@article{LueckerathLapaAlbertetal.2015, author = {L{\"u}ckerath, Katharina and Lapa, Constantin and Albert, Christa and Herrmann, Ken and J{\"o}rg, Gerhard and Samnick, Samuel and Einsele, Herrmann and Knop, Stefan and Buck, Andreas K.}, title = {\(^{11}\)C-Methionine-PET: a novel and sensitive tool for monitoring of early response to treatment in multiple myeloma}, series = {Oncotarget}, volume = {6}, journal = {Oncotarget}, number = {10}, doi = {10.18632/oncotarget.3053}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-148688}, pages = {8418-8429}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an essentially incurable hematologic malignancy. However, new treatment modalities and novel drugs have been introduced and thus additional tools for therapy monitoring are increasingly needed. Therefore, we evaluated the radiotracers \(^{11}\)C-Methionine (paraprotein-biosynthesis) and \(^{18}\)F-FDG (glucose-utilization) for monitoring response to anti-myeloma-therapy and outcome prediction. Influence of proteasome-inhibition on radiotracer-uptake of different MM cell-lines and patient-derived CD138\(^{+}\) plasma cells was analyzed and related to tumor-biology. Mice xenotransplanted with MM. 1S tumors underwent MET- and FDG-\(\mu\)PET. Tumor-to-background ratios before and after 24 h, 8 and 15 days treatment with bortezomib were correlated to survival. Treatment reduced both MET and FDG uptake; changes in tracer-retention correlated with a switch from high to low CD138-expression. In xenotransplanted mice, MET-uptake significantly decreased by 30-79\% as early as 24 h after bortezomib injection. No significant differences were detected thus early with FDG. This finding was confirmed in patient-derived MM cells. Importantly, early reduction of MET-but not FDG-uptake correlated with improved survival and reduced tumor burden in mice. Our results suggest that MET is superior to FDG in very early assessment of response to anti-myeloma-therapy. Early changes in MET-uptake have predictive potential regarding response and survival. MET-PET holds promise to individualize therapies in MM in future.}, language = {en} } @article{KolbMaeurerSunderkoetterKukowskietal.2019, author = {Kolb-M{\"a}urer, Annette and Sunderk{\"o}tter, Cord and Kukowski, Borries and Meuth, Sven G.}, title = {An update on Peginterferon beta-1a Management in Multiple Sclerosis: results from an interdisciplinary Board of German and Austrian Neurologists and dermatologists}, series = {BMC Neurology}, volume = {19}, journal = {BMC Neurology}, doi = {10.1186/s12883-019-1354-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-224646}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background: Interferon (IFN) beta drugs have been approved for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS) for more than 20years and are considered to offer a favourable benefit-risk profile. In July 2014, subcutaneous (SC) peginterferon beta-1a 125g dosed every 2weeks, a pegylated form of interferon beta-1a, was approved by the EMA for the treatment of adult patients with RRMS and in August 2014 by the FDA for RMS. Peginterferon beta-1a shows a prolonged half-life and increased systemic drug exposure resulting in a reduced dosing frequency compared to other available interferon-based products in MS. In the Phase 3 ADVANCE trial peginterferon beta-1a demonstrated significant positive effects on clinical and MRI outcome measures versus placebo after one year. Furthermore, in the ATTAIN extension study, sustained efficacy with long-term treatment for nearly 6years was shown. Main text In July 2016, an interdisciplinary panel of German and Austrian experts convened to discuss the management of side effects associated with peginterferon beta-1a and other interferon beta-based treatments in MS in daily practice. The panel was composed of experts from university hospitals and private clinics comprised of neurologists, dermatologists, and an MS nurse. In this paper we report recommendations regarding best practices for adverse event management, focussing on peginterferon beta-1a. Injection site reactions (ISRs) and influenza-like illness are the most common adverse effects of interferon beta therapies and can present a burden for MS patients leading to non-adherence and discontinuation of therapy. Peginterferon beta-1a shows improved pharmacological properties. In clinical trials, the adverse event (AE) profile of peginterferon beta-1a was similar to other interferon beta formulations. The most common AEs were mild to moderate ISRs, influenza-like illness, pyrexia, and headache. Current information on the underlying cause of skin reactions associated with SC interferon treatment, and the management strategies for these AEs are limited. In pivotal trials, ISRs were mainly characterized and classified by neurologists, while dermatologists were only rarely consulted. Conclusions This report addresses expert recommendations on the management of most relevant adverse effects related to peginterferon beta-1a and other interferon betas, based on literature and interdisciplinary experience.