Stearidonic acid improves eicosapentaenoic acid status: studies in humans and cultured hepatocytes.

Background: Ahiflower oil from the seeds of is rich in α-linolenic acid (ALA) and stearidonic acid (SDA). ALA and SDA are potential precursor fatty acids for the endogenous synthesis of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are n3-long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-LC-PUFAS), in humans. Since taurine, an amino sulfonic acid, is often associated with tissues rich in n3-LC-PUFAS (e.

Beyond Autoxidation and Lipoxygenases: Fatty Acid Oxidation Products in Plant Oils.

For decades, research on oxidation of linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 n6) and α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 n3) in plant oils has focused on autoxidatively formed and lipoxygenase-derived 9-hydro(pero)xy- and 13-hydro(pero)xy-LA and -ALA. Here, using a non-targeted approach, we show that other hydroxy fatty acids are more abundant in plant oils. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses unveiled highly abundant peaks in flaxseed and rapeseed oils.

Rapid quantification of fatty acids in plant oils and biological samples by LC-MS.

Analysis of fatty acids (FA) in food and biological samples such as blood is indispensable in modern life sciences. We developed a rapid, sensitive and comprehensive method for the quantification of 41 saturated and unsaturated fatty acids by means of LC-MS. Optimized chromatographic separation of isobaric analytes was carried out on a C8 reversed phase analytical column (100 × 2.

Surface expression of the immunotherapeutic target G in osteosarcoma depends on cell confluency.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy of pediatric sarcomas is challenged by the paucity of targetable cell surface antigens. A candidate target in osteosarcoma (OS) is the ganglioside G , but heterogeneous expression of G limits its value.

Aim: We aimed to identify mechanisms that upregulate G target expression in OS.

Overcoming Heterogeneity of Antigen Expression for Effective CAR T Cell Targeting of Cancers.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) gene-modified T cells (CAR T cells) can eradicate B cell malignancies via recognition of surface-expressed B lineage antigens. Antigen escape remains a major mechanism of relapse and is a key barrier for expanding the use of CAR T cells towards solid cancers with their more diverse surface antigen repertoires. In this review we discuss strategies by which cancers become amenable to effective CAR T cell therapy despite heterogeneous phenotypes.

Optical coherence tomography detects structural abnormalities of the nasal mucosa in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Chronic inflammation and remodeling of the airways remain a hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF). However, knowledge of the associated mucosal micro-anatomical changes is limited. We evaluated the potential of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for in vivo imaging of the upper airway mucosa in CF patients.

[Respiratory therapy with Ez-PAP for treatment of dynamic hyperinflation in patients with severe COPD and emphysema].

Background: Non-pharmacological respiratory physiotherapy in treatment of COPD with severe emphysema is achieving increasing importance. Ez-PAP, a compact CPAP- or flow-PEP system, supports inspiration by using the Coanda effect in addition to a PE(E)P-effect during expiration.

Methods And Patients: 30 patients with severe COPD and emphysema and hypercapnic respiratory failure under non-(NIV) (n = 28) and invasive ventilation (n = 2) were treated in ventilator-free intervals with Ez-PAP and analyzed retrospectively.

Pirfenidone in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: real-life experience from a German tertiary referral center for interstitial lung diseases.

Background: Pirfenidone is a novel antifibrotic drug for the treatment of mild-to-moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, adverse events may offset treatment benefits and compliance.

Objectives: To assess recent course of disease, adverse events and compliance in patients who started pirfenidone.

Cryptococcal meningitis presenting as sinusitis in a renal transplant recipient.

Cryptococcal meningitis is a relatively common invasive fungal infection in immunocompromised patients, especially in solid organ transplant recipients. Clinical presentation typically includes fever, headache, photophobia, neck stiffness, and/or altered mental status. Unusual presentations may delay diagnosis.

Pulmonary emphysema in cystic fibrosis detected by densitometry on chest multidetector computed tomography.

Background: Histopathological studies on lung specimens from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and recent results from a mouse model indicate that emphysema may contribute to CF lung disease. However, little is known about the relevance of emphysema in patients with CF. In the present study, we used computationally generated density masks based on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) of the chest for non-invasive characterization and quantification of emphysema in CF.

Automatic airway analysis on multidetector computed tomography in cystic fibrosis: correlation with pulmonary function testing.

Purpose: To evaluate the fully automatic quantification of airway dimensions on chest multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) performed in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Airflow indices including predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%) were used to study the impact on regional lung function.

Materials And Methods: MDCT data of patients with CF (14 children and 23 adults) and of control patients (11 children and 22 adults) were used to compute total diameter (TD), lumen area (LA), and wall thickness (WT) using dedicated software.

