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Purpose: To compare radiological outcome, complications and reoperations in individuals with cerebral palsy and scoliosis fused to the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5), the sacrum, or the ilia. Methods: 208 individuals were identified in the national quality registry Swespine. Lowest level of fusion was L5 in 58, the sacrum in 92, and the ilia in 58 individuals. A subanalysis on 58 matched pairs operated to L5 or the pelvis (sacrum = 42, ilia = 16) with similar pelvic obliquity (± 5°) was performed. Results: The median (interquartile range) follow-up for the last radiograph was 1.7 (1.7) years and for reoperations 6.0 (5.9) years. Preoperatively, median Cobb angle of the major curve was 65° (23°) in the L5 group, 68° (28°) in the sacrum group, and 78° (25°) in the ilia group (p = 0.006). Preoperative median pelvic obliquity according to Maloney was 16° (19°), 21° (13°), and 27° (28°), respectively (p = 0.004). Immediate postoperative Cobb angles were 28° (18°), 28° (16°), and 32° (25°), respectively (p = 0.11). Immediate postoperative pelvic obliquity was 7° (10°), 7° (8°), and 8° (10°), respectively (p = 0.28). The median change in pelvic obliquity from the first to the last postoperative radiograph was − 5° (7°), − 3° (6°), − 3° (6°), respectively (p = 0.55). 7 (12%), 11 (12%), and 7 (12%) patients required at least one reoperation (p = 1.0), respectively. In the matched analysis, no significant differences in the radiological outcomes were found (all p ≥ 0.38). Conclusions: Maintained curve and pelvic obliquity correction with no significant difference in complication and reoperation rates were found irrespective of distal fusion level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chest x-ray and CT demonstrated a large thoracic tumour, suspicious of neuroblastoma(NB) with liver metastases, subsequently biopsy-verified. Instead, the tumour extension was assessed with [ SP 18 sp F]mFBG long axial field of view(LAFOV)-PET/CT (106 cm) without GA/sedation [[2]], acquired 62 min p.i. of 30 MBq (3 MBq/kg) [[4]]. [Extracted from the article]

Weichteilsarkome sind mit weniger als 1 % aller Krebserkrankungen selten. In Deutschland wurden in den letzten Jahren zwischen 3500 und 3750 Neuerkrankungen pro Jahr registriert. Es lassen sich grob 2 Gruppen unterteilen: Entitäten mit einzelnen, gut definierten Treibermutationen und Sarkome mit einem komplexen Genotyp. Als Risikofaktoren gelten eine genetische Prädisposition wie die Neurofibromatose, radioaktive Strahlung, infektiöse Agenzien, Umweltgifte und chronische Entzündungen. Daneben können insbesondere fibroblastische Tumoren mit einem Trauma assoziiert sein. Die vorliegende Übersichtsarbeit basiert auf der mehrjährigen Erfahrung des Erstautors als Leiter des Referenzzentrums für Weichteiltumoren am Institut für Pathologie des Universitätsklinikums Jena und präsentiert aktuelle Daten zur Epidemiologie sowie zur pathologischen, genetischen und epigenetischen Klassifikation von Sarkomen. Darüber hinaus werden die technischen Entwicklungen der Sarkomdiagnostik mittels Methylom- und Genkopienzahlanalytik beleuchtet sowie die Möglichkeit illustriert, wie sich Sarkome anhand ihres Methylierungsmusters klassifizieren lassen. Diese Methodik wird voraussichtlich zusammen mit der massiven parallelen DNA-Sequenzierung Einzug in die Sarkomdiagnostik halten. Dem Pathologen wird zukünftig eine wichtige Rolle in der Interpretation dieser Daten im Kontext seiner konventionellen, auf histomorphologischen und immunhistologischen Befunden basierenden Klassifikation zukommen. Neben der Kenntnis der vielen Tumorentitäten bedarf es dabei eines Verständnisses der molekularen und zellulären Mechanismen im Sinne einer Pathway-Pathologie. Es ist zu hoffen, dass sich daraus neue translationale Ansätze bei der Behandlung dieser aktuell nur schwer medikamentös therapierbaren Tumoren ergeben werden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The venous thromboembolism risk among anti-osteoporotics is unknown. In this primary care study, the risk with other bisphosphonates [1.05 (0.94–1.18) and 0.96 (0.78–1.18)], strontium [0.90 (0.61–1.34) and 1.19 (0.82–1.74)], in the UK and Spain respectively, and denosumab [1.77 (0.25–12.66)] and teriparatide [1.27 (0.59–2.71)] in Spain, did not differ versus alendronate.Introduction: Most of the known adverse drug reactions described for anti-osteoporosis medication (AOM) have been described in studies comparing AOM users to non-users. We aimed to compare the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among incident users of different AOM