The inner structure of human otoconia.

Background: The architecture of human otoconia has been only poorly understood up to now. Currently, it is assumed that otoconia contain a central core surrounded by a shell.

Objectives: To investigate the inner structure of human otoconia.

CMV serostatus still has an important prognostic impact in de novo acute leukemia patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a report from the Acute Leukemia Working Party of EBMT.

We analyzed the prognostic impact of donor and recipient cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus in 16,628 de novo acute leukemia patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Compared with CMV-seronegative recipients who underwent allograft from a CMV-seronegative donor, cases of CMV seropositivity of the donor and/or the recipient showed a significantly decreased 2-year leukemia-free survival (44% vs 49%, P < .001) and overall survival (50% vs 56%, P < .

Detection of isolated covert saccades with the video head impulse test in peripheral vestibular disorders.

Objectives: The function of the semicircular canal receptors and the pathway of the vestibulo-ocular-reflex (VOR) can be diagnosed with the clinical head impulse test (cHIT). Recently, the video head impulse test (vHIT) has been introduced but so far there is little clinical experience with the vHIT in patients with peripheral vestibular disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate the horizontal VOR (hVOR) by means of vHIT in peripheral vestibular disorders.

Comparison of RECIST and Choi criteria for computed tomographic response evaluation in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor treated with sunitinib.

Background: Controversies exist about computed tomography (CT) response evaluation criteria for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

Patients And Methods: Fifty-one patients with advanced GIST treated second line with sunitinib were evaluated with contrast-enhanced CT every 3 months. Response was rated according to RECIST and Choi criteria.

Specific removal of C-reactive protein by apheresis in a porcine cardiac infarction model.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a possible causative factor of the destructive processes observed during the weeks after myocardial infarction.

Methods: We developed a clinically relevant animal model including the removal of CRP from blood plasma utilizing a specific CRP adsorber and the visualization of the infarct scar in the living animal by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging as a tool to investigate the impact of CRP after acute myocardial infarction.

Results: We describe the facets of this model system and kinetics of clinical blood parameters like CRP and troponin.

Regulatory T cells ameliorate angiotensin II-induced cardiac damage.

Background: Hypertensive target organ damage, especially cardiac hypertrophy with heart failure and arrhythmia, is a major source of morbidity and mortality. Angiotensin II, a major mediator of hypertension and cardiac damage, has proinflammatory properties. Inflammation and activation of the immune system play a pivotal role in pathogenesis of hypertensive target organ damage.

A prospective, randomised study on the use of well-fitting masks for prevention of invasive aspergillosis in high-risk patients.

The problem of inhalation of Aspergillus spores outside rooms with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration has not been resolved as yet. Well-fitting masks are used in industrial and health care settings to protect from inhaling particles of 0.3-0.

Single lipoprotein apheresis session improves cardiac microvascular function in patients with elevated lipoprotein(a): detection by stress/rest perfusion magnetic resonance imaging.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of a single lipoprotein apheresis session on myocardial stress/rest (S/R) perfusion in patients with elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and coronary artery disease using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Twenty patients with Lp(a) > 60 mg/dL and coronary artery disease were randomized into a control or a treatment group. Both groups underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with assessment of left ventricular function, perfusion and viability, and the treatment group underwent lipoprotein apheresis immediately afterwards.

Oral high-dose atorvastatin treatment in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background: Recent data from animal models of multiple sclerosis (MS) and from a pilot study indicated a possible beneficial impact of statins on MS.

Methodology/principal Findings: Safety, tolerability and effects on disease activity of atorvastatin given alone or in combination with interferon-beta (IFN-beta) were assessed in a phase II open-label baseline-to-treatment trial in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Patients with at least one gadolinium-enhancing lesion (CEL) at screening by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were eligible for the study.

New developments in understanding and treating neuroinflammation.

We are currently witnesses to and authors of a paradigm shift in neuropathology. While classical acute and chronic neuroinflammatory diseases such as meningitis or multiple sclerosis (MS) present aspects of neurodegeneration, the disease course of progressive degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), or stroke-mediated neuronal deficit are demonstrably affected by inflammation. These insights have immediate consequences both for research methods and for the development of novel, more efficient therapies for these diseases.

Physical principles of ultrasonic dissection and clinical application of BERCHTOLD SONO-CUT reusable ultrasonic scissors.

Technical principles and physical action mechanisms of ultrasonic dissection are introduced. We list various indications for using the BERCHTOLD SONO-CUT scissors and describe early clinical experiences, e.g.