2D photonic-crystal optomechanical nanoresonator.

We present the optical optimization of an optomechanical device based on a suspended InP membrane patterned with a 2D near-wavelength grating (NWG) based on a 2D photonic-crystal geometry. We first identify by numerical simulation a set of geometrical parameters providing a reflectivity higher than 99.8% over a 50-nm span. We then study the limitations induced by the finite value of the optical waist and lateral size of the NWG pattern using different numerical approaches. The NWG grating, pierced in a suspended InP 265-nm thick membrane, is used to form a compact microcavity involving the suspended nanomembrane as an end mirror. The resulting cavity has a waist size smaller than 10 µm and a finesse in the 200 range. It is used to probe the Brownian motion of the mechanical modes of the nanomembrane.

Expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P and bombesin-flanking peptide in nasal polyps.

The presence of neuropeptide-containing sensory, parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves in human nasal mucosa is well established. However, information regarding the neuropeptide distribution in nasal polyps is still lacking. The aim of this study was to compare immunohistologically the presence and distribution of substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and bombesin-flanking peptide (BFP) in normal nasal mucosa and nasal polyps. The expression was studied using Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded biopsy sections from 20 patients with nasal polyps and 10 controls with normal nasal mucosa from the anterior part of the inferior turbinate. Indirect immunohistochemistry (APAAP method) with mono- and polyclonal antibodies was used. None of the control group but 5 patients of the nasal polyp group had an atopic disease. Comparing localization and intensity of the immunohistological reaction in nasal mucosa and nasal polyp tissue, there was no difference in the expression of the three neuroendocrine substances. There was no difference of expression in the polyposis group itself concerning allergic and nonallergic subjects. The results indicate that VIP, SP and BFP have an equal distribution in nasal polyps and normal nasal mucosa.

[Personality markers of patients with vocal cord granuloma]. / Persönlichkeitsmerkmale von Patienten mit Kontaktgranulom.

Particular features of the personality of patients with vocal cord granuloma have been reported in the literature based on intuitive observation of individual cases in clinical examination. The present study was designed to examine systematically a larger number of patients with vocal cord granuloma by means of a psychosomatic interview and with objective standardised personality inventories. The aim was to investigate characteristics of personality structure, the extent and form of psychosomatic complaints, and the psychosocial self-image of these patients. 33 patients with the diagnosis of vocal cord granuloma participated in the study. They underwent a psychodynamic psychosomatic interview and filled in the Giessen test, a standardized personality inventory, the Giessener Beschwerdebogen, a somatic complaints list, and a social questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were computed. Psychodynamic diagnostics revealed two types of the functional level of personality: narcissistic and psychosomatic structures were almost equally represented. With respect to the drive organisation of personality structure, mainly compulsive and to a lesser extent depressive dominant features were found. The structure of somatic complaints in our patient group with vocal cord granuloma was different from that of the norm population as well as that of a group of psychosomatic-psychoneurotic outpatients. With regard to the extent of somatic complaints, the scores of our patients were in the middle between the norm values and those of psychosomatic patients. In the self-image of their personality and their psychosocial relations, patients with vocal cord granuloma deviated from the values of the norm population in all scales into the direction of the scores of psychosomatic-psychoneurotic outpatients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Psychosomatic findings in patients with contact granuloma--initial results]. / Psychosomatischer Befund bei Patienten mit Kontaktgranulom--erste Ergebnisse.

In a prospective study, 33 patients with vocal cord granulomas were seen in a psychosomatic interview and given questionnaires. Results showed the significance of psychosomatic factors in the occurrence of vocal cord granulomas. Psycho-social stress situations, particularly in private lives, and losses of emotionally significant persons were of prime importance. Two types of personalities--a narcissistic and a psychosomatic type--were represented about equally. In the personality structure of the patients, compulsive behavior was diagnosed most frequently while depressive features occurred to a lesser degree. Supportive and expressive psychotherapy was indicated in two thirds of the cases.

[Neuro-otologic diagnosis after long-term exposure to wood preservatives containing pentachlorophenol]. / Neurootologische Diagnostik nach Langzeitexposition gegenüber Pentachlorphenol(PCP)-haltigen Holzschutzmitteln.

We examined the possible vestibulotoxicity of 16 patients subject to chronic exposure to wood preservatives containing pentachlorophenol. A vestibular test battery showed no abnormal findings except in one patient with pre-existing Menière's disease. The discrepancy between a clear history of exposure contrasted with the normal vestibular finding, and illustrates the diagnostic problems in patients chronically exposed to wood preservative.

[Aspergillus mastoiditis in infected granulomatosis--a case report]. / Aspergillus-Mastoiditis bei septischer Granulomatose--Ein Fallbericht.

An 11-year old boy with chronic granulomatous disease due to cytochrome B deficiency developed pulmonary aspergillosis proven by culture in his upper right lobe (upper lobe resection). In spite of maximum doses of flucytosin/amphotericin B combination, he developed focal seizures associated with three intracerebral lesions and a lesion in the area of the right mastoid. Imaging methods (X-ray Schüller, CT, MRT) demonstrated the defects. Mastoidectomy showed blue purulent but sterile necrosis. The antimycotic therapy with the Flucytosin/Amphotericin B combination was stopped and replaced by a new drug, itraconazole. After a short time the boy felt much better. Even the intracerebral lesions became smaller. We conclude that both the surgical and the conservative therapy with a new antimycotic are the reason for this result.

[Distribution of sites of cancers of the mouth cavity and oropharynx]. / Bevorzugte Lokalisationen von Karzinomen in Mundhöhle und Mundrachen.

The spread of carcinomas in the oral cavity and the oropharynx was evaluated in a retrospective study. In 306 subjects the malignancies involved 1082 areas. The present authors concentrated on malignancy distributions in their study and found interesting results in the right-left ratios: carcinomas of the oral cavity alone (n = 122) had a local right-left distribution of 3:2. Carcinomas affecting both the oral cavity and the oropharynx (n = 12) showed no asymmetry. Carcinomas of the oropharynx alone (n = 55) had a local right-left distribution of 2:3. The authors speculate that apart from endogenous disposition factors these asymmetries in carcinoma occurrence are due to the fact that the majority of smokers are right-handed.