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Background Hospitalization may represent a stressor that can lead to Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods Translation of the UK-PTSS-14, conducted in accordance with ISPOR principles and validation with the PDS (86 patients). Results The ROC analysis showed that the German version of PTSS-14 is a valid instrument with high sensitivity (82%) and specificity (92%) with the optimum cut-off point at 40 points. The translation process was authorized by the author of the UK-PTSS-14. Conclusion The validated German version of PTSS-14 is now ready for use as an efficient and reliable screening-tool for PTSD in a clinical setting.

von Willebrand disease (VWD), the most common inherited bleeding disorder, is very heterogeneous, both in its phenotype and genotype. One particular molecular mechanism of VWD is due to recombination events between the true gene and its pseudogene on chromosome 22. We assessed the frequency and extension of such events in 50 multi-ethnic index patients with severe VWD type 3 and in five index patients with VWD type 2M Vicenza. One additional unclassified patient had been diagnosed with possible VWD in Russia solely on a clinical basis. Gene conversions, previously thought to be rare events, were identified in >10% of our study population: in six multi-ethnic patients with severe VWD type 3, in one patient with VWD type 2M Vicenza and the Russian patient was finally diagnosed with VWD type 2B New York/Malmoe. Our results suggest a significant contribution of this particular molecular mechanism to the manifestation of VWD. The location of the gene conversions, their extension and their occurrence as homozygous, compound heterozygous or heterozygous mutations determines the resulting phenotype.

OBJECTIVE: This double-blind, prospective, randomized, controlled trial examined the effects of thoracic epidural block and intravenous clonidine and opioid treatment on the postoperative Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio after lung surgery. The primary endpoint was the interferon γ (IFN-γ; Th1 cytokine)/interleukin 4 (IL-4; Th2 cytokine) ratio. Secondary endpoints were reductions in pain and incidence of pneumonia. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomized into three groups to receive remifentanil intravenously (remifentanil group, n = 20), remifentanil and clonidine intravenously (clonidine group, n = 20), or ropivacaine epidurally (ropivacaine group, n = 20). Pain was assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS). Cytokines were measured using a cytometric bead array. RESULTS: Patients in the ropivacaine group (thoracic epidural block) had a significantly lower IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio at the end of surgery than those in the remifentanil group and clonidine group. There were no significant between-group differences in the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio at other time-points. There were no differences in NRS scores at any time-point. No patient developed pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative thoracic epidural block decreased the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio immediately after lung surgery, indicating less inflammatory stimulation during surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death in young patients and stroke is the leading cause of major disability in elderly patients. Both injuries are often followed by cerebral plasticity changes and increased intracerebral pressure (ICP). Aim of the review is to present current knowledge about amphetamines and other therapeutics concerning the recovery of brain injury based on contemporary findings. RECENT FINDINGS On the one hand beneficial effects for cognitive and physical outcome after brain injury by coupling amphetamine with physical therapy could be demonstrated; on the other hand its efficacy was shown in only two out of 10 clinical trials. SUMMARY Impairment after brain injury is reduced if adequate early treatment is established. On the basis of current findings amphetamine after brain injury cannot be recommended. In patients with an increased ICP the maintenance of an adequate cerebral perfusion pressure is required. In patients with increased ICP under controlled ventilation, the combination of ketamine with, for example, a short-acting benzodiazepine and opioid or methohexital is equally well tolerated. Ketamine decreases ICP without lowering blood pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure. Its neuroprotective property might reduce the exacerbation of brain injury following N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor activation, neuronal apoptosis and systemic inflammatory responses.