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Background: We prospectively examined the effect and the safety of intensity-modulated HDR brachytherapy (IMBT) with focal dose escalation.Materials and Methods: A total of 139 patients undergoing primary therapy for prostate cancer and 11 patients with recurrence were included. Data analysis focused on the following factors: date of primary diagnosis, Gleason score, initial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value, PSA nadir, volume of the prostate in the transrectal ultrasound, biopsy of the prostate gland, androgen deprivation, chemotherapy, uroflowmetry, pre- and postoperative post-void residual urine (PVR), number of the needles in the prostate lobes and analysis of follow-up data.Results: In the primary therapy group, 87.6 % of the patients had a PSA of 0-4 ng/ml at the time of follow-up, while in the recurrence group 81.8 % of patients were within this range. Overall, 55.8 % of patients in the primary group had a PSA nadir under 0.1 ng/ml, 37.2 % under 1 ng/ml, 5.8 % under 5 ng/ml and 1.2 % (1 patient) over 5 ng/ml. In the recurrence group, 100 % had a PSA nadir under 0.1 ng/dl. Fifty patients of the primary group reported grade 1 toxicity (Common Toxicity Criteria): 29 localized to the bladder and 21 to the rectum. Seventeen patients had grade 2 toxicity of the bladder and 1 patient had grade 3 toxicity of the bladder. Finally there was one grade 4 toxicity due to perforation of the sigmoid colon. In the recurrence group, 3 patients with grade 1 toxicity were observed (2 bladder and 1 bowl). Also 3 patients had grade 2 toxicity of the bladder, 1 patient had a grade 3 bladder toxicity and 1 patient had grade 4 toxicity due to bowl fistula. There were no grade 5 toxicities.Conclusion: The modifications of the "Kiel method" with focal dose escalation was proven as effective in locally advanced prostate carcinoma and in local recurrences of the disease with low level toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The most appropriate therapy for anal cancer is external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) combined with chemotherapy (CTX). The significance of additional brachytherapy is still under evaluation. We report on our experience of combined modality therapy of anal cancer and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided high-dose rate (HDR) afterloading therapy, referring to results of a study published in 1998 by the coauthors.Methods: From 1993 to 2001, 50 patients with anal cancer were treated. After combined RCTX, HDR 2 x 4 Gy brachytherapy was administered based on TRUS imaging as a target.Results: In five patients (10%), tumor recurrence occurred or the tumor did not respond to therapy, and four (8%) developed distant lymph nodes or organ metastases. Five patients (10%) had to undergo salvage abdominoperineal resection because of suspected recurrence. Specific disease-related 5-year survival was 82%. Therapy-associated complications in terms of sphincter necrosis and incontinence were observed in three patients (6%).Conclusions: TRUS-guided brachytherapy permits excellent local tumor control and results in minimal treatment-related morbidity. Consequently, TRUS-guided brachytherapy may be a useful addition to current combined modality treatment regimens for anal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Retained biliary stones is a common clinical problem in patients after surgery for complicated gallstone disease. When postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy are unsuccessful, several percutaneous procedures for stone removal can be applied as alternatives to relaparotomy. These procedures are performed either under fluoroscopic control or with the use of choledochoscopy, but it is also possible to combine these methods.Methods: Since 1994, we have used the percutaneous video choledochoscopic technique for the removal of difficult retained biliary stones via dilated T-tube tract in 17 patients, applying the technique of percutaneous stone extraction used in urology. While waiting for the T-tube tract to mature and after the removal of the T-tube, the dilatation of its tract was 26-30 Fr. Stone removal was carried out using a flexible video choledochoscope and a rigid renoscope under fluoroscopic control, with the aid of Dormia baskets, rigid forceps, and high-pressure irrigation.Results: We performed 23 operative procedures, and the clearance of the biliary ducts was successful in all cases. There were no major complications or deaths.Conclusion: Percutaneous video choledochoscopic-assisted removal of large retained biliary stones via the T-tube tract is a highly effective and safe procedure. Its advantages over other procedures include the ability to visualize the stones and noncalculous filling defects; it also guarantees that the stones can be removed under visual video endoscopic control. It has no problems related to tract or stone size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CYP3A4 has an important role in the metabolisms of many