Structural evolution and disintegration of oceanic intraplate volcanoes: The Bathymetrists Seamounts and its relation to Sierra Leona Rise (eastern equatorial Atlantic) - Cruise No. M152/2, 03.01. – 12.02.2019, Las Palmas (Spain) – Walvis Bay (Namibia), SEDIS

Summary The Bathymetrists Seamounts (BSM) are located north of the volcanic Sierra Leone Rise in the eastern Atlantic between 6° and 9°N. The three W-E, N-S and NE-SW striking directions of the seamounts indicate a clear structural control for the emplacement of these volcanoes. The origin of the melts, their relationship to the Sierra Leone Rise and the role of the faults in the formation of the melts are unknown as the BSM could be explained by plume related volcanism or decompression melting beneath deep (transform) faults. The SEDIS-cruise M152/2 of RV METEOR strove for a better understanding of the life cycle of submarine volcanoes and their effect on the oceanic lithosphere in the oceanic intraplate setting of the BSM and the relationship to the Sierra Leone Rise. The aims were: 1) to understand the interaction between crustal thickness, tectonics and volcanic phases, 2) to investigate the structural, chronological and petrological evolution of individual seamounts and seamount chains, 3) to review slope failures and resulting mass flow processes. We addressed these objectives by more than 4000 km highresolution reflection seismic and more than 5000 km of parametric echosounder, multi-beam, and gravity and magnetic profiles. Rock samples for ground truthing and geochemical research have been collected during 14 dredge stations. We further determined the concentrations in surface seawater and air and the state of air-sea exchange of a number of nowadays globally banned pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, brominated flame retardants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Zusammenfassung Die Bathymetrists Seeberge liegen nördlich der Sierra Leone Schwelle, einer vulkanischen Plattform im östlichen Atlantik zwischen 6° und 9° N. Diese submarinen Vulkane gruppieren sich entlang W-E, N-S und NE-SW Trends, was eine strukturelle Kontrolle der Vulkanentstehung indiziert. Die Schmelzentstehung sind unbekannt und können mit PlumeVulkanismus oder Dekompressionsschmelzen unter bisher nicht untersuchten Störungen und tiefen Transformstörungen zusammenhängen. Der Bezug zur Sierra Leone Schwelle ist ebenfalls unbekannt. Im Zuge der SEDIS-Expedition M152/2 mit FS METEOR wurde der Lebenszyklus von Unterwasservulkanen und deren geochemischen Einfluss auf die ozeanische Lithosphäre der Bathymetrists Seeberge untersucht. Anhand der profilhaften geophysikalischer Messungen und Dredge-Proben wollen wir 1) die Wechselwirkung zwischen Krustenmächtigkeit, Tektonik und Vulkanismus verstehen, 2) die strukturelle, chronologische und petrologische Entwicklung von Vulkanen und Vulkanketten untersuchen, und 3) Auslösemechanismen, Transportprozesse und Volumina von Hangrutschungen studieren. Zur Bearbeitung der wissenschaftlichen Fragen sammelten wir mehr als 4000 km mehrkanal-reflexionsseismischer und mehr als 5000 km parametrische Sedimentecholot, Fächerlot, Schwere und Magnetik-Profile. Für die geochemischen Arbeiten sammelten wir an 14 Stationen Gesteinsproben unter Einsatz einer Dredge. Die regelmäßige Beprobung der Luft und des Oberflächenwassers diente der Bestimmung der Konzentration von heute weltweit verbotenen Pestiziden, polychlorierten Biphenylen, bromierten Flammschutzmitteln, polyzyklischen aromatischen Kohlenwasserstoffen und deren Derivaten und um den Austausch zwischen Luft und Meer weiter zu verstehen

Global assessment of marine plastic exposure risk for oceanic birds

Plastic pollution is distributed patchily around the world’s oceans. Likewise, marine organisms that are vulnerable to plastic ingestion or entanglement have uneven distributions. Understanding where wildlife encounters plastic is crucial for targeting research and mitigation. Oceanic seabirds, particularly petrels, frequently ingest plastic, are highly threatened, and cover vast distances during foraging and migration. However, the spatial overlap between petrels and plastics is poorly understood. Here we combine marine plastic density estimates with individual movement data for 7137 birds of 77 petrel species to estimate relative exposure risk. We identify high exposure risk areas in the Mediterranean and Black seas, and the northeast Pacific, northwest Pacific, South Atlantic and southwest Indian oceans. Plastic exposure risk varies greatly among species and populations, and between breeding and non-breeding seasons. Exposure risk is disproportionately high for Threatened species. Outside the Mediterranean and Black seas, exposure risk is highest in the high seas and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of the USA, Japan, and the UK. Birds generally had higher plastic exposure risk outside the EEZ of the country where they breed. We identify conservation and research priorities, and highlight that international collaboration is key to addressing the impacts of marine plastic on wide-ranging species

