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Delusional parasitosis is a monosymptomatic hypochondriacal state that causes great suffering for the patient and great suffering for those around them. Dermatologists are experts in the diagnosis of cutaneous disease and frequently encounter such patients. This review provides an overview of the diagnosis and management of delusional parasitosis and the differential diagnosis.

Managing agricultural land for carbon sequestration becomes more important with rising needs for greenhouse gas mitigation measures. Woodland establishment in upland grasslands can be a carbon sink, but soil carbon losses have also been observed. Dedicated woodland plots and silvopasture are two contrasting strategies to achieve increased carbon stocks. We compared the carbon sequestration potential of the two approaches with three tree species (Hybrid Larch, Scots Pine and Sycamore) planted on permanent pasture on an upland farm in North East Scotland, 24 years after planting. Soil organic carbon was measured in the A (~0–30 cm) and B (~30–50) horizons. The soil carbon was also fractionated into labile, protected and resistant pools. Litter layers were measured and tree biomass carbon was estimated using allometric equations. We found that total soil carbon stocks (A plus B horizon) were similar and did not differ significantly between treatments, but for both coniferous species silvopasture tended to have the greater soil carbon stock followed by woodland, whereas Sycamore had the greater stock in the woodland treatment; pasture had the least carbon stock. Woodland stored more carbon in the labile fractions and litter layer than both pasture and silvopasture of all treatments, which had similar levels of stabilized carbon. Biomass per tree was significantly greater in the silvopasture treatments for all species, but on a per hectare basis woodland stored significantly more carbon. Land management comparison shows that large proportions of grassland would need to be converted to woodland to provide similar carbon benefits as the integrative silvopastoral system.

Soil carbon sequestration can be estimated from field to global scale using numerical soil/ecosystem models. In this chapter, we describe the structure and development of models that have been widely used at international level, from simple models that include carbon only to models that include descriptions of the dynamics of a range of nutrients. We also present examples of the application from field to global scale of different models to answer a range of different questions on the impact of land use and climate changes on soil carbon sequestration.A full discussion of the impact of soil carbon modeling on political and socioeconomical aspects is included to emphasize the need of a close interaction between model developers, researchers, land owners/users and policy makers to ensure the development of robust approaches to climate change, food security and soil protection.Whatever type of models are used to meet future challenges, it is important that they continue to be tested using appropriate data, and that they are used in regions and for land uses where they have been developed and validated.

BackgroundProstatitis is the most common urological disease in males over the age of 50 years old. As bacteria are detected in only

The larval tympanal organs in the African Migratory Locust. After a short introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the abdominal tympanal organs in the African Migratory Locust Locusta migratoria migratorioides (R. and F.), the postembryonic development of these organs during the five instars is described. The parts of the tympanal organ (the integumental parts, the auditory ganglion = Muller's organ, the tympanal air sacs and the tympanal musculature) are at least from the third instar hopper onwards in a morphological condition that enables the hopper to receive sounds. This fact is supported by the results of electrophysiological investigations. In this connection it must be mentioned that hoppers produce perceptible sounds while marching or chewing. Thus auditory stimuli may play a role in the behaviour of gregarious hoppers, e. g. of hopper bands marching by night.

Afforestation projects are viewed as potentially effective measures for carbon sequestration and therefore climate change mitigation. Increasing demands for bioenergy products also require land for woodland plantations. Much of the land in temperate regions suitable for afforestation is used for agriculture and consequently afforestation of farmland is frequently proposed. Land owners are commonly reluctant to sacrifice fertile land for purposes other than food and feed production. In Scotland’s uplands, grazed pastures are a common land use that could be put under pressure by demands for woodland planting. This chapter explores how farm woodland planting for carbon sequestration and biofuel production affects livestock output. Sheep productivity, soil carbon and tree biomass data from a hill farm in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, are used to estimate the carbon balance and agricultural output of farm woodland plots and silvopastoral systems. The conceptual ideas of trade-off curves are illustrated with the example of ‘trees versus sheep’. Planting trees on pastureland can have varying impact on sheep depending on density and planting system. Within the concepts of trade-offs and synergies, it is furthermore discussed whether agroforestry systems such as silvopasture can ameliorate trade-offs between woodland and agriculture by enhancing agricultural productivity while also providing carbon benefits. The concepts presented show that there is great potential for integrating agriculture and forestry to achieve environmental benefits without compromising productivity.

