[Psychosomatic aspects of pain perception by the elderly--results of the ELDERMEN Study].

115 geriatric in-patients are included in the current study examining relationships between regions of experienced pain, subjective pain intensity, and psychological variables. An investigation of the connection between psychosomatic limitations (BSS) and pain indicated, that pain patients do not necessarily require psychosomatic-psychotherapeutic treatment (in our study only 21.6%).

[Life review: promoting the developmental potentials in aging].

In this paper the theoretical background and practical applications of the life review are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the relevance of the life review for the mastery of developmental transitions across the entire life span as well as for adaptation to the challenges commonly associated with aging. The terms guided autobiography, life review and reminiscence are explained as are techniques for guiding reminiscence and life review.

[Radioisomorphisms of sclerosing cholangitis].

For differentiation of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) from AIDS-associated cholangitis (AAC), 95 CT or Cholangiography studies of 37 patients were reviewed and signs of biliary disease analysed. Only two each of PSC and AIDS-subjects were free from biliary lesions compatible with some kind of sclerosing cholangitis. Subgroup analysis revealed wide overlapping of morphological findings in PSC and AAC.

Comparison of polymerase chain reaction from plasma and buffy coat with antigen detection and occurrence of immunoglobulin M for the demonstration of cytomegalovirus infection after liver transplantation.

We compared the value of PCR on plasma with PCR on buffy coat leukocytes, Ag assay, and the determination of IgM antibodies by ELISA for the diagnosis and follow-up of cytomegalovirus infection. Thirty patients were followed after liver transplantation (LTX). We compared the tests to assess their clinical usefulness.

Comparison of FK506- and cyclosporine-based immunosuppression in primary orthotopic liver transplantation. A single center experience.

FK506 has been proven effective for prevention and treatment of liver allograft rejection. Herein, we compare FK506-based immunosuppression with an effective quadruple immunosuppressive regimen, including cyclosporine and antithymocyte globulin. The results of a single center participating in the European multicenter FK506 study are reported, including immunosuppressive efficacy as well as toxicity.

Didemnin B in favourable histology non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A phase II study of the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group.

Ten patients with previously untreated stage III/IV low grade histology non-Hodgkin's lymphoma received a 1-hour intravenous infusion of Didemnin B 2.3 mg/m2 weekly for 4 weeks repeated every 6 weeks. 40% of patients experienced significant hypersensitivity reactions, one of which was life-threatening, despite premedication with diphenhydramine and cimetidine.

Mycobacterial infection after liver transplantation.

Tuberculosis occurred in 5 (1.2%) of 462 liver transplant recipients. De novo infection was assumed in 4 patients and a recurrent infection in 1.

[Cause of death after liver transplantation: an analysis of 41 cases in 382 patients].

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to analyse the causes of death after liver transplantation in order to find and to avoid preventable fatal complications if possible.

Methods: Between September 1988 and September 1993 415 orthotopic liver transplantations in 382 patients were performed at the Rudolf Virchow University Hospital in Berlin. During the same interval 41 (10.

Effects of zinc and cadmium on apoptotic DNA fragmentation in isolated bovine liver nuclei.

Isolated nuclei from mammalian cells contain a calcium-dependent endonuclease. The produced DNA fragmentation is a necessary step in the sequence of events resulting in apoptosis (programmed cell death). We report here that zinc and cadmium inhibit the calcium-dependent endonuclease.

A neural network model for the prediction of membrane-spanning amino acid sequences.

The architecture and weights of an artificial neural network model that predicts putative transmembrane sequences have been developed and optimized by the algorithm of structure evolution. The resulting filter is able to classify membrane/nonmembrane transition regions in sequences of integral human membrane proteins with high accuracy. Similar results have been obtained for both training and test set data, indicating that the network has focused on general features of transmembrane sequences rather than specializing on the training data.

Proficiency testing in reticulocyte counting.

The Laboratory Proficiency Testing Program tests and evaluates proficiency of clinical laboratories in Ontario, Canada. The programme began in 1974; testing of reticulocyte counts was added in 1982. From the beginning, the goal of the programme has been to ensure that the quality of practice in Ontario laboratories facilitates good quality patient care.

Does concommitant splenectomy raise the mortality of liver transplant recipients?

Within a 17-month period, 130 orthotopic liver transplantations were performed in our hospital. Nine of these were retransplantations and were not included in our analysis. In the remaining 121 patients, splenectomy was performed in 34 patients, either synchronously with the transplant procedure (27 patients) or in the postoperative period (7 patients).

Results of liver transplantation in acute liver failure caused by viral hepatitis.

Fulminant liver failure due to acute viral hepatitis is the most common emergency indication for liver transplantation. The postoperative course is highly correlated with the type and duration of infection. The complication rate is lowest in fulminant hepatitis B patients and highest in subacute hepatitis C/NANB patients.

Fungal infections in liver transplant recipients.

A retrospective analysis of 462 consecutive orthotopic liver transplantations was undertaken to evaluate incidence, risk factors, clinical course, and outcome of fungal infections. Infections involving Aspergillus (6 cases), Candida (5 cases), Mucor (1 case), and Cryptococcus (1 case) were observed in 2.8% (13/462) of our patients.