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Myocardial infarction (MI) induces a complex inflammatory immune response, followed by the remodelling of the heart muscle and scar formation. The rapid regeneration of the blood vessel network system by the attraction of hematopoietic stem cells is beneficial for heart function. Despite the important role of chemokines in these processes, their use in clinical practice has so far been limited by their limited availability over a long time-span in vivo. Here, a method is presented to increase physiological availability of chemokines at the site of injury over a defined time-span and simultaneously control their release using biodegradable hydrogels. Two different biodegradable hydrogels were implemented, a fast degradable hydrogel (FDH) for delivering Met-CCL5 over 24 hrs and a slow degradable hydrogel (SDH) for a gradual release of protease-resistant CXCL12 (S4V) over 4 weeks. We demonstrate that the time-controlled release using Met-CCL5-FDH and CXCL12 (S4V)-SDH suppressed initial neutrophil infiltration, promoted neovascularization and reduced apoptosis in the infarcted myocardium. Thus, we were able to significantly preserve the cardiac function after MI. This study demonstrates that time-controlled, biopolymer-mediated delivery of chemokines represents a novel and feasible strategy to support the endogenous reparatory mechanisms after MI and may compliment cell-based therapies.
Background: Candida spp. are a frequent cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections worldwide.
Objective: To evaluate the use patterns and outcomes associated with intravenous (IV) fluconazole therapy in intensive care units in Spain and Germany.
Patients and methods: The research reported here was a prospective multicenter longitudinal observational study in adult intensive care unit patients receiving IV fluconazole. Demographic, microbiologic, therapy success, length of hospital stay, adverse event, and all-cause mortality data were collected at 14 sites in Spain and five in Germany, from February 2004 to November 2005.
Results: Patients (n = 303) received prophylaxis (n = 29), empiric therapy (n = 140), preemptive therapy (n = 85), or definitive therapy (n = 49). A total of 298 patients (98.4%) were treated with IV fluconazole as first-line therapy. The treating physicians judged therapy successful in 66% of prophylactic, 55% of empiric, 45% of preemptive, and 43% of definitive group patients. In the subgroup of 152 patients with proven and specified Candida infection only, 32% suffered from Candida specified as potentially resistant to IV fluconazole. The overall mortality rate was 42%.
Conclusion: Our study informs treatment decision makers that approximately 32% of the patients with microbiological results available suffered from Candida specified as potentially resistant to IV fluconazole, highlighting the importance of appropriate therapy.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a new infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus that leads to deleterious pulmonary pathological features. Due to its high morbidity and mortality and widespread occurrence, SARS has evolved as an important respiratory disease which may be encountered everywhere in the world. The virus was identified as the causative agent of SARS due to the efforts of a WHO-led laboratory network. The potential mutability of the SARS-CoV genome may lead to new SARS outbreaks and several regions of the viral genomes open reading frames have been identified which may contribute to the severe virulence of the virus. With regard to the pathogenesis of SARS, several mechanisms involving both direct effects on target cells and indirect effects via the immune system may exist. Vaccination would offer the most attractive approach to prevent new epidemics of SARS, but the development of vaccines is difficult due to missing data on the role of immune system-virus interactions and the potential mutability of the virus. Even in a situation of no new infections, SARS remains a major health hazard, as new epidemics may arise. Therefore, further experimental and clinical research is required to control the disease.
