PRMT5 Inhibition Reduces Hyperinflammation in a Murine Model of Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but aggressive and potentially lethal hyperinflammatory syndrome characterized by pathologic immune activation and excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines leading to tissue damage and multisystem organ failure. There is an urgent need for the discovery of novel targets and development of therapeutic strategies to treat this rare but deadly syndrome. Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) mediates T cell-based inflammatory responses, making it a potential actionable target for the treatment of HLH.

Impact of Disability on Postoperative Outcomes After Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery.

Introduction: Approximately 61 million individuals in the United States have a disability and face unique challenges, resulting in healthcare disparities.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the impact of disability on postoperative outcomes and number of healthy days at home (HDAH).

Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer between 2017 and 2020 were identified using the Medicare database.

Does Weekend Discharge Affect Readmission and Survival in Liver Transplant Patients? Insights From a Cohort Study.

Background: Weekend hospital discharges are often associated with reduced staffing, potentially impacting the quality of patient care. We studied the effects of weekend discharge after liver transplantation (LT) on early readmission rates, overall survival (OS), and graft survival (GS).

Method: We analyzed data from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center database (January 2016 to December 2023).

SARS-CoV-2 immune responses in patients with multiple myeloma and lenalidomide maintenance therapy.

Introduction: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an uncontrolled plasma cell proliferation in the bone marrow, leading to immune dysregulation with impaired humoral immune responses. Conversely, cellular-based responses play a vital role in MM patients. However, the extent and duration of cellular-induced protection remain unclear to date.

[From imaging to interaction with 3D models: technical aspects].

Augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR, respectively) are already being used or evaluated in some medical fields: however, the widespread application is still hampered by inconsistent and often confusing terminology, in particular for people who are not familiar with current developments. Additionally, the technical principles and requirements for its use are often insufficiently well known. This overview article therefore aims to clarify the most important terminology and presents the current technical state of the art, spanning from the requirements of medical imaging, through 3D models and the various forms of visualization to the interaction possibilities within VR and AR.

Sportizumab - Multimodal progressive exercise over 10 weeks decreases Th17 frequency and CD49d expression on CD8 T cells in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) represents a neuroinflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by the predominance of circulating T cell subsets with proinflammatory characteristics and increased central nervous system (CNS)-homing potential. Substantial evidence confirms various beneficial effects of chronic exercise interventions in MS, but it is unknown how long-term multi-modal intense exercise affects MS-associated lymphocytes that are commonly targeted by medication in persons with relapsing remitting MS (pwRRMS).

Methods: A total of 45 participants with defined RRMS were randomized to either the exercise (n = 22) or passive waitlist-control group (n = 23).

Association of transplant recipient status with clinical and financial outcomes among patients undergoing major surgery.

Background: Transplant recipients undergoing surgery may represent a vulnerable population because of transplant-related comorbidities as well as reliance on immunosuppressive medications. We sought to characterize the association of prior transplant status on postoperative outcomes among patients undergoing major non-transplant-related surgical procedures.

Methods: Data on patients who underwent a major surgical procedure (pneumonectomy, coronary artery bypass graft, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, Whipple, colectomy) between 2016 and 2020 were obtained from the Nationwide Readmission Database.

Acute exercise boosts NAD metabolism of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) coenzymes are the central electron carriers in biological energy metabolism. Low NAD levels are proposed as a hallmark of ageing and several diseases, which has given rise to therapeutic strategies that aim to tackle these conditions by boosting NAD levels. As a lifestyle factor with preventive and therapeutic effects, exercise increases NAD levels across various tissues, but so far human trials are mostly focused on skeletal muscle.

Neuroticism as a Common Factor in Depression and Anxiety Associated with Multiple Sclerosis-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Left undiagnosed and untreated, the association between multiple sclerosis and mental health difficulties significantly increases the multimorbidity risk in these patients. Hence, the purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the prevalence of neuroticism, depression, and anxiety in MS and to explore the cumulative impact of these psychological factors on the disease expression.

Methods: A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, according to the PRISMA guidelines.

Influence of recrystallization on stability of tungsten scanning tunneling microscope tips.

The structure and electron emission properties of scanning tunneling microscope tips electrochemically etched from polycrystalline and recrystallized tungsten wires were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Tips etched using the recrystallized wire had single crystal domains larger than those seen in tips etched from the cold drawn wire. The stability of the tips under high electric fields was investigated using field emission.

Outcomes of liver transplant for colorectal liver metastasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) for nonresectable colorectal liver metastasis (NRCRLM) has become accepted for select patients meeting strict inclusion criteria. Advancements in patient selection and understanding of cancer biology may expand benefits to patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). In this meta-analysis, we sought to assess survival outcomes, recurrence patterns, and quality of life (QoL) after LT for CRLM.

Determinants of Long Waiting Time to Kidney Transplantation.

Background: Disparity in waiting time to kidney transplantation led to new policy (KAS250). Our aims were to identify variables associated with long wait time (LWT); assess the impact of KAS250 on WT; and analyze modifiable transplant center behaviors correlated with WT.

