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Biomedical subjects

Barbara Schneider

Publications and source records attributed to Barbara Schneider.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

HTR2C and HTR1A gene variants in German and Italian suicide attempters and completers.

The serotonin 2C (HTR2C) and 1A (HTR1A) receptors have been involved in suicide-related behaviors. We studied gene variants of both receptors in suicide attempters and completers. The sample was composed of 167 German suicide attempters (affective spectrum n = 107, schizophrenia spectrum n = 35, borderline personality disorder n = 25), 92 Caucasian individuals who committed suicide, 312 German healthy subjects, 152 Italian suicide attempters (major depression n = 68 and bipolar disorder n = 84), and 131 Italian healthy volunteers. HTR2C (SNP: rs547536, rs2192372, rs6318, rs2428707, rs4272555, rs1801412) and HTR1A (SNP: rs1423691, rs878567, and rs6295) variants were analyzed in the German sample. HTR2C rs6318 and HTR1A rs6295 were analyzed in the Italian sample. Haplotype analysis in relation to suicidal behaviors did not reveal any significant association. Single markers and haplotypes were not or only marginally associated with other related features, such as violence of suicide attempt, family history for suicide attempt or State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) and Questionnaire for Measuring Factors of Aggression (FAF) scores. In conclusion, our study does not support the notion that HTR2C and HTR1A gene variants are major contributors to suicide-, anger-, or aggression-related behaviors in our sample.

Adolescent↗

Diagnosis of left atrial appendage thrombi by multiplane transesophageal echocardiography: interlaboratory comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is regarded as the method of choice for imaging left atrial appendage thrombi (LAAT). However, the interobserver variability among 2 independent echocardiographic laboratories in diagnosing LAAT by multiplane TEE has not yet been assessed. METHODS AND RESULTS: The videorecordings of 50 patients in atrial fibrillation (25 from each laboratory) were blindly reviewed by 1 experienced observer from each institution. LAAT were assessed as present, absent or questionable. Indications for TEE were: cardioversion (n=17), valve disease (n=13), endocarditis (n=12), or embolism (n=8). The prevalence of LAAT was 10% (observer 1) vs 12% (observer 2). A questionable LAAT was assessed in 6% vs 12% and a LAAT was excluded in 84% vs 76%, respectively. By head-to-head comparison, disagreement occurred in 11 cases (22%, kappa=0.5). Discrepant results were not related to the echocardiographic equipment. Problems occurred because of reverberation artifacts of the ridge between the left atrial appendage and left upper pulmonary vein (n=5), and in differentiating LAAT from spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (n=4) or an echogenic atrioventricular groove (n=1). The differentiation of pectinate muscles from LAAT was the reason for disagreement in only 1 case. Eliminating the category of questionable thrombi increased the kappa value to 0.65. In 5 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, both observers had agreed on the presence (n=1) or absence (n=4) of LAAT, and intraoperatively the results of TEE were confirmed. CONCLUSION: Even with multiplane TEE, interobserver variability among 2 independent echocardiographic laboratories for diagnosing LAAT remains high because of problems in differentiating LAAT from spontaneous echocardiographic contrast and reverberation artifacts.

Adult↗

ABCG1 gene variants in suicidal behavior and aggression-related traits.

The ABCG1 transporter seems to be involved in human cholesterol and sterol homeostasis. As alterations in cholesterol homeostasis have been widely linked to aggression, violence and suicidal behavior, we considered ABCG1 as a candidate gene for these traits. We studied 5 gene variants of ABCG1 in a sample of 571 suicide attempters, healthy controls and suicide completers. We also analyzed the relation to aggression-related traits, assessed by STAXI and FAF. Regarding the genotypes, there was no association with completed or attempted suicide with the tested SNPs. Regarding alleles, only one SNP (rs1044317) showed a slight association with suicide attempters in comparison to the controls. Interestingly, rs225374 G allele carriers had higher scores on the STAXI subscales "State Anger" and "Anger Out", as well as on the FAF subscales "Spontaneous Aggression", "Irritability" and "Aggression". Carriers of the rs914189 G allele scored higher on the FAF subscales "Spontaneous Aggression", "Reactive Aggression" and "Aggression". Carriers of the rs1044317 G allele had lower scores for STAXI "Trait Anger" and "Trait Temperament", and higher scores for STAXI "Anger Control". Our results provide evidence that the ABCG1 may influence aggression-related traits. Given that these represent intermediate phenotypes of suicidal behavior, ABCG1 might also act on suicidal behavior through these traits. The observed associations warrant further replications.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Mem↗

[Blood glucose in chronic schizophrenic patients treated with antipsychotics].

OBJECTIVE: There is some evidence that the treatment with new ("atypical") antipsychotics is associated with a higher frequency of type 2-diabetes mellitus. AIM: In this study the blood glucose levels of consecutively admitted inpatients with chronic schizophrenia were investigated. METHODS: The base blood glucose levels of 177 consecutively admitted chronic schizophrenic patients were evaluated. RESULTS: After long-term treatment (mean duration: 17.8 +/- 8.7 years [range 5 - 44 years]) 24.3 % of the investigated patients showed elevated base blood glucose levels (> or = 126 mg/dl). The proportion of patients with elevated blood glucose levels among the schizophrenic patients treated with antipsychotics was significantly higher than the proportion of diabetics in the corresponding age groups in the general population. The comparison of different groups of antipsychotics revealed that those patients treated with conventional neuroleptics and non-dibenzodiazepine derivates (i. e. risperidone) had a lower risk of developing diabetes mellitus than those also receiving dibenzodiazepine derivates (like clozapine, olanzapine). CONCLUSION: Our data showed that schizophrenic patients treated with antipsychotics 5 years or longer had elevated blood glucose levels more frequently than the general population.

Adult↗

[Dyslipidemia and schizophrenia].

OBJECTIVE: There is some evidence that the treatment with new ("atypical") neuroleptics is associated with a higher frequency of hyperlipidemia. AIM: In this study the serum lipid levels of patients with chronic schizophrenia were investigated. METHODS: The serum lipid levels of 177 consecutively admitted schizophrenic patients treated at least 5 years were evaluated. RESULTS: No gender differences of lipid concentrations could be detected. A considerable rate of the patients (35.6 %) showed elevated triglycerides (> 150 mg/dl) or elevated cholesterol levels (> 200 mg/dl; 43.9 %). The rate of patients with elevated cholesterol or triglyceride concentrations is associated with the duration of treatment. The comparison of different groups of neuroleptics yielded at best a trend to higher triglyceride levels in the patients treated with dibenzodiazepines compared to those receiving only classical neuroleptics. The triglyceride concentrations correlated with the body mass index (rho = 0.25, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed evidence for an association of the rate of patients with elevated lipid levels and duration of neuroleptic treatment in schizophrenia patients.

Adult↗

Development of a rating scale to predict the severity of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

AIM: Various factors that may influence the severity of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) have been identified. We tested the predictive value of these factors compiled in a newly developed scale, LARS (Luebeck alcohol withdrawal risk scale). METHOD: A total of 100 individuals (81 males, 19 females, mean age: 47.6 +/- 9.9 years) consecutively transferred to inpatient detoxification were included in this prospective study. All fulfilled the ICD-10 criteria for alcohol dependence. The LARS was applied at the time of admission. The course of the AWS was assessed by AWS-scale at least every 4 h. The maximum AWS-score was taken as indicator of the severity of AWS. RESULTS: The mean AWS-score(max) was 6.5 +/- 3.3. In all 20% of the patients developed a severe AWS (AWS-score(max) > or =10). The maximum score usually occurred within 36 h after the last drink. A short version, the LARS11, was developed by statistically grounded item reduction. The optimal cut-off of the LARS11 was calculated as 10. The positive predictive value for severe AWS was 76%, while the negative predictive value was 98.7%. The sensitivity and specificity were high (95 or 92.5%, respectively). CONCLUSION: LARS11 assessed immediately before detoxification appears to provide a useful estimate of mild/moderate versus severe AWS, and is now ready to be validated in an independent sample.

