Religious Identity and its Relation to Health-Related Quality of Life and COVID-Related Stress of Refugee Children and Adolescents in Germany

Research shows that religious identity is associated with health. The aim of this study was to understand the role of religious identity for refugee minors' health in greater detail. Middle Eastern refugee minors resettled in Germany and aged 8-18 years completed questionnaires at baseline (T1, n = 246) and follow-up (T2, n = 122) measurement between 2019 and 2022. Religious identity was assessed with a 4-item measure (Cronbach's α = .89). Associations of religious identity at T1 with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at T1, change in HRQoL from T1 to T2, and perceived COVID-related stress at T2, as well as the mediating role of resources were examined. The results showed a positive association between religious identity and HRQoL, which was partially mediated by integration into peer group, but not by ethnic identity, sense of coherence or religious practice. No significant associations between religious identity and change in HRQoL or COVID-related stress occurred. Therefore, cross-sectional analyses support the beneficial role of religious identity for HRQoL and the crucial mediating role of integration into peer group, suggesting the promotion of religious identity or peer group integration. However, the absence of significant effects on change in HRQoL from T1 to T2 and COVID-related stress at T2 do not allow drawing any long-term conclusions.

Investigating Depression and Anxiety among Turkish Immigrants with Endocrine Disorders Treated at the NPZR

Introduction

Immigrants encounter difficulties in adapting to social life due to cultural and socioeconomic differences which consequently causes psychological and physical problems. Previous studies demonstrated that diabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia and obesity are associated with psychological disorders.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the frequency of depression and anxiety and to observe associated sociodemographic among endocrine patients treated at NPZR.

Methods

190 Turkish psychiatric patients with at least one endocrine disorder (45.3% were male (n=86) and 54.7% were female (n=104) between the ages of 30-65, who participated in group therapy session at the NPZR, were recruited. Demographics, prevalence of depression and anxiety as well as current psychological conditions of participants were analyzed through Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, SCL-90-R and Personal Information Form.

Results

The findings of our study demonstrated that prevalence of depression, anxiety and sleep disorders among Turkish immigrant patients with endocrine diseases is high. The mean scores of depression and anxiety were 31.39 and 32.61 respectively. The most common endocrine diseases were hypertension (51.6 %) and obesity (49.6%). Analysis of our research showed that there was no significant gender differences in the anxiety and depression scores. However, there was a significant relationship between income of participants and prevalence of anxiety, depression (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The results of this research suggest that anxiety and depression disorders are highly prevalent among Turkish psychiatric patients with endocrine diseases Using the data of this study, the frequency of endocrine diseases among immigrant psychiatric patients can be analyzed.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Physiological circadian rhythm of cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyC) and cardiac troponin

Introduction

Cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyC) is a novel protein biomarker of myocardial injury, with a promising role in the triage and risk stratification of patients with cardiac disease. Understanding the physiological diurnal oscillation of cMyC and cardiac troponin is important for the interpretation of single and serial measurements within the biomarker-assisted triage and risk stratification algorithms.

Purpose

In this study, we aim to assess and compare the physiological diurnal oscillation of cMyC and cardiac troponin cTnT and cTnI.

Method

Twenty-six consecutive hourly blood samples were drawn between 08.30 am and 09.30 am (+1 day) from normotensive 24 individuals without a recent history of acute myocardial infarction, for the measurement of cMyC, cardiac troponin T (Roche hs-cTnT) and I (Abbott hs-cTnI).

Fitted cosinor sine regression model (with R, version 3.6.1) was used to assess the presence and significance of circadian oscillation of the biomarker, and to estimate the respective amplitude and acrophase (the time of peak activity).

Amplitude and acrophase were compared across the biomarkers that exhibited significant circadian rhythm.

Results

Mean age was 72±7. 79% of participants (n=19) were men. All participants were free from renal disease.