Keywords: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; SARS; coronavirus; molecular mechanisms; therapy; vaccination
Significant progress has been made in the management of Wilms tumor (WT) in recent years, mostly as a result of collaborative efforts and the implementation of protocol-driven, multimodal therapy. This article offers a comprehensive overview of current multidisciplinary treatment strategies for WT, whilst also addressing recent technical innovations including nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) and minimally invasive approaches. In addition, surgical concepts for the treatment of metastatic disease, advances in tumor imaging technology and potentially prognostic biomarkers will be discussed. Current evidence suggests that, in experienced hands and selected cases, laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and laparoscopic-assisted partial nephrectomy for WT may offer the same outcome as the traditional open approach. While NSS is the standard procedure for bilateral WT, NSS has evolved as an alternative technique in patients with smaller unilateral WT and in cases with imminent renal failure. Metastatic disease of the lung or liver that is associated with WT is preferably treated with a three-drug chemotherapy and local radiation therapy. However, surgical sampling of lung nodules may be advisable in persistent nodules before whole lung irradiation is commenced. Several tumor markers such as loss of heterozygosity of chromosomes 1p/16q, 11p15 and gain of function at 1q are associated with an increased risk of recurrence or a decreased risk of overall survival in patients with WT. In summary, complete resection with tumor-free margins remains the primary surgical aim in WT, while NSS and minimally invasive approaches are only suitable in a subset of patients with smaller WT and low-risk disease. In the future, advances in tumor imaging technology may assist the surgeon in defining surgical resection margins and additional biomarkers may emerge as targets for development of new diagnostic tests and potential therapies.
The KMT2A (MLL) gene rearrangements (KMT2A-r) are associated with a diverse spectrum of acute leukemias. Although most KMT2A-r are restricted to nine partner genes, we have recently revealed that KMT2A-USP2 fusions are often missed during FISH screening of these genetic alterations. Therefore, complementary methods are important for appropriate detection of any KMT2A-r. Here we use a machine learning model to unravel the most appropriate markers for prediction of KMT2A-r in various types of acute leukemia. A Random Forest and LightGBM classifier was trained to predict KMT2A-r in patients with acute leukemia. Our results revealed a set of 20 genes capable of accurately estimating KMT2A-r. The SKIDA1 (AUC: 0.839; CI: 0.799–0.879) and LAMP5 (AUC: 0.746; CI: 0.685–0.806) overexpression were the better markers associated with KMT2A-r compared to CSPG4 (also named NG2; AUC: 0.722; CI: 0.659–0.784), regardless of the type of acute leukemia. Of importance, high expression levels of LAMP5 estimated the occurrence of all KMT2A-USP2 fusions. Also, we performed drug sensitivity analysis using IC50 data from 345 drugs available in the GDSC database to identify which ones could be used to treat KMT2A-r leukemia. We observed that KMT2A-r cell lines were more sensitive to 5-Fluorouracil (5FU), Gemcitabine (both antimetabolite chemotherapy drugs), WHI-P97 (JAK-3 inhibitor), Foretinib (MET/VEGFR inhibitor), SNX-2112 (Hsp90 inhibitor), AZD6482 (PI3Kβ inhibitor), KU-60019 (ATM kinase inhibitor), and Pevonedistat (NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) inhibitor). Moreover, IC50 data from analyses of ex-vivo drug sensitivity to small-molecule inhibitors reveals that Foretinib is a promising drug option for AML patients carrying FLT3 activating mutations. Thus, we provide novel and accurate options for the diagnostic screening and therapy of KMT2A-r leukemia, regardless of leukemia subtype.
Smoking cigarettes throughout pregnancy is one of the single most important avoidable causes of adverse pregnancy outcomes and it represents the first major environmental risk of the unborn. If compared with other risk factors in the perinatal period, exposure to tobacco smoke is considered to be amongst the most harmful and it is associated with high rates of long and short term morbidity and mortality for mother and child. A variety of adverse pregnancy outcomes are linked with cigarette consumption before and during pregnancy. Maternal prenatal cigarette smoke disturbs the equilibrium among the oxidant and antioxidant system, has negative impact on the genetic and cellular level of both mother and fetus and causes a large quantity of diseases in the unborn child. These smoking-induced damages for the unborn offspring manifest themselves at various times in life and for most only a very limited range of causal treatment exists. Education, support and assistance are of high importance to decrease maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, as there are few other avoidable factors which influence a child's health that profoundly throughout its life. It is imperative that smoking control should be seen as a public health priority.
