Negative association of the chemokine receptor CCR5 d32 polymorphism with systemic inflammatory response, extra-articular symptoms and joint erosion in rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction Chemokines and their receptors control immune cell migration during infections as well as in autoimmune responses. A 32 bp deletion in the gene of the chemokine receptor CCR5 confers protection against HIV infection, but has also been reported to decrease susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The influence of this deletion variant on the clinical course of this autoimmune disease was investigated. Methods Genotyping for CCR5d32 was performed by PCR and subsequent electrophoretic fragment length determination. For the clinical analysis, the following extra-articular manifestations of RA were documented by the rheumatologist following the patient: presence of rheumatoid nodules, major organ vasculitis, pulmonary fibrosis, serositis or a Raynaud's syndrome. All documented CRP levels were analyzed retrospectively, and the last available hand and feet radiographs were analyzed with regards to the presence or absence of erosive disease. Results Analysis of the CCR5 polymorphism in 503 RA patients and in 459 age-matched healthy controls revealed a significantly decreased disease susceptibility for carriers of the CCR5d32 deletion (Odds ratio 0.67, P = 0.0437). Within the RA patient cohort, CCR5d32 was significantly less frequent in patients with extra-articular manifestations compared with those with limited, articular disease (13.2% versus 22.8%, P = 0.0374). In addition, the deletion was associated with significantly lower average CRP levels over time (median 8.85 vs. median 14.1, P = 0.0041) and had a protective effect against the development of erosive disease (OR = 0.40, P = 0.0047). Intriguingly, homozygosity for the RA associated DNASE2 -1066 G allele had an additive effect on the disease susceptibility conferred by the wt allele of CCR5 (OR = 2.24, P = 0.0051 for carrier of both RA associated alleles) Conclusions The presence of CCR5d32 significantly influenced disease susceptibility to and clinical course of RA in a German study population. The protective effect of this deletion, which has been described to lead to a decreased receptor expression in heterozygous patients, underlines the importance of chemokines in the pathogenesis of RA

Impact of Fe2+^{2+} and Shear Stress on the Development and Mesoscopic Structure of Biofilms—A Bacillus subtilis Case Study

Bivalent cations are known to affect the structural and mechanical properties of biofilms. In order to reveal the impact of Fe2+ ions within the cultivation medium on biofilm development, structure and stability, Bacillus subtilis biofilms were cultivated in mini-fluidic flow cells. Two different Fe2+ inflow concentrations (0.25 and 2.5 mg/L, respectively) and wall shear stress levels (0.05 and 0.27 Pa, respectively) were tested. Mesoscopic biofilm structure was determined daily in situ and non-invasively by means of optical coherence tomography. A set of ten structural parameters was used to quantify biofilm structure, its development and change. The study focused on characterizing biofilm structure and development at the mesoscale (mm-range). Therefore, biofilm replicates (n = 10) were cultivated and analyzed. Three hypotheses were defined in order to estimate the effect of Fe2+ inflow concentration and/or wall shear stress on biofilm development and structure, respectively. It was not the intention to investigate and describe the underlying mechanisms of iron incorporation as this would require a different set of tools applied at microscopic levels as well as the use of, i.e., omic approaches. Fe2+ addition influenced biofilm development (e.g., biofilm accumulation) and structure markedly. Experiments revealed the accumulation of FeO(OH) within the biofilm matrix and a positive correlation of Fe2+ inflow concentration and biofilm accumulation. In more detail, independent of the wall shear stress applied during cultivation, biofilms grew approximately four times thicker at 2.5 mg Fe2+/L (44.8 µmol/L; high inflow concentration) compared to the low Fe2+ inflow concentration of 0.25 mg Fe2+/L (4.48 µmol/L). This finding was statistically verified (Scheirer–Ray–Hare test, ANOVA) and hints at a higher stability of Bacillus subtilis biofilms (e.g., elevated cohesive and adhesive strength) when grown at elevated Fe2+ inflow concentrations

DRIVERS OF ILLIQUIDITY IN THE ASEAN SOVEREIGN BOND MARKET

We study illiquidity in ASEAN-5 sovereign bond markets from 2008 to 2019 by using an illiquidity measure, which is based on a proxy of the amount of arbitrage capital available in sovereign bond markets. Our analysis identifies three drivers of illiquidity in Singapore, namely economic policy uncertainty, the default spread and the GDP growth rate. In contrast, liquidity of all other markets is mostly not characterized by economic drivers. It appears that overall liquidity is lower in the markets outside Singapore and therefore deviations in these yield curves are higher on average and arbitrage eliminates larger deviations not immediately but in a delayed manner.We study illiquidity in ASEAN-5 sovereign bond markets from 2008 to 2019 by using an illiquidity measure, which is based on a proxy of the amount of arbitrage capital available in sovereign bond markets. Our analysis identifies three drivers of illiquidity in Singapore, namely economic policy uncertainty, the default spread and the GDP growth rate. In contrast, liquidity of all other markets is mostly not characterized by economic drivers. It appears that overall liquidity is lower in the markets outside Singapore and therefore deviations in these yield curves are higher on average and arbitrage eliminates larger deviations not immediately but in a delayed manner