On population-mean cosinor analysis, hs-cTnI exhibited random diurnal oscillation, whereas significant circadian rhythm was detected for cMyC and hs-cTnT (p=0.015 and &lt;0.001, respectively) (Figure 1).

The circadian rhythm of cMyC is characterised by gradually increasing concentrations from early afternoon until early morning (acrophase 03:03 am, 95% CI 01:54–04:26 am) compared to hs-cTnT concentrations which exhibits delayed increase and a later peak (acrophase, 08:01, 95% CI 07:10–08:51 am), p=0.028 for acrophase difference (Figure 1).

Diurnal rhythm remained significant after correction for possible posture-induced changes in plasma volume.

To allow direct comparison between amplitudes, the measurements of cMyC and hs-TnT were normalised to the respective 08:30 am value, re-fitted cosinor model did not show significant difference between the amplitudes (amplitude ng/L, 0.12, 95% CI 0.07–0.15 vs 0.11, 95% CI 0.08–0.12, for normalised cMyC vs hs-cTnT, respectively; p=0.67).

Conclusion

Significant circadian rhythm exists for cMyC and hs-cTnT, with 5-hours phase difference between the two biomarkers (cMyC ahead of hs-cTnT). The cause of this rhythmic variation is unknown, but the phase difference is consistent with the previously described disparity in the release of cMyC and cTnT after iatrogenic myocardial injury, raising the possibility of an underlying diurnal variation in myocardial vulnerability. Studies are required to assess the impact of this physiological phenomenon on the performance of the biomarkers within unadjused diagnostic algorithms

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): British Heart FoundationStichting de Weijerhorst

Quantification of beta-lactam antibiotics cefuroxime and flucloxacillin in human synovial fluid, using ultra-performance convergence chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Total hip- and knee arthroplasty generally result in successful outcomes. A small percentage of patients however suffer from periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) postoperatively, often with severe consequences. The standard treatment of chronic PJIs consists of a staged arthroplasty exchange during which antibiotic therapy plays a crucial role. For successful antibiotic treatment, adequate concentrations at the infection site are a prerequisite. Regarding the treatment of PJIs, knowledge is lacking with respect to the relationship between administered dosages and plasma- and infection site concentrations of the antibiotics. To gain insight into the antibiotic exposure at the infection site, validated analytical methods for analysis of the antibiotics in matrices at the site of the PJI are essential. We describe a validated ultra-performance convergence chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPC2-MS/MS) method for quantification of the beta-lactam antibiotics cefuroxime and flucloxacillin in synovial fluid. This method was successfully validated for antibiotic quantification in synovial fluids according to the EMA guidelines and consists of a simple sample preparation. For both antibiotics, the accuracy and precision were within requirements (RSD < 15%). In addition, matrix effects and recovery were within the range of 80-120%. Carry over was less than 20% and stability in -80 °C was at least 2 months for standards and quality controls. The limits of quantification were adequate (1-100 mg/L) to cover potential cefuroxime and flucloxacillin concentrations in synovial fluid as described in literature (r > 0.995). The method has a run time of 4.5 min and 50 μL synovial fluid is needed and the validated method will be applied during a PK/PD study to determine the exposure of the study antibiotics in synovial fluid at the site of PJIs.

FRI0547 THE EFFECT OF CORRECTED INFLAMMATION, OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION ON FMD LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH SELECTED CHRONIC DISEASES: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Background:

While the pathophysiology of chronic disorders varies there are three basic mechanisms - inflammation, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction – that are common in many chronic diseases. These mechanisms, which have a dynamic structure, are key to homeostasis. However, the failure of these mechanisms to work synchronously can lead to morbidity complicating the course of many chronic diseases.

