Effect of using different component combinations for orthodontic bracket bonding with self-etch primers.

PURPOSE: To evaluate bonding quality for orthodontic bracket bonding with different component combinations of self-etch primers in vitro. METHODS: Metallic brackets were bonded to bovine lower incisors and assigned to groups. Group 1: comparison of self-etch (Transbond™ Plus, 3M™ Unitek, Neuss, Germany, n = 30; BrackFix® primer SE, VOCO®, Cuxhaven, Germany, n = 20) and etch-and-rinse bonding systems (Transbond™ XT, n = 20; BrackFix®, n = 20); group 2: comparison of different self-etch primer (Transbond™ Plus; BrackFix® primer SE) and adhesive (Transbond™ XT, n = 20; BrackFix®, n = 20) product combinations; group 3: testing cyclic fatigue bond strength of self-etch bonding systems (Transbond™ Plus, n = 20; BrackFix® primer SE, n = 20). All teeth were tested for shear bond strength according to the DIN-13990 standard, the adhesive remnant index (ARI) and enamel fractures were determined microscopically (10 נmagnification). RESULTS: The mean shear bond strength of the self-etch (Transbond™ Plus: 16.38 ± 3.68 MPa; BrackFix® primer SE: 16.24 ± 1.73 MPa) and etch-and-rinse bonding systems (Transbond™ XT: 18.45 ± 2.56 MPa; BrackFix®: 17 ± 5.2 MPa) were of a clinically adequate order of magnitude (≥ 6-10 MPa) and were not statistically different. The component combination BrackFix® primer SE/Transbond™ XT adhesive led to a significantly lower shear bond strength (11.99 ± 3.68 MPa). There were no significant differences between static and fatigue shear bond strengths of self-etch bonding systems. Mean ARI scores mostly ranged between 4 and 5. The combination of the self-etch primer Transbond™ Plus with the BrackFix® adhesive led to a significantly increased enamel fracture rate. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the present findings bond strength of self-etch primers was equal to etch-and-rinse primers for bracket bonding. Combining different self-etch bonding systems might alter the clinical performance.

The WHO High 5s project: medication reconciliation in a German university hospital. A prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Ensuring medication accuracy during transitions in care is one of the five highly prevalent patient safety problems focused on within the World Health Organization High 5s Project. Medication reconciliation is a standardized patient care process that can be used to address this problem. The aim of the current study is to implement medication reconciliation in a German university hospital. METHODS: The study was conducted at the Emergency Department of the University Hospital Aachen, Germany. All discrepancies between the Best Possible Medication History and the Admission Medication Order were documented and classified as documentation errors or medication errors. The type of error was also recorded. A negative binomial regression model was used to test several factors influencing the number of discrepancies. RESULTS: The medications of 105 patients were reconciled. The mean number of discrepancies per patient was 4.6± 3.6, with a total of 298 medication errors and 189 documentation errors. The most common type of medication error was the omission of a drug (n=208; 69.8 %). In the negative binomial regression analysis, the care status (p=0.0015) as well as the number of preadmission drugs (p=0.0007) were significantly associated with medication errors. DISCUSSION: A high number of discrepancies was detected and analysed. Patients admitted from nursing homes were less likely to have discrepancies in their medication reconciliation, perhaps because a structured documentation system for medications is already in place at nursing homes including error prone products (special dosage forms or food supplements). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, medication reconciliation was implemented at a German full-care university hospital. The actual number of discrepancies observed strongly indicates the need for medication reconciliation at hospital admission.

