Population based screening - the difficulty of how to do more good than harm and how to achieve it.

Screening people without symptoms of disease is an attractive idea. Screening allows early detection of disease or elevated risk of disease, and has the potential for improved treatment and reduction of mortality. The list of future screening opportunities is set to grow because of the refinement of screening techniques, the increasing frequency of degenerative and chronic diseases, and the steadily growing body of evidence on genetic predispositions for various diseases.

An angiographic analysis of atherosclerosis progression in below-the-knee arteries after femoropopliteal angioplasty in claudicants.

Purpose: To report an angiographic investigation of midterm atherosclerotic disease progression in below-the-knee (BTK) arteries of claudicants.

Methods: Angiograms were performed in 58 consecutive claudicants (35 men; mean age 68.3+/-8.

Impact of long-term corticosteroid therapy on the distribution pattern of lower limb atherosclerosis.

Objective: Ectopic calcification and mediacalcinosis can be promoted by corticosteroid use. Aim of the present investigation is to describe macrovascular disease features in patients with long-term corticosteroid therapy and symptomatic lower limb peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD).

Methods: A consecutive series of 2783 patients undergoing clinical and angiographic work-up of PAD were screened for long-term (>5 years) corticosteroid use (group A).

Access to specialized pediatric cancer care in Switzerland.

Background: Specialized pediatric cancer centers (PCCs) are thought to be essential to obtain state-of-the-art care for children and adolescents. We determined the proportion of childhood cancer patients not treated in a PCC, and described their characteristics and place of treatment.

Procedure: The Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry (SCCR) registers all children treated in Swiss PCCs.

Tailored total lymphoid irradiation in heart transplant patients: 10-years experience of one center.

Background: To assess safety and efficacy of tailored total lymphoid irradiation (tTLI) in cardiac transplant patients.

Methods: A total of seven patients, of which five had recalcitrant cellular cardiac allograft rejection (RCCAR), confirmed by endomyocardial biopsies, and two had side effects of immunosuppressive drug therapy, were all treated with tTLI. tTLI was defined by the adjustment of both the fraction interval and the final irradiation dosage both being dependent on the patients general condition, irradiation-dependent response, and the white blood and platelet counts.

Renal insufficiency is independently associated with a distal distribution pattern of symptomatic lower-limb atherosclerosis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of renal insufficiency (RI) on the distribution pattern of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We hypothesised that RI is associated with a distally accentuated involvement of the peripheral arterial tree.

Design: This is a retrospective analysis.

Significance of Periodontal Risk Assessment in the recurrence of periodontitis and tooth loss.

Aim: To investigate the association of the Periodontal Risk Assessment (PRA) model categories with periodontitis recurrence and tooth loss during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) and to explore the role of patient compliance.

Material And Methods: In a retrospective cohort, PRA was performed for 160 patients after active periodontal therapy (APT) and after 9.5 +/- 4.

Clinical effects of interdental cleansing on supragingival biofilm formation and development of experimental gingivitis.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to test the effects of interdental cleansing with dental floss on supragingival biofilm removal in natural dentition during a 3-week period of experimental biofilm accumulation.

Materials And Methods: The present study was performed as a single-blind, parallel, randomised, controlled clinical trial using the experimental gingivitis model (Löe et al, 1965). Thirty-two students were recruited and assigned to one of the following experimental or control groups: Group A used a fluoride-containing dentifrice (NaF dentifrice) on a toothbrush for 60 s twice a day, Group B used an unwaxed dental floss twice a day, Group C used a waxed dental floss twice a day in every interproximal space and Group D rinsed twice a day for 60 s with drinking water (control).

Computer technology applications in surgical implant dentistry: a systematic review.

Purpose: To assess the literature on accuracy and clinical performance of computer technology applications in surgical implant dentistry.

Materials And Methods: Electronic and manual literature searches were conducted to collect information about (1) the accuracy and (2) clinical performance of computer-assisted implant systems. Meta-regression analysis was performed for summarizing the accuracy studies.

Hepatoprotective effect of tumour necrosis factor alpha blockade in psoriatic arthritis: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) blockers on the presence of liver fibrosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated with methotrexate (MTX).

Methods: Participants were consecutive patients with RA and PsA who had undergone MTX treatment for at least 1 year + or - TNF blockade for over 6 months. Liver fibrosis was assessed using non-invasive transient elastography (FibroScan).

Long-term cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality in women and men with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 30-year follow-up in Switzerland.

Background: While studies from other countries have shown an excess mortality in diabetic individuals when compared with the general population, comparable long-term data is not available for Switzerland.

Aims: To assess gender-specific cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes compared with the general Swiss population between 1974 and 2005.

Design: 533 patients (225 type 1, 308 type 2 diabetes, 52.

Mortality of HIV-infected patients starting potent antiretroviral therapy: comparison with the general population in nine industrialized countries.

Background: Mortality in HIV-infected patients has declined substantially with combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), but it is unclear whether it has reached that of the general population. We compared mortality in patients starting ART in nine countries of Europe and North America with the corresponding general population, taking into account their response to ART.

Methods: Eligible patients were enrolled in prospective cohort studies participating in the ART Cohort Collaboration.

Survival and failure rates of orthodontic temporary anchorage devices: a systematic review.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature on the survival rates of palatal implants, Onplants((R)), miniplates and mini screws.

Material And Methods: An electronic MEDLINE search supplemented by manual searching was conducted to identify randomized clinical trials, prospective and retrospective cohort studies on palatal implants, Onplants((R)), miniplates and miniscrews with a mean follow-up time of at least 12 weeks and of at least 10 units per modality having been examined clinically at a follow-up visit. Assessment of studies and data abstraction was performed independently by two reviewers.

Family satisfaction in the intensive care unit: what makes the difference?

Purpose: To assess family satisfaction in the ICU and to identify parameters for improvement.

Methods: Multicenter study in Swiss ICUs. Families were given a questionnaire covering overall satisfaction, satisfaction with care and satisfaction with information/decision-making.

Biomarkers of human gastrointestinal tract regions.

Dysregulation of intestinal epithelial cell performance is associated with an array of pathologies whose onset mechanisms are incompletely understood. While whole-genomics approaches have been valuable for studying the molecular basis of several intestinal diseases, a thorough analysis of gene expression along the healthy gastrointestinal tract is still lacking. The aim of this study was to map gene expression in gastrointestinal regions of healthy human adults and to implement a procedure for microarray data analysis that would allow its use as a reference when screening for pathological deviations.

Periodontal disease progression in subjects with orofacial clefts over a 25-year follow-up period.

Aims: To assess rates of periodontal disease progression in subjects with cleft lip, alveolus and palate (CLAP) over a 25-year period without regular maintenance care in a specialist setting and to compare those with those of subjects without alveolar clefts, i.e. cleft lip (CL) or cleft palate (CP).

A systematic review assessing soft tissue augmentation techniques.

Aim: The aim of the present review was to systematically assess the dental literature in terms of soft tissue grafting techniques. The focused question was: is one method superior over others for augmentation and stability of the augmented soft tissue in terms of increasing the width of keratinized tissue (part 1) and gain in soft tissue volume (part 2).

Methods: A Medline search was performed for human studies focusing on augmentation of keratinized tissue and/or soft tissue volume, and complemented by additional hand searching.

A systematic review on the accuracy and the clinical outcome of computer-guided template-based implant dentistry.

Introduction: The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the dental literature regarding accuracy and clinical application in computer-guided template-based implant dentistry.

Materials And Methods: An electronic literature search complemented by manual searching was performed to gather data on accuracy and surgical, biological and prosthetic complications in connection with computer-guided implant treatment. For the assessment of accuracy meta-regression analysis was performed.

A systematic review of the performance of ceramic and metal implant abutments supporting fixed implant reconstructions.

Objectives: The objective of this systematic review was to assess the 5-year survival rates and incidences of complications associated with ceramic abutments and to compare them with those of metal abutments.

Methods: An electronic Medline search complemented by manual searching was conducted to identify randomized-controlled clinical trials, and prospective and retrospective studies providing information on ceramic and metal abutments with a mean follow-up time of at least 3 years. Patients had to have been examined clinically at the follow-up visit.

Incident cancer burden attributable to excess body mass index in 30 European countries.

Excess adiposity is associated with increased risks of developing adult malignancies. To inform public health policy and guide further research, the incident cancer burden attributable to excess body mass index (BMI >or= 25 kg/m(2)) across 30 European countries were estimated. Population attributable risks (PARs) were calculated using European- and gender-specific risk estimates from a published meta-analysis and gender-specific mean BMI estimates from a World Health Organization Global Infobase.

Erythropoietin or Darbepoetin for patients with cancer--meta-analysis based on individual patient data.

Background: Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) reduce anemia in cancer patients and may improve quality of life, but there are concerns that ESAs might increase mortality.

Objectives: Our objectives were to examine the effect of ESAs and identify factors that modify the effects of ESAs on overall survival, progression free survival, thromboembolic and cardiovascular events as well as need for transfusions and other important safety and efficacy outcomes in cancer patients.

Search Strategy: We searched the Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase and conference proceedings for eligible trials.

Surgical glove perforation and the risk of surgical site infection.

Hypothesis: Clinically apparent surgical glove perforation increases the risk of surgical site infection (SSI).

Design: Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting: University Hospital Basel, with an average of 28,000 surgical interventions per year.

A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of implant supported fixed dental prostheses with cantilever extensions after an observation period of at least 5 years.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the survival rates of short-span implant-supported cantilever fixed dental prostheses (ICFDPs) and the incidence of technical and biological complications after an observation period of at least 5 years.

Material And Methods: An electronic MEDLINE search supplemented by manual searching was conducted to identify prospective or retrospective cohort studies reporting data of at least 5 years on ICFDPs. Five- and 10-year estimates for failure and complication rates were calculated using standard or random-effect Poisson regression analysis.