The European Far Left: An Empirical Study of the Far Left Party Family and Its Voters

This paper empirically examines the far left party family and its voters across Europe to fill a gap in the literature. It addresses the question of where far left parties and their voters occupy the ideological space on the left. The paper analyzes the choices offered by the far left party family in Western and Eastern Europe and studies to what extend far left parties match their voters' preferences. By using data from the Comparative Manifestos Project and the European Value Survey, I demonstrate that the far left party family and its voters can be clearly distinguished from the other competitors on the left in Western Europe. The demarcations are more blurred in the East with a great deal of issue overlap. Moreover, while the same issues of the far left party family in Western Europe are important to its voters, no such overlap is present in the East. Though far left voters can be found furthest to the left on the ideological scale, their respective party family is closer to the center with the social democratic parties filling the void on the far left. Clearly the political choices offered by far left parties in the East are not effective since they do not follow their voters' preferences, which has implications for the democratic process in the region. Parties are thought to be fundamental for democracy in Europe. They express the ideological preferences of citizens and convert them into public policy, thus representing their electorate, and they are vital for defining the choices available to their voters. When no meaningful choices are offered by parties, indifference or alienation can be the result. If there is no political entity such as parties to openly discuss, support and pursue these issues, voters have a more difficult time to develop their own far left positions. After all, it is the parties function to express and offer choices

„To Tip the Scale“-Weight-related Discrimination and Consequences on the Treatment of Obesity.

The constantly rising prevalence of overweight and obesity requires intensive research not only in terms of physiological and medicinal aspects but also with regard to psychological factors that increase the burden associated with obesity and can hinder health maintenance or health improvements as suggested by previous studies. Work on weight discrimination among dietitians and nutritionists towards individuals with obesity and overweight was reviewed showing that, despite having knowledge about causation and consequences of obesity, health care professionals are not free of having negative attitudes towards individuals with obesity. Findings of empirical analyses revealed the impact of weight discrimination by general practitioners or internists while recommending bariatric surgery or referring patients with obesity to a surgeon, lowering the possibility for patients with obesity and associated comorbidities of gaining adequate health care services and sufficient obesity treatment. In a second study, the impact of weight discrimination on the desire to lose weight was investigated, demonstrating the pervasive effects of weight stigma on possible treatment outcomes or decision making with regard to obesity treatment. In conclusion, weight discrimination and stigmatization can be seen as having detrimental effects on individuals and therefore bias should be addressed especially within the health care setting to reduce stigma as being a barrier towards health and well-being. This work aims to reveal the consequences of weight-based stigmatization on the treatment of obesity from two different angles: the patient and the health care professional.:List of Figures IV Glossary of Terms V Bibliographic Description VI 1. Introduction - 1 - 1.1 The Psychosocial Side of Obesity - 1 - 1.2 Weight-based Stigmatization and Discrimination - 2 - 1.3 Obesity and Stigma within Health Care Settings - 8 - 2. Stigmatization in Health Care - A Literature-Based Analysis - 11 - 2.1 Dietitians and Nutritionists: Stigma in the Context of Obesity – A Systematic Review - 12 - 3. Quantitative Analyses based on the Current State of Research - 29 - 3.1 Weight-related Stigmatization as Determinant of Recommendation and Referral Behavior of Physicians - 31 - 3.2 Weight-related discrimination and desired body weight. - 42 - 4. Discussion - 57 - 4.1 Connecting Existing Literature to the Empirical Results - 58 - 4.2 Future Research on Weight Stigma and possible Implications - 62 - 4.3 Conclusion - 64 - Summary - 65 - References - 72 - Appendix - 80 - Appendix A - Declaration - 80

Role of Extracellular Vimentin in Cancer-Cell Functionality and Its Influence on Cell Monolayer Permeability Changes Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain

The cytoskeletal protein vimentin is secreted under various physiological conditions. Extracellular vimentin exists primarily in two forms: attached to the outer cell surface and secreted into the extracellular space. While surface vimentin is involved in processes such as viral infections and cancer progression, secreted vimentin modulates inflammation through reduction of neutrophil infiltration, promotes bacterial elimination in activated macrophages, and supports axonal growth in astrocytes through activation of the IGF-1 receptor. This receptor is overexpressed in cancer cells, and its activation pathway has significant roles in general cellular functions. In this study, we investigated the functional role of extracellular vimentin in non-tumorigenic (MCF-10a) and cancer (MCF-7) cells through the evaluation of its effects on cell migration, proliferation, adhesion, and monolayer permeability. Upon treatment with extracellular recombinant vimentin, MCF-7 cells showed increased migration, proliferation, and adhesion, compared to MCF-10a cells. Further, MCF-7 monolayers showed reduced permeability, compared to MCF-10a monolayers. It has been shown that the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can alter blood–brain barrier integrity. Surface vimentin also acts as a co-receptor between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the cell-surface angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor. Therefore, we also investigated the permeability of MCF-10a and MCF-7 monolayers upon treatment with extracellular recombinant vimentin, and its modulation of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain. These findings show that binding of extracellular recombinant vimentin to the cell surface enhances the permeability of both MCF-10a and MCF-7 monolayers. However, with SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain addition, this effect is lost with MCF-7 monolayers, as the extracellular vimentin binds directly to the viral domain. This defines an influence of extracellular vimentin in SARS-CoV-2 infections

Design Study for Multifunctional 3D Re‐entrant Auxetics

The increasing demands of safety, cost reduction, or weight reduction on components call for new, multifunctional materials. Mechanical metamaterials, such as auxetic materials, provide enhanced properties due to a specially tailored microstructure. The negative Poisson's ratio of auxetics, for instance, increases the impact and thermal shock resistance. Herein, a parametrized model of a modified auxetic structure is simulated using the finite-element software ABAQUS. Three out of five geometry parameters are varied between a minimum and maximum value to establish their impact on the energy absorption capacity and the Poisson's ratio using design of experiment (DoE). All eight resulting structures are additively manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) and experimentally investigated under uniaxial compression to validate the simulations. The size of a unit cell has the biggest impact on both target values. Energy absorption capacity and Poisson's ratio are directly competing in optimization; hence, a compromise is necessary. The quasistatic compression experiments verify the simulation results up to the first collapse. Afterward, the specimens are brittle, which is not accounted for in the simulations, and this may result from the high process complexity of SLM manufacturing

Case report: Anti septin-5-encephalitis as a treatable cause of cerebellar ataxia and psychiatric symptoms

ObjectivesAnti-septin-5 encephalitis is a rare disease with only few published cases, mainly based on retrospective CSF and serum analyses. Predominant symptoms are cerebellar ataxia and oculomotor abnormalities. Due to the rareness of the disease, treatment recommendations are scarce. Herein, we prospectively describe the clinical course of a female patient with anti-septin-5 encephalitis.MethodsWe describe diagnostic workup, treatment and follow-up of a 54-year-old patient presenting with vertigo, unsteady gait, lack of drive and behavioral changes.ResultsClinical examination revealed severe cerebellar ataxia, saccadic smooth pursuit, upbeat-nystagmus, and dysarthria. Additionally, the patient presented with a depressive syndrome. MRI of the brain and spinal cord were normal. CSF analysis showed lymphocytic pleocytosis (11 cells/μl). Extensive antibody testing revealed anti septin-5 IgG in both CSF and serum without coexisting anti-neuronal antibodies. PET/CT detected no signs of malignancy. Corticosteroids, plasma exchange, and rituximab led to transient clinical improvement followed by relapse. Re-applied treatment with plasma exchange followed by bortezomib resulted in moderate but sustained clinical improvement.DiscussionAnti septin-5 encephalitis represents a rare but treatable and therefore relevant differential diagnosis in patients with cerebellar ataxia. Psychiatric symptoms can be observed in anti septin-5 encephalitis. Immunosuppressive treatment including bortezomib is moderately effective

Health Care Services Utilization and Health-Related Quality of Life of Syrian Refugees with Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Germany (the Sanadak Trial)

