BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF SCHWINGEN (SWISS WRESTLING) TO GAIN INSIGHTS INTO HEAD, NECK AND KNEE INJURY RISKS

This research project aims to reduce incidences of injuries to the head, neck and knee in schwingen (Swiss wrestling) by means of biomechanical analysis. In this pilot study, kinematic and kinetic data were acquired during key manoeuvres in schwingen for the first time. Two professional athletes at Swiss national level in schwingen were performing the so-called Kurz, the Hüfter and the bridge in a simulated competitive setting. The peak vertical ground reaction force, acting on the back as the opponent was hitting the ground during the Hüfter, was measured to be 11500 N; while the peak vertical ground reaction force on the head during the bridge was 2360N, respectively. The knee flexion angle of the leading leg during the Kurz was 55°, with the total knee joint forces being 410N in the anterior-posterior direction and 400N in the medio-lateral direction, respectively. In comparison with reported cervical spine injury risks in American football and sumo wrestling, injury mechanisms at the level of the head, neck and knee in schwingen are likely a result of the applied forces from dynamic throws, in combination with extreme joint ranges of motion during fixed grips and defensive manoeuvres such as the bridge. An extended biomechanical analysis of the applied forces, moments and joint kinematics during schwingen is recommended to develop targeted injury prevention guidelines

Adverse Event Assessment of Antimuscarinics for Treating Overactive Bladder: A Network Meta-Analytic Approach

BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder (OAB) affects the lives of millions of people worldwide and antimuscarinics are the pharmacological treatment of choice. Meta-analyses of all currently used antimuscarinics for treating OAB found similar efficacy, making the choice dependent on their adverse event profiles. However, conventional meta-analyses often fail to quantify and compare adverse events across different drugs, dosages, formulations, and routes of administration. In addition, the assessment of the broad variety of adverse events is dissatisfying. Our aim was to compare adverse events of antimuscarinics using a network meta-analytic approach that overcomes shortcomings of conventional analyses. METHODS: Cochrane Incontinence Group Specialized Trials Register, previous systematic reviews, conference abstracts, book chapters, and reference lists of relevant articles were searched. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials comparing at least one antimuscarinic for treating OAB with placebo or with another antimuscarinic, and adverse events as outcome measures. Two authors independently extracted data. A network meta-analytic approach was applied allowing for joint assessment of all adverse events of all currently used antimuscarinics while fully maintaining randomization. RESULTS: 69 trials enrolling 26'229 patients were included. Similar overall adverse event profiles were found for darifenacin, fesoterodine, transdermal oxybutynin, propiverine, solifenacin, tolterodine, and trospium chloride but not for oxybutynin orally administered when currently used starting dosages were compared. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed generally applicable transparent network meta-analytic approach summarizes adverse events in an easy to grasp way allowing straightforward benchmarking of antimuscarinics for treating OAB in clinical practice. Most currently used antimuscarinics seem to be equivalent first choice drugs to start the treatment of OAB except for oral oxybutynin dosages of ≥ 10 mg/d which may have more unfavorable adverse event profiles

Neuartige reversible Luft/Wasser-Wärmepumpe mit natürlichem Kältemittel (Propan) für ein energieeffizientes Bürogebäude

Aufgrund des gestiegenen Komfortbedürfnisses werden neue Bürobauten heutzutage vermehrt gekühlt. Gleichzeitig sind die gesetzlichen Anforderungen an die Energieeffizienz sowie an die Ökologie von Gebäudesystemen stark gestiegen. So dürfen ab einer gewissen Anlagengrösse bereits keine in der Luft stabilen Kältemittel mehr eingesetzt werden. Im vorliegenden Projekt wird eine neuartige reversible Luft/Wasserwärmepumpe entwickelt. Diese wird mit dem natürlichen Kältemittel Propan betrieben und in Kombination mit einem reversiblen Verteil- und Abgabesystem als Demonstrationsanlage in ein Minergie-P Bürogebäude implementiert. Um einen sehr geringen Endenergiebedarf des Gesamtsystems zu erreichen, wird mit einer Reihe von passiven und aktiven Massnahmen wie einer hochwärmegedämmten Gebäudehülle oder einer wirksamen Nachtauskühlung der Wärme- und Kältebedarf minimiert. Zusätzlich ist eine klare Trennung zwischen Heiz- und Kühlbetrieb erzielt worden. Die Warmwasserbereitstellung erfolgt mit einer separaten Luft/Wasser-Wärmepumpe, welche gleichzeitig den Serverraum im Untergeschoss kühlt. Die Propan-Wärmepumpe wird nur für die Klimatisierung und die Deckung des Heizwärmebedarfs verwendet. Im Projekt konnte gezeigt werden, dass umschaltbare Wärmepumpen mit Propan als Kältemittel in der heutigen Praxis verwendbar sind und das Sicherheitsdispositiv einer aussenaufgestellten Anlage mit einem vertretbaren Aufwand umgesetzt werden kann. Aufgrund der Anforderungen an Schallschutz ist die Anlage in einem explosionsgeschützten Maschinengehäuse untergebracht. Die erreichten Arbeitszahlen im Winterfall sind als hoch zu bezeichnen. Insbesondere, wenn man berücksichtigt, dass die Anlage aufgrund der tiefen Heizgrenze bei sehr tiefen respektive sehr hohen mittleren Aussenbedingungen betrieben wird. Das führt dazu, dass die Anlage häufig in nicht energieoptimalen Betriebspunkten arbeiten muss. Das Gesamtsystem zeigte sich jedoch als sehr effektiv und der erreichte Komfort darf in allen Zonen als sehr gut beurteilt werden

The cross-sectional GRAS sample: A comprehensive phenotypical data collection of schizophrenic patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Schizophrenia is the collective term for an exclusively clinically diagnosed, heterogeneous group of mental disorders with still obscure biological roots. Based on the assumption that valuable information about relevant genetic and environmental disease mechanisms can be obtained by association studies on patient cohorts of ≥ 1000 patients, if performed on detailed clinical datasets and quantifiable biological readouts, we generated a new schizophrenia data base, the GRAS (Göttingen Research Association for Schizophrenia) data collection. GRAS is the necessary ground to study genetic causes of the schizophrenic phenotype in a 'phenotype-based genetic association study' (PGAS). This approach is different from and complementary to the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on schizophrenia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>For this purpose, 1085 patients were recruited between 2005 and 2010 by an invariable team of traveling investigators in a cross-sectional field study that comprised 23 German psychiatric hospitals. Additionally, chart records and discharge letters of all patients were collected.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The corresponding dataset extracted and presented in form of an overview here, comprises biographic information, disease history, medication including side effects, and results of comprehensive cross-sectional psychopathological, neuropsychological, and neurological examinations. With >3000 data points per schizophrenic subject, this data base of living patients, who are also accessible for follow-up studies, provides a wide-ranging and standardized phenotype characterization of as yet unprecedented detail.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The GRAS data base will serve as prerequisite for PGAS, a novel approach to better understanding 'the schizophrenias' through exploring the contribution of genetic variation to the schizophrenic phenotypes.</p