Real-Time Shape Estimation for Concentric Tube Continuum Robots with a Single Force/Torque Sensor.

Shape-sensing in real-time is a key requirement for the development of advanced algorithms for concentric tube continuum robots when safe interaction with the environment is important e.g., for path planning, advanced control, and human-machine interaction.

Comparison of the effectiveness of two programmes on older adults at risk of falling: unsupervised home exercise and supervised group exercise.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of unsupervised home and supervised group exercise on parameters related to risk of falling among older adults.

Design: Prospective, single-blind, randomized and controlled trial.

Setting: Nursing home.

Age-related changes in pressure pain threshold, grip strength and touch pressure threshold in upper extremities of older adults.

Background And Aims: Hand function weakens with age in both men and women, especially after the age of 65. As the number of older people increases, more older adults may have sensorimotor impairment, which affects upper extremity (UE) performance and thus independence in the activities of daily life. The purpose of this study was to detect and evaluate the impact of age on pressure pain threshold (PPT), touch/pressure threshold and grip strength in the decades after the age of 60.

The relationship between risk factors for falling and the quality of life in older adults.

Background: Falls are one of the major health problems that effect the quality of life among older adults. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between quality of life (Short Form-12) and the risk factors of falls (balance, functional mobility, proprioception, muscle strength, flexibility and fear of falling) in older adults.

Methods: One hundred sixteen people aged 65 or older and living in the T.

Increased expression of ADAM family members in human breast cancer and breast cancer cell lines.

Purpose: ADAMs (A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease) are multifunctional, membrane-bound cell surface glycoproteins, which have numerous functions in cell growth, differentiation, and motility. We wished to investigate the expression of ADAM 9, 10, 12, 15, and in human breast cancer.

Methods: Expression of ADAMs was determined in breast cancer specimens and the corresponding non-neoplastic breast tissue from 24 patients, and in the MCF-7 and MDA-MB 453 breast cancer cell lines via quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.

[Identification and characterisation of immune cells in the ejaculate of infertile and fertile men].

Using the immunoperoxidase technique with monoclonal antibodies the ejaculates of 20 infertile and 15 fertile men were examined for lymphocyte subsets and activation markers to know more about the cellular mucosal immunity in the male genital tract. The results have shown that there are small differences of T-helper (CD4), T-suppressor (CD8), B- (CD19) and Natural Killer cells (CD57) between both groups. The number of monocytes (CD14), activated T- and B-cells and macrophages (CD25), the LCA-positive cells (CD45) and the HLA-DR-positive cells were remarkably increased in fertile patients.

[Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations of postmenopausal women with hormone replacement therapy].

The effect of hormone replacement therapy on cellular immunity of postmenopausal women was studied by flow cytometry (FACS). Lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood before and after hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) were measured. After 6 months of HRT with the sequential combined drug Klimonorm(R) (2 mg estradiol valerate and 0,15 mg levonorgestrel) the cytotoxic T-cells (CD8) were reduced and the CD4/CD8 ratio was increased significantly (p < 0,05).

Polypharmacy in psychiatric treatment. Patterns of psychotropic drug use in Austrian psychiatric clinics.

There are great variations in the way psychotropic drugs are prescribed. Most experts are in favour of psychopharmacological monotherapy, but little is known about the extent to which it is actually practised. A survey of the psychopharmacological medication of all patients under treatment was carried out in three Austrian psychiatric clinics of various types on two separate days.

[Cellular lymphatic tissue of the endometrium and uterine tube].

The presence of T-lymphocyte subsets in human endometrium and tubal mucosa in correlation to the menstrual cycle was investigated by the immunoperoxidase technique. The main cell populations were the pan T-cells (CD 3) and T-suppressor cells (CD 8). The T-helper cells (CD 4) and the B-lymphocytes (CD 22) were sparsely distributed.

Identification of lymphocyte subsets in the human fallopian tube.

Problem: Immunohistochemical investigations for the detection of lymphocyte subsets in the human oviduct have been performed. Knowledge about local immunity especially cell-mediated immunity, in the fallopian tube has been, up to now, limited. As an essential structure for the human reproduction process, the tubal mucous membrane is exposed to a variety of antigens.

[Clinical experiences with treatment of granulosa cell tumors].

Symptoms, tumor morphology and clinical course were reviewed in 15 cases of granulosa cell tumors of the ovaries. The main symptoms were irregular menstrual bleedings. In 2 cases were found signs of glandular cystic hyperplasia additionally and in one case an adenocarcinoma of the endometrium.

