Vibronic Splitting of the Electronic Origin in Two Conformers of the 3-Tolunitrile Dimer.

3-tolunitrile (3-TN) can form three different dimers, which differ in the relative orientation of the methyl groups. We determined the geometry changes of two of these conformers of 3-TN upon electronic excitation via a Franck-Condon fit of the vibronic intensities in the fluorescence emission spectra. Both aromatic rings expand upon electronic excitation, showing a delocalized one-photon excitation of the cluster.

Importance of artificial high flows in maintaining the ecological integrity of a regulated river.

Artificial high flows attempt to simulate natural flood pulses in flow-regulated rivers with the intent to improve their ecological integrity. The long-term use of such high flow events have shown beneficial ecological effects on various rivers globally. However, such responses are often non-linear and characterized by underlying feedback mechanisms among ecosystem components.

Risk Factors of Patients With Diarrhea for Having Infection.

Nosocomial infections with have become an emergent health threat. We sought to define risk factors for a infection (CDI) beyond the widely known ones, such as antibiotic use and prior hospital stay. We therefore focused on a group of patients with diarrhea in order to identify risk factors for infection among this symptomatic cohort.

[Antibiotic Stewardship - From Bench to Bedside].

The article explains the practical implementation of Antibiotic Stewardship (ABS) in the clinic. With increasing prevalence of resistant bacteria, the medical profession is challenged to critically question and reduce antibiotic prescriptions. ABS programs are designed to support this.

[State of the art - intensive care therapy of septic patients].

After recognition of the diagnosis sepsis early resuscitation of the patient is mandatory. Patients should have a mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≥65 mmHg. Patients with hypotension should receive initial fluid challenge with approximately 30 mL/kg of balanced electrolyte solutions.

[Prevalence and severity of pulmonary embolism are dependent on clinical and paraclinical parameters : Analysis of 1,943 consecutive patients with CT pulmonary angiography].

Background: Patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) have heterogeneous symptoms. Clinical scores and age-adjusted D‑dimer should help clinicians to establish the correct diagnosis.

Methods: A cohort of 1,943 consecutive patients with positive D‑dimer levels who were referred for CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) over a period of 5 years to rule PE in or out were retrospectively analyzed.

[Analgesia in intensive care medicine].

Background: The administration of sedatives and analgesics on the intensive care unit (ICU) is routine daily practice. The correct discrimination between delirium, pain and anxiety or confusion is essential for the strategy and selection of medication. The correct pain therapy and sedation are essential for patient quality of life on the ICU and for the prognosis.

Expected and observed mortality in critically ill patients receiving initial antibiotic therapy.

Objective: To evaluate the predictors of mortality in critically ill patients receiving initial antibiotic therapy (IAT; < 48 h after admission).

Methods: Six hundred thirty-one consecutive patients admitted to an intermediate care (IMC) unit were included. IAT was initiated in 227 patients.

Genetic variation at chromosome 1p13.3 affects sortilin mRNA expression, cellular LDL-uptake and serum LDL levels which translates to the risk of coronary artery disease.

Background: A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs599839 located at chromosome 1p13.3 has previously been associated with risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and with serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). A functional link explaining the association of SNP rs599839 with LDL-C levels and CAD risk has not yet been elucidated.

Parathyroid hormone gene variant and calcific aortic stenosis.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Calcific aortic stenosis (AS) is the most frequently acquired valvular disease of the elderly in the Western world. A genetic background for AS has been proposed. The deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite is the key problem of valve calcification; vitamin D and parathyroid hormone are major factors in calcium homeostasis.

Lifelong reduction of LDL-cholesterol related to a common variant in the LDL-receptor gene decreases the risk of coronary artery disease--a Mendelian Randomisation study.

Background: Rare mutations of the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene (LDLR) cause familial hypercholesterolemia, which increases the risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). Less is known about the implications of common genetic variation in the LDLR gene regarding the variability of cholesterol levels and risk of CAD.

Methods: Imputed genotype data at the LDLR locus on 1 644 individuals of a population-based sample were explored for association with LDL-C level.

