Growth of human septal chondrocytes in fibrin scaffolds.

Background: Tissue engineering of nasal septal cartilage has been the focus of research owing to its superior structural rigidity and ease of harvest. In vitro constructs formed from septal chondrocytes using fibrin glue within a polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffold have been shown to be viable, but their cellular growth and expression of differentiated features still have not been quantified. In this study, we evaluated cellular proliferation and production of cartilaginous extracellular matrix (ECM) components in fibrin glue preparations within a PGA scaffold.

Next Generation Sequencing of miRNAs - Strategies, Resources and Methods.

miRNAs constitute a family of small RNA species that have been demonstrated to play a central role in regulating gene expression in many organisms. With the advent of next generation sequencing, new opportunities have arisen to identify and quantify miRNAs and elucidate their function. The unprecedented sequencing depth reached by next generation sequencing technologies makes it possible to get a comprehensive miRNA landscape but also poses new challenges for data analysis.

Different letter-processing strategies in diagnostic subgroups of developmental dyslexia also occur in a transparent orthography: reply to a commentary by Spinelli et al.

The article was motivated by a commentary of Spinelli et al. (2010) , who commented on our experimental study with dyslexic children (Lachmann & van Leeuwen, 2008). They questioned the unusually large reversed lexicality effect we reported for three of our dyslexic children for which word reading times were considerably longer than nonword reading times.

Transcription-blocking DNA damage in aging: a mechanism for hormesis.

Recent evidence from studies on DNA repair systems that are implicated in accelerated aging syndromes, have revealed a mechanism through which low levels of persistent damage might exert beneficial effects for both cancer prevention and longevity assurance. Beneficial effects of adaptive responses to low doses of insults that in higher concentrations show adverse effects are generally referred to as hormesis. There are numerous examples of hormetic effects ranging from mild stresses of irradiation to heat stress, hypergravity, pro-oxidants, or food restriction.

Interactive cytokine regulation of synoviocyte lubricant secretion.

Cytokine regulation of synovial fluid (SF) lubricants, hyaluronan (HA), and proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) is important in health, injury, and disease of synovial joints, and may also provide powerful regulation of lubricant secretion in bioreactors for articulating tissues. This study assessed lubricant secretion rates by human synoviocytes and the molecular weight (MW) of secreted lubricants in response to interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-17, IL-32, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), applied individually and in all combinations. Lubricant secretion rates were assessed using ELISA and binding assays, and lubricant MW was assessed using gel electrophoresis and Western blotting.

Cartilage outgrowth in fibrin scaffolds.

Background: Fibrin glue has been a favorable hydrogel in cartilage tissue engineering, but implantation of chondrocyte-fibrin suspensions have resulted in volume loss. In this study, human septal cartilage chips were seeded onto a fibrin scaffold, and cellular proliferation and production of cartilaginous extracellular matrix (ECM) were evaluated.

Methods: Human septal cartilage was diced into cartilage chips and encased with and without fibrin glue.

Controlled but independent: effects of mental rotation and developmental dyslexia in dual-task settings.

In two experiments, we compared the performance of normal-reading (n = 26) and dyslexic children (n = 22) in discriminating letters from their mirrored images. In experiment 1, they were always presented in the upright orientation; in experiment 2, they were presented in different angular orientations (0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees). In order to determine whether task and dyslexia affect reaction times in early or late stages of processing, a dual-task paradigm was adopted in which the primary task was tone discrimination.

Cryoballoon ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation within the dilated coronary sinus in a case of persistent left superior vena cava.

Trigger sources of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) are not limited to a pulmonary vein origin and may be achievable by cardiac vascular structures like the coronary sinus (CS), the vena cava superior and in some rare cases by a persistent left superior vena cava (LSVC). Cryoballoon ablation has been shown to be effective in pulmonary vein isolation. We report an unusual case of using this technique in the dilated CS in case of a persistent LSVC.

Role of proinflammatory markers and NT-proBNP in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and an electrical storm.

Background: Several studies have attempted to identify risk factors for the development of an electrical storm (ES), which is defined as 3 separate ventricular tachyarrhythmic (VT/VF) events, but in the majority of studies no triggers have been found. However, little is known about the role of inflammation and NT-proBNP in patients with ES. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the relationship of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and NT-proBNP serum concentrations in ICD-patients with or without single spontaneous ventricular tachyarrhythmic events (VT/VF) and in ES.

Comparative performance of uncoated, self-expanding metal biliary stents of different designs in 2 diameters: final results of an international multicenter, randomized, controlled trial.

Background: The Wallstent has remained the industry standard for biliary self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs). Recently, stents of differing designs, compositions, and diameters have been developed.

Objective: To compare the new nitinol 6-mm and 10-mm Zilver stents with the 10-mm stainless steel Wallstent and determine the mechanism of obstruction.

Expansion and redifferentiation of chondrocytes from osteoarthritic cartilage: cells for human cartilage tissue engineering.

Objective: To determine if selected culture conditions enhance the expansion and redifferentiation of chondrocytes isolated from human osteoarthritic cartilage with yields appropriate for creation of constructs for treatment of joint-scale cartilage defects, damage, or osteoarthritis.

Methods: Chondrocytes isolated from osteoarthritic cartilage were analyzed to determine the effects of medium supplement on cell expansion in monolayer and then cell redifferentiation in alginate beads. Expansion was assessed as cell number estimated from DNA, growth rate, and day of maximal growth.

[Regular tachycardia with broad QRS complex: differential diagnosis on 12-lead ECG].

Differential diagnosis of regular tachycardia with broad QRS complex can be challenging in daily practice. There are four different arrhythmias that have to be taken into account when being confronted with a broad QRS complex tachycardia: (1) ventricular tachycardia (VT); (2) supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with bundle branch block (BBB); (3) SVT with AV conduction over an accessory AV pathway; (4) paced ventricular rhythm. Due to potentially fatal consequences, the correct diagnosis is important in view of both the acute treatment and the long-term therapy.

Persistent transcription-blocking DNA lesions trigger somatic growth attenuation associated with longevity.

The accumulation of stochastic DNA damage throughout an organism's lifespan is thought to contribute to ageing. Conversely, ageing seems to be phenotypically reproducible and regulated through genetic pathways such as the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and growth hormone (GH) receptors, which are central mediators of the somatic growth axis. Here we report that persistent DNA damage in primary cells from mice elicits changes in global gene expression similar to those occurring in various organs of naturally aged animals.

Comparison of standard endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) versus an optimized ESD technique for the colon: an animal study.

Background And Study Aims: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a promising therapeutic technique for en bloc resection of large gastrointestinal tumors. However, this technique has disadvantages such as a long intervention time, complexity of the procedure, and a higher rate of complications. The primary aims of the study were to show the feasibility of ESD in the pig colon and to evaluate a new ESD technique comprising the use of a newly developed hybrid knife for colon procedures combining RF (radiofrequency) application and a distance-dependent water-jet application.

Randomized controlled study of EMR versus endoscopic submucosal dissection with a water-jet hybrid-knife of esophageal lesions in a porcine model.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) seems to be more effective than EMR for curative resection of GI mucosal neoplasia. However, ESD is technically difficult, hazardous, and time consuming. New technologies may overcome these drawbacks.

[Temporal trends in the use of drug-eluting stents in German clinical practice].

Background And Purpose: : Drug-eluting stents (DES) have been shown to reduce the risk of in-stent stenosis, one of the major problems of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with implantation of baremetal stents. DES are approved in Germany since 2002. The following study is based on data of the ALKK PCI registry and assesses the use of DES depending on patient characteristics, indication and coronary status comparing the treatment years 2003 and 2005.

A fatal poisoning involving Bromo-Dragonfly.

This paper reports a fatal overdose case involving the potent hallucinogenic drug Bromo-Dragonfly (1-(8-bromobenzo[1,2-b; 4,5-b']difuran-4-yl)-2-aminopropane). In the present case, an 18-year-old woman was found dead after ingestion of a hallucinogenic liquid. A medico-legal autopsy was performed on the deceased, during which liver, blood, urine and vitreous humour were submitted for toxicological examination.

Sealing the gap between nuclear DNA damage and longevity.

A number of progeroid syndromes with defects in the cellular response to DNA damage suggest that progressive genome instability represents an important aspect of the aging process. Here, we review a number of mouse models for progeroid syndromes that are caused by inherited defects in nucleotide excision repair and are characterized by rapid onset of aging symptoms and premature death. We argue that alterations in genome maintenance pathways impact complex physiological processes that may affect the onset of clinically defined age-related pathologies, including cancer as well as pathways that are normally associated with longevity.