Search

We report on a new international community coding project to provide shared scientific computer code that performs common calculations to aid in planning scientific observations, modeling, and data analysis. We have developed code which calculates Jupiter's internal and external magnetic fields. All magnetic field model code is provided in four programming languages (C++, IDL, MATLAB and Python). The code is freely available on GitHub. For Jupiter's internal magnetic field, we present a number of spherical harmonic internal magnetic field models. These include JRM33, the latest Jupiter internal magnetic field model (Connerney et al. in J. Geophys. Res., Planets 127(2):e07055, 2022), as well as older jovian models (e.g. JRM09 (Connerney et al. in Geophys. Res. Lett. 45(6):2590–2596, 2018), O6 (Connerney in Planetary Radio Emissions III, pp. 13–33, 1992), VIP4 (Connerney et al. in J. Geophys. Res. 103(A6):11,929–11,940, 1998) and VIPAL (Hess et al. in J. Geophys. Res. Space Phys. 116(A5):A05217, 2011)). The internal magnetic field code can be easily modified for other planets by simply inputting another spherical harmonic magnetic field model. We have also developed code to calculate the magnetic field perturbations due to the azimuthal and radial currents flowing externally around Jupiter in the jovian magnetodisc according to the model of Connerney et al. (J. Geophys. Res. 86(A10):8370–8384, 1981; J. Geophys. Res. Space Phys. 125(10):e28138, 2020). The internal and external magnetic field codes can be combined to model the magnetic field in Jupiter's magnetosphere. Finally, we provide field-line tracing software (C++ and a Python wrapper for C++) that utilizes the internal and external magnetic field models. The software can be used to trace along field lines from any position in the jovian magnetosphere to, for example, the ionosphere or an equator, and can also be utilized at different planets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Radio Occultation Science Experiment (ROSE) is part of the scientific payload of the Mars Atmosphere Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft. Here we motivate the science objectives of the MAVEN ROSE investigation, which are (1) to determine the vertical structure of plasma in the ionosphere and (2) to identify the density, altitude, and width of the ionospheric density peak. MAVEN ROSE achieves these science objectives by performing two-way X-band radio occultations. Data are acquired ingress and egress opportunities using the high-gain antenna and a carrier-only signal. They are also acquired on ingress opportunities using the low-gain antenna with telemetry on the signal. Raw data are processed to yield vertical profiles of the electron density in the ionosphere of Mars with an accuracy on the order of 10 9 m − 3 , a vertical resolution on the order of 1 km, and a vertical range on the order of 100–500 km. Data products are archived at the NASA Planetary Data System. In order to ensure the reproducibility of the results of the MAVEN ROSE investigation, software programs to determine MAVEN ROSE electron density profiles from time series of frequency residuals accompany this article. Furthermore, here we examine what the MAVEN ROSE observations reveal about the behavior of the ionosphere of Mars. Peak density, peak altitude, and total electron content mostly display the expected trends with solar zenith angle. However, deviations from those trends are present. Peak density at fixed dayside solar zenith angle can vary by 30% and M1 layer density at fixed solar zenith angle can vary even more. Solar irradiance variations are the most likely cause of these variations. Peak altitude at fixed dayside solar zenith angle can vary by 20 km or more. Thermospheric responses to lower atmospheric dust events are the most likely cause of these variations. Several instances of unusual ionospheric features are present in the dayside electron density profiles. A layer with density 3 × 10 10 m − 3 that appears to occur at 60 km altitude may be a horizontally-confined region of larger density that actually occurs at higher altitudes. Significant changes in density over short vertical distances around 160 km altitude may be caused by ionospheric dynamics in the presence of strong crustal magnetic fields. Topside plasma layers around 200 km altitude may reflect sharp gradients in electron temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hintergrund: Maligne Weichgewebstumoren der Extremitäten bei Erwachsenen stellen mit 2-3 Neuerkrankungen pro 100.000 Einwohner/Jahr einen sehr geringen Anteil der malignen Neuerkrankungen dar. Nach Abschluss der multimodalen Therapie besteht aufgrund der hohen