@article{BuschKuboschBendauetal.2022,
  author    = {Busch, Aglaja and Kubosch, Eva Johanna and Bendau, Antonia and Leonhart, Rainer and Meidl, Verena and Bretthauer, Berit and Petzold, Moritz Bruno and Dallmann, Petra and Wrobel, Nina and Plag, Jens and Str{\"o}hle, Andreas and Hirschm{\"u}ller, Anja},
  title     = {Mental health in German paralympic athletes during the 1st year of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to a general population sample},
  series = {Frontiers in sports and active living},
  volume    = {4},
  journal   = {Frontiers in sports and active living},
  publisher = {Frontiers Media},
  address   = {Lausanne},
  issn      = {2624-9367},
  doi       = {10.3389/fspor.2022.870692},
  pages     = {9},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has huge influences on daily life and is not only associated with physical but also with major psychological impacts. Mental health problems and disorders are frequently present in elite paralympic athletes. Due to the pandemic situation, new stressors (e.g., loss of routine, financial insecurity) might act upon the athletes. Therefore, the assessment of mental health in athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic is important to identify prevalence of psychological problems and propose countermeasures. MethodsThe mental health of German paralympic athletes was longitudinally monitored (starting in May 2019). The athletes completed the Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ-4) on a weekly basis and reported a stress level, training hours, and training load. During the pandemic, 8 measurement time points (March 2020 to April 2021) were used to reflect the psychological health course of the athletes. In parallel, a convenience sample of the general population was questioned about their psychological distress, including the PHQ-4. To be included in the analysis, participants of both groups had to complete at least 4 measurement time points. Matching of the para-athletes and the general population sample was prioritized upon completion of the same measurement time points, gender, and age. ResultsSeventy-eight paralympic athletes (40 women, 38 men, age: 29.8 +/- 11.4 years) met the inclusion criteria. Seventy-eight matched pairs of the general population (40 women; 38 men; age: 30.5 +/- 10.9 years) were identified. The para-athletes had a significantly (p r <0.48) lower PHQ-4 value at each measurement time point compared to the matched control group. No significant age or sex differences were evident regarding the symptom burden. In para-athletes, no significant and a weak positive correlation was found between decreased training load and PHQ-4 values and a stress level, respectively. Reduced physical activity was significantly (p <0.0001) associated with higher PHQ-4 values in the general population sample. DiscussionLower PHQ-4 values were reported by the para-athletes compared to the general population sample. However, small sample sizes must be considered while interpreting the data. Nevertheless, adequate support for individuals suffering from severe psychopathological symptoms should be provided for para-athletes as well as for the general population.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SchloerHirschbergBenAmoretal.2022,
  author    = {Schl{\"o}r, Anja and Hirschberg, Stefan and Ben Amor, Ghada and Meister, Toni Luise and Arora, Prerna and P{\"o}hlmann, Stefan and Hoffmann, Markus and Pf{\"a}nder, Stephanie and Eddin, Omar Kamal and Kamhieh-Milz, Julian and Hanack, Katja},
  title     = {SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing camelid heavy-chain-only antibodies as powerful tools for diagnostic and therapeutic applications},
  series = {Frontiers in Immunology},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Immunology},
  publisher = {Frontiers Media SA},
  address   = {Lausanne, Schweiz},
  issn      = {1664-3224},
  doi       = {10.3389/fimmu.2022.930975},
  pages     = {1 -- 14},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Introduction: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation caused by SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern such as B.1.617.2 (Delta) and recently, B.1.1.529 (Omicron) is posing multiple challenges to humanity. The rapid evolution of the virus requires adaptation of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Objectives: In this study, we describe camelid heavy-chain-only antibodies (hcAb) as useful tools for novel in vitro diagnostic assays and for therapeutic applications due to their neutralizing capacity. Methods: Five antibody candidates were selected out of a na{\"i}ve camelid library by phage display and expressed as full length IgG2 antibodies. The antibodies were characterized by Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, surface plasmon resonance with regard to their specificity to the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and to SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles. Neutralization assays were performed with authentic SARS-CoV-2 and pseudotyped viruses (wildtype and Omicron). Results: All antibodies efficiently detect recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles in different ELISA setups. The best combination was shown with hcAb B10 as catcher antibody and HRP-conjugated hcAb A7.2 as the detection antibody. Further, four out of five antibodies potently neutralized authentic wildtype SARS-CoV-2 and particles pseudotyped with the SARS-CoV-2 Spike proteins of the wildtype and Omicron variant, sublineage BA.1 at concentrations between 0.1 and 0.35 ng/mL (ND50). Conclusion: Collectively, we report novel camelid hcAbs suitable for diagnostics and potential therapy.},
  language  = {en}
}