Beating of coupled ultraviolet light modes in zinc oxide nanoresonators.

Periodic spatial intensity modulations of near-band-gap luminescence light at 3.36 eV photon energy are reported in nanometer-sized resonators of single zinc oxide nanorods. These modulations are observed when the luminescence light, due to excitonic recombination, is excited by a focused low-energy electron beam scanned along the rods. The acceleration energy of only 2 keV allows for a spatial resolution of a few ten nanometers. Numerical calculations based on the theory of dielectric cylindrical waveguides are performed identifying the intensity modulations as beating patterns of coupled TE01 and TM01 modes in the nanoresonator.

Transurethral water-induced thermotherapy for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a prospective multicenter clinical trial.

PURPOSE: We evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transurethral water-induced thermotherapy for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 125 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH were enrolled at 8 study centers. Pretreatment evaluation included determination of International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS), peak urinary flow rate and quality of life score. Patients also completed a sexual function questionnaire. Patients were evaluated 3, 6 and 12 months after water-induced thermotherapy. RESULTS: Significant improvements in I-PSS, peak urinary flow rate and quality of life score were observed as early as 3 months after water-induced thermotherapy. At 12 months I-PSS had improved by a median of 12.5 (95% confidence interval 11.5 to 13.5) versus baseline, peak urinary flow rate by 6.4 ml. per second (5.6 to 7.5) and quality of life score by 2.5 (2.0 to 2.5). I-PSS, peak urinary flow rate and quality of life score improved by 50% or more at 12 months in 61.5%, 71.3% and 71.6% of patients, respectively. No adverse impact of water-induced thermotherapy on sexual function was noted, and preexisting discomfort during ejaculation and interference in sexual function due to lower urinary tract symptoms were significantly ameliorated after treatment. Serious adverse events were infrequent and manageable. CONCLUSIONS: Water-induced thermotherapy significantly alleviates lower urinary tract symptoms of BPH, increases peak urinary flow rate and enhances patient quality of life. This novel catheter based, minimally invasive treatment is easily administered in the outpatient setting. Water-induced thermotherapy holds promise as a useful and cost-effective option for the clinical management of BPH.

[Results of the Elmslie-Trillat procedure in cases of patella(sub)luxation related to chondral pathology]. / Ergebnisse der Operation nach Elmslie-Trillat bei Patellaluxation und -subluxation. Berücksichtigung der retropatellaren Pathologie.

Between May 1981 and December 1993, 120 patients (126 knee joints) were operated using the Elsmlie-Trillat procedure because of patella(sub)luxation. 79 patients were reviewed at an average follow up of 4.1 (1-13.6) years. 46 women and 33 men were operated with an average age at operation of 26.9 (14-59) years. The examination included Bentley's Score, radiological parameters (e. g. grading of patella dislocation), grading of chondromalacia and patient characteristics (e. g. age, pre-operative time). 64 knee joints (70. 3 %) were evaluated 'very good' and 'good', using the score of Bentley. There were significantly worse results in cases with higher grading of chondromalacia (p <0.0036), longer pre-operative time (p < 0.012) and older patients (p < 0.0023). The worst and most highly significant results were in these patients with prior knee surgery (p < 0.0001). A good patella relocation correlated with improved results (p < 0.001). There was no difference in cases with patella dislocation and/or patellasubluxation. In conclusion, the Elmslie-Trillat procedure should be carried out 'in the correct manner and at an early stage'. To optimise the therapy in cases of patella dislocation the high number of operation techniques should be analysed and used regarding risk groups.

Identification and characterization of inhibitors of peptido-leukotriene-synthesis from Petasites hybridus.

