Ionic rhenocene derivatives with antitumor activity

Summary The antitumor activity of the three air-stable bis(cyclopentadienyl)rhenium derivatives [(C₅H₅)₂ReCL₂]⁺Cl^–,[(C₅H₅)₂ReCl₂]⁺[AsF₆]^–, and [(C₅H₅)₂ReCl₂]⁺[SbF₆]^– was tested against Ehrlich ascites tumor in female CF₁ mice. All three compounds contain the group-7 transition metal rhenium in the +5 oxidation state as their central metal atom. They are ionic, salt-like complexes that are composed of the cationic [(C₅H₅)₂ReCl₂]⁺ moiety and one of the negatively charged counterions Cl^–, AsF₆ ^–, or SbF₆ ^–. Both the chloro and the hexafluoroarsenate complexes induced a maximal cure rate of 100% when given either in a dose range of 120–160 mg/kg (rhenocene trichloride) or at a single dose of 180 mg/kg (hexafluoroarsenate derivative). The hexafluoroantimonate complex effected a maximal cure rate of only 50% at 60 mg/kg. For the two former compounds, the values for the therapeutic index (Tl) amounted to 1.7 and 2.1, respectively. No impairment of the general condition or pathologic symptoms in the viscera could be detected by observation of the animals during the days following treatment with therapeutic doses or by autopsy of the surviving animals on the key data (day 90). The rhenocene derivatives investigated in the present study represent a new class of antitumor metallocene compounds as well as the first rhenium(V) complexes exerting cytostatic activity.     

Langstrecken-Intensivtransport der Bundeswehr

Zusammenfassung Die Teilnahme der Bundeswehr an internationalen Missionen erfordert ein an die Bedingungen militärischer Einsätze angepasstes Konzept zur intensivmedizinischen Repatriierung. Die umfassende Transportkapazität des auf den Airbus A-310 gestützten Systems von bis zu 44 liegenden Patienten bedingte bereits mehrfach den Einsatz im Rahmen ziviler Großschadensereignisse. Der Transport der häufig vital gefährdeten Patienten erfordert sowohl eine dem Inlandsstandard anzupassende medizintechnische Ausstattung der Luftfahrzeuge als auch entsprechend qualifiziertes medizinisches Begleitpersonal, das aufgrund der Sitzplätze zahlenmäßig begrenzt ist. Dieser Umstand verlangt vom Personal Umsicht bei der Betreuung von zeitgleich mehreren Patienten sowie Befähigung zum eigenständigen Arbeiten. Die Patienten-Transport-Einheiten (PTE) entsprechen in der technischen Ausstattung dem Intensivbehandlungsplatz einer modernen Klinik und gewährleisten auch über eine längere Transportzeit eine Intensivtherapie auf höchstem Niveau. Die Arbeit mit dieser Ausrüstung, die Besonderheiten des Langstreckenlufttransportes und die spezielle Situation des militärischen Einsatzes stellen zusätzliche Anforderungen an das Personal. Um dem gerecht zu werden, erfolgt, ergänzend zur täglichen Arbeit im Rettungsdienst, in den Notaufnahmen und auf den Intensivstationen der Bundeswehrkrankenhäuser eine spezielle Schulung von Rettungsassistenten und Ärzten am Flugmedizinischen Institut der Luftwaffe.     

Surgery of calculous hydrocalyx (Calyceoplastic surgery)

A modified surgical technique for calculous hydrocalyx, based on partial calyceal resection with simultaneous correction of the morphological abnormality responsible for stone formation is described. Access to the calyx is gained by a modified marginopolar resection. The modification developed by the authors consists in carrying the resection line laterally to the vertical axis of teh kidney. The parenchyma is closed by U-shaped “hair-pin” stitches. Preparation of the limbic, pelvic and ureteral areas is abstained from, thus avoiding scarring which might affect renal lymph and blood flow and interfere with urinary transport. The results obtained in 85 cases of calculous hydrocalyx over an 8-year period were satisfactory. The rate of calculous recurrences was not higher than 3.5 per cent.     

Reliability of Cord Formation in BACTEC 12B/13A Media for Presumptive Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex in Laboratories with a High Prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

A total of 1208 positive BACTEC vials were examined for the presence or absence of serpentine cording. A very high (92.9%) rate of laboratory prevalence was obtained for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of this test were 92.7%, 95.3%, 99.6% and 50.0%, respectively. It was concluded that testing cord formation in laboratories that have a high prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex is an exceptionally reliable method for preliminary reporting of cording-positive cases; however, for cording-negative cases, preliminary reports based solely on cord formation are not reliable. It was also observed that the length of the incubation period has a significant effect on cord formation. Incubation periods of 4 days or less are not sufficient to determine noncording in smears prepared from positive BACTEC vials. Electronic Publication     

Assistierte Reproduktion

Assisted reproduction (IVF/ICSI) is an established method for the treatment of infertility, though it entails a number of risks and limiting factors for the children and their families that really have to be considered and resolved. They also must be part of informative consultations before applying the selected (methods)/techniques. The following risks are of prime importance: 1. The increasing number of multiple pregnancies. Every multiple pregnancy has to be regarded as a complication of reproductive medicine: the rate of neonatal morbidity and mortality is higher compared to single pregnancies, and the emotional, logistic, and financial factors are significant for the concerned families. To limit these risks, it is preferable to perform only a single embryo transfer even though a lower rate of resulting pregnancies is to be expected. Of course it must be simultaneously provided that methods are developed and applied to transfer an embryo with high implantation potency. Based on existing/present results, the highest priority should not be given to pregnancy rates as high (as possible) but to the lowest possible complication rate for the infant with an acceptable pregnancy rate comparable to that achieved in fertile couples. 2. In assisted reproduction, the risk of fetal abnormalities seems to be elevated, but in some studies, according to the German IVF register, the selected method (ICSI) and other factors such as family abnormalities and environmental factors are relevant. Additional studies are required to clarify this subject and develop possible preventive strategies. 3. The children's psychomotoric development is normal as a rule. The risk of handicaps (retarded development spastic cerebral palsy) increases in accordance with the reduction of gestational period/age and the decrease of birth weight. This in turn is of particular significance in multiple pregnancies.