Direct inhibition, but indirect sensitization of pacemaker activity to sympathetic tone by the interaction of endotoxin with HCN-channels.

In critically ill patients regulation of heart-rate is often severely disturbed. Interaction of bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) with hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation-(HCN)-channels may interfere with heart-rate regulation. This study analyzes the effect of LPS, the HCN-channel blocker ivabradine or Ca(2+) -channel blockers (nifedipine, verapamil) on pacemaking in spontaneously beating neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (CM) in vitro.

Transcriptional regulation of urate transportosome member SLC2A9 by nuclear receptor HNF4α.

Renal tubular handling of urate is realized by a network of uptake and efflux transporters, including members of drug transporter families such as solute carrier proteins and ATP-binding cassette transporters. Solute carrier family 2, member 9 (SLC2A9), is one key factor of this so called "urate transportosome." The aim of the present study was to understand the transcriptional regulation of SLC2A9 and to test whether identified factors might contribute to a coordinated transcriptional regulation of the transporters involved in urate handling.

The growth hormone--IGF-I axis as a mediator for the association between FTO variants and body mass index: results of the Study of Health in Pomerania.

Context: Risk alleles of the fat mass- and obesity-associated gene (FTO) are related not only to increased body mass index (BMI) values but also to mortality. It was speculated that cellular effects of the FTO gene affect most organs, especially their ability to maintain or regenerate proper function when afflicted by various diseases. FTO is highly expressed in the hypothalamus and also in the pituitary gland.

Influence of DRD2 and ANKK1 genotypes on apomorphine-induced growth hormone (GH) response in alcohol-dependent patients.

Background: D(2) receptor function can be assessed by growth hormone (GH) response to apomorphine. Several association studies between dopamine receptor polymorphisms and results of the apomorphine challenge test with normal and alcohol-dependent subjects yielded inconsistent results. In this pilot study, we tested polymorphisms from the DRD2 region for GH response to apomorphine challenge in more detail.

Common variants in the G protein beta3 subunit gene and thyroid disorders in a formerly iodine-deficient population.

Background: Heterotrimeric G proteins are key mediators of signals from membrane receptors-including the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor-to cellular effectors. Gain-of-function mutations in the TSH receptor and the Galpha(S) subunit occur frequently in hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid carcinomas, whereby the T allele of a common polymorphism (825C>T, rs5443) in the G protein beta3 subunit gene (GNB3) is associated with increased G protein-mediated signal transduction and a complex phenotype. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this common polymorphism affects key parameters of thyroid function and morphology and influences the pathogenesis of thyroid diseases in the general population.

Association between migraine and the G1246A polymorphism in the hypocretin receptor 2 gene.

Background: The hypocretin receptor 2 (HCRTR2) G1246A polymorphism has been associated with the risk for cluster headache. Since the hypothalamic hypocretin/orexin system projects throughout the nervous system and affects multiple vegetative functions including generation of rhythmicity, vasomotion, autonomic symptoms as well as modulation of nociception, it may also be linked with migraine.

Objective: We thus sought to evaluate whether the HCRTR2 G1246A polymorphism is associated with the risk for migraine.

The G1246A polymorphism in the hypocretin receptor 2 gene is not associated with treatment response in cluster headache.

The risk of cluster headache (CH) is associated with the G-allele of the G1246A polymorphism in the hypocretin receptor 2 (HCRTR2) gene. First-line medication is effective in only about 70-80% of CH patients. We hypothesized that the HCRTR2 G1246A polymorphism is also of pharmacogenetic relevance in CH and may affect treatment response.

Comment on "A common genetic variant is associated with adult and childhood obesity".

Contrary to the findings of Herbert et al. (Reports, 14 April 2006, p. 279), homozygous carriers of the C allele of the rs7566605 variant near the INSIG2 gene did not exhibit a significantly increased risk for obesity in a large population-based cross-sectional German study.

In vivo suppression of major histocompatibility complex class II expression on porcine vascular endothelial cells by an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

Background: Vascular endothelial cells of man and pig, but not rodents, strongly express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens in vivo, probably via the inducible promoter IV of the class II transactivator. There is abundant in vitro evidence that MHC class II positive vascular endothelial cells can activate T cells. Peripheral antigen presentation by endothelial cells is potentially important for organ-specific immunity, for allograft rejection, and possibly for immune responsiveness in general.

Cluster headache is associated with the G1246A polymorphism in the hypocretin receptor 2 gene.

The G1246A polymorphism in the gene of the hypocretin receptor 2 (HCRTR2) has been linked to the risk for cluster headache (CH). The authors examined this association in a large sample of 226 patients with CH and 266 controls from Germany. The genotype and allele distribution varied significantly between patients and controls.

The effect of anti-lymphocyte serum on subpopulations of blood and tissue leucocytes: possible supplementary mechanisms for suppression of rejection and the development of opportunistic infections.

Xenogeneic anti-lymphocyte serum (ALS) remains a major reagent for immunosuppression in clinical practice, but mechanisms of action and risks of opportunistic infection have not been considered in the context of innate immunity and its role in immune responsiveness. Rabbit anti rat ALS was administered intraperitoneally. Blood was taken for flow cytometry to establish absolute counts of leucocyte subsets.

Liver transplantation for hepatic and neurological Wilson's disease.

Wilson's disease (WD) is an autosomal-recessive inherited disorder of copper metabolism characterized by excessive deposition of copper throughout the body. If medical treatment fails in cases of fulminant hepatic failure and progressive hepatic dysfunction due to advanced cirrhosis, liver transplantation (OLTx) has been demonstrated to be a valuable treatment option. Between December 1993 and December 2002, 225 OLTxs in 198 patients were performed in our institution.

[Connections between attachment prototypes and relationship patterns].

Connections between attachment styles and relationship patterns are studied on 32 female psychotherapy patients. Our study gives first hints to a connection between attachment variables, assessed by the German version of the Adult Attachment Prototype Rating (AAPR) and predominant relationship patterns, assessed by the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme Method (CCRT) developed by Luborsky, if both methods are used independently. Subsamples according to the attachment styles show differences in CCRT variables.

[The connection between affective evaluation of recollected relationship experiences and the severity of the psychic impairment].

This study, carried out at three different university centers contributes to validating the valence dimension of the CCRT-method. Working on the state of the CCRT-research on affective evaluation of relationship narratives, the connection between the valence dimension of the responses from others (RO), responses of the self (RS) and the severity of the psychic disorder has been analysed with the help of two different samples (n = 266 resp. n = 32) taken from female patients.

Splenohepatic arterial steal syndrome in liver transplantation: clinical features and management.

Well-known arterial complications after liver transplantation comprise thrombosis and major stenosis, which usually necessitate a retransplantation procedure. In our institution, in a series of 165 consecutive liver transplantations, we report the first recognized case of a splenohepatic arterial steal syndrome. This is characterized by an arterial malperfusion of the hepatic graft caused by a marked diversion of blood flow to a significantly enlarged spleen, which leads to major ischemic damage of the hepatic graft.