Objectives:

To evaluate the effect of anti-atherosclerotic liquid (AAL), anti-inflammatory capsules (AIC) and anti-oxidant liquid (AOL) supplementation on the flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), inflammatory, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction markers in patients with selected chronic diseases

Methods:

We analyzed data of 178 patients from cohorts with selected chronic diseases (Rheumatoid arthritis, familial Mediterranean fever, DM type-2, Hypertension, Multiple sclerosis, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Alzheimer disease and Cancer) in this quasi-experimental study. Endothelial dysfunction was determined by FMD and serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels. Serum ADMA, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), serum PTX3, malondialdehyde (MDA), Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels and FMD were studied in baseline and after 12 weeks of Morinda citrifolia (AAL, 3 ml once per day), omega-3 (AIC, 3 capsules once per day) and extract with Alaskan blueberry and 21 different red purple fruit vegetables (AOL, 30 ml once per day). Stepwise multivariate regression analysis evaluated the association of FMD with clinical and serologic parameters.

Results:

Serum ADMA, MDA, PTX3, hsCRP and albumin levels, and proteinuria were significantly decreased and CuZn-SOD, GSH-Px and FMD levels were significantly increased following AAL, AIC and AOL therapies. FMD was negatively correlated with serum ADMA, MDA, PTX3, hsCRP levels, SBP and DBP and positively correlated to CuZn-SOD and eGFR levels both at baseline and after the 12-weeks treatment period. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that ADMA and PTX3 levels were independently related to FMD both before and after AAL, AIC and AOL therapies (Table 1, Figure 1).

Conclusion:

Our study shows that serum ADMA, MDA, PTX3 levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction in patients with selected chronic diseases. Short-term AAL, AIC and AOL therapies significantly improves FMD and normalizes ADMA, PTX3, hsCRP and MDA. This may have implications for adjunctive therapy in a number of chronic disorders.

References:

[1] Yilmaz MI, Saglam M, Caglar K, Cakir E, Sonmez A, Ozgurtas T et al. The determinants of endothelial dysfunction in CKD: oxidative stress and asymmetric dimethylarginine. Am J Kidney Dis. 2006;47(1):42-50. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2005.09.029.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Vaccinations, response, and controls before and after intestinal transplantation in children

Vaccination is an effective strategy to decrease infections in transplant recipients. Children after intestinal transplantation carry a high risk of infection due to increased immunosuppression. In a series of 22 children after intestinal transplantation, we studied the vaccination schedules and the antibodies against vaccine-preventable diseases before transplantation, and at one and five yr after transplantation. We reviewed whether the vaccination schedules were complete, and we analysed the factors that may influence serological immunity and the incidence of disease in patients with deficient immunity. All patients completed the recommended vaccination schedules for DTaP-IPV and HBV. After transplantation, the negative antibodies against vaccine-preventable diseases were mostly related to an antirejection therapy: for DTaP-IPV: four of four patients with no antibody had been treated for rejection, for HBV: two of five, HAV: three of four, MMR: three of seven, and VZV: three of four. A post-transplantation varicella infection was followed by acute rejection, with probability for a relationship between both events. We observed 50% of varicella cases in unvaccinated children, highlighting the importance of pretransplant vaccination. Waning immunogenicity mediated by antibodies against vaccine-preventable disease after transplantation indicated a need for boosters. The recommendations should be regularly enforced, as the reliance on routine immunizations schedules is not adequate in immunocompromised patients.

USE OF COVER CROPS FOR WEED SUPPRESSION IN HAZELNUT (CORYLUS AVELLANA L.) IN TURKEY

Weed management is critical in hazelnut (Corylus avellana) production. Weeds reduce nutrient availability, interfere with tree growth, and reduce hand-harvesting efficiency. Field experiments were conducted to test effects of cover crops as alternative weed management strategies in hazelnut. The cover crop treatments consisted of Trifolium repens L., Festuca rubra subsp. rubra L., Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Vicia villosa Roth. And Trifolium meneghinianum Celmand fallow with no cover crop. Control plots such as weedy control, herbicide control and mechanical control were added as reference plots. The lowest weed dry biomass was obtained from Vicia villosa plots, and there were no significant differences among all other cover crop treatments. The highest cover crop dry biomass was measured in the Trifolium meneghinianum plots. Regarding the effect of cover crops on hazelnut yields, the lowest yield was ob- tained from weedy control plots, while the highest yield was obtained from F. arundinacea plots. This research indicated that cover crops could be used as living mulch in integrated weed management programs to manage weeds in the hazelnut orchards.

