Barrett's Esophagus and Associated Adenocarcinoma : studies on pathogenesis, clinical staging and cost-utility of cancer treatment

Esophageal and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma is rapidly increasing disease with a pathophysiology connected to oxidative stress. Exact pre-treatment clinical staging is essential for optimal care of this lethal malignancy. The cost-effectiviness of treatment is increasingly important. We measured oxidative metabolism in the distal and proximal esophagus by myeloperoxidase activity (MPA), glutathione content (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in 20 patients operated on with Nissen fundoplication and 9 controls during a 4-year follow-up. Further, we assessed the oxidative damage of DNA by 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in esophageal samples of subjects (13 Barrett s metaplasia, 6 Barrett s esophagus with high-grade dysplasia, 18 adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus/GEJ, and 14 normal controls). We estimated the accuracy (42 patients) and preoperative prognostic value (55 patients) of PET compared with computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus/GEJ. Finally, we clarified the specialty-related costs and the utility of either radical (30 patients) or palliative (23 patients) treatment of esophageal/GEJ carcinoma by the 15 D health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) questionnaire and the survival rate. The cost-utility of radical treatment of esophageal/GEJ carcinoma was investigated using a decision tree analysis model comparing radical, palliative, and hypothetical new treatment. We found elevated oxidative stress ( measured by MPA) and decreased antioxidant defense (measured by GSH) after antireflux surgery. This indicates that antireflux surgery is not a perfect solution for oxidative stress of the esophageal mucosa. Elevated oxidative stress in turn may partly explain why adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus is found even after successful fundoplication. In GERD patients, proximal esophageal mucosal anti-oxidative defense seems to be defective before and even years after successful antireflux surgery. In addition, antireflux surgery apparently does not change the level of oxidative stress in the proximal esophagus, suggesting that defective mucosal anti-oxidative capacity plays a role in development of oxidative damage to the esophageal mucosa in GERD. In the malignant transformation of Barrett s esophagus an important component appears to be oxidative stress. DNA damage may be mediated by 8-OHdG, which we found to be increased in Barrett s epithelium and in high-grade dysplasia as well as in adenocarcinoma of the esophagus/GEJ compared with controls. The entire esophagus of Barrett s patients suffers from increased oxidative stress ( measured by 8-OhdG). PET is a useful tool in the staging and prognostication of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus/GEJ detecting organ metastases better than CT, although its accuracy in staging of paratumoral and distant lymph nodes is limited. Radical surgery for esophageal/GEJ carcinoma provides the greatest benefit in terms of survival, and its cost-utility appears to be the best of currently available treatments.

The Herzog-Vasconcelos conjecture for affine semigroup rings

Let S be a simplicial affine semigroup such that its semigroup ring A = k[S] is Buchsbaum. We prove for such A the Herzog-Vasconcelos conjecture: If the A-module Der(k)A of k-linear derivations of A has finite projective dimension then it is free and hence A is a polynomial ring by the well known graded case of the Zariski-Lipman conjecture.

2,4-D and Mycoleptodiscus terrestris for control of Eurasian Watermilfoil

Growth chamber studies were conducted to evaluate the impact of an indigenous fungal pathogen, Mycoleptodiscus terrestris (Gerd.) Ostazeski, and the herbicide 2,4-D applied alone and in combination with one another, on the growth of a nuisance submersed plant, Eurasian watermilfoil ( Myriophyllum spicatum L.)(PDF has 6 pages.)

Gegenüberstellung von mathematisch-physikalischer Modellierung und Messungen an geschleppten fischereitechnischen Systemen

When drafting a new model of a towed technical system for fisheries (trawl, towed TV gear or similar), and also when measuring an existing and already tested system it is not easy to foresee of practical behaviour, which depends of various parameters. The measuring programme for recording all data needs a lot of time and money, and also has some limitations. Therefore we developed for such systems mathematical-physical models, which allow a complex calculation. Their real value, however, results only from practical verification. During the cruise no. 222 of “Walther Herwig III” in November 2000 comparative investigations for 2concrete systems were carried out. This was done in cooperation with the University in Rostock, where such models are being developed and computerized. One of the systems mesasured was a pelagic herring trawl and the other one the towed TV gear for underwater observations of the Institute for Fishery Technology and Fish Quality. The correspondence between model calculation and measurements was very high for both systems.

