Panitumumab plus 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid or 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid alone as maintenance therapy in RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (PanaMa, AIO KRK 0212): final efficacy analysis of a randomised, open-label, phase 2 trial.

Background: The PanaMa trial aimed to compare the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid (FU/FA) ± panitumumab maintenance in untreated wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients.

Methods: In this final phase 2 trial analysis, adult mCRC patients responding to six cycles of FU/FA, oxaliplatin and panitumumab were randomized (1:1, open-label) to maintenance of either FU/FA + panitumumab or FU/FA alone. The primary endpoint was superiority of progression-free survival of maintenance (PFS; time from random assignment to progression/death) in favour of FU/FA + panitumumab.

Fast, bioluminescent blinks attract group members of the nocturnal flashlight fish Anomalops katoptron (Bleeker, 1856).

Background: During their nighttime shoaling, the flashlight fish Anomalops katoptron produce fascinating, bioluminescent blink patterns, which have been related to the localization of food, determination of nearest neighbor distance, and initiation of the shoal's movement direction. Information transfer e.g.

Balloon atrioseptostomy for transposition of the great arteries in Europe: characteristics and outcomes.

Introduction And Objectives: Balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) improves oxygenation in neonates with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and restrictive foramen ovale. Currently, there is a global shortage of dedicated BAS catheters, while new unmarked catheters have recently become available at some European centers. This study aimed to characterize BAS outcomes using the currently available BAS catheters in Europe.

Neurological post-COVID syndrome is associated with substantial impairment of verbal short-term and working memory.

A substantial proportion of patients suffer from Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS) with fatigue and impairment of memory and concentration being the most important symptoms. We here set out to perform in-depth neuropsychological assessment of PCS patients referred to the Neurologic PCS clinic compared to patients without sequelae after COVID-19 (non-PCS) and healthy controls (HC) to decipher the most prevalent cognitive deficits. We included n = 60 PCS patients with neurologic symptoms, n = 15 non-PCS patients and n = 15 healthy controls.

Axial spondyloarthritis.

Axial spondyloarthritis manifests as a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the sacroiliac joints and spine. Although chronic back pain and spinal stiffness are typical initial symptoms, peripheral (ie, enthesitis, arthritis, and dactylitis) and extra-musculoskeletal (ie, uveitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis) manifestations are also common. Timely and accurate diagnosis is challenging and relies on identifying a clinical pattern with a combination of clinical, laboratory (HLA-B27 positivity), and imaging findings (eg, structural damage on pelvic radiographs and bone marrow oedema on MRI of the sacroiliac joints).

C5 complement inhibition versus FcRn modulation in generalised myasthenia gravis.

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder affecting neuromuscular junctions, leading to fluctuating muscle weakness. While many patients respond well to standard immunosuppression, a substantial subgroup faces ongoing disease activity. Emerging treatments such as complement factor C5 inhibition (C5IT) and neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) antagonism hold promise for these patients.

Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Bimekizumab in Axial Spondyloarthritis: 2-Year Results from Two Phase 3 Studies.

Objectives: Bimekizumab, a monoclonal IgG1 antibody that selectively inhibits interleukin (IL)‑17F in addition to IL-17A, previously demonstrated efficacy and was well tolerated to 1 year in patients with non-radiographic (nr-) and radiographic (r-) axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Here, we report bimekizumab safety and efficacy to 2 years.

Methods: Patients completing week 52 in the phase 3 studies BE MOBILE 1 (nr-axSpA; NCT03928704) and 2 (r‑axSpA; NCT03928743) were eligible for an ongoing open‑label extension (OLE; NCT04436640).

An innovative multicomponent compression system in a single bandage for venous leg ulcer and/or oedema treatment: a real-life study in 343 patients.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of an innovative multicomponent compression system in a single bandage (UrgoK1, Laboratoires Urgo, France) in the treatment of patients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs) and/or lower limb oedema in everyday practice.

Method: A prospective, observational, clinical study with the evaluated compression system was conducted in 39 centres in Germany between March 2022 and July 2023. Main outcomes included a description of the treated patients, changes in wound healing and oedema progression, local tolerance and acceptability of the compression system.

Effect of Immunoadsorption on clinical presentation and immune alterations in COVID-19-induced and/or aggravated ME/CFS.

Autoreactive antibodies (AAB) are currently being investigated as causative or aggravating factors during post-COVID. In this study we analyze the effect of immunoadsorption therapy on symptom improvement and the relationship with immunological parameters in post-COVID patients exhibiting symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) induced or aggravated by an SARS-CoV-2 infection. This observational study includes 12 post-COVID patients exhibiting a predominance of ME/CFS symptoms alongside increased concentrations of autonomic nervous system receptors (ANSR) autoantibodies and neurological impairments.

Treatment Quality of Rectal Cancer Patients in Certified Colorectal Cancer Centers Versus Non-Certified Hospitals: A Comparative Analysis.

: The certification of hospitals as colorectal cancer centers aims to improve treatment quality, but evidence supporting its effectiveness remains limited. This study evaluated the impact of certification on treatment outcomes for rectal cancer patients in Germany. : We conducted a retrospective analysis of 14,905 patients with primary rectal cancer (UICC Stages I-III) treated at 271 hospitals.

Discharge Against Medical Advice in Cancer Patients: Insights from a Multicenter Study in Germany.

Background: Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) disrupts continuity of care and is associated with increased readmission rates, morbidity, and mortality. While extensively studied in general hospital populations, its prevalence and associated factors in cancer patients, where treatment adherence is critical for outcomes, remain underexplored.

Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional study analyzed anonymized data from the IQVIA hospital database, including cancer patients hospitalized in 36 German hospitals between January 2019 and December 2023.

