Long-term survival after vinblastine, bleomycin, and cisplatin treatment in patients with germ cell tumors of the ovary: An update

Thirteen patients with a malignant germ cell tumor of the ovary have been treated with a combination of vinblastine, bleomycin, and cisplatin (VBP). In 12 patients a complete remission was reached, which was maintained in 10 of these patients. One patient with large tumor residues and a partial remission became CR after surgery. The tumor recurred in 2 patients after 6 and 27 months. Overall, 11 of these patients are in long-term remission, from 14 to 84 months after the start of treatment. VBP is an effective treatment for malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary, even in patients with large tumor residuals.     

A rare case of gigantic calyx dilatation manifested as renal ectopia

We present a very rare case of gigantic hydrocalycosis which was caused by an obstructed stone. It was so large that it displaced the rest kidney into the contralateral lumbar fossa giving the appearance of a crossed ectopic kidney.     

Obstructive and restrictive ventilatory impairment in polyvinylchloride fabrication workers

Responses to a standardized respiratory symptom questionnaire, spirometry, and cross-shift decreases in lung function between 70 current employees of a polyvinylchloride (PVC) fabrication plant and a control group consisting of 48 men employed in a vegetable packing plant were compared. FEV1/FVC was significantly lower in the PVC workers. Cross-shift drops in Vmax75 of 15% or more were also more prevalent in the exposed group (p = .01). When examining the association between months of work within the exposed workforce and spirometric indices of airway obstruction, no relationship could be demonstrated. However, an inverse dose-response relationship was seen between level of FVC and duration of employment, suggesting a restrictive impairment. While the specific exposures have not been identified, it appears that employment in PVC fabrication may be associated with both obstructive and restrictive ventilatory effects.     

Syntheses of Novel Pyridazinomorphinans by Inverse Electron Demand Cycloaddition and their Binding to μ and κ Receptors

A number of novel pyridazinomorphinans have been synthesized by the inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction of various 3,6-disubstituted 1,2,4,5-tetrazines with enamines derived from dihydrocodeinone and with codeinone. Reduction of some of the pyridazinomorphinans did not furnish the expected pyrroloepoxymorphinans; in all cases investigated reductive cleavage of the epoxybridge was observed to yield dihydropyridazino- or pyrrolomorphinans. The structures of all new compounds were assigned by the spectral data, that of the cycloadduct of codeinone was additionally verified by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 5a, 8, 11a , and 16 have been evaluated for their affinity at μ and κ opioid receptors in radioligand binding assays. Their ability to inhibit [³H]DAMGO binding at μ and [³H]U 69.593 binding at κ receptors, respectively as compared to codeine has been found to be lower.     

Continent appendix stoma: a modification of the Mainz pouch technique

The submucosally embedded in situ appendix guarantees an ideal continence mechanism in patients with ileocecal urinary reservoirs. To date this modification of the Mainz pouch technique has been performed successfully in 13 patients. The appendicocutaneous stoma was placed at the lower right abdominal quadrant in 12 patients and into the umbilical funnel in 1. Urodynamic investigations of the submucosally embedded appendix showed a maximum closure pressure of more than 80 cm. water in pressure profiles. Only 1 case of stomal stenosis required reoperation.     

Hämatologische und biochemische Serienuntersuchungen bei Patientinnen mit EPH-Gestosis,unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Vorliegens eines Hellp-Syndroms

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Rotational tomography of the normal and reconstructed middle ear in temporal bones: an experimental study

Imaging is an essential diagnostic tool in reconstructive middle ear surgery, especially in pre-operative planning. Due to ongoing improvement of imaging quality and development of new imaging techniques like e.g. rotational tomography (RT) post-operative follow-up and immediate evaluation of surgical results may become more important. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate RT as a new tool for postoperative determination of middle ear anatomy and implant position in temporal bones. RT was performed in ten temporal bone specimen after insertion of different middle ear prostheses concerning material, shape and length (PORP; TORP; Stapes piston). An implantable hearing device (Symphonix Soundbridge®) was also implanted and visualized. For comparison some specimen additionally underwent conventional computed tomography (CT), including the newest technology. Characterization of anatomical structures of the temporal bone using RT was of comparable quality to conventional CT-scans in all investigated specimen while requiring approximately 30% of the CT’s irradiation exposure. Unlike CT the RT showed almost no problems due to metallic artefacts of the implanted prostheses. Furthermore RT enabled a 3-dimensional view of the temporal bone and angle determination of inserted prostheses towards the tympanic membrane and/or the malleus handle. Detailed imaging of the prostheses allowed determination of shape, material and localization within the specimen’s reconstructed middle ear. The new imaging technique of RT allows precise presentation of anatomical structures and middle ear implants in temporal bones. Following these experimental results it will be our future work to evaluate this method in clinical practise.     

Asymmetrische elektrophile α-Amidoalkylierung, 4. Mitt.: Erzeugung und Abfangreaktionen chiraler N-Acylpyrrolidiniumionen

Asymmetric Electrophilic α-Amidoalkylation, 4): Generation and Trapping Reactions of Chiral N- Acylpyrrolidiniumions The pyrrole derivatives 1 , 6 , and 10 react in the presence of TiCl₄ with the silyl enol ether 3 to form α-substituted pyrrolidine amides steroselectively. 6 and 10 (after HCl-addition = > 11 ) react even at ?78°C, the reaction of 10 exceeds that of 6 in yield and stereoselectivity.     

Recent Ⅳ-drug users with chronic hepatitis C can be efficiently treated with daily high dose induction therapy using consensus interferon:An open-label pilot study

INTRODUCTION Under physiological conditions, interferon-α (IFN-α) is a key cytokine produced by virtually all cells in the mammalian organism in response to a variety of bacterial and viral stimuli. In response to viral infection, IFN-α produced by the infected target cells induces a number of cellular genes involved in inhibition of viral replication. In addition, IFN-α is secreted by stimulated NK-cells and T-cells and exerts a multitude of immune stimulatory effects of innate a…