TY - JOUR A1 - Betz, Boris A1 - Schneider, Reinhard A1 - Kress, Tobias A1 - Schick, Martin Alexander A1 - Wanner, Christoph A1 - Sauvant, Christoph T1 - Rosiglitazone Affects Nitric Oxide Synthases and Improves Renal Outcome in a Rat Model of Severe Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury JF - PPAR Research N2 - Background. Nitric oxide (NO)-signal transduction plays an important role in renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. NO produced by endothelial NO-synthase (eNOS) has protective functions whereas NO from inducible NO-synthase (iNOS) induces impairment. Rosiglitazone (RGZ), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonist exerted beneficial effects after renal I/R injury, so we investigated whether this might be causally linked with NOS imbalance. Methods. RGZ (5 mg/kg) was administered i.p. to SD-rats (f) subjected to bilateral renal ischemia (60 min). Following 24 h of reperfusion, inulin-and PAH-clearance as well as PAH-net secretion were determined. Morphological alterations were graded by histopathological scoring. Plasma NOx-production was measured. eNOS and iNOS expression was analyzed by qPCR. Cleaved caspase 3 (CC3) was determined as an apoptosis indicator and ED1 as a marker of macrophage infiltration in renal tissue. Results. RGZ improves renal function after renal I/R injury (PAH-/inulin-clearance, PAH-net secretion) and reduces histomorphological injury. Additionally, RGZ reduces NOx plasma levels, ED-1 positive cell infiltration and CC3 expression. iNOS-mRNA is reduced whereas eNOS-mRNA is increased by RGZ. Conclusion. RGZ has protective properties after severe renal I/R injury. Alterations of the NO pathway regarding eNOS and iNOS could be an explanation of the underlying mechanism of RGZ protection in renal I/R injury. KW - dysfunction KW - activated-receptor gamma KW - ischemia-reperfusion injury KW - failure KW - kidney KW - agnoists KW - mices KW - inos KW - pathophysiology KW - pioglitazone Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130872 VL - 2012 IS - Article ID 219319 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kiryluk, Krzysztof A1 - Yifu, Li A1 - Sanna-Cherchi, Simone A1 - Rohanizadegan, Mersedeh A1 - Suzuki, Hitoshi A1 - Eitner, Frank A1 - Snyder, Holly J. A1 - Choi, Murim A1 - Hou, Ping A1 - Scolari, Francesco A1 - Izzi, Claudia A1 - Gigante, Maddalena A1 - Gesualdo, Loreto A1 - Savoldi, Silvana A1 - Amoroso, Antonio A1 - Cusi, Daniele A1 - Zamboli, Pasquale A1 - Julian, Bruce A. A1 - Novak, Jan A1 - Wyatt, Robert J. A1 - Mucha, Krzysztof A1 - Perola, Markus A1 - Kristiansson, Kati A1 - Viktorin, Alexander A1 - Magnusson, Patrik K. A1 - Thorleifsson, Gudmar A1 - Thorsteinsdottir, Unnur A1 - Stefansson, Kari A1 - Boland, Anne A1 - Metzger, Marie A1 - Thibaudin, Lise A1 - Wanner, Christoph A1 - Jager, Kitty J. A1 - Goto, Shin A1 - Maixnerova, Dita A1 - Karnib, Hussein H. A1 - Nagy, Judit A1 - Panzer, Ulf A1 - Xie, Jingyuan A1 - Chen, Nan A1 - Tesar, Vladimir A1 - Narita, Ichiei A1 - Berthoux, Francois A1 - Floege, Jürgen A1 - Stengel, Benedicte A1 - Zhang, Hong A1 - Lifton, Richard P. A1 - Gharavi, Ali G. T1 - Geographic Differences in Genetic Susceptibility to IgA Nephropathy: GWAS Replication Study and Geospatial Risk Analysis JF - PLoS Genetics N2 - IgA nephropathy (IgAN), major cause of kidney failure worldwide, is common in Asians, moderately prevalent in Europeans, and rare in Africans. It is not known if these differences represent variation in genes, environment, or ascertainment. In a recent GWAS, we localized five IgAN susceptibility loci on Chr.6p21 (HLA-DQB1/DRB1, PSMB9/TAP1, and DPA1/DPB2 loci), Chr.1q32 (CFHR3/R1 locus), and Chr.22q12 (HORMAD2 locus). These IgAN loci are associated with risk of other immune-mediated disorders such as type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or inflammatory bowel disease. We tested association of these loci in eight new independent cohorts of Asian, European, and African-American ancestry (N = 4,789), followed by meta-analysis with risk-score modeling in 12 cohorts (N = 10,755) and geospatial analysis in 85 world populations. Four susceptibility loci robustly replicated and all five loci were genome-wide significant in the combined cohort (P = 5x10\(^{-32}\) 3x10\(^{-10}\), with heterogeneity detected only at the PSMB9/TAP1 locus (I\(^{-2}\) = 0.60). Conditional analyses identified two new independent risk alleles within the HLA-DQB1/DRB1 locus, defining multiple risk and protective haplotypes within this interval. We also detected a significant genetic interaction, whereby the odds ratio for the HORMAD2 protective allele was reversed in homozygotes for a CFHR3/R1 deletion (P = 2.5x10\(^{-4}\)). A seven-SNP genetic risk score, which explained 4.7% of overall IgAN risk, increased sharply with Eastward and Northward distance from Africa (r = 0.30, P = 3x10\(^{-128}\)). This model paralleled the known East-West gradient in disease risk. Moreover, the prediction of a South-North axis was confirmed by registry data showing that the prevalence of IgAN-attributable kidney failure is increased in Northern Europe, similar to multiple sclerosis and type I diabetes. Variation at IgAN susceptibility loci correlates with differences in disease prevalence among world populations. These findings inform genetic, biological, and epidemiological investigations of IgAN and permit cross-comparison with other complex traits that share genetic risk loci and geographic patterns with IgAN. KW - linkage KW - genome-wide association KW - multiple sclerosis KW - renal disease KW - New mexico KW - recombination hotspot KW - italian population KW - natural history KW - HLA KW - glomerulonephritis Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130195 VL - 8 IS - 6 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Zhao, De-Wei A1 - Yu, Mang A1 - Hu, Kai A1 - Wang, Wei A1 - Yang, Lei A1 - Wang, Ben-Jie A1 - Gao, Xiao-Hong A1 - Guo, Yong-Ming A1 - Xu, Yong-Qing A1 - Wei, Yu-Shan A1 - Tian, Si-Miao A1 - Yang, Fan A1 - Wang, Nan A1 - Huang, Shi-Bo A1 - Xie, Hui A1 - Wei, Xiao-Wei A1 - Jiang, Hai-Shen A1 - Zang, Yu-Qiang A1 - Ai, Jun A1 - Chen, Yuan-Liang A1 - Lei, Guang-Hua A1 - Li, Yu-Jin A1 - Tian, Geng A1 - Li, Zong-Sheng A1 - Cao, Yong A1 - Ma, Li T1 - Prevalence of Nontraumatic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head and its Associated Risk Factors in the Chinese Population: Results from a Nationally Representative Survey JF - Chinese Medical Journal N2 - Background: Nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (NONFH) is a debilitating disease that represents a significant financial burden for both individuals and healthcare systems. Despite its significance, however, its prevalence in the Chinese general population remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of NONFH and its associated risk factors in the Chinese population. Methods: A nationally representative survey of 30,030 respondents was undertaken from June 2012 to August 2013. All participants underwent a questionnaire investigation, physical examination of hip, and bilateral hip joint X-ray and/or magnetic resonance imaging examination. Blood samples were taken after overnight fasting to test serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. We then used multivariate logistic regression analysis to investigate the associations between various metabolic, demographic, and lifestyle-related variables and NONFH. Results: NONFH was diagnosed in 218 subjects (0.725%) and the estimated NONFH cases were 8.12 million among Chinese people aged 15 years and over. The prevalence of NONFH was significantly higher in males than in females (1.02% vs. 0.51%, \(\chi^2\) = 24.997, P < 0.001). Among NONFH patients, North residents were subjected to higher prevalence of NONFH than that of South residents (0.85% vs. 0.61%, \(\chi^2\) = 5.847, P = 0.016). Our multivariate regression analysis showed that high blood levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and non-HDL-cholesterol, male, urban residence, family history of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, heavy smoking, alcohol abuse and glucocorticoid intake, overweight, and obesity were all significantly associated with an increased risk of NONFH. Conclusions: Our findings highlight that NONFH is a significant public health challenge in China and underscore the need for policy measures on the national level. Furthermore, NONFH shares a number of risk factors with atherosclerosis. KW - nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head KW - risk factors KW - idiopathic osteonecrosis KW - early-stage osteonecrosis KW - implantation KW - bone KW - marrow KW - follow-up KW - intake KW - avascular necrosis KW - occupational-status KW - cigarette smoking KW - alcohol KW - prevalence Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-138482 VL - 128 IS - 21 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Montes-Cobos, Elena A1 - Li, Xiao A1 - Fischer, Henrike J. A1 - Sasse, André A1 - Kügler, Sebastian A1 - Didié, Michael A1 - Toischer, Karl A1 - Fassnacht, Martin A1 - Dressel, Ralf A1 - Reichardt, Holger M. T1 - Inducible Knock-Down of the Mineralocorticoid Receptor in Mice Disturbs Regulation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System and Attenuates Heart Failure Induced by Pressure Overload JF - PLoS One N2 - Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) inactivation in mice results in early postnatal lethality. Therefore we generated mice in which MR expression can be silenced during adulthood by administration of doxycycline (Dox). Using a lentiviral approach, we obtained two lines of transgenic mice harboring a construct that allows for regulatable MR inactivation by RNAi and concomitant expression of eGFP. MR mRNA levels in heart and kidney of inducible MR knock-down mice were unaltered in the absence of Dox, confirming the tightness of the system. In contrast, two weeks after Dox administration MR expression was significantly diminished in a variety of tissues. In the kidney, this resulted in lower mRNA levels of selected target genes, which was accompanied by strongly increased serum aldosterone and plasma renin levels as well as by elevated sodium excretion. In the healthy heart, gene expression and the amount of collagen were unchanged despite MR levels being significantly reduced. After transverse aortic constriction, however, cardiac hypertrophy and progressive heart failure were attenuated by MR silencing, fibrosis was unaffected and mRNA levels of a subset of genes reduced. Taken together, we believe that this mouse model is a useful tool to investigate the role of the MR in pathophysiological processes. KW - cells KW - balance KW - polarization KW - transgenic rats Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-137575 VL - 10 IS - 11 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kasang, Christa A1 - Kalluvya, Samuel A1 - Majinge, Charles A1 - Stich, August A1 - Bodem, Jochen A1 - Kongola, Gilbert A1 - Jacobs, Graeme B. A1 - Mlewa, Mathias A1 - Mildner, Miriam A1 - Hensel, Irina A1 - Horn, Anne A1 - Preiser, Wolfgang A1 - van Zyl, Gert A1 - Klinker, Hartwig A1 - Koutsilieri, Eleni A1 - Rethwilm, Axel A1 - Scheller, Carsten A1 - Weissbrich, Benedikt T1 - HIV Drug Resistance (HIVDR) in Antiretroviral Therapy-Naïve Patients in Tanzania Not Eligible for WHO Threshold HIVDR Survey Is Dramatically High JF - PLoS One N2 - Background The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended guidelines for a HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) survey for resource-limited countries. Eligibility criteria for patients include age below 25 years in order to focus on the prevalence of transmitted HIVDR (tHIVDR) in newly-infected individuals. Most of the participating sites across Africa have so far reported tHIVDR prevalences of below 5%. In this study we investigated whether the rate of HIVDR in patients <25 years is representative for HIVDR in the rest of the therapy-naïve population. Methods and Findings HIVDR was determined in 88 sequentially enrolled ART-naïve patients from Mwanza, Tanzania (mean age 35.4 years). Twenty patients were aged <25 years and 68 patients were aged 25–63 years. The frequency of HIVDR in the study population was 14.8% (95%; CI 0.072–0.223) and independent of NVP-resistance induced by prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs. Patients >25 years had a significantly higher HIVDR frequency than younger patients (19.1%; 95% CI 0.095–0.28) versus 0%, P = 0.0344). In 2 out of the 16 patients with HIVDR we found traces of antiretrovirals (ARVs) in plasma. Conclusions ART-naïve patients aged over 25 years exhibited significantly higher HIVDR than younger patients. Detection of traces of ARVs in individuals with HIVDR suggests that besides transmission, undisclosed misuse of ARVs may constitute a significant factor in the generation of the observed high HIVDR rate. The current WHO tHIVDR survey that is solely focused on the transmission of HIVDR and that excludes patients over 25 years of age may therefore result in substantial underestimation of the prevalence of HIVDR in the therapy-naïve population. Similar studies should be performed also in other areas to test whether the so far reported optimistic picture of low HIVDR prevalence in young individuals is really representative for the rest of the ART-naïve HIV-infected population. KW - Tanzania KW - antimicrobial resistance KW - antiretroviral therapy KW - HIV KW - sequence databases KW - mutation databases KW - antiretrovirals KW - HIV diagnosis and management Y1 - 2011 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-137988 VL - 6 IS - 8 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Nordbeck, Peter A1 - Beer, Meinrad A1 - Köstler, Herbert A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Quick, Harald H. A1 - Bauer, Wolfgang R. A1 - Ritter, Oliver T1 - Cardiac catheter ablation under real-time magnetic resonance guidance JF - European Heart Journal N2 - One of the main shortcomings of interventional electrophysiology (EP) is its inability to generate sufficient soft tissue contrast for intra-procedural visualization of the myocardium and the surrounding tissue, using conventional imaging techniques. Interventional cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) aims at bringing about significant improvements to the complex and decisive EP interventions far beyond the capabilities of currently available supportive imaging techniques used to surmount the drawbacks of fluoroscopy, as MRI not only allows of precise three-dimensional exposure of the cardiovascular morphology, but also proves to be a promising technique exclusively suitable for direct visualization of arrhythmogenic substrate and therapeutic effects. The major challenge posed by clinical … KW - magnetic resonance Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125638 VL - 33 IS - 15 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sherif, Mohammad