Statins did not reduce the frequency of exacerbations in individuals with COPD and cardiovascular comorbidities in the COSYCONET cohort.

BACKGROUND: The evidence regarding effects of statins on exacerbation risk in COPD remains controversial. Previous studies often excluded patients with cardiovascular comorbidities despite their high prevalence in COPD and role for exacerbations. Based on the cardioprotective properties of statins, we hypothesised that statins may reduce the risk of exacerbations especially in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities. METHODS: One thousand eight hundred eighty seven patients of the German COPD cohort COSYCONET (COPD and Systemic Consequences Comorbidities Network) of GOLD grades 1-4 (37.8% female, mean age 64.78 ± 8.3) were examined at baseline and over a period of 4.5 years for the occurrence of at least one exacerbation or severe exacerbation per year in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses adjusted for age, gender, BMI, GOLD grade and pack-years. Due to their collinearity, various cardiovascular diseases were tested in separate analyses, whereby the potential effect of statins in the presence of a specific comorbidity was tested as interaction between statins and comorbidity. We also identified patients who never took statins, always took statins, or initiated statin intake during the follow-up. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred six patients never took statins, 31.6% were statin user, and 12.9% initiated statins during the follow-up. Most cardiovascular diseases were significantly (p < 0.05)may associated with an increased risk of COPD exacerbations, but in none of them the intake of statins was a significant attenuating factor, neither overall nor in modulating the increased risk linked to the specific comorbidities. The results of the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were consistent with each other, also those regarding at least 1 exacerbation or at least 1 severe exacerbation per year. CONCLUSION: These findings complement the existing literature and may suggest that even in patients with COPD, cardiovascular comorbidities and a statin therapy that targets these comorbidities, the effects of statins on exacerbation risk are either negligible or more subtle than a reduction in exacerbation frequency. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT01245933. Other Study ID (BMBF grant): 01GI0881, registered 18 November 2010, study start 2010-11, primary completion 2013-12, study completion 2023-09. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01245933?cond=COPD&term=COSYCONET&rank=3.

Transport model for the propagation of partially coherent, partially polarized, polarization-gradient vector beams.

Recently we predicted and experimentally validated a new physical mechanism for altering the propagation path of a monochromatic beam [Opt. Express30, 38907 (2022)OPEXFF1094-408710.1364/OE.467678]. Specifically, we showed that by properly tailoring the spatial distribution of the linear state of polarization transverse to the direction of propagation, the beam followed a curved trajectory in free space. Here we extend the model to the partially coherent and partially polarized polychromatic case by redefining the beam amplitude, phase, and polarization angle as appropriate statistical quantities. In particular, the definition of polarization angle represents a fundamentally new quantity in modeling beam propagation and is shown to be consistent with recent works on energy and momentum flow. In the new model, the beam curvature matches that of our previous work in the fully coherent case but is predicted to vanish for an unpolarized, spatially incoherent beam. Simulated beam trajectories are shown for varying levels of initial partial coherence and for different polarization profiles. A new class of non-diffracting beams is also suggested by way of example.

Shift in bacterial etiology from the CAPNETZ cohort in patients with community-acquired pneumonia: data over more than a decade.

To determine the most relevant pathogens for CAP in Germany, patients with radiologically confirmed pulmonary infiltrates and at least one clinical sign of lung infection were prospectively recruited within the CAPNETZ cohort from 2004 until 2016. In 990 out of 4.672 patients (21%) receiving complete diagnostics the most prominent change of pathogens was a decrease of S. pneumoniae (58% in 2004 to 37.5% in 2016; p ≤ 0.001, ρ = - 0.148) and an increase of H. influenzae (12.2% to 20.8%; p = 0.001, ρ = 0.104).

Quality of life and fear of COVID-19 in 2600 baccalaureate nursing students at five universities: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions in the implementation of programs across educational institutions. Nursing students, being both young adults and by practical training, part of the health care system, may be particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to explore the associations between self-reported fear of COVID-19, general health, psychological distress and overall quality of life (QoL) in a sample of Norwegian baccalaureate nursing students compared to reference data. METHODS: The survey targeted baccalaureate nursing students from five universities in February 2021. An electronic questionnaire consisted of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), the Hopkins Symptom Checklist 5 (SCL-5), one general health and one overall QoL question. The respondents' mean scores were compared to reference data. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted, and effect sizes (Cohen's d) were evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 2605 out of 6088 (43%) students responded. Their FCV-19S scores (mean 2.45, CI 2.42, 2.48) were significantly higher than those of the reference population (mean 1.8, P < 0.001). Nursing students scores showed significantly lower general health (mean 3.50 ± 0.93 SD, population mean = 3.57, Cohen's d = 0.07), higher levels of psychological distress (mean 2.68 ± 1.03 SD, population mean = 2.12, Cohen's d = 0.55) and lower overall QoL (mean 5.50 ± 2.16 SD, population mean = 8.00, Cohen's d = 1.16) compared to pre-pandemic reference data. FCV-19S scores were significantly associated with levels of general health (Cohen's d = 0.26), psychological distress (Cohen's d = 0.76) and overall QoL (Cohen's d = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: Baccalaureate nursing students reported worse outcomes during the Covid-19 pandemic on general health, psychological distress and overall QoL compared to the reference population. Level of fear of Covid-19, however, accounted for few of these differences. Other factors related to the pandemic may have reduced nursing students' overall QoL.

