Pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic field affects human sleep and sleep electroencephalogram

To investigate whether the electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted by digital radiotelephone handsets affects the brain, healthy, young subjects were exposed during an entire night-time sleep episode to an intermittent radiation schedule (900 MHz; maximum specific absorption rate 1 W/kg) consisting of alternating 15-min on-15-min off intervals. Compared with a control night with sham exposure, the amount of waking after sleep onset was reduced from 18 to 12 min. Spectral power of the electroencephalogram in non-rapid eye movement sleep was increased. The maximum rise occurred in the 10-11 Hz and 13.5-14 Hz bands during the initial part of sleep and then subsided. The results demonstrate that pulsed high-frequency EMF in the range of radiotelephones may promote sleep and modify the sleep EEG.

Fatty degeneration of the muscles of the rotator cuff: assessment by computed tomography versus magnetic resonance imaging

Forty-one patients scheduled for shoulder surgery underwent computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of their affected shoulder to verify whether fatty degeneration of the rotator cuff muscles could reproducibly be assessed by CT or by MRI and whether the grading with the 2 methods was comparable. In addition, rotator cuff muscle cross-sectional areas were measured on parasagittal MRI scans to establish a possible correlation between rotator cuff muscle atrophy and fatty degeneration. Interobserver reproducibility for grading fatty degeneration was good to excellent for CT and for MRI. The correlation between MRI and CT was fair to moderate and remained unsatisfactory, even if the classification system was simplified with only a 3- rather than a 5-grade scale as originally proposed. The degree of fatty degeneration was significantly related to the amount of atrophy of the respective muscles.

High temperature cDNA synthesis by AMV reverse transcriptase improves the specificity of PCR

The enzyme avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase (AMV-RT) is routinely used for cDNA synthesis, which is generally carried out at temperatures between 37 degrees C and 42 degrees C. We show that this enzyme can support cDNA synthesis, at temperatures as high as 70 degrees C. We have utilized this property of the AMV-RT to improve the specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, this apparently thermophilic property of the enzyme, which is an important constituent of a mesophilic organism, raises intriguing questions regarding evolution of the enzyme structure.

Repeat cDNA synthesis and RT-PCR with the same source of RNA

A simple method has been developed that enables reextraction of RNA from an RNA-cDNA mixture. The reextracted RNA was converted to cDNA followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thus, cDNA synthesis (followed by PCR) was carried out two times on the same source of RNA. The method has been applied to 40 RNA samples of diverse tissue origin with a success rate of 100%. Thus, the method offers more versatile use of small but valuable RNA sources than currently possible.

Can immunohistochemical markers and mitotic rate improve prognostic precision in patients with primary melanoma?

BACKGROUND

In addition to tumor thickness, several other prognostic parameters have been identified in primary human melanomas. Some are available readily (localization, gender, age, and ulceration). Others must be evaluated with a moderate or even substantial amount of work (mitoses and immunohistochemical markers). This study was undertaken to determine whether this extra effort is justified because it actually improves the precision of prognostic statements.

METHODS

Immunohistologic markers were determined on frozen sections from 691 biopsies of human melanomas with the immunoperoxidase method. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed with metastases and with death as endpoints.

RESULTS

Fifteen parameters were related to disease free survival in univariate Cox regression analysis: tumor thickness, ulceration, localization, gender, age, mitoses, and the immunohistochemical markers very late antigen (VLA)-2, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-ABC, HLA-DR, NKI-beteb, Mel 14, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), K-1-2, G-7-E2, and H-2-4-7. Three of the easily available parameters exhibited independent significance in multivariate Cox regression analysis: tumor thickness, ulceration, and localization. If mitotic rate was included in this model, then it had independent prognostic significance but ulceration was no longer significant. However, the model that included tumor thickness, localization, and ulceration had a slightly higher overall chi-square test score, indicating a better performance compared with thickness, localization, and mitoses. The model that included tumor thickness, localization, and mitoses could not be improved by any of the immunohistochemical markers in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

Nine immunohistochemical markers with established prognostic significance for primary human melanoma were not found to improve a prognostic model that included tumor thickness, localization, and mitoses. If mitoses was replaced by ulceration, then the model performed slightly better, although ulceration was not significant in the presence of mitoses.

[Lasers in medicine]

Laser systems are widely spread in the field of medicine. The applications are divided into therapeutical and diagnostic applications. The main field however are therapeutical procedures. Depending on the indication lasers were used for removing and cutting of smooth and hard tissue or for coagulation. A relative new procedure is the photodynamic therapy. Substances--mostly dyes--are applied to the body and stay for a certain time in tumorous tissue. After an interval it is possible to irradiate this tissue. Only the cells with the incorporated substances react with a cell death.

Phylogeny and in situ identification of a morphologically conspicuous bacterium, Candidatus Magnospira bakii, present at very low frequency in activated sludge

A morphologically conspicuous bacterium that constituted a very small fraction (< 0.01%) of the total microbial community of activated sludge was enriched and analysed phylogenetically by a combination of cultivation-independent molecular and physical methods. The large, corkscrew-shaped, filamentous bacteria were first detected in municipal activated sludge by light microscopy owing to their unusual rotating gliding motility. Various attempts at microbiological enrichment and pure culture isolation with traditional techniques failed, as did attempts to retrieve the morphotype of interest by micromanipulation. In situ hybridization with the group-specific, rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probe CF319a indicated a phylogenetic affiliation to the Cytophaga-Flexibacter group of the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides phylum. Based on strong morphological resemblance to members of the genus Saprospira, additional 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotides with more narrow specificity were designed and evaluated for in situ hybridization to the morphotype of interest. Flow cytometric cell sorting based on the fluorescence conferred by probe SGR1425 and forward scatter enabled a physical enrichment of the helical coiled cells. Subsequent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of 16S rDNA fragments from whole fixed sorted cells with a primer pair based on probes CF319a and SGR1425 resulted in the retrieval of 12 almost identical partial 16S rDNA fragments with sequence similarities among each other of more than 99.2%. In situ hybridizations proved that the sequences that showed the highest similarity (88.4%) to the 16S rRNA of Saprospira grandis were indeed retrieved from the corkscrew-shaped filaments. The bacterium is likely to be a member of a genus of which no species has been cultured hitherto. It was consequently tentatively named 'Magnospira bakii' and has the taxonomic rank of Candidatus Magnospira bakii, as the ultimate taxonomic placement has to await its cultivation. In this study, it was demonstrated that even bacteria occurring at very low frequencies in highly complex environmental samples can be retrieved selectively without cultivation for further molecular analysis.

Cardiac effects of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity in humans: beta1- and/or beta2-adrenoceptor mediated?

The aim of this study was to find out whether cardiac responses to the beta-adrenoceptor antagonists with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA) xamoterol and celiprolol are mediated by cardiac beta1- or beta2-adrenoceptors or both. For this purpose we assessed, in six healthy male volunteers, the effects of xamoterol (100 and 200 mg, p.o.) and celiprolol (200, 600, and 1,200 mg, p.o.) on blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rate-corrected duration of the electromechanical systole (QS2c, as a measure of inotropism). Xamoterol, in both doses, increased systolic blood pressure and heart rate, transiently decreased diastolic blood pressure, and shortened QS2c; all these effects were attenuated after pretreatment of the volunteers with the beta1-adrenoceptor antagonist bisoprolol. Celiprolol, in all three doses, increased heart rate, decreased diastolic blood pressure, and shortened QS2c but only marginally increased systolic blood pressure. Bisoprolol did not attenuate these celiprolol effects but rather enhanced celiprolol effects on systolic blood pressure and heart rate. In a further set of experiments, we studied cardiovascular effects of celiprolol in six healthy volunteers whose beta2-adrenoceptors had been desensitized by a 2-week treatment with 3x5 mg/day terbutaline. Under these conditions, celiprolol failed to increase heart rate or to shorten QS2c. We conclude that, under resting conditions, in healthy volunteers, beta-adrenoceptor antagonists with ISA can exert increases in heart rate and contractility that are mediated by either cardiac beta1-adrenoceptor (xamoterol) or cardiac beta2-adrenoceptor (celiprolol) stimulation. Thus in the human heart, the ISA of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists can be a beta1- or beta2-adrenoceptor agonistic component.

Terbutaline-induced desensitization of human cardiac beta 2-adrenoceptor-mediated positive inotropic effects: attenuation by ketotifen

BACKGROUND

In patients with chronic heart failure cardiac beta 1-adrenoceptors are desensitized whereas beta 2-adrenoceptors are only marginally affected. The mechanism underlying this differential regulation is not known.

