Moving contact line of a volatile fluid.

Interfacial flows close to a moving contact line are inherently multiscale. The shape of the interface and the flow at meso- and macroscopic scales inherit an apparent interface slope and a regularization length, both named after Voinov, from the microscopic inner region. Here, we solve the inner problem associated with the contact line motion for a volatile fluid at equilibrium with its vapor. The evaporation or condensation flux is then controlled by the dependence of the saturation temperature on interface curvature-the so-called Kelvin effect. We derive the dependencies of the Voinov angle and of the Voinov length as functions of the parameters of the problem. We then identify the conditions under which the Kelvin effect is indeed the mechanism regularizing the contact line motion.

Sentinel lymph node radiolocalization and biopsy in oral cavity and oropharynx mucosal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to assess our feasibility and accuracy of sentinel lymph node radiolocalization in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx, and to determine whether the pathology of the sentinel node reflected regional disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients preoperatively underwent lymphoscintigraphy after peritumoral injection of a 99m Tc labeled radiocolloid. After perioperative gamma probe radiolocalization of the sentinel lymph nodes, elective neck dissection was performed. The histopathological examination of the sentinel nodes and other nodes of neck dissection specimen were compared. RESULTS: Detection of sentinel lymph nodes by lymphoscintigraphy was feasible in all 12 patients. Also localization with a handheld gamma probe was successful in all patients. Forty sentinel nodes and 276 non-sentinel nodes were histopathologically examined. Occult metastases were confirmed in 7 sentinel nodes (4 patients). There was no false negative sentinel lymph node in our series. CONCLUSION: Identification of the sentinel lymph node in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx is technically feasible and accurate. This method shows to be able to predict occult metastases and select patients who would benefit from neck dissection (Fig. 1, Tab. 2, Ref. 28). Full Text in free PDF www.bmj.sk.

[Antireflux procedures at our unit (1990-1999)]. / Refluxgátló mútétek klinikánk gyakorlatában (1990-1999).

UNLABELLED: A retrospective analysis was carried out to evaluate the changing attitude of antireflux surgical practice of the authors. Between 1990 and 1994 24 antireflux procedures were performed. Laparoscopic antireflux surgery was introduced in 1995. Since then 41 laparoscopic and 23 open repairs have been performed. Indication for surgery was always based on thorough preoperative examination protocol including functional tests of the esophagus. Each patients had undergone endoscopic and X-ray examinations. The patients are under continuous follow-up surveillance. During the postoperative follow-up studies more than 2/3 of the patients (61 patients) agreed to carry out the functional tests postoperatively. RESULTS: The demographic data of patients of the two study periods proved to be comparable. The length of history was 10.5 years in the first group, while it was 8.9 years in the second group. In both groups the surgical repair caused significant reflux control confirmed by decrease of reflux index and number of reflux episodes furthermore by increase of resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Actually 4 recurrences are known in the first group and 2 in the second group. One of the 4 recurrences observed in the first period was treated by redo surgery. The patients having recurrences in the second period can easily be managed by medical therapy. There was no mortality and severe morbidity during the study periods. Few patients reported mild temporary dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: In a given proportion of reflux patients the individually planned and perfectly performed antireflux surgery offers an acceptable definitive treatment option. The availability of endoscopic surgery enhances this trend, which can be seen all over the world. An increase can be seen in the number of procedures: nearly three times more patients were operated on during the second period. The early clinical results of laparoscopic antireflux procedures are good enough. Good long-term results can be expected if we accept and apply the basic technical principles determined during the open surgery era.

alpha-Amino-beta-sulphone hydroxamates as potent MMP-13 inhibitors that spare MMP-1.

A series of alpha-amino-beta-sulphone hydroxamates was prepared and evaluated for potency versus MMP-13 and selectivity versus MMP-1. Various substituents were employed on the alpha-amino group (P(1) position), as well as different groups attached to the sulphone group extending into P(1)'. Low nanomolar potency was obtained for MMP-13 with selectivity versus MMP-1 of >1000x for a number of analogues.

