Clinical significance of telomerase activity in basal cell carcinomas and in tumour-free surgical margins.

To distinguish the infiltrative from the non-infiltrative basal cell carcinoma (BCC), cell cycle markers are being used to supplement histopathological assessment, and proliferation markers are proving particularly useful. A successful radical therapeutic intervention depends on a clear histopathological diagnosis, especially for the tumour margins. For this purpose we investigated whether proof of telomerase activation is a suitable adjunctive molecular marker.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 protects endothelial cells from damage after corneal storage at 4 degrees C.

Background: Since the introduction of cold corneoscleral segment storage prior to keratoplasty there have been continuous efforts to ameliorate the preservation media in order to better maintain the quality of the corneal epi- and endothelium. Recent studies have shown that basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) preserves the viability of, for example, retinal ganglion cells and pigment epithelium cells. Therefore, we investigated the effect of different concentrations of FGF-2 added to a modified Optisol storage medium on endothelial damage after corneal storage at 4 degrees C.

Recombinant human erythropoietin, epoetin beta, in patients with relapsed lymphoma treated with aggressive sequential salvage chemotherapy--results of a randomized trial.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of erythropoietin (epoetin beta) on red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, hemoglobin (Hb) levels, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with relapsed lymphoma treated with an aggressive sequential salvage chemotherapy (SSCT) regimen. Sixty patients with early or late relapsed Hodgkin's disease ( n=39) or first relapse of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma ( n=21) were randomized to receive epoetin beta 10,000 IE subcutaneously three times a week or no epoetin during salvage chemotherapy. Patients in both study arms received two cycles of DHAP (dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, cisplatin); patients in partial remission (PR) or complete remission (CR) then received cyclophosphamide, followed by peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) harvest, methotrexate plus vincristine, and etoposide.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is upregulated in rapid progressive pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

Objective: To provide evidence for the upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) or inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the assumed imbalance in the pathophysiology of rapid progressive pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (RPPHN), which is characterized by abnormal hypertrophy of the pulmonary arterioles and arteries leading to increased pulmonary vascular resistance. Furthermore, to determine the cellular source and topographic distribution of eNOS and iNOS.

Material And Methods: Lung biopsies were taken from two term neonates with clinical and echocardiographic evidence of RPPH and of three controls.

Complete bile duct sequestration after liver transplantation, caused by ischemic-type biliary lesions.

Ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBLs) are the most frequent cause of nonanastomotic biliary strictures in liver grafts, affecting about 2-19 % of patients after liver transplantation. ITBL is characterized by bile duct destruction, subsequent stricture formation, and sequestration. We report here the case of a patient affected by extremely severe ITBL, with sequestration and disintegration of the entire bile duct system, in which it was possible to extract the complete biliary tree endoscopically in a single piece.

Soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and L-selectin plasma concentrations and response to surfactant in preterm infants.

Objective: To investigate whether plasma concentrations of soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and L-selectin at 24 hrs of life are related to good or poor response to exogenous surfactant in preterm infants.

Design: Prospective study of markers of inflammation in circulating blood at 24 hrs of life.

Setting: Level III neonatal intensive care unit.

Rescue therapy with tacrolimus is effective in patients with severe and refractory inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Oral tacrolimus, approved for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in liver or kidney transplants, has been reported to be effective in anecdotal cases of refractory inflammatory bowel disease.

Aim: To evaluate the usefulness of low-dose oral tacrolimus in refractory inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods: Thirty-one adult Caucasian patients with steroid-dependent (n = 15) or steroid-refractory (n = 16) inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, n = 6; ulcerative colitis, n = 23; pouchitis, n = 2) were enrolled.

Methylphenidate and substance abuse: a review of pharmacology, animal, and clinical studies.

This article reviews pharmacological, animal, and human evidence regarding the abuse liability of methylphenidate (MPH). Findings are not always consistent, but evidence converges to suggest that although intravenous methylphenidate has some abuse potential, there is very little potential for oral MPH abuse. Furthermore, the available data suggests that children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) who are treated with MPH are at lower risk for substance use disorder later in life.

Senescence, apoptosis and therapy--cutting the lifelines of cancer.

Apoptosis and senescence are cellular failsafe programmes that counteract excessive mitogenic signalling from activated oncogenes. Cancellation of apoptosis or senescence is therefore a prerequisite for tumour formation, and the ability of the cancer cell to disrupt these processes can be considered its 'lifeline'. Ironically, the efficacy of anticancer agents also depends on the activation of apoptosis or an acutely inducible form of cellular senescence.

Chemotherapy response and resistance.

Apoptosis and premature senescence, an acutely inducible terminal cell-cycle arrest, are known to be the ultimate cellular defense programs that counteract oncogenic transformation. Thus, activated oncogenes may sensitize cells to other stimuli that also recruit these programs. Recent evidence demonstrates that both apoptosis and premature senescence respond to drugs and can therefore contribute to the outcome of cancer therapy.

Anaesthesiological experiences with whole body hyperthermia.