Perioperative and long-term outcome after ascending aortic and arch repair with elephant trunk and open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcome of open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair following previous aortic arch repair including elephant trunk (ET) or frozen elephant trunk (FET) for acute and chronic pathologies. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational, multicenter study including 32 patients treated between 2006 and 2019 in two aortic centers using identical surgical protocols. Assessment focused on perioperative and long-term outcome, namely in-hospital morbidity and mortality, as well as procedure-related reintervention rate and aortic-related mortality rate. Kaplan-Meier curves with 95% confidence intervals were used to analyze the overall survival after surgery within the cohort. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (mean age, 45.0 ± 13.6 years; 20 males [62.5%]) were treated because of acute (34.38% [n = 11]) or chronic (65.62% [n = 21]) aortic pathologies, including residual dissection following acute, symptomatic type A dissection (n = 7) and symptomatic mega aortic syndrome (n = 4), as well as post-dissection TAAA (n = 18) and asymptomatic mega aortic syndrome (n = 3). Twenty-eight patients (87.5%) received type II repair, and 4 patients (12.5%) received type III repair after previous ascending aorta and arch repair including ET/FET. Concomitant infrarenal and iliac vessel repair was performed in 38.7% (n = 12) and 29.4% (n = 10), respectively. The in-hospital mortality rate was 18.75% (n = 6). Spinal cord ischemia occurred in two cases, both after one-stage emergency procedure with one case of permanent paraplegia. Temporary acute kidney injury occurred in 41.94% (n = 13). The estimated 1-year survival rate was 78.1% (95% confidence interval, 63.9%-95.6%), with a median follow-up time of 1.29 years (interquartile range, 0.26-3.88 years). No procedure-related reinterventions and one case of aortic-related mortality, namely sepsis because of graft infection, was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Open TAAA repair following aortic arch repair including ET or FET because of acute or chronic aortic pathologies is associated with a relevant perioperative morbidity and mortality rate. During follow-up, a low aortic-related mortality rate and procedure-related reintervention rate were observed.

Increase of urinary TIMP-2 and IGFBP7 as potential predictor of acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy and patients' outcome following complex endovascular and open thoracic abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery - a prospective observational study.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) as complication after open and endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) is one major predictor of mortality and postoperative complications. We evaluated tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) as combined early biomarker for AKI detection and predictor of patients' outcome. Patients and methods: Between 2014 and 2015, 52 patients have been enrolled in this observational study, of whom 29 (55.8%) underwent elective open repair and 23 (44.2%) endovascular repair. TIMP2 × IGFBP7 were measured until 48 hours after admission on intensive-care unit (ICU) and were analyzed regarding their predictive ability for AKI (defined according to the KDIGO criteria) requiring temporary renal replacement therapy (RRT) and 90-day mortality using ROC curves. Results: Mean patient age was 64.5 years (Min: 43, Max: 85), endovascular treated patients were older (p <0.0001). 40.4% (n = 21) developed AKI, and 21.2% (n = 11) required renal replacement therapy. In-hospital and total mortality rates were 7.7% (n = 4) and 9.6% (n = 5), respectively. At no time a significant difference in TIMP2 × IGFB7 levels between patients undergoing open or endovascular surgery was observed. The predictive quality of the TIMP2 × IGFBP7 value on ICU admission was sound regarding AKI requiring temporary renal replacement therapy (sensitivity: 55.56% [38.1-72.1%], specificity: 90.91% [58.7-99.8%] with an area under the curve [AUC]: 0.694 [0.543-0.820]). Mean follow-up was 13.2 months (Min: 2, Max: 20), regarding the 90-day mortality, the predictive property of the TIMP2 × IGFBP7 value was not sufficient (sensitivity: 80% [28.4-99.5%], specificity: 52.38% [36.4-68%], and AUC: 0.607 [0.454-0.746]). Conclusions: TIMP2 × IGFBP7 level measured 6-12 hrs postoperatively may be useful as an early detectable biomarker for AKI requiring temporary renal replacement therapy. It seems not suited to predict patients' outcome following complex thoracoabdominal aortic surgery, regardless if performed by open or endovascular repair.

Peptide YY (PYY) Is Associated with Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

AIMS: Recent studies have found circulating concentrations of the gastrointestinal hormone GLP-1 to be an excellent predictor of cardiovascular risk in patients with myocardial infarction. This illustrates a yet not appreciated crosstalk between the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems, which requires further investigation. The gut-derived hormone Peptide YY (PYY) is secreted from the same intestinal L-cells as GLP-1. Relevance of PYY in the context of cardiovascular disease has not been explored. In this study, we aimed to investigate PYY serum concentrations in patients with acute myocardial infarction and to evaluate their association with cardiovascular events. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PYY levels were assessed in 834 patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (553 Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) and 281 ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)) at the time of hospital admission. The composite outcomes of first occurrence of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke (3-P-MACE), and all-cause mortality were assessed with a median follow-up of 338 days. RESULTS: PYY levels were significantly associated with age and cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, and kidney function in addition to biomarkers of heart failure (NT-pro BNP) and inflammation (hs-CRP). Further, PYY was significantly associated with 3-P-MACE (HR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1-2.97; p = 0.0495) and all-cause mortality (HR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.61-4.47; p = 0.0001) by univariable Cox regression analyses, which was however lost after adjusting for multiple confounders. CONCLUSIONS: PYY levels are associated with parameters of cardiovascular risk as well as cardiovascular events and mortality in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction. However, this significant association is lost after adjustment for further confounders.

