Grouping of UVCB substances with dose-response transcriptomics data from human cell-based assays.

The application of in vitro biological assays as new approach methodologies (NAMs) to support grouping of UVCB (unknown or variable composition, complex reaction products, and biological materials) substances has recently been demonstrated. In addition to cell-based phenotyping as NAMs, in vitro transcriptomic profiling is used to gain deeper mechanistic understanding of biological responses to chemicals and to support grouping and read-across. However, the value of gene expression profiling for characterizing complex substances like UVCBs has not been explored.

Grouping of UVCB substances with new approach methodologies (NAMs) data.

One of the most challenging areas in regulatory science is assessment of the substances known as UVCB (unknown or variable composition, complex reaction products and biological materials). Because the inherent complexity and variability of UVCBs present considerable challenges for establishing sufficient substance similarity based on chemical characteristics or other data, we hypothesized that new approach methodologies (NAMs), including in vitro test-derived biological activity signatures to characterize substance similarity, could be used to support grouping of UVCBs. We tested 141 petroleum substances as representative UVCBs in a compendium of 15 human cell types representing a variety of tissues.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Liver Resection for Benign Tumors and Lesions: A Case Matched Study with Propensity Score Matching.

In recent years, minimally invasive surgical approaches have gained an increasingly important role in hepatobiliary surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and potential benefits of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) compared with open liver resection (OLR) for benign liver tumors and lesions. Between January 2009 and December 2017, 182 patients underwent liver resection for benign liver tumors and lesions at our center.

Predictive MGMT status in a homogeneous cohort of IDH wildtype glioblastoma patients.

Methylation of the O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter is predictive for treatment response in glioblastoma patients. However, precise predictive cutoff values to distinguish "MGMT methylated" from "MGMT unmethylated" patients remain highly debated in terms of pyrosequencing (PSQ) analysis. We retrospectively analyzed a clinically and molecularly very well-characterized cohort of 111 IDH wildtype glioblastoma patients, who underwent gross total tumor resection and received standard Stupp treatment.

Performance of specific immunoglobulin E tests for diagnosing occupational asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To determine the test performance parameters for the retrievable range of high-molecular-weight (HMW) and low-molecular-weight (LMW) occupational allergens and to evaluate the impact of allergenic components and the implementation of measures for test validation.

Methods: A protocol with predefined objectives and inclusion criteria was the basis of an electronic literature search of MEDLINE and EMBASE (time period 1967-2016). The specific inhalation challenge and serial peak flow measurements were the reference standards for the specific IgE (sIgE) test parameters.

Cryoballoon ablation in the elderly: one year outcome and safety of the second-generation 28mm cryoballoon in patients over 75 years old.

Aims: The efficacy of the second-generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has been demonstrated previously. Data on the efficacy of CB ablation in elderly patients is missing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term success rate of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients ≥75 years vs.

Long-term follow up of 3 T MRI-detected brain lesions after percutaneous catheter-based left atrial appendage closure.

Background: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) for stroke prevention is an increasingly performed intervention.

Aims: This prospective study aims to evaluate the incidence of long-term magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected brain lesions as well as potential changes of neurocognitive function after percutaneous LAAC.

Methods: Brain MRI at 3 T was performed within 24 hr before and after LAAC.

[Effects of Bilingualism on Cognitive Functions in Early Childhood].

Effects of Bilingualism on Cognitive Functions in Early Childhood Studies have revealed advantages in cognitive functions among children with bilingualism. In this study we investigate cognitive functions in monolingual and bilingual preschool children taking socioeconomic status into account. The study population consists of 40 monolingual (German) children (M = 5.

Left atrial appendage angiography is associated with the incidence and number of magnetic resonance imaging-detected brain lesions after percutaneous catheter-based left atrial appendage closure.

Background: Percutaneous catheter-based left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is a procedure being increasingly performed in patients with atrial fibrillation and high bleeding risk.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected acute brain lesions (ABLs) as well as potential changes in neurocognitive function after percutaneous LAAC in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Brain MRI at 3 T was performed within 24 hours before and after LAAC along with neurologic (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score) and cognitive (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA] test) assessment.

Apixaban, rivaroxaban, and dabigatran use in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation using the second-generation cryoballoon.

Background: Data are limited on the safety of periprocedural anticoagulation with novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using the second-generation cryoballoon (CB) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the incidence of acute periprocedural complications in patients undergoing PVI do not differ between patients treated with VKA compared to NOACs.

Methods: In 200 consecutive patients (mean age, 64.

Two years outcome in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation after pulmonary vein isolation using the second-generation 28-mm cryoballoon.

Background: The efficacy of the second-generation cryoballoon (CB) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) has been demonstrated previously. Data on the efficacy of CB ablation in patients with persistent AF are sparse.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the 2-year success rate of pulmonary vein isolation in patients with persistent AF using the second-generation CB.

Analysis of Lymphocytic DNA Damage in Early Multiple Sclerosis by Automated Gamma-H2AX and 53BP1 Foci Detection: A Case Control Study.

