Für die Produktion standardisierter pflanzlicher Arzneimittel werden Rohstoffe benötigt, die zum einen der jeweils registrierten Spezifikation entsprechen müssen und zum anderen möglichst geringe ...Qualitätsschwankungen aufweisen sollen. Ob der Rohstoff aus Wildsammlung oder aus Anbau stammt, spielt dabei erst einmal keine Rolle. Allerdings können beim Anbau Qualität beeinflussende Parameter eher erkannt und evtl. entsprechend beeinflusst werden. Die Anwendung der Richtlinien der Guten Landwirtschaftlichen Praxis (GACP) unterstützen Firmen und Landwirte darin, Transparenz in die Produktionsprozesse zu bringen und bessere Planbarkeit sowie Verständnis für resultierende Qualitäten des Pflanzenmaterials zu erhalten. Schwankungen der Qualität lassen sich besser analysieren und in der Folge vorbeugen bzw. reduzieren. Ausschließen lassen sie sich nicht. Zu den Ursachen für Qualitätsschwankungen pflanzlicher Rohware zählen:
genetische Variabilität (intraspezifisch wie interspezifisch)
morphologische Variabilität (Organe, Gewebe)
ontogenetische Variabilität
diurnale Variabilität
edapho-klimatische Variabilität (= Modifikationen)
Eine zielgerichtete und an der Qualität orientierte Rohstoffgewinnung berücksichtigt diese pflanzeneigenen natürlichen Schwankungen sowohl bei der Wildsammlung als auch bei landwirtschaftlicher Produktion. Verfahren bei Mexikanischem Baldrian (
Valeriana edulis
ssp.
procera
Meyer) und Muskatnuss (
Myristica fragrans
) verdeutlichen die jeweilige Problematik von Schwankungen sowie Methoden, ihnen zu begegnen.
Bis zur Ernte gilt es, die Qualität (Inhaltsstoffe und Pflanzenmasse) zu steigern, ab der Ernte, die einmal gewonnene Qualität zu erhalten.
Für die Nutzung wild gesammelter pflanzlicher Rohstoffe gelten nationale und internationale Bestimmungen und Vereinbarungen wie z.B. die Vereinbarung zur Biologischen Vielfalt (Convention on Biological Diversity) von 1993, die durch das am 12. Oktober 2014 verabschiedete NAGOYA PROTOCOL gestärkt wurde und den Ursprungsländern einen finanziellen Ausgleich für die wirtschaftliche Nutzung der von ihnen stammenden genetischen Ressourcen bzw. Techniken gesetzlich verankert.
We sought to determine the rate of spontaneous closure of the ductus arteriosus (DA) in very-low-birth-weight infants. This prospective observational study included 65 infants whose birth weight (BW) ...< 1500 g. Echocardiograms were done on day of life (DOL) 3 and 7, weekly for the first month, and bimonthly until ligation, discharge, or death. Treatment was reserved for infants with heart failure, acute renal impairment, or those with significant persistent or escalating respiratory support. Chi-square tests, Student T tests, and logistic regression models were used to identify possible associations between spontaneous ductal closure by DOL 7 and predictor variables. Patterns of spontaneous DA closure over time were examined using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The DA closed spontaneously in 49% infants by DOL 7. Rates of spontaneous closure by DOL 7 differed significantly by BW strata: 67% for BW > 1000 g, 31% for BW <or= 1000 g ( P < 0.01). Ninety-seven percent of infants > 1000 g did not require intervention, and the DA closed spontaneously prior to discharge in 94%. In a logistic regression model, only BW > 1000 g and male gender were significantly associated with spontaneous closure by 1 week of life. The median time to spontaneous closure differed significantly between infants in the two BW strata: 7 days for > 1000 g versus 56 days for <or= 1000 g ( P < 0.001). Intervention for the patent DA in infants > 1000 g BW is rarely indicated. In infants <or= 1000 g BW, deferring treatment decisions until at least 1 week of life may avoid unnecessary treatment exposure.
Ferromagnetic, semi-insulating Mn-alloyed ZnO films with a Curie temperature above 375
K have been grown by pulsed laser deposition on
c-plane sapphire substrates. Antiferromagnetic coupling is ...revealed by temperature-dependent magnetization measurements. The antiferromagnetic coupling would be compatible with the observed weak ferromagnetism by assuming that the magnetic moments order antiferromagnetically but nonparallel (canted). We find a clear correlation between coercivity and mosaicity of the ferromagnetic Mn-alloyed ZnO films and explain it on the basis of a coercivity mechanism known from soft magnetic materials.