}, language = {en} } @article{FlorenKruegerMuelleretal.2015, author = {Floren, Andreas and Kr{\"u}ger, Dirk and M{\"u}ller, Tobias and Dittrich, Marcus and Rudloff, Renate and Hoppe, Bj{\"o}rn and Linsenmair, Karl Eduard}, title = {Diversity and interactions of wood-inhabiting fungi and beetles after deadwood enrichment}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0143566}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-145129}, pages = {e0143566}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Freshly cut beech deadwood was enriched in the canopy and on the ground in three cultural landscapes in Germany (Swabian Alb, Hainich-Dun, Schorfheide-Chorin) in order to analyse the diversity, distribution and interaction of wood-inhabiting fungi and beetles. After two years of wood decay 83 MOTUs (Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units) from 28 wood samples were identified. Flight Interception Traps (FITs) installed adjacent to the deadwood enrichments captured 29.465 beetles which were sorted to 566 species. Geographical 'region' was the main factor determining both beetle and fungal assemblages. The proportions of species occurring in all regions were low. Statistic models suggest that assemblages of both taxa differed between stratum and management praxis but their strength varied among regions. Fungal assemblages in Hainich-Dun, for which the data was most comprehensive, discriminated unmanaged from extensively managed and age-class forests (even-aged timber management) while canopy communities differed not from those near the ground. In contrast, the beetle assemblages at the same sites showed the opposite pattern. We pursued an approach in the search for fungus-beetle associations by computing cross correlations and visualize significant links in a network graph. These correlations can be used to formulate hypotheses on mutualistic relationships for example in respect to beetles acting as vectors of fungal spores.}, language = {en} } @article{ThornChaoGeorgievetal.2020, author = {Thorn, Simon and Chao, Anne and Georgiev, Konstadin B. and M{\"u}ller, J{\"o}rg and B{\"a}ssler, Claus and Campbell, John L. and Jorge, Castro and Chen, Yan-Han and Choi, Chang-Yong and Cobb, Tyler P. and Donato, Daniel C. and Durska, Ewa and Macdonald, Ellen and Feldhaar, Heike and Fontaine, Jospeh B. and Fornwalt, Paula J. and Hern{\´a}ndez Hern{\´a}ndez, Raquel Mar{\´i}a and Hutto, Richard L. and Koivula, Matti and Lee, Eun-Jae and Lindenmayer, David and Mikusinski, Grzegorz and Obrist, Martin K. and Perl{\´i}k, Michal and Rost, Josep and Waldron, Kaysandra and Wermelinger, Beat and Weiß, Ingmar and Zmihorski, Michal and Leverkus, Alexandro B.}, title = {Estimating retention benchmarks for salvage logging to protect biodiversity}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {11}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-020-18612-4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-230512}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Forests are increasingly affected by natural disturbances. Subsequent salvage logging, a widespread management practice conducted predominantly to recover economic capital, produces further disturbance and impacts biodiversity worldwide. Hence, naturally disturbed forests are among the most threatened habitats in the world, with consequences for their associated biodiversity. However, there are no evidence-based benchmarks for the proportion of area of naturally disturbed forests to be excluded from salvage logging to conserve biodiversity. We apply a mixed rarefaction/extrapolation approach to a global multi-taxa dataset from disturbed forests, including birds, plants, insects and fungi, to close this gap. We find that 757\% (mean +/- SD) of a naturally disturbed area of a forest needs to be left unlogged to maintain 90\% richness of its unique species, whereas retaining 50\% of a naturally disturbed forest unlogged maintains 73 +/- 12\% of its unique species richness. These values do not change with the time elapsed since disturbance but vary considerably among taxonomic groups. Salvage logging has become a common practice to gain economic returns from naturally disturbed forests, but it could have considerable negative effects on biodiversity. Here the authors use a recently developed statistical method to estimate that ca. 75\% of the naturally disturbed forest should be left unlogged to maintain 90\% of the species unique to the area.}, language = {en} } @article{SherifHeroldVoelkeretal.2015, author = {Sherif, Mohammad A. and Herold, Joerg and Voelker, Wolfram and Maniuc, Octavian and Ertl, Georg and Praast, Christian and Braun-Dullaeus, Ruediger Christian}, title = {Feasibility of a new method using two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography for aortic annular sizing in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation; a case-control study}, series = {BMC Cardiovascular Disorders}, volume = {15}, journal = {BMC Cardiovascular Disorders}, number = {78}, doi = {10.1186/s12872-015-0072-7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-148328}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background: Accurate preoperative assessment of the aortic annulus dimension is crucial for successful transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In this study we validated a new method using two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D-TEE) for measurement of the aortic annulus prior to TAVI. Methods: We analysed 124 patients who underwent successful TAVI using a self-expandable prosthesis, divided equally into two groups; in the study group we used the cross sectional short axis 2D-TEE for measurement of the aortic annulus and in the control