The usefulness of holotranscobalamin in predicting vitamin B12 status in different clinical settings.

Serum concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) and methylmalonic acid (MMA) become increased in B12-deficient subjects and are therefore, considered specific markers of B12 deficiency. Serum level of holotranscobalamin (holoTC) becomes decreased before the development of the metabolic dysfunction. We investigated the usefulness of holoTC in diagnosing B12 deficiency in some clinical settings.

Evaluation of alkaline phosphatase activity assay for the Reflotron system after substitution of the comparison method.

The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay for the Reflotron system is a dry chemistry method applicable for decentralized testing. The ALP diethanolamine method has been applied as the comparison method, which is now replaced by the more widely distributed aminomethylpropanol method. The new comparison method measures ALP activities by approximately 59% lower compared to the former method.

Homocysteine in relation to C-reactive protein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in assessment of cardiovascular risk.

Coronary vascular disease (CVD) is a chronic, multifactorial disease that occurs often in individuals without known risk factors. We investigated the predictive value of homocysteine (Hcy) in relation to C-reactive protein (CRP) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol in patients with confirmed coronary disease. The study included 87 German and 92 Syrian patients in addition to 87 German and 64 Syrian control individuals.

[Body mass index, protein metabolism profiles and impact on IVF/ICSI procedure and outcome].

Objective: Higher risks of infertility have been found in overweight women. The purpose of the present study was to explore whether protein metabolism profiles related to body mass index (BMI) and to find out whether these parameters should affect IVF/ICSI outcome.

Patients And Methods: 52 patients were enrolled in this study.

Prevalences of hyperhomocysteinemia, unfavorable cholesterol profile and hypertension in European populations.

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). HHCY may interact with hypertension (HTEN) and an unfavorable cholesterol profile (UNFAVCHOL) to alter the risk of CVD.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalences of HHCY (1) isolated and (2) in combination with UNFAVCHOL and/or HTEN in different age categories.

Cellular uptake of vitamin B12 in patients with chronic renal failure.

Background/aims: Elevated concentration of plasma homocysteine (tHcy) is common in renal patients, however, the reason behind the resistance to vitamin B(12) and folate therapy are poorly understood.

Methods: We investigated vitamin B12 uptake by mononuclear cells (MC) from predialysis patients (n = 19) as compared to healthy controls (n = 15). Serum levels of tHcy, methylmalonic acid and cystathionine, holotranscobalamin (holoTC), total vitamin B12 and folate were also measured.

In vivo ESR studies on subcutaneously injected multilamellar liposomes in living mice.

Purpose: An innovative, noninvasive, low-frequency electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy method was applied and adapted to investigate the integrity of multilamellar liposomes from hydrogenated phospholipids after subcutaneous injection in living mice. Moreover, the fate of the injected liposomal preparations was examined, as well as the possibility to achieve a depot effect.

Methods: Highly concentrated solutions of the spin probe 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-trimethylammoniumpiperidine-1-oxyl-iodide (CAT-1; 138 mM) were encapsulated in liposomes.

The assessment of bone metabolism in female elite endurance athletes by biochemical bone markers.

Purpose: Premature osteoporosis is a frequent problem in female athletes. Current concepts suggest that a disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis leads to hypoestrogenism, which then causes amenorrhea and osteoporosis. However, the underlying mechanisms have been insufficiently investigated.

Alteration of homocysteine catabolism in pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome and placental insufficiency.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor in obstetrical complications such as pre-eclampsia, 'hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet' (HELLP)-syndrome and placental insufficiency. The aim of our study was to investigate the alterations of homocysteine catabolism in these patients in relation to serum B-vitamins and renal function. Maternal fasting serum from pre-eclampsia (n=24), HELLP (n=20) and placental insufficiency (n=25) patients at the time of diagnosis and pregnant controls (n=34) was analyzed for homocysteine and its metabolites cystathionine and methylmalonic acid, the vitamins B6, B12 and folate, renal and additional parameters.

Response of homocysteine, cystathionine, and methylmalonic acid to vitamin treatment in dialysis patients.

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is observed in >80% of hemodialysis patients and is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Vitamin treatment lowers total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations in plasma and may therefore reduce the associated risk. Current treatment strategies have not achieved normalization of tHcy in the majority of dialysis patients.

Wavefront-guided laser epithelial keratomileusis with the wavelight concept system 500.

Purpose: Laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) is a technique of refractive surgery for treatment of myopia. More than 90% of patients are within the intended correction of +/-0.50 diopters (D), without any unwanted side effects.

Confocal microscopy and corneal sensitivity in a patient with corneal manifestations of Tangier disease.

Purpose: Tangier disease is an autosomal recessive disorder in which cholesterol-rich lipids are deposited at various tissues of the body including the cornea. In this case report, the corneal changes in a patient with Tangier disease are described.

