Automatic recognition, elimination strategy and familiarity feeling: Cognitive processes predict accuracy from lineup identifications.

Identifying a suspect is critical for successful criminal investigations. Research focused on two decision processes during lineup identification, namely 'automatic recognition' and 'elimination' strategy, and their relation to identification accuracy. In this article, we report two experiments conducted in France and South Africa, which further examine strategies in eyewitness decision-making.

Training Participants to Focus on Critical Facial Features Does Not Decrease Own-Group Bias.

The own-group recognition bias (OGB) might be explained by the usage of different face processing strategies for own and other-group faces. Although featural processing appears in general to impair face recognition ability when compared to configural processing (itself perhaps a function of acquired expertise), recent research has suggested that the OGB can be reduced by directing featural processing to group-discriminating features. The present study assessed a perceptual training task intended to replicate Hills and Lewis' (2006) findings: we trained White participants to focus more on discriminating parts of Black faces, in particular the bottom halves of the faces, expecting a reduction of the OGB as a consequence.

Stereological assessment of the blood-air barrier and the surfactant system after mesenchymal stem cell pretreatment in a porcine non-heart-beating donor model for lung transplantation.

More frequent utilization of non-heart-beating donor (NHBD) organs for lung transplantation has the potential to relieve the shortage of donor organs. In particular with respect to uncontrolled NHBD, concerns exist regarding the risk of ischaemia/reperfusion (IR) injury-related graft damage or dysfunction. Due to their immunomodulating and tissue-remodelling properties, bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been suspected of playing a beneficial role regarding short- and long-term survival and function of the allograft.

Localization of Exogenous Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Pig Model of Lung Transplantation.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a great potential for the treatment of acute lung injury. This study provides a detailed immunohistochemical and stereological analysis of the localization and distribution of exogenous MSC in a pig model of lung transplantation after intravascular or endobronchial application.

Methods: MSC derived from human bone marrow were labeled by DiI and administered intravascularly or endobronchially to the lungs of donor pigs after a period of 3 hours warm and 3 hours cold ischemia.

Multiplexed Lateral Flow Test for Detection and Differentiation of Serotypes O1 and O2.

The ubiquitous and opportunistic pathogen is responsible for severe meningitis, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates and infants associated with ingestion of contaminated powdered infant formula (PIF). The current ISO method for isolation and detection of spp. is laborious, time-consuming and expensive.

Dynamic Support Culture of Murine Skeletal Muscle-Derived Stem Cells Improves Their Cardiogenic Potential In Vitro.

Ischemic heart disease is the main cause of death in western countries and its burden is increasing worldwide. It typically involves irreversible degeneration and loss of myocardial tissue leading to poor prognosis and fatal outcome. Autologous cells with the potential to regenerate damaged heart tissue would be an ideal source for cell therapeutic approaches.

Endothelial Injury Associated with Cold or Warm Blood Cardioplegia during Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

The aim of this investigation was to analyze the impact of intermittent cold blood cardioplegia (ICC) and intermittent warm blood cardioplegia (IWC) on endothelial injury in patients referred to elective on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Patients undergoing CABG procedures were randomized to either ICC or IWC. Myocardial injury was assessed by CK-MB and cardiac troponin T (cTnT).

Long-term results after lung transplantation using organs from circulatory death donors: a propensity score-matched analysis†.

Objectives: Due to organ shortage in lung transplantation (LTx), donation after circulatory death (DCD) has been implemented in several countries, contributing to an increasing number of organs transplanted. We sought to assess long-term outcomes after LTx with organs procured following circulatory death in comparison with those obtained from donors after brain death (DBD).

Methods: Between January 2007 and November 2013, 302 LTxs were performed in our institution, whereby 60 (19.

Lung transplantation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: long-term survival, freedom from bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, and factors influencing outcome.

Objectives: Lung transplantation (LTx) remains the definitive treatment for end-stage lung failure, whereas chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents one of the main diagnoses leading to the indication for a transplant. We sought to assess long-term outcomes after LTx in patients diagnosed with COPD and analyze factors influencing outcome in this frequent patient cohort.

Methods: Between January 2007 and November 2013, a total of 88 LTx were performed in patients with COPD in our institution.

Preconditioning of skeletal myoblast-based engineered tissue constructs enables functional coupling to myocardium in vivo.

Objective: Skeletal myoblasts fuse to form functional syncytial myotubes as an integral part of the skeletal muscle. During this differentiation process, expression of proteins for mechanical and electrical integration is seized, which is a major drawback for the application of skeletal myoblasts in cardiac regenerative cell therapy, because global heart function depends on intercellular communication.

Methods: Mechanically preconditioned engineered tissue constructs containing neonatal mouse skeletal myoblasts were transplanted epicardially.

Risk factors predictive of one-year mortality after lung transplantation.

Objectives: Lung transplantation (LTx) is a life-saving therapy for patients with end-stage lung disease. However, there remains a significant postoperative complication rate and mortality in this extreme patient group. The aim of the present study was to identify donor, recipient and perioperative risk factors for one-year mortality after LTx.

Mesenchymal stem cell pretreatment of non-heart-beating-donors in experimental lung transplantation.

Background: Lung transplantation (LTx) is still limited by organ shortage. To expand the donor pool, lung retrieval from non-heart-beating donors (NHBD) was introduced into clinical practice recently. However, primary graft dysfunction with inactivation of endogenous surfactant due to ischemia/reperfusion-injury is a major cause of early mortality.

Outcomes after implantation of partial-support left ventricular assist devices in inotropic-dependent patients: Do we still need full-support assist devices?

