Exploring the state of shared decision-making in head and neck oncology: Assessing treatment communication.

Objective: To explore the state of shared decision-making (SDM) in head and neck (HN) oncology by investigating the extent to which SDM is currently employed by HN surgeons and how the perceived levels of SDM relate to the observed levels of SDM. Additionally, surgeon and patient perspectives on patient involvement in SDM and potential associations with observed levels of SDM were explored.

Methods: Perceived level of SDM and patient involvement were measured by SDM-Q-9/SDM-Q-Doc resp.

Targeting the early life stages of SARS-CoV-2 using a multi-peptide conjugate vaccine.

The spike glycoprotein is a key factor in the infection cycle of SARS-CoV-2, as it mediates both receptor recognition and membrane fusion by the virus. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to design a multi-peptide conjugate vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, targeting the early stages of the virus's life cycle. We used iBoost technology, which is designed to induce immune responses against low- or non-immunogenic epitopes.

Protocol for high-precision CRISPR-Cas12a-based SNV detection on synthetic DNA, cell line cfDNA models, and liquid biopsies.

CRISPR-based diagnostics (CRISPRdx) offer promising tools for rapid and cost-effective genetic testing, but achieving single-nucleotide fidelity remains a challenge. Here, we present a protocol for high-precision detection of single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) using a Cas12a-based approach. We describe how to apply our publicly available ARTEMIS algorithm to identify targetable SNVs, design optimized CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs), and perform fluorescence-based CRISPRdx assays on synthetic DNA, cell line-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA), and liquid biopsy samples.

A dynamic bifurcation mechanism explains cortex-wide neural correlates of conscious access.

Conscious access is suggested to involve "ignition," an all-or-none activation across cortical areas. To elucidate this phenomenon, we carry out computer simulations of a detection task using a mesoscale connectome-based model for the multiregional macaque cortex. The model uncovers a dynamic bifurcation mechanism that gives rise to ignition in a network of associative regions.

How do Design Characteristics Affect Respondent Engagement? Assessing Attribute Non-attendance in Discrete Choice Experiments Valuing the EQ-5D-5L.

Introduction: Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) are increasingly applied to develop value sets for health-related quality-of-life instruments, but respondents may adopt various simplifying heuristics that affect the resulting health state values. Attribute level overlap can make these DCE tasks easier and thereby increase respondent engagement. This study uses choice tasks involving EQ-5D-5L health states to compare designs with and without overlap, constructed using different methods (generator-developed design, Ngene, SAS, and Bayesian D-efficient design) to assess respondent non-attendance to attributes.

Micro-gyms as a catalyst for healthy aging in university and healthcare settings: applications for the Semmelweis-EUniWell Workplace Health Promotion Model Program.

Europe is experiencing a significant demographic shift, with aging populations posing economic and social challenges due to increased healthcare costs and a higher prevalence of age-related diseases. Hungary, in particular, faces these challenges acutely due to higher morbidity and mortality rates from a range of chronic age-related diseases and behavioral risk factors. Addressing these issues requires innovative approaches to promote healthy aging.

Impact of Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs on Cognitive Function in Older Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Cognitive impairment poses significant challenges for aging populations. Systemic inflammation, a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), has been implicated in neurodegeneration through mechanisms including blood-brain barrier disruption, microglial activation, and cytokine-mediated neuronal damage. This review examines the potential impact of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on cognitive function in RA, focusing on the inflammatory pathways linking systemic inflammation to neuroinflammation and cognitive decline.

I SPECT/CT provides prognostic information in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of lymph node metastases (LNM) detected on cervical I single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) after the first radioiodine therapy (RAI) on complete response (CR) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).

Methods: This retrospective study included 942 DTC patients who underwent cervical I SPECT/CT after their first RAI. LNM were categorized based on CT (enlarged ≥ 1 cm, small < 1 cm) and I uptake.

Interleukin-6 in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction and the Effect of Dapagliflozin: An Exploratory Analysis of the Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure Trial.

Background: Inflammation may play an important pathophysiological role in the development and progression of heart failure (HF). Interleukin (IL)-6 is a circulating cytokine and is the main regulator of the release of C-reactive protein (CRP).

Objectives: The authors examined the association between IL-6 and high-sensitivity (hs)-CRP and outcomes in patients with HFrEF in the DAPA-HF trial and their relationship with the effect of dapagliflozin.

Effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan According to Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Patients Enrolled in PARADIGM-HF and PARAGON-HF.

Background: Recent trials of new heart failure (HF) treatments suggest the effect of therapy may vary by N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level.

Objectives: The authors examined the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan according to NT-proBNP levels in patients with reduced, mildly reduced, and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) enrolled in PARADIGM-HF (Prospective Comparison of Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor with Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme Inhibitor to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure Trial) and PARAGON-HF (Prospective Comparison of Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor with Angiotensin-Receptor Blockers Global Outcomes in HF with Preserved Ejection Fraction).

Methods: Individual patient data from PARADIGM-HF and PARAGON-HF were pooled and participants were divided into categories defined by quintiles of NT-proBNP level.

The Relevance of the Type of Ventricular Arrhythmia in Titin-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Truncating titin variants (TTNtvs) are the most prevalent cause of inherited dilated cardiomyopathy. Occurrence of different ventricular arrhythmia (VA) subtypes, including premature ventricular complexes (PVCs), nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT), and sustained monomorphic VT (SMVT), has been reported.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the prognostic relevance of distinct VA subtypes among TTNtv carriers and their underlying arrhythmogenic substrates.

Antithrombin: Deficiency, Diversity, and the Future of Diagnostics.