Alcoholism↗

Long-term survival in refractory acute myeloid leukemia after sequential treatment with chemotherapy and reduced-intensity conditioning for allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

A sequential regimen of chemotherapy, reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), and prophylactic donor lymphocyte transfusion (pDLT) was studied in 103 patients with refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). According to published criteria, refractoriness was defined by primary induction failure (PIF; n = 37), early (n = 53), refractory (n = 8), or second (n = 5) relapse. Chemotherapy consisted of fludarabine (4 x 30 mg/m(2)), cytarabine (4 x 2 g/m(2)), and amsacrine (4 x 100 mg/m(2)), followed 4 days later by RIC, comprising 4 Gy total body irradiation (TBI), cyclophosphamide, and antithymocyte globulin. Patients without graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) at day +120 received pDLT in escalating doses. Patients' median age was 51.8 years. Before conditioning, 99 patients had active disease, 3 were aplastic, 1 was in second complete remission (CR2). Forty-one patients had family donors, 62 had unrelated donors. With a 25-month median follow-up, overall survival (OS) at 1, 2, and 4 years was 54%, 40%, and 32%; the respective leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 47%, 37%, and 30%. Patients with PIF showed a 2-year OS of 62.5%. OS was 87% in 17 patients receiving pDLT. One-year cumulative incidence of leukemic death and non-relapse-mortality was 28.7% and 17.2%. In a multivariate analysis, more than 2 courses of prior chemotherapy were the strongest predictor for poor outcome (P = .007; HR = 3.01 [OS]; P = .002; HR = 3.25 [LFS]). These results indicate a high activity of the regimen in refractory AML.

Acute Disease↗

Ventricular tachycardia in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy: clinical presentation, risk stratification and results of long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Not all patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) are at risk for sudden cardiac death. The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk stratification in patients with ARVD/C. METHODS AND RESULTS: Programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) was performed in 34 ARVD/C patients. Twenty-two, 7 and 4 patients had documented sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (smVT), non-smVT and ventricular fibrillation, respectively. One patient experienced syncope only. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) was implanted in 11 patients inducible in smVT with hemodynamic compromise, in 4 patients with documented ventricular fibrillation and in one patient with non-smVT (194 ms tachycardia cycle length) (ICD group, n = 16). Ten patients were left without any antiarrhythmic therapy, 5 patients received antiarrhythmic drugs and 3 patients underwent successful VT ablation (non-ICD group, n = 18). Thirteen patients had an abnormal signal averaged ECG. During 6.5 +/- 2.4 years 69% of ICD patients received appropriate discharges and one non-ICD patient had a hemodynamically tolerated smVT recurrence (no sudden cardiac death in both groups). Comparison between the cycle lengths of clinical VT, induced VT and follow-up VT revealed a strong relationship (R = 0.62-0.88). On multivariate analysis abnormal signal averaged ECG and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction were statistically significant predictors for VT recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: In ARVD/C the tachycardia cycle length of clinical VT, PVS-induced VT and follow-up VT correlate well implicating that a PVS-guided approach does not provide additional information. Spontaneous arrhythmia in combination with clinical presentation allows identification of patients in need for an ICD.

