University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein

The FraiLtx Study Protocol: A Prospective, Single-Center Observational Study on Frailty, Systemic Inflammation, and Monocyte Subsets in Liver Transplant Candidates

Introduction: Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome characterized by diminished physiological reserve and increased susceptibility to stressors, resulting in poor perioperative outcomes. While commonly associated with elderly patients, frailty is increasingly recognized in liver...

A Scoring System Contributing to the Detection of Radiation Pneumonitis in Elderly Patients with Lung Cancer—Results of the POLCAR Trial

Background/Objectives: A symptom-based scoring system (0–9 points) for the identification of radiation pneumonitis was previously evaluated in lung cancer patients without age restrictions. A threshold of five points appeared optimal to detect pneumonitis. Since elderly patients...

Cocaine, cannabis, champagne—pharmacological and toxicological references in the lyrics of the German rapper Haftbefehl: a content analysis

In popular music, references to (illicit) drugs are widespread and may influence attitudes and behaviors in relation to substance use and abuse, especially among younger generations. While substance-related content in international pop and rap music has been studied extensively,...

Motivating the next generation for primary care in rural Vietnam: insights from medical students and the 585 Policy

Abstract Background Primary health care (PHC) plays a central role in promoting equitable access to health services in Vietnam. However, workforce shortages and unequal distribution of physicians, particularly in remote and disadvantaged areas, remain major challenges. To address...

The Pear Strategy for Two‐Ring Pulmonary Vein Isolation: Antral and Sleeve Ablation Using a Balloon‐in‐Basket Pulsed Field Ablation Catheter

ABSTRACT Background Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has emerged as a promising energy source for atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation. This study aimed to describe the adoption and workflow optimization of a novel balloon‐in‐basket PFA catheter using a two rings balloon and pea...

Functional characterization of snoRNA-derived RNA (sdRNA) expression in healthy hematopoiesis and acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract SnoRNAs are highly expressed in AML and have implications in leukemogenesis and leukemic maintenance. SnoRNAs can be further processed into snoRNA-derived RNAs (sdRNAs). The role of sdRNAs in AML and healthy hematopoiesis remains largely elusive. We characterized sdRNA a...

Twelve-Month Outcomes After Hearing Rehabilitation With an Active Middle Ear Implant and Latest Generation Vibroplasty Couplers in Adults And Children: A Prospective Multicenter Study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the audiological efficacy, patient-reported outcomes, and safety of an active middle ear implant (AMEI) in children and adults with distinct coupling options. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal, multicenter, noninterventional observational study with r...

Brugada Syndrome in the Pediatric Population: Diagnostic Challenges and Clinical Outcome—Results of the German Multicenter Study COGIA

ABSTRACT Introduction Diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with suspected Brugada syndrome (BrS) is challenging. Aim of the study was to evaluate the applicability of current diagnostic criteria for pediatric patients with suspected BrS in the German multicenter st...

Tricuspid-Valve Intervention in Heart Failure

BackgroundThe effect of transcatheter tricuspid-valve repair on clinical outcomes, including death and hospitalization for heart failure, in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation remains uncertain. MethodsWe randomly assigned patients with symptomatic severe tricuspid regu...

Learning curve and target-based accuracy of diode laser versus scalpel incisions in a porcine skin model: a preclinical feasibility study with undergraduate dental students

PURPOSE: Despite the growing clinical application of diode lasers in oral surgery, laser training remains underrepresented in dental curricula. This study evaluated the feasibility of structured preclinical diode-laser training and characterized the early learning curve of underg...

Patient-reported outcomes after lateral unicompartmental and total knee arthroplasty: a propensity score-matched cohort study

Abstract Introduction Comparative evidence on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains limited. We compared PROs between cohorts matched for demographic characteristics and baseline knee func...

Patient Pose Assessment Using a CT-Based Framework for Synthetic Data Generation

An adequate diagnostic quality of radiographs is essential for reliable diagnoses and treatment planning. The patient’s pose during radiography is one of the most important factors determining the diagnostic quality. Since patient positioning is difficult and not standardized, an...

Introduction and validation of OSCAR—optimal stent choice algorithm

Abstract Purpose Standardization and international guidelines for stent size selection are lacking. In this study, we introduce and validate an artificial intelligence (AI)- and image processing-supported, modular software algorithm trained on a multicentric vascular segmentation...

Gastropexy-Assisted vs. Gastropexy-Free Introducer Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Introduction: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a well-established procedure for providing long-term enteral nutrition. Until recently, the only established introducer PEG involved the use of gastropexy sutures. In June 2021, an introducer PEG without gastropexy receiv...

Longitudinal progression, metrics, age-dependence, and modifiers of ataxia severity in SCA27B: a multicentre study of 219 patients

Background Spinocerebellar Ataxia 27B (SCA27B) is a novel, frequent and likely treatable late-onset autosomal-dominant ataxia caused by GAA repeat-expansions in FGF14 . For understanding disease evolution and imminent trial planning, metrics of the most widely used clinical outco...

The outpatient economic burden of respiratory syncytial virus infection in adults aged ≥ 60 years in Germany: results from the BUCOSS study

Abstract Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in adults aged ≥ 60 years, but data on its outpatient epidemiology and societal costs remain limited. Methods BUCOSS was a prospective observational study conducted over 3...

Learning from Biodegradable Coronary Stents: Future Directions for TPVR Biodegradable Stents

Bioresorbable stents (BRS) have been explored in cardiovascular intervention to provide temporary mechanical support while reducing long-term foreign material. The coronary experience has shown both the potential and the limitations of this strategy. First-generation polymeric st...

Life-threatening fetal goiter: diagnosis and outcomes in four consecutive cases with critical appraisal—why this diagnosis is not obviously trivial

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of a fetal goiter constitutes a potentially life-threatening in utero condition for the fetus. Even with early diagnosis and close therapy with highly specialized interdisciplinary management, the prognosis remains poor. We discuss diagnostic and therape...

Frailty before disease onset: risk of mortality and chronic conditions in disease-free middle-aged adults

Abstract Frailty, defined by multisystem physiological decline and heightened vulnerability to stressors, is typically associated with aging and chronic disease. However, its relevance in apparently healthy individuals remains poorly understood. Identifying frailty in this popula...

Identification and phenotypic profiling of subgroups with distinct cognitive aging trajectories

Cognitive aging is shaped by genetic variation, environmental factors, and health-related conditions. Until now, it is largely unclear why some individuals maintain their cognitive function, and others show progressive cognitive decline. This study uncovered determinants of disti...