Impact of Home-Based Work during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental and Physical Health in a German Population-Based Sample

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak necessitated physical distancing, as part of secondary prevention, at a personal and professional level. Working from home (WFH) became increasingly important. In this study, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on physical and mental health is investigated, compared with pre-pandemic data, and with employees who WFH and are on-site. Methods: Data from the German Saxon longitudinal study population were used. Attitudes towards WFH as well as mental and physical health assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. Comparisons were made with corresponding pre-pandemic scores and between employees WFH and on-site in 2022. Results: In total, 319 participants with equal gender distribution were included. Of those, 86 worked from home stating better organizability of their work, more time for partnership, less stress, and greater work satisfaction. Compared to pre-pandemic data, the D-score, PHQ-4, G-Score, and PHQ-SSS-8 showed a significant increase. No difference in physical or mental health between employees WFH and on-site was observed. Conclusion: In general, COVID-19 restrictions had a negative impact on mental and physical health. Although WFH is well accepted, it did not show significant health benefits.

[Anxiety, Depression, Psychological Strain and Physical Complaints before and after the Covid-19 Pandemic in a German Longitudinal Study with Adults from Saxony]

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to investigate whether psychological distress increased in a German community sample from Saxony during the course of the Corona pandemic.

METHODS

In 2017/2018 and 2022, N=289 participants (54.7% female) of the Saxon Longitudinal Study were interviewed about their psychological well-being using questionnaires (PHQ-4, SSS-8).

RESULTS

There is a significant increase in complaints (anxiety, depression, psychological distress, physical complaints) compared to 2017/2018 to 2022 with effect sizes in the small and medium range (Cohens d=0.26-0.62).

CONCLUSION

Data collection was not due to the pandemic but was routine as part of an ongoing long-term study. The Covid-19 pandemic led to an increase in psychological distress and physical complaints in a Saxonian, age-homogeneous population sample.

A novel HLA variant, HLA-C*03:376, detected by next generation sequencing

HLA-C*03:376 differs from HLA-C*03:04:01 in exon 6 by a single nucleotide substitution.

A novel HLA-C variant, HLA-C*04:01:85, detected by next generation sequencing

HLA-C*04:01:85 differs in exon 1 from C*04:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution in codon 3.

Next generation sequencing reveals a novel HLA null allele, HLA-C*14:93 N

HLA-C*14:93 N differs from 14:02:01 by a single nucleotide substitution at position 502 in Exon 3.

Detection of a novel HLA allele, HLA-B*50:01:09, identified by next generation sequencing

HLA-B*50:01:09 differs by a synonymous nucleotide exchange in codon 17 from B*50:01:01.

Interactions between shape-persistent macromolecules as probed by AFM

Water-soluble shape-persistent cyclodextrin (CD) polymers with amino-functionalized end groups were prepared starting from diacetylene-modified cyclodextrin monomers by a combined Glaser coupling/click chemistry approach. Structural perfection of the neutral CD polymers and inclusion complex formation with ditopic and monotopic guest molecules were proven by MALDI-TOF and UV-vis measurements. Small-angle neutron and X-ray (SANS/SAXS) scattering experiments confirm the stiffness of the polymer chains with an apparent contour length of about 130 Å. Surface modification of planar silicon wafers as well as AFM tips was realized by covalent bound formation between the terminal amino groups of the CD polymer and a reactive isothiocyanate-silane monolayer. Atomic force measurements of CD polymer decorated surfaces show enhanced supramolecular interaction energies which can be attributed to multiple inclusion complexes based on the rigidity of the polymer backbone and the regular configuration of the CD moieties. Depending on the geometrical configuration of attachment anisotropic adhesion characteristics of the polymer system can be distinguished between a peeling and a shearing mechanism.

Real-space measurement of potential distribution in PECVD ONO electrets by Kelvin probe force microscopy

Multilayers of silicon oxide/silicon nitride/silicon oxide (ONO) are known for their good electret properties due to deep energy traps near the material interfaces, facilitating charge storage. However, measurement of the space charge distribution in such multilayers is a challenge for conventional methods if layer thickness dimensions shrink below 1 μm. In this paper, we propose an atomic force microscope based method to determine charge distributions in ONO layers with spatial resolution below 100 nm. By applying Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) on freshly cleaved, corona-charged multilayers, the surface potential is measured directly along the z-axis and across the interfaces. This new method gives insights into charge distribution and charge movement in inorganic electrets with a high spatial resolution.

Transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E in Germany, 2013

The reported IgG seroprevalence against hepatitis E virus (HEV) in German blood donations is 6.8%, and HEV RNA detected in 0.08%, but documented evidence for HEV transmission is lacking. We identified two donations from a single donor containing 120 IU HEV RNA/mL plasma and 490 IU/mL. An infectious dose of 7,056 IU HEV RNA was transmitted via apheresis platelets to an immunosuppressed patient who developed chronic HEV. Further, transmission was probable in an immunocompetent child.

