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Aims Previous experimental studies have suggested that platelet stromal-cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) regulates mobilization and recruitment of haematopoietic progenitor cells supporting revascularization in mice. However, there are no clinical data available regarding platelet-bound SDF-1 in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the platelet-surface expression of SDF-1 in patients with ACS. Methods and results Patients with ACS ( n = 418) showed a significantly enhanced SDF-1 expression on admission compared with those with stable angina pectoris (SAP, n = 486) [SAP (mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) ± SD): 13.48 ± 5.27; ACS: 18.45 ± 12.85; P < 0.001) independent of cardiovascular risk factors and medication. Enhanced platelet-bound SDF-1 expression was found in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF

Im Rahmen der Unternehmensnachfolgeplanung hat die Anordnung der Testamentsvollstreckung eine praktische und vor allem hohe wirtschaftliche Bedeutung, wenngleich sich das Rechtsinstitut in der gangigen rechtlichen und notariellen Praxis noch nicht durchgesetzt zu haben scheint. Die Grunde hierfur sind sicher mannigfaltig, resultieren aber oftmals aus der Unkenntnis der Erblasser und der entsprechenden Berater.

One approach for restoring vision in end-stage hereditary retinal diseases is implantation of a subretinal microphotodiode array. We analyzed retinal fluorescein angiography findings of the implant area.In this pilot study, patients (n = 11; 10 men, one woman; ages 45.2 ± 8.7 years), with visual acuity of light perception or worse resulting from a hereditary retinal degenerative disease, received active electronic subretinal visual implants. Implants were removed after 4 weeks (n = 7 subjects) or 4 months (n = 4 subjects). Following implantation, regular fluorescein angiography was performed. Regions of retinal capillary loss, microaneurysms, capillary alterations, neovascularization and leakage over the implant were scored at time points T1 (days 1-14), T2 (days 15-28) and T3 (months 3-4). Occurrence and changes of fluorescein angiographic phenomena are reported.In terms of the number of patients in whom retinal alterations were observed (compared to available images) the occurences of the angiographic phenomena (for time points T1, T2 and T3, respectively) were as follows: regions of capillary loss (five of seven, 10 of 11 and five of five patients), microaneurysms (0 of seven, two of 11 and three of five patients), calibre alterations of the capillaries (three of seven, eight of 11 and five of five patients), retinal neovascularization (one of seven, one of 11 and 0 of five) and leakage (three of seven, seven of 11 and four of five). The Friedman test revealed no significant changes in capillary loss, calibre alteration of the capillaries, neovascularization or leakage. Microaneurysms increased significantly (p = 0.037).Subretinal visual implants lead to increased capillary microaneurysms, a possible compensatory mechanism following recovery of inner retinal activity. There were no significant changes in capillary loss, calibre alteration of the capillaries, retinal neovascularization and leakage at 4 months. Further study will determine whether and to what degree long-term vascular changes are affected by the surgical procedure, the implant itself and/or recovery of retinal neuronal activity.

Vascular risk factors contribute to the progression of dementia in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and influence platelet activation. However, the degree of platelet activation as a possible underlying mechanism of this progression has not been studied till now. Significantly higher baseline expression of both platelet activation biomarkers, activated glycoprotein IIb–IIIa complex and P-selectin, was observed in patients with AD with fast cognitive decline compared with AD patients with slow cognitive decline during a 1-year follow-up period. These results suggest that platelet activation could be a putative prognostic biomarker for the rate of cognitive decline and a potential new treatment target in AD patients.

The Ein Bild Rontgen Analyse system is used to radiographically measure femoral head penetration in total hip replacement components. Because determining the accuracy of any wear analysis system is more precise and comparable under in vitro conditions, we used a femoral head migration simulator to assess the accuracy of Ein Bild Rontgen Analyse and determine the effect of magnification factors on accuracy. We used onscreen magnifications of 100% and 200% to measure anteroposterior radiographs, which improved the accuracy of determining femoral head penetration. Improvements averaged 0.056 mm (95% CI +/- 0.013 mm) in the X direction and 0.024 mm (95% CI +/- 0.027 mm) in the Y direction. Femoral head penetration was simulated in 0.25-mm steps from 0-1 mm. Accuracy ranged from 0-0.029 mm (95% CI, 0.035-0.067 mm) for the X direction and from 0.001-0.013 mm (95% CI, 0.046-0.079 mm) for the Y direction. Assuming the worst accuracy combined for the X and Y directions, Ein Bild Rontgen Analyse can accurately detect femoral head penetration greater than 0.128 mm. These results are comparable with reported accuracy values for different systems and suggest that magnification tools should be considered with Ein Bild Rontgen Analyse when measuring wear radiographically.