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Introduction: Current recommendations for lung transplantation immunosuppression do not explicitly target children, and many pharmacotherapies used in pediatrics are extrapolated from adults. Methods: Data were collected from an anonymous survey distributed to International Pediatric Lung Transplant Collaborative (IPLTC) members from November 2023 to February 2024. Eligible participants included pediatric lung transplant physicians, pharmacists, or others with expertise in their lung transplant center's protocols. Participant and program demographics were surveyed, including location and transplant volume. Seventeen multiple‐choice questions, text responses, and Likert scale statements covered the following: induction immunosuppression, maintenance immunosuppression, drug monitoring, dose optimization, and expert guidance available in current literature. Results: Among the 23 pediatric lung transplant healthcare professionals who responded, 13 respondents (57%) preferred using basiliximab as their standard induction immunosuppression. 3 (13%) prefer rabbit anti‐thymocyte globulin (rATG), while 7 (30%) consider either rATG or basiliximab for induction. Of 22 responses with 100% completion, 21 of 22 (95.2%) respondents reported a combination of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and corticosteroids (CCS) as their preferred maintenance immunosuppression regimen, reflecting the suggested preferred regimen for pediatric lung transplantation. Feedback on the perception of available evidence‐based or established guidelines revealed the majority (90.0%) of respondents found them to be insufficient for pediatrics. Conclusion: This international survey highlights the variability in immunosuppression practices across pediatric lung transplant programs around the world. The findings underscore a gap in unified, evidence‐based practice guidelines. With strong consensus among respondents on the lack of established guidelines, there is a clear directive for future research to establish standardized practices in pediatric lung transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To assess the potential for precision medicine in type 2 diabetes by quantifying the variability of body weight as response to pharmacological treatment and to identify predictors which could explain this variability. Methods: We used randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing glucose‐lowering drugs (including but not limited to sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists and thiazolidinediones) to placebo from four recent systematic reviews. RCTs reporting on body weight after treatment to allow for calculation of its logarithmic standard deviation (log[SD], i.e., treatment response heterogeneity) in verum (i.e., treatment) and placebo groups were included. Meta‐regression analyses were performed with respect to variability of body weight after treatment and potential predictors. Results: A total of 120 RCTs with a total of 43 663 participants were analysed. A slightly larger treatment response heterogeneity was shown in the verum groups, with a median log(SD) of 2.83 compared to 2.79 from placebo. After full adjustment in the meta‐regression model, the difference in body weight log(SD) was −0.026 (95% confidence interval −0.044; 0.008), with greater variability in the placebo groups. Scatterplots did not show any slope divergence (i.e., interaction) between clinical predictors and the respective treatment (verum or placebo). Conclusions: We found no major treatment response heterogeneity in RCTs of glucose‐lowering drugs for body weight reduction in type 2 diabetes. The precision medicine approach may thus be of limited value in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increased daytime sleepiness is a frequently reported symptom in patients with pronounced dysgnathia. Objectives: This study investigated possible correlations using home peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) and oropharyngeal airway volume determination in patients with dysgnathia and daytime sleepiness. Methods: Twenty patients (13 male, median age 27.6 ± 6.8 years) with abnormal sleep history and 10 skeletal neutral configured controls (6 male, median age 29.5 ± 4.2 years) with normal sleep history were examined. Patients and controls were evaluated for apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), snoring volume (dB), total sleep time (TST) and REM‐percentage (REM). Airway volumetry was measured via CBCT. Individual user experience for PAT was assessed using the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ). Results: Patients had significantly higher respiratory scores than controls. AHI increased 4.6‐fold (p =.006), RDI 2.5‐fold (p =.008) and ODI 6.4‐fold (p <.001). Oropharyngeal volumes showed a 30% decrease (p =.003). dB, TST and REM showed no significant differences. AHI (r = −.51; p =.005), ODI (r = −.60; p <.001) and RDI (r = −.45; p =.016) correlated negatively with pharyngeal volume. Wits appraisal correlated negatively with oropharyngeal volume (r = −.47; p =.010) and positively with AHI (r =.41; p =.03) and ODI (r =.49; p =.007). dB and TST (r = −.49; p =.008) and REM and RDI (r = −.43; p =.02) correlated negatively. UEQ‐KPI (2.17 ± 0.24) confirmed excellent usability of PAT. Conclusion: Patients with mandibular retrognathia and abnormal sleep history showed significantly higher respiratory indices and smaller oropharyngeal volumes than neutrally configured controls. The dygnathia severity directly influenced the risk of obstructive sleep apnoea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To compare an in‐house and a commercially available surgical planning solution for mandibular reconstruction in terms of postoperative reconstruction accuracy and economic benefit. Methods: Twenty‐nine consecutive patients with advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) requiring segmental mandibular reconstruction were enrolled. Fifteen patients underwent in‐house surgical planning and 14 patients underwent a commercially available planning solution. A morphometric comparison of preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (CT) data sets and a cost–benefit comparison were performed. Results: Volumes of planned and reconstructed bone segments differed significantly for both in‐house planning (p = 0.0431) and commercial planning (p < 0.0001). Significant differences in osteotomy angles were demonstrated for in‐house planning (p = 0.0391). Commercial planning was superior to in‐house planning for total mandibular deviation (p = 0.0217), intersegmental space volumes (p = 0.0035), and lengths (p = 0.0007). No significant difference was found between the two planning solutions in terms of intersegmental ossification and the incidence of wound healing disorders. In‐house planning took less time than commercial planning (p < 0.0001). Component manufacturing costs (p < 0.0001) and total cumulative costs (p < 0.0001) were significantly lower for in‐house planning. Conclusions: In‐house surgical planning is less accurate but has a cost advantage and could be performed in less time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: Over the past two decades, there has been a rise in the incidence of syphilis, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). This has sparked interest in studying the prophylactic use of doxycycline to prevent syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), commonly referred to as Doxycycline Pre‐ or Post‐Exposure Prophylaxis (Doxy‐PrEP, Doxy‐PEP). At the same time, demand from potential users for this preventive measure is increasing. Several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that the prophylactic use of doxycycline in MSM and trans women using HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (HIV‐PrEP) or living with an HIV infection effectively reduces the risk of syphilis and chlamydia infections. At present, however, unresolved questions remain, particularly regarding implications of a broad implementation of prophylactic doxycycline to prevent STIs on tetracycline and other antimicrobial resistance in bacterial STIs, non‐STI‐related bacterial pathogens, and the microbiome. In response to the increasing demand and the challenge of balancing effectiveness, safety, and the risk of promoting antibiotic resistance, the German STI Society (DSTIG) has issued a position statement, providing specific recommendations regarding potential indications, criteria, and occasions for the use of doxycycline in STI prevention. These recommendations are based on current evidence and expert opinion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vancomycin is commonly used to treat acute pulmonary exacerbations in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and a history of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Optimizing vancomycin exposure during therapy is essential and area under‐the‐curve (AUC)‐guided dosing is now recommended. Model‐informed precision dosing (MIPD) utilizing Bayesian forecasting is a powerful approach that can support AUC‐guided dose individualization. The objective of the current study was to examine the impact of implementing an AUC‐guided dose individualization approach supported via a MIPD clinical decision support (CDS) tool on vancomycin exposure, target attainment rate, and safety in pediatric patients with CF treated with vancomycin during clinical care. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed in patients with CF at a single children's hospital comparing pre‐ and post‐implementation of a MIPD approach for vancomycin supported by a cloud‐based, CDS tool integrated into the electronic health record (EHR). In the pre‐MIPD period, vancomycin starting doses of 60 mg/kg/day (<13 years) or 45 mg/kg/day (≥13 years) were used. Dose adjustment was guided by therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) with a target trough 10–20 mg/L. In the post‐MIPD period, starting dose and dose adjustment were based on the MIPD CDS tool predictions with a target 24 h AUC (AUC24) 400–600 mg*h/L. Exposure and target achievement rates were retrospectively calculated and compared. Rates of acute kidney injury (AKI) were also compared. Results: Overall, 23 patient courses were included in the pre‐MIPD period and 21 patient courses in the post‐MIPD period. In the post‐MIPD period, an individualized MIPD starting dose resulted in 71% of patients achieving target AUC24 compared to 39% in the pre‐MIPD period (p < 0.05). After the first TDM and dose adjustment, target AUC24 achievement was also higher post‐MIPD versus pre‐MIPD (86% vs. 57%; p < 0.05). AKI rates were low and similar between periods (pre‐MIPD 8.7% vs. post‐MIPD 9.5%; p = 0.9). Conclusion: An MIPD approach implemented within a cloud‐based, EHR‐integrated CDS tool safely supported vancomycin AUC‐guided dosing and resulted in high rates of target achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK Wealth Tax Commission website and the I Fiscal Studies i symposium on the wealth tax provide a fantastic set of evidence papers on wealth tax design in theory and in practice, drawing on the experience of seven different countries. They conclude that the case for the one-off wealth tax is simple to make (because the opportunities for a one-off tax, implemented promptly, to distort economic activity are limited), but the case for an annual wealth tax is more difficult - though not impossible - to make based on economic theory (in part, because of the greater scope for economic distortions in response to a recurrent tax). While wealth taxes in the past had ceiling mechanisms, such that the wealth tax liability could not exceed a fraction of income, Zucman suggests that such mechanisms are not needed if the wealth tax is applied only above a very high exemption threshold. Keywords: personal income tax; corporate income tax; wealth tax; tax avoidance and evasion; automatic exchange of information; global minimum tax; high-net-worth individuals; inequality EN personal income tax corporate income tax wealth tax tax avoidance and evasion automatic exchange of information global minimum tax high-net-worth individuals inequality 237 241 5 09/26/23 20230901 NES 230901 In his paper "Globalisation, taxation and inequality" in this issue, Gabriel Zucman argues that the current tax system is not appropriate for our times. [Extracted from the article]

The necessary normalization of contaminant concentrations, in order to be able to compare contaminant content in sediments with different sediment properties, is currently not standardized within environmental monitoring and assessment programs. Therefore, this study investigates an alternative normalization strategy for hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) by removing the coarse and chemically inert sediment fraction using an improved, half‐automated wet‐sieving method. We compare the results to commonly used TOC normalization (2.5% total organic carbon [TOC], OSPAR). Simultaneously, the study provides a comprehensive overview of HOC concentrations in sediment fines (<63 µm) for the German Exclusive Economic Zone and therefore gathers information about the more bioavailable and mobile part of the sediment that particularly accumulates HOCs due to its high surface area. We analyzed bulk sediment samples and their corresponding fine grain fractions from 25 stations in the German Exclusive Economic Zone for 41 HOCs including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and organochlorine pesticides. The results indicate that the wet‐sieving procedure is capable of physically normalizing the concentrations of the investigated HOCs and is useful for the comparison of concentrations in different sediment types. The wet‐sieving procedure is more time consuming than the normalization to the TOC content. However, it offers the possibility of lowering the detection limits (LODs) through the analytical sample preparation procedure used, as sieving concentrates the contaminants. Therefore, a higher number of results >LOD were detected in sediment fines, leading to more informative data sets. In contrast to the commonly used normalization to 2.5% TOC, the statistical analyses carried out (principal component analysis with subsequent cluster analysis) additionally indicate that physical normalization allows better differentiation of sampling sites by contaminant sources and geographic location rather than their sediment characteristics. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1348–1360. © 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Key Points: Spatial distributions of organic hydrophobic contaminant concentrations in sediment fines (<63 µm) for the German Exclusive Economic Zone are provided.Total organic carbon (TOC) (2.5%) normalized bulk sediment concentrations (OSPAR/ICES) and concentrations in sediment fines (physical normalization) are comparable.Statistical analyses indicate that physical normalization allows better differentiation of sampling sites by contaminant sources and geographic location rather than their sediment characteristics compared to TOC normalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: RNA interference (RNAi) provides a powerful way to investigate the role of genes in disease pathogenesis and modulate gene expression to treat disease. In 2018, the FDA approved patisiran, the first RNAi‐based drug, hence paving the way for a novel class of RNAi therapeutics. Harnessing RNAi to inhibit vaginal HIV transmission requires effective gene silencing in immune cells, which remains difficult. Knockdown in accessible mucosal tissues may be easier than systemic gene silencing. Vaginally applied cholesterol‐conjugated small interfering RNAs (chol‐siRNAs) blocked herpes simplex virus transmission in mice without tissue damage or immunostimulation. Objectives and methods: To investigate using flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and quantitative imaging if chol‐siRNAs silence gene expression in vaginal immune cells in mice. Results: Although chol‐siRNAs and lipoplexed‐siRNAs silence gene expression in dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro, most internalized siRNAs concentrate within multivesicular bodies, where they are inaccessible to the cellular RNAi machinery. When applied intravaginally in vivo, chol‐siRNAs penetrate the vaginal mucosa, including the lamina propria, and are efficiently internalized by intraepithelial (IE) and lamina propria (LP) DCs, and CD11b+CD45+ cells, but not by T cells. Chol‐siRNAs induce partial gene silencing in IE and LP DCs throughout the genital mucosa in vivo but are inactive in F4/80+CD11b+ macrophages and T cells. Conclusion: As mucosal DCs play an essential role for mucosal viral entry and dissemination, chol‐siRNAs could be harnessed to target various host factors that are critical for viral uptake, DC migration and trans‐infection of virions to T cells, hence allowing the development of a preventive vaginal HIV microbicide. Furthermore, chol‐siRNAs could help elucidate the pathways of HIV transmission and understand the immunologic function of DCs in the genital tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Absolute treatment effects—i.e. numbers needed to treat (NNTs)—of novel antidiabetic drugs for cardiovascular outcomes have not been comprehensively evaluated. We aimed to perform a meta‐analysis of digitalized individual patient outcomes to display and compare absolute treatment effects. Methods and results: Individual patient time‐to‐event information from Kaplan–Meier plots of cardiovascular mortality (CM) and/or hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) endpoints from cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) evaluating dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists, and sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors vs. placebo were digitalized using WebPlotDigitizer 4.2 and the R code of Guyot et al.; Weibull regression models were generated, validated, and used to estimate NNT for individual trials; random‐effects meta‐analysis generated Meta‐NNT with 95% confidence intervals. Sixteen CVOTs reported time‐to‐event information (14 in primary diabetes and 2 in primary heart failure populations). Thirteen studies including 96 860 patients were meta‐analysed for CM: At the median follow‐up of 30 months, Meta‐NNTs were 178 (64 to ∞ to −223) for DPP‐4 inhibitors, 261 (158 to 745) for GLP‐1 receptor agonists, and 118 (68 to 435) for SGLT2 inhibitors. Ten studies including 96 128 patients were meta‐analysed for HHF: At the median follow‐up of 29 months, estimated Meta‐NNTs were −644 (229 to ∞ to −134) for DPP‐4 inhibitors, 441 (184 to ∞ to −1100) for GLP‐1 receptor agonists, and 126 (91 to 208) for SGLT2 inhibitors. SGLT2 inhibitors were especially effective for HHF in primary heart failure populations [Meta‐NNT 25 (19 to 39)] vs. primary diabetes populations [Meta‐NNT 233 (167 to 385)] at 16 months of follow‐up. Conclusions: We found only modest treatment benefits of GLP‐1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors for CM and HHF in primary type 2 diabetes mellitus populations. In primary heart failure populations, SGLT2 inhibitor benefits were substantial and comparable in efficacy to established heart failure medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Hypothesis: Risk factor control of diabetes mellitus (DM) and especially dyslipidemia remains unsatisfactory in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We aimed to analyze the knowledge of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) treatment goals, subjective level of information, and information needs in very high‐risk patients with ASCVD. Methods: ASCVD patients (n = 210; 75 ± 9 years; 71.4% male; 89.5% coronary disease) with DM (96.7% type 2) completed a questionnaire assessing knowledge of HbA1c and LDL‐C treatment goals and subjective level of information and information needs on disease‐related topics of DM and ASCVD. Serum LDL‐C and HbA1c were measured. Results: HbA1c goal (<7.0% in 60.6%) was attained more frequently than LDL‐C goal (<70 mg/dl in 39.9%; p <.01). Significantly more participants named the correct goal for HbA1c compared to LDL‐C (52.9% vs. 2.4%; p <.01). Subjective levels of information were higher and information needs were lower for DM than for ASCVD (p <.01 for all topics). No associations of knowledge of treatment goals and level of information with the attainment of treatment goals for HbA1c and LDL‐C were found. However, in multivariate regression, higher levels of education were associated with knowledge of treatment goals (HbA1c: odds ratio [OR] 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.72, p =.04; LDL‐C: OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.07–5.03; p =.03). Conclusion: In very high‐risk patients with ASCVD, a deficit of knowledge of treatment goals to control dyslipidemia exists when compared to DM, patients felt significantly better informed for topics of DM than for ASCVD and display higher information needs for topics of ASCVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first is by Anne Brockmeyer and David Phillips who was the organiser of the policy session on global tax equity at the World Bank conference in which senior tax officials from Honduras, Indonesia and Argentina discussed specific issues with improving tax equity in their national contexts. It featured discussions of recent research on making tax systems more equitable at a global scale, including the taxation of high-net-worth individuals, including wealth taxation; tax transparency, beneficial ownership, offshoring and tax havens; and taxes on multinationals and large corporations. Keywords: inequality; globalisation; tax EN inequality globalisation tax 225 227 3 09/26/23 20230901 NES 230901 As inequality has risen around the world, the importance of tax design for achieving equity objectives has become increasingly widely discussed and is the focus of much recent public finance research. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the processes involved in a guided self‐help (GSH) pre‐treatment intervention (RecoveryMANTRA) for patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), by measuring the levels of patient/mentor Language Style Matching (LSM). RecoveryMANTRA was supported by student mentors or peer mentors (recovered individuals) over six weekly chat‐based sessions. We examined whether LSM during RecoveryMANTRA predicted patients'working alliance with the clinic therapist, motivation, eating disorder (ED) and general psychopathology. A further aim was to examine differences in LSM between student mentors and peer mentors. Method: 87 AN adults received RecoveryMANTRA plus treatment as usual. The LSM algorithm was used to calculate verbal attunement between patient and mentor. Participants were assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Results: Both early (1st session) and late (6th session) LSM predicted higher working alliance with the clinic therapist. Moreover, late LSM predicted lower EDs symptoms at the end of the RecoveryMANTRA intervention. Patient/peer mentor dyads showed higher late verbal attunement than patient/student mentor dyads. Conclusions: These findings suggests that in the early phase of treatment relational aspects can impact on engagement with treatment. Verbal attunement in a GSH for AN is associated with working alliance and better clinical outcome. Highlights: Language Style Matching (LSM) between patients and mentors in both the early and late phase of the RecoveryMANTRA intervention predicted higher working alliance with the clinic therapist.LSM in the last phase (6th session) was associated with lower eating disorders (EDs) symptoms at the end of the RecoveryMANTRA intervention.Patients/peer mentors dyads showed higher late LSM than patients/student mentors dyads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Psychotherapy is the treatment of choice for anorexia nervosa (AN) but mechanisms of action are still largely unknown. Growing research suggests that synchrony between patient and therapist contributes to treatment success. Adding to this literature, this study examined the association between language style matching (LSM) among patient and therapist as an indicator of interpersonal (verbal) synchrony and treatment outcome in AN. Method: Audio recordings of mid‐treatment therapy sessions (n = 25) in a multi‐centre randomized controlled trial on the Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults were transcribed and used to calculate LSM for each patient‐therapist dyad. These scores were used to predict treatment outcome at 12‐month follow‐up. Results: LSM did not predict body mass index (primary outcome) at follow‐up. However, higher LSM (M = 0.87, SD = 0.04) was associated with lower eating disorder psychopathology (accounting for 11% of the variance) and higher recovery rates (accounting for 28% of variance) at follow‐up. Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that verbal synchrony between patients with AN and their therapists contributes to favourable treatment outcomes. High levels of LSM may reflect therapeutic empathy, cooperation, or mutual positive perception. Further research should explore the mechanisms of linguistic synchrony with larger samples to allow for stronger conclusions. Highlights: Verbal synchrony among patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and their therapists in mid‐treatment sessions did not predict body mass index but eating disorder symptoms and recovery 12 months after randomisation.These findings advance the idea that verbal synchrony between patients with AN and their therapists contributes to favourable treatment outcomes, possibly through empathy, cooperation, or mutual positive perception.If the findings can be replicated in larger and more heterogeneous samples, these may inform the development of automated clinical support tools for therapists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was designed to identify changes in the expression of proteins occurring during the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to validate their impact on patient prognosis. Materials and Methods: The human OSCC cell line UPCI‐SCC‐040 was treated in vitro with TGF‐β1, and transcriptome analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) revealed putative candidates relative to untreated cells. The respective protein expression levels of the most important genes were immunohistochemically validated on a tissue microarray (TMA) containing tissue samples from 39 patients with OSCC and were correlated with disease‐free survival (DFS) as the primary clinical endpoint. Results: Our univariate Cox proportional hazard regression (CR) analysis revealed significant correlations among positive N stage (local lymph node metastasis, p =.04), stearoyl‐CoA desaturase‐1 (p <.01), sclerostin (p =.01), and CD137L expression (p =.04) and DFS. Stearoyl‐CoA desaturase‐1 and sclerostin remained the main prognostic factors (p <.01) in the multiple CR model. Conclusion: We identified changes in differentially expressed genes during OSCC progression in vitro and translated the impact of the most deregulated genes on patient prognosis. Stearoyl‐CoA desaturase‐1 and sclerostin acted as independent prognostic factors in OSCC and could also be interesting candidates for new cancer targeted therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that routine dental radiographs can be used to draw conclusions regarding the mandibular canal (MC) localization. Material and Methods: A total of 108 radiographs (36 orthopantomograms [OPTs], 36 lateral cephalograms [LCs], and 36 cone‐beam computed tomograms [CBCTs]) of 36 patients were analyzed. Statistical analysis included all cephalometric parameters obtained by OPTs, LCs, and CBCTs. Potential influencing parameters were calculated using linear and logistic regression with a backward removal algorithm. For predictability of MC localization, parameters were correlated using Pearson's correlation. Results: The MC ran along the lingual half (n = 24) twice as often as in the buccal half (n = 12) in the population studied. The position was always symmetrical contralaterally. No sex‐specific influence was observed (p =.34). Lingual and buccal MC courses were statistically significantly correlated to increased and decreased jaw angles (LC/OPT), respectively (p =.003; r = −.48/p =.010; r = −.42). An increased jaw angle was significantly correlated with a more cranial MC position (p =.013; r = −.41); a deep and distal bite position was significantly correlated with a caudal and buccal MC position (p =.004; r = −.47/p =.001; r =.57). Moreover, an increase of 1 point in the Hasund score predicted an increased probability of a buccal MC position by 18.6%. The jaw angle analyzed in OPT and LC images were positively correlated (r =.89, p <.001). Conclusions: Routine dental radiographs provide informative guidance on the location of the MC in the vertical and transverse levels. This finding could be used in the initial consultation and treatment planning to consider more invasive diagnostic methods further down the line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipids are biomolecules with essential roles in metabolic processes, signaling, and cellular architecture. In this study, we investigated changes in the lipidome of the house cricket Acheta domesticus subjected to diets of different nutritional composition (i.e., protein to carbohydrate ratio) and two distinct social environments (i.e., solitary or in groups). We measured relative abundances of 811 lipid species in whole‐body cricket samples