Adolescent↗

Recent life events and suicide: a case-control study in Tallinn and Frankfurt.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in the disposition and frequency of recent life events preceding suicide in two cities with different socio-political backgrounds: Tallinn in Estonia and Frankfurt/Main in Germany. The information about 156 suicidents in Tallinn and 163 suicidents in Frankfurt was compiled using the psychological autopsy technique [Shneidman, E. S. (1981). The psychological autopsy. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 11, 325-340; Jacobs, D., & Klein-Benheim, M. (1995). The psychological autopsy: A useful tool for determining proximate causation in suicide cases. Bulletin of American Academy of Psychiatry Law, 23(2), 165-182]. General population controls were matched by age and sex. The occurrence of recent life events was similar among suicidents in Tallinn (81%) and Frankfurt (77%). However, in both sites only male suicides had higher risk of occurrence of any life event than controls (Tallinn: OR'=1.9; 95% CI=1.1-3.7; Frankfurt: OR'=2.0; 95% CI=1.0-4.1) and the mean number of life events was significantly higher among male suicidents in Tallinn in comparison with controls. This may indicate that males are more sensitive to the rapid changes in a society undergoing transition. It seems that it is not the number of life events, but rather their meaning and disposition that creates the risk of suicide. Family discord (weighted OR=4.5; 95% CI=2.5-8.1), loss of job (weighted OR=2.6; 95% CI=1.0-6.4) and financial deterioration (weighted OR=2.2; 95% CI=1.3-3.8) were more prevalent among suicides in Tallinn in comparison with those in Frankfurt. The most significant differences between suicides and controls were family discord, separation and loss of job in Tallinn and somatic illness in Frankfurt. These differences between the two societies, post-Soviet Estonia and Germany, could be explained by the different positions of Estonia and Germany on the survival/self-expression dimensions recorded by the World Value Survey. People in Estonia tend to emphasize economic and physical security above all other goals, and feel threatened by the changes taking place in society. In Germany, good health is considered a necessity for a consumer and self-expressive style of life, and poor health is perceived as a serious threat to the quality of life in a post-materialistic value system.

Case-Control Studies↗

Promoter methylation profile in gallbladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Methylation in the promoter region of genes is an important mechanism of inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Our objective was to analyze the methylation pattern of some of the genes involved in carcinogenesis of the gallbladder, examining the immunohistochemical expression of proteins, clinical features, and patient survival time. METHODS: Twenty cases of gallbladder cancer were selected from the frozen tumor bank. The DNA extracted was analyzed by means of a methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction test for the CDKN2A (p16), MLH1, APC, FHIT, and CDH1 (E-cadherin) genes. Morphological and clinical data and follow-up information were obtained. RESULTS: All cases were in an advanced stage: histologically moderate or poorly differentiated tumors (95%). Methylation of the promoter area of genes was observed in 5%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 65% of cases, and an altered immunohistochemical pattern (AIP) in 5%, 35%, 21%, 25%, and 66% for the MLH1, CDKN2A, FHIT, APC, and CDH1 genes, respectively. The Kappa concordance index between methylation of the promoter area and AIP for the MLH1 and CDH1 genes was very high (K > 0.75) and substantial for APC (K > 0.45). No correlation was found between survival time and the methylation of the genes studied. CONCLUSIONS: The high frequency of gene methylation (with the exception of MLH1) and the high agreement between AIP and methylation of the gene promoter area for the MLH1, APC, and CDH1 genes suggest that the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and of the genes related to the control of cellular proliferation through this mechanism is involved in gallbladder carcinogenesis.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗

[Risk factors for suicide in substance-related disorders].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the contribution of sociodemographic and psychopathologic predictors for suicide in alcohol-related disorders and in substance-related disorders in general and to examine the constellations of risk factors for suicide. METHODS: Out of 163 suicides (using psychological autopsy method) and 396 population-based control persons, 67 suicides and 67 controls with substance-related disorders (DSM-IV; alcohol-related disorders: suicides: n = 36, controls: n = 27) were assessed. RESULTS: Affective disorders, suffering from substance dependence, and low education independently predicted increased suicide risk in alcohol-related disorders as well as in substance-related disorders in general, severe nicotine consumption only in alcohol-related disorders. CONCLUSIONS: There are common risk factors for suicide in alcoholism and substance-related disorders in general. Effective suicide prevention strategies must include a focus on substance dependence as well as on affective disorders.

