Predicting the Recovery of Isokinetic Knee Strength 6 Months After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: The limb symmetry index (LSI) is a metric of strength restoration. It is key to successfully return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The threshold for return to sports is generally considered an LSI of ≥85%.

Effect of vaccinations and school restrictions on the spread of COVID-19 in different age groups in Germany.

With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, various non-pharmaceutical interventions were adopted to control virus transmission, including school closures. Subsequently, the introduction of vaccines mitigated not only disease severity but also the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This study leveraged an adapted SIR model and non-linear mixed-effects modeling to quantify the impact of remote learning, school holidays, the emergence of Variants of Concern (VOCs), and the role of vaccinations in controlling SARS-CoV-2 spread across 16 German federal states with an age-stratified approach.

T1ρ relaxation mapping in osteochondral lesions of the talus: a non-invasive biomarker for altered biomechanical properties of hyaline cartilage?

Background: To evaluate T1ρ relaxation mapping in patients with symptomatic talar osteochondral lesions (OLT) and healthy controls (HC) at rest, with axial loading and traction.

Methods: Participants underwent 3-T ankle magnetic resonance imaging at rest and with 500 N loading and 120 N traction, without axial traction for a subcohort of 17/29 HC. We used a fast low-angle shot sequence with variable spin-lock intervals for monoexponential T1ρ fitting.

Y chromosome linked UTY modulates sex differences in valvular fibroblast methylation in response to nanoscale extracellular matrix cues.

Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is a progressive disease wherein males more often develop valve calcification relative to females that develop valve fibrosis. Valvular interstitial cells (VICs) aberrantly activate to myofibroblasts during AVS, driving the fibrotic valve phenotype in females. Myofibroblasts further differentiate into osteoblast-like cells and produce calcium nanoparticles, driving valve calcification in males.

Motivations for Adolescent COVID-19 Vaccination: A Comparative Study of Adolescent and Caregiver Perspectives in Germany.

Given the crucial role of vaccination in halting the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative to understand the factors that motivate adolescents to get vaccinated. We surveyed adolescents and their accompanying guardians scheduled to receive a COVID-19 vaccination (Comirnaty) in an urban region in Germany in mid-2021 regarding their motivation for getting vaccinated and collected data on their sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, vaccination status, and any history of COVID-19 infection in the family. We also queried information strategies related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Ankle Sprains in Athletes: Current Epidemiological, Clinical and Imaging Trends.

Purpose: Ankle injuries are frequent sports injuries. Despite optimizing treatment strategies during recent years, the percentage of chronification following an ankle sprain remains high. The purpose of this review article is, to highlight current epidemiological, clinical and novel advanced cross-sectional imaging trends that may help to evaluate ankle sprain injuries.

Development and validation of a questionnaire to measure the severity of pain, functional limitations, and reduction of sports ability for german-speaking patients with osteochondral lesions of the ankle (OCLA-G).

Background: There is no patient-reported functional scale specific for osteochondral lesion of the ankle (OCLA). Therefore, the objectives of this study were to develop a questionnaire that measures symptom severity, function, and sports capacity in patients with osteochondral lesions of the ankle and to determine the psychometric properties of the tool in German language (OCLA-G).

Methods: The OCLA-G questionnaire was developed according to the COSMIN guidelines.

Early ACL reconstruction shows an improved recovery of isokinetic thigh muscle strength compared to delayed or chronic cases.

Introduction: The recovery of periarticular strength is a major criterion in return-to-play testing. The rationale of the study was to assess the impact of the delay of surgery (∆ between injury and surgery) on knee extensor and knee flexor strength of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient patients six months after reconstruction.

Materials And Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, all patients with ACL ruptures between 03/2015 and 12/2019 were analyzed.

Large Multicountry Outbreak of Invasive Listeriosis by a Listeria monocytogenes ST394 Clone Linked to Smoked Rainbow Trout, 2020 to 2021.

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has revolutionized surveillance of infectious diseases. Disease outbreaks can now be detected with high precision, and correct attribution of infection sources has been improved. Listeriosis, caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, is a foodborne disease with a high case fatality rate and a large proportion of outbreak-related cases.

Development and validation of a clinical prediction model for return to work after arthroscopic anterior crucial ligament reconstruction.

Background: Occupational reintegration after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is an important clinical issue including economic and health-related perspectives. This study aims to develop and validate a clinical prediction model of return to work in patients with ACL reconstruction surgery considering evidence-based clinical, anthropometric and occupational factors.

Methods: Data of 562 patients with an ACL rupture receiving an arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were used for analysis.

Genetic Characterization of from Food of Non-Animal Origin Products and from Producing and Processing Companies in Bavaria, Germany.

Reported cases of listeriosis from food of non-animal origin (FNAO) are increasing. In order to assess the risk of exposure to from FNAO, the genetic characterization of the pathogen in FNAO products and in primary production and processing plants needs to be investigated. For this, 123 samples of fresh and frozen soft fruit and 407 samples of 39 plants in Bavaria, Germany that produce and process FNAO were investigated for contamination.

Whole-Genome Sequence Comparisons of Isolated from Meat and Fish Reveal High Inter- and Intra-Sample Diversity.

