Ureteric stent versus percutaneous nephrostomy for acute ureteral obstruction - clinical outcome and quality of life: a bi-center prospective study.

BACKGROUND: To compare quality of life (QoL) indices between ureteral stent (DJS) and nephrostomy tube (PCN) inserted in the setting of acute ureteral obstruction. METHODS: Prospective bi-centered study. Over the span of 2 years, 45 DJS and 30 PCN patients were recruited. Quality of life was assessed by 2 questionnaires, EuroQol EQ-5D and 'Tube symptoms' questionnaire, at 2 time points (at discharge after drainage and before definitive treatment). RESULTS: Patients' demographics and pre-drainage data were similar. There were no clinically significant differences in patient's recovery between the groups, including post procedural pain, defeverence, returning to baseline renal function, and septic shock complications. More DJS patients presented to the emergency room with complaints related to their procedure compared to PCN patients. At first, DJS patients complained more of urinary discomfort while PCN patients had worse symptoms relating to mobility and personal hygiene, with both groups achieving similar overall QoL score. At second time point, PCN patients' symptoms ameliorated while symptoms in the DJS group remained similar, translating to higher overall QoL score in the PCN group. CONCLUSIONS: The two techniques had a distinct and significantly different impact on quality of life. Over time, PCN patients' symptoms relieve and their QoL improve, while DJS patients' symptoms persist. Specific tube related symptoms, and their dynamics over time, should be a major determinant in choosing the appropriate drainage method, especially when definitive treatment is not imminent.

[X­ray of the thoracic and lumbar spine in injured children and adolescents : Incidence, fracture rates and therapeutic consequences]. / Röntgen der Brust- und Lendenwirbelsäule bei verletzten Kindern und Jugendlichen : Aufkommen, Frakturrate und Therapiekonsequenz.

INTRODUCTION: Usually, conventional radiographs are appropriate for injuries in the region of the thoracic and lumbar spine (TLS) in children and adolescents. The aim of our study was to determine the incidence of trauma-associated radiographic findings in this anatomical region and to present the therapeutic consequences. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study (2007-2015) of a level 1 trauma center all children and adolescents (0-17 years) with a TLS-trauma, in which conventional radiographs were performed anteroposterior and lateral as the initial imaging modality, were included. RESULTS: In 396 children and adolescents conventional radiographs were performed, but only 5.6 % suffered a fracture. Conventional radiographs were performed in 188 cases of the thoracic spine, in 43 cases in the thoracolumbar junction and in 255 cases in the lumbar spine. On average, children and adolescents with fractures were 12.5 (5-17) years old. Fractures were classified as 38.7 % A1.1, 51.6 % A1.2, and 9.7 % were fractures of the transverse process. B and C fractures could not be detected. Of all fractures, 80 % were found in the mid-thoracic spine and the thoracolumbar junction. All fractures could be treated conservatively. CONCLUSION: With 5.6 % TLS-injuries in children and adolescents, the study revealed a low fracture rate in a highly radiosensitive region. With regard to an expected stable fracture morphology and the absent surgical consequences, the indication for emergency radiographs should be provided restrictively.

The taxonomic and phylogenetic status of digeneans from the genus Timoniella (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) in the Black and Baltic seas.

Timoniella spp. are cryptogonimid flukes (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) that parasitize the guts of fish in brackish waters. Timoniella imbutiforme, a species from the Mediterranean Sea, is recorded in the Black Sea, while T. balthica has been described from the Baltic Sea. In this paper, we clarify the taxonomic status of Timoniella populations in the Baltic and Black seas. Adults and metacercariae of Timoniella spp. were sampled from localities in the Mediterranean Sea (France), Black Sea (Ukraine) and Baltic Sea (Germany) and subjected to molecular and morphological analysis, including Bayesian phylogenetic reconstruction based on concatenated sequences of ITS1-ITS2-28S. This allowed us to construct a new key to species of the genus Timoniella. Our results suggest that T. balthica forms part of the Boreal-Atlantic relict fauna of the Black Sea and should now be considered a junior synonym of T. imbutiforme.

Major histocompatibility complex genes partly explain early survival in house sparrows.

Environmental factors and genetic incompatibilities between parents have been suggested as important determinants for embryonic mortality and survival. The genetic set-up of the immune system, specifically the highly polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) may also influence individual resistance to infections. MHC proteins are important for an appropriate adaptive immune response and enable T-cells to separate 'self' from 'non-self'. Here we investigate the importance of MHC functional diversity for early development in birds, more specifically, if offspring survival and body mass or size depends on number of different functional MHC alleles, specific functional MHC alleles or similarity of MHC alleles in the parents. Unhatched eggs are common in clutches of many bird species. In house sparrows (Passer domesticus), embryo and nestling mortality can exceed 50%. To control for environmental factors, our study was carried out on an aviary population. We found that one specific functional MHC allele was associated with reduced nestling survival, which was additionally supported by lower body mass and a smaller tarsus when nestlings have been 6 days old. Another allele was positively associated with tarsus length at a later nestling stage (nestlings 12 days old). These results indicate that MHC alleles might influence pathogen resistance or susceptibility.

[Associated injuries with greater tuberosity fractures : Mechanism of injury, diagnostics, treatment]. / Begleitverletzungen bei Tuberculum-majus-Frakturen : Entstehungsmechanismus, Diagnostik, Therapie.

BACKGROUND: To date, little attention has been given to greater tuberosity fractures (GTFs) in the literature. Several mechanisms of injury are described, but few authors report that a GTF is accompanied by a high rate of often unrecognized associated injuries. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to document the incidence of dislocation, to diagnose associated injuries and, based on these, these draw conclusions about the mechanism of injury concerning GTF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2007-2015 the detection of a shoulder dislocation, the fracture extent (displacement, fragments, size), associated injuries, and the surgical treatment of GTF and associated injuries were documented in 46 patients with GTF who were less than 65 years of age. After detection of associated injuries by computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or arthroscopy it was decided if surgery was necessary or not. RESULTS: Shoulder dislocation was found in 46.2 % of patients with a 1-fragmentary GTF. Shoulder dislocation was found in 66.7 % of patients with a 2-fragmentary GTF and 100 % of patients with ≥3 fragments.. Typical injuries associated with dislocation were found in 90.7 %. In 52.6 % of these surgery was necessary. With or without dislocation, approximately the same prevalence of associated injuries was present (92.6 %; 87.5 %). With dislocation surgery for the associated injuries was necessary in 70.8 %; without dislocation surgery was necessary in 35.7 %. DISCUSSION: The reason for a GTF seems to be an anterior shoulder dislocation or partial dislocation. In multifragmentary GTF or GTF with dislocation surgery is necessary frequently; without dislocation surgery is necessary less frequently. Associated injuries should be searched for selectively. An arthroscopy could be performed for diagnosis and therapy. In a GTF that can be treated conservatively, an MRI should be performed.

[Injuries in children and adolescents in emergency services]. / Verletzungen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen im Bereitschaftsdienst.

BACKGROUND: A differentiated knowledge of trauma in children and adolescents is essential for the treatment of injured minors. The aim of this study was to present the focus of treatment in trauma emergency services. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over a period of 2 years all acutely injured children and adolescents (n = 4784) in the emergency service were analyzed prospectively. The data were analyzed according to sex, age, date of examination, indications for x-ray imaging, diagnosis and therapy. RESULTS: Seasonal differences in the treatment spectrum were detected. In total 34.4 % of the patients presented with bruises/contusions, 23 % wounds, 19.9 % fractures, 14.9 % sprains/strains/ligament ruptures, 4.1 % craniocerebral trauma, 1.5 % dislocations, 1.1 % muscle/tendon injuries and 0.9 % burns. Of the patients 60 % underwent an x-ray examination and 8.3 % were hospitalized. Different injuries were found in the different age groups. Most fractures (25.7 %) were found at the distal forearm and most osteosyntheses (22.5 %) were also carried out at this anatomical location. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the frequency and age dynamics is essential for competent treatment of injuries in children and adolescents. Analysis of the reality of the treatment in emergency services allows a much better evaluation of the requirements with respect to this clientele. The collected data can serve as a basis for the development of major capability foci, training concepts, treatment algorithms as well as prevention measures.

[Length of hospital stay for patients with proximal femoral fractures : Influencing factors]. / Verweildauer von Patienten mit hüftgelenknahen Femurfrakturen : Beeinflussende Faktoren.

