperparathyroidism but not relative changes. In patients with terminal renal insufficiency iPTH decreased from 615+/-57 pg/m before preparation to 109+/-13 pg/ml 15 min after subtotal resection. In contrast in patients after kidney transplantation iPTH decreased from a lower starting value of 341+/-94 pg/ml to 58+/-9 pg/ml after 15 min. The iPTH kinetics showed a biphasic clearance of iPTH with an initial dominant half-life of 3.2 min and a terminal half-life of 29.2 min. Half-life did not correlate with renal function. All operations were successful as indicated by an adequate drop in PTH (from 709+/-92 pg/ml preoperatively to 22+/-6 pg/ml at discharge) and calcium (from 2.57+/-0.04 mmol/l to 2.32+/-0.04 mmol/l). In conclusion, intraoperative measurement of iPTH is also reliable in patients with renal hyperparathyroidism. Elimination kinetics are similar to that in patients with primary disease. However, the half-life was not influenced by renal function. The availability of a quick, inexpensive, routine iPTH test might expand its use to renal hyperparathyroidism, specifically for surgical decisions in problem cases.

[Combined liver and kidney transplantation: indications and long-term follow-up]

INTRODUCTION

In patients suffering from chronic liver and kidney disease combined liver-kidney transplantation is the only therapeutic option. However, in these patients, it is mandatory to distinguish between chronic and acute renal failure prior to transplantation, because acute renal failure may recover after successful liver transplantation. In this study we investigated the indications and results of this combined procedure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We report on 27 patients who underwent liver and kidney transplantation. The underlying diseases were viral hepatitis (n = 12), polycystic liver and kidney disease (n = 9), primary hyperoxaluria (n = 4), and cryptogenic cirrhosis (n = 2) with end-stage renal disease due to glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy or renal failure caused by nephrotoxicity of immunosuppressive therapy after liver transplantation. Nine patients had lymphocytotoxic antibodies and 5/27 patients had a positive crossmatch pretransplant.

RESULTS

One patient died due to bleeding complications, two patients lost the kidney graft due to initial non-function or technical problems. The incidence of acute and steroid-resistant rejections was 60% and 20% in patients with a positive cross-match compared to 32% and 14% in negative cross-match transplants. Only two patients experienced a rejection episode of the kidney (3.7%). No hyperacute rejection of the kidney graft occurred. Long-term patients and graft survival was not impaired in the presence of a positive cross-match. The 1- and 5-year survival rates of patients who underwent combined transplantation was 97% and 93% versus 91% and 83% in patients with liver transplantation alone.

CONCLUSION

Combined liver-kidney transplantation is a safe treatment for endstage liver and kidney disease even in the face of a positive cross-match.

Cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1-positive Escherichia coli causes increased inflammation and tissue damage to the prostate in a rat prostatitis model

Infection of rat prostates with cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1 (CNF1)-positive uropathogenic Escherichia coli caused more inflammation-mediated morphological and histological tissue damage than did infection with isogenic CNF1-negative mutants. These striking differences occurred despite the finding that bacterial counts for the strain pairs were indistinguishable. We conclude that CNF1 contributes to E. coli virulence in a model of acute prostatitis. To our knowledge, the results of this study provide the first demonstration of a role for any uropathogenic E. coli virulence factor in acute prostatitis.

Inhibition of the helicase activity of HCV NTPase/helicase by 1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide-5 '-triphosphate (ribavirin-TP)

In the presented study the ribavirin-TP--an established inhibitor of the NTPase activity of the superfamily NTPase/helicases II--was investigated as an inhibitor of the unwinding activity of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NTPase/helicase. The kinetics of the reaction revealed that ribavirin-TP reduces the turnover number of the helicase reaction by a mechanism that does not correspond to that of the inhibition of the NTPase activity. Our results suggest that derivatives of ribavirin-TP with enhanced stability towards hydrolytic attack may be effective inhibitors of the enzyme.

Interlaboratory variation of biochemical markers of bone turnover

BACKGROUND

Biochemical markers of bone metabolism are used to assess skeletal turnover, but the variability of marker assays is still an issue of practical concern. We describe the results of an international proficiency testing program for biochemical bone markers among clinical laboratories.

