Diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in older patients : Consensus statement of the Working Group on Pneumology in Older Patients.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a frequent disease from which approximately 8% of individuals aged 40 years and above suffer. The prevalence increases up to fivefold as age advances. Following an introduction including the etiology, measurement, characteristic features and classification of COPD, this article presents the consensus recommendations of the German Working Group on Pneumology in Older Patients.

Multicenter validation of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis diagnostic criteria.

Background: Five fulfilled hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)-2004 criteria, and the HScore are widely used and recommended by international expert consensus to diagnose secondary HLH. Both diagnostic scores have never been validated in heterogeneous patient cohorts of secondary HLH patients. We aimed to systematically optimize and validate diagnostic criteria of secondary HLH using a multicenter approach.

The use of four K-wires does not lead to a reduction of the MPTA in the context of a one-dimensional tibial deflection correction of patients with ACL re-rupture and pathologically increased tibial slope.

Purpose: Anterior tibial closing wedge osteotomy (ATCWO) has been shown to significantly reduce failure rates of revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions in patients with a posterior tibial slope (PTS) ≥12°. Recent findings suggest a slight but significant reduction of the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) resulting in a varus knee where the sagittal osteotomy plane is based on a total of two guide wires defining the osteotomy wedge without respecting the frontal plane. We hypothesize that the placement of a total of four guide wires intraoperatively can reduce the influence on the MPTA.

Comparative analysis of left atrial size and appendage morphology in paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation patients.

Purpose: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is effective in treating atrial fibrillation (AF), but outcomes are worse for persistent AF (persAF) patients than paroxysmal AF (PAF) patients. The study aimed to identify differences in left atrial (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) anatomy in different AF types.

Methods: In a single-center observational study, a blinded retrospective analysis of preprocedural cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) images was performed.

Prioritizing Brain Health in Youth: Bringing Neuroscience to Society and Informing Policy, Lessons Learnt from the European Brain Council Expert Meeting Held at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum 2024.

Good brain health plays a significant role in an individual's well-being and profoundly impacts the collective economy and society. Brain development does not stop at birth, and some aspects continue throughout childhood and adolescence, allowing the full development of cognitive functions. Different determinants related to physical health, healthy environments, safety and security, life-long learning and social connection as well as access to quality services influence the way our brains develop, adapt and respond to stress and adversity.

Effectiveness of Adjuvant Chemo- and Radiotherapy in Thymic Carcinoma Stage II: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Thymic carcinoma is a rare tumor arising from the epithelial thymic tissue, yet among mediastinal tumors, it is the most common malignant entity. Thymic carcinoma often causes no symptoms and is incidentally discovered. Adjuvant radiotherapy is recommended, particularly in cases of incomplete resection and for stages III and IV, based on current guidelines and existing literature.

Nutraceutical Impact of Pumpkin Seed Oil on Expression Levels of EZH-2 and KRT-14 Genes against DSS-induced Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Rat Model.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a collection of intestinal disorders that cause inflammation in the digestive tract. Prolonged inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer. The objective of this study was to fucus on gene expression levels of (KRT-14; associated with epithelial cell integrity) and enhancer of zeste homolog-1 (EZH-2; involved in cellular proliferation) in a IBD rat model in order to rule out impact of nutraceuticals (pumpkin seed oil; PSO) as a complementary approach to conventional treatments of IBD.

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.

The Introduction of the Global Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Healthcare (TCIH) Research Agenda on Antimicrobial Resistance and Its Added Value to the WHO and the WHO/FAO/UNEP/WOAH 2023 Research Agendas on Antimicrobial Resistance.

: Given the magnitude and urgency of the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) problem and the insufficiency of strategies to reduce antimicrobial use, there is a need for novel strategies. Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Healthcare (TCIH) provides strategies and solutions that contribute to reducing (inappropriate) antimicrobial use, preventing or treating infections in both human and veterinary medicine, and may contribute to promoting the health/resilience of humans and animals and reducing AMR. The aims of this study were to present the core results of a global TCIH research agenda for AMR and its added value to two existing global AMR research agendas published in 2023.

Meeting Cancer Detection Benchmarks in MRI/Ultrasound Fusion Biopsy for Prostate Cancer: Insights from a Retrospective Analysis of Experienced Urologists.

Background: The relationship between case volume and clinical outcomes is well established for most urological procedures but remains underexplored in prostate ultrasound/MRI fusion biopsy (UMFB). UMFB aims to detect clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) by adhering to cancer detection benchmarks for PI-RADS lesions identified via multiparametric MRI (mpMRI). These benchmarks, defined by Ahmed et al.

Initial surgical management of spinal injuries in patients with multiple and/or severe injuries- the 2022 update of the German clinical practice guideline.

Purpose: Our aim was to update evidence-based and consensus-based recommendations for the initial surgical management of spinal (cord) injuries in patients with multiple and/or severe injuries based on current evidence. This guideline topic is part of the 2022 update of the German Guideline on the Treatment of Patients with Multiple and/or Severe Injuries.

