biofilm formation only partially predicts beneficial protection against rhizosphere pathogens.

Plant roots form associations with both beneficial and pathogenic soil microorganisms. While members of the rhizosphere microbiome can protect against pathogens, the mechanisms are poorly understood. We hypothesized that the ability to form a robust biofilm on the root surface is necessary for the exclusion of pathogens; however, it is not known if the same biofilm formation components required are necessary WCS365 is a beneficial strain that is phylogenetically closely related to an opportunistic pathogen N2C3 and confers robust protection against N2C3 in the rhizosphere.

Preoperative Physical Activity Improvement with the Use of Activity Trackers in Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy-A Bicentric, Open-label, Randomised Controlled Trial: A Clinical Study Protocol of the PreAct Trial.

This study protocol shows the structured design of the randomised controlled phase 3 "PreAct" trial. It hypothesises the use of a fitness tracker-based prehabilitation programme to increase the physical activity of patients prior to radical cystectomy, as measured by the average number of steps per day.

The primate gut microbiota contributes to interspecific differences in host metabolism.

Because large brains are energetically expensive, they are associated with metabolic traits that facilitate energy availability across vertebrates. However, the biological underpinnings driving these traits are not known. Given its role in regulating host metabolism in disease studies, we hypothesized that the gut microbiome contributes to variation in normal cross-vertebrate species differences in metabolism, including those associated with the brain's energetic requirements.

Comparative Multi-Omics Survey Reveals Novel Specialized Metabolites and Biosynthetic Gene Clusters Under GacS Control in Pseudomonas donghuensis Strain SVBP6.

In Pseudomonas donghuensis SVBP6, isolated from an agricultural field, the well-conserved Gac-Rsm pathway upregulates biosynthesis of the antifungal compound 7-hydroxytropolone (7-HT). However, 7-HT does not fully explain the strain's Gac-Rsm-dependent antimicrobial activity. Here, we combined comparative transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic approaches to identify novel GacS-dependent biosynthetic gene clusters (BGC) and/or extracellular specialized metabolites.

Distribution of MRI-derived T2 values as a biomarker for in vivo rapid screening of phenotype severity in mdx mice.

Background: The pathology in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by degenerating muscle fibers, inflammation, fibro-fatty infiltrate, and edema, and these pathological processes replace normal healthy muscle tissue. The mdx mouse model is one of the most commonly used preclinical models to study DMD. Mounting evidence has emerged illustrating that muscle disease progression varies considerably in mdx mice, with inter-animal differences as well as intra-muscular differences in pathology in individual mdx mice.

Comparison of distance versus in-person laparoscopy training using a low-cost laparoscopy simulator-a randomized controlled multi-center trial.

Introduction: Simulation training programs are essential for novice surgeons to acquire basic experience to master laparoscopic skills. However, current state-of-the-art laparoscopy simulators are still expensive, limiting the accessibility to practical training lessons. Furthermore, training is time intensive and requires extensive spatial capacity, limiting its availability to surgeons.

Evaluation of a medical student-delivered smoking prevention program utilizing a face-aging mobile app for secondary schools in Germany: The Education Against Tobacco cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Background: To reduce smoking uptake in adolescents, the medical students' network Education Against Tobacco (EAT) has developed a school-based intervention involving a face-aging mobile app (Smokerface).

Methods: A two-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted, evaluating the 2016 EAT intervention, which employed the mobile app Smokerface and which was delivered by medical students. Schools were randomized to intervention or control group.

Spectral characterization of intraoperative renal perfusion using hyperspectral imaging and artificial intelligence.

Accurate intraoperative assessment of organ perfusion is a pivotal determinant in preserving organ function e.g. during kidney surgery including partial nephrectomy or kidney transplantation.

Controlled Reversible Visceral Arterial Ischemia, Venous Congestion and Combined Malperfusion via Midline Laparotomy in Rats.

Besides sepsis and malignancy, malperfusion is the third leading cause of tissue degradation and a major pathomechanism for various medical and surgical conditions. Despite significant developments such as bypass surgery, endovascular procedures, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and artificial blood substitutes, tissue malperfusion, especially of visceral organs, remains a pressing issue in patient care. The demand for further research on biomedical processes and possible interventions is high.

Machine learning enables automated screening for systematic reviews and meta-analysis in urology.

Purpose: To investigate and implement semiautomated screening for meta-analyses (MA) in urology under consideration of class imbalance.

Methods: Machine learning algorithms were trained on data from three MA with detailed information of the screening process. Different methods to account for class imbalance (Sampling (up- and downsampling, weighting and cost-sensitive learning), thresholding) were implemented in different machine learning (ML) algorithms (Random Forest, Logistic Regression with Elastic Net Regularization, Support Vector Machines).

Crystalloid volume versus catecholamines for management of hemorrhagic shock during esophagectomy: assessment of microcirculatory tissue oxygenation of the gastric conduit in a porcine model using hyperspectral imaging - an experimental study.

Introduction: Oncologic esophagectomy is a two-cavity procedure with considerable morbidity and mortality. Complex anatomy and the proximity to major vessels constitute a risk for massive intraoperative hemorrhage. Currently, there is no conclusive consensus on the ideal anesthesiologic countermeasure in case of such immense blood loss.

Relevance of Positive Surgical Margins in Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma After Surgical Resection: Predictive Factors and Survival Implications.

