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The research was focused on alternative treatment techniques, separating immediate and long-term reconstruction stages. The work involved development of ceramic materials dedicated to reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint area. They were based on alumina (aluminum oxide) and characterized by varying porosities. A broad spectrum of studies was conducted to test the proposed material and determine its suitability for mandibular reconstruction. They compared the effects of substrate properties of ceramic materials in terms of biocompatibility, microbiology and systemic toxicity in in vivo studies. Finally it was concluded that Alumina LithaLox 350D is best suited for jawbone implants.

In online environments, listening involves being able to pause or replay the recording as needed. Previous research indicates that control over the listening input could improve the measurement accuracy of listening assessment. Self-pacing also supports the second language (L2) comprehension processes of test-takers with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) or, more specifically, of learners with reading-related learning difficulties who might have slower processing speed and limited working memory capacity. Our study examined how L1 literacy skills influence L2 listening performance in the standard single-listening and self-paced administration mode of the listening section of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Junior Standard test. In a counterbalanced design, 139 Austrian learners of English completed 15 items in a standard single-listening condition and another 15 in a self-paced condition. L1 literacy skills were assessed via a standard reading, non-word reading, word-naming, and non-word repetition test. Generalized Linear Mixed-Effects Modelling revealed that self-pacing had no statistically significant effect on listening scores nor did it boost the performance of test-takers with lower L1 literacy scores indicative of reading-related SpLDs. The results indicate that young test-takers might require training in self-pacing or that self-paced conditions may need to be carefully implemented when they are offered to candidates with SpLDs.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Temporal lobe epilepsy, structural or nonlesional, may negatively affect language function. However, little is known about the lesion-specific influence on language networks. We hypothesized that different epileptogenic lesions are related to distinct alterations in the functional language connectome detected by fMRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred one patients with epilepsy due to mesiotemporal sclerosis (21 left, 22 right), low-grade mesiotemporal tumors (12 left), or nonlesional temporal lobe epilepsy (22 left, 24 right) and 22 healthy subjects performed 3T task-based language fMRI. Task-based activation maps (laterality indices) and functional connectivity analysis (global and connectivity strengths between language areas) were correlated with language scores. RESULTS: Laterality indices based on fMRI activation maps failed to discriminate among patient groups. Functional connectivity analysis revealed the most extended language network alterations in left mesiotemporal sclerosis (involving the left temporal pole, left inferior frontal gyrus, and bilateral premotor areas). The other patient groups showed less extended but also predominantly ipsilesional network changes compared with healthy controls. Left-to-right hippocampal connectivity strength correlated positively with naming function (P = .01), and connectivity strength between the left Wernicke area and the left hippocampus was linked to verbal fluency scores (P = .01) across all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Different pathologies underlying temporal lobe epilepsy are related to distinct alterations of the functional language connectome visualized by fMRI functional connectivity analysis. Network analysis allows new insights into language organization and provides possible imaging biomarkers for language function. These imaging findings emphasize the importance of a personalized treatment strategy in patients with epilepsy.

Metformin is used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and was found to lower the incidence of cancer. Bone metastasis is a common complication of advanced breast cancer. The present study investigated the effects of metformin on human bone-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC) – breast cancer cell line interactions. BM-MSCs grown from box chisels were tested for growth-stimulating and migration-controlling activity on four breast cancer cell lines either untreated or after pretreatment with metformin. Growth stimulation was tested in MTT tests and migration in scratch assays. Furthermore, the expression of adipokines of BM-MSCs in response to metformin was assessed using Western blot arrays. Compared to breast cancer cell lines (3.6 ± 1.4% reduction of proliferation), 500 µM metformin significantly inhibited the proliferation of BM-MSC lines (12.3 ± 2.2 reduction). Pretreatment of BM-MSCs with metformin showed variable effects of the resulting conditioned media (CM) on breast cancer cell lines depending on the specific BM-MSC –cancer line combination. Metformin significantly impaired the migration of breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-436 in response to CM of drug-pretreated BM-MSCs. Assessment of metformin-induced alterations in expression of adipokines by BM-MSC CM indicated increased osteogenic signaling and possibly impairment of metastasis. In conclusion, the anticancer activities of metformin are the result of a range of direct and indirect mechanisms that lower tumor proliferation and progression. A lower metformin-induced protumor activity of BM-MSCs in the bone microenvironment seem to contribute to the positive effects of the drug in selected breast cancer patients.

