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Effects of disease progression on healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and costs among multiple myeloma (MM) patients with ≥1 line of therapy (LOT) who received their first stem cell transplant (SCT) within 1 year of initial MM diagnosis were estimated using a large US claims database. Disease progression was defined as advancement to the next LOT, bone metastasis, hypercalcemia, soft tissue plasmacytoma, skeletal related events, acute kidney disease, or death within 12 months of LOT initiation. Annual HRU and costs in the first three LOTs (L1–L3) were compared for patients with versus without disease progression using inverse probability of treatment weighting to adjust for differences between groups in baseline characteristics. In all LOTs, mean annual hospitalizations and healthcare costs were greater for patients with versus without progression. Total incremental annual costs among patients with versus without progression in L1–L3 were $18,359, $87,055, and $71,917, respectively, among LOTs initiated between 2006 and 2018. In LOTs initiated between 2013 and 2018, the figures were $46,024, $100,329, and $101,942 in L1–L3, respectively. The economic burden of disease progression is substantial in this population of MM patients who underwent SCT and received systemic anti-myeloma therapy.

Introduction Copeptin, the C-terminal fragment of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), is a biomarker which has been reported to be increased in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, thus playing a role in predicting their prognosis. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) have been demonstrated to have a high risk for developing these vascular diseases. However, there have been no authentic reports concerning the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on serum copeptin levels in OSA patients. Purpose We hypothesis that CPAP treatment substantially modifies copeptin levels in OSA patients. Methods A total of 60 OSA patients confirmed by polysomnographic examinations was divided into two groups: a mild-moderate OSA (apnea-hypopnea index: AHI Results Twenty-one patients (age: 54.7±12.4 y, male: 17, NT-proBNP: 45.3±44.2 pg/mL) were diagnosed as having mild-moderate OSA (AHI: 16.5±8.4/h), while 39 patients (age: 57.8±11.4y, male: 29, NT-proBNP: 73.7±87.3 pg/mL) were diagnosed as severe OSA (AHI: 49.5±21.1/h). As a whole, there were no significant differences in copeptin and ADH levels between mild-moderate OSA and severe OSA groups (copeptin: 2.1±1.4 pmol/L vs. 1.9±1.4, ADH: 2.3±2.6 pg/dL vs. 2.0±0.7). In 26 severe OSA patients (age: 55.9±12.9y, male: 23, NT-proBNP: 63.3±85.2 pg/mL), these hormones were again evaluated after CPAP initiation. AHI was significantly improved after CPAP treatment (45.5±20.8/h vs. 5.0±5.0, P Conclusions Serum copeptin levels decreased after CPAP treatment in patients with severe OSA. Copeptin, but not ADH, can be considered as a new biomarker for predicting cardio/cerebrovascular events in severe OSA patients. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Phonon transport is an essential property of thermoelectric materials. Although the phonon carries heat, which reduces the thermoelectric efficiency, it contributes positively to the Seebeck coefficient S through the phonon-drag effect, as typified by the high-purity semiconductors, which show fairly large S at cryogenic temperatures. Although such a large S is attractive in terms of Peltier cooling, a clear guiding principle for designing thermoelectric materials enriched by the phonon-drag effect remains to be established. Here we demonstrate that a correlated semiconductor, FeSb2, is a promising thermoelectric material featuring quasi-ballistic phonons dragging d electrons with large effective mass. By changing the sample size within the sub-millimetre order for high-purity single crystals, we succeed in substantially increasing S to as much as −27 mV K−1 at low temperatures. Our results exemplify a strategy for exploring phonon-drag-based thermoelectric materials, the performance of which can be maximized by combining heavy electrons with ballistic phonons., Thermoelectric performances depend on phonon and electron transport. Here, Takahashi et al. show that the large Seebeck coefficient observed in high-purity single-crystal FeSb2 is due to the phonon-drag effect and to the high effective mass of d electrons interacting with quasi-ballistic phonons.

