Increasing the collection flow rate to 2 mL/min is effective and reduces the procedure time in off-line photopheresis.

Background: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) treatment, mostly based on apheresis technology, is used for immunomodulation in various diseases such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, graft versus host disease and other (auto)immune disorders. The aim of this study was to collect high cell counts and purity in shorter procedure times using an ECP off-line system with an increased collection flow rate of 2 mL/min to a target volume of 200 mL buffy coat.

Study Design And Methods: In this prospective study, data of routinely performed off-line photopheresis treatments were collected and analyzed at the Central Institute for Blood Transfusion & Department of Immunology (ZIB) of the Tirol Kliniken, to assess absolute cell counts and procedure times and to calculate collection efficiencies (CE2).

Risk prediction models for discrete ordinal outcomes: Calibration and the impact of the proportional odds assumption.

Calibration is a vital aspect of the performance of risk prediction models, but research in the context of ordinal outcomes is scarce. This study compared calibration measures for risk models predicting a discrete ordinal outcome, and investigated the impact of the proportional odds assumption on calibration and overfitting. We studied the multinomial, cumulative, adjacent category, continuation ratio, and stereotype logit/logistic models.

Improved in-hospital outcome for radial access in a large contemporary cohort of primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Randomised controlled trials have shown diverse results for radial access in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Moreover, it is questionable whether radial access improves outcome in patients with cardiogenic shock undergoing PPCI. We aimed to investigate the outcome according to access site in patients with or without cardiogenic shock, in daily clinical practice.

Pharmacokinetics and Antifungal Activity of Echinocandins in Ascites Fluid of Critically Ill Patients.

The pharmacokinetics and antifungal activity of the echinocandins anidulafungin (AFG), micafungin (MFG), and caspofungin (CAS) were assessed in ascites fluid and plasma of critically ill adults treated for suspected or proven invasive candidiasis. Ascites fluid was obtained from ascites drains or during paracentesis. The antifungal activity of the echinocandins in ascites fluid was assessed by incubation of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata at concentrations of 0.

Successful Treatment of Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome Temporally Associated with COVID-19 (PIMS-TS) with Split Doses of Immunoglobulin G and Estimation of PIMS-TS Incidence in a County District in Southern Germany.

Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS Cov2 (PIMS-TS) is a newly encountered disease in children sharing clinical features with Kawasaki disease, toxic shock syndrome, or macrophage-activating syndrome. Pathogenically, it is associated with immune-mediated post-infectious hyperinflammation leading to short-term myocardial injury with yet unknown long-term outcome. We herein present three cases of PIMS-TS treated in our institution with divided doses of immunoglobulins and high dose acetyl salicylic acid, according to existing Kawasaki disease guidelines.

Adaptive sample size determination for the development of clinical prediction models.

Background: We suggest an adaptive sample size calculation method for developing clinical prediction models, in which model performance is monitored sequentially as new data comes in.

Methods: We illustrate the approach using data for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer (n = 5914, 33% event fraction) and obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD; n = 4888, 44% event fraction). We used logistic regression to develop a prediction model consisting only of a priori selected predictors and assumed linear relations for continuous predictors.

Aesthetic outcomes after surgical repair of pectus excavatum in females: Differences between patients and professional evaluators.

Background: Pectus excavatum is less common in females than in males, and it often aggravates a coexistent breast asymmetry. We conducted a study comparing female patients' versus medical professionals' evaluation of pectus excavatum repair to assess differences in aesthetic outcome ratings. Moreover, we evaluated the influence of surgical correction on patients' self-perception.

Ultra-wide-field imaging of choroidal melanoma before and after proton beam radiation therapy.

Objective: To evaluate the imaging characteristics of choroidal melanoma before and after proton beam radiotherapy via Optos ultra-wide-field scanning laser ophthalmoscopy.

