[Closed-circuit television systems : Current importance and tips on adaptation and prescription]. / Bildschirmlesegeräte : Aktueller Stellenwert und Hinweise zu Anpassung und Verordnung.

Closed-circuit television systems (CCTVs) have become an indispensable tool in rehabilitating low vision patients. Compared to optical visual aids, apart from providing maximum magnification these devices have the additional advantage of improved contrast sensitivity and an enlarged field of view. They are often the only visual aid enabling patients to regain reading ability. Our data reflect a decrease in the number of prescriptions caused by improved counseling of low-vision patients. Any prescription of reading aids must be preceded by comprehensive testing and counseling. More recent developments, such as electronic magnifiers are becoming increasingly more important but they are no substitute for CCTV.

PF-114, a potent and selective inhibitor of native and mutated BCR/ABL is active against Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) leukemias harboring the T315I mutation.

Targeting BCR/ABL with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is a proven concept for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) leukemias. Resistance attributable to either kinase mutations in BCR/ABL or nonmutational mechanisms remains the major clinical challenge. With the exception of ponatinib, all approved TKIs are unable to inhibit the 'gatekeeper' mutation T315I. However, a broad spectrum of kinase inhibition increases the off-target effects of TKIs and may be responsible for cardiovascular issues of ponatinib. Thus, there is a need for more selective options for the treatment of resistant Ph+ leukemias. PF-114 is a novel TKI developed with the specifications of (i) targeting T315I and other resistance mutations in BCR/ABL; (ii) achieving a high selectivity to improve safety; and (iii) overcoming nonmutational resistance in Ph+ leukemias. PF-114 inhibited BCR/ABL and clinically important mutants including T315I at nanomolar concentrations. It suppressed primary Ph+ acute lymphatic leukemia-derived long-term cultures that either displayed nonmutational resistance or harbor the T315I. In BCR/ABL- or BCR/ABL-T315I-driven murine leukemia as well as in xenograft models of primary Ph+ leukemia harboring the T315I, PF-114 significantly prolonged survival to a similar extent as ponatinib. Our work supports clinical evaluation of PF-114 for the treatment of resistant Ph+ leukemia.

[Dice test--a simple method for assessment of visual acuity in infants with visual deficits]. / Würfel-Test--eine einfache Methode zur Visusbestimmung bei Sehbehinderung im Kleinkindalter.

PURPOSE: Determination of visual acuity in low vision infants or patients with additional cerebral retardation is difficult. In our low vision department we used dice of different sizes and colors as well as other defined objects to determine visual acuity (VA). In this study we compared the results of the dice test with conventional tests for measurement of visual acuity. METHODS: A total of 88 children with different causes of visual impairment e.g. albinism, retinal scars, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), achromatopsia and optic atrophy etc., were included in this longitudinal study. Median follow-up time was 8.7 years (range 2.9-18.9 years). The first reliable examination was performed between the ages of 4 and 24 months (median 11 months). We estimated VA depending on the edge length of the dice, which were recognized at a distance of 30 cm, while 4 mm complied with VA 20/200. Best corrected binocular visual acuity was compared between the dice test, measurement with the Lea symbols and with numbers or Landolt rings. RESULTS: Estimation of visual acuity using the dice test was possible at the end of the first year of life (median 11 months, range 4-27 months). Although observation is limited to visual acuity results in the low vision range between light reaction and 20/120 there was nearly complete agreement between all three VA measurements. Visual acuity ranged from light perception to 20/20 with a median of 20/100. In 39 patients visual acuity was 20/200 or less at the end of the observation period. Visual acuity estimation overestimated visual acuity only in 5 out of the 88 patients, while in all of the patients with later acuity measurements better than 20/200, our best value of 20/200 was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: Using simple visual objects, such as dice with different colors and size down to an edge length of 4 mm, it is possible to estimate visual acuity in low vision infants within the first year of life. This option is also very helpful in patients who are not able to perform other visual acuity measurements or to give reliable answers using preferential looking, such as severely handicapped patients. In contrast to preferential looking with this dice test there is not only judgment of the reaction by the observer but also activity of the patient who grips the dice he can really see. This allows better counseling of families with low vision infants concerning current and later visual functions.

A sparing procedure to clear the mouse mammary fat pad of epithelial components for transplantation analysis.

Transplantation of epithelial cells into cleared fat pads is a widely used technique in the study of mammary gland biology. It was first described in 1959 and has remained a valuable technique, most recently in conjunction with the analysis of mammary anlagen from knockout mice with an embryonic lethal phenotype or reproductive defect, and for mammary epithelial stem-cell assays or analysis of precancerous cells. Mammary glands, unlike most other organs, mainly develop postnatally. When the small amount of endogenous epithelium present in the fat pad of a prepubertal mouse is removed, this clearance leaves a natural microenvironment that can be repopulated with exogenously supplied epithelial cells. Cells with the appropriate developmental potential (stem cells or progenitor cells) can regenerate the epithelial portion of the mammary gland after puberty and pregnancy. The conventional clearance of the fat pad is an involved surgical procedure. We have improved the technique and minimized surgery and recovery time, while maintaining an efficient removal of endogenous epithelium from the mammary fat pad.

[Occupational training measures for adolescents with asthma and allergy: one-year vocational education]. / Berufsvorbereitende Massnahmen für asthma- und allergiekranke Jugendliche: 1 jähriger Förderungslehrgang.

The "Förderungslehrgang" in our asthma center is a special training program for adolescents handicapped by asthma or allergic diseases who are therefore not able to start apprenticeship. The course takes one year. Besides vocational guidance and tryout of different occupations, medical and psychological diagnostics are performed. Medical service is provided all day, and a hospital with emergency unit is within the area. Though 41% of the participants did finish school without any qualified graduation after their compulsory school attendance, 79% were able to start apprenticeship after the course.

Adaptation of the staphylococcal coagglutination technique for detection of heat-labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli.

Protein A-containing staphylococci coated with specific antiserum were tested for heat-labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli. The immunological cross-reactivity of E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin with Vibrio cholerae toxin (choleragen) was the basis for sensitizing stabilized suspensions of the Cowan I strain of Staphylococcus aureus with anticholeragen. Unconcentrated culture supernatant fluid containing E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin produced macroscopic agglutination when mixed with sensitized staphylococci in capillary tubes. A total of 15 toxigenic and 61 nontoxigenic isolates were tested by the staphylococcal coagglutination technique in a coded fashion and found to be in agreement with previous results of the Chinese hamster ovary cell assay and the passive immune hemolysis test. The staphylococcal coagglutination technique is simple, relatively inexpensive to perform, and requires the immunoglobulin fraction of anticholeragen as the only specific reagent. The staphylococcal coagglutination technique appears to have potential for routine use in diagnostic microbiology laboratories.