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Background Urinary calprotectin has recently been identified as a promising biomarker for the differentiation of pre-renal and intrinsic acute kidney injury ( AKI). This study compares the diagnostic performance of calprotectin and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin ( NGAL) in this differential diagnosis. Methods Urinary calprotectin and NGAL concentrations were assessed in a study population of 87 subjects including 38 cases of intrinsic AKI, 24 cases of pre-renal AKI and 25 healthy controls. Urinary tract obstruction, renal transplantation and metastatic cancer were defined as exclusion criteria. Results Mean calprotectin concentrations were significantly lower in pre-renal (190.2 ± 205.7 ng mL−1) than in intrinsic AKI (6250.1 ± 7167.2 ng mL−1, P < 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic ( ROC) analysis provided an AUC of 0.99. Mean NGAL concentrations were significantly higher in intrinsic than in pre-renal AKI as well (458.1 ± 695.3 vs. 64.8 ± 62.1 ng mL−1, P = 0.001) providing an AUC of 0.82. A combination of the present study population with the cohort of the proof of concept study led to a population of 188 subjects (58 pre-renal AKI, 90 intrinsic AKI, 40 healthy controls). ROC analyses provided an AUC of 0.97 for calprotectin and 0.76 for NGAL yielding sensitivity and specificity values of 93.3 and 94.8% (calprotectin) vs. 75.3 and 72.4% ( NGAL). Optimal cut-off values were 440 ng mL−1 (calprotectin) and 52 ng mL−1 ( NGAL). Pyuria increased calprotectin concentrations independent of renal failure. Conclusion This study shows that both calprotectin and NGAL are able to differentiate between pre-renal and intrinsic AKI after exclusion of pyuria. In the present population, calprotectin presents a higher sensitivity and specificity than NGAL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetic susceptibility of loess from the Ily Basin, northwestern China shows maximum values in S0 paleosols but minimum values in other paleosols, the mechanism of which has been well debated. In this work, systematic magnetic measurements were made on a representative section from Neleke county. The results show that the loess horizons (L1, L2 and L3) have multi-domain magnetite grains of aeolian origin, S0 is characterized by production of pedogenetic ultrafine-grained ferrimagnetic minerals, and the other paleosols (S1, S2, and S3) are characterized by the formation of nonferrimagnetic minerals associated with waterlogging. The correlation between the low concentration of ferrimagnets, high paramagnetic content, high magnetic coercivity remanence, fine ferrimagnetic grain size and intensified pedogenesis suggest two competing processes of pedogenetic enhancement and pedogenetic depletion in the lower paleosols. Pedogenetic depletion dominates and is responsible for the low susceptibility. Changes in magnetic grain size distribution occur during pedogenetic depletion. The susceptibility variations are of multiple origins in the loess of the Ily Basin. Pedogenetic enhancement, pedogenetic depletion, and allochthonous input of magnetic minerals should all be taken into account to explain the variations of magnetic parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the nutrition risk status of community living older people and to identify associated risk factors. Design: A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling. Setting: North Shore City, Auckland, New Zealand. Data collection was carried out by a research nutritionist using computer assisted personal interviewing in the participant's own home. Participants: Fifty-one independently living people aged between 80 and 85 years. Measurement: A survey using three validated questionnaires: Practitioner Assessment of Network Type (PANT) to evaluate social networks; Elderly Assessment System (EASY-Care) to evaluate physical and mental wellbeing and Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition Version II (SCREEN II) to assess nutrition risk. Results: A third of the participants (31%) were at high risk of malnutrition (SCREEN II score <50; range 29-58 out of maximum score of 64). The majority of participants (82%) lived alone and nearly half (47%) had supportive social networks including close relationships with local family, friends and neighbours. Low self-rated health, disability and social factors (being born outside of New Zealand, losing a spouse and loneliness) were key underlying factors associated with being at nutrition risk. Conclusion: Nutrition risk is common among aged individuals living in the community. Health and social factors that shape eating behaviours place older people at increased nutrition risk. Strategies are needed for the early identification of risk factors to prevent nutrition problems. Engaging older people at risk to share meal preparation and dining experiences may foster better outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Improved endoscopic screening with targeted biopsies might enhance diagnostic yield in celiac disease. Confocal endomicroscopy (CEM) allows high-resolution in vivo histological analysis. We compared the endomicroscopic