The G protein-coupled receptor Gpr1 and the Galpha protein Gpa2 act through the cAMP-protein kinase A pathway to induce morphogenesis in Candida albicans.

We investigated the role in cell morphogenesis and pathogenicity of the Candida albicans GPR1 gene, encoding the G protein-coupled receptor Gpr1. Deletion of C. albicans GPR1 has only minor effects in liquid hypha-inducing media but results in strong defects in the yeast-to-hypha transition on solid hypha-inducing media.

Proteomics on its way to study host-pathogen interaction in Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is a common fungal pathogen of humans, but also exists as a commensal in the population. Proteomics of C. albicans has been used since the early 1980s, however, only the recent publication of the genome sequence of C.

RBR1, a novel pH-regulated cell wall gene of Candida albicans, is repressed by RIM101 and activated by NRG1.

The transcription factor Rim101p of Candida albicans has been shown to play a major role in pH-dependent gene regulation. Rim101p is involved in cell wall biosynthesis, since it regulates PHR1 and PHR2, two almost functionally redundant cell wall glycosidases important for adaptation to either neutral or acidic habitats within the human host. To identify additional cell wall components regulated by Rim101p, we performed transcriptional profiling with a cell wall-specific DNA microarray.

[Stability, bone healing and loss of correction after valgus realignment of the tibial head. A roentgen stereometry analysis].

In high tibial closing-wedge osteotomies (HTO), closure of an osteotomy gap after resection of a bony wedge can be associated with a fissure of the medial cortex of the tibial head (MCT). The effect of a broken MCT on the recurrence of varus deformity is disputed. In this study, serial roentgen stereometric analysis (RSA) was used to determine the fixation stability of a rigid internal "L" plate after HTO.

[Imaging and preoperative planning of osteotomy of tibial head osteotomy].

Valgus-producing osteotomy of the proximal tibia is a well-established treatment for medial femorotibial osteoarthritis in the varus knee. The ideal patient is active, under 55 years of age, has a stable varus deformity of less than 10 degrees, a good bone stock, and an osteoarthritis stage that is restricted to the medial compartment of the knee. Coventry reported a failure rate in proximal tibial osteotomy to be significantly higher when the postoperative alignment was less than 8 degrees of anatomical valgus.

Biomechanical properties of patellar and hamstring graft tibial fixation techniques in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: experimental study with roentgen stereometric analysis.

Background: Reliable fixation of the soft hamstring grafts in ACL reconstruction has been reported as problematic.

Hypothesis: The biomechanical properties of patellar tendon (PT) grafts fixed with biodegradable screws (PTBS) are superior compared to quadrupled hamstring grafts fixed with BioScrew (HBS) or Suture-Disc fixation (HSD).

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study with roentgen stereometric analysis (RSA).

Statin therapy in patients with coronary artery disease improves the impaired endothelial progenitor cell differentiation into cardiomyogenic cells.

Human endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can differentiate into cardiomyogenic cells in vitro. We tested the effects of statin therapy on the differentiation rate of EPCs from patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), who may benefit from autologous cell therapy.EPCs from 3 age-matched groups were tested: No CAD (n = 13), CAD patients with (n = 10) or without (n = 16) statin therapy.

Ultrasonographic evaluation at 6-month follow-up of plantar fasciitis after extracorporeal shock wave therapy.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on the ultrasonographic appearance of chronically painful, proximal plantar fasciitis.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-two patients with a unilateral proximal plantar fasciitis were prospectively enrolled after unsuccessful conservative treatment lasting 6 months. The contralateral plantar fascia was used as the control.

[Arthroscopic elbow surgery in rheumatoid arthritis].

The technique of arthroscopic elbow surgery and its possibilities in the rheumatoid arthritic elbow is discussed. Emphasis is placed on the description of arthroscopic anterior (anterolateral, anteromedial, superomedial) and posterior approaches (straight lateral, posterolateral, straight posterior) to the elbow and the surrounding neurovascular anatomy. Technical hints for elbow arthroscopy especially with relevance to the rheumatoid population are given.

Identification of cell surface determinants in Candida albicans reveals Tsa1p, a protein differentially localized in the cell.

To identify cell surface proteins of Candida albicans, the predominant fungal pathogen in humans, we have established an approach using a membrane impermeable biotin derivative in combination with affinity purification. We were able to identify 29 different proteins under two distinct conditions. Among mannoproteins, heat shock proteins and glycolytic enzymes we found thiol-specific antioxidant-like protein 1 (Tsa1p) to be differentially localized depending on the conditions applied.

