MR imaging of the chest: Mediastinum and chest wall

This review presents the options and limitations of MRI in non-vascular diseases of the mediastinum and the chest wall. In numerous thoracic pathologies, MRI is a useful supplement to spiral CT. This imaging procedure also allows a contrast-media-free differentiation of solid tumors and vascular lesions (e. g., aortic aneurysms). The advantages of MRI over CT are particularly useful when multiplanar tumor imaging is required prior to surgery to establish the exact spatial relationship between tumor and the other mediastinal structures. Primary indications for MRI in diseases of the mediastinum and chest wall are therefore: (a) tumors of the posterior mediastinum for determining their position in relation to the neural foramina and the spinal canal; (b) chest wall tumors; (c) preoperative multiplanar imaging of primary mediastinal tumors; and (d) contraindications against CT exams with iodine contrast media.     

Intracranial germ-cell tumours — treatment results and residuals

There is only sparse information about the development of children after successful treatment for intracranial germ-cell tumours. Between January 1981 and June 1992, 26 children with intracranial germ-cell tumours were treated in the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf. We report on treatment results, long standing residuals and the quality of life of these patients. The long-term event-free survival was 88% for the germinomas and 43% for the malignant teratomas. Of the patients 58% had no relevant functional neurological deficits and 37% had mild impairment. Only 1 patient with metastatic disease was severely handicapped. Six patients showed neuro-endocrine dysfunction. All of them had suprasellar/hypothalamic lesions and all received successful substitution therapy. As to neuropsychological functions, 53% of the patients had no or only mild disturbances. The most affected function was speed of information processing. Of the children 69% were able to proceed with their education at the same level as before therapy. The overall self-assessment revealed good results in 75% of the patients.Conclusion After surgical removal and radiation therapy long-term survival of intracranial germinomas amounts to 88%. Despite craniospinal axis radiation severe residuals are rare and a good quality of life is common. In malignant teratomas treatment regimens including chemotherapy are much less successful.     

Genetic Variability of the Essential Oil Content of Melissa officinalis1

The essential oil content of various populations of MELISSA OFFICINALIS L. (Lamiaceae), cultivated under Mediterranean climatic conditions (Ebro-Delta, Spain) has been investigated during five years of selection and improvement of the genetic plant material. Starting with an essential oil content of 0.2-0.3%, a content of more than 0.5% was obtained as a result of genetic improvement. A weak negative correlation between the content of essential oil and phenotypical growth parameters such as the number of branches per plant and height was observed. No correlation between biomass production per plant and essential oil content could be found. By the method of hybridization, M. OFFICINALIS synthetics with a high yield of biomass and essential oil content were selected.     

Self-care activating support: therapeutic touch and chronic skin disease.

As the body's largest organ, the skin functions as the most important human communication organ, possessing communicative aspects of caring and healing of self and others. The program "Self-Care Activating Support" for psoriasis and other chronic skin disease is presented as an instrument for promoting health by dermatology nurses.     

复方鳖甲软肝片对心肌成纤维细胞增殖影响的研究

目的　观察复方鳖甲软肝片对心肌成纤维细胞 (CFs)增殖的影响。方法　采用培养的新生大鼠CFs,以MTT作为反映细胞增殖的指标 ,流式细胞仪分析细胞周期。结果　复方鳖甲软肝片能明显抑制CFs增殖 ,并将细胞周期阻抑在G1期 ,强度与氯沙坦相近。结论　复方鳖甲软肝片具有防治心肌纤维化的作用。     

Growth Regulation of Thyroid and Thyroid Tumors in Humans

In a study of growth regulation of the human thyroid gland and thyroid tumors we investigated the impact of iodine and that of the thyroid-specific growth-stimulating hormone TSH. Further studies included locally active growth factors such as the epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, and tissue transforming growth factors alpha and beta. In addition to studies of growth regulation by the various growth factors in mostly normal thyrocytes, the impact of tumor-specific mutations in oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes was investigated. The results demonstrated distinct changes in tissue specificity and sensitivity to external stimuli. This rather complex view on thyrocyte growth regulation may be confusing, but it describes the biologic reality more precisely. Increased knowledge of the regulatory processes may lead to the development of new tumor- and patient-specific therapeutic approaches, especially for preventing benign goiter recurrence and for treating follicular and papillary thyroid cancers.     

Coral Reef Aorta: A Long-Term Study of 21 Patients

n = 11, 52%), renovascular stenosis (n= 9, 43%) with concurrent renovascular hypertension (n= 5, 24%), and angina abdominalis (n= 7, 33%). Most patients had multiorgan vascular disease such as iliofemoral arterial occlusive disease (n= 14, 66%), coronary artery obstruction (n= 8, 38%), or obstruction of the carotid artery (n= 6, 28%). Risk factors did not differ between coral reef patients and those with other occlusive vascular diseases. All patients were treated through vascular operations, including open thromboendarterectomy of the suprarenal (n= 9, 43%), infrarenal (n= 4, 19%), or supra- and infrarenal aorta (n= 8, 38%), and thromboendarterectomy of the following vessels: celiac artery (n= 7, 33%), superior mesenteric artery (n= 12, 57%), inferior mesenteric artery (n= 3, 14%), unilateral renal artery (n= 3, 14%), or bilateral renal artery (n= 9, 43%). Bypass reconstructions were performed in 39% (n= 8). A thoracoabdominal approach was used in 14 patients (67%) and a median laparotomy in 7 (33%). Our results show that coral reef aorta is not confined to either gender. It appears most frequently in the context of general atherosclerotic disease and patients benefit from timely diagnosis and operation before onset of severe, life-threatening visceral and renal complications.     

经口咽入路显微手术治疗颅颈区畸形

目的 总结经口咽入路颅颈区畸形的显微手术治疗体会。方法 回顾30例颅颈区畸形病例的临床表现、术前准备、手术方法、术后效果及并发症，并结合文献进行分析。结果 本组30例颅颈区畸形，经行口咽入路显微手术后，随访3个月～4年，痊愈21例(70％)，好转6例(20％)。结论 采用经口咽入路显微外科手术是治疗颅颈区畸形的有效手段，术中良好的显露及镜下细心操作是降低并发症的关键。     

Carcinogenicity and DNA adduct formation observed in ACI rats after long-term treatment with madder root, Rubia tinctorum L

Madder root, Rubia tinctorum L., is a traditional herbal medicine used against kidney stones. Recently we reported that lucidin, a hydroxyanthraquinone derivative present in this plant, is mutagenic in bacteria and mammalian cells. We also demonstrated the formation of DNA adducts in tissue culture and mice after treatment with this compound. To elucidate the possible carcinogenicity of madder root, three groups of male and female ACI rats received either a normal diet or a diet supplemented with 1 or 10% drug for a total period of 780 days. Weight gain and morbidity were not different among the three groups. Non- neoplastic lesions related to the treatment were evident in the liver and kidneys of both sexes. Moreover, dose-dependent increases in benign and malignant tumour formation were observed in the liver and kidneys of treated animals. 32P-post-labelling analysis showed an increase in the overall level of DNA adducts observed in the liver, kidney and colon of rats treated with 10% madder root in the diet for 2 weeks. HPLC analysis of 32P-labelled DNA adducts revealed a peak co-migrating with an adduct obtained after in vitro treatment of deoxyguanosine-3'- phosphate with lucidin. These observations suggest that the use of madder root for medicinal purposes is associated with a carcinogenic risk.