[Differentiation of fetal lymphocytes with the DP-(dipeptidylpeptidase-) IV technique].

The knowledge about the ontogenicity of the human immune system based on animal experiments. In this study expulsed fetus of women with sponeous and arteficial abortions were analysed because of the content of T4(+)-lymphocytes in the lymphatic tissues. The thymus, spleen, and a piece of the bone marrow were dissected, homogenised and the lymphocytes were separated.

[Primary fallopian tube cancer].

Seventeen patients with a primary Fallopian tube carcinoma have been treated in the Landesfrauenklinik Magdeburg between 1961 and 1990. Initial therapy consisted of surgery alone. The adjuvant postoperative therapy was radiation or combined chemotherapy.

[Rare site of malignant melanoma].

Primary melanoma of the vagina is a rare tumor associated with a poor prognosis. We report on a 82 years old woman with a malignant melanoma of the vagina. The treatment performed was the removal of the vaginal tumor and a hemivulvectomy followed by a chemotherapy over 6 month.

[Distribution of mononuclear cells in peripheral blood of females with spontaneous abortion].

The quantitative distribution of peripheral T cells, monocytes/granulocytes, natural killer cells and B cells was estimated in aborting women using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique with monoclonal antibodies. 30 women with spontaneous abortions were included in the study and 30 fertile and 50 healthy pregnant women as control groups. It could established that the normal pregnancy has no influence on the distribution of mononuclear cells.

[Fertility of workers exposed to herbicides and pesticides].

Twenty-one workmen exposed to herbicide as organic mercury compounds and to pesticide as halogenic hydrocarbon has been investigated concerning their fertility. If the concentrations of organic mercury compounds increase in the air of the place of employment then the levels of this heavy metal are also higher in the urine and in the ejaculate, and the fertility is reduced. It could also be established that a correlation exists between the concentration of pesticide in the place of employment and the male fertility, especially in cases with an excess of maximum permitted concentrations.

[The neuraminic acid/protein quotient in amniotic fluid: indicator for fetal maturity].

The concentration of neuraminic acid and proteins was determined in amniotic fluid of 207 pregnancies during the amniocentesis, performed in the 16.-21. week of gestation, 17 prematurities and 101 deliveries in time.

[Type and frequency of gynecological tumors in the Gondar region of Ethiopia].

The present work was done to examine the type and frequency of benign and malignant gynecological tumors in patients treated during the 5 years period from 1982 to 1986 in the Gondar College of Medical Sciences. The different pathohistological findings were compared with the history and chief complaints of the patients. A total number of 208 patients with benign and of 93 patients with malignant tumors could be analyzed.

[Rare type of metastases in progressive cervix carcinoma].

There are demonstrated two cases of advanced cervical carcinoma with unusual localization of metastases. One patient showed a scalp metastasis and the other one had a ulcerated inguinal lymph node metastasis. X-ray therapy caused a sufficient remission of the metastatic tumors.

[Incidence and significance of humoral antibodies in females with recurrent spontaneous abortions].

Serum samples from 70 patients with two or more early spontaneous abortions and, for comparison, sera from 20 healthy and fertile women were assayed by indirect immunofluorescence for the presence of antibodies to sperms and genital organ antigens and for non-organ specific and organ specific antibodies. All sera were tested for thyreoglobulin antibodies by hemagglutination. The frequency of sperm antibodies and autoantibodies was significantly higher in patients with recurrent abortions than in the control group.

[Determination of N-acetylneuraminic acid for the differential diagnosis of cystic ovarian tumors].

The concentrations of N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) were determined in the fluid of cystic ovarian tumors and in the blood serum from a total of 95 patients. The estimation of NANA was based on the method of Svennerholm. It was found that the mean content of NANA in the cystic fluid is more than 3.

[Effect of heavy metal ions on male fertility].

In this study 67 workmen exposed to ions of heavy metals have been investigated because of their fertility. Concentrations of the noxious substances and their metabolites in blood and urine have been estimated and spermiograms were performed. The investigations demonstrated that a correlation exists between the concentrations of noxious substances in the place of employment, in the blood, and in the ejaculate, besides of zinc.

[Detection of T-lymphocytes in human endometrium].

The T cell subpopulations in normal human endometrium were investigated by the immunoperoxidase technique with monoclonal antibodies. The total number of 100 endometrial biopsies from different phases of menstrual cycle were analyzed. It could be established, that the number of T cells shows typical variations during the cycle.