[Biodegradable meniscus fixations: a comparative biomechanical study].

Purpose: Numerous new all inside meniscus repair techniques using biodegradable fixation devices have become available in the last years. Few studies have dealt with the biomechanical properties of these implants so far. The aim of this study was to analyze meniscus repairs under cyclic loading conditions for different fixation devices (Meniscus Arrow, Clearfix Meniscal Screw, Meniscal Dart, BioStinger) and to compare them to standard suture techniques.

Transdifferentiation of blood-derived human adult endothelial progenitor cells into functionally active cardiomyocytes.

Background: Further to promoting angiogenesis, cell therapy may be an approach for cardiac regeneration. Recent studies suggest that progenitor cells can transdifferentiate into other lineages. However, the transdifferentiation potential of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) is unknown.

A screen in Saccharomyces cerevisiae identified CaMCM1, an essential gene in Candida albicans crucial for morphogenesis.

Morphogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans is governed in part by the same molecular circuits. In S. cerevisiae, FLO11/MUC1 expression has been shown to be modulated by multiple signalling pathways required for pseudohyphal development.

EFG1 is a major regulator of cell wall dynamics in Candida albicans as revealed by DNA microarrays.

Cell wall dynamics in Candida albicans, the most common fungal pathogen in man, underlie regulatory processes during the yeast-to-hyphae transition. To analyse this regulation at the transcriptional level, we have established a DNA microarray representing genes implicated in cell wall biogenesis. Using these microarrays, we were able to identify YWP1 and HWP2 that are specifically transcribed in the yeast or hyphal growth form respectively.

[Replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament with a patellar tendon transplant].

The bone-patellar tendon-bone graft (BTPB) was the most commonly used graft for many years. The scientific database is more complete than for every other graft option. This review article presents the surgical techniques of ACL reconstruction with the BPTB graft, aspects of rehabilitation, clinical results, and postoperative problems with special emphasis on donor site morbidity.

[Diagnosis of rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament].

Clinical examination has remained the key for diagnosis of meniscal and ligament lesions of the knee. Economical use of imaging techniques is based on adequate clinical examination. Standard radiographic examination is still a simple and valuable method.

Prevalence of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle in elderly patients.

Aseptic osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle has recently been reported as a complication of arthroscopic surgery. The time interval between the onset of symptoms and pathognomonic MRI changes (diagnostic window) is not known for osteonecrosis of the knee. To determine the prevalence of early-stage spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK) we prospectively examined 176 patients by MRI between May 1998 and December 1999.

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in patients with chronic proximal plantar fasciitis.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in patients with chronically painful proximal plantar fasciitis with a conventional conservative treatment consisting of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heel cup, orthoses and/or shoe modifications, local steroid injections and electrotherapy. Forty-seven patients (49 feet) with a previously unsuccessful conservative treatment of at least six months were randomized to two groups. Treatment of Group 1 (25 heels) started immediately with three sessions of ESWT (3000 shockwaves/session of 0.

Fatigue testing of suture anchors.

In a porcine tibia model, we subjected widely used anchor-suture combinations to a fatigue-testing protocol. The Ethibond No. 2 suture was the weakest part of the anchor-suture combinations when they were loaded to failure by a single pull.

In vitro reconstructed human epithelia reveal contributions of Candida albicans EFG1 and CPH1 to adhesion and invasion.

The individual and synergistic contributions of two transcription factors, EFG1 and CPH1, have been characterized with regard to adhesion to, and invasion of, human epithelia by Candida albicans. For this purpose two in vitro reconstructed tissue models were developed. A multi-layered model of human epidermis was used to simulate superficial infections of the skin, whereas a reconstructed human intestinal model was used to mimic the first steps of systemic infections.

Popliteal cysts in adults. Prevalence, associated intraarticular lesions, and results after arthroscopic treatment.

The objective of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence of popliteal cysts and the associated intraarticular lesions in a group of 100 patients scheduled for arthroscopic surgery of the knee and to evaluate the results of arthroscopic treatment for these intraarticular lesions without removal of the cyst. One hundred patients without any knee complaints served as a control group. The diagnosis of a popliteal cyst was made on the basis of ultrasonography.