Update in Clinical Science: Autoimmune Hepatitis.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an enigmatic, relatively rare disease with a variable spectrum of presentation whose pathogenesis, diagnosis and management remain a major challenge. Methods. We have performed a review incorporating recent developments in basic science, epidemiology, clinical science, therapeutics, regulatory science and evaluated the challenges associated with the application of translational research and clinical trial design to a condition that is a chameleon in nature, where outcomes range from relatively benign disease through cirrhosis and acute liver failure.

High-performance thin-layer chromatography-umu combined with nontarget analysis-a sensitive genotoxicity screening tool applicable for potable water analysis.

Monitoring of genotoxic chemicals released into the water cycle or formed through transformation processes is critical to prevent harm to human health. The development of the high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)-umu bioassay combines sample separation and detection of genotoxic substances in the low ng/L concentration range. In this study, raw, process, and drinking water samples from 11 different waterworks in Germany were analyzed using the HPTLC-umu.

Clinical Outcomes of the PAUL® Glaucoma Implant for secondary glaucoma after vitreoretinal surgery.

Background: To report clinical outcomes from a single-center cohort undergoing PAUL® Glaucoma Implant (PGI) surgery for secondary glaucoma after vitreoretinal surgery (VR).

Methods: Retrospective review of patients undergoing PGI surgery at the University Eye Hospital Bonn, Germany, from 04/2021 to 05/2023.

Results: 33 eyes of 33 patients were included.

Development of a versatile system for evaluating the target protein degradation activity of novel ubiquitin ligases utilizing existing PROTACs.

Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTAC) are a bifunctional molecule that binds to a protein of interest (POI) and a ubiquitin ligase, thereby inducing the ubiquitination and degradation of POI. Many PROTACs currently utilize a limited number of ubiquitin ligases, such as von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) and Cereblon. Because these ubiquitin ligases are widely expressed in normal tissues, unexpected side effects can occur.

Providing care to cancer patients parenting minor children: A qualitative study on healthcare professionals' communication practice.

Aim: To explore healthcare professionals' (HCPs) experiences when communicating about child- and family-related aspects in cancer care and their attitudes about the importance of including these aspects in cancer care.

Methods: We conduced semi-structured interviews with HCPs working in oncology. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Kuckartz's method for qualitative content analysis.

Infants' saccadic behavior during 2-dimensional displays of a bounce.

The study examined the saccadic behavior of 4- to 10-month-old infants when tracking a two-dimensional linear motion of a circle that occasionally bounced off a barrier constituted by the screen edges. It was investigated whether infants could anticipate the angle of the circle's direction after the bounce and the circle's displacement from the location of bounce. Seven bounce types were presented which differed in the angle of incidence.

Acquired vulnerability against EGF receptor inhibition in gastric cancer promoted by class I histone deacetylase inhibitor entinostat.

Introduction: Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have shown promising preclinical activity in gastric cancer cells; unfortunately, however, these could not be confirmed in clinical trials. This highlights the need for the identification of underlying reasons, which may also provide the basis for possible combination therapies. Here, we delineated the effects of HDACi on components of EGFR signalling in gastric cancer cells.

Soft tissue-like coupling materials for in vitro acoustic emission studies in total hip arthroplasty.

In hip arthroplasty, relative movements between the femoral stem and bone can lead to implant loosening, resulting in extensive bone loss. Acoustic emission (AE) analysis is a promising technique for a nondestructive and noninvasive detection of these relative movements. To develop such a detection method, in vitro investigations using piezoelectric AE sensors on implant stems in artificial or human femora are required to characterize the AE signals induced by loosening.

Selective activity of Tabebuia avellanedae against Giardia duodenalis infecting organoid-derived human gastrointestinal epithelia.

Giardia duodenalis is a widespread intestinal protozoan that affects mammals, including humans. Symptoms can range from being subclinical to causing severe abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Giardiasis often requires repeated treatment with synthetic drugs like metronidazole.

Risk stratification for violent behavior in critically ill patients: Current assessment tools.

Background: Workplace violence (WPV) presents challenges in intensive care units (ICUs) calling for reliable prediction of violence. This narrative review aimed to identify and evaluate risk assessment tools from acute care settings which are or might be used to predict violent behavior in adult ICU patients focusing on their performance and clinical utility.

Methods: A screening of PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar was conducted to identify risk scores used in the acute care setting such as emergency departments, hospitals and ICUs.

Hydrocarbon biodegradation processes at a historic oil production site - A signature metabolite study.

Decades of research demonstrated that microbes can remediate petroleum-contaminated environments through biodegradation of hydrocarbons. Recent studies have applied signature metabolite analysis to investigate hydrocarbon-contaminated sites, focusing primarily on aquifer systems and metabolites of relatively water-soluble monoaromatic hydrocarbons. However, the number of studies involving non-targeted analysis and identification of individual metabolites in environmental samples is limited.

Immobilization of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) from field contaminated groundwater by a novel organo-clay vs. colloidal activated carbon under flow conditions.

