Publications by authors named "Ritter J"

 Foot drop is a challenging condition that significantly impacts the affected patient's mobility and quality of life. Tendon transfer has emerged as a viable treatment option. We hereby present data of the tendon transfer procedures in patients with foot drop in our department.

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The global spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus poses a serious pandemic threat, necessitating the swift development of effective vaccines. The success of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine technology in the COVID-19 pandemic, marked by its rapid development and scalability, demonstrates its potential for addressing other infectious threats, such as HPAI A(H5N1). We therefore evaluated mRNA vaccine candidates targeting panzootic influenza A(H5) clade 2.

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  • - CRISPR-engineered CAR T cells show promise in cancer treatments but have been linked to chromosomal issues due to the CRISPR process.
  • - The study reveals that increased T cell activation and faster proliferation lead to larger DNA deletions, while non-activated T cells have a lower risk but are less effective for gene editing.
  • - A small molecule called pifithrin-α can reduce chromosomal damage while preserving the functionality of CRISPR-engineered T cells, making it a viable strategy for improving genomic safety.
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  • - Bartonella quintana can lead to serious health issues, including endocarditis and chronic infections, and is mainly spread by body lice, particularly in homeless populations.
  • - A case study in the U.S. highlighted two kidney transplant recipients who contracted the infection from an organ donor who was homeless; one case was atypical while the other showed mild symptoms.
  • - Timely detection and treatment allowed both recipients to recover, emphasizing the importance of assessing organ donors' living conditions, specifically those with a history of homelessness or lice infestations, for potential B. quintana infections in transplant recipients.
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  • Carriers of BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants were studied to determine their risk of developing cancers during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood (CAYA).
  • Analysis of data from over 47,000 individuals revealed that while young women with BRCA1/2 mutations had a significantly increased risk of breast cancer in their 20s, no increased risk was found for other types of CAYA cancers.
  • The study concluded that there's little evidence to support routine genetic testing for children of BRCA1/2 carriers or for young cancer patients, as the overall cancer risk appears low aside from breast cancer in young women.
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Background: Reliable reference data in medical imaging is largely unavailable. Developing tools that allow for the comparison of individual patient data to reference data has a high potential to improve diagnostic imaging. Population atlases are a commonly used tool in medical imaging to facilitate this.

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Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) causes human disease ranging from subclinical to a fatal haemorrhagic syndrome. Determinants of CCHF pathogenesis are largely unknown and animal models that recapitulate human disease are limited. A recently described mouse model uses a monoclonal antibody (mAb 5A3) targeting the interferon (IFN) alpha/beta receptor to suppress type I IFN responses, making animals transiently susceptible to infection.

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  • The study investigates the link between diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFUs) and cardiovascular risk, focusing on how inflammation and infection may contribute to this association.
  • Data from 513 patients with DFUs were analyzed, categorizing them based on the depth and presence of infection, and tracking major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) over approximately 13 months.
  • Results showed that deep and/or infected DFUs significantly increased the risk of MACE and all-cause mortality, suggesting that further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind this increased cardiovascular risk.
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  • Heart transplantations are critical for patients with severe heart failure, but understanding complications and causes of death post-transplant is essential for improving patient care.
  • A comprehensive review of autopsies from 1990 to 2023 revealed demographic data, clinical histories, and causes of death in 88 heart transplant patients.
  • The study identified significant findings, including that 41.1% of deaths were related to the transplant operation, while 58.9% were due to other factors, with some unexpected causes not recognized before death.
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Purpose Of Review: The aim of this review is to aggregate currently available literature as it pertains to treating surgical shoulder pathology in patients with osteoporosis.

Recent Findings: Emerging data surrounding perioperative use of anti-osteoporosis medications for patients undergoing shoulder surgery have not shown definitively favorable or unfavorable outcomes. Similar evaluations in animal studies have shown promising results as a biologic augment to tendon and bone healing, especially with newer, anabolic agents.

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Introduction: The role and impact of preoperative chemotherapy (PC) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma are questions under active investigation. Here we investigate the rate of failure to rescue (FTR) and surgical outcomes in patients undergoing pancreatectomy, with PC within 90 days (d) prior to surgery and without PC.

Materials And Methods: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Targeted Dataset for Pancreatectomy (2014-2020) was queried to identify patients who underwent pancreatectomy for malignant non-neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors.

