Exploring the Metabolic Impact of FLASH Radiotherapy.

FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH RT) is an innovative modality in cancer treatment that delivers ultrahigh dose rates (UHDRs), distinguishing it from conventional radiotherapy (CRT). FLASH RT has demonstrated the potential to enhance the therapeutic window by reducing radiation-induced damage to normal tissues while maintaining tumor control, a phenomenon termed the FLASH effect. Despite promising outcomes, the precise mechanisms underlying the FLASH effect remain elusive and are a focal point of current research.

Dose-Limiting Toxicities of Paclitaxel in Breast Cancer Patients: Studying Interactions Between Pharmacokinetics, Physical Activity, and Body Composition-A Protocol for an Observational Cohort Study.

: Paclitaxel (PTX), a commonly used chemotherapy for breast cancer (BC), is associated with dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) such as peripheral neuropathy and neutropenia. These toxicities frequently lead to dose reductions, treatment delays, or therapy discontinuation, negatively affecting patients' quality of life and clinical outcomes. Current dosing strategies based on body surface area (BSA) fail to account for individual variations in body composition (skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and adipose tissue (AT) mass) and physical activity (PA), which can influence drug metabolism and toxicity.

Investigation of the Sensitivity of Acoustic Emission to the Differentiation Between Mode I, II, and III Fracture in Bulk Polymer Materials.

There is very limited research in the literature investigating the way acoustic emission signals change when polymer materials are undergoing different fracture modes. This study investigates the capability of acoustic emission to recognize the fracture mode through acoustic emission parameter analysis, and can be considered the first-ever study which examines the impact of different loading conditions, i.e.

Ultrasound-guided trigger finger release with a minimally invasive knife: A retrospective analysis of 297 releases.

Trigger finger, or stenosing tenovaginitis, is a common condition characterized by impaired flexor tendon sliding due to thickening of the A1 pulley. While open surgical release remains the gold standard for the treatment of persistent trigger finger, there is increasing interest in minimally invasive ultrasound-guided techniques to improve precision and outcomes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes, safety, and complications associated with ultrasound-guided trigger finger release using a minimally invasive surgical knife.

The effectiveness of psychologically-informed physiotherapy for people with neck pain and the mediating role of illness perceptions: a replicated single-case experimental design study.

Purpose: (1) To evaluate the effectiveness of personalised psychologically-informed physiotherapy in people with neck pain; (2) To explore the mediating role of changes in illness perceptions.

Method: In this replicated single-case study, 14 patients with non-specific neck pain at risk for chronicity received a personalised intervention addressing unhelpful illness perceptions and dysfunctional movement behaviour, according to principles of cognitive functional therapy. Outcomes included the mediating role of illness perceptions on overall effect, function, pain intensity and self-efficacy.

From Knowledge to Practice: Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of an Evidence-Based Educational Module to Increase Cultural Awareness in Nursing Students.

Educational programs for health-care providers increasingly implement culturally sensitive care. Clear methods for educating students in cultural awareness are still lacking. Research indicates that simply increasing knowledge on ethnicity, culture, or migration does not improve culturally sensitive behavior and can foster stereotypes.

A Nationwide Exploration of Social Inequalities in Cancer Mortality Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in Belgium.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global health systems, impacting cancer care and potentially increasing cancer mortality, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals. We aimed to assess changes in cancer mortality from March 1 to December 31, 2020 relative to the same period in 2019, and to examine potential shifts in cancer mortality's social disparities during the same time frame.

Methods: We used nationwide individually linked cancer mortality data from the Belgian National Register, the Census 2011, and the tax register.

Virtual reality for multiple sclerosis rehabilitation.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological disease in young adults. Virtual reality (VR) offers a promising rehabilitation tool by providing controllable, personalised environments for safe, adaptable and engaging training. Virtual reality can be tailored to patients' motor and cognitive skills, enhancing motivation through exciting scenarios and feedback.

Partial rejuvenation of the spermatogonial stem cell niche after gender-affirming hormone therapy in trans women.

Although the impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on spermatogenesis in trans women has already been studied, data on its precise effects on the testicular environment is poor. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize, through histological and transcriptomic analysis, the spermatogonial stem cell niche of 106 trans women who underwent standardized GAHT, comprising estrogens and cyproterone acetate. A partial dedifferentiation of Sertoli cells was observed, marked by the co-expression of androgen receptor and anti-Müllerian hormone which mirrors the situation in peripubertal boys.

From trainee to general practitioner: A qualitative study of transition experiences of Flemish GP trainees.

Background: The transition from trainee to professional marks a key milestone in a family doctor's career, bringing both emotional and mental challenges. This critical period of specialisation shapes how young doctors adapt and influences their future career choices.

Objectives: We explored trainees' experiences during their first year of advanced medical training in family medicine/general practice, including barriers and facilitators.

Structure of WzxE the lipid III flippase for Enterobacterial Common Antigen polysaccharide.

The enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) is conserved in Gram-negative bacteria of the order although its function is debated. ECA biogenesis depends on the Wzx/Wzy-dependent strategy whereby the newly synthesized lipid-linked repeat units, lipid III, are transferred across the inner membrane by the lipid III flippase WzxE. WzxE is part of the Wzx family and required in many glycan assembly systems, but an understanding of its molecular mechanism is hindered due to a lack of structural evidence.