Rezidivrate die Indikation zu einer strukturierten Tumornachsorge. Rezidive treten häufig innerhalb der ersten 2 Jahre nach der initialen Therapie auf, werden aber auch noch nach Abschluss des 5. Jahres beschrieben.Grundsätze: Die Planung der Nachsorge sollte bereits im Rahmen des stationären Aufenthalts beginnen. Die Kernpunkte der strukturierten Tumornachsorge sind die Einleitung rehabilitativer und psychosozialer Maßnahmen, die Behandlung von Therapienebenwirkungen nach (neo)adjuvanter Therapie, die Erkennung von Sekundärtumoren, die palliative Behandlung sowie die statistische Erfassung der Therapieverläufe. Die Nachsorge sollte an einem spezialisierten Zentrum für muskuloskeletale Tumoren erfolgen. Die Nachsorgesequenz richtet sich hierbei nach der Entität sowie dem Tumorgrading und wird in zunächst engmaschigen und im Verlauf in längerfristigen Kontrollen über mindestens 10 Jahren empfohlen.Schlussfolgerung: Die tumorchirurgisch tätige Klinik sollte eng in die strukturierte Tumornachsorge eingebunden sein. Wir empfehlen eine 3‑monatige Kontrolle für die ersten 3 Jahre, eine 6‑monatige Kontrolle im 4. bis 5. Jahr und eine jährliche Kontrolle bis zum Abschluss des 10. Jahres bei hochmalignen Weichgewebstumoren der Extremitäten. Bei Low-grade-Weichteilsarkomen sehen wir die Indikation zur halbjährlichen Kontrolle innerhalb der ersten 5 Jahre und hiernach ein jährliches Nachsorgeintervall bis zur Vollendung des 10. Jahres nach initialem Therapieabschluss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hintergrund: Weichteilsarkome sind eine seltene maligne Tumorerkrankung, deren Therapie eine hohe Spezialisierung der beteiligten Kliniken notwendig macht. Aufgrund besserer Überlebensraten und damit höherer Lebenserwartung der Patienten sind die Anforderungen an die chirurgische Therapie nicht nur im Hinblick auf die Sicherheit der Resektion, sondern auch den Erhalt der Funktion gewachsen.Grundsätze: Für die Planung der Tumortherapie müssen eine adäquate Bildgebung sowie histologische Sicherung mittels Biopsie vorliegen. Die Therapie wird interdisziplinär geplant. Man unterscheidet kurative von palliativen Operationsmethoden. Die Tumorresektion erfolgt anhand der präoperativen Planung unter strikter Vermeidung der Kontamination des Situs. Es werden weite Resektionsverfahren angestrebt.Operative und rekonstruktive Verfahren: Die Resektion erfolgt durch direkten längsverlaufenden Zugang zum betroffenen Kompartiment. Der Tumor wird unter Ausnutzung anatomischer Trennschichten bedeckt mit gesundem Gewebe reseziert. Es ist auf eine suffiziente Blutstillung zu achten - zusätzlich kann präoperativ eine Tumorgefäßembolisation erfolgen. Verbliebene Muskelanteile werden zur Rekonstruktion refixiert oder eine Funktionsverbesserung durch Tenodesen erreicht. Aufwändige Weichteil- und Nervenrekonstruktionen sollten zweizeitig erfolgen und müssen adjuvante Behandlungsverfahren mit berücksichtigen. Bei größeren knöchernen Defekten kommen modulare Endoprothesen und im Fall des Verlusts großer Muskelanteile auch Arthrodesen zum Einsatz. Im Fall von Amputationen sollte eine optimale Prothesenversorgung und Nachbehandlung angestrebt werden.Multimodale Therapie: Neoadjuvante und adjuvante Therapieverfahren können sowohl engere Resektionsränder ermöglichen als auch die Gesamtprognose verbessern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hintergrund: Weichteilsarkome stellen mit einer Inzidenz von ca. 1,8-5,5/100.000 pro Jahr nur etwa 1 % der malignen Tumorerkrankungen bei Erwachsenen dar. Diese Seltenheit bedingt gemeinsam mit der Heterogenität und unspezifischen klinischen Symptomatik die häufig verzögerte Diagnostik und uneinheitliche Therapie. Für ein möglichst gutes Outcome ist jedoch ein standardisiertes diagnostisches und therapeutisches Vorgehen notwendig.Diagnostik: Der Patient stellt sich typischerweise mit einer schmerzlosen Schwellung vor. Je nach genauer Lage können auch Bewegungseinschränkungen und manchmal neurologische Symptome bestehen. Den Goldstandard der Lokalbildgebung stellt aufgrund ihrer guten Kontraste und Reproduzierbarkeit die Magnetresonanztomographie mit Kontrastmittel dar. Nach Komplettierung der lokalen Bildgebung erfolgt die histologische Tumorbestätigung mittels Stanzbiopsie oder offener Biopsie. Nur in Ausnahmefällen sollte eine Exzisionsbiopsie erfolgen. Bei Bestätigung des Malignitätsverdachts ist vor Therapieeinleitung ein Staging des Patienten zur Metastasensuche notwendig. Dieses erfolgt in der Regel mittels Computertomographie (CT) von Thorax und Abdomen, ggf. auch als PET(Positronenemissionstomographie)-CT.Therapiealgorithmus: Das therapeutische Vorgehen wird im Rahmen eines interdisziplinären Tumorboards festgelegt. Für lokal