Methods: Retrospective, descriptive study of choroidal melanoma patients treated with proton beam radiotherapy. All patients underwent full clinical evaluation, including best-corrected visual acuity, ultrasound examination and ultra-wide-field scanning laser ophthalmoscopy imaging in the pseudo-colour (red and green channel) as well as auto-fluorescence mode.

Burden of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy: first estimates and research priorities.

Background: Since the 1990s, evidence has accumulated of an increased prevalence of epilepsy in onchocerciasis-endemic areas in Africa as compared to onchocerciasis-free areas. Although the causal relationship between onchocerciasis and epilepsy has yet to be proven, there is likely an association. Here we discuss the need for disease burden estimates of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE), provide them, detail how such estimates should be refined, and discuss the socioeconomic impact of OAE, including a cost-estimate for anti-epileptic drugs.

Cohort profile: the Coronary Artery disease Risk Determination In Innsbruck by diaGnostic ANgiography (CARDIIGAN) cohort.

Purpose: The Coronary Artery disease Risk Determination In Innsbruck by diaGnostic ANgiography (CARDIIGAN) cohort is aimed to gain a better understanding of cardiovascular risk factors and their relation to the diagnosis and severity of coronary artery disease, as well as to the long-term prognosis in consecutive (including revascularised) patients referred for elective coronary angiography.

Participants: The included patients visited the University Clinic of Cardiology at Innsbruck (Austria), which fulfils a secondary and tertiary hospital function. Inclusion took place in the period between February 2004 and April 2008 and resulted in a total of 8296 patients aged 18-91 years; 65% of them were men.

Safety and Efficacy of Endovascular Treatment of Previously Clipped Aneurysms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background/objective: The safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment of previously clipped aneurysms have not been well-established. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the outcomes of endovascular treatment of previously clipped aneurysms.

Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and the Web of Science was performed for studies published until October 2017.

Transferrin as a predictor of survival in cirrhosis.

Patients with cirrhosis frequently present with high serum ferritin and low transferrin concentrations, reflecting impaired liver function and inflammation. Recent studies have shown that transferrin and its saturation with iron are Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-independent predictors of mortality in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic utility of serum iron parameters in relation to markers of liver function and immune activation.

In-Hospital Outcome Comparing Bivalirudin to Heparin in Real-World Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Randomized controlled trials have shown conflicting results regarding the outcome of bivalirudin in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the in-hospital outcomes of patients receiving heparin or bivalirudin in a real-world setting of PPCI: 7,023 consecutive patients enrolled in the Austrian Acute PCI Registry were included between January 2010 and December 2014. Patients were classified according to the peri-interventional anticoagulation regimen receiving heparin (n = 6430) or bivalirudin (n = 593) with or without GpIIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs).

Successful long-term management of spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis using a software application (APP): A pilot study.

Background: Spasticity is a very common syndrome in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), but available treatments lead to sufficient symptom control only in one third.

Objective: To investigate the impact of an individualized training program on improving spasticity in a prospective pilot trial in pwMS suffering from moderate spasticity (defined as ≥ 4 on a normative rating scale; NRS).

Methods: PwMS were familiarized with predefined exercises targeting spasticity while undergoing inpatient rehabilitation (IR).

Associations between prediagnostic blood glucose levels, diabetes, and glioma.

Previous literature indicates that pre-diagnostic diabetes and blood glucose levels are inversely related to glioma risk. To replicate these findings and determine whether they could be attributed to excess glucose consumption by the preclinical tumour, we used data from the Apolipoprotein MOrtality RISk (AMORIS) (n = 528,580) and the Metabolic syndrome and Cancer project (Me-Can) cohorts (n = 269,365). We identified individuals who were followed for a maximum of 15 years after their first blood glucose test until glioma diagnosis, death, emigration or the end of follow-up.

External validation and extension of a diagnostic model for obstructive coronary artery disease: a cross-sectional predictive evaluation in 4888 patients of the Austrian Coronary Artery disease Risk Determination In Innsbruck by diaGnostic ANgiography (CARDIIGAN) cohort.