Analysing the potential of hydrophilic adhesive systems to optimise orthodontic bracket rebonding.

INTRODUCTION: Bond failure during fixed orthodontic treatment is a frequently occurring problem. As bracket rebonding is associated with reduced shear bond strength, the aim of the present investigation is to analyse the effect of different innovative rebonding systems to identify optimised rebonding protocols for orthodontic patient care. METHODS: Metallic brackets were bonded to the frontal enamel surfaces of 240 bovine lower incisors embedded in resin bases. Teeth were randomly divided into two major experimental groups: in group 1 a hydrophilic primer (Assure™ PLUS) was compared to commonly used orthodontic adhesives (Transbond XT™, BrackFix®, Grengloo™) and a zero control. In group 2 different rebonding systems were analysed using a hydrophilic primer (Assure™ PLUS), a methyl methacrylate-consisting primer (Plastic Conditioner) and a conventional adhesive (Transbond XT™). All teeth were tested for shear bond strength according to the DIN-13990 standard, the Adhesive Remnant Index and enamel fracture rate. RESULTS: The hydrophilic primer enhanced shear bond strength at first bonding (Assure™ PLUS 20.29 ± 4.95 MPa vs. Transbond XT™ 18.45 ± 2.57 MPa; BrackFix® 17 ± 5.2 MPa; Grengloo™ 19.08 ± 3.19 MPa; Meron 8.7 ± 3.9 MPa) and second bonding (Assure™ PLUS 16.76 ± 3.71 MPa vs. Transbond XT™ 13.06 ± 3.19 MPa). Using Plastic Conditioner did not seem to improve shear bond strength at rebonding (13.57 ± 2.94). When enamel etching was left out, required shear bond strength could not be achieved (Plastic Conditioner + Assure™ PLUS 8.12 ± 3.34 MPa; Plastic Conditioner: 3.7 ± 1.95 MPa). Hydrophilic priming systems showed decreased ARI-scores (second bonding: 2.63) and increased enamel fracture rates (first bonding: 55%; second bonding 21,05%). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the present study we found that rebonding strength could be compensated by the use of hydrophilic priming systems. The additional use of a methyl methacrylate-consisting primer does not seem to enhance shear bond strength. No etching approaches resulted in non-sufficient bond strength.

SLPI - a Biomarker of Acute Kidney Injury after Open and Endovascular Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm (TAAA) Repair.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a relevant complication following thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair (TAAA). Biomarkers, such as secretory leucocyte peptidase inhibitor (SLPI), may enable a more accurate diagnosis. In this study, we tested if SLPI measured in serum is an appropriate biomarker of AKI after TAAA repair. In a prospective observational single-center study including 33 patients (51.5% women, mean age 63.0 ± 16.2 years) undergoing open and endovascular aortic aneurysm repair in 2017, SLPI was measured peri-operatively (until 72 h after surgery). After surgery, the postoperative complications AKI, as defined according to the KDIGO diagnostic criteria, sepsis, death, MACE (major cardiovascular events) and, pneumonia were assessed. In a subgroup analysis, patients with preexisting kidney disease were excluded. Of 33 patients, 51.5% (n = 17) of patients developed AKI. Twelve hours after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), SLPI serum levels were significantly increased in patients who developed AKI. Multivariable logistic regression revealed a significant association between SLPI 12 hours after admission to ICU and AKI (P = 0.0181, OR = 1.055, 95% CI = 1.009-1.103). The sensitivity of SLPI for AKI prediction was 76.47% (95% CI = 50.1-93.2) and the specificity was 87.5% (95% CI = 61.7-98.4) with an AUC = 0.838 (95% CI = 0.7-0.976) for an optimal cut-off 70.03 ng/ml 12 hours after surgery. In patients without pre-existing impaired renal function, an improved diagnostic quality of SLPI for AKI was observed (Sensitivities of 45.45-91.67%, Specificities of 77.7-100%, AUC = 0.716-0.932). There was no association between perioperative SLPI and the incidence of sepsis, death, MACE (major cardiovascular events), pneumonia. This study suggests that SLPI might be a post-operative biomarker of AKI after TAAA repair, with a superior diagnostic accuracy for patients without preexisting impaired renal function.

