Coding and noncoding plastid DNA in palm systematics.

Plastid DNA sequences evolve slowly in palms but show that the family is monophyletic and highly divergent relative to other major monocot clades. It is therefore difficult to place the root within the palms because faster evolving, length-variable sequences cannot be aligned with outgroup monocots, and length-conserved regions have been thought to give too few characters to resolve basal nodes. To solve this problem, we combined 94 ingroup and 24 outgroup sequences from the length-conserved rbcL gene with ingroup and alignable outgroup sequences from noncoding rps16 intron and trnL-trnF regions. The separate rps16 intron and trnL-trnF region contained about the same number of variable sites (autapomorphies not included) as rbcL, but gave higher retention indices and more clades with bootstrap support. In general, the strict consensus tree based on combined rbcL, rps16 intron, and trnL-trnF data showed more resolution towards the base of the palm family than previous hypotheses of relationships of the Arecaceae. An important result was the position of subfamily Calamoideae as sister to the rest of the palms, but this received <50% bootstrap support. Another result of systematic significance was the indication that subfamily Phytelephantoideae is related to two tribes from subfamily Ceroxyloideae, Cyclospatheae and Ceroxyleae.

An in vitro evaluation of the integrity of stainless steel crown margins cemented with different luting agents.

The elderly population is retaining more teeth which require extensive restorations. The purpose of this study was to identify a luting agent which had the least marginal breakdown when used with stainless steel crowns. Thirty-six caries-free molars were selected, prepared for stainless steel crowns, and embedded in acrylic to support the crown and tooth. The crowns (Unitek/3M) were cemented with 4 different luting agents: (A) Fleck's Cement, (B) Ketac-Cem, (C) All-Bond C & B Cement, and (D) Panavia EX Cement. All the restored teeth were thermocycled and divided into 3 experimental groups. Twelve teeth were stained. The remaining teeth were occlusally loaded and stained. The remaining 12 teeth were thermocycled and stained again. The stainless steel crowns were then sectioned and photographed at 7.5x mag. The dye penetration was evaluated by measurement of the percentage of dye penetration from the crown margin to the cusp tip on each side. Statistical analysis found that the least dye penetration was with All-Bond C & B Cement (p = 0.0001). The most extensive penetration was observed in Ketac-Cem Occlusal loading was a significant factor (p = 0.0001) increasing the dye penetration, but the crown-tooth gap was not.

Chloroplast DNA characters, phylogeny, and classification of Lathyrus (Fabaceae).

Mapped cpDNA restriction site characters were analyzed cladistically and the resulting phylogenetic hypotheses were used to test monophyly and relationships of the infrageneric classification of Lathyrus (Fabaceae) proposed by Kupicha (1983, Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 41: 209-244). The validity of previously proposed classification systems and questions presented by these classification schemes were explored. Two cpDNA regions, rpoC (rpoC1, its intron, part of rpoC2, and their intergenic spacer) and IR- (psbA, trnH-GUG, part of ndhF, and their intergenic spacers), were analyzed for 42 Lathyrus and two Vicia species. PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplified rpoC and IR- products digested with 31 and 27 restriction endonucleases, respectively, resulted in 109 potentially informative characters. The strict consensus tree suggests that several of Kupicha's sections may be combined in order to constitute clades. The widespread section Orobus and the South American section Notolathyrus should be combined. Section Lathyrus, characterized by a twisted style, should either include sections Orobon and Orobastrum or be redefined as three sections, one of which is characterized by a 100 base pair deletion in the IR- region. Finally, a weighted parsimony analysis positions sections Clymenum (excluding L. gloeospermus) and Nissolia, both with phyllodic leaves, as sister sections. The affiliation of Lathyrus gloeospermus (section Clymenum) remains problematic.

