Joint preservation in revision arthroplasty and intercalary tumour implants using custom stem solutions.

Background: Off-the-shelf stems offer a wide variety of fixation methods for revision arthroplasty and intercalary tumour implants. However, in extensive defects or needed resection with minimal bone stock left, solid fixation is often not feasible with these implants. Custom-made stem solutions (CSS) offer a viable alternative in these cases to achieve joint preservation.

Completely non-invasive prediction of IDH mutation status based on preoperative native CT images.

The isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation status is one of the most important markers according to the 2021 WHO classification of CNS tumors. Preoperatively, this information is usually obtained based on invasive biopsies, contrast-enhanced MR images or PET images generated using radioactive tracers. However, the completely non-invasive determination of IDH mutation status using routinely acquired preoperative native CT images has hardly been investigated to date.

VE-cadherin shedding in vitro and in patients with aortic aneurysm and dissection.

VE-cadherin (VEC) is a major endothelial adhesion protein, which controls vascular homeostasis. During vascular diseases, VEC can be shed from the endothelial surface by proteases like ADAM10/17, which cleave the extracellular domain of VEC in response to inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α. The resulting, soluble fragments (sVEC) are discussed as a potential marker for endothelial barrier breakdown.

Integrin α2β1 deficiency enhances osteogenesis via BMP-2 signaling for accelerated fracture repair.

Previous studies have shown that the absence of the collagen-binding integrin α2β1 confers protection against osteoporosis, primarily by enhancing osteoblast-mediated matrix formation, with a particular increase in collagen type I production. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism underlying this increased matrix production. Our findings demonstrate that osteoblasts lacking integrin α2 secrete a pro-osteogenic factor that activates both TGF-β and BMP signaling pathways.

Alkaloids Isolated from Vepris glandulosa with Antidiabetic Properties: An In Vitro and In Silico Analysis.

Diabetes is a major global health issue and as current treatments fail, the search for new antidiabetic drugs is crucial. This investigation, focusing on identifying potential antidiabetic compounds from the endangered plant species Vepris glandulosa, led to the isolation of two known alkaloids, choisyine acetate (1) and choisyine (2). The study established the in vitro inhibitory activities and in silico molecular interaction of the two alkaloids with α-amylase based on IC values, Linewaever-Burk/Dixon plot kinetic analyses and Molecular docking, respectively.

Decoding cortical chronotopy-Comparing the influence of different cortical organizational schemes.

The brain's diverse intrinsic timescales enable us to perceive stimuli with varying temporal persistency. This study aimed to uncover the cortical organizational schemes underlying these variations, revealing the neural architecture for processing a wide range of sensory experiences. We collected resting-state fMRI, task-fMRI, and diffusion-weighted imaging data from 47 individuals.

Interleukin-4 and its receptor alpha in paediatric uncomplicated malaria patients from a Ghanaian case-control study.

Objectives: This study investigated gene polymorphisms in the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and its receptor alpha (IL-4Rα) gene regions in human hosts with uncomplicated malaria.

Data Description: Blood samples were obtained from a case-control study conducted at the Sogakope district hospital in the Volta region of Ghana. Thick blood films were made and used to detect the presence and levels of parasitaemia in the patient samples.

Three intertwining effects guide the mode of action of chitin deacetylase de- and N-acetylation reactions.

Chitosans are promising multi-functional biomolecules for various applications whose performance is dependent on three key structural parameters, including the pattern of acetylation (PA). To date, chitin deacetylases (CDAs) are the only tool to control the PA of chitosan polymers via their specific mode of action during de- or N-acetylation. For a start, this review summarizes the current state of research on the classification of carbohydrate esterase 4 enzymes, the features in sequence and structure of CDAs, and the different PAs produced by different CDAs during de- or N-acetylation.

The Comprehensive Adversity Measure (CAM): A measure of early adversity and its severity.

Background: Early adversity scales often display insufficient content coverage and typically assess the presence of adversity, but not its severity.

Objective: To address some of these limitations, we developed the 13-item Youth and Childhood Adversity Scale. We subsequently revised and expanded the scale regarding content coverage and item wording, resulting in a 22-item version, which we here describe.

The combined effect of herbicide and Bacillus thuringiensis exposure delays development in the red flour beetle.

The use of herbicides and their long persistence in the environment have raised concerns about potential harm to ecosystems and human health. However, there is a gap in the knowledge regarding the effects of continuous exposure to residues or admitted field doses on non-target organisms such as insects that inhabit croplands and play key ecological roles. Furthermore, the potential impact of this exposure on host-pathogen interactions remains largely unstudied.

Effectiveness, safety, and patient-reported outcomes of emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens for the treatment of HIV-1 infection: Final 24-month results from the prospective German TAFNES cohort study.

Background: Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) was introduced in the European Union in 2015 as a novel prodrug of tenofovir showing similar efficacy in clinical trials and a more favorable safety profile than tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). The German TAFNES cohort study (2016-2019) was conducted to generate real-world evidence.

Methods: Treatment-naïve (TN) and treatment-experienced (TE) people with HIV (PWH) receiving elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/TAF (E/C/F/TAF), rilpivirine/F/TAF (R/F/TAF) or F/TAF + 3rd agent were included.

