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A commercial PWR fuel sample with a local burn-up of about 240 MWd/kgHM was annealed in a Knudsen cell mass spectrometer system with a heating rate of 10 K/min up to 2750 K at which temperature the sample was completely vaporized. The release of fission gases and fission products was studied as a function of temperature. In one of the runs the heating was interrupted successively at 900, 1500 and 1860 K and at each step a small fragment of the sample was examined by SEM and analysed by energy dispersive electron probe microanalysis. The release behaviour of volatile, gaseous and other less volatile fission products is presented and analysed with the EFFUS program and related to the structural changes of the fuel.

Since the beginning of the 1990s when the first seizures of nuclear material were reported, the IAEA has recorded over 200 cases of illicit trafficking of nuclear materials. Despite the decreasing frequency of nuclear material seizures, particularly the ones involving weapons-grade material, the issue continues to attract public attention and is a reason for concern due to the hazard associated with such materials. Once illicitly trafficked nuclear material has been intercepted, the questions of its intended use and origin are to be addressed. Especially the origin is of prime importance in order to close the gaps and improve the physical protection at the sites where the theft or diversion occurred. To answer these questions, a dedicated nuclear forensics methodology has been developed. In this paper an overview is given on the methodologies used, on the past and on-going developments and on the experience gathered. Some selected examples shall illustrate the challenges and the complexity associated with this work.

Alexandrium minutum is one of several dinoflagellate species capable of producing par- alytic shellfish toxins. Previous work suggests that toxin levels are influenced by a number of para- meters, including dinoflagellate-associated bacteria. In the present study, a toxin-producing culture of A. minutum isolated from Anakoha Bay in the Marlborough Sounds of New Zealand was subjected to an antibiotic treatment regimen designed to eliminate the associated bacteria. Antibiotics used included penicillin, streptomycin, kanamycin and tetracycline (Treatment 1); ciprofloxacin and gentamicin (Treatment 2); and penicillin, streptomycin and ciprofloxacin (Treatment 3). Enzyme immunoassay showed that saxitoxin levels in the A. minutum culture fell significantly following the first round of antibiotic treatment, and this coincided with a large reduction in the associated copi- otrophic bacterial population. HPLC data indicated that there was also a reduction in gonyautoxins (GTX1- 3). The oligotrophic population was more difficult to eliminate and required 2 additional rounds of antibiotic treatment, but saxitoxin levels did not change any further. Scanning laser confo- cal microscopy following acridine orange staining was used to observe intracellular bacteria-like par- ticles, which were considerably reduced by the end of the treatments, probably due to the inclusion of antibiotics that penetrate eukaryotic cells. Algal mean generation times were not significantly affected by the antibiotic treatments. Qualitative and quantitative changes in toxin production coin- cided with a reduction in the culturable, copiotrophic and/or intracellular bacteria in the A. minutum Anakoha A culture. The premise that bacteria can exert a strong influence on algal toxicity was supported by this study, although the mechanisms remain unknown.

The use of X-ray elemental analysis tools like energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) is described in the context of the investigation of nuclear materials. These materials contain radioactive elements, particularly alpha-decaying actinides that affect the quantitative EDS measurement by producing interferences in the X-ray spectra. These interferences originating from X-ray emission are the result of internal conversion by the daughter atoms from the alpha-decaying actinides. The strong interferences affect primarily the L X-ray lines from the actinides (in the typical energy range used for EDS analysis) and would require the use of the M lines. However, it is typically at the energy of the actinide's M lines that the interferences are dominant. The artifacts produced in the X-ray analysis are described and illustrated by some typical examples of analysis of actinide-bearing material.

In August 2015 the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) published new guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndrome in patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation, which incorporate the scientific progress since 2011. The innovation with probably the most impact on the clinical practice is the introduction of 0 h/1 h protocols for exclusion or inclusion of myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation. These 0 h/1 h protocols are equally recommended to the established 0 h/3 h protocol. For these protocols blood is drawn on admission and 1 h later and the troponin level is analyzed by means of highly sensitive troponin assays. Troponin cut-off values were validated in several large studies, therefore, now facilitating a faster exclusion of myocardial infarction with an equal negative predictive value to 3 h protocols. Additionally, access via the radial artery is recommended over a femoral artery access for coronary angiography and when necessary the subsequent coronary intervention. Other novel aspects apply to the anti-ischemic and anti-thrombotic medication.