compared to alendronate (first line therapy).Methods: Two cohort studies were performed using data from the UK (CPRD) and Spain (BIFAP) primary care records separately. All patients aged ≥ 50 years with at least 1 year of data available and a new prescription or dispensation of AOM (date for therapy initiation) during 2000–2014 (CPRD) or 2001–2013 (BIFAP) were included. Users of raloxifene/bazedoxifene were excluded from both databases. Five exposure cohorts were identified according to first treatment: (1) alendronate, (2) other bisphosphonates, (3) strontium ranelate, (4) denosumab, and (5) teriparatide. Participants were followed from the day after therapy initiation to the earliest of a treated VTE (cases), end of AOM treatment (defined by a refill gap of 180 days), switching to an alternative AOM, drop-out, death, or end of study period. Incidence rates of VTE were estimated by cohort. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR 95%CI) were estimated according to drug used.Results: Overall, 2035/159,209 (1.28%) in CPRD and 401/83,334 (0.48%) in BIFAP had VTE. Compared to alendronate, adjusted HR of VTE were 1.05 (0.94–1.18) and 0.96 (0.78–1.18) for other bisphosphonates, and 0.90 (0.61–1.34) and 1.19 (0.82–1.74) for strontium in CPRD and BIFAP, respectively; 1.77 (0.25–12.66) for denosumab and 1.27 (0.59–2.71) for teriparatide in BIFAP.Conclusions: VTE risk during AO therapy did not differ by AOM drug use. Our data does not support an increased risk of VTE associated with strontium ranelate use in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Der Pathologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Onkologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Schmerz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Pathologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Pathologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Schmerz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aims/hypothesis Low birthweight (BW) is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes. We compared glucose metabolism in adult BW-discordant monozygotic (MZ) twins, thereby controlling for genetic factors and rearing environment. Methods Among 77,885 twins in the Danish Twin Registry, 155 of the most BW-discordant MZ twin pairs (median BW difference 0.5 kg) were assessed using a 2 h oral glucose tolerance test with sampling of plasma (p-)glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1. HOMA for beta cell function (HOMA-β) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and also insulin sensitivity index (BIGTT-SI) and acute insulin response (BIGTT-AIR), were calculated. Subgroup analyses were performed in those with: (1) double verification of BW difference; (2) difference in BW >0.5 kg; and (3) no overt metabolic disease (type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidaemia or thyroid disease). Results No intra-pair differences in p-glucose, insulin, C-peptide, incretin hormones, HOMA-β, HOMA-IR or BIGTT-SI were identified. p-Glucose at 120 min was higher in the twins with the highest BW without metabolic disease, and BIGTT-AIR was higher in those with the highest BW although not in pairs with a BW difference of >0.5 kg. Conclusions/interpretation BW-discordant MZ twins provide no evidence for a detrimental effect of low BW on glucose metabolism in adulthood once genetic factors and rearing environment are controlled for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Der Pathologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Within the context of a large treatment gap for depression and a scarcity of specialist resources, there is a need for task shifting to scale up mental health services to address this gap in South Africa. This study assessed the feasibility of an adapted manualized version of grouped based Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) for use by supervised community health workers through a pilot study on 60 primary health care clinic users screened as having moderate to severe depression. Retention was good and participants in the group-based IPT intervention showed significant reduction in depressive symptoms on completion of the 12-week intervention as well as 24 weeks post baseline compared to the control group. Qualitative process evaluation suggests that improved social support, individual coping skills and improved personal agency assisted in the reduction of depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ims/hypothesis: Previous Danish twin studies have found a highly increased risk of precursors of type 2 diabetes as well as a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes among twins compared with singletons. Likewise, small-scale studies of Danish twins have shown that monozygotic twins have a higher risk of developing precursors of type 2 diabetes compared with dizygotic twins. In the present register-based study, the 10 year period diabetes prevalence in Danish twins is compared with that in a random sample of Danish citizens. Furthermore, the 10 year period prevalence of diabetes in monozygotic twins is compared with that in dizygotic twins. Methods: The study population consisted of twins ( n = 77,885) identified in the Danish Twin Registry, and a 5% random sample ( n = 215,264) from the birth cohorts 1910-1989. We identified diabetes patients by means of three nationwide Danish health registers. Results: The number of identified diabetes cases among males was 6,677 (6.24%) for singletons vs 2,271 (5.68%) for twins (difference = 0.56% [0.29-0.83%]). The number among females was 6,143 (5.67%) for singletons and 1,722 (4.54%) for twins (difference = 1.13% [0.88-0.38%]). Restriction to various birth cohorts, known zygosity and known type 2 diabetes did not alter the overall conclusions. The difference between monozygotic twins (males, 5.29%; females, 4.40%) and dizygotic twins (males, 5.77%; females, 4.63%) was non-significant. Conclusions/interpretation: Danish twins do not have an increased risk of developing diabetes compared with singletons, and the risk of diabetes among monozygotic twins does not differ from that of dizygotic twins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Desmocollin 3 (DSC3), a member of the cadherin superfamily and integral component of desmosomes, is involved in carcinogenesis. However, the role of DSC3 in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not yet been established.Methods: Desmocollin 3 expression in CRC cell lines was analysed by RT-PCR and western blotting. Methylation status of DSC3 was examined by demethylation tests, methylation-specific PCR, and bisulphite sequencing (BS). The regulatory role of p53 was investigated by transfection.Results: Desmocollin 3 was downregulated in CRC cells at mRNA and protein levels. Desmocollin 3 expression was restored in five out of seven cell lines after 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC) treatment. A heterogeneous methylation pattern was detected by BS in promoter region and exon 1 of DSC3. Methylation of DSC3 genomic sequences was found in 41% (41 out of 99) of primary CRC, being associated with poor prognosis (P=0.002). Transfection of p53 alone or in combination of DAC increased the DSC3 expression. Similarly, treatment with p53 inducer adriamycin alone or in combination with DAC enhanced DSC3 expression.Conclusions: DNA methylation contributes to downregulation of DSC3 in CRC cell lines. Methylation status of DSC3 DNA is a prognostic marker for CRC. P53 appears to have an important role in regulating DSC3 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Der Pathologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Cellular senescence is a terminal cell-cycle arrest that occurs in response to activated oncogenes and DNA-damaging chemotherapy. Whether cancer cell senescence at diagnosis might be predictive for treatment outcome is unknown.Methods: A senescence index (SI) was developed and used to retrospectively correlate the treatment outcome of 30 UICC stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with their SI at diagnosis.Results: 5-Fluorouracil/leucovorin-treated CRC patients achieved a significantly longer progression-free survival when presenting with SI-positive tumours before therapy (median 12.0 vs 6.0 months; P=0.044).Conclusion: Cancer cell senescence predicts treatment outcome in metastasised CRC. Prospective analyses of larger patient cohorts are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA amplifications, leading to the overexpression of oncogenes, are a cardinal feature of lung cancer and directly contribute to its pathogenesis. To uncover such novel alterations, we performed an array-based comparative genomic hybridization survey of 128 non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines and tumors. Prominent among our findings, we identified recurrent high-level amplification at cytoband 22q11.21 in 3% of lung cancer specimens, with another 11% of specimens exhibiting low-level gain spanning that locus. The 22q11.21 amplicon core contained eight named genes, only four of which were overexpressed (by transcript profiling) when amplified. Among these, CRKL encodes an adapter protein functioning in signal transduction, best known as a substrate of the BCR-ABL kinase in chronic myelogenous