Red list and checklist of the stoneworts

Für Berlin wurden seit dem 18. Jahrhundert 21 Arten limnischer Armleuchteralgen (Characeae) in den Gattungen Chara, Lychnothamnus, Nitella, Nitellopsis und Tolypella nachgewiesen. Davon sind 11 Arten ausgestorben oder verschollen, weitere vier Arten sind als bestandsgefährdet eingestuft und auch Bestandteil der Roten Liste. Diese Neufassung der Gesamtartenliste weist einige Veränderungen gegenüber der Vorgängerliste auf, weil durch Kartierungsergebnisse der Flächenbezug der Artvorkommen im Stadtstaat visualisiert und der Einfluss der Urbanisierung auf die Arten stärker berücksichtigt wird.The checklist of Berlin (Germany) includes 21 species of stoneworts (Characeae) in the genera Chara, Lychnothamnus, Nitella, Nitellopsis, and Tolypella. 11 of them are extinct or lost, 4 further species are part of the Red List as endangered species. In comparison with the previous list, this list includes mapped floristic data to visualize and discuss the effects of urbanization on the distribution of Characeae

Social and environmental dimensions of urban health in Chinese megacities

Jahn HJ. Social and environmental dimensions of urban health in Chinese megacities. Bielefeld: Bielefeld University; 2014.Background and Aim In the past three decades, China experienced a rapid economic growth and the Chinese urban population has increased threefold mainly caused by rural-to-urban migration. The rapid urban growth changes the cities’ living conditions with different effects on human health, which is particularly pronounced in China’s megacities. About 190 million migrant workers make up a large proportion of the urban population in China. They show health-related characteristics that differ from the situation of the urban residents. Among other things, migrant workers are under a higher risk for infectious diseases such as HIV and their mobility may foster the spread of infections between urban and rural areas. The rapid urbanization also causes substantial urban environmental problems. China belongs to the countries with the highest levels of particulate matter (PM) air pollution that is considered to be the most serious air pollutant in Chinese cities. The aim of this work was to obtain a comprehensive insight into the major urban health challenges in Chinese megacities. This research focused on two key urban health dimensions related to changing physical and social urban environments, (i) the urban PM air pollution and (ii) the rural-to-urban migration. Methods Firstly, a burden of disease assessment for the megacity of Hong Kong (HK) was conducted to describe the mortality-related burden of disease patterns of the Chinese urban population. Data were obtained from the HK statistical yearbook 2010 and from the HK Census and Statistics Department. The "Standard Expected Years of Life Lost" (SEYLL) measure was used to quantify the disease burden in HK by cause of death, sex and age for 2010. Secondly, two systematic literature reviews were conducted. In the first review, meta-analyses were carried out (i) to determine the HIV prevalence among migrants in China at different migration stages and (ii) to compare the risk of HIV infection among different migration stage subgroups and compared to the general Chinese population. The second review was done to collect PM data from the megacities in the Pearl River Delta (PRD). Additionally, mortality data from municipal sources were collected. The data were used (i) to describe the PM pollution in the megacities in PRD, (ii) to compare these results with the existing air quality standards and (iii) to estimate the potential health benefits of PM reduction in terms of preventable PM-associated premature deaths per year (health impact assessment). Thirdly, complementing the review on urban PM air pollution, own personal and ambient stationary PM2.5 air pollution measurements were conducted. For this purpose, in November and December 2011, 24-h personal and ambient PM2.5 data were simultaneously collected in most of the 12 districts of Guangzhou (GZ) (i) to ascertain the level of personal/ambient PM2.5 in GZ on a small spatial and temporal scale, (ii) to determine to what extent individuals, on average, were exposed to PM2.5 over 24h periods, and (iii) to study the relationship between the ambient and personal PM2.5. Results In HK, 524,706.5 life years due to premature death were lost. The following SEYLL-distribution was observed: 78.8% non-communicable conditions, 12.7% communicable conditions, 8.5% injuries. This distribution corresponds to disease patterns of high-income countries worldwide representing a late stage of the epidemiologic transition. A closer look showed that certain communicable conditions, such as tuberculosis play a larger role in HK than in many other high-income regions. Further results indicated high values of PM air pollution in the studied cities that exceeded internationally recognized air quality standards. Particularly in GZ, the PM air pollution was high. The relationship between ambient and personal measurements differed strongly between the districts. Three districts showed moderate to high correlations between ambient and personal PM2.5 pollution over time. However, the overall correlation (all district values pooled) between personal and ambient PM2.5 air pollution over time was high (Spearman’s Rho = 0.7; p = 0.01). According to the health impact assessment, PM air pollution is responsible for a large share of the burden of disease related to non-communicable diseases with thousands of premature deaths in HK and GZ. The review on the role of migration for the spread of HIV in China showed that the HIV prevalence among Chinese migrants ranged from 0-2.59% in the single review studies. The meta-analyses showed that the subgroup of migrants, who were recruited in urban areas after migration for the single studies, had the highest HIV prevalence (0.38%) as compared to the other subgroups and to the general Chinese population. Conclusions The results of this research highlight the increasing relevance of non-communicable diseases in urban China and indicate that this is related to both life style changes and environmental burdens like PM air pollution. Nonetheless, the findings suggest that communicable diseases are still of high public health relevance and that they are partly related to rural-to-urban migration. Consequent implementation of environmental protection laws and compliance with air quality standards are needed to promote a healthy urban environment. Living and working conditions of migrant workers should be improved and educational measures should be taken to decrease migrants’ risk for infectious diseases. Importantly, these conclusions must not lead to further stigmatization and discrimination of migrants within the urban societies. Reduced risk of infection among migrant workers and a better societal inclusion in the urban areas including better access to health care services would, in the long run, reduce the disease burden among migrants and additionally prevent epidemiological bridging from this group to the general Chinese population

