Lokalisation von Nebenschilddrüsenadenomen mit planarer 99mTc-Sestamibi-Szintigraphie

Ziel: Im Rahmen der präoperativen Lokalisationsdiagnostik beim primären Hyperparathyreoidismus (pHPT) wurden die Subtraktions- und die 2-Phasen-Technik der 99mTc-Sestamibi- Szintigraphie untereinander und mit den Operationsergebnissen verglichen. Patienten, Methoden: Prospektiv wurden 126 Patienten mit pHPT präoperativ untersucht. Die Darstellung der Schilddrüse (99mTc-Pertechnetat) wurde von dem Perfusionsbild (99mTc-Sestamibi) subtrahiert, eine weitere Aufnahme 2 h p. i. diente zur Feststellung einer Aktivitätsretention. Die zeitnahe Befunderstellung erfolgte unter Berücksichtigung beider Techniken. Retrospektiv wurden die Auswertungen getrennt vier erfahrenen Fachärzten vorgelegt. Ergebnisse: In der klinischen Routine wurden bei 109 Patienten präoperativ korrekte Befunde erhoben (87%). Von 129 resezierten Nebenschilddrüsenadenomen wurden 118 richtig lokalisiert (Sensitivität 91%, pos. Vorhersagewert 94%). Bei der retrospektiven Analyse führten in 75% der Fälle beide Techniken zum richtigen Ergebnis, bei 14% war nur die 2-Phasen-Technik zielführend, bei 7% nur die Subtraktionstechnik. Mit der 2-Phasen-Technik wurden signifikant mehr Untersuchungen richtig beurteilt als mit der Subtraktionstechnik (88,7 ± 3,2% versus 81,6 ± 1,2%, p <0,01, zweiseitiger t-Test). Schlussfolgerung: Die präoperative szintigraphische Lokalisationsdiagnostik hyperaktiver Nebenschilddrüsen bei pHPT unterstützt das minimal-invasive operative Vorgehen durch eine hohe Rate an richtigen Befunden. Die 2-Phasen- erscheint sensitiver als die Subtraktionstechnik. In einigen Fällen kann die richtige Lokalisation nur mit Hilfe der Subtraktionstechnik angegeben werden. Für eine optimale Vorbereitung der Operation empfiehlt sich die vorgestellte Kombination beider Techniken.

Peptidrezeptor-Radionuklidtherapie Somatostatinrezeptor- exprimierender Tumore

Diese Handlungsempfehlung soll eine Grundlage für die Qualitätssicherung der Peptid - rezeptor-Radionuklidtherapie (PRRT) von Patienten mit Somatostatinrezeptor-exprimierenden Tumoren schaffen, die zurzeit in Deutschland bei fehlenden gleichwertigen oder besseren Therapiealternativen im Rahmen eines individuellen Heilversuches erfolgt. Sie wurde interdisziplinär erarbeitet und enthält neben Definition, allgemeiner Zielsetzung und klinischen Hintergrundinformationen Angaben zu Indikationen und Kontraindikationen der PRRT. Im Mittelpunkt stehen die Anforderungen, die an das Behandlungszentrum gestellt werden, wie die enge Zusammenarbeit der an der Behandlung beteiligten Fachgebiete. Weiterhin wird spezifiziert, welche Untersuchungsbefunde vor der Therapie vorliegen müssen und wie die PRRT technisch und organisatorisch durchzuführen ist. Nach der Behandlung ist eine langfristige Nachsorge/Kontrolle der therapierten Patienten – u. a. zur Gewinnung onkologischer Qualitätsparameter – unabdingbar. Die gesamte Behandlung einschließlich der Nachsorge muss in enger Abstimmung und Zusammenarbeit der beteiligten Fachdisziplinen erfolgen, wobei in der Regel die Empfehlung zur PRRT durch ein multidisziplinäres Tumorboard erfolgen sollte.

Neurocognition and PET

Aim: In cognitive neuroscience regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) imaging with positron-emission-tomography (PET) is a powerful tool to characterize different aspects of cognitive processes by using different data analysis approaches. By use of an n-back verbal working memory task (varied from 0- to 3-back) we present cognitive subtraction analysis as basic strategy as well as parametric and covariance analyses and discuss the results. Methods: Correlation analyses were performed using the individual performance rate as an external covariate, computing inter-regional correlations, and as network analysis applying structural equation modelling to evaluate the effective connectivity between the involved brain regions. Results: Subtraction analyses revealed a fronto-parietal neuronal network also including the anterior cingulate cortex and the cerebellum. With higher memory load the parametric analysis evidenced linear rCBF increases in prefrontal, pre-motor and inferior parietal areas including the precuneus as well as in the anterior cingulate cortex. The rCBF correlation with the individual performance as external covariate depicted negative correlations in bilateral prefrontal and inferior parietal regions, in the precuneus and the anterior cingulate cortex. The network analysis demonstrated mainly occipito-frontally directed interactions which were predominantly left-hemispheric. Additionally, strong linkages were found between extrastriate and parietal regions as well as within the parietal cortex. Conclusion: The data analysis approaches presented here contribute to an extended and more elaborated understanding of cognitive processes and their different sub-aspects.