Study of Z Boson Production in PbPb Collisions at √S(NN)=2.76 TeV

A search for Z bosons in the μ(+)μ(-) decay channel has been performed in PbPb collisions at √S(NN)=2.76  TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC, in a 7.2 μb(-1) data sample. The number of opposite-sign muon pairs observed in the 60-120 GeV/c(2) invariant mass range is 39, corresponding to a yield per unit of rapidity (y) and per minimum bias event of [33.8±5.5(stat)±4.4(syst)]×10(-8), in the |y|<2.0 range. Rapidity, transverse momentum, and centrality dependencies are also measured. The results agree with next-to-leading order QCD calculations, scaled by the number of incoherent nucleon-nucleon collisions.

Measurement of dijet angular distributions and search for quark compositeness in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Dijet angular distributions are measured over a wide range of dijet invariant masses in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV, at the CERN LHC. The event sample, recorded with the CMS detector, corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 36 pb⁻¹. The data are found to be in good agreement with the predictions of perturbative QCD, and yield no evidence of quark compositeness. With a modified frequentist approach, a lower limit on the contact interaction scale for left-handed quarks of Λ⁺ = 5.6 TeV (Λ⁻ = 6.7 TeV) for destructive (constructive) interference is obtained at the 95% confidence level.

Search for pair production of second-generation scalar leptoquarks in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

A search for pair production of second-generation scalar leptoquarks in the final state with two muons and two jets is performed using proton-proton collision data at √s = 7 TeV collected by the CMS detector at the LHC. The data sample used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 34 pb⁻¹. The number of observed events is in good agreement with the predictions from the standard model processes. An upper limit is set on the second-generation leptoquark cross section times β² as a function of the leptoquark mass, and leptoquarks with masses below 394 GeV are excluded at a 95% confidence level for β = 1, where β is the leptoquark branching fraction into a muon and a quark. These limits are the most stringent to date.

Search for pair production of first-generation scalar leptoquarks in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

A search for pair production of first-generation scalar leptoquarks is performed in the final state containing two electrons and two jets using proton-proton collision data at √s = 7 TeV. The data sample used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 33 pb⁻¹ collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The number of observed events is in good agreement with the predictions for the standard model background processes, and an upper limit is set on the leptoquark pair production cross section times β² as a function of the leptoquark mass, where β is the branching fraction of the leptoquark decay to an electron and a quark. A 95% confidence level lower limit is set on the mass of a first-generation scalar leptoquark at 384 GeV for β = 1, which is the most stringent direct limit to date.

Measurement of the isolated prompt photon production cross section in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

The differential cross section for the inclusive production of isolated prompt photons has been measured as a function of the photon transverse energy E(T)(γ) in pp collisions at √s=7  TeV using data recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.9  pb(-1). Photons are required to have a pseudorapidity |η(γ)|<1.45 and E(T)(γ)>21  GeV, covering the kinematic region 0.006<x(T)<0.086. The measured cross section is found to be in agreement with next-to-leading-order perturbative QCD calculations.

Search for quark compositeness with the dijet centrality ratio in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

A search for quark compositeness in the form of quark contact interactions, based on hadronic jet pairs (dijets) produced in proton-proton collisions at √s=7 TeV, is described. The data sample of the study corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.9 pb(-1) collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. The dijet centrality ratio, which quantifies the angular distribution of the dijets, is measured as a function of the invariant mass of the dijet system and is found to agree with the predictions of the standard model. A statistical analysis of the data provides a lower limit on the energy scale of quark contact interactions. The sensitivity of the analysis is such that the expected limit is 2.9 TeV; because the observed value of the centrality ratio at high invariant mass is below the expectation, the observed limit is 4.0 TeV at the 95% confidence level.

