Methodische Probleme der quantitativen Analyse früher NSDAP-Mitgliederlisten

Für die Faschismusforschung sind quantitative Methoden von großer Bedeutung. Gleichzeitig wirft ihr Gebrauch auch Probleme auf, was der Autor am Beispiel der Erforschung der Berufe der NSDAP-Mitglieder zwischen 1919 und 1923 verdeutlicht. Nach einer generellen Betrachtung der unterschiedlichen (horizontalen und vertikalen) Berufsklassifikationen untersucht der Autor die Berufsangaben in NSDAP-Mitgliederlisten von einem sozial-semantischen Ansatz aus, um die soziale Struktur und den sozialökonomischen Hintergrund der NSDAP zu beleuchten. Die Analyse ergibt, daß sich in den Berufsangaben die Selbsteinschätzung der Mitglieder niederschlägt. Unter Einbeziehung des sozialgeschichtlichen Hintergrundes entwickelt der Autor eine Kombination von horizontaler und vertikaler Berufsklassifikation. Die auf dieser Basis gewonnenen Ergebnisse werden vorgestellt. (BG

CASANOVA: permutation inference in factorial survival designs

We propose inference procedures for general factorial designs with time-to-event endpoints. Similar to additive Aalen models, null hypotheses are formulated in terms of cumulative hazards. Deviations are measured in terms of quadratic forms in Nelson–Aalen-type integrals. Different from existing approaches, this allows to work without restrictive model assumptions as proportional hazards. In particular, crossing survival or hazard curves can be detected without a significant loss of power. For a distribution-free application of the method, a permutation strategy is suggested. The resulting procedures' asymptotic validity is proven and small sample performances are analyzed in extensive simulations. The analysis of a data set on asthma illustrates the applicability

RMST-based multiple contrast tests in general factorial designs

Several methods in survival analysis are based on the proportional hazards assumption. However, this assumption is very restrictive and often not justifiable in practice. Therefore, effect estimands that do not rely on the proportional hazards assumption are highly desirable in practical applications. One popular example for this is the restricted mean survival time (RMST). It is defined as the area under the survival curve up to a prespecified time point and, thus, summarizes the survival curve into a meaningful estimand. For two-sample comparisons based on the RMST, previous research found the inflation of the type I error of the asymptotic test for small samples and, therefore, a two-sample permutation test has already been developed. The first goal of the present paper is to further extend the permutation test for general factorial designs and general contrast hypotheses by considering a Wald-type test statistic and its asymptotic behavior. Additionally, a groupwise bootstrap approach is considered. Moreover, when a global test detects a significant difference by comparing the RMSTs of more than two groups, it is of interest which specific RMST differences cause the result. However, global tests do not provide this information. Therefore, multiple tests for the RMST are developed in a second step to infer several null hypotheses simultaneously. Hereby, the asymptotically exact dependence structure between the local test statistics is incorporated to gain more power. Finally, the small sample performance of the proposed global and multiple testing procedures is analyzed in simulations and illustrated in a real data example

Intrauterine Exposures and Maternal Health Status during Pregnancy in Relation to Later Child Health: A Review of Pregnancy Cohort Studies in Europe

We show a description of pregnancy cohorts in the European region. Our investigation identified 66 pregnancy cohorts, mostly hosted in Western Central Europe. Among these 66 cohorts, 24 began recruitment before the year 2000, while six cohorts are still enrolling. The most common topics were lifestyle, environment and nutrition with allergies and neurodevelopment being a minority. We observed a pattern of positive correlations between data collected using medical records, structured interviews, and the collection of biological samples. Objectively assessed data were negatively correlated with self-administered questionnaires. Eight cohorts addressed intrauterine exposure, focusing on environmental pollutants such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The effects of these compounds on the developing foetus have been studied greatly, but more research on their effects is still needed. Many cohorts investigated genetics through the collection of biological samples from the mothers and children, to improve knowledge on the mother-to-child transmission of genetic information, antibodies, microbiota, etc. Paediatric epidemiology represents an important field of research since preserving healthy lives from conception onwards is the most efficient way to improve population health. According to our report, it seems that this field of research is well developed in Europe, where numerous high profile studies are currently ongoing

