Factors influencing active avoidance behavior in rats with ventromedial hypothalamic lesions

Ventromedial hypothalamic lesioned rats maintained at preoperative body weight received an equal number of shocks while emitting significantly fewer responses than controls in a lever-pressing free-operant avoidance paradigm, and performed as well as unoperated animals in lever-pressing and shuttle box (both 1- and 2-way) discriminated avoidance tasks. The failure of VMH lesions to facilitate performance in the 2-way avoidance paradigm was probably the result of a ceiling effect. With the exception of the simple one-way avoidance task, obese lesioned rats were markedly impaired in the acquisition of all active avoidance behavior, but escape behavior was not affected. When tested in a free-operant paradigm, the avoidance performance of well trained lesioned animals varied inversely with body weight. As obese rats displayed lower flinch thresholds to shock than controls and similar levels of activity and responding as lean lesioned animals, it was concluded that their impaired avoidance behavior was not due to changes in sensitivity or mobility. The possible relation to other VMH lesion- and/or obesity-induced deficits is discussed.     

The learning experiences of dyslexic medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a phenomenological study

Advances in Health Sciences Education - Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Difficulty that impacts on reading and writing abilities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical schools have been forced to...     

Die zeitlich-räumliche Verteilung von COVID-19 in Köln und beeinflussende soziale Faktoren im Zeitraum Februar 2020 bis Oktober 2021

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz - Schon in der frühen Phase der global sehr verschieden verlaufenden COVID-19-Pandemie zeigten sich Hinweise auf den Einfluss...     

Towards compatibility of EUnetHTA JCA methodology and German HTA: a systematic comparison and recommendations from an industry perspective

The European Journal of Health Economics - The transferability of the EU joint clinical assessment (JCA) reports for pharmaceuticals for the German benefit assessment was evaluated by...     

Efficacy of vaccination with StroVac for recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a comparative single-centre study

International Urology and Nephrology - To assess the efficacy of prophylaxis for urinary tract infections (UTI) in a two-year follow-up in women with StroVac compared to a therapy with...     

Deciphering the molecular effects of non-ablative Er:YAG laser treatment in an in vitro model of the non-keratinized mucous membrane

Lasers in Medical Science -     

Accuracy of Preoperative Templating in Total Hip Arthroplasty With Special Focus on Stem Morphology: A Randomized Comparison Between Common Digital and Three-Dimensional Planning Using Biplanar Radiographs

BackgroundAccurate preoperative planning is a key component of successful total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of the present study was to compare the accuracy and reliability of three-dimensional (hipEOS) and common digital two-dimensional (TraumaCad) templating with special focus on stem morphology.Methods51 patients undergoing THA were randomized to two groups. Preoperative planning was performed on 23 patients with hipEOS (3D) and on 28 patients with TraumaCad (2D) planning software. Planning results were compared with the implanted component size. Inter- and intraobserver reliability as well as planning accuracy of both planning methods with special focus on straight and short stem design were recorded.ResultsIntraobserver reliability of both planning methods was good for component planning (ICC_2,1: 0.835-0.967). Interobserver ICC_2,1 for stem and cup planning were higher for 3D templating (3D ICC_2,1: 0.906-0.918 vs. 2D ICC_2,1: 0.835-0.843). Total stem and cup size predictions were within 2 sizes for 3D and within 3 sizes for 2D planning. Comparing short stem planning accuracy of both planning methods, absolute difference between implanted and planned component size was significantly lower in 3D planning (P = .029). There was no significant difference in straight stem (P = .935) and cup (P = .954) planning accuracy.ConclusionOur findings suggest that 3D templating with hipEOS software has a good overall reliability and may have a better planning accuracy of short stem prostheses than digital templating with TraumaCad software. Assuming that the number of implanted short stem prostheses will further increase in coming years, a more precise planning with 3D technique can contribute to improve surgery outcome.     

The Liver Retransplantation Risk Score: a prognostic model for survival after adult liver retransplantation

High-risk combinations of recipient and graft characteristics are poorly defined for liver retransplantation (reLT) in the current era. We aimed to develop a risk model for survival after reLT using data from the European Liver Transplantation Registry, followed by internal and external validation. From 2006 to 2016, 85 067 liver transplants were recorded, including 5581 reLTs (6.6%). The final model included seven predictors of graft survival: recipient age, model for end-stage liver disease score, indication for reLT, recipient hospitalization, time between primary liver transplantation and reLT, donor age, and cold ischemia time. By assigning points to each variable in proportion to their hazard ratio, a simplified risk score was created ranging 0–10. Low-risk (0–3), medium-risk (4–5), and high-risk (6–10) groups were identified with significantly different 5-year survival rates ranging 56.9% (95% CI 52.8–60.7%), 46.3% (95% CI 41.1–51.4%), and 32.1% (95% CI 23.5–41.0%), respectively (P < 0.001). External validation showed that the expected survival rates were closely aligned with the observed mortality probabilities. The Retransplantation Risk Score identifies high-risk combinations of recipient- and graft-related factors prognostic for long-term graft survival after reLT. This tool may serve as a guidance for clinical decision-making on liver acceptance for reLT.