The cell type-, organ-, and species-specific expression of the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are well described, but little is known about the respective expression profiles of their accessory molecules. We therefore determined the mRNA expression levels of LBP, MD2, CD36, CD14, granulin, HMGB1, LL37, GRP94, UNC93b1, TRIL, PRAT4A, AP3B1, AEP and the respective TLRs in human and mouse solid organs. Humans and mice displayed significant differences between their respective mRNA expression patterns of...
Jul 01, 20130
Application of microfluidics to Positron Emission Tomography ( PET) tracer synthesis has attracted increasing interest within the last decade. The technical advantages of microfluidics, in particular the high surface to volume ratio and resulting fast thermal heating and cooling rates of reagents can lead to reduced reaction times, increased synthesis yields and reduced by-products. In addition automated reaction optimization, reduced consumption of expensive reagents and a path towards a reduce...
Jul 01, 20130
Purpose of Review: The assessment of metabolite profiles in biofluids has become a powerful method for the detection of biomarker molecules and disease mechanisms. This review outlines the recent advances in the use of metabolomic techniques to study inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Recent findingsThe last few years have seen an increase in the studies of experimental and human IBD focusing on the search for small metabolites, such as amino acids, bases, and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermedi...
Jul 01, 20130
Depot formulations are not widely used in everyday practice. This study aimed to assess psychiatrists' attitudes toward the use of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics in schizophrenia. We interviewed 113 French psychiatrists about the factors that influenced their prescription of LAI antipsychotics. Multidimensional and cluster analyses were used to detect correlations. The most important factor against the use of LAI antipsychotics is a sufficient estimated compliance with the oral form...
Jul 01, 20130
Background: Oronasal fistulas are a frequent complication after cleft palate surgery. Numerous repair methods have been described, but wound-healing problems occur often. The authors investigated, for the first time, the suitability of multilayered amniotic membrane allograft for fistula repair in a laboratory experiment (part A), a swine model (part B), and an initial patient series (part C). Methods: In part A, one-, two-, and four-layer porcine and human amniotic membranes (n = 20 each) were ...
Jul 01, 20130
Objective: Unplanned readmission of hospitalized patients to an ICU is associated with an increased mortality and hospital length of stay. The ability to identify patients at risk, who would benefit from prolonged ICU treatment, is limited. The aim of this study is to validate a previously published numerical index named the Stability and Workload Index for Transfer in a heterogeneous group of ICU patients. Design: In this retrospective data analysis, the Stability and Workload Index for Transfe...
Jul 01, 20130
Background Creatine transporter deficiency is a monogenic cause of X-linked intellectual disability. Since its first description in 2001 several case reports have been published but an overview of phenotype, genotype and phenotype-genotype correlation has been lacking. Methods We performed a retrospective study of clinical, biochemical and molecular genetic data of 101 males with X-linked creatine transporter deficiency from 85 families with a pathogenic mutation in the creatine transporter gene...
Jul 01, 20130
Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy (DA) of CT-myocardial perfusion imaging (CT-MPI) and a combined approach with CT angiography (CTA) for the detection of haemodynamically relevant coronary stenoses in patients with both suspected and known coronary artery disease. Design: Prospective, non-randomised, diagnostic study. Setting: Academic hospital-based study. Patients: 65 patients (42 men age 70.4 +/- 9) with typical or atypical chest pain. Interventions: CTA and CT-MPI with adenosin...
Jul 01, 20130
Jun 01, 20130
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the advanced technology of the new ExAblate 2100 system (Insightec Ltd, Haifa, Israel) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided focused ultrasound surgery on treatment outcomes in patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids, as measured by the nonperfused volume ratio. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 115 women (mean age, 42 years; range, 27-54 years) with symptomatic fibroids who consecutively underwent MR...
