[Non-alcoholic liver disease (NASH)].

NASH, an increasingly recognized condition resembles alcohol-induced liver disease, but occurs in patients who do not abuse alcohol. Obesity, insulin resistance and oxidative stress have critical roles in the pathogenesis of NASH. Liver biopsy remains the only modality that can reliably distinguish steatosis from steatohepatitis.

Adiponectin-induced secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1, CCL2) and interleukin-8 (IL-8, CXCL8) is impaired in monocytes from patients with type I diabetes.

Background: Systemic adiponectin is reduced in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and low adiponectin may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. However, circulating adiponectin is elevated in type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients, who have also a higher incidence to develop CVD. Because monocytes play an important role in atherosclerosis, we analysed the influence of adiponectin on cytokine and chemokine release in monocytes from T1D patients and controls.

Multiprobe fluorescence in situ hybridisation: prognostic perspectives in superficial bladder cancer.

Aim: To establish independent prognostic factors on a chromosomal basis in superficial bladder cancer, using a multicolour fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) probe mix.

Patients And Methods: In 2002, voided urine from 75 consecutive patients (mean age 71.7, range 52-93) years under follow-up for superficial urothelial cancer was studied prospectively.

Effects of interferon-beta-1a on neuronal survival under autoimmune inflammatory conditions.

Interferon-beta-1a (IFN-beta-1a) is an approved treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). It improves the disease course by reducing the relapse rate as well as the persistent neurological deficits. Recent MRI and post-mortem studies revealed that neuronal and axonal damage are most relevant for chronic disability in MS patients.

Dose-controlled exposure of A549 epithelial cells at the air-liquid interface to airborne ultrafine carbonaceous particles.

The geometry of commercially available perfusion chambers designed for harbouring three membrane-based cell cultures was modified for reliable and dose-controlled air-liquid interface (ALI) exposures. Confluent A549 epithelial cells grown on membranes were integrated in the chamber system and supplied with medium from the chamber bottom. Cell viability was not impaired by the conditions of ALI exposure without particles.

Athletes' evaluations of their head coach's coaching competency.

This study provided initial validity evidence for multidimensional measures of coaching competency derived from the Coaching Competency Scale (CCS). Data were collected from intercollegiate men's (n = 8) and women's (n = 13) soccer and women's ice hockey teams (n = 11). The total number of athletes was 585.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome in patients with chronic liver disease: role of pulse oximetry.

Background: Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare complication of liver diseases of different etiologies and may indicate a poor prognosis. Therefore, a simple non-invasive screening method to detect HPS would be highly desirable. In this study pulse oximetry was evaluated to identify patients with HPS.

uCyt+/ImmunoCyt in the detection of recurrent urothelial carcinoma: an update on 1991 analyses.

Background: The authors provide an update on the clinical value and role of the uCyt+/ImmunoCyt test as a noninvasive tool for the detection of recurrent urothelial carcinoma.

Methods: Between January 2002 and October 2004, 942 patients (mean age, 72.6 yrs; range, 32-87 yrs) were enrolled in this prospective study.

[Drug therapy in chronic liver disease].

Treatment of virally induced chronic hepatitis consists of interferons, nucleotide and nucleoside analogues. So far, combination therapies are not superior to a monotherapeutic regimen. If detected early, inherited metabolic diseases (e.

Kinesin-2 is a motor for late endosomes and lysosomes.

The bidirectional nature of late endosome/lysosome movement suggests involvement of at least two distinct motors, one minus-end directed and one plus-end directed. Previous work has identified dynein as the minus-end-directed motor for late endosome/lysosome localization and dynamics. Conventional kinesin (kinesin-1) has been implicated in plus-end-directed late endosome/lysosome movement, but other kinesin family members may also be involved.

HIV-Tat-mediated Bcl-XL delivery protects retinal ganglion cells during experimental autoimmune optic neuritis.

In multiple sclerosis (MS), post-mortem studies of human brain tissue as well as data from animal models have shown that apoptosis of neurons occurs to a significant extent during this disease. As neurodegeneration in MS correlates with permanent neurological deficits in patients, understanding the mechanisms would be an important pre-condition for designing appropriate neuroprotective therapies. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis often affects the optic nerve and leads to consecutive apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the neurons that form its axons.

Oxymetazoline inhibits proinflammatory reactions: effect on arachidonic acid-derived metabolites.

The nasal decongestant oxymetazoline effectively reduces rhinitis symptoms. We hypothesized that oxymetazoline affects arachidonic acid-derived metabolites concerning inflammatory and oxidative stress-dependent reactions. The ability of oxymetazoline to model pro- and anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress responses was evaluated in cell-free systems, including 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) as proinflammatory, 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) as anti-inflammatory enzymes, and oxidation of methionine by agglomerates of ultrafine carbon particles (UCPs), indicating oxidative stress.

