Primary polydipsia in the medical and psychiatric patient: characteristics, complications and therapy

With the increasing popularity of lifestyle programmes and the common perception that consuming several litres of fluid per day is healthy, the prevalence of primary polydipsia is increasing, particularly outside of the psychiatric setting.

RNA metabolism in Staphylococcus aureus virulence

Many pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, face different environmental conditions to which they need to adapt rapidly. A common theme for these bacteria is the regulation of gene expression.

Prevention and therapy of JC polyomavirus-mediated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy – a realistic possibility?

Infection with JC polyomavirus is widespread. In immunologically healthy individuals, it persists throughout life in the kidney and urinary tract; in immuno­compromised patients, it can cause serious opportunistic infection.

Review of maternal immunisation during pregnancy: focus on pertussis and influenza

During pregnancy, maternal antibodies are transferred via the placenta to the ­fetus. Immunising future mothers maximises the amount of antibodies available for transfer. However, there is a certain reluctance to immunise pregnant women.

Challenges in interprofessionalism in Swiss health care: the practice of successful interprofessional collaboration as experienced by professionals

Enhanced interprofessional collaboration has long been seen as a path to higher quality and lower spending in health care and as an opportunity to equalise power relations among health practitioners.

Risk factors for hypocalcaemia after completion hemithyroidectomy in thyroid cancer

Completion of thyroidectomy is necessary when a malignancy larger than a microcarcinoma is detected in one lobe. In this case, the risk for temporary hypocalcaemia might be lower since the remaining parathyroid glands might recover function between the two surgeries.

Four-year long-term follow-up of diabetes patients after implementation of the Chronic Care Model in primary care: a cross-sectional study

Implementing the Chronic Care Model via involvement of specially trained practice nurses improves care among type 2 diabetes patients in small primary care practices in the short term. Little is known about the long-term effects.

Swiss Adult Congenital HEart disease Registry (SACHER) – rationale, design and first results

In 2013, a prospective registry for adults with congenital heart disease was established in Switzerland, providing detailed data on disease and outcomes.

Identification of a MAFB mutation in a patient with multicentric carpotarsal osteolysis

The transcription factor MAFB appears to negatively regulate progenitor cell differentiation into osteoclasts. Mutations in MAFB, as found in multicentric carpo­tarsal osteo­lysis, might release the block of osteoclast differentiation.