Pathogenesis of bovine H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b infection in Macaques.

Since early 2022 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus infections have been reported in wild aquatic birds and poultry throughout the United States (US) with spillover into several mammalian species. In March 2024, HPAIV H5N1 clade 2.3.

Evolution of Omicron lineage towards increased fitness in the upper respiratory tract in the absence of severe lung pathology.

The emergence of the Omicron lineage represented a major genetic drift in SARS-CoV-2 evolution. This was associated with phenotypic changes including evasion of pre-existing immunity and decreased disease severity. Continuous evolution within the Omicron lineage raised concerns of potential increased transmissibility and/or disease severity.

Characterizing of dropouts in the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers (MEHIRA) study examining the effects of a stepped and collaborative care model - a multicentered rater-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Background: Dropout from healthcare interventions can negatively affect patients and healthcare providers through impaired trust in the healthcare system and ineffective use of resources. Research on this topic is still largely missing on refugees and asylum seekers. The current study aimed to characterize predictors for dropout in the Mental Health in Refugees and Asylum Seekers (MEHIRA) study, one of the largest multicentered controlled trials investigating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a nationwide stepped and collaborative care model.

Fatal Feline Leukemia Virus-Associated Enteritis in a Wild Eurasian Lynx () in Germany.

The Eurasian lynx (), a widespread wild felid on the Eurasian continent, is currently classified as "critically endangered" in Germany. Understanding the impact of infectious agents is of particular importance for the continued conservation of these animals, especially regarding pathogens with broad host ranges and risk of interspecies transmission. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is known to infect wild and domestic felids worldwide, including several species of lynx, but it has not been reported thus far in the Eurasian lynx.

Evaluation of circulating tumor DNA as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in BRAF V600E mutated colorectal cancer-results from the FIRE-4.5 study.

The randomized FIRE-4.5 (AIO KRK0116) trial compared first-line therapy with FOLFOXIRI (folinic acid, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan) plus either cetuximab or bevacizumab in B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) V600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. This study was accompanied by a prospective translational project analyzing cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in plasma to test whether ctDNA analysis may help to guide clinical treatment decision making.

The role of attitude toward nature in learning about environmental issues.

Attitude toward nature and environmental attitude are two distinct propensities that both further learning about the environment. The present study builds upon prior research by investigating the role of attitude toward nature in learning about environmental issues. In a sample of 1,486 university, middle and high school students (  = 15.

Umatilla Virus in Zoo-Dwelling Cape Penguins with Hepatitis, Germany.

Analysis of liver tissue from a Cape penguin that died with hepatitis at a zoo in Germany revealed Umatilla virus. Testing uncovered Umatilla virus RNA in samples from 2 other deceased Cape penguins at the zoo. Our results expand knowledge of the prevalence of this virus in bird species across Germany.

When does criminal victimization undermine generalized trust? A weighted panel analysis of the effects of crime type, frequency, and variety.

Scholars from various fields have suggested that criminal victimization can shatter generalized trust. Whereas small average effects in longitudinal studies provide only weak support for this claim, victimization effects may be stronger for specific crime types and multiple victimization. To test this assumption, we estimated various victimization effects by combining Energy weighting with lagged dependent variable models, using data from two-wave panel surveys conducted in 2014/2015 (cohort 1; N = 3401) and 2020/2021 (cohort 2; N = 2932) in two German cities.

A human monoclonal antibody neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants containing the L452R mutation.

The effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic antibodies targeting the spike (S) receptor-binding domain (RBD) has been hampered by the emergence of variants of concern (VOCs), which have acquired mutations to escape neutralizing antibodies (nAbs). These mutations are not evenly distributed on the RBD surface but cluster on several distinct surfaces, suggesting an influence of the targeted epitope on the capacity to neutralize a broad range of VOCs. Here, we identified a potent nAb from convalescent patients targeting the receptor-binding domain of a broad range of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs.

Predictors of symptom change in the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers (MEHIRA) study examining the effects of a stepped and collaborative care model - A multicentered rater-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Background: Predictors of symptom improvement are an essential starting point for tailoring psychological treatments to each individual and, in turn, increasing treatment efficacy overall. However, such research regarding refugees/asylum seekers from Arabic-/Farsi-speaking countries is lacking. The current study aimed to characterize predictors for symptom improvement in the Mental Health in Refugees and Asylum Seekers (MEHIRA) study, one of the most extensive multicentered controlled trials on a nationwide stepped and collaborative care model compared to routine German mental health care.

Use of a handheld system for interventional ultrasound with puncture and biopsy in an in vitro liver model.

Background And Objective: Ultrasound-guided interventions (such as biopsies) of unclear lesions are indicated if microcirculatory changes indicate possible malignant lesions. These place high demands on the ultrasound device used. In order to potentially reduce the often associated high technical effort, the wireless ultrasound device Vscan AirTM was examined as a possible ultrasound device for the intervention biopsy.

Interrater Variability of ML-Based CT-FFR in Patients without Obstructive CAD before TAVR: Influence of Image Quality, Coronary Artery Calcifications, and Location of Measurement.

CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) can improve the specificity of coronary CT-angiography (cCTA) for ruling out relevant coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, little is known about the reproducibility of CT-FFR and the influence of diffuse coronary artery calcifications or segment location. The objective was to assess the reliability of machine-learning (ML)-based CT-FFR prior to TAVR in patients without obstructive CAD and to assess the influence of image quality, coronary artery calcium score (CAC), and the location of measurement within the coronary tree.

Identification and characterisation of pathogenic and non-pathogenic FGF14 repeat expansions.

Repeat expansions in FGF14 cause autosomal dominant late-onset cerebellar ataxia (SCA27B) with estimated pathogenic thresholds of 250 (incomplete penetrance) and 300 AAG repeats (full penetrance), but the sequence of pathogenic and non-pathogenic expansions remains unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that STRling and ExpansionHunter accurately detect FGF14 expansions from short-read genome data using outlier approaches. By combining long-range PCR and nanopore sequencing in 169 patients with cerebellar ataxia and 802 controls, we compare FGF14 expansion alleles, including interruptions and flanking regions.

Skeletal muscle vulnerability in a child with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome.

Background: TCF4 acts as a transcription factor that binds to the immunoglobulin enhancer Mu-E5/KE5 motif. Dominant variants in TCF4 are associated with the manifestation of Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, a rare disease characterized by severe mental retardation, certain features of facial dysmorphism and, in many cases, with abnormalities in respiratory rhythm (episodes of paroxysmal tachypnea and hyperventilation, followed by apnea and cyanosis). Frequently, patients also develop epilepsy, microcephaly, and postnatal short stature.

Fluorescence Enhancement of Single V2 Centers in a 4H-SiC Cavity Antenna.

Solid state quantum emitters are a prime candidate in distributed quantum technologies since they inherently provide a spin-photon interface. An ongoing challenge in the field, however, is the low photon extraction due to the high refractive index of typical host materials. This challenge can be overcome using photonic structures.