D. Ohlendorf

Curare - a curative poison: a scientometric analysis

Introduction Curare is one of the best-examined neurotoxins of the world, which has empirically been used for centuries by American Indigenes. Research on curare has been performed much later, a global scientometric analysis on curare research or its derivates does not yet exist. This bibliometric analysis is part of the global NewQis-project and should illuminate both toxic and historic issues of research on curare. Methods The ISI Web of Science was searched for data covering 1900 to 2013 using a term which included as many original articles on curare as possible. 3,867 articles were found and analyzed for common bibliometric items such as the number of citations, language of the articles or the (modified) Hirsch-Index (h-index). Results are illustrated utilizing modern density equalizing map projections (DEMP) or beam diagrams. Results Most publications were located in North America and Europe. The USA has the highest number of publications as well as the highest h-index. The number of publications overall rose until the late 1990s and later decreased. Furthermore, sudden increases of research activity are ascribable to historic events, like the first use of curare as muscle relaxant during surgery. Discussion This scientometric analysis of curare research reflects several tendencies as previously seen in other bibliometric investigations, i.e. the scientific quality standard of North America and Europe. Research on curare decreased however, due to the declining attention towards this muscle relaxant. This work exemplifies also how scientometric methods can be used to illuminate historic circumstances immediately stimulating scientific research.

Prostataspezifisches Antigen (PSA)

ZusammenfassungDie Bestimmung von Tumormarkern im Serum stellt einen wesentlichen Bestandteil der Diagnostik, Verlaufskontrolle und Therapieüberwachung maligner Tumoren dar. PSA ist ein organspezifischer Marker, der in der Diagnostik des Prostatakarzinoms eingesetzt wird und sich durch hohe Sensitivität und Spezifität auszeichnet.AbstractThe determination of tumor markers in serum is an essential component of the diagnostics, follow-up control and therapy monitoring of malignant tumors. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is an organ-specific marker, which is used in the diagnostics of prostate cancer and is characterized by high sensitivity and specificity.

Können experimentell herbeigeführte Veränderungen der Okklusion das menschliche Gleichgewicht beeinflussen

ZusammenfassungEs besteht eine Assoziation zwischen der Zahnokklusion und der Gleichgewichtsverteilung des Körpers beim Stehen. Durch eine systematisch hervorgerufene Veränderung der Bisslage im Sinne einer symmetrischen bzw. asymmetrischen Sperrung des Bisses sollte ein Wirkungszusammenhang zwischen der Bisslage und der Körperschwerpunktverteilung nachgewiesen werden. Hierfür wurden bei 62 gesunden erwachsenen Probanden Watterollen an vorab definierten Stellen des Gebisses sowohl symmetrisch als auch asymmetrisch platziert. Mit dieser Bisslage standen sie auf einer Druckmessplatte, mit der die Gewichtsverteilung gemessen wurde. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass eine Veränderung im stomatognathen System die Auslenkungen des Körperschwerpunktes sowohl verbessern (p=0,006 bzw. p=0,05) als auch verschlechtern (p=0,04) kann.AbstractThere is a connection between dental occlusion and body posture. By systematically induced alterations of the occlusion, in the sense of a symmetrical or asymmetrical closed bite, interdependencies between the occlusion and the balance of body posture were investigated. For this cotton wool pads were placed in predefined symmetrical and asymmetrical positions in the dentition of 62 healthy adults. With this provoked occlusion they stood on a pressure gauge platform and the weight distribution was recorded. The results showed that a change in the stomatognathic apparatus can improve (p=0.006 or p=0.05) as well as deteriorate (p=0.04) the deflection of the bodies centre of gravity.

Influence of the Lower Jaw Position on the Running Pattern.

Introduction The effects of manipulated dental occlusion on body posture has been investigated quite often and discussed controversially in the literature. Far less attention has been paid to the influence of dental occlusion position on human movement. If human movement was analysed, it was mostly while walking and not while running. This study was therefore designed to identify the effect of lower jaw positions on running behaviour according to different dental occlusion positions. Methods Twenty healthy young recreational runners (mean age = 33.9±5.8 years) participated in this study. Kinematic data were collected using an eight-camera Vicon motion capture system (VICON Motion Systems, Oxford, UK). Subjects were consecutively prepared with four different dental occlusion conditions in random order and performed five running trials per test condition on a level walkway with their preferred running shoes. Vector based pattern recognition methods, in particular cluster analysis and support vector machines (SVM) were used for movement pattern identification. Results Subjects exhibited unique movement patterns leading to 18 clusters for the 20 subjects. No overall classification of the splint condition could be observed. Within individual subjects different running patterns could be identified for the four splint conditions. The splint conditions lead to a more symmetrical running pattern than the control condition. Discussion The influence of an occlusal splint on running pattern can be confirmed in this study. Wearing a splint increases the symmetry of the running pattern. A more symmetrical running pattern might help to reduce the risk of injuries or help in performance. The change of the movement pattern between the neutral condition and any of the three splint conditions was significant within subjects but not across subjects. Therefore the dental splint has a measureable influence on the running pattern of subjects, however subjects individuality has to be considered when choosing the optimal splint condition for a specific subject.

Motion analysis in the field of dentistry: a kinematic comparison of dentists and orthodontists

Objectives To conduct a kinematic comparison of occupational posture in orthodontists and dentists in their workplace. Design Observational study. Setting Dentist surgeries and departments of orthodontics at university medical centres in Germany. Participants A representative sample of 21 (10 female, 11 male) dentists (group G1) and 21 (13 female, 8 male) orthodontists (G2) with one male dropout in G2. Outcome measures The CUELA (computer-assisted acquisition and long-term analysis of musculoskeletal loads) system was used to analyse occupational posture. Parallel to the recording through the CUELA system, a software-supported analysis of the activities performed (I: treatment; II: office; III: other activities) was carried out. In line with ergonomic standards the measured body angles are categorised into neutral, moderate and awkward postures. Activities between the aforementioned groups are compared using the stratified van Elteren U test and the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney U test. All p values are subject to the Bonferroni–Holm correction. The level of significance is set at 5%. Results The percentage of time spent on activities in categories I–II–III was as follows: dentists 41%–23%–36% and orthodontists 28%–37%–35%. The posture analysis of both groups showed, for all percentiles (P5–95), angle values primarily in the neutral or moderate range. However, depending on the activity performed, between 5% and 25% of working hours were spent in unfavourable postures, especially in the head-and-neck area. Orthodontists have a greater tendency than dentists to perform treatment activities with the head and torso in unfavourable positions. The statistically significant differences between the two groups with regard to the duration and the relevance of the activities performed confirm this assumption for all three categories (p<0.01, p<0.05). Conclusions Generally, both groups perform treatment activities in postures that are in the neutral or medium range; however, dentists had slightly more unfavourable postures during treatment for a greater share of their work day.

The impact of a total hip replacement on jaw position, upper body posture and body sway

Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine whether, and to what extent, a total hip replacement can influence the position and the movement of the jaw, the upper body posture and body sway. Methods: Twenty test subjects (6 females, 14 males) participated in this study pre- and post-total hip replacement, in addition to a healthy control group of 20 subjects (5 females, 15 males). The measurements were conducted by means of an ultrasound system to measure jaw condyle position and movement of the lower jaw, a three-dimensional back scan to analyze upper back posture, and a static and dynamic force plate to measure body sway. For statistical analysis the Wilcoxon-Matched-Pairs-Test or Man–Whitney-U-Test, including a Bonferroni–Holm correction, respectively, was used. Results: After surgery, the mean values of the left and right jaw condyles of the test group moved posterior, and the left condyle position was located more caudally. There were no significant differences concerning the jaw position between the two groups. There was little change in upper body posture in both groups. The test group had a more anteriorly inclined thoracic spine and a less pronounced lumbar lordosis. During static body sway measurements, increased fluctuations in the test group after surgery could be seen. Conclusion: Differences between both groups in the pre- and post-surgical condition could be detected. These differences were more prominent when the measured body segments were more distally located with respect to the hip region.

