Rupture and recoil of bent-core liquid crystal filaments.

The recoil process of free-standing liquid crystal filaments is investigated experimentally and theoretically. We focus on two aspects, the contraction speed of the filament and a spontaneously formed undulation instability. At the moment of rupture, the filaments buckle similarly to the classical Euler buckling of elastic rods.

Reversible inactivation of CO dehydrogenase with thiol compounds.

Carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CO dehydrogenase) from Oligotropha carboxidovorans is a structurally characterized member of the molybdenum hydroxylase enzyme family. It catalyzes the oxidation of CO (CO+H2O→CO2+2e(-)+2H(+)) which proceeds at a unique [CuSMo(O)OH] metal cluster. Because of changing activities of CO dehydrogenase, particularly in subcellular fractions, we speculated whether the enzyme would be subject to regulation by thiols (RSH).

Accuracy of single-session extracranial radiotherapy for simple shaped lung tumor or metastasis using fast 3-D CT treatment planning.

Background: This study is situated in the area of measuring set-up accuracy and time periods of single-session extracranial radiotherapy (SSRT) for simple-shaped targets (e.g., spherical or rotational symmetrical) definitively located in the peripheral lung.

[Embolization of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations with electrolytically detachable coils in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia].

Background: Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM) can be found in approximately 20 % to 35 % of patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). PAVM should be treated since they are a source of paradoxical embolization, potentially resulting in severe neurologic complications. The treatment of choice is the endovascular embolization with coils.

Transarterial chemoembolization of advanced liver metastases of neuroendocrine tumors--a retrospective single-center analysis.

Background: In neuroendocrine tumors, metastases are a negative prognostic factor for survival and quality of life. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is thought to be an effective symptomatic and antiproliferative treatment in patients with otherwise progressive disease.

Methods: 62 chemoembolization procedures in 26 patients with progressive neuroendocrine tumors were reviewed.

1-molar gadobutrol as a contrast agent for computed tomography: results from a comparative porcine study.

Rationale And Objectives: To evaluate prospectively the efficacy of gadobutrol as contrast agent for computed tomography (CT) compared with iodinated contrast media in a porcine animal model.

Methods: In 8 domestic pigs (35 +/- 4 kg body weight [BW]), continuous spiral CTs of the chest and abdomen were performed using either 2 mmol/kg BW Gadovist 1.0 (1 mol/L gadobutrol) intravenously or Ultravist (300 mg I/mL iopromide) (slice 5 mm, table feed 7.

Superselective embolization with coils in high-flow priapism.

Priapism can be divided into "low-flow" veno-occlusive priapism and, especially in children, rare "high-flow" arterial priapism. We report a 5-year-old boy who developed arterial priapism after blunt perineal trauma that was successfully treated by superselective embolization with microcoils.

X-ray digital subtraction angiography with 1 mol/L gadobutrol: results from a comparative porcine study With iodinated contrast agents.

Rationale And Objectives: To evaluate prospectively diagnostic accuracy of 1 mol/L gadobutrol as a contrast agent for intraarterial x-ray digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in comparison to iodinated, nonionic contrast media and 0.5 mol/L gadolinium-DTPA.

Methods: Flush arteriograms (ascending, descending, abdominal aorta, iliac, and femoral arteries) and selective angiograms (carotid, renal, and visceral arteries) were obtained from bilateral femoral arterial access (5 F sheaths) in 10 domestic pigs (70 kg body weight).

Octreotide in the prevention of pancreatic damage induced by endoscopic sphincterotomy.

Somatostatin and the long acting analogue octreotide have been proposed as a therapeutic agent in acute pancreatitis and for the prophylaxis of pancreatic damage by ERCP and EST for their ability to reduce exocrine pancreatic secretion. However, clinical trials could not show significant beneficial effects in acute pancreatitis and ERCP. In patients undergoing EST, data remained controversial, most authors describing positive effects of prophylaxis.

Determination of elastase-1 serum levels in post ERCP/EST pancreatic damage.

Recently an ELISA using specific antibodies to detect elastase-1 in serum has become available. Earlier studies using a radioimmunoassay reported a prolonged elevation of serum elastase as compared to other pancreatic enzymes in acute pancreatitis. The aim of the present study was to compare the changes of serum levels of ELISA-elastase-1, lipase and amylase in acute pancreatic damage following ERCP.

Diagnostic relevance of interleukin pattern, acute-phase proteins, and procalcitonin in early phase of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis has been suggested as a model for acute pancreatitis (AP), which allows evaluation of early alterations in the time course of the disease. The influence of the clinical course on procalcitonin (PCT), serum amyloid A (SAA), and several proinflammatory and inhibitory cytokines was evaluated in patients with AP following ERCP. Blood samples were prospectively collected from patients undergoing ERCP.

[Uveitis associated with rifabutin treatment. Apropos of 3 patients].

Disseminated Mycobacterium-avium complex (MAC) infection develops in most patients with AIDS. We report three cases of anterior uveitis with vitritis in AIDS patients treated by the combination of rifabutin, clarithromycin and ethambutol for MAC bacteremia. Uveitis secondary to the introduction of rifabutin treatment is suggested.