Methods: SRTR data for adult deceased donor kidney transplants were analyzed.

Outcomes of Liver Transplantation From Hepatitis C Virus-positive DCD Donors and Its Utilization Among Centers in the United States.

Background: Donation after circulatory death (DCD) or hepatitis C virus (HCV + ) liver grafts are underused among transplant centers in the United States. The study aimed to evaluate organ utilization and outcomes of liver grafts from DCD donors with HCV infection.

Methods: National registry and local center data of all deceased donor liver transplants performed between November 2016 and December 2021 were analyzed.

The Path from Personality to Anxiety and Depression Is Mediated by Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative immunological disease causing significant impairment in all life areas. Therefore, personality changes are observed and associated with higher prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders. Considering this relationship, we hypothesized that clinical symptoms and personality disorders are more prevalent in MS and that dysfunctional psychological mechanisms mediate the path from personality disorders to clinical symptoms.

Waitlist Time, Age, and Social Vulnerability: Impact on the Survival Benefit of Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation Versus Long-term Dialysis Among Patients With End-stage Renal Disease.

Background: We sought to define the survival benefit of kidney transplantation versus long-term dialysis relative to waitlist time on dialysis, social vulnerability, and age among end-stage renal transplant candidates.

Methods: End-stage renal disease patients who were candidates for their first deceased donor kidney transplantation between 2008 and 2020 were identified using the US Renal Data System. Survival probabilities for patient survival were compared using the restricted mean survival times (RMSTs) across different age and social vulnerability index (SVI) ranges.

Chronological and Geographical Variations in the Incidence and Acceptance of COVID-19-Positive Donors and Outcomes Among Abdominal Transplant Patients.

Introduction: Given the importance of understanding COVID-19-positive donor incidence and acceptance, we characterize chronological and geographic variations in COVID-19 incidence relative to COVID-19-positive donor acceptance.

Methods: Data on deceased donors and recipients of liver and kidney transplants were obtained from the UNOS database between 2020 and 2023. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to assess trends in COVID-19-positive donor incidence.

Influence of Intraoperative Fluid Management on Postoperative Outcome and Mortality of Cytoreductive Surgery for Advanced Ovarian Cancer-A Retrospective Observational Study.

The surgical treatment of advanced ovarian cancer is associated with extensive tissue trauma, prolonged operating times and a considerable volume shift. It, therefore, represents a challenge for anaesthesiological management. The aim of this single-centre, retrospective, observational study was to investigate whether intraoperative extensive volume supply influences postoperative outcomes and long-term survival.

Acute exercise activates the AHR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in an intensity-dependent manner.

The kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan degradation generates several metabolites such as kynurenine (KYN) or kynurenic acid (KA) that serve as endogenous ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Due to its distinct biological roles particularly modulating the immune system, the AHR is a current therapeutic target across different inflammation-related diseases. Here, we show an acute exercise-induced increase in AHR ligand availability on a systemic level and a kynurenine pathway activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Personality and Pain Outcomes in Rheumatic Disease: The Mediating Role of Psychological Flexibility.

Background: Chronic pain is associated with increased disability and vulnerability to emotional disorders. Personality and psychological flexibility (PF) describe interindividual differences that shape the adjustment to chronic pain. Specifically, PF was found to be associated with pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression intensity.

Variation in DCD Liver Transplant Protocols Among Transplant Centers in the United States.

Background: Variation in donation after circulatory death (DCD) organ recovery and liver transplant practices exist among transplant centers. This study aimed to evaluate these practices among centers in the United States.

Methods: Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data were accessed to identify centers that performed liver transplantation in 2021 and 2022.

Multimodal Therapy Approaches for NUT Carcinoma by Dual Combination of Oncolytic Virus with Small Molecule Inhibitors.

NUT (nuclear-protein-in-testis) carcinoma (NC) is a highly aggressive tumor disease. Given that current treatment regimens offer a median survival of six months only, it is likely that this type of tumor requires an extended multimodal treatment approach to improve prognosis. In an earlier case report, we could show that an oncolytic herpes simplex virus (T-VEC) is functional in NC patients.

Eight weeks of high-intensity interval training versus stretching do not change the psychoneuroendocrine response to a social stress test in emotionally impulsive humans.

Purpose: Research supports physical activity as a method to heighten stress resistance and resilience through positive metabolic alterations mostly affecting the neuroendocrine system. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been proposed as a highly effective time-saving method to induce those changes. However, existing literature relies heavily on cross-sectional analyses, with few randomised controlled trials highlighting the necessity for more exercise interventions.

Machine Learning-Based Analysis Reveals Triterpene Saponins and Their Aglycones in as Critical Mediators of AMPK Activation.

(CR) extracts contain diverse constituents such as saponins. These saponins, which act as a defense against herbivores and pathogens also show promise in treating human conditions such as heart failure, pain, hypercholesterolemia, cancer, and inflammation. Some of these effects are mediated by activating AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK).