Assessing Elementary Lesions in Gout by Ultrasound: Results of an OMERACT Patient-based Agreement and Reliability Exercise.

Objective: To test the reliability of the consensus-based ultrasound (US) definitions of elementary gout lesions in patients.

Methods: Eight patients with microscopically proven gout were evaluated by 16 sonographers for signs of double contour (DC), aggregates, erosions, and tophi in the first metatarsophalangeal joint and the knee bilaterally. The patients were examined twice using B-mode US to test agreement and inter- and intraobserver reliability of the elementary components.

Comparison of Photo Optical Imaging with Musculoskeletal Ultrasound and Clinical Examination in the Assessment of Inflammatory Activity in Proximal Interphalangeal Joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.

Objective: Lightscan is a novel, rapid, low-cost, easily operated and noninvasive imaging technology used to assess inflammatory activity in proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints. The results are calculated automatically. To our knowledge, this is the first comparative study of photo optical imaging (POI), with clinical examination (CE), disease activity score at 28 joints (DAS28)-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and musculoskeletal ultrasonography (US) in healthy subjects and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA).

Near-infrared Fluorescence Optical Imaging in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comparison to Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasonography.

Objective: Near-infrared fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) is a novel imaging technology in the detection and evaluation of different arthritides. FOI was validated in comparison to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), greyscale ultrasonography (GSUS), and power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Hands of 31 patients with early RA were examined by FOI, MRI, and US.

Regional nodal relapse in surgically staged Merkel cell carcinoma.

Purpose: The nodal relapse pattern of surgically staged Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) with/without elective nodal radiotherapy (RT) was studied in a single institution.

Method: A total of 51 patients with MCC, 33% UICC stage I, 14% II, 53% III (4 lymph node metastases of unknown primary) were eligible. All patients had surgical staging: 23 patients sentinel node biopsy (SNB), 22 patients SNB followed by lymphadenectomy (LAD) and 6 patients LAD.

Low-field MRI versus ultrasound: which is more sensitive in detecting inflammation and bone damage in MCP and MTP joints in mild or moderate rheumatoid arthritis?

Objectives: The aim of the present paper is to determine if the ultrasound of hands and feet is comparable to the MRI of the dominant hand to detect erosive disease and inflammation in mild or moderate rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Twenty-six patients (14 females; mean age, 48 years) with active mild or moderate RA (mean DAS28, 3.9; mean disease duration, 19 months) were examined clinically, by ultrasound and by gadolinium-enhanced low-field MRI at baseline, after 6 and 12 months (78 examinations).

Impact of lymph node metastases on serum level of melanoma inhibitory activity in stage III melanoma patients.

Melanoma patients in stage III have a considerable recurrence rate. The 10-year survival in this stage depends on the number and size of affected nodes. Currently, there is no optimal serum marker for early detection of relapse available.

[How effective is rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis?: lessons learned from clinical practice].

Objectives: Does experience with rituximab treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in daily clinical practice confirm the results of controlled randomized studies?

Methods: This is a retrospective data-analysis of the first 50 patients from one center with rituximab treatment for RA. The patients received at least one cycle of 2 rituximab infusions (1000 mg, respectively) within 2 weeks. Clinical assessment was performed 3-5 months after the first infusion.

Do temporal artery duplex ultrasound findings correlate with ophthalmic complications in giant cell arteritis?

Objective: Ophthalmic complications are common in acute GCA. Do temporal artery ultrasound and clinical parameters correlate with the occurrence and severity of ophthalmic complications?

Methods: The results of temporal artery ultrasound examinations are compared with the occurrence of anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (AION), central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO), diplopia and amaurosis fugax in 222 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed, active GCA.

Results: Temporal artery ultrasound displayed vasculitic wall swelling (halo), stenoses and/or acute occlusions in 84% (58% in 67 large-vessel GCA patients and 95% in 155 patients without proximal arm vasculitis).

Diagnostic value of melanoma inhibitory activity serum marker in the follow-up of patients with stage I or II cutaneous melanoma.

In the follow-up of melanoma patients, there is still a need for an optimal serum marker to discover recurrent disease at an early stage. Melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) has been investigated as a serum marker for cutaneous melanomas. Although the prognosis for melanoma based on stage is generally good, the disease identified at later stages is associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality.

Color Doppler ultrasonography of hand and finger arteries to differentiate primary from secondary forms of Raynaud's phenomenon.

Objective: Modern ultrasound (US) equipment allows rheumatologists to directly visualize hand and finger arteries. How does US aid in diagnosis of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP)?

Methods: Color Doppler US of the proper and common palmar digital, radial, and ulnar arteries and the superficial palmar arch of both hands was performed in 135 consecutive patients who presented with suspected RP.

Results: US was pathologic in 63% of patients with secondary RP, in 6% with primary RP, and in none with pseudo-RP (p < 0.

Prognosis of large-vessel giant cell arteritis.

Objective: The prognosis of large-vessel GCA (LV-GCA) has not yet been investigated. How does it compare to GCA without arm vasculitis (GCA controls)?

Methods: Charts of 53 LV-GCA patients and 53 GCA controls were reviewed following a predetermined protocol. Telephone interviews of patients or their primary care physicians were conducted.

[Which ultrasound scan is the best to detect glenohumeral joint effusions?].

Purpose: It has not yet been systematically investigated which ultrasound scan is the best for detecting effusions of the glenohumeral joint. This question will be addressed by this study. Furthermore, this study determines reference values for distances to distinguish effusions from normal findings.

