Entzündungsreaktion der Nasenschleimhaut nach beruflicher Exposition gegenüber organischen Stäuben bei Landwirten

Landwirte sind durch ihr Arbeitsumfeld einer erhöhten Konzentration von organischem Staub, insbesondere Endotoxinen im Stall, bei erhöhtem Lungenminutenvolumen durch körperliche Arbeit ausgesetzt. Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung war es, unter Berücksichtigung der Endotoxinkonzentrationen das broncho-pulmonale System auf Entzündungsreaktionen zu untersuchen. Insbesondere war hier die nasale Lavage von Interesse, da hierbei durch eine nicht-invasive Untersuchungstechnik Rückschlüsse auf den Zustand des Respirationstraktes gezogen werden können. Zum Vergleich und um Aussagen über systemische Entzündungsreaktionen zu erhalten, wurden ausgewählte Entzündungsparameter im peripheren, venösen Blut quantitativ bestimmt. Die Untersuchung erfolgte an zwei Kollektiven gesunder Probanden. Es wurden 21 Landwirte mit 24 nicht beruflich exponierten Personen verglichen und das Auftreten von respiratorischen und allergischen Symptomen nach Exposition erfasst. Des Weiteren wurden eine Lungenfunktionsuntersuchung, eine Blutabnahme und eine Nasallavage zur Evaluierung der häufigsten Blut- und Entzündungsparameter durchgeführt. Im Plasma wurden die proinflammatorischen Zytokine TNF-, IL-6 und ENA-78 bestimmt. Zusätzlich wurde Endotoxin personenbezogen gemessen sowie die Kohlendioxid- und Ammoniakkonzentrationen im Stall ortsfest bestimmt. Temperatur, Luftfeuchtigkeit und Windgeschwindigkeit im Stall wurden vor Ort am Expositionstag ermittelt. Die gemessenen Endotoxin Konzentrationen lagen im Bereich von 0,9 EU/m3 bis 20816,3 EU/m3. Die Lungenfunktionswerte zeigten eine signifikante Erhöhung über die Stallarbeit. VCinsp (vor Expo: 107,7 ± 3,7 %; nach Expo: 112,4 ± 3,7 %; pw=0,039), FEV1 (vor Expo:111,2 ± 4,0 %; nach Expo: 114,6 ± 3,8 %; pw=0,042), und MEF50 (vor Expo: 82,0 ± 7,5 %; nach Expo: 88,1 ± 6,2 %; pw=0,044) stiegen signifikant an. Die Analyse des Differentialblutbildes zeigte das Bild einer Entzündungsreaktion nach Exposition. Es erhöhte sich signifikant der Anteil der neutrophilen Granulozyten an den Leukozyten (vor Expo: 52,7 ± 1,6 %; nach Expo: 62,9 ± 1,6 %; pw=0,003). Lymphozyten fielen von 35 ± 1,56 % auf 27,5 ± 1,3 % ab (pw=0,003), eosinophile Granulozyten fielen von 3,5 ± 0,4 % auf 7,3 ± 0,3 % (pw=0,013), Monozyten von 8,4 ± 0,5 % auf 7,3 ± 0,3 % (pw=0,012), CRP von 0,2 ± 0,04 mg/dl auf 0,15 ± 0,04 mg/dl (pw=0,011). Auch in der Kontrollgruppe kam es zu einer ähnlichen, ebenfalls signifikanten Veränderung, diese war jedoch geringer ausgeprägt. Für die Zytokine im Serum zeigte sich keine statistisch signifikante Veränderung über die Exposition. Jedoch ergab sich ein positiver Zusammenhang zwischen der IL-6 Konzentration im Serum und der Höhe der Endotoxinbelastung im Stall. Dieser Zusammenhang war allerdings nicht statistisch signifikant (p=0,056). Bei Betrachtung der Zelldifferenzierung der Nasallavage konnte ein geringer, aber signifikanter Abfall der Anteile der neutrophilen Granulozyten (vor Expo: 88 ± 5,7 %; nach Expo: 77 ± 8,7 %; pw=0,047) festgestellt werden. Außerdem ergab sich ein hochsignifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen der Höhe der Endotoxinkonzentration und der nasalen Makrophagen (psp=0,0001), sowie der nasalen Epithelzellen (psp=0,022). Im Hinblick auf unsere Anfangs gewählte Fragestellung deutet unser Ergebnis an, dass eine Exposition gegenüber organischem Staub, insbesondere Endotoxin, zu einer Neutrophilie im Serum führen kann und bei hohen inhalierten Endotoxinkonzentrationen auch vermehrt Makrophagen in der Nasenschleimhaut rekrutiert werden. Da sowohl die Lungenfunktionsparameter, als auch die systemischen (Serum) und lokalen (Nasallavage) Entzündungszeichen das Bild einer Entzündungsreaktion zeigen, kann davon ausgegangen werden, dass die Lungenfunktion, sowie die systemischen und lokalen Messmethoden über ausreichende Sensitivität verfügen, um in diesem Studiendesign Entzündungsreaktionen nachzuweisen. Die Nasallavage konnte im Feldversuch als eine objektive, kostengünstige, schnelle und gut tolerable Messmethode zur Darstellung von nasalen Entzündungsreaktionen etabliert werden

