Development of PFAS-Free Locally Concentrated Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for High-Energy Lithium and Aluminum Metal Batteries.

ConspectusLithium-ion batteries (LIBs) based on graphite anodes are a widely used state-of-the-art battery technology, but their energy density is approaching theoretical limits, prompting interest in lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) that can achieve higher energy density. In addition, the limited availability of lithium reserves raises supply concerns; therefore, research on postlithium metal batteries is underway. A major issue with these metal anodes, including lithium, is dendritic formation and insufficient reversibility, which leads to safety risks due to short circuits and the use of flammable electrolytes.

Longitudinal omics data and preclinical treatment suggest the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib as therapy for ibrutinib-resistant CLL.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a malignant lymphoproliferative disorder for which primary or acquired drug resistance represents a major challenge. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms, we generate a mouse model of ibrutinib resistance, in which, after initial treatment response, relapse under therapy occurrs with an aggressive outgrowth of malignant cells, resembling observations in patients. A comparative analysis of exome, transcriptome and proteome of sorted leukemic murine cells during treatment and after relapse suggests alterations in the proteasome activity as a driver of ibrutinib resistance.

Breast cancer outcomes after skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomy in BRCA pathogenic mutation carriers versus non-BRCA carriers.

Unlabelled: Our previous study on BRCA breast cancer carriers disclosed a high local recurrence (LR) rate in patients who underwent skin sparing (SSM) or nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) without postoperative radiation therapy (RT), compared to breast conservation surgery or mastectomy with RT. The current study compares the LR rates in BRCA versus non BRCA carriers after SSM/NSM in relation the receipt of RT.

Methods: The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee.

Profiles of 71 Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Novel Sub-Clusters of Type I Milk: Results from the Ulm SPATZ Health Study.

Background/objectives: Although approximately 160 human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) have been identified, current studies on HMO quantitation are limited to the 10-19 most abundant HMOs. We assessed the variations in the relative concentrations of 71 HMO structures over lactation in human milk samples by an advanced liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry approach.

Methods: Samples were collected from 64 mothers at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months of lactation in the Ulm SPATZ Health Study, a German birth cohort.

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.

PROTAC-Mediated GSPT1 Degradation Impairs the Expression of Fusion Genes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Background: Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are heterobifunctional small molecules that utilize the ubiquitin-proteasome system to selectively degrade target proteins. This innovative technology has shown remarkable efficacy and specificity in degrading oncogenic proteins and has progressed through various stages of preclinical and clinical development for hematologic malignancies, including adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the application of PROTACs in pediatric AML remains largely unexplored.

Exploring Literacy and Knowledge Gaps and Disparities in Genetics and Oncogenomics Among Cancer Patients and the General Population: A Scoping Review.

Background: Genetic and genomic literacy is pivotal in empowering cancer patients and citizens to navigate the complexities of omics sciences, resolve misconceptions surrounding clinical research and genetic/genomic testing, and make informed decisions about their health. In a fast-evolving scenario where routine testing has become widespread in healthcare, this scoping review sought to pinpoint existing gaps in literacy and understanding among cancer patients and the general public regarding genetics and genomics.

Methods: Adhering to the PRISMA framework, the review included 43 studies published between January 2018 and June 2024, which evaluated the understanding of genetics and genomics among cancer patients, caregivers, and citizens.

Limited Diagnostic Value of miRNAs in Early Trauma-Induced Liver Injury: Only miRNA-122 Emerges as a Late-Phase Marker.

: Liver injury is common after abdominal trauma. However, the established biomarkers of liver injury, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lack accuracy. This study investigates whether specific liver-related microRNAs (miRNAs) are released into the circulation in trauma patients with liver injury and whether they can indicate liver damage in the early phase after major trauma.

Defining Hyperphagia for Improved Diagnosis and Management of MC4R Pathway-Associated Disease: A Roundtable Summary.