Solid lipid nanodispersions containing mixed lipid core and a polar heterolipid: characterization.

This paper describes the characterization of solid lipid nanodispersions (SLN) prepared with a 1:1 mixture of theobroma oil and goat fat as the main lipid matrix and Phospholipon 90G (P90G) as a stabilizer heterolipid, using polysorbate 80 as the mobile surfactant, with a view to applying the SLN in drug delivery. The 1:1 lipid mixture and P90G constituting the lipid matrix was first homogeneously prepared by fusion. Thereafter, the SLN were formulated with a gradient of polysorbate 80 and constant lipid matrix concentration by melt-high pressure homogenisation.

Further characterization of theobroma oil-beeswax admixtures as lipid matrices for improved drug delivery systems.

There is an increasing interest in lipid based drug delivery systems due to factors such as better characterization of lipidic excipients and formulation versatility and the choice of different drug delivery systems. It is important to know the thermal characteristics, crystal habit, texture, and appearance of a new lipid matrix when determining its suitability for use in certain pharmaceutical application. It is line with this that this research was embarked upon to characterize mixtures of beeswax and theobroma oil with a view to applying their admixtures in drug delivery systems such as solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers.

Thermal analysis of the crystallization and melting behavior of lipid matrices and lipid nanoparticles containing high amounts of lecithin.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) based on triglycerides containing high amounts of the amphiphilic lipid lecithin have been proposed as a promising alternative drug delivery system with regard to drug loading capacity. Aim of the present study is to evaluate the influence of lecithin within the lipid matrix (LM) on the crystallization behavior by thermoanalysis and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The crystallinity of LM and LNP is mainly determined by the triglyceride content.

Laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer: outcomes in 194 patients and review of the literature.

Background: There are few reports on laparoscopic rectum resection demonstrating its feasibility and efficacy in patients with rectal cancer. Most patient series are small, and results must be considered preliminary and medium-term. Our large prospective conducted study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a totally laparoscopic resection for rectum carcinoma with emphasis on perioperative and long-term oncological outcomes.

Laparoscopic surgery for colon and rectal cancer.

Use of laparoscopic resection for colorectal malignancy has raised concerns regarding local cancer control and the lack of long-term results. Most reported data are preliminary and medium-term results, at best. The aim of this study is to analyse all patients who underwent a laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer at our department between November 1992 and July 2003.

A sensitive TLC method to identify Echinaceae pallidae radix.

In this work a fast, simple and sensitive qualitative TLC method was developed to identify Echinaceae pallidae radix and to distinguish this drug from similar ones. The TLC method is based on the lipophilic compounds of E. pallida.

Standard reference values for musculoskeletal ultrasonography.

Objectives: To determine standard reference values for musculoskeletal ultrasonography in healthy adults.

Methods: Ultrasonography was performed on 204 shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, knees, and feet of 102 healthy volunteers (mean age 38.4 years; range 20-60; 54 women) with a linear probe (10-5 MHz; Esaote Technos MP).

[Use of SPIO-enhanced T1- and T2-weighted images for the differentiation of liver lesions: an ROC analysis].

Purpose: The superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) Resovist is a contrast media with shortening of both T(1) and T(2) relaxation time. This study evaluates the impact of SPIO-enhanced T(1)- and T(2)-weighted images for the differentiation of liver lesions.

Materials And Methods: SPIO-enhanced MRI examinations (1.

[What sociomedical significance has the mortality from breast cancer for a mammographic preventive strategy?].

Mortality is seen as the most significant criterium for the prognosis of the disease in a population and with respect to the effectiveness of prophylactic and therapeutic measures. The extraordinary high-mortality from breast carcinoma causes more psychological strain for women in working age. Breast carcinoma is the most frequent cause of death between the ages of 40 and 60 in the population of the GDR.

[The clinico-diagnostic value of C-reactive protein, determined by simple radial immunodiffusion and compared with latex agglutination].

Importance of CRP-determination in rapid diagnosis of septic diseases in children is being examined. Specificity and sensitivity of white blood cell count, thrombocyte count, blood sedimentation rate, differential blood count and CRP were evaluated statistically. Rapid diagnosis was performed with sera of 95 patients shortly after being admitted on ward.

[Cytologic urine findings in female genital cancer--before, during and after radiotherapy].

74 cytologic examinations of the urinary sediment were conducted on 57 women with malignant neoplasms of the genital organs in order to evaluate the clinical suspicion of tumor infiltration of the bladder wall. It turned out to be a sensitive indicator of the infiltration of the bladder wall. Prior radiotherapy however let to changes which could be falsly interpreted as indicators of malignant infiltration.

[Rehabilitation in cerebrovascular stroke--experiences and results of a treatment concept based on modern neurophysiology knowledge].

The modern concept of rehabilitation of patients with stroke is based on new neurophysiological investigations about processes of movements, learning and memory. Therefore the rehabilitation is multidimensional. The complete patterns of symptoms must be considered.

[Free serum amino acids in patients with tumors of different sites--tumor-induced imbalances].

We analysed 10 free serum amino acids of altogether 8 different malignant organ localisations before therapy and compared this with reference levels. We investigated asparaginic acid, glutaminic acid, glycine, alanine, valine, methionine, leucine, isoleucine, tyrosine and phenylalanine. All investigated amino acids with the exception of methionine show an elevated level compared to normal one.