Technology Transfer Center Bremerhaven

Wagner et al. present an extensive series of distal femoral fractures managed with lateral locked plating, employing Bayesian regression to identify risk factors for nonunion. Their innovative application of posterior probabilities, as opposed to p values, represents an advancement toward a more clinically intuitive interpretation of data. With a cohort of 560 patients across 2 Level-I trauma centers, the study boasts considerable statistical power. Furthermore, the emphasis on a clinically meaningful end point—reoperation to promote union—enhances the study’s practical relevance. The authors examined patient and fracture characteristics as well as surgical variables such as screw density and coronal alignment. They found that varus or valgus malalignment and multifragmentary comminution increased the odds of nonunion; these findings reinforce biomechanical principles and echo the results of prior large cohort studies1,2. Interestingly, their study also demonstrated that a lower screw density may be protective against nonunion, suggesting that overly rigid constructs can suppress callus formation. Clinically, surgeons should prioritize alignment restoration and avoid overly rigid constructs, especially in osteoporotic bone. In complex cases, dual plating or nail-plate constructs may be justified, and primary endoprosthetic replacement is an option for elderly patients with severe comminution1,3. Successful treatment relies on mechanical stability and biological augmentation, with autologous bone grafts being preferred over substitutes and biologics. Overly rigid constructs may hinder bone-healing, whereas insufficient stability may fail to support union, necessitating a balance between mechanical and biological factors. However, there are important caveats to consider. The retrospective design spans nearly 2 decades, during which time implant technologies and surgical techniques have evolved. The study pooled native and periprosthetic fractures despite their biological and technical differences. Relying on return to the operating room as the definition of nonunion may have caused asymptomatic or nonoperatively managed nonunions to be overlooked. Several of the Bayesian credible intervals were broad, reflecting uncertainties despite the large sample sizes. Additionally, although posterior probability thresholds of >95% indicate “very strong evidence,” they essentially parallel traditional frequentist cutoffs and may mislead clinicians who are less familiar with Bayesian terminology. In context, the study reinforces—but does not drastically expand upon—established insights. Earlier cohorts emphasized systemic risk factors such as anemia, open injury, and high body mass index4. The utilization of a Bayesian framework in the study by Wagner et al. is commendable, as such a framework aligns with clinical decision-making by expressing risk in terms of probability rather than binary statements of significance. However, the effect sizes were small to moderate, reminding us that nonunion is multifactorial, and thus optimizing patient biology and surgical technique in tandem is essential. In summary, Wagner et al. deliver valuable, quantitative reinforcement of the importance of alignment and construct strategy in distal femoral fixation. Their Bayesian approach lends clarity and may influence future studies. For now, surgeons should treat these probabilities not as absolutes but as components of a broader operative planning paradigm—one in which precision in reduction and a thoughtful fixation strategy remain foundational.

During the last deglaciation large proglacial lakes formed at the base of the retreating northern hemisphere ice sheets. We assess the effect of these ice-contact lakes on regional climate and on the ice sheet surface mass balance components of the adjacent  Laurentide (LIS) and Fennoscandian (FIS) ice sheets,  using an atmosphere general circulation model with a novel extension for proglacial lakes in combination with a surface mass balance scheme for ice sheets, which, for the first time, allows to estimate the effect of the cold surface of these extensive lakes on the surface mass balance of the adjacent ice sheets. In a set of simulations inspired by the  Allerød interstadial around 13000 years before present, we demonstrate that the presence of proglacial lakes significantly reduces summer air temperatures in a larger area around the proglacial lakes and leads to reduced precipitation with increased snow/rain ratio. In consequence surface ablation reduces by 39% over the FIS and 28% over the LIS while accumulation only changes slightly by 1% and -3%  respectively. About one quarter of the response in surface ablation is related to the perennially cold surface of the proglacial lakes.

Abstract BackgroundIn light of the frequent development of therapeutic resistance in cancer treatment, there is a strong need for personalized model systems representing patient tumor heterogeneity, while enabling parallel drug testing and identification of appropriate treatment responses in individual patients. Using ovarian cancer as a prime example of a heterogeneous tumor disease with complex microenvironment and high recurrence rates, we developed a 3D preclinical ovarian cancer model comprised of patient-derived microtumors (PDM) and autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) for identification of treatment vulnerabilities and validation of anti-cancer drug efficacy using immunohistochemistry, immune cell phenotyping, functional assays and protein profiling analyses.MethodsPDM and TILs were isolated from fresh primary ovarian cancer tissue specimen using mechanical disruption and limited enzymatic digestion and were subsequently cultured in suspension in defined media in the absence of serum. The heterogeneous cellular composition of isolated PDM as well as autologous TILs was analyzed by FFPE immunohistochemistry and multi-color flow cytometry, respectively. For in-depth protein profiling of PDM we established Reverse Phase Protein Array (RPPA) analyses of >110 total and phospho-proteins. Treatment efficacy in response to chemotherapeutics as well as immunotherapeutic compounds was assessed in PDM and PDM-TIL co-cultures using a functional viability assay in microplate format.ResultsThe enzymatic digestion of primary ovarian cancer tissue and suspension culture in defined serum-free media allowed fast and efficient recovery of patient-derived microtumors (PDM). Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated histopathological comparability of ovarian cancer PDM with corresponding patient tumor tissue. Reverse Phase Protein Array (RPPA)-based analyses of >110 total and phospho-proteins enabled the identification of patient-specific sensitivities to standard, platinum-based therapy and thereby the prediction of potential treatment-responders. Finally, combining PDM and autologous TILs for individual efficacy testing of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment demonstrated the potential for patient-specific enhancement of cytotoxic TIL activity by this therapeutic approach.Conclusion3D patient-derived ovarian cancer microtumors represent a preclinical, ex vivo tumor model that reflects intertumoral heterogeneity and represent the cellular complexity of individual patient tumors. Combining protein pathway analysis and anti-cancer drug efficacy testing of PDM enables drug mode-of-action analyses and therapeutic sensitivity prediction within a clinically relevant time frame after surgery. Follow-up studies in larger cohorts are currently under way to further evaluate the applicability of this platform to support clinical decision-making and personalizing cancer treatment.

