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Bräuer AU, Sevecke-Rave J, Gläser A, Nahrath P, Hummel T, Witt M. Optimization of mRNA extraction from human nasal mucosa biopsies for gene expression profile analysis by qRT-PCR. Clin Anat 2023; 36:1001-1006. [PMID: 37337364 DOI: 10.1002/ca.24081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is the gold-standard method for analyzing modifications in gene expression in cells and tissues. However, large quantities of high-quality RNA samples are needed for analyzing the expression of multiple genes from one human tissue sample. Here, we provide an optimized protocol for extracting large amounts of RNA from human nasal mucosal biopsies. The quality and quantity of samples were sufficient for qRT-PCR analyses of the expressions of various genes, in duplicate. In contrast to other protocols, we optimized RNA isolation to increase the amount from nasal biopsy samples for analyses of multiple genes. In most previous publications, expressions of only one or a few genes, including housekeeping genes, were analyzed because the amount of biological material was small. We were able to improve our protocol with respect to the yield and quality of RNA. This is likely to produce better results from molecular analyses of very small biopsy samples of human nasal mucosa.
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Gunder N, Dörig P, Witt M, Welge-Lüssen A, Menzel S, Hummel T. Future therapeutic strategies for olfactory disorders: electrical stimulation, stem cell therapy, and transplantation of olfactory epithelium-an overview. HNO 2023; 71:35-43. [PMID: 36734997 PMCID: PMC9897160 DOI: 10.1007/s00106-022-01249-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Olfactory disorders may be temporary or permanent and can have various causes. Currently, many COVID-19 patients report a reduced or complete loss of olfactory function. A wide range of treatment options have been investigated in the past, such as olfactory training, acupuncture, medical therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, or surgical excision of olfactory epithelium, e.g., in severe qualitative smell disorders. The development of a bioelectric nose, e.g., in connection with direct electrical stimulation or transplantation of olfactory epithelium or stem cells, represent treatment options of the future. The basis of these developments and the state of knowledge is discussed in the following work.
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Möbs C, Salheiser M, Bleise F, Witt M, Mayer JU. Basophils control T cell priming through soluble mediators rather than antigen presentation. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1032379. [PMID: 36846020 PMCID: PMC9950813 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1032379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Basophils play an important role in the development of type 2 immunity and have been linked to protective immunity against parasites but also inflammatory responses in allergic diseases. While typically classified as degranulating effector cells, different modes of cellular activation have been identified, which together with the observation that different populations of basophils exist in the context of disease suggest a multifunctional role. In this review we aim to highlight the role of basophils play in antigen presentation of type 2 immunity and focus on the contribution basophils play in the context of antigen presentation and T cell priming. We will discuss evidence suggesting that basophils perform a direct role in antigen presentation and relate it to findings that indicate cellular cooperation with professional antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells. We will also highlight tissue-specific differences in basophil phenotypes that might lead to distinct roles in cellular cooperation and how these distinct interactions might influence immunological and clinical outcomes of disease. This review thus aims to consolidate the seemingly conflicting literature on the involvement of basophils in antigen presentation and tries to find a resolution to the discussion whether basophils influence antigen presentation through direct or indirect mechanisms.
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Witt M, Ring A. Handley's Thread Lymphangioplasty Vs. BioBridge tm Collagen Matrix for Lymphedema Therapy - Old Wine in New Bottles? Lymphology 2023; 56:110-120. [PMID: 38896494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Lymphangioplasty is a technique of reconstructive lymphatic surgery where subcutaneous lymphatic neocollectors are created, using surgical threads, nanofibrillar collagen threads, plastic tubes or autologous tissue flaps. The history and success rates of these techniques are outlined and a classification for lymphangioplasty techniques is proposed. The use of absorbable surgical threads is suggested for modern attempts of thread lymphangioplasties. The results of such a thread lymphangioplasty should be compared with that of implanted nanofibrillar collagen threads or plastic tubes in order to evaluate whether the technique itself or the material used is responsible for the therapeutic success.