Photoplethysmography permits continuous measurement of heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation and has been widely used to inform clinical decisions. Recently, a myriad of noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring devices using this same technology have been increasingly available. This narrative review aims to summarize the principles that form the basis for the function of these devices as well as to comment on trials evaluating their accuracy and clinical application. Advanced monitoring devices extend photoplethysmography technology beyond measuring oxygen concentration and heart rate. Quantification of respiratory variation of the photoplethysmographic waveform reflects respiratory variation of the arterial pressure waveform and can be used to gauge volume responsiveness. Both the volume-clamp and physiocal techniques are extensions of conventional photoplethysmography and permit continuous measurement of finger arterial blood pressure. Finger arterial pressure waveforms can subsequently inform estimations of cardiac output. Although respiratory variations of the plethysmographic waveform correlate only modestly with the arterial blood pressure waveform, fluid responsiveness can be relatively consistently assessed using both approaches. Continuous blood pressure measurements obtained using the volume-clamp technique may be as accurate as conventional brachial noninvasive blood pressure measurements. Most importantly, clinical comparative effectiveness studies are still needed in order to determine if these technologies can be translated into improvement of relevant patient outcomes.

This paper presents first results of a comparison of dose rates calculated by SCALE 4.4a with measured dose rates at a CASTOR HAW 20/28 CG cask. This type of CASTOR cask is used for the transport and interim storage of vitrified high active waste (HAW) from reprocessing. The calculations were done using the SCALE code system which was developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The measurements were carried out in January 2003. The results show that the SCALE code system is a suitable tool for shielding assessment tasks to verify compliance with dose rate limits. However, this comparison shows that additional work is necessary to obtain a better correlation between calculation and measurement.

Mobilisation of uranium in geologic environments from UO2 solid phases usually takes place by oxidative dissolution involving a change of U oxidation state from +IV to +VI; however, anoxic or reducing geochemical conditions are expected in many of the planned European disposal sites. This work investigates potential alteration mechanisms of UO2 in contact with groundwater ions (Ca2+, CO 3 2 - , and silicate) under anoxic conditions, at ambient (25 °C) and hydrothermal (180 °C) temperature conditions. SEM–EDX analysis detected (in the case of treatment at 180 °C in high silicate content solutions) a compound with U:Si ratio of 1:1 on the UO2 surfaces after leaching. Minor quantities of phases containing U, Ti, Fe, Si, and Ca were formed, these could not be characterized completely. A further experiment, performed in the presence of dissolving CaO/TiO2/SiO2/Fe(0)–Fe2O3, formed a compound with U:Si:Ca of 1:2:8, a ratio not matching any known uranyl compound. The two phases, possibly identical with coffinite, USiO4, and U-bearing ekanite, UCa2Si8O20, were found to form at different [Ca]/[Si] conditions. The implications upon the final geologic storage of actual, heterogeneous spent fuel are discussed.

Novel types of hexa-1,5-diene-1,6-diamide neodymium complexes were prepared from the corresponding neodymium bromide NdBr 3 (THF) 3 . 5 with the appropriate dilithium hexa-1,5-diene-1,6-diamide reagent. The molecular structures of the new complexes revealed that the chelating hexa-1,5-diene-1,6-diamide can be bound either as an enamide or as an azaallyl-type ligand.

The first americium-containing inert matrix target (MgAl 2 O 4 ) irradiation in the High Flux Reactor (Petten) in the EFTTRA-T4 experiment has demonstrated the feasibility of transmutation of minor actinides in a once through scenario in a epi-thermal neutron flux. The inert matrix itself showed rather poor behaviour under irradiation. A large swelling linked to a high porosity formation was observed. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the radiation damage from the fission products and alpha-decay. It was observed that MgAl 2 O 4 undergoes severe structural modifications such as amorphisation. Electron probe microanalysis revealed that the target was not stable from a chemical aspect implying that its use as a target for transmutation may need to be reconsidered.

Radiobiological studies on cell monolayers irradiated by charged particles need to determine the number and position of particle traversals. Solid state nuclear track detectors used as basic substrate for the cell layers are in principle suitable for this purpose. The detector foils must be as thin as possible but still guaranteeing mechanical stability. Two types of LR-115, red coloured and colourless, were tested in the present work. The studies aimed at optimisation of the etching conditions and determination of the registration efficiency for alpha particles in a wide range of energies and angles of incidence. Specific requirements have to be fulfilled for application of the detector foils under the environmental conditions of radiobiological experiments. Most important are biocompatibility between detector and cells and registration properties insensible against special treatments, as UV sterilisation and cell plating prior to irradiation as well as cell incubation after the irradiation. The experimental studies performed with alpha particles showed that environmental conditions of radiobiological experiments do not change the registration properties of LR-115 detectors significantly.