Objective: To externally validate and extend a recently proposed prediction model to diagnose obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), with the ultimate aim to better select patients for coronary angiography.

Design: Analysis of individual baseline data of a prospective cardiology cohort.

Setting: Single-centre secondary and tertiary cardiology clinic.

Genotyping of coeliac-specific human leucocyte antigen in children with type 1 diabetes: does this screening method make sense?

Objectives: Due to a high linkage disequilibrium of diabetes and coeliac-specific human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes, the prevalence of coeliac disease (CD) in children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1D) is much higher than in the general population. Recently, the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) revised new screening guidelines in which genotyping for coeliac-specific HLA alleles is recommended for high-risk patients as patients with T1D. The aim of our study was to investigate the frequency and distribution of coeliac-specific HLA genotypes in paediatric patients with T1D.

Performance of PI-RADS version 1 versus version 2 regarding the relation with histopathological results.

Purpose: Aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of PI-RADS version 1 (v1) and version 2 (v2) in the detection of prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: Multiparametric MRIs (mpMRI) of 50 consecutive patients with biopsy proven PCa, which had originally been evaluated according to PIRADS v1, were now retrospectively re-evaluated, comparing PI-RADS v1 and v2. MpMRI data were evaluated in comparison with histopathological whole-mount step-section slides.

Interface Management between General Practitioners and Rheumatologists-Results of a Survey Defining a Concept for Future Joint Recommendations.

Objective: To measure the views of general practitioners (GPs) and rheumatologists in a nationwide evaluation, so as to optimise their cooperation in managing patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Methods: A questionnaire covering aspects of collaboration was sent, both by mail and/or by email, to all GPs and rheumatologists in Austria. Topics covered were (i) examinations and interventions to be performed before referral, (ii) the spectrum of diseases to be referred, and (iii) the role of GPs in follow-up and continuous management of patients.

Intracardiac Doppler Echocardiography for Monitoring of Pulmonary Artery Pressures in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Uncontrolled pulmonary hypertension may cause worse outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), while hemodynamic monitoring is desirable for risk control. Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) readings obtained by intracardiac Doppler echocardiography were evaluated.

Methods: In 114 patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis and median Society of Thoracic Surgeons scores of 10.

Mediation analysis of the relationship between sex, cardiovascular risk factors and mortality from coronary heart disease: Findings from the population-based VHM&PP cohort.

Background: In Europe, annually about 77,000 women, but 253,000 men die prematurely from coronary heart disease (CHD) before the age of 65 years. This gap narrows with increasing age and disappears after the eighth life decade. However, little is known regarding the contribution of cardiovascular risk factors to this sex difference.

Significant pressure differences between solid-state and water-perfused systems in lower esophageal sphincter measurement.

Objective: High-resolution manometry of the esophagus has gained worldwide acceptance, using different solid-state catheters. Thus, normal values for lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resting pressure in suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease patients have been established using water-perfused manometry. These standard values are commonly applied using also solid-state techniques, although they have never been compared before.

Comparison of the prevalence of human papilloma virus infection in histopathologically confirmed premalignant oral lesions and healthy oral mucosa by brush smear detection.

Objective: The role of human papilloma virus (HPV) infections in oral carcinogenesis is an important topic of research in maxillofacial oncology. Nevertheless, the association between such infections in the oral cavity and the development of oral precancerous lesions remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between oral HPV infections and oral leukoplakia or erythroplakia.

Evaluation of the PI-RADS scoring system for mpMRI of the prostate: a whole-mount step-section analysis.

Purpose: Evaluation of the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scoring system for classifying multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging findings of the prostate using whole-mount step-section slides as reference standard.

Materials And Methods: Prospective inclusion of 50 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer (PCa). All patients received a multi-parametric MRI of the prostate, consisting of T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.