Tattooed human in vitro skin model for testing the biocompatibility of tattoo inks and healing progression after tattooing.

Tattoos are widespread in the population. Tattoo inks, which contain a variety of ingredients among them hazardous compounds such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals and nanoparticles and that are made for injection into the skin, are not dermatologically tested. New testing systems for evaluation of biocompatibility of tattoo inks as composite products and the tattooing process itself are needed.

Bacterial and viral assemblages in ulcerative colitis patients following fecal microbiota and fecal filtrate transfer.

Fecal microbiota filtrate transfer is discussed as a safe alternative to fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) to treat ulcerative colitis. We investigated modulation of viral and bacterial composition during fecal microbiota filtrate transfer followed by FMT in six patients with active ulcerative colitis (where clinical activity improved in three patients after filtrate transfer) and combined 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing with a virome analysis pipeline including fast viral particle enrichment and metagenome mapping to detect frequencies of 45,033 reference bacteriophage genomes. We showed that after antibiotic treatment and during filtrate transfer, the bacterial community typically adopted a stable composition distinct to that before antibiotic treatment, with no change toward a donor community.

Exercise-induced dynamic mitral regurgitation is associated with outcomes in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy.

Aims: Ischaemic mitral regurgitation (MR) is a dynamic condition influenced by global and regional left ventricular remodelling as well as mitral valvular deformation. Exercise testing plays a substantial role in assessing the haemodynamic relevance of MR and is recommended by current guidelines. We aimed to assess the prevalence, haemodynamic consequences, and prognostic impact of dynamic MR using isometric handgrip exercise.

Are we underestimating pathological fracture risk in malignant bone lesions of the proximal humerus?

Objective: This study is aimed at evaluating the distribution of metastatic bone disease (MBD), with a particular focus on the humerus, and its association with pathological fractures. Factors for contributing to the underestimation of fracture risk were assessed, including their impact on surgical management.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patient records of patients undergoing surgical treatment for MBD at our institution between 2005 and 2023.

A reproducible representation of healthy tibiofemoral kinematics during stair descent using REFRAME - part I: REFRAME foundations and validation.

In clinical movement biomechanics, kinematic measurements are collected to characterise the motion of articulating joints and investigate how different factors influence movement patterns. Representative time-series signals are calculated to encapsulate (complex and multidimensional) kinematic datasets succinctly. Exacerbated by numerous difficulties to consistently define joint coordinate frames, the influence of local frame orientation and position on the characteristics of the resultant kinematic signals has been previously proven to be a major limitation.

Incidence and predictors of weaning failure from veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy in patients with cardiogenic shock.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate incidence and predictors of weaning failure and in-hospital death after successful weaning from veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS).

Methods And Results: Overall, 685 patients with CS treated with VA-ECMO from 23 tertiary care centres in 7 countries were analysed (median age 57 [interquartile range 49-66] years, 542 [79.1%] male, median lactate 7.

Nutrition Care in Cancer: An Overlooked Part of Patient-Centered Care.

Objectives: Robust evidence highlights the crucial role of nutrition for people with cancer, and international organizations recognize it as a basic human right linked to health and food. Within this context, we aim to emphasize the critical role of nutrition care for cancer patients and to highlight the essential contributions of nurses in providing patient-centered nutrition care.

Methods: This opinion paper synthesizes evidence and perspectives from peer-reviewed articles and position papers.

Stent stoma: Endoscopic stent insertion for refractory small intestine fistulas.

Background And Aims: The therapeutic management of fistulas presents significant challenges, often involving both conservative and surgical approaches. Despite these interventions, recurrence and postoperative mortality rates remain high. Endoscopic stent insertion into the fistula, along with the creation of a stent stoma, may offer a promising alternative for patients who fail surgical or conservative therapies.

Clinical severity grading of NF2-related schwannomatosis.

Background: NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2) is associated with various tumors of the central and peripheral nervous system. There is a wide range of disabilities these patients may suffer from and there is no validated clinical classification for disease severity. We propose a clinical classification consisting of three severity grades to assist in patient management.

Conceptual foundations of a REFRAME-based approach to discriminate across total knee implant designs based on the positions of functional centres of rotation.

In modern knee arthroplasty, surgeons increasingly aim for individualised implant selection based on data-driven decisions to improve patient satisfaction rates. The identification of an implant design that optimally fits to a patient's native kinematic patterns and functional requirements could provide a basis towards subject-specific phenotyping. The goal of this study was to achieve a first step towards identifying easily accessible and intuitive features that allow for discrimination between implant designs based on kinematic data.

Volumetric Humeral Canal Fill Ratio Effects Primary Stability and Cortical Bone Loading in Short and Standard Stem Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Biomechanical and Computational Study.

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of three-dimensional (3D) volumetric humeral canal fill ratios (VFR) of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) short and standard stems on biomechanical stability and bone deformations in the proximal humerus.

Methods: Forty cadaveric shoulder specimens were analyzed in a clinical computed tomography (CT) scanner allowing for segmentation of the humeral canal to calculate volumetric measures which were verified postoperatively with plain radiographs. Virtual implant positioning allowed for group assignment (VFR < 0.

