WNT3a Signaling Inhibits Aromatase Expression in Breast Adipose Fibroblasts-A Possible Mechanism Supporting the Loss of Estrogen Responsiveness of Triple-Negative Breast Cancers.

Estrogen-dependent breast cancers rely on a constant supply of estrogens and expression of estrogen receptors. Local biosynthesis, by aromatase in breast adipose fibroblasts (BAFs), is their most important source for estrogens. Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) rely on other growth-promoting signals, including those from the Wnt pathway.

Identification of PARP-1, Histone H1 and SIRT-1 as New Regulators of Breast Cancer-Related Aromatase Promoter I.3/II.

Paracrine interactions between malignant estrogen receptor positive (ER) breast cancer cells and breast adipose fibroblasts (BAFs) stimulate estrogen biosynthesis by aromatase in BAFs. In breast cancer, mainly the cAMP-responsive promoter I.3/II-region mediates excessive aromatase expression.

Asthma features in severe COPD: Identifying treatable traits.

Aim: Biological therapies developed for severe asthma may have a role in COPD patients with asthma features.

Method: We carried out a prospective, consecutive, cross-sectional analysis of 80 patients with severe COPD GOLD IV/D.

Results: We studied 80 patients (48.

Clinical Value of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen (SCCAg) in Anal Cancer - A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis.

Aim: To assess the clinical value of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCAg) in anal cancer for chemoradiotherapy (CRT) patients.

Patients And Methods: In 24 patients with SCC of the anus, SCCAg was determined before CRT and at every follow-up visit.

Results: 16/24 (66.

Stenting as a rescue treatment of a pulmonary artery false aneurysm caused by swan-ganz catheterization.

Pulmonary vascular injury is a rare but life-threatening complication of Swan-Ganz catheterization. We report an 82-year old patient who underwent right heart catheterization by a balloon-tipped catheter because of suspected pulmonary hypertension. After deflation of the catheter in the wedge position, hemoptoe appeared associated with acute respiratory insufficiency requiring respiratory support by intubation and mechanical ventilation.

Mapping of internal ribosome entry sites (IRES).

The dicistronic luciferase reporter gene system is the most common method to isolate and characterize internal ribosome entry sites (IRES). It is based on the expression of a dicistronic RNA comprising two independent reporter genes in 3' and 5'cistrons, and the putative IRES inserted into intercistronic region. The most convenient aspect of using Renilla and firefly luciferase genes is that both gene products can be detected in a single assay using Dual-Luciferase(®) Reporter Assay System from Promega.

Leg movements and periodic leg movements during sleep in the development across childhood and adolescence from 1 to 18 years.

Objective: Age specific reference values of leg movements (LMS) and periodic leg movements (PLMS) in sleep considering their true periodicity to evaluate sleep pathologies, especially possible childhood RLS or PLMD.

Methods: In a prospective first night study of 52 healthy children/adolescents divided into six age groups from 1 to 18 years, polysomnographies were conducted and scored considering AASM rules. The frequency of LMS and PLMS were evaluated for NREM, REM, total sleep time (TST), including attention to time structure (inter-leg movement intervals, time distribution during the night) and periodicity of LMS.

Magnetoencephalography signals are influenced by skull defects.

Objective: Magnetoencephalography (MEG) signals had previously been hypothesized to have negligible sensitivity to skull defects. The objective is to experimentally investigate the influence of conducting skull defects on MEG and EEG signals.

Methods: A miniaturized electric dipole was implanted in vivo into rabbit brains.

Marked diversity of IL23R gene haplotype variants in rheumatoid arthritis comparing with Crohn's disease and ankylosing spondylitis.

Haplotype tagging SNPs of interleukin-23 receptor gene rs1004819, rs7517847, rs7530511, rs2201841, rs1343151 and rs10889677 were determined in 396 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 190 patients with Crohn's disease, 206 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and 182 controls. Using regression analysis models the rs1004819, rs2201841, and rs10889677 SNPs were found to confer risk for Crohn's disease and ankylosing spondylitis, while rs1343151 had a protective effect in both of these diseases, and the rs2201841 and rs10889677 SNPs showed susceptibility nature for rheumatoid arthritis. Using these SNPs we could study the susceptibility haplotype profiles in these diseases with special attention to the rheumatoid arthritis, first in the literature.

Development of a fixation device for robot assisted fracture reduction of femoral shaft fractures: a biomechanical study.

Robot assisted fracture reduction of femoral shaft fractures provides precise alignment while reducing the amount of intraoperative imaging. The connection between the robot and the fracture fragment should allow conventional intramedullary nailing, be minimally invasive and provide interim fracture stability. In our study we tested three different reduction tools: a conventional External Fixator, a Reposition-Plate and a Three-Point-Device with two variations (a 40 degrees and a 90 degrees version).

Glucocorticoid receptor gene polymorphisms and potential association to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease susceptibility and severity.

Objective: As chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is known for poor glucocorticoid (GC) response, we hypothesized that polymorphic variants of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene might predispose for COPD and/or disease severity.