Methods: MEDLINE and Embase were systematically searched to May 2021.

Surgical stabilisation of rib fractures in non-ventilated patients: a retrospective propensity-matched analysis using the data from the trauma registry of the German Trauma Society (TraumaRegister DGU).

Purpose: Severe thorax trauma including multiple rib fractures and flail chest deformity are leading causes of death in trauma patients. Increasing evidence supports the use of surgical stabilisation of rib fractures (SSRF) in these patients. However, there is currently a paucity of evidence for its use in non-ventilator-dependent patients.

Colorectal carcinogenesis in the Lynch syndromes and familial adenomatous polyposis: trigger events and downstream consequences.

Carcinogenesis encompasses processes that lead to increased mutation rates, enhanced cellular division (tumour growth), and invasive growth. Colorectal cancer (CRC) carcinogenesis in carriers of pathogenic APC (path_APC) and pathogenic mismatch repair gene (path_MMR) variants is initiated by a second hit affecting the corresponding wild-type allele. In path_APC carriers, second hits result in the development of multiple adenomas, with CRC typically emerging after an additional 20 years.

An interactive course program on nutrition for medical students: interdisciplinary development and mixed-methods evaluation.

Nutrition plays a crucial role in human and planetary health, as prevailing nutritional patterns significantly contribute to the global non-communicable disease pandemic. Moreover, the global food system is inextricably linked to planetary health deterioration. The relevance of nutrition for individual and planetary health is insufficiently addressed in German medical schools.

Minimally invasive management of hidradenitis suppurativa using a 1470 nm diode laser: a step-by-step description of our technique.

Background: The management of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) requires a multidisciplinary approach to ensure sustainable treatment results, especially in the advanced stages. Traditionally, deroofing and wide excision represented commonly employed surgical techniques. Due to the recurrent nature of HS, tissue preservation should be a relevant aspect of surgical management.

Philanthropic drug development: understanding its importance, mechanisms, and future prospects.

Philanthropic drug development (PDD) addresses gaps in traditional pharmaceutical innovation, particularly for rare and underserved diseases. Cost and timeline challenges discourage new investments, especially in niche therapeutic areas. Patient organizations (POs) are uniquely positioned to help to reduce development challenges by providing expertise, supporting early research, fostering collaborations, and driving patient-centered clinical trials.

Development and maintenance of consensus recommendations on pediatric outpatient antibiotic therapy in Germany: a framework for rational use.

Unlabelled: In pediatric outpatient care, overuse and misuse of antibiotics is linked to a high risk of adverse events and increased antibiotic resistance. In 2019, building upon the work of the Antibiotic Therapy in Bielefeld (AnTiB) project (founded in 2016), a collaboration among the AnTiB, the German Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (DGPI), and the Professional Association of Outpatient Pediatricians and Adolescent Physicians (BVKJ) was established to develop consensus recommendations for antibiotic therapy in pediatric outpatient settings in Germany. This working group became the Antibiotic Stewardship in Outpatient Pediatrics (ABSaP).

[Surgical treatment for obesity - metabolic surgery].

Background: Over the past 20 years, surgical treatment of obesity, or metabolic surgery, has established itself as an extremely efficient and sustainable therapy for treating severely overweight patients. Compared to non-surgical weight reduction procedures, surgical techniques have been shown to be superior in all studies, both in terms of short-term and long-term effectiveness. On the other hand, the invasiveness of the procedures is something that many patients view critically.

Perioperative Chemotherapy or Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy in Esophageal Cancer.

Background: The best multimodal approach for resectable locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma is unclear. An important question is whether perioperative chemotherapy is preferable to preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: In this phase 3, multicenter, randomized trial, we assigned in a 1:1 ratio patients with resectable esophageal adenocarcinoma to receive perioperative chemotherapy with FLOT (fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel) plus surgery or preoperative chemoradiotherapy (radiotherapy at a dose of 41.

SOCS1 deficiency-crossroads of autoimmunity and autoinflammation-two case reports.

Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins play a critical role in regulating immune signaling pathways. Deficiency of SOCS1 leads to various autoimmune pathologies. We present two unrelated patients with distinct clinical manifestations.

How aware are people of their current affect? A physiology-based investigation of affective awareness.

The assumption that people differ in (i.e., the extent to which a person's subjective affective experience matches their affective bodily state) is central to emotional competence.

Trust in scientists and their role in society across 68 countries.

Science is crucial for evidence-based decision-making. Public trust in scientists can help decision makers act on the basis of the best available evidence, especially during crises. However, in recent years the epistemic authority of science has been challenged, causing concerns about low public trust in scientists.

Perceptions of science, science communication, and climate change attitudes in 68 countries - the TISP dataset.

Science is integral to society because it can inform individual, government, corporate, and civil society decision-making on issues such as public health, new technologies or climate change. Yet, public distrust and populist sentiment challenge the relationship between science and society. To help researchers analyse the science-society nexus across different geographical and cultural contexts, we undertook a cross-sectional population survey resulting in a dataset of 71,922 participants in 68 countries.