Search

The ABO blood group (BG) system is of great importance for blood transfusion and organ transplantation. Since the same transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) govern the expression of ABO BG antigens and regulate erythropoiesis, we hypothesized functional connections between both processes. We found significantly higher hemoglobin and hematocrit values in BG B blood donors compared to BG A. Furthermore, we observed that erythropoiesis in BG B hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) was accelerated compared to BG A HSPCs. Specifically, BG B HSPCs yielded more lineage-specific progenitors in a shorter time (B: 31.3 ± 2.2% vs. A: 22.5 ± 3.0%). Moreover, non-BG A individuals exhibited more terminally differentiated RBCs with higher enucleation rates containing more hemoglobin compared to BG A. Additionally, we detected increased levels of miRNA-215-5p and -182-5p and decreased expression of their target TFs RUNX1 and HES-1 mRNAs in erythroid BG B precursor cells compared to BG A. This highlights the important roles of these factors for the disappearance of differentiation-specific glycan antigens and the appearance of cancer-specific glycan antigens. Our work contributes to a deeper understanding of erythropoiesis gene regulatory networks and identifies its interference with BG-specific gene expression regulations particularly in diseases, where ABO BGs determine treatment susceptibility and disease progression.

Background: Loneliness is increasingly acknowledged as a serious public health issue. This longitudinal study aimed to assess the extent to which psychological distress and alexithymia can predict loneliness among Italian college students before and one year after the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: A convenience sample of 177 psychology college students were recruited. Loneliness (UCLA), alexithymia (TAS-20), anxiety symptoms (GAD-7), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), and somatic symptoms (PHQ-15) were assessed before the COVID-19 outbreak and one year after the spread of COVID-19 worldwide. Results: After controlling for baseline covariation, lonely students showed significantly higher levels of psychological distress and alexithymia over time. Feelings of loneliness one year after pandemic-related, forced stay-at-home were significantly and independently predicted at 41% by depression and alexithymic traits both before and one year after the lockdown period. Conclusions: College students with higher levels of depression and alexithymic traits both before and one year after the lockdown were more at risk of suffering from perceived loneliness and may constitute the target sample for psychological support and intervention.

Chronische Schmerzpatienten reprasentieren die Population mit den hochsten Anwendungszahlen von Komplementarmedizin („Complementary and Alternative Medicine“, CAM). Aktuelle Daten uber Nutzung, Verordnung und Grunde fur die Inanspruchnahme von CAM in Deutschland wurden bisher nicht publiziert. Ziel der Studie war es, Details uber Interesse und Anwendung sowie Grunde fur die Inanspruchnahme von CAM bei chronischen Schmerzpatienten zu evaluieren. 60 von 64 konsekutiven Patienten der interdisziplinaren Schmerztagesklinik nahmen an der Studie teil. Neben dem Deutschen Schmerzfragebogen beantworteten die Patienten einen Fragebogen zum Anwendungsverhalten von CAM. CAM wurde gemas den Richtlinien des NCCIH definiert. 96,7 % der Befragten waren an CAM interessiert und alle 60 Teilnehmer hatten CAM zur Beeinflussung der Schmerzen genutzt (3–26 verschiedene Methoden, Median 12). Am haufigsten angewandt wurden Massage (95 %), Akupunktur (73 %), Nahrungserganzungsmittel und Vitaminpraparate (je 72 %). Die Wirksamkeit wurde uberwiegend als kurz anhaltend bewertet. Verordnet wurde CAM oft vom Fach- (61,7 %) oder Hausarzt (60 %). Als groste Motivation fur die Anwendung diente der Wunsch, selbst aktiv werden zu wollen (76,7 %). Eine starkere Beeintrachtigung durch Schmerzen war mit einer vermehrten Inanspruchnahme von biologischen CAM-Methoden verbunden, wahrend eine hohere Schmerzintensitat mit einer geringeren Nutzung biologischer und alternativer CAM-Methoden korrelierte. Die hohe Inanspruchnahme von CAM bei chronischen Schmerzpatienten verdeutlicht, wie wichtig es fur behandelnde Arzte ist, Kenntnisse uber die einzelnen Methoden zu besitzen und kompetent daruber mit den Patienten zu kommunizieren.