drugs used in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy; still, there are practically no publications about the role of CYP3A4 polymorphisms in ALL pharmacogenomics. We genotyped eight common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 genes in 511 children with ALL and investigated whether they influenced the survival of the patients. We involved additional 127 SNPs in 34 candidate genes and searched for interactions with respect to the survival rates. Significant association between the survival rates and the common rs2246709 SNP in the CYP3A4 gene was observed. The gender of the patients and the rs1076991 in the MTHFD1 gene strongly influenced this effect. We calculated new risk assessments involving the gender-rs2246709 interaction and showed that they significantly outperformed the earlier risk-group assessments at every time point. If this finding is confirmed in other populations, it can have a considerable prognostic significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe here a novel c.137 + 5G > A intronic mutation in the SH2D1A gene of the signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM)-associated protein (SAP) in association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced fatal infectious mononucleosis (FIM) in an 8-year-old male patient and his 3-year-old step brother. The mother and the maternal grandmother of the boys are healthy and heterozygous for this sequence variant. Genetic sequencing of blood-cell-derived cDNA in the younger patient revealed a 22 bp deletion in the SH2D1A cDNA. Immunoblot and flow cytometry analysis performed in this younger patient showed the lack of SAP protein expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes. These data suggest that the novel c.137 + 5G > A mutation results in loss of function of SAP protein and leads to typical X-linked lymphoproliferative disease phenotype. We propose that intron 1 and the c.137 + 5G may be the most frequent intronic hot spot for SH2D1A splicing mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is often suggested that weeds from the same family as the crop plant may increase insect pest damages by providing shelter and additional oviposition opportunities. We compared the relative attractiveness of Brassica rapa L., B. juncea L., Sinapis alba L. and B. napus L. (Capparales: Brassicaceae) to the pollen beetle and its hymenopteran parasitoids in field conditions. Our results revealed that none of the investigated plants increased the pest abundance on B. napus plants. On the contrary, B. juncea and S. alba lured beetles away from B. napus during its damage-susceptible stage. The parasitism rate of pollen beetle larvae was the highest on B. juncea plants, indicating that cruciferous weeds could improve the natural control of the pollen beetle by providing additional hosts for parasitoids. Therefore, close relatives of oilseed rape might be used to trap pollen beetle adults, but also to support populations of natural enemies that could decrease the number of beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survival rates in childhood acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) have improved dramatically; however, patients still suffer from a variety of drug-related toxicities. Individualized therapy regimens promise the least toxic therapy regimen with the best hematologic outcome. Our aim was to investigate whether increased individual glucocorticoid sensitivity due to the N363S polymorphism of the glucocorticoid receptor increased susceptibility to steroid-related toxicities during ALL therapy. A total of 346 pediatric ALL patients were involved in the present study. N363S carrier status was investigated by allele-specific PCR. Clinical and laboratory signs of glucocorticoid-related toxicities, Day 8 prednisone response, and 5-year event-free survival were analyzed and compared retrospectively. Thirty-two of the 346 patients were heterozygous carriers (9.2 %). Hepatotoxicity (31.3 vs. 11.2 %, p = 0.004, carriers and non-carriers, respectively) and glucose metabolism abnormalities (18.8 vs. 3.8 %, p = 0.001, carriers and non-carriers, respectively) were significantly more frequent among carriers. There was no difference in the incidence of hypertension and encephalopathy/psychosis among carriers and non-carriers. Carriers were also more prone to have a combination of toxicities. All 363S carriers were good prednisone responders (100 %) and had significantly better 5-year event-free survival rates (93.1 vs. 71.86 %, p = 0.012), whereas among non-carriers there were more poor prednisone responders (8.28 %) and worse 5-year event-free survival rates. Patients with the N363S polymorphism in the glucocorticoid receptor are more prone to steroid-related toxicity during ALL therapy and should be monitored more closely. Patients with N363S polymorphism of the glucocorticoid receptor may be appropriate candidates for inclusion in the design of individualized therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oilseed rape ( Brassica napus) is a valuable