Selective, orally active MMP inhibitors with an aryl backbone.

This letter describes SAR exploration and rat PK optimization of a series of novel, MMP-1 sparing aryl hydroxamate sulfonamides with activity against MMP-2 and MMP-13.

Synthesis and activity of selective MMP inhibitors with an aryl backbone.

A series of novel, MMP-1 sparing arylhydroxamate sulfonamides with activity against MMP-2 and -13 is described.

Antiinflammatory 4,5-diarylimidazoles as selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors.

The synthesis and activity of a series of 4,5-diarylimidazole analogs are described. One analog had an IC50 of 80 nM, was 6750-selective against COX-1, and demonstrated in vivo potency in the mouse air pouch model.

[The role of sonography in laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / A sonographia szerepe a laparoscopos cholecystectomiában.

Between January 1991. and December 1993. in the 3rd Surgical Department of Semmelweis Medical University 735 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed. Intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred in 2.7% and 3% respectively. Conversion to open procedure was necessary in 8.4%, reintervention was indicated in 2.3%. The total occurrence of common bile duct stones was noticed in 1.6%. The incidence of bile duct injury 0.54%. The role of sonography in laparoscopic cholecystectomy is multiple: patient-selection, diagnosis of complications, ultrasound guided interventions in cases of complications, follow up of patients. The authors compared in 419 cases the preoperative sonography with the intraoperative finding. The risk of intra- and postoperative complications was significantly higher if the stone was impacted into the cystic region, if the gallbladder was enlarged, especially with wall-thickening and signs of acute inflammation. The fibrosis and scarring of gallbladder represent an increased risk as well. The accuracy in estimation of common bile duct dilatation is very high, but in the judgement of bile duct stones there was a high false positive rate. In spite of this, the echography is very well applicable for patient-selection. In the patient group selected with positive sonographical finding for open cholecystectomy, the prevalence of common bile duct stones was 25%, compared with 1.6% in laparoscopic group. In cases of postoperative complications the diagnostic sonography may be followed with ultrasound-guided puncture and/or drainage.

Surgical relations of Crohn's disease and the frequency of recurrence.

There is no disease that would have as many and variable complications as Crohn's disease. One of the most common complications is bowel obstruction which can be caused by the angulation of the bowel or by inflammation, or by formation of granulation tissue (32.3%). Very common is the formation of fistulae amongst the bowels involved and other abdominal organs, and also entero-cutaneous fistulae occur frequently (11.3-14.4%). The frequency of complications is increasing with the duration of the illness. If they are life-threatening, only surgical treatment can help. Surgical treatment is also indicated when conservative treatment fails. The most commonly used surgical interventions are bowel resection and, recently, the plasty of stenotic areas. The operative mortality (3.7%) is influenced by the length of the disease and by the numbers of complications. Recurrence is very common in Crohn's disease (30.1-34.9%). The mortality rate of the second operation is 17.5%. The prognosis is usually poor because recurrence can occur years after the primary operation. In Hungary, the frequency of surgically treated patients with Crohn's disease is low, they count for 0.06% of all general surgical operations.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / A laparoscopos cholecystectomiáról.

Traditional cholecystectomy has been the standard surgical treatment of the gallstone disease for more than 100 years. The technical development led to a new surgical procedure and its rapid acceptance. This is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Its application is becoming widespread in therapy too. But most of the surgeons are lack of technical experiences in this field. Currently it restricts the indications those are anyway the same of standard cholecystectomy. Besides its many advantages, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has its own disadvantages and being an invasive procedure, there are possibilities of complications. The latest can be reduced by the adequate choice of patients, the careful learning of the operative technic and by turning to open surgery (conversion) when it is necessary. Its morbidity is nearly equal to complications of standard cholecystectomy, but mortality rate is lower (0.05-0.2%). Our morbidity of performed 300 laparoscopic cholecystectomies was 6.4%. We had no death. The hospitalization became as short as 4 days. Our early clinical results (90%) are the same of traditional cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a new surgical procedure involves the efficiency of the standard cholecystectomy and the noninvasive endoscopic technic. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by well trained surgeons is a safe surgical procedure, its early results are excellent and makes the choice of surgical treatment, used in bile surgery richer.