A novel HLA-B allele, B*14:10, identified by haplotype-specific sequencing

A novel HLA-B allele, HLA-B*14:10, differs from HLA-B*14:08 by three nucleic acid substitutions.

Identification of a novel HLA-B51 allele, HLA-B*51:94

A novel HLA-B*51:94 allele differs from HLA-51:01 by a nucleotide exchange in exon 3.

A novel HLA-C allele, HLA-Cw*06:20

A novel HLA-C allele, HLA-Cw*06:20 differs from HLA-Cw*06:02 by one nucleotide exchange.

Haplotype-specific sequencing reveals a novel HLA-B*37 allele, B*3714

We report on a novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B allele, HLA-B*3714. This allele differs from HLA-B*3711 by two nucleic acid substitutions at positions 317 and 319 in exon 2, both resulting in amino acid exchanges. The first one leads to the exchange from arginine to leucine at position 82, and the latter one from glycine to arginine at position 83.

Identification of a novel HLA-B allele, HLA-B*5529, by haplotype-specific sequencing

We have identified a novel HLA-B allele, B*5529. The novel allele differs from HLA-B*5501 by a single nucleotide substitution at codon 479 in exon 3 resulting in an amino acid change from alanine to valine. This alteration neither affects the peptide binding site nor the T-cell receptor (TCR) contact residues. Thus, the newly found allele is estimated to have a low alloreactive potential in case of a mismatch to the most common HLA-B allele B*5501.

Identification of the novel HLA-A*240215 allele by haplotype-specific sequencing

Here, we report on a novel allele human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*240215. This allele differs from HLA-A*240201 by a synonymous nucleotide exchange at nucleotide 255 in exon 2.

Identification of a novel HLA-DQB1 allele, HLA-DQB1*0632

A novel human leukocyte antigen-DQ allele, DQB1*0632, was identified in a 68-year-old bone marrow transplantation candidate. DQB1*0632 differs from DQB1*0603 by one nucleotide change in exon 2 resulting in the amino acid exchange Gly --> Arg.

Overexpression of I kappa B alpha without inhibition of NF-kappaB activity and mutations in the I kappa B alpha gene in Reed-Sternberg cells

The transcription factor NF kappa B (NF-kappaB) mediates the expression of numerous genes involved in diverse functions such as inflammation, immune response, apoptosis, and cell proliferation. We recently identified constitutive activation of NF-kappaB (p50/p65) as a common feature of Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells preventing these cells from undergoing apoptosis and triggering proliferation. To examine possible alterations in the NF-kappaB/IkappaB system, which might be responsible for constitutive NF-kappaB activity, we have analyzed the inhibitor I kappa B alpha (IkappaBalpha) in primary and cultured HRS cells on protein, mRNA, and genomic levels. In lymph node biopsy samples from Hodgkin's disease patients, IkappaBalpha mRNA proved to be strongly overexpressed in the HRS cells. In 2 cell lines (L428 and KM-H2), we detected mutations in the IkappaBalpha gene, resulting in C-terminally truncated proteins, which are presumably not able to inhibit NF-kappaB-DNA binding activity. Furthermore, an analysis of the IkappaBalpha gene in single HRS cells micromanipulated from frozen tissue sections showed a monoallelic mutation in 1 of 10 patients coding for a comparable C-terminally truncated IkappaBalpha protein. We suggest that the observed IkappaBalpha mutations contribute to constitutive NF-kappaB activity in cultured and primary HRS cells and are therefore involved in the pathogenesis of these Hodgkin's disease (HD) patients. The demonstrated constitutive overexpression of IkappaBalpha in HRS cells evidences a deregulation of the NF-kappaB/IkappaB system also in the remaining cases, probably due to defects in other members of the IkappaB family.

Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells induce fibroblasts to secrete eotaxin, a potent chemoattractant for T cells and eosinophils

Hodgkin's disease is histopathologically characterized by the relative scarcity of neoplastic Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells and for yet unknown reasons by an abundant reactive background of T lymphocytes and often eosinophils. Eotaxin is a CC-chemokine attracting eosinophils and T helper 2 (Th2) cells in allergic inflammation. We now report that eotaxin is strongly expressed in fibroblasts of Hodgkin's disease tissues, whereas Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells do not express this chemokine. In tissue culture, Hodgkin's disease tumor cells induce eotaxin expression in cocultured dermal fibroblasts in a concentration leading to a specific chemotactic response of a Th2 cell clone. Production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells appears to be responsible for this induction, because blocking of TNF-alpha by neutralizing antibodies prevented fibroblast eotaxin expression. Our data suggest that eotaxin is involved in the pathobiology of Hodgkin's disease by contributing to eosinophil and T-lymphocyte recruitment.

