High-Density Lipoprotein Predicts Intrahospital Mortality in Influenza.

Although it is known that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) exerts important anti-inflammatory effects and that low HDL plasma concentrations represent a negative prognostic marker in bacterial infections and sepsis, not much is known about possible implications of HDL in acute viral infections such as influenza. We performed a retrospective, single-centre analysis of influenza patients hospitalised during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 influenza seasons and analysed the impact of HDL concentrations on inflammation and mortality. : 199 influenza patients (173 male patients) were admitted during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 influenza seasons with a mortality rate of 4.

Association of serum zinc with mineral stress in chronic kidney disease.

Background: The excessive cardiovascular mortality of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) could be linked to mineral stress, the biological consequence of calcium-phosphate nanoparticle exposure. This study investigated whether zinc is associated with mineral stress markers in CKD.

Methods: inc and T50 (serum calcification propensity) as well as hydrodynamic radius of secondary calciprotein particles (CPP2) were measured in blood donors and CKD patients with/out dialysis.

Immunogenicity Parameters of Cancer Patients Receiving the mRNA Vaccine BNT162b2 While Obtaining Radiotherapy: A Longitudinal Cohort Evaluation.

Background: Cancer patients are highly prone to infectious diseases. While undergoing antineoplastic treatment, the risk of severe symptoms upon infection increases, necessitating efficient protective measures, such as vaccination. For patients receiving radiotherapy, there is no specific information about humoral immunity.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination willingness and humoral vaccination response in radiation oncology patients.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection has been and, in some parts, still is a threat to oncologic patients, making it crucial to understand perception of vaccination and immunologic responses in this vulnerable patient segment. SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in relation to malignant disease characteristics and therapies have so far not been studied consecutively in larger oncologic patient populations. This study captures SARS-CoV-2 vaccination willingness and humoral immune response in a large consecutive oncologic patient collective at the beginning of 2021.

Effect of repeated bolus and continuous glucose infusion on a panel of circulating biomarkers in healthy volunteers.

Hypothesis: Glycaemic variability (GV) refers to fluctuations in the blood glucose level and may contribute to complications in patients suffering from Diabetes. Several studies show negative effects of GV on the cardiovascular system, however there is still a lack of conclusive evidence. Using an explorative cardiovascular panel, it is possible to simultaneously measure the effects on proteins relevant for cardiovascular processes.

High Anti-CoV2S Antibody Levels at Hospitalization Are Associated with Improved Survival in Patients with COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Infection.

Background: Although vaccination against COVID-19 is highly effective, breakthrough infections occur, often leading to severe courses and death. The extent of protection provided by individual antibody levels in breakthrough infections is still unknown and cut-off levels have yet to be determined.

Methods: In 80 consecutive fully vaccinated patients hospitalized between August and December 2021 with COVID-19 breakthrough infection (Delta variant), anti-CoV2S antibody levels were analyzed for the endpoint of death.

Glucose and lipopolysaccharide differentially regulate fibroblast growth factor 21 in healthy male human volunteers - A prospective cross-over trial.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) affects the regulation of metabolism. Additionally, anti-inflammatory properties are attributed to FGF21, and studies in animals and humans show conflicting results. This study aimed to investigate how FGF21 is affected by glucose and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in humans.

Soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2 is a strong predictor of all-cause, cardiovascular and infection-related mortality risk in haemodialysis patients with diabetes mellitus.

Background: Soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2 (sST2) is a strong prognostic biomarker of cardiovascular (CV) disease. End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients are at high risk of CV events and infections. Herein we investigated the utility of sST2 to predict all-cause and cause-specific mortality in haemodialysis (HD) patients with diabetes mellitus.

SUBCLINICAL KIDNEY INJURY IS CAUSED BY A MODERATE SINGLE INFLAMMATORY EVENT.

Background: Current means of diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) based on serum creatinine have poor sensitivity and may miss possible therapeutic windows in subclinical kidney injury, especially in septic AKI. Kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) may be a valuable biomarker to improve diagnostic algorithms for AKI. The understanding of septic AKI is still insufficient, and knowledge about KIM-1 kinetics in inflammation is scarce.

Afamin predicts the prevalence and incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objectives: In the general population, increased afamin concentrations are associated with the prevalence and incidence of metabolic syndrome as well as type 2 diabetes. Although metabolic syndrome is commonly associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), there exist no information on afamin and NAFLD.

Methods: Afamin concentrations were cross-sectionally measured in 146 Austrian patients with NAFLD, in 45 patients without NAFLD, and in 292 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Intravenous administration of LPS activates the kynurenine pathway in healthy male human subjects: a prospective placebo-controlled cross-over trial.

Background: Administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria, also known as the human endotoxemia model, is a standardized and safe model of human inflammation. Experimental studies have revealed that peripheral administration of LPS leads to induction of the kynurenine pathway followed by depressive-like behavior and cognitive dysfunction in animals. The aim of the present study is to investigate how acute intravenous LPS administration affects the kynurenine pathway in healthy male human subjects.

