Biocompatibility of variable thicknesses of a novel directly printed aligner in orthodontics.

Direct printed aligners (DPAs) offer benefits like the ability to vary layer thickness within a single DPA and to 3D print custom-made removable orthodontic appliances. The biocompatibility of appliances made from Tera Harz TA-28 (Graphy Inc., Seoul, South Korea) depends on strict adherence to a standardized production and post-production protocol, including UV curing.

Isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism identification based on international classification of diseases (ICD)-10 codes and imaging reports.

Background: Isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism (issPE) is a commonly encountered diagnosis. Although the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes are used for research, their validity for identifying issPE is unknown. Moreover, issPE diagnosis is challenging, and the findings from radiology reports may conflict with those from expert radiologists.

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.

Exploring the Link Between Renal Function Fluctuations Within the Physiological Range and Serum/CSF Levels of NfL, GFAP, tTAU, and UCHL1.

Impaired renal function can influence biomarker levels through mechanisms involving blood-brain barrier integrity and clearance pathways; however, the impact of variations within normal renal function remains unclear. The main aim of this study was to determine whether adjustment for the specific level of renal function is necessary when renal function remains within physiological levels. We studied n = 183 patients (NID n = 122; other neurological diseases n = 39; somatoform controls n = 22) who underwent lumbar puncture at University Hospital Frankfurt.

The Effect of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMD) on Dental Implants Survival-A Systematic Review.

This research is purposed to synthesize the existing evidence on implant survival rates in patients with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) and assess potential risk factors associated with peri-implant disease. A comprehensive search was performed across PubMed MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, including studies published between 2012 and 2023.

Large language model based mutations in genetic improvement.

Ever since the first large language models (LLMs) have become available, both academics and practitioners have used them to aid software engineering tasks. However, little research as yet has been done in combining search-based software engineering (SBSE) and LLMs. In this paper, we evaluate the use of LLMs as mutation operators for genetic improvement (GI), an SBSE approach, to improve the GI search process.

Standardized Reporting of HCC with LI-RADS and mRECIST: Update on the Situation in Germany.

Online survey about the current status of CT protocols in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the year 2023/2024. Moreover, the usage of structured reporting using LI-RADS and mRECIST was surveyed and the results were compared with a survey from 2020.Radiologists working in outpatient or inpatient care in Germany were invited.

Trajectories of health-related quality of life across age cohorts: A longitudinal analysis of the German population over 16 years.

Background: Understanding the trajectories of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) across different age cohorts and sociodemographic factors is crucial for promoting healthy aging. This study aims to examine the course of physical and mental HRQoL over a 16-year period in a nationwide sample of the German population.

Methods: Data from the German Socio-Economic Panel spanning from 2002 to 2018 (N = 4111; female = 52.

Child Maltreatment Characteristics and Adult Physical Multimorbidity in Germany.

Importance: Associations between child maltreatment (CM) and health have been studied broadly, but most studies focus on multiplicity (number of experienced subtypes of CM). Studies assessing multiple CM characteristics are scarce, partly due to methodological challenges, and were mostly conducted in patient samples.

Objective: To determine the importance of CM characteristics in association with physical multimorbidity in adulthood for women and men in a German representative sample.

Zirconia Barriers in Bone Regeneration Procedures: A Scoping Review.

Purpose: To identify the current status and development of zirconia barriers in bone augmentation procedures in the maxillofacial area of adult human patients.

Materials And Methods: Two independent reviewers conducted an electronic literature search in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, the Cochrane Library, and LILACS databases, as well as a manual search to identify eligible clinical studies up to April 15, 2024. The protocol was designed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines.

Altered retinal vasculature in childhood cancer survivors: Data from the German CVSS-study.

Aims: Childhood cancer is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in later life. Retinal examination allows to non-invasively observe the vasculature of an end-organ. We observe alterations in long-term childhood cancer survivors (CCS).

Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Dental Medicine: A Critical Review.

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI), including its subfields of machine learning and deep learning, is a branch of computer science and engineering focused on creating machines capable of tasks requiring human-like intelligence, such as visual perception, decision-making, and natural language processing. AI applications have become increasingly prevalent in dental medicine, generating high expectations as well as raising ethical and practical concerns.

Methods: This critical review evaluates the current applications of AI in dentistry, identifying key perspectives, challenges, and limitations in ongoing AI research.

Exposomic Determinants of Atherosclerosis: Recent Evidence.

Purpose Of Review: The exposome refers to the total environmental exposures a person encounters throughout life, and its relationship with human health is increasingly studied. This non-systematic review focuses on recent research investigating the effects of environmental factors-such as air pollution, noise, greenspace, neighborhood walkability, and metallic pollutants-on atherosclerosis, a major cause of cardiovascular disease.

