Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Home Mechanical Ventilation in Germany: A Descriptive Observational Study.

Introduction: Over the last decade, the number of patients receiving home mechanical ventilation (HMV) has increased significantly, which has led to a limited availability of specialist centres, not least due to the scarcity of healthcare professionals. This situation was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is therefore assumed that the repurposing of resources has led to an aggravated change in the healthcare structure in HMV.

Abatacept inhibits inflammation and onset of rheumatoid arthritis in individuals at high risk (ARIAA): a randomised, international, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Individuals with anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) and subclinical inflammatory changes in joints are at high risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment strategies to intercept this pre-stage clinical disease remain to be developed. We aimed to assess whether 6-month treatment with abatacept improves inflammation in preclinical rheumatoid arthritis.

Airway Pressure Release Ventilation in COVID-19-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome-A Multicenter Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

There are limited and partially contradictory data on the effects of airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) in COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS). Therefore, we analyzed the clinical outcome, complications, and longitudinal course of ventilation parameters and laboratory values in patients with CARDS, who were mechanically ventilated using APRV. Respective data from 4 intensive care units (ICUs) were collected and compared to a matched cohort of patients receiving conventional low tidal volume ventilation (LTV).

Changes in ultrasound imaging of joints, entheses, bursae and tendons 24 and 48 h after adjusted weight training.

Background: Joint effusion and enthesitis are common ultrasound findings in rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis. However, changes of joints and entheses were not only observed in patients but also in physically active individuals and athletes.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate joint, entheseal, bursal and tendon musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) findings in large and medium joints of young healthy individuals after completing a standardised weight training.

Prevalence of joint, entheseal, tendon, and bursal findings in young, healthy individuals by musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of joint, enthesis, bursa, and tendon ultrasound findings in large and medium joints of young, healthy individuals.

Method: Ultrasound assessment of large and medium joints, bursae, tendons, and entheses was performed in healthy individuals below the age of 30 years. Participants also underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis and conducted supervised weight training to determine maximum strength.

Analysis of cesarean section rates in two German hospitals applying the 10-Group Classification System.

Objectives: In Germany, cesarean section (CS) rates more than doubled within the past two decades. For analysis, auditing and inter-hospital comparison, the 10-Group Classification System (TGCS) is recommended. We used the TGCS to analyze CS rates in two German hospitals of different levels of care.

Donor-site morbidity of ear cartilage autografts.

Background: The external ear provides a versatile cartilage source for reconstructive procedures, especially for augmentative rhinoplasty. The authors evaluated the short- and long-term morbidity associated with ear cartilage harvest using concha, tragus, and scapha as donor sites.

Methods: The study included 52 patients in whom a cartilage graft from the external ear was harvested between February of 2001 and June of 2005.

Combined endovascular stent-graft repair and adjunctive visceral vessel reconstruction for complex thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Aim: This study demonstrates the therapeutic value of the hybrid open and endovascular procedure in anatomically challenging thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) in high-risk patients.

Methods: Between January 2000 and February 2006, 8 patients were treated with open visceral vessel revascularization and endovascular repair for TAAAs. Patient data were available from medical records.

Eversion endarterectomy versus open thromboendarterectomy and patch plasty for the treatment of internal carotid artery stenosis.

Objective: in 1996 we changed our treatment for stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) from open thromboendarterectomy and PTFE-patch plasty (TEA) to eversion endarterectomy (EEA).

Design: retrospective study.

Methods: a total of 475 EEAs of the ICA were performed between 2/96 and 11/96.