Successful development of methodology for detection of hapten-specific contact hypersensitivity (CHS) memory in swine.

Hapten contact hypersensitivity (CHS) elicits a well-documented inflammation response that can be used to illustrate training of immune cells through hapten-specific CHS memory. The education of hapten-specific memory T cells has been well-established, recent research in mice has expanded the "adaptive" characteristic of a memory response from solely a function of the adaptive immune system, to innate cells as well. To test whether similar responses are seen in a non-rodent model, we used hapten-specific CHS to measure the ear inflammation response of outbred pigs to dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), oxazolone (OXA), or vehicle controls. We adapted mouse innate memory literature protocols to the domestic pig model. Animals were challenged up to 32 days post initial sensitization exposure to the hapten, and specific ear swelling responses to this challenge were significant for 7, 21, and 32 days post-sensitization. We established hapten-specific CHS memory exists in a non-rodent model. We also developed a successful protocol for demonstrating these CHS responses in a porcine system.

A comparison of accuracy validation methods for genomic and pedigree-based predictions of swine litter size traits using Large White and simulated data.

The objective of this study was to compare and determine the optimal validation method when comparing accuracy from single-step GBLUP (ssGBLUP) to traditional pedigree-based BLUP. Field data included six litter size traits. Simulated data included ten replicates designed to mimic the field data in order to determine the method that was closest to the true accuracy. Data were split into training and validation sets. The methods used were as follows: (i) theoretical accuracy derived from the prediction error variance (PEV) of the direct inverse (iLHS), (ii) approximated accuracies from the accf90(GS) program in the BLUPF90 family of programs (Approx), (iii) correlation between predictions and the single-step GEBVs from the full data set (GEBVFull ), (iv) correlation between predictions and the corrected phenotypes of females from the full data set (Yc ), (v) correlation from method iv divided by the square root of the heritability (Ych ) and (vi) correlation between sire predictions and the average of their daughters' corrected phenotypes (Ycs ). Accuracies from iLHS increased from 0.27 to 0.37 (37%) in the Large White. Approximation accuracies were very consistent and close in absolute value (0.41 to 0.43). Both iLHS and Approx were much less variable than the corrected phenotype methods (ranging from 0.04 to 0.27). On average, simulated data showed an increase in accuracy from 0.34 to 0.44 (29%) using ssGBLUP. Both iLHS and Ych approximated the increase well, 0.30 to 0.46 and 0.36 to 0.45, respectively. GEBVFull performed poorly in both data sets and is not recommended. Results suggest that for within-breed selection, theoretical accuracy using PEV was consistent and accurate. When direct inversion is infeasible to get the PEV, correlating predictions to the corrected phenotypes divided by the square root of heritability is adequate given a large enough validation data set.

[Gender-inclusive care of victims of violence : The model project "Gender Gewaltkonzept" at the University Hospital Aachen]. / Gendergerechte Versorgung von Gewaltopfern : Das Modellprojekt "Gender Gewaltkonzept" an der Uniklinik Aachen.

Violence is a topic of great social relevance, frequently causing tremendous health consequences for those affected and high consequential costs for health care and the national economy. The established consulting and assistance services are usually restricted to offers for ambulant supply, mainly from private agencies or societies. As a result, there is no identification and care for patients who have experienced violence and who are treated in hospital. Another deficiency is the identification and care of male victims of violence. Despite wide-ranging offers of assistance, only very few gender-specific consulting and support services have been available to date.Therefore, the model project "Gender Gewaltkonzept" was initiated at Aachen University Hospital to assess the prevalence of violence and the potential consequences of the violence experienced on the patients' health. In addition, we investigated whether males and females are in need of different supply requirements.Based on the results of the project "Gender Gewaltkonzept" so far, and on prevalence estimates proving that there is a high rate of violent experiences in both males and females, this overview is aimed at presenting the aid and protection concepts available for victims of violence, in addition to the existing deficiencies of the care system. We present approaches to resolving these deficiencies to be able to establish all-encompassing gender-appropriate support for victims of violence.

