Publications by authors named "Johannes Becker"

Non-exhaust emissions have gained increasing attention during the last years, with the upcoming EURO 7 regulation defining maximum PM emission factors for tire and brake emissions for the first time. This study, therefore, focusses on broadening the knowledge on chemical composition and physical characteristics of brake dust to define emission factors for heavy metal and organic pollutants. Particles from two pads were analyzed utilizing the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) brake cycle.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to compare osseointegration and radiological results in total hip arthroplasty using two different cementless stem designs with angles of 125° and 135°.
  • Conducted from 2008 to 2017, 92 patients with degenerative hip osteoarthritis were evaluated clinically and radiologically at three and twelve months post-surgery, showing no significant difference in outcomes between the two groups.
  • Findings indicated that while there was no notable difference in clinical scores or stress shielding, there were specific bone density losses and radiolucency in certain zones related to the different angles, but no overall loosening of the femoral component was observed.
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Background: The EARLYSTIM trial demonstrated for Parkinson's disease patients with early motor complications that deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) and best medical treatment (BMT) was superior to BMT alone.

Objective: This prospective, ancillary study on EARLYSTIM compared changes in blinded speech intelligibility assessment between STN-DBS and BMT over 2 years, and secondary outcomes included non-speech oral movements (maximum phonation time [MPT], oral diadochokinesis), physician- and patient-reported assessments.

Methods: STN-DBS (n = 102) and BMT (n = 99) groups underwent assessments on/off medication at baseline and 24 months (in four conditions: on/off medication, ON/OFF stimulation-for STN-DBS).

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Background: Tibial plateau fractures and tibial implant- loosening are severe complications in cementless unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR). The tibial keel preparation is particularly demanding and different saw blades can be used. It was hypothesized that different blade designs and thickness have an influence on the frequency of tibial plateau fractures and implant-loosening in cementless medial UKR.

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Sensorimotor function of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) is commonly assessed according to the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI). From the ISNCSCI segmental motor and sensory assessments, upper and lower extremity motor scores (UEMS and LEMS), sum scores of pinprick (PP) and light touch (LT) sensation, the neurological level of injury (NLI) and the classification of lesion severity according to the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade are derived. Changes of these parameters over time are used widely to evaluate neurological recovery.

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The budding yeast is an excellent model organism to dissect the maintenance and inheritance of phenotypes due to its asymmetric division. This requires following individual cells over time as they go through divisions to define pedigrees. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for collecting and analyzing time-lapse imaging data of yeast cells.

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Transcriptional memory of gene expression enables adaptation to repeated stimuli across many organisms. However, the regulation and heritability of transcriptional memory in single cells and through divisions remains poorly understood. Here, we combined microfluidics with single-cell live imaging to monitor Saccharomyces cerevisiae galactokinase 1 (GAL1) expression over multiple generations.

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Introduction: Aim of this study was to biomechanically compare two different acetabular cup fixation constructs in terms of fracture fixation for displaced acetabular fractures involving the anterior column with hemitransverse fracture under partial and full weight-bearing conditions.

Methods: Two different reinforcement rings designed as cages for primary THA were biomechanically tested in terms of managing a complex acetabular fracture. Single-leg stance cyclic loading was performed to assess fracture gap movement and fragment rotation.

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Objective: To prospectively evaluate the effect of PSA- and VIM DBS on speech in ET patients.

Methods: Leads were implanted bilaterally with contacts placed in both VIM and PSA. Thirteen patients were analyzed pre- and postoperatively.

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Background: There is accumulating evidence of a potential beneficial effect of early surgical intervention after acute cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). However, around one third of all SCIs affect the thoracic spine. This cohort has not been extensively investigated, mainly because of less sensitive clinical readout measures.

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Objectives: To evaluate radiological fracture reduction and clinical results using the pararectus approach in complex acetabular fractures involving the anterior column.

Design: Retrospective database analysis of prospectively collected data.

Setting: Level 1 trauma center.

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Ecotoxicological effects of the antiepileptic drug carbamazepine (CBZ) were investigated in one primary producer (Desmodesmus subspicatus) and seven invertebrate species (Daphnia magna, Daphnia pulex, Ceriodaphnia dubia, Gammarus fossarum, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, Lumbriculus variegatus and Chironomus riparius) using OECD and US EPA guidelines for chronic toxicity testing. The present data set was used to conduct a hazard assessment for CBZ including confirmatory data. While most of our results were in accordance with previous studies, published effect data for C.

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The optimal timing of surgical intervention following spinal cord injury (SCI) remains under debate. Recent studies indicate a potential neurological and functional benefit of early surgery (< 8 h) after cervical SCI. For thoracolumbar SCI syndromes, fewer studies exist.

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Introduction: Aim of this retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was to evaluate the functional mid-term outcome two years after open reduction and internal fixation of acetabular fractures involving the anterior column with affection of the quadrilateral plate using the pararectus approach on a large cohort.

Method: Fifty-two patients (12 female, 40 male) with a median age of 55 (range 18-90) years and displaced acetabular fractures involving the anterior column were surgically treated in a single level I trauma centre between July 2012 and February 2016 using the pararectus approach. Thirty-four patients (8 female and 26 male) with a median age of 58 (range 20-85) years were available for complete clinical follow-up at regular intervals, finally 24 months post-operatively.

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Background: The implant-free, autologous, iliac crest bone graft procedure (J-bone graft) for the treatment of anterior shoulder instability shows low rates of recurrent dislocations and moderate progression of instability arthropathy in the midterm follow-up.

Purpose: To analyze the clinical and radiological long-term results of the J-bone graft procedure.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

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Objective: To evaluate deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the posterior subthalamic area (PSA) in essential tremor (ET) and compare it to the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus (VIM) in terms of stimulation efficacy, efficiency, and side effects.

Methods: DBS leads were implanted such that contacts were placed in the VIM, on the intercommissural line, and in the PSA. Thirteen patients with ET entered a randomized, double-blind crossover phase and completed a 1-year follow-up.

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Background: Stroke-induced immunodepression is a well characterized complication of acute ischemic stroke. In experimental studies beta-blocker therapy reversed stroke-induced immunodepression, reduced infection rates and mortality. Recent, heterogeneous studies in stroke patients could not provide evidence of a protective effect of beta-blocker therapy.

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Acoustic studies have revealed that patients with Essential Tremor treated with thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) may suffer from speech deterioration in terms of imprecise oral articulation and reduced voicing control. Based on the acoustic signal one cannot infer, however, whether this deterioration is due to a general slowing down of the speech motor system (e.g.

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An effective and sensitive method for the analysis of 1,4-dioxane in water has been available since 2008 (EPA 522). This method is increasingly being applied to investigate the distribution of 1,4-dioxane in the aquatic environment. However, there is a need for more information about the possible occurrence of 1,4-dioxane in groundwater in Europe in general, and in Germany in particular, where virtually no data have been collected so far.

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Introduction: Information about injuries and its differences in Cliff Diving (CD) and Splash Diving (SD) are unknown. It was the aim to analyse (1) injury rates, patterns and causes; (2) differences (in injuries) between both disciplines; and to (3) identify targets for future injury prevention interventions.

Methods: From April to November 2013, 81 cliff and 51 splash divers were prospectively surveyed with an encrypted, monthly e-mail-based questionnaire.

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Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) is performed to suppress medically-resistant essential tremor (ET). However, stimulation induced dysarthria (SID) is a common side effect, limiting the extent to which tremor can be suppressed. To date, the exact pathogenesis of SID in VIM-DBS treated ET patients is unknown.

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