A. A1 - Ince, Hüseyin A1 - Maniuc, Octavian A1 - Reiter, Therese A1 - Voelker, Wolfram A1 - Ertl, Georg A1 - Öner, Alper T1 - Two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography for aortic annular sizing in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation JF - BMC Cardiovascular Disorders N2 - Background: Accurate preoperative assessment of the aortic annulus dimension is crucial for successful transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In this study we examined the accuracy of a novel method using two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D-TEE) for measurement of the aortic annulus. Methods: We evaluated the theoretical impact of the measurement of the annulus diameter and area using the circumcircle of a triangle method on the decision to perform the procedure and choice of the prosthesis size. Results: Sixty-three consecutive patients were scheduled for TAVI. Mean age was 82 +/- 4 years, and 25 patients (55.6 %) were female. Mean aortic annulus diameter was 20.3 +/- 2.2 mm assessed by TEE on the mid-esophageal long-axis view and 23.9 +/- 2.3 mm using CT (p < 0.001). There was a tendency for the TEE derived areas using the new method to be higher (p < 0.001). The TEE measurements were on average 42.33 mm(2) higher than the CT measurements without an evidence of a systematic over-or under-sizing (p = 1.00). Agreement between TEE and CT chosen valve sizes was good overall (kappa = 0.67 and weighted kappa = 0.71). For patients who turned out to have no AR, the two methods agreed in 84.6 % of patients. Conclusions: CT remanis the gold standard in sizing of the aortic valve annulus. Nevertheless, sizing of the aortic valve annulus using TEE derived area may be helpful. The impact of integration of this method in the algorithm of aortic annulus sizing on the outcome of patients undergoing TAVI should be examined in future studies. KW - multicenter KW - TAVI KW - impact KW - complex KW - anatomy KW - dimensions KW - regurgitation KW - root KW - sizing KW - echocardiography KW - multidetector computed-tomography KW - replacement KW - outcomes Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-136002 VL - 15 IS - 181 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Liu, Dan A1 - Hu, Kai A1 - Niemann, Markus A1 - Herrmann, Sebastian A1 - Cikes, Maja A1 - Störk, Stefan A1 - Beer, Meinrad A1 - Gaudron, Philipp Daniel A1 - Morbach, Caroline A1 - Knop, Stefan A1 - Geissinger, Eva A1 - Ertl, Georg A1 - Bijnens, Bart A1 - Weidemann, Frank T1 - Impact of Regional Left Ventricular Function on Outcome for Patients with AL Amyloidosis JF - PLoS ONE N2 - Objectives The aim of this study was to explore the left ventricular (LV) deformation changes and the potential impact of deformation on outcome in patients with proven light-chain (AL) amyloidosis and LV hypertrophy. Background Cardiac involvement in AL amyloidosis patients is associated with poor outcome. Detecting regional cardiac function by advanced non-invasive techniques might be favorable for predicting outcome. Methods LV longitudinal, circumferential and radial peak systolic strains (Ssys) were assessed by speckle tracking imaging (STI) in 44 biopsy-proven systemic AL amyloidosis patients with LV hypertrophy (CA) and in 30 normal controls. Patients were divided into compensated (n = 18) and decompensated (n = 26) group based on clinical assessment and followed-up for a median period of 345 days. Results Ejection fraction (EF) was preserved while longitudinal Ssys (LSsys) was significantly reduced in both compensated and decompensated groups. Survival was significantly reduced in decompensated group (35% vs. compensated 78%, P = 0.001). LSsys were similar in apical segments and significantly reduced in basal segments between two patient groups. LSsys at mid-segments were significantly reduced in all LV walls of decompensated group. Patients were further divided into 4 subgroups according to the presence or absence of reduced LSsys in no (normal), only basal (mild), basal and mid (intermediate) and all segments of the septum (severe). This staging revealed continuously worse prognosis in proportion to increasing number of segments with reduced LSsys (mortality: normal 14%, mild 27%, intermediate 67%, and severe 64%). Mid-septum LSsys<11% suggested a 4.8-fold mortality risk than mid-septum LSsys≥11%. Multivariate regression analysis showed NYHA class and mid-septum LSsys were independent predictors for survival. Conclusions Reduced deformation at mid-septum is associated with worse prognosis in systemic amyloidosis patients with LV hypertrophy. KW - regression analysis KW - ejection fraction KW - echocardiography KW - cardiac transplantation KW - deformation KW - amyloidosis KW - prognosis KW - stem cell transplantation Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130293 VL - 8 IS - 3 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Palkovits, Miklós A1 - Šebeková, Katarína A1 - Klenovics, Kristina Simon A1 - Kebis, Anton A1 - Fazeli, Gholamreza A1 - Bahner, Udo A1 - Heidland, August T1 - Neuronal Activation in the Central Nervous System of Rats in the Initial Stage of Chronic Kidney Disease-Modulatory Effects of Losartan and Moxonidine JF - PLoS ONE N2 - The effect of mild chronic renal failure (CRF) induced by 4/6-nephrectomy (4/6NX) on central neuronal activations was investigated by c-Fos immunohistochemistry staining and compared to sham-operated rats. In the 4/6 NX rats also the effect of the angiotensin receptor blocker, losartan, and the central sympatholyticum moxonidine was studied for two months. In serial brain sections Fos-immunoreactive neurons were localized and classified semiquantitatively. In 37 brain areas/nuclei several neurons with different functional properties were strongly affected in 4/6NX. It elicited a moderate to high Fos-activity in areas responsible for the monoaminergic innervation of the cerebral cortex, the limbic system, the thalamus and hypothalamus (e.g. noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus, serotonergic neurons in dorsal raphe, histaminergic neurons in the tuberomamillary nucleus). Other monoaminergic cell groups (A5 noradrenaline, C1 adrenaline, medullary raphe serotonin neurons) and neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (innervating the sympathetic preganglionic neurons and affecting the peripheral sympathetic outflow) did not show Fos-activity. Stress- and pain-sensitive cortical/subcortical areas, neurons in the limbic system, the hypothalamus and the circumventricular organs were also affected by 4/6NX. Administration of losartan and more strongly moxonidine modulated most effects and particularly inhibited Fos-activity in locus coeruleus neurons. In conclusion, 4/6NX elicits high activity in central sympathetic, stress- and pain-related brain areas as well as in the limbic system, which can be ameliorated by losartan and particularly by moxonidine. These changes indicate a high sensitivity of CNS in initial stages of CKD which could be causative in clinical disturbances. KW - brain natriuretic peptide KW - kidneys KW - cognitive impairment KW - central nervous system KW - chronic kidney disease KW - neurons KW - homeostasis KW - blood pressure Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130108 VL - 8 IS - 6 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Nordbeck, Peter A1 - Bönhof, Leoni A1 - Hiller, Karl-Heinz A1 - Voll, Sabine A1 - Arias-Loza, Paula A1 - Seidlmaier, Lea A1 - Williams, Tatjana A1 - Ye, Yu-Xiang A1 - Gensler, Daniel A1 - Pelzer, Theo A1 - Ertl, Georg A1 - Jakob, Peter M. A1 - Bauer, Wolfgang R. A1 - Ritter, Oliver T1 - Impact of Thoracic Surgery on Cardiac Morphology and Function in Small Animal Models of Heart Disease: A Cardiac MRI Study in Rats JF - PLoS ONE N2 - Background Surgical procedures in small animal models of heart disease might evoke alterations in cardiac morphology and function. The aim of this study was to reveal and quantify such potential artificial early or long term effects in vivo, which might account for a significant bias in basic cardiovascular research, and, therefore, could potentially question the meaning of respective studies. Methods Female Wistar rats (n = 6 per group) were matched for weight and assorted for sham left coronary artery ligation or control. Cardiac morphology and function was then investigated in vivo by cine magnetic resonance imaging at 7 Tesla 1 and 8 weeks after the surgical procedure. The time course of metabolic and inflammatory blood parameters was determined in addition. Results Compared to healthy controls, rats after sham surgery showed a lower body weight both 1 week (267.5±10.6 vs. 317.0±11.3 g, n<0.05) and 8 weeks (317.0±21.1 vs. 358.7±22.4 g, n<0.05) after the intervention. Left and right ventricular morphology and function were not different in absolute measures in both groups 1 week after surgery. However, there was a confined difference in several cardiac parameters normalized to the body weight (bw), such as myocardial mass (2.19±0.30/0.83±0.13 vs. 1.85±0.22/0.70±0.07 mg left/right per g bw, p<0.05), or enddiastolic ventricular volume (1.31±0.36/1.21±0.31 vs. 1.14±0.20/1.07±0.17 µl left/right per g bw, p<0.05). Vice versa, after 8 weeks, cardiac masses, volumes, and output showed a trend for lower values in sham operated rats compared to controls in absolute measures (782.2±57.2/260.2±33.2 vs. 805.9±84.8/310.4±48.5 mg, p<0.05 for left/right ventricular mass), but not normalized to body weight. Matching these findings, blood testing revealed only minor inflammatory but prolonged metabolic changes after surgery not related to cardiac disease. Conclusion Cardio-thoracic surgical procedures in experimental myocardial infarction cause distinct alterations upon the global integrity of the organism, which in the long term also induce circumscribed repercussions on cardiac morphology and function. This impact has to be considered when analyzing data from respective animal studies and transferring these findings to conditions in patients. KW - heart rate KW - body weight KW - surgical and invasive medical procedures KW - magnetic resonance imaging KW - blood KW - vascular surgery KW - myocardial infarction KW - cardiac ventricles Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130064 VL - 8 IS - 8 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pachel, Christina A1 - Mathes, Denise A1 - Bayer, Barbara A1 - Dienesch, Charlotte A1 - Wangorsch, Gaby A1 - Heitzmann, Wolfram A1 - Lang, Isabell A1 - Ardehali, Hossein A1 - Ertl, Georg A1 - Dandekar, Thomas A1 - Wajant, Harald A1 - Frantz, Stefan T1 - Exogenous Administration of a Recombinant Variant of TWEAK Impairs Healing after Myocardial Infarction by Aggravation of Inflammation JF - PLoS ONE N2 - Background: Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and its receptor fibroblast growth factorinducible 14 (Fn14) are upregulated after myocardial infarction (MI) in both humans and mice. They modulate inflammation and the extracellular matrix, and could therefore be important for healing and remodeling after MI. However, the function of TWEAK after MI remains poorly defined. Methods and results: Following ligation of the left coronary artery, mice were injected twice per week with a recombinant human serum albumin conjugated variant of TWEAK (HSA-Flag-TWEAK), mimicking the activity of soluble TWEAK. Treatment with HSA-Flag-TWEAK resulted in significantly increased mortality in comparison to the placebo group due to myocardial rupture. Infarct size, extracellular matrix remodeling, and apoptosis rates were not different after MI. However, HSA-Flag-TWEAK treatment increased infiltration of proinflammatory cells into the myocardium. Accordingly, depletion of neutrophils prevented cardiac ruptures without modulating all-cause mortality. Conclusion: Treatment of mice with HSA-Flag-TWEAK induces myocardial healing defects after experimental MI. This is mediated by an exaggerated neutrophil infiltration into the myocardium. KW - apoptosis KW - myocardial infarction KW - neutrophils KW - cytokines KW - inflammation KW - myocardium KW - heart KW - extracellular matrix Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-129889 VL - 8 IS - 11 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Frey, A. A1 - Ertl, G. A1 - Angermann, C. E. A1 - Hofmann, U. A1 - Störk, S. A1 - Frantz, S. T1 - Complement C3c as a Biomarker in Heart Failure JF - Mediators of Inflammation N2 - Experimental data indicates an important role of the innate immune system in cardiac remodeling and heart failure (HF). Complement is a central effector pathway of the innate immune system. Animals lacking parts of the complement system are protected from adverse remodeling. Based on these data, we hypothesized that peripheral complement levels could be a good marker for adverse remodeling and prognosis in patients with HF. Methods and Results. Since complement activation converges on the complement factor C3, we measured serum C3c, a stable C3-conversion product, in 197 patients with stable systolic HF. Subgroups with normal and elevated C3c levels were compared. C3c levels were elevated in 17%of the cohort. Patients with elevated C3c levels exhibited a trend to better survival, slightly higher LVEF, and lower NTpro-BNP values in comparison to patients with normal C3c values. No differences were found regarding NYHA functional class. Significantly more patients with elevated C3c had preexisting diabetes. The prevalence of CAD, arterial hypertension, and atrial fibrillation was not increased in patients with elevated C3c. Conclusion. Elevated C3c levels are associated with less adverse remodeling and improved survival in patients with stable systolic heart failure. KW - medicine Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-129668 VL - 2013 IS - Article ID 716902 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Haring, Bernhard A1 - Leng, Xiaoyan A1 - Robinson, Jennifer A1 - Johnson, Karen C. A1 - Jackson, Rebecca D. A1 - Beyth, Rebecca A1 - Wactawski-Wende, Jean A1 - Wyler von Ballmoos, Moritz A1 - Goveas, Joseph S. A1 - Kuller, Lewis H. A1 - Wassertheil-Smoller, Sylvia T1 - Cardiovascular Disease and Cognitive Decline in Postmenopausal Women: Results From the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study JF - Journal of the American Heart Association N2 - Background-—Data on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cognitive decline are conflicting. Our objective was to investigate if CVD is associated with an increased risk for cognitive decline and to examine whether hypertension, diabetes, or adiposity modify the effect of CVD on cognitive functioning. Methods and Results-—Prospective follow-up of 6455 cognitively intact, postmenopausal women aged 65 to 79 years old enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS). CVD was determined by self-report. For cognitive decline, we assessed the incidence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or probable dementia (PD) via modified mini-mental state examination (3 MS) score, neurocognitive, and neuropsychiatric examinations. The median follow-up was 8.4 years. Women with CVD tended to be at increased risk for cognitive decline compared with those free of CVD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.29; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.67). Women with myocardial infarction or other vascular disease were at highest risk (HR, 2.10; 95% CI: 1.40, 3.15 or HR, 1.97; 95% CI: 1.34, 2.87). Angina pectoris was moderately associated with cognitive decline (HR 1.45; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.01) whereas no significant relationships were found for atrial fibrillation or heart failure. Hypertension and diabetes increased the risk for cognitive decline in women without CVD. Diabetes tended to elevate the risk for MCI/PD in women with CVD. No significant trend was seen for adiposity. Conclusions-—CVD is associated with cognitive decline in elderly postmenopausal women. Hypertension and diabetes, but not adiposity, are associated with a higher risk for cognitive decline. More research is warranted on the potential of CVD prevention for preserving cognitive functioning. KW - postmenopausal women KW - cognitive decline KW - cardiovascular diseases Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-129487 VL - 2 IS - e000369 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Korb, Doreen A1 - Tng, Priscilla Y. A1 - Milenkovic, Vladimir M. A1 - Reichhart, Nadine A1 - Strauss, Olaf A1 - Ritter, Oliver A1 - Fischer, Tobias A1 - Benz, Peter M. A1 - Schuh, Kai T1 - Identification of PDZ domain containing proteins interacting with \(Ca_v1.2\) and PMCA4b JF - ISRN Cell Biology N2 - PDZ (PSD-95/Disc large/Zonula occludens-1) protein interaction domains bind to cytoplasmic protein C-termini of transmembrane proteins. In order to identify new interaction partners of the voltage-gated L-type \(Ca^{2+}\) channel Cav1.2 and the plasma membrane \(Ca^{2+}\) ATPase 4b (PMCA4b), we used PDZ domain arrays probing for 124 PDZ domains. We confirmed this byGST pulldowns and immunoprecipitations. In PDZ arrays, strongest interactionswith \(Ca_v1.2\) and PMCA4b were found for the PDZ domains of SAP-102, MAST-205, MAGI-1, MAGI-2, MAGI-3, and ZO-1. We observed binding of the \(Ca_v1.2\) C-terminus to PDZ domains of NHERF1/2, Mint-2, and CASK. PMCA4b was observed to interact with Mint-2 and its known interactions with Chapsyn-110 and CASK were confirmed. Furthermore, we validated interaction of \(Ca_v1.2\) and PMCA4b with NHERF1/2, CASK,MAST-205 and MAGI-3 viaimmunoprecipitation. We also verified the interaction of \(Ca_v1.2\) and nNOS and hypothesized that nNOS overexpression might reduce \(Ca^{2+}\) influx through \(Ca_v1.2\). To address this, we measured \(Ca^{2+}\) currents in HEK 293 cells co-expressing \(Ca_v1.2\) and nNOS and observed reduced voltage-dependent \(Ca_v1.2\) activation. Taken together, we conclude that \(Ca_v1.2\) and PMCA4b bind promiscuously to various PDZ domains, and that our data provides the basis for further investigation of the physiological consequences of these interactions. KW - Cell Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130585 IS - Article ID 265182 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Weidemann, F. A1 - Niemann, M. A1 - Stork, S. A1 - Breunig, F. A1 - Beer, M. A1 - Sommer, C. A1 - Herrmann, S. A1 - Ertl, G. A1 - Wanner, C. T1 - Long-term outcome of enzyme-replacement therapy in advanced Fabry disease: evidence for disease progression towards serious complications JF - Journal of Internal Medicine N2 - The long-term effects of enzyme-replacement therapy (ERT) in Fabry disease are unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether ERT in patients with advanced Fabry disease affects progression towards 'hard' clinical end-points in comparison with the natural course of the disease. METHODS: A total of 40 patients with genetically proven Fabry disease (mean age 40 ± 9 years; n = 9 women) were treated prospectively with ERT for 6 years. In addition, 40 subjects from the Fabry Registry, matched for age, sex, chronic kidney disease stage and previous transient ischaemic attack (TIA), served as a comparison group. The main outcome was a composite of stroke, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and death. Secondary outcomes included changes in myocardial left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and replacement fibrosis, change in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), new TIA and change in neuropathic pain. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 6.0 years (bottom and top quartiles: 5.1, 7.2), 15 events occurred in 13 patients (n = 7 deaths, n = 4 cases of ESRD and n = 4 strokes). Sudden death occurred (n = 6) only in patients with documented ventricular tachycardia and myocardial replacement fibrosis. The annual progression of myocardial LV fibrosis in the entire cohort was 0.6 ± 0.7%. As a result, posterior end-diastolic wall thinning was observed (baseline, 13.2 ± 2.0 mm; follow-up, 11.4 ± 2.1 mm; P < 0.01). GFR decreased by 2.3 ± 4.6 mL min(-1) per year. Three patients experienced a TIA. The major clinical symptom was neuropathic pain (n = 37), and this symptom improved in 25 patients. The event rate was not different between the ERT group and the untreated (natural history) group of the Fabry Registry. CONCLUSION: Despite ERT, clinically meaningful events including sudden cardiac death continue to develop in patients with advanced Fabry disease. KW - Fabry disease KW - α-galactosidase A KW - dialysis KW - prognosis KW - stroke KW - sudden cardiac death Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-132075 VL - 247 IS - 4 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Drechsler, Christiane A1 - Ritz, Eberhard A1 - Tomaschitz, Andreas A1 - Pilz, Stefan A1 - Schönfeld, Stephan A1 - Blouin, Katja A1 - Bidlingmaier, Martin A1 - Hammer, Fabian A1 - Krane, Vera A1 - März, Winfried A1 - Allolio, Bruno A1 - Fassnacht, Martin A1 - Wanner, Christoph T1 - Aldosterone and cortisol affect the risk of sudden cardiac death in haemodialysis patients JF - European Heart Journal N2 - Background: Sudden cardiac death is common and accounts largely for the excess mortality of patients on maintenance dialysis. It is unknown whether aldosterone and cortisol increase the incidence of sudden cardiac death in dialysis patients. Methods and results: We analysed data from 1255 diabetic haemodialysis patients participating in the German Diabetes and Dialysis Study (4D Study). Categories of aldosterone and cortisol were determined at baseline and patients were followed for a median of 4 years. By Cox regression analyses, hazard ratios (HRs) were determined for the effect of aldosterone, cortisol, and their combination on sudden death and other adjudicated cardiovascular outcomes. The mean age of the patients was 66 ± 8 years (54% male). Median aldosterone was <15 pg/mL (detection limit) and cortisol 16.8 µg/dL. Patients with aldosterone levels >200 pg/mL had a significantly higher risk of sudden death (HR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.06–2.69) compared with those with an aldosterone <15 pg/mL. The combined presence of high aldosterone (>200 pg/mL) and high cortisol (>21.1 µg/dL) levels increased the risk of sudden death in striking contrast to patients with low aldosterone (<15 pg/mL) and low cortisol (<13.2 µg/dL) levels (HR: 2.86, 95% CI: 1.32–6.21). Furthermore, all-cause mortality was significantly increased in the patients with high levels of both hormones (HR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.01–2.62). Conclusions: The joint presence of high aldosterone and high cortisol levels is strongly associated with sudden cardiac death as well as all-cause mortality in haemodialysed type 2 diabetic patients. Whether a blockade of the mineralocorticoid receptor decreases the risk of sudden death in these patients must be examined in future trials. KW - mortality KW - kidney disease KW - cardiovascular events KW - sudden cardiac death KW - cortisol KW - aldosterone Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-132562 VL - 34 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Drechsler, Christiane A1 - Schmiedeke, Benjamin A1 - Niemann, Markus A1 - Schmiedeke, Daniel A1 - Krämer, Johannes A1 - Turkin, Irina A1 - Blouin, Katja A1 - Emmert, Andrea A1 - Pilz, Stefan A1 - Obermayer-Pietsch, Barbara A1 - Wiedemann, Frank A1 - Breunig, Frank A1 - Wanner, Christoph T1 - Potential role of vitamin D deficiency on Fabry cardiomyopathy JF - Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease N2 - Patients with Fabry disease frequently develop left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and renal fibrosis. Due to heat intolerance and an inability to sweat, patients tend to avoid exposure to sunlight. We hypothesized that subsequent vitamin D deficiency may contribute to Fabry cardiomyopathy. This study investigated the vitamin D status and its association with LV mass and adverse clinical symptoms in patients with Fabry disease. 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) was measured in 111 patients who were genetically proven to have Fabry disease. LV mass and cardiomyopathy were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography. In cross-sectional analyses, associations with adverse clinical outcomes were determined by linear and binary logistic regression analyses, respectively, and were adjusted for age, sex, BMI and season. Patients had a mean age of 40 ± 13 years (42 % males), and a mean 25(OH)D of 23.5 ± 11.4 ng/ml. Those with overt vitamin D deficiency (25[OH]D ≤ 15 ng/ml) had an adjusted six fold higher risk of cardiomyopathy, compared to those with sufficient 25(OH)D levels >30 ng/ml (p = 0.04). The mean LV mass was distinctively different with 170 ± 75 g in deficient, 154 ± 60 g in moderately deficient and 128 ± 58 g in vitamin D sufficient patients (p = 0.01). With increasing severity of vitamin D deficiency, the median levels of proteinuria increased, as well as the prevalences of depression, edema, cornea verticillata and the need for medical pain therapy. In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency was strongly associated with cardiomyopathy and adverse clinical symptoms in patients with Fabry disease. Whether vitamin D supplementation improves complications of Fabry disease, requires a randomized controlled trial. KW - Fabry patient KW - urinary protein excretion KW - hypertrophic cardiomyopathy KW - renal fibrosis KW - left ventricular mass KW - LV mass KW - diabetic mouse KW - septal hypertrophy KW - Fabry nephropathy KW - cardiac hypertrophy KW - cornea verticillata KW - enzyme replacement therapy Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-132102 VL - 37 IS - 2 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Frantz, Stefan A1 - Klaiber, Michael A1 - Baba, Hideo A. A1 - Oberwinkler, Heinz A1 - Völker, Katharina A1 - Gaßner, Birgit A1 - Bayer, Barbara A1 - Abeßer, Marco A1 - Schuh, Kai A1 - Feil, Robert A1 - Hofmann, Franz A1 - Kuhn, Michaela T1 - Stress-dependent dilated cardiomyopathy in mice with cardiomyocyte-restricted inactivation of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase I JF - European Heart Journal N2 - Aims: Cardiac hypertrophy is a common and often lethal complication of arterial hypertension. Elevation of myocyte cyclic GMP levels by local actions of endogenous atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) or by pharmacological inhibition of phosphodiesterase-5 was shown to counter-regulate pathological hypertrophy. It was suggested that cGMP-dependent protein kinase I (cGKI) mediates this protective effect, although the role in vivo is under debate. Here, we investigated whether cGKI modulates myocyte growth and/or function in the intact organism. Methods and results: To circumvent the systemic phenotype associated with germline ablation of cGKI, we inactivated the murine cGKI gene selectively in cardiomyocytes by Cre/loxP-mediated recombination. Mice with cardiomyocyte-restricted cGKI deletion exhibited unaltered cardiac morphology and function under resting conditions. Also, cardiac hypertrophic and contractile responses to β-adrenoreceptor stimulation by isoprenaline (at 40 mg/kg/day during 1 week) were unaltered. However, angiotensin II (Ang II, at 1000 ng/kg/min for 2 weeks) or transverse aortic constriction (for 3 weeks) provoked dilated cardiomyopathy with marked deterioration of cardiac function. This was accompanied by diminished expression of the \([Ca^{2+}]_i\)-regulating proteins SERCA2a and phospholamban (PLB) and a reduction in PLB phosphorylation at Ser16, the specific target site for cGKI, resulting in altered myocyte \(Ca^{2+}_i\) homeostasis. In isolated adult myocytes, CNP, but not ANP, stimulated PLB phosphorylation, \(Ca^{2+}_i\)-handling, and contractility via cGKI. Conclusion: These results indicate that the loss of cGKI in cardiac myocytes compromises the hypertrophic program to pathological stimulation, rendering the heart more susceptible to dysfunction. In particular, cGKI mediates stimulatory effects of CNP on myocyte \(Ca^{2+}_i\) handling and contractility. KW - cyclic KW - GMPcGMP-dependent protein kinase I KW - cardiac hypertrophy KW - natriuretic peptide KW - Ca2+i handling Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-134693 VL - 34 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Blömer, Nadja A1 - Pachel, Christina A1 - Hofmann, Urlich A1 - Nordbeck, Peter A1 - Bauer, Wolfgang A1 - Mathes, Denise A1 - Frey, Anna A1 - Bayer, Barbara A1 - Vogel, Benjamin A1 - Ertl, Georg T1 - 5-Lipoxygenase facilitates healing after myocardial infarction JF - Basic Research in Cardiology N2 - Early healing after myocardial infarction (MI) is characterized by a strong inflammatory reaction. Most leukotrienes are pro-inflammatory and are therefore potential mediators of healing and remodeling after myocardial ischemia. The enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) has a key role in the transformation of arachidonic acid in leukotrienes. Thus, we tested the effect of 5-LOX on healing after MI. After chronic coronary artery ligation, early mortality was significantly increased in 5-LOX\(^{−/−}\) when compared to matching wildtype (WT) mice due to left ventricular rupture. This effect could be reproduced in mice treated with the 5-LOX inhibitor Zileuton. A perfusion mismatch due to the vasoactive potential of leukotrienes is not responsible for left ventricular rupture since local blood flow assessed by magnetic resonance perfusion measurements was not different. However, after MI, there was an accentuation of the inflammatory reaction with an increase of pro-inflammatory macrophages. Yet, mortality was not changed in chimeric mice (WT vs. 5-LOX\(^{−/−}\) bone marrow in 5-LOX\(^{−/−}\) animals), indicating that an altered function of 5-LOX\(^{−/−}\) inflammatory cells is not responsible for the phenotype. Collagen production and accumulation of fibroblasts were significantly reduced in 5-LOX\(^{−/−}\) mice in vivo after MI. This might be due to an impaired migration of 5-LOX\(^{−/−}\) fibroblasts, as shown in vitro to serum. In conclusion, a lack or inhibition of 5-LOX increases mortality after MI because of healing defects. This is not mediated by a change in local blood flow, but through an altered inflammation and/or fibroblast function. KW - lipoxygenase KW - myocardial infarction KW - extracellular matrix remodeling KW - inflammation Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-132602 VL - 108 IS - 4 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hofmann, Ulrich A1 - Frantz, Stefan T1 - How can we cure a heart "in flame"? A translational view on inflammation in heart failure JF - Basic Research in Cardiology N2 - The prevalence of chronic heart failure is still increasing making it a major health issue in the 21st century. Tremendous evidence has emerged over the past decades that heart failure is associated with a wide array of mechanisms subsumed under the term "inflammation". Based on the great success of immuno-suppressive treatments in auto-immunity and transplantation, clinical trials were launched targeting inflammatory mediators in patients with chronic heart failure. However, they widely lacked positive outcomes. The failure of the initial study program directed against tumor necrosis factor-a led to the search for alternative therapeutic targets involving a broader spectrum of mechanisms besides cytokines. We here provide an overview of the current knowledge on immune activation in chronic heart failure of different etiologies, summarize clinical studies in the field, address unresolved key questions, and highlight some promising novel therapeutic targets for clinical trials from a translational basic science and clinical perspective. KW - cytokines KW - immuno-modulation KW - heart failure Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-134497 VL - 108 IS - 356 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Quinkler, Marcus A1 - Beuschlein, Felix A1 - Hahner, Stefanie A1 - Meyer, Gesine A1 - Schöfl, Christof A1 - Stalla, Günter K. T1 - Adrenal Cortical Insufficiency-a Life Threatening Illness With Multiple Etiologies JF - Deutsches Ärzteblatt International N2 - Background: The clinical signs of adrenal cortical insufficiency (incidence, ca. 25 per million per year; prevalence, ca. 400 per million) are nonspecific, and misdiagnoses are therefore common. Glucocorticoid substitution therapy has been in use for 50 years but is not a wholly adequate treatment. Our understanding of this disease remains incomplete in many ways. Methods: We selectively searched the Medline database for publications on adrenal cortical insufficiency, with particular attention to studies from the year 2000 onward (search terms: "adrenal insufficiency" or "Addison's disease" or "hypopituitarism"). Results: Hydrocortisone substitution therapy is often given in doses of 10-25 mg/day, timed according to the circadian rhythm. Gastrointestinal and other, febrile infections account for 30-50% of life-threatening adrenocortical crises. Such crises affect 8 of 100 persons with adrenal cortical insufficiency per year and must be treated by the immediate administration of glucocorticoids and fluids. When persons with adrenal cortical insufficiency are acutely ill or are otherwise under unusual stress, they may need additional amounts of hydrocortisone, often in the range of 5-10 mg but occasionally as high as 200 mg. The sustained administration of excessive amounts of steroid can shorten patients' lives by several years. Inappropriate substitution therapy can cause other major medical conditions, such as metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis. Conclusion: Important measures for the prevention of adrenocortical crises include improved care by treating physicians, education of patients and their families, the provision of emergency identifying documents, and the prescription of glucocorticoid emergency kits. KW - short term KW - subjective health-status KW - modified-release hydrocortisone KW - glucocorticoid replacement regimens KW - Addisons disease KW - therapeutic management KW - hypopituitary patients KW - premature mortality KW - circadian therapy KW - adult patients Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-131662 VL - 110 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Drechsler, Christiane A1 - Kolleritz, Barbara A1 - Meinitzer, Andreas A1 - März, Winfried A1 - Ritz, Eberhard A1 - König, Paul A1 - Neyer, Ulrich A1 - Pilz, Stefan A1 - Wanner, Christoph A1 - Kronenberg, Florian T1 - Homoarginine and Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease: Results from the Mild to Moderate Kidney Disease Study JF - PLoS ONE N2 - Background: Homoarginine is an amino acid derivative mainly synthesized in the kidney. It is suggested to increase nitric oxide availability, enhance endothelial function and to protect against cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to investigate the relation between homoarginine, kidney function and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: We measured plasma homoarginine concentrations in baseline samples of the Mild to Moderate Kidney Disease (MMKD) Study, a prospective cohort study of 227 patients with CKD in Europe. Homoarginine concentrations were available in 182 of the baseline samples and in 139 of the prospectively-followed patients. We correlated homoarginine concentrations to parameters of kidney function. The association between homoarginine and progression of CKD was assessed during a follow-up of up to seven years (median 4.45 years, interquartile range 2.54-5.19) using Cox regression analysis. Progression of CKD was defined as doubling of baseline serum creatinine and/or end-stage renal disease. Results: Study participants were at baseline on average 47 \(\pm\)13 years old and 65% were male. Mean \(\pm\) standard deviation of homoarginine concentrations were \(2.5 \pm 1.1 \mu mol/L\) and concentrations were incrementally lower at lower levels of GFR with mean concentrations of \(2.90 \pm 1.02 \mu mol/L\) (GFR. 90 ml/min), \(2.64 \pm 1.06 \mu mol/L\) (GFR 60-90 ml/min), \(2.52 \pm 1.24 \mu mol/L\) (GFR 30-60 ml/min) and \(2.05 \pm 0.78 \mu mol/L\) (GFR, 30 ml/min), respectively (p = 0.002). The age-and sex-adjusted risk to reach the renal endpoint was significantly higher by 62% with each decrease by one standard deviation (\(1.1 \mu mol/L\)) of homoarginine (HR 1.62, 95% CI 1.16-2.27, p = 0.005). This association was independent of proteinuria (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.11-2.20, p = 0.01), and was slightly attenuated when adjusting for GFR (HR 1.40 (95% CI 0.98-1.98, p = 0.06). Conclusions: Homoarginine concentrations are directly correlated with kidney function and are significantly associated with the progression of CKD. Low homoarginine concentrations might be an early indicator of kidney failure and a potential target for the prevention of disease progression which needs further investigations. KW - risk KW - alkaline phosphatase KW - cardiovascular events KW - nictric-oxide KW - induced insulin-release KW - creatine synthesis KW - renal function KW - heart failure KW - rat kidney KW - L-arginine Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130979 VL - 8 IS - 5 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schneider, Andreas A1 - Schneider, Markus P. A1 - Scharnagl, Hubert A1 - Jardine, Alan G. A1 - Wanner, Christoph A1 - Drechsler, Christiane T1 - Predicting erythropoietin resistance in hemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes JF - BMC Nephrology N2 - Background: Resistance to ESAs (erythropoietin stimulating agents) is highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients with diabetes and associated with an increased mortality. The aim of this study was to identify predictors for ESA resistance and to develop a prediction model for the risk stratification in these patients. Methods: A post-hoc analysis was conducted of the 4D study, including 1015 patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing hemodialysis. Determinants of ESA resistance were identified by univariate logistic regression analyses. Subsequently, multivariate models were performed with stepwise inclusion of significant predictors from clinical parameters, routine laboratory and specific biomarkers. Results: In the model restricted to clinical parameters, male sex, shorter dialysis vintage, lower BMI, history of CHF, use of ACE-inhibitors and a higher heart rate were identified as independent predictors of ESA resistance. In regard to routine laboratory markers, lower albumin, lower iron saturation, higher creatinine and higher potassium levels were independently associated with ESA resistance. With respect to specific biomarkers, higher ADMA and CRP levels as well as lower Osteocalcin levels were predictors of ESA resistance. Conclusions: Easily obtainable clinical parameters and routine laboratory parameters can predict ESA resistance in diabetic hemodialysis patients with good discrimination. Specific biomarkers did not meaningfully further improve the risk prediction of ESA resistance. Routinely assessed data can be used in clinical practice to stratify patients according to the risk of ESA resistance, which may help to assign appropriate treatment strategies. KW - type 2 diabetes KW - heodialysis patients Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-128695 VL - 14 IS - 67 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Weidemann, Frank A1 - Sanchez-Nino, Maria D. A1 - Politei, Juan A1 - Oliveira, João-Paulo A1 - Wanner, Christoph A1 - Warnock, David G. A1 - Oritz, Alberto T1 - Fibrosis: a key feature of Fabry disease with potential therapeutic implications JF - Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases N2 - Fabry disease is a rare X-linked hereditary disease caused by mutations in the AGAL gene encoding the lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is the current cornerstone of Fabry disease management. Involvement of kidney, heart and the central nervous system shortens life span, and fibrosis of these organs is a hallmark of the disease. Fibrosis was initially thought to result from tissue ischemia secondary to endothelial accumulation of glycosphingolipids in the microvasculature. However, despite ready clearance of endothelial deposits, ERT is less effective in patients who have already developed fibrosis. Several potential explanations of this clinical observation may impact on the future management of Fabry disease. Alternative molecular pathways linking glycosphingolipids and fibrosis may be operative; tissue injury may recruit secondary molecular mediators of fibrosis that are unresponsive to ERT, or fibrosis may represent irreversible tissue injury that limits the therapeutic response to ERT. We provide an overview of Fabry disease, with a focus on the assessment of fibrosis, the clinical consequences of fibrosis, and recent advances in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of fibrosis that may suggest novel therapeutic approaches to Fabry disease. KW - Fabry KW - fibrosis KW - podocyte KW - Lyso-Gb3 KW - kidney KW - enzyme replacement therapy KW - alpha-galactosidase-A KW - focal semental glomerulosclerosis KW - cardiovascular magnetic-resonance KW - left-ventricular hypertrophy KW - biopsy findings KW - agalsidase-beta KW - natural-history data KW - cardiac energy metabolism KW - randomized controlled trial Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124773 SN - 1750-1172 VL - 8 IS - 116 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Brandenburg, Vincent M. A1 - Kramann, Rafael A1 - Koos, Ralf A1 - Krueger, Thilo A1 - Schurgers, Leon A1 - Mühlenbruch, Georg A1 - Hübner, Sinah A1 - Gladziwa, Ulrich A1 - Drechler, Christiane A1 - Ketteler, Markus T1 - Relationship between sclerostin and cardiovascular calcification in hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study JF - BMC Nephrology N2 - Background: Sclerostin is a Wnt pathway antagonist regulating osteoblast activity and bone turnover. Here, we assessed the potential association of sclerostin with the development of coronary artery (CAC) and aortic valve calcifications (AVC) in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional multi-slice computed tomography (MS-CT) scanning study in 67 chronic HD patients (59.4 +/- 14.8 yrs) for measurement of CAC and AVC. We tested established biomarkers as well as serum sclerostin (ELISA) regarding their association to the presence of calcification. Fifty-four adults without relevant renal disease served as controls for serum sclerostin levels. Additionally, sclerostin expression in explanted aortic valves from 15 dialysis patients was analysed ex vivo by immunohistochemistry and mRNA quantification (Qt-RT-PCR). Results: CAC (Agatston score > 100) and any AVC were present in 65% and in 40% of the MS-CT patient group, respectively. Serum sclerostin levels (1.53 +/- 0.81 vs 0.76 +/- 0.31 ng/mL, p < 0.001) were significantly elevated in HD compared to controls and more so in HD patients with AVC versus those without AVC (1.78 +/- 0.84 vs 1.35 +/- 0.73 ng/mL, p = 0.02). Multivariable regression analysis for AVC revealed significant associations with higher serum sclerostin. Ex vivo analysis of uraemic calcified aortic valves (n = 10) revealed a strong sclerostin expression very close to calcified regions (no sclerostin staining in non-calcified valves). Correspondingly, we observed a highly significant upregulation of sclerostin mRNA in calcified valves compared to non-calcified control valves. Conclusion: We found a strong association of sclerostin with calcifying aortic heart valve disease in haemodialysis patients. Sclerostin is locally produced in aortic valve tissue adjacent to areas of calcification. KW - coronary calcification KW - cardiovascular disease KW - aortic valve disease KW - calcium KW - mortality KW - sclerostin KW - aortic valve KW - bone formation KW - computed tomography KW - fetuin A KW - risk factors KW - GLA protein UCMGP KW - kidney-disease CKD KW - coronary-artery calcification KW - hemodialysis KW - mineral metabolism KW - vascular calcification KW - renal osteodystrophy Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-122070 SN - 1471-2369 VL - 14 IS - 219 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Dörhöfer, Lena A1 - Lammert, Alexander A1 - Krane, Vera A1 - Gorski, Mathias A1 - Banas, Bernhard A1 - Wanner, Christoph A1 - Krämer, Bernhard K. A1 - Heid, Iris M. A1 - Böger, Carsten A. T1 - Study design of DIACORE (DIAbetes COhoRtE) - a cohort study of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 JF - BMC Medical Genetics N2 - Background: Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is highly associated with increased risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD), end