Begleitvegetation von Verkehrswegen unterschiedlicher Qualität, dargestellt an Fallbeispielen im westlichen Niederösterreich

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Begleitvegetation von Straßen in ausgewählten Gebieten West-Niederösterreichs. Neben einer syntaxonomischen Übersicht über die gefundenen Pflanzengesellschaften wurde auch deren Bezug zur Qualität der begleiteten Verkehrswege betrachtet. Dazu wurden in vier Untersuchungsquadranten aus unterschiedlichen Naturräumen – jeweils zwei im Alpenvorland und in den Kalkvoralpen – nach dem Prinzip des stratified random sampling Aufnahmepunkte entlang von Straßen unterschiedlicher Qualität verteilt. Untersucht wurden sowohl die Seiten- als auch die Mittelstreifen der Verkehrswege. Insgesamt wurden so 174 Vegetationsaufnahmen nach der Methode von BRAUN-BLANQUET (1964) durchgeführt und diese mithilfe des Programms TWINSPAN nach ihrer floristischen Ähnlichkeit gegliedert. Die anschließende Klassifizierung erfolgte auf Basis des Standardwerkes „Die Pflanzengesellschaften Österreichs“ Teil I (MUCINA et. al 1993) und „Die Wälder und Gebüsche Österreichs“ (WILLNER & GRABHERR 2007). Weiters wurden die gefundenen Pflanzengesellschaften auch mit den Beschreibungen der „Ruderalvegetation Ost-Österreichs“ von FORSTNER (Teil 1 1982 und Teil 2 1984) verglichen, da es sich dabei um das wohl umfassendste Werk in diesem Bereich handelt. Es konnten 18 Pflanzengesellschaften aus den sieben Klassen der Polygono arenastri-Poetea annuae, Bidentetea tripartiti, Stellarietea mediae, Artemisietea vulgaris, Galio-Urticetea, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea und der Querco-Fagetea gefunden werden. Am häufigsten sind Gesellschaften der Molinio-Arrhenatheretea. Glatthaferbestände spielen im Straßenbegleitgrün die größte Rolle, gefolgt von Weidelgras-Breitwegerich-Trittrasenbeständen. Zwischen den Untersuchungsflächen im Alpenvorland und in den Kalkvoralpen konnten aus floristischer Sicht deutliche Unterschiede festgestellt werden, die einerseits auf die unterschiedlichen Naturräume und andererseits auf die unterschiedliche Struktur des Straßennetzes zurückzuführen sind. Die Betrachtung der Zusammenhänge zwischen der Qualität der Verkehrsflächen und der Vegetation lieferte folgendes Ergebnis: Die größte Bandbreite an Vegetationseinheiten lieferten unbefestigte Verkehrswege. Bestimmte Gesellschaften kommen fast über alle Kategorien hinweg vor, während andere auf ganz bestimmte Bedingungen angewiesen sind. Als Beispiel sei das Matricario-Polygonetum arenastri genannt, das fast ausschließlich auf Mittelstreifen von unbefestigten Feldwegen nachzuweisen war.This diploma thesis is concerned with the study of road-side herbaceous vegetation in selected regions of West - Lower Austria. In addition to a syntaxonomic overview of found plant communities, their relation to the quality of the accompanying types of roads was examined. Therefore four study areas in two different landscapes were selected, two areas in the “Alpenvorland” and two in the “Kalkvoralpen”. Research sites were distributed along roads of varying quality according to the principle of stratified random sampling. The investigation included the verges and the median stripes of traffic routes. 174 relevés were recorded using the methodology of BRAUN-BLANQUET (1964). These recordings were structured according to their floristic similarities by the program TWINSPAN. The subsequent classification is based on the work "Die Pflanzengesellschaften Österreichs" Volume I (MUCINA et. al. 1993) and „Die Wälder und Gebüsche Österreichs“ (WILLNER & GRABHERR 2007). Furthermore, the detected plant communities were compared with the descriptions of the "Ruderalvegetation Ost-Österreichs" by FORSTNER (Part 1 1982 and Part 2 1984), the most comprehensive study in this field. In this study 18 plant communities could be distinguished. They were assigned to the seven orders Polygono arenastri-Poetea annuae, Bidentetea tripartiti, Stellarietea mediae, Artemisietea vulgaris, Galio-Urticetea, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea and Querco-Fagetea. The vast majority of examined sites could be assigned to the order Molinio-Arrhenatheretea. Associations with Arrhenatherum elatius play the most important role in road-side vegetation, followed by Lolietum perennis. The floristic differences are significantly correlated with the two landscapes (“Alpenvorland” and “Kalkvoralpen”). These differences could be resulted due to the natural surroundings and the different structure of road network. Considering the relationship between the quality of road surfaces and vegetation yielded the following results: unpaved roads showed the widest range of vegetation units. Certain plant communities nearly occur across all categories of roads, while others depend on very specific conditions. As an example, the Matricario-Polygonetum arenastri was almost exclusively found on the central strip of unpaved roads

Uric acid is more strongly associated with impaired glucose regulation in women than in men from the general population: the KORA F4-Study.

