Long-term care, care needs and wellbeing of individuals after cancer in childhood or adolescence (VersKiK): study protocol of a large scale multi-methods non-interventional study.

Background: It has been shown previously that a relevant proportion of childhood cancer survivors suffers from late effects, which are often directly related to the cancer itself or its therapy, resulting in particular follow-up needs, additionally burdening healthcare systems. Being diagnosed with cancer at a vulnerable stage of development, this group of cancer survivors is at comparatively higher risk of relapse or subsequent cancer. Although national and international follow-up guidelines based on treatment modalities have been developed, their implementation seems to leave room for improvement.

Validation and standardization of the Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS) in the general population.

Background: A valid, quick and widely applicable retrospective screening tool for child maltreatment is of great importance to better adapt interventions and treatments. The Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS), derived from the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), is one such instrument that aims to increase the likelihood of detecting mental and physical disorders that have manifested in adulthood as a result of traumatic experiences and maltreatment in childhood and adolescence. The present study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the CTS and generate normative data.

Artemisinin derivative FO-ARS-123 as a novel VEGFR2 inhibitor suppresses angiogenesis, cell migration, and invasion.

Anti-angiogenesis targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) has been considered an important strategy for cancer therapy. VEGFR2 inhibitors targeting tumor angiogenic pathways have been widely used in clinical cancer treatment. However, inherent or acquired resistance to anti-angiogenic drugs may occur and thus limit their clinical application.

The Impact of Mental Health and Sociodemographic Characteristics on Quality of Life and Life Satisfaction during the Second Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic-Results of a Population-Based Survey in Germany.

A decreased quality of life was shown for numerous factors at the beginning of the pandemic. However, it is important to identify people who are at-risk for long-term impairments during the pandemic and its aftermath. Within this study, we aimed to investigate quality of life within a German population-based sample (2515 participants; 51.

Novel artemisinin derivative FO8643 with anti-angiogenic activity inhibits growth and migration of cancer cells via VEGFR2 signaling.

The vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) is widely recognized as a key effector in angiogenesis and cancer progression and has been considered a critical target for the development of anti-cancer drugs. Artemisinin (ARS) and its derivatives exert profound efficacy in treating not only malaria but also cancer. As a novel ARS-type compound, FO8643 caused significant suppression of the growth of a panel of cancer cells, including both solid and hematologic malignancies.

Atherosclerosis and Its Impact on the Outcomes of Patients with Deep Venous Thrombosis.

Introduction: Atherosclerosis and pulmonary embolism (PE) affect cardiovascular mortality substantially. We aimed to investigate the impact of atherosclerosis on the outcomes of patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and to identify the differences in DVT patients with and without PE. Methods: Patients with DVT with and without symptomatic atherosclerosis (defined as coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction and/or peripheral artery disease) as well as with and without PE under oral anticoagulation were enrolled during January 2011−April 2013 and compared.

Reduced Cross-Frequency Coupling and Daytime Sleepiness in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with sleep-stage- and respiratory-event-specific sensorimotor cortico-muscular disconnection. The modulation of phase−amplitude cross-frequency coupling (PACFC) may influence information processing throughout the brain. We investigated whether sleep-stage-specific PACFC is impaired at the sensorimotor areas in OSA patients.

Frailty assessment tools predict perioperative outcome in elderly patients with endometrial cancer better than age or BMI alone: a retrospective observational cohort study.

Objective: Five commonly used global health assessment tools have been evaluated to identify and assess the preoperative frailty status and its relationship with perioperative in-hospital complications and transfusion rates in older women with endometrial cancer (EC).

Methods: Preoperative frailty status was examined by the G8 questionnaire, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, the Charlson Comorbidity Index and the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status System, as well as the Lee-Schonberg prognostic index. The main outcome measures were perioperative laboratory values, intraoperative surgical parameters and immediately postoperative complications.

Pain Intensity and Degree of Disability after Fragility Fractures of the Pelvis.

Background and objectives: Fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) are of increasing interest lately, being associated with a loss of mobility and affecting the quality of life. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of FFP on disability and pain in patients, after one year since injury. Materials and Methods: In the study, we included 76 patients diagnosed with FFP, who were admitted to our trauma department between January 2016 and January 2019, and were above 65 years of age.

Ribonuclease-1 treatment after traumatic brain injury preserves blood-brain barrier integrity and delays secondary brain damage in mice.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) involves primary mechanical damage and delayed secondary damage caused by vascular dysfunction and neuroinflammation. Intracellular components released into the parenchyma and systemic circulation, termed danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), are major drivers of vascular dysfunction and neuroinflammation. These DAMPs include cell-free RNAs (cfRNAs), which damage the blood-brain barrier (BBB), thereby promoting edema, procoagulatory processes, and infiltration of inflammatory cells.

Accurate detection of tumor-specific gene fusions reveals strongly immunogenic personal neo-antigens.

Cancer-associated gene fusions are a potential source for highly immunogenic neoantigens, but the lack of computational tools for accurate, sensitive identification of personal gene fusions has limited their targeting in personalized cancer immunotherapy. Here we present EasyFuse, a machine learning computational pipeline for detecting cancer-specific gene fusions in transcriptome data obtained from human cancer samples. EasyFuse predicts personal gene fusions with high precision and sensitivity, outperforming previously described tools.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health, Quality of Life and Intrafamilial Relations - A Population-Based Survey in Germany.

The occurrence of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (COVID-19) at the end of 2019 comes along with many challenges. Besides worry for one's own health and the well-being of the family, all measures applied to limit the spread of the coronavirus affected daily life. School closures, economic shutdown and contact restrictions have led to high levels of stress.

A novel bilateral anterior sacrospinous hysteropexy technique for apical pelvic organ prolapse repair via the vaginal route: a cohort study.

Background: Uterine-preserving techniques are becoming increasingly popular in the last decade. This investigation evaluates a novel hysteropexy technique using a mesh in sling-alike configuration [Splentis (Promedon, Argentina)] which is attached anteriorly to the cervix and suspended to the sacrospinous ligaments bilaterally via the vaginal route in women undergoing surgery for uterine prolapse.

Methods: This was a single-center cohort study, evaluating women who underwent transvaginal hysteropexy with Splentis for primary uterine descent.

Factors affecting postural instability after more than one-year bilateral subthalamic stimulation in Parkinson's disease: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Balance impairment in Parkinson's disease is multifactorial and its changes due to subthalamic stimulation vary in different studies.

Objective: We aimed to analyze the combination of predictive clinical factors of balance impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease treated with bilateral subthalamic stimulation for at least one year.

Methods: We recruited 24 patients with Parkinson's disease treated with bilateral subthalamic stimulation and 24 healthy controls.

Comparative Analysis of Guideline Adherence between Germany and Austria by Using the Example of Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections.

Background: Medical guidelines represent the evidence-based state of the art of their scientific field. They aim to guide decisions for physicians and patients about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. However, guideline recommendations are often not adhered to in clinical practice.

Systemically Administered TLR7/8 Agonist and Antigen-Conjugated Nanogels Govern Immune Responses against Tumors.

The generation of specific humoral and cellular immune responses plays a pivotal role in the development of effective vaccines against tumors. Especially the presence of antigen-specific, cytotoxic T cells influences the outcome of therapeutic cancer vaccinations. Different strategies, ranging from delivering antigen-encoding mRNAs to peptides or full antigens, are accessible but often suffer from insufficient immunogenicity and require immune-boosting adjuvants as well as carrier platforms to ensure stability and adequate retention.

Increased serum miR-193a-5p during non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression: Diagnostic and mechanistic relevance.

Background & Aims: Serum microRNA (miRNA) levels are known to change in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and may serve as useful biomarkers. This study aimed to profile miRNAs comprehensively at all NAFLD stages.

Methods: We profiled 2,083 serum miRNAs in a discovery cohort (183 cases with NAFLD representing the complete NAFLD spectrum and 10 population controls).

The impact of partially absorbable midurethral slings in stress urinary incontinence surgery: A cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of retropubic midurethral slings (MUS) for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) at a certified continence center and to identify risk factors for sling failure.

Methods: This was a single-center cohort study including women who underwent a retropubic MUS procedure for SUI between 2012 and 2019 with a follow up of 12 months. Primary end point was cure of SUI assessed using the validated questionnaire International Consultation of Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence-Short Form.

Immediately provisionalized tapered conical connection implants for single-tooth restorations in the maxillary esthetic zone: a 5-year prospective single-cohort multicenter analysis.

Objectives: This open, single-cohort, multicenter, prospective study investigated the efficacy of immediately provisionalized tapered conical connection implant for single-tooth restorations in the anterior and premolar regions of the maxilla after 5 years of function.

Materials And Methods: All implants were placed in healed sites and immediately provisionalized. MBLs, soft-tissue parameters, and oral-health impact profile (OHIP) were evaluated at implant insertion, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 60 months.

A Multi‑Center, Open‑Label, Single‑Arm Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy, Pharmacokinetics, and Safety and Tolerability of IGSC 20% in Subjects with Primary Immunodeficiency.

Purpose: The purpose of this phase 3 study was to evaluate the efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PK), and safety of Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human), 20% Caprylate/Chromatography Purified (IGSC 20%) in patients with primary immunodeficiency (PI).

Methods: Immunoglobulin treatment-experienced subjects with PI received 52 weeks of IGSC 20% given weekly at the same dose as the subject's previous IgG regimen (DAF 1:1); the minimum dose was 100 mg/kg/week. The primary endpoint was serious bacterial infections (SBIs [null vs alternative hypothesis: SBI rate per person per year ≥ 1 vs < 1]).

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated TGFβRII disruption enhances anti-tumor efficacy of human chimeric antigen receptor T cells in vitro.

Background: CAR T-cell therapy has been recently unveiled as one of the most promising cancer therapies in hematological malignancies. However, solid tumors mount a profound line of defense to escape immunosurveillance by CAR T-cells. Among them, cytokines with an inhibitory impact on the immune system such as IL-10 and TGFβ are of great importance: TGFβ is a pleiotropic cytokine, which potently suppresses the immune system and is secreted by a couple of TME resident and tumor cells.