Cytomegalovirus Anterior Uveitis.

Aim:  The aim of the article is to summarize observations on cytomegalovirus (CMV) anterior uveitis, and in short case reports present cases of patients treated at our Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague.

Material And Methods:  Retrospective analysis of patients at the Centre for diagnosis and treatment of uveitis from 2003 to 2024. Presentation of our experiences with CMV anterior uveitis confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in aqueous humor in case reports.

Do We Need More Structured MD Thesis Programs? A Propensity Score Matched Analysis of the Research Program at the Medical Faculty Dresden.

Introduction: Conducting a Medical Doctorate (MD) thesis is desired by the majority of medical students. However, the needed scientific competencies are not regularly implemented in medical education. To support students during their MD thesis, a graduate college was implemented.

Small cell transformation in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer: DLL3 expression and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors or tyrosine kinase inhibitors combined with chemotherapy.

Introduction: Small cell transformation (SCT) is a typical mechanism of adaptive resistance to third generation epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRi) which have become the standard of care for EGFR-driven non-small cell lung cancer (EGFR+ NSCLC). Little is known about the optimal management of SCT patients. This study aimed to compare outcomes under platinum/etoposide chemotherapy alone (chemo) or in combination with EGFR inhibitors (EGFRi+chemo) or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI+chemo).

Induction of circulating ABCB1 transcripts under platinum-based chemotherapy indicates poor prognosis and a bone micrometastatic phenotype in ovarian cancer patients.

The drug efflux transporter P-glycoprotein, encoded by the ABCB1 gene, promotes acquired chemoresistance. We explored the presence and clinical relevance of circulating cell-free ABCB1 transcripts (cfABCB1) in ovarian cancer patients (173 longitudinal serum samples from 79 cancer patients) using digital droplet PCR. cfABCB1 were readily detectable at primary diagnosis (median 354 mRNA copies/20 µl serum), paralleled FIGO-stage and predicted surgical outcome (p = 0.

Female Classical Singers Apply Different Resonatory Strategies Than Male: Insights from an MRI-Based Analysis.

Introduction: The morphology of the vocal tract plays a crucial role in singing. Adjustments of the lower part of the vocal tract are essential for voice quality and timbre. Structured investigations of this region are challenging due to the small extent of the morphological modifications.

Hybrid Immunity Protects against Antibody Fading after SARS-CoV-2mRNA Vaccination in Kidney Transplant Recipients, Dialysis Patients, and Medical Personnel: 9 Months Data from the Prospective, Observational Dia-Vacc Study.

(1) Background: Compared to medical personnel, SARS-CoV-2mRNA vaccination-related positive immunity rates, levels, and preservation over time in dialysis and kidney transplant patients are reduced. We hypothesized that COVID-19 pre-exposure influences both vaccination-dependent immunity development and preservation in a group-dependent manner. (2) Methods: We evaluated 2- and 9-month follow-up data in our observational Dia-Vacc study, exploring specific cellular (interferon-γ release assay = IGRA) and/or humoral immune responses (IgA/IgG/RBD antibodies) after two SARS-CoV-2mRNA vaccinations in 2630 participants, including medical personnel (301-MP), dialysis patients (1841-DP), and kidney transplant recipients (488-KTR).

Population genomics and distribution modeling revealed the history and suggested a possible future of the endemic (Asparagaceae) complex in the Baja California Peninsula.

are an outstanding arid-adapted group of species that provide a unique chance to study the influence of multiple potential factors (i.e., geological and ecological) on plant population structure and diversification in the heterogeneous environment of the Baja California Peninsula.

Blau Syndrome: Challenging Molecular Genetic Diagnostics of Autoinflammatory Disease.

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and molecular genetic findings in seven individuals from three unrelated families with Blau syndrome. A complex ophthalmic and general health examination including diagnostic imaging was performed. The mutational hot spot located in exon 4 was Sanger sequenced in all three probands.

-ROS-POD- System under Different Xylogenesis Scenarios in Karelian Birch Roth var. carelica (Mercl.) Hämet-Ahti).

Background: We studied which regulated superoxide radical / hydrogen peroxide ratio together with peroxidase (POD) activity and genes expression under different ways of apical meristem development during the xylem structural elements' formation in unique woody plants var. pendula with straight-grained wood and var. carelica with figured wood.

Mobocertinib in Patients with EGFR Exon 20 Insertion-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (MOON): An International Real-World Safety and Efficacy Analysis.

EGFR exon 20 (EGFR Ex20) insertion mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are insensitive to traditional EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Mobocertinib is the only approved TKI specifically designed to target EGFR Ex20. We performed an international, real-world safety and efficacy analysis on patients with EGFR Ex20-positive NSCLC enrolled in a mobocertinib early access program.

Association of Fuchs Heterochromic Iridocyclitis with Multiple Sclerosis.

Purpose: To draw attention to the higher proportion of Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis (FHI) cases in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Materials And Methods: Retrospective study of data collected at the Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Uveitis.

Results: An analysis of the medical records of 3016 patients with uveitis (in the years 2003-2020) was performed with a focus on MS.

Experimental model of primary intraocular lymphoma based on BALB/CaNn strain and A20 cells is optimal for investigational research.

