Gesundheitliche Ungleichheit und Arbeit

Gesundheitliche Ungleichheit ist kein neuartiges Phänomen, dennoch ist die Auseinandersetzung mit diesem Thema in Österreich eher gering. Empirisch gesicherte Befunde liegen in Österreich kaum vor. Ziel dieser Diplomarbeit ist es, die gesundheitlichen Auswirkungen beruflicher Belastungen (insbesondere psychosoziale Belastungen am Arbeitsplatz) zu testen. Die zentralen Forschungsfragen widmen sich einerseits dem Erklärungsbeitrag von beruflichen Belastung im Hinblick auf die Ausbildung von Erkrankungen oder gesundheitlichen Beschwerden; anderseits soll überprüft werden, welchen Einfluss Berufsstatusmerkmale auf die Gesundheit haben. Hierfür wurde eine quantitative Sekundärdatenanalyse an männlichen Erwerbstätigen (im Alter zwischen 16-65 Jahren) in Wien durchgeführt. Die Datengrundlage bildet der Gesundheits- und Sozialsurvey 2001 (IHS, im Auftrag des Magistrats der Stadt Wien für Gesundheitsplanung; Datenarchiv WISDOM). Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen, dass die Arbeitsplatzsituation, insbesondere die Qualität der Arbeit, von besonderer Relevanz in Gesundheitsfragestellungen ist. Es zeigt sich, dass Zusammenhänge zwischen psychosozialen Belastungen (u.a. Gratifikation, Unterforderung hinsichtlich der Arbeitsinhalte, Arbeitsstress sowie Gratifikationskrisen) und der psychischen sowie (psycho)somatischen Gesundheit bestehen. Umgebungsbezogene und körperliche Belastungen beeinflussen in erster Linie die (psycho)somatische Gesundheit

Complex and dynamic patterns of Wnt pathway gene expression in the developing chick forebrain

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Wnt signalling regulates multiple aspects of brain development in vertebrate embryos. A large number of <it>Wnt</it>s are expressed in the embryonic forebrain; however, it is poorly understood which specific Wnt performs which function and how they interact. Wnts are able to activate different intracellular pathways, but which of these pathways become activated in different brain subdivisions also remains enigmatic.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We have compiled the first comprehensive spatiotemporal atlas of Wnt pathway gene expression at critical stages of forebrain regionalisation in the chick embryo and found that most of these genes are expressed in strikingly dynamic and complex patterns. Several expression domains do not respect proposed compartment boundaries in the developing forebrain, suggesting that areal identities are more dynamic than previously thought. Using an <it>in ovo </it>electroporation approach, we show that <it>Wnt4 </it>expression in the thalamus is negatively regulated by Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signalling from the zona limitans intrathalamica (ZLI), a known organising centre of forebrain development.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The forebrain is exposed to a multitude of Wnts and Wnt inhibitors that are expressed in a highly dynamic and complex fashion, precluding simple correlative conclusions about their respective functions or signalling mechanisms. In various biological systems, Wnts are antagonised by Shh signalling. By demonstrating that <it>Wnt4 </it>expression in the thalamus is repressed by Shh from the ZLI we reveal an additional level of interaction between these two pathways and provide an example for the cross-regulation between patterning centres during forebrain regionalisation.</p

The active role of the transcription factor Sp1 in NFATc2-mediated gene regulation in pancreatic cancer

BackgroundAdenocarcinoma of the pancreas is one of the most aggressive tumor diseases affecting the human body. The oncogenic potential of pancreatic cancer is mainly characterized by extremely rapid growth triggered by the activation of oncogenic signaling cascades, which suggests a change in the regulation of important transcription factors. Amongst others, NFAT transcription factors are assumed to play a central role in the carcinogenesis of pancreatic cancer. Recent research has shown the importance of the transcription factor Sp1 in the transcriptional activity of NFATc2 in pancreatic cancer. However, the role of the interaction between these two binding partners remains unclear. The current study investigated the role of Sp1 proteins in the expression of NFATc2 target genes and identified new target genes and their function in cells. A further objective was the domain of the Sp1 protein that mediates interaction with NFATc2.The involvement of Sp1 proteins in NFATc2 target genes was shown by means of a gene expression profile analysis, and the results were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. The functional impact of this interaction was shown in a thymidine incorporation assay. A second objective was the physical interaction between NFATc2 and different Sp1 deletion mutants that was investigated by means of immunoprecipitation.ResultsIn pancreatic cancer, the proto-oncogene c-Fos, the tumor necrosis factor TNF-alpha, and the adhesion molecule integrin beta-3 are target genes of the interaction between Sp1 and NFATc2. Loss of just one transcription factor inhibits oncogenic complex formation and expression of cell cycle-regulating genes, thus verifiably decreasing the carcinogenic effect. The current study also showed the interaction between the transcription factor NFATc2 and the N-terminal domain of Sp1 in pancreatic cancer cells. Sp1 increases the activity of NFATc2 in the NFAT-responsive promoter.ConclusionsThe regulation of gene promotors during transcription is a rather complex process because of the involvement of many proteins that - as transcription factors or co-factors - regulate promotor activity as required and control cell function. NFATc2 and Sp1 seem to play a key role in the progression of pancreatic cancer

Functional liquid structures by emulsification of graphene and other two-dimensional nanomaterials

Pickering emulsions stabilised with nanomaterials provide routes to a range of functional macroscopic assemblies. We demonstrate the formation and properties of water-in-oil emulsions prepared through liquid-phase exfoliation of graphene. Due to the functional nature of the stabiliser, the emulsions exhibit conductivity due to inter-particle tunnelling. We demonstrate a strain sensing application with a large gauge factor of ~40; the highest reported in a liquid. Our methodology can be applied to other two-dimensional layered materials opening up applications such as energy storage materials, and flexible and printable electronics

Time perception in mild cognitive impairment: interval length and subjective passage of time

Objectives Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may have difficulties in time perception, which in turn might contribute to some of their symptoms, especially memory deficits. The aim of this study was to evaluate perception of interval length and subjective passage of time in MCI patients as compared to healthy controls. Methods Fifty-five MCI patients and 57 healthy controls underwent an experimental protocol for time perception on interval length, a questionnaire for the subjective passage of time and a neuropsychological evaluation. Results MCI patients presented no changes in the perception of interval length. However, for MCI patients, time seemed to pass more slowly than it did for controls. This experience was significantly correlated with memory deficits but not with performance in executive tests, nor with complaints of depression or anxiety. Conclusions Memory deficits do not affect the perception of interval length, but are associated with alterations in the subjective passage of time

p63 is an alternative p53 repressor in melanoma that confers chemoresistance and a poor prognosis.

The role of apoptosis in melanoma pathogenesis and chemoresistance is poorly characterized. Mutations in TP53 occur infrequently, yet the TP53 apoptotic pathway is often abrogated. This may result from alterations in TP53 family members, including the TP53 homologue TP63. Here we demonstrate that TP63 has an antiapoptotic role in melanoma and is responsible for mediating chemoresistance. Although p63 was not expressed in primary melanocytes, up-regulation of p63 mRNA and protein was observed in melanoma cell lines and clinical samples, providing the first evidence of significant p63 expression in this lineage. Upon genotoxic stress, endogenous p63 isoforms were stabilized in both nuclear and mitochondrial subcellular compartments. Our data provide evidence of a physiological interaction between p63 with p53 whereby translocation of p63 to the mitochondria occurred through a codependent process with p53, whereas accumulation of p53 in the nucleus was prevented by p63. Using RNA interference technology, both isoforms of p63 (TA and ΔNp63) were demonstrated to confer chemoresistance, revealing a novel oncogenic role for p63 in melanoma cells. Furthermore, expression of p63 in both primary and metastatic melanoma clinical samples significantly correlated with melanoma-specific deaths in these patients. Ultimately, these observations provide a possible explanation for abrogation of the p53-mediated apoptotic pathway in melanoma, implicating novel approaches aimed at sensitizing melanoma to therapeutic agents

Performance of the First ANTARES Detector Line

In this paper we report on the data recorded with the first Antares detector line. The line was deployed on the 14th of February 2006 and was connected to the readout two weeks later. Environmental data for one and a half years of running are shown. Measurements of atmospheric muons from data taken from selected runs during the first six months of operation are presented. Performance figures in terms of time residuals and angular resolution are given. Finally the angular distribution of atmospheric muons is presented and from this the depth profile of the muon intensity is derived.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figure

A Syd-1 homologue regulates pre- and postsynaptic maturation in Drosophila

A proteomics approach identifies Drosophila Syd-1 as a Bruchpilot binding partner that controls maturation on both sides of the neuromuscular junction

The Metagenomics and Metadesign of the Subways and Urban Biomes (MetaSUB) International Consortium inaugural meeting report

The Metagenomics and Metadesign of the Subways and Urban Biomes (MetaSUB) International Consortium is a novel, interdisciplinary initiative comprised of experts across many fields, including genomics, data analysis, engineering, public health, and architecture. The ultimate goal of the MetaSUB Consortium is to improve city utilization and planning through the detection, measurement, and design of metagenomics within urban environments. Although continual measures occur for temperature, air pressure, weather, and human activity, including longitudinal, cross-kingdom ecosystem dynamics can alter and improve the design of cities. The MetaSUB Consortium is aiding these efforts by developing and testing metagenomic methods and standards, including optimized methods for sample collection, DNA/RNA isolation, taxa characterization, and data visualization. The data produced by the consortium can aid city planners, public health officials, and architectural designers. In addition, the study will continue to lead to the discovery of new species, global maps of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) markers, and novel biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Finally, we note that engineered metagenomic ecosystems can help enable more responsive, safer, and quantified cities

Time calibration of the ANTARES neutrino telescope

The ANTARES deep-sea neutrino telescope comprises a three-dimensional array of photomultipliers to detect the Cherenkov light induced by upgoing relativistic charged particles originating from neutrino interactions in the vicinity of the detector. The large scattering length of light in the deep sea facilitates an angular resolution of a few tenths of a degree for neutrino energies exceeding 10 TeV. In order to achieve this optimal performance, the time calibration procedures should ensure a relative time calibration between the photomultipliers at the level of similar to 1 ns. The methods developed to attain this level of precision are described