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Background: Bench and virtual reality nonbiological simulator models for anatomic endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (AEEP) surgery have been reported in the literature. These models are acceptable but have limited practical applications. Objective: To validate a fresh-frozen human cadaver model for holmium AEEP training and assess its content validity. Design, setting, and participants: Holmium AEEP operations on fresh-frozen cadavers performed by an experienced surgeon were recorded, and a video, including the main steps of the operation, was produced. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The video and an accompanying questionnaire were subsequently distributed electronically to ESUT AEEP study group experts and associates (N = 32) for assessment of the AEEP training model. A ten-point Likert global rating scale was used to measure the content validity. Results and limitations: A total of 26 answers were returned (81%). The experts agreed on the model’s suitability for AEEP training (mean Likert score: 8). According to the responses, “identifying anatomic structures and landmarks” was the most valuable aspect of the model in terms of AEEP training (median Likert score: 9). Conversely, the experts found the model’s ability, in terms of demonstrating laser and tissue reactions, to be weak (median Likert score: 6) Conclusions: Based on the content validity assessment, the fresh-frozen cadaver-training model for laser AEEP seems to be a promising model for demonstrating and learning the correct prostate enucleation technique. Patient summary: An increasing number of researchers have proposed that anatomic endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (AEEP) should replace transurethral resection of the prostate surgery and become the gold standard for treatment of bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. AEEP requires anatomic familiarity for enucleation, technical knowledge, and a solid training program before starting with the first cases. This is the first cadaver study to assess the content validity of a fresh-frozen human cadaver model for AEEP training.

Träume und alles, was mit ihnen zusammenhängt, haben Schopenhauer von Jugend an immer beschäftigt. Seine “Traumdeutung” bereitete der Psychoanalyse Sigmund Freuds den Weg. Träume suspendieren die Realität der faktischen Welt, die als Welt der Vorstellung dem Satz vom Grund unterliegt. Der Begriff der Vorstellung weist in verschiedenen Aspekten eine Analogie zum Begriff der Virtualität auf, was an die Philosophie des absoluten Virtualismus des Zeitgenossen Friedrich Bouterwek erinnert. Da da die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung ein “Erwachen” aus der Welt der Vorstellung ankündigt, führt eine Analyse am Leitfaden des Traumbegriffs auf die verschiedenen Dimensionen des Träumens selbst, deren Darstellung die Bücher 2, 3 und 4 des Hauptwerks gewidmet sind. Das bereits in der Dissertation 1813 in Aussicht gestellte Erwachen erweist sich als ein differenzierter Prozess, der auf ein anderes Verhältnis zur Welt hinausläuft, das als Erlösung oder Befreiung verstanden werden kann.

Intra-hemispheric interference has been often observed when body parts with neighboring representations within the same hemisphere are stimulated. However, patterns of interference in early and late somatosensory processing stages due to the stimulation of different body parts have not been explored. Here, we explore functional similarities and differences between attention modulation of the somatosensory N140 and P300 elicited at the fingers vs. cheeks. In an active oddball paradigm, 22 participants received vibrotactile intensity deviant stimulation either ipsilateral (within-hemisphere) or contralateral (between-hemisphere) at the fingers or cheeks. The ipsilateral deviant always covered a larger area of skin than the contralateral deviant. Overall, both N140 and P300 amplitudes were higher following stimulation at the cheek and N140 topographies differed between fingers and cheek stimulation. For the N140, results showed higher deviant ERP amplitudes following contralateral than ipsilateral stimulation, regardless of the stimulated body part. N140 peak latency differed between stimulated body parts with shorter latencies for the stimulation at the fingers. Regarding P300 amplitudes, contralateral deviant stimulation at the fingers replicated the N140 pattern, showing higher responses and shorter latencies than ipsilateral stimulation at the fingers. For the stimulation at the cheeks, ipsilateral deviants elicited higher P300 amplitudes and longer latencies than contralateral ones. These findings indicate that at the fingers ipsilateral deviant stimulation leads to intra-hemispheric interference, with significantly smaller ERP amplitudes than in contralateral stimulation, both at early and late processing stages. By contrast, at the cheeks, intra-hemispheric interference is selective for early processing stages. Therefore, the mechanisms of intra-hemispheric processing differ from inter-hemispheric ones and the pattern of intra-hemispheric interference in early and late processing stages is body-part specific.

