Antibiotic resistance of urinary pathogens after kidney transplantation: a 10-year single-center survey in Germany.

Purpose: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common complications after kidney transplantation (KT), often resulting in severe outcomes like acute graft failure and sepsis. Factors such as diabetes, age, sex, and type of transplantation significantly influence disease progression. Rising antibiotic resistance complicates treatment, emphasizing the importance of Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS), particularly during the post-transplant immunosuppression phase.

Comparison of integrated versus parallel continuous renal replacement therapy combined with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with COVID-19 ARDS.

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, leading to requirement of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in 70% of ECMO patients. Parallel arrangement of CRRT and ECMO circuits is common in adult patients. However, CRRT may also be integrated directly into the ECMO circuit.

Influence of HLA-G 3' Untranslated Region Haplotypes and SNP +3422 Gene Variants as Host Genetic Factors on the Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 Infection During Acute and Post-Acute Phases in a German Cohort.

HLA-G, an important immune-checkpoint (IC) molecule that exerts inhibitory signalling on immune effector cells, has been suggested to represent a key player in regulating the immune response to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the HLA-G 3'untranslated region (UTR), which arrange as haplotypes, are crucial for the regulation of HLA-G expression, we analysed the contribution of these genetic variants as host factors in SARS-CoV-2 infection during acute and post-acute phases. HLA-G gene polymorphisms in the 3'UTR were investigated by sequencing in an unvaccinated Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cohort during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection (N = 505) and in the post-acute phase (N = 253).

Use of isotretinoin among girls and women of childbearing age and occurrence of isotretinoin-exposed pregnancies in Germany: A population-based study.

Background: Exposure to isotretinoin during pregnancy must be avoided due to its teratogenicity, but real-world data on its use are scarce. We aimed to describe (i) isotretinoin use in women of childbearing age in Germany; (ii) the occurrence of isotretinoin-exposed pregnancies; and (iii) malformations among children exposed in utero.

Methods And Findings: Using observational data from the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database (GePaRD, claims data from approximately 20% of the German population), we conducted annual cross-sectional analyses to determine age-standardized prevalence of isotretinoin use between 2004 and 2019 among girls and women aged 13 to 49 years.

Use of Acitretin Among Girls and Women of Childbearing Age and Occurrence of Acitretin-Exposed Pregnancies in Germany.

Background And Objective: Acitretin has long-lasting teratogenic properties. Therefore, pregnancies must be avoided during and within 3 years after acitretin treatment. We aimed to describe (i) acitretin use in women of childbearing age in Germany, (ii) the occurrence of acitretin-exposed pregnancies, and (iii) malformations among children exposed in utero.

Use of Methotrexate in Girls and Women of Childbearing Age, Occurrence of Methotrexate-Exposed Pregnancies and Their Outcomes in Germany: A Claims Data Analysis.

Background And Objective: Methotrexate should be withdrawn before pregnancy because of its teratogenic potential. We aimed to describe the use of methotrexate in women of childbearing age in Germany and the occurrence and outcomes of pregnancies exposed to methotrexate.

Methods: Using the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database (GePaRD, covering ~ 20% of the German population), we determined the age-specific and age-standardized prevalence of methotrexate use for each year between 2004 and 2019 among women aged 13-49 years (cross-sectional analyses).

Sexual Harassment and Coercion in German Academia: A Large-Scale Survey Study.

We surveyed a large sample (N = 6,217) of students and employees at a German university regarding their experiences as (potential) targets of sexual harassment and/or coercion (SH/C). Participants were asked specific questions depending on whether they had been targets of SH/C themselves, knew someone who had been affected or said they had no such experiences. Pre-registered analyses showed that women were assumed to become targets more often, and actually did become targets much more often (26.

Validation of Algorithms to Identify Acute Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, and Cardiovascular Death in German Health Insurance Data.

Purpose: Validation of outcomes allows measurement of and correction for potential misclassification and targeted adjustment of algorithms for case definition. The purpose of our study was to validate algorithms for identifying cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke, and cardiovascular (CV) death using patient profiles, ie, chronological tabular summaries of relevant available information on a patient, extracted from pseudonymized German claims data.

Patients And Methods: Based on the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database (GePaRD), 250 cases were randomly selected (50% males) for each outcome between 2016 and 2017 based on the inclusion criteria age ≥50 years and continuous insurance ≥1 year and applying the following algorithms: hospitalization with a main diagnosis of AMI (ICD-10-GM codes I21.

Potential of Health Insurance Claims Data to Predict Fractures in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: In older adults, fractures are associated with mortality, disability, loss of independence and high costs. Knowledge on their predictors can help to identify persons at high risk who may benefit from measures to prevent fractures. We aimed to assess the potential of German claims data to predict fractures in older adults.

A Pro-Inflammatory Gut Microbiome Characterizes SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients and a Reduction in the Connectivity of an Anti-Inflammatory Bacterial Network Associates With Severe COVID-19.

