Rethinking hospitalisations for substance use disorders

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy in Europe: are Swiss CRT recipients different?

The study of Zeljkovic et al. showed that Swiss CRT recipients are older, less symptomatic and suffer more often from co-morbidities. What features of the Swiss healthcare system would explain the differences?

Video analysis for the evaluation of vaginal births

Genetics and epigenetics of inflammatory bowel disease

Current knowledge about genetic and epigenetic involvement in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease is poor. In addition to genetic alterations, the intestinal microbiota and environmental factors also play a critical role.

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.

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.

Paediatric musculoskeletal infections with Panton-Valentine leucocidin

Paediatric musculoskeletal infections by Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL)-producing Staphylococcus aureus are characterised by a rapid course of marked inflammation, worsening under conservative therapy, and a high rate of recurrence.

Reality check: primary vascular access creation today

In Switzerland, the outcome of vascular access creation in the 4500 patients on dialysis is unknown, mainly because there is no prospective registry for patients undergoing vascular access surgery for renal replacement therapy.

Quality and cost considerations in hyponatraemic patients needing hospitalisation

Hyponatraemia is the most common electrolyte disorder encountered in hospitalised patients and has an impact on outcome and survival. However, the risk factors are not yet sufficiently known.

Correction to: Jeger V, et al. Is there a role for procalcitonin in differentiating uncomplicated and complicated diverticulitis in order to reduce antibiotic therapy?