Intratumoural interleukin-2 therapy can induce regression of non-resectable mastocytoma in dogs.

Aim: Mast cell tumours (MCT) are common skin tumours in dogs. If complete surgical removal of the tumours is not possible, then another therapy is needed. In the current study we tested the therapeutic effect of intratumoural injection of interleukin-2 (IL-2).

All-cause in-hospital mortality and comorbidity in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with stroke.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare diabetic and non-diabetic patients with stroke with regard to their all-cause in-hospital mortality and possible differences regarding their comorbidities.

Methods: All patients of the Munich Stroke Registry (2003-2004, n=537) were assessed. Hospital mortality in diabetic (n=160, 29.

Oral glucose tolerance test and HbA₁c for diagnosis of diabetes in patients undergoing coronary angiography: [corrected] the Silent Diabetes Study.

Aims/hypothesis: The primary aim of this study was to compare the results of HbA(1c) measurements with those of an OGTT for early diagnosis of 'silent diabetes' in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing angiography without prediagnosed diabetes. A secondary aim was to investigate the correlation between the extent of CAD and the glycaemic status of the patient.

Methods: Data from 1,015 patients admitted for acute (n = 149) or elective (n = 866) coronary angiography were analysed.

The Munich Myocardial Infarction Registry: impact of C-reactive protein and kidney function on hospital mortality in diabetic patients.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyse hospital mortality with regards to the presence of diabetes, elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and impaired kidney function (IKF) on admission.

Methods: All patients in the Munich Myocardial Infarction Registry (1999-2004, n = 2,015) were assessed. In both the diabetic (n = 770, 38%) and non-diabetic (n = 1,245, 61.

Peripheral blood CD8highCD57+ lymphocyte levels may predict outcome in melanoma patients treated with adjuvant interferon-alpha.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the significance of CD8highCD57+ lymphocytes for the survival of high risk melanoma patients treated with adjuvant interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha).

Patients And Methods: The prognostic significance of peripheral blood CD8highCD57+ lymphocyte levels for survival was analysed retrospectively in 16 IFN-alpha-treated melanoma patients with resected regional lymph node metastases. The survival of the patients was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

[Diabetes mellitus and heart failure].

Chronic heart failure (CHF) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is a condition that is frequent and has a poor prognosis. Diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for CHF and vice versa. CHF is found in 10-15% of the patients with DM compared to 3% in individuals without DM.

In vitro and in vivo protein delivery from in situ forming poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactide) hydrogels.

Previous studies have shown that stereocomplexed hydrogels are rapidly formed in situ by mixing aqueous solutions of eight-arm poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(L-lactide) and poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D-lactide) star block copolymers (denoted as PEG-(PLLA)(8) and PEG-(PDLA)(8), respectively). In this study, in vitro and in vivo protein release from stereocomplexed hydrogels was investigated. These hydrogels were fully degradable under physiological conditions.

Treatment with IL-2 and IL-12 inhibits tumour cell division in SL2 lymphoma.

We examined which mechanism plays a dominant role in the rejection of solid SL2 lymphoma treated with locally applied IL-2 and/or IL-12. This treatment resulted in about 80% cures. There was a moderate influx of leukocytes in the tissue surrounding tumours; yet these cells failed to invade the solid tumours.

[Inflammation and atherogenesis in diabetes mellitus - new therapeutic approaches].

Atherogenesis is characterized by a chronic process, which commences years before diabetes mellitus becomes overt. Each step of the pathogenetic cascade is accompanied by inflammation. The degree of inflammation is a key determinant for the process of atherogenesis.

Hospital outcome of acute myocardial infarction in patients with and without diabetes mellitus.

Aims: To assess hospital mortality and morbidity in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction and to compare the results between the two groups.

Methods: All patients admitted in 1999 to the intensive care unit of the Schwabing City Hospital with diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction were assessed for hospital mortality and co-morbidity.

Results: Three hundred and thirty patients with acute myocardial infarction were admitted.

Presence of cytotoxic B220+CD3+CD4-CD8- cells correlates with the therapeutic efficacy of lymphoma treatment with IL-2 and/or IL-12.

Cancer treatment with IL-2 and IL-12 is thought to work via enhancement of proliferation and activity of T cells and NK cells. Incubation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and NK cells with IL-2 and/or IL-12 results in propagation of a distinct cell type called lymphokine-activated killers (LAK) characterized by increased lytic activity against many tumor types. Here we address the question whether cytokine therapy may be efficient in treatment of a LAK-insensitive tumor and, if so, which cell type, other than classic LAK cells, is responsible for tumor cell killing.

