Prevalence of mental disorders among depressed coronary patients with and without Type D personality. Results of the multi-center SPIRR-CAD trial.

Objective: Type D personality, as with formal mental disorders, is linked to increased mortality in coronary heart disease (CHD). Our aim was to determine the prevalence of mental disorders among depressed CHD patients with and without Type D personality.

Methods: Depressive symptoms (HADS, HAM-D), Type D personality (DS-14) and mental disorders based on DSM-IV (SCID I and II) were assessed.

Cultural differences in symptom representation for depression and somatization measured by the PHQ between Vietnamese and German psychiatric outpatients.

Objective: Despite an extensive body of research on somatic symptom presentation among people of East- and Southeast-Asian descent, results are still inconclusive. Examining and comparing symptom presentation in clinically and ethnically well-characterized populations may constitute a step towards understanding symptom presentation between patients with a different cultural background. This study aims to compare Vietnamese and German patients regarding cultural dynamics of symptom presentation upon first admission to a psychiatric outpatient service.

Noninvasive oscillometric cardiac output determination in the intensive care unit - comparison with invasive transpulmonary thermodilution.

Assessment of the cardiac output (CO) is usually performed with invasive techniques requiring specialized equipment in the intensive care unit (ICU). With TEL-O-GRAPH (TG), CO can be derived from the oscillometrically obtained brachial pulse wave during the measurement of brachial blood pressure. CO and stroke volume (SV) determinations with TG were compared with transpulmonary thermodilution measurements with the PICCO system (PICCO) in 38 haemodynamically unstable ICU patients with a total of 84 comparison measurements performed.

Prospective randomized study evaluating the effects of PerClot® (Polysaccharide Hemostatic System) application in patients with high bleeding risk undergoing cardiac rhythm device implantation.

Background: Thus far, the topic hemostatic agent PerClot® is used for surgical procedures. Data about the use of PerClot® for cardiac-rhythm-devices (CRD) implantation are missing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PerClot® in patients with high bleeding risk.

Human papillomavirus E7 protein detection as a method of triage to colposcopy of HPV positive women, in comparison to genotyping and cytology. Final results of the PIPAVIR study.

The objective of the presented cross-sectional-evaluation-screening study is the clinical evaluation of high-risk(hr)HPVE7-protein detection as a triage method to colposcopy for hrHPV-positive women, using a newly developed sandwich-ELISA-assay. Between 2013-2015, 2424 women, 30-60 years old, were recruited at the Hippokratio Hospital, Thessaloniki/Greece and the Im Mare Klinikum, Kiel/Germany, and provided a cervical sample used for Liquid Based Cytology, HPV DNA genotyping, and E7 detection using five different E7-assays: "recomWell HPV16/18/45KJhigh", "recomWell HPV16/18/45KJlow", "recomWell HPV39/51/56/59", "recomWell HPV16/31/33/35/52/58" and "recomWell HPVHRscreen" (for 16,18,31,33,35,39,45,51,52,56,58,59 E7), corresponding to different combinations of hrHPVE7-proteins. Among 1473 women with eligible samples, those positive for cytology (ASCUS+ 7.

Vena contracta area for severity grading in functional and degenerative mitral regurgitation: a transoesophageal 3D colour Doppler analysis in 500 patients.

Aims: Vena contracta area (VCA3D), derived by 3D colour Doppler echocardiography, has already been validated against cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, but the number of clinical studies to define cut-off values for grading of mitral regurgitation (MR) is limited. Aim of the study was to assess VCA3D in a large population of patients with functional (FMR) and degenerative MR (DMR).

Methods And Results: Transoesophageal echocardiography was performed in 500 patients with MR.

Xanthine Oxidase and its Role as Target in Cardiovascular Disease: Cardiovascular Protection by Enzyme Inhibition?