OBJECTIVES

To find out whether or not human cardiac beta 2-adrenoceptors might be 'resistant' to agonist-induced desensitization and whether or not the antiallergic drug ketotifen might attenuate possible desensitization.

METHODS

We investigated, in a single blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over study of ten healthy male volunteers (mean age, 25.3 +/- 0.7 years), the effects of two weeks treatment with the beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist terbutaline (3x5 mg/day p.o.) with and without simultaneous treatment with ketotifen (2x1 mg/day p.o. for three weeks) or placebo on beta-adrenoceptor-mediated cardiovascular effects. Cardiovascular effects were assessed as isoprenaline (3.5-35 ng/kg/min)- and terbutaline (25-150 ng/kg/min)-infusion-induced increases in heart rate and systolic blood pressure, decreases in diastolic blood pressure and shortening of the systolic time intervals (STIs), heart rate corrected duration of electromechanical systole (QS2c) and pre-ejection period (PEP; as a measure of inotropism).

RESULTS

Ketotifen did not significantly affect basal haemodynamics in the volunteers. Isoprenaline- and terbutaline-infusion caused dose-dependent increases in systolic blood pressure and heart rate, decreases in diastolic blood pressure and shortening of QS2c and PEP, whereby isoprenaline effects were more pronounced. After two weeks of treatment with terbutaline p.o., isoprenaline- and terbutaline-infusion-induced increases in heart rate, shortening of QS2c and PEP were significantly reduced whereby terbutaline-infusion effects were markedly more attenuated than isoprenaline-infusion effects. Ketotifen significantly reduced terbutaline p.o. treatment-induced attenuation of all terbutaline-infusion effects (largely beta 2-adrenoceptor-mediated) and the isoprenaline-infusion-induced increase in heart rate (beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor-mediated), but did not (or only marginally) affect reduction in isoprenaline-induced shortening of QS2c and PEP (largely beta 1-adrenoceptor-mediated).

CONCLUSION

Human cardiac beta 2-adrenoceptors are not 'resistant' to agonist-induced desensitization: Ketotifen might prevent such beta 2-adrenoceptor-agonist-evoked desensitization.

Gastrointestinal pH profiles in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

5-Amino salicylic acid preparations are used in therapy for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. The bioavailability of these drugs depends on their coating.

AIM

To determine whether intraluminal pH is decreased by the presence of inflammation, thereby altering the release of 5-amino salicylic acid in the intestinal lumen.

METHODS

Intraluminal gastrointestinal pH was measured by means of a radiotelemetry capsule in 12 healthy controls, in 12 patients with Crohn's disease (five with active disease), and in 11 patients with ulcerative colitis (seven with active disease).

RESULTS

The median gastric pH values in the patient groups (Crohn's disease 2.4, range 1.5-4.1; ulcerative colitis 1.95, range 1.55-4.4) were significantly higher than those observed in the controls (1.55, range 0.95-2.6). In the small bowel and colonic segments, all the pH values of Crohn's disease patients were comparable to those of the controls, as were the pH values in the proximal small intestine and in the left colon in patients with ulcerative colitis. However, the latter group had higher pH values in the terminal ileum, the caecum and the right colon. Patients with active disease had comparable median gastrointestinal pH values to patients in remission.

CONCLUSIONS

The luminal release of 5-amino salicylic acid might not be inhibited by low pH in patients with active inflammatory bowel diseases. This supports a safe disintegration of the slow release mesalazine preparations even in the presence of severe disease.

Angiotensin II antagonism and plasma radioreceptor-kinetics of candesartan in man

AIMS

The pharmacodynamic properties of the angiotensin II antagonist candesartan in humans were assessed from the rightward shifts of angiotensin II dose-effect curves (Schild regression technique). The pharmacokinetic characteristics were determined by radioreceptor assay (r.r.a.) and h.p.l.c.

METHODS

Twelve healthy male volunteers received single oral doses of 4, 8 and 16 mg candesartan cilexetil and placebo. Plasma was obtained for h.p.l.c. and r.r.a. (receptors: rat lung; radioligand: [125I-Sar1Ile8]-angiotensin II). Before and up to 24 h post dosing angiotensin II was infused in ascending dose steps until blood pressure (systolic and/or diastolic) increased by +25 mmHg. Individual angiotensin II dose-effect curves were fitted according to an Emax model and dose ratios (DR) calculated from the antagonist induced rightward shifts.

