Factors affecting small dental business in rural Germany: Evidence from Hessen.

OBJECTIVES: To determine how social factors influence career decisions of dental service providers, particularly focusing on examining the impact of dentists' origins. METHODS: Online survey of Hessian panel dentists, with pairwise comparisons to a set of factors impacting their decision-making process. An Analytic Hierarchy Process examined the weighting of influencing drivers in career choice. RESULTS: Dentists from rural backgrounds were more likely to establish practices in rural areas than those from urban origins. Origin correlated with entrepreneurial intentions and a strong association of rural origin. Dentists who grew up in rural areas were 4.19 times more likely to start a business. CONCLUSION: These findings may support efficient resource allocation and support for rural dental businesses.

Necessity of routine perioperative epidural catheter placement in laparoscopic colorectal resections: a retrospective data analysis.

PURPOSE: Whether epidural anesthesia leads to further improvement in the postoperative course of colorectal procedures is under discussion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of minimally invasive colorectal oncological interventions without epidural anesthesia (EDA). METHODS: This retrospective data analysis included the clinical data of all patients who underwent minimally invasive oncological colorectal resection at our clinic between January 2013 and April 2019. Of 385 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 183 (group I; 47.5% of 385) received EDA, and 202 (group II; 52.5% of 385) received transversus abdominis plane block instead. The relevant target parameters were evaluated and compared between the groups. The postoperative complications were graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: The patients in group I (n=183; women, 77; men, 106; age 66.8 years) were younger (p=0.0035), received a urinary catheter more often (99.5% versus [vs.] 28.2% p<0.001), required longer, more frequent arterenol treatment (1.1 vs. 0.6 days; p<0.001), and had a longer intermediate care unit stay than those in group II (2.8 vs. 1.1 days; p<0.001). Postoperative pain levels were not significantly different between the groups (p=0.078). The patients in group I were able to ambulate later than those in group II (4 vs. 2 days; p<0.001). The difference in the postoperative day of the first defecation was not significant between the groups (p=0.236). The incidence of postoperative complications such as bleeding (p=0.396), anastomotic leaks (p=0.113), and wound infections (p=0.641) did not differ between the groups. The patients in group I had significantly longer hospital stays than those in group II (12.2 vs. 9.4 days; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: EDA can be safely omitted from elective minimally invasive colorectal resections, and its omission is not accompanied by any relevant disadvantages to the patient.

Reconstruction, oversewing, or taking the anastomosis down - which surgical intervention is most potent in the treatment of anastomotic leaks following colorectal resections?

PURPOSE: Anastomotic leak (AL) following colorectal resections can be treated interventionally. However, most cases require surgical intervention. Thus, several surgical techniques are available, which intend to affect the further course positively. The aim of this retrospective analysis is to determine which surgical technique proves to have the biggest potential in reducing the morbidity and mortality as well as to minimize the need of re-interventions after AL. METHODS: All patients with a history of AL following colorectal resection between 2008 and 2020 were analyzed. Patient's outcomes following surgical treatment of AL, including morbidity and mortality, clinical and para-clinical (laboratory examinations, ultrasound, and CT-scan) detection of AL recurrence, re-intervention rate, and the length of hospital stay were documented and correlated with the surgical technique used (e.g. simply over-sewing the AL, over-sewing the AL with the construction of a protective ileostomy, resection and reconstruction of the anastomosis, peritoneal lavage and transanal drainage, or taking the anastomosis down and constructing an end stoma). RESULTS: A total of 2,724 colorectal resections were documented. Grade C AL occurred in 92 (4.4% AL occurrence-rate) and 31 (7.2% AL occurrence-rate) cases following colon and rectal resections, respectively. The anastomosis was not preservable in 52 and 17 cases following colon and rectal resections, respectively. Therefore, the anastomosis had been taken down and an end-stoma had been constructed. Over-sewing the AL with the construction of a protective ileostomy had the highest anastomosis preservation rate (14 of 18 cases) and lowest re-intervention rate (mean value of 1.5 re-interventions) following colon and rectal resections (7 of 9 cases; mean value, 1.5 re-interventions). CONCLUSION: In cases where an AL is preservable, over-sewing the anastomosis and constructing a protective ileostomy has the greatest potential for positive short-term outcomes following colorectal resections.