BACKGROUND: In departments of orthopedic and trauma surgery patients with proximal femoral fractures constitute the largest proportion of trauma patients. The length of stay (LOS) has economic consequences and prolonged LOS leads to a shortage in bed capacity. OBJECTIVES: In this study treatment and patient-related factors that influence the LOS of patients with proximal femoral fractures were investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Treatment and patient-related data of 242 patients (age >64 years) were recorded retrospectively and included residential aspects, legal guardianship, time of admission and surgery, hospital mortality, LOS, diagnosis, comorbidities, medication, surgical treatment, general and surgical complications, intensive care therapy and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification. RESULTS: Of the patients, one fifth came from a nursing home and were under supervised care or a healthcare proxy at the time of admission. Two thirds were admitted to hospital and operated on during on-call service periods. One half of the patients did not return to their previous domestic environment and were usually admitted to a nursing home. Patients who came from or were admitted to nursing homes, who were under healthcare supervision as well as patients who rapidly underwent surgery had a shorter LOS. Hospitalization and surgery during on-call service periods did not extend the LOS and showed a tendency towards reduction. Older age correlated with a longer LOS and surgical complications doubled the LOS. DISCUSSION: Surgical treatment during on-call service periods, short preoperative waiting times and avoidance of surgical complications shortened LOS and thus had an impact on costs and bed capacity.

[Factors influencing course of hospitalization in patients with hip fractures: Complications, length of stay and hospital mortality]. / Einflussfaktoren auf den stationären Verlauf von Patienten mit hüftgelenknahen Femurfrakturen: Komplikationen, Liegezeit und Krankenhaussterblichkeit.

BACKGROUND: Time of surgery, age, sex, and co-morbidities influence the complication and mortality rate in patients with hip fractures. Patients with relevant co-morbidities, who were hospitalized at the weekend have a higher mortality rate. Complications prolong length of stay (LOS), which results in higher costs and shortage of bed capacity. OBJECTIVES: The influence of various factors on hospitalization with emphasis on complications, LOS, and clinical mortality should be observed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, 242 patients with hip fractures (>64a) were observed. In addition to age and sex, time of hospitalization and surgery, intensive care therapy, hospital mortality, LOS, comorbidities, ASA, and complications were recorded. Times were assigned to the work week or the weekend or regular or on-call duty service. RESULTS: 29.8 % were hospitalized at the weekend, 66.1% on on-call duty, 24.1% were operated on the weekend, 67.4% on on-call duty. 86.3% were operated <48 h after admission. The mortality rate was 8.3%. Longer time to surgery results in more frequent intensive care therapy, prolongs the LOS, and increases overall complications. Advanced age increases mortality and LOS. A higher value of the ASA classification leads to increased mortality; co-morbidities lead to more frequent intensive care therapy. Surgical complications prolong LOS of 10.8d (86.4%). CONCLUSION: Hospitalization is influenced by age, ASA and co-morbidities as well as by time to surgery and operation in day or late and nighttime service. Early surgery and prevention of surgical complications reduce LOS.

[Early complication rate of fractures close to the hip joint. Dependence on treatment in on-call services and comorbidities]. / Frühkomplikationsrate bei hüftgelenknahen Frakturen. Abhängigkeit von der Versorgung im Bereitschaftsdienst und von Nebenerkrankungen.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines advocate early surgery for proximal femoral fractures so that operations are frequently performed in on-call duty times. Multimorbid patients also suffer more frequently from postoperative complications. Does on-call duty or night shift services correlate with higher postoperative complication rates and what influence do comorbidities have? PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 300 patients (> 65 years) postoperative surgical and non-surgical complications were documented and correlated with comorbidities, on-call duty and night shift service times. RESULTS: Postoperative complications were observed in 10.7 % of surgical and 62 % of non-surgical cases. Surgery in on-call duty and night shift times did not increase the postoperative complication rate. Comorbidities, age and ASA classification correlated with postoperative complications which significantly prolonged hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Surgery of proximal femoral fractures in on-call duty and night shift times is justified because postoperative complications are not increased. Comorbidities and higher age correlated with postoperative complications. Postoperative complications should be avoided because they result in prolonged hospital stay.

[Emergency radiographs in injured children and adolescents]. / Notfallröntgen bei verletzten Kindern und Jugendlichen.

BACKGROUND: Adequate interpretation of radiographs of injured children and adolescents is key for appropriate treatment. For the purposes of structuring in-hospital education and training, conventional radiographs obtained in the emergency department (ED) should be analyzed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 10,232 radiographs of children and adolescents (0-17 years old) were analyzed retrospectively. Data was analyzed according to sex, age, time, radiograph, and type of insurance. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 3:2. In all, 76% of all radiographs were processed during on-call duty hours. Radiographs of the ankle were ordered most at a rate of 11%. Radiographs of the skull, wrist, finger, and ankle stood out from the sum of all radiographs and together accounted for 40%. CONCLUSION: Radiographs of injured children are analyzed predominantly during on-call duty hours. Frequently mandated radiographs should be diagnosed accurately and standard injuries should be well known. Particular attention should be directed to the typical injury patterns of the ankle joint.

