Cerebrovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients: insights from carotid artery atherosclerosis in the Paracelsus 10,000 study.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease marked by systemic inflammation. While RA primarily affects the joints, its systemic effects may lead to an increased cerebro- and cardiovascular risk. Atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries is a significant risk factor for cerebrovascular events and serves as a surrogate marker for cardiovascular risk.

Electrotherapy as treatment for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy - a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Electrotherapy has been investigated in chronic pain and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, however prospective trials in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) are scarce.

Methods: Fifty-one patients with CIPN ≥ grade 1 subsequent to receiving platinum- and/or taxane-based chemotherapy types were randomized to 8 weeks of high tone external muscle stimulation (HTEMS) or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). The primary outcome were changes in the EORTC-QLQ-CIPN20 questionnaire.

Bone Mineral Density and First Line Imaging with [F]fluorocholine PET/CT in Normocalcemic and Hypercalcemic Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Results from a Single Center.

: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is associated with normal or elevated calcium levels and affects bone mineral density. The proportion of cases predisposed to metabolic bone disease is unknown in patients with PHPT. The aim of this study was to assess bone mineral density and bone quality in patients with normo- or hypercalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism undergoing baseline parathyroid gland assessment with [F]fluorocholine PET/CT imaging.

Association between Diverticulosis and Colorectal Neoplasia: Analysis from a Large Austrian Database.

Colorectal neoplasia and diverticulosis are common findings on colonoscopies. While adenomas are precursors to colorectal cancer, diverticulosis is usually asymptomatic but can lead to diverticulitis. Despite their prevalence and coexistence, the relationship between these conditions remains unclear.

Association between Cardiovascular Risk Assessment by SCORE2 and Diverticulosis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Background: The aim of this retrospective observational study was to examine the relationship between SCORE2 and the occurrence of colonic diverticula in a screening population without cardiovascular or gastrointestinal symptoms. SCORE2, recognized and supported by the European Society of Cardiology for cardiovascular risk assessment, served as the primary metric for the analysis in this investigation.

Methods: We studied 3935 asymptomatic individuals undergoing screening colonoscopy.

Genetic relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular diseases : A systematic review of Mendelian randomization studies.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is recognized as a chronic autoimmune disorder with systemic inflammation and joint damage. Its potential role as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is increasingly noted. This review delves into the causal relationship between RA and CVD, with Mendelian randomization (MR) offering a genetic perspective.

Development and qualification of 3 L scale-down model for large scale vaccine process on Vero cell culture using microcarriers.

Scale-down models (SDM) are pivotal tools for process understanding and improvement to accelerate the development of vaccines from laboratory research to global commercialization. In this study, a 3 L SDM representing a 50 L scale Vero cell culture process of a live-attenuated virus vaccine using microcarriers was developed and qualified based on the constant impeller power per volume principle. Both multivariate data analysis (MVDA) and the traditional univariate data analysis showed comparable and equivalent cell growth, metabolic activity, and product quality results across scales.

Dissecting the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections in blood donors with pauci- or asymptomatic COVID-19 disease course at initial infection.

Background: Understanding the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections is crucial for public health policy, vaccine development, and long-term disease management. However, data on reinfections in the general population remains scarce.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate SARS-CoV-2 antibody dynamics among Austrian blood donors, representing healthy adults, over two years following primary infection and to evaluate the reinfection risk.

Association of cardiovascular health and educational status in a screening cohort.

Introduction: The global burden of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, remains a significant public health challenge. The Life's Simple 7 (LS7) score was developed as a tool to evaluate cardiovascular health behaviours and habits and identify high-risk individuals. The present study aimed to assess the distribution of LS7 scores among educational strata.

Effects of medication management in geriatric patients who have fallen: results of the EMMA mixed-methods study.

Background: comprehensive medication management (CMM) can reduce medication-related risks of falling. However, knowledge about inter-individual treatment effects and patient-related barriers remains scarce.

Objective: to gain in-depth insights into how geriatric patients who have fallen view their medication-related risks of falling and to identify effects and barriers of a CMM in preventing falls.

The Impact of Educational Status on the Occurrence of Colonic Diverticula: Insights from an Austrian Cohort Study.

Objective: Education often reflects socioeconomic status. Research indicates that lower socioeconomic status may increase the risk of diverticulosis, and according to data from the USA, diverticular disease is a significant and costly health problem. Our study explores the link between educational level and colonic diverticula occurrence.

