Most plant species are colonized by endophytic bacteria. Despite their importance for plant health and growth, the response of these bacteria to grassland management regimes is still not understood. ...Hence, we investigated the bacterial community structure in three agricultural important grass species Dactylis glomerata L., Festuca rubra L. and Lolium perenne L. with regard to fertilizer application and different mowing frequencies. For this purpose, above‐ground plant material was collected from the Grassland Management Experiment (GrassMan) in Germany in September 2010 and 2011. DNA was extracted from surface‐sterilized plant tissue and subjected to 16S rRNA gene PCRs. Endophytic community structures were assessed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)‐based analysis of obtained PCR products. DGGE fingerprints revealed that fertilizer application significantly altered the endophytic communities in L. perenne and F. rubra but not in D. glomerata. Although no direct effect of mowing was observed, mowing frequencies in combination with fertilizer application had a significant impact on endophyte bacterial community structures. However, this effect was not observed for all three grass species in both years. Therefore, our results showed that management regimes changed the bacterial endophyte communities, but this effect was plant‐specific and varied over time. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Endophytic bacteria play an important role in plant health and growth. However, studies addressing the influence of grassland management regimes on these bacteria in above‐ground plant parts are still missing. In this study, we present first evidence that fertilizer application significantly impacted bacterial community structures in three agricultural important grass species, whereas mowing had only a minor effect. Moreover, this effect was plant‐specific and thus not visible for all grass species in each year. Consequently, this study sheds new light into the complex interaction of microbes and plants.
Summary
Decreased blood dendritic cell precursors (DCP) count is linked with atherosclerotic disease, while reduction of circulating DCP is also seen in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). As ...poor vitamin D status could be linked to a compromised innate immune response, we hypothesized that vitamin D status might be involved in the decrease in circulating DCP in CKD. Moreover, the potential role of inflammation was considered. Circulating myeloid (mDCP), plasmacytoid (pDCP) and total DCP (tDCP) were analysed using flow cytometry in 287 patients with CKD stage 3. Serum 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D levels were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐10 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α using cytometric bead array, C‐reactive protein (CRP) using a high‐sensitivity (hs) ELISA. Contrary to our hypothesis, there was no association between vitamin D levels and DCP, although their number was decreased significantly in CKD (P < 0·001). Instead, mDCP (r = −0·211) and tDCP (r = −0·188,) were associated slightly negatively with hsCRP but positively with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, r = 0·314 for tDCP). According to multivariate linear regression, only higher hsCRP concentration and the presence of diabetes mellitus had a significant negative influence on DCP count (P < 0·03, respectively) but not vitamin D, age and eGFR. A significant impact of vitamin D on the reduction of circulating DCP in CKD 3 patients can be neglected. Instead, inflammation as a common phenomenon in CKD and diabetes mellitus had the main influence on the decrease in DCP. Thus, a potential role for DCP as a sensitive marker of inflammation and cardiovascular risk should be elucidated in future studies.
A significant decrease in dendritic cell precursors (DCP) in peripheral blood is observed in chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3. Poor vitamin D status, which is common in CKD was hypothesized to be the cause of DCP reduction. However, neither vitamin D status nor vitamin D medication were significant effectors on the DCP count in CKD stage 3 patients. Instead, a significant negative influence of inflammation, namely of high sensitive CRP and of diabetes mellitus on circulating DCP could be demonstrated.
Abstract
Introduction
A very high morbidity and mortality is associated with cardiogenic shock due to left ventricular failure despite encouraging developments in interventional cardiology. Patients ...suffering from cardiogenic shock often require temporary mechanical circulatory support to stabilize organ perfusion. In addition, an increasing number of patients with complex multi-vessel diseases cannot undergo surgical myocardial revascularization as recommended by recent guidelines due to their comorbidities. Those patients could benefit from a protected PCI approach using a temporary mechanical assist device. The available LVAD systems have specific advantages and disadvantages.
Purpose
It was our aim to develop a percutaneous, pulsatile assist device that unloads the left ventricle in a physiologic way.
