How to break bad news and how to learn this skill: results from an international North-Eastern German Society for Gynecological Oncology (NOGGO) survey among physicians and medical students with 1089 participants.

Background: Delivering bad news to patients is one of the most challenging tasks in medical practice. Despite its great relevance to patients, relatives, and medical staff, there is a paucity of data pertaining to training, experience, expectations, and preferences of physicians and medical students on breaking bad news.

Methods: We conducted an international survey in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria using an online questionnaire among physicians and medical students.

Correlation between MRI-based spinal muscle parameters and the vertebral bone quality score in lumbar fusion patients.

Introduction: The vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score that is based on non-contrast enhanced T1-weighted MRI was recently introduced as a novel measure of bone quality in the lumbar spine and shown to be a significant predictor of healthy versus osteopenic/osteoporotic bone.

Research Question: This study aimed to assess possible correlations between the VBQ score and the functional cross-sectional area (FCSA) of psoas and lumbar spine extensor muscles.

Material And Methods: Patients who underwent fusion surgery between 2014 and 2017 and had lumbar MRI and CT scans within 6 months prior to surgery were included.

Cavernous malformations of the central nervous system: An international consensus statement.

Introduction: Cavernous malformations (CM) of the central nervous system constitute rare vascular lesions. They are usually asymptomatic, which has allowed their management to become quite debatable. Even when they become symptomatic their optimal mode and timing of treatment remains controversial.

Imaging of Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities (ARIA).

Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) can now be treated with monoclonal antibodies aiming at clearing amyloid plaques from the brain parenchyma. Weeks after initiation of this drug therapy, patients may develop so-called amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) on MRI. ARIA comprise vasogenic edema and leptomeningeal effusions (ARIA-E) as well as microbleeds and superficial hemosiderosis (ARIA-H).

Prevention of CMV/EBV reactivation by double-specific T cells in patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: results from the randomized phase I/IIa MULTIVIR-01 study.

Introduction: Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is used to cure hematologic malignancies or deficiencies of the hematopoietic system. It is associated with severe immunodeficiency of the host early after transplant and therefore early reactivation of latent herpesviruses such as CMV and EBV within the first 100 days are frequent. Small studies and case series indicated that application of herpes virus specific T cells can control and prevent disease in this patient population.

Prognostic value of CA125 kinetics, half-life, and nadir in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of cancer antigen 125 (CA125) related variables on progression free survival and overall survival in primary and recurrent ovarian cancers.

Method: A comprehensive review of the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted to identify relevant literature on survival outcomes according to the ELIMination Rate Constant K (KELIM), Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup (GCIG) CA125 response criteria, CA125 half-life, and CA125 nadir levels during first line or later line chemotherapy. The search included articles published before February 2023.

Mapping regional funding for COVID-19 research in the Asia-Pacific region.

Introduction: The Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness (GloPID-R) is a network of funders supporting research on infectious diseases of epidemic/pandemic potential. GloPID-R is establishing regional hubs to strengthen stakeholder engagement particularly among low-income and middle-income countries. The first pilot hub, led from Republic of Korea (South Korea), has been launched in the Asia-Pacific region, a region highly prone to outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.

The association of insomnia with long COVID: An international collaborative study (ICOSS-II).

Objective: There is evidence of a strong association between insomnia and COVID-19, yet few studies have examined the relationship between insomnia and long COVID. This study aimed to investigate whether COVID-19 patients with pre-pandemic insomnia have a greater risk of developing long COVID and whether long COVID is in turn associated with higher incident rates of insomnia symptoms after infection.

Methods: Data were collected cross-sectionally (May-Dec 2021) as part of an international collaborative study involving participants from 16 countries.

Tisagenlecleucel vs. historical standard of care in children and young adult patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

In the absence of randomized controlled trials comparing tisagenlecleucel vs. standard of care (SOC) in pediatric and young adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r ALL), the objective was to compare the efficacy of tisagenlecleucel with historical controls from multiple disease registries using patient-level adjustment of the historical controls. The analysis is based on patient-level data of three tisagenlecleucel studies (ELIANA, ENSIGN and CCTL019B2001X) vs.

Habitual short sleepers with pre-existing medical conditions are at higher risk of Long COVID.

Study Objectives: Preliminary evidence suggests that the risk of Long COVID is higher among people with pre-existing medical conditions. Based on its proven adjuvant role in immunity, habitual sleep duration may alter the risk of developing Long COVID. The objective of this study was to determine whether the odds of Long COVID are higher among those with pre-existing medical conditions, and whether the strength of this association varies by habitual sleep duration.

Bilateral simultaneous knee arthroplasty shows comparable early outcome and complication rate as staged bilateral knee arthroplasty for patients scored ASA 1-3 if performed by a high-volume surgeon: a retrospective cohort study of 127 cases.

Background And Purpose: The study compares early outcomes after simultaneous and staged knee arthroplasty in patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis (OA) to evaluate whether simultaneous bilateral TKA shows comparable early outcomes and complication rates to staged bilateral TKA.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study including all patients scheduled for primary TKA for bilateral knee OA (n = 127) was conducted. Patients received either simultaneous (n = 53, 41.