Effect of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-Glycosides on the Farrowing Process and Piglet Vitality in a Free Farrowing System.

Vitamin D improves the reproductive efficiency in animals. This study aimed to examine the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-gylcosides (1,25-vitD) on the farrowing process in sows and the vitality of their piglets. In total, 100 sows were allocated into two groups at insemination ('1,25-vitD' and 'negative control'). The 1,25-vitD group received 260-300 mg/sow/day 1,25-vitD in their feed during the gestation period. Backfat thickness, fecal score, and the farrowing process was evaluated. The piglets were categorized into live born or stillborn, and vitality was evaluated by assessing the umbilical cord and the meconium score. The number of total-born piglets in sows of '1,25-vitD' was higher and the farrowing duration was shorter than in the negative control group without showing significance in the univariable analysis. In a linear multiple regression model including the variables 'farrowing duration', 'total born piglets' and '1,25-vitD' differences became evident. We found that 1,25-vitD was associated with a reduced farrowing duration (p = 0.055). Moreover, significantly more mummies (p < 0.01) and short ruptured umbilical cords (p < 0.05) were observed in the 1,25-vitD group. This study showed an effect of 1,25-vitD on the farrowing process. However, more research is needed to better describe the mechanism of 1,25-vitD in detail

Sense of coherence and associated factors among university students in China: cross-sectional evidence

Chu JJ, Khan MH, Jahn HJ, Krämer A. Sense of coherence and associated factors among university students in China: cross-sectional evidence. BMC Public Health. 2016;16(1): 336

Only-child status in relation to perceived stress and studying-related life satisfaction among university students in China: a comparison with international students

Chu JJ, Khan MH, Jahn HJ, Krämer A. Only-child status in relation to perceived stress and studying-related life satisfaction among university students in China: a comparison with international students. Plos One. 2015;10(12): e0144947.Objectives University students in general face multiple challenges, which may affect their levels of perceived stress and life satisfaction. Chinese students currently face specific strains due to the One-Child Policy (OCP). The aim of this study was to assess (1) whether the levels of perceived stress and studying-related life satisfaction are associated with only-child (OC) status after controlling for demographic and socio-economic characteristics and (2) whether these associations differ between Chinese and international students. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional health survey based on a self-administrated standardised questionnaire was conducted among 1,843 (1,543 Chinese, 300 international) students at two Chinese universities in 2010-2011. Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) and Stock and Kraemer's Studying-related Life Satisfaction Scale were used to measure perceived stress and studying-related life satisfaction respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations of OC status with perceived stress and studying-related life satisfaction by sex for Chinese students and international students separately. Results The Chinese non-only-children (NOCs) were more likely to come from small cities. Multivariable regression models indicate that the Chinese NOCs were more stressed than OCs (OR = 1.39, 1.11-1.74) with a stronger association in men (OR = 1.48, 1.08-2.02) than women (OR = 1.26, 0.89-1.77). NOCs were also more dissatisfied than their OC fellows in the Chinese subsample (OR = 1.37, 1.09-1.73). Among international students, no associations between OC status and perceived stress or studying-related life satisfaction were found. Conclusions To promote equality between OCs and NOCs at Chinese universities, the causes of more stress and less studying-related life satisfaction among NOCs compared to OCs need further exploration

Alcohol consumption among university students: a Sino-German comparison demonstrates a much lower consumption of alcohol in Chinese students

