Biomedical subjects

Andreas Hinz

Publications and source records attributed to Andreas Hinz.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Prevalence of tattooing and body piercing in Germany and perception of health, mental disorders, and sensation seeking among tattooed and body-pierced individuals.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to obtain data on the incidence and relationship of psychological factors to tattooing and body piercing from a large and representative sample of German citizens (N=2043). METHODOLOGY: Representative data (sample age range=14-93 years) were evaluated with respect to health-related quality of life (SF-36), mental health (General Health Questionnaire), mental disorders (Patient Health Questionnaire), and sensation seeking (Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking). RESULTS: The prevalence of tattooing and that of body piercing in the general German population are 8.5% and 6.5%, respectively. Individuals aged between 14 and 24 years display the highest rate of body piercings or tattoos (females, 41%; males, 27%). Within the group of individuals aged between 14 and 44 years, unemployment and nonaffiliation to a church are positively correlated, tattooing is significantly correlated with the perception of reduced mental health, and both tattooing and body piercing are correlated with significantly increased sensation-seeking behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Next to being motivated by fashion and the urge to fit in with one's peers, the major reasons for body modification practices in the German population appear to be negatively perceived conditions of life, reduced social integration, and increased sensation-seeking behavior.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

[Anxiety and depression in chronic back pain patients: effects on beliefs of control and muscular capacity].

Chronic back pain patients often show a fear- and depression-related behavior with social retreat and less physical activity. Increasing pain is associated by decreasing muscular capacity of the spine stabilizing muscular system. The aim of the present study was to analyse the level of anxiety and depression (HADS-D) among chronic low back pain patients (n = 685) in ambulatory treatment in comparison with standardised values of a representative German adult population sample (n = 1943). Furthermore, the association between conspicuous values of anxiety or depression and beliefs of control (KU-WS) and muscular capacity (isometric power of lumbal extensor and flexor) were analysed. Back pain patients showed significantly higher mean scores in anxiety and depression without a significantly correlation to the age. Female subjects were more anxious than males. 14.9 % showed conspicuous values of anxiety, 16.1 % of depression. Patients with conspicuous values of anxiety and depression respectively showed lower levels of internal beliefs of control and muscular capacity. The present study confirms the importance of early anxiety and depression screening in patients with low back pain in ambulatory treatment to figure out risks of chronicity and to derive optimal treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

[The Quality of Life Questionnaire EQ-5D: modelling and norm values for the general population].

The EQ-5D is a short questionnaire for measuring health related quality of life. The aim of the present study is to test psychometric properties of this instrument when applied to the general population. 2022 subjects between 16 and 93 years of age were randomly selected and tested with the EQ-5D. 60 % of the sample reported no health problems in all items, that is, there was a great ceiling effect. The comparison between two models with preference based index measurement and one simple sum score showed that the sum score is at least as appropriate as the two other more sophisticated models. The visual analogue scale of the EQ-5D proved to be practicable and useful for the application in the general population. Norm values for the visual analogue scale and the EQ-5D are presented.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Viral membrane penetration: lytic activity of a nodaviral fusion peptide.

The auto-cleavage product from the C-terminal part of the capsid protein of the flock house virus, namely the gamma(1) peptide, was used as a model peptide to characterize the initial steps of viral membrane penetration. Monolayers at the air-water interface were used to investigate the phase behaviour of ternary lipid-peptide mixtures, whereas solid-supported membranes were used to visualize the lytic activity of the gamma(1) peptide. 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-phospatidylcholine/1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-phospatidylserine (4:1) membranes were used as negatively charged model membranes. By means of film balance techniques lipid/peptide discrimination was found resulting in a lipid-rich and a peptide-rich phase. Quartz crystal microbalance and scanning force microscopy experiments led to the conclusion of a detergent-like mechanism of the gamma(1) peptide resulting in mixed lipid-peptide micelles with a molar ratio of 2.8:1. A monolayer adsorption with an ongoing lysis of membranes was found with gamma(1) peptide molecules interacting at membrane defects.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

PubMed2005

Interaction analysis of chimeric metal-binding green fluorescent protein and artificial solid-supported lipid membrane by quartz crystal microbalance and atomic force microscopy.