RESULTS

Candesartan, the active metabolite of candesartan cilexetil, declined from peak concentrations at about 4 h with a t1/2 of about 6 h. A linear relation (slope 1) between h.p.l.c. and r.r.a. data revealed that there is no other active metabolite. DR at 6-9 h post dosing reached a maximum of about 30 and at 24 h still amounted to 4-7, indicating the persistence of a relevant antagonistic effect in vivo. The apparent Ki-doses (derived from Schild regression plots) indicated a high potency (1.9 mg at 24 h) and slow decline of effect. Between plasma concentrations and antagonistic effect a counterclockwise hysteresis was visible.

CONCLUSIONS

A longer persistence of the antagonistic effect at the receptor site than expected by the presence in plasma indicates a slow off-rate of candesartan cilexetil from in vivo receptors. This provides an additional rationale for the observed 24 h therapeutic activity of candesartan cilexetil.

Flow sorting of microorganisms for molecular analysis

Not only classical cultivation-based methods but also the new molecular approaches may result in incomplete and selective information on the natural diversity of microbial communities. Flow sorting of microorganisms from environmental samples allows the deliberate selection of cell populations of interest from highly diverse systems for molecular analysis. Several cellular parameters that can be measured by flow cytometry are useful as sort criteria. Here, we report sorting of bacteria from activated sludge, lake water, and lake sediment according to differences in light scattering, DNA content, and/or affiliation to certain phylogenetic groups as assessed by fluorescein-labeled, rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes. Microscopy of the sorted cells showed that populations of originally low abundance could be strongly enriched by flow sorting (up to 280-fold), depending on the original abundance of the cells of interest and the type of sample sorted. The purity of the cells of interest could be further increased by repeated sorting, but this increase was limited by cell aggregation in the case of activated-sludge samples. It was possible to amplify almost full-length 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) fragments from sorted microbial cells by PCR, even after fixation with paraformaldehyde and in situ hybridization. Dot blot hybridization and sequencing demonstrated that most of the amplified rDNA originated from those cells that had been selected for by flow sorting. Comparative analysis of 16S rDNA sequences revealed previously unknown species of magnetotactic or activated-sludge bacteria.

Structure and erythroid cell-restricted expression of a chicken cDNA encoding a novel zinc finger protein of the Cys + His class

We report the cloning, sequence analysis and expression pattern of chGfi, a zinc finger protein (Zfp)-encoding cDNA that was isolated from a cDNA library constructed with RNA from avian erythroblastosis virus (AEV)-transformed primary chicken erythroblasts. The 1387-bp-long chGfi cDNA encodes a full-length 337-amino-acid (aa) protein that contains six zinc fingers (Zf) of the 2Cys + 2His class at its C-terminus. Immunoblotting experiments with extracts from bone marrow cells detected a 38-kDa protein that corresponds to the M(r) of 38,690 calculated for the protein deduced from chGfi. The chGfi protein is most homologous to the rat Gfi-1 showing a sequence similarity of 92% over the Zf region and only two exchanges within the N-terminal 19 aa that constitute the Gfi-1 repressor domain. Expression of chGfi is only detected in transformed primary erythroblasts, in erythroid cells of the primitive and definitive lineage and in bone marrow cells. chGfi activity does not vary significantly during differentiation of transformed primary erythroblasts of the definitive lineage. No chGfi expression is detected in cells of the myeloid and lymphoid lineages or in a total of nine different organs of adult origin. Our results indicate that chGfi expression is restricted to erythroid cells of the primitive and definitive lineage.

Improved sensitivity of whole-cell hybridization by the combination of horseradish peroxidase-labeled oligonucleotides and tyramide signal amplification

The substrate fluorescein-tyramide was combined with oligonucleotide probes directly labeled with horseradish peroxidase to improve the sensitivity of in situ hybridization of whole fixed bacterial cells. Flow cytometry and quantitative microscopy of cells hybridized by this technique showed 10- to 20-fold signal amplifications relative to fluorescein-monolabeled probes. The application of the new technique to the detection of natural bacterial communities resulted in very bright signals; however, the number of detected cells was significantly lower than that detected with fluorescently monolabeled, rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes.

