Estimation of anisotropy coefficient of swine pancreas, liver and muscle at 1064 nm based on goniometric technique.

Optical properties of tissues are required for theoretical modeling of Laser Ablation in tumor therapy. The light scattering characteristic of tissues is described by the anisotropy coefficient, g. The relationship between the angular distribution of scattered light and g is given by the Henyey-Greenstein (HG) phase function.

Phenotypic characterization of miR-92a-/- mice reveals an important function of miR-92a in skeletal development.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) emerged as key regulators of gene expression. Germline hemizygous deletion of the gene that encodes the miR-17∼92 miRNA cluster was associated with microcephaly, short stature and digital abnormalities in humans. Mice deficient for the miR-17∼92 cluster phenocopy several features such as growth and skeletal development defects and exhibit impaired B cell development.

Lack of blinding of outcome assessors in animal model experiments implies risk of observer bias.

Objectives: To examine the impact of not blinding outcome assessors on estimates of intervention effects in animal experiments modeling human clinical conditions.

Study Design And Setting: We searched PubMed, Biosis, Google Scholar, and HighWire Press and included animal model experiments with both blinded and nonblinded outcome assessors. For each experiment, we calculated the ratio of odds ratios (ROR), that is, the odds ratio (OR) from nonblinded assessments relative to the corresponding OR from blinded assessments.

Development and validation of a prognostic score to predict mortality in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure.

Background & Aims: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a frequent syndrome (30% prevalence), characterized by acute decompensation of cirrhosis, organ failure(s) and high short-term mortality. This study develops and validates a specific prognostic score for ACLF patients.

Methods: Data from 1349 patients included in the CANONIC study were used.

Vitamin D receptor and Jak-STAT signaling crosstalk results in calcitriol-mediated increase of hepatocellular response to IFN-α.

Recent clinical research suggests a role for vitamin D in the response to IFN-α-based therapy of chronic hepatitis C. Therefore, we aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms in vitro. Huh-7.

Simeprevir with peginterferon and ribavirin leads to high rates of SVR in patients with HCV genotype 1 who relapsed after previous therapy: a phase 3 trial.

Background & Aims: Simeprevir is an oral, once-daily inhibitor of hepatitis c virus (HCV) protease NS3/4A. We investigated the safety and efficacy of simeprevir with peg-interferon α-2a and ribavirin (PR) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial of patients with HCV genotype 1 infection who relapsed after previous interferon-based therapy.

Methods: Patients were assigned randomly (2:1) to groups given simeprevir (150 mg, once daily) and PR (n = 260) or placebo and PR (n = 133) for 12 weeks.

Antiviral therapy of hepatitis C in 2014: do we need resistance testing?

The treatment of chronic hepatitis C has fundamentally changed since the approval of the first direct-acting antivirals (DAA) in 2011. In addition to telaprevir and boceprevir, in 2014 two new NS3 protease inhibitors (simeprevir and faldaprevir), one non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitor (sofosbuvir) and one NS5a replication complex inhibitor (daclatasvir) have expanded the treatment options for chronic hepatitis C. Resistance-associated variants (RAV) are naturally produced during the HCV life cycle.

Vitamin D levels vary during antiviral treatment but are unable to predict treatment outcome in HCV genotype 1 infected patients.

Background: Different parameters have been determined for prediction of treatment outcome in hepatitis c virus genotype 1 infected patients undergoing pegylated interferon, ribavirin combination therapy. Results on the importance of vitamin D levels are conflicting. In the present study, a comprehensive analysis of vitamin D levels before and during therapy together with single nucleotide polymorphisms involved in vitamin D metabolism in the context of other known treatment predictors has been performed.

The integrin antagonist, cilengitide, is a weak inhibitor of αIIbβ3 mediated platelet activation and inhibits platelet adhesion under flow.

The RGD cyclic pentapetide, cilengitide, is a selective inhibitor of αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins and was developed for antiangiogenic therapy. Since cilengitide interacts with platelet αIIbβ3 and platelets express αv integrins, the effect of cilengitide on platelet pro-coagulative response and adhesion is of interest. Flow-based adhesion assays were performed to evaluate platelet adhesion and rolling on von Willebrand factor (vWf), on fibrinogen and on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

A novel μ-fluidic whole blood coagulation assay based on Rayleigh surface-acoustic waves as a point-of-care method to detect anticoagulants.

A universal coagulation test that reliably detects prolonged coagulation time in patients, irrespective of the anticoagulant administered, has not been available to date. An easily miniaturised, novel μ-fluidic universal coagulation test employing surface acoustic waves (SAW) is presented here. SAW was employed to instantly mix and recalcify 6 μl citrated whole blood and image correlation analysis was used to quantify clot formation kinetics.

Differential expression of miR-17~92 identifies BCL2 as a therapeutic target in BCR-ABL-positive B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Despite advances in allogeneic stem cell transplantation, BCR-ABL-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) remains a high-risk disease, necessitating the development of novel treatment strategies. As the known oncomir, miR-17~92, is regulated by BCR-ABL fusion in chronic myeloid leukaemia, we investigated its role in BCR-ABL translocated ALL. miR-17~92-encoded miRNAs were significantly less abundant in BCR-ABL-positive as compared to -negative ALL-cells and overexpression of miR-17~19b triggered apoptosis in a BCR-ABL-dependent manner.

