Die pathophysiologische Rolle von Adipokinen in peritonealer Flüssigkeit bei Patienten mit Leberzirrhose, hepatozellulärem Karzinom und Peritonitis

BACKGROUND: Visceral adipose tissues secret a variety of adipokines; however, it is not known whether they are present in the peritoneal fluid. It was the aim of this study to investigate peritoneal fluid concentrations of classical adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, resistin, visfatin) in patients with ascites. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-six patients (71 men and 25 women) undergoing paracentesis were included. Of these, 76 suffered from liver cirrhosis. Adipokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Each adipokine was detected in ascites with a broad range. Serum-ascites ratios (SAR) correlated with clinical and laboratory parameters. The main variables influencing peritoneal fluid adipokine concentrations were body mass index (BMI), local inflammation, systemic inflammation and serum adipokine concentrations. Resistin was significantly higher in patients with peritonitis and showed a positive correlation with peripheral leucocytes (white blood cell count). Leptin was correlated with the underlying disease. Visfatin correlated with peripheral white blood cell and C-reactive protein levels. BMI was correlated positively with ascitic leptin. CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal fluid adipokine concentrations are characterized by individual SARs, depend on the presence of peritonitis, and correlate with underlying disease, BMI and systemic inflammation. The data open a new field of research on the role of the peritoneum and visceral adipokines in gastrointestinal diseases

Analysis of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 genepolymorphism in patients with spontaneous bacterialperitonitis

AIM: To investigate a genetic polymorphism of the monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) gene in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). METHODS: MCP-1 genotyping was performed in 23 patients with SBP and 83 cirrhotic control patients with non-infected ascites. RESULTS: The frequency of carriers of the G-allele was lower in SBP patients but this difference did not reach statistical significance. However, in the subgroup of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (n = 80), carriers of the G-allele were significantly less frequent in SBP-patients (38.1%) than in cirrhotic controls (67.8%, P = 0.021). CONCLUSION: In patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, the -2518 MCP-1 genotype AA is a risk factor for the development of SBP

Softlithography in Chemical Sensing – Analytes from Molecules to Cells

Imprinting is a flexible and straightforward technique to generate selective sensormaterials e.g. for mass-sensitive detection. Inherently, the strategy suits both molecularanalytes and entire micro organisms or cells. Imprinted polyurethanes e.g. are capable ofdistinguishing the different xylene isomers with very appreciable selectivity factors.Combining imprinted titanates with surface transverse wave resonators (STW) leads to apowerful tool for detecting engine oil degradation, which is an excellent example foroxidative deterioration processes in a highly complex matrix. Surface imprints withgeometrically equal cavities exhibit clear chemical selectivity, as can e.g. be seen throughthe example of different human rhinovirus (HRV) serotypes. Another example is a bloodgroup-selective sensor prepared by templating with erythrocyte ghosts. Both the bloodgroupA and B imprinted material selectively distinguish between blood groups A, B and O,whereas no difference in sensor signal has been observed for AB, where both blood groupantigen types are present on the cell surface

The interplay of viral loads, clinical presentation, and serological responses in SARS-CoV-2 – Results from a prospective cohort of outpatient COVID-19 cases

Puchinger K, Castelletti N, Rubio-Acero R, et al. The interplay of viral loads, clinical presentation, and serological responses in SARS-CoV-2 – Results from a prospective cohort of outpatient COVID-19 cases. Virology. 2022;569:37-43