Hubert, Jan

Abstract BackgroundAfter its recent Olympic debut in 2021 climbing continues to gain popularity. Physiological characteristics of climbers have been extensively studied, while the personality of climbers remains poorly understood. Personality research in sports is an established field, predicting long-term success as well as short-term behavior. The recreational athlete’s personality has not been sufficiently examined to date.MethodsWe prospectively analyzed 50 recreational climbers and 50 non-climbing athletes regarding their personality characteristics. We assessed the BMI, the self-reported climbing grade, and the years of climbing experience. To evaluate the personality of recreational climbers and athletes, we used the German version of the Big Five Inventory (BFI-2), which summarizes the personality in five main categories.ResultsRecreational climbers scored significantly higher in conscientiousness than the non-climbing athletes (p = 0.04), there was no significant difference between the other four main personality traits. Female climbers scored significantly higher in conscientiousness than male climbers (p = 0.02), while female athletes scored higher in openness than male athletes (p <0.01). The climbing group displayed a small but significant negative correlation between conscientiousness and BMI (r = -0.39; p <0.01).ConclusionIn conclusion, the personality of recreational climbers and recreational athletes differs in conscientiousness, with the climbers showing higher scores. Regarding gender, we found higher levels of conscientiousness in female climbers and higher openness in female athletes in comparison to their male counterparts. A negative correlation between BMI and conscientiousness of the climbers was detected.

Background: While primary hip arthroplasty is the most common operative procedure in orthopedic surgery, a periprosthetic joint infection is its most severe complication. Early detection and prediction are crucial. In this study, we aimed to determine the value of postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) and develop a formula to predict this rare, but devastating complication. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 708 patients with primary hip arthroplasty. CRP, white blood cell count (WBC), and several patient characteristics were assessed for 20 days following the operative procedure. Results: Eight patients suffered an early acute periprosthetic infection. The maximum CRP predicted an infection with a sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 56.9%, respectively, while a binary logistic regression reached values of 75% and 80%. A multinominal logistic regression, however, was able to predict an early infection with a sensitivity and specificity of 87.5% and 78.9%. With a one-phase decay, 71.6% of the postoperative CRP-variance could be predicted. Conclusion: To predict early acute periprosthetic joint infection after primary hip arthroplasty, a multinominal logistic regression is the most promising approach. Including five parameters, an early infection can be predicted on day 5 after the operative procedure with 87.5% sensitivity, while it can be excluded with 78.9% specificity.

Importance: Costal cartilage calcification (CCC) of the cartilage graft, commonly used in reconstruction of nasal/auricular deformities, can cause poor surgical outcome, but structural and quantitative analyses are lacking. Objective: To compare the prevalence, amount, and structural pattern of CCC from individuals by gender and age, as measured by digital contact radiography. Design, Setting, and Participants: This is a cross-sectional cadaveric study ( n = 92) of the seventh rib cartilage. CCC prevalence/amount/structural pattern (central [c]/peripheral [p]/diffuse [d]) was analyzed within three age groups: I (<40 years), II (40–70 years), and III (>70 years). Main Outcomes and Measures: Qualitative and quantitative CCC analyses were set in relation to gender/structural pattern/age. Results: CCC prevalence was gender independent (96.7%) and occurred in c/p/d: 12.4%/22.4%/65.2%. Structural CCC pattern differed between age groups (I: 80%; c/p/d: 26.7%/46.6%/6.7%; II: 100%; c/p/d: 18.0%/30.8%/51.2%; III: 100%; p/d: 2.6%/97.4%). The mean CCC amount (9.1%) was gender independent and showed a significant correlation with age ( p = 0.001). The mean amount showed a significant difference between the structural pattern [d/p: 3.3 times higher ( p = 0.006), d/c: 7.7 times higher ( p < 0.001)] and age groups (I/II/III: 6.4/8.5%/10.9%), whereby the amount was higher in groups II (factor: 7.4; p < 0.001) and III (factor: 16.5; p < 0.001) compared with group I. Conclusions: These data show an age-/gender-independent high CCC prevalence in the general population (96.7%). CCC already occurred in young donors (<40 years) with a not negligible amount (6.4%). CCC increased with age and structural analysis showed a gender-/age-specific pattern, whereby males were prone to peripheral/females to central CCC. Diffuse CCC was observed as an age-independent sign for high CCC levels.