Validation of central peak height method for final adult height predictions on long leg radiographs.

Aims: Accurate skeletal age and final adult height prediction methods in paediatric orthopaedics are crucial for determining optimal timing of growth-guiding interventions and minimizing complications in treatments of various conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of final adult height predictions using the central peak height (CPH) method with long leg X-rays and four different multiplier tables.

Methods: This study included 31 patients who underwent temporary hemiepiphysiodesis for varus or valgus deformity of the leg between 2014 and 2020.

Implementation of a new surveillance system for dialysis-associated infection events in outpatient dialysis facilities in Germany.

Introduction: Patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis are at risk of catheter-related infections. Up to now, there has been no standardized surveillance tool in Germany to evaluate infection events in haemodialysis outpatients. As such, this study aimed to implement an online-based surveillance tool in outpatient dialysis facilities, and to report the first national surveillance data for haemodialysis patients in Germany from October 2019 until September 2021.

Blood biomarker changes following therapeutic hypothermia in ischemic stroke.

Introduction: Therapeutic hypothermia is a promising candidate for stroke treatment although its efficacy has not yet been demonstrated in patients. Changes in blood molecules could act as surrogate markers to evaluate the efficacy and safety of therapeutic cooling.

Methods: Blood samples from 54 patients included in the EuroHYP-1 study (27 treated with hypothermia, and 27 controls) were obtained at baseline, 24 ± 2 h, and 72 ± 4 h.

MicroRNAs as novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic options for inflammatory cardiomyopathy.

Aims: Inflammation of the heart is a complex biological and pathophysiological response of the immune system to a variety of injuries leading to tissue damage and heart failure. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) emerge as pivotal players in the development of numerous diseases, suggesting their potential utility as biomarkers for inflammation and as viable candidates for therapeutic interventions. The primary aim of this investigation was to pinpoint and assess particular miRNAs in individuals afflicted by virus-negative inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMi).

Activated PI3Kδ syndrome - reviewing challenges in diagnosis and treatment.

Activated PI3Kδ syndrome (APDS) is a rare inborn error of immunity (IEI) characterized primarily by frequent infections, lymphoproliferation and autoimmunity. Since its initial description in 2013, APDS has become part of the growing group of nearly 500 IEIs affecting various components of the immune system. The two subtypes of APDS - APDS1 and APDS2 - are caused by variants in the and genes, respectively.

Retention and turnover intention of foreign-trained physicians (FTPs): A scoping review.

Background: In many high-income countries, there is a regional or indication-specific shortage of physicians. One way to alleviate these shortages is to recruit physicians from abroad. However, the high turnover rate of foreign-trained physicians (FTPs) makes it difficult to maintain stable medical care.

Three-month tapering and discontinuation of long- term, low-dose glucocorticoids in senior patients with rheumatoid arthritis is feasible and safe: placebo-controlled double blind tapering after the GLORIA trial.

Objective: The randomised placebo-controlled GLORIA (Glucocorticoid LOw-dose in RheumatoId Arthritis) trial evaluated the benefits and harms of prednisolone 5 mg/day added to standard care for 2 years in patients aged 65+ years with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we studied disease activity, flares and possible adrenal insufficiency after blinded withdrawal of study medication.

Methods: Per protocol, patients successfully completing the 2-year trial period linearly tapered and stopped blinded study medication in 3 months.

Current situation of allergological health care at German hospitals.

Background: Allergic medical care in Germany is organized on an interdisciplinary basis. An overview of the current care situation is necessary to manage and improve interdisciplinary cooperation.

Methods: Between January and February 2022, questionnaires were sent online and by mail to chief physicians of inpatient clinical departments to which most allergological diseases are assigned (dermatology, otorhinolaryngology [ENT], pulmonology, pediatrics, environmental/occupational medicine, gastroenterology; n = 899).

Resting-state fractal brain connectivity is associated with impaired cognitive performance in healthy aging.

Aging affects cognitive functions even in the absence of ongoing pathologies. The neurophysiological basis of age-related cognitive decline (CD), however, is not completely understood. Alterations in both functional brain connectivity and in the fractal scaling of neuronal dynamics have been linked to aging and cognitive performance.

Bilateral simultaneous hip arthroplasty shows comparable early outcome and complication rate as staged bilateral hip arthroplasty for patients scored ASA 1-3 if performed by a high-volume surgeon.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare early outcomes after simultaneous and staged hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with bilateral symptomatic pathology.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all patients scheduled for primary THA for bilateral hip osteoarthritis (OA, n = 290). Patients either received simultaneous (n = 152, 52.

New approach to soil management focusing on soil health and air quality: one earth one life (critical review).

Soil plays a key role in ecosphere and air quality regulation. Obsolete environmental technologies lead to soil quality loss, air, water, and land systems pollution. Pedosphere and plants are intertwined with the air quality.