Medical Faculty Mannheim Research Articles

Impact of concomitant cardiovascular medications on overall survival in patients with liver cirrhosis

Objectives of the article Liver cirrhosis is the end-stage liver disease associated with poor prognosis and cardiovascular comorbidity could significantly impact mortality of cirrhotic patients. We conducted a large, retrospective study to investigate the survival impact of cardiovascular co-medications in patients with liver cirrhosis. Materials and methods A study-specific R package was processed on the local databases of partner institutions within the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics consortium, namely Columbia University, New York City (NYC), USA and Ajou University School of Medicine (AUSOM), South Korea. Patients with cirrhosis diagnosed between 2000 and 2020 were included. Final analysis of the anonymous survival data was performed at Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University. Results We investigated a total of 32,366 patients with liver cirrhosis. Our data showed that administration of antiarrhythmics amiodarone or digoxin presented as a negative prognostic indicator (p = 0.000 in both cohorts). Improved survival was associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril (p = 0.005 in NYC cohort, p = 0.075 in AUSOM cohort) and angiotensin II receptor blocker losartan (p = 0.000 in NYC cohort, p = 0.005 in AUSOM cohort). Non-selective beta blocker carvedilol was associated with a survival advantage in the NYC (p = 0.000) cohort but not in the AUSOM cohort (p = 0.142). Patients who took platelet inhibitor clopidogrel had a prolonged overall survival compared to those without (p = 0.000 in NYC cohort, p = 0.003 in AUSOM cohort). Conclusion Concomitant cardiovascular medications are associated with distinct survival difference in cirrhotic patients. Multidisciplinary management is needed for a judicious choice of proper cardiovascular co-medications in cirrhotic patients.

How to: Success factors for the implementation and establishment of the "longitudinal curriculum" on communicative competencies at the Medical Faculty Mannheim.

Communicative competencies are of great importance to the medical profession, hence the teaching of them has been continuously expanded in recent years at many German medical schools. While individual courses on communicative competencies have already been established in the curricula, there remains, in part, a lack of longitudinal anchoring over the entire course of medical study. In 2008 the Medical Faculty Mannheim began implementing a longitudinal curriculum for communicative competencies. This paper outlines the general and phase-specific success factors in this process and gives practical recommendations and tips based on the personal experiences of the authors and the existing literature.

Service provision and utilisation in German paediatric primary care practices during public health crises: Protocol of the mixed-methods COVID-19 PedCare Study

IntroductionPublic health crises such as pandemics can cause serious disruptions to the utilisation and provision of healthcare services with negative effects on morbidity and mortality. Despite the important role of...

Effects of chess-based cognitive remediation training as therapy add-on in alcohol and tobacco use disorders: protocol of a randomised, controlled clinical fMRI trial

BackgroundAlcohol and tobacco use disorders (AUD, TUD) are frequent, both worldwide and in the German population, and cognitive impairments are known to facilitate instances of relapse. Cognitive training has been...

Vulnerability for alcohol use disorder after adverse childhood experiences (AUDACE): protocol for a longitudinal fMRI study assessing neuropsychobiological risk factors for relapse

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACE) are common and may predispose affected individuals to various health problems, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). Although a relationship between ACE and AUD has been well-established,...

Transferring interprofessional education concepts across sites - experiences and recommendations for practice.

Aim: Interprofessional education for health care professionals should be anchored at all training and study locations across Germany. In cooperation with the Medical Faculty Mannheim, an education concept trialed there, namely a longitudinal interprofessional learning sequence, was transferred and adapted to the Medical Faculty Dresden as part of the “Operation Team” support program. Here, the structured analysis and evaluation of the knowledge transfer experience is presented from the perspective of the transferee. From these findings, recommendations are derived for the planning of knowledge transfer projects.Methods: The consulting work between the two faculties was listed chronologically including knowledge transfer outcomes and was described and analyzed using the comparative categories identified in sociological systems theory and in the knowledge transfer literature. In addition, knowledge transfer outcomes were categorized according to their use and their relevance to the progress of the project was assessed.Results: The coordination teams initiated 13 consulting sessions, primarily held virtually or by telephone. From these, 36 knowledge transfer outcomes were identified, of which most were of high relevance for the transferee in all use categories. The knowledge transfer core themes were of a strategic (e.g. the consolidation of interprofessional teaching) and content-based/didactic-methodological nature (e.g. interprofessional session design, tutor training). Conclusion: The consulting sessions played a major role in facilitating the establishment of two interprofessional learning sequences and the piloting of the associated sessions at the Dresden site. The recommendations derived for a successful transfer could also be of help for other transfer projects.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) from Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Are Not Clonally Mutated I n Vivo

