Prognostic relevance of contrast extravasation in patients undergoing endovascular embolization of acute bleeding.

Objectives: Contrast extravasation on imaging studies is a clinical surrogate for bleeding severity. However, the prognostic relevance of this imaging sign needs to be evaluated. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of contrast extravasation defined by computed tomography (CT) and angiography on massive transfusion and 30-day mortality in patients with acute bleeding undergoing transarterial embolization (TAE).

Prognostic relevance of CT-defined body composition in esophageal cancer patients undergoing curative treatment.

Introduction: Body composition including low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) defined by skeletal muscle index (SMI) and subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue (SAT and VAT) can be assessed using cross-sectional imaging techniques. Previous studies have shown promising prognostic value for several tumour entities, including esophageal cancer (EC). The aim of this study was to analyse possible associations of body composition parameters in patients with esophageal cancer undergoing curative treatment.

Divergent on-target off-tumor effects by CAR T and CAR NK cells suggest different efficacy and safety of cell therapies.

CAR-based cell therapies have shown clinical success in treating various cancers, with CAR T cell therapies entering the clinical route and CAR NK cell therapies being evaluated in early-stage clinical trials. A key challenge is the presence of tumor-associated antigens on healthy cells, risking on-target off-tumor toxicities. Our comparative analysis of CAR T and CAR NK cells targeting the multiple myeloma-associated antigens BCMA, SLAMF7, and CD38 revealed that antigen density on target cells significantly modulates CAR NK cell activation and cytotoxicity.

Impact of bleeding and thrombosis on outcome of 945 COVID-19 VV-ECMO cases from a German registry.

Unlabelled: Bleeding and thromboembolic events (BTE) increase the mortality of COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The current analysis aimed to assess frequency and determinants of BTE according to their location and severity in a retrospective analysis of the German ECMO COVID-19 registry. Logistic regression was applied to identify factors influencing ICU survival as well as variables associated with risks of BTE.

The molecular mechanism of human beta-defensin 1 in inhibiting the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: The role of the IL-17B/IL-17RB/TRAF6/NF-κB signaling axis.

The present study aimed to investigate the regulatory functions and mechanisms of human β-defensin 1 (hBD-1) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) through comprehensive bioinformatics analyses and experimental validation. Comprehensive bioinformatics analyses of TCGA database samples were performed, including DEFB1 expression profiling, clinical correlation analysis, prognostic evaluation, and pathway enrichment studies. The results demonstrated that DEFB1/hBD-1 expression was significantly downregulated in tumor tissues and negatively correlated with key genes in the IL-17 signaling pathway, while being associated with reduced lymph node metastasis and improved overall survival.

Maternal mental health: A longitudinal study of depression and anxiety across pregnancy and postpartum.

Problem/background: Depression and anxiety during the peripartum period affect maternal and infant well-being but remain understudied and undertreated.

Aim: This study investigated the prevalence, longitudinal course, flow patterns, and risk and protective factors for depression and generalized anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum.

Methods: A longitudinal design with four assessment points (second trimester, third trimester, three and six months postpartum) was used, including 136 women from a German university hospital.

Sex-specific outcomes after transcatheter or surgical treatment of aortic valve stenosis: the DEDICATE-DZHK6 trial.

Background And Aims: Aortic stenosis may be managed differently in women and men, but evidence remains limited. Sex-specific characteristics and outcomes of low- to intermediate-risk patients assigned to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) from the DEDICATE-DZHK6 trial are described.

Methods: The DEDICATE-DZHK6 trial demonstrated non-inferiority for the primary outcome of all-cause death or stroke at 1 year.

GeMTeX's De-Identification in Action: Lessons Learned & Devil's Details.

Introduction: In 2024, the GeMTeX project launched the largest ever de-identification campaign for German-language clinical reports, and, as a pilot study, published GraSCCoPHI, the first de-identified German-language gold standard corpus of synthetic discharge summaries.

Methods: GeMTeX's de-identification workflow is described here - including annotation tool management and, pre-annotation experience, such as assembling and training annotation groups and the evolution of guidelines.

Results: We present the project's progress in the first year with respect to de-identification efforts and the challenges we faced during the rollout at six hospital sites in four German states.

Repeat-associated ataxias in a German patient cohort analysed by targeted parallel long-read sequencing.

Hereditary adult-onset ataxias are a heterogeneous group of phenotypically overlapping conditions, often caused by pathogenic expansions of short tandem repeats. Currently, 18 repeat disorders with a core phenotype of adult-onset ataxia are known. Diagnosis typically relies on sequential PCR-based methods, which are labour-intensive and lack precision.

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.

Serum Galectin-9 and Decorin in relation to brain aging and the green-Mediterranean diet: A secondary analysis of the DIRECT PLUS randomized trial.

Background And Aims: We explored whether changes in serum proteomic profiles differed between participants with distinct brain aging trajectories, and whether these changes were influenced by dietary intervention.

Methods: In this secondary analysis of the 18-month DIRECT PLUS trial, 294 participants were randomized to one of three arms: 1) Healthy dietary guidelines (HDG); 2) Mediterranean (MED) diet (+440 mg/day polyphenols from walnuts); or 3) low red/processed meat green-MED diet (+1240 mg/day polyphenols from walnuts, Mankai plant, and green tea). We measured 87 serum proteins (Olink-CVDII).

Superior recovery and efficiency with laryngeal mask airway compared to endotracheal intubation in minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Minimally invasive repair is the standard treatment for patients with pectus excavatum. Recent data suggest that using a laryngeal mask airway during thoracic surgery might offer advantages over endotracheal intubation, such as faster recovery from surgery, shorter anesthesia times and fewer complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and potential benefits of laryngeal mask airway use in minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair.

