Injury Incidence, Outcomes, and Return to Competition Times after Sports-Related Concussions during One Professional Ice Hockey Season: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the incidence and characteristics of sports-related concussions (SRCs) for a professional ice hockey team during one regular season in the International Central European Hockey League.

Background: Repeated concussions are a common cause of long periods of absence in team contact sports, with a wide range of potential short- and long-term consequences for the affected athlete. Questions mainly regarding early diagnosis and ideal follow-up treatment remain unanswered, especially regarding the timing of return to sports (RTS).

Retrospective evaluation of radiological and clinical outcomes after surgical treatment of proximal femur fractures utilizing TFNA.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients treated with the TFN-Advanced™ Proximal Femoral Nailing system (TFNA¸ DePuy Synthes, West Chester, PA) including intra- and postoperative complications.

Materials And Methods: All patients with an acute proximal femur fracture consequently treated with a TFNA between September 2014 and December 2018 were evaluated. Clinical and radiological data were assessed for intra- and postoperative complications, including treatment failure.

ACL reconstruction with adjustable-length loop cortical button fixation results in less tibial tunnel widening compared with interference screw fixation.

Purpose: To compare tunnel widening and clinical outcome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with interference screw fixation and all-inside reconstruction using button fixation.

Methods: Tunnel widening was assessed using tunnel volume and diameter measurements on computed tomography (CT) scans after surgery and 6 months and 2 years later, and compared between the two groups. The clinical outcome was assessed after 2 years with instrumented tibial anteroposterior translation measurements, hop testing and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm and Tegner activity scores.

The Impact of Probiotic Supplements on Cognitive Parameters in Euthymic Individuals with Bipolar Disorder: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Cognitive dysfunction is prevalent in depressive as well as manic episodes in individuals with Bipolar Disorder (BD). Even more, after symptom remission, many individuals with BD experience persisting cognitive impairment also in euthymic periods, leading to high illness burden and low quality of life. According to a recent research in animals and healthy humans, microbiota may influence cognitive processes via the brain-gut axis.

Treatment of tibial nonunion with bone defect using a heterotopic ossification as autologous bone graft: literature overview and case report.

Introduction: Nonunion after open fracture of the lower leg is a frequent complication with a prevalence of up to 40%. In cases with major bone defects, revision of the osteosynthesis with bone grafting is commonly performed. Until today, there is no report on treatment of a tibial nonunion with transplantation of a heterotopic ossification.

Tunnel widening after ACL reconstruction with aperture screw fixation or all-inside reconstruction with suspensory cortical button fixation: Volumetric measurements on CT and MRI scans.

Background: Tunnel widening after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is influenced by the surgical and fixation techniques used. Computed tomography (CT) is the most accurate image modality for assessing tunnel widening, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) might also be reliable for tunnel volume measurements. In the present study tunnel widening after ACLR using biodegradable interference screw fixation was compared with all-inside ACLR using button fixation, with tunnel volume changes being measured on CT and MRI scans.

Invasive aspergillosis in patients with underlying liver cirrhosis: a prospective cohort study.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in patients with liver cirrhosis and the performance of serum galactomannan (GM) screening. Patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and patients with compensated liver cirrhosis presenting with fever and/or respiratory symptoms were prospectively enrolled. All patients were screened by serum GM twice weekly irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms.

Specificity of mannan antigen and anti-mannan antibody screening in patients with haematological malignancies at risk for fungal infection.

Combination of mannan antigen and anti-mannan antibody (Mn/A-Mn) testing has been reported a useful and specific strategy for diagnosis of invasive Candida infections (ICIs). We evaluated Mn/A-Mn as a screening tool in patients with haematological malignancies. This clinical prospective study was performed at the Division of Hematology, Medical University Graz, Austria between July and December 2012.

Simvastatin Efficiently Lowers Small LDL-IgG Immune Complex Levels: A Therapeutic Quality beyond the Lipid-Lowering Effect.

We investigated a polyethylene glycol non-precipitable low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subfraction targeted by IgG and the influence of statin therapy on plasma levels of these small LDL-IgG-immune complexes (LDL-IgG-IC). LDL-subfractions were isolated from 6 atherosclerotic subjects and 3 healthy individuals utilizing iodixanol density gradient ultracentrifugation. Cholesterol, apoB and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined in each fraction by enzymatic testing, dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluorescence immunoassay and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively.

Diagnostic accuracy of the Aspergillus-specific bronchoalveolar lavage lateral-flow assay in haematological malignancy patients.

We evaluated the performance of the Aspergillus-specific lateral-flow device (LFD) test for diagnosing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with underlying haematological malignancies. Participating centres were the two Austrian University Hospitals of Graz and Innsbruck. LFD performance was evaluated with 95 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from 72 patients collected prospectively in Graz, and with 24 BALF bio bank samples from 23 patients (21 samples with probable IPA) in Innsbruck.

Novel tests for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in patients with underlying respiratory diseases.

Rationale: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis has been increasingly reported in nonneutropenic patients, including those with underlying respiratory diseases.

Objectives: We compared the diagnostic performances of galactomannan, 1,3-β-D-glucan, and Aspergillus-specific lateral-flow device tests with that of conventional culture by using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples from patients with underlying respiratory diseases.

