Detection of early DJ-stent encrustation by sonographic twinkling-artifacts - a pilot study.

Introduction: Ureter obstruction caused by a retro-peritoneal tumor is treated by inserting an indwelling ureter splint (DJ-stent). Indwelling duration is limited by cumulative crystalline deposits into the splint, eventually causing the repeated impairment of urine flow. Deciding when a DJ-stent must be replaced is important since belated removal can be accompanied by severe complications.

Alpha-1-Fetoprotein (AFP): international proficiency study with different test systems.

Background: The present proficiency study aimed to elucidate the comparability and reliability of test systems for the determination of AFP concentrations.

Methods: 25 laboratories using 8 different commercial test systems used liquid BIOREF-AFP control serum in their routine internal quality control over a period of one year. For statistical analysis the results were collected centrally.

Saphenous vein interposition as a salvage technique for complex vascular situations during renal transplantation.

The shortage of donor organs for renal transplantation leads to the necessity of accepting organs with vascular disadvantages, such as venous difficulties (eg, shortness, disrupted vein after explantation) or arterial problems (eg, iatrogenic vascular accidents, arterial plaques, hemodynamically relevant polar arteries) and horseshoe kidneys. Consequently, such organs may not be considered for transplantation. Surgeons still have the ability to use such organs by saphenous vein interposition.

Altered expression of beta1 integrins in renal carcinoma cell lines exposed to the differentiation inducer valproic acid.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the kidney. Adhesion receptors of the beta1 integrin family are assumed to be involved in carcinogenesis, but it is not clear how they contribute to RCC progression. In an in vitro model, we evaluated growth and adhesion capacity of Caki-I and KTC-26 kidney carcinoma cell lines compared to normal renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTC).

c-Met responsiveness of isolated hepatocytes evaluated in an in vitro de-differentiation model.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) accelerates tissue regeneration and ameliorates tissue fibrosis through its ligand c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase. Hence, HGF is currently discussed as an attractive therapeutic candidate for fatal liver diseases. However, it remains unclear whether c-Met of de-differentiated hepatocytes adequately responds to HGF in an impaired liver.