Addendum: A dispersive analysis of η ' → π + π - γ and η ' → ℓ + ℓ - γ

In this addendum to Ref. [1] we show that the mismatch between the ρ - ω mixing parameter ϵ ρ ω as extracted from η ' → π + π - γ and e + e - → π + π - can be resolved by including higher orders in the expansion in e 2 in the description of the η ' → π + π - γ decay. We repeat the analysis in this extended framework and update the numerical results accordingly.

A dispersive analysis of η ' → π + π - γ and η ' → ℓ + ℓ - γ

We present a dispersive representation of the η ' transition form factor that allows one to account, in a consistent way, for the effects of ρ - ω mixing in both the isoscalar and the isovector contributions. Using this formalism, we analyze recent data on η ' → π + π - γ to constrain the isovector part of the form factor, individually and in combination with data for the pion vector form factor, which suggests a tension in the ρ - ω mixing parameter. As a first application, we use our results, in combination with the most recent input for the isoscalar part of the form factor, to predict the corresponding spectrum of η ' → ℓ + ℓ - γ , in particular we find the slope parameter b η ' = 1.455 ( 24 ) GeV - 2 . With forthcoming data on the latter process, our results establish the necessary framework to improve the evaluation of the η ' -pole contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon using experimental input from both η ' decay channels.

THE IMPACT OF SILICON ON TRANSCRIPTS RELATED TO CUCUMBER MOSAIC VIRUS INFECTION IN CUCUMBER

The role of soluble silicon (Si) in alleviating viral plant infections is largely unknown. In order to analyse this gap in knowledge, this study provides insights into the relative gene expression data obtained from 1) control, 2) Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)-infected and 3) sodium silica-treated, CMV-infected Cucumis sativus line B10 tissue cultures regenerated plants. The absence or presence of CMV was determined through RT-PCR, six days' post-inoculation. qRT-PCR was performed on five selected host genes related to CMV-defence (argonaute protein, WRKY transcription factor) and replication (chaperone, heat shock cognate protein, aquaporin). Relative gene expressions from Si-treated, CMV-infected clones were not significantly different from CMV-infected clones, but they were significantly different from the control plants. The upregulation of the chaperone, and heat shock cognate genes in Si-treated clones, is associated with enhanced virus replication, while the gene expression of the transcription factor increases and is related to defence, in contrast to decreased expression in CMV-infected clones. Aquaporin gene expression was downregulated and the argonaute expression was unaffected in both Si-treated, CMV-infected as well as CMV-infected clones. Since both alleviating and supportive gene shifts are observed in Si-treated plantlets for key genes related to the virus infection examined herein, sodium silica is suggested to have a neutral and limited impact on CMV infection in cucumber cultures.

FIRST REPORT OF 'CANDIDATUS PHYTOPLASMA ULMI' IN ULMUS LAEVIS IN GERMANY

The wall-less bacteria of the provisory taxon 'Candidatus Phytoplasma' are obligate parasites and associated to diseases in many important crops and trees worldwide. 'Ca. Phytoplasma ulmi', assigned to 16SrV-A subgroup, is a quarantine pest and described to be associated to elm phloem necrosis, leaf yellowing, stunting, witches broom and decline in various elm species. Elm yellows phytoplasmas (EY) have been reported in several European countries but not in Ulmus laevis in Germany so far. Leaf samples from European white elms (Ulmus leavis PALL.) with and without chlorotic symptoms were investigated for EYs infection in Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany, through performing diagnostic nested PCR targeting partial rRNA operon of phytoplasmas. Specific PCR-products were obtained from 30 out of 59 samples. Partial 16S-rDNA sequences were assigned to 'Ca. P. ulmi' through sequence analysis, while sequence variation was observed. This is the first report of U. laevis infected with 'Ca. P. ulmi' in Germany.

Presacral ganglioneuroma with abnormal FDG uptake: a case report

Ganglioneuromas are rare, benign, well-differentiated, slowgrowing tumors of the sympathetic nervous system, composed of large, mature neurons in a stroma composed of Schwann cells. Ganglioneuromas are derived from the neural crest cells and can arise anywhere from the base of the skull to the pelvis. The pre-sacral area is a very rare location for ganglioneuromas to develop. We describe the case of a 31 year old woman, who was incidentally found to have an abnormal pre-sacral mass. The following work-up, revealed the mass to be growing on imagery (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imagery) and fluorine-18 fluorodeoxiglucose avid. The mass was removed by assisted laparoscopy and was found to be a benign ganglioneuroma. This is the first described case of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxiglucose avid, pre-sacral, benign ganglioneuroma.