METHODS

Two serum and two urine pools (normal and increased marker concentrations) were sent on dry ice to 79 laboratories for analysis within 2 weeks of receipt.

RESULTS

Data were submitted by 73 laboratories. The within-method interlaboratory CVs (CV(IL)s) were as follows: serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (n = 47 laboratories), 16-48%; serum osteocalcin (n = 31), 16-42%; urinary free deoxypyridinoline (n = 30), 6.4-12%; urinary total deoxypyridinoline and pyridinoline (n = 29), 27-28%; urinary N-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (n = 10), 39%; serum C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP; n = 8), 22-27%; urinary hydroxyproline (n = 13), 12%. Analytical results showed both systematic and nonsystematic deviations. In identical samples, results obtained for the same marker by the same method differed up to 7.3-fold. In urine-based assays, correction for urinary creatinine slightly increased CVs.

CONCLUSION

Even with identical assays and methods, results for most biochemical markers of bone turnover differ markedly among laboratories.

Simulations on the number of entanglements of a polymer network using knot theory

Polymer networks, created on the computer using the Bond-Fluctuation-Algorithm, offer the possibility to count the number of entanglements. We generated networks consisting of 5000 chains that were cross linked at their end groups via tetra-functional cross linkers. The analysis of the topology was performed by computing the Homfly polynomial of the entanglements offering a much more precise determination of the knot and entanglement type than the Gaussian linking number. It also allows us to determine the influence of Brunnian links. Results concerning the connection between the chain length and the number of entanglements are shown.

Perioperative factors influencing patient outcome after liver transplantation

We have previously shown that the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) after liver transplantation significantly reduced patient survival. Therefore, the question arises of which are the most prominent perioperative donor and recipient factors leading to MODS after transplantation. In total, 634 patients with 700 liver transplants were analyzed. Donor factors included age, increase in transaminases, sex mismatch, requirement for catecholamines, intensive care time, histology, and macroscopic graft appearance. Recipient factors included Child classification, preoperative gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, mechanical ventilation, hemodialysis, and requirement for catecholamines. MODS was defined by more than two severe organ dysfunctions. The cumulative 2 to 9-year patient survival was 90.9% in patients developing less than 3 severe organ dysfunctions following transplantation. Survival decreased to 60.3% in patients with MODS. Neither any of the donor factors nor the duration of cold ischemia (CIT) was associated with an increase in MODS or decrease in survival. On the other hand, duration of warm ischemia, amount of blood loss, requirement for red packed blood cells, and reoperation had an influence on the development of MODS (40%-56%) and decreased patient survival to 58%-69%. Preoperative therapy with catecholamines, GI bleeding, mechanical ventilation, and hemodialysis were associated with the development of MODS in 54%-88%. Patient survival following MODS decreased to 50%-74%. Initial graft function had a slight influence on the development of MODS, but no influence on the long-term patient survival. In conclusion, patient survival was significantly influenced by the development of postoperative MODS. The most prominent factors in this were recipient and intraoperative ones. No major influence was observed for donor factors, CIT, and initial graft function. Prevention of MODS will further improve the outcome after liver transplantation.

A new structural class of selective and non-covalent inhibitors of the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome

We describe the identification and in vitro characterization of a series of 2-aminobenzylstatine derivatives that inhibit non-covalently the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome. Our initial SAR data demonstrate that the 2-aminobenzylstatine core structure can effectively serve as the basis for designing potent, selective and non-covalent inhibitors of the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome.

Modeling of the binding mode of a non-covalent inhibitor of the 20S proteasome. Application to structure-based analogue design

The 2-aminobenzvlstatine derivative I is a 20S proteasome inhibitor of a novel chemical type identified by high throughput screening. The compound specifically inhibits the chymotrypsin-like catalytic activity of the human proteasome with an IC50 value in the micromolar range. Using the crystal structure of the yeast proteasome, we modeled the structure of the human proteasome in complex with 1. As one of the first applications of the model in our oncology programme targeting the proteasome, we designed an analogue of the inhibitor having enhanced stacking/hydrophobic interactions with the enzyme. One order of magnitude in inhibitory potency was gained.