Hintergrund. ALCAPA ist ein Fehlursprung der linken Herzkranzarterie aus der A.pulmonalis, der zu unterschiedlich ausgepragter Myokardischamie fuhrt.Die Patienten konnen im Sauglingsalter kardial schwer dekompensieren, aber auch beschwerdefrei erwachsen werden. Patienten und Methode. Am Herzzentrum Leipzig wurden uber einen Zeitraum von 2 Jahren 5 Kinder mit dem Herzfehler operiert und 2 Erwachsene neu diagnostiziert. Ergebnisse. Bei 1 Kind wurde die Diagnose im Neugeborenenalter, bei einer anderen Patientin erst im 58.Lebensjahr gestellt.Alle Kinder wurden mit direkter Reimplantation der linken Koronararterie in die Aorta versorgt. Bei 2 Patienten mit schlechter Ausgangssituationen war zeitweise eine extrakorporale Kreislaufunterstutzung notwendig.Alle Patienten zeigten postoperativ eine Besserung der myokardialen Funktion. Schlussfolgerungen. Die Operation bei ALCAPA sollte rasch nach der Diagnosestellung erfolgen.Der postoperative Verlauf wird vom Ausmas der ischamischen Myokardlasion und der Mitralinsuffizienz bestimmt. Selbst schwerst dekompensierte Zustande werden mittels moderner intensivmedizinischer Methoden (ventricular assist device, ECMO) erfolgreich behandelt.

Clinical presentation A 55-year-old woman required emergency medical care because of sudden weakness. On arrival of the emergency physician the patient presented with bradycardia with a normal rhythm. The blood pressure was not measurable. The patient complained of recurrent dizziness for a few months. Subsequently, the patient presented with an asystole and required reanimation and insertion of a temporary cardiac pacemaker. On admission at the hospital myocardial infarction was suspected. Clinical and laboratory tests At the time of admission the patient presented in cardiogenic shock. The ECG revealed a 3rd atrioventricular block with idioventricular rhythm. Echocardiography showed reduced left ventricular function with global hypokinesia of the myocardium. Coronary artery disease was excluded by angiography. To exclude acute pulmonary embolism a CT-scan of the thorax was performed, revealing enlarged lymph nodes in the mediastinum. Treatment and response to therapy Despite the administration of high-dose catecholamines and before a left atrial-to-femoral arterial assist device could be completely implanted the patient died of cardiogenic shock. Autopsy Autopsy revealed non-caseating epitheloid granulomas in the enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes as well as in the lung parenchyma, myocardium and several other organs. Conclusion The cardiac involvement of previously undiagnosed systemic sarcoidosis was the cause of sudden death. In case of ECG changes of unknown cause in persons without a history of structural cardiac disease sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Interpretation of radiation effects on living cells requires the determination of the absorbed dose. Dosimetry in cell monolayers irradiated by charged particles needs the knowledge of the mean cell thickness. Thickness measurement was made utilising the energy alteration of alpha particles traversing the cell monolayers. The reduced energy was determined from diameters or lengths of etched tracks produced by the penetrating alpha particles in CR-39. The experiments were performed using 3T3 cells grown directly on the CR-39 surface. The reliability of the method has been studied by means of a detailed error analysis. The total thickness errors are composed of the measurement uncertainty and the fluctuations of the cell thickness within the monolayers.

The intrathoracic pressure regulator (ITPR) (CirQLator; Advanced Circulatory Systems Inc, Roseville, Minn) is a novel, noninvasive device intended to increase cardiac output and blood pressure in hypovolemic or cardiogenic shock by generating a continuous low-level intrathoracic vacuum in between positive pressure ventilations. Although there are robust data supporting the benefit of the ITPR in multiple animal models of shock, the device has not been used in humans.The goals of this study were to evaluate both the safety and efficacy of the ITPR in humans. Twenty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery were enrolled in this phase 1 study. Intraoperative use of both pulmonary artery pressure monitoring and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was required for study inclusion. Hemodynamic variables as well as TEE measurements of left ventricular performance were collected at baseline and after the ITPR device was activated, before surgical incision. Thermodilution cardiac output increased significantly with the application of the ITPR (4.9 vs. 5.5 L/min; P = 0.017). Similarly, cardiac output was measured by TEE (5.1 vs. 5.7 L/min; P = 0.001).There were significant increases in pulmonary artery systolic blood pressures (35 vs. 38 mmHg; P G 0.001) and mean pulmonary artery pressures (24 vs. 26 mmHg; P = 0.008). There were no significant differences in systemic blood pressures, left ventricular volumes, stroke volume, or ejection fraction as measured by TEE. Using two different measurement techniques, application of the ITPR increased cardiac output in normovolemic anesthetized patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft before sternotomy. These data suggest that the ITPR has the potential to safely and effectively increase cardiac output in humans.