group we used the long axis 2D-TEE. Results: Both groups were comparable regarding the clinical parameters. On the other hand, patients in the study group had less left ventricular ejection fraction (38.9 \% versus 45.6 \%, p = 0.01). The aortic valve annulus was, although not statistically significant, smaller in the study group (21.58 versus 23.28 mm, p = 0.25). Post procedural quantification of the aortic regurgitation revealed that only one patient in both groups had severe aortic regurgitation (AR), in this patient the valve was implanted deep. The incidence of significant AR was higher in the control group (29.0 \% versus 12.9 \%, p = 0.027). Conclusions: Sizing of the aortic valve annulus using cross-sectional 2D-TEE offers a safe and plausible method for patients undergoing TAVI using the self-expandable prosthesis and is significantly superior to using long axis 2D-TEE.}, 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{TaubenboeckWurmNetzbandetal.2011, author = {Taubenb{\"o}ck, H and Wurm, M and Netzband, M and Zwenzner, H and Roth, A and Rahman, A and Dech, S}, title = {Flood risks in urbanized areas - multi-sensoral approaches using remotely sensed data for risk assessment}, series = {NATURAL HAZARDS AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES}, volume = {11}, journal = {NATURAL HAZARDS AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES}, number = {2}, doi = {10.5194/nhess-11-431-2011}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-139605}, pages = {431-444}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Estimating flood risks and managing disasters combines knowledge in climatology, meteorology, hydrology, hydraulic engineering, statistics, planning and geography - thus a complex multi-faceted problem. This study focuses on the capabilities of multi-source remote sensing data to support decision-making before, during and after a flood event. With our focus on urbanized areas, sample methods and applications show multi-scale products from the hazard and vulnerability perspective of the risk framework. From the hazard side, we present capabilities with which to assess flood-prone areas before an expected disaster. Then we map the spatial impact during or after a flood and finally, we analyze damage grades after a flood disaster. From the vulnerability side, we monitor urbanization over time on an urban footprint level, classify urban structures on an individual building level, assess building stability and quantify probably affected people. The results show a large database for sustainable development and for developing mitigation strategies, ad-hoc coordination of relief measures and organizing rehabilitation.}, language = {en} } @article{OervoessyKoroesiBataryetal.2014, author = {Oervoessy, Noemi and Koroesi, Adam and Batary, Peter and Vozar, Agnes and Peregovits, Laszlo}, title = {Habitat Requirements of the Protected Southern Festoon (Zerynthia Polysena); Adult, Egg and Larval Distribution in a Highly Degraded Habitat Complex}, series = {Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae}, volume = {60}, journal = {Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae}, number = {4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-117810}, pages = {371-387}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Habitat quality affects the presence and size of butterfly populations. Resources for all life stages must be found in a given or few habitat patches. Southern festoon (Zerynthia polyxena) is a vulnerable, but locally abundant species in Hungary. The larva requires birthwort (Aristolochia clematitis) as food plant. We examined the small scale habitat use of adults and distribution of eggs and larvae among different vegetation types to reveal the requirements of the species in all life stages. Transect counts were conducted in a tree plantation complex comprising four types of vegetation. Number (+/- SE) of adults, eggs and larvae were lowest in poplar plantation (adult 0.3 +/- 0.2, egg 1.1 +/- 1.1, larva 0.6 +/- 0.3). Medium amount of butterflies were observed in open (adult 8.3 +/- 2.9, egg 3.1 +/- 2.6, larva 3.1 +/- 1.9) and black-locust (adult 9.4 +/- 4.2, egg 12.7 +/- 4.9, larva 4.1 +/- 1.1) habitat. Number of butterflies was highest in hummocks (adult 13.5 +/- 1.5, egg 12.9 +/- 5.7, larva 8.4 +/- 2.1). Adults avoided bare ground. We encountered most eggs in dense food plant patches with high plants. Food plant height also positively influenced the occurrence of the larvae. Although distribution of adults and juvenile forms showed quite similar patterns, we could also reveal some differences that caused by different environmental conditions in distinct vegetation types. Our study stresses the importance of habitat quality, which affects population size of butterflies even in a highly degraded habitat complex.