Preventive Effects of Botulinum Neurotoxin Long-Term Therapy: Comparison of the 'Experienced' Benefits and 'Suspected' Worsening Across Disease Entities.

Repetitive intramuscular injections of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) have become the treatment of choice for a variety of disease entities. But with the onset of BoNT therapy, the natural course of a disease is obscured. Nevertheless, the present study tries to analyze patients' "suspected" course of disease severity under the assumption that no BoNT therapy had been performed and compares that with the "experienced" improvement during BoNT treatment.

Classification of Histologically Proven Inflammation in Clinically Inactive Corneal Scars: Implications for Graft Outcomes After Penetrating Keratoplasty.

: Clinically inactive corneal scars have repeatedly been shown to exhibit histological inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the degree of histological inflammation in clinically inactive corneal scars of different origins and its correlation with graft rejection and failure following penetrating keratoplasty. : The study included 205 primary corneal explants with clinically inactive central scars resulting from herpes simplex virus keratitis (HSV, = 55), keratoconus ( = 39), mechanical trauma ( = 27), scrophulosa ( = 22) or other/unknown causes ( = 62).

Positive Intraoperative Bile Culture and Antibiotic Resistance Increase the Risk of Pancreatic Fistula in Patients After Pancreatoduodenectomy.

: A positive intraoperative bile culture (bacterobilia) is considered to be a risk factor for increased morbidity after pancreatoduodenectomy. The aim of our study was to describe the frequency of bacterobilia with a special emphasis on antibiotic resistance and to analyze the association of these findings with postoperative complications, in particular with postoperative pancreatic fistula. : From a prospective database, patients with available intraoperative bile cultures (n = 95) were selected and analyzed.

Repeatability of Pentacam HR in Keratoconus According to Two Different Scan Protocols: 25-3D Scan and 50-Cornea Fine.

This study aims to evaluate the repeatability of the Pentacam HR, comparing two different measurement modes (50-cornea fine and 25-3D scan) in patients affected by keratoconus. Multicenter retrospective study, conducted at Eye Clinic of the ASST-Spedali Civili-University of Brescia, Italy, and St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, United Kingdom.

Clinical Outcomes Following a Switch of Therapy to Faricimab in Patients Affected by Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

In this study, we evaluated clinical outcomes following a therapy switch to Faricimab, in a patient cohort affected by neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), having received prior intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy. A retrospective investigation, including 28 eyes of 23 patients, treated for nAMD at the University Medical Center Mainz, Germany was performed. A switch in therapy to Faricimab was conducted, due to an inadequate response to the previous anti-VEGF treatment.

Restoration of Genuine Sensation and Proprioception of Individual Fingers Following Transradial Amputation with Targeted Sensory Reinnervation as a Mechanoneural Interface.

: Tactile gnosis derives from the interplay between the hand's tactile input and the memory systems of the brain. It is the prerequisite for complex hand functions. Impaired sensation leads to profound disability.

Effects of Implementing an Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery Protocol with On-Table Extubation on Patient Outcome and Satisfaction-A Before-After Study.

: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to improve clinical outcomes, shorten hospital length of stay (LOS), and reduce costs through a multidisciplinary perioperative approach. Although introduced in colorectal surgery, they are less established in cardiac surgery, especially in combination with on-table extubation (OTE). This study evaluates the impact of a novel ERAS concept with OTE (RERACS) in elective aortic-valve-replacement and coronary bypass surgery.

Machine Learning Models for the Early Real-Time Prediction of Deterioration in Intensive Care Units-A Novel Approach to the Early Identification of High-Risk Patients.

Predictive machine learning models have made use of a variety of scoring systems to identify clinical deterioration in ICU patients. However, most of these scores include variables that are dependent on medical staff examining the patient. We present the development of a real-time prediction model using clinical variables that are digital and automatically generated for the early detection of patients at risk of deterioration.

