Relevance of mycotoxins to product quality and animal health in organic farming

Organic farming is not generally more endangered by the risk of contamination of the products with mycotoxins than other farming systems. Knowledge about the influence of litter beddings on mycotoxin exposure of livestock is rare. Due to restrictions on silage additives and fungicides, organic farms are limited in their possibilities to prevent and to cure fungal diseases. But the organic production system offers several important factors for lowering infections with mycotoxin producing fungi

TRPC Channels in the Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Renal Tubular System: What Do We Know?

The study of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels has dramatically increased during the past few years. TRP channels function as sensors and effectors in the cellular adaptation to environmental changes. Here, we review literature investigating the physiological and pathophysiological roles of TRPC channels in the renal tubular system with a focus on TRPC3 and TRPC6. TRPC3 plays a key role in Ca2+ homeostasis and is involved in transcellular Ca2+ reabsorption in the proximal tubule and the collecting duct. TRPC3 also conveys the osmosensitivity of principal cells of the collecting duct and is implicated in vasopressin-induced membrane translocation of AQP-2. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) can often be attributed to mutations of the PKD2 gene. TRPC3 is supposed to have a detrimental role in ADPKD-like conditions. The tubule-specific physiological functions of TRPC6 have not yet been entirely elucidated. Its pathophysiological role in ischemia-reperfusion injuries is a subject of debate. However, TRPC6 seems to be involved in tumorigenesis of renal cell carcinoma. In summary, TRPC channels are relevant in multiples conditions of the renal tubular system. There is a need to further elucidate their pathophysiology to better understand certain renal disorders and ultimately create new therapeutic targets to improve patient care

Observationes microchemicae circa nonnullas animalium telas : dissertatio inauguralis

http://tartu.ester.ee/record=b2522434~S1*es

Eiweiß- und Aminosäurenversorgung in der Fütterung der Monogastrier im Ökologischen Landbau

Die bedarfsgerechte Versorgung von Monogastriern mit den essentiellen und limitierenden Aminosäuren ist von großer Bedeutung. Im Ökologischen Landbau wirft dies aufgrund von unbefriedigenden Aminosäureprofilen der zur Verfügung stehenden Getreide- und Körnerleguminosenarten sowie der fehlenden Verfügbarkeit alternativer Einzel- und Ergänzungsfuttermittel Probleme auf. Durch die Differenz zwischen Aminosäurebedarf und –versorgung entsteht die sog. Aminosäurelücke. Um diese zu füllen, ist es nach EU Öko-Verordnung (EG 834/2007, EG 889/2008 und EU 505/2012) gestattet, die Ration für monogastrische Nutztiere aufzuwerten, indem 5 % der landwirtschaftlich erzeugten Proteinfuttermittel konventioneller Herkunft sein dürfen. Diese Ausnahmegenehmigung läuft zum Ende des Jahres 2014 aus. Es sollte herausgefunden werden welche Probleme bei der Versorgung der Tiere und im Marktgeschehen bei einer 100%-Biofütterung gesehen werden. Insgesamt scheint eine 100%-Biofütterung für Jungtiere und Mastgeflügel, unter den gegenwärtigen Bedingungen schwierig. Es besteht noch immer ein erheblicher Forschungs- und Entwicklungsbedarf zur Versorgung monogastrischer Nutztiere mit Aminosäuren. Als praxistauglicher Lösungsansatz wurde das Beibehalten der 5%-Regelung für Jungtiere und Geflügel und Regelungen für ein allmähliches „Ausschleichen“ favorisiert, welches die Marktentwicklung für ökologische Proteinkomponenten fördert

Wound healing in rabbit corneas after flapless refractive lenticule extraction with a 345 nm ultraviolet femtosecond laser

Purpose To characterize corneal wound healing in a rabbit model after flapless refractive lenticule extraction with a 345 nm ultraviolet femtosecond laser. Setting Departments of Ophthalmology and Anatomy II, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg and Wavelight GmbH, Erlangen, Germany. Design Methods Flapless refractive lenticule extraction was performed in 1 eye each of 20 New Zealand white rabbits (−5.0 diopters). Groups of 4 animals were euthanized after 48 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 3 months, respectively. Corneal samples were prepared for histology and fluorescence microscopy. To assess corneal cell death, proliferation, and myofibroblastic transdifferentiation, terminal uridine deoxynucleotidyl nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay as well as immunostaining for Ki67 and α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) were performed on sagittal cryosections. Results Histology revealed a zone of keratocyte depletion with a thickness of approximately 50 μm around the extraction site. At 48 hours, pronounced TUNEL staining of keratocytes was detected around the interface (159.9 cells/mm ± 18.4 [SD]), which steadily decreased to 74.9 ± 19.8 cells/mm at 1 week and 5.7 ± 4.8 cells/mm at 2 weeks. Ki67 staining of keratocytes was evident at 48 hours (10.0 ± 3.8 cells/mm), which then decreased at 1 week (5.2 ± 1.7 cells/mm) and 2 weeks (0.4 ± 0.5 cells/mm). From 4 weeks onward, no TUNEL or Ki67 staining was detected. The corneal stroma was αSMA-negative at all timepoints. Conclusion Application of the 345 nm laser showed no signs of problematic repair processes in the cornea, which supports the initiation of the clinical phase

