Change in Juvenile Offending Versatility Predicted by Individual, Familial, and Environmental Risks

Developmental and life-course criminology elucidate the developmental course and change of antisociality over time, considering that longitudinal trajectories differ. Specific relations between risks and different antisociality outcomes are emphasized. We assume that adolescents have different longitudinal trajectories considering the change of offending over time and that risks contribute variably to offending pathways. The current study is based on a German research project in which adolescents (N = 577) were interviewed in two German cities. Based on self-reported crime data, we utilized the slope values of offending versatility (OV) over time as outcome values in regression mixture models capturing the trends for participants over age and exhibiting two components of offending adolescents. We explored the contribution of different risks to OV, defining specific risk patterns: Acceptance of violence and peer delinquency have significant negative effects on the emergence of OV within the group of adolescents with decreasing OV. Acceptance of violence has a significant negative effect, and corporal punishment has a significant positive effect on the emergence of OV within the group of adolescents with increasing or rather stable OV. The results underline the relevance of the violence-related risk factor corporal punishment for the emergence of OV within the last-mentioned group

Movement Dependence and Layer Specificity of Entorhinal Phase Precession in Two-Dimensional Environments

As a rat moves, grid cells in its entorhinal cortex (EC) discharge at multiple locations of the external world, and the firing fields of each grid cell span a hexagonal lattice. For movements on linear tracks, spikes tend to occur at successively earlier phases of the theta-band filtered local field potential during the traversal of a firing field - a phenomenon termed phase precession. The complex movement patterns observed in two-dimensional (2D) open-field environments may fundamentally alter phase precession. To study this question at the behaviorally relevant single-run level, we analyzed EC spike patterns as a function of the distance traveled by the rat along each trajectory. This analysis revealed that cells across all EC layers fire spikes that phase-precess;indeed, the rate and extent of phase precession were the same, only the correlation between spike phase and path length was weaker in EC layer III. Both slope and correlation of phase precession were surprisingly similar on linear tracks and in 2D open-field environments despite strong differences in the movement statistics, including running speed. While the phase-precession slope did not correlate with the average running speed, it did depend on specific properties of the animal's path. The longer a curving path through a grid-field in a 2D environment, the shallower was the rate of phase precession, while runs that grazed a grid field tangentially led to a steeper phase-precession slope than runs through the field center. Oscillatory interference models for grid cells do not reproduce the observed phenomena

Lung ultrasound predicts clinical course but not outcome in COVID-19 ICU patients: a retrospective single-center analysis

BACKGROUND Point-of-care lung ultrasound (LU) is an established tool in the first assessment of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of lung ultrasound in COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) patients in predicting clinical course and outcome. METHODS We analyzed lung ultrasound score (LUS) of all COVID-19 patients admitted from March 2020 to December 2020 to the Internal Intensive Care Unit, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) of Munich. LU was performed according to a standardized protocol at ICU admission and in case of clinical deterioration with the need for intubation. A normal lung scores 0 points, the worst LUS has 24 points. Patients were stratified in a low (0-12 points) and a high (13-24 points) lung ultrasound score group. RESULTS The study included 42 patients, 69% of them male. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (81%) and obesity (57%). The values of pH (7.42 ± 0.09 vs 7.35 ± 0.1; p = 0.047) and paO2 (107 80-130 vs 80 66-93 mmHg; p = 0.034) were significantly reduced in patients of the high LUS group. Furthermore, the duration of ventilation (12.5 8.3-25 vs 36.5 9.8-70 days; p = 0.029) was significantly prolonged in this group. Patchy subpleural thickening (n = 38; 90.5{\%}) and subpleural consolidations (n = 23; 54.8{\%}) were present in most patients. Pleural effusion was rare (n = 4; 9.5{\%}). The median total LUS was 11.9 ± 3.9 points. In case of clinical deterioration with the need for intubation, LUS worsened significantly compared to baseline LU. Twelve patients died during the ICU stay (29{\%}). There was no difference in survival in both LUS groups (75{\%} vs 66.7{\%}, p = 0.559). CONCLUSIONS LU can be a useful monitoring tool to predict clinical course but not outcome of COVID-19 ICU patients and can early recognize possible deteriorations

Bone Loss after Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Pilot Study on the Use of Zoledronic Acid