Epitaxial ZnO thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) in N2 or N2O or O2 background gas on MgO-buffered a-plane sapphire. The excitonic room-temperature cathodoluminescence (CL) ...intensity, the carrier concentration and the Hall mobility showed well-defined maxima for films grown at PLD gas pressures of ca. 1 mbar N2, N2O, and O2. However, despite the comparable high CL intensities of the ZnO films grown in the three different background gases, their surface roughness varied considerably. Films with rough surface showed a broadening and splitting of the room-temperature CL peak into maxima at 3DDT21 and 3DDT26 eV, which could be due to either grain morphology or spatial variation of the electronic defect structure.
The optimal treatment for patients with biliary obstruction varies depending on the underlying cause of the obstruction, the clinical condition of the patient, and anticipated long-term effects of ...the procedure performed. Endoscopic and image-guided procedures are usually the initial procedures performed for biliary obstructions. Various options are available for both the radiologist and endoscopist, and each should be considered for any individual patient with biliary obstruction. This article provides an overview of the current status of radiologic procedures performed in the setting of biliary obstruction and describes multiple clinical scenarios that may be treated by radiologic or other methods. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 2 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances in which evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment.
Objective: To evaluate the presence of histones and nucleosomes in cell lysates of freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), fully activated lymphoblasts, or lymphoblasts after ...induction of apoptosis. Methods: Each histone class (H1, H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) was detected by western blot analysis with specific antibodies. Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining was performed for each treatment to distinguish viable, early, and late apoptotic, and necrotic cells. DNA degradation was evaluated by PI staining in a hypotonic buffer. Results: All five histones were detected in cell lysates of activated lymphoblasts in higher concentrations than in lysates of PBMC. An additional significant increase of H2A, H2B, H3, H4, and complete nucleosomes in cell lysates of lymphoblasts was found during interleukin (IL)2 deprivation for 8 or 24 hours. The content of these histones or nucleosomes in cell lysates decreased after delayed IL2 readdition. H1 content in cell lysates was not affected by IL2 deprivation or addition. Quantities of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 in cell lysates correlated significantly with signs of early apoptosis. UV-B light exposure or etoposide treatment of lymphoblasts resulted in a distinct increase for each histone class in cell lysates compared with standard curves. No bands for post-translationally modified histones were detected in cell lysates in contrast with signals in nuclear preparations. Conclusion: Extranuclear accumulation of histones and nucleosomes is an early event of apoptosis in human lymphoblasts. Dysregulation of early apoptosis might support the induction of autoimmunity against nuclear components.
Children with severe spinal deformity frequently are managed with growth-friendly implants. After initial surgery, externally controlled magnetic rods allow spinal deformity correction during growth ...without further surgical intervention. The ability to lengthen the spine without additional surgical procedures is especially beneficial in high-risk children, such as those with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The purpose of the present study was to assess the level of control of spinal deformity in a homogeneous group of patients with SMA who were managed with magnetically controlled implants for 2 years.
This prospective, nonrandomized study included 21 non-ambulatory children with type-II SMA and progressive scoliosis who were managed bilaterally with a magnetically controlled implant that was inserted parallel to the spine with use of rib-to-pelvis hook fixation. Radiographic measurements of scoliotic curves, kyphosis, lordosis, pelvic obliquity, and spinal length were performed before and after implantation of the magnetically controlled device and during external lengthening. The mean duration of follow-up was 2 years.
The mean main curve of patients without prior vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) treatment decreased from 70° before implantation of the magnetically controlled device to 30° after implantation of the device. Correction was maintained during the follow-up period, with a mean curve of 31° at the time of the latest follow-up at 2.2 years. Pelvic obliquity was surgically corrected by 76% (from 17° to 4°) and remained stable during follow-up. Thoracic kyphosis could not be corrected within the follow-up period. Spinal length of children without prior spinal surgery increased by >50 mm immediately after device implantation and steadily increased at a rate of 13.5 mm/yr over the course of treatment. During treatment, 4 general complications occurred and 6 lengthening procedures failed, with 3 patients requiring surgical revision.
Bilateral implantation of an externally controlled magnetic rod with rib-to-pelvis fixation represents a safe and efficient method to control spinal deformity in children with SMA, achieving sufficient and stable curve correction as well as increased spinal length. The complication rate was lower than those that have been described for VEPTR and other growing rod instrumentation strategies.
Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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