IntroductionThere is increasing evidence for an active role of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment in the pathogenesis of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). Genetically engineered murine models have shown that isolated mutations in the BM niche can disrupt the non-mutated hematopoietic compartment and induce MDS-like phenotypes. However, it is still unclear whether primary MDS in humans may possibly be associated with acquired mutations non-hematopoietic BM stroma cells. Although chromosomal aberrations and mutations have been described in in ex vivo expanded MSC cultures from MDS and AML patients, little validation has been performed to address whether such molecular lesions were not clonal outgrowths resulting from the strenuous and massively expansive cell culture procedures.Materials and MethodsWe performed whole exome sequencing on paired ex vivo expanded MSCs and native BM samples of n=98 MDS and associated myeloid neoplasia cases treated at the Department of Hematology and Oncology of the Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany (median age 73 years, range 44-86). As controls, we included a cohort of n=28 samples from healthy subjects (median age 75 years, range 36-84). MSCs were expanded adherently on plastic dishes by seeding 5x10e6 mononuclear cells in StemMACS MSC Expansion Medium XF (Miltenyi Biotec) for a median of 34 days, (95% confidence interval 22-50d). Whole exome sequencing was carried out using Nextera DNA Flex Tagmentation kit (Illumina) with IDT xGene Research probe v1 at a median coverage at 88x with BM MNC as germline control accounting for possible LOH in the BM sample. Validation experiments were performed by deep re-sequencing of single CFU-F colonies (n=4 patients), sequencing of serial cultures (n=7 patients) and re-sequencing of primary sorted native bone marrow MSCs from n=9 patients.ResultsIn the exome sequencing analyses of ex vivo expanded MSCs we discovered multiple recurrent mutations in MSCs of MDS patients including but not limited to genes such as ZFX (n=8/98) and RANK (n=5/98). MSCs from MDS patients displayed an overall higher mutational burden and increased replicative stress as determined by gH2AX and RPA staining, which correlated with the mutational burden and shorter telomeres as compared to healthy controls. The analysis of mutational signatures revealed that MDS MSCs were distinct compared to healthy MSCs. Furthermore, we found that MDS MSCs displayed increased senescence assessed by flow bGAL staining and associated inflammatory gene expression determined by IL6 qPCR/ELISA for n=32 cases.To investigate whether acquired mutations in MSCs were driven by the ex vivo expansion we performed individualized amplicon based deep re-sequencing of serial culture passages and different BM aspirations for n=7 patients as well as single colony re-sequencing in n=4 patient cases. Furthermore, we re-sequenced primary sorted CD45-,CD235a-,CD31+/-,CD271+/- BM cells of n=9 cases. All of these validation experiments indicated that the discovered mutations were associated with expansion in culture and but not present in clonally relevant cell populations in the primary BM in vivo.DiscussionTogether with previously published data of the BM niche of myeloid neoplasms, our results add to the notion that MSCs in MDS are molecularly and functionally altered. Nevertheless, our current comprehensive sequencing analyses leave little doubt that if acquired mutations in the stroma of MDS patients play a role in MDS disease initiation at all, then at such a low clonal and possibly locally confined level, that they are not detectable with currently feasible sample acquisition and methodology. In our current study, we discovered no evidence for acquired mutations in BM derived MSCs in MDS. DisclosuresSchmitt: Affimed GmbH: Research Funding. Flach: Gilead: Current Employment. Hofmann: BMS: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Nowak: Pharmaxis: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; AbbVie: Other: Investigator on funded clinical trial; Tolero Pharma, Pharmaxis, Apogenix: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria.

Restructuring the final year of the model study programme MaReCuM at the Medical Faculty Mannheim: the academic quarter in ambulatory medicine.

