Retrospective analysis of criteria for oncological completion surgery of neuroendocrine tumors of the appendix.

Purpose: Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the appendix (aNET) are rare tumors that are often diagnosed by pathology as an incidental finding after appendectomy for acute appendicitis. Several guidelines proposed risk criteria to indicate oncological completion surgery after appendectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of proposed criteria for completion surgery of aNET.

Performance of Warmblood horses following tenoscopic desmotomy of the main part of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon for treatment of tendinopathy: 62 cases.

Background: Desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon (AL-SDFT) has been described for the treatment of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) tendinopathy in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses, and in event horses. To our knowledge, the outcome of this procedure has not been described in a population of warmblood horses.

Objective: To report on the outcome of treatment of SDFT tendinopathy in warmblood horses using tenoscopic desmotomy of the main part of the AL-SDFT.

Prognostic risk factors for apical root resorption in orthodontic patients - Are the Kjær's morphologic characteristics of clinical relevance?

Background: Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment (OT) face an increased risk of developing external apical root resorption (EARR). A prognostic risk assessment prior to OT can potentially be conducted through anatomical features in panoramic radiography. This retrospective study aimed to assess the significance of Kjær's morphological characteristics in analyzing the risk of EARR.

The influence of obesity, diabetes mellitus and smoking on fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD).

To detect environmental factors, which may be possible risk factors in the disease course of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Evaluation of patients with FECD registered in the FECD genetics database of the Center for Ophthalmology, University Hospital Cologne. For the evaluation, disease onset, central corneal thickness, best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA, logMAR), and modified Krachmer grading (grades 1-6) were correlated with the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM), body mass index (BMI), and smoking behavior.

A volunteer-supported walking programme to improve physical function in older people with restricted mobility (the POWER Study): a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Regular physical activity has multiple health benefits, especially in older people. Therefore, the World Health Organization recommends at least 2.5 h of moderate physical activity per week.

Remineralizing potential of the biomimetic P-4 self-assembling peptide on noncavitated caries lesions: A retrospective cohort study evaluating semistandardized before-and-after radiographs.

Background: Self-assembling peptide (SAP) P-4 was introduced to treat initial caries lesions by means of guiding hydroxyapatite regeneration within the lesion. The objective of this study was to assess its effectiveness in a practical clinical setting.

Methods: Caries lesions in permanent teeth treated with monomeric and polymeric SAP P-4 from May 2015 through October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed at lesion and child levels by means of bite-wing radiography for changes in stage and cavitation and restoration.

Dying in the ICU : Changes in end of life decisions from 2011 to 2018 in the ICU of a communal tertiary hospital in Germany.

Background: With modern intensive care medicine, even older patients and those with pre-existing conditions can survive critical illnesses and major operations; however, unreflected application of intensive care treatment might lead to a state called chronic critical illness. Today, withholding treatment and/or treatment withdrawal precede many deaths in the intensice care unit (ICU). We looked at changes in measures at the end of life and withholding or withdrawal of treatment in the ICU of a German tertiary hospital in 2017/2018 compared to 2011/2012.

[Psychological Stress and its Consequences for the Cost of Illness: a Longitudinal Study in Germany].

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of mental illness on the level and composition of medical costs (outpatient costs, hospital costs, rehabilitation costs, drug costs) over time.

Method: In a longitudinal design, we examined the psychological distress of 3,287 study participants from the adult general population using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and its effect on the level and composition of medical costs resulting from mental illness in the year of survey t0 and the two subsequent years [t1] {t2}.

Results: Compared to the reference group with no mental distress, the cost of illness was significantly increased by a factor of 2.

Caries Experience and Increment in Children Attending Kindergartens with an Early Childhood Caries Preventive Program Compared to Basic Prophylaxis Measures-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Dental caries constitutes a public health challenge. As preventive strategies are desirable, this retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the caries experience and increment in children attending kindergartens with an early childhood caries (ECC) preventive program (intervention group, IG) compared to basic prophylaxis measures (control group, CG) located in areas of different socioeconomic status (SES) within Marburg (Germany). The long-term caries experience (2009−2019) of these 3−5-year-old kindergarten children was evaluated.