Novel omega-pyridiniumalkylethers of two steroidal phenols were synthesized as compounds with potential antimicrobial activity. 3-Hydroxy-estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-17-one and 1-hydroxy-4-methyl-estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-17-one were reacted with omega,omega'-dibromoalkanes to omega-bromoalkoxy-estra-1,3,5(10)-trienes followed by reaction with pyridine to obtain the desired steroidal omega-pyridiniumalkoxy compounds as bromides. Their antimicrobial activity against strains of multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis and fast growing mycobacteria depends clearly on the length of the alkyl chain. A strong broadband activity has been found for the compounds with eight or 10 C-atoms; in some cases better than ciprofloxacin or cetylpyridinium salts. In addition, the antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity depends on the chain length, too. The differentiation between antibacterial and cytotoxic activity is better for the steroid hybrid molecules than the cetylpyridinium salts. These new compounds can serve as lead compounds for further optimization.

The paper reports on the progress of MOVPE-grown III–V epitaxial structures and tandem solar cell development. A multi-wafer reactor with a capacity of five 4-in wafers is used to grow high-efficiency, large-area tandem solar cells. The benefits of advanced tandem structures for concentrator applications based on Ga0.35In0.65P/Ga0.83In0.17As grown lattice mismatched to GaAs are discussed. In order to achieve super-high efficiencies a mechanical stack of monolithic tandem cells made from Ga0.51In0.49P/GaAs and Al0.25Ga0.75As0.02Sb0.98/GaSb is suggested.

The use of Ga/sub 1-x/In/sub x/As instead of GaAs as a bottom solar cell in a Ga/sub y/In/sub 1-y/P/Ga/sub 1-x/In/sub x/As tandem structure increases the flexibility of choosing the optimum bandgap combination of materials for a multijunction solar cell. Higher theoretical efficiencies are calculated and different cell concepts are suggested for space and terrestrial concentrator applications. Various Ga/sub y/In/sub 1-y/P/Ga/sub 1-x/In/sub x/As material combinations have been investigated for the first time and efficiencies up to 24.1% (AM0) and 27.0% (AM1.5 direct) have been reached under one-sun conditions. An efficiency of 30.0-31.3% was measured for a Ga/sub 0.35/In/sub 0.65/P-Ga/sub 0.83/In/sub 0.17/As tandem concentrator cell with prismatic cover at 300 suns. The top and bottom cell layers of this structure are grown lattice-matched to each other, but a large mismatch is introduced at the interface to the GaAs substrate. This cell structure is well suited for the use in next-generation terrestrial concentrators working at high concentration ratios. For the first time a cell efficiency up to 29-30% has been measured at concentration levels up to 1300 suns. A small prototype concentrator with Fresnel lenses and four tandem solar cells working at C=120 has been constructed with an outdoor efficiency of 23%

Various Zn diffusion profiles in InGaAsSb photovoltaic cells with diffused emitters were experimentally studied. It was determined that strong built-in electric fields near the surface lead to a reduction of the saturation value of the injection (J/sub 01/) component of the dark current, and hence to the increase of the open-circuit voltage (V/sub oc/). A value of J/sub 01/ as low as 4.2/spl times/10/sup -6/ A/cm/sup 2/ and a value of V/sub oc/, as high as 344 mV at 3 A/cm/sup 2/ were measured.