High serum uric acid (UA) levels are associated with the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It is largely unknown whether there are gender-specific differences regarding the association between UA and prediabetic states. We examined the possible association between UA levels and known as well as newly diagnosed diabetes (NDD), isolated impaired fasting glucose (i-IFG), isolated impaired glucose tolerance (i-IGT), and combined IFG/IGT in a population-based sample of 32-to-81-year-old men and women. An oral glucose tolerance test was carried out in all 2,740 participants without known diabetes of the Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) F4 Study conducted between 2006 and 2008 in Southern Germany. Serum UA was analysed by the uricase method. In women after multivariable adjustment the associations between UA and i-IFG (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.15-2.14), IFG/IGT (OR 1.52, 1.07-2.16), NDD (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.28-2.17), and known diabetes (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.18-1.82) remained significant, but the association with i-IGT (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.95-1.36) lost significance. In contrast in men, after multivariable adjustment there was only a significant association between UA levels and i-IFG (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.21-1.84), all other associations were non-significant (i-IGT: OR 1.09, IFG/IGT: OR 1.06, NDD: OR 0.91, known diabetes: OR 1.04; all p-values>0.05). Serum UA concentrations were associated with different categories of impaired glucose regulation in individuals from the general population, particularly in women. Further studies investigating the role of UA in the development of derangements in glucose metabolism are needed

Age at menarche and its association with the metabolic syndrome and its components

The metabolic syndrome is a major public health challenge and identifies persons at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to examine the association between age at menarche and the metabolic syndrome (IDF and NCEP ATP III classification) and its components. 1536 women aged 32 to 81 years of the German population based KORA F4 study were investigated. Data was collected by standardized interviews, physical examinations, and whole blood and serum measurements. Young age at menarche was significantly associated with elevated body mass index (BMI), greater waist circumference, higher fasting glucose levels, and 2 hour glucose (oral glucose tolerance test), even after adjusting for the difference between current BMI and BMI at age 25. The significant effect on elevated triglycerides and systolic blood pressure was attenuated after adjustment for the BMI change. Age at menarche was inversely associated with the metabolic syndrome adjusting for age (p-values: <0.001 IDF, 0.003 NCEP classification) and additional potential confounders including lifestyle and reproductive history factors (p-values: 0.001, 0.005). Associations remain significant when additionally controlling for recollected BMI at age 25 (p-values: 0.008, 0.033) or the BMI change since age 25 (p-values: 0.005, 0.022). Young age at menarche might play a role in the development of the metabolic syndrome. This association is only partially mediated by weight gain and increased BMI. A history of early menarche may help to identify women at risk for the metabolic syndrome

Educational level, prevalence of hysterectomy, and age at amenorrhoea: a cross-sectional analysis of 9536 women from six population-based cohort studies in Germany

BACKGROUND: Hysterectomy prevalence has been shown to vary by education level. Hysterectomy influences age at amenorrhoea. The aim of this study was to examine these associations in Germany within population-based data sets. METHODS: Baseline assessments in six population-based cohorts took place from 1997 through 2006 and included 9,548 women aged 20–84 years. All studies assessed hysterectomy history, school and professional degrees. Degrees were categorized into three levels each. Adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated. RESULTS: Prevalences were higher in West Germany than East Germany, increased by age, and leveled off starting at 55–64 years. The age- and study-adjusted prevalence ratio (lowest versus highest school level) was 2.61 (95% CI: 1.28-5.30), 1.48 (95% CI: 1.21-1.81), and 1.01 (95% CI: 0.80-1.28) for women aged 20–45, 45–64, and 65 and more years respectively. The estimated adjusted prevalence ratios per one unit decrement of the educational qualification score (range 1 = lowest, 8 = highest) were 1.29 (95% CI: 1.02-1.64), 1.08 (95% CI: 1.04-1.12), and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.93-1.03) for women aged 20–44, 45–64, and 65–84 years respectively. Age at amenorrhoea was on average 6.2 years lower (43.5 years versus 49.7 years) among women with a history of hysterectomy than those without. CONCLUSIONS: Lower educational level was associated with a higher hysterectomy prevalence among women aged 20–64 years. Several mediators associated with educational level and hysterectomy including women’s disease risk, women’s treatment preference, and women’s access to uterus-preserving treatment may explain this association. At population level, hysterectomy decreases the age of amenorrhoea on average by 6.2 years

