Chemical marking of European glass eels Anguilla anguilla with alizarin red S and in combination with strontium: in situ evaluation of short-term salinity effects on survival and efficient mass-marking.

This study presents a new chemical double-marking technique for European glass eels Anguilla anguilla by combing alizarin red S (ARS) and strontium chloride hexahydrate (Sr). Marked eels (double marked with ARS and Sr, but also single marked with ARS) were exposed in situ to brackish water (15 g l-1 artificial sea salt) for 14 days and did not exhibit increased mortalities compared with unmarked eels. Indeed, no mortality occurred in a marked group during the experiments. Moreover, an efficient mass-marking approach with low handling effort for both single ARS and double ARS-Sr techniques is described and was proven to be practicable for large-scale stocking programmes.

New possible quark-hadron mixed phase in protoneutron stars.

The transition from hadronic to quark matter at high density is a strong first order phase transition if the surface tension between the two phases is large. While this implies a constant-pressure mixed phase in cold neutron star matter this is not the case for the hot and lepton rich matter of protoneutron stars. By considering the global conservation of lepton number during the stage of neutrino trapping, we show that a new mixed phase with non-constant pressure could appear in protoneutron stars and it would gradually disappear during deleptonization. We discuss the peculiar properties of this mixed phase and its possible significant effects on the evolution of protoneutron stars and their neutrino emission.

Repeated roll-to-roll transfer of two-dimensional materials by electrochemical delamination.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene (Gr), molybdenum disulfide and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) hold great promise for low-cost and ubiquitous electronics for flexible displays, solar cells or smart sensors. To implement this vision, scalable production, transfer and patterning technologies of 2D materials are needed. Recently, roll-to-roll (R2R) processing, a technique that is widely used in industry and known to be cost-effective and scalable, was applied to continuously grow and transfer graphene. However, more work is needed to understand the possibilities and limitations of this technology to make R2R processing of 2D materials feasible. In this work, we fabricated a custom R2R transferring system that allows the accurate control of the process parameters. We employ continuous electrochemical delamination, known as "bubble transfer", to eliminate chemical etchant waste and enable the continuous transfer of 2D materials from metal foils. This also makes our transfer method a renewable and environmentally friendly process. We investigate the surface topology as well as the electrical parameters of roll-to-roll transferred graphene on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) coated with ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Furthermore, we demonstrate for the first time the stacking of two layers of graphene or graphene on hBN by repeated lamination and delamination onto EVA/PET. These results are an important contribution to creating low-cost, large scale and flexible electronics based on 2D materials.

[Limb salvage for the diabetic foot - disease management program]. / Extremitätenerhalt für den diabetischen Fuss - Disease-Management-Programm.

OBJECTIVE: Lower-extremity amputation (LEA) is a common complication among patients with diabetes. This study tests the effects of a structured disease management program for the diabetic foot (DF) aiming to reduce the number of LEA. DESIGN, METHODS: In a prospective study design we investigate patients with DF in a system of outpatient treatment, acute in-patient care and rehabilitative treatment. Subjects were recruited since January 1(st), 2000, with the latest admission being December 31, 2004. All study participants undergo a five-year follow-up observation period. The University of Texas Wound Classification System (UT) of foot ulcers serves as basis of the documentation and analysis. We evaluated numbers of LEA, rates of ulcer healing and underlying forms of peripheral vascular disease. RESULTS: We report the results of the first patient group completing the two-year follow-up examination. In 2000, 102 subjects with new foot ulcers were consecutively included into the study. 68.6% were men, the mean age of the study population was 68.1 +/- 11.4 years and the mean diabetes duration was 19.4 +/- 10.3 years. After two years, 68 patients can still be examined. Altogether, 22 patients (21.6%) died, and 12 (11.8%) dropped out for various reasons. At the point of discharge from the clinics 35.3% of the ulcers had healed and another 44.1% were in UT grade 1. After two years, a complete healing could still be determined with 51 patients (50.0% of the cohort of the original 102 patients, or 75.0% of the subjects reaching the two-year follow-up). 10 subjects (9.8% or 14.5%) were in the UT grade 1. Eight diabetics underwent major amputation (MA) during the two-year examination period (amputation rate 7.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The primary objective of the study, a significant reduction of MA with DF patients, has been achieved. The ulcer healing rates are comparable to the reports of leading centers.

Mouse white adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells gain pericentral and periportal hepatocyte features after differentiation in vitro, which are preserved in vivo after hepatic transplantation.

AIM: Mesenchymal stem cells may differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, they are considered a novel cell resource for the treatment of various liver diseases. Here, the aim was to demonstrate that mesenchymal stem cells may adopt both perivenous and periportal hepatocyte-specific functions in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from immunodeficient C57BL/6 (B6.129S6-Rag2(tm1Fwa) Prf1(tm1Clrk) ) mice and differentiated into the hepatocytic phenotype by applying a simple protocol. Their physiological and metabolic functions were analysed in vitro and after hepatic transplantation in vivo. RESULTS: Mesenchymal stem cells changed their morphology from a fibroblastoid into shapes of osteocytes, chondrocytes, adipocytes and hepatocytes. Typical for mesenchymal stem cells, hematopoietic marker genes were not expressed. CD90, which is not expressed on mature hepatocytes, decreased significantly after hepatocytic differentiation. Markers indicative for liver development like hepatic nuclear factor 4 alpha, or for perivenous hepatocyte specification like cytochrome P450 subtype 3a11, and CD26 were significantly elevated. Periportal hepatocyte-specific markers like carbamoylphosphate synthetase 1, the entry enzyme of the urea cycle, were up-regulated. Consequently, cytochrome P450 enzyme activity and urea synthesis increased significantly to values comparable to cultured primary hepatocytes. Both perivenous and periportal qualities were preserved after hepatic transplantation and integration into the host parenchyma. CONCLUSIONS: Adult mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells featuring both periportal and perivenous functions. Hence, they are promising candidates for the treatment of region-specific liver cell damage and may support organ regeneration in acute and chronic liver diseases.

Eye sequelae following external irradiation.

The early reactions of the eye to radiation are conjunctivitis and, with higher doses, corneal damage. The inflammatory reactions are transient and remit within a few weeks after the end of radiotherapy. Doses above 60 Gy can produce corneal ulcerations with the risk of perforation and loss of the eye. The most frequent late reaction of the eye is cataract of the lens. The tolerance dose (about 5 Gy) is extremely low and the latent period varies from 6 months to 3 years. The lens in children has a much lower tolerance. The increasing potential for optical support and ophthalmic surgery over recent decades has reduced the fear of this complication. The most severe late complications are retinopathy (RR) and neuropathy of the optic nerve (RON), both of which are caused by radiation-induced microangiopathy. Visual loss is very frequent and complete blindness is seen with high doses in the range of 50-60 Gy. The latent period of these injuries varies widely from 1 month to 15 years, but they usually occur within 3 years of treatment. Conflicting frequencies are reported in the literature. Beyond 30 Gy, usually no RR is seen. However, the lowest recorded dose producing RR is 11 Gy. In the high dose range of 60-70 Gy RR and RON are found in 10%-100% of patients. There is a great need for prospective trials to estimate the true risk to patients with nasopharyngeal, maxillo-ethmoidal, and orbital tumors, pituitary adenomas, and tumors of the salivary glands. To minimize complications of radiotherapy to the eyes daily fractions should be reduced to 1.7-1.8Gy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Neurological development during toddling age in normal children and children at risk of developmental disorders.

Toddling age (1.5-4 years) is a period in which the quality rather than the quantity of motor functions changes. We examined 305 normal and 43 so called 'risk' children with an examination technique which concentrates on observations of motor functions (grasping, sitting, crawling, standing and walking) in a standardized free field situation. Examples of the changes during toddling age are presented such as the decrease of yoke movements (i.e. shoulder movements during reaching), the increase of trunk motility, of variability of speed during crawling, narrowing of gait width, and an increased ability to avoid objects on the floor and to show maneuverability during walking. All changes occurred in the normal children between the ages of 2 and 3 years. They reflect a 'transformation' of neural functions. Many of the 'risk' children show qualitatively different motor behaviour, which is interpreted as non-optimal and which can be an early sign of neurological impairment. The transformation in neural functions is discussed in terms of neuroanatomical changes during toddling age.

Signals of the QCD phase transition in core-collapse supernovae.

We explore the implications of the QCD phase transition during the postbounce evolution of core-collapse supernovae. Using the MIT bag model for the description of quark matter, we model phase transitions that occur during the early postbounce evolution. This stage of the evolution can be simulated with general relativistic three-flavor Boltzmann neutrino transport. The phase transition produces a second shock wave that triggers a delayed supernova explosion. If such a phase transition happens in a future galactic supernova, its existence and properties should become observable as a second peak in the neutrino signal that is accompanied by significant changes in the energy of the emitted neutrinos. This second neutrino burst is dominated by the emission of antineutrinos because the electron degeneracy is reduced when the second shock passes through the previously neutronized matter.

