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.
Although the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine is lifesaving through decades, it has been voiced that the vaccine is associated with 50% increase in mortality, an alleged negative non-specific vaccine effect prone to girls. Post hoc analyses of historical observational data supporting the hypothesis of the DTP vaccine having detrimental effects have never been replicated in low- or high-income countries. An RCT in Guinea-Bissau found fewer deaths with DTP vaccine than without. The hypothesis seems further rejected by the overall decline over time in child mortality in both girls and boys.
Depression, a severe illness with variable outcomes, requires prompt intervention to mitigate the risk of exacerbation and suicide. This review finds that psychopharmacological treatment is critical in severe cases. In mild cases, medication's side effects frequently outweigh the benefits. Prioritising non-pharmacological strategies, especially psychotherapy, is essential for mild to moderate depression. Given its recurrent nature and the risk of lasting cognitive decline, maintenance treatment is vital to avert relapse, particularly for those with a history of multiple episodes.
This case report presents a ten-year-old boy with recurrent nosebleeds (epistaxis) over an extended period. In addition, he showed signs of slowed weight gain and developed symptoms such as snoring and sweating during sleep. Rhinoscopy revealed a mass in the nasopharynx, and further tests confirmed the presence of an Epstein-Barr Virus-positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma. After several rounds of chemo-, proton-, and immunomodulating therapy, the boy has recovered and is now in good health. This case highlights the importance of a thorough examination when epistaxis is accompanied by other risk factors.
The melanoma incidence is rising. Among pregnant women, melanoma is one of the most common cancers accounting for approximately 30% of all cancers. Timely diagnosis is critical, but management of pregnant women with melanoma lacks international consensus, and uncertainties may arise. Changes in an existing mole or the appearance of new suspicious moles during pregnancy warrant prompt evaluation, similar to moles in non-pregnant women. Our review summarises current knowledge and proposes a strategy for management.