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1.
Climacteric ; 27(1): 16-21, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38174697

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women remains understudied, under-recognized, underdiagnosed and undertreated. Initiatives such as the Lancet Women and Cardiovascular Disease Commission help to identify sex and gender-related gaps in research, care and outcomes and to guide next steps in addressing them. This article highlights important aspects of the Lancet Commission report and expands on the evidence and proposed strategies for reducing the global burden of CVD in women. Furthermore, the article explores the benefits of cross-specialty collaborations for the treatment and prevention of CVD in women and discusses the impact of gender-related disparities in academic cardiology.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases , Male , Humans , Female , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Risk Factors
2.
Climacteric ; 27(1): 104-112, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38197424

ABSTRACT

Ischemic heart disease is the primary cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in both men and women. Strategies targeting traditional modifiable risk factors are essential - including hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus - particularly for atherosclerosis, but additionally for stroke, heart failure and some arrhythmias. However, challenges related to education, screening and equitable access to effective preventative therapies persist, and are particularly problematic for women around the globe and those from lower socioeconomic groups. The association of female-specific risk factors (e.g. premature menopause, gestational hypertension, small for gestational age births) with CVD provides a potential window for targeted prevention strategies. However, further evidence for specific effective screening and interventions is urgently required. In addition to population-level factors involved in increasing the risk of suffering a CVD event, efforts are leveraging the enormous potential of blood-based 'omics', improved imaging biomarkers and increasingly complex bioinformatic analytic approaches to strive toward more personalized early disease detection and personalized preventative therapies. These novel tactics may be particularly relevant for women in whom traditional risk factors perform poorly. Here we discuss established and emerging approaches for improving risk assessment, early disease detection and effective preventative strategies to reduce the mammoth burden of CVD in women.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases , Hypertension , Male , Humans , Female , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology , Risk Factors , Risk Assessment , Primary Prevention
3.
Mol Genet Metab ; 114(4): 599-603, 2015 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25724074

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To describe a diagnostic protocol, surveillance and treatment guidelines, genetic counseling considerations and long-term follow-up data elements developed in preparation for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) newborn screening in New York State. METHODS: A group including the director from each regional NYS inherited metabolic disorder center, personnel from the NYS Newborn Screening Program, and others prepared a follow-up plan for X-ALD NBS. Over the months preceding the start of screening, a series of conference calls took place to develop and refine a complete newborn screening system from initial positive screen results to long-term follow-up. RESULTS: A diagnostic protocol was developed to determine for each newborn with a positive screen whether the final diagnosis is X-ALD, carrier of X-ALD, Zellweger spectrum disorder, acyl CoA oxidase deficiency or D-bifunctional protein deficiency. For asymptomatic males with X-ALD, surveillance protocols were developed for use at the time of diagnosis, during childhood and during adulthood. Considerations for timing of treatment of adrenal and cerebral disease were developed. CONCLUSION: Because New York was the first newborn screening laboratory to include X-ALD on its panel, and symptoms may not develop for years, long-term follow-up is needed to evaluate the presented guidelines.


Subject(s)
Adrenoleukodystrophy/diagnosis , Neonatal Screening , Acyl-CoA Oxidase/deficiency , Adrenal Insufficiency/diagnosis , Algorithms , Genetic Counseling , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , New York , Peroxisomal Disorders/diagnosis , Peroxisomal Multifunctional Protein-2/deficiency , Zellweger Syndrome/diagnosis
4.
Opt Express ; 23(11): A692-708, 2015 Jun 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26072893

ABSTRACT

Properties of large scale water lenses for solar concentration were investigated. These lenses were built from readily available materials, normal tap water and hyper-elastic linear low density polyethylene foil. Exposed to sunlight, the focal lengths and light intensities in the focal spot were measured and calculated. Their optical properties were modeled with a raytracing software based on the lens shape. We have achieved a good match of experimental and theoretical data by considering wavelength dependent concentration factor, absorption and focal length. The change in light concentration as a function of water volume was examined via the resulting load on the foil and the corresponding change of shape. The latter was extracted from images and modeled by a finite element simulation.


