Lost and found: dynamics of relationship and employment status over time in people with affective and psychotic spectrum disorders.

Background: Employment and relationship are crucial for social integration. However, individuals with major psychiatric disorders often face challenges in these domains.

Aims: We investigated employment and relationship status changes among patients across the affective and psychotic spectrum - in comparison with healthy controls, examining whether diagnostic groups or functional levels influence these transitions.

Dual-layer dual-energy CT characterization of thrombus composition in acute pulmonary embolism and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

To evaluate dual-layer dual-energy computed tomography (dlDECT)-based characterization of thrombus composition for differentiation of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). This retrospective single center cohort study included 49 patients with acute PE and 33 patients with CTEPH who underwent CT pulmonary angiography on a dlDECT from 06/2016 to 06/2022. Conventional images), material specific images (virtual non-contrast [VNC], iodine density overlay [IDO], electron density [ED]), and virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) were analyzed.

Contrasting genetic burden for bipolar disorder: Early onset versus late onset in an older adult bipolar disorder sample.

Older Adults with Bipolar Disorder (OABD) represent a heterogeneous group, including those with early and late onset of the disorder. Recent evidence shows both groups have distinct clinical, cognitive, and medical features, tied to different neurobiological profiles. This study explored the link between polygenic risk scores (PRS) for bipolar disorder (PRS-BD), schizophrenia (PRS-SCZ), and major depressive disorder (PRS-MDD) with age of onset in OABD.

Simulated Gastrointestinal Fluids Impact the Stability of Polymer-Functionalized Selenium Nanoparticles: Physicochemical Aspects.

Background: Selenium (Se) is a vital micronutrient for maintaining homeostasis in the human body. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have demonstrated improved bioavailability compared to both inorganic and organic forms of Se. Therefore, supplementing with elemental Se in its nano-form is highly promising for biomedical applications related to Se deficiency.

Harnessing magnetism: evaluation of safety, tolerance and feasibility of magnetic kidney stone retrieval in vivo in porcine models.

The primary objective of urolithiasis therapy is complete stone removal and highest stone-clearance rates possible to minimize recurrence. A novel approach that employs a magnetic suspension and a magnetic probe for the passive collection and removal of small residual fragments was developed. This study assessed the feasibility of this system in porcine models.

First-year dynamics of the anaerobic microbiome and archaeome in infants' oral and gastrointestinal systems.

Unlabelled: Recent research provides new insights into the early establishment of the infant gut microbiome, emphasizing the influence of breastfeeding on the development of gastrointestinal microbiomes. In our study, we longitudinally examined the taxonomic and functional dynamics of the oral and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiomes of healthy infants ( = 30) in their first year, focusing on the often-over-looked aspects, the development of archaeal and anaerobic microbiomes. Breastfed (BF) infants exhibit a more defined transitional phase in their oral microbiome compared to non-breastfed (NBF) infants, marked by a decrease in and the emergence of anaerobic genera such as .

Impact of molecular classification on prognosis in children and adolescents with spinal ependymoma: Results from the HIT-MED database.

Background: Ependymomas of the spinal cord are rare among children and adolescents, and the individual risk of disease progression is difficult to predict. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic impact of molecular typing on pediatric spinal cord ependymomas.

Methods: Eighty-three patients with spinal ependymomas ≤22 years registered in the HIT-MED database (German brain tumor registry for children, adolescents, and adults with medulloblastoma, ependymoma, pineoblastoma, and CNS-primitive neuroectodermal tumors) between 1992 and 2022 were included.

Reverse-engineering the Venus figurines: An eco-life-course hypothesis for the aetiology of obesity in the Palaeolithic.

Evolutionary perspectives on obesity have been dominated by genetic frameworks, but plastic responses are also central to its aetiology. While often considered a relatively modern phenomenon, obesity was recorded during the Palaeolithic through small statuettes of the female form (Venus figurines). Even if the phenotype was rare, these statuettes indicate that some women achieved large body sizes during the last glacial maximum, a period of nutritional stress.

Severe pulmonary hypertension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - From clinical perspective to histological evidence.

Severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently defined by an elevated mean pulmonary arterial pressure and strongly elevated pulmonary vascular resistance >5 wood units. Clinically, these patients show a male predominance, and usually present with very severe dyspnea, severe hypoxemia, strongly decreased exercise capacity and poor prognosis, even though the clinical picture is frequently associated with less severe airflow obstruction. Explanted lung samples of patients with COPD and severe PH show severe remodeling of small pulmonary arterioles, predominantly in the intima and media of the vessels.

Intraoperative Hyperspectral Imaging Predicts Early Allograft Dysfunction and Overall Survival in Liver Transplantation.

Objective: This study explored the novel application of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) for in vivo allograft perfusion assessment during liver transplantation (LT) and its potential value for predicting early allograft dysfunction (EAD), graft, and overall survival (OS).

Background: LT is a well-established therapy for acute and chronic liver diseases, with excellent outcomes. However, a significant proportion of recipients experience EAD, which affects graft and OS.

The effects of plasma exchange and glucocorticoids on early kidney function among patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis in the PEXIVAS trial.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (PLEX) is an adjunctive treatment for patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis and kidney involvement. Little is known about the effect of PLEX on early changes in kidney function. This post-hoc analysis of the PEXIVAS trial investigated the effects of PLEX on changes in kidney function within 12 months.

Target trial emulation to evaluate the effect of immune-related adverse events on outcomes in metastatic urothelial cancer.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are an important therapeutic pillar in metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). The occurrence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) appears to be associated with improved outcomes in observational studies. However, these associations are likely affected by immortal time bias and do not represent causal effects.

Local anaesthesia vs. brachial plexus block in trapeziometacarpal joint arthroplasty.

Introduction: An established anaesthetic procedure used during total trapeziometacarpal joint (TMCJ) arthroplasty is the brachial plexus block (BPB). It was hypothesized that local anaesthesia (LA) provides advantages in overall cost, enables intraoperative assessment of the prosthesis, and minimises the anaesthetic risk. In this study, LA to BPB was compared and outcomes, safety, and overall patient satisfaction were analyzed.

Inflammation remains a dynamic component of portal hypertension in regressive alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Background: Portal hypertension (PH) resulting from static and dynamic intrahepatic changes drives liver-related complications even after removing the underlying aetiological factor.

Objective: We investigated the impact of inflammation on the dynamic component of PH during disease regression in animal models of toxin-induced cirrhosis and patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Methods: In mice, cirrhosis was induced via toxin application for 12 weeks followed by toxin-withdrawal allowing for one or 2 weeks of regression.

De-escalating and discontinuing disease-modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis.

The development of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been highly successful in recent decades. It is now widely accepted that early initiation of DMTs after disease onset is associated with a better long-term prognosis. However, the question of when and how to de-escalate or discontinue DMTs remains open and critical.

Neonates exposed to HIV but uninfected exhibit an altered gut microbiota and inflammation associated with impaired breast milk antibody function.

Background: Infants exposed to HIV but uninfected have altered immune profiles which include heightened systemic inflammation. The mechanism(s) underlying this phenomenon is unknown. Here, we investigated differences in neonatal gut bacterial and viral microbiome and associations with inflammatory biomarkers in plasma.

Hymenoptera venom allergy in children.

From a taxonomic point of view, Hymenoptera are subclassified into families: Apidae, including honeybees (Apis mellifera) and bumblebees (Bombus), and Vespidae, which, in turn, are divided into the subfamilies of Vespinae (wasps, including hornets, vespules, dolichovespules) and Polistinae (paper wasp). Hypersensitivity to Hymenoptera venom can be linked to immunological (IgE-mediated or non-IgE-mediated) and non-immunological mechanisms. Reactions are classified into local reactions, large local reactions, systemic reactions, toxic reactions, and unusual reactions.

Clinical importance of patient-reported outcome measures in severe asthma: results from U-BIOPRED.

Rationale: Knowledge about the clinical importance of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in severe asthma is limited.

Objectives: To assess whether and to what extent asthma exacerbations affect changes in PROMS over time and asthma-specific PROMs can predict exacerbations in adult patients with severe asthma in usual care.

Methods: Data of 421 patients with severe asthma (62% female; mean age 51.

Effect of IV Thrombolysis With Alteplase in Patients With Vessel Occlusion in the WAKE-UP Trial.

Background And Objectives: Data from randomized trials on the treatment effect of pure thrombolysis in patients with vessel occlusion are lacking. We examined data from a corresponding subsample of patients from the multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled WAKE-UP trial to determine whether MRI-guided IV thrombolysis with alteplase in unknown-onset ischemic stroke benefits patients presenting with vessel occlusion.

Methods: Patients with an acute ischemic lesion visible on MRI diffusion-weighted imaging but no marked parenchymal hyperintensity on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images were randomized to treatment with IV alteplase or placebo.

Protocol for flow cytometry immunophenotyping of human antigen-specific T cells by activation-induced marker and Th1 cytokine detection.

Flow cytometry characterization of antigen-specific polyfunctional T cells is a valuable tool to study adaptive immunity. Here, we present a protocol for flow cytometry immunophenotyping of human antigen-specific T cells by activation-induced marker (AIM) and Th1 cytokine detection. We describe steps for preparing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for stimulation followed by washing and staining PBMCs for flow cytometry.

Dual antiplatelet therapy after minor strokes or high-risk TIA: Evidence from the Austrian stroke registry.

Background And Purpose: Three large, randomized trials demonstrated the benefit of short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) versus monotherapy after non-cardioembolic minor stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA). The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of DAPT versus monotherapy on functional outcomes and safety in a real-life setting.

Methods: Patients with minor stroke (NIHSS <4) or high-risk TIA (ABCD2 score ≥4) of non-cardioembolic origin without major vessel occlusion or revascularization therapy (thrombolysis or thrombectomy) treated between 2018 and 2023 were analyzed based on a prospective nationwide stroke unit registry.

Age- and sex-related variations in extracellular vesicle profiling for the assessment of cardiovascular risk: the EVaging index.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) offer valuable diagnostic and prognostic insights for cardiovascular (CV) diseases, but the influence of age-related chronic inflammation ("inflammaging") and sex differences on EV profiles linked to CV risk remains unclear. This study aimed to use EV profiling to predict age and stratify patients by CV risk. We developed an EVaging index by analyzing surface antigen profiles of serum EVs from 625 participants, aged 20 to 94 years, across varying CV risk groups.

AI-based classification of anticancer drugs reveals nucleolar condensation as a predictor of immunogenicity.

Background: Immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducers are often identified in phenotypic screening campaigns by the release or surface exposure of various danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from malignant cells. This study aimed to streamline the identification of ICD inducers by leveraging cellular morphological correlates of ICD, specifically the condensation of nucleoli (CON).

Methods: We applied artificial intelligence (AI)-based imaging analyses to Cell Paint-stained cells exposed to drug libraries, identifying CON as a marker for ICD.