Variance component estimates for alternative litter size traits in swine.

Litter size at d 5 (LS5) has been shown to be an effective trait to increase total number born (TNB) while simultaneously decreasing preweaning mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal litter size day for selection (i.e., other than d 5). Traits included TNB, number born alive (NBA), litter size at d 2, 5, 10, 30 (LS2, LS5, LS10, LS30, respectively), litter size at weaning (LSW), number weaned (NW), piglet mortality at d 30 (MortD30), and average piglet birth weight (BirthWt). Litter size traits were assigned to biological litters and treated as a trait of the sow. In contrast, NW was the number of piglets weaned by the nurse dam. Bivariate animal models included farm, year-season, and parity as fixed effects. Number born alive was fit as a covariate for BirthWt. Random effects included additive genetics and the permanent environment of the sow. Variance components were plotted for TNB, NBA, and LS2 to LS30 using univariate animal models to determine how variances changed over time. Additive genetic variance was minimized at d 7 in Large White and at d 14 in Landrace pigs. Total phenotypic variance for litter size traits decreased over the first 10 d and then stabilized. Heritability estimates increased between TNB and LS30. Genetic correlations between TNB, NBA, and LS2 to LS29 with LS30 plateaued within the first 10 d. A genetic correlation with LS30 of 0.95 was reached at d 4 for Large White and at d 8 for Landrace pigs. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.07 to 0.13 for litter size traits and MortD30. Birth weight had an h of 0.24 and 0.26 for Large White and Landrace pigs, respectively. Genetic correlations among LS30, LSW, and NW ranged from 0.97 to 1.00. In the Large White breed, genetic correlations between MortD30 with TNB and LS30 were 0.23 and -0.64, respectively. These correlations were 0.10 and -0.61 in the Landrace breed. A high genetic correlation of 0.98 and 0.97 was observed between LS10 and NW for Large White and Landrace breeds, respectively. This would indicate that NW could possibly be used as an effective maternal trait, given a low level of cross-fostering, to avoid back calculating litter size traits from piglet records. Litter size at d 10 would be a compromise between gain in litter size at weaning and minimizing the potentially negative effects of the nurse dam and direct additive genetics of the piglets, as they are expected to increase throughout lactation.

Quasi-resonant neutralization of He+ ions at a germanium surface.

When low-energy He ions are scattered from a Ge surface, the fraction of positive ions exhibits characteristic oscillations as a function of ion energy. These oscillations are caused by quasi-resonant neutralization (qRN), a process which is active for materials with a narrow band nearly resonant with the unperturbed He 1s-level. In this paper we measure the fraction of He+ backscattered from Ge(100). In conjunction with recently developed theoretical methods, we extract quantitative information on the efficiency of qRN. Our evaluation reveals that qRN is a highly efficient process leading to ion fractions two orders of magnitude lower than in systems for which neutralization is only due to Auger processes.

[Value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in acute myocarditis]. / Wertigkeit der kardialen Magnetresonanztomografie bei akuter Myokarditis.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrates location, activity and extent of inflammation in acute myocarditis. A combined approach, using different imaging modalities (T2-IR-weighted imaging, early and late gadolinium enhancement) provides high diagnostic accuracy. The type of myocardial virus infection (PVB19, HHV6) may be related to the pattern of inflammation demonstrated by cardiovascular MRI and the clinical course. Whether specific patterns of late gadolinium enhancement in myocarditis are associated with poor prognosis remains a subject for further investigation. Cardiovascular MRI in myocarditis is believed to become a significant imaging tool in identifying patients at risk for heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias. These patients may need specific treatment, such as antiviral or immunosuppressive medication, dependent on the result of endomyocardial biopsy.

Clinical comparison of the autologous quadriceps tendon (BQT) and the autologous patella tendon (BPTB) for the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.

