Effect of Immunoadsorption on clinical presentation and immune alterations in COVID-19-induced and/or aggravated ME/CFS.

Autoreactive antibodies (AAB) are currently being investigated as causative or aggravating factors during post-COVID. In this study we analyze the effect of immunoadsorption therapy on symptom improvement and the relationship with immunological parameters in post-COVID patients exhibiting symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) induced or aggravated by an SARS-CoV-2 infection. This observational study includes 12 post-COVID patients exhibiting a predominance of ME/CFS symptoms alongside increased concentrations of autonomic nervous system receptors (ANSR) autoantibodies and neurological impairments.

Esophageal perforation with near fatal mediastinitis secondary to Th3 fracture.

A 74-year-old male patient was referred with signs of sepsis 5 days after having been diagnosed with a rib fracture following a fall out of bed. Novel hypodensities were visible on thoracic X‑rays and laboratory tests revealed elevated inflammatory parameters. Subsequently performed thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan showed burst fracture of the 3rd thoracic vertebra, posttraumatic esophageal rupture at the same level and mediastinitis.

Arteriovenous Oscillometric Plethysmography for Fistula Functional Testing.

Introduction: The aim of the presented prospective observational study was to evaluate the effect of fistula flow on peripheral wave morphology and pulse wave velocity by means of the oscillometric Vicorder®-device with the purpose of fistula surveillance.

Methods: Digitized and normalized curves of 53 haemodialysis patients at the fistula and non-fistula arm were analysed. Slope parameters and the areas under the curve of characteristic sections of pulse waves as well as the power spectrum of the pulse waves and their first and second derivatives were computed.

Management of immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura without therapeutic plasma exchange.

Immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a rare, life-threatening autoimmune disorder caused by a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13) deficiency. Caplacizumab, an anti-von Willebrand factor nanobody, is approved for iTTP treatment, reducing the need for therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and improving platelet count recovery and survival. We conducted a retrospective study on 42 acute iTTP cases in Austria and Germany, treated with a modified regimen aimed at avoiding TPE if platelet count increased after the first caplacizumab dose.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital admission rates for arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease: a German database study.

Background: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic it was speculated that the virus might be associated with a persistent increase of cardiovascular risk. The present study compares pre- and post-pandemic hospital admission rates for hypertension and coronary artery disease.

Methods: Systematic multicentric retrospective cohort analysis of 57.

Urinary calprotectin as a diagnostic tool for detecting significant bacteriuria.

Pyuria in dipstick examination serves as the most widespread screening tool for urinary tract infections (UTI). The absence of pyuria, however, does not exclude UTI. We investigated the diagnostic value of urinary calprotectin, a mediator protein of the innate immune system, which is released by leukocytes, for the detection of UTI and compared it with dipstick pyuria.

Prevalence of masked hypertension in attended versus unattended office blood pressure measurement.

There is a controversial debate regarding whether unattended blood pressure (BP) measurement should be regarded as the new gold standard of office BP measurement. Unattended BP measurement eliminates the white-coat effect and reduces external influences on the patient. On the other hand, it might underestimate real-life BP.

Predictors of blood pressure response to continuous positive airway pressure treatment in patients with sleep apnea.

Background: Sleep apnea is associated with hypertension. Metaanalyses indicate that treatment of sleep apnea by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) reduces blood pressure (BP) by a mean of 3 mmHg. To date, predictors of BP response to CPAP remain incompletely understood.

Oxidized high-density lipoprotein associates with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart arrhythmia and considered to be a progressive chronic disease associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Recent data suggest a link between inflammation, oxidative stress, and AF, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Because oxidized lipoproteins cause structural damage and electrophysiologic changes in cardiomyocytes, it is feasible that the transformation of atheroprotective high-density lipoprotein (HDL) into dysfunctional HDL contributes to the development of AF.

Severity of neurological Long-COVID symptoms correlates with increased level of autoantibodies targeting vasoregulatory and autonomic nervous system receptors.

Background: The Long-COVID syndrome constitutes a plethora of persisting symptoms with neurological disorders being the most disabling ones. The pathogenesis of Long-COVID is currently under heavy scrutiny and existing data on the role of auto-immune reaction to G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) are conflicting.

Methods: This monocentric, cross-sectional study included patients who suffered a mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection up to 12 months prior to enrollment with (n = 72) or without (n = 58) Long-COVID diagnosis according to the German S1 guideline or with no known history of SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 70).

Dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Background: The mechanism explaining low cholesterol concentrations in chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease (CIRD) is incompletely understood. We hypothesized that chronic inflammation impairs the functionality of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), for example, by oxidative processes.

Objectives: Assessment of oxidized HDL (HDL), a marker of dysfunctional HDL, in newly diagnosed patients with CIRD before and after initiation of immunosuppressive therapy and comparison of HDL values of patients with CIRD to non-CIRD controls.

Mg-Zn-Ca Alloy (ZX00) Screws Are Resorbed at a Mean of 2.5 Years After Medial Malleolar Fracture Fixation: Follow-up of a First-in-humans Application and Insights From a Sheep Model.

Background: In the ongoing development of bioresorbable implants, there has been a particular focus on magnesium (Mg)-based alloys. Several Mg alloys have shown promising properties, including a lean, bioresorbable magnesium-zinc-calcium (Mg-Zn-Ca) alloy designated as ZX00. To our knowledge, this is the first clinically tested Mg-based alloy free from rare-earth elements or other elements.

Generation of potentially inhibitory autoantibodies to ADAMTS13 in coronavirus disease 2019.

It has recently been shown that von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers contribute to immunothrombosis in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk of autoreactivity, the present study investigates, whether the generation of autoantibodies to ADAMTS13 contributes to this finding. In this observational prospective controlled multicenter study blood samples and clinical data of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were collected from April to November 2020.

Oscillometric pulse wave analysis for detecting low flow arteriovenous fistula.

Background: Pulse wave analysis may be useful to assess fistula function. We aimed to prospectively evaluate if convenient oscillometric devices are applicable to detect flow below 500 ml/min in a real life clinical setting.

Methods: Pulse waves were recorded ambilaterally with the vicorder® device at the brachial artery in 53 patients on haemodialysis with native fistula.

Germline mutation causes a multisystem chaperonopathy.

Mutations in genes encoding molecular chaperones can lead to chaperonopathies, but none have so far been identified causing congenital disorders of glycosylation. Here we identified two maternal half-brothers with a novel chaperonopathy, causing impaired protein O-glycosylation. The patients have a decreased activity of T-synthase (), an enzyme that exclusively synthesizes the T-antigen, a ubiquitous O-glycan core structure and precursor for all extended O-glycans.

Association of plasma propionate concentration with coronary artery disease in a large cross-sectional study.

Background: Microbiome has been linked to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) but data providing direct evidence for an association of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) with CAD are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the role of propionate, the most important SCFA in patients with CAD.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study enrolling patients admitted for invasive coronary angiography in two university hospitals in Germany.

Urinary biomarkers to predict acute kidney damage and mortality in COVID-19.

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent condition in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. There are only a few reports on the use of urinary biomarkers in COVID-19 and no data so far comparing the prognostic use of individual biomarkers in the prediction of adverse outcomes.

Materials And Methods: We performed a prospective mono-centric study on the value of urinary biomarkers in predicting the composite endpoint of a transfer to the intensive care unit, the need for renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital mortality.

[Sterile puncture of large joints].

Objective: Puncture of large joints is performed for diagnostic purposes on the one hand and for the treatment of joint pathologies on the other. Puncture can be used for rapid pain relief by relieving effusions or intra-articular hematomas. The obtained puncture specimen allows immediate visual assessment and subsequent microscopic-cytological and microbiological evaluation in the laboratory.

Effect of Nephrectomy After Allograft Failure on Inflammation, Erythropoiesis, Donor-Specific Antibodies, and Outcome of Re-Transplantation.

BACKGROUND Morbidity and mortality rates are high for patients returning to dialysis after renal graft failure. Keeping failed kidney transplants in situ with concomitant minimization or withdrawal of immunosuppression is standard of care in many transplant centers. It is unclear, however, whether the resulting allospecific immune response can cause a microinflammatory milieu.

Predictors of impaired SARS-CoV-2 immunity in healthcare workers after vaccination with BNT162b2.

Healthcare workers are at substantially increased risk for infection with SARS-CoV-2. Successful vaccination constitutes a crucial prerequisite to protect this group during the pandemic. Since post vaccination antibody monitoring is not standard of care in all healthcare institutions, data on risk factors of impaired vaccine induced immune response are urgently required.

Impact of weather changes on hospital admissions for hypertension.

Blood pressure (BP) shows a seasonal variation with higher levels at lower temperatures. Many hypertensives, however, report on BP disturbances rather in association with acutely changing weather conditions than with absolute temperatures. To date, the impact of changing meteorological parameters on hypertensive episodes remains elusive.