S100A9 is indispensable for survival of pneumococcal pneumonia in mice.

S100A8/A9 has important immunomodulatory roles in antibacterial defense, but its relevance in focal pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is understudied. We show that S100A9 was significantly increased in BAL fluids of patients with bacterial but not viral pneumonia and correlated with procalcitonin and sequential organ failure assessment scores.

Realignment of the ventricular septum in tetralogy of Fallot using (partial) direct closure of the ventricular septal defect: Long-term follow-up and comparison to conventional patch repair.

Objectives: Aortic dilatation and regurgitation after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is known, and beside other factors, mainly addressed to an intrinsic aortopathy. In 2011, we reported the influence of realingement of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) by (partial) direct closure of the ventricular septal defect (VSD) in TOF on aortic structures and function. We now evaluated the further follow-up of this cohort and compared the results to a matched group of TOF patients with classical VSD patch closure.

Children and Adolescents' Behavioral Patterns in Response to Escalating COVID-19 Restriction Reveal Sex and Age Differences.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic affects students in a myriad of different ways. Our prospective, longitudinal study in a cohort of students in Hannover, Germany explores behavioral patterns during escalating COVID-19 restrictions.

Methods: In total, 777 students between the age of 9 and 20 were assessed for their activity engagement, travel patterns, and self-assessed compliance with protective recommendations at six time points between June 2020 and June 2021 (3,564 observations) and were monitored for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection by nasal swab polymerase chain reaction and serum antibody titers.

Activation of GSK3 Prevents Termination of TNF-Induced Signaling.

Background: Termination of TNF-induced signaling plays a key role in the resolution of inflammation with dysregulations leading to severe pathophysiological conditions (sepsis, chronic inflammatory disease, cancer). Since a recent phospho-proteome analysis in human monocytes suggested GSK3 as a relevant kinase during signal termination, we aimed at further elucidating its role in this context.

Materials And Methods: For the analyses, THP-1 monocytic cells and primary human monocytes were used.

Advanced Imaging and New Cardiac Biomarkers in Long-term Follow-up After Childhood Cancer.

Objectives: Pathologic ejection fraction (EF), shortening fraction (FS), and standard heart failure biomarkers (high sensitive troponin T and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide) during follow-up after childhood cancer have been associated with irreversible cardiac damage. We aimed to evaluate strain imaging values by echocardiography and new biomarkers for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) as potential more sensitive parameters for cardiac deterioration in childhood cancer survivors (CCS).

Materials And Methods: Prospective study with 50 CCS (median 16.

Correction to: Time‑trend population analysis of the clinical and epidemiologic effect on pediatric infective endocarditis after change of antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. In the author list, the first and last names were tagged incorrectly. The corrected author list is given above.

Time-trend population analysis of the clinical and epidemiologic effect on pediatric infective endocarditis after change of antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines.

Purpose: In 2007, antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) guidelines for infective endocarditis (IE) changed, but the possible influence on the annual incidences of pediatric IE is unclear.

Methods: We studied the clinical and epidemiologic impact of AP change by comparing two time periods before and after change of AP guidelines in a tertiary care center as referral center for a total population of more than 4,500,000 inhabitants.

Results: After change of AP guidelines, twenty-five patients were diagnosed for IE at a median age of 6.

Single Ventricle Physiology Patients and Coagulation Abnormalities: Is There a Relationship With Hemodynamic Data and Postoperative Course? A Pilot Study.

This study evaluates coagulation profiles of single ventricle (SV) patients in relationship to liver function, hemodynamic variables and outcome. Twenty-six children with SV anatomy were included. Advanced coagulation profiles, invasive preoperative hemodynamic parameters and clinical course were retrospectively analyzed.

Implementing LOINC - Current Status and Ongoing Work at a Medical University.

The Logical Observation Identifiers, Names and Codes (LOINC) is a common terminology used for standardizing laboratory terms. Within the consortium of the HiGHmed project, LOINC is one of the central terminologies used for health data sharing across all university sites. Therefore, linking the LOINC codes to the site-specific tests and measures is one crucial step to reach this goal.

Ductus arteriosus-associated infective endarteritis: Lessons from the past, future perspective.

Background: Since routine clinical use of antibiotics as well as surgical and catheter-based closure of a patent arterial duct (PDA), PDA-associated infective endarteritis (PDA-IE) is rare but can still occur when the ductus is still open or as it closes. Thus, clinicians should maintain a high index of concern for patients with unexplained fever.

Methods: We report on a PDA-IE in a young infant shortly after potentially delayed obliteration of a PDA.

Implementing LOINC: Current Status and Ongoing Work at the Hannover Medical School.

The Logical Observation Identifiers, Names and Codes (LOINC) is a common terminology used for standardizing laboratory terms. Within the HiGHmed consortium, LOINC is used as a central terminology for health data sharing across all university hospital sites. Therefore, linking the LOINC codes to the site-specific tests and measures is one crucial step to reach this goal.

Proteome and Phosphoproteome Analysis in TNF Long Term-Exposed Primary Human Monocytes.

To better understand the inflammation-associated mechanisms modulating and terminating tumor necrosis factor (TNF-)induced signal transduction and the development of TNF tolerance, we analyzed both the proteome and the phosphoproteome in TNF long term-incubated (i.e., 48 h) primary human monocytes using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A restrictive ventilatory pattern is common in patients with univentricular heart after Fontan palliation and associated with a reduced exercise capacity and quality of life.

Aim: The Fontan circulation is highly dependent on ventilation, improving pulmonary blood flow and cardiac output. A reduced ventilatory function is reported in these patients. The extent of this impairment and its relation to exercise capacity and quality of life is unknown and objective of this study.

Risk factor analysis for a complicated postoperative course after neonatal arterial switch operation: The role of troponin T.

Objective: To find risk factors for a complicated early postoperative course after arterial switch operation (ASO) in neonates with d-transposition of the great arteries (dTGA). In addition to anatomical and surgical parameters, the predictive value of early postoperative troponin T (TnT) values in correlation to the early postoperative course after ASO is analyzed.

Methods: Seventy-nine neonates (57 (72%) male) with simple dTGA treated by ASO between 2009 and 2016 were included in the analysis.

Aortopulmonary collaterals in neonates with d-transposition of the great arteries - Clinical significance early after arterial switch operation.

Objectives: Purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical significance of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs) during the early postoperative course after arterial switch operation (ASO) in d-transposition of the great arteries (dTGA).

Methods: Clinical data of 98 patients with simple dTGA between January 2007 and December 2016 at the University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: 37 from 98 patients (38%) required cardiac catheterization (CC) due to an early complicated postoperative course or difficult coronary transfer due to special coronary anatomy.

Prognostic value of troponin in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome between Stage I and II of palliation.

Background: The period between stage I and II procedure for treatment of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) bears high mortality and morbidity.

Methods: We sought to analyze the prognostic value of Troponin T/I (Trop), a well-recognized marker for myocardial damage and heart failure, for predicting outcome in a retrospective analysis of 70 infants with HLHS at our institution between March 2001 and October 2014.

Results: Stage I procedure consisted of Norwood I operation in 35 (50%) and Hybrid-approach in 22 (31%) patients.

TNF Tolerance in Monocytes and Macrophages: Characteristics and Molecular Mechanisms.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) tolerance in monocytes and macrophages means that preexposure to TNF reduces the sensitivity in these cells to a subsequent restimulation with this cytokine. Differential effects arise following preincubation with both low and high doses of TNF resulting in absolute as well as induction tolerance affecting specific immunologically relevant gene sets. In this review article, we summarize the relevance of TNF tolerance and the molecular mechanisms underlying these forms of tolerance including the role of transcription factors and signaling systems.

TNF phase III signalling in tolerant cells is tightly controlled by A20 and CYLD.

Following the acute phase of an inflammatory reaction, a strictly controlled resolution of inflammation is necessary. A dysregulation of this process leads to hyperinflammation, chronic inflammatory disease, or immune paralysis. Different mechanisms participate in the coordinated termination of the inflammatory process, e.

Closure of coronary artery fistula in childhood: treatment techniques and long-term follow-up.

Introduction: Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is a rare congenital anomalous connection between the coronary arteries (CA) and a cardiac chamber or great vessel. Treatment options of symptomatic CAF consist of transcatheter or surgical closure.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of all patients with CAF diagnosed between 1993 and 2014 concerning treatment approaches and follow-up after closure.

The DenA/DEN1 Interacting Phosphatase DipA Controls Septa Positioning and Phosphorylation-Dependent Stability of Cytoplasmatic DenA/DEN1 during Fungal Development.

DenA/DEN1 and the COP9 signalosome (CSN) represent two deneddylases which remove the ubiquitin-like Nedd8 from modified target proteins and are required for distinct fungal developmental programmes. The cellular DenA/DEN1 population is divided into a nuclear and a cytoplasmatic subpopulation which is especially enriched at septa. DenA/DEN1 stability control mechanisms are different for the two cellular subpopulations and depend on different physical interacting proteins and the C-terminal DenA/DEN1 phosphorylation pattern.

Impulse Oscillometry as a Predictor of Asthma Exacerbations in Young Children.

Background: In a post-hoc analysis of a pediatric asthma study, we identified the predictors of asthma exacerbations (AEs) and related them to forced expiratory volume (FEV1), the FEV1/FVC ratio, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR).

Objectives: We sought to detect predictors of AEs in a prospective study that utilizes impulse oscillometry (IOS) and to compare the results to previously determined predictors.

Methods: A moderate AE was defined as an increased use of salbutamol during coughing episodes.

C/EBPβ-LAP*/LAP Expression Is Mediated by RSK/eIF4B-Dependent Signalling and Boosted by Increased Protein Stability in Models of Monocytic Differentiation.

The transcription factor C/EBPβ plays a key role in monocytic differentiation and inflammation. Its small isoform LIP is associated with proliferation at early premonocytic developmental stages and regulated via mTOR-dependent signalling. During later stages of (pre)monocytic differentiation there is a considerable increase in the large C/EBPβ isoforms LAP*/LAP which inhibit proliferation thus supporting terminal differentiation.