Two novel and unique adsorptive materials, one (Fluorolock®) from clay mineral sepiolite coated with the cationic polymer polydiallyldimethylammionium chloride (pDADMAC) and the other (Intraplex®) from colloidal activated carbon were specially developed for the in situ remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the saturated zone. We evaluated the potential of both materials to immobilize PFAS in soils under flow conditions via soil column experiments using groundwater, which was contaminated with PFAS in the field. Furthermore, the potential ecotoxicological effects of both materials on aquatic organisms were assessed by exposing the soil column effluent to Daphnia magna.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia across the spectrum of alcohol use disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Insomnia is prevalent among patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), potentially undermining treatment and increasing the risk of relapse. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first-line treatment for insomnia, but its efficacy is not well-characterized in patients across the spectrum of AUD. The aim of this meta-analysis was to quantify the effectiveness of CBT-I in improving insomnia severity and alcohol-related outcomes in adults with heavy alcohol use and/or varying levels of AUD severity and comorbid insomnia.

Dancing Molecules: Group A bZIPs and PEBPs at the Heart of Plant Development and Stress Responses.

Group A basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors play critical roles in abscisic acid (ABA) signaling and plant development. In Arabidopsis thaliana, these factors are defined by a highly conserved core bZIP domain, and four conserved domains throughout their length: three at the N-terminus (C1 to C3) and a phosphorylatable C-terminal SAP motif located at the C4 domain. Initially, members such as ABI5 and ABFs were studied for their roles in ABA signaling during seed germination or stress responses.

Potential roles of mitochondrial carrier proteins in plant responses to abiotic stress.

The transport of metabolites across the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) is crucial for maintaining energy balance and efficient distribution of metabolic intermediates between cellular compartments. Under abiotic stress, mitochondrial function becomes particularly critical, activating complex signaling pathways essential for plant stress responses. These pathways modulate stress-responsive gene expression, influencing key physiological processes such as cell respiration and senescence, helping plants adapt to stress.

Automated spinopelvic measurements on radiographs with artificial intelligence: a multi-reader study.

Purpose: To develop an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for automated measurements of spinopelvic parameters on lateral radiographs and compare its performance to multiple experienced radiologists and surgeons.

Methods: On lateral full-spine radiographs of 295 consecutive patients, a two-staged region-based convolutional neural network (R-CNN) was trained to detect anatomical landmarks and calculate thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA). Performance was evaluated on 65 radiographs not used for training, which were measured independently by 6 readers (3 radiologists, 3 surgeons), and the median per measurement was set as the reference standard.

Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder: conclusions from a Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Controversies Conference.

In 2017, Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) published a Clinical Practice Guideline Update for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, Prevention, and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD). Since then, new lines of evidence have been published related to evaluating disordered mineral metabolism and bone quality and turnover, identifying and inhibiting vascular calcification, targeting vitamin D levels, and regulating parathyroid hormone. For an in-depth consideration of the new insights, in October 2023, KDIGO held a Controversies Conference on CKD-MBD: Progress and Knowledge Gaps Toward Personalizing Care.

Development of PFAS-Free Locally Concentrated Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for High-Energy Lithium and Aluminum Metal Batteries.

ConspectusLithium-ion batteries (LIBs) based on graphite anodes are a widely used state-of-the-art battery technology, but their energy density is approaching theoretical limits, prompting interest in lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) that can achieve higher energy density. In addition, the limited availability of lithium reserves raises supply concerns; therefore, research on postlithium metal batteries is underway. A major issue with these metal anodes, including lithium, is dendritic formation and insufficient reversibility, which leads to safety risks due to short circuits and the use of flammable electrolytes.

Immunonutrition to improve the quality of life of upper gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant treatment prior to surgery (NEOIMMUNE): double-blind randomized controlled multicenter clinical trial.

Background: Malnutrition is common with esophagogastric cancers and is associated with negative outcomes. We aimed to evaluate if immunonutrition during neoadjuvant treatment improves patient's health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and reduces postoperative morbidity and toxicities during neoadjuvant treatment.

Methods: A multicenter double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) was undertaken.

Pharmacological blocking of microfibrillar-associated protein 4 reduces retinal neoangiogenesis and vascular leakage.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema are leading causes of vision-loss evoked by retinal neovascularization and vascular leakage. The glycoprotein microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) is an integrin αβ ligand present in the extracellular matrix. Single-cell transcriptomics reveal MFAP4 expression in cell-types in close proximity to vascular endothelial cells including choroidal vascular mural cells and retinal astrocytes and Müller cells.

Adhesion-driven vesicle translocation through membrane-covered pores.

Translocation across barriers and through constrictions is a mechanism that is often used in vivo for transporting material between compartments. A specific example is apicomplexan parasites invading host cells through the tight junction that acts as a pore, and a similar barrier crossing is involved in drug delivery using lipid vesicles penetrating intact skin. Here, we use triangulated membranes and energy minimization to study the translocation of vesicles through pores with fixed radii.

Reticulocyte hemoglobin content: a new frontier in iron deficiency diagnostics for major surgical patients.

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common nutritional deficiency among patients undergoing major surgery. Treatment of ID is straightforward, however implementing a comprehensive anemia management strategy within clinical routines is complex. Recently, reticulocyte hemoglobin content (Ret-He) has been evaluated as an early marker for ID diagnosis.

Safety outcome trials in four mainline medical journals 30 years apart: a narrative review and the need for the transparency of informed consents.

Background: It was our impression that safety outcome trials were getting more frequent, raising ethical issues mainly related to patient autonomy. We and others had also proposed this autonomy would be best served if wording of the informed consents would be in the public domain.

Methods: Initially two observers and an arbiter tabulated the main aims of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in 1990-1991 vs.