Electron Probe X-Ray Microanalysis of Epithelial Cells: Aspects of Cryofixation

Content and distribution of diffusible ions in epithelial cells were studied by scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive electron probe X-ray microanalysis of freeze-dried cryosections from trout kidney, rat liver and Malpighian tubules of Drosophila larvae. Cryofixation of small excised kidney and liver samples by rapid immersion into liquid propane resulted in intracellular K/Na-ratios \u3c 1. In contrast, K/Na-ratios \u3e 7 were obtained after in situ cryofixation by means of a cryopunching device which allows tissue pieces to be frozen during excision from the intact organ. Isolated hepatocytes cryofixed in a small droplet of culture medium had a K/Na-ratio of 3.7. After culturing the hepatocytes, the K/Na-ratio increased to 24. Effects of extracellular media of different composition on the intracellular element content were studied. Malpighian tubules of Drosophila larvae were cryofixed by rapid immersion into liquid propane, and the distribution of K across the cells forming the tubules from the basal to the apical cell membrane was measured. An increasing K gradient was found from the intermediate to the apical cytoplasm. The intracellular K distribution was dependent on ions and transport inhibitors present in the fluid surrounding the Malpighian tubules within the larvae. Content and distribution of ions in epithelial cells sensitively depend on the physiological state immediately before cryofixation. Thus, electron probe X-ray microanalysis of cells and cell functions requires careful selection and control of the cell system to be studied

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Wie sieht gute und alltagstaugliche Wohnarchitektur aus Sicht der Bewohner aus? 1.600 Mieterhaushalte in städtischen Wohnungen von acht deutschen Städten und eine kleine Kontrollgruppe von Eigentümern wurden in Face-To-Face-Interviews befragt. Ein Standardfragebogen wurde mit Computergraphiken und Animationen kombiniert. Der Blick gilt nicht der Gebäudehülle, sondern dem Inneren, dem Raumkonzept, der inneren Erschließung und der Freiraumzuordnung. Die Ergebnisse sind ein Leitfaden zum bedarfsgerechten Neu- und Umbau von städtischen Wohnungen für Bauherren und Planer. Die Architekturnutzer, überwiegend städtische Mieter, erhalten eine Stimme im Qualitätsdialog. Dem interessierten Laien wird eine Übersicht über vorhandene und mögliche Typologien des städtischen Wohnens vorgelegt. In den raumsoziologischen Diskurs wird ein Beleg dafür eingebracht, dass das Gebaute die Wohnweise und die Vorstellungswelt über richtiges Wohnen prägt. Die Studie ist ein Brückenschlag zwischen wohnsoziologischer Grundlagen- und anwendungsorientierter Marktforschung. Der Wunsch nach intelligenten Verbindungen von besonntem privaten Außenraum und Wohnung durchzieht die Ergebnisse wie ein grüner Faden. Es ist aus Sicht der Nutzer das Qualitätskriterium Nummer Eins und eine Kritik an vielen Defiziten städtischen Wohnens. Dem Planer zeigt es die Prioritäten eines bedarfsgerechten Neu- und Umbaus von städtischen Wohnungen auf. Das Gewohnte prägt das Gewünschte. Bewohnergruppen mit vergleichbaren soziodemographischen Merkmalen urteilen in Berlin anders als in Dresden oder Bochum. Der vorhandene Wohnungsbestand ist nicht nur das Ergebnis einer historisch spezifischen Wohnweise, sondern zugleich Prägestock und Begrenzung für das gelebte und das gewünschte Wohnen.What has good housing architecture to be like, when the occupants are questioned.This leading question guidelines a survey among 1,600 tenants-households in eight German cities. Mainly designed as a post occupancy-evaluation the study contributes guidelines for a more userfriendly planning in urban housing construction and renovation. The survey was carried out by face-to-face interviews assisted by a standardized questionnaire, computer graphics and animation. It focuses on the inside, on floorplans, the idea of the floor plan, interior access and the combination of the interior and the private space outdoors. Space- sociology benefits from the results, as they prove, that the way of construction determines housing habits and housing needs. By means of a catalogue showing several common types of floor plans the occupants were consulted and got basic informations in order to distinguish, to evaluate and to choose among existing types of apartments. This work builds a bridge between basic resarch in housing sociology and user oriented market surveys. Unlike most studies on housing needs and demands, this survey does not operate by the fiction of a transparent line of products at housing markets and freedom of choice. Both, the design of the questionnaire and the shown types of floor-plans take the restrictions of the urban housing market into consideration as well as they mark the boundary of lower income demand and a limited knowledge about housing architecture. Many results underline the importance of intelligent links between interior and private space outdoors. Like a “green thread” running through the evaluation it’s a lesson about Number One quality issue from the view of users. We want, what we are used to. The existing housing stock engraves and restricts both, the historical residential manner and housing needs

Quality of life of GIST patients with and without current tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment: Cross-sectional results of a German multicentre observational study (PROSa)

Objective We investigated the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST). Methods In the multicentre PROSa study, the HRQoL of adult GIST patients was assessed between 2017 and 2019 using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer HRQoL questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). We performed group comparisons and multivariate linear regressions. Results Among 130 patients from 13 centres, the mean global HRQoL was 63.3 out of 100 points. Higher sores indicate better HRQoL. The highest restrictions were in emotional, social, role functioning, insomnia, fatigue, and pain. In multivariate linear regression, we found no significant differences between patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment and those without TKI treatment as well as between patients treated with curative or with palliative intent. Patients who received multiple lines of TKI treatment had the most restrictions, notably in physical (unstandardized regression coefficient [B] = -15.7), role (B = -25.7), social (B = -18.4), and cognitive functioning (B = -19.7); fatigue (B = 15.93); general health (B = -14.23); and EORTC-sum score (B = -13.82) compared to all other patients. Conclusion The highest HRQoL restrictions were in GIST patients receiving multiple lines of TKI therapy. Underlying causes need further investigation

Utilization of Interdisciplinary Tumor Boards for Sarcoma Care in Germany: Results from the PROSa Study

Background: Data on institutional structures of sarcoma care in Germany are scarce. The utilization of an interdisciplinary tumor board (IDTB) is an essential part of modern cancer care. We investigated to which extent and when IDTB are used in sarcoma care. We hypothesized that IDTB before treatment initiation were used more often at certified cancer centers and at high-volume centers and that IDTB utilization increased over time. Methods: From 2017 to 2020 we conducted a prospective cohort study, undertaking major efforts to include the whole spectrum of sarcoma treatment facilities. To analyze potential predictors of IDTB utilization, we calculated multivariable logistic regressions. Results: Patients and survivors (n = 1,309) from 39 study centers (22 tertiary referral hospitals, 9 other hospitals, and 8 office-based practices) participated; 88.3% of the patients were discussed at some stage of their disease in an IDTB (56.1% before treatment, 78% after therapy, and 85.9% in metastatic disease). Hypotheses were confirmed regarding the utilization of IDTB in certified cancer centers (vs. all others: OR = 5.39; 95% CI 3.28-8.85) and the time of diagnosis (2018/2019 vs. until 2013: OR = 4.95; 95% CI 2.67-9.21). Conclusion:Our study adds to the evidence regarding the institutional structures of sarcoma care in Germany. Utilization of a tumor board before therapy seems to be in an implementation process that is making progress but is far from complete. Certification is a possible tool to accelerate this development