Zusammenhänge zwischen Kalttestwert, Anbauverfahren und Ertragsbildung bei Vermehrungssaatgut von Winterroggen [Correlation between "coldtest" value, production method and yield in winter rye seeds for multiplication]

Proben von zertifiziertem Saatgut aus ökologischem Anbau werden bei 10°C einer speziellen Keimprobe (Kalttest) unterzogen, um bodenbürtige Krankheiten festzustellen. Proben mit einem Anteil von mehr als 80% gesunder Pflanzen (Kalttestwert) können als Saatgut verwendet werden. Proben unter 80% müssen als Nahrungs- oder Futtermittel verwendet werden. In einem Feldversuch wurden Proben mit Kalttestwerten unter 80% mit Proben der gleichen Sorte verglichen, deren Kalttestwert mindestens 80% betrug. Unter normalen Anbaubedingungen bestand kein Ertragsunterschied zwischen den Proben bis zu einem Wert von 60%. Unter Stresseinfluss (Getreide als Vorfrucht, späte Aussaat) bewirkten bereits wenig abgesenkte Kalttestwerte signifikante Ertragsverluste. Um gute Qualität von zertifiziertem Saatgut zu gewährleisten, sollte der Kalttestwert bei 80% bleiben

Magnetism of the LTT phase of Eu doped La_{2-x}Sr_xCuO_4

The ESR signal of Gd spin probes (0.5 at %) as well as the static normal state susceptibility of Eu (J(Eu^{3+})=0) doped La_{2-x-y}Sr_xEu_yCuO_4 reveal pronounced changes of the Cu magnetism at the structural transition from the orthorhombic to the low temperature tetragonal phase for all non-superconducting compositions. Both a jumplike decrease of \chi as well as the ESR data show an increase of the in-plane magnetic correlation length in the LTT phase. From the Gd^{3+} ESR linewidth we find that for specific Eu and Sr concentrations in the LTT phase the correlation length increases up to more than 100 lattice constants and the fluctuation frequency of the CuO_2 spin system slows down to 10^{10}- 10^{11}sec^{-1}. However, there is no static order above T ~ 8K in contrast to the LTT phase of Nd doped La_{2-x}Sr_xCuO_4 with pinned stripe correlations.Comment: 7 pages, RevTex, 3 eps figures. To appear in the Proceedings of the International Conference "Stripes, Lattice Instabilities and High Tc Superconductivity", (Rome, Dec. 1996

Changes in trabecular bone, hematopoiesis and bone marrow vessels in aplastic anemia, primary osteoporosis, and old age

Retrospective histologic analyses of bone biopsies and of post mortem samples from normal persons of different age groups, and of bone biopsies of age- and sex-matched groups of patients with primary osteoporosis and aplastic anemia show characteristic age dependent as well as pathologic changes including atrophy of osseous trabeculae and of hematopoiesis, and changes in the sinusoidal and arterial capillary compartments. These results indicate the possible role of a microvascular defect in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and aplastic anemia

Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya Spin Canting in the LTT Phase of La2-x-yEuySrxCuO4

The Cu spin magnetism in La2-x-yEuySrxCuO4 (x<=0.17; y<=0.2) has been studied by means of magnetization measurements up to 14 T. Our results clearly show that in the antiferromagnetic phase Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya (DM)superexchange causes Cu spin canting not only in the LTO phase but also in the LTLO and LTT phases. In La1.8Eu0.2CuO4 the canted DM-moment is about 50% larger than in pure La2CuO4 which we attribute to the larger octahedral tilt angle. We also find clear evidence that the size of the DM-moment does not change significantly at the structural transition at T_LT from LTO to LTLO and LTT. The most important change induced by the transition is a significant reduction of the magnetic coupling between the CuO2 planes. As a consequence, the spin-flip transition of the canted Cu spins which is observed in the LTO phase for magnetic field perpendicular to the CuO2 planes disappears in the LTT phase. The shape of the magnetization curves changes from the well known spin-flip type to a weak-ferromagnet type. However, no spontaneous weak ferromagnetism is observed even at very low temperatures, which seems to indicate that the interlayer decoupling in our samples is not perfect. Nonetheless, a small fraction (<15%) of the DM-moments can be remanently magnetized throughout the entire antiferromagnetically ordered LTT/LTLO phase, i.e. for T<T_LT and x<0.02. It appears that the remanent DM-moment is perpendicular to the CuO2 planes. For magnetic field parallel to the CuO2 planes we find that the critical field of the spin-flop transition decreases in the LTLO phase, which might indicate a competition between different in-plane anisotropies. To study the Cu spin magnetism in La2-x-yEuySrxCuO4, a careful analysis of the Van Vleck paramagnetism of the Eu3+ ions was performed.Comment: 22 pages, 27 figure

Vitrificación ovocitaria para posponer fecundidad: experiencia de la Unidad de Medicina Reproductiva de Clínica Monteblanco