[Postoperatively increased oxygen demand and hemoptysis after extubation].

A 22-year-old man on postoperative day 1 after open reduction with internal fixation of a distal fibula fracture presented with hemoptysis and increased oxygen demand. X-ray and contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed bilateral patchy opacities and mediastinal emphysema. After bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage, a diagnosis of alveolar hemorrhage was made.

[Dyspnea in a 45-year-old man with liver cirrhosis].

History And Admission Findings: During evaluation for a liver transplantation in a 45-year-old man with alcoholic liver he complained of exertional dyspnea. He had grade 3 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after nicotine abuse of 50 pack-years. One and a half years earlier the patient had been treated for tuberculosis.

Salivary markers and risk factor data: a multivariate modeling approach for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma detection.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a debilitating and deadly disease largely due to late stage diagnosis. Prior work indicates that soluble CD44 (solCD44) and total protein may be useful diagnostic markers for HNSCC. In this study we combine the markers solCD44, IL-8, HA, and total protein with demographic and risk factor data to derive a multivariate logistic model that improves HNSCC detection as compared to our previous data using biomarkers alone.

A 65-year-old man with an endobronchial gossypiboma after lobectomy for abscessing pneumonia.

We present a case of a 65-year-old man with recurrent hemoptysis and weight loss for 6 months. Thirty-two years earlier, lobectomy of the right lower lobe had been performed for abcessing pneumonia. Due to recurrent pulmonary infections after lobectomy the patient had to retire at the age of 46.

Exercise reduces airway sodium ion reabsorption in cystic fibrosis but not in exercise asthma.

When ventilating large volumes of air during exercise, airway fluid secretion is essential for airway function. Since these are impaired in cystic fibrosis and exercise-induced asthma, it was the aim of this study to determine how exercise affects airway Na(+) and Cl(-) transport and whether changes depend on exercise intensity. Nasal potential was measured in Ringer's solution, with amiloride to block Na(+) transport, and in low chloride-containing isoproterenol to assess Cl(-) channels.

A novel approach to CFTR mutation testing by pyrosequencing-based assay panels adapted to ethnicities.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by a variety of sequence alterations in the CFTR gene [cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (ATP-binding cassette sub-family C, member 7)]. Because the relative prevalence of mutations strongly depends on the ethnic background, first-level testing of CF as defined by recent consensus recommendations ought to be adaptable to the ethnicity of patients.

Methods: We therefore developed and implemented a diagnostic approach to first-level testing for CF based on published mutation frequencies and Pyrosequencing (PSQ) technology that we complemented with standard procedures of mutation detection at the second level.

[Relapsing solitary pulmonary nodule in a patient with ulcerative colitis].

Anamnesis And Clinical Findings: A 46-year-old patient with ulcerative colitis, known since she was 27 years old, was found to have a mesenteric granulomatous necrotizing inflammation containing acid-fast bacilli ten years ago. Treatment against tuberculosis was initiated. The ulcerative colitis was treated with mesalazin and, in times of peak activity, additionally with prednisolon.

[Non-invasive ventilation: possibilities and limitations in patients with reduced ability to cough].

Background: Neuromuscular diseases cover a wide range of pathologies, which are slowly or rapidly progressive. Besides the reduced capacity of the inspiratory muscles there is a limitation of expiration which compromises coughing. Ventilatory respiratory insufficiency (VRI) develops in stages, beginning during sleep with hypercapnia manifesting later on.

Assessment of morphological MRI for pulmonary changes in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients: comparison to thin-section CT and chest x-ray.

Objectives: As pulmonary complications are life limiting in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), repeated chest imaging [chest x-ray, computed tomography (CT)] is needed for follow up. With the continuously rising life expectancy of CF patients, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a radiation-free imaging modality might become more and more attractive. The goal of this study was to prospectively assess the value of MRI for evaluation of morphologic pulmonary CF-changes in comparison to established imaging modalities.

Proton MRI appearance of cystic fibrosis: comparison to CT.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most frequent inherited disorder leading to premature death in the Caucasian population. As life expectancy is limited by pulmonary complications, repeated imaging [chest X-ray, multislice high-resolution computed tomography (MS-HRCT)] is required in the follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lung parenchyma is a promising new diagnostic tool.

Assessment of hemodynamic changes in the systemic and pulmonary arterial circulation in patients with cystic fibrosis using phase-contrast MRI.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) leads to disabling lung disease and pulmonary hypertension (PH). The goal of this study was to assess the hemodynamics in the systemic and pulmonary arterial circulation of patients with CF using MRI. Ten patients with CF and 15 healthy volunteers were examined (1.