Factors influencing carrion communities are only partially consistent with those of deadwood necromass

Research on decomposer communities has traditionally focused on plant litter or deadwood. Even though carrion forms highly nutrient-rich necromass that enhance ecosystem heterogeneity, the factors infuencing saprophytic communities remain largely unknown. For deadwood, experiments have shown that diferent drivers determine beetles (i.e., decay stage, microclimate, and space), fungi (i.e., decay stage and tree species) and bacteria (decay stage only) assemblages. To test the hypothesis that similar factors also structure carrion communities, we sampled 29 carcasses exposed for 30 days that included Cervus elaphus (N=6), Capreolus capreolus (N=18), and Vulpes vulpes (N=5) in a mountain forest throughout decomposition. Beetles were collected with pitfall traps, while microbial communities were characterized using amplicon sequencing. Assemblages were determined with a focus from rare to dominant species using Hill numbers. With increasing focus on dominant species, the relative importance of carcass identity on beetles and space on bacteria increased, while only succession and microclimate remained relevant for fungi. For beetle and bacteria with focus on dominant species, host identity was more important than microclimate, which is in marked contrast to deadwood. We conclude that factors infuencing carrion saprophytic assemblages show some consistency, but also diferences from those of deadwood assemblages, suggesting that short-lived carrion and long-lasting deadwood both provide a resource pulse with diferent adaptions in insects and microbes. As with deadwood, a high diversity of carcass species under multiple decay stages and diferent microclimates support a diverse decomposer community.publishedVersio

Right atrium size in the general population

Echocardiography is the most common routine cardiac imaging method. Nevertheless, only few data about sex-specific reference limits for right atrium (RA) dimensions are available. Transthoracic echocardiographic RA measurements were studied in 9511 participants of the Gutenberg-Health-Study. A reference sample of 1942 cardiovascular healthy subjects without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was defined. We assessed RA dimensions and sex-specific reference limits were defined using the 95th percentile of the reference sample. Results showed sex-specific differences with larger RA dimensions in men that were attenuated by standardization for body-height. RA-volume was 20.2 ml/m in women (5th–95th: 12.7–30.4 ml/m) and 26.1 ml/m in men (5th–95th: 16.0–40.5 ml/m). Multivariable regressions identified body-mass-index (BMI), coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic heart failure (CHF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) as independent key correlates of RA-volume in both sexes. All-cause mortality after median follow-up-period of 10.7 (9.81/11.6) years was higher in individuals who had RA volume/height outside the 95% reference limit (HR 1.70 [95%CI 1.29–2.23], P = 0.00014)). Based on a large community-based sample, we present sex-specific reference-values for RA dimensions normalized for height. RA-volume varies with BMI, CHF, CAD and AF in both sexes. Individuals with RA-volume outside the reference limit had a 1.7-fold higher mortality than those within reference limits

Effects of empagliflozin on left ventricular diastolic function in addition to usual care in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus : results from the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled EmDia trial

Background The sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin improves cardiovascular outcome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and heart failure. Experimental studies suggest a direct cardiac effect of empagliflozin associated with an improvement in left ventricular diastolic function. Methods In the randomized, double-blind, two-armed, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial EmDia, patients with T2DM and elevated left ventricular E/E´ ratio were enrolled and randomized 1:1 to receive empagliflozin 10 mg/day versus placebo. The primary endpoint was the change of left ventricular E/E´ ratio after 12 weeks of intervention. Results A total of 144 patients with T2DM and an elevated left ventricular E/e´ ratio (age 68.9 ± 7.7 years; 14.1% women; E/e´ ratio 9.61[8.24/11.14], left ventricular ejection fraction 58.9% ± 5.6%). After 12 weeks of intervention, empagliflozin resulted in a significant higher decrease in the primary endpoint E/e´ ratio by − 1.18 ([95% confidence interval (CI) − 1.72/− 0.65]; P < 0.0001) compared with placebo. The beneficial effect of empagliflozin was consistent across all subgroups and also occurred in subjects with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (n = 30). Additional effects of empagliflozin on body weight, HbA1c, uric acid, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and hematocrit were detected (all P < 0.001). Approximately one-third of the reduction in E/e´ by empagliflozin could be explained by the variables examined. Conclusions Empagliflozin improves diastolic function in patients with T2DM and elevated end-diastolic pressure. Since the positive effects were consistent in patients with and without heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the data add a mechanistic insight for the beneficial cardiovascular effect of empagliflozin. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, unique identifier: NCT02932436

Cardiovascular profiling in the diabetic continuum : results from the population-based Gutenberg Health Study

