Stimulation of vasculogenesis and leukopoiesis of embryonic stem cells by extracellular transfer RNA and ribosomal RNA.

Objective: Cell injury releases nucleic acids supporting inflammation and stem cell activation. Here, the impact of extracellular ribonucleic acid, especially transfer RNA (ex-tRNA), on vasculogenesis and leukopoiesis of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells was investigated.

Approach And Results: ex-tRNA, whole cell RNA and ribosomal RNA (ex-rRNA) but not DNA increased CD31-positive vascular structures in embryoid bodies.

Intravital microscopy - A novel tool in characterizing congestive heart failure in experimental autoimmune myocarditis.

Aims: Experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) is a widely used murine model, in which cellular myocardial infiltration resembles human viral myocarditis. Although myocarditis can be readily assessed on histology, heart failure has not been fully characterized, as there are limitations in available markers and difficulties in hemodynamic measurements, especially on small rodents. We investigated whether intravital microscopy of the microcirculation can be used to characterize heart failure in EAM.

The association between endothelial microparticles and inflammation in patients with systemic sclerosis and Raynaud's phenomenon as detected by functional imaging.

Unlabelled: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic, autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by vasculopathy and microvascular changes. Fluorescence Optical Imaging (FOI) is a technique used to assess inflammation in patients with arthritis; in this study FOI is used to quantify inflammation in the hand. Endothelial Microparticle (EMP) can reflect damage or activation of the endothelium but also actively modulate processes of inflammation, coagulation and vascular function.

Development and characterization of an ex vivo arterial long-term proliferation model for restenosis research.

One of the main limitations of percutaneous coronary interventions is the restenosis, occurring in small-diameter arteries, and efforts are high to find improved intracoronary devices to prevent in-stent-restenosis. Aim of this study was to produce a new in vitro test platform for restenosis research, suitable for long-term cell proliferation and migration studies in stented vessels. Fresh segments of porcine coronary arteries were obtained for decellularization and were then reseeded with human coronary artery endothelial (HCAEC) and human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMC).

Cardiomyogenesis of embryonic stem cells upon purinergic receptor activation by ADP and ATP.

Purinergic signaling may be involved in embryonic development of the heart. In the present study, the effects of purinergic receptor stimulation on cardiomyogenesis of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells were investigated. ADP or ATP increased the number of cardiac clusters and cardiac cells, as well as beating frequency.

Lung disease and ulcerative colitis--mesalazine-induced bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia or pulmonary manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease?

Ulcerative colitis can be associated with numerous extraintestinal organ manifestations. Pulmonary disease in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is supposed to be a rare entity and has to be distinguished from infectious complications and side-effects of medications used in the treatment of IBD. We present the case of a 20-year-old male patient with ulcerative colitis and a 4-week history of respiratory symptoms, malaise, fever and respiratory insufficiency under a medication with mesalazine.

Impact of diabetes mellitus and its complications: survival and quality-of-life in critically ill patients.

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus represents an increasing problem for patients and health care systems worldwide. We sought to investigate the effect of diabetes and its associated comorbidities on long-term survival and quality of life following an admission to a medical intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: A total of 6662 consecutive patients admitted to ICU between 2004 and 2009 were included (patients with diabetes n=796, non-diabetic patients n=5866).

Endoscopic submucosal dissection: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline.

Unlabelled: This Guideline is an official statement of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system 1 2 was adopted to define the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence.

Main Recommendations: 1 ESGE recommends endoscopic en bloc resection for superficial esophageal squamous cell cancers (SCCs), excluding those with obvious submucosal involvement (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence).

Outcome predictors in cardiopulmonary resuscitation facilitated by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Introduction: Cardiac arrest is the major cause of sudden death in developed countries. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) employs extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients without return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) by conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Aim of the current study was to assess short- and long-term outcome in patients treated with ECPR in our tertiary center and to identify predictors of outcome.

Twelve-Month and Five-Year Analyses of Risk Factors for New-Onset Diabetes After Transplantation in a Group of Patients Homogeneous for Immunosuppression.

Objective: In the case of new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) development, it is suitable to reduce calcineurin inhibitors and corticosteroids. But change of immunosuppression can be counterproductive and can cause development of rejection and leads to further NODAT aggravation.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated risk factors after kidney transplantation.

Red cell distribution width and survival in patients hospitalized on a medical ICU.

Objectives: Red cell distribution width was shown to reliably predict mortality and morbidity in numerous clinical settings, including patients hospitalized on surgical intensive care units (ICU). Patients hospitalized on an ICU usually comprise a very heterogeneous patient population. The aim of this analysis was to investigate whether (1) RDW is related to survival outcomes in patients hospitalized on a medical ICU and (2) the prognostic value of RDW is dependent on the diagnosis that led to ICU admission.

Identification of Immune-Relevant Factors Conferring Sarcoidosis Genetic Risk.

Rationale: Genetic variation plays a significant role in the etiology of sarcoidosis. However, only a small fraction of its heritability has been explained so far.

Objectives: To define further genetic risk loci for sarcoidosis, we used the Immunochip for a candidate gene association study of immune-associated loci.