Objective: Glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor analogues have been shown to reduce cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanism behind is still unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of intact GLP-1 (7–36) on coronary microcirculation in overweight adults. Design and methods: A double-blinded randomized cross-over study was performed, with 12 overweight participants. Effects of intact GLP-1 (7-36) infusion were compared with a saline infusion on separate days. A DPP-4 inhibitor was administered to block degradation of intact GLP-1 (7–36) to the GLP-1 metabolite (9–36). Coronary microcirculation was assessed by Doppler coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) before and after 2 h of infusion. Peripheral endothelial function was assessed by flow mediated dilation (FMD) before and after one hour of infusion. Results: CFVR was 3.77 ± 1.25 during GLP-1 infusion and 3.85 ± 1.32 during saline infusion, endothelial function was 16.3 ± 15.5 % during GLP-1 infusion and 7.85 ± 7.76 % during saline infusion. When adjusting for baseline values no significant differences in CFVR (ΔCFVR 0.38 ± 0.92 vs. ΔCFVR 0.71 ± 1.03, p = 0.43) and no difference in peripheral endothelial function (ΔFMD 7.34 ± 11.5 % vs. ΔFMD –1.25 ± 9.23%, p = 0.14) was found. Conclusions: We found no effect of intact GLP-1 (7–36), protected from DPP4 mediated degradation on coronary microcirculation in overweight adults. Keywords: Coronary microcirculation, Coronary flow velocity reserve, Glucagon-like peptide-1 (7–36), GLP-1, flow mediated dilation, Endothelial function

DNA and RNA have been used for nanotechnology applications, though rarely in combination. Here the authors report the use of RNA motifs as structural joints with DNA building blocks for enhanced construction of small multi-component nanoshapes.

Objective: To examine whether characteristics of children and adolescents who start lifestyle intervention (LI) for obesity in Germany changed over the last decade. Methods: 65,453 subjects (Results: Extreme obesity was found to be more frequent at the onset of LI (2005: 11.6; 2015: 12.7%) with a similar trend in subgroups (p Conclusion: During the last decade, children and adolescents presented with higher BMI SDS at the onset of LI and the proportion with obesity-related comorbidities increased. Particularly the presence of comorbidities differed between outpatients and inpatients.

In this paper, we present the concept of the project «Visualized vocational aspirations: Potentials of photography for career counselling and vocational preparation», which is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The research project is a cooperation between the «Zurich University of Teacher Education» («Pädagogische Hochschule Zürich») and the «Laufbahnzentrum» (Centre of Vocational Counselling) Zürich. Vocational education often is largely language-based, which could be a problem for the lower achieving students. Visual stimulation could be a means to support the learning process of this group of at risk learners.

This commentary starts with a critical reflection on Jensenius and Godøy's sonomotiongrams as a sonification technique to represent movement shapes. Based on this we propose alternative mappings that require less information reduction. Furthermore, design criteria such as invariance, convergence, and stability are presented and applied to sonomotiongrams. Finally, we formulate necessary conditions for sonifications of movement shapes to support the perception and categorization of shapes, and we propose an experimental procedure to assess and compare movement shapes from auditory representations.

Der vorliegende Artikel stellt das Webseiten-Projekt bildbild vor. Der Webseite liegt die Motivation zugrunde, Schülerinnen und Schüler für ein Nachdenken über globale Themen zu sensibilisieren. Ein solches Nachdenken ist immer auch eines über bildlich vermittelte Wirklichkeit. Es ist mit bildbild ein Anliegen, angesichts einer allseits konstatierten «Bilderflut» ein didaktisches Medium zu entwickeln, das einen Fundus an historischen und aktuellen Fotografien zur Verfügung stellt und diese so aufbereitet, dass sie gerade nicht hinter ihrer illustrativen Funktion verschwinden. Dadurch sollen die Bilder für ein selbständiges Lernen auf dem Weg hin zu einer visuellen Kompetenz einsetzbar gemacht werden. Der Beitrag beleuchtet die Entwicklung der Webseite vor dem Hintergrund kulturkritischer Haltungen zum Bild seit der Moderne sowie im Rahmen dessen, was seit den 1970er Jahren im pädagogischen Kontext als Visual Literacy diskutiert und gefördert wird. Dabei wird auch auf die medialen Potenziale einer Webseite für die Bildlesekompetenz von Jugendlichen eingegangen.

