The TGF-β1 target WISP1 is highly expressed in liver cirrhosis and cirrhotic HCC microenvironment and involved in pro- and anti-tumorigenic effects.

Introduction: WNT1-inducible signalling pathway protein 1 (WISP1) promotes progression of several tumor entities often correlating with worse prognosis. Here its expression regulation and role in the progression of chronic liver diseases (CLD) was investigated.

Methods: WISP1 expression was analyzed in human HCC datasets, in biopsies and serum samples and an HCC patient tissue microarray (TMA) including correlation to clinicopathological parameters.

[Dyspnea : A challenging symptom in the primary care setting].

Dyspnea is a very common symptom leading to visits to a general physician (GP). Correct differential diagnosis is the major challenge for the GP. There are no guidelines on dyspnea.

[Sauer's binaural number test in noise. Significance in expertise].

Objective: For the determination of speech intelligibility in the expertise of hearing loss, the Freiburg speech test (number test and monosyllable test) is recommended in the Federal Republic of Germany. In the former German Democratic Republic, Sauer's binaural number test with 70 dB background noise ("beidohriger Zahlentest", BZT) was a standard element in expert opinions and was used in the calculation of bodily injury ("Körperschaden"). In the current practice, a hearing test in noise is still lacking.

[Correlation of pure tone thresholds and hearing loss for numbers. Comparison of three calculation variations for plausibility checking in expertise].

Background: The present study analyzes the best combination of frequencies for the calculation of mean hearing loss in pure tone threshold audiometry for correlation with hearing loss for numbers in speech audiometry, since the literature describes different calculation variations for plausibility checking in expertise. Three calculation variations, A (250, 500 and 1000 Hz), B (500 and 1000 Hz) and C (500, 1000 and 2000 Hz), were compared.

Methods: Audiograms in 80 patients with normal hearing, 106 patients with hearing loss and 135 expertise patients were analyzed in a retrospective manner.

The surgical reconstruction of the rheumatoid forefoot.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that presents in females more often than males, and may affect people belonging to any age group. This disease shows no regional or ethnic preference. Although genetic and environmental causes have been proposed, the definitive cause of immunologic susceptibility, as well as viral and bacterial infectious processes that may cause rheumatoid arthritis, have not been identified.

Vanishing polyuria and respiratory failure.

A 44-year-old man with headache, sweating, subfebrile temperature and profound fatigue was found to have hypercalcaemic crisis with renal failure. Despite standard therapy, calcium levels remained high, he became anuric and developed multi-organ failure with acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring high ventilatory support, norepinephrine, dobutamine and continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration. Ectopic calcification was found in the lungs, in the thyroid, kidneys, heart and stomach.

Peptidomic analysis of breast cancer reveals a putative surrogate marker for estrogen receptor-negative carcinomas.

Estrogen-receptor status provides a major biomarker in breast cancer classification and has an important impact on prognosis and treatment options. The aim of this study was to investigate peptide profiles of invasive breast cancer with positive (n=39) and negative receptor status (n=41). Peptide profiles were generated by 'Differential Peptide Display', which is an offline-coupled combination of reversed-phase-HPLC and MALDI mass spectrometry.

[The tasks of the ENT specialist by hearing aid fitting. Part 2: checking the fit, subjective satisfaction, ear mold and hearing aid].

The second part of this series deals with the tasks of the ENT-specialist, who must not endorse the prescription before making sure that the hearing aid recommended by the acoustician will bring sufficient hearing improvement, and that the suggested hearing aid is suitable. The report and audiograms of the acoustician must be compared to his own results, and a check of whether at least three hearing aids from different companies have been compared must be made. The primary aim of patient satisfaction can be checked by means of the "Oldenburger Inventar" (Oldenburg questionnaire), which determines the improvement of hearing ability in quiet and noise, and of auditory localization.

Identification of Peptide tumor markers in a tumor graft model in immunodeficient mice.

The medical demand for useful biomarkers is large and still increasing. This is especially true for cancer, because for this disease adequate diagnostic markers with high specificity and sensitivity are still lacking. Despite advances in imaging technologies for early detection of cancer, peptidomic multiplex techniques evolved in recent years will provide new opportunities for detection of low molecular weight (LMW) proteome biomarker (peptides) by mass spectrometry.

[The task of the HNO specialist by Hearing Aid fitting. Part 1: indications, special diagnostic tests, prescription].

The first part of the article deals with the indication of fitting, which mainly is given when the communication is impaired, not only in dialogue with one person, but also in conversation with several persons and in noisy surrounding. Yet, the healthy insurances cover only the expenses if the guidelines on relief-aid are considered, which are exactly listed in this article. Bevor starting the fitting of an Hearing Aid, special diagnostic tests are necessary, such as pure tone audiogram, speech audiogram including dB(opt), freefield measurement in noise, and several retrocochlear tests, as well as tinnitus determination and masking with narrow-band and broad-band noise.

[Check of hearing aid fitting].

A qualified hearing aid fitting is only possible if the ENT doctor not only prescribes the device, but also conscientiously checks the comparative adjustments made by the hearing aid acoustician. In deciding, which of the tested hearing aids achieves the best and most appropriate improvement of hearing, the physician should first thoroughly study the acoustician's fitting protocol, which contains comparative results of all devices tested. The subjective satisfaction of the patient with his hearing aid can be determined in a detailed conversation or with a special questionnaire.