SIGNIFICANCE OF A T-LYMPHOCYTOTOXIC CROSSMATCH IN LIVER AND COMBINED LIVER-KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION

BACKGROUND

In contrast to kidney transplants a positive crossmatch is no contraindication for liver transplantation (OLT). In liver transplantation, antibody mediated rejections are rarely reported and a liver graft is suspected to have protective effects for kidney grafts when transplanted simultaneously. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a positive crossmatch on outcome after OLT and combined liver and kidney transplantation (CLKTx).

METHODS

We analyzed retrospectively the impact of a positive crossmatch on graft survival and rejection episodes after OLT (793pats) and CLKTx (18pats, 2.2%). Immunosuppression consisted of either Cyclosporine- or Tacrolimus-based regimens.

RESULTS

A total of 50/811 (6%) of patients had a positive crossmatch, 45/793 (5.6%) with liver transplantation alone and 5/18 (28%) of patients with CLKTx. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 122.5 months (median 45.8 months). One- and 5-year graft survival rates of liver transplants alone with a positive crossmatch were 89.6% and 75.3%, respectively and were 88% and 77.5% in crossmatch negative recipients. Additionally, the incidence of acute and steroid-resistant rejection (44% and 15.5%) was not significantly increased in patients with a positive crossmatch when compared with patients with a negative crossmatch (38% and 19%). None of the patients with a positive crossmatch and CLKTx underwent a hyperacute-rejection episode after transplantation, and kidney graft survival 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, a positive crossmatch is no contraindication for OLT and CLKTx. Furthermore, not having to wait for results of donor/recipient crossmatching can shorten cold ischemia time and may improve the clinical outcome.

Diatom fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding protein (FCP) and land plant light-harvesting proteins use a similar pathway for thylakoid membrane Insertion

The light-harvesting proteins in plastids of different lineages including algae and land plants represent a superfamily of chlorophyll-binding proteins that seem to be phylogenetically related, although some of the light-harvesting complex (LHC) proteins bind different carotenoids. LHCs can be divided into chlorophyll a/b-binding proteins found in green algae, euglenoids, and higher plants and into chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins of various algal taxa. LHC proteins from diatoms are named fucoxanthin-chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins (FCP). In contrast to chlorophyll a/b-binding proteins, there is no information so far about the way FCPs integrate into thylakoid membranes. The diatom FCP preproteins have a bipartite presequence that is necessary to enable transport into the four membrane-bound diatom plastids, but similar to chlorophyll a/b-binding proteins there is apparently no presequence present for targeting to the thylakoid membrane. By establishing an in vitro import assay for diatom thylakoids, we demonstrated that thylakoid integration of diatom FCP depends on the presence of stromal factors and GTP. This indicates that a pathway involving signal recognition particles (SRP) is involved in membrane integration just as shown for LHCs in higher plants. We also demonstrate integration of diatom FCP into thylakoids of higher plants and vice versa SRP-dependent targeting of LHCs from pea and Arabidopsis into diatom thylakoids. The similar SRP-dependent modes of thylakoid integration of land plant LHCs and FCPs support recent analyses indicating a common origin of chlorophyll a/b- and a/c-binding proteins.

Staggered field effect on the one-dimensional S = 1/2 antiferromagnet Yb4As3

Inelastic neutron scattering measurements of magnetic excitations in the charge-ordered state of Yb4As3 have been performed under magnetic field up to about 6 T. By applying a magnetic field, the spectrum at the one-dimensional wave vector q = 1 [ pi/d] changes drastically from a broad one corresponding to the spinon excitation continuum of the one-dimensional S = 1 / 2 spin system to a sharp one at a finite energy, indicating the opening of an energy gap in the system. The magnetic field dependence of the gap is well fitted by the power law H2/3. The experimental result gives strong evidence for the existence of a staggered field alternating along Yb3+ chains induced by the Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya interaction.