Paranasal sinus occupancy assessed from magnetic resonance images-associations with clinical indicators in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Nasal, paranasal sinus and mucosal disorders are common symptoms in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Soft tissue changes and fluid accumulation in the osteomeatal complexes and paranasal sinuses manifest as opaqueness on radiological images which can be assessed using visual scoring and computational methods on CT scans, but their results do not always correlate. Using MRI, we investigate the applicability of different image analysis methods in SLE.

Anxiety and depression symptoms, and lack of emotional support among the general population before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A prospective national study on prevalence and risk factors.

Background: The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and emotional support among the general population are unclear. We therefore assessed if the prevalence of high Anxiety and Depression Symptoms (ADS) levels and lack of Emotional Support (ES) increased, and if risk factors of ADS and ES changed.

Methods: Data was extracted from surveys conducted with the Dutch longitudinal population-based LISS panel (N = 3,983).

Comparative Greenhouse Gas Footprinting of Online versus Traditional Shopping for Fast-Moving Consumer Goods: A Stochastic Approach.

Variability in consumer practices and choices is typically not addressed in comparisons of environmental impacts of traditional shopping and e-commerce. Here, we developed a stochastic model to quantify the variability in the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprints of product distribution and purchase of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) via three prevalent retail channels in the United Kingdom (U.K.

Dorsal penile nerve block for circumcision in pediatric patients: A prospective, observer-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial for the comparison of ultrasound-guided vs landmark technique.

Background And Aims: Circumcision is a frequently performed procedure in day case pediatric surgery. Dorsal penile nerve block has proven its effectiveness for the management of acute postoperative pain after circumcision. We investigated if the ultrasound-guided placement of a dorsal penile nerve block could reduce opioid requirement as compared to a landmark-based technique.

MeioSeed: a CellProfiler-based program to count fluorescent seeds for crossover frequency analysis in .

Background: The formation of crossovers during meiosis is pivotal for the redistribution of traits among the progeny of sexually reproducing organisms. In plants the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of crossovers have been well established, but relatively little is known about the factors that determine the exact location and the frequency of crossover events in the genome. In the model plant species , research on these factors has been greatly facilitated by reporter lines containing linked fluorescence marker genes under control of promoters active in seeds or pollen, allowing for the visualization of crossover events by fluorescence microscopy.

A new brace treatment similar for adolescent scoliosis and kyphosis based on restoration of thoracolumbar lordosis. Radiological and subjective clinical results after at least one year of treatment.

Study Design: A prospective treatment study with a new brace was conducted Objective. To evaluate radiological and subjective clinical results after one year conservative brace treatment with pressure onto lordosis at the thoracolumbar joint in children with scoliosis and kyphosis.

Summary Of Background Data: Conservative brace treatment of adolescent scoliosis is not proven to be effective in terms of lasting correction.

A similar approach in bracing of adolescent scoliosis and kyphosis with the use of growth itself in Thoracolumbar Lordotic Intervention (TLI).

Using older and new concepts on aetiology a new brace technique with thoracolumbar lordotic intervention in adolescent scoliotic and kyphotic deformities was created. The technique with symmetrical forces in the sagittal plane only on the thoracolumbar joint and its effect on the formative function of the extending muscles is explained.

Ever-present factors in healthy children that can deform their spines. Opposition to Dickson's paradigm on lordosis.

Revision of older knowledge on spinal deformities shows causing factors in all day life and the source of rotational forces in men in respiration. The role of lordosis as a causative factor can change towards a correcting force, supported by different studies. The thoracolumbar spine is the originating area of many deforming processes.

Mental health problems among search and rescue workers deployed in the Haïti earthquake 2010: a pre-post comparison.

Search and rescue workers play an important role in rescuing trapped disaster victims. However, it is unclear whether they are at risk for post-disaster mental health problems. For this purpose we prospectively examined pre- and post-deployment health among Dutch search and rescue workers (USAR NL) deployed in the devastating Haiti earthquake disaster (2010).

Radiological analysis, operative management and functional outcome of open book pelvic lesions: a 13-year cohort study.

Unlabelled: We present the clinical and radiological outcome of a 13-year cohort study of 38 open book pelvic lesions. All patients were treated in one Level I Trauma centre. In the posterior pelvis, sacro-iliac diastasis was seen in 31 patients, sacral fracture in 7.

7th SOSORT consensus paper: conservative treatment of idiopathic & Scheuermann's kyphosis.

Unlabelled: : Thoracic hyperkyphosis is a frequent problem and can impact greatly on patient's quality of life during adolescence. This condition can be idiopathic or secondary to Scheuermann disease, a disease disturbing vertebral growth. To date, there is no sound scientific data available on the management of this condition.