DNA sequence and transcriptional analysis of the tblA gene required for tabtoxin biosynthesis by Pseudomonas syringae.

The tblA gene of Pseudomonas syringae is required for tabtoxin biosynthesis and is under the control of a regulatory gene, lemA. We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the tblA gene and identified the 5' end of the tblA gene transcript. The sequence of the tblA gene was identified to that of the recently reported open reading frame 1 gene of the tabA region of the BR2 chromosome. The open reading frame of the tblA gene potentially encodes a protein of 231 amino acids. mRNA from the tblA gene was detected at all phases of cells grown in minimal medium. This result is correlated with the constitutive production of tabtoxinine-beta-lactam (the biologically active part of the toxin) by P. syringae BR2R in minimal medium, as quantitated by a phenylisothiocyanate derivatization method.

Genetics of methane and methanol oxidation in gram-negative methylotrophic bacteria.

Within the past few years, considerable progress has been made in the understanding of the molecular genetics of methane and methanol oxidation. In order to summarize this progress and to illustrate the important genetic methods employed, this review will focus on several well-studied organisms. These organisms include the gram-negative faculative methylotrophs Methylobacterium extorquens, Methylobacterium organophilum and Paracoccus denitrificans. In addition, the obligate methanotrophs Methylococcus capsulatus and Methylosinus trichosporium are discussed. We have chosen not to discuss the genetics of methanol oxidation in the yeasts or in gram-positive bacteria. Likewise, the genetics of related topics (for example, methylamine oxidation and carbon assimilation pathways) are not reviewed here. Broad host range conjugatable plasmids have enabled researchers to complement mutations and clone genes from gram-negative methylotrophic bacteria. More recently, 'promoter probe' derivative plasmids have been used to elucidate aspects of gene regulation. Also, alternative gene-cloning techniques are proving useful in circumventing problems in the genetic studies of the obligate methanotrophs, the group of bacteria that is the most refractory to traditional methods.

[Complications of Crohn disease, surgical indications, surgical solutions and recurrence]. / A Crohn-betegség szövödményei, mütéti indikációi, mütéti megoldásai és recidívája.

There is not another disease, of which complications would be such frequent and various as of Crohn's disease. One of the most common complications is intestinal obstruction, caused by angulation and stricture, as a result of inflammatory granulomas. Fistulas between affected intestines and cavital organs or the abdominal wall can also often be observed. The likelihood of appearing complications is correlating with the time from the onset of the disease. If they are dangerous for the patient's life, surgical intervention is required. In some of the cases, when complications don't threaten the patient's life, medical treatment may be beneficial. Surgery is indicated only in those cases, when complications mean danger, or the continuous active medical treatment is insufficient. Most frequently the resection of the damaged intestine is performed, nowadays stricture plasty is also recommended. The operative mortality is 4.1%. The disease is featured by frequent recurrences: 28% to 33.3%. The current operative mortality is 18.6%. The prognosis is always uncertain, because recurrence may occur many years after operation.

[Etiology, symptomatology, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and management of Crohn disease]. / A Crohn-betegség etiológiája, tünettana, diagnosztikája, differenciáldiagnosztikája és belgyógyászati terápiája.

The non specific, chronic, inflammatory, granulomatous Crohn's disease is not common in our country. Despite wide clinical and experimental experiences, its etiology hasn't been cleared yet. Its symptoms are especially various. The diagnosis--particularly in early stages--despite the clinical feature and modern diagnostic methods, is difficult. Only histology can give exact diagnosis. However Crohn's disease often can be diagnosed only on the basis of clinical symptoms, later appearing complications featuring this disease--particularly fistula--and indirect histological changes that can be seen in biopsy. Differential diagnosis--particularly in early stages--is also difficult, as the symptoms of Crohn's disease may be similar to symptoms of any other abdominal diseases. The therapy of Crohn's disease is mainly medical, even in some of those cases, when the occurring complications don't threaten the patient's life. Remission doesn't mean total recovery. Even by supporting treatment the disease may relapse at any time. Surgical treatment in indicated only in those cases, when complication occur threatening the patient's life, when active medical treatment is insufficient, or despite medical treatment progression can be observed.