Metformin is used to treat patients with diabetes mellitus and that was found to lower the incidence of cancer. The present study investigated the effects of metformin on human bone-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC) and their breast cancer cell line interactions. BM-MSCs were tested for growth stimulation and migration controlling activity on four breast cancer cell lines employing MTT tests, migration scratch tests and assays of the expression of adipokines in Western Blot arrays. Compared to breast cancer cell lines, metformin significantly inhibited the proliferation of BM-MSC lines. Pretreatment of BM-MSCs with metformin showed variable effects on breast cancer cell lines depending on the specific BM-MSC cancer line combination. Metformin significantly impaired the migration of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-436 in response to conditioned media (CM) of drug pretreated BM-MSCs. Metformin-induced alterations of adipokines by BM-MSC CM indicated increased osteogenic signaling and possibly impairment of metastasis. The anticancer activities of metformin seem to be the result of direct and indirect mechanisms. A lower metformin-induced protumor activity of BM-MSCs in the bone microenvironment seem to contribute to the anticancer effects of this drug in breast cancer patients.

Mixed fungal and bacterial biofilm associated infections of implants have been a huge challenge in health care because of the increased resistance to antimicrobials and the critical biological differences between fungi and bacteria. In this study, we evaluated the 2-aminobenzimidazole (2ABI) and curcumin (CUR) alone to inhibit planktonic cell growth, adhesion as well as single and mixed species biofilms of Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus on silicone. The combined effects between 2ABI and CUR on mixed species biofilm formation and pre-formed biofilm were assessed. Our work showed that 2ABI or CUR alone was effective as a sole agent, inhibiting planktonic growth, adhesion and the biofilm formation of bacteria and fungi on the silicone surface. The combination of 2ABI and CUR exhibited the enhanced effect on mixed biofilm compared to mono-drug therapy. The biofilm architecture was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the distinction of living/dead organisms within biofilm was examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The combination activity was most potent on mixed biofilm. These results suggest the potential applicability of 2ABI and CUR to treatment of biofilm related device infections.

In the present study, we demonstrated the emergence of dalbavancin non-susceptible and teicoplanin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus small colony variants which were selected in vivo through long-term treatment with dalbavancin. A 36-year-old man presented with a cardiac device-related S. aureus endocarditis and received long-term therapy with dalbavancin. Consecutively, two glycopeptide/lipoglycopeptide susceptible and two non-susceptible S. aureus isolates were obtained from blood cultures and the explanted pacemaker wire. The isolates were characterized by: standard typing methods, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, auxotrophic profiling, proliferation assays, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, as well as whole genome sequencing. The isolated SCVs demonstrated a vancomycin-susceptible but dalbavancin non-susceptible and teicoplanin-resistant phenotype whereof the respective MICs of the last isolate were 16- and 84-fold higher than the susceptible strains. All four strains were indistinguishable or at least closely related by standard typing methods (spa, MLST, and PFGE), and whole genome sequencing revealed only eight sequence variants. A consecutive increase in cell wall thickness (up to 2.1-fold), an impaired cell separation with incomplete or multiple cross walls and significantly reduced growth rates were observed in the present study. Therefore, the mutations in pbp2 and the DHH domain of GdpP were identified as the most probable candidates due to their implication in the biosynthesis and metabolism of the staphylococcal cell wall. For the first time, we demonstrated in vivo induced dalbavancin non-susceptible/teicoplanin resistant, but vancomycin and daptomycin susceptible S. aureus SCVs without lipopeptide or glycopeptide pretreatment, thus, indicating the emergence of a novel lipoglycopeptide resistance mechanism.

As infection control faces new challenges from emerging, multidrug resistant strains of the yeast Candida auris, this study was conducted in order to examine the efficacy of hospital surface disinfectants and a new water disinfectant against C. auris biofilm forms.We tested four reference strains of C. auris (NCPF8971, NCPF8977, NCPF8984, DSM21092) and one C. albicans strain (ATCC10231) against disinfectants based on ethanol (ETH), quaternary ammonium (QAC), a combination of glutaraldehyde, quaternary ammonium and surfactant (ALD) and potassium peroxymonosulfate (PP) as well as 3.4% HETH and QAC displayed in clinically recommended concentrations more than 5log

Seit 1977 wird in Klagenfurt der Literaturwettbewerb um den Ingeborg-Bachmann-Preis ausgetragen. Was damals als ein Akt der Haresie gegenuber etablierten Preisvergaben angesehen wurde, uberdauert inzwischen 44 Jahre. Der alteste noch existierende deutschsprachige Literaturwettbewerb verdankt sein Uberleben nicht zuletzt einem ausgeglichenen Wechselspiel aus Haresie und Doxa. Mit Blick auf die Entstehung und Entwicklung des Wettbewerbs und mit Bezug auf Pierre Bourdieus Feld- und Kapitaltheorie veranschaulicht der Beitrag, welche Konflikte sich auftun, wenn Akteure die Spielregeln aus ihren angestammten Feldern (z. B. Medien, Politik, Okonomie) in dem Schnittfeld, das der Bachmann-Preis ausmacht und das haufig als Innbegriff des Literaturbetriebs tituliert wird, ungeniert und unreflektiert anwenden.