Background Colorectal surgery is associated with considerable morbidity and prolonged length of stay (LOS). Recognizing the need for improvement, we implemented an enhanced recovery (ER) protocol for all patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery at an academic institution. Study Design A multidisciplinary team implemented an ER protocol based on: preoperative counseling with active patient participation, carbohydrate loading, multimodal analgesia with avoidance of intravenous opioids, intraoperative goal-directed fluid resuscitation, immediate postoperative feeding, and ambulation. Discharge requirements remained identical throughout. A before and after study design was undertaken comparing patients before (August 2012 to February 2013) and after implementation of an ER protocol (August 2013 to February 2014). Risk stratification was performed using the NSQIP risk calculator to calculate the predicted LOS for each patient based on 23 variables. Results One hundred and nine consecutive patients underwent surgery within the ER protocol compared with 98 consecutive historical controls (conventional). The risk-adjusted predicted LOS was similar for each group at 5.1 and 5.2 days. Substantial reductions were seen in LOS, morphine equivalents, intravenous fluids, return of bowel function, and overall complications with the ER group. There was a $7,129/patient reduction in direct cost, corresponding to a cost savings of $777,061 in the ER group. Patient satisfaction as measured by Press Ganey improved considerably during the study period. Conclusions Implementation of an ER protocol led to improved patient satisfaction and substantial reduction in LOS, complication rates, and costs for patients undergoing both open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery. These data demonstrate that small investments in the perioperative environment can lead to large returns.

An increasing number of minimally or noninvasive devices are available to measure cardiac output in the critical care setting. This article reviews the underlying physical principles of these devices in addition to examining both animal and human comparative studies in an effort to allow clinicians to make informed decisions when selecting a device to measure cardiac output.Peer-reviewed manuscripts indexed in PubMed.A systematic search of the PubMed database for articles describing the use of cardiac output monitors yielded 1,526 sources that were included in the analysis.From all published cardiac output monitoring studies reviewed, the animal model, number of independent measurements, and correlation between techniques was extracted.Comparative studies in animals and humans between devices designed for measurement of cardiac output and experimental reference standards indicate thermodilution and Doppler-based techniques to have acceptable accuracy across a wide range of hemodynamic conditions, with bioimpedance techniques being less accurate. Thermodilution devices are marginally more accurate than Doppler-based devices but suffer from slower response time, increased invasiveness, and require stable core temperatures, good operator technique, and a competent tricuspid valve. Doppler-based techniques are less invasive and offer beat-to-beat measurements and excellent trending ability, but are dependent on accurate beam alignment and knowledge of aortic cross-sectional area. Studies of newer devices, such as pulse contour analysis, partial rebreathing, and pulse wave velocity, are far less in number and are primarily based on comparisons with thermodilution-based cardiac output measurements. Studies show widely ranging results.Thermodilution is relatively accurate for cardiac output measurements in both animals and humans when compared to experimental reference standards. Doppler-based techniques appear to have similar accuracy as thermodilution pulmonary artery catheters. Bioimpedance, pulse contour, partial rebreathing, and pulse wave velocity-based devices have not been studied as rigorously; however, the majority of studies included in this analysis point towards decreased accuracy.

In recent years, the prognosis of patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has significantly improved. This can mainly be attributed to the implementation of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Apart from mechanical reperfusion, an optimal medical strategy is of great importance. Antiplatelet and antithrombotic therapies in particular play a crucial role in the management of patients with ACS. New options in antiplatelet therapy are more potent P2Y12 inhibitors in addition to acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel. Furthermore, anticoagulant therapy before, during and after PCI can be performed by the use of unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparins, such as enoxaparin, the synthetic pentasaccharide fondaparinux and the direct thrombin inhibitor bivalirudin with or without additional administration of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. In this article, data on antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy are presented and the current evidence is discussed.

Coagulopathy after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is a serious complication that may result in massive bleeding requiring transfusion of significant amounts of blood products, plasma, and platelets. In addition to increased patient morbidity and mortality it is associated with longer hospital stay and increased resource utilization. The current review discusses aspects in cardiopulmonary bypass–induced coagulopathy with emphasis on point-of-care testing and individualized “goal-directed” therapy in patients who develop excessive bleeding after cardiac surgery.

Goal-directed fluid therapy is an integral component of many Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols currently in use. The perioperative clinician is faced with a myriad of devices promising to deliver relevant physiologic data to better guide fluid therapy. The goal of this review is to provide concise information to enable the clinician to make an informed decision when choosing a device to guide goal-directed fluid therapy.The focus of many devices used for advanced hemodynamic monitoring is on providing measurements of cardiac output, while other, more recent, devices include estimates of fluid responsiveness based on dynamic indices that better predict an individual's response to a fluid bolus. Currently available technologies include the pulmonary artery catheter, esophageal Doppler, arterial waveform analysis, photoplethysmography, venous oxygen saturation, as well as bioimpedance and bioreactance. The underlying mechanistic principles for each device are presented as well as their performance in clinical trials relevant for goal-directed therapy in ERAS.The ERAS protocols typically involve a multipronged regimen to facilitate early recovery after surgery. Optimizing perioperative fluid therapy is a key component of these efforts. While no technology is without limitations, the majority of the currently available literature suggests esophageal Doppler and arterial waveform analysis to be the most desirable choices to guide fluid administration. Their performance is dependent, in part, on the interpretation of dynamic changes resulting from intrathoracic pressure fluctuations encountered during mechanical ventilation. Evolving practice patterns, such as low tidal volume ventilation as well as the necessity to guide fluid therapy in spontaneously breathing patients, will require further investigation.

