[Controversies of partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma : survey in the German-speaking countries].

Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate how partial nephrectomy is technically performed in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Methods: A one-page anonymous questionnaire was designed to evaluate the indication, the technical procedure, and the follow-up of R1 situation after partial nephrectomy. Furthermore, the size of the hospitals and their catchment areas were recorded.

Genetic analyses of heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) in different forms of pancreatitis.

Background: Heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) is the rate limiting enzyme in heme degradation and a key regulator of inflammatory processes. In animal models the course of pancreatitis was ameliorated by up-regulation of HMOX1 expression. Additionally, carbon monoxide released during heme breakdown inhibited proliferation of pancreatic stellate cells and might thereby prevent the development of chronic pancreatitis (CP).

A common variant of PNPLA3 (p.I148M) is not associated with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis.

Background: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an inflammatory disease that in some patients leads to exocrine and endocrine dysfunction. In industrialized countries the most common aetiology is chronic alcohol abuse. Descriptions of associated genetic alterations in alcoholic CP are rare.

The feasibility of prostate cancer detection by triple spectroscopy.

Objectives: To determine the feasibility of ex situ prostate cancer detection by triple spectroscopy. A positive surgical margin following radical prostatectomy is an adverse factor for recurrence-free survival. Detection of residual cancer cells in vivo would be the most useful, allowing the resection of such tissue during the procedure.

Melatonin acutely improves the neuroendocrine architecture of sleep in blind individuals.

In blind individuals, the absence of light cues results in disturbances of sleep and sleep-related neuroendocrine patterns. The Zeitgeber influence of light on the timing of sleep is assumed to be mediated by melatonin, a hormone of the pineal gland, whose secretion is inhibited by light and enhanced during darkness. Here, we investigated whether a single administration of melatonin improves sleep and associated neuroendocrine patterns in blind individuals.