Impact of the indexed effective orifice area on mid-term cardiac-related mortality after aortic valve replacement

Background There has been ongoing controversy as to whether prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM, defined as indexed effective orifice area (EOAI) <0.85 m(2)/cm(2)) influences mortality after aortic valve replacement (AVR). In most studies, PPM is anticipated by reference tables based on mean EOAs as opposed to individual assessment. These reference values may not reflect the actual in vivo EOAI and hence, the presence or absence of PPM may be based on false assumptions. Objective To assess the impact of small prosthesis EOA on survival after aortic valve replacement AVR. Methods 645 patients had undergone an AVR between 2000 and 2007 entered the study. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography for determination of the actual EOAI within 6 months postoperatively. In order to predict time from surgery to death a proportional hazards model for competing risks (cardiac death vs death from other causes) was used. EOAI was entered as a continuous variable. Results PPM occurred in 40% of the patients. After a median follow-up of 2.35 years, 92.1% of the patients were alive. The final Cox regression model showed a significantly increased risk for cardiac death among patients with a smaller EOAI (HR=0.32, p=0.022). The effect of EOAI on the 2-5 year mortality risk was demonstrated by risk plots. Conclusions In contrast to previous studies these EOAI values were obtained through postoperative echocardiography, substantially improving the accuracy of measurement, and the EOAI was modelled as a continuous variable. There was a significantly improved survival for larger EOAIs following AVR. Strategies to avoid PPM should become paramount during AVR

Tomato root transcriptome response to a nitrogen-enriched soil patch

Background: Nitrogen (N), the primary limiting factor for plant growth and yield in agriculture, has a patchy distribution in soils due to fertilizer application or decomposing organic matter. Studies in solution culture oversimplify the complex soil environment where microbial competition and spatial and temporal heterogeneity challenge roots\u27 ability to acquire adequate amounts of nutrients required for plant growth. In this study, various ammonium treatments (as 15N) were applied to a discrete volume of soil containing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) roots to simulate encounters with a localized enriched patch of soil. Transcriptome analysis was used to identify genes differentially expressed in roots 53 hrs after treatment. Results: The ammonium treatments resulted in significantly higher concentrations of both ammonium and nitrate in the patch soil. The plant roots and shoots exhibited increased levels of 15N over time, indicating a sustained response to the enriched environment. Root transcriptome analysis identified 585 genes differentially regulated 53 hrs after the treatments. Nitrogen metabolism and cell growth genes were induced by the high ammonium (65 μg NH4 +-N g-1 soil), while stress response genes were repressed. The complex regulation of specific transporters following the ammonium pulse reflects a simultaneous and synergistic response to rapidly changing concentrations of both forms of inorganic N in the soil patch. Transcriptional analysis of the phosphate transporters demonstrates cross-talk between N and phosphate uptake pathways and suggests that roots increase phosphate uptake via the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in response to N. Conclusion: This work enhances our understanding of root function by providing a snapshot of the response of the tomato root transcriptome to a pulse of ammonium in a complex soil environment. This response includes an important role for the mycorrhizal symbiosis in the utilization of an N patch. Additional files attached below

Neurologic sequelae of the donor arm after endoscopic versus conventional radial artery harvesting

ObjectiveEndoscopic radial artery harvesting remarkably improves cosmetic results after coronary artery bypass surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate neurologic sequelae of the donor arm compared with those occurring after the conventional harvesting technique.MethodsFifty-three patients who had undergone endoscopic radial artery harvesting were followed up 1 year after the coronary artery bypass operation by means of questionnaire analysis and clinical neurologic investigation (ENDO group). Fifty-three patients who had conventional radial artery harvesting during the same time frame served as control subjects (OPEN group).ResultsPostoperative wound revision was required in 4 patients of the OPEN group (P = .045 vs the ENDO group). Neurologic symptoms of the donor arm were present in 22 (OPEN group) versus 34 (ENDO group) patients (P = .020): a lesion of the superficial radial nerve was shown in 12 (OPEN group) versus 24 (ENDO) patients (P = .014), and a lesion of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve occurred only in the control group in 12 patients (P < .001). Paraesthesia without impaired sensibility was present in 3 (OPEN group) versus 10 (ENDO group) patients (P = .038). Clinical investigation revealed that temperature, pain, and touch sensation, as well as spatial discrimination, were equally impaired in symptomatic patients, whereas vibration sensation was not affected.ConclusionAfter endoscopic radial artery harvesting, impaired sensibility in the region of the superficial radial nerve and paresthesia are more frequent than after the open procedure. However, in contrast to the sequelae of the open procedure, wound revision and injury of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve did not occur. Because of the excellent cosmetic results and avoidance of wound complications, we have opted to use endoscopic radial artery harvesting as the technique of choice, despite the higher incidence of sensory disturbances

