LTD4 and TGF-β1 induce the expression of metalloproteinase-1 in chronic rhinosinusitis via a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1-related mechanism

A

Bewegung und Sport - ein Förderbereich in Ganztagsschulen?

Im Zentrum des Beitrags wird diskutiert, inwieweit "Bewegung und Sport" ein Gestaltungs- und Förderbereich in Ganztagsschulen sein kann und sein soll. Es wird festgestellt, dass der Schulsport mit seinen zwei Säulen verpflichtender Sportunterricht und außerunterrichtlicher Schulsport im Vergleich zu anderen Fächern mit Blick auf den Ganztag als eine Art "Kitt der Schulkultur" angesehen wird. Bewegung und Sport tragen in hohem Maße zur Rhythmisierung der Lernabläufe bei und können auch Motivation und das soziale Klima fördern. Die Autoren sehen erweiterte und neue Möglichkeiten der Förderung durch Bewegung und Sport im Hinblick auf individuelles, kooperatives, informelles und formelles Lernen, weil die traditionelle Schul- und Unterrichtsorganisation in der Ganztagsschule durch Altersmischung, jahrgangs- und fächerübergreifende Projekte, andere Lernorte und die Beteiligung außerschulischer Experten verändert ist. Es wird dafür plädiert, genauer zu untersuchen, ob nicht gerade auch ein Fach wie der Sport für die Schulkulturentwicklung und die Verbindung von Unterricht und Ganztagsgestaltung besondere Potentiale bereitstellt. (DIPF/Orig.

Imbalances between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in maternal serum during preterm labor

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) during pregnancy and parturition. Aberrant ECM degradation by MMPs or an imbalance between MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of preterm labor, however few studies have investigated MMPs or TIMPs in maternal serum. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine serum concentrations of MMP-3, MMP-9 and all four TIMPs as well as MMP:TIMP ratios during term and preterm labor. Methods: A case control study with 166 singleton pregnancies, divided into four groups: (1) women with preterm birth, delivering before 34 weeks (PTB); (2) gestational age (GA) matched controls, not in preterm labor; (3) women at term in labor and (4) at term not in labor. MMP and TIMP concentrations were measured using Luminex technology. Results: MMP-9 and TIMP-4 concentrations were higher in women with PTB vs. GA matched controls (resp. p = 0.01 and p<0.001). An increase in MMP-9:TIMP-1 and MMP-9:TIMP-2 ratio was observed in women with PTB compared to GA matched controls (resp. p = 0.02 and p<0.001) as well as compared to women at term in labor (resp. p = 0.006 and p<0.001). Multiple regression results with groups recoded as three key covariates showed significantly higher MMP-9 concentrations, higher MMP-9:TIMP-1 and MMP-9:TIMP-2 ratios and lower TIMP-1 and -2 concentrations for preterm labor. Significantly higher MMP-9 and TIMP-4 concentrations and MMP-9:TIMP-2 ratios were observed for labor. Conclusions: Serum MMP-9:TIMP-1 and MMP-9:TIMP-2 balances are tilting in favor of gelatinolysis during preterm labor. TIMP-1 and -2 concentrations were lower in preterm gestation, irrespective of labor, while TIMP-4 concentrations were raised in labor. These observations suggest that aberrant serum expression of MMP:TIMP ratios and TIMPs reflect pregnancy and labor status, providing a far less invasive method to determine enzymes essential in ECM remodeling during pregnancy and parturition

ac-field-induced fluid pumping in microsystems with asymmetric temperature gradients

We present two different designs of electrohydrodynamic micropumps for microfluidic systems. The micropumps have no movable parts, and their simple design allows for fabrication by microsystems technology. The pumps are operated by ac voltages from 1to60V and were tested with aqueous solutions in the conductivity range of 1–112mSm−1. The pump effect is induced by an ac electric field across a fluid medium with an inhomogeneous temperature distribution. It is constant over a wide range of the ac field frequency with a conductivity-dependent drop-off at high frequencies. The temperature-dependent conductivity and permittivity distributions in the fluid induce space charges that interact with the electric field and induce fluid motion. The temperature distribution can be generated either by Joule heating in the medium or by external heating. We present experimental results obtained with two prototypes featuring Joule heating and external heating by a heating filament. Experimental and numerical results are compared with an analytical model

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy of Core‐Shell Nanofiber Cathodes, with Ce0.9_{0.9}Gd0.1_{0.1}O1.95_{1.95} (Core) and Cu‐Doped La0.6_{0.6}Sr0.4_{0.4}MnO3_3 (Shell), for Application in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Several core-shell nanofiber electrodes are prepared through electrospinning and tested for application as intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC) cathodes. The materials investigated are La$_{0.6}$Sr$_{0.4}$MnO$_3$ (LSM), La$_{0.6}$Sr$_{0.4}$Cu$_{0.1}$Mn$_{0.9}$O$_{3-δ}$ (LSCuM_1), and La$_{0.6}$Sr$_{0.4}$Cu$_{0.2}$Mn$_{0.8}$O$_{3-δ}$ (LSCuM_2) perovskites, used at the shell side of the nanofibers. Ce$_{0.9}$Gd$_{0.1}$O$_{1.95}$ (GDC10) fluorite is used as the core material. The electrochemical characterization of the core-shell nanofiber electrodes is performed through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The EIS results are reported and discussed based on equivalent circuit modeling. The polarization resistance of the GDC10/LSM core-shell nanofibers electrodes is RP∼4.5 Ω cm$^2$ at 650 °C. Improvement is accomplished with GDC10/LSCuM_1 and GDC10/LSCuM_2 core-shell nanofibers, with R$_P$∼1.8 Ω cm$^2$ and 1.7 Ω cm$^2$ respectively at 650 °C. Post-test SEM characterization is carried out, to ascertain possible degradation and identify the most promising shell perovskite