Non-specific adsorption and specific interaction between a chimeric green fluorescent protein (GFP) carrying metal-binding region and the immobilized zinc ions on artificial solid-supported lipid membranes was investigated using the quartz crystal microbalance technique and the atomic force microscopy (AFM). Supported lipid bilayer, composed of octanethiol and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-[N-(5-amino-1-carboxypentyl iminodiacetic acid)succinyl] (NTA-DOGS)-Zn2+, was formed on the gold electrode of quartz resonator (5 MHz). Binding of the chimeric GFP to zinc ions resulted in a rapid decrease of resonance frequency. Reversibility of the process was demonstrated via the removal of metal ions by EDTA. Nanoscale structural orientation of the chimeric GFP on the membrane was imaged by AFM. Association constant of the specific binding to metal ions was 2- to 3-fold higher than that of the non-specific adsorption, which was caused by the fluidization effect of the metal-chelating lipid molecules as well as the steric hindrance effect. This infers a possibility for a further development of biofunctionalized membrane. However, maximization is needed in order to attain closer advancement to a membrane-based sensor device.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2005

Multilayer structures in lipid monolayer films containing surfactant protein C: effects of cholesterol and POPE.

The influence of cholesterol and POPE on lung surfactant model systems consisting of DPPC/DPPG (80:20) and DPPC/DPPG/surfactant protein C (80:20:0.4) has been investigated. Cholesterol leads to a condensation of the monolayers, whereas the isotherms of model lung surfactant films containing POPE exhibit a slight expansion combined with an increased compressibility at medium surface pressure (10-30 mN/m). An increasing amount of liquid-expanded domains can be visualized by means of fluorescence light microscopy in lung surfactant monolayers after addition of either cholesterol or POPE. At surface pressures of 50 mN/m, protrusions are formed which differ in size and shape as a function of the content of cholesterol or POPE, but only if SP-C is present. Low amounts of cholesterol (10 mol %) lead to an increasing number of protrusions, which also grow in size. This is interpreted as a stabilizing effect of cholesterol on bilayers formed underneath the monolayer. Extreme amounts of cholesterol (30 mol %), however, cause an increased monolayer rigidity, thus preventing reversible multilayer formation. In contrast, POPE, as a nonbilayer lipid thought to stabilize the edges of protrusions, leads to more narrow protrusions. The lateral extension of the protrusions is thereby more influenced than their height.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Screening for depression -- two questions practically oriented].

Despite the high epidemiological relevance of depressive disorders in daily clinical practice, they are insufficiently diagnosed. For screening, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force proposed two questions aiming at finding depressive core symptoms: "Over the past two weeks, have you felt down, depressed, or helpless?" and "Over the past two weeks, have you felt little interest or pleasure in doing things?". We tested comparable questions in a representative sample from the German population. The correlations between the screening and validated questionnaires for depression point towards the validity of the screener. Relevant indices are satisfying: For major depression the sensitivity is 72.6% and specificity is 87.4%.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Mechanism of lipid-body formation in prokaryotes: how bacteria fatten up.

Neutral lipid accumulation is frequently observed in some Gram-negative prokaryotes like Acinetobacter sp. and most actinomycetes, including the pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis and antibiotic producing streptomycetes. We examined the formation of wax ester- and triacylglycerol (TAG)-bodies in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Rhodococcus opacus using microscopic, immunological and biophysical methods. A general model for prokaryotic lipid-body formation is proposed, clearly differing from the current models for the formation of lipid inclusions in eukaryotes and of poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid) (PHA) inclusions in prokaryotes. Formation of lipid-bodies starts with the docking of wax ester synthase/acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (WS/DGAT) to the cytoplasm membrane. Both, analyses of in vivo and in vitro lipid-body synthesis, demonstrated the formation of small lipid droplets (SLDs), which remain bound to the membrane-associated enzyme. SLDs conglomerated subsequently to membrane-bound lipid-prebodies which are then released into the cytoplasm. The formation of matured lipid-bodies in the cytoplasm occurred by means of coalescence of SLDs inside the lipid prebodies, which are surrounded by a half-unit membrane of phospholipids.

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus↗

PubMed2005

[Utilization of the health care system due to somatoform complaints -- results of a representative survey].

OBJECTIVES: Utilization of the health care system is not determined by the presence of an organic illness, but by a multitude of interacting factors. This applies particularly to somatoform complaints and disorders, in the context of which the health care system is used very intensively and inadequately in relation to the disorder. The present paper summarizes the frequency of somatoform complaints in the general population and health care utilization due to these complaints. METHODS: On the basis of a survey carried out in 2002 for a representative population of 2089 persons (aged 14 to 92 years), the prevalence of somatoform complaints during a period of 2 years was determined. In this survey, physical complaints were defined as being somatoform when they seriously affected the person's well-being but exhibited a disparity between objective diagnostic findings and subjective experience. The psychosocial aspects were also determined. When somatoform complaints were identified, the specific utilization of the healthcare system for them was investigated. RESULTS: Somatoform complaints are very frequent in Germany: 8.3% of the population claim to suffer from clinically relevant somatoform disorders that fully meet the criteria mentioned above. The health care system is used heavily for these complaints. Within the last two years, each test person suffering from somatoform disorders consulted a physician a mean 18 times and was incapable of working for a mean of 20 days. 16% of these persons were hospitalized, 9 % received treatment at a health resort, 9 % retired, etc. DISCUSSION: The considerable utilization of health care services is an essential element of somatoform pathology and has immense medico-political relevance. The most important prerequisite for handling the 'commitment to health care system' symptom is thorough training of all physicians in the basics of somato-psycho-social medicine. This will be an important measure for cost reduction in the health care system.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[Norm values for the questionnaire to assess the own body (Fragebogen zur Beurteilung des eigenen Körpers, FBeK) for adolescents].

Body experience is of special importance during adolescence. The questionnaire to assess the own body (Fragebogen zur Beurteilung des eigenen Körpers) is one of the most frequently used German questionnaires in the field of body experience. The aim of the study is to test the application of the questionnaire in the age range of adolescence and to provide norm values. A sample of 346 adolescents between 12 and 20 years was tested. With the exception of three items which concern sexuality the questionnaire was well applicable in this age group. Gender differences among adolescents are more pronounced than among adults. Girls compared to boys showed higher mean values in the scales unsecurity and accentuation of the own body, while the mean values were lower in the scale attractivity/self esteem. Norm values are derived separately for boys and girls.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

[The psychometric quality of the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) in the general population].

The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) is a questionnaire that assesses health related quality of life. The aim of this paper is to test the psychometric quality of the instrument based on a subject sample which is representative for the German population. The sample consisted of 1996 persons with ages between 18 and 92 years. They were asked to fill in several questionnaires including the NHP. The results show that the NHP does not differentiate between subjects in the range of low and medium levels of complaints. Only one half of the subject sample agreed to at least one of the 38 items. All six subscales showed significant age and sex effects which were proved with nonlinear regression analyses. The validity was assessed through correlations with other health related questionnaires. It can be concluded that the use of the NHP cannot be recommended when studies in the general population are conducted.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Temporal stability of psychophysiological response patterns: concepts and statistical tools.

The specificity or patterning of psychophysiological responses to behavioral stimuli is of importance for basic and applied psychophysiological research. However, the statistical tools used to describe specificity are heterogenious and the attempts to describe temporal stability or reliability of such response profiles are even more complicated. The aim of this paper is to present an approach designed to clarify the relationships between different measures of temporal stability of specificity. This is done with a compilation of statistical measures based on variance components. This approach incorporates features of response specificity and reliability. Individual, situational and motivational response specificity are defined in a uniform way with respect to temporal stability. The use of the formulae is demonstrated with an empirical example. As is found in the research on single parameters, the profile reliability of level scores is higher than that of change scores. Furthermore, the stability of individual response patterns is dependent upon the question of whether the data is aggregated across situations or not. Situational response patterns are stable when the data is aggregated across subjects, whereas the stability is low without such aggregation. Issues of inconsistencies of variance estimates are addressed, and the relationships between temporal stability, consistency and covariation of physiological variables are discussed.

Algorithms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[How useful is the calculation of total scores for questionnaires concerning health related quality of life?].

Questionnaires for health related quality of life generally comprise several subscales. These subscales can be summarized into a total score. The aim of this article is to test the justification of such an integration from a statistical point of view. By means of a representative sample of the German population (n = 1981) the correlative relationships among six questionnaires are assessed: NHP, EORTC QLQ-C30, HADS, MFI-20, GBB-24 and Whiteley index. The corrrelations between the total scores are markedly higher than the mean correlations among the subscales between the tests. Even in those cases where the subscales share the same subdimension the correlations are not higher than the correlations between these subscales and the (unspecific) total scores. The advantage of sharing a common area is as great as the disadvantage of the lower number of items. By means of the Spearman-Brown formula the relationship between the number of items and the reliability of the scale is discussed in detail. It can be concluded that the calculation of total scores is useful and justified from a statistical perspective.

Algorithms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Validation and standardization of the "Questionnaire for Assessing Subjective Physical Well-Being" by Kolip and Schmidt in a representative German sample].

The "Questionnaire for Assessing Subjective Physical Well-Being" by Kolip and Schmidt is examined using data drawn from a nationally representative survey of 573 former East and 1900 former West Germans. In this non-clinical sample the construct "subjective physical well-being" assessed by the "Questionnaire for Assessing Subjective Physical Well-Being" seems to have just one dimension. As women and probands with growing age score lower for "subjective physical well-being" a differentiated standardization was done for gender and age. Connections between "subjective physical well-being" and body-image assessed by the "Body Image Questionnaire" (FKB-20), quality of life ("EURO-HIS-QOL"), and questions for concerns about financial situation, family and health give hints for validity of the questionnaire.

Adult↗