Physical Activity,Nutritional Habits,and Sleeping Behavior in Students and Employees of a Swiss University During the COVID-19 Lockdown Period: Questionnaire Survey Study

BackgroundThe new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 led to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in January 2020. The Swiss Federal Council prescribed a lockdown of nonessential businesses. Students and employees of higher education institutions had to install home offices and participate in online lectures.ObjectiveThe aim of this survey study was to evaluate lifestyle habits, such as physical activity (PA), sitting time, nutritional habits (expressed as median modified Mediterranean Diet Score [mMDS]), alcohol consumption habits, and sleeping behavior during a 2-month period of confinement and social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey participants were students and employees of a Swiss university of applied sciences.MethodsAll students and employees from Bern University of Applied Sciences, Department of Health Professions (ie, nursing, nutrition and dietetics, midwifery, and physiotherapy divisions) were invited to complete an anonymous online survey during the COVID-19 confinement period. Information on the lifestyle dimensions of PA, sitting time, nutritional and alcohol consumption habits, and sleep behavior was gathered using adaptations of validated questionnaires. Frequency analyses and nonparametric statistical methods were used for data analysis. Significance was set at 5% α level of error.ResultsPrevalence of non-health-enhancing PA was 37.1%, with participants of the division of physiotherapy showing the lowest prevalence. Prevalence of long sitting time (>8 hours/day) was 36.1%. The median mMDS was 9, where the maximal score was 15, with participants of the division of nutrition and dietetics being more adherent to a Mediterranean diet as compared to the other groups. Prevalence of nonadherence to the Swiss alcohol consumption recommendations was 8.3%. Prevalence of low sleeping quality was 44.7%, while the median sleeping duration was 8 hours, which is considered healthy for adult populations.ConclusionsIn the group analysis, differences in PA, sitting time, and mMDS were observed between different divisions of health professions as well as between Bachelor of Science students, Master of Science students, and employees. Therefore, public health messages regarding healthy lifestyle habits during home confinement should be more group specific. The results of this study may provide support for the implementation of group-specific health promotion interventions at universities in pandemic conditions.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT04502108","term_id":"NCT04502108"}}NCT04502108; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/{"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT04502108","term_id":"NCT04502108"}}NCT04502108     

Therapeutic embolization of aneurysmal bone cyst

Results of therapeutic embolization of aneurysmal bone cysts in five patients are described. Transcatheter arterial embolization was performed with Ivalon and Gelfoam particles and Gianturco coils. The postembolization period was characterized by complete relief of pain and decrease in size of the aneurysmal bone cyst in all patients. In patients whose follow-up was longer than 12 months, sclerosis and recalcification of bone were present. There were no complications.     

Naloxone Antagonizes Soman‐induced Central Respiratory Depression in Rats

The influence of naloxone on respiration impaired by the highly toxic organophosphate nerve agent soman in anaesthetized rats was investigated. Soman, administered in a dose that was ineffective in blocking the electrically induced contractions of the phrenic nerve‐diaphragm preparation in situ, induced a complete block of the spontaneous respiratory movements of the diaphragm, indicating the domination of central over the peripheral effects. Naloxone dose‐dependently antagonized the soman‐induced respiratory blockade. Atropine, at a dose that was per se ineffective in counteracting soman‐induced respiratory depression, potentiated the protective effects of naloxone and completely restored respiration. Naloxone remained completely ineffective in antagonizing respiratory depression induced by the muscarinic receptor agonist the oxotremorine. It is assumed that naloxone antagonizes soman‐induced respiratory inhibition by blocking endogenous opioidergic respiratory control pathways that are independent of the stimulation of muscarinic receptors.     

Dynamic mode LSF measurements for the scintillation camera

A method is presented to improve the measurements of line spread function (LSF) of gamma cameras that makes use of a digital computer and a moving line source of radioactivity. Data acquisition is done in the dynamic mode with the computer, while the source moves across the collimator face. The resulting LSFs are defined with many curve points that enable very precise calculation of the corresponding modulation transfer function (MTF). The method is easily used in routine checking of gamma cameras. It makes possible a quick and precise determination of LSF for any point in the field of view of the detector.     