Assessment of Neurone-Specific Enolase, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and S100 B as Spinal Cord Ischemia Biomarkers in Patients Undergoing Open and Endovascular Complex Aortic Surgery: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Despite all efforts, spinal cord ischemia (SCI) is a relevant and feared complication after open and endovascular thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair. Besides the established correlation of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and SCI, the usage of biomarkers for early detection of SCI intraoperatively and postoperatively after TAAA surgery is scarcely described in literature. METHODS: The methods include retrospective assessment of 33 patients (48.48% male) undergoing open and endovascular TAAA repair between January 2017 and January 2018. Levels of the biomarkers neurone-specific enolase (NSE), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and S100 B were correlated with a decrease of the amplitude of the MEPs of more than 50%, indicating SCI. Linear mixed models were applied to test for differences in the biomarker levels between open and endovascular surgery and between different times of measurement. Post hoc analyses were performed using Tukey's multiple comparisons test. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between GFAP, NSE, and S100 B levels at different times and a significant decrease in MEP or in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Altogether, 19 patients were treated by endovascular repair; 14 patients were treated by open repair; 5 patients were treated because of a type I TAAA; 7 received treatment because of a type II TAAA; 7, 10, and 4 patients received type III, IV, or V TAAA repair, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 18.18% (n = 6); 5 of these patients were treated because of symptomatic TAAA. MEP decrease could be observed in 18 cases (54.5%), with 16 (48.4%) recovering during the intervention. SCI could be observed in 9.09% (n = 3), 2 endovascular repairs leading to paraplegia and one open repair leading to paraparesis. All biomarkers showed increasing levels over time, with no statistically significant difference between open and endovascular repair. The difference in NSE and S100 B levels between the different times of measurements was statistically significant (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0017, respectively). In a univariable logistic regression analysis, no correlation with the end points "significant decrease in MEP" or "in-hospital mortality" was observed for any of the assessed biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: SCI-related biomarkers, namely NSE and S100 B, show a relevant increase directly after open and endovascular TAAA surgery, while no clear association between these biomarker levels and an intraoperatively measurable indicator for SCI could be observed.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 levels predict cardiovascular risk in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

AIMS: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a gut incretin hormone inducing post-prandial insulin secretion. Glucagon-like peptide 1 levels were recently found to be increased in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive capacity of GLP-1 serum levels for cardiovascular outcome in patients with myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 918 patients presenting with myocardial infarction [321 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and 597 non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)] total GLP-1, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels and the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score were assessed at time of hospital admission. The primary composite outcome of the study was the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke. Kaplan-Meier survival plots and univariable Cox regression analyses found GLP-1 to be associated with adverse outcome [hazard ratio (HR) of logarithmized GLP-1 values: 6.29, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.67-14.81; P < 0.0001]. After further adjustment for age, sex, family history of cardiovascular disease, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterinaemia, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) CKD-EPI, hs-CRP, hs-Troponin T, and NT-proBNP levels the HR remained significant at 10.98 (95% CI: 2.63-45.90; P = 0.0010). Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analyses illustrated that GLP-1 levels are a strong indicator for early events. For events up to 30 days after admission, GLP-1 proved to be superior to other biomarkers including hs-Troponin T, GFR CKD-EPI, hs-CRP, and NT-proBNP. Adjustment of the GRACE risk estimate by addition of GLP-1 increased the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve over time in NSTEMI patients. CONCLUSION: In patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction, GLP-1 levels are associated with cardiovascular events.

One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass-Mini-Gastric Bypass (OAGB-MGB) Versus Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)-a Mid-Term Cohort Study with 612 Patients.

