TEVAR versus open aortic arch replacement in ex vivo perfused human thoracic aortas.

This study aims to assess the outcomes of therapeutic options for aortic arch pathologies by comparing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with open arch replacement (OAR) using woven polyester grafts from a mechanical and biomechanical perspective, with emphasis on ex vivo perfused human thoracic aortas reproducing heart rate and stroke volume conditions. Eleven non-diseased thoracic aortas from human cadavers were divided into TEVAR (n=5) and OAR (n=6) and tested using a custom-built mock circulation loop. Pressure, diameter, and stroke volume were monitored during perfusion before and after the intervention.

Model-driven exploration of poro-viscoelasticity in human brain tissue: be careful with the parameters!

The brain is arguably the most complex human organ and modelling its mechanical behaviour has challenged researchers for decades. There is still a lack of understanding on how this multiphase tissue responds to mechanical loading and how material parameters can be reliably calibrated. While previous viscoelastic models with two relaxation times have successfully captured the response of brain tissue, the Theory of Porous Media provides a continuum mechanical framework to explore the underlying physical mechanisms, including interactions between solid matrix and free-flowing interstitial fluid.

Computational Fluid Dynamic Simulations of Cerebral Aneurysms.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have been introduced to enable individualized risk prognosis for patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms. The present contribution provides an overview of the biomechanical and physiological principles of aneurysm formation and rupture. It describes the computational steps of the CFD and the evaluated parameters.

LoDEI: a robust and sensitive tool to detect transcriptome-wide differential A-to-I editing in RNA-seq data.

RNA editing is a highly conserved process. Adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR) mediated deamination of adenosine (A-to-I editing) is associated with human disease and immune checkpoint control. Functional implications of A-to-I editing are currently of broad interest to academic and industrial research as underscored by the fast-growing number of clinical studies applying base editors as therapeutic tools.

Evaluation of C-Reactive Protein and Computer-Aided Analysis of Chest X-rays as Tuberculosis Triage Tests at Health Facilities in Lesotho and South Africa.

Background: To improve tuberculosis case-finding, rapid, non-sputum triage tests need to be developed according to the World Health Organization target product profile (TPP) (>90% sensitivity, >70% specificity). We prospectively evaluated and compared artificial intelligence-based, computer-aided detection software, CAD4TBv7, and C-reactive protein assay (CRP) as triage tests at health facilities in Lesotho and South Africa.

Methods: Adults (≥18 years) presenting with ≥1 of the 4 cardinal tuberculosis symptoms were consecutively recruited between February 2021 and April 2022.

Irinotecan and temozolomide in combination with dasatinib and rapamycin versus irinotecan and temozolomide for patients with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma (RIST-rNB-2011): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 2 trial.

Background: Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumour in children. Relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma is associated with a poor outcome. We assessed the combination of irinotecan-temozolomide and dasatinib-rapamycin (RIST) in patients with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma.

Incidence and prevalence of musculoskeletal health conditions in survivors of childhood and adolescent cancers: A report from the Swiss childhood cancer survivor study.

Purpose: Childhood cancer and its treatment can cause damage to the musculoskeletal system. We aimed to determine the incidence and prevalence of musculoskeletal health conditions (MSHC) in survivors, and to investigate differences by cancer-related characteristics.

Methods: We used data from the Childhood Cancer Registry and the Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, including survivors (≥5 years since diagnosis; diagnosed 1976-2015 at <20 years of age) aged ≥15 years at study.

Characterization of 35 novel NR5A1/SF-1 variants identified in individuals with atypical sexual development: The SF1next study.

Context: Steroidogenic factor 1 (NR5A1/SF-1) is a nuclear receptor that regulates sex development, steroidogenesis and reproduction. Genetic variants in NR5A1/SF-1 are common among differences of sex development (DSD) and associate with a wide range of phenotypes, but their pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear.

Objective: Novel, likely disease-causing NR5A1/SF-1 variants from the SF1next cohort of individuals with DSD were characterized to elucidate their pathogenic effect.

Impact of the Timing of Mechanical Circulatory Support on the Outcomes in Myocardial Infarction-Related Cardiogenic Shock: Subanalysis of the PREPARE CS Registry.

