The multifaceted nature of Egyptian mummification: Paleoradiological insights into child mummies.

In accordance with ancient Egyptian beliefs, the preservation of the body after death was an important prerequisite for the continued existence of the deceased in the afterlife. This involved application of various physical interventions and magical rituals to the corpse. Computed tomography (CT), as the gold-standard technology in the field of paleoradiology, enables deeper insights into details of artificial body preservation.

Assessment of ComBat Harmonization Performance on Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging Measurements.

Data aggregation across multiple research centers is gaining importance in the context of MRI research, driving diverse high-dimensional datasets to form large-scale heterogeneous sample, increasing statistical power and relevance of machine learning and deep learning algorithm. Site-related effects have been demonstrated to introduce bias in MRI features and confound subsequent analyses. Although Combating Batch (ComBat) technique has been recently reported to successfully harmonize multi-scale neuroimaging features, its performance assessments are still limited and largely based on qualitative visualizations and statistical analyses.

Optimizing Myocardial Protection in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgeries: A Network Comparison of Del Nido, Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate, and Blood Cardioplegia.

: The optimal choice of cardioplegia solution in minimally invasive cardiac surgeries (MICS) remains debated, as prolonged myocardial protection is essential to avoid interruptions to the surgical flow, which can prolong aortic cross-clamp time and cardiopulmonary bypass time, especially in the constrained surgical field. We conducted a network meta-analysis to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the del Nido (DN), histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK), blood cardioplegia (BC), and St. Thomas' (STH) solutions in MICS.

Molecular adaptation to neoadjuvant immunotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer.

Therapy-induced molecular adaptation of triple-negative breast cancer is crucial for immunotherapy response and resistance. We analyze tumor biopsies from three different time points in the randomized neoadjuvant GeparNuevo trial (NCT02685059), evaluating the combination of durvalumab with chemotherapy, for longitudinal alterations of gene expression. Durvalumab induces an activation of immune and stromal gene expression as well as a reduction of proliferation-related gene expression.

Real-World Pattern-of-Care Analysis of Primary Cutaneous Lymphomas Radiation Therapy Among European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Members.

Purpose: We aim to determine the current treatment patterns and recommendations among physicians for cutaneous lymphomas and to identify the types of skin lymphomas for which existing radiation regimens need improvement.

Methods And Materials: A questionnaire from the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer was distributed to all members of the Cutaneous Lymphoma Tumour Group and Radiation Oncology Scientific Council. This online survey included 13 questions regarding treatment practices for patients with cutaneous lymphoma.

On the Way to Accounting for Lung Modulation Effects in Particle Therapy of Lung Cancer Patients-A Review.

Particle therapy presents a promising alternative to conventional photon therapy for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the heterogeneous structure of lung tissue leads to the degradation of the Bragg peak and thereby to the degradation of the dose distribution. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the models developed to account for these modulation effects.

Development and validation of a clinical risk model for postoperative outcome in newly diagnosed glioblastoma: a report of the RANO resect group.

Background: Following surgery, patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma frequently enter clinical trials. Nuanced risk assessment is warranted to reduce imbalances between study arms. Here, we aimed (I) to analyze the interactive effects of residual tumor with clinical and molecular factors on outcome and (II) to define a postoperative risk assessment tool.

The Role of Oral Nutritional Supplements in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemoradiotherapy.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the impact of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) on nutritional intake, body weight, and body composition in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy. The study evaluated whether ONS could prevent treatment-related nutritional deterioration.

Methods: This prospective observational pilot study included 30 HNC patients randomized into two groups: ONS (n = 15) and No ONS (n = 15).

Superior temporal sulcus folding, functional network connectivity, and autistic-like traits in a non-clinical population.

Background: Autistic-like traits (ALT) are prevalent across the general population and might be linked to some facets of a broader autism spectrum disorder (ASD) phenotype. Recent studies suggest an association of these traits with both genetic and brain structural markers in non-autistic individuals, showing similar spatial location of findings observed in ASD and thus suggesting a potential neurobiological continuum.

Methods: In this study, we first tested an association of ALTs (assessed with the AQ questionnaire) with cortical complexity, a cortical surface marker of early neurodevelopment, and then the association with disrupted functional connectivity.

How to optimize the CAR-T Cell therapy process? A group concept mapping analysis of preconditions for a frictionless process from a German multistakeholder perspective.

Introduction: Treatment with chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells involves a large number of interdisciplinary stakeholders and is associated with complex processes ranging from patient-specific production to follow-up care. Due to the complexity, maximum process optimization is required in order to avoid efficiency losses. This study aimed at systematically determining the preconditions for a frictionless flow of the CAR-T process by surveying the stakeholders involved.

Organization and operation of multi particle therapy facilities: the Marburg Ion-Beam Therapy Center, Germany (MIT).

Purpose: The Marburg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (MIT) is one of two particle therapy centers in Germany that enables the treatment of patients with both protons and carbon ions. The facility was build by Siemens Healthineers and is one of only two centers worldwide built by Siemens (Marburg, Germany and Shanghai, China). The present report provides an overview of technical and clinical operations as well as research activities at MIT.

