Second-line treatment patterns and outcomes in advanced HCC after progression on atezolizumab/bevacizumab.

Background & Aims: Atezolizumab/bevacizumab (A/B) is now a standard first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the optimal second-line regimen is not known. We evaluated real-world treatment patterns and outcomes to investigate factors associated with post-progression survival (PPS).

Methods: In this multicenter, international, retrospective study, we examined clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with advanced HCC who progressed on first-line A/B.

Dental and oral health assessments in the German National Cohort (NAKO).

Background: Despite considerable improvements in oral health in recent decades, caries and periodontitis are still widespread, ranking among the most prevalent diseases worldwide and requiring future research. The German National Cohort (NAKO Gesundheitsstudie, NAKO) is a large-scaled, multidisciplinary, nationwide, multi-centre, population-based, prospective cohort study with oral examinations that aims to provide a resource to study risk factors for major diseases. The aim of the present article is to provide the methodological background, to report on the data quality, and to present initial results of the oral examinations.

Stalled disomes marked by Hel2-dependent ubiquitin chains undergo Ubp2/Ubp3-mediated deubiquitination upon translational run-off.

Stalled ribosomes cause collisions, impair protein synthesis, and generate potentially harmful truncated polypeptides. Eukaryotic cells utilize the ribosome-associated quality control (RQC) and no-go mRNA decay (NGD) pathways to resolve these problems. In yeast, the E3 ubiquitin ligase Hel2 recognizes and polyubiquitinates disomes and trisomes at the 40S ribosomal protein Rps20/uS10, thereby priming ribosomes for further steps in the RQC/NGD pathways.

Formulation screening of lyophilized mRNA-lipid nanoparticles.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have demonstrated their therapeutic potential as safe and effective drug delivery systems for nucleic acids during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, one of the main challenges during technical CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) development is their long-term stability at temperatures of 2-8 °C or higher, which may be improved by the removal of water by lyophilization. In this study, we identified lyo-/cryo-protectants for freeze-dried mRNA-LNP formulations beyond conventional excipients such as sucrose and trehalose as T-modifiers using polyA as a surrogate.

Designing an online BCI forum: insights from researchers and end-users.

Objective: Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) can support non-muscular communication and device control for severely paralyzed people. However, efforts that directly involve potential or actual end-users and address their individual needs are scarce, demonstrating a translational gap. An online BCI forum supported by the BCI Society could initiate and sustainably strengthen interactions between BCI researchers and end-users to bridge this gap.

Attachment of Hydrogel Patches to Eye Tissue through Gel Transfer using Flexible Foils.

Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness, demands innovative and effective treatments that surpass the limitations of current drug and surgical interventions to lower intraocular pressure. This study describes the generation of cell-repellent hydrogel patches, their deposition on the ocular surface, and a photoinduced chemical binding between the patches and the collagens of the eye. The hydrophilic and protein-repellent hydrogel patch is composed of a copolymer made from dimethylacrylamide and a comonomer unit with anthraquinone moieties.

The European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Fourth report: Focus on standardized outcome ratios.

Objectives: This fourth report aimed to provide insights into patient characteristics, outcomes, and standardized outcome ratios of patients implanted with durable Mechanical Circulatory Support across participating centers in the European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) registry.

Methods: All registered patients receiving durable mechanical circulatory support up to August 2024 were included. Expected number of events were predicted using penalized logistic regression.

Subcutaneous Lower Pole Release as Double Bubble Prevention in Constricted Base Breasts: The "Plus One" Augmentation Technique.

Background: Breasts with a broad base, constricted inframammary fold (IMF) and a short distance between the nipple and the IMF are predisposed to form a double bubble (DB) deformity. Most publications have focused on the correction of a DB rather than on its prevention and thorough analysis of the IMF.

Objectives: Introduction of a third dissection plane in breast augmentation for preventing or correcting DB deformities.

Aspirin Plus Rivaroxaban Versus Rivaroxaban Alone for the Prevention of Venous Stent Thrombosis Among Patients With Post-Thrombotic Syndrome: The Multicenter, Multinational, Randomized, Open-label ARIVA Trial.

Background: In patients with post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), stent recanalization of iliofemoral veins or the inferior vena cava can restore venous patency and improve functional outcomes. The risk of stent thrombosis is particularly increased during the first 6 months after intervention. The ARIVA trial tested whether daily aspirin 100 mg plus rivaroxaban 20 mg is superior to rivaroxaban 20 mg alone to prevent stent thrombosis within 6 months after stent placement for PTS.

Nonadiabatic Quantum Dynamics of Molecules Scattering from Metal Surfaces.

Nonadiabatic coupling between electrons and molecular motion at metal surfaces leads to energy dissipation and dynamic steering effects during chemical surface dynamics. We present a theoretical approach to the scattering of molecules from metal surfaces that incorporates all nonadiabatic and quantum nuclear effects due to the coupling of the molecular degrees of freedom to the electrons in the metal. This is achieved with the hierarchical equations of motion (HEOM) approach, combined with a matrix product state representation in twin space.

