Long non‑coding RNA signatures in breast cancer: Properties as biomarkers?

Breast cancer represents the most common type of cancer in females worldwide. The survival rates for breast cancer patients have been increasing since 1990. However, in 2023 breast cancer is still the second most common cause of malignancy-associated death in women.

Mitochondrial KMT9 methylates DLAT to control pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and prostate cancer growth.

Prostate cancer (PCa) growth depends on de novo lipogenesis controlled by the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). In this study, we identify lysine methyltransferase (KMT)9 as a regulator of PDC activity. KMT9 is localized in mitochondria of PCa cells, but not in mitochondria of other tumor cell types.

Rhesus Cytomegalovirus-encoded Fcγ-binding glycoproteins facilitate viral evasion from IgG-mediated humoral immunity.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes four viral Fc-gamma receptors (vFcγRs) that counteract antibody-mediated activation in vitro, but their role in infection and pathogenesis is unknown. To examine their in vivo function in an animal model evolutionarily closely related to humans, we identified and characterized Rh05, Rh152/151 and Rh173 as the complete set of vFcγRs encoded by rhesus CMV (RhCMV). Each one of these proteins displays functional similarities to their prospective HCMV orthologs with respect to antagonizing host FcγR activation in vitro.

The Impact of Loneliness on Late-Life Depression and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: This study investigates the association of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic and the course of depressive, anxiety and sleep symptoms after psychological treatment in older adults.

Methods: During the first wave of the pandemic in 2020, we assessed additional, original data of 132 participants aged ≥60 years who had completed psychological treatment for late-life depression (LLD) in the context of a multicenter, randomized controlled trial (CBT-late). We measured loneliness using the UCLA Loneliness Scale.

McDonald criteria application by German neurologists suggests a need for further training.

Background: McDonald criteria (MC) are a globally accepted standard for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Misdiagnosis of MS is a common problem that has significant clinical consequences for patients. Misapplication of MC is a potential source of MS misdiagnosis.

Ferrous iron oxidation in the presence of antimonate at neutral pH: Mutual effects on iron mineral products and antimony sequestration.

Antimony is a priority pollutant, whose mobility in redox-dynamic environments may be controlled by interactions with Fe(III) hydroxide minerals that form via Fe(II) oxidation. In this study, we examined the Fe(III) hydroxide precipitates and associated mechanisms of Sb(V) sequestration that result from Fe(II) oxidation in the presence of Sb(V) under neutral pH conditions. To achieve this aim, oxidation experiments were carried out in O-saturated, Fe(II)-bearing solutions (buffered at pH 7) over a range of environmentally relevant Sb(V) concentrations (equivalent to Sb(V):Fe(II) molar ratios of 0, 0.

Role of Superlattice Phonons in Charge Localization Across Quantum Dot Arrays.

Understanding charge transport in semiconductor quantum dot (QD) assemblies is important for developing the next generation of solar cells and light-harvesting devices based on QD technology. One of the key factors that governs the transport in such systems is related to the hybridization between the QDs. Recent experiments have successfully synthesized QD molecules, arrays, and assemblies by directly fusing the QDs, with enhanced hybridization leading to high carrier mobilities and coherent band-like electronic transport.

The Economic Implications of Psychosocial Peer Support for Health Workers in German Hospitals.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate whether the nationwide establishment and institutionalization of a peer-support program, is economically justified given the potential positive effects on the Second Victim Phenomenon (SVP) among healthcare professionals in Germany.

Methods: A comprehensive methodological approach was employed, using data from the SeViD studies to assess the prevalence and duration of SVP among physicians and nurses in Germany. Economic impact assessments were conducted to estimate the potential cost savings associated with implementing a peer-support program.

Increased Mortality After Lower Extremity Amputation in a Danish Nationwide Cohort: The Mediating Role of Postoperative Complications.

Objective: Patients who undergo major lower extremity amputation (MLEA) have the highest postoperative mortality among orthopedic patient groups. The comorbidity profile for MLEA patients is often extensive and associated with elevated postoperative mortality. This study primarily aimed to investigate the increased short- and long-term mortality following first and subsequent major lower extremity amputation.

Quantifying the shift of public export finance from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

By providing guarantees and direct lending, public export credit agencies (ECAs) de-risk and thus enable energy projects worldwide. Despite their importance for global greenhouse gas emission pathways, a systematic assessment of ECAs' role and financing patterns in the low-carbon energy transition is still needed. Using commercial transaction data, here we analyze 921 energy deals backed by ECAs from 31 OECD and non-OECD countries (excluding Canada) between 2013 and 2023.

Global meta-analysis shows action is needed to halt genetic diversity loss.

