["The Impact of Poverty on Elderly's Health in the District of Altona" Key Findings of The Second Altona Health Report]. / "Auswirkungen der Armut auf die Gesundheit von Senioren im Bezirk Altona" Zentrale Ergebnisse des 2. Altonaer Gesundheitsberichts.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze whether health-related characteristics of elderly differ considering their income situation. METHODS: N=322 elderly were included in a quantitative survey (e. g., SF36, GDS, Barthelindex, IADL). The evaluation was conducted in consideration of housing (independent, outpatient, nursing homes, district). RESULTS: There were significantly higher values of diseases in the lower income than in higher income groups (F(316)=2,971; p=0,008; eta²=0,053). Furthermore the lower income groups were more often classified into long-term care level 2 (Chi²=25,36; p=0,009; C=0,283) associated with reduced abilities of daily living and lower scores on physical and mental wellbeing. Gender differences could not be found. CONCLUSIONS: Low-income elderly have a poorer health status than high-income elderly. Endeavors should be undertaken to improve prevention strategies to retain independence and quality of life of low-income elderly.

Premenopausal osteoporosis.

While osteoporosis is a major public health concern, guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of low bone mass in the premenopausal population is lacking. Dual-energy x-ray absorptometry (DEXA) is a poor diagnostic tool to evaluate bone density in this population and the World Health Organization's definition of osteoporosis based on DEXA is not applicable to women before menopause. Bisphosphonates, while commonly used to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis, are not recommended in most premenopausal patients due to their long half-lives and side-effect profiles, therefore limiting the pharmacological interventions available. Secondary causes of low bone mass in premenopausal women include malnutrition, gastroenterological and hepatic disorders, endocrine disorders, and pharmaceutical use as well lifestyle characteristics. It is important to identify these risk factors in young women in order to encourage a lifestyle and a diet that minimize bone loss and to determine when pharmacologic intervention is necessary. In cases of secondary osteoporosis, treatment of the underlying disease process or cessation of the inciting medication, if possible, often results in normalized bone mass. Newer drugs with more benign side effect profiles and new methods of evaluating bone mass are being investigated and are likely to improve the evaluation and management of premenopausal women with low bone mass.

GaBi alloy liquid metal ion source for microelectronics research.

A GaBi alloy liquid metal ion source has been studied. From an analysis of the source mass spectra as a function of emission current, a mechanism is suggested for the production of single- and double-charged ions. There is good agreement with the results of Swanson's investigations of a pure Bi source.

Polyatomic ions from a high current ion implanter driven by a liquid metal ion source.

High current liquid metal ion sources are well known and found their first application as field emission electric propulsion thrusters in space technology. The aim of this work is the adaption of such kind of sources in broad ion beam technology. Surface patterning based on self-organized nano-structures on, e.g., semiconductor materials formed by heavy mono- or polyatomic ion irradiation from liquid metal (alloy) ion sources (LMAISs) is a very promising technique. LMAISs are nearly the only type of sources delivering polyatomic ions from about half of the periodic table elements. To overcome the lack of only very small treated areas by applying a focused ion beam equipped with such sources, the technology taken from space propulsion systems was transferred into a large single-end ion implanter. The main component is an ion beam injector based on high current LMAISs combined with suited ion optics allocating ion currents in the µA range in a nearly parallel beam of a few mm in diameter. Different types of LMAIS (needle, porous emitter, and capillary) are presented and characterized. The ion beam injector design is specified as well as the implementation of this module into a 200 kV high current ion implanter operating at the HZDR Ion Beam Center. Finally, the obtained results of large area surface modification of Ge using polyatomic Bi2+ ions at room temperature from a GaBi capillary LMAIS will be presented and discussed.

Alloy liquid metal ion sources and their application in mass separated focused ion beams.

For special purposes like writing ion implantation or ion mixing in the micrometer- or sub-micrometer range different ion species are needed. Therefore alloy liquid metal ion sources (LMISs) are used. The energy distribution of the ions from an alloy LMIS is one of the determining factors for the performance of a FIB column. Different source materials like Au(73)Ge(27), Au(82)Si(18), Au(77)Ge(14)Si(9), Co(36)Nd(64), Er(69)Ni(31), and Er(70)Fe(22)Ni(5)Cr(3) were investigated with respect to the energy spread of the different ion species as a function of emission current, ion mass and emitter temperature. The alloy LMISs discussed above have been used in the Rossendorf FIB system IMSA especially for writing implantation to fabricate sub-micrometer pattern without any lithographic steps. A Co-FIB was applied for the ion beam synthesis of CoSi(2) micro-structures. Additionally, the possibility of varying the current density with the FIB by changing the pixel dwell time was used for radiation damage investigations in Si and SiC at elevated implantation temperatures. Furthermore, a broad spectrum of ions was employed to study the sputtering process depending on temperature, angle of incidence and ion mass on a couple of target materials using the volume-loss method. Especially this technique was used for the fabrication of various kinds of micro-tools.

