Antioxidative treatment reverses imbalances of nitric oxide synthase isoform expression and attenuates tissue-cGMP activation in diabetic rats.

Oxidative stress and impaired bioactivity of vascular nitric oxide (NO) play an important role in the pathogenesis of macro- as well as microangiopathic complications in diabetes mellitus. To determine the cause of this impaired bioactivity, we tested the effect of long-term hyperglycemia and antioxidative treatment on tissue-specific endothelial (e)NOS- and inducible (i)NOS-expression and the main target of NO action, cGMP, in diabetic rats. After 4 weeks of hyperglycemia, eNOS-mRNA expression was significantly down-regulated in all tissues tested.

Mangan-enhanced MR imaging for the detection and localisation of small pancreatic insulinoma.

Insulinoma is the most common pancreatic endocrine tumor. Localization of small tumors remains a diagnostic challenge. Recently, Mangafodipir-enhanced MR imaging using a whole-body coil has been shown to be effective in the detection and staging of pancreatic cancer [3].

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor and development of type-1 diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice.

Aims/hypothesis: T-cell activation by specific antigen has been found to increase macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) expression, indicating its role as an important feature of T-cell activation in vitro and in vivo. To date, the potential role of MIF in the development of autoimmune-mediated diabetes mellitus has not been studied.

Methods: MIF-mRNA expression in splenic lymphocytes of spontaneously diabetic non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice (n=6), cyclophosphamide-treated NOD mice (n=6), 14-day-old non-diabetic NOD mice (n=7) and C57/Bl6 control mice (n=6) was monitored using an internally standardised competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and the MIF-protein levels were determined using Western blot analysis.

[Two consecutive pregnancies in a type 1 diabetic under treatment with insulin Lispro].

Background: Glucose control is mandatory in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes to keep the incidence of malformations and complications low. Insulin Lispro is a new and popular fast-acting insulin analog used for intensified insulin therapy. Although popular among young patients, this drug has not been licensed for use in pregnancy due to a possibly increased risk of fetal malformations.

[The selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib is a safe alternative in patients with pseudo-allergic reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs].

Background: Adverse reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequent, and the need to identify a safe alternative drug is a common problem in clinical practice. We assessed the tolerability of the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib in a group of NSAID-sensitive patients.

Patients And Methods: 77 patients (24 males, 53 females, age 31-80 years) with a history of adverse reactions to NSAIDs underwent standardized skin prick, scratch and patch tests along with oral, placebo-controlled blinded exposure to celecoxib (maximum single dose 200 mg, cumulative daily dose 350 mg).

Polymerase chain reaction in the detection of tumor cells: new approaches in diagnosis and follow-up of patients with thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancers are the most common endocrine malignancies and are being diagnosed with increasing frequency. In addition to other measures, diagnosis is based on fine-needle aspiration cytology examination. Recently, new assays using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are being tested to improve sensitivity and specificity of primary diagnosis and detection of recurrent thyroid cancer.

Validation of a new automated immunoassay for measurement of intact osteocalcin.

Bone turnover is assessed indirectly by measurement of biochemical markers of bone turnover. Osteocalcin, a 49-amino-acid protein is a major noncollagenous protein of bone matrix, synthesized by osteoblasts and odontoblasts. Various assays exist for assessment of osteocalcin and concentrations in the same serum or plasma sample may vary enormously.

Quantification of Constitutive Endothelial and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase mRNA by Competitive Reverse Transcription-polymerase Chain Reaction.

Nitric oxide (NO) participates in the general homeostatic control of the vasculature, and it is involved in the process of vascular remodelling. NO in particular inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and has been shown to possess antiatherogenic properties. Two important molecules control NO synthesis, namely constitutive endothelial (ecNOS) and inducible (iNOS) nitric oxide synthase.