Aim: The purpose of this project was to compare the characteristics of two experimental murine models of primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) and determine which experimental model is most suitable for further investigational research to elucidate the pathophysiology of PIOL and to find new therapeutical strategies.

Methods: In both experimental models PIOL was induced in immunocompetent mice with intravitreal injection of syngeneic B-cell lymphoma cell lines. Murine strain C3H/HeN and cell line 38C13 were used in the first model and BALB/CaNn mice and cell line A20 in the second model.

Measurement of the retinal venous pressure with a new instrument in patients with primary open angle glaucoma.

Purpose: To compare the results of retinal venous pressure (RVP) measurement performed with contact lens dynamometry (CLD) and with the new IOPstim.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 36 patients with primary open angle glaucoma with a median age (Q25; Q75) of 74 (64; 77) years (m/f = 18/18), baseline intraocular pressure (IOP): 13.9 (12.

Stratifying esophago-gastric cancer treatment using a patient-derived organoid-based threshold.

Background And Aims: This study sought to determine the value of patient-derived organoids (PDOs) from esophago-gastric adenocarcinoma (EGC) for response prediction to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (neoCTx).

Methods: Endoscopic biopsies of patients with locally advanced EGC (n = 120) were taken into culture and PDOs expanded. PDOs' response towards the single substances of the FLOT regimen and the combination treatment were correlated to patients' pathological response using tumor regression grading.

9-Month observational Dia-Vacc study of vaccine type influence on SARS-CoV-2 immunity in dialysis and kidney transplant patients.

Background: SARS-CoV-2mRNA vaccination related seroconversion rates are reduced in dialysis and kidney transplant patients.

Methods: We evaluated nine months follow up data in our observational Dia-Vacc study exploring specific cellular (interferon-γ release assay) or/and humoral immune responses after 2x SARS-CoV-2mRNA vaccination in 880 participants including healthy medical personnel (125-MP), dialysis patients (595-DP), kidney transplant recipients (111-KTR), and apheresis patients (49-AP) with positive seroconversion (de novo IgA or IgG antibody positivity by ELISA) after eight weeks.

Findings: Nine months after first vaccination, receptor binding domain (RBD) antibodies were still positive in 90 % of MP, 86 % of AP, but only 55 %/48 % of DP/KTR, respectively.

New ionic liquids based on 5-fluorouracil: Tuning of BSA binding and cytotoxicity.

In this work, we describe the synthesis, interactions with bovine serum albumin, and cytotoxicity of new ionic liquids based on 5-fluorouracil (API-ILs) with different cations (imidazolium, choline, isoquinolinium, guanidinium). The secondary and tertiary structure of BSA in solutions with different concentrations of API-ILs was monitored by the circular dichroism (CD) technique. The addition of API-ILs does not lead to structural changes in BSA.

Differences in the genomic diversity, structure, and inbreeding patterns in wild and managed populations of Agave potatorum Zucc. used in the production of Tobalá mezcal in Southern Mexico.

Agave potatorum Zucc. locally known as Tobalá, is an important species for mezcal production. It is a perennial species that takes 10 to 15 years to reach reproductive age.

Serum immune checkpoint profiling identifies soluble CD40 as a biomarker for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) responds poorly to systemic treatment, including new immunotherapeutic approaches. Biomarkers are urgently needed for early disease detection, patient stratification for treatment, and response prediction. The role of soluble CD40 (sCD40) is unknown in PDAC.

Assisted reproduction after SARS-CoV-2-infection: results of a single-center cohort-study.

Purpose: The effects of SARS-CoV-2 infections on the outcome of assisted reproduction techniques (ART) were studied in a retrospective cohort study.

Methods: The outcome of 1581 treatment cycles with embryo transfer at a university fertility center in Germany was compared in years before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. For 335 treatment cycles in 2022 a detailed analysis was carried out depending on infection and immunization status of both partners.

COMPASS: deCOMPressing stomA and two-Stage elective resection vs. emergency reSection in patients with left-sided obstructive colon cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer stands as a prevalent cause of cancer-related mortality, necessitating effective treatment strategies. Acute colonic obstruction occurs in approximately 20% of patients and represents a surgical emergency with substantial morbidity and mortality. The optimal approach for managing left-sided colon cancer with acute colonic obstruction remains debatable, with no consensus on whether emergency resection or bridge-to-surgery, involving initial decompressing stoma and subsequent elective resection after recovery, should be employed.

Biochemical Aspects of the Spiral Grain Formation in Scots Pine ( L.) Wood. Some Differences and Similarities with Biochemical Indicators of Abnormal Xylogenesis in Karelian Birch ( Roth Var. (Mercl.) Hämet-Ahti).

Background: AOS enzymes can be biochemical indicators of abnormal xylogenesis in Scots pine, and this mechanism has similar features with the metabolic base of abnormal xylogenesis in Karelian birch.

Objective: AOS enzymes' activity in 150-300-year-old L. wood with straight-- grained wood and right-twisted spiral-grained wood, expressed in varying degrees (5-20 angle), grew in three sample plots in lingonberry and blueberry pine forest stands of different ages (100-300 years) in the middle taiga subzone in the Republic of Karelia.