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Introduction: In the medical community Greek and Latin form a cornerstone of our daily professional communication. The use of correct terminology is under pressure, although the extent of incorrect terminology is unknown, particularly regarding the Greek suffix »-itis«, which indicates inflammation. It has been observed that the correct »-itis« suffix is being reduced to »-it« (e.g., »hepatitis« vs. »hepatit«).

Methods: We investigated the extent of this based on observations from medical conferences in the Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.

Results: Senior doctors more often use »-itis« correctly compared to junior doctors (59 vs. 39%), but there is generally room for improvement in both groups. A significant difference is observed between morning and midday conferences, with more errors occurring in the morning.

Conclusion: There is a tendency toward a reduction in the use of the »-itis« suffix, which can negatively impact clinical communication and patient safety. The study suggests targeted efforts to maintain correct linguistic practices in clinical settings.

Funding: None, con amore.

Trial registration: Not relevant.

Introduction: The holiday season poses a unique challenge for hospital staff, especially on night shifts, who must juggle their duties with preparing a festive Christmas meal. This study investigates the novel idea of using hospital MRI scanners to cook duck breasts during shifts. MRI scanners, which use magnetic fields and radiofrequency (RF) pulses for imaging, also generate heat, potentially suitable for cooking.

Method: To explore this hypothesis, we performed DXA scans on duck breasts to determine tissue composition and identify any metallic objects, such as shotgun pellets, that could pose risks in the MRI environment. We examined the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), which measures RF energy absorbed by tissue. Given the similar water content between duck muscle and human tissue, we used human SAR values for our calculations.

Results: Our findings suggest that with careful adjustment of RF amplitude, magnetic field strength, and scan duration, it is theoretically possible to cook a duck breast to an internal temperature of 62°C within a standard 8-hour hospital shift.

Conclusion: While the idea of using MRI scanners for cooking is intriguing, patient care must remain the priority. The limited availability of MRI scanners for culinary use may limit its practical application. Further research could explore cooking other holiday dishes and address logistical challenges for broader implementation.

Funding: None.

Trial registration: None.

Caricatures highlight personal characteristics. The caricature drawing of the four prominent professors from the transition from the Royal Frederik's Hospital to Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen in 1910, shows the dominant surgeon Niels Thorkild Rovsing (1862-1927), who takes up half of the drawing; the reserved organizationally interested physician Knud Helge Faber (1862-1956) in the middle; the thoughtful surgeon Oscar Thorvald Bloch (1847-1926), and the somewhat isolated physician Hans Christian Joachim Gram (1853-1938), who became known for his staining method to separate Gram-positive from Gram-negative bacteria.

Introduction: Due to the Danish fauna, reindeer are not immediately available should Santa Claus need to replace his reindeer while traveling across Denmark with Christmas gifts. Instead, Santa Claus should rely on roe deer, which are predominant in Denmark. However, the population of roe deer may be threatened by collisions between ambulances and roe deer. We decided to study the extent of the problem.

Methods: We conducted a register-based study of all traffic accidents involving animals in the Region of Southern Denmark from 2017 through 2022. All traffic accidents were investigated and the number of roe deer accidents were registered.

Results: During six years, 317,288 ambulances were dispatched. A total of 334 traffic accidents were reported. Of these, 32 roe deer accidents.

Conclusion: To ensure the children that Santa Claus can replace his reindeer and thus contribute to the children's feelings of safety during Christmas, the emergency medical service in Denmark should consider finding means to reduce the number of collisions between roe deer and ambulances.

Funding: None.

Trial registration: None.

Introduction: Christmas parties, a longstanding Danish tradition, became festive occasions in the 1960s. This study examines if healthcare professionals, especially doctors and nurses, have larger bladder capacities than the general population, as they often delay restroom breaks.

Methods: At the North Zealand University Hospital Department of Anesthesiology's 2023 Christmas party, participants delayed urination until a strong urge occurred. Bladder volumes were measured using a Biocon-700 ultrasound bladder scanner. The primary endpoint was maximum bladder capacity, which was analysed as a continuous variable and compared with population data from the literature. Data included gender, profession, and scanning time. Statistical analyses were done using t-tests and multiple linear regression analysis.