Our healthcare system provides reactive sick-care, treating patients after symptoms have appeared by prescription of generic and often suboptimal therapy. This strategy brings along high costs and high pressure which is not sustainable. Alternatively, P5 healthcare is proposed focusing on five key elements: prevention, personalization, prediction, participation, psychocognition, however, changes in current clinical care pathways are required, for which antithrombin deficiency is a prime example.

Efficacy and Budget Impact of a Tailored Psychological Intervention Program Targeting Cancer Patients With Adjustment Disorder: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background: Evidence on the efficacy of psychological interventions targeting cancer patients diagnosed with an adjustment disorder is scarce.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and budget impact of a tailored psychological intervention program (AD-program) targeting cancer patients with adjustment disorder (AD).

Methods: Patients (n = 59) were randomised to the intervention or control group.

Dimensional Structure of Parent-Child Emotion Dialogues in Families Exposed to Interpersonal Violence: Associations with Internalizing, Externalizing and Trauma Symptoms.

The way in which parents discuss children's past emotional events with them is associated with various outcomes in children, such as emotion regulation skills and behavior problems. For children growing up with adverse experiences such as witnessing domestic violence, it is particularly important to understand the link between emotion dialogues and child functioning, because parents' guidance in dialogues about emotional events may be hampered or suboptimal. Previous studies on parent-child emotion dialogues using the Autobiographical Emotional Events Dialogues (AEED) measure usually focused on composite scores, failing to take into account the various aspects of parent-child emotion dialogues.

The Fall Out of the 2017 European Medical Device Regulation for Tracheal Occlusion.

Objective: The use of the Balt Goldbal-balloon and Baltacci-catheter in Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion is affected by the 2017-European Medical Device Regulation, which necessitates recertification even for devices long considered safe. This regulation has led the manufacturer to stop distributing these devices in Europe. We alert fetal surgery centers to these challenges and regulators to the broader impact on the availability of fetal therapy devices in Europe.

Advance care planning and quality of life: A qualitative interview study in people with young-onset dementia and their family caregivers.

Background: The importance of palliative care and advance care planning in dementia is increasingly recognized. However, little is known about the distinct needs and preferences of people with young-onset dementia.

Aim: To explore how people with young-onset dementia and their family caregivers experience quality of life, and how these experiences shape their views on the future, palliative care needs, and advance care planning.

Multi layered poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) treatment of the face using a universal facial grid.

A uniform model for the treatment of aging signs of the face using Poly-L-lactic acid is presented. The causes of aging effects on the levels of the bone, the connective tissue, fat pads and the skin are addressed in a single procedure by use of needle or canula. For the treatment of the skin, a facial grid is introduced in order to spread the product evenly and avoid the formation of nodules.

Benign Idiopathic Myoclonus: A New Clinical Entity?

Background: Myoclonus is a brief shock-like, involuntary movement, which can be distinguished in physiologic, essential, epileptic, and symptomatic, according to its etiology. Physiologic myoclonus typically occurs in healthy people without disability or progression.

Objectives: We suggest a new nosological entity in the physiologic group: "benign idiopathic myoclonus.

Approach to Myoclonus Dystonia Syndrome: A European Reference Network Survey.

Background: Myoclonus-dystonia syndrome (MDS) is a genetic movement disorder with childhood-onset, most frequently caused by SGCE defects.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic and treatment strategies in MDS used by experts from the European Reference Network for rare neurological diseases (ERN-RND), and to assess the diagnosis and management experience in patients with MDS.

Methods: Two different questionnaires were distributed: one among neurologists from ERN-RND, and another among patients and families with SGCE-related MDS.

ParAquaSeq, a Database of Ecologically Annotated rRNA Sequences Covering Zoosporic Parasites Infecting Aquatic Primary Producers in Natural and Industrial Systems.

Amplicon sequencing tools such as metabarcoding are commonly used for thorough characterisation of microbial diversity in natural samples. They mostly rely on the amplification of conserved universal markers, mainly ribosomal genes, allowing the taxonomic assignment of barcodes. However, linking taxonomic classification with functional traits is not straightforward and requires knowledge of each taxonomic group to confidently assign taxa to a given functional trait.

Stakeholder engagement to increase the impact of water technology case studies.

Successful uptake and acceptance of technologies and strategies for symbiotic solutions require active engagement of relevant stakeholder groups. By exchanging knowledge, developing ideas, and learning together, stakeholders contribute to innovative and sustainable water management solutions within industrial symbiosis. ULTIMATE fosters such engagement across its nine case studies (CS) through three approaches: eXtended Reality technologies for Immersive Media Experiences (IMX), Communities of Practice (CoPs), and Water-Oriented Living Labs (WOLLs).

Supporting decision-making for industrial symbioses using a hybrid modelling approach and its application to wastewater treatment.

Industrial Symbiosis (InSym) capitalises on the proximity of entities to gain a competitive advantage through collective strategies. Within the Circular Economy, this involves the circular exchange and reuse of water, energy, and resources among participating businesses, enhancing resource valorisation in manufacturing. However, as a distinct business model, InSym requires collaboration among multiple stakeholders working toward a shared goal, posing challenges in achieving mutually beneficial outcomes.

Shortness of breath, fatigue and well-being in patients with heart failure: A daily trend analysis over 12 weeks.

Aim: Patients with heart failure (HF) can experience acute deterioration in symptoms of shortness of breath (SoB) and fatigue that often lead to hospitalizations. The purpose of the study was to perform a trend analysis over 12 weeks to understand the association between the intensity of HF symptoms (SoB and fatigue) and well-being in patients with HF.

Method And Results: This longitudinal study used data from the HF-Wii study with daily reporting of SoB, fatigue, and well-being using a visual analog (1-10) scale.