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Witt M, Ring A, Stricker I, Fruth E. The Fate of Implanted BioBridge tm Collagen Matrix - Findings in Histology, Scanning, and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Lymphology 2023; 56:121-124. [PMID: 38896495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The technique of lymphangioplasty or capillary thread drainage was historically performed with subcutaneously implanted surgical threads. It has recently been revived by introducing a thread-like aligned nanofibrillar collagen matrix (BioBridgetm). These collagen threads consitute subcutaneous neocollectors along which guided lymphangiogenesis is said to occur secondarily. We present for the first time a tissue examination of a 10-month implanted BioBridgetm sample with surrounding tissue from a human subject by histology, scanning and transmission electron microscopy.
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Böker E, Janke C, Brunn S, Brock D, Jurig K, Witt M. Evaluation of the rehabilitation process after ACL rupture in childhood and adolescence. DEUTSCHE ZEITSCHRIFT FÜR SPORTMEDIZIN/GERMAN JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.5960/dzsm.2022.545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Problem: Serious knee injuries are gaining epidemiological importance. Especially in childhood, a very significant increase in knee ligament injuries, in particular ACL ruptures, can be observed. In Saxony alone, more than 70 ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament occur each year as a result of accidents during physical education (PE). Six months after surgery, the students are normally classified as fully fit for sports and are allowed to participate in PE without restrictions. However, the number of reinjuries is very high which limits the quality of life of those affected in the long term and places a heavy financial burden on insurance companies. Methods: Therefore the status quo in the rehabilitation of schoolchildren after ACL rupture was assessed using a multilevel test battery and taking into account known risk factors such as gender, motor competence and BMI. Results: The results show that there are large interindividual differences in the funktional outcomes as well as a large discrepancy between rehabilitation status and return to physical education. Discussion: In order to effectively manage the process of rehabilitation and return to school sports, individual information is necessary in the multimodal setting. To this end, all those involved should be sensitized and trained. Key Words: Knee Injury, Return-to-Sport, Biomechanics of Sports, Prevention, School Sports
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Dörig P, Gunder N, Witt M, Welge-Lüssen A, Hummel T. [Future therapeutic strategies for olfactory disorders: electrical stimulation, stem cell therapy, and transplantation of olfactory epithelium-an overview]. HNO 2021; 69:623-632. [PMID: 33988723 PMCID: PMC8120256 DOI: 10.1007/s00106-021-01060-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Passagere oder permanente Riechstörungen können verschiedene Ursachen haben. Ganz aktuell berichtet eine Vielzahl von Patienten im Rahmen von COVID-19-Infektionen über ein fehlendes oder vermindertes Riechvermögen. In der Vergangenheit wurden vielfältige Therapieoptionen untersucht, diese variieren vom Riechtraining über Akupunktur und medikamentöse Therapien bis hin zur transkraniellen Magnetstimulation oder, z. B. bei ausgeprägten qualitativen Riechstörungen, der chirurgischen Resektion der Riechschleimhaut. Die Entwicklung einer bioelektrischen Nase, z. B. in Verbindung mit direkter elektrischer Stimulation des Bulbus olfactorius, oder die Transplantation von Riechschleimhaut oder von Stammzellen stellen Behandlungsmöglichkeiten der Zukunft dar. Die Grundlagen für diese Entwicklungen sowie der Stand des Wissens werden in der vorliegenden Arbeit erläutert.