Diagnostic value and therapeutic impact of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in differentiated thyroid cancer

The clinical significance of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma was evaluated and the results were compared with those of 18F-FDGPET, 131I-whole-body scintigraphy including SPECT/CT (WBS) and ultrasound. In addition, it was the aim to investigate the impact of 18F-FDG-PET/CT on the therapeutic management. Patients, methods: 327 patients (209 women, 118 men; mean age 53 ± 18 years) with differentiated thyroid cancer (242 papillary, 75 follicular, 6 mixed, 1 Hürthle cell and 3 poorly differentiated tumours) were analyzed retrospectively at four tertiary referral centres. 289 18F-FDG-PET/CT and 118 18F-FDG-PET studies were performed in these patients between 2007 and 2010. In addition, an overall clinical evaluation was performed, including cytology, histology, thyroglobulin level, ultrasound, WBS, and subsequent clinical course in order to compare the molecular imaging results. Finally, the change in therapeutic management due to findings of 18F-FDG-PET/CT was investigated. Results: The sensitivity of 18F-FDG-PET/CT was 92%, the specificity was 95%. Sensitivity and specificity of 18F-FDG-PET alone were 67% and 93%, respectively. WBS showed a sensitivity of 65% and a specificity of 94%. The corresponding values of ultrasound were 37% and 94%, respectively. The sensitivity of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in the group of patients with a negative WBS (n=194) amounted to 96%. When 18F-FDG-PET/CT and WBS were considered in combination, tumour tissue was missed in only 2 out of 133 patients; when 18F-FDG-PET and WBS were combined, tumour tissue was missed in 1 out of 24 patients. 18F-FDG-PET/CT resulted in management change in 43% (n=57/133) with a decision on surgical approach in 20% (n=27/133). Conclusions: 18F-FDG-PET/CT is superior to 18F-FDG-PET alone in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer and has a direct impact on the therapeutic management of patients with suspected local recurrence or metastases, particularly in those with negative WBS.

Immunologic Long-term Outcomes of Living-Related Kidney Transplantations Depending on the Donor-Recipient Relationship

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to analyze the long-term immunologic outcomes of living-related kidney transplantations depending on the donor-recipient relationship.

METHODS

This retrospective single-center study included adult kidney transplant recipients (KTR) transplanted between 2000 and 2014. Among 1117 KTRs, 178 patients (15.9%) received living-related donations. Those patients were further categorized according to the donor-recipient relationship: 65 transplantations between siblings, 39 father-to-child (F-t-C) and 74 mother-to-child (M-t-C) donations. Allograft biopsies were performed for clinically suspected rejections. Data analysis included patient and graft survival, biopsy proven rejections (T-cell mediated [TCMR] or antibody mediated) and development of de novo donor-specific antibody. Outcome data were assessed over a period of a maximum 14 years.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the groups (F-t-C, M-t-C, and siblings) with regard to HLA-mismatches, prior kidney transplantations, time on dialysis, and cold ischemia time. Among KTRs with related donors, the type of relationship had no significant influence on graft survival. F-t-C and M-t-C pairs showed comparable incidences of TCMR at 7 years post-transplantation, both significantly exceeding the rate in sibling-to-sibling pairs (26.2% and 26.8% vs 10%, respectively; P = .043). A multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for recipient age, donor age, and HLA (A, B, DR)-mismatches identified both M-t-C- and F-t-C-donations as important independent risk factors for TCMR (hazard ratio: 8.13; P < .001 and hazard ratio: 8.09; P = .001, respectively). There was no significant difference between the groups concerning the incidence of antibody-mediated rejection and de novo donor-specific antibody.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that parent-to-child kidney donation is an independent risk factor for TCMR.

The lung microbiome in patients with pneumocystosis

Backround

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic fungal infection that is associated with a high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. In this study, we analysed the microbiome of the lower respiratory tract from critically ill intensive care unit patients with and without pneumocystosis.

Methods

Broncho-alveolar fluids from 65 intubated and mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients (34 PCP+ and 31 PCP- patients) were collected. Sequence analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA gene V3/V4 regions was performed to study the composition of the respiratory microbiome using the Illumina MiSeq platform.

