Introduction: Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure(ACLF) is a syndrome characterized by organ dysfunction and high mortality in cirrhotic patients. ACLF has multiple triggers but those precipitated by fungal infection have higher mortality. Early detection and treatment of candidemia have shown mortality benefits in ACLF.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrimary liver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being the most prevalent type of liver cancer. The prognosis of patients with advanced, unresectable HCC has historically been poor. However, with the emergence of immunotherapy, specifically immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), there is reason for optimism.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis retrospective study evaluated the safety and efficacy of the new minimally invasive MINIject implant placed in the suprachoroidal space. The aim was to assess its impact on intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and complication rate. 18 eyes from 18 patients with insufficiently controlled glaucoma received the implant using topical medications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common autosomal recessive genetic multisystemic disease. In Germany, it affects at least 8000 people. The disease is caused by mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene leading to dysfunction of CFTR, a transmembrane chloride channel.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlutaric aciduria type 1 (GA-1) is a rare but treatable autosomal-recessive neurometabolic disorder of lysin metabolism caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase gene () that lead to deficiency of GCDH protein. Without treatment, this enzyme defect causes a neurological phenotype characterized by movement disorder and cognitive impairment. Based on a comprehensive literature search, we established a large dataset of variants using the Leiden Open Variation Database (LOVD) to summarize the known genotypes and the clinical and biochemical phenotypes associated with GA-1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To evaluate the efficacy of XEN-45 gel stent ab interno implantation for medically uncontrolled uveitic glaucoma.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of 25 eyes receiving XEN gel stent for medically uncontrolled uveitic glaucoma from February 2019 to February 2023 with recording of intraocular pressure (IOP) values, ocular hypotensive medication, requirement for revision or secondary surgery and complications. Prerequisites for XEN implantation were a clear cornea, an open iridocorneal angle and an unscarred, mobile conjunctiva at the implantation site.
The XEN gel stent reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma. XEN-45 is widely used; the newer XEN-63 has a larger lumen targeting potentially lower IOP outcomes. We retrospectively compared the first 15 XEN-63 cases to 15 matched XEN-45 controls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn approach is established for fabricating high-strength and high-stiffness composite laminates with continuous carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns for scaled-up mechanical tests and potential aerospace structure applications. Continuous CNT yarns with up to 80% degree of nanotube alignment and a unique self-assembled graphitic CNT packing result in their specific tensile strengths of 1.77 ± 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To enable in vivo analysis of drusen composition and lifecycle, the macular nodular and cuticular drusen were assessed using histology.
Methods: Median and interquartile range of base widths of single (nonconfluent) nodular drusen in three sources were determined histologically: 43 eyes of 43 clinically undocumented donors, in an online resource; one eye with punctate hyperfluorescence in fluorescein angiography; and two eyes of one patient with bilateral "starry sky" cuticular drusen. All tissues were processed for high-resolution epoxy-resin histology and for cuticular drusen, transmission electron microscopy.
Inland salt marshes are recognized as habitats of unique and valuable vegetation at the European scale. There is still a lack of generalization regarding its vegetation syntaxonomy and environmental requirements, which is needed for its effective protection. To falsify our hypothesis about vegetation dependence on environmental requirements we aimed at description of the syntaxonomical units present in temperate European inland salt marshes and identification of their main environmental drivers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAmong Veterans, it is estimated that 110,000 are living with Parkinson's disease (PD) in the United States. Whether or not Veterans living with PD are enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), they may require special considerations when it comes to their care. We administered a survey to Parkinson's Foundation constituents with PD who had previously reported their Veteran status.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
March 2022
Our aim for this research was to identify and examine how recreation enthusiasts cope with and mitigate the violence of pollution as they strive for wellbeing in polluted "blue spaces" (e.g., seas, oceans).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcute aerobic exercise has been shown to improve fine motor skills and alter activation of the motor cortex (M1). The intensity of exercise may influence M1 activation, and further impact whole-body motor skill performance. The aims of the current study were to compare a whole-body motor skill a piano task following moderate-intensity training (MIT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and to determine if M1 activation is linked to any such changes in performance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Surgical procedures in ophthalmology are subject to fluctuations in their application and are dependent on new developments, availability, and success rates. In the field of glaucoma surgery in particular, numerous new procedures have been introduced over the last few years. So far, hardly any analyses have been done on the current application of these newer procedures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: In 2007, the German legislature introduced a zero tolerance law (ZTL) for novice drivers to reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the long-term effects of this law on current and former novice drivers.
Method: Our approach was threefold: first, we used individual data of police records from 2003-2018 and conducted a cohort analysis to examine how the first cohort affected by the law responded in the long-term.
Since their introduction two decades ago, Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) have become a common planning tool for improving community preparedness and risk mitigation in fire-prone regions, and for strengthening coordination among federal and state land management agencies, local government, and residents. While CWPPs have been the focus of case studies, there are limited large-scale studies to understand the extent of, and factors responsible for, variation in stakeholder participation-a core element of the CWPP model. This article describes the scale and scope of participation in CWPPs across the western United States.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnthropogenic underwater noise has been identified as a potentially serious stressor for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW). The Government of Canada is undertaking steps to better characterize the noise sources of most concern and their associated impacts, but there is currently an insufficient understanding of which noise sources are most impacting NARW in their Canadian habitat. This knowledge gap together with the myriad possible methods and metrics for quantifying underwater noise presents a confounding and challenging problem that risks delaying timely mitigation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Few studies have assessed the use of dietary supplements, anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and selective androgen receptor modulators (SARM) in male gym users. The comparison of physical appearance with others on social media and the exposure to fitness-related content on social media (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDespite data supporting the rapid adoption of telehealth in the delivery of clinical care in North America, the implementation of telehealth visits in clinical research studies has faced critical barriers. These challenges include: (1) variations in state licensure requirements for telehealth; (2) disparities in access to telehealth among disadvantaged populations; (3) lack of consistency among individual Investigational Review Boards (IRBs). Each barrier prevents the systematic conversion of research protocols to include telehealth visits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/aims: Retinal haemangioblastomas (RH) remain a major cause of visual impairment in patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. Identification of genotype-phenotype correlation is an important prerequisite for better management, treatment and prognosis.
Methods: Retrospective, single-centre cohort study of 200 VHL patients.
Symptomatic management of Parkinson's disease (PD) is complex and many symptoms, especially non-motor symptoms, are not effectively addressed with current medications. In the US, cannabis has become more widely available for medical and recreational use, permitting those in the PD community to try alternative means of symptom control. However, little is known about the attitudes towards, and experiences with, cannabis use among those living with PD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Pain is a frequent, yet inadequately explored challenge in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study aimed to conduct an extensive pain assessment, examining pain chronification and its association with disease manifestations.
Methods: Consecutive SSc patients attending their annual assessment were included.