Modelling the transformation of energy-intensive industries based on site-specific investment decisions.

The transition towards climate-neutral industry is a challenge, particularly for heavy industries like steel and basic chemicals. Existing models for assessing industrial transformation often lack spatial resolution and fail to capture individual investment decisions. Consequently, the spatial interplay between industry transformation, energy availability, infrastructure availability, and the dynamics of discrete investments is inadequately addressed.

Effect of the implementation of infection prevention measures by an infection prevention link physician in trauma/orthopaedics surgery on hygiene-relevant processes and nosocomial infections.

Background: The German Infection Protection Act and KRINKO recommend nominating one authorized medical specialist in every medical department as an infection prevention link physician (PLP). Detailed evidence on the contribution of PLPs to reducing infection rates is not available in Germany.

Aim: The "HygArzt"-study investigated whether, and to what extent, a PLP in orthopaedics/trauma surgery is able to improve hand hygiene adherence (HHA), process steps of dressing change, nosocomial infection (NI) and surgical site infection (SSI) rates by implementing an infection prevention bundle (IPB).

The economic burden of nosocomial infections for hospitals: evidence from Germany.

Background: Nosocomial infections (NI) significantly worsen patient outcomes, resulting in higher mortality rates and reduced health-related quality of life. Furthermore, they pose substantial economic strain on healthcare systems and hospitals. For instance, patients with nosocomial infections (NIs) experience prolonged hospital stays compared to those without NIs.

Feasibility and Efficacy of Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Gastric Cancer.

Background: Lymph node metastasis is a critical prognostic factor for patients with gastric carcinoma (GC). Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has the potential to identify the initial site of draining lymph node metastasis and reduce the extent of surgical lymphadenectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of SLN mapping in GC.

[Anatomical Identification and Possibilities of Transfer of the Masseteric Nerve for Facial Reanimation].

Background: The masseteric nerve (MN) is often used as a donor nerve for facial reanimation. In addition to already established techniques, MN transfer is rapidly gaining importance, mainly due to the single-stage approach of the procedure and its reconstructive potential. This anatomical study and the associated questionnaire study aimed to evaluate the established methods for identification of the MN and its suitability for direct nerve transfer as well as to assess the importance of MN transfer in the daily clinical routine.

Assessment of inter-operator variability in peripheral monocyte subset gating strategy using flow cytometry in patients with suspected acute stroke.

Background: Innovative tools to reliably identify patients with acute stroke are needed. Peripheral monocyte subsets, that is, classical-Mon1, intermediate-Mon2, and non-classical-Mon3, with their activation marker expression analyzed using flow-cytometry (FCM) could be interesting cell biomarker candidates.

Aim: To assess the inter-operator variability in a new peripheral monocyte subset gating strategy using FCM in patients with suspected acute stroke.

Factors Influencing Anti-Xa Assays: A Multicenter Prospective Study in Critically Ill and Noncritically Ill Patients Receiving Unfractionated Heparin.

Background:  The presence of dextran sulfate (DS) in reagents and the type of blood collection tube (citrate/citrated-theophylline-adenosine-dipyridamole [CTAD]) can lead to discrepancies between unfractionated heparin (UFH) anti-Xa levels.

Objectives:  To evaluate the extent of the effect (1) of different reagents containing or not containing DS and (2) of the blood collection tubes, on UFH anti-Xa levels, in various clinical situations (NCT04700670).

Methods:  We prospectively included patients from eight centers: group (G)1, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) after heparin neutralization ( = 39); G2, cardiothoracic intensive care unit (ICU) after CPB ( = 35); G3, medical ICU ( = 53); G4, other medical inpatients ( = 38).

Amorphous Solid Dispersions Layered onto Pellets-An Alternative to Spray Drying?

Spray drying is one of the most frequently used solvent-based processes for manufacturing amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). However, the resulting fine powders usually require further downstream processing when intended for solid oral dosage forms. In this study, we compare properties and performance of spray-dried ASDs with ASDs coated onto neutral starter pellets in mini-scale.

Metrological Protocols for Reaching Reliable and SI-Traceable Size Results for Multi-Modal and Complexly Shaped Reference Nanoparticles.

The study described in this paper was conducted in the framework of the European nPSize project (EMPIR program) with the main objective of proposing new reference certified nanomaterials for the market in order to improve the reliability and traceability of nanoparticle size measurements. For this purpose, bimodal populations as well as complexly shaped nanoparticles (bipyramids, cubes, and rods) were synthesized. An inter-laboratory comparison was organized for comparing the size measurements of the selected nanoparticle samples performed with electron microscopy (TEM, SEM, and TSEM), scanning probe microscopy (AFM), or small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).

Donor site morbidity after the harvest of microvascular flaps from the medial and lateral femoral condyle region: Objective, radiologic, and patient-reported outcome of a multi-center trial.

