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Background Well-characterized biomaterials of high quality have great potential for acceleration and quality improvement in translational biomedical research. To improve accessibility of local sample collections, efforts have been made to create central biomaterial banks and catalogues. Available technical solutions for creating professional local sample catalogues and connecting them to central systems are cost intensive and/or technically complex to implement. Therefore, the Translational Thematic Unit HIV of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) developed a Laboratory Information and Management System (LIMS) called HIV Engaged Research Technology (HEnRY) for implementation into the Translational Platform HIV (TP-HIV) at the DZIF and other research networks. Results HEnRY is developed at the University Hospital of Cologne. It is an advanced LIMS to manage processing and storage of samples and aliquots of different sample types. Features include: monitoring of stored samples and associated information data selection via query tools or Structured Query Language (SQL) preparation of summary documents, including scannable search lists centralized management of the practical laboratory part of multicentre studies (e.g. import of drawing schemes and sample processing steps), preparation of aliquot shipments, including associated documents to be added to shipments unique and secure identification of aliquots through use of customizable Quick Response (QR) code labels directly from HEnRY support of aliquot data transmission to central registries. In summary, HEnRY offers all features necessary for a LIMS software. In addition, the structure of HEnRY provides sufficient flexibility to allow the implementation in other research areas. Conclusion HEnRY is a free biobanking tool published under the MIT license. While it was developed to support HIV research in Germany, the feature set and language options, allow much broader applications and make this a powerful fre

Background Well-characterized biomaterials of high quality have great potential for acceleration and quality improvement in translational biomedical research. To improve accessibility of local sample collections, efforts have been made to create central biomaterial banks and catalogues. Available technical solutions for creating professional local sample catalogues and connecting them to central systems are cost intensive and/or technically complex to implement. Therefore, the Translational Thematic Unit HIV of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) developed a Laboratory Information and Management System (LIMS) called HIV Engaged Research Technology (HEnRY) for implementation into the Translational Platform HIV (TP-HIV) at the DZIF and other research networks. Results HEnRY is developed at the University Hospital of Cologne. It is an advanced LIMS to manage processing and storage of samples and aliquots of different sample types. Features include: monitoring of stored samples and associated information data selection via query tools or Structured Query Language (SQL) preparation of summary documents, including scannable search lists centralized management of the practical laboratory part of multicentre studies (e.g. import of drawing schemes and sample processing steps), preparation of aliquot shipments, including associated documents to be added to shipments unique and secure identification of aliquots through use of customizable Quick Response (QR) code labels directly from HEnRY support of aliquot data transmission to central registries. In summary, HEnRY offers all features necessary for a LIMS software. In addition, the structure of HEnRY provides sufficient flexibility to allow the implementation in other research areas. Conclusion HEnRY is a free biobanking tool published under the MIT license. While it was developed to support HIV research in Germany, the feature set and language options, allow much broader applications and make this a powerful fre

Background: There is still much controversy about whether meteorological conditions influence the occurrence of acute aortic dissection (AAD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible correlation between atmospheric pressure, temperature, lunar cycle and the event of aortic dissection in our patient population. Methods: The clinical data for 348 patients with AAD (73% type Stanford A) were confronted with the meteorological data provided by the Cologne weather station over the same period. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between meteorological parameters on days of AAD events compared with control days. A logistic regression model showed that air pressure (odds ratio [OR] 1.004, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.991-1.017, p = 0.542), air temperature (OR 0.978, 95% CI 0.949-1.008, p = 0.145), season (p = 0.918) and month of the event (p = 0.175) as well as presence of full moon (OR 1.579, 95% CI 0.763-3.270, p = 0.219) were not able to predict AAD events. Also, no predictive power of meteorological data and season was found on analysing their impact on different types of AAD events. Conclusions: Our study did not reveal any dependence of atmospheric pressure, air temperature or the presence of full moon on the incidence of different types of AAD.

