Healthcare utilization and unmet needs of patients with antisynthetase syndrome: An international patient survey.

Antisynthease syndrome (ASSD) is a rare, complex and understudied autoimmune disease. Internet-based studies can overcome barriers of traditional on-site research and are therefore very appealing for rare diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate patient-reported symptoms, diagnostic delay, symptoms, medical care, health status, working status, disease knowledge and willingness to participate in research of ASSD patients by conducting an international web-based survey. The multilingual questionnaire was created by an international group of rheumatologists and patients and distributed online. 236 participants from 22 countries completed the survey. 184/236 (78.0%) were female, mean age (SD) was 49.6 years (11.3) and most common antisynthetase antibody was Jo-1 (169/236, 71.6%). 79/236 (33.5%) reported to work full-time. Median diagnostic delay was one year. The most common symptom at disease onset was fatigue 159/236 (67.4%), followed by myalgia 130/236 (55.1%). The complete triad of myositis, arthritis and lung involvement verified by a clinician was present in 42/236 (17.8%) at disease onset and in 88/236 (37.3%) during the disease course. 36/236 (15.3%) reported to have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and 40/236 (16.3%) with depression. The most reported immunosuppressive treatments were oral corticosteroids 179/236 (75.9%), followed by rituximab 85/236 (36.0%). 73/236 (30.9%) had received physiotherapy treatment. 71/236 (30.1%) reported to know useful online information sources related to ASSD. 223/236 (94.5%) were willing to share health data for research purposes once a year. Our results reiterate that internet-based research is invaluable for cooperating with patients to foster knowledge in rare diseases.

Humoral and cellular immune response to tick-borne-encephalitis (TBE) vaccination depends on booster doses in patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) patients living in areas with high prevalence of tick-borne-encephalitis-virus-(TBEV)-infection are recommended for administration of inactivated TBE-vaccination. However, there are serious concerns regarding protective vaccine-induced immune responses against TBEV in immunocompromised patients. The present study aimed to analyze the humoral and cellular immune response to TBE-vaccination in previously TBE-vaccinated JIA patients compared to healthy controls (HC) including investigation of IgG-anti-TBEV avidity, neutralization capacity, cellular reactivity by IFNgamma-ELISPOT and cytokine secretion assays. Similar IgG-anti-TBEV antibody concentrations, neutralization titers and cellular reactivity were found between JIA and HC. The number and the early timing of booster vaccinations after primary vaccination had the most prominent effect on neutralizing antibodies in JIA and on IgG-anti-TBEV concentrations in both JIA and HC. Administration of booster vaccinations made it more likely for JIA patients to have IgG-anti-TBEV concentrations ≥165 VIEU/ml and avidities >60%. TNF-alpha inhibitors had a positive and MTX administration a negative effect on humoral immune responses. In conclusion, irrespective of having JIA or not, vaccinated children showed similar humoral and cellular immunity against TBEV several years after primary TBE-vaccination. However, in JIA, booster vaccinations mounted a significantly higher humoral immune response than in JIA without boosters. Our results highlight the need for timely administration of boosters particularly in JIA. Although immunosuppressive treatment at vaccinations in diagnosed JIA had a negative effect mainly on TBEV-specific cellular immunity, most JIA patients mounted a favorable humoral immune response which was maintained over time. Thus, successful TBE-vaccination seems highly feasible in JIA patients with immunosuppressive regimens.

Evidence for the existence of a new genus Chlamydiifrater gen. nov. inside the family Chlamydiaceae with two new species isolated from flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus): Chlamydiifrater phoenicopteri sp. nov. and Chlamydiifrater volucris sp. nov.

The family Chlamydiaceae currently comprises a single genus Chlamydia, with 11 validly published species and seven more taxa. It includes the human pathogens Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis, C. pneumoniae and C. psittaci, a zoonotic agent causing avian chlamydiosis and human psittacosis, as well as other proven or potential pathogens in ruminants, birds, snakes, reptiles and turtles. During routine testing of 15 apparently healthy captive flamingos in a zoo in 2011, an atypical strain of Chlamydiaceae was detected by real-time PCR of cloacal swab samples. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed high similarity to the uncultured Chlamydiales bacterium clone 122, which previously had been found in gulls. As more samples were collected during annual campaigns of the flamingo ringing program in southern France from 2012 to 2015, Chlamydiaceae-specific DNA was detected by PCR in 30.9% of wild birds. From these samples, three strains were successfully grown in cell culture. Ultrastructural analysis, comparison of 16S and 23S rRNA gene sequences, whole-genome analysis based on de novo hybrid-assembled sequences of the new strains as well as subsequent calculation of taxonomic parameters revealed that the relatedness of the flamingo isolates to established members of the family Chlamydiaceae was sufficiently distant to indicate that the three strains belong to two distinct species within a new genus. Based on these data, we propose the introduction of Chlamydiifrater gen. nov., as a new genus, and Chlamydiifrater phoenicopteri sp. nov. and Chlamydiifrater volucris sp. nov., as two new species of the genus.

