@article{JuhaszGondaHullametal.2015, author = {Juhasz, Gabriella and Gonda, Xenia and Hullam, Gabor and Eszlari, Nora and Kovacs, David and Lazary, Judit and Pap, Dorottya and Petschner, Peter and Elliott, Rebecca and Deakin, John Francis William and Muir Anderson, Ian and Antal, Peter and Lesch, Klaus-Peter and Bagdy, Gyorgy}, title = {Variability in the effect of 5-HTTLPR on depression in a large European population: the role of age, symptom profile, type and intensity of life stressors}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0116316}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-143703}, pages = {e0116316}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background Although 5-HTTLPR has been shown to influence the risk of life stress-induced depression in the majority of studies, others have produced contradictory results, possibly due to weak effects and/or sample heterogeneity. Methods In the present study we investigated how age, type and intensity of life-stressors modulate the effect of 5-HTTLPR on depression and anxiety in a European population cohort of over 2300 subjects. Recent negative life events (RLE), childhood adversity (CHA), lifetime depression, Brief Symptoms Inventory (BSI) depression and anxiety scores were determined in each subject. Besides traditional statistical analysis we calculated Bayesian effect strength and relevance of 5-HTTLPR genotypes in specified models. Results The short (s) low expressing allele showed association with increased risk of depression related phenotypes, but all nominally significant effects would turn to non-significant after correction for multiple testing in the traditional analysis. Bayesian effect strength and relevance analysis, however, confirmed the role of 5-HTTLPR. Regarding current (BSI) and lifetime depression 5-HTTLPR-by-RLE interactions were confirmed. Main effect, with other words direct association, was supported with BSI anxiety. With more frequent RLE the prevalence or symptoms of depression increased in ss carriers. Although CHA failed to show an interaction with 5-HTTLPR, in young subjects CHA sensitized towards the depression promoting effect of even mild RLE. Furthermore, the direct association of anxiety with the s allele was driven by young (\(\leq\)30) individuals. Limitations Our study is cross-sectional and applies self-report questionnaires. Conclusions Albeit 5-HTTLPR has only weak/moderate effects, the s allele is directly associated with anxiety and modulates development of depression in homogeneous subgroups.}, language = {en} } @article{AblinFitzcharlesBuskilaetal.2013, author = {Ablin, Jacob and Fitzcharles, Mary-Ann and Buskila, Dan and Shir, Yoram and Sommer, Claudia and H{\"a}user, Winfried}, title = {Treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Recommendations of Recent Evidence-Based Interdisciplinary Guidelines with Special Emphasis on Complementary and Alternative Therapies}, series = {Evidence-Bayed Complementary and Alternative Medicine}, journal = {Evidence-Bayed Complementary and Alternative Medicine}, issn = {1741-427X}, doi = {10.1155/2013/485272}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-122235}, pages = {485272}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Objective. Current evidence indicates that there is no single ideal treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). First choice treatment options remain debatable, especially concerning the importance of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments. Methods. Three evidence-based interdisciplinary guidelines on FMS in Canada, Germany, and Israel were compared for their first choice and CAM-recommendations. Results. All three guidelines emphasized a patient-tailored approach according to the key symptoms. Aerobic exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, and multicomponent therapy were first choice treatments. The guidelines differed in the grade of recommendation for drug treatment. Anticonvulsants (gabapentin, pregabalin) and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (duloxetine, milnacipran) were strongly recommended by the Canadian and the Israeli guidelines. These drugs received only a weak recommendation by the German guideline. In consideration of CAM-treatments, acupuncture, hypnosis/guided imagery, and Tai Chi were recommended by the German and Israeli guidelines. The Canadian guidelines did not recommend any CAM therapy. Discussion. Recent evidence-based interdisciplinary guidelines concur on the importance of treatment tailored to the individual patient and further emphasize the need of self-management strategies (exercise, and psychological techniques).