Deciphering neutrophil heterogeneity in human blood and tumors: Methods for isolating neutrophils and assessing their effect on T-cell proliferation.

Neutrophils were historically considered a homogenous population of cells with functions limited to innate immunity against external threats. However, with the rise of immunotherapy, recent works have shown that neutrophils are also important actors in immuno-oncology. In this context, neutrophils appear as a more heterogenous population of cells.

Gender Gap? A Survey among Plastic Surgeons in Germany.

Introduction: There is an ongoing increase in the percentage of females in the field of Plastic Surgery in Germany. Currently, 29,1% of fellows and 46% of residents in Germany are female. Several studies have pointed out the various obstacles that female doctors, especially female plastic surgeons, are confronted with in their professional life.

Comparative Analysis of Liposuction and Conservative Treatment in Lipedema Patients: A Modified Body-Q Questionnaire Study.

: Despite its estimated high prevalence among women and increasing awareness, lipedema remains under-investigated. Ignoring its debilitating nature, surgical treatment for this condition is frequently covered by health insurance only in advanced stages and after the exhaustion of conservative therapies. : A total of 1015 patients with lipedema were recruited via social media platforms.

Impact of surface chemistry of upconversion nanoparticles on time-dependent cytotoxicity in non-cancerous epithelial cells.

The application of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) for cell and tissue analysis requires a comprehensive understanding of their interactions with biological entities to prevent toxicity or harmful effects. Whereas most studies focus on cancer cells, this work addresses non-cancerous cells with their regular in vitro physiology. Since it is generally accepted that surface chemistry largely determines biocompatibility in general and uptake of nanomaterials in particular, two bilayer surface coatings with different surface shielding properties have been studied: (i) a phospholipid bilayer membrane (PLM) and (ii) an amphiphilic polymer (AP).

Robotic-Assisted Microsurgery in Gender-Affirming Phalloplasty.

Genital gender-affirming masculinization surgeries require handling of small vessels and nerves handling in deep planes. Since the introduction of the Symani Surgical System for robotic-assisted microsurgery in clinical practice, its value in handling small and deep vessels via additional distal motion axes, motion scaling, and tremor elimination has been demonstrated. We combined the Symani with the robotic exoscope RoboticScope to achieve maximum flexibility and ergonomics for the microsurgeon.

Intestinal failure-associated liver disease model: a reduced phytosterol intravenous lipid emulsion prevents liver injury.

Background: Long-term parenteral nutrition in children often results in intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD). Phytosterols are plant steroids in vegetable oil-based intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs) that are associated with IFALD. We investigated whether a phytosterol-depleted soybean oil ILE, compared to standard soybean oil ILE, prevented hepatotoxicity in a murine IFALD model.

Development of mutated β-catenin gene signature to identify mutations from whole and spatial transcriptomic data in patients with HCC.

Background & Aims: Patients with β-catenin (encoded by )-mutated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) demonstrate heterogenous responses to first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Precision-medicine based treatments for this subclass are currently in clinical development. Here, we report derivation of the Mutated β-catenin Gene Signature (MBGS) to predict -mutational status in patients with HCC for future application in personalized medicine treatment regimens.

Microfluidic sensor using pH gradient with hybrid magnetoliposomes containing laccase immobilized nanocrystals.

A method using pH gradient to modify the phospholipid dissociation has been developed using hybrid magnetoliposomes with encapsulated enzyme laccase, which has been immobilized on hydrophilic magnetic nanocrystals (PAA-MNCs) retained in the reaction/detection zone of a microfluidic system. The hybrid magnetoliposomes act as micro containers, providing the safe transfer of the enzyme to the reaction/detection site, where it is retained, and preconcentration of the enzyme in this place occurs, which improves the system's sensitivity. The use of pH change involves the lack of external molecules to release the encapsulated materials.

Smooth muscle Cxcl12 activation is associated with vascular remodeling in flow-induced pulmonary hypertension.

Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) resulting in significant left-to-right shunting of blood are at risk for the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The underlying mechanism by which pulmonary overcirculation and shear stress lead to vascular remodeling remains unclear. Our study established a new "two-hit" murine model of severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) by combining left pneumonectomy and exposure to hypoxia (LP/Hx).

Genital gender-affirming surgery trends in Germany: Total population data with 19,600 cases from 2006 to 2022.

Purpose: To delineate the current trends regarding gender-affirming surgeries (GAS) in Germany.

Methods: Analysis of German hospital quality reports from 2006 to 2022 was conducted using the reimbursement.info tool.

Improving the Care of Severe, Open Fractures and Postoperative Infections of the Lower Extremities: Protocol for an Interdisciplinary Treatment Approach.

Background: Patients with open fractures often experience complications during their injury. The treatments incur high costs. Interdisciplinary cooperation between different medical disciplines may improve treatment outcomes.

