Degradable starch microspheres transarterial chemoembolization (DSM-TACE) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: results from the Prospective Multicenter Observational HepaStar Trial.

Objectives: Despite increasing interest, prospective data on the use of degradable starch microsphere-transarterial chemoembolization (DSM-TACE) in the management of patients with unresectable HCC are still scarce. The objective of the HepaStar study was to collect prospective safety and effectiveness data in a prospective multicenter observational study.

Materials And Methods: Between January 2017 and December 2022, consecutive participants with unresectable or recurrent HCC treated with DSM-TACE as standard of care at 6 participating centers in Europe were enrolled.

Hyperphenylalaninemia and serotonin deficiency in Dnajc12-deficient mice.

Serotonin exerts numerous neurological and physiological actions in the brain and in the periphery. It is generated by two different tryptophan hydroxylase enzymes, TPH1 and TPH2, in the periphery and in the brain, respectively, which are members of the aromatic amino acid hydroxylase (AAAH) family together with phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), degrading phenylalanine, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), generating dopamine. In this study, we show that the co-chaperone DNAJC12 is downregulated in serotonergic neurons in the brain of mice lacking TPH2 and thereby central serotonin.

Is mesh pore size associated with the outcome in laparo-endoscopic inguinal hernia repair? - a registry-based multivariable analysis.

Introduction: In inguinal hernia repair, mesh weight and pore size are used to describe the mesh characteristics. One meta-analysis of laparo-endoscopic inguinal hernia repairs identified 12 prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 2,909 patients who had all been treated with lightweight (≤ 50 g/m²) or heavyweight (> 70 g/m²) meshes. None of the 12 RCTs gave details of the pore size.

From evidence to care delivery: Opportunities and risks in health and science policy. A position paper of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF).

Objective: After over 25 years of developing clinical practice guidelines, the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) held a symposium to discuss the following topics in order to improve the way evidence is implemented in the delivery of care: expansion of the data pool for guideline development, the regulatory policy framework for this expansion, the transfer of clinical practice guideline statements to medical practice, the associated opportunities and risks resulting from the European legislation.

Methods: The AWMF held its Berlin Forum on 27 April 2022 where experts from scientific medical societies and national institutions in the healthcare sector reported their experiences and perceptions on the topics mentioned. Three writing groups compiled the key statements from these contributions to and discussions made at the Berlin Forum into a position paper.

Isatuximab, Lenalidomide, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone Induction Therapy for Transplant-Eligible Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Final Part 1 Analysis of the GMMG-HD7 Trial.

Previously, addition of isatuximab (Isa) to standard-of-care lenalidomide-bortezomib-dexamethasone (RVd) in transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in the GMMG-HD7 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03617731) resulted in a significant increase of minimal residual disease negativity (MRD-) rates after induction therapy. A total of 662 patients were randomly assigned to receive induction therapy with Isa-RVd (n = 331) or RVd (n = 329), followed by single or tandem autologous stem-cell transplant and second random assignment to maintenance with lenalidomide alone or Isa-lenalidomide.

Vigabatrin-associated brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities and clinical symptoms in infants with tuberous sclerosis complex.

Objective: Previous retrospective studies have reported vigabatrin-associated brain abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (VABAM), although clinical impact is unknown. We evaluated the association between vigabatrin and predefined brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in a large homogenous tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) cohort and assessed to what extent VABAM-related symptoms were reported in TSC infants.

Methods: The Dutch TSC Registry and the EPISTOP cohort provided retrospective and prospective data from 80 TSC patients treated with vigabatrin (VGB) before the age of 2 years and 23 TSC patients without VGB.

Impact of systemic inflammation and disease activity on the incidence of interstitial lung disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis - a nested case-control study within the German biologics register RABBIT.

Background: To investigate the association between the development of incident interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the disease activity of RA with its various components, especially C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

Methods: We analysed data from RA patients, observed in the German biologics register RABBIT between 2001 and 2021. In a nested case-control study, patients with a reported incident ILD diagnosis during follow-up were matched 1:5 to patients without ILD.

The Use of the Anterior Labral Circumferential Onlay Technique to Reconstruct the Anterior Labrum and Biomechanically Restore Glenohumeral Joint Stability.

Background: A labral injury contributes to glenohumeral instability. The Anterior Labral Circumferential Onlay Technique (ALCOT) reconstructs the labrum using the long head of the biceps tendon.

Hypothesis: The ALCOT would restore glenohumeral joint stability in a cadaveric model without glenoid bone loss (1) comparable to the native state and (2) comparable to the Latarjet procedure.