}, language = {en} } @article{KaramustafalıoğluReifAtmacaetal.2014, author = {Karamustafal{\i}oğlu, Oğuz and Reif, Andreas and Atmaca, Murad and Gonzalez, Domingo and Moreno-Manzanaro, Miriam and Gonzalez, Miguel Angel and Medina, Esteban and Bellomo, Antonello}, title = {Hospital stay in patients admitted for acute bipolar manic episodes prescribed quetiapine immediate or extended release: a retrospective non-interventional cohort study (HOME)}, series = {BMC Psychiatry}, volume = {14}, journal = {BMC Psychiatry}, number = {246}, doi = {10.1186/s12888-014-0246-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-115547}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Background: Bipolar manic episodes often require hospital admission to ensure patient safety. The antipsychotic quetiapine is a common treatment for bipolar mania and is available in immediate release (IR) and extended release (XR) formulations; however, outcomes in patients receiving these different formulations have not been directly compared in an acute hospital setting. Methods: We conducted a multinational, observational, retrospective cohort study to describe and compare hospital stay in patients admitted for an acute bipolar manic episode treated with quetiapine IR or XR from 1 October 2009-1 October 2010. The primary outcome measure was comparison of length of stay (LOS) using zero-truncated negative binomial regression. Results: In total, 1230 patients were included (659 in the IR cohort; 571 in the XR cohort). The median LOS (interquartile range) was 18.0 days (12.0, 28.0) in the IR cohort and 20.0 days (12.0, 34.0) in the XR cohort, respectively. LOS was not significantly associated with quetiapine formulation irrespective of whether or not clinical characteristics were taken into account (p = 0.820 and p = 0.386, respectively). Overall, 84.2\% and 84.4\% of patients in the IR and XR cohorts, respectively, had not previously used quetiapine; of these patients, 78.7\% and 68.9\% received one total daily dose, and 14.4\% and 23.9\% received dose titration. Over half of patients received antipsychotic monotherapy (53.1\% and 58.3\% in the IR and XR cohorts, respectively) and most received a daily quetiapine dose >= 400 mg (64.9\% and 71.8\%, respectively, for quetiapine monotherapy and 59.9\% and 80.3\%, respectively, for combination treatment). As a secondary outcome, multivariate analysis was used to identify other factors that affect LOS. Factors associated with a longer hospital stay included public funding versus private, maximum number of new medications administered, did not receive lithium and did not receive anxiolytics, sedatives/hypnotics (all p < 0.0001). Factors associated with a shorter hospital stay included presence of drug/alcohol abuse, living accompanied and having a psychiatric medical history (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: LOS was not found to be associated with quetiapine formulation. However, most patients received only one total daily dose of quetiapine without dose titration, which was unexpected and contrary to current recommendations.}, language = {en} } @article{SteppuhnLangenScheidtNaveetal.2013, author = {Steppuhn, Henriette and Langen, Ute and Scheidt-Nave, Christa and Keil, Thomas}, title = {Major comorbid conditions in asthma and association with asthma-related hospitalizations and emergency department admissions in adults: results from the German national health telephone interview survey (GEDA) 2010}, series = {BMC Pulmonary Medicine}, volume = {13}, journal = {BMC Pulmonary Medicine}, number = {46}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2466-13-46}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-122121}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background: It remains unclear to what extent asthma in adults is linked to allergic rhinitis (AR), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and acetylsalicylic acid exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), and how these comorbidities may affect asthma outcomes in the general population. We therefore aimed to assess the prevalence of these major comorbidities among adults with asthma and examine their impact on asthma exacerbations requiring hospital care. Methods: A total of 22,050 adults 18 years and older were surveyed in the German National Health Telephone Interview Survey (GEDA) 2010 using a highly standardized computer-assisted interview technique. The study population comprised participants with self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma, among which the current (last 12 months) prevalence of AR and GERD-like symptoms (GERS), and life-time prevalence of AERD was estimated. Weighted bivariate analyses and logistic regression models were applied to assess the association of each comorbid condition with the asthma outcome (any self-reported asthma-related hospitalization and/or emergency department (ED) admission in the past year). Results: Out of 1,136 adults with asthma, 49.6\% had GERS and 42.3\% had AR within the past 12 months; 14.0\% met the criteria of AERD, and 75.7\% had at least one out of the three conditions. Overall, the prevalence of at least one exacerbation requiring emergency room or hospital admission within the past year was 9.0\%. Exacerbation prevalence was higher among participants with comorbidities than among those without (9.8\% vs. 8.2\% for GERS; 11.2\% vs. 7.6\% for AR, and 22.2\% vs. 7.0\% for AERD), but only differences in association with AERD were statistically significant. A strong association between asthma exacerbation and AERD persisted in multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusting for sex, age group, level of body mass index, smoking status, educational attainment, and duration of asthma: odds ratio (OR) = 4.5, 95\% confidence interval (CI) = 2.5-8.2. Conclusions: Data from this large nation-wide study provide evidence that GERS, AR and AERD are all common comorbidities among adults with asthma. Our data underline the public health and clinical impact of asthma with complicating AERD, contributing considerably to disease-specific hospitalization and/or ED admission in a defined asthma population, and emphasize the importance of its recognition in asthma care.