[Niikawa-Kuroki syndrome. Which characteristics must the HNO doctor consider in its diagnosis].

Niikawa-Kuroki syndrome (Kabuki make-up syndrome) is a congenital disorder with characteristic facial features and possibly anomalies of the skeletal system and internal organs. There is an increasing number of reports of patients with combined hearing impairment, inner ear deformities or sensorineural hearing impairment. In addition, the patients often suffer from therapy-resistant chronic otitis media.

Effect of adjuvant imiquimod 5% cream on sustained clearance of anogenital warts following laser treatment.

Objectives: Imiquimod is an immune response modifier that has demonstrated a good efficacy and relatively low recurrence rates in comparison to other genital wart treatment modalities. The primary objective of this open-label study was to evaluate the effect on sustained clearance of treated lesions and the safety of patient-applied topical imiquimod after laser therapy of external anogenital warts.

Methods: After laser treatment of visible external anogenital warts the ablated region(s) were treated with imiquimod 5% cream three times/week over 12 weeks beginning when the wound healing process was completed, followed by a six-month treatment-free observation period for the assessment of sustained clearance of treated lesions.

Hyperfibrinogenemia as a risk factor for sudden hearing loss.

Objective: To clarify predisposing conditions for vascular events.

Setting: Vascular events, immunologic processes, and viral infections have to be considered as pathomechanisms for most cases of sudden hearing loss.

Study Design: Hemorrheologic parameters were studied in 53 patients with sudden hearing loss within 5 days of the onset.

Lightdosimetric quantitative analysis of the human petrous bone: experimental study for laser irradiation of the cochlea.

Background And Objective: Application of laser irradiation targeting the inner ear has to be investigated for therapeutic effectiveness in cochlear injury and dysfunction. In vitro data demonstrate low-level laser-induced photochemical and photobiologic cell response, depending on cell type and irradiation parameters such as light dose. The aim of the presented study was to determine the light dose received by the cochlear hair cells by using different irradiation modalities for the human petrous bone.

[Detection of humoral immune response to inner ear proteins in patients with sensorineural hearing loss].

Background: The precise mechanism of inner ear disease is still unknown. An autoimmune reaction could be one of several possible pathogenic factors involved in progressive sensorineural hearing loss. Heat shock protein 70 is suggested to play an important role in the development of autoimmune diseases.

[Early detection of pediatric hearing loss. Visual and automated procedures compared].

The recording of otoacoustic emissions is suitable for the detection of hearing loss in small children. The test meets the following requirements for hearing screening: it is carried out in a few minutes, specialized personnel is not necessary, the results do not depend on the vigilance of the child, and total costs are comparably low. However, the choice of a suitable device is quite essential.

Comparison of the TEMPO+ ear-level speech processor and the cis pro+ body-worn processor in adult MED-EL cochlear implant users.

A study was conducted to compare the new MED-EL TEMPO+ ear-level speech processor with the CIS PRO+ body-worn processor in the COMBI 40/COMBI 40+ implant system. Speech tests were performed in 46 experienced subjects in two test sessions approximately 4 weeks apart. Subjects were switched over from the CIS PRO+ to the TEMPO+ in the first session and used only the TEMPO+ in the time between the two sessions.

[All sudden hearing losses are not alike. Away from infusion therapy?].

The number of patients requiring treatment for acute functional disorders of the inner ear has increased over the last decades. The diagnosis sudden loss of hearing is made when the cause of a precipitous hearing impairment cannot be determined with clinical diagnostic means. In the large majority of such cases, the pathogenesis is unclear, with vascular, viral and autoimmune processes most commonly being considered.

Heparin-induced extracorporal low-density-lipoprotein precipitation (H.E.L.P.) to improve the recovery of hearing in patients with sudden idiopathic hearing loss.

The pathogenesis of sudden hearing loss (SHL) is still not well understood. Possible causes include increased blood viscosity, microthrombosis or altered blood flow. Hypercholesterolemia, hyperfibrinogenemia and increased platelet aggregation are frequently observed in patients with SHL.

[Use of auditory field measurement in patients with otosclerosis].

Background: Middle ear surgery sometimes leads to unpleasant auditory impressions such as distortion or hyperacusis that cannot be detected by conventional audiometric testing.

Method: Sixty-one patients with conductive hearing loss caused by otosclerosis underwent audiological evaluation, which included a questionnaire followed by testing of the audiometric threshold, speech audiometry, and assessment and quantification of loudness perception with a commercial system (WESTRA). This investigation includes the postoperative measurement of hearing improvement and the patients' subjective impressions regarding hearing increase, distortion of speech, and hyperacusis.

Clinical utility of LDL-apheresis in the treatment of sudden hearing loss: a prospective, randomized study.

Although the pathogenesis of sudden hearing loss (SHL) is not as yet known, the clinical picture and the frequent association with vascular risk factors make an ischaemic event likely. This study aimed to assess the effect of an extracorporeal procedure (H.E.

Changes in serum osmolarity influence the function of outer hair cells.

Fast motility of outer hair cells (OHC) is thought to be based on a hydromechanic principle. In vitro, the function of OHCs can be disturbed by a change in the osmolarity of the culture medium. Whether changes in the serum osmolarity in vivo can also interfere with OHC motility has not been investigated as yet.