Methods
The PERKAT-LV (“PERkutane KATheterpumptechnologie”) device consists of a self-expanding nitinol pump chamber which is covered by foils. Those foils carry multiple outflow valves at the proximal part of the pump chamber. A flexible suction tube with a pigtail-shaped tip and inflow holes are attached to its distal part. The system is designed for 16F percutaneous implantation via the femoral artery. Pulling back the outer sheath unfolds the nitinol chamber in the descending aorta while the flexible suction tube bypasses the aortic arch and ascending aorta with its tip in the left ventricle. In the second implantation step, a standard IABP balloon is placed into the pumping chamber and is connected to an external IABP console. Balloon deflation generates a blood flow from the left ventricle into PERKAT LV. During balloon inflation, blood leaves the system through the outflow foil valves in the descending aorta. Positioning and schematic drawing of PERKAT-LV is demonstrated in Figure 1.
Results
Preliminary in-vitro studies using a prototype of the PERKAT LV device were performed. It was tested in different afterload settings (0, 40, 80 and 120 mmHg) using a standard 30 ccl IABP balloon and varying inflation/deflations rates (70, 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120/min). We detected flow rates ranging from 2.0 to 3.0 L/min depending on the afterload setting and inflation/deflation rate.
Conclusion
The novel percutaneously implantable and pulsatile working PERKAT-LV device offers left ventricular unloading and circulatory support of up to 3.0 L/min in a first feasibility study. At the moment, the system is extensively studied under in vitro conditions. First in vivo evaluation will follow in the near future.
Based on the current results, we believe that the system is a promising novel approach for percutaneous application of temporary left ventricular mechanical support.
Figure 1
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): German Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Abstract
Background
Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is a relatively novel treatment option for calcified lesions in peripheral artery disease. Little is known about the mid to long-term functional ...status of the patients and target lesion revascularization rate (TLR) after IVL only procedure.
Purpose
To evaluate the course of ankle-brachial-index (ABI) and to assess the rate of revascularization 1 year after intravascular lithotripsy performed on calcified peripheral lesions.
Methods
Between December 2018 and January 2021 IVL was performed on 61 limbs of 51 patients presenting with Rutherford classes 2–5. Ankle-brachial-index (ABI) was documented before the procedure as well as 1 day, 6 months and 1 year after the procedure within a single center real-life registry. Further endpoint was revascularization with PTA or peripheral bypass surgery. The vast majority of cases were done as IVL only procedure (58%) All procedures were done in upper leg/pelvic stenosis.
Results
ABI measurement after 12 months was done in 42 of 51 patients (82%). Three pts were missed due to media sclerosis. Due to loss of follow-up, ABI after 6 months could not be performed on 4/61 patients (7,8%) and 12-month-ABI in another 8/51 cases (15,6%). Initial baseline ABI of 0.6±0.26 before the procedure increased to 0.8±0.25 (p<0.0001) one day afterward. After 6 months, the ABI of 0.8±0.27 (n=49; p<0.0001) was still significantly improved compared to baseline. After 1 year, ABI with 0.7±0.22 was still improved, however not significantly different from baseline (Figure 1). Target lesion revascularization was needed in 7 patients (13%), 4 with subsequent IVL, 3 with PTA and 2 with peripheral bypass surgery.
Conclusions
In our large single center registry, IVL performed mainly as a stand-alone procedure was safe and effective even after a mid-term follow up. TLR was necessary in 13%, which is lower than in previous published IVL data (20,7% as in DISRUPT-PAD-II) 1. ABI after 12 months improved but did maintain statistical significance, compared with other procedure like scoring balloon 2.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Abstract
Objective
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality with increasing need for interventional therapies. Vascular calcification increases risk of ...complications and may impair the effect of antiproliferative therapy. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) using pulsatile sonic pressure waves to modify intimal and medial calcium is a promising approach for those patients to overcome the drawbacks of vascular calcification.
Purpose
A single-center, prospective registry of patients undergoing peripheral lithotripsy was established. Periprocedural safety events as well as short and long term follow-up clinical data were evaluated.
