Standard vs. carbone dioxide adapted kidney replacement therapy in hypercapnic ARDS patients: a randomized controlled pilot trial (BigBIC).

Background: Current continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) protocols ignore physiological renal compensation for hypercapnia. This study aimed to explore feasibility, safety, and clinical benefits of pCO2-adapted CKRT for hypercapnic acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients with indication for CKRT.

Methods: We enrolled mechanically ventilated hypercapnic ARDS patients (pCO2 > 7.

IA-PACS-CFS: a double-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled, exploratory trial of immunoadsorption in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) including patients with post-acute COVID-19 CFS (PACS-CFS).

Background: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a severely debilitating condition which markedly restricts activity and function of affected people. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic ME/CFS related to post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) can be diagnosed in a subset of patients presenting with persistent fatigue 6 months after a mostly mild SARS-CoV-2 infection by fulfillment of the Canadian Consensus Criteria (CCC 2003). Induction of autoimmunity after viral infection is a mechanism under intensive investigation.

Observational Study of Repeat Immunoadsorption (RIA) in Post-COVID ME/CFS Patients with Elevated ß2-Adrenergic Receptor Autoantibodies-An Interim Report.

There is increasing evidence for an autoimmune aetiology in post-infectious Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). SARS-CoV-2 has now become the main trigger for ME/CFS. We have already conducted two small proof-of-concept studies on IgG depletion by immunoadsorption (IA) in post-infectious ME/CFS, which showed efficacy in most patients.

Pharmacokinetics of Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir in COVID-19 Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease on Intermittent Hemodialysis.

Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is an effective antiviral therapy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Use is not recommended in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESDR) due to a lack of data. We investigated the pharmacokinetics of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (150 mg/100 mg twice a day) in four patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis.

CytoSorb Rescue for COVID-19 Patients With Vasoplegic Shock and Multiple Organ Failure: A Prospective, Open-Label, Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of extracorporeal cytokine reduction by CytoSorb (CytoSorbents, Monmouth Junction, NJ) on COVID-19-associated vasoplegic shock.

Design: Prospective, randomized controlled pilot study.

Setting: Eight ICUs at three sites of the tertiary-care university hospital Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

Influence of Genistein on Hepatic Lipid Metabolism in an In Vitro Model of Hepatic Steatosis.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is among the leading causes of end-stage liver disease. The impaired hepatic lipid metabolism in NAFLD is exhibited by dysregulated PPARα and SREBP-1c signaling pathways, which are central transcription factors associated with lipid degradation and de novo lipogenesis. Despite the growing prevalence of this disease, current pharmacological treatment options are unsatisfactory.

Methods for Testing Repellents Against Bed Bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae).

Bed bug repellents should not only prevent humans from being bitten but impede an infestation of personal belongings. Only a few test proposals for evaluating the efficacy of repellents against bed bugs have been published so far. In the present study, two test systems were assessed for efficacy testing with five potential bed bug repellents (cinnamon oil, icaridin, N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), permethrin, and margosa extract).

SARS-Coronavirus-2 cases in healthcare workers may not regularly originate from patient care: lessons from a university hospital on the underestimated risk of healthcare worker to healthcare worker transmission.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents an unprecedented healthcare challenge. Various SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in healthcare facilities have been reported. Healthcare workers (HCWs) may play a critical role in the spread of the virus, particularly when asymptomatic.

The Renal Resistive Index in Allografts: Is Sonographic Assessment Sufficiently Reproducible in a Routine Clinical Setting? - Reproducibility of the Renal Resistive Index.

Purpose:  To assess the reproducibility of the renal resistive index (RRI) in a routine clinical setting.

Materials And Methods:  22 patients with a kidney allograft and 19 physicians participated in our prospective study. Within 2 hours each patient was examined by 5 different physicians using 2 out of 3 different, randomly allocated ultrasound machines.

Relation of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 with prevalent and incident atrial fibrillation in a population-based study.

Background: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and its main binding protein insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) have been related to several cardiovascular diseases. The relation with atrial fibrillation (AF) is largely unknown.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the association of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels with prevalent and incident AF in a large population-based study.

Impact of atrial fibrillation detected by extended monitoring-A population-based cohort study.

Background: The clinical relevance of extended monitoring of AF in the general population is unclear. The study evaluated the detection of AF using transtelephonic electrocardiography and the clinical relevance of additional AF findings, especially with regard to stroke risk and mortality.

Methods: The data of 1678 volunteers participating in the tele-ECG-subproject of the Study of Health in Pomerania was evaluated.

Induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy for larynx preservation in advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer: Outcome prediction after one cycle induction chemotherapy by a score based on clinical evaluation, computed tomography-based volumetry and F-FDG-PET/CT.

Background: Long-term laryngectomy-free (LFS), tumour-specific (TSS) and overall survival (OS) is achieved by non-surgical larynx preservation (LP) only in a proportion of patients with locally advanced laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer. A score facilitating decision-making after 1 cycle induction chemotherapy (IC-1) may improve LFS and TSS.

Methods: Early response to IC-1 with TPF ± cetuximab was assessed in 52 patients using endoscopic tumour staging for selecting total laryngectomy for non-responders with endoscopic tumour surface shrinkage <30% versus induction chemotherapy plus radiotherapy (IC + RT) for responders.

Human TLR8 senses UR/URR motifs in bacterial and mitochondrial RNA.

