Changes in spatial bodily pain distribution one year after benign hysterectomy with emphasis on prevalence and risk factors for de novo and persistent pelvic pain- a prospective longitudinal multicenter study.

Background: The objectives were to determine the prevalence of de novo and persistent pelvic pain after benign hysterectomy and to assess risk factors.

Methods: A Swedish prospective multicenter study of 440 women undergoing benign hysterectomy was conducted between October 2011 and March 2017. Measures of pain, the spatial extent of bodily pain, and pain sensitivity were assessed using a self-reporting questionnaire, Margolis's patient pain drawing, and quantitative sensory testing of pain thresholds for pressure, heat, and cold, respectively.

The larval chondrocranium and its development in Smilisca phaeota with considerations of patterns characteristic for the chondrocranial development of Lalagobatrachia.

Several studies describe the development of the chondrocranium of vertebrates. The details in these studies vary a lot, which makes it hard to compare developmental patterns and identify evolutionary trends. Therefore, we aim to close this gap for anurans, which is the largest order of amphibians.

Developmental sequence of the chondrocranium in the obligate carnivorous larvae of Lepidobatrachus laevis (Amphibia: Ceratophryidae).

The vertebrate head and its skull represent a significant innovation that has played a key role in the evolutionary and ecological success of vertebrates. For a global and integral understanding of the evolution of the head skeleton, it is essential to have reliable information on the development of chondrocranium in a wide range of vertebrate species. Therefore, we studied the cranial chondrogenesis of the larva of the Budgett frog, Lepidobatrachus laevis (Ceratophryidae, Neobatrachia).

Quality of life in breast reconstruction: a comparison of lightweight and conventional breast implants.

Background: Due to the declining mortality rates of breast carcinoma and the rising incidence of risk-reducing mastectomies, enhancing the quality of life after breast reconstructions has become an increasingly important goal. The advantages of lightweight breast implants (B-Lite®) may significantly contribute to achieving this objective. This study aims to investigate whether lightweight implants are suitable for patients undergoing breast reconstruction and could improve the quality of life in comparison to conventional implants.

Predicting reservoir sedimentation using multilayer perceptron - Artificial neural network model with measured and forecasted hydrometeorological data in Gibe-III reservoir, Omo-Gibe River basin, Ethiopia.

The estimation and prediction of the amount of sediment accumulated in reservoirs are imperative for sustainable reservoir sedimentation planning and management and to minimize reservoir storage capacity loss. The main objective of this study was to estimate and predict reservoir sedimentation using multilayer perceptron-artificial neural network (MLP-ANN) and random forest regressor (RFR) models in the Gibe-III reservoir, Omo-Gibe River basin. The hydrological and meteorological parameters considered for the estimation and prediction of reservoir sedimentation include annual rainfall, annual water inflow, minimum reservoir level, and reservoir storage capacity.

Prognosis versus Actual Outcomes in Stereotactic Radiosurgery of Brain Metastases: Reliability of Common Prognostic Parameters and Indices.

This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcome of stereotactic radiosurgery as the sole treatment for brain metastases and to assess prognostic factors influencing survival. A total of 108 consecutive patients with 213 metastases were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment was determined with close-meshed MRI follow-up.

The population context is a driver of the heterogeneous response of epithelial cells to interferons.

Isogenic cells respond in a heterogeneous manner to interferon. Using a micropatterning approach combined with high-content imaging and spatial analyses, we characterized how the population context (position of a cell with respect to neighboring cells) of epithelial cells affects their response to interferons. We identified that cells at the edge of cellular colonies are more responsive than cells embedded within colonies.

Evaluation of analytical and clinical performance of the AFIAS Tn-I plus assay - a new point-of-care.

Background: The objective of this evaluation was to determine the analytical and clinical performance of the AFIAS point-of-care (POC) Tn-I Plus assay (Boditech Med Inc).

Design And Methods: Limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), repeatability, reproducibility, inter- and intra-individual CV were evaluated using the CLSI guidelines. The study was also designed to estimate the 99 percentile upper reference limit (URL) and to assess the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.

Extended methods for spatial cell classification with DBSCAN-CellX.

Local cell densities and positioning within cellular monolayers and stratified epithelia have important implications for cell interactions and the functionality of various biological processes. To analyze the relationship between cell localization and tissue physiology, density-based clustering algorithms, such as DBSCAN, allow for a detailed characterization of the spatial distribution and positioning of individual cells. However, these methods rely on predefined parameters that influence the outcome of the analysis.

Embryonic pattern of cartilaginous head development in the European toad, Bufo bufo.

The craniofacial skeleton of vertebrates is a major innovation of the whole clade. Its development and composition requires a precisely orchestrated sequence of chondrification events which lead to a fully functional skeleton. Sequential information on the precise timing and sequence of embryonic cartilaginous head development are available for a growing number of vertebrates.

Radiation doses to mediastinal organs at risk in early-stage unfavorable Hodgkin lymphoma- a risk stratified analysis of the GHSG HD17 trial.

Introduction: The German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) HD17 trial established the omission of radiotherapy (RT) for patients with early-stage unfavorable Hodgkin lymphoma being PET-negative after 2 cycles of BEACOPP escalated plus 2 cycles of ABVD. This patient group reveals heterogeneity in characteristics and disease extent which prompted us to perform a decisive dosimetric analysis according to GHSG risk factors. This may help to tailor RT individually balancing risks and benefits.

