Work-related stress and burnout: Is epigenetic aging the missing link?

Background: Work-related stress is a well-established contributor to mental health decline, particularly in the context of burnout, a state of prolonged exhaustion. Epigenetic clocks, which estimate biological age based on DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns, have been proposed as potential biomarkers of chronic stress and its impact on biological aging and health. However, their role in mediating the relationship between work-related stress, physiological stress markers, and burnout remains unclear.

Intestinal epithelial Dicer1 regulates gut microbiome and Alzheimer's pathology in App-knock-in mice.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and animal models exhibit an altered gut microbiome that is associated with pathological changes in the brain. Intestinal miRNA enters bacteria and regulates bacterial metabolism and proliferation. This study aimed to investigate whether the manipulation of miRNA could alter the gut microbiome and AD pathologies.

Long-term recovery of sensorimotor functions and prediction of participation in survivors of critical illness: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Survivors of critical illness frequently face physical, cognitive and psychological impairments after intensive care. Sensorimotor impairments potentially have a negative impact on participation. However, comprehensive understanding of sensorimotor recovery and participation in survivors of critical illness is limited.

Challenges in the use of the CytoSorb adsorber in an intensive care patient with liver dysfunction of unknown origin: a case report.

Background: The treatment of critically ill patients in intensive care units is becoming increasingly complex. For example, organ transplants are regularly carried out, the recipients are seriously ill, and the postoperative course can be complicated. This is why organ replacement and hemadsorption procedures are becoming increasingly important.

Medical cannabis legalization and the use of illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.

Amidst the global shift toward cannabis legalization, this study examines medical cannabis (MC) sales as an indicator of economic activity and innovation. It explores associations between MC sales, and variables including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, amphetamine, cocaine and cannabis prevalence, and gross domestic product (GDP), using a fixed effects (FE) panel regression model. It also evaluates associations between cannabis legalization and MC sales over time using a dynamic Difference-in-Differences (DiD) approach with multiple time periods.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) recreational use is increasing across Germany - a survey of the German neurological society among practicing neurologists.

Background: Recreational nitrous oxide (NO) abuse has become increasingly prevalent, raising concerns about associated health risks. In Germany, the lack of reliable data on NO consumption patterns limits the development of effective public health interventions. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by examining trends, determinants, and health consequences of NO abuse in Germany.

Effectiveness comparison of an indicated child-centered group prevention program for disruptive behavior problems in children with vs. without co-occurring emotional problems.

Background: Disruptive behavior and emotional problems - especially anxiety - are common in children and frequently co-occur. However, the role of co-occurring emotional problems in disruptive behavior intervention response is unclear. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of an indicated prevention program in children with disruptive behavior problems with vs.

Patterns of extreme outlier gene expression suggest an edge of chaos effect in transcriptomic networks.

Background: Most RNA-seq datasets harbor genes with extreme expression levels in some samples. Such extreme outliers are usually treated as technical errors and are removed from the data before further statistical analysis. Here we focus on the patterns of such outlier gene expression to investigate whether they provide insights into the underlying biology.

One-plate versus two-plate fixation in the treatment of mandibular angle fractures: a retrospective two-centre comparative study.

Background: The treatment of mandibular angle fractures remains controversial, particularly regarding the method of fixation. The primary aim of this study was to compare surgical outcomes following treatment with 1-plate versus 2-plate fixation across two oral and maxillofacial surgery clinics. The secondary aim was to evaluate associations between patient-, trauma-, and procedure-specific factors with postoperative complications and to identify high-risk patients for secondary osteosynthesis.

Identifying levels of alcohol use disorder severity in electronic health records.

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is conceptualized as a dimensional phenomenon in the DSM-5, but electronic health records (EHRs) rely on binary AUD definitions according to the ICD-10. The present study classifies AUD severity levels using EHR data and tests whether increasing AUD severity levels are linked with increased comorbidity.

Methods: Billing data from two German statutory health insurance companies in Hamburg included n = 21,954 adults diagnosed with alcohol-specific conditions between 2017 and 2021.

Tendencies of eating disordered behaviours in male content creators: a social media analysis.

Eating disorders are primarily associated with women and an obsession with thinness. Recent research and social media content show that men are also concerned about their body image, striving for a muscular and athletic physique. To investigate eating disorder tendencies among male content creators with a mesomorphic body type (N = 26), a social media analysis was conducted on Instagram and TikTok over four weeks.

Body muscle mass versus fat mass: gender-specific associations with NAFLD and liver fibrosis.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the gender-specific associations of skeletal muscle mass and fat mass with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and NAFLD-related liver fibrosis in two population-based studies.

Methods: Analyses were based on data from the MEGA (n = 238) and the MEIA study (n = 594) conducted between 2018 and 2023 in Augsburg, Germany. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to evaluate relative skeletal muscle mass (rSM) and SM index (SMI) as well as relative fat mass (rFM) and FM index (FMI); furthermore, the fat-to-muscle ratio was built.

Female first and senior authorship in high-impact critical care journals 2005-2024.

