Dtsch Arztebl Int
-
Multiple pregnancies have become more common in the industrialized world because of rising maternal ages and advances in reproductive medicine. ⋯ The care of women with multiple pregnancies requires the collaboration of specialists in prenatal medicine, obstetrics, and neonatology as well as a properly functioning integration of outpatient and inpatient care.
-
Review Comparative Study
The role of vitamin D in cancer prevention: does UV protection conflict with the need to raise low levels of vitamin D?
Vitamin D is essential for life. Part of the body's supply of vitamin D is ingested in food, but UV induced vitamin D synthesis in the body plays an even more important role. UV irradiation is a cause for the currently rising incidence of skin cancer in many countries; on the other hand, Vitamin D might be protective against some cancers. In this paper we summarize the current data on vitamin D and cancer and on the vitamin D status of populations in Europe and discuss whether current recommendations on UV protection require changes. ⋯ More research is needed into the possible protective effects of vitamin D against cancer. Brief, daily UV exposure stimulates vitamin D production and causes negligible skin damage. Raising the vitamin D level even further by extended solar UV exposure or irradiation in a solarium is inadvisable because of the risk of skin cancer. Oral vitamin D supplementation can be considered as an alternative, particularly for persons at high risk, such as the elderly and members of certain ethnic groups.
-
Review Comparative Study
The role of vitamin D in cancer prevention: does UV protection conflict with the need to raise low levels of vitamin D?
Vitamin D is essential for life. Part of the body's supply of vitamin D is ingested in food, but UV induced vitamin D synthesis in the body plays an even more important role. UV irradiation is a cause for the currently rising incidence of skin cancer in many countries; on the other hand, Vitamin D might be protective against some cancers. In this paper we summarize the current data on vitamin D and cancer and on the vitamin D status of populations in Europe and discuss whether current recommendations on UV protection require changes. ⋯ More research is needed into the possible protective effects of vitamin D against cancer. Brief, daily UV exposure stimulates vitamin D production and causes negligible skin damage. Raising the vitamin D level even further by extended solar UV exposure or irradiation in a solarium is inadvisable because of the risk of skin cancer. Oral vitamin D supplementation can be considered as an alternative, particularly for persons at high risk, such as the elderly and members of certain ethnic groups.
-
Many medical laboratory tests can now be done near the patient (point-of-care testing, POCT), ranging from basic blood glucose measurement to complex coagulation testing. Switching from conventional laboratory testing to POCT shortens the time to decision-making about further testing or treatment, as delays are no longer caused by specimen transport and preparation, and the test results are rapidly available at the point of care. Better medical outcomes and lower costs may ensue. ⋯ POCT for certain applications is a useful complement to conventional laboratory testing. The future utilization of POCT will depend not only on technical advances, but also on developments in costs and reimbursement.
-
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a cardiovascular emergency with high morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Modern algorithms have considerably simplified the diagnosis and treatment of acute PE. It would be desirable for these algorithms to be rapidly implemented in routine practice, because speedy diagnosis and immediate treatment can lower the morbidity and mortality associated with PE.