Different samples of igneous and metamorphic rocks from Egypt and Germany have been considered to measure γ-ray activity concentrations due to naturally occurring, potentially hazardous radonuclides 226Ra, 232Th and ...Different samples of igneous and metamorphic rocks from Egypt and Germany have been considered to measure γ-ray activity concentrations due to naturally occurring, potentially hazardous radonuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K. The radiation hazard parameters including radiation equivalent activity, gamma-absorbed dose rate, and exter- nal and internal hazard indices have been estimated. The gamma-absorbed dose rates in air of rocks in Egypt range from 4.2 to 128.5 nGy·h-1 with a mean value of 55.3 nGy·h-1. For igneous and metamorphic rocks from Germany, the values of absorbed dose rates fluctuate from 5.1 to 148.6 nGy·h-1, with a mean value of 60.9 nGy·h-1. Generally, it is found that the radiation hazard indices in common igneous rocks are distinctly higher in acidic than in ultrabasic rocks. The results are discussed and compared with the corresponding published data.展开更多
The objective of the present work was to investigate the transition reaction of the calcium silicate hydrate tobermorite into xonotlite under influence of additives. Tobermorite is the main binding agent in steam hard...The objective of the present work was to investigate the transition reaction of the calcium silicate hydrate tobermorite into xonotlite under influence of additives. Tobermorite is the main binding agent in steam hardened building materials and the appearance of xonotlite indicates the progress of hardening and an overcuring of the material. Hydrothermal experiments under addition of sucrose, calcium formate and calcium chloride dihydrate to the main components quartz and lime were done using temperatures of 220°C and a reaction time of 40.5 h. All experiments were performed with powders as well as with pressed educts. The products of all syntheses were analyzed with XRD, SEM/EDX and FTIR. The references as well as the syntheses with calcium chloride dihydrate led to the formation of 11 Å tobermorite and xonotlite. The former showed the best results and even synthesis with pressed educts and calcium chloride dihydrate revealed an accelerating effect of the additive. In contrast syntheses with sucrose had the worst reactivity and led to the formation of calcite beside the CSH-phase scawtite. The additive calcium formate was only slightly oppressing the crystallization of tobermorite and favouring the formation of xonotlite. Syntheses with pressed pellets and sucrose or calcium formate showed generally worse results.展开更多
Four transplant studies are described that focus on fertilisation and early development or the progression of unfertilised oocytes （eggs） in the oviduct. （1） Pig eggs transplanted from ovulations induced during th...Four transplant studies are described that focus on fertilisation and early development or the progression of unfertilised oocytes （eggs） in the oviduct. （1） Pig eggs transplanted from ovulations induced during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle were fertilised in the oviducts of inseminated recipient animals in estrus. By contrast, pig eggs from donors in estrus became highly polyspermic when transplanted to the oviducts of animals force-mated during the luteal phase. （2） Pig embryos at the stage of hatched blastocysts （ days 7 and 8） could be transplanted successfuUy to synchronous recipients and full embryonic development demonstrated to between days 19 and 23 of pregnancy. Thus, the exposed trophectoderm of developing embryos could withstand the physical ma- nipulation of recovery and transplantation, and the li-fespan of corpora lutea in the unmated recipients could be prolonged by transfer of day 7 and 8 blastocysts. （3） Bovine oocytes aspirated from 2 to 6 mm diameter Graafian follicles and matured in vitro were fertilized normally in the oviducts of inseminated recipient heifers, demonstrating the potential of slaughterhouse ovaries for the generation of embryos. （4） Transplanting equine eggs to a pig oviduct, in which egg descent to the uterus requires only 46 to 48 h, did not reveal a retarded progress of degenerating unferfil- ised horse eggs, suggesting the involvement of nonphysical factors in equine embryo progression to the uterus. Prostaglandins of embryonic origin are now known to be a key. A final section examines the postovulatory role of ovarian follicular cells on the secretory activity of the oviductal epithelium.展开更多
Introduction: Perinatal testicular torsion is not a frequent, but a grave finding finding. As only immediate surgical retorsion may save the viability of the testicle, time is of essence. We report the case of a newbo...Introduction: Perinatal testicular torsion is not a frequent, but a grave finding finding. As only immediate surgical retorsion may save the viability of the testicle, time is of essence. We report the case of a newborn where delayed diagnosis led to an unnecessary loss of one testicle. Presentation of Case: The newborn was presented one day after delivery with a swollen left blue scrotal pouch. The left testicle was little tender, higher in position and enlarged. Ultrasound revealed a globular, enlarged testicle left, showing hypodense necrotic areas within. Doppler sound could not detect any perfusion of the spermatic vessels. Scrotal fluid was present bilaterally. At operation, the testicle was considered unsalvageable, and left orchiectomy and right orchidopexy were performed. Discussion: In the new-born, it is more than convenient to perfom ultrasound of both testicles at the same time, which allows to compare texture and perfusion easily. Immediate surgical exploration should be performed at any time, even if in diagnostic doubt. The very most important step though is to professionally recognise and to react to this pediatric emergency, as time is of paramount essence. Conclusion: A case of a male newborn with unilateral perinatal testicular torsion is presented, where typical clinical signs and ultrasound features can be seen. Early exploration with orchiectomy of the necrotic testicle and orchidopexy of the healthy side may save the endocrine function and fertility.展开更多