The repair of an inguinal hernia is the surgical procedure most often performed. Complication rates after laparoscopic hernioplasty amount up to 19%, with hematoma/seroma, neuralgia, urinary retention, and chronic pain most frequently reported. Significant complications such as trocar site bleeding or bowel injury occur in 0.4-5.6%, and sporadic intraoperative lesions of the bladder have been mentioned. We present a 48-year-old patient with recurrent dysuria 3 years after transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty (TAPP). The preoperative diagnostic evaluation led to the assumption of an intravesical mesh dislocation. In spite of extensive adhesions between the mesh and the bladder wall, the mesh including five fixation coils could be removed via a suprapubic access. The postoperative period was without complications, and the patient has no complaints. The incidence of complications after laparoscopic hernioplasty is low. Still, severe problems such as mesh rejection, spermatic granuloma, or mesh migration into the small and large intestine do occur. Migration of a mesh into the urinary bladder has only been described twice.

Three MAb M2, B6, P1 (IgG1 type) against human urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI), a glycoprotein with antiinflammatory properties, have been produced by hybridization of mouse myeloma cells P3o1 with spleen cells of immunized mice BALB/c. Competitive ELISA-examination of peroxidase conjugates of M2, B6, and P1 MAb in the presence of the trypsin binding domain shows the highest affinity of M2 antibody for this domain. On the basis of MAb M2 competitive ELISA of UTI concentration in urine is proposed. ELISA detectable changes in the UTI content of urine from patients with nephritis without renal failure can be considered as an early index of renal parenchyma damage.

1,3-Acylrearrangements by Cyclisation of Thioureas with Imidochlorides of Oxalic Acid – An Approach to interesting Thiocarbonylic Systems By cycloacylation of various substituted thioureas with bis-imidochlorides of oxalic acid the new thiazolidines 3, 4 and isomeric imidazolidines 5, 6 are obtained. Especially when triethylamine is used as a base the main products are the deeply coloured 4-arylimino-5-thioxo-imidazolidines which can be regarded as s-cis-configurated 1,4-dihetero-1,3-dienes. Some thiazolidines can be rearranged by means of anhydrous organic acids to parabanic acid derivatives; whereas the 5-thioxo-imidazolidines result from an intramolecular 1,3-acyl rearrangement during the reaction.

Prostatitis is the most common urological disease in males under [corrected] the age of 50 years old. As bacteria are detected in only5% of cases the disease can mostly be classified as chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. The symptoms of this problem complex, often described as chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP-CPPS), seem to be multifactorial so that an improvement can only rarely be achieved with conventional forms of therapy.The aim of this study was to investigate whether osteopathic treatment can influence the symptoms of CP-CPPS (randomized controlled study, 5 sessions, follow-up after 6 weeks and 1.5 years without treatment). The study was carried out in a practice for osteopathy. Patients were recruited by referral from urologists, newspaper articles and lectures on the topic. A total of 35 males with medically diagnosed CP-CPPS aged 29-70 years old took part in the study. Of the patients 20 were allocated to the treatment group and 15 to the placebo group whereby 2 patients had to retire from the study prematurely. Patients in the treatment group received 5 osteopathic treatment sessions separated by 1 week at the beginning and by up to 3 weeks at the end (total period 8 weeks). The osteopathic dysfunctions of the patients were treated according to the principles of osteopathy. The placebo treatment in the control group consisted of a training program with simple gymnastic and physiotherapeutic exercises. Improvements of the complaints by urination (LUTS), chronic pelvic pain (CPPS) and quality of life (QOL) were measured using the questionnaires for international prostate symptom score (IPSS), the National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) and the quality of life index (QOL).Comparison of the results from the osteopathy and placebo groups revealed statistically significant differences in favor of the osteopathy group (p0.0005). During the study period the average IPSS in the osteopathy group improved from 19.7 to 10.3 points (48%, p0.0005), the NIH from 26.0 to 12.0 (54%; p0.0005) and the QOL from 4.4 to 1.9 points (58%, p0.0005). In contrast the corresponding values in the placebo group remained relatively constant. At the follow-up 6 weeks after the last session the improvements in the osteopathy group were found to be stabile and remained so at least up to the second follow-up after 1.5 years.The positive results of this study indicate that osteopathic treatment can be considered a genuine alternative to the conventional treatment of CP-CPPS and a closer cooperation between urologists/internists and osteopaths would be desirable. Further studies with larger numbers of patients should be carried out to substantiate these results.

