Playing God? Synthetic biology as a theological and ethical challenge

In the ethical debate over synthetic biology the formula “playing god” is widely used in order to attack this new branch of biotechnology. The article analyses, contextualizes and criticises this usage with respect to the theological concepts of creation, sin and humans as created in the image of God. Against the background of these theological understandings an ethical corridor of how to responsibly cope with the societal challenges of synthetic biology is presented

Разработка искровых коммутаторов с циркуляцией газа для ГИН Аркадьева-Маркса

Спроектирован и собран управляемый искровой разрядник с циркуляцией газа и инициированием на принципе "искажения поля" для генератора импульсных напряжений Аркадьева - Маркса. Впервые получены данные о ресурсе работы электродов из нержавеющей стали многоступенчатого разрядника в газе под давлением при работе в генераторе Аркадьева–Маркса в длительном режиме с частотой следования импульсов от 5 до 8 имп/сек. с энергией в импульсе 2 кДж.A controlled spark gap with gas circulation and initiation on the "field distortion" principle for the Arkadiev-Marx pulse voltage generator was designed and assembled. For the first time, data were obtained on the operating life of stainless steel electrodes of a multistage spark gap in a pressurized gas when operating in the Arkadev-Marx generator in a long-time regime with a pulse repetition rate of 5 to 8 pulses per second. with a pulse energy of 2 kJ

Between Club and Commerce: Comparing the Organisation of Sports in Britain and Germany from the Late Nineteenth to the early Twentieth Century

Nathaus K. Between Club and Commerce: Comparing the Organisation of Sports in Britain and Germany from the Late Nineteenth to the early Twentieth Century. In: Eisenberg C, Gestrich A, eds. The Cultural Industries in the Late Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries: Britain and Germany Compared. Augsburg: Wissner; In Press

Why was there a ‘Rock Revolution’ in Britain? Comparing the Production and Evaluation of Popular Music in Britain and West Germany, 1950-80

Nathaus K. Why was there a ‘Rock Revolution’ in Britain? Comparing the Production and Evaluation of Popular Music in Britain and West Germany, 1950-80. In: Eisenberg C, Gestrich A, eds. The Cultural Industries in the Late Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries: Britain and Germany Compared. Augsburg: Wissner; In Press

Activation of Endocannabinoid System Is Associated with Persistent Inflammation in Human Aortic Aneurysm

Human aortic aneurysms have been associated with inflammation and vascular remodeling. Since the endocannabinoid system modulates inflammation and tissue remodeling, we investigated its components in human aortic aneurysms. We obtained anterior aortic wall samples from patients undergoing elective surgery for aortic aneurysm or coronary artery disease as controls. Histological and molecular analysis (RT-qPCR) was performed, and endocannabinoid concentration was determined using LC-MRM. Patient characteristics were comparable between the groups except for a higher incidence of arterial hypertension and diabetes in the control group. mRNA level of cannabinoid receptors was significantly higher in aneurysms than in controls. Concentration of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol was significantly higher, while the second endocannabinoid anandamide and its metabolite arachidonic acid and palmitoylethanolamide were significantly lower in aneurysms. Histology revealed persistent infiltration of newly recruited leukocytes and significantly higher mononuclear cell density in adventitia of the aneurysms. Proinflammatory environment in aneurysms was shown by significant upregulation of M-CSF and PPARγ but associated with downregulation of chemokines. We found comparable collagen-stained area between the groups, significantly decreased mRNA level of CTGF, osteopontin-1, and MMP-2, and increased TIMP-4 expression in aneurysms. Our data provides evidence for endocannabinoid system activation in human aortic aneurysms, associated with persistent low-level inflammation and vascular remodeling