findings during ongoing endoscopy with the histological findings graded according to the Marsh classification. Methods: Twenty-four patients with celiac disease and six patients with celiac disease that was refractory on a gluten-free diet were examined using CEM. The duodenal mucosa was evaluated by CEM and by conventional histological analysis in respect of villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia, and increased numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs > 40 / 100 enterocytes). The CEM results were assessed as to sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver variability. A Marsh classification score determined by CEM was compared to that obtained by histology. Thirty patients undergoing routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were used as controls. Results: Conventional histology showed villous atrophy and crypt hyperplasia in 23 and increased numbers of IELs in 27 of the 30 patients with celiac disease. With CEM, villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia, and increased IELs were respectively identified in 17, 12, and 22 of the 30 patients. The agreement of the findings on CEM with those of conventional histology was good in relation to villous atrophy (sensitivity 74 %) and increased numbers of IELs (sensitivity 81 %), but inadequate in relation to crypt hyperplasia (sensitivity 52 %). The κ values for determination of interobserver variability were 0.90 for villous atrophy, 1.00 for crypt hyperplasia, and 0.84 for IEL detection. In the 30 control patients, normal duodenal architecture was found by both histology and endomicroscopy, indicating an overall specificity of 100 %. Conclusion: The assessment of duodenal histology by CEM in patients with celiac disease is sensitive and specific in determining increased numbers of IELs and villous atrophy, but insufficient in respect of crypt hyperplasia. For routine use of CEM in patients with celiac disease, the technique would need to be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents results demonstrating the possibility of using data on paleosecular magnetic variations for correlation of young deposits. Using Holocene deposits of the Aral Sea as an example, it is shown that the combination of paleo-and petromagnetic data can be used to reliably correlate sections in presently isolated parts of a basin, as well as to correlate paleohydrologic events and estimate their age with regard for absolute radiocarbon datings. It is established that the most significant drop in the Aral Sea level occurred more than 2000–2500 yr ago and less significant drops that occurred later are dated at about 1500, 750–1050, and 270–500 yr ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method is presented for fast quantification of urban pollution sources in atmospheric particulate matter (PM). The remanent magnetization of PM samples collected in Switzerland at sites with different exposures to pollution sources is analysed. The coercivity distribution of each sample is calculated from detailed demagnetization curves of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) and is modelled using a linear combination of appropriate functions which represent the contribution of different sources of magnetic minerals to the total magnetization. Two magnetic components, C1 and C2, are identified in all samples. The low-coercivity component C1 predominates in less polluted sites, whereas the concentration of the higher-coercivity component C2 is large in urban areas. The same sites were monitored independently by Hüglin using detailed chemical analysis and a quantitative source attribution of the PM. His results are compared with the magnetic component analysis. The absolute and relative magnetic contributions of component C2 correlate very well with absolute and relative mass contributions of exhaust emissions, respectively. Traffic is the most important PM pollution source in Switzerland: it includes exhaust emissions and abrasion products released by vehicle brakes. Component C2 and traffic-related PM sources correlate well, which is encouraging for the implementation of non-destructive magnetic methods as an economic alternative to chemical analysis when mapping urban dust pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In most marine sedimentary records, the Matuyama-Brunhes boundary (MBB) has been found in interglacial oxygen isotope stage 19. In the magnetostratigraphic records of most Chinese loess/palaeosol profiles the MBB is located in loess layer L8, which was deposited during a glacial period. The MBB at Lingtai (central Chinese Loess Plateau) also occurs in L8 and is characterized by multiple polarity flips. The natural remanent magnetization is mainly carried by two coexisting components. The higher coercivity (harder) component dominates in loess layers and is thought to be of detrital origin. The lower coercivity (softer) component prevails in palaeosols and was most probably formed in situ by (bio-)chemical processes. A lock-in model for the Lingtai MBB record has been developed by extending the lithologically controlled PDRM model of . It assumes two lock-in zones. The NRM of the magnetically