Neuroticism, extraversion, stressful life events and asthma: a cohort study of middle-aged adults

ABSTRACT Background: Stressful life events can trigger asthma exacerbations, but could also contribute to the development of incident asthma. However, only few studies have investigated the association between stressful life events and adult asthma prospectively. Likewise, stress-related personality traits (e.g. neuroticism and extraversion) may increase asthma risk, but this has been examined in only one prospective study. We therefore aimed to investigate the association between neuroticism, extraversion, stressful life events and incident asthma. Methods: A population-based sample of 5114 middle-aged adults completed questionnaires between 1992 and 1995. Among those alive in 2002/2003, 4010 (83%) were followed-up by questionnaires. Exposures of interest included neuroticism, extraversion and three stressful life events (unemployment, having broken off a life partnership and death of a close person). Associations with incident asthma were estimated by multivariable risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using Poisson regression. Results: High vs low neuroticism predisposed to developing asthma (RR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.71–5.48), but high extraversion did not (RR = 1.30, 95% CI = 0.79–2.15). Having broken off a life partnership significantly increased asthma risk (RR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.20–4.21) in contrast to death of a close person (RR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.64–1.75) or unemployment (RR = 1.65, 95% CI = 0.72–3.78). Conclusions: High levels of neuroticism may increase the risk of asthma in middle-aged adults. Having broken off a life partnership was the only stressful event, which was associated with incident asthma. Synthesized with evidence from earlier studies, this could reflect that interpersonal conflicts may increase asthma risk, possibly along an immunological pathway

The association of different types of human milk with bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between different types of human milk feeds and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants.MethodsData on dispensed mother’s own milk (MOM) and donor human milk (DHM) from Leipzig Milk Bank for hospitalized infants with a gestational age (GA) ≤32 weeks observed from birth to 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age or prior discharge were used. BPD was assessed based on documented International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) diagnosis and on electronic hospital records (EHR) of data on ventilation and oxygen supplementation. Associations of dispensed milk feed variations with BPD were investigated using logistic regressions in crude and adjusted models.Results866 infants were included with a BPD prevalence of 15.4% (EHR) and 23.2% (ICD). The mean GA was 29.1 weeks. The majority (84.4%, n = 746) of infants were nurtured with a mix of MOM, DHM supplemented by formula or parenteral (other) nutrition during hospitalization. For which, MOM comprised the highest median [Q1–Q3] percentage proportion (53[31–81] %) of this mix. Exclusive fresh milk and exclusive MOM feeds were dispensed on a mean of 40 and 34% patient-days, respectively. Statistically significant associations with lower BPD incidence were only observed for 70–80% MOM vs. DHM, and 60% fresh vs. frozen milk, in crude and adjusted models.ConclusionOur findings suggest a protective association of MOM and fresh milk with lower odds of BPD, which may be dependent on the proportion of MOM or fresh milk administered. These results highlight the importance of MOM as an ideal source of nutrition during early infancy

Overweight Proxies Are Associated with Atopic Asthma: A Matched Case–Control Study

Background: Many studies have documented a link between overweight and asthma in children with contradictory results regarding the best way to measure overweight. Moreover, often, the dynamic development of atopy, overweight, and asthma is controlled for age dependency insufficiently. Objective: This study assesses and compares the associations of overweight measured as waist circumference, waist to height ratio (WHtR), neck circumference, and body mass index with the occurrence of asthma – best possibly controlling for age-dependencies of these parameters. Methods: From a sample of 2,511 children aged 6–17 years, we matched 157 children with asthma with 2 controls (n = 471) according to age and atopy status and performed conditional logistic regression analyses. We further investigated the role of known influencing factors of asthma occurrence. Results: In children with atopy, all overweight proxies were consistently positively associated with asthma. Statistical significance was reached for WHtR-SD score (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.03–1.54, p = 0.025) and persisted when further covariates, such as birth weight or social status, were added to the model. Groups of atopic versus nonatopic participants do not differ in levels of interleukin-6 or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Conclusion: In our cohort, overweight seems to carry a risk for asthma only if accompanied with atopy. We call for more strict age matching in pediatric cohort studies and longitudinal studies for a better understanding for causal links of overweight, atopy, and asthma

