Early anemia and rapid virological response improve the predictive efficiency of IL28B-genotype for treatment outcome to antiviral combination therapy in patients infected with chronic HCV genotype 1.

IL28B genotypes and virological response within 4 weeks are predictors of sustained virological response in patients infected with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 treated with antiviral dual combination therapy. The predictive value of "early" anemia (within 4 weeks) alone or in combination with the two other predictors has not been studied yet. A total of 305 pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin-treated patients with HCV genotype 1 were included in this study.

Decrease of PECAM-1-gene-expression induced by proinflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma and IFN-alpha is reversed by TGF-beta in sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatic mononuclear phagocytes.

Background And Aim: The mechanisms of transmigration of inflammatory cells through the sinusoids are still poorly understood. This study aims to identify in vitro conditions (cytokine treatment) which may allow a better understanding of the changes in PECAM (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule)-1-gene-expression observed in vivo.

Methods And Results: In this study we show by immunohistochemistry, that there is an accumulation of ICAM-1 (intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1) and ED1 positive cells in necrotic areas of livers of CCl4-treated rats, whereas there are few PECAM-1 positive cells observable.

Colorectal tumors with complete obstruction--endoscopic recovery of passage replacing emergency surgery? A report of two cases.

Background: Incomplete or complete obstructive ileus due to colorectal cancer is generally treated by emergency surgery that has higher morbidity and mortality than elective surgery.

Case Presentation: Here we describe an endoscopic technique by which a safe bowel decompression was performed instead of emergency surgery in two patients with complete tumorous obstruction of the colon. By means of a polypectomy snare, a soft wire, an ERCP catheter, a set of endoscopes with different diameters (baby endoscope, gastroscope) and of argon plasma coagulation the tumor mass was reduced and the tumor stenosis was passed.

Gelsolin gene expression is upregulated in damaged rat and human livers within non-parenchymal cells and not in hepatocytes.

Gelsolin, a 90-kDa protein, was suggested to be involved in cell motility, to inhibit apoptosis and to have a protective role for tissue. This study intends to analyse the modulation of cytoplasmic gelsolin expression in damaged rat and human livers and to identify its cellular sources. In the normal liver gelsolin-immunoreactive cells could be identified along vessel walls and along the sinusoids.