Subject(s)
Lenses , Sunlight , Water/chemistry , Computer Simulation , Mechanical Phenomena , Refractometry
5.
Gesundheitswesen ; 75(10): e131-8, 2013 Oct.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23423989

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In Germany, it is forbidden by law to physically punish children or to harm them mentally. Breaking these rules can result in severe health problems for the children. Home visiting programmes for families with young children are aimed at supporting young families who are facing large social problems, and at enhancing the chances of their children to grow up in a healthy way. Maps showing the regional distribution of the need for these home visiting programmes could be an important tool for local health policy planning. They could help to focus the resources on those families who are in greatest need. METHODS: The method proposed here for developing such a regional map is based on the following steps: (a) search for data that indicate the potential for child neglect, maltreatment or abuse, and that are available for each zip code in the city of Munich, Germany; (b) based on these data, calculation of a summary score that could indicate high need for these home visits; (c) grouping of the zip code areas according to this score; (d) presentation of the regional distribution in a map. RESULTS: After inspecting different data sources, we could identify 5 variables that could indicate the need for these home visits and that are available for each zip code: index of purchasing power, percentage of the population with low education, percentage of the population with migration background, percentage of single mothers, percentage of new-borns with low birth weight (<2 500 g). If 'high need' is defined as 'upper quintile of at least 3 among the 5 variables listed above, about 1 087 newborn babies would have to be visited per year (i. e., 10% of all newborn infants in Munich). CONCLUSION: These home visits should be as little stigmatising as possible, and especially those families should be reached that are in greatest need. If it is not possible to reach all families in the community, it can be recommended to focus on city districts with a high percentage of families in greatest need. As far as we know, this is the first scientifically based method for such a definition of city districts. The method proposed here could serve as starting point, and it would be important to develop it further. It is very flexible, though, and it can easily be transferred to other cities or districts.


Subject(s)
Child Abuse/diagnosis , Child Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Health Status Indicators , Needs Assessment/statistics & numerical data , Population Surveillance/methods , Proportional Hazards Models , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Child Abuse/prevention & control , Early Diagnosis , Educational Status , Employment/statistics & numerical data , Female , Germany/epidemiology , Humans , Income , Infant, Low Birth Weight , Infant, Newborn , Male , Prevalence , Risk Assessment/methods , Single-Parent Family/statistics & numerical data , Socioeconomic Factors
6.
Herz ; 37(3): 264-72, 2012 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22456988

ABSTRACT

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is associated with high mortality even in the acute phase as well as in the post-acute (chronic) phase. Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM-2), on the other hand, further increases mortality after ACS. Several new antiplatelet and antithrombotic drugs available for clinical use have also been investigated in patients with DM-2, and the guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) were recently adapted. However, in daily clinical practice choosing the most suitable regimen is a challenge in many cases. This review article aims to shed light on and simplify antiplatelet and antithrombotic therapy in ACS patients with DM-2 in order to ease the clinician's decision-making.


Subject(s)
Acute Coronary Syndrome/etiology , Acute Coronary Syndrome/prevention & control , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy , Fibrinolytic Agents/therapeutic use , Acute Coronary Syndrome/drug therapy , Humans , Treatment Outcome
7.
Vasa ; 41(6): 458-62, 2012 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23129042