Methods: A 72-year-old patient who was diagnosed with Tangier disease 25 years before received a complete eye examination including confocal microscopy and Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry.

The measurement of complexed prostate-specific antigen has a better performance than total prostate-specific antigen.

The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic utility of complexed prostate-specific antigen (cPSA) with total PSA (tPSA) in screening for prostate cancer. Serum concentrations of tPSA and cPSA were measured in 4479 adult men during the prostate cancer screening program in the Saarland region (Germany). The percentage of men with c/tPSA ratio above the cut-off value of 0.

In vitro inhibition of fibrinolysis by apolipoprotein(a) and lipoprotein(a) is size- and concentration-dependent.

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is considered an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic heart and circulatory diseases. The unique, polymorphic character of Lp(a) is based on its apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)), which has remarkable structural analogies with plasminogen, an important protein for fibrinolysis. The formation of plasmin from plasminogen is a fundamental step in the dissolution of fibrin.

Olefin epoxidation with inorganic peroxides. Solutions to four long-standing controversies on the mechanism of oxygen transfer.

Four controversies on the mechanism of the olefin epoxidation with Mimoun-type complexes, [MoO(O2)2(OPR3)], Herrmann-type complexes, [ReO(O2)2Me], and related inorganic peroxides have inspired industrial and academic researchers in the last three decades. First, is the oxygen transfer from the peroxo complex to the olefin concerted or stepwise? Second, does the oxidant act as an electrophile or a nucleophile? Third, is the mechanism of the stoichiometric reaction also valid for catalytic protocols? Fourth, how can stereochemical information be transferred between oxidant and substrate? In this Account, we discuss answers to the long-standing questions, focusing on recent contributions from quantum chemical calculations.

Corneal sensation after laser epithelial keratomileusis for the correction of myopia.

Background: Subepithelial nerve fibre bundles and stromal nerves are damaged during laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK). The aim of this study was to investigate the recovery of corneal sensation after LASEK for the correction of myopia.

Methods: Corneal sensation was evaluated in 40 eyes of 20 patients using a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer before surgery and 3 days, 14 days, 1, 3 and 6 months after LASEK for the correction of mild to moderate myopia (range -2.

Clinical use and rational management of homocysteine, folic acid, and B vitamins in cardiovascular and thrombotic diseases.

About half of all deaths are due to cardiovascular disease and its complications. The economic burden on society and the healthcare system from cardiovascular disability, complications, and treatments is huge and becoming larger in the rapidly aging populations of developed countries. As conventional risk factors fail to account for part of the cases, homocysteine, a "new" risk factor, is being viewed with mounting interest.

[Effects of ovarian stimulation on serum concentrations of lipids and ketone bodies in patients undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment].

Objective: The ovarian stimulation increase the estradiol concentration in comparison to the one observed in the menstrual cycle. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of ovarian stimulation on serum concentrations of lipids and ketone bodies in patients undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment.

Patients And Methods: 50 patients were included in this study.

Long-distance mountain biking does not disturb the measurement of total, free or complexed prostate-specific antigen in healthy men.

Purpose: Mechanical manipulation of the prostate is a generally accepted interfering factor for the measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). However, only few studies have focused on common daily mechanical manipulations, such as bicycle riding. Furthermore, physical exercise is also supposed to modulate PSA serum concentration.

[Laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) for treatment of myopia up to -6.0 D. Results from 108 eyes after 12 months].

Background: Laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) is a new keratorefractive procedure for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism, which may combine advantages and eliminate disadvantages of photorefractive keratectomy (e.g. pain, corneal haze) and laser in situ keratomileusis (e.

Effect of stress on performance of dense wavelength division multiplexing filters: thermal properties.

Thin-film filters used for dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) applications are processed by a variety of deposition techniques, including ion-beam sputtering. Ion-beam sputtering produces high-quality coatings and provides flexibility of coating materials. However, DWDM filters consisting of oxide films that are reactively deposited by ion-beam sputtering, as in most sputter techniques, typically exhibit high levels of compressive stress.

Effect of stress on performance of dense wavelength division multiplexing filters: optical properties.

Thin-film filters used for dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) applications are processed by a variety of deposition techniques, including ion-beam sputtering. Ion-beam sputtering produces high-quality coatings and provides flexibility of coating materials. However, DWDM filters consisting of oxide films that are reactively deposited by ion-beam sputtering, as in most sputter techniques, typically exhibit high levels of compressive stress.

Does statin therapy influence steroid hormone synthesis?

Statins reduce cholesterol and isoprenoid de novo biosynthesis as well as receptor mediated uptake of cholesterol for steroidogenesis. The present randomized placebo-controlled trial investigated whether pravastatin (40 mg/day) reduces the plasma concentrations of steroid hormones as well as of gonadotropins. Patients (n = 22; 15 males, 7 females) were treated with pravastatin (40 mg/day) or placebo.