Laccase chloride inhibition reduction by an anthraquinonic substrate.

Due to their low substrate specificity, fungal laccases have a great potential in industrial applications, including the bioremediation of colored wastewaters from textile industry. However, the presence of halides in these effluents (up to 1M NaCl) which inhibit laccases is a drawback for bioremediation processes. In order to develop an efficient enzymatic remediation process for textile dye effluent, the possibility to reduce this halide inhibition is conditioned by a better understanding of the phenomenon.

Towards a harmonized radiopharmaceutical regulatory framework in Europe?

Despite European unification regarding a common legal framework for many aspects of pharmaceutical production including industrial manufacture of pharmaceuticals, the practice of pharmacy in general, and of radiopharmacy in particular, differs substantially and are mainly regulated at the national level. Herein the authors discuss major European documents relevant for radiopharmacy practice in Europe and recent developments on the national level especially regarding the small-scale preparation of radiopharmaceuticals (RP). Issues related to marketing authorization (and exemptions from it), standards of preparation, quality requirements, regulations of clinical trials and education will be outlined.

Pseudovaginal perineoscrotal hypospadias. Clinical, endocrinological and biochemical characterization of a patient.

A 16-year-old adolescent with perineal hypospadias, a microphallus, a bifid, labia-like scrotum, a blind-ending vagina and bilaterally undescended testicles is presented. Despite normal development of the Wolffian duct derivatives--deferentography showed that both ejaculatory ducts opened into the urethra--the patient showed severe developmental abnormality of the external genitalia. On endocrinologic investigation, gonadotropin, testosterone and 17 beta-estradiol levels were within normal limits; in a genital skin fibroblast culture testosterone was not reduced into 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, however, androgen receptors could be identified.

Characterization of the testicular abnormality in 5 alpha-reductase deficiency.

The testes of five phenotypic women (from four families) with 5 alpha-reductase deficiency were studied. In one of the patients, the enzyme deficiency was similar in the testis and epididymis and in fibroblasts cultured from the labia majora. In testes from four of the patients, the concentrations of the 5 alpha-reduced steroids dihydrotestosterone and 3 alpha-androstanediol were less than 10% of those in normal subjects.

[Postoperative fructose infusion in a case of presumed hereditary fructose intolerance (author's transl)].

Hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) was diagnosed in a 61 year-old male patient on account of liver dysfunction followed by prolonged shock immediately after the administration of a fructose and lactose infusion postoperatively. The diagnosis of HFI was based on an increased value of fructose, hypoglycaemia, lactic acidosis and diminution of the phosphate level in combination with the typical family history. The patient's children showed a normal reaction to fructose administration.

[Pre-operative renal artery occlusion with a balloon catheter (author's transl)].

Renal artery occlusion with a balloon catheter introduced by the transfemoral route makes nephrectomy for tumour much easier. Advantages of vascular occlusion are a bloodless field and shrinking of the kidney with a significant reduction of blood loss during the operation. In addition, operative displacement of tumour thrombus is largely avoided.

[Urological symptoms in aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and its branches].

The clinical symptomatology of the sclerotic aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and its large branches is described, especially are described symptoms which are erroneously referred to the urinary tract. In our own clinical material of 47 patients with an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta 11 patients (23%) were primarily transferred to the urological treatment. The typical clinical picture, especially characteristic radiological changes are characterised in detail.

Influence of plastic splints in the production of epithelial tubes from buried skin strips. An experimental study.

Based on the practice of the Browne technique for hypospadias, epithelial skin strips were splinted with polyvinyl tubes. In an experimental study the well-known excellent tissue tolerance of the polyvinyl material was demonstrated. Definite enlarged diameter of the splinted epithelialized tubes was observed in comparing it with unsplinted controls.