Precision Test of AdS_{6}/CFT_{5} in Type IIB String Theory.

Superconformal field theories (SCFTs) in dimensions greater than 4 have become an integral part in the general understanding of quantum field theory, with many interesting implications in lower dimensions. They are hard to define using traditional methods, but can be engineered in string theory. Recently, a large class of AdS/CFT dualities has been constructed for five-dimensional SCFTs, which further supports their existence and allows for quantitative studies.

Holographic Duals for Five-Dimensional Superconformal Quantum Field Theories.

We construct global solutions to type IIB supergravity with 16 residual supersymmetries whose space-time is AdS_{6}×S^{2} warped over a Riemann surface. Families of solutions are labeled by an arbitrary number L≥3 of asymptotic regions, in each of which the supergravity fields match those of a (p,q) five-brane, and may therefore be viewed as near-horizon limits of fully localized intersections of five-branes in type IIB string theory. These solutions provide compelling candidates for holographic duals to a large class of five-dimensional superconformal quantum field theories which arise as nontrivial UV fixed points of perturbatively nonrenormalizable Yang-Mills theories, thereby making them more directly accessible to quantitative analysis.

Precision Test of Gauge-Gravity Duality with Flavor.

We put AdS/CFT dualities involving probe branes to a precision test. On the holographic side we use a new class of supersymmetric D7-brane embeddings into AdS(5)×S(5), which allow us to describe N=4 super Yang-Mills theory coupled to massive N=2 supersymmetric flavors on S(4). With these embeddings we can compare holographic results to a field theory analysis of the free energy using supersymmetric localization.

[Stress-related alteration of urine compositions: idiopathic CaOx stone formers, patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (CIBD) and healthy controls].

Background: Increased emotional stress in everyday life influences the way of living and metabolism of people living in developed countries. Contemporaneously, the incidence and prevalence of urolithiasis rises. Does a pathogenetically relevant relationship exist between chronic stress burden and permanently altered urinary composition?

Patients And Methods: The influence of chronic stress burden on urine composition and risk of urinary calcium oxalate (CaOx) stone formation was, for the first time, comprehensively investigated in 29 healthy controls (CG), 29 idiopathic CaOx stone formers (SF) and 28 patients suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel disease (CIBD).

[Uncontrolled clinical study of the efficacy of ambulant fasting in patients with osteoarthritis].

Objective: To study the efficacy of fasting therapy according to Buchinger on pain, state of health, and articular function in patients with osteoarthritis.

Patients And Methods: Uncontrolled pilot study in which 30 patients (22 women, 8 men) with osteoarthritis (Kellgren stages I-III) of the hand (N = 10), hip (N = 8) and knee (N = 12) underwent ambulant fasting therapy according to Buchinger for 2 weeks with 3 pre-fast days, 8 fast days (300 kcal) and 4 re-feed days as well as follow-up 4 and 12 weeks afterwards. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA: Global intensity of pain (visual analogue scale, VAS); joint pain with activity, with start of walking, at rest (VAS); pressure pain threshold; articular function; health-related quality of life (SF-36 including Physical Component Score and Mental Component Score); Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Arthrose Index (WOMAC); painDETECT-questionnaire (Pfizer); analgesics; weight; body mass index (BMI); waist circumference; blood pressure; pulse and a variety of serological parameters.

Metabolic stress response patterns in urinary compositions of idiopathic calcium oxalate stone formers, patients with chronic bowel diseases and controls.

Emotional stress is associated with e.g. increased hormone release, high blood-sugar level and blood pressure.

Inhibition of histone deacetylases by Trichostatin A leads to a HoxB4-independent increase of hematopoietic progenitor/stem cell frequencies as a result of selective survival.

Background: DNA and chromatin modifications are critical mediators in the establishment and maintenance of cell type-specific gene expression patterns that constitute cellular identities. One type of modification, the acetylation and deacetylation of histones, occurs reversibly on lysine ε-NH₃(+) groups of core histones via histone acetyl transferases (HAT) and histone deacetylases (HDAC). Hyperacetylated histones are associated with active chromatin domains, whereas hypoacetylated histones are enriched in non-transcribed loci.

[Influence of acupuncture on postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting after visceral surgery : a prospective, randomized comparative study of metamizole and standard treatment].

Background: The objective of this study was to assess repeated needle acupuncture in the treatment of postoperative pain and nausea after visceral surgery.

Material And Methods: Sixty-six patients undergoing visceral surgery (hysterectomy, cholecystectomy) were randomly assigned to group A (three sessions of needle acupuncture, n=21), group M (3x1000 mg metamizole, n=20), or group K (control, n=25). All patients received patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) using piritramide.

The effect of mild whole-body hyperthermia on systemic levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Serial mild whole-body hyperthermia is a widely used balneotherapy modality for clinically inactive ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in rehabilitative medicine. Thus far, the mechanisms of its favorable influence on the symptoms of AS are not completely understood. We therefore analyzed the effect of mild whole-body hyperthermia on the systemic levels of pivotal proinflammatory cytokines.

Dercum's disease (Lipomatosis dolorosa): successful therapy with pregabalin and manual lymphatic drainage and a current overview.

Dercum's disease which is also termed lipomatosis dolorosa is a rare and relatively unknown disease. In this entity the upper arms, elbows, stomach wall, buttocks, thighs and knees are predominantly affected showing painful subcutaneous adipose tissue deposits. In addition severe hyperalgesia can be triggered by light pressure and touch.

[Serial whole-body cryotherapy in the criostream for inflammatory rheumatic diseases. A pilot study].