Methods
A prospective review of cases using IVL was performed for the period from December 2018 to January 2021 at our center. Angiographic images were quantified by using the QVA 8.0 module, Medis Suite Version 3.2.60.4 developed by Medis Imaging Systems.
Results
61 cases of IVL were performed in 51 patients with Rutherford class 3. Mean age was 71 years with 78% (28) of the patients being men. Diabetes was present in 80% and renal insufficiency in 47% of the cases. The median calcified lesion length treated was 82 mm (10; 390 mm) with a PACCS sore of 3 (1; 3), indicating a highly calcified status. In 41% (n=25), predilation was necessary. We treated 8 iliac-, 19 common femoral-, 52 superficial femoral-, 5 deep femoral-, 29 popliteal- and 2 crural- lesions with balloon sizes ranging from 4.0 to 7.0 mm. In 35 (57%) cases IVL was used as a stand-alone therapy, in the remaining 26 an adjunctive therapy (DCB and/or stent) was used. We were able to reach an acute luminal gain of 2.5 mm. A ballon rupture occurred in 6 (10%) cases. There were no other complications. Mean ABI improved from 0.6 to 0.8 (p<0.0001) immediate after the intervention. Follow-up after 6 months again demonstrated an improved ABI of 0.8 (p<0.0001 vs. baseline).
Conclusion
This first real-world data of IVL reports compelling safety of IVL in a complex, difficult-to-treat patient cohort. For the first time, clinical follow-up data were presented and demonstrated a sustained improved ABI after 6 months. This innovative approach will gain more interest in the future, especially since long term effects of paclitaxel eluting devices are controversially discussed.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. ABI initial follow-up
We use 1,2-diacetylbenzene (1,2-DAB) to probe molecular mechanisms of proximal giant neurofilamentous axonopathy (PGNA), a pathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The spinal cord ...proteome of rodents displaying 1,2-DAB PGNA suggests a reduction in the abundance of α-II spectrin (Spna2), a key protein in the maintenance of axonal integrity. Protein immunoblotting indicates that this reduction is due to Spna2 degradation. We investigated the importance of such degradation in 1,2-DAB PGNA. Spna2 mutant mice lacking a calpain- and/or caspase-sensitive domain (CSD), thus hypothetically resistant to 1,2-DAB, and wild-type littermates, were treated with 1,2-DAB, 35 mg/kg/day, or saline control, for 3 weeks. 1,2-DAB induced motor weakness and PGNA, irrespective of the genotype. Spna2–calpain breakdown products were not detected in mutant mice, which displayed a normal structure of the nervous system under saline treatment. Intriguingly, treatment with 1,2-DAB reduced the abundance of the caspase-specific 120-kDa Spna2 breakdown products. Our findings indicate that degradation of Spna2 by calpain- and/or caspase is not central to the pathogenesis of 1,2-DAB axonopathy. In addition, the Spna2-CSD seems to be not required for the maintenance of the cytoskeleton integrity. Our conceptual framework offers opportunities to study the role of calpain–caspase cross talk, including that of the protease degradomics, in models of axonal degeneration.
Glial cells have long been viewed as a passive framework for neurons but in the meanwhile were shown to play a much more active role in brain function and development. Several reviews have described ...the function of glia in the insect embryo. The focus of this review is the role of glial cells in the development and function of the normal and diseased adult brain. In different insect species, a considerable variety of central nervous system glia has been described indicating adaptation to different functional requirements. In the development of the adult visual and olfactory system, glial cells guide incoming axons acting as intermediate targets. Glia are part of the insect blood-brain barrier, provide nourishment for neurons, and help to regulate the extracellular concentration of ions and neurotransmitters. To fulfill these tasks insect glial cells, like vertebrate glia, interact with each other and with neurons, thus influencing neural activity. The examples presented suggest that crosstalk between all brain cells is necessary not only to develop and maintain the complex insect brain but also to endow it with the capacity to respond and adapt to the changing environment.
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