Screening and Awareness for Blood Pressure in a Non-Medical Setting: The Vienna Hairdresser Initiative.

Arterial hypertension (HTN) is the leading modifiable cardiovascular risk factor for overall mortality worldwide. In Austria, 1.6 million individuals above the age of 15, representing 20% of the total population and 70% of adults aged 65 and older, suffer from HTN.

Overcoming Barriers to Developing and Implementing Novel Therapies for Hypertension.

Hypertension is the single most important modifiable risk factor for preventable disability and death worldwide and disproportionately affects socially disadvantaged populations. We face a paradox-blood pressure control is low and recent trends suggest it is even declining, despite the availability of inexpensive and effective therapies. A variety of barriers on the system, patient, and healthcare provider side hinder effective drug-based risk factor management.

An International Delphi Consensus on Defining the Optimal Surgical Composite Outcome in Metastatic Spine Disease (OSCO-M).

Study Design: Delphi Consensus.

Objective: To define an optimal surgical composite outcome measure in patients with metastatic spine disease (OSCO-M) through international consensus among key opinion leaders.

Methods: Members of the AO Spine Knowledge Forum Tumor, an international group of dedicated spine oncology surgeons and oncologists, participated in a modified Delphi process between March 2023 and November 2024.

MRI-derived quantification of hepatic vessel-to-volume ratios in chronic liver disease using a deep learning approach.

Background: We aimed to quantify hepatic vessel volumes across chronic liver disease stages and healthy controls using deep learning-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis, and assess correlations with biomarkers for liver (dys)function and fibrosis/portal hypertension.

Methods: We assessed retrospectively healthy controls, non-advanced and advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) patients using a 3D U-Net model for hepatic vessel segmentation on portal venous phase gadoxetic acid-enhanced 3-T MRI. Total (TVVR), hepatic (HVVR), and intrahepatic portal vein-to-volume ratios (PVVR) were compared between groups and correlated with: albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) and "model for end-stage liver disease-sodium" (MELD-Na) score) and fibrosis/portal hypertension (Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) Score, liver stiffness measurement (LSM), hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), platelet count (PLT), and spleen volume.

The FGFR inhibitor pemigatinib overcomes cancer drug resistance to KRAS G12C inhibitors in mesenchymal lung cancer.

KRAS mutations are high prevalence oncogenic drivers for multiple cancers. With the advent of new classes of KRAS inhibitors that are showing meaningful clinical activity, research is now turning to questions of optimal combinations of therapies for specific indications, as many patients with KRAS G12C mutations do not respond and/or develop resistance to single-agent treatment. Here, we investigate combination therapies that may overcome resistance to KRAS G12C inhibitors.

UHRF2 mediates resistance to DNA methylation reprogramming in primordial germ cells.

In mammals, primordial germ cells (PGCs) undergo global erasure of DNA methylation with delayed demethylation of germline genes and selective retention of DNA methylation at evolutionarily young retrotransposons. However, the molecular mechanisms of persistent DNA methylation in PGCs remain unclear. Here we report that resistance to DNA methylation reprogramming in PGCs requires UHRF2, the paralog of the DNMT1 cofactor UHRF1.

On-treatment systolic blood pressure and preserved kidney function in hypertensive patients with proteinuria. The VALUE Trial.

Aims: We investigated on-treatment systolic BP (SBP) <130, 130-139 and ≥140 mmHg related to nephroprotection in 3065 patients with proteinuria and 10,738 patients without proteinuria in the VALUE Trial.

Method And Results: Worsened kidney function (WKF) was ≥50% increase in serum creatinine, and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) was dialysis/transplantation. Cox proportional hazards models were adjusted for covariates in the on-treatment SBP groups.

Cold Atmospheric Plasma Selectively Disrupts Breast Cancer Growth in a Bioprinted 3D Tumor-Stroma Co-Culture Model.

Spine metastases are the most common bone site for breast cancer, with evolving surgery and multidisciplinary care improving outcomes. Current treatments, including chemotherapy and invasive surgery, may damage healthy tissue and leave residual tumors that lead to recurrence. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) offers a non-invasive alternative by delivering reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) locally to tumor sites, selectively targeting cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.