}, language = {en} } @article{GromerKiserPauli2021, author = {Gromer, Daniel and Kiser, Dominik P. and Pauli, Paul}, title = {Thigmotaxis in a virtual human open field test}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {11}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-021-85678-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-259850}, pages = {6670}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Animal models are used to study neurobiological mechanisms in mental disorders. Although there has been significant progress in the understanding of neurobiological underpinnings of threat-related behaviors and anxiety, little progress was made with regard to new or improved treatments for mental disorders. A possible reason for this lack of success is the unknown predictive and cross-species translational validity of animal models used in preclinical studies. Re-translational approaches, therefore, seek to establish cross-species translational validity by identifying behavioral operations shared across species. To this end, we implemented a human open field test in virtual reality and measured behavioral indices derived from animal studies in three experiments (N=31, N=30, and N=80). In addition, we investigated the associations between anxious traits and such behaviors. Results indicated a strong similarity in behavior across species, i.e., participants in our study-like rodents in animal studies-preferred to stay in the outer region of the open field, as indexed by multiple behavioral parameters. However, correlational analyses did not clearly indicate that these behaviors were a function of anxious traits of participants. We conclude that the realized virtual open field test is able to elicit thigmotaxis and thus demonstrates cross-species validity of this aspect of the test. Modulatory effects of anxiety on human open field behavior should be examined further by incorporating possible threats in the virtual scenario and/or by examining participants with higher anxiety levels or anxiety disorder patients.}, language = {en} } @article{BiernackaSangkuhlJenkinsetal.2015, author = {Biernacka, J. M. and Sangkuhl, K. and Jenkins, G. and Whaley, R. M. and Barman, P. and Batzler, A. and Altman, R. B. and Arolt, V. and Brockm{\"o}ller, J. and Chen, C. H. and Domschke, K. and Hall-Flavin, D. K. and Hong, C. J. and Illi, A. and Ji, Y. and Kampman, O. and Kinoshita, T. and Leinonen, E. and Liou, Y. J. and Mushiroda, T. and Nonen, S. and Skime, M. K. and Wang, L. and Baune, B. T. and Kato, M. and Liu, Y. L. and Praphanphoj, V. and Stingl, J. C. and Tsai, S. J. and Kubo, M. and Klein, T. E. and Weinshilboum, R.}, title = {The International SSRI Pharmacogenomics Consortium (ISPC): a genome-wide association study of antidepressant treatment response}, series = {Translational Psychiatry}, volume = {5}, journal = {Translational Psychiatry}, number = {e553}, doi = {10.1038/tp.2015.47}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-143223}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Response to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) varies considerably between patients. The International SSRI Pharmacogenomics Consortium (ISPC) was formed with the primary goal of identifying genetic variation that may contribute to response to SSRI treatment of major depressive disorder. A genome-wide association study of 4-week treatment outcomes, measured using the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-17), was performed using data from 865 subjects from seven sites. The primary outcomes were percent change in HRSD-17 score and response, defined as at least 50\% reduction in HRSD-17. Data from two prior studies, the Pharmacogenomics Research Network Antidepressant Medication Pharmacogenomics Study (PGRN-AMPS) and the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) study, were used for replication, and a meta-analysis of the three studies was performed (N = 2394). Although many top association signals in the ISPC analysis map to interesting candidate genes, none were significant at the genome-wide level and the associations were not replicated using PGRN-AMPS and STAR*D data. Top association results in the meta-analysis of response included single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HPRTP4 (hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase pseudogene 4)/VSTM5 (V-set and transmembrane domain containing 5) region, which approached genome-wide significance (P = 5.03E - 08) and SNPs 5' upstream of the neuregulin-1 gene, NRG1 (P = 1.20E - 06). NRG1 is involved in many aspects of brain development, including neuronal maturation and variations in this gene have been shown to be associated with increased risk for mental disorders, particularly schizophrenia. Replication and functional studies of these findings are warranted.