Determinants of COVID-19 vaccination coverage in European and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.

Introduction: In relatively wealthy countries, substantial between-country variability in COVID-19 vaccination coverage occurred. We aimed to identify influential national-level determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake at different COVID-19 pandemic stages in such countries.

Methods: We considered over 50 macro-level demographic, healthcare resource, disease burden, political, socio-economic, labor, cultural, life-style indicators as explanatory factors and coverage with at least one dose by June 2021, completed initial vaccination protocols by December 2021, and booster doses by June 2022 as outcomes.

Urinary Dickkopf-3 Reflects Disease Severity and Predicts Short-Term Kidney Function Decline in Renal Ciliopathies.

Introduction: Phenotypic heterogeneity and unpredictability of individual disease progression present enormous challenges in ultrarare renal ciliopathies. The tubular-derived glycoprotein, Dickkopf-related protein 3 (DKK3) is a promising biomarker for kidney fibrosis and prediction of kidney function decline. Here, we measured urinary DKK3 (uDKK3) levels in 195 pediatric patients with renal ciliopathy to assess its potential as a discriminative and prediction marker.

Individual Sensitivity for Radiotherapy-related Adverse Tissue Reactions in Patients Treated Twice for Metachronous Cancers.

The role of genetics in susceptibility to radiotherapy-induced toxicities is unclear. A strong impact of genetics should cause correlated toxicities in patients with metachronous double radiotherapy. We ascertained information about demographics, lifestyle, radiotherapy and early toxicities in irradiated tissues for a retrospective cohort of 98 patients from 2 hospitals who underwent two metachronous radiotherapeutic treatments (2007-2022) of different anatomical regions.

MicroRNA Profiling of Bone Marrow Plasma Extracellular Vesicles in Multiple Myeloma, Extramedullary Disease, and Plasma Cell Leukemia.

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell malignancy characterized by an abnormal increase in monoclonal immunoglobulins. Despite significant advances in treatment, some patients progress to more aggressive forms of multiple myeloma, including extramedullary disease or plasma cell leukemia. Although the exact molecular mechanisms are not known, several studies have confirmed the involvement of small extracellular vesicle-enriched microRNAs in multiple myeloma progression.

Comprehensive cost-of-illness analysis of pressure ulcer treatment: A real-world study at a Czech university hospital.

Pressure ulcers (PUs) impose a significant economic burden on healthcare systems, affecting patient quality of life and leading to substantial treatment costs. This study presents a cost-of-illness analysis of PU treatment in hospitalized patients in the Czech Republic, based on real-world clinical data. The analysis was conducted using a comprehensive methodology at a Czech university hospital, involving 304 hospitalizations.

Radiation doses to the breast and predicted breast cancer risk among patients treated for Hodgkin lymphoma with modern radiotherapy.

Purpose: To contrast breast radiation exposure from chest radiotherapy in 2006-2021 with 1965-1997, and to compare breast cancer (BC) risk 25 years after treatment predicted by two models.

Methods: Radiation dose distributions to the breast from 101 chest radiotherapies given 2006-2021 for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) or other lymphoma in one German and two Dutch hospitals were compared with doses received by 505 Dutch HL patients treated 1965-1997 and sampled into a nested case-control study, weighted to represent a HL patient cohort. Dose-volume histograms, mean dose and doses to 10 breast segments were evaluated.

General principles of communication among nurses in a long-term care unit: a best practice implementation project.

Introduction: In health care, effective communication enhances teamwork and safety by minimizing adverse events. Evidence suggests that ongoing education should include communication skills training, as interprofessional communication relies on tools that facilitate seamless interaction.

Objective: This project aimed to improve communication practices among nurses in a long-term care unit by promoting evidence-based recommendations.

Impact of narrow band imaging in prediction of histology of advanced colorectal neoplasia.

We assessed the diagnostic performance of the Narrow-Band Imaging (NBI) International Colorectal Endoscopic Classification (NICE) and the Japan NBI Expert Team classification (JNET) in predicting histological outcomes of advanced colorectal lesions. Additionally, we evaluated the sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of the JNET and NICE classifications individually for high-grade lesions (including HGD adenomas, intramucosal carcinomas, and T1 carcinomas). This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data, involving 211 patients (130 men, mean age 60 years) who underwent colonoscopy with endoscopic resection of advanced colorectal neoplasia (lesions ≥ 10 mm).

Hospitalized upper extremity artery disease patients: treatment and long-term outcomes.

Background And Aims: Current knowledge about upper extremity artery disease (UEAD) is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, treatment patterns, and short- and long-term outcomes of patients suffering from UEAD.

Methods: Retrospective health claims data of patients who were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of UEAD between 2010 and 2017 were analysed.

Two-Dimensional and Point Shear-Wave Elastography to Predict Esophageal Varices and Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease.

The non-invasive assessment of disease severity remains pivotal in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) as it has wide implications in predicting liver-related complications or death. Shear-wave elastography (SWE) is an emerging ultrasound-based method to non-invasively measure liver stiffness. The aim of our study was to evaluate two-dimensional (2D) and point (p) SWE to predict the presence of esophageal varices (EV) or clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH).

Additional Value of Pertechnetate Scintigraphy to American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems and European Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems for Thyroid Nodule Classification in Euthyroid Patients.

Thyroid nodules are common yet remain a diagnostic challenge. While ultrasound and Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (TIRADS) are accepted as standard, the use of thyroid scintigraphy in euthyroid patients is debated. The European Association of Nuclear Medicine advocates it, whereas the American Thyroid Association and European Thyroid Association do not.

