ProtGraph: a tool for the quick and comprehensive exploration and exploitation of the peptide search space derived from protein sequence databases using graphs.

Due to computational resource limitations, in mass spectrometry based proteomics only a limited set of peptide sequences is used for the matching against measured spectra. We present an approach to represent proteins by graphs and allow not only the canonical sequences but also known isoforms and annotated amino acid variations, e.g.

Finding predictive factors of exercise adherence in randomized controlled trials on low back pain: an individual data re-analysis using machine learning techniques.

Objective: To identify predictors of adherence in supervised and self-administered exercise interventions for individuals with low back pain.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Rehabilitation.

Simulator training in focus assessed transthoracic echocardiography (FATE) for undergraduate medical students: results from the FateSim randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Ultrasound is important in heart diagnostics, yet implementing effective cardiac ultrasound requires training. While current strategies incorporate digital learning and ultrasound simulators, the effectiveness of these simulators for learning remains uncertain. This study evaluates the effectiveness of simulator-based versus human-based training in Focused Assessed with Transthoracic Echocardiography (FATE).

Perioperative outcomes in an age-adapted analysis of the German StuDoQ|Pancreas registry for PDAC.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) typically occurs in an older patient population. Yet, early-onset pancreatic cancer (EOPC) has one of the fastest growing incidence rates. This study investigated the influence of age and tumor location on postoperative morbidity and mortality in a large, real-world dataset.

Impact of number of passes and futile reperfusion in basilar artery occlusion acute ischaemic stroke.

Introduction: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the standard of care in anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. A vital modifiable factor is successful reperfusion. While multiple passes improve the rates of successful reperfusion, previous studies have reported progressively diminishing returns.

Preliminary findings on the association between maternal salivary and hair cortisol and the mother-infant-interaction during the early postpartum period.

Maternal capabilities to engage in sensitive caregiving are important for infant development and mother-infant-interaction, however, can be negatively affected by cortisol due to a stress response. Previous research suggested that cortisol possibly impairs cognitive functions important for caregiving behavior, which potentially leads to less maternal sensitivity. However, studies investigating the influence of cortisol using endocrine parameters on the mother-infant-interaction during the early postpartum are lacking.

Identification of the G(3900) Structure as the P-Wave DD[over ¯]^{*}/D[over ¯]D^{*} Resonance.

The BESIII Collaboration recently performed a precise measurement of the e^{+}e^{-}→DD[over ¯] Born cross sections, and confirmed the G(3900) structure reported by BABAR and Belle with high significance. We identify the G(3900) as the first P-wave DD[over ¯]^{*}/D[over ¯]D^{*} molecular resonance. The experimental and theoretical identification of the P-wave dimeson state holds paramount importance in enhancing our comprehension of the nonperturbative QCD and few-body physics.

R(3780) Resonance Interpreted as the 1^{3}D_{1}-Wave Dominant State of Charmonium from Precise Measurements of the Cross Section of e^{+}e^{-}→Hadrons.

We report the precise measurements of the cross section of e^{+}e^{-}→hadrons at center-of-mass energies from 3.645 to 3.871 GeV.

Sex differences and clinical outcomes, including ventricular tachyarrhythmias, of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction treated with sacubitril/valsartan.

Background: Women with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) often experience worse clinical outcomes compared to men, including higher rates of mortality, hospitalization, and congestion. However, the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on these outcomes, as well as on ventricular tachyarrhythmias, have not been well studied in women with HFrEF.

Methods: This study included consecutive series of patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan at University Hospital Mannheim from 2016 to 2020.

Optimising (re-)irradiation for locally recurrent head and neck cancer: impact of dose-escalation, salvage surgery, PEG tube and biomarkers on oncological outcomes-a single centre analysis.

Introduction: Locoregional recurrence (LR) is common in locally advanced head and neck cancer (HNSCC), posing challenges for treatment. We analysed outcome parameters and toxicities for patients being treated with radiotherapy (RT) for LR-HNSCC and investigated patient and disease related prognostic factors in this prognostically unfavourable group.

Methods: This analysis includes 101 LR-HNSCC patients treated with RT, radio-chemotherapy (RCT) or radio-immunotherapy (RIT) between 2010 and 2018 at a high-volume tertiary centre.

The Nordic-walking mechanism and its explanation of deconfined pseudocriticality from Wess-Zumino-Witten theory.

The understanding of phenomena falling outside the Ginzburg-Landau paradigm of phase transitions represents a key challenge in condensed matter physics. A famous class of examples is constituted by the putative deconfined quantum critical points between two symmetry-broken phases in layered quantum magnets, such as pressurised SrCu(BO). Experiments find a weak first-order transition, which simulations of relevant microscopic models can reproduce.

Cotton undergarments as a tool for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons whole body dosimetry of firefighters.

Firefighters are exposed to a variety of hazardous substances during firefighting activities. Fire smoke contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) some of which have been shown to cause cancer in humans. To assess dermal exposure of firefighters during real-life firefighting, a whole-body dosimetry method was applied to determine the PAH that settles on the skin despite firefighters wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

Outcomes and Impact of Device Iterations in Mitral Valve Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair: The REPAIR Study.

Background: The PASCAL P10 system for mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair has undergone iterations, including introduction of the narrower Ace implant and the Precision delivery system.

Objectives: The study sought to evaluate outcomes and the impact of PASCAL mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair device iterations.

Methods: The REPAIR (REgistry of PAscal for mltral Regurgitation) study is an investigator-initiated, multicenter registry including consecutive patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) treated from 2019 to 2024.

Optical Bionanosensors for Sepsis Diagnostics.

Sepsis is a global health challenge, characterized by a dysregulated immune response, leading to organ dysfunction and death. Despite advances in medical care, sepsis continues to claim a significant toll on human lives, with mortality rates from 10-25% for sepsis and 30-50% for septic shock, making it a leading cause of death worldwide. Current diagnostic methods rely on clinical signs, laboratory parameters, or microbial cultures and suffer from delays and inaccuracies.

Linear ubiquitination at damaged lysosomes induces local NFKB activation and controls cell survival.

Lysosomes are the major cellular organelles responsible for nutrient recycling and degradation of cellular material. Maintenance of lysosomal integrity is essential for cellular homeostasis and lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) sensitizes toward cell death. Damaged lysosomes are repaired or degraded via lysophagy, during which glycans, exposed on ruptured lysosomal membranes, are recognized by galectins leading to K48- and K63-linked poly-ubiquitination (poly-Ub) of lysosomal proteins followed by recruitment of the macroautophagic/autophagic machinery and degradation.

Aspartate signalling drives lung metastasis via alternative translation.

Lung metastases occur in up to 54% of patients with metastatic tumours. Contributing factors to this high frequency include the physical properties of the pulmonary system and a less oxidative environment that may favour the survival of cancer cells. Moreover, secreted factors from primary tumours alter immune cells and the extracellular matrix of the lung, creating a permissive pre-metastatic environment primed for the arriving cancer cells.

[Integration of physician assistants into primary care: Acceptance and concerns among general practitioners].

Background: Strategies to counteract the impending and in some places already existing shortage of general practitioners (GPs) are being discussed in Germany. One approach could be to establish interprofessional teams in GP practices by integrating physician assistants (PAs).

Question: Can GPs imagine employing a PA in their practice and if so, under what conditions?

Methods: In March/April 2023, about 5,000 GPs in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), who work in a region with a care level of < 100 %, and about 1,000 GPs from Saxony-Anhalt were asked to take part in an online-based survey.