gut resektable Tumoren ohne Metastasen ist die R0-Resektion angezeigt. Diese wird bei High-grade-Sarkomen von einer adjuvanten Strahlentherapie gefolgt. Bei lokal fortgeschrittenen Tumoren oder Metastasen kommen auch neoadjuvante oder adjuvante Chemotherapien sowie die chirurgische Metastasenresektion zum Einsatz.Nachsorge: Die Tumornachsorge beinhaltet die regelmäßige klinische und radiologische Kontrolle der Tumorregion sowie Metastasensuche. Sie sollte möglichst am primär behandelnden Tumorzentrum erfolgen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hintergrund: Tumoren des muskuloskeletalen Systems sind selten, die Symptome eher allgemein und unspezifisch. Sie stellen deshalb, insbesondere im jüngeren Alter, eine große Herausforderung an Diagnostik und Therapie dar. Neben der allgemeinen Anamnese, klinischen Untersuchung und Basisdiagnostik (Labordiagnostik, Röntgen, ggf. Sonographie) stellt die spezielle Tumordiagnostik mit Computertomographie, Magnetresonanztomographie und Szintigraphie (bei Knochentumoren) einen wichtigen Baustein dar. Zur Erstellung einer definitiven Diagnose und des daraus resultierenden interdisziplinären Therapieplans ist eine Biopsie der unklaren Raumforderung oft unerlässlich. Obgleich Leitlinien für Probeentnahmen vorliegen, ist bei dieser operativen Maßnahme die Fehlermöglichkeit hoch.Methoden: Es handelt sich um eine Übersichtsarbeit auf Basis eine Literaturrecherche.Ergebnisse: Biopsien werden in Inzision- und Exzisionsbiopsien unterteilt. Es existieren Leitlinien der operativen Gesellschaften, die das Vorgehen festlegen. Zu berücksichtigen ist, dass das Biopsieareal durch Tumorzellen kontaminiert wird und bei einer definitiven Resektion mit entfernt werden sollte. Primäre Exzisionsbiopsien sollten nur bei abgrenzbaren, eher subkutan liegenden Raumforderungen unter 5 cm erwogen werden.Diskussion: Da die Fehlerquote und Komplikationsrate bei Biopsien hoch sind und erheblichen Einfluss auf die Diagnostik und Therapie der Erkrankung haben, sollte die Biopsie nur in Zentren mit umfangreicher Erfahrung durchgeführt werden, die auch in der Lage sind, die nachfolgenden Operationen vorzunehmen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Unfallchirurg is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The pan-neurotrophin receptor p75NTR is expressed in the adult brain in a discrete pattern. Although numerous studies have addressed its implications for hippocampal functions, the generated sets of data are surprisingly conflicting. We have therefore set out to re-investigate the impact of a deletion of the full-length p75NTR receptor on several parameters of the dentate gyrus (DG), including neurogenesis and hippocampus-related behavior by using p75NTR knockout mice. Moreover, we investigated further parameters of the DG (cholinergic innervation, dendritic spines). In addition, we analyzed on the morphological level the impact of aging by comparing adult and aged p75NTR mice and their age-matched littermates. Adult (4-6 months old), but not aged (20 months old), p75NTR knockout mice display an enhanced volume of the DG. However, adult neurogenesis within the adult DG was unaffected in both adult and aged p75NTR knockout mice. We could further demonstrate that the change in the volume of the DG was accompanied by an increased cholinergic innervation and increased spine densities of granule cells in adult, but not aged p75NTR deficient mice. These morphological changes in the adult p75NTR deficient mice were accompanied by specific alterations in their behavior, including altered behavior in the Morris water maze test, indicating impairments in spatial memory retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spacecraft observations have established that all known planets with an internal magnetic field, as part of their interaction with the solar wind, possess well-developed magnetic tails, stretching vast distances on the nightside of the planets. In this review paper we focus on the magnetotails of Mercury, Earth, Jupiter and Saturn, four planets which possess well-developed tails and which have been visited by several spacecraft over the years. The fundamental physical processes of reconnection, convection, and charged particle acceleration are common to the magnetic tails of Mercury, Earth, Jupiter and Saturn. The great differences in solar wind conditions, planetary rotation rates, internal plasma sources, ionospheric properties, and physical dimensions from Mercury's small magnetosphere to the giant magnetospheres of Jupiter and Saturn provide an outstanding opportunity to extend our understanding of the influence of such factors on basic processes. In this review article, we study the four planetary environments of Mercury, Earth, Jupiter and Saturn, comparing their common features and contrasting their unique dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Early prosthetic joint infection (PJI) can be treated with an intensive surgical debridement and implant retention (DAIR) of the prosthesis if (1) the prosthesis is stable, (2) the pathogen is not a difficult-to-treat microorganism, (3) symptoms have lasted for <3 weeks and (4) a sinus tract is absent. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the treatment outcome of early PJI in the hip and knee in a single orthopaedic centre. An early PJI was defined as a prosthesis infection within 3 months after primary implantation or revision surgery for a non-infectious cause. Results: We identified 69 patients with confirmed early PJI, with a median age of 71 (range 33-84) years. Only 64 % presented with ≥2 acute signs of infection. The most commonly isolated bacteria were coagulase-negative staphylococci (38 %) and Staphylococcus aureus (25 %). Surgical procedures included DAIR (50 cases, 69 %) and two-stage exchange (19 cases, 31 %). At last follow-up, five of remaining living 67 patients (7.5 %) had a relapse of infection. The overall relapse-free survival of the prosthesis after 2 years was 92.3 % (95 % confidence interval 82-97 %) with no significant difference between DAIR and exchange of prosthesis. Conclusion: Our data suggest that an early PJI should be treated with DAIR as a less invasive procedure whenever possible according to the established treatment algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Kardiologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Shoulder arthroplasties are increasingly performed, but data on periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) in this anatomical position are limited. We retrospectively investigated the characteristics and outcome of shoulder PJI after primary arthroplasty from 1998 to 2010 in a single centre. Methods: Periprosthetic joint infection was defined as periprosthetic purulence, presence of sinus tract or microbial growth. A Kaplan-Meier survival method was used to estimate relapse-free survival of prosthesis. Results: From 1,571 primary shoulder prostheses, we evaluated 16 patients with a PJI at different stages, i.e, early ( n = 4), delayed ( n = 6) and late ( n = 6) infections. The median patient age was 67 (range 53-86) years, and 69 % were females. The most commonly isolated microorganism was Propionibacterium acnes in 38 % of patients (monobacterial in four and polymicrobial in two patients). In 14 of the 16 patients, surgical interventions consisting of debridement and implant retention (6 patients), exchange (7) and explantation (1) were performed. Four patients had a relapse of infection with P. acnes ( n = 3) or Bacteroides fragilis ( n = 1). The relapse-free survival of the prosthesis was 75 % (95 % confidence interval 46-90 %) after 1 and 2 years, 100 % in six patients following the treatment algorithm for hip and knee PJI and 60 % in 10 patients not followed up. All but one of the relapses were previously treated without exchange of the prosthesis. Conclusions: As recommended for hip and knee PJI, we suggest treating shoulder PJI with a low-grade infection by microorganisms such as P. acnes with an exchange of the prosthesis. Cohort studies are needed to verify our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Rifampin combination therapy plays an important role in the management of staphylococcal periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). However, the emergence of rifampin resistance is a feared complication. We retrospectively analysed predetermined potential risk factors in patients with rifampin-resistant staphylococcal PJI in a multicentre case-control study. Methods: Cases ( n = 48) were defined as PJI caused by rifampin-resistant staphylococci. Rifampin-susceptible controls ( n = 48) were matched for microorganism and type of prosthetic joint. Uni- and multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI). Results: Forty-eight cases (31 men; median age 67 years; age range 39-88 years) with hip- ( n = 29), knee- ( n = 13), elbow- ( n = 4), shoulder- ( n = 1) or ankle-PJI ( n = 1) were enrolled in the study. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci were isolated in ten and 38 episodes, respectively. Most of the cases ( n = 44, 92 %) had a previous PJI, and 93 % ( n = 41) of these had been treated with rifampin. There was an independent association of emergence of rifampin resistance with male sex (OR 3.6, 95 % CI 1.2-11), ≥3 previous surgical revisions (OR 4.7, 95 % CI 1.6 -14.2), PJI treatment with high initial bacterial load (inadequate surgical debridement, <2 weeks of intravenous treatment of the combination medication; OR 4.9, 95 % CI 1.6-15) and inadequate rifampin therapy (OR 5.4, 95 % CI 1.2-25). Conclusions: Based on our results, extensive surgical debridement and adequate antibiotic therapy are needed to prevent the emergence of rifampin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D skews the immune system towards a more tolerogenic state. Therefore, a relatively high vitamin D status, i.e., within the normal physiological range, might result in a lower antibody response to infection and vaccination. We hypothesized, however, that vitamin D is primarily important in establishing immune homeostasis, implying that a relatively high vitamin D status would not hamper an adequate antibody response against pathogens. Our results show that the vitamin D status did not differ between responders and hypo-responders in patients infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as patients vaccinated against S. pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis type C (MenC), and/or Haemophilus influenzae type b ( Hib). Furthermore, specific IgG titers were not associated with the vitamin D status in patients vaccinated against S. pneumoniae and MenC, while there was a weak inverse association in Hib-vaccinated patients. These data indicate that a relatively high vitamin D status does not seem to hamper an adequate antibody response upon infection or vaccination, suggesting that vitamin D, in this setting, is not immunosuppressive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Promoter hypermethylation is an important epigenetic mechanism in the regulation of several key modulators of prostate carcinoma progression. Recent studies suggest that the polycomb-group (PcG) protein BMI1 may have an impact on epigenetic regulation of several targets, including the CDKN2a locus.Methods:In this study, we investigated the association of BMI1 expression, promoter methylation of CDKN2a (p16INK4a and p14ARF) and TMS1 with pathological variables (Gleason score, TNM stage, perineural invasion) in prostate cancer (PCa).Results:Methylation of p16INK4a and p14ARF revealed an inverse association with Gleason score 7b and Gleason score 6. No significant association could be demonstrated for BMI1 -overexpression and promoter methylation of p16INK4a, p14ARF and TMS1 as well as pT category.Conclusions:Our data suggest that the CDKN2a locus is a switch in PCa with methylation of p16INK4a being a marker for more aggressive tumours of Gleason score 7b, but no association with BMI overexpression was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oncogenic types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause cervical cancer in humans. The antiapoptotic viral E6 gene has been identified as a key factor for maintaining the viability of HPV-positive cancer cells. Although E6 has the potential to modulate many apoptosis regulators, the crucial apoptotic pathway blocked by endogenous E6 in cervical cancer cells remained unknown. Using RNA interference (RNAi), here, we show that targeted inhibition of E6 expression in cervical cancer cells leads to the transcriptional stimulation of the PUMA promoter, in a p53-dependent manner. This is linked to the activation and translocation of Bax to the mitochondrial membrane, cytochrome c release into the cytosol, and activation of caspase-3, in a PUMA-dependent manner. Moreover, inhibition of Bax expression by RNAi efficiently reverts the apoptotic phenotype, which results from inhibition of E6 expression. Thus, interference with the p53/PUMA/Bax cascade is crucial for the antiapoptotic function of the viral E6 oncogene in HPV-positive cancer cells.Oncogene (2006) 25, 4009–4015. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1209429; published online 6 February 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavour-changing effects originating from the exchange of scalar particles in the processes e+e-→Hxbs̄,Hxb̄s, with Hx≡h0,H0,A0, are investigated in the minimal supersymmetric standard model with non-minimal flavour violation at the one-loop level. The dominating SUSY-QCD contributions with squark–gluino loops are calculated and discussed. We consider the SUSY scenario with non-minimal flavour mixing in the down-type squark-mass matrix. The flavour-changing cross sections are derived, and we discuss the dependence on the MSSM parameters and the strength of flavour mixing. The values for the cross section can reach 10-4 pb for the production of the heavy Higgs boson H0 or A0, and only 10-7 pb for the light Higgs boson h0. Non-decoupling behaviour occurs for both h0,H0 production in the case of a common heavy SUSY mass scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of HNO is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Low-intensity concentric (CET) and eccentric (EET) endurance-type training induce specific structural adaptations in skeletal muscle. We evaluated to which extent steady-state adaptations in transcript levels are involved in the compensatory alterations of muscle mitochondria and myofibrils with CET versus EET at a matched metabolic exercise intensity of medicated, stable coronary patients (CAD). Biopsies were obtained from vastus lateralis muscle before and after 8 weeks of CET (n=6) or EET (n=6). Transcript levels for factors involved in mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC-1alpha, Tfam), mitochondrial function (COX-1, COX-4), control of contractile phenotype (MyHC I, IIa, IIx) as well as mechanical stress marker (IGF-I) were quantified using an reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction approach. After 8 weeks of EET, a reduction of the COX-4 mRNA level by 41% and a tendency for a drop in Tfam transcript concentration (-33%, P=0.06) was noted. This down-regulation corresponded to a drop in total mitochondrial volume density. MyHC-IIa transcript levels were specifically decreased after EET, and MyHC-I mRNA showed a trend towards a reduction (P=0.08). Total fiber cross-sectional area was not altered. After CET and EET, the IGF-I mRNA level was significantly increased. The PGC-1alpha significantly correlated with Tfam, and both PGC-1alpha and Tfam significantly correlated with COX-1 and COX-4 mRNAs. Post-hoc analysis identified significant interactions between the concurrent medication and muscular transcript levels as well as fiber size. Our findings support the concept that specific transcriptional adaptations mediate the divergent mitochondrial response of muscle cells to endurance training under different load condition and indicate a mismatch of processes related to muscle hypertrophy in medicated CAD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Pathologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Pathologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Since 1974, the risk of acquiring non-A non-B hepatitis by blood transfusion is well known. In 1999, children having had polytransfusions (group 1) after cardiac surgery prior to the establishment of routine blood donor screening could be identified as a risk group for hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Patients and Methods: In 1991, Germany began screening blood donors for hepatitis C. To describe the risk after the implementation of blood donor screening, we studied 211 children (group 2) having had open heart surgery after 1991 and compared prevalence for anti-HCV antibodies and known risk factors to group 1. Results: None of the 211 patients with cardiac surgery after 1991 had detectable anti-HCV antibodies, compared to 67 of the 458 patients (14.6%) of group 1 (p < 0.001). The mean number of operations in both groups was virtually the same (mean 1.7 ± 0.9 in group 1, mean 1.6 ± 0.9 in group 2, p = 0.075), whereas the total number of blood products per patient differed significantly (group 1 mean 8 ± 17.6, group 2 mean 3.5 ± 2.8; p < 0.001). Mulitvariate analysis of risk factors demonstrates affiliation to group 1, transfusion of fresh blood, warm whole blood, heparinized blood (p < 0.001) and plasma (p = 0.004) as significant. Conclusion: After the implementation of blood donor screening, the risk for HCV infection after cardiac surgery in childhood dropped significantly from 14.6% to < 0.5%. These data show the necessity of HCV screening for patients at risk (operations before 1991) and do not favor a general screening for all patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disordered gastric motility occurs frequently in diabetes mellitus. Gastric emptying time is abnormal in about 50% of diabetic patients and delayed emptying time is known as an important cause for brittle diabetes in type 1 diabetes. We compared the rise in blood glucose after a standardized meal (oatmeal test) as a noninvasive screening test for diabetic gastropathy with the noninvasive measurement of gastric emptying time with ultrasound in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. The test result was considered pathological if the rise of blood glucose after an initial steady state did not reach 20 mg/dl in the first 20 min after the meal (prolonged blood glucose latency). We found a sensitivity of 90% (58.7-99.8) and a specificity of 100% (71.5-100) for the oatmeal test in type 1 diabetes in the gastropathy screening. In type 2 diabetes we found a sensitivity of 13% (1.5-38.3) and a specificity of 78% (60-90.7) (95% CI). In