Histologic and morphologic evaluation of explanted bone anchors from bone-anchored hearing aids.

Bone-anchored hearing aids are a standard option in rehabilitation of patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss, and also CROS fitting. However, the skin-penetrating bone anchor repeatedly gives reason for discussion about the risk of infection of surrounding tissues as a major cause of malfunction. In the present study, explanted bone anchors with surrounding bone and soft tissue were examined and compared with the morphology of lost implants.

How can calcium pyrophosphate crystals induce inflammation in hypophosphatasia or chronic inflammatory joint diseases?

Hypophosphatasia (HP) is a rare inborn error of bone and mineral metabolism characterized by a defect in the tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) gene. Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals are known to accumulate as substrates of TNSALP in tissues and joints of patients with HP. In CPPD-induced arthritis these crystals are known to induce an inflammatory response.

Evaluation of new colorimetric vitek 2 yeast identification card by use of different source media.

The new colorimetric Vitek 2 YST card was evaluated for identification of yeasts (136 strains) with respect to the influence of different source media. The Vitek 2 YST card achieved satisfactory results for all yeast species tested, with the exception of Candida guilliermondii, Candida norvegensis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida rugosa, and Candida tropicalis. After simple additional tests, 93.

Neurosurgical aspects of childhood hypophosphatasia.

Objective: Hypophosphatasia (HPP; MIM241510) is a rare inborn error of bone metabolism of recessive inheritance. It is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase. Apart from problems in bone mineralization, growth failure, and premature loss of decidual teeth, the infantile and the childhood types of HPP are associated with premature fusion of cranial sutures.

Imaging of inflammation in the peripheral and central nervous system by magnetic resonance imaging.

Inflammation plays a central role in the pathophysiology of numerous disorders of the nervous system, but is also pivotal for repair processes like peripheral nerve regeneration. In this review we summarize recent advances in cellular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) while nuclear imaging methods to visualize neuroinflammation are covered by Wunder et al. [Wunder A, Klohs J, Dirnagl U (2009) Non-invasive imaging of central nervous system inflammation with nuclear and optical imaging.

Recognition via the class A scavenger receptor modulates cytokine secretion by human dendritic cells after contact with Neisseria meningitidis.

Proinflammatory cytokines play a major role in the pathogenesis of meningococcal disease and their serum levels in patients are correlated with the outcome of infection. Dendritic cells initiate immunity against Neisseria meningitidis and are a major source of proinflammatory cytokines. Here we show that physical interaction of human DC with N.

Origin of CD11b+ macrophage-like cells in the CNS of PLP-overexpressing mice: low influx of haematogenous macrophages and unchanged blood-brain-barrier in the optic nerve.

We have recently reported that overexpression of proteolipid protein in oligodendrocytes leads to a pathologically relevant increase of both CD8+ T-lymphocytes and CD11b+ cells in the CNS. We now focussed on the origin of the CD11b+ cells in the optic nerve, a well established structure for the analysis of the mutant, using bone marrow chimeric mice. Although there is an age-related increase in CD11b+ cells in the myelinated part of the optic nerve of the mutants, the percentage of infiltrating cells was not increased, but enhanced proliferation was detectable.

Natural monoclonal antibodies and cancer.

Immunity is responsible for recognition and elimination of infectious particles and for removal of cellular waste, modified self structures and transformed cells. Innate or natural immunity acts as a first line defense and is also the link to acquired immunity and memory. By using the human hybridoma technology, a series of monoclonal antibodies and several new tumor-specific targets could be identified.

Nomen est omen. Fabry disease.

A 47-year-old woman was referred with increasing dyspnoea and neuropathic pain. During echocardiography, she showed the typical signs for a Fabry cardiomyopathy: global left ventricular function was normal with an ejection fraction of 65%. She had a concentric left ventricular hypertrophy with very prominent papillary muscles.

Procalcitonin (PCT) in patients with abdominal sepsis.

Background: To assess the accuracy of procalcitonin as a measure of severity in patients with septic abdominal illnesses and the sepsis syndrome, to compare measurements with those of other inflammatory mediators, and to predict outcome.

Methods: We carried out a prospective clinical study from 246 patients with infective or septic episodes confirmed at laparotomy and 66 patients undergoing elective operations who acted as controls. Specimens of blood for measurement of cytokine concentrations determination were obtained daily from septic patients.

Cytokine regulation in animal models of neuropathic pain and in human diseases.

Cytokines are soluble proteins secreted mainly by immune cells and are key players in the induction and maintenance of pain. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are mostly algesic, while anti-inflammatory cytokines have analgesic properties. After the role of cytokines was shown in diverse animal models of pain, interest arose in the systemic and local regulation of cytokines in human pain states.