Purpose Of Review: Hyperphagia is a condition associated with rare obesity-related diseases, presenting as a pathologic, insatiable hunger accompanied by abnormal food-seeking behaviors. In October 2023, a group of researchers and clinicians with expert knowledge on hyperphagia convened at the annual ObesityWeek meeting to discuss the need for a unified definition of hyperphagia and key items necessary to improve the identification, assessment, and treatment of hyperphagia in patients with melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) pathway-associated diseases.

Recent Findings: The definition of hyperphagia proposed by this group is a pathologic, insatiable hunger accompanied by abnormal food-seeking behaviors.

Joint analysis of germline genetic data from over 29,000 cases with suspected hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) as part of the NASGE initiative.

As multigene panel testing is becoming routine in clinical care, there are recommendations at national and international level, as to which genes should be analyzed in the context of a hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). However, the individual composition of gene panels offered by testing laboratories vary, resulting in a different variant diagnostic rate. Therefore, we performed a retrospective NGS dataset analysis of suspected HBOC patients who had been tested at different German diagnostic laboratories that are part of the NASGE network.

Neural mechanisms of behavioral addiction: An ALE meta-analysis and MACM analysis.

Background And Aims: Behavioral addictions (BAs) represent complex and multifaceted disorders often associated with maladaptive neural alteration. To deepen our understanding of the essence of BAs, this study focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying its three stages: reward seeking, self-control, and decision-making. The aim of the current meta-analysis is to investigate the brain regions and neural networks involved in BAs.

Clinical Outcome After Surgical Treatment of Traumatic Peroneal Nerve Injury: An Analysis of Risk Factors After Different Surgical Approaches.

Background: This study aims to analyze potential risk factors that may influence the clinical outcomes following surgical treatment of traumatic peroneal nerve lesions.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with traumatic peroneal nerve injuries treated with decompression, split repair, or nerve grafting between 2010 and 2020. Motor function and potential risk factors were evaluated.

Endocrine Outcome and Quality of Life After Transsphenoidal Resection of Pituitary Adenoma-A Prospective Randomized Single-Blinded Study Comparing Endoscopic Versus Microscopic Resection.

Background: Endoscopic pituitary surgery might yield better endocrine outcomes compared to microscopic resection. We conducted a prospective, randomized, single-blinded study to compare the endocrine outcome and quality of life (QoL) of patients with newly diagnosed pituitary adenoma who underwent either endoscopic or microscopic transsphenoidal surgery (NCT03515603).

Methods: Due to slow recruitment, this study had to be stopped prematurely.

Cerebral Embolic Protection in Patients Undergoing Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

(1) Background: Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging has reported new cerebral ischemic lesions after left atrial appendage (LAA) closure in about one- third of patients. Stroke occurs predominantly periprocedurally. This study evaluated the characteristics of embolized debris captured by the SENTINEL cerebral embolic protection system in patients undergoing LAA closure; (2) Methods: Sixty filters of 30 consecutive patients undergoing LAA closure with the WATCHMAN FLX device were collected and captured debris was analyzed by histopathology and histomorphometry.

ChatGPT, Google, or PINK? Who Provides the Most Reliable Information on Side Effects of Systemic Therapy for Early Breast Cancer?

The survival in early breast cancer (BC) has been significantly improved thanks to numerous new drugs. Nevertheless, the information about the need for systemic therapy, especially chemotherapy, represents an additional stress factor for patients. A common coping strategy is searching for further information, traditionally via search engines or websites, but artificial intelligence (AI) is also increasingly being used.

Intracranial Aneurysms Treated with a Novel Coated Low-Profile Flow Diverter (p48 HPC)-A Single-Center Experience and an Illustrative Case Series.

The p48 MW HPC is a novel low-profile flow diverter covered by a hydrophilic polymer coating with antithrombogenic properties, which may reduce ischemic complications and enable a single antiplatelet therapy after insertion of the stent. In this single-center experience, we describe the efficacy of this device, focusing on the illustration of different therapeutic indications and the outcome in various clinical settings with regard to vessel anatomy, bleeding state, and aneurysm configuration. We retrospectively reviewed our database for all patients being treated with a p48 MW HPC flow diverter between February 2019 and July 2021.

Prolonged pain-to-balloon time still impairs midterm left ventricular function following STEMI.