OBJECTIVE Epilepsy surgery is the recommended treatment option for patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). This method offers a good chance of seizure freedom but carries a considerable risk of postoperative language impairment. The extremely variable neurocognitive profiles in surgical epilepsy patients cannot be fully explained by extent of resection, fiber integrity, or current task-based functional MRI (fMRI). In this study, the authors aimed to investigate pathology- and surgery-triggered language organization in TLE by using fMRI activation and network analysis as well as considering structural and neuropsychological measures. METHODS Twenty-eight patients with unilateral TLE (16 right, 12 left) underwent T1-weighted imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and task-based language fMRI pre- and postoperatively (n = 15 anterior temporal lobectomy, n = 11 selective amygdalohippocampectomy, n = 2 focal resection). Twenty-two healthy subjects served as the control cohort. Functional connectivity, activation maps, and laterality indices for language dominance were analyzed from fMRI data. Postoperative fractional anisotropy values of 7 major tracts were calculated. Naming, semantic, and phonematic verbal fluency scores before and after surgery were correlated with imaging parameters. RESULTS fMRI network analysis revealed widespread, bihemispheric alterations in language architecture that were not captured by activation analysis. These network changes were found preoperatively and proceeded after surgery with characteristic patterns in the left and right TLEs. Ipsilesional fronto-temporal connectivity decreased in both left and right TLE. In left TLE specifically, preoperative atypical language dominance predicted better postoperative verbal fluency and naming function. In right TLE, left frontal language dominance correlated with good semantic verbal fluency before and after surgery, and left fronto-temporal language laterality predicted good naming outcome. Ongoing seizures after surgery (Engel classes ID–IV) were associated with naming deterioration irrespective of seizure side. Functional findings were not explained by the extent of resection or integrity of major white matter tracts. CONCLUSIONS Functional connectivity analysis contributes unique insight into bihemispheric remodeling processes of language networks after epilepsy surgery, with characteristic findings in left and right TLE. Presurgical contralateral language recruitment is associated with better postsurgical language outcome in left and right TLE.

Polymicrobial biofilms with fungi and bacteria are the leading cause for the failure of medical devices and related infections. In this study, antibiofilm activities of carboxymethyl chitosan (CM-chitosan) on monomicrobial and polymicrobial biofilms of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida tropicalis in vitro were evaluated. CM-chitosan was effective as a sole agent, inhibiting both monomicrobial and polymicrobial biofilms in microplates and also on the silicone surface in short- and long-term periods. Biofilm architecture was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to examine living/dead organisms within biofilm. CM-chitosan inhibited planktonic growth as well as adhesion. Further biofilm formation was inhibited by CM-chitosan added at 90min or 12h after biofilm initiation. CM-chitosan may serve as a possible antibiofilm agent to limit monomicrobial and polymicrobial biofilm.

β-1,3-glucan plays a role in Candida biofilm formation and survival of biofilm-forming Candida to stresses. In this study, we evaluated the antibiofilm activity of β-1,3-glucanase, which can degrade poly-β(1→3)-glucose of Candida albicans biofilms. Biofilm was dispersed by 55.96%. β-1,3-glucanase had no effect on Candida planktonic growth as well as adhesion. β-1,3-glucanase markedly enhanced the antifungal susceptibility of fluconazole and amphotericin B. The examination using confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscope confirmed the antibiofilm activity of β-1,3-glucanase. Our findings demonstrate that β-1,3-glucanase may be useful as an antibiofilm agent.

Background As infection control faces new challenges from emerging, multidrug resistant strains of the yeast Candida auris, this study was conducted in order to examine the efficacy of hospital surface disinfectants and a new water disinfectant against C. auris biofilm forms. Methods We tested four reference strains of C. auris (NCPF8971, NCPF8977, NCPF8984, DSM21092) and one C. albicans strain (ATCC10231) against disinfectants based on ethanol (ETH), quaternary ammonium (QAC), a combination of glutaraldehyde, quaternary ammonium and surfactant (ALD) and potassium peroxymonosulfate (PP) as well as 3.4% H2O2 and 4.25% H2O2 alone. In addition, a micellic-based formulation containing 17% v/v hydrogene peroxide disinfectant (mH2O2) was tested. The efficacy of the disinfectants was measured in a 96-well plate using tetrazolium salt reduction (XTT) and the log10 reduction assay. Results ETH and QAC displayed in clinically recommended concentrations more than 5log10 reduction and more than 80% XTT activity reduction for all of the Candida biofilms and planktonic cells. Only biofilms of C. auris NCPF8984 were additionally sensitive to all remaining disinfectants. All tested C. auris biofilms were sensitive to PP disinfectant and showed more than 5log10 reduction. However, the XTT assay showed a reduction of less than 80% for the PP disinfectant, indicating the presence of active but non-culturable cells. The 25% mH2O2 (corresponding to 4.25% H2O2) killed Candida biofilms after 1 minute.

