From thigh to pelvis: female genital prolapse repair with an autologous semitendinosus tendon transplant : Data of the German multicenter trial.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The use of synthetic mesh for prolapse and incontinence surgery is discussed controversially and in several countries is either no longer used or permissible. Previous approaches with autologous tissue did not show from a patient´s perspective convincing long-term results. As there have been repeatedly significant complications with synthetic mesh, a new approach is urgently needed.

Impact of a telemonitoring intervention in patients with chronic heart failure in Germany: A difference-in-difference matching approach using real-world data.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a non-invasive telemonitoring intervention on mortality, healthcare costs, and hospital and pharmaceutical utilisation in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) of a large statutory health insurer in Germany.

Methods: In a retrospective observational cohort study using real-world data, we assessed differences between 635 patients who received a telemonitoring intervention versus 635 receiving usual care covering 36 months after intervention. We used propensity score matching on a set of 102 parameters collected in the 24-month pre-intervention period to correct for observed differences, as well as difference-in-difference (DiD) estimators to account for unobserved differences.

Function and strain of the anterolateral ligament part II: reconstruction.

Purpose: Anterolateral rotatory instability (ALRI) may result from isolated ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or combined lesions with the anterolateral ligament (ALL). Biomechanical studies have demonstrated that the ALL contributes to the overall rotational stability of the knee. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical function of anatomic ALL reconstruction (ALL) in the setting of a combined ACL and ALL injury and reconstruction.

Tendon incontinence repair - First experience with an autologous semitendinosus tendon transplant for urinary stress incontinence treatment.

In a 40-year-old caucasian patient with stress incontinence was a TVT operation performed with an autologous semitendinosus tendon transplant. The operation was done with spinal anesthesia. The tendon of the right musculus semitendinosus was stripped from the popliteal fossa and used instead of a synthetic tape as midurethral sling, as it is done in a classical retropubic TVT procedure.

Tendon Descensus Repair (TENDER) - A prospective clinical feasibility study of tendon transplantation for pelvic organ prolapse repair.

Objective: To show the feasibility of tendon transplantation for minimally invasive pectopexy in pelvic organ prolapse repair.

Study Design: Patients with uterine or vaginal vault prolapse (POP-Q point C Stage 2-4) were offered laparoscopic pectopexy by means of autologous semitendinosus tendon transplantation. This paper presents a case series and describes the technique regarding the first 10 patients who underwent surgery.

Impact of aspirin on takotsubo syndrome: a propensity score-based analysis of the InterTAK Registry.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of aspirin on prognosis in takotsubo syndrome (TTS).

Methods And Results: Patients from the International Takotsubo (InterTAK) Registry were categorized into two groups based on aspirin prescription at discharge. A comparison of clinical outcomes between groups was performed using an adjusted analysis with propensity score (PS) stratification; results from the unadjusted analysis were also reported to note the effect of the PS adjustment.

Sweating the Little Things: Tourniquet Application Efficacy in Two Models of Pediatric Limb Circumference.

Background: Current military recommendations include the use of tourniquets (TQ) in appropriate pediatric trauma patients. Although the utility of TQs has been well documented in adult patients, the efficacy of TQ application in pediatric patients is less clear. The current study attempted to identify physical constraints for TQ use in two simulated pediatric limb models.

Preliminary Investigation of Civilian Clinician Perspectives & Just-in-Time Guidance for Tourniquet Use to "Stop the Bleed".

Objective: The American College of Surgeons (ACS) encourages clinicians to provide training to laypeople on tourniquet application. It is unclear whether clinicians are confident in their abilities and equipped with adequate knowledge, skills, and resources. This study aimed to determine surgical trainee knowledge and attitudes regarding tourniquet application and compare the effectiveness of instructions.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of miR-1 and miR-29b on adverse ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction - The SITAGRAMI-miR analysis.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRs) have shown to exert fibrotic and anti-fibrotic effects in preclinical models of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of this study was to evaluate miR-1, miR-21, miR-29b and miR-92a as circulating biomarkers for adverse ventricular remodeling (AVR) in post-AMI patients.

Methods: Plasma levels of miR-1, miR-21, miR-29b and miR-92a were measured in 44 patients of the SITAGRAMI trial population at day 4, day 9 and 6month after AMI and in 18 matched controls (CTL).

Prolyl-hydroxylase inhibition induces SDF-1 associated with increased CXCR4+/CD11b+ subpopulations and cardiac repair.

Unlabelled: SDF-1/CXCR4 activation facilitates myocardial repair. Therefore, we aimed to activate the HIF-1α target genes SDF-1 and CXCR4 by dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG)-induced prolyl-hydroxylase (PH) inhibition to augment CXCR4+ cell recruitment and myocardial repair. SDF-1 and CXCR4 expression was analyzed under normoxia and ischemia ± DMOG utilizing SDF-1-EGFP and CXCR4-EGFP reporter mice.

Function and strain of the anterolateral ligament part I: biomechanical analysis.

Purpose: Because reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a double-bundle technique did not solve the problem of persistent rotatory laxity after surgery, new potential answers to this issue are of great interest. One of these is an extraarticular stabilization based on the rediscovery of the anterolateral ligament (ALL). Knowledge about its biomechanical function and benchmark data for an optimal reconstruction remain lacking.

Gliptins and their target dipeptidyl peptidase 4: implications for the treatment of vascular disease.