harder component is physically locked by consolidation shortly after loess deposition, whereas the softer component is formed at greater depth by pedogenesis and acquires a chemical remanent magnetization of younger age. At polarity boundaries, grains carrying reversed and normal directions may therefore occur together within a single horizon. The model uses ARM coercivity spectra to estimate the relative contributions of the two components. It is able to explain the observed rapid multiple polarity flips and low magnetization intensities as well as the stratigraphic shift of the Lingtai MBB with respect to the marine records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In the present study we assessed whether the presence of genetic mutations typical of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) was associated with greater atherosclerosis in the coronary vessels in patients with severe hypercholesterolaemia and a family history of early cardiovascular disease. Materials and methods Two hundred and thirty-five patients selected for having severe hypercholesterolaemia and a family history of cardiovascular disease were classified as FH (57 men and 38 women) or non-FH (84 men and 56 women) according to a genetic analysis of the LDL-R or ApoB genes. Coronary atherosclerosis was evaluated by performing a thoracic CT scan and exercise stress testing. Results Familial hypercholesterolaemia individuals had a significantly higher prevalence of coronary calcification than the non-FH patients from among both the men (OR = 3·90; 95% CI 1·86–8·19; P < 0·001) and the women (OR = 2·34; 95% CI 1·01–5·48; P = 0·05). In exercise stress testing, ECG abnormalities suggestive of cardiac ischaemia were found with a higher prevalence in the FH patients than the non-FH patients from among both the men (OR 6·15; 95% CI 2·16–17·5; P < 0·001) and the women (OR 4·76; 95% CI 0·91–24·6; P = 0·06). All differences were statistically significant after adjusting for age and cholesterol and for most classical risk factors that differed between the FH and non-FH groups. Conclusion Among patients with severe hypercholesterolaemia and a family history of early cardiovascular disease, the presence of a genetically ascertained FH is associated with a higher prevalence of coronary artery calcifications and a positive exercise stress test. These results suggest that despite a similar phenotype, patients carrying mutations suggestive of FH may have a greater cardiovascular risk than patients without these mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among patients with severe hypercholesterolaemia and a family history of early cardiovascular disease, we assessed whether patients with mutations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and apolipoprotein B genes related to familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) have a different degree of atherosclerosis than those without such mutations. In our lipid clinics, 273 patients were selected on the basis of a severe hypercholesterolaemia (cholesterol above 95th percentile) and a family history of early cardiovascular disease. By molecular genetic test, 122 patients were classified as FH. Atherosclerosis was evaluated by the ultrasonographic measurement of intima-media thickness (IMT) in the carotid and femoral arteries. Despite the fact that non-FH individuals had a higher prevalence of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and hypertriglyceridaemia, FH individuals had significantly greater carotid and femoral IMT than non-FH patients: difference between carotid and femoral IMT, respectively, 0·19 mm (95% CI, 0·08–0·29; P < 0·001) and 0·20 mm (95% CI, 0·09–0·35; P = 0·001), respectively. These differences remained statistically significant after adjustment for the various risk factors as well as in sub-analysis restricted to the patients with LDL-cholesterol between 240 and 300 mg dL-1 (range with similar distribution in the two groups). When classified according to the severity of their mutations, FH individuals with null LDL receptor allele tended to have thicker carotid IMT than FH individuals carrying the LDL receptor-defective allele. Among patients with severe hypercholesterolaemia and a family history of early cardiovascular disease, the presence of a genetically ascertained FH is associated with a higher degree of atherosclerosis. This suggests that molecular genetic identification of FH may be helpful to evaluate better the coronary heart disease risk in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the proportion of dyslipidaemic patients reaching on-treatment low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals as defined by European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) guidelines. Design: Prospective, cross-sectional survey. Demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in 1664 on-treatment dyslipidaemic patients during a 5-month period (from September 1997 to January 1998). A fasting lipid profile was drawn within 1 week of the study visit. Setting: 147 investigators (cardiologists, endocrinologists and general practitioners) from Belgium and Luxembourg. Patients: 1664 patients; mean age 63 years (18 to 90 