The use of the BPTB-autograft is a very common method for ACL reconstruction. Nevertheless, the problem of the typical donor-site-morbidity is unresolved. Recently, a transplant of quadriceps tendon, with an attached bone block (BQT) has been increasingly relied upon. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical results of a group of patients after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using either BPTB or quadriceps tendon autograft after a minimum follow-up of 2 years in terms of knee joint stability and function using both subjective and objective criteria. Retrospective study. A total of 260 patients with ACL ruptures were operated between 1995 and 2000; 124 received a BQT-autograft, including 8 revisions; 136 patients received a BPTB-autograft, exclusively primary interventions. The results were evaluated using the IKDC-, Noyes- and Lysholm-Scores. It was possible to re-evaluate 194 patients after a minimum follow-up period of 2 years, 64 of 260 patients (25%) were lost to follow-up. Ninety-seven percent of the operated knee joints in the BPTB-group were judged as normal or almost normal with the IKDC evaluation, as were 83% in the BQT-group (P < or = 0.001). The BQT-group showed a significantly better result in the evaluation of the donor-site-morbidity. We found no significant differences in the functional outcome according to the Lysholm- and Noyes-Score. In comparison to the results after using a BQT-transplant for reconstruction of a ruptured ACL the use of the BPTB-transplant is in favour concerning patient satisfaction and IKDC evaluation. For patients with activities involving kneeling or prolonged flexion of the knee joint BQT-transplants can be a good alternative, however.

Der Teufelskreis der Endometriose.

OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis is one of the most common benign gynaecological diseases. Its aetiology is uncertain and there are many unanswered questions about its pathogenesis and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medline search of relevant publications. RESULTS: Particularly the early stages of endometriosis, usually located in the peritoneum, are metabolically highly active and, even from the start, set in motion a vicious circle of progressive organ destruction, adhesions and inflammatory processes. This can lead to chronic cyclic or acyclic pains and/or sterility. Invasiveness and potential for progression are based on the secretion of prostaglandin derivatives and numerous cytokines which, together with the gradual failure of immune resistance and the local hormonal environment, usually dominated by oestrogen, are responsible for the progressive nature of around 50% of endometriosis cases. The estimated incidence of active, progressive endometriosis is 21,000 new cases per year in Germany, placing it on a par with prostate cancer. Subtle microscopic and morphological grading of the activity of the lesions is crucial to the choice of treatment. Early results of clinical trials indicate that the highest pregnancy rates and the lowest recurrence rates at follow-up can be achieved with individualised hormonal and surgical treatment of active endometriosis, even for mild or minimal endometriosis, in comparison with the laparoscopic removal of lesions alone. CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of hormonal and surgical treatment could become the new gold standard for treating active endometriosis.

Characteristics of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in Tourette's syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Parkinson's disease.

A high incidence of obsessions and compulsions is documented in basal ganglia disorders, especially in patients with Tourette's syndrome (TS). A comparison of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), TS, and Parkinson's disease (PD) revealed significantly higher total scores in both OCD and TS patients than in a healthy control group on the Maudsley obsessive-compulsive inventory (MOCI) and the Hamburg obsessive-compulsive inventory (HZI-K), two self-report measures of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. On most subscales (especially Checking, Ordering, and Counting/touching), TS patients scored higher than controls. Patients with Parkinson's disease merely scored higher on the subscale 'Ordering' of the HZI-K. Differences between OCD patients and TS patients were evident on the MOCI subscales 'Checking' and 'Slowness/Repetition' as well as on the MOCI total score and on the HZI subscales 'Cleaning' and 'Obsessive Thoughts'. On these scales, TS patients reported fewer symptoms than OCD patients. Stepwise discriminant analysis with preselected single items as variables was used to look for specific symptom patterns of OCD and TS. Seventy-eight percent of the patients could be correctly classified with respect to their diagnoses on the basis of only two items of the HZI-K. One item asks for fearful obsessive thoughts, which was found in 90% of the OCD patients; the second item represented echo phenomena, found in 56% of the TS patients. It is concluded that considering specific patterns of obsessive-compulsive psychopathology may contribute to a more reliable differential diagnosis in OCD and TS and help to avoid misdiagnosis of OCD in TS patients.

Molecular analysis of the gene family of the signal recognition particle (SRP) RNA of tomato.

