Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis of a nurse-led, transitional care model to improve care coordination for patients with cardiovascular diseases: results from the "Cardiolotse" study.

Objective: To assess the 12-month cost-effectiveness of the nurse-led transitional care program "Cardiolotse" (CL) for patients with cardiovascular diseases compared to usual care (UC).

Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) and cost-utility analysis (CUA) were conducted from the perspective of statutory health insurance (SHI), covering a time horizon of 12 months. Analyzed outcomes included the number of rehospitalizations and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Reducing rehospitalization in cardiac patients: a randomized, controlled trial of a cardiac care management program ("Cardiolotse") in Germany.

Background: We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled, two-group parallel trial investigating the effectiveness of a care management program employing cardiac care navigators providing post-discharge support to patients compared to standard care.

Methods: The intervention commenced in 2019/2020 for 2862 patients hospitalized with heart failure, coronary heart disease, or cardiac arrhythmias in departments of cardiology across eight participating sites of a hospital group in Berlin, Germany. We analyzed the results using an intention-to-treat approach.

A transdiagnostic group exercise intervention for mental health outpatients in Germany (ImPuls): results of a pragmatic, multisite, block-randomised, phase 3 controlled trial.

Background: Globally, mental health conditions pose a substantial burden of disease. Despite the availability of evidence-based pharmacological and psychological treatments, the symptoms of a substantial subgroup of patients do not respond to these interventions, and only a minority of patients have access to them. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of ImPuls, a 6-month transdiagnostic group exercise intervention, plus treatment-as-usual, compared with treatment-as-usual alone in outpatients with various mental disorders.

The Báa nnilah Program: Results of a Chronic-Illness Self-Management Cluster Randomized Trial with the Apsáalooke Nation.

Indigenous people in Montana are disproportionately affected by chronic illness (CI), a legacy of settler colonialism. Existing programs addressing CI self-management are not appropriate because they are not consonant with Indigenous cultures in general and the Apsáalooke culture specifically. A research partnership between the Apsáalooke (Crow Nation) non-profit organization Messengers for Health and Montana State University co-developed, implemented, and evaluated a CI self-management program for community members.

Concept and study protocol of the process evaluation of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial to promote physical activity in outpatients with heterogeneous mental disorders-the ImPuls study.

Background: Evidence suggests that patients suffering from different mental disorders benefit from exercise programs combined with behavior change techniques. Based on this evidence, we have developed an exercise program (ImPuls) specifically designed to provide an additional treatment option in the outpatient mental health care system. The implementation of such complex programs into the outpatient context requires research that goes beyond the evaluation of effectiveness, and includes process evaluation.

Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a Transdiagnostic group-based exercise intervention: study protocol for a pragmatic multi-site randomized controlled trial.

Background: Mental disorders are prevalent and cause considerable burden of disease. Exercise has been shown to be efficacious to treat major depressive disorders, insomnia, panic disorder with and without agoraphobia and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Methods: This pragmatic, two arm, multi-site randomised controlled trial will evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the manualized, group-based six-months exercise intervention "ImPuls", among physically inactive patients with major depressive disorders, insomnia, panic disorder, agoraphobia and PTSD within a naturalistic outpatient context in Germany.

A mouse model-based screening platform for the identification of immune activating compounds such as natural products for novel cancer immunotherapies.

The therapy of cancer continues to be a challenge aggravated by the evolution of resistance against current medications. As an alternative for the traditional tripartite treatment options of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, immunotherapy is gaining increasing attention due to the opportunity of more targeted approaches. Promising targets are antigen-presenting cells which drive innate and adaptive immune responses.

Production of IFNβ by Conventional Dendritic Cells after Stimulation with Viral Compounds and IFNβ-Independent IFNAR1-Signaling Pathways are Associated with Aggravation of Polymicrobial Sepsis.

Viral infections are associated with increased incidence of severe sepsis. Particularly during the early stages, type I interferons (IFNs) are known mediators of detrimental effects. However, the functional role of early interferon β (IFNβ) and its cellular source during sepsis in the context of preexisting viral infections has not been defined.

Effect of deployment related experiences on sleep quality of German soldiers after return from an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission to Afghanistan.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of experiencing potentially traumatic events during deployment on post-deployment sleep quality as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Addendum for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-A). Deployment related experiences were quantified on a standardised list of the Mental Health Advisory Team of the U.S.

Sleep quality of German soldiers before, during and after deployment in Afghanistan-a prospective study.

In this prospective study, subjective sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness prior to, during and after deployment of German soldiers in Afghanistan were examined. Sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI) and daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale; ESS) were assessed in 118 soldiers of the German army, who were deployed in Afghanistan for 6 months (deployment group: DG) and in 146 soldiers of a non-deployed control group (CG) at baseline. Results of the longitudinal analysis are reported, based on assessments conducted prior to, during the deployment and afterwards in the DG, and in the CG in parallel.

[Association of Deployment and Tobacco Dependence among Soldiers].

Objective: Smoking is a highly preventable risk factor. The present study investigates whether military operations abroad, as compared to deployment preparation, increase the risk of starting to smoke, enhance tobacco dependence and moderator variables can be identified on smoking behavior.

Method: The study was conducted at 2 mechanized infantry battalions with N=264 soldiers.