Immuno-oncologic profiling by stage-dependent transcriptome and proteome analyses of spontaneously regressing canine cutaneous histiocytoma.

Canine cutaneous histiocytoma (CCH) is a tumor that originates from dermal Langerhans cells and affects particularly young dogs. The common spontaneous regression of CCH makes it an interesting model in comparative oncology research. Previous studies have indicated that anti-tumor immune responses may be involved, but details remain speculative to date.

Insights into Cataract Surgery Outcomes in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Perspectives across Severity Grades Under Clinical Routine Conditions.

Purpose: Cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) share age as a main risk factor and thus have a high coincidence. Both conditions substantially reduce visual acuity. This study aimed to assess the impact of cataract surgery on visual acuity, retinal morphology, and VEGF inhibitor therapy in patients with AMD.

Shifts in peak month of births and socio-economic factors: a study of divided and reunified Germany 1950-2022.

Objectives: The seasonality of conception and birth has intrigued scientists for over 200 years. Since the 1970s, peak birth months in the northern hemisphere have shifted from early spring to late summer, influenced by oral contraceptives and socio-economic factors. The division of Germany from the end of World War II until reunification in 1990 offers a unique opportunity to analyze these influences while both regions had equal access to contraception.

Socio-affective communication in Tph2-deficient rat pups: communal nesting aggravates growth retardation despite ameliorating maternal affiliation deficits.

Background: A lack of serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) in the brain due to deficiency of the rate-limiting enzyme in 5-HT synthesis, tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2), was recently reported to result in impaired maternal affiliation across species, including mice, rats, and monkeys. In rodents, this was reflected in a lack of preference for maternal odors and reduced levels of isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations (USV), possibly contributing to a severe growth retardation phenotype.

Methods: Here, we tested whether growth retardation, maternal affiliation deficits, and/or impairments in socio-affective communication caused by Tph2 deficiency can be rescued through early social enrichment in rats.

The availability of common patient-reported outcome measures in hand surgery across Europe.

Many European healthcare systems emphasize value-based care to improve outcomes and control costs. Assessing function and satisfaction in hand surgery relies on patient reported outcome measures. This study evaluates the use of these outcome measures across Europe, focusing on diversity and language validation.

Walking Ability After Microsurgical Reconstruction of Pediatric Popliteal Pterygium Syndrome-A Case Report.

Background: Popliteal pterygium syndrome (PPS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by orofacial, cutaneous, musculoskeletal, and genital anomalies. Surgical interventions are necessary to address the severe knee flexion contracture and equinovarus deformity, but there are no established treatment guidelines.

Methods: We present the case of a one-year-old patient with PPS and discuss the challenges in managing the knee deformity.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes ITS genotype VII infections among men who have sex with men in France: An ongoing phenomenon.

Background: Trichophyton mentagrophytes ITS genotype VII (TMVII) has recently been identified in France as the causative agent of dermatophyte infections transmitted during sexual activity among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Objectives: Our objective was to provide new insights into the epidemiology, clinical presentation and treatment of TMVII infections based on cases diagnosed from October 2022 to September 2023 in three medical mycology laboratories in Paris. Additionally, we aimed to perform molecular characterization of TMVII strains collected in Paris, as well as in Switzerland.

Comparing NIRS and Pulse Oximetry for Cerebral Oxygen Saturation During Hypoxia Testing.

This study evaluates the suitability of cerebral oximetry using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) compared to traditional pulse oximetry (SpO2) for measuring cerebral oxygen saturation during hypoxia testing, aiming to enhance safety during flight operations and training. The study included 106 participants aged 18-60 years at the Aerospace Medicine Training Center in Königsbrück. Cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured using the INVOS™ 5100C cerebral oximeter and Masimo™ MS5 pulse oximeter, respectively.

LTβR deficiency causes lymph node aplasia and impaired B cell differentiation.

Secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs) provide the confined microenvironment required for stromal cells to interact with immune cells to initiate adaptive immune responses resulting in B cell differentiation. Here, we studied three patients from two families with functional hyposplenism, absence of tonsils, and complete lymph node aplasia, leading to recurrent bacterial and viral infections. We identified biallelic loss-of-function mutations in encoding the lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTβR), primarily expressed on stromal cells.

Infections acquired in barbershops - A review.

Barbershops are important venues for men to get their hair and beards done and hence, play an important role in men's social life. But barbershops can also be a source of infections. The barber's profession brings the barber into direct contact with customers who may carry pathogens, and contaminated instruments or skin-to-skin contacts might transmit infectious agents.