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Ultra high-density mapping of complex AT is safe and feasible. Further, it enables detailed insight into AT mechanisms. Critical AT sites can be identified precisely in order to guide successful catheter ablation.

Previous studies have shown that sera of patients with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) contain IgE specific for self-proteins, supporting the hypothesis of autoreactivity as a pathogenic factor in AD. In this study, we screened a large panel of AD patients (n=192) by western blotting (WB) for IgE reactivity not only against the human epithelial cell line A431 but also against primary keratinocytes (KCs). To investigate autoantigenic cell structures in detail, normal human skin and primary KCs were incubated with sera from both WB-reactive patients and, for control purposes, healthy individuals, and analyzed by immunohistology, confocal laser microscopy, and flow cytometry. Our analysis revealed that 28% of AD patients, but not healthy individuals, display serum IgE autoreactivity by WB analysis. The individual IgE reaction patterns of the sera pointed to the existence of unique as well as common specificities against epidermal or A431-derived proteins. Immunostainings identified cytoplasmic and, occasionally, also cell membrane-associated moieties as targets for autoreactive IgE antibodies. Interestingly, in certain autoreactive patients, the surface-staining pattern was accentuated at cellular contact sites. We conclude that IgE autoreactivity is common, particularly among severe AD patients, and that non-transformed primary cells are needed for characterization of the entire spectrum of IgE-defined autoantigens.

ERAF rates were equal among groups; however, they occurred earlier in the initial phase after RFC ablation when compared with CB-G2. PVI utilizing cryoablation is associated with shorter procedure durations but extended fluoroscopy time while being similarly secure.

Ultra high-density mapping in patients with scar-related VT is feasible, safe and enables detailed insight into tachycardia mechanisms. Critical sites can be identified (1) by precise substrate characterization when VT is not inducible or hemodynamically not tolerated and (2) during short lasting episodes of VT in order to guide catheter ablation.

The incidence of LAAT in patients scheduled for CA-AF is low. Therefore, periprocedural OAC strategies recommended by current guidelines seem feasible. Preprocedural TEE may be dispensed in patients with a CHA DS -VASc score ≤1. However, a CHA DS -VASc score ≥2, reduced LVEF, HCM, or history of nonparoxysmal AF are independently associated with an increased risk for LAAT.

BackgroundPeripheral blood-derived inflammation-based markers, such as Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), and Fibrinogen have been identified as prognostic markers in various solid malignancies. Here we aimed to investigate the prognostic and diagnostic impact of NLR, PLR, and Fibrinogen in patients with thymic epithelial tumors (TETs).ResultsPretreatment Fibrinogen serum concentrations, NLRs and PLRs were highest in patients with TCs and advanced tumor stages. High pretreatment Fibrinogen serum concentration (≥452.5 mg/dL) was significantly associated with worse cause specific survival (CSS; p = 0.001) and freedom from recurrence (FFR; p = 0.043), high NLR (≥4.0) with worse FFR (p = 0.008), and high PLR (≥136.5) with worse CSS (p = 0.032). Longitudinal analysis revealed that compared to patients without tumor recurrence, patients with tumor recurrence had significantly higher NLR (11.8 ± 4.0 vs. 4.70 ± 0.5; p = 0.001) and PLR (410.8 ± 149.1 vs. 228.3 ± 23.7; p = 0.031).ConclusionOverall, Fibrinogen serum concentrations, NLRs, and PLRs were associated with higher tumor stage, more aggressive tumor behavior, recurrence, and worse outcome. Prospective multicenter studies of the diagnostic and prognostic potential of Fibrinogen, NLR, and PLR are warranted.MethodsThis retrospective analysis included 122 patients with TETs who underwent surgical resection between 1999-2015. Fibrinogen serum concentrations, NLRs, and PLRs were measured in patients preoperatively, postoperatively, and later during follow-up. These markers were analyzed for association with several clinical variables, including tumor stage, tumor subtype, FFR, and CSS and to evaluate their prognostic and diagnostic impact for detecting tumor recurrence.