The charged environment within a dense plasma leads to the phenomenon of ionization potential depression (IPD) for ions embedded in the plasma. Accurate predictions of the IPD effect are of crucial importance for modeling atomic processes occurring within dense plasmas. Several theoretical models have been developed to describe the IPD effect, with frequently discrepant predictions. Only recently, first experiments on IPD in Al plasma have been performed with an x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL), where their results were found to be in disagreement with the widely-used IPD model by Stewart and Pyatt. Another experiment on Al, at the Orion laser, showed disagreement with the model by Ecker and Kr\"oll. This controversy shows a strong need for a rigorous and consistent theoretical approach to calculate the IPD effect. Here we propose such an approach: a two-step Hartree-Fock-Slater model. With this parameter-free model we can accurately and efficiently describe the experimental Al data and validate the accuracy of standard IPD models. Our model can be a useful tool for calculating atomic properties within dense plasmas with wide-ranging applications to studies on warm dense matter, shock experiments, planetary science, inertial confinement fusion and studies of non-equilibrium plasmas created with XFELs., Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev. X; added references [46,47]

Thorium may be determined using a variety of analytical methods. These may be based on chemical or physical principles or may make use of the radioactive decay of the individual thorium isotopes. The method to be used for a certain analytical purpose is selected as a function of the matrix of the sample and of the concentration of thorium. The present paper describes different methodologies, their range of application and discusses selected results. The methods described cover a concentration range of more than twelve orders of magnitude, i.e. from concentrated solutions to micrometre-sized particles. Emphasis is given to active radiometric techniques, chemical and instrumental analysis.

Chiral dimethylindiumaminoalkoxides of general formula Me2InOR+ [OR∗ = (+);(-)-2-piperidyl-methoxy (1), (+);(-)-dimethylamino-2-propoxy (2), (S)-(+)-amino-2-propoxy (3), (S)-α, α-diphenyl-2-pyrrolidinyl-methoxy (4)] have been prepared by reaction of Me3In with the corresponding aminoalcohols HOR∗ and characterized by 1H and 13C nmr spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Dimeric molecules of 1–4 are composed of two μ2-O-bridged chelating rings, the latter formed due to N—In donor-acceptor interaction. This geometry is comparable with that of aluminium and gallium analogues previously investigated. In the case of 1 and 4, the formation of the N—In bond proceeds stereospecifically. The absolute structure of 3 and 4 was confirmed by refinement of the Flack parameter. 1: C2/m; a = 15.999(3) A, b = 9.803(2) A, c = 7.410(1) A, β = 111.04(3)°; Z = 2; density (calc.) = 1.586 Mg/m3; R1 = 0.026 for 944 independent reflections with F 2 > 2σ(F 2). 2: C2/c; a = 13.184(3) A, b = 9.987(2) A, c = 15.851(3) A, β = 90.66(3...

A new modular software concept for individual numerical simulation of the human mandible using the finite element method (FEM) is presented. The main task is an individual analysis of regional stress and stress-compatibility on the basis of computed tomographic data in individual patients. Simulation should, however, also be possible in parallel with biomechanical experiments, or for further research projects. For this purpose, rapid and uncomplicated generation of the FEM model, easy modification of input data, and short computation times are required. Practical use in the clinical setting makes appreciable additional demands on the individual software components.

