Sleep apnea syndrome after irradiation of the neck.

After irradiation of the neck for a squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsillar pillar and vocal cord, a 71-year-old man presented with a rapidly progressive sleep apnea syndrome. Previous reports describe the condition of patients with obstructive sleep apnea that developed after neck irradiation and secondary to supraglottic edema. Our patient had an obstructive component to his apnea similar to that described in previous cases, but, in addition, he had hypothyroidism.

Use of magnetic resonance imaging in planning the separation of omphalopagus conjoined twins.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used for the first time in the preoperative planning for separation of conjoined twins. In these omphalopagus infants, MRI showed normal biliary and cardiovascular structures and demonstrated, in detail, a relatively avascular plane through the liver bridge, which enabled safe separation with minimal blood loss at 3 1/2 months of age. A single MRI study supplied information superior to that obtained with multiple previously available imaging studies.

Extracranial lesions of the head and neck: preliminary experience with Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging.

The authors report initial experience with magnetic resonance imaging enhanced with gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) in 27 patients with various extracranial lesions of the head and neck. Unenhanced T1- and T2-weighted images were compared with T1-weighted images obtained 3-30 minutes after Gd-DTPA administration. Overall, compared with precontrast T1- and T2-weighted images, Gd-DTPA improved the visibility of lesions in 11 and five of 27 patients, respectively.

A survey on the occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins in Bavarian cereals from the 1987 harvest.

Bavarian cereals and wheat flour from the 1987 harvest were analysed for nivalenol (NIV) and deoxynivalenol (DON) using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and for T-2 toxin and zearalenone (ZEA) by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The study included 190 field samples of wheat, barley, rye and oat with visibly damaged ears, 45 samples of wheat intended for feed production and two series of wheat flour (type 550) and whole wheat flour collected in October 1987 and June 1988. The field samples examined showed a high DON contamination of wheat (87%) with an average of 3.

Disseminated coccidioidomycosis with peritonitis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Prolonged survival associated with positive skin test reactivity to coccidioidin.

Coccidioidomycosis involving the lungs and the meninges occurred as the sole opportunistic infection in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Skin test reactivity to coccidioidin was present, but antibody response to coccidioidal antigens was markedly distinguished. Treatment with amphotericin B, administered intravenously for 3 1/2 months and intrathecally for 13 months, resulted in a disease-free interval of one year.

Coordinate expression of transcriptionally regulated isocitrate lyase and malate synthase genes in Brassica napus L.

We have analyzed the temporal and spatial expression of genes encoding the glycoxylate cycle enzymes isocitrate lyase and malate synthase in Brassica napus L. to determine whether they are coordinately expressed. Both enzymes participate in reactions associated with lipid mobilization in oilseed plant seedlings and are sequestered in a specialized organelle, the glyoxysome.

Effect of acute metabolic acidosis on ammonia metabolism in kidney.

To understand the mechanisms that initiate the increase in ammonia formation during acute acidosis in kidney [amino-15N]- and [amino-15N]glutamine were used as substrates in isolated perfused rat kidney experiments. Perfused kidneys from methionine sulfoximine-treated rats take up glutamine nitrogen at the rate of 1.50 +/- 0.

[A report on the status of the compilation of the registry paper: "cardiac pacemaker patients"].

On the basis of valid legal arrangement in the GDR to take radiomedical measures in heart pace-maker patients a standardized practice in irradiation planning and a standardized documentation are represented. With this a central registration and analysis of pace-maker patients in radiotherapy can be done to same aspects. The documentation comprehends measures of carrying out radiotherapy, which have been fixed within irradiation planning and risk estimation, and during therapy ascertained measuring values and observations for estimate of heart-circulation-situation of the patient and of the technical state of the pace-maker.

Spatial patterns of gene expression in Brassica napus seedlings: identification of a cortex-specific gene and localization of mRNAs encoding isocitrate lyase and a polypeptide homologous to proteinases.

We investigated the spatial expression of three genes that are expressed during seed germination and postgerminative development in Brassica napus L. using in situ hybridization procedures. Two of the mRNAs encode isocitrate lyase and a predicted polypeptide that is homologous to cysteine proteinases.

Renal malformations in patients with Turner syndrome: imaging in 141 patients.

Turner syndrome occurs in 1/2,000 to 1/5,000 live female births. The presence of renal malformations was evaluated in 141 patients with Turner syndrome and abnormalities were found in 47 (33%). Prior to 1980, IVP was the radiologic method used for initial screening, and subsequently, ultrasonography has been used as the initial imaging technique.

A novel approach to the specification of in-vitro dissolution boundaries based on regulatory requirements for bioequivalence.