Engineering error correcting dynamics in nanomechanical systems.

Nanomechanical oscillators are an alternative platform for computation in harsh environments. However, external perturbations arising from such environments may hinder information processing by introducing errors into the computing system. Here, we simulate the dynamics of three coupled Duffing oscillators whose multiple equilibrium states can be used for information processing and storage.

Fully Telemetric Robotic Microsurgery: Clinical Experience With 23 Cases.

Background: Recently, there is an ongoing trend in plastic surgery with robotic-assisted microsurgery and supermicrosurgery devices being developed. Combining a telemetrically controlled robotic microscope with an also telemetrically controlled microsurgery robot unlocks synergistic effects with complete disconnection of the operating surgeon from the operating field. Here, we report the first clinical free flap reconstructions using this setup.

Efficient megakaryopoiesis and platelet production require phospholipid remodeling and PUFA uptake through CD36.

Lipids contribute to hematopoiesis and membrane properties and dynamics; however, little is known about the role of lipids in megakaryopoiesis. Here we show that megakaryocyte progenitors, megakaryocytes and platelets present a unique lipidome progressively enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-containing phospholipids. In vitro, inhibition of both exogenous fatty acid functionalization and uptake as well as de novo lipogenesis impaired megakaryocyte differentiation and proplatelet production.

S2k guideline lipedema.

This S2k guideline was developed on the initiative and under the German Society of Phlebology and Lymphology (DGPL) leadership. The guideline aims to optimize the diagnosis and treatment of lipedema. It is intended to bring together the different approaches of the respective professional groups in a consensus-based manner and thus offer a basic concept for the best possible treatment of patients with lipedema.

[Necrotizing soft tissue infections].

Necrotizing soft tissue infections are a heterogeneous group of severe infections of the skin, connective tissue and muscles in which necrotic destruction of the tissue occurs at the site of infection. Various bacteria are known as "typical" triggering pathogens and the infection can occur on the entire surface of the body. Necrotizing soft tissue infections are always a time-sensitive emergency associated with high mortality.

Circulating tumour DNA in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma across tumour stages and treatments.

Objective: Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is a promising non-invasive biomarker in cancer. We aim to assess the dynamic of ctDNA in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Design: We analysed 772 plasmas from 173 patients with HCC collected at the time of diagnosis or treatment (n=502), 24 hours after locoregional treatment (n=154) and during follow-up (n=116).

Ideal suturing technique for robot-assisted microsurgical anastomoses.

The development of novel robotic devices specifically designed for open microsurgery leads to increasing applications in reconstructive procedures. While initial studies revealed improved precision and surgical ergonomics upon robotic assistance, surgical time was consistently observed to be increased. This study compares two robotic suturing techniques using the Symani Surgical System and RoboticScope in a preclinical setting, to further leverage the benefits of novel robotic devices in microsurgery.

IRF4 impedes human CD8 T cell function and promotes cell proliferation and PD-1 expression.

Human CD8 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) with impaired effector functions and PD-1 expression are categorized as exhausted. However, the exhaustion-like features reported in TILs might stem from their activation rather than the consequence of T cell exhaustion itself. Using CRISPR-Cas9 and lentiviral overexpression in CD8 T cells from non-cancerous donors, we show that the T cell receptor (TCR)-induced transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) promotes cell proliferation and PD-1 expression and hampers effector functions and expression of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-regulated genes.

Benefits of an Adjustable Compression Garment System for the Reduction of Chronic Leg Oedema (ACROE Study).

Objective: This study aimed to assess whether a specific adjustable compression garment (ACG) system (Coolflex Standard Calf and Coolflex Standard Foot; Sigvaris Inc.) promotes self-care in patients with chronic leg oedema. Secondary aims were to assess the effectiveness of this ACG in reducing oedema, improving patient reported outcomes, and determining the patients' degree of satisfaction with the handling of the wrap.

Administration of 4% tetrasodium EDTA lock solution and central venous catheter complications in high-risk pediatric patients with intestinal failure: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Selection of central venous catheter (CVC) lock solution impacts catheter mechanical complications and central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in pediatric patients with intestinal failure. Disadvantages of the current clinical standards, heparin and ethanol lock therapy (ELT), led to the discovery of new lock solutions. High-risk pediatric patients with intestinal failure who lost access to ELT during a recent shortage were offered enrollment in a compassionate use trial with 4% tetrasodium EDTA (T-EDTA), a lock solution with antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antithrombotic properties.

Implementation of a telemedical urgency assessment procedure in the pediatric emergency room: evaluation results.

Background: In rural areas in Germany, the number of emergency departments with pediatric expertise decreases. Telemedicine solutions are used sporadically, but they lack certain parameters for assessing a child's health status, such as touch and smell. We tested and evaluated the implementation of a telemedical, cross-hospital urgency assessment in pediatric emergency rooms.