Dtsch Arztebl Int
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Millions of people in Germany wear contact lenses every day. Deficient contact lens hygiene can lead to corneal infection. Contact lens-associated keratitis usually has a highly acute presentation and can cause long-term visual loss. ⋯ The wearing of contact lenses, particularly soft ones, is associated with a risk of microbial keratitis if proper contact lens hygiene is not exercised. Contact lens-associated keratitis very rarely causes permanent damage to eyesight (0.6 cases per 10 000 contact lens wearers per year). The use of contact lenses always calls for meticulous care.
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Pre-prints have become an increasing part of the biomedical landscape. For example, during the first month of operation, July 2019, medRxiv received 176 submissions, one year later, in June 2020, including the first few months of COVID-19, it received 1866 submissions. The current relevant question is how to ensure an accurate scientific record given that there may be important differences between a pre-print and the peer-reviewed publication. ⋯ Authors, those responsible for pre-print servers, and editors of peer- reviewed journals are responsible for ensuring an accurate scientific record.
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Dissections of the cervical brain-supplying arteries are a leading cause of ischemic stroke in young adults, with an annual incidence of 2.5-3 / 100 000 for carotid artery dissection and 1-1.5 / 100 000 for vertebral artery dissection. It can be assumed that many cases go unreported. We present the clinical features here to help physicians diagnose this disease entity as rapidly as possible. ⋯ Dissection of the cervical brain-supplying vessels is not always revealed by the imaging methods that are used to detect it. Stroke prevention thus depends on the physician's being aware of the symptoms and signs of this disease entity, so that early diagnosis can be followed by appropriate treatment.
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Colorectal cancer is one of the three most common types of cancer in Germany. Approximately 30% of these cancers are located in the rectum, corresponding to about 18 000 new cases per year. ⋯ The treatment of rectal cancer is a prime example of an interdisciplinary, multimodal approach. In the past, the focus was mainly on improving oncologic outcomes; at present, increasing attention is being devoted to the patients' quality of life as well and the functional aspects of the various modes of treatment.
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Acute right heart failure is a life-threatening condition that can arise postoperatively. The options for symptomatic treatment have been markedly expanded in recent years through the introduction of percutaneously implantable mechanical cardiac support systems. ⋯ Survival is aided by the rapid recognition of right heart failure, targeted multidisciplinary treatment, and contact with an extracorporeal life support (ECLS) center for additional supportive treatment measures. Further studies on the use of pharmacological and mechanical cardiac support systems must be carried out to provide stronger evidence on which treatment recommendations can be based.