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An arbitrary general relativistic world model, i.e., a pseudo-Riemannian manifold along with a timelike vector field V, is considered. Such a kinematical world model is called ‘‘parallax-free’’ iff the angle under which any two observers (i.e., integral curves of V) are seen by any third observer remains constant in the course of time. It is shown that a model is parallax-free iff V is proportional to some conformal Killing field. In this case V, especially, has to be shear-free. Furthermore a relationship between parallaxes and red shift is presented and a reference is made to considerations concerning the visibility of cosmic rotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few trials have examined the effects of coconut oil consumption in comparison with polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich oils such as corn oil., Objective: This trial assessed the effects of consuming foods made with corn oil compared with coconut oil on lipids, glucose homeostasis, and inflammation., Methods: This was a preliminary randomized crossover study of men (n = 12) and women (n = 13) with a mean age of 45.2 y, mean body mass index (in kg/m2) of 27.7, fasting LDL cholesterol ≥115 mg/dL and <190 mg/dL, and triglycerides (TGs) ≤375 mg/dL. Subjects consumed muffins and rolls providing 4 tablespoons (∼54 g) per day of corn oil or coconut oil as part of their habitual diets for 4 wk, with a 3-wk washout between conditions. Fasting plasma lipids and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and glucose metabolism were assessed via an intravenous glucose tolerance test at baseline and 15 and 29 d of treatment. Responses were compared between treatments by ANCOVA., Results: Median baseline concentrations of LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol (total-C), HDL cholesterol, total-C:HDL cholesterol, and TGs were 123, 144, 188, 46.0, 4.21, and 92.5 mg/dL, respectively. Changes from baseline for corn oil and coconut oil conditions, respectively, were: LDL cholesterol (primary outcome; -2.7% compared with +4.6%), non-HDL cholesterol (-3.0% compared with +5.8%), total-C (-0.5% compared with +7.1%), HDL cholesterol (+5.4% compared with +6.5%), total-C:HDL cholesterol (-4.3% compared with -3.3%), and TGs (-2.1% compared with +6.0%). Non-HDL cholesterol responses were significantly different between corn and coconut oil conditions (P = 0.034); differences between conditions in total-C and LDL cholesterol approached significance (both P = 0.06). Responses for hs-CRP and carbohydrate homeostasis parameters did not differ significantly between diet conditions., Conclusions: When incorporated into the habitual diet, consumption of foods providing ∼54 g of corn oil/d produced a more favorable plasma lipid profile than did coconut oil in adults with elevated cholesterol. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03202654.