Adult↗

Management of patients with small pulmonary nodules: a survey of radiologists, pulmonologists, and thoracic surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to survey recommendations for the management of small pulmonary nodules found on helical CT from radiologists, pulmonologists, and thoracic surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We surveyed 774 radiologists, 623 pulmonologists, and 101 thoracic surgeons. All are members of an associated Austrian scientific society and were asked for their recommendations in 13 hypothetical cases. Statistical analysis was focused on possible differences between medical specialities, residents and fellows, and male and female doctors and on a possible influence of the number of years in training or in medical practice. RESULTS: Complete surveys were returned from 91 radiologists, 74 pulmonologists, and 12 thoracic surgeons. The most frequent recommendation from radiologists was follow-up, whereas the most frequent recommendation from pulmonologists and surgeons was biopsy. The most frequently advised CT follow-up period was 3 months. Whereas thoracic surgeons preferred video-assisted thoracoscopy, radiologists and pulmonologists recommended less invasive procedures (bronchoscopy, CT-guided biopsy) to gain a specific diagnosis. CONCLUSION: There are significant differences in the management of small pulmonary nodules among radiologists, pulmonologists, and thoracic surgeons. Whereas radiologists tend to recommend short-term follow-up, pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons prefer a more aggressive approach, especially in patients with a higher likelihood of malignancy.

Austria↗

The effect of intensified extracorporeal photochemotherapy on long-term survival in patients with severe acute graft-versus-host disease.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major cause of mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We performed a phase II study on patients with acute steroid-refractory GVHD grades II to IV given extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) weekly and analyzed response and long-term survival. Complete resolution of GVHD was achieved in 82% of patients with cutaneous involvement, 61% with liver involvement, and 61% with gut involvement. The probability of survival was 59% among patients who responded completely to ECP compared to 11% in patients not responding completely. We conclude that intensified ECP is highly effective in acute GVHD and that sustained responses are associated with over 50% long-term survival.

Adult↗

Axis I disorders and personality disorders as risk factors for suicide.

There is a lack of psychological autopsy studies assessing the influence of axis I disorders on axis II disorders as risk factors for suicide. Therefore, we investigated the association between personality disorders, axis I disorders, and suicide. Psychiatric disorders were evaluated by a semi-structured interview including the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I (SCID-I) and Personality Disorders (SCID-II) in 163 completed suicides (mean age 49.6 +/- 19.3 years; 64.4% men) and by personal interview in 396 population-based control persons (mean age 51.6 +/- 17.0 years; 55.8% men). In both genders, suicides significantly more often had personality disorders of all clusters than controls, also after adjustment for axis I disorders (p < 0.001, each). In addition, alcohol-related disorders, major depression, and co-occurrence of personality disorders of more than one cluster (men: OR = 16.13; women: OR = 20.43) remained independent predictors for suicide in both genders, "pure" cluster B personality disorders only in women and "pure" cluster C personality disorders only in men. In both genders, co-occurrence of personality disorders of more than one cluster contributed to risk of completed suicide after control for axis I psychiatric disorders and has to be considered as an independent risk factor for suicide.

Adult↗

Second trimester abortion using isosorbide mononitrate in addition to gemeprost compared with gemeprost alone: a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter trial.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether second-trimester abortion using isosorbide mononitrate (IMN) in addition to gemeprost is more effective and reduces side effects compared with gemeprost alone. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty women who were age 13 to 23 weeks' gestation were randomly assigned to receive per vaginam either IMN 40 mg (group 1, 40 women) or placebo (group 2, 40 women) in addition to gemeprost 1 mg up to 3 times daily 3 hours apart for 2 days. Analysis of variance, a chi 2 test, and a multivariate analysis were performed. RESULTS: Of the 72 women analyzed, 68% (group 1) and 38% (group 2) underwent abortion within day 1 (P < .05). However, group 1 was associated with more headache (18% of women) 3 hours after induction compared to group 2 (0% of women, P = .038). CONCLUSION: IMN in addition to gemeprost is effective for second-trimester abortion, but is associated with more headache compared with gemeprost alone.