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Kartini DA, Sokol O, Wiedemann J, Tinganelli W, Witt M, Camazzola G, Krämer M, Talabnin C, Kobdaj C, Fuss MC. Validation of a pseudo-3D phantom for radiobiological treatment plan verifications. Phys Med Biol 2020; 65:225039. [PMID: 32937608 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/abb92d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Performing realistic and reliable in vitro biological dose verification with good resolution for a complex treatment plan remains a challenge in particle beam therapy. Here, a new 3D bio-phantom consisting of 96-well plates containing cells embedded into Matrigel matrix was investigated as an alternative tool for biological dose verification. Feasibility tests include cell growth in the Matrigel as well as film dosimetric experiments that rule out the appearance of field inhomogeneities due to the presence of the well plate irregular structure. The response of CHO-K1 cells in Matrigel to radiation was studied by obtaining survival curves following x-ray and monoenergetic 12C ion irradiation, which showed increased radioresistance of 3D cell cultures in Matrigel as compared to a monolayer. Finally, as a proof of concept, a 12C treatment plan was optimized using in-house treatment planning system TRiP98 for uniform cell survival in a rectangular volume and employed to irradiate the 3D phantom. Cell survival distribution in the Matrigel-based phantom was analyzed and compared to cell survival in a reference setup using cell monolayers. Results of both methods were in good agreement and followed the TRiP98 calculation. Therefore, we conclude that this 3D bio-phantom can be a suitable, accurate alternative tool for verifying the biological effect calculated by treatment planning systems, which could be applied to test novel treatment planning approaches involving multiple fields, multiple ion modalities, complex geometries, or unconventional optimization strategies.
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Weigel A, Maehder K, Witt M, Löwe B. Psychotherapists' perspective on the treatment of patients with somatic symptom disorders. J Psychosom Res 2020; 138:110228. [PMID: 32896756 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Guidelines recommend psychotherapy in addition to primary care for patients with moderate to severe somatic symptom disorders. While general practitioners' experiences have been well studied, psychotherapists' experiences with this patient group and the explanatory models psychotherapists use in psychotherapy are unknown. METHODS Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted between April and July 2018 with 20 German licensed outpatient psychotherapists with either a medical or a psychological background, using the label "somatoform disorders". Interviews were analyzed applying thematic analysis. RESULTS Psychotherapists experienced management of affected patients as challenging and partly frustrating, mainly due to the difficult diagnostic process and the "somatic fixation" of some patients. Diagnostic labelling was considered a delicate issue, with some psychotherapists using the term "somatoform", while others preferred either "functional" or vague descriptions like "psychosomatic". The explanatory process was deemed essential for treatment, as was the adaptation of explanations to both a patient's biography and language. As main explanatory factors, psychotherapists referred to generic vulnerability factors, previous somatic illness and health care system influences. CONCLUSIONS Explanatory models used in psychotherapy are patient-centred, processual and constitute a major component of the psychotherapeutic process. However, this process might be impeded if patients are confronted with different diagnostic labels and explanatory models during their pathways through care.
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Turco E, Witt M, Abert C, Bock-Bierbaum T, Su MY, Trapannone R, Sztacho M, Danieli A, Shi X, Zaffagnini G, Gamper A, Schuschnig M, Fracchiolla D, Bernklau D, Romanov J, Hartl M, Hurley JH, Daumke O, Martens S. How RB1CC1/FIP200 claws its way to autophagic engulfment of SQSTM1/p62-ubiquitin condensates. Autophagy 2019; 15:1475-1477. [PMID: 31066340 PMCID: PMC6613900 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2019.1615306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy/autophagy mediates the degradation of ubiquitinated aggregated proteins within lysosomes in a process known as aggrephagy. The cargo receptor SQSTM1/p62 condenses aggregated proteins into larger structures and links them to the nascent autophagosomal membrane (phagophore). How the condensation reaction and autophagosome formation are coupled is unclear. We recently discovered that a region of SQSTM1 containing its LIR motif directly interacts with RB1CC1/FIP200, a protein acting at early stages of autophagosome formation. Determination of the structure of the C-terminal region of RB1CC1 revealed a claw-shaped domain. Using a structure-function approach, we show that the interaction of SQSTM1 with the RB1CC1 claw domain is crucial for the productive recruitment of the autophagy machinery to ubiquitin-positive condensates and their subsequent degradation by autophagy. We also found that concentrated Atg8-family proteins on the phagophore displace RB1CC1 from SQSTM1, suggesting an intrinsic directionality in the process of autophagosome formation. Ultimately, our study reveals how the interplay of SQSTM1 and RB1CC1 couples cargo condensation to autophagosome formation.