using flow injection analysis coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. We assessed differences in the relative abundances of lipid species induced by diet composition and social environment in female and male A. domesticus. Additionally, we performed a functional analysis of the lipids with significant differences using a recently developed database. We found that most differences in the relative abundances of lipid species were explained by sex alone. Furthermore, the lipidome of female A. domesticus was responsive to diet composition. Females fed with the balanced diet had an even higher abundance of lipids involved in lipid storage than their counterparts fed with a protein‐rich diet. Interestingly, the male cricket lipidome was not responsive to diet composition. In addition, the social environment did not induce significant changes in the lipid profile neither in female nor in male crickets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Similarly, while patient's plasma was not able to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in vitro following first infection, the WT variant was strongly neutralized after the first vaccination. Humoral and cellular immune responses to repeated SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in an individual living with HIV T cells targeting SARS-CoV-2: by infection, vaccination, and against future variants. [Extracted from the article]

Zusammenfassung: Das Kaposi‐Sarkom (KS) ist eine seltene, maligne, von lymphatischen Endothelzellen ausgehende, multilokuläre Gefäßerkrankung, die vor allem Haut und Schleimhäute, aber auch das lymphatische System und innere Organe wie den Gastrointestinaltrakt, die Lunge oder die Leber befallen kann. Fünf epidemiologische Subtypen des KS mit variablem klinischem Verlauf und unterschiedlicher Prognose werden unterschieden, die in spezifischen Populationen vermehrt auftreten: (1) klassisches KS, (2) iatrogenes KS bei Immunsuppression, (3) endemisches (afrikanisches) lymphadenopathisches KS, (4) epidemisches, HIV‐assoziiertes KS und mit einem Immunrekonstitutions‐Inflammations‐Syndrom (IRIS) assoziiertes KS und (5) KS bei Männern, die Sex mit Männern haben (MSM) ohne HIV‐Infektion. Diese interdisziplinäre Leitlinie fasst aktuelle praxisrelevante Empfehlungen zu Diagnostik und Therapie der verschiedenen Formen des KS zusammen. Die in dieser Kurzleitlinie genannten Empfehlungen werden in der Langfassung der Leitlinie (Online‐Version des JDDG) detaillierter ausgeführt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a rare, malignant, multilocular vascular disease originating from lymphatic endothelial cells that can primarily affect the skin and mucous membranes, but also the lymphatic system and internal organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, lungs or liver. Five epidemiological subtypes of KS with variable clinical course and prognosis are distinguished, with increased incidence in specific populations: (1) Classical KS, (2) Iatrogenic KS in immunosuppression, (3) Endemic (African) lymphadenopathic KS, (4) Epidemic, HIV‐associated KS and KS associated with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), and (5) KS in men who have sex with men (MSM) without HIV infection. This interdisciplinary guideline summarizes current practice‐relevant recommendations on diangostics and therapy of the different forms of KS. The recommendations mentioned in this short guideline are elaborated in more detail in the extended version of the guideline (online format of the JDDG). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non‐AIDS‐associated chronic diseases in HIV+ patients have been on the rise since the advent of antiretroviral therapy. Especially cardiovascular diseases and disruption in the gastrointestinal tract have limited health‐related quality of life (QoL). Several of those complications have been associated with chronic systemic inflammation. Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA), with propionate as one of the major compounds, have been described as an important link between gut microbiota and the immune system, defining the pro‐ and the anti‐inflammatory milieu through direct and indirect regulation of T‐cell homeostasis. The effects of dietary supplementation of sodium propionate (SP) in people living with HIV (PLHIV) have not yet been investigated prior to this study. Objectives: To investigate the impact of SP uptake among PLHIV and its relevance to improve QoL, the study aimed to investigate metabolic, immunological, microbiome and patient‐reported QoL‐related changes post‐SP supplementation with follow‐up. Methods: A prospective, non‐randomized, controlled, monocentric interventional study was conducted in WIR, Center for Sexual Health and Medicine, in Bochum, Germany. 32 HIV+ patients with unaltered ART‐regimen in the last three months were included. Participants were given SP for a duration of 12 weeks in the form of daily oral supplementation and were additionally followed‐up for another 12 weeks. Results: The supplementation of SP was well tolerated. We found an improvement in lipid profiles and long‐term blood glucose levels. A decrease in pro‐inflammatory cytokines and a depletion of effector T cells was observed. Regulatory T cells and IL‐10 decreased. Furthermore, changes in taxonomic composition of the microbiome during follow‐up were observed and improvement of items of self‐reported life‐quality assessment. Conclusion: Taken together, the beneficial impact of SP in PLHIV reflects its potential in improving metabolic parameters and modulating pro‐inflammatory immune responses. Thus, possibly reducing the risk of cardiovascular disorders and facilitating long‐term improvement of the gut flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: Background: Our goal was to develop and evaluate an anonymous self‐administrable web‐based test to determine risk for HIV/STI. Methods: The Online HIV/STI Risk Test was developed and hosted since 12/2017. 11,529 participants completed the test and 10,668 were analyzed. The test included multiple choice questions about sociodemographic data, sexuality, sexual risk behavior, HIV/STI testing. Participant data was stratified by gender and sexuality and analyzed. Results: 84.5 % were aged 18–39, 7.5 % < 18 and 8.1 % > 40. Males were 53.1 %, female 46.3 % and trans 0.6 %. 12.5 % were men who have sex with men (MSM). 59.1 % and 66.0 % of participants were vaccinated for hepatitis A and B respectively, but 75.1 % unvaccinated for HPV. Prior and repeated instances of HIV or other STI were higher among MSM. Yet, 61.4 % females, 70 % males and 55.4 % MSM had never tested for an STI. Although prevalence of > 3 sexual partners in the last twelve months was highest among MSM, condomless sex was greater among women. 34.5 % of males, 25.6 % of females, and 75 % of MSM engaged in anal sex respectively. Conclusions: The online HIV/STI Risk Test is a useful tool to acquire data on STI risk‐behavior for strategizing STI prevention, testing, and vaccination, thus improving sexual health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a survey focusing on the perspectives of primary care physicians (PCPs) who provided telemedicine to older adults since March 2020. Results from the email survey, sent out to PCPs from September 2020 to January 2021, are presented and discussed. Self-efficacy and attitudes towards the use of telemedicine are also mentioned.