Results

Differences in the microbial composition detected between PCP+ and PCP- patients were not statistically significant on class, order, family and genus level. In addition, alpha and beta diversity metrics did not reveal significant differences between PCP+ and PCP- patients. The composition of the lung microbiota was highly variable between PCP+ patients and comparable in its variety with the microbiota composition of the heterogeneous collective of PCP- patients.

Conclusions

The lower respiratory tract microbiome in patients with pneumocystosis does not appear to be determined by a specific microbial composition or to be dominated by a single bacterial species.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12890-017-0512-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Donor-Recipient Matching Based on Predicted Indirectly Recognizable HLA Epitopes Independently Predicts the Incidence of De Novo Donor-Specific HLA Antibodies Following Renal Transplantation

De novo donor-specific HLA antibodies (dnDSA) are recognized as a risk factor for premature allograft failure. Determinants of DSA specificity are generated via the indirect allorecognition pathway. Here, we present supportive data for the relevance of predicted indirectly recognizable HLA epitopes (PIRCHE) to predict dnDSA following kidney transplantation. A total of 2787 consecutive kidney transplants performed between 1995 and 2015 without preformed DSA have been analyzed. De novo DSA were detected by single antigen bead assay. HLA epitope mismatches were determined by the HLAMatchmaker and PIRCHE approach and correlated in uni- and multivariate analyses with 10-year allograft survival and incidence of dnDSA. The PIRCHE-II score moderately predicted allograft survival. However, the predictive value of elevated PIRCHE-II scores >9 for the incidence of dnDSA was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In a multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for antigen mismatch and HLAMatchmaker epitopes, the PIRCHE-II score could be identified as an independent risk factor for dnDSA. The PIRCHE-II score independently from the antigen mismatch and HLAMatchmaker epitopes could be revealed as being a strong predictor for dnDSA. PIRCHE may help to identify acceptable mismatches with decreased risk of dnDSA and thus improve long-term renal allograft survival.

[Nomenclature of squamous cell precursor lesions of the lower female genital tract : Current aspects]

The majority of precancerous lesions of the lower female genital tract (intraepithelial neoplasia, IN) are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections resulting in cellular atypia and in turn an altered tissue architecture. Depending on the pathogenesis, a distinction is made between vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) classified as classical VIN associated with high-risk HPV infections (u-VIN) and differentiated VIN (d-VIN), which is associated with lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and p53 alterations. In the current World Health Organization (WHO) classification a novel grading system for squamous cell precancerous lesions of the lower female genital tract has been proposed, differentiating low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (L-SIL) including condyloma and HPV-associated alterations plus VIN 1, vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN 1) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1) from high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (H-SIL) with VIN 2 and 3, VaIN 2 and 3 as well as CIN 2 and 3. The use of p16 immunohistochemistry can assist the differentiation. The new binary classification, however, contradicts the German cytological nomenclature (Munich nomenclature III), which differentiated three grades of dysplasia in order to avoid overtreatment of patients with moderate IN. The individual nomenclatures are compared to each other. It is recommended to report the grade of precancerous lesions in addition to the SIL classification of the WHO.

[Modern biomarkers for precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix : Histological-cytological correlation and use]

The correlation between the cytological findings from the PAP smear and the histological outcome in cases where the cytological findings must be histologically verified, is an integral component of the German screening program for cervical cancer. These data are collected nationwide as part of a benchmarking process by the individual Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) in the federal states and reported to the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) in Berlin. In most cases there is a good correlation between cytology and histology but in some cases either a different grade of severity of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is found or the histological findings are negative. The reasons for a lack of correlation can be insufficient sampling in the cytology or the biopsy or a misinterpretation of the individual findings. Although the findings from H&E sections are considered to be the gold standard in the histological evaluation, it has long been known that the interobserver agreement in these preparations is only moderate. A significant improvement becomes apparent, firstly by the classification of cervical cancer precursors into low-grade and high-grade groups and secondly by the targeted application of biomarkers, in particular p16 and Ki-67, according to the recommendations of the lower anogenital squamous terminology standardization (LAST) project. The biomarkers p16 and Ki-67 should be used in the differential diagnostics between reactive and reparative alterations and for further differentiation of a CIN grade 2 but not to confirm a CIN grade 3. It is still unclear whether p16 is suitable as a prognostic marker for low-grade lesions.

