Echinococcus multilocularis specific antibody, systemic cytokine, and chemokine levels, as well as antigen-specific cellular responses in patients with progressive, stable, and cured alveolar echinococcosis: A 10-year follow-up.

Background: The infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis larvae may persist in humans for up to decades without evident clinical symptoms. Longitudinal investigations are needed to understand the dynamic immunological processes in alveolar echinococcosis (AE) patients associated with an active and progressive, a stable or a regressive course of disease.

Methodology/principal Findings: This study evaluated the E.

Analysis of vascularization in thyroid gland nodes with superb microvascular imaging (SMI) and CD34 expression histology: a pilot study.

Background: The Doppler sonography technique known as "superb microvascular imaging" (SMI) is advancing sonographic micro vascularization imaging in various disciplines. In this study, we aimed to determine whether SMI could reliably reproduce the blood flow in thyroid nodes and whether malignancy could be diagnosed, based on vascularization properties. Immunhistochemical staining by CD34 and SMI where used to determine the vascularization of nodes in terms of quantified vascularization parameters gained by computational evaluation.

Immunohistological detection of small particles of Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus in lymph nodes is associated with enlarged lymph nodes in alveolar and cystic echinococcosis.

Background: Alveolar (AE) and cystic echinococcosis (CE) in humans are caused by the metacestode of the tapeworms Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.).

Combining Computed Tomography and Histology Leads to an Evolutionary Concept of Hepatic Alveolar Echinococcosis.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by the intermediate stage of . We aimed to correlate computed tomography (CT) data with histology to identify distinct characteristics for different lesion types. We classified 45 samples into five types with the Ulm Classification for Computed Tomography (EMUC-CT).

Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: correlation between computed tomography morphology and inflammatory activity in positron emission tomography.

Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) with 18F-fluorodesoxyglucose (FDG) is the imaging modality of choice for assessing inflammation surrounding hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE) lesions. This study is the first to evaluate FDG uptake in hepatic AE (n = 51) based on the standardized uptake value (SUV) and to correlate the SUVs with primary morphology and calcification patterns, based on the Echinococcus multilocularis Ulm Classification for Computed-Tomography (EMUC-CT). Our results show that the SUVs were increased for lesions with EMUC-CT types I-IV primary morphology, compared to the surrounding healthy liver tissue (SUV = 2.

Symptoms of Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Men and Women: The Same but Different?

Introduction And Objective: Typical symptoms for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) include osteoporosis, bone or joint pain, and nephrolithiasis, as well as fatigue, depression, gastritis, and cardiovascular disease. The female:male ratio was 3:1. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the possible influence of gender-specific aspects of these symptoms.

Simple liver cysts and cystoid lesions in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: a retrospective cohort study with Hounsfield analysis.

Background: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a rare zoonosis caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. AE lesions affect the liver in more than 98% of cases. AE lesions have various morphological characteristics that are described in the Echinococcus multilocularis Ulm classification for computed tomography (EMUC-CT).

Calcitonin concentrations in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis in reference to parathyroidectomy.

Objective: Calcitonin is considered to be a biomarker of medullary thyroid carcinoma and C-cell hyperplasia, but calcitonin can also be elevated in about 30% of the patients with end-stage kidney disease. We reported preoperative calcitonin serum levels in 31 patients on hemodialysis before parathyroid surgery, evaluate influencing factors on calcitonin levels and determine postoperative calcitonin levels after parathyroid surgery.

Results: Median preoperative serum calcitonin was 8 pg/ml (range 2 to 165 pg/ml), serum calcitonin concentration declined postoperatively to 3 pg/ml (range 1 to 192 pg/ml).

Can Met-PET/CT Predict Sporadic Multiglandular Hyperparathyroidism? Report of a Case and Review of the Literature.

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is a common endocrine disorder of the parathyroid glands. In most cases pHPT is caused by single gland disease, but about 10% of patients suffer from sporadic multiglandular disease (MGD). Patients with MGD, especially with ectopic parathyroid adenomas, have an increased risk for persistence/recurrence after surgery.

TRAILblazing Strategies for Cancer Treatment.

In the late 1990s, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a member of the TNF-family, started receiving much attention for its potential in cancer therapy, due to its capacity to induce apoptosis selectively in tumour cells in vivo. TRAIL binds to its membrane-bound death receptors TRAIL-R1 (DR4) and TRAIL-R2 (DR5) inducing the formation of a death-inducing signalling complex (DISC) thereby activating the apoptotic cascade. The ability of TRAIL to also induce apoptosis independently of p53 makes TRAIL a promising anticancer agent, especially in p53-mutated tumour entities.

Postoperative swallowing disorder after thyroid and parathyroid resection.

Introduction: Dysphagia is frequently reported after thyroidectomy. Here, we investigated the incidence of postoperative dysphagia after uncomplicated thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy. Further, we analyzed diagnosis and types of therapy to identify possible patients at risk.