For ESR spectroscopy covering sub THz to THz region, we have developed a frequency-step tunable Gyrotron FU II as a radiation source. A pulse magnet is used for high field ESR spectroscopy. The pulse width is around 50 ms. In order to cover this pulse width, the gyrotron can operate during more than 100 ms in pulse length.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are few articles characterizing cerebellar lesions in patients with TSC and no published series documenting longitudinal evaluation of these lesions, to our knowledge. Recent suggestion of a correlation between autism and cerebellar lesions in patients with TSC heightens the importance of understanding these lesions. Our purpose was to characterize cerebellar lesions in a cohort of young patients with TSC with specific interest in assessing longitudinal changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed MR images from 145 pediatric and young adult patients with tuberous sclerosis (mean age, 7.6 years). A number of imaging characteristics of cerebellar tubers were recorded, and patients were evaluated for SGAs. Patients with follow-up scans >3 months from the original scan were further analyzed for longitudinal tuber characterization. RESULTS: There were 24.1% of patients with focal cerebellar lesions; 52.4% of patients with cerebellar lesions demonstrated change in imaging characteristics during longitudinal analysis. Fifty-one percent of the lesions were enhanced after gadolinium administration. Twenty percent of the patients with cerebellar lesions had pathologically confirmed SGAs compared with the incidence of 11% in the 145 patients with TSC reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: In our large cohort of young patients with TSC, cerebellar tubers were common and 52% of patients had tubers that changed with time. A higher percentage of patients with cerebellar lesions developed SGAs than patients with TSC without cerebellar lesions. Because this is the first reported longitudinal study of cerebellar lesions in TSC, further investigation may provide additional insight into TSC pathology and associated clinical manifestations, such as autism, developmental delay, and seizures.

Background: Culture is an important force which affects health behaviors linked to cancer risks among immigrants. Studies have demonstrated the process of acculturation can produce a form of stress that impact health negatively. On the other hand, research suggests that biculturalism, defined as the combining and practicing of customs from two cultures, may be a healthy approach to acculturation. Biculturalism is especially relevant for youth immigrants as their cultural identities are still developing. Pacific Islanders, a fastest growing populations in the US, often experience discrimination in the society at large and in the health care system. Pacific Islander youth in the US navigate between two cultural identities: their native culture as they live in a close-knit community that still maintains strong cultural norms and values, and the dominant American culture that they face once they step outside their community. This is one of the rare studies that examine the relationship between acculturation and cancer preventive behaviors among Pacific Islander youth. Aim: We aim to study the process through which biculturalism influences cancer risk and preventive behaviors such as smoking, sunscreen applications, physical activity and healthy eating among Pacific Islander youth immigrants in Hawaii. Specifically, we map the process of influence that links biculturalism to self-esteem and to these cancer risk and preventive behaviors. Methods: Using survey data from 284 Pacific Islander youth, we developed and tested a theoretically driven model that specifies the relationship among variables listed above. Results: Results show that self-esteem serves as an important mediator connecting biculturalism to cancer preventive behaviors. While biculturalism did not have a direct influence on behaviors and outcomes, it led to increased self-esteem which, in turn, directly influenced attitudes about sunscreen application, physical activity and healthy eating. However, there was neither direct nor indirect link between biculturalism and smoking. Conclusion: While numerous studies have shown links between biculturalism and health, not many studies focus on the specific process through which the influence is exerted. This study provides an important insight into the process through which biculturalism impacts cancer preventive behaviors among minority youth in America. Data from the study showed a clear relationship between biculturalism, self-esteem, their attitudes and behavior related to cancer prevention among Pacific Islander youth living in Hawaii. This study provides insights into potentially novel methods and interventions designed to increase cancer preventive behaviors among migrant youth by dually promoting adoption of U.S. cultural norms, while concurrently embracing an individual´s historic cultural identity.

OBJECTIVE—To compare the incidence of heart failure in individuals with type 2 diabetes receiving thiazolidinediones (TZDs) versus other oral antihyperglycemic agents. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a health insurance claims database. The study sample included patients with type 2 diabetes who received an oral antihyperglycemic agent between January 1995 and March 2001. Those with any claims for TZDs were designated “exposed,” and each was compared with five randomly selected unexposed patients. Those with diagnoses of heart failure or who received digoxin or a diuretic in the year before their index date were excluded. The primary measure of interest was incidence of heart failure, which was defined as a hospitalization or outpatient visit with a diagnosis of heart failure. RESULTS—TZD patients (n = 5,441) were younger than control subjects (n = 28,103) but more likely to have coronary artery disease or diabetes complications, receive ACE inhibitors, β-blockers, metformin, or insulin, and have undergone HbA1c tests or eye exams; they also had more comorbidities and higher costs (all P < 0.05). However, TZD use was predictive of heart failure even after controlling for these variables (hazard ratio = 1.7, P < 0.001). Adjusted incidence of heart failure at 40 months was 8.2% for TZD patients and 5.3% for control subjects. CONCLUSIONS—The results of this observational study suggest that TZDs may increase the risk of heart failure. Physicians should use TZDs with caution in patients with heart failure, remain vigilant for manifestations of heart failure in those receiving these drugs (especially patients with cardiovasculopathy), and consider alternate therapies for patients who develop symptoms of heart failure, such as shortness of breath.

