Med Klin
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Apoptosis, the death of a single cell according to an exactly defined intracellular program, is a key principle allowing embryonic development and later on tissue homeostasis in metazoans. ⋯ Our review focuses on clinical aspects of apoptosis. In the first part the major proteins forming the deadly intracellular cascade will be discussed, while the second part relates to diseases which are characterized by a dysfunction of the apoptotic program.
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Comparative Study
[Late infectious complications after high-dose therapy and autologous blood stem cell transplantation].
Only a few data on frequency and character of late infectious complications after high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous blood stem cell transplantation (ASCT) have been published. This prospective study was carried out to identify potential predictive factors for late infections (occurring after discharge following HDT) and to clarify the usefulness of prophylactic measures. ⋯ Significant late infectious complications after ASCT are uncommon. Patients with hematologic malignancies have a significantly increased risk of more serious infections and should be observed carefully. For risk patients with hematologic malignancies and possibly solid tumors, a strict PcP prophylaxis is required. Patients with relapsed lymphomas could possibly be treated preventively against zoster with low-dose aciclovir to reduce the extent of zoster disease. Each patient should be informed carefully that early signs of zoster require an effective zoster treatment as soon as possible.
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Patients with a blunt chest trauma often sustain myocardial contusion. The spectrum of symptoms varies from regional myocardial dysfunction to myocardial rupture or sudden cardiac death. ⋯ On the basis of the anamnesis, a myocardial contusion must be discussed as reason for the ventricular fibrillation and the pathologic findings in ECG and echocardiogram. This has to be considered in the therapy.