Evaluation of Novel Substituted Furopyridines as Inhibitors of Protein Kinases Related to Tau Pathology in Alzheimer´s Disease.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer´s disease (AD) is characterized by a progressive neuronal degeneration caused by two pathological hallmarks, hyperphosphorylated tau protein aggregated into tau filaments and amyloid precursor protein derived beta amyloid peptides aggregated into extracellular amyloid plaques. All attempts so far to find effective drugs failed in clinical trials. AD is a multifactorial disease, so that selective drugs to target one AD-relevant structure alone may not be sufficient. OBJECTIVE: We built novel furopyridines with various substitution patterns to evaluate them as protein kinases inhibitors of enzymes related to tau pathology. METHODS: Furopyridine derivatives were synthesized and purified using column chromatography. The protein kinase inhibitory properties were determined in ATP-competition assays with determined affinity constants for the most active compounds. RESULTS: The compounds were prepared in simple two-component reactions of substituted 1,4- dihydropyridines and respective quinones to obtain various substitutions of the molecular furopyridine scaffold. The substituent effects on the determined kinase inhibitory properties of cdk1, cdk2, Fyn, JNK3 and gsk-3ß are discussed. CONCLUSION: Various 3-substitutions were found most sensitive for the protein kinase inhibition depending on the length, nature and a substituent positioning within. We identified compounds as inhibitors of several kinases as a tool to potentially combat the disease progress in a multitargeting approach.

Time of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is not associated with outcome in a metropolitan area: A multicenter cohort study.

AIM: Whether time of day influences survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains controversial. We compared outcomes after OHCA between day and night and explored whether characteristics of pre-hospital advanced life support (ALS)-quality varied by time of day. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of individuals that suffered a non-traumatic OHCA in the city of Vienna between August 2013 and August 2015 and who received resuscitative efforts by EMS. We compared clinical outcomes between day and night, defined as 7:00 pm-7:00 am based on EMS shift time including rates of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), 30-day survival and favourable neurologic outcome (cerebral performance category 1 or 2). ALS quality measures included time to first medical contact, time to first shock, total dose of epinephrine, and multiple ALS performance measures. RESULTS: We included 1811 patients (37% female) with a mean age of 67 ± 16 years in our analyses. Rates of ROSC and 30-day survival with favourable neurological outcome did not differ between day or night (30% vs 28%, p =  0.33; 12% vs. 11%, p =  0.51, respectively). These results remained unchanged after multivariate adjustment for ROSC (RR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0-1.3, p = 0.19) and 30-day survival with favourable neurological outcome (RR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0-1.5, p =  0.10). The quality of ALS did not differ between day and night. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous studies, there was no significant difference in sustained ROSC rates and 30-day survival with favourable neurological outcome after OHCA between day and night in the city of Vienna. This is likely due to nearly identical high bystander CPR rates and identical ALS performance provided by EMS personnel irrespective of time of the day.

Chlamydia buteonis, a new Chlamydia species isolated from a red-shouldered hawk.

Chlamydiaceae are obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens for humans and animals. A recent study highlighted that a Chlamydiaceae intermediary between C. psittaci and C. abortus can infect hawks. Here, an isolate was obtained upon passage of cloacal and conjunctival sac material collected from a female hatch-year red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) in cultured cells. The diseased bird, one of 12 birds housed in a rehabilitation center, developed conjunctivitis and later died. Swabs from both sites tested positive for Chlamydia using the QuickVue Chlamydia test. The isolate, named RSHA, tested negative in qPCR assays specific for C. psittaci and C. abortus, respectively. Analysis of the 16S rRNA, 23S rRNA and whole genome sequences as well as MLST, ANIb and TETRA values reveal that C. psittaci and C. abortus are the closest relatives of RSHA. However, the overall results strongly suggest a phylogenetic intermediate position between these two species. Therefore, we propose the introduction of a new species designated Chlamydia buteonis with RSHAT as the type strain.