Long-term changes in burnout and its predictors in hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated in an international study.Two online surveys were distributed to hospital staff in seven countries (Germany, Andorra, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Romania, Iran) between May and October 2020 (T1) and between February and April 2021 (T2), using the following variables: Burnout (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization), job function, age, gender, and contact with COVID-19 patients; individual resources (self-compassion, sense of coherence, social support) and work-related resources and demands (support at the workplace, risk perception, health and safety at the workplace, altruistic acceptance of risk). Data were analyzed using linear mixed models repeated measures, controlled for age.A total of 612 respondents were included (76% women). We found an increase in burnout from T1 to T2. Burnout was high among personnel with high contact with COVID-19 patients. Individual factors (self-compassion, sense of coherence) and work-related factors (support at the workplace, risk perception, health and safety at the workplace) showed associations with burnout. Low health and safety at the workplace at T1 was associated with an increase in emotional exhaustion at T2. Men showed an increase in depersonalization if they had much contact with COVID-19 patients.Burnout represents a potential problematic consequence of occupational contact with COVID-19 patients. Special attention should be paid to this group in organizational health management. Self-compassion, sense of coherence, support at the workplace, risk perception, and health and safety at the workplace may be important starting points for interventions.Müller, M. M. (2020, August 30). Cope-Corona: Identifying and strengthening personal resources of hospital staff to cope with the Corona pandemic. Open Science Foundation.

The role of partisanship in the Bundesrat, Germany’s second chamber designed to represent the territorial interest of the 16 Lander, has been at the centre of debates for decades. In this contribut...

Revisiting the longstanding debate on interest representation in federal second chambers, this article investigates the influence of partisanship vis-à-vis territorial and other interests such as institutional concerns on deliberations. We argue that committees as the actual place of policy- and decision-making provide an instructive approach to understand interest representation in second chambers, just as in first chambers. For the empirical part of our study, we focus on the German Bundesrat and its committees. Based on the protocols of their meetings, we developed a new dataset that contains information on more than 51,000 roll call votes, the largest-ever empirical basis to study interest representation and decision-making in the Bundesrat. Above all, we find that partisanship plays a role, yet a minor one. The representatives prioritize individual or joint sub-state interests over their political party affiliations, just like the founding fathers of the Federal Republic have envisaged it in the German constitution.

The biomedical consequences of allogeneic blood transfusions and the possible pathomechanisms of transfusion-related morbidity and mortality are still not entirely understood. In retrospective studies, allogeneic transfusion was associated with increased rates of cancer recurrence, metastasis and death in patients with colorectal cancer. However, correlation does not imply causation. The purpose of this study was to elucidate this empirical observation further in order to address insecurity among patients and clinicians. We focused on the in vitro effect of microparticles derived from red blood cell units (RMPs). We incubated different colon carcinoma cells with RMPs and analyzed their effects on growth, invasion, migration and tumor marker expression. Furthermore, effects on Wnt, Akt and ERK signaling were explored. Our results show RMPs do not seem to affect functional and phenotypic characteristics of different colon carcinoma cells and did not induce or inhibit Wnt, Akt or ERK signaling, albeit in cell culture models lacking tumor microenvironment. Allogeneic blood transfusions are associated with poor prognosis, but RMPs do not seem to convey tumor-enhancing effects. Most likely, the circumstances that necessitate the transfusion, such as preoperative anemia, tumor stage, perioperative blood loss and extension of surgery, take center stage.

This new volume on the Bundesrat as institution and how it works is a groundbreaking study. For the first time empirical work focusses on the votes in the Bundesrat committees. More than 51.000 decisions are scrutinized to find out whether the hypothesis of a party politicization of the Bundesrat can be verified. Additional information is provided by interviews with practitioners and detailed case studies related to specific committees, such as the Finance Committee, and decision-making procedures, including the legislative initiatives of the Bundesrat. The book also investigates the role of smaller parties in the Bundesrat and the importance of decision-making beyond party politics.