We investigated whether the combination of chlormadinone acetate (CMA) and a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonist, leuprorelin acetate (leuprorelin), more markedly decreased ventral prostate and seminal vesicle weights and plasma sex hormone levels in male rats. Four weeks after administration of 0.28, 0.84 or 2.8 mg/kg of leuprorelin, ventral prostate weights significantly decreased (53.8, 54.4 and 64.1%) and the plasma testosterone levels significantly lowered, but not dose-dependently. After repetitive administrations of 3 and 30 mg/kg/day of CMA, the rates of ventral prostatic atrophy were 37.1 and 65.9%, respectively. Although there was no change in the plasma testosterone level at 3 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg of CMA significantly decreased the level. A combination of leuprorelin (0.28 mg/kg) and CMA (3 or 30 mg/kg) more potently induced ventral prostatic and seminal vesicle atrophy than leuprorelin alone. Furthermore, a combination of leuprorelin and CMA (30 mg/kg) more markedly decreased the plasma testosterone level. According to the pharmacokinetic data for CMA in male rats, the doses of CMA correspond to the clinical dose. These findings suggest that combination therapy with an LH-RH agonist and CMA is more useful than therapy with the agonist alone in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Age-related loss of muscle bulk and strength (sarcopenia) is often cited as a potential mechanism underlying age-related changes in swallowing. Our goal was to explore this phenomenon in the pharynx, specifically, by measuring pharyngeal wall thickness and pharyngeal lumen area in a sample of young versus older women. MRI scans of the neck were retrospectively reviewed from 60 women equally stratified into three age groups (20s, 60s, 70+). Four de-identified slices were extracted per scan for randomized, blinded analysis: one mid-sagittal and three axial slices were selected at the anterior inferior border of C2 and C3, and at the pit of the vallecula. Pixel-based measures of pharyngeal wall thickness and pharyngeal lumen area were completed using ImageJ and then converted to metric units. Measures of pharyngeal wall thickness and pharyngeal lumen area were compared between age groups with one-way ANOVAs using Sidak adjustments for post-hoc pairwise comparisons. A significant main effect for age was observed across all variables whereby pharyngeal wall thickness decreased and pharyngeal lumen area increased with advancing age. Pairwise comparisons revealed significant differences between 20s versus 70+ for all variables and 20s versus 60s for all variables except those measured at C2. Effect sizes ranged from 0.54 to 1.34. Consistent with existing sacropenia literature, the pharyngeal muscles appear to atrophy with age and consequently, the size of the pharyngeal lumen increases.

Patients with bone metastases secondary to prostate cancer are predisposed to skeletal-related events (SREs), including spinal cord compression, pathological fracture, surgery to bone and radiotherapy to bone. The objective of this study was to document current patterns of healthcare utilization and costs of SREs in patients with prostate cancer and bone metastases.This was a retrospective, observational study using the Thomson MedStat MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database from September 2002 to June 2011. Study subjects included all persons with claims for prostate cancer and for bone metastases, and one or more claims for an SRE. Unique SRE episodes were identified based on a gap of at least 90 days without an SRE claim, and classified by treatment setting (inpatient or outpatient) and SRE type (spinal cord compression, pathological fracture, surgery to bone or radiotherapy).Of 3919 patients with prostate cancer and bone metastases, 2090 (53%) had one or more SRE episodes. Among 1237 patients who met all other criteria, there were 1623 SRE episodes over a mean (s.d.) follow-up of 16.1 (12.9) months. The percent of episodes that required inpatient treatment ranged from 14% (radiotherapy) to 82% (surgery to bone). On average, inpatient episodes with surgery to bone (n = 36 episodes) were most costly (mean (s.e.) $88,838 ($11,830)/episode), whereas outpatient episodes with surgery to bone (n = 8 episodes) were least costly (mean (s.e.) $4749 ($1690)/episode). Of the total SRE costs (mean (s.e.) $20,984 ($951)/episode), 41% were attributable to outpatient radiotherapy (n = 1169 episodes), 23% to inpatient radiotherapy (n = 184 episodes), and 19% to inpatient treatment of pathological fractures (n = 101 episodes).In patients with prostate cancer and bone metastases, SREs are associated with high costs and hospitalizations.