Background: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is defined by the almost daily presence of urticaria for at least 6 weeks without an identifiable cause. Symptoms include short-lived wheals, itching, and erythema. CIU i...Background: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is defined by the almost daily presence of urticaria for at least 6 weeks without an identifiable cause. Symptoms include short-lived wheals, itching, and erythema. CIU impedes significantly a patient’s quality of life (QoL). Levocetirizine is an antihistamine from the latest generation approved for CIU. Aim: To investigate the efficacy of levocetirizine, 5 mg, and placebo for the symptoms and signs of CIU, as well as for the QoL and productivity. Methods: The primary criteria of evaluation were the pruritus severity scores over 1 week of treatment and over 4 weeks. The QoL was assessed via the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Results: Baseline pruritus severity scores were comparable in the two treatment groups (2.06 ±0.58). After 1week, levocetirizine was superior to placebo and demonstrated a considerable efficacy (difference = 0.78, P < 0.001). This efficacy was maintained over the entire study period (4 weeks, P < 0.001). The number and size of wheals were considerably reduced compared with placebo over 1 week and over the total treatment period (P ≤0.001). This was paralleled by an improvement in the QoL (DLQI: 7.3 units in the levocetirizine group and 2.4 units in the placebo group) and a higher productivity at work in the levocetirizine group (3.0 workdays lost per patient per month in the placebo group, 0.3 in the levocetirizine group). No unexpected adverse events occurred. Conclusions: Levocetirizine, 5 mg once daily, is an effective treatment for CIU, characterized not only by a rapid and sustained response, but also by an important improvement in QoL.展开更多
Background: In the published studies on the efficacy of the topical immunomodulator pimecrolimus, different eczema scores were used, and the impact on morphological key signs of eczema was not analysed. Objective: To ...Background: In the published studies on the efficacy of the topical immunomodulator pimecrolimus, different eczema scores were used, and the impact on morphological key signs of eczema was not analysed. Objective: To compare the influence of pimecrolimus cream 1%on different standard eczema scores in infants with atopic dermatitis and to analyse the impact of treatment on the individual morphological key signs of eczema. Methods: Pimecrolimus cream 1%(n=129) or double-blind vehicle control (n=66) was administered for 4 weeks. The Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Investigators’Global Assessment (IGA) and Scoring Atopic Dermatitis Index (SCORAD) were determined and were correlated with each other. Results: Following treatment with pimecrolimus, the EASI, IGA and SCORAD were significantly reduced on day 29 as compared with the vehicle group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P=0.002, respectively). There was a close correlation between EASI, IGA and SCORAD. The single parameters of the EASI were already significantly decreased by day 4 in the pimecrolimus group as compared to vehicle (each P < 0.001). Conclusion: Treatment with pimecrolimus 1%cream leads to a rapid improvement of all morphological signs of eczema. The close correlation of different scores was shown for the first time.展开更多
Background: The status of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is an important parameter to predict the prognosis of melanoma patients but it is amatter of debate if removal ofmicrometastases by SLN biopsy (SLNB) influences ...Background: The status of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is an important parameter to predict the prognosis of melanoma patients but it is amatter of debate if removal ofmicrometastases by SLN biopsy (SLNB) influences the prognosis of melanoma patients. Objectives: We sought to investigate the impact of SLNB in melanoma patients with regard to recurrence-free survival, overall survival and metastatic pathways. Patients and methods: We studied, retrospectively, 673 melanoma patients with a primary melanoma (tumour thickness ≥ 1 mm) and without clinical evidence of metastases at the time of melanoma diagnosis. In 377 patients the melanoma was removed without SLNB between January 1995 and March 2000 (pre-SLNB group). In 296 patients the melanoma was removedwith SLNB between April 2000 and March 2003 (SLNB group). Otherwise, both groups received identical surgical treatment of the primary melanoma and initial staging procedures performed by the same team of physicians. Follow-up recommendations were also identical in both groups. Results: Both groups showed no significant differences with regard to characteristics of the primary melanoma, sex and age. By Kaplan-Meier analyses, melanoma-related overall survivalwas comparable in both groups. However, recurrence-free survival was increased in pre-SLNB patients due to significantly fewer regional lymph node metastases, whereas frequencies of locoregional cutaneous and distant metastases were comparable in both groups. Conclusions: SLNB advances the detection of regional lymph node metastases and therefore avoids nodal recurrences but does not influence metastatic behaviour of melanoma cells and does not protect patients from melanoma-related death caused by distant metastases. Thus, our retrospective data favour the marker hypothesis for melanoma metastasation. To elucidate further if subgroups of patients benefit from SLNB, prospective randomized studies with long-term follow-up are needed.展开更多