A descriptive analysis of human milk dispensed by the Leipzig Donor Human Milk Bank for neonates between 2012 and 2019

BackgroundHuman milk banking has become an important aspect of Nutritional medicine. It is not just about the provision of mother’s own milk (MOM) or donor human milk (DHM) in the hospital, but also a strategy to encourage breastfeeding in the clinical setting and beyond.ObjectiveTo describe the feeding patterns of hospitalised infants including human milk dispensed by the Leipzig Donor Human Milk Bank (LMB).DesignA descriptive analysis of daily data on milk feeds dispensed by LMB for hospitalised infants distinguishing between MOM or DHM, either fresh or frozen, and raw/pasteurised milk from 2012–2019.ResultsWe included 2,562 infants with median hospitalisation of 23 days, for whom human milk was dispensed on median 76% of those days and other nutrition on the remaining days. Raw MOM and raw DHM comprised 52% and 8% of the dispensed milk, respectively. Dispensing exclusive DHM instead of MOM for at least one full day was required for 55% of the infants, mostly at the beginning but also later during hospitalisation. Exclusive raw DHM was dispensed on at least 1 day for 37% of the infants, in different birthweight strata <1,000 g: 10%, 1,000-1500 g: 11%, 1,500-2500 g: 13% and > 2,500 g: 3%. At discharge, MOM was dispensed for more than 60% of the infants.ConclusionDuring an infant’s hospital stay, LMB dispenses various human milk feeds with interspersed DHM resulting in complex intra-individual and time-variant feeding patterns. LMB dispenses raw MOM and especially raw DHM with the intention to retain the properties of human milk unlike a diet containing pasteurised DHM and/or formula. Although raw DHM comprises a small percentage of all dispensed milk, raw DHM is dispensed for a substantial portion of infants. Our results document that dispensing raw DHM, is possible in routine settings

Associations of Human Milk Oligosaccharides With Otitis Media and Lower and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections up to 2 Years: The Ulm SPATZ Health Study

Background: Humanmilk oligosaccharides (HMOs) support and concurrently shape the neonatal immune system through various mechanisms. Thereby, they may contribute to lower incidence of infections in infants. However, there is limited evidence on the role of individual HMOs in the risk of otitis media (OM), as well as lower and upper respiratory tract infections (LRTI and URTI, respectively) in children up to 2 years. Objective: To investigate whether individual HMO concentrations measured at 6 weeks of lactation were associated with risk of OM, LRTI or URTI up to 2 years in breastfed infants. Associations with OM, LRTI and URTI were determined for the most prominent human milk oligosaccharides including 13 neutral, partly isomeric structures (trioses up to hexaoses), two acidic trioses, and lactose. Design: HMO measurements and physician reported data on infections were available from human milk samples collected at 6 weeks postpartum (n = 667). Associations of HMOs with infections were assessed in crude and adjusted models using modified Poisson regression. Results: Absolute concentrations (median [min, max], in g/L) of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) tended (p = 0.04) to be lower, while lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) was higher in the milk for infants with OM in the 1st year of life (p = 0.0046). In the milk of secretor mothers, LNT was significantly higher in the milk for infants with OM (RR [95% CI]: 0.98 [0.15, 2.60]) compared to infants without OM (RR [95% CI]: 0.76 [0.14, 2.90]) at 1 year (p = 0.0019). No statistically significant milk group differences and associations were observed for OM, LRTI, and URTI (p > 0.0031). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that neither prominent neutral individual HMOs (ranging from 2′-FL to LNDFHs) nor acidic human milk sialyllactoses or lactose are significantly associated with a reduced or increased risk of infections in infants up to 2 years of age. Further research is needed to determine whether specific HMOs could potentially reduce the incidence or alleviate the course of distinct infections in early life