crop, attacked by several insect pests, of which the pollen beetle ( Meligethes aeneus) is one of the most widespread and important in Europe. The relative attractiveness for the pollen beetle of Brassica nigra, Eruca sativa and Raphanus sativus was compared with that of spring oilseed rape, to assess the potential of these plant species as trap crops for the pest. At early growth stages, B. nigra and R. sativus were more attractive to over-wintered adult pollen beetles than B. napus. At the bud and flowering stages, B. nigra was the most attractive while E. sativa was the least attractive. At flowering, B. nigra was more attractive for oviposition than the other species. Thus, of the species tested, B. nigra has the most potential as a prospective trap crop to protect spring oilseed rape before flowering when it is at its most vulnerable developmental phase, due to its faster development and its acceptability both for feeding and oviposition to overwintered pollen beetle adults. Raphanus sativus was accepted both for feeding and oviposition, but pollen beetle larvae failed to develop in its flowers; it therefore has the potential for use as a dead-end crop. At the end of the growing season, both E. sativa and R. sativus, as late-flowering species, attracted the new generation of pollen beetles and thereby have potential to extend the effectiveness of a trap-cropping system at this time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A long-living artificial tripartite symbiosis involving a green alga ( Chlamydomonas), a bacterium ( Azotobacter) and a fungus ( Alternaria) was established on carbon- and nitrogen-free medium. The basis of the interdependence is the complementation of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation and atmospheric nitrogen fixation. Green color of the colonies indicated that the algal cells had enough nitrogen to synthesize chlorophylls. The chlorophyll content was nearly 40 % of the control cells. The relatively high rate of photosynthetic oxygen evolution proved that nitrogen was effectively used for building up a well functioning photosynthetic apparatus. This was supported by the analysis of photosystems and ultrastructural investigations. In comparison with degreened algae cultured on nitrogen-free medium, the chloroplasts in the symbiont algal cells contained a well-developed, stacked thylakoid membrane system without extreme starch or lipid accumulation. The occurrence of the fungus in the association greatly increased the chlorophyll content. Far fewer types of amino acids were excreted by the tripartite cultures than by pure cultures. Cystathionine, which is a common intermediate in the sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism, was produced in high quantities by the tripartite symbiosis. This can mostly be attributed to the activity of the fungus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Polymorphisms of the ABCB1 (MDR1) and ABCG2 (BCRP) genes were reported to alter the expression and function of these drug transporters. Both proteins are present at the main pharmacokinetic barriers including the blood–brain barrier. Data from 291 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia were analysed in this retrospective study. ABCB1 3435T>C, 2677G>T/A, 1236C>T and ABCG2 421C>A, 34G>A genotypes were determined. Encephalopathy episodes were more frequent among those with ABCB1 3435TT genotype than in the 3435CC/CT group (odds ratio (OR) 3.5; P=0.03). Patients with the ABCG2 421A allele tended to have more complications than wild type homozygotes (OR=2.0; P=0.25). The rate of the adverse effect was similar in those harbouring no or only one of the predisposing genotypes, that is, either ABCB1 3435TT or ABCG2 421AA/AC. However, significantly more children suffered encephalopathy in the group with both predisposing genotypes (OR=12.3; P=0.005). In conclusion, these variations exert synergistic effect in predisposing patients to toxic neurological complications of chemotherapy.The Pharmacogenomics Journal (2008) 8, 321–327; doi:10.1038/sj.tpj.6500480; published online 16 October 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of HNO is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Infection with the hepatitis B virus can occur perinatally, parenterally, or sexually, and it can cause acute or chronic liver diseases. Phylogenetic analysis of the virus has led to its classification into eight genotypes (A–H), which show a characteristic worldwide distribution. The aim of this study was to reveal the HBV genotypes present in Hungary and to investigate a nosocomial and an intrafamilial outbreak. The collected samples were tested by nested PCR, and a 650-nucleotide-long segment of the preS1/preS2/S region was sequenced. As no previous genotype data were available from Hungary, sera of 24 HBsAg-positive patients were collected from different regions of the country. They also served as control samples for the molecular epidemiologic study. Nineteen of them carried genotype D of hepatitis B virus, and five of them carried