Background: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) demands near-time reperfusion to reduce the risk of long-term heart failure. This study evaluates the proportion of impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) following STEMI in the context of current healthcare settings at a tertiary care center equipped with the most advanced and up-to-date standards of care.

Methods: Patients experiencing STEMI as their first manifestation of coronary artery disease were analyzed, as these individuals had no prior experience with heart-related chest pain.

Persistent symptoms and clinical findings in adults with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19/post-COVID-19 syndrome in the second year after acute infection: A population-based, nested case-control study.

Background: Self-reported health problems following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are common and often include relatively non-specific complaints such as fatigue, exertional dyspnoea, concentration or memory disturbance and sleep problems. The long-term prognosis of such post-acute sequelae of COVID-19/post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) is unknown, and data finding and correlating organ dysfunction and pathology with self-reported symptoms in patients with non-recovery from PCS is scarce. We wanted to describe clinical characteristics and diagnostic findings among patients with PCS persisting for >1 year and assessed risk factors for PCS persistence versus improvement.

Spatially resolved transcriptomics of benign and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.

Background: Peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) encompass entities with different cellular differentiation and degrees of malignancy. Spatial heterogeneity complicates diagnosis and grading of PNSTs in some cases. In malignant PNST (MPNST) for example, single cell sequencing data has shown dissimilar differentiation states of tumor cells.

Child Maltreatment Characteristics and Adult Physical Multimorbidity in Germany.

Importance: Associations between child maltreatment (CM) and health have been studied broadly, but most studies focus on multiplicity (number of experienced subtypes of CM). Studies assessing multiple CM characteristics are scarce, partly due to methodological challenges, and were mostly conducted in patient samples.

Objective: To determine the importance of CM characteristics in association with physical multimorbidity in adulthood for women and men in a German representative sample.

[Retrospective analysis in children with vaccination granuloma].

Background: Vaccine granulomas are a common (0.3-1%) adverse event (AE) of (accidentally) subcutaneously administered vaccines and specific immunotherapies containing aluminum conjugates. The clinical symptoms with persistent itching subcutaneous nodules, predominantly affect infants and young children on the lateral thigh.

Dual surrogate imprinting: an innovative strategy for the preparation of virus-selective particles.

This work involves the preparation of dual surrogate-imprinted polymers (D-MIPs) for the capture of SARS-CoV-2. To achieve this goal, an innovative and novel dual imprinting approach using carboxylated-polystyrene (PS-COOH) nanoparticles with a diameter of 100 nm and a SARS-CoV-2 Spike-derived peptide was carried out at the surface of amine-functionalized silica (PS-NH) microspheres with a diameter of 500 nm. Firstly, PS-COOH nanoparticles with the same size and spherical shape as the SARS-CoV-2 virus were employed to form hemispherical indentations (HI) at the surface of the PS-NH microspheres (obtaining dummy particle-imprinted polymers, HI-MIPs).

MicroRNA Expression in High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma With 11q Aberration.

Mature aggressive B-cell lymphomas, such as Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), show variations in microRNA (miRNA) expression. The entity of High-grade B-cell lymphoma with 11q aberration (HGBCL-11q) shares several biological features with both BL and DLBCL but data on its miRNA expression profile are yet scarce. Hence, this study aims to analyze the potential differences in miRNA expression of HGBCL-11q compared to BL and DLBCL.

Tofersen and other antisense oligonucleotides in ALS.

The advent of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies in neurodegenerative disorders is associated with enormous hope. Nusinersen treatment was a breakthrough intervention in the recessive disease spinal muscular atrophy, and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) seems to be the paradigm disease in dominant degenerative diseases. The results of treatment with the ASO tofersen in SOD1-ALS show that the drug has a convincing beneficial effect on ALS caused by SOD1 mutations, that preclinical studies in rodents predicted the therapeutic effect in the human disease, and that clinical efficacy is associated with a specific sequence of effects of the drug on mechanistic and degenerative biomarkers and, subsequently, functional outcomes such as weight stabilization and ALSFRS-R.