Purpose. Bone loss is a common phenomenon following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The study aimed on tolerance and efficacy of zoledronic acid (ZA) in patients after allo-HSCT. Methods. 40 patients' with osteoporosis or osteopenia were recruited on this phase II study. ZA was given at a dose of 4 mg IV every 3 months for 2 years (yrs). BMD was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (LS lumbar spine, FH femur hip). Patients were evaluated for deoxypyridinoline (Dpd) and calcium excretion by longitudinal measurements. Results. 36 patients who had received at least 3 doses of ZA were evaluable. 26 patients had at least two BMD measurements since baseline (BMD group). Among these patients, BMD increased from 0.97 ± 0.15 to 1.10 ± 0.18 g/cm² (LS baseline—2 yrs, Δ+11.6 ± 6.0%, P < 0.001) and from 0.82 ± 0.10 to 0.91 ± 0.10 g/cm² (FH baseline—2 yrs, Δ+7.5 ± 7.0%, P < 0.001). Factors associated with an increase in BMD were younger age, female donor sex, and immunosuppression with CSA/MTX. Conclusion. ZA was generally well tolerated; it increases BMD and reduces Dpd excretion significantly in patients with bone loss after allo-HSCT

Evaluation of the toll-like receptor 6 Ser249Pro polymorphism in patients with asthma, atopic dermatitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND: For allergic disorders, the increasing prevalence over the past decade has been attributed in part to the lack of microbial burden in developed countries ('hygiene hypothesis'). Variation in genes encoding toll-like receptors (TLRs) as the receptor system for the first innate immune response to microbial stimuli has been implicated in various inflammatory diseases. We evaluated here the role of a coding variation, Ser249Pro, in the TLR6 gene in the pathogenesis of asthma, atopic dermatitis (AD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Genotyping of the Ser249Pro polymorphism in 68 unrelated adult patients and 132 unrelated children with asthma, 185 unrelated patients with COPD, 295 unrelated individuals with AD and 212 healthy control subjects was performed by restriction enzyme digestion. RESULTS: We found a weak association of the 249Ser allele with childhood asthma (p = 0.03). Yet, significance was lost after Bonferroni correction. No association was evident for AD or COPD. CONCLUSION: Variation in TLR6 might play a role in the pathogenesis of childhood asthma

Association between TAS2R38 gene polymorphisms and colorectal cancer risk

Molecular sensing in the lingual mucosa and in the gastro-intestinal tract play a role in the detection of ingested harmful drugs and toxins. Therefore, genetic polymorphisms affecting the capability of initiating these responses may be critical for the subsequent efficiency of avoiding and/or eliminating possible threats to the organism. By using a tagging approach in the region of Taste Receptor 2R38 (TAS2R38) gene, we investigated all the common genetic variation of this gene region in relation to colorectal cancer risk with a case-control study in a German population (709 controls and 602 cases) and in a Czech population (623 controls and 601 cases). We found that there were no significant associations between individual SNPs of the TAS2R38 gene and colorectal cancer in the Czech or in the German population, nor in the joint analysis. However, when we analyzed the diplotypes and the phenotypes we found that the non-taster group had an increased risk of colorectal cancer in comparison to the taster group. This association was borderline significant in the Czech population, (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 0.99-1.67; P(value) = 0.058) and statistically significant in the German population (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.06-1.75; P(value) = 0.016) and in the joint analysis (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.12-1.61; P(value) = 0.001). In conclusion, we found a suggestive association between the human bitter tasting phenotype and the risk of CRC in two different populations of Caucasian origin

Autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia: Novel mutations in the REEP1 gene (SPG31)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mutations in the <it>SPG4 </it>gene (spastin) and in the <it>SPG3A </it>gene (atlastin) account for the majority of 'pure' autosomal dominant form of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). Recently, mutations in the <it>REEP1 </it>gene were identified to cause autosomal dominant HSP type SPG31. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of <it>REEP1 </it>mutations in a cohort of 162 unrelated Caucasian index patients with 'pure' HSP and a positive family history (at least two persons per family presented symptoms).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>162 patients were screened for mutations by, both, DHPLC and direct sequencing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ten mutations were identified in the <it>REEP1 </it>gene, these included eight novel mutations comprising small insertions/deletions causing frame shifts and subsequently premature stop codons, one nonsense mutation and one splice site mutation as well as two missense mutations. Both missense mutations and the splice site mutation were not identified in 170 control subjects.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In our HSP cohort we found pathogenic mutations in 4.3% of cases with autosomal dominant inheritance. Our results confirm the previously observed mutation range of 3% to 6.5%, respectively, and they widen the spectrum of <it>REEP1 </it>mutations.</p

Charakteristika und Outcome von 70 beatmeten COVID-19-Patienten : Bilanz nach der ersten Welle an einem universitären Zentrum

BACKGROUND In a pandemic situation the overall mortality rate is of considerable interest; however, these data must always be seen in relation to the given healthcare system and the availability of local level of care. A recently published German data evaluation of more than 10,000 COVID-19 patients treated in 920 hospitals showed a high mortality rate of 22% in hospitalized patients and of more than 50% in patients requiring invasive ventilation. Because of the high infection rates in Bavaria, a large number of COVID-19 patients with considerable severity of disease were treated at the intensive care units of the LMU hospital. The LMU hospital is a university hospital and a specialized referral center for the treatment of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). OBJECTIVE Data of LMU intensive care unit (ICU) patients were systematically evaluated and compared with the recently published German data. METHODS Data of all COVID-19 patients with invasive and noninvasive ventilation and with completed admission at the ICU of the LMU hospital until 31 July 2020 were collected. Data were processed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS In total 70 critically ill patients were included in the data evaluation. The median SAPS II on admission to the ICU was 62~points. The median age was 66 years and 81% of the patients were male. More than 90% were diagnosed with ARDS and received invasive ventilation. Treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was necessary in 10% of the patients. The median duration of ventilation was 16 days, whereby 34.3% of patients required a tracheostomy. Of the patients 27.1% were transferred to the LMU hospital from external hospitals with reference to our ARDS/ECMO program. Patients from external hospitals had ARDS of higher severity than the total study population. In total, nine different substances were used for virus-specific treatment of COVID-19. The most frequently used substances were hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin. Immunomodulatory treatment, such as Cytosorb® (18.6%) and methylprednisolone (25.7%) were also frequently used. The overall in-hospital mortality rate of ICU patients requiring ventilation was 28.6%. The mortality rates of patients from external hospitals, patients with renal replacement therapy and patients with ECMO therapy were 47.4%, 56.7% and 85.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION The mortality rate in the ventilated COVID-19 intensive care patients was considerably different from the general rate in Germany. The data showed that treatment in an ARDS referral center could result in a lower mortality rate. Low-dose administration of steroids may be another factor to improve patient outcome in a preselected patient population. In the authors' opinion, critically ill COVID-19 patients should be treated in an ARDS center provided that sufficient resources are available.ZUSAMMENFASSUNG HINTERGRUND: Eine aktuelle, deutschlandweite Datenerhebung zeigte bei beatmeten Patienten mit COVID-19 eine Letalität von über 50 %. Auch am LMU Klinikum wurde eine große Anzahl an Patienten mit COVID-19 mit teils erheblicher Erkrankungsschwere intensivmedizinisch behandelt. FRAGESTELLUNG Die Daten der am LMU-Klinikum behandelten COVID-19-Patienten wurden systematisch ausgewertet und mit den deutschlandweiten Daten verglichen. METHODIK Für die vorliegende Studie wurden die Daten aller Patienten, die bis zum 31.07.2020 am LMU-Klinikum aufgrund von COVID-19 invasiv und nichtinvasiv beatmet wurden und deren Krankenhausaufenthalt zum Zeitpunkt der Auswertung bereits abgeschlossen war, analysiert und mittels deskriptiver Statistik aufgearbeitet. ERGEBNISSE Insgesamt wurden 70 kritisch kranke, beatmete Patienten (SAPS-II-Median: 62 Punkte) analysiert (Altersmedian: 66 Jahre, 81 % männlich). Über 90 % wurden wegen eines akuten Lungenversagens (ARDS) unterschiedlicher Schweregrade behandelt. Eine Therapie mittels extrakorporaler Membranoxygenierung (ECMO) war bei 10 % erforderlich. Die Übernahme von externen Kliniken im Rahmen einer ARDS/ECMO-Anfrage erfolgte bei 27,1 % der Patienten. Häufig eingesetzte immunmodulatorische Therapien waren die Behandlung mit Cytosorb® (18,6 %) und die prolongierte Gabe von Methylprednisolon (25,7 %). Die krankenhausinterne Letalität betrug 28,6 %. FAZIT Trotz erheblicher Erkrankungsschwere lag die Letalität bei beatmeten COVID-19-Intensivpatienten im LMU-Kollektiv deutlich unter der deutschlandweit erhobenen Letalität. Ein möglicher Faktor ist die Behandlung in einem Zentrum für ARDS

Variation in genes encoding eosinophil granule proteins in atopic dermatitis patients from Germany

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Atopic dermatitis (AD) is believed to result from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. A main feature of AD as well as other allergic disorders is serum and tissue eosinophilia. Human eosinophils contain high amounts of cationic granule proteins, including eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) and major basic protein (MBP). Recently, variation in genes encoding eosinophil granule proteins has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. We therefore genotyped selected single nucleotide polymorphisms within the <it>ECP, EDN, EPO </it>and <it>MBP </it>genes in a cohort of 361 German AD patients and 325 healthy controls.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Genotype and allele frequencies did not differ between patients and controls for all polymorphisms investigated in this study. Haplotype analysis did not reveal any additional information.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We did not find evidence to support an influence of variation in genes encoding eosinophil granule proteins for AD pathogenesis in this German cohort.</p