Phosphorylation studies on rat p53 using the baculovirus expression system. Manipulation of the phosphorylation state with okadaic acid and influence on DNA binding

To elucidate the role of phosphorylation of p53 we used the baculovirus expression system to obtain high yields of protein eventually in distinct phosphorylation states. Initially, we obtained only marginal phosphorylation, despite high levels of expression. Two-dimensional phosphopeptide maps exhibited the same pattern as known from rat cells although some sites were underrepresented. Coexpression of simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen or cyclin-dependent kinases, cdc2 or cdk2, had only marginal effects on the phosphorylation state of p53. However, when we employed the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, overall phosphorylation of p53 was drastically enhanced in a dose-dependent manner and resembled that of p53 from SV40-transformed rat cells. This hyperphosphorylation resulted in enhanced binding of a consensus oligonucleotide as revealed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. To assess the role of individual phosphorylation sites, we generated a set of mutants at putative or identified sites. All mutants retained the ability to bind wild-type conformation-specific antibody Pab1620, to complex with SV40 large T antigen, and to bind to the consensus oligonucleotide. Moreover, most mutants exhibited enhanced DNA binding upon okadaic acid treatment, except for a mutant at the cdk site which failed to do so. These data show that: (a) insect cells contain all the protein kinases necessary for phosphorylation of a mammalian protein, p53; (b) in insect cells the ratio of kinase/phosphatase activities differs from that in mammalian cells so that underphosphorylation of recombinant proteins in this system may result from high phosphatase activities rather than saturation of kinases with recombinant substrate; (c) the system can be manipulated to obtain subpopulations of recombinant protein in a desired phosphorylation state, and (d) phosphorylation may regulate the DNA-binding activity of p53.

p53 phosphorylation mutants retain transcription activity

To investigate the effect of phosphorylation on the transcription activity of p53, ten phosphorylation mutants were constructed covering all the identified phosphorylation sites of rat p53. These included mutants of two casein kinase I sites (Ser6 and Ser9), two DNA-PK sites (Ser15 and Ser39), a p34cdc2 site (Ser313), the adjacent Ser312 and a casein kinase II site (Ser390). Two double phosphorylation mutants (Ser4, 6 and Ser15, 390) and one triple phosphorylation mutant (Ser4, 6 and 15) were also constructed. The transcription activity of all the p53 phosphorylation mutants was tested by transfection into two different types of cells, Saos-2 cells and p53(-/-) fibroblasts derived from p53 knock out mice, which both lack endogenouse p53. Surprisingly, all the p53 phosphorylation mutants retain transcription activity and the seven mutants tested can also suppress cell growth.

The effect of feeding piglets up to the 100th day of their life with peat preparation on their growth and physiological and biochemical indices

The experiment was carried out on a group of 300 piglets. During experiment the effect of supplementation with peat preparation coming from different charges on productivity, selected productive and biochemical indices was examined. All these indices were compared with a negative and positive control. A positive effect of supplementation with peat preparation in amount of 300 mg/kg of mixture on body weight increase and physiological and biochemical indices was found. The examined peat preparation coming from different charges demonstrated different effect which shows that it was not an entirely homogeneous material.

Disproportionating Transglycosylase (D-Enzyme) in Green Algae and Cyanobacteria. Partial Purification and Characterization

D-Enzyme (4-a-glucanotransferase, EC 2.4.1.25) from cultured symbiotic Nostoc and Chlorella has been partially purified and characterized. The enzyme catalyzes the disproportionation of maltooligosaccharides and is able to form maltooligosaccharides from soluble starch and D-glucose. The properties of D-enzyme from Nostoc and Chlorella are similar with respect to substrate specificity, KM values and pH dependence, but differ with respect to temperature optimum and molecular weight (40 °C/50 kDa and 50 °C/230 kDa for the enzyme from Nostoc and Chlorella, respectively). D-enzyme activity has been demonstrated also in freeliving Anabaena, Chlorella and Chlamydomonas. Its physiological role in symbiotic Nostoc is briefly discussed

[Experiences with internal fixation of isolated fractures of the head of the radius]

The advantages of internal fixation of fractures, with the possibility of immediate resumption of the function of the fractured bone, are in contrast to the well-known complications described in the literature. These complications and our own unsatisfactory results after surgical treatment of fractures of the head of the radius induced us to carry out a randomized prospective study of primary functional treatment of such fractures without external or internal stabilization. From December 1991 through December 1992, a total of 70 patients were treated according to a strict treatment protocol at the Graz Hospital for Accident Surgery, and CT was used for observation of the healing process. The positive early results, which in 91% of all cases were classified as very good or good, the lack of complications that sometimes follow surgical treatment, the markedly earlier recovery of the patient's working capacity, and the clearly shorter--albeit somewhat more expensive--treatment period required have led us to continue using this method at our hospital and also to recommend its use elsewhere.

