Update on the aldehyde dehydrogenase gene (ALDH) superfamily.

Members of the aldehyde dehydrogenase gene (ALDH) superfamily play an important role in the enzymic detoxification of endogenous and exogenous aldehydes and in the formation of molecules that are important in cellular processes, like retinoic acid, betaine and gamma-aminobutyric acid. ALDHs exhibit additional, non-enzymic functions, including the capacity to bind to some hormones and other small molecules and to diminish the effects of ultraviolet irradiation in the cornea. Mutations in ALDH genes leading to defective aldehyde metabolism are the molecular basis of several diseases, including gamma-hydroxybutyric aciduria, pyridoxine-dependent seizures, Sjögren-Larsson syndrome and type II hyperprolinaemia.

Complicated hepatic hydatid cyst with simultaneous biliary tree and intraperitoneal rupture: can we treat it in a minimally invasive way?

We report a case of complicated liver hydatid cyst with biliary system communication, cholangitis, and having at the same time simultaneous free intraperitoneal rupture. This very rare case was treated successfully by a minimally invasive method, namely ERCP, large sphincterotomy and bile duct decompression by cysts and membranes, percutaneous radiologic subdiaphragmatic drainage and prolonged medical treatment with albendazole. Our patient, an 87-year-old lady, was considered unfit for open or laparoscopic surgery because of her poor general condition, although surgery represents the common practice in such cases.

Human ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family.

There exist four fundamentally different classes of membrane-bound transport proteins: ion channels; transporters; aquaporins; and ATP-powered pumps. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are an example of ATP-dependent pumps. ABC transporters are ubiquitous membrane-bound proteins, present in all prokaryotes, as well as plants, fungi, yeast and animals.

Randomized study of the effect of pentoxifylline or octreotide on serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Objectives: To study the effect of pentoxifylline and octreotide administration on serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6, in patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), whether they developed pancreatitis or not.

Methods: Out of 590 patients undergoing ERCP, 30 who developed pancreatitis and 25 who did not (controls) were enrolled. Pentoxifylline was given to 23 patients (15 with and eight without pancreatitis) and octreotide to 19 patients (nine with and 10 without pancreatitis, respectively).

Analysis and update of the human solute carrier (SLC) gene superfamily.

The solute-carrier gene (SLC) superfamily encodes membrane-bound transporters. The SLC superfamily comprises 55 gene families having at least 362 putatively functional protein-coding genes. The gene products include passive transporters, symporters and antiporters, located in all cellular and organelle membranes, except, perhaps, the nuclear membrane.