The integration of BNP and NT-proBNP into clinical medicine.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NTproBNP have been shown to be extremely helpful in the diagnosis and management of patients with heart failure (HF). These neurohormones are predominately secreted from the left and the right cardiac ventricle in response to volume and pressure overload. BNP and NT-proBNP can be seen as quantitative markers of HF summarizing the extent of systolic and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction.

Neurohormonal activation and left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with suspected myocardial ischemia.

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) are both increasingly used in the clinical management of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Unfortunately, there is very limited data regarding the association between BNP and LVEF.

Methods: BNP and LVEF were measured in 260 consecutive patients with suspected myocardial ischemia referred for rest/ergometry myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Gender-specific risk stratification with B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with acute dyspnea: insights from the B-type natriuretic peptide for acute shortness of breath evaluation study.

Objectives: We examined whether B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels allow gender-specific risk stratification in patients with acute dyspnea.

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide levels determined in patients with heart failure correlate with the severity of disease and prognosis. Gender differences in risk prediction are poorly examined.

Progressive pulmonary sarcoidosis--a fibroproliferative process potentially triggered by EGR-1 and IL-6.

Background And Aim Of The Work: Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disorder of unknown etiology. In most patients the disease is self-limited, although for reasons unclear, others progress or die from progressive organ fibrosis. Growth factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of other fibrotic lung conditions.

Gender differences in acute congestive heart failure.

Background: Little is known about sex differences in baseline characteristics and outcomes in patients with acute congestive heart failure (CHF).

Methods And Results: This prospective observational study evaluated gender differences among 217 consecutive patients (124 men and 93 women) presenting with acute CHF to the emergency department. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.

Cost-effectiveness of B-type natriuretic peptide testing in patients with acute dyspnea.

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a quantitative marker of heart failure that seems to be helpful in its diagnosis.

Methods: We performed a prospective randomized study (B-Type Natriuretic Peptide for Acute Shortness of Breath Evaluation) including 452 patients who presented to the emergency department with acute dyspnea to estimate the long-term cost-effectiveness of BNP guidance. Participants were randomly assigned to a diagnostic strategy involving the measurement of BNP levels (n = 225) or assessment in a standard manner (n = 227).

Inflammation and long-term mortality in acute congestive heart failure.

Background: Systemic inflammation has long been recognized as a precipitator of acute congestive heart failure (CHF). The impact of inflammation on prognosis in acute CHF, however, is unknown.

Methods: This study evaluated the prognostic role of inflammation among 214 consecutive patients presenting with acute CHF to the emergency department.

Use of B-type natriuretic peptide in the management of acute dyspnea in patients with pulmonary disease.

Background: In patients with pulmonary disease, it is often challenging to distinguish exacerbated pulmonary disease from congestive heart failure (CHF). The impact of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurements on the management of patients with pulmonary disease and acute dyspnea remains to be defined.

Methods: This study evaluated the subgroup of 226 patients with a history of pulmonary disease included in the BASEL Study.

Emergency diagnosis of congestive heart failure: impact of signs and symptoms.

Background: The most useful features in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) have been poorly investigated.

Objective: To determine the utility of signs and symptoms in the diagnosis of CHF in the emergency department.

Methods: Detailed clinical data were collected prospectively from 452 consecutive patients presenting with acute dyspnea to the emergency department.

Runx3 regulates integrin alpha E/CD103 and CD4 expression during development of CD4-/CD8+ T cells.

During thymic T cell development, immature CD4+CD8+ double-positive (DP) thymocytes develop either into CD4+CD8- Th cells or CD4-CD8+ CTLs. Differentially expressed primary factors inducing the fate of these cell types are still poorly described. The transcription factor Runx3/AML-2 Runx, runt [corrected] dominant factor; AML, acute myeloid leukemia is expressed specifically during the development of CD8 single-positive (SP) thymocytes, where it silences CD4 expression.

The use of B-type natriuretic peptide in the diagnosis of acute dyspnoea.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP are currently the most prominent members of the natriuretic peptide family. These markers are secreted from both the left and the right cardiac ventricle in response to ventricular volume expansion and pressure overload. Recent studies have suggested that these neurohormones are reliably elevated in the setting of congestive heart failure and may be very helpful in its diagnosis.

B-type natriuretic peptide for acute dyspnea in patients with kidney disease: insights from a randomized comparison.

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are reliably elevated in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and therefore helpful in its diagnosis. However, kidney disease results in elevated BNP levels independently of CHF. Accordingly, the impact of kidney disease on the benefit of BNP testing needs to be scrutinized.

Use of B-type natriuretic peptide for the management of women with dyspnea.

In studies with predominately male patients, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels have been shown to be helpful in the evaluation and management of patients who present with acute dyspnea. The effect of BNP levels on the management of women has not been defined. This study evaluated a predefined subgroup of 190 women included in a prospective randomized controlled study of BNP testing for emergency diagnosis of acute dyspnea.

Systemic Th1- and Th2-gene signals in atopy and asthma.

Background: Atopic disorders have been associated with a Th-2 cytokine predominance. This study investigated Th1- and Th2-related gene expression in asthmatics, atopics and healthy individuals.

Methods: We compared Th1- and Th2-related in vivo-signals using gene expression arrays in 18 atopic asthmatics, 8 atopic non-asthmatic and 14 healthy control subjects.

Use of B-type natriuretic peptide in the evaluation and management of acute dyspnea.

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide levels are higher in patients with congestive heart failure than in patients with dyspnea from other causes.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled study of 452 patients who presented to the emergency department with acute dyspnea: 225 patients were randomly assigned to a diagnostic strategy involving the measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide levels with the use of a rapid bedside assay, and 227 were assessed in a standard manner. The time to discharge and the total cost of treatment were the primary end points.

Morpholino antisense oligonucleotide-mediated gene knockdown during thymocyte development reveals role for Runx3 transcription factor in CD4 silencing during development of CD4-/CD8+ thymocytes.

During thymic T cell development, immature CD4(+)/CD8(+) thymocytes develop into either CD4(+)/CD8(-) helper or CD4(-)/CD8(+) CTLs. The molecular mechanisms governing the complex selection and differentiation steps during thymic T cell development are not well understood. Here we developed a novel approach to investigate gene function during thymocyte development.