Showing papers by "Andreas Bender published in 2014"
TL;DR: Treatment failure during venom immunotherapy (VIT) may be associated with a variety of risk factors, of which the relative importance is unknown.
Abstract: BackgroundTreatment failure during venom immunotherapy (VIT) may be associated with a variety of risk factors, of which the relative importance is unknown. ObjectiveOur aim was to evaluate the association of baseline serum tryptase concentration (BTC), mastocytosis in the skin (MIS) and of other parameters with the frequency of objective systemic reactions during in-hospital sting challenge (SC). MethodsIn this observational retrospective study, we enrolled 1532 patients (1609 cases due to double SC) with established honeybee or vespid venom allergy who had undergone VIT and a subsequent SC. Data were collected on various putative risk factors. Adult-onset MIS and/or a BTC>20.0g/L was defined as clinical indicators of systemic mastocytosis. Relative rates were calculated with logistic regression models. ResultsNinety-eight patients (6.4%) presented with MIS and/or BTC>20.0g/L. 104 cases (6.5%) developed objective generalized symptoms during SC. In the absence of MIS, a BTC20g/L did not increase the risk for VIT failure. The most important factors associated with a worse outcome were ACE inhibitor medication (OR 5.24, 95% CI 1.83-13.00, P ConclusionThe magnitude of therapeutic success correlates with type of venom, duration of therapy, and venom dose. Adult-onset MIS and/or a BTC>20g/L is a significant, albeit not the strongest determinant for VIT failure. According to its odds ratio, ACE inhibitor therapy appears to be associated with the highest risk for VIT failure.
103 citations
TL;DR: After a mean time post-injury of 18 years, HRQoL and perceived health status in caregivers remained below normative scores of age-matched controls, and HRZoL of caregivers was correlated with depressive symptoms and happiness in patients.
Abstract: Objectives: The present study aimed to assess long-term health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) and potential predictors as well as burden in caregivers of patients with acquired brain injury (ABI). Furthermore, depressive symptoms, well-being, HRQoL and happiness were evaluated in caregivers and patients who had regained communication skills.Research design: Prospective cross-sectional survey.Methods: Data of 104 caregivers and 30 patients were analysed. A multiple linear regression model was calculated to identify independent predictors for HRQoL in caregivers. Additionally, correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate associations between patient questionnaire results and caregiver HRQoL.Results: After a mean time post-injury of 18 years, HRQoL and perceived health status in caregivers remained below normative scores of age-matched controls. Although HRQoL and perceived health status were lower in patients than in caregivers, there was no difference in happiness, perceived QoL or enjoyment of ...
35 citations
TL;DR: The aim of this study is to analyze the environmental dependency of height-growth of Norway spruce and to predict site index (SI) on a scale that is relevant for local forest management.
Abstract: Combining national forest inventory (NFI) data with digital site maps of high resolution enables spatially explicit predictions of site productivity. The aim of this study is to explore the possibilities and limitations of this database to analyze the environmental dependency of height-growth of Norway spruce and to predict site index (SI) on a scale that is relevant for local forest management. The study region is the German federal state of Bavaria. The exploratory methods comprise significance tests and hypervolume-analysis. SI is modeled with a Generalized Additive Model (GAM). In a second step the residuals are modeled using Boosted Regression Trees (BRT). The interaction between temperature regime and water supply strongly determined height growth. At sites with very similar temperature regime and water supply, greater heights were reached if the depth gradient of base saturation was favorable. Statistical model criteria (Double Penalty Selection, AIC) preferred composite variables for water supply and the supply of basic cations. The ability to predict SI on a local scale was limited due to the difficulty to integrate soil variables into the model.
22 citations
TL;DR: It is shown for the first time that neurogranin binds to α-synuclein in the human cortex, and this interaction decreases in Parkinson's disease along with the phosphorylation of neuro granin, a molecular process thought to be involved in learning and memory.
21 citations
TL;DR: An MTO1-deficient mouse model generated by gene trap mutagenesis that mirrors the human phenotype remarkably well is described, where the most prominent signs and symptoms were cardiovascular and included bradycardia and cardiomyopathy.
Abstract: Recently, mutations in the mitochondrial translation optimization factor 1 gene (MTO1) were identified as causative in children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, lactic acidosis and respiratory chain defect. Here, we describe an MTO1-deficient mouse model generated by gene trap mutagenesis that mirrors the human phenotype remarkably well. As in patients, the most prominent signs and symptoms were cardiovascular and included bradycardia and cardiomyopathy. In addition, the mutant mice showed a marked worsening of arrhythmias during induction and reversal of anaesthesia. The detailed morphological and biochemical workup of murine hearts indicated that the myocardial damage was due to complex I deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction. In contrast, neurological examination was largely normal in Mto1-deficient mice. A translational consequence of this mouse model may be to caution against anaesthesia-related cardiac arrhythmias which may be fatal in patients.
19 citations
TL;DR: Even several years after severe acute brain injury, an ICF-oriented IRP can lead to ADL improvements and achievement of specific goals, and should be incorporated in healthcare systems.
Abstract: Background: Patients with severe acute brain injury often suffer from prolonged limitations in the activities of daily living (ADL) after completion of initial neurorehabilitation.Objective: To analyse the efficacy of an inpatient interval rehabilitation programme (IRP) focused on patient goals in the chronic disease state.Methods: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study of IRP patients. Clinical scoring of ADLs was performed weekly during inpatient treatment. IRP success was rated with the Goal Attainment Scale. Regression analysis was used to identify factors that influence IRP success.Results: Data from 125 patients (50.4 years) were analysed. Delay between discharge from acute/sub-acute rehabilitation and admission to IRP was 552 days. IRP lasted for 46 days and 37% of rehabilitation attempts were rated as successful. A significant increase in FIM scores from 33 ± 22 to 36 ± 24 points (p < 0.001) occurred. Higher ADL scores at discharge from acute/sub-acute rehabilitation and decannulation of ...
16 citations