Background & Aims: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases result in a substantial reduction in quality of life and a considerable socioeconomic impact. In IBS, diagnosis and treatment options are limited, but evidence for involvement of the gut microbiome in disease pathophysiology is emerging. Here we analyzed the prevalence of endoscopically visible mucosal biofilms in gastrointestinal disease and associated changes in microbiome composition and metabolism. Methods: The presence of mucosal biofilms was assessed in 1426 patients at 2 European university-based endoscopy centers. One-hundred and seventeen patients were selected for in-depth molecular and microscopic analysis using 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon-sequencing of colonic biopsies and fecal samples, confocal microscopy with deep learning–based image analysis, scanning electron microscopy, metabolomics, and in vitro biofilm formation assays. Results: Biofilms were present in 57% of patients with IBS and 34% of patients with ulcerative colitis compared with 6% of controls (P < .001). These yellow-green adherent layers of the ileum and right-sided colon were microscopically confirmed to be dense bacterial biofilms. 16S-sequencing links the presence of biofilms to a dysbiotic gut microbiome, including overgrowth of Escherichia coli and Ruminococcus gnavus. R. gnavus isolates cultivated from patient biofilms also formed biofilms in vitro. Metabolomic analysis found an accumulation of bile acids within biofilms that correlated with fecal bile acid excretion, linking this phenotype with a mechanism of diarrhea. Conclusions: The presence of mucosal biofilms is an endoscopic feature in a subgroup of IBS and ulcerative colitis with disrupted bile acid metabolism and bacterial dysbiosis. They provide novel insight into the pathophysiology of IBS and ulcerative colitis, illustrating that biofilm can be seen as a tipping point in the development of dysbiosis and disease.

Background Biofilm formation on voice prostheses in laryngectomized patients usually limits the lifetime of the device. The purpose of this study was to compare the biofilm resistance of different valve flaps of modern voice prostheses in an in vitro simulation of an oropharyngeal biofilm. Methods Growth of biofilm deposits on valve flaps (n = 12) removed from Provox 2, Provox Vega, Provox ActiValve, Blom Singer Advantage, and Phonax voice prostheses was evaluated and compared to medical-grade silicone (n = 12) in an in vitro biofilm model (22 days) after incubation with a multispecies bacterial-fungal biofilm composition. Results The Provox ActiValve and the Blom Singer Advantage prostheses showed significantly less surface biofilm formation than the other prostheses and then silicone. Conclusion The use of silver oxide and Teflon as valve flap materials proves to reduce long-term biofilm formation in vitro. The applied model allows rapid screening for novel biofilm-inhibitive materials and durable coatings designated for more biofilm resistant medical devices.

β-1,3-glucan plays a role in non-albicans Candida species biofilm formation and survival of biofilm Candida to stresses. In this study, we evaluated the antibiofilm activity of β-1,3-glucanase, which can degrade poly-β(1 → 3)-glucose of non-albicans Candida species biofilms, on single and mixed species biofilm of non-albicans Candida species, including Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis and Candida krusei. Biofilm by all tested species in microplate were dispersed more than 60%. β-1,3-glucanase also detached mixed species biofilm in microplate and on medical material surface. β-1,3-glucanase had no effect on Candida planktonic growth as well as adhesion. However, further biofilm formation was inhibited with β-1,3-glucanase added at 24 h after biofilm initiation. β-1,3-glucanase markedly enhanced the antifungal susceptibility of amphotericin B. The examination using confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscope confirmed the antibiofilm activity of β-1,3-glucanase. Our findings demonstrate that β-1,3-glucanase may be useful as an antibiofilm agent.

Fungal-bacterial multispecies biofilms play a major role in failure of medical silicone devices, such as voice prostheses in laryngectomiy. In this study, we determined the effect of Lactobacilli supernatant (cell free) on mixed biofilm formation of fungi and bacteria on silicone in vitro. Lactobacilli supernatant inhibited the adhesion (90 min) of mixed fungi and bacteria species with an efficiency of >90%. Mixed biofilm formation and the metabolic activity of the biofilms were inhibited by 72.23% and 58.36% by Lactobacilli supernatant. The examination using confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy confirmed that Lactobacilli supernatant inhibited the growth of mixed biofilm and damaged the cells. Moreover, Lactobacilli supernatant also inhibited Candida yeast–to-hyphal transition. Therefore, Lactobacilli supernatant may serve as a possible antibiofilm agent to limit biofilm formation on voice prostheses.