Risk Stratification of QTc Prolongations in Hospitalized Cardiology and Gastroenterology Patients Using the Tisdale Score-A Retrospective Analysis.

: QTc prolongation can result in lethal arrhythmia. Risk scores like the Tisdale score can be used for risk stratification for targeted pharmaceutical interventions. However, the practical usability across different medical specialties has not been sufficiently investigated.

Prevention and Management of Postoperative Infection After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Narrative Review.

: Postoperative infection following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a rare yet severe complication that can compromise patient outcomes, leading to prolonged recovery, graft failure, and knee dysfunction. Although infection rates are reported to be less than 2%, it remains essential to implement strategies to reduce infection risk and improve surgical outcomes. : This review explores current evidence on the prevention of infections in ACLR, emphasizing the importance of timely antibiotic prophylaxis and vancomycin presoaking of grafts, which has been associated with a substantial reduction in infection rates.

Medical Digital Twin: A Review on Technical Principles and Clinical Applications.

The usage of digital twins (DTs) is growing across a wide range of businesses. The health sector is one area where DT use has recently increased. Ultimately, the concept of digital health twins holds the potential to enhance human existence by transforming disease prevention, health preservation, diagnosis, treatment, and management.

The Multifactorial Burden of Endometriosis: Predictors of Quality of Life.

: Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disorder characterized by ectopic endometrial-like tissue. The symptoms of this disease negatively affect the patient's quality of life, both physically and mentally. This study aims to identify key factors impacting health-related quality of life in endometriosis patients.

Retrospective Single-Center Analysis of 5575 Spinal Surgeries for Complication Associations and Potential Future Use of Generated Data.

: This study aims to retrospectively detect associations with postoperative complications in spinal surgeries during the hospitalization period using standardized, single-center data to validate a method for complication detection and discuss the potential future use of generated data. : Data were generated in 2006-2019 from a standardized, weekly complications conference reviewing all neurosurgical operations at the University Hospital Luebeck. Paper-based data were recorded in a standardized manner during the conference and transferred with a time delay of one week into a proprietary complication register.

Efficacy and Safety of Roxadustat in Patients with CKD: Pooled Analysis by Baseline Inflammation Status.

: Inflammation may contribute to hyporesponsiveness to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and is often present in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Roxadustat is approved in multiple countries for the treatment of anemia of CKD. This pooled analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of roxadustat in patients with dialysis-dependent (DD) or non-dialysis-dependent (NDD) CKD by inflammation status.

Influence of the Hall Technique on Patient Cooperation: A Retrospective Analysis.

Child's cooperation and behaviour in paediatric dentistry are largely determined by the nature of the treatment. Minimally invasive, faster, and more comfortable treatments can lead to greater cooperation and improved behaviour. To assess the impact of the Hall technique (HT) on children's behaviour over time across three consecutive treatment sessions through a retrospective analysis.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Vestibular Symptoms in Patients with Vestibular Schwannoma After Robotic-Guided Stereotactic Radiosurgery Using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI).

: Vestibular symptoms can severely affect patients with vestibular schwannomas (VSs). Studies assessing vestibular symptoms beyond clinical routine assessment in patients with VS treated by stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) are scarce. Therefore, we employed the standardized questionnaire Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) to systematically evaluate vestibular symptoms prior to and after SRS.

The Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Modification, and Cytotoxic Activity of α-Hydroxy-Alkylphosphonates.

A series of α-hydroxy-alkylphosphonates and α-hydroxy-alkylphosphine oxides were synthesized by the Pudovik reaction of acetaldehyde and acetone with dialkyl phosphites or diarylphosphine oxides. The additions were performed in three different ways: in liquid phase using triethylamine as the catalyst (1), on the surface of AlO/KF solid catalyst (2), or by a MW-assisted NaCO-catalyzed procedure (3). In most of the cases, our methods were more efficient and more robust than those applied in the literature.