Epstein-Barr virus reactivation is not causative for post-COVID-19-syndrome in individuals with asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 disease course.

Purpose: Post-COVID-19-Syndrome (PCS) frequently occurs after an infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, the understanding of causative mechanisms is still limited. Aim of this study was to determine the PCS rate among SARS-CoV-2 seropositive blood donors as representatives of supposedly healthy adults, who had experienced an asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 disease course, and to examine whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is reactivated in individuals reporting PCS.

Diverticulosis and cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic literature review.

Background: There is a hypothesis of an association between diverticulosis and metabolic syndrome (MS) or its components, but data on this topic are inconsistent, and a systematic review has not been performed. We conducted a systematic review to investigate the possible association between cardiometabolic risk factors and diverticulosis.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted via PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science in December 2022 to collect the necessary data.

Machine learning models predict liver steatosis but not liver fibrosis in a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Screening for liver fibrosis continues to rely on laboratory panels and non-invasive tests such as FIB-4-score and transient elastography. In this study, we evaluated the potential of machine learning (ML) methods to predict liver steatosis on abdominal ultrasound and liver fibrosis, namely the intermediate-high risk of advanced fibrosis, in individuals participating in a screening program for colorectal cancer.

Methods: We performed ultrasound on 5834 patients admitted between 2006 and 2020, and transient elastography on a subset of 1240 patients.

Assessing the association between H. pylori infection and educational status: implications for screening strategies?

Background: H. pylori is a common bacterial infection that can cause gastritis, peptic ulcers, and cancer. The distribution of H.

The association between educational status and colorectal neoplasia: results from a screening cohort.

Introduction: Educational status is used as a proxy for socioeconomic status. While lower levels of education are generally associated with poorer health, the data on the relationship between educational status and colorectal neoplasia is heterogenous. The aim of our study was to examine this relationship and to adjust the association between educational status and colorectal neoplasia for other health parameters.

The impact of ethnic background on ICU care and outcome in sepsis and septic shock - A retrospective multicenter analysis on 17,949 patients.

Background: Previous studies have been inconclusive about racial disparities in sepsis. This study evaluated the impact of ethnic background on management and outcome in sepsis and septic shock.

Methods: This analysis included 17,146 patients suffering from sepsis and septic shock from the multicenter eICU Collaborative Research Database.

Gender Differences in Perceived Working Conditions of General Practitioners During the COVID-19 Pandemic-a Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has revealed gender-specific differences between general practitioners in adapting to the posed challenges. As primary care workforce is becoming increasingly female, in many countries, it is essential to take a closer look at gender-specific influences when the global health care system is confronted with a crisis.

Objective: To explore gender-specific differences in the perceived working conditions and gender-specific differences in challenges facing GPs at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Patient perspectives on, and effects of, medication management in geriatric fallers (the EMMA study): protocol for a mixed-methods pre-post study.

Introduction: Pharmacotherapy is critical in geriatric fallers owing to the vulnerability of this population. Comprehensive medication management can be an important strategy to reduce the medication-related risk of falling in this patient group. Patient-specific approaches and patient-related barriers to this intervention have rarely been explored among geriatric fallers.

COVI-Prim international: Similarities and discrepancies in the way general practices from seven different countries coped with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: General practitioners (GPs) are frequently patients' first point of contact with the healthcare system and play an important role in identifying, managing and monitoring cases. This study investigated the experiences of GPs from seven different countries in the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: International cross-sectional online survey.

The Association between Helicobacter pylori and Colorectal Neoplasia.

Objectives: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and colorectal neoplasia (CRN) are frequent entities. Epidemiological data suggest an association between H.

Evaluation of an intervention to improve the safety of medication therapy via HIT-supported interprofessional cooperation in long-term care - a mixed method study.

Background: In order to ensure the provision of appropriate and safe medication therapy in long-term care, close interprofessional cooperation and high levels of expertise are required. Online digital documentation and communication technology facilitate this process. The aim of the present study (sub-study 2 of the SiMbA-Study) was to evaluate a three-part health information technology (HIT) driven intervention on medication therapy safety in Austrian nursing homes (NHs) regarding its usefulness, practicability and implementation in routine care.

Helicobacter pylori and cardiovascular risk: Only a dead Helicobacter is a good Helicobacter?

Objectives: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and cardiovascular (CV) disease share common symptoms and underlie many general medical complaints. Preliminary studies suggest an association between H.