Children's and Parents' Marburg Sugar Index (MSI) Values: Are They Comparable?

Studies on children’s nutritional behaviour (CNB) rarely compare children’s answers regarding the frequency of their sugar intake with the respective statements of their parents. Therefore, data from a prevention study were used to analyse this aspect, as well as a potential correlation between Marburg Sugar Index (MSI) values and caries experience of children. The present study based its questionnaire data on CNB and caries data.

Media use in gynecological and obstetric care and women's perceived level of education received of lifestyle-related risks: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: The application of media on lifestyle-related risk factors (LRRFs) by healthcare providers to educate women may improve women's adherence, health literacy, and awareness of LRRFs, as well as offspring's health outcomes. This study investigated whether exposure to media-based education in gynecological and obstetric care is associated with LRRFs perceived levels of education received during pregnancy and lactation.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study across 14 randomly generated sample points in the 12 most populated cities in Baden-Württemberg, southwest Germany.

Knowledge of undergraduate dental students regarding management of caries lesions.

Objectives: Understanding of lifelong control of disease processes associated with caries and its management is an essential part of dental education. This study evaluated the dental students' knowledge of caries diagnosis and management using the International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS).

Methods: A survey was conducted among undergraduate dental students at two dental schools, attending the sixth (centre 1) and seventh semester (centre 2), respectively.

Agreement of Bioluminescence Measurements and Visual Assessment in Monitoring Occlusal Surfaces of Permanent Teeth.

Background: Caries lesion activity is typically assessed by visual-tactile criteria. Regular monitoring is required to detect the transition of lesions and to ensure that the initial assessment was valid. This clinical study aimed to evaluate the agreement of bioluminescence measurements (Calcivis imaging system, Cis) with visual examination to assess caries lesion activity and to monitor occlusal surfaces.

[Immunohistochemical analysis of a hypoxia-associated signature in melanomas with positive and negative sentinel lymph nodes : Hypoxia-associated signature of primary cutaneous melanomas].

Metabolic reprogramming mediated by hypoxia-inducible factors and its downstream targets plays a crucial role in many human malignancies. Excessive proliferation of tumor cells under hypoxic conditions leads to metabolic reprogramming and altered gene expression enabling tumors to adapt to their hypoxic environment. Here we analyzed the metabolic signatures of primary cutaneous melanomas with positive and negative sentinel node status in order to evaluate potential differences in their metabolic signature.

Relevant prognostic factors in patients with stage IV small intestine neuroendocrine neoplasms.

There are few, but controversial data on the prognostic role of upfront primary tumour resection and mesenteric lymph node dissection (PTR) in patients with diffuse metastatic small intestinal neuroendocrine neoplasia (SI-NEN). Therefore, the prognostic role of PTR and other factors was determined in this setting. This retrospective cohort study included patients with stage IV SI-NETs with unresectable distant metastases without clinical and radiological signs of acute bowel obstruction or ischaemia.

Assessment of the quality of routine ambulatory healthcare for common disorders in children and adolescents in Germany: study protocol for a retrospective medical record review (QualiPäd).

Introduction: The quality of healthcare in childhood and adolescence is of key importance, in order to foster a healthy development and to avoid chronic health problems. Yet, data for Germany regarding the quality of healthcare for this patient group are lacking. The QualiPäd research project aims to estimate the quality of outpatient healthcare for children and adolescents in Germany, focusing on common psychiatric and physical disorders.

Women's Media Use and Preferences of Media-Based Interventions on Lifestyle-Related Risk Factors in Gynecological and Obstetric Care: A Cross-Sectional Multi-Center Study in Germany.

This study aimed to investigate factors affecting (1) women's media use regarding health-related behaviors during pregnancy and lactation, (2) women's preferences for media format, and (3) the content of media-based interventions on lifestyle-related risk factors during pregnancy and lactation. A cross-sectional observational multi-center study of pregnant and lactating women and women of childbearing age was carried out in 14 randomly selected obstetric and gynecologic care settings in the 12 most populated cities in Baden-Wuerttemberg, South-West Germany. Data from 219 surveyed women showed that older women, pregnant women, and lactating women have a higher probability of using media during pregnancy and lactation, respectively.

