L28. Relevance of detection techniques for ANCA testing.

ANCA are a good serologic marker for AAV, especially for GPA and MPA. Today, the best diagnostic performance is obtained when indirect immunofluorescence test is combined with antigen-specific assay. The new developed more sensitive and specific methods for ANCA detection in AAV, which may replace the need for a combined analysis with IFT and ELISA in the future, should be evaluated in multicentre studies.

The metabolic syndrome in patients with chronic bronchitis and COPD: frequency and associated consequences for systemic inflammation and physical inactivity.

Background: The metabolic syndrome is a condition frequently found among individuals > 60 years of age. It predisposes affected individuals to systemic inflammation and physical inactivity. Systemic inflammation and physical inactivity are relevant extrapulmonary markers of morbidity and mortality in patients with COPD.

Regulation of GnRH I receptor gene expression by the GnRH agonist triptorelin, estradiol, and progesterone in the gonadotroph-derived cell line alphaT3-1.

The secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and the GnRH receptor (GnRH-R) concentration are modulated by ovarian steroids and GnRH. To elucidate whether this regulation is due to alterations at the transcriptional level, we examined the GnRH I-R mRNA expression in the gonadotroph-derived cell line alphaT3-1 treated with different estradiol and progesterone paradigms and the GnRH I agonist triptorelin. alphaT3-1 cells were treated with different steroid paradigms: 1 nM estradiol or 100 nM progesterone for 48 h alone or in combination.

Effects of testosterone on hormonal content and calcium-dependent basal secretion in female rat pituitary cells.

In vivo and in vitro effects of elevated androgens on agonist-induced gonadotropin secretion have been addressed previously. Here we investigated the effects of testosterone on hormonal content and basal (in the absence of agonists) hormone release in pituitary lactotrophs, somatotrophs and gonadotrophs from female rats. Furthermore we tested the hypothesis that testosterone action is dependent on the pattern of spontaneous and Bay K 8644 (a L-type calcium channel agonist) -induced calcium signalling.

Ventricular fibrillation induced by stretch pulse: implications for sudden death due to commotio cordis.

Introduction: Nonpenetrating chest wall impact (commotio cordis) may lead to sudden cardiac death due to the acute initiation of ventricular fibrillation (VF). VF may result from sudden stretch during a vulnerable window, which is determined by repolarization inhomogeneity.

Methods: We examined action potential morphologies and VF inducibility in response to sudden myocardial stretch in the left ventricle (LV).

Actions of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues in pituitary gonadotrophs and their modulation by ovarian steroids.

Recently, GnRH antagonists (GnRHant) like cetrorelix and ganirelix have been introduced in protocols of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for assisted reproductive techniques to prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges. Here we tested, whether the actions of cetrorelix and the GnRH agonist (GnRHag) triptorelin in gonadotrophs are dependent on the steroid milieu. Furthermore, we characterized the actions of cetrorelix and triptorelin on LH secretion and the total LH pool.

Modulation of food intake by glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: A gain in body weight is a common adverse effect of glucose-lowering therapies in patients with type 2 diabetes, the mechanisms of which are not completely understood. Blood glucose is considered to play a crucial role in the regulation of food intake. On this background, we hypothesized that a short-term reduction of blood glucose concentration to normal values acutely increases food intake in type 2 diabetic patients.

Intercompartmental fluid volume shifts during cardiopulmonary bypass measured by A-mode ultrasonography.

To investigate the time course of fluid extravasation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), we measured the peripheral tissue thickness (TT) by A-mode ultrasound in 34 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. TT of the forehead was determined by a handheld A-mode ultrasound device and 10 MHz Transducer at nine defined intervals, from the night before surgery until the first postoperative day. Mean calculated loss of 1700 +/- 40 mL (SEM) water during the fasting period resulted in a significant reduction of TT by 0.

Application of Newly Developed Tissue-arrays to Study EMMPRIN (CD147) Expression in Malignant Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Background: Matrix-metalloproteinases (MMP) are involved in a broad spectrum of physiological processes. Moreover, they also play a key role in tumour invasion and metastatic spread. The induction of MMPs is mediated via the extracellular matrix-metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN).

GnRH antagonists in the treatment of infertility.

GnRH analogues were introduced into clinical practice more than 20 years ago. The recent development of new GnRH antagonists (GnRHant) has revolutionized the treatment protocols of infertility. Ovarian stimulation has become easier, safer and more convenient for patients.

The empty OR-process analysis and a new concept for flexible and modular use in minimal invasive surgery.

The reproducible advantages of minimal invasive surgery have led to a worldwide spread of these techniques. Nevertheless, the increasing use of technology causes problems in the operating room (OR). The workstation environment and workflow are handicapped by a great number of isolated solutions that demand a large amount of space.

Hay fever and predictive value of prick test and specific IgE antibodies: a prospective study in children.

Little is known from population-based studies in children about the diagnostic values of allergen-specific IgE antibodies (RAST) and skin prick test (SPT) with respect to hay fever. We aimed to determine and compare the diagnostic values of SPT and RAST to aeroallergens with respect to the incidence of hay fever cases in schoolchildren at different cut-off points. A prospective cohort study was performed on 1100 school children (5-7 and 8-10 years).

Losartan attenuates symptomatic and hormonal responses to hypoglycemia in humans.

Objective: Reduced awareness of hypoglycemic symptoms and compromised hormonal counterregulation increase the risk of severe hypoglycemia in people with diabetes mellitus. Up to the present, angiotensin 1 receptor blockers, which play an important role in controlling diabetic complications, have not been known to increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Nevertheless, we observed 3 cases of diabetic patients complaining of reduced awareness of hypoglycemic symptoms while they were under treatment with losartan in our outpatients clinic.

Delayed restoration of atrioventricular synchrony with beat-to-beat mode switch.

This case report describes a patient with complete AV block and a VDD pacemaker who experienced repetitive episodes of symptomatic bradycardia. Episodes occurred due to activation of an automatic beat-to-beat mode switch algorithm. After mode switch to VDI operation, the pacemaker failed to immediately switch back to AV synchronous pacing when regular sinus rhythm (> or = 100 beats per minute) resumed despite adequate P wave sensing.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol: a novel method of ovarian stimulation in poor responders.

Objective: To estimate the efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist 'Cetrorelix' in poor responders comparing with the standard long protocol.

Design: The study population consisted of 21 poor responders who underwent ICSI and treated with Cetrorelix according to the multiple-dose protocol and who were compared with 21 poor responders treated according to the long protocol and who also underwent ICSI. Patients in both groups were matched for chronological age, the number of follicles found by ultrasound at the retrieval day and cause of infertility.

Decreased apoptosis and increased activation of alveolar neutrophils in bacterial pneumonia.

Study Objectives: The central role of apoptosis in the regulation of lung inflammation is increasingly recognized. The aim of this study was to determine the parameters of cell activation and apoptosis on neutrophils from the circulation and the pulmonary compartment in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and to assess the role of the Fas system and of complement-regulating molecules in this context.

Design And Methods: The study population consisted of nine patients with CAP (group 1) and six age-matched control patients without evidence of bronchopulmonary inflammation (group 2).

Electromyography of the infrahyoid muscles: pathological and normal findings.

Unlabelled: In recent years, the infrahyoid muscles (IHM) have been used by plastic reconstructive surgeons as a neurovascular muscle flap in the neck and mouth region.

Methods: A preoperative electromyographic examination (EMG) of the IHM was performed in 10 patients, of whom 9 suffered from tongue cancer, in order to detect neurogenic lesions caused by possible metastases or lymph nodes. The results were compared to those of 10 healthy controls.

Dual action of androgen on calcium signaling and luteinizing hormone secretion in pituitary gonadotrophs.

An increase in serum androgen levels associated with a suppression of cyclic gonadotropin secretion is frequently observed in females with impaired ovarian function. Here, we addressed the hypotheses that androgens (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone) alter gonadotropin secretion by modulating agonist-induced Ca2+ signaling and/or Ca(2+)-controlled exocytosis. In mixed populations of pituitary cells from female rats, addition of testosterone reduced basal and agonist (GnRH)-induced gonadotropin secretion in a concentration- and time-dependent manner.

A new encephalomagnetic effect in human brain generated by static magnetic fields.

Exposure to static magnetic fields as used in NMR-equipment generates a new encephalomagnetic field in human brain. Currents induced in coils placed at the cortex have a distinct frequency between 6 and 8 Hz.

Static magnetic fields increase the power intensity of EEG of man.

In static magnetic fields the power values of EEG are increased. This influence is different in the two cortical hemispheres and not the same for all EEG-frequencies. The increased control values following on inverted magnetic flux vector point to a - reversible - alteration of brain function induced by a static magnetic field.

Long-term results of vitrectomy and silicone oil in 500 cases of complicated retinal detachments.

We retrospectively analyzed by life table analysis the visual and functional results in 500 eyes that underwent combined vitrectomy and silicone oil for various types of complicated retinal detachments. The cumulative proportion of eyes with attached retina was 77% at six months postoperatively, with a range of 71% for perforating injuries to 85% for posterior holes. The proportion of eyes with a visual acuity of 5/200 or better was 69% at six months, with a range of 56% for perforating injuries to 81% for posterior holes.