Influence of individualized prevention recommendations after one year on the control of hypertension in 3,868 follow-up participants of the ELITE study.

Objectives: The ELITE study (German acronym for "Nutrition, lifestyle and individual information for prevention of heart attack, stroke and dementia") prospectively collects data on hypertension, cardiovascular risk factors (RF), dietary habits, physical activity, cognitive function, and quality of life in North-West Germany, which will then be improved through targeted individual information. The aim of the study is to improve the health of the participants in the long term and to identify reasons for a lack of implementation of prevention measures.

Methods: Of 4,602 included subjects, 3,868 could be studied so far at one-year follow-up.

Comparison of radiation exposure and surgery time between an intraoperative CT with automatic surface registration and a preoperative CT with manual surface registration in navigated spinal surgeries.

Purpose: This retrospective matched case-control study was conducted to compare two CT based surgery techniques for navigated screw placement in spinal surgery, whether a reduction of radiation exposure and surgery time could be achieved.

Methods: We matched cases treated with an intraoperative CT (iCT), regarding the type and number of implants, with cases treated with a preoperative CT (pCT) of one main surgeon. Outcome measures were radiation exposure due to intraoperative control x-rays, radiation exposure due to CT images, and the duration of surgery.

Phrenic Nerve Injury During Cryoballoon-Based Pulmonary Vein Isolation: Results of the Worldwide YETI Registry.

Background: Cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has emerged as an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation. The most frequent complication during cryoballoon-based PVI is phrenic nerve injury (PNI). However, data on PNI are scarce.

Relationship between Lipoprotein(a) and cardiovascular risk factors-data from 4602 participants of the ELITE study.

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is becoming increasingly important as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Since no effective therapy currently exists other than lipid apheresis, the recommendation remains to optimally adjust all other cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). In a Northwest German population study, the frequency of elevated Lp(a) levels and all other CVRF was investigated.

The Communication between Ocular Surface and Nasal Epithelia in 3D Cell Culture Technology for Translational Research: A Narrative Review.

There is a lack of knowledge regarding the connection between the ocular and nasal epithelia. This narrative review focuses on conjunctival, corneal, ultrastructural corneal stroma, and nasal epithelia as well as an introduction into their interconnections. We describe in detail the morphology and physiology of the ocular surface, the nasolacrimal ducts, and the nasal cavity.

Weight Gain after Interferon-Free Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C-Results from the German Hepatitis C-Registry (DHC-R).

Chronic hepatitis C can be treated very effectively with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) with only minor side effects compared to an interferon-containing treatment regimen. The significance of metabolic comorbidities after HCV cure is not well defined. This study aims to investigate short- and long-term weight change of patients receiving interferon-free antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C.

One-stage bilateral versus unilateral short-stem total hip arthroplasty: A matched-pair analysis of 216 hips.

Background: One-stage, bilateral, short-stem total hip arthroplasty (1B-ssTHA) represents an alternative to staged, unilateral, short-stem total hip arthroplasty (U-ssTHA); however, the safety and reliability of 1B-ssTHA remain unknown. The objective of the present study was to compare the functional outcomes, complications, and mortality rates between 1B-ssTHA and U-ssTHA at mid-term.

Methods: A retrospective, matched-pair study was performed, including 216 short stems implanted in 162 patients.

Downsizing in total hip arthroplasty. A short stem as a revision implant.

Background: Short stems have constantly gained popularity in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) over the last decade. Although cementless short stems are not primarily designed to be used as revision implants, there may be certain indications for which downsizing the femoral component in failed conventional THA is potentially advantageous.

Methods: In this single center retrospective case series, six patients who underwent revision using a calcar-guided short stem after failed THA are presented.

Sexual Disorders in Women with Overactive Bladder and Urinary Stress Incontinence Compared to Controls: A Prospective Study.

Female urinary incontinence (UI) has a negative impact on sexual function and sexual quality of life (QoL) in women. But there is still no consensus on the type of UI or the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD). The aim of the study was to evaluate sexual disorders in women with overactive bladder (OAB) compared to patients with urinary stress incontinence (SUI) and healthy controls.

Comparison of carbon ion and photon reirradiation for recurrent glioblastoma.

Purpose: Purpose of this study was to investigate overall survival in recurrent glioblastoma treated with either carbon ion reirradiation or photon reirradiation.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study we evaluated 78 consecutive patients with recurrent IDH (Isocitrate dehydrogenase)-wildtype glioblastoma (38 patients carbon ion re-radiotherapy, 40 patients photon re-radiotherapy) treated with either carbon ion reirradiation or stereotactic photon reirradiation. 45 Gy (RBE; 15 fractions) carbon ion reirradiation (CIRT) or 39 Gy (13 fractions) photon reirradiation (FSRT) was administered, respectively.

[Acute Cholecystitis in high-risk surgical patients: sonographic and endoscopic treatment options].

Cholecystectomy is the gold standard in the treatment of acute cholecystitis, but has a significantly increased risk in multimorbid patients or in the severe course of acute cholecystitis. In such cases, drainage of the damaged gallbladder in combination with antibiotic therapy may be superior to primary surgery. The drainage can either be performed as sonographically guided percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage or as EUS-guided transmural stent placement or endoscopic-transpapillary gallbladder drainage.

Calcar-guided short-stem total hip arthroplasty: Will it be the future standard? Review and perspectives.

Short stems in total hip arthroplasty (THA) are becoming increasingly popular. In Germany, already 10.4% of all primary THAs are performed using a cementless short stem.