文摘Different samples of igneous and metamorphic rocks from Egypt and Germany have been considered to measure γ-ray activity concentrations due to naturally occurring, potentially hazardous radonuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K. The radiation hazard parameters including radiation equivalent activity, gamma-absorbed dose rate, and exter- nal and internal hazard indices have been estimated. The gamma-absorbed dose rates in air of rocks in Egypt range from 4.2 to 128.5 nGy·h-1 with a mean value of 55.3 nGy·h-1. For igneous and metamorphic rocks from Germany, the values of absorbed dose rates fluctuate from 5.1 to 148.6 nGy·h-1, with a mean value of 60.9 nGy·h-1. Generally, it is found that the radiation hazard indices in common igneous rocks are distinctly higher in acidic than in ultrabasic rocks. The results are discussed and compared with the corresponding published data.
文摘The objective of the present work was to investigate the transition reaction of the calcium silicate hydrate tobermorite into xonotlite under influence of additives. Tobermorite is the main binding agent in steam hardened building materials and the appearance of xonotlite indicates the progress of hardening and an overcuring of the material. Hydrothermal experiments under addition of sucrose, calcium formate and calcium chloride dihydrate to the main components quartz and lime were done using temperatures of 220°C and a reaction time of 40.5 h. All experiments were performed with powders as well as with pressed educts. The products of all syntheses were analyzed with XRD, SEM/EDX and FTIR. The references as well as the syntheses with calcium chloride dihydrate led to the formation of 11 Å tobermorite and xonotlite. The former showed the best results and even synthesis with pressed educts and calcium chloride dihydrate revealed an accelerating effect of the additive. In contrast syntheses with sucrose had the worst reactivity and led to the formation of calcite beside the CSH-phase scawtite. The additive calcium formate was only slightly oppressing the crystallization of tobermorite and favouring the formation of xonotlite. Syntheses with pressed pellets and sucrose or calcium formate showed generally worse results.
文摘Four transplant studies are described that focus on fertilisation and early development or the progression of unfertilised oocytes （eggs） in the oviduct. （1） Pig eggs transplanted from ovulations induced during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle were fertilised in the oviducts of inseminated recipient animals in estrus. By contrast, pig eggs from donors in estrus became highly polyspermic when transplanted to the oviducts of animals force-mated during the luteal phase. （2） Pig embryos at the stage of hatched blastocysts （ days 7 and 8） could be transplanted successfuUy to synchronous recipients and full embryonic development demonstrated to between days 19 and 23 of pregnancy. Thus, the exposed trophectoderm of developing embryos could withstand the physical ma- nipulation of recovery and transplantation, and the li-fespan of corpora lutea in the unmated recipients could be prolonged by transfer of day 7 and 8 blastocysts. （3） Bovine oocytes aspirated from 2 to 6 mm diameter Graafian follicles and matured in vitro were fertilized normally in the oviducts of inseminated recipient heifers, demonstrating the potential of slaughterhouse ovaries for the generation of embryos. （4） Transplanting equine eggs to a pig oviduct, in which egg descent to the uterus requires only 46 to 48 h, did not reveal a retarded progress of degenerating unferfil- ised horse eggs, suggesting the involvement of nonphysical factors in equine embryo progression to the uterus. Prostaglandins of embryonic origin are now known to be a key. A final section examines the postovulatory role of ovarian follicular cells on the secretory activity of the oviductal epithelium.
文摘Introduction: Perinatal testicular torsion is not a frequent, but a grave finding finding. As only immediate surgical retorsion may save the viability of the testicle, time is of essence. We report the case of a newborn where delayed diagnosis led to an unnecessary loss of one testicle. Presentation of Case: The newborn was presented one day after delivery with a swollen left blue scrotal pouch. The left testicle was little tender, higher in position and enlarged. Ultrasound revealed a globular, enlarged testicle left, showing hypodense necrotic areas within. Doppler sound could not detect any perfusion of the spermatic vessels. Scrotal fluid was present bilaterally. At operation, the testicle was considered unsalvageable, and left orchiectomy and right orchidopexy were performed. Discussion: In the new-born, it is more than convenient to perfom ultrasound of both testicles at the same time, which allows to compare texture and perfusion easily. Immediate surgical exploration should be performed at any time, even if in diagnostic doubt. The very most important step though is to professionally recognise and to react to this pediatric emergency, as time is of paramount essence. Conclusion: A case of a male newborn with unilateral perinatal testicular torsion is presented, where typical clinical signs and ultrasound features can be seen. Early exploration with orchiectomy of the necrotic testicle and orchidopexy of the healthy side may save the endocrine function and fertility.
