Single-step, chloroform-free Extraction of Lysophosphatidylcholine from Plasma for Cancer Biomarker Analysis.

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) has been the subject of research for many years, but its role in lipid turnover is still not fully understood, neither its role in cancer development and progression. A crucial aspect in LPC research is its efficient and fast extraction from plasma and tissues to use LPC as a biomarker in clinical settings. The extraction methods commonly in use like Bligh & Dyer require the use of toxic halogenated solvents and are time consuming due to multiple extraction steps and subsequent solvent evaporation.

Outcome of systemic therapy in patients with advanced rare skin cancers: A retrospective multicenter DeCOG study of 209 patients.

Introduction: For rare skin cancers, few data exist on the outcome of systemic therapies, particularly immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). The present study analysed the real-world use of different systemic therapies including ICI, and its outcome in patients with advanced rare skin cancers.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included patients who received systemic therapy for advanced, non-resectable cutaneous angiosarcoma (AS), Kaposi sarcoma (KS), pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS), or cutaneous adnexal carcinoma (CAC).

Analysis of Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor as a Prognostic Biomarker in NMOSD and MOGAD.

Objective: Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) is a biomarker for T cell activity. T cells are involved in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) pathogenesis. However, sIL-2R has so far not been evaluated in these conditions.

Schizophrenia and catatonia: from ICD-10 to ICD-11.

The classification of psychotic disorders has undergone a variety of changes. Since Karl Ludwig Kahlbaum's (Kahlbaum 1874) first descriptions of catatonic states and Emil Kraepelin's (Kraepelin 1883) nosological classification of psychotic syndromes in the second half of the nineteenth century, the diagnostic criteria for these disorders have been repeatedly modified, significantly impacting clinical practice. Eugen Bleuler (Bleuler 1911) coined the term "schizophrenia", emphasizing the disturbances in thinking, feeling and acting that he had observed.

Engineering Vascularized Transplantable Soft Tissue Free Flaps in Sheep Using the Arteriovenous Loop Technique.

The aim of this study was to grow axially vascularized soft tissue flaps in sheep using the arteriovenous loop (AVL) technique to be transplanted for defect reconstruction. This technique may be a promising alternative to conventional free flaps to further reduce flap donor site morbidity. In this pilot study, AVLs ( = 12) were created in the groins of six sheep, placed into an isolation chamber, and embedded in Matriderm®.

Clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential and mortality in coronary artery disease.

Background And Aims: Clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) has been associated with cardiovascular risk, but its prognostic relevance and mechanistic role in coronary artery disease (CAD) remains incompletely understood. This study investigated the association between CHIP and all-cause mortality in CAD and explored the cellular and molecular mechanisms, focusing on TET2 mutations.

Methods: Targeted deep sequencing of 13 CHIP driver genes in 8612 patients with angiographically confirmed CAD was performed.

Predicting the indication for adjuvant radiation therapy according to EAU guidelines among patients with high-risk prostate cancer: a novel multivariable model.

Background: To develop a novel model for preoperatively predicting the indication for adjuvant radiation therapy after radical prostatectomy according to current guideline recommendations of the European Association of Urology (EAU) based on patient and clinical tumor characteristics in high-risk prostate cancer patients.

Methods: Within a high-volume center database (01/2010-08/2024), we identified high-risk prostate cancer patients. Univariable logistic regression models addressed indication for adjuvant radiation therapy.

Study protocol: neonatal colonisation and infection with in very immature preterm infants born <29 weeks of gestation (NEO-CONSCIOUS) - a prospective multicentre study assessing early life colonisation rates and potentially associated adverse outcomes.

Introduction: Preterm infants, particularly those born before 29 weeks of gestation, are at increased risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and other complications of prematurity. Substantial evidence suggests that respiratory tract colonisation with species significantly contributes to pulmonary inflammation, impaired lung function and subsequent lung disease especially in very immature infants. Moreover, exposure has been implicated in the pathogenesis of other inflammation-related sequelae of prematurity.