Extracts from Petasites hybridus were found to inhibit peptido-leukotriene biosynthesis in isolated peritoneal macrophages. Chemical analysis by gas chromatography coupled with mass and infrared spectroscopy facilitated the identification of three isomeric oxopetasan esters, petasin, and isopetasin as the main compounds of these extracts. Fractionations obtained by column chromatography of the most effective extract indicated a correlation between peptido-leukotriene biosynthesis inhibition and the content of isopetasin, a sesquiterpene ester of isopetasol and angelic acid, as well as the isomeric oxopetasan esters. Petasin, a structural isomer of isopetasin, however, was found to be inactive. It may even reduce the peptido-leukotrine inhibitory effect of isopetasin. It is concluded that isopetasin and the oxopetasan esters in Petasites hybridus inhibit the biosynthesis of the vasoconstrictive peptido-leukotrienes. This effect may contribute to some of the medicinal properties of Petasites hybridus extracts such as, e.g., gastroprotection and spasmolytic activity.

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of leukotriene E4 in human urine using deuterium-labelled leukotriene E4 standards.

The utility of two deuterium-labelled leukotriene (LT) E4 analogs, e.g. [20,20,20-2H3]LTE4 and [14,15,17,17,18,18-2H6]LTE4, as internal standards for the determination of LTE4 in human urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was investigated. 2H-Exchange during hydrogenation occurred both in [20,20,20-2H3]LTE4 and [14,15,17,17,18,18-2H6]LTE4 in an extent of 9.4 +/- 0.5% and 67.3 +/- 0.6% (mean +/- S.D., n = 6), respectively. The lower extent of 2H-exchange in [20,20,20-2H3]LTE4 allowed a more accurate quantitation than the use of [14,15,17,17,18,18-2H6]LTE4. Applying [20,20,20-2H3]LTE4 as internal standard the coefficients of variation for the intra- and inter-assay determination of LTE4 in human urine were 5.7% and 6.2% (n = 4), respectively. The inter-assay coefficient of variation for [14,15,17,17,18,18-2H6]LTE4 was 15%. Using [20,20,20-2H3]LTE4 as internal standard and GC-MS, healthy volunteers were found to excrete 17 +/- 10 nmol LTE4 per mol creatinine (mean +/- S.D., n = 11). Similar excretion rates for LTE4 in urine of healthy volunteers were found using GC-tandem MS with [1,1-18O2]LTE4 as internal standard. Our results demonstrate that [20,20,20(-2)H3]LTE4 is a suitable internal standard for the GC-MS determination of urinary LTE4.

Syntheses of leukotriene-derivatives.

Some general synthetic routes for the synthesis of cysteinyl-leukotriene derivatives derived from stable building blocks are described. D6-LTE4, a metabolically stable isotopically labelled mass spectrometric internal standard, 20-hydroxy-LTE4, the unnatural 6-epi-LTE4; LTE3, a LT-derivative with 2-amino-thiophenol as a modified "amino-acid" and 14,15-dehydro-LTA4 were prepared. The compounds were tested in a LT-inhibition assay using a monoclonal antibody.

A monoclonal antibody against the sulfidopeptide leukotrienes LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4.

A monoclonal antibody (1A-LDR1) against sulfidopeptide leukotrienes (LT) is described. The mAb shows a nearly identical detection limit of about 0.04 ng for LTC4, LTD4, LTE4 and NacLTE4 in standard fluid phase RIA. Steric modifications, however, diminish the sensitivity, as determined for the examples 5-epi-LTC4, 6-epi-LTC4, 5,6-epi-LTC4 and 11-trans-LTC4. No crossreactivity could be observed for LTB4. Crossreactions with components of the LT peptide chain such as L-cysteine or glutathione, as well as with arachidonic acid, were not detectable. In assessing the accuracy of the LT-RIA, recovery experiments with supernatants of mouse peritoneal macrophages and incubates of gastric mucosa showed a good correlation of r = 0.993 and 0.990, respectively. Results of an inhibition experiment with mouse peritoneal macrophages, incubated with several concentrations of indomethacin and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), support the reliability of RIA and ELISA. The new LT-mAB allows an almost complete detection of peptide leukotrienes in one assay.

A tumor T cell line which can be specifically activated by antigen.

We have shown that permanently transformed T cells of a leukemic line (485-2) maintain their immunocompetent function and can be specifically activated by antigen. This cell line should facilitate investigations into the biochemical mechanisms of T cell activation and may help elucidate the nature of the T cell receptor.