Emission lines due to ionizing radiation from a compact object in the remnant of Supernova 1987A

The nearby Supernova 1987A was accompanied by a burst of neutrino emission, which indicates that a compact object (a neutron star or black hole) was formed in the explosion. There has been no direct observation of this compact object. In this work, we observe the supernova remnant with JWST spectroscopy, finding narrow infrared emission lines of argon and sulfur. The line emission is spatially unresolved and blueshifted in velocity relative to the supernova rest frame. We interpret the lines as gas illuminated by a source of ionizing photons located close to the center of the expanding ejecta. Photoionization models show that the line ratios are consistent with ionization by a cooling neutron star or a pulsar wind nebula. The velocity shift could be evidence for a neutron star natal kick.

Population Structure and Diversity in European Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.)—An Empirical Comparison of Pool and Individual Whole-Genome Sequencing

Background: Whole-genome sequencing has become routine for population genetic studies. Sequencing of individuals provides maximal data but is rather expensive and fewer samples can be studied. In contrast, sequencing a pool of samples (pool-seq) can provide sufficient data, while presenting less of an economic challenge. Few studies have compared the two approaches to infer population genetic structure and diversity in real datasets. Here, we apply individual sequencing (ind-seq) and pool-seq to the study of Western honey bees (Apis mellifera). Methods: We collected honey bee workers that belonged to 14 populations, including 13 subspecies, totaling 1347 colonies, who were individually (139 individuals) and pool-sequenced (14 pools). We compared allele frequencies, genetic diversity estimates, and population structure as inferred by the two approaches. Results: Pool-seq and ind-seq revealed near identical population structure and genetic diversities, albeit at different costs. While pool-seq provides genome-wide polymorphism data at considerably lower costs, ind-seq can provide additional information, including the identification of population substructures, hybridization, or individual outliers. Conclusions: If costs are not the limiting factor, we recommend using ind-seq, as population genetic structure can be inferred similarly well, with the advantage gained from individual genetic information. Not least, it also significantly reduces the effort required for the collection of numerous samples and their further processing in the laboratory.

Zur Aktivitätsbeurteilung der fibrösen Knochendysplasie mittels Szintigraphie und Thermographie

Bei fünf Patienten mit verifizierter fibröser Knochendysplasie verschiedener Lokalisation wurden röntgenologische, szintigraphische und thermographische Befunde miteinander verglichen.

Das Röntgenbild zeigt häufig einseitig lokalisierte, charakteristische Knochenveränderungen, die mit einer Asymmetrie des betreffenden Skelettabschnittes einhergehen.

Diesem Befund entspricht im Szintigramm eine deutlich erhöhte Aktivitätsanreicherung, die thermographisch mit einer erhöhten Wärmeabstrahlung korreliert.

Ein Stillstand des Knochenumbaues, wie er für das Erwachsenenalter gefordert wird, konnte von uns nicht beobachtet werden.

Während eine Aussage über Stillstand oder Progredienz der Erkrankung röntgenologisch nur retrospektiv getroffen werden kann, bieten sich Szintigraphie und Thermographie als unspezifische Parameter zur Erfassung der Aktivität des Prozesses an.

Disease-free survival in papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma

T stage was redefined for patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) between the 5th and 7th versions of the UICC tumour classification system. Patients, methods: 636 patients (486 women, 150 men; mean age 49.1 ± 15.6 years, mean follow-up 4.6 years) who had been treated with ablative radioiodine therapy after thyroidectomy for papillary (PTC) or follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC) were retrospectively assessed on occurrence of locoregional recurrent disease, or cervical lymph node or distant metastases. Disease-free survival was calculated from initial T stage, classified according to both versions of the UICC staging system and compared with the prognostic value of primary tumour size. Kaplan-Meier method and two measures of explained variation, (1) R2 based on the (partial) likelihood ratio statistic of the Cox proportional hazards model and (2) a model-free variant of a distance measure proposed by Schemper had the aim to detect the most advantageous classification. Results: Of the 508 patients with PTC, 11 (2.2%) developed a local recurrence, 37 (7.3%) cervical lymph node and 23 (4.5%) distant metastases, 3 (2.3%), 8 (6.3%), and 18 (14.1%) were the numbers for the 128 FTC patients respectively. The two classification systems yielded an equal count of statistically significant differences regarding disease-free survival in patients with PTC while UICC 7th classification appeared slightly advantageous in patients with FTC. Regarding explained variation the UICC 7th classification tended to be superior to the UICC 5th classification, both in PTC and FTC, however statistical significance was not reached. Conclusion: The primary tumour size significantly added to the prognosis regarding local cervical and distant metastases.