Objectives: Partial-support left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) represent a novel strategy for heart failure treatment. The Synergy Pocket Micro-pump (HeartWare Inc, Framingham, Mass), the smallest surgically implanted long-term LVAD, provides partial flow up to 4.25 L/min and was primarily designed for "less sick" patients with severe heart failure.

Outcomes after different non-sternotomy approaches to left single-vessel revascularization: a comparative study with up to 10-year follow-up.

Objectives: Various non-sternotomy approaches have been used for left internal mammary artery (LIMA) grafting in left single-vessel revascularization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of three different non-sternotomy techniques on long-term outcomes after left single-vessel revascularization.

Methods: A total of 502 patients having single-vessel LAD disease treated from April 2003 to May 2013 by minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB), endoscopically assisted coronary artery bypass grafting (EACAB) or robotically assisted direct coronary artery bypass grafting (RADCAB) were reviewed.

A novel treatment strategy of new onset atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: an observational prospective study.

Objective: The aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the efficiency of a new escalating treatment strategy with vernakalant, flecainide and electrical cardioversion (EC) in patients with new onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiac surgery.

Material And Methods: 24 patients with new onset AF after aortic valve surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery or combined procedures were evaluated in this study. Additional including criteria were age between 18 and 80, duration of AF less than four days, body weight less than 100 kg and no previous treatment with class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs.

First experience with the Synergy Micro-Pump in patients in INTERMACS class 1-2 as a bridge to transplantation: pushing the limits?

The Synergy Micro-pump is the smallest implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and provides partial flow support up to 4.25 L/min. It was shown that early intervention with this device can provide substantial benefits to patients with severe heart failure not yet sick enough for a full-support LVAD.

Effects of exogenous surfactant on the non-heart-beating donor lung graft in experimental lung transplantation - a stereological study.

The use of non-heart-beating donor (NHBD) lungs may help to overcome the shortage of lung grafts in clinical lung transplantation, but warm ischaemia and ischaemia/reperfusion injury (I/R injury) resulting in primary graft dysfunction represent a considerable threat. Thus, better strategies for optimized preservation of lung grafts are urgently needed. Surfactant dysfunction has been shown to contribute to I/R injury, and surfactant replacement therapy is effective in enhancing lung function and structural integrity in related rat models.

Less invasive coronary artery revascularization with a minimized extracorporeal circulation system: preliminary results of a comparative study with off-pump-procedures.

Background: Coronary-artery-bypass-grafting (CABG) with conventional extracorporeal circulation (CECC) is associated with adverse effects such as systemic inflammatory response leading to a decrease in systemic vascular resistance and hemodynamic instability. Modern "less invasive" procedures have been established recently which potentially avoid negative side effects of CECC. The aim of this study was to compare perioperative outcome following coronary revascularization using either a minimized extracorporeal circuit (Mini-HLM) or off-pump technique (OPCAB).

Surfactant application in experimental lung transplantation.

Background: Non-heart-beating donor (NHBD) utilization can significantly increase the limited donor lung pool. However, optimal preservation of organ function is crucial as the development of ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) can result in severe surfactant inactivation. Exogenic surfactant application is effective in prevention and therapy of IRI.

Intraoperative stress in cardiac surgery: attendings versus residents.

Background: Performing cardiac surgery is associated with stress for surgeons. We investigated stress levels of experienced surgeons and trainees during coronary artery bypass graft teaching procedures.

Methods: We assessed heart rate (HR) and sympathovagal balance (SVB) of experienced surgeons (attendings; n = 7) and residents enrolled in a training program (residents; n = 3) using a one-lead electrocardiogram during a total of 109 elective isolated coronary artery bypass graft procedures.

The coactivator role of histone deacetylase 3 in IL-1-signaling involves deacetylation of p65 NF-κB.

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) 3, as a cofactor in co-repressor complexes containing silencing mediator for retinoid or thyroid-hormone receptors (SMRT) and nuclear receptor co-repressor (N-CoR), has been shown to repress gene transcription in a variety of contexts. Here, we reveal a novel role for HDAC3 as a positive regulator of IL-1-induced gene expression. Various experimental approaches involving RNAi-mediated knockdown, conditional gene deletion or small molecule inhibitors indicate a positive role of HDAC3 for transcription of the majority of IL-1-induced human or murine genes.

Noninvasive in vivo tracking of mesenchymal stem cells and evaluation of cell therapeutic effects in a murine model using a clinical 3.0 T MRI.

Cardiac cell therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represents a promising treatment approach for end-stage heart failure. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms and the fate of the transplanted cells. The objective of the presented work is to determine the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and in vivo monitoring after transplantation into infarcted mouse hearts using a clinical 3.

Mechanical preconditioning enables electrophysiologic coupling of skeletal myoblast cells to myocardium.

Objective: The effect of mechanical preconditioning on skeletal myoblasts in engineered tissue constructs was investigated to resolve issues associated with conduction block between skeletal myoblast cells and cardiomyocytes.

Methods: Murine skeletal myoblasts were used to generate engineered tissue constructs with or without application of mechanical strain. After in vitro myotube formation, engineered tissue constructs were co-cultured for 6 days with viable embryonic heart slices.

Enhanced gap junction expression in myoblast-containing engineered tissue.

Transplantation of skeletal myoblasts (SMs) has been investigated as a potential cardiac cell therapy approach. SM are available autologously, predetermined for muscular differentiation and resistant to ischemia. Major hurdles for their clinical application are limitations in purity and yield during cell isolation as well as the absence of gap junction expression after differentiation into myotubes.