Much research has been done on bone cells, but only a few studies deal with biomaterial-induced effects on human osteoclasts, which may take on an important role in the successful regeneration of bone. In order to highlight such effects, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were extracted from venous blood, differentiated to osteoclasts and then cultured in, the presence of five particulate hydroxyapatite (HA)/β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) biomaterials, on bovine bone slices and glass cover slips. The biomaterials, AlgOSS 50/50 (50 % HA/50 % TCP), AlgOSS 20/80 (20 % HA/80 % TCP), Algipore (98 % HA), Cerasorb (100 % TCP) and Bio-Oss (100 % HA) were chosen to assess their influence on cell morphology and numbers. Light microscopic evaluation was performed during ongoing cell culture. After 21 d of cultivation, the biomaterial-induced effects on osteoclastic resorption of the bone slices were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Osteoclast-like cells were identified by TRAP staining. All five biomaterials showed larger area fractions of resorbed bone than the control (5.6 ± 6.8 %), as measured on SEM images. The purely hydroxyapatite-based Algipore (9.8 ± 9.7 %) and Bio-Oss (7.9 ± 8.8 %) showed significantly elevated area fraction rates (p ≤ 0.05) of bone resorption. Light microscope evaluation revealed a significant, but inhibiting effect of Cerasorb (p = 0.05). These data indicated that introducing of small biomaterial hydroxyapatite particles may have improved the performance of bone substitute materials.

Background Prosthetic implant infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and epidermidis are major challenges for early diagnosis and treatment owing to biofilm formation on the implant surface. Extracellular DNA (eDNA) is actively excreted from bacterial cells in biofilms, contributing to biofilm stability, and may offer promise in the detection or treatment of such infections. Questions/purposes (1) Does DNA structure change during biofilm formation? (2) Are there time-dependent differences in eDNA production during biofilm formation? (3) Is there differential eDNA production between clinical and control Staphylococcal isolates? (4) Is eDNA production correlated to biofilm thickness? Methods We investigated eDNA presence during biofilm formation in 60 clinical and 30 control isolates of S aureus and S epidermidis. The clinical isolates were isolated from patients with infections of orthopaedic prostheses and implants: 30 from infected hip prostheses and 30 from infected knee prostheses. The control isolates were taken from healthy volunteers who had not been exposed to antibiotics and a hospital environment during the previous 3 and 12 months, respectively. Control S epidermidis was isolated from the skin of the antecubital fossa, and control S aureus was isolated from the nares. For the biofilm experiments the following methods were used to detect eDNA: (1) fluorescent staining with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), (2) eDNA extraction using a commercial kit, and (3) confocal laser scanning microscopy for 24-hour biofilm observation using propidium iodide and concanavalin-A staining; TOTO®-1 and SYTO® 60 staining were used for observation and quantification of eDNA after 6 and 24 hours of biofilm formation. Additionally antibiotic resistance was described. Results eDNA production as observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy was greater in clinical isolates than controls (clinical isolates mean ± SD: 1.84% ± 1.31%; control mean ± SD: 1.17% ± 1.37%; p < 0.005) after 6 hours of biofilm formation. After 24 hours, the amount of eDNA was greater in biofilms of S epidermidis than in biofilms of S aureus (S aureus mean ± SD: 1.35% ± 2.0%; S epidermidis mean ± SD: 6.42% ± 10.6%; p < 0.05). Clinical isolates of S aureus and S epidermidis produced more eDNA than control isolates at 6 hours of biofilm formation. The extraction method also showed that clinical isolates produced substantially greater amounts of eDNA than controls. Conclusions S aureus and S epidermidis exhibit a differential production of DNA with time. Clinical isolates associated with implant infections produce greater amounts of eDNA than controls. Future research might focus on the diagnostic value of eDNA as a surrogate laboratory marker for biofilm formation in implant infections. Clinical relevance eDNA should be considered as a potential future diagnostic tool or even a possible target to modify biofilms for successful treatment of biofilm-associated infections.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) represents 15% of lung cancers and is characterized by early dissemination, development of chemoresistance and a poor prognosis. A host of diverse drugs failed invariably and its mechanisms of global chemoresistance have not been characterized so far. SCLC represents the prototype of an aggressive and highly metastatic tumor which is ultimately refractory to any treatment. High numbers of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) allowed us to establish 5 CTC cell lines (BHGc7, 10, 16, 26 and UHGc5) from patients with recurrent SCLC. These cell lines exhibit the typical SCLC markers and CTCs of all patients developed spontaneously large multicellular aggregates, termed tumorospheres. Ki67 and carbonic anhydrase 9 (CAIX) staining of tumorosphere sections revealed quiescent and hypoxic cells, respectively. Accordingly, comparison of the chemosensitivity of CTC single cell suspensions with tumorospheres demonstrated increased resistance of the clusters against chemotherapeutics commonly used for treatment of SCLC. Therefore, global chemoresistance of relapsing SCLC seems to rely on formation of large tumorospheres which reveal limited accessibility, lower growth fraction and hypoxic conditions. Since similar tumor spheroids were found in other tumor types, SCLC seems to represent a unique tumor model to study the association of CTCs, metastasis and drug resistance.

