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Along with the increasing popularity of indoor winter sport activities, the need for specific investigations with respect to injury prevention is growing This statement was the background for a one-year study in which all sports injuries/accidents reported at the indoor artificial ski slope in Neuss (Germany) were documented and evaluated by way of an accident protocol. Injuries requiring medical attention or treatment were documented in the casualty department and injured persons were interviewed by a telephone survey regarding cause, type degree, and possible consequences of their injury. A total of 372 skiing accidents were reported, 64.5 % concerning men, 35.5 % women. While the majority of ski hall visitors are skiers (57.9 %) compared to snowboarders (40.1 %, tire-tubing or others: 2.0 %), more accidents happened to snowboarders (55.6 %) than to skiers (33.3 %; tubing: 3.8 %, others: 1.1 %, not known 6.2 %). Winter sport beginners account for the largest group of accidents victims (> 40 %).Snowboarders seem to suffer a particular risk since they prefer to use the very challenging funpark section of the indoor facility, which is provoking more dangerous situations leading to accidents as a consequence.

In patients with chronic HCV infection, a significant elevation in serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor has been shown. Different results have been found for the efficacy of interferon therapy.We studied the plasma levels of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor in primary non-responders who had undergone a re-treatment with pegylated interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin to evaluate the differences between responders and non-responders to this therapy. The study was performed on 15 patients with chronic HCV infection who had shown no response to primary therapy and on 15 healthy volunteers. The plasma levels of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The patients underwent a therapy with pegylated interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin for 48 weeks. The plasma levels of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor were determined during therapy, and in the case of response, 24 weeks after therapy. Four out of 15 patients showed a sustained virological response after therapy. Before re-treatment, the soluble interleukin-2 receptor plasma levels were significantly higher in patients who showed no response to re-treatment with pegylated interferon alpha 2b/ribavirin compared with healthy controls (1552 w932-2225x pg/ml vs. 884 w489-1704x pg/ml, ps0.003). There was no significant difference in soluble interleukin-2 receptor plasma