Prosthesis sizing for transcatheter aortic valve implantation--comparison of three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography with multislice computed tomography.

Background: The complex anatomy of the aortic annulus warrants the use of three dimensional (3D) modalities for prosthesis sizing in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) has been used for this purpose, but its use may be restricted because of contrast administration. 3D transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) lacks this limitation and data on comparison with MSCT is scarce.

Surgical resection of brain metastases-impact on neurological outcome.

Brain metastases (BM) develop in about 30% of all cancer patients. Surgery plays an important role in confirming neuropathological diagnosis, relieving mass effects and improving the neurological status. To select patients with the highest benefit from surgical resection, prognostic indices (RPA, GPA) have been formulated which are solely focused on survival without considering neurological improvement.

Emergency and prophylactic use of miniaturized veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Objectives: To report our center's experience using veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vaECMO) in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Background: In TAVI, short-term mortality closely relates to life threatening procedural complications. VaECMO can be used to stabilize the patient in emergency situations.

The influence of intraoperative microelectrode recordings and clinical testing on the location of final stimulation sites in deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease.

Background: The goal of our study was to investigate the influence of intraoperative microelectrode recordings and clinical testing on the location of the final stimulation site in deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease.

Methods: In 22 patients with Parkinson's disease we compared magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based and atlas-based targets with the adjusted stimulation sites after intraoperative, multitrack microelectrode recording (MER) and intraoperative and postoperative clinical testing. The investigation included 176 target/stimulation sites in 44 subthalamic nuclei (STNs), which were related to a standardised three-dimensional, MRI-defined STN.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) detects effects of vascular disrupting therapy in an experimental model of gastric cancer.

Objective: To assess the effects of vascular-disrupting agent (VDA)-based therapy including monitoring of therapeutic efficacy with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in a gastric cancer model.

Materials & Methods: Gastric cancer cell lines and endothelial cells were used. Effects of the VDA ASA404 on cells were determined by MTT assays and Western blotting in vitro.

Insulin is essential for in vitro chondrogenesis of mesenchymal progenitor cells and influences chondrogenesis in a dose-dependent manner.

Purpose: Insulin is a commonly used additive in chondrogenic media for differentiating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The indispensability of other bioactive factors like TGF-β or dexamethasone in these medium formulations has been shown, but the role of insulin is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether insulin is essential for MSC chondrogenesis and if there is a dose-dependent effect of insulin on MSC chondrogenesis.

STAT5b as molecular target in pancreatic cancer--inhibition of tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastases.

The prognosis of patients suffering from pancreatic cancer is still poor and novel therapeutic options are urgently needed. Recently, the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b) was associated with tumor progression in human solid cancer. Hence, we assessed whether STAT5b might serve as an anticancer target in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma (DPAC).

Function of carbonic anhydrase IX in glioblastoma multiforme.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) IX is over-expressed in glioblastoma; however, its functions in this context are unknown. Metabolically, glioblastomas are highly glycolytic, leading to a significant lactic acid load. Paradoxically, the intracellular pH is alkaline.

Percutaneous irreversible electroporation (IRE) of hepatic malignant tumours: contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) findings.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to describe the image findings of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) after irreversible electroporation (IRE), and to assess its usefulness in relation to the evaluation of the ablation status using a dynamic recording of the microvascularisation.

Material And Method: In this prospectively designed study, a percutaneous IRE was performed for the treatment of malignant hepatic lesions in a total of 15 patients following the interdisciplinary diagnosis. The lesions were documented using CEUS before, immediately after and 20 minutes after the ablation.

Targeting HSP90 by the novel inhibitor NVP-AUY922 reduces growth and angiogenesis of pancreatic cancer.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) blockade by the novel inhibitor NVP-AUY922, on tumor growth and angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer.

Materials And Methods: Effects of NVP-AUY922 on signaling pathways were evaluated by western blotting. Cell motility of cancer cells, pericytes and endothelial cells was investigated in Boyden chambers.

Intraoperative high resolution linear contrast enhanced ultrasound (IOUS) for detection of microvascularization of malignant liver lesions before surgery or radiofrequeny ablation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of linear contrast enhanced intraoperative ultrasound (CE-IOUS) to improve detection of malign liver tumors lesions before surgery or radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Materials And Methods: 50 patients were included for surgery of malignant liver tumors (mean age 61 years (19-80); male n = 35, female n = 15), suffering from HCC (n = 15), colorectal liver-metastasis (n = 28), CCC (n = 2) or other malign liver lesions (n = 5). Preoperative CE-CT (n = 38), CE-MRI (n = 23) or PET-CT (n = 8) confirmed hepatic tumor manifestation.

Computerized data analysis of neuromonitoring parameters identifies patients with reduced cerebral compliance as seen on CT.

Objective: Computer-assisted analysis of neuromonitoring parameters may provide important decision-making support to the neurointensivist. A recently developed mathematical model for the simulation of cerebral autoregulation and brain swelling showed that in the case of an intact autoregulation but diminished cerebral compliance, a negative correlation between arterial blood pressure (ABP) and intracranial pressure (ICP) occurs. The goal of our study was to verify these simulation results in an appropriate patient cohort.

Impact of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography on prosthesis sizing for transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Objectives: To compare aortic annulus diameters obtained by 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with 2D-TEE and the impact on prosthesis size selection in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Background: In TAVI the aortic annulus diameter determines prosthesis size. The ideal modality for annulus assessment has not been defined yet.