Identification of a novel aviadenovirus, designated pigeon adenovirus 2 in domestic pigeons (Columba livia)

The young pigeon disease syndrome (YPDS) affects mainly young pigeons of less than one year of age and leads to crop stasis, vomitus, diarrhea, anorexia and occasionally death. This disease is internationally a major health problem because of its seasonal appearance during competitions such as homing pigeon races or exhibitions of ornamental birds. While the etiology of YPDS is still unclear, adenoviruses are frequently discussed as potential causative agents. Electron microscopy of feces from a YPDS outbreak revealed massive shedding of adenovirus-like particles. Whole genome sequencing of this sample identified a novel adenovirus tentatively named pigeon adenovirus 2 (PiAdV-2). Phylogenetic and comparative genome analysis suggest PiAdV-2 to belong to a new species within the genus Aviadenovirus, for which we propose the name Pigeon aviadenovirus B. The PiAdV-2 genome shares 54.9% nucleotide sequence identity with pigeon adenovirus 1 (PiAdV-1). In a screening of further YPDS-affected flocks two variants of PiAdV-2 (variant A and B) were detected which shared 97.6% nucleotide identity of partial polymerase sequences, but only 79.7% nucleotide identity of partial hexon sequences. The distribution of both PiAdV-2 variants was further investigated in fecal samples collected between 2008 and 2015 from healthy or YPDS-affected racing pigeons of different lofts. Independent of their health status, approximately 20% of young and 13% of adult pigeon flocks harbored PiAdV-2 variants. Birds were free of PiAdV-1 or other aviadenoviruses as determined by PCRs targeting the aviadenovirus polymerase or the PiAdV-1 fiber gene, respectively. In conclusion, there is no indication of a correlation between YPDS outbreaks and the presence of PiAdV-2 or other aviadenoviruses, arguing against an causative role in this disease complex.

The neonicotinoids thiacloprid, imidacloprid, and clothianidin affect the immunocompetence of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)

A strong immune defense is vital for honey bee health and colony survival. This defense can be weakened by environmental factors that may render honey bees more vulnerable to parasites and pathogens. Honey bees are frequently exposed to neonicotinoid pesticides, which are being discussed as one of the stress factors that may lead to colony failure. We investigated the sublethal effects of the neonicotinoids thiacloprid, imidacloprid, and clothianidin on individual immunity, by studying three major aspects of immunocompetence in worker bees: total hemocyte number, encapsulation response, and antimicrobial activity of the hemolymph. In laboratory experiments, we found a strong impact of all three neonicotinoids. Thiacloprid (24h oral exposure, 200 μg/l or 2000 μg/l) and imidacloprid (1 μg/l or 10 μg/l) reduced hemocyte density, encapsulation response, and antimicrobial activity even at field realistic concentrations. Clothianidin had an effect on these immune parameters only at higher than field realistic concentrations (50-200 μg/l). These results suggest that neonicotinoids affect the individual immunocompetence of honey bees, possibly leading to an impaired disease resistance capacity.

Diffraction analysis of strongly inhomogeneous residual stress depth distributions by modification of the stress scanning method. I. Theoretical concept

Exploiting the advantages of energy-dispersive synchrotron diffraction, a method for the determination of strongly inhomogeneous residual stress depth gradients is developed, which is an enhancement of the stress scanning technique. For this purpose, simulations on the basis of a very steep residual stress depth profile are performed, and it is shown that conventional real space evaluation approaches fail, because they do not take into account the variation of the residual stresses within the gauge volume. Therefore, a concept facilitating the deconvolution of the diffraction signal by considering the effect of the gauge volume geometry as well as the influence of the material absorption on the average information depth is proposed. It is demonstrated that data evaluation requires a three-dimensional least-squares fit procedure in this case. Furthermore, possible aberrations and their impact on the analysis of the residual stresses by applying the `modified stress scanning' method are treated theoretically.

