Photodynamic Therapy with Protoporphyrin IX Precursors Using Artificial Daylight Improves Skin Antisepsis for Orthopedic Surgeries.

Classical preoperative skin antisepsis is insufficient in completely eliminating bacterial skin colonization for arthroplasty. In contrast, photodynamic therapy (PDT) with red light and methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL), combined with skin antisepsis, led to the absence of bacterial growth in healthy participants, though with local skin erythema, posing an obstacle for orthopedic surgery. Therefore, we explored whether artificial daylight PDT (PDT-DL) was superior to red light.

Control of BKPyV-DNAemia by a Tailored Viro-Immunologic Approach Does Not Lead to BKPyV-Nephropathy Progression and Development of Donor-Specific Antibodies in Pediatric Kidney Transplantation.

Polyomavirus BK (BKPyV)-associated nephropathy (BKPyV-nephropathy) remains a significant cause of premature kidney allograft failure. In the absence of effective antiviral treatments, current therapeutic approaches rely on immunosuppression (IS) reduction, possibly at the risk of inducing alloimmunity. Therefore, we sought to explore the long-term effects of a tailored viro-immunologic surveillance and treatment program for BKPyV on the development of alloimmunity and kidney graft outcome.

Hereditary Breast Cancer: Comprehensive Risk Assessment and Prevention Strategies.

Women carrying pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants in moderate- or high-penetrance genes have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. However, most P/LP variants associated with breast cancer risk show incomplete penetrance. Age, gender, family history, polygenic risk, lifestyle, reproductive, hormonal, and environmental factors can affect the expressivity and penetrance of the disease.

From Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRNs) to Polynucleotides (PNs): Bridging the Gap Between Scientific Definitions, Molecular Insights, and Clinical Applications of Multifunctional Biomolecules.

Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRNs) and polynucleotides (PNs) are similar DNA-derived biopolymers that have garnered significant scientific attention since the 1990s for their potential applications in wound healing and skin rejuvenation. These biopolymers exhibit a broad molecular weight (MW) range, typically spanning from 50 to 1500 kDa. However, recent studies have expanded this range to encompass fragments as small as 1 kDa and as large as 10,000 kDa.

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.

Quantification of Free Circulating DNA and Differential Methylation Profiling of Selected Genes as Novel Non-Invasive Biomarkers for Endometriosis Diagnosis.

Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent disorder associated with the presence of endometrial cells mainly in the pelvic cavity, causing systemic immune inflammation, infertility, epigenetic dysregulation of differential DNA methylation, coelomic metaplasia, and pain. It affects approximately 10-12% of women. Despite decades of research, full pathophysiology, a diagnostic roadmap, and clinical management strategies for endometriosis are not yet fully elucidated.

A VersaTile Approach to Reprogram the Specificity of the R2-Type Tailocin Towards Different Serotypes of and .

Phage tail-like bacteriocins, or tailocins, provide a competitive advantage to producer cells by killing closely related bacteria. Morphologically similar to headless phages, their narrow target specificity is determined by receptor-binding proteins (RBPs). While RBP engineering has been used to alter the target range of a selected R2 tailocin from , the process is labor-intensive, limiting broader application.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Performance of Calcium Dihydroxide (Ca(OH)) Coating on Ti for Potential Metallic Orthopedic Implant Applications.

Orthopedic implant infections are rare but represent a significant problem for patients, surgeons, and the healthcare systems. This is because these infections cause severe and persistent pain and, in some cases, may require revision of the implant, among other things. Thus, there is strong interest in the use of antimicrobial coatings on orthopedic implants.

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Five Wound Irrigation Solutions in the Periprosthetic Joint Infection Microenvironment In Vitro and Ex Vivo.

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) are difficult to treat due to biofilm formation on implant surfaces and the surrounding tissue, often requiring removal or exchange of prostheses along with long-lasting antibiotic treatment. Antiseptic irrigation during revision surgery might decrease bacterial biofilm load and thereby improve treatment success. This in vitro study investigated and compared the effect of five advanced wound irrigation solutions to reduce bacterial burden in the PJI microenvironment.

Lung Cancers Associated with Cystic Airspaces.

Lung cancer, the second most common malignancy in both men and women, poses a significant health burden. Early diagnosis remains pivotal in reducing lung cancer mortality. Given the escalating number of computed tomography (CT) examinations in both outpatient and inpatient settings, radiologists play a crucial role in identifying early-stage pulmonary cancers, particularly non-nodular cancers.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Using Adult Stem Cell-Derived Organoids and Colorectal Cancer Spheroids.

: Developing ex vivo models that replicate immune-tumor interactions with high fidelity is essential for advancing immunotherapy research, as traditional two-dimensional in vitro systems often lack the complexity required to fully represent these interactions. : In this study, we establish a comprehensive 3D redirect lysis (3D-RDL) assay using colorectal cancer spheroids and adult stem cell-derived, healthy human organoids to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of , a bispecific antibody targeting carcinoembryonic antigens (CEAs) on cancer cells and CD3 on T cells. This model allows us to assess cytotoxic activity and immune responses, capturing variations in therapeutic response not observable in simpler systems.

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.

Predictive Factors for the Discontinuation of Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy: Enhancing Patient Selection to Improve Oncological Outcomes-A Single-Center Experience.

