A conditional smoothened (smo) allele on an inbred C57BL/6J genetic background has a hypomorphic smo mutant phenotype.

We have introduced the floxed allele of Smoothened (Smo) carried by the mouse line Smo into the C57BL/6J strain by serial backcross. Recapitulation of the Smo null phenotype was confirmed by deleting the allele using E2a-cre and intercrossing heterozygous Smo ± mice. No homozygous mutant embryos were identified at E9.

Metabolic Dysfunction in New-Onset Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Identification of Novel Biomarkers.

Objective: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a neurometabolic disease with an increasing incidence. The pathophysiology is unknown, but improvement of diagnosis and management requires discovery of novel biomarkers. Our objective was to identify such candidate biomarkers in IIH, and secondarily, test for associations between identified metabolites and disease severity.

Average steps per day as marker of treatment response with anti-CGRP mAbs in adults with chronic migraine: a pilot study.

Physical activity can worsen migraine, leading to reduced activity levels in adults with chronic migraine. This study investigated the change in average steps per day, as a surrogate marker of physical activity, in adults with chronic migraine successfully treated with monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptide or its receptor. Data were obtained from adults with chronic migraine, who were classified as responders to preventive treatment with monoclonal antibodies.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for headache and pain disorders: a systematic review.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) plays a crucial role in metabolic disorders by enhancing insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon release, and slowing gastric emptying, thereby improving glycemic control. In recent years, GLP-1 role in neuronal pathways has expanded its therapeutic potential. We aim to comprehensively evaluate the relevance of GLP-1 in headache and pain disorders.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Signs of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.

Importance: The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria currently used to diagnose idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) are based on expert opinion and have limited accuracy. Additional neuroimaging signs have been proposed and used with contradictory results; thus, prospective evidence is needed to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Objective: To provide evidence-based, accurate MRI signs for IIH diagnosis.

The preclinical discovery and development of atogepant for migraine prophylaxis.

Introduction: Atogepant is a selective calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist that is utilized in adults for the prevention of episodic and chronic migraine. Cumulative findings support the involvement of CGRP in migraine pathophysiology, and atogepant functions by competitively antagonizing CGRP receptors, which results in the inhibition of trigeminovascular nociception. The mechanism of action addresses the cause of migraine pain, providing an effective preventive treatment option.

Cell-based influenza vaccines: An effective vaccine option for under 60-year-olds.

Aim: Seasonal influenza poses a significant burden of disease, affecting not only older adults but also individuals under the age of 60. It carries a high economic burden, mainly driven by influenza-associated productivity losses in the working population. Conventional egg-based influenza vaccines may have reduced effectiveness due to antigen adaptation in eggs.

The socio-economic burden of H1-antihistamine-refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria in Germany.

Background And Study Aim: Data from the AWARE study (A Worldwide Antihistamine-Refractory chronic urticaria patient Evaluation) illustrate a substantial disease burden in German patients with H1-antihistamine (-H1-AH)-refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Detrimental effects on patients' quality of life, poor disease control and impairment in the ability to work and perform other daily activities are reported. Based on these findings, this study aims to quantify the epidemiological and socio-economic burden of H1-AH-refractory CSU in Germany.

Neurofilament light chain is elevated in patients with newly diagnosed idiopathic intracranial hypertension: A prospective study.

Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a secondary headache disorder potentially causing visual loss. Neurofilament light chain is a candidate, prognostic biomarker, but further studies of neuronal biomarkers are needed. Our objective was to investigate neurofilament light chain in cerebrospinal fluid (cNfL) and plasma (pNfL), amyloid-beta 42 (Aβ-42), total-tau and phosphorylated-tau in cerebrospinal fluid in new-onset idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Are the ICHD-3 criteria for headache attributed to idiopathic intracranial hypertension valid? Headache phenotyping and field-testing in newly diagnosed idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Background: Headache burden is substantial in idiopathic intracranial hypertension. The classification of idiopathic intracranial hypertension headache by the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) is an important tool for research and clinical purposes.