Aims To assess the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and prediabetes in the general population and to investigate the associated cardiovascular burden and clinical outcome. Methods and Results The study sample comprised 15,010 individuals aged 35–74 years of the population-based Gutenberg Health Study. Subjects were classified into euglycaemia, prediabetes and T2DM according to clinical and metabolic (HbA1c) information. The prevalence of prediabetes was 9.5% (n = 1415) and of T2DM 8.9% (n = 1316). Prediabetes and T2DM showed a significantly increased prevalence ratio (PR) for age, obesity, active smoking, dyslipidemia, and arterial hypertension compared to euglycaemia (for all, P < 0.0001). In a robust Poisson regression analysis, prediabetes was established as an independent predictor of clinically-prevalent cardiovascular disease (PRprediabetes 1.20, 95% CI 1.07–1.35, P = 0.002) and represented as a risk factor for asymptomatic cardiovascular organ damage independent of traditional risk factors (PR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.08, P = 0.025). Prediabetes was associated with a 1.5-fold increased 10-year risk for cardiovascular disease compared to euglycaemia. In Cox regression analysis, prediabetes (HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.76–2.51, P < 0.0001) and T2DM (HR 4.28, 95% CI 3.73–4.92, P < 0.0001) indicated for an increased risk of death. After adjustment for age, sex and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, only T2DM (HR 1.89, 95% CI 1.63–2.20, P < 0.0001) remained independently associated with increased all-cause mortality. Conclusion Besides T2DM, also prediabetes inherits a significant cardiovascular burden, which translates into poor clinical outcome and indicates the need for new concepts regarding the prevention of cardiometabolic disorders

‘Swinging ORP’ as operation strategy for stable reject water treatment by Nitritation-Anammox in Sequencing Batch Reactors

A single stage nitritation-anammox pilot scale SBR was implemented to treat reject water from sludge dewatering. The SBR was operated with a new strategy, a combination of interval feeding with interval aeration using the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) as the main process indicator parameter. The strategy allowed for optimized treatment of high nitrogen loaded reject water providing stable operation and achieving a nitrogen removal efficiency of more than 90% at a volumetric nitrogen load of 400 g-N m−3 d−1. COD removal was also observed with an efficiency of around 70%. The concept of interval feeding monitored by the ORP also allowed for adjustments to changing environmental conditions (i.e., decrease in temperature) by adjusting the number of intervals per cycle and the number of cycles per day. The distinct swing in the ORP signal which showed the largest amplitudes and most distinct pattern of all monitored parameters made the ORP the most favorable control parameter for nitritation-anammox in this type of SB

Endothelial Cell MicroRNA Expression in Human Late-Onset Fuchs' Dystrophy

PURPOSE. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous noncoding RNA and post transcriptionally modulate gene expression during development and disease. Our study investigated the differential miRNA expression in human Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) compared with normal endothelium to identify miRNA sequences that are involved in the pathogenesis of FECD. METHODS. Comparative miRNA expression profiles of endothelial samples obtained from FECD patients during lamellar corneal transplant surgery and from normal donor globes were generated using OpenArray plate technology. Differential expression of individual miRNAs was validated in the original and in independent samples using stem-loop RT qPCR assays. Expression of miRNA target genes was assessed using qPCR and tissue microarray (TMA) immunolabeling. RESULTS. Our results demonstrate downregulation of 87 miRNAs in FECD compared with normal endothelium (>3-fold change; P < 0.01). Correspondingly, DICER1, (encoding an endoribonuclease critical to miRNA biogenesis) showed a moderate but significant decrease in FECD samples (P < 0.05). Significant repression of three miR-29 family members (miR-29a-3p, miR-29b-2-5p, and miR-29c-5p) was paralleled by upregulation of their extracellular matrix associated mRNA targets collagen I and collagen IV. Tissue microarray immunolabeling showed histologically verifiable subendothelial collagen I and collagen IV deposition and increased endothelial laminin protein expression in FECD samples. CONCLUSIONS. The present study provides the first miRNA profile in FECD and normal endothelial cells and demonstrates widespread miRNA downregulation in FECD. Decreased endothelial expression of miR-29 family members may be associated with increased subendothelial extracellular matrix accumulation in FECD

Nasal IL-5 levels determine the response to anti-IL-5 treatment in patients with nasal polyps

