Cisplatin-functionalized dual-functional bone substitute granules for bone defect treatment after bone tumor resection.

Invasive bone tumors pose a significant healthcare challenge, often requiring systemic chemotherapy and limb salvage surgery. However, these strategies are hampered by severe side effects, complex post-resection bone defects, and high local recurrence rates. To address this, we developed dual-functional bone substitute biomaterials by functionalizing commercially available bone substitute granules (Bio-Oss® and MBCP®+) with the established anticancer agent cisplatin.

[Hereditary thrombophilia; whom to test?].

Patients with thrombophilia show a higher incidence of VTE due to a disturbance in the hemostatic system. Hereditary thrombophilia can be identified by laboratory diagnostics, however most guidelines advise against thrombophilia testing in the majority of the patients with VTE, since the outcome rarely affects clinical decisions for the treatment. In this article we describe two cases in which hereditary thrombophilia testing could be considered.

Fundamentals of end-of-life communication as part of advance care planning for older people: An interview study with nursing staff.

This exploratory interview study investigated nursing staff members' perspectives on the fundamentals of end-of-life communication with older people as part of advance care planning in home care, nursing home, and hospital settings. Separate semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 nursing staff members about their experiences, opinions, and preferences before, during, and after end-of-life conversations. Overall themes clustering the fundamentals include preconditions such as feeling comfortable talking about the end of life and creating space for open communication.