Intrapleural injection of the ionophore A23187 in rats induced leukotriene (LT) production, prostaglandin E 2 , production, plasma exudation and ieukocyte accumulation in the pleural cavity. We evaluated the inhibitory effects of orally administered drugs on 5-lipoxygenase activity by their ability to reduce the content of both peptido-LTs (LTC 4 , LTD 4 and lte 4 ) and LTB 4 in this model. TZI-41127, a novel selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, significantly reduced the peptido-LTs and LTB 4 content with ed 50 values of 4.2 and 6.1 mg/kg, respectively, whereas it only reduced the prostaglandin E 2 content (cyclooxygenase activity) by 31.1% even after 100 mg/kg. Phenidone inhibited 5-lipoxygenase activity more selectively than cyclooxygenase activity. BW755C inhibited cyclooxygenase activity more selectively than 5-lipoxygenase activity. Indomethacin selectively inhibited cyclooxygenase activity. These results suggest that: (1) A23187-induced pleurisy is an convenient in vivo model for studying drug effects on 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase activities and (2) TZI-41127 is an orally active and comparatively selective inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase activity.

We demonstrate for the first time the foreseeing and active suppression of anomalous discharge in a plasma processing equipment. The foreseeing of anomalous discharge is realized by monitoring plasma state using a newly developed viewing-port probe. We have found that a foreseeing signal indicating a slight change in plasma potential appears prior to the occurrence of the anomalous discharge. The time interval between the foreseeing signal and the occurrence of the abnormal discharge is several tens millisecond, which allows to build-up a electric system to control the plasma state. The active suppression of anomalous discharge is demonstrated using a reactive ion-etching system by controlling the applied voltage of electrostatic chuck of wafer stage.

We propose a new associative memory, named combined multi-winner associative memory (CMWAM), and study the bidirectional association properties. Unlike many conventional bidirectional associative memories, the proposed CMWAM can store and recall information hierarchically. The proposed CMWAM has the following features: 1) it can store analog information; 2) it can associate an episode from another episode; and 3) it is robust against noisy or partial information and it is robust against internal damage.

An M-ary/spread spectrum multiple access (M-ary/SSMA) system can achieve higher data transmission rate and can improve the bit error rate under additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). In this paper, the M-ary/SSMA slotted Aloha system, which combines the spread Aloha system with the M-ary/SSMA system, is discussed. In particular, the throughput performance in the presence of AWGN and Rayleigh fading is analyzed. Moreover, the M-ary/SSMA slotted Aloha systems are compared with the conventional direct-sequence/spread spectrum multiple access (DS/SSMA) slotted Aloha systems. Consequently, it is found that the maximum throughput of the M-ary/SSMA slotted Aloha system is higher than that-of the conventional DS/SSMA slotted Aloha system.

In this paper, we propose a new method to estimate impression words from images using neural network and the image retrieval system. Since the human sensitivity and various images are flexibly connected using a neural network in the proposed system, it can automatically estimate impression words from various kinds of images. As a result, the proposed system can reflect human's kansei (impression and sensitivity) effectively and treat wider variety of images. We show some experimental results. The proposed system can estimate correct impression words and successfully retrieve correct images.

A new approach for object recognition is proposed. Many object recognition methods have been studied. Most of them required one precise object model for recognizing only one object. Accordingly, it is necessary to prepare a model for only one object in advance. Moreover, it is difficult to make the precise model, and a long computational time is necessary to match it with the input image. In this paper, a hierarchical object recognition method using a genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed. GAs can provide robust search in complex spaces. Therefore GAs are suitable for object recognition problems which have many parameters. In the proposed method, the input image is first simplified, and then the simplified image is matched with a fundamental model. By means of the hierarchical method, a precise object model is not necessary, and only one fundamental model represents the objects which belong to the same category.