Mehr Nachwuchs bei Nutzfischarten der Nordsee, ausser beim Kabeljau

Ninety-one half-hour tows with the Grande Ouverture Verticale bottom trawl (GOV), 111 hydrographic stations and 100 catches with the Methot-Isaac-Kidd Net (MIK) were this years’ contribution of “Walther Herwig III” to the IBTS in various areas of the North Sea. Preliminary results indicate that especially haddock and, to some extent, whiting and Norway pout generated an ample 1999 yearclass. Indices for herring are also well above last years’ index whereas the cod indices indicate no substantial improvement of the stock. Largest concentrations of herring larvae were found in Moray Firth and west of the Dogger Bank/The Gut area. Temperatures of the North Sea were found to be above the long term means: 1 Centigrade on the open sea and up to 3 Centigrades in coastal areas. This years’ “WH III” IBTS activities at sea were considerably hampered by rough weather

Nachhaltige Entwicklung der Hochseefischerei

The poor situation of fish stocks worldwide pointed out by FAO has led to a reconsideration of fishing concepts internationally. A brief outline of the world fishing situation is given, as well as that of the EU and Germany. Explanations of basic fishing parameters like catch, recruitment and fishing mortality are given and used to expound and graphically show the relation to overfishing and the new concept of the ”precautionary priciple” and ”precautionary approach” for the goal of a sustainable fishery. This leads to recommendations for research and actions in respect to selectivity, adjustment of fishing capacity and new concepts of utilisation.

Optimismus nur für Sprotte, Wittling und Stintdorsch

70 half-hour tows using a Grand Ouverture Verticale (GOV) and – for the first time for R.V. “Walther Herwig III” – 102 plankton stations with a special plankton net were this years’ German contribution to the International Bottom Trawl Survey (IBTS). Results show only for sprat, whiting, and Norway pout relatively good incoming year-classes whereas indices for cod, haddock, mackerel, and herring point at rather poor recruitment. Strongest herring larvae concentrations (< 50 larvae/haul) were observed in the Moray Firth area, on the Fladenground and off the Jutland coast. 75 hydrographic stations showed the water masses in the area of investigation to be vertically mixed and homogenous. However, temperatures measured were 0.5 K to 1 K above longterm means.

Die Bundesforschungsanstalt für Fischerei: 50 Jahre Forschung, Beratung und internationale Zusammenarbeit für Verbraucher, Wirtschaft und Politik

In der Zeit unzureichender Nahrungsmittelversorgung nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg nahmen schon wenige Wochen nach Kriegsende die ersten Fischereifahrzeuge wieder den Fang auf. Unzureichend ausgerüstet und z.T. nur provisorisch wieder für Fischereizwecke zurückgewandelt, bemühten sie sich, in zugewiesenen, begrenzten Seegebieten zu fischen und so ihren Versorgungsbeitrag zu leisten. Einen möglichst großen Anteil dieser Fänge als Konsumware der hungernden Bevölkerung direkt zukommen zu lassen, das war ab Spätsommer 1945 das Hauptziel von Fischereibiologen, Lebensmittelchemikern und Fischereitechnikern, die sich zum größten Teil in Hamburg zusammen gefunden hatten. Sie gehörten zu den Nachkriegsresten von vier Instituten der ehemaligen Reichsanstalt für Fischerei (1938-1945): dem Institut für See- und Küstenfischerei aus Hamburg-Altona, dem Institut für Ostseefischerei aus Swinemünde, dem Institut für Fischverarbeitung aus Hamburg- Altona, dem Institut für Netzforschung aus Lötzen (Ostpr.). Schon ab Herbst 1945 gingen die vier Institutsreste in die Verwaltung der Hansestadt Hamburg über und wurden mit kleinen, aber regelmäßigen städtischen Etats arbeitsfähig.

