Radiofrequency induced thermotherapy (RFITT) of varicose veins compared to endovenous laser treatment (EVLT): a non-randomized prospective study concentrating on occlusion rates, side-effects and clinical outcome.

Background: Radiofrequency obliteration (RFO) and endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) are established techniques in varicose therapy. A novel bipolar RFO technique - Radiofrequency Induced Thermotherapy (RFITT) - was introduced in 2007. Comparative studies of RFITT and EVLT with one year follow-up are missing.

Induction of CD4+ T cell apoptosis as a consequence of impaired cytoskeletal rearrangement in UVB-irradiated dendritic cells.

Low dose UVB irradiation of dendritic cells (DC) dose-dependently decreases their allostimulatory capacity and inhibits alloreactive T cell proliferation. The reduction of the stimulatory capacity is not associated with a perturbation of CD28 costimulation. To examine the underlying mechanism, cell cycle analysis of T cells from cocultures with UVB-irradiated DC (UVB-DC) was performed, revealing no cell cycle arrest, but an increased number of apoptotic T cells in sub-G(0) phase.