Replacement of soybean oil with tallow in rye-based diets without xylanase increases protein synthesis in small intestine of broilers

We examined the effects of dietary fat type (10% of either soybean oil, S, or beef tallow, T)(3) and xylanase supplementation (-, without; +, with 1 g of Avizyme 1300 per kg diet) in rye- based diets (56%) on tissue protein synthesis in male broilers. Birds were injected with a large flooding dose of a phenylalanine solution (150 mmol/L, 38 atom percentage excess [(15) N] phenylalanine) and tissues were obtained after a 10-min incorporation period. [(15) N]-enrichment in tissue free phenylalanine and tissue protein bound phenylalanine were measured by gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry and by gas-chromatography combustion isotope ratio mass-spectrometry, respectively in order to calculate tissue specific fractional rates of protein synthesis (k(s)). The k(s) (%/d) in (S-), (S+), (T-) and (T+)-fed birds were 56, 64, 84 and 61 (SEM = 3.7) in duodenum, 51, 52, 75 and 58 in jejunum (SEM = 3.1), 66, 67, 105 and 68 (SEM =7.0) in jejunal mucosa cells, 53, 56, 68 and 50 (SEM = 3.7) in ileum and 52, 45, 118 and 39 (SEM = 20.2) in pancreas, respectively. Significant fat, enzyme or interaction effects in these tissues were mainly caused by the elevated k(s) in (T-)-fed birds which was closely associated with intestinal viscosity. We conclude that the effect of soluble nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) and of NSP-hydrolyzing enzymes may be explained partially by modification in tissue protein synthesis of the intestinal tract.     

Pharmacokinetics of trofosfamide and its dechloroethylated metabolites

 To contribute to effective and safe outpatient treatment, we investigated the metabolism of trofosfamide (Trofo) after oral administration. We analyzed Trofo metabolism in 15 patients aged from 3 to 73 years who were treated with 150 or 250 mg/m² Trofo in combination with etoposide. Serum samples were collected with 13 patients after oral administration, and Trofo and its dechloroethylated metabolites were quantified by gas chromatography. Urine samples were collected from five patients and analyzed by same method. Ifosfamide (Ifo) was the main metabolite in serum and urine (AUC_Trofo:AUC_Ifo 1:13), whereas cyclophosphamide (Cyclo) was formed in smaller amounts (AUC_Ifo:AUC_Cyclo 18:1). Ifo and Cyclo were further oxidized in the chloroethyl side chains to form 2- and 3-dechloroethylifosfamide in varying quantities. The urinary excretion of Trofo and its dechloroethylated metabolites amounted to about 10% of the total dose. Our results confirm former in vitro observations about the metabolism of Trofo. The main side-chain metabolites Ifo and Cyclo can be further activated by oxidation and formation of their respective phosphoramide mustards. Hence, Trofo is an interesting agent for oral chemotherapy. Received 21 July 1996 / Accepted: 11 November 1996     

Stepwise interventional approach in a neonate with pulmonary valve atresia and intact ventricular septum

In neonates with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum the aims of therapy are maintenance of pulmonary blood flow and right ventricular decompression in order to achieve right ventricular support of the pulmonary circulation. Recent developments in interventional heart catheterization with pulmonary radiofrequency-assisted balloon valvuloplasty and ductal stent implantation offer an alternative to the classical surgical approach. We report on a neonate with membranous pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum, in whom a large interatrial right-to-left shunt via the foramen ovale persisted after radiofrequency-assisted pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty on the 2nd day of life. The interatrial shunt prevented adequate right ventricular filling and antegrade pulmonary perfusion leading to severe cyanosis (transcutaneous oxygen saturation 40%). In order to increase pulmonary blood flow and raise left atrial pressure, the arterial duct was stented. After ductal stenting, prostaglandin was discontinued and the transcutaneous oxygen saturation remained stable around 89%. At follow up after 7 weeks the foramen ovale had decreased in size and only a small left-to-right shunt was present, documenting the effectiveness of this approach. Conclusion Based on the present case we propose a stepwise interventional approach for the neonate with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum. If cyanosis persists after isolated pulmonary valvuloplasty despite adequate right ventricular function, ductal stent implantation can reduce interatrial shunting and thus improve oxygen saturation. Received: 12 January 1998 / Accepted: 15 February 1998     

Two children with xeroderma pigmentosum developing two different types of malignancies simultaneously

Patients with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) are highly sensitive to ultraviolet radiation and prone to develop multiple skin malignancies. We report two children under 6 years of age with XP who each developed two histologically different types of malignancies simultaneously. We conclude that it is of importance to be aware of the possibility of multiple malignancies of different types, even in young children. Accepted: 16 December 1996     

Longitudinal monthly body measurements from 1 to 12 months of age: a study by practitioners for practitioners

A longitudinal growth study with monthly measurements during the 1st year of life was conducted by nine paediatricians working in private practice in Zurich. Of 92 children, none was lost to the study and only 32 of 1104 planned visits were missed; the quality of the measurements was comparable to that of a specialised university clinic. Compared to the Zurich Longitudinal Growth Studies, children of this study were considerably heavier and taller. In 92% of the subjects, growth velocity was at least once outside the reference range (3rd–97th percentile). For weight increments, the corresponding proportion was 87%. Conclusions The data indicate that current standards for the 1st year of life for the Zurich area might no longer be appropriate and need to be updated. The currently used velocity percentiles based on 3-monthly measurements are not suitable to assess individual height and weight increments calculated from monthly measurements. Received: 9 June 1997 / Accepted in revised form: 21 November 1997     

Ein vollständig implantierbares Hörsystem für Innenohrschwerhörige: TICA LZ 3001

Zusammenfassung Kürzlich wurde über die Entwicklung eines elektromechanischen, piezoelektrischen Wandlers und eines Mikrofons zum subkutanen Einbau in die hintere Geh?rgangswand als Komponenten eines zukünftigen vollst?ndig implantierbaren H?rsystems für Innenohrschwerh?rige berichtet (HNO 45, 1997, 792–880). Zwischenzeitlich konnte die Entwicklung eines elektronischen Hauptmoduls zur Implantation auf dem Planum mastoideum abgeschlossen werden, das diese Mikrofone und Wandler zu dem kompletten H?rimplantat TICA? LZ 3001 erg?nzt. Dieses Hauptmodul enth?lt neben der signalverarbeitenden Elektronik eine spezielle Batterie, die transkutan mit einem portablen Ladeger?t nachgeladen wird. Nach einer Volladung, die ca. 2 h ben?tigt, ist das Implantat für rund 50 h kontinuierlich betriebsbereit. Das Ladeger?t wird ?hnlich wie bei Mobiltelefonen in einer netzbetriebenen Station nachgeladen. L?sbare Steckverbindungen zu Mikrofon und Wandler erm?glichen den einfachen operativen Austausch des Hauptmoduls, wenn die Batterielebensdauer erreicht ist. Dies wird nach ca. 3–5 Jahren erwartet. Dem Patienten steht eine kleine, drahtlose Fernbedienung zur Verfügung, mit der Lautst?rke, Ein/Aus sowie 4 H?rprogramme für unterschiedliche H?rsituationen eingestellt werden k?nnen. Die grundlegenden audiologischen Eigenschaften sind durch ein flexibel digital programmierbares 3-Kanal-AGC-System mit Peak-clipping-Funktion gegeben. Die gesamte übertragungsbandbreite betr?gt ca. 10 kHz. Das vollimplantierbare H?rsystem wurde im Rahmen der klinischen Erprobung Anfang Juni 1998 erstmals am Menschen angewendet.