Plasma L-arginine and metabolites of nitric oxide synthase in patients with left-to-right shunt after intracardiac repair.

Study Objective: Human plasma L-arginine serves as a substrate pool for endothelial-derived nitric oxide (NO) synthase. In this pilot study, we tested the hypothesis that plasma L-arginine and other metabolites of the L-arginine NO pathway could correlate with postoperative pulmonary hypertension after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Design: Forty-two patients (median age, 0.

The CFTR associated protein CAP70 interacts with the apical Cl-/HCO3- exchanger DRA in rabbit small intestinal mucosa.

DRA (down regulated in adenoma) is an intestinal anion exchanger, acting in parallel with NHE3 to facilitate ileal and colonic NaCl absorption. Furthermore it is involved in small intestinal bicarbonate secretion. Because DRA has a PDZ interaction motif, which may influence its properties, we searched for DRA-interacting PDZ adapter proteins in the small intestine.

Serum hyaluronic acid levels are elevated in arthritis patients, but normal and not associated with clinical data in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Background: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a disease with widespread chronic pain and many nonspecific symptoms. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a disputed marker for the diagnosis of FM. The aim of the study is to clarify the discrepant results reported so far.

Comparison of the pharmacokinetic profiles of two locally administered doxycycline gels in crevicular fluid and saliva.

Background: Controlled-release delivery systems enable the clinician to extend the half-life period of locally administered antibiotics in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) significantly. The aim of this split-mouth study was to compare the pharmacokinetic profile of two different doxycycline gels (DOXY and ATRI) for topical subgingival application. Pharmacokinetics of both doxycycline gels were analyzed in GCF and saliva.

Evaluation of Cobas Integra 800 under simulated routine conditions in six laboratories.

The new selective access analyser Cobas Integra 800 from Roche Diagnostics was evaluated in an international multicentre study at six sites. Routine simulation experiments showed good performance and full functionality of the instrument and provocation of anomalous situations generated no problems. The new features on Cobas Integra 800, namely clot detection and dispensing control, worked according to specifications.

Pharmacokinetic profile of a locally administered doxycycline gel in crevicular fluid, blood, and saliva.

Background: With the help of so-called controlled release delivery systems, the half-life period of locally administered antibiotics in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) can be extended significantly. The aim of this study was to characterize the delivery profile of a new one-component 14% doxycycline free amine gel for local application. Pharmacokinetics of doxycycline (DOXY) were analyzed in GCF, saliva, and serum.

Anti-p53 in breast cancer: concordance of different assay procedures and association with p53 antigen expression.

Objective: Anti-p53 levels detected by different methods were compared in a predefined group of patients with breast cancer and correlated with p53 antigen expression in the corresponding tumors.

Methods: P53 autoantibodies were investigated in 165 patients with primary breast cancer using ELISAs with recombinant or native p53. Immunoblot and indirect immunofluorescence (Huh7) were used for confirmation, p53 antigen expression in the tumor was determined immunohistochemically.

Activity and concentration of lipoprotein lipase in post-heparin plasma and the extent of coronary artery disease.

Numerous studies have found polymorphisms in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene to be associated with the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), implicating LPL in the development of atherothrombotic disease. It remains controversial, however, whether LPL acts in a pro- or anti-atherogenic fashion. We quantitated activity and concentration of LPL in post-heparin plasma from 194 male patients undergoing coronary angiography.