German Red Cross

About: German Red Cross is a healthcare organization based out in Berlin, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Transplantation & Mesenchymal stem cell. The organization has 653 authors who have published 1146 publications receiving 40111 citations. The organization is also known as: Deutsches Rotes Kreuz & DRK.

Metal release and corrosion effects of modular neck total hip arthroplasty.

Abstract: Modular neck implants are an attractive treatment tool in total hip replacement. Concerns remain about the mechanical stability and metal ion release caused by the modular connection. Five different implant designs were investigated in an experimental set-up. In vivo conditions were simulated and the long-term titanium release was measured. Finally, the modular connections were inspected for corrosion processes and signs of fretting. No mechanical failure or excessive corrosion could be identified for the implants tested. The titanium releases measured were extremely low compared to in vivo and in vitro studies and were not in a critical range.

Histopathological features in mixed types of chronic aggressive hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis. Correlations of liver histology with mitochondrial antibodies of different specificity.

Abstract: A histopathological study was carried out on 27 patients with chronic inflammatory liver disease and clinical and/or biochemical evidence of cholestasis who had either mitochondrial antibodies against mitochondrial antigen fractions of 1.19 density (“PBC antigen”; 14 cases) or of 1.13 density (“CAH-PBC mixed-type antigen”; 13 cases). For comparison, the liver biopsies of 17 patients with chronic-aggressive hepatitis (CAH) and antinuclear and/or anti-smooth muscle antibodies but without cholestasis and mitochondrial antibodies, were evaluated. The 14 patients with mitochondrial antibodies against the PBC antigen showed the typical histological features of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The 13 patients with mitochondrial antibodies against the CAH-PBC mixed-type antigen had heterogenous liver alterations. In 11 cases highly active CAH and/or active postnecrotic cirrhosis (AC) were found both with augmented ductular proliferation. Some of these cases showed distinct criteria of PBC as early bile duct lesions or absence of regular bile ducts. The liver histology of one case corresponded to classical PBC; another case to chronic persistent hepatitis. The CAH-patients without cholestasis and mitochondrial antibodies only occasionally showed bile duct proliferation. In conclusion, a high correlation was found between mitochondrial antibodies against the CAH-PBC mixed-type antigen and highly active CAH or early AC with augmented ductular proliferation. This represents an overlapping of CAH and PBC. In contrast, the cases with antibodies reacting to the PBC antigen showed the slowly progressive liver changes of typical PBC.

Development and implementation of guidelines in allergic rhinitis – an ARIA-GA2LEN paper.

Abstract: The links between asthma and rhinitis are well characterized. The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines stress the importance of these links and provide guidance for their prevention and treatment. Despite effective treatments being available, too few patients receive appropriate medical care for both diseases. Most patients with rhinitis and asthma consult primary care physicians and therefore these physicians are encouraged to understand and use ARIA guidelines. Patients should also be informed about these guidelines to raise their awareness of optimal care and increase control of the two related diseases. To apply these guidelines, clinicians and patients need to understand how and why the recommendations were made. The goal of the ARIA guidelines is to provide recommendations about the best management options for most patients in most situations. These recommendations should be based on the best available evidence. Making recommendations requires the assessment of the quality of available evidence, deciding on the balance between benefits and downsides, consideration of patients’ values and preferences, and, if applicable, resource implications. Guidelines must be updated as new management options become available or important new evidence emerges. Transparent reporting of guidelines facilitates understanding and acceptance, but implementation strategies need to be improved.

Induction of a central memory and stem cell memory phenotype in functionally active CD4 + and CD8 + CAR T cells produced in an automated good manufacturing practice system for the treatment of CD19 + acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Abstract: Relapsed/refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B ALL) remains a major therapeutic challenge. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are promising treatment options. Central memory T cells (Tcm) and stem cell-like memory T cells (Tscm) are known to promote sustained proliferation and persistence after T-cell therapy, constituting essential preconditions for treatment efficacy. Therefore, we set up a protocol for anti-CD19 CAR T-cell generation aiming at high Tcm/Tscm numbers. 100 ml peripheral blood from pediatric pre-B ALL patients was processed including CD4+/CD8+-separation, T-cell activation with modified anti-CD3/-CD28 reagents and transduction with a 4-1BB-based second generation CAR lentiviral vector. The process was performed on a closed, automated device requiring additional manual/open steps under clean room conditions. The clinical situation of these critically ill and refractory patients with leukemia leads to inconsistent cellular compositions at start of the procedure including high blast counts and low T-cell numbers with exhausted phenotype. Nevertheless, a robust T-cell product was achieved (mean CD4+ = 50%, CD8+ = 39%, transduction = 27%, Tcm = 50%, Tscm = 46%). Strong proliferative potential (up to > 100-fold), specific cytotoxicity and low expression of co-inhibitory molecules were documented. CAR T cells significantly released TH1 cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-2 upon target-recognition. In conclusion, partly automated GMP-generation of CAR T cells from critically small blood samples was feasible with a new stimulation protocol that leads to high functionality and expansion potential, balanced CD4/CD8 ratios and a conversion to a Tcm/Tscm phenotype.