Establishment of a Protocol for Viability qPCR in Dental Hard Tissues.

The aim of the study was to establish a live/dead qPCR with propidium monoazide (PMA) that can quantitatively differentiate between viable/non-viable microorganisms in dental hard tissues. Human premolars ( = 88) were prepared with nickel-titanium instruments and incubated with (21 d). Subsequently, the bacteria in half of the teeth were devitalized by heat inactivation (100 °C, 2 h).

Visceral fat mass dynamics in a 2-year randomized STrength versus ENdurance training trial in people with obesity.

Aim: To compare the effectiveness of strength versus endurance training on reducing visceral fat in individuals with obesity.

Materials And Methods: For the STrength versus ENdurance (STEN) 24-month randomized clinical trial, we assigned 239 participants with abdominal obesity to either strength or endurance training (two to three times a week, 60 min/training session) in addition to standard nutritional counselling to promote a healthy diet. Changes in abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area quantified by magnetic resonance imaging after 12 months were defined as a primary endpoint.

[Catheter-assisted local lysis therapy for submassive pulmonary embolism].

Background: Pulmonary embolism is the third most common cardiovascular disease. Interventional treatment options as an alternative to systemic lysis therapy of hemodynamically stable, submassive pulmonary embolisms have received an unprecedented boost in innovation in recent years. The treatment options are heterogeneous and can be roughly divided into local thrombolysis and local thrombectomy.

Fixed low dose versus concentration-controlled initial tacrolimus dosing with reduced target levels in the course after kidney transplantation: results from a prospective randomized controlled non-inferiority trial (Slow & Low study).

Background: Optimal initial tacrolimus dosing and early exposure of tacrolimus after renal transplantation is not well studied.

Methods: In this open-label, 6 months, multicenter, randomized controlled, non-inferiority study, we randomly assigned 432 renal allograft recipients to receive basiliximab induction, mycophenolate and steroids and either standard prolonged-release tacrolimus (trough levels: 7-9 ng/ml; Standard Care arm), or an initial 7-day fixed 5 mg/day dose of prolonged-release tacrolimus followed by lower tacrolimus predose levels (trough levels: 5-7 ng/ml; Slow & Low arm). The primary end point was the combined incidence rate of biopsy-proven acute rejections (BPAR; including borderline), graft failure, or death at 6 months with a non-inferiority margin of 12.

Effect of Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy on Cytoreductive Surgery in Gastric Cancer With Synchronous Peritoneal Metastases: The Phase III GASTRIPEC-I Trial.

Purpose: In patients with peritoneal metastasis (PM) from gastric cancer (GC), chemotherapy is the treatment of choice. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are still being debated. This randomized, controlled, open-label, multicenter phase III trial (EudraCT 2006-006088-22; ClinicalTrials.

Evaluation of a protocol to assess a novel artificial biofilm equivalent for dentures-A prospective clinical pilot study.

Objectives: This pilot study aimed to carry out preliminary tests of the removability of an artificial biofilm equivalent (ABE) and to verify the reproducibility of the ABE testing protocol for a planned main study.

Background: There is a lack of data to develop suitable artificial biofilm substitutes, which may be helpful to perform denture hygiene education and to carry out in vitro examinations of oral hygiene products.

Materials And Methods: This single-group, prospective, longitudinal, interventional pilot study was conducted in Dresden (Germany) from February until December 2020.

Excellent efficacy and beneficial safety during observational 5-year follow-up of rapid steroid withdrawal after renal transplantation (Harmony FU study).

Background: We previously reported excellent efficacy and improved safety aspects of rapid steroid withdrawal (RSWD) in the randomized controlled 1-year "Harmony" trial with 587 predominantly deceased-donor kidney transplant recipients randomized either to basiliximab or rabbit antithymocyte globulin induction therapy and compared with standard immunosuppressive therapy consisting of basiliximab, low tacrolimus once daily, mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroids.

Methods: The 5-year post-trial follow-up (FU) data were obtained in an observational manner at a 3- and a 5-year visit only for those Harmony patients who consented to participate and covered clinical events that occurred from the second year onwards.

Results: Biopsy-proven acute rejection and death-censored graft loss rates remained low and independent of RSWD.

Bacterial pathogens in pediatric appendicitis: a comprehensive retrospective study.

Background: Appendicitis is a frequent condition, with peak incidences in the second decade of life. Its pathogenesis is under debate, but bacterial infections are crucial, and antibiotic treatment remains essential. Rare bacteria are accused of causing complications, and various calculated antibiotics are propagated, yet there is no comprehensive microbiological analysis of pediatric appendicitis.

Semi-occlusive management of fingertip injuries with finger caps: A randomized controlled trial in children and adults.

Background: Human fingertips can regenerate functionally and cosmetically excellent skin and soft tissues. Physiological conditions suppress scar formation and are thus a prerequisite for regenerative healing. Self-adhesive film dressings can provide such favorable conditions.

Quantification of Bacterial DNA from Infected Human Root Canals Using qPCR and DAPI after Disinfection with Established and Novel Irrigation Protocols.

The removal of bacterial infections within the root canal system is still a challenge. Therefore, the cleansing effect of established and new irrigation-protocols (IP) containing silver diamine fluoride (SDF) 3.8% on the whole root canal system was analyzed using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and 4',6-diamidino-phenylindole-(DAPI)-staining.

Effect of Hydrocortisone on Development of Shock Among Patients With Severe Sepsis: The HYPRESS Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Adjunctive hydrocortisone therapy is suggested by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign in refractory septic shock only. The efficacy of hydrocortisone in patients with severe sepsis without shock remains controversial.

Objective: To determine whether hydrocortisone therapy in patients with severe sepsis prevents the development of septic shock.

Genetic Factors of the Disease Course after Sepsis: A Genome-Wide Study for 28Day Mortality.

Sepsis is the dysregulated host response to an infection which leads to life-threatening organ dysfunction that varies by host genomic factors. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 740 adult septic patients and focused on 28day mortality as outcome. Variants with suggestive evidence for an association (p≤10) were validated in two additional GWA studies (n=3470) and gene coding regions related to the variants were assessed in an independent exome sequencing study (n=74).

Effect of Sodium Selenite Administration and Procalcitonin-Guided Therapy on Mortality in Patients With Severe Sepsis or Septic Shock: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: High-dose intravenous administration of sodium selenite has been proposed to improve outcome in sepsis by attenuating oxidative stress. Procalcitonin-guided antimicrobial therapy may hasten the diagnosis of sepsis, but effect on outcome is unclear.

Objective: To determine whether high-dose intravenous sodium selenite treatment and procalcitonin-guided anti-infectious therapy in patients with severe sepsis affect mortality.