Global assessment of marine plastic exposure risk for oceanic birds

Plastic pollution is distributed patchily around the world’s oceans. Likewise, marine organisms that are vulnerable to plastic ingestion or entanglement have uneven distributions. Understanding where wildlife encounters plastic is crucial for targeting research and mitigation. Oceanic seabirds, particularly petrels, frequently ingest plastic, are highly threatened, and cover vast distances during foraging and migration. However, the spatial overlap between petrels and plastics is poorly understood. Here we combine marine plastic density estimates with individual movement data for 7137 birds of 77 petrel species to estimate relative exposure risk. We identify high exposure risk areas in the Mediterranean and Black seas, and the northeast Pacific, northwest Pacific, South Atlantic and southwest Indian oceans. Plastic exposure risk varies greatly among species and populations, and between breeding and non-breeding seasons. Exposure risk is disproportionately high for Threatened species. Outside the Mediterranean and Black seas, exposure risk is highest in the high seas and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of the USA, Japan, and the UK. Birds generally had higher plastic exposure risk outside the EEZ of the country where they breed. We identify conservation and research priorities, and highlight that international collaboration is key to addressing the impacts of marine plastic on wide-ranging species

Antidepressivagebrauch in vulnerablen Patientengruppen: Untersuchungen basierend auf den Daten der pharmakopeidemiologischen Forschungsdatenbank (GePaRD)

Antidepressiva zählen zu den am häufigsten verschriebenen Arzneimitteln. Für vulnerable Patientengruppen fehlen oftmals Informationen zur Anwendung und Sicherheit, insbesondere aus klinischen Studien, da diese Personen in Studien nicht berücksichtigt werden oder unterrepräsentiert sind. Daher werden Studien basierend auf Daten aus dem Versorgungsalltag benötigt. Im Rahmen der Dissertation wird basierend auf Krankenkassendaten aus Deutschland die Anwendung und Sicherheit von Antidepressiva bei älteren Menschen ab einem Alter von 65 Jahren sowie bei Schwangeren als zwei vulnerable Patientengruppen untersucht. Dabei wird für ältere Menschen untersucht, ob ein erhöhtes Risiko für Schlaganfälle durch Hirnblutungen als seltene Nebenwirkung bei der Einnahme bestimmter Antidepressiva besteht, und wie häufig in dieser Altersgruppe Antidepressiva ohne vorliegende Indikation eingenommen werden. Weiterhin werden Schwangerschaften charakterisiert, in deren Verlauf Johanniskraut als Antidepressivum verschrieben wurde. Hierbei wird auch das relative Risiko von Fehlbildungen bei Kindern, deren Mütter im ersten Trimester Johanniskraut eingenommen haben, im Vergleich zu Kindern, deren Mütter im zweiten oder dritten Trimester Johanniskraut eingenommen haben, ermittelt. Es zeigt sich dabei, dass Antidepressiva in beiden vulnerablen Gruppen trotz fehlender Informationen zur Sicherheit der Anwendung aus klinischen Studien oftmals verwendet werden. Bei älteren Menschen besteht dabei für bestimmte Antidepressiva ein erhöhtes Risiko für Schlaganfälle durch Hirnblutungen. Zudem werden Antidepressiva hier oftmals ohne das Vorliegen einer Indikation verschrieben. Die Ergebnisse zur Einnahme von Johanniskraut als Antidepressivum während der Schwangerschaft weisen auf ein mögliches erhöhtes Risiko für Fehlbildungen des Herzens bei einer Einnahme im ersten Trimester hin. Für beide vulnerable Gruppen ist zusammenfassend festzuhalten, dass durch die Ärzte eine genaue Risiko-Nutzen-Abwägung bei der Anwendung von Antidepressiva erfolgen sollte, wobei stärker die bekannten Risiken und bestehenden Indikationen zu berücksichtigen sind