Systematic risk analysis of radiation pneumonitis in breast cancer: role of cotreatment with chemo-, endocrine, and targeted therapy.

Purpose: A major complication of sequential and concomitant chemoradiation in breast cancer treatment is interstitial pneumonitis induced by radiation therapy (RT), systemic therapy, or a combination of both. Dose and volume of co-irradiated lung tissue directly correlate with the risk of radiation pneumonitis. Especially in case of combined treatment, it is often unclear which of the used therapeutic agents promote pneumonitis.

Association Between Experimental Pain Thresholds and Trajectories of Postoperative Recovery Measures After Benign Hysterectomy.

Purpose: Quantitative sensory testing (QST) can be applied to quantify the sensitivity to different painful stimuli. This study aims to evaluate the association between preoperative pressure and thermal pain thresholds and trajectories of measurements of postoperative recovery (patient-reported daily maximum and average pain intensity, sum score of symptoms, and analgesic consumption) after benign hysterectomy.

Patients And Methods: A prospective, longitudinal single-blinded, observational multicenter study was conducted in five hospitals in the southeast of Sweden between 2011 and 2017.

New Faecal Calprotectin Assay by IDS: Validation and Comparison to DiaSorin Method.

Background: The faecal calprotectin (FC) measurement is used for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnosis and follow-up. The aim of this study was to validate for the first time the new IDS FC extraction device and immunoassay kit, and to compare it with the DiaSorin test in patients with and without IBD. Methods: First, the precision of the IDS assay and its stability were assessed.

Validation of an LC-MS/MS Method Using Solid-Phase Extraction for the Quantification of 1-84 Parathyroid Hormone: Toward a Candidate Reference Measurement Procedure.

Background: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) measurement is important for patients with disorders of calcium metabolism, including those needing bone-turnover monitoring due to chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder. There are currently 2 generations of PTH immunoassays on the market, both having cross-reactivity issues and lacking standardization. Therefore, we developed an LC-MS/MS higher-order method for PTH analysis.

Make it double: identification and characterization of a Tandem-Hirudin from the Asian medicinal leech Hirudinaria manillensis.

Haematophagous leeches express a broad variety of secretory proteins in their salivary glands, among them are hirudins and hirudin-like factors. Here, we describe the identification, molecular and initial functional characterization of Tandem-Hirudin (TH), a novel salivary gland derived factor identified in the Asian medicinal leech, Hirudinaria manillensis. In contrast to the typical structure of hirudins, TH comprises two globular domains arranged in a tandem-like orientation and lacks the elongated C-terminal tail.

Knee kinematics are variously influenced by different correction angles in high tibial osteotomy (HTO).

Purpose: Literature reveals good to excellent data concerning patient satisfaction, as well as long-term outcomes after high tibial osteotomy (HTO). These results might be influenced by changes of knee kinematics through the procedure. However, exact influence of HTO on tibiofemoral kinematics remains unknown so far.

Sequence of chondrocranial development in basal anurans-Let's make a cranium.

Background: The craniofacial skeleton is an evolutionary innovation of vertebrates. Due to its complexity and importance to protect the brain and aid in essential functions (e.g.

Analytical evaluation of the Nittobo Medical tartrate resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (TRACP-5b) EIA and comparison with IDS iSYS in different clinically defined populations.

Objectives: Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, isoform 5b (TRACP-5b) is a bone resorption marker not influenced by renal function or food intake. TRACP-5b can be measured with Nittobo Medical enzymatic-immunoassay and IDS-iSYS automated immunoassay. We evaluated the Nittobo assay and established reference ranges for a Western-European population.

Interlaboratory comparison of 25-hydroxyvitamin D assays: Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP) Intercomparison Study 2 - Part 2 ligand binding assays - impact of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D on assay performance.

An interlaboratory comparison study was conducted by the Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP) to assess the performance of ligand binding assays (Part 2) for the determination of serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. Fifty single-donor samples were assigned target values for concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D [3-epi-25(OH)D], and 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [24R,25(OH)D] using isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID LC-MS/MS). VDSP Intercomparison Study 2 Part 2 includes results from 17 laboratories using 32 ligand binding assays.

Interlaboratory comparison of 25-hydroxyvitamin D assays: Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP) Intercomparison Study 2 - Part 1 liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assays - impact of 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D on assay performance.

An interlaboratory comparison study was conducted by the Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP) to assess the performance of liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assays used for the determination of serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), which is the sum of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). A set of 50 single-donor samples was assigned target values for concentrations of 25(OH)D, 25(OH)D, 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D (3-epi-25(OH)D), and 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24R,25(OH)D) using isotope dilution liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (ID LC-MS/MS). VDSP Intercomparison Study 2 Part 1 includes results from 14 laboratories using 14 custom LC-MS/MS assays.

Vinorelbine in bladder-preserving multimodality treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer-a valid option for cisplatin-unfit patients?

Purpose: Treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) remains challenging, especially for elderly and/or comorbid patients. Patients who are unfit for or refuse surgery should receive bladder-preserving multimodality treatment (BPMT), consisting of transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURB) followed by combined chemoradiotherapy (CRT). We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of vinorelbine, a chemotherapeutic agent not routinely used for MIBC, in patients referred to CRT who are unfit for standard chemotherapy and would thus rely solely on radiotherapy (RT).