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Growth hormone (GH) is a pituitary hormone that stimulates longitudinal bone growth and induces diverse effects on cell growth, differentiation, and metabolism of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates (Herrington & Carter-Su 2001). The use of growth hormone in the endocrine practice and for the treatment of various clinical conditions is expanding. The first use of human GH (hGH) was replacement therapy in children with GH deficiency (GHD). However, further indications have been gradually approved or proposed since the development of recombinant human GH (rhGH).

Cancer is an acquired genetic disease of clonal origin. Carcinogenesis and its subsequent development follow the principles of evolution, starting with a single cell with stem cell properties and a proliferative advantage, leading to clonal expansion, clonal evolution and subsequent demise by killing the host: “Evolution gone awry”. Evolution can be divided into three essential steps: 1. “Chance” or random movement of molecules allows structures to interact. 2. Molecular affinity, “Necessity” (J. Monod, Chance and Necessity: Essay on the Natural Philosophy of Modern Biology, 1970), leads to a new structure providing novel properties and function. The 3rd step of the evolutionary processes, for which I would propose the term “Synclipse”, occurs, if the new constellation provides a biochemical and biological survival advantage, “survival of the fittest”, in a given environmental context.

Volume 2, No. 1 / 2015, Table of Contents

By reviewing the 636 pages of the first two issues of JOSHA, the editors are proud of seeing a wide range of scientific diversity and creativity reflected in a broad interdisciplinary and multi-language approach. JOSHA is now in its pilot phase, and we do need your support as our much valued reader.

The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of selected interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cell) prior and during the treatment with NS3/NS4A protease inhibitor faldaprevir plus pegylated interferon alpha-2a/ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV) in treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infected patients. This thesis was performed in three consecutive steps. First, we selected 95 most representative ISGs based on the literature. Secondly, we selected 30 patients for the SVR-oriented exploratory screening and tested all 95 genes in these patients. Finally, we tested 15 genes identified during the SVR-oriented exploratory screening in all patients eligible for this study (N = 263). As a result, we identified 15 genes which may play a role in the treatment response to faldaprevir plus PegIFN/RBV. Five ISGs (IFNA4, DDX58, IRF3, IFI27 and RSAD2) showed association with SVR at various time points.

Exercise interventions as a supportive measure in cancer therapy are becoming more and more relevant. With cancer therapy becoming more complex and effective, higher survival rates as well as longer life-spans are being achieved. Consequently, patients’ quality of life is becoming increasingly important and the management of therapy-related side-effects therefore essential. An increasing amount of studies are demonstrating, that the previously propagated rest and immobility during cancer therapy is not only counterproductive but that exercise interventions hold enormous potential regarding the management of side-effects in supportive cancer care and should therefore be taken more seriously. Especially haemato-oncological patients have to cope with many debilitating side-effects due to the disease itself, the long and complex medical therapy as well as the associated immobility.

We are happy to publish the first issue 1/2014 of the “Journal of Science, Humanities and Arts – JOSHA”. JOSHA  has been initiated to create a novel internet platform to access the broad diversity of important discoveries and creativity in the fields of Science, Humanities and Arts.

Table of Contents for the first issue 1/2014 of the “Journal of Science, Humanities and Arts – JOSHA”