Methods: We phenotyped headaches and tested sensitivity and specificity of the ICHD-3 criteria for idiopathic intracranial hypertension headache in a prospective cohort of patients suspected of idiopathic intracranial hypertension at two tertiary headache centers.

The impact of eating disorders on idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) occurs more frequently in obese females of childbearing age. A link between eating disorders and poor outcome has been suggested but remains unproven.

Methods: This prospective field study at two tertiary headache centers included patients with clinically suspected IIH after standardized diagnostic work-up.

[Cell-based influenza vaccines: an effective vaccine option for under 60-year-olds].

The population < 60 years of age is also affected by a significant disease burden from seasonal influenza. It carries a high economic burden, mainly driven by influenza-associated productivity losses in the working population. Conventional egg-based influenza vaccines may experience reduced effectiveness due to antigen adaptation in eggs.

Management and Outcome of Pregnancy in Patients With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Prospective Case Series Study.

Background And Objectives: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a syndrome of increased intracranial pressure without an identifiable cause that mostly affects obese persons of childbearing age. In this prospective case series, we have evaluated the overall outcome of pregnancy and birth in participants with IIH and their newborn children. We also provide a proposal for the management of pregnant persons with IIH.

Single-cell, whole-embryo phenotyping of mammalian developmental disorders.

Mouse models are a critical tool for studying human diseases, particularly developmental disorders. However, conventional approaches for phenotyping may fail to detect subtle defects throughout the developing mouse. Here we set out to establish single-cell RNA sequencing of the whole embryo as a scalable platform for the systematic phenotyping of mouse genetic models.

Changing treatment landscape associated with improved survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a nationwide, population-based study.

Background And Aims: The treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is undergoing a historic transformation with the approval of several new systemic therapies in the last few years. This study aimed to examine the impact of this changing landscape on survival and costs in a Western nationwide, real-world cohort.

Methods: A nationwide representative claims database (InGef) was screened for HCC cases between 2015 and 2020.

Genome Report: chromosome-scale genome assembly of the African spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus).

There is increasing interest in the African spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) as a model organism because of its ability for regeneration of tissue after injury in skin, muscle, and internal organs such as the kidneys. A high-quality reference genome is needed to better understand these regenerative properties at the molecular level. Here, we present an improved reference genome for A.

Malignancy rates in Crohn's disease patients with perianal fistula: A German retrospective cohort study.

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at increased risk of colorectal and extra-intestinal cancer. However, the overall cancer risk in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) with perianal fistulas (PF) (CPF) and those with CD without PF (non-PF CD) is unclear.

Objective: To describe the prevalence and incidence of cancer in patients with CPF and non-PF CD, and to estimate incidence rate ratio (IRR) of cancer between CPF and non-PF CD groups.

Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Clostridioides difficile Infections in Germany: A Health Claims Data Analysis.

Introduction: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is increasingly recognized as a public health threat at the community level in addition to being one of the most common causes of healthcare-associated infections. In Germany, the epidemiology of CDI is primarily informed by national hospital-based CDI surveillance. We used health claims data from Germany to obtain valuable insights on population-level disease burden and risk factors for CDI.

Healthcare resource utilization and cost of pneumococcal disease in children in Germany, 2014-2019: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Since the introduction of higher valency pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in 2009, recent estimates on the economic burden of pediatric pneumococcal disease (PD) in Germany have been lacking. This study estimates healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and medical cost associated with PDs in children < 16 years old in Germany from 2014-2019.

Methods: A nationally representative sample from the Institute for Applied Health Research (InGef) German claims database was used, covering approximately 5% of the total German population.

Retinal vessel dynamics analysis as a surrogate marker for raised intracranial pressure in patients with suspected idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Introduction: Retinal vessel dynamics analysis has proven to be a viable, non-invasive surrogate marker for increased intracranial pressure. We aimed to test this method in patients with suspected idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Methods: Patients with suspected idiopathic intracranial hypertension were prospectively enrolled for hand-held fundus-videography during diagnostic lumbar puncture.