Effect of Sequential vs. Simultaneous Dual Growth Factor Release from Structured Heparin-Poly-Electrolyte Multilayer Coatings on Peri-Implant Bone Formation and Angiogenesis in Pig Mandibles.

The aim of the present study was to test the sequential and simultaneous release of rhBMP2 and rhVEGF165 from poly-l-lysine-heparin (PLL-Hep) poly-electrolyte multilayer (PEM) coating on titanium surfaces for their ability to enhance peri-implant bone formation and CD31 expression around disc-shaped titanium implants (5 × 7 mm) in mini-pig mandibles. Bare titanium surfaces loaded with respective growth factor combinations served as controls. Ten different surface conditions were tested exhibiting early VEGF release, early BMP release, simultaneous VEGF and BMP release, and sole VEGF/BMP release, respectively.

Sclerostin Alters Tumor Cell Characteristics of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and May Be a Key Player in Local Bone Invasion.

Localized jawbone invasion is a milestone in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The factors that promote this process are not well understood. Sclerostin is known to be involved in bone metabolism and there are preliminary reports of its involvement in bone tumors and bone metastasis.

Tailored Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Systems by Variation of Polyelectrolyte Composition and EDC/NHS Cross-Linking: Controlled Drug Release vs. Drug Reservoir Capabilities and Cellular Response for Improved Osseointegration.

Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEM) are versatile tools used to investigate fundamental interactions between material-related parameters and the resulting performance in stem cell differentiation, respectively, in bone tissue engineering. In the present study, we investigate the suitability of PEMs with a varying collagen content for use as drug carriers for the human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2). We use three different PEM systems consisting either of the positively charged poly-L-lysine or the glycoprotein collagen type I and the negatively charged glycosaminoglycan heparin.

Breast cancer cell-based ELISA: a potential material for better detection of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia antibodies.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is caused by newly formed platelet-activating antibodies against complexes formed between platelet factor 4 (PF4) and heparin (H). HIT can result in life-threatening complications; thus, early detection of HIT antibodies is crucial for the treatment of the disease. The enzyme-linked immune absorbance assay (ELISA) for the identification of HIT antibodies is widely used in many laboratories, but in general, this test provides only ∼50% accuracy while other methods show multiple limitations.

Collagen-Based Osteogenic Nanocoating of Microrough Titanium Surfaces.

The aim of the present study was to develop a collagen/heparin-based multilayer coating on titanium surfaces for retarded release of recombinant human bone morphogenic protein 2 (rhBMP2) to enhance the osteogenic activity of implant surfaces. Polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coatings were constructed on sandblasted/acid-etched surfaces of titanium discs using heparin and collagen. PEM films of ten double layers were produced and overlayed with 200 µL of a rhBMP2 solution containing 15 µg rhBMP2.

Tailored Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Systems by Variation of Polyelectrolyte Composition and EDC/NHS Cross-Linking: Physicochemical Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation.

The layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technique is an effective method to immobilize components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) such as collagen and heparin onto, e.g., implant surfaces/medical devices with the aim of forming polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs).

Development of a system of heparin multilayers on titanium surfaces for dual growth factor release.

The aim of the present study was to establish a modular platform of poly-L-lysine-heparin (PLL-Hep) polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coatings on titanium surfaces for dual growth factor delivery of recombinant human bone morphogenic protein 2 (rhBMP2) and recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (rhVEGF165) in clinically relevant quantities. Release characteristics for both growth factors differed significantly depending on film architecture. rhBMP2 induced activation of alkaline phosphatase in C2C12 cells and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs).

Vasopressor Therapy in Cardiac Surgery-An Experts' Consensus Statement.

Hemodynamic conditions with reduced systemic vascular resistance commonly are observed in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and may range from moderate reductions in vascular tone, as a side effect of general anesthetics, to a profound vasodilatory syndrome, often referred to as vasoplegic shock. Therapy with vasopressors is an important pillar in the treatment of these conditions. There is limited guidance on the appropriate choice of vasopressors to restore and optimize systemic vascular tone in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Qualification, knowledge, tasks and responsibilities of the clinical perfusionist in Germany.

Consensus paper of the German Society of Cardiovascular Engineering, the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, the German Society of Cardiology, the German Society of Pediatric Cardiology, the German Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, the German Interdisciplinary Association of Intensive Care Medicine and Emergency Medicine and the German Society of Medical Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine.

Correction to: Epigenetic regulation of L1CAM in endometrial carcinoma: comparison to cancer-testis (CT-X) antigens.

Following publication of the original article [1], we have been alerted to errors in Figs. 2 and 8. In Fig.

Epigenomic profiling of non-small cell lung cancer xenografts uncover LRP12 DNA methylation as predictive biomarker for carboplatin resistance.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and is primarily treated with radiation, surgery, and platinum-based drugs like cisplatin and carboplatin. The major challenge in the treatment of NSCLC patients is intrinsic or acquired resistance to chemotherapy. Molecular markers predicting the outcome of the patients are urgently needed.

The provision of pediatric cardiac anesthesia services in Germany: current status of structural and personnel organization.