We propose a self-growing learning vector quantization (SGLVQ). The proposed SGLVQ is constructed based on the self-organizing map (SOM) and the learning vector quantization (LVQ). Learning of the SGLVQ consists of 3 steps: SOM step, LVQ step, and rule extraction step. In the LVQ step, neurons are incremented and the size of the network is adjusted automatically. The incrementation of neurons enables additional learning and contributes to obtain high recognition ability. In the rule extraction step, rules can be extracted. Computer experiments show the improvement of the recognition rate, the ability of additional learning and extraction of the rules.

PP059-MON THE NON-PROTEIN RESPIRATORY QUOTIENT AS BIOMARKER FOR THE RECOVERY FROM HEPATECTOMY IN PATIENTS WITH HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA K. Sugihara1, H. Yamanaka-Okumura1, A. Teramoto1, M. Yamamoto1, Y. Taketani1, Y. Siato2, Y. Arakawa2, M. Shimada2, E. Takeda1. 1Department of Clinical Nutrition and Food Management, 2Department of Digestive and Pediatric Surgery, Institute of Health Bioscience, Tokushima, Japan

e16542 Background: This study describes HRU and cost associated with BMets and SREs in PC pts who have received hormonal therapy (HT). Methods: Retrospective study using the Thomson MedStat MarketS...

Application criteria of steroid therapy for the patients of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) have not yet been established. The purpose of the present study was to establish retrospectively the clinical and pathological criteria for the steroid therapy by using a histological scoring on 104 adult patients of IgAN. Steroid therapy was designated as an administration of prednisolone in the amount of more than 30 mg per day in the period of more than 4 weeks within 1 year of kidney biopsy. We developed our own scoring system for the following main glomerular and tubulointerstitial changes as shown in Table 1. The histological scoring was expressed by evaluating semiquantitatively the extent of glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions in terms of activity index (AI) and chronicity index (CI). Activity index is the sum of graded score according to the extent of glomeruli with mesangial hypercellularity, intracapillary macrophagic infiltration and cellular crescent as well as to the extent of interstitial inflammation and tubulitis. Chronicity index is the sum of graded score according to the extent of glomeruli with global sclerosis, increase of extracellular matrices or periglomerular fibrosis, and tuft adhesion or fibrous (or fibrocellular) crescent as well as to the extent of interstitial fibrosis (Table 1). Table 1. Histological scoring Score 0 1 2 3 AI: AGm + AGi + AGe*2 + AIi + Ait, CI: CGS + CGi + CGe + CI AI: Activity Index G: glomerular m: mesangial hypercellularity − < 40% < 80% ≥ 80% i: intracapillary macrophage infiltration − + ++ e: cellular crescent 0 < 30% ≥ 30% I: tubulointerstitial i: interstitial inflammation − + ++ t: tubulitis − + ++ CI: Chronicity Index G: glomerular s: global sclerosis < 10% < 30% < 50% ≥ 50% i: increase of extracellular matrix < 10% < 30% < 50% ≥ 50% e: fibrous (or fibrocellular) crescent, adhesion < 10% < 30% < 50% ≥ 50% I: tubulointerstitial interstitial fibrosis < 10% < 30% < 50% ≥ 50% For the applicability of steroid therapy, three groups were categorized by evaluating the statistical significance for the correlation of AI, CI and daily amount of urine protein to the outcome of the patients as follows (Table 2). In group A (inappropriate indication of steroid therapy) which showed CI ≥ 5 alone, 10 out of 11 cases revealed decline of renal function (Cr ≥ 1.2 mg/dL and Ccr < 80 mL/min) within 2.2–19.3 years (mean 9.0 ± 6.4 years) without respect to steroid therapy. In group B (unnecessary indication of steroid therapy) which showed CI < 5, AI < 5, and UP < 1 g/day, 58 out of 60 cases showed normal renal function (Cr < 1.2 mg/dL and Ccr ≥ 80 mL/min) within 4.2–21.6 years (mean 10.1 ± 4.7 years). In group C (necessary indication of steroid therapy) which showed CI < 5 and AI ≥ 5 or UP ≥ 1 g/day, patients with steroid therapy revealed significantly higher incidence of outcome with normal renal function (12 out of 13 patients, final evaluation of renal function in 6.8 ± 2.3 years after renal biopsy) than that of the patient without steroid therapy (seven out of 20 cases, evaluation of renal function in 9.2 ± 4.0 years after renal biopsy) (P < 0.01) (Table 3). In the 13 patients with steroid therapy in group C (steroid pulse in four patients, prednisolone 40 mg/day internally in three patients, predonisolone 30 mg/day internally in six patients) showed a significant decrease of proteinuria and remained until final evaluation time (Table 4). Table 2. Application criteria of steroid therapy Table 3. Comparison of steroid (−) with steroid (+) in the group of ‘necessary’ steroid therapy + − P no. 13 20 At Renal Biopsy age (years) 31.5 ± 12.9 36.3 ± 13.0 ns UP (g/day) 2.3 ± 1.9 1.3 ± 0.5 < 0.05 Cr (mg/dL) 0.8 ± 0.3 0.9 ± 0.1 ns CCr (mL/min) 111 ± 43 92 ± 34 ns Hypertension (n) 1 9 ns + ACEI (n) 4 10 ns Follow-up years from renal biopsy 6.8 ± 2.3 9.2 ± 4.0 ns End of follow-up Cr (mg/dL) 0.8 ± 0.3 5.5 ± 6.6 < 0.01 Normal renal function (n) 12 7 Renal insufficiency (n) 1 6 < 0.01 Dialysis (n) 0 7 Table 4. Change of urine protein in the 13 cases with steroid treatment in the group of 'necessary' From the results above, our evaluation system using histological scoring together with grading proteinuria was proven to be useful in estimating the applicability of steroid therapy for adult IgAN patients.

Technical basis to detect small diamagnetic anisotropy ΔχDIA is established in a method using microgravity μG. Sensitivity of Δχ can be improved by increasing length of measurable period of rotational oscillation of magnetically stable axis with respect to field direction. In order to achieve the above condition, position of the diamagnetic sample should be stabilized in static field area, which was realized by introducing a magnetic circuit with high field homogeneity. Function of a mobile sample stage was effective in minimizing translational motion of sample. Accordingly, magnitude of measurable anisotropy may be decreased to a level of 10-10 emu/g. ΔχDIA of materials with high crystal symmetry, namely hexagonal ice, ZnO, SiC and BaTiO3, can be obtained by the above improvement. Magnetically active property due to magnetic anisotropy may be recognized for almost all the solid materials when sensitivity reaches the above level.

In 113 patients with testicular germ cell tumor, the authors determined human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and the free beta subunit levels in sera by differential quantitation using homologous hCG-beta radioimmunoassay (RIA) and hCG enzyme immunoassay (EIA), respectively. In 59 patients with seminoma, intact hCG was positive in 6 patients (10.1%), whereas free hCG-beta was positive in 23 patients (39.0%). Syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells were detected in 4 cases out of 6 patients with positive intact hCG seminoma. Seventeen cases (28.8%) revealed positive free hCG-beta only without elevation of intact hCG. In 54 patients with nonseminoma, both intact hCG and free hCG-beta were positive in 36 cases (66%). In some cases, hCG-beta/hCG ratio increased up to 275% when recurrence of tumor developed. Molecular heterogeneity of hCG is closely related to proliferation and differentiation of hCG producing cells. The differential quantitation of intact hCG and hCG-beta using these two assays is valuable for clinical detection of molecular heterogeneity of hCG in testicular tumor.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentration of β-endorphin (β- Ep), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) was measured in 15 patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) and in 16 patients suspected of having Binswanger’s disease (BD) by MRI, which sometimes resembles DAT clinically. These were classified into three stages according to severity of dementia, Stage 1 (mild dementia)-Stage 3 (severe dementia). CSF levels of HVA decreased significantly in severe dementia, but the level of 5-HIAA did not correlate with dementia severity in both dementia groups. β-Ep levels did not differ significantly between any stages of DAT, and among controls. β-Ep levels, however, in BD Stage 1 (27.5 ± 5.9 pg/ml) were significantly higher (p < 0.05), but level in Stage 3 (6.7 ± 2.0) was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in the controls (19.2 ± 4.5). These results suggest that CSF β-Ep may depend on the cause of dementia rather than severity of dementia, and could possibly distinguish the closely resembling BD from true DAT.

Bei Kaninchen mit experimenteller Herpes-Infektion der Cornea wurde taglich 1 Ampulle Pyrifer II i.v. injiziert. Unter dieser Behandlung zeigte sich im Vergleich zu Kontrolltieren eine verkurzte Inkubationszeit, eine verlangerte Abheilungszeit und ein schwererer Verlauf mit starkerer Parenchymbeteiligung und tiefer Keratitis. Entsprechend waren mehr und starkere Hornhautnarben nach Abheilung sichtbar.