The last comprehensive publications about the theory and practice of rhinomanometry appeared more than 20 years ago. Since the 1980's, the general progress of sensor techniques, fluid physics and data processing was accompanied by the permanent work of the authors to analyze the errors of rhinomanometry and to create a fundament for a contemporary and practical method that can be used in functional diagnostics of the nasal air stream. In this special document, the objectives and measurement principles, as well as the history of rhinomanometry are described in the first three chapters. It is pointed out, that the key parameters are not only intranasal pressure and flow, but also the factor time. The technical requirements as following from the dynamics of breathing are described. The process of averaging of rhinomanometric data lead to a separate and time-dependent analysis of the changes of pressure and flow and implicated the introduction of the 4 breathing phases (ascending and descending curve part in inspiration and expiration) into rhinomanometry and is therefore called 4-Phase-Rhinomanometry (4PR). Chapter 4 is containing a comprehensive analysis of the practical errors, which may follow neglecting the 4 breathing phases. The in chapter 5 described mathematical-physical concept of 4PR is based on the introduction of the terms "steady" and "unsteady" flow, in addition to the up to now used terms of laminarity and turbulence. After the derivation of the HOFFRICHTER-equation as explaining the loops around the intersection point of the x-axis and y-axis, a clinical classification of the rhinomanometric findings is given and confirmed by physical experiments with "artificial noses". Finally, testing the rhinomanometric method by CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), lead to the same conclusions as to the importance of 4 phases of the breathing cycle. The precondition for the worldwide introduction of new parameters into the 4PR is a comprehensive statistical analysis. The disadvantages of the present recommended standard values are described in chapter 6. Following previous studies in 5800 cases, the parameters Vertex Resistance (VR), Effective Resistance (Reff) and their logarithmic transformations have been investigated in 1580 rhinograms of different degrees of obstructions, also including the correlations to a VAS. It could be confirmed, that the parameters VR and Reff after logarithmic transformation, have a significant and high correlation to the sensation of obstruction. The new clinical classification of obstruction and conductance of the nose is proposed in Table 1 for Caucasian noses. Table 1. Clinical classification of obstruction and conductance for Causcasian noses. [see text for table]. Chapter 7 is dedicated to the advantages of 4PR in the functional diagnosis of nasal valve problems. Graphical as well as numerical solutions are available by the fact, that the motions of the nasal entrance as caused by the breathing process are now visible from the shape of the 4PR-curve. Discussing practical aspects in chapter 8, the start point of proposals and discussions are the standard recommendations of the ISOANA and the results of its consensus conference in 2003. In particular the calibration processes, hygiene, the correct attachment of the pressure tube at the nostril ("tape method") and the different measurement procedures (AAR, APR), decongestion and provocation tests are extensively described. Both the final chapters are clinical contributions from mainland China, which are of high importance because of the racial differences in nasal respiratory function. In chapter 9, tests of the assessment of normal nasal airway in adult Chinese by 4PR, rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry are presented. This investigation lead to the conclusion that 4PR is an important supplement to classic rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry, if the classification of obstruction is adapted to the higher basic resistance of the Chinese population. Chapter 10 is dealing with 4PR and acoustic rhinometry in the functional evaluation of septal deviations and concludes, that both methods are valuable objective instruments for the evaluation of nasal obstruction.

Background and Objective: The growing Anglicization of the German language especially affects medicine. This is true not only in medical research but also for congresses and publications. This leads to far-reaching consequences also for continuing medical education. This questionnaire study obtained the opinions by a selected group of doctors attending a general medical congress., Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to 365 attendees of the 51. Doctors' Congress in Berlin in June 2002. In addition 345 questionnaires were sent to doctors working at 3 university clinics, 27 clinics at teaching hospitals and 9 at communal clinics throughout Germany. Answers were divided by work place (clinical or non-clinical) and age., Results: There were 360 respondents (188 non-clinical, 172 clinical; 51.1%): 20% reported good self appraised knowledge of written and spoken English. 84.7% were against English as the only language at meetings of German medical societies, while 98.3% were against it for national congresses (except for foreign guests). 84.3% agreed that German and English should be the languages, both of talks and discussions, at international congresses held in Germany. English as the language of specialist journals was less strongly rejected by young respondents. There was no age-related difference regarding the other questions., Conclusions: The respondents considered it as self-evident that German be the only language at German national congresses and of journals by German publishers directed at German doctors, but certain exception were acceptable. At international congresses held in Germany, both German and English are equally acceptable in order to avoid a large part of the interested German medical community being disadvantaged in their acquisition of medical-scientific information were English to be the sole language.

A survey of the frequency of associated malformations occurring with anorectal anomalies reviewing a large number of cases has been carried out. The urogenital tract, the extremities and the skeleton are most commonly involved. Esophageal atresia and hypospadias are the most important associated malformations. It was impossible to classify the associated malformations according to the sex of the patient or the level of the anorectal atresia.

In a 10 years old girl sustaining a corrosive injury of the lower leg from sulphuric acid, in the region of a skin transplantation colonization with Aspergillus fumigatus (Fresenium) and Aspergillus niger (van Tieghem) took place. This infection endangered the attempt of transplantation and the saving of the foot. Treatment by medication with nystatin (moronal) and canesten (clotrimazol) were ineffective. Pimaricin (pimafucin, natamycin) quickly erradicated the mycotic infection and secured an undisturbed progress for the transplantation. Additionally the epidemiology of infections by Aspergillus is briefly discussed.