[Chondrosarcoma of the hand arising from multiple enchondromas: a case report]. / Chondrosarkom an der Hand bei multiplen Enchondromen: ein Fallbericht.

Malignancy occurs more often in multiple enchondromas than in solitary enchondromas. In the hands the rate is about 14%. We amputated the third ray of the hand in a young man with recurrence of an enchondroma. The histology showed a low grade chondrosarcoma. The patient had no tumour recurrence or metastasis in the following 5 years. We describe the evaluation as well as the treatment and outline the literature.

A systematic database-derived approach to improve indexation of transpulmonary thermodilution-derived global end-diastolic volume.

Global end-diastolic volume (GEDV) has been indexed to body surface area (BSA). However, data validating this indexation of GEDV are scarce. Furthermore, it has been suggested to index GEDV to "predicted BSA" based on predicted body weight. Therefore, we aimed to identify biometric parameters independently associated with GEDV. We analyzed a database including 3812 TPTD measurements in 234 patients treated in the ICU of a German university hospital. GEDVI indexed to actual BSA was significantly lower than GEDVI indexed to predicted BSA (748 ± 179 vs. 804 ± 190 mL/m2; p < 0.001). GEDV was independently associated with older age, male sex, height, and actual body weight. In a regression model for the estimation of GEDV, age and height were the most important parameters: Each year in age and each cm in height increased GEDV by 9 and 15 mL, respectively. In addition to height and weight also age and sex should be considered for indexation of GEDV.

Pulsed laser deposited GeTe-rich GeTe-Sb2Te3 thin films.

Pulsed laser deposition technique was used for the fabrication of Ge-Te rich GeTe-Sb2Te3 (Ge6Sb2Te9, Ge8Sb2Te11, Ge10Sb2Te13, and Ge12Sb2Te15) amorphous thin films. To evaluate the influence of GeTe content in the deposited films on physico-chemical properties of the GST materials, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction and reflectometry, atomic force microscopy, Raman scattering spectroscopy, optical reflectivity, and sheet resistance temperature dependences as well as variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements were used to characterize as-deposited (amorphous) and annealed (crystalline) layers. Upon crystallization, optical functions and electrical resistance of the films change drastically, leading to large optical and electrical contrast between amorphous and crystalline phases. Large changes of optical/electrical properties are accompanied by the variations of thickness, density, and roughness of the films due to crystallization. Reflectivity contrast as high as ~0.21 at 405 nm was calculated for Ge8Sb2Te11, Ge10Sb2Te13, and Ge12Sb2Te15 layers.

Indexation of cardiac output to biometric parameters in critically ill patients: A systematic analysis of a transpulmonary thermodilution-derived database.

PURPOSE: Cardiac output (CO) (liters per minute) is usually normalized (ie, indexed) to the patient's body surface area (BSA) resulting in the hemodynamic variable cardiac index (CI) (liters per minute per square meter). We aimed (1) to evaluate the impact of different body weight-based CO indexations on the resulting CI values and (2) to identify biometric parameters independently associated with CO in critically ill patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is an analysis of a database containing transpulmonary thermodilution-derived hemodynamic variables of 234 medical intensive care unit patients. RESULTS: Cardiac index indexed to actual BSA was statistically significantly lower compared with CI indexed to predicted BSA in the totality of patients and in the subgroups of patients with body mass index greater than or equal to 25 kg/m(2) but less than 30 kg/m(2) and body mass index greater than or equal to 30 kg/m(2) (with a statistically significant difference in the proportion of low and high CI measurements). Multivariate analysis of the first CO measurement of each patient demonstrated that CO was independently associated with age (P < .001), height (P = .001), and actual body weight (BWact) (P = .030). Multivariate analysis of the mean of the patients' CO measurements confirmed age (P < .001), height (P = .001), and BWact (P < .001) as biometric factors independently associated with CO. Age was identified as the most important factor with each year of age decreasing CO by 66 mL/min (95% confidence interval, 47-86 mL/min). CONCLUSIONS: The indexation of CO to BSA is highly dependent on the body weight estimation formula used to calculate BSA. Cardiac output is independently associated with the biometric factors age, height, and BWact. These factors might be considered for indexation of CO.

B-Cells induce regulatory T cells through TGF-ß/IDO production in A CTLA-4 dependent manner.