Optimizing Imaging Parameters for Assessment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Photon-Counting Detector Computed Tomography-Impact of Reconstruction Kernel and Slice Thickness.

Background: The use of photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) has improved image quality in cardiac, pulmonary, and musculoskeletal imaging. Abdominal imaging research, especially about the use of PCD-CT in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is sparse.

Objectives: We aimed to compare the image quality of tumors, the liver parenchyma, and the vasculature in patients with HCC using PCD-CT reconstructions at different slice thicknesses and kernels to identify the most appropriate settings for the clinical routine.

Electric Acoustic Versus Electric-Only Stimulation in Full-Length Lateral Wall Cochlear Array Recipients With Preserved Hearing.

Objective: To determine if cochlear implant recipients who have low-frequency hearing preservation after surgery can benefit from electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS) even after a period of electric-only stimulation.

Study Design: Prospective, crossover controlled, clinical study.

Setting: Private practice single-specialty clinic.

Renal denervation for managing hypertension: Key elements in selecting and referring patients.

Renal denervation (RDN) is an innovative procedure with regulatory approval for treating patients whose blood pressure remains uncontrolled despite lifestyle changes and the prescription of antihypertensive medications. It is important to consider how to create accessible patient referral pathways for this complementary therapy in the context of differing healthcare systems and the availability of appropriate resources. Today, most hypertensive patients are managed by primary care practitioners in the community.

Follow-up of idiopathic osteosclerosis on cone-beam computed tomography: a retrospective longitudinal study.

This study aimed to investigate the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) follow-up of adult patients with asymptomatic, incidentally encountered idiopathic osteosclerosis (IO) to demonstrate its natural course. Retrospectively, 37 patients (mean age, 40.5 years; 19 females and 18 males) with mandibular IO were included, based upon clinico-radiological features.

Super-resolution microscopy of mitochondrial mRNAs.

Mitochondria contain their own DNA (mtDNA) and a dedicated gene expression machinery. As the mitochondrial dimensions are close to the diffraction limit of classical light microscopy, the spatial distribution of mitochondrial proteins and in particular of mitochondrial mRNAs remains underexplored. Here, we establish single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH) combined with STED and MINFLUX super-resolution microscopy (nanoscopy) to visualize individual mitochondrial mRNA molecules and associated proteins.

High-pitch photon-counting detector computed tomography angiography of the coronary arteries: Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of monoenergetic image reconstructions.

Background: Dual-source photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCDCT) offers the opportunity to perform cardiac examinations within one beat and simultaneously the acquisition of spectral information. This study, evaluated subjective and objective image quality of virtual monoenergetic image (VMI) reconstructions using data from a first-generation, dual-source PCDCT scanner, operated in high-pitch scanning mode.

Methods: We retrospectively included 30 patients who underwent a clinically indicated CTA of the coronary arteries.

Enhancing MRI efficiency in musculoskeletal examinations: Impact of optimized facility design and workflow optimization efforts.

Background: To assess the workflow efficiency of an optimized MRI facility design compared to conventional facilities.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 7,164 non-contrast MRI examinations (3,951 knee, 2,246 shoulder, 967 ankle) performed between January 2021 and April 2024. We compared an optimized facility (OF) featuring three scanners, three dedicated preparation bays, and dockable tables to two reference facilities (RF) with traditional single-scanner/single-table setups.

Real-life characteristics and management of patients with fibrosing interstitial lung disease: INSIGHTS-ILD registry.

Background: This study aims to report real-life data on the characteristics and treatment patterns of patients with fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD; except idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) across multiple specialised centres in Germany. Eligibility criteria included ILD affecting >10% of lung parenchyma on high-resolution computed tomography, a single breath diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide ( ) ≤80% predicted and active treatment of lung disease.

Methods: As of the interim analysis cut-off, 655 patients (mean±sd age 65.

Predicting critical surgical characteristics of intracranial meningiomas on MRI-A prospective study on 100 consecutive patients.

Background: This study aimed to identify magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers predictive of essential surgical characteristics in meningiomas, including consistency, ease of dissection of meningioma from surrounding brain tissue, and vascularity, which are crucial for surgical decisions and outcomes.