[Acute renal failure following rectosigmoidoscopy]

We report the case of a 24-year old man with a past history of vesical extrophy and ureterosigmoidostomy in childhood, admitted with acute left flank pain and acute renal failure. The complaints started the day following the endoscopic resection of a sigmoid polyp. The stricture of the ureterosigmoid junction was diagnosed by intravenous urography. Conservative treatment with endo-ureteral dilatation was successfully performed. At 2 years of follow-up, the patient is still asymptomatic, without any residual hydronephrosis.

[Evaluation of quality of life following prosthetic replacement of the auricle]

INTRODUCTION

The assessment of quality of life (QOL) of patients is becoming increasingly important in the evaluation of the quality of care. Therefore, we examined the quality of life of patients treated with prostheses following loss of an auricle using a questionnaire.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Of 18 patients (14 male, 4 female), 10 had lost an auricle due to a neoplasm, 2 traumatically, while 6 patients showed a congenital lack of an auricle. In order to measure the subjective quality of life we used a questionnaire compiled by the WHO (WHOQOL-BREF); we used a self-designed questionnaire for questions relating to the prostheses.

RESULTS

Analysis of the data of all patients with prostheses in comparison with the age-based general population showed a lower score value for quality of life, indicating a poorer quality of life. However, none of the differences were statistically significant. Patients with neoplasms achieved higher values compared with the age-based standard value; in contrast, the other patients showed lower values in nearly every respect. The gender-related analysis of the results showed a poorer quality of life for females than for males.

CONCLUSION

The reason for an auricle defect as well as patient gender influenced the subjective quality of life following prosthetic surgery. The overall acceptance of auricular prostheses can be considered good, especially among patients suffering from neoplasms. In order to be able to evaluate the results and compare the different working groups more sufficiently it would be desirable to use standardized test procedures and a larger patient collective.

Decision-making in end-stage coronary artery disease: revascularization or heart transplantation?

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular function is the most important predictor of survival in patients with coronary artery disease. It is also an important indicator for hospital and late mortality after operation for endstage coronary artery disease.

METHODS

Between April 1986 and December 1994, 514 patients with end-stage coronary artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction between 0.10 and 0.30 underwent coronary artery bypass grafting at the German Heart Institute Berlin. Two hundred twenty-five of these patients had been referred as possible candidates for heart transplantation. The prime criterion for bypass grafting was ischemia diagnosed by myocardial scintigraphy and echocardiography ("hibernating myocardium").

RESULTS

Operative mortality for the group was 7.1%. The actuarial survival rate was 90.8% after 2 years, 87.6% after 4, and 78.9% after 6. Left heart catheterizations performed 1 year after the operation showed that left ventricular ejection fraction had increased from a mean of 0.24 +/- 0.03 preoperatively to 0.39 +/- 0.06 postoperatively (p < 0.0001). Preoperatively 91.6% of the patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV; 6 months postoperatively 90.2% of the surviving patients were in NYHA class I or II. Two hundred thirty-one patients with end-stage coronary artery disease and predominant heart failure underwent heart transplantation. Their actuarial survival rate was 74.9% after 2 years, 73.2% after 4, and 68.9% after 6. All of the patients could be recategorized into NYHA class I or II after the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that coronary artery bypass grafting and heart transplantation can be used successfully to improve the life expectancy of patients with end-stage coronary artery disease. Coronary artery bypass grafting leads to an excellent prognosis for these high-risk patients when the myocardium is preoperatively identified as being viable.

Rounded atelectasis and its association with asbestos-induced pleural disease

Rounded atelectasis (RA) is an unusual form of peripheral lobar collapse which may present as a juxtapleural mass simulating a pulmonary neoplasm. Seven cases of RA were recently encountered in patients with asbestos-induced pleural disease. Since asbestos exposure is associated with mesothelioma, bronchogenic carcinoma, and other tumors, differentiation of RA from these neoplasms is essential in avoiding unnecessary thoracotomy. The radiographic features of RA are sufficiently characteristic, so that in the presence of chronic pleural thickening due to asbestos exposure, the diagnosis can be made with assurance and further work-up avoided.