[Involvement and Handling of Paramedics in Unplanned Out-of-Hospital Births: An Online Survey].

Introduction: Unplanned out-of-hospital births are very rare in the ambulance service and there is evidence that emergency paramedics do not feel comfortable with this operational picture. At the same time, there is an increased of morbidity and mortality for both the mother and the newborn. The aims of the present cross-sectional study were to identify insecurities of emergency paramedics in connection with unplanned out-of-hospital births, to analyse the reasons for this and to derive possible support measures to be implemented.

The Helplessness Dimension of Pain Catastrophizing Mediates the Relation between PTSD Symptoms and Pain Rehabilitation Measures.

Background: Comorbid chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) complicate the treatment of both conditions. Previous research has identified pain catastrophizing as a potentially important variable contributing to the relationship between chronic pain and PTSD. However, little is known regarding how the different dimensions of pain catastrophizing-rumination, magnification, and helplessness-uniquely contribute to the relationship between PTSD symptomatology and measures of pain outcome.

Hybridization-Sensitive Fluorescent Probes for DNA and RNA by a Modular "Click" Approach.

Fluorescent DNA probes were prepared in a modular approach using the "click" post-synthetic modification strategy. The new glycol-based module and DNA building block place just two carbons between the phosphodiester bridges and anchor the dye by an additional alkyne group. This creates a stereocenter in the middle of this artificial nucleoside substitute.

Validation of dermatopathological criteria to diagnose cutaneous lesions of mastocytosis: importance of KIT D816V mutation analysis.

Background: Cutaneous lesions of mastocytosis (CLM) are often subtle and may require biopsy. However, dermatohistopathological criteria for CLM remain undefined.

Objectives: To establish criteria for CLM by validating histological and molecular parameters.

Basophil Activation to Gluten and Non-Gluten Proteins in Wheat-Dependent Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis.

Wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA) is a cofactor-induced wheat allergy. Gluten proteins, especially ω5-gliadins, are known as major allergens, but partially hydrolyzed wheat proteins (HWPs) also play a role. Our study investigated the link between the molecular composition of gluten or HWP and allergenicity.

The basophil activation test differentiates between patients with wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis and control subjects using gluten and isolated gluten protein types.

Background: Oral food challenge using gluten and cofactors is the gold standard to diagnose wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA), but this procedure puts patients at risk of an anaphylactic reaction. Specific IgE to ω5-gliadins as major allergens and skin prick tests to wheat may yield negative results. Thus, we designed a proof-of-principle study to investigate the utility of the basophil activation test (BAT) for WDEIA diagnosis.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Influencing Factors in Adults with Nonadvanced Mastocytosis-A Cross-Sectional Study and Qualitative Approach.

Background: Mastocytosis comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by an accumulation of mast cells in 1 or more organs. Symptoms range from mild complaints to severe and life-threatening events. Impact on quality of life seems to vary widely, but influencing factors are poorly understood so far.

Laser-driven x-ray and proton micro-source and application to simultaneous single-shot bi-modal radiographic imaging.

Radiographic imaging with x-rays and protons is an omnipresent tool in basic research and applications in industry, material science and medical diagnostics. The information contained in both modalities can often be valuable in principle, but difficult to access simultaneously. Laser-driven solid-density plasma-sources deliver both kinds of radiation, but mostly single modalities have been explored for applications.

I-BEAT: Ultrasonic method for online measurement of the energy distribution of a single ion bunch.

The shape of a wave carries all information about the spatial and temporal structure of its source, given that the medium and its properties are known. Most modern imaging methods seek to utilize this nature of waves originating from Huygens' principle. We discuss the retrieval of the complete kinetic energy distribution from the acoustic trace that is recorded when a short ion bunch deposits its energy in water.

Development of the Metabolic Syndrome: Study Design and Baseline Data of the Lufthansa Prevention Study (LUPS), A Prospective Observational Cohort Survey.

The (LUPS) study is a prospective observation of a healthy worker cohort to identify early changes in metabolism leading to the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and to analyze their relation to behavioral factors like nutrition, physical activity, psychological status, and to underlying genetic conditions. The LUPS study recruited a sample of 1.962 non-diabetic healthy adults between 25-60 years, employed at a flight base of Lufthansa Technik GmbH in Hamburg, Germany.

A transportable Paul-trap for levitation and accurate positioning of micron-scale particles in vacuum for laser-plasma experiments.

We report on a Paul-trap system with large access angles that allows positioning of fully isolated micrometer-scale particles with micrometer precision as targets in high-intensity laser-plasma interactions. This paper summarizes theoretical and experimental concepts of the apparatus as well as supporting measurements that were performed for the trapping process of single particles.

Isolated proton bunch acceleration by a petawatt laser pulse.

Often, the interpretation of experiments concerning the manipulation of the energy distribution of laser-accelerated ion bunches is complicated by the multitude of competing dynamic processes simultaneously contributing to recorded ion signals. Here we demonstrate experimentally the acceleration of a clean proton bunch. This was achieved with a microscopic and three-dimensionally confined near critical density plasma, which evolves from a 1 µm diameter plastic sphere, which is levitated and positioned with micrometer precision in the focus of a Petawatt laser pulse.

26 years of external quality controls for the screening of congenital metabolic disorders in newborns--a summary of the results.