The thymus-independent antigen alpha(1-3) dextran elicits proliferation of precursors for specific IgM antibody-producing cells (memory cells), which are revealed by LPS stimulation in soft agar cultures and detected by immunoblot

Single antibody-forming cells (AFC) specific for alpha(1-3) dextran (Dex) from i.p.-immunized BALB/c mice were enumerated in soft agar cultures by blotting on antigen-precoated membranes and subsequent staining via enzyme-coupled anti-IgM antibodies. Short cultures (2 h) revealed AFC as harvested ex vivo, while in long-term cultures (4 days), in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as B cell mitogen, cells or colonies developed by differentiation in vitro. Whereas the spleen contained most AFC ex vivo in a sharp-peak response at 4 and 5 days after i.p. injection of Dex in aqueous solution, peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) contained only very few AFC. However, the same PEC population developed Dex-specific cells or colonies after 4 days of culture. The isotype of antibodies was IgM. The frequency of these Dex-specific LPS-inducible precursor cells rose exponentially in the course of the immune response to a broad plateau and was still, 11 weeks after Dex injection, approximately 40-fold higher than in non-immunized mice. Since these cells increased in frequency after antigen injection, and since they could not be detected as AFC during 2 h ex vivo, they were regarded as memory cells. They seemed to be arrested in vivo, but could be induced to differentiation and/or proliferation in vitro. Although these cells had the functional characteristics of memory cells as defined above, they produced anti-Dex antibodies of IgM isotype. Their population might be critical for the protection of the peritoneal cavity against microbial invasion from the intestines, and it may be significant in this context that we could evoke a peritoneal memory cell response only when antigen was injected intraperitoneally, but not intravenously. In athymic BALB/c-nu/nu mice only few of these Dex-specific memory cells were found. It is possible that T cells exert a regulatory influence on this pathway of differentiation.

Techniques for endoscopic and non-endoscopic intracorporeal laser applications

This article deals with various designs of CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers currently used in surgery. It is discussed how their wavelength and beampath characteristics can be utilized in either the contact or the non-contact method to achieve specific clinical aims. These may concern endoscopic procedures, e.g. palliative tumour destruction or haemangioma or cystic membrane coagulation, or non-endoscopic procedures, as exemplified by two case reports on treatment for a congenital vascular disorder and varicosis, respectively. As there is a certain overlap of laser and high-frequency applications, their respective advantages and drawbacks are compared in detail. The main safety concern in HF surgery is that of errant currents in the patient, whereas in laser applications the main hazard is to the operators' eyes. This hazard can be safely eliminated.

Translating data into information: a primer of preparatory concepts and skills

Consider data as content, as the parts required for building "something." But data alone are not the something. Data are a part, not the whole. Consider information as context. It is akin to having the something. But information is dependent on data for building the something, the whole. Thus, translating data into information requires being aware of and respecting the content and context relationship and dependency of data and information. Finally, translating data into information requires an understanding of people and how people communicate. Data and information are effective means for people to express, exchange, and communicate ideas. When data and resulting information communicate to and inspire people, ideas originate. Thus, data and information are essential for communication to occur and function as the origin of ideas of the future.

[Therapy of hyperammonemia in carbamyl phosphate synthase deficiency with peritoneal dialysis and venovenous hemofiltration]

Inborn errors of metabolism with hyperammonaemia cause emergency situations with unconsciousness, convulsion, hyperpnoea and hyperpyrexia. Therefore hyperammonaemia has to be treated immediately after diagnosis to avoid irreversible damage. Two newborns with carbamylphosphates synthetase deficiency are described. Both, continuous peritoneal dialysis and venovenous haemofiltration have proved to be effective methods to reduce serum ammonia concentration to values of less than 300 mu/l. Because of the severity of the enzyme defect in both cases, (carbamylphosphate synthetase was not detectable in liver tissue), treatment finally had to be stopped, and both patients died.