Background: Psychiatric and psychosomatic consultation-liaison services (CL) are important providers of diagnosis and treatment for hospital patients with mental comorbidities and psychological burdens. Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the effects of CL on depression and anxiety. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search was conducted until 2017. Included were published randomized controlled trials using CL interventions with adults in general hospitals, treatment as usual as control groups, and depression and/or anxiety as outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Level of integration was assessed using the Standard Framework for Levels of Integrated Healthcare. Meta-analyses were performed using random effects models and meta-regression for moderator effects. Results: We included 38 studies (9,994 patients). Risk of bias was high in 17, unclear in 15, and low in 6 studies. Studies were grouped by type of intervention: brief interventions tailored to the patients (8), interventions based on specific treatment manuals (19), and integrated, collaborative care (11). Studies showed small to medium effects on depression and anxiety. Meta-analyses for depression yielded a small effect (d = –0.19, 95% CI: –0.30 to –0.09) in manual studies and a small effect (d = –0.33, 95% CI: –0.53 to –0.13) in integrated, collaborative care studies, the latter using mostly active control groups with the possibility of traditional consultation. Conclusions: CL can provide a helpful first treatment for symptoms of depression and anxiety. Given that especially depressive symptoms in medically ill patients are long-lasting, the results underline the benefit of integrative approaches that respect the complexity of the illness.

Nowadays, management of hemotherapy is regulated in Germany by the transfusion act and several guidelines while the transfusing physician is responsible for correct implementation at the bedside. Indications for blood products have to be carefully adapted to the patient's current clinical situation and pre-existing diseases have to be considered as well. Today, for most perioperative elective surgeries, evidence-based transfusion thresholds for packed red blood cell concentrates (RBC) have been defined and should be considered. Platelet concentrates (PC) have to be transfused in bleeding patients with thrombocytopenia or -pathy. In addition, PC are indicated prophylactically in clinically stable, not bleeding patients with a platelet trough count of less than 10/nl. Therapeutic plasma or fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is indicated for balanced substitution of coagulation factors, coagulation inhibitors and fibrinolysis factors in massive transfusion settings, where dilution of coagulation factors takes place. Plasma exchange in adults with thrombotic-thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or adult hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) also requires FFP. In addition, FFP might be indicated, if no coagulation factor concentrate is available (e.g. FV deficiency). Adverse transfusion reactions are rare nowadays; however, hemolytic and allergic reactions are not too uncommon. For severe hemolytic transfusion reactions, in almost all cases, wrong blood in tube (WBIT) at the diagnostic bedside blood withdrawal or a mix-up of blood components before transfusion is causative. Massive transfusion situations require a proactive management, which includes RBC, FFP and potentially also PC and coagulation factor concentrates. Prior to elective surgery, anemic patients should be diagnosed and treated for the cause of their anemia, if possible.Die Transfusion von Blutprodukten hat für jede medizinische Fachrichtung eine hohe Relevanz. Die Indikation muss allerdings sehr genau gestellt werden – besonders unter dem Aspekt, dass Blutprodukte nicht unbegrenzt verfügbar sind. Dieser Beitrag soll helfen, im Klinikalltag und in der Notfallmedizin richtige Entscheidungen zu treffen, Komplikationen zu erkennen und gegebenenfalls Alternativen zur Transfusion anwenden zu können.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between attachment orientations and the recovery from depressive symptoms in patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) with and without a psychotherapeutic intervention was examined in this study. METHODS: In a multicenter trial of 570 depressed CAD patients (SPIRR-CAD), assigned to usual care plus either a stepwise psychotherapy intervention or one information session, 522 patients provided attachment data at baseline. Attachment was measured with the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ), yielding four attachment orientations. The primary outcome was change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression (HADS-D) scores from baseline to follow-up at 18 months. Secondary outcomes were HADS-D scores at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months. RESULTS: Independent of treatment assignment, attachment was related to change in depression at 18 months (p

