Femoral anteversion related to side differences in hip rotation: Passive rotation in 1, 140 children aged 8-9 years

We assessed whether the range of passive hip motion is reliable for predicting abnormal femoral ante-version. We measured the passive medial and lateral rotation in extension in both hips of 1, 140 children between 8 and 9 years of age. The children were divided into 3 groups: group 1: difference between lateral and medial rotation less than 10° group 2: medial rotation more than 10° greater than the lateral; group 3: lateral rotation more than 10° greater than the medial. Group 1 comprised 90% of the children, whereas 8% belonged to group 2 and 2% to group 3.

The angle of femoral neck anteversion was measured in 57 children from the first group, in 67 from the second and in 24 children from the third group, using biplane radiography. The mean anteversion angles in the 3 groups were 24°, 36° and 14°, respectively. To predict an abnormally high anteversion angle (above mean +2SD), the difference between medial and lateral rotation must be 45° or more, whereas an abnormally low anteversion angle (lower than mean -2SD) could be predicted when the lateral rotation was at least 50° higher than the medial rotation.     

A method for calculation of true coincidence summing correction factors for extended sources.

In gamma-ray spectrometry, true coincidence summing correction factors for an extended sample can be calculated from full-energy-peak and total efficiencies as if the sample were a point source, if the so-called linear-to-square- (LS) curve, introduced by Blaauw and Gelsema, is known and properly applied. A method is described for obtaining the efficiencies and the corresponding LS-curve for an arbitrary cylindrical sample from calibration measurements in a reference geometry. The approach is aimed at the analysis of samples measured on p-type HPGe detectors in environmental gamma-ray spectrometry and was successfully verified against experimental data.     

ACTH-producing cells of 21-day-old rat fetuses after maternal dexamethasone exposure

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) is essential for developmental maturation of numerous organ systems during the fetal period and for adaptation to environmental challenges. Immunocytochemical and stereological methods were used in the present study to examine the effects of dexamethasone (Dx) administration during pregnancy on fetal rat pituitary ACTH-producing cells. Doses of 0.5, 0.5 and 1.0 mg Dx/kg body weight/day were given to the dams on 3 consecutive days starting on day 16 of gestation. Morphometric analysis of the ACTH-producing cells of fetuses at 21 days of gestation revealed significant inhibition by 24% and 27%, respectively, of cell volume and cell number after maternal Dx administration, whereas the volume of cell nuclei and volume density of ACTH-stained cells were insignificantly decreased. Immunocytochemical analysis showed reduced numbers, sizes and immunopositivity of ACTH cells of 21-day-old fetuses from Dx-treated dams as compared with the control group. Maternal Dx treatment in the period of intense differentiation of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal system had an inhibitory effect on fetal function and proliferative activity of ACTH-producing cells at 21 days of gestation. Thus, inhibition of activity of fetal ACTH-producing cells may lead to adrenal suppression, modified activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and reduced body weight possibly causing lasting functional abnormalities.     

On the effect of solvent/nonsolvent combination in the column fractionation of polymers

The effect of some solvent/nonsolvent pairs on the efficiency of the column fractionation of polystyrene was investigated. Extensive cloud point titration experiments were shown to be needed for the correct assessment of thermodynamic qualities of a solvent/nonsolvent pair used in the column fractionation of polymers. Besides the thermodynamic suitability of solvent pairs their kinetic behavior was shown to differ. Possible reasons for the observed differences were discussed.     

Concomitant radiotherapy with mitomycin C and bleomycin compared with radiotherapy alone in inoperable head and neck cancer: final report

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of concomitant irradiation with mitomycin C and bleomycin in patients with inoperable head and neck carcinoma with radiotherapy alone.

Methods and materials: Between March 1991 and December 1993, 64 patients with inoperable head and neck carcinoma (41 with oropharyngeal site) were randomized to radiotherapy alone (group A) or radiotherapy combined with simultaneous application of mitomycin C and bleomycin (group B). In both groups patients were irradiated five times weekly with 2 Gy to a total dose of 66–70 Gy. The planned concomitant treatment in group B was: bleomycin 5 units twice a week IM, total dose 70 units, mitomycin C 15 mg/m² IV after delivery of 10 Gy, and 10 mg/m² IV on the last day of radiotherapy. To enhance the effect of these two drugs, patients received also nicotinamide, chlorpromazine, and dicoumarol.

Because significantly better results were achieved in arm B for patients with inoperable oropharyngeal carcinoma, the study was closed and such patients were after December 1993 routinely treated with the combined therapy (as in arm B). Until October 1996, we treated and followed up 48 such consecutive patients.

Results: Median follow-up of our study patients is 42 months. Complete remission (CR) rate in group A was 31% and in group B 59% (p = 0.04); disease-free survival (DFS) in group A was 8% and in group B 37% (P = 0.01); and overall survival (OS) was 7% in group A and 26% in group B (p = 0.08). CR rate for patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma was 29% in group A (N = 21) and 75% in group B (N = 20) (p = 0.007); DFS in group A was 10% and in group B 48% (p = 0.001); and the OS was 10% in group A and 38% in group B (p = 0.019). In patients with inoperable oropharyngeal carcinoma treated after December 1993, complete remission was achieved in 32/48 (67%, 95% CI: 52%–80%). DFS at the median follow-up of 14 months was 60% (95% CI 43–77%) and OS 58% (95% CI 42–74%).

Conclusion: From the results of our study it seems that the concomitant treatment significantly improves CR rate, DFS, and OS in patients with inoperable oropharyngeal carcinoma in comparison with radiotherapy alone.     

Kinetics of lactose fermentation in milk with kombucha starter

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of new, non-conventional starter culture on the kinetics of the lactose transformation during milk fermentation by kombucha, at pH 5.8; 5.4; 5.1; 4.8; and 4.6, at two different temperatures 37 °C and 42 °C. Milk fermentation at 42 °C lasted significantly shorter (about 5 h, 30 min) compared to the fermentation at 37 °C. Changes of lactose concentration at the both temperatures are consisting of two retaining stages and very steep decline in–between. The analysis of the rate curves showed that the reaction rate passes through the maximum after 9 h, 30 min at 37 °C and after 4 h at 42 °C. The sigmoidal saturation curve indicates a complex kinetics of lactose fermentation by kombucha starter.