The Emerging Role of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs) in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

The family of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) has critical functions in cell cycle regulation and controlling of transcriptional elongation. Moreover, dysregulated CDKs have been linked to cancer initiation and progression. Pharmacological CDK inhibition has recently emerged as a novel and promising approach in cancer therapy.

Value of Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Inguinal Hernia - A Retrospective Study.

Purpose:  The diagnosis of an inguinal hernia is usually made clinically. Precise imaging appears to be necessary when the clinical examination is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of ultrasonography for inguinal hernias and whether it influences the decision for or against surgery.

Impact of affected lymph nodes on long-term outcome after surgical therapy of alveolar echinococcosis.

Purpose: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a life-threatening helminthic disease. In humans, AE mostly affects the liver; the regional hepatic lymph nodes may be involved, indicating dissemination of AE from the liver. To achieve complete removal of the disease, enlarged hepatic lymph nodes may be resected during surgical treatment.

Should We Keep Walking along the Trail for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment? Revisiting TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand for Anticancer Therapy.

Despite recent advances in oncology, diagnosis, and therapy, treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still exceedingly challenging. PDAC remains the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Poor prognosis is due to the aggressive growth behavior with early invasion and distant metastasis, chemoresistance, and a current lack of adequate screening methods for early detection.

CK1α overexpression correlates with poor survival in colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide and prognosis in advanced tumor stage still remains poor. Since CK1 isoforms have been reported to be deregulated in several tumor entities CK1 has emerged as a novel drug target in cancer therapy. In this study we set out to investigate whether CK1α might have the potential to serve as prognostic marker.

Thyroid gland hemorrhage after blunt neck trauma: case report and review of the literature.

Background: Thyroid hemorrhage is considered to be an uncommon complication following blunt trauma to the neck. This condition is potentially life-threatening due to airway compression and may therefore require emergency airway management and surgical intervention in some cases.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 52-year-old woman who experienced a traumatic thyroid gland rupture (right lobe) with subsequent active arterial bleeding from branches of the inferior thyroid artery.

Albendazole increases the inflammatory response and the amount of Em2-positive small particles of Echinococcus multilocularis (spems) in human hepatic alveolar echinococcosis lesions.

Background: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by the metacestode stage of Echinococcus multilocularis. The inflammatory response to this infection is influenced by the interaction of the parasite with the host. We aimed to analyze human liver lesions infected with Echinococcus multilocularis and the changes of the cellular infiltrates during albendazole (ABZ) treatment.

Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of alveolar echinococcosis: A single-center, long-term observational study of 312 patients in Germany.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is the most Iethal human helminthic infection. The malignancy-like disease is rare, but morbidity and treatment costs are high. Objective of the study was to identify factors at baseline and during specific AE therapy influencing the long-term outcome of the disease.

Impact of Safe Distance on Long-Term Outcome After Surgical Therapy of Alveolar Echinococcosis.

Introduction: In humans, alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a serious helminthic disease. Additionally to a long-term medical treatment, in all suitable cases a complete surgical resection with a 20-mm safe distance (minimal distance of larval tissue to resection margin) is recommended. We analyzed the influence of the safe distance and the effect of the postoperative anthelmintic prophylaxis on the long-term outcome of patients who underwent surgery with curative intent.

Circulating adipokine levels and prognostic value in septic patients.

Background: Adipokines have a wide range of effects and are linked to sepsis and septic shock. The aim of the present study was to describe the changes in adipokine levels in septic patients in relation to patients' preseptic adipokine levels. Furthermore, we examined adipokines as prognostic markers.

Proposal of a computed tomography classification for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

Aim: To establish a computed tomography (CT)-morphological classification for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis was the aim of the study.

Methods: The CT morphology of hepatic lesions in 228 patients with confirmed alveolar echinococcosis (AE) drawn from the Echinococcus Databank of the University Hospital of Ulm was reviewed retrospectively. For this reason, CT datasets of combined positron emission tomography (PET)-CT examinations were evaluated.

Decreased CK1δ expression predicts prolonged survival in colorectal cancer patients.

Cancers arising from the large intestine or rectum are called colorectal cancer (CRC) and represent the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Since casein kinase 1 (CK1) isoforms are involved in many cellular processes and have been reported to be deregulated in various tumor entities, CK1 has become an interesting drug target. In this study, we examined the potential of CK1δ expression levels in tumor tissue of CRC patients as a prognostic biomarker.

Proposal of an ultrasonographic classification for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: Echinococcosis multilocularis Ulm classification-ultrasound.

Aim: To establish an ultrasonographic classification based on a large sample of patients with confirmed hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE).

Methods: Clinical data and ultrasonography (US) findings of 185 patients (100 males; 85 females; mean age at diagnosis: 51.4 ± 17.