Strength and endurance of the lumbar extensor muscles and their predictors: A cross-sectional study in healthy subjects.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to present the values of maximal isometric lumbar extensor muscle strength (MILEMS) and lumbar extensor muscle endurance (LEME) in healthy subjects and to study the influence of physiological factors on these parameters. MILEMS using a hand-held dynamometer in three positions (prone, sitting, standing) and LEME using the Biering-Sørensen test were assessed in 115 healthy volunteers. The MILEMS measurements for the specific positions were correlated with each other (Pearson correlation coefficients 0.

Ironing out differences in attenuation and blooming artifact in acute stroke thrombi.

This study aims to improve our understanding of acute ischemic stroke clot imaging by integrating CT attenuation information with MRI susceptibility signal of thrombi. For this proof-of-principle experimental study, fifty-seven clot analogs were produced using ovine venous blood with a broad histological spectrum. Each clot analog was analyzed to determine its RBC content and chemical composition, including water, Fe III, sodium, pH, and pO2.

Pre-implantation Scalp EEG Can Predict VNS Efficacy in Children.

Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is a therapeutical option for the treatment of drug-resistant epileptic patients. The response to VNS varies from patient to patient and is difficult to predict. The proposed study is based on our previous work, identifying relative mean power in pre-implantation EEG as a reliable marker for VNS efficacy prediction in adult patients.

Hyperreflective material evolution patterns during long term anti-VEGF therapy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

This retrospective, real-life cohort was analyzed to detect the frequency of different HRM evolution patterns and their correlation with MNV types, morphological and functional changes in exudative nAMD under long-term anti-VEGF therapy. We evaluated optical coherence tomography (OCT) volume scans in 143 eyes of 94 nAMD patients (start of anti-VEGF therapy 2009-2018, therapy until the last visit) and recorded the VA at all visits. HRM evolution patterns were differentiated: pattern 1 = no HRM, pattern 2 = subretinal HRM resolved during follow-up, pattern 3 = persistent subretinal HRM with new HRM-boundary remodeling [BR], pattern 4 = persistent subretinal HRM without HRM-BR.

Correlation between measured oral health and oral health-related quality of life in people with epidermolysis bullosa: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic disorder characterized by skin fragility and unique oral features. This prospective study aimed to analyze the correlation between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and the objectively measured oral health indices of people suffering from EB and within their subtypes.

Methods: The German version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14G) was employed for the assessment of OHRQoL.

Risk factors and outcome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infections (PABSI) in hematological patients: a single center retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Bloodstream infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PABSI) in hematological patients are associated with high morbidity and mortality. We investigated the epidemiology, risk factors, and outcomes of PABSI at our center.

Methods: All adult hematological patients with PABSI between January 2013 and July 2023 were included.

Estimation of minimal data sets sizes for machine learning predictions in digital mental health interventions.

Artificial intelligence promises to revolutionize mental health care, but small dataset sizes and lack of robust methods raise concerns about result generalizability. To provide insights on minimal necessary data set sizes, we explore domain-specific learning curves for digital intervention dropout predictions based on 3654 users from a single study (ISRCTN13716228, 26/02/2016). Prediction performance is analyzed based on dataset size (N = 100-3654), feature groups (F = 2-129), and algorithm choice (from Naive Bayes to Neural Networks).

Systemic Antibiotic Prophylaxis Adjunctive to Surgical Reconstructive Peri-Implantitis Treatment: A Retrospective Study.

Aims: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of oral systemic antibiotic prophylaxis administered along with the surgical reconstructive peri-implantitis treatment.

Methods: A total of 49 patients exhibiting 70 implants diagnosed with peri-implantitis underwent a surgical reconstructive peri-implantitis treatment. Of them, 27 patients (38 implants) received a single preoperative shot of antibiotics (2 g amoxicillin; Pre-op), 12 patients (19 implants) were prescribed with postoperative antibiotics for 3 days (500 mg amoxicillin, 3 x day, Post-op), and the remaining 10 patients (13 implants) did not receive any systemic antibiotics (No-Ab).

Sex-specific outcomes in acute myocardial infarction-associated cardiogenic shock treated with and without V-A ECMO: a retrospective German nationwide analysis from 2014 to 2018.

Acute myocardial infarction-associated cardiogenic shock (AMICS) remains a condition with high mortality. Some patients require mechanical circulatory support (MCS) as their condition deteriorates. Sex-specific differences in risk factors and outcomes of cardiovascular disease have previously been described but are inconclusive regarding the use of MCS in AMICS.

Real Clinical Effectiveness of Molnupiravir Against 30-day Mortality Among 74 541 SARS-CoV-2-Positive Patients: A Nationwide Cohort Study From the Czech Republic.

Background: We examined the clinical effectiveness of molnupiravir in reducing deaths in a real-world cohort of adult patients with COVID-19 during the Omicron outbreak.

Methods: This was a population-wide retrospective cohort study in the Czech Republic. We analyzed all 74 541 patients with an officially registered diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection between 1 January and 31 December 2022, aged 18 years or older, treated with molnupiravir.

The Power of The (First) Name: Do name tags for operating room staff improve effective communication and patient safety? A proof-of-concept study from an academic medical center in Germany.

Background: Effective and reliable communication is the cornerstone of safe communication in the operating room (OR). The OR is one of the most dynamic places in the hospital where multiple disciplines must work together in perfect harmony to ultimately improve patient outcomes. To create familiarity by name regarding constantly changing team members, individual name tagging was implemented in the OR.

The impact of supervised and home exercise activity intervention on circulating immune cell numbers in cancer patients.

Introduction: Malignant diseases challenge clinicians to balance treatment intensity and patient quality of life. Regular physical activity positively impacts mental and physical health, benefiting sleep patterns, heart rate, and overall health. Moreover, telehealth physical exercise training represents a viable option for maintaining intrinsic capacity.