Orthopaedic physicians' awareness, diagnostic challenges and referral barriers in axial spondyloarthritis: insights from a nationwide survey in Germany.

Background: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints, potentially leading to pain, stiffness and disability. Despite diagnostic advances, delays persist. Orthopaedic physicians, often the first specialists consulted for back pain, play a crucial role in early detection and referral to rheumatologists.

SputOMICs identifies common and distinct markers in cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are muco-obstructive lung diseases. Knowledge of molecular processes has much improved therapeutic options in CF, whereas much less is known for COPD, a disease affecting an increasing number of patients. Here, we report a multilayer workflow integrating microbiome, inflammation and proteome profiling with clinical data to identify disease specific characteristics in sputum.

The interplay between Wnt and mTOR signaling modulates ciliogenesis in human retinal epithelial cells.

The primary cilium is a microtubule-based organelle essential for various cellular functions, particularly signal transduction. While the role of cilia in regulating signaling pathways has been extensively studied, the impact of signaling pathways on cilia formation remains less well understood. Wnt signals are critical modulators of cell fate.

Post-surgical outcomes in transgender women: a prospective analysis of sexual function and health-related quality of life.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate patient and clinician reported outcomes of sexual function and health-related quality of life (QOL) of transgender women preoperatively (t0), 6 months (t1), and 12 months (t2) after gender-affirming surgery (GAS) with penile inversion vaginoplasty.

Methods: Transgender women undergoing two-stage GAS at our tertiary care center were included (04/2019-01/2023). Patients received a composed questionnaire including a validated questionnaire (SF-12).

Synthetic trap-peptides identify a TOM complex phosphatase - PP2A dephosphorylates Tom6.

The identification of phosphatases that dephosphorylate specific sites in proteins remains a major challenge, particularly for the major class of serine/threonine-specific phosphatases, which function as holoenzymes. Here, we report the development of synthetic trap-peptides to identify phosphatases that bind to Tom6, a subunit of the mitochondrial translocase of the outer membrane (TOM) complex. The TOM complex is regulated by reversible phosphorylation, and although responsible kinases have been identified, the corresponding phosphatases so far remain unknown.

Comparison of outcomes of arterial end-to-side versus end-to-end anastomosis in autologous deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction: DIEP-ES study protocol.

Background: End-to-end anastomosis to the internal mammary artery (IMA) is the current standard anastomosis technique for women undergoing autologous breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. This approach fails to preserve the length of the IMA, compromising its availability for cardiac surgery use in women who develop coronary heart disease. A viable alternative may be end-to-side anastomosis, but data on its feasibility is currently lacking.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: what are the priorities for the next 20 years?

Advances in clinical care, biomedical research, and health advocacy have significantly improved survival and quality of life across the lifespan. To sustain and accelerate this progress, it is essential to define clear goals for the future. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), one of the most common and severe congenital malformations, serves as a model condition where coordinated efforts in clinical care, research, and advocacy have led to important advances in understanding disease mechanisms and improving outcomes.

Empagliflozin reduces left ventricular mass increase and improves cardiomyocyte hypertrophy after 5/6 nephrectomy.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common cardiac complication in patients with cardiorenal syndrome. Empagliflozin has demonstrated cardio-renal protective effects in clinical studies, potentially linked to reductions in left ventricular mass (LVM). Using a 5/6 nephrectomy rat model to induce cardiorenal syndrome, we administered two doses of Empagliflozin (3 mg/kg/day and 15 mg/kg/day) via gavage for 95 days, with Telmisartan as a positive control.

Evaluation of Sexual Function and Vaginal Prolapse Relapse in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Sacropexy Pectopexy.

Background/aim: This study aimed to compare sexual function and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic sacropexy (LSP) laparoscopic pectopexy (LPP) to treat vaginal cuff or uterine prolapse.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional explorative cohort study of 46 patients who underwent LSP (n=23) or LPP (n=23) in our tertiary care hospital was conducted. The patients' postoperative sexual function was evaluated (female sexual function index, FSFI), and prolapse stages were determined with the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system (POP-Q).