Chronic bee paralysis virus in honeybee queens: evaluating susceptibility and infection routes

Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) is known as a disease of worker honey bees. To investigate pathogenesis of the CBPV on the queen, the sole reproductive individual in a colony, we conducted experiments regarding the susceptibility of queens to CBPV. Results from susceptibility experiment showed a similar disease progress in the queens compared to worker bees after infection. Infected queens exhibit symptoms by Day 6 post infection and virus levels reach 10¹¹ copies per head. In a transmission experiment we showed that social interactions may affect the disease progression. Queens with forced contact to symptomatic worker bees acquired an overt infection with up to 10¹¹ virus copies per head in six days. In contrast, queens in contact with symptomatic worker bees, but with a chance to receive food from healthy bees outside the cage appeared healthy. The virus loads did not exceed 10⁷ in the majority of these queens after nine days. Symptomatic worker bees may transmit sufficient active CBPV particles to the queen through trophallaxis, to cause an overt infection.

Residual stress analysis of diamond-coated WC–Co cutting tools: separation of film and substrate information by grazing X-ray diffraction

Chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of diamond surface layers is an effective way of improving the properties of cemented carbide cutting tools. Inadequate coating adhesion is one of the main issues and it may be affected by the residual stresses of the CVD diamond films. The most common methods for nondestructive residual stress analysis are based on X-ray diffraction. The present paper deals with the particular case of determining the residual stress state of thin CVD diamond layers deposited on cobalt cemented tungsten carbide (WC–Co) substrates. It will be shown that the application of the conventional sin2ψ method might lead to erroneous results, as a result of superimposing diffraction lines originating from cobalt and the diamond coating. An approach to separating information on the substrate and film, based on grazing conditions in the symmetrical Ψ mode of diffraction, is presented. The results, revealing large compressive stresses within the coating, are compared with those obtained by supplementary micro-Raman spectroscopy investigations.

Sin2ψ-based residual stress gradient analysis by energy-dispersive synchrotron diffraction constrained by small gauge volumes. II. Experimental implementation

On the basis of the theoretical concept for the use of small gauge volumes to study near-surface residual stress fields with high spatial resolution [Meixner, Klaus & Genzel (2013).J. Appl. Cryst.46, 610–618], the experimental implementation of the approach is demonstrated. It is shown that specifically designed slit systems are required to avoid effects such as diffuse scattering at the slit blades and total external reflection, both giving rise to a reduced resolution. Starting from the characterization of the small gauge volume, practical guidance on how to control the alignment of the sample relative to the gauge volume for different geometrical conditions of energy-dispersive diffraction is given. The narrow-slit configuration as well as the formalism for data evaluation introduced in the first part of this series is applied to the analysis of a very steep in-plane residual stress gradient in a shot-peened Al2O3ceramic sample. The results are compared with those obtained by means of a conventional wide-slit setup using the classical universal plot method for residual stress analysis on the one hand, and with the simulations performed in the first part on the other hand.

Sin2ψ-based residual stress gradient analysis by energy-dispersive synchrotron diffraction constrained by small gauge volumes. I. Theoretical concept

The influence of the gauge volume size and shape on the analysis of steep near-surface residual stress gradients by means of energy-dispersive synchrotron diffraction is studied theoretically. Cases are considered where the irradiated sample volume is confined by narrow-slit systems, in both the primary and the diffracted beam, to dimensions comparable to the `natural' 1/einformation depth τ1/eof the X-rays. It is shown that the ratio between τ1/e, defined by the material's absorption, and the immersion depthhGVof the gauge volume into the sample is the crucial parameter that shapes thedψhklor ∊ψhklversussin2ψ distributions obtained in the Ψ mode of X-ray stress analysis. Since the actual information depth 〈z〉GVto which the measured X-ray signal has to be assigned is a superposition of geometrical and exponential weighting functions, ambiguities in the conventional plot of the Laplace stressesversus〈z〉GVmay occur for measurements performed using narrow-slit configurations. To avoid conflicts in data analysis in these cases, a modified formalism is proposed for the evaluation of the real space residual stress profiles σ||(z), which is based on a two-dimensional least-squares fit procedure.

