Social-communicative gestures at baseline predict verbal and nonverbal gains for children with autism receiving the Early Start Denver Model.

Although there is growing evidence of the effectiveness and importance of certain early intervention programs for children with autism spectrum disorders, little is known about predictive information before intervention to search for the most accurate therapeutic approach for the individual child and his family. In children with autism spectrum disorder, atypical gesture use is one core deficit with consequences for the development of social interaction and language, but there is little knowledge about the relevance of early gesture use in predicting developmental outcomes of children receiving early interventions targeting social-communicative behaviors such as the Early Start Denver Model. In this study, we found that the parent-rated "Gestural Approach Behavior" subscale of the Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory was predictively associated with clinically assessed developmental changes after 1 year of intervention.

Death is associated to the type of drug-eluting stent in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and elevated natriuretic peptide levels.

As advanced heart failure (HF) with elevated NT-proBNP is characterized by an activated coagulation system, coronary events clinically noticed as sudden or HF death may be more common after treatment with first- compared to newer-generation DES. Our study evaluates (1) if patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVSD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention have a better survival with first- or newer-generation DES, and (2) if the survival benefit is predicted by NT-proBNP. Our observational study evaluated patients with LVSD who were registered in the coronary catheter laboratory database of the Medical University of Vienna.

The Upper-Arm Basilic-Cephalic Loop: A Valueable Alternative for Below-Knee Arterial Reconstruction.

Introduction: Despite advances of endovascular interventions, bypass surgery remains the gold standard for treatment of long and complex arterial occlusions in the lower limb. Autologous vein is regarded superior to other options. As the graft of first choice, the great saphenous vein (GSV) is often not available due to previous bypass, stripping or poor quality.

Management of Radial Nerve Lesions after Trauma or Iatrogenic Nerve Injury: Autologous Grafts and Neurolysis.

Background: Proximal radial nerve lesions located between the brachial plexus and its division into the superficial and deep branches are rare but severe injuries. The majority of these lesions occur in association with humerus fractures, directly during trauma or later during osteosynthesis for fracture treatment. Diagnostics and surgical interventions are often delayed.

Necessity of early and continuous monitoring for possible infectious complications in children undergoing therapeutic hypothermia.

Aim: Since therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is known for its inhibitory effects on leucocyte migration and cytokine synthesis, our aim was to underline the necessity of early monitoring for potential immunomodulatory risks.

Methods: Using a 13-year retrospective case-control study at the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of the Medical University in Vienna, all newborn infants and children receiving TH were screened and compared with a diagnosis-matched control group undergoing conventional normothermic treatment (NT). TH was accomplished by using a non-invasive cooling device.

Early relapse rate determines further relapse risk: results of a 5-year follow-up study on pediatric CFH-Ab HUS.

Background: The complement factor H antibody (CFH-Ab)-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) forms a distinct subgroup within the complement-mediated HUS disease spectrum. The autoimmune nature of this HUS subgroup implies the potential benefit of a targeted immunosuppressive therapy. Data on long-term outcome are scarce.

Prospective validation of classification of intraoperative adverse events (ClassIntra): international, multicentre cohort study.

Objective: To prospectively assess the construct and criterion validity of ClassIntra version 1.0, a newly developed classification for assessing intraoperative adverse events.

Design: International, multicentre cohort study.

Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Treatment Delays in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and its associated restrictions could affect ischemic times in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the COVID-19 outbreak on ischemic times in consecutive all-comer STEMI patients. We included consecutive STEMI patients ( = 163, median age: 61 years, 27% women) who were referred to seven tertiary care hospitals across Austria for primary percutaneous coronary intervention between 24 February 2020 (calendar week 9) and 5 April 2020 (calendar week 14).

Compliance of Primary Care Providers With Gout Treatment Recommendations-Lessons to Learn: Results of a Nationwide Survey.

Gout is generally managed in the primary health care sector. Compliance of primary care physicians with gout management recommendations has been shown to be insufficient in the past. The primary aims of this study were to assess primary care providers' knowledge regarding gout and to determine if their treatment decisions are influenced by recommendations.

Peritoneal Flap in Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy.

Background: Lymphocele is the most common complication arising after pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) in the setting of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). The only data available until now on the utility of a peritoneal flap to prevent lymphocele were retrospectively acquired.

Methods: A randomized, controlled, multi-center trial with blinded assessment of endpoints was carried out on 232 patients with prostate cancer who underwent RARP with PLND.