Contralateral Robotic-Assisted Anatomical Resection for Synchronous or Metachronous Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Case Series.

: Advances in screening programs have led to increased detection of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including synchronous or metachronous nodules amenable to surgical resection. Patients requiring contralateral anatomical lung resections present a unique surgical challenge due to potential impairments in lung function and the complexities of one-lung ventilation. This study evaluates the feasibility, safety, and perioperative outcomes of robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) for contralateral anatomical lung resections in patients with NSCLC.

Functional Role of miR-138-5p and miR-200b-3p in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: Molecular Insights into Seminoma and Teratoma Pathogenesis.

This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying germ cell tumors (GCTs), focusing specifically on seminomas and teratomas. By analyzing gene expression profiles and miRNA interactions, the goal is to identify key regulatory miRNAs and signaling pathways that differentiate these tumor types and could serve as important regulators for therapy development. Raw data for seminomas and teratomas were extracted from the GEO database, and gene hubs were identified using STRING and Gephi.

Is the Activation of the Postsynaptic Ligand Gated Glycine- or GABA Receptors Essential for the Receptor Clustering at Inhibitory Synapses?

One major challenge in cellular neuroscience is to elucidate how the accurate alignment of presynaptic release sites with postsynaptic densely clustered ligand-gated ion channels at chemical synapses is achieved upon synapse assembly. The clustering of neurotransmitter receptors at postsynaptic sites is a key moment of synaptogenesis and determinant for effective synaptic transmission. The number of the ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors at these postsynaptic sites of both excitatory and inhibitory synapses is variable and is regulated by different mechanisms, thus allowing the modulation of synaptic strength, which is essential to tune neuronal network activity.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Superinfection with a Difficult-to-Treat Pathogen in Periprosthetic Joint Infections.

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are considered as one of the most serious complications after total joint arthroplasty. Aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of PJI caused by difficult-to-treat (DTT) pathogens as well as PJIs with a superinfection with a DTT pathogen in the course of the infection and assess the risk factors leading to this emergence. Data of 169 consecutive patients with a PJI was analyzed in this retrospective observational single-center study, and cases were categorized into PJIs with initial DTT pathogens, PJIs with DTT pathogen superinfection, non-DTT PJIs, and PJIs with superinfection.

Transcriptomic Analysis Identifies Oxidative Stress-Related Hub Genes and Key Pathways in Sperm Maturation.

Background: Oxidative stress is a critical factor contributing to male infertility, impairing spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and disrupting normal spermatogenesis. This study aimed to isolate and characterize human SSCs and to investigate oxidative stress-related gene expression, protein interaction networks, and developmental trajectories involved in SSC function.

Methods: SSCs were enriched from human orchiectomy samples using CD49f-based magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) and laminin-binding matrix selection.

Machine Learning for Predicting Recurrent Course in Uveitis Using Baseline Clinical Characteristics.

Purpose: We developed and evaluated machine learning models for predicting the risk of recurrent uveitis using baseline clinical characteristics, to inform clinical decision-making and risk stratification.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the Ocular Autoimmune Systemic Inflammatory Infectious Study registry, including 966 patients (1432 eyes) with uveitis. Three machine learning classifiers-random Forest, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, and radial basis function support vector classifier-were trained on preprocessed baseline demographic and clinical data.

Harmonic vowels and neural dynamics: MEG evidence for auditory resonance integration in singing.

Introduction: Auditory perception of sung syllables involves rapid shifts between speech-like interpretation and spectral awareness of resonance. Perceiving vocal tract resonances as pitch-like elements may be crucial for singers, linking this concept to pedagogical practice and underlying neural mechanisms. This study examines how vowel resonance becomes accessible to conscious processing and how such perceptual shifts are reflected in neural dynamics.