Arrhythmogenic calmodulin variants D131E and Q135P disrupt interaction with the L-type voltage-gated Ca channel (Ca1.2) and reduce Ca-dependent inactivation.

Aim: Long QT syndrome (LQTS) and catecholaminergic polymorphism ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) are inherited cardiac disorders often caused by mutations in ion channels. These arrhythmia syndromes have recently been associated with calmodulin (CaM) variants. Here, we investigate the impact of the arrhythmogenic variants D131E and Q135P on CaM's structure-function relationship.

Cost-effectiveness of follow-up algorithms for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in pulmonary embolism survivors.

Introduction: Achieving an early diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in pulmonary embolism (PE) survivors results in better quality of life and survival. Importantly, dedicated follow-up strategies to achieve an earlier CTEPH diagnosis involve costs that were not explicitly incorporated in the models assessing their cost-effectiveness. We performed an economic evaluation of 11 distinct PE follow-up algorithms to determine which should be preferred.

Posterior cruciate ligament injuries managed with internal bracing.

Background: Synthetic augmentation in the form of an internal brace is increasingly used to stabilize injured knee ligaments. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcome of patients with knee dislocations treated with a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) internal brace.

Methods: Synthetic suture tape drilled into the femoral and tibial PCL footprints was performed in patients with multiple knee ligament injuries.

Evaluation of clinical, laboratory, radiographical and histopathological characteristics in patients with spinal tuberculosis in the context of HIV infection: An analysis of 52 patients from a South African tertiary hospital.

Background: South Africa (SA) has the highest prevalence of people with tuberculosis (TB) and HIV coinfection globally. People living with HIV have an increased risk of TB infection, and are more likely to develop extrapulmonary TB. Approximately 10 - 20% of extrapulmonary TB accounts for skeletal TB, with spinal involvement in 50 - 60% of instances.

New insights into a sensitive life stage: hydraulics of tree seedlings in their first growing season.

The first year in a tree's life is characterized by distinct morphological changes, requiring constant adjustments of the hydraulic system. Despite their importance for the natural regeneration of forests and future vegetation composition, little has been known about the hydraulics of tree seedlings. At different times across the first growing season, we analysed xylem area-specific (K) and leaf area-specific (K) shoot hydraulic conductance, as well as embolism resistance of three temperate conifer trees, two angiosperm trees and one angiosperm shrub, and related findings to cell osmotic parameters and xylem anatomical traits.

Pulmonary SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to para-infectious immune activation in the brain.

Neurological complications, including encephalopathy and stroke, occur in a significant proportion of COVID-19 cases but viral protein is seldom detected in the brain parenchyma. To model this situation, we developed a novel low-inoculum K18-hACE2 mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection during which active viral replication was consistently seen in mouse lungs but not in the brain. We found that several mediators previously associated with encephalopathy in clinical samples were upregulated in the lung, including CCL2, and IL-6.

Simultaneous Periprosthetic Joint Infection and Infective Endocarditis: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Presentation.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) and periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) occur due to hematogenous bacterial spread, theoretically increasing the risk for concurrent infections. There is a scarcity of literature investigating this specific association. We aimed to assess the prevalence, comorbidities, and clinical presentation of patients who have simultaneous PJI and IE.

[Emergence of a multidrug-resistant tuberculosis through inadequate treatment of isoniazid monoresistance].

History:  We admitted a 65-year-old patient with suspected reactivation of a pulmonary tuberculosis for further diagnosis.

Findings And Diagnosis:  14 months after completing a standard treatment course against pulmonary tuberculosis, the patient presented with cough and night sweat. A CT-scan revealed signs of a bipulmonary progress.

Toward Predicting the Formation of Integral-Asymmetric, Isoporous Diblock Copolymer Membranes.

The self-assembly and nonsolvent-induced phase separation (SNIPS) process of block copolymers and solvents enables the fabrication of integral-asymmetric, isoporous membranes. An isoporous top layer is formed by evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) and imparts selectivity for ultrafiltration of functional macromolecules or water purification. This selective layer is supported by a macroporous bottom structure that is formed by nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) providing mechanical stability.

The Microvascular Anastomotic Coupler for Venous Anastomosis in Head and Neck Reconstruction: An Institutional Experience.

Background This study aimed to identify outcome predictors with the GEM microvascular coupler system (GEM Coupler) in a series of patients undergoing free flap reconstruction for head and neck defects. Methodology In this retrospective chart review of 218 consecutive microvascular procedures performed on 204 patients at an academic tertiary care center, demographics, comorbidities, surgical data, and outcomes were retrieved. The endpoints for the analysis were microvascular revision surgery and flap survival.

Determination of isotropic elastic constants from dispersion images based on ultrasonic guided waves by using neural networks.

This article presents a method to use the dispersive behavior of ultrasonic guided waves and neural networks to determine the isotropic elastic constants of plate-like structures through dispersion images. Therefore, two different architectures are compared: one using convolutions and transfer learning based on the EfficientNetB7 and a Vision Transformer-like approach. To accomplish this, simulated and measured dispersion images are generated, where the first is applied to design, train, and validate and the second to test the neural networks.

Oncological outcomes of partial thickness calvarial resection for locally advanced scalp malignancies.

