Concept and methodology of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study - Insights into the current 2022 survey and trends in Germany

Background

Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) is one of the largest international studies on child and adolescent health and cooperates with the World Health Organization (WHO). In Germany, adolescents aged 11, 13 and 15 are surveyed every four years about their health, health behaviour and social conditions. This article describes the HBSC study and in particular the methodology of the current 2022 survey and prior surveys conducted between 2009/10 and 2017/18.

Method

174 schools with a total of 6,475 students participated in the 2022 survey. The survey was conducted using questionnaires and covered a wide range of topics (including mental health, physical activity, bullying experiences, social determinants of health and experiences related to COVID-19). The 2022 survey was complemented by a school principal survey (N = 160). In addition to the current sample, the samples of the three previous surveys with representative data for Germany are presented: 2009/10 (N = 5,005), 2013/14 (N = 5,961) and 2017/18 (N = 4,347).

Discussion

The health of children and adolescents is of great public health importance. The HBSC study makes a substantial contribution by providing internationally comparable results, analysing trends, and providing stakeholders with comprehensive and representative health monitoring data.

Serial clinical and MRI examinations after arthroscopic rotator cuff reconstruction using double-row technique

PURPOSE

Rotator cuff reconstruction using arthroscopic double-row technique enables a better repair of the anatomical footprint at the tendon insertion. Objective of this serial study was to illustrate structural and functional results during recovery following double-row reconstruction.

METHODS

Forty-five patients with mid-sized ruptures of the supraspinatus tendon were assessed prospectively and underwent arthroscopic surgery using the double-row technique. Rupture localization, size, form, and extent of retraction were recorded intraoperatively. Clinical and MRI follow-up examinations were carried out for all patients after 6, 12, 26, and 52 weeks. A A standard protocol was used during the follow-up examinations to determine tendon integration, signal changes in the tendon, extent of bone marrow edema near the enclosed absorbable suture anchors, muscle changes. The clinical results were correlated with the MRI appearance.

RESULTS

After 26 weeks, the Constant score (CS) showed a highly significant increase for the first time with a value of 78 (p < 0.001). Tendon integration according to Sugaya showed a left shift over time, with higher CS-values for lower Sugaya classifications. Significant improvements in strength were first measured between the 26-week and 52-week follow-ups (9->19/p < 0.001). Highly significant improvement (p < 0.001) of the tendon signal and the fatty infiltration was found in the same time interval. The hypotrophy showed slight improvement, while a highly significant reduction of the bone marrow edema was found between weeks 12 and 26 (p < 0.001). There were no re-ruptures after week 26.

CONCLUSIONS

The present serial study showed that it took 26 weeks to reach a significant clinical improvement concerning CS. With regard to tendon healing, no further deterioration of the structural results occurred between week 26 and week 52 postoperative. There were slightly but not significant better clinical results according to the the Sugaya classification. However, parameter "strength" was significantly increased between weeks 26 and 52. This was consistent with a significant decrease in the signal intensity at the repaired tendon site, an additional improvement in the fatty infiltration, and the atrophy according to Thomazeau in the same time interval.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

I.

Vasopressin, oxytocin and synthetic analogues: the use of bioassays

Bioassay procedures have been the prerequisite for detection, purification, elucidation of the structure and the synthesis of neurohypophysial hormones. After a review of the history of these bioassays and of the standard preparations including international standards, the current international standards and the bioassay methods prescribed by the pharmacopoeias are described. Some important methodological details are also mentioned.

Completion of the natural groups of ergot alkaloids: syntheses and pharmacological profiles of beta-ergosine and beta-ergoptine

The syntheses and pharmacological potencies of beta-ergosine and beta-ergoptine, the missing links in the natural groups of ergot peptide alkaloids are described.

Pharmacological basis of the treatment of orthostatic disorders with ergot alkaloids

Ergot alkaloids increase the tone of isolated canine vein strips dose-dependently in concentrations considerably lower than noradrenaline, but the maximal responses are only about one third of those to noradrenaline. This action can be blocked by prior administration of phentolamine. It is therefore concluded that the long-lasting stimulant action of ergot alkaloids on vascular smooth muscle is mediated mainly by alpha-adrenoceptors. Using the autoperfused hind limb of the cat, it has been shown that dihydroergotamine increases dose-dependently the tone of the capacitance vessels in a manner very similar to electrical stimulation of the sympathetic nerve with increasing frequencies. However, in contrast to sympathetic nerve stimulation, dihydroergotamine elicits only a very weak increase in arteriolar resistance.

Investigations on the mode of action of ergotamine in the isolated femoral vein of the dog

1 Experiments on spiral strips cut from the femoral vein of dogs suspended in Krebs-Henseleit solution were carried out.2 Ergotamine caused stimulation in concentrations about 350 times lower than noradrenaline (ED(50) of ergotamine = 2.2 x 10(-9) M; ED(50) of noradrenaline = 7.6 x 10(-7) M), but the maximal responses to ergotamine were only about one third those to noradrenaline.3 The pA(2) value of ergotamine against noradrenaline was 8.8.4 The effects of ergotamine can be blocked by prior administration of phentolamine. The pA(2) value for phentolamine against ergotamine was 6.8 and the pA(2) value for phentolamine against noradrenaline was 7.5.5 It is concluded that the stimulant action of ergotamine on smooth vascular muscle probably is mediated mainly via alpha-adrenoceptors.

Studies on the mechanism of the venoconstrictor activity of ergotamine on isolated canine saphenous veins

Ergotamine stimulates spiral strips from dog saphenous veins in concentrations about 2,000 times lower than that of noradrenaline, but its maximal effect is only 20% compared to that of noradrenaline. Phentolamine antagonizes the ergotamine effects. The pA₂ value for phentolamine against ergotamine is 6.94, and for phentolamine against noradrenaline it is 6.96. Cocaine potentiates noradrenaline effects but does not change ergotamine effects. The results suggest that the venoconstrictor activity of ergotamine is mediated mainly via stimulation of α-adrenoceptors.