Toll-like receptor (TLR) 13 and TLR2 are the major sensors of Gram-positive bacteria in mice. TLR13 recognizes Sa19, a specific 23S ribosomal (r) RNA-derived fragment and bacterial modification of Sa19 ablates binding to TLR13, and to antibiotics such as erythromycin. Similarly, RNase A-treated Staphylococcus aureus activate human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) only via TLR2, implying single-stranded (ss) RNA as major stimulant.

Expression pattern analysis and activity determination of matrix metalloproteinase derived from human macrophage subsets.

The polarization behavior of macrophages determines the clinical outcome after implantation of biomaterials. Formation of classically activated macrophages (CAM) may result in cell fusion to form foreign body giant cells, which induce and support uncontrolled inflammatory responses and can cause undesired material degradation. In contrast, polarization into alternatively activated macrophages (AAM) is assumed to support healing processes and implant integration.

Angiogenically stimulated alternative monocytes maintain their pro-angiogenic and non-inflammatory phenotype in long-term co-cultures with HUVEC.

Angiogenically stimulated alternative monocytes (aMO2) could be established as cellular release system accelerating the endothelialization of polymers rendering their surfaces hemocompatibility in a short-term study. However, for their clinical application it is essential that aMO2 do not switch back to the MO1 state sustaining their capability as cellular release system over an extended period of time. We explored whether aMO2 can maintain their differentiation state over 21 days in a mono- and in a co-culture with HUVEC.

Effects of radiographic contrast media on the micromorphology of the junctional complex of erythrocytes visualized by immunocytology.

Effects of radiographic contrast media (RCM) application were demonstrated in vitro and in vivo where the injection of RCM into the A. axillaris of patients with coronary artery disease was followed by a significant and RCM-dependent decrease of erythrocyte velocity in downstream skin capillaries. Another study in pigs revealed that the deceleration of erythrocytes coincided with a significant reduction of the oxygen partial pressure in the myocardium--supplied by the left coronary artery--after the administration of RCM into this artery.

Biocompatibility and inflammatory response in vitro and in vivo to gelatin-based biomaterials with tailorable elastic properties.

Hydrogels prepared from gelatin and lysine diisocyanate ethyl ester provide tailorable elastic properties and degradation behavior. Their interaction with human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) as well as human macrophages (Mɸ) and granulocytes (Gɸ) were explored. The experiments revealed a good biocompatibility, appropriate cell adhesion, and cell infiltration.

Multivalent grafting of hyperbranched oligo- and polyglycerols shielding rough membranes to mediate hemocompatibility.

Hemocompatible materials are needed for internal and extracorporeal biomedical applications, which should be realizable by reducing protein and thrombocyte adhesion to such materials. Polyethers have been demonstrated to be highly efficient in this respect on smooth surfaces. Here, we investigate the grafting of oligo- and polyglycerols to rough poly(ether imide) membranes as a polymer relevant to biomedical applications and show the reduction of protein and thrombocyte adhesion as well as thrombocyte activation.

Effect of radiographic contrast media on the spectrin/band3-network of the membrane skeleton of erythrocytes.

The membrane of red blood cells consists of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded membrane proteins and is associated on the cytoplasmatic side with a network of proteins, the membrane skeleton. Band3 has an important role as centre of the functional complexes e.g.

Adherence and shear-resistance of primary human endothelial cells on smooth poly(ether imide) films.

Background: Occlusions of artificial small-diameter cardiovascular grafts are frequent events after implantation, often caused by clot formations. A main factor is the insufficient hemocompatibility of the inner artificial graft surface, which could be improved by endothelialization. Therefore, one challenge in cardiovascular graft engineering is the establishment of a shear-resistant endothelial cell layer to prevent cell detachment by shear forces after implantation.

Sexualized and dangerous relationships: listening to the voices of low-income african american girls placed at risk for sexual exploitation.

Introduction: Youth from low-income, urban backgrounds face significant challenges to maintaining a positive developmental trajectory. Dangerous neighborhoods and stressed relationships are common in these settings and threaten adaptation by weakening the natural assets that undergird resilience. African American girls in these contexts face specific, multiple risks, including gender stereotyping, violence, and sexual exploitation.

Endothelial cell response to (co)polymer nanoparticles depending on the inflammatory environment and comonomer ratio.

Endothelial cells lining the lumen of blood vessels serve as a physiological barrier controlling nanoparticle movement from the vasculature into the tissue. For exploring the effect of polymer hydrophilicity on nanoparticle interactions with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro, a series of monomodal poly[acrylonitrile-co-(N-vinylpyrrolidone)] model nanoparticles with increasing hydrophilicity as related to their increasing content (0-30 mol.%) of N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) were synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization.

Immunological evaluation of polystyrene and poly(ether imide) cell culture inserts with different roughness.

For the successful clinical and biological application of polymers, their interaction with cells, tissues, and body fluids has to be well characterized. In order to investigate how the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of candidate biomaterials influence cell behaviours, the testing sample is usually placed in commercially available cell culture plates. Thus, not only the testing sample itself but also the culture dish material might influence the cell behaviour.

TLR13 recognizes bacterial 23S rRNA devoid of erythromycin resistance-forming modification.

Host protection from infection relies on the recognition of pathogens by innate pattern-recognition receptors such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Here, we show that the orphan receptor TLR13 in mice recognizes a conserved 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequence that is the binding site of macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin group (MLS) antibiotics (including erythromycin) in bacteria. Notably, 23S rRNA from clinical isolates of erythromycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and synthetic oligoribonucleotides carrying methylated adenosine or a guanosine mimicking a MLS resistance-causing modification failed to stimulate TLR13.