Plasma uric acid in patients receiving anticonvulsant monotherapy

In newly diagnosed adult patients with epilepsy followed prospectively on monotherapy, carbamazepine and phenytoin were associated with a fall in plasma uric acid, but sodium valproate and phenobarbitone were associated with a rise in plasma uric acid. The mechanisms and significance of these findings are discussed.     

Flow cytometry in carcinoma of the prostate

Flow cytometry is a quantitative cytologic technique with demonstrated utility in the assessment of prostate cancer as well as other tumors. The authors summarize current data on its use in disease detection and diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, and monitoring of response to therapy. They also project future developments.     

Mid-infrared spectroscopy on skin using a silver halide fibre probe in vivo

Background/aim: Mid-infrared spectroscopy is a versatile method for in vivo investigation of skin after topical treatment with skin care products.
Methods: FTIR-spectrometer (Bruker Optics) with a flexible silver halide fibre probe (Infrared Fiber Sensors).
Results: Absorbance spectra from 700 to 3000 cm⁻¹ have been recorded to gain information about proteins (amide-I and amide-II vibrations at 1650 and 1550 cm⁻¹), esters (1740 cm⁻¹), carboxylic acid (1710 cm⁻¹), polyalcohols (1050 cm⁻¹) and hydrocarbons (CH _n vibrations at 2800–3000 cm⁻¹).
Conclusions: Using the particular light guide, we were able to measure for the first time the effects of lip care products on lips directly. Furthermore, water binding and glycerol content of the skin could be determined simultaneously, as well as the replenishment of lipids by lipid-enriched bath oil.     

Primary gastrointestinal lymphomas in Turkey: a retrospective analysis of clinical features and results of treatment.

Thirty-three patients with primary gastrointestinal lymphoma (GIL) followed at Ankara University Medical School have been evaluated. The most frequent locations of the disease are the small intestine (48.4%) and the stomach (39.3%). The intermediate and high grade lymphomas constitute 84.8% of the cases. The mean age of the patients with small intestinal lymphoma is 28.7 years and 47.1 years for those with gastric lymphoma. The patients treated with surgery and chemotherapy (S+CT) have a longer survival than those treated with chemotherapy (CT) alone. In conclusion: 1) Small intestinal lymphoma occurs more frequently than gastric lymphoma in our study. 2) The median age of the Turkish patients with primary GIL is approximately 10 years less than those in the Western countries. 3) The therapeutic results of S+CT are superior to those of CT in the early stages of the disease.     

Gianotti-Crosti-Syndrom nach Impfung

Es wird über 4 Kleinkinder berichtet, bei denen ein Gianotti-Crosti-Syndrom (GCS) mit einer Latenz von 6–8 Tagen nach Impfung auftrat. Nachfolgende Auffrischungsimpfungen wurden problemlos vertragen. W?hrend das Auftreten eines GCS in Assoziation mit einer Virusinfektion gut dokumentiert ist, liegen über das Auftreten eines GCS im Anschluss an eine Impfung nur wenige Mitteilungen vor. Auf einen derartig m?glichen Zusammenhang sollte jedoch bei Vorstellung dieses Krankheitsbildes (GCS) im Rahmen der Anamneseerhebung unbedingt eingegangen werden.     

Percutaneous transhepatic placement of biliary endoprostheses: results in 100 consecutive patients.

One hundred patients with malignant biliary obstruction underwent palliative therapy by means of percutaneous transhepatic placement of 114 biliary endoprostheses. All patients were then followed up for at least 18 months or until death. Retrospective evaluation of the 95 patients who died showed an average survival time of 5.0 months. The five remaining patients have survived an average of 29.8 months. During the 1st week after stent insertion, a second manipulation was performed to improve stent function in nine patients. Overall, 14 (12.3%) of the stents became obstructed and six (5.2%) migrated; 86 patients required no further therapy for biliary obstruction or stent malfunction. The 30-day mortality rate was 12%; none of the deaths were directly attributable to a complication of the stent placement procedure.