Cerebrospinal fluid findings in patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies. Part 2: Results from 108 lumbar punctures in 80 pediatric patients.

Background: New-generation, cell-based assays have demonstrated a robust association of serum autoantibodies to full-length human myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG) with (mostly recurrent) optic neuritis, myelitis, and brainstem encephalitis, as well as with neuromyelitis optica (NMO)-like or acute-disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)-like presentations. However, only limited data are yet available on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings in MOG-IgG-associated encephalomyelitis (MOG-EM; also termed MOG antibody-associated disease, MOGAD).

Objective: To describe systematically the CSF profile in children with MOG-EM.

High Velocity Suspension Flame Spraying (HVSFS) of Metal Suspensions.

Thermal spraying of metal materials is one of the key applications of this technology in industry for over a hundred years. The variety of metal-based feedstocks (powders and wires) used for thermal spray is incredibly large and utilization covers abrasion and corrosion protection, as well as tribological and electrical applications. Spraying metals using suspension- or precursor-based thermal spray methods is a relatively new and unusual approach.

Thin Degradable Coatings for Optimization of Osteointegration Associated with Simultaneous Infection Prophylaxis.

One of the most common causes of implant failure is aseptic prosthesis loosening. Another frequent complication after prosthesis implant is the microbial colonization of the prosthesis surface, which often leads to a replacement of the prosthesis. One approach to reduce these complications is the application of bioactive substances to implant surfaces.

Mutations in Recessive Congenital Ichthyoses Illuminate the Origin and Functions of the Corneocyte Lipid Envelope.

The corneocyte lipid envelope (CLE), a monolayer of ω-hydroxyceramides whose function(s) remain(s) uncertain, is absent in patients with autosomal recessive congenital ichthyoses with mutations in enzymes that regulate epidermal lipid synthesis. Secreted lipids fail to transform into lamellar membranes in certain autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis epidermis, suggesting the CLE provides a scaffold for the extracellular lamellae. However, because cornified envelopes are attenuated in these autosomal recessive congenital ichthyoses, the CLE may also provide a scaffold for subjacent cornified envelope formation, evidenced by restoration of cornified envelopes after CLE rescue.

3D Powder Printed Bioglass and β-Tricalcium Phosphate Bone Scaffolds.

The use of both bioglass (BG) and β tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) for bone replacement applications has been studied extensively due to the materials' high biocompatibility and ability to resorb when implanted in the body. 3D printing has been explored as a fast and versatile technique for the fabrication of porous bone scaffolds. This project investigates the effects of using different combinations of a composite BG and β-TCP powder for 3D printing of porous bone scaffolds.

UV-A and UV-C light induced hydrophilization of dental implants.

Objectives: Wettability is increasingly considered to be an important factor determining biological responses to implant materials. In this context, the purpose of this study was to compare the dynamic wettability of dental implants made from different bulk materials and modified by different surface modifications, and to analyze the respective changes of wettability upon irradiating these implants by UV-A or UV-C light.

Methods: Four original screw-type implants were investigated: One grit-blasted/acid-etched and one anodically oxidized titanium, one zirconia and one polyetheretherketone implant.

The role of lipoxygenases in epidermis.

Lipoxygenases (LOX) are key enzymes in the biosynthesis of a variety of highly active oxylipins which act as signaling molecules involved in the regulation of many biological processes. LOX are also able to oxidize complex lipids and modify membrane structures leading to structural changes that play a role in the maturation and terminal differentiation of various cell types. The mammalian skin represents a tissue with highly abundant and diverse LOX metabolism.

Long-term results and prognostic factors after resection of hepatic and pulmonary metastases of colorectal cancer.

Background: Resection of colorectal liver or lung metastases is an established therapeutical concept at present. However, an affection of both these organs is frequently still regarded as incurable.

Methods: All cancer patients are documented in our prospective cancer registry since 1995.

Aloxe3 knockout mice reveal a function of epidermal lipoxygenase-3 as hepoxilin synthase and its pivotal role in barrier formation.

Loss-of-function mutations in the lipoxygenase (LOX) genes ALOX12B and ALOXE3 are the second most common cause of autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis. The encoded proteins, 12R-LOX and epidermal LOX-3 (eLOX-3), act in sequence to convert fatty acid substrates via R-hydroperoxides to specific epoxyalcohol derivatives and have been proposed to operate in the same metabolic pathway during epidermal barrier formation. Here, we show that eLOX-3 deficiency in mice results in early postnatal death, associated with similar but somewhat less severe barrier defects and morphological changes than reported earlier for the 12R-LOX-knockout mice.

A European training system in cardiothoracic surgery: is it time?

