Social robots in rehabilitation: A question of trust.

Social robots can help meet the growing need for rehabilitation assistance; measures for creating and maintaining trust in human-robot interactions should be priorities when designing social robots for rehabilitation.

Decitabine in combination with donor lymphocyte infusions can induce remissions in relapsed myeloid malignancies with higher leukemic burden after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

The combination of 5-azacytidine (AZA) with donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) can induce remissions in patients with relapsed myeloid malignancies after allo-HCT. As decitabine (DAC) is known to be effective also in AML/MDS with leukocytosis, we investigated the combination of DAC with DLIs for relapse after allo-HCT. Between 2006 and 2016, 26 patients (median age 59 years) with AML (n = 18), MDS (n = 6), or MPN (n = 2) and overt hematological relapse after allo-HCT were treated.

Outcomes After Minimally-invasive Versus Open Pancreatoduodenectomy: A Pan-European Propensity Score Matched Study.

Objective: To assess short-term outcomes after minimally invasive (laparoscopic, robot-assisted, and hybrid) pancreatoduodenectomy (MIPD) versus open pancreatoduodenectomy (OPD) among European centers.

Background: Current evidence on MIPD is based on national registries or single expert centers. International, matched studies comparing outcomes for MIPD and OPD are lacking.

SRSF2 mutations drive oncogenesis by activating a global program of aberrant alternative splicing in hematopoietic cells.

Recurrent mutations in the splicing factor SRSF2 are associated with poor clinical outcomes in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Their high frequency suggests these mutations drive oncogenesis, yet the molecular explanation for this process is unclear. SRSF2 mutations could directly affect pre-mRNA splicing of a vital gene product; alternatively, a whole network of gene products could be affected.

Mitochondrial Aging Defects Emerge in Directly Reprogrammed Human Neurons due to Their Metabolic Profile.

Mitochondria are a major target for aging and are instrumental in the age-dependent deterioration of the human brain, but studying mitochondria in aging human neurons has been challenging. Direct fibroblast-to-induced neuron (iN) conversion yields functional neurons that retain important signs of aging, in contrast to iPSC differentiation. Here, we analyzed mitochondrial features in iNs from individuals of different ages.

Oncological outcome of laparoscopically assisted pancreatoduodenectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma in a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Laparoscopic resections of the pancreatic head are increasingly performed. Several studies show that they are comparable to open operations in terms of postoperative morbidity. However, since a substantial proportion of pancreatic head resections are necessary for pancreatic adenocarcinoma the oncologic safety and outcome of minimally invasive operations is of interest.

Lack of Resilience Is Related to Stress-Related Sleep Reactivity, Hyperarousal, and Emotion Dysregulation in Insomnia Disorder.

Study Objectives: According to the diathesis-stress model of insomnia, insomnia may develop in vulnerable individuals in response to stress. Resilience is a psychobiological factor that determines an individual's capacity to adapt successfully to stressful events and low resilience increases vulnerability for development of mental disorders. The aim was to explore resilience in subjects with insomnia and its relationship with the factors that contribute to its development and perpetuation.

Prevention and management of adverse events of novel agents in multiple myeloma: a consensus of the European Myeloma Network.

During the last few years, several new drugs have been introduced for treatment of patients with multiple myeloma, which have significantly improved the treatment outcome. All of these novel substances differ at least in part in their mode of action from similar drugs of the same drug class, or are representatives of new drug classes, and as such present with very specific side effect profiles. In this review, we summarize these adverse events, provide information on their prevention, and give practical guidance for monitoring of patients and for management of adverse events.

Dysregulated CD25 and Cytokine Expression by γδ T Cells of Systemic Sclerosis Patients Stimulated With Cardiolipin and Zoledronate.

Objectives: γδ T cells, a non-conventional innate lymphocyte subset containing cells that can be activated by lipids and phosphoantigens, are abnormally regulated in systemic sclerosis (SSc). To further evaluate the significance of this dysregulation, we compared how exposure to an autoantigenic lipid, cardiolipin (CL), during co-stimulation with an amino-bisphosphonate (zoledronate, zol), affects the activation and cytokine production of SSc and healthy control (HC) γδ T cells.

Methods: Expression of CD25 on Vγ9, Vδ1, and total CD3 T cells in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), their binding of CD1d tetramers, and the effect of monoclonal antibody (mAb) blockade of CD1d were monitored by flow cytometry after 4 days of culture.

Primary aldosteronism: key characteristics at diagnosis: a trend toward milder forms.

Objective: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common endocrine form of arterial hypertension. The German Conn's Registry's purpose is to improve treatment outcomes of PA. We assessed whether key clinical, biochemical and epidemiological characteristics of newly diagnosed PA cases have changed over time, potentially indicating a different screening and referral practice in Germany evolving from 2008 to 2016.

Development of image analysis software for quantification of viable cells in microchips.

Over the past few years, image analysis has emerged as a powerful tool for analyzing various cell biology parameters in an unprecedented and highly specific manner. The amount of data that is generated requires automated methods for the processing and analysis of all the resulting information. The software available so far are suitable for the processing of fluorescence and phase contrast images, but often do not provide good results from transmission light microscopy images, due to the intrinsic variation of the acquisition of images technique itself (adjustment of brightness / contrast, for instance) and the variability between image acquisition introduced by operators / equipment.

Diagnosis, treatment, and response assessment in solitary plasmacytoma: updated recommendations from a European Expert Panel.

Solitary plasmacytoma is an infrequent form of plasma cell dyscrasia that presents as a single mass of monoclonal plasma cells, located either extramedullary or intraosseous. In some patients, a bone marrow aspiration can detect a low monoclonal plasma cell infiltration which indicates a high risk of early progression to an overt myeloma disease. Before treatment initiation, whole body positron emission tomography-computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging should be performed to exclude the presence of additional malignant lesions.

Prevention and management of adverse events of Novel agents in multiple myeloma: A consensus of the european myeloma network.

During the last few years, several new drugs have been introduced for treatment of patients with multiple myeloma, which have significantly improved treatment outcome. All of these novel substances differ at least in part in their mode of action from similar drugs of the same drug class, or are representatives of new drugs classes, and as such present with very specific side effect profiles. In this review, we summarize these adverse events, provide information on their prevention, and give practical guidance for monitoring of patients and for management of adverse events.

Structure-activity studies on N-Substituted tranylcypromine derivatives lead to selective inhibitors of lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) and potent inducers of leukemic cell differentiation.

FAD-dependent lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is overexpressed or deregulated in many cancers such as AML and prostate cancer and hence is a promising anticancer target with first inhibitors in clinical trials. Clinical candidates are N-substituted derivatives of the dual LSD1-/monoamine oxidase-inhibitor tranylcypromine (2-PCPA) with a basic amine function in the N-substituent. These derivatives are selective over monoamine oxidases.

Evaluation of the Implantable Doppler Probe for Free Flap Monitoring in Lower Limb Reconstruction.

Background:  Timely reexploration and reanastomoses can salvage failing free flaps. The use of the implantable Doppler probe provides direct evidence of vascular impairment of the microvascular anastomoses and allows for postoperative NPWT. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the Doppler probe to conventional monitoring techniques for free flap monitoring in lower limb reconstruction and to identify risk factors for perfusion disturbance and reexploration.

Symphyseal fixation in open book injuries cannot fully compensate anterior SI joint injury-A biomechanical study in a two-leg alternating load model.

Introduction: In open book injuries type Tile B1.1 or B1.2 also classified as APC II (anteroposterior compression), it remains controversial, if a fixation of the anterior ring provides sufficient stability or a fixation of the posterior ring should be included.

Pedicled and free flaps for intrathoracic fistula management.

Objectives: Intrathoracic fistulae are among the potential sequelae of radiation therapy, empyema and abscess clearance and surgical tumour resections. Interdisciplinary plastic-reconstructive flap surgery is a helpful tool for the successful treatment of intrathoracic fistulae.

Methods: From February 2006 to April 2016, 13 patients (3 females and 10 males) underwent flap surgery for bronchial (n = 5), tracheal (n = 2), oesophageal (n = 2), post-pneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula (n = 2), tracheo-oesophageal (n = 1), gastrobronchial (n = 1) and oesophagobronchial (n = 1) fistulae.

Multiple phenotypes of resting-state cognition are altered in insomnia disorder.

Background: Research has supported the role of cognitive processes in the development and maintenance of insomnia, yet a standardized characterization of mind-wandering experiences in insomniacs is lacking.

Objectives: The aim was to understand the quantitative nature of thoughts and feelings during mind wandering in insomniacs and healthy controls and their relationship with sleep-related parameters.

Methods: We used the 5-minute eyes-closed wakeful rest as an experimental model condition of mind wandering.

Symptom experience of multiple myeloma (syMMex) patients treated with autologous stem cell transplantation following high-dose melphalan: a descriptive longitudinal study.

Purpose: High-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) are associated with high symptom burden. This study aimed to explore multiple myeloma (MM) patients' experience of symptom frequency, intensity, and distress during therapy.

Methods: This descriptive longitudinal study enrolled 29 MM patients who completed the 43-item PROVIVO questionnaire, measuring symptom experience across the dimensions of frequency, intensity, and distress at four assessment points: hospital admission (T0), leucocyte nadir (T1), discharge (T2), and 30 days post discharge (T3).

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Surgical Patients with Intensive Care Unit Lengths of Stay of 90 Days and Greater.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of prolonged length of stay in an intensive care unit (ICU) on the mortality and morbidity of surgical patients.

Methods: We performed a monocentric and retrospective observational study in the surgical critical care unit of the department of surgery at the Medical Center of the University of Freiburg, Germany. Clinical data was collected from patients assigned to the ICU with a length of stay (LOS) of 90 days and greater.

High prevalence of p.His154Pro mutation causing primary ciliary dyskinesia disrupts protein oligomerisation and is associated with normal diagnostic investigations.

Rationale: Primary ciliary dyskinesia is a genetically heterogeneous inherited condition characterised by progressive lung disease arising from abnormal cilia function. Approximately half of patients have situs inversus. The estimated prevalence of primary ciliary dyskinesia in the UK South Asian population is 1:2265.

Loss-of-function but not dominant-negative intragenic deletions are associated with an adverse prognosis in adult -negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Genetic alterations of the transcription factor IKZF1 ("IKAROS") are detected in around 15-30% of cases of -negative B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Different types of intragenic deletions have been observed, resulting in a functionally inactivated allele ("loss-of-function") or in "dominant-negative" isoforms. The prognostic impact of these alterations especially in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia is not well defined.

The mediating role of sleep-related metacognitive processes in trait and pre-sleep state hyperarousal in insomnia disorder.

Objective: Trait predisposition to hyperarousal and pre-sleep state hyperarousal are considered key factors in insomnia, but research also supports the role of cognitive and metacognitive processes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between unhelpful sleep-related beliefs, sleep-related metacognition and trait/pre-sleep state arousal in insomnia disorder.

Method: Sixty-eight subjects with insomnia disorder (DSM-5) and 36 good sleepers were evaluated with a set of questionnaires that included Dysfunctional Beliefs about Sleep scale (DBAS), Metacognitions Questionnaire - Insomnia (MCQI), Arousal Predisposition Scale (APS), and Pre-sleep Arousal Scale (PSAS).

Tumor-priming converts NK cells to memory-like NK cells.

Fascinating earlier evidence suggests an intrinsic capacity of human natural killer (NK) cells to acquire adaptive immune features in the context of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection or pro-inflammatory cytokine stimulation. Since the role of memory NK cells in cancer has so far remained elusive and adoptive NK cell transfer in relapsing pediatric acute B cell precursor leukemia (BCP-ALL) patients awaits improvement, we asked the question whether tumor-priming could promote the generation of memory NK cells with enhanced graft-vs.-leukemia (GvL) reactivity.