Using Polarized Spectroscopy to Investigate Order in Thin-Films of Ionic Self-Assembled Materials Based on Azo-Dyes.

Three series of ionic self-assembled materials based on anionic azo-dyes and cationic benzalkonium surfactants were synthesized and thin films were prepared by spin-casting. These thin films appear isotropic when investigated with polarized optical microscopy, although they are highly anisotropic. Here, three series of homologous materials were studied to rationalize this observation.

Which factors render cost-covering lump-sum charging difficult for the treatment of patients with acute leukemias?

Background: Growing budget limitations and the planned charging subject to Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG) points raise the question as to what costs are incurred by the induction therapy and early consolidation treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemias (AML) and whether these can be compensated in a cost-covering manner by a system based on DRG points.

Patients And Methods: For 100 patients recruited within the framework of the "Kooperative AML-Studie 96" of the Süddeutsche Hämoblastosegruppe a process cost analysis was made between 1996 and 1999. All manpower and material costs incurred in the department itself and in the secondary services departments as well as the basic cost shares were recorded taking into due account the length of stay.

Dose-dependent effect of etoposide in combination with busulfan plus cyclophosphamide as conditioning for stem cell transplantation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of two different etoposide (VP-16) dosages (30 or 45 mg/kg) in combination with busulfan/cyclophosphamide as conditioning therapy followed by stem cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 90 patients with AML received either 30 mg/kg (n = 60) or 45 mg/kg (n = 30) etoposide in combination with busulfan (16 mg/kg) and cyclophosphamide (120 mg/kg). The stem cell source was allogeneic related bone marrow (BM) (n = 53), allogeneic unrelated BM (n = 5), allogeneic unrelated peripheral blood (PBSC) (n = 2), syngeneic BM (n = 2), autologous BM purged (n = 9) or unpurged (n = 9), autologous PBSC (n = 10). Fifty-six patients (62%) were in first CR, 26 (29%) were > first CR, and eight (9%) were transplanted in relapse.

Efficacy of further attempts to mobilize CD34+ peripheral stem cells with alternative procedures after primary failure.

19 patients who failed the target collection of at least 2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg underwent further mobilization procedures either with granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone after failure to chemotherapy plus G-CSF (group 1), or with chemotherapy plus G-CSF (group 2), or with high-dose G-CSF (24 microg/kg) alone (group 3) after failure to respond to standard dose of G-CSF (10 microg/kg) alone. In all groups, an increase in median CD34+ cell yield could be observed following alternative procedures (1.

[Leg positioning device for facilitating arthroscopy and arthrotomy of the knee joint].

The knee positioning device presented above fulfills all requirements to be met for positioning the leg for all procedures on the knee. Possible adjustments during the surgical procedure can be carried out by the operating surgeon or his assistant while maintaining the asepsis. It allows immediate arthrotomy after the diagnostic arthroscopy has been carried out without demanding a new sterile covering.