Background: Alcohol use is reported in university students with discrepancy between countries. The study objectives were to assess prevalence and associated factors of alcohol consumption among university students in Germany and China. Methods: Data used were from 1853 Chinese and 3306 German university students. Alcohol consumption frequency was measured by a question \u201cHow often did you drink alcohol in the last three months?\u201d with six possible responses, which were later collapsed into three categories of \u201cAt least once a week\u201d, \u201cLess than once a week\u201d and \u201cNever\u201d. Problem drinking was measured by the CAGE test and defined as a CAGE score of two or more (four as the maximum). Simple and multivariable logistic regressions were used for association analyses. Results: German students reported more often \u201cAt least once a week\u201d drinking (59.8 vs. 9.0 %). Among Germans, women drank less often \u201cAt least once a week\u201d (OR = 0.40, 0.30\u20130.53). Among Chinese, a higher BMI was associated with drinking \u201cAt least once a week\u201d (OR = 1.09, 1.02\u20131.18). Age revealed a positive association with \u201cAt least once a week\u201d drinking in Chinese (1.33, 1.21\u20131.46) but a negative association in Germans (OR = 0.97, 0.94\u20130.99). Having a father with high educational level was positively related to \u201cAt least once a week\u201d drinking in both countries (OR = 4.25, 2.67\u20136.78 for Chinese; OR = 1.32, 1.01\u20131.72 for Germans). Doing less than once a week physical exercise was negatively associated with \u201cAt least once a week\u201d drinking in Chinese and German students (OR = 0.27, 0.15\u20130.48 for Chinese; OR = 0.69, 0.49\u20130.96 for Germans). Among the German students, 20.3 % reported problem drinking. Being a female (OR = 0.32, 0.26\u20130.40) and performing less than once a week physical activity (OR = 0.73, 0.56\u20130.95) were negatively associated with problem drinking, while having a father with high educational level (OR = 1.32, 1.09\u20131.60) and experiencing higher level of perceived stress (OR = 1.08, 1.04\u20131.13) were positively related to problem drinking. Conclusions: Country-specific strategies for reducing alcohol consumption, e.g. educational awareness programmes of alcohol use on Chinese campuses and alcohol prevention schemes among German youth before entering university, are sensible

Comparison of Subjective Health Complaints between Chinese and German University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Chu JJ, Khan MH, Jahn HJ, Krämer A. Comparison of Subjective Health Complaints between Chinese and German University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2015;12(12):15794-15806.High rates of health complaints (HCs) with substantial variation are reported in different university populations, which can be linked to socio-demographic, lifestyle-related factors, and cultural differences. HCs can be categorized into distinct components. This study aimed to identify and compare underlying dimensions of HCs (HC components); to access and compare HC prevalence, and the associations between HC components, socio-demographic, lifestyle-related factors, and perceived stress in German and Chinese university students. Two health surveys were conducted among 5159 university students (1853 Chinese, 3306 German). Factor analysis and logistic regression were applied. The prevalence of HC ranged from 4.6% to 40.2% over the two countries. Germans reported at least three HCs more often (47.2% vs. 35.8%). Chinese students more often reported gastrointestinal complaints. Perceived stress was positively associated with all three HC components in both countries (OR = 1.03–1.50) with stronger associations among Germans. Women more often reported HCs (OR = 1.32–2.43) with stronger associations among the Germans. Having a father with a low educational level was associated with high psychological symptoms among the Chinese (OR = 1.51), but with low gastrointestinal complaints among the Germans (OR = 0.79). The high prevalence of HCs in students requires country-specific interventions

Alcohol consumption among university students: a Sino-German comparison demonstrates a much lower consumption of alcohol in Chinese students