Background: With the experience-based hypothesis of low donor site morbidity (DSM) for free flaps from the distal femur, this cohort study aimed to evaluate the DSM according to objective and reproducible criteria.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-six patients who had a flap harvest from either the medial or lateral femoral condyle region between 2005 and 2017 were included. A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients.

[Lupus anticoagulant and ischemic strokes: about two case reports].

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by thrombotic clinical manifestations, including ischemic stroke. Testing for lupus anticoagulant (LA) among antiphospholipid antibodies is key to the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Given the impact on patient management, close clinician-pathologist collaboration is crucial for the presence of LA in a thrombotic setting.

Purkinje cell outputs selectively inhibit a subset of unipolar brush cells in the input layer of the cerebellar cortex.

Circuitry of the cerebellar cortex is regionally and functionally specialized. Unipolar brush cells (UBCs), and Purkinje cell (PC) synapses made by axon collaterals in the granular layer, are both enriched in areas that control balance and eye movement. Here, we find a link between these specializations in mice: PCs preferentially inhibit metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1)-expressing UBCs that respond to mossy fiber (MF) inputs with long lasting increases in firing, but PCs do not inhibit mGluR1-lacking UBCs.

White blood count, D-dimers, and ferritin levels as predictive factors of pulmonary embolism suspected upon admission in noncritically ill COVID-19 patients: The French multicenter CLOTVID retrospective study.

Background: A high prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) has been described during COVID-19. Our aim was to identify predictive factors of PE in non-ICU hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Methods: Data and outcomes were collected upon admission during a French multicenter retrospective study, including patients hospitalized for COVID-19, with a CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) performed in the emergency department for suspected PE.

Evidence of the medical and economic benefits of implementing hygiene measures by a prevention link physician in trauma surgery: Study protocol for a biphasic multicenter prospective interventional pre-post cohort study using a structured intervention bundle development and tools of behavior change management.

Introduction: The German Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention recommends nominating one authorized medical specialist in every medical department as an infection prevention link physician (PLP). It has been roughly described that a PLP serves as a link between the infection prevention team and the respective clinical departments. No detailed evidence about the contribution made by PLPs to the decrease of infection rates is available in Germany.

Optimizing Detection of Lymphatic Invasion in Primary Cutaneous Melanoma With the Use of D2-40 and a Paired Melanocytic Marker.

Dual immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with D2-40 and S100 improves detection of lymphatic invasion (LI) in primary cutaneous melanoma. However, limited data exist evaluating this technique using other melanocytic markers, and thus, the optimal marker for detection of LI is unestablished. To address this knowledge gap, a case-control study was performed comparing melanoma specimens from 22 patients with known lymphatic spread (LS) with a control group of 11 patients without LS.

Standardized aseptic dressing change procedure: Optimizations and adherence in a prospective pre- and postintervention cohort study.

Background: The "HygArzt" project investigated the effectiveness of hygiene measures introduced by an infection prevention link physician (PLP).

Objective: To investigate whether the introduction of a standardized aseptic dressing change concept (ADCC) by a PLP can increase hand hygiene adherence and adherence to specific process steps during an aseptic dressing change (ADC) in a trauma surgery and orthopedic department.

Methods: We defined 4 required hand disinfection indications: (1) before the preparation of ADC equipment, (2) immediately before the ADC, (3) before the clean phase, and (4) after the ADC.

Comparison of Circulating Immune Cells Profiles and Kinetics Between Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Bacterial Sepsis.

Objectives: Although clinical presentation of coronavirus disease 2019 has been extensively described, immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 remains yet not fully understood. Similarities with bacterial sepsis were observed; however, few studies specifically addressed differences of immune response between both conditions. Here, we report a longitudinal analysis of the immune response in coronavirus disease 2019 patients, its correlation with outcome, and comparison between severe coronavirus disease 2019 patients and septic patients.

D-Dimer Level and Neutrophils Count as Predictive and Prognostic Factors of Pulmonary Embolism in Severe Non-ICU COVID-19 Patients.

The incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) is high during severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to identify predictive and prognostic factors of PE in non-ICU hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In the retrospective multicenter observational CLOTVID cohort, we enrolled patients with confirmed RT-PCR COVID-19 who were hospitalized in a medicine ward and also underwent a CT pulmonary angiography for a PE suspicion.

Adherence to personal protective equipment use among healthcare workers caring for confirmed COVID-19 and alleged non-COVID-19 patients.

Adherence observations of health care workers (HCW) revealed deficiencies in the use of recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) among HCW caring in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 wards during the first period of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a university hospital in Germany. The adherence to wearing surgical face or FFP2-masks and disinfecting hands prior to donning and after doffing the PPE was significantly higher in COVID-19 wards However, there was no total adherence of 100% in COVID-19 wards.