The epidemiology of airplane headache: A cross-sectional study on point prevalence and characteristics in 50,000 travelers.

BACKGROUND: The current knowledge on the epidemiology and clinical manifestation of airplane headache is mostly derived from case series and small cohort studies without evidence from large populations. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted over a five-month period in the arrival area of two international airports in Germany. 50,000 disembarking passengers were addressed about headaches during their flight to determine headache prevalence, and those confirming and willing to participate underwent a structured interview. RESULTS: Headache during travel was reported by 374 passengers (0.75%), and 301 underwent a structured interview. One hundred and one (0.2%) met the diagnostic criteria of airplane headache. Six passengers suffered from migraines and 134 from tension-type headaches. The differences in the age and gender distribution between the airplane headache and non-airplane headache groups were not statistically significant. The onset (79.2%), duration (82.2%), and location (73.3%) of airplane headache mostly complied with current diagnostic criteria but pain intensity (42.6%) and quality (42.6%) did less so. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest a substantially lower prevalence of airplane headaches than previously reported. The pain intensity and quality seem less characteristic than assumed, suggesting a need to refine the current diagnostic criteria.

Dependence of interfacial film organization on lipid molecular structure.

Combination of surface analytical techniques was employed to investigate the interfacial behavior of the two designed lipids-N-stearoylglycine (1) and its bulky neutral headgroup-containing derivative N-stearoylvaline ethyl ester (2)-at the air-solution interface and as transferred layers on different substrates. Formation of monolayers at the air-water interface was monitored on pure water and on aqueous solutions of different pH. Crystallization effects were visualized at pure water by recording the hystereses in the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) isotherms and by transferring the layers onto mica, gold (111), and ITO (indium-tin oxide on glass) electrodes. Subphase pH affects the morphology and patch formation in monolayers of 1, as evidenced by BAM measurements. At pH 8.2, formation of well-ordered crystallites is observed, which upon compression elongate according to predominantly 1-D growth mechanism to form a dense layer of crystallites. This effect is not observed in monolayers of 2, whose headgroup is not protonated. The orientation of layers of 1 transferred to the solid supports is also pH dependent, and their stability can be related to formation of a hydrogen-bonded networks. AFM images of 1 exhibited platelets of multilayer phase. The IR spectra of the ITO substrates covered by 1 indicated formation of hydrogen bonds between the amide groups. The nature of the adsorption layer and its organization as a function of potential were studied in-depth by EC STM using Au(111) as the substrate. A model showing the arrangement of hydrogen bonds between adsorbed molecules is presented and related to the observed organization of the layer.

Design and synthesis of lipids for the fabrication of functional lipidic cubic-phase biomaterials.

A series of novel lipids with designed functionalities were synthesized. These lipids are based on conjugation of α-amino acids and their esters, cationic, anionic, neutral, and photochromic moieties to the lipophilic 9-cis octadecenyl chains by amide, ester, thioester, or amine bonds. Because of the plasticity of lipidic cubic phases, it is envisaged that when mixed with monooleoyl-rac-glycerol (monoolein, MO) and water at appropriate proportions, they would assemble to form bicontinuous lipidic cubic phases (LCPs) that exhibit the well-known material properties of LCPs such as phase stability, optical transparency, and chemical permeability. Moreover, due to the nature and position of the functionality at the headgroup region, we envision them to perform as functional materials by design.

Job Satisfaction and Performance Orientation of Paramedics in German Emergency Medical Services-A Nationwide Survey.

(1) Background: Shortage of skilled workers is a relevant global health care problem. To remain competitive with other professions, job satisfaction is a critical issue; however, to date, there are no data available on the German EMS. This study aims to perform a statistical analysis of job satisfaction and performance orientation and to identify risk factors for low job satisfaction of paramedics in the German EMS. (2) Methods: Data were collected from 2590 paramedics through a nationwide cross-sectional survey, using the job satisfaction questionnaire by Neuberger and Allerbeck and the performance orientation questionnaire by Hippler and Krüger. Descriptive and regression statistical analysis were performed. (3) Results: The participants scored significantly lower than the reference sample on job satisfaction, with "organization and management" and "payment" being the lowest rated subscales. Around 9% of employees feared losing their jobs. While work attitude toward performance and success enhancement was high, fear of failure was also common. (4) Conclusions: Job satisfaction of paramedics in the German EMS is below that of the reference sample. Discontent with payment and organizational issues is common. Performance orientation is high, but fear of failure is frequent. Current and future efforts that aim at an attractive working environment should reflect on these findings.