Procedural Results and Clinical Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Switzerland: An Observational Cohort Study of Sapien 3 Versus Sapien XT Transcatheter Heart Valves.

BACKGROUND: New generation transcatheter heart valves (THV) may improve clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a nationwide, prospective, multicenter cohort study (Swiss Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Registry, NCT01368250), outcomes of consecutive transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients treated with the Sapien 3 THV (S3) versus the Sapien XT THV (XT) were investigated. An overall of 153 consecutive S3 patients were compared with 445 consecutive XT patients. Postprocedural mean transprosthetic gradient (6.5±3.0 versus 7.8±6.3 mm Hg, P=0.17) did not differ between S3 and XT patients, respectively. The rate of more than mild paravalvular regurgitation (1.3% versus 5.3%, P=0.04) and of vascular (5.3% versus 16.9%, P<0.01) complications were significantly lower in S3 patients. A higher rate of new permanent pacemaker implantations was observed in patients receiving the S3 valve (17.0% versus 11.0%, P=0.01). There were no significant differences for disabling stroke (S3 1.3% versus XT 3.1%, P=0.29) and all-cause mortality (S3 3.3% versus XT 4.5%, P=0.27). CONCLUSIONS: The use of the new generation S3 balloon-expandable THV reduced the risk of more than mild paravalvular regurgitation and vascular complications but was associated with an increased permanent pacemaker rate compared with the XT. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation using the newest generation balloon-expandable THV is associated with a low risk of stroke and favorable clinical outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01368250.

Studien an der Helminthenfauna von Alaska. IV. Haploparaxis galli n. sp., Ein Cestode aus dem Schneehuhn, Lagopus rupestris (Gmelin) = Studies on the Helminth Fauna of Alaska. IV.

Eine neue Haploparaxis--Art, H. galli, aus dem Darm des Schneehuhns, Lagopus rupestris (Gmelin), wird beschrieben und von den verwandten Formen differenziert. Die typische Lokalität ist Tolugaksee, Brooksgebirge, arktisches Alaska.

Neonatal plasmacytoid dendritic cells at the interface of innate and adaptive immunity = Neonatale plasmazytoide dendritische Zellen - an der Schnittstelle zwischen angeborener und adaptiver Immunität

Human cord blood plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC) react to stimulation with CPG A and CPG B with an increase in cell surface activation and maturation markers and cytokine production, similar to adult PDC. Intracellular phosphorylation in neonatal PDC did not benefit from CPG stimulation, in contrast to adult PDC. Cord blood PDC primed with CPG A, CPG B and CD40L do not promote division of autologous T cells contrary to adult PDC. Priming of neonatal PDC with CPG A or CPG B does not induce a clear bias in T helper cell response towards Th1 or Th2 while adult PDC trend towards a Th2 response.

"Brienzi" - The blue Vivianite man of Switzerland: Time since death estimation of an adipocere body

In 1996, a cadaver in adipocere condition was discovered in a bay of the Brienzer See in Switzerland. The torso was named "Brienzi" following the "Iceman" Ötzi. Several outer parts of the body were incrusted; the incrustation was in blue color. Further investigations showed that the bluish covering of parts of the adipocere torso were a mineral known as Vivianite. Vivianite (Fe(3)(PO(4))(2-)(H(2)O)(8)) is an iron phosphate mineral with needle lengths between 100 and 150μm. It is normally associated in a context with organic archaeological and geological materials (some hundreds to millions of years old). Hitherto, it is only described in three cases of human remains. We were able to reconstruct the following facts about 'Brienzi': The man drowned in Lake Brienz or in one of its tributaries during the 1700s. The body was subsequently covered with sedimentation and thus buried under water. An earthquake produced an underwater landslide which eventually exposed the corpse.