Results: Of the 60 bladder scans, the average bladder capacity was 644 ml (SD: ± 248 ml). No significant difference was found between healthcare professionals and the general population (p = 0.55). However, excluding measurements within functional capacity (less-than 400 ml), healthcare professionals showed significantly larger maximal bladder capacities. Men and doctors had larger capacities than women and nurses.

Conclusion: Although the primary analysis showed no significant difference, the secondary analysis suggests that healthcare professionals may have larger bladder capacities. Potential limitations include measurement uncertainties and a lack of data on comorbidities. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Introduction: Preoperative templating in hip arthroplasty surgery is crucial for accurate implant selection and reducing postoperative complications. This study examines whether there is a correlation between femoral head size and shoe size, with the aim of simplifying the preoperative planning process.

Methods: A total of 14 patients had their shoe size and femoral head size measured. Data were analyzed using linear regression and Pearson's correlation analysis to quantify the relationship between the two variables.

Results: The Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a value of 0.80 (p = 0.0007), and the linear regression model showed that 63% of the variation in shoe size was based on femoral head size.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates a strong and significant correlation between shoe size and femoral head size. This correlation could potentially be used to develop a simple calculation method, where femoral head size = (shoe size - 23.9) / 0.36, which may streamline preoperative planning in orthopedic surgery and reduce workload.

Funding: None.

Trial registration: None.

Introduction: Pork Roast is an important part of the Danish holidays. The precise cooking of the pork roast is a controversial debate, which has been going on for decades. Newer techniques such as sous vide have been gaining popularity, but the optimal pork roast is yet to be determined. This study sought to evaluate the optimal meat structure for Christmas pork roast.

Methods: Three pork roasts were analyzed using an ultrasound scanner regarding fluid content. Then the pork roasts were suis vided for 6 hours at 60 degrees Celsius and oven-roasted for 34 minutes. An unbiased tasting panel tested the pork roasts and rated their juiciness.

Results: The study was able to measure fluid content in the pork roasts. The two pork roasts (2 and 3) with the lowest fluid content were preferred by a panel of 40 taste testers. The pork roast with the highest fluid content also had the highest drop in weight during cooking.

Discussion: Lower fluid content correlated with higher preference. Ultrasound was effective in estimating fluid content, impacting perceived juiciness and quality. The pork roast with more fluid was less juicy and preferred, aligning with studies linking higher fat to juiciness. The study suggests selecting pork roasts with less fluid using ultrasound is viable for finding the best quality roast.

Conclusion: Ultrasound testing is a viable point-of-care modality in selecting the most sensory-pleasing pork roast. Future studies should identify either a cut-off value or investigate if the fluid content to juiciness correlation is linear.

Funding: none.

Trial registration: none.

Introduction: In December, it is common to enjoy mulled wine, often believed to warm the body. While alcohol can cause peripheral vasodilation, it remains unclear whether it truly increases body warmth or is merely a subjective sensation. This study aimed to evaluate the warming effect of mulled wine using thermography.

Methods: This randomised, crossover study enrolled 15 participants. Participants consumed mulled wine with 12g alcohol or without alcohol on separate days. Facial temperatures were measured using thermography at baseline and every 10 minutes for 60 minutes after consumption. Participants wore Santa hats to standardise heat loss and maintained room temperature at 22°C. A questionnaire assessed subjective warmth and festive spirit. Blood alcohol concentration was evaluated throughout the study.

Results: Facial thermography showed a significant temperature increase in participants who consumed mulled wine with alcohol of mean (± SD) 33.6°C (± 1.3) vs 32.9 (± 1.0) °C on days with no alcohol, p = 0.039. Subjective warmth ratings were also higher on alcohol days, p = 0.002. However, participants reported an equally increased festive mood, regardless of alcohol content.

Conclusion: Mulled wine with alcohol increases facial temperature and subjective feelings of warmth. However, non-alcoholic versions also elevate the festive spirit, suggesting they offer a seasonal atmosphere without the effects of alcohol.

Funding: None.

Trial registration: Not relevant.