Introduction: The implications of positive surgical margins (PSM) after surgery for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain subject of discussion. This study aimed to identify risk factors for PSM, assess its effect on overall survival (OS), and determine predictors of OS.

Patients And Methods: Data from RCC surgeries at Mannheim University Medical Center between 2010 and 2023 was analyzed.

Quality-of-life outcomes of the ROBOtic-assisted versus Conventional Open Partial nephrectomy (ROBOCOP) II trial.

Objectives: To comprehensively compare quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes between open partial nephrectomy (OPN) and robot-assisted PN (RAPN) from the randomised ROBOtic-assisted versus Conventional Open Partial nephrectomy (ROBOCOP) II trial, as QoL data comparing OPN and RAPN are virtually non-existent, especially not from randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Patients And Methods: The ROBOCOP II was a single-centre, open-label RCT between OPN and RAPN. The pre-planned analyses of QoL outcomes are presented.

Enabling Non-invasive Tracking of Vascular Endothelial Cells Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Nuclear Imaging.

Purpose: The absence of clinically applicable imaging techniques for continuous monitoring of transplanted cells poses a significant obstacle to the clinical translation of stem cell-based therapies for vascular regeneration. This study aims to optimize a clinically applicable, non-invasive imaging technique to longitudinally monitor vascular endothelial cells (ECs) for vascular regeneration in peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (HiPSCs) were employed to generate ECs (HiPSC-ECs).

In Vivo Mapping of Myocardial Injury Outside the Infarct Zone: Tissue at an Intermediate Pathological State.

Background: The goal was to determine the feasibility of mapping the injured-but-not-infarcted myocardium using Tc-duramycin in the postischemic heart, with spatial information for its characterization as a pathophysiologically intermediate tissue, which is neither normal nor infarcted.

Methods And Results: Coronary occlusion was conducted in Sprague Dawley rats with preconditioning and 30-minute ligation. In vivo single-photon emission computed tomography was acquired after 3 hours (n=6) using Tc-duramycin, a phosphatidylethanolamine-specific radiopharmaceutical.

Endotracheal Intubation via Tracheotomy and Subsequent Thoracotomy in Rats for Non-Survival Applications.

Endotracheal intubation and subsequent ventilation are often basic requirements for translational research in rat models for various interventions that require controlled or high ventilation pressures or access to the thoracic cavity and organs. Conventional endoorotracheal intubation using the anatomically existing route through the mouth is well suited for survival experiments. However, this procedure poses some challenges, including generally higher levels of the required experience and technical skill, more advanced equipment, and greater time effort with relevant intubation failure rates and complications such as tracheal perforation, temporary systemic hypooxygenation, and relevant aerial leakage.

An implantable device for wireless monitoring of diverse physio-behavioral characteristics in freely behaving small animals and interacting groups.

Comprehensive, continuous quantitative monitoring of intricately orchestrated physiological processes and behavioral states in living organisms can yield essential data for elucidating the function of neural circuits under healthy and diseased conditions, for defining the effects of potential drugs and treatments, and for tracking disease progression and recovery. Here, we report a wireless, battery-free implantable device and a set of associated algorithms that enable continuous, multiparametric physio-behavioral monitoring in freely behaving small animals and interacting groups. Through advanced analytics approaches applied to mechano-acoustic signals of diverse body processes, the device yields heart rate, respiratory rate, physical activity, temperature, and behavioral states.

Biophotonics-Intraoperative Guidance During Partial Nephrectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Context: Partial nephrectomy (PN) with intraoperative guidance by biophotonics has the potential to improve surgical outcomes due to higher precision. However, its value remains unclear since high-level evidence is lacking.

Objective: To provide a comprehensive analysis of biophotonic techniques used for intraoperative real-time assistance during PN.

ICG-augmented hyperspectral imaging for visualization of intestinal perfusion compared to conventional ICG fluorescence imaging: an experimental study.

Background: Small bowel malperfusion (SBM) can cause high morbidity and severe surgical consequences. However, there is no standardized objective measuring tool for the quantification of SBM. Indocyanine green (ICG) imaging can be used for visualization, but lacks standardization and objectivity.

IDEAL-D Phase 0 Evaluation of the Avatera System in Robot-Assisted Prostate, Bladder and Renal Surgery.

To evaluate the utilization of novel Avatera system in urological operations according to the IDEAL-D framework recommendations for high-risk invasive surgical devices. Three surgeons attempted to perform 23 upper and lower urinary tract operations on human cadavers and in live porcine models using the Avatera system. Total operative time and the duration of the substeps were evaluated.

Properties of Hyper-Elastic-Graded Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces.

The mechanical behaviors of three distinct lattice structures-Diamond, Gyroid, and Schwarz-synthesized through vat polymerization, were meticulously analyzed. This study aimed to elucidate the intricacies of these structures in terms of their stress-strain responses, energy absorption, and recovery characteristics. Utilizing the described experiments and analytical approaches, it was discerned, via the described experimental and analytical procedure, that the AM lattices showcased mechanical properties and stress-strain behaviors that notably surpassed theoretical predictions, pointing to substantial disparities between conventional models and experimental outcomes.

It takes a plant village to raise a microbiome.

In this issue of Cell Host and Microbe, Meyer et al. explore the effects of host history on the inheritance of the plant microbiome. They find that transmission from the same plant species resulted in microbiota specialization, while transmission from a different species resulted in host generalism.