[Developments and inventions from Germany : Influence on international ophthalmology]. / Entwicklungen und Erfindungen aus Deutschland : Einfluss auf die internationale Augenheilkunde.

There are various developments and inventions from Germany that have influenced not only the domestic but also the international field of ophthalmology. Beginning with the invention of the ophthalmoscope by Hermann von Helmholtz in 1850, to the establishment of the "Archives of Ophthalmology" medical journal, a publication founded by Albrecht von Graefe in 1854, through to the development of the retinal chip by Eberhart Zrenner and colleagues with the first clinical data collected in 2007. The abovenamed and further developments and the German ophthalmologists behind these inventions are discussed in more detail.

Antioxidant status and sex hormones in women with complex endometrial hyperplasia.

Endometrial tissue is under a strong influence of sex hormones. These hormones are considered as developmental factors of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer. We examined the influence of gonadotropins (follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone) and sex hormones (estradiol, progesterone) on oxidant/antioxidant parameters in blood and endometrial tissue of women with complex endometrial hyperplasia. In blood, superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in luteal phase and postmenopause compared to the follicular phase. A significant phase-related difference of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activity was recorded in the endometrium. Both enzymes had lower activity in luteal phase and postmenopause compared to the follicular phase. The linear regression analysis of individual hormonal variables against antioxidant parameters showed negative correlation between glutathione peroxidase activity and gonadotropin concentrations in the endometrium. The regression of hyperplastic to normal endometrium is the purpose of conservative treatment based on administration of progestogens or gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues. Our findings indicate that gonadotropins influence the antioxidant enzymes activity in women with complex endometrial hyperplasia, which may affect disease development. Further studies are needed to clarify the molecular basis of hormone action on antioxidant system that may potentially initiate a development of treatments based on redox-dependent mechanism.

Synthesis of 2-diphospho-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate and a photocaged analogue.

Diphosphoinositol polyphosphates (inositol pyrophosphates, X-InsP7) are a family of second messengers with important roles in eukaryotic biology. Their chemical synthesis and modification remains a challenging task due to the high density of phosphate groups arranged around the myo-inositol core. Here, a novel approach is presented that facilitates the incorporation of the diphosphate in the 2-position (2-InsP7) and that enables the introduction of a photocage subunit.

Antioxidant status in blood of gynaecological patients: influence of diagnosis and reproductive factors.

Cancer of the reproductive tract is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. In this study we evaluated the influence of diagnostic categories, age and reproductive factors on antioxidant enzymes and lipid hydroperoxides in the blood of gynaecological patients diagnosed with endometrial polyp, myoma, hyperplasia simplex, hyperplasia complex and endometrial adenocarcinoma. Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the association of diagnosis, age, parity, abortions and abnormal uterine bleeding with the examined parameters. Diagnosis provided the best predictive model for superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and also for the lipid hydroperoxide level. Abortions fitted the best predictive model for superoxide dismutase activity. A significant correlation was also found between the predictor variables themselves. This study showed that reproductive and other factors may be associated, at least partially, with antioxidant capacity and ability to defend against the oxidative damage in gynaecological patients with various diagnoses.

Organo/layered double hydroxide nanohybrids used to remove non ionic pesticides.

The preparation and characterization of organo/layered double hydroxide nanohybrids with dodecylsulfate and sebacate as interlayer anion were studied in detail. The aim of the modification of the layered double hydroxides (LDHs) was to change the hydrophilic character of the interlayer to hydrophobic to improve the ability of the nanohybrids to adsorb non-ionic pesticides such as alachlor and metolachlor from water. Adsorption tests were conducted on organo/LDHs using variable pH values, contact times and initial pesticide concentrations (adsorption isotherms) in order to identify the optimum conditions for the intended purpose. Adsorbents and adsorption products were characterized several physicochemical techniques. The adsorption test showed that a noticeable increase of the adsorption of the non-ionic herbicides was produced. Based on the results, the organo/LDHs could be good adsorbents to remove alachlor and metolachlor from water. Different organo/LDHs complexes were prepared by a mechanical mixture and by adsorption. The results show that HTSEB-based complex displays controlled release properties that reduce metolachlor leaching in soil columns compared to a technical product and the other formulations. The release was dependent on the nature of the adsorbent used to prepare the complexes. Thus, it can be concluded that organo/LDHs might act as suitable supports for the design of pesticide slow release formulations with the aim of reducing the adverse effects derived from rapid transport losses of the chemical once applied to soils.

[Mathematical modeling in preooperative planning for reconstructive and plastic surgery].

Social importance of skin emphasizes an importance of quality of methods of planning for reconstructive and plastic surgery. With modern technical improvement the usage of complex mathematical model based on biomechanical characteristics of tissue is possible. Two- and three-dimensional model, expert systems and mechanical analysis are used. In this work we tested the system for mechanical analysis in preoperative planning of a simple procedure of the Z-plastic, named the finite-element method. Computer model simulates tissue coverages. With geometrical data some physical characteristics are added. Complex surface of skin is marked by the grid divided in quadrangular elements. Mechanical consequences and definitive results of surgical procedure are analysed during the computer simulation of the action of tension of skin and suture material. In our analysis we found the finite-element method of great usefulness and noticed that "surgery simulators" might be an efficient way to speed-up learning curve in reconstructive surgery.

[Lethal rupture of an echinococcal cyst of the liver]. / Perforation eines Leberechinokokkus mit Todesfolge.

A 50-year-old man is admitted to the hospital emergency service because of a 24-hour history of right abdominal pain. Ultrasound examination and laboratory tests suggest the perforation of an Echinococcal cyst situated in the subcapsular area of the right hepatic lobe. The patient and his family refuse the recommended hospitalisation and operation and leave the hospital on their own responsibility. 60 hours later the patient dies. Post-mortem examination confirms the diagnosis of a perforated hydatid cyst of the right hepatic lobe. The cause of death was a partly fibrino-purulent, partly nodular peritonitis including the area of liver rupture.

[Barium peritonitis caused by perforation of the colon and rectum]. / Bariumski peritonitis kod perforacija kolona i rektuma.

Over the period from 1979 to 1988 the authors treated three patients with perforated colon and rectum, manifested during contrast barium X-ray examination. Perforation of the caecum occurred in one patient; perforation of the sigmoid flexure in the second subject and perforation of the ampulla recti in the third patient. Caecum perforation was spontaneous, and that of the rectum and the sigmoid flexure wall was due to rigid catheter during irigography. The patients were two women and one man. The youngest patient was 50 years old and the oldest was aged 75 years. Surgery of the perforated caecum and ampulla recti was carried out during the first 24 hours, and that of the sigmoid flexure on the seventh day. The following radical operations were performed: the right hemicholoctomy, sigmoid resection with temporary cholostoma, rectum amputation, manyfold drainage of abdominal cavity. Antibodies were also administered. One patient died.