Search for dijet resonances in 7 TeV pp collisions at CMS

A search for narrow resonances in the dijet mass spectrum is performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.9 pb⁻¹ collected by the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. Upper limits at the 95% confidence level are presented on the product of the resonance cross section, branching fraction into dijets, and acceptance, separately for decays into quark-quark, quark-gluon, or gluon-gluon pairs. The data exclude new particles predicted in the following models at the 95% confidence level: string resonances, with mass less than 2.50 TeV, excited quarks, with mass less than 1.58 TeV, and axigluons, colorons, and E6 diquarks, in specific mass intervals. This extends previously published limits on these models.

First measurement of Bose-Einstein correlations in proton-proton collisions at √s=0.9 and 2.36 TeV at the LHC

Bose-Einstein correlations have been measured using samples of proton-proton collisions at 0.9 and 2.36 TeV center-of-mass energies, recorded by the CMS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The signal is observed in the form of an enhancement of pairs of same-sign charged particles with small relative four-momentum. The size of the correlated particle emission region is seen to increase significantly with the particle multiplicity of the event.

Transverse-momentum and pseudorapidity distributions of charged hadrons in pp collisions at square root of s = 7 TeV

Charged-hadron transverse-momentum and pseudorapidity distributions in proton-proton collisions at square root of s = 7  TeV are measured with the inner tracking system of the CMS detector at the LHC. The charged-hadron yield is obtained by counting the number of reconstructed hits, hit pairs, and fully reconstructed charged-particle tracks. The combination of the three methods gives a charged-particle multiplicity per unit of pseudorapidity dN(ch)/dη|(|η|<0.5) = 5.78 ± 0.01(stat) ± 0.23(syst) for non-single-diffractive events, higher than predicted by commonly used models. The relative increase in charged-particle multiplicity from square root of s = 0.9 to 7 TeV is [66.1 ± 1.0(stat) ± 4.2(syst)]%. The mean transverse momentum is measured to be 0.545 ± 0.005(stat) ± 0.015(syst)  GeV/c. The results are compared with similar measurements at lower energies.

Preserved costal cartilage homograft application for the treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis

Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint has been a daunting problem in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Condylectomy with gap arthroplasty is the basic technique for treatment of the fully grown patient. In the past, reconstruction has primarily been accomplished with alloplastic materials or with autogenous tissue harvested from the patient. Joints reconstructed with alloplastic materials have been subject to complications such as acute infection and chronic inflammatory problems as a result of foreign-body reaction with the immune system. Biologic reconstruction with autogenous materials does expose the patient to the risk of complications at the donor site. In the last 4 years, we have treated seven patients between the ages of 20 and 42 years who had complete temporomandibular joint ankylosis. In each patient, the affected joint was exposed through an extended preauricular incision. The ankylosed mandibular condyle with the surrounding abnormal bone, together with the coronoid process, was resected and removed. The ankylosed area was resected until an improvement of at least 15 mm in the interincisal opening distance was obtained. A solvent-preserved homologous cartilage graft was sculpted according to the size and shape of the gap and was then placed in it as interpositional material. Physical therapy, including active and passive mouth-opening exercises, began on the second postoperative day and continued for 6 months. Patients were observed for 6 months to 4 years. During this period, no major complications were noted, and satisfactory results were obtained. The initial mean interincisal opening distance was 15.2 mm after surgery, and the final mean interincisal opening distance was 32 mm after completion of physiotherapy. No recurrence was seen during the 4 years of follow-up. This technique seems to be an effective, time-saving, and simple alternative to other methods of joint reconstruction in adults who have fairly extensive ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint. In this article, a description of the surgical technique, a review of all cases, and recommendations for the use of this type of graft material are discussed. Our clinical experience over the past 4 years with the use of preserved homologous costal cartilage grafts as interpositional material has been encouraging.