Doxorubicin -eluting beads in the treatment of liver carcinoma.

Introduction: Doxorubicin and especially doxorubicin-eluting beads (DEBs) have become an intensive study subject in the locoregional therapy of liver carcinoma over the past 6 years. Since sorafenib has become the new standard in the treatment of advanced liver carcinoma and has been combined with DEB in clinical studies to evaluate safety and efficacy, it has shown promising results. Thus, the authors have investigated the evidence that DEB is a potential drug in the treatment of intermediate liver carcinoma, even in combination with systemic therapies.

Interobserver agreement of Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) and strain elastography for the assessment of thyroid nodules.

Background: Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) was developed to improve patient management and cost-effectiveness by avoiding unnecessary fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in patients with thyroid nodules. However, its clinical use is still very limited. Strain elastography (SE) enables the determination of tissue elasticity and has shown promising results for the differentiation of thyroid nodules.

Endoplasmic reticulum protein GliPR1 regulates G protein signaling and the cell cycle and is overexpressed in AML.

Glioma pathogenesis‑related protein 1 (GliPR1) is a pleiotropic protein involved in cell proliferation, tumor growth and apoptosis. The aim of the present study was to further characterize GliPR1 in regard to its subcellular localization and its overall effect on cellular gene expression. Knockdown of GliPR1 and Affymetrix microarray mRNA expression analysis revealed 262 GliPR1‑dependent differentially expressed genes, of which 40 were induced and 222 were suppressed.

HLA-B*27 subtype specificity determines targeting and viral evolution of a hepatitis C virus-specific CD8+ T cell epitope.

Background & Aims: HLA-B*27 is associated with spontaneous HCV genotype 1 clearance. HLA-B*27-restricted CD8+ T cells target three NS5B epitopes. Two of these epitopes are dominantly targeted in the majority of HLA-B*27+ patients.

Dual-energy CT spectral and energy weighted data sets: carotid stenosis and plaque detection.

Rationale And Objectives: To evaluate dual-energy computed tomography spectral and energy weighted (W) image data sets concerning carotid stenosis and calcified plaque detection.

Materials And Methods: Ninety patients were evaluated using contrast media injection. Energy used for dual-energy computed tomography was tin filter with 140/80 kiloVoltage and effective milli Ampere second was 147.

Patients with inferior vena cava thrombosis frequently present with lower back pain and bilateral lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis.

Background: Inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis is rare, and data about the clinical presentation of patients are scarce. Therefore, we reviewed all cases of IVC thrombosis consecutively registered in the MAISTHRO (MAin-ISar-THROmbosis) database and described patients’ characteristics in terms of their clinical presentations in the acute setting of IVC thrombosis.

Patients And Methods: From the MAISTHRO registry, which enrolled 1470 consecutive patients with documented histories of venous thromboembolism, we identified 60 patients (0,4 %; females 60 %) with IVC thrombosis and 888 patients (60.

Radiation dose to procedural personnel and patients from an X-ray volume imaging system.

Objective: To evaluate the radiation dose received by procedural personnel and patients from an X-ray volume imaging (XVI) system during interventional procedures.

Methods: Forty patients were examined using catheter angiography (group A), digital subtraction angiography (group B) and cone-beam CT (CBCT, group C). Doses to procedural personnel (using thermo-luminescent dosimeters, TLDs) and patients were estimated.

Effect of contrast material on radiation dose in an adult cardiac dual-energy CT using retrospective ECG-gating.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of contrast material and retrospective ECG-gating on radiation dose in an adult cardiac dual-energy computed tomography (DECT). Sixty-two patients underwent CT cardiac examination with a Somatom Definition Flash DECT using tube voltages of 100 kV without filter and 140 kV with a tin filter (mean effective mA s: arterial 72.39 and 62.

In vitro effects of ATG-Fresenius on immune cell adhesion.

Introduction: ATG-Fresenius, a purified rabbit polyclonal anti-human T-lymphocyte immunoglobulin is used for induction immunosuppression as well as prevention and treatment of acute rejection episodes among patients receiving solid organ transplants. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro activity of ATG-Fresenius upon immune cell adhesion, which may explain its activity to mitigate ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Materials And Methods: Human vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from umbilical vein or peripheral blood were incubated 20 to 24 hours before analysis.

Highlights of the third International Conference on Immunotherapy in Pediatric Oncology.

The third International Conference on Immunotherapy in Pediatric Oncology was held in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, October 1-2, 2012. Major topics of the conference included (i) cellular therapies using antigen-specific and gene-modified T cells for targeting leukemia and pediatric solid tumors; (ii) overcoming hurdles and barriers with regard to immunogenicity, immune escape, and the role of tumor microenvironment; (iii) vaccine strategies and antigen presentation; (iv) haploidentical transplantation and innate immunity; (v) the role of immune cells in allogeneic transplantation; and (vi) current antibody/immunoconjugate approaches for the treatment of pediatric malignancies. During the past decade, major advances have been made in improving the efficacy of these modalities and regulatory hurdles have been taken.