Designing affinity chromatographic processes for the capture of antibodies. Part I: A simplified approach.

Protein A affinity chromatography is a standard technique for the purification of therapeutic antibodies. Recently, multi-column chromatographic processes have emerged to turn classical capture processes into more efficient and continuous systems. The design of such chromatographic processes, be they single-column or multi-column systems, is described in this work. A rational method to conceive, scale-up and compare processes is proposed and illustrated with different examples. All along this article, the results of the equilibrium theory, i.e. obtained with an infinitely efficient column, are used to normalize the system and propose a frame for a rigorous comparison between the different configurations considered in this work. Then, the impact of the fluid velocity, the column length, the refresh time, the sequence organization and the number of columns on the yield, productivity and fluid requirement is investigated. It is found that the optimal process, in terms of number of columns and residence time, depends in the targeted protein recovery. For instance, when considering a titer of 1g/L, 2 columns connected in series in the loading zone are necessary to reach 90% recovery, 3 columns to reach 95% and 4 columns to obtain 99% recovery.

[Duration of Examination and Patient Comfort with a New Biometric Device, in Comparison to Three Established Devices]. / Untersuchungsdauer und Patientenkomfort eines neuen Biometriegeräts im Vergleich zu 3 etablierten Geräten.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the duration of the preoperative examination and patient comfort in measurements with an Image Guided System (Verion, Alcon), which is used for the calculation and intraoperative alignment of toric intraocular lenses, in comparison to established keratometry devices. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective, monocentric, open, ethics committee controlled study, 150 eyes of 150 ophthalmologically healthy volunteers were examined by a single examiner. Three measurements were performed with the Verion Image Guided System and - for comparison - one measurement each with IOLMaster 500, Lenstar LS900 and Pentacam HR. The measurement time was recorded with a stopwatch. For the analysis, patients were divided into three age groups (young, middle, old). Patient comfort was assessed using a questionnaire, which focussed on grading the whole measurement, as well as brightness of light, head posture and subjective duration. RESULTS: The mean age of the volunteers was 40.5 years (18-78 years). The mean duration of measurement was as follows: first Verion measurement 54.0 ± 42.7 seconds (n = 149), second Verion measurement 42.0 ± 20.5 s (n = 144), third Verion measurement 44.7 ± 25.2 s (n = 143), IOLMaster 500 46.3 ± 22.4 s (n = 147), Lenstar LS900 46.6 ± 14.4 s (n = 146) and Pentacam HR 46.6 ± 25.5 s (n = 147). Only the first and second Verion measurements were statistically different (p < 0.01). There were no statistical differences between the age groups, with the single exception of young versus old with the Pentacam (p < 0.01). Subjective patient comfort (n = 143) was very high for all devices and rated as "not uncomfortable" or "slightly uncomfortable". CONCLUSION: The duration of the preoperative examination with the Verion Image Guided System is comparable to established keratometry devices. However, IOL calculation with the Verion requires measurement of axial length and anterior chamber depth with another biometric device, which requires additional time. No age dependent differences were found. The examination can be easily integrated into clinical routine and is well tolerated by patients.

Drug Development of Small-Molecule Inhibitors of AD-Relevant Kinases as Novel Perspective Multitargeted Approach.

So far monotargeted therapies in Alzheimers disease (AD) led to insufficient results. Slight improvements in the AD symptomatics have been limited to patients in the early stage of the disease. So multitargeting approaches have been started addressing amyloid plaques as preferred primary target structures beside acetylcholine esterase inhibition. Various protein kinases have been discussed to make a contribution to the progression of AD. So protein kinases are promising target structures for a perspective multitargeting. We identified substituted smallmolecule protein kinase inhibitors of the tricyclic benzofuropyridine type which showed partly nanomolar affinities to AD-relevant glycogen synthase kinase (gsk) 3ß, extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) 2 and C-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) 3. Substituent-dependent effects on the respective kinase inhibitions are discussed and inhibitor binding modes to those kinases are presented based on enzyme docking studies. Inhibitor effects on the tau protein target structure are shown for first compounds in cellular studies to prove the enzyme conditioned effects.

Reorganization of Synaptic Connections and Perineuronal Nets in the Deep Cerebellar Nuclei of Purkinje Cell Degeneration Mutant Mice.