Vitamin B12 status in patients of Turkish and Dutch descent with depression: a comparative cross-sectional study.

Background: Studies have shown a clear relationship between depressive disorders and vitamin B12 deficiency. Gastroenteritis and Helicobacter pylori infections can cause vitamin B12 deficiency. Helicobacter pylori infections are not uncommon among people of Turkish descent in The Netherlands.

Clinical detectable tension in the growing body: new and revisited signs in clinical examination in children with postural problems and spinal deformities. Restoration of lordosis on the thoracolumbar junction can correct sagittal and coronal plane deformity; a new (revisited) linked approach on the treatment and etiology of adolescent spinal deformities.

Unclear etiology in scoliotic and kyphotic deformities of the spine is responsible for uncertainty in treatment options. Normal all-day factors can be of importance. Newly developed or revisited clinical examination of sitting and supine children and consequent testing of neuro-muscular tightness shows to be useful in understanding the different spinal deformations and postural problems during growth and point to neuromuscular tension in growth.

Forced lordosis on the thoracolumbar junction can correct coronal plane deformity in adolescents with double major curve pattern idiopathic scoliosis.

Study Design: A prospective radiographic study was conducted.

Objective: To support our hypothesis that correction of the scoliosis may benefit from a lordotic fulcrum force in the sagittal plane on the thoracolumbar spine.

Summary Of Background Data: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is an important spinal deformity.

Periprosthetic fracture of the tibial plateau after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

The authors report three cases of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), complicated with peri-operative periprosthetic fracture of the tibial plateau. The surgical technique was held responsible in all cases. The initial treatment was different in every case; all patients ultimately underwent revision total knee arthroplasty with a good functional outcome.

A pedicle subtraction osteotomy as an adjunctive tool in the surgical treatment of a rigid thoracolumbar hyperkyphosis; a preliminary report.

Background Context: A pedicle subtraction osteotomy can be considered as part of the surgical treatment of a symptomatic sagittal imbalance. The literature on the use of this technique is limited and thus far not applied to a rigid thoracolumbar hyperkyphosis.

Purpose: To evaluate our preliminary results of a pedicle subtraction osteotomy as an adjunctive tool in the surgical treatment of thoracolumbar kyphotic deformities.

Anterior cervical interbody fusion with radiolucent carbon fiber cages: clinical and radiological results.

The authors retrospectively evaluated 30 patients with an anterior cervical interbody fusion for cervical spondylosis or disc herniation. Open box carbon fiber cages were used at 45 levels. The visual analogue scales (VAS), respectively for neck and for arm pain, and the neck disability index (NDI) improved significantly (p < 0.

Transient kyphotic deformity of the thoracolumbar junction resulting from a large abdominal cyst: a case report.

Background Context: Pronounced kyphosis of the thoracolumbar junction is a common orthopedic problem in adolescents and may require prolonged bracing therapy or correction spondylodesis.

Purpose: To describe a case where a kyphotic deformity was related to gynecological instead of spine pathology.

Study Design: Case report.

European Medical Device Directive: impact on nuclear medicine.

The European Council Directive 93/42/EEC concerning medical devices (14 June 1993) assigns new responsibilities and imposes technical requirements both to the manufacturer and user of medical devices. In this paper the general outlines of the directive are discussed with a particular emphasis on the risk classification of products, the compliance and evaluation process and the CE-marking regulations. Furthermore, some practical implications are highlighted for devices and tools relevant to the field of nuclear medicine such as radiation detectors, gamma- and PET-cameras and software.

Comparison of two systems for rigidly connecting 2.0-mm bone screws to an implantable device: in vitro stability testing.

The stability of a screw-fixed implantable device can be improved by eliminating the freedom of movement between the screws and the device. Two systems have been developed for rigidly connecting 2. 0-mm bone screws to an implantable device, and the aim of this study was to test and compare the stability of the two systems.

Histological and biomechanical analysis of bone and interface reactions around hydroxyapatite-coated intramedullary implants of different stiffness: a pilot study on the goat.

We hypothesized that reduced stem stiffness of orthopaedic implants contributes to a high risk of loosening, since interface stresses and relative motions may exceed a tolerable range. To study this hypothesis, three types of load-bearing implant with different stiffnesses were inserted into the tibia of the goat. Histological analysis was performed of bone repair after insertion of the implant, bone ingrowth, interface disruption and loosening.

Managing underwriting risk in capitated provider groups.

Physicians working under capitated arrangements must provide quality care and make money, i.e., manage the underwriting risk.

The need for integrated risk management in capitated provider groups.

Financial risk is not just ensuring that there is enough capitation revenue to cover claims for services. The changing world of health care is devolving risk and exposures to provider groups that were previously covered by insurance companies, HMOs, and other payers. Capitated providers must first understand the risk they face and then manage it.