Background: Formerly, hyperuricemia was mainly restricted to the rich population, but now-a-days it is a condition affecting wide parts of western civilization. Although only a minority of our population develops clinically relevant symptomatic hyperuricemia, there is growing evidence that elevated serum uric acid levels might be associated with elevated cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular disease progression. But it is not clear whether uric acid is just a biomarker or exerts detrimental effects itself.

ADMA predicts major adverse renal events in patients with mild renal impairment and/or diabetes mellitus undergoing coronary angiography.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a competitive inhibitor of the nitric oxide (NO)-synthase and a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction (ED). ED plays an important role in the pathogenesis of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The aim of our study was to evaluate serum ADMA concentration as a biomarker of an acute renal damage during the follow-up of 90 days after contrast medium (CM) application.

Prolonged outbreak of clonal MDR on an intensive care unit: contaminated sinks and contamination of ultra-filtrate bags as possible route of transmission?

Background: We report on an outbreak in a surgical, interdisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care hospital. We detected a cluster of ICU patients colonized or infected with multidrug-resistant . We established an outbreak investigation team, performed an exploratory epidemiological analysis and initiated an epidemiology-based intervention.

Interleukin-7 Modulates Anti-Tumor CD8+ T Cell Responses via Its Action on Host Cells.

The adoptive transfer of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells is a promising approach for the treatment of chronic viral and malignant diseases. In order to improve adoptive T cell therapy (ATT) of cancer, recent strategies aim at the antibody-based blockade of immunosuppressive signaling pathways in CD8+ T cells. Alternatively, adjuvant effects of immunostimulatory cytokines might be exploited to improve therapeutic CD8+ T cell responses.

Sepsis Caused by Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Positive K. pneumoniae and E. coli: Comparison of Severity of Sepsis, Delay of Anti-Infective Therapy and ESBL Genotype.

Infections with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) are associated with increased mortality. Outcome differences due to various species of ESBL-E or ESBL genotypes are not well investigated. We conducted a cohort study to assess risk factors for mortality in cases of ESBL-E bacteremia (K.

Regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation in endothelial cells by S1P1 and S1P3.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays a crucial role in vascular homeostasis. Lysophospholipid interaction with sphingosine 1-phosphat (S1P) receptors results in eNOS activation in different cells. In endothelial cells, eNOS activation via S1P1 or S1P3 was shown controversially.

Two years outcome in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation after pulmonary vein isolation using the second-generation 28-mm cryoballoon.

Background: The efficacy of the second-generation cryoballoon (CB) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) has been demonstrated previously. Data on the efficacy of CB ablation in patients with persistent AF are sparse.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the 2-year success rate of pulmonary vein isolation in patients with persistent AF using the second-generation CB.

A Stepwise Psychotherapy Intervention for Reducing Risk in Coronary Artery Disease (SPIRR-CAD): Results of an Observer-Blinded, Multicenter, Randomized Trial in Depressed Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Depression predicts adverse prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), but previous treatment trials yielded mixed results. We tested the hypothesis that stepwise psychotherapy improves depressive symptoms more than simple information.

Methods: In a multicenter trial, we randomized 570 CAD patients scoring higher than 7 on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-depression subscale to usual care plus either one information session (UC-IS) or stepwise psychotherapy (UC-PT).

The transcatheter valve technology pipeline for treatment of adult valvular heart disease.

The transcatheter valve technology pipeline has started as simple balloon valvuloplasty for the treatment of stenotic heart valves and evolved since the year 2000 to either repair or replace heart valves percutaneously with multiple devices. In this review, the present technology and its application are illuminated and a glimpse into the near future is dared from a physician's perspective.

Effects of mobile phone exposure (GSM 900 and WCDMA/UMTS) on polysomnography based sleep quality: An intra- and inter-individual perspective.

Background: Studies on effects of radio frequency-electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on the macrostructure of sleep so far yielded inconsistent results. This study investigated whether possible effects of RF-EMF exposure differ between individuals.

