Methodology for Hydrogen-Assisted Fatigue Testing Using In Situ Cathodic Charging.

With hydrogen being a promising candidate for many future and current energy applications, there is a need for material-testing solutions, which can represent hydrogen charging under superimposed mechanical loading. Usage of high purity gaseous hydrogen under high pressure in commercial solutions entails huge costs and also potential safety concerns. Therefore, a setup was developed utilizing a customized electrochemical charging cell built into a dynamic testing system.

Cardiac structure and function in response to a multi-stage marathon over 4486 km.

Aims: To investigate whether participation in the Trans Europe Foot Race 2009 (TEFR), an ultramarathon race held over 64 consecutive days and 4486 km, led to changes in cardiac structure and function.

Methods: Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 20 of 67 participating runners (two women; mean ± SD age 47.8 ± 10.

Multiclass, Multiresidue Method for the Quantification and Confirmation of 112 Veterinary Drugs in Game Meat (Bison, Deer, Elk, and Rabbit) by Rapid Polarity Switching Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

An analytical program for multiclass, multiresidue residue analysis to qualitatively and quantitatively determine veterinary drug compounds in game meats by LC-MS/MS has been developed and validated. The method was validated for the analysis of muscle from bison, deer, elk, and rabbit to test for 112 veterinary drug residues from the following drug classes: β-agonists, anthelmintics, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, fluoroquinolones, β-lactams, macrolides, nitroimidazoles, phenicols, polypeptides, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, thyreostats, and tranquilizers. Muscle was extracted using a simple and quick procedure based on a solvent extraction with 80% ACN/water and sample cleanup with dispersive solid-phase extraction.

Dye Residue Analysis in Raw and Processed Aquaculture Products: Matrix Extension of AOAC INTERNATIONAL 2012.25.

: Triphenylmethane dyes and metabolites are known or suspected mutagens and are prohibited in animals intended for human consumption. Despite toxicity, triphenylmethane dyes are used illegally as inexpensive treatments for fungal and parasite infections in aquatic animals. AOAC INTERNTIONAL 2012.

Evaluation of avoralstat, an oral kallikrein inhibitor, in a Phase 3 hereditary angioedema prophylaxis trial: The OPuS-2 study.

Background: Effective inhibition of plasma kallikrein may have significant benefits for patients with hereditary angioedema due to deficiency of C1 inhibitor (C1-INH-HAE) by reducing the frequency of angioedema attacks. Avoralstat is a small molecule inhibitor of plasma kallikrein. This study (OPuS-2) evaluated the efficacy and safety of prophylactic avoralstat 300 or 500 mg compared with placebo.

Lactate Promotes Synthetic Phenotype in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.

Rationale: The phenotypes of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) comprise a continuum bounded by predominantly contractile and synthetic cells. Some evidence suggests that contractile vSMCs can assume a more synthetic phenotype in response to ischemic injury, but the mechanisms that activate this phenotypic switch are poorly understood.

Objective: To determine whether lactate, which increases in response to regional ischemia, may promote the synthetic phenotype in vSMCs.

Alteration of Endothelin 1, MCP-1 and Chromogranin A in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing pulmonary vein isolation.

Background: The relation between arrhythmias and stress is known. The aim of our current study was to elucidate whether plasma levels of previously described stress parameters are altered in highly symptomatic patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) per se and in patients undergoing ablation therapy by pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Methods: 96 patients with AF undergoing PVI were recruited.

Influence of polyphenol-rich diet on exercise-induced immunomodulation in male endurance athletes.

Stress is associated with increased susceptibility to infection. We investigated if the mechanism involves immunomodulation of dendritic cells and whether this can be inhibited by a polyphenol-rich diet. Blood samples were taken from a total of 100 male endurance athletes at 5 time points around a marathon run: 4 weeks before; 1 week before; and immediately, 24 h, and 72 h after.

Impact of polyphenols on physiological stress and cardiac burden in marathon runners - results from a substudy of the BeMaGIC study.

Both physiologic stress and chronic heart disease are associated with increased systemic levels of chromogranin A (CGA) and NT-proBNP. Marathon running causes physiological stress and imposes a significant cardiac burden. Polyphenol-rich Mediterranean and Asian diets have been demonstrated to exert beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.

Influence of High Polyphenol Beverage on Stress-Induced Platelet Activation.

Objectives: Platelets are playing a crucial role in acute cardiovascular events. We investigated if physical stress activates platelets and whether this activation can be inhibited by a polyphenol-enriched diet.

Methods: Blood samples were taken from a total of 103 athletes three weeks before, one day before, immediately as well as 24 hours and 72 hours after a marathon run.