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is characterized by an eosinophilic inflammation and high IL-5 levels. Objectives: Antagonizing the effect of IL-5 is a potential new treatment strategy in patients with nasal polyps. Methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, 2-center safety and pharmacokinetic study, 24 subjects with bilateral nasal polyps were randomized to receive a single intravenous infusion of reslizumab, a humanized anti-human IL-5 mAb, at 3 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg or placebo. We evaluated the safety and pharmacokinetics of reslizumab, and biologic activity was assessed by means of endoscopic evaluation of polyp size, symptoms, peripheral eosinophil counts, peripheral and local IL-5 levels, eotaxin levels, and eosinophil cationic protein levels. Results: We demonstrated that a single injection of reslizumab up to 3 mg/kg is safe and well tolerated. Blood eosinophil numbers and concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein were reduced up to 8 weeks after treatment in serum and nasal secretions. Individual nasal polyp scores improved only in half of the treated patients for 4 weeks. Responders had increased IL-5 concentrations in nasal secretions at baseline compared with nonresponders, and logistic regression analysis revealed that increased nasal IL-5 levels (> 40 pg/mL) predict the response to anti-IL-5 treatment. Conclusion: A single injection of anti-IL-5 reduces the size of nasal polyps for 4 weeks in half of the patients, and nasal IL-5 levels predict the response to anti-IL-5 treatment. Clinical implications: Intravenous administration of a humanized anti-human IL-5 mAb is safe and reduces the size of nasal polyps in half of the patients

Depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation among 1st and 2nd generation migrants : results from the Gutenberg health study

BACKGROUND: Even though migrants constitute a large proportion of the German population, there is a lack of representative studies on their mental health. Hence, the present study explored mental health characteristics and suicidal ideation comparing 1(st) and 2(nd) generation migrants to non-migrants and subgroups within 1(st) generation migrants. METHODS: We investigated cross-sectional data of 14,943 participants of the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS), a population-based, prospective, single-center cohort study in Mid-Germany (age 35 to 74 years). Migration status was assessed according to the German microcensus criteria. Depression and anxiety were measured by the PHQ (PHQ-8, GAD-2, Panic module), social anxiety by the Mini SPIN and Distressed Personality (Type D) by the DS-14. Suicidal ideation was assessed by the single item of the PHQ-9. RESULTS: A total of n = 3,525 participants had a migration background; the proportion of 1(st) generation (immigrated after 1949) migrants was 10.6 % (2(nd) generation 13 %). Among the 1(st) generation migrants those with Polish (N = 295) and Turkish (N = 141) origins were the largest groups from single countries. Controlling for sex, age and socioeconomic status, 1(st) generation migrants reported significantly more depression (OR 1.24; CI 1.01-1.52), generalized anxiety (OR 1.38; CI 1.13-1.68), panic attacks in the past 4 weeks (OR 1.43; CI 1.16-1.77); Type D (OR 1.28; CI 1.13-1.45) and suicidal ideation (1.44; CI 1.19-1.74) compared to non-migrants. The mental health of 2(nd) generation migrants did not differ from native Germans; they had the highest socioeconomic status of the three groups. Compared to native Germans, Turkish migrants of both sexes reported more depression and panic, particularly a strongly increased suicidal ideation (OR 3.02; CI 1.80-5.04) after taking sex, age, and socioeconomic status into account. Polish migrants only reported an increased rate of suicidal ideation and Type D. Turkish migrants exceeded Polish migrants regarding depression (OR = 2.61; 95 % CI 1.21-5.67), and panic attacks (OR=3.38; 95 % CI 1.45-7.85). In the subgroup analyses years lived in Germany was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: One of few representative community studies shows that compared to native Germans depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation were more frequently reported by 1(st) generation migrants, particularly of Turkish origin. Overall, 2(nd) generation migrants appear to have adjusted successfully. Limitations refer to a lack of data for persons without German language skills and missing mental health data in the Turkish sample. Further analyses need to address causes of mental strains and health care needs and provision

Associations between degree and sub-dimensions of depression and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the community: results from the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS)

Abstract Background A growing number of studies have associated metabolic syndrome (MetS) and depression, both retrospectively and prospectively. However, it has remained unclear, which degrees, or sub-dimensions of depression are related to MetS and if comorbid depression affects health care utilization. The purpose of the study was to determine the associations of a) somatic and cognitive-affective symptoms to MetS and b) depression and MetS to health care utilization. Methods In a population-based, representative survey of 14.499 participants we studied the associations of the two dimensions of depression with MetS and health care utilization. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results MetS and its components were associated with the degree of depression, particularly with moderately severe/ severe depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 > = 15). There were clear positive associations of somatic-affective depressive symptoms with the presence of MetS and its components. Cognitive-affective symptoms were negatively associated with MetS. At the single item level, disorders of sleep and appetite as well as exhaustion were positively, while trouble concentrating was negatively associated with MetS. Symptoms of depression were related to higher consultations of somatic and mental health care, while the presence of MetS was related to somatic health care utilization. There was an additional interaction of depressive symptoms and MetS with mental health care. Conclusions Somatic affective symptoms of depression are positively associated, while cognitive-affective symptoms are negatively associated with MetS