Antidepressant effects of direct-acting antivirals against hepatitis C virus-Results from a pilot study.

Background And Aims: The new direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) have revolutionized the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study investigates to which extent DAA affect fatigue and mood and, if so, whether this results from changes to tryptophan (TRP) metabolism, as reflected by two critical biosynthetic pathways, serotonin (SRT) generation from TRP and TRP degradation through kynurenines (KYN) via indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO).

Methods: This study assessed 24 patients with chronic HCV infection, before (T1), during (T2: at 4 weeks) and 12 weeks post-treatment with DAA (T3) with respect to viral load, fatigue and depressive symptoms (BDI-II questionnaire), physical activity (actigraph) and plasma serotonin-tryptophan metabolites (LC/MS).

Genetic polymorphism of the OPG gene associated with breast cancer.

Background: The receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK), its ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) have been reported to play a role in the pathophysiological bone turnover and in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Based on this we investigated the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within RANK, RANKL and OPG and their possible association to breast cancer risk.

Methods: Genomic DNA was obtained from Caucasian participants consisting of 307 female breast cancer patients and 396 gender-matched healthy controls.

Growth differentiation factor 15--an early marker of abnormal function of the Fontan circuit in patients with univentricular hearts.

Background: In patients after the Fontan procedure, assessment of ventricular function is difficult and amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels failed to be directly related to echocardiographic measures of systolic ventricular function. The aim of the study was to evaluate growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a marker of various stress pathways in the heart and extracardiac tissues.

Methods: Plasma GDF-15 levels were measured in 38 consecutive patients after the Fontan procedure and compared to clinical, echocardiographic, and laboratory data; liver tissue stiffness; and venous hepatic flow velocities.

Concordance of genetic and breath tests for lactose intolerance in a tertiary referral centre.

Background And Aims: Lactase non-persistence causes gastrointestinal symptoms after milk ingestion. Hydrogen breath test (BTH) and genotyping of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) C >T 13,910 base pairs upstream of the lactase gene represent potential methods for diagnosis of this autosomal-recessive trait. The aim of the study was to compare the results of both tests in detecting lactose non-persistence in a tertiary referral centre.

Diagnosis of megacystis-microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome with aplastic desmosis in adulthood: a case report.

Megacystis-microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMHIS or Berdon syndrome) is an autosomal-recessive disorder characterized by chronic intestinal obstruction. Although the disease is often diagnosed in female infants we describe a man with late diagnosis in adulthood. Our patient presented soon after birth with intestinal obstruction and developed short bowel syndrome after multiple intestinal resections.