[Dyspnoea and Comorbidity in Lung Cancer-Patients: The Therapy Starts with Taking the Patients History]. / Dyspnoe und Komorbidität beim Lungenkarzinom: Warum die Anamnese so wichtig ist.

AIM: Dyspnoea is a frequent and compromising symptom in patients with advanced and metastatic lung cancer. Exogenous as well as endogenous factors contribute to development of shortness of breath. Knowledge of these influences is essential for effective treatment of this important symptom. In our study, we evaluated the influence of cofactors and comorbidity on development of dyspnoea in lung cancer patients for the purpose of effective therapy of shortness of breath in this target group. METHODS: In this prospective monocentric study, we registered severity of dyspnoea in advanced lung cancer patients using the modified Medical Research Council-Scale (mMRC-scale). Patients' history of COPD and cardiopulmonary comorbidity was recorded using a standardized questionnaire. Moreover, cofactors such as pain or cancer-induced mental stress were documented by visual rating scale. RESULTS: 25 (48,1 %) of 52 recruited lung cancer-patients reported moderate or severe dyspnoea. In logistic regression analysis history of COPD or cardiopulmonary comorbidity, severe pain, airway obstruction or pleural effusion were associated with severe dyspnoea (mMRC-scale ≥ 3). Furthermore, in our study cohort lower cancer level III UICC and absence of metastasis correlated with severe dyspnoea. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm the relevance of dyspnoea in patients with advanced lung cancer. Probability of occurrence is influenced by comorbidity and cofactors. The knowledge of these factors contributes to better understanding of occurrence and treatment of dyspnoea.

[Management of Adult Community-Acquired Pneumonia and Prevention - Update 2021 - Guideline of the German Respiratory Society (DGP), the Paul-Ehrlich-Society for Chemotherapy (PEG), the German Society for Infectious Diseases (DGI), the German Society of Medical Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (DGIIN), the German Viological Society (DGV), the Competence Network CAPNETZ, the German College of General Practitioneers and Family Physicians (DEGAM), the German Society for Geriatric Medicine (DGG), the German Palliative Society (DGP), the Austrian Society of Pneumology Society (ÖGP), the Austrian Society for Infectious and Tropical Diseases (ÖGIT), the Swiss Respiratory Society (SGP) and the Swiss Society for Infectious Diseases Society (SSI)]. / Behandlung von erwachsenen Patienten mit ambulant erworbener Pneumonie ­ Update 2021.

The present guideline provides a new and updated concept of the management of adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia. It replaces the previous guideline dating from 2016.The guideline was worked out and agreed on following the standards of methodology of a S3-guideline. This includes a systematic literature search and grading, a structured discussion of recommendations supported by the literature as well as the declaration and assessment of potential conflicts of interests.The guideline has a focus on specific clinical circumstances, an update on severity assessment, and includes recommendations for an individualized selection of antimicrobial treatment.The recommendations aim at the same time at a structured assessment of risk for adverse outcome as well as an early determination of treatment goals in order to reduce mortality in patients with curative treatment goal and to provide palliation for patients with treatment restrictions.

Bypassing the Structural Bottleneck in the Ultrafast Melting of Electronic Order.

Impulsive optical excitation generally results in a complex nonequilibrium electron and lattice dynamics that involves multiple processes on distinct timescales, and a common conception is that for times shorter than about 100 fs the gap in the electronic spectrum is not seriously affected by lattice vibrations. Here, however, by directly monitoring the photoinduced collapse of the spectral gap in a canonical charge-density-wave material, the blue bronze Rb_{0.3}MoO_{3}, we find that ultrafast (∼60 fs) vibrational disordering due to efficient hot-electron energy dissipation quenches the gap significantly faster than the typical structural bottleneck time corresponding to one half-cycle oscillation (∼315 fs) of the coherent charge-density-wave amplitude mode. This result not only demonstrates the importance of incoherent lattice motion in the photoinduced quenching of electronic order, but also resolves the perennial debate about the nature of the spectral gap in a coupled electron-lattice system.

[Technological Innovations in Pulmonology - Examples from Diagnostics and Therapy]. / Expertentreffen COPD: Technologische Innovationen in der Pneumologie ­ Facetten aus Diagnostik und Therapie.

A significant proportion of the current technological developments in pneumology originate from the various areas of information technology. The spectrum ranges from smartphone apps to be used in daily life or in patient care to the use of artificial intelligence in screening and early detection of diseases. The diagnostic accuracy of apps for symptom analysis is currently very limited. Research projects are performed on the integration of symptoms and functional parameters into early detection, but also on mobility measurements as a prognostic marker in COPD. Lung cancer screening using computed tomography represents a major challenge. Here, artificial intelligence can help radiologists to cope with huge amounts of data. However, the quality of the software depends on the sufficient training of the system. Technological developments shape all fields of pneumology. For diagnostic and interventional endoscopy, they offer improved biopsy techniques and microstructural imaging. Advances in lung function measurements allow the differentiated analysis of respiratory mechanical disorders, and they could be transferred to ventilation technology. The translation of basic findings about the lung microbiome into patient care may perspectively help to better understand and treat COPD exacerbations.

80% Valley Polarization of Free Carriers in Singly Oriented Single-Layer WS_{2} on Au(111).

We employ time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to study the spin- and valley-selective photoexcitation and dynamics of free carriers at the K[over ¯] and K[over ¯]^{'} points in singly oriented single-layer WS_{2}/Au(111). Our results reveal that in the valence band maximum an ultimate valley polarization of free holes of 84% can be achieved upon excitation with circularly polarized light at room temperature. Notably, we observe a significantly smaller valley polarization for the photoexcited free electrons in the conduction band minimum. Clear differences in the carrier dynamics between electrons and holes imply intervalley scattering processes into dark states being responsible for the efficient depolarization of the excited electron population.

A systematic review of quality of life research in medicine and health sciences.

PURPOSE: Quality of life (QOL) is an important concept in the field of health and medicine. QOL is a complex concept that is interpreted and defined differently within and between disciplines, including the fields of health and medicine. The aims of this study were to systematically review the literature on QOL in medicine and health research and to describe the country of origin, target groups, instruments, design, and conceptual issues. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted to identify research studies on QOL and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The databases Scopus, which includes Embase and MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched for articles published during one random week in November 2016. The ten predefined criteria of Gill and Feinstein were used to evaluate the conceptual and methodological rigor. RESULTS: QOL research is international and involves a variety of target groups, research designs, and QOL measures. According to the criteria of Gill and Feinstein, the results show that only 13% provided a definition of QOL, 6% distinguished QOL from HRQOL. The most frequently fulfilled criteria were: (i) stating the domains of QOL to be measured; (ii) giving a reason for choosing the instruments used; and (iii) aggregating the results from multiple items. CONCLUSION: QOL is an important endpoint in medical and health research, and QOL research involves a variety of patient groups and different research designs. Based on the current evaluation of the methodological and conceptual clarity of QOL research, we conclude that the majority QOL studies in health and medicine have conceptual and methodological challenges.

[Community-acquired Pneumonia in the Elderly]. / Ambulant erworbene Pneumonie bei älteren Menschen.

Pneumonia belongs to the most frequent and most deadly infectious diseases worldwide. It represents an increasing problem for the aging population. The incidence and mortality rises with every decade. The clinical presentation of pneumonia differs between elderly and younger patients. Multiple factors including functional status (self-dependency and immobilization), comorbidities, immunosenescence, nutritional status, swallowing disorders have to be accounted for. Pneumonia in the elderly has to be differentiated from nursing home acquired pneumonia. Diagnosis of pneumonia of the elderly demands special attention as the diagnostic value of common biomarkers and prognostic scores is different.

[Rhinoviruses]. / Rhinoviren.

Human rhinoviruses (RV) belong to the Picornaviridae and are divided into three species: rhinovirus A, B and C. As causative viruses of upper airway infections (common cold), they possess enormous epidemiological and clinical importance. Furthermore, rhinoviruses are significant pathogens of acute exacerbations of chronic airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Their role as a cofactor in the development of pneumonia and their relevance in critically ill patients is still unclear and the focus of current research. Due to the unspecific clinical symptoms, diagnosis is difficult. Laboratory detection is sophisticated and a distinction between clinically relevant infection and contamination not always possible. Specific therapeutic antiviral strategies against rhinovirus infection do not exist as yet and, due to the large variety of subtypes, the development of vaccines remains a considerable challenge.

