Clinically-driven need for secondary interventions after endovascular revascularization of tibial arteries in patients with critical limb ischemia.

Purpose: To assess the need for clinically-driven secondary revascularization in critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients subsequent to tibial angioplasty during a 2-year follow-up.

Methods: Between 2008 and 2010, a total of 128 consecutive CLI patients (80 men; mean age 76.5±9.

Diurnal changes of lower leg volume in obese and non-obese subjects.

Background/aim: Obesity is a risk factor for chronic venous disease. However, the mechanisms behind this association are poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that obese subjects have a higher diurnal leg volume increase compared with non-obese subjects.

Quantification of seven apolipoproteins in human plasma by proteotypic peptides using fast LC-MS/MS.

Purpose: We investigated different sample pretreatment strategies and developed a standardized sample pretreatment protocol for absolute quantification of seven apolipoproteins (Apos) in human serum by LC-MS/MS using proteotypic peptides and corresponding stable isotope-labeled peptides as internal standards.

Experimental Design: Micro-LC was coupled with quadrupole-linear ion trap MS for quantification and peptide confirmation. Denaturation, reduction, alkylation, and tryptic digestion including ultrasound and microwave assistance were investigated.

Relationship between cancer-related fatigue and physical activity in inpatient cancer rehabilitation.

Background: Fatigue is a serious problem for the majority of patients with cancer. In this context, several studies have shown benefits of physical activity during and following treatment. However, uncertainties remain regarding the optimal type and duration of physical activity.

Clinical exercise interventions in pediatric oncology: a systematic review.

Studies in pediatric oncology have shown a positive effect of physical activity on disease- and treatment-related side effects. Although several reviews have approved the benefits of therapeutic exercise for adult cancer patients, no systematic review exists summarizing the evidence of physical activity in pediatric oncology. We identified a total of 17 studies using the PubMed database and Cochrane library.

The impact of orthostatic challenge on arteriovenous hemodynamics and volume changes of the lower extremity.

Objective: To assess the impact of an orthostatic challenge on arterial and venous hemodynamics and its relation to lower leg volume.

Methods: Hemodynamic parameters of 18 healthy subjects (six men; mean age, 38 ± 11 years) were assessed in the left proximal superficial femoral artery and femoral vein in supine position and during a 10-minute orthostatic challenge using duplex sonography. Lower leg volume was measured using an optoelectronic device.

Placing individual molecules in the center of nanoapertures.

While nanophotonic devices are unfolding their potential for single-molecule fluorescence studies, metallic quenching and steric hindrance, occurring within these structures, raise the desire for site-specific immobilization of the molecule of interest. Here, we refine the single-molecule cut-and-paste technique by optical superresolution routines to immobilize single fluorescent molecules in the center of nanoapertures. By comparing their fluorescence lifetime and intensity to stochastically immobilized fluorophores, we characterize the electrodynamic environment in these nanoapertures and proof the nanometer precision of our loading method.

Influence of a six month endurance exercise program on the immune function of prostate cancer patients undergoing Antiandrogen- or Chemotherapy: design and rationale of the ProImmun study.

Background: Exercise seems to minimize prostate cancer specific mortality risk and treatment related side effects like fatigue and incontinence. However the influence of physical activity on the immunological level remains uncertain. Even prostate cancer patients undergoing palliative treatment often have a relatively long life span compared to other cancer entities.

Infrapopliteal lesion morphology in patients with critical limb ischemia: implications for the development of anti-restenosis technologies.

Purpose: To angiographically evaluate infrapopliteal arterial lesion morphology in a consecutive series of patients presenting with critical limb ischemia (CLI) and undergoing infrapopliteal angioplasty.

Methods: A prospective analysis was undertaken of a consecutive series of CLI patients undergoing endovascular therapy in a tertiary referral center in the year 2011. Morphological assessment of baseline angiograms obtained prior to revascularization included lesion length, assessment of calcification using a semi-quantitative scoring system, and reference vessel diameter (RVD) measurement.

[Aortic aneurysms and aortic dissection: epidemiology, pathophysiology and diagnostics].

Aortic aneurysms and aortic dissection represent a significant health risk due to the demographic developments and current life styles. The mortality of ruptured aortic aneurysms is up to 80 % and the prevalence of aneurysms varies depending on the localization (thoracic or abdominal). Most commonly affected is the infrarenal abdominal aorta; however, there is evidence that the prevalence is diminishing but in contrast the incidence of thoracic aortic aneurysms is increasing.

Specific deficit analyses in motor performance and quality of life of pediatric cancer patients--a cross-sectional pilot study.

Although survival rates in childhood cancer have distinctly improved, pediatric cancer patients often experience various disease- and treatment-related side effects with long-term consequences. Despite current studies investigating inactivity and limitations in physical functioning and quality of life in pediatric cancer patients, only little information regarding specific deficits in physical functioning and quality of life has been available until now. No study has yet analyzed these parameters from a global perspective and then identified specific deficits in a mixed childhood cancer population.

