Neoadjuvant atezolizumab in combination with dual HER2 blockade plus epirubicin in women with early HER2-positive breast cancer: the randomized phase 2 ABCSG-52/ATHENE trial.

The role of anthracyclines in the treatment of early breast cancer (EBC) is increasingly being challenged, especially in de-escalation strategies. However, owing to their immunogenic effects, anthracyclines are promising combination partners with immunotherapies. In the randomized phase 2 trial ABCSG-52 (EudraCT no.

Implant-based reconstruction and adjuvant radiotherapy in breast cancer patients-current status and DEGRO recommendations.

Purpose: The aim of this review is to give an overview of the results of prospective and retrospective studies using allogenic reconstruction and postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) in breast cancer and to make recommendations regarding this interdisciplinary approach.

Materials And Methods: A PubMed search was conducted to extract relevant articles from 2000 to 2024. The search was performed using the following terms: (breast cancer) AND (reconstruction OR implant OR expander) AND (radiotherapy OR radiation).

Histone variant H3.5 in testicular cell differentiation and its interactions with histone chaperones.

Testicular cell differentiation is a highly regulated process, essential for male reproductive health. The histone variant H3.5 is apparently a critical player in this intricate orchestra of cell types, but its regulation and function remains poorly understood.

Short-term and long-term changes in natriuretic peptide levels after bariatric surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Bariatric surgery (BS) has demonstrated cardiovascular benefits in patients and was previously proven to be associated with an increased natriuretic peptide level without cardiac dysfunction. However, new studies have emerged, which require us to re-examine the relationship and extent of the correlation between BS, weight loss, and cardiac natriuretic peptide levels. A systematic search was conducted.

Survival of a patient following initial left ventricular assist device implantation and two successive left ventricular assist device exchanges: case report.

Background: Initially conceptualized as a bridge to heart transplantation, the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has become an important option for improving survival in patients with severe heart failure and poor prognosis.

Case Summary: We report the case of a patient suffering from severe chronic heart failure, complicated by ST-elevation myocardial infarction due to left main coronary artery stenosis (NYHA IV, INTERMACS profile 1). Despite support with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, inotropes, and catecholamine therapy, the patient's cardiac function did not recover sufficiently.

Improved survival of advanced melanoma patients receiving immunotherapy with concomitant antithrombotic therapy - A multicenter study on 2419 patients from the prospective skin cancer registry ADOReg.

Background: Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized melanoma treatment, but the high number of non-responders still emphasizes the need for improvement of therapy. One potential avenue for enhancing anti-tumor treatment is through the modulation of coagulation and platelet activity. Both have been found to play an important role in the tumor microenvironment, tumor growth and metastasis.

Barriers and facilitators to enrollment in pediatric clinical trials: an overview of systematic reviews.

Background: Recruiting a sufficient number of patients is often a challenge for conducting clinical trials. Published data reveal that only 10% of eligible patients according to inclusion and exclusion criteria are enrolled in clinical trials. Consequentially, identifying barriers and facilitators may improve enrollment.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of mHealth applications for depression in Germany using a Markov cohort simulation.

Regulated mobile health applications are called digital health applications ("DiGA") in Germany. To qualify for reimbursement by statutory health insurance companies, DiGA have to prove positive care effects in scientific studies. Since the empirical exploration of DiGA cost-effectiveness remains largely uncharted, this study pioneers the methodology of cohort-based state-transition Markov models to evaluate DiGA for depression.

The impact of curative cancer treatment on sexual health - clinical results from the EORTC QLQ-SH22 validation study.

Background: The European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) has recently developed and validated a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for sexual health (SH) in cancer patients. Here, we present results from a secondary analysis of the EORTC QLQ-SH22 validation study. The objective was to investigate the impact of cancer treatment on SH over the disease trajectory into survivorship in patients who underwent curative treatment.

Development and feasibility of a sex- and gender-sensitive primary care intervention for patients with chronic non-cancer pain receiving long-term opioid therapy (GESCO): a study protocol.

Background: Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is a common condition worldwide. The disease burden is influenced not only by pain itself, but also by psychiatric co-morbidities, which aggravate symptoms, generally negatively influence therapies, and may thereby lead to frustration, resignation, or withdrawal. A growing body of evidence suggests that sex and gender aspects influence CNCP management as the experience of pain, the emotions associated with it, and the expression of pain may differ between women and men.

Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis as a Benign Condition Mimicking Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Current Status, Knowledge Gaps and Rationale for the GRAMAREG Study (EUBREAST-15).

Background: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, benign inflammatory breast condition often mistaken for inflammatory breast cancer and, therefore, requires a biopsy for accurate diagnosis. Although not cancerous, IGM can cause emotional distress because of severe pain and ensuing breast deformity. Differentiating IGM from other breast inflammations caused by infections is essential.

Negotiating pricing and payment terms for insurance covered mHealth apps: a qualitative content analysis and taxonomy development based on a German experience.

Background: Germany was the first country worldwide to offer mobile digital health applications (mHealth apps, "DiGA") on prescription with full cost coverage by statutory health insurances. Especially statutory health insurances criticize the current pricing and payment regulations in Germany due to "free and non-transparent" pricing in the first year and lack of cost use evidence. The study consists of two parts: The first part evaluates interests of digital health application providers and statutory health insurances in Germany to identify overlaps and divergences of interests.

Quality of life issues in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ: a systematic review.

Purpose: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast is one of the most common pre-invasive cancers diagnosed in women. Quality of life (QoL) is extremely important to assess in studies including these patients due to the favorable prognosis of the disease. The primary objective of this systematic review was to compile a comprehensive list of QoL issues, all existing QoL assessment tools, and patient-reported outcome measures used to assess DCIS.

Impact of the pandemic on hospital care for chronic pain patients in Germany.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic affected patients' access to health services, including patients with severe chronic pain. Since limited data on pandemic-caused changes in pain therapy is available, we analyzed its effect on hospital-based pain treatment.

Methods: For this retrospective claims data analysis conducted in  = 37 hospitals, we included patients treated for a chronic pain-related diagnosis.

Understanding citizens' attitudes within user-centered digital health ecosystems: A sequential mixed method methodology including a web-survey.

Objective: Transitioning from digital health applications to digital health ecosystems, leveraging the advances in technologies and informatics, could be the next revolution in digital health. This includes offering centralized access to various health services and improving citizens' well-being, delivery, clinical processes, and data management. However, a limited understanding of citizens may impede adaptation.

The severity of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children during the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide study of 11,915 cases in Germany.

Purpose: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a major cause of childhood hospitalization. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the usual seasonal pattern of RSV, resulting in high activity during the off-season. This study aims to evaluate the effects of the pandemic on the severity of RSV infections.

Photodynamic therapy in dermatology: established and new indications.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is internationally established as an approved treatment option for in situ forms of keratinocytic skin cancer (actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease, basal cell carcinoma). For these indications, there are standardized treatment protocols using narrow-spectrum light sources or (artificial) daylight, the use of which is associated with successful healing, a low rate of lesion recurrence, and a very good cosmetic result. Daylight PDT is superior to conventional PDT in terms of significantly less pain and associated higher patient acceptance.

Satisfactory 2-year outcome of minimal invasive hybrid stabilization with double treated screws for unstable osteoporotic spinal fractures.

Purpose: This study evaluates whether the fracture level alters the outcomes of minimally invasive hybrid stabilization (MIHS) with double-threaded, uncemented polyaxial screws for unstable osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 73 patients (71.23% females, mean age: 79.

How to establish digital health ecosystems from the perspective of health service-organizations: A taxonomy developed based on expert interviews conducted as modified Delphi approach.

Objective: Digital health ecosystems may be the next revolution in improving citizens' well-being, health delivery, data management, and health system processes, but solutions have not yet been broadly established. Reasons could be that health service-organizations have misaligned interests or lack capabilities. This study investigates reasons from a multi-health-service-organization perspective, differentiating between payers, insurers, healthcare providers, and innovators, detailing the expected value-adds, preferred participation roles, and required capabilities including a rating assessment.

Educational interventions aimed at improving knowledge of delirium among nursing home staff-a realist review.

Background: Delirium is a neuropathological syndrome that is characterised by fluctuating impairments in attention, cognitive performance, and consciousness. Since delirium represents a medical emergency, it can be associated with adverse clinical and economic outcomes. Although nursing home residents face a high risk of developing delirium, health care professionals in this field appear to have limited knowledge of delirium despite the critical role they play in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of delirium in nursing homes.