Desmoid fibromatosis (DF) is one of the rarest locally aggressive growing benign tumor entities. We present an overview of the literature and a rare clinical case of a 22‐year‐old female patient, who was diagnosed with aggressive DF in the left pharyngeal wall at the age of 4 years old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The differentiation between a pulmonary metastasis and a newly developed squamous cell carcinoma of the lung in patients with prior head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is difficult due to a lack of biomarkers but is crucially important for the prognosis and therapy of the affected patient. By using high‐resolution mass spectrometry in combination with stable isotope labelling by amino acids in cell culture, we identified 379 proteins that are differentially expressed in squamous cell carcinomas of the lung and the head and neck. Of those, CAV1, CAV2, LGALS1, LGALS7, CK19, and UGDH were tested by immunohistochemistry on 194 tissue samples (98 lung and 96 HNSCCs). The combination of CAV1 and LGALS7 was able to distinguish the origin of the squamous cell carcinoma with high accuracy (area under the curve 0.876). This biomarker panel was tested on a cohort of 12 clinically classified lung tumours of unknown origin after HNSCC. Nine of those tumours were immunohistochemically classifiable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Federal exception from informed consent (EFIC) procedures allow studies to enroll patients with time‐sensitive, life‐threatening conditions when written consent is not feasible. Our objective was to compare enrollment rates with and without EFIC in a trial of tranexamic acid (TXA) for children with hemorrhagic injuries. Methods: We conducted a four‐center randomized controlled pilot and feasibility trial evaluating TXA in children with severe hemorrhagic brain and/or torso injuries. We initiated the trial enrolling patients without EFIC. After 3 months of enrollment, we met our a priori futility threshold and paused the trial to incorporate EFIC procedures and obtain regulatory approval. We then restarted the trial allowing EFIC if the guardian was unable to provide timely written consent. We used descriptive statistics to compare characteristics of eligible patients approached with and without EFIC procedures. We also calculated the time delay to restart the trial using EFIC. Results: We enrolled one of 15 (6.7%) eligible patients (0.17 per site per month) prior to using EFIC procedures. Of the 14 missed eligible patients, seven (50%) were not enrolled because guardians were not present or were injured and unable to provide written consent. After obtaining approval for EFIC, we enrolled 30 of 48 (62.5%) eligible patients (1.34 per site per month). Of these 30 patients, 22 (73.3%) were enrolled with EFIC. Of the 22, no guardians refused written consent after randomization. There were no significant differences in the eligibility rate and patient characteristics enrolled with and without EFIC procedures. Across all sites, the mean delay to restart the trial using EFIC procedures was 12 months. Conclusions: In a multicenter trial of severely injured children, the use of EFIC procedures greatly increased the enrollment rate and was well accepted by guardians. Initiating the trial without EFIC procedures led to a significant delay in enrollment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Recent models of anorexia nervosa (AN) emphasise the role of reduced emotion recognition ability (ERA) in the development and maintenance of the disorder. However, methodological limitations impede conclusions from prior research. The current study tries to overcome these limitations by examining ERA with an audio‐visual measure that focuses strictly on multimodal nonverbal cues and allows to differentiate between ERA for different emotion categories. Method: Forty women with AN and 40 healthy women completed the Geneva Emotion Recognition Test. This test includes 83 video clips in which 10 actors express 14 different emotions while saying a pseudo‐linguistic sentence without semantic meaning. All clips contain multimodal nonverbal cues (i.e., prosody, facial expression, gestures, and posture). Results: Patients with AN showed poorer ERA than the healthy control group (d = 0.71), particularly regarding emotions of negative valence (d = 0.26). Furthermore, a lower body weight (r = 0.41) and longer illness duration (ρ = −0.32) were associated with poorer ERA in the AN group. Conclusions: Using an ecologically valid instrument, the findings of the study support illness models emphasising poor ERA in AN. Directly addressing ERA in the treatment of AN with targeted interventions may be promising. Highlights: Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) show poorer emotion recognition ability (ERA) than healthy controlsEmotion recognition ability in patients with AN was particularly reduced regarding emotions of negative valencePoorer ERA was associated with a lower body mass index and longer illness duration in patients with AN [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study explored participants' experience of approach bias modification training (ABM) with transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for binge eating disorder (BED) within a randomised controlled trial (RCT). A subset of participants who completed the RCT were interviewed to attain feedback on treatment experience and outcomes. Method: 15 participants with BED who completed the RCT were recruited, using purposive sampling. Participants received six sessions of concurrent ABM training with either real or sham tDCS. Semi‐structured interviews relating to study experience and treatment outcomes were conducted and data were analysed thematically. Results: The combined ABM and tDCS intervention was deemed acceptable and worthwhile by participants interviewed across both intervention groups. Negative preconceptions of tDCS were an initial deterrent to study participation for some, yet the brain stimulation experience was found to be tolerable. Minor and transient sensations and side effects attributed to tDCS were reported by most participants during and after stimulation, in addition to less pleasant aspects of ABM training, with no significant adverse effects reported by interviewees. Positive outcomes were described by participants across both intervention groups, relating to changes in BED symptoms and to broader beneficial effects on associated cognitive and emotional factors. Two participants experienced a shift in autonomy, attributed to tDCS and the combined intervention respectively. Conclusions: Adults with symptoms of BED found concurrent ABM and tDCS sessions to be acceptable, despite initial apprehension about the safety of tDCS. Findings are relevant to the neuroethics literature and may inform science communication strategies on neuromodulation treatments. Key points: Novel, brain‐targeted treatment adjuncts are needed to improve clinical outcomes for patients with binge eating disorder (BED). This study is the first to explore participants' experience of multi‐session concurrent approach bias modification training (ABM) and transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for BED within a randomised control trial (ICARUS RCT: ISRCTN35717198)All interviewees would recommend study participation to others, which may indicate high rates of acceptability of the combined intervention. Facilitators and potential barriers to study enrolment and engagement were outlined. The perceived impact of tDCS on participants' autonomy and identity was discussed by a minority of participants interviewed. Participants reported an apprehension of, and misconceptions around, tDCS as a safe treatment modality prior to participation in the RCTFindings from this study will complement quantitative findings from the RCT in informing the development and evaluation of future studies. Additionally, participants' feedback is relevant to the discussion of the potential impact of neuromodulation on autonomy and identity, and may inform science communication strategies disseminating information about non‐invasive brain stimulation technologies to the public [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To test the hypothesis that the use of rhBMP2 in established defects requires additional growth factors such as rhVEGF to accomplish effective bone repair. Materials and Methods: Horizontal/vertical defects of 2 cm length and 1 cm height were created bilaterally in the alveolar crest of the maxillae of 18 minipigs together with the