Ultrafast Formation of a Fermi-Dirac Distributed Electron Gas.

Time- and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy with 13 fs temporal resolution is used to follow the different stages in the formation of a Fermi-Dirac distributed electron gas in graphite after absorption of an intense 7 fs laser pulse. Within the first 50 fs after excitation, a sequence of time frames is resolved that are characterized by different energy and momentum exchange processes among the involved photonic, electronic, and phononic degrees of freedom. The results reveal experimentally the complexity of the transition from a nascent nonthermal towards a thermal electron distribution due to the different timescales associated with the involved interaction processes.

Transport-based model for turbulence-corrupted imagery.

A new model for turbulence-corrupted imagery is proposed based on the theory of optimal mass transport. By describing the relationship between photon density and the phase of the traveling wave, and combining it with a least action principle, the model suggests a new class of methods for approximately recovering the solution of the photon density flow created by a turbulent atmosphere. Both coherent and incoherent imagery are used to validate and compare the model to other methods typically used to describe this type of data. Given its superior performance in describing experimental data, the new model suggests new algorithms for a variety of atmospheric imaging and wave propagation applications.

[Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Adult Patients with Nosocomial Pneumonia - Update 2017 - S3 Guideline of the German Society for Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, the German Society for Infectious Diseases, the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology, the German Respiratory Society and the Paul-Ehrlich-Society for Chemotherapy, the German Radiological Society and the Society for Virology]. / Epidemiologie, Diagnostik und Therapie erwachsener Patienten mit nosokomialer Pneumonie ­ Update 2017.

Nosocomial pneumonia (HAP) is a frequent complication of hospital care. Most data are available on ventilator-associated pneumonia. However, infections on general wards are increasing. A central issue are infections with multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens which are difficult to treat in the empirical setting potentially leading to inappropriate use of antimicrobial therapy.This guideline update was compiled by an interdisciplinary group on the basis of a systematic literature review. Recommendations are made according to GRADE giving guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of HAP on the basis of quality of evidence and benefit/risk ratio.This guideline has two parts. First an update on epidemiology, spectrum of pathogens and antimicrobials is provided. In the second part recommendations for the management of diagnosis and treatment are given. New recommendations with respect to imaging, diagnosis of nosocomial viral pneumonia and prolonged infusion of antibacterial drugs have been added. The statements to risk factors for infections with MDR pathogens and recommendations for monotherapy vs combination therapy have been actualised. The importance of structured deescalation concepts and limitation of treatment duration is emphasized.

Exploring the relationship between demographic and disease-related variables and perceived effect of health status on sexual activity in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: associations found only with non-disease variables.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between demographic and disease-related variables and the perceived effect of health status on sexual activity in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA). METHOD: The study assessed 379 ax-SpA patients consecutively recruited from two rheumatology outpatient clinics. Data collection included information on demographics, markers and measures of ax-SpA disease, treatment, comorbidity, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the Short Form-36. The perceived effect of health status on sexual activity was assessed using question 15 in the HRQoL instrument 15D. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 45.6 years, 66.5% were men, 87.3% were human leucocyte antigen-B27 positive, and mean disease duration was 13.9 years. A total of 312 patients (82.3%) reported their health status to have no/little effect and 17.7% patients reported their health status to have a large negative effect on their sexual activity. In univariate analysis, increased body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol consumption, unemployed status, low physical activity, comorbidities, and higher disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Questionnaire), impaired body movement and lower HRQoL were associated with a large effect on sexual activity. In adjusted analyses, only female gender, high BMI, current smoking, and low HRQoL showed significant associations. CONCLUSION: Approximately 20% of ax-SpA patients reported a large negative effect on their sexual activity. Female gender, high BMI, current smoking, and reduced HRQoL were associated with health status having a large effect on sexual activity, whereas no measures reflecting ax-SpA disease showed an independent association.

The international phase 4 validation study of the EORTC QLQ-SWB32: A stand-alone measure of spiritual well-being for people receiving palliative care for cancer.

