[Mitomycin C in head and neck surgical procedures].

Mitomycin C (MMC) is frequently used in combination chemotherapy. Its metabolites bind to DNA-molecules and causes DNA crosslinking, which interferes with the synthesis of DNA, RNA and proteins. MMC is thus able to reduce fibroblast proliferation.

[Tissue microarrays. High-throughput procedures to verify potential biomarkers].

High-throughput molecular screening tools have created a need for equally rapid means to verify potential biomarkers. Tissue microarray (TMA) technology facilitates effective analysis on the protein level. Hundreds of 0.

[Obesity in children and adolescents in Germany. Significant and persistent increase of prevalence. Appeal to treatment].

In Germany, the number of overweight children and adolescents is increasing. The increase in the prevalence of obesity shows considerable regional differences. Related to recent German reference data with an expected prevalence of 3%, we find today in some regions a prevalence of 7% in 5- to 6-year-olds and 8% in 13- to 15-year-olds.

Phenylalanine kinetics in healthy volunteers and liver cirrhotics: implications for the phenylalanine breath test.

Expired 13CO2 recovery from an oral l-[1-13C]phenylalanine ([13C]Phe) dose has been used to quantify liver function. This parameter, however, does not depend solely on liver function but also on total CO2 production, Phe turnover, and initial tracer distribution. Therefore, we evaluated the impact of these factors on breath test values.

[Ever more children and adolescents are overweight. How can the obesity epidemic be stopped?].

In Germany, the number of overweight children and adolescents is increasing. The increase in the prevalence of obesity shows considerable regional differences. Related to recent German reference data with an expected prevalence of 3%, we find today in some regions a prevalence of 7% in 5- to 6-year-olds and 8% in 13- to 15-year-olds.

[Morphometric changes in the choriocapillaris and choroid in eyes with advanced glaucoma damage].

Background: In addition to elevated intraocular pressure, a compromised ocular blood supply has been implicated in the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma (PCOG).

Methods And Materials: We analyzed 20 eyebank eyes with end-stage PCOG and compared these with 20 age-matched controls. The following variables were measured: density and diameter of large choroidal vessels in the macular and equatorial choroid; thickness of the choroid in the macular and equatorial region; and density and thickness of choriocapillaris in the macular, peripapillary, and equatorial choroid.

[Clinical and histologic features of 141 primary basal cell carcinomas of the periocular region and their rate of recurrence after surgical excision].

Background: The aim of this study was to assess clinical and histologic features of primary basal cell carcinomas of the periocular region and to calculate the rate of recurrence of these tumors after surgical excision without intraoperative frozen section control.

Methods: All primary basal cell carcinomas of the periocular region which were treated by surgical excision at the University Eye Hospital and Clinic of Ulm between 1993 and 1998 were reviewed and special attention was paid to age and sex of the patient and localization and histology of the tumor. The recurrence rates were calculated depending on whether the margins were free or involved on histologic examination of the excised specimens.

[Risk stratification after myocardial infarct].

In industrialized countries the rate of sudden cardiac death remains unchanged. The most frequently encountered structural heart disease in these patients is coronary artery disease. Despite the era of thrombolytic therapy of acute myocardial infarction patients carry an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrhythmogenic death within a time period of one to two years following the acute event.

[Deep penetrating nevus of the eyelid].

Background: A 52-year-old woman was evaluated for a pigmented tumor in her right lower eyelid, which has developed over the last year. The tumor measured 3 x 4 mm. The patient's ophthalmologic and medical history was normal.

[Eccrine spiradenoma of the eyelid].

Patient: A 60-year-old woman was evaluated for a nodular tumor in her right upper eyelid, which has developed over the last four years. The tumor measured 10 x 8 mm and was ulcerated. The patient's ophthalmologic und medical history was normal.

[Prevalence of systemic and ocular diseases in age-related cataract patients].

Background: Cataract patients often display concomitant ocular and systemic diseases which may influence the decision between general and regional anesthesia. The aim of this study was to quantify co-morbidity of these patients and assess the influence of the two types of anesthesia an the anesthesiological risk on the frequency of intra- and post-operative complications and visual outcome.

Methods: In this prospective study, in patients scheduled for cataract extraction at the University Eye Hospital and Clinic of Ulm (tertiary eye care center) all systemic and ocular diseases as well as intra- and postoperative complications were analyzed.

[Motif expressing soft print lenses. Effect on visual function].

Background: Contact lenses which change the structure and color of the iris are used not only for many therapeutic situations but also for cosmetic reasons. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether such lenses cause impairment of visual functions.

Material And Methods: In healthy volunteers with an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 a clear soft-fitting lens and a special effect soft contact lens (Crazy lens, Bach Optic, Cologne) were tested in changing sequence.

[Histological characterization and classification of surgically excised choroid neovascular membranes].

Purpose: This study was undertaken in order to histologically characterize surgically-excised choroidal neovascular membranes and to correlate theses histologic findings with the fundus and fluorescein angiographic appearance.

Material And Methods: Surgically-excised subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes submitted in the time period from November 1994 to July 1996 were included in this study. The membranes were processed and evaluated by light and transmission electron microscopy.

[Congenital retinal macrovessel].

Patient: A 18-year-old male was evaluated for vitreous floaters. Examination exhibited a large, aberrant retinal venule in the inferiortemporal macula. The venule crossed the horizontal raphe.

[Diagnosis of the adrenogenital syndrome caused by 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency using gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of the urinary steroid profile].

Problem And Objective: In 5-7% of all cases of congenital adrenogenital hyperplasia (AGH) there is 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency (11 beta-HM). Its clinical picture is characterised by hyperandrogenism and, in some cases, arterial hypertension. The diagnosis of the enzyme deficiency depends on a reliable method of analysing the hormone in plasma and urine.

[Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry determination of plasma 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol and 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol glucuronide in children with premature and normal puberty ].

Using stable isotope dilution/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, we determined the plasma concentrations of 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (AD) and 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol-glucuronide (ADG) in 20 patients with premature pubarche (16 patients with idiopathic premature pubarche, 4 patients with late onset 21-hydroxylase deficiency) and in 55 healthy children with Tanner stages P1 to P4. No differences between sexes were found in healthy children with Tanner stages P1 and P2. Patients with idiopathic premature pubarche (median, range, nmol/1: 0.

[Ocular carbon dioxide reactivity in retinitis pigmentosa. Perimetry results].

Ocular pulse volumes (POV) measured by oculo-oscillo-dynamography were markedly reduced in Retinopathia pigmentosa (R.P.) patients (n = 52) compared to healthy subjects (n = 107).

[Idiopathic ulcer of the small intestine].

The authors report on a female patient, 32 years old, suffering for eight years from recurrent and progressive abdominal pain, combined with chronic anemia, due to iron deficiency. Neither anamnesis and clinical course, nor technical examinations elucidated the etiology. Finally an explorative laparotomy with segmental resection of the small intestine led to diagnosis and healing of the rare "idiopathic small bowel ulcer".

[Deep venous thromboses--established treatment procedures and new trends].

Thrombolysis in deep venous thrombosis is indicated in documented thrombosis of the legs, because, in most cases, it is due to no or minimal collateral flow with bad prognosis. Thrombolysis should not be used regularly in isolated thrombosis of the veins of the lower legs and in subclavian vein thrombosis. The aims in therapy of deep venous thrombosis are reduction of possible complications such as fatal pulmonary embolism, avoidance of progression and recurrence, respectively, and avoidance of a postthrombotic syndrome.