The perineuronal net (PN) is a subtype of extracellular matrix appearing as a net-like structure around distinct neurons throughout the whole CNS. PNs surround the soma, proximal dendrites, and the axonal initial segment embedding synaptic terminals on the neuronal surface. Different functions of the PNs are suggested which include support of synaptic stabilization, inhibition of axonal sprouting, and control of neuronal plasticity. A number of studies provide evidence that removing PNs or PN-components results in renewed neurite growth and synaptogenesis. In a mouse model for Purkinje cell degeneration, we examined the effect of deafferentation on synaptic remodeling and modulation of PNs in the deep cerebellar nuclei. We found reduced GABAergic, enhanced glutamatergic innervations at PN-associated neurons, and altered expression of the PN-components brevican and hapln4. These data refer to a direct interaction between ECM and synapses. The altered brevican expression induced by activated astrocytes could be required for an adequate regeneration by promoting neurite growth and synaptogenesis.

The neuronal extracellular matrix restricts distribution and internalization of aggregated Tau-protein.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic degenerative disorder characterized by fibrillary aggregates of Aß and Tau-protein. Formation and progression of these pathological hallmarks throughout the brain follow a specific spatio-temporal pattern which provides the basis for neuropathological staging. Previously, we could demonstrate that cortical and subcortical neurons are less frequently affected by neurofibrillary degeneration if they are enwrapped by a specialized form of the hyaluronan-based extracellular matrix (ECM), the so called 'perineuronal net' (PN). PNs are composed of large aggregating chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans connected to a hyaluronan backbone, stabilized by link proteins and cross-linked via tenascin-R. Recently, PN-associated neurons were shown to be better protected against iron-induced neurodegeneration compared to neurons without PN, indicating a neuroprotective function. Here, we investigated the role of PNs in distribution and internalization of exogenous Tau-protein by using organotypic slice cultures of wildtype mice as well as mice lacking the ECM-components aggrecan, HAPLN1 or tenascin-R. We could demonstrate that PNs restrict both distribution and internalization of Tau. Accordingly, PN-ensheathed neurons were less frequently affected by Tau-internalization, than neurons without PN. Finally, the PNs as well as their three investigated components were shown to modulate the processes of distribution as well as internalization of Tau.

[Is Work in Older Age Healthy? Findings from Family Run Businesses Using the Example of Bavarian Rural Economics]. / Ist Arbeit im Alter gesund? Erkenntnisse aus Familienunternehmen am Beispiel der bayerischen Agrarwirtschaft.

AIM OF STUDY: Working in second half of life is individually and socially important. The aim of this study is to multidimensionally evaluate the subjective health situation of older people, in particular those beyond the legal age of retirement who are working or assisting in family run businesses, using the example of Bavarian rural economics. METHODS: A 3 stage random sample stratified proportionally to regional population numbers was selected for a cross-sectional questionnaire survey (personal delivery, postal return n=3 176, 39.1%). Sample results can be generalised (men 59.8%, at least 65 years old 60.8%, smallest/small enterprises 61.8%). RESULTS: Life satisfaction is similar to that of the German age cohort population. In comparison to commercial and technical fields, physic and psychological complaints are lower and work pleasure is much higher. Health indicators are not dependent on enterprise structures, but on age and gender - on age partly non-linearly. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that working in older age can be a source of subjective health. Process of family business succession may effect health. RESULTS might be applicable to other structurally similar agriculture regions and to craft sector. They promote individual confrontation with and social debate on a positive image of old age and aging.

