Distribution and ecology of Knautia drymeia HEUFF. in Saxony

Knautia drymeia ist in ihrer natürlichen Verbreitung in Deutschland auf Sachsen beschränkt und besitzt hier im Elbegebiet im Bereich der Sächsischen Schweiz die nordwestlichsten Vorposten ihres Areals. Im elbenahen Bereich der Sächsischen Schweiz sind über 40 Fundorte aktuell bekannt. Knautia dipsacifolia kommt in Sachsen nicht vor; die in historischen Quellen aus Sachsen angegebenen Funde von K. dipsacifolia beziehen sich auf K. drymeia, Hybriden zwischen dieser und K. arvensis (K. ×speciosa) oder ganzblättrige Formen von K. arvensis. Knautia drymeia konnte als Bestandteil der folgenden Pflanzengesellschaften festgestellt werden: Urtico-Aegopodietum, Arrhenatheretalia-Basalgesellschaft, Lolio-Cynosuretum, Galio-Carpinetum, selten in Kahlschlägen von Hainbuchen-Eichenwäldern, in Mauerritzen und der Carex-acutiformis-Gesellschaft. Gegenüber den Angaben in den einschlägigen deutschen Floren konnte für die Art ein breiteres Standortsspektrum nachgewiesen werden. Bodenuntersuchungen ergeben sehr stark bis schwach saure, stark humose Böden als Standorte der Art. Aufgrund der Standortuntersuchungen, der Berechnung von Zeigerwerten der Vegetationsaufnahmen und der Soziologie werden erstmals ökologische Zeigerwerte für die Art aufgestellt (Lichtzahl: 6; Temperaturzahl: 5; Kontinentalitätszahl: 5; Nährstoffzahl: 6; Reaktionszahl: 6; Feuchtezahl: 5).The natural range of Knautia drymeia in Germany is restricted to Saxony. Here are the north western most outposts of the species. In Saxony it is restricted to the Elbe valley in the Saxon Switzerland for which more than 40 records were documented. All records of K. dipsacifolia mentioned in historical sources from Saxony all belong to K. drymeia, the hybrid between this species and K. arvensis (K. ×speciosa) or forms of K. arvensis with unlobed leaves. K. drymeia was found belonging to the following plant communities: Urtico-Aegopodietum, Arrhenatheretalia unit, Lolio perennis-Cynosuretum cristati, Galio-Carpinetum, and rarely in clear-cuttings, in wall chinks and in the Carex acutiformis unit. In contrast to informations in the relevant German floras the actual phytosociological range is much broader. The species occurs on strong to moderately acid, strong humous soils. Based on (1) ecological studies, (2) the calculation of medium indicator values for the relevés, and (3) the phytosociology it is for the first time possible to establish ecological indicator (“Ellenberg”) values for the species (light value: 6; temperature value: 5; continentality value: 5; nutrient value: 6; acidity value: 6; humidity value: 5)

Upper ocean temperature characteristics in the subantarctic Southeast Pacific based on biomarker reconstructions

Alkenones and Glycerol Dialkyl Glycerol Tetraether lipids (GDGT) as remnants of living organisms are widely used biomarkers for determining past oceans&rsquo; water temperatures. The organisms these proxy carriers stem from, are influenced by a number of environmental parameters, such as water depth, nutrient availability, light conditions or seasonality, which all may significantly bias the calibration to ambient water temperatures. Reliable temperature determinations remain thus challenging, especially in higher latitudes and for under-sampled regions. We analyzed 33 sediment surface samples from the Southern Chilean continental margin and the Drake Passage for alkenones and GDGTs and compared the results with gridded instrumental reference data from the World Ocean Atlas 2005 (WOA05), as well as previously published data from an extended study area covering the Central and Western South Pacific towards the New Zealand continental margin. We show that for alkenone-derived SSTs, the widely-used global core-top calibration of M&uuml;ller et al. (1998) yields the smallest residuals, whereas the calibration of Sikes et al. (1997), adapted to higher latitudes and supposed to show summer SSTs, overestimates modern WOA05-based (summer and annual mean) SSTs. Our alkenone SSTs show a slight seasonal shift of ~1 &deg;C at the Southern Chilean Margin and up to ~2 &deg;C in the Drake Passage towards austral summer SSTs, whereas samples in the Central South Pacific reflect an annual mean signal. We show that for GDGT-based temperatures, a more complex pattern emerges. In areas north of the Subantarctic Front (SAF) the subsurface calibration of Kim et al. (2012a) best reflects temperatures from the WOA05, largely within the margin error of &plusmn;2.2 &deg;C. Temperatures south of the SAF instead are significantly overestimated by up to 14 &deg;C, irrespective of the applied calibration. Based on a qualitative assessment of the GDGT [2] / [3]-ratios, which likely indicate water depth of origin, our samples reflect a subsurface (0 to 200 m water depth) rather than a surface (0&ndash;50 m water depth) signal. The overestimation of surface and subsurface temperatures south of the SAF highlights the need for a re-assessment of existing calibrations in the polar Southern Ocean, and leads to limitations in reliably both obtaining absolute values and assessing relative changes. Therefore, we suggest a modified Southern Ocean calibration for surface and subsurface GDGT-based temperatures, which shows a lower temperature sensitivity of the TEXL86 and yields principally lower absolute temperatures, which align more closely with WOA05-derived values.</p