years); 46% female, 54% male; 86.4% at high risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). Outcome Measures: The frequency of achieving EAS goals and factors associated with achieving these goals. Results: Overall, 36% of patients achieved the 1992 EAS goals [high risk: LDL-C <135 mg/dl (3.5 mmol/L); medium risk: LDL-C <155 mg/dl (4.0 mmol/L); low risk: LDL-C <175 mg/dl (4.5 mmol/L)]. The success rate (33.7%) was lowest among high risk patients. Factors independently associated with a failure to achieve EAS goals were: younger age, male gender, body mass index ≥28 kg/m, while the presence of diabetes mellitus, the use of statins and the speciality of the investigator were positively associated with success rate. Only 14% of high risk patients reached the LDL-C target <115 mg/dl (3.0 mmol/L) proposed by the 1998 Joint European Guidelines. Conclusions: A large proportion of patients treated with lipid-lowering agents did not achieve LDL-C goals according to EAS guidelines. Undertreatment is a major problem in the management of hyperlipidaemia. More aggressive implementation of treatment guidelines, especially for patients at high risk for CHD, would be highly desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten male, normolipaemic, non-obese subjects were given clofibrate 2g daily, fenofibrate 300 mg daily, bezafibrate 600mg daily and probucol 1g daily for eight days, in a crossover study with a wash-out period of 4-8 weeks between each drug regimen. Clofibrate, fenofibrate and bezafibrate caused a significant decrease in serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations. Probucol caused a significant increase in serum LDL-cholesterol concentration. Serum HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly increased by bezafibrate and significantly decreased by probucol. All drugs but probucol led to a significant rise in the activity of the plasma lipoprotein lipase; there was not a significant increase in the activity of plasma hepatic lipase after any drug. The activity of plasma lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase was significantly increased by fenofibrate and probucol. Analysis of the correlations between serum lipids and plasma lipolytic enzymes suggests that the mechanism of the hypolipidaemic action of clofibrate and bezafibrate might be related to increased catabolism of triglyceride-rich particles; that of fenofibrate and probucol was less clear and might be multifactorial in origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A family with ‘syndrome myxoma’ is reported. In this very rare condition, myxoma can be associated with cutaneous lesions, extracardiac tumours and endocrine over-activity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) acquisition and alternating field (A.F.) demagnetization analyses were performed on human heart, spleen and liver samples resected from cadavers. The magnetic properties of the samples were measured both at 77K and at 273K. A.F. demagnetization was performed at 273K. Results from the analyses of the tissue indicate the presence of ferromagnetic, fine-grained, magnetically interacting particles which, due primarily to magnetic properties, are thought to be magnetite and/or maghemite. The presence of superparamagnetic particles can be inferred from the increase in saturation IRM values when measured at 77K compared with measurements at 273K and the decay of remanent magnetization upon warming from 77K. The concentration of magnetic material (assuming it is magnetite or maghemite) in the samples varies from 13.7 ng g-1 to 343 ng g-1, with the heart tissue generally having the highest concentration. The presence of magnetic material in these organs may have implications for the function of biogenic magnetite in the human body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rock magnetic parameters of sediments reflect palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic conditions during deposition in the marine and in the continental realm. The processes which lead to enhancement or degradation of the magnetic properties are well known – though not completely understood. They include variable terrigenous material influx, organic and inorganic in situ formation of ferromagnetic minerals and diagenetic destruction of these minerals. Cyclical changes in the magnetic mineral assemblages occurring at the orbital periodicities involved in standard Milankovitch theory have been observed in numerous sedimentary records, at least during the last seven million years. This confirms the relationship between rock magnetism and past global change. Quantitative interpretation of the magnetic signals, however, is still in its infancy and is hampered by the complex interplay of the signal formation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Late Permian is characterized palaeomagnetically by the transition from the long-lasting Permo-Carboniferous reversed polarity superchron (PCRS; also called: Kiaman reversed superchron) to the subsequent Permo-Triassic mixed polarity superchron, often called Illawarra mixed polarity superchron. Many discussions have been devoted to the exact time of the onset of the Illawarra