In vitro evaluation of topical fluorides for overdenture abutments.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Topical fluorides are effective, yet none have been developed specifically for root or dentin surfaces. PURPOSE: This study evaluated the ability of several commercial topical fluorides to protect overdenture abutments from in vitro acid demineralization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty extracted teeth from persons aged 50 to 70 years were prepared for overdenture abutments. The teeth were sectioned to provide 40 buccal and lingual halves, covered with nail varnish except for windows on the occlusal and root surfaces, and randomly divided into 4 groups of 10 specimens, which were cycled for 6 hours in acid demineralization, washed, and then held 17 hours in a remineralizing solution for 18 days. Before each cycle, the specimens were treated with either Karigel, Karigel-N, or a NaF solution. The control group was treated with fluoride-free solution. RESULTS: The depth of the artificial lesions on the root surfaces showed a statistically significant dose response. On the occlusal, there were no differences in lesion depth between the various topical fluorides and the control group. But there was a dose response when the remineralized band was subtracted from the lesion depth. Remineralization bands in the occlusal lesions were not evident in the control group, but were present in the fluoride groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that higher concentrations of NaF are more protective for overdenture abutments.

Estramustine phosphate versus placebo as second line treatment after orchiectomy in patients with metastatic prostate cancer: DAPROCA study 9002. Danish Prostatic Cancer Group.

PURPOSE: We compared the effect of 560 mg. estramustine phosphate daily to placebo as a supplement to standard palliative therapy in patients with progressive disease after bilateral orchiectomy as first line therapy for metastatic prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a double-blind multicenter study 131 patients with progressing metastatic hormone refractory prostate cancer were randomized to receive 280 mg. estramustine phosphate 2 times daily versus placebo. End points were clinical progression and death. Adverse events, decrease in prostate specific antigen (PSA) and subjective response were also assessed. RESULTS: Adverse events were common in both groups but breast tenderness/gynecomastia and diarrhea were more frequent among patients in the estramustine phosphate group. Subjective responses were few (9 of 50 estramustine phosphate and 4 of 57 placebo cases, p = 0.15). Median observation time for survival was 43 months and 124 patients died. Median time to subjective progression and median overall survival did not differ significantly between the 2 groups at 4.6 and 9.4 months in the estramustine phosphate group versus 5.0 and 6.1 months in the placebo group. Of 61 patients in the estramustine phosphate group 29 achieved a reduction in PSA of more than 25% at 1 month of followup compared to only 3 of 68 receiving placebo. A decrease in PSA after 1 month correlated significantly with survival. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study did not prove estramustine phosphate to be superior to placebo in terms of protocol end points, it generates the hypothesis that prolonged survival may be achieved with estramustine phosphate treatment in a subgroup of patients and that this may be predicted by a decrease in PSA after 1 month of therapy.

Rapid detection of IgG subclasses on DAT positive RBC membranes by flow cytometry (FC).

UNLABELLED: Red blood cell (RBC)-bound IgG can cause hemolysis resulting, e.g. in severe cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemias (AIHA) or in hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). Serologic detection and differentiation of these antibodies are often difficult in cases of low antibody titers. We investigated 36 cases of poly- and monospecific IgG-positive DATs by flow cytometry. The RBC samples were washed, diluted, and incubated with monoclonal antibodies directed against IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4, respectively. Analysis was performed on a flow cytometer. Nine cases were negative for all 4 IgG subclasses, 8 cases were positive for IgG2, 5 for IgG1, 5 for IgG3, and 3 for all four subclasses. In 6 patients we found combinations of 2 or 3 subclasses (2 for IgG1 and IgG2, 1 for IgG1 and IgG3, 1 for IgG3 and IgG4, 1 for IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4, 1 for IgG1, IgG3 and IgG4). Serological differentiation revealed specific anti-bodies only in 3 cases (anti-Lea, anti-Leb, anti-P1). The type of IgG subclass and the amount of RBC-bound IgG is relevant for the degree of in vivo RBC destruction. Flow cytometry provides a rapid, highly sensitive, cost efficient, and specific tool for IgG detection, including subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: We therefore recommend flow cytometric analysis to be integrated into the serological decision process as an additional method for serological problem cases.

[Prostatotomy. Long-term results]. / Prostatotomi. Langtidsresultater.