Material And Methods: Three out of about 50 of the most abundant receptor GR gene polymorphisms were investigated in a case-control study which included 207 patients with chronic bronchitis or COPD (mean FEV1 50.5% predicted, GOLD I-IV) and 106 age matched healthy subjects (mean FEV1 101.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Myrtol standardized and other essential oils on alveolar macrophages from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Introduction: Myrtol standardized is established in the treatment of acute and chronic bronchitis and sinusitis. It increases mucociliar clearance and has muco-secretolytic effects. Additional anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties have been confirmed for Myrtol standardized, eucalyptus oil, and orange oil in several in vitro studies.

Maternal smoking promotes chronic obstructive lung disease in the offspring as adults.

Introduction: In utero and/or childhood environmental tobacco smoke exposure is well known to adversely affect lung function and to depreciate child's health in many ways. Fewer studies have assessed the long-term effects on COPD development and disease severity in later adulthood.

Methods: COPD patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire regarding their personal as well as the smoking habits of their parents.

Statistical analysis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations in clinical studies: expectations and limitations.

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) occur more frequently with increasing COPD severity and are associated with increased morbidity, reduced quality of life, and increased risk of mortality. The prevention and assessment of exacerbations, as a clinically and therapeutically relevant parameter, is a central aspect of clinical COPD studies. The aim of this review is to identify pitfalls in the analysis of the parameter of exacerbation and to describe the criteria that need to be considered in the statistical analysis of exacerbation studies.

Histologically proven isoniazid hepatoxicity in complicated tuberculous salpingitis.

Isoniazid (INH) hepatic injury is histologically indistinguishable from viral hepatitis and is related to individual susceptibility of patients who hydrolyze the drug to isonicotinic acid at different rates. We here present a case initially involving a complaint of lower abdominal pain, which was diagnosed after a long diagnostic work-up as tuberculous salpingitis and which is rare in women in developed countries. A lack of pulmonary effects further delayed correct diagnosis of the underlying tuberculosis infection.

Polymorphisms of the beta2 adrenoreceptor gene in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: The beta2-adrenergic receptors are cell surface receptors playing a central role in the pharmacological targeting asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]. Recent studies suggest that patients who are homozygous for one of the two important polymorphisms of the beta2-adrenergic receptor [ADRB2] gene at codon 16 (arginine to glycine) and 27 (glutamine to glutamate) may have a reduced response to ss2-agonists. Since smoking patients who are Gly16 homozygotes have an increased risk of airway obstruction we hypothesized that beta2-adrenoreceptor gene polymorphisms may be also a cofounder for COPD development and disease severity.

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica: A rare cause of chronic cough with haemoptysis.

A case of tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastic (TPO) was diagnosed in a 69-year old male with prolonged cough. TPO is a rare condition of unknown cause and only sporadic cases have been reported. The condition is benign, characterized by submucosal nodules growing from the submucosal layer of the airways, protruding into the bronchial lumen.

Efficacy and safety of once or twice daily inhalation of extrafine HFA beclomethasone dipropionate in patients with mild to moderate asthma.

The relatively new chlorofluorocarbon-free solution preparation of beclomethasone dipropionate in hydrofluoroalkane (HFA-BDP) (Qvar, 3M Pharmaceuticals) generates an extra fine aerosol with a smaller particle size (mean mass aerodynamic diameter of 1.1 microm), drug deposition in the lung is more uniformly distributed, thus improving efficacy even at a low dose. This might be also important for the use of a new fixed combination containing HFA-BDP plus formoterol in one inhaler for basic therapy and for an as-need application.

Clinical efficacy of short-term treatment with extra-fine HFA beclomethasone dipropionate in patients with post-infectious persistent cough.

Post-infectious persistent cough may be caused by an underlying inflammation in the airways. Due to its antiinflammatory properties, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) may be a rational therapeutic approach to reduce cough symptoms. In this randomized, double-blind study, the efficacy of treatment with inhaled extra-fine HFA beclomethasone diproprionate (HFA-BDP) was compared with placebo in patients with post-infectious persistent cough.

Patient's adherence in asthma.

Nonadherence in asthma treatment results in increasing mortality, morbidity, and it is associated with increasing treatment costs. In asthma, adherence rates are often below 50%. Understanding of the needs and behaviors of asthma patients as well as treatment barriers to comply with asthma guidelines is important in developing programs to promote adherence.

American Thoracic Society Annual International Congress.

The 2007 International Congress of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) was held in San Francisco, California. It is one of the most important conferences in pulmonary medicine. It provides an annual forum for scientists and clinical investigators from academia and non-university institutions including private practices and pharmaceutical companies to share information on many aspects of pulmonary and critical care medicine, sleep disorders, pulmonary infectious diseases, malignancies of the chest and numerous aspects of diagnostic and interventional procedures in that field.

Meeting highlights of the European Respiratory Society annual congress 02-06 September 2006, Munich, Germany.

In pulmonary medicine, there are two major international meetings held annually: the annual meeting of the American Thoracic Society (ATS), and that of the European Respiratory Society (ERS). The 2006 ERS Annual Congress was held in Munich, Germany. Both meetings provide an annual forum for scientists and clinical investigators from academia, non-university institutions (including private practices) and pharmaceutical companies to share information on many aspects of pulmonary and critical-care medicine, sleep disorders, pulmonary infectious diseases, malignancies of the chest, and numerous aspects of diagnostic and interventional procedures in these fields.