Supraglottic Airway Device to Improve Ventilation Success and Reduce Pulmonary Aspiration during Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation by Basic Life Support Rescuers: A Randomized Cross-over Human Cadaver Study.

OBJECTIVES: Early airway management during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) prevents aspiration of gastric contents. Endotracheal intubation is the gold standard to protect airways, but supraglottic airway devices (SGA) may provide some protection with less training. Bag-mask ventilation (BMV) is the most common method used by rescuers. We hypothesized that SGA use by first rescuers during CPR could increase ventilation success rate and also decrease intragastric pressure and pulmonary aspiration. METHODS: We performed a randomized cross-over experimental trial on human cadavers. Protocol A: we assessed the rate of successful ventilation (chest rise), intragastric pressure, and CPR key time metrics. Protocol B: cadaver stomachs were randomized to be filled with 300 mL of either blue or green serum saline solution through a Foley catheter. Each rescuer was randomly assigned to use SGA or BMV during a 5-minute standard CPR period. Then, in a crossover design, the stomach was filled with the second color solution and another 5-minute CPR period was performed using the other airway method. Pulmonary aspiration, defined as the presence of colored solution below the vocal cords, was assessed by a blinded operator using bronchoscopy. A generalized linear mixed model was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Protocol A: Forty-eight rescuers performed CPR on 11 cadavers. Median ventilation success was higher with SGA than BMV: 75.0% (IQR: 59.8-87.3) vs. 34.7% (IQR: 25.0-50.0), (p = 0.003). Gastric pressure and differential (maximum minus minimum) gastric pressure were lower in the SGA group: 2.21 mmHg (IQR: 1.66; 2.68) vs. 3.02 mmHg (IQR: 2.02; 4.22) (p = 0.02) and 5.70 mmHg (IQR: 4.10; 7.60) vs. 8.05 mmHg (IQR: 5.40; 11.60) (p = 0.05). CPR key times were not different between groups. Protocol B: Ten cadavers were included with 20 CPR periods. Aspiration occurred in 2 (20%) SGA procedures and 5 (50%) BMV procedures (p = 0.44). CONCLUSION: Use of SGA by rescuers improved the ventilation success rate, decreased intragastric pressure, and did not affect key CPR metrics. SGA use by basic life support rescuers appears feasible and efficient.

Laparoscopic rectal resection without epidural catheters-does it work?

PURPOSE: Placement of an epidural catheter (EC) in colorectal resections is still recommended as a valid measure to achieve a low level of pain. However, EC is associated with increased invasiveness and with an increased risk of bladder emptying disorders and a decrease in blood pressure, which all relate to delayed mobilization. Preliminary data shows that EC placement may not be necessary for laparoscopic colon resections. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate how the omission of EC placement influences short-term postoperative outcomes in laparoscopic rectal resections. METHODS: All laparoscopic rectal resections occurring between 2013 and 2020 were prospectively examined. Resections from January 2013 to February 2018 (group A) were compared with resections from March 2018 to December 2020 (group B; after the internal change of the perioperative pain regime). In addition to EC placement, the other target parameters of our study were urinary catheter placement during the inpatient stay, postoperative pain > 3 days on a numerical rating scale (NRS), mobilization in the first 5 postoperative days, time until the first postoperative bowel movement, postoperative complications according to Clavien-Dindo, intermediate care unit stay (IMC stay) in days, and hospital length of stay in days. RESULTS: In the entire study period, 221 laparoscopic rectal resections were performed: 122 in group A and 99 resections in group B. The frequency of EC placement and urinary catheter placement, postoperative IMC stay, and hospital length of stay was significantly lower in group B (p < 0.05). The postoperative mobilization of patients in group B was possible more quickly. There were no differences in the level of pain, time until the first postoperative bowel movement, and postoperative complications according to Clavien-Dindo. CONCLUSION: Omission of EC placement in laparoscopic rectal resections led to faster mobilization, a shorter IMC stay, and a shorter hospital stay without increasing the pain level. Postoperative complications did not change when an EC was not placed. Therefore, routine EC placement in laparoscopic rectal resections is unnecessary.