Dynamics and development of interhemispheric conflict solving in pigeons.

The dominance of one hemisphere for cognitive operations and decision making may be an efficient mechanism solving interhemispheric conflicts. To understand the ecological significance of the so-called metacontrol, we need better knowledge of its frequency and ontogenetic foundations. Since in pigeons, embryonic light experiences influence degree and direction of interhemispheric specialization and communication, it is conceivable that light affects metacontrol mechanisms.

Oppositional and competitive instigation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity by the VTA and locus coeruleus.

The novelty, saliency, and valency of ongoing experiences potently influence the firing rate of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the locus coeruleus (LC). Associative experience, in turn, is recorded into memory by means of hippocampal synaptic plasticity that is regulated by noradrenaline sourced from the LC, and dopamine, sourced from both the VTA and LC. Two persistent forms of synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation (LTP), and long-term depression (LTD) support the encoding of different kinds of spatial experience.

Extracorporeal Shock Waves Therapy for the Treatment of Acute and Chronic Wounds-A Prospective, Monocentric Clinical Trial to Examine the Effect of Shock Waves on Wound Healing.

Introduction: The aim of our prospective blinded clinical study was to examine a possible improvement and acceleration of epithelialization by treatment with low-energy extracorporeal shock waves on skin graft donor and recipient sites in patients with chronic wounds. In addition, several secondary parameters were investigated to evaluate the compatibility of the therapeutic method, its influence on infection occurrence and bacterial colonization.

Materials And Methods: A total of 35 patients were included in the study.

[Rapid Assessment of Future Pandemic Effects in Individuals with Severe Mental Illness: Can Ongoing Population-Representative Cohorts Contribute?].

To provide an overview of ongoing cohorts including severely mentally ill patients to study collateral effects of pandemics.Systematic literature search.None of the ongoing German health cohorts includes people with severe mental illness (SMI).

Systematic Review: Efficacy of Medical Therapy on Outcomes Important to Pediatric Patients with X-Linked Hypophosphatemia.

Objective: To examine the evidence addressing the management of X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) in children to inform treatment recommendations.

Methods: We searched Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central up to May 2023. Eligible studies included RCTs and observational studies of individuals less than 18yrs with clinically or genetically confirmed XLH.

Binding the Power of Cycloaddition and Cross-Coupling in a Single Mechanism: An Unexpected Bending Journey to Radical Chemistry of Butadiynyl with Conjugated Dienes.

What if an experiment could combine the power of cycloaddition and cross-coupling with the formation of an aromatic molecule in a single collision? Crossed molecular beam experiments augmented with electronic structure and statistical calculations provided compelling evidence on a novel radical route involving 1,3-butadiynyl (HCCCC; X∑) radicals synthesizing (substituted) arylacetylenes in the gas phase upon reactions with 1,3-butadiene (CHCHCHCH; XA) and 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene (isoprene; CHC(CH)CHCH; XA'). This elegant mechanism merges two previously disconnected concepts of cross-coupling and cycloaddition-aromatization in a single collision event via the formation of two new C(sp)-C(sp) bonds and bending the 180° moiety of the linear 1,3-butadiynyl radical out of the ordinary by 60° to 120°. In addition to its importance to fundamental organic chemistry, this unconventional mechanism links two previously separated routes of gas-phase molecular mass growth processes of polyacetylenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), respectively, in low-temperature environments such as in cold molecular clouds like the Taurus Molecular Cloud (TMC-1) and in hydrocarbon-rich atmospheres of planets and their moons such as Titan, which revises the established understanding of low-temperature molecular mass growth processes in the Universe.

COping with Rheumatic Stressors (CORS) questionnaire: validated German translation and cross-cultural adaptation for patients with axSpA.

Background: Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases, including axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), may suffer from stressors like pain and functional impairments leading to limitations in their self-perceived health status. The COping with Rheumatic Stressors (CORS) questionnaire was developed to analyze how patients cope with these stressors. The CORS is currently not available in German.

Dehydrogenase oxidase function: the interplay between substrate binding and flavin microenvironment.

Redox enzymes, mostly equipped with metal or organic cofactors, can vary their reactivity with oxygen by orders of magnitudes. Understanding how oxygen reactivity is controlled by the protein milieu remains an open issue with broad implications for mechanistic enzymology and enzyme design. Here, we address this problem by focusing on a widespread group of flavoenzymes that oxidize phenolic compounds derived from microbial lignin degradation, using either oxygen or a cytochrome c as electron acceptors.

The Venus score for the assessment of the quality and trustworthiness of biomedical datasets.

Biomedical datasets are the mainstays of computational biology and health informatics projects, and can be found on multiple data platforms online or obtained from wet-lab biologists and physicians. The quality and the trustworthiness of these datasets, however, can sometimes be poor, producing bad results in turn, which can harm patients and data subjects. To address this problem, policy-makers, researchers, and consortia have proposed diverse regulations, guidelines, and scores to assess the quality and increase the reliability of datasets.

Gene regulation by convergent promoters.

Convergent transcription, that is, the collision of sense and antisense transcription, is ubiquitous in mammalian genomes and believed to diminish RNA expression. Recently, antisense transcription downstream of promoters was found to be surprisingly prevalent. However, functional characteristics of affected promoters are poorly investigated.

Isolation and Structure Elucidation of the Heterocumulene Anions [NCC-L]- (L = CO, CS, N2).

Cumulenes are molecules characterized by a series of consecutive double bonds. They serve as important reagents and intermediates in the synthesis of polymers and a wide variety of functionalized compounds, including various heterocycles. Understanding the properties of cumulenes and developing synthetic routes to these often highly reactive species is essential for unlocking new applications.