Home Use of an Artificial Beta Cell in Type 1 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The feasibility, safety, and efficacy of prolonged use of an artificial beta cell (closed-loop insulin-delivery system) in the home setting have not been established. METHODS: In two multicenter, crossover, randomized, controlled studies conducted under free-living home conditions, we compared closed-loop insulin delivery with sensor-augmented pump therapy in 58 patients with type 1 diabetes. The closed-loop system was used day and night by 33 adults and overnight by 25 children and adolescents. Participants used the closed-loop system for a 12-week period and sensor-augmented pump therapy (control) for a similar period. The primary end point was the proportion of time that the glucose level was between 70 mg and 180 mg per deciliter for adults and between 70 mg and 145 mg per deciliter for children and adolescents. RESULTS: Among adults, the proportion of time that the glucose level was in the target range was 11.0 percentage points (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.1 to 13.8) greater with the use of the closed-loop system day and night than with control therapy (P<0.001). The mean glucose level was lower during the closed-loop phase than during the control phase (difference, -11 mg per deciliter; 95% CI, -17 to -6; P<0.001), as were the area under the curve for the period when the glucose level was less than 63 mg per deciliter (39% lower; 95% CI, 24 to 51; P<0.001) and the mean glycated hemoglobin level (difference, -0.3%; 95% CI, -0.5 to -0.1; P=0.002). Among children and adolescents, the proportion of time with the nighttime glucose level in the target range was higher during the closed-loop phase than during the control phase (by 24.7 percentage points; 95% CI, 20.6 to 28.7; P<0.001), and the mean nighttime glucose level was lower (difference, -29 mg per deciliter; 95% CI, -39 to -20; P<0.001). The area under the curve for the period in which the day-and-night glucose levels were less than 63 mg per deciliter was lower by 42% (95% CI, 4 to 65; P=0.03). Three severe hypoglycemic episodes occurred during the closed-loop phase when the closed-loop system was not in use. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with type 1 diabetes, 12-week use of a closed-loop system, as compared with sensor-augmented pump therapy, improved glucose control, reduced hypoglycemia, and, in adults, resulted in a lower glycated hemoglobin level. (Funded by the JDRF and others; AP@home04 and APCam08 ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT01961622 and NCT01778348.).

[Influence of corneal pachymetric changes on functional results after cataract surgery]. / Einfluss der Hornhautdickenveränderung auf die funktionellen Ergebnisse nach Kataraktchirurgie.

BACKGROUND: In the early postoperative period following uncomplicated cataract surgery, the correlation of corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and the increase in corneal thickness and anterior chamber depth (ACD) are investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 54 cataract patients with a mean age of 70 ± 8.4 years were included in this prospective study. Surgery was carried out on one eye of each patient according to the study protocol. Refraction, CDVA and ACD were evaluated 1 day and 1 week postoperatively and compared with the pachymetry results measured with the Pentacam. RESULTS: The mean postoperative CDVA significantly improved from 0.31 ± 0.24 logMAR to 0.18 ± 0.22 logMAR after one day and up to 0.06 ± 0.13 logMAR one week after surgery (p < 0.05). The mean spherical equivalent was - 0.52 ± 0.69 D after one day and - 0.50 ± 0.82 D one week after surgery and showed only minimal differences compared to the mean target refraction of - 0.39 ± 0.70 D. Postoperative corneal thickness showed a significant increase compared to the preoperative results (p < 0.05) on both visits: the mean difference was 33.26 ± 50.20 µm (- 17 to 315 µm) on the first day and 20.22 ± 23.15 µm (- 10 to 99 µm) one week after surgery. Up to 7 days postoperatively the increase in corneal thickness and CDVA showed only moderate or no correlations (r = 0.465 vs. r = 0.072, respectively). Regarding pachymetry and ACD values, no or only low correlations were found. CONCLUSION: The significant increase in corneal thickness on the first and seventh day shows no to moderate correlation to the CDVA. Nevertheless, a good and early rehabilitation of visual acuity following uncomplicated cataract surgery is possible. Intraocular pressure measurement can lead to false high results due to an increase in corneal thickness.

[Postoperative Results after Implantation of a Toric, Aspheric Intraocular Lens]. / Postoperative Ergebnisse nach Implantation einer torischen, asphärischen Intraokularlinse.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional results and quality of vision after implantation of an aspheric, aberration-neutral, monofocal toric intraocular lens (IOL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 18 eyes of 13 patients were enrolled in this prospective clinical study. The T-flex aspheric, aberration-free toric IOL (Rayner Intraocular Lenses Limited, U. K.) was implanted after femtosecond or standard phacoemulsification. Follow-up examinations were performed two to four months after surgery; these included subjective refraction, ETDRS uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), wavefront analysis, measurements of stray light (C-Quant), and a questionnaire. RESULTS: Median UDVA was 0.06 logMAR (range: 0.30 to - 0.18 logMAR) postoperatively. Median CDVA increased from 0.20 logMAR (range: 0.64 to 0.00 logMAR) preoperatively to - 0.07 logMAR (range: 0.16 to - 0.26 logMAR) postoperatively. The median difference between achieved versus intended spherical equivalent was - 0.08 D (range: - 1.25 to + 0.65 D). Median subjective cylinder improved from - 2.00 D (range: - 6.50 to - 0.25 D) preoperatively to - 0.50 D (range: - 1.25 to 0.00 D) postoperatively. The median spherical aberrations (6 mm pupil size) were - 0.38 µm (range: - 0.69 to - 0.10 µm) postoperatively. Measurements of stray light (C-Quant) revealed a median value of 1.28 log(s) (range: 0.92 to 1.61 log[s]). CONCLUSION: The T-flex aspheric toric IOL provided beneficial and predictable functional results after surgery. The implantation of the T-flex is an effective method to correct a large range of corneal astigmatism.

