[To give or not to give? Towards the indication of CSE inhibitors ("statins")]. / Geben oder nicht geben? Zur Indikationsstellung für CSE-Hemmer ("Statine").

The indication for HMG-CoA-reductase-inhibitors (CSE inhibitors, "statins") for primary prevention of atherosclerosis requires a careful risk/benefit calculation. For this, the PROCAM and SCORE risk scores offer validated, hands on decision support tools. In patients with manifest atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus statins are indicated regardless of the serum cholesterol level.

Application of mutated Clostridium difficile toxin A for determination of glucosyltransferase-dependent effects.

Mutation of tryptophan-101 in Clostridium difficile toxin A, a 308-kDa glucosyltransferase, resulted in a 50-fold-reduced cytopathic activity in cell culture experiments. The mutant toxin A was characterized and applied to distinguish between glucosyltransferase-dependent and -independent effects with respect to RhoB up-regulation as a cellular stress response.