The reactions of trialkylaluminium, R 3 Al, with ( S )-(−)α,α-diphenyl-2-pyrrolidinyl-methanol have been investigated, in which unusual bis-complexes RAl(OR*) 2 were obtained [OR*=( S )-α,α-diphenyl-2-pyrrolidinyl-methoxide (Dpm), R=Me ( 1 ), Et ( 2 ), 1-Nor ( 3 )]. A similar reaction carried out with R= t -Bu yields, by contrast, the expected mono-alkoxide R 2 AlOR* ( 4 ). All compounds were characterised by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures are monomeric. In 1 – 3 , the aluminium centres bonded to the nitrogen atoms of two chelating ligands are five-coordinate, while the metal atom contained in 4 is tetrahedrally surrounded. The absolute structures of all complexes were determined from X-ray diffraction data. The formation of the dative AlN bonds is stereospecific in all cases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS/PATIENTS—Glucocorticoid treatment is known to reduce nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)p65 binding activity and activation in lamina propria cells of patients with Crohn's disease. However, lamina propria cells of glucocorticoid treated patients did not show increased expression of IκBα, and the hypothesised upregulation of IκBα by glucocorticoid treatment has not yet been shown in vivo. To investigate whether cells other than lamina propria localised mononuclear cells contribute to increased IκBα, resection gut specimens from patients matched for Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) with or without glucocorticoid treatment were studied, and changes in the NF-κB/IκBα system were determined in the lamina propria as well as in underlying submucosal and endothelial cells. METHODS—Changes in the NF-κB/IκBα system were determined by immunohistochemistry, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and western blot analysis in resected gut specimens from patients matched for CDAI and van Hees index with or without long term glucocorticoid treatment. RESULTS—Resection gut specimens from patients with Crohn's disease under glucocorticoid treatment had significantly lower nuclear NF-κBp65 levels in mononuclear, epithelial, and endothelial cells than samples from CDAI and van Hees index matched patients not having glucocorticoid treatment. Nuclear NF-κBp65 showed a strong positive correlation with both the CDAI (r = 1 for both groups) and the van Hees index (r = 0.605 for untreated and r = 0.866 for glucocorticoid treated specimens). Lower nuclear translocation of NF-κBp65 in the glucocorticoid treated group was paralleled by higher IκBα levels in vascular endothelial cells, but not in infiltrating mononuclear cells. CONCLUSION—A comparison of resection gut specimens from untreated and treated CDAI matched patients with Crohn's disease showed downregulation of NF-κB binding activity and NF-κBp65 expression and cell specific induction of endothelial IκBκ expression in the glucocorticoid treated group. As the two groups showed similar disease activity (CDAI, van Hees index), the activation of the NF-κBp65/IκBα system must be only part of the inflammatory cascade leading to the clinical appearance of Crohn's disease. Keywords: Crohn's disease; CDAI; inflammation; transcription factor; NF-κBp65; IκBα

The efficiency of East German and West German farms is compared for 1995-1997. Non-parametric frontier analysis is used to decompose efficiency differences into technical and scale effects. The results suggest that eastern farms have the potential to attain the same technical efficiency level as western farms. Nevertheless, western farms on average are more productive than their eastern counterparts, which have lower mean scale efficiency and a higher variance of scale efficiency. Therefore, the crucial issue is less a question of optimal production types or optimal ownership types, but more a question of well-functioning factor markets to facilitate adjustments that improve scale efficiency. Copyright 1999 by Oxford University Press.

Bacterial degradation of the persistent DDT [1,1,1‐trichloro‐2,2‐bis(4‐chloro‐pheny‐l)ethane] metabolite DDE has not previously been reported. Bacteria from DDT, PCP and PAH contaminated soils and sediments were extracted and evaluated for their ability to degrade DDE and its dehalogenated derivative DPE. Aerobic aromatic hydrocarbon degrading bacteria were enriched using chemostat techniques under both carbon limited and nitrogen limited selection conditions. DDE, ethylbenzene (EB), DPE and dipyridyl ketone oxime (DPKO) were added as structurally related potentially biodegradable carbon and nitrogen sources. No significant degradation of DDE and DPE was observed under these conditions. Pure cultures isolated from the enrichments on nonselective growth media were able to utilise EB and DPKO as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively but were unable to degrade DDE or DPE alone or in the presence of EB and DPKO. The absence of DDE degradation capacity in the microbial community was confirmed by adding 14C...

The calcaneus is a uncommon site for a unicameral solitary bone cyst. However, because of the concentration of forces through the heel, such solitary bone cysts are usually symptomatic, depending on the proximity to the joint and the size of the cyst and therefore require in most cases surgical treatment. This is a report about two patients with a solitary bone cyst of the os calcis in 1996 and 1997. The diagnosis was confirmed radiologically and histologically. The standard therapie in both cases was the curretage of the cyst by packing the defect with bone graft from the pelvis. The author reviewed the literature concerning ethiology, diagnosis and treatment of unicameral solitary bone cysts of the calcaneus. The diagnosis cannot be based solely on radiological findings because of the variation of solitary bone cysts and the special forms, such as calcifying solitary bone cysts. Therefore exact histological diagnosis is of particular importance.

The persistence of DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] and its metabolites in soil, their toxicity to soil algae, and effects on microbial activities were studied in laboratory microcosms for 45 days. In non-sterile soils, removal of DDD [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] and DDE [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene] was less than 3%, while 4–8% of applied DDMU [1-chloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene], DDA [2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)acetic acid] and DDT were lost. Added DDOH [2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethanol] was more labile, as 60% was degraded during the same period. Soil microalgae were not measurably affected by the compounds tested at 10–50 mg kg–1, but at 100 mg kg–1 soil, DDD, DBP (p,p′-dichlorobenzophenone) and DDA significantly reduced their growth. Phosphatase activity was not affected by DDT and its metabolites at the concentrations tested (≤50 mg kg–1), but all compounds inhibited dehydrogenase activity at concentrations of 50 mg kg–1 soil. The toxic effects of DDT and its metabolites were dose-related.