genotype A. Twenty-nine patients from a haemato-oncology unit were affected in a nosocomial outbreak. The patients had haematological and/or oncological diseases, most of them were immunosuppressed. In twenty-eight cases, based on phylogenetic analysis of the viruses, there was presumably a common source of infection, and an epidemiological investigation showed that the infections seemed to be hospital-acquired. In the intrafamilial outbreak, two asymptomatic carrier children infected their foster mother. The three sequences were totally identical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) is the major myiasis-causing fly species in the whole of Eurasia for most important domestic animals. The aim of the present work was to obtain data on the culturable bacteria isolated under aerobic conditions from this fly: bacteria were isolated from all developmental stages (larvae, pupa, and imago) of Wohlfahrtia magnifica, and the third-stage larval organs were also sampled. To determine the possible antagonistic effects between the dominant bacterial groups, an antibiosis assay was carried out. Plating and isolation of bacteria was performed by classical microbiological methods. Characterization of the isolated strains was carried out via a polyphasic approach; classical phenotypic tests, chemotaxonomical examinations, and 16S rDNA sequence analyses were also applied. In the case of maggot macerate samples, members of the family Enterobacteriaceae were characteristic. Members of a new genus ( Schineria) belonging to the γ subdivision of proteobacteria were also isolated. According to our data, the shifts in the Schineria and Proteus populations within the larvae are strongly influenced by their interactions with each other and among the members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. The pupa and imago samples contained several other Gram-negative bacteria ( Stenotrophomonas, Brevundimonas, etc.). Among Gram-positive bacteria, in all maggot macerate samples, members of the genus Bacillus and the Arthrobacter– Micrococcus group of actinobacteria were dominant (neither of them was a producer or sensitive to the compounds of other microorganisms), and bacteria related to the genus Corynebacterium were also found. From the larvae Aureobacterium liquefaciens and Enterococcus faecalis were isolated, and from the pupae Dietzia maris and Enterococcus faecalis. In the samples of third-stage larval organs, the dominant groups were the same as in the third-stage larval macerate sample; however, several additional genera/species were observed ( Rhodococcus fascians, Streptomyces sp., Rathayibacter sp., Bacillus thuringiensis/cereus). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial communities associated with decomposing rhizomes of Phragmites australis were investigated in Lake Fertő (Neusiedlersee, Hungary). Alkaliphilic and alkalitolerant strains were isolated on cellulose-containing alkaline medium spread with dilutions of scrapings taken from the surface of the decaying plant material. Fifty-one strains were grouped by numerical analysis based on physiological tests and BIOLOG sole carbon source utilization data. The strains identified by 16S rDNA sequence comparisons included members of low G+C Gram positives ( Marinibacillus marinus, Bacillus cereus, and Exiguobacterium aurantiacum), high G+C Gram positives ( Nesterenkonia halobia and Dietzia natronolimnea), α-proteobacteria ( Pannonibacter phragmitetus), and γ-proteobacteria ( Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes and Halomonas venusta). Most of the strains were characterized by aerobic chemoorganotrophic respiratory metabolism and utilized several different carbon sources, although no direct cellulolytic activity was observed. Results of the pH and salt tolerance tests revealed optimuma in most cases at pH 11 and at the presence of 2.5–5% NaCl. These bacteria probably occupy niches in the aerobic, alkaline, water-influenced environments on the decomposing reed surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The type of the in vitro root interactions of Terfezia terfezioides with the plants Robinia pseudoacacia and Helianthemum ovatum was investigated including detailed anatomical and ultrastructural characterization. No difference in growth was detected at different phosphate concentrations on agar synthetic medium between the inoculated and control plants during a short-time cultivation. The fungal colonization of the roots increased with higher phosphate level in both plant species, but was always lower in R. pseudoacacia roots. Septate hyphae formed frequently intracellular branched coils in dead cortical cells. In H. ovatum intercellular hyphae were observed forming finger-like structures reminiscent of Hartig-net structures in ectomycorrhizae. A loose hyphal envelope covered the root surface of both colonized and noncolonized roots. The features resembled similar structures described earlier during the mycorrhizae of different Terfezia species. Our detailed anatomical and ultrastructural study shows that the in vitro root interactions of the T. terfezioides cannot be considered unambiguously as mycorrhiza. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary. Fatal familial insomnia (FFI) is a rare hereditary human prion disease with unique clinical features including progressive sleep impairment and autonomic dysfunction. The serotonergic system is considered to be involved in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. In this study we demonstrate a reduced availability of serotonin transporters of 57% and 73% respectively in a thalamus-hypothalamus region of two FFI patients examined with β-CIT SPECT as compared to age-expected control values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ITS regions (internal transcribed spacers— ITS1 and ITS2—with the 5.8S gene of the nuclear rDNA) of 25 fruit body samples of Terfezia terfezioides, originating from Hungary and Italy, were compared. The amplification and sequencing of the ITS region was successful with both the ITS1-ITS4 and ITSIF-ITS4 primer pairs. No differences of the restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles were detected among 19 samples collected in one place at the same time. The sequences of the ITS region of 9 samples collected in different localities were highly invariable, differing in only two bases. Thus the intraspecific homogeneity of the ITS region seems to be an important species-specific characteristic of T. terfezioides in contrast to other Terfezia species. As the samples of the species were collected from different and distant localities of Europe, the ITS sequence of T. terfezioides can be considered a very conservative, reliable molecular marker of the fungus. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A00EN076 00008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of maize genotypes with high haploid induction capacity made it possible to study the effect of colchicine on maize androgenesis in vitro. Anther cultures of three hybrids were treated with 0.02% and 0.03% colchicine for 3 days at the beginning of microspore induction. Colchicine added to the induction medium had no negative influence on the androgenic responses (anther induction, induction of structures of microspore origin and their regeneration ability) of the genotypes examined. However, significantly higher fertility was observed in plants originating from colchicine-treated microspores, especially at 0.03%. Cytological examinations showed that colchicine treatment before the first microspore division efficiently arrested mitosis and resulted in homozygous doubled-haploid microspores. Under the experimental conditions, the antimitotic drug had no later effect on the division symmetry of the microspore nucleus, and unequal divisions remained dominant. Callus formation from the induced microspores seemed to be more typical (ranging between 60–70%), but embryo frequency was increased by approximately 10%, especially at the higher colchicine concentration. These results suggest that the mechanism of colchicine action in premitotic maize microspores may differ from that previously observed in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirteen bacterial strains isolated from the shoreline sediments of the high-mountain lake La Caldera (Sierra Nevada, Spain; altitude 3040 m) were characterized morphologically and by their biochemical parameters. The strains were identified as Streptomyces galbus by using traditional schemes of Szabó et al. (1975) and Locci (1986). According to the 16S rDNA sequence determination one representative strain showed highest (99.34%) similarity to Streptomyces galbus. All strains have a wide spectrum of biochemical activities (gelatinase, nitrate reduction, utilization of sugars). However, they cannot utilize resistant biopolymers, such as cellulose. They show considerable antibiosis to Bacillus cereus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wittmeyer's pseudoinverse iterative algorithm is formulated as a dynamic connectionist Data Compression and Reconstruction (DCR) network, and subnets of this type are supplemented by the winner-take-all paradigm. The winner is selected upon the goodness-of fit of the input reconstruction. The network can be characterised as a competitive-cooperative-competitive architecture by virtue of the contrast enhancing properties of the pseudoinverse subnets. The network is capable of fast learning. The adopted learning method gives rise to increased sampling in the vicinity of dubious boundary regions that resembles the phenomenon of categorical perception. The generalising abilities of the scheme allow one to utilise single bit connection strengths. The network is robust against input noise and contrast levels, shows little sensitivity to imprecise connection strengths, and is promising for mixed VLSI implementation with on-chip learning properties. The features of the DCR network are demonstrated on the NIST database of handprinted characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunoreactive oxytocin (OXT) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) levels were measured in limbic areas of the mouse brain (hippocampus, amygdala and basal forebrain). Peptides were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Acute morphine treatment caused a naloxone-reversible increase in OXT content in all three brain regions. The AVP contents of the same brain areas, on the other hand, were not affected by acute morphine treatment. In mice rendered tolerant to/dependent on morphine with subcutaneous morphine pellets, the OXT levels in the limbic brain structures were in the control range (basal forebrain and amygdala) or even decreased (hippocampus). In the latter brain structure of the tolerant animals, the AVP content was also decreased. Naloxone-precipitated withdrawal syndrome in the tolerant/dependent animals resulted in abrupt increases in the OXT and AVP levels of the hippocampus and in the OXT content of the basal forebrain structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-arginine-vasopressin serum was microinjected into the mesencephalic dorsal raphe nucleus immediately after the learning trial, in a one-trial learning passive avoidance reaction. The treatment attenuated passive avoidance behavior 24 h after treatment, suggesting a role of the endogenous vasopressin of this area in memory processes. On the other hand, the antiserum did not influence passive avoidance behavior if 6-hydroxydopamine was microinjected into the raphe region. The data suggest that the antiserum may have primarily interacted with catecholaminergic terminals, which enter the dorsal raphe nucleus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exact theoretical equation will be given for the temperature dependence of the threshold voltage in MOS structures. Two different temperature dependences have been originated because of different assumptions for the bending of the impurity levels. The realistic case should be found between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A model is proposed for the exact calculation of the specific electrical conductivity of a semiconducting slab between two circular metallic electrodes. The assumed mixed boundary conditions and the derived dual integral equations lead to a Fredholm integral equation of the second type for infinite slabs. The latter is solved numerically and the results are discussed in terms of a correction function plotted against the ratio of the slab thickness to the electrode radius in the range of 0.01-10. A resistor network has been used to verify the calculations. A good agreement has been found with previously published results in some range of thickness-radius function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigation of galvanomagnetic effects was carried out in the temperature range of 1.5-350 K. The samples were made of n- and p-type PhS, cut off in different orientations and rotated in the magnetic field. The reproductibility of the measurement and the stability of the temperature was better than 0.1%. The results show in the entire temperature range that the magnetoresistance contrary to accepted assumptions cannot be expressed in terms of only even powers of the magnetic field strength and a negative change appears as well. Calculating the electron effective mass more precisely considering the electron motion in the k-space the experimental results could be explained in a simple way in the whole temperature range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two spring wheat genotypes (cv Orofen and Chinese Spring) were compared for their in vitro pollen maturation capacity in detached spikelet cultures in a defined solid medium. Under these in vitro conditions Chinese Spring produced normal trinucleate pollen in 66.8% and Orofen in only 37.5%. In both cultivars the pollen maturation process from the middle uninucleate stage took approximately 3 days longer in vitro than in vivo. The pollen maturation time depended on the microspore developmental stage at the time that the culturing started. The viability, germination capacity, and fertilizing ability of the in vitro matured pollen also differed between the two genotypes. The seed set achieved in vitro (averagely 12.8%) offers promise for the practical application of this method for producing controlled or selected offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of a synthetic macromolecular hydrophilous binding material for the extraction of multiple renal calculi ('pyeloform' pyelotomy) is reported. An account of the results of animal studies in vitro is given and the possibilities of the method in humans are pointed out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In a German multicenter questionnaire, answered by 89 departments, we had examined the strategies to prevent or to treat the acute morbidity of the skin and mucosa associated to radiation therapy. In this work, the recommendations from the literature are compared to the results of the questionnaire.Methods: An extensive research on common data information systems (Medline, Cancerlit, DIMDI and others) was