Jun 01, 20130
The aims of severe perioperative bleeding management are three-fold. First, preoperative identification by anamesis and laboratory testing of those patients for whom the perioperative bleeding risk may be increased. Second, implementation of strategies for correcting preoperative anaemia and stabilisation of the macro- and microcirculations in order to optimise the patient's tolerance to bleeding. Third, targeted procoagulant interventions to reduce the amount of bleeding, morbidity, mortality a...
Jun 01, 20130
The aims of severe perioperative bleeding management are three-fold. First, preoperative identification by anamesis and laboratory testing of those patients for whom the perioperative bleeding risk may be increased. Second, implementation of strategies for correcting preoperative anaemia and stabilisation of the macro- and microcirculations in order to optimise the patient's tolerance to bleeding. Third, targeted procoagulant interventions to reduce the amount of bleeding, morbidity, mortality a...
Jun 01, 20130
The aims of severe perioperative bleeding management are three-fold. First, preoperative identification by anamesis and laboratory testing of those patients for whom the perioperative bleeding risk may be increased. Second, implementation of strategies for correcting preoperative anaemia and stabilisation of the macro- and microcirculations in order to optimise the patient's tolerance to bleeding. Third, targeted procoagulant interventions to reduce the amount of bleeding, morbidity, mortality a...
Jun 01, 20130
Purpose: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases including glaucoma. Astrocytes are supposed to play a role in glaucoma pathogenesis. This study investigates the antiapoptotic and cytoprotective effects of idebenone on optic nerve head astrocytes (ONHA) under oxidative stress.Methods: ONHA were treated with 1 to 150 mu M idebenone. Cell viability (MTT assay and live-dead assay), induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species, senesce...
Jun 01, 20130
Background: For the treatment of the severe infantile coxa vara it is mandatory for the orthopaedic surgeon to observe the mechanobiology of the growing hip before and after the surgical intervention. We hereby would like to present our experiences with the subtrochanteric end-to-side valgization osteotomy and to compare the procedure with the alternatively used Y-shaped osteotomy as described by Pauwels. Methods: Thirteen patients (20 hips) who had undergone subtrochanteric end-to-side valgizat...
Jun 01, 20130
Objective: Detection of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in the bone marrow (BM) of patients with breast cancer is associated with poor outcomes. Recent studies demonstrated that DTCs may serve as a prognostic factor in ovarian cancer. The aim of this 3-center study was to evaluate the impact of BM status on survival in a large cohort of patients with ovarian cancer. Materials and Methods: Four hundred ninety-five patients with primary ovarian cancer were included in this 3-center prospective stu...
Jun 01, 20130
Background: Despite the high prevalence and impact of episodic breathlessness, information about characteristics and patterns is scarce. Aim: To explore the experience of patients with advanced disease suffering from episodic breathlessness, in order to describe types and patterns. Design and participants: Qualitative design using in-depth interviews with patients suffering from advanced stages of chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer or motor neurone disease....
Jun 01, 20130
Background: Whole-body CT (WBCT) is the imaging modality of choice during the initial diagnostic work-up of multiple injured patients in order to identify serious injuries and initiate adequate treatment immediately. However, delayed diagnosed or even missed injuries have been reported frequently ranging from 1.3% to 47%. Purpose: To highlight commonly missed lesions in WBCT of patients with multiple injuries. Material and Methods: A total of 375 patients (age 42.8 +/- 17.9 years, ISS 26.6 +/- 1...
Jun 01, 20130
Objective: Diagnostic imaging by CT colonography and capsule endoscopy is used to detect colonic lesions. Controversy exists regarding the work-up of subcentimetric lesions. The aim of this study was to identify risk indicators for advanced neoplasia (AN) in subcentimetric polyps. Design: Colonoscopies were classified on the basis of the largest lesion found. AN was defined as high-grade dysplasia, villous histology, or cancer. Logistic regression models were developed to identify risk factors f...