Chu JJ, Jahn HJ, Khan MH, Krämer A. Alcohol consumption among university students: a Sino-German comparison demonstrates a much lower consumption of alcohol in Chinese students. JOURNAL OF HEALTH POPULATION AND NUTRITION. 2016;35(1): 25.Background: Alcohol use is reported in university students with discrepancy between countries. The study objectives were to assess prevalence and associated factors of alcohol consumption among university students in Germany and China. Methods: Data used were from 1853 Chinese and 3306 German university students. Alcohol consumption frequency was measured by a question "How often did you drink alcohol in the last three months?" with six possible responses, which were later collapsed into three categories of "At least once a week", "Less than once a week" and "Never". Problem drinking was measured by the CAGE test and defined as a CAGE score of two or more (four as the maximum). Simple and multivariable logistic regressions were used for association analyses. Results: German students reported more often "At least once a week" drinking (59.8 vs. 9.0 %). Among Germans, women drank less often "At least once a week" (OR = 0.40, 0.30-0.53). Among Chinese, a higher BMI was associated with drinking "At least once a week" (OR = 1.09, 1.02-1.18). Age revealed a positive association with "At least once a week" drinking in Chinese (1.33, 1.21-1.46) but a negative association in Germans (OR = 0.97, 0.94-0.99). Having a father with high educational level was positively related to "At least once a week" drinking in both countries (OR = 4.25, 2.67-6.78 for Chinese; OR = 1.32, 1.01-1.72 for Germans). Doing less than once a week physical exercise was negatively associated with "At least once a week" drinking in Chinese and German students (OR = 0.27, 0.15-0.48 for Chinese; OR = 0.69, 0.49-0.96 for Germans). Among the German students, 20.3 % reported problem drinking. Being a female (OR = 0.32, 0.26-0.40) and performing less than once a week physical activity (OR = 0.73, 0.56-0.95) were negatively associated with problem drinking, while having a father with high educational level (OR = 1.32, 1.09-1.60) and experiencing higher level of perceived stress (OR = 1.08, 1.04-1.13) were positively related to problem drinking. Conclusions: Country-specific strategies for reducing alcohol consumption, e.g. educational awareness programmes of alcohol use on Chinese campuses and alcohol prevention schemes among German youth before entering university, are sensible

Einfluss der häuslichen Trinkwasser-Installation auf das Risiko, an Legionärskrankheit zu erkranken

Der Grad der Trinkwasserkontamination mit Legionellen ist ein guter Indikator für den technischen Zustand einer Trinkwasser-Installation. Allerdings ist unklar, ob er auch eine prädiktive Bedeutung für das Auftreten von Legionärskrankheit hat. Aus den Ergebnissen der Berliner LeTriWa-Studie ließ sich ableiten, dass bei dem größten Teil der Fälle von ambulant erworbener Legionärskrankheit häusliches Trinkwasser eine vermutliche oder wahrscheinliche Rolle spielt. Es wird nun untersucht, inwiefern Patientinnen und Patienten mit ambulant erworbener Legionärskrankheit von einer Trinkwasser-Installation versorgt werden, die nach Trinkwasserverordnung untersuchungspflichtig ist, bzw. ob ihrer Erkrankung eine erhöhte Legionellenkonzen¬tration im Trinkwasser vorausging.Peer Reviewe

Wahrscheinlicher Fall einer Reinfektion durch Legionella pneumophila

In Deutschland wird die Legionärskrankheit in der Regel durch die Spezies Legionella (L.) pneumophila verursacht. Von rezidivierenden Fällen der Legionärskrankheit wird selten berichtet, sie sind entweder auf eine zweite Infektion (Reinfektion) oder auf einen Rückfall (Wiederaufflammen; engl. relapse) einer zwischenzeitlich ruhenden/gebesserten, aber nicht völlig ausgeheilten Erkrankung zurückzuführen. Wir berichten über einen Fall einer rezidivierenden Legionärskrankheit bei einer 86-jährigen Patientin mit einer Erkrankung durch L. pneumophila Serogruppe 1, monoklonaler Antikörpersubtyp Knoxville, Sequenztyp unbekannt. Zwischen den beiden, mehrere Monate auseinander liegenden, Krankheitsepisoden hatte sich die Patientin vollständig erholt. Im Trinkwasser der Wohnung der Patientin konnten wir L. pneumophila Serogruppe 1, monoklonaler Antikörpersubtyp Knoxville, Sequenztyp 182, nachweisen. Nach der ersten Krankheitsepisode wurde die Exposition gegenüber kontaminiertem Trinkwasser durch Einsatz von Wasserfiltern unterbrochen. Die Filter wurden später wegen des geringen Wasserdrucks entfernt, nur wenige Wochen später trat die zweite Krankheitsepisode auf. Es ist unklar, ob eine immunologische Veranlagung zu diesem Fall einer wahrscheinlichen Reinfektion der Legionärskrankheit beigetragen hat. Klinische, mikrobiologische und epidemiologische Informationen lassen darauf schließen, dass es sich bei der zweiten Episode um eine erneute Infektion handelte. Im Falle einer rezidivierenden Legionärskrankheit ist eine möglichst vollständige Sammlung von Patienten- und Wasserproben erforderlich, um zu entscheiden, ob es sich um einen Rückfall oder eine Reinfektion handelt, um die Infektionsquelle zu identifizieren und weitere Hinweise für die Rolle einer immunologischen Prädisposition zu erhalten