stage renal disease (ESRD) and cardiovascular morbidity. Epidemiological and genetic studies generate hypotheses for innovative strategies in DM2 management by unravelling novel mechanisms of diabetes complications, which is essential for future intervention trials. We have thus initiated the DIAbetes COhoRtE study (DIACORE). Methods: DIACORE is a prospective cohort study aiming to recruit 6000 patients of self-reported Caucasian ethnicity with prevalent DM2 for at least 10 years of follow-up. Study visits are performed in University-based recruiting clinics in Germany using standard operating procedures. All prevalent DM2 patients in outpatient clinics surrounding the recruiting centers are invited to participate. At baseline and at each 2-year follow-up examination, patients are subjected to a core phenotyping protocol. This includes a standardized online questionnaire and physical examination to determine incident micro-and macrovascular DM2 complications, malignancy and hospitalization, with a primary focus on renal events. Confirmatory outcome information is requested from patient records. Blood samples are obtained for a centrally analyzed standard laboratory panel and for biobanking of aliquots of serum, plasma, urine, mRNA and DNA for future scientific use. A subset of the cohort is subjected to extended phenotyping, e. g. sleep apnea screening, skin autofluorescence measurement, non-mydriatic retinal photography and non-invasive determination of arterial stiffness. Discussion: DIACORE will enable the prospective evaluation of factors involved in DM2 complication pathogenesis using high-throughput technologies in biosamples and genetic epidemiological studies. KW - chronic kidney-disease KW - stage renal-disease KW - glomerular-filtration-rate KW - genome-wide association KW - blood-glucose control KW - genetics KW - serum creatinine KW - cardiovascular disease KW - replacement therapy KW - United States KW - risk factors KW - diabetes mellitus type 2 KW - diabetic nephropathy KW - end stage renal disease KW - cardiovascular morbidity KW - diabetes complications KW - epidemiology Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-122040 SN - 1471-2350 VL - 14 IS - 25 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Eisele, Marion A1 - Blozik, Eva A1 - Störk, Stefan A1 - Träder, Jens-Martin A1 - Herrmann-Lingen, Christoph A1 - Scherer, Martin T1 - Recognition of depression and anxiety and their association with quality of life, hospitalization and mortality in primary care patients with heart failure - study protocol of a longitudinal observation study JF - BMC Family Practice N2 - Background: International disease management guidelines recommend the regular assessment of depression and anxiety in heart failure patients. Currently there is little data on the effect of screening for depression and anxiety on the quality of life and the prognosis of heart failure (HF). We will investigate the association between the recognition of current depression/anxiety by the general practitioner (GP) and the quality of life and the patients' prognosis. Methods/Design: In this multicenter, prospective, observational study 3,950 patients with HF are recruited by general practices in Germany. The patients fill out questionnaires at baseline and 12-month follow-up. At baseline the GPs are interviewed regarding the somatic and psychological comorbidities of their patients. During the follow-up assessment, data on hospitalization and mortality are provided by the general practice. Based on baseline data, the patients are allocated into three observation groups: HF patients with depression and/or anxiety recognized by their GP (P+/+), those with depression and/or anxiety not recognized (P+/-) and patients without depression and/or anxiety (P-/-). We will perform multivariate regression models to investigate the influence of the recognition of depression and/or anxiety on quality of life at 12 month follow-up, as well as its influences on the prognosis (hospital admission, mortality). Discussion: We will display the frequency of GP-acknowledged depression and anxiety and the frequency of installed therapeutic strategies. We will also describe the frequency of depression and anxiety missed by the GP and the resulting treatment gap. Effects of correctly acknowledged and missed depression/anxiety on outcome, also in comparison to the outcome of subjects without depression/anxiety will be addressed. In case results suggest a treatment gap of depression/anxiety in patients with HF, the results of this study will provide methodological advice for the efficient planning of further interventional research. KW - anxiety KW - depression KW - health care research KW - heart failure KW - prevalence KW - observational study KW - prognosis KW - quality of life KW - hospitalization KW - treatment KW - mortality KW - task force KW - health questionnaire KW - cardiovascular care KW - validity KW - scale KW - validation KW - outcomes KW - standardization KW - population Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-121881 SN - 1471-2296 VL - 14 IS - 180 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ladwig, Karl-Heinz A1 - Lederbogen, Florian A1 - Albus, Christian A1 - Angermann, Christiane A1 - Borggrefe, Martin A1 - Fischer, Denise A1 - Fritzsche, Kurt A1 - Haass, Markus A1 - Jordan, Jochen A1 - Jünger, Jana A1 - Kindermann, Ingrid A1 - Köllner, Volker A1 - Kuhn, Bernhard A1 - Scherer, Martin A1 - Seyfarth, Melchior A1 - Völler, Heinz A1 - Waller, Christiane A1 - Herrmann-Lingen, Christoph T1 - Position paper on the importance of psychosocial factors in cardiology: Update 2013 T1 - Positionspapier zur Bedeutung psychosozialer Faktoren in der Kardiologie: Update 2013 JF - GMS German Medical Science N2 - Background: The rapid progress of psychosomatic research in cardiology and also the increasing impact of psychosocial issues in the clinical daily routine have prompted the Clinical Commission of the German Heart Society (DGK) to agree to an update of the first state of the art paper on this issue which was originally released in 2008. Methods: The circle of experts was increased, general aspects were implemented and the state of the art was updated. Particular emphasis was dedicated to coronary heart diseases (CHD), heart rhythm diseases and heart failure because to date the evidence-based clinical knowledge is most advanced in these particular areas. Differences between men and women and over the life span were considered in the recommendations as were influences of cognitive capability and the interactive and synergistic impact of classical somatic risk factors on the affective comorbidity in heart disease patients. Results: A IA recommendation (recommendation grade I and evidence grade A) was given for the need to consider psychosocial risk factors in the estimation of coronary risks as etiological and prognostic risk factors. Furthermore, for the recommendation to routinely integrate psychosocial patient management into the care of heart surgery patients because in these patients, comorbid affective disorders (e.g. depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder) are highly prevalent and often have a malignant prognosis. A IB recommendation was given for the treatment of psychosocial risk factors aiming to prevent the onset of CHD, particularly if the psychosocial risk factor is harmful in itself (e.g. depression) or constrains the treatment of the somatic risk factors. Patients with acute and chronic CHD should be offered anti-depressive medication if these patients suffer from medium to severe states of depression and in this case medication with selective reuptake inhibitors should be given. In the long-term course of treatment with implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) a subjective health technology assessment is warranted. In particular, the likelihood of affective comorbidities and the onset of psychological crises should be carefully considered. Conclusions: The present state of the art paper presents an update of current empirical evidence in psychocardiology. The paper provides evidence-based recommendations for the integration of psychosocial factors into cardiological practice and highlights areas of high priority. The evidence for estimating the efficiency for psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological interventions has increased substantially since the first release of the policy document but is, however, still weak. There remains an urgent need to establish curricula for physician competence in psychodiagnosis, communication and referral to ensure that current psychocardiac knowledge is translated into the daily routine. N2 - Hintergrund: Die rasche Weiterentwicklung der psychokardiologischen Forschung, aber auch die wachsende Verankerung psychosozialer Fragestellungen im klinischen Alltag haben die Klinische Kommission der DGK bewogen, einer Aktualisierung und Weiterentwicklung des 2008 erstmals publizierten Positionspapiers zur Bedeutung psychosozialer Faktoren in der Kardiologie zuzustimmen. Methoden: Der Kreis der Autoren wurde vergrößert, allgemeine Aspekte eingefügt und das Wissen in allen Abschnitten auf den heutigen Stand gebracht. Schwerpunkte der Empfehlungen sind die koronare Herzerkrankung, Herzrhythmusstörungen und die Herzinsuffizienz, da hier der Stand der empirischen Evidenz und des klinisches Wissens zu psychosozialen Fragestellungen am weitesten entwickelt ist. Berücksichtigt wurden bei den Empfehlungen Besonderheiten von Frauen und Männern, Unterschiede bzgl. der Lebensspanne, Einflüsse auf die kognitive Leistungsfähigkeit und die interaktive synergistische Bedeutung klassischer Risikofaktoren bei affektiver Komorbidität. Ergebnisse: Eine I-A-Empfehlung (Empfehlungsgrad I, Evidenzgrad A) wurde vergeben für die Aufforderung, psychosoziale Risikofaktoren bei der Einschätzung des KHK-Risikos zu berücksichtigen, die als unabhängige ätiologische und prognostische Risikofaktoren für das Auftreten der koronaren Herzerkrankung (KHK) und für Komplikationen im Behandlungsverlauf der KHK bedeutsam sind. Ferner für die Empfehlung, Patienten mit Herzoperationen von einem interdisziplinären Team zu betreuten, in dem die Möglichkeit besteht, auf psychosoziale Aspekte einzugehen, da bei diesen Patienten komorbide psychische Störungen wie Depressivität, Angst und posttraumatische Belastungsstörung häufig und prognostisch ungünstig sind. Eine I-B-Empfehlung wurde vergeben für die Behandlung psychosozialer Risikofaktoren mit dem Ziel einer Primärprävention der KHK, wenn das Risikomerkmal an sich Krankheitswert hat (z. B. Depression) oder die Behandlung klassischer Risikofaktoren erschwert ist. Eine antidepressive Pharmakotherapie soll Patienten nach akutem Koronarsyndrom sowie in der Phase der chronischen KHK angeboten werden, die an einer mindestens mittelschweren rezidivierenden depressiven Störung leiden. Dabei sollen vorzugsweise Substanzen aus der Gruppe der selektiven Serotoninwiederaufnahmehemmer (SSRI) zum Einsatz kommen. Bei der langfristigen ärztlichen Begleitung von ICD-Patienten sollen die psychosozialen Folgen der ICD-Technologie beachtet und insbesondere relevante Affektstörungen sowie Krisen bei ICD-Patienten erkannt und fachgerecht behandelt werden. Schlussfolgerungen: Das Positionspapier formuliert konkrete Anwendungsfelder mit hoher Priorität für die Einbeziehung psychosozialer Faktoren in die kardiologische Praxis, die eine leitlinienkonforme Evidenz aufweisen. Trotz deutlicher Fortschritte seit der Erstveröffentlichung des Positionspapiers existieren weiterhin Forschungsdefizite für die Bewertung der Wirksamkeit psychotherapeutischer und psychopharmakologischer Konzepte bei kardialen Patienten. Curricula für die Vermittlung von (psycho-)diagnostischer, kommunikativer und differenzialdiagnostischer Kompetenz müssen rasch entwickelt werden, um eine Transmission des aktuellen Wissensstands in die Alltagspraxis zu ermöglichen. KW - depression KW - anxiety KW - post-traumatic stress disorder KW - psychotherapy KW - psychopharmacology KW - Depression KW - Psychopharmakologie KW - Psychotherapie KW - posttraumatische Belastungsstörung KW - Angst Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-121196 VL - 12 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Locatelli, Francesco A1 - Spasovski, Goce A1 - Dimkovic, Nada A1 - Wanner, Christoph A1 - Dellanna, Frank A1 - Pontoriero, Giuseppe T1 - The effects of colestilan versus placebo and sevelamer in patients with CKD 5D and hyperphosphataemia: a 1-year prospective randomized study JF - Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation N2 - BACKGROUND: This study compared the effects of short-term titrated colestilan (a novel non-absorbable, non-calcium, phosphate binder) with placebo, and evaluated the safety and efficacy of colestilan over 1 year compared with sevelamer, in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) 5D. METHODS: This prospective multicentre study comprised a 4-week phosphate binder washout period, a 16-week short-term, flexible-dose, treatment period (including a 4-week placebo-controlled withdrawal period) and a 40-week extension treatment phase. RESULTS: At Week 16 (the end of the 4-week placebo-controlled withdrawal period), serum phosphorus level was 0.43 mmol/L (1.32 mg/dL) lower with colestilan than placebo (P < 0.001; primary end point). Serum LDL-C level was also lower with colestilan than with placebo (P < 0.001). Both colestilan and sevelamer produced significant reductions from baseline in serum phosphorus levels (P < 0.001), maintained for 1 year, and the proportion of patients achieving target levels of ≤1.78 mmol/L (5.5 mg/dL) or ≤1.95 mmol/L (6.0 mg/dL) at study end were similar (65.3 and 73.3%, respectively, for colestilan, and 66.9 and 77.4%, respectively, for sevelamer). Serum calcium level remained stable in the colestilan group but tended to increase slightly in the sevelamer group (end-of-study increase of 0.035 mmol/L over baseline). Both binders produced similar reductions from baseline in LDL-C level (P < 0.001), and responder rates after 1 year, using a target of <1.83 mmol/L (70 mg/dL) or <2.59 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) were similar in both groups (50.7 and 85.3% for colestilan and 54.0 and 80.6% for sevelamer). Colestilan was generally well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Colestilan is effective and safe for the treatment of hyperphosphataemia in patients with CKD 5D, and affords similar long-term phosphorus and cholesterol reductions/responder rates to sevelamer. KW - chronic kidney disease KW - colestilan KW - hyperphosphataemia KW - placebo KW - sevelamer Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-121114 VL - 29 IS - 5 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hefner, Jochen A1 - Csef, Herbert A1 - Frantz, Stefan A1 - Glatter, Nina A1 - Warrings, Bodo T1 - Recurrent Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) in a pre-menopausal woman: late sequelae of a traumatic event? JF - BMC Cardiovascular Disorders N2 - Background “Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy” (TTC) is a syndrome characterized by left ventricular (LV) wall motion abnormalities, usually without coronary artery disease, mimicking the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. It most often affects post-menopausal women and TTC tends to run a benign course with very low rates of recurrence, complications or mortality. The condition is also called “stress-induced cardiomyopathy” because acute physical or emotional stress appears to be frequently related to its onset. The pathogenic role of premorbid or comorbid psychiatric illnesses has been discussed controversially. For the first time, we present a case of fourfold recurrent TTC with severe complications in a pre-menopausal woman. Furthermore, a long history of flaring posttraumatic stress symptoms anteceded the first event. Case presentation A 43-year old, pre-menopausal Caucasian woman was hospitalized with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome. Clinical examination revealed hypokinetic wall motion in the apical ventricular region with no signs of coronary artery disease and diagnosis of TTC was established. She experienced recurrence three times within the following ten months, which led to thrombembolism and myocardial scarring among others. The circumstances of chronic distress were striking. 16 years ago she miscarried after having removed a myoma according to her doctor’s suggestion. Since then, she has suffered from symptoms of posttraumatic distress which peaked annually at the day of abortion. Chronic distress became even more pronounced after the premature birth of a daughter some years later. The first event of TTC occurred after a family dispute about parenting. Conclusion This is the first case report of fourfold TTC in a pre-menopausal woman. From somatic perspectives, the course of the disease with recurrences and complications underlines the fact that TTC is not entirely benign. Furthermore, it is the first case report of long lasting symptoms of traumatic stress anteceding TTC. Close connections between adrenergic signaling and late onset of clinical stress symptoms are well known in the psychopathology of traumatization. Although larger clinical trials are needed to elucidate possible interactions of premorbid psychiatric illnesses and TTC, cardiologists should be vigilant especially in cases of recurrent TTC. KW - recurrent Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy KW - chronic distress KW - gene-environment interaction KW - comprehensive psychosomatic assessment Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124949 VL - 15 IS - 3 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Gassenmaier, Tobias A1 - Petritsch, Bernhard A1 - Kunz, Andreas S. A1 - Gkaniatsas, Spyridon A1 - Gaudron, Philipp D. A1 - Weidemann, Frank A1 - Nordbeck, Peter A1 - Beer, Meinrad T1 - Long term evolution of MRI characteristics in a case of atypical left lateral wall hypertrophic cardiomyopathy JF - World Journal of Cardiology N2 - We are reporting a long-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow-up in a rare case of cardiac left lateral wall hypertrophy. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic cardiovascular disorder and a significant cause of sudden cardiac death. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging can be a valuable tool for assessment of detailed information on size, localization, and tissue characteristics of hypertrophied myocardium. However, there is still little knowledge of long-term evolution of HCM as visualized by magnetic resonance imaging. Recently, our group reported a case of left lateral wall HCM as a rare variant of the more common forms, such as septal HCM, or apical HCM. As we now retrieved an old cardiac MRI acquired in this patient more than 20 years ago, we are able to provide the thrilling experience of an ultra-long MRI follow-up presentation in this rare case of left lateral wall hypertrophy. Furthermore, this case outlines the tremendous improvements in imaging quality within the last two decades of CMR imaging. KW - cardiac magnetic resonance imaging KW - hypertrophic cardiomyopathy KW - follow-up KW - atypical KW - left lateral wall Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124934 VL - 7 IS - 6 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kraft, Peter A1 - Drechsler, Christiane A1 - Schuhmann, Michael K. A1 - Gunreben, Ignaz A1 - Kleinschnitz, Christoph T1 - Characterization of Peripheral Immune Cell Subsets in Patients with Acute and Chronic Cerebrovascular Disease: A Case-Control Study JF - International Journal of Molecular Science N2 - Immune cells (IC) play a crucial role in murine stroke pathophysiology. However, data are limited on the role of these cells in ischemic stroke in humans. We therefore aimed to characterize and compare peripheral IC subsets in patients with acute ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (AIS/TIA), chronic cerebrovascular disease (CCD) and healthy volunteers (HV). We conducted a case-control study of patients with AIS/TIA (n = 116) or CCD (n = 117), and HV (n = 104) who were enrolled at the University Hospital Würzburg from 2010 to 2013. We determined the expression and quantity of IC subsets in the three study groups and performed correlation analyses with demographic and clinical parameters. The quantity of several IC subsets differed between the AIS/TIA, CCD, and HV groups. Several clinical and demographic variables independently predicted the quantity of IC subsets in patients with AIS/TIA. No significant changes in the quantity of IC subsets occurred within the first three days after AIS/TIA. Overall, these findings strengthen the evidence for a pathophysiologic role of IC in human ischemic stroke and the potential use of IC-based biomarkers for the prediction of stroke risk. A comprehensive description of IC kinetics is crucial to enable the design of targeted treatment strategies. KW - chronic cerebrovascular disease KW - lymphocytes KW - leukocytes KW - immune cells KW - biomarker KW - monocytes KW - regulatory T cells KW - ischemic stroke KW - thromboinflammation Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126319 VL - 16 IS - 10 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schick, Martin Alexander A1 - Baar, Wolfgang A1 - Bruno, Raphael Romano A1 - Wollborn, Jakob A1 - Held, Christopher A1 - Schneider, Reinhard A1 - Flemming, Sven A1 - Schlegel, Nicolas A1 - Roewer, Norbert A1 - Neuhaus, Winfried A1 - Wunder, Christian T1 - Balanced hydroxyethylstarch (HES 130/0.4) impairs kidney function in-vivo without inflammation JF - PLoS One N2 - Volume therapy is a standard procedure in daily perioperative care, and there is an ongoing discussion about the benefits of colloid resuscitation with hydroxyethylstarch (HES). In sepsis HES should be avoided due to a higher risk for acute kidney injury (AKI). Results of the usage of HES in patients without sepsis are controversial. Therefore we conducted an animal study to evaluate the impact of 6% HES 130/0.4 on kidney integrity with sepsis or under healthy conditions Sepsis was induced by standardized Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis (sCASP). sCASP-group as well as control group (C) remained untreated for 24 h. After 18 h sCASP+HES group (sCASP+VOL) and control+HES (C+VOL) received 50 ml/KG balanced 6% HES (VOL) 130/0.4 over 6h. After 24h kidney function was measured via Inulin- and PAH-Clearance in re-anesthetized rats, and serum urea, creatinine (crea), cystatin C and Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as well as histopathology were analysed. In vitro human proximal tubule cells (PTC) were cultured +/- lipopolysaccharid (LPS) and with 0.1–4.0% VOL. Cell viability was measured with XTT-, cell toxicity with LDH-test. sCASP induced severe septic AKI demonstrated divergent results regarding renal function by clearance or creatinine measure focusing on VOL. Soleley HES (C+VOL) deteriorated renal function without sCASP. Histopathology revealed significantly derangements in all HES groups compared to control. In vitro LPS did not worsen the HES induced reduction of cell viability in PTC cells. For the first time, we demonstrated, that application of 50 ml/KG 6% HES 130/0.4 over 6 hours induced AKI without inflammation in vivo. Severity of sCASP induced septic AKI might be no longer susceptible to the way of volume expansion KW - colloids KW - kidneys KW - histopathology KW - blood KW - creatinine KW - sepsis KW - urine KW - inflammation Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126068 VL - 10 IS - 9 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schick, Martin A. A1 - Baar, Wolfgang A1 - Flemming, Sven A1 - Schlegel, Nicolas A1 - Wollborn, Jakob A1 - Held, Christopher A1 - Schneider, Reinhard A1 - Brock, Robert W. A1 - Roewer, Norbert A1 - Wunder, Christian T1 - Sepsis-induced acute kidney injury by standardized colon ascendens stent peritonitis in rats - a simple, reproducible animal model JF - Intensive Care Medicine Experimental N2 - Background Up to 50% of septic patients develop acute kidney injury (AKI). The pathomechanism of septic AKI is poorly understood. Therefore, we established an innovative rodent model to characterize sepsis-induced AKI by standardized colon ascendens stent peritonitis (sCASP). The model has a standardized focus of infection, an intensive care set up with monitoring of haemodynamics and oxygenation resulting in predictable impairment of renal function, AKI parameters as well as histopathology scoring. Methods Anaesthetized rats underwent the sCASP procedure, whereas sham animals were sham operated and control animals were just monitored invasively. Haemodynamic variables and blood gases were continuously measured. After 24 h, animals were reanesthetized; cardiac output (CO), inulin and PAH clearances were measured and later on kidneys were harvested; and creatinine, urea, cystatin C and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were analysed. Additional sCASP-treated animals were investigated after 3 and 9 days. Results All sCASP-treated animals survived, whilst ubiquitous peritonitis and significantly deteriorated clinical and macrohaemodynamic sepsis signs after 24 h (MAP, CO, heart rate) were obvious. Blood analyses showed increased lactate and IL-6 levels as well as leucopenia. Urine output, inulin and PAH clearance were significantly decreased in sCASP compared to sham and control. Additionally, significant increase in cystatin C and NGAL was detected. Standard parameters like serum creatinine and urea were elevated and sCASP-induced sepsis increased significantly in a time-dependent manner. The renal histopathological score of sCASP-treated animals deteriorated after 3 and 9 days. Conclusions The presented sCASP method is a standardized, reliable and reproducible method to induce septic AKI. The intensive care set up, continuous macrohaemodynamic and gas exchange monitoring, low mortality rate as well as the opportunity of detailed analyses of kidney function and impairments are advantages of this setup. Thus, our described method may serve as a new standard for experimental investigations of septic AKI. KW - CASP KW - animal model KW - acute kidney injury KW - sepsis Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126111 VL - 2 IS - 34 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Baur, Johannes A1 - Schedelbeck, Ulla A1 - Pulzer, Alina A1 - Bluemel, Christina A1 - Wild, Vanessa A1 - Fassnacht, Martin A1 - Steger, U. T1 - A case report of a solitary pancreatic metastasis of an adrenocortical carcinoma JF - BMC Surgery N2 - Background Solitary metastases to the pancreas are rare. Therefore the value of resection in curative intention remains unclear. In the literature there are several promising reports about resection of solitary metastasis to the pancreas mainly of renal origin. Case presentation Here we report for the first time on the surgical therapy of a 1.5 cm solitary pancreatic metastasis of an adrenocortical carcinoma. The metastasis occurred almost 6 years after resection of the primary tumor. A partial pancreatoduodenectomy was performed and postoperatively adjuvant mitotane treatment was initiated. During the follow-up of 3 years after surgery no evidence of tumor recurrence occurred. Conclusion Resection of pancreatic tumors should be considered, even if the mass is suspicious for metastatic disease including recurrence of adrenocortical cancer. KW - surgical treatment KW - adrenocortical KW - carcinoma metastases to pancreas Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126130 VL - 15 IS - 93 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Seyfried, Florian A1 - von Rahden, Burkhard H. A1 - Miras, Alexander D. A1 - Gasser, Martin A1 - Maeder, Uwe A1 - Kunzmann, Volker A1 - Germer, Christoph-Thomas A1 - Pelz, Jörg O. W. A1 - Kerscher, Alexander G. T1 - Incidence, time course and independent risk factors for metachronous peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric origin – a longitudinal experience from a prospectively collected database of 1108 patients JF - BMC Cancer N2 - Background Comprehensive evidence on the incidence, time course and independent risk factors of metachronous peritoneal carcinomatosis (metaPC) in gastric cancer patients treated with curative intent in the context of available systemic combination chemotherapies is lacking. Methods Data from a prospectively collected single-institutional Center Cancer Registry with 1108 consecutive patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (GC), clinical, histological and survival data were analyzed for independent risk factors and prognosis with focus on the development of metaPC. Findings were then stratified to the time periods of treatment with surgery alone, 5-Fluorouracil-only and contemporary combined systemic perioperative chemotherapy strategies, respectively. Results Despite R0 D2 gastrectomy (n = 560), 49.6% (±5.4%) of the patients were diagnosed with tumour recurrence and 15.5% (±1.8%) developed metaPC after a median time of 17.7 (15.1-20.3) months after surgery resulting in a tumour related mortality of 100% with a median survival of 3.0 months (2.1 – 4.0). Independent risk factors for the development of metaPC were serosa positive T-category, nodal positive-status, signet cell and undifferentiated gradings (G3/G4). Contemporary systemic combination chemotherapy did not improve the incidence and prognosis of metaPC (p = 0.54). Conclusions Despite significant improvements in the overall survival for the complete cohort with gastric cancer over time, those patients with metaPC did not experience the same benefits. The lack of change in the incidence, and persistent poor prognosis of metaPC after curative surgery expose the need for further prevention and/or improved treatment options for this devastating condition. KW - recurrence survival KW - metachronous KW - peritoneal carcinomatosis KW - gastric cancer KW - risk factors KW - perioperative chemotherapy Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125014 VL - 15 IS - 73 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Liu, Dan A1 - Hu, Kai A1 - Pelzer, Heinz-Theo A1 - Störk, Stefan A1 - Weidemann, Frank T1 - Journey of a patient with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension JF - European Journal of Medical Research N2 - Right ventricle (RV) dysfunction is a key outcome determinant and a leading cause of death for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). In this report, we followed the 5-year clinical journey of a patient with CTEPH. The tricuspid pressure gradient was significantly increased in the early phase of CTEPH and “normalized” at the late phase of this patient’s clinical journey, but this “normalized” gradient is not a positive treatment response but rather an ominous sign of advancing right heart failure owing to an exhaustion of RV contractile function. Thus, appropriate interpretation of the tricuspid pressure gradient change is of importance for assessing RV dysfunction and treatment outcome during follow-up in patients with CTEPH. Besides systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP), other RV functional parameters such as tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, RV fractional area change, and RV longitudinal strain, together with clinical markers, may provide additional guidance regarding functional improvement or progression in patients with CTEPH. KW - tricuspid pressure gradient KW - chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125009 VL - 20 IS - 20 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Güder, Gülmisal A1 - Brenner, Susanne A1 - Störk, Stefan A1 - Held, Matthias A1 - Broekhuizen, Berna D. L. A1 - Lammers, Jan-Willem J. A1 - Hoes, Arno W. A1 - Rutten, Frans H. T1 - Diagnostic and prognostic utility of mid-expiratory flow rate in older community-dwelling persons with respiratory symptoms, but without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease JF - BMC Pulmonary Medicine N2 - Background The maximal expiratory flow at 50 % of the forced vital capacity (MEF50) is the flow where half of forced vital capacity (FVC) remains to be exhaled. A reduced MEF50 has been suggested as a surrogate marker of small airways disease. The diagnostic and prognostic utility of this easy to assess spirometric variable in persons with respiratory symptoms, but without COPD is unclear. Methods We used data from the UHFO-COPD cohort in which 405 community-dwelling persons aged 65 years or over, and a general practitioner’s diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) underwent pulmonary function testing and echocardiography. In total 161 patients had no COPD according to the spirometric GOLD criteria. We considered MEF50 as reduced if < 60 % of predicted. Results Of the 161 patients without COPD (mean age 72 ± 5.7 years; 35 % male; follow-up 4.5 ± 1.1 years), 61 (37.9 %) had a reduced MEF50. They were older, had more pack-years of smoking, more respiratory symptoms, and used more frequently inhaled medication than the remaining 100 subjects. A reduced MEF50 was nearly twice as often associated with newly detected heart failure (HF) at assessment (29.5 % vs. 15.6 %, p = 0.045). In age-and sex-adjusted Cox regression analysis, a reduced MEF50 was significantly associated with episodes of acute bronchitis (hazard ratio 2.54 95 % confidence interval (1.26; 5.13) P = 0.009), and in trend with pneumonia (2.14 (0.98; 4.69) P = 0.06) and hospitalizations for pulmonary reasons (2.28 (0.93; 5.62) P = 0.07). Conclusions In older community-dwelling persons with pulmonary symptoms but without COPD, a reduced MEF50 may help to uncover unrecognized HF, and identify those at a higher risk for episodes of acute bronchitis, pneumonia and hospitalizations for pulmonary reasons. Echocardiography and close follow-up should be considered in these patients. Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125547 VL - 15 IS - 83 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wagner, Martin A1 - Ashby, Damien R. A1 - Kurtz, Caroline A1 - Alam, Ahsan A1 - Busbridge, Mark A1 - Raff, Ulrike A1 - Zimmermann, Josef A1 - Heuschmann, Peter U. A1 - Wanner, Christoph A1 - Schramm, Lothar T1 - Hepcidin-25 in diabetic chronic kidney disease is predictive for mortality and progression to end stage renal disease JF - PLoS One N2 - Background Anemia is common and is associated with impaired clinical outcomes in diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD). It may be explained by reduced erythropoietin (EPO) synthesis, but recent data suggest that EPO-resistance and diminished iron availability due to inflammation contribute significantly. In this cohort study, we evaluated the impact of hepcidin-25—the key hormone of iron-metabolism—on clinical outcomes in diabetic patients with CKD along with endogenous EPO levels. Methods 249 diabetic patients with CKD of any stage, excluding end-stage renal disease (ESRD), were enrolled (2003–2005), if they were not on EPO-stimulating agent and iron therapy. Hepcidin-25 levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The association of hepcidin-25 at baseline with clinical variables was investigated using linear regression models. All-cause mortality and a composite endpoint of CKD progression (ESRD or doubling of serum creatinine) were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards models. Results Patients (age 67 yrs, 53% male, GFR 51 ml/min, hemoglobin 131 g/L, EPO 13.5 U/L, hepcidin-25 62.0 ng/ml) were followed for a median time of 4.2 yrs. Forty-nine patients died (19.7%) and forty (16.1%) patients reached the composite endpoint. Elevated hepcidin levels were independently associated with higher ferritin-levels, lower EPO-levels and impaired kidney function (all p<0.05). Hepcidin was related to mortality, along with its interaction with EPO, older age, greater proteinuria and elevated CRP (all p<0.05). Hepcidin was also predictive for progression of CKD, aside from baseline GFR, proteinuria, low albumin- and hemoglobin-levels and a history of CVD (all p<0.05). Conclusions We found hepcidin-25 to be associated with EPO and impaired kidney function in diabetic CKD. Elevated hepcidin-25 and EPO-levels were independent predictors of mortality, while hepcidin-25 was also predictive for progression of CKD. Both hepcidin-25 and EPO may represent important prognostic factors of clinical outcome and have the potential to further define “high risk” populations in CKD. KW - diabetes mellitus KW - inflammation KW - type 2 diabetes KW - hemoglobin KW - chronic kidney disease KW - anemia KW - ferritin KW - proteinuria Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125514 VL - 10 IS - 4 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Toepfer, Martin A1 - Corovic, Hamo A1 - Fette, Georg A1 - Klügl, Peter A1 - Störk, Stefan A1 - Puppe, Frank T1 - Fine-grained information extraction from German transthoracic echocardiography reports JF - BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making N2 - Background Information extraction techniques that get structured representations out of unstructured data make a large amount of clinically relevant information about patients accessible for semantic applications. These methods typically rely on standardized terminologies that guide this process. Many languages and clinical domains, however, lack appropriate resources and tools, as well as evaluations of their applications, especially if detailed conceptualizations of the domain are required. For instance, German transthoracic echocardiography reports have not been targeted sufficiently before, despite of their importance for clinical trials. This work therefore aimed at development and evaluation of an information extraction component with a fine-grained terminology that enables to recognize almost all relevant information stated in German transthoracic echocardiography reports at the University Hospital of Würzburg. Methods A domain expert validated and iteratively refined an automatically inferred base terminology. The terminology was used by an ontology-driven information extraction system that outputs attribute value pairs. The final component has been mapped to the central elements of a standardized terminology, and it has been evaluated according to documents with different layouts. Results The final system achieved state-of-the-art precision (micro average.996) and recall (micro average.961) on 100 test documents that represent more than 90 % of all reports. In particular, principal aspects as defined in a standardized external terminology were recognized with f 1=.989 (micro average) and f 1=.963 (macro average). As a result of keyword matching and restraint concept extraction, the system obtained high precision also on unstructured or exceptionally short documents, and documents with uncommon layout. Conclusions The developed terminology and the proposed information extraction system allow to extract fine-grained information from German semi-structured transthoracic echocardiography reports with very high precision and high recall on the majority of documents at the University Hospital of Würzburg. Extracted results populate a clinical data warehouse which supports clinical research. Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125509 VL - 15 IS - 91 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Warnock, David G. A1 - Ortiz, Alberto A1 - Mauer, Michael A1 - Linthorst, Gabor E. A1 - Oliveira, João P. A1 - Serra, Andreas L. A1 - Maródi, László A1 - Mignani, Renzo A1 - Vujkovac, Bojan A1 - Beitner-Johnson, Dana A1 - Lemay, Roberta A1 - Cole, J. Alexander A1 - Svarstad, Einar A1 - Waldek, Stephen A1 - Germain, Dominique P. A1 - Wanner, Christoph T1 - Renal outcomes of agalsidase beta treatment for Fabry disease: role of proteinuria and timing of treatment initiation JF - Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation N2 - Background. The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of renal disease progression in adults with Fabry disease during treatment with agalsidase beta. Methods. Renal function was evaluated in 151 men and 62 women from the Fabry Registry who received agalsidase beta at an average dose of 1 mg/kg/2 weeks for at least 2 years. Patients were categorized into quartiles based on slopes of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) during treatment. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with renal disease progression. Results. Men within the first quartile had a mean eGFR slope of –0.1 mL/min/1.73m2/year, whereas men with the most rapid renal disease progression (Quartile 4) had a mean eGFR slope of –6.7 mL/min/1.73m2/year. The risk factor most strongly associated with renal disease progression was averaged urinary protein:creatinine ratio (UP/Cr) ≥1 g/g (odds ratio 112, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 4–3109, P = 0.0054). Longer time from symptom onset to treatment was also associated with renal disease progression (odds ratio 19, 95% CI 2–184, P = 0.0098). Women in Quartile 4 had the highest averaged UP/Cr (mean 1.8 g/g) and the most rapid renal disease progression: (mean slope –4.4 mL/min/1.73m2/year). Conclusions. Adults with Fabry disease are at risk for progressive loss of eGFR despite enzyme replacement therapy, particularly if proteinuria is ≥1 g/g. Men with little urinary protein excretion and those who began receiving agalsidase beta sooner after the onset of symptoms had stable renal function. These findings suggest that early intervention may lead to optimal renal outcomes. KW - proteinuria KW - enzyme replacement therapy KW - alpha galactosidase KW - Fabry disease KW - genetic renal disease Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124697 VL - 27 IS - 3 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Dorsch, Oliver A1 - Krieter, Detlef H. A1 - Lemke, Horst-Dieter A1 - Fischer, Stefan A1 - Melzer, Nima A1 - Sieder, Christian A1 - Bramlage, Peter A1 - Harenberg, Job T1 - A multi-center, prospective, open-label, 8-week study of certoparin for anticoagulation during maintenance hemodialysis – the membrane study JF - BMC Nephrology N2 - Background Adequate anticoagulation is prerequisite for effective hemodialysis to prevent clotting in the extracorporeal circuit. We aimed providing first data on the efficacy and safety of the low-molecular-weight heparin certoparin in this setting. Methods Multicenter, open-label, 8-week trial. Patients received a single dose of 3,000 IU certoparin i.v. with additional titration steps of 600 IU and/or continuous infusion if necessary. Results 120 patients were screened, 109 enrolled (median age 71; range 26–90 years) and 106 available for efficacy analyses. The percentage of unsatisfactory dialysis results at 8 weeks due to clotting or bleeding, was 1.9% (n = 2/106; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23–6.65%); no major bleeding. 1.9% had moderate/severe clotting in the lines/bubble catcher and 2.8% in the dialyser at week 8. 15.7 ± 14.3% of the dialysis filters’ visual surface area was showing redness. In subgroups of patients receiving median doses of 3000 ± 0, 3000 (2400–6000) and 4200 (3000–6600) IU, plasma aXa levels at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks were 0.24 [95%CI 0.21–0.27], 0.33 [0.27–0.40] and 0.38 [0.33–0.45] aXa IU/ml at 2 h. \(C_{48h}\) was 0.01 [0.01–0.02] aXa IU at all visits. At baseline and 4 weeks \(AUC_{0-48h}\) was 2.66 [2.19–3.24] and 3.66 [3.00–4.45] aXa IU*h/ml. In 3.0% of dialyses (n = 83/2724) prolonged fistula compression times were documented. Eight patients (7.34%) had at least one episode of minor bleeding. 4) 85.3% of patients had any adverse event, 9.2% were serious without suspected drug relation; and in 32 patients a drug-relation was suspected. Conclusions Certoparin appears effective and safe for anticoagulation in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. KW - hemodialysis Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124052 VL - 13 IS - 50 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Reiter, Theresa A1 - Ritter, Oliver A1 - Nordbeck, Peter A1 - Beer, Meinrad A1 - Bauer, Wolfgang Rudolf T1 - MRI-guided ablation of wide complex tachycardia in a univentricular heart JF - World Journal of Cardiology N2 - Magnetic resonance imaging can be used for preprocedural assessment of complex anatomy for radiofrequency (RF) ablations, e.g., in a univentricular heart. This case report features the treatment of a young patient with a functionally univentricular heart who suffered from persistent sudden onset tachycardia with wide complexes that required RF ablation as treatment. KW - magnetic resonsance imaging KW - ablation KW - Fontan’s Operation KW - ventricular tachycardia KW - univentricular heart Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-123165 VL - 4 IS - 8 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Frantz, Stefan A1 - Monaco, Claudia A1 - Arslan, Fatih T1 - Danger Signals in Cardiovascular Disease JF - Mediators of Inflammation N2 - No abstract available. KW - cardiovascular disease Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-120110 SN - 1466-1861 VL - 2014 IS - 395278 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Steinbrunn, Torsten A1 - Chatterjee, Manik A1 - Bargou, Ralf C. A1 - Stühmer, Thorsten T1 - Efficient Transient Transfection of Human Multiple Myeloma Cells by Electroporation - An Appraisal JF - PLoS ONE N2 - Cell lines represent the everyday workhorses for in vitro research on multiple myeloma (MM) and are regularly employed in all aspects of molecular and pharmacological investigations. Although loss-of-function studies using RNA interference in MM cell lines depend on successful knockdown, no well-established and widely applied protocol for efficient transient transfection has so far emerged. Here, we provide an appraisal of electroporation as a means to introduce either short-hairpin RNA expression vectors or synthesised siRNAs into MM cells. We found that electroporation using siRNAs was much more efficient than previously anticipated on the basis of transfection efficiencies deduced from EGFP-expression off protein expression vectors. Such knowledge can even confidently be exploited in "hard-to-transfect" MM cell lines to generate large numbers of transient knockdown phenotype MM cells. In addition, special attention was given to developing a protocol that provides easy implementation, good reproducibility and manageable experimental costs. KW - cell cultures KW - green fluorescent protein KW - oligonucleotides KW - multiple myeloma KW - plasmid construction KW - transfection KW - small interfering RNAs KW - electroporation Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-119616 VL - 9 IS - 6 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kraft, Peter A1 - Drechsler, Christiane A1 - Gunreben, Ignaz A1 - Nieswandt, Bernhard A1 - Stoll, Guido A1 - Heuschmann, Peter Ulrich A1 - Kleinschnitz, Christoph T1 - Von Willebrand Factor Regulation in Patients with Acute and Chronic Cerebrovascular Disease: A Pilot, Case-Control Study JF - PLoS ONE N2 - Background and Purpose In animal models, von Willebrand factor (VWF) is involved in thrombus formation and propagation of ischemic stroke. However, the pathophysiological relevance of this molecule in humans, and its potential use as a biomarker for the risk and severity of ischemic stroke remains unclear. This study had two aims: to identify predictors of altered VWF levels and to examine whether VWF levels differ between acute cerebrovascular events and chronic cerebrovascular disease (CCD). Methods A case–control study was undertaken between 2010 and 2013 at our University clinic. In total, 116 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transitory ischemic attack (TIA), 117 patients with CCD, and 104 healthy volunteers (HV) were included. Blood was taken at days 0, 1, and 3 in patients with AIS or TIA, and once in CCD patients and HV. VWF serum levels were measured and correlated with demographic and clinical parameters by multivariate linear regression and ANOVA. Results Patients with CCD (158±46%) had significantly higher VWF levels than HV (113±36%, P<0.001), but lower levels than AIS/TIA patients (200±95%, P<0.001). Age, sex, and stroke severity influenced VWF levels (P<0.05). Conclusions VWF levels differed across disease subtypes and patient characteristics. Our study confirms increased VWF levels as a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease and, moreover, suggests that it may represent a potential biomarker for stroke severity, warranting further investigation. KW - cerebrovascular diseases KW - sex addiction KW - biomarkers KW - ischemic stroke KW - blood KW - stroke KW - platelets KW - demography Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-119588 SN - 1932-6203 VL - 9 IS - 6 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Frey, Anna A1 - Popp, Sandy A1 - Post, Antonia A1 - Langer, Simon A1 - Lehmann, Marc A1 - Hofmann, Ulrich A1 - Siren, Anna-Leena A1 - Hommers, Leif A1 - Schmitt, Angelika A1 - Strekalova, Tatyana A1 - Ertl, Georg A1 - Lesch, Klaus-Peter A1 - Frantz, Stefan T1 - Experimental heart failure causes depression-like behavior together with differential regulation of inflammatory and structural genes in the brain JF - Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience N2 - Background: Depression and anxiety are common and independent outcome predictors in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, it is unclear whether CHF causes depression. Thus, we investigated whether mice develop anxiety- and depression-like behavior after induction of ischemic CHF by myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and Results: In order to assess depression-like behavior, anhedonia was investigated by repeatedly testing sucrose preference for 8 weeks after coronary artery ligation or sham operation. Mice with large MI and increased left ventricular dimensions on echocardiography (termed CHF mice) showed reduced preference for sucrose, indicating depression-like behavior. 6 weeks after MI, mice were tested for exploratory activity, anxiety-like behavior and cognitive function using the elevated plus maze (EPM), light-dark box (LDB), open field (OF), and object recognition (OR) tests. In the EPM and OF, CHF mice exhibited diminished exploratory behavior and motivation despite similar movement capability. In the OR, CHF mice had reduced preference for novelty and impaired short-term memory. On histology, CHF mice had unaltered overall cerebral morphology. However, analysis of gene expression by RNA-sequencing in prefrontal cortical, hippocampal, and left ventricular tissue revealed changes in genes related to inflammation and cofactors of neuronal signal transduction in CHF mice, with Nr4a1 being dysregulated both in prefrontal cortex and myocardium after MI. Conclusions: After induction of ischemic CHF, mice exhibited anhedonic behavior, decreased exploratory activity and interest in novelty, and cognitive impairment. Thus, ischemic CHF leads to distinct behavioral changes in mice analogous to symptoms observed in humans with CHF and comorbid depression. KW - chronic heart failure KW - myocardial infarction KW - anxiety KW - depression KW - mice Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-118234 SN - 1662-5153 VL - 8 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Liu, Dan A1 - Hu, Kai A1 - Störk, Stefan A1 - Herrmann, Sebastian A1 - Kramer, Bastian A1 - Cikes, Maja A1 - Gaudron, Philipp Daniel A1 - Knop, Stefan A1 - Ertl, Georg A1 - Bijnens, Bart A1 - Weidemann, Frank T1 - Predictive Value of Assessing Diastolic Strain Rate on Survival in Cardiac Amyloidosis Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction JF - PLOS ONE N2 - Objectives: Since diastolic abnormalities are typical findings of cardiac amyloidosis (CA), we hypothesized that speckle-tracking-imaging (STI) derived longitudinal early diastolic strain rate (LSRdias) could predict outcome in CA patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF >50%). Background: Diastolic abnormalities including altered early filling are typical findings and are related to outcome in CA patients. Reduced longitudinal systolic strain (LSsys) assessed by STI predicts increased mortality in CA patients. It remains unknown if LSRdias also related to outcome in these patients. Methods: Conventional echocardiography and STI were performed in 41 CA patients with preserved LVEF (25 male; mean age 65±9 years). Global and segmental LSsys and LSRdias were obtained in six LV segments from apical 4-chamber views. Results: Nineteen (46%) out of 41 CA patients died during a median of 16 months (quartiles 5–35 months) follow-up. Baseline mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE, 6±2 vs. 8±3 mm), global LSRdias and basal-septal LSRdias were significantly lower in non-survivors than in survivors (all p<0.05). NYHA class, number of non-cardiac organs involved, MAPSE, mid-septal LSsys, global LSRdias, basal-septal LSRdias and E/LSRdias were the univariable predictors of all-cause death. Multivariable analysis showed that number of non-cardiac organs involved (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17–3.26, P = 0.010), global LSRdias (HR = 7.30, 95% CI 2.08–25.65, P = 0.002), and E/LSRdias (HR = 2.98, 95% CI 1.54–5.79, P = 0.001) remained independently predictive of increased mortality risk. The prognostic performance of global LSRdias was optimal at a cutoff value of 0.85 S−1 (sensitivity 68%, specificity 67%). Global LSRdias <0.85 S−1 predicted a 4-fold increased mortality in CA patients with preserved LVEF. Conclusions: STI-derived early diastolic strain rate is a powerful independent predictor of survival in CA patients with preserved LVEF. KW - diagnostic medicine KW - echocardiography KW - prognosis KW - calcium imaging KW - ejection fraction KW - death rates KW - amyloidosis KW - deformation Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-118024 SN - 1932-6203 VL - 9 IS - 12 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Verrua, Elisa A1 - Ferrante, Emanuele A1 - Filopanti, Marcello A1 - Malchiodi, Elena A1 - Sala, Elisa A1 - Giavoli, Claudia A1 - Arosio, Maura A1 - Lania, Andrea Gerardo A1 - Ronchi, Christina Lucia A1 - Mantovani, Giovanna A1 - Beck-Peccoz, Paolo A1 - Spada, Anna T1 - Reevaluation of Acromegalic Patients in Long-Term Remission according to Newly Proposed Consensus Criteria for Control of Disease JF - International Journal of Endocrinology N2 - Acromegaly guidelines updated in 2010 revisited criteria of disease control: if applied, it is likely that a percentage of patients previously considered as cured might present postglucose GH nadir levels not adequately suppressed, with potential implications on management. This study explored GH secretion, as well as hormonal, clinical, neuroradiological, metabolic, and comorbid profile in a cohort of 40 acromegalic patients considered cured on the basis of the previous guidelines after a mean follow-up period of 17.2 years from remission, in order to assess the impact of the current criteria. At the last follow-up visit, in the presence of normal IGF-I concentrations, postglucose GH nadir was over 0.4 mu g/L in 11 patients (Group A) and below 0.4 mu g/L in 29 patients (Group B); moreover, Group A showed higher basal GH levels than Group B, whereas a significant decline of both GH and postglucose GH nadir levels during the follow-up was observed in Group B only. No differences in other evaluated parameters were found. These results seem to suggest that acromegalic patients considered cured on the basis of previous guidelines do not need a more intensive monitoring than patients who met the current criteria of disease control, supporting instead that the cut-off of 0.4 mcg/L might be too low for the currently used GH assay. KW - IGF-I KW - glucose tolerance test KW - growth hormone deficiency KW - body mass index KW - oral glucose KW - GH response KW - mortality KW - immunoassays KW - statement KW - diagnosis Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-117790 SN - 1687-8345 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fruchart, Jean-Charles A1 - Davignon, Jean A1 - Hermans, Michael P. A1 - Al-Rubeaan, Khalid A1 - Amarenco, Pierre A1 - Assmann, Gerd A1 - Barter, Philip A1 - Betteridge, John A1 - Bruckert, Eric A1 - Cuevas, Ada A1 - Farnier, Michel A1 - Ferrannini, Ele A1 - Fioretto, Paola A1 - Genest, Jacques A1 - Ginsberg, Henry N. A1 - Gotto Jr., Antonio M. A1 - Hu, Dayi A1 - Kadowaki, Takashi A1 - Kodama, Tatsuhiko A1 - Krempf, Michel A1 - Matsuzawa, Yuji A1 - Núñez-Cortés, Jesús Millán A1 - Monfil, Calos Calvo A1 - Ogawa, Hisao A1 - Plutzky, Jorge A1 - Rader, Daniel J. A1 - Sadikot, Shaukat A1 - Santos, Raul D. A1 - Shlyakhto, Evgeny A1 - Sritara, Piyamitr A1 - Sy, Rody A1 - Tall, Alan A1 - Tan, Chee Eng A1 - Tokgözoğlu, Lale A1 - Toth, Peter P. A1 - Valensi, Paul A1 - Wanner, Christoph A1 - Zambon, Albertro A1 - Zhu, Junren A1 - Zimmet, Paul T1 - Residual macrovascular risk in 2013: what have we learned? JF - Cardiovascual Diabetology N2 - Cardiovascular disease poses a major challenge for the 21st century, exacerbated by the pandemics of obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. While best standards of care, including high-dose statins, can ameliorate the risk of vascular complications, patients remain at high risk of cardiovascular events. The Residual Risk Reduction Initiative (R(3)i) has previously highlighted atherogenic dyslipidaemia, defined as the imbalance between proatherogenic triglyceride-rich apolipoprotein B-containing-lipoproteins and antiatherogenic apolipoprotein A-I-lipoproteins (as in high-density lipoprotein, HDL), as an important modifiable contributor to lipid-related residual cardiovascular risk, especially in insulin-resistant conditions. As part of its mission to improve awareness and clinical management of atherogenic dyslipidaemia, the R(3)i has identified three key priorities for action: i) to improve recognition of atherogenic dyslipidaemia in patients at high cardiometabolic risk with or without diabetes; ii) to improve implementation and adherence to guideline-based therapies; and iii) to improve therapeutic strategies for managing atherogenic dyslipidaemia. The R(3)i believes that monitoring of non-HDL cholesterol provides a simple, practical tool for treatment decisions regarding the management of lipid-related residual cardiovascular risk. Addition of a fibrate, niacin (North and South America), omega-3 fatty acids or ezetimibe are all options for combination with a statin to further reduce non-HDL cholesterol, although lacking in hard evidence for cardiovascular outcome benefits. Several emerging treatments may offer promise. These include the next generation peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonists, cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors and monoclonal antibody therapy targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9. However, long-term outcomes and safety data are clearly needed. In conclusion, the R(3)i believes that ongoing trials with these novel treatments may help to define the optimal management of atherogenic dyslipidaemia to reduce the clinical and socioeconomic burden of residual cardiovascular risk. KW - phospholipid fatty acids KW - term fenofibrate therapy KW - cardiovascular munster procam KW - residual cardiovascular risk KW - atherogenic dyslipidaemia KW - type 2 diabetes KW - therapeutic options KW - high denisty lipoprotein KW - randomized controlled-trial KW - coronary artery disease KW - type-2 diabetes mellitus KW - triglyceride-rich lipoproteins KW - alpha/delta agonist GFT505 KW - placebo-controlled trial Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-117546 SN - 1475-2840 VL - 13 IS - 26 ER -