ABSTRACT

We demonstrate feasibility of implantation of a self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent in a claudicant, where recanalization attempt of a heavily calcified, occluded superficial femoral artery (TASC D lesion) was complicated by a previously implanted, fractured standard stent. Wire passage through the occlusion and beyond the fractured stent could only be achieved through the subintimal space. A dedicated reentry device was used to allow distal wire entry into the true lumen at the level of the popliteal artery. Despite crushing of the fractured stent with a series of increasingly sized standard balloons, a significant recoil remainded in the area of the crushed stent. To secure patency of the femoro-popliteal artery we therefore decided to implant the novel self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent (Supera Veritas (TM), IDEV), whose unique feature is an exceptional high radial strength. Patient presented asymptomatic without any impairment of his walking capacity at three month follow up and duplex ultrasound confirmed patency of the stent. Subintimal recanalizations can be complicated by previously implanted stents, in particular in the presence of stent fracture, where intraluminal wire passage often can not be achieved. Considering the high radial strength and fracture resistance, interwoven nitinol stents represent a good treatment option in those challenging cases and they can be used to crush standard nitinol and ballonexpandable stents.


Subject(s)
Alloys , Angioplasty, Balloon/instrumentation , Arterial Occlusive Diseases/therapy , Femoral Artery , Prosthesis Failure , Stents , Aged , Angioplasty, Balloon/adverse effects , Arterial Occlusive Diseases/diagnosis , Arterial Occlusive Diseases/physiopathology , Femoral Artery/diagnostic imaging , Femoral Artery/physiopathology , Humans , Male , Prosthesis Design , Radiography , Retreatment , Time Factors , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex , Vascular Patency
8.
J Exp Med ; 184(3): 1185-9, 1996 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9064337

ABSTRACT

CD97 is an activation-induced antigen on leukocytes with a seven-span transmembrane (7-TM) region homologous to the secretin receptor superfamily. However, in contrast to this group of peptide hormone receptors, CD97 has an extended extracellular region with three EGF domains at the NH2 terminus, two of them with a calcium binding site. By demonstrating that lymphocytes and erythrocytes specifically adhere to CD97-transfected COS cells we here show that CD97 in parallel with its molecular evolution has acquired the ability to bind cellular ligands. A mAb selected on its capacity to block the adhesion between CD97 transfectants and red cells was found to be directed to the NH2-terminal short consensus repeat (SCR) of decay accelerating factor (DAF, CD55), a regulatory protein of the complement cascade. The specificity of the interaction of CD97 with CD55 was established by the observation that erythrocytes that lack CD55, obtained from patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) or the CD55, phenotype Inab, failed to adhere to CD97 transfectants. This is the first demonstration of a cellular ligand for a 7-TM receptor.


Subject(s)
CD55 Antigens/metabolism , Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism , Animals , Antigens, CD , COS Cells , Cell Adhesion , Erythrocytes/metabolism , Humans , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled , Transfection
9.
J Cell Biol ; 154(2): 415-26, 2001 Jul 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11470828

ABSTRACT

Normal locomotion of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans requires transmission of contractile force through a series of mechanical linkages from the myofibrillar lattice of the body wall muscles, across an intervening extracellular matrix and epithelium (the hypodermis) to the cuticle. Mutations in mua-3 cause a separation of the hypodermis from the cuticle, suggesting this gene is required for maintaining hypodermal-cuticle attachment as the animal grows in size postembryonically. mua-3 encodes a predicted 3,767 amino acid protein with a large extracellular domain, a single transmembrane helix, and a smaller cytoplasmic domain. The extracellular domain contains four distinct protein modules: 5 low density lipoprotein type A, 52 epidermal growth factor, 1 von Willebrand factor A, and 2 sea urchin-enterokinase-agrin modules. MUA-3 localizes to the hypodermal hemidesmosomes and to other sites of mechanically robust transepithelial attachments, including the rectum, vulva, mechanosensory neurons, and excretory duct/pore. In addition, it is shown that MUA-3 colocalizes with cytoplasmic intermediate filaments (IFs) at these sites. Thus, MUA-3 appears to be a protein that links the IF cytoskeleton of nematode epithelia to the cuticle at sites of mechanical stress.