Background: Tetracyclines and clindamycin plus rifampicin combination therapy are both considered first-line therapy in current hidradenitis suppurativa guidelines. However, evidence for their efficacy is drawn from small studies, often without validated outcomes. Objective: To assess the 12-week efficacy of oral tetracyclines and a combination of clindamycin and rifampicin. Methods: A prospective, international cohort study performed between October 2018 and August 2019. Results: In total, 63.6% of the included 283 patients received oral tetracyclines, and 36.4% were treated with clindamycin and rifampicin. Both groups showed a significant decrease in International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System from baseline (both P < .001). The Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) was achieved in 40.1% and 48.2% of patients, respectively (P = .26). Patient characteristics or disease severity were not associated with the attainment of HiSCR or the minimal clinically important differences for the Dermatology Life Quality Index and pain. Limitations: Cohort study. Respectively, 23.9% and 19.4% of patients had to be excluded from the HiSCR analysis for the tetracycline and combination therapy group because of a low abscess and nodule count at baseline. Conclusion: This study shows significant efficacy of both tetracycline treatment and clindamycin and rifampicin combination therapy after 12 weeks in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. No significant differences in efficacy were observed between the 2 treatments, regardless of disease severity.
The hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) is essential for the production of uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc), the building block of glycosaminoglycans, thus playing a crucial role in cartilage anabolism. Although O-GlcNAcylation represents a protective regulatory mechanism in cellular processes, it has been associated with degenerative diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA). The present study focuses on HBP-related processes as potential therapeutic targets after cartilage trauma. Human cartilage explants were traumatized and treated with GlcNAc or glucosamine sulfate (GS); PUGNAc, an inhibitor of O-GlcNAcase; or azaserine (AZA), an inhibitor of GFAT-1. After 7 days, cell viability and gene expression analysis of anabolic and catabolic markers, as well as HBP-related enzymes, were performed. Moreover, expression of catabolic enzymes and type II collagen (COL2) biosynthesis were determined. Proteoglycan content was assessed after 14 days. Cartilage trauma led to a dysbalanced expression of different HBP-related enzymes, comparable to the situation in highly degenerated tissue. While GlcNAc and PUGNAc resulted in significant cell protection after trauma, only PUGNAc increased COL2 biosynthesis. Moreover, PUGNAc and both glucosamine derivatives had anti-catabolic effects. In contrast, AZA increased catabolic processes. Overall, “fueling” the HBP by means of glucosamine derivatives or inhibition of deglycosylation turned out as cells and chondroprotectives after cartilage trauma.
Background: Dentists (Ds) and dental assistants (DAs) have a high lifetime prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). In this context, it is assumed that they have an increased intake of substances such as pain medication. Currently, there exist no data on the use of medication among Ds and DAs with MSDs in Germany. Methods: The online questionnaire (i.e., the Nordic Questionnaire) analysed the medical therapies used by 389 Ds (240 f/149 m) and 406 DAs (401 f/5 m) to treat their MSDs. Results: Ds (28.3–11.5%) and DAs (29.4–10.3%) with MSDs took medication depending on the affected body region. A trend between the Ds and DAs in the intake of drug therapy and the frequency was found for the neck region (Ds: 21.1%, DAs: 28.7%). A single medication was taken most frequently (Ds: 60.0–33.3%, DAs: 71.4–27.3%). The frequency of use varied greatly for both occupational groups depending on the region affected. Conclusion: Ds and DAs perceived the need for medical therapies because of their MSDs. Painkillers such as ibuprofen and systemic diclofenac were the medications most frequently taken by both occupational groups. The intake of pain killers, most notably for the neck, should prevent sick leave.
Ziel des Seminars war es, für die "Volkskrankheit Rückenschmerz" vom sportorthopädisch-traumatologisch-sportmedizinischen, vom internistischen, vom schmerztherapeutisch-neurochirurgischen und vom physiotherapeutischen Standpunkt aus neue, auf physiologisch-pathophysiologischen Kenntnissen basierende Sichtweisen mit Relevanz für Prävention und Therapie des verbreiteten Problems Rückenschmerz zu präsentieren.