Background: There is still much controversy about whether meteorological conditions influence the occurrence of acute aortic dissection (AAD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible correlation between atmospheric pressure, temperature, lunar cycle and the event of aortic dissection in our patient population. Methods: The clinical data for 348 patients with AAD (73% type Stanford A) were confronted with the meteorological data provided by the Cologne weather station over the same period. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between meteorological parameters on days of AAD events compared with control days. A logistic regression model showed that air pressure (odds ratio [OR] 1.004, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.991-1.017, p = 0.542), air temperature (OR 0.978, 95% CI 0.949-1.008, p = 0.145), season (p = 0.918) and month of the event (p = 0.175) as well as presence of full moon (OR 1.579, 95% CI 0.763-3.270, p = 0.219) were not able to predict AAD events. Also, no predictive power of meteorological data and season was found on analysing their impact on different types of AAD events. Conclusions: Our study did not reveal any dependence of atmospheric pressure, air temperature or the presence of full moon on the incidence of different types of AAD.

OBJECTIVES: Previous research suggests that female gender is associated with increased mortality rates after surgery for Stanford A acute aortic dissection (AAD). However, women with AAD usually present with different clinical symptoms that may bias outcomes. Moreover, there is a lack of long-term results regarding overall mortality and freedom from major cerebrovascular events. We analysed the impact of gender on long-term outcomes after surgery for Stanford A AAD by comparing genders with similar risk profiles using propensity score matching. METHODS: A total of 240 patients operated for Stanford A AAD were included in this study. To control for selection bias and other con-founders, propensity score matching was applied to gender groups. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, the gender groups were well balanced in terms of risk profiles. There were no statistically significant differences regarding duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (P = 0.165) and duration of aortic cross-clamp time (P = 0.111). Female patients received less fresh frozen plasma (P = 0.021), had shorter stays in the intensive care unit (P = 0.031), lower incidence of temporary neurological dysfunction (P < 0.001) and lower incidence of dialysis (P = 0.008). There were no significant differences regarding intraoperative mortality (P = 1.000), 30-day mortality (P = 0.271), long-term overall cumulative survival (P = 0.954) and long-term freedom from cerebrovascular events (P = 0.235) with up to a 9-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Considering patients with similar risk profiles, female gender per se is not associated with worse long-term survival and freedom from stroke after surgical aortic repair. Moreover, female patients might even benefit from a smoother early postoperative course and lower incidence of early postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVES: Previous research suggests that female gender is associated with increased mortality rates after surgery for Stanford A acute aortic dissection (AAD). However, women with AAD usually present with different clinical symptoms that may bias outcomes. Moreover, there is a lack of long-term results regarding overall mortality and freedom from major cerebrovascular events. We analysed the impact of gender on long-term outcomes after surgery for Stanford A AAD by comparing genders with similar risk profiles using propensity score matching. METHODS: A total of 240 patients operated for Stanford A AAD were included in this study. To control for selection bias and other con-founders, propensity score matching was applied to gender groups. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, the gender groups were well balanced in terms of risk profiles. There were no statistically significant differences regarding duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (P = 0.165) and duration of aortic cross-clamp time (P = 0.111). Female patients received less fresh frozen plasma (P = 0.021), had shorter stays in the intensive care unit (P = 0.031), lower incidence of temporary neurological dysfunction (P < 0.001) and lower incidence of dialysis (P = 0.008). There were no significant differences regarding intraoperative mortality (P = 1.000), 30-day mortality (P = 0.271), long-term overall cumulative survival (P = 0.954) and long-term freedom from cerebrovascular events (P = 0.235) with up to a 9-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Considering patients with similar risk profiles, female gender per se is not associated with worse long-term survival and freedom from stroke after surgical aortic repair. Moreover, female patients might even benefit from a smoother early postoperative course and lower incidence of early postoperative complications.