A comprehensive antigen production and characterisation study for easy-to-implement, specific and quantitative SARS-CoV-2 serotests.

Background: Antibody tests are essential tools to investigate humoral immunity following SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. While first-generation antibody tests have primarily provided qualitative results, accurate seroprevalence studies and tracking of antibody levels over time require highly specific, sensitive and quantitative test setups.

Methods: We have developed two quantitative, easy-to-implement SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests, based on the spike receptor binding domain and the nucleocapsid protein.

Storm of Cardiovascular Markers After LPS Administration in Human Volunteers.

Acute infections are associated with an elevated cardiovascular risk. However, little is known about the interactions of acute inflammatory responses and the cardiovascular system. We therefore aimed to evaluate effects of acute inflammatory stimuli mediated by LPS administration on a set of 89 cardiovascular biomarkers.

Evaluation of the EDI enzyme linked immunosorbent assays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies in human plasma.

Background: Besides SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing, serological testing is emerging as additional option in COVID-19 diagnostics. Aim of this study was to evaluate novel immunoassays for detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in human plasma.

Methods: Using EDI Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs), we measured SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies in 64 SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients with serial blood samples (n = 104) collected at different time points from symptom onset.

Comparison of the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay with the EDI™ enzyme linked immunosorbent assays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in human plasma.

Background: Here, we report on a head-to-head comparison of the fully-automated Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay with the EDI enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in human plasma.

Methods: SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were measured with the Elecsys® assay and the EDI ELISAs (IgM and IgG) in 64 SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients with serial blood samples (n = 104) collected at different time points from symptom onset. Blood samples from 200 healthy blood donors and 256 intensive care unit (ICU) patients collected before the COVID-19 outbreak were also used.

Cardiac involvement in a cross-sectional cohort of myotonic dystrophies and other skeletal myopathies.

Aims: Cardiac involvement in myopathies that primarily affect the skeletal muscle is variable and may be subtle, necessitating sensitive diagnostic approaches. Here, we describe the prevalence of cardiac abnormalities in a cohort of patients with skeletal muscle disease presenting at a tertiary care neuromuscular centre.

Methods And Results: We systematically investigated patients with skeletal myopathies and comprehensively analysed their cardiac phenotype including 24 h electrocardiogram, echocardiography with strain analyses, contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and, if at increased risk of coronary artery disease, computed tomography coronary angiography.

Implementation of a comprehensive unit-based safety program to reduce surgical site infections in cesarean delivery.

Background: To evaluate whether using a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to implement an evidence-based bundle can reduce 30-day surgical site infection rates in women undergoing cesarean delivery.

Methods: This observational study with a preintervention and postintervention design included 2576 consecutive women undergoing cesarean delivery at our tertiary care hospital between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017. The primary outcome was 30-day surgical site infection rate after cesarean delivery defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria.

Are soluble ST2 levels influenced by vitamin D and/or the seasons?

Objective: Cardiovascular disease manifestation and several associated surrogate markers, such as vitamin D, have shown substantial seasonal variation. A promising cardiovascular biomarker, soluble ST2 (sST2), has not been investigated in this regard – we therefore determined if systemic levels of sST2 are affected by seasonality and/or vitamin D in order to investigate their clinical interrelation and usability.

Design: sST2 levels were measured in two cohorts involving hypertensive patients at cardiovascular risk, the Styrian Vitamin D Hypertension Trial (study A; RCT design, 8 weeks 2800 IU cholecalciferol daily) and the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health Study (LURIC; study B; cross-sectional design).

Correction to: Intrahospital mortality of influenza patients during the 2017-2018 influenza season : Report from a tertiary care hospital in Austria.

Correction to: Wien Klin Wochenschr 2019 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-019-01578-9 The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake in the title.

Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) Is Not Induced in Artificial Human Inflammation and Is Not Correlated with Inflammatory Response.

Lipoproteins, as well as proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), have been shown to play a key role in the innate immune response. However, knowledge about the role and kinetics of PCSK9 in human inflammation is currently insufficient. This study aimed to investigate the interaction between inflammation and lipid metabolism, including the possible role of PCSK9.

Intrahospital mortality of influenza patients during the 2017-2018 influenza season : Report from a tertiary care hospital in Austria.

Background: Seasonal influenza is responsible for excess mortality and morbidity all over the northern hemisphere. To the authors' knowledge there are no comprehensive data available about morbidity and mortality of hospitalized influenza patients in Austria. The aim of this study was to assess the intrahospital mortality of hospitalized patients with influenza in this tertiary care hospital.

Comparison of lipoprotein (a) serum concentrations measured by six commercially available immunoassays.

Background And Aims: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is an established causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), independently of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and other risk factors. The recognition of Lp(a) as an atherogenic molecule has raised the demand for reliable quantification methods in the clinical laboratory. The aim of this work is to compare commercial immunochemical assays.