Utility of the new cobas HCV test for viral load monitoring during direct-acting antiviral therapy.

Background: The COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan assay HCV (CAP/CTM) is widely used in clinical routine for HCV testing. Recently, the new cobas HCV test was established for high throughput testing with minimal operator intervention. As different assays may yield different quantitative/qualitative results that possibly impact treatment decisions, the aim of this study was to externally evaluate the cobas HCV test performance in comparison to CAP/CTM in a clinically relevant setting.

Trends in Total Hip Arthroplasty in Germany from 2007 to 2016: What Has Changed and Where Are We Now?

Background: The number of total hip arthroplasties (THA) is rising in many industrialized nations. At the same time, the evidence regarding different types of prostheses and fixation techniques is constantly evolving. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze changes in THA by these advancements during the last decade.

COMP in the Infrapatellar Fat Pad-Results of a Prospective Histological, Immunohistological, and Biochemical Case-Control Study.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) involves several structures and molecules in the joint, which interact in a pathophysiological process. One of these molecules is the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). Elevated COMP levels in the synovial fluid as well as in the serum have been described in OA patients.

Mid-term results of a new-generation calcar-guided short stem in THA: clinical and radiological 5-year follow-up of 216 cases.

Background: In recent years, a variety of short stems have been introduced. To date, mid- and long-term results of calcar-guided short-stem designs have been rarely available.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred and sixteen calcar-guided short stems were included in combination with a cementless cup in a prospective study.

[Diagnosis and treatment of interstitial cystitis (IC/PBS) : S2k guideline of the German Society of Urology].

In this review article, the authors describe all relevant aspects of the new S2k guideline from the German Society of Urology (Deutschen Gesellschaft für Urologie, DGU) for the diagnosis and treatment of IC/PBS (interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome). A list of necessary and optional examinations and the necessity of diagnosis of exclusion are summarized and evaluated. The treatment options listed (ranging from conservative, oral drug, and complementary medicine to interventional surgical procedures) also give the reader a good overview of the contents of the guideline and possible therapeutic approaches.

Recommendations for Diagnosis and Treatment of Odontoid Fractures in Geriatric Patients.

Background: Odontoid fractures in geriatric patients represent an entity of increasing incidence with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The optimal diagnostic and therapeutic management is being controversially discussed in the literature.

Methods: In a consensus process and based on the current literature, the members of the working groups "Osteoporotic Fractures" and "Upper Cervical Spine" of the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery (DGOU) defined recommendations for the diagnostics and treatment of odontoid fractures in geriatric patients.

[Actual Standard of Blood Pressure Measurement - Statement of the German High Blood Pressure League].

Arterial hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases, and a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. It is essential to perform the blood pressure measurement under standardized conditions in the office/clinical setting, otherwise inaccuracy of blood pressure values may lead to poor blood pressure control or misdiagnosis. Compliance with these standards by a trained observer is of crucial importance for a reliable and accurate blood pressure measurement in clinical practice.

Return to Sports and Recreational Activity After Single-Stage Bilateral Short-Stem Total Hip Arthroplasty: 5-Year Results of a Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Single-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an alternative to staged unilateral THA in patients suffering from bilateral hip arthritis; however, there is still broad concern regarding the safety and reliability of this procedure. Short-stem THA has emerged in recent years. To date, no data are available on sports and recreational activity levels after single-stage bilateral short-stem THA in the general patient population.

Hepatitis C virus genotype 1 and 2 recombinant genomes and the phylogeographic history of the 2k/1b lineage.

Recombination is an important driver of genetic diversity, though it is relatively uncommon in hepatitis C virus (HCV). Recent investigation of sequence data acquired from HCV clinical trials produced twenty-one full-genome recombinant viruses belonging to three putative inter-subtype forms 2b/1a, 2b/1b, and 2k/1b. The 2k/1b chimera is the only known HCV circulating recombinant form (CRF), provoking interest in its genetic structure and origin.

KCND3 potassium channel gene variant confers susceptibility to electrocardiographic early repolarization pattern.

BACKGROUNDThe presence of an early repolarization pattern (ERP) on the surface ECG is associated with risk of ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. Family studies have shown that ERP is a highly heritable trait, but molecular genetic determinants are unknown.METHODSTo identify genetic susceptibility loci for ERP, we performed a GWAS and meta-analysis in 2,181 cases and 23,641 controls of European ancestry.

Outcome of an "Enhanced Recovery" Program in Contemporary Total Hip Arthroplasty in Germany.

Background: An inpatient hospital stay of up to 10 days after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is still common in Germany, mostly followed by inpatient rehabilitation. Internationally already widespread concepts for enhanced recovery are increasingly gaining popularity in Germany.

Objectives: The presentation of content and results of a newly implemented enhanced recovery concept in THA.