Regulation of tabtoxin production by the lemA gene in Pseudomonas syringae.

Pseudomonas syringae pv. coronafaciens, a pathogen of oats, was mutagenized with Tn5 to generate mutants defective in tabtoxin production. From a screen of 3,400 kanamycin-resistant transconjugants, seven independent mutants that do not produce tabtoxin (Tox-) were isolated. Although the Tn5 insertions within these seven mutants were linked, they were not located in the previously described tabtoxin biosynthetic region of P. syringae. Instead, all of the insertions were within the P. syringae pv. coronafaciens lemA gene. The lemA gene is required by strains of P. syringae pv. syringae for pathogenicity on bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris). In contrast to the phenotype of a P. syringae pv. syringae lemA mutant, the Tox- mutants of P. syringae pv. coronafaciens were still able to produce necrotic lesions on oat plants (Avena sativa), although without the chlorosis associated with tabtoxin production. Northern (RNA) hybridization experiments indicated that a functional lemA gene was required for the detection of a transcript produced from the tblA locus located in the tabtoxin biosynthetic region. Marker exchange mutagenesis of the tblA locus resulted in loss of tabtoxin production. Therefore, both the tblA and lemA genes are required for tabtoxin biosynthesis, and the regulation of tabtoxin production by lemA probably occurs at the transcriptional level.

Surgical treatment of stenosed duodenal ulcers.

Based on the clinical pattern (case history, radiological, endoscopic and laboratory examinations) four stages of ulcerous stenoses are distinguished (stage I: subclinical; stage II: compensated; stage III: decompensated; stage IV; complete stenosis). Organ-preserving vagotomy is justified only in stages I and II, in which the motoric function and emptying of the stomach is not yet damaged. In stages III and IV resection is the operation of choice. This view is supported by the results of the authors.

Cloning and expression of the tabtoxin biosynthetic region from Pseudomonas syringae.

Pseudomonas syringae BR2, a causal agent of bean wildfire, was subjected to Tn5 mutagenesis in an effort to isolate mutants unable to produce the beta-lactam antibiotic tabtoxin. Three of the tabtoxin-minus (Tox-) mutants generated appeared to have physically linked Tn5 insertions and retained their resistance to the active toxin form, tabtoxnine-beta-lactam (T beta L). The wild-type DNA corresponding to the mutated region was cloned and found to restore the Tn5 mutants to toxin production. The use of cloned DNA from the region as hybridization probes revealed that the region is highly conserved among tabtoxin-producing pathovars of P. syringae and that the region deletes at a relatively high frequency (10(-3)/CFU) in BR2. The Tox- deletion mutants also lost resistance to tabtoxinine-beta-lactam. A cosmid designated pRTBL823 restored toxin production and resistance to BR2 deletion mutants. This cosmid also converted the tabtoxin-naive P. syringae epiphyte Cit7 to toxin production and resistance, indicating that pRTBL823 contains a complete set of biosynthetic and resistance genes. Tox- derivatives of BR2 did not produce disease symptoms on bean. Clones that restored toxin production to both insertion and deletion mutants also restored the ability to cause disease. However, tabtoxin-producing Cit7 derivatives remained nonpathogenic on bean and tobacco, suggesting that tabtoxin production alone is not sufficient to cause disease.

The use of CO2 laser in plastic surgery and dermatology.

The applicability of TLS61 CO2 developed in Hungary was investigated in dermatological-plastic surgery. This apparatus can be used with benefit in certain plastic operations, like lipectomy, dermabrasion, removal of keloid-tattoo and skin excisions.