Stimulation of cardiomyogenesis from mouse embryonic stem cells by nuclear translocation of cardiotrophin-1.

Background: Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) controls cardiomyogenesis of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells.

Objectives: To investigate the signaling pathway underlying the action of CT-1 on cardiac cell differentiation.

Methods: Protein expression was analyzed by western blot technique and cardiac areas by immunohistochemistry.

Diabetic foot syndrome and corneal subbasal nerve plexus changes in congolese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: To study the severity of diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy and grades of diabetic foot syndrome for correlations with corneal subbasal nerve plexus (SBP) changes in Congolese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methodology/principal Findings: Twenty-eight type 2 diabetes patients with diabetes-related foot ulceration were recruited in a diabetic care unit in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Corneal SBP was investigated by confocal laser-scanning microscopy to analyse nerve fibre density (NFD) [µm/ µm²], number of branches [n] and number of connectivity points [n].

Long-term follow-up after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Over 3000 persons undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in Germany every year. Advances in allo-HSCT have prolonged the survival of treated patients but have concomitantly increased the risk of long-term complications that impair their quality of life.

Methods: This literature review of the long-term sequelae of allo-HSCT is based on pertinent articles that were retrieved by a selective search of PubMed, and on current international guidelines.

Waist circumference as an independent risk factor for NODAT.

Background: New-onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation (NODAT) is a serious and frequent complication of solid organ transplantations. NODAT leads to 2-3 times higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Visceral obesity is a key factor for diabetes mellitus type 2 and metabolic syndrome development, and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation and microcirculation in cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction: an IABP-SHOCK II substudy.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the influence of intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation on the microcirculation in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute myocardial infarction.

Background: In patients with shock profound alterations of the microcirculation have been observed and their clinical relevance has been described. Different treatment strategies exist to improve microvascular perfusion in patients with CS; however, the role of IABP treatment is not clearly defined.

Elevated plasma levels of interleukin-12p40 and interleukin-16 in overweight adolescents.

Introduction: Obesity during adolescence is an increasing problem for both the individual and health care systems alike. In Western world countries, childhood adiposity has reached epidemic proportions. It is known that elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines can be found in the plasma of obese patients.

Impairment of the endothelial glycocalyx in cardiogenic shock and its prognostic relevance.

In cardiogenic shock (CS), pathophysiological changes include microcirculatory dysfunction, vascular leakage, and an increase in platelet and leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium, as well as endothelial activation and dysfunction. The endothelial glycocalyx has been recognized as a central modulator of these processes. Glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate is a major component of the glycocalyx of endothelial cells, and syndecan-1 (S1) represents the most prevalent proteoglycan.

Percutaneous extracorporeal life support in patients with circulatory failure: results of the German Lifebridge Registry.

Objectives: Mortality rates remain high in patients with cardiogenic shock or acute refractory circulatory failure. Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has been recently introduced into clinical practice for treatment of refractory hypotension in selected patients in combination with rapid restoration of gas exchange. The aim of this study was to evaluate the procedural performance and safety of the automated Lifebridge ECLS system (Zoll Lifebridge GmbH).

Immunosuppression after sepsis: systemic inflammation and sepsis induce a loss of naïve T-cells but no enduring cell-autonomous defects in T-cell function.

Sepsis describes the life-threatening systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) of an organism to an infection and is the leading cause of mortality on intensive care units (ICU) worldwide. An acute episode of sepsis is characterized by the extensive release of cytokines and other mediators resulting in a dysregulated immune response leading to organ damage and/or death. This initial pro-inflammatory burst often transits into a state of immune suppression characterised by loss of immune cells and T-cell dysfunction at later disease stages in sepsis survivors.

Simulated temporary hypoxia triggers the release of CD31+/Annexin+ endothelial microparticles: A prospective pilot study in humans.

Introduction: Endothelial microparticles (EMP) are small membrane vesicles that originate from activated or apoptotic endothelial cells. Although the exact mechanism of EMP function is still relatively unknown, it has been shown that they modulate inflammatory processes, coagulation and vascular function. In this study we hypothesized that transient hypoxia may act as a trigger for the release of EMP into circulation.

Myocardial infarct size measurement using geometric angle calculation.

Background: In basic cardiovascular research focusing on animal models of myocardial infarction (MI), the measurement of infarct size is performed by planimetry of histological sections of the heart. However, in the setting of chronic MI with ongoing changes in ventricular geometry caused by wall thinning and hypertrophy, the scar area tends to become smaller.

Materials And Methods: Here, in this study we compared infarct measurements in tissue sections (of rat and porcine hearts) based on three different calculation approaches, that is, infarct area, infarct lengths and infarct angles utilizing the centroid of the left ventricle using a newly developed calculation approach.

Effect of a weight loss program in obese adolescents; a long-term follow-up.

Objectives: Obesity during adolescence is an increasing health problem in industrial countries. The co-morbidities associated with obesity include important metabolic diseases.

Methods: To analyze the effect of a weight-loss program, we recruited 12 obese, male adolescents before entering this program.