Binding properties of a highly potent and selective iodinated aminopeptidase N inhibitor appropriate for radioautography.

Aminopeptidase N (APN) is a zinc metallopeptidase involved in the inactivation of biologically active peptides. The knowledge of its precise distribution is crucial to investigate its physiological role. This requires the use of appropriate probes such as the recently developed highly potent and selective radiolabeled APN inhibitor 2(S)-benzyl-3-[hydroxy(1'(R)-aminoethyl)phosphinyl]propanoyl-L-3-[ (12 5)I]iodotyrosine ([(125)I]RB 129). Its binding properties were investigated using rat brain homogenates (K(d)=3.4 nM) or APN expressed in COS-7 cells (K(d)=0.9 nM). The specific binding was 95% at [K(d)], and preliminary autoradiography in intestine is promising. The decreased affinity of [(125)I]RB 129 (=10(-6) M) for the E(350)D APN mutant, supports the critical role of E(350) in the amino-exopeptidase action of APN.

Investigation of subsite preferences in aminopeptidase A (EC 3.4.11.7) led to the design of the first highly potent and selective inhibitors of this enzyme.

The study of the physiological roles of the membrane-bound zinc-aminopeptidase A (glutamyl aminopeptidase, EC 3.4.11.7) needs the design of efficient and selective inhibitors of this enzyme. An acute exploration of aminopeptidase A active site was performed by a combinatorial approach using (3-amino-2-mercapto-acyl)dipeptides able to fit its S(1), S(1)', and S(2)' subsites. This analysis confirmed that the S(1) subsite is optimally blocked by a glutamate or isosteric residues and demonstrated that the S(1)' subsite is hydrophobic whereas the S(2)' subsite recognizes preferentially negatively charged residues derived from aspartic acid. The optimization of these structural parameters led to the synthesis of nanomolar and subnanomolar inhibitors of aminopeptidase A such as H(3)N(+)CH(CH(2)CH(2)SO(3)(-))CH(SH)CO-Ile-(3-COOH)Pro that exhibits a K(i) of 0.87 nM. The best compounds were synthesized by a stereochemically controlled route. These first described highly potent inhibitors could allow studies about the role of physiological substrates of APA such as angiotensin II and cholecystokinin CCK(8) in the central nervous system.

First discrete autoradiographic distribution of aminopeptidase N in various structures of rat brain and spinal cord using the selective iodinated inhibitor [125I]RB 129.

The selective and potent aminopeptidase N inhibitor [125I]RB 129 has been used for the radioautographic localization of this enzyme in rat brain, spinal cord and intestine. Brain microvessels and intestine brush-border cells were shown to present a high concentration of aminopeptidase N. Moreover, a labeling of various brain structures was observed. A very high level of binding occurred in the meninges, choroid plexus, pineal gland, paraventricular nucleus and pituitary gland. Moderate to high labeling was also observed in the cortex, caudate-putamen, subthalamic nucleus, central periaqueductal gray, thalamus, as well as in the dorsal and ventral horn of the spinal cord, which are known to contain a high concentration of enkephalins, opioid receptors and neutral endopeptidase. This co-localization confirms the physiological implication of aminopeptidase N in the inactivation of enkephalins accounting for the requirement of dual inhibition of neutral endopeptidase and aminopeptidase N to observe highly significant morphine-like effects induced by the protected endogenous opioid peptides. Aminopeptidase N was also visualized in moderate to high levels in other brain structures such as the hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, substantia nigra, hypothalamus (dorsomedial and ventromedial nuclei), raphe nucleus, pontine nucleus, inferior olive, and in high concentration in the granular layer of cerebellum. In summary, aminopeptidase N has been visualized for the first time in numerous brain areas using the selective inhibitor [125I]RB 129. This iodinated probe could allow the ex vivo and in vivo localization of aminopeptidase N in various tissues to be investigated and may also be used to evaluate quantitative changes in aminopeptidase N expression in pathological situations. Aminopeptidase N, which preferably removes NH2-terminal neutral amino acids from peptides, has probably a host of substrates. Nevertheless, a certain in vivo selectivity could be achieved by the presence of the enzyme in structures where the peptide effector and its receptors are also co-localized.