[Hiatal hernia in a cat]

The case report describes the successful surgical treatment of an incarcerated hiatal hernia in a 3.5-year-old cat. The animal was presented due to a bad general condition and massive vomiting. Based on clinical examination and diagnostic imaging, laparotomy was performed, revealing a hiatal herniation of the stomach. After reposition and gastropexy, the cat recovered well. She was unremarkable on clinical and radiological follow-up examinations and remained free of gastrointestinal symptoms according to the owner's statement 6 months postoperatively. This case report shows that the described surgical technique is promising in cats with hiatal hernia.

Self-assembled quantum dots: crossover from kinetically controlled to thermodynamically limited growth

By means of kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of the self-organized growth of quantum dots in strained semiconductor systems we resolve the seemingly contradictory features of kinetic versus thermodynamic behavior, e.g., with respect to the temperature dependence of the average dot size and their dispersion. We show that the size distribution immediately after deposition is kinetically controlled, with smaller islands for lower temperatures and larger islands for higher temperatures. For longer simulation times the kinetics leads to equilibration, and a crossover effect between the size distributions occurs, which is in good agreement with the predictions of thermodynamics.

Cutaneous elimination of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

BACKGROUND

After exposure, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is excreted via the faeces, breast milk and epidermal lipids.

OBJECTIVES

To determine to what extent TCDD is eliminated via the skin and to evaluate whethe cutaneous elimination can be accelerated by the application of petrolatum.

METHODS

In two patients severely intoxicated with TCDD, material obtained from the skin surface and, in one patient, cerumen and the content of epithelial cysts, was analysed for TCDD.

RESULTS

The TCDD concentration in the initial blood sample taken was 144 000 pg g(-1) blood fa in patient 1, and 26 000 pg g(-1) blood fat in patient 2. Six months later, when the skin tests were performed, the blood TCDD levels had decreased to 80 900 and 16 100 pg g(-1) blood fat, respectively. In the two samples of pooled cyst contents from patient 1, TCDD levels of 34 400 an 18 600 pg g(-1) fat were found. A cerumen sample contained TCDD at 20 500 pg g(-1) fat. In the material collected from the skin surface we observed a linear increase of the amount of TCD measured per test field with time, indicating a continuous elimination of TCDD via the skin. Th daily amount of TCDD eliminated via the skin was 1.51 pg cm(-2) in patient 1 and 0.57 pg cm(-2) in patient 2. Application of petrolatum led to a twofold increase in the amount of TCDD measured in patient 1, but had no significant effect in patient 2.

CONCLUSIONS

In our patients, elimination of TCDD via the skin, most probably through desquamating scales, represented 1-2% of the overall daily TCDD elimination rate, with regard to the body surface and when calculated on the basis of the half-life of TCDD at the time of the skin test. If a more typical overall elimination half-life of 7 years is used as the basis for the calculatio the skin would account for 9% (patient 1) and 15% (patient 2) of the overall elimination. Although we observed an increase in TCDD in material derived from the skin surface of up to 100% after application of petrolatum in patient 1, such an approach appears not to be a feasible means to increase elimination. Owing to the small amount of TCDD measured in skin-surface material, as well as in the cyst contents and cerumen obtained from one patient, contamination of the environment and other persons appears highly unlikely.

Karhunen-Loeve local characterization of spatiotemporal chaos in a reaction-diffusion system

By computing the Karhunen-Loeve decomposition (KLD) correlation length xi(KLD) of a reaction-diffusion system in the extensive chaos regime, we show that it is a sensitive measure of spatial dynamical inhomogeneities. It reveals substantial spatial nonuniformity of the dynamics at the boundaries and can also detect slow spatial variations in system parameters. The intensive length xi(KLD) can be easily computed from small local subsystems and is found to have a similar parametric dependence as the two-point correlation length computed over the full system size.

Agrobacterium mediated transformation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) embryo axes

 Embryo axes of four accessions of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) were treated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains C58C1/GV2260 carrying the plasmid p35SGUSINT and EHA101 harbouring the plasmid pIBGUS. In both vectors the GUS gene is interrupted by an intron. After inoculation shoot formation was promoted on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP under a selection pressure of 100 mg/l kanamycin or 10 mg/l phosphinothricin, depending on the construct used for transformation. Expression of the chimeric GUS gene was confirmed by histochemical localization of GUS activity in regenerated shoots. Resistant shoots were grafted onto 5-day-old dark-grown seedlings, and mature plants could be recovered. T-DNA integration was confirmed by Southern analysis by random selection of putative transformants. The analysis of 4 plantlets of the T1 progeny revealed that none of them was GUS-positive, whereas the presence of the nptII gene could be detected by polymerase chain reaction.

