A zlog-based algorithm and tool for plausibility checks of reference intervals.

Objectives: Laboratory information systems typically contain hundreds or even thousands of reference limits stratified by sex and age. Since under these conditions a manual plausibility check is hardly feasible, we have developed a simple algorithm that facilitates this check. An open-source R tool is available as a Shiny application at github.

Paradoxical Role of HMGB1 in Pancreatic Cancer: Tumor Suppressor or Tumor Promoter?

Pancreatic cancer has a dismal prognosis and there is an increasing and unmet need to identify better diagnostic and therapeutic targets in order to ameliorate the course of the disease. HMGB1, a nuclear DNA-binding protein that acts as a transcription factor, is currently in the limelight. HMGB1 exhibits a dual role in pancreatic cancer; when intracellular, it acts as an anti-tumor protein stabilizing the genome, whereas extracellular HMGB1 behaves as a pro-tumor protein with cytokine, chemokine and growth factor functions.

Truly stentless molded autologous pericardial aortic valve prosthesis with single point attached commissures in a sheep model.

Objective: Aortic valve cusp extension and free-hand aortic valve replacement with autologous pericardium has been described. The long-term results were shown to be comparable with commercially available aortic bioprostheses. Nevertheless the relatively demanding surgical technique could not find wide acceptance.

Autologous pericardial pulmonary conduit with single point attached commissures in a sheep model.

Objective: For the surgical treatment of congenital heart disease and in Ross procedure a valved conduit is frequently required. Since homografts are not readily available in every country, a reliable alternative is needed. We developed a novel technique to construct a valved pulmonary conduit with single point attached commissures (SPAC) in a simple and fast way from a small strip of autologous pericardium, molded and briefly treated with glutaraldehyde.