Exacerbated pain in cervical radiculopathy at axial rotation, flexion, extension, and coupled motions of the cervical spine: evaluation by kinematic magnetic resonance imaging.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluate the functional changes in patients with cervical radiculopathy and increasing symptoms after provocative maneuvers at flexion, extension, axial rotation, and coupled motions of the cervical spine. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with cervical disc herniation (n = 17) or cervical spondylosis (n = 4) in whom symptoms were elicited at flexion, extension, axial rotation, and coupled motions of the cervical spine were studied. The patients were examined inside a positioning device by using a circular surface coil for signal reception. At neutral position (0 degrees) and at provocative positions sagittal T2-weighted turbo spin-echo, axial T2-weighted two-dimensional flash sequence, sagittal three-dimensional (3D) fast imaging with steady state precision sequence and coronal 3D double-echo-in-the-steady-state sequences were obtained. The 3D sequences were reformatted in the axial and oblique coronal planes perpendicular to the exiting nerve roots. The images were evaluated for the size of disc herniations, the foraminal size and cervical cord rotation or displacement at provocative position compared with neutral position (0 degrees). RESULTS: Compared with neutral position (0 degrees), change in size of disc herniation was not found in any (0%) of the provocative positions. In five (24%) patients cervical cord rotation or displacement was noted at axial rotation. The foraminal size increased at flexion, axial rotation to the opposite side of pain and flexion combined with axial rotation to the opposite side of the pain. The foraminal size decreased at extension combined with axial rotation to the side of the pain. A decrease or no change in foraminal size was observed at either extension or axial rotation to the side of the pain. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cervical disc herniation or cervical spondylosis, exacerbated pain at defined provocative maneuvers is related more to changes in the foraminal size and to nerve root motion with, in some cases, cervical cord rotation or displacement than to changes in the size of herniated discs.

Inhibition of vasopressinergic neurons by central injection of a specific aminopeptidase A inhibitor.

The brain angiotensin (Ang) system plays an important role in the central control of vasopressin release. Using EC33, a selective aminopeptidase A inhibitor which blocks the metabolism of Ang II in Ang III, we previously reported that vasopressin release was under the control of Ang III and not Ang II. To determine accurately the action of EC33, the effects of intracerebroventricular injection of Ang peptides or EC33 on extracellular unit activity of vasopressinergic neurons in the supraoptic nucleus of urethane-anaesthetized rats were examined. Angiotensin II (15-30 ng) or Ang III (15 ng) increased the firing rate of all neurons tested. Conversely, EC33 (10 microg) reduced or completely abolished (30-60 microg) the basal firing rate for 4-6 min in all eight neurons tested. EC33 (30 microg) also inhibited the activity induced by 30 ng Ang II. It was concluded that the observed activity of Ang II required its conversion to Ang III and that endogenous Ang III may exert a tonic control on the basal firing level of vasopressinergic neurons.

On the temperature dependence of the electric characteristics and mass spectra of liquid metal alloy ion sources.

This paper reports on an extensive study of the characteristics of AuGeSi and CoNd liquid metal alloy ion sources (Focused Ion Beams From Liquid Metal Ion Sources, Research Studies Press, Taunton, Somerset, UK, 1991). Such characteristics include current-voltage curves and ion beam mass spectra. A careful investigation has been undertaken where the emitter temperature is the main variable experimental parameter. Theoretical models, or theoretical attempts in certain cases, tend to support the experimental results. The experimental results, in conjunction with existing theories, suggest that simply for reasons of self-consistency two mechanisms must be operative for the production of doubly-charged ions from the AuGeSi source: direct field-evaporation and post-ionisation.

A Au82Si18 liquid metal field-ion emitter for the production of Si ions: fundamental properties and mechanisms.

Focused silicon beams are useful for direct write applications, e.g., lithography on silicon without the undesirable effect of substrate contamination. However, since pure silicon is not amenable to liquid metal ion source (LMIS) manufacture, a suitable alloy containing silicon has to be produced. This paper covers almost all fundamental aspects of a Au82Si18 eutectic, including the most detailed beam mass spectra reported to date of a AuSi source. A finding worthy of note in this investigation, manifested in the behaviour of the ion extraction voltage with temperature, is the abnormal behaviour of the surface tension coefficient of the alloy with temperature. An important deduction from this work, however, concerns the mechanisms responsible for the creation of doubly charged ions: reasons of self-consistency indicate that while Si2+ is directly field evaporated, Au2+ must form by the post-ionization of Au+. Finally, two different mechanisms seem to co-exist, as far as the production of cluster ions is concerned. While for cluster ions containing only a few atoms some sort of surface field-ionization mechanism might be responsible for their creation, for larger clusters, a droplet break-up mechanism, possibly by ion capture, seems very likely.

[Comparison of T2-weighted turbo spin-echo and ultrafast HASTE sequence in the diagnosis of cervical myelopathies and spinal stenoses and static and kinematic MRT of the spine]. / Vergleich von T2-gewichteter Turbo-Spin-Echo- und ultraschneller HASTE-Sequenz in der Diagnostik von zervikalen Myelopathien und Spinalstenosen mit der statischen und kinematischen MRT der Halswirbelsäule.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare HASTE-sequence with T2-weighted TSE-sequence in the detection of cervical myelopathy and cervical spinal stenosis in kinematic MRI. METHODS: 24 patients with degenerative disease of the cervical spine were studied. Images were evaluated according to the following criteria: artifacts, delineation of the vertebra, disks and degenerative changes, grade of spinal stenosis (grade 0-3) and evaluation of the cervical spinal cord. RESULTS: Due to image blurring and artifacts, evaluation and delineation of the cervical spine was possible in all cases in the T2-weighted TSE-sequence, but only in 23 of 24 patients using HASTE-sequence. Differentiation between osteophytes and disks was obtained in most cases (23/24) in the T2-weighted TSE-sequence but none in the HASTE-sequence. Cervical myelopathy was observed in 4 patients in T2-weighted TSE images but only in two cases using HASTE-sequence. Compared to T2-weighted TSE-sequence spinal canal stenosis was underestimated using HASTE-sequence. CONCLUSION: T2-TSE-sequence is superior to HASTE-sequence in the delineation of anatomical structures of the cervical spine, the grading of cervical spinal stenosis and the evaluation of cervical myelopathy.

Predictors of children's emotional distress in a mother-absent situation: implications for caregiving research.

Although many factors have been found to be associated with caregiving behavior among preschool-age siblings, few studies have considered the older child's emotional responses to the distress of a younger sibling in the mother's absence. In this study, the authors considered both individual and family factors that predict older and younger sibling distress in a mother-absent situation designed to elicit caregiving behavior. For both older and younger siblings, the strongest predictor of distress following the mother's departure was distress in the other sibling, suggesting the importance of situational factors. Individual and family factors, however, were also found to predict child distress. Among older siblings, shy and sociable temperaments were associated with greater distress during the mother's absence. Higher levels of parenting stress were found to be associated with less distress among both older and younger siblings in the mother-absent situation. Results are discussed in terms of individual and family environment influences on the sibling relationship.

Liquid metal alloy ion source based metal ion injection into a room-temperature electron beam ion source.

We have carried out a series of measurements demonstrating the feasibility of using the Dresden electron beam ion source (EBIS)-A, a table-top sized, permanent magnet technology based electron beam ion source, as a charge breeder. Low charged gold ions from an AuGe liquid metal alloy ion source were injected into the EBIS and re-extracted as highly charged ions, thereby producing charge states as high as Au(60 +). The setup, the charge breeding technique, breeding efficiencies as well as acceptance and emittance studies are presented.

Magnetization dynamics of Landau structures: tuning the response of mesoscopic magnetic objects using defects.

Magnetic vortex cores are interacting with and can even be annihilated by artificial defects, such as holes. These defects have been fabricated by focused ion beam milling (FIB) into the magnetic domains, domain walls and the center of square-shaped vortices, known as Landau structures. We report the imaging of the magnetization dynamics of Landau structures containing holes by means of x-ray magnetic circular dichroism photo-emission electron microscopy (XMCD-PEEM). Due to the high lateral and temporal resolution of this method, the magnetic excitation spectrum, which is characteristic for the vortex-hole interaction, is investigated in detail. We find that the vortex core as well as domain walls can be trapped by small holes. With the help of micromagnetic simulations we show that the vortex gyrotropic motion frequency is enhanced, whereas the amplitude is significantly reduced in the case of non-centric holes in domain walls.

Cryptosporidiosis: a cause of summer diarrhea in children.

Recent studies have suggested that some outbreaks of diarrhea in children may be caused by Cryptosporidium, a parasite associated with gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infection in animals. In a study of 7300 British Columbia patients with diarrhea, cryptosporidial oocysts were found in the stool samples of 46 (0.63%). It appears that the occurrence of cryptosporidiosis is related to three factors: the patient's age, the time of year and the geographic location.

Hollow fiber supported gas membrane for in situ removal of ammonium during an antibiotic fermentation.

To study the influence of ammonium on an antibiotic cultivation, mass transfer measurements of ammonium through microporous hydrophobic membranes using different stripping methods were carried out and compared. The higher overall mass transfer coefficients for ammonium were obtained with an acid stripping solution compared to water, vacuum, or sweeping air. A hollow fiber module for in situ removal of ammonium during cultivation was designed and operated in an external bypass to a 10-L fermentor. Compared to a control fermentation, the cell dry mass could be increased 2.6 times and the antibiotic concentration 8 times, if the in situ ammonium removal was in operation.