Olestra increases faecal excretion of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

Two patients with chloracne had concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) of 144,000 and 26,000 pg/g blood lipids. Olestra, a non-digestible, lipophilic dietary fat substitute accelerated the patients' intestinal excretion of TCDD by eight to ten fold. This is sufficient to reduce the normally observed elimination half life of TCDD from about 7 years to 1-2 years.

Green fluorescent protein as a marker to investigate targeting of organellar RNA polymerases of higher plants in vivo

The recent identification of phage-type RNA polymerases encoded in the nuclear genome of higher plants has provided circumstantial evidence for functioning of these polymerases in the transcription of the mitochondrial and plastid genomes, as demonstrated by sequence analysis and in vitro import experiments. To determine the subcellular localization of the phage-type organellar RNA polymerases in plants, the putative transit peptides of the RNA polymerases RpoT;1 and RpoT;3 from Arabidopsis thaliana and RpoT from Chenopodium album were fused to the coding sequence of a green fluorescent protein (GFP). The constructs were used to stably transform A. thaliana. Transgenic plants were examined for green fluorescence with epifluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Plants expressing the GFP fusions under control of the CaMV35S promoter exhibited a distinct subcellular localization of the GFP fluorescence for each of the fusion constructs. In plants expressing GFP fusions with the putative transit peptides of ARAth;RpoT;1 and CHEal;RpoT, fluorescence was found exclusively in mitochondria, both in root and leaf cells. In contrast, GFP fluorescence in plants expressing the ARAth;RpoT;3-GFP construct accumulated in chloroplasts of leaf cells and nongreen plastids (leucoplasts) of root cells. By demonstrating targeting in plants, the data add substantial evidence for the phage-type RNA polymerases from C. album and A. thaliana to function in the transcriptional machinery of mitochondria and plastids.

Analysis of cytokine patterns produced by individual CD4+ lymph node cells during experimental murine leishmaniasis in resistant and susceptible mice

The concept of subdividing CD4+ T cells into Th0, Th1 and Th2 cells is based on the cytokine pattern produced by long-term in vitro cultured T cell lines. However, there exists uncertainty whether this classification can also be applied to CD4+ T cells in vivo. Herein it was investigated whether and at which frequency Th0, Th1 and Th2 cells are induced in vivo during an infection of mice with Leishmania major. Cytokine co-production in single IFN-gamma+ or IL-4+ CD4+ T cells as well as the frequency of such cells were assessed in the lymph nodes (LN) of infected mice. For this purpose, T cells derived from the draining LN were activated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)/ionomycin, and the intracellular cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IFN-gamma were analyzed by immunofluorescence. One week after infection, a strong, but comparable increase of IFN-gamma+ CD4+ and IL-4+ CD4+ cells (up to 7% of all CD4+ cells) in the LN was observed in resistant C57BL/6 mice and susceptible BALB/c mice. IFN-gamma and IL-4 were not co-produced by single cells ('Th0 cells'). At later stages of the infection, the number of IL-4+ CD4+ cells decreased in C57BL/6, but not in BALB/c mice. All IL-4+ CD4+ cells showed an unexpected phenotype, because at least half of these cells co-produced IL-2, and the majority of the IL-4+ CD4+ did not co-produce the Th2 cytokines IL-5 and IL-10. Similar cytokine profiles were obtained when the CD4+ T cells were stimulated by Leishmania major-antigen instead of PMA/ionomycin. This study demonstrates that 'classical' Th1 cells (IFN-gamma+IL-2+), but no 'classical' Th2 cells (IL-4+IL-5+IL-10+) and no Th0 cells (IFN-gamma+IL-4+) are generated during L. major infection of mice in vivo.