Repeated exposure of the oral mucosa over 12 months with cold plasma is not carcinogenic in mice

Peri-implantitis may result in the loss of dental implants. Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) was suggested to promote re-osseointegration, decrease antimicrobial burden, and support wound healing. However, the long-term risk assessment of CAP treatment in the oral cavity has not been addressed. Treatment with two different CAP devices was compared against UV radiation, carcinogen administration, and untreated conditions over 12 months. Histological analysis of 406 animals revealed that repeated CAP exposure did not foster non-invasive lesions or squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs). Carcinogen administration promoted non-invasive lesions and SCCs. Molecular analysis by a qPCR screening of 144 transcripts revealed distinct inflammatory profiles associated with each treatment regimen. Interestingly, CAP treatment of carcinogen-challenged mucosa did not promote but instead left unchanged or reduced the proportion of non-invasive lesions and SCC formation. In conclusion, repeated CAP exposure of murine oral mucosa was well tolerated, and carcinogenic effects did not occur, motivating CAP applications in patients for dental and implant treatments in the future

PAK3 Exacerbates Cardiac Lipotoxicity via SREBP1c in Obesity Cardiomyopathy

Obesity-induced lipid overload in cardiomyocytes contributes to profound oxidative stress and cardiomyopathy, culminating in heart failure. In this study, we investigate a novel mechanism whereby lipids accumulate in cardiomyocytes and seek the relevant treatment strategies. P21-activated kinase 3 (PAK3) was elevated in obese human myocardium, and the murine hearts and cardiomyocytes upon diet- or fatty acid-induced stress, respectively. Mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of PAK3 were more susceptible to the development of cardiac dysfunction upon diet stress, at least partially, due to increased deposition of toxic lipids within the myocardium. Mechanistically, PAK3 promoted the nuclear expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) through activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta-1 (S6K1) pathway in cardiomyocytes, resulting in abnormal lipid genes profile, accumulation of excessive lipids, and oxidative stress. More importantly, PAK3 knockdown attenuated fatty acid-induced lipotoxicity and cell death in rat and human cardiomyocytes. More importantly, the S6K1 or SREBP1c inhibitor alleviated PAK3-triggered intracellular lipid overload and cardiac dysfunction under obese stress. Collectively, we have demonstrated that PAK3 impairs myocardial lipid homeostasis, while inhibition of cardiac lipotoxicity mitigates cardiac dysfunction. Our study provides a promising therapeutic strategy for ameliorating obesity cardiomyopathy.<br/

Acute kidney injury and tools for risk-stratification in 456 patients with hantavirus-induced nephropathia epidemica

BACKGROUND Puumala virus (PUUV) is the most common species of hantavirus in Central Europe. Nephropathia epidemica (NE), caused by PUUV, is characterized by acute kidney injury (AKI) and thrombocytopenia. The major goals of this study were to provide a clear clinical phenotyping of AKI in patients with NE and to develop an easy prediction rule to identify patients, who are at lower risk to develop severe AKI. METHODS A cross-sectional prospective survey of 456 adult patients with serologically confirmed NE was performed. Data were collected from medical records and prospectively at follow-up visit. Severe AKI was defined by standard criteria according to the RIFLE (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-stage kidney disease) classification. Fuller statistical models were developed and validated to estimate the probability for severe AKI. RESULTS During acute NE, 88% of the patients had AKI according to the RILFE criteria during acute NE. A risk index score for severe AKI was derived by using three independent risk factors in patients with normal kidney function at time of diagnosis: thrombocytopenia [two points; odds ratios (OR): 3.77; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.82, 8.03], elevated C-reactive protein levels (one point; OR: 3.02; 95% CI: 1.42, 6.58) and proteinuria (one point; OR: 3.92; 95% CI: 1.33, 13.35). On the basis of a point score of one or two, the probability of severe AKI was 0.18 and 0.28 with an area under the curve of 0.71. CONCLUSION This clinical prediction rule provides a novel and diagnostically accurate strategy for the potential prevention and improved management of kidney complications in patients with NE and, ultimately, for a possible decrease in unnecessary hospitalization in a high number of patient