Patient Blood Management (PBM) focusses on anemia management, the minimization of (unnecessary) iatrogenic blood loss and the exhaustion of natural tolerance to anemia with rational use of red blood cell transfusion. The focus of the current review article is now the preoperative phase with the following PBM components: management of anemia, pre-transfusion analytics and management of anticoagulants. Preoperative anemia is an independent risk factor for increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. In elective surgery, the causes of anemia should be diagnosed prior to surgery as early as possible, and if indicated, a specific treatment for treatable causes should be initiated. Preoperative pre-transfusion analytics should be performed by a step-wise approach depending on the transfusion probability (and the baseline hemoglobin) and current in-house data. Management of (oral) anticoagulants needs to consider an individual risk stratification for bleeding and thromboembolic events, should be initiated in the preoperative phase, and should specify whether the anticoagulant needs to be continued, stopped or bridged. Long-term success of the preoperative PBM program can only be guaranteed with clearly defined responsibilities in the preoperative PBM team, communication and training of all those involved in the process of care.Patient Blood Management (PBM) fokussiert auf ein umfassendes Anämiemanagement, die Minimierung (unnötiger) iatrogener Blutverluste und die Ausschöpfung der natürlichen Anämietoleranz mit rationalem Einsatz von Erythrozytenkonzentrat-Transfusionen. Im Mittelpunkt des aktuellen Beitrags stehen die in der präoperativen Phase entscheidenden PBM-Komponenten: Management einer Anämie, prätransfusionelle Vorbereitungen und Management von Antikoagulanzien. Die präoperative Anämie ist ein unabhängiger Risikofaktor für eine erhöhte perioperative Morbidität und Sterblichkeit. Zum frühestmöglichen Zeitpunkt sollte daher vor elektiven Eingriffen die Ursachen der Anämie abgeklärt und bei behandelbaren Ursachen der Anämie eine spezifische Behandlung eingeleitet werden. Die präoperative prätransfusionelle Analytik sollte in Abhängigkeit von der Transfusionswahrscheinlichkeit (und dem Ausgangshämoglobinwert) einem Stufenkonzept folgen und aktuelle hausinterne Daten berücksichtigen. Im Umgang mit (oralen) Antikoagulanzien sollte bereits in der präoperativen Phase eine individuelle Risikostratifizierung erfolgen. Anhand des individuellen Blutungs- und Thromboembolierisikos wird sodann entschieden, ob die Medikation fortgeführt, pausiert oder überbrückt werden muss. Ohne klar definierte Verantwortlichkeiten im präoperativen PBM-Team, Kommunikation und Schulung aller Beteiligten ist langfristig kein Erfolg des präoperativen PBM-Programms zu erwarten.

Nucleic acid-targeted pathogen inactivation technology using amustaline (S-303) and glutathione (GSH) was developed to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infectious disease and transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease with red blood cell (RBC) transfusion.A randomized, double-blind, controlled study was performed to assess the in vitro characteristics of amustaline-treated RBCs (test) compared with conventional (control) RBCs and to evaluate safety and efficacy of transfusion during and after cardiac surgery. The primary device efficacy endpoint was the postproduction hemoglobin (Hb) content of RBCs. Exploratory clinical outcomes included renal and hepatic failure, the 6-minute walk test (a surrogate for cardiopulmonary function), adverse events (AEs), and the immune response to amustaline-treated RBCs.A total of 774 RBC unis were produced. Mean treatment difference in Hb content was -2.27 g/unit (95% confidence interval, -2.61 to -1.92 g/unit), within the prespecified equivalence margins (±5 g/unit) to declare noninferiority. Amustaline-treated RBCs met European guidelines for Hb content, hematocrit, and hemolysis. Fifty-one (25 test and 26 control) patients received study RBCs. There were no significant differences in RBC usage or other clinical outcomes. Observed AEs were within the spectrum expected for patients of similar age undergoing cardiovascular surgery requiring RBCs transfusion. No patients exhibited an immune response specific to amustaline-treated RBCs.Amustaline-treated RBCs demonstrated equivalence to control RBCs for Hb content, have appropriate characteristics for transfusion, and were well tolerated when transfused in support of acute anemia. Renal impairment was characterized as a potential efficacy endpoint for pivotal studies of RBC transfusion in cardiac surgery.

Patient blood management (PBM), as a multidisciplinary, evidence-based treatment concept for reducing anemia and blood losses, should be realized in individual hospitals after local adaptation according to the available facilities.The implementation of a PBM program in clinical institutions will be a challenging but in every case worthwhile task. The local facilities may be insufficient to fulfill the training requirements of a large group of different personnel. Accordingly, sustained support by the hospital's management with provision of the necessary resources for personnel and materials is essential. The formation of the core PBM team, in our case consisting initially of anaesthesiologists, surgeons, internists and transfusion medicine specialists as well as - the particularly important - motivated nursing personnel, is one of the most pressing and primary tasks in the establishment of a PBM project.It is also extremely important to firmly anchor the PBM project permanently within the hospital. Possible steps and details for this purpose are presented and discussed in terms of value and weighting by the authors on the basis of their actual experience in Frankfurt University Hospital.