Introduction: To reflect the ever-growing importance of outpatient care in medical education, MaReCuM – a reformed curriculum, also referred to as a model study programme – was introduced at the Medical Faculty Mannheim in 2006. It divided the final year of medical study into quarters and added a mandatory quarter dedicated to ambulatory medicine. This project report presents our experiences, the costs and the evaluation results connected with making specific changes to the final year of undergraduate medical study.Project description: The final-year quarter in ambulatory medicine, taught at the Medical Faculty’s outpatient teaching placements, allows final-year medical students to gather practical experience in one of four elective areas in outpatient care. The parallel coursework encompasses interactive case presentations and practical reviews. Relevant curricular content on ambulatory medicine is then tested in the oral/practical section of the M3 medical examination.Results: Students are very satisfied with the academic quality of the final-year quarter in ambulatory medicine. Restructuring the final year, generating the concept and recruiting teaching placements at outpatient facilities required additional full-time positions in the beginning.Discussion: The processes of reforming MaReCuM have not only contributed to a stronger recognition of ambulatory medicine in the final year and in the clinical phase of study, but have also enabled broader opportunities for focussing individual choices during medical education. A high caliber of academics in the quarter in ambulatory medicine can be achieved with a calculable amount of organisational effort.Conclusion: Anchoring a curriculum on ambulatory medicine in medical education is possible through restructuring the final year and is received positively by students. The success of MaReCuM demonstrates the feasibility of the recommendations made by the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat).

S100B Serum Level is Independent of Moderate Alcohol Intoxication.

In Germany, among patients with minor head injury (MHI), the incidence of coexisting alcohol intoxication is indicated up to 50%. The neurological symptoms of patients with MHI may be caused or altered by alcohol intoxication, this could mislead to further, potential harmful, diagnostic steps or to misinterpretation of the symptoms and to non-execution of necessary treatments. In order to decide which patients need further diagnostics by CCT, S100B has been proposed as a potential selection criterion. On the other hand, studies have hypothesized that alcohol intoxication may lead to elevated S100B serum levels. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the relationship between the blood ethyl alcohol concentration and the S100B serum concentration in an experimental setting in young human adult volunteers. In a cohort of 58 healthy volunteers, serum S100B concentration and blood ethyl alcohol concentration were measured before and after liberately drinking alcohol. The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty Mannheim (Ethics Committee II, AZ 2012-272 N-MA). Instantaneous analysis of the samples was carried out using state-of-the art automated measuring systems. (Analyzer Cobas e411, Roche and Analyzer Dimension Vista 1500, Siemens). After drinking, alcohol levels ranged from 0,23 to 1,92 g/l. The S100B value ranged from to 0,021 to 0,115 µg/l after alcohol consumption (S100B standard value < 0,11 µg/l). By calculating the Pearson correlation of empirical correlation after drinking alcohol with r = 0.01181, a correlation between serum S100B concentration and ethyl alcohol concentration is not probable. The S100B concentrations were independent on the alcohol intake in low to medium alcohol levels. A relevant alcohol blood concentration (~ 1 g/l), in otherwise healthy volunteers, does not affect the serum concentration of S100B. S100B may be a useful brain injury marker in low to moderate drunken patients.

Tablet-based sensorimotor home-training system for amnestic mild cognitive impairments in the elderly: design of a randomised clinical trial

IntroductionDementia (particularly Alzheimer’s disease, AD) is a major cause of impaired cognitive functions in the elderly. Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is a prodromal stage of AD, if substantiated by...

BMAL1 Links Bevacizumab Resistance in Colorectal Cancer to Circadian Rhythm and Heme Receptor REVERBA

