Dtsch Arztebl Int
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New gene therapy approaches have emerged as promising treatment options for rare congenital disorders and certain tumor entities for which previously only procedures of limited curative potential had been available, if at all. ⋯ The first gene treatments have now been approved and bring hope of long-term therapeutic benefit after a single administration. The numbers of patients who come into question for specific therapies are often low, so that many different aspects- generation of evidence on efficacy and safety, determining indications, performance of the treatment, pricing-bring new challenges.
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The pandemic caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the countermeasures taken to protect the public are having a substantial effect on the health of the population. In Germany, nationwide protective measures to halt the spread of the virus were implemented in mid-March for 6 weeks. ⋯ The COVID-19 pandemic and the protective measures during the first wave had effects on mental health and on self-rated general health.
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Myopia (near-sightedness) is increasing worldwide, especially in Asia. The aim of this study was to describe trends in the prevalence of myopia in Germany. ⋯ The prevalence of myopia in children and adolescents in Germany has remained virtually unchanged over a period of approximately 10 years. Changes in media consumption, such as the increased use of smartphones in this age group, have therefore had no detectable impact on the development of myopia, at least not so far. Future studies should investigate the influences of further increases in media use and examine the long-term effects.