leukemia. RNA-interference-mediated knockdown of CRKL in lung cancer cell lines with (but not without) amplification led to significantly decreased cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression, cell survival, and cell motility and invasion. In addition, overexpression of CRKL in immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells led to enhanced growth factor-independent cell growth. Our findings indicate that amplification and resultant overexpression of CRKL contribute to diverse oncogenic phenotypes in lung cancer, with implications for targeted therapy, and highlight a role of adapter proteins as primary genetic drivers of tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Grip strength (GS) has an age- and gender-dependent decline with advancing age. One study comparing GS among extremely old show a North–South gradient with lowest GS in Italy compared to France (intermediary) and Denmark (highest) even after adjusting for confounders. As GS is associated with higher rates of functional decline and mortality, and thus may be used as a health indicator, it is of interest to examine whether the results on extremely old can be reproduced in a large-scale European survey. GS was measured in a cross-sectional population-based sample of 27,456 individuals aged 50+ in 11 European countries included in the SHARE survey. We made a cross-country comparison of the age trajectory of GS in both genders. Northern-continental European countries had higher GS than southern European countries even when stratifying by age and gender and controlling for height, weight, education, health and socioeconomic status. The relative excess was found to be 11% and the absolute difference 5.0 kg for 50- to 54-year-old men, increasing to 28% and 6.9 kg among 80+ year-old men. The corresponding figures for women were 16% and 4.3 kg, and 21% and 3.5 kg, respectively. Southern European countries have lower GS in the age range 50+ year. Gene–environment interactions may explain country-specific differences. The use of GS in cross-national surveys should control not only for age and gender, but also for nationality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Der Pathologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Onkologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer death, where the amplification of oncogenes contributes to tumorigenesis. Genomic profiling of 128 lung cancer cell lines and tumors revealed frequent focal DNA amplification at cytoband 14q13.3, a locus not amplified in other tumor types. The smallest region of recurrent amplification spanned the homeobox transcription factor TITF1 (thyroid transcription factor 1; also called NKX2-1), previously linked to normal lung development and function. When amplified, TITF1 exhibited increased expression at both the RNA and protein levels. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of TITF1 in lung cancer cell lines with amplification led to reduced cell proliferation, manifested by both decreased cell-cycle progression and increased apoptosis. Our findings indicate that TITF1 amplification and overexpression contribute to lung cancer cell proliferation rates and survival and implicate TITF1 as a lineage-specific oncogene in lung cancer.Oncogene (2008) 27, 3635–3640; doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1211012; published online 21 January 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated and compared the effects on glycaemic control of two different exercise protocols in elderly men with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Eighteen patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus carried out home-based bicycle training for 5 weeks. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two training programmes at 60% of maximal oxygen uptake: three 10 min sessions per day (3 × 10) or one 30 min session per day (1 × 30). Plasma insulin, C-peptide and glucose concentrations were measured during a 3 h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Insulin sensitivity index (ISIcomposite), pre-hepatic insulin secretion rates (ISR) and change in insulin secretion per unit change in glucose concentrations (Btotal) were calculated. Cardiorespiratory fitness increased in response to training in both groups. In group 3 × 10 ( n = 9) fasting plasma glucose ( p = 0.01), 120 min glucose OGTT ( p = 0.04) and plasma glucose concentration areas under the curve at 120 min ( p < 0.04) and 180 min ( p = 0.07) decreased. These parameters remained unchanged in group 1 × 30 ( n = 9). No significant changes were found in ISIcomposite, ISR and Btotal in either of the exercise groups. In a matched time-control group ( n = 10), glycaemic control did not change. Moderate to high-intensity training performed at 3 × 10 min/day is preferable to 1 × 30 min/day with regard to effects on glycaemic control. This is in spite of the fact that cardiorespiratory fitness increased similarly in both exercise groups. A possible explanation is that the energy expenditure associated with multiple short daily sessions may be greater than that in a single daily session. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Originally identified as a B-cell marker, expression of the cell surface molecule CD24 has meanwhile been observed in a variety of human malignancies. It appears to function as a ligand of P-Selectin, an adhesion molecule that is present in activated platelets and endothelial cells. We aimed to determine the rate of CD24 expression in our nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) collection and to clarify its correlation with clinicopathological parameters including patients' survival. A total of 89 NSCLC were analysed immunohistochemically using a monoclonal CD24 antibody (clone 24C02) and a standard detection system (LSAB, DAKO) on NSCLC tissue microarrays (TMA). The staining was semiquantitatively scored (0, 1+, 2+, 3+) and grouped into high (2+, 3+)- and low (0, 1+)-Ievel expression for statistical analysis. A high level of CD24 expression was observed in 45% of the cases, preferentially adenocarcinomas. Patients whose tumours had a high CD24 expression showed a significantly shorter median survival time of 23 months vs 38 months (P = 0.033, log-rank test). Similarly tumour, grading, nodal status and clinical stage were significant prognostic markers in univariate survival analysis. Importantly, in the Cox regression-based multivariate analysis, CD24 expression (P=0.025) together with tumour stage (P = 0.006) and grade (P = 0.011) proved to be independent prognostic parameters. We hypothesise that the decreased survival of NSCLC patients with strongly CD24-positive tumours is related to an enhanced propensity of haematogenous metastasis formation, which might be P-Selectin mediated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of HNO is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was applied to squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the lung to define chromosomal imbalances that are associated with the metastatic phenotype. In total, 64 lung SCC from 50 patients were investigated, 25 each with or without evidence of metastasis formation. The chromosomal imbalances summarized by a CGH histogram of the 50 cases revealed deletions most frequently on chromosomes 1p21-p31, 2q34-q36, 3p, 4p, 4q, 5q, 6q14-q24, 8p, 9p, 10q, 11p12-p14, 13q13-qter, 18q12-qter and 21q21. DNA over-representations were most pronounced for chromosomes 1q11-q25, 1q32-q41, 3q, 5p, 8q22-qter, 11q13, 12p, 17q21-q22, 17q24-q25, 19, 20q and 22q. In ten cases, paired samples of primaries and at least one metastasis were analysed. The comparison revealed a considerable chromosomal instability and genetic heterogeneity; however, the CGH pattern indicated a clonal relationship in each case. The difference in histograms from the metastatic and non-metastatic tumour groups was most useful in pinpointing chromosomal imbalances associated with the metastatic phenotype, indicating that the deletions at 3p12-p14, 3p21, 4p15-p16, 6q24-qter, 8p22-p23, 10q21-qter and 21q22, as well as the over-representations at 1q21-q25, 8q, 9q34, 14q12 and 15q12-q15, occurred significantly more often in the metastatic tumour group. The comparison of the paired samples confirmed these findings in individual cases and suggested distinct genetic changes, in particular the extension of small interstitial deletions, during tumour progression. Importantly, metastasis-associated lesions were frequently detectable in the primary tumour providing a method of identifying patients at risk for tumour dissemination. Individual profiles and histograms are accessible at our web site http://amba.charite.de/cgh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uncertainty of the Kjeldahl method for determination of nitrogen in insulin was evaluated according the procedure described in the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement. The relative standard uncertainty of the method was found to be 0.19%, compared to the relative intermediate precision experimentally found to be 0.085%. The uncertainty components were organized in Tables, which allowed an easy overview and evaluation. The largest contribution to the uncertainty came from volumetric equipment. Systematic uncertainty budgets