Brief formula low-energy-diet for relapse management during weight loss maintenance in the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT).

Background: Weight loss maintenance (WLM) is critical for sustaining type 2 diabetes (T2D) remission, but poorly evidenced. We evaluated brief return to formula low-energy-diet (LED) as relapse treatments (RTs) during the WLM phase of the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT).

Methods: This post-hoc evaluation included all participants commencing the WLM phase of DiRECT.

Searching for gene expression differences in primary fibroblasts between patients with one and two neoplasms in childhood.

Genetic factors are important for developing primary and subsequent malignancies in children. This study investigated the role of genetic factors involved in DNA-repair. Designed as a feasibility study, it addressed the possibility of obtaining samples for genetic analyses from former patients through the German Childhood Cancer Registry.

Cystatin C and cardiovascular mortality in patients with coronary artery disease and normal or mildly reduced kidney function: results from the AtheroGene study.

Aims: Chronic kidney disease is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Cystatin C is a promising marker to reliably mirror renal function. The role of cystatin C in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and normal or mildly reduced kidney function is the subject of current investigation.

Selenium supplementation improves antioxidant capacity in vitro and in vivo in patients with coronary artery disease The SElenium Therapy in Coronary Artery disease Patients (SETCAP) Study.

Background: Selenium is a central determinant of antioxidative glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx-1) expression and activity. The relevance of selenium supplementation on GPx-1 in coronary artery disease (CAD) needs to be established. We assessed the effect of selenium supplementation on GPx-1 in cell culture and on endothelial function in a prospective clinical trial.

Different calculations of ankle-brachial index and their impact on cardiovascular risk prediction.

Background: An ankle-brachial index (ABI; ratio of ankle and brachial systolic blood pressure) <0.9 indicates peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events. The aim of the present study was to address the prognostic value of different methods of ABI calculation.

Association of adiponectin with adverse outcome in coronary artery disease patients: results from the AtheroGene study.

Aims: In primary prevention, the adipocytokine adiponectin seems to be protective against diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Data in patients with manifest coronary artery disease (CAD) are scant stimulating the investigation of the association of adiponectin concentrations and cardiovascular outcome in a prospective CAD cohort.

Methods And Results: In 1890 consecutive patients with documented CAD [1130 with stable angina (SAP) and 760 with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)] baseline concentrations of adiponectin were measured by enzyme-linked immuno assay.

Femoropopliteal prosthetic bypass with glutaraldehyde stabilized human umbilical vein (HUV).

Objective: Femoropopliteal bypass still is the standard surgical therapy for disabling claudication and critical ischemia. When autologous vein is not suitable synthetic or biological prostheses may be considered. Second generation glutaraldehyde tanned human umbilical vein (HUV) graft was chosen for above and below knee femoropopliteal bypass when autologous vein was not available.

Resistin, acute coronary syndrome and prognosis results from the AtheroGene study.

Objective: Resistin, an adipocyte and macrophage derived cytokine, causes insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. We investigated the impact of resistin as a diagnostic marker in patients with acute coronary syndrome and its prognostic value for future cardiovascular events.

Methods: Resistin levels were determined in 1153 patients with stable angina (SAP), 380 patients with unstable angina, 278 patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and 111 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Significance of preoperative C-reactive protein as a parameter of the perioperative course and long-term prognosis in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.

Aim: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase reactant and a known indicator of the malignant potential of the tumour. The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of preoperative CRP as a parameter of the perioperative course and long-term prognosis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.

Methods: Serum CRP was determined preoperatively in 291 of 371 patients undergoing oesophagectomy for cancer from December 1989 to March 2004.

Prognostic value of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 for cardiovascular death among patients with cardiovascular disease: results from the AtheroGene study.

Aims: Metalloproteinases are proteolytic enzymes, which decompose the extracellular matrix, influence cardiac remodelling, and are inhibited by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Little is known about the prognostic impact of the TIMP-1/matrix metalloproteinase complex in patients with future cardiovascular death.

Methods And Results: In 1979 patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), TIMP-1 has been determined at baseline.

Transhiatal and transthoracic resection in adenocarcinoma of the esophagus: does the operative approach have an influence on the long-term prognosis?

Background: The goal of the present analysis was to investigate the long-term prognosis for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus treated with either the transhiatal (TH) or the transthoracic (TT) operative approach.

Methods: Between September 1985 and March 2004, esophageal resection due to carcinoma was performed on a total of 424 patients. This manuscript takes into account the 150 patients suffering from adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in whom a transhiatal resection of the esophagus was performed.