Background And Purpose: Local as well as whole-body cryotherapy is used to relieve pain and inflammation in rheumatic diseases. In comparison with a chamber-based whole-body cryotherapy, the novel criostream whole-body therapy (single-person cabin with cold air cooled by liquid nitrogen) as an innovative technique offers not only a rapid therapeutic effect but also a considerable reduction in costs. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of whole-body cryotherapy in the criostream on pain reduction, disease activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-[TNF-]alpha and interleukin-[IL-]1), and improvement in functional scores.

[Physiotherapeutic and rehabilitation therapy for ankylosing spondylitis. Status quo and are they still necessary in the age of anti-cytokine therapy?].

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases characterized by erosions and bone proliferation with consecutive morphologic and functional deficits. Physiotherapeutic and rehabilitation measures are often necessary for AS patients for their whole life. In recent years, biologicals have substantially improved the outcome in AS patients, but their positive influence on vertebral and joint functions still requires differential indicative physiotherapeutic strategies and rehabilitation, in most cases in combination with effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory medication.

[Repeated cold water stimulations (hydrotherapy according to Kneipp) in patients with COPD].

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often suffer from exacerbations caused by infections of the bronchial tract.

Objective: What effects do hydrotherapeutic applications according to Kneipp have on lung function, blood gases, immune system and quality of life of patients with COPD?

Patients And Methods: 20 patients with COPD (17 males, 3 females); mean age: 64; forced expiratory volume (FEV1): 62 of 100% (on average); no acute exacerbations, no oral corticosteroids. Measurements were performed (I) at 10 weeks pre-treatment, (II) immediately before therapy (I-II: baseline-period), (III) after 10 weeks treatment with 3 cold affusions and 2 cold washings of the upper part of the body (self-treatment) per week each, (IV) 3 months after completion of the treatment (follow- up).

[Physiotherapy strategies in osteoporosis--recommendations for daily practice].

Physiotherapy in osteoporosis essentially takes the form of stimulatory therapy tailored to the findings and the pathomechanism. The choice of therapy and its dosage depend on the desired result (prevention, cure, rehabilitation). Physical therapy applied in osteoporosis includes electrical, thermic (hydrothermic, high frequency thermic, light thermic) and mechanical (massage, physiotherapy) stimuli, which can be applied regionally, locally or hoistically.

[Does garlic influence rheologic properties and blood flow in progressive systemic sclerosis?].

Background: According to traditional European naturopathy garlic is an agent that increases perfusion. In studies with healthy subjects and in-vitro research garlic has shown influences on erythrocyte and thrombocyte aggregation as well as on vasoregulation. However, data on its effects in clinical populations are still lacking.

Exercises and physiotherapeutic strategies for preventing and treating osteoporosis.

For the treatment of osteoporosis, appropiate physiotherapy needs to use the given or remaining abilities of a patient to modulate and optimize the biological functions and structures (bone, muscle) in an adaptive, stimulating and regenerating sense. In addition physiotherapy can set serial physical stimuli to minimize pain perception by bio-psychosocial effects. Physiotherapy for osteoporosis has to be seen equivalent to pharmacotherapy with respect to prevention, cure and rehabilitation.

Therapeutic ultrasound in lower extremity wound management.

In medical practice, ultrasound (US) is used for diagnosis and therapy. High-frequency (1-4 MHz) and low-frequency (20-120 KHz) therapeutic US are relevant to wound healing. The heating effects of high-frequency US are important, whereas the mechanical effects of low-frequency US must be considered.

Transdermal CO2 application in chronic wounds.

Chronic wounds are a challenge to treatment. In this retrospective study, the effect of transdermal CO2 application on wound healing in chronic ulcers was investigated and compared to the effect of CO2 on acute surgical wounds. Eighty-six patients (52 females and 34 males) with chronic wounds of different origin except arterial occlusive disease were included.

Current knowledge about physiotherapeutic strategies in osteoporosis prevention and treatment.

In treating patients with osteoporosis, one option in physiotherapy is to comply with given physical norms by using physical stimuli to influence biological functions and structures (bone, muscle) for adaptation, stimulation, and regeneration. Serial physical stimuli can also be used for interventions and actions to minimise pain perception by means of biopsychosocial influence. In osteoporosis, physiotherapy has to be rated on a par with pharmacotherapy with respect to prevention, cure, and rehabilitation.

Acquired nevoid telangiectasia.

Background: Acquired nevoid telangiectasia (ANT) is a segmental dilatation of papillary plexus vessels.

Objective: In the present study, the frequency of ANT and its associations with collagen vascular and spinal disease have been investigated.

Methods: 188 unselected patients, seen at an interdisciplinary dermatorheumatologic outpatient clinic, were clinically examined for the presence of ANT and possible associations to preexisting disease.

[Effects of Kneippism, a standardized complex therapy, on pain, quality of life and use of medicines: cohort study with a one-year follow-up].

Background: Inpatient as well as outpatient cure in a spa environment with commonly 3- to 4-week duration features a combination of different treatments customized according to the needs of the individual patient. The physiological rationale and the mode of action are widely accepted. However, firm quantitative evidence of the clinical effectiveness is incomplete.

[Progressive systemic sclerosis - treatment results of extracorporeal photopheresis].

The treatment of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) is still unsatisfactory. We report on clinical, laboratory and immunological findings in 26 patients with PSS (6 males, 20 women) treated with extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) for 8 cycles in a nonrandomized, uncontrolled study. ECP was performed on two consecutive days once a month.