INTRODUCTION The bioluminescence of beetles is one of the most impressive phenomena in nature. The discussion about the mechanism of this reaction about 30 years ago' and still continues.* Besides the general biological aspects we are interested in how excited states may be formed by chemical reactions. One of the main problems in this topic is the question how really good emitter molecules may be constructed. The overall quantum yield of the firefly bioluminescence is more than 90%. This means that the light emitter of this reaction must do its work very well and must be able to emit different colors. One of the most popular hypotheses says that in the excited state of the emitting oxyluciferin exist a quaistautomeric equilibrium between the red emitting thiazolinone 1 and the yellow/green emitting thiazole 2. Beside this there may exist a pH dependent mesmeric equilibrium in 2, as well as a number of rotamers to the central single bond.3

Partial run time reconfiguration (pRTR) enables a dynamic replacement of design modules to optimize the resource utilization of FPGA-based hardware emulation. This requires an appropriate partitioning of the entire design into particular hardware modules. There exist various methods to partition a design at functional as well as at structural level. In this paper, an adapted functional method to partition the design into independent modules is proposed. In consideration of typical functional modules (e.g. controller, DSP parts, memory) of a system-on-chip (SoC), the design is partitioned. The method is especially suited if the design consists of regular structures (multiprocessor design, vector-DSP). The results of the design partitioning are used to determine significant parameters of a generic emulator environment implemented on a state-of- the-art FPGA platform. The benefits are a decreasing number of run time reconfigurations and an improved utilization of the FPGA resources.

Intraurethral application of prostaglandin-E1 (MUSE) is a well-tolerated pharmacotherapy for erectile dysfunction. However, the physiological mechanisms of drug transfer into the cavernous bodies are not completely clear. Using spongiosography in 35 patients, our study tried to elucidate existing shunt mechanisms. The X-rays show venous drainage through the deep dorsal vein up to the plexus Santorini. The circumflex veins are also contrasted and the cavernous bodies show opacification in their distal portion only. Structures shunting directly between the corpus spongiosum and the cavernous bodies were not demonstrable. Retrograde filling of the cavernous bodies through the deep dorsal vein and its circumflex braches seems to be the most relevant way of drug transfer after intraurethral application of prostaglandin-E1. Diffusion into the cavernous bodies or a systemic mechanism of action does not seem probable.

The repair of an inguinal hernia is the surgical procedure most often performed. Complication rates after laparoscopic hernioplasty amount up to 19%, with hematoma/seroma, neuralgia, urinary retention, and chronic pain most frequently reported. Significant complications such as trocar site bleeding or bowel injury occur in 0.4-5.6%, and sporadic intraoperative lesions of the bladder have been mentioned. We present a 48-year-old patient with recurrent dysuria 3 years after transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty (TAPP). The preoperative diagnostic evaluation led to the assumption of an intravesical mesh dislocation. In spite of extensive adhesions between the mesh and the bladder wall, the mesh including five fixation coils could be removed via a suprapubic access. The postoperative period was without complications, and the patient has no complaints. The incidence of complications after laparoscopic hernioplasty is low. Still, severe problems such as mesh rejection, spermatic granuloma, or mesh migration into the small and large intestine do occur. Migration of a mesh into the urinary bladder has only been described twice.

Procedures at NREL and Fraunhofer ISE for evaluating multijunction cells are detailed with a triple-junction GaInP/GaAs/Ge concentrator cell designed and grown at Spectrolab and processed at NREL, and a tandem Fraunhofer ISE Ga/sub 0.35/In/sub 0.85/P/Ga/sub 0.83/In/sub 0.17/As cell as examples. The one-sun efficiency and I/sub sc/ for the triple-junction device measured at Fraunhofer ISE and NREL agreed within 0.2%, well below the /spl plusmn/6% uncertainty estimated by NREL. The procedures for determining the one-sun characteristics involve determining the quantum efficiency and using it for spectral correction during the I-V characterization. The characteristics under concentration are evaluated with a flash simulator.