The value of the ImmunoCyt/uCyt+ test in the detection and follow-up of carcinoma in situ of the urinary bladder.

Background: Urine bound tests, which have been developed for the early detection of urothelial cancer (UC), do not seem to match cytology in the detection of carcinoma in situ (CIS) as their sensitivity in the case of CIS is poor. ImmunoCyt/uCyt+ in CIS seems promising, but the number of analysed CIS is still small. The aim of the present study was to assess the value of this test in the detection and follow-up of carcinoma in situ of the urinary bladder.

Inhaled glutathione decreases PGE2 and increases lymphocytes in cystic fibrosis lungs.

Reduced glutathione (GSH), a major antioxidant and modulator of cell proliferation, is decreased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We previously have shown that GSH inhalation in CF patients significantly increased GSH levels in BALF and improved lung function (M. Griese et al.

Diagnosis of hypertension and high blood pressure levels negatively affect cognitive function in older adults.

Background: Hypertension is associated with diminished performance on tests of cognitive function. The degree to which those diagnosed with hypertension have controlled blood pressure (BP) levels may be a critical determinant of cognitive outcomes. Persons with hypertension and poorly controlled BP are likely to display the worst performance on cognitive tests.

Oxidative stress and lipid mediators induced in alveolar macrophages by ultrafine particles.

In ambient aerosols, ultrafine particles (UFP) and their agglomerates are considered to be major factors contributing to adverse health effects. Reactivity of agglomerated UFP of elemental carbon (EC), Printex 90, Printex G, and diesel exhaust particles (DEP) was evaluated by the capacity of particles to oxidize methionine in a cell-free in vitro system for determination of their innate oxidative potential and by alveolar macrophages (AMs) to determine production of arachidonic acid (AA), including formation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and oxidative stress marker 8-isoprostane. EC exhibiting high oxidative potential induced generation of AA, PGE2, LTB4, and 8-isoprostane in canine and human AMs.

Comparative aquatic toxicity evaluation of 2-(thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole and selected degradation products using Ceriodaphnia dubia.

2-(Thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole (TCMTB) is a biocide used in the leather, pulp and paper, and water-treatment industries. TCMTB may enter aquatic ecosystems during its manufacture and use. TCMTB is environmentally unstable; therefore, it is important to evaluate the toxicity of the more persistent degradation products.

[The patient with slightly increased liver function tests].

The availability of serum blood chemistries for screening both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients has resulted in a marked increase in the number of abnormal liver chemistry tests that must be interpreted by physicians. Usually the first step in the evaluation of a patient with elevated liver enzymes is to repeat the test to confirm the result. If the result is still abnormal, it seems wise to differentiate between a predominant "necrotic pattern" of liver chemistry, as indicated by an elevation of ALT- or AST-activity or a predominant "cholestatic pattern", as indicated by elevated activities of g-GT and alkaline phosphatase.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor protects retinal ganglion cells from secondary cell death during acute autoimmune optic neuritis in rats.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the CNS which leads to demyelination, axonal destruction and neuronal loss in the early stages. Available therapies mainly target the inflammatory component of the disease but fail to prevent neurodegeneration. To investigate the effect of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) on the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the neurons that form the axons of the optic nerve, we used a rat model of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Combined therapy with methylprednisolone and erythropoietin in a model of multiple sclerosis.

Neurodegenerative processes determine the clinical disease course of multiple sclerosis, an inflammatory autoimmune CNS disease that frequently manifests with acute optic neuritis. None of the established multiple sclerosis therapies has been shown to clearly reduce neurodegeneration. In a rat model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, we recently demonstrated increased neuronal apoptosis under methylprednisolone therapy, although CNS inflammation was effectively controlled.

Neuroprotective effects and intracellular signaling pathways of erythropoietin in a rat model of multiple sclerosis.

In multiple sclerosis (MS), long-term disability is primarily caused by axonal and neuronal damage. We demonstrated in a previous study that neuronal apoptosis occurs early during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a common animal model of MS. In the present study, we show that, in rats suffering from myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-induced optic neuritis, systemic application of erythropoietin (Epo) significantly increased survival and function of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the neurons that form the axons of the optic nerve.

Influence of inflammatory mechanisms on the redox balance in interstitial lung diseases.

This study investigated the hypothesis that inflammatory, regulatory and antioxidant systems control the redox balance in interstitial lung diseases. Spontaneous mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines and redox-active enzymes was examined in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and sarcoidosis (SARC) using RT-PCR analysis. Pulmonary oxidative stress was characterized by carbonyl-levels in the soluble BAL-fluid protein.