such as the design presented here facilitate the uncertainty evaluation process and makes it easier to compare uncertainty evaluations performed by different analysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper applies a recent result on nonlinear H∞-optimal control to give a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a state feedback controller which absolutely stabilizes a discrete-time uncertain nonlinear system with structured uncertainty. The class of uncertain systems being considered contain uncertainties which satisfy a certain sum constraint. This sum constraint is a nonlinear discrete-time version of the integral quadratic constraint uncertainty description. The main result is established by using a nonlinear S-procedure result, which enables the robust absolute stabilization problem to be converted into a equivalent nonlinear H∞-optimal control problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a new approach to model validation and fault diagnosis problems for a class of uncertain systems in which the uncertainty is described by an integral quadratic constraint. The new approach is developed by applying methods from linear quadratic optimal control theory. This leads to a method for model validation and fault diagnosis which is based around a robust Kalman filter type structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The snailfish family Liparididae was well represented in bottom trawl hauls (205-370 m) from the Spitsbergen area, with Liparis gibbus being the dominant species. Careproctus reinhardti was less numerous. The present paper is based on 539 specimens of C. gibbus (size range 6-25cm) and 120 specimens of L. reinhardti (size range 5-26 cm). Both species showed a rather similar size and age distribution. The stomach contents reveal that both snailfish species feed both benthically and pelagically. Crustaceans, especially amphipods and decapods, were the most common prey items. With increasing size of the fish, the decapod Pandalus borealis becomes more important, particularly for L. gibbus. Juvenile Liparis (1.3-4.3 cm in length) were found pelagically (35-200 m), and their diet mainly consisted of copepods and young hyperiid amphipods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilized Atlantic halibut ( Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) eggs in different developmental stages (Days 0 to 18) were sampled from plankton in North Norway in February 1986 and analysed for lipid classes and fatty acid content. In unfertilized ovulated eggs taken from ripe fish caught in 1983/1984, polar and neutral lipids comprised ca. 71 and 30% of the total lipids, respectively, decreasing and increasing to 67 and 33%, respectively, in Stage III (11 to 18 d old) fertilized eggs. Of the polar lipids, phosphatidylcholine decreased markedly from 62% in unfertilized ovulated eggs to ca. 40% in Stage I (0 to 3 d old) fertilized eggs, while phosphatidylethanolamine increased from ca. 7 to 33%. Triacylglycerols, the major neutral lipids, increased from ca. 13% in unfertilized ovulated eggs to 16% in Stage III fertilized eggs. The total lipid in Stage I fertilized eggs had relatively low levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), with ( n-3) PUFA accounting for only ca. 25% of the total fatty acids. The ( n-3) PUFA increased to ca. 40% of the total fatty acids in Stage III, while the ( n-3): ( n-6) ratio increased from 4.1 to 7.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal lipid analyses were performed on the gonads and residual bodies of Ctenodiscus crispatus (Retzius) and Asterias lincki (Müller & Troschel), collected from Balsfjorden, northern Norway during March 1978-February 1980. The ovaries of both species had high percentages of total lipid (in the region of 60% of the dry weight) that were relatively constant throughout the season. Testes from both species had in the region of 20% of their dry weight as lipid, again with little seasonal variation. The majority of the total lipid in the ovaries of C. crispatus was accounted for by alkyldiacylglycerols and there was little seasonal variation in lipid class composition. Phospholipid accounted for the bulk of the lipid in the testes of C. crispatus, where alkyldiacylglycerols were present but in minor amounts. A slight degree of seasonal variation occurred in the composition of testis lipid in that maximal percentages of triacylglycerols and alkyldiacylglycerols occurred in January-April. The ovaries of A. lincki contained both triacylglycerols and alkyldiacylglycerols as major neutral lipids. Significant seasonal variation occurred in lipid class composition