Metabolic tumor volume and sites of organ involvement predict outcome in NSCLC immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of pretreatment PET parameters and peripheral blood biomarkers to predict progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in NSCLC patients treated with ICIT.

Methods: We prospectively included 87 patients in this study who underwent pre-treatment [F]-FDG PET/CT. Organ-specific and total metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were measured using a semiautomatic software.

Management of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections with focus on patients with chronic lung diseases (as of 10 January 2022) : Updated statement of the Austrian Society of Pneumology (ASP).

The Austrian Society of Pneumology (ASP) launched a first statement on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in May 2020, at a time when in Austria 285 people had died from this disease and vaccinations were not available. Lockdown and social distancing were the only available measures to prevent more infections and the breakdown of the health system. Meanwhile, in Austria over 13,000 patients have died in association with a SARS-CoV‑2 infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was among the most common causes of death; however, SARS-CoV‑2 has been mutating all the time and currently, most patients have been affected by the delta variant where the vaccination is very effective but the omicron variant is rapidly rising and becoming predominant.

Bronchoscopic diagnosis and treatment of endobronchial carcinoid: case report and review of the literature.

Carcinoid tumours are rare neuroendocrine neoplasms that mostly occur in younger adults with low tendencies to metastasise. Based on their histological characteristics, they are divided into typical and atypical subtypes. The most common presenting symptoms are due to central airway obstruction.

Management of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections and of patients with chronic lung diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic (as of 9 May 2020) : Statement of the Austrian Society of Pneumology (ASP).

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is currently a challenge worldwide. In Austria, a crisis within the healthcare system has so far been prevented. The treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), including SARS-CoV‑2 infections, should continue to be based on evidence-based CAP guidelines during the pandemic; however, COVID-19 specific adjustments are useful.

[Statement of the Austrian Society of Pneumology (ASP)].

The COVID-19 pandemic is currently a challenge worldwide. In Austria, a crisis within the health care system has so far been avoided. The treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), including SARS-CoV‑2 infections, should continue to be based on evidence-based CAP guidelines during the pandemic.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Diverse Physical Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses of Observational Studies.

Background: Our aim was to assess both the credibility and strength of evidence arising from systematic reviews with meta-analyses of observational studies and physical health outcomes associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but not acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Methods: We performed an umbrella review of observational studies. Evidence was graded as convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak, or nonsignificant.

Prevalence and Associations of Illicit Drug and Polydrug Use in People Living with HIV in Vienna.

We aimed to determine the prevalence of drug and polydrug use in people living with HIV in Austria for the first time for which a two center cross-sectional study was performed. Participants were recruited from consecutive patients during their regularly scheduled visits. In total 438 participants were included in the analysis.

Genetic profiling of putative breast cancer stem cells from malignant pleural effusions.

A common symptom during late stage breast cancer disease is pleural effusion, which is related to poor prognosis. Malignant cells can be detected in pleural effusions indicating metastatic spread from the primary tumor site. Pleural effusions have been shown to be a useful source for studying metastasis and for isolating cells with putative cancer stem cell (CSC) properties.

Multicenter evaluation of a lateral-flow device test for diagnosing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in ICU patients.

Introduction: The incidence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is increasing, and early diagnosis of the disease and treatment with antifungal drugs is critical for patient survival. Serum biomarker tests for IPA typically give false-negative results in non-neutropenic patients, and galactomannan (GM) detection, the preferred diagnostic test for IPA using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), is often not readily available. Novel approaches to IPA detection in ICU patients are needed.

Sonographic assessment of interstitial lung disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: The usefulness of transthoracic ultrasound in the evaluation of lung diseases has been highlighted in the past decades. The aim of our study is to determine the diagnostic value of lung ultrasound in the detection of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in patients with a rheumatic disease. Furthermore, we studied the possible correlation between the underlying disease and the frequency of pathological ultrasound findings.

Progressive alveolar echinococcosis after discontinuation of anthelmintic therapy.

We report a case of a female patient with alveolar echinococcosis (AE) who presented with progressive pulmonary and hepatic lesions and had a fatal outcome. AE affecting the liver, the lungs and the brain had been diagnosed 20 years ago and treated successfully with albendazole and stereotactic gamma knife therapy. Due to severe hair loss albendazole was stopped 14 years before presentation.

Comparison of clinical presentation and laboratory values at admission between PCR-confirmed influenza A H1N1 infection and influenza-like disease, South-East Austria.

Purpose: Reliable and rapid diagnosis of influenza A H1N1 is essential to initiate the appropriate antiviral therapy and preventive measures. As PCR assays are time-consuming and rapid antigen tests have a limited sensitivity, official influenza case definitions are used in many clinical settings. These, however, are based exclusively on clinical criteria and have only a moderate potential to differentiate between influenza and other febrile diseases.

Epidemiology of patients hospitalised for pneumonia in 2011: a prospective multicentre cohort study.

This study was conducted to investigate the age dependent epidemiology of pneumonia and risk factors for mortality.The data were derived from the Austrian Pneumonia Network (APNET), comprising nine Departments for Internal Medicine with a total of 1,011 hospital beds. All inpatients diagnosed with pneumonia during 2011 were followed until discharge.

Metal artifact reduction in cone beam computed tomography using forward projected reconstruction information.

In this work we present a new method to reduce artifacts, produced by high-density objects, especially metal implants, in X-ray cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). These artifacts influence clinical diagnostics and treatments using CT data, if metal objects are located in the field of view (FOV). Our novel method reduces metal artifacts by virtually replacing the metal objects with tissue objects of the same shape.

Maximum tensile force of different suture techniques in reconstruction of the renal remnant after nephron-sparing surgery.

Background: In nephron-sparing surgery, the closure of the renal remnant is one of the major critical steps in preventing possible complications. Several suture techniques can be used for this purpose. The type of suture used depends on the discretion of the surgeon and not on validated experimental data.

Novel technique for in situ cold perfusion in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Background: Following clamping of the renal hilus, warm ischemia is an issue in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. If ischemia longer than 30 min is anticipated, special protective measures are needed. The aim of this study was to develop a solely laparoscopic technique for in situ cold perfusion of kidneys during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy to increase the tolerance of renal parenchyma to ischemic damage in a porcine model.

Optimized haemostasis in nephron-sparing surgery using small-intestine submucosa.

Background: The indications for nephron-sparing surgery are expanding constantly. One major contributing fact for this development is the improvement of haemostatic techniques following excision of the tumor. Nevertheless, postoperative bleeding complications still occur.

[The LDL receptor family].

The members of the LDL receptor family are structurally related endocytic receptors. Our view on these receptors has considerably changed in recent years. Not only have new members of the family been identified, but also several interesting observations have been published concerning the biological function of these molecules.

Metabolism of activated complement component C3 is mediated by the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha(2)-macroglobulin receptor.

Complement component 3 (C3) and alpha(2)-macroglobulin evolved from a common, evolutionarily old, ancestor gene. Low density lipoprotein-receptor-related protein/alpha(2)-macroglobulin receptor (LRP/alpha(2)MR), a member of the low density lipoprotein receptor family, is responsible for the clearance of alpha(2)-macroglobulin-protease complexes. In this study, we examined whether C3 has conserved affinity for LRP/alpha(2)MR.