The relationship between characteristics of the tumor cells and sex of the patients in primary malignant melanomas

Sex is a well proven prognosticator in primary malignant melanoma. We studied 19 parameters of tumor cells in primary malignant melanoma from 391 patients, the purpose being to determine if melanomas in men and women are alike. Apart from results in thin melanomas, no difference was seen between the sex groups. Thin melanomas showed a significant difference for the melanoma-associated antigen G7-E2 (higher expression in women) and the histocompatibility antigen HLA-DR (higher expression in men). The results suggest that sex-related prognostic differences are due more to host than to tumor characteristics.

p-glycoprotein expression in malignant melanoma

In some human malignancies resistance to chemotherapy is caused by an energy-dependent efflux system, responsible for the removal of chemotherapeutics out of the resistant tumor cells. A major component of this efflux system is the permeability glycoprotein (p-glycoprotein), which depends on the multidrug-resistance gene MDR1. We have tested p-glycoprotein in primary and metastatic human melanoma by use of the monoclonal antibody C219; a substantial expression was only observed in 1/37 primary melanomas and in 1/27 melanoma metastases. None of the patients with negative metastases responded to chemotherapy. Moreover a complete remission of metastatic growth was observed in the patient with the metastasis significantly expressing the p-glycoprotein. Sequential studies revealed no significant increase of p-glycoprotein-positive cells during and after chemotherapy. We conclude that drug resistance in human melanoma does not usually depend on the p-glycoprotein-related efflux system. Other mechanisms are obviously responsible for drug resistance in this human malignancy.

Does chronic prenatal methadone exposure affect beta-receptor subtypes in placental, fetal and maternal brain homogenates?

Computer competition analysis of 3H-DHA (3H-dihydroalprenolol, a nonselective beta-adrenergic radioligand) binding in the presence of unlabeled metoprolol (a beta 1-selective antagonist) indicates the existence of both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptor subtypes in the rat placenta and confirms previous reports that both beta-adrenoceptors are present in adult rat cortex. In the fetal brain (20th day of gestation), however, only beta 1-receptors were detected. Pregnant rats were chronically exposed to methadone from day 7 to day 20 of gestation via implanted osmotic minipumps (6.3-9.0 mg/kg/day). This treatment schedule did not induce a change in the affinity and density of either beta-receptor subtype in the placental, fetal and maternal brain homogenates. The results are discussed in terms of the reported monoaminergic and opiate receptor functional interactions.

[The prevalence of bronchial asthma in a selected sample of the adult Prague population]

The authors assessed the prevalence of bronchial asthma in 8458 18-year-old and older inhabitants of an economic area in Prague 8. The population of the area up to December 31, 1987 was 90,458 adults. The health communities were selected in a random way to comprise the central as well as peripheral parts of Prague 8. By means of questionnaires information was assembled from 70.9% of the respondents and after supplementation of data by various doctors the scope of information was 89.9% (7605/8458). For detailed examination 902 subjects were selected with "confirmed" and suspect symptoms of asthma. The anamnestic data were analyzed and pulmonary ventilation was examined (flow-volume), and depending on indication, also the provocation or bronchodilatation inhalation test, skin tests, and total IgE. The cumulative prevalence of bronchial asthma was 2.3% +/- 0.3% (174/7605). The highest prevalence values were in subjects under 20 years--3.5% and under 30 years--3.6%. The contemporary prevalence was 2.0% +/- 0.3% (152/7605). Nonatopic asthma was recorded in 54%, atopic asthma in 46% of the subjects.

[Vascular tumors of the lungs]

A series of nine vascular tumors of the lungs, five of them being benign hemangiomas, three hemangiosarcomas and one hemangiopericytoma is presented. In five patients the disease was detected on the basis of subjective complaints which indicated necessary hospitalization, in the other four patients the tumours were revealed by chance during preventive X-ray examination or X-ray examination for other causes. These patients were admitted to hospital for progression of lung changes. Five of the patients underwent surgery, lobectomy, was made in two cases, the other patients were treated by segmental, V-shape or atypical lung resection. Patients with benign hemangiomas manifested the best prognosis even in those where surgery was not possible. In cases of hemangiosarcoma or hemangiopericytoma the outlook is exceptionally serious even in primary forms. In the preoperation diagnostics of arteriovenous hemangiomas the tomographic examination and lung angiography represents an important help, in the other vascular tumours it is particularly CT and lung biopsy.