[Recent development of hypertension and acute renal failure in a 59-year-old woman]

We report on a 59-year-old woman who presented with nausea, fatigue, arterial hypertension, and acute renal failure. Clinical examination, laboratory findings of blood and urine and abdominal sonography were inconclusive. Renal biopsy revealed infiltration by a diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma. In fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography tracer enrichment was demonstrated in both kidneys, skeletal system and retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Renal function improved already after the first cycle of R‑CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone). After chemotherapy, a complete remission, normalization of blood pressure and renal function were achieved.

EFEITO ALELOPÁTICO DE EXTRATO DE CANOLA (Brassica napus) SOBRE A FASE DE GEMINAÇÃO DA CULTURA DA SOJA

Alelopatia é o fenômeno de interações entre plantas com liberação de substâncias químicas no meio ambiente que provocam efeitos estimulatórios ou inibitórios na germinação, crescimento e desenvolvimento de outras plantas. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito alelopático de extrato de canola, na germinação de sementes de cultivares de soja. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi blocos ao acaso em arranjo fatorial 4x2, em que o fator A foi composto por 4 cultivares de soja sendo Monasca, Coodetec 219, BMX Potência e BMX Força e o fator B a concentração do extrato sendo 0% e 10%. O experimento foi conduzido em papel Germitest com 50 sementes para cada cultivar, sem e com extrato aquoso de canola, sendo quatro repetições para cada tratamento, os rolos contendo as sementes foram mantidos em câmara B.O.D. a 25ºC. Foram avaliadas a primeira contagem de germinação, número de sementes germinadas, sementes não germinadas, plântulas anormais, comprimento da parte aérea e radícula, massa seca da parte aérea e da radícula das plântulas. A presença de extrato influenciou o percentual de sementes germinadas, mas ainda a cultivar ‘BMX Força’, apresentou menor desempenho com e sem a utilização do extrado, em razão das sementes apresentarem menos vigor. A cultivar ‘BMX Força’ e ‘BMX Potência’ apresentaram efeitos deletérios quando expostas ao extrato de canola, pelo maior número de sementes anormais. A cultivar BMX Força demostrou maior influência na germinação de sementes com uso do extrato e a Coodetec 219 apresentou bom desempenho como cultivar para ser utilizada em sucessão a cultura da canola.

Effective optical constants of anisotropic silver nanoparticle films with plasmonic properties: erratum

This erratum reports a correction to Fig. 5 in the original manuscript, Opt. Lett.41, 5495 (2016)OPLEDP0146-959210.1364/OL.41.005495.

Effective optical constants of anisotropic silver nanoparticle films with plasmonic properties

Mueller matrix ellipsometry has been used to determine the effective optical constants of island-like Ag films deposited by thermal evaporation. These films depart substantially from bulk silver with a prominent localized surface plasmon resonance. Moreover, despite the isotropic appearance, they exhibit uniaxial optical properties with the optical axis inclined by 83.4° from the substrate normal toward the direction of the incoming vapor flux. The uniaxial model supports the plasmon resonance peaks revealed by in-plane absorbance measurements of the films. The uniaxial behavior suggests that the resonances along the ordinary axes are weakly coupled between neighboring particles, whereas the extraordinary resonance is relatively strongly coupled. Therefore, the anisotropy should be considered in the practical applications of these plasmonic films.

Testing Hadronic Interactions at Ultrahigh Energies with Air Showers Measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory

Ultrahigh energy cosmic ray air showers probe particle physics at energies beyond the reach of accelerators. Here we introduce a new method to test hadronic interaction models without relying on the absolute energy calibration, and apply it to events with primary energy 6-16 EeV (E_{CM}=110-170  TeV), whose longitudinal development and lateral distribution were simultaneously measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory. The average hadronic shower is 1.33±0.16 (1.61±0.21) times larger than predicted using the leading LHC-tuned models EPOS-LHC (QGSJetII-04), with a corresponding excess of muons.

[Who performs gynecological cytology and how?]

Since 1971 German women aged 20 years and older can annually participate in the gynecological cancer screening program free of charge. As part of this program a cervical smear is taken for testing. The Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss, GBA) is planning to change this system so that women aged over 30 years can either choose to continue with annual cytological screening using a cervical smear or can primarily opt for a human papillomavirus (HPV) test every 5 years. Women who are HPV positive will receive a supplementary cytological examination as a triage method. In Germany classification of the cytological results is based on the third revision of the Munich nomenclature (Münchner Nomenklatur, MN III), which has been in operation since 1 January 2015. The number of accredited cytology institutions and of cytologists has changed considerably since 2008. There has been a marked increase in the number of pathologists by 28.4%, which is a promising trend. The number of tests carried out has remained relatively constant; however, an increasing number of tests are now being performed in large laboratories.