Nimustine (ACNU) plus teniposide (VM26) in recurrent glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: In a previous trial (NOA-01), the combination of nimustine and teniposide showed efficacy in previously untreated glioblastoma (GBM). After establishing temozolomide as standard first-line therapy in GBM patients, the nimustine (ACNU)/teniposide (VM-26) combination has been employed as salvage chemotherapy for recurrent GBM. However, data on the toxicity and efficacy of this regimen in recurrent GBM are lacking. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In two neurooncological centers, all patients with recurrent GBM treated with nimustine (90 mg/m(2), day 1/42) and teniposide (45-70 mg/m(2), days 1-3/42) were analyzed retrospectively for progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (median age 51 years, range 25-71 years) were identified. Six months after chemotherapy initiation, PFS was 29% and the median OS 6 months; 23% of patients were alive > or = 1 year after initiation of nimustine-teniposide chemotherapy. Grade 4 hematotoxicity was observed in 12 of 35 patients (34%) and in 14 of 83 evaluable chemotherapy courses (17%). CONCLUSIONS: The benefit of the nimustine-teniposide combination is moderate in patients with recurrent GBM. The data support the efficacy of the nimustine-teniposide chemotherapy, but the rate of high-grade hematotoxicity is increased.

Prevalence of dental fluorosis in German schoolchildren in areas with different preventive programmes.

In a retrospective study in two different regions of Germany, 1,041 fifteen-year-old pupils were examined for dental fluorosis. The adolescents had taken part in different caries prevention programmes. There were 746 subjects in the study group and 295 subjects in the control group. For each participant, specific aspects of early development, diet and fluoride exposure in group prevention programmes and at home were determined by means of questionnaires. The Thylstrup-Fejerskov index was used to classify the fluorosis scores on the buccal surfaces of teeth 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 after compressed air drying of the teeth. Binary logistic stepwise regression analyses were conducted to identify associations between fluorosis and potential influence factors. A distinction was made between early and late developing tooth parts. The significance level was set at alpha = 0.05. Fluorosis prevalence in the regions studied was 7.1 and 11.3%, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.052; chi square). Binary logistic stepwise regression analysis revealed that 'early start of toothbrushing' was a statistically significant predictor of dental fluorosis in the early-mineralizing enamel (OR = 1.99, p = 0.027). For the late-mineralizing enamel no single independent variable was identified as a significant predictor of dental fluorosis.

Histomorphological endometrial status and influence of oxytocin on the uterine drainage and pregnancy rate in mares.

The aim of this field study was to examine the influence of the uterotonic substance oxytocin in 2 different therapeutic dosages of 15 and 25 i.u., respectively on the uterine drainage of oestrous mares and on their fertility. In addition endometrial biopsies of mares with and without intrauterine fluid accumulations around the time of ovulation were evaluated histomorphologically regarding the aetiology of susceptibility to uterine infection. A population of 59 Hanoverian Warmblood mares was used in this study. The mares were divided into Group A (mares with intrauterine fluid accumulations [n = 49]) and Group B (controls [n = 10]). Group A was further subdivided into 3 groups according to varying oxytocin administrations (none, 15 i.u., 25 i.u.). Prior to insemination, all mares were examined by rectal palpation, ultrasonography and vaginal inspection. In addition, hormone plasma concentrations were evaluated at the time of ovulation, namely oestradiol and progesterone concentrations. Endometrial biopsies were obtained from all mares. Endometrial samples for microbiological and cytological evaluation were taken from mares of Group A only. All mares were inseminated close to ovulation during the first cycle. This study shows that intravenous oxytocin treatment of mares with intrauterine fluid accumulations results in better pregnancy rates than no treatment.

[The attachments of the IMZ system in full denture prosthodontics]. / Die Attachments des IMZ-Systems in der Totalprothetik.

With the aid of a photoelastic model it was possible to visualize the transmission of forces from four different types of attachment (parallel bar, round bar, RS- and O-ring attachment) onto IMZ implants. The parallel bar produced the highest stresses between the implants. By contrast, the round bar mainly transmitted transverse forces. RS- and O-ring attachments transmitted the least forces onto the implants. The retentive power of the attachments has also been measured. The round bar proved to be almost twice as retentive as the RS attachment and nearly three times as retentive as the O-ring.