Objective: In a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled cross-over study possible effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by pulsed Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) 900 and Wideband Code-Division Multiple Access (WCDMA)/Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (WCDMA/UMTS) devices on sleep were analysed.

High-flux hemodialysis after administering high-dose methotrexate in a patient with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease and impaired renal function.

A young patient develops cerebral posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder. Despite concurrent significantly impaired transplant kidney function use of add-on high-flux hemodialysis for additional clearance made the administration of high-dose methotrexate feasible in this patient without occurence of acute chronic kidney failure and significant hematological toxicity.

Tricuspid valve interventions in 2015.

When the incidence of tricuspid regurgitation is taken into account, along with its impact on functional status and long-term survival, tricuspid regurgitation is currently undertreated. Today, though transcatheter therapy of aortic, mitral- and pulmonic valve disease is well established, interventional treatment of tricuspid valve disease is still in its early stages. Currently, various promising devices are in different stages of development, but it is still too early to clarify which interventional approach in the future might result in functional and clinical success.

Observational clinical study on the effects of different dosing regimens on vancomycin target levels in critically ill patients: Continuous versus intermittent application.

Different dosing regimens for vancomycin are in clinical use: intermittent infusion and continuous administration. The intention of using these different dosing regimens is to reduce toxicity, to achieve target levels faster and to avoid treatment failure. The aim of this phase IV study was to compare safety and effectiveness in both administration regimens.

High-density lipoprotein: structural and functional changes under uremic conditions and the therapeutic consequences.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) has attracted interest as a therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases in recent years. Although many functional mechanisms of the vascular protective effects of HDL have been identified, increasing the HDL plasma level has not been successful in all patient cohorts with increased cardiovascular risk. The composition of the HDL particle is very complex and includes diverse lipids and proteins that can be modified in disease conditions.

Evaluation of specific humoral and cellular immune responses against the major capsid L1 protein of cutaneous wart-associated alpha-Papillomaviruses in solid organ transplant recipients.

Background: Infection with different species of cutaneous human papillomaviruses (cHPV) of genus alpha (cαHPVs) and associated skin disease are highly prevalent in solid organ transplant recipients (OTR), documenting the importance of the immunological control of HPV infection.

Objectives: To investigate the natural course of cαHPV-specific cellular and humoral immune responses during systemic long-term immunosuppression.

Methods: Integrating bead-based multiplex serology and flow cytometry we analyzed natural cαHPV-specific antibodies and T(H) cell responses against the major capsid protein L1 of HPV types 2, 27, 57 (species 4) and 3, 10 and 77 (species 2) in sera and blood of OTR before and after initiation of iatrogenic immunosuppression and in comparison to immunocompetent individuals (IC).

Harmful effects of the azathioprine metabolite 6-mercaptopurine in vascular cells: induction of mineralization.

Vascular mineralization contributes to the high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients who suffer from chronic kidney disease and in individuals who have undergone solid organ transplantation. The immunosuppressive regimen used to treat these patients appears to have an impact on vascular alterations. The effect of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) on vascular calcification has not yet been determined.

Pars plana vitrectomy compared with pars plana vitrectomy combined with scleral buckle in the primary management of noncomplex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Purpose: To compare pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with PPV combined with scleral buckle (PPV/SB) in the treatment of primary, noncomplex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in an academic setting.

Methods: Retrospective review of 74 consecutive cases that underwent either PPV or PPV/SB for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College. Fifty-two eyes underwent PPV alone while 22 eyes had PPV combined with SB.

Short-term TNF-alpha inhibition reduces short-term and long-term inflammatory changes post-ischemia/reperfusion in rat intestinal transplantation.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibition was shown to reduce ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) after intestinal transplantation (ITX). We studied the effects of different TNFα inhibitors on acute IRI and long-term inflammatory responses in experimental ITX.

Methods: Orthotopic ITX was performed in an isogenic ischemia/reperfusion model in Lewis rats.