Murine vs. Human Osteoblast Responses to Coagulation and Inflammatory Factors: Reconsidering the Use of Animal Models in Hemophilia a Research.

: Hemophilia A is associated with frequent bleeding episodes, joint damage, and reduced bone mineral density (BMD). The role of coagulation factors and inflammatory cytokines on bone metabolism, particularly on osteoblast function, is of increasing interest. However, significant inter-species differences in bone remodeling raise concerns about the translatability of findings from murine models to human systems.

A Prospective Comparison of Subjective Symptoms and Neurophysiological Findings in the Assessment of Neuropathy in Cancer Patients.

Neurotoxic effects causing peripheral nerve damage have been reported for several chemotherapy agents. There is no established and standardized method to assess the presence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). We compared patient-reported CIPN symptoms to neurophysiological findings and neurological assessments in patients receiving taxane-based chemotherapy.

Effects of DHEA and DHEAS in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury.

Neonatal brain injury remains a significant issue with limited treatment options. This study investigates the potential of the endogenous neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate ester (DHEAS) as neuroprotective agents, building on evidence of their mechanisms in adult brain injury models. The primary objective was to evaluate their neuroprotective and anti-oxidative properties in a mouse model of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

Prediabetes and diabetes mellitus type II after ischemic stroke.

Introduction: The progression of diabetes status in post-stroke patients remains under-investigated, particularly regarding new treatments for type II diabetes mellitus (DM II), like glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1-RA) and sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, which have not been studied in the post-stroke setting.

Patients And Methods: Eight hundred eighty-four consecutive ischemic stroke patients recruited to our prospective STROKE-CARD Registry were assessed concerning their glycemic status at baseline (normoglycemia, prediabetes, DM II) and change over time within 1 year follow-up. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with transitioning from normoglycemia to prediabetes or DM II.

External validation of AI-based scoring systems in the ICU: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Machine learning (ML) is increasingly used to predict clinical deterioration in intensive care unit (ICU) patients through scoring systems. Although promising, such algorithms often overfit their training cohort and perform worse at new hospitals. Thus, external validation is a critical - but frequently overlooked - step to establish the reliability of predicted risk scores to translate them into clinical practice.

Engineering covalent small molecule-RNA complexes in living cells.

Covalent labeling of RNA in living cells poses many challenges. Here we describe a structure-guided approach to engineer covalent RNA aptamer-ligand complexes. The key is to modify the cognate ligand with an electrophilic handle that allows it to react with a guanine at the RNA binding site.

Application of urinary peptide-biomarkers in trauma patients as a predictive tool for prognostic assessment, treatment and intervention timing.

Treatment of severely injured patients represents a major challenge, in part due to the unpredictable risk of major adverse events, including death. Preemptive personalized treatment aimed at preventing these events is a crucial objective of patient management; however, the currently available scoring systems provide only moderate guidance. Biomarkers from proteomics/peptidomics studies hold promise for improving the current situation, ultimately enabling precision medicine based on individual molecular profiles.

Tract-specific white matter hyperintensities and neuropsychiatric syndromes: a multicentre memory clinic study.

Background: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia but the functional significance of WMH in specific white matter (WM) tracts is unclear. We investigate whether WMH burden within major WM fibre classes and individual WM tracts are differentially associated with different neuropsychiatric syndromes in a large multicentre study.

Method: Neuroimaging and neuropsychiatric data of seven memory clinic cohorts through the Meta VCI Map consortium were harmonised.

Dynamic fluctuations in brain iron content during migraine attacks: insights from relaxometry and diffusion tensor imaging.

Background: There is evidence that iron metabolism may play a role in the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of migraine. Studies using (=1/ ) relaxometry, a common MRI-based iron mapping technique, have reported increased values in various brain structures of migraineurs, indicating iron accumulation compared to healthy controls.

Purpose: To investigate whether there are short-term changes in during a migraine attack.

Studying the Function of tRNA Modifications: Experimental Challenges and Opportunities.

tRNAs are essential molecules in protein synthesis, responsible for translating the four-nucleotide genetic code into the corresponding amino acid sequence. RNA modifications play a crucial role in influencing tRNA folding, structure, and function. These modifications, ranging from simple methylations to complex hypermodified species, are distributed throughout the tRNA molecule.

Special screw corridors and imaging in pelvic ring trauma.

Adequate intraoperative visualization is mandatory for implant application in pelvic ring injuries. Several fluoroscopic X-ray views are in practical use. The gold standard primary X-ray is the anteroposterior view of the pelvis.

Host hepatocyte senescence determines the success of hepatocyte transplantation in a mouse model of liver injury.

Background & Aims: Hepatocyte transplantation has shown promise for genetic diseases of the hepatocytes but to date has shown limited efficacy for non-genetic forms of severe liver injury. Limited cell engraftment and poor function of donor hepatocytes in recipient livers impacts the clinical utility of hepatocyte cell therapy. The mechanisms underpinning this are poorly understood.

Nonhuman primate antigenic cartography of SARS-CoV-2.

Virus neutralization profiles against primary infection sera and corresponding antigenic cartography are integral part of the COVID-19 and influenza vaccine strain selection processes. Human single variant exposure sera have previously defined the antigenic relationships among SARS-CoV-2 variants but are now largely unavailable due to widespread population immunity. Therefore, antigenic characterization of future SARS-CoV-2 variants will require an animal model, analogous to using ferrets for influenza virus.

Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of miraDry Procedure in the Treatment of Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis.

Introduction: Primary axillary hyperhidrosis significantly impacts the quality of life of affected individuals. miraDry, a non-invasive local precisely controlled thermal energy procedure, represents a promising treatment option. This retrospective analysis aimed to evaluate the treatment success and patient safety following miraDry procedure in the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis.

Behind the scenes of EQA - characteristics, capabilities, benefits and assets of external quality assessment (EQA).

This is the first in a series of five papers that detail the role and substantial impact that external quality assessment (EQA) and their providers' services play in ensuring diagnostic (IVD) performance quality. The aim is to give readers and users of EQA services an insight into the processes in EQA, explain to them what happens before EQA samples are delivered and after examination results are submitted to the provider, how they are assessed, what benefits participants can expect, but also who are stakeholders other than participants and what significance do EQA data and assessment results have for them. This first paper presents the history of EQA, insights into legal, financing and ethical matters, information technology used in EQA, structure and lifecycle of EQA programs, frequency and intensity of challenges, and unique requirements of extra-examination and educational EQA programs.

Reliability of the OMERACT Giant cell arteritis Ultrasonography Score (OGUS): results of a patient-based exercise involving experts and non-experts in vascular ultrasonography.

Objective: To test the reliability of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Giant cell arteritis (GCA) Ultrasonography Score (OGUS) and other composite scores in a patient-based exercise involving experts and non-experts in vascular ultrasonography.

Methods: Six GCA patients were scanned twice (two rounds separated ≥3 hours) by 12 experts and 12 non-experts. Non-experts received 90 min of theoretical and 240 min of practical training between rounds 1 and 2.

Behind the scenes of EQA - characteristics, capabilities, benefits and assets of external quality assessment (EQA).

External quality assessment (EQA) cycles are the smallest complete units within EQA programs that laboratories can use to obtain external assessments of their performance. In each cycle, several samples are distributed to the laboratories registered for participation, and ideally, EQA programs not only cover the examination procedures but also the pre- and post-examination procedures. The properties and concentration range of measurands in individual samples are selected with regard to the intended challenge for the participants so that each sample fulfils its purpose.

Behind the scenes of EQA - characteristics, capabilities, benefits and assets of external quality assessment (EQA).

External quality assessment (EQA) enhances patient safety through the evaluation of the quality of laboratory-based and point of care testing. Regulatory agencies and accreditation organizations utilize the results and the laboratory's response to them as part of assessing the laboratory's fitness to practice. In addition, where EQA samples are commutable and the assigned value has been determined using reference measurement procedures (RMPs), EQA data contributes to the verification of metrological traceability of assays as part of the post-market surveillance of diagnostic (IVD) medical devices (IVD-MDs).

Behind the scenes of EQA - characteristics, capabilities, benefits and assets of external quality assessment (EQA).

Providers of external quality assessment (EQA) programs evaluate data or information obtained and reported by participant laboratories using their routine procedures to examine properties or measurands in samples provided for this purpose. EQA samples must offer participants an equal chance to obtain accurate results, while being designed to provide results in clinically relevant ranges. It is the responsibility of the EQA provider to meet the necessary requirements for homogeneity, stability and some other properties of the EQA items in order to offer participants a fair, reliable and technically interesting EQA experience.

Thalamic deep brain stimulation for central poststroke pain syndrome: an international multicenter study.

Objective: The effectiveness and optimal stimulation site of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for central poststroke pain (CPSP) remain elusive. The objective of this retrospective international multicenter study was to assess clinical as well as neuroimaging-based predictors of long-term outcomes after DBS for CPSP.

Methods: The authors analyzed patient-based clinical and neuroimaging data of previously published and unpublished cohorts from 6 international DBS centers.

Diagnosis and treatment of autonomic failure, pain and sleep disturbances in Parkinson's disease: guideline "Parkinson's disease" of the German Society of Neurology.

Background And Objective: Non-motor symptoms frequently develop throughout the disease course of Parkinson's disease (PD), and pose affected individuals at risk of complications, more rapid disease progression and poorer quality of life. Addressing such symptom burden, the 2023 revised "Parkinson's disease" guideline of the German Society of Neurology aimed at providing evidence-based recommendations for managing PD non-motor symptoms, including autonomic failure, pain and sleep disturbances.

Methods: Key PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) questions were formulated by the steering committee and refined by the assigned authors.