Iodine status in vegans consuming a living food diet

The dietary intake and urinary output of iodine and the thyroid activity was measured in 12 living food eaters (people consuming uncooked, Lactobacilli rich vegan food) and omnivores. Seven day food record was used for calculating the dietary iodine intake, instrumental neutron activation analysis for measuring the urinary iodine output and RIA for determining of the thyroid hormones (TSH and FT4). The living food eaters were divided into two groups according to urinary iodine output: high iodine group (≥900 ug/d) and low iodine group (<200 ug/d). Thyroid activity in both groups was with in normal range. Dietary intake of iodine was dependent on the the use of seaweed. The highest amounts of dietary iodine observed in the present study, as assessed by the the urinary iodine output, can be harmful for susceptible subjects. On the other hand the calculated intake of iodine by living food eaters didn't fill the RDA. As an conclusion on a living food diet one has to ensure the sufficient intake of iodine by consuming seaweed or Kelp tablets daily. However the intake of these preparations needs to be kept at reasonble limits due to their possible high iodine content. More information of the iodine content of different seaweeds and seaweed products is needed.     

Laser welded vascular anastomosis

Summary A comparative study was undertaken to investigate the application of a specially adapted microsurgical Neodymium Yag Laser system with a wavelength of 1,319 m and a CO₂ laser system for laser assisted microvascular end-to-end anastomosis (LAMA) of the rat femoral artery. Conventionally sutured anastomoses served as controls. Postoperative investigations included patency tests, light microscopy and tensile strength measurements. Both laser systems seem to be equally suitable for LAMA: The patency rates do not differ from those of sutured anstomoses and formation of microscopically small aneurysms occurred predominantly in control animals and only once in laser groups. The clamp time needed for LAMA was half the time that was needed for sutured anastomoses. Wound healing in all groups was similar with less fibrotic reactions and less foreign body granulomas in laser groups. At all intervals tensile strength was significantly higher for sutured anastomoses while differences between the CO₂- and the ND: Yag-laser groups were not statistically significant. Potential applications in urology include microvascular anastomoses in erectile dysfunction, pediatric and reconstructive urology.Contains parts of a dissertation     

Reconstructive surgery of the bronchi in inflammatory lesions

"Reconstructive bronchial surgery" and "parenchyma-preserving operation" are terms which define the surgical purpose of restoring patency of the bronchial system or avoiding non-patency. This is beyond the limits of bronchoplasty. Inflammatory lesions are rare as reasons for reconstructive surgery. This indication applied to merely 13 of 120 of the author's patients who underwent reconstructive operations on their tracheobronchial system. Tuberculous aetiology was predominant. Bronchoplastic measures, therefore, were associated with lobectomy in almost all cases. Parenchyma-preserving operations may yield lasting success with minor complications even in cases of inflammatory processes, provided that indications were carefully established and operations performed with subtle techniques.     

Optimization of nonviral transfection: variables influencing liposome-mediated gene transfer in proliferating vs. quiescent cells in culture and in vivo using a porcine restenosis model

Cationic liposomes/DNA complexes are widely used vectors for delivering genes in clinical and experimental trials. Relatively low transfer efficiencies in vivo compared with viral gene transfer may be improved using local application. In addition, markedly increased transfer efficiency may be achieved in vitro and in vivo via optimization of known variables influencing liposomal transfection. Lipofection under different conditions was performed in various cell lines and primary porcine smooth muscle cells. Optimized conditions found in vitro were verified in vivo using a porcine restenosis model. Toxicity was monitored analyzing cell metabolism. Transfer efficiency and safety were determined using morphometry, histology, galactosidase assays, PCR, and RT-PCR. The most important variables enabling maximum transfer efficiency were firstly the appropriate selection of cationic lipids for the cell type to be transfected, secondly the DNA/liposome ratio chosen, which depended on the cell type and cationic lipids used, and thirdly the state of proliferation of the targeted cells. Transfection in vivo demonstrated two- to fivefold higher transfer efficiencies when transfer conditions were extrapolated from optimization experiments in stationary cells compared with the use of conditions established in proliferating cells. Application of the therapeutic gene for cecropin using optimized transfer conditions resulted in a significantly reduced neointima formation compared with the transfection using a control gene for ss-galactosidase. Thus, in this vascular model, initial optimization of lipofection in stationary cells in culture followed by local delivery in vivo and with selection of a suitable therapeutic gene led to markedly improved transfer efficiencies, gene expression, and biological effect. Stationary cell cultures simulate more realistically the in vivo situation and may therefore represent a better model for future in vivo experiments. In addition, the advantages of liposomes are easy handling, low toxicity, and the lack of carcinogenicity or immunogenic reactions.     

Familial occurrence of testicular cancer

A case of testicular cancer in 2 brothers is reported and a review of the literature about testicular malignancies and etiologic factors in closely related family members is given. The familial incidence of testicular tumor is found to be 3% in twins and 0.6-2.1% in less closely related men. Tumors were of the same histology in 70-77% of the twins, whereas in brothers and in other degrees of relationship tumors of different histology mostly occur. Following the diagnosis of the tumor in the first man, the average interval to presentation of the tumor in the relative was 3.7 years in twins, 7.7 years in nontwin brothers and 13.5 years for less closely related men. The need for a thorough checkup of other family members is advised.     

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