Bone marrow toxicity in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer undergoing multimodal treatment with VMAT/IMRT: are there dosimetric predictors for toxicity?

Purpose: For women with locoregionally advanced cervical cancer, the standard of care treatment is the curatively intended chemoradiation therapy (CRT). A relationship between bone marrow (BM) dose-volume histograms (DVHs) and acute hematological toxicity (HT) has been debated recently. Aim of this study was the evaluation of BM dose constraints and HT in a contemporary patient cohort.

Early circulating tumor DNA changes predict outcomes in head and neck cancer patients under re-radiotherapy.

Local recurrence after radiotherapy is common in locally advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Re-irradiation can improve local disease control, but disease progression remains frequent. Hence, predictive biomarkers are needed to adapt treatment intensity to the patient's individual risk.

Sutureless Aortic Valve Replacement with Perceval Bioprosthesis Superior to Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Promising Option for the Gray-Zone of Aortic Valve Replacement Procedures-A State-of-the-Art Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Future Directions.

: The management of patients with aortic valve pathologies can sometimes fall into a "gray zone", where the optimal treatment approach is not straightforward. The comparative benefits of sutureless aortic valve replacement (SUAVR) using the Perceval bioprosthesis versus transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for the "gray zone" of aortic valve replacement procedures remain a topic of debate. To further explore this issue, we conducted a study with pairwise, single-arm, and Kaplan-Meier-based meta-analyses to compare the outcomes of SUAVR with the Perceval bioprosthesis versus TAVI, as well as to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and durability of SUAVR with the Perceval bioprosthesis over mid-term and long-term follow-up periods.

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (Osler's Disease): Systemic, Interdisciplinary, Relatively Common—and Often Missed.

Background: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT, Rendu- Osler-Weber disease, or Osler's disease for short) is a systemic disease that can severely impair the quality of life and that requires interdisciplinary treatment. Among rare diseases, it is relatively common, with a prevalence of approximately 1/5000.

Methods: This review is based on publications retrieved by a selective literature search, including the two international guidelines on clinically relevant aspects of HHT.

Outcome of whole brain irradiation with a dose-escalated simultaneous-integrated boost in patients with multiple large and/or diffuse brain metastases: real live data and review of the literature.

Background: We retrospectively investigate feasibility and safety of whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) including a simultaneous-integrated boost technique (WBRT-SIB) in a cohort of patients with a very poor prognosis suffering from multiple and/or large brain metastases, unfavorable primary histology, poor performance status and/or symptomatic BMs.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-five patients with high brain tumor burden, extracranial metastases and low life-expectancy were treated with WBRT-SIB mostly with 35-42 Gy/14 fractions. All metastases were boosted in patients with up to 12 BMs.

Analysis of hydrogen peroxide production in pure water: Ultrahigh versus conventional dose-rate irradiation and mechanistic insights.

Background: Ultrahigh dose-rate radiation (UHDR) produces less hydrogen peroxide (HO) in pure water, as suggested by some experimental studies, and is used as an argument for the validity of the theory that FLASH spares the normal tissue due to less reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In contrast, most Monte Carlo simulation studies suggest the opposite.

Purpose: We aim to unveil the effect of UHDR on HO production in pure water and its underlying mechanism, to serve as a benchmark for Monte Carlo simulation.

GAIN2 trial overall survival with intense versus tailored dose dense chemotherapy in early breast cancer.

GAIN-2 trial evaluated the optimal intense dose-dense (idd) strategy for high-risk early breast cancer. This study reports the secondary endpoints pathological complete response (pCR) and overall survival (OS). Patients (n = 2887) were randomized 1:1 between idd epirubicin, nab-paclitaxel, and cyclophosphamide (iddEnPC) versus leukocyte nadir-based tailored regimen of dose-dense EC and docetaxel (dtEC-dtD) as adjuvant therapy, with neoadjuvant therapy allowed after amendment.

Radiation exposure and estimated risk of radiation-induced cancer from thoracic and abdominal radiographs in 1307 neonates.

Objective: This study examined radiation exposure and the possible risk of radiation-induced cancer in a large sample of newborn and premature patients.

Material And Methods: In this retrospective study, we included all hospitalised neonates treated at our university hospital who received at least one X-ray examination from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2018. We evaluated the dose area product (DAP), effective dose (ED), and estimated risk.

Puncture Cube Patient-Mounted Navigation System versus Freehand Method for CT-Guided Needle Placement: Study on a Neoprene Covered Elliptical Cylinder Gelatin Phantom.

Purpose: The study aims to show how the "Puncture Cube" (PC) (Medical Templates, Egg, Switzerland) compares to the freehand method (FHM) for CT-guided punctures.

Methods: The PC is a patient-mounted disassemblable cube consisting of an upper and lower template with multiple holes each to predefine puncture trajectory. A total of 80 punctures (FHM in-plane, FHM off-plane, PC in-plane, PC off-plane) was performed by 4 radiologists on a target 9.