[First 18 months as certified ERAS® center for colorectal cancer : Lessons learned and results of the first 261 patients]. / Achtzehn Monate als zertifiziertes ERAS®-Zentrum für kolorektale Resektionen : "Lessons learned" und Ergebnisse der ersten 261 Patienten.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS®) describes a multimodal, interdisciplinary and interprofessional treatment concept that optimizes the postoperative convalescence of the patient through the use of evidence-based measures. GOAL OF THE WORK: The aim of this article is to present the experiences of our center certified by the ERAS® Society for colorectal resections 18 months after successful implementation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Since the beginning of the certification 261 patients have been treated in our clinic according to the specifications of the ERAS® concept. As a comparison group the last 50 patients prior to implementation were evaluated in terms of compliance with ERAS® requirements, length of hospital stay and readmission rate, the need for care in an intensive or intermediate care ward, the number of necessary reoperations and the complication rate. RESULTS: Compliance increased from 39.3% preERAS® to 81.1% after ERAS® implementation (p < 0.001). At the same time the length of stay of ERAS® patients was reduced from 7 days to 5 days (p = 0.001). While the rate of surgical complications was the same between the two groups (p = 0.236), nonsurgical complications occurred significantly less frequently in the ERAS® cohort (p = 0.018). DISCUSSION: There are well-known stumbling blocks in implementing and maintaining an ERAS® concept; however, it is worthwhile for the patient to circumnavigate this and establish ERAS® as the standard treatment path.

Chemical analysis of materials used in pig housing with respect to the safety of products of animal origin.

Bedding, environmental enrichment materials and disinfectant powders in pig farming are meant to ensure a hygienic bedding environment or allow pigs to perform explorative behaviour. To our knowledge, no legal regulation exists, that established maximum contents for undesirable substances, such as toxic metals, dioxins or trace elements in these materials, although oral ingestion could be expected. In the present study, a total of 74 materials (disinfectant powders [n = 51], earth/peat [n = 12], biochar [n = 8], recycled manure solids [n = 3]) were analysed for their content of various toxic metals, trace elements, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls. The data suggest that, in some samples, trace elements like iron, copper and zinc might have been added intentionally in order to induce physiological effects (iron supply to piglets, copper and zinc as growth promoter in pigs). Moreover, some materials contained high levels of lead, cadmium or arsenic. Consequently, if farm animals repeatedly consume environmental enrichment and bedding materials or disinfectant powders in considerable amounts and these quantities are added to the daily ration, the amount of ingested undesirable substances and trace elements might exceed the maximum levels set for complete feedstuffs, and an elevated transfer into food of animal origin might occur. Future studies are required to address the possible quantitative contribution in the light of feed and food safety. Finally, the excretion of undesirable substances with manure needs to be considered due to their possible accumulation in soils.

Air contrast of the intervillous space enables non-disruptive Micro-CT analysis of paraffin-embedded archival placental tissue.

The morphometric parameters of the villous tree are a strong indicator of deviant placentas. Methods have been established to digitally reconstruct small peripheral branches by tracing with 3D Microscopy at subcellular resolution. Micro-CT can help scale up the scanning of villous trees with resolution in the range of a few micrometers. As placental tissue samples are routinely conserved and archived by fixation and paraffin embedding, the villous structures are inaccessible to Micro-CT imaging due to poor contrast between paraffin and paraffinized tissue. We present a novel procedure for contrast enhancement by selectively replacing wax by air in the intervillous space.

The volume of villi with γ-sm-actin positive perivascular cells correlates with placental weight and thickness.

INTRODUCTION: The classification of histologically stained villous cross sections in villous types (terminal, intermediate and stem villi) by stromal peculiarities is known to be observer predicated. Therefore, quantitative histology of villous trees has not become a routine endpoint of studies on the role of the placenta in prenatal programming, as opposed to the gross placental parameters weight and thickness. The classification of villous cross sections in central (stem) and peripheral (terminal) parts based on the presence or absence, respectively, of immunohistochemical detection of myofibroblasts in perivascular position is less observer dependent. We hypothesized that it will, possibly, identify microscopic correlates of placental weight and thickness within the villous tree. METHODS: 50 placentas from clinically normal pregnancies were processed for the present study. Thin villous cross sections, obtained in a systematic random manner, were stained immunohistochemically to detect γ-smooth muscle (sm) actin and to classify them subsequently as part of central or peripheral villous tree. The volume fractions of histological structures visible in villous cross sections (stroma, lumen, endothelium and syncytium) were estimated by design-based stereology. RESULTS: The present study reveals a significant correlation of placental weight and thickness with the volume estimate of stroma that have myofibroblasts in perivascular position. DISCUSSION: The positive linear correlation between the volume of central parts of villous trees and the placental weight and thickness is new. Surprisingly, the volume of more peripheral parts of villous trees, which is the main site of materno-fetal exchange does not correlate with placental weight and thickness.

Ptychographic characterisation of polymer compound refractive lenses manufactured by additive technology.

The recent success in the development of high-precision printing techniques allows one to manufacture free-standing polymer structures of high quality. Two-photon polymerization lithography is a mask-less technique with down to 100 nm resolution that provides full geometric freedom. It has recently been applied to the nanofabrication of X-ray compound refractive lenses (CRLs). In this article we report on the characterization of two sets of CRLs of different design produced by two-photon polymerization-induced lithography.

Lymph node dissection in endometrial cancer and clinical outcome: A population-based study in 5546 patients.

BACKGROUND: According to current treatment guidelines, comprehensive surgical staging procedures in endometrial cancer confined to the uterus depend on uterine risk factors: a systematic lymph node dissection (LND) is recommended in high risk patients and should be omitted in low risk patients. Its role in intermediate and high intermediate risk patients is inconclusive. The aim of this analysis was to review the implementation of this risk-adopted strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were provided by the population-based Munich Cancer Registry. Patients with endometrial cancer diagnosed between 1998 and 2016 were included. RESULTS: Of 5446 eligible patients, 58.5%, 30.1% and 11.4% belonged to the low risk, intermediate/high-intermediate and high risk group, respectively. Lymph node dissection was performed in 20.2%, 53.0% and 63.7% within these groups. Lymph node involvement was diagnosed in 1.7%, 9.6% and 19.3%, respectively. Within these risk groups, there was no significant difference in the time to local recurrence, lymph node recurrence or distant metastases between patients with and without LND. After adjusting for age and comorbidity-status, no significant difference in overall survival was found. CONCLUSIONS: The application of a risk-adopted management of LND in early endometrial cancer in real-life is associated with a high rate of surgical under- and overtreatment. Corresponding survival data do not show a significant benefit of a systematic lymph node dissection. In order to improve the management and outcome of early endometrial cancer in the future, prospective trials, new surgical concepts and prognostic markers will be primary and necessary.

Towards X-ray transient grating spectroscopy.

The extension of transient grating spectroscopy to the x-ray regime will create numerous opportunities, ranging from the study of thermal transport in the ballistic regime to charge, spin, and energy transfer processes with atomic spatial and femtosecond temporal resolution. Studies involving complicated split-and-delay lines have not yet been successful in achieving this goal. Here we propose a novel, simple method based on the Talbot effect for converging beams, which can easily be implemented at current x-ray free electron lasers. We validate our proposal by analyzing printed interference patterns on polymethyl methacrylate and gold samples using ∼3 keV X-ray pulses.

[Hazards posed by LEDs? : A comparative study]. / Gefahr durch LED-Licht? : Eine vergleichende Untersuchung.

BACKGROUND: The increasing use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for lighting applications and displays is giving rise to public and professional concern that blue LED emissions could damage the retina or via the proven influence on the melatonin levels disrupt the human day-night rhythm. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to measure the emission of LEDs and other relevant light sources and evaluate the results comparatively with the help of suitable evaluation functions in order to recognize whether LEDs differ considerably from other light sources in their hazard potential. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The spectra of a cold white and a warm white LED, a white tablet LED display, a fluorescent tube and a halogen lamp were measured and evaluated together with a sunlight spectrum relative to each other using the blue light hazard retina weighting function and the circadian action function. RESULT: Since LEDs can be very different, relative LED ratings also vary greatly. The warm white LED is the one with the lowest risk of blue light retinal damage and the lowest potential for inhibition of melatonin formation and in this respect even gentler than halogen lamps. For cold white LEDs, the values for photochemical retinal danger as well as for the expected inhibition of melatonin formation are much greater. The values for the tablet LED display are even higher. CONCLUSION: Not only LEDs but all examined light sources emit in the blue spectral range, so that in principle they represent a retinal hazard. Depending on the employed LED type, this hazard may be greater or less compared to conventional light sources but even cold white LEDs are rated slightly better than sunlight at noon. To support consumers it might be helpful to classify LEDs and other illuminants by their potential hazard to the eye, as they are already labelled with respect to their energy efficiency.