文摘Background: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is defined by the almost daily presence of urticaria for at least 6 weeks without an identifiable cause. Symptoms include short-lived wheals, itching, and erythema. CIU impedes significantly a patient’s quality of life (QoL). Levocetirizine is an antihistamine from the latest generation approved for CIU. Aim: To investigate the efficacy of levocetirizine, 5 mg, and placebo for the symptoms and signs of CIU, as well as for the QoL and productivity. Methods: The primary criteria of evaluation were the pruritus severity scores over 1 week of treatment and over 4 weeks. The QoL was assessed via the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Results: Baseline pruritus severity scores were comparable in the two treatment groups (2.06 ±0.58). After 1week, levocetirizine was superior to placebo and demonstrated a considerable efficacy (difference = 0.78, P < 0.001). This efficacy was maintained over the entire study period (4 weeks, P < 0.001). The number and size of wheals were considerably reduced compared with placebo over 1 week and over the total treatment period (P ≤0.001). This was paralleled by an improvement in the QoL (DLQI: 7.3 units in the levocetirizine group and 2.4 units in the placebo group) and a higher productivity at work in the levocetirizine group (3.0 workdays lost per patient per month in the placebo group, 0.3 in the levocetirizine group). No unexpected adverse events occurred. Conclusions: Levocetirizine, 5 mg once daily, is an effective treatment for CIU, characterized not only by a rapid and sustained response, but also by an important improvement in QoL.
文摘Background: In the published studies on the efficacy of the topical immunomodulator pimecrolimus, different eczema scores were used, and the impact on morphological key signs of eczema was not analysed. Objective: To compare the influence of pimecrolimus cream 1%on different standard eczema scores in infants with atopic dermatitis and to analyse the impact of treatment on the individual morphological key signs of eczema. Methods: Pimecrolimus cream 1%(n=129) or double-blind vehicle control (n=66) was administered for 4 weeks. The Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Investigators’Global Assessment (IGA) and Scoring Atopic Dermatitis Index (SCORAD) were determined and were correlated with each other. Results: Following treatment with pimecrolimus, the EASI, IGA and SCORAD were significantly reduced on day 29 as compared with the vehicle group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P=0.002, respectively). There was a close correlation between EASI, IGA and SCORAD. The single parameters of the EASI were already significantly decreased by day 4 in the pimecrolimus group as compared to vehicle (each P < 0.001). Conclusion: Treatment with pimecrolimus 1%cream leads to a rapid improvement of all morphological signs of eczema. The close correlation of different scores was shown for the first time.
文摘Background: The status of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is an important parameter to predict the prognosis of melanoma patients but it is amatter of debate if removal ofmicrometastases by SLN biopsy (SLNB) influences the prognosis of melanoma patients. Objectives: We sought to investigate the impact of SLNB in melanoma patients with regard to recurrence-free survival, overall survival and metastatic pathways. Patients and methods: We studied, retrospectively, 673 melanoma patients with a primary melanoma (tumour thickness ≥ 1 mm) and without clinical evidence of metastases at the time of melanoma diagnosis. In 377 patients the melanoma was removed without SLNB between January 1995 and March 2000 (pre-SLNB group). In 296 patients the melanoma was removedwith SLNB between April 2000 and March 2003 (SLNB group). Otherwise, both groups received identical surgical treatment of the primary melanoma and initial staging procedures performed by the same team of physicians. Follow-up recommendations were also identical in both groups. Results: Both groups showed no significant differences with regard to characteristics of the primary melanoma, sex and age. By Kaplan-Meier analyses, melanoma-related overall survivalwas comparable in both groups. However, recurrence-free survival was increased in pre-SLNB patients due to significantly fewer regional lymph node metastases, whereas frequencies of locoregional cutaneous and distant metastases were comparable in both groups. Conclusions: SLNB advances the detection of regional lymph node metastases and therefore avoids nodal recurrences but does not influence metastatic behaviour of melanoma cells and does not protect patients from melanoma-related death caused by distant metastases. Thus, our retrospective data favour the marker hypothesis for melanoma metastasation. To elucidate further if subgroups of patients benefit from SLNB, prospective randomized studies with long-term follow-up are needed.