[Functional results after implantation of an aspheric, aberration-neutral intraocular lens]. / Funktionelle Ergebnisse nach Implantation einer asphärischen, aberrationsneutralen Intraokularlinse.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to perform a clinical evaluation of the functional results and quality of vision after implantation of an aspheric, aberration-neutral, monofocal intraocular lens (IOL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 47 eyes of 34 patients (median age: 68 years) with cataract were enrolled in this prospective clinical study that had Ethics Committee approval. The C-flex or Superflex aspheric IOL (Rayner, UK) was implanted after phacoemulsification. Follow-up examinations were performed two to four months after surgery including subjective refraction, ETDRS uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), wavefront analysis, analysis of stray light (C-Quant), contrast sensitivity under different lighting conditions (F. A. C. T.) and a questionnaire. RESULTS: Two to four months after surgery, median UDVA was 0.08 logMAR (range: 0.64 to - 0.18 logMAR, n = 41). Median CDVA increased from 0.30 logMAR (range: 1.00 to - 0.02 logMAR) preoperatively to - 0.08 logMAR (range: 0.16 to - 0.22 logMAR) postoperatively (n = 47). Median difference between achieved vs. intended (Holladay 1-formula) spherical equivalent was + 0.06 D (range: - 1.06 to + 0.87 D). Median total HOA RMS (6 mm pupil size) was 0.66 µm (range: 0.41 to 1.19 µm). The median spherical aberrations were - 0.36 µm (range: - 0.70 to - 0.17 µm). Analysis of stray light (C-Quant) revealed a median value of 1.21 log(s) (range: 0.79 to 1.57 log[s]). CONCLUSION: The C-flex and Superflex aspheric IOLs provide good and predictable functional results. Patients are not negatively influenced by stray light and show slightly negative spherical aberrations.

[Successor establishment in familiy business as field of action in health promotion]. / Die innerfamiliäre Betriebsübergabe als Handlungsfeld der Gesundheitsförderung.

Successor establishment in familiy business may lead to interpersonal and intrapsychological conflicts and is mostly a transition to retirement. This may have a negative impact on the senior's health. The "Sozialversicherung für Landwirtschaft, Forsten und Gartenbau (SVLFG)" reacts with an intervention of several days duration. Evaluation aim is measuring participants changes in specific activities and confidence on successor establishment and retirement indicating mental health stabilisation. The method comprises a panel of intervention group (I, n=61) and comparison group (V, n=28) randomly selected, structurally similar and parallelised to point of transfer. Retirement activities significantly rise in I (p=0.001, Cohen's d=0.48) and are steady in V (p=0.54) after one year. Level of confidence is equal in both groups and steady but strongly indicating response shift in I. Intervention activates targeted activities and improves confidence at least qualitatively in a field that has hardly been researched.

[Functional results after bilateral intrastromal femtosecond laser correction of presbyopia]. / Funktionelle Ergebnisse nach Korrektur der Presbyopie mittels bilateraler intrastromaler Femtosekundenlaserbehandlung.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of bilateral intrastromal femtosecond laser correction of presbyopia (INTRACOR). METHODS: In a prospective study 17 patients were enrolled who had previously received binocular treatment in a two-step approach. Postoperative (4-8 months) outcomes were compared with a matched control group who had undergone only unilateral surgery of the non-dominant eye (n = 17 patients, 24 months after surgery). RESULTS: The binocular distance corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) showed the same median but lower scattering of values after bilateral treatment: 0.10 (median in logMAR) (0.30/- 0.10 min/max) (study) versus 0.10 (0.50/- 0.10) (control). In the study group, however, a higher loss of binocular corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was found: 23.5 %, 70.6 %, 5.9 % (0, - 1, - 2 lines) (study) versus 35.3 %, 64.7 % and 0 %, respectively (control). CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the reduced CDVA INTRACOR should initially only be performed in the non-dominant eye. In selected cases binocular treatment can improve DCNVA; however, careful risk-benefit assessment and informed consent are necessary.