The sequence variants of the signal recognition particle (SRP) RNA gene family from four tomato cultivars have been isolated and characterized which indicated the existence of SRP RNA pseudogenes. Sequence analysis revealed two conserved sequence motifs in the upstream region, a TATA-like box and an upstream sequence element (USE), 'TCCCACATCG', both located at a conserved distance to the transcription start point. These elements are identical to the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase III (pol III)-specific promoters of U-rich small nuclear RNA (UsnRNA) genes of plants. Moreover, T-rich stretches are found at the 3' end of the coding regions of the SRP RNA genes which could act as typical pol III termination signals. These findings and recent results from site-directed mutation analysis of the SRP RNA genes from Arabidopsis thaliana indicate that, in contrast to mammalian systems, plant pol III SRP RNA genes are most probably regulated by external promoter elements. According to the identical promoter organization between plant U3-, U6snRNA, MRP-like RNA and SRP RNA genes, one can group these genes into the 'pol III(EXT)USE' subclass of externally regulated USE-dependent pol III genes.

Quantitative EEG analysis during motor function and music perception in Tourette's syndrome.

Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a neurobehavioral disorder of childhood onset that is characterized by motor and vocal tics and associated behavioral disturbances including obsessive-compulsive symptoms. We performed 30 channel quantitative electroencephalograms (EEGs) on 13 Tourette patients and 26 controls and studied both resting and manumotor/music perception activation conditions. Resting EEGs did not show any differences between patients and controls, as known from the literature. However, during simple and complex hand movements, as well as music perception tasks, there were subtle differences predominantly in alpha frequency. They suggested reduced brain activation during motor tasks in frontal and central regions, and on music perception in temporal and parietal regions, respectively. These findings may add evidence to the functional neuroanatomy of Tourette syndrome, affecting more areas than disturbed motor circuits.

[Compulsive disorder and Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. On the differential diagnosis of organic and psychogenic compulsive symptoms]. / Zwangsstörung und Gilles-de-la-Tourette-Syndrom. Zur Differentialdiagnose von organischer und psychogener Zwangssymptomatik.

A high prevalence of obsessions and compulsions is recognized in patients with Gilles-de-la-Tourette syndrome. Comparison of a group of patients with Gilles-de-la-Tourette syndrome with a group with obsessive-compulsive disorder, using the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-III-R, showed significantly higher scores in both groups of patients in the Hamburg obsessive-compulsive inventory (short version) than in a control group. When selected items from this Inventory were entered in a discriminant analysis, it was shown that there were specific differences in the obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the Gilles-de-la-Tourette syndrome compared to an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Eighty-eight percent of the patients were correctly classified with respect to their diagnosis with eight items of the Hamburg obsessive-compulsive inventory. This result leads to the conclusion that differential observation of the psychopathology of obsessions and compulsions can contribute to the differential diagnosis in obsessive-compulsive disorder and Gilles-de-la-Tourette syndrome, which is still underdiagnosed in Germany compared to epidemiological data in the USA. Moreover, the different psychopathology may reflect differences between a neurotic and an organic basis for obsessions and compulsions.

Characterization of the signal recognition particle (SRP) RNA population of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum).

Molecular cloning of 30 cDNAs and subsequent characterization of the corresponding SRP RNA from four cultivars of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) revealed altogether 14 sequence variants, which could be ordered into six groups. The expression of five representatives from these groups was examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in different cultivars and different tissues. Although one cultivar-specific SRP RNA variant could be detected in the leaf SRP RNA population, identical SRP RNA populations seem to be present in the four different cultivars as well as in different tissues, such as leaves, flowers, fruits, stems and roots. Sequence comparison revealed that several variants might have evolved by recombination of two different SRP RNA sequences. On the basis of five SRP RNA variants, the current secondary structure model was refined and a new conserved structural element was detected. Comparative sequence analysis of domain II from all known SRP RNA homologues reveals a remarkable conservation of this element. As demonstrated previously, the corresponding area overlaps with a region that interact with the SRPp68/p72 heterodimer and/or with ribosomes. Based on structural and functional considerations, we propose that the domain IV structure together with the highly conserved area of domain II constitutes the essential core of the SRP RNA.

Blunted growth hormone response to clonidine in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome.

Noradrenergic mechanisms have been involved in the pathogenesis of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS). Since the central alpha 2 adrenergic agonist clonidine is widely used as a therapeutic agent in GTS, the present study aimed at assessing whether GH release after clonidine, representing central alpha 2-adrenergic receptor sensitivity, was altered in GTS. After administration of 2 micrograms/kg body weight clonidine, the GH response was examined in nine drug-free, alcohol-abstinent GTS patients (eight men, one woman) and in nine age- and sex-matched abstinent healthy controls. A blunted response of GH release (< 5 ng/ml) was observed in seven patients and the area under the curve (AUC) of the GH-release was significantly reduced (p < .01) compared to controls. This finding indicates an involvement of the noradrenergic system in GTS.

[Laparoscopic appendectomy as a routine procedure]. / Die laparoskopische Appendektomie als Routineeingriff.

At the Gynaecology Department of the Bethesda Hospital, 100 patients undergoing a laparoscopic appendectomy were recruited for a prospective study. The first ten patients received no antibiotic, the second ten were given a three-day course of cephazolin, the third ten were treated with a combination of sulbactam and ampicillin and the remaining 70 received cefuroxime. There were no significant differences between the four groups in the mean operating time, the intraoperative complication rate or in the degree of inflammation as classified by the histological examination. The reduced rate of postoperative complications defined as pyrexia > 38 degrees C, elevated WBC and peritoneal irritation for more than two days, showed the advantage of antibiotic prophylaxis with cefuroxime with respect to single parameters and overall complication rates. There were no intraoperative or severe postoperative complications.

[Clinical studies of the proper indication of inlay and crown therapy in lateral tooth areas]. / Klinische Untersuchungen zur sachgerechten Indikation von Füllungs- und Kronentherapie im Seitenzahngebiet.

187 students were examined an epidemiological study for their dental conditions and requirements with respect to preservation and prosthetics. The persons tested showed a DMF-T index of 11.6 and a DMF-S index of 24.2 in the lateral tooth area. In our opinion the clinical investigation revealed that the total number of caries cases will rise three-fold due to the above-average frequency of secondary caries cases as the filling size (or the number of filling surfaces) increases. The amount of single crown dentures found in the lateral tooth area with 0.1 crowns per person tested turned out to be fairly low. The actual need for a tooth-preserving therapy concept by crowning in preference to the concept of filling therapy amounts to the twelve-fold of the existing single crown dentures.

[Experimental studies of the proper indication of inlay and crown therapy in lateral tooth areas]. / Experimentelle Untersuchungen zur sachgerechten Indikation von Füllungs- und Kronentherapie im Seitenzahngebiet.

In the framework of a study involving both experimental and clinical tests, two preliminary tests were made to measure and compare the edge lengths of crowns and inlays and the substance losses after tangential and circular stage-type preparations. As revealed by the results, both the three-face and two-face cast fillings in the lateral tooth area have a longer restoration edge than corresponding cast crowns. The weight loss after crown preparations involving a circular stage is greater by one third than after a tangential preparation. In this context, ways of properly using restorative means of therapy in clinical dentistry are discussed.

Cystectomy: the treatment of choice in patients with carcinoma in situ of the urinary bladder?

Patients (n = 46) with carcinoma in situ (Tis) of the urinary bladder were treated by intravesical chemotherapy. The complete remission rate was 75%. After a mean interval of 17 months recurrent tumours were diagnosed in 47%. Radical cystectomy with urethrectomy was performed in eight patients. Distal ureterectomy and uretercystoneostomy was done in six patients because of a distal ureteric tumour. Based on this group of 46 patients and the current literature, the following criteria are essential in indicating cystectomy: (1) micro-invasion; (2) persistent Tis after adequate intravesical treatment; (3) progressive tumour; (4) Tis of ureter and/or prostate; (5) tumour recurrence at more advanced stage.