: Since 2011, Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) has emerged as a promising treatment option for patients with peritoneal surface malignancies (PSM) who are not eligible for cytoreductive surgery (CRS). Repeated minimal-invasive treatment is one of the key features and the current empirical standard treatment (ST) consists of at least three administrations over about three months. However, many patients are unable to complete the full course, limiting the potential benefits of PIPAC.

CT-Derived Quantitative Image Features Predict Neoadjuvant Treatment Response in Adenocarcinoma of the Gastroesophageal Junction with High Accuracy.

Background: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the value of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) image features at baseline and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in predicting histopathological response in patients with adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ).

Methods: A total of 105 patients with a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the GEJ were examined by CE-CT at baseline and preoperatively after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. All patients underwent surgical resection.

Anal Cancer Screening: 10-Year Experience of a Specialized Outpatient Clinic.

In 2012, the Department of Visceral Surgery of the Lausanne University Hospital CHUV implemented a dedicated high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) outpatient clinic for surveillance and follow-up purposes. This 10-year longitudinal study analyzed 537 patients (2214 visits) using a structured screening protocol. Dysplastic lesions were detected in 49% of patients, predominantly low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs, 74%).

Scaphoid Fat Stripe Sign: Is It a Reliable Radiological Sign of Scaphoid Fracture in Children?

Objectives: The scaphoid fat pad stripe (SFS) is a radiological sign first described in 1975 as a line of relative lucency lying parallel to the lateral border of the scaphoid, with slight convexity toward it, and it is optimally demonstrated on postero-anterior and oblique views with ulnar deviation of the carpus. The obliteration or displacement of this line is commonly present in acute fractures of the scaphoid, radial styloid process, and proximal first metacarpus. The aim of this observational study is to investigate the supportive value of the fat stripe sign (SFS) in the diagnosis of scaphoid fractures in the pediatric population.

Urinary Microbiota of Healthy Prepubescent Girls and Boys-A Pilot Study.

Background: The urinary microbiota of healthy children has rarely been studied, and potential differences between boys and girls have not been addressed. Thus, this study aimed to compare the urinary microbiota of healthy prepubescent girls and boys.

Methods: We included healthy children aged between 4 and 10 years who were free of functional or organic urinary tract diseases and had no history of urinary tract infection.

Repetitive Mild but Not Single Moderate Brain Trauma Is Associated with TAR DNA-Binding Protein 43 Mislocalization and Glial Activation in the Mouse Spinal Cord.

: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs after a sudden mechanical force to the skull and represents a significant public health problem. Initial brain trauma triggers secondary pathophysiological processes that induce structural and functional impairment of the central nervous system, even in the regions distant to the lesion site. Later in life, these changes can be manifested as neurodegenerative sequalae that commonly involve proteinopathies, such as transactive DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43).

Modeling of Blood Flow Dynamics in Rat Somatosensory Cortex.

The cerebral microvasculature forms a dense network of interconnected blood vessels where flow is modulated partly by astrocytes. Increased neuronal activity stimulates astrocytes to release vasoactive substances at the endfeet, altering the diameters of connected vessels. Our study simulated the coupling between blood flow variations and vessel diameter changes driven by astrocytic activity in the rat somatosensory cortex.

Normothermic Crystalloid Polarizing Cardioplegia Improves Systolic and Diastolic Function in a Porcine Model of Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Previously, we showed that blood-based polarizing cardioplegia exerted beneficial cardioprotection during hypothermic ischemia; however, these positive effects of blood-based polarizing cardioplegia were reduced during normothermic ischemia compared to blood-based hyperkalemic (depolarizing) cardioplegia. This study compares crystalloid polarizing cardioplegia to crystalloid depolarizing cardioplegia in a normothermic porcine model of cardiopulmonary bypass; Methods: Twelve pigs were randomized to receive either normothermic polarizing ( = 7) or depolarizing ( = 5) crystalloid cardioplegia. After the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, normothermic arrest (34 °C, 60 min) was followed by 60 min of on-pump and 90 min of off-pump reperfusion.

Bariatric Surgery as a Molecular Modulator: The Role of FSHR Polymorphisms in Enhancing eNOS Expression and Reproductive Hormone Dynamics in Women with Severe Obesity.

Background/objectives: Severe obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m) has a severe influence on vascular health and reproduction. This study looks at how bariatric surgery affects endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and reproductive hormone regulation across different follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) polymorphism groups in women with extreme obesity.

Methods: Twenty-nine women with extreme obesity had bariatric surgery.

Nitrate-Nitrite-Nitric Oxide Pathway, Oxidative Stress, and Fertility Outcomes in Morbidly Obese Women Following Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Obesity reduces nitric oxide (NO) production due to endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) dysfunction, resulting in oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and chronic inflammation. These factors have a negative impact on reproductive health, including oocyte quality, endometrial receptivity, and embryo implantation. When oxidative stress affects eNOS function, the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide (NO-NO-NO) pathway provides an alternate route for NO production.

DICER1: The Argonaute Endonuclease Family Member and Its Role in Pediatric and Youth Pathology.

In 2001, two enzyme-encoding genes were recognized in the fruit fly . The genetic material, labeled and , encodes ribonuclease-type enzymes with slightly diverse target substrates. The human orthologue is .

Diagnosis of Peritonsillar Abscess-A Prospective Study Comparing Clinical with CT Findings in 133 Consecutive Patients.

Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is relatively common but challenging to diagnose clinically. Several clinical signs may be used, with unknown performances. We evaluated and compared the diagnostic performance of individual and combined clinical signs (, , , , , and ) assessed by an otolaryngologist and of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) to detect acute PTA.