}, language = {en} } @article{HaeuslerHermKunzeetal.2012, author = {Haeusler, Karl Georg and Herm, Juliane and Kunze, Claudia and Kr{\"u}ll, Matthias and Brechtel, Lars and Lock, J{\"u}rgen and Hohenhaus, Marc and Heuschmann, Peter U. and Fiebach, Jochen B. and Haverkamp, Wilhelm and Endres, Matthias and Jungehulsing, Gerhard Jan}, title = {Rate of cardiac arrhythmias and silent brain lesions in experienced marathon runners: rationale, design and baseline data of the Berlin Beat of Running study}, series = {BMC Cardiovascular Disorders}, volume = {12}, journal = {BMC Cardiovascular Disorders}, number = {69}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2261-12-69}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-133677}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Regular exercise is beneficial for cardiovascular health but a recent meta-analysis indicated a relationship between extensive endurance sport and a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, an independent risk factor for stroke. However, data on the frequency of cardiac arrhythmias or (clinically silent) brain lesions during and after marathon running are missing. Methods/Design: In the prospective observational "Berlin Beat of Running" study experienced endurance athletes underwent clinical examination (CE), 3 Tesla brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), carotid ultrasound imaging (CUI) and serial blood sampling (BS) within 2-3 days prior (CE, MRI, CUI, BS), directly after (CE, BS) and within 2 days after (CE, MRI, BS) the 38\(^{th}\) BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2011. All participants wore a portable electrocardiogram (ECG)-recorder throughout the 4 to 5 days baseline study period. Participants with pathological MRI findings after the marathon, troponin elevations or detected cardiac arrhythmias will be asked to undergo cardiac MRI to rule out structural abnormalities. A follow-up is scheduled after one year. Results: Here we report the baseline data of the enrolled 110 athletes aged 36-61 years. Their mean age was 48.8 \(\pm\) 6.0 years, 24.5\% were female, 8.2\% had hypertension and 2.7\% had hyperlipidaemia. Participants have attended a mean of 7.5 \(\pm\) 6.6 marathon races within the last 5 years and a mean of 16 \(\pm\) 36 marathon races in total. Their weekly running distance prior to the 38\(^{th}\) BMW BERLIN-MARATHON was 65 \(\pm\) 17 km. Finally, 108 (98.2\%) Berlin Beat-Study participants successfully completed the 38\(^{th}\) BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2011. Discussion: Findings from the "Berlin Beats of Running" study will help to balance the benefits and risks of extensive endurance sport. ECG-recording during the marathon might contribute to identify athletes at risk for cardiovascular events. MRI results will give new insights into the link between physical stress and brain damage.}, language = {en} } @article{MehnertKochSchulzetal.2012, author = {Mehnert, Anja and Koch, Uwe and Schulz, Holger and Wegscheider, Karl and Weis, Joachim and Faller, Hermann and Keller, Monika and Br{\"a}hler, Elmar and H{\"a}rter, Martin}, title = {Prevalence of mental disorders, psychosocial distress and need for psychosocial support in cancer patients - study protocol of an epidemiological multi-center study}, volume = {12}, number = {70}, doi = {10.1186/1471-244X-12-70}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-153296}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background Empirical studies investigating the prevalence of mental disorders and psychological distress in cancer patients have gained increasing importance during recent years, particularly with the objective to develop and implement psychosocial interventions within the cancer care system. Primary purpose of this epidemiological cross-sectional multi-center study is to detect the 4-week-, 12-month-, and lifetime prevalence rates of comorbid mental disorders and to further assess psychological distress and psychosocial support needs in cancer patients across all major tumor entities within the in- and outpatient oncological health care and rehabilitation settings in Germany. Methods/Design In this multicenter, epidemiological cross-sectional study, cancer patients across all major tumor entities will be enrolled from acute care hospitals, outpatient cancer care facilities, and rehabilitation centers in five major study centers in Germany: Freiburg, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Leipzig and W{\"u}rzburg. A proportional stratified random sample based on the nationwide incidence of all cancer diagnoses in Germany is used. Patients are consecutively recruited in all centers. On the basis of a depression screener (PHQ-9) 50\% of the participants that score below the cutoff point of 9 and all patients scoring above are assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview for Oncology (CIDI-O). In addition, all patients complete validated questionnaires measuring emotional distress, information and psychosocial support needs as well as quality of life. Discussion Epidemiological data on the prevalence of mental disorders and distress provide detailed and valid information for the estimation of the demands for the type and extent of psychosocial support interventions. The data will provide information about specific demographic, functional, cancer- and treatment-related risk factors for mental comorbidity and psychosocial distress, specific supportive care needs and use of psychosocial support offers.