Background: In response to DNA double-strand breaks, the histone protein H2AX becomes phosphorylated at its C-terminal serine 139 residue, referred to as γ-H2AX. Formation of γ-H2AX foci is associated with recruitment of p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1), a regulator of the cellular response to DNA double-strand breaks. γ-H2AX expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was recently proposed as a diagnostic and disease activity marker for multiple sclerosis (MS).

Severe back pain in elite athletes: a cross-sectional study on 929 top athletes of Germany.

Purpose: The cross-sectional study evaluates the incidence, localization, treatment, and influencing factors of back pain (BP) in Germany's elite athletes.

Methods: An online questionnaire was sent out to 3564 top athletes. We used the VAS to identify the intensity of BP and SPSS for statistical analyses.

Assessment of the Biological Effects of Welding Fumes Emitted From Metal Active Gas and Manual Metal Arc Welding in Humans.

Objective: Emissions from a particular welding process, metal inert gas brazing of zinc-coated steel, induce an increase in C-reactive protein. In this study, it was investigated whether inflammatory effects could also be observed for other welding procedures.

Methods: Twelve male subjects were separately exposed to (1) manual metal arc welding fumes, (2) filtered air, and (3) metal active gas welding fumes for 6 hours.

Meta-analysis of survival in patients with HNSCC discriminates risk depending on combined HPV and p16 status.

Data indicate a better prognosis for human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). HPV and p16 detection are established markers for HPV-related HNSCC. Both are accepted as survival-independent predictors.

Human biomonitoring of aluminium after a single, controlled manual metal arc inert gas welding process of an aluminium-containing worksheet in nonwelders.

Purpose: Several existing field studies evaluate aluminium welding works but no thoroughly controlled exposure scenario for welding fume has been described yet. This study provides information about the uptake and elimination of aluminium from welding fumes under controlled conditions.

Methods: In the Aachen Workplace Simulation Laboratory, we are able to generate welding fumes of a defined particle mass concentration.

Human biomonitoring of chromium and nickel from an experimental exposure to manual metal arc welding fumes of low and high alloyed steel.

Objectives: The uptake and elimination of metals from welding fumes is currently not fully understood. In the Aachen Workplace Simulation Laboratory (AWSL) it is possible to investigate the impact of welding fumes on human subjects under controlled exposure conditions. In this study, the uptake and elimination of chromium or chromium (VI) respectively as well as nickel was studied in subjects after exposure to the emissions of a manual metal arc welding process using low or high alloyed steel.

Antioxidants in Asian-Korean and caucasian skin: the influence of nutrition and stress.

Background: The antioxidant status of the human skin provides protection against the destructive action of free radicals. Most antioxidants cannot be synthesized by the human organism itself, but have to be ingested with a healthy nutrition rich in fruit and vegetables. The Korean cuisine is known to be one of the healthiest worldwide.

Biological effects of emissions from resistance spot welding of zinc-coated material after controlled exposure of healthy human subjects.

Objective: Do emissions from a resistance spot welding process of zinc-coated materials induce systemic inflammation in healthy subjects after exposure for 6 hours?

Methods: Twelve healthy male subjects were exposed once for 6 hours either to filtered ambient air or to welding fume from resistance spot welding of zinc-coated material (mass concentration approximately 100 μg m). Biological effects were measured before, after, and 24 hours after exposure.

Results: At the concentrations used in this study, however, the suspected properties of ultrafine particles did not lead to systemic inflammation as reflected by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein or other endpoint parameters under consideration.

Multiple sclerosis: the elevated antibody response to Epstein-Barr virus primarily targets, but is not confined to, the glycine-alanine repeat of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1.

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have elevated antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but data on the epitope-resolved specificity of these antibodies are scarce. Using a peptide microarray containing 1465 peptides representing 8 full-length EBV proteins, we identified higher (p<0.001) antibody reactivities to 39 EBV-peptides in MS patients (n=29) compared to healthy controls (n=22).

[Systematics of somatoform disorders in children and adolescents].

Somatoform disorders in children and adolescents are common and can cause significantly reduced wellbeing and quality of life. Considerable subjective impairment leads to a high number of doctors' visits, which along with a reoccurrence of negative findings, often results in a sense of helplessness in the patient and a lack of trust towards the physician. The criteria for somatoform disorders are illustrated based on the classification scheme ICD-10 and in consideration of the DSM-V.

Relationship between welding fume concentration and systemic inflammation after controlled exposure of human subjects with welding fumes from metal inert gas brazing of zinc-coated materials.

Objectives: It has been shown that exposure of subjects to emissions from a metal inert gas (MIG) brazing process of zinc-coated material led to an increase of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in the blood. In this study, the no-observed-effect level (NOEL) for such emissions was assessed.

Methods: Twelve healthy subjects were exposed for 6 hours to different concentrations of MIG brazing fumes under controlled conditions.

[Investigation of practicability of OPD-CA for patients with migration background].

32 clinical patients (5-15 years) were diagnosed with an OPD-CA interview-manual (Winter, 2004). To investigate practicability of OPD-CA for patients with migration background (N = 14) a comparison with patients without migration background (N = 18) was carried out. There were patients with different ethnical backgrounds.