HPTLC fingerprint profile analysis of cocoa proanthocyanidins depending on origin and genotype.

Cocoa beans are rich in bioactive phytochemicals such as alkaloids, anthocyanins, as well as monomeric and oligomeric flavan-3-ols. A high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was developed for a fast analysis of a fingerprint of bioactive compounds present in cocoa beans depending on genotype and origin. Evaluation was performed using HPTLC followed by densitometry.

Persistent organic pollutants in shallow percolated water of the Alps Karst system (Zugspitze summit, Germany).

In the German Calcareous Alps at the Zugspitze, percolated water close to a permafrost bedrock in a tunnel system was monitored long-term for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and 28 organochlorine pesticides (OCP). Semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMD) were deployed in a temporary surface water system at the Zugspitze plateau and analysed for PCB, PAH, and OCP. The high-volume water sampling was successfully implemented and all compounds were identified in the water percolated through the Karst system.

Determination of oligomeric proanthocyanidins and their antioxidant capacity from different chocolate manufacturing stages using the NP-HPLC-online-DPPH methodology.

Cocoa beans are a well-known source of antioxidant polyphenols. Especially individual oligomeric proanthocyanidins demonstrated a significant contribution to the total antioxidant activity of cocoa compared to monomeric compounds. An NP-HPLC-online-DPPH assay was developed for separating the homologous series of oligomeric proanthocyanidins and the simultaneous assessment of their antioxidant capacity in relation to the degree of polymerization (DP).

Severe motor aphasia after reinfusion of cryopreserved autologous stem cells after myeloablative conditioning.

Background: Autologous peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) are usually cryopreserved before high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). The freezing process requires the addition of cryoprotectants such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which is vital for cell viability in frozen aliquots. DMSO has a number of well-described side effects.

Extraction of cocoa proanthocyanidins and their fractionation by sequential centrifugal partition chromatography and gel permeation chromatography.

Cocoa beans contain secondary metabolites ranging from simple alkaloids to complex polyphenols with most of them believed to possess significant health benefits. The increasing interest in these health effects has prompted the need to develop techniques for their extraction, fractionation, separation, and analysis. This work provides an update on analytical procedures with a focus on establishing a gentle extraction technique.

Bendamustine and rituximab in combination with lenalidomide in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Purpose: A phase I/II trial to assess safety and efficacy of the combination bendamustine, rituximab, and lenalidomide (BRL) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Patients And Methods: Seventeen relapsed or refractory (R/R) and five previously untreated (FL) CLL patients were enrolled in the trial. In the R/R cohort, four different dose levels of lenalidomide (maximum 15 mg/d) were used.

Tumor patients in psychodynamic psychotherapy including daydreaming: can imagery enhance primary process and positive emotions?

This therapy process study investigates the use of guided affective imagery for tumor patients. The therapeutic access to tumor patients is generally described as complex and challenging because of a disturbed emotion regulation and a defensive focus on reality. After autologous blood stem cell transplantation, 29 patients were treated with psychotherapy, including two daydreaming imagery sessions.

Social support and quality of life of patients prior to stem cell or bone marrow transplantation.

Objectives: To determine the positive and detrimental aspects of social support prior to allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation/stem cell transplantation.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Methods: Patients completed the German version of the Illness-specific Social Support Scale (ISSS) and the Quality of Life (QoL) Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30).

Concentration measurements of PCDD/F in air and spruce needles in the Bavarian Forest and Bohemian Forest (Sumava): first results.

The aim of this project was to assess the concentration ranges of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in air by means of active and passive sampling devices located in remote areas along the southern part of the German-Czech border. During the measuring program we also used spruce needles of different ages as biomonitors. The first results, which are restricted to PCDD/F measurements, indicate that the concentrations in both air and needles measured at four sites in the Bavarian Forest and Sumava crest region are lower than in many other regions of Bavaria and lower than during former measuring campaigns in adjacent regions of Austria and Bohemia.