Heme sensor Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1 Group D Member 1 (NR1D1/REVERBA) and its target gene Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator-Like (ARNTL/BMAL1) regulate circadian rhythm and angiogenesis. Given their involvement in the interplay between clock disruptions (e.g. by mutations or sleep deprival), cancer risk and vascular biology, we hypothesized that these transcription factors contribute to resistance against anti-angiogenic therapy with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) neutralizing antibody (bevacizumab, abbrev. Beva) in colorectal cancer (CRC). REVERBA bound to a predicted -672 bp Retinoic Acid Receptor-Related Orphan Receptor Alpha (RORA)-responsive element (RORE) adjacent to a BMAL1 DNA-binding motif (E-box) in the proximal promoter of the human VEGFA gene. REVERBA, indirectly and together with BMAL1, increased VEGFA mRNA and protein expression. Conversely, REVERBA siRNA and REVERBA-antagonist hemin decreased VEGFA synthesis. Beva treatment inhibited CRC growth in a C57BL/6J Apc min/+ genetically modified mouse model (GEMM) and BALB/c nu/nu mouse HCT116 xenografts, without attenuating BMAL1 levels or microvessel density (MVD). In CRC patient tumors (n=74), high BMAL1 protein expression was associated with clinical non-response to combination chemotherapy with Beva (*p=0.0061) and reduced progression-free survival (PFS) [*p=0.0223, Hazard Ratio (HR)=1.69]. In addition, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the BMAL1 (ARNTL) gene correlated with shorter overall survival (OS) [rs11022780, *p=0.014, HR=1.61] and PFS (rs7396943, rs7938307, rs2279287) in patients undergoing combination chemotherapy with Beva. Thus, BMAL1 is associated with Beva resistance in CRC. Since the REVERBA-BMAL1-VEGFA axis can be pharmacologically targeted, interference with this signaling pathway could circumvent resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy in CRC. Funding Statement: This study was supported by grants to EB from the Deutsche Krebshilfe (#108287 and #111086). FE received a fellowship from the “Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes”. JB was supported by the Translational Physician Scientist (TraPS) Program of the Medical Faculty Mannheim of the Heidelberg University. WW was awarded a fellowship from the Chinese Scholarship Council (#201408080116). ME was supported by the State of Baden-Wurttemberg for “Center of Geriatric Biology and Oncology (ZOBEL) – Perspektivforderung” and “Biology of Frailty - Sonderlinie Medizin”. ATB and ME received funds from the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme (Contract No. 278981 [ANGIOPREDICT]) and are supported by the European Commission Horizon 2020 Programme (Contract No. 754923 [COLOSSUS]). ATB is further supported by Science Foundation Ireland under grant 13/CDA/2183 ”Coloforetell”. HJL was partly funded by the National Cancer Institute (grant number P30CA014089), the Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation -The Wunder Project, the Dhont Family Foundation, the San Pedro Peninsula Cancer Guild, the Daniel Butler Research Fund, and the Call to Cure Research Fund Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The reagent mBeva was obtained on the basis of a material transfer agreement (MTA#10082012) from Roche Diagnostics GmbH (Penzberg, Germany). HJL has received clinical trial financial support from Merck Serono and Roche and honoraria for advisory board membership and lectures from Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, Merck Serono and Roche Ethics Approval Statement: Xenograft studies conformed to the 2010/63/EU guidelines and were approved by the Dept. of Health and Children, Dublin, Ireland (B100/3654) and University College Dublin Animal Research Ethics Committee (P12-27). Therapy studies were conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines (Declaration of Helsinki) and approved by the local ethics committees for each participating site. All patients provided written informed consent for the analysis of molecular correlates.

1655P_PR - The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in sarcoma patients

Background: The used of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) parallel to targeted or chemotherapy might result in unexpected side effects. The aim of this survey was to determine the use of CAM among patients with biopsy-proven sarcoma, GIST and desmoid tumors. Methods: From Jan 1 to April 30th, a structured cross-sectional survey was conducted in outpatients in the sarcoma center. We used questionnaires validated in melanoma and breast cancer pts earlier. The chart explored sociodemographic, lifestyle and health-related characteristics as well as the types and modes of CAM use. Results: The questionnaire was filled out by 325 patients (59% sarcoma, 23% GIST, 18% desmoid). Their mean age was 53 years, 50% women, 47% men and 3% with no mention of gender. The results clearly indicate an interest in CAM, 35% have been interested for a long time in CAM methods and 44% since their tumor diagnosis. CAM usage was reported by 51% of sarcoma patients, of whom 12% used CAM just before the tumor disease, 24% are currently using naturopathic medicine, and 15% used CAM only during the tumor disease, but not currently. The main reasons for the interest in and use of CAM were: to boost the immune system (78%), to help them feel better (76%) and cope with cancer treatment (45%), and to reduce stress (53%), symptoms or side effects (36%). Less than 30% of patients reported taking vitamin and mineral supplementation, especially vitamin D. Compared to males, female patients are more likely to use CAM natural remedies or methods. Of those patients currently using CAM, there was a balance between users of herbal medicine (TCM) and homeopathic approaches at 32% each. Conclusions: The use of CAM, particularly biologically based therapies is more likely to be used by older patients than younger patients. They describe this as an effective complement to conventional medicine but many patients report that they are not sufficiently informed about risks and benefits of CAM. They also are dissatisfied with the reimbursement of CAM costs by health insurances. The high proportions of patients using CAM that could interfere with oncological drugs via competitive pathways warrants more detailed investigations. Legal entity responsible for the study: University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Germany. Funding: EU-FP7 EUROSARC. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Physicians' roles in competency-based teaching: Do students recognize them?