Background: Anesthesia for pediatric cardiac surgery requires a high level of expert knowledge. There are currently no recommendations and standards for anesthetic management for congenital cardiac surgery in Germany.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the current status of structural and personnel anesthetic standards at pediatric cardiac surgery centers in Germany.

QSEA-modelling of genome-wide DNA methylation from sequencing enrichment experiments.

Genome-wide enrichment of methylated DNA followed by sequencing (MeDIP-seq) offers a reasonable compromise between experimental costs and genomic coverage. However, the computational analysis of these experiments is complex, and quantification of the enrichment signals in terms of absolute levels of methylation requires specific transformation. In this work, we present QSEA, Quantitative Sequence Enrichment Analysis, a comprehensive workflow for the modelling and subsequent quantification of MeDIP-seq data.

The association between the transfusion of small volumes of leucocyte-depleted red blood cells and outcomes in patients undergoing open-heart valve surgery.

Objectives: The relationship between the transfusion of red blood cell (RBC) units and outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is the subject of intense debates. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the transfusion of 1-2 leucocyte-depleted (LD) RBC units and outcomes in patients undergoing open-heart valve surgery.

Methods: The investigation encompassed consecutive patients undergoing open-heart valve surgery at our institution between July 2009 and March 2015 who received no (RBC- group) or 1-2 units of LD RBC (RBC+ group).

Mutation analysis of circulating plasma DNA to determine response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy of lung adenocarcinoma patients.

Long-lasting success in lung cancer therapy using tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is rare since the tumors develop resistance due to the occurrence of molecularly altered subclones. The aim of this study was to monitor tumors over time based on the quantity of mutant plasma DNA and to identify early indications for therapy response and tumor progression. Serial plasma samples from lung adenocarcinoma patients treated with TKIs were used to quantify EGFR and KRAS mutations in circulating DNA by digital PCR.

Low Input Whole-Exome Sequencing to Determine the Representation of the Tumor Exome in Circulating DNA of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients.

Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) released from cancerous tissues has been found to harbor tumor-associated alterations and to represent the molecular composition of the tumor. Recent advances in technologies, especially in next-generation sequencing, enable the analysis of low amounts of cfDNA from body fluids. We analyzed the exomes of tumor tissue and matched serum samples to investigate the molecular representation of the tumor exome in cfDNA.

Prevalence, Diagnosis, Perioperative Monitoring and Treatment of Right Ventricular Dysfunction and/or Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Cardiac Surgical Patients in Germany-A Postal Survey.

 Sparse data are available on the prevalence of right ventricular dysfunction and/or pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients scheduled for cardiac surgery in Germany as well as on the intensity and modalities used for diagnosis, perioperative monitoring, and treatment of these comorbidities.  A postal survey including questions on the prevalence of preoperative right ventricular dysfunction and/or pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients undergoing cardiac surgery in 2009 was sent to 81 German heart centers. Total 47 of 81 (58%) heart centers returned the questionnaires.

Transfusion of 1 and 2 units of red blood cells does not increase mortality and organ failure in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objectives: In cardiac surgery, the association between red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and clinical outcome is elusive. We investigated in a large cohort of patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) the effect of transfusion of 1-2 units of leucocyte-depleted RBCs on mortality and multiorgan failure.

Methods: The investigation included all patients from July 2009 to June 2014 who underwent CABG at our institution and received no (n = 1478) or 1-2 units of RBCs (n = 1528).

High central venous saturation after cardiac surgery is associated with increased organ failure and long-term mortality: an observational cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Central venous saturation (ScvO2) monitoring has been suggested to address the issue of adequate cardiocirculatory function in the context of cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of low (L) (<60%), normal (N) (60%-80%), and high (H) (>80%) ScvO2 measured on intensive care unit (ICU) admission after cardiac surgery.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study at three ICUs of a university hospital department for anaesthesiology and intensive care.

Skills-based medication training program for patients with schizophrenic disorders: a rater-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: The long-term course of schizophrenia is often characterized by relapses, induced by poor medication adherence. Early nonadherence after discharge is frequent.

Objective: To evaluate a skills-based inpatient training program for medication intake.

Fulminant intraoperative right heart and pulmonary artery thrombosis following prothrombin complex concentrate infusion after complex open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Prothrombin complex concentrates are increasingly used during complex cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Reports describing massive thromboembolism after administration of prothrombin complex concentrates are rare. We report a case of a patient developing massive intracardiac and pulmonary artery thrombus formations during infusion of a moderate dose of prothrombin complex concentrate after separation from cardiopulmonary bypass for complex open heart surgery.

L1CAM is expressed in triple-negative breast cancers and is inversely correlated with androgen receptor.

Background: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease displaying distinct molecular features and clinical outcome. The molecular profile of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) overlaps with that of basal-like breast cancers that in turn show similarities with high-grade serous ovarian and endometrial carcinoma. L1CAM is an established biomarker for the latter cancers and we showed before that approximately 18% of primary breast cancers are positive for L1CAM and have a bad prognosis.