G.N. J ARVIS, C. STROMPL, E.R.B. MOORE AND J.H. THIELE. 1999. Two obligately anaerobic bacterial strains were isolated from the contents of a pilot scale, anaerobic digester treating slaughterhouse waste with a high protein and lipid content. The isolates, LIP1 and MW8, were characterized as spore-forming, Gram-positive rods, capable of fermenting glycerol. Isolate LIP1 was also observed to be lipolytic and was able to hydrolyse tallow and olive oil. Both isolates grew optimally at 37 °C and formed either acetate and formate (LIP1), or acetate and butyrate (MW8), as major glycerol fermentation products. Both isolates produced ethanol as the major reduced fermentation end-product. Neither MW8 nor LIP1 had growth and metabolism inhibited by the addition of stearic acid at concentrations normally considered bactericidal. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, in conjunction with the phenotypic data, confirmed that the isolates are members of the genus Clostridium (sensu lato), clustering with species of clostridial clusters I (MW8) and XIVa (LIP1).

Fibrin glue was injected into or near the site of needle biopsy puncture in 33 patients (38 laparoscopically guided liver biopsies), 21 with histologically confirmed liver cirrhosis, to arrest post-puncture bleeding. A special double-lumen needle was introduced, suitable for multiple injections. Fibrin-glue injection was successful in 37 instances, but in one case it failed because the injection needle could not be optimally placed. The method thus seems to be a reliable and sensible means of obtaining haemostasis if compression and electrocoagulation have failed.

Methods to screen the lipid composition of anaerobic food waste digester contents were developed. A colorimetric assay for long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) domains in mixed liquor measuring the partitioning of a lipophilic dye (Sudan III) between the lipid and an aqueous ethanol phase was validated using sheep tallow, deep water fish oil wax esters (orange roughy), olive oil, tripalmitin, tallow mixtures with phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol in a range of 0−10 g/L lipid, and mixed liquor from two different anaerobic digesters. Bacterial and yeast cells at up to 5 g/L did not interfere. The assay correlated well with the gravimetric lipid determination by the standard Bligh and Dyer method. Base-catalyzed esterification was employed as an alternative rapid method to transmethylate esterified fatty acids in the presence of nonesterified lipid for gas chromatographic analysis. Derivatization and solvent extraction of methyl esters was followed by acidification of LCFA soaps and solvent recovery of the liberat...

Anaerobic batch digestion reactors were operated at mesophilic (35°C) and thermophilic (50°C) temperatures with sheep tallow at levels up to 59% of the volatile solids. Tallow was rapidly fermented to long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) at 35°C, but was refractory at 50°C. Oleic acid was fermented to palmitic, stearic and acetic acid. Methanogenesis was delayed by characteristic adaptation periods before LCFA and VFA were completely degraded. This demonstrated that wastes with high lipid contents are amenable to stabilization by mesophilic batch digestion.

Summary Two Gram-positive, obligately anaerobic, lipolytic bacteria, isolates LIP4 and LIP5, were obtained from the rumen contents of juvenile red deer. These mesophilic bacterial strains were capable of hydrolysing the neutral lipids, tallow, tripalmitin and olive oil, into their constituent free long-chain fatty acid and glycerol moieties. The latter compound was dissimilated by both isolates, with isolate LIP4 producing propionate as the predominant product, while isolate LIP5 produced acetate, ethanol and succinate. The lactate-utilising isolate LIP4 grew on a limited range of saccharide substrates including glucose, fructose and ribose, and exhibited an unusual cell wall structure and morphology. The isolate LIP5 grew upon a wider range of saccharides, but was unable to use lactate as a substrate. Based upon phenotypic and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, isolate LIP4 clusters with species in the genus Propionibacterium , while isolate LIP5 is a member of clostridial cluster XIVa.

A homologous series of mono- and dicationic, neutral, and mono- and dianionic zinc diazabutadiene complexes, Kx[Zn(t-BuNCHCHN-t-Bu)2], Zn(t-BuNCHCHN-t-Bu)2, and [Zn(t-BuNCHCHN-t-Bu)2](OTf)x (x = 1, 2), have been prepared and isolated in pure form. The crystal structures of the mono- and dicationic as well as of the monoanionic complexes are reported. In this series, the formal charge on the t-BuNCHCHN-t-Bu ligands ranges from −2 to +2, and the way in which the molecular geometry of the ligands varies with the charge is discussed. [Zn(t-BuNCHCHN-t-Bu)2](OTf)2 reacts with methanol to give 1,3-di-tert-butylimidazolium triflate. Crystal data: dicationic 2 ([Zn(t-BuNCHCHN-t-Bu)2](OTf)2, C22H40F6S2N4O6Zn), monoclinic, space group C2/c, with a = 18.015(6) A, b = 9.257(6) A, c = 20.012(5) A, β = 109.63(3)°, and Z = 4; monocationic 3·thf ([Zn(t-BuNCHCHN-t-Bu)2]OTf·thf, C25H48F3N4O3SZn), orthorhombic, space group P212121, with a = 10.3077(6) A, b = 17.1974(6) A, c = 17.8241(13) A, and Z = 4; monoanionic 5·thf (K(t...

The rumen contents of juvenile red deer (Cervus elaphus) were used as a source for the enrichment of obligately anaerobic glycerol-fermenting bacteria. Three bacterial strains were isolated from the 10−4 dilution (isolates DR6A and DR6B) and 10−9 dilution (isolate DR7) of the deer rumen contents. The isolates DR6A, DR6B, and DR7 produced ethanol (42 mM) and acetate (5 mM), propionate (31 mM) and acetate (42 mM), and formate (25 mM) and ethanol (38 mM), respectively, as the major glycerol fermentation products. Interestingly, acetate, propionate, and formate were observed to be the major glycerol fermentation products in mixed cultures obtained from the deer rumen. The three isolates were all shown to be related phylogenetically to the ruminal species Clostridium clostridiiforme, Clostridium celerecrescens, and Clostridium aerotolerans within the clostridial taxonomic cluster XIVa, on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons. But, because of phenotypic differences, each isolate is considered to be a new species within the genus Clostridium, which has not been previously described or isolated from the rumen ecosystem.Key words: red deer, ecology, glycerol fermentation, Clostridium, rumen, 16S rRNA.

A polyphosphide of the type (NaP)X1 was obtained from red phosphorus and sodium in presence of small amounts of naphthalene in 1,2-dimethoxyethane as solvent. 1 reacts with alkyl halides in dependence on the kind of alkyl group with formation of different alkylcyclophosphanes. As definite compounds Me5P52, Et5P53 (with not definite constitution), i-Pr4P44 and t-Bu4P45 could be isolated. 1 was identified by X-ray diffraction, 2–5 by means of their 1H, 13C, 31P n.m.r. and mass spectra. The molecular structure of 4 was identified by electron diffraction. Synthese von Alkylcyclophosphanen aus rotem Phosphor – Molekulstruktur von i-Pr4P4 mittels Elektronendiffraktion Aus rotem Phosphor und Natrium wurde in Gegenwart geringer Mengen an Naphthalin in 1,2-Dimethoxyethan als Reaktionsmedium ein Natriumpolyphosphid, (NaP)X, 1 erhalten, das bei Einwirkung von Alkylhalogeniden in Abhangigkeit von der Art des Alkylrestes zu unterschiedlichen Alkylcyclophosphanen reagiert. Im einzelnen wurden erhalten Me5P52, Et5P53 (mit nicht eindeutig geklarter Konstitution), i-Pr4P44 und t-Bu4P45. Die Identifizierung von 1 erfolgte rontgenographisch, die von 2–5 mittels ihrer 1H-, 13C-, 31P-NMR- und MS-Spektren. Die Molekulstruktur von 4 wurde durch Elektronendiffraktion ermittelt.

Analysis of high-resolution NMR spectra elucidation has been known for many years. Hard-and software development now permits the implementation of such programs on personal computers. The structural information hidden in complex proton NMR spectra becomes easily accessible by using graphical user interfaces and direct data exchange between programs. A new mode has been implemented in 1D WIN-NMR to support the analysis of multiplet patterns with first order rules. Structure display, direct export mechanisms to the simulation program WIN-DAISY, and an archiving possibility complete the state-of-the-art data analysis. Some practical examples are given.

Copyright (c) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. A great number of spectral tasks were solved to elaborate strategies of molecular structure elucidation by expert systems based on the spectrum-structure correlations. The X-PERT system was used for this purpose. The main assumptions of the structural-group spectral analysis and the main consequences of their violation are considered. The typical difficult situations met with, while problem solving, are investigated. A method for quality estimation of solutions to spectrum-structure problems is suggested. The capacity of 13 C NMR chemical shift prediction by the additivity rules for selection the true structure was verified. Strategies of the solution to a problem are suggested. The main feature of the offered approach is in a series of reiterations accompanied by gradual growth of severity of the constraints which are imposed on the answer structural file. It is concluded that X-PERT can be successfully used for the structure elucidation of medium-sized molecules as well as for teaching spectral methods to students.