Substrate Induced Movement of the Metal Cofactor between Active and Resting State.

Regulation of enzyme activity is vital for living organisms. In metalloenzymes, far-reaching rearrangements of the protein scaffold are generally required to tune the metal cofactor's properties by allosteric regulation. Here structural analysis of hydroxyketoacid aldolase from Sphingomonas wittichii RW1 (SwHKA) revealed a dynamic movement of the metal cofactor between two coordination spheres without protein scaffold rearrangements.

Anomeric Selectivity of Trehalose Transferase with Rare l-Sugars.

Retaining LeLoir glycosyltransferases catalyze the formation of glycosidic bonds between nucleotide sugar donors and carbohydrate acceptors. The anomeric selectivity of trehalose transferase from was investigated for both d- and l-glycopyranose acceptors. The enzyme couples a wide range of carbohydrates, yielding trehalose analogues with conversion and enantioselectivity of >98%.

Laparoscopic appendectomy during pregnancy is safe for both the mother and the fetus.

Introduction: The diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis during pregnancy is still debated. While laparoscopic appendectomy in general has become the gold standard, this procedure has not generally been implemented for pregnant women.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the patient charts of all patients who underwent appendectomy during pregnancy in the period from 2000 to 2012.

ApoA-I/HDL-C levels are inversely associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm progression.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) evolution is unpredictable, and there is no therapy except surgery for patients with an aortic size> 5 cm (large AAA). We aimed to identify new potential biomarkers that could facilitate prognosis and treatment of patients with AAA. A differential quantitative proteomic analysis of plasma proteins was performed in AAA patients at different stages of evolution [small AAA (aortic size=3-5 cm) vs large AAA] using iTRAQ labelling, high-throughput nano-LC-MS/MS and a novel multi-layered statistical model.

[Lower benefit and higher total costs because of unrestricted use of endovascular repair procedures for treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms].

A rapid increase in endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) procedures for treatment of asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms has occurred in Denmark. However, the newest level 1A evidence suggests that unrestricted use of EVAR in patients suitable for open repair lead to lower benefit and higher total costs as compared with open surgery. Amongst cases with relative and absolute contraindications for open surgery, use of EVAR is likely to lead to more benefit, however at a relatively high cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY).

Femoral vein repair of arterial infections: technical tips to reduce procedure time.

Introduction: Success with the neoaortoiliac system (NAIS) bypass has previously been reported. Drawbacks to this procedure include prolonged operative times and significant morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a 2-team approach in addition to a consistent anastomosis technique reduces the operative time of the NAIS procedure.

The value of routine flexible sigmoidoscopy within 48 hours after surgical repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Background: Left-sided colonic and rectal ischemia is commonly seen after surgery for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs) and is associated with increased mortality. Earlier studies have shown that flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) may detect ischemia when performed postoperatively, and suggestions have been made that patients can be selected for FS based on clinical and biochemical parameters. We sought to perform FS in all patients surviving the first 24 hours after surgery for rAAA and to compare the findings of FS to clinical and biochemical parameters.

Cost effectiveness of abdominal aortic aneurysm screening and rescreening in men in a modern context: evaluation of a hypothetical cohort using a decision analytical model.

Objective: To assess the cost effectiveness of different screening strategies for abdominal aortic aneurysm in men, from the perspective of a national health service.

Setting: Screening units at regional hospitals.

Participants: Hypothetical cohort of 65 year old men from the general population.

Prognosis of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms in Denmark from 1994-2008.

Introduction: Few modern population-based estimates of the prognosis of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) exist.

Methods And Materials: From 1994-2008, a total of 6954 rAAA cases were identified in Danish nationwide population-based registries.

Results: Of 3148 (45%) surgery cases, 1454 (46%) died within 30 days of surgery.

Long-term incidence of myocardial infarct, stroke, and mortality in patients operated on for abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objective: The risks of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) resection are not known. Prophylaxis with aspirin and statins is not generally recommended, although patients with AAAs have an increased prevalence of cardiovascular atherosclerosis. We report the incidences of MI, stroke, and death in an unselected national cohort of patients operated on for AAAs, with the general population as the control group.

Hemodynamic effects of closure of residual arteriovenous fistulae during in situ graft procedures.

The objective was to study the intraoperative hemodynamic effects of closure of residual arteriovenous fistulae during in situ saphenous vein graft procedures. Data on 60 residual arteriovenous fistulae in nine patients (five men) with a median age of 74 years (range 64-83 years) with critical lower limb ischemia were obtained. Direct measurements of proximal and distal blood pressures in the graft were taken and simultaneous determinations of volume blood flow proximally and distally in the graft with ultrasound transit time technique before and after closure of residual fistulae were made.

[Autologous reconstruction with a femoral vein in cases of infection in synthetic prosthetic vascular grafts].

Infection in central prosthetic vascular grafts is a serious threat to both life and limb of the patient. Replacement of the infected material with autologous graft material is the logical treatment. Only recently, however, has it been demonstrated that it is possible to remove the patient's own femoral vein and use it as an arterial conduit.