}, language = {en} } @article{LockUngeheuerBorstetal.2020, author = {Lock, J. F. and Ungeheuer, L. and Borst, P. and Swol, J. and L{\"o}b, S. and Brede, E. M. and R{\"o}der, D. and Lengenfelder, B. and Sauer, K. and Gremer, C. - T.}, title = {Markedly increased risk of postoperative bleeding complications during perioperative bridging anticoagulation in general and visceral surgery}, series = {Perioperative Medicine}, volume = {9}, journal = {Perioperative Medicine}, doi = {10.1186/s13741-020-00170-4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-230690}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Background Increasing numbers of patients receiving oral anticoagulants are undergoing elective surgery. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is frequently applied as bridging therapy during perioperative interruption of anticoagulation. The aim of this study was to explore the postoperative bleeding risk of patients receiving surgery under bridging anticoagulation. Methods We performed a monocentric retrospective two-arm matched cohort study. Patients that received perioperative bridging anticoagulation were compared to a matched control group with identical surgical procedure, age, and sex. Emergency and vascular operations were excluded. The primary endpoint was the incidence of major postoperative bleeding. Secondary endpoints were minor postoperative bleeding, thromboembolic events, length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. Multivariate analysis explored risk factors of major postoperative bleeding. Results A total of 263 patients in each study arm were analyzed. The patient cohort included the entire field of general and visceral surgery including a large proportion of major oncological resections. Bridging anticoagulation increased the postoperative incidence of major bleeding events (8\% vs. 1\%; p < 0.001) as well as minor bleeding events (14\% vs. 5\%; p < 0.001). Thromboembolic events were equally rare in both groups (1\% vs. 2\%; p = 0.45). No effect on mortality was observed (1.5\% vs. 1.9\%). Independent risk factors of major postoperative bleeding were full-therapeutic dose of LMWH, renal insufficiency, and the procedure-specific bleeding risk. Conclusion Perioperative bridging anticoagulation, especially full-therapeutic dose LMWH, markedly increases the risk of postoperative bleeding complications in general and visceral surgery. Surgeons should carefully consider the practice of routine bridging.}, language = {en} } @article{ReinermannAsamGessneretal.2023, author = {Reinermann, Sophie and Asam, Sarah and Gessner, Ursula and Ullmann, Tobias and Kuenzer, Claudia}, title = {Multi-annual grassland mowing dynamics in Germany}, series = {Frontiers in Environmental Science}, volume = {11}, journal = {Frontiers in Environmental Science}, issn = {2296-665X}, doi = {10.3389/fenvs.2023.1040551}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-320700}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Introduction: Grasslands cover one third of the agricultural area in Germany and are mainly used for fodder production. However, grasslands fulfill many other ecosystem functions, like carbon storage, water filtration and the provision of habitats. In Germany, grasslands are mown and/or grazed multiple times during the year. The type and timing of management activities and the use intensity vary strongly, however co-determine grassland functions. Large-scale spatial information on grassland activities and use intensity in Germany is limited and not openly provided. In addition, the cause for patterns of varying mowing intensity are usually not known on a spatial scale as data on the incentives of farmers behind grassland management decisions is not available. Methods: We applied an algorithm based on a thresholding approach utilizing Sentinel-2 time series to detect grassland mowing events to investigate mowing dynamics in Germany in 2018-2021. The detected mowing events were validated with an independent dataset based on the examination of public webcam images. We analyzed spatial and temporal patterns of the mowing dynamics and relationships to climatic, topographic, soil or socio-political conditions. Results: We found that most intensively used grasslands can be found in southern/south-eastern Germany, followed by areas in northern Germany. This pattern stays the same among the investigated years, but we found variations on smaller scales. The mowing event detection shows higher accuracies in 2019 and 2020 (F1 = 0.64 and 0.63) compared to 2018 and 2021 (F1 = 0.52 and 0.50). We found a significant but weak (R2 of 0-0.13) relationship for a spatial correlation of mowing frequency and climate as well as topographic variables for the grassland areas in Germany. Further results indicate a clear value range of topographic and climatic conditions, characteristic for intensive grassland use. Extensive grassland use takes place everywhere in Germany and on the entire spectrum of topographic and climatic conditions in Germany. Natura 2000 grasslands are used less intensive but this pattern is not consistent among all sites. Discussion: Our findings on mowing dynamics and relationships to abiotic and socio-political conditions in Germany reveal important aspects of grassland management, including incentives of farmers.