Blood glucose testing and primary prevention of diabetes mellitus type 2 - evaluation of the effect of evidence based patient information

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Evidence-based patient information (EBPI) has been recognised as important tool for informed choice in particular in the matter of preventive options. An objective, on the best scientific evidence-based consumer information about subthreshold elevated blood glucose levels (impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance) and primary prevention of diabetes, is not available yet. Thus we developed a web-based EBPI and aim to evaluate its effects on informed decision making in people 50 years or older.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>We conduct a web-based randomised-controlled trial to evaluate the effect of information about elevated blood glucose levels and diabetes primary prevention on five specific outcomes: (i) knowledge of elevated blood glucose level-related issues (primary outcome); (ii) attitudes to a metabolic testing; (iii) intention to undergo a metabolic testing; (iv) decision conflict; (v) satisfaction with the information. The intervention group receives a specially developed EBPI about subthreshold elevated blood glucose levels and diabetes primary prevention, the control group information about this topic, available in the internet.</p> <p>The study population consists of people between 50 and 69 years of age without known diabetes. Participants will be recruited via the internet page of the cooperating health insurance company, Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), and the internet page of the German Diabetes Centre. Outcomes will be measured through online questionnaires. We expect better informed participants in the intervention group.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The design of this study may be a prototype for other web-based prevention information and their evaluation.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trial: ISRCTN22060616.</p

Treatment of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis by Targeted Delivery of the Radio-Labeled Tumor Homing Peptide 213Bi-DTPA-[F3]2 into the Nucleus of Tumor Cells

BACKGROUND: Alpha-particle emitting isotopes are effective novel tools in cancer therapy, but targeted delivery into tumors is a prerequisite of their application to avoid toxic side effects. Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a widespread dissemination of tumors throughout the peritoneal cavity. As peritoneal carcinomatosis is fatal in most cases, novel therapies are needed. F3 is a tumor homing peptide which is internalized into the nucleus of tumor cells upon binding to nucleolin on the cell surface. Therefore, F3 may be an appropriate carrier for alpha-particle emitting isotopes facilitating selective tumor therapies. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A dimer of the vascular tumor homing peptide F3 was chemically coupled to the alpha-emitter (213)Bi ((213)Bi-DTPA-[F3](2)). We found (213)Bi-DTPA-[F3](2) to accumulate in the nucleus of tumor cells in vitro and in intraperitoneally growing tumors in vivo. To study the anti-tumor activity of (213)Bi-DTPA-[F3](2) we treated mice bearing intraperitoneally growing xenograft tumors with (213)Bi-DTPA-[F3](2). In a tumor prevention study between the days 4-14 after inoculation of tumor cells 6x1.85 MBq (50 microCi) of (213)Bi-DTPA-[F3](2) were injected. In a tumor reduction study between the days 16-26 after inoculation of tumor cells 6x1.85 MBq of (213)Bi-DTPA-[F3](2) were injected. The survival time of the animals was increased from 51 to 93.5 days in the prevention study and from 57 days to 78 days in the tumor reduction study. No toxicity of the treatment was observed. In bio-distribution studies we found (213)Bi-DTPA-[F3](2) to accumulate in tumors but only low activities were found in control organs except for the kidneys, where (213)Bi-DTPA-[F3](2) is found due to renal excretion. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In conclusion we report that (213)Bi-DTPA-[F3](2) is a novel tool for the targeted delivery of alpha-emitters into the nucleus of tumor cells that effectively controls peritoneal carcinomatosis in preclinical models and may also be useful in oncology

Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum above 4×10184{\times}10^{18} eV using inclined events detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory

A measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum for energies exceeding $4{\times}10^{18}$ eV is presented, which is based on the analysis of showers with zenith angles greater than $60^{\circ}$ detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2013. The measured spectrum confirms a flux suppression at the highest energies. Above $5.3{\times}10^{18}$ eV, the "ankle", the flux can be described by a power law $E^{-\gamma}$ with index $\gamma=2.70 \pm 0.02 \,\text{(stat)} \pm 0.1\,\text{(sys)}$ followed by a smooth suppression region. For the energy ($E_\text{s}$) at which the spectral flux has fallen to one-half of its extrapolated value in the absence of suppression, we find $E_\text{s}=(5.12\pm0.25\,\text{(stat)}^{+1.0}_{-1.2}\,\text{(sys)}){\times}10^{19}$ eV.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO