Deformation of cholesteric elastomers by uniaxial stress along the helix axis.

The deformation of cholesteric elastomers by mechanical stress applied parallel to the helix axis is studied by calculation of the free-energy density. The Frank-elasticity contribution is taken into account. A chiral solvent, present at cross-linking time, is in general considered to be replaced after cross-linking by a solvent with different chirality.

The role of Frank elasticity in cholesteric elastomers.

The effect of Frank elasticity on deformations of cholesteric elastomers by mechanical stress applied perpendicular to the helix axis is studied by numerical minimization of the free energy. Above a critical strain, a solution with an only oscillating director is found to be stable in comparison to a distorted helix. At the critical strain, the contractions perpendicular to stress change discontinuously.

Influence of doxycycline on clinical and angiographic outcome following percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae may be involved in atherosclerosis. Neointima proliferation after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) could be aggravated by proinflammatory action of chronic vascular chlamydial infection. We investigated the influence of doxycycline therapy on restenosis rate and adverse clinical event rates after PCI.

Photonic defect modes in cholesteric liquid crystal films.

We discuss the properties of photonic defect modes in cholesteric liquid crystals. Twist defects, isotropic defect layers, and combinations of both are considered. After deriving the reflection and transmission properties of the defects, we study the effect of a finite sample thickness on the defect mode's amplitude and on the required polarization of incident light to excite the defect mode.

Defect mode emission of a dye doped cholesteric polymer network.

We have observed enhanced fluorescence and laser emission due to a photonic defect mode in a dye doped cholesteric polymer network. The defect is caused by a phase jump of the cholesteric helix at the interface of two stacked layers of a cholesteric polymer film. Fluorescence spectra show an additional resonant mode inside the photonic stop band.

Incidence of myocardial infarctions in HIV-infected patients between 1983 and 1998: the Frankfurt HIV-cohort study.

Objective: To investigate whether the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is associated with an increased incidence of myocardial infarctions (MI) in HIV infected patients.

Design: Retrospective analysis of a cohort of 4993 HIV infected patients treated at our hospital between January, 1 1983 and December, 31 1998. The incidence of myocardial infarctions during 4 observation periods with different antiretroviral treatment strategies are compared.

[Atherosclerosis--a chronic infectious disease caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae].

Recent investigations allow a controversial but convincing interpretation of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis). Atherosclerosis can be apparently the result of ultrachronic persistent infection by Chlamydia pneumoniae and not the result of heterogenous risk factors. The main arguments for the chlamydial genesis are: Correlation of coronary heart disease and other atherosclerotic diseases and antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae.

Prospective randomized study to compare imipenem 1.5 grams per day vs. 3.0 grams per day in infections of granulocytopenic patients.

The objective of this presented prospective randomized study was to compare the efficacy of empirical antimicrobial monotherapy with imipenem 3 x 0.5 g per day to 3 x 1.0 g per day for treatment of infections in neutropenic patients.

[Antibiotic therapy in leukopenia].

Intensified chemotherapy-induced long-term neutropenia is the main cause for morbidity and mortality of patients with hematologic malignancies. The successful management of neutropenia is based on hygienic procedures antimicrobial prophylaxis and therapy, and diagnostics. Until today, Co-Trimoxazole or fluoroquinolenes and oral amphotericine B are the prophylactic standard.

Piperacillin/tazobactam versus cefepime as initial empirical antimicrobial therapy in febrile neutropenic patients: a prospective randomized pilot study.

The objective of the presented prospective, randomized study was to compare the efficacy of empirical antimicrobial monotherapy with piperacillin/tazobactam (PIP/TAZ) to cefepime (CEFP) for treatment of infections in neutropenic patients. From a total of 102 febrile episodes 100 were evaluable. The most frequent microorganisms were gram-negative, documented in 22% vs.

[Arteriosclerosis as a sequela of chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection].

In the last years several new data allow a controversial but convincing interpretation of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis). Atherosclerosis can be apparently the result of ultrachronic persistent infection by Chlamydia pneumoniae and not the result of different risk factors. The main arguments for the chlamydial genesis are: 1.

Experience with imipenem in internal medicine--a postmarketing surveillance study.

Imipenem was registered for clinical use in Germany in 1985. It is recommended for initial treatment in either severe nosocomial infections or infections in ICU or immunocompromised patients. In this study, we evaluated 1,215 patients who were prescribed imipenem at our Zentrum der Inneren Medizin-a major tertiary care university hospital-over a 6 year period.

Itraconazole for prophylaxis of systemic mycoses in neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies.

The efficacy of oral itraconazole 2 x 200 mg capsules daily for prevention of systemic mycoses was investigated in granulocytopenic patients with haematological malignancies. Of 241 patients, 197 were evaluable for prophylactic efficacy, and 214 for adverse events. Patients with similar characteristics receiving oral amphotericin B as antifungal prophylaxis, observed over 15 months before introduction of itraconazole, served as control group (n = 223).