Safety and acute efficacy of cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation at community hospitals.

Aims: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using cryoballoon ablation (CBA) is an established procedure for treating symptomatic paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). The safety and efficacy of PVI performed at community hospitals are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and acute efficacy of PVI using CBA performed at community hospitals with limited annual case numbers.

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) to treat acute-on-chronic liver failure: A multicenter randomized trial (GRAFT study).

Background & Aims: Based on positive results from small single center studies, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is being widely used for the treatment of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Herein, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of G-CSF in patients with ACLF.

Methods: In this multicenter, prospective, controlled, open-label phase II study, 176 patients with ACLF (EASL-CLIF criteria) were randomized to receive G-CSF (5 μg/kg daily for the first 5 days and every third day thereafter until day 26) plus standard medical therapy (SMT) (n = 88) or SMT alone.

Non-invasive assessment of fibrosis regression and portal hypertension in patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated liver disease and sustained virologic response (SVR): 3 years follow-up of a prospective longitudinal study.

Long-term effects on cirrhosis and portal hypertension of direct antiviral agent (DAA)-based eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) are still under debate. We analysed dynamics of liver and spleen elastography to assess potential regression of cirrhosis and portal hypertension 3 years post-treatment. Fifty-four patients with HCV-associated cirrhosis and DAA-induced SVR were included.

Expression of Surface-associated 82 kDa proMMP-9 in Lymphatic Leukemia Blast Cells Differentially Correlates With Prognosis.

Background/aim: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) degrade extracellular matrix and process regulatory proteins. Recently, a membrane-bound 82kDa variant of proMMP-9 identified on myeloid blasts was shown to be associated with prognosis.

Patients And Methods: To investigate the role of 82kDa proMMP-9 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL), we performed flow-cytometry analysis of expression on ALL blasts (n=18) and CLL lymphocytes (n=21) from blood and correlated data with clinical parameters.

Secondary resistance to anti-EGFR therapy by transcriptional reprogramming in patient-derived colorectal cancer models.

Background: The development of secondary resistance (SR) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) antibodies is not fully understood at the molecular level. Here we tested in vivo selection of anti-EGFR SR tumors in CRC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models as a strategy for a molecular dissection of SR mechanisms.

Methods: We analyzed 21 KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and PI3K wildtype CRC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models for their anti-EGFR sensitivity.

Football beats hypertension: results of the 3F (Fit&Fun with Football) study.

Objectives: Football as the most popular sport could improve insufficient physical activity in patients with cardiovascular risk factors. A modified 'healthy' football training format could motivate hypertensive patients to return to sport and improve risk factors.

Methods: The 3F study: 'Fit and Fun with Football' a prospective interventional study with 1 year follow-up.

Endometrial Cancer Lymphadenectomy Trial (ECLAT) (pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in patients with stage I or II endometrial cancer with high risk of recurrence; AGO-OP.6).

Background: The impact of comprehensive pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy on survival in patients with stage I or II endometrial cancer with a high risk of recurrence is not reliably documented. The side effects of this procedure, including lymphedema and lymph cysts, are evident.

Primary Objective: Evaluation of the effect of comprehensive pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in the absence of bulky nodes on 5 year overall survival of patients with endometrial cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages I and II) and a high risk of recurrence.

Hepatitis C virus: Current steps toward elimination in Germany and barriers to reaching the 2030 goal.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects over 70 million people globally, with an estimated 399 000 HCV-related deaths in 2016. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a goal to eliminate HCV by 2030. Despite the availability of direct-acting antivirals-highly effective and well-tolerated therapies for HCV-many patients infected with HCV in Germany have not initiated treatment, including a majority of those who are aware of their positive diagnosis.

Preinfection laboratory parameters may predict COVID-19 severity in tumor patients.

Background: Infection with SARS-CoV-2 leads to COVID-19, the course of which is highly variable and depends on numerous patient-specific risk factors. Patients with tumor diseases are considered to be more susceptible to severe COVID-19; however, they also represent a heterogeneous group of individuals with variable risk. Identifying specific risk factors for a severe course of COVID-19 in patients with cancer is of great importance.

Acupuncture at the auricular branch of the vagus nerve enhances heart rate variability in humans: An exploratory study.

Background: Recent animal and human studies have shown antiarrhythmic effects inhibiting inducibility of atrial fibrillation through low-level transcutaneous electrical stimulation at the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN).

Objective: The present study investigated effects of acupuncture at the ABVN on the autonomic cardiac nervous system in humans through analysis of heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters.

Methods: We enrolled 24 healthy male volunteers and compared acupuncture at the ABVN to placebo-acupuncture performed at the Ma-35 point (an acupuncture point used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat pain caused by gonarthrosis).

Ewing Sarcoma-Diagnosis, Treatment, Clinical Challenges and Future Perspectives.

Ewing sarcoma, a highly aggressive bone and soft-tissue cancer, is considered a prime example of the paradigms of a translocation-positive sarcoma: a genetically rather simple disease with a specific and neomorphic-potential therapeutic target, whose oncogenic role was irrefutably defined decades ago. This is a disease that by definition has micrometastatic disease at diagnosis and a dismal prognosis for patients with macrometastatic or recurrent disease. International collaborations have defined the current standard of care in prospective studies, delivering multiple cycles of systemic therapy combined with local treatment; both are associated with significant morbidity that may result in strong psychological and physical burden for survivors.