Recent Findings: Studies show that long-term exposure to airborne particulate matter can impair endothelial function and elevate adhesion molecule levels, leading to vascular damage.

Coupling of Li-Fe: Li Isotope Fractionation during Sorption onto Fe-Oxides.

Chemical weathering processes play a key role in regulating the global climate over geological time scales. Lithium (Li) isotope compositions have proven to be a robust proxy for tracing weathering processes that produce secondary minerals, such as clays and oxides, with a focus often placed on Li adsorption to, or incorporation into, clay minerals. In addition, the interaction between Li and Fe-oxides has long been assumed and discussed based on field observations, but experimental constraints on this process are lacking.

Unveiling cell-type-specific microRNA networks through alternative polyadenylation in glioblastoma.

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is characterized by its cellular complexity, with a microenvironment consisting of diverse cell types, including oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and neoplastic CD133 + radial glia-like cells. This study focuses on exploring the distinct cellular transitions in GBM, emphasizing the role of alternative polyadenylation (APA) in modulating microRNA-binding and post-transcriptional regulation.

Results: Our research identified unique APA profiles that signify the transitional phases between neoplastic cells and OPCs, underscoring the importance of APA in cellular identity and transformation in GBM.

Retrospective multicenter analysis of the Trenza Embolization Device for endovascular therapy of intracranial aneurysms: initial results and short-term follow-up.

Background: Intrasaccular devices are increasingly used in endovascular therapy of intracranial aneurysms, in particular wide-necked and ruptured aneurysms. The Trenza Embolization Device (TED) is an innovative intrasaccular device for medium- to large-sized aneurysms. Currently, literature about the TED is scarce.

Herbivory can increase plant fitness via reduced interspecific competition-evidence from models and mesocosms.

Herbivores are generally considered to reduce plant fitness. However, as in natural communities they often feed on several competing plant species, herbivores can also increase plant fitness by reducing interspecific competition among plants. In this study, we developed a testable model to predict plant fitness in the presence of an interspecific competitor and a herbivore that feeds on both plant species.

Psychometric comparison of two short versions of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) in a representative sample of the German population.

Perceived stress is a construct of crucial importance to health and well-being, necessitating the provision of economic, psychometrically sound instruments to assess it in routine clinical practice and large-scale survey studies. Two competing short versions of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), each consisting of four items, have been proposed. In the present study, we compare the two in a sample representative of the German general population ( = 2,527).

Short Report - Birth Weight is Not Associated With Cataracts or Pseudophakia - Results from the Gutenberg Health Study.

This study investigates the association between self-reported birth weight (BW) and the frequency of cataract and pseudophakia in a large population-based cohort in Germany, as part of the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS). Slit lamp examination and Scheimpflug imaging of 8205 participants, aged 35 to 74, were assessed and signs of cataract or pseudophakia analyzed. The research aimed to explore the correlation between fetal growth restriction and/or prematurity indicated by BW and the frequency of cataract and pseudophakia.

Time trends of catheter-directed treatment in acute pulmonary embolism in Germany.

Background: Catheter-directed treatment (CDT) is an innovative treatment for patients with elevated risk pulmonary embolism (PE) to resolve embolus and restore pulmonary perfusion.

Objectives: We aimed to analyse the use and the benefit of CDT in PE patients in Germany.

Methods: The German nationwide inpatient sample was used to include all hospitalizations of patients with PE from 2005 to 2020 in Germany.

Integration of Conventional and Virtual Reality Approaches in Augmented Reality for Theory-Based Psychoeducational Intervention Design for Chronic Low Back Pain: Scoping Review.

Background: Psychoeducation positively influences the psychological components of chronic low back pain (CLBP) in conventional treatments. The digitalization of health care has led to the discussion of virtual reality (VR) interventions. However, CLBP treatments in VR have some limitations due to full immersion.

The evolution of chemical ordering and property in Fe Se upon intercalation ratios.

Intercalation has been considered as an effective method to explore innovative two-dimensional (2D) materials and modify their properties. However, the relationship between intercalation concentration, structure, and property remains a largely uncharted territory, and the controllable synthesis of desired intercalated phases faces challenges. Here, a general intercalated rule for the effect of self-intercalation ratio on atomic arrangements is revealed.

Influences of plant maternal effects, chemotype, and environment on the leaf bacterial community.

Plant individuals within a species can differ markedly in their leaf chemical composition, forming so-called chemotypes. Little is known about whether such differences impact the microbial communities associated with leaves and how different environmental conditions may shape these relationships. We used Tanacetum vulgare as a model plant to study the impacts of maternal effects, leaf terpenoid chemotype, and the environment on the leaf bacterial community by growing plant clones in the field and a greenhouse.