Regression of eosinophil counts after diagnosis of chronic graft-versus-host disease as a potential marker for improved clinical outcome.

Eosinophilia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) has been associated with the development of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). However, a limited number of studies have investigated the course of eosinophil counts in relation to the onset of cGVHD. In this study, the course of relative eosinophil counts (RECs) was retrospectively analyzed in 64 patients who developed cGVHD following allogeneic HSCT in relation to overall survival (OS), relapse rate and clinical course of cGVHD.

Self-guided robotic camera control for laparoscopic surgery compared with human camera control.

Background: In laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon no longer has direct visual control of the operation area, and a camera assistant who maneuvers the laparoscope is essential. Problems of cooperation between the two naturally arise, and a robotic assistant that automatically controls the laparoscope can offer a highly desirable alternative to this situation.

Methods: A self-guided robotic camera control system (SGRCCS) based upon a color tracking method has been developed and its use evaluated in 20 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and compared with using human camera control.

[Comparative studies on the removal of dental plaque by means of various dentifrices].

In order to demonstrate the cleaning effect of toothpastes which differed with regard to their percentage of polishing and wetting agents, we tested and compared different pastes ("W,X,Y,Z") to each other and with a placebo paste ("V") in 53 subjects. In a double blind trial, the Silness and Löe, Quigley and Hein plaque indices were determined, after establishing the initial values, and after two (interim measurement) and four weeks (final measurement) of application. Statistical evaluation showed that the toothpaste "w" with the components calcium phosphate, sodium laurylsulfate and sodium sulforicinoleate (in the given concentrations) cleans accessible dental surfaces from plaque and discolorations most intensively.