Transformation of haploid Datura innoxia protoplasts and analysis of the plasmid integration pattern in regenerated transgenic plants

We developed a highly efficient transformation protocol for the PEG-mediated direct transfer of plasmid DNA into protoplasts of haploid Datura innoxia. Vectors harbouring a neomycin phosphotransferase II gene or a hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene under the control of different promoters were used in the transformation experiments. Various amounts of plasmid DNA were applied without any carrier DNA to show the direct influence of the plasmid DNA concentration on the transformation efficiency. Approximately 95% of the selected calli were regenerated to plants; 20% of them remained haploid. Total DNA of different transgenic plants was analysed with regard to the integration pattern of the plasmid DNA. Plants carrying only one or two copies of the vector DNA were observed as well as individuals with multi-copy integration (up to ten or more copies).

[A method for determining the denominator in general practice--results of a pilot study]

In countries with fee for service billing and direct access to specialist care the general practitioner does not know key figures of the population he serves. As the role of general practice in health-service-research, quality assurance activities and the construction of sentinel-networks is becoming more important, valid methods to determine the denominator are needed. Results from five practices suggest that yearly contact groups should be used as a common denominator for general practice in our health care system. For certain groups of patients (e. g. the elderly > 60 yrs.) even quarterly contact groups can give sufficient information to forecast the yearly contact group.

Fingerprinting plant genomes with oligonucleotide probes specific for simple repetitive DNA sequences

Oligonucleotides hybridizing to simple repetitive DNA patterns are highly informative as probes for DNA fingerprinting in all investigated animal species, including man. Here we demonstrate the applicability of this technique in higher plants. The oligonucleotide probes (GTG)5 and (GATA)4 were used to investigate the differences in DNA fingerprint patterns of the following angiosperm species: Triticum aestivum, Secale cereale, Hordeum vulgare, Beta vulgaris, Petunia hybrida, Brassica oleracea, and Nicotiana tabacum. Two species, Hordeum vulgare as a monocot and Beta vulgaris as a dicot, were analyzed in more detail. Their genomes differ considerably in both amount and organization of the simple repetitive sequences (GATA)n, (GACA)n, (GTG)n, and (CT)n due to the evolutionary distance of these two species. Furthermore, several lines and cultivars of Beta vulgaris and Hordeum vulgare can clearly be distinguished on the basis of their highly polymorphic patterns of these repetitive sequences.

Rapid hybridization-based assays for identification by DNA probes of male-sterile and male-fertile cytoplasms of the sugar beet Beta vulgaris L

Methods are described whereby hybridization of mitochondrial (mt) DNA with different DNA probes can definitely distinguish male-fertile and and male-sterile (cms) cytoplasms of sugar beet Beta vulgaris L. We have developed two types of miniassays. (1) Comparative methods requiring the isolation and restriction of total cellular DNA, hybridization with cloned mtDNA fragments from either fertile or male-sterile cytoplasms, and comparison of the hybridization patterns to the fertile-and sterile-specific patterns of mtDNA of sugar beet for the given mtDNA probe. For these analyses, we routinely used 1 g of plant material to determine the type of cytoplasm. (2) Noncomparative ("plus-minus") methods requiring neither the isolation of pure DNA nor restriction, electrophoresis, or Southern blotting. Instead, alkaline-SDS plant extracts from as little as 50 mg of plant material were dot-blotted and hybridized with fertile-specific (mitochondrial minicircular DNA) and/or cms-specific probes (consisting of a 2.3-kb mtDNA sequence exclusively occurring in the cms cytoplasm). The assays are simple to perform, give definitive results, are nonde-structive to the plants, and may be used in mass screening of sugar beet populations for hybrid production or in in vitro culture processes.

Transformation of Vicia narbonensis via Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer

Shoot tips and epicotyl-segments of Vicia narbonensis were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58C1 pGV 3850 HPT, carrying a plasmid coding for hygromycin-phosphotransferase. On callus-induction medium containing 60 mg/l hygromycin for selection, approximately 18% of the explants produced hygromycin-resistant callus. After transfer to regeneration-medium these calluses produced hygromycin-resistant and nopaline-positive somatic embryos which could be regenerated to plantlets. The integration of the T-DNA into the plant genome was confirmed by Southern analysis.