[The posterocentral approach to the posterior tibial plateau]. / Der posterozentrale Zugang zum dorsalen Tibiakopf.

OBJECTIVE: An anatomically preformed approach to the posterior tibial plateau is described. In avulsion fractures of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), the aim is to restore stability of the knee joint with functional treatment, while in posterior shearing tibial plateau fractures the aim is to restore anatomical dorsal alignment of the tibia. INDICATIONS: Avulsion fracture the PCL, posterior shearing tibial plateau fracture. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Knee infection, compartment syndrome, joint instability, and osteoarthritis in avulsion fractures of the PCL. OPERATION TECHNIQUE: Supine position, L-shaped skin incision, dissection of the fascia, protection of the sural nerve, separation of the gastrocnemial heads, identification of the neurovascular bundle, retraction of the gastrocnemial heads. Fixation of the bony avulsion using screws. In tibial plateau fractures, dissection of the soleus and popliteus muscle, fracture reduction, and plate fixation. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Due to the approach no specific treatment necessary. PCL: functional treatment, with knee brace full weight bearing possible, without 20 kg weight bearing using crutches for 4-6 weeks, tibia: CT for postoperative result and planning of the ventral osteosynthesis after about 5 days, then weight bearing 20 kg and functional treatment for 8-12 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients were operated using a posterocentral approach, 22 had a posterior shearing tibial plateau fracture, and 11 an avulsion fracture of the PCL. Temporary hypesthesia around the scar, at the lateral foot, and lateral lower leg were observed in 3 patients, each having one (area supplied by the sural nerve). In 3 cases screw tips at the anterior proximal tibia were palpable. The posterocentral approach reveals a low complication rate due to the anatomical approach.

[The DRG responsible physician in trauma and orthopedic surgery. Surgeon, encoder, and link to medical controlling]. / Der DRG-beauftragte Arzt in der Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie. Operateur, Kodierer und Bindeglied zum Medizincontrolling.

BACKGROUND: Precise coding is an essential requirement in order to generate a valid DRG. The aim of our study was to evaluate the quality of the initial coding of surgical procedures, as well as to introduce our "hybrid model" of a surgical specialist supervising medical coding and a nonphysician for case auditing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The department's DRG responsible physician as a surgical specialist has profound knowledge both in surgery and in DRG coding. At a Level 1 hospital, 1000 coded cases of surgical procedures were checked. RESULTS: In our department, the DRG responsible physician who is both a surgeon and encoder has proven itself for many years. The initial surgical DRG coding had to be corrected by the DRG responsible physician in 42.2% of cases. On average, one hour per working day was necessary. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a DRG responsible physician is a simple, effective way to connect medical and business expertise without interface problems. Permanent feedback promotes both medical and economic sensitivity for the improvement of coding quality.

A method for 3D-reconstruction of a muscle thick filament using the tilt series images of a single filament electron tomogram.

Myosin interacting-heads (MIH) motifs are visualized in 3D-reconstructions of thick filaments from striated muscle. These reconstructions are calculated by averaging methods using images from electron micrographs of grids prepared using numerous filament preparations. Here we propose an alternative method to calculate the 3D-reconstruction of a single thick filament using only a tilt series images recorded by electron tomography. Relaxed thick filaments, prepared from tarantula leg muscle homogenates, were negatively stained. Single-axis tilt series of single isolated thick filaments were obtained with the electron microscope at a low electron dose, and recorded on a CCD camera by electron tomography. An IHRSR 3D-recontruction was calculated from the tilt series images of a single thick filament. The reconstruction was enhanced by including in the search stage dual tilt image segments while only single tilt along the filament axis is usually used, as well as applying a band pass filter just before the back projection. The reconstruction from a single filament has a 40 Å resolution and clearly shows the presence of MIH motifs. In contrast, the electron tomogram 3D-reconstruction of the same thick filament - calculated without any image averaging and/or imposition of helical symmetry - only reveals MIH motifs infrequently. This is - to our knowledge - the first application of the IHRSR method to calculate a 3D reconstruction from tilt series images. This single filament IHRSR reconstruction method (SF-IHRSR) should provide a new tool to assess structural differences between well-ordered thick (or thin) filaments in a grid by recording separately their electron tomograms.