Sixty-five patients were treated with transurethral incision of the prostate (TUI-P) on account of slight obstructive enlargement of the prostate. Out of these, 46 were followed-up with a median period of observation of just under four years. In five patients prostatotomy proved insufficient and resection or repeated TUI-P was necessary. 80% of the patients considered that micturition had improved as assessed subjectively by means of a simple rank scale. Assessed symptomatically according to Madsen & Iversen's scale, a median score of 2 and less than 10 was found in 85%. Assessed objectively by means of urine flow measurement, a median peak flow of 10.5 ml/second was found and greater than 9 ml/second in 73%. No structures were demonstrated and none of the patients were incontinent. The magnitude of the ejaculate was unchanged in 26%, less in 39% while this was unknown in 35%. These results do not differ essentially from corresponding long term observations and the method must be considered particularly suitable for treatment of obstructive moderate hypertrophy of the prostate.

Long-term results of Marmor arthroplasty in varus osteoarthritic knees.

Twenty-one osteoarthritic knees with an average varus angulation of 13 degrees were followed up for 7-10 years after resurfacing with the Marmor compartmental knee arthroplasty. There were 14 unicompartmental and 7 bicompartmental replacements, a total of 28 implants. The knees were assessed clinically according to the Hospital for Special Surgery knee rating scale. At the latest follow-up, 19 of these cases were still excellent or good. None of the knees had been corrected by more than the tightness of the ligaments allowed, and a varus inclination of an average of 2 degrees remained after operation and at the latest follow-up. Radiolucency of more than 2 mm around the tibial component was found in 2 out of 28 of the cases, but this was not associated with pain or disability, nor was wire breakage, found in 6 out of 28, or positional changes of the tibial component, which were seen in five patients. It is concluded that the Marmor compartmental knee arthroplasty is still indicated in osteoarthritic varus knees.

Symptoms and signs predictive of the voiding pattern after acute urinary retention in men.

Over a 9-month period 228 men were admitted for acute urinary retention to six different casualty wards in the Copenhagen area. The patients were followed in the corresponding urological departments for one year. Twenty-seven variables were registered for each patient. The cumulative rate of recurrent retention was 56% after one week and 68% after one year. Factors predictive of preserved voiding ability were a retained volume less than 500 ml, a known event provocative of acute retention, and a maximum flow rate of more than 5 ml/s after the retention. The maximum flow rate measured within the first week after the retention was reliable within the follow-up period if the voided volume was 150 ml or more. The etiology of the acute retention was infravesical obstruction in 90% of the patients, and 85% required subsequent surgical treatment. Predictive of surgical treatment for infravesical obstruction were recurrent urinary retention within one week, a volume of retention of more than 500 ml, the absence of a provocative situation prior to the retention episode and nocturia twice or more.

Acute urinary retention in women: a prospective study of 18 consecutive cases.

Over a 9 month period 18 women were admitted for acute urinary retention to six different Copenhagen hospitals, serving a population of approximately 700,000 people. Urodynamically 9 patients had underactive detrusor function, 2 had infravesical obstruction and 3 had both underactive detrusor function and infravesical obstruction. In 4 patients bladder and urethral function were not classified. In 10 patients a provocative event preceded the retention episode. Eleven patients developed recurrent retention within 3 months and 7 patients had persistent severe obstructive voiding problems. Best prognosis was found for patients with correctable infravesical obstruction and for patients with minimal symptoms prior to the retention episode.

Metabolic balances of cadmium, copper, manganese, and zinc in man.

Balance studies of cadmium, copper, manganese, and zine were carried out under constant dietary conditions in eight adult males during two calcium intake levels of 200 and 800 mg/day and in an additional single case during a calcium intake of 1500 mg/day. The dietary content and the excretions of these elements in urine and stool were determined. The mean dietary content of cadmium was 32.9 micrograms/day, of copper 1020 micrograms/day, of manganese 2130 micrograms/day, and of zinc 12.4 mg/day. The ratio of the fecal/urinary cadmium excretion was approximately 1.5 and the main pathway of excretion of the other three elements was via the intestine, while the urinary excretions were very low. The different trace element balances were either slightly negative or in equilibrium, except that the zinc balances was positive in 50% of the cases. All balances should be considered maximal values, as the losses in sweat were not determined. The calcium intake level had little effect on the excretion and retention of these trace elements.