Background. The choice of an optimal cannulation site for aortic repair in patients with Stanford A acute aortic dissection remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the early results and long-term outcomes of axillar and direct aortic cannulation. Methods. A total of 235 consecutive patients who underwent surgical aortic repair with the use of axillar or direct aortic cannulation from January 2006 to April 2015 were analyzed. The primary end points were long-term overall cumulative survival and freedom from major cerebrovascular events with up to 10 years of follow-up. The secondary end points were early postoperative clinical characteristics and rates of adverse events. To control for confounders, a 1:3 propensity score matching was performed. Results. After matching, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding baseline characteristics. Both groups were associated with comparable outcomes; among other things, the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) (p = 0.220), mechanical ventilation (p = 0.177), total hospital stay (p = 0.243), and hospital rates of adverse events. There were no statistically significant differences (p = 0.625) in terms of freedom from major cerebrovascular events. However, both early (p = 0.009) and late (p = 0.016) overall survival were significantly poorer for patients undergoing aortic cannulation. Conclusions. The outcomes were comparable regarding early hospital outcomes and rates of adverse events. Whereas postoperative freedom from major cerebrovascular events was similar, survival over long-term follow-up was significantly poorer when direct aortic cannulation was used. More investigations are needed to enable an understanding of the underlying factors for potentially higher late mortality when direct aortic cannulation is used during a surgical procedure for acute Stanford A dissection. (C) 2016 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Background. The choice of an optimal cannulation site for aortic repair in patients with Stanford A acute aortic dissection remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the early results and long-term outcomes of axillar and direct aortic cannulation. Methods. A total of 235 consecutive patients who underwent surgical aortic repair with the use of axillar or direct aortic cannulation from January 2006 to April 2015 were analyzed. The primary end points were long-term overall cumulative survival and freedom from major cerebrovascular events with up to 10 years of follow-up. The secondary end points were early postoperative clinical characteristics and rates of adverse events. To control for confounders, a 1:3 propensity score matching was performed. Results. After matching, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding baseline characteristics. Both groups were associated with comparable outcomes; among other things, the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) (p = 0.220), mechanical ventilation (p = 0.177), total hospital stay (p = 0.243), and hospital rates of adverse events. There were no statistically significant differences (p = 0.625) in terms of freedom from major cerebrovascular events. However, both early (p = 0.009) and late (p = 0.016) overall survival were significantly poorer for patients undergoing aortic cannulation. Conclusions. The outcomes were comparable regarding early hospital outcomes and rates of adverse events. Whereas postoperative freedom from major cerebrovascular events was similar, survival over long-term follow-up was significantly poorer when direct aortic cannulation was used. More investigations are needed to enable an understanding of the underlying factors for potentially higher late mortality when direct aortic cannulation is used during a surgical procedure for acute Stanford A dissection. (C) 2016 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Die Menge an verfügbaren biologischen Informationen ist über die letzten Jahre stetig angestiegen. Es ist daher essentiell, dass das enthaltene Wissen leicht zugänglich gemacht wird, wie z.B. in Datenbänken. Zum Erstellen solcher Datenbänke können Methoden zur automatischen Extraktion dieser Informationen verwendet werden. Eine pragmatische Methode zur Extraktion kinetischer Informationen aus ca. 17 Millionen Abstracts der PubMed unter Verwendung von Lexika wurde entwickelt. Es wurden Informationen zu KM, Ki, kcat, kcat/KM, Vmax, IC50, S0.5, Kd, Ka, t1/2, pI, Enzymnamen, EC Nummern, Liganden, Organismen, Lokalisationen, pH-Wert und Temperatur extrahiert. 509.153 kinetische Informationen konnten extrahiert werden, mit einer Precision von 55% bis zu 96% und einem Recall von 51% bis zu 84%. Die erhaltenen Informationen sind in der Datenbank "KID the KInetic Database" im Internet zugänglich.

Die Menge an verfügbaren biologischen Informationen ist über die letzten Jahre stetig angestiegen. Es ist daher essentiell, dass das enthaltene Wissen leicht zugänglich gemacht wird, wie z.B. in Datenbänken. Zum Erstellen solcher Datenbänke können Methoden zur automatischen Extraktion dieser Informationen verwendet werden. Eine pragmatische Methode zur Extraktion kinetischer Informationen aus ca. 17 Millionen Abstracts der PubMed unter Verwendung von Lexika wurde entwickelt. Es wurden Informationen zu KM, Ki, kcat, kcat/KM, Vmax, IC50, S0.5, Kd, Ka, t1/2, pI, Enzymnamen, EC Nummern, Liganden, Organismen, Lokalisationen, pH-Wert und Temperatur extrahiert. 509.153 kinetische Informationen konnten extrahiert werden, mit einer Precision von 55% bis zu 96% und einem Recall von 51% bis zu 84%. Die erhaltenen Informationen sind in der Datenbank "KID the KInetic Database" im Internet zugänglich.