extraction of all premolar teeth and one molar tooth on both sides. After 3 months of healing, defects were augmented with 0.5 g particulate PDLLA/CaCO3 composite loaded with 400 µg rhBMP2/50 µg rhVEGF165 on one side and 800 µg rhBMP2 on the other in 12 test animals, whereas defects in six control animals were sham operated and left unfilled on one side and augmented with blank carriers on the other. After 4 and 13 weeks, the animals were evaluated each for area of new bone formation (mm²) and bone density (area %). Results: Augmentations with carriers loaded with 800 g µrhBMP2 failed to induce significantly more bone than in the augmentations with unloaded carrier after 4 and 13 weeks (p =.1000, p =.381). Augmentations with carriers loaded with 400 µg rhBMP2 and 50 µg erhVEGF165 resulted in significantly increased bone formation after 13 weeks (p =.024) compared to blank carriers. Soft tissue in augmentations with combined rhBMP2/rhVEGF165 loading exhibited numerous microvessels compared to soft tissue in augmentations with rhBMP2. Conclusions: It is concluded that effective bone regeneration in augmentations of established alveolar ridge defects may require the application of rhVEGF additionally to rhBMP2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) occur more often in people living with HIV (PLWH) than in the general population. It has been reported that CVD risk scores developed for the general population underestimate the CVD risk in PLWH. Performances of the Framingham Risk Score (FRS), the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) and the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (asCVD) risk score in PLWH were compared with the general population to quantify score‐specific differences in risk prediction. Methods: HIV‐positive outpatients from the HIV‐HEART (HIVH) study (n = 567) were compared with participants from the population‐based Heinz Nixdorf Recall (HNR) study (n ~ 4440) both recruited from the German Ruhr area. During a follow‐up time of around 5 years, the associations between the FRS and incident CVD and peripheral artery disease (CVD_pAD), SCORE and coronary heart disease (CHD), and asCVD and incident CVD were examined using logistic regression. Score performances were assessed by comparing the areas under the curve (AUCs). Results: The mean ages were 52.9 ± 6.7 and 59.1 ± 7.7 years in the HIVH and HNR studies, respectively. There were fewer incident CVD events in the HNR study than in the HIVH study (CVD_pAD: 3.9% vs. 12.1%; CHD: 2.1% vs. 7.8%; CVD: 3.5% vs. 9.9%). Age‐ and sex‐adjusted CVD risk was greater with increasing FRS, SCORE and asCVD in both cohorts, but the scores performed more accurately in the HNR than in HIVH study (AUCs FRS: 0.71 vs. 0.65; SCORE: 0.70 vs. 0.62; asCVD: 0.74 vs. 0.62). Conclusions: Associations between risk scores and future CVD were observed in both cohorts, but the score performances were less reliable in PLWH than in the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Very brief exposure to masked images of spider stimuli can facilitate approach behaviour towards spiders in fearful subjects. We hypothesized that a similar effect might occur for fear of food in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), possibly offering a new treatment approach, with advantages over other methods of food exposure. Methods: Patients with AN (n = 60) were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions and received a single session of exposure to either masked and very briefly presented food images, clearly visible food images, or masked non‐food images (i.e. household items). Effects of the three exposure conditions on fear of food and food avoidance were examined. Results: Contrary to our expectations, very brief food cue exposure was not superior to the control conditions regarding fear of food and approach behaviour towards food immediately after the intervention and body mass index four weeks later. Conclusion: This finding suggests important differences between fear of food in AN and specific phobias such as fear of spiders. The absence of an effect reveals limitations of the very brief exposure method, which might be better suited for evolutionarily relevant threat stimuli. Highlights: We hypothesized that very brief exposure to masked food images might reduce fear of food in patients with anorexia nervosa as a similar effect has been found for fear of spiders.We tested this hypothesis in an experimental design with two control groups (exposure to clearly visible food images or masked household items).We found no differences between the three groups, suggesting differences between fear of food and fear of spiders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rearing conditions may elicit noticeable plastic responses in life‐history traits of living organisms. Diet composition and the social environment have proven to influence prominent traits such as survival, body size, fecundity, and life span. Nevertheless, the physiological mechanisms underlying such responses are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated changes in the proteome of the house cricket Acheta domesticus subjected to diets of different nutritional composition (i.e., protein to carbohydrates ratio) and two distinct social environments (i.e., solitary or in groups). We measured the relative abundances of 685 proteins identified in whole‐body cricket samples using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Differential expression of proteins induced by diet composition and social environment in female and male A. domesticus was assessed in a data‐independent proteomics approach. Additionally, we performed a functional analysis of the differentially expressed proteins using comprehensive databases (KEGG and GO). We found that sex alone explained a significant portion (40.87%) of the relative protein abundance variation. Males had a higher representation of proteins involved in metabolic pathways and locomotion. In contrast, females exhibited a higher abundance of proteins related to genetic processes regulation and nutrient catabolism. Moreover, diet composition and social environment induced sex‐specific changes in a smaller set of proteins with particular roles. Females had their protein profile affected by diet composition and social environment. The involved proteins were mainly related to several protein synthesis stages, carbohydrate metabolism, and muscle development. In contrast, males were only affected by diet composition, overexpressing proteins related to hormone production, carbohydrate metabolism, and apparently depositing excess protein in the cuticle when fed with a protein‐rich diet. Evidently, diet had a more substantial influence on the proteome of the cricket A. domesticus than the social environment, showing that diet composition may exert profound physiological changes in insects in a sex‐specific manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Summary: Anogenital and oropharyngeal infections with human papilloma viruses (HPV) are common. Clinically manifest disease may significantly impact quality of life; the treatment of HPV‐associated lesions is associated with a high rate of recurrence and invasive neoplasms, such as cervical, anal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers, which are characterized by significant morbidity and mortality. Vaccination against HPV is an effective and safe measure for the primary prevention of HPV‐associated lesions, but immunization rates are still low in Germany. The present publication is an abridged version of the German evidence and consensus‐based guideline "Vaccination recommendations for the prevention of HPV‐associated lesions", which is available on the website of the German Association of the Scientific Medical Societies (AWMF). On the basis of a systematic review with meta‐analyses, a representative panel developed and agreed upon recommendations for the vaccination of different populations against HPV. In addition, consensus‐based recommendations were developed for specific issues relevant to everyday practice. Based on current evidence and a representative expert consensus, these recommendations are intended to provide guidance in a field in which there is often uncertainty and in which both patients and health care providers are sometimes confronted with controversial and emotionally charged points of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: STIs present a significant threat to individual and public health, disproportionately affecting youth. The study aimed to evaluate (a) the prevalence of asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections among youth using a rapid assay platform, (b) the participants' sexual behaviour and STI knowledge, (c) the utility of the rapid assay in reducing diagnosis‐to‐treatment time. Methods: In this study, 272 subjects (14–31 years) were included between 12/2016 and 7/2018. A questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data, sexual behaviour and STI knowledge. Prevalence of CT and NG infections were tested from oral, vaginal and anal swabs for women and oral, anal swabs and urine for men, using the Cepheid Xpert® CT/NG assay. Time intervals between (i) test to the time the patient were informed of the result (turn around time – TAT) and (ii) test to therapy initiation was documented. Results: Of the 272 subjects (48.9% female, 48.9% male, undisclosed 2.2%), 56.6 % reported university education. 