The () Promoter Polymorphisms (rs3063368, rs755622) Predict Acute Kidney Injury and Death after Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is highly elevated after cardiac surgery and impacts the postoperative inflammation. The aim of this study was to analyze whether the polymorphisms CATT (rs5844572/rs3063368,"-794") and G>C single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs755622,-173) in the gene promoter are related to postoperative outcome.

Methods: In 1116 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, the gene polymorphisms were analyzed and serum MIF was measured by ELISA in 100 patients.

Prediction of Prolonged ICU Stay in Cardiac Surgery Patients as a Useful Method to Identify Nutrition Risk in Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Cardiovascular surgery patients with a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay may benefit most from early nutrition support. Using established scoring systems for nutrition assessment and operative risk stratification, we aimed to develop a model to predict a prolonged ICU stay ≥5 days in order to identify patients who will benefit from early nutrition interventions.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospective observational study of patients undergoing elective valvular, coronary artery bypass grafting, or combined cardiac surgery.

Safety and effectiveness against respiratory tract infections for pneumococcal conjugate vaccine co-administered with routine vaccine combinations.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of bacterial pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections (RTI) in children. The heptavalent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7) is offering a promising strategy against pneumococcal disease in children younger than 2 years. In this prospective epidemiological study in Germany, children between 2 and 6 months of age received in a 3:1 ratio a routine childhood vaccine combination with or without PCV7 according to a four-dose schedule.

IgMA-enriched immunoglobulin in neutropenic patients with sepsis syndrome and septic shock: a randomized, controlled, multiple-center trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of intravenous IgMA-enriched immunoglobulin (ivIGMA) therapy on mortality in neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancies and sepsis syndrome or septic shock.

Design: Multiple-center, prospective randomized, controlled study.

Setting: Six university hospitals in Germany.

Rituximab consolidation after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous blood stem cell transplantation in follicular and mantle cell lymphoma: a prospective, multicenter phase II study.

Background: Patients with follicular (FL) or mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) are incurable with conventional therapy. We investigated the safety and efficacy of rituximab consolidation after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in order to prevent relapse by clearance of minimal residual disease (MRD).

Methods: Rituximab was given approximately 8 weeks after CD34+ cell enriched ASCT at 375 mg/m2, weekly for 4 weeks.