Integrating species distribution models (SDMs) and phylogeography for two species of Alpine Primula.

The major intention of the present study was to investigate whether an approach combining the use of niche-based palaeodistribution modeling and phylo-geography would support or modify hypotheses about the Quaternary distributional history derived from phylogeographic methods alone. Our study system comprised two closely related species of Alpine Primula. We used species distribution models based on the extant distribution of the species and last glacial maximum (LGM) climate models to predict the distribution of the two species during the LGM. Phylogeographic data were generated using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). In Primula hirsuta, models of past distribution and phylogeographic data are partly congruent and support the hypothesis of widespread nunatak survival in the Central Alps. Species distribution models (SDMs) allowed us to differentiate between alpine regions that harbor potential nunatak areas and regions that have been colonized from other areas. SDMs revealed that diversity is a good indicator for nunataks, while rarity is a good indicator for peripheral relict populations that were not source for the recolonization of the inner Alps. In P. daonensis, palaeo-distribution models and phylogeographic data are incongruent. Besides the uncertainty inherent to this type of modeling approach (e.g., relatively coarse 1-km grain size), disagreement of models and data may partly be caused by shifts of ecological niche in both species. Nevertheless, we demonstrate that the combination of palaeo-distribution modeling with phylogeographical approaches provides a more differentiated picture of the distributional history of species and partly supports (P. hirsuta) and partly modifies (P. daonensis and P. hirsuta) hypotheses of Quaternary distributional history. Some of the refugial area indicated by palaeodistribution models could not have been identified with phylogeographic data.

[Prevalence of abnormal mucosal findings in patients in HNO practices]. / Prävalenz auffälliger Schleimhautbefunde bei Patienten in HNO-Praxen.

OBJECTIVE: To date, no secondary prevention program is in place for patients carrying an increased risk for developing head and neck cancer (HNSCC). In terms of successful, long-term curative therapy and increased quality of life, it would be useful to detect such diseases at an early stage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 370 patients with at least one risk factor such as "smoking", "alcohol", or "reflux disease" and without any symptoms were examined during a 1-year period using standard HNO methods (e. g. endoscopy) for suspicious alterations of the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract. RESULTS: In 13 (3.5%) of all 370 cases a biopsy was taken for further diagnosis. Squamous cell carcinoma was found in eight cases, while one further patient was suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: It is simple and safe to examine patients at risk of developing HNSCC by standard HNO methods. The rate of detected carcinomas is much higher than in former investigations, likely because our survey focused only on patients with specific risk factors.

[Ginkgo special extract EGb 761 in tinnitus therapy. An overview of results of completed clinical trials]. / Ginkgo-Spezialextrakt EGb 761 in der Tinnitus-Therapie. Eine Ubersicht über die Ergebnisse der durchgeführten klinischen Prüfungen.

In a systematic search of the literature 19 clinical trials investigating the effects of tinnitus treatment with Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 were identified and evaluated. The results of eight controlled studies on tinnitus due to cerebrovascular insufficiency or labyrinthine disorders of varying genesis for the most part show a statistically significant superiority of treatment with the Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 as compared with placebo or reference drugs applied of periods of one to three months. Open studies, too, some involving large numbers of patients, revealed appreciable improvements under ginkgo treatment. Therapeutic success was not directly correlated with either the genesis or the duration of tinnitus. However, investigations of prognostic factors revealed that short-standing disorders have a better prognosis, so that better results can be expected from early-onset treatment. The tolerability of Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 was excellent, and in this respect the controlled clinical trials revealed little difference between drug-treated and control groups.

[Tests of biological indicators in controling sterilisation processes of autoclaves (author's transl)]. / Untersuchungen zur Funktionsprüfung von Autoklaven mittels Bioindikatoren

For the control of sterilisation processes in autoclaves several biological indicators were examined and compared with native spore samples. The biological indicators were STERIKON (Merck, Darmstadt), KILIT (BBL, USA); the ampulated native spore samples came from Mainz and Berlin, furthermore Bac. subtilis was used on arenaceous quartz. To receive more accurate results and better possibilities for standardization, indicators were not tested in autoclaves but in ultrathermostates. The effect of heat on the viability of ampulated test spores was ascertained by the count of colony formating units on count plates. With two of the tested indicators, KILIT and STERIKON, success of the germicidal process can also be seen by the change of color of the contents of the ampules. Investigations showed ampulated wet spore samples to be totally inefficient, because of their low resistance level, but also suspensios of Bac. subtilis did not meet requirements. Tests of KILIT indicated equally unsatisfactory low levels of heat resistance. Only KTERIKON met the requirements and equalled native spore samples. Since the producer lowered the heat resistance, which was too high initially, by reducing the sowing of spores to 10(2)-10(3) per ml medium of the ampules, the germicidal curve became almost ideal. It has to be mentioned that STERIKON-ampules can only be recommended to ampule-producing-industries. For the control of medicaments in ampules a replacement of native spore samples by STERIKON will only be possible, after the producer has standardized the optimal heat resistance and prevented its decrease while being stored. At present native spore samples are still indispensable - also because they can be widely employed.