Intensity of Intrathecal Total IgG Synthesis in Multiple Sclerosis Correlates with the Degree of Pleocytosis, Diversity of Intrathecal Antiviral Antibody Specificities, and Female Sex.

Background: The presence of intrathecal total IgG production is a hallmark of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) characteristics in multiple sclerosis (MS). Herein, we systematically analyze how the intensity (instead of mere presence) of intrathecal total IgG production relates to basic CSF parameters in MS.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed clinical routine CSF findings from 390 therapy-naïve relapsing-remitting MS patients diagnosed according to 2017 revised McDonald criteria.

Bayesian Reanalyses of the Trials TOMAHAWK and COACT.

Background: The timing of coronary angiography in patients with successfully resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and missing ST-segment elevations on the electrocardiogram has been investigated in 2 large randomized controlled trials, TOMAHAWK (Angiography After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Without ST-Segment Elevation) and COACT (Coronary Angiography After Cardiac Arrest Trial). Both trials found neutral results for immediate vs delayed/selective coronary angiography on short-term all-cause mortality. The TOMAHAWK trial showed a tendency towards harm with immediate coronary angiography, though not statistically significant with traditional frequentist methods.

Remission induction therapies and long-term outcomes in granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis: real-world data from a European cohort.

To explore disease characteristics, renal involvement and induction treatment strategies over the last decades and evaluate relapse rates and renal outcomes in ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV). We retrospectively analyzed remission, relapse rates and the occurrence of the composite endpoint (comprising death and renal failure) in newly diagnosed AAV cases in four tertial referral centers in Germany and Switzerland diagnosed between 1999 and 2022. Hazard ratios were computed by Cox proportional hazard and Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to compare therapeutic strategies after propensity-matching.

Crosstalk between periodontitis and cardiovascular risk.

Recent demographic developments resulted in an aged society with a rising disease burden of systemic and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In cardiovascular disease (CVD), a NCD with high morbidity and mortality, recent preventive strategies include the investigation of comorbidities to reduce its significant economic burden. Periodontal disease, an oral bacterial-induced inflammatory disease of tooth-supporting tissue, is regulated in its prevalence and severity by the individual host response to a dysbiotic oral microbiota.

Generation of a human induced pluripotent stem cell lines (UKJi003-A) from a patient with Fabry disease and healthy donor (UKJi004-A).

Fabry disease (FD, OMIM #301500) is a rare metabolic disorder, X-linked glycosphingolipidosis that is characterized by pathogenic mutations in the GLA (Galactosidase Alpha) gene (OMIM *300644) that result in reduced α-galactosidase A (α-GAL) activity and accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) in tissues and organs. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used to generate human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC). UKJi004-A was produced from a healthy donor, whereas UKJi003-A was produced from a patient who had FD with GLA-mutation (IVS6-10G>A).

Improving diagnosis in patients with obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome through the evaluation of non-criteria antibodies.

Objectives: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease driven by antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Currently, APS diagnosis requires a combination of clinical manifestations (thrombosis and/or obstetric morbidity) and the persistent presence of at least one criteria aPL: anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL), anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies (aβ2GPI) or lupus anticoagulant (LA). Patients with suggestive obstetric symptoms but lacking criteria aPL face diagnostic challenges.

Role of Epigenetic Changes in the Pathophysiology of Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a global health issue. Epigenetic changes play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Summary: DKD is currently the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide.

The importance of the cerebro-placental ratio at term for predicting adverse perinatal outcomes in appropriate for gestational age fetuses.

Objectives: This study investigates the relationship between the cerebro-placental ratio (CPR) measured at 40+0 weeks' gestation and perinatal outcomes to determine a CPR cut-off that may justify induction of labor at term in appropriately grown fetuses (AGA). Although CPR is used for monitoring growth-restricted fetuses, its role in guiding labor induction decisions for AGA pregnancies at term remains unclear.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from 491 singleton pregnancies with intended vaginal deliveries between 2015 and 2021.

Effects of deliberate practice and structured feedback in psychotherapy training (DeeP): a study protocol of a randomized-control-trial.

Background: Psychotherapeutic competencies encompass a variety of skills that influence the work and therapeutic success of psychotherapists. In particular, interpersonal skills and the associated ability to react appropriately in complex therapy situations have already shown significant correlations with later therapeutic success. Strengthening interpersonal skills should therefore be a central aim of psychotherapy training.

Patients' and Clinicians' Experiences Using a Real-Time Remote Monitoring System for Chemotherapy Symptom Management (ASyMS): Qualitative Study.

Background: Patients receiving chemotherapy require ongoing symptom monitoring and management to optimize their outcomes. In recent years, digital remote monitoring interventions have emerged to provide enhanced cancer care delivery experiences to patients and clinicians. However, patient and clinician experiential evaluations of these technologies are rare.

Depression in Patients With Symptomatic Aortic Stenosis Predicts 3-Year Mortality After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

• Depression, as defined by a HADS-D score ≥8 points, is independently associated with long-term mortality in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation. • The assessment of depression in patients with aortic stenosis is recommended for individual risk stratification and identification of patients that may potentially benefit from psychological interventions.