[Diagnosis and clinical symptoms of antiphospholipid Syndrome]. / Klinik und Diagnostik des Antiphospholipid-Syndroms.

The diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome is based on clinical symptoms and is verified by laboratory testing. The spectrum of clinical symptoms includes not only arterial or venous thrombosis, a variety of neurological manifestations as well as pregnancy associated complications have been defined as relevant for the diagnosis. This article discusses the complexity of laboratory testing, problems of its standardisation and interpretation of test results. Progress and limitations of laboratory analysis are compared and the clinician will learn to read lab results with caution.

Fulminant lactic acidosis in two patients with Type 2 diabetes treated with metformin.

Lactic acidosis is a known adverse risk of metformin treatment. We report two cases in whom fulminant lactic acidosis developed during treatment. There were no contraindications to metformin treatment and both were admitted with abdominal discomfort for some days, causing dehydration. Both patients had renal failure on admission, developed multiple organ failure and both suffered a massive stroke. One patient died and the other survived but is severely disabled. We suggest, in both cases, that acute renal failure developed as a result of dehydration, causing metformin accumulation and lactic acidosis. We recommend that all patients on metformin should consider discontinuation of metformin treatment in the event of a severe medical condition causing dehydration.

[A rare complication of interstitial therapy with iodine-125 seeds: embolization of a seed into the lung]. / Eine seltene Komplikation der interstitiellen Therapie mit Jod-125-Spickung: Embolisation eines Seeds in die Lunge.

A case report is given on the embolization of an iodine-125 seed following to interstitial therapy of an anal carcinoma. The problems involved are discussed and possible consequences are indicated.

Discovery of a transalkylation mechanism--identification of ethylmercury+ at a tetraethyllead-contaminated site using sodiumtetrapropylborate, GC-AED and HPLC-AFS.

Although organolead as a gasoline additive is banned in most countries, contamination by organolead compounds is still present. Little is known about transformation reactions of organolead compounds and especially transalkylation reactions with other metals. Laboratory experiments to clarify transalkylation reactions between organolead and inorganic mercury, and investigations of sites, where organolead compounds were emitted, are reported. Under laboratory conditions, inorganic mercury is ethylated to ethylmercury+ in presence of tetraethyllead. These transalkylations take place very fast and almost completely. In soil samples from an industrial site contaminated with organolead compounds and inorganic mercury, EtHg+ was clearly identified in high concentrations (up to 46 mg Hg/kg dw). Furthermore, methylmercury+ was found in concentrations up to 27 mg Hg/kg dw. It is the first time, that a transethylation of an organolead compound to an organomercurial compound in the environment is reported. It must be assumed, that this transalkylation takes place at sites, where organolead compounds occur and Hg2+ is available. Thus, it will be necessary to assess the risk of these sites.

[Qualitative demands on a anti-N blood group test reagent from Vicia graminea (anti N vg)]. / Qualitative Anforderungen an ein Blutgruppentestreagens Anti-N aus Vicia graminea (Anti Nvg)

Qualitative demands made on anti-NVg are enunciated. Apart from a short description of the production and directions for the use indications for testing the specific effect, the purity and the titre are given. Furthermore, serological peculiarities of the anti-NVg for special questions are reported. Anti-NVg shall enlarge the series of the out superseding the usual anti-N-serum of the blood-group-serological diagnostic remedies with-rabbit.

Behavioral effects of an antiandrogen in adult male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).

This study was designed to determine how to suppress behavioral effects of androgens with a pure non-steroidal antiandrogen, Hydroxyflutamide (OHF). The major dependent variable was yawning behavior of castrated adult male rhesus macaques. Injections of testosterone propionate (TP) increased yawning frequency and cessation of TP injections produced a decrease in yawning frequency. A similar decrease was observed with simultaneous injections of TP and OHF. It has been found that the dose of OHF injected subcutaneously should be 80 times that of TP to block the effects of either physiological or supraphysiological doses of TP.

[Clinical relevance of determining lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Klinische Wertigkeit der Bestimmung von Lymphozytensubpopulationen im peripheren Blut von Patienten mit Rheumatoid-Arthritis (RA).

Blood lymphocytes were determined from 21 patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a cross-sectional study with 5 monoclonal antibodies (MAb) of the BL-series. 7 patients were examined with the same MAb over a time period of 14 weeks before and after a prednisolone-pulse therapy. The cross-sectional study showed a significant higher percentage of Ia4+ T-helper/inducer-lymphocytes in RA-patients compared to control persons. The value of Ia4+ T-lymphocytes didn't correlate to the clinical activity of the RA. No significant differences were observed in the helper/suppressor T-lymphocyte ratio. The lymphocyte subpopulations were not significantly different immediately before and after a prednisolone-pulse therapy. The percentage of B-lymphocytes was significantly higher in comparison to the controls 24 h after prednisolone-pulse therapy. An immunomonitoring of the clinical activity and the therapy of RA is not possible with the used MAb.