Anatomical Reconstruction of the Acromion Using an Autologous Iliac Crest Graft for Treatment of Recurrent Chondroblastoma: A Case Report.

Case: A 38-year-old man presented with recurrent chondroblastoma of the acromion after primary curettage and bone grafting. The patient underwent revision surgery with resection of the acromion and reconstruction using an autologous iliac crest graft. He had regained normal shoulder function without recurrence at a follow-up of 17 months.

Long-term effects of baroreflex activation therapy: 2-year follow-up data of the BAT Neo system.

Objective: Baroreflex activation therapy (BAT) reduces office blood pressure (BP) in patients with resistant hypertension (HTN). Whereas sustained effects from the BAT Rheos device have already been reported, no long-term data on 24-h ambulatory BP (ABP) are currently available for the unilateral BAT Neo device.

Methods: Patients treated with the BAT neo device for resistant hypertension were prospectively included into this observational study.

Longtime Neurologic Outcome of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Non Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Survivors.

Neurologic complications following acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are well described, however, information on the neurologic outcome regarding peripheral nervous system complications in critically ill ARDS patients, especially those who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are lacking. In this prospective observational study 28 ARDS patients who survived after ECMO or conventional nonECMO treatment were examined for neurological findings. Nine patients had findings related to cranial nerve innervation, which differed between ECMO and nonECMO patients ( = 0.

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A 7-Letter Coding System That Supports Decision-Making for the Surgical Approach.

Objective: To validate with a prospective study a decision-supporting coding system for the surgical approach for multilevel degenerative cervical myelopathy.

Methods: Ten cases were presented on an internet platform, including clinical and imaging data. A single-approach (G1), a choice between 2 (G2), or 3 approaches (G3) were options.

Familial Clustering of Cardiac Conduction Defects and Pacemaker Insertion.

Background: The etiopathogenesis of electrocardiographic bundle branch and atrioventricular blocks is not fully understood. We investigated familial clustering of cardiac conduction defects and pacemaker insertion in the FHS (Framingham Heart Study). Additionally, we assessed familial clustering of pacemaker insertion in the Danish general population.

Serum sphingolipids predict de novo hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis C cirrhotic patients with sustained virologic response.

Background & Aims: Curing hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection reduces the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, yet HCC occurs despite sustained virologic response (SVR) in 2%-8% of cirrhotic patients. Sphingolipids (SLs) have been identified as new biomarkers of chronic liver disease and HCC. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum SLs as diagnostic HCC biomarkers in patients with HCV-associated cirrhosis at SVR12.

[Spinal navigation for posterior cervical and cervicothoracic instrumentation].

Objective: Safe placement of posterior cervical or high-thoracic pedicle screws, transarticular screws C1/2, translaminar screws C2 or cervical lateral mass screws under the guidance of spinal navigation.

Indications: All posterior cervical and cervicothoracic instrumentation with screws: instabilities and deformities of rheumatoid, traumatic, neoplastic, infectious, iatrogenic or congenital origin; multilevel cervical spinal stenosis with degenerative instability or kyphosis of the affected spinal segment.

Contraindications: There are no absolute contraindications.

Age-related regulation and region-specific distribution of ion channel subunits promoting atrial fibrillation in human left and right atria.

Aims: Age-induced changes and electrical remodelling are important components of the atrial fibrillation (AF) substrate. To study regional distribution and age-dependent changes in gene expression that may promote AF in human atria.

Methods And Results: Human left atrial (LA) and right atrial (RA) tissue samples were obtained from donor hearts unsuitable for transplantation and from patients undergoing mitral valve repair.

[Biomechanical comparison of six different fixation techniques for treatment of metacarpal neck fractures].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the primary stability of commonly used fixation techniques for metacarpal neck fractures and to compare it with that of an innovative osteosynthesis device: IlluminOss™, the photodynamic bone stabilization system™.

Material And Methods: Metacarpal neck fractures were created on the second to fifth metacarpal bones of 24 freshly frozen human cadavers using a band saw. Specimens were randomly assigned to one of six groups and treated with (1) K-wire fixation, (2) dorsal plating, (3) external fixation, (4) cross-threaded K‑wire fixation, (5) IlluminOss™ and (6) locked IlluminOss™.

Evolution of HCV patient characteristics and DAA regimens in the German Hepatitis C Registry (DHC-R) in 2014 and 2015.

Background:  The urgent need in HCV-infected patients with liver disease mandated the rapid implementation of IFN-free DAA combination therapies following their regulatory approval in 2014 and 2015 without full knowledge of the optimal combinations and regimens. Investigating the evolution of the DAA utilization patterns and treatment outcomes could provide learnings for future situations.

Methods:  This was an analysis of a prospective observational database from the German Hepatitis C Registry (DHC-R) covering a period from May 2014 to September 2015.