reversals. Apparently contradictory data have been obtained from magnetostratigraphic sediment successions formed in different environments in many regions of the world. These sediments have been dated using classical geological or palaeontological correlation methods without the possibility of absolute age control because volcanogenic materials are missing. Application of the local or regional stratigraphic schemes leads to difficulties and apparent diachronous age estimates of the end of the PCRS. This paper shows that in agreement with earlier investigations, the continental red beds of the Upper Permian Tatarian stage on the eastern Russian platform record the Kiaman/Illawarra boundary. The Illawarra reversal sequence measured in a type section at the Volga river can be correlated well with the corresponding polarity pattern found in the Tethyan realm if one assumes a longer duration of the Tatarian than previously suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The prognosis of patients with pelvic wall recurrences after primary therapy of cervical cancer is bad. In selected patients treated exclusively by surgery as primary therapy the 5-year survival rate was between 5 and 25%. Additionally the combination of operation and radiotherapy (CORT) improved the survival so far. We developed a new concept for the treatment of pelvic wall recurrences. This concept includes the combination of radical surgery, interstitial radiation and chemotheray--CORCT (combined operative- and radiochemotherapy).Patients and Methods: After radical surgery, interstitial HDR (Ir-192) brachytherapy in afterloading technique (2.5 Gy, 2 fractions/day in 5 days) was performed. Additionally a chemotherapy with cisplatin 25 mg/m2/day in 5 days and 5-fluorouracil 1000 mg/day in 5 days was applicated.Results: After combined operative- and radiotherapy 3 of 3 patients died after treatment within 8 months (median) because of distant metastases. After additive radiochemotherapy 3 of 4 patients had no evidence of disease (NED) after a follow-up period of 14 (12 to 30) months.Conclusion: The first treatment results of the new designed combined operative- and radiochemotherapy concept (CORCT) led us to expect an improvement of the prognosis of patients with recurrences of cervical cancer at the pelvic wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied 454 oriented samples from seven loess outcrops in the Czech Republic for comparison and correlation of the magnetic properties with those of the loess profiles in China and Central Asia. Three sections at Sedlec (Prague), Zeměchy and Dolní Věstonice cover the time span of the last glacial-interglacial cycle. Loess from the middle Pleistocene period including pedocomplexes V and VI was studied at Sedlešovice (Znojmo) and Karlštejn. Loess of uncertain - possibly lower to middle Pleistocene age - was sampled at Sedlec near Mikulov. At Červený Kopec (Red Hill, Brno) we investigated the oldest loess near the Matuyama/Brunhes (M/B) boundary. The characteristic remanence (ChRM) determined after magnetic clearning is of normal polarity throughout all sections except at Červený Kopec. There, two polarity changes from reversed to normal were found within two sections initially thought to represent two successive stratigraphic intervals. However, the marked similarities between lithological, susceptibility, declination and inclination profiles lead us to suggest that the two polarity changes are in fact one and the same. The two sections are therefore laterally equivalent and both have recorded the M/B field reversal. The susceptibility variations were used to mutually correlate the Czech sections and to construct a composite profile across the present day loess outcrops in the Czech Republic. They also serve as a paleoclimate proxy which can be compared and correlated with the paleoclimatic records observed in the Chinese and Central Asian loess. The origin of the low field susceptibility variations was studied by measuring the frequency dependence of susceptibility which revealed that the enhancement within the pedocomplexes is controlled by the amount of fine-grained ferromagnetic minerals present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments at the Heidelberg-Darmstadt Crystal Ball have shown an increased γ-intensity in the region 3-9 MeV for fission events with one fragment near A∼132 produced in three compound nucleus fission reactionsAu(F,f),Th(O,f), andU(O,f) at 120 MeV as well as in the spontaneous fission ofCf. Trends in the data are reproduced by an empirical description based on known shell-related properties of neutron-rich nuclei northwest of the doubly magic nucleusSn. Theoretical attempts to account for the experimental results are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In guinea pigs fed a diet enriched with 1% cholesterol, the liver, adrenals, spleen, and small intestine accumulated cholesterol much more than the lungs and kidneys. The cholesterol content of the aorta, stomach and colon was not increased by the diet. Cholesteryl ester was the predominant form of cholesterol deposited in the organs richest in this sterol and the total cholesterol content of a tissue tended to increase