Der Rückenschmerz als Folge der biomechanischen Besonderheit des "Zweibeiners" im Zeitalter der Hypomobilisation und Hyperalimentation - Lendenwirbelsäulen- und Halswirbelsäulen-Beschwerden (Dr. med. Udo Schreiber, Frankfurt am Main): Der Rückenschmerz - besonders der tiefe Rückenschmerz - des Menschen ist wahrscheinlich meist durch eine Fehlstatik verursacht. In Deutschland beträgt die Inzidenz von Rückenschmerzen während des Lebens fast 80%. Dr. Schreiber legte dar, dass die anatomische Längendifferenz der Beine zu verschiedenen Pathologien im Halte- und Bewegungsapparat führt. Die pathologischen Veränderungen - z.B. transversaler Schub auf das Ileosakralgelenk - treten meistens auf der längeren Beinseite mit einer Skoliose der Wirbelsäule mit erhöhten Druckbelastungen auf der Konkavseite der Skoliose in den Bandscheiben und mit typischen Blockaden in den verschiedenen Wirbelsäulensegmenten auf. Sinnvolle Diagnostik beinhaltet Anamnese und umfangreiche klinische Untersuchung zum Erkennen von Funktionsdefiziten anstelle von nur bildgebender Diagnostik. Sinnvolle Therapien sind - neben analgetischen Therapien, wie manueller Therapie, Matrix-Rhythmus-Therapie, wassergefiltertem Infrarot A (wIRA), Ohrakupunktur, Magnetfeldresonanztherapie, Mikrostromtherapie, Injektionstherapie - vor allem die therapeutisch-präventiven Maßnahmen Dehnen verkürzter Muskulatur und partieller Ausgleich von Beinlängendifferenzen. Wirtschaftlich gesehen verursacht die Fehlstatik immense indirekte und direkte Krankheitskosten, wobei die aufgezeigten sinnvollen Therapien zielführend und zugleich kostengünstig sind.
Ein ganzheitliches Therapiekonzept mit Matrix-Rhythmus-Therapie, Hyperthermie, Sauerstoff und Entsäuerung - Therapie von muskulo-skelettalen Beschwerden (Dr. med. Bernhard Dickreiter, Nordrach): Die Kosten zur Behandlung von Rückenschmerzen belasten in den vergangenen Jahren zunehmend die Krankenkassen durch Diagnose- und Therapiekosten sowie die Betriebe durch Ausfallzeiten. Rückenschulkonzepte der vergangenen Jahre zeigen aus Sicht von Dr. Dickreiter nicht den gewünschten Effekt. Vielversprechende neue Sichtweisen für den Umgang mit diesem Krankheitsbild ergeben sich aus den aktuellen Ergebnissen der zellbiologischen Grundlagenforschungen und dem daraus resultierenden neuen "Matrix-Therapie-Konzept": Die Ursache der muskulo-skelettalen Beschwerden im Sinne eines myofaszialen, myo-ischämisch-azidotischen und myotendinitischen Schmerzsyndroms wird in der Verspannung der Muskulatur mit einer Energiekrise auf zellulärer Ebene gesehen. Beim neuen Therapiekonzept steht nicht eine Therapiefülle wie bisher im Vordergrund, sondern ein auf Effektivität ausgerichtetes modulares Konzept, welches die zellbiologischen Prozesse auf extrazellulärer Matrixebene gezielt beeinflusst. Wesentliche Bestandteile des Konzepts sind die Matrix-Rhythmus-Therapie als tiefenwirksame Mikroextensionstechnik, die lokale Wärme mit wassergefiltertem Infrarot A (wIRA) bzw. die Infrarot-Ganzkörperhyperthermie, die körperliche Bewegung zur lokalen Verbesserung der Sauerstoffversorgung, die Sauerstofftherapie einschließlich Hyperbarer Oxygenation (HBO) und die orthomolekulare Substitution und "gesunde" Ernährung.