Background:Semantic memory may be impaired in clinically recognized states of cognitive impairment. We investigated the relationship between semantic memory and depressive symptoms (DS) in patients with cognitive impairment.Methods:323 cognitively healthy controls and 848 patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia were included. Semantic knowledge for famous faces, world capitals, and word vocabulary was investigated.Results:Compared to healthy controls, we found a statistically significant difference of semantic knowledge in the MCI groups and the AD group, respectively. Results of the SCD group were mixed. However, two of the three semantic memory measures (world capitals and word vocabulary) showed a significant association with DS.Conclusions:We found a difference in semantic memory performance in MCI and AD as well as an association with DS. Results suggest that the difference in semantic memory is due to a storage loss rather than to a retrieval problem.

Mixed biofilms with fungi and bacteria are the leading cause for the failure of medical silicone devices, such as voice prostheses in laryngectomy. In this study, we determined the effect of carboxymethyl chitosan (CM-chitosan) on mixed biofilm formation of fungi and bacteria on silicone which is widely used for construction of medical devices. Mixed biofilm formations were inhibited 72.87% by CM-chitosan. Furthermore, CM-chitosan significantly decreased the metabolic activity of the biofilms using 2, 3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfo-phenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5 carboxanilide (XTT) reduction assay. The examination using confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscope confirmed that CM-chitosan inhibited the mixed biofilm and damaged the cells. Effects of CM-chitosan on different stages of biofilms were also evaluated. CM-chitosan inhibited the adhesion of fungi and bacteria with an efficiency of >90%. It prevented biofilm formation at efficiencies of 69.86%, 50.88% and 46.58% when CM-chitosan was added at 90 min, 12 h and 24 h after biofilm initiation, respectively. Moreover, CM-chitosan inhibited Candida yeast–to-hyphal transition. CM-chitosan was not only able to inhibit the metabolic activity of biofilms, but also active upon the establishment and development of biofilm. Therefore, CM-chitosan may serve as a possible antibiofilm agent to limit biofilm formation on voice prostheses.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) have been shown to produce and release a plethora of pro-angiogenetic factors in response to γ-irradiation, partially accounting for their tissue-regenerative capacity. Here, we investigated whether a certain cell subtype of PBMCs is responsible for this effect, and whether the type of cell death affects the pro-angiogenic potential of bioactive molecules released by γ-irradiated PBMCs. PBMCs and PBMC subpopulations, including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B cells, monocytes, and natural killer cells, were isolated and subjected to high-dose γ-irradiation. Transcriptome analysis revealed subpopulation-specific responses to γ-irradiation with distinct activation of pro-angiogenic pathways, cytokine production, and death receptor signalling. Analysis of the proteins released showed that interactions of the subsets are important for the generation of a pro-angiogenic secretome. This result was confirmed at the functional level by the finding that the secretome of γ-irradiated PBMCs displayed higher pro-angiogenic activity in an aortic ring assay. Scanning electron microscopy and image stream analysis of γ-irradiated PBMCs revealed distinct morphological changes, indicative for apoptotic and necroptotic cell death. While inhibition of apoptosis had no effect on the pro-angiogenic activity of the secretome, inhibiting necroptosis in stressed PBMCs abolished blood vessel sprouting. Mechanistically, we identified tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily member 1B as the main driver of necroptosis in response to γ-irradiation in PBMCs, which was most likely mediated via membrane-bound TNF-α. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the pro-angiogenic activity of the secretome of γ-irradiated PBMCs requires interplay of different PBMC subpopulations. Furthermore, we show that TNF-dependent necroptosis is an indispensable molecular process for conferring tissue-regenerative activity and for the pro-angiogenic potential of the PBMC secretome. These findings contribute to a better understanding of secretome-based therapies in regenerative medicine.