conclusion, the oatmeal test seemed to be a good, noninvasive screening test in diabetic gastropathy in type 1 diabetes, but has no diagnostic value in type 2 diabetes. The causes for such a difference may be due to a different postprandial blood glucose regulation in type 2 diabetes compared to the beta-cell-depleted type 1 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We describe the favourable long-term outcome after late total knee joint prosthesis infection in an elderly RA patient. Peptostreptococcus micros and Propionibacterium acnes were cultured from the synovial fluid, and the finding of a coexistent abscess at the root of a wisdom tooth suggested a dental origin to the joint infection. Long-term antibiotics in conjunction with aspiration/irrigation resulted in salvage of the implant and an excellent functional outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lower fracture rates among African-American women relative to Caucasian women may reflect their higher bone mass. However, bone mass is not the only determinant of bone strength: the quality and microarchitecture of the bone are also important. Quantitative ultrasound is believed to measure properties of bone strength that are independent of bone mass. To test the hypothesis that there are racial differences in quantitative ultrasound measures of bone, we recruited 154 African-American women age ⩾65 years. A random sample of 300 Caucasian women participating in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was chosen for comparison. The Walker Sonix UBA 575+ was used to measure calcaneal broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA). Duplicate BUA measurements were obtained with a reproducibility of 5%. We measured bone mineral density (BMD) of the hip and calcaneus using single (calcaneus) or dual (hip) energy X-ray absorptiometry. The correlation between BUA and calcaneal BMD was similar in Caucasians ( r=0.66, p<0.001) and African-Americans ( r=0.58, p<0.001). Age-adjusted BUA (dB/MHz) was higher among the African-American women than Caucasian women (69.1 and 66.2, respectively), but these differences were not statistically significant, ( p=0.12). Adjustment for calcaneal BMD completely attenuated the racial differences in BUA. BMD at the femoral neck and calcaneus was higher among the African-American women, even after adjusting for age, height and weight. In conclusion, our results suggest that racial differences in rates of fracture cannot be explained by differences in bone quality as assessed by ultrasound attenuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Infection is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Radioiodine labelled 17-iodo-heptadecanoic acid (IHA) is used for non-invasive study of myocardial metabolism in coronary heart disease and cardiomyopathy. Yet in the interpretation of in vivo myocardial tracer kinetics, it is controversial whether the intracellular degradation of IHA or the removal of iodide across cellular membranes is the rate-limiting step in iodide release from the myocardium. In five patients undergoing coronary sinus catheterization, a mixture of about 40 kBq of [I] NaI was injected into the left coronary artery. During the following 15-min period, frequent blood samples were taken from the aorta and the coronary sinus. In the aqueous phase of the venous blood, CO and inorganic I appeared nearly in parallel, with a peak time of 4-5 min. Moreover, as shown by the AV difference, there was no significant back diffusion of IHA and no significant non-specific deiodination detectable over the period of observation. There was myocardial retention of inorganic iodide (I) injected into the left coronary artery. The data strongly support the premise that lipid turnover through β-oxidation is the rate-limiting step in the externally measured release of iodide after IHA injection, provided that recirculating inorganic radioactive iodide is corrected for. In addition, 15 volunteers were studied using [C]palmitic acid and [I]IHA using PET and dynamic planar camera scintigraphy with iodide correction. There was no significant difference between the mean values of the elimination half-times, and also no significant correlation between half-times of both fatty acids for single individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An open, randomized, multicenter study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of piperacillin/tazobactam and co-amoxiclav plus aminoglycoside in the treatment of hospitalized patients with severe community-acquired or nosocomial pneumonia. Of the 89 patients who entered the study, 84 (94%) were clinically evaluable. A favorable clinical response was observed in 90% of