Seismic stratigraphy of the Klints Bank east of Gotland (Baltic Sea): a giant drumlin sealing thermogenic hydrocarbons

This work analyses six high-resolution multi-channel seismic profiles across the Klints Bank east of Gotland. The Klints Bank consists of a drop-shaped increase of the Quaternary thickness and is oriented in an approximately north-southern direction with a length of over 50 km, a width of about 15 km and a maximum thickness of 150 m. The glacial origin of the Klints Bank can be verified with the dataset presented in this study. We classify the feature as a (giant) drumlin due to its steep up-ice and tapered down-ice face in combination with an orientation parallel to the ice-flow direction of the Weichselian glaciation. The seismic image of the internal structure of the Quaternary unit shows no uniform stratification or deformation patterns; instead, local sub-parallel reflection patterns interlayered with transparent units are observed. The averaged seismic velocity of this unit is about 2000 m/s, which is interpreted as an autochthonous deposition of glaciogenic sediments. Signs of overprinting are interpreted based on the geometry of the flanks of the structure, which appear mostly in the form of collapse structures and lifted blocks due to compressional thrust faulting. Phase-reversed events within and beneath the Quaternary are perceived as strong evidence of fluid (hydrocarbon) presence within the Klints Bank. Organically enriched Palaeozoic shales in south-easterly direction of the Klints Bank presumably give the origin of these thermogenic hydrocarbons.Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/50110000165

Second dose of measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine (MMRV) and the risk of febrile convulsions

INTRODUCTION: Studies have shown an increased risk of febrile convulsions (FC) after first immunization with the quadrivalent measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine (MMRV) compared to a first dose of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) only or in combination with separately administered varicella vaccine (MMR + V). Therefore, it is recommended to give MMR + V at first dose and MMRV or MMR + V at second dose. Little is known on the risk of FC after MMRV at second dose, especially whether the risk depends on age, sex, history of FC or type of first dose vaccine. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using claims data from the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research database (GePaRD) was performed in children born between January 1st, 2004 and October 31st, 2015 who received two doses of MMRV, MMR + V or MMR. Cases were defined as hospitalization with a diagnosis of FC without neurological conditions coded as main discharge diagnosis. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intevals (CIs) were calculated to compare the risk of FC. Stratified analyses were performed to examine potential effect modification by age, sex, history of FC or type of first dose vaccine. RESULTS: In the first 30 days after second dose vaccination, 464 FCs were observed in a cohort of 528,639 children with a median age of 17 months. After adjustment for potential confounders, the adjusted OR for FC in the 30 days after vaccination was 1.25 (95% CI 0.67–2.30) for MMRV compared to MMR + V and 1.04 (0.82–1.32) for MMRV compared to MMR. History of FC was the most important risk factor with an OR of 36.26 (29.30–44.89). We found no effect modification by age, sex, history of FC, or type of first dose vaccine. CONCLUSION: Use of MMRV at second dose is not associated with an increased risk of FC compared to MMR + V or MMR, irrespective of age, sex, history of FC, or type of first dose vaccine

Seismic stratigraphy of the Klints Bank east of Gotland (Baltic Sea): a giant drumlin sealing thermogenic hydrocarbons

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>This work analyses six high-resolution multi-channel seismic profiles across the Klints Bank east of Gotland. The Klints Bank consists of a drop-shaped increase of the Quaternary thickness and is oriented in an approximately north-southern direction with a length of over 50 km, a width of about 15 km and a maximum thickness of 150 m. The glacial origin of the Klints Bank can be verified with the dataset presented in this study. We classify the feature as a (giant) drumlin due to its steep up-ice and tapered down-ice face in combination with an orientation parallel to the ice-flow direction of the Weichselian glaciation. The seismic image of the internal structure of the Quaternary unit shows no uniform stratification or deformation patterns; instead, local sub-parallel reflection patterns interlayered with transparent units are observed. The averaged seismic velocity of this unit is about 2000 m/s, which is interpreted as an autochthonous deposition of glaciogenic sediments. Signs of overprinting are interpreted based on the geometry of the flanks of the structure, which appear mostly in the form of collapse structures and lifted blocks due to compressional thrust faulting. Phase-reversed events within and beneath the Quaternary are perceived as strong evidence of fluid (hydrocarbon) presence within the Klints Bank. Organically enriched Palaeozoic shales in south-easterly direction of the Klints Bank presumably give the origin of these thermogenic hydrocarbons.</jats:p&gt

