Crystal Lattice Analysis for 2D Nanomorphology Prediction of Phase-Separated Materials.

Spontaneous phase separation of materials is a powerful strategy to generate highly defined 2D nanomorphologies with novel properties and functions. Exemplary are such morphologies in block copolymers or amphiphilic systems, whose formation can be well predicted based on parameters such as volume fraction and shape factor. In contrast, the formation of 2D nanomorphologies is currently unpredictable in materials perfectly defined at the molecular level, in which crystallinity plays a significant role.

Post mortem cadaveric and imaging mapping analysis of the influence of cochlear implants on cMRI assessment regarding implant positioning and artifact formation.

Objectives: In times of an aging society and considering the escalating health economic costs, the indications for imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), must be carefully considered and strictly adhered to. This cadaver study aims to examine the influence of cochlear implant (CI) on the assessment of intracranial structures, artifact formation, and size in cranial MRI (cMRI). Furthermore, it seeks to evaluate the potential limitations in the interpretability and diagnostic value of cMRI in CI patients.

Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction normalizes patellar kinematics but fails to predict cartilage contact area: A prospective 3D MRI study.

Introduction: The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is the main patellar stabilizer in low knee flexion degrees (0-30°). Isolated MPFL reconstruction (MPFLr) is therefore considered the gold standard of surgical procedures for low flexion patellofemoral instabilities (PFIs). Despite excellent clinical results, little is known about the effect of MPFLr on kinematic parameters (KPs) of the patellofemoral joint in vivo.

Food insecurity and lifestyle behaviours in university students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparative survey across three countries.

Background: University students, often unemployed and reliant on low-nutrition foods, are susceptible to food insecurity (FI) with potential physical and mental health challenges. This study explores FI and its impact on lifestyle behaviours among university students.

Methods: A cross-sectional web-based study was performed by sending an online questionnaire to university students in Lebanon, Cyprus, and Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Excessive health behaviors in sports: links of orthorexia nervosa and exercise addiction with well-being, exercise activity in sports categories, and gender effects.

Background And Aims: Orthorexia nervosa (OrNe), the obsessive fixation on healthy eating, and exercise addiction (ExAdd) have been discussed as correlated excessive health behaviors with potential mental health implications. The role of gender-and sports-specific differences remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the links of ExAdd, OrNe, and the non-pathological interest in healthy eating (healthy orthorexia; HeOr) with well-being and exercise activity in various sports, considering gender effects.

Intra-operative and post-operative management of conduits for coronary artery bypass grafting: a clinical consensus statement of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiovascular Surgery and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Coronary Task Force.

The structural and functional integrity of conduits used for coronary artery bypass grafting is critical for graft patency. Disruption of endothelial integrity and endothelial dysfunction are incurred during conduit harvesting subsequent to mechanical or thermal injury and during conduit storage prior to grafting, leading to acute thrombosis and early graft failure. Late graft failure, in particular that of vein grafts, is precipitated by progressive atherogenesis.

ChatGPT as a Source for Patient Information on Patellofemoral Surgery-A Comparative Study Amongst Laymen, Doctors, and Experts.

Introduction: In November 2022, OpenAI launched ChatGPT for public use through a free online platform. ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot trained on a broad dataset encompassing a wide range of topics, including medical literature. The usability in the medical field and the quality of AI-generated responses are widely discussed and are the subject of current investigations.

Analysis of the cryptic biosynthetic gene cluster encoding the RiPP curacozole reveals a phenylalanine-specific peptide hydroxylase.

Curacozole is representative of a cyanobactin-like sub-family of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). The molecule is distinguished by its small macrocyclic structure, a poly-azole sequence that includes a phenyloxazole moiety, and a d--Ile residue. The enzymatic steps required for its formation are not well understood.

Aedes aegypti control in breeding sites through an insecticidal coating with dual effect: Laboratory trials and safety assessment.

Ground water tanks are known to be preferred Aedes aegypti oviposition places providing opportunities for adult and larvae control. Therefore, a dual-effect insecticidal coating (IC) (alphacypermethrin/ pyriproxyfen) with a slow-release mechanism and safe for users could be applied within Aedes spp. breeding sites, representing a promising option.

