[Duplex sonography of visceral arteries]. / Duplexsonographie der Viszeralarterien - Eine Ubersicht -

Mesenterial bloodflow has been investigated routinely using colour Doppler ultrasound especially in patients with bowel disease. Examination protocols, however, differ considerably, because no standard technique has been established so far. Whereas there is agreement about the angle of ultrasonic application (< 60 degrees ), neither the exact location nor the relevant examination parameters have been standardized. Based on a search of the relevant literature, examination techniques and results were analysed. These findings are to serve as a basis for a prospective multi-center study for the determination of standard values.

Lipase production by Penicillium restrictum using solid waste of industrial babassu oil production as substrate.

Lipase, protease, and amylase production by Penicillium restrictum in solid-state fermentation was investigated. The basal medium was an industrial waste of babassu oil (Orbignya oleifera) production. It was enriched with peptone, olive oil, and Tween-80. The supplementation positively influenced both enzyme production and fungal growth. Media enriched with Tween-80 provided the highest protease activity (8.6 U/g), whereas those enriched with peptone and olive oil led to the highest lipase (27.8 U/g) and amylase (31.8 U/g) activities, respectively.

Detection and preliminary characterization of extracellular proteolytic activities of the haloalkaliphilic archaeon Natronococcus occultus.

Extracellular proteolytic activity was detected in the haloalkaliphilic archaeon Natronococcus occultus as the culture reached the stationary growth phase. Proteolytic activity was precipitated with ethanol and subjected to a preliminary characterization. Optimal conditions for activity were attained at 60 degrees C and 1-2 M NaCl or KCl. Gelatin zymography in the presence of 4 M betaine revealed a complex pattern of active species with apparent molecular masses ranging from 50 to 120 kDa. Experiments performed with inhibitors of the various groups of proteases indicated that the extracellular proteolytic enzymes of N. occultus are of the serine type. Individual protein species showed some differences in salt and thermal stability.

[Duplex sonography in gastroenterology]. / Duplexsonographie in der Gastroenterologie.

Blood flow in vessels and organs can be examined noninvasively by conventional and colour-coded duplex sonography. This method is very practicable in portal hypertension, portal thrombosis and Budd-Chiari-Syndrome. Stenosis and occlusion of the coeliac trunk and the superior mesenteric artery can be detected. In the future duplex-sonography might be of importance in the differential diagnosis of space occupying lesions. Quantitative blood flow measurement is unnecessary in daily practise but is successfully used in scientific work.

Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas. Clinical, morphological, and immunohistochemical findings.

Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas, formerly also termed branchial cyst, is an extremely rare tumor of uncertain histogenesis. Our case, that of a 53-year-old man, is the fourth to be described. Fluid aspirated from the cyst exhibited a very high concentration of carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA; 5000 ng/ml), and a high level of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9; 187 U/l), suggesting a diagnosis of carcinoma of the pancreas. However, the serum CEA and CA 19-9 levels were only slightly elevated (5.5 ng/ml and 125 U/l, respectively). Histologic investigation revealed a cyst lined by squamous epithelium with closely associated lymphoid tissue, without cellular atypia. Numerous lymphocytes, mainly T cells (UCHL1 positive), were present in the lining epithelium. The lymphoid tissue surrounding the lining epithelium was composed of germinal centers and T regions. Epithelial cords contiguous with the squamous epithelium lining the cyst radiated out through the lymphoid tissue towards the pancreatic parenchyma, which suggests that lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas is a true pancreatic cyst. Since the excretory ducts of the normal pancreatic tissue and some of the epithelial cells lining the cyst were immunoreactive for CEA and CA 19-9, it can be concluded that CEA and CA 19-9 in the cyst contents are probably produced by cells derived from the exocrine pancreas. The histogenesis of lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas remains unclear, but it is probable that it derives from the duct system of the pancreas.

[Restrictive cardiomyopathy as a late sequel of influenza A2 virus myocarditis]. / Restriktive Kardiomyopathie als Spätfolge einer Influenza-A2-Virus-Myokarditis.

A clinically acute myocarditis with an increase of the influenza A2-virus titer marks the beginning of a ten year history leading to a restrictive cardiomyopathy, complicated by an exudative enteropathy. Two serial endomyocardial biopsies reveal an increasing interstitial fibrosis. Virus myocarditis as a cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy, which corresponds to the old term "myocardial fibrosis", is discussed.

[The information value of roentgen computerized tomography in atrial tumors of the heart]. / Informationswert der Röntgencomputertomographie bei Vorhoftumoren des Herzens.

The symptoms of intracavitary masses are usually not characteristic and are often confused with those of mitral valve disease. It is therefore necessary to employ all possible diagnostic measures. Like echo cardiography, computer tomography is a non-invasive method which provides accurate information concerning the size, position and shape of the mass. Angiocardiography can confirm these findings, but provides extra information only if there are additional abnormalities or coronary disease. Early diagnosis is important, since the patient is at risk from complications such as cardiac failure, emboli and arrhythmias, and since operative removal of the tumour carries a good prognosis.