Characterization of pregnancies exposed to St. John’s wort and their outcomes: A claims data analysis

Little is known about the utilization of St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) during pregnancy. In Germany, certain preparations of St. John’s wort can be reimbursed by statutory health insurances, facilitating to investigate exposure to St. John’s wort based on claims data. We therefore aimed to characterize pregnancies exposed to St. John’s wort and to explore potential malformations in the babies. Using claims data from the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database (GePaRD), pregnancies exposed to St. John’s wort during at least one trimester between 2006 and 2016 and the corresponding babies were identified. Exposure was identified via outpatient dispensations. Pregnancies were characterized regarding timing of exposure, use of other antidepressants, pregnancy outcomes and the occurrence of major malformations in the babies (not considering codes for musculoskeletal and other malformations due to low data quality in this regard). Out of 496 pregnancies with a dispensation of St. John’s wort during pregnancy, 420 (85 %) had a dispensation during the first trimester. There was a dispensation of other antidepressants before pregnancy in 21 % (during pregnancy: 12 %). Eleven percent of pregnancies ended in non-live births. In 312 babies linked to 305 pregnancies, major malformations were coded in 18 babies (5.8 %), of which 17 were exposed in the first trimester. The crude relative risk of major malformations for babies exposed during the first vs. the second or third trimester only was 3.56 (0.48–26.17). Our results suggest that only in a minority of pregnancies, St. John’s wort is used as an alternative to other antidepressants. Even though the relatively high rates of non-live births and major malformations after exposure to St. John’s wort during the first trimester need to be interpreted with caution, the findings are striking and generate hypotheses that merit further investigation

Antidepressants and the Risk of Hemorrhagic Stroke in the Elderly: a Nested Case–Control Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are frequently prescribed in the elderly due to a more favorable risk profile than other antidepressants (ADs). However, SSRIs are associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, while evidence on the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (HS) is limited. Therefore, we compared the risk of HS associated with the use of ADs in the elderly. METHODS: Based on data from the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database (GePaRD), a case–control study matched on age, sex, and health insurance provider, nested in a cohort of incident users of ADs ≥ 65 years of age was performed. Cases were identified from hospital discharge diagnoses, and exposure was identified from outpatient prescriptions. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Based on 4059 cases and 40,590 controls, an increased risk of HS was found in current use of SSRIs (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.22–1.58), selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (1.69, 1.35–2.11), noradrenergic and specific serotonergic ADs (1.44, 1.22–1.69), and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (3.81, 1.54–9.43) compared with tri- and tetracyclic antidepressants. An increased risk of HS was seen in patients with a high baseline risk of bleeding and in patients with depression. The risk of HS varied between individual ADs. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the use of medications inhibiting serotonin and/or noradrenaline reuptake increases the risk of HS in patients aged 65 years and older and that the risk varies across individual ADs

How often are antidepressants prescribed off-label among older adults in Germany? A claims data analysis

AIM:To estimate the extent of off-label prescribing of antidepressants in older adults and to characterize patients with off-label vs on-label prescriptions of antidepressants using a large German health claims database. METHODS:Using data from the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database (GePaRD), we conducted a cross-sectional study in adults aged 65 years or older with a dispensation of an antidepressant between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2015 after a period of 365 days without such a dispensation. We assessed the overall and annual proportion of off-label prescriptions of antidepressants by class and individual substance. RESULTS: Among 263 276 incident users of antidepressants, the proportion of off-label prescribing was 43.6% (95% CI 43.4-43.8%) with little variation between 2009 and 2015 (42.2-44.4%). The proportion of off-label use was higher in men (49%) than women (41%). While the proportion of off-label prescriptions was highest for tri- and tetracyclic antidepressants with 56.2% (amitriptyline 54.6%, maximum 65.9% for trimipramine), it amounted to 41.8% for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (citalopram 41.6%, maximum 46.0% for escitalopram) and was 51.2% for mirtazapine. Indicators of overall morbidity were similar in both groups, eg, pain was coded in 72% of off-label users vs 77% of on-label users (insomnia 20% vs 24%). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests a high prevalence of off-label antidepressant use among older adults in Germany, which was not restricted to certain classes of antidepressants or individual antidepressants. Given the unclear risk-benefit ratio, studies investigating the safety of off-label use among older adults for individual antidepressants are urgently needed