in the ovaries in that neutral lipids showed transient minima in February-April. The testes of A. lincki had substantial amounts of both triacylglycerols and alkyldiacylglycerols: maximal percentages of these lipids occurred in January-March. Analyses of gonads of near-mature Pteraster militaris (O. F. Müller) revealed that the ovaries were rich in lipid that was predominantly alkyldiacylglycerols, whereas the testes had much lower levels of lipid accounted for mainly by phospholipids. The residual bodies of all three asteroids had significant but small amounts of alkyldiacylglycerols in their lipids. A. lincki had triacylglycerols as a major lipid class in its body lipids, whereas in C. crispatus the major body lipid was phospholipid. Little seasonal variation was seen in the composition of the residual body lipid of either C. crispatus or A. lincki. The results are consistent with an aseasonal reproductive pattern in C. crispatus, although a main breeding activity occurred in mid-winter. A. lincki is a more seasonal breeder, but also had maximal activity in winter. Irrespective of their breeding habits, all three asteroids produced eggs rich in alkyldiacylglycerols. A major role for this lipid in the development of the large lecithotrophic eggs of asteroids is indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olfactory neuroblastoma (esthesioneuroblastoma) is a very rare tumour of the olfactory mucosa. Morphological features and cytogenetic studies strongly suggest a neuro-ectodermal origin. Up to now, cytogenetic studies are inconsistent. Some of them have proposed that the tumour belongs to the pPNET family. In the present study we describe genomic imbalances in olfactory neuroblastoma in a 46-year-old woman by using the molecular cytogenetic technique — comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) — in order to define the spectrum of genetic abnormalities in the tumour. The anatomical location and morphological findings were the basis for the diagnosis of esthesioneuroblastoma. Immunohistochemical reactions for NSE, synaptophysin, chromogranin A, HNK-l/Leu-7 and S-100 revealed a characteristic immunophenotype. The CGH analysis showed multiple changes including DNA overrepresentations of chromosomes 4. 8, 11 and 14, partial DNA gains of the long arms of chromosomes 1 and 17, deletions of the entire chromosomes 16, 18. 19 and X, and partial losses of chromosomes 5q and 17p. This study represents an early utilisation of the CGH technique in olfactory neuroblastoma and demonstrates that the tumour carries complex chromosomal aberrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Pathologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Pathologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Urinary infections are frequent in diabetics. The cause is not clear. Neurogenic disturbances of the urinary bladder might be an important factor. Twenty-eight diabetic males have been investigated, none above 50 years of age. These patients have been compared with 25 controls. Particularly the presence of symptoms and signs from the urinary tract, the appearance of neuropathy and diabetic angiopathy have been studied. The results of the cystometry and micturition-cystography showed among other things that many diabetics, even when symptomless, had a large hypotonic or atomic urinary bladder and sphincter disturbances. The pelvic bottom electromyography showed that the potential durations in diabetics were significantly larger than in controls both in urethra and in anal sphincter as well as in levator ani. p ]Similar investigations in diabetics of different ages have yielded the same results. These results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty patients with chronic anal fissure were randomized into two groups. Ten patients were treated with lateral subcutaneous sphincterotomy and 10 with anal dilatation. Anal dilatation was carried out preoperatively, and at 1 and 3 months after the operation in all patients. Preoperatively there was a significantly increased maximal resting pressure in the 20 fissure patients (80 mmHg median) compared with 20 control subjects (50 mmHg median). Postoperatively a significant decrease in pressure occurred in the dilated group (49 mmHg median p<0.05), whereas the pressure was not significantly reduced in the group that underwent sphincterotomy (65 mmHg median p<0.05). At 1 year three patients complained of recurrent symptoms of anal fissure in the dilated group compared with one in the sphincterotomy group. Minor continence disturbance was noted in two patients in both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]