TRPC6 Is Found in Distinct Compartments of the Human Kidney

In the context of renal proteinuric diseases, TRPC6 has been shown to play an important role in ultrafiltration associated with the slit diaphragm through the control of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in the podocytes of glomeruli. However, to date, the properties of TRPC6 have been studied mainly in cell lines or in animal models. Therefore, the aim of the study presented here was to investigate the presence and distribution of TRPC6 in human kidneys in order to possibly verify the applicability of the results previously obtained in nonhuman experiments. For this purpose, kidneys from nine cadavers were prepared for immunohistochemical staining and were supplemented with a fresh human kidney obtained by nephrectomy. TRPC6 was detected in glomeruli and in the parietal epithelial cells of Bowman’s capsule. Larger amounts were detected in the tubular system and collecting ducts. In contrast to the peritubular capillary bed, which showed no immune reaction, the cortical resistance vessels showed mild TRPC6 staining. In conclusion, our studies on the expression of TRPC6 in human kidney tissue support the translational concept of the involvement of TRPC6 in various renal diseases and reveal new aspects of the distribution of TRPC6 in the human kidney

A three-headed plantaris muscle fused with Kaplan fibers: potential clinical significance

The plantaris is a short, small muscle that usually originates at the popliteal surface of the femur and has a long, thin tendon that typically inserts into the calcaneal tuberosity. Its role and degree of development have been objects of debate for years. Some authors consider it a vestigial muscle while others believe it is a process of its development. The clinical significance of plantaris muscle is usually related to its morphological variation, which is common and well described in the literature. These variations are often a risk factor for many ailments and disorders. We would like to present another, very rare case of three-headed plantaris muscle (fused with distal Kaplan fibers), and consider what clinical implications it may have

Palate Lung Nasal Clone (PLUNC), a Novel Protein of the Tear Film: Three-Dimensional Structure, Immune Activation, and Involvement in Dry Eye Disease (DED)

Citation: Schicht M, Rausch F, Beron M, et al. Palate lung nasal clone (PLUNC), a novel protein of the tear film: three-dimensional structure, immune activation, and involvement in dry eye disease (DED). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2015;56:7312-7323. DOI:10.1167/iovs.15-17560 PURPOSE. Palate Lung Nasal Clone (PLUNC) is a hydrophobic protein belonging to the family of surfactant proteins that is involved in fluid balance regulation of the lung. Moreover, it is known to directly act against gram-negative bacteria. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible expression and antimicrobial role of PLUNC at the healthy ocular surface and in tears of patients suffering from dry eye disease (DED). METHODS. Bioinformatics and biochemical and immunologic methods were combined to elucidate the structure and function of PLUNC at the ocular surface. Tissue-specific localization was performed by using immunohistochemistry. The PLUNC levels in tear samples from non-Sjögren's DED patients with moderate dry eye suffering either from hyperevaporation or tear deficiency were analyzed by ELISA and compared with tears from healthy volunteers. RESULTS. Palate Lung Nasal Clone is expressed under healthy conditions at the ocular surface and secreted into the tear film. Protein modeling studies and molecular dynamics simulations performed indicated surface activity of PLUNC. In vitro experiments revealed that proinflammatory cytokines and bacterial supernatants have only a slight effect on the expression of PLUNC in HCE and HCjE cell lines. In tears from DED patients, the PLUNC concentration is significantly increased (7-fold in evaporative dry eye tears and 17-fold in tears from patients with tear deficiency) compared with healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS. The results show that PLUNC is a protein of the tear film and suggest that it plays a role in fluid balance and surface tension regulation at the ocular surface

Integration und berufliche Ausbildung: Expertise

Die Expertise entwickelt Handlungsempfehlungen zur Verbesserung der Ausbildungslage junger Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund. Diese Handlungsempfehlungen orientieren sich an zentralen Forschungsergebnissen zu den Partizipationsmöglichkeiten junger Migranten und Migrantinnen an beruflicher Ausbildung. Im Vordergrund stehen hierbei die interkulturellen Potenziale junger Fachkräfte sowie die Ausbildungschancen junger Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund. Die qualitativ angelegte Untersuchung des Bundesinstituts für Berufsbildung zum Einsatz interkultureller Kompetenzen zeigt auf, wie junge Fachkräfte mit Migrationshintergrund diese in ihrem Berufsalltag einsetzen. Dies betrifft sowohl Berufe, deren Tätigkeiten sich auf das Inland konzentrieren, wie Arzthelferinnen und Einzelhandelskaufleute, als auch solche mit Auslandskontakten, wie Speditions- und Außenhandelskaufleute. Der Einsatz interkultureller Kompetenzen weist berufsübergreifende Ähnlichkeiten, aber auch berufsspezifische Unterschiede auf. Die Ausbildungschancen und damit auch die Aussichten auf eine tragfähige berufliche Integration haben sich im vergangenen Jahrzehnt für junge Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund in Deutschland überproportional verschlechtert. Angesichts der erklärten bildungspolitischen Zielsetzung der Bundesregierung wie der Sozialparteien, allen jungen Menschen in Deutschland eine voll qualifizierende Berufsausbildung zu ermöglichen, ist eine breit angelegte und abgestimmte Qualifizierungsoffensive für junge Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund wünschenswert. Die Handlungsempfehlungen plädieren für ein integriertes und abgestimmtes Förder-Programm dessen Maßnahmen sich an folgenden Zielsetzungen orientieren sollen: a) eine qualifizierte Ausbildung für alle; b) Potenziale ausschöpfen und c) berufliche Qualifizierungsnetzwerke lokal und regional fördern. (IAB