Subject(s)
Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins , Caenorhabditis elegans/metabolism , Cell Adhesion Molecules/genetics , Cell Adhesion Molecules/metabolism , Epithelium/metabolism , Animals , Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics , Cell Adhesion/physiology , Epidermal Growth Factor/genetics , Helminth Proteins/genetics , Helminth Proteins/metabolism , Hemidesmosomes/metabolism , Lipoprotein(a)/genetics , Macromolecular Substances , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Molecular Sequence Data , Muscles/metabolism , Organ Specificity , Protein Structure, Tertiary/physiology , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
10.
J Cell Biol ; 121(2): 461-8, 1993 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-7682219

ABSTRACT

Several studies have addressed the interaction of the HIV Tat protein with the cell surface. Our analysis of the cell attachment-promoting activity of Tat and peptides derived from it revealed that the basic domain of Tat, not the arg-gly-asp (RGD) sequence, is required for cell attachment to Tat. Affinity chromatography with Tat peptides and immunoprecipitation with various anti-integrin antibodies suggest that the vitronectin-binding integrin, alpha v beta 5, is the cell surface protein that binds to the basic domain of Tat. The Tat basic domain contains the sequence RKKRRQRRR. A related sequence, KKQRFRHRNRKG, present in the heparin-binding domain of an alpha v beta 5 ligand, vitronectin, also bound alpha v beta 5 in affinity chromatography and, in combination with an RGD peptide, was an inhibitor of cell attachment to vitronectin. The alpha v beta 5 interaction with these peptides was not solely due to high content of basic amino acids in the ligand sequences; alpha v beta 5 did not bind substantially to peptides consisting entirely of arginine or lysine, whereas a beta 1 integrin did bind to these peptides. The interaction of alpha v beta 5 with Tat is atypical for integrins in that the binding to Tat is divalent cation independent, whereas the binding of the same integrin to an RGD-containing peptide or to vitronectin requires divalent cations. These data define an auxiliary integrin binding specificity for basic amino acid sequences. These basic domain binding sites may function synergistically with the binding sites that recognize RGD or equivalent sequences.


Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/metabolism , Gene Products, tat/metabolism , Glycoproteins/metabolism , HIV/metabolism , Integrins/metabolism , Receptors, Vitronectin , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Binding Sites , Cations, Divalent/pharmacology , Cell Line , Gene Products, tat/chemistry , Glycoproteins/chemistry , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , Peptides/pharmacology , Rats , Vitronectin , tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
11.
Science ; 287(5455): 989-94, 2000 Feb 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10669422

ABSTRACT

New proteins and modules have been invented throughout evolution. Gene "birth dates" in Caenorhabditis elegans range from the origins of cellular life through adaptation to a soil habitat. Possibly half are "metazoan" genes, having arisen sometime between the yeast-metazoan and nematode-chordate separations. These include basement membrane and cell adhesion molecules implicated in tissue organization. By contrast, epithelial surfaces facing the environment have specialized components invented within the nematode lineage. Moreover, interstitial matrices were likely elaborated within the vertebrate lineage. A strategy for concerted evolution of new gene families, as well as conservation of adaptive genes, may underlie the differences between heterochromatin and euchromatin.


Subject(s)
Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics , Cell Adhesion Molecules/genetics , Evolution, Molecular , Extracellular Matrix Proteins/genetics , Genome , Animals , Basement Membrane/chemistry , Cell Adhesion Molecules/chemistry , Chromatin/chemistry , Chromatin/genetics , Chromatin/metabolism , Euchromatin , Extracellular Matrix Proteins/chemistry , Genes, Helminth , Helminth Proteins/chemistry , Helminth Proteins/genetics , Heterochromatin/chemistry , Heterochromatin/genetics , Heterochromatin/metabolism , Multigene Family
12.
Rehabilitation (Stuttg) ; 48(6): 361-8, 2009 Dec.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20069520

