Immunological Evidence of Variation in Exposure and Immune Response to in Herbivores of Kruger and Etosha National Parks.

Exposure and immunity to generalist pathogens differ among host species and vary across spatial scales. Anthrax, caused by a multi-host bacterial pathogen, , is enzootic in Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa and Etosha National Park (ENP), Namibia. These parks share many of the same potential host species, yet the main anthrax host in one (greater kudu () in KNP and plains zebra () in ENP) is only a minor host in the other.

Disease or drought: environmental fluctuations release zebra from a potential pathogen-triggered ecological trap.

When a transmission hotspot for an environmentally persistent pathogen establishes in otherwise high-quality habitat, the disease may exert a strong impact on a host population. However, fluctuating environmental conditions lead to heterogeneity in habitat quality and animal habitat preference, which may interrupt the overlap between selected and risky habitats. We evaluated spatio-temporal patterns in anthrax mortalities in a plains zebra () population in Etosha National Park, Namibia, incorporating remote-sensing and host telemetry data.

A multipractice clinical evaluation of an ORMOCER restorative--2-year results.

Objectives: This ongoing prospective study evaluates the clinical performance of an ORMOCER restorative material (Definite; Degussa) in combination with a self-conditioning adhesive (Etch & Prime 3.0; Degussa).

Method And Materials: Three hundred fifty-six restorations (48 Class I, 150 Class II, 63 Class III, 32 Class IV, and 63 Class V) in 117 patients (17 to 65 years) were placed by 5 operators at 5 centers.

Hyperbaric oxygen and radiotherapy.

Background: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is the inhalation of 100% oxygen at a pressure of at least 1.5 atmospheres absolute (150 kPa). It uses oxygen as a drug by dissolving it in the plasma and delivering it to the tissues independent of hemoglobin.

Reducing the overall treatment time for radiotherapy of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC): 3-year results of a prospective observational multi-center study.

Background: This prospective multi-center study investigates a reduction of the overall treatment time for radiotherapy of MSCC, which is important for these mostly disabled patients.

Patients And Methods: Two standard fractionation schedules, 30 Gy/10 fractions/2 weeks (n = 71) and 40 Gy/20 fractions/4 weeks (n = 65) were compared for functional outcome and ambulatory status. Motor function was graded using an 8-point-scale before RT, at the end and at 6, 12 and 24 weeks after RT.

One-year evaluation of an Ormocer restorative-a multipractice clinical trial.

The purpose of this ongoing prospective long-term study was to evaluate the clinical performance of Ormocer restorative material in combination with a self-conditioning adhesive. Five operators at five clinics placed 356 restorations (48 class I, 150 class II, 63 class III, 32 class IV, and 63 class V) in 117 patients aged 17 to 65 years. All fillings were placed with cotton roll isolation and clear matrix bands for class III and IV restorations, and metal matrix bands and an incremental placement technique were used for class II restorations.

Prophylactic hyperbaric oxygen treatment and rat spinal cord re-irradiation.

Normal tissue injury may lead to severe, life threatening, late side effects after therapeutic use of irradiation. Neurological complications caused by radiation of the spinal cord are ascribed to progressive, irreversible damage to the vasculature. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is known to induce angiogenesis in irradiated tissue and has been proven to reduce late radiation injury in several normal tissues when applied during the latent period before complications become manifest.

Radiotherapy in age-related macula degeneration.

Purpose: To ascertain the benefit from radiotherapy in age-related macula degeneration in a single-arm longitudinal study.

Methods And Materials: From 1997 to 1998, 39 patients with occult and 33 patients with classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) were irradiated with 16 Gy. Fluorescein angiography and measurements of visual acuity were performed before and 3, 6, and 12 months after irradiation.