}, language = {en} } @article{GybergDeBacquerDeBackeretal.2015, author = {Gyberg, Viveca and De Bacquer, Dirk and De Backer, Guy and Jennings, Catriona and Kotseva, Kornelia and Mellbin, Linda and Schnell, Oliver and Tuomilehto, Jaakko and Wood, David and Ryden, Lars and Amouyel, Philippe and Bruthans, Jan and Conde, Almudena Castro and Cifkova, Renata and Deckers, Jaap W. and De Sutter, Johan and Dilic, Mirza and Dolzhenko, Maryna and Erglis, Andrejs and Fras, Zlatko and Gaita, Dan and Gotcheva, Nina and Goudevenos, John and Heuschmann, Peter and Laucevicius, Aleksandras and Lehto, Seppo and Lovic, Dragan and Milicic, Davor and Moore, David and Nicolaides, Evagoras and Oganov, Raphae and Pajak, Andrzej and Pogosova, Nana and Reiner, Zeljko and Stagmo, Martin and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Tokg{\"o}zoglu, Lale and Vulic, Dusko}, title = {Patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes need improved management: a report from the EUROASPIRE IV survey: a registry from the EuroObservational Research Programme of the European Society of Cardiology}, series = {Cardiovascular Diabetology}, volume = {14}, journal = {Cardiovascular Diabetology}, number = {133}, doi = {10.1186/s12933-015-0296-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-141358}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background: In order to influence every day clinical practice professional organisations issue management guidelines. Cross-sectional surveys are used to evaluate the implementation of such guidelines. The present survey investigated screening for glucose perturbations in people with coronary artery disease and compared patients with known and newly detected type 2 diabetes with those without diabetes in terms of their life-style and pharmacological risk factor management in relation to contemporary European guidelines. Methods: A total of 6187 patients (18-80 years) with coronary artery disease and known glycaemic status based on a self reported history of diabetes (previously known diabetes) or the results of an oral glucose tolerance test and HbA1c (no diabetes or newly diagnosed diabetes) were investigated in EUROASPIRE IV including patients in 24 European countries 2012-2013. The patients were interviewed and investigated in order to enable a comparison between their actual risk factor control with that recommended in current European management guidelines and the outcome in previously conducted surveys. Results: A total of 2846 (46 \%) patients had no diabetes, 1158 (19 \%) newly diagnosed diabetes and 2183 (35 \%) previously known diabetes. The combined use of all four cardioprotective drugs in these groups was 53, 55 and 60 \%, respectively. A blood pressure target of <140/90 mmHg was achieved in 68, 61, 54 \% and a LDL-cholesterol target of <1.8 mmol/L in 16, 18 and 28 \%. Patients with newly diagnosed and previously known diabetes reached an HbA1c <7.0 \% (53 mmol/mol) in 95 and 53 \% and 11 \% of those with previously known diabetes had an HbA1c >9.0 \% (>75 mmol/mol). Of the patients with diabetes 69 \% reported on low physical activity. The proportion of patients participating in cardiac rehabilitation programmes was low (approximate to 40 \%) and only 27 \% of those with diabetes had attended diabetes schools. Compared with data from previous surveys the use of cardioprotective drugs had increased and more patients were achieving the risk factor treatment targets. Conclusions: Despite advances in patient management there is further potential to improve both the detection and management of patients with diabetes and coronary artery disease.}, language = {en} } @article{Haveman2023, author = {Haveman, Rense}, title = {Phytosociological notes on hedges in South Ayrshire, Scotland}, series = {Forum Geobotanicum}, volume = {11}, journal = {Forum Geobotanicum}, issn = {1867-9315}, doi = {10.3264/FG.2023.0420}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-312634}, pages = {1-7}, year = {2023}, abstract = {On the basis of four relev{\´e}es of hedges around Straiton en Dailly in South Ayrshire, Scotland, some features of hedges are discussed. On the basis of the brambles, the vegetation of these hedges can be assigned to the Pruno-Rubion sprengelii, which comprises the bramble scrubs of circumneutral and nutrient rich soils in West Europe (Haveman et al. 2017, Haveman \& de Ronde 2019). Until now, this alliance was thought to be restricted to the northwestern edge of the European continent, but based on these relev{\´e}es and the known distribution area of Rubus nemoralis and Rubus polyanthemus, both characteristic for the Pruno-Rubion sprengelii, large parts of North England and Scotland have to be included in the distribution area of the alliance. The Pruno-Rubion sprengelii is optimally developed in rather narrow structures, like hedges, which are pruned every year. Here, brambles and herbs alike can grow with and under the shrubs, facilitated by the light that reaches large parts of the ground. Where the economic base of hedges perishes, they are not longer maintained, and the shrubs can grow out to their natural proportions. This changes the amount of light reaching the surface in the inner parts of the thicket, changing the competition between