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Turco E, Witt M, Abert C, Bock-Bierbaum T, Su MY, Trapannone R, Sztacho M, Danieli A, Shi X, Zaffagnini G, Gamper A, Schuschnig M, Fracchiolla D, Bernklau D, Romanov J, Hartl M, Hurley JH, Daumke O, Martens S. FIP200 Claw Domain Binding to p62 Promotes Autophagosome Formation at Ubiquitin Condensates. Mol Cell 2019; 74:330-346.e11. [PMID: 30853400 PMCID: PMC6477179 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The autophagy cargo receptor p62 facilitates the condensation of misfolded, ubiquitin-positive proteins and their degradation by autophagy, but the molecular mechanism of p62 signaling to the core autophagy machinery is unclear. Here, we show that disordered residues 326-380 of p62 directly interact with the C-terminal region (CTR) of FIP200. Crystal structure determination shows that the FIP200 CTR contains a dimeric globular domain that we designated the "Claw" for its shape. The interaction of p62 with FIP200 is mediated by a positively charged pocket in the Claw, enhanced by p62 phosphorylation, mutually exclusive with the binding of p62 to LC3B, and it promotes degradation of ubiquitinated cargo by autophagy. Furthermore, the recruitment of the FIP200 CTR slows the phase separation of ubiquitinated proteins by p62 in a reconstituted system. Our data provide the molecular basis for a crosstalk between cargo condensation and autophagosome formation.
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Daca-Roszak P, Swierniak M, Jaksik R, Tyszkiewicz T, Oczko-Wojciechowska M, Zebracka-Gala J, Jarzab B, Witt M, Zietkiewicz E. Transcriptomic population markers for human population discrimination. BMC Genet 2018; 19:54. [PMID: 30086702 PMCID: PMC6081795 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-018-0663-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous studies have demonstrated significant differences in the expression level across continental human populations. Most of published results were performed on B-cell lines materials examined under specific laboratory conditions, without further validation in a primary biological material. The goal of our study was to identify mRNA markers characterized by a significant and stable difference in the gene expression profile in Caucasian and Chinese populations, both in the commercially available B-lymphocyte cell lines and in the primary samples of the peripheral blood. Results The preliminary selection of population-differentiating transcripts was based on Illumina expression microarray analysis of the representative group of ethnically-specified B-lymphocyte cell lines. Twenty genes with the inter-population difference in the mean expression characterized by the at least 1.5-fold change and FDR < 0.05 were identified. Subsequently, a two-step validation procedure was carried out. In the first step, a subset of selected population- differentiating transcripts was tested in the independent set of B-lymphocyte cell lines, using TLDA cards. Based on TLDA analysis, three transcripts representing Fch > 2 were chosen for validation. The differentiating status was confirmed for all of them: UTS2, UGT2B17 and SLC7A7. The mean expression of UTS2 was higher in CHB (25.8-fold change compared to CEU), while the expression of UGT2B17 and SLC7A7 was higher in CEU (3.2- and 2.2-fold change, respectively). In the next validation step, two transcripts were verified in the primary biological material. As an ultimate result of our study, two mRNA markers (UTS2 and UGT2B17) exhibiting population differences in the expression level in both B-cell line and in the blood were identified. Further statistical analysis confirmed the discriminatory potential of these two markers. Conclusions An inter-population differences on the level of gene expression were identified in both B-cell lines and peripheral blood samples. These findings may have a practical application in the field of forensic science. In particular, these transcripts, targeted by specific probes, may be used as population-specific targets in the efforts aiming to separate mixture of blood from individuals of different populations. Notwithstanding, these results have to be confirmed on extended population group. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12863-018-0663-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Moog P, Eren O, Kossegg S, Valda K, Straube A, Grünke M, Schulze-Koops H, Witt M. Pupillary autonomic dysfunction in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis. Clin Auton Res 2017; 27:385-392. [PMID: 28864843 DOI: 10.1007/s10286-017-0463-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess autonomic function by infrared dynamic pupillometry in patients with ANCA-vasculitis (AAV) in correlation to autonomic symptoms, disease specific clinical parameters and cardiovascular reflex tests. METHODS Patients with AAV and healthy controls underwent pupillometry at rest and after sympathetic stimulation (cold pressor test). Three parasympathetic parameters (amplitude, relative amplitude, maximum constriction velocity) and one sympathetic parameter (late dilatation velocity) were assessed. Results were correlated with clinical parameters, symptoms of autonomic dysfunction (COMPASS31 questionnaire), heart rate variability during deep breathing test and blood pressure response to pain. RESULTS 23 patients and 18 age-matched controls were enrolled. Patients had a smaller amplitude (1.44 vs. 1.70 mm; p = 0.009) and a slower constriction velocity (4.15 vs. 4.71 mm/s; p = 0.028) at baseline and after sympathetic stimulation (1.47 vs. 1.81 mm, p = 0.001; 4.38 vs. 5.19 mm/s, p = 0.006, respectively). Relative amplitude was significantly smaller in patients after sympathetic stimulation (28.6 vs. 32.5%; p = 0.043), but not at baseline. There was no difference in sympathetic pupillary response between the groups. In patients, parasympathetic pupil response was correlated negatively with age and positively with parasympathetic cardiac response. After adjusting for age, no significant correlation was observed with clinical parameters. However, there was a trend towards a negative correlation with disease duration, vasculitis damage index and CRP. CONCLUSION Patients with AAV exhibit parasympathetic pupillary autonomic dysfunction. Although correlations were weak and not significant, pupillary autonomic dysfunction is rather linked to chronic damage than to active inflammation or symptoms of autonomic dysfunction.
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Proft F, Fleck M, Fiehn C, Schulze-Koops H, Witt M, Dörner T, Henes JC. Wirksamkeits- und Sicherheitsanalyse von Off-label-Biologikatherapien bei Patienten mit autoinflammatorischen Erkrankungen. Z Rheumatol 2017; 77:46-54. [DOI: 10.1007/s00393-017-0329-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Henes JC, Schulze-Koops H, Witt M, Tony HP, Mueller F, Grunke M, Czihal M, Dörner T, Proft F. Off-label-Biologikatherapie bei Patienten mit Großgefäßvaskulitiden und/oder Polymyalgia rheumatica. Z Rheumatol 2017; 77:12-20. [DOI: 10.1007/s00393-017-0325-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Witt M, Frielinghausen J, Mueller R, Mueller F, Proft F, Schulze-Koops H, Grunke M, Clevert DA. Evaluation of a Novel Semi-Automated Ultrasound System for the Detection of Synovitis: A Prospective Study involving 45 Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Ultrasound Int Open 2016; 2:E117-E123. [PMID: 27921093 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-115774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Arthrosonography has proven to be more sensitive and reliable for the detection of synovitis than clinical examination, but a comprehensive examination of small joints is time-consuming. The automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) has been developed to allow automatic and reproducible series of consecutive B-mode pictures of the female breast. Objectives: To analyze the comparability of ABVS and conventional manual ultrasonography (mUS) for the detection of synovitis in hands and feet of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: 45 patients with early and established active rheumatoid arthritis were recruited for this trial. All subjects were assessed clinically and by manual (Esaote MyLab70) and automated ultrasound (ACUSON S2000™ ABVS). The wrists, the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints of the hands and the metatarsophalangeal joints of the feet were examined. Results: A total of 2 340 joint aspects were examined with both methods. ABVS detected 291 grade 1, 124 grade 2, 100 grade 3 cases of synovitis (515 in total) compared to 267, 180 and 145 cases of synovitis (592 in total) with mUS. 242 erosions and 52 cases of tenosynovitis were found by ABVS compared to 244 erosions and 99 cases of tenosynovitis found by mUS. Kappa coefficients for the agreement between both methods ranged from 0.51 in PIP joints to 0.71 in MCP joints. The correlations with clinical parameters as well as interrater agreements were comparable for both ultrasound methods. Conclusion: Based on the results, ABVS seems to be a promising technology for the comprehensive and time-saving assessment of synovitis in RA.
