Incidental findings in pelvic lymph nodes at radical prostatectomy

AIMS: To assess the frequency and cause of incidental (non-metastatic) lymph node pathology discovered before or at radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Eight hundred and fifty four consecutive lymphadenectomies received between 1988 and 2001 were reviewed. All had been processed and stained routinely. Additional techniques, indicated by morphology, were then performed. RESULTS: Incidental pathology was found in 15 cases: florid sinus histiocytosis following prosthetic joint replacement (eight), non-caseating granulomas (three), small lymphocytic cell lymphoma (two), follicular lymphoma (one), and foreign body reaction (one). Incidental pathology was present in 1.8% of 854 patients who underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy during radical prostatectomy. CONCLUSION: Awareness of possible non-metastatic lymph node pathology aids histological diagnosis and may be clinically relevant.     

Contamination of gastrostomy feeding systems in children in a home-based enteral nutrition program

BACKGROUND: There are few data concerning the risk of contamination of enteral feeding systems via gastrostomy in children, and none for conditions that pertain to home-based care. METHODS: To investigate the risk of contamination of enteral feeding systems during the home-based care of 20 children receiving gastrostomy tube feeding, five samples were taken for analysis: two samples before the enteral feeding period (gastrostomy, enteral feeding system) and three after this period (gastrostomy, distal giving set, liquid remained in container). Microorganisms were identified and counted. Different factors were studied to elucidate their role in bacterial colonization: acid suppressive therapy, gastrostomy tube or button, hanging feeding time, rate of enteral feeding, gastric pullulation and retrograde contamination, manipulation error, and use of open or closed enteral feeding systems. RESULTS: Overgrowth was defined as a microorganismal load exceeding 10(4) colony-forming units (cfu)/mL. Overgrowth was present in 85% of gastrostomy samples before enteral nutrition started. Most microorganisms belonged to gastric flora. Some bacteria had an environmental origin or derived from cutaneous flora. Forty-five percent of the lines showed overgrowth at the end of enteral nutrition period, mainly with the same microorganism found in the gastrostomy. Closed enteral bags remained sterile, even if manipulation error occurred. Duration, rate of enteral feeding, and acid suppression treatment were not risk factors for overgrowth. CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde contamination of gastrostomy feeding systems occurs frequently. The preferential use of closed enteral feeding systems is recommended for home-based enteral nutrition programs.     

Flurbiprofen versus ASA in influenza symptomatology: a double-blind study

The effectiveness and safety of flurbiprofen 100 mg b.i.d. vs acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) 500 mg b.i.d. were evaluated in a 4-day double-blind study in 30 patients suffering from influenza. The antipyretic effect of flurbiprofen was similar to that of ASA. Upper and lower respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, articular and muscular pain and asthenia were improved by both drugs. Only one patient on ASA discontinued the treatment.     

The phenomenology of schizophrenia occurring in childhood

Thirty-five children, aged 4 to 13 (X = 9.54), meeting strict DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia, are described. The subjects were diagnosed using a new semistructured interview. All were in the normal range of intelligence (mean IQ = 94) and free of neurological disorders. Characteristic auditory hallucinations were present in 80% and delusions in 63% of the sample. The mean age of onset of psychotic symptoms was 6.9 years. Premorbid histories of attention deficit, conduct disturbance and/or developmental abnormalities were common. The nature and content of psychotic symptoms varied with developmental stage. The phenomenological presentation of the sample was similar to previous studies of young schizophrenic children.     

Improving education on C-arm operation and radiation protection with a computer-based training and simulation system

Purpose  To discuss an approach to improve education in C-arm operation and reduction of radiation hazards based on a computer based training and simulation system called virtX. Methods  virtX is equipped with a visualization of scattered radiation and means to include patient positioning changes in radiograph simulation. virtX was integrated in a course for ORP and evaluated based on questionnaires. Results  Response rate was 73 (n = 77), mean age 35.4 (±9.2) and professional experience 11.2± 10.4 years. 91% use a C-arm regularly, 8% casually and 1% not. 78% agree that the translation of patient dummy positioning changes to simulated X-ray images is sufficiently realistic, 1% disagree (neutral 17%). 79% state that they acquired new knowledge concerning avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure, 10% do not (neutral 11%). Conclusions  The virtX-approach of simulating radiograph generation including patient positioning and scattered radiation was evaluated positively concerning its suitability for imparting knowledge regarding radiation protection and C-arm operation.

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Self-etching primer vs phosphoric acid: an alternative concept for composite-to-enamel bonding.

The purpose of this in vitro study was (1) to investigate the composite-to-enamel bond strength and (2) to analyze the marginal adaptation of resin composite restorations in class 2 cavities using three self-etching priming agents in comparison to conventional phosphoric acid etching and bonding application. In the first part of the study 24 extracted bovine incisors were embedded in acrylic resin and ground flat with 800-grit paper. The following three self-etching priming agents/composite resins were applied to the enamel surfaces of six teeth each: Clearfil Liner Bond 2/Clearfil AP-X (Group I), Etch & Prime 3.0/Degufill mineral (Group II), Resulcin AquaPrime + MonoBond/Ecusit (Group III). In Group IV Ecusit-Mono/Ecusit was used after enamel etching with phosphoric acid (37%). Shear bond strength values measured on a T22 K testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min were: 24.2 +/- 3.0 MPa (Group I), 21.9 +/- 1.4 MPa (II), 34.0 +/- 3.6 MPa (III), and 26.3 +/- 1.8 MPa (IV). ANOVA revealed significant (P < 0.05) differences in shear bond strength between groups, except comparison of Group I and II, and Group I and IV. In the second part of the study 24 standardized class 2 cavity preparations with the approximal box extending 1 mm above the CEJ were prepared in extracted human molars. Enamel margins were beveled and the teeth were divided into four groups of six teeth each. Cavities were restored using the self-etching priming agents Clearfil Liner Bond 2 (Group I), Etch & Prime 3.0 (Group II), and Resulcin AquaPrime + MonoBond (Group III). In Group IV composite resin restorations were placed after 37% phosphoric acid etching and bonding application (Ecusit-Mono). Quantitative SEM analysis of the marginal adaptation of the restorations after thermocycling (5-55 degrees C, 2500 cycles) and mechanical loading (100 N, 500,000 cycles) revealed excellent, gap-free margins in 91.2% (Group I), 93.0% (Group II), 92.0% (Group III), and 92.5% (Group IV) of the restorations' approximal area. There were no statistically significant differences between the four groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, results of the present in vitro study indicate that use of self-etching primers may be an alternative to conventional phosphoric acid pre-treatment in composite-to-enamel bonding restorative techniques.     

Strahlenwirkungen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Über die Bewertung des Staub-Traugott-Effektes im Kindesalter unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Blutzuckerregulation bei Frühgeborenen

Ohne ZusammenfassungMit 6 Textabbildungen.     

Improved Radioenzymatic Assay for Spectinomycin

The sensitivity and reproducibility of the radioenzymatic adenylylating assay for spectinomycin were improved by modifications of the assay procedure and by partial purification of the enzyme. The presence of Bacillus subtilis ribosomes or S-150 fraction in the enzymatic reaction mixture interfered with the ability to measure spectinomycin by this method.