The EMT transcription factor ZEB1 blocks osteoblastic differentiation in bone development and osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is an often-fatal mesenchyme-derived malignancy in children and young adults. Overexpression of EMT-transcription factors (EMT-TFs) has been associated with poor clinical outcome. Here, we demonstrated that the EMT-TF ZEB1 is able to block osteoblastic differentiation in normal bone development as well as in osteosarcoma cells.

Genome-wide cooperation of EMT transcription factor ZEB1 with YAP and AP-1 in breast cancer.

Invasion, metastasis and therapy resistance are the major cause of cancer-associated deaths, and the EMT-inducing transcription factor ZEB1 is a crucial stimulator of these processes. While work on ZEB1 has mainly focused on its role as a transcriptional repressor, it can also act as a transcriptional activator. To further understand these two modes of action, we performed a genome-wide ZEB1 binding study in triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Prostaglandin-mediated inhibition of serotonin signaling controls the affective component of inflammatory pain.

Pain is fundamentally unpleasant and induces a negative affective state. The affective component of pain is mediated by circuits that are distinct from those mediating the sensory-discriminative component. Here, we have investigated the role of prostaglandins in the affective dimension of pain using a rodent pain assay based on conditioned place aversion to formalin injection, an inflammatory noxious stimulus.

Anaphylactic reaction to intravenous corticosteroids in the treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis: a case report.

Introduction: This case report presents for the first time an acute systemic allergic reaction to corticosteroids in a patient with ocular toxoplasmosis after treatment with intravenous cortisone, and discusses alternative treatments.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 57-year-old Caucasian woman with an anaphylactic reaction after intravenous injection of prednisolone-21-hydrogensuccinate (Solu-Decortin® H) given for the treatment of toxoplasmosis-associated chorioretinitis. Immediately after the injection, she developed an acute erythema of the legs and abdomen, angioedema, hypotension (blood pressure 80/40mmHg), tachycardia (heart rate 140/minute), hyperthermia (38.

Anterior chamber paracentesis after central retinal artery occlusion: a tenable therapy?

Background: The goal of this study was to investigate the visual outcome of acute central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) after current standard therapy with and without paracentesis. In addition, we investigated whether there was a dependence of the resulting visual acuity on the time between first symptoms and implementation of paracentesis. Finally, we analysed risk factors for CRAO.

[Three cases--one diagnosis: ocular manifestations of sarcoidosis].

Introduction: Sarcoidosis can manifest itself in a variety of affection patterns in the eye. Early diagnosis and treatment are of crucial importance. Therefore the following three cases present occular symptoms associated with sarcoidosis.

Electron and hydrogen self-exchange of free radicals of sterically hindered tertiary aliphatic amines investigated by photo-CIDNP.

The photoreactions of diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO) and triisopropylamine (TIPA) with the sensitizers anthraquinone (AQ) and xanthone (XA) or benzophenone (BP) were investigated by time-resolved photo-CIDNP (photochemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization) experiments. By varying the radical-pair concentration, it was ensured that these measurements respond only to self-exchange reactions of the free amine-derived radicals (radical cations DH (•) (+) or α-amino alkyl radicals D (•) ) with the parent amine DH; the acid-base equilibrium between DH (•) (+) and D (•) also plays no role. Although the sensitizer does not at all participate in the observed processes, it has a pronounced influence on the CIDNP kinetics because the reaction occurs through successive radical pairs.

[A rare manifestation of sarcoidosis].

This article reports the case of a 14-year-old boy who was presented in the case conference with symptoms of decreased visual acuity, scintillating scotomas and photophobia. Physical examination revealed right facial paralysis, parotid gland swelling, high fever and poor general condition. Ophthalmoscopy revealed anterior and posterior uveitis including macular edema and chorioretinal infiltrates.

Comparison of anterior chamber depth measurements using Orbscan II and IOLMaster.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare anterior chamber depth (ACD) measurements using Orbscan II (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY) and IOLMaster (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany).

Methods: In this prospective clinical study, the authors measured ACD of 145 phakic eyes of 30 healthy volunteers and 115 patients using Orbscan II and IOLMaster. Average patient age was 52.

Anterior chamber depth in relation to refractive status measured with the Orbscan II Topography System.

Purpose: To evaluate the anterior chamber depth (ACD) according to refractive status, assess the reliability of repeated ACD measurements using the Orbscan II Topography System (Bausch and Lomb), compare Orbscan II and IOLMaster (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) ACD measurements, and investigate the correlation between refraction, axial length (AL), and ACD.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.

Methods: In this clinical study, 60 patients with a mean age of 43.

[Severe course and contingent risk factors in optic neuropathy and myelopathy after tuberculostatics].

A male patient with tuberculous lymphadenopathy was treated with a four-fold therapy of ethambutol, isoniacide, rifampicin and pyracinamide. After 10 weeks the patient suffered from photophobia. Although ethambutol was discontinued vision decreased and visual field defects occurred as well as signs of myelopathy.

[Progressive peripunctal nevus in an adult].

Nevi arise from migration of melanocytes into the epithelium. Over the years they experience a typical maturation, with the possibility of an increased thickness due to accompanying inflammation or fibrosis but actual growth of nevi is rare in adults. A 70-year-old patient presented with a growing tumour around the punctum lacrimale.

Kjellin's syndrome: fundus autofluorescence, angiographic, and electrophysiologic findings.

Objective: Syndromes with genetically determined retinal diseases and concurrent multiple neurologic abnormalities are rare. Kjellin described an autosomal recessive entity with spastic paraplegia, mental retardation, amyotrophia, and macular dystrophy. We sought to further characterize the retinal phenotype and to contrast fundus changes and the genotype to Stargardt's disease in a young patient with progressive Kjellin's syndrome.