Rethinking hospitalisations for substance use disorders

The Duke minor criterion "predisposing heart condition" in native valve infective endocarditis – a systematic review

The term “predisposition” is used as an indication of antimicrobial prophylaxis to prevent infective endocarditis (IE) and as a criterion for diagnosing IE according to the modified Duke criteria. The criterion for diagnosing IE in native valves is not well defined.

Effects of maternal caffeine consumption on the breastfed child: a systematic review

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant occurring naturally in some foods and used to treat primary apnoea in premature babies. However, high caffeine intake can be harmful, and caffeine is transmitted into breastmilk.

Basic patient characteristics predict antimicrobial resistance in E. coli from urinary tract specimens: a retrospective cohort analysis of 5246 urine samples

Antimicrobial resistance data from surveillance networks frequently do not accurately predict resistance patterns of urinary tract infections at the bedside.

Impact of alternative healthcare plans on out-of-hours help-seeking intentions in Switzerland

Although in Switzerland standard health insurance plans offer free access to secondary and emergency care, in return for a lower premium individuals can choose plans with either a GP or a medical call centre (Telmed) acting as gatekeeper.

Tongue lacerations in children: to suture or not?

Tongue lacerations are common in children, occurring mostly from falls or sports injuries. It remains unclear which tongue lacerations should be sutured and which would benefit from spontaneous healing.

General practitioners’ perspectives on the use of nonpharmacological home remedies in two regions in Switzerland and France

Nonpharmacological home remedies offer the potential for easily accessible and well-accepted management of common disorders in general practice.

Bosentan for patients with steroid-resistant pulmonary sarcoidosis: a randomised controlled trial

Sarcoidosis is a disorder of unknown aetiology. It usually responds to steroids, but side-effects and steroid-resistance may require other treatments. Endothelin has in-vitro fibrogenic activity and the endothelin system is activated in sarcoidosis.

The immune influence of a parabiosis model on tumour-bearing mice

The occurrence and development of cancer cells in the body is a dynamic process of interaction between the immune system and the tumour cells. Whether tumour growth is promoted or suppressed in the parabiosis model is still unclear.

Medical-ethical guidelines: Care and treatment of people with dementia

The aim of these guidelines is to offer practical guidance for dealing with ethical conflict situations relating to the care and treatment of people with dementia. Specific issues are addressed which may ultimately arise for all those involved in dementia care, irrespective of the setting (domestic, hospital, residential) and professional group.