Sulfur substitution in a Ni(cyclam) derivative results in lower overpotential for CO2 reduction and enhanced proton reduction.

The replacement of the opposing nitrogen atoms in 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) with two sulfur atoms in 1,8-dithia-4,11-diazacyclotetradecane (dithiacyclam) enables the electrochemical reduction of protons and CO2via the corresponding nickel(ii) complex at more positive potentials. In addition, a 10-fold enhancement in the proton reduction rate of [Ni(dithiacyclam)]2+ relative to [Ni(cylcam)]2+ was observed. The study provides vital insight into Nature's choice of employing predominantly sulfur based ligand platforms in achieving biological proton and CO2 reductions.

High incidence and persistence of airborne allergen sensitization up to age 19 years.

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal population-based studies about the natural history of allergic sensitization are rare. The aim was to study incidence and persistence of airborne allergen sensitization up to young adulthood and risk factors for early and late onset of sensitization. METHODS: All children aged 7-8 years in two municipalities in Northern Sweden were invited to a parental questionnaire and skin prick tests (SPTs) to ten airborne allergens, and 2148 (88%) participated. The protocol was repeated at age 11-12 and 19 years, and 1516 participated in all three examinations. RESULTS: Prevalence of any positive SPT increased from 20.6% at age 7-8 years to 30.6% at 11-12 years, and 42.1% at 19 years. Animals were the primary sensitizers at age 7-8 years, 16.3%, followed by pollen, 12.4%. Mite and mold sensitization was low. Mean annual incidence of any positive SPT varied between 2.8 and 3.4/100 per year, decreased by age for animal, and was stable for pollen. Sensitization before age 7-8 years was independently associated with family history of allergy, OR 2.1 (95% CI 1.6-2.8), urban living, OR 1.9 (95% CI 1.2-2.9), and male sex, OR 1.3 (95% CI 1.0-1.7), and negatively associated with birth order, OR 0.8 (95% CI 0.7-1.0), and furry animals at home, OR 0.7 (95% CI 0.7-0.9). Incidence after age 11-12 years was associated only with family history of allergy. Multisensitization at age 19 years was significantly associated with early age at sensitization. Remission of sensitization was uncommon. CONCLUSION: The increasing prevalence of allergic sensitization by age was explained by high incidence and persistence. After age 11-12 years, the factors urban living, number of siblings, and male sex lost their importance.

[Vocational assessment of diarrhea, incontinence and stoma]. / Sozialmedizinische Wertung von Durchfall, Inkontinenz und Stoma.

The assessment of capability of work consist of measuring the patient subjective willingness to perform and his efficiency which should be objectively examined by functional diagnostic tools. On the one hand, there is the consideration of the patients psycho-mental burdens and on the other hand has to be defined the extent of organic functional restrictions. The latter is difficult to assess because diseased organs of the gastrointestinal tract are not directly involved in the efficiency of work. In chronic diarrhea purely watery diarrhea causes mobility restrictions at the place of work. In case of chronic malabsortive diarrhea, psycho-mental and physical deficits of efficiency have to be taken into account. The latter however may be almost restored by adequate substitution of macro and micro nutrients. For the clinical assessment of the severity of incontinence and ist psychosocial effects structured history sheets and working up of clinical findings and specifics function tests are necessary. The so defined degree of stool incontinence determines the restrictions of vocational efficiency. Generally persons with stoma are nearly not disabled and capable of gainful employment. This also pertains to professions with specific hygienic requirements, such as a production and distribution of foods. Persons with well applied and provided stomata should avoid severe physical burdens, unsuitable postures and periodical forms of labour like piece-work.

[Importance of follow-up investigation in colonic carcinoma (author's transl)]. / Bedeutung der Nachsorgeuntersuchung beim Dickdarmkarzinom.

Extensive follow-up investigations were done in 1978 in 135 patients, most of whom had been operated for colo-rectal carcinoma of all stages in 1977. In 71% of the cases no or no sufficient postoperative control had been performed in the patients' own area. At the follow-up investigations 11 recurrences in the anastomosis, 10 of which were operable, 20 distant metastases, 1 simultaneous second carcinoma, 15 adenomas, partially with numerous atypical cells, 1 polyposis coli and 23 nonspecific granulomas of the anastomosis were detected. The Haemoccult test was positive in 3 of the 11 anastomotic recurrences. Only in cases of distant metastases were values of carcinoembryonic antigen clearly increased (greater than 5 ng/ml). These findings underline the necessity of intensifying the regular follow-up investigation in colo-rectal carcinoma.

Spontaneous expulsion of a migrating infantry missile impacted in the duodenum and the common bile duct, 32 years after wounding.

32 years after the injury, an infantry bullet was found to extrude into the duodenum, with its sharp end impacted in the common bile duct. After several previous endoscopic examinations (duodenoscopy, ERCP), endoscopic removal was planned. In the meantime, the bullet was expelled per vias naturales, leaving a biliodigestive fistula.

[A modified guaiac test for the early detection of tumors of the intestinal tract (author's transl)]. / Modifizierte Guajakprobe zur Früherkennung von Tumoren des Verdauungstraktes

Of 1400 patients who were submitted to the Haemoccult test, 46 showed a postive result. Among other things there were 29 polyps, of which 3 already showed a focal carcinoma, and 5 carcinomata of the large intestine and 3 gastric carcinomata were also diagnosed. Over 70% of the tumor hosts had observed bleeding per anum at some time. In order to detect the number of false nagative results, patients were investigated in the same way even when the Haemoccult test had been negative three times. In this way 55 polyps were found as well as 7 partly advanced carcinomata of the large intestine. 35% of the Haemoccult-negative patients stated bleeding per anum in their history. The number of false negative findings must be considerably higher than previously estimated.