Publications by authors named "Astrid Werner"

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of diverse biological functions. Their role in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains to be explored. To elucidate the role of TYKRIL (tyrosine kinase receptor-inducing lncRNA) as a regulator of p53/ PDGFRβ (platelet-derived growth factor receptor β) signaling pathway and to investigate its role in PAH.

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We describe here a case report of a novel technique for tube erosion repair, which modifies and utilizes the commercially available tube extender (Model TE). The modification of the tube extender makes the commercially available tube extender more compact and is useful in cases where conjunctival mobility and space are limited. This debulking of the tube extender may reduce the risk of future tube exposure and dellen formation.

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There is growing evidence that vascular dysfunction plays a role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. The details of this relationship have remained elusive partially due to limitations in our ability to assess blood flow in the optic nerve. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) has emerged as a promising new technology well positioned to become the first clinically suitable test of optic nerve perfusion.

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Primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (PCFCL) is a unique entity that represents up to 11% of all cutaneous lymphomas. PCFCL is associated with an indolent course and excellent 5-year survival rates, but can progress to secondary systemic involvement if left untreated. Histopathologic features of PCFCL can vary depending on the size, duration, and clinical stage of the lesion, making diagnosis somewhat challenging.

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Objectives/hypothesis: Empiric proton pump inhibitor (PPI) trials for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) are common. A majority of the patients respond to acid suppression. This work intends to evaluate once-daily, 40 mg omeprazole and once-nightly, 300 mg ranitidine (QD/QHS) dosing as an alternative regimen, and use this study's cohort to evaluate empiric regimens prescribed for LPR as compared to up-front testing with pH impedance multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) with dual pH probes and high-resolution manometry (HRM) for potential cost minimization.

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Rationale: Pericytes are essential for vessel maturation and endothelial barrier function. Long noncoding RNAs regulate many cellular functions, but their role in pericyte biology remains unexplored.

Objective: Here, we investigate the effect of hypoxia-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress regulating long noncoding RNAs (HypERlnc, also known as ENSG00000262454) on pericyte function in vitro and its regulation in human heart failure and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

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Purpose: To report an human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient undergoing therapy for cryptococcal meningitis who developed progressive optic disk edema that was steroid responsive.

Methods: Observational case report.

Results: One month after commencing antifungal treatment for cryptococcal meningitis, the patient developed bilateral, progressive, recurrent optic disk edema with subretinal fluid that coincided with initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy and recovery of CD4 cell counts.

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Vertebrate heart development is strictly regulated by temporal and spatial expression of growth and transcription factors (TFs). We analyzed nine TFs, selected by in silico analysis of an Nkx2.5 enhancer, for their ability to transactivate the respective enhancer element that drives, specifically, expression of genes in cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs).

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The generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has successfully been achieved in many species. However, the identification of truly reprogrammed iPS cells still remains laborious and the detection of pluripotency markers requires fixation of cells in most cases. Here, we report an approach with nanoparticles carrying Cy3-labeled sense oligonucleotide reporter strands coupled to gold-particles.

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MESP1 represents an essential transcription factor to guarantee coordinated cardiac development. The expression of MESP1 is thought to be the first sign that a cell has been committed to the cardiac lineage. We analyzed the coding sequence of MESP1 in 215 patients with congenital heart disease.

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Background: the objective of the study was to determine whether the effects of infarct-related artery (IRA) infusion of autologous bone marrow-derived CD34(+) cells after ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are dependent on the dose (quantity and mobility) of the cells infused. Beneficial effects of IRA infusion of mononuclear cells after STEMI have been inconsistent, possibly because of differences in timing, cell type, quantity, and mobility of infused cells.

Methods: patients were randomized to bone marrow harvest (n = 16) or control (n = 15).

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