Search

Abstract Background Historical data indicate that surgical resection may benefit select patients with metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer. However, randomized clinical trials are lacking. The current RENAISSANCE trial addresses the potential benefits of surgical intervention in gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer with limited metastases. Methods This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, investigator-initiated phase III trial. Previously untreated patients with limited metastatic stage (retroperitoneal lymph node metastases only or a maximum of one incurable organ site that is potentially resectable or locally controllable with or without retroperitoneal lymph nodes) receive 4 cycles of FLOT chemotherapy alone or with trastuzumab if Her2+. Patients without disease progression after 4 cycles are randomized 1:1 to receive additional chemotherapy cycles or surgical resection of primary and metastases followed by subsequent chemotherapy. 271 patients are to be allocated to the trial, of which at least 176 patients will proceed to randomization. The primary endpoint is overall survival; main secondary endpoints are quality of life assessed by EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire, progression free survival and surgical morbidity and mortality. Recruitment has already started; currently (Feb 2017) 22 patients have been enrolled. Discussion If the RENAISSANCE concept proves to be effective, this could potentially lead to a new standard of therapy. On the contrary, if the outcome is negative, patients with gastric or GEJ cancer and metastases will no longer be considered candidates for surgical intervention. Trial registration The article reports of a health care intervention on human participants and is registered on October 12, 2015 under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02578368 ; EudraCT: 2014–002665-30.

Die steigenden tierschutzrechtlichen Anforderungen bei gleichzeitig wachsenden Tierbeständen verlangen nach einer Optimierung der Haltungsbedingungen und stellen hohe Ansprüche an das Management dieser Bestände. In einem Innovationsprojekt wurde ein UHF-RFID-System zur simultanen Erfassung und Überwachung von Mastschweinen und Milchkühen an bestimmten Hotspots ihrer Haltungsumwelt entwickelt, um das Management größerer Tierbestände zu erleichtern. Nach vielen technischen Fortschritten herrscht bislang Unklarheit über die Chancen des UHF-Systems auf dem Markt. Anhand von vier fiktiven Beispielbetrieben (2 x Schweinemast, 2 x Milchvieh) wurde deshalb eine Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das UHF-RFID-System unter den getroffenen Annahmen eine ökonomische Vorteilhaftigkeit lediglich bei einem der Milchviehbetriebe unter den günstigsten Bedingungen aufweist. Eine Rentabilität des Systems für die anderen Betriebe konnte nur durch die Annahme einer enormen Kostenreduktion erzielt werden.

In the present work, we focus on long-term and permanent measurements of approximately two years on a 192 kWel Gas Otto CHP (combined heat and power) unit at a full-scale research biogas plant. In detail the influence of 600 h and 1800 h maintenance intervals on electrical efficiency consumption and exhaust gas emissions such as NOx and CO have been studied under real life conditions. Lubricating oil quality analyses throughout the CHP operation time are presented to show the destructive changes in property and its influence on condition based maintenance. The results confirm the well-known fact that after readjustment of the air-fuel ratio after 1800 h maintenance the emission values for NOx decline while CO increases. The emission-optimized operation mode leads to lower engine efficiency. The maintenance tasks carried out at 600 h intervals lead to lower NOx emissions in nine cases while in 14 cases the emissions remained unchanged. The permanent measurements proved their legitimacy showing various emission deviations from the limiting values prior and post maintenance. The results show that by monitoring the lubricating oil quality, the oil change intervals can be maximized while ensuring that engine performance is not endangered, and a longer engine lifespan can be expected. The oil analyses allow the operator to reduce maintenance expenditures while minimizing wear.

This work thoroughly evaluates the electric power consumption of a full scale, 3 × 923 m3 complete stirred tank reactor (CSTR) research biogas plant with a production capacity of 186 kW of electric power. The plant was fed with a mixture of livestock manure and renewable energy crops and was operated under mesophilic conditions. This paper will provide an insight into precise electric energy consumption measurements of a full scale biogas plant over a period of two years. The results showed that a percentage of 8.5% (in 2010) and 8.7% (in 2011) of the produced electric energy was consumed by the combined heat and power unit (CHP), which was required to operate the biogas plant. The consumer unit agitators with 4.3% (in 2010) and 4.0% (in 2011) and CHP unit with 2.5% (in 2010 and 2011) accounted for the highest electrical power demand, in relation to the electric energy produced by the CHP unit. Calculations show that 51% (in 2010) and 46% (in 2011) of the total electric energy demand was due to the agitators. The results finally showed the need for permanent measurements to identify and quantify the electric energy saving potentials of full scale biogas plants.