The evaluation of the inter-laboratory tests over the 26 year period shows a clear improvement in the analysis quality of the test participants. This can be clearly seen in the increased recovery rates of the pathological quality control samples. Centers are put in the position to adjust their own quality control measures for their analysis to international standards, thereby decreasing the error rate in their analyses.

Coxsackievirus infection of the pancreas: evaluation of receptor expression, pathogenesis, and immunopathology.

Coxsackievirus type B (CVB) infection of the pancreas induces a massive cellular infiltrate composed of natural killer cells, T cells, and macrophages and leads to the destruction of exocrine tissue. The physiological manifestations of pancreatic CVB infection are correlated with viral tropism; the virus infects acinar cells but spares the islets of Langerhans. Here we evaluate the mechanisms underlying pancreatic inflammation and destruction and identify the determinants of viral tropism.

Esophageal perforations after anterior cervical surgery.

An esophageal perforation after anterior cervical surgery is an uncommon but well recognized complication. During the past 25 years, 44 patients have presented to Craig Hospital (Rocky Mountain Regional Spinal Injury Center) with esophageal perforations; this is the largest series reported to date. There were 34 patients whose esophageal injury was related to the operations performed for cervical fractures, of which 28 patients had plate and screw fixation.

DNA immunization utilizing a herpes simplex virus type 2 myogenic DNA vaccine protects mice from mortality and prevents genital herpes.

A gene transfer vector for DNA immunization was developed in which the promoter was derived from the murine muscle creatine kinase (MCK) gene; a gene expressed only in differentiated skeletal muscle. In vitro, we observed high-level, but unrestricted, gene expression from the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter unlike expression from the MCK promoter which was weak but restricted to myofibers. A myogenic DNA vaccine (MDV) that encoded the glycoprotein D gene from herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) was used to DNA immunize mice.

The role of B lymphocytes in coxsackievirus B3 infection.

Coxsackieviruses are important human pathogens, frequently causing myocarditis, pancreatitis, and a variety of less severe diseases. B lymphocytes appear central to the interaction between these viruses and their mammalian hosts, because agammaglobulinemic humans, genetically incapable of antibody production, are susceptible to chronic infections by coxsackieviruses and related enteroviruses, such as poliovirus and echovirus. However, recent studies show that Type B coxsackievirus (CVB) infects B lymphocytes soon after infection, suggesting the possibility that these cells may play some role in virus dissemination and/or that the virus may be able to modulate the host immune response.

Safety and accuracy of transarticular screw fixation C1-C2 using an aiming device. An anatomic study.

Study Design: In this anatomic study, the safety and accuracy of C1-C2 transarticular screw placement was tested in a normal anatomic situation in cadaver specimens using a specially designed aiming device.

Objectives: To assess the safety and accuracy of transarticular screw placement using the technique described by Magerl and a specially designed aiming device.

Summary Of Background Data: Transarticular C1-C2 screw fixation has been shown to be biomechanically superior to posterior C1-C2 wiring techniques.

Coxsackievirus B3-induced myocarditis: perforin exacerbates disease, but plays no detectable role in virus clearance.

Viral myocarditis is remarkably common, being detected in approximately 1% of unselected asymptomatic individuals. Many cases are attributable to enteroviral infection, and in particular to coxsackievirus B3. The underlying pathogenesis is controversial, but most studies admit the important immunopathological role of infiltrating CD8+ (cytotoxic) T lymphocytes (CTLs).

Use of a nonviral vector to express a chimeric tRNA-ribozyme against lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus: cytoplasmic accumulation of a catalytically competent transcript but minimal antiviral effect.

RNA polymerase III promoters direct the ubiquitous, high-level, expression of small, stable RNAs such as tRNAs, and thus are attractive candidates for achieving stable expression of small therapeutic (e.g., antiviral) molecules, such as ribozymes or antisense RNAs.

Functional outcome of thoracolumbar burst fractures managed with hyperextension casting or bracing and early mobilization.

Study Design: A retrospective study to review the results of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures managed with casting or bracing and early ambulation in neurologically healthy patients.

Objectives: To determine the clinical outcome of patients with unstable burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine treated without surgery, and to identify any variables that may adversely influence the final outcome.

Summary Of Background Data: The management of unstable fractures of the thoracolumbar spine as described by Bedbrook involves a period of recumbency for 6-8 weeks followed by gradual mobilization.

Multifocal metachronous epidural abscesses of the spine. A case report.

Study Design: A retrospective case report of a patient who had a lumbar epidural abscess treated surgically who then developed a cervical epidural abscess that also required surgical treatment.

Objectives: To describe a patient in whom treatment of a single epidural abscess with surgery and antibiotics was not sufficient to eradicate the systemic infection.

Summary Of Background Data: Epidural abscesses are most commonly seen after invasive procedures that violate the epidural space.

Starnberg trial on epidemiology of Parkinsonism and hypertension in the elderly. Prevalence of Parkinson's disease and related disorders assessed by a door-to-door survey of inhabitants older than 65 years.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of different types of parkinsonism (PS) in the elderly, regardless of health care service or drug prescription, by a door-to-door survey in two German villages.

Design: We investigated the prevalence of PS in a rural Bavarian population of individuals older than 65 years (982 participants; response rate, 82.5%) using a door-to-door-survey and a biphasic approach.