the piperacillin/ tazobactam group and in 84% of the co-amoxiclav/aminoglycoside group (not significant). The bacteriological efficacy was comparable in both groups (96% vs. 92%; not significant). There was only one fatal outcome in the piperacillin/tazobactam group compared to six in the co-amoxiclav/aminoglycoside group regimen P=0.058). The adverse event rate was non-significantly lower in the piperacillin/ tazobactam group compared to the co-amoxiclav/aminoglycoside group (2% vs. 7%; P=0.32). Piperacillin/tazobactam is safe and highly efficacious in the treatment of serious pneumonia in hospitalized patients. It compares favorably with the combination of co-amoxiclav/aminoglycoside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The extent to which conclusions about myocardial performance may be drawn from end-systolic pressure-volume relations was investigated. Left ventricular isovolumetric and end-systolic pressure-volume relationships were measured in the rat, under acute impairment of contractility (hexobarbital), at chronic pressure overload (spontaneously hypertensive rats), and at chronic volume overload (aortocaval shunt). Our results confirm the classic conception of Otto Frank where the curves of the isovolumetric maxima and the curves of the end-systolic pressure-volume relations follow separate courses. Acute alterations in contractility can be detected from shifts in the end-systolic pressure-volume relations. In chronic pressure or volume overloaded hearts the end-systolic pressure-volume relations do not render conclusions about ventricular or myocardial performance since in chronically altered hearts, the course of the end-systolic pressure-volume relations is primarily influenced by geometric factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypoxia-induced changes in diastolic left ventricular (LV) pressure volume (P-V) relationships and myocardial elasticity as well as the extent to which diastolic right ventricular (RV) interactions are involved under hypoxia were analysed in male open-chest Wistar rats under isovolumetric conditions. Wall stress σ and differential elastic modulus E were calculated for the midwall region, assuming a spherical model. LV end-diastolic P-V relationship shifted significantly to the left only 2 min after the start of pure N ventilation. The slope of the E-σ curve did not change, corresponding to the 'contracture type' of decreased myocardial distensibility. Identical changes occurred when filling of the RV was increased under O ventilation. Hypoxia, under emptied RV, led within 8 min to substantially lower, nonsignificant steepening of the end-disastolic P-V relationships. There was a significant change in the diastolic P-V curve along with a parallel increase in stiffness constant b, 45 min after N ventilation and under emptied RV. However, as a result of failure of cardiac function, ischemia was by now prevailing. These findings led to the following conclusions: In the early phase of hypoxia, i. e. within the first 20 min (in the model used in the present study) no substantial rigor occurs but the increase of LV end-diastolic P-V values is essentially due to augmented RV filling, even under opened chest and removed pericardium. The geometrical influence of the RV mimics the 'contracture type' of decreased myocardial distensibility and cannot be recognized on the basis of the E-σ relationship. Without knowledge of RV pressure it is not feasible to distinguish early 'contracture' or rigor from extraventricular influences, caused by changes in the filling of the neighbouring ventricle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Basic Research in Cardiology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Several photographs which shows the fatal neisseria sicca endocarditis in a 75-year-old woman is presented.

Correction to: Space Sci. Rev. (2020) 216: 6110.1007/s11214-020-00687-6 This article unfortunately was published without the Electronic Supplementary Material mentioned in the article text. With the publication of this correction the ESM "radio_occ_mvn_ssrlikev32.pro" is now available online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two patients operated on by one of the authors (MK) developed hemodynamic instability after otherwise uneventful completion of total cavopulmonary anastomosis with an extracardiac tube. In both, a stenosis of the right pulmonary veins was demonstrated during routine intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. The transesophageal probe was found to be the underlying problem. Apparently, the pulmonary veins became compressed between the probe and the extracardiac conduit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]