The overall objective of iFishIENCi is to provide the European aquaculture sector with a competitive advantage and growth stimulation through breakthrough innovations supporting sustainable aquaculture based on enabling technologies and circular principles. In that context, it is important to identify and assess the regulatory framework and requirements linked with the Fish farming industry and the nutrition and breeding in the European aquaculture. As the European aquaculture companies operate in complex markets with multifaceted interface at local and global level, the current report D4.12 focuses on the EU regulation, both sector specific and cross-sector regulation, for nutrition and breeding in the European aquaculture, followed by national regulations seen from a Maltese, Norwegian, Danish, Spanish, Greek, Hungarian, German and French (the countries of the consortium members) perspective. Although the European national regulations for a large part are implementation of EU regulation, there are differences, which influence the competitiveness of the national industry. iFishIENCi will also look out at responsible legislation of other countries such as Ireland, Scotland and Turkey (to start with) in order to identify lessons to learn from those countries. The objective of iFishIENCi project is also to develop and demonstrate a disruptive IoT/AI based innovations, considering the feeding value chain of aquaculture as a whole, and addressing four commercially-important species, with fish quality as focus. Limitations, constraints and opportunities in terms of Standardisation and Certification as well as the evaluation of informal institutions will be implemented along the lifetime of the iFishIENCi project. The existing framework is described in the current report D4.12, whereas the detailed methodology to be used and the results will be described in follow-up deliverables D4.13 and D4.14 (Report on regulatory framework and requirements 2nd and 3rd version).

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess impact of literacy on the combinations of traceability information on food packages of chilled chicken nuggets and fish fingers consumers choose.Design/methodology/approachA discrete choice experiment, belonging to the “stated preference method” was designed to meet the purpose of this study with 512 German and Greek consumers. According to this method, the information is gathered using methods of distinct preference asking individuals face to face questions about their behaviour.FindingsThe results indicate that literacy has an impact on the combinations of information consumers choose; specific information is most useful and sought by high- and low-literate consumers; and price is an important factor for the consumer choices presented in the current study, but cannot overshadow other equally important factors.Practical implicationsMarketing issues are raised because of the importance and utility consumers attach to traceability systems.Originality/valueThis is a novel research concerning literacy’s impact on the combinations of package information chosen by consumers in Germany and Greece in relation to the two studied chilled chicken and fish products (i.e. chilled chicken nuggets and fish fingers).

During the preparatory phase of the baseline survey of the IDEFICS (Identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants) study, standardised survey procedures including instruments, examinations, methods, biological sampling and software tools were developed and pretested for their feasibility, robustness and acceptability. A pretest was conducted of full survey procedures in 119 children aged 2-9 years in nine European survey centres (N(per centre)=4-27, mean 13.22). Novel techniques such as ultrasound measurements to assess subcutaneous fat and bone health, heart rate monitors combined with accelerometers and sensory taste perception tests were used. Biological sampling, physical examinations, sensory taste perception tests, parental questionnaire and medical interview required only minor amendments, whereas physical fitness tests required major adaptations. Callipers for skinfold measurements were favoured over ultrasonography, as the latter showed only a low-to-modest agreement with calliper measurements (correlation coefficients of r=-0.22 and r=0.67 for all children). The combination of accelerometers with heart rate monitors was feasible in school children only. Implementation of the computer-based 24-h dietary recall required a complex and intensive developmental stage. It was combined with the assessment of school meals, which was changed after the pretest from portion weighing to the more feasible observation of the consumed portion size per child. The inclusion of heel ultrasonometry as an indicator of bone stiffness was the most important amendment after the pretest. Feasibility and acceptability of all procedures had to be balanced against their scientific value. Extensive pretesting, training and subsequent refinement of the methods were necessary to assess the feasibility of all instruments and procedures in routine fieldwork and to exchange or modify procedures that would otherwise give invalid or misleading results.