Nondestructive Monitoring of Textile-Reinforced Cementitious Composites Subjected to Freeze-Thaw Cycles.

Cementitious materials are susceptible to damage not only from mechanical loading, but also from environmental (physical, chemical, and biological) factors. For Textile-Reinforced Cementitious (TRC) composites, durability poses a significant challenge, and a reliable method to assess long-term performance is still lacking. Among various durability attacks, freeze-thaw can induce internal cracking within the cementitious matrix, and weaken the textile-matrix bond.

Preparation of -Myrcene-Chitosan Nanoparticles and Their Uptake and Toxicity in Larvae.

Mosquito control still relies heavily on synthetic molecules, which can lead to the selection of resistant populations and undesirable environmental problems. This study described the preparation of a nanoparticle of the plant-derived molecule, -myrcene, with chitosan, and the assessment of its toxicity against larvae of the yellow fever mosquito, . By producing fluorescent chitosan nanoparticles, we were able to observe their distribution in the digestive tract of larvae of .

RNAi of Neuropeptide CCHamide-1 and Its Receptor Indicates Role in Feeding Behavior in the Pea Aphid, .

Neuropeptide (abbreviated as ) is a recently discovered peptide that is present in many arthropods and is the ligand of the , a member of the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) superfamily, which plays a regulatory role in diverse physiological processes such as feeding, circadian rhythm, insulin production, lipid metabolism, growth, and reproduction. However, the function of this gene in aphids is still unknown. Here, we characterized and determined the potential role of / signaling in the pea aphid, , which is a notorious pest in agriculture.

Errors in the Spontaneous Language of Survivors of Pediatric Cerebellar Tumors.

Pediatric cerebellar tumor survivors may present with spontaneous language impairments following treatment, but the nature of these impairments is still largely unclear. A recent study by Svaldi et al. (Cerebellum.

Baseline gray matter volume associates with working memory performance after prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation.

Working memory is crucial for daily life and is often impaired in neuropsychiatric conditions. Attempts to enhance it using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have shown mixed results, possibly due to large inter-individual variability. This study assessed whether baseline regional brain volume was associated with working memory performance following tDCS.

Expression and purification of an activated orexin receptor 1- G-protein complex.

Orexin receptors constitute a family of class A G-protein coupled receptors. There are two subtypes of orexin receptors, namely OX1R and OX2R. OX1R and OX2R are widely distributed in the central nervous system and are the targets for the peptide neurotransmitters orexin-A and orexin-B.

European multicentre analysis of the implementation of robotic complete mesocolic excision for right-sided colon tumours.

Aim: Complete mesocolic excision (CME) is an oncologically driven technique for treating right colon cancer. While laparoscopic CME is technically demanding and has been associated with more complications, the robotic approach might reduce morbidity. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of stepwise implementation of robotic CME.

A digital tool for multidimensional assessment and prediction of treatment effectiveness in chronic pain management.

Given the multidimensional aspect of pain, the assessment of treatment efficacy is challenging. The prospective observational multicenter PREDIBACK study aimed to assess, compare, and predict the effectiveness of different treatments for persistent spinal pain syndrome type 2 (PSPS-T2) using a digital tool and the Multidimensional Clinical Response Index (MCRI) including pain intensity, functional disability, quality of life, anxiety and depression, and pain surface. Results indicated that neurostimulation was the most effective treatment at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up compared to baseline, leading to significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life, whereas optimized medical management (OMM) and spinal reoperation showed no significant benefits.

Parenteral nutrition and bioelectrical impedance analysis estimated fat-free mass in adult patients with chronic intestinal failure: A descriptive cohort study.

Background: In patients with chronic intestinal failure, the content and type of parenteral nutrition are individually determined based on various factors, including body composition. In clinical practice, bioelectrical impedance analysis is used to assess body composition using standardized protocols. However, these protocols lack specific recommendations for patients receiving parenteral nutrition.

Systematic review: REM sleep, dysphoric dreams and nightmares as transdiagnostic features of psychiatric disorders with emotion dysregulation - Clinical implications.

Background: Fragmented rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disrupts the overnight resolution of emotional distress, a process crucial for emotion regulation. Emotion dysregulation, which is common across psychiatric disorders, is often associated with sleep disturbances. This systematic review explores how REM sleep and nightmares affect emotion processing and regulation in individuals with psychiatric disorders where emotion dysregulation is a key concern, suggesting novel sleep-related treatment pathways.

Early maladaptive schemas as mediators between childhood maltreatment and adult psychopathology in psychiatric inpatients.

Background: Early maladaptive schemas are well-established mechanisms between childhood maltreatment (i.e., abuse and neglect) and psychopathology in adulthood.

Fluorescent Nanobodies for enhanced guidance in digestive tumors and liver metastasis surgery.

Background: Fluorescence molecular imaging, a potent and non-invasive technique, has become indispensable in medicine for visualizing molecular processes. In surgical oncology, it aids treatment by allowing visualization of tumor cells during fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS). Targeting the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), overexpressed during tissue remodeling and inflammation, holds promise for advancing FGS by specifically highlighting tumors.