Sternal closure with resorbable synthetic loop suture material in children

PURPOSE

The reliability of poly-p-dioxanone (PDS) suture for sternal closure was tested on 264 consecutive sternotomies in the authors' department from April 1987 to May 1998.

METHODS

The reason for sternotomy was tetralogy of Fallot in 65 cases (24.6%), ventricular septal defect (VSD) in 38 cases (14.4%), atrial septal defect (ASD) in 77 cases (29.2%), ASD + VSD in 23 (8.7%), mitral valve replacement in 22 cases (8.3%), aortic valve replacement in 10 cases (3.8%), and other cardiac disorders in 29 cases (11.0%).

RESULTS

Sternal wound infection, sternal dehiscence, and mediastinitis occurred in 1.5% of patients (4 of 264). The overall hospital mortality rate related to the mediastinitis was 1.1% (3 of 264) in the early postoperative period.

CONCLUSION

This absorbable suture and our different technique are a safe alternative to standard sternotomy closure after pediatric open cardiac surgery.

Reverse neurofasciocutaneous flaps for soft-tissue coverage of the lower leg

The evolution of neurocutaneous flaps has created a new concept in reconstructive surgery. These flaps, based on the arterial network around the superficial sensory nerves, are gaining popularity in soft-tissue coverage. Various flaps can be planned based on the neurocutaneous perforators. These kinds of flaps are available for extremity reconstruction. In the lower leg, reverse neurocutaneous flaps have been used successfully. Although these flaps in the lower leg are called neurocutaneous, they have been elevated with the underlying fascia like fasciocutaneous flaps, and thus the authors call these flaps neurofasciocutaneous flaps. They have used 11 reverse neurofasciocutaneous flaps (6 saphenous and 5 sural) since 1995. All flaps survived completely, and stable coverage of soft-tissue defects of the lower leg was achieved in all patients.

An unusual case of hypoglossia-hypodactyly syndrome

Hypoglossia-hypodactyly syndrome is seen very rarely and its appearance is sporadic. Different degrees of tongue hypoplasia and transverse deficiencies in the upper extremities are seen. In the patient presented there was a sulcuslike deformity at the midline of the lower lip, and the continuity of the orbicularis oris muscle was disturbed at this location, in addition to the classic findings of hypoglossia-hypodactyly syndrome. A description of this variant and its treatment are described.

Uncommon Klinefelter's variant (49,XXXXY) with cleft palate

The karyotype 49,XXXXY is a rare form of Klinefelter's syndrome. Various anomalies can be found in this variant--more than other variants of Klinefelter's syndrome. Cleft palate is rarely seen among these anomalies. A cleft palate deformity can be diagnosed early and easily. This deformity should cause one to suspect an uncommon variant of Klinefelter's syndrome. Here we present a patient with an uncommon variant of Klinefelter's syndrome who was diagnosed with the help of the presence of an incomplete cleft palate deformity.

Extensive bilateral eyelid ptosis caused by xanthoma palpebrarum

Xanthoma palpebrarum is the most common form of xanthoma that appears in the eyelids. Usually there is no functional loss in the eyelids and plaque formation is typical. In this article, we present a patient who had xanthomatic masses that covered the whole upper eyelids. The masses caused a serious degree of ptosis in both upper eyelids. This patient was searched for systemic disease. After removal of the xanthoma palpebrarum, extensive ptosis has been relieved.

H-plasty: a new modification for correction of nasal stenosis

Unilateral complete nasal stenosis is a rare condition and is usually acquired. The alar wing and nasal vestibule may be disturbed because of stenosis. We operated on 2 patients with complete nasal stenosis by using the H-flap technique described in this paper. Anterior nares are formed by this technique and, in one case, we used a cartilage graft for creating symmetry of the alar wings. Functional and aesthetic anterior nares are obtained by this technique.