<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bcl11b</Emphasis>mutations identified in murine lymphomas increase the proliferation rate of hematopoietic progenitor cells

Background  

The telomeric region of mouse chromosome 12 has previously shown frequent allelic loss in murine lymphoma. The Bcl11b gene has been identified and suggested as a candidate tumor suppressor gene within this region. In this study, we aimed to elucidate whether Bcl11b is mutated in lymphomas with allelic loss, and whether the mutations we detected conferred any effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis.     

Ergebnisse der operativen Behandlung des idiopathischen Klumpfußes unter Verwendung eines dorsomedialen Zugangs mit Weichteilpräparation „à la carte“

ZusammenfassungEinleitung In unserer Klinik wird seit über 30 Jahren die operative Behandlung von Klumpfüßen über einen dorsomedialen Zugang durchgeführt. Postoperativ erfolgt zunächst eine Gipsbehandlung, dann eine konsequente Nachbehandlung mit Orthesen und Winkeleinlagen.Material und Methode Zwischen dem 1. 6. 1986 und dem 31. 12. 2000 wurden 130 primäre Klumpfußweichteiloperationen bei 86 Patienten durchgeführt. 119 (92%) Füße konnten nach durchschnittlich 4,5 Jahren klinisch-radiologisch nachuntersucht werden. Das durchschnittliche Alter bei der Operation betrug 7,6 Monate. Klassifikation nach Dimeglio und Score nach Laaveg und Ponseti dienten zur Beurteilung. Die gemessenen Winkel in den belasteten Röntgenbildern des Fußes a.p. und seitlich prä- und postoperativ wurden verglichen, Komplikationen und Rezidive dokumentiert.Ergebnisse 29 (22,3%) Füße wiesen einen Schweregrad IV nach Dimeglio, 58 (44,6%) Grad III und 43 (33,1%) Grad II auf. Ein Klumpfußrezidiv war bei 9 (7,6%) Fällen zu beobachten. Alle Winkel verbesserten sich signifikant. Bei der Nachuntersuchung wurden durchschnittlich 95,4±9,2 Punkte nach dem Score von Laaveg und Ponseti erzielt.Schlussfolgerung Der von uns verwendete dorsomediale Zugangsweg erlaubt eine ausgezeichnete Klumpfußkorrektur mit geringer Rezidiv- und Komplikationsrate.     

Long-term results of above knee femoro-popliteal bypass depend on indication for surgery and graft-material.

OBJECTIVE To determine the long-term results of above-knee femoro-popliteal bypass with autologous saphenous vein (SV) or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) in routine surgical practice. METHODS: Data from the Swedish vascular registry, Swedvasc, was reviewed retrospectively. Patients with bypass surgery in 1996 and 1997 were assessed 5-7 years later. Data were gathered from the case-records and from clinical follow-up. The composite endpoint of graft failure included death within 30 days, occlusion, major amputation, extension of the graft to below-knee position and removal of an infected graft. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox' proportional hazard ratios were calculated. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety-nine patients undergoing bypass for critical limb ischemia (CLI) (56%) or claudication (44%), SV (28%) or ePTFE (72%), were included. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between patients with SV or ePTFE. CLI and ePTFE were risk factors for graft failure. For patients with both claudication and CLI SV grafts yielded better long-term results than ePTFE grafts ( p <0.03) and ( p <0.003), respectively. Symptom aggravation after graft occlusion was almost exclusively restricted to ePTFE grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Femoro-popliteal bypass above-knee with SV gives good long-term results, especially for claudication. ePTFE grafts cannot be recommended in claudicants, since occlusion occurs often and frequently leads to CLI.     

Coulter Counter measurements of solubility and dissolution rate of sparingly soluble compounds using micellar solutions

A Coulter Counter, Model TAII, was used to determine both solubility and surface specific dissolution rate of two sparingly soluble materials suspended in micellar solutions. The equilibrium solubility increased linearly with surfactant concentration, thereby making it possible by extrapolation to characterize materials with an aqueous solubility down to 1 ppm or less. At high concentrations (greater than 0.1% w/v) the effect of surfactant concentration on the surface specific dissolution rate was less than that predicted from the increased bulk solubility.     

Totale mesometriale Resektion

Abdominal radical hysterectomy (Wertheim operation), currently the standard surgical treatment for cervical carcinoma, is based on historical ideas of the female pelvic anatomy and of locoregional tumor spread. Total mesometrial resection (TMMR) uses new insights derived from developmental biology for a new oncological concept of radicality, i.e. resection of a malignant tumor within the borders of the morphogenetic unit of its origin. The morphogenetic uterovaginal unit that relates to the local spread of cervical carcinoma can be deduced from the embryological and fetal development. Anatomical structures that do not belong to this tissue unit can be left in situ despite close proximity to the tumor. When combined with nerve-sparing therapeutic lymph node dissection, TMMR yields a high locoregional control rate without adjuvant radiotherapy and with relatively little treatment-related morbidity.     

Dynamics of lipid adsorption at the electrified water∣1,2-dichloroethane interface

A recently introduced setup to measure the dynamic interfacial tension of expanding drops was used to compare the adsorption behaviour of a series of lipids at the electrified water∣dichloroethane interface. Phospholipids with saturated carbon chains of different length (DMPC, DPPC, DSPC, DAPC, DBPC), an unsaturated phospholipid (DOPC) and an ethanolamine (DSPE) were compared. It was found that the adsorption decreases with increasing chain length. Also, the increase of the flow rate reduces the degree of adsorption effectively. On the timescale of the experiments, the DSPE, DAPC and DBPC adsorption showed no potential dependence, whereas the adsorption of DOPC was stronger than that of the saturated lipids. Adsorption was modelled using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm; the potential dependence of adsorption is discussed.     

Long-term effects of physical exercise on working capacity and pulmonary function in cystic fibrosis

Seven patients with cystic fibrosis aged 6 to 20 were enrolled for 30 months in a daily exercise program. After 12 months conventional chest physiotherapy was withdrawn. Patients with low initial Shwachman scores improved as regards maximal working capacity. Spirometric data and volume of trapped gas indicated opening of closed airways. We suggest that physical exercise in general should be the basis of pulmonary therapy in cystic fibrosis. Other forms of physiotherapy are advisable when hard physical exercise is not feasible.