ABSTRACT

STUDY AIM: A pilot study was conducted to implement and evaluate a routine gradual psycho-diagnostic programme to improve diagnostics and treatment of mental disorders in somatic rehabilitation centres. First of all, implementation strategies were acquired in trainings together with psychologists and physicians. The psycho-diagnostic programme consists of a screening instrument (PHQ-9) designed to permit time-effective detection of comorbid mental disorders. Besides evaluation of the training, the aim of the study was to analyze the extent to which it is possible to implement the routine gradual psycho-diagnostic programme in practice. Additionally, it was intended to identify beneficial and obstructive conditions for implementation. METHODOLOGY: The pilot study was conducted in two orthopaedic and one cardiological rehabilitation centre. The training was evaluated directly after its completion using a questionnaire. Three months after its implementation, the introduction of the psycho-diagnostic programme was evaluated using interviews with n=11 physicians and psychologists. RESULTS: The training was rated positively by the participants . Implementation of the entire gradual psycho-diagnostic programme was possible in one centre and to some degree in the other two. Beneficial for implementation were a frank organisational climate, sufficient time resources, and physicians' biopsychosocial understanding of disease. A dismissive attitude towards psycho-diagnostics, little communication between staff members, little perceived advantage for one's own work and fear to stigmatise patients by psychiatric diagnoses were obstructive. CONCLUSION: Essential for a successful implementation are sufficient time and personal resources, a motivation for change in staff and centre management, and a positive attitude regarding psycho-diagnostics in clinic staff. Furthermore, flexibility in implementation strategies and the opportunity to participate in the implementation process are important.


Subject(s)
Psychophysiologic Disorders/diagnosis , Psychophysiologic Disorders/rehabilitation , Rehabilitation Centers , Somatoform Disorders/diagnosis , Somatoform Disorders/rehabilitation , Attitude of Health Personnel , Comorbidity , Cooperative Behavior , Germany , Health Plan Implementation , Humans , Inservice Training , Interdisciplinary Communication , Interview, Psychological , Motivation , Patient Care Team , Pilot Projects , Program Evaluation , Psychophysiologic Disorders/psychology , Referral and Consultation , Somatoform Disorders/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires
13.
Bull Am Meteorol Soc ; 98: 2285-2292, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30245523

ABSTRACT

Online coupled meteorology-atmospheric chemistry models have greatly evolved in recent years. Although mainly developed by the air quality modeling community, these integrated models are also of interest for numerical weather prediction and climate modeling, as they can consider both the effects of meteorology on air quality and the potentially important effects of atmospheric composition on weather. This paper summarizes the main conclusions from the "Symposium on Coupled Chemistry-Meteorology/Climate Modelling: Status and Relevance for Numerical Weather Prediction, Air Quality and Climate Research," which was initiated by the European COST Action ES1004 "European Framework for Online Integrated Air Quality and Meteorology Modelling (EuMetChem)." It offers a brief review of the current status of online coupled meteorology and atmospheric chemistry modeling and a survey of processes relevant to the interactions between atmospheric physics, dynamics, and composition. In addition, it highlights scientific issues and emerging challenges that require proper consideration to improve the reliability and usability of these models for three main application areas: air quality, meteorology (including weather prediction), and climate modeling. It presents a synthesis of scientific progress in the form of answers to nine key questions, and provides recommendations for future research directions and priorities in the development, application, and evaluation of online coupled models.

14.
Eur J Radiol ; 63(2): 263-9, 2007 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17644296

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The death of Litvinenko has been reported by the media. It has raised the question whether this case had been unique. The fall of the wall has allowed a glimpse in the planning and comporting of a secret service. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Documents of the secret service of the former German democratic republic (GDR), books of defectors, and media reports about secret service actions with radiating substances have been analyzed. RESULTS: Since decades, secret services have been using radioactive nuclides and radiation for their tasks. Several killings with radiation have been reported. A complicated logistic had been developed. CONCLUSION: Only singular cases of the employment of radiating substances have become known. It is probable that the majority rests unknown. Government support seems necessary in secret services' conspirative actions with radiating substance.