with the proportion of cholesteryl ester. Cholesterol esterifying activity (ACAT) was found in most tissues and paralleled the cholesteryl ester content of these tissues, being highest in the adrenals, liver, spleen and the proximal part of the small intestine. ACAT activity was enhanced by the cholesterol diet and its elevation was fairly well correlated with the increase in the cholesterol content of the organs. However, the liver and adrenals tended to accumulate more cholesterol than anticipated from their cholesteryl ester content and their ACAT activity. Cholesterol esterification may play a major role in the ability of organs to accumulate cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The short-term effect of the blockade of the beta-adrenergic receptors on serum lipoproteins and the plasma activities of the enzymes involved in the metabolism of the serum lipoproteins: lipoprotein lipase (LPL), hepatic lipase (HL) and lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) was evaluated in ten healthy normolipemic and normotensive subjects. In the first part of the study, the first three-day period of placebo was followed by another three-day period during which propranolol (120 mg/d) was given. In the second, third, and fourth part of the study, the same schedule was used but pindolol (15 mg/d), nadolol (160 mg/d), atenolol (100 mg/d) were given respectively instead of propranolol. The four drugs induced a significant blockade of the beta-adrenergic receptors as evaluated by the measurement of the double two-step test of Master (-45%). Despite similar blockade, the effect on serum lipid concentrations depended on the type of drug: propranolol induced an increase in triglycerides and apoprotein B-concentrations and a decrease in serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apoprotein AI-concentrations. Pindolol provoked only a slight decrease of serum HDL-C concentration. Nadolol and atenolol elicited a lowering of the same magnitude in HDL-C. Except for a possible slight increase in plasma LCAT activity on propranolol, there was no significant change in the plasma activities of LPL, HL, and LCAT during the blockade of the beta-adrenergic receptors with the drugs used. It is difficult to draw firm conclusions in regard to the mechanism by which beta blockers given to patients for much longer periods of time alter lipoprotein metabolism from results obtained in normolipemic subjects receiving beta blockers for only three days. It seems that pindolol modifies the serum lipoprotein pattern less likely than propranolol, nadolol, or atenolol. This difference could be attributed to the intrinsic sympathomimetic activity of pindolol of which the other beta blocking drugs that were used are devoid. The mechanism by which the serum lipid changes can be induced by beta blockade does not involve a lower activity of any of the plasma enzymes regulating the intravascular metabolism of lipoproteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gallbladder bile from patients with cholesterol stones and control patients without cholesterol stones was analysed for the relative concentrations of bile salts, phospholipids, and cholesterol. It was not possible to distinguish stone-forming from control biles when these were plotted on triangular coordinates. There was a significant increase in the dihydroxy: trihydroxy bile salt ratio in the patients with cholesterol gallstones. The maximum cholesterol holding capacity for the bile salts was determined and no difference could be detected in the ability of the bile salts from either cholesterol stone-containing and control bile samples to dissolve cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In various organs of the guinea pig, the total cholesterol content of an organ was significantly correlated with the percentage of esterified cholesterol present in this organ. Cholesterol esterifying capacity was shown in most organs, with highest activities in the adrenals, the spleen and the liver. The significant correlation found between the cholesteryl ester content of an organ and its acyl cholesterol acyltransferase activity suggests a possible role of this enzyme in determining the level of the total and esterified cholesterol in a tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the cases of two esophageal cancer patients who developed spontaneous fracture of implanted self-expanding antireflux metal stents. Topics discussed include the results of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and contrast-enhanced tomography (CT), endoscopic removal of the fractured stents, and possible causes of the stent fracture.

Provides information on a study which examined a case of hepatitis induced by metoprolol and the result of drug oxidation phenotyping. Use of metoprolol; Pathways that metoprolol is metabolized; Association between the impairment of debrisoquine oxidation and susceptibility to develop liver injury with perhexiline; Reasons that acute hepatitis affecting the patient can be ascribed to metoprolol.

An abstract of the conference paper "Ultrasound bowel characterisation and outcome of fetal gastroschisis," by F. Heller and colleagues is presented.