A class of dihydropyranobenzimidazole inhibitors was recently discovered that acts against the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a new way, binding to the IRES-IIa subdomain of the highly conserved 5' untranslated region of the viral RNA and thus preventing the ribosome from initiating translation. However, the reported synthesis of these compounds is lengthy and low-yielding, the intermediates are troublesome to purify, and the route is poorly structured for the creation of libraries. We report a streamlined route to this class of inhibitors in which yields are far higher and most intermediates are crystalline. In addition, a key variable side chain is introduced late in the synthesis, allowing analogs to be easily synthesized for optimization of antiviral activity.

This paper provides a descriptive overview of the empirical evidence for potential effects of reflective weblog writing for coping with stress. Seventeen studies meeting the inclusion criteria are summarized in a systematic synopsis. Sixteen studies focus on self-initiated blogging in informal contexts. Only one study examines mandated weblog writing for coping in an institutionalized context. Results indicate that the public nature of weblogs opens up a variety of possibilities for both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping, most importantly through social support. Although these studies show promising results, it remains unclear if and how the benefits of self-initiated blogging can be transferred to more formal settings. Thus, future research should examine how blogging can be mandated and scaffolded in order to foster coping strategies and decrease stress levels. For this purpose, experimentally controlled and longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach.

Die Beiträge des Themenheftes 23 beleuchten, wie ein erweitertes Verständnis von Fotografie und fotografischer Praxis für die Partizipation an einer bildzentrierten Gesellschaft gefördert werden kann und, nicht zuletzt, wodurch eine solche Förderung begründet ist. ‹Visuelle Kompetenz› als Ermöglichung von Teilhabe überspannt ein weites Feld – drei Themenbereiche werden in diesem Heft fokussiert: Fotografiegeschichte als Lerngegenstand in Schule und Hochschule, fotopraktische (Forschungs-)Projekte als Explorationen medienpädagogischer Potenziale und schliesslich Dimensionen von Fotografie in Medien- und Kunstrezeption. Fotografien lesen, Bilder machen, sich ein Bild machen – die Beiträge des Themenheftes loten den Zusammenhang zwischen Bildrezeption, Bildproduktion und der Erschliessung dessen aus, was uns als Realität umgibt und im fotografischen ­Medium ‹ins Bild gesetzt› ist. Dass es einer Reflexion solcher Bildwerdungsprozesse bedarf, um die viel diskutierte Wirkmacht der Bilder oder ihre inflationäre Unsichtbarkeit kritisch zu hinterfragen, weisen die verschiedenen Zugänge zu Fotografie im breiteren Kontext pädagogischer Vermittlungsarbeit auf. Dabei ist es nicht die Absicht dieses Heftes, durch ausufernde Begriffserörterungen die Frage danach zu klären, was mit ‹Visueller Kompetenz› gemeint sein kann oder sollte. Vielmehr ergibt sich aus der Zusammensicht der hier versammelten Beiträge ein Überblick über die Bereiche, in denen bildorientierte Theorie- und Praxiskompetenz ihre Relevanz entfaltet.

The racemic title compound, C12H16O6S, possesses a five-membered ring that adopts an envelope-shaped conformation; the two hydroxy groups occupy quasi-axial positions. Adjacent molecules are linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds to generate a ribbon that runs along the a axis of the orthorhombic unit cell. The crystal studied was an inversion twin.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C18H18N2O3, contains two molecules. The fused rings of both molecules are almost planar, with dihedral angles of 3.1 (1) and 2.8 (2)° between the fused rings. The furan rings are rotated by 43.85 (15) and −21.07 (9)° with respect to the planes of the attached bnzimidazole systems. In the crystal, molecules are linked into infinite chains by intermolecular O—H...N hydrogen bonds.