[A hierarchy of findings within the scope of cerebrovascular diagnosis today]

Table 5 gives an overview as to the timing and indication for diagnostic methods and procedures in cerebro-vascular diseases. Anamnesis and clinical aspects have still leading position. After that, computer-tomography stands first in the diagnostic line, followed by angiography, indicated in the acute phase only in progressive stroke. More often it is used during rehabilitation period for indication towards extra-intracranial anastomosis. Sonography gives informations specially in the extracranial stenoses by duplex sonography. The EEG is still necessary in the early stage and for follow-ups. Cerebro spinal fluid analysis, intern medicine (mainly cardiology) examinations, give extra information and should not be skipped. Psychological exams and intracranial bloodflow-studies are used during rehabilitation. Digital angiography, with the possibility of postprocessing, is in comparison to conventional angiography, less invasive. Nuclear-magnetic-resonance with its fast development is taking now place in the clinical field. Cerebro-vascular patients should be treated in specialized centers where beside the equipment, an experienced team is available, which has required its knowledge on a high number of cases and where the cooperation between the different fields of conservative (intern and neurology) radiology and surgery is guaranteed. This paper however has tried to show the up-to-date-guidelines to the other medical specialties that handle cerebrovascular patients.

[Bone scans in the diagnosis of renal osteopathy]

Biochemical tests (serum calcium, inorganic phosphate and alkaline phosphatase), as well as clinical, radiological, scanning and histological investigations were undertaken in 24 patients in chronic renal failure. The frequency with which the diagnosis of renal osteopathy could be made depended in the method of investigation, the biochemical findings proving to be completely unreliable. There were positive radiological signs in ten patients and clinical signs in 12, predominantly in the progressive stages of osteopathy. A positive scan was obtained in 23 patients, typical histological bone changes in an equal number. Since it correlates so well with the histological findings, bone scan is suitable particularly in the early diagnosis of osteopathy. Since this test is easily performed and hardly stresses the patient, it should routinely be the initial one for the diagnosis of renal osteopathy.

[Bone scan in the diagnosis of renal osteopathy (author's transl)]

Biochemical tests (serum calcium, inorganic phosphate and alkaline phosphatase), as well as clinical, radiological, scanning and histological investigations were undertaken in 24 patients in chronic renal failure. The frequency with which the diagnosis of renal osteopathy could be made depended in the method of investigation, the biochemical findings proving to be completely unreliable. There were positive radiological signs in ten patients and clinical signs in 12, predominantly in the progressive stages of osteopathy. A positive scan was obtained in 23 patients, typical histological bone changes in an equal number. Since it correlates so well with the histological findings, bone scan is suitable particularly in the early diagnosis of osteopathy. Since this test is easily performed and hardly stresses the patient, it should routinely be the initial one for the diagnosis of renal osteopathy.

Liver and spleen scanning as a useful diagnostic test in the management of liver trauma in young patients

Liver and spleen scanning is a safe, fast and noninvasive diagnostic procedure. With the advent of mobile Gamma Cameras it can be ideally performed in a casualty department. The number of patients with traumatic blunt injuries to the abdomen is increasing and in correlation with the increased speed and concentration of traffic. In eleven patients with ages ranging between 4 and 23, and under observation for violent trauma to the abdomen, liver and spleen scanning was performed either as an emergency procedure or as a follow-up study. Very useful information was obtained regarding the integrety of these organs, before and or after emergency surgical treatment.

Specific diagnosis of brain disease with double isotope brain scanning

25 patients with known cerebral disease (either CVA's or primary or secondary tumours) diagnosed by clinical and angiographic criteria were submitted to a double isotope imaging technique using 99mTcO4- and 99mTc-EHDP. The different biological behaviour of these radiopharmaceuticals has provided specific and differential diagnosis between vascular and neoplastic disease of the brain. 99mTc-EHDP is shown to be the tracer of choice for the imaging of CVA's and 99mTcO4- is confirmed as the tracer of choice for the imaging of primary or secondary tumours in the brain.

Specific Diagnosis of Brain Disease with Double Isotope Brain Scanning

25 patients with known cerebral disease (either CVA’s or primary or secondary tumours) diagnosed by clinical and angiographic criteria were submitted to a double siotope imaging technique using 99mTcO4 – and 99mTc-EHDP.

The different biological behaviour of these radiopharmaceuticals has provided specific and differential diagnosis between vascular and neoplastic disease of the brain. 99mTc-EHDP is shown to be the tracer of choice for the imaging of CVA’s and 99mTcO4 – is confirmed as the tracer of choice for the imaging of primary or secondary tumours in the brain.