Variations in concerns reported on the Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) in head and neck cancer patients from different health settings across the world

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

Chancen und Herausforderungen von DLT (Blockchain) in Mobilität und Logistik

This basic report presents the economic potential e, the legal framework and the technical fundamentals of distributed ledger or blockchain technology necessary for understanding in order to exploit the opportunities and challenges of these technologies, especially in the mobility and logistics sector. clear. The basic report was prepared on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) by the blockchain laboratory of Fraunhofer FIT

Opportunities and Challenges of DLT (Blockchain) in Mobility and Logistics

This report presents the economic potential, legal framework, and technical foundations required to understand distributed ledger (DL) / blockchain technology and llustrates the opportunities and challenges they present, especially in the mobility and logistics sectors. It was compiled by the blockchain laboratory at Fraunhofer FIT on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI). Its intended audience comprises young companies seeking, for example, a legal assessment of data protection issues related to DL and blockchain technologies, decisionmakers in the private sector wishing concrete examples to help them understand how this technology can impact existing and emerging markets and which measures might be sensible from a business perspective, public policymakers and politicians wishing to familiarize themselves with this topic in order to take a position, particularly in the mobility and logistics sectors, and members of the general public interested in the technology and its potential. The report does not specifically address those with a purely academic or scientific interest in these topics, although parts of it definitely reflect the current state of academic discussion

Diagnostic value of routine dental radiographs for predicting the mandibular canal localization validated by cone‐beam computed tomogram measurements

Abstract 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

Chancen und Herausforderungen von DLT (Blockchain) in Mobilität und Logistik

This basic report presents the economic potential e, the legal framework and the technical fundamentals of distributed ledger or blockchain technology necessary for understanding in order to exploit the opportunities and challenges of these technologies, especially in the mobility and logistics sector. clear. The basic report was prepared on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) by the blockchain laboratory of Fraunhofer FIT

First experience of chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay in the clinical work flow with oral squamous cell carcinoma patients

INTRODUCTION: The oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a leading cause of death in human malignancies. The aim of this study is to integrate the CAM Assay as a reliable and good working in vivo model for the evaluation of OSCC tumor samples and its growth into the clinical work flow. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fresh human Tumor samples (OSCCs) 1 x 1 cm in size were cut into 350-450 mu m thick slices by a Vibratome and put on the prepared CAM model. After growth of the tumor tissue on the CAM, we started with topical induction of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF alpha) and growth factors (TGF beta). After further growth of the tumor on the assay, we explanted the tumor tissue and first performed microscopic and then immunohistochemical examinations. E-cadherin and vimentin were used as Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) -makers and the histologic preparations were evaluated histomorphometrically. The results were correlated with clinical parameters of the patients. RESULTS: Small tumors (T1 / T2) show higher E-cadherin expression than larger tumors (T3 / T4) (p = 0.01). The additional stimulation with TNF alpha or TGF beta has no additional inductive effect. Even the stimulation with TNF alpha repectively TGF beta lead to a higher E-cadherin expression in smaller tumors (T1 / T2). The Vimentin expression is the opposite. Depended on the patients N-Stage a trend towards an increase in the E-cadherin expression in N1 / 2 and diminished E-cadherin expression in N0 patients could be seen. There is no change with TGF beta in NO and N1 / 2 patients. Vimentin was reduced in the N0 group and expressed more frequently in the N1 / N2b group. An induction with both TNF alpha and TGF beta resulted in an increased expression of Vimentin in the N1 / N2b stages. CONCLUSION: By integrating a CAM assay into the clinical workflow, tumors with preserved tumor architecture can be cultured and subjected to histological and molecular biology studies. Effects on biological behavior are recognizable and demonstrable in this model. The key markers E-cadherin and vimentin alone are not sufficient to represent the complexity of the EMT in this model. Further molecular biology and signaling pathway analyzes are necessary