Mitigating loss of genetic diversity is a major global biodiversity challenge. To meet recent international commitments to maintain genetic diversity within species, we need to understand relationships between threats, conservation management and genetic diversity change. Here we conduct a global analysis of genetic diversity change via meta-analysis of all available temporal measures of genetic diversity from more than three decades of research.

Spatially resolved transcriptomics and graph-based deep learning improve accuracy of routine CNS tumor diagnostics.

The diagnostic landscape of brain tumors integrates comprehensive molecular markers alongside traditional histopathological evaluation. DNA methylation and next-generation sequencing (NGS) have become a cornerstone in central nervous system (CNS) tumor classification. A limiting requirement for NGS and methylation profiling is sufficient DNA quality and quantity, which restrict its feasibility.

Advanced Imaging of Type 2 Spinal CSF Leaks with Ultrahigh-Resolution Cone-Beam CT Myelography.

Type 2 CSF leaks are spinal lateral dural tears, causing spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). They may be visualized with digital subtraction myelography (DSM), cone-beam CT (CBCT) myelography, energy-integrating detector or photon-counting CT myelography. A recently introduced ultrahigh-resolution cone-beam CT (UHR-CBCT) myelography has shown beneficial visualization of CSF-venous fistula, another cause of SIH.

Omniflow prosthesis for treatment prosthetic graft infection of the aorto-iliac and femoropopliteal level on the infrarenal aortic segment and lower extremity.

Objectives: To report outcomes after the use of the Omniflow II biosynthetic graft (LeMaitre Vascular, Il, USA) for vascular reconstruction in patients with prosthetic infection at the aorto-iliac and femoropopliteal level.

Methods: Within a six-year period, all consecutive patients with aorto-iliac and femoro-popliteal graft infection treated by resection of the infected graft material, extensive local debridement and reconstruction using Omniflow II biosynthetic graft were retrospectively analzyed. Patient characteristics, intraoperative details, postoperative outcomes, and infection details were assessed.

Characterization of children with early onset pediatric multiple sclerosis.

Background: Early onset pediatric multiple sclerosis (EOPMS) provides an early window of opportunity to understand the mechanisms leading to MS.

Objective: To investigate clinical, laboratory and imaging differences between children with early onset pediatric MS (<11 years, EOPMS) and late onset pediatric MS (≥11 years, LOPMS).

Methods: Mostly prospectively collected data of children with MS including clinical presentation, MRI at onset, time to second relapse, relapse rate, treatment history, and CSF markers were eligible.

Exploring the Credibility of Large Language Models for Mental Health Support: Protocol for a Scoping Review.

Background: The rapid evolution of large language models (LLMs), such as Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT; Google) and GPT (OpenAI), has introduced significant advancements in natural language processing. These models are increasingly integrated into various applications, including mental health support. However, the credibility of LLMs in providing reliable and explainable mental health information and support remains underexplored.

Simultaneous Unbinned Differential Cross-Section Measurement of Twenty-Four Z+jets Kinematic Observables with the ATLAS Detector.

Z boson events at the Large Hadron Collider can be selected with high purity and are sensitive to a diverse range of QCD phenomena. As a result, these events are often used to probe the nature of the strong force, improve Monte Carlo event generators, and search for deviations from standard model predictions. All previous measurements of Z boson production characterize the event properties using a small number of observables and present the results as differential cross sections in predetermined bins.

Longterm efficacy of a patient focused intervention in patients with asplenia- a three year follow-up of the PrePPS trial.

Objectives: This study aimed to reassess the long-term impact of a Health Action Process Approach (HAPA)-informed intervention on guideline adherence among asplenic patients and their physicians, three years post-intervention.

Methods: This follow-up study was conducted within the framework of the interventional PrePSS (Prevention of Postsplenectomy Sepsis Score) study. Patients aged 18 or older with anatomical asplenia were in enrolled in a prospective controlled, two-armed historical control group design.

Second-line treatment patterns and outcomes in advanced HCC after progression on atezolizumab/bevacizumab.

Background & Aims: Atezolizumab/bevacizumab (A/B) is now a standard first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the optimal second-line regimen is not known. We evaluated real-world treatment patterns and outcomes to investigate factors associated with post-progression survival (PPS).

Methods: In this multicenter, international, retrospective study, we examined clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with advanced HCC who progressed on first-line A/B.

Dental and oral health assessments in the German National Cohort (NAKO).

Background: Despite considerable improvements in oral health in recent decades, caries and periodontitis are still widespread, ranking among the most prevalent diseases worldwide and requiring future research. The German National Cohort (NAKO Gesundheitsstudie, NAKO) is a large-scaled, multidisciplinary, nationwide, multi-centre, population-based, prospective cohort study with oral examinations that aims to provide a resource to study risk factors for major diseases. The aim of the present article is to provide the methodological background, to report on the data quality, and to present initial results of the oral examinations.