Safety and toxicity of Iopofosine I 131 (CLR 131) with external beam radiation therapy in recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer: results of a phase 1 single-centre, open-label, single-arm, dose escalation and dose expansion study.

Background: Re-irradiation of recurrent head and neck cancer (HNC) is often limited by tumour adherence to critical structures and/or radiation tolerance of critical normal tissues. Iopofosine I 131 (CLR 131) is a targeted small molecular phospholipid ether (PLE) drug conjugate that delivers iodine-131 selectively to tumour cells. We conducted a phase 1, single-centre, open-label study to determine whether CLR 131 given with reduced dose of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) would be tolerable and feasible.

Recommendations for the quantitative basic evaluation of mind-body medicine courses for university students - results of a consensus-based, systematic decision-making process by experts.

Background: There is an increasing range of mind-body medicine (MBM) courses in Germany to support university students in dealing with stress. The evaluation of these varies and often only has a small number of participants due to the limited group size of the courses. The aim of this project was the development of a quantitative basic evaluation that can be used across all sites that conduct MBM courses.

Synaptic-like coupling of macrophages to myofibers regulates muscle repair.

Peripheral injury responses essential for muscle repair and nociception require complex interactions of target tissues, immune cells and primary sensory neurons. Nociceptors and myofibers both react robustly to signals generated from circulating immune cells, which promote repair, growth, and regeneration of muscle while simultaneously modulating peripheral sensitization. Here, we found that macrophages form a synaptic-like contact with myofibers to hasten repair after acute incision injury and to facilitate regeneration after major muscle damage.

Early Detection of Left Ventricular Dysfunction With Machine Learning-Based Strain Imaging in Aortic Stenosis Patients.

Purpose: Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common cardiovascular condition where early detection of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is essential for timely intervention and optimal management. Current echocardiographic measurements, such as ejection fraction (EF), are insensitive to minor changes in LV function, and strain imaging is typically limited to the global longitudinal strain (GLS) parameter due to robustness issues. This study introduces a novel, fully automatic algorithm to enhance the detection of LV dysfunction in AS patients using multiple strain imaging parameters.

Integrating Contact Tracing Data to Enhance Outbreak Phylodynamic Inference: A Deep Learning Approach.

Phylodynamics is central to understanding infectious disease dynamics through the integration of genomic and epidemiological data. Despite advancements, including the application of deep learning to overcome computational limitations, significant challenges persist due to data inadequacies and statistical unidentifiability of key parameters. These issues are particularly pronounced in poorly resolved phylogenies, commonly observed in outbreaks such as SARS-CoV-2.

Low-Volume Lung Perfusion System for Single Lung Application in a Small Animal Model Enables Optimal Compliance With "" in 3R Principles of Animal Research.

lung perfusion (ESLP) is used for organ reconditioning, repair, and re-evaluation prior to transplantation. Since valid preclinical animal models are required for translationally relevant studies, we developed a 17 mL low-volume ESLP for double- and single-lung application that enables cost-effective optimal compliance "reduction" of the 3R principles of animal research. In single-lung mode, ten Fischer344 and Lewis rat lungs were subjected to ESLP and static cold storage using STEEN or PerfadexPlus.

Sex and disease regulate major histocompatibility complex class I expression in human lung epithelial cells.

Major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) molecules present peptides to CD8+ T-cells for immunosurveillance of infection and cancer. Recent studies indicate lineage-specific heterogeneity in MHC I expression. While respiratory diseases rank among the leading causes of mortality, studies in mice have shown that lung epithelial cells (LECs) express the lowest levels of MHC I in the lung.

Case report: Hybrid reconstruction of quadriceps function after sarcoma resection using a reinnervated free flap and tendon transfer.

We describe a case of a leiomyosarcoma of the thigh, the resection of all the anterior muscular compartment, and the reanimation of knee extension, using a latissimus dorsi (LD) free flap and tendon transfer. Surgical technique and postoperative care management are described. Functional results, neuropathic pain, and range of motion (ROM) were assessed at 3 months and 12 months after discharge.

An observational study on imported COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong during mandatory on-arrival hotel quarantine.

Background: Hong Kong enforced stringent travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the characteristics of imported COVID-19 cases is important for establishing evidence-based control measures.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study summarising the characteristics of imported cases detected in Hong Kong between 13 November 2020 and 31 January 2022, when compulsory quarantine was implemented.

Insights into COVID-19 epidemiology and control from temporal changes in serial interval distributions in Hong Kong.

The serial interval distribution is used to approximate the generation time distribution, an essential parameter to infer the transmissibility (${R}_t$) of an epidemic. However, serial interval distributions may change as an epidemic progresses. We examined detailed contact tracing data on laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hong Kong during the five waves from January 2020 to July 2022.

Multicenter Study on Physician-Modified Endografts for Thoracoabdominal and Complex Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Background: Physician modified endografts (PMEGs) have been widely used in the treatment of complex abdominal aortic aneurysm and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, however, previous data are limited to small single center studies and robust data on safety and effectiveness of PMEGs are lacking. We aimed to perform an international multicenter study analyzing the outcomes of PMEGs in complex abdominal aortic aneurysms and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Methods: An international multicenter single-arm cohort study was performed analyzing the outcomes of PMEGs in the treatment of elective, symptomatic, and ruptured complex abdominal aortic aneurysms and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Evaluation of interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 receptor antagonists in a murine model of acute lung injury.

The acute exudative phase of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a severe form of respiratory failure, is characterized by alveolar damage, pulmonary oedema, and an exacerbated inflammatory response. There is no effective treatment for this condition, but based on the major contribution of inflammation, anti-inflammatory strategies have been evaluated in animal models and clinical trials, with conflicting results. In COVID-19 ARDS patients, interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 receptor antagonists (IL-1Ra and IL-6Ra, kineret and tocilizumab, respectively) have shown some efficacy.