Jun 01, 20130
The aim of the study was to compare the behavior of seeded cells on synthetic and natural aortic valve scaffolds during a low-flow conditioning period. Polyurethane (group A) and aortic homograft valves (group B) were consecutively seeded with human fibroblasts (FB), and endothelial cells (EC) using a rotating seeding device. Each seeding procedure was followed by an exposure to low pulsatile flow in a dynamic bioreactor for 5 days. For further analysis, samples were taken before and after condi...
May 01, 20130
Purpose of review We have summarized recently published glomerular parietal epithelial cell (PEC) research, focusing on their roles in glomerular development and physiology, and in certain glomerular diseases. The rationale is that PECs have been largely ignored until the recent availability of cell lineage tracing studies, human and murine PEC culture systems, and potential therapeutic interventions of PECs. Recent findings Several new paradigms involving PECs have emerged demonstrating their s...
May 01, 20130
Regulatory T cells (T-reg) are important regulators of immune responses. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients before/after immunotherapy (stem cell transplantation or donor lymphocyte infusion), their suppressive role can contribute to suppress severe graft-versus-host reactions, but also to impair antileukemic reactions. As leukemia-derived dendritic cells (DCleu) are known to improve the antileukemic functionality of T cells, we evaluated the composition and development of distinct T-reg s...
May 01, 20130
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the period between onset of pain and hospital-admission (pain-to-admission time) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP), to investigate the prognostic value and associated factors of this time, and to ascertain the knowledge about the pancreas in these patients. Methods: An analysis of a prospective multicenter study was done, which included 188 patients with AP. Results: Median pain-to-admission time was 27 hours (interquartile range, 6.0-72.0). Median ...
May 01, 20130
Purpose of review Placental nutrient uptake and transfer may have a unique role, as changes in trophoblast nutrient-sensing signaling pathways regulate cell metabolism and may affect the fetal growth and health programming in the offspring. Recent findings The functionality of the placenta could affect the neonatal adiposity and the fetal levels of key nutrients such as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Insulin, oxygen and amino acid concentrations may regulate the mammalian target of rapa...
May 01, 20130
May 01, 20130
Objective: Evaluation of the implementation process of a kindergarten-based intervention ('TigerKids') to promote a healthy lifestyle. Design: Questionnaire survey among kindergarten teachers about programme implementation and acceptance. Setting: Kindergartens in Bavaria, Germany. Methods: Two hundred and fifteen kindergartens were included; 96.3 % returned informative questionnaires. `TigerKids' is a multi-approach behavioural intervention programme to increase physical activity level and to p...
May 01, 20130
Background: The pathophysiological basis of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is poorly understood but carotid artery dissection has been discussed as a rare possible cause. So far, only single cases of unilateral carotid artery dissection and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome have been reported. Case: Here, we describe the case of a 54-year old patient presenting to the emergency department with right hemiparesis, hypaesthesia and dysarthria. Furthermore, he reported two...
May 01, 20130
Objective AIO-PK0104 investigated two treatment strategies in advanced pancreatic cancer (PC): a reference sequence of gemcitabine/erlotinib followed by 2nd-line capecitabine was compared with a reverse experimental sequence of capecitabine/erlotinib followed by gemcitabine. Methods 281 patients with PC were randomly assigned to 1st-line treatment with either gemcitabine plus erlotinib or capecitabine plus erlotinib. In case of treatment failure (eg, disease progression or toxicity), patients we...
May 01, 20130
Control of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) depends on CD8+ T cell responses that are shaped by an individual's repertoire of MHC molecules. MHC class I presentation is modulated by a set of HCMV-encoded proteins. Here we show that HCMV immunoevasins differentially impair T cell recognition of epitopes from the same viral antigen, immediate-early 1 (IE-1), that are presented by different MHC class I allotypes. In the presence of immunoevasins, HLA-A- and HLA-B-restricted T cell clones were ineffecti...
May 01, 20130
Apr 30, 20130
