Characterisation of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase expression during retinal development: differences between variants and isoforms.

In mammals there are two ubiquitous, catalytically indistinguishable isoforms of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase and mutations in the type I isoform, but not type II, cause retina-specific disorders. We have characterised the spatio-temporal expression of these proteins during development of the rat retina and performed functional investigations of the recently described retinal type I variants. Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase was present in all immature cells throughout the retina during embryonic and neonatal development.

CT-guided lung biopsy: incidence of pneumothorax after instillation of NaCl into the biopsy track.

This study was conducted to evaluate whether instillation of NaCl 0.9% solution into the biopsy track reduces the incidence of pneumothoraces after CT-guided lung biopsy. A total of 140 consecutive patients with pulmonary lesions were included in this prospective study.

Performance of integrated FDG-PET/CT for differentiating benign and malignant lung lesions--results from a large prospective clinical trial.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate prospectively whether integrated 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is more accurate for determination of malignancy in newly diagnosed pulmonary lesions compared to separate interpretation of CT and FDG-PET.

Procedures: Two hundred and seventy-six patients with newly diagnosed lung lesions underwent FDG-PET/CT. Helical CT, FDG-PET, and FDG-PET/CT were interpreted separately to determine the performance of each imaging modality.

Catatonia in affective disorder: new findings and a review of the literature.

The historical development of the concept of catatonia in affective disorders and contemporary papers on this topic are reviewed. In addition, data from a current study on the frequency of catatonia in mixed mania are reported. Differences between catatonic and noncatatonic patients with mixed mania are presented and their relevance to clinical practice is discussed.

Integrated FDG PET-CT imaging improves staging in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Unlabelled: AIM of this study was to investigate, how often TNM staging is changed in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) by the application of integrated PET-CT compared to computed tomography alone and how often these changes are clinically relevant.

Patients, Methods: We studied 17 patients (68 +/- 6 years, 8 women) with MPM. Integrated PET-CT scan and histological confirmation were performed in all patients.

Efficacy and safety of combination chemotherapy with mitomycin and vinorelbine for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy, toxicity and tolerability of chemotherapy with a combination of mitomycin and vinorelbine (M/V) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: We enrolled 110 patients (median age 67 years) with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, who had no prior chemotherapy or progressive disease after at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. 45 patients (41%) were > or =70 years old.

Procalcitonin predicts patients at low risk of death from community-acquired pneumonia across all CRB-65 classes.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value, in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), of procalcitonin (PCT) compared with the established inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte (WBC) count alone or in combination with the CRB-65 (confusion, respiratory rate >or=30 breaths x min(-1), low blood pressure (systolic value <90 mmHg or diastolic value or=65 yrs) score. In total, 1,671 patients with proven CAP were enrolled in the study. PCT, CRP, WBC and CRB-65 score were all determined on admission and patients were followed-up for 28 days for survival.

[Interobserver agreement in the assessment of pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiography in community-acquired pneumonia].

Purpose: To assess interobserver agreement (IOA) in the diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates on chest x-rays for patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Materials And Methods: From 7/2002 to 12/2005, 806 adults with CAP were included in the multicenter study "CAPNETZ" (7 hospitals). Inclusion criteria were clinical signs of pneumonia and pulmonary opacification on chest x-rays.

Pro-atrial natriuretic peptide and pro-vasopressin to predict severity and prognosis in community-acquired pneumonia: results from the German competence network CAPNETZ.

Objective: Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the most important clinical infection. Therefore, the CAP competence network CAPNETZ was instituted in Germany. The aim of this substudy was to evaluate the value of pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) and pro-vasopressin (CT-proAVP) for severity assessment and outcome prediction in CAP.

[Localized amyloidosis of the ureter].

Localized amyloidosis of the ureter is a rare condition. Because of the difficulty in differentiating between localized amyloidosis and an obstruction due to other benign or malignant conditions of the urinary tract, in some cases even an unnecessary nephroureterectomy is performed. We describe a patient with obstructive amyloidosis of the right ureter.

Homozygous PMS2 germline mutations in two families with early-onset haematological malignancy, brain tumours, HNPCC-associated tumours, and signs of neurofibromatosis type 1.

Heterozygous germline mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6 cause Lynch syndrome. New studies have indicated that biallelic mutations lead to a distinctive syndrome, childhood cancer syndrome (CCS), with haematological malignancies and tumours of brain and bowel early in childhood, often associated with signs of neurofibromatosis type 1. We provide further evidence for CCS reporting on six children from two consanguineous families carrying homozygous PMS2 germline mutations.