Intensification of therapeutic approaches reduces mortality in diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction: the Munich registry.

Objective: The myocardial infarction (MI) registry of the Academic Schwabing Hospital, Munich, investigates the hospital course of diabetic and nondiabetic patients with acute MI. The aim of this study was to improve quality care management and to compare hospital mortality and therapeutic approaches (i.e.

[Diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in diabetes mellitus. Blood sugar to be tested].

Rapid and accurate establishment of the clinical symptoms and the initiation of appropriate treatment are essential prerequisites for starting therapeutic measures capable of improving the prognosis of diabetics suffering an acute myocardial infarction. Early diagnostic measures in suspected myocardial infarction include laboratory investigations such as myocardium-specific enzymes, blood glucose and, where indicated, HbA1c and hsCRP, as also an ECG, echocardiography, and possibly scintigraphy to investigate further potential risks. In diabetics with an acute coronary syndrome, early coronary angiography should also be considered.

[Bradycardia despite hyperthyroidism].

Hyperthyroidism is usually associated with tachycardia, hypothyroidism with bradycardia. After observing clinically inapparent hyperthyroidism in patients requiring pacemaker implantation, we studied the occurrence of hyperthyroidism in patients receiving a first permanent pacemaker. Of 237 patients (age 71.

Novel neurohormonal modulators in cardiovascular disorders. The therapeutic potential of endopeptidase inhibitors.

Since angiotensin II is an established target of pharmacological interventions, there is an increasing interest in the biological effects and metabolism of other vasoactive peptides like atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and endothelin (ET). Exogenous administration of the vasodilatory and natriuretic ANF and of its analogues improved haemodynamics and renal function in cardiovascular disease, including congestive heart failure (CHF). Effects of natriuretic peptides appeared to be attenuated during prolonged infusion and in more severe disease.

Effective cancer therapy with a single injection of interleukin-2 at the site of the tumour.

Mice with a severe metastasized tumour burden can be cured with a single local injection of interleukin-2. Such a treatment can also be effective against ocular squamous cell carcinoma in cows and transmissible venereal tumours in dogs. We did not notice any toxic effects of this treatment.

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) therapy: potential advantages of locoregional versus systemic administration.

There has been an apparent discrepancy between the results obtained with IL-2 based immunotherapy in animal tumour models, including veterinary cancer patients, and human cancer patients. We argue that this is due to differences in the therapeutic regimens used to treat human and veterinary cancer patients. The main differences are systemic therapy and surgical removal of the primary tumour in case of human cancer patients, whereas these treatment modalities are not used in IL-2 treated veterinary cancer cases.

Increased renal natriuretic peptide (urodilatin) excretion in heart failure patients.

Accumulating evidence suggests that urodilatin, a kidney-derived member of the natriuretic peptide family, contributes as a major mediator of sodium excretion to body fluid regulation in healthy men. In contrast to other members of the natriuretic peptide family, pathophysiological data for the renal natriuretic peptide have still been missing. The present study compares renal synthesis of urodilatin in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and healthy volunteers.

Cocaine or phenylephrine/lignocaine for nasal fibreoptic intubation?

In order to assess if a mixture of phenylephrine/lignocaine is as effective as cocaine for local analgesia and vasoconstriction during nasal fibreoptic intubation, 99 patients receiving topical nasal analgesia either with cocaine 10% or a mixture of phenylephrine 1% and lignocaine 4% were studied in a randomized double-blind investigation. After topical analgesia a flexible fibreoptic endoscope was advanced through a nostril. Larynx, glottis and trachea were endoscopically sprayed with lignocaine.

Neutral endopeptidase 24.11 inhibition may not exhibit beneficial haemodynamic effects in patients with congestive heart failure.

Objectives: Inhibition of neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP) prevents degradation of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a substance with vasodilatory and natriuretic properties. The aim of the study was to investigate the haemodynamic and endocrine effects of the NEP inhibitor candoxatril in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).

The dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker BAY t 7207 attenuates the exercise induced increase in plasma ANF and cyclic GMP in patients with mildly impaired left ventricular function.

In man, chronic antihypertensive calcium antagonist treatment improves cardiac function and reduces plasma ANF concentrations. Physical exercise increases cardiac workload and plasma ANF levels. In the present study, we investigated the effects of acute administration of the dihydropyridine calcium antagonist BAY t 7207 (BAY) during bicycle exercise on plasma ANF and plasma cyclic GMP levels, on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and on natriuresis and urinary urodilatin excretion.