}, language = {en} } @article{MartinReinekingSeoetal.2015, author = {Martin, Emily A. and Reineking, Bj{\"o}rn and Seo, Bumsuk and Steffan-Dewenter, Ingolf}, title = {Pest control of aphids depends on landscape complexity and natural enemy interactions}, series = {PeerJ}, volume = {3}, journal = {PeerJ}, number = {e1095}, doi = {10.7717/peerj.1095}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-148393}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Aphids are a major concern in agricultural crops worldwide, and control by natural enemies is an essential component of the ecological intensification of agriculture. Although the complexity of agricultural landscapes is known to influence natural enemies of pests, few studies have measured the degree of pest control by different enemy guilds across gradients in landscape complexity. Here, we use multiple natural-enemy exclosures replicated in 18 fields across a gradient in landscape complexity to investigate (1) the strength of natural pest control across landscapes, measured as the difference between pest pressure in the presence and in the absence of natural enemies; (2) the differential contributions of natural enemy guilds to pest control, and the nature of their interactions across landscapes. We show that natural pest control of aphids increased up to six-fold from simple to complex landscapes. In the absence of pest control, aphid population growth was higher in complex than simple landscapes, but was reduced by natural enemies to similar growth rates across all landscapes. The effects of enemy guilds were landscape-dependent. Particularly in complex landscapes, total pest control was supplied by the combined contribution of flying insects and ground-dwellers. Birds had little overall impact on aphid control. Despite evidence for intraguild predation of flying insects by ground-dwellers and birds, the overall effect of enemy guilds on aphid control was complementary. Understanding pest control services at large spatial scales is critical to increase the success of ecological intensification schemes. Our results suggest that, where aphids are the main pest of concern, interactions between natural enemies are largely complementary and lead to a strongly positive effect of landscape complexity on pest control. Increasing the availability of seminatural habitats in agricultural landscapes may thus benefit not only natural enemies, but also the effectiveness of aphid natural pest control.}, language = {en} } @article{PfisterSchwarzHolzmannetal.2023, author = {Pfister, Roland and Schwarz, Katharina A. and Holzmann, Patricia and Reis, Moritz and Yogeeswaran, Kumar and Kunde, Wilfried}, title = {Headlines win elections: mere exposure to fictitious news media alters voting behavior}, series = {PloS One}, volume = {18}, journal = {PloS One}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0289341}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-349845}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Repeatedly encountering a stimulus biases the observer's affective response and evaluation of the stimuli. Here we provide evidence for a causal link between mere exposure to fictitious news reports and subsequent voting behavior. In four pre-registered online experiments, participants browsed through newspaper webpages and were tacitly exposed to names of fictitious politicians. Exposure predicted voting behavior in a subsequent mock election, with a consistent preference for frequent over infrequent names, except when news items were decidedly negative. Follow-up analyses indicated that mere media presence fuels implicit personality theories regarding a candidate's vigor in political contexts. News outlets should therefore be mindful to cover political candidates as evenly as possible.}, language = {en} } @article{HofmannVoellerNagelsetal.2015, author = {Hofmann, Reiner and V{\"o}ller, Heinz and Nagels, Klaus and Bindl, Dominik and Vettorazzi, Eik and Dittmar, Ronny and Wohlgemuth, Walter and Neumann, Till and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Bruder, Oliver and Wegscheider, Karl and Nagel, Eckhard and Fleck, Eckart}, title = {First outline and baseline data of a randomized, controlled multicenter trial to evaluate the health economic impact of home telemonitoring in chronic heart failure - CardioBBEAT}, series = {Trials}, volume = {16}, journal = {Trials}, number = {343}, doi = {10.1186/s13063-015-0886-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-151429}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background: Evidence that home telemonitoring for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) offers clinical benefit over usual care is controversial as is evidence of a health economic advantage. Methods: Between January 2010 and June 2013, patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CHF