Early cytokine gene expression in mouse CNS after peripheral nerve lesion.

The generation and maintenance of pain after peripheral nerve injury are thought to be influenced by cytokine signaling. Chronic constriction injury (CCI) to mouse sciatic nerve leads to an early local upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines already 1 h after the lesion. The early regulation of cytokines in pain related CNS areas is largely unknown.

Treating multiple sclerosis with monoclonal antibodies.

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are potent new tools for a molecular targeted approach to modify the course of multiple sclerosis (MS). Besides natalizumab, which was approved in 2006, three other mAbs (alemtuzumab, rituximab and daclizumab) were successfully tested in Phase II MS trials. In this review, introductory notes on the development and systematic nomenclature of therapeutic mAbs in general, set the stage for a detailed discussion of the four mAbs mentioned.

Correlation between 6q25.3 deletion status and survival in pediatric intracranial ependymomas.

Losses and rearrangements of genetic material on chromosome 6q are frequently found in several human malignancies, including primary central nervous system tumors. We previously used microsatellite analysis of ependymomas to identify frequent deletions in regions 6q15 approximately q16, 6q21 approximately q22.1, and 6q24.

Rituximab in treatment-resistant autoimmune blistering skin disorders.

Autoimmune blistering diseases are associated with autoantibodies to desmosomal (pemphigus group) or hemidesmosomal proteins (autoimmune subepidermal blistering disorders) that are essential for the structural integrity of the epidermis and dermoepidermal junction. Treatment is usually based on systemic glucocorticosteroids, which are often combined with additional immunosuppressants such as azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil or immunomodulators including dapsone, antibiotics, and intravenous immunoglobulins. These interventions are sometimes not sufficient to induce remission and/or may be associated with intolerable adverse events.

The two-pore domain potassium channel TASK3 functionally impacts glioma cell death.

Two-pore domain K(+) channels, a recently discovered family of ion channels with a unique membrane topology, have been shown to be critically involved in cell death. We here address the functional role of TASK3 (TWIK-related acid-sensitive K(+) channel, KCNK9) in human glioblastoma in vitro and in vivo. Human glioma cell lines (n = 5) as well as glioma specimens (n = 5) constitutively express TASK3 mRNA and protein.

Tumors: too sweet to remember?

Immunity, based on a natural and an educated system, is responsible for recognition and elimination of infectious particles, cellular waste, modified self and transformed cells. This dual system guarantees that dangerous particles are removed immediately after appearance and that a memory with maturated weapons exists, if the organism is re-infected by the same particle. For malignant cells, however, the immune response seems to be restricted to innate immunity, because at least for the humoral response, all so far detected tumor-specific antibodies belong to the natural immunity.

Differential expression patterns of cytokines in complex regional pain syndrome.

Complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS) are characterized by persistent and severe pain after trauma or surgery. Neuro-immune alterations are assumed to play a pathophysiological role. Here we set out to investigate whether patients with CRPS have altered systemic pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine profiles compared to controls on mRNA and protein level.

A functional two-partner secretion system contributes to adhesion of Neisseria meningitidis to epithelial cells.

Neisseria meningitidis is a frequent commensal of the human nasopharynx causing severe invasive infections in rare cases. A functional two-partner secretion (TPS) system in N. meningitidis, composed of the secreted effector protein HrpA and its cognate transporter HrpB, is identified and characterized in this study.

Natural antibodies and cancer.

Immunity is not only responsible for recognition and elimination of infectious particles, but also for removal of cellular waste, modified self structures and transformed cells. Innate or natural immunity acts as a first line defense and is also the link to acquired immunity and memory. A striking phenomenon of immunity against malignant cells is that neither in animals nor in humans affinity-maturated tumor-specific IgG antibodies have been detected so far.

Microbiological evaluation of the new VITEK 2 Neisseria-Haemophilus identification card.

VITEK 2 is an automated identification system for diverse bacterial and fungal species. A new card (the Neisseria-Haemophilus [NH] card) for the identification of Neisseria spp., Haemophilus spp.

DHEA: why, when, and how much--DHEA replacement in adrenal insufficiency.

In recent years it has been demonstrated that current replacement therapy with glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids fails to fully restore health-related quality of life in patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI). Accordingly, replacement of zona reticularis function by DHEA is of considerable interest. Available studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of DHEA on health perception, vitality, fatigue, and (in women) sexuality.

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the uterine cervix: absence of Epstein-Barr virus and high-risk human papilloma virus infection.

Objective: Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. In contrast to Asian women, Caucasian women have a low prevalence of cervical LELC with no infection of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and sporadic appearances of human papilloma viruses (HPV) in Caucasian women.

Case: We report a 36-year-old female Caucasian patient with LELC of the cervix.