9 to 80.7 degrees vs. from 45.3 to 49.5 degrees, P<0.001). The most commonly reported adverse events were localized swelling, pain, bruising, pruritus, and transient regional lymph-node enlargement and tenderness. Three treatment-related serious adverse events were reported: two tendon ruptures and one case of complex regional pain syndrome. No significant changes in flexion or grip strength, no systemic allergic reactions, and no nerve injuries

were observed.

Conclusions: Collagenase clostridium histolyticum significantly reduced contractures and improved the range of motion in joints affected by advanced Dupuytren’s disease. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00528606.)

N Engl J Med 2009;361:968-79.”
“The ISRIB molecular weight hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) is a multifunctional protein that regulates numerous cellular signal transduction pathways, including those that modulate apoptosis. However, different HBx-dependent effects on apoptosis have been reported; these differences are likely the consequence of the exact conditions and cell types used in a study. Many of the previously reported studies that analyzed HBx regulation of apoptosis were conducted in immortalized or transformed cells, and the alterations that have transformed or immortalized these cells likely impact

apoptotic pathways. We examined the effects of HBx on apoptotic pathways in cultured primary Nec-1s rat hepatocytes, a biologically relevant system that mimics normal hepatocytes LY294002 nmr in the liver. We analyzed the effects of HBx on apoptosis both when HBx was expressed in the absence

of other HBV proteins and in the context of HBV replication. HBx stimulation of NF-kappa B inhibited the activation of apoptotic pathways in cultured primary rat hepatocytes. However, when HBx-induced activation of NF-kappa B was blocked, HBx stimulated apoptosis; blocking the activity of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore inhibited HBx activation of apoptosis. These results suggest that HBx can be either proapoptotic or antiapoptotic in hepatocytes, depending on the status of NF-kappa B, and confirm previous studies that link some HBx activities to modulation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Overall, our studies define apoptotic pathways that are regulated by HBx in cultured primary hepatocytes and provide potential mechanisms for the development of HBV-associated liver cancer.”
“Background: Adverse cardiac events are common after vascular surgery. We hypothesized that perioperative statin therapy would improve postoperative outcomes.

Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned patients who had not previously been treated with a statin to receive, in addition to a beta-blocker, either 80 mg of extended-release fluvastatin or placebo once daily before undergoing vascular surgery.