Objective: In order to investigate the safety of whole body hyperthermia (WBH) within the context of systemic Cancer Multistep Therapy (sCMT) in patients with disseminated malignancies, cardiopulmonary changes and various organ functions were examined.

Methods And Procedures: Fifty-seven sCMT treatments were performed in 22 patients. WBH with a plateau phase of 1 h at 41.

Intestinal barrier function.

Intestinal barrier function regulates transport and host defense mechanisms at the mucosal interface with the outside world. Transcellular and paracellular fluxes are tightly controlled by membrane pumps, ion channels and tight junctions, adapting permeability to physiological needs. Food and microbial antigens are under constant surveillance of the mucosal immune system.

Outcome of penetrating keratoplasty in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Keratolysis in rheumatoid arthritis is a well-known disorder that may rapidly destroy the entire corneal stroma, resulting in descemetocele formation and eventually corneal perforation. The purpose of this study was to determine the anatomical and functional results of therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in these patients.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed the charts of patients having undergone PK over a 5-year period and evaluated the outcome.

Rare mesenchymal lesions: Hamartoma of the chest wall and juvenile active ossifying fibroma in siblings.

Mesenchymal hamartomas of the thorax are known as rare dysontogenetic tumorous non-neoplastic lesions. The juvenile active ossifying fibroma (JAOF) also is considered as a benign tumor like lesion of the mesenchymal connective tissue. The authors report the cases of 2 siblings-a 2-year-old girl with a hamartoma of the chest wall and her 4-year-old brother with a JAOF.

Use of 2% 2-phenoxyethanol and 0.1% octenidine as antiseptic in premature newborn infants of 23-26 weeks gestation.

In preterm newborn infants, topical iodine-containing antiseptics disturb thyroid hormone regulation while alcohol-based disinfectants may cause local burns. We therefore investigated the use of an aqueous solution containing 0.1% octenidine and 2% 2-phenoxyethanol for skin disinfection during the first seven days of life in premature newborns with a gestational age <27 weeks who were consecutively admitted to our level III neonatal intensive care unit between November 1, 2000 and December 31, 2001 (N=24).

Telomerase activity levels in the surgical margin and tumour distant tissue of the squamous cell carcinoma of the head-and-neck.

The survival of patients with a head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma is determined by loco-regional recurrence and second primary carcinomas. As a complement to histopathology, molecular changes of tumour marginal and tumour distant tissue may confirm curative surgical tumour extirpation. We tested telomerase activity with PCR-ELISA kits.

Preconceptional factors associated with very low birthweight delivery in East and West Berlin: a case control study.

Background: Very low birthweight, i.e. a birthweight < 1500 g, is among the strongest determinants of infant mortality and childhood morbidity.

Hemorrhagic cavernoma or ruptured dermoid of the orbit: Diagnosis with MRI.

MRI is a useful tool to study space-occupying lesions of the orbit. We present two cases of intraorbital lesions that were found to be a hemorrhagic cavernous hemangioma and a ruptured dermoid, respectively. The difficulties in arriving at the diagnosis of these rare entities with MRI are discussed.

Monitoring arterial blood pressure during whole body hyperthermia.

Background: For monitoring of arterial blood pressure (ABP) during whole body hyperthermia (WBH) different methods have been recommended. This investigation was performed to evaluate the agreement of invasive measurements at various sites, and to compare invasive and non-invasive methods of ABP monitoring under conditions of a heat-induced extreme vasodilation.

Methods: In 19 patients, 48 treatments with WBH were performed.

13C-urea breath test threshold calculation and evaluation for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection in children.

Background: The 13C-urea breath test (UBT) is performed in adults and children with epigastric pain for non-invasively diagnosing a suspected H. pylori infection. Criteria for UBT interpretation have not been generally agreed on and test reliability has not been established in children of different ages.

Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium balance: FM 85 fortification of human milk does not meet mineral needs of extremely low birthweight infants.

Objective: Extremely low birthweight (<1000 g) infants are growing rapidly and their nutritional requirements for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium are high.

Design: Prospective, mineral balance.

Setting: The study was carried out at the Department of Neonatology, Virchow-Hospital, Charité Berlin and the Department of Molecular Trace Element Research, Hahn-Meitner-Institute Berlin.

Circulatory arrest and renal function in open-heart surgery on infants.

This study was designed to evaluate the impact of circulatory arrest on renal function in open-heart surgery on infants. Renal function was described by diuresis, urine/plasma creatinine ratio, creatinine clearance, urinary albumin, and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase measurements. Seven patients who underwent circulatory arrest (group 1) were compared with 37 patients operated on with cardiopulmonary bypass without circulatory arrest (group 2).

Apoptosis and chemoresistance in transgenic cancer models.

Multidrug resistance remains an unresolved problem in clinical oncology. Over a decade ago genes encoding cellular efflux pumps were shown to confer resistance to a broad spectrum of biochemically unrelated anticancer drugs even before the compounds reached their intracellular targets. More recently it has become apparent that many drugs induce a common apoptotic program, such that mutations in this program can also produce multidrug resistance.