Background Assisted lipotransfer for breast reconstruction involves the isolation and supplementation of adipose-derived stromal cells. This procedure has raised concerns regarding safety with respect to promotion of tumor growth and relapse. Several in vitro and animal experimental studies have indicated increased survival, growth, and invasive characteristics of breast cancer cells on interaction with adipose-derived stromal cells. These results seem to be in poor concordance with clinical observations of a low rate of cancer recurrences after assisted lipotransfer. Methods The authors investigated the effects of adipose-derived stromal cells and adipose-derived stromal cells differentiated into adipocytes and fibroblasts on five breast cancer cell lines (i.e., T47D, MCF-7, BT20, MDA-MB-231, and ZR-75-1) and MCF-10A, a nonmalignant counterpart. Results Conditioned media of adipose-derived stromal cells stimulated the proliferation of breast cancer cell lines depending on the individual adipose-derived stromal cell-breast cancer cell line combination. Conditioned media of adipose-derived stromal cells differentiated into adipocytes gave a lower response, and conditioned media of fibroblasts were also active. A putative cancer stem cell-like phenotype was not increased by adipose-derived stromal cell-conditioned media, no physical interaction of cancer cells with adipose-derived stromal cells was detectable on scanning electron microscopy, and cell migration was not enhanced. Adipogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stromal cells indicated that hepatocyte growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-6, interleukin-6, CCL2/MCP-1, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor are not linked to the proliferative activity of conditioned media. Conclusion The results indicate that the adipose-derived stromal cells used for assisted lipotransfer are not expected to increase the risk of tumor recurrence to a major degree in correspondence with the clinical observation of the affected breast cancer patients. Clinical question/level of evidence Therapeutic, V.

OBJECTIVES: Osteosarcoma of the jaw (OSAJ) is fundamentally different in clinical practice from its peripheral counterparts. Studies are difficult to conduct due to low incidence rates. The primary aim of this study was to provide for the first time a comprehensive retrospective analysis of the treatment concepts and outcome data of OSAJ patients treated at the University Hospital Vienna and to compare these with two recently published studies on OSAJ. The clinical study was accompanied by a biomarker study investigating the prognostic relevance of melanoma-associated antigen-A (MAGE-A) in OSAJ specimens. METHOD: Eighteen patients were included, and their outcomes were compared to published data. Immunohistochemistry was performed with mouse monoclonal antibodies against MAGE-A. Survival rates were estimated by the Kaplan-Meyer method. The log-rank test was used to analyze potential prognostic parameters. Fisher’s exact test was performed to define the significant differences between the survival rates of the current study and the DOESAK registry. RESULTS: Disease-specific survival was 93.8% after five and 56.3% after ten years. The development of metastases (p=0.033) or relapse (p=0.037) was associated with worsened outcomes in our group as well as in the comparative group. Despite the different treatment concepts of the study groups, survival rates were comparable. MAGE-A failed to show prognostic relevance for OSAJ patients. CONCLUSIONS: Uncertainties about the optimal treatment strategies of OSAJ patients will currently remain. Thus, prospective studies of OSAJ are needed but are only feasible in a multicenter study setting, conducted over a prolonged time period.

Aims. Microbial colonization of silicone voice prostheses by bacteria andCandidaspecies limits the device lifetime of modern voice prostheses in laryngectomized patients. Thus, research focuses on biofilm inhibitive properties of novel materials, coatings, and surface enhancements. Goal of thisin vitrostudy was the evaluation of seven commonly used growth media to simulate growth of mixed oropharyngeal species as mesoscale biofilms on prosthetic silicone for future research purposes.Methods and Results. Yeast Peptone Dextrose medium (YPD), Yeast Nitrogen Base medium (YNB), M199 medium, Spider medium, RPMI 1640 medium, Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB), and Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) were used to culture combined mixedCandidastrains and mixed bacterial-fungal compositions on silicone over the period of 22 days. The biofilm surface spread and the microscopic growth showed variations fromin vivobiofilms depending on the microbial composition and growth medium.Conclusion. YPD and FBS prove to support continuousin vitrogrowth of mixed bacterial-fungal oropharyngeal biofilms deposits over weeks as needed for longtermin vitrotesting with oropharyngeal biofilm compositions.Significance and Impact of Study. The study provides data on culture conditions for mixed multispecies biofilm compositions that can be used for future prosthesis designs.

Background:Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important issue in the context of dementia care. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between HRQOL and depressive symptoms in patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and subtypes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer´s disease (AD).Methods:In this cross-sectional, observational study, a control group and four experimental groups (SCD, non-amnestic MCI, amnesticMCI, AD) were compared. Neuropsychological measurers (NTBV) and psychological questionnaires were used for data collection.Results:The control group scored higher than patients with SCD, naMCI, aMCI, or AD for the Mental Health Component Score (MHCS) of the Short Form of the Health Survey (SF-36). The Physical Health Component Score (PHCS) of the SF-36 differed only between some groups. Furthermore, cognitive variables were more strongly associated with the physical aspects of HRQOL, whereas depressive symptoms were more strongly related with the mental aspects of HRQOL.Conclusions:HRQOL and depressive symptoms are closely related in patients with cognitive impairments. Therefore, it is of great importance to assess patients with subjective impairment carefully in terms of depressive symptoms.

Objectives/Hypothesis Silicone voice prostheses are most frequently used in voice rehabilitation of laryngectomized patients. However, the functional device lifetimes are limited due to formation of mixed biofilms. Existing in vitro models simulating biofilm formation are restricted to only short-term periods. Study Design The goal of this study was to determine the effect of carboxymethyl chitosan on mixed biofilm formation of fungi and bacteria on silicone over a long-term period. Methods Mixed species biofilms of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Lactobacillus gasseri, Streptococcus salivarius, Rothia dentocariosa, and Staphylococcus epidermidis were cultivated on the surfaces of medical-grade silicone with and without addition of carboxymethyl chitosan. Biofilm kinetics was monitored using specially designed image analysis software to calculate the percentual surface covering of each platelet. Biofilm architecture was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Results A cover of living mixed biofilm could be generated over 22 days on silicone and the maximum of 22% biofilm surface covering at day 22. However, less than 4% surface coverage was observed on the carboxymethyl chitosan-treated plates in the testing period. Scanning electron microscopy confirms that, on surfaces treated by carboxymethyl chitosan, the biofilm was less dense. In addition, there were fewer layers of cells and profuse cellular debris, together with degrading and morphologically altered yeast cells. Conclusion Carboxymethyl chitosan may serve as a possible antibiofilm agent to limit biofilm formation on voice prostheses. Level of Evidence N/A. Laryngoscope, 2016

Abstract. Background: Subjective cognitive complaints and their clinical significance are discussed controversially. Objectives: To determine the clinical validity of subjective cognitive complaints among subjects with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Design: Longitudinal study with one follow up examination at a University based out-patient memory clinic. Participants: A clinical sample of patietns with SCD and MCI (n = 141), aged 50 and older, who came to the memory outpatient clinic. Results: No significant differences between converters and non converters regarding subjective cognitive complaints were detected. MCI patients had a higher risk than the patients with SCD developing AD (OR = 7.3 [CI 0.9 to 61.2]. Verbal memory testing using the Verbal Selektive Reminding Test (VSRT) showed better diagnostic validity than subjective cognitive complaints using the Forgetfulness Assessment Inventory (FAI) in predicting conversion to dementia. Conclusion: Verbal memory testing was superior in predicting conversion to dementia compared to subjective cognitive complaints.

Background:Impairments in facial emotion recognition (FER) have been detected in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Presently, we aim at assessing differences in emotion recognition performance in PD patient groups with and without mild forms of cognitive impairment (MCI) compared to healthy controls.Methods:Performance on a concise emotion recognition test battery (VERT-K) of three groups of 97 PD patients was compared with an age-equivalent sample of 168 healthy controls. Patients were categorized into groups according to two well-established classifications of MCI according to Petersen's (cognitively intact vs. amnestic MCI, aMCI, vs. non-amnestic MCI, non-aMCI) and Litvan's (cognitively intact vs. single-domain MCI, sMCI, vs. multi-domain MCI, mMCI) criteria. Patients and controls underwent individual assessments using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery examining attention, executive functioning, language, and memory (Neuropsychological Test Battery Vienna, NTBV), the Beck Depression Inventory, and a measure of premorbid IQ (WST).Results:Cognitively intact PD patients and patients with MCI in PD (PD-MCI) showed significantly worse emotion recognition performance when compared to healthy controls. Between-groups effect sizes were substantial, showing non-trivial effects in all comparisons (Cohen's ds from 0.31 to 1.22). Moreover, emotion recognition performance was higher in women, positively associated with premorbid IQ and negatively associated with age. Depressive symptoms were not related to FER.Conclusions:The present investigation yields further evidence for impaired FER in PD. Interestingly, our data suggest FER deficits even in cognitively intact PD patients indicating FER dysfunction prior to the development of overt cognitive dysfunction. Age showed a negative association whereas IQ showed a positive association with FER.

Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may be an early indicator for an increased risk of dementia. The exact definition of SCD remains unclear and has recently become a major research interest. Objectives: To determine impairments in activities of daily living (ADL) and depressive symptoms in elderly individuals with SCD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: We included 752 consecutive patients suffering from SCD, non-amnestic (naMCI) or amnestic MCI (aMCI), AD, and 343 healthy controls into this prospective cohort study. A neuropsychological test battery, B-ADL and BDI-II was performed. Results: SCD patients showed a decreased performance in ADL compared to controls. Performance in ADL declined concurrently with cognitive abilities along the controls−SCD−naMCI−aMCI−AD continuum. Individuals with cognitive complains, no matter if SCD, MCI, or AD patients, reported more often depressive symptoms compared to healthy controls without complaints. Within all five cognitive subgroups, patients with depressive symptoms reported more difficulties in ADL in comparison to patients without depressive symptoms. Adjusting for depressive symptoms, there was no significant group difference between the control versus the SCD group (OR 1.1, CI 0.6–1.7). Conclusions: SCD is a heterogeneous clinical condition. Specific features such as slightly impaired ADL and depressive symptoms are associated with SCD. Clinical markers may serve as an indicator for preclinical AD and in combination with biomarkers guide to an early diagnosis of a progressive neurodegenerative disease.