The efficacy and safety outcomes of the 0.19 mg fluocinolone acetonide implant after prior treatment with the 0.7 mg dexamethasone implant in patients with diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: There are little or no published data comparing the outcomes of ILUVIEN® (0.19 mg fluocinolone acetonide [FAc]) and OZURDEX® (0.7 mg dexamethasone [DEX]) implants in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), and this case sought to compare their outcomes. METHODS: This case was extracted from a monocentric audit involving a pool of 25 patients (33 eyes) with DME and treated with a single FAc implant between October 2013 and December 2016. This case, a 61-year-old male with a pseudophakic lens, is from a patient that had received 4 intravitreal injections of a DEX implant prior to FAc implant and then was monitored for 3 years until re-treatment with a second FAc implant. Parameters measured included visual acuity (VA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and intraocular pressure (IOP). RESULTS: After the DEX implants, CRT transiently improved. In March 2014, the decision was taken to administer an FAc implant, and this led to a reduction in CRT below 300 µm (from a baseline of 748 µm), and this was sustained for 30 months. VA remained above 65 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters to month 36, after which time a second FAc implant (in April 2017) was administered due to recurrence of edema and CRT decreased to below 300 µm and VA improved to 70 letters. Side effects included elevated IOP, which was effectively managed with IOP-lowering drops. CONCLUSION: A single injection of FAc implant led to sustained improvements in CRT and VA that lasted for between 30 and 36 months, which is in contrast to the DEX implant where re-treatment was generally required within 6-7 months. After 36 months, re-treatment with the FAc implant again led to improved VA and CRT, and responses that were similar to those achieved with the first FAc implant.

[Proteome analysis of undiluted vitreous humor in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion]. / Proteomanalyse unverdünnter Glaskörperflüssigkeit bei Patienten mit einem Venenastverschluss.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiological mechanisms of macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the protein profile of human vitreous of patients with BRVO and to identify specific dysregulated proteins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Undiluted vitreous humor samples from patients with treatment naïve BRVO and 15 controls with idiopathic floaters were analyzed in this clinical-experimental study using capillary electrophoresis coupled to a mass spectrometer (CE-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Quantitative analysis of the dysregulated proteins was performed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein-protein interactions were depicted with the STRING database. RESULTS: A total of 84 proteins were found in the human vitreous samples of 15 patients with BRVO and 15 controls. In all, 14 proteins were significant when comparing the signal intensities of BRVO and control samples. Six significant dysregulated proteins with p < 0.001 were further verified with ELISA. Clusterin, complement factor C3, prostaglandin-H2 D­isomerase and vitronectin were significantly upregulated in the BRVO group and opticin was downregulated. The protein interactions analysis showed associations with inflammatory cascades, matrix changes, mechanisms of cell survival und death. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study reveal that the proteomic composition of vitreous humor differed significantly between the patients with BRVO and the controls. Whether the identified proteins may serve as potential biomarkers for pathophysiology, diagnostics or therapy should be examine in further studies.

Syncytial nuclei accumulate at the villous surface in IUGR while proliferation is unchanged.

INTRODUCTION: Placental syncytiotrophoblast is responsible for feto-maternal nutrient exchange during pregnancy. It is assumed that in IUGR, placental dysfunction is crucially bound to compromised stability and function of syncytiotrophoblast, the latter being related to altered proliferation of villous trophoblast. Cell cycle data obtained on conventional thin sections has produced inconsistent results. In the present study we investigated cell cycle markers found in the villous trophoblast using a novel 3D histological quantification method. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We analyzed 40 placentas from IUGR pregnancies and 42 placentas from clinically normal pregnancies by immunohistochemical detection of the cell cycle marker PCNA. Nuclei immuno-positive for PCNA were quantified using 3D microscopy, and the results were compared to corresponding results obtained on conventional thin histological sections. These data did not show any evidence of altered trophoblast proliferation in IUGR, while the density of post-proliferative (i.e. PCNA-negative) trophoblast nuclei was statistically significantly increased in IUGR. The latter could be revealed by 3D topological microscopy, but not by conventional histology of thin sections. DISCUSSION: The data of the present study indicate a previously unknown type of regulation of syncytial stability and function, independent of proliferation. We hypothesize that in IUGR, post-proliferative trophoblast nuclei accumulate at the villous surface of peripheral villous branches. This could possibly reflect the presence of an unknown mechanism controlling syncytial function and stability by modulation of syncytial passage time rather than by modulation of proliferative supply.