Intussusceptive angiogenesis (IA) is currently considered an important alternative and complementary form of sprouting angiogenesis (SA). Conversely, intussusceptive lymphangiogenesis (IL) is in an initial phase of study. We compare their morphofunctional characteristics, since many can be shared by both processes. To that end, the following aspects are considered A) The concept of IA and IL as the mechanism by which blood and lymphatic vessels split, expand and remodel through transluminal pillar formations (hallmarks of intussusception). B) Terminology and historical background, with particular reference to the group of Burri, including Djonov and Patan, who initiated and developed the vessel intussusceptive concept in blood vessels. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/valproic-acid.html C) Incidence in normal (e.g. in the sinuses of developing lymph nodes) and pathologic conditions, above all in vessel diseases, such as dilated veins in hemorrhoidal disease, intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH), sinusoidal hemangioma, lobular capillary hemangioma, lymphangiomas/lymphatic malformations and vascular transformation of lymph nodes. D) Differences and complementarity between vessel sprouting and intussusception. E) Characteristics of the cover (endothelial cells) and core (connective tissue components) of pillars and requirements for pillar identification. F) Structures involved in pillar formation, including endothelial contacts of opposite vessel walls, interendothelial bridges, merged adjacent capillaries, vessel loops and spilt pillars. G) Structures resulting from pillars with intussusceptive microvascular growth, arborization, remodeling and segmentation (compartmentalization). H) Influence of intussusception in the morphogenesis of vessel tumors/ pseudotumors; and I) Hemodynamic and molecular control of vessel intussusception, including VEGF, PDGF BB, Hypoxia, Notch, Endoglobin and Nitric oxide.Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an immune-mediated adverse drug effect that occurs in 0.1–5% of heparin treated patients. Management of acute HIT currently involves (1) cessation of heparin exposure, and (2) inhibition of coagulation with an anticoagulant other than heparin. Several anticoagulants can be considered for the treatment of HIT. Anticoagulant monitoring, management of drug-induced adverse events including bleeding, and therapeutic dosing schedules in selected clinical settings represent challenges to the clinician treating HIT patients. Moreover, the fact that not all registered anticoagulants are approved for HIT in Switzerland further complicates the management of HIT. The present recommendations on the anticoagulant treatment of HIT in Switzerland have been elaborated by a panel of Swiss experts belonging to the Working Party Hemostasis (WPH) of the Swiss Society of Hematology (SGH-SSH). They are intended to support clinicians in their decision making when treating HIT patients.OBJECTIVE Only a few studies have addressed the impact of nocturnal leg cramps on sleep quality. We investigated the association between nocturnal leg cramps and sleep disturbance using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and assessed the criterion validity of a single-item daily measure of cramp-related sleep disturbance. METHODS In this prospective observational study conducted in Western Switzerland from January 2015 to June 2016, 20 primary care physicians recruited up to 20 consecutive patients aged >50 years. During a 2-week period, patients recorded on a daily basis the number of cramps and their level of sleep disturbance using a single item measure (10-point visual analogue scale from 0 to 10). They also completed the PSQI questionnaire on day 14. Patients were considered as “poor sleepers” if the PSQI score was >5/21. The criterion validity of the single-item measure (averaged over the 2-week period) was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient to determine the correlation with the PSQI. RESULTS 129 patients participated (women 67%, mean age 70 years). The single-item and the PSQI mean scores were 2.6/10 (standard deviation 2.5) and 6.1/21 (SD 3.9), respectively. Being a “poor sleeper” (47% of patients) was not statistically significantly associated with patients’ characteristics and number of cramps. The averaged single-item measure was not correlated with the PSQI score (Spearman’s rank correlation 0.08, p-value 0.51). CONCLUSIONS In this primary care sample, poor sleep quality was not associated with suffering from a higher number of nocturnal cramps, and a single-item mean score was not a valid instrument to screen for sleep disturbance among these patients.With the technical developments in neurosurgery, increasing numbers of neurosurgical implants are used in an increasingly aged population of patients with several comorbidities. Consequently, the number of neurosurgical implant-associated infections is continuously raising, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality, including disfiguring skull deformities and lack of brain protection. In this article we review infections associated with craniotomy, cranioplasty, neurostimulators, internal cerebrospinal fluid shunts, and external ventricular and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainages. In all implant-associated infections biofilms are involved, which are difficult to eradicate. A low number of microorganisms is sufficient to form a biofilm on the implant surface. In most infections, microorganisms of the skin flora are involved. Microorganisms reach the implant during surgery or immediately thereafter as a result of wound healing disturbances. In about two thirds of patients, implant-associated infections opriate debridement with or without implant exchange or removal, depending on the age of the biofilm and the soft tissue condition. Antimicrobial treatment includes a prolonged biofilm-active therapy, typically for 4–12 weeks. This concept is attractive, because in selected patients, implants can be retained or exchanged in a one-stage surgical procedure, which improves not only quality of life, but also decreases morbidity because every additional neurosurgical intervention can lead to secondary complications, including intracerebral bleeding or ischemia.