Introduction: Imparting the concept of physician’s roles with the help of new teaching formats is becoming increasingly important in medical education. The “ambulatory care simulation” was developed at the Medical Faculty Mannheim as a format to teach the roles of "medical expert," “communicator”, “health advocate”, “manager”, “team member” and “professional” in the practical year. During the “ambulatory care simulation”, students work through case scenarios with simulated patients focusing on the physician’s roles and subsequently discussing and reflecting on their experiences. Several measures are designated to ensure that each role is covered by the new teaching format. The present study investigates whether the physician’s roles are actually addressed during the “ambulatory care simulation” and whether the competency-based learning objectives are recognized by the students.Methods: All participants in 12 of the 38 obligatory “ambulatory care simulations” signed informed consents to be filmed during the “ambulatory care simulation”. These videos were categorized using previously defined observation criteria. A total of 211 out of 224 students completed and handed in a one-minute paper at the end of the “ambulatory care simulation”. The answers to the question, “What have you learned?” have been assigned to competency-based learning objectives.Results: Although instructors and students adhered to the guidelines in the recorded “ambulatory care simulations”, the most frequently addressed roles were “medical expert” and “communicator.” Two-thirds of the participants indicate learning outcomes that do not correspond to the previously defined learning objectives of the “ambulatory care simulation”.Discussion: To ensure a thorough understanding and long-lasting appreciation of the physician’s roles, longitudinal integration of teaching interventions into the curriculum is to be favored over single teaching units. Instructors need intensive preparation for the unfamiliar construct of physician’s roles. The learning objectives must also be made more transparent.Conclusion: Especially complex teaching formats need to be evaluated for success if they are to achieve their aims. Formative evaluations enable verification of whether the learning objectives are addressed, recognized and, finally, achieved.

Competency-based learning in an ambulatory care setting: Implementation of simulation training in the Ambulatory Care Rotation during the final year of the MaReCuM model curriculum.

Aim: As part of the MaReCuM model curriculum at Medical Faculty Mannheim Heidelberg University, a final year rotation in ambulatory care was implemented and augmented to include ambulatory care simulation. In this paper we describe this ambulatory care simulation, the designated competency-based learning objectives, and evaluate the educational effect of the ambulatory care simulation training.Method: Seventy-five final year medical students participated in the survey (response rate: 83%). The control group completed the ambulatory rotation prior to the implementation of the ambulatory care simulation. The experimental group was required to participate in the simulation at the beginning of the final year rotation in ambulatory care. A survey of both groups was conducted at the beginning and at the end of the rotation. The learning objectives were taken from the National Competency-based Catalogue of Learning Objectives for Undergraduate Medical Education (NKLM).Results: The ambulatory care simulation had no measurable influence on students’ subjectively perceived learning progress, the evaluation of the ambulatory care rotation, or working in an ambulatory care setting. At the end of the rotation participants in both groups reported having gained better insight into treating outpatients. At the beginning of the rotation members of both groups assessed their competencies to be at the same level. The simulated ambulatory scenarios were evaluated by the participating students as being well structured and easy to understand. The scenarios successfully created a sense of time pressure for those confronted with them. The ability to correctly fill out a narcotic prescription form as required was rated significantly higher by those who participated in the simulation. Participation in the ambulatory care simulation had no effect on the other competencies covered by the survey.Discussion: The effect of the four instructional units comprising the ambulatory care simulation was not measurable due to the current form or the measurement point at the end of the 12-week rotation. The reasons for this could be the many and statistically elusive factors relevant to the individual and the wide variety among final year rotation placements, the late point in time of the final survey, and the selection of simulated scenarios. The course is slated to undergo specific further development and should be supplemented with additional learning opportunities to ensure that the main learning objectives are covered. The description of the teaching format is meant to contribute to the ongoing development of medical education with an emphasis on competency in the areas of ambulatory care, communication, prevention and health promotion.

