Calcium influx induced by activation of receptor tyrosine kinases in SV40-transfected human corneal endothelial cells.

This study was undertaken to investigate electrophysiological properties of immortalized SV40-transfected human corneal endothelial cells (HCEC-SV40) combined with the analysis of intracellular Ca(2+) responses mediated by ligands for receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK). In addition, the effects of several tyrosine kinase inhibitors were tested on Ca(2+) inflow mediated by induction of capacitative calcium entry (CCE). Patch-clamp techniques and measurements of the intracellular free Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) by fura-2 were performed using HCEC-SV40.

[Biology of the human hair follicle. New knowledge and the clinical significance].

Recent advances in molecular and cell biology have led to increased understanding of hair formation, hair growth, and cycling. Follicular pigmentation processes, neuroendocrine regulation, immune status, and follicular stem cell research in addition to the development of techniques to specifically target the hair follicle will help advance new therapeutic approaches in the management of hair diseases. In this article we review general aspects of hair biology, recent developments regarding hormonal regulation and pigmentation, the possible roles of the follicular immune system, advances in follicular stem cell research, and follicular penetration in view of their clinical relevance.

[B-cell depletion in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis].

New strategies including the blockade of TNFalpha showed excellent therapeutic effects even in so far refractory rheumatic diseases. Moreover, these approaches provided us with important informations about the pathogenic role of the mediators involved and distinct autoimmune cellular subsets. Here, we discuss recent data of a temporary B cell depletion using a monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody in the therapeutic arsenal of rheumatoid arthritis.

Effects of taurine and glycine on epileptiform activity induced by removal of Mg2+ in combined rat entorhinal cortex-hippocampal slices.

Purpose: The imbalance between neuronal inhibition and excitation contributes to epileptogenesis. Inhibition in the central nervous system (CNS) is mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine. Recent studies indicate the expression of glycine receptor (GlyR) in hippocampus and neocortex.

Serum levels of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type-I collagen are elevated in patients with multiple myeloma showing skeletal manifestations in magnetic resonance imaging but lacking lytic bone lesions in conventional radiography.

Purpose: Skeletal involvement is a hallmark of multiple myeloma. Increased bone resorption can even be present in patients lacking osteolyses in conventional radiography. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine was established as a more sensitive technique to depict bone abnormalities.

[Dysfunctions of the stomatognathic system in tinnitus patients compared to controls].

Aims Of The Study: The high prevalence of ear, nose and throat symptoms in patients with temporomandibular disorders seems to depend on anatomical, functional, neuromuscular, or psychosomatic connections between both phenomena. The present study evaluates the prevalence of temporomandibular dysfunctions in tinnitus patients compared to controls.

Patients And Methods: A total of 40 patients and 35 controls were clinically examined.

[Evaluation of passive cardiomyoplasty using left- and right-ventricular volume measurements by EBCT and MRI in patients with chronic congestive heart failure].

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of passive cardiomyoplasty with the determination of biventricular volumes, global systolic function as well as left-ventricular muscle mass.

Materials And Methods: In 19 patients with congestive heart failure of idiopathic or ischemic origin, a polyester mesh-graft was implanted around both ventricles for stabilization and functional support. Before and three months after surgery, 15 patients underwent EBCT and 4 patients with impaired renal function underwent MRI, for the evaluation of the volume and ejection fraction of both ventricles.

Multicenter phase II study of oral capecitabine (Xeloda(")) in patients with metastatic breast cancer relapsing after treatment with a taxane-containing therapy.

Background: Capecitabine is a rationally designed oral, tumor-activated fluoropyrimidine carbamate with high activity in metastatic breast cancer. This multicenter phase II study was designed to evaluate further the efficacy and safety of capecitabine in patients with metastatic breast cancer previously treated with a taxane-containing regimen.

Patients And Methods: All patients had to have documented progression after paclitaxel- or docetaxel-containing chemotherapy.

[Testing cross-calibration between positron emission tomographs and their peripheral devices].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cross-calibration of positron emission tomographs and their peripheral devices prior to a multicenter study. The instrumentation of 22 sites (including 24 dedicated PET scanners), including 21 that could be operated in 2D mode and 20 in 3D mode, was investigated according to standardized acquisition and reconstruction protocols, and the cross-calibration was checked against the dose calibrators (22 instruments) and the sample changer (20 instruments). The deviation of the cross-calibration to the dose calibrators was below 5% for 10 of 21 PET scanners (2D mode) and 6 of 20 (3D mode).

[Anemia and erythropoietin in critically ill patients].

The transfusion of red blood cells is still associated with possible adverse effects and a residual risk of transmission of viral and nonviral diseases. In addition, there is an increasing shortage of blood supply worldwide. These two facts together with the success experienced in the treatment of various types of anemia with recombinant human EPO, have recently led to an increasing interest in the anemia of critically ill patients.

Prospective, randomized, multicenter trial on the antiproliferative effect of lanreotide, interferon alfa, and their combination for therapy of metastatic neuroendocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumors--the International Lanreotide and Interferon Alfa Study Group.

Purpose: Somatostatin analogs and interferon alfa control hormone-active/functional neuroendocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumors. In addition to hormonal control, variable degrees of antiproliferative effects for both agents have been reported. Until now, however, no prospective, randomized studies in therapy-naive patients have compared somatostatin analogs or interferon alfa alone with a combination of the two.

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

Object: Recently, expandable cages for vertebral body replacement in the cervical spine have been developed. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical properties of expandable cages with those of a tricortical iliac crest graft and a nonexpandable cage.

Methods: Forty human cervical spines (C3-5) were tested in flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending.

Chemotherapy in alveolar soft part sarcomas. What do we know?

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare tumour. Published series about treatment and outcome are scarce. Conclusive data about the response to chemotherapy are not available.

Proteasome inhibitors induce growth inhibition and apoptosis in myeloma cell lines and in human bone marrow myeloma cells irrespective of chromosome 13 deletion.

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the effects of cell-permeable proteasome inhibitors MG-132, MG-262, PSI, and lactacystin on multiple myeloma cell lines OPM-2, U266, RPMI 8226-S, freshly isolated plasma cells with or without deletion of chromosome 13 from patients with multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia, and CD34+ human hematopoietic stem cells. The effects of proteasome inhibitors on cell cycle progression, cell growth, and apoptosis were determined.

Methods: MTT-assay was used to examine the cytotoxicity, and annexin-V staining to quantify apoptosis.

[Overactive bladder--which diagnosis investigations are necessary before initiating primary treatment?].

The symptom complex of frequency and urgency with or without urge incontinence is termed overactive bladder (OAB) according to the new definition by the International Continence Society. The background for this change in definition is the great economic and social importance of the disease, the rising costs in medicine, and the tendency to develop the simplest possible therapeutic strategies. Therapy consists of the administration of an anticholinergic/spasmolytic drug for at least 3 months.

[MR-based volumetric analysis of small tumor volumes: accuracy of phantom examinations of simulated eye tumors].

Purpose: The determination of tumor volume in ocular tumors is very important for the planning and success of radiation therapy. This study uses an animal model to evaluate the accuracy of MR-based volumetry of ocular tumors.

Materials And Methods: In a total of 25 porcine eyes obtained from the slaughterhouse, ocular tumors were produced by injecting a mixture of hand creme and Gd-DTPA under ophthalmoscopic guidance.

[Use of state-of-the-art ultrasound techniques in diagnosing sarcoidosis of the salivary glands (Heerfordt's syndrome)].

Aim: The parotid gland is a rare site of sarcoidosis (6% of all cases). The role of state-of-the-art ultrasound techniques in the diagnostic assessment of parotid sarcoidosis (Heerfordt's syndrome) is presented.

Patients And Methods: Four patients (three male, one female; aged 31-42 years) with inconclusive parotid swelling associated with fever and uveitis were referred for diagnostic assessment by the ENT outpatient service over a 1 year period.

The effect of Fränkel's function regulator type III on the apical base.

Dento-alveolar and skeletal effects of orthopaedic treatment have always been the subject of controversial scientific discussions. The objective of this retrospective study was to demonstrate the changes in the dental arch and the apical base of both jaws following therapy with Fränkel's function regulator type III (FR III). For this purpose, 42 Class III patients (28 females, 14 males, mean age 7.

Normalisation of biochemical markers of bone formation correlates with clinical benefit from therapy in metastatic breast cancer.

Background: Type I collagen is the most abundant protein of bone. We measured a panel of biochemical markers of bone metabolism including the amino-terminal propeptide (PINP) of type I collagen, the carboxy-terminal telopeptide (ICTP) of type I collagen, the urinary desoxypyridinium (DPD) crosslinks excretion, the alkaline phosphatase (AP) and serum calcium (Ca) levels as well as CA 27.29 as mass tumor marker in 73 breast cancer patients with bone metastases under specific antitumor therapy and supportive treatment with pamidronate.

Plasma levels of HER-2/neu, tumor type M2 pyruvate kinase and its tyrosine-phosphorylated metabolite in advanced breast cancer.

Introduction: Tyrosine kinase signal transduction pathways are a focus of interest for therapeutic interventions. The oncoprotein HER-2/neu shows tyrosine kinase activity leading to phosphorylation and activation of numerous second-messenger systems. One target of phosphorylation processes is assumed to be the tumor type M2 isoenzyme of pyruvate kinase (TuM2-PK) which has been shown to be elevated in metastatic breast cancer.

[Sacroiliitis in children with spondyloarthropathy: therapeutic effect of CT-Guided intra-articular corticosteroid injection].

Purpose: The prospective investigation of the therapeutic effect of CT-guided intra-articular corticosteroid injection into inflammatory sacroiliac (SI) joints compared to conventional treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) in children with juvenile spondyloarthropathy (jSpA) and the determination of the role of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in establishing the indication and monitoring the therapy.

Materials And Methods: The study comprises 89 children with known jSpA who were diagnosed by MRI to have a unilateral or bilateral sacroiliitis. Therapy with NSAIDS was initiated or continued in all 89 patients.