Maternal factor V Leiden mutation is associated with HELLP syndrome in Caucasian women.

Objective: There is growing evidence that hypertensive pregnancy complications and other adverse pregnancy outcomes are associated with the presence of inherited or acquired thrombophilias. As hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome is one of the most severe forms of pre-eclampsia we aimed to assess the prevalence of the factor V Leiden, the prothrombin 20210G >A mutation and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C >T polymorphism in women with HELLP syndrome and in their fetuses from the same index pregnancy.

Design: The study was performed retrospectively in a case-control design.

The 4G/5G polymorphism in the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene is not associated with HELLP syndrome.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a major inhibitor of fibrinolysis, and a single nucleotide insertion/deletion (4G/5G) polymorphism in the promoter region of the PAI-1 gene has been identified. Subjects homozygous for the 4G allele have the highest PAI-levels due to increased PAI-1 gene transcription. Pre-eclampsia, and one of its most severe forms, the HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome, are characterized by increased placental thrombosis based on a procoagulatory state in the mother.

Systemic and local levels of fetuin-A in calcific aortic valve stenosis.

Calcific aortic valve stenosis, the most frequent heart valve disorder in developed countries, is an actively regulated process with similarities to bone formation. Fetuin-A has recently been identified as a potent circulating inhibitor of calcification. While several studies involving patients with end-stage renal disease have shown an association between low serum fetuin-A and cardiovascular calcification, nothing is known about fetuin-A serum levels in non-renal patients with calcific aortic valve stenosis.

Robust association of the APOE epsilon4 allele with premature myocardial infarction especially in patients without hypercholesterolaemia: the Aachen study.

Background: Genetic influence on the manifestation of coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI) has been shown previously. From many candidate genes the APOE (apolipoprotein E) with the major alleles epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 is in the focus of interest.

Materials And Methods: In 1817 patients admitted for their first left heart catheterization at a premature age (males < 55 and females < 65) the association of APOE alleles with MI was analysed.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter clinical trial to evaluate the effects of the angiotensin II receptor blocker candesartan cilexetil on intimal hyperplasia after coronary stent implantation.

Background: Preclinical data suggest beneficial effects of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) on neointima formation after vascular injury. Preliminary clinical data, however, revealed conflicting results. The AACHEN trial was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical multicenter trial to evaluate the effects of candesartan cilexetil on intimal hyperplasia after coronary stent implantation.

Lower serum calcium levels are associated with greater calcium hydroxyapatite deposition in native aortic valves of male patients with severe calcific aortic stenosis.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The study aim was to evaluate the relationship between serum calcium levels and the degree of calcification found in stenotic aortic valves.

Methods: Using atomic absorption spectroscopy, the hydroxyapatite content of 228 excised human stenotic aortic valves was determined and expressed as a percentage of valve mass. Left heart catheterization preceded valve replacement.

Relationship of five inflammatory gene polymorphisms with morbidity and mortality in 533 patients admitted to an ICU.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the association of polymorphisms of five candidate genes with the outcome of consecutive patients admitted to a medical ICU.

Materials And Methods: The study population was prospectively recruited. Inclusion criteria were admission to the ICU and written informed consent by the patients or their relatives.

Obesity is associated with a slower response to initial phenprocoumon therapy whereas CYP2C9 genotypes are not.

Background: Initiation of phenprocoumon therapy is associated with a variable individual response. The CYP2C9 genotype has been shown to influence the response to warfarin therapy, but such an effect on phenprocoumon therapy remains uncertain.

Method: Two hundred sixty hospital patients started on phenprocoumon were recruited for this study.

Quantification of aortic valve calcification using multislice spiral computed tomography: comparison with atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Objectives: Multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) allows the in vivo detection of valvular calcification. The aim of this study was to validate the quantification of aortic valve calcification (AVC) by MSCT with in vitro measurements by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Methods: In 18 patients with severe aortic stenosis, 16 detector row MSCT (SOMATOM Sensation 16, Siemens, Forchheim, Germany with scan parameters as follows: 420 milliseconds tube rotation time, 12 x 0.