A number of studies have suggested that B cell mediated-regulation contributes to the establishment of immunological tolerance. However, the precise mechanisms by which regulatory B cells establish and maintain tolerance in humans remain to be determined. The objective of the current study is to understand the cellular and molecular bases of B-cell regulatory functions in humans. To describe the mechanisms regulating the functional plasticity of regulatory B cells, we used an in vitro co-culture model based on autologous mixed lymphocyte cultures involving freshly isolated B and T cells. The results show that activated B cells regulate T cell proliferation through producing transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). The production of TGF-ß and IDO leads to the induction of not only "natural" regulatory T cells but also of TGF-ß-producing CD4(+) T cells and IL-10-producing regulatory T cells. Furthermore, we evidenced for the first time that CTLA-4 induces B-cells to produce IDO and to become effective induced regulatory B cells (iBregs). This study emphasizes a novel regulatory axis and open news insights in how to manage regulatory B cell functions in autoimmunity.

Combating against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus - two fatty acids from Purslane (Portulaca oleracea†L.) exhibit synergistic effects with erythromycin.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to identify the active ingredients from Portulaca oleracea L. (PO) that could provide synergism with antibiotics against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and their possible mechanisms of resistance inhibition. METHODS: High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and a panel of laboratory MRSA strains were used for checkerboard and efflux inhibitory assays. KEY FINDINGS: Linoleic and oleic acids were identified from HSCCC fraction 18 of PO with synergistic antibacterial activity when combined with erythromycin against RN4220/pUL5054. Ethidium bromide efflux inhibitory studies revealed that linoleic and oleic acids may interfere the activity of MsrA pump. By comparing among a panel of linoleic and oleic acids analogues, unsaturated fatty acids in salt form with cis configuration and an increase in number of double bonds were found to further increase the antibacterial activity when used alone or in combination with antibiotics. CONCLUSION: This study reported for the first time that two active ingredients, namely linoleic and oleic acids, were identified from PO with synergistic antibacterial activity when combined with erythromycin against MRSA RN4220/pUL5054 and possibly act by inhibiting the efflux pumps of the bacteria cells.

Extravascular lung water and its association with weight, height, age, and gender: a study in intensive care unit patients.

PURPOSE: With regard to large inter-individual variability of height, body weight (BW), and age, several hemodynamic parameters are adjusted for biometric data. This also applies to extravascular lung water (EVLW), which traditionally was indexed to actual BW (BW-act) resulting in EVLW-index (EVLWI; i.e., EVLWI-act). Since indexation to BW-act might inappropriately diminish EVLWI-act in obese patients, the indexation has been changed to predicted BW (BW-pred) resulting in EVLWI-pred. BW-pred is a weight estimation formula calculated from height and gender that has not been derived from population-based data. The aim of the study was to investigate the independent association of biometric data with EVLW. METHODS: We analyzed a hemodynamic monitoring database including 3,691 transpulmonary thermodilution-derived EVLW measurements (234 consecutive patients; intensive care unit of a university hospital). We performed univariate and multivariate analyses regarding the association of biometric data with the first EVLW measurement and the mean EVLW value of each patient. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, the first EVLW significantly correlated with height (r = 0.254; p < 0.001), but neither with age nor BW-act. Similar findings were made in the analysis of the patients' EVLW means of all measurements ("one point per patient"). In multivariate analysis (primary endpoint), including BW-act, height, age, and gender, only height was independently associated with EVLW, with each centimeter of height increasing the first measurement of EVLW by 6.882 mL (p < 0.001) and mean EVLW by 6.727 mL (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Height is the only biometric parameter independently associated with the first and mean EVLW. In adult patients, EVLW should be indexed to height.

Controlling surface functionality through generation of thiol groups in a self-assembled monolayer.

A lithographic method to generate reactive thiol groups on functionalized synthetic diamond for biosensor and molecular electronic applications is developed. We demonstrate that ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) thin films covalently functionalized with surface-generated thiol groups allow controlled thiol-disulfide exchange surface hybridization processes. The generation of the thiol functional head groups was obtained by irradiating phenylsulfonic acid (PSA) monolayers on UNCD surfaces. The conversion of the functional headgroup of the self-assembled monolayer was verified by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS), and fluorescence microscopy. Our findings indicate the selective generation of reactive thiol surface groups. Furthermore, we demonstrate the grafting of yeast cytochrome c to the thiol-modified diamond surface and the electron transfer between protein and electrode.

Structured polymer grafts on diamond.

In this work, a facile method for the preparation of structured and functional polymer grafts on diamond surfaces is described. Uniform poly(styrene) (PS) grafts with a thickness of approximately 110 nm were created directly onto oxidized ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) surfaces by the self-initiated photografting and photopolymerization of bulk styrene with UV irradiation. The stable covalent bonding of the PS grafts allows polymer analogue reactions with drastic reaction conditions without noticeable detachment of the polymer coating. Thus, various functionalities, such as nitro, sulfonic, and aminomethyl groups have been successfully incorporated to the polymer grafts. Furthermore, the reactivity contrast between hydrogenated and oxidized UNCD surfaces allows for the preparation of structured polymer grafts. Finally, we have demonstrated the good reactivity and accessibility of the incorporated pendant functional groups.

Chemical grafting of biphenyl self-assembled monolayers on ultrananocrystalline diamond.

We have investigated the formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 4'-nitro-1,1-biphenyl-4-diazonium tetrafluoroborate (NBD) onto ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) thin films. In contrast to the common approach to modify diamond and diamond-like substrates by electrografting, the SAM was formed from the saturated solution of NBD in acetonitrile by pure chemical grafting. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) have been used to verify the direct covalent attachment of the 4'-nitro-1,1-biphenyl (NB) SAM on the diamond substrate via stable C-C bonds and to estimate the monolayer packing density. The results confirm the presence of a very stable, homogeneous and dense monolayer. Additionally, the terminal nitro group of the NB SAM can be readily converted into an amino group by X-ray irradiation as well as electrochemistry. This opens the possibility of in situ electrochemical modification as well as the creation of chemical patterns (chemical lithography) in the SAM on UNCD substrates and enables a variety of consecutive chemical functionalization for sensing and molecular electronics applications.

Field effect of screened charges: electrical detection of peptides and proteins by a thin-film resistor.

For many biotechnological applications the label-free detection of biomolecular interactions is becoming of outstanding importance. In this Article we report the direct electrical detection of small peptides and proteins by their intrinsic charges using a biofunctionalized thin-film resistor. The label-free selective and quantitative detection of small peptides and proteins is achieved using hydrophobized silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates functionalized with lipid membranes that incorporate metal-chelating lipids. The response of the nanometer-thin conducting silicon film to electrolyte screening effects is taken into account to determine quantitatively the charges of peptides. It is even possible to detect peptides with a single charge and to distinguish single charge variations of the analytes even in physiological electrolyte solutions. As the device is based on standard semiconductor technologies, parallelization and miniaturization of the SOI-based biosensor is achievable by standard CMOS technologies and thus a promising basis for high-throughput screening or biotechnological applications.

Pharmacological characterisation of a cell line expressing GABA B1b and GABA B2 receptor subunits.

The gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA(B)) receptor has been shown to be a heterodimer consisting of two receptor subunits, GABA(B1) and GABA(B2). We have stably co-expressed these two subunits in a CHO cell line, characterised its pharmacology and compared it to the native receptor in rat brain membranes. Radioligand binding using [3H]CGP54626A demonstrated a similar rank order of potency between recombinant and native receptors: CGP62349>CGP54626A>SCH 50911>3-aminopropylphosphinicacid(3-APPA)>GABA>baclofen>saclofen>phaclofen. However, differences were observed in the affinity of agonists, which were higher at the native receptor, suggesting that in the recombinant system a large number of the receptors were in the low agonist affinity state. In contrast, [35S]GTPgammaS binding studies did not show any differences between recombinant and native receptors with the full agonists GABA and 3-APPA. Measurement of cAMP accumulation in the cells revealed a degree of endogenous coupling of the receptors to G-proteins. This is most likely to be due to the high expression levels of receptors (B(max)=22.5+/-2.5pmol/mg protein) in this experimental system. There was no evidence of GABA(B2) receptors, when expressed alone, binding [3H]CGP54626A, [3H]GABA, [3H]3-APPA nor of GABA having any effect on basal [35S]GTPgammaS binding or cAMP levels.