Dynamical heterogeneity in aging colloidal glasses of Laponite

Glasses behave as solids due to their long relaxation time; however the origin of this slow response remains a puzzle. Growing dynamic length scales due to cooperative motion of particles are believed to be central to the understanding of both the slow dynamics and the emergence of rigidity. Here, we provide experimental evidence of a growing dynamical heterogeneity length scale that increases with increasing waiting time in an aging colloidal glass of Laponite. The signature of heterogeneity in the dynamics follows from dynamic light scattering measurements in which we study both the rotational and translational diffusion of the disk-shaped particles of Laponite in suspension. These measurements are accompanied by simultaneous microrheology and macroscopic rheology experiments. We find that rotational diffusion of particles slows down at a faster rate than their translational motion. Such decoupling of translational and orientational degrees of freedom finds its origin in the dynamic heterogeneity since rotation and translation probe different length scales in the sample. The macroscopic rheology experiments show that the low frequency shear viscosity increases at a much faster rate than both rotational and translational diffusive relaxation times.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, Accepted in Soft Matter 201

Patency rates of endoscopically harvested radial arteries one year after coronary artery bypass grafting

ObjectivesTo improve patients’ acceptance of the radial artery as a graft for coronary revascularization, we introduced an endoscopic harvesting technique. The aim of this study was to assess graft quality 1 year after the operation.MethodsIn 50 patients who underwent endoscopic radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting, 64-slice computed tomography, electrocardiography, and echocardiography were utilized to assess graft patency and left ventricle function at a 1-year follow-up. In addition, the influencing factors of radial artery graft patency were evaluated. Radial artery patency was compared with a control group from our database.ResultsAny patency of endoscopically harvested radial artery grafts was 78% (39/50) and perfect patency was 72% (36/50) 1 year after coronary revascularization. The implanting surgeon and graft harvester, patient factors, graft properties, medication, and target territory did not influence the patency rates of the radial artery graft. The only significant and strong parameter to predict perfect graft patency was the severity of the target vessel stenosis (P < .001). In patients with a target vessel stenosis of 90% or greater, radial artery graft patency was 90.3% (28/31). Patency rates of endoscopically (72%) and conventionally (74%) harvested radial arteries were not different (P = .822).ConclusionsPatency rates 1 year after endoscopic radial artery harvesting are comparable to the open technique. On the basis of our results, we attempt to use the radial artery as a bypass graft only for target coronary arteries with 90% or greater stenosis. We recommend endoscopic harvesting as the technique of choice to harvest the radial artery

The Effects of Temperature on Clot Microstructure and Strength in Healthy Volunteers

BACKGROUND: Anesthesia, critical illness, and trauma are known to alter thermoregulation, which can potentially affect coagulation and clinical outcome. This in vitro preclinical study explores the relationship between temperature change and hemostasis using a recently validated viscoelastic technique. We hypothesize that temperature change will cause significant alterations in the microstructural properties of clot. METHODS: We used a novel viscoelastic technique to identify the gel point of the blood. The gel point identifies the transition of the blood from a viscoelastic liquid to a viscoelastic solid state. Furthermore, identification of the gel point provides 3 related biomarkers: the elastic modulus at the gel point, which is a measure of clot elasticity; the time to the gel point (TGP), which is a measure of the time required to form the clot; and the fractal dimension of the clot at the gel point, df, which quantifies the microstructure of the clot. The gel point measurements were performed in vitro on whole blood samples from 136 healthy volunteers over a temperature range of 27°C to 43°C. RESULTS: There was a significant negative correlation between increases in temperature, from 27°C to 43°C, and TGP (r = −0.641, P 37°C. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the gel point technique can identify alterations in clot microstructure because of changes in temperature. This was demonstrated in slower-forming clots with less structural complexity as temperature is decreased. We also found that significant changes in clot microstructure occurred when the temperature was ≤32°C