The gut microbiota contributes to maintaining human health and regulating immune responses. Severe COVID-19 illness is associated with a dysregulated pro-inflammatory immune response. The effect of SARS-CoV-2 on altering the gut microbiome and the relevance of the gut microbiome on COVID-19 severity needs to be clarified.

Validity of hospital ICD-10-GM codes to identify anaphylaxis.

Purpose: Anaphylaxis (ANA) is an important adverse drug reaction. We examined positive predictive values (PPV) and other test characteristics of ICD-10-GM code algorithms for detecting ANA as used in a multinational safety study (PASS).

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study on routine data from a German academic hospital (2004-2019, age ≥ 18).

Impact of Mitral Annular Dilation on Edge-to-Edge Therapy With MitraClip-XTR.

[Figure: see text].

Anticholinergic burden: First comprehensive analysis using claims data shows large variation by age and sex.

Purpose: The cumulative effect of medication inhibiting acetylcholine activity-also known as anticholinergic burden (AB)-can lead to functional and cognitive decline, falls, and death. Given that studies on the population prevalence of AB are rare, we aimed to describe it in a large and unselected population sample.

Methods: Using the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database (GePaRD) with claims data from ~20% of the German population we analyzed outpatient drug dispensations in 2016.

Use of intravenous iron and risk of anaphylaxis: A multinational observational post-authorisation safety study in Europe.

Purpose: This post-authorisation safety study estimated the risk of anaphylaxis in patients receiving intravenous (IV) iron in Europe, with interest in iron dextran and iron non-dextrans. Studies conducted in the United States have reported risk of anaphylaxis to IV iron ranging from 2.0 to 6.

Hip Fracture Risk in Antiepileptic Drug Initiators and Non-Initiators with Alzheimer's Disease.

Objective: To determine the risk of hip fracture in persons with Alzheimer´s disease (AD) who initiated antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

Methods: In the Medication use and AD (MEDALZ) cohort of 70,719 Finnish community dwellers with clinically verified incident AD diagnosis in 2005-2011, we identified all incident users of AEDs using national Prescription register. AEDs were classified as older (valproate, carbamazepine, clonazepam, phenytoin, levetiracetam, primidone) or newer (pregabalin, gabapentin, oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, topiramate).

Ancient proteins provide evidence of dairy consumption in eastern Africa.

Consuming the milk of other species is a unique adaptation of Homo sapiens, with implications for health, birth spacing and evolution. Key questions nonetheless remain regarding the origins of dairying and its relationship to the genetically-determined ability to drink milk into adulthood through lactase persistence (LP). As a major centre of LP diversity, Africa is of significant interest to the evolution of dairying.

Anticholinergic Burden and Fractures: A Systematic Review with Methodological Appraisal.

Introduction: Medications with anticholinergic activity (MACs) are used to treat diseases common in older adults. Evidence on the association between anticholinergic burden (AB) and increased risk of fractures and osteoporosis or reduced bone mineral density (BMD) is inconsistent. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of observational studies on AB with fractures and osteoporosis or reduced BMD and provide methodological appraisal of included studies.

Individual Antidepressants and the Risk of Fractures in Older Adults: A New User Active Comparator Study.

Objective: To determine the risk of hip-pelvis and other non-vertebral fractures in older adults using antidepressants (ADs).

Methods: We conducted a case-control study nested in a cohort of new users of ADs aged ≥65 years without prior hip-pelvis or other non-vertebral fractures, identified in the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database (GePaRD) during 2005-2014. Cases were patients first hospitalized for hip-pelvis or other non-vertebral fractures.

Anticholinergic burden and fractures: a protocol for a methodological systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Medications with anticholinergic activity are used in the treatment of many diseases common in old age, including depression, psychosis, Parkinson's disease, allergies, pain and urinary incontinence. A high anticholinergic burden (ACB) is considered a major risk factor for fractures in older adults but recent studies reported inconsistent results. These inconsistencies may partly be due to differences in methodological aspects.

Antidepressants and the risk of traumatic brain injury in the elderly: differences between individual agents.

Objective: To determine the association of individual antidepressants (ADs) with the risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the elderly.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a case-control study nested in a cohort of new users of ADs aged ≥65 years, identified in the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database during 2005-2014. Cases were patients first hospitalized for TBI.

Anticholinergic burden before and after hospitalization in older adults with dementia: Increase due to antipsychotic medications.

Objectives: To evaluate changes in the use of antipsychotics and medications with anticholinergic activity (MACs) during hospitalization in older adults with dementia and factors associated with antipsychotic prescriptions and increased anticholinergic burden (ACB).

Methods And Design: This retrospective cohort study included all patients aged 65 years or older with a discharge diagnosis of dementia hospitalized at the university hospital of Udine, Italy, from 2012 to 2014. Medications dispensed within 3 months before and after hospitalization were identified in community-pharmacy dispensations while those prescribed at discharge were collected from Hospital Electronic Medical Records (EMR).