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Baraliakos X, Heldmann F, van den Bosch F, Burmester G, Gaston H, van der Horst-Bruinsma IE, Krause A, Schmidt R, Schneider M, Sieper J, Andermann B, van Tubergen A, Witt M, Braun J. Long-term efficiency of infliximab in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: real life data confirm the potential for dose reduction. RMD Open 2016; 2:e000272. [PMID: 27493791 PMCID: PMC4964174 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2016-000272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Revised: 04/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To analyse the treatment outcome of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in the European AS infliximab cohort (EASIC) study after a total period of 8 years with specific focus on dosage and the duration of intervals between infliximab infusions. Methods EASIC included patients with AS who had received infliximab for 2 years as part of the ASSERT trial. After that period, rheumatologists were free to change the dose or the intervals of infliximab. Clinical data were status at baseline, end of ASSERT and for a total of 8 years of follow-up. Results Of the initially 71 patients with AS from EASIC, 55 patients (77.5%) had completed the 8th year of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) treatment. Of those, 48 patients (87.3%) still continued on infliximab. The mean infusion interval increased slightly from 6 to 7.1±1.5 weeks, while 45.8% patients had increased the intervals up to a maximum of 12 weeks. The mean infliximab dose remained stable over time, with a minimum of 3.1 mg/kg and a maximum of 6.4 mg/kg. In patients receiving <5 mg/kg infliximab, the mean infusion interval increased to 7.0±1.2 weeks. In total, the mean cumulative dose per patient and per year decreased from 3566.30 to 2973.60 mg. Conclusions We could observe that over a follow-up of 8 years of treatment with infliximab, >85% patients still remained on the same treatment, without any major safety events. Furthermore, both the infusion intervals and also the mean infliximab dose were modestly reduced in ≥70% of the patients without the loss of clinical efficiency.
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Henkemeier U, Alten R, Bannert B, Baraliakos X, Behrens F, Heldmann F, Kiltz U, Köhm M, König R, Leipe J, Müller-Ladner U, Rech J, Riechers E, Rubbert-Roth A, Schmidt RE, Schulze-Koops H, Specker C, Tausche AK, Wassenberg S, Witt M, Witte T, Zernicke J, Burkhardt H. [Do we still need clinical studies in rheumatology?]. Z Rheumatol 2015; 75:4-10. [PMID: 26680367 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-015-1687-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Despite a large number of approved therapies demonstrating efficacy in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, only 60-85 % of patients with the indications for rheumatoid arthritis are adequately treated in Germany. Additionally, approved therapies for other immune-mediated diseases are often entirely lacking, indicating the great medical need for the development of new innovative therapies in this specialized field. The development of new drugs is expensive due to the high costs of conducting clinical trials in all phases of development up to obtaining approval; therefore, pharmaceutical companies are looking for ways to save costs in the particular developmental stages. Although the classical regions for drug development (i.e. western Europe, the USA and Japan) offer both a high level of data quality and a good infrastructure to conduct clinical trials due to high standards of education and quality, clinical trials are expensive in these regions. Beside high costs, the comparatively low recruitment rates in these regions are one of the main reasons for the shifting of drug developmental stages from classical regions to eastern European, Latin American and Asian countries, which provide services for drug development and high recruitment rates for comparatively less money. However, there are many strong arguments for the participation of regions in western Europe, especially German sites in clinical trials. In this article these arguments are discussed and possible solutions and strategies for conducting and compensation of study centers in Germany for clinical trials in the field of rheumatology are provided.