Results of a cost study for concentrator systems are discussed. In this context it is concluded that high-concentration and high-efficiency solar cells are beneficial for lowering the cost of PV produced energy. MOVPE-grown Ga/sub 0.35/P/Ga/sub 0.83/In/sub 0.17/As monolithic tandem cells are developed for the application in such high-concentration systems. These solar cell structures are grown lattice mismatched on GaAs substrates. An efficiency of >31 % at 300/spl times/ AM 1.5D and around 30 % at a 1000/spl times/ concentration was measured. An all-glass test module with an aperture area of 64 cm/sup 2/ was built up and showed an efficiency of >24 % measured under outdoor conditions. The module has a geometrical concentration factor of 123. This result can be further improved by increasing the concentration ratio and optimizing the cell structure.

The case of a 25-year-old patient who underwent circumcision and Neodymium-YAG laser treatment for giant condylomata acuminata of the penis is presented. Two cycles of interferon therapy were administered postoperatively, each comprising beta-interferons and recombinant gamma-interferons. This combination therapy provided an excellent cosmetic and functional result and the patient remains disease-free 15 months following surgery.

The antimycobacterial activity of 2,3-dianilinoquinoxaline derivatives was studied and the substances were found to be mostly wide-spectrum antimycobacterial agents. Replacement of one nitrogen atom in the heterocycle for oxygen or sulfur was usually accompanied by loss of activity. The model structure for the study was the wide-spectrum antimycobacterial drug clofazimine.

In 60 patients with non-seminomatous testicular germ cell tumours in clinical stages I, IIa and IIb inguinal orchiectomy was performed as primary treatment, followed by modified retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy (RLA). In stage II disease chemotherapy was given in addition. After a follow-up period of at least 24 months only 5% of the patients showed progression of disease. Normal ejaculatory function was preserved in 88% of our patients. Modified RLA seems to be a safe procedure with an acceptably low rate of complications not only in stage I disease, but also in metastatic stages IIa and IIb.

To obtain better information on fibrotic tissue damage in urethral strictures we performed spongiosography, that is opacification of the spongy body by injection of contrast medium, in 32 patients in whom the diagnosis had already been established by uroflowmetry, urethrography and urethroscopy. Another 18 patients with erectile dysfunction served as the control group. The investigation was well tolerated by all patients and no side effects or complications were encountered. Attenuation or even interruption of the contrast medium within the corpus spongiosum on spongiosography clearly revealed the fibrosis in urethral strictures. The extent of scarring was completely independent of the clinical symptoms and urethrographic findings. Accordingly, our decision on the appropriate surgical treatment was based mainly on the results of spongiosography. If used as an additional routine investigation in cases of urethral stricture spongiosography may help to decrease the recurrence rate in the future.

MO-LCAO Calculations on Sulfur-containing π-Electron Systems. XLIX. Tetramethine Bridged Derivatives of the Oxalic Acid – Novel Coloured Pigments of Indigoid Structure Whereas thioamides react with the oxalylchloride to Δ2-thiazoline-4,5-diones 1, which are precursors of the versatile thioacylisocyanate 2 synthons, the analogous reaction between thioamides and oxalyl-bis(arylimidchlorides) completely fails. In the case of aliphatic thioamides the intermediate 2-methyl-Δ2-thiazoline-4,5-diimides 3 undergo oxydative dimerization. The poorly soluble products are tetramethine bridged heteroanalogous oxalates 4 or isomers. The u.v./vis spectra of the blue compounds are in favour with structure 4 rather than with structure 6. This conclusion has been drawn from the results of Pariser-Parr-Pople(PPP) type calculations. According to the calculated position of the colour band of the pigments and of different molecular subunits, and the correspondence of their electronic states involved in the excitation, the dye molecules can be thought as consisting of two symmetrically crossed polymethine chains. This structural feature is inherent to the H indigo chromophore.

Insulin biosynthesis, content, and secretion were investigated in islets derived from pancreas specimens of normal weight (100.4 +/- 1.1% of ideal body weight) and obese (137.2 +/- 5.9% of ideal weight) patients. The pancreatic islets from the obese subjects were characterized by a significantly enhanced glucose-induced insulin secretion and biosynthesis and by an insulin content that was nearly double when compared with islets from the nonobese subjects. The results support the hypothesis that an enhanced beta-cell reactivity significantly contributes to the insulin hyperresponse observed in the obese state.