Interpretation of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data for foodborne outbreak investigations is complex, as the genetic diversity within processing plants and transmission events need to be considered. In this study, we analyzed 92 food-associated isolates by WGS-based methods. We aimed to examine the genetic diversity within meat and fish production chains and to assess the applicability of suggested thresholds for clustering of potentially related isolates.

Problematic Internet Use among Adolescents 18 Months after the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Studies in recent years and especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic have shown a significant increase in the problematic use of computer games and social media. Adolescents having difficulties in regulating their unpleasant emotions are especially prone to Problematic Internet Use (PIU), which is why emotion dysregulation has been considered a risk factor for PIU. The aim of the present study was to assess problematic internet use (PIU) in adolescents after the third wave (nearly 1.

General, spinal or regional anaesthesia does not affect strength performance 6 months after ACL reconstruction.

Purpose: The recovery of strength is a key element in successfully returning to sports after ACL reconstruction. The type of anaesthesia has been suspected an influential factor in the post-operative recovery of muscle function.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis, n = 442 consecutive patients undergoing primary isolated ACL reconstruction using a hamstring autograft were analysed by pre- and post-operative isokinetic tests in a single orthopaedic centre.

Pre-operative knee extensor and flexor torque after secondary ACL rupture: a comparative retrospective analysis.

Background: Secondary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are a relevant clinical concern after surgical treatment of a primary ACL rupture. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence related to the role of muscle strength prior to revision surgery in a second ACL rupture. The aim of this study was to assess differences in knee extensor and flexor strength in patients before primary and secondary ACL reconstruction compared to healthy controls.

Mental Health and Health-Related Quality of Life in German Adolescents after the Third Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Evaluations after the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany showed an increase in mental health problems and a reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of the study was to assess those aspects after the third wave of COVID-19 in adolescents who decided to receive a vaccination. In students aged 12-17 years recruited from schools in one German region, mental health (by the strengths and difficulties questionnaire, SDQ) and HRQoL (by KIDSCREEN-10) were assessed by both a self- and parental report.

Biomechanical Effects of Chronic Ankle Instability on the Talar Cartilage Matrix: The Value of T1ρ Relaxation Mapping Without and With Mechanical Loading.

Background: T1ρ mapping has been proposed for the detection of early cartilage degeneration associated with chronic ankle instability (CAI). However, there are limited data surrounding the influence of ankle loading on T1ρ relaxation.

Purpose: To evaluate T1ρ relaxation times of talar cartilage, as an indicator of early degenerative changes, associated with CAI and to investigate the influence of acute axial in situ loading on T1ρ values in CAI patients and healthy controls.

Long-standing pubic-related groin pain in professional academy soccer players: a prospective cohort study on possible risk factors, rehabilitation and return to play.

Background: Despite being a common overuse entity in youth soccer, scientific data on risk factors, rehabilitation and return to play for long-standing pubic-related groin pain is still rare. The current prospective cohort study aims to evaluate potential risk-factors, propose a criteria-based conservative rehabilitation protocol and assess return-to-play outcomes among professional youth soccer players suffering from long-standing pubic-related groin pain.

Methods: Male soccer players with long-standing (> 6 weeks) pubic-related groin pain from a professional soccer club's youth academy were analyzed for possible risk factors such as age, team (U12 - U23), younger/older age group within the team, position and preinjury Functional movement score.

sp. nov., isolated from raw milk.

Two strains of a Gram-staining-positive species were isolated from German bulk tank milk. On the basis of their 16S rRNA sequences they were affiliated to the genus but could not be assigned to any species with a validly published name. ATCC BAA-466 (97.

Full-Length SSU rRNA Gene Sequencing Allows Species-Level Detection of Bacteria, Archaea, and Yeasts Present in Milk.

Full-length SSU rRNA gene sequencing allows species-level identification of the microorganisms present in milk samples. Here, we used bulk-tank raw milk samples of two German dairies and detected, using this method, a great diversity of bacteria, archaea, and yeasts within the samples. Moreover, the species-level classification was improved in comparison to short amplicon sequencing.

Amplicon-sequencing of raw milk microbiota: impact of DNA extraction and library-PCR.

The highly complex raw milk matrix challenges the sample preparation for amplicon-sequencing due to low bacterial counts and high amounts of eukaryotic DNA originating from the cow. In this study, we optimized the extraction of bacterial DNA from raw milk for microbiome analysis and evaluated the impact of cycle numbers in the library-PCR. The selective lysis of eukaryotic cells by proteinase K and digestion of released DNA before bacterial lysis resulted in a high reduction of mostly eukaryotic DNA and increased the proportion of bacterial DNA.

Neuromechanical activation of triceps surae muscle remains altered at 3.5 years following open surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture.

Purpose: To assess whether the neuromuscular activation pattern following Achilles tendon rupture and repair may contributes to the observable functional deficits in this severe and increasingly frequent injury.

Methods: In this study, the neuromuscular activation using surface EMG of n = 52 patients was assessed during a battery of functional performance tasks to assess potential alterations of muscular activation and recruitment. We analyzed the injured leg vs.