[Bronchogenic carcinoma in women]

A total of 440 women with morphologically tested primary bronchogenic carcinoma were hospitalized in 1961-1987. The patients' average age was 57 years, 22% persons were under 50 years. In 32% women carcinoma was found accidentally in the asymptomatic stage of the illness, 4% women had subjective complaints which they considered insignificant, however, subjective complaints in 64% patients helped to diagnose it. The most frequent complaints were temperature, breathlessness, chest pain and loss of weight. In 2% women, the first sign was hemoptysis found most frequently as an isolated symptom. The history of 9.5% patients showed pulmonary TB, in 27% women bronchogenic carcinoma was first regarded as pulmonary TB and treated with anti-tuberculotics. The family history of 32% patients showed malignant diseases, most frequently gastric carcinoma, while bronchogenic carcinoma was found in 5.7%, of family members. The group consisted of 46% smokers and 54% non-smokers. The women smokers had smoked for 29 years on average, had smoked 205 thousand cigarettes on average, the average daily amount was 20 cigarettes. Regardless of their smoking habits, the most frequent histological type was found to be adenocarcinoma in 47% cases, with the squamous-cell type prevailing in the smokers (37%), and adenocarcinoma in non-smokers (59%). 36% of the patients underwent surgery, the most frequent contraindication for surgery were generalization of the process and lymph node metastases. Lobectomy was the most common operation performed (62%). 5 patients died within the first post-operative month.

[Pathogenesis and clinical aspects of Reinke edema. Long-term studies]

Since 1973, 307 patients have been treated for Reinke's oedema in the ENT Department of the University of Marburg. A retrospective study from 1983 and observations up to 1989 investigated the aetiology and the prognosis of the disease. Two aetiological factors were found: smoking and voice abuse. Surgical treatment, stripping of the vocal cords as described by Kleinsasser was successful. There were no recurrences and no malignant degenerations. The prognosis was considered to be good. Two other long-term studies of Reinke's oedema are compared with our findings. Controversial opinions about the therapy are discussed.

[Benign tumors of the lungs and bronchi]

Results of a retrospective study from the years 1961 to 1986 have been presented based on hospitalization of 292 patients with benign tumours of the lungs and bronchi verified by histology. The prevailing tumours in the cohort were chondrohamartomas (62.0%) and carcinoids (21.9%). The tumours were localized more frequently inside the parenchyma (75.7%) than inside the bronchi (24.3%). The patients were men in 59.9% and women in 40.1%, the mean age during hospitalization being 48.8 years. In 60.6% of the patients the tumours were detected during an accidental radiographic examination, the tumour increased in size over several years of observation in 22.6% of the patients. A total of 280 patients (95.5%) were surgically treated, the tumour was removed in the bronchoscopic way in nine cases, two patients could not be operated on for advanced processes and one patient refused the operation. In 83.2% of the patients the surgical intervention was smaller than lobectomy, larger interventions prevailed in endobronchial localization making 54% on the whole, bronchial carcinoids being 71% of these.

[Lung resection in the principle disease of mucoviscidosis and status following poliomyelitis--2 case reports]

Two cases of destroyed lung after repeated pneumonia are reported; one in a patient suffering from cystic fibrosis in the age of 8 years, the other in a 15 year old girl with a phrenic nerve paralysis. In both children physiotherapy as well as retreatments with appropriate antibiotics did not achieve any long-term curative effect. Therefore a pneumonectomy was indicated. In the patient with cystic fibrosis a small air leak was observed on the first postoperative day at the bronchial suture line, which was treated with an immediate rethoracotomy and correction. In the other child a pericardial effusion 4 weeks after surgery occurred. Regression was seen within two weeks under antibiotic therapy. In diseases such as cystic fibrosis and paralysis of the diaphragm a resection of the lung is justified in cases even if they are complicated by recurrent infections due to atelectasis or bronchiectasia. The preoperative investigation includes the proof of a total lung failure by scintiscan and/or measurement of a mucociliary clearance. A non altered function of the remaining lung is a prerequisite.