In both, 6 hyperthyroid and 6 hypothyroid patients as well as 10 healthy volunteers, cell cycle kinetics of dissected anagen scalp hair bulbs were determined by means of DNA flow cytometry (DNA-FCM). Compared with the healthy control group in patients with thyroid disorders striking differences of cell kinetic data were evaluated. In hyperthyroidism a significant increase (30%) and in hypothyroidism a significant decrease (15%) of S and G₂ + M phase cell percentages was found. The proliferation index (S + G₂ + M%) calculated revealed similar results. A correlation between the height of S phase percentages and plasma T₃ levels was recognizable but could not be proved statistically. By means of DNA-FCM the study demonstrates for the first time the influence of thyroid hormones on in vivo cell cycle kinetics of human scalp hair bulbs.

In the run-up to the Copenhagen negotiations, commentators, politicians and the public had great expectations of some state taking the lead towards a new global climate deal. Is there something in such a call for leadership? In two steps, this article provides an empirically informed answer to that question. The first part develops a theoretical account of the relation between leadership and cooperation in international climate change mitigation policy (ICCMP). Starting from a five-dimensional leadership account and a simple game-theoretical analysis of the impediments to cooperation, it is predicted that (1) increased leadership facilitates cooperation in ICCMP and (2)

No abstract

Since systemic treatment of neuropathic plantar ulcers in diabetics (DNPU) has so far been rather ineffective, recent reports of successful management of DNPU by short-term retrograde transvenous leg perfusion (RVP) by South American angiologists encouraged us to apply this treatment method in diabetics suffering from chronic DNPU. Hence, in a prospective comparative clinical trial started in 1989 we have treated 45 male diabetics suffering from DNPU with the same daily doses of netilmycin, administered either in systemic venous infusions (SVI: n = 21, three times/day) or in RVP (n = 24, once/day). After 10 consecutive days of treatment, ulcers had closed in 8 of the 24 patients treated with RVP, as against 3 of the 21 treated with SVI. Diminution of the ulcer area by > 30% including full debridement was achieved in 10/24 of the RVP cases (SVI: 4/21). During 6 months of follow-up, amputation of toes or forefoot was necessary in only 1 patient in the RVP group, but in 4 in the SVI group. Partial restitution of osteolytic damage was observed in some cases after RVP. Our results show that regional netilmycin therapy given by the RVP procedure is clearly superior to equal netilmycin doses administered by SVI for the treatment of DNPU. RVP can be recommended in DNPU, particularly when the ulcers are complicated by infections.

No abstract