[Personal Resources of Adolescents in Eastern and Western Germany - Results of the KiGGS Study 15 and 25 years after the German Reunification].

Questions: More than 15 years after the German reunification, were there differences in the personal resources among adolescents born around 1989 between East and West? How did the differences of this generation develop?

Methods: Data from the study on the health of children, adolescents and young adults in Germany (KiGGS study) from the years 2003-2006 and 2014-2017 are used to determine the prevalence of low personal resources in 14-17-year-old adolescents in Eastern and Western Germany. Cross-sectional data at both time periods are compared between East and West, and longitudinal data are used to follow the cohort over the course of age RESULTS: Around 15 years after the German reunification, 14- to 17-year-olds from East Germany more frequently show fewer personal resources and have lower self-efficacy expectations than adolescents of the same age in West Germany. 10 years later, these differences are barely visible and have partially reversed.

Mental health issues in childhood and adolescence, psychosocial resources and socioeconomic status - An analysis of the KiGGS Wave 2 data.

Mental health burdens are among the most common health issues in childhood and adolescence. Psychosocial resources can act as protective factors and can help in preventing the development and reduce the symptoms of mental health issues. This article discusses this relationship and the availability of these resources within the three different social status groups among 11- to 17-year-olds.

Utilization of early detection examinations by children in Germany. Results of the cross-sectional KiGGS Wave 2 study.

Examinations for early detection of diseases (called U-Untersuchungen in Germany) are among the most important prevention measures at childhood age. According to KiGGS Wave 2 data, participation rates are over 95% for most of these examinations. 99.

The subjective health of adults in Germany.

The term 'subjective health' reflects not only existing illnesses and health complaints, but particularly emphasizes the personal well-being. Studies often collect data on subjective health by asking participants to provide self-assessments of their general state of health. This was also the case with GEDA 2014/2015-EHIS, which employed the internationally renowned Minimum European Health Module (MEHM) as part of the study.

[Risk Factors for Postoperative Delirium after Cardiac Surgery].

 Delirium is a common psychiatric disorder after cardiac surgery and predisposes patients to increased mortality and morbidity. Its prevention requires knowledge of the risk factors involved.  What are preoperative risk factors for postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery?  Prospective longitudinal study of 241 elective cardiac surgical patients with preoperative assessment of potential risk factors and delirium assessment twice daily over five postoperative days.

The Extracellular Matrix Signature in Vein Graft Disease.

Background: Vein graft disease is a major and yet unsolved problem in cardiac revascularization surgery. Although accumulation of extracellular matrix is characteristic for vein graft disease, detailed analysis of the fibrotic material is lacking. Because alterations of collagen cross-links are typical for organ fibrosis, we performed a comprehensive analysis of collagen and elastin in vein graft disease.

Toward individualized management of the ascending aorta in bicuspid aortic valve surgery: the role of valve phenotype in 1362 patients.

Objective: Decision making regarding the management of the ascending aorta (AA) in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) undergoing valve surgery has hardly been individualized and remains controversial. We analyzed our individualized, multifactorial approach, focusing on the BAV phenotype.

Methods: In 1362 patients (1044 men) undergoing aortic valve surgery, the BAV phenotypes were intraoperatively classified and retrospectively analyzed.

Hemodynamics of the Edwards Sapien XT transcatheter heart valve in noncircular aortic annuli.

Objectives: During implantation of transcatheter aortic valves into severe calcified aortic annuli, misdeployments due to asymmetric shapes of the target region were reported. Whether the resultant stent deformations influence valve performance has not been quantified. The objective of this study was to investigate in vitro hemodynamics of the Edwards Sapien XT (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, Calif) after valve deployment in noncircular aortic annuli.

First clinical results with the new sinus prosthesis used for valve-sparing aortic root replacement.

Objectives: Sinuses of Valsalva are important in assuring the physiological function of the aortic valve. This study evaluates short-term clinical results of the reimplantation technique for aortic valve-sparing root replacement using a new prosthesis with three separate sinuses of Valsalva (sinus prosthesis).

Methods: Between February 2009 and February 2011, a total of 23 patients (20 m/3 f; mean age 52 ± 14.

Mid-term results of different aortic valve-sparing procedures in Marfan syndrome.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Marfan patients with aortic root aneurysm are typically treated with the Bentall procedure, though aortic valve-sparing procedures (AVSPs) are also possible. The study aim was to compare the authors' experience with two such techniques performed at their institution, namely a reimplantation according to David (David I) and remodeling according to Yacoub.

