Pain in Osteochondral Lesions of the Ankle - an Investigation Based on Data from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU).

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate parameters influencing the preoperative pain intensity in patients with osteochondral lesions of the ankle. The evaluation covered patient-related parameters such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), as well as defect-related parameters, such as localisation, size and stage (according to the classification of the International Cartilage Repair Society [ICRS] and the Berndt-Harty-Loomer classification). We also examined the correlation between the different surgical techniques and additional factors, such as debridement of an impingement or stabilisation of the ankle on the one hand, and the preoperative pain intensity on the other.

Endoscopic balloon dilatation of Crohn's-associated intestinal strictures: High patient satisfaction and long-term efficacy.

Introduction: Stricture formation is a common long-term complication of Crohn's disease. Endoscopic balloon dilatation offers a bowel-sparing treatment option, but long-term outcome and its association with patient-, stricture-, and procedure-related factors is only poorly understood. Patient satisfaction with endoscopic balloon dilatation is largely unknown.

Prolonged Temozolomide Maintenance Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma.

Background: The impact of prolonging temozolomide (TMZ) maintenance beyond six cycles in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) remains a topic of discussion. We investigated the effects of prolonged TMZ maintenance on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Patients And Methods: In this retrospective single-center cohort study, we included patients with GBM who were treated with radiation therapy with concomitant and adjuvant TMZ.

Improved recognition of ineffective chest compressions after a brief Crew Resource Management (CRM) training: a prospective, randomised simulation study.

Background: Chest compressions are a core element of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. Despite periodic training, real-life chest compressions have been reported to be overly shallow and/or fast, very likely affecting patient outcomes. We investigated the effect of a brief Crew Resource Management (CRM) training program on the correction rate of improperly executed chest compressions in a simulated cardiac arrest scenario.

Uric acid as a novel biomarker for bone-marrow function and incipient hematopoietic reconstitution after aplasia in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Purpose: Prolonged aplasia and graft failure (GF) represent life-threatening complications after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) requiring suitable biomarkers for early detection and differentiation between GF and poor graft function (PGF). Uric acid (UA) is a strong immunological danger signal.

Methods: Laboratory results were analyzed from patients undergoing either allogeneic or autologous HCT or induction chemotherapy for acute leukemia (n = 50 per group, n = 150 total).

Analysis of the microcirculation after soft tissue reconstruction of the outer ear with burns in patients with severe burn injuries.

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the ear with burns remains one of the most difficult tasks for the reconstructive surgeon. Although numerous reconstructive options are available, the results are often unpredictable and worse than expected. Besides full and split skin grafting, local random pattern flaps and pedicled flaps are frequently utilized to cover soft tissue defects of the outer auricle.

Measurement of reading speed with standardized texts: a comparison of single sentences and paragraphs.

Purpose: We examined the influence of text length (single sentence versus a paragraph of several sentences) on the repeatability of reading speed measurements in normal-sighted subjects.

Methods: We compared reading speeds for the German versions of the Radner charts (single sentences of 14 words each) and the International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) charts (paragraphs, on average 132 words) in 30 normal-sighted elderly subjects aged 51-81 years (mean 64.5 years ± 7.

Primary localization and tumor thickness as prognostic factors of survival in patients with mucosal melanoma.

Background: Data on survival with mucosal melanoma and on prognostic factors of are scarce. It is still unclear if the disease course allows for mucosal melanoma to be treated as primary cutaneous melanoma or if differences in overall survival patterns require adapted therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, this investigation is the first to present 10-year survival rates for mucosal melanomas of different anatomical localizations.

Predictive value of food sensitization and filaggrin mutations in children with eczema.

Background: It was reported that in infants with eczema and food sensitization, the presence of a filaggrin (FLG) null mutation predicts future asthma with a specificity and positive predictive value of 100%.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the predictive value of food sensitization and food allergy, FLG haploinsufficiency, and their combination in infants with early-onset eczema for persistent eczema and childhood asthma.

Methods: The German Infant Nutritional Intervention (GINI) and Influence of Lifestyle-related Factors on the Immune System and the Development of Allergies in Childhood (LISA) birth cohorts, as well as a collection of 65 cases of early-onset eczema with and without food allergy were investigated.

A comprehensive analysis of the COL29A1 gene does not support a role in eczema.

Background: Based on a recent positional cloning approach, it was claimed that the collagen 29A1 gene (COL29A1), which encodes an epidermal collagen, represents a major risk gene for eczema underlying a previously reported linkage to chromosome 3q21. However, thus far, not a single replication attempt has been published, and no definitive functional data have been provided.

Objectives: We aimed to determine whether COL29A1 polymorphisms contribute to eczema susceptibility and whether COL29A1 expression is altered in eczema.

Impact of breakfast on daily energy intake--an analysis of absolute versus relative breakfast calories.

Objective: The role of breakfast energy in total daily energy intake is a matter of debate. Acute feeding experiments demonstrated that high breakfast energy leads to greater overall intake supported by cross-sectional data of a free-living population. On the other hand, a large intraindividual analysis has indicated that a high proportion of breakfast to overall intake is associated with lower daily energy intake.

Genome-wide association studies on IgE regulation: are genetics of IgE also genetics of atopic disease?

Purpose Of Review: Total IgE levels are considered a useful endophenotype for studying the genetics of atopic diseases. However, the role and significance of genetic factors influencing IgE regulation for atopic diseases as endpoints is unclear.

Recent Findings: Recently, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have been applied to atopic traits with considerable success.