The development of crawling between 18 months and four years.

Various quantitative and qualitative aspects of crawling were analysed in small groups of carefully selected normal toddlers of 1 1/2, two, 2 1/2, three, 3 1/2 and four years of age in a cross-sectional design. Between two and three years of age, major changes occurred in all observed aspects, resulting in differentiated, adaptive and efficient crawling. It is proposed that these changes are based on so-called adaptive variability, an age-related developmental process which seems to be a prerequisite for the development of cognition.

Determination of organic mercury species in soils by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection.

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection was optimized for the simultaneous separation and quantification of nine organic mercury compounds: methyl-, ethyl-, phenyl-, methoxyethyl-, ethoxyethyl-, benzoic and tolylmercury, mersalylic acid and nitromersol. The nine compounds were successfully separated on octadecylsilane columns (200 x 3 mm i.d.) by gradient elution with a methanol-water mixture ranging from 30 to 50% v/v. The detection limits for the various compounds are in the range 7.0-95.1 micrograms dm-3. For the extraction of five organomercurials from spiked soils, eight different extraction solutions were tested to differentiate between the total content and the available/soluble fraction of the analytes. Ammonium acetate solutions (1 mol dm-3) and water proved to be suitable agents for the estimation of the available and soluble fractions of methyl-, ethyl-, benzoic, methoxyethyl- and ethoxyethylmercury. For the determination of the total content of methyl- and benzoic mercury in soils, solutions of potassium iodide (1 mol dm-3)-ascorbic acid (0.1 mol dm-3) and oxalic acid (1 mol dm-3) provided recoveries in the ranges 53-81%. None of the solutions tested is suitable for the extraction of ethyl-, methoxyethyl- and ethoxyethylmercury.

[Equipment for rapid and reliable perineal implantation of I-125 seeds in prostatic cancer with reduced radiation exposure]. / Vorrichtung zur schnellen, sicheren und strahlenbelastungsreduzierten perinealen Implantation von J-125-Seeds beim Prostatakarzinom.

The aim of an implantation of iodine seeds into the prostate controlled by ultrasound is reached by means of the equipment presented in this paper. The method, allowing to implant the seeds according to the therapy plan, has been developed above all in order to reduce the radiation exposure to the physicist, the radiotherapist and the surgeon.

Treatment of nonspecific diarrhea with metronidazole in rhesus macaques.

Nonspecific diarrhea was successfully treated with metronidazole in 76% (13/17) of cases in adult rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Effective treatment was achieved by oral administration of metronidazole daily at a low dose of 250 mg for at least eight days or at high daily doses of 500-1,500 mg for one to four days. Minimal effective total dose was 1500 mg. Apart from occasional vomiting, no side effects were observed.

Toxicity of organomercury compounds: bioassay results as a basis for risk assessment.

A former mercury plant, where mercury salts and organomercurials for pesticide use were produced, caused soil contamination in high concentrations. Typical organomercurial products included ethylmercury, phenylmercury, methoxyethylmercury and ethoxyethylmercury compounds. Risk assessment of these sites must be carried out before any major clean-up processes can be planned. A sensitive speciation technique for the various organomercury species in environmental matrices is a prerequisite for toxicity investigations. In this connection, a high-performance liquid chromatography-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC-AFS) technique has been developed to differentiate between and determine the presence of eight organomercury compounds in environmental samples. Using this technique, methylmercury, ethylmercury and phenylmercury and some unknown organomercury species were found in soil samples collected from the sites of an old mercury products producing plant. With regard to risk assessment, it is necessary to assess the toxicity of the organomercurials. As different microbial metabolic pathways react differently to mercury and its compounds, batteries of bioassays are, therefore, useful to evaluate the toxicity of pollutants. To describe the toxicity and genotoxicity of MeHg+, MeOEtHg+, EtHg+, EtOEtHg+ and PhHg+, p-tolymercury chloride, nitromersol and Hg2+ six bioassays were used: resazurin reduction method, Spirillum volutans test, nematode toxicity assay Panagrellus redivivus, Toxi-Chromotest and SOS-Chromotest. A ranking of the toxicity of the organomercurial is shown. The SOS-Chromotest indicated genotoxicity for 5-7 organomercurials.