Septic shock caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in a post-splenectomy patient successfully treated with recombinant human activated protein C.

We present a case of severe sepsis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, serotype 22F treated with recombinant human activated protein C (drotrecogin alpha activated) (DrotAA). APACHE II score at admission was 34 with a predicted mortality of 81%. A wide range of cytokines, chemokines and receptors was measured before and after DrotAA treatment.

Intimal hyperplasia and expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 in saphenous veins and internal mammary arteries before coronary artery surgery.

Background: The development of fibromuscular intimal hyperplasia and subsequent graft failure remains an urgent problem in cardiac surgery. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is involved in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis through induction of extracellular matrix proteins. We tested the hypothesis that intimal hyperplasia is already present in human saphenous veins and left internal mammary arteries before coronary artery bypass surgery and is associated with an increased expression of TGF-beta1.

Markers of inflammation in women on different hormone replacement therapies.

Background And Aim: To measure inflammatory markers in postmenopausal women on different forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Method: C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, plasma viscosity (PV), albumin and white blood cell (WBC) count were determined in 749 postmenopausal women.

Results: CRP concentration was significantly higher in women on estrogen monotherapy (difference of the median (d) 0.

Intracoronary beta-irradiation with a rhenium-188-filled balloon catheter: a randomized trial in patients with de novo and restenotic lesions.

Background: Restenosis requiring reintervention is the main limitation of coronary angioplasty. Intracoronary irradiation reduces neointimal proliferation. We studied the efficacy of a self-centering liquid rhenium-188-filled balloon catheter for coronary beta-brachytherapy.

Cardiovascular effects of androgens.

In the process of atherosclerosis sex steroids play a complex role in the vascular vessel wall system. Although a number of experimental studies have clearly documented an atheroprotective effect of estrogens, in recent clinical studies, estrogen replacement therapy has failed to reduce cardiovascular mortality. The effects of androgens on the cardiovascular system and cardiovascular diseases are even more controversial.

Reduction of post injury neointima formation due to 17beta-estradiol and phytoestrogen treatment is not influenced by the pure synthetic estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780 in vitro.

Background: Animal and organ culture experiments have shown beneficial inhibitory estrogen effects on post injury neointima development. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether such estrogen effects are influenced by the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780. Different concentrations of 17beta-estradiol and the phytoestrogens genistein and daidzein were tested.