Methods: We analyzed 268 bronchoalveolar lavage samples from 221 patients with underlying respiratory diseases (and without hematologic malignancy or previous solid organ transplantation) that were collected for routine microbiological workup between February 2012 and May 2014 at the University Hospital of Graz, Austria.

Hepatitis A Outbreak in Europe: Imported Frozen Berry Mix Suspected to be the Source of At least One Infection in Austria in 2013.

We tested 19 sera from Austrian patients with acute hepatitis A. A serum from a 48-year-old female patient yielded HAV-nucleic acid that showed 99.7% homology to the HAV-sequence obtained from samples taken during the current outbreak in several European countries, which is associated with consumption of frozen berries.

Serum and urine galactomannan testing for screening in patients with hematological malignancies.

Testing for serum galactomannan (GM) has been established as an important method for diagnosing invasive aspergillosis (IA); however, limited data exist regarding the application of urine GM testing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of GM screening of urine specimens and to compare results with serum GM. The study was performed between July 2012 and March 2013 in adult patients with underlying hematological malignancies who were hospitalized at the Medical University of Graz, Austria.

Bronchoalveolar lavage lateral-flow device test for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in solid organ transplant patients: a semiprospective multicenter study.

Background: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality among patients undergoing solid organ transplantation (SOT). Because of the crude mortality of 80% to 90% in the absence of adequate treatment, timely diagnosis and early intervention with antifungal drugs are key factors in the successful treatment of IPA. Diagnosis, however, remains difficult.

Etiology and perinatal outcome of polyhydramnios.

Purpose: To determine causes of polyhydramnios and the respective perinatal outcome.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed cases with polyhydramnios at the Medical University Graz, Austria from 2003 - 2011. Inclusion criteria were single deepest pocket ≥ 8  cm, amniotic fluid index ≥ 25  cm, each of the latter parameters > 95th percentile or subjective impression.

Performance of galactomannan, beta-d-glucan, Aspergillus lateral-flow device, conventional culture, and PCR tests with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

Galactomannan detection in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples (GM test) is currently considered the gold standard test for diagnosing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The limitations, however, are the various turnaround times and availability of testing. We compared the performance of GM testing with that of conventional culture, an Aspergillus lateral-flow-device (LFD) test, a beta-d-glucan (BDG) test, and an Aspergillus PCR assay by using BAL fluid samples from immunocompromised patients.

Sensitivity of galactomannan enzyme immunoassay for diagnosing breakthrough invasive aspergillosis under antifungal prophylaxis and empirical therapy.

Data on diagnostic performance of Galactomannan (GM) testing in patients under mould-active regimens are limited. Whether sensitivity of GM testing for diagnosing breakthrough invasive aspergillosis (IA) is decreased under antifungal prophylaxis/therapy remains therefore a point of discussion. We retrospectively analysed GM test results in patients who were admitted with underlying haematological malignancies to two Divisions of the Medical University Hospital of Graz, Austria, between 2009 and 2012.

European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) host factors and invasive fungal infections in patients with haematological malignancies.

Objectives: Fulfilment of host factors defined by the revised European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) criteria is required for establishing the diagnosis of possible or probable invasive fungal infection (IFI). This case-control study evaluates EORTC/MSG host factors among patients with haematological malignancies.

Methods: Fifty-eight patients with haematological malignancies who developed probable (n = 38) or proven (n = 20) IFI over a 5 year period were retrospectively evaluated regarding EORTC/MSG host factors.

Performance of new enzyme-linked fluorescent assays for detection of Epstein-Barr virus specific antibodies in routine diagnostics.

Background And Aims: Indirect fluorescent antibody assays are still the gold standard for the detection of Epstein-Barr-virus-specific antibodies; however, this technique requires several manual steps and an experienced technician. This retrospective study investigated the performance of the new VIDAS(®) enzyme-linked fluorescent assays for automated qualitative detection of EBV VCA IgM, VCA/EA IgG, and EBNA IgG antibodies in routine diagnostics.

Methods: 174 serum samples were tested first with the gold standard.

Detection of CMV DNA: is EDTA whole blood superior to EDTA plasma?

The early diagnosis of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in immunosuppressed patients has been improved by molecular detection of CMV DNA. In this study, corresponding EDTA whole blood and EDTA plasma specimens were obtained from 42 bone marrow transplant recipients. For detection of CMV DNA, two commercially available assays, the CMV HHV6,7,8 R-gene (ARGENE), and the artus CMV LC PCR Kit (QIAGEN), were employed.

Malondialdehyde, carbonyl proteins and albumin-disulphide as useful oxidative markers in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

The question arises as to whether oxidative stress has a primary role in neurodegeneration or is a secondary end-stage epiphenomenon. The aim of the present study was to determine oxidative stress parameters like malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl proteins (CP) and Albumin-disulphide (Alb-SSR) and relate these parameters to the immune parameter neopterin, folic acid and vitamin B12 as vitamins and homocysteine in patients with neuro-degenerative diseases (NDD), namely mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared to an aged matched control group. MDA, CP and Alb-SSR were significantly increased in the NDD group compared to controls, but not vitamin B12, folic acid and neopterin.

Comparison of molecular assays for detection and typing of human papillomavirus.

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the performance of 3 different extraction instruments in conjunction with 4 different amplification and detection kits for detection and typing of human papillomavirus (HPV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

Study Design: A total of 42 cervical swabs were investigated. HPV DNA was extracted on the 3 different instruments.