Validation of distinct pathogenic patterns in a cohort of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis patients by cluster analysis.

Background: A novel data-driven cluster analysis identified distinct pathogenic patterns in C3-glomerulopathies and immune complex-mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Our aim was to replicate these observations in an independent cohort and elucidate disease pathophysiology with detailed analysis of functional complement markers.

Methods: A total of 92 patients with clinical, histological, complement and genetic data were involved in the study, and hierarchical cluster analysis was done by Ward method, where four clusters were generated.

Impact of HSD17B13 rs72613567 genotype on hepatic decompensation and mortality in patients with portal hypertension.

Background & Aims: The loss-of-function rs72613567 T > TA-variant in the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13) gene might protect from alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALD/NAFLD) and associated fibrosis/cirrhosis. We investigated the impact of the T > TA-variant on hepatic decompensation and mortality and investigated its implications on retinol and sex steroid metabolism in patients who had already developed advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD).

Methods: Retrospective analysis in prospectively characterized patients with viral hepatitis- and ALD/NAFLD-induced portal hypertension (hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) ≥ 6 mmHg) diagnosed at the Medical University of Vienna.

Lipoprotein(a) plasma levels are not associated with survival after acute coronary syndromes: An observational cohort study.

Background: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is associated with coronary artery disease in population studies, however studies on its predictive value in patients with cardiovascular disease, in particular after acute coronary syndromes (ACS), are conflicting. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Lp(a) is associated with survival after ACS.

Methods And Results: We analyzed Lp(a) measurement in 1,245 patients who underwent coronary angiography for ACS.

C4 nephritic factor in patients with immune-complex-mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and C3-glomerulopathy.

Background: Acquired or genetic abnormalities of the complement alternative pathway are the primary cause of C3glomerulopathy(C3G) but may occur in immune-complex-mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) as well. Less is known about the presence and role of C4nephritic factor(C4NeF) which may stabilize the classical pathway C3-convertase. Our aim was to examine the presence of C4NeF and its connection with clinical features and with other pathogenic factors.

The impact of hepatic steatosis on portal hypertension.

Background And Aims: Studies in animal models have suggested that hepatic steatosis impacts on portal pressure, potentially by inducing liver sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction and thereby increasing intrahepatic resistance. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the impact of hepatic steatosis on hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) in patients with chronic liver disease.

Method: 261 patients undergoing simultaneous HVPG measurements and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP)-based steatosis assessment were included in this retrospective study.

Lymph node ratio as a prognostic marker in advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma after primary total laryngopharyngectomy.

Background: We evaluated the prognostic value of lymph node ratio (LNR) in patients with advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: Between 1994 and 2018, 79 patients underwent total laryngopharyngectomy and adjuvant therapy.

Nodal Metastases in Acinic Cell Carcinoma of the Parotid Gland.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with acinic cell carcinomas of the parotid gland after elective neck dissection (END). A retrospective chart review was performed including 66 patients with acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland. Clinical parameters were retrieved and statistically analyzed regarding disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS).

Risk of needle tract seeding after coaxial ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy for primary and metastatic tumors of the liver: report of a single institution.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of needle track seeding after ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy of indeterminate liver lesions with a coaxial biopsy system without any other additional intervention or ablation therapy.

Methods: We identified 172 patients in a retrospective cohort study who underwent ultrasound-guided biopsy due to a liver mass in our institution between 2007 and 2016. The same coaxial biopsy system was used in all patients, no consecutive ablation was performed.

High N-Terminal proB-Type Natriuretic Peptide Indicates Elevated Risk of Death after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Compared to Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

Reduced left ventricular function (LVF) is a predictor for stent-thrombosis. In advanced heart failure (characterized by high NT-proBNP) with an activated coagulation system, coronary events clinically perceived as sudden death or death from heart failure may be more common in patients treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) than in patients treated by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Our study analyses (1) if patients with reduced LVF who require coronary revascularization will have a better survival benefit with CABG or PCI, and (2) if the survival benefit is predicted by NT-proBNP.

Performance of Controlled Attenuation Parameter in Patients with Advanced Chronic Liver Disease and Portal Hypertension.

Background: Liver stiffness (LS) measured by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) is influenced by liver fibrosis and hepatic perfusion pressure. VCTE-based controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) is a noninvasive marker for hepatic steatosis (HS).

Aims: To investigate the diagnostic performance of CAP in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD)/portal hypertension (PHT: hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) ≥ 6 mmHg).