[Treatment duration of trauma and orthopedic patients in an emergency department]. / Behandlungsdauer orthopädisch-unfallchirurgischer Patienten in der Notaufnahme.

INTRODUCTION: The majority of emergency patients are admitted to hospital via the emergency department. Overcrowding in emergency departments results in dissatisfied patients, increased complication rates, and negative medicoeconomic consequences. To overcome these problems, sufficient personnel strength should be available depending on treatment duration and the patients' characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, trauma and orthopedic patients were classified into six categories: ABT (history, findings, and therapy), RABT (X-ray and ABT), WABT (wound care and ABT), WRABT (wound care and RABT), STAT (hospital admission), and SR (trauma life support). Furthermore, the duration of medical treatment was correlated with the physicians' educational level (specialist or physician in training after or during the common trunk period). Not included were waiting periods and nursing care measures. After analyzing the frequency of each category, the mean duration of treatment for an"average patient" was determined. RESULTS: The duration of treatment of 900 patients was recorded. The average times were 9.5 min (ABT), 13.8 min (RABT), 17.3 min (WABT), 24.5 min (WRABT), 38.4 min (STAT), and 84.2 min (SR). The frequencies for the different categories were: ABT 18.8%; RABT 50.2%; WABT 14.5%; WRABT 4.4%; STAT 10.6%, and SR 1.4%. Thus, an average duration of medical treatment of 17.6 min was calculated. Especially in the RABT category, significant differences between specialists and physicians in training were evident. In children and adolescents, the duration of treatment was 12.5 min. CONCLUSION: The duration of treatment of an average trauma and orthopedic patient depends on the level of care of the hospital and the qualification of the physician in charge. In order to avoid negative consequences of overcrowding in emergency departments, adequate personnel strength is essential. Personnel strength should be calculated based on the average duration of medical treatment of about 18 min.

Thermal and mechanical properties of fatty acid starch esters.

The current study examined thermal and mechanical properties of fatty acid starch esters (FASEs). All highly soluble esters were obtained by the sustainable, homogeneous transesterification of fatty acid vinyl esters in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Casted films of products with a degree of substitution (DS) of 1.40-1.73 were compared with highly substituted ones (DS 2.20-2.63). All films were free of any plasticizer additives. Hydrophobic surfaces were characterized by contact angle measurements. Dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) revealed thermal transitions (T(g), T(m)) which were influenced by the internal plasticizing effect of the ester groups. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements showed the increased thermal stability toward native starch. Tensile tests revealed the decreasing strength and stiffness of the products with increasing ester-group chain length while the elongation increased up to the ester group laurate and after that decreased. Esters of the longest fatty acids, palmitate and stearate turned out to be brittle materials due to super molecular structures of the ester chains such as confirmed by X-ray. Summarized products with a DS 1.40-1.73 featured more "starch-like" properties with tensile strength up to outstanding 43 MPa, while products with a DS >2 behaved more "oil-like". Both classes of esters should be tested as a serious alternative to commercial starch blends and petrol-based plastics. The term Cnumber is attributed to the number of total C-Atoms of the fatty acid (e.g. C6=Hexanoate).

[Posterocentral approach to the posterior tibial plateau. Reconstruction of tibial plateau fractures and avulsions of the posterior cruciate ligament]. / Posterozentraler Zugang zum dorsalen Tibiakopf. Rekonstruktion dorsaler Tibiakopffrakturen und Avulsionen des hinteren Kreuzbandes.

BACKGROUND: For surgical treatment of posterior shearing tibial plateau fractures and avulsion fractures of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) a posterocentral approach without dissection or separation of the heads of the gastrocnemius muscle is used. The aim of this study was an evaluation of this approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2001-2012 a total of 33 patients were surgically treated using a posterocentral approach to the dorsal knee joint. Of these patients 22 had a posterior shearing tibial plateau fracture and 11 had an avulsion fracture of the PCL. The fracture type, complications, expertise of the surgeon, fracture healing, implant position and irritation, nerve lesions, scar tissue and range of motion were documented. RESULTS: Hypesthesia around the scar, at the lateral foot and lower lateral leg were observed in one each of three patients. Despite two ventral implant infections no infection of the dorsal implant occurred. All scar tissue was without pathological findings and scar contracture was not observed. In three cases the screw tips at the anterior proximal tibia were palpable but without complaints from the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The posterocentral approach showed a low complication rate in the hands of experienced surgeons. The soft tissue cover seems to prevent implant infections.