Antecedentes: Múltiples variables médicas y sociales han llevado al desarrollo de técnicas que permitan a la mujer posponer su fertilidad; dentro de ellas la vitrificación ovocitaria surge como una técnica relativamente sencilla y muy promisoria en este campo. Objetivo: Presentar la experiencia del Centro de Medicina Reproductiva de Clínica Monteblanco, en mujeres que han vitrificado sus ovocitos y posteriormente han intentado embarazarse con ellos. Método: Se revisaron todos los casos de vitrificación ovocitaria con posterior intento de embarazo, realizados desde el año 2007 a la fecha. Resultados: Del total de ciclos de vitrificación ovoci-taria, 22 mujeres han intentado un embarazo posterior al procedimiento. La mediana de edad al momento de la vitrificación fue de 36 años. En 10 pacientes no hubo transferencia embrionaria, ya fuera por no fecundación (4 casos) o por detención del desarrollo embrionario (6 casos); 12 pacientes fueron transferidas, la mitad de ellas lograron embarazo. Discusión: En este trabajo se presenta la primera serie nacional de casos de vitrificación de óvulos con posterior intento de embarazo; 12 de 20 pacientes lograron ser transferidas y 6 de ellas lograron el embarazo. Las mujeres más jóvenes vitrificaron un mayor número de ovocitos, tuvieron más embriones y tuvieron una mayor posibilidad de lograr embarazo. Conclusión: Pese a que la vitrificación ovocitaria no es una solución definitiva a la postergación de la fertilidad, representa en estos casos una alternativa válida

Malignant melanoma of the stomach presenting in a woman: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Malignant melanoma is reported to metastasize to all organs of the human body. Although it is common for it to metastasize to the gastrointestinal tract, a melanoma located primarily in the gastric mucosa is an uncommon tumor. Gastrointestinal metastases are rarely diagnosed before death with radiological and endoscopic techniques.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>In this case report the clinical course and treatment of a woman with melanoma of the stomach, without any other detectable primary lesion, is presented and discussed. A 55-year-old Turkish woman presented to our clinic with complaints of muscle pain and bone pain in the left side of her chest. During an upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy, dark cherry-colored, light elevated, round-shaped lesions were taken from her gastric fundus and from the first part of her duodenum. Biopsies from these samples were determined to be malignant melanoma by the pathologist.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Metastatic malignant melanoma cases should be examined through endoscopy for gastrointestinal metastases.</p

Assessment of information resources for people with hypodontia

Aim: To assess the adequacy of patient information to support understanding and decision-making for people affected by hypodontia. Methods: 1) Questionnaire to understand the provision of patient information by dentists; 2) Systematic search to identify online open-access patient information; 3) Quality assessment of written patient information. Results: Questionnaire response rate was 49% (319/649); 91% examined and/or treated people with hypodontia. Most general dentists referred patients to specialist services without providing written hypodontia information. The majority of dental specialists provide patient leaflets but less than a third used web-resources. Only 19% of respondents felt current resources were fit-for-purpose. Thirty-one patient resources (18 leaflets and 13 online) were assessed against quality criteria. The aim of the resource was seldom explicit, the content was often incomplete and variation in readability scores indicated high levels of literacy were required. Discussion: Access to, and quality of, patient information for hypodontia is inadequate. Current resources are not sufficiently comprehensive to prepare young patients to engage in shared dental care decisions with their parents and/or dental professionals. Conclusion: There is a need for improved access to, and provision of, information about hypodontia if dental professionals want to meet best practice guidance and involve patients in shared decision-making

Development of the Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale: the TPDS

Contains fulltext : 96807.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Pregnant women with high levels of stress, depression and/or anxiety are at increased risk for adverse perinatal outcomes and impaired neurologic and emotional development of the offspring. Pregnancy specific instruments to measure psychological functioning during gestation are scarce and do not define items based on in-depth interviews of pregnant and recently delivered women. The current study developed a pregnancy specific scale that measures psychological functioning using in-depth interviews. METHODS: Three focus groups were formed to discuss issues most relevant to pregnancy distress; 22 candidate items were derived for pilot testing (study I, n = 419) its psychometric properties by means of explorative factor analyses (EFA). This resulted in a 17-item TPDS which was further explored by confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and concurrent and construct validity assessment (study II, n = 454). RESULTS: EFA in study I suggested a two component solution (negative affect (NA) and partner involvement (PI)). CFA in study II resulted in a higher order model of the NA subscale into three more subscales: NA regarding confinement, delivery and general health. TPDS, EPDS and GAD-7 were all significantly correlated. CONCLUSIONS: The TPDS constitutes a valid and user friendly instrument to assess pregnancy distress. In addition to its proven ability to pick up pregnancy specific negative affect it also includes an important sub-scale measuring perceived partner involvement

Homing endonuclease I-TevIII: dimerization as a means to a double-strand break

Homing endonucleases are unusual enzymes, capable of recognizing lengthy DNA sequences and cleaving site-specifically within genomes. Many homing endonucleases are encoded within group I introns, and such enzymes promote the mobility reactions of these introns. Phage T4 has three group I introns, within the td, nrdB and nrdD genes. The td and nrdD introns are mobile, whereas the nrdB intron is not. Phage RB3 is a close relative of T4 and has a lengthier nrdB intron. Here, we describe I-TevIII, the H–N–H endonuclease encoded by the RB3 nrdB intron. In contrast to previous reports, we demonstrate that this intron is mobile, and that this mobility is dependent on I-TevIII, which generates 2-nt 3′ extensions. The enzyme has a distinct catalytic domain, which contains the H–N–H motif, and DNA-binding domain, which contains two zinc fingers required for interaction with the DNA substrate. Most importantly, I-TevIII, unlike the H–N–H endonucleases described so far, makes a double-strand break on the DNA homing site by acting as a dimer. Through deletion analysis, the dimerization interface was mapped to the DNA-binding domain. The unusual propensity of I-TevIII to dimerize to achieve cleavage of both DNA strands underscores the versatility of the H–N–H enzyme family