Objective: Training in cardiothoracic surgery across Europe remains diverse and variable despite the ever closer integration of European countries at all levels and in all areas of life. Coupled with the increasing ease of movement across Europe, the need for uniform training programmes has arisen to allow for equivalent accreditation and certification.

Methods: We review the current training paradigms within the specialty across the world and in Europe and also explore the concept of competence.

Epidermis-type lipoxygenase 3 regulates adipocyte differentiation and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma activity.

The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) is essential for adipogenesis. Although several fatty acids and their derivatives are known to bind and activate PPAR gamma, the nature of the endogenous ligand(s) promoting the early stages of adipocyte differentiation has remained enigmatic. Previously, we showed that lipoxygenase (LOX) activity is involved in activation of PPAR gamma during the early stages of adipocyte differentiation.

Molecular analysis of 250 patients with autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis: evidence for mutation hotspots in ALOXE3 and allelic heterogeneity in ALOX12B.

In recent years several new genes for autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) have been identified. However, little is known about the molecular epidemiology and pathophysiology of this genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of severe disorders of keratinization. ARCI is characterized by intense scaling of the whole integument often associated with erythema.

Development of an ichthyosiform phenotype in Alox12b-deficient mouse skin transplants.

12R-lipoxygenase (12R-LOX) represents a key enzyme of a recently identified eicosanoid pathway in the skin that plays an essential role in the establishment and/or maintenance of the epidermal barrier function. Genetic studies show that loss-of-function mutations in ALOX12B, encoding 12R-LOX, and in ALOXE3, encoding another closely related LOX involved in this pathway, are the second most common cause for autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI). To investigate the pathomechanism of ARCI and the function of 12R-LOX, we recently generated a 12R-LOX knockout model.

Adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes is dependent on lipoxygenase activity during the initial stages of the differentiation process.

Adipocytes play a central role in whole-body energy homoeostasis. Complex regulatory transcriptional networks control adipogensis, with ligand-dependent activation of PPARgamma (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) being a decisive factor. Yet the identity of endogenous ligands promoting adipocyte differentiation has not been established.

15-lipoxygenase-1 production is lost in pancreatic cancer and overexpression of the gene inhibits tumor cell growth.

Pancreatic cancer patients have an abysmal prognosis because of late diagnosis and lack of therapeutic options. Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs), the precursor lesions, are a potential target for chemoprevention. Targeting eicosanoid pathways is an obvious choice because 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) has been suggested as a tumor promoter in pancreatic carcinogenesis.

12R-lipoxygenase deficiency disrupts epidermal barrier function.

12R-lipoxygenase (12R-LOX) and the epidermal LOX-3 (eLOX-3) constitute a novel LOX pathway involved in terminal differentiation in skin. This view is supported by recent studies showing that inactivating mutations in 12R-LOX and eLOX-3 are linked to the development of autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis. We show that 12R-LOX deficiency in mice results in a severe impairment of skin barrier function.

Removal of a left atrial thrombus adherent to a patent foramen ovale occluder.

A 62-year-old man presented with bilateral thromboembolic occlusion of the lower leg arteries 8 months after closure of a patent foramen ovale with an Amplatzer patent-foramen-ovale occluder (AGA Medical Corporation, Plymouth, MN). Then he developed an acute myocardial ischemia. A left heart catheter revealed thromboembolic occlusion of the right coronary artery, and echocardiography demonstrated a thrombus attached to the device within the left atrium.

Inducible expression of 15-lipoxygenase-2 and 8-lipoxygenase inhibits cell growth via common signaling pathways.

Human 15-lipoxygenase (LOX)-2 and mouse 8-LOX represent orthologous members of the LOX family but display different positional specificities and tissue distribution. To study the functional role of 15-LOX-2 and 8-LOX in keratinocytes, an inducible Tet-On gene expression system was established in the premalignant mouse keratinocyte cell line 308. Doxycycline (dox)-induced expression of enzymatically active 15-LOX-2 and 8-LOX led to an inhibition of cell growth that was associated with an inhibition of DNA synthesis, as shown by a 15-46% reduction of 5-bromo-2-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) incorporation.

Role of epidermis-type lipoxygenases for skin barrier function and adipocyte differentiation.

12R-lipoxygenase (12R-LOX) and epidermis-type LOX-3 (eLOX-3) are novel members of the multigene family of mammalian LOX. A considerable gap exists between the identification of these enzymes and their biologic function. Here, we present evidence that 12R-LOX and eLOX-3, acting in sequence, and eLOX-3 in combination with another, not yet identified LOX are critically involved in terminal differentiation of keratinocytes and adipocytes, respectively.