Molecular mechanisms of constitutive NF-kappaB/Rel activation in Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells

A common characteristic of malignant cells derived from patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) is a high level of constitutive nuclear NF-kappaB/Rel activity, which stimulates proliferation and confers resistance to apoptosis. We have analysed the mechanisms that account for NF-kappaB activation in a panel of Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cell lines. Whereas two cell lines (L428 and KMH-2) expressed inactive IkappaBalpha, no significant changes in NF-kappaB or IkappaB expression were seen in other H-RS cells (L591, L1236 and HDLM-2). Constitutive NF-kappaB was susceptible to inhibition by recombinant IkappaBalpha, suggesting that neither mutations in the NF-kappaB genes nor posttranslational modifications of NF-kappaB were involved. Endogenous IkappaBalpha was bound to p65 and displayed a very short half-life. IkappaBalpha degradation could be blocked by inhibitors of the NF-kappaB activating pathway. Proteasomal inhibition caused an accumulation of phosphorylated IkappaBalpha and a reduction of NF-kappaB activity in HDLM-2 and L1236 cells. By in vitro kinase assays we demonstrate constitutive IkappaB kinase (IKK) activity in H-RS cells, indicating ongoing signal transduction. Furthermore, H-RS cells secrete one or more factor(s) that were able to trigger NF-kappaB activation. We conclude that aberrant activation of IKK's, and in some cases defective IkappaBs, lead to constitutive nuclear NF-kappaB activity, which in turn results in a growth advantage of Hodgkin's disease tumor cells.

Constitutive nuclear factor-kappaB-RelA activation is required for proliferation and survival of Hodgkin's disease tumor cells

The pathogenesis and etiology of Hodgkin's disease, a common human malignant lymphoma, is still unresolved. As a unique characteristic, we have identified constitutive activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB p50-RelA in Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) cells, which discriminates these neoplastic cells from most cell types studied to date. In contrast to other lymphoid and nonlymphoid cell lines tested, proliferation of H/RS cells depended on activated NF-kappaB. Furthermore, constitutive NF-kappaB p50-RelA prevented Hodgkin's lymphoma cells from undergoing apoptosis under stress conditions. Consistent with this dual function, Hodgkin's lymphoma cells depleted of constitutive nuclear NF-kappaB revealed strongly impaired tumor growth in severe combined immunodeficient mice. Our findings identify NF-kappaB as an important component for understanding the pathogenesis of Hodgkin's disease and for developing new therapeutic strategies against it.

High-level nuclear NF-kappa B and Oct-2 is a common feature of cultured Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells

There is a considerable lack of understanding about the common molecular defects that form the basis for the occurrence of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Despite a number of molecular tools used thus far in immunophenotypic and karyotypic studies, it has not been possible to establish a single common trait among various Hodgkin (H)-cell lines or primary tumor cells that would allow classification into a particular hematopoietic lineage. With this study, we demonstrate that a characteristic expression pattern of transcription factors provides a unifying principle. Seven different cell lines derived from patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD), as well as primary H/Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells isolated from the pericardial fluid of a patient with HD, were compared with a number of hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cell lines for the expression of Oct-2, a tissue-specific transcription factor normally restricted to B cells, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B), an inducible transcription factor. Regardless of the heterogeneous phenotypes and genotypes of the H cell lines, which varied inconsistently between B-cell-, T-cell-, or monocyte-like properties, all H cells tested displayed expression of Oct-2 protein at levels comparable to those seen in B cells. Furthermore, all cell lines showed an abundant constitutive nuclear NF-kappa B activity. Interestingly, anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) cell lines, which have many features in common with H/RS cells, were devoid constitutive nuclear NF-kappa B activity. Unlike the constitutive NF-kappa B activity known for B cells, which mainly consists of the p50 and c-Rel or RelB subunits, we demonstrate by antibody supershifting experiments that H cells contain constitutive nuclear p50 and p65, the dimeric NF-kappa B normally observed only for limited time intervals after stimulation with diverse inducers. Additionally, some H-cell lines also displayed nuclear c-Rel activity, whereas RelB or p52 were not detected as part of the constitutive activity. The expression pattern of Oct-2 and NF-kappa B appears to be a unifying and characteristic property of H cells and might explain the deregulated expression of various cytokines leading to the clinical and pathologic manifestations of HD.

[Remarkable clinical findings relating to the differential diagnosis of noninflammatory exophthalmos]

Communication concerning the diagnosis and treatment of noninflammatory vascular exophthalmos: (1) 12-year-old boy suffering from a 4 mm proptosis on the left eye, and a hemangioma of the left upper lid. Computerized tomography showed an orbital tumor whose dilated vessels extended into the foramen opticum. Since the patient was amblyopic the treatment was merely cosmetic, consisting in diathermic puncture of the lid hemangioma. -(2) 45-year-old woman suffering from an axial proptosis of the right eye. Computerized tomography showed a retrobulbar tumor compressing the optic nerve. Surgical removal of a cavernous hemangioma by the neurosurgeon led to restitutio ad integrum. -(3) 8-year-old boy with intermittent exophthalmus on the left. No tumor detectable in routine examinations. External carotid angiography finally revealed an arteriovenous shunt between the A. maxillaris and the V. orbitalis superior. -These three descriptions of patients suffering from exophthalmus illustrate currently available possibilities of ophthalmologic and neurosurgical collaboration for diagnosis and treatment.