Location of Ge and extra-framework species in the zeolite ITQ-24.

The germanosilicate ITQ-24 (IWR framework type) was synthesized in fluoride medium using 1,3,5-tris(1,2-dimethylimidazolium) benzene as the structure directing agent (SDA). A structure analysis of the as-synthesized ITQ-24 material using synchrotron powder diffraction data and difference electron density calculations have allowed the fluoride ions and the germanium atoms to be located and the conformation of the SDA to be determined. The benzyl ring is perpendicular to the b axis with the three imidazolium moieties forming a "T-shaped" arrangement. Ge atoms replace some of the Si in the double-4-ring (d4r) and in one of the single-4-rings (s4r). The other s4r contains only Si. Fluoride ions are in the d4r units. Initially, the space group Cmmm (highest possible symmetry) was assumed, but the framework geometry was strained. An independent evaluation of the symmetry using the powder charge flipping algorithm in Superflip led to a successful refinement with reasonable geometry and a refined composition of |[(C6H3)(C7H10N2)3]2F2|[Si(40.2)Ge(15.8)O112] in the space group Pban.

Family history of atopy and clinical course of RSV infection in ambulatory and hospitalized infants.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection can be severe in pediatric patients. Risk factors for severe disease include age less than 6 months, prematurity, preexisting heart or lung disease or malformations, gastroesophageal reflux, and immunodeficiency. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of family history of allergy on the clinical course of RSV infection in ambulatory and hospitalized infants. In a retrospective study, 172 patients younger than 12 months of age (99 inpatients and 73 outpatients) were enrolled. Information was obtained from hospital charts and from questionnaires sent to pediatricians. Inpatients had a significantly higher rate of atopy in their family history than outpatients, 62% and 29%, respectively (P < 0.001). Bronchiolitis was diagnosed more frequently in patients with an atopic burden than those without, 89% versus 74%, respectively (P < 0.02). Inpatients with an atopic family history had a significantly longer hospital stay than those without such a history, 7.4 +/- 3.7 days and 6.1 +/- 2.3 days, respectively (P < 0.04). Factors other than age that are considered a risk for severe infection with RSV (prematurity, preexisting heart or lung disease or malformation, and gastroesophageal reflux) were not confirmed in the present study. We conclude that infants with a family history of atopy are at increased risk for severe RSV infection as indicated by higher rates of hospitalization, longer hospital stay, and more frequent occurrence of bronchiolitis.

Single-crystal-like diffraction data from polycrystalline materials

A method for solving structures from powder diffraction data was developed, and its validity was demonstrated on three complex structures. The method uses a textured sample and exploits the high intensity and parallel nature of synchrotron radiation. In principle, crystal structures as complex as those routinely solved by single-crystal methods can be determined with this approach. For example, the as-synthesized form of the zeolite UTD-1, with 69 nonhydrogen atoms in the asymmetric unit, could be solved directly. With this method, a larger range of structural complexity becomes accessible to scientists interested in the structures of polycrystalline materials that cannot be grown as single crystals.

[Perianal extramammary Paget's disease]. / Der extramammäre perianale M. Paget.

Extramammary perianal morbus Paget is a rare disease; so far, only a few more than 100 cases have been reported on or described worldwide. Diagnosis, differential diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of intra-epidermally growing adenocarcinoma are explained and discussed by means of a well-documented case.

Presenting characteristics of patients with duodenal ulcer and outcome of medical treatment in controlled clinical trials using cimetidine and diethylamine persilate to treat ulcer attack and diethylamine persilate and placebo to prevent relapses.

A double-blind controlled clinical trial on the medical treatment of the acute episode of duodenal ulcer and the prevention of symptomatic relapses was performed. A total of 164 patients with active duodenal ulcer were either treated with cimetidine 1 g/day (70 patients), diethylaminepersilate (DAP) 1.5 g/day (64 patients) or DAP 2.5 g/day (30 patients). DAP is an allegedly protective agent stimulating mucosal prostaglandin synthesis. Cumulative healing rates after 4 weeks in the 3 groups were 66, 28 and 28% and after 8 weeks 94, 70 and 63%, respectively. One hundred and five patients with healed duodenal ulcer received, in a second double-blind study, either DAP 0.5 g/day or placebo. Thus, ulcer healing was more rapid with cimetidine than with DAP. DAP did not prevent relapses. No presenting characteristic was associated with slow healing. Three presenting characteristics--smoking, teetotalling and bleeding episode in the past--were associated with early symptomatic relapse. The present study was compared with a previous study performed by the same group of investigators using a similar study protocol. In both trials, an early relapse was associated with smoking. No other presenting characteristic was identified which in both trials was associated with slow healing or early symptomatic relapse. Thus, smoking appears to be the only one of the commonly available presenting characteristics which allows a prediction of the course of duodenal ulcer disease.