Refugees who have fled from the ongoing civil war in Syria that arrived in Germany often develop post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). The aim of this study was to determine health care services utilization (HCSU), health care costs and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of Syrian refugees with mild to moderate PTSS without current treatment in Germany. The study was based on the baseline sample of a randomized controlled trial of a self-help app for Syrian refugees with PTSS (n = 133). HCSU and HrQoL based on the EQ-5D-5L and its visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) were assessed with standardized interviews. Annual health care costs were calculated using extrapolated four-month HCSU and standardized unit costs. Associations between health care costs, HrQoL and PTSS severity were examined using generalized linear models. Overall, 85.0% of the sample utilized health care services within four months. The mean total annual health care costs were EUR 1920 per person. PTSS severity was not associated with health care costs. The EQ-5D-5L index score and the EQ-VAS score was 0.82 and 73.6, respectively. For Syrian refugees with higher PTSS severity, the EQ-5D-5L index score was lower (−0.17; p < 0.001). The HCSU and the resulting health care costs of Syrian refugees with mild to moderate PTSS without current treatment are low and those with a higher PTSS severity had a lower HrQoL

Development and application of a 3D periodontal in vitro model for the evaluation of fibrillar biomaterials

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammation of the tooth supporting structures that finally can lead to tooth loss. As chronic periodontitis is associated with systemic diseases multiple approaches have been followed to support regeneration of the destructed tissue. But very few materials are actually used in the clinic. A new and promising group of biomaterials with advantageous biomechanical properties that have the ability to support periodontal regeneration are self-assembling peptides (SAP). However, there is still a lack of 3D periodontal models that can evaluate the migration potential of such novel materials. Methods: All experiments were performed with primary human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLF). Migration capacity was assessed in a three-dimensional model of the human periodontal ligament by measuring the migration distance of viable cells on coated (Enamel Matrix Protein (EMP), P11–4, collagen I) or uncoated human dentin. Cellular metabolic activity on P11–4 hydrogels was assessed by a metabolic activity assay. Deposition of ECM molecules in a P11–4 hydrogel was visualized by immunostaining of collagen I and III and fibrillin I. Results: The 3D periodontal model was feasible to show the positive effect of EMP for periodontal regeneration. Subsequently, self-assembling peptide P11–4 was used to evaluate its capacity to support regenerative processes in the 3D periodontal model. HPLF coverage of the dentin surface coated with P11–4 increased significantly over time, even though delayed compared to EMP. Cell viability increased and inclusion of ECM proteins into the biomaterial was shown. Conclusion: The presented results indicate that the 3D periodontal model is feasible to assess periodontal defect coverage and that P11–4 serves as an efficient supporter of regenerative processes in the periodontal ligament. Clinical relevance: The establishment of building-block synthetic polymers offers new opportunities for clinical application in dentistry. Self-assembling peptides represent a new generation of biomaterials as they are able to respond dynamically to the changing environment of the biological surrounding. Especially in the context of peri-implant disease prevention and treatment they enable the implementation of new concepts

Recruitment and Baseline Characteristics of Participants in the “Sanadak” Trial: A Self-Help App for Syrian Refugees with Post-traumatic Stress

Many Syrian refugees residing in Germany have been exposed to traumatizing events, while treatment options are scarce. Therefore, the self-help app “Sanadak” was developed to target post-traumatic stress in Syrian refugees. We aimed to inspect the recruitment and baseline characteristics of the participants in the trial, which is conducted to evaluate the app. Analyses were based on the recruitment sample (n = 170) and the trial sample (n = 133). Data were collected during structured face-to-face interviews in the Arabic language. Targeted outcomes included post-traumatic stress (primary; Post-traumatic Diagnostic Scale for DSM-5/PDS-5) and depressive symptoms, anxiety, resilience, among others (secondary). Recruited individuals were M = 32.8 (SD = 11.2, range = 18–65) years old; 38.8% were women. The average PDS-5 score was 23.6 (SD = 13.2) regarding trauma exposure, which was most frequently related to experiencing military- or combat-related events (32.9%). Moreover, 46.5% had major depression and 51.8% showed low resilience. Anxiety was present in 40.6% of the trial participants. Psychological distress was high in Syrian refugees residing in Germany, enrolled in a trial targeting post-traumatic stress. This underlines the need for intervention. Our results provide important figures on the mental health of a not well-studied population group in Germany