performed. The criteria included the organ related morbidity and therapeutic strategies for its reduction. The obtained data were compared to the results from the questionnaire.Results: The study data found by the research often demonstrate small patient numbers and little convincing results. However, as in the questionnaire, the joint principle seems to be the reduction of acute inflammatory tissue reaction by evasion of bacterial and mycotic overgrowth and reduction of exo- and endogenous toxins.Conclusions: Further studies with more convincing results are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The acute radiation related morbidity is an essential factor for the patient's outcome in radiotherapy. The prophylactic and therapeutic management of acute side effects has a wide clinical range between different radiation oncology departments. In this work, it was to evaluate the remedies, which are used for prevention and therapeutic management of acute radiation related morbidity of the skin and mucosa (mouth, pharynx, esophagus, small and large bowel, rectum and vagina).Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 130 radiotherapeutic departments in Germany in July 1995. The questionnaire had been designed with 22 open questions concerning the preventive and therapeutic management of acute radiation related morbidity of skin and mucosal sites. It has been correlated to the scoring system of the RTOG/EORTC and its German modification according to Seegenschmiedt and Sauer. The evaluation was performed anonymously.Results: From 130 questionnaires, 89 (68.4%) were sent back till August 1995. All of them were evaluable. The recommendations showed a broad spectrum for each site. Especially the oral mucositis was treated in many different ways and combinations. The prevention and therapy of complicating superinfections seem to be the joint principle of most of the recommendations.Conclusions: The management of the acute radiation related morbidity has a wide clinical spectrum among different radiation therapy centers. Systematic prospectively designed investigations are necessary in order to achieve a further reduction in the radiation related acute morbidity. Therefore, a multicenter collaborative working group has been founded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In a retrospective study files of 96 non-operated, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving radiation therapy were statistically analysed. A correlation of the pre-therapeutical haemoglobin level and the survival of patients after a primary radiation therapy has been described by some authors, but it is an open question whether there is any dose-modification in the treatment schedule, related to different prognostic subgroups of patients, that makes sense.Patients and Method: We have analysed the files of 96 primary radiated patients to evaluate the pre-therapeutical haemoglobin level as well as sex, age, histopathology, total dose and fractionation. The analysis of Karnofsky-status or patient condition was not performed as there was a lack of sufficient data in the patient files.Results: Histopathology, sex, age as well as total dose and fractionation of the radiation treatment were similar in the cohort building 3 groups: Hb < 11 g/dl, Hb between 11 to 15 g/dl and Hb > 15 g/dl. The investigation resulted in the observation, that lower levels of initial serum haemoglobin concentration compared to levels over 15 g/dl are negative prognostic factors. Higher initial haemoglobin concentration is a high significant positive prognostic factor (p = 0.0001). The applied total dose (> 30 Gy, > 50 Gy, > 55 Gy) was not a significant prognostic factor in this patient material, where two thirds of the patients had an advanced cancer (stage IIIB or stage IV).Conclusions: We conclude that initial haemoglobin concentration is a significant prognostic factor for NSCLC patients treated by radiation therapy. Further investigations are necessary to determine whether a dose escalation can improve the outcome of a subgroup of patients with high-normal haemoglobin levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present experiment, different chromosome reduplication techniques were applied to microspore-originated Triticum aestivum L. (cv 'Ciano') haploids. In addition to the conventional treatment (whole plant exposure to colchicine solution), spontaneously redoubled haploids were also examined. As an experimental treatment, different concentrations (0.01, 0.02, 0.04%) of colchicine were added directly to the induction media. Colchicine did not affect the anther response or the plant regeneration capacity. The success and stability of genome redoubling was estimated on the basis of the fertility of the regenerated (R) plants and their progeny (R). Chromosome doubling produced by colchicine before the first microspore mitosis was significantly more efficient than the conventionally used techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accuracy of frequency determination by a least squares technique for an autoregressive spectral estimator is studied and compared with the Fourier method. Using numerical tests the probability distribution function of the peak location is calculated. The autoregressive filter order is optimized in the sense of minimum variance of the peak location. Simple sinusoidal signals with additive Gaussian noise are considered and the effect of other components is only indicated. Generally, a filter order between 1/3 and 1/2 of the total data number and a not very dense data sampling, gives the most stable spectrum. The results are numerical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Langenbecks Archiv fuer Chirurgie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Langenbecks Archiv fuer Chirurgie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Measurements were made of the effects of intracerebroventricular treatment with beta-endorphin (BE; 100 ng) on the arginine-8-vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin contents of rat hypothalamic and limbic brain areas (hippocampus, amygdala and septum). The hormone concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. The administration of BE resulted in a significant reduction of the AVP level in the amygdala in a naloxone-reversible manner. Naloxone (Nal) administered subcutaneously significantly increased the AVP content in the septum. The results revealed that BE and Nal had regionally specific effects on the activity of the vasopressinergic system but not on that of the oxytocinergic system in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the major complications after high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) infusions is renal damage. We investigated the occurrence of proteinuria after HDMTX administration in children with pediatric malignancies (acute lymphoid leukaemia, osteosarcoma Burkitt's lymphoma). In the period 1989-1990 we gave 52 HDMTX courses to 24 children. During this period, prehydration and extra urinary alkalisation were performed only if the urinary specific gravity was over 1010 or if the urinary pH fell below 7. Using this schedule the mean values obtained for protein extraction were: before the therapy, 0.12 +/- 0.03 g/m2; on day 1 after MTX treatment, 0.38 +/- 0.06 g/m2; and on day 2 after the MTX infusion, 0.39 +/- 0.11 g/m2 (P < 0.01). A significant increase in proteinuria (> 0.2 g/m2 post- vs pretreatment) was detectable in 54% of the patients. In the period 1991-1992 we modified the hydration-alkalisation schedule to include i.v. prehydration for 18-24 h at 3 l/m2/day with a 0.45% NaCl-5% glucose solution along with sodium bicarbonate and posthydration for 72 h with the same solution. On this protocol the mean values determined for the urinary protein content were all in the normal range (pretreatment, 0.03 g/m2/day; day 1, 0.05 g/m2/day; and day 2, 0.08 g/m2/day). These findings were significantly different from the previous results (P < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The combined external beam- and high-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) of localized prostate cancer was introduced at Kiel University in 1986. The aim of this intermediate analysis was to judge the Kiel method of localized prostate cancer radiation treatment after ten years experience.Patients and Methods: In the past ten years 174 patients with histological proven localized prostate cancer were subjected to combined tele-/HDR-brachytherapy. Local staging in all of the cases by transrectal ultrasound, nodal staging in the majority of the cases by CT or MRI. Average age of the patients was 68.2 years (44-84). According to AJCC/UICC staging T1B, T2, T3 was found in 2, 113 and 59 cases, respectively. Highly differentiated tumors (G1) were found in 27, moderately differentiated (G2) in 87, poorly differentiated (G3) in 60 cases. The mean follow-up was 47.1 months with the median of 51.7 months. Total prescribed dose 50 Gy on the small pelvis and 70 Gy on the prostate capsule due to the integration of two, 15 Gy each, HDR-brachytherapy fractions in 6 weeks.Results: Ten patients died of prostate cancer and 18 of intercurrent diseases resulting in a 5 years overall survival rate of 83% and tumor specific survival rate of 94%. Twenty-one patients showed a clinical progression, of these 14 systemic, 5 local and 2 both systemic and local. Additional 16 patients had PSA elevation only. The 5-years biochemical and/or clinical progression-free survival in the cohort was 79% and 73% for the T3 tumors. Side effects were 27 cases of proctitis/colitis and 20 cases of dysuria/cystitis.Conclusion: The integrated HDR-BT combined with external beam radiation treatment is a method with excellent tumor control rates at five years superior to those of external beam treatment alone or external beam combined with iodine-125 implants. This form of radiotherapy would appear to be particularly well-suited to treatment of advanced localized (T3) tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Experientia is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)