The EORTC Quality of Life Group has just completed the final phase (field-testing and validation) of an international project to develop a stand-alone measure of spiritual well-being (SWB) for palliative cancer patients. Participants (n = 451)-from 14 countries on four continents; 54% female; 188 Christian; 50 Muslim; 156 with no religion-completed a provisional 36-item measure of SWB plus the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL (PAL), then took part in a structured debriefing interview. All items showed good score distribution across response categories. We assessed scale structure using principal component analysis and Rasch analysis, and explored construct validity, and convergent/divergent validity with the PAL. Twenty-two items in four scoring scales (Relationship with Self, Relationships with Others, Relationship with Someone or Something Greater, and Existential) explained 53% of the variance. The measure also includes a global SWB item and nine other items. Scores on the PAL global quality-of-life item and Emotional Functioning scale weakly-moderately correlated with scores on the global SWB item and two of the four SWB scales. This new validated 32-item SWB measure addresses a distinct aspect of quality-of-life, and is now available for use in research and clinical practice, with a role as both a measurement and an intervention tool.

[Strategies for the Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in HIV-Positive Patients]. / Strategien zur Behandlung von ambulant erworbener Pneumonie bei HIV-positiven Patienten.

Study purpose According to the Robert Koch Institute, 84,700 people in Germany suffer from HIV infection. One-third of the affected persons is over 50 years old. In Germany, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a widespread disease with more than 250,000 cases per year. Incidence and mortality increase with the age of the affected individuals. For this reason, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are needed to guide medical care of HIV-infected patients presenting with CAP. Methodology HIV therapists were interviewed about their diagnostic approach, risk stratification strategy and therapeutic approach to HIV-associated community-acquired pneumonia (HIV +/CAP) using a questionnaire. 56 completed questionnaires were analysed. Results Half of the respondents reported that CAP occurred in 1 to 5 % of HIV-infected individuals per year. This indicates an estimated number of up to 4200 HIV +/CAP cases per year in Germany - a much higher number than expected from the literature. 58.9 % of respondents considered that the pathogenic spectrum did not differ in HIV +/CAP from non-HIV/CAP. 80.3 % of respondents applied the same antibiotic regimens in HIV +/CAP as used in patients with non-HIV/CAP. Conclusion Even though over 40 % of HIV therapists agree that the pathogenic spectrum of HIV +/CAP differs from that of non-HIV/CAP, over 80 % of therapists managed these patients in accordance with the S3-guidelines for non-immunocompromised CAP-patients, because specific guidelines for the treatment of HIV +/CAP are lacking. Since specific data on the aetiology and the clinical course of HIV +/CAP depending, for instance, on CD4-count and antiretroviral therapy are missing, we feel that the clinical course of HIV +/CAP should be further analysed in the context of prospective cohort studies.

[Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : Role of long-term antibiotic treatment]. / Pseudomonas-aeruginosa-Infektion bei chronisch obstruktiver Lungenerkrankung : Stellenwert der Antibiotikadauertherapie.

Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization in the airways of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is probably associated with increased mortality and morbidity and a faster progress of COPD, although this has not been conclusively proven by studies. Studies demonstrating an improvement in prognosis in COPD patients by early eradication of Pseudomonas or at least a reduction of the bacterial burden by either inhaled or oral antibiotic maintenance therapy, are missing. An impact on the exacerbation rate has only been shown for macrolide maintenance treatment; however, this effect could be explained by the inclusion of patients with bronchiectasis in the studies. This is a group of patients for whom the effect of this kind of antibiotic treatment is well known. Further studies on the prevention and treatment of chronic Pseudomonas colonization in COPD patients are urgently needed. The stability of the respiratory microbiome probably plays an essential role in the course of the disease and should be established as a study endpoint.

Vitamin C and E supplementation blunts increases in total lean body mass in elderly men after strength training.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin C and E supplementation on changes in muscle mass (lean mass and muscle thickness) and strength during 12 weeks of strength training in elderly men. Thirty-four elderly males (60-81 years) were randomized to either an antioxidant group (500 mg of vitamin C and 117.5 mg vitamin E before and after training) or a placebo group following the same strength training program (three sessions per week). Body composition was assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and muscle thickness by ultrasound imaging. Muscle strength was measured as one-repetition maximum (1RM). Total lean mass increased by 3.9% (95% confidence intervals: 3.0, 5.2) and 1.4% (0, 5.4) in the placebo and antioxidant groups, respectively, revealing larger gains in the placebo group (P = 0.04). Similarly, the thickness of m. rectus femoris increased more in the placebo group [16.2% (12.8, 24.1)] than in the antioxidant group [10.9% (9.8, 13.5); P = 0.01]. Increases of lean mass in trunk and arms, and muscle thickness of elbow flexors, did not differ significantly between groups. With no group differences, 1RM improved in the range of 15-21% (P < 0.001). In conclusion, high-dosage vitamin C and E supplementation blunted certain muscular adaptations to strength training in elderly men.