Subject(s)
Nuclear Warfare/classification , Radiation Injuries/etiology , Radiation, Ionizing , Terrorism/classification , Germany, East , Humans , Military Science , USSR
15.
Transplant Proc ; 38(10): 3612-4, 2006 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17175347

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine whether body mass index (BMI) influences the clinical outcomes and overall cost of transplantation in adult liver transplantation (OLT) using records of 700 adult OLT recipients. Patients were divided into BMI range groups over the range of 15 to 42 (mean = 26.7), namely: <25, n = 288 (41%); 25 to 30, n = 245 (35%); > or =30, n = 167 (24%). Only a small subset of this last group was morbidly obese (BMI > or = 35, n = 37, 5% of total). We did not detect an effect of BMI on patient or graft survival, the incidence of acute graft rejection, or major surgical complications. BMI was not related to length of hospital stay. There were no statistical differences between the three groups with respect to the ratio of overall hospital cost in a general linear model, corrected for age, gender, calculated Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, retransplant status, or return to the operating room. In conclusion, obesity did not influence either the costs or the clinical outcomes following OLT. Further analysis of the morbidly obese population with respect to cost and outcome is warranted.


Subject(s)
Liver Failure/surgery , Liver Transplantation/physiology , Obesity/economics , Obesity/physiopathology , Adult , Body Mass Index , Cohort Studies , Cost of Illness , Florida , Graft Survival , Humans , Liver Transplantation/economics , Liver Transplantation/mortality , Obesity, Morbid/physiopathology , Regression Analysis , Retrospective Studies , Survival Analysis , Treatment Outcome
16.
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes ; 124(6): 342-9, 2016 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27219892

ABSTRACT

Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is one of the most relevant long-term complications of atherosclerotic disease. It is associated both with hypertension and increased renal and cardiovascular risk and overall mortality. Diagnostic modalities include non-invasive duplex ultrasound, dynamic magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and computer tomography angiography (CTA) and are confirmed by using invasive renal angiography. Percutaneous revascularization of renal artery stenosis has been studied in various clinical trials. With regard to hypertension, several case series could show a clinical response to revascularization. However, the majority of randomized clinical trials could not confirm the correlation between intervention and the improvement of hypertension, kidney function, cardiovascular events, and mortality. Based on this predication the crucial tool in the treatment of ARAS is an optimal medical therapy, including statins, antihypertensive agents and platelet inhibition. Today the core point is to select subgroups and appropriate indications for better outcomes and avoiding unnecessary procedures very carefully. Therefore in patients with typical manifestations of ARAS including resistant or malignant hypertension, progressive decline of renal function, flash pulmonary edema or angina, renal artery intervention remains a sensible therapeutic option - after hemodynamic testing prior to revascularization. In the future further trials targeting patients who fulfill rational selection criteria need to be undertaken to confirm the efficacy of revascularization.


Subject(s)
Renal Artery Obstruction/therapy , Humans , Renal Artery Obstruction/diagnosis
17.
GMS J Med Educ ; 33(1): Doc5, 2016.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26958653

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In Germany medical students should gain proficiency and specific skills in the vaccination field. Especially important is the efficient communication of scientific results about vaccinations to the community, in order to give professional counseling with a complete overview about therapeutic options. AIM OF THE PROJECT: The aim of this project is to set up a vaccination-related curriculum in the Medical Faculty at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich. The structure of the curriculum is based on the National catalogue for competency-based learning objectives in the field of vaccination (Nationaler Kompetenzbasierter Lernzielekatalog Medizin NKLM). Through this curriculum, the students will not only acquire the classical educational skills concerning vaccination in theory and practice, but they will also learn how to become independent in the decision-making process and counseling. Moreover, the students will become aware of consequences of action related to this specific topic. METHODS: According to defined guidelines, an analysis was performed on courses, which are currently offered by the university. A separate analysis of the NKLM was carried out. Both analyses identified the active courses related to the topic of vaccination as well as the NKLM learning objectives. The match between the topics taught in current courses and the NKLM learning objectives identified gaps concerning the teaching of specific content. Courses were modified in order to implement the missing NKLM learning objectives. RESULTS: These analyses identified 24 vaccination-related courses, which are currently taught at the University. Meanwhile, 35 learning objectives on vaccination were identified in the NKLM catalogue. Four of which were identified as not yet part of the teaching program. In summary, this interdisciplinary work enabled the development of a new vaccination-related curriculum, including 35 learning objectives, which are now implemented in regular teaching courses by the Medical Faculty. CONCLUSIONS: This project successfully describes a method to develop and implement a competency-based teaching program on the topic of vaccination. Importantly, the process presented here can serve as a guide to develop and implement similar teaching programs on other subjects and Universities.


Subject(s)
Competency-Based Education/organization & administration , Curriculum , Education, Medical/organization & administration , Faculty, Medical , Health Plan Implementation/organization & administration , Vaccination , Clinical Competence , Germany , Humans , Interdisciplinary Communication , Intersectoral Collaboration
18.
Trials ; 17(1): 528, 2016 10 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27793175

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of this investigator-initiated trial is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the novel Luminor® paclitaxel-coated drug-eluting balloon (DEB) catheter (iVascular, S.L.U., Barcelona, Spain) in inhibiting restenosis and in ensuring long-term vascular patency. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a multicenter randomized controlled trial to evaluate the Luminor® paclitaxel-coated DEB catheter for stenotic or occlusive lesions (length ≤15 cm) in the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and the popliteal artery (PA) up to the P1 segment compared to the noncoated, plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) catheter. In total 172 subjects will be treated with either the DEB catheter or the POBA catheter in 11 German study centers in a 1:1 randomization study design. The primary endpoint is late lumen loss (LLL) at 6 months. Secondary endpoints are patency rate, target lesion/vessel revascularization, quality of life (assessed with the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) and the EQ-5D), change of Rutherford stage and ankle-brachial index, major and minor amputation rate at the index limb, number of dropouts and all-cause mortality. DISCUSSION: EffPac represents a randomized controlled trial that will provide evidence on the effectiveness of the Luminor® paclitaxel-coated DEB catheter for the reduction of restenosis compared to the POBA catheter for the SFA and the PA. The results of EffPac will allow direct comparison to other already-completed RCTs applying paclitaxel-coated DEBs from different manufacturers with different coating technologies in the same target vessel. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02540018 , registered on 17 August 2015. Protocol version: CIP Version Final04, 11 February 2016. EUDAMED No: CIV-15-03-013204.


Subject(s)
Angioplasty, Balloon/instrumentation , Cardiovascular Agents/administration & dosage , Coated Materials, Biocompatible , Femoral Artery , Paclitaxel/administration & dosage , Peripheral Arterial Disease/therapy , Popliteal Artery , Vascular Access Devices , Angiography, Digital Subtraction , Angioplasty, Balloon/adverse effects , Ankle Brachial Index , Cardiovascular Agents/adverse effects , Clinical Protocols , Computed Tomography Angiography , Constriction, Pathologic , Exercise Tolerance , Female , Femoral Artery/diagnostic imaging , Femoral Artery/physiopathology , Germany , Humans , Male , Paclitaxel/adverse effects , Peripheral Arterial Disease/diagnostic imaging , Peripheral Arterial Disease/physiopathology , Popliteal Artery/diagnostic imaging , Popliteal Artery/physiopathology , Quality of Life , Recovery of Function , Recurrence , Research Design , Risk Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex , Vascular Patency , Walking
19.
Plant Physiol ; 106(3): 999-1005, 1994 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12232380