An Evaluation of Horizontal Jaw Relations During Standing and Sitting with Open or Closed Eyes

Abstract When determining the horizontal jaw relation and mandibular movements, a question arises as to the appropriate choice of registration positions. The current study was carried out using 22 adults with full dentition who did not have any discomfort in their skeletal and craniomandibular systems. Occlusion and mandibular movements were investigated with open and closed eyes in standing and sitting positions using an electronic, central-bearing tracing device. The coordinates of the measured parameters are presented using a two-dimensional computer vector diagram. The non-parametric Friedman test was used for statistical data analysis. The measured data obtained for the initial habitual centric relation record (HR), centric relation record (CR), final habitual centric relation record (HR), and protrusion (P) did not significantly differ in the sitting and standing positions or with opened and closed eyes (p=1.00). With closed eyes, the differences in the average values between the two condylar positions (initial HR/final HR, initial HR/CR, and final HR/CR) decreased in a manner that was independent of the registration position. The CR that was measured in a sitting position with closed eyes was 2.26 mm more retrusive than that measured with open eyes. Before and after CR measurements, only laterotrusion showed significant differences (p=0.02) in patients who were standing with closed eyes. It was concluded that the registration position and visual system could individually influence the measurements of condylar position and mandibular movements. From a clinical perspective, these measurements exhibited the smallest differences when they were conducted with patients in a sitting position with closed eyes.

World-wide research architecture of vitamin D research: density-equalizing mapping studies and socio-economic analysis

BackgroundDespite the numerous associations of vitamin D with health and disease, vitamin D deficiency is still common from a global perspective. While basic research, clinical and preventive activities grow constantly in vitamin D research, there is no in-depth analysis of the related global scientific productivity available so far.MethodsDensity equalizing mapping procedures (DEMP) were combined with socioeconomic benchmarks using the NewQIS platform.ResultsA total of 25,992 vitamin D-related research articles were identified between 1900 to 2014 with a significant increase (r2 = .6541) from 1900 to 2014. Authors located in Northern America – especially in the USA – distributed the majority of global vitamin D research, followed by their Western European counterparts. DEMP-analysis illustrates that Africa and South America exhibit only minor scientific productivity. Among high-income group countries, Scandinavian nations such as Denmark or Finland (2147.9 and 1607.7 vitamin D articles per GDP in 1000 billion USD) were highly active with regard to socioeconomic figures.ConclusionNetworks dedicated to vitamin D research are present around the world. Overall, the Northern American and Western European nations occupy prominent positions. However, South American, African and Asian countries apart from Japan only play a minor role in the global research production related to vitamin D. Since vitamin D deficiency is currently increasing in the Americas, Europe and parts of the Middle East, research in these regions may need to be encouraged.

Standard values of the upper body posture in male adults

BACKGROUND Interactions within the musculoskeletal system have been investigated and confirmed in numerous studies. OBJECTIVES Since there are no standard values for the posture of healthy persons, this study attempts to define reference values for the upper body posture in healthy men. MATERIAL AND METHODS A 3-dimensional back scan was performed to quantify the upper back posture while habitually standing. Tolerance regions for habitual posture were calculated, including the upper and lower limit for 95% of all values. Furthermore, the left and right limit of the confidence interval (CI) was carried out. Group differences were tested by using the t-test or the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS Height, weight and body mass index (BMI) of the participants were comparable to those of the average young German males. The spinal column was marginally twisted to the right. The spinal curves, defined by the thoracic or lumbar flexion angle, and the kyphosis and lordosis angle, indicated that the angle in the thoracic spine area was larger than that in the lumbar region. Consequently, a more kyphotic posture was observed in the sagittal plane. The habitual posture was slightly scoliotic, with a rotational component (scapular depression left, right scapula marginally located more dorsally, high state of pelvic left, iliac left further rotated posteriorly and simultaneously tilted further ventrally). No significant difference between right and left-handed persons could be proven. CONCLUSIONS Video raster stereography is a suitable method to measure the 3-dimensional back surface. Using this method for healthy young men, we observed that they had an almost ideally balanced posture with minimal ventral body inclination and a marginal scoliotic deviation. The normal values allow a better comparison of data between different studies of body posture.

Analyse der Forschungsarchitektur über das Burnout-Syndrom

ZusammenfassungHintergrundDer Zustand des Burnouts ist heutzutage eine häufige Beschreibung für eine psychische Gesundheitsstörung, der die Lebensqualität immens beeinträchtigen kann. Den medizinischen Begriff prägte Freudenberger, wobei er eine Kombination von Symptomen feststellte, die sich nicht in die klassischen Neurosen oder Psychoselehren einordnen ließen. Im Fokus dieser Studie soll eine umfassende Analyse der globalen Forschungsleistung zum Thema Burnout durchgeführt werden.Material und MethodenDieser Beitrag bewertet Publikationen von 1983 bis 2006 im „Web of Science“ (WoS). Hierzu werden quantitative und semiqualitative Gesichtspunkte betrachtet und mit Hilfe szientometrischer Analysemethoden untersucht. Die Darstellung mittels dichtebezogener Kartographie („density equalizing map projection“) verdeutlicht die globale Forschungsaktivität. Zudem illustriert ein Netzdiagramm die globalen Forschungskooperationen.ErgebnisseAnhand vorgegebener Suchkriterien liegen 3146 Publikationen vor, wobei die meisten Veröffentlichungen aus den USA stammen, gefolgt von Großbritannien, Kanada, den Niederlanden und Deutschland. Neben den Publikationszahlen steigt auch die Zahl der Zitationen kontinuierlich an. Die Analyse der Länderkooperationen verdeutlicht eine Vormachtstellung der USA. Die Fachbereiche „management“, „medicine general & internal“ und „psychology*“ publizieren am häufigsten zum Thema Burnout.DiskussionAnhand dieser Studie sind erste umfassende, szientometrische Erkenntnisse angeführt, die entsprechende, verbildlichte Darstellungen der Forschungsaktivitäten, geografische Zusammenhänge sowie Forschungskooperationen enthalten. Es zeigt sich ein großes wissenschaftliches Interesse, insbesondere durch nordamerikanische und europäische Wissenschaftler. Das stetige Wachstum des Forschungsaufkommens erklärt sich durch die hohe Prävalenz des Burnouts.AbstractBackgroundThe state of burnout is nowadays a common description for a mental health disorder that can immensely affect the quality of life. The medical term was coined by Freudenberger, who found a combination of symptoms that did not fit into the classical neurosis or psychosis doctrines. The focus of this study was on a comprehensive analysis of global research capacity on the issue of burnout.Material and methodsIn this study publications from 1983–2006 in the Web of Science (WoS) were evaluated. To this end, quantitative and semiqualitative aspects were considered and studied using scientometric analysis. The representation by means of density equalizing map projection showed the global research activity. In addition, a network diagram was constructed to illustrate the global research collaborations.ResultsOn the basis of predetermined criteria 3146 publications were found with most releases from the USA, followed by the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands and Germany. In addition to the number of publications, the number of citations also showed a continuous increase. The analysis of cooperation between countries illustrated the hegemony of the USA. Most articles on burnout were published in the disciplines of management, general and internal medicine and psychology.DiscussionBased on this study the first comprehensive and scientometric findings are presented containing a visualization of representations of research activities, geographical relationships and research collaborations. The study revealed a great scientific interest, especially by North American and European scientists. The steady growth of research articles is explained by the high prevalence of burnout.