Marathon performance but not BMI affects post-marathon pro-inflammatory and cartilage biomarkers.

We tested the hypothesis that changes in serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentration after regular endurance training and running a marathon race depend on body mass index (BMI) and/or on marathon performance. Blood samples were collected from 45 runners of varying BMI and running experience before and after a 10-week marathon training programme and before, immediately and 24 h after a marathon race. Serum biomarker concentrations, BMI and marathon finishing time were measured.

MicroRNAs as Biomarkers for Acute Atrial Remodeling in Marathon Runners (The miRathon Study--A Sub-Study of the Munich Marathon Study).

Introduction: Physical activity is beneficial for individual health, but endurance sport is associated with the development of arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation. The underlying mechanisms leading to this increased risk are still not fully understood. MicroRNAs are important mediators of proarrhythmogenic remodeling and have potential value as biomarkers in cardiovascular diseases.

Differentiation of Human Induced-Pluripotent Stem Cells into Smooth-Muscle Cells: Two Novel Protocols.

Conventional protocols for differentiating human induced-pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into smooth-muscle cells (SMCs) can be inefficient and generally fail to yield cells with a specific SMC phenotype (i.e., contractile or synthetic SMCs).

A single German center experience with intermittent inotropes for patients on the high-urgent heart transplant waiting list.

Aim: Currently, more than 900 patients with end-stage heart failure are listed for heart transplantation in Germany. All patients on the Eurotransplant high-urgent status (HU) have to be treated in intensive care units and have to be relisted every 8 weeks. Long-term continuous inotropes are associated with tachyphylaxia, arrhythmias and even increased mortality.

Cell matrix contact modifies endothelial major histocompatibility complex class II expression in high-glucose environment.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Cardiovascular risk factors such as hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and arterial hypertension induce endothelial dysfunction with alterations in endothelial biosecretion and immune behavior. The aim of this study is to elucidate whether glucose-induced modifications of endothelial biosecretory and immune functions are regulated by interactions of endothelial cells (ECs) with their extracellular matrix [ECs plated on polystyrene-coated tissue culture plates (TC-EC) vs.

Influence of hepatitis C virus infection and high virus serum load on biliary complications in liver transplantation.

Background: Biliary complications (BCs) and recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are among the major causes of morbidity and graft loss following liver transplantation. The influence of HCV on BCs has not been definitely clarified.

Patients And Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study to analyze risk factors and outcome of post orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) BCs in 352 liver transplant recipients over 12 years in Munich, Germany (n = 84 with HCV; living donor and re-OLT were excluded).

Tacrolimus with mycophenolate mofetil or sirolimus compared with calcineurin inhibitor-free immunosuppression (sirolimus/mycophenolate mofetil) after heart transplantation: 5-year results.

Background: Despite improvements in immunosuppressive therapy, the most advantageous combination for cardiac transplant recipients has not been established. This randomized controlled trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 3 immunosuppressive protocols.

Methods: Between 2003 and 2005, 78 de novo cardiac transplant recipients were randomized 2:2:1 to receive steroids and tacrolimus plus mycophenolate mofetil (TAC/MMF; n = 34), TAC and sirolimus (TAC/SRL; n = 29), or SRL and MMF (SRL/MMF) plus anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG; n = 15).

Prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Validation and ranking of established staging-systems in a large western HCC-cohort.

Background: HCC is diagnosed in approximately half a million people per year, worldwide. Staging is a more complex issue than in most other cancer entities and, mainly due to unique geographic characteristics of the disease, no universally accepted staging system exists to date. Focusing on survival rates we analyzed demographic, etiological, clinical, laboratory and tumor characteristics of HCC-patients in our institution and applied the common staging systems.

Gender-based analysis of outcome after heart transplantation.

Objectives: Gender differences between donors and recipients might have an effect on outcome after heart transplantation. Literature and registries reveal controversial results. We reviewed 1000 heart transplantations at our center focusing on the influence of gender differences on short- and long-term outcome after heart transplantation.

oxLDL downregulates the dendritic cell homing factors CCR7 and CCL21.

Introduction: Dendritic cells (DCs) and oxLDL play an important role in the atherosclerotic process with DCs accumulating in the plaques during plaque progression. Our aim was to investigate the role of oxLDL in the modulation of the DC homing-receptor CCR7 and endothelial-ligand CCL21.

Methods And Results: The expression of the DC homing-receptor CCR7 and its endothelial-ligand CCL21 was examined on atherosclerotic carotic plaques of 47 patients via qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence.