Evaluating the Mechanical Axis for Detection of Posterior Tibial Slope Malalignment in ACL-Deficient Knees on Lateral Radiographs.

Background: Distal tibial deformities are not assessed using the proximal anatomical axis (PAA) to determine the posterior tibial slope (PTS). Therefore, it seems advantageous to measure PTS on full-length lateral tibial radiographs using the mechanical axis (MA).

Purposes: To (1) compare the PTS measurements using the MA and the PAA and (2) determine whether using the PAA fails to detect a certain number of significantly elevated PTS values compared with using the MA.

Milestone events in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB): findings of the PEBLES Study.

Background: In recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), complications like oesophageal strictures, hand contractures, cardiomyopathy and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) may develop, necessitating procedures such as oesophageal dilatation (OD), gastrostomy tube placement and hand surgery.

Objectives: To determine prevalence and age of onset of milestone events by RDEB subtype, specifically dysphagia, first OD, first gastrostomy tube, first hand surgery, cardiomyopathy, first SCC and death.

Methods: The Prospective Epidermolysis Bullosa Longitudinal Evaluation Study (PEBLES) is a register study of individuals with RDEB which records comprehensive EB- and non-EB-related health information.

Tumour size is associated with growth rates of >0.5 cm/year and delayed intervention in small renal masses in patients on active surveillance.

Objective: To evaluate the association between tumour size and the growth rate (GR) of small renal masses (SRMs) in patients managed by active surveillance (AS).

Materials And Methods: We queried the prospective, multi-institutional Delayed Intervention and Surveillance for Small Renal Masses (DISSRM) registry for patients on AS with an imaging interval of ≥6 months, identifying 456 patients. We tracked tumour size over time; a GR >0.

Efficacy and Safety of Mechanical Thrombectomy in Distal Medium Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Ischemic Stroke Patients on Low-Dose Aspirin.

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) from distal medium vessel occlusion (DMVO) presents unique treatment challenges. Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is emerging as a viable option for these patients, yet the role of pre-stroke aspirin treatment is unclear. This study evaluates the impact of pre-stroke low-dose aspirin on outcomes in DMVO patients undergoing MT.

A national survey on gastroenterology and hepatology training reveals dissimilar perceptions between trainees and trainers and an important need for improvement in training programs.

Objective: We aimed to collect data on gastroenterology and hepatology training from the viewpoint of trainees and trainers.

Methods: A national online survey was distributed among trainees and specialists at certified training institutions between February and May 2024.

Results: Overall, 226 respondents - 98 trainees, 78 trainers, 50 program directors, and department heads responded, with a national coverage of 70% of trainees and 85% of specialty-department heads.

Protective activity of adipose-derived stem cell extracellular vesicles in ischemia and/or reperfusion.

Increasing evidence of the significant clinical value of protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury has contributed to the realization of the independent importance of this approach in improving prognosis and reducing cardiovascular mortality. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived by adipose mesenchymal stem cells may mediate the paracrine effects of stem cells and provide regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties, which are enhanced by γ-aminobutyric acid. The protective effects on cardiac myocytes may result from the EV embarked by miR-21-5p, which is a target for thioredoxin-interacting protein, regulating the formation of thioredoxin-interacting protein-thioredoxin complexes and subsequently enhancing the antioxidant activity of thioredoxin.

Predictive value of the systemic immune inflammation index in recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation.

The recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients after successful radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) appears to be an unresolved clinical issue and needs to be clearly elucidated. There are many factors associated with AF recurrence, such as duration of AF, male sex, concomitant heart failure, hemodynamic parameters, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, hyperthyroidism, smoking and obesity. However, the inflammatory changes are strongly associated with electrical and structural cardiac remodeling, cardiac damage, myocardial fibrotic changes, microvascular dysfunction and altered reparative response.

Feature Selection for Physical Activity Prediction Using Ecological Momentary Assessments to Personalize Intervention Timing: Longitudinal Observational Study.

Background: There has been a surge in the development of apps that aim to improve health, physical activity (PA), and well-being through behavior change. These apps often focus on creating a long-term and sustainable impact on the user. Just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) that are based on passive sensing of the user's current context (eg, via smartphones and wearables) have been devised to enhance the effectiveness of these apps and foster PA.

Dental Rehabilitation After Microvascular Reconstruction of Segmental Jaw Defects: A Ten-Year Follow-Up.

: Defects in maxillary and mandibular continuity are common in maxillofacial practice. They can occur after trauma, osteonecrosis, congenital jaw deformities, or surgical resection of benign or malignant tumours. Reconstruction with microvascular bone flaps and subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation is considered the contemporary first line treatment.

Changes in the Microcirculation and Physiologic Perfusion Dynamics of Free DIEP Flaps in the First 72 h After Breast Reconstruction.

The autologous reconstruction of the female breast using a microsurgical DIEP flap is a reliable and safe method. To detect impairments early and preserve the microvascular flap through timely revision, a better understanding of physiologic perfusion dynamics is necessary. This exploratory study examines changes in microcirculation in free DIEP flaps within the first 72 h after vascular anastomosis using laser Doppler flowmetry and white-light spectrophotometry.

Three-Dimensional Planning for Vascularized Bone Grafts: Implementation and Surgical Application for Complex Bone Reconstruction in the Hand and Forearm.

Vascularized bone grafts have been successfully established for complex bone defects. The integration of three-dimensional (3D) simulation and printing technology may aid in more precise surgical planning and intraoperative bone shaping. The purpose of the present study was to describe the implementation and surgical application of this innovative technology for bone reconstruction.

Risk Factor Analysis of Ski and Snowboard Injuries During the 2023/2024 Winter Season: A Single, High-Volume Trauma Center Database Analysis.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the epidemiology of slope-related accidents in a high-volume trauma center during the winter season. In addition, this study aims to analyze patient-related, equipment-related, and environment-related characteristics. A questionnaire containing 22 items was distributed to all adult patients admitted to the emergency department of the Brixen Hospital (Italy) during the 2023/24 winter season because of a ski/snowboard-related injury.

Epidemiological Characteristics and Prognostic Scoring in Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: Insights from a 17-Year Burn Center Experience.

: Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) are rare yet life-threatening dermatologic conditions characterized by severe skin and mucous membrane involvement. Accurate prognostic systems are crucial for clinical management to assess disease severity and predict outcomes. The primary objective of this study was to assess the epidemiological characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and SJS/TEN overlap over a 17-year period at a specialized burn center.

Intrathecal Immunoglobulin A Synthesis in Multiple Sclerosis: From Biological Aspects to Clinical Relevance.

Intrathecal immunoglobulin A (IgA) synthesis in multiple sclerosis (MS) has long earned little attention, despite a potential significance in disease pathogenesis and prognosis. The presence of IgA-positive plasma cells in MS lesions and along damaged axons suggests a role in disease pathogenesis. Available clinical evidence about a potential positive or negative prognostic role is scarce and inconclusive.

Does Total Neoadjuvant Therapy Impact Surgical Precision in Total Mesorectal Excision? A Nationwide Survey of the Experiences of Expert Surgeons.

Background: The treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) has steadily progressed over the past four decades, with recent focus shifting towards total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT). This survey aims to elucidate the perceived surgical challenges faced by Austrian colorectal surgeons performing total mesorectal excision (TME), focusing on the increased complexity and surgical difficulty introduced by intensified treatment regimens.

Methods: A comprehensive survey was conducted among Austrian colorectal surgeons to explore various aspects of managing and performing TME following TNT.

Prognostic Factors in Therapy Regimes of Breast Cancer Patients with Brain Metastases: A Retrospective Monocentric Analysis.

Breast cancer patients who develop brain metastases have a high mortality rate and a massive decrease in quality of life. Approximately 10-15% of all patients with breast cancer (BC) and 5-40% of all patients with metastatic BC develop brain metastasis (BM) during the course of the disease. However, there is only limited knowledge about prognostic factors in the treatment of patients with brain metastases in breast cancer (BMBC).

Frontal Plane Knee Kinematics and Kinetics During Gait in Children and Youth with Achondroplasia-Correspondence with Static X-Ray Images and Relevance to Symptoms.

: Frontal knee malalignments are hallmarks of Achondroplasia (ACH), along with disproportional short stature. Typically, X-rays are used to assess them, but 3D gait analysis (3DGA) may additionally be used to evaluate dynamic knee function. The research questions were as follows: (1) What is the relationship between X-rays and 3DGA in ACH? (2) Do children with ACH have abnormal frontal knee kinematics and kinetics? (3) Are there aspects of 3DGA that relate to knee symptoms? : A total of 62 knees of 31 children with ACH (age: 11.

Parental perception of treatment options for mucopolysaccharidosis: a survey to bridge the gap for personalized medicine.

Background: Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) are a group of lysosomal storage diseases with substantial unmet medical needs-for both patients and caregivers. Approved therapies are limited, and the perception of investigative ones remains enigmatic.

Method: Using an innovative survey concept based on the discrete choice experiment method (DEC) with neuronopathic and non-neuronopathic patient scenarios, we aimed to evaluate how parents of children with MPS perceive different approved and innovative therapies.

Diagnostic Value of Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor-Targeted PET Imaging in Oncology: A Systematic Review.

Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), overexpressed in various cancers, is a promising target for positron emission tomography (PET). This systematic review investigated the diagnostic value of GRPR-targeted PET imaging in oncology. A systematic search was conducted on major medical databases until May 23, 2024.

Clinical outcomes of patients with unsuccessful mechanical thrombectomy versus best medical management of medium vessel occlusion stroke in the middle cerebral artery territory.

Background: Current randomized controlled trials are investigating the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with medium vessel occlusion (MeVO) stroke. Whether best medical management (MM) is more efficient than unsuccessful vessel recanalization during MT remains unknown.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using data from 37 academic centers across North America, Asia, and Europe between September 2017 and July 2021.

[Ergonomic Load on the Surgical Team during Open, Laparoscopic and Robot-assisted Surgical Procedures].

The aim of this work is to investigate the ergonomic load on the surgical team during open, laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgical procedures.Employees of the Salzburg State Hospitals (SALK) were invited to take part in a standardised online survey in December 2023. The extent and differences in psychophysical stress for the individual professional groups and specialists were examined for different surgical procedures.

Aberrant auditory prediction patterns robustly characterize tinnitus.

Phantom perceptions like tinnitus occur without any identifiable environmental or bodily source. The mechanisms and key drivers behind tinnitus are poorly understood. The dominant framework, suggesting that tinnitus results from neural hyperactivity in the auditory pathway following hearing damage, has been difficult to investigate in humans and has reached explanatory limits.

Randomised In Vitro Study Investigating PEEP-Stability During Application of CPAP With Binasal Prongs and Face Masks.

Aim: Face masks and binasal prongs are commonly used interfaces for applying continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in neonatology. We aimed to assess CPAP stability in a randomised controlled in vitro study.

Methods: In a simulated resuscitation scenario of a 1000-g preterm infant with respiratory distress, 20 operators (10 with/without neonatology experience) aimed to maintain a CPAP of 5 cmHO as precisely as possible using face masks or binasal prongs in random order.