Differential regulation of bradykinin receptor density, intracellular Ca2+, and prostanoid release in skin and foreskin fibroblasts. Effects of cell density and interleukin-1alpha.

1. Bradykinin (BK) receptors, cytosolic Ca2+, and prostanoids were studied in human skin and foreskin fibroblasts. 2.

Soluble IL-1 receptor type I binds to human dermal fibroblasts and induces calcium flux.

Soluble cytokine receptors appear to modify ligand concentrations by stabilizing ligands or by specifically inhibiting interactions of ligands with their membrane-bound receptors. Here we describe a new function of the soluble interleukin-1 receptor type I (IL-1sR I). This receptor induced a transient rise of intracellular free calcium concentration in human dermal fibroblasts in a dose-dependent fashion.

[The endoscopic treatment of malignant biliary tract stenoses with endoprostheses].

In 65 patients (36 men, 29 women; mean age 74 [43-90] years) obstructive jaundice caused by malignant biliary stenosis was treated by endoscopic retrograde insertion of a 10 or 12 F synthetic endoprosthesis. The rate of complications of the endoscopic intervention was 5% (n = 3), 30-day mortality rate was 11% (n = 7) and method-related mortality was 8% (n = 5). Good drainage was achieved in 39 of 41 patients (95%) with the 12 F endoprosthesis, and in 15 of 21 patients with a 10 F one (71%) (P less than 0.