[Control group formation using propensity score matching: The role of primary and secondary data - Results of prevention studies].

Background: The creation of control groups in the evaluation of statutory health insurances is a key issue. Randomization represents both an ethical and a legal problem with legally guaranteed services. Matching procedures are relevant alternatives in the construction of control groups.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 Expression Predicts Sentinel Node Status in Primary Cutaneous Melanoma.

This study analysed the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF), VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 in primary cutaneous melanomas with positive and negative sentinel node status (SLN) (a total of 58 specimens divided into 2 groups of 29 for each status). The specimens were collected from the pathological archive of the department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology of the University Medical Center Heidelberg. A quantification score was developed for protein expression, by considering the percentage of positive melanoma cells (0: 0%, 1: up to 1%, 2: 2-10%, 3: 11-50%, and 4: > 50%) in relation to the intensity of staining (0: negative, 1: low, 2: medium, 3: strong).

How effective and efficient are different exercise patterns in reducing back pain?

Background: Exercise is considered an effective intervention to relieve chronic back pain. However, it is still unknown whether specific exercise patterns vary in terms of their efficiency and effectiveness.

Aim: To investigate the differential health and economic effects of intensity, specificity and degree of subjective perceived physical exertion across five exercise patterns (endurance, gymnastics, fitness, back gymnastics, multimodal back exercise) in adults with back pain.

Metabolic reprogramming and angiogenesis in primary cutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma: expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and its central downstream factors.

Background: Metabolic reprogramming and altered gene expression mediated by hypoxia-inducible factors play crucial roles during tumour growth and progression. Nevertheless, studies analysing the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and its downstream targets in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) are lacking but are warranted to shed more light on MCC pathogenesis and to potentially provide new therapeutic options.

Objectives: To analyse the immunohistochemical expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor-A (referred to as VEGF throughout the manuscript), VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), VEGF receptor-3 (VEGFR-3), glucose transporter-1 (Glut-1), monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) and carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) in primary cutaneous MCC.

Randomized Clinical Trial investigating Self-Assembling Peptide P-4 for Treatment of Early Occlusal Caries.

Non-invasive caries treatment is a major focus in modern dentistry. The present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of monomeric self-assembling peptide P-4 (SAP P-4) in combination with fluoride varnish or polymeric self-assembling peptide matrix (SAPM) in treatment of non-cavitated occlusal caries. Ninety children and adolescents were included in this randomized, gold-standard-controlled clinical trial.

Comparing large pore lightweight mesh versus small pore heavyweight mesh in open mesh plug repair of primary and recurrent unilateral inguinal hernia - A questionnaire study for a retrospective analysis of a cohort of elective groin hernia patients using propensity score matching.

Purpose: For surgical treatment of inguinal hernia, large-pore, lightweight mesh has been shown to offer advantages over small-pore, heavyweight options in terms of chronic post-operative inguinal pain, but without the disadvantage of having to deal with an increased recurrence rate. Limited data are available for the mesh plug repair technique. Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to compare large-pore, lightweight mesh versus small-pore, heavyweight mesh for mesh plug repair with regard to chronic pain and recurrences in elective primary unilateral hernias.

Therapeutic drug monitoring-guided continuous infusion of piperacillin/tazobactam significantly improves pharmacokinetic target attainment in critically ill patients: a retrospective analysis of four years of clinical experience.

Purpose: Standard dosing and intermittent bolus application (IB) are important risk factors for pharmacokinetic (PK) target non-attainment during empirical treatment with β-lactams in critically ill patients, particularly in those with sepsis and septic shock. We assessed the effect of therapeutic drug monitoring-guided (TDM), continuous infusion (CI) and individual dosing of piperacillin/tazobactam (PIP) on PK-target attainment in critically ill patients.

Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center analysis of a database including 484 patients [933 serum concentrations (SC)] with severe infections, sepsis and septic shock who received TDM-guided CI of PIP in the intensive care unit (ICU) of an academic teaching hospital.