Perigastric extraskeletal Ewing＇s sarcoma： A case report

Ewing＇s sarcoma （ES） is a neoplasm of undifferentiated small round cells, which occurs in the bones and deep soft tissues of children and adolescents. We present a rare case of a 44-year-old woman with gastric ES presenting with epigastric pain and weight loss. Ultrasound and computed tomography scans indicated a solid/cystic mass in the pancreatic tail. At laparotomy, the tumor was found attached to the posterior surface of the stomach, completely free from the pancreas, with no lymphadenopathy or local metastases. The polynodal, partly pseudocystic, dark-red soft tumor was excised. Histopathology revealed an anaplastic small-round-cell tumor with strong membranous CD99 immunoexpression. Additionally, there was patchy immunostaining for S-100 protein, vimentin, protein gene product （PGP） 9.5 and neuron-specific enolase, and weak focal CD117 cytoplasmic immunoreactivity. The patient had no adjuvant chemotherapy; her postoperative recovery was uneventful, and she remains symptom-free, and without any sign of recurrence at 20 mo. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the third ever case of gastric ES.     

Frequency, causes and phenomenology of late seizure recurrence in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy after a long period of remission.

PURPOSE: To determine frequency, causes, and phenomenology of late seizure recurrence (SR) in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) after remission of at least 1 year. METHODS: Among 2722 epileptic patients from tertiary referral center, we retrospectively identified 105 patients (62 females; mean age 22.3+/-7.2 years) with an established diagnosis of JME. All patients were treated with valproates (83.3%), or lamotrigine, topiramate, phenobarbital, add-on clobazam, or combinations (16.2%). RESULTS: The median period of follow-up was 4.2+/-3.2 (range: 1-17) years. SR occurred in 74 patients (70.5%) after median period of 2.4+/-3.2 years. Twenty-two patients (29.7%) experienced myoclonic seizures (MS), 13 (17.7%) generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS), 37 (50%) a combination of MS and GTCS, and two (2.6%) a combination of MS, GTCS and absence seizures. SR was associated most frequently with sleep deprivation and AED withdrawal, and rarely with alcohol intake, drug abuse, photostimulation, or menstruation. No provoking factors for SR were identified in 31.1% and 45% of cases with MS and GTCS, respectively. The majority of patients (59/74) had a single SR. A second SR occurred less frequently in patients in whom valproate dosage was increased after the first SR (p=0.0048). CONCLUSION: Late SR (mainly MS and GTCS) is detected frequently after prolonged follow-up in patients with JME despite the use of best-known therapy, usually due to AED withdrawal or erratic life style. Instead of futile efforts to persuade the patient to conform to restrictive life style, it is probably more efficient to use initial higher doses of AEDs.     

Kisspeptin as a promising oocyte maturation trigger for in vitro fertilisation in humans

The aim of this review is to analyse the effectiveness of exogenous kisspeptin administration as a novel alternative of triggering oocyte maturation, instead of currently used triggers such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. Kisspeptin has been considered a master regulator of two modes of GnRH and hence gonadotropin secretion, pulses and surges. Administration of kisspeptin-10 and kisspeptin-54 induces the luteinising hormone (LH) surge required for egg maturation and ovulation in animal investigations and LH release during the preovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle and hypothalamic amenorrhoea in humans. Exogenous kisspeptin-54 has been successfully administered as a promising method of triggering oocyte maturation, following ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins and GnRH antagonists in women undergoing IVF, due to its efficacy considering achieved pregnancy rates compared to hCG and GnRH agonists. Also, its safety in patients at high risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is noteworthy. Nevertheless, further studies would be desirable to establish the optimal trigger of egg maturation and to improve the reproductive outcome for women undergoing IVF treatment.     

War-related infected tibial nonunion with bone and soft-tissue loss treated with bone transport using the Ilizarov method

Patients and methods  

This single centre retrospective study reviews the outcomes of 30 war-injured patients with established infected tibial nonunion after sustaining grade IIIB open fractures. Patients were treated by radical bony and soft-tissue resection and bone transport using the Ilizarov bifocal technique, without the use of systemic antibiotics or bone grafting.     

An aggressive chondroblastoma of the knee treated with resection arthrodesis and limb lengthening using the Ilizarov technique

This case report describes the management of a 15 year old male with a biologically aggressive chondroblastoma of the knee. Following CT, bone scan, angiography and an open biopsy, the diagnosis was confirmed histologically and immunohistochemically. The patient underwent a 13 cm en-bloc excision of the knee, and knee arthrodesis with simultaneous bone transport using an Ilizarov ring fixator. Following 136 days of bone transport, the patient achieved radiological and clinical bony union after a total frame time of 372 days. He then commenced 50% partial weight-bear in a protective knee brace and gradually worked up to full weight-bearing by 4 months. The patient developed superficial pin tract infections around the k-wires on 2 occasions; these settled with a cephalosporin antibiotic spray and local dressings. At 13 years follow-up there are no signs of disease recurrence or failure at the fusion site. The patient is able to fully weight bear and stand independently on the operated leg. Knee arthrodesis with simultaneous limb-lengthening is an effective treatment modality following en-bloc resection of an aggressive chondroblastoma. The case is discussed with reference to the literature.