Design, validation, and implementation of multiplex digital PCR assays for simultaneous quantification of multiple targets.

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and digital PCR (dPCR) are applied for quantifying molecular targets in disease diagnostics, pathogen detection, and ecological monitoring. Uptake of dPCR is increasing due to its higher quantification accuracy relative to qPCR, which stems from its independence from standard curves and its increased resistance to PCR inhibitors. Throughput can be increased through multiplexing, which allows simultaneous quantification of multiple targets.

[Isokinetic strength testing with different biomechanical demands on core strength: a comparison of military competitive athletes and soldiers with high occupational physical strain].

It is known that anthropometric data (weight, height, BMI, waist circumference and WHtR) and male gender are positively correlated with greater core strength, while age is negatively correlated. For competitive athletes with no significant differences in the anthropometric data stated above, there have hardly been any studies in which isometric core strength in a seated position is quantitatively compared among athletes in different sports. This study aimed to analyse different sports in well-trained athletes using military competitive sports as an example with regard to possible differences in core strength.

Generative Bayesian modeling to nowcast the effective reproduction number from line list data with missing symptom onset dates.

The time-varying effective reproduction number Rt is a widely used indicator of transmission dynamics during infectious disease outbreaks. Timely estimates of Rt can be obtained from reported cases counted by their date of symptom onset, which is generally closer to the time of infection than the date of report. Case counts by date of symptom onset are typically obtained from line list data, however these data can have missing information and are subject to right truncation.

estimateR: an R package to estimate and monitor the effective reproductive number.

Background: Accurate estimation of the effective reproductive number ([Formula: see text]) of epidemic outbreaks is of central relevance to public health policy and decision making. We present estimateR, an R package for the estimation of the reproductive number through time from delayed observations of infection events. Such delayed observations include confirmed cases, hospitalizations or deaths.

Effectiveness assessment of non-pharmaceutical interventions: lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as school closures and stay-at-home orders, during the COVID-19 pandemic has been assessed in many studies. Such assessments can inform public health policies and contribute to evidence-based choices of NPIs during subsequent waves or future epidemics. However, methodological issues and no standardised assessment practices have restricted the practical value of the existing evidence.

[Analysis of Sickness-Related Days of Absence among Soldiers of the German Armed Forces from 2008 to 2018 Part 1: Retrospective Analysis with Comparison to the Statutory Health Insurance System].

Background: Sickness-related absences are of particular importance both in the German armed forces and in the civilian sector.

The Aim Of This Study: was to analyze the incidence of sick leave among soldiers in comparison to the working population covered by the statutory health insurance (SHI) system.

Method: According to the systematics of the SHI, the key figures on incapacity to work in the period 2008-2018 are calculated in an age- and gender-standardized manner.

The Relationship between Ergometric Treadmill or Bicycle Performance and Isokinetic Trunk Strength - A Retrospective Analysis.

The relationship between trunk strength and athletic performance is well known. In the past, trunk strength and athletic performance were measured in field tests. Previous studies encouraged sport-specific analyses.

The methodologies to assess the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions during COVID-19: a systematic review.

Non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as school closures and stay-at-home orders, have been implemented around the world to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Their effectiveness in improving health-related outcomes has been the subject of numerous empirical studies. However, these studies show fairly large variation among methodologies in use, reflecting the absence of an established methodological framework.

A Scalable Risk-Scoring System Based on Consumer-Grade Wearables for Inpatients With COVID-19: Statistical Analysis and Model Development.

Background: To provide effective care for inpatients with COVID-19, clinical practitioners need systems that monitor patient health and subsequently allow for risk scoring. Existing approaches for risk scoring in patients with COVID-19 focus primarily on intensive care units (ICUs) with specialized medical measurement devices but not on hospital general wards.

Objective: In this paper, we aim to develop a risk score for inpatients with COVID-19 in general wards based on consumer-grade wearables (smartwatches).

Estimating the effect of mobility on SARS-CoV-2 transmission during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 epidemic, Switzerland, March to December 2020.

IntroductionHuman mobility was considerably reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. To support disease surveillance, it is important to understand the effect of mobility on transmission.AimWe compared the role of mobility during the first and second COVID-19 wave in Switzerland by studying the link between daily travel distances and the effective reproduction number () of SARS-CoV-2.

Rehabilitation of Patients with Osseointegrated Prosthesis after Transfemoral Amputation - Literature-based Recommendation for Postoperative Rehabilitative Procedure.

