Prospective randomized controlled trial comparing a novel and dedicated device with conventional endoscopic techniques for the treatment of buried bumper syndrome (with video).

Background And Aims: Buried bumper syndrome (BBS) is a rare adverse event of PEG tubes. This study compared the newly developed Flamingo device (Fujifilm Medwork GmbH, Höchstadt, Germany) with conventional endoscopic techniques for BBS treatment.

Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled trial compared the Flamingo set (study group) with other endoscopic techniques (control group) for BBS treatment in 6 German hospitals.

Health Care Workers' Sick Leave due to COVID-19 Vaccination in Context With SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Quarantine-A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: Reactogenicity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines can result in inability to work. The object of this study was to evaluate health care workers' sick leave after COVID-19 vaccination and to compare it with sick leave due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and quarantine leave.

Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted at Regensburg University Medical Center and 10 teaching hospitals in South-East Germany from July 28 to October 15, 2021.

Oligonucleotide microarray analysis of differential transporter regulation in the regenerating rat liver.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the regulation of hepatic transport systems during liver regeneration.

Methods: A DNA oligonucleotide microarray was developed with probes for 400 transcripts. Data were confirmed using real-time PCR and on a functional level in the perfused rat liver.

Combined broncho-oesophagoscopy for diagnosis of HIV-associated disorders.

The aim of the study was to characterize the value of combined endoscopy of tracheobronchial tree and oesophagus within 1 session for diagnosis of HIV-associated disorders. Hospitalized HIV-positive patients who underwent combined flexible broncho-oesophagoscopies between 1999 and 2002 in 2 units for infectious diseases were studied retrospectively. 54 HIV patients were analysed; 89% were at stage CDC C, 79% were male, mean age was 40 y.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced tyrosine nitration and inactivation of hepatic glutamine synthetase in the rat.

Glutamine synthetase (GS) in the liver is restricted to a small perivenous hepatocyte population and plays an important role in the scavenging of ammonia that has escaped the periportal urea-synthesizing compartment. We examined the effect of a single intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vivo on glutamine synthesis in rat liver. LPS injection induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, which was maximal after 6 to 12 hours but returned toward control levels within 24 hours.

Involvement of the Src family kinase yes in bile salt-induced apoptosis.

Background And Aims: Hydrophobic bile acids induce CD95 (Fas, APO-1)-dependent hepatocyte apoptosis, which involves epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-catalyzed CD95 tyrosine phosphorylation. The mechanisms underlying bile salt-induced EGFR activation remain unclear.

Methods: Bile acid-induced EGFR activation was studied in 24-hour cultured rat hepatocytes and perfused rat liver.

Serotonin release during percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in a patient with symptomatic liver metastases of a neuroendocrine tumor.

In a patient with symptomatic liver metastases of a neuroendocrine tumor larger than 10 cm in diameter percutaneous radiofrequency ablation was performed. The ablation resulted in a significant decrease in tumor size and a good long-term improvement of symptoms. Plasma serotonin 48 hours after the ablation was approximately 10-fold lower than before.

Ca2+-dependent protein kinase C isoforms induce cholestasis in rat liver.

Bile secretion is regulated by different signaling transduction pathways including protein kinase C (PKC). However, the role of different PKC isoforms for bile formation is still controversial. This study investigates the effects of PKC isoform selective activators and inhibitors on PKC translocation, bile secretion, bile acid uptake, and subcellular transporter localization in rat liver, isolated rat hepatocytes and in HepG2 cells.

Involvement of integrins and Src in tauroursodeoxycholate-induced and swelling-induced choleresis.

Background & Aims: Stimulation of canalicular secretion by tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDC) involves dual activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38(MAPK)) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). This study investigates the sensing and upstream signaling events of TUDC-induced choleresis.

Methods: TUDC and hypo-osmolarity effects on protein kinase activities and taurocholate excretion were studied in perfused rat liver.

Taurine supplementation induces multidrug resistance protein 2 and bile salt export pump expression in rats and prevents endotoxin-induced cholestasis.

The effect of oral taurine supplementation on endotoxin-induced cholestasis was investigated in rat liver. At 12h following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection (4mg/kg body weight i.p.

Lipodystrophy syndrome and self-assessment of well-being and physical appearance in HIV-positive patients.

The lipodystrophy syndrome (LDS) is a growing problem in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). It is characterized by alterations of body composition and metabolic abnormalities. The goal of the study was to investigate attitudes toward health condition, well-being, and individual appearance in relation to LDS.

Critical flicker frequency for quantification of low-grade hepatic encephalopathy.

Subclinical hepatic encephalopathy (SHE) is currently diagnosed by psychometric tests or neurophysiologic techniques. In view of its sociomedical relevance, simple and reproducible tests for routine diagnosis are required. This study evaluates critical flicker-frequency thresholds for quantification of low-grade hepatic encephalopathy.