Neurons ensheathed by perineuronal nets are prone to hyperphosphorylation of tau protein in the hibernating Syrian hamster brain.

Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are a specialized form of neuronal extracellular matrix that often ensheath highly active cells, such as parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons. Net-bearing neurons have been shown to be devoid of pathological aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein (p-tau), suggesting they may serve neuroprotective functions. P-tau is a major hallmark of tauopathies like Alzheimer's disease (AD) but is also naturally present in the brains of hibernating mammals during the torpor phase.

Capturing the dynamics of adolescent emotion regulation in anxiety-inducing situations through development and evaluation of a state emotion regulation questionnaire for adolescents.

The development of functional emotion regulation (ER) is crucial for mental health in childhood and adolescence-especially in today's context of multiple crises, which have led to rising anxiety even in the general population. Although the importance of ER is widely acknowledged, existing assessments have yet to adequately measure state ER, particularly in anxiety-inducing situations. We aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the State Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ State) for adolescents, with a future focus on clinical populations.

Assessment of the Conformation of the Radioulnar Joint Comparing Dogs with and without Medial Coronoid Disease.

The aim of our study was to assess the conformation of the radioulnar joint using transverse plane computed tomography in dogs with medial coronoid disease (MCD).The study included 101 elbow joints with arthroscopically confirmed MCD and 20 sound control elbow joints. To assess the conformation of the radioulnar joint, we determined the ratio for the radial head centre of supination and pronation toward the ulnar joint surface in the transverse computed tomography plane.

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections among pulmonary tuberculosis suspected and confirmed patients in Ethiopia - A systematic review and meta analyses.

Introduction: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental pathogens found in soil, water, and various environments, causing chronic pulmonary infections. They are resistant to chlorine and extreme temperatures but not typically transmissible. NTM infections are often misdiagnosed as tuberculosis (TB), especially in Ethiopia, where data on prevalence is scarce.

Application of a comprehensive approach to pathogen screening in a stowaway rat on an airplane.

In April 2017, a rat was observed on an airplane during a flight from Miami (USA) to Berlin (Germany). After landing in Berlin, significant efforts were made to trap the rat and disinfect the airplane. As rats are known reservoir hosts for a variety of zoonotic pathogens, this event necessitated the establishment of a standard workflow for the detection of rodent-borne pathogens.

Structural basis of Fusobacterium nucleatum adhesin Fap2 interaction with receptors on cancer and immune cells.

Fusobacterium nucleatum is overrepresented in the colon microbiome of colorectal cancer patients and has been associated with tumor growth enhancement and metastasis. A pivotal pathogenic factor, the autotransporter adhesin Fap2, facilitates association to cancer and immune cells via the receptors Gal-GalNAc and TIGIT, respectively, leading to deactivation of immune cells. Mechanistic details of the Fap2/TIGIT interaction remain elusive as no structural data are available.

Phenotypical and genotypical resistance testing of isolated from different animal species in Austria.

Introduction: is an economically important pathogen in veterinary medicine. Data on its antimicrobial resistance vary widely across regions. Furthermore, most of the found literature focuses on phenotypic resistance testing.

Mn(III)-porphyrins in battle against neurodegenerative and cancer diseases.

Manganese(III)-porphyrins - Mn(III)P-exhibit remarkable redox activity, influencing oxidative and antioxidative processes in biological systems. In this study, we explore the dual roles of Mn(III)-2-TE-PyP and Mn(III)-4-TE-PyP in modulating hyaluronan degradation, a key factor in both neuroprotection and cancer therapy. While Mn(III)-2-TE-PyP enhances oxidative degradation of high-molecular weight hyaluronan, facilitating immune recognition of cancer cells, its structural isomer Mn(III)-4-TE-PyP acts as a potent antioxidant, safeguarding neuronal integrity against oxidative stress.

The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): Beyond Cardiovascular Regulation.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a pivotal role in regulating cardiovascular function, fluid balance, and blood pressure. Recent research has revealed the RAAS's influence extends beyond cardiovascular physiology, encompassing key roles in inflammation, fibrosis, immune regulation, cancer progression, and organ-specific disease mechanisms. This review provides a comprehensive overview of classical and alternative RAAS pathways, focusing on the dual roles of angiotensin II (Ang II) and angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang 1-7), mediated through AT1R, AT2R, MasR, and MrgD receptors.

Antibody Titer Testing in Dogs: Evaluation of Three Point-of-Care Tests for Canine Core Vaccine Antigens Compared to Virus Neutralization.

Antibody titer testing can be useful in controlling successful puppy immunization and can reduce unnecessary vaccinations in adult dogs. We evaluated three commercially available point-of-care tests (POCTs) for detecting antibodies against canine parvovirus (CPV-2), canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine adenovirus (CAV-1 and/or -2), comparing them to the reference virus neutralization (VN) assay. Sera from 200 client-owned dogs (13 healthy, 63 chronically diseased, 124 acute) and 60 specific pathogen-free (SPF) dogs, including 20 sera with maternally derived antibodies (MDA), were tested.

Alcohol Excise Taxation, Tax Share and Revenue in the European Union and the United Kingdom in 2022: An Overview and Modelling Analysis.

Introduction: Although increases in alcohol excise taxation have been identified as one of the 'best buys' of the World Health Organization to reduce alcohol consumption and attributable harm, excise tax shares-the proportion of excise tax included in retail prices of alcoholic beverages-remain low in Europe. Revenue derived from alcohol excise taxation, and how it is affected by changes in alcohol excise taxation, has not yet been widely explored.

Methods: We conducted a search for revenues generated from alcohol excise taxation in all European Union (EU) countries and the United Kingdom between 2017 and 2022.