open_UMR

Aaron Beller

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Welcome to open_UMR!

Open_UMR is a cross faculty publication hub. We collect scientific publications, resources, research data and software from members of Philipps-University Marburg and make it openly accessible. To ensure high standards of quality and re-usability, submissions to open_UMR are subject to curation.

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Recent Submissions

Open Access
Mutation-based, neoadjuvant treatment for advanced anaplastic thyroid carcinoma
(Frontiers Media SA) Knorrenschild, J. Riera; Pfestroff, Andreas; Holzer, Katharina; Wächter, Sabine; Bartsch, Detlef K; Pehl, Anika; Eilsberger, Friederike; Luster, Markus; Neubauer, Andreas; Maurer, Elisabeth
Introduction: The prognosis of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) remains poor. Mutation-based targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have gained increasing importance in the treatment of advanced tumor stages. This study aimed to investigate whether mutation-based neoadjuvant therapy can convert an initially unresectable tumor into a resectable state, optimizing local tumor control and prolonging overall survival. Methods: Patients with stages IVB and limited IVC BRAFV600E-negative ATC received immediate combination therapy consisting of the multikinase inhibitor (mKI) lenvatinib and the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) pembrolizumab upon diagnosis. Patients with BRAFV600E-positive tumors were treated with a BRAF/ MEK inhibitor regimen, consisting of dabrafenib and trametinib. This neoadjuvant therapy was administered for 4–6 weeks before re-staging. If FDG-PET/CT imaging demonstrated tumor regression, surgical resection of the primary tumor was performed. In cases of limited distant metastases, these were also surgically removed. In the adjuvant setting, mutation-based systemic therapy was continued. Results: Between December 2021 and December 2024, a total of 14 patients were screened. Ultimately, 12 patients, with a median age of 73 years (range: 54– 85), were treated with neoadjuvant therapy. At diagnosis, six patients had UICC stage IVB and six stage IVC ATC. A BRAFV600E-mutation was detected in two patients. Following neoadjuvant therapy, eight patients showed tumor regression, whereas three exhibited an inadequate response, characterized by disease progression or a mixed response on FDG-PET/CT. In one patient, therapy was discontinued early due to severe local symptoms. During neoadjuvant treatment, two cases of tracheoesophageal or tracheocutaneous fistulas were observed. Surgical resection was performed in nine patients. An R0 resection was achieved in two, an R1 resection in six, and an R2 resection in one patient. The median follow-up period was eight months (range 1–36). Median progressionfree survival (PFS) was three months (range 1–not reached), while median overall survival (OS) was nine months (range 1–not reached). Conclusion: Neoadjuvant therapy for advanced ATC appears to be a promising treatment approach for a subset of affected patients. While initial results are encouraging, further research is needed to establish its precise role within the multimodal management of this aggressive malignancy.
Open Access
General practitioners’ decision-making strategies in the pharmacological treatment of musculoskeletal pain: A qualitative interview study
(Taylor & Francis) Kornder, Nele; Hill, Victoria Jessica; Groffebert, Sophia Naomi; Becker, Annette; Viniol, Annika; Lindner, Nicole
Background: Musculoskeletal pain is a leading reason for primary care visits and often requires pharmacological treatment. Despite rising prescription rates for non-opioid analgesics in Germany, little is known about GPs’ broader prescribing behaviour beyond opioid-related discussions. Understanding how GPs navigate pain management is key to supporting evidence-based prescribing. Objectives: this study explored GPs’ decision-making strategies when prescribing for musculoskeletal pain and identified clinical challenges. Methods: a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with 15 GPs from central and Northern hesse, Germany. Participants were purposively recruited via a regional practice network. interviews were analysed using Braun and clarke’s thematic analysis, applying a combined deductive–inductive approach. Results: Five major themes emerged: (1) prescribing approaches, (2) medication preferences, (3) doctor–patient relationship, (4) addressing psychosomatic factors, and (5) support needs. GPs preferred cautious prescribing, favouring metamizole and NsaiDs over opioids. chronic pain was viewed as complex and required individualised, multimodal treatment and shared decision-making. Decision-making strategies were mainly shaped by guidelines like the WhO analgesic ladder and personal clinical experience; other guidelines were rarely mentioned. the doctor–patient relationship was considered essential, particularly in chronic pain contexts. challenges included managing psychosomatic aspects and aligning treatment expectations. Conclusion: GPs’ prescribing decisions are shaped by a combination of clinical judgement, patient dynamics, and systemic factors. the findings highlight the need for practical support tools that are integrated into daily workflows and emphasise shared decision-making, especially for chronic pain management. these insights can inform future interventions aimed at optimising prescribing practices in primary care.