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  • This study aimed to create a conceptual framework to assess the financial hardship experienced by families affected by childhood cancer, addressing the absence of standardized tools that consider diverse global perspectives.
  • Researchers used a group concept mapping approach, engaging parents, survivors, and support staff from 41 countries, focusing particularly on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
  • The study identified six key themes related to financial hardship, highlighting significant caregiver and treatment impacts, and noting that the challenges faced in LMICs are more pronounced than those in high-income countries (HICs).
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Omnipresent suppressive myeloid populations in the tumor microenvironment limit the efficacy of T-cell-directed immunotherapies, become more inhibitory after administration of T-cell checkpoint inhibitors, and are overall associated with worse survival of cancer patients. In early clinical trials, positive outcomes have been demonstrated for therapies aimed at repolarizing suppressive myeloid populations in the tumor microenvironment. We have previously described the key role of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) in maintaining an inhibitory state of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), most of which express high levels of PSGL-1.

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Background: Pressure offloading is a critical component of plantar foot ulcer management, including diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFU). Conventional offloading options such as total contact casting and removable knee-high walkers may be unsuitable or unsuccessful in patients with morbid obesity, intermittent lower limb oedema, high exudative wounds or poor mobility. A mouldable fibreglass backslab device (BSD) may be a practical alternative to be considered in these situations.

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In animals, stem cell populations of varying potency facilitate regeneration and tissue homeostasis. Notably, germline stem cells in both vertebrates and invertebrates express highly conserved RNA binding proteins, such as , , and . In highly regenerative animals, these genes are also expressed in somatic stem cells, which led to the proposal that they had an ancestral role in all stem cells.

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Immunizing mice with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) nucleoprotein (NP), glycoprotein precursor (GPC), or with the GP38 domain of GPC, can be protective when the proteins are delivered with viral vectors or as a DNA or RNA vaccine. Subunit vaccines are a safe and cost-effective alternative to some vaccine platforms, but Gc and Gn glycoprotein subunit vaccines for CCHFV fail to protect despite eliciting high levels of neutralizing antibodies. Here, we investigated humoral and cellular immune responses and the protective efficacy of recombinant NP, GP38, and GP38 forms (GP85 and GP160) associated with the highly glycosylated mucin-like (MLD) domain, as well as the NP + GP38 combination.

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  • * Digital technologies like gamification, virtual reality, and mixed reality have transformed rehabilitation, increasing motivation and providing immersive, interactive therapy experiences.
  • * These innovations also help manage phantom pain, enhance documentation of symptoms and therapy outcomes, and create personalized therapeutic approaches that greatly improve the quality of life for amputation patients.
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Memory B cells (mBCs) are characterized by their long-term stability, fast reactivation, and capability to rapidly differentiate into antibody-secreting cells (ASCs). However, the role of T cells in the differentiation of mBCs, in contrast to naive B cells, remains to be delineated. We study the role of T cells in mBC responses, using CD40L stimulation and autologous T-B co-cultures.

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The mechanism by which interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) mutation contributes to lymphomagenesis is unknown. We modeled IRF8 variants in B cell lymphomas and found that they affected the expression of regulators of antigen presentation. Expression of IRF8 mutants in murine B cell lymphomas suppressed CD4, but not CD8, activation elicited by antigen presentation and downmodulated CD74 and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DM, intracellular regulators of antigen peptide processing/loading in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II.

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Considering polygenic risk scores (PRSs) in individual risk prediction is increasingly implemented in genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer (BC) based on next-generation sequencing (NGS). To calculate individual BC risks, the Breast and Ovarian Analysis of Disease Incidence and Carrier Estimation Algorithm (BOADICEA) with the inclusion of the BCAC 313 or the BRIDGES 306 BC PRS is commonly used. The PRS calculation depends on accurately reproducing the variant allele frequencies (AFs) and, consequently, the distribution of PRS values anticipated by the algorithm.

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V-set immunoglobulin domain-containing 4 (VSIG4) is a B7 family protein with known roles as a C3 fragment complement receptor involved in pathogen clearance and a negative regulator of T cell activation by an undetermined mechanism. VSIG4 expression is specific for tumor-associated and select tissue-resident macrophages. Increased expression of VSIG4 has been associated with worse survival in multiple cancer indications.

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Through collaborative efforts, One Health partners have responded to outbreaks of COVID-19 among animals, including those in human care at zoos. Zoos have been faced with numerous challenges, including the susceptibility of many mammalian species, and therefore the need to heighten biosecurity measures rapidly. Robust One Health collaborations already exist in Arizona to address endemic and emerging zoonoses, but these have rarely included zoos.

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  • * These infections are significant as they cause morbidity and stigma, and their occurrence may rise due to climate change and increased global travel.
  • * U.S. dermatologists are crucial for early detection and treatment of these conditions, which can reduce complications and improve patient outcomes.
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  • * These diseases are linked to poverty and immunosuppression, particularly in the U.S. due to global migration, and have serious morbidity effects like disfigurement, disability, and mental health issues.
  • * Effective management is challenging with low cure rates, highlighting the important role of dermatologists in early diagnosis and treatment to enhance patient outcomes.
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