Elucidating interfacial failure of cervical restorations using damage mechanics: A finite element analysis.

Background/purpose: Although clinical studies have suggested a link between non-axial forces and reduced longevity of cervical restorations, the underlying mechanisms require further numerical investigation. This in-silico study employed a cohesive zone model (CZM) to investigate interfacial damage in a cervical restoration subjected to different load directions.

Materials And Methods: A plane strain model of a maxillary premolar was established, with a wedge-shaped buccal cervical restoration.

Long-term nitrogen fertilization alters the partitioning of amino acids between citrus leaves and fruits.

Introduction: The growth of evergreen fruit trees is influenced by the interaction of soil nitrogen (N) and leaf amino acid contents. However, information on free amino acid contents in leaves of fruiting and non-fruiting branches during long-term N fertilizer application remains scarce.

Methods: Here, a four-year field experiment (2018-2021) in a citrus orchard revealed consistently lower total N and amino acid contents in leaves of fruiting compared to non-fruiting branches.

Supramolecular dyads as photogenerated qubit candidates.

Molecular spin qubits have the advantages of synthetic flexibility and amenability to be tailored to specific applications. Among them, chromophore-radical systems have emerged as appealing qubit candidates. These systems can be initiated by light to form triplet-radical pairs that can result in the formation of quartet states by spin mixing.

Volumetric response after closure of a spinal CSF leak in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension: a multicompartmental longitudinal study.

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) loss in spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is accompanied by volume shifts between the intracranial compartments. This study investigated tricompartimental and longitudinal volume shifts after closure of a CSF leak.

Methods: Patients with SIH and suitable pre-therapeutic and post-therapeutic imaging for volumetric analysis were identified from our tertiary care center between 2020 and 2023.

Informed Consent and Shared Decision-Making in Modern Medicine. Case-based Approach, Current Gaps and Practical Proposal.

Advances in personalized medicine and Systems Biology have introduced probabilistic models and error discovery to cardiovascular care, aiding disease prevention and procedural planning. However, clinical application faces cultural, technical, and methodological hurdles. Patient autonomy remains essential, with shared decision-making (SDM) gaining importance in managing complex cardiovascular treatment options.

The Diagnostic Assessment of Inherited Platelet Function Defects.

In this article, our goal is to offer an introduction and overview of the diagnostic approach to inherited platelet function defects (iPFDs) for clinicians and laboratory personnel who are beginning to engage in the field. We describe the most commonly used laboratory methods and propose a diagnostic four-step approach, wherein each stage requires a higher level of expertise and more specialized methods. It should be noted that our proposed approach differs from the ISTH Guidance on this topic in some points.

The Diagnostic Assessment of Platelet Function Defects.

Congenital platelet disorders are rare and targeted treatment is usually not possible. Inherited platelet function disorders (iPFDs) can affect surface receptors and multiple platelet responses such as defects of platelet granules, signal transduction, and procoagulant activity. If iPFDs are also associated with a reduced platelet count (thrombocytopenia), it is not uncommon to be misdiagnosed as immune thrombocytopenia.

Outcomes of RDAVR with Coronary Revascularization: 3-year Results from the German INCA Registry.

Background:  The long-term outcomes of combined rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement (RDAVR) with coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) are not well explored. We report 3-year results from the INCA registry on combined RDAVR with CABG.

Methods:  INCA is a prospective, multicenter registry that enrolled 224 patients undergoing RDAVR with CABG at 10 cardiac institutions in Germany.

Mass Casualty Incident Training in Immersive Virtual Reality: Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of Multimethod Performance Indicators.

Background: Immersive virtual reality (iVR) has emerged as a training method to prepare medical first responders (MFRs) for mass casualty incidents (MCIs) and disasters in a resource-efficient, flexible, and safe manner. However, systematic evaluations and validations of potential performance indicators for virtual MCI training are still lacking.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether different performance indicators based on visual attention, triage performance, and information transmission can be effectively extended to MCI training in iVR by testing if they can discriminate between different levels of expertise.

Ranking tasks in recognition memory: A direct test of the two-high-threshold contrast model.

It has long been debated whether latent memory signals determine recognition judgments directly or through a small number of discrete states. Often, signal detection theory (SDT) models instantiate the former perspective, whereas the two-high-threshold (2HT) model instantiates the latter. Kellen and Klauer (2014) conducted a critical test using a ranking paradigm that yielded results in line with common SDT models and incompatible with the 2HT model.

100 years Cell and Tissue Research: the founders and their successors.

One hundred years ago, Cell and Tissue Research was founded under the title "Zeitschrift für Zellen- und Gewebelehre," later "Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und mikroskopische Anatomie." The founders were four eminent German and Swiss cell biologists and zoologists, R. Goldschmidt, W.