Derivatives of Imidazolidines from Oxalic Amidines Tetraarylsubstituted oxalic amidines 1 react with acyl chlorides, phosgene, thiophosgene, chlorocarbonylsulfenylchloride, isocyaniddichlorides, and N-aroyl-1-chlorothio-formimidoylchlorides 7 to give the corresponding 5-membered heterocycles 3, 4, 5 and 8. Isocyanates 9 and isothiocyanates 10 react with oxalic amidines to yield imidazolidines 11, 12 and ureas 13, 14. Hydrolysis of 3–5, 8, 11, 12 leads to the corresponding oxo compounds 15, 16.

156 patients undergoing intracavernosal autoinjection pharmacotherapy for periods of 2-36 months were studied for the effect of treatment on self-esteem, performance anxiety, partnership and acceptance using a semi-structured questionnaire. Replies were received from 86.3% of the patients. 93% gave a very good, good or satisfactory rating of intracavernosal pharmacotherapy. 78.2% indicated that their self-esteem had grown. 79.4% said that performance anxiety diminished in the course of therapy (25.6%) or disappeared entirely (53.8%). 71.8% of the replies confirm the positive effect of treatment on marital relations or partnership. 61.9% of the patients used intracavernosal pharmacotherapy permanently. 28.3% needed therapy intermittently or at large intervals only, and 4.5% (7 patients) were cured of their chronic sexual dysfunction. When preceded by thorough multidisciplinary diagnostics and careful patient selection, intracavernosal pharmacotherapy constitutes an efficient mode of treatment for chronic erectile dysfunction.

Synthesis of N-Sulfinylprotected Aminobenzylhalides and Reactions with Nucleophiles N-Sulfinylaminotoluenes 3 react with sulfuryl chloride or N-bromosuccinimide to give N-sulfinylaminobenzylchlorides 4 and N-sulfinylaminobenzylbromides 5, respectively. o-N-Sulfinylaminobenzylchloride 4 a can also be synthesized by the reaction of o-aminobenzylalcohol 6 with thionyl chloride. Nucleophiles react with benzylhalides 4 and 5 to form aminobenzyl ethers, thioethers, and amines 7–9. Tetrahydrochinazolinethione 11 can be formed by the reaction of 4 a or 5 a with thiocyanate ions followed by the hydrolysis of intermediate 10.

The Reaction of N-Sulfinylamines with Isocyanides and Synthesis of 2,5-Diaryl-3,4-diarylimino-1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-S-oxides N-Sulfinylamines 1 react with isocyanides 2 to give isocyanates 3, isothiocyanates 6, and especially 2,5-diaryl-3,4-diarylimino-1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-S-oxides 7. This new heterocyclic ring system 7 can also be synthesized in high yields by a cyclization reaction of tetraarylated oxalic amidines 9 with thionyl chloride. The acid catalyzed hydrolysis of the heterocyclic compounds 7 leads to oxalic anilides 8, the hydrolysis with alkali forms amidines 9. The amidine 9a reacts with N-sulfinyl-p-toluenesulfonamide 11 to give an open chained adduct 12.

Isologous isolated islets of LANGERHANS were transplanted in the peritoneum and through the portal vein in the liver of diabetic rats. With the help of histological and immunohistochemical investigations, estimation of blood sugar and glucose tolerance tests was tested over a period of 12 month, whether the peritoneum or the liver is more suited as transplantation site for isolated islets of LANGERHANS. After transplantation of islets of LANGERHANS in the peritoneum of diabetic rats the blood glucose decreased and this effect could be maintained over a period of three months. The histological investigations showed strong periinsulinar reactions and the immunohistochemical insulin and glucagon proofs prospered over a period of three months. After transplantation of isolated islets in the liver it resulted in a normalization of blood glucose levels up to 12 months after transplantation and in this time prospered the immunohistochemical insulin and glucagon proof. These results have suggested, that the liver is more suited as transplantation site for isolated islets of LANGERHANS than the peritoneum.