were enrolled and randomly assigned to 2 study groups comprising usual care with and without an interactive bi-directional remote monitoring system (Motiva\(^{®}\)). The primary endpoint in CardioBBEAT is the Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) established by the groups' difference in total cost and in the combined clinical endpoint "days alive and not in hospital nor inpatient care per potential days in study" within the follow-up of 12 months. Results: A total of 621 predominantly male patients were enrolled, whereof 302 patients were assigned to the intervention group and 319 to the control group. Ischemic cardiomyopathy was the leading cause of heart failure. Despite randomization, subjects of the control group were more often in NYHA functional class III-IV, and exhibited peripheral edema and renal dysfunction more often. Additionally, the control and intervention groups differed in heart rhythm disorders. No differences existed regarding risk factor profile, comorbidities, echocardiographic parameters, especially left ventricular and diastolic diameter and ejection fraction, as well as functional test results, medication and quality of life. While the observed baseline differences may well be a play of chance, they are of clinical relevance. Therefore, the statistical analysis plan was extended to include adjusted analyses with respect to the baseline imbalances. Conclusions: CardioBBEAT provides prospective outcome data on both, clinical and health economic impact of home telemonitoring in CHF. The study differs by the use of a high evidence level randomized controlled trial (RCT) design along with actual cost data obtained from health insurance companies. Its results are conducive to informed political and economic decision-making with regard to home telemonitoring solutions as an option for health care. Overall, it contributes to developing advanced health economic evaluation instruments to be deployed within the specific context of the German Health Care System.}, language = {en} } @article{LjunggrenBarrettStoykovetal.2013, author = {Ljunggren, Osten and Barrett, Annabel and Stoykov, Ivaylo and Langdahl, Bente L. and Lems, Willem F. and Walsh, J. Bernard and Fahrleitner-Pammer, Astrid and Rajzbaum, Gerald and Jakob, Franz and Karras, Dimitrios and Marin, Fernando}, title = {Effective osteoporosis treatment with teriparatide is associated with enhanced quality of life in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: the European Forsteo Observational Study}, series = {BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders}, volume = {14}, journal = {BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders}, number = {251}, issn = {1471-2474}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2474-14-251}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-122057}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background: To describe changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis treated with teriparatide for up to 18 months and followed-up for a further 18 months, and to assess the influence of recent prior and incident fractures. Methods: The European Forsteo Observational Study (EFOS) is an observational, prospective, multinational study measuring HRQoL using the EQ-5D. The primary objective was to assess changes in HRQoL during 36 months in the whole study population. A secondary post-hoc analysis examined fracture impact on HRQoL in four subgroups classified based on recent prior fracture 12 months before baseline and incident clinical fractures during the study. Changes from baseline were analysed using a repeated measures model. Results: Of the 1581 patients, 48.4\% had a recent prior fracture and 15.6\% of these patients had an incident fracture during follow-up. 10.9\% of the 816 patients with no recent prior fracture had an incident fracture. Baseline mean EQ-VAS scores were similar across the subgroups. In the total study cohort (n = 1581), HRQoL (EQ-VAS and EQ-5D index scores) improved significantly from baseline to 18 months and this improvement was maintained over the 18-month post-teriparatide period. Improvements were seen across all five EQ-5D domains during teriparatide treatment that were maintained after teriparatide was discontinued. Subjects with incident clinical fractures had significantly less improvement in EQ-VAS than those without incident fractures. Recent prior fracture did not influence the change in EQ-VAS during treatment. Conclusions: EFOS is the first longitudinal study in women with severe postmenopausal osteoporosis in the real world setting to show a substantial improvement in HRQoL during teriparatide treatment that was sustained during subsequent treatment with other medications. The increase in HRQoL was lower in the subgroups with incident fracture but was not influenced by recent prior fracture. The results should be interpreted in the context of the design of an observational study.}, language = {en} }