Gliptins are accepted as a standard therapy for diabetes mellitus today. By inhibition of the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), gliptins prolong the GLP1-dependent insulin secretion in the pancreatic β-cells and thus support physiological blood glucose control. Various studies have now raised hope for an additional protective effect of pharmacological DPP4 inhibition in vascular diseases.

The Role of Care Management as a Population Health Intervention to Address Disparities and Control Hypertension: A Quasi-Experimental Observational Study.

Objective: We studied whether care management is a pragmatic solution for improving population blood pressure (BP) control and addressing BP disparities between Blacks and Whites in routine clinical environments.

Design: Quasi-experimental, observational study.

Setting And Participants: 3,964 uncontrolled hypertensive patients receiving primary care within the last year from one of six Baltimore clinics were identified as eligible.

Combined therapy with sitagliptin plus granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in patients with acute myocardial infarction - Long-term results of the SITAGRAMI trial.

Background: Autologous progenitor cell therapy comprising granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for mobilization of bone-marrow derived progenitor cells (BMPCs) into peripheral blood and inhibition of dipeptidylpeptidase-IV by sitagliptin for enhanced myocardial recruitment of circulating BMPCs has been shown to improve survival after acute myocardial infarction (MI) in preclinical studies. In the SITAGRAMI trial we found that during short-term follow-up G-CSF plus sitagliptin (GS) failed to show a beneficial effect on cardiac function and clinical events in patients with acute MI that underwent successful PCI. The objective of the present analysis was to assess the impact of GS versus placebo treatment on long-term clinical outcomes of the SITAGRAMI trial patient population.

Minimally invasive semitendinosus tendon harvesting from the popliteal fossa versus conventional hamstring tendon harvesting for ACL reconstruction: A prospective, randomised controlled trial in 100 patients.

Background: This study aims to compare a technique for hamstring tendon harvesting from a postero-medial incision in the popliteal fossa with the conventional method.

Methods: One hundred patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-reconstruction were randomised to either have their tendon graft harvested from postero-medial (group 1) or via an antero-medial approach (group 2). Time for tendon harvest, length of skin incision and duration of tendon harvest were recorded as well as complications and sensory disturbances in the lower leg.

Improving Confidence in Competencies for International Medical Trips Using a Curriculum with Simulation.

Many incoming medical and undergraduate students seek out international medical mission trips to supplement their education and training. However, few have the necessary skills to perform simple clinical tasks such as taking vital signs or conducting an initial patient interview. We conducted a small pilot study to assess the impact of simulation exercises on teaching incoming first-year medical students and undergraduate students basic clinical skills and teamwork.

Sitagliptin plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction: A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial of efficacy and safety (SITAGRAMI trial).

Objective: In animal models, G-CSF based progenitor cell mobilization combined with a DPP4 inhibitor leads to increased homing of bone marrow derived progenitor cells to the injured myocardium via the SDF1/CXCR4 axis resulting in improved ejection fraction and survival after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Research Design And Methods: After successful revascularization in AMI, 174 patients were randomized 1:1 in a multi-centre, prospective, placebo-controlled, parallel group, double blind, phase III efficacy and safety trial to treatment with G-CSF and Sitagliptin (GS) or placebo. Diabetic and non-diabetic patients were included in our trial.

Generation of cardiac pacemaker cells by programming and differentiation.

A number of diseases are caused by faulty function of the cardiac pacemaker and described as "sick sinus syndrome". The medical treatment of sick sinus syndrome with electrical pacemaker implants in the diseased heart includes risks. These problems may be overcome via "biological pacemaker" derived from different adult cardiac cells or pluripotent stem cells.

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide is associated with aortic stiffness in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Aortic stiffness is associated with increased left ventricular (LV) afterload, a process which is accompanied by a release of natriuretic peptides. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) has been demonstrated to be the functional surrogate of aortic stiffness. We sought to investigate the impact of aortic PWV on N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Prognostic significance of transaminases after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction: insights from a cardiac magnetic resonance study.

Background: In patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the relationship between transaminases and myocardial damage detected by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is unknown and the prognostic value incompletely investigated.

Materials And Methods: CMR imaging was performed in 167 STEMI patients 2.3 [1.

FDG-PET reveals improved cardiac regeneration and attenuated adverse remodelling following Sitagliptin + G-CSF therapy after acute myocardial infarction.

Aims: Dual therapy comprising G-CSF for mobilization of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells (BMPCs), with simultaneous pharmacological inhibition of dipeptidylpeptidase-IV for enhanced myocardial recruitment of circulating BMPC via the SDF-1α/CXCR4-axis, has been shown to improve survival after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Using an innovative method to provide non-invasive serial in vivo measurements and information on metabolic processes, we aimed to substantiate the possible effects of this therapeutic concept on cardiac remodelling after AMI using 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET).

Methods And Results: AMI was induced in C57BL/6 mice by performing surgical ligation of the left anterior descending artery in these mice.

High-sensitivity troponin T for prediction of left ventricular function and infarct size one year following ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Data relating high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) to long-term myocardial function and infarct size in patients after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are lacking. We aimed to evaluate the use of early hs-cTnT concentrations for prediction of myocardial function and infarct size assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) one year following STEMI.

Methods: Sixty-six patients, revascularized by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for first-time STEMI, were enrolled in this observational study.