(1) : Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in myocardial infarction-associated cardiogenic shock is subject to debate. This analysis aims to elucidate the impact of MCS's timing on patient outcomes, based on data from the PREPARE CS registry. (2) : The PREPARE CS prospective registry includes patients who experienced cardiogenic shock (SCAI classes C-E) and were subsequently referred for cardiac catheterization.

A preconception cohort study of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and semen quality.

Background: Dietary factors, including high sugar intake, may have adverse effects on male reproduction. Studies of the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake and semen quality have reported inconsistent results.

Objective: We estimated the effects of SSB consumption on semen quality in a North American preconception cohort study.

Recommendations for surveillance of pulmonary dysfunction among childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors: a report from the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group.

Childhood, adolescent, and young adult (CAYA) cancer survivors are at risk of pulmonary dysfunction. Current follow-up care guidelines are discordant. Therefore, the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group established and convened a panel of 33 experts to develop evidence-based surveillance guidelines.

Multimodal experimental studies of the passive mechanical behavior of human aortas: Current approaches and future directions.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide and include, among others, critical conditions of the aortic wall. Importantly, such critical conditions require effective diagnosis and treatment, which are not yet accurate enough. However, they could be significantly strengthened with predictive material models of the aortic wall.

Clinical and genetic characteristics of a large international cohort of individuals with rare NR5A1/SF-1 variants of sex development.

Background: Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1/NR5A1) is essential for human sex development. Heterozygous NR5A1/SF-1 variants manifest with a broad range of phenotypes of differences of sex development (DSD), which remain unexplained.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis on the so far largest international cohort of individuals with NR5A1/SF-1 variants, identified through the I-DSD registry and a research network.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings Corresponding to Vasculitis as Defined via [F]FDG Positron Emission Tomography or Ultrasound.

We sought to investigate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters that correspond to vasculitis observed via [F]FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and ultrasound in patients with large-vessel giant cell arteritis (LV-GCA). We performed a cross-sectional analysis of patients diagnosed with LV-GCA. Patients were selected if MRI, PET/CT, and vascular ultrasound were performed at the time of LV-GCA diagnosis.

Hippocampal glial inflammatory markers are differentially altered in a novel mouse model of perimenopausal cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

Dementia is often characterized by age-dependent cerebrovascular pathology, neuroinflammation, and cognitive deficits with notable sex differences in risk, disease onset, progression and severity. Women bear a disproportionate burden of dementia, and the onset of menopause (i.e.

Genetic deletion of MMP12 ameliorates cardiometabolic disease by improving insulin sensitivity, systemic inflammation, and atherosclerotic features in mice.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP12) is a macrophage-secreted protein that is massively upregulated as a pro-inflammatory factor in metabolic and vascular tissues of mice and humans suffering from cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs). However, the molecular mechanisms explaining the contributions of MMP12 to CMDs are still unclear.

Methods: We investigated the impact of MMP12 deficiency on CMDs in a mouse model that mimics human disease by simultaneously developing adipose tissue inflammation, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis.

Cumulative Absolute Risk of Subsequent Colorectal Cancer After Abdominopelvic Radiotherapy Among Childhood Cancer Survivors: A PanCareSurFup Study.

Purpose: Childhood cancer survivors are at the risk of developing subsequent colorectal cancers (CRCs), but the absolute risks by treatment modality are uncertain. We quantified the absolute risks by radiotherapy treatment characteristics using clinically accessible data from a Pan-European wide case-control study nested within a large cohort of childhood cancer survivors: the PanCareSurFup Study.

Methods: Odds ratios (ORs) from a case-control study comprising 143 CRC cases and 143 controls nested within a cohort of 69,460 survivors were calculated.

Evaluation of a Compact, Portable Centrifuge for Separating Microvolume Blood Samples at the Point of Collection.

Background: The increased demand for decentralized blood sample collection presents numerous operational challenges for diagnostics providers. Sample degradation including sample hemolysis due to time, temperature, and handling between collection and laboratory analysis leads to limited test menus and unreliable results. Here we introduce the lightweight, portable Labcorp TrueSpin™ for rapid point-of-care blood separation using commercially available microvolume blood collection tubes.