ABSTRACT

Oleoresin (pitch) is a defensive secretion composed of monoterpene olefins (turpentine) and diterpene resin acids (rosin) that is produced in grand fir (Abies grandis Lindl.) stems in response to wounding. Monoterpene and diterpene biosynthesis are coordinately induced in wounded stems as determined by monitoring the activity of monoterpene and diterpene cyclases, as well as two cytochrome P450-dependent diterpenoid hydroxylases involved in the formation of ([mdash])-abietic acid, the principal resin acid of this species. The activity of these enzymes reaches maximum levels that are 5- to 100-fold higher than those of nowwounded control stems 10 d after wounding and this is followed by a synchronous decline. The increase in biosynthetic activity is consequently followed by the accumulation of a viscous mass of resin acids, with the loss of the volatile monoterpenes, at the site of injury. The observed coordinate induction of monoterpene olefin and abietic acid bio-synthesis and the results of oleoresin analysis are consistent with the role of the volatile monoterpenes as a solvent for the mobilization and deposition of resin acids at the wound site to seal the injury with a rosin barrier after the evaporation of the turpentine. The last step of resin acid biosynthesis is catalyzed by an operationally soluble aldehyde dehydrogenase that is not inducible by wounding but seemingly is expressed constitutively at a high level. In vivo [14C]acetate feeding and resin analysis indicate that this enzyme is not efficiently coupled to the earlier steps of the pathway.

20.
Vet Immunol Immunopathol ; 107(1-2): 67-77, 2005 Aug 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15916812

ABSTRACT

Under physiological conditions normally characterised by low tissue infiltration of eosinophils, a conspicuous number of these cells are attracted into the human and ruminant ovary. Eosinophils suddenly increase in the thecal layer of the preovulatory follicle and corpus luteum at very early development. Currently, we only have a limited understanding of the mechanism for the recruitment of the ovarian eosinophils. Eotaxin (CCL11) may be one of the chemoattractants involved in stimulating eosinophils to migrate selectively into ovary. As a prerequisite for the analysis of eotaxin expression in the bovine ovary, we determined the complete bovine eotaxin mRNA sequence since it was not available from databases. The bovine eotaxin is the first member of the monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)/eotaxin subfamily with two mRNA isoforms varying in length in the untranslated 3'-untranslated region. The unusual amino-acid sequence of bovine eotaxin contains structural features that are so far known to be characteristic for MCP, but not eotaxin. In our microchemotaxis assays, recombinant bovine eotaxin showed a functional pattern orthologous to known eotaxins. Thus, the chimeric structure of bovine eotaxin did not affect the favoured chemotactic activity on eosinophils. Semiquantitative RT-PCR was used to investigate the expression of eotaxin in different regions of the bovine ovary. We only detected faint eotaxin mRNA signals that did not indicate physiological significance even in stimulated granulosa cell cultures, follicle-derived macrophages or fibroblasts. Taken together, bovine eotaxin attracts eosinophils in vitro but is not responsible for eosinophilia in the ovary. Its unusual chimeric structure confirms the unity of the MCP/eotaxin subfamily of CC chemokines and distinguishes it from other CC chemokine subfamilies.


Subject(s)
Cattle/immunology , Chemokines, CC/immunology , Chemotactic Factors, Eosinophil/immunology , Eosinophils/immunology , 3' Untranslated Regions , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Base Sequence , Cattle/genetics , Cattle Diseases/etiology , Cattle Diseases/immunology , Chemokine CCL11 , Chemokines, CC/genetics , Chemotactic Factors, Eosinophil/genetics , Chemotaxis, Leukocyte , Cloning, Molecular , DNA, Complementary/genetics , Eosinophilia/etiology , Eosinophilia/immunology , Eosinophilia/veterinary , Female , In Vitro Techniques , Molecular Sequence Data , Ovarian Diseases/etiology , Ovarian Diseases/immunology , Ovarian Diseases/veterinary , Ovary/immunology , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
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