the species. The brambles as well as the herbs are displaced to the outer edges of the scrub, and the vegetation "dissociates" in a high-growing scrub, a fore-mantle ("cuff") with brambles, and a fringe with perennial herbs. These elements can hardly ever be assigned to the Pruno-Rubion anymore. The Pruno-Rubion sprengelii in optima forma is a scrub in which the three elements (shrubs, brambles, and herbs) grow closely intertwined. This is rarely found in natural landscapes, and thus the alliance is a typical element of the old farmer landscape. What is more: the typical species of the alliance, like Rubus nemoralis and R. polyanthemus, could only evolve after the landscape was opened by farmers in the last six millennia (Matzke-Hajek 1997), giving way to Rubus ulmifolius to expand its distribution area. This caused an explosion of hybrids which stabilised through apomixis into the wealth of Rubus species inhibiting the West European landscape nowadays (Sochor et al. 2015). Many of these species have their original home in a man-made landscape. Therefore, the Pruno-Rubion sprengelii can be characterised as a "farmers alliance" pur sang.}, subject = {Brombeere}, language = {en} } @article{GundaKasangKidenyaetal.2013, author = {Gunda, Daniel W. and Kasang, Christa and Kidenya, Benson R. and Kabangila, Rodrick and Mshana, Stephen E. and Kidola, Jeremiah and Kalluvya, Samuel E. and Kongola, Gilbert W. and Klinker, Hartwig}, title = {Plasma Concentrations of Efavirenz and Nevirapine among HIV-Infected Patients with Immunological Failure Attending a Tertiary Hospital in North-Western Tanzania}, series = {PLOS ONE}, volume = {8}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, number = {9}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0075118}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-128456}, pages = {e75118}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background: Sub-therapeutic and supra-therapeutic plasma concentrations of antriretrovirals are the significant causes of treatment failure and toxicity respectively among HIV-infected patients. We conducted this study to determine the pattern of efavirenz and nevirapine plasma drug concentrations among adult HIV-infected patients with immunological failure attending at a tertiary hospital in North-western Tanzania. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult HIV-infected patients with immunological failure who have been on either efavirenz or nevirapine based antiretroviral regimen for more than 6 months. Patients were serially enrolled through routine Care and Treatment Clinic (CTC) activities. Plasma drug concentrations for efavirenz and nevirapine were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC) respectively. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data such as viral load and CD4 counts were collected. Data analysis was done using STATA 12. Results: Of the 152 patients with immunological failure enrolled, the sub-therapeutic, therapeutic and supra-therapeutic plasma antiretroviral drug concentrations were found in 43/152 (28.3\%), 76/152 (50.0\%) and 33/152 (21.7\%) respectively. Half of the patients were outside therapeutic window with either sub-therapeutic or supra-therapeutic plasma ARV drug concentrations. There was a significant difference in distribution of ARV adherence (p-value<0.001), NRTI backbone (p-value = 0.039), HIV stage (p-value = 0.026) and viral load (p-value = 0.007) within sub-therapeutic, therapeutic and supratherapeutic ARV plasma drug concentrations. Conclusion: There is a wide inter-individual variability of plasma ARV concentrations among HIV patients with immunological failure, with a large proportion of patients being outside therapeutic window. This variability is significant based on ARV adherence, NRTI backbone, viral load and HIV stage. Routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) could assist identifying these patients early and making timely correction to avoid virological failure, poor immunological outcome and prevent associated drug toxicities. Nonetheless, ARV adherence should be strictly emphasized on HIV patients with immunological failure.}, language = {en} } @article{ElMajdoubHunscheIgressaetal.2015, author = {El Majdoub, Faycal and Hunsche, Stefan and Igressa, Alhadi and Kocher, Martin and Sturm, Volker and Maarouf, Mohammad}, title = {Stereotactic LINAC-Radiosurgery for Glomus Jugulare Tumors: A Long-Term Follow-Up of 27 Patients}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0129057}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-151717}, pages = {e0129057}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background The optimal treatment of glomus jugulare tumors (GJTs) remains controversial. Due to the critical location, microsurgery still provides high treatment-related morbidity and a decreased quality of life. Thus, we performed stereotactical radiosurgery (SRS) for the treatment of GJTs and evaluated the long-term outcome. Methods Between 1991 and 2011, 32 patients with GJTs underwent SRS using a linear accelerator (LINAC) either as primary or salvage therapy. Twenty-seven patients (median age 59.9 years, range 28.7-79.9 years) with a follow-up greater than five years (median 11 years, range 5.3-22.1 years) were selected for retrospective analysis. The median therapeutic single dose applied to the tumor surface was 15 Gy (range 11-20 Gy) and the median tumor