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal↗

Nicotine use in suicides: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: Despite of higher rates of substance-related disorders in psychiatric patients and suicides than in the general population, there is no clear specificity to the relationship between nicotine use and other psychiatric disorders for suicide risk. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-three suicides (mean age 49.8 +/- 19.3 years; 64.4% males; using psychological autopsy method) and 396 control persons (mean age 51.6 +/- 17.0 years; 55.8% males) were assessed with a standardised semi-structured interview including SCID-I and SCID-II (for DSM-IV). Suicides and controls were compared in terms of nicotine consumption and psychiatric disorders. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the interactions of tobacco consumption with psychiatric disorders. RESULTS: Suicides were significantly more often current smokers and heavy users of cigarettes (> 20 cigarettes per day; P < 0.001, each). Alcohol dependence, other axis I disorders than substance-related disorders, and cluster B personality disorder(s) remained independent predictors for suicide in both genders, current nicotine consumption only in men (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.3-5.2). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: In males, but not in females, nicotine consumption contributed to risk of completed suicide after control for psychiatric disorders and has to be considered as independent risk factor for suicide.

Autopsy↗

[Age and gender: confounders for axis I disorders as risk factors for suicide].

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: Aim of the study was to identify and estimate psychiatric axis I disorders as risk factors for suicide in different age groups using a psychological autopsy study with case-control design. 163 suicides and 396 population-based control persons were assessed with a standardized semi-structured interview including SCID-I (for DSM-IV). RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses revealed significantly elevated odds ratios for alcohol-related disorders in men aged 31 to 45, 46 to 60, and 61 to 75 years (OR = 9.0, OR = 7.5, and OR = 10.7, respectively) and for Major Depression, single episode, in men and women aged 61 to 75 years (OR = 42.7 and OR = 15.9). In males aged 31 to 45 years polysubstance-related disorders (OR = 9.5) and in females aged 61 to 75 years cognitive and mental disorders due to a general medical condition (OR = 12.2) were significantly and independently associated with suicide. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol-related disorders and Major Depression differently contribute to male and female suicide risk in special age groups. These findings imply differentiated prevention strategies.

Adult↗

A prospective, open-label trial of 6-thioguanine in patients with ulcerative or indeterminate colitis.

OBJECTIVE: 6-thioguanine (6-TG) has emerged as a promising therapeutic alternative in patients with Crohn's disease intolerant or resistant to azathioprine (AZA) and/or 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 6-TG in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or indeterminate colitis (IC) intolerant or resistant to AZA/6-MP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients with an acute flare, steroid-dependent or steroid-refractory disease attending our outpatient department were included in the study. Measurement of 6-TG nucleotide levels was done to check compliance. Complete, partial and non-response were defined by means of the clinical activity index and the daily steroid demand. Secondary outcome parameters included changes in cumulative steroid doses, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and an endoscopic score. RESULTS: Out of 20 patients 4 were excluded owing to noncompliance; 2/16 compliant patients (13%) had to be prematurely withdrawn because of adverse events, which ceased upon drug discontinuation. By per-protocol analysis, 5/14 patients (36%) were complete, 6/14 (43%) partial and 3/14 (21%) non-responders. In addition to the reduction of the cumulative steroid dose over 3 months, CRP decreased in the study population and the endoscopic score decreased in treatment responders. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with 6-TG was effective in patients with UC or IC previously intolerant or resistant to AZA/6-MP. Future work is needed to define a subpopulation of patients at low risk for its potential hepatotoxicity, which we assume will benefit from 6-TG.

Adult↗