46.6% were men who have sex with men (MSM), and 47.4% of women and 63.1% of men had anal intercourse. 59.9% had previously been tested for HIV, while only 39.7% had for CT, 20.6% for NG. Among these asymptomatic youth 7.7% were positive for CT and 5.5% for NG. The localization of CT were 3.7% genital, 5.5% anal and 2.2% oral, while the corresponding localization of NG were 0.4%, 2.9%, 4.4% respectively. 91.8% of the participants were informed of a positive result within 24 h with a median TAT of 03:09 h. 73.3% initiated therapy within 24 h, with a median time from testing to therapy initiation being 06:50 h. Conclusion: Asypmtomatic CT and NG infections are common and often not tested in persons at risk. The Cepheid Xpert® CT/NG assay is an effective strategy as it reduces STI diagnosis‐to‐treatment time to less than a day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Play offers rich opportunities for toddlers to develop motor, social, cognitive, and language skills, particularly during interactions with adult caregivers who may scaffold toddlers to higher levels of play than toddlers achieve on their own. However, research on play has narrowly focused on children from White, middle‐income backgrounds, leaving a dearth of knowledge about dyadic play in diverse cultural communities. We videorecorded 222 Mexican‐American mothers playing with their 2‐year‐old toddlers with a standard set of toys. Play behaviors were coded as nonsymbolic or symbolic (play type) and as expressed through manual, verbal, or multiple channels (play modality). Play between toddlers and mothers was frequent, high in symbolic content, and toddler play closely corresponded with mother play in type and modality: Toddlers' nonsymbolic play related to mothers' nonsymbolic play; toddlers' symbolic play related to mothers' symbolic play; toddlers' manual play related to mothers' manual play; and toddlers' multimodal play related to mothers' multimodal play. Play in Mexican‐American mothers and toddlers is frequent, multimodal, and symbolically rich, offering new directions for future research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The two studies aimed to examine implicit affective evaluations of thin‐ideal and normal‐weight body shapes in women with anorexia nervosa (AN), taking identification with body shapes into account. Method: In study 1, approach–avoidance bias for thin‐ideal and normal‐weight bodies was assessed in 40 women with AN and 40 healthy women by using an Approach‐Avoidance Task and female avatar bodies with a standard face as stimuli. In study 2, 39 women with AN and 38 healthy women underwent a similar task but identification with bodies was manipulated by presenting bodies once with the participant's own face and once with another woman's face. Results: In study 1, patients with AN did not differ from healthy participants in their automatic approach–avoidance tendencies towards thin‐ideal and normal‐weight bodies. In study 2, no definite approach bias for a thin self and no avoidance bias for thin other women or for a normal‐weight self were found. However, as compared to healthy women, those with AN showed a less positive implicit evaluation of thin other women, and an implicit preference for thin bodies depicted as themselves over thin bodies depicted as another woman. Conclusions: The findings suggest that intra‐sexual competition for being slim is increased in AN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Previous research has found increasing evidence for difficulties in emotion recognition ability (ERA) and social cognition in anorexia nervosa (AN), and recent models consider these factors to contribute to the development and maintenance of the disorder. However, there is a lack of experimental studies testing this hypothesis. Therefore, the present proof‐of‐concept study examined whether ERA can be improved by a single session of a computerized training in AN, and whether this has short‐term effects on eating disorder symptoms. Method: Forty inpatients (22.20 ± 7.15 years) with AN were randomly assigned to receive a single session of computerized training of ERA (TERA) or a sham training (training the recognition of different types of clouds). ERA, self‐reported eating disorder symptoms, and body mass index (BMI) were assessed within 3 days before and after training. Results: After training, both groups showed improved ERA, reduced self‐reported eating disorder symptoms, and an increased BMI. As compared to patients in the control group, patients who received TERA showed greater improvements in ERA and self‐reported eating disorder symptoms. Discussion: ERA can be effectively trained in patients with AN. Moreover, short‐term improvements in self‐reported eating disorder symptoms provide tentative support for the hypothesis that difficulties in ERA contribute to the maintenance of AN, and that specific trainings of ERA hold promise as an additional component in AN treatment. Future studies are needed to replicate these findings in larger samples, and to investigate long‐term effects and transfer into real‐world settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim was to collate and contrast patient concerns from a range of different head and neck cancer follow‐up clinics around the world. Also, we sought to explore the relationship, if any, between responses to the patient concerns inventory (PCI) and overall quality of life (QOL). Methods: Nineteen units participated with intention of including 100 patients per site as close to a consecutive series as possible in order to minimize selection bias. Results: There were 2136 patients with a median total number of PCI items selected of 5 (2‐10). "Fear of the cancer returning" (39%) and "dry mouth" (37%) were most common. Twenty‐five percent (524) reported less than good QOL. Conclusion: There was considerable variation between units in the number of items selected and in overall QOL, even after allowing for case‐mix variables. There was a strong progressive association between the number of PCI items and QOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial from the journal "Vakuum in Forschung und Praxis" published in February 2024. It discusses the importance of vacuum technology in various industries, including food production, steel degassing, semiconductor manufacturing, and research and development. The editorial highlights the growth of the vacuum business sector and the acquisition of several companies by Atlas Copco, a global company specializing in technical equipment and machinery. The document emphasizes the company's commitment to learning and development, offering extensive online learning platforms and training programs through their Vacuum Academy. [Extracted from the article]

Objectives: HIV Pre‐Exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a strategy to reduce HIV transmission in people at risk. Aim of this first German‐Austrian PrEP guideline is to provide professional guidance on: when and in whom to use PrEP, recommended laboratory tests before and while on PrEP, selection of drugs, prevention of adverse events as a consequence of missing accompanying medical care, and general handling of PrEP in adults and adolescents. Methods: Commented summary of of the S2k PrEP consensus guidelines released by the German and Austrian HIV medical societies to highlight the key recommendations of the guidelines. Content: Detailed information about effectiveness of PrEP, when and in whom to use PrEP, as well as about additional monitoring of HIV PrEP are included in the HIV PrEP guidelines. Therewith detailed guidance for people being involved in PrEP counseling and associated care is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]