EASL position paper on clinical follow-up after HCV cure.

Following the advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can be cured in almost all infected patients. This has led to a number of clinical questions regarding the optimal management of the millions of patients cured of HCV. This position statement provides specific guidance on the appropriate follow-up after a sustained virological response in patients without advanced fibrosis, those with compensated advanced chronic liver disease, and those with decompensated cirrhosis.

Colorimetric detection of oral bacteria using functionalized gold nanoparticles as a plasmonic biosensor array.

Early detection of specific oral bacterial species would enable timely treatment and prevention of certain oral diseases. In this work, we investigated the sensitivity and specificity of functionalized gold nanoparticles for plasmonic sensing of oral bacteria. This approach is based on the aggregation of positively charged gold nanoparticles on the negatively charged bacteria surface and the corresponding localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) shift.

Genetic markers and phosphoprotein forms of beta-catenin pβ-Cat552 and pβ-Cat675 are prognostic biomarkers of cervical cancer.

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) remains a leading cause of gynaecological cancer-related mortality world wide and constitutes the third most common malignancy in women. The RAIDs consortium (http://www.raids-fp7.

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Objectives: An evaluation of psychosocial functioning prior to lung transplantation is advisable for anticipating behavioral difficulties and for screening for any psychological distress that might be harmful to posttransplantation outcomes and adjustment.

Methods: In this cross-sectional, single-center study, the level of psychosocial functioning of N = 75 patients before lung transplantation was rated using the Transplant Evaluation Rating Scale (TERS).

Results: he reliability of the TERS total score was satisfactory at α = 0.

Treatment of de-peritonealized intestine with 4DryField PH prevents adhesions between non-resorbable intra-peritoneal hernia mesh and bowel.

Background: Intraperitoneal onlay meshes (IPOM) can be associated with intestine-to-mesh adhesion formation, implementing risks like pain, enterocutaneous fistula, infection, and female infertility. This study investigates, whether a treatment of impaired intestinum with the anti-adhesive and hemostyptic agent 4DryField PH prevents adhesion formation.

Methods: In 20 male LEWIS rats uncoated polypropylene meshes were sewn to the inner abdominal wall and the cecum of the respective animal was de-peritonealized by peritoneal abrasion by a gauze swap, and meso-sutures ensured a constant contact of injured areas.

Cooperative and alternate functions for STIM1 and STIM2 in macrophage activation and in the context of inflammation.

Calcium (Ca(2+)) signaling in immune cells, including macrophages, controls a wide range of effector functions that are critical for host defense and contribute to inflammation and autoimmune diseases. However, receptor-mediated Ca(2+) responses consist of complex mechanisms that make it difficult to identify the pathogenesis and develop therapy. Previous studies have revealed the importance of the Ca(2+) sensor STIM1 and store-operated Ca(2+)-entry (SOCE) for Fcγ-receptor activation and IgG-induced inflammation.

Bronchial wall thickness measurement in computed tomography: effect of intravenous contrast agent and reconstruction kernel.

Bronchial wall thickness measurements in computed tomography (CT) has become a useful tool for assessment of the severity of diseaseand the response to treatment in a large number of pulmonary diseases. However, there are only few reports evaluating its dependence on different scan protocols. The effect of intravenous contrast medium has not been analyzed.

Diffusion tensor imaging and tractography for assessment of renal allograft dysfunction-initial results.

Objectives: To evaluate MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) as non-invasive diagnostic tool for detection of acute and chronic allograft dysfunction and changes of organ microstructure.

Methods: 15 kidney transplanted patients with allograft dysfunction and 14 healthy volunteers were examined using a fat-saturated echo-planar DTI-sequence at 1.5 T (6 diffusion directions, b = 0, 600 s/mm²).