Multiparameter imaging reveals clinically relevant cancer cell-stroma interaction dynamics in head and neck cancer.

Epithelial tumors are characterized by abundant inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity, which complicates diagnostics and treatment. The contribution of cancer-stroma interactions to this heterogeneity is poorly understood. Here, we report a paradigm to quantify phenotypic diversity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with single-cell resolution.

Sequencing of therapy for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the era of novel drugs.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common aggressive lymphoma, accounting for ~40% of all cases in adults. Whilst approximately two-thirds of DLBCL patients can be cured by first-line therapy, one-third of patients are primary refractory or relapse after an initial response (r/r DLBCL). Recent advances in the treatment of DLBCL have been achieved by a plethora of novel drugs, such as monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), bi-specific T-cell engagers (BITEs), and CD-19 directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapies.

Photo-induced drug release at interfaces with arylazopyrazoles.

Smart responsive materials have spurred the progress in high-precision drug delivery. Enormous attention has been given to characterizing drug release in bulk aqueous solutions, however, aqueous-hydrophobic interfaces are vital components of biological systems which serve as the point of entry into cells. These interfaces are involved in many key biomolecular interactions, and while the potential for drug molecules to adsorb to these interfaces is recognized, their specific role in the context of drug release remains largely unexplored.

Ex-vivo evaluation of clinically-set hydraulic sealers used with different canal dryness protocols and obturation techniques: a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: This 2-part randomized parallel triple-blind clinical trial adopts a unique model assessing clinically-set hydraulic calcium silicate-based sealers (HCSBS) after different root canal dryness protocols and obturation techniques.

Methods: For the first phase of the study, 24 teeth scheduled for orthodontic extractions were allocated into four groups according to the canal dryness protocol and the obturation technique. G1 (CLC-AHP): cold lateral compaction (CLC) with AH Plus sealer, G2 (CLC-ES-SD): CLC with Endosequence (ES) after standard canal(s) dryness (SD); G3 (SC-ES-SD): matching single-cone (SC) with ES after SD; G4 (SC-ES-PD): as G3 but after partial canal(s) dryness (PD).

The role of the oral microbiota in the causal effect of adjunctive antibiotics on clinical outcomes in stage III-IV periodontitis patients.

Background: Periodontitis, a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease, offers insights into the broader landscape of chronic inflammatory conditions. The progression and treatment outcomes of periodontitis are closely related to the oral microbiota's composition. Adjunctive systemic Amoxicillin 500 mg and Metronidazole 400 mg, often prescribed thrice daily for 7 days to enhance periodontal therapy's efficacy, have lasting effects on the oral microbiome.

Prognostic Value of Speckle Tracking Echocardiography-Derived Strain in Unmasking Risk for Arrhythmias in Children with Myocarditis.

Risk assessment in pediatric myocarditis is challenging, particularly when left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is preserved. This study aimed to evaluate LV myocardial deformation using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE)-derived longitudinal +strain (LS) and assessed its diagnostic and prognostic value in children with myocarditis. Retrospective STE-derived layer-specific LV LS analysis was performed on echocardiograms from patients within the multicenter, prospective registry for pediatric myocarditis "MYKKE".

Caseload per Year in Robotic-Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy: A Narrative Review.

Esophageal surgery is deemed one of the most complex visceral operations. There is a well-documented correlation between higher caseload and better outcomes, with hospitals that perform more surgeries experiencing significantly lower mortality rates. The approach to caseload per year varies across different countries within Europe.

Retrospective Evaluation of GEC-ESTRO Constraints for Definitive Radiochemotherapy with Brachytherapy and Correlation with Oncologic Outcome in Cervical Cancer: A Monocenter Study.

Background: This study aims to evaluate patients with locally advanced cervical cancer who underwent definitive radiochemotherapy, including brachytherapy, at the University Hospital of Muenster (UKM), focusing on target volume coverage, oncologic outcome parameters, and organs at risk (OAR) toxicities. Results are compared with the Gyn GEC-ESTRO (GGE) recommendations.

Methods: Of a cohort of 48 patients, treated between 2013 and 2023, the physical radiation treatment planning with application of CT and MRI and oncologic follow-up data was analyzed.

Risk factors for treatment-related sensorineural hearing loss and hearing aid use in medulloblastoma patients: an observational cohort study.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze treatment-related risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and an indication for hearing aids (IHA) in medulloblastoma patients after craniospinal radiotherapy (CSRT) and platin-based chemotherapy (PCth).

Methods: A total of 58 patients (116 ears) with medulloblastoma and clinically non-relevant pre-treatment hearing thresholds were included. Cranial radiotherapy and PCth were applied sequentially according to the HIT 2000 study protocol or post-study recommendations, the NOA-07 protocol, or the PNET (primitive neuroectodermal tumor) 5 MB therapy protocol.

Water-Soluble Chitosan-Europium Hybrid Sensor for Singlet Oxygen Detection.

The ability to effectively monitor singlet oxygen (O) with fluorescence probes in biological systems is severely restricted mainly by the background autofluorescence of these systems. Though the application of lanthanide complexes as O monitors successfully resolves this problem with time-gated luminescence measurements, the insolubility of these complexes in an aqueous medium heavily limits their application in biological systems. Here, we present a water-soluble O sensor based on a chitosan-europium hybrid material.