Array technology and proteomics in autoimmune diseases.

Two new technologies (tissue microarrays (TMAs) and proteomics) have generated a great amount of data in life science. High-density TMAs allow for the simultaneous analysis of proteins and RNA by various methods (immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, FISH) on a large scale and under highly standardized conditions. Proteomics includes a variety of techniques that are partly high throughput.

[Birthplace free-standing birth center -- perinatal data in comparison with clinic deliveries in Bavaria and Berlin].

Question: The purpose of this investigation is to find any differences between important maternal and infantile perinatal data from a clinic and a birth center group. Is the perinatal and/or maternal mortality in the birth center group higher? What influence do different socioeconomic factors have on the clinic group?

Patients And Methods: We have carried out a retrospective comparison of the obstetric parameters from all birth center deliveries in the states Berlin and Bavaria for the years 1999 and 2000 (n = 3,060) and the perinatal data investigations of selected clinical groups of both states (n = 55,875).

Results: Objective parameters in both groups regarding week of potation at delivery, parity, age of pregnant women, infantile measures, primi- and multiparae and Apgar scales were comparable.

Biomechanical comparison of expandable cages for vertebral body replacement in the thoracolumbar spine.

Study Design: An in vitro biomechanical study of expandable cages for vertebral body replacement in the human thoracolumbar spine.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the in vitro biomechanical properties of 3 different expandable cages with a nonexpandable cage.

Summary And Background Data: Recently, there has been a rapid increase in the use and the commercial availability of expandable cages for vertebral body replacement in the thoracolumbar spine.

Turkish and German patients' recall of diagnosis and therapy before and following informed consent.

Objective: Adequate patient knowledge is essential for good compliance, effective doctor-patient communications and is the basis for informed consent. The purpose of the study was to examine differences in recall of informed consent procedures between patients with different ethnicity and to identify potential explanatory factors.

Design: We analyzed 579 patients, attending and released from a gynecology department in Berlin, Germany, between March 1997 and October 1998.

Expression of receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) mRNA in human multiple myeloma cells.

Purpose: Increased bone resorption is a hallmark of multiple myeloma and a result of excessive osteoclast activation. Recently, the receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) was found to be the critical factor for osteoclastogenesis. Studies showed that myeloma cells induce RANKL expression in bone marrow stromal cells, but it remained a controversy whether myeloma cells directly express RANKL.

Risk factors for fetal-to-maternal transfusion in Rh D-negative women--results of a prospective study on 942 pregnant women.

Aims: To investigate the incidence of severe fetal-to-maternal transfusion after delivery and to identify risk factors.

Material And Methods: In a prospective study at the Department of Obstetrics, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany, we analyzed the incidence of severe fetal-to-maternal transfusion (>10 ml) and fetal-to-maternal hemorrhage (>25 ml) in Rh D-negative pregnant women after delivery of Rh D-positive infants. 942 women were included in the study and Kleihauer-Betke tests were performed.

Serum HER-2/neu as a prediction and monitoring parameter in a phase II study with weekly paclitaxel in metastatic breast cancer.

Elevated levels of the extracellular domain of HER-2/neu in serum (sHER-2/neu) have been shown to be of prognostic importance. In this phase II study with weekly paclitaxel in metastatic breast cancer, we investigated the predictive quality of this serum oncoprotein by correlating the outcome of therapy to sHER-2/neu levels. Paclitaxel (90 mg/m2 weekly x6, q9w) was administered to 35 patients with complete outcome assessment and biochemical follow-up.

Ca(2+) channel properties in neuroendocrine tumor cell cultures investigated by whole-cell patch-clamp technique.

Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) cells of the gastroenteropancreatic system express a variety of voltage-operated Ca(2+) channels (VOCCs). In addition, NET cells release hormones and biogenic amines in distinct patterns, leading to typical hypersecretion syndromes. Interestingly, these patterns depend on the primary location of the NET.

Bridge-to-recovery from acute myocarditis in a 12-year-old child.

Fulminant myocarditis causes substantial morbidity and mortality, especially in children and young adults. Mechanical circulatory support has become the standard therapy to bridge patients with intractable heart failure to either transplantation or myocardial recovery. Yet, successful weaning from biventricular support with full recovery is extremely rare in the pediatric population.

Linker peptide and affinity tag for detection and purification of single-chain Fv fragments.

The peptide tag GATPQDLNTML, corresponding to amino acids 46-56 of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid protein p24, is the linear epitope of the murine monoclonal antibody CB4-1. This antibody shows high affinity (KD = 1.8 x 10(-8) M) to the free epitope peptide in solution.

[Biodegradable cage. Osteointegration in spondylodesis of the sheep cervical spine].

Bioabsorbable implants are commonplace in knee and shoulder surgery. Bioabsorbable poly(l-lactide-co-D,L-lactide) (PLDLLA) cage devices have potential benefits over autologous tricortical iliac crest bone graft and metallic cages for cervical spine interbody fusion. The purpose of this study was to compare interbody fusion of an autologous tricortical iliac crest bone graft with that of a bioabsorbable cage using a sheep cervical spine interbody fusion model.

[Influence of preoperative (hyperthermic) radiochemotherapy on manometric anal sphincter function in locally advanced rectal cancer].

Background And Purpose: Preoperative radiochemotherapy (RCT) followed by curative surgery is a well-accepted therapeutic option in the treatment of advanced rectal cancer. Usually, the anal sphincter is located in the irradiation area of a preoperative RCT regime. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of preoperative RCT on anal sphincter function.

Radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery; first results of a randomised clinical trial in patients with low risk of recurrence.

To study the role of radiotherapy and tamoxifen after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in patients with a favourable prognosis, a clinical trial was initiated by the German Breast Cancer Study Group. Between 1991 and 1998, 361 patients (pT1pN0M0, aged 45-75 years, receptor positive, grade I-II) were randomised to radiotherapy (yes/no) and tamoxifen for 2 years (yes/no) in a 2x2 factorial design; the exclusion of seven centres (14 patients) left 347 patients in the analysis. After a median follow-up of 5.

[Technical success rate, peri-interventional complications and radiation exposure of the transarterial embolization for leiomyomas of the uterus].

Purpose: To analyze the technical success rate, incidence and type of peri-interventional complications, and radiation exposure of uterine artery embolization (UAE) in symptomatic leiomyomas of the uterus.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study includes 75 patients consecutively treated with UAE from October 2000 through August 2002, with all interventions performed by the same radiologist. Technical success rate, interventional material, and incidence and type of peri-interventional complications (length of hospitalization) were recorded and categorized according to the definitions of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR).

[Preoperative MRT of the breast in invasive lobular carcinoma in comparison with invasive ductal carcinoma].

Purpose: To evaluate the role of preoperative MRI of the breast in invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) compared to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC).

Materials And Methods: For one year, all patients transferred by the hospital's gynecologic outpatient service for suspicious findings in routine mammography and/or ultrasound (conventional modalities = CM) underwent preoperative MRI of the breast. Retrospective analysis of the histologic findings identified 17 patients with ILC.

Modulation of intracellular calcium signaling and mitochondrial function in cultured osteoblastic cells by dexamethasone and celecoxib during mechanical stimulation.

Objective: Evaluation of potentially therapeutically relevant effects of dexamethasone and celecoxib on crucial parameters of bone physiology during and following mechanical stimulation in cultured osteoblasts.

Methods: An in vitro mechanical stimulation model based on the rat osteogenic cell line UMR-106 was developed to investigate glucocorticoid (dexamethasone) and selective COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib) induced changes in the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsi(m)). Microfluorometric techniques were applied to monitor [Ca2+]i (Fura-2 AM) and deltapsi(m) (rhodamine 123) online as the main parameters of the actual cellular metabolism.

Recurrent seizures do not cause hippocampal damage.

Neuronal consequences of recurrent single epileptic seizures have been discussed controversially for some time. Various cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have shown a positive correlation between the severity of epilepsy and the extent of hippocampal damage. However, the open question whether recurrent epileptic seizures induce hippocampal structural pathology can be assessed only in longitudinal studies.

Discordant results obtained for different methods of HER-2/neu testing in breast cancer--a question of standardization, automation and timing.

Background: HER-2/neu positivity is required for the selection of stage IV breast cancer patients for trastuzumab therapy. We compared the results of the recommended immunohistochemistry (IHC) evaluation with the automated ACIS IHC system and with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). These HER-2/neu tissue results were correlated with the serum HER-2/neu (sHER-2/neu) levels at the time of metastatic spread.

[Sinus floor elevation and augmentation. Evidence-based analysis of prognosis and risk factors].

Aim: It was the aim of this investigation to analyze evidence of prognosis, predictors, and risk factors concerning sinus floor elevation and augmentation (SFEA).

Materials And Methods: A MEDLINE search was performed to analyze the literature published between 1990 and 2002, limited to keywords ("sinus floor elevation and dental implants", "complications", "success"), study type (randomized as well as clinical prospective studies, retrospective studies, reviews), and language (German or English).

Results: Of 229 publications identified, 72 met the inclusion criteria (22 prospective and 47 retrospective studies, 3 reviews).

The role of high-dose chemotherapy in relapsed germ cell tumors.

Overall, patients with relapsed or progressive germ cell tumors after cisplatin-based chemotherapy have a low chance of cure. Using conventional-dose chemotherapy (CDCT) as salvage treatment, only 15-30% of the patients will become long-term survivors. It is well known that the majority of these patients will ultimately die of their disease.

[Multifocal nodular fatty infiltration of the liver associated with porphyria and haemochromatosis].

History And Clinical Findings: A 64-year-old woman suffered from severe fatigue. She was admitted to our outpatient unit for a diagnostic evaluation of multiple liver lesions as well as an adrenal gland tumor. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed 22 years ago.

Interleukin-17: a mediator of inflammatory responses.

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a prototype member of a new cytokine family with six species identified to date. IL-17 is secreted mainly by activated CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes, while its receptor is distributed ubiquitously. IL-17 has been classified as a proinflammatory cytokine because of its ability to induce the expression of many mediators of inflammation, most strikingly those that are involved in the proliferation, maturation and chemotaxis of neutrophils.

Current status on the development of a totally implantable biventricular assist device: the Baylor Gyro BVAD.

Objective: The Baylor Gyro BVAD is under development with the final goal of establishing a totally implantable biventricular assist system (BVAD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of the device in a long-term in vivo model.

Methods: The BVAD was implanted into eight calves for longer than 4 weeks in a biventricular bypass fashion, with the native heart remaining.

[Mesenchymal stem cells for tissue engineering of bone and cartilage].

The adult bone marrow contains mesenchymal stem cells. These cells show the capacity to undergo an extensive replication in vitro. In addition, mesenchymal stem cells have the potential to develop either in vitro or in vivo into mesenchymal tissues like bone and cartilage, which suggests these cells being an attractive source for tissue engineering approaches.