Pain has an element of blank-a biobehavioral approach to chronicity.

Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany Address: Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, J5, D-68159 Mannheim, Germany. Tel.: 49 621 1703-6302; fax: +49 621 1703-6305. E-mail address: [email protected] (H. Flor). Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article.

GDF-15, soluble ST2 and Troponin-I: Biomarkers of Subclinical Vascular Disease?

a Specialist Clinic for Rehabilitation Bad Aussee, Bad Aussee, Austria b Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria c Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria d Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands e Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria f Synlab Academy, Synlab Services LLC, Mannheim, Germany g Vth Department of Medicine (Nephrology, Hypertensiology, Endocrinology, Diabetology, Rheumatology), Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

P0321 : Increased anti-tumor effect of vitamin D after CYP24A1 inhibition on HCC cell lines

P0320 TARGETING TGF-BETA I WITH THE TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR TYPE I KINASE INHIBITOR, LY2157299, MODULATES STEMNESS-RELATED BIOMARKERS IN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA B. Rani, F. Dituri, Y. Cao, U. Engstrom, L. Lupo, S. Dooley, A. Moustakas, G. Giannelli. Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy; Biomedical Center, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy; Molecular Hepatology-Alcohol associated diseases, Department of medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Science for Life Laboratory, Box 581 Biomedical Center, Uppsala, Sweden E-mail: bhavna.rani@uniba.it

The Quick Inventory of Pain Symptoms (QIPS)

1. Julian Koenig[1][1],[2][2] 2. Marc N. Jarczok[3][3] 3. Marco Warth[1][1] 4. Thomas K. Hillecke[1][1] 5. Julian F. Thayer[2][2] 1. 1School of Therapeutic Sciences, SRH University Heidelberg, Germany 2. 2Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA 3. 3Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany 1. Julian Koenig, Emotions and Quantitative Psychophysiology Lab, Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, 175 Psychology Building, 1835 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Email: koenig.393{at}osu.edu The article presents the Quick Inventory of Pain Symptoms (QIPS) to assess the frequency and intensity of pain experienced within the last week in non-clinical samples. The first evaluation of the inventory administered to 100 undergraduate and graduate students revealed a concurrent validity of the QIPS with the four pain-related items of the symptom checklist (SCL-90r). Furthermore, this preliminary analysis showed that the QIPS is capable of revealing sex differences. Further studies are needed to validate the inventory and its psychometric properties to evaluate its use in different populations. [1]: #aff-1 [2]: #aff-2 [3]: #aff-3

“Dementia worry” in memory clinic patients not diagnosed with organic mental disorder

In order to best meet the needs of their clientele, practitioners in memory clinics need information about the characteristics of patients who do not meet the criteria for diagnosis of an organic mental disorder such as vascular dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In particular, concern about having or developing dementia may prompt ``cognitively healthy’’ people to visit memory clinics. In a pilot study, we investigated ``dementia worry’’ (DW) in addition to the socio-demographic characteristics, physical health risk-factors and psychological symptoms of memory clinic patients for whom dementia and MCI diagnoses were excluded after a comprehensive diagnostic work-up. Dementia worry has recently been defined as an “emotional reaction to the perceived threat of developing dementia” (Kessler et al., 2012). Accordingly, DW consists of both emotions (e.g. fear) and cognitions (e.g. thoughts, ruminations) regarding the perceived threat of developing dementia. Our study was evaluated by the Ethical Committee of the Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg.

Erratum: Common variants at SCN5A-SCN10A and HEY2 are associated with Brugada syndrome, a rare disease with high risk of sudden cardiac death

Nat. Genet. 45, 1044–1049 (2013); published online 21 July 2013; corrected after print 4 October 2013 In the version of this article initially published, Martin Borggrefe and Rainer Schimpf were inadvertently omitted from the author list. Both are affiliated with the First Department of Medicine (Cardiology), University Medical Center, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany, and with DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.