On-Line Monitoring of Biofilm Accumulation on Graphite-Polypropylene Electrode Material Using a Heat Transfer Sensor

Biofilms growing on electrodes are the heart piece of bioelectrochemical systems (BES). Moreover, the biofilm morphology is key for the efficient performance of BES and must be monitored and controlled for a stable operation. For the industrial use of BES (i.e., microbial fuel cells for energy production), monitoring of the biofilm accumulation directly on the electrodes during operation is desirable. In this study a commercially available on-line heat transfer biofilm sensor is applied to a graphite-polypropylene (C-PP) pipe and compared to its standard version where the sensor is applied to a stainless-steel pipe. The aim was to investigate the transferability of the sensor to a carbonaceous material (C-PP), that are preferably used as electrode materials for bioelectrochemical systems, thereby enabling biofilm monitoring directly on the electrode surface. The sensor signal was correlated to the gravimetrically determined biofilm thickness in order to identify the sensitivity of the sensor for the detection and quantification of biofilm on both materials. Results confirmed the transferability of the sensor to the C-PP material, despite the sensor sensitivity being decreased by a factor of approx. 5 compared to the default biofilm sensor applied to a stainless-steel pipe

Gyvenimo prasmės ieškos aspektai socialinio darbo kontekste

In diesem abschließenden Text einer Sammlung von insgesamt 4 Essays zur Sinnfindung werden praktische Erwägungen aus dem Bereich der Sozialpädagogik / Sozialen Arbeit vorgestellt. Mit ihnen soll der Gang durch das Themenfeld abgerundet werden: Ausgehend von der Klärung zur Frage nach dem Sinn des Lebens und ihrer Dimensionen, weiterführend mit Hinweisen zur Diskurslage der Sinnproblematik in Philosophie und Theologie erstreckte sich der Weg bis hin zu sozialwissenschaftlichen Grundlegungen zur Praxis der Sinnfindung. Im vorliegenden Text werden anhand der Theorie der Krise, ihrer sozialpädagogischen Überwindung und Anregungen einer Inspiration der Sinnfindung durch die menschlichen Sinne vorausgehende Impulse aufgenommen und praktisch gewendet. Krise und Krisenbewältigung werden deshalb als Veranschaulichung ausgewählt, da in ihnen der Sinnverlust handgreiflich zu spüren ist. Letztlich sollen damit auch Anregungen vorgestellt werden, wie das abstrakte Thema der Sinnfindung bis in den Bereich der sinnlichen Wahrnehmung von uns allen erfolgen kann.Teologijos daktaras, sociologijos profesoriusEv. Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit DresdenUniversity of Applied SciencePostfach 20 01 43, 01191 DresdenEl. paštas: [email protected]ė yra tai, kas tiesiogiai sutrikdo žmogaus gyvenimo prasmės teką ir priverčia ją patirti niekuo nepagražintą. Iki tol principinė problema galėjo būti neigiama, atmetama, o kilus krizei ji tampa jutimiškai egzistuojanti. Įveikti krizę ir pasukti link naujo, prasmingo gyvenimo iš individo pareikalauja ekstremalių pastangų: tai gali būti įvardijama charizma – jautria socialinės aplinkos parama – atskirais atvejais profesionalia pagalba ir bet kuriuo atveju – jutimišku gyvenimo prasmės patyrimu

Socialinio darbo profesijos (ne)galia visuomenėje

SummaryThis paper deals with the question whether or not social work is a powerful player within the society. The perspective is a German one, but reflects the situation in the other European and Non-European countries. Its aim is to develop a multi-perspective model of understanding that in return can prove the situation in any country.In a first step the problem of power is related to a theory of symbolic generalised media. As according to Talcott Parsons, it is shown here that only a balanced combination of different media, like money, power and influence will lead to successful social actions. In a second step the reality of social fields after Pierre Bourdieu is focused. This helps to understand the importance of all players, resources and aims. Using the theory of communicative action of Jurgen Habermas it discusses what dimensions of social action are involved and how they relate to each other. And after stressing the possibilities of lobbying in the mass media, conclusions are formulated. So the article shows some of the biggest obstacles but also the possibilities for social work becoming a powerful player in post-modern societies.Evangelische Hochschule Dresden (Vokietija)[email protected] (LACK OF) POWER AND THE PROFESSION OF SOCIAL WORKHarald Wagner SummaryThis paper deals with the question whether or not social work is a powerful player within the society. The perspective is a German one, but reflects the situation in the other European and Non-European countries. Its aim is to develop a multi-perspective model of understanding that in return can prove the situation in any country.In a first step the problem of power is related to a theory of symbolic generalised media. As according to Talcott Parsons, it is shown here that only a balanced combination of different media, like money, power and influence will lead to successful social actions. In a second step the reality of social fields after Pierre Bourdieu is focused. This helps to understand the importance of all players, resources and aims. Using the theory of communicative action of Jurgen Habermas it discusses what dimensions of social action are involved and how they relate to each other. And after stressing the possibilities of lobbying in the mass media, conclusions are formulated. So the article shows some of the biggest obstacles but also the possibilities for social work becoming a powerful player in post-modern societies