Methods: Between 1996 and 2009, a total of 37 Marfan patients underwent an AVSP at the authors' institution.

Long-term results of 203 young and middle-aged patients with more than 10 years of follow-up after the original subcoronary Ross operation.

Background: The choice of prosthesis for aortic valve replacement in young and middle-aged patients remains challenging owing to the accelerated degeneration of bioprostheses in these age groups and the risks of thromboembolism and bleeding with mechanical valves. Theoretically, the living pulmonary autograft (Ross operation) would be advantageous. Long-term results of the various Ross techniques are needed for defining the value of this surgical concept.

A new sinus prosthesis for aortic valve-sparing surgery maintaining the shape of the root at systemic pressure.

Purpose: We describe a new prosthetic graft aiming to restore normal valve configuration in systemic circulation. In vitro evaluation data and first clinical results are presented.

Description: The aortic valve consists of three separate leaflets and sinuses of Valsalva interconnected through three straight interleaflet triangles.

Pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes in patients with acute aortic dissection.

Background: Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening condition with high mortality and a relatively unclarified pathophysiological mechanism. Although differentially expressed genes in AAD have been recognized, interactions between these genes remain poorly defined. This study was conducted to gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AAD and to support the future development of a clinical test for monitoring patients at high risk.

Vena cava as autologous tissue for pulmonary valve substitute.

In this study, we report on our first experience with the construction of a valve using autologous vena cava tissue for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction. Simulating the clinical situation valves were built from tubular pieces of porcine inferior vena cava placed in a PTFE tube and investigated in a pulsatile flow simulator. Based on the given vena cava dimensions, conduits were constructed with diameters of 19 mm in bicuspid or tricuspid and 22 mm and 24 mm in bicuspid configuration.

A classification system for the bicuspid aortic valve from 304 surgical specimens.

Objective: In general, classification of a disease has proven to be advantageous for disease management. This may also be valid for the bicuspid aortic valve, because the term "bicuspid aortic valve" stands for a common congenital aortic valve malformation with heterogeneous morphologic phenotypes and function resulting in different treatment strategies. We attempted to establish a classification system based on a 5-year data collection of surgical specimens.

Pulmonary homograft muscle reduction to reduce the risk of homograft stenosis in the Ross procedure.

Objective: The Ross procedure has gained increasing interest as an attractive alternative for aortic valve replacement. Despite its advantages, there is a certain risk of structural valve deterioration, especially of the pulmonary homograft as a result of shrinkage and subsequent stenosis predominantly at the muscular annulus. Theoretically, reduction of homograft muscle tissue could reduce this risk.

Subcoronary Ross procedure in patients with active endocarditis.

Background: The Ross procedure has gained increasing interest as an attractive alternative to a prosthetic aortic valve substitute within the last decade. Because of a probably better resistance to infection as one of its advantages, the pulmonary autograft is theoretically preferable for active endocarditis.

Methods: Between June 1994 and July 2003, the Ross procedure was performed using the subcoronary and inclusion technique in 296 patients (231 male, 65 female).

Hemodynamic performance following the Ross operation: comparison of two different techniques.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The Ross operation as aortic valve replacement has undergone technical evolution. Originally described as a subcoronary implant, the full-root replacement technique is now more common worldwide. It remains unclear which of the two techniques has the better results.

Evaluation of the decellularized pulmonary valve homograft (SynerGraft).

Background And Aim Of The Study: Rejection is thought to contribute to the degeneration of valved homografts. A novel cryopreserved decellularized homograft valve (SynerGraft; CryoLife, Inc.) offers the unique opportunity to gain new insight into the immunology of homograft implantation and its significance for valve function.

Midterm results of the Ross procedure preserving the patient's aortic root.

Background: Since the early 1990s, the pulmonary autograft is predominantly implanted as a freestanding root for less aortic valve regurgitation is reported. However, there is a certain risk of dilatation of the root over time potentially impairing valve function. We favor since 8 years the original subcoronary or inclusion technique to preserve the root of the patient as a restrain to dilatation.

Up to 7 years' experience with valve-sparing aortic root remodeling/reimplantation for acute type A dissection.

Background: Aortic valve-sparing operations for acute type A dissection are appealing and innovative but less well defined surgical techniques requiring further evaluation.

Methods: We reviewed all consecutive patients with acute type A dissection who underwent either the remodeling (group 1, n = 21) or the reimplantation valve-sparing technique (group 2, n = 15) since October 1994. Patients were followed up clinically and echocardiographically for as long as 41.