Spin Mixing in Intramolecular Singlet Fission: A First-Principles-Based Quantum Dynamical Study.

We investigate the dynamical interplay between the different triplet-pair spin states that are formed in the intramolecular singlet fission process in a series of pentacene-based dimers covalently bonded to a phenylene linker in ortho, meta, and para positions. Using first-principles calculations and a density matrix quantum dynamical approach we show that the spin dipole-dipole interaction leads to significant population of the quintet spin manifold in these regioisomers when the singlet, triplet and quintet triplet-pair states are quasidegenerate. Furthermore, we also show that the relative arrangement of the pentacene-like moieties has a profound impact on the dynamics of the spin-mixing process, affecting both the relative population of the different spin-states involved in the dynamics and the time scale of the process.

Comparison of Standing Side Bending Using Biplanar Stereography and Fulcrum Bending for Flexibility Assessment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

: The surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is influenced by factors such as skeletal maturity, curve magnitude, progression, and spinal flexibility. The assessment of spinal flexibility is crucial for surgical planning; supine bending radiographs are commonly used but there is no consensus on the optimal technique. Fulcrum bending radiographs (FBRs) have shown better prediction of post-surgery correction compared to supine bending radiographs.

Expert opinion on heat therapy for teenagers' musculoskeletal pain management.

Background: Among children and adolescents, up to 40% will experience musculoskeletal pain (MP), which can significantly impair functional ability, reduce quality of life, cause emotional distress, and lead to sleeping disorders for both patients and their families. The first-line treatment often involves pharmacological interventions, even though there is a lack of evidence supporting the efficacy or the safety of this approach in this specific age group. Recent guidelines recommend the implementation of preventative strategies and physical tools as the first option to minimize the use of medications.

Correlation Between Intraoperative Near-infrared Spectroscopy Values and Neurologic Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Total Aortic Arch Replacement Using the Frozen Elephant Trunk Technique.

Objective: To correlate intraoperative near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) values with neurologic outcomes in patients undergoing total aortic arch replacement using the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique.

Design: Retrospective, single-center registry study using a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance.

Setting: Between November 2013 and December 2023, 427 patients were treated for acute and chronic aortic pathologies using the FET procedure.

Reducing Training Data Using Pre-Trained Foundation Models: A Case Study on Traffic Sign Segmentation Using the Segment Anything Model.

The utilization of robust, pre-trained foundation models enables simple adaptation to specific ongoing tasks. In particular, the recently developed Segment Anything Model (SAM) has demonstrated impressive results in the context of semantic segmentation. Recognizing that data collection is generally time-consuming and costly, this research aims to determine whether the use of these foundation models can reduce the need for training data.

Workplace violence against healthcare workers in the emergency department - a 10-year retrospective single-center cohort study.

Background: Medical staff are regularly confronted with workplace violence (WPV), which poses a threat to the safety of both staff and patients. Structured de-escalation training (DET) for Emergency Department (ED) staff has been shown to positively affect the reporting of WPV incidents and possibly reduce its impact. This study aimed to describe the development of incidence rates, causes, means, targets, locations, responses, and the time of WPV events.

Secondary matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation after failed cartilage repair shows superior results when combined with autologous bone grafting: Findings from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU).

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether additive autologous bone grafting (ABG) improves clinical outcome and survival in revision matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (M-ACI) after failed cartilage repair (CR).

Methods: A retrospective, registry-based, matched-pair analysis was performed to compare patient-reported outcomes and survival in secondary M-ACI with or without additional bone grafting for focal full-thickness cartilage defects of the knee and to compare it with those in primary M-ACI. Patients were matched for age, sex, body mass index, defect size and localization, and number of previous CRs.

Heterophoria in multiple sclerosis patients: a proof of principle cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) involves inflammatory neurodegeneration in the brainstem, cerebellum, and retina. The clinical relevance of oculomotor involvement in MS, however, remains uncertain.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated heterophoria as a (sub)clinical tool in 54 MS patients and 55 age-matched healthy controls (HCs).