BACKGROUND: OAGB-MGB emerged as a standard procedure, albeit RYGB remains the most frequently performed gastric bypass. Comparative studies are scarce. METHODS: Prospectively collected data (July 2006 to November 2017) from a large sample size and adequate follow-up were analyzed using logistic regression and linear mixed models. Total weight loss (TWL) within the first 3 years was defined as primary outcome and duration of operation, perioperative, and late complications and comorbidity remission as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-four OAGB-MGBs (age 42.51 ± 11.36 years, 74.69% females) presented with higher preoperative BMI (53.75 ± 6.51 kg/m2 vs. 44.53 ± 3.65 kg/m2, p < 0.0001) and higher comorbidity prevalence than 288 RYGBs (age 41.4 ± 10.04 years, 79.86% females). Duration of operation was 80.28 ± 20.31 min in OAGB-MGB and 103.36 ± 29.69 min in RYGB (p < 0.0001). Intraoperative complications (4.63% resp. 8.68%), early re-laparoscopy (0.62% resp. 0.69%), leakage (1.23% resp. 1.74%), internal hernias (IH) (0.32% resp. 3.85%), marginal ulcers (3.23% resp. 5.59%), gastroesophageal reflux (3.55% resp. 0.70%), and insufficient weight loss at 3 years (4.19% resp. 5.59 %) were comparable in OAGB-MGB resp. RYGB. Follow-up rates at 1 and 3 years declined from 76.71 to 42.86% (OAGB-MGB) resp. 79.15 to 50.00% (RYGB). TWL (OAGB-MGB, 36.18 ± 9.18%; RYGB, 33.8 ± 8.75%), malnutrition (OAGB-MGB, 4.19%; RYGB, 2.45%), and comorbidity remission 3 years postoperatively revealed comparable robust data. Anastomotic stenosis (1.94% resp. 14.69%) and dumping syndrome (3.55% resp. 6.64%) were less frequent in OAGB-MGB. CONCLUSIONS: TWL, malnutrition, and comorbidity remission 3 years postoperatively were comparable. Gastroesophageal reflux was less frequent after RYGB (p = 0.0729), whereas shorter operation times (p < 0.0001), less frequent stenosis (p < 0.0001), and dumping syndrome (p = 0.0018) were found in OAGB-MGB. Further RCTs are required.

Randomization in survival studies: An evaluation method that takes into account selection and chronological bias.

The random allocation of patients to treatments is a crucial step in the design and conduct of a randomized controlled trial. For this purpose, a variety of randomization procedures is available. In the case of imperfect blinding, the extent to which a randomization procedure forces balanced group sizes throughout the allocation process affects the predictability of allocations. As a result, some randomization procedures perform superior with respect to selection bias, whereas others are less susceptible to chronological bias. The choice of a suitable randomization procedure therefore depends on the expected risk for selection and chronological bias within the particular study in question. To enable a sound comparison of different randomization procedures, we introduce a model for the combined effect of selection and chronological bias in randomized studies with a survival outcome. We present an evaluation method to quantify the influence of bias on the test decision of the log-rank test in a randomized parallel group trial with a survival outcome. The effect of selection and chronological bias and the dependence on the study setting are illustrated in a sensitivity analysis. We conclude with a case study to showcase the application of our model for comparing different randomization procedures in consideration of the expected type I error probability.

Periodontal outcome and additional clinical quality criteria of lithium-disilicate restorations (Empress 2) after 14 years.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical quality of tooth-supported crowns (SCs), implant-supported crowns (ISCs), and fixed dental prosthesis (FDPs) made of a lithium-disilicate glass-ceramic framework material (IPS Empress 2, Ivoclar Vivadent) after long-term use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1997 and 1999, 184 restorations (106 SCs, 32 ISCs, 33 FDPs, 13 diverse restorations) were placed in 73 patients. In 2012/2013, all patients with functioning restorations were invited to participate in a clinical follow-up examination. To investigate the clinical quality, modified California Dental Association (CDA) criteria, periodontal health, and the patient's opinion were evaluated. RESULTS: After 14 years on average, 50 restorations were available for evaluation of the CDA criteria and the patient's opinion, and 24 restorations were available for the periodontal health evaluation. Surface, color, anatomic shape, and margin integrity were considered to be in the range of excellence in 54, 78, 96, and 88%, respectively. There were no unacceptable defects. Most patients (64%) were still entirely satisfied with their restorations. Mean probing depths were significantly higher on teeth with tooth-supported Empress 2 restorations than on control teeth (p = 0.0401). No significant relationship was found between surface quality and plaque accumulation (p = 0.9450, generalized linear mixed model) or between surface quality and periodontal probing ≥ 4 mm (p = 0.4184, generalized linear mixed model). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical quality of the Empress 2 restorations that had survived 14 years on average was totally satisfactory with regard to esthetics, design, and patient's opinion. The periodontal health of all-ceramic restored teeth requires further investigation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The practitioner's choice of dental materials is based, at best, on long-term experience. With diminishing concerns about the clinical longevity of all-ceramic restorations, the grading of clinical quality based on esthetics, design, periodontal response, and patients' opinions could, nowadays, serve as a measure for the efficiency of dental ceramic.

Editor's Choice - Outcomes After One Stage Versus Two Stage Open Repair of Type II Thoraco-abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the outcomes of open one stage with open two stage repair of type II thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA). METHODS: This retrospective study included 94 patients (68 men) with a mean ± SD age of 54.5 ± 14 years who underwent open type II TAAA repair from March 2006 to January 2016. The mean aneurysm diameter was 65 ± 14.4 mm. The median follow up was 42 months (range 12-96). Seventy-six patients received one stage open repair and 18 patients were treated in two steps: 12 received two open procedures (thoracic and abdominal) and six received hybrid repair (one open and one endovascular procedure). This study focused on the comparison of open one stage and open two stage TAAA repair. The median time between the two steps was 31.5 days (range 1-169). RESULTS: In hospital mortality after open one stage repair versus open two stage type II repair was 22.4% versus 0% (odds ratio 7.352, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.884-959.1]; p = .19). The one year survival rate after one stage repair versus open two stage repair was 74.7% (95% CI 62.7-83.3) versus 90.9% (95% CI 50.8-98.7 [p = .225]). The five year survival rate after one stage repair versus open two stage repair was 53.0% (95% CI 37.2-66.5) versus 90.9% (95% CI 50.8-98.7 [p = .141]). The hazard ratio for survival after one stage repair and after open two stage repair was 4.563 (95% CI 96.9-81.4 [p = .137]). Paraplegia was observed after open one stage repair versus open two stage in 10.5% vs. 8% (p = 1). Acute kidney injury requiring permanent dialysis and myocardial infarction were assessed for after open one stage repair and open two stage and were seen in 3.9% vs. 0% (p = 1) and in 5.3% vs. 0% (p = 1), respectively. CONCLUSION: Open two stage repair may be recommended as a treatment option for type II TAAAs if anatomically feasible, as it has a lower mortality and similar complication rates to one stage repair.

The incretin hormone GIP is upregulated in patients with atherosclerosis and stabilizes plaques in ApoE-/- mice by blocking monocyte/macrophage activation.

OBJECTIVE: The incretin hormones GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide) are secreted by the gut after food intake leading to pancreatic insulin secretion and glucose lowering. Beyond its role in glucose control, GLP-1 was found in mice and men to beneficially modulate the process of atherosclerosis, which has been linked to improved cardiovascular outcome of patients with diabetes at high cardiovascular risk treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists. However, little is known on the role of the other main incretin in the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to characterize GIP in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serum concentrations of GIP were assessed in 731 patients who presented for elective coronary angiography at the University Hospital Aachen. While GIP concentrations were not associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), we found 97 patients with PAD (peripheral artery disease) vs. 634 without PAD to have higher circulating GIP levels (413.0 ± 315.3 vs. 332.7 ± 292.5 pg/mL, p = 0.0165). GIP levels were independently related to PAD after multivariable adjustment for CAD, age, sex, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, CRP, WBC, and smoking. To investigate the functional relevance of elevated GIP levels in human atherosclerotic disease, we overexpressed GIP (1-42) in ApoE-/- mice fed a Western diet for 12 weeks using an adeno-associated viral vector system. GIP overexpression led to reduced atherosclerotic plaque macrophage infiltration and increased collagen content compared to control (LacZ) with no change in overall lesion size, suggesting improved plaque stability. Mechanistically, we found GIP treatment to reduce MCP-1-induced monocyte migration under In vitro conditions. Additionally, GIP prevented proinflammatory macrophage activation leading to reduced LPS-induced IL-6 secretion and inhibition of MMP-9 activity, which was attributable to GIP dependent inhibition of NfκB, JNK-, ERK, and p38 in endotoxin activated macrophages. CONCLUSION: Elevated concentrations of the incretin hormone GIP are found in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, while GIP treatment attenuates atherosclerotic plaque inflammation in mice and abrogates inflammatory macrophage activation in vitro. These observations identified GIP as a counterregulatory vasoprotective peptide, which might open new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of patients with high cardiovascular risk.

Ten-year survival and chipping rates and clinical quality grading of zirconia-based fixed dental prostheses.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate the clinical long-term outcome of 3- to 6-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) made of hot isostatic pressed (HIP) zirconia frameworks, veneered with a synthetic sintering glass-ceramic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 27 different restorations were cemented in 21 patients. FDPs were examined with regard to biological and technical complications/failures. Additionally, clinical quality was assessed based on (i) the California Dental Association (CDA) criteria, (ii) the patient's viewpoint according to Hickel, and (iii) periodontal parameters. Descriptive statistics were computed. The Kaplan-Meier estimator was used for the survival and chipping-free rates. Wilcoxon signed ranks test (ordinal/continuous data) or the McNemar test (binary data) was used to describe the periodontal outcome of abutment teeth versus that of the respective control teeth. RESULTS: After a mean observation period of 10.0 ± 2.1 years, the dataset comprised 15 patients with 20 (mainly posterior) FDPs. The 10-year survival rate and 10-year chipping-free rate were 95.0% (CI 86.0-100%) and 78.8% (CI 62.2-99.7%), respectively. Evaluation based on the CDA criteria yielded satisfactory (excellent or acceptable) results for all categories. This was also confirmed by the high level of patient satisfaction. The periodontal health of tissues adjacent to the study teeth was clinically acceptable, but inferior to the ones of control teeth. CONCLUSIONS: FDPs made from CAD/CAM-fabricated HIP zirconia ceramic frameworks have a favorable survival rate. However, because damage to the surface texture showed a disproportionate increase after long-term usage, additional long-term studies are required. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The outstanding mechanical properties of zirconia-based systems have contributed to the belief that all-ceramics are a reliable material for prosthetic restorations. However, only long-term reports (such as this one) provide more detailed information on actual clinical efficacy.

3-Tesla MRI: Beneficial visualization of the meniscofemoral ligaments?

BACKGROUND: Recent investigations have confirmed an important stabilizing and protective function of the meniscofemoral ligaments (MFLs) to the knee joint and suggest a clinical relevance. Concerning their incidences, however, there have been discrepancies between data acquired from cadaveric studies and MRI data using 0.3- to 1.5-Tesla field strengths probably due to lower resolution. This study aims to investigate whether imaging with 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (3-T MRI) is beneficial in gaining information regarding the ligaments' incidence, length, width and anatomic variation. METHODS: 3-T MRI images of 448 patients (224 males, 224 females, with, respectively, 32 patients of each sex in the age groups: 0-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, >70years) were retrospectively reviewed. The influence of the parameters 'sex' and 'age' was determined. RESULTS: Whereas 71% of the patients had at least one MFL, 22% had an anterior MFL (aMFL), 53% had a posterior MFL (pMFL) and five percent had coexisting ligaments. The pMFLs were more likely to be present in female patients (P<0.05) but if so, they were longer in the males (P<0.05). The pMFL was categorized according to its insertion on the medial femoral condyle. CONCLUSIONS: 3-T MRI enables an excellent illustration of the anatomic variations of pMFLs. By modifying an anatomic classification for radiological use we measured lengths and widths of the MFLs without any difficulties. Despite its increased resolution, 3-T MRI lends no diagnostic benefit in visualizing the course of the aMFL or filigree coexisting ligaments as compared to MRI at lower field strengths.

Assessing the impact of selection bias on test decisions in trials with a time-to-event outcome.

If past treatment assignments are unmasked, selection bias may arise even in randomized controlled trials. The impact of such bias can be measured by considering the type I error probability. In case of a normally distributed outcome, there already exists a model accounting for selection bias that permits calculating the corresponding type I error probabilities. To model selection bias for trials with a time-to-event outcome, we introduce a new biasing policy for exponentially distributed data. Using this biasing policy, we derive an exact formula to compute type I error probabilities whenever an F-test is performed and no observations are censored. Two exemplary settings, with and without random censoring, are considered in order to illustrate how our results can be applied to compare distinct randomization procedures with respect to their performance in the presence of selection bias. © 2017 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.