Phenolic and Iridoid Glycosides from L. and Their Effects on the α, δ, and γ Subtypes of the PPAR System-Including the Discovery of the Novel Phenylethanoid Cardiaphenyloside A and the Most Active 7-Chloro-6-desoxy-harpagide.

L. is known in Europe for its cardioactivity-also in interrelation with known risk factors of the metabolic syndrome-just as Houtt. in East Asia; however, up to now, no active constituents could be identified.

Cell Labeling with 15-YNE Is Useful for Tracking Protein Palmitoylation and Metabolic Lipid Flux in the Same Sample.

Protein S-palmitoylation is the process by which a palmitoyl fatty acid is attached to a cysteine residue of a protein via a thioester bond. A range of methodologies are available for the detection of protein S-palmitoylation. In this study, two methods for the S-palmitoylation of different proteins were compared after metabolic labeling of cells with 15-hexadecynoic acid (15-YNE) to ascertain their relative usefulness.

Asymmetric Donor-Acceptor 2,7-Disubstituted Fluorenes and Their 9-Diazoderivatives: Synthesis, Optical Spectra and Photolysis.

In a search for dyes photoactivatable with visible light, fluorenes with substituents at positions 2 and 7 were prepared, and their absorption and emission spectra were studied. In particular, the synthesis route to 9-diazofluorenes with 2-(N,N-dialkylamino) and N-modified 7-(4-pyridyl) substituents was established. These compounds are initially non-fluorescent, undergo photolysis with UV or blue light, and-in non-polar media-provide orange- to red-emitting products with a large separation between absorption and emission bands.

Effect of Thermal Treatment on the Extraction and Antioxidant and Antiglycation Activities of (Poly)phenols from .

Phenolic compounds have antiglycation activity, but the changes occurring during thermal treatment (TT) in these activities are not completely understood. The effects of the extraction conditions of (poly)phenols from fruits, before and after TT, on their antioxidant and antiglycation effects were assessed. (Poly)phenol-enriched extracts (PEEs) from raw and TT (90 °C, 1 h) were extracted using three solvent mixtures (ethanol/water/acetic acid) with increasing water content (0, 24, and 49%) and three solvent-to-solid ratios (5, 10, and 20 mL/g).

NMR and MD Simulations of Non-Ionic Surfactants.

Non-ionic surfactants are an important solvent in the field of green chemistry with tremendous application potential. Understanding their phase properties in bulk or in confined environments is of high commercial value. In recent years, the combination of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with multinuclear solid-state NMR spectroscopy and calorimetric techniques has evolved into the most powerful tool for their investigation.

Investigating the Adsorption and Corrosion Protection Efficacy and Mechanism of Extract on Mild Steel in HCl Medium.

In recent years, the anti-corrosive properties of natural extracts as environmentally friendly inhibitors have gained considerable interest. This study evaluates the potential of ( L.) essential oil (), collected from Salé, Morocco, as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M HCl medium.

Simulations of γ-Valerolactone Solvents and Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries Using Polarizable Molecular Dynamics.

In this paper, we present a molecular dynamics study of the structural and dynamical properties of γ-valerolactone (GVL) both as a standalone solvent and in electrolyte formulations for electrochemistry applications. This study involves developing a new parameterization of a polarizable forcefield and applying it to simulate pure GVL and selected salt solutions. The forcefield was validated with experimental bulk data and quantum mechanical calculations, with excellent agreement obtained in both cases.

Comparison of In Situ and Postsynthetic Formation of MOF-Carbon Composites as Electrocatalysts for the Alkaline Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER).

Mixed-metal nickel-iron, NiFe materials draw attention as affordable earth-abundant electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here, nickel and mixed-metal nickel-iron metal-organic framework (MOF) composites with the carbon materials ketjenblack (KB) or carbon nanotubes (CNT) were synthesized in situ in a one-pot solvothermal reaction. As a direct comparison to these in situ synthesized composites, the neat MOFs were postsynthetically mixed by grinding with KB or CNT, to generate physical mixture composites.