Background and objective: More than 10% of patients with negative clinical metastatic status (cN0M0) on conventional imaging for prostate cancer (PCa) harbor lymph node involvement (pN+) at final pathology following radical prostatectomy (RP) and lymphadenectomy. Our aim was to assess outcomes of initial observation for cN0M0 pN+ PCa and identify prognostic factors that may help in clinical decision-making. Methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter study of patients with cN0M0 PCa on conventional imaging (computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging, and a bone scan) who were found to have pN+ disease at RP between 2000 and 2021. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) and systemic progression/recurrence were the primary outcomes. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards model were used for survival and multivariate analysis. Key findings and limitations: A total of 469 men were included in this retrospective multicenter trial. Median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 10.1 ng/ml (interquartile range [IQR] 6.6–18.0). Among these patients, 56% had grade group ≥4, 53.7% had stage ≥pT3b, 42.6% had positive margins, and 19.6% had PSA persistence. The median number of positive nodes and of nodes removed were 1 (IQR 1–3) and 20 (14–28), respectively. At median follow-up of 41 mo, 48.5% experienced BCR. The 5-yr BCR-free survival rate was 31.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 26.33–37.1%). Salvage treatments were needed in 211 patients and included radiotherapy (RT; n = 53), RT + androgen deprivation therapy (ADT; n = 88), ADT alone (n = 68), and salvage lymphadenectomy (n = 2). The 5-yr estimated survival rates were 66.3% (95% CI 60.4–72.1) for metastasis-free survival, 97.7% (95% CI 95.5–99.8%) for cancer-specific survival, and 95.3% (95% CI 92.4–98.1%) for overall survival. On multivariable analysis, PSA persistence was an independent predictor of BCR (odds ratio [OR] 51.8, 95% CI 12.2–219.2), exit from observation (OR 8.5, 95% CI 4.4–16.5), and systemic progression (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.771–4.971). Conclusions: Initial observation in the management of pN+ cN0M0 PCa is feasible and has excellent survival rates in the intermediate term. Patients with worse disease features, especially PSA persistence, have a higher likelihood of recurrence and progression and may be candidates for more aggressive upfront management. Patient summary: We investigated the value of initial observation for men with prostate cancer with negative scan findings for metastasis who were then found to have positive lymph nodes after surgery to remove the prostate. Our results show that initial observation is a good option for patients with less aggressive prostate cancer features.

Background:. Abdominal wall reconstruction represents an ambitious and demanding challenge. This study aimed to illustrate the versatility of the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap in its different designs for the reconstruction of complex defects of the abdominal wall. Methods:. Charts of patients with complex abdominal wall defects who underwent a reconstruction with an ALT flap at the University Hospital of Zurich (2018–2020) were reviewed retrospectively. Patient characteristics and ALT flaps used were analyzed in detail. Results:. Ten patients received a total of 12 ALT flaps. Free flaps were applied to defects in the upper third of the abdomen. All flaps were harvested with a fascial component. An iliotibial tract reinforcement was incorporated in 4 (33%) cases, and 1 case included a muscular component and motor nerve, to provide functional reconstructive potential. A total of 30% of cases experienced complications requiring surgical revision during a mean follow-up of 5 months. Conclusions:. The ALT flap represents a workhorse in abdominal wall reconstruction due to its versatility and anatomical proximity. Depending on the localization of the defect, this flap can be used in a pedicled or free microsurgical manner. The fascial component of the ALT fasciocutaneous flap and of the extended iliotibial tract provides stable fascia for reinforcement or fascial reconstruction of the abdominal wall. Raised as a chimeric flap with vastus lateralis muscle and motor branch of the femoral nerve, it is a viable option for functional reconstructions.