[When genetics spices up a severe flare of chronic inflammatory bowel disease].

The simultaneous occurrence of pneumomediastinum, peridural emphysema, subcutaneous emphysema and pneumothorax is extremely rare. We report the case of a young man with severe chronic inflammatory bowel disease presenting with voluminous spontaneous pneumomediastinum complicated by subcutaneous emphysema as well as peridural emphysema and pneumothorax. A genetic disorder is suspected.

[Levels of evidence in drug therapy for alcohol use disorders and illicit drug use].

Substance-related disorders are clinically and socially very important. In Germany over a million people of varying ages are affected. Depending on the substance and stage of treatment, drugs and different treatment methods are used.

A fluorescence reporter model defines "Tip-DCs" as the cellular source of interferon β in murine listeriosis.

Production of type I interferons, consisting mainly of multiple IFNα subtypes and IFNβ, represents an essential part of the innate immune defense against invading pathogens. While in most situations, namely viral infections, this class of cytokines is indispensable for host survival they mediate a detrimental effect during infection with L. monocytogenes by rendering macrophages insensitive towards IFNγ signalling which leads to a lethal bacterial pathology in mice.

The TGF-β signaling modulators TRAP1/TGFBRAP1 and VPS39/Vam6/TLP are essential for early embryonic development.

The pleiotropic cytokine transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signals through different pathways among which the Smad- and the MAP-Kinase pathways are already well characterized. Both pathways utilize adaptor/chaperone molecules that facilitate or modulate the intracellular signaling events. Two of the proteins shown in vitro to play a role in Smad-dependent signaling are the TGF-β Receptor Associated Protein-1 (TRAP1, also TGFBRAP1) and its homologue VPS39, also known as Vam6 and TRAP1-Like-Protein (TLP).

Genetic polymorphisms of MPO, GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1, EPHX1 and NQO1 as risk factors of early-onset lung cancer.

Early-onset lung cancer diagnosed up to the age of 50 is a very rare disease, with an increasing incidence rate. Differences in aetiology, characteristics and epidemiology of early and older onset lung cancer have been described previously, suggesting the importance of genetic factors in early-onset lung cancer aetiology. A case-control study was conducted to investigate the effects of genetic polymorphisms in the MPO, EPHX1, GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1 and NQO1 genes on the risk of early-onset lung cancer development.

CYP450 polymorphisms as risk factors for early-onset lung cancer: gender-specific differences.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, involved in metabolism of tobacco carcinogens, are also involved in estrogen metabolism and many are regulated by estrogens. These genes may thus be of relevance to gender-specific differences in lung cancer risk, particularly in early-onset lung cancer, where a high proportion of women is observed. We conducted a case-control study to investigate genetic polymorphisms in cytochromes that might modify the risk of developing early-onset lung cancer.

Genetic polymorphisms in DNA repair and damage response genes and late normal tissue complications of radiotherapy for breast cancer.

Breast-conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy is effective in reducing recurrence; however, telangiectasia and fibrosis can occur as late skin side effects. As radiotherapy acts through producing DNA damage, we investigated whether genetic variation in DNA repair and damage response confers increased susceptibility to develop late normal skin complications. Breast cancer patients who received radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery were examined for late complications of radiotherapy after a median follow-up time of 51 months.

Menopausal hormone therapy and risk of clinical breast cancer subtypes.

Background: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with subtypes that may vary in their etiologies. Menopausal hormone therapy has been associated more strongly with lobular and tubular than ductal histologic types and with tumors that are smaller, hormone receptor-positive, and of lower grade. At the same time, correlations have been observed between histology and clinical characteristics.

Physical activity and postmenopausal breast cancer: effect modification by breast cancer subtypes and effective periods in life.

Physical activity (PA) has been inversely associated with postmenopausal breast cancer risk. However, it is unclear how and in which life periods PA may be effective to reduce breast cancer risk. Moreover, the evidence is still not judged as 'convincing' as there is some heterogeneity among study results.

The Gc2 allele of the vitamin D binding protein is associated with a decreased postmenopausal breast cancer risk, independent of the vitamin D status.

Vitamin D pathway gene polymorphisms may influence breast cancer risk by altering potential anticarcinogenic effects of vitamin D. The association between polymorphisms in the vitamin D binding protein (Gc) and postmenopausal breast cancer risk, with additional focus on the influence of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], the biomarker for vitamin D status in humans, has not been examined thus far. We assessed the combined effects of two known functional polymorphisms in the Gc gene (rs4588 and rs7041), composing the phenotypic alleles Gc1s, Gc1f (combined: Gc1), and Gc2, on postmenopausal breast cancer risk and potential effect modification by 25(OH)D status in a population-based case-control study including 1,402 cases and 2,608 matched controls.

Risk of different histological types of postmenopausal breast cancer by type and regimen of menopausal hormone therapy.

In a large population-based case-control study in Germany, including 3,464 breast cancer cases aged 50-74 at diagnosis and 6,657 population based and frequency matched controls, we investigated the effects of menopausal hormone therapy (HT) by type, regimen, timing and progestagenic constituent on postmenopausal breast cancer risk overall and according to histological type. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews. Logistic and polytomous logistic regression analysis were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95%-confidence intervals (95% CI).