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Brachat A, Feist E, Behrens F, Blank N, Nirmala NR, Specker C, Witt M, Zernicke J, Martini A, Junge G. Genes responding to Canakinumab therapy in SJIA are -inversely - disregulated in adult onset Still's disease. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2015. [PMCID: PMC4597022 DOI: 10.1186/1546-0096-13-s1-p4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
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Daca-Roszak P, Pfeifer A, Żebracka-Gala J, Jarząb B, Witt M, Ziętkiewicz E. EurEAs_Gplex--A new SNaPshot assay for continental population discrimination and gender identification. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2015; 20:89-100. [PMID: 26520215 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Assays that allow analysis of the biogeographic origin of biological samples in a standard forensic laboratory have to target a small number of highly differentiating markers. Such markers should be easy to multiplex and the assay must perform well in the degraded and scarce biological material. SNPs localized in the genome regions, which in the past were subjected to differential selective pressure in various populations, are the most widely used markers in the studies of biogeographic affiliation. SNPs reflecting biogeographic differences not related to any phenotypic traits are not sufficiently explored. The goal of our study was to identify a small set of SNPs not related to any known pigmentation/phenotype-specific genes, which would allow efficient discrimination between populations of Europe and East Asia. The selection of SNPs was based on the comparative analysis of representative European and Chinese/Japanese samples (B-lymphocyte cell lines), genotyped using the Infinium HumanOmniExpressExome microarray (Illumina). The classifier, consisting of 24 unlinked SNPs (24-SNP classifier), was selected. The performance of a 14-SNP subset of this classifier (14-SNP subclassifier) was tested using genotype data from several populations. The 14-SNP subclassifier differentiated East Asians, Europeans and Africans with ∼100% accuracy; Palestinians, representative of the Middle East, clustered with Europeans, while Amerindians and Pakistani were placed between East Asian and European populations. Based on these results, we have developed a SNaPshot assay (EurEAs_Gplex) for genotyping SNPs from the 14-SNP subclassifier, combined with an additional marker for gender identification. Forensic utility of the EurEAs_Gplex was verified using degraded and low quantity DNA samples. The performance of the EurEAs_Gplex was satisfactory when using degraded DNA; tests using low quantity DNA samples revealed a previously not described source of genotyping errors, potentially important for any SNaPshot-based assays.
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Witt M, Weber U, Simeonov Y, Zink K. SU-E-T-671: Range-Modulation Effects of Carbon Ion Beams in Lung Tissue. Med Phys 2015. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4925034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Moog P, Witt M, Eren O, Rauschel V, Kossegg S, Straube A, Grünke M, Schulze-Koops H. FRI0274 Assessment of Autonomic Dysfunction in Anca-Associated Vasculitis: A Prospective Study of 24 Patients. Ann Rheum Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.4820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Baraliakos X, Heldmann F, van den Bosch F, Burmester GR, Gaston H, van der Horst-Bruinsma I, Andermann B, Krause A, Schmidt R, Schneider M, Sieper J, Witt M, Braun J. THU0234 Long-Term Efficacy of Infliximab in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis – Real Life Data Confirm the Potential for Dose Reduction by Stretching Infusion Intervals. Ann Rheum Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.6459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Witt M, Valda K, Moog P, Eren O, Schulze-Koops H, Grunke M. AB1033 Evidence for Autonomic Dysfunction in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF): Results from a Prospective Controlled Study Including the Compass-31 Questionnaire. Ann Rheum Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.5750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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