Cell death biomarkers as early predictors for hepatic dysfunction in patients after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Background: Valid prognostic factors for early identification of a complicated course after orthotopic liver transplantation from deceased donors are rare. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of different cell death biomarkers and inflammatory markers in patients after orthotopic liver transplantation from deceased donors.

Methods: In total, 100 patients were evaluated for short-term complications within 10 days after orthotopic liver transplantation from deceased donors.

L-arginine and asymmetric dimethylarginine are early predictors for survival in septic patients with acute liver failure.

Dysfunctions of the L-arginine (L-arg)/nitric-oxide (NO) pathway are suspected to be important for the pathogenesis of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in septic shock. Therefore plasma concentrations of L-arg and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) were measured in 60 patients with septic shock, 30 surgical patients and 30 healthy volunteers using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Plasma samples from patients with septic shock were collected at sepsis onset, and 24 h, 4 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d later.

The inhibitory in-vitro effect of high-dose levosimendan on platelet function may be mediated through its action as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor.

Objective: Levosimendan enhances cardiac contractility by increasing myocyte sensitivity to calcium and causing vasodilatation. Although studies have evaluated the efficacy of levosimendan in heart failure, whether levosimendan produces an effect on platelets is a subject of controversy. In the present study, the in-vitro effect of levosimendan on platelet aggregation was investigated.

Viral infections in septic shock (VISS-trial)-crosslinks between inflammation and immunosuppression.

Background: Recent investigations provided evidence that herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) are reactivated in critically ill individuals. However, at this time, it remains unclear whether these viral infections are of real pathogenetic relevance or represent innocent bystanders.

Materials And Methods: In total, 60 patients with septic shock were enrolled.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) as early predictors for survival in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

Background: Severe sepsis, septic shock, and resulting organ failure appear as the most common cause of death in intensive care medicine. Inflammatory mediators (interleukin-6/IL-6), cell adhesion molecules (intercellular adhesion molecule-1/ICAM-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1/VCAM-1), and redox active substances (manganese superoxide dismutase/MnSOD, macrophage migration inhibitory factor/MIF) must be considered to be central hubs in the inflammatory process. However, their exact pathophysiologic function and prognostic value are still poorly understood.

Redox responses in patients with sepsis: high correlation of thioredoxin-1 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor plasma levels.

Background. Redox active substances (e.g.

Thioredoxin in human and experimental sepsis.

Introduction: Thioredoxin (TRX) is assumed to be beneficial in acute inflammatory diseases because of its potent antioxidant properties and an inhibitory effect on neutrophil evasion into sites of inflammation.

Objective: To compare plasma levels of thioredoxin in septic patients and to investigate the role of thioredoxin in a polymicrobial septic mouse model.

Design And Interventions: A combined single-center noninterventional clinical observation study and randomized controlled experimental investigation.