volume was 9.5 ml (range 2.8-51 ml). Results Following LINAC-SRS, 10 of 27 patients showed a significant improvement of their previous neurological complaints, whereas 12 patients remained unchanged. Five patients died during follow-up due to old age or other, not treatment-related reasons. MR-imaging showed a partial remission in 12 and a stable disease in 15 patients. No tumor progression was observed. The actuarial overall survival rates after five, ten and 20 years were 100\%, 95.2\% and 79.4\%, respectively. Conclusions Stereotactic LINAC-Radiosurgery can achieve an excellent long-term tumor control beside a low rate of morbidity in the treatment of GJTs. It should be considered as an alternative therapy regime to surgical resection or fractionated external beam radiation either as primary, adjuvant or salvage therapy.}, language = {en} } @article{PaschkeLinckeMuelleretal.2015, author = {Paschke, Ralf and Lincke, Thomas and M{\"u}ller, Stefan P. and Kreissl, Michael C. and Dralle, Henning and Fassnacht, Martin}, title = {The Treatment of Well-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma}, series = {Deutsches {\"A}rzteblatt International}, volume = {112}, journal = {Deutsches {\"A}rzteblatt International}, doi = {10.3238/arztebl.2015.0452}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-151636}, pages = {452 -- 458}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background: Recent decades have seen a rise in the incidence of well-differentiated (mainly papillary) thyroid carcinoma around the world. In Germany, the age-adjusted incidence of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma in 2010 was 3.5 per 100 000 men and 8.7 per 100 000 women per year. Method: This review is based on randomized, controlled trials and multicenter trials on the treatment of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma that were retrieved by a selective literature search, as well as on three updated guidelines issued in the past two years. Results: The recommended extent of surgical resection depends on whether the tumor is classified as low-risk or high-risk, so that papillary microcar cinomas, which carry a highly favorable prognosis, will not be overtreated. More than 90\% of localized, well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas can be cured with a combination of surgery and radioactive iodine therapy. Radio active iodine therapy is also effective in the treatment of well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas with distant metastases, yielding a 10-year survival rate of 90\%, as long as there is good iodine uptake and the tumor goes into remission after treatment; otherwise, the 10-year survival rate is only 10\%. In the past two years, better treatment options have become available for radioactive-iodine-resistant thyroid carcinoma. Phase 3 studies of two different tyrosine kinase inhibitors have shown that either one can markedly prolong progression-free survival, but not overall survival. Their more common clinically significant side effects are hand-foot syndrome, hypertension, diarrhea, proteinuria, and weight loss. Conclusion: Slow tumor growth, good resectability, and susceptibility to radioactive iodine therapy lend a favorable prognosis to most cases of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The treatment should be risk-adjusted and interdisciplinary, in accordance with the current treatment guidelines. Even metastatic thyroid carcinoma has a favorable prognosis as long as there is good iodine uptake. The newly available medical treatment options for radioactive-iodine-resistant disease need to be further studied.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhouRascheKortuemetal.2020, author = {Zhou, Xiang and Rasche, Leo and Kort{\"u}m, K. Martin and Danhof, Sophia and Hudecek, Michael and Einsele, Hermann}, title = {Toxicities of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy in Multiple Myeloma: An Overview of Experience From Clinical Trials, Pathophysiology, and Management Strategies}, series = {Frontiers in Immunology}, volume = {11}, journal = {Frontiers in Immunology}, issn = {1664-3224}, doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2020.620312}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-219911}, year = {2020}, abstract = {In the last few years, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) such as elotuzumab and daratutumab have brought the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) into the new era of immunotherapy. More recently, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modified T cell, a novel cellular immunotherapy, has been developed for treatment of relapsed/refractory (RR) MM, and early phase clinical trials have shown promising efficacy of CAR T cell therapy. Many patients with end stage RRMM regard CAR T cell therapy as their "last chance" and a "hope of cure". However, severe adverse events (AEs) and even toxic death related to CAR T cell therapy have been observed. The management of AEs related to CAR T cell therapy represents a new challenge, as the pathophysiology is not fully understood and there is still no well-established standard of management. With regard to CAR T cell associated toxicities in MM, in this review, we will provide an overview of experience from clinical trials, pathophysiology, and management strategies.}, 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} }