Objective: Traditionally, locally advanced scalp malignancies have been managed through composite, full-thickness calvarial resection. The aim of this study is to explore the oncologic outcomes of partial calvarial resection for locally invasive scalp malignancies without medullary space invasion, employing a burr-down approach.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Eagle syndrome presentation and outcomes in a large surgical case series.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe both the common and uncommon symptoms associated with Eagle syndrome and share our experience treating a large group of patients with surgical intervention, primarily intraoral excision of the calcified stylohyoid ligament.

Methods: This retrospective case series included 56 patients at least 18 years of age or older with a diagnosis of Eagle syndrome. All operations were conducted by a single surgeon at a tertiary medical center from 2015 to 2022.

4D Single-particle tracking with asynchronous read-out single-photon avalanche diode array detector.

Single-particle tracking techniques enable investigation of the complex functions and interactions of individual particles in biological environments. Many such techniques exist, each demonstrating trade-offs between spatiotemporal resolution, spatial and temporal range, technical complexity, and information content. To mitigate these trade-offs, we enhanced a confocal laser scanning microscope with an asynchronous read-out single-photon avalanche diode array detector.

Comparing gene expression profiles of adults with isolated spinal tuberculosis to disseminated spinal tuberculosis identified by FDG-PET/CT at time of diagnosis, 6- and 12-months follow-up: classifying clinical stages of spinal tuberculosis and monitoring treatment response (Spinal TB X cohort study).

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top ten causes of death worldwide, with approximately 10 million cases annually. Focus has been on pulmonary TB, while extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) has received little attention. Diagnosis of EPTB remains challenging due to the invasive procedures required for sample collection.

Multi-level tuberculosis of the spine identified by 18 F-FDG-PET/CT and concomitant urogenital tuberculosis: a case report from the spinal TB X cohort.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and typically infects the lungs. However, extrapulmonary forms of TB can be found in approximately 20% of cases. It is suggested, that up to 10% of extrapulmonary TB affects the musculoskeletal system, in which spinal elements (spinal tuberculosis, STB) are involved in approximately 50% of the cases.

A quantitative analysis of microcirculation during healing of split-thickness skin grafts in standardized full-thickness wounds.

Background: Full-thickness skin defects often are managed with split-thickness skin grafting. The wound healing process, including formation of new vessels during the healing of skin grafts, is complex.

Objective: To evaluate the microcirculatory changes in the treated tissue after skin grafting to analyze perfusion dynamics during the wound healing process.

[Ruptured pulmonary Echinococcus granulosus cyst: A rare cause of severe pneumogenic sepsis].

Parasitic infections by Echinococcus granulosus are rare in Germany, and predominantly affect individuals with a migration background. Liver and lungs are the most commonly affected organs. Pulmonary cysts often remain asymptomatic until rupture, at which point symptoms may manifest.

Tuberculous Spondylodiscitis with Psoas Abscess Descending into the Anterior Femoral Compartment Identified Using 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoroglucose Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography.

A 24-year-old immunocompetent woman underwent whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT for the evaluation of MRI-suspicious tuberculous spinal lesions. The PET/CT results showed no pathological uptake in either lung, and there were no pathological changes on CT. There was increased uptake in the right psoas muscle, extending continuously down anterior to the right hip joint, posterior to and around the trochanteric region of the right femur, and into the right thigh, with an SUVmaxbw of 17.

Specific Preoperative Factors Increase Manipulations under Anesthesia Following Primary TKA.

Arthrofibrosis following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can result in pain and limit postoperative range of motion (ROM), jeopardizing clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. This study aims to identify preoperative risk factors associated with necessitating a manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) following primary TKA.We retrospectively reviewed 950 cases of consecutive primary TKAs performed at one institution by three arthroplasty surgeons between May 2017 and May 2019.

Insight into the Interplay of Gd-IgA1, HMGB1, RAGE and PCDH1 in IgA Vasculitis (IgAV).

The pathogenesis of IgAV, the most common systemic vasculitis in childhood, appears to be complex and requires further elucidation. We aimed to investigate the potential role of galactose-deficient immunoglobulin A1 (Gd-IgA1), high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and protocadherin 1 (PCDH1) in the pathogenesis of IgAV. Our prospective study enrolled 86 patients with IgAV and 70 controls.

Serum Levels of S100A8/A9 as a Biomarker of Disease Activity in Patients with IgA Vasculitis.

S100A8/A9 protein is a well-known marker of disease activity or severity in many autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, but there have not been many studies about the role of S100A8/A9 in IgA vasculitis (IgAV). The aim of our study was to evaluate S100A8/A9 as a possible biomarker of activity in IgAV. We measured the serum levels of S100A8/A9 in pediatric patients with IgA vasculitis at the onset of the disease, after three months, and after six months.

An enzymatic continuous-flow reactor based on a pore-size matching nano- and isoporous block copolymer membrane.

Continuous-flow biocatalysis utilizing immobilized enzymes emerged as a sustainable route for chemical synthesis. However, inadequate biocatalytic efficiency from current flow reactors, caused by non-productive enzyme immobilization or enzyme-carrier mismatches in size, hampers its widespread application. Here, we demonstrate a general-applicable and robust approach for the fabrication of a high-performance enzymatic continuous-flow reactor via integrating well-designed scalable isoporous block copolymer (BCP) membranes as carriers with an oriented and productive immobilization employing material binding peptides (MBP).