Polymerization shrinkage and hygroscopic expansion of contemporary posterior resin-based filling materials--a comparative study.

Objectives: To investigate the polymerization shrinkage and hygroscopic expansion of contemporary posterior resin-based filling materials.

Methods: The densities of SureFil (SU), CeramXMono (CM), Clearfil AP-X (CF), Solitaire 2 (SO), TetricEvoCeram (TE), and Filtek P60 (FT) were measured using the Archimedes' principle prior to and 15min after curing for 20, 40 and 60s and after 1h, 24h, 7 d, and 30 d storage at 37 degrees C in water. Volumetric changes (DeltaV) in percent after polymerization and after each storage period in water were calculated from the changes of densities.

PUMP-CTD-System for trace metal sampling with a high vertical resolution. A test in the Gotland Basin, Baltic Sea.

It is a great challenge to sample seawater across interfaces, for example the halocline or the redoxcline, to investigate trace metal distribution. With the use of 10l sampling bottles mounted to a wire or a CTD-Rosette it is possible to obtain a maximum vertical resolution of 5m. For the detection of small vertical structures in the vertical distribution of trace metals across the redoxcline, the CTD-Bottle-Rosette is not sufficient.

Atypical bronchial thickening and ulceration: a rare radiological finding in Wegener's granulomatosis.

We report the case of a 55-year-old male patient who presented with non-specific pulmonary symptoms (cough, haemoptysis, fever up to 39 degrees C, night sweats and weight loss). After empirical antibiotic therapy prescribed by his primary care physician, the patient showed no improvement in symptoms. Laboratory findings were: elevated C-reactive protein and C-ANCA, leukocytosis and thrombocytosis, and anaemia.

Computer-assisted placement technique in hip resurfacing arthroplasty: improvement in accuracy?

Freehand positioning of the femoral drill guide is difficult during hip resurfacing and the surgeon is often unsure of the implant position achieved peroperatively. The purpose of this study was to find out whether, by using a navigation system, acetabular and femoral component positioning could be made easier and more precise. Eighteen patients operated on by the same surgeon were matched by sex, age, BMI, diagnosis and ASA score (nine patients with computer assistance, nine with the regular ancillary).

[Histopathologic diagnosis of infectious loosening of joint prostheses].

To optimize the reliability of histopathological criteria for periprosthetic infection, 110 tissue specimens from joint prostheses were analyzed with quantification of the inflammatory cells and immunohistochemical typing of lymphocytes and plasma cells. As reported in the literature the density of granulocytic infiltration was the most sensitive marker of periprosthetic infection with an accuracy of 84%, a sensitivity of 91%, a specificity of 81%, a positive predictive value of 67%, and a negative predictive value of 95%, using the mostly favored limit value of 5 granulocytes per HPF. T lymphocytes were also found to a high degree in cases of aseptic loosening.

[Enzyme replacement therapy in Pompe's disease].

Background: Pompe's disease, a rare, inherited deficiency of the enzyme alpha-1,4-glucosidase (GAA), is a lysosomal storage disorder. Early-onset (infantile) Pompe's disease is associated with cardiomegaly and severe myopathy and, if left untreated, will inevitably lead to death within the first 2 years of life. In juvenile Pompe's disease, progression of the disease is generally slower and involvement of the myocardium is less likely with onset at a later age.

Expression of cancer-testis antigen CT7 (MAGE-C1) in breast cancer: an immunohistochemical study with emphasis on prognostic utility.

High expression of the cancer-testis antigen CT7, also referred to as MAGE-C1, has been recently described in a variety of malignant tumors, including breast carcinoma. To our knowledge, no data concerning the prognostic utility of CT7 expression in breast cancer are available. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the relationship between CT7 immunoreactivity and clinicopathological parameters as well as relapse-free survival (RFS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS) of 124 women with invasive breast cancer.

Comparison of manual and automated size measurements of lung metastases on MDCT images: potential influence on therapeutic decisions.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of automated measurement of diameter, area, and volume from chest CT scans on therapeutic decisions of lung nodules as compared to manual 2-D measurements.

Patients And Method: The retrospective study involved 25 patients with 75 lung metastases. Contrast enhanced CT scans (16 row) of the lung were performed three times during chemotherapy with a mean time interval of 67.

A 10-year overview of double elevator muscle weakening procedures.

Objective: To report the effect of weakening the superior rectus and inferior oblique (IO) muscles on ocular rotations.

Design: Observational case series. We reviewed a 10-year period of medical records of consecutive patients who underwent bilateral 5- to 11-mm (mean, 8.