Oncogenic MST1R activity in pancreatic and gastric cancer represents a valid target of HSP90 inhibitors.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of HSP90 blockade by EC154 on the oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase macrophage-stimulating 1 receptor (MST1R) in gastric and pancreatic cancer.

Materials And Methods: Impact of EC154 on signaling pathways was investigated by western blotting. Cancer cell migration was evaluated in Boyden chambers.

Predictors of facet joint syndrome after lumbar disc surgery.

Postoperative facet joint syndrome (pFJS) requiring intervention is a common problem following lumbar disc surgery (LDS). The aim of this retrospective study was to identify possible predictors, surgical aspects or individual characteristics that may contribute to the development of pFJS and may allow prevention of this frequent postoperative problem. We included 509 patients who underwent open, microsurgical discectomy in our neurosurgical department between 2006 and 2009 and who presented to our outpatient clinic for follow-up.

Endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction in isolated vessel grafts: a novel mechanism of vasospasm?

Background: YC-1 (3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'furyl)-1-benzyl-indazole) is an allosteric activator of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and a vasodilator. This study describes a paradoxical action of YC-1 in isolated vessels of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) that appears to trigger an endothelium-dependent vasoconstrictor pathway present in vessels with endothelial dysfunction.

Methods: Effects of YC-1 on the tensions of isolated vessels were investigated in an organ bath.

Role of the hepatic parenchyma in liver transplant tolerance: a paradigm revisited.

Unlike other solid organs, liver transplants are spontaneously accepted in a wide range of animal models. In the clinic, transplanted livers also display privileged immunological properties allowing weaning of immunosuppression therapy in up to 20% of selected patients. To explain this phenomenon, many studies have focused on the role of donor-derived 'passenger' leukocytes that are thought to induce antigen-specific tolerance by migrating from the graft into recipient secondary lymphoid tissues.

Targeting FGFR/PDGFR/VEGFR impairs tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis by effects on tumor cells, endothelial cells, and pericytes in pancreatic cancer.

Activation of receptor tyrosine kinases, such as fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and VEGF receptor (VEGFR), has been implicated in tumor progression and metastasis in human pancreatic cancer. In this study, we investigated the effects of TKI258, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor to FGFR, PDGFR, and VEGFR on pancreatic cancer cell lines (HPAF-II, BxPC-3, MiaPaCa2, and L3.6pl), endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC).

Hepatocellular carcinoma: agents and concepts for preventing recurrence after curative treatment.

1. Adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemotherapy. 2.

Expression of carbonic anhydrase IX in craniopharyngiomas.

Object: In craniopharyngiomas, cystic growth causes pressure on vital structures of the adjacent brain, leading to significant morbidity. However, the molecular pathogenesis of this cyst formation remains unknown. Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) is a tumor-associated, hypoxia-inducible enzyme, which can cause fluid production and development of cysts.

Anabolic/Catabolic balance in pathogenesis of osteoarthritis: identifying molecular targets.

Osteoarthritis is the most common degenerative musculoskeletal disease. In healthy cartilage, a low turnover of extracellular matrix molecules occurs. Proper balance of anabolic and catabolic activities is thus crucial for the maintenance of cartilage tissue integrity and for the repair of molecular damages sustained during daily usage.

A single neurosurgical center's experience of the resolution of cervical radiculopathy after dorsal foraminotomy and ventral discectomy.

Monosegmental cervical disc herniation can be removed either by dorsal foraminotomy and sequesterectomy (Frykholm's method) or by a ventral approach with extensive removal of the affected disc with subsequent segmental fusion (modified Cloward's method). The choice of method largely depends on the surgeon's individual preference and experience. We evaluated the neurological outcomes of both surgical methods in a retrospective series of 100 consecutive patients (50 male, 50 female; mean age=47.

Diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary chronic GVHD: report from the consensus conference on clinical practice in chronic GVHD.

This consensus statement established under the auspices of the German working group on BM and blood stem cell transplantation (DAG-KBT), the German Society of Hematology and Oncology (DGHO), the Austrian Stem Cell Transplant Working Group, the Swiss Blood Stem Cell Transplantation Group (SBST) and the German-Austrian Pediatric Working Group on SCT (Päd-Ag-KBT) summarizes current evidence for diagnosis, immunosuppressive and supportive therapy to provide practical guidelines for the care and treatment of patients with pulmonary manifestations of chronic GVHD (cGVHD). Pulmonary cGVHD can present with obstructive and/or restrictive changes. Disease severity ranges from subclinical pulmonary function test (PFT) impairment to respiratory insufficiency with bronchiolitis obliterans being the only pulmonary complication currently considered diagnostic of cGVHD.

Isolated cerebral manifestation of Epstein-Barr virus-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a case of clinical and diagnostic challenges.

We present the case of a 49-year-old male patient with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) limited to the brain that occurred 6 months after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Clinical symptoms included mental confusion, ataxia, and diplopia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed cerebellar and periventricular lesions consistent with an inflammatory process.

Activating transcription factor-3 (ATF3) functions as a tumor suppressor in colon cancer and is up-regulated upon heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibition.

Background: Activating transcription factor-3 (ATF3) is involved in the complex process of cellular stress response. However, its exact role in cancer is discussed controversially because both tumor suppressive and oncogenic effects have been described. Here we followed-up on our previous observation that inhibition of Hsp90 may increase ATF3 expression and sought to determine the role of ATF3 in colon cancer.