Depression screening using patient-targeted feedback in general practices: study protocol of the German multicentre GET.FEEDBACK.GP randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Approximately one out of six patients in primary care suffers from depression, which often remains undetected. Evidence regarding the efficacy of depression screening in primary care, however, is inconsistent. A previous single-centre randomised controlled trial (RCT) in cardiac patients, the DEPSCREEN-INFO trial, provided the first evidence that written feedback to patients following a positive depression screening reduces depression severity and leads to more comprehensive patient engagement in mental healthcare.

Development of a new software and test setup for analyzing hVOR in very young children by vHIT.

Introduction: Earlier work revealed that vHIT examination is often difficult to perform on very young children. In particular, the calibration of the system can be difficult, as active cooperation of the patient is required. Additionally, the patient must be able to follow the examiner's instructions, which is challenging for very young children.

A novel native collagen dressing with advantageous properties to promote physiological wound healing.

Objective: Chronic hard-to-heal wounds generate high costs and resource use in western health systems and are the focus of intense efforts to improve healing outcomes. Here, we introduce a novel native collagen (90 %):alginate (10 %) wound dressing and compare it with the established oxidised dressings Method: Matrices were analysed by atomic force microscopy (AMF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and immunoelectron microscopy for collagen types I, III and V. Viability assays were performed with NIH-3T3 fibroblasts.

HPV Infection, but Not EBV or HHV-8 Infection, Is Associated with Salivary Gland Tumours.

Benign and malignant salivary gland tumours are clinically heterogeneous and show different histology. Little is known about the role of human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in salivary gland neoplasms. We investigated the presence of the three viruses in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples in a cohort of 200 different salivary gland tumours.

Effectiveness of a psychosomatic day hospital treatment for the elderly: a naturalistic longitudinal study with waiting time before treatment as control condition.

Objective: In 2006 the psychosomatic day hospital for the treatment of acute mental illness of elderly people opened as the first clinic of its kind in Germany. The aim of this study was to determine treatment effectiveness and identify possible effects on health care utilization.

Methods: Designed as a naturalistic study with waiting time before admission as a control condition, the primary outcome was the level of depressive symptoms as measured by the hospital anxiety and depression scale.

In vitro studies on the beneficial effect of a hydrokinetic fiber dressing on wound healing by reduction of protease activity.

Objective: To test the binding capacity of a hydrokinetic fiber dressing for PMN elastase, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in vitro, and to determine whether testing of dressing material samples in vitro is sufficient to predict the performance of the whole dressing.

Method: In vitro protease binding assays for PMN elastase, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were used to evaluate the protease modulating capacity of sorbion sachet EXTRA, a superabsorbant dressing that consists of special hydrokinetic fibers, which are formed from cellulose and sodium polyacrylate in a mechanical process without any bonding agents or adhesives. The ability of the hydrokinetic fiber dressing to inhibit elastase and collagenase activity was also tested at 0%, 50% and 100% saturation volume.

Binding and inhibition of protease enzymes, including MMPs, by a superabsorbent dressing in vitro.

Objective: To demonstrate the binding and inactivation action of a superabsorbent dressing on proteolytic enzymes MMP-2, MMP-9 and collagenase using an established methodology.

Method: An in vitro assay of MMP binding and collagenase inactivation has been conducted using the superabsorbent wound dressing (Eclypse; Advancis Medical UK). Dressings in this category, and other absorbents, have been claimed to possess MMP-binding characteristics; however, for most there is no published evidence as yet.

Indications for laparoscopic antireflux procedures in children.

The decision for antireflux surgery is often made on an individual basis. How symptom patterns and therapeutic suggestions relate is debatable. There is a long list of differential diagnoses for vomiting not caused by disturbances of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Incidence of contralateral patent processus vaginalis in children with inguinal hernia.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of contralateral patent processus vaginalis (PPV) in children with inguinal hernia using direct laparoscopic inspection.

Methods: This study evaluates the incidence and size of contralateral PPVs in 143 children (96 boys, 47 girls) with clinically unilateral indirect inguinal hernia who underwent laparoscopic hernia repair. During repair, the contralateral internal inguinal ring was evaluated for PPV.

Aortopexy in esophageal atresia: long-term experience of a parent support group.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to obtain the parents' view of aortopexy after esophageal atresia.

Methods: A questionnaire was completed by the parents of 24 former patients, now aged from 1 to 15 years (average, 8.9; median, 9.

Experiences of a parent support group with the long-term consequences of esophageal atresia.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to study long-term effects of esophageal atresia based on data from the world's largest parent support group.

Methods: A questionnaire was completed by 128 former patients, now aged 10 to 34 years (median, 14 years), who were all members of the support group.

Results: Postoperative bougienage was performed in 70% of patients.

Laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty in children.

In two children (ages 14 and 7 years) a laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty was performed. In the 14-year-old boy a para-anastomotic drain was placed; a urinoma developed postoperatively, which was treated by a pyelostoma placed transcutaneously. In the 7-year-old boy a transanastomotic pyelostoma splint was placed intraoperatively.

Thoracoscopy in children.

Pediatric surgical experience with video-assisted thoracoscopy is limited. The authors report their experience with 27 thoracoscopies in 22 children. The median age was 6.