Open Access
Smart-AMPs: Decorated Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Improved Efficacy of Antimicrobial Peptides in Chronically Infected Burn Wounds
(MDPI) Müller, Daniela; Nallbati, Laura; Keck, Cornelia
Background/Objectives: Burn wound infections present significant clinical challenges due to multidrug-resistant pathogens and the limitations of traditional antimicrobials. While antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have broad-spectrum effectiveness, their instability in wound environments limits their use. This study compares properties of AMP-decorated nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to free AMPs, focusing on their dermal penetration, retention, and antimicrobial efficacy in simulated ex vivo burn wound models. Methods: AMP-decorated NLCs (smart-AMPs) were produced by electrostatic and hydrophobic surface adsorption and characterized regarding their size, zeta potential, and physical short-term stability. The distribution of AMPs within the wounds was evaluated using an ex vivo porcine ear model with various wound types. The antimicrobial efficacy was assessed by monitoring the bioluminescence of Aliivibrio fischeri as a live bacterial marker for 24 h. Results: The size and zeta potential measurements confirmed the successful formation of smart-AMPs. The dermal penetration of AMPs was influenced by the type of wound and the type of AMP formulation (free AMPs vs. smart-AMPs). In the chronically infected burn wounds, which were characterized by the formation of a biofilm in a protein-rich wound fluid, the smart-AMPs resulted in a 1.5-fold higher and deeper penetration of the AMPs, and the antimicrobial activity was 6-fold higher compared to the free AMPs. Conclusions: smart-AMPs present an innovative approach for treating chronic, biofilm-associated wounds more efficiently than the current treatment options.
Open Access
Mitschriften zu den Gesprächen an den Thementischen "Open Science an der UMR"
(Philipps-Universität Marburg, 2025-12-18) Lenze, Stefan
Im folgenden werden die Mitschriften zu den CoCreate Thementischen veröffentlicht. Informationen zur Veranstaltung "CoCreate" s. Beschreibung der Sammlung in open_UMR: https://open.uni-marburg.de/handle/openumr/9619. An drei verschiedenen Thementischen wurde während "CoCreate" offen zu folgenden Thementischen diskutiert: Wie lässt sich Open Science ganz konkret in Forschung, Lehre, Studium, Verwaltung und Infrastruktur umsetzen? 1. Offenes Publizieren: Mehr Sichtbarkeit und Reichweite durch Open Access – Welche Chancen und Herausforderungen sehe ich? 2. FAIRes Forschungsdatenmanagement: Wie kann ich Daten nachhaltig (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) organisieren, teilen und wiederverwenden? 3. Offene Software: Wie kann ich offenen Code bzw. Software für Qualität und ggf. Reproduzierbarkeit nutzen?
Open Access
Symptoms and adverse events in controlled human infection models
(Frontiers Media SA) Luga, Poleta; Bekeredjian-Ding, Isabelle
The potential and positioning of controlled human infection models (CHIMs) and human challenge trials (HCTs) in the investigation of infectious pathogens and efficacy of new anti-infectives or vaccines are under evaluation. CHIMs and HCTs can provide supporting data for decision-making in the development of new medicines (“fast failure”). However, it is important to consider that, like in any phase 1 trial, CHIM volunteers have no direct health benefit. Approval by an ethics or regulatory board implies cautious evaluation of risk and potential safety issues. In this study, we chose a syndromic approach to summarize CHIM and HCT adverse events (AEs). AEs were grouped by disease entities, e.g., enteric, respiratory, vector-borne, and parasitic infections. The analysis concludes that severe AEs are rare. It confirms that AEs reflect symptoms of CHIM infections and are less prevalent in CHIM intended for the induction of carriage. Furthermore, the number of subjects affected reflects the attack rate and individual predisposition. Rarely, AEs affect the study participants’ daily activities, ranging from impairing and preventing routine tasks to requiring emergency room visits or hospitalizations. Nevertheless, while AEs guide ethical and regulatory considerations, symptoms are needed as endpoints for evaluation of the efficacy of drugs or vaccines. Finally, we observe a lack of harmonization in the reporting and grading of AEs. This reveals an eminent need for a reporting structure that allows accessibility and comparability of data sets.