Background: Gender disparities persist in medical research. This study assessed gender representation trends in first and senior authorships in the five highest-ranked critical care journals (by impact factor) over a 20-year period.

Methods: We analyzed author gender distribution from 2005 to 2024.

Impact of osteotomy angle on bone failure risk in a modified pull-through approach: a finite element analysis.

Background: A modified pull-through approach represents a promising treatment strategy to access tumors in the posterior oral cavity. The design of the wedge osteotomy plays a key role in preserving postoperative mechanical stability while enabling surgical access. However, the optimal osteotomy design to reduce fracture risk remains unclear.

Experiencing stigmatization during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study among healthcare workers.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) played a crucial role in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to increased workloads, they were confronted with stigmatization due to their work in the health sector.

Methods: Guided by the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework (HSDF), this study aimed to explore the experiences of stigmatization of HCWs in Germany using semi-structured interviews (N = 34) and investigate effective coping strategies and existing needs in this context.

Patient-centred interprofessional teleconsultation for post-viral symptom complexes in German primary care-protocol for the cluster-randomised controlled COVI-Care M-V trial.

Background: Post-viral syndromes, including long- and post-COVID, often lead to persistent symptoms such as fatigue and dyspnoea, affecting patients' daily lives and ability to work. The COVI-Care M-V trial examines whether interprofessional, patient-centred teleconsultations, initiated by general practitioners in cooperation with specialists, can help reduce symptom burden and improve care for patients.

Methods: To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention under routine care conditions, a cluster-randomised controlled trial is being conducted.

Impact of forward and backward walking on gait parameters across parkinson's disease stages and severity: a prospective observational study.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by motor symptoms altering gait domains such as slow walking speed, reduced step and stride length, and increased double support time. Gait disturbances occur in the early, mild to moderate, and advanced stages of the disease in both backward walking (BW) and forward walking (FW), but are more pronounced in BW. At this point, however, no information is available about BW performance and disease stages specified using the Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) scale.

Extreme MetaboHealth scores in three cohort studies associate with plasma protein markers for inflammation and cholesterol transport.

The MetaboHealth score is an indicator of physiological frailty in middle aged and older individuals. The aim of the current study was to explore which molecular pathways co-vary with the MetaboHealth score. Using a Luminex cytokine assay and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based proteomics we explored the plasma proteins associating with the difference in 100 extreme scoring individuals selected from two large population cohorts, the Leiden Longevity Study (LLS) and the Rotterdam Study (RS), and discordant monozygotic twin pairs from the Netherlands Twin Register (NTR).

Organotypic Culture of Adult Vascularized Porcine Retina Explants In Vitro on Nanotube Scaffolds.

Background: Organotypic long-term cultivation of vascularized retina explants is a major challenge for application in drug development, drug screening, diagnostics and future personalized medicine. With this background, an assay and protocol for organotypic culture of vascularized retina explants in vitro with optimum tissue integrity preservation is developed and demonstrated.

Methods: Morphological, histologic and biochemical integrity as well as viability of vascularized retina explants are compared as function of cultivation time for differently structured nanotube scaffolds.

Prolonged in vitro anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and surfactant-promoting effects of volatile anesthetics.

Background: Volatile anesthetics are gaining recognition for their benefits in long-term sedation of mechanically ventilated patients with bacterial pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. In addition to their sedative role, they also exhibit anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, though the mechanisms behind these effects remain only partially understood. In vitro studies examining the prolonged impact of volatile anesthetics on bacterial growth, inflammatory cytokine response, and surfactant proteins - key to maintaining lung homeostasis - are still lacking.

Beyond the screen: exploring digital health experiences of individuals affected by psoriasis - a qualitative interview study.

Background: Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disorder, imposes a high burden on those affected, often leading to stigma and increased depression risk. With the increasing importance of digital media in medical contexts, there is a notable prevalence of misinformation and low-quality content. This study aims to explore the experiences of individuals affected by psoriasis regarding their disease-related digital media use.

Nigral stimulation for freezing of gait: kinematic gait parameters inform optimization of stimulation frequency.

Innovative technology allows for personalization of stimulation frequency in dual-site deep brain stimulation (DBS), offering promise for challenging symptoms in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD), particularly freezing of gait (FoG). Early results suggest that combining standard subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation with substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) stimulation may improve FoG outcomes. However, patient response and the optimal SNr stimulation frequency vary.

A systematic review of EEG-based machine learning classifications for obsessive-compulsive disorder: current status and future directions.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and disabling condition affecting approximately 3.5% of the global population, with diagnosis on average delayed by 7.1 years or often confounded with other psychiatric disorders.

Understanding the complexities of oral healthcare delivery in correctional settings: a qualitative exploration of barriers, facilitators, and opportunities.

Background: People living in prison face exceptionally high prevalence rates of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and poor oral health-related quality of life. Despite its importance, various aspects of oral healthcare in prison settings remain understudied. The present study investigates the barriers and facilitators associated with providing and utilizing oral health services in prison settings, drawing on insights from prison health experts, managerial and custodial staff, healthcare providers, and individuals with lived experience of imprisonment.