Konservative, interventionelle und operative Verfahren aus der Sicht des Schmerztherapeuten und Neurochirurgen: Stellenwert im Hinblick auf ein integriertes Behandlungskonzept (Dr. med. Volker Ritzel, Offenbach am Main): Mit einem interdisziplinären Therapiekonzept (Hausarzt; Orthopädie, Neurochirurgie, Schmerztherapie, Krankengymnastik/Physiotherapie, Psychotherapie) multimodal mit Nutzung konservativer, interventioneller und operativer Verfahren können heute Rückenschmerzen erfolgreich behandelt werden. Dabei ist besonders auf eine rechtzeitige suffiziente Therapie Wert zu legen (u.a. protektive, antizipierende Analgesie), um die Ausbildung eines Schmerzgedächtnisses mit Chronifizierung und Verselbstständigung des Schmerzes zu vermeiden. Zu den konservativen Therapiemöglichkeiten gehören neben einer medikamentösen Schmerztherapie nach dem WHO-Stufenschema die Transkutane elektrische Nervenstimulation (TENS), Physiotherapie, Psychotherapie, übende Verfahren (Progressive Muskelentspannung nach Jakobsen, Autogenes Training, Göttinger Rücken-Aktiv-Programm GRAP), Ergotherapie, Akupunktur und Balneotherapie. Weitere schmerztherapeutisch-neurochirurgische Verfahren sind die therapeutische Lokalanästhesie, CT-gesteuerte Verfahren, die perkutane Laser-Diskus-Dekompression, denervierende Verfahren, die endoskopische Sequestrektomie, die Vertebroplastie, offen-operative Verfahren, die mikrochirurgische Dekompression sowie Implantatverfahren wie die minimal-invasive zervikale und lumbale Spondylodese. Ambulante/Praxisklinische Operationen können heute in einer neurochirurgischen Praxisklinik im Rahmen des modernen Konzepts der Integrationsversorgung erfolgen.
Rückenschule zur primären, sekundären und tertiären Prävention - Lebensstiländerung, Krankengymnastik/Physiotherapie - im Zeitalter integrierter ambulanter Versorgung (Monika Kremer, Frankfurt am Main): Moderne Therapiestrategien bevorzugen - soweit möglich - ein konservatives gegenüber einem operativen Vorgehen, ein aktives gegenüber einem passiven, ein multimodales gegenüber einem monotherapeutischen Vorgehen. Bewegungs- und trainingstherapeutische Maßnahmen (z.B. Erweiterte Ambulante Physiotherapie EAP als Komplextherapie mit den Bestandteilen Krankengymnastik/Physiotherapie, Physikalische Therapie und Medizinische Trainingstherapie MTT) sind wichtige Bestandteile moderner Rückenkonzepte. Die Arbeitsplatzsituation wird besonders berücksichtigt mit zunehmender Integration von Ergonomie-Trainingsprogrammen. Der Begriff "Präventive Rückenschule" umfasst die Vermittlung und Anwendung wirkungsvoller Alltagsstrategien zur Vermeidung hoher Rückenbelastungen, um der Entwicklung funktioneller und degenerativer Krankheiten vornehmlich im Bereich der Wirbelsäule einschließlich muskulärer Dysbalancen vorzubeugen. Hierzu gehört ein rückengerechtes Alltagsverhalten (z.B. richtiges körpernahes Heben und Tragen). Besonders effektiv sind aktive Trainingsformen zum Muskelaufbau und zur Verbesserung der Ausdauer in Kombination mit verhaltensorientierten Trainingsprogrammen mit dem Ziel der Steigerung von Wohlbefinden und Lebensqualität. Erläutert werden das Konzept des Forschungs- und Präventionszentrums Köln (FPZ), das Kieser-Training, das Baunataler Rücken-Konzept (BRK) und das tergumed®-Rückenkonzept. Häufig können Rückenschmerzen durch rückengerechte Verhaltensweisen sowie präventives und rehabilitatives Rückentraining vermieden werden oder es kann nach ihrem Auftreten rehabilitativ wieder ein schmerzfreier stabiler Gesundheitszustand erreicht werden.
Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease and for this reason proper diagnosis and appropriate therapy are often unknown or not available for physicians and other health care providers. For this reason we convened a group of specialists that focus upon HAE from around the world to develop not only a consensus on diagnosis and management of HAE, but to also provide evidence based grades, strength of evidence and classification for the consensus. Since both consensus and evidence grading were adhered to the document meets criteria as a guideline. The outcome of the guideline is to improve diagnosis and management of patients with HAE throughout the world and to help initiate uniform care and availability of therapies to all with the diagnosis no matter where the residence of the individual with HAE exists.