Abstract Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) based screening of prostate cancer (PCa) needs refinement. The aim of this study was the identification of urinary biomarkers to predict the Prostate Imaging—Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score and the presence of PCa prior to prostate biopsy. Urine samples from patients with elevated PSA were collected prior to prostate biopsy (cohort = 99). The re-analysis of mass spectrometry data from 45 samples was performed to identify urinary biomarkers to predict the PI-RADS score and the presence of PCa. The most promising candidates, i.e. SPARC-like protein 1 (SPARCL1), Lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE1), Alpha-1-microglobulin/bikunin precursor (AMBP), keratin 13 (KRT13), cluster of differentiation 99 (CD99) and hornerin (HRNR), were quantified by ELISA and validated in an independent cohort of 54 samples. Various biomarker combinations showed the ability to predict the PI-RADS score (AUC = 0.79). In combination with the PI-RADS score, the biomarkers improve the detection of prostate carcinoma-free men (AUC = 0.89) and of those with clinically significant PCa (AUC = 0.93). We have uncovered the potential of urinary biomarkers for a test that allows a more stringent prioritization of mpMRI use and improves the decision criteria for prostate biopsy, minimizing patient burden by decreasing the number of unnecessary prostate biopsies.

Abstract Besides the regulation of many cellular pathways, ubiquitination is important for defense against invading pathogens. Some intracellular bacteria have evolved deubiquitinase (DUB) effector proteins, which interfere with the host ubiquitin system and help the pathogen to evade xenophagy and lysosomal degradation. Most intracellular bacteria encode one or two DUBs, which are often linkage-promiscuous or preferentially cleave K63-linked chains attached to bacteria or bacteria-containing vacuoles. By contrast, the respiratory pathogen Legionella pneumophila possesses a much larger number of DUB effectors, including a K6-specific enzyme belonging to the OTU family and an M1-specific DUB uniquely found in this bacterium. Here, we report that the opportunistic pathogen Simkania negevensis, which is unrelated to Legionella but has a similar lifestyle, encodes a similarly large number of DUBs, including M1- and K6-specific enzymes. Simkania DUBs are highly diverse and include DUB classes never before seen in bacteria. Interestingly, the M1- and K6-specific DUBs of Legionella and Simkania are unrelated, suggesting that their acquisition occurred independently. We characterize the DUB activity of eight Simkania-encoded enzymes belonging to five different DUB classes. We also provide a structural basis for the M1-specificity of a Simkania DUB, which most likely evolved from a eukaryotic otubain-like precursor.

Abstract Background Two thirds of patients with germ-cell cancer (GCC) present as clinical stage I (CSI). Following orchiectomy, active surveillance (AS) has become their standard management. However, 15–50% of patients eventually relapse with metastatic disease after AS. Relapses need to be detected early in order to achieve cure and avoid overtreatment. Methods We retrospectively analyzed consecutive GCC patients treated at two Swiss academic centers between 2010 and 2020. Patients with stage IS and extragonadal primaries were excluded. We compared disease characteristics and survival outcomes of patients relapsed from initial CSI to patients with de novo metastatic disease. Primary endpoint was the IGCCCG category at the time of relapse. Main secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results We identified 360 GCC patients with initial CSI and 245 de novo metastatic patients. After a median follow-up of 47 months, 81 of 360 (22.5%) CSI patients relapsed: 41 seminoma (Sem) and 40 non-seminoma (NSem) patients. All Sems relapsed in the IGCCCG good prognosis group. NSem relapsed with good 29/40 (72.5%) and intermediate 11/40 (27.5%) prognostic features; 95.1% of relapses occurred within five years post-orchiectomy. Only 3 relapsed NSem patients died from metastatic disease. Five-year OS for relapsed CSI patients was 100% for Sem and 87% (95% CI: 61–96%) for NSem patients; five-year PFS was 92% (95% CI: 77–97) and 78% (95% CI: 56–90) for Sem and NSem, respectively. When stratified by IGCCCG prognostic groups, good risk relapsed patients had a trend towards better OS and PFS as compared to de novo metastatic patients. Conclusions GCC patients who relapse after initial CSI can be detected early by active surveillance and have an excellent survival.

ObjectivesTo develop a novel biopsy prostate cancer (PCa) prevention calculator (BioPrev-C) using data from a prospective cohort all undergoing mpMRI targeted and transperineal template saturation biopsy.Materials and methodsData of all men who underwent prostate biopsy in our academic tertiary care center between 11/2016 and 10/2019 was prospectively collected. We developed a clinical prediction model for the detection of high-grade PCa (Gleason score ≥7) based on a multivariable logistic regression model incorporating age, PSA, prostate volume, digital rectal examination, family history, previous negative biopsy, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor use and MRI PI-RADS score. BioPrev-C performance was externally validated in another prospective Swiss cohort and compared with two other PCa risk-calculators (SWOP-RC and PBCG-RC).ResultsOf 391 men in the development cohort, 157 (40.2%) were diagnosed with high-grade PCa. Validation of the BioPrev C revealed good discrimination with an area under the curve for high-grade PCa of 0.88 (95% Confidence Interval 0.82-0.93), which was higher compared to the other two risk calculators (0.71 for PBCG and 0.84 for SWOP). The BioPrev-C revealed good calibration in the low-risk range (0 - 0.25) and moderate overestimation in the intermediate risk range (0.25 - 0.75). The PBCG-RC showed good calibration and the SWOP-RC constant underestimation of high-grade PCa over the whole prediction range. Decision curve analyses revealed a clinical net benefit for the BioPrev-C at a clinical meaningful threshold probability range (≥4%), whereas PBCG and SWOP calculators only showed clinical net benefit above a 30% threshold probability.ConclusionBiopPrev-C is a novel contemporary risk calculator for the prediction of high-grade PCa. External validation of the BioPrev-C revealed relevant clinical benefit, which was superior compared to other well-known risk calculators. The BioPrev-C has the potential to significantly and safely reduce the number of men who should undergo a prostate biopsy.

Background and purpose: To analyze clinical trial activities and patient recruitment numbers into prospective clinical studies for solid malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary cancer center. Materials and methods: Patient recruitment numbers in prospective clinical studies of solid malignancies were retrospectively analyzed for the years 2019 – 2021 at the Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich (CCCZ). Changes in recruitment numbers were tested for association with organ-specific subunits, as well as organizational and treatment-related trial characteristics. To assess differences between categorical variables, Chi-squared test was used. For uni- and multivariate analysis, Cox proportional hazards were calculated. Results: In 2019, there were a total of 107 studies (registry trials, clinical phase I-III trials, and translational studies) recruiting 304 patients at the CCCZ. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, there were 120 and 125 active trials with a total recruitment of 355 and 666 patients, respectively. No significant differences between the subunits and study characteristics in changes of patient recruitment in clinical phase I-III trials were identified when the year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (2019) was compared to the first year of the pandemic (2020) and to 2020-2021. Conclusions: Despite healthcare systems around the world have experienced significant disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, data from our tertiary cancer center showed that clinical trial activities were maintained at a high level during the pandemic.

The tumour markers alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta human chorionic gonadotropin (βHCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) have established roles in the management and follow-up of testicular cancer. While a tumour marker rise can serve as an indicator of relapse, the frequency of false-positive marker events has not been studied systematically in larger cohorts. We assessed the validity of serum tumour markers for the detection of relapse in the Swiss Austrian German Testicular Cancer Cohort Study (SAG TCCS). This registry was set up to answer questions on the diagnostic performance and impact of imaging and laboratory tests in the management of testicular cancer, and has included 948 patients between January 2014 and July 2021.A total of 793 patients with a median follow-up of 29.0 mo were included. In total, 71 patients (8.9%) had a proven relapse, which was marker positive in 31 patients (43.6%). Of all patients, 124 (15.6%) had an event of a false-positive marker elevation. The positive predictive value (PPV) of the markers was limited, highest for βHCG (33.8%) and lowest for LDH (9.4%). PPV tended to increase with higher levels of elevation. These findings underline the limited accuracy of the conventional tumour markers to indicate or rule out a relapse. Especially, LDH as part of routine follow-up should be questioned. Patient summary: With the diagnosis of testicular cancer, the three tumour markers alpha-fetoprotein, beta human chorionic gonadotropin, and lactate dehydrogenase are routinely measured during follow-up to monitor for relapse. We demonstrate that these markers are often falsely elevated, and, by contrast, many patients do not have marker elevations despite a relapse. The results of this study can lead to improved use of these tumour markers during follow-up of testis cancer patients.

The authors describe the VTD-deubiquitinases, a new eukaryotic enzyme family that is distantly related to herpesviral large tegument proteins. Structures of two family members with different linkage preferences allow insights into the mechanism and chain-specificity of this unusual deubiquitinase class.