Although bioequivalence between products has gained considerable importance over the last few years, the concept has not yet been transferred to "within product bioequivalence", i.e. "batch-to-batch bioequivalence".

Feasibility of in-vitro/in-vivo correlation in the case of a new sustained-release theophylline pellet formulation.

This contribution attempts to relate the in-vitro drug release properties of theophylline from Euphylong pellets to serum theophylline concentration/time curves. Comparisons are made according to methods presented in recent publications (e.g.

Validation of the in-vitro dissolution method used for a new sustained-release theophylline pellet formulation.

The in-vitro release method used within the scope of the galenical development of Euphylong pellets and subsequently employed on a routine basis is described. The suitability of the method is demonstrated by means of the validation procedure. The release system used is based on the standard USP XXI apparatus (paddle method) and consists of three essential components: a) dissolution apparatus (paddle model).

Validation of the pellet coating process used for a new sustained-release theophylline formulation.

Within the scope of the validation process described in this report, the influence of the process parameters on the factors determining the quality of Euphylong pellets during the spraying process is examined. The process is challenged within the meaning of the validation guidelines. Investigations within the scope of product-independent validation of the automated fluid bed coating apparatus (Wurster setup) used here provide the basis for installation qualification and operational qualification as defined by the PIC convention and the GMP guidelines.

Galenical development of a new sustained-release theophylline pellet formulation for once-daily administration.

Euphylong is a sustained-release product consisting of encapsulated pellets covered with a porous membrane. Since the mechanism of release is osmotic, this new formulation has been termed a "micro-osmotic system". The course of theophylline release is linear over a wide range and is independent of pH value, surface tension and buffer concentration of the dissolution medium.

Encephalitis lethargica-like illness in a girl with mycoplasma infection.

We describe a patient with mycoplasma infection and clinical manifestations of encephalitis lethargica. The patient was brought to our attention after acute neurologic deterioration followed by a prolonged sleep-like state and the emergence of extrapyramidal features. MRI of the brain disclosed a striking pattern of subcortical involvement by the inflammatory process, corroborating the clinical picture.

Iron accumulation in the basal ganglia following severe ischemic-anoxic insults in children.

Increased iron deposition is described in four children following severe ischemic-anoxic insult and subsequent resuscitation. All cases demonstrated on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images areas of hypointensity in the basal ganglia, thalami, and white matter that were attributed to iron deposition. Associated areas of hyperintensity were also seen in the periventricular and subcortical white matter, and these were attributed to gliosis.

Group II intron domain 5 facilitates a trans-splicing reaction.

A self-splicing group II intron of yeast mitochondrial DNA (aI5g) was divided within intron domain 4 to yield two RNAs that trans-spliced in vitro with associated trans-branching of excised intron fragments. Reformation of the domain 4 secondary structure was not necessary for the trans reaction, since domain 4 sequences were shown to be dispensable. Instead, the trans reaction depended on a previously unpredicted interaction between intron domain 5, the most highly conserved region of group II introns, and another region of the RNA.

Normal and abnormal white matter maturation.

The unique ability of MR to demonstrate both normal and abnormal white matter maturation with a high degree of sensitivity makes it an indispensable tool with which to evaluate children with clinical developmental delay or suspected dysmyelinating processes. Because the noninvasive nature of MRI allows sequential studies to be performed without additional risk to the patient, it offers an unprecedented opportunity to study the process of myelination in normal infants, developmentally delayed infants and to better understand the dysmyelinating disorders, a relatively rare, poorly understood group of diseases.

MR evaluation of early myelination patterns in normal and developmentally delayed infants.

This study demonstrates the ability of MR imaging to show progression of myelination in 64 infants and young children (ages 4 days to 36 months). T2-weighted spin-echo pulse sequences, frequently used for routine screening of intracranial disease, were used. Gray-white matter differentiation was seen in all patients, and changes occurring with age were documented.

Group II intron self-splicing. Alternative reaction conditions yield novel products.

Reaction parameters were modified to enhance the in vitro reaction rate and to reveal partial and novel reactions of the group II intron 5g of the mitochondrial gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunit I. One alteration yields separate 5'- and 3'-exons plus linear excised intron as the main products. A linear reaction intermediate, containing intron and 3'-exon, and products resulting from cleavages at two unexpected sites were identified.

Magnetic resonance imaging of iron overload in children treated with peritoneal dialysis.

The ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect iron overload in children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was studied in 18 multiply transfused patients, aged 15.5 +/- 4.8 years, and 5 nontransfused children without evidence of renal disease.

Acquired cystic kidney disease in children undergoing long-term dialysis.

Acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD) occurs in adult patients undergoing long-term dialysis. Early detection is important because clinically significant hematuria and malignancies are associated with ACKD. We evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) the incidence of ACKD in 15 patients aged 7.