Methods: We conducted preoperative MRI using a standardized protocol to measure signal intensities (SI) within meningiomas. Additionally, we administered intraoperative questionnaires and performed histological analyses on each tumor.

Evaluation of Adverse Events and the Impact on Health-Related Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Metastatic Spine Tumors: Analysis of the Metastatic Tumor Research and Outcomes Network (MTRON) Registry Dataset.

Study DesignThis study is part of the AO Spine Metastatic Tumor Research and Outcomes Network [MTRON], an international multicenter prospective observational registry including patients with spinal metastases.ObjectivesThis study aims to elucidate the incidence of surgical complications, their risk factors and consequent effects on survival outcomes, hospital length of stay, and overall health-related quality of life (HRQOL) parameters in a large cohort of patients affected by spinal metastases who were surgically treated.MethodsAvailable data from February 2017 to July 2023 were analyzed.

The impact of elective spine surgery in Canada for degenerative conditions on patient reported health-related quality of life outcomes.

The impact of spine surgery on Health-Related Quality-of-Life (HRQoL) outcomes across common spinal degenerative diagnoses is not well characterised. A prospective observational study of patients enrolled in the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network (CSORN) registry was performed. Baseline and 1-year post-operative Short Form-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores were collated and compared to normative values from the Canadian General Population (CGP).

Low Achieved Systolic Blood Pressure Related to Kidney Protection in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic High-Risk Hypertensive Patients.

Background: Protecting the kidneys by lowering systolic blood pressure (SBP) in hypertensive patients is not unequivocally settled. We tested the hypothesis that achieving lower average SBP in middle-aged and older high-risk hypertensive patients with and without type-2 diabetes mellitus through several years would clarify kidney protection.

Methods: We analyzed patients 50-80 years with no cardiovascular events during the first 6 months of drug up-titration after randomization to valsartan or amlodipine, and with 3 or more visits onwards with standardized BP measurements.

Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Renal Denervation: 24-Month Results From the SPYRAL HTN-ON MED Trial.

Background: Six-month results from the SPYRAL HTN-ON MED trial (SPYRAL HTN-ON MED Study of Renal Denervation With the Symplicity Spyral Multi-Electrode Renal Denervation System) demonstrated that renal denervation (RDN) reduced office blood pressure (BP), and not 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP, compared with sham control in hypertensive patients. In this prespecified analysis of the ON MED trial, long-term changes in BP, antihypertensive drug use, and safety outcomes through 24 months are compared between RDN and sham control groups.

Methods: SPYRAL HTN-ON MED is a prospective, randomized, sham-controlled, blinded trial enrolling 337 patients globally from 56 clinical centers.

Vocal biomarkers in heart failure-design, rationale and baseline characteristics of the AHF-Voice study.

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a life-threatening condition and a common cause of hospitalization. The defining clinical feature of AHF is volume overload, leading to pulmonary and peripheral edema and consequently to weight gain. Vocal biomarkers have the potential to facilitate the early detection of worsening HF and the prevention of AHF episodes by offering a non-invasive, low-barrier monitoring tool.

resistant to the highest priority critically important fluoroquinolone or 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporin antibiotics persist in pigsties.

Antimicrobial resistance threatens human and animal health, with antimicrobial usage being a key driver of selection, transmission, and spread of resistant bacteria. Livestock represents a potential reservoir for human transmission, leading authorities to restrict veterinary usage of fluoroquinolones and certain cephalosporins. However, growing evidence indicates that the corresponding resistance determinants can be retained even in the drugs' absence.

Impact of surgery and radiation on radicular pain and myotomic weakness in patients with metastatic spine disease.

Objective: Surgery is typically indicated for mechanical pain in metastatic spine disease or severe neurological compromise, but how radicular pain responds to oncological treatment is not well described. The primary aim of this study was to describe how radicular pain responds to oncological treatment, while secondary aims included pain outcomes between patients with mechanical and tumoral pain and motor improvement in patients with weakness due to nerve root compression.

Methods: Patients treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy for spinal metastases were identified from an international multicenter prospective cohort.