Background: Osseointegrative implantation after amputation of the lower extremity is a special treatment option. Physiotherapeutic treatment is important for the functional outcome. This study systematically evaluated existing follow-up treatment protocols to establish a literature-based recommendation for postoperative rehabilitation procedures.

Estimating the effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on the number of new infections with COVID-19 during the first epidemic wave.

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly developed into a global epidemic. To control its spread, countries have implemented non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as school closures, bans of small gatherings, or even stay-at-home orders. Here we study the effectiveness of seven NPIs in reducing the number of new infections, which was inferred from the reported cases of COVID-19 using a semi-mechanistic Bayesian hierarchical model.

Route of Infection Strongly Impacts the Host-Pathogen Relationship.

Live attenuated vaccines play a key role in the control of many human and animal pathogens. Their rational development is usually helped by identification of the reservoir of infection, the lymphoid subpopulations associated with protective immunity as well as the virulence genes involved in pathogen persistence. Here, we compared the course of infection in C57BL/6 mice infected via intraperitoneal (i.

Advances toward Diagnostic Tools for Managing Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a life-threatening outcome of Leishmania infantum or Leishmania donovani infection. Dogs are the primary domestic reservoir of L. infantum parasites, and ownership of infected dogs increases the risk of human VL.

An evaluation of the significance of individual endogenous risk factors and medical and orthopaedic conditions on physical fitness in military executives.

As part of occupational health promotion in the Bundeswehr (military services of the Federal Republic of Germany), top-ranking executives were offered a medical examination and training program. The participants were subjected to retrospective evaluation. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent risk factors for the development of internal and orthopaedic conditions are present in military executives and how these factors affect physical fitness.

Use of patient-specific cutting blocks reduces blood loss after total knee arthroplasty.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with substantial blood loss. Sources of bleeding are the femoral and tibial intramedullary canals, which are violated during implantation using standard instrumentation. Patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) and computer-assisted surgery (CAS) do not require violation of the intramedullary canals.

An Evaluation of the Significance of Work-Related Influence Factors on Fitness and the Development of Medical and Orthopaedic Conditions in Military Executives.

Occupational health promotion is an effective tool to improve the state of health of employees. As part of occupational health promotion in the German Bundeswehr, top-ranking military executives are offered a medical examination and training programme. Health-related data is collected as a basis for training and lifestyle counselling.

Treatment of medial tibial stress syndrome according to the fascial distortion model: a prospective case control study.

Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is a common problem among athletes and soldiers. There is no proven theory that could explain the pathophysiology of shin splints. The therapies described so far are time-consuming and involve a high risk of relapse.

Relationship of hepatitis B or C virus prevalences, risk factors, and outcomes in renal transplant recipients: analysis of German data.

Background: Chronic liver disease resulting from hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus infections is still a major concern in kidney recipients. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalences, risk factors, and impact of HBV and HCV infections in adult renal transplant recipients in Germany.

Materials And Methods: Data were collected on 1633 kidney recipients transplanted between 1989 and 2002 at the 21 German renal transplant centers participating in MOST, the prospective Multinational Observational Study in Transplantation.

Influence of everolimus on steady-state pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine in maintenance renal transplant patients.

To investigate possible interactions of the novel immunosuppressant everolimus with cyclosporine, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalating phase I study was performed. Everolimus regimens (0.75-10 mg/d) were administered for 28 days to stable renal allograft recipients receiving the microemulsion form of cyclosporine.

Cyclosporine-based immunosuppressive strategies for kidney recipients: interim analysis of German data from the Multinational Observational Study (MOST).

Introduction: We collected data from kidney recipients with a functioning graft at German kidney transplant centers in order to analyze the efficacy of various cyclosporine (CsA)-based immunosuppressive strategies, the effects of different perioperative and maintenance regimens, and the impact of donor source on clinical outcome.

Methods: As part of the ongoing prospective Multinational Observational Study in Transplantation (MOST), data for both prospective and retrospective analysis were collected from kidney recipients over 18 years bearing a functioning graft that was transplanted at 21 German kidney transplant centers between 1987 and 2002.

Results: Data from 1223 renal graft recipients, including their CsA-based immunosuppressive regimens, were stratified as: 402 de novo patients (median 6.

Tolerability and steady-state pharmacokinetics of everolimus in maintenance renal transplant patients.

Background: Current immunosuppressant regimens need to be improved to prevent acute and chronic graft rejection. The novel macrocyclic immunosuppressant everolimus (Certican, RAD) is currently in clinical development to address this issue.

Methods: The primary objective of this multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalating phase 1 study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of everolimus at four dose levels (0.