Fibroblast growth factor 2 enhances the kinetics of mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenesis.

Treatment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) during monolayer expansion leads to increased expression of cartilage-related molecules during subsequent pellet chondrogenesis. This may be due to faster differentiation and/or a durable change in phenotype. In order to evaluate changes over time, we assessed chondrogenesis of human MSCs at early and late time points during pellet culture using real-time PCR, measurement of glycosaminoglycan accumulation, and histology.

Chemokine expression by small sputum macrophages in COPD.

Small sputum macrophages represent highly active cells that increase in the airways of patients with inflammatory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It has been reported often that levels of cytokines, chemokines and pro-teases are increased in sputum supernatants of these patients. In COPD, the small sputum macrophages may contribute to these supernatant proteins and recruit additional cells via specific chemokine expression patterns.

Health-related quality of life in patients with severe COPD hospitalized for exacerbations - comparing EQ-5D, SF-12 and SGRQ.

Background: The aim of this study was to measure HrQoL during acute exacerbations of COPD using generic and disease-specific instruments, and to assess completeness, proportion with best or worst health state, sensitivity to change and discriminative ability for each instrument.

Methods: EQ-5D, SF-12 and SGRQ were obtained from COPD patients with GOLD stage III and IV hospitalized for an acute exacerbation both at admission and discharge. To assess the instruments' properties, utility values were calculated for EQ-5D and SF-12, and a total score was derived from the SGRQ.

Fractionated exhaled breath condensate collection shows high hydrogen peroxide release in the airways.

Background: Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) allows noninvasive monitoring of inflammation in the lung. Activation of inflammatory cells results in an increased production of reactive oxygen species, leading to the formation of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). In addition, cigarette smoking causes an influx of inflammatory cells, and higher levels of H(2)O(2) have been found in EBC of smokers.

CD41 Western blotting: a new method to detect platelet adhesion to artificial surfaces used in extracorporeal circulation procedures.

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery is associated with platelet activation and reduced platelet counts due to artificial surface activation of blood elements and non-physiological flow-patterns. As shown in former studies, coating of medical devices can improve hemocompatibility in extracorporeal circulation systems. In this study, we demonstrate a new method to determine platelet adhesion on 18 coated and non-coated membrane oxygenators in a simulated CPB model with CD41 Western blot.

C(6)-Ceramide-Coated Catheters Promote Re-Endothelialization of Stretch-Injured Arteries.

OBJECTIVE: Drug eluting stents have recently been associated with the increased risk of adverse thrombogenic events and/or late luminal loss, which is highly associated with incomplete re-endothelialization. The increased risks behoove the design of alternative delivery modalities and/or drugs that do not compromise the re-endotheliaization process. The objective of the present study is to elucidate the biological mechanism(s) by which non-stent-based delivery modalities for the anti-proliferative lipid metabolite, C(6)-ceramide, could lead to a reduction in arterial injury after angioplasty.

Viscoelastic properties of fibrinogen adsorbed to the surface of biomaterials used in blood-contacting medical devices.

The hemocompatibility of polymeric vascular implants is in part dependent on the propensity of fibrinogen to adsorb to the implant surface. Fibrinogen surface adsorption was measured in real time using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). Six new, biodegradable tyrosine-derived polycarbonates were used as test surfaces.

Effect of biopassive and bioactive surface-coatings on the hemocompatibility of membrane oxygenators.

Postoperative complications associated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery and extracorporeal circulation (ECC) procedures are still a major clinical issue. Improving the hemocompatibility of blood contacting devices used for ECC procedures may ameliorate various postpump syndromes. In a simulated CPB model using human blood, we investigated the hemocompatibility, fibrinogen adsorption, and platelet receptor (GPIIb-IIIa) binding capacity of surface-modified membrane oxygenators (Jostra Quadrox).

Inhalative vaccination with pneumococcal polysaccharide in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In order to determine the feasibility of inhalative vaccination with polysaccharide antigen in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), we used controlled inhalation of a defined dose of Pneumovax in a randomized 3-arm study. The vaccine was either deposited in the alveoli (alveolar vaccination) or in the large airways (bronchial vaccination) and these were compared to standard intramuscular vaccination. Adverse effects were minor and never exceeded WHO grade 2.

Management and outcome of bilateral testicular germ cell tumors: Twenty-five year experience in Munich.

We analyzed characteristics, therapy and outcome of patients with bilateral testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) at our institutions. Among 1,180 TGCT patients diagnosed and/or treated between 1979 and 2003, 47 (4.0%) developed a second TGCT.

Inhalative vaccination with pneumococcal polysaccharide in healthy volunteers.

In order to determine the feasibility of inhalative vaccination with polysaccharide antigen, we used controlled inhalation of a defined dose of Pneumovax in a randomized 3-arm study. The vaccine was either deposited in the alveoli (alveolar vaccination) or in the large airways (bronchial vaccination) and this was compared to standard intra-muscular vaccination. Adverse effects were minor and never exceeded WHO grade 2.

Formation of viscoelastic protein layers on polymeric surfaces relevant to platelet adhesion.

The hemocompatibility of biomaterials is highly dependent on the adhesion and activation of platelets. Surface-adsorbed fibrinogen has a dominant role in promoting platelet adhesion to artificial surfaces by binding glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (GPIIb-IIIa), the major platelet membrane receptor. Using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), we have investigated the material-dependent binding kinetics of purified GPIIb-IIIa to polymer-adsorbed fibrinogen.

Using surrogate modeling in the prediction of fibrinogen adsorption onto polymer surfaces.

We present a Surrogate (semiempirical) Model for prediction of protein adsorption onto the surfaces of biodegradable polymers that have been designed for tissue engineering applications. The protein used in these studies, fibrinogen, is known to play a key role in blood clotting. Therefore, fibrinogen adsorption dictates the performance of implants exposed to blood.

Small changes in the polymer structure influence the adsorption behavior of fibrinogen on polymer surfaces: validation of a new rapid screening technique.

Numerous studies conclude that the selective adsorption of plasma proteins on materials contacting blood or tissue affects all subsequent interactions related to the biocompatibility of artificial surfaces. However, there are only a few studies available, which clearly demonstrate that there is a correlation between surface chemistry and selective protein adsorption. Detailed knowledge of such correlations would facilitate the design of biocompatible materials.

Material-dependent levels of heat-shock protein 70 (hsp70) in human plasma following contact of blood with artificial surfaces.

Recently, it has been shown that heat-shock protein 70 (hsp70) functions in a dual role as a chaperone and a cytokine. However, no information is available on the occurrence of hsp70 in the extracellular milieu or on its ability to modulate cellular immune response. This study shows a material-dependent increase of hsp70 levels in plasma following contact of fresh heparinized whole human blood with three different biomaterials (PVC, heparin-coated PVC, Silicone).

Hemocompatibility of heparin-coated surfaces and the role of selective plasma protein adsorption.

Although several studies have shown that heparin-coated surfaces reduce the activation of both the complement system and the coagulation system, there is still inadequate understanding of the factors initiating and controlling blood activation at these surfaces. We investigated the adsorption profile of 12 common plasma proteins (and the platelet receptor CD41) to a heparin coating (Carmeda BioActive surface (CBAS)) compared to uncoated controls (PVC) by using an in vitro whole blood Chandler-Loop model. Surface bound proteins were studied kinetically by a direct ELISA technique.