Soil organic carbon pools and stocks in permafrost-affected soils on the tibetan plateau.

The Tibetan Plateau reacts particularly sensitively to possible effects of climate change. Approximately two thirds of the total area is affected by permafrost. To get a better understanding of the role of permafrost on soil organic carbon pools and stocks, investigations were carried out including both discontinuous (site Huashixia, HUA) and continuous permafrost (site Wudaoliang, WUD).

Feasibility of an Isometric Maximal Voluntary Contraction Test in Hematological Cancer Patients during Thrombocytopenia.

Introduction. Resistance training is rarely offered to hemato-oncological patients in the daily clinical routine due to its potential harmful impact on the cardiovascular system and the long periods of thrombocytopenia experienced by these patients. Therefore, it is important to determine a valid assessment to define and control resistance training.

Microglial repopulation model reveals a robust homeostatic process for replacing CNS myeloid cells.

Under most physiological circumstances, monocytes are excluded from parenchymal CNS tissues. When widespread monocyte entry occurs, their numbers decrease shortly after engraftment in the presence of microglia. However, some disease processes lead to focal and selective loss, or dysfunction, of microglia, and microglial senescence typifies the aged brain.

BAP1 cancer syndrome: malignant mesothelioma, uveal and cutaneous melanoma, and MBAITs.

Background: BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) is a tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 3p21. Germline BAP1 mutations have been recently associated with an increased risk of malignant mesothelioma, atypical melanocytic tumors and other neoplasms. To answer the question if different germline BAP1 mutations may predispose to a single syndrome with a wide phenotypic range or to distinct syndromes, we investigated the presence of melanocytic tumors in two unrelated families (L and W) with germline BAP1 mutations and increased risk of malignant mesothelioma.

Treatment for long-segment femoro-popliteal obstructions: initial experience with a 4-F compatible self-expanding nitinol stent and review of the literature.

Aim: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy of a novel 4-F compatible self-expanding Nitinol stent for the treatment of long femoro-popliteal obstructions.

Methods: This retrospective analysis includes patients with femoro-popliteal obstructions ≥ 120 mm in length, treated with a novel Nitinol stent (Pulsar-18) between February 2010 and December 2011. Patients were categorized as either intermittent claudication (IC) or critical limb ischemia (CLI).

Gentle strength training in rehabilitation of breast cancer patients compared to conventional therapy.

Unlabelled: Movement therapy during the rehabilitation of breast cancer has become more important over the last years.

Patients And Methods: In a randomized controlled study the feasibility of gentle strenght training was compared to conventional gymnastic exercises during rehabilitation of breast cancer patients. The aim oft this study was to identify alternative sports intervention in the treatment of breast cancer patients.

Single-center experience in endovascular treatment for infrainguinal bypass obstructions.

Purpose: To evaluate patency and clinical efficacy of endovascular therapy for infrainguinal bypass obstructions.

Materials And Methods: Patients were categorized with regard to symptoms (asymptomatic/intermittent claudication [IC] vs critical limb ischemia [CLI]), bypass graft material used (autologous vs prosthetic graft), and localization of distal anastomoses (femoropopliteal vs femorodistal bypass). Primary patency was defined as absence of sonographically verified stenosis greater than 50%.

Implementation and scientific evaluation of rehabilitative sports groups for prostate cancer patients: study protocol of the ProRehab Study.

Background: Although treatment regimen have improved in the last few years, prostate cancer patients following a radical prostatectomy still experience severe disease- and treatment-related side effects, including urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and psychological issues. Despite high incidence rates and the common adverse effects there is a lack of supportive measures for male patients and specific physical exercise recommendations for prostate cancer patients during rehabilitation or in the aftercare are still missing.

Methods/design: The ProRehab Project aims to establish rehabilitative sports groups particularly for prostate cancer patients and to evaluate the effects of the offered exercise program.

Use of Bayesian MUNE to show differing rate of loss of motor units in subgroups of ALS.

Objectives: To evaluate differences among patients with different clinical features of ALS, we used our Bayesian method of motor unit number estimation (MUNE).

Methods: We performed serial MUNE studies on 42 subjects who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for ALS during the course of their illness. Subjects were classified into three subgroups according to whether they had typical ALS (with upper and lower motor neurone signs) or had predominantly upper motor neurone weakness with only minor LMN signs, or predominantly lower motor neurone weakness with only minor UMN signs.

The relationship between Bayesian motor unit number estimation and histological measurements of motor neurons in wild-type and SOD1(G93A) mice.

Objective: To assess the relationship between Bayesian MUNE and histological motor neuron counts in wild-type mice and in an animal model of ALS.

Methods: We performed Bayesian MUNE paired with histological counts of motor neurons in the lumbar spinal cord of wild-type mice and transgenic SOD1(G93A) mice that show progressive weakness over time. We evaluated the number of acetylcholine endplates that were innervated by a presynaptic nerve.