Unterschiedliche Trends beim Fischnachwuchs der Nordsee

During this years’ International Bottom Trawl Survey (IBTS) of ICES, a total of 407 half hour tows were made in the North Sea including Skagerrak in January/ February, 1998. Results indicate except for sprat no outstanding incoming yearclasses for cod, haddock, saithe, Norway pout, whiting, herring, and mackerel. Most of the adult cod and saithe investigated did not show normal gonad development for this time of the year. The abundance of skates and sharks was still low. Results of 68 hydrographical stations of R.V. “Walter Herwig III” showed in contrast to four preceeding IBTS-surveys a warming of the northern North Sea of approx. 1 K.

EU-Aktion zur Verbesserung der wissenschaftlichen Basis für Bestandsabschätzungen und -vorhersagen

Im Rahmen der Bewirtschaftung der Fischressourcen des Nordatlantiks werden für alle Nutzfischarten jährlich Bestandsgrößen und Nachwuchsraten erarbeitet, die Grundlagen für die Festlegung künftiger Fangmengen dieser Arten sind. Da in diese Berechnungen Daten Unterschiedlicher Zuverlässigkeit eingehen und den Berechnungsmethoden verschiedene Voraussetzungen zugrunde liegen, bestehen Unsicherheiten in der Präzision der Vorhersagen. Deshalb werden die benutzten Modelle und ihre Ergebnisse laufend kritisch überprüft und weiterentwickelt. Aufgrund der Einschränkungen der bisher benutzten Methoden und den Wünschen der Fischwirtschaft, Vorhersagen für Bestandsentwicklungen für mindestens 5 Jahre zu entwickeln, startete einer Reihe europäischer Fischerei- bzw. Meeresforschungsinstitute eine gemeinsame Aktion mit dem Ziel, die wissenschaftliche Basis für Bestandsabschätzungen und -vorhersagen zu verbessern. Diese "ConcertedAction: Sustainable fisheries. How can the scientific basis for fish stock assessments and predictions be improved? (SAP)" wird vom Generaldirektor für Fischerei der Kommission der Europäischen Gemeinschaft als Projekt FAIR CT 97-3805 seit dem 01.01.1998 für 40 Monate gefördert.

Hoffnung für einige Nordseefischbestände

In the first quarter of 1997 R.V. “Walther Herwig III” took part in the internationally (ICES) coordinated International Bottom Trawl Survey (IBTS) in the North Sea. A total of 365 half-hour tows using a standardized GOV-net were made by seven research vessels in order to determine the strength of incoming yearclasses of cod, haddock, whiting, Norway pout, herring, sprat, and mackerel. Overall results, though preliminary show a considerable increase of the index figures for cod, Norway pout, herring, and mackerel whereas the indices for haddock, sprat, and whiting indicate lower recruitment figures. Water temperatures and salinity values were unhomogeneously below and above of the longterm mean.

Pro und Kontra Industriefischerei

Bei ordnungsgemäßer Durchführung ist aus wissenschaftlicher Sicht gegen eine maßvolle Industriefischerei auch in der Nordsee nichts einzuwenden. Wichtige Kriterien sind allerdimgs, dass die genutzten Bestände wissenschaftlich überwacht werden und negative Effekte auf das Nahrungsnetz vermieden werden.

Über die Herkunft des starken Kabeljau-Jahrgangs 1996 in der Nordsee

Cod in the North Sea is expected to reach „Safe biological limit“ due to a strong 1996 year-class. The cod fry was seen first as 5 cm fingerlings in the catches during a hydroacoustic survey in the southeastern North Sea. Back-calculations of the water drift show with high probability that the respective spawning ground was situated in the southwestern North Sea.