Langzeit-Monitoring der Auswirkungen einer Umstellung auf den biologischen Landbau (MBUIL V), Abschlussbericht

Auf einem Ackerbaubetrieb im Marchfeld in Niederösterreich wird seit dem Jahr 2003 eine umfassende Langzeituntersuchung zur Dokumentation und Entwicklung des biologischen Landbaus und agrarökologischer Begleitmaßnahmen durchgeführt (www.mubil.boku.ac.at). In der Projektphase MUBIL V wurden im Jahr 2014 spezifische Themen aus dem Gesamtmonitoring ausgewählt und fortgeführt. Die Untersuchungen fanden auf Betriebs-, Schlag- und Parzellenebene statt. Die Ziele des Projektes waren: (a) Wissenschaftlich abgesicherte Erkenntnisse über das Ausmaß und die Geschwindigkeit von Veränderungen der pflanzenbaulichen Entwicklung mit der längerfristigen biologischen Bewirtschaftung zu erhalten. (b) Erkenntnisse über die Auswirkungen unterschiedliche Düngungssysteme viehloser und viehhaltender biologischer Bewirtschaftung mithilfe pflanzenbaulicher Untersuchungen über vergleichende Versuchsanstellungen zu erlangen. (c) Erkenntnisse über die Wirkungen von Blühstreifen mit unterschiedlichen Ansaatmischungen und Pflegemaßnahmen auf die Wildbienen zu dokumentieren

Reproductive Factors and Serum Uric Acid Levels in Females from the General Population: The KORA F4 Study

Hyperuricemia is associated with an increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. There are pronounced sex differences in the levels of uric acid. It is largely unknown whether or not reproductive parameters which induce hormonal changes are responsible for this. We examined if there are associations between reproductive parameters and uric acid levels in a female population-based sample. In this cross-sectional analysis, data of 1530 women aged 32 to 81 years participating in the KORA F4 study, conducted between 2006 and 2008 in Southern Germany were used. Reproductive parameters were obtained by standardized interviews. Uric acid levels were tested by the uricase method. The whole study sample and stratified in pre- and postmenopausal women was analyzed. Menopausal status and earlier age at menarche were associated with higher serum uric acid levels (age-adjusted: p-values 0.003, <0.001 respectively; after multivariable adjustment, including BMI: p-values 0.002, 0.036). A history of oral contraceptive use showed an association with uric acid levels only after multivariable adjustment (p-value 0.009). Hot flushes showed an association with uric acid levels only after age-adjustment (p-value 0.038), but lost significance after adding other confounders. Other reproductive factors, including parity, current or ever use of hormone replacement therapy, current use of oral contraceptives, hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or depressive mood related to menopausal transition were not associated with uric acid levels. Postmenopausal status, earlier age at menarche and a history of oral contraceptive use were independently associated with higher serum uric acid concentrations in women from the general population. Further studies, especially longitudinal population-based studies investigating the relationship of female reproductive parameters with uric acid levels are necessary to confirm our findings

Age at Menarche and Its Association with the Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components: Results from the KORA F4 Study

OBJECTIVE: The metabolic syndrome is a major public health challenge and identifies persons at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to examine the association between age at menarche and the metabolic syndrome (IDF and NCEP ATP III classification) and its components. DESIGN: 1536 women aged 32 to 81 years of the German population based KORA F4 study were investigated. Data was collected by standardized interviews, physical examinations, and whole blood and serum measurements. RESULTS: Young age at menarche was significantly associated with elevated body mass index (BMI), greater waist circumference, higher fasting glucose levels, and 2 hour glucose (oral glucose tolerance test), even after adjusting for the difference between current BMI and BMI at age 25. The significant effect on elevated triglycerides and systolic blood pressure was attenuated after adjustment for the BMI change. Age at menarche was inversely associated with the metabolic syndrome adjusting for age (p-values: <0.001 IDF, 0.003 NCEP classification) and additional potential confounders including lifestyle and reproductive history factors (p-values: 0.001, 0.005). Associations remain significant when additionally controlling for recollected BMI at age 25 (p-values: 0.008, 0.033) or the BMI change since age 25 (p-values: 0.005, 0.022). CONCLUSION: Young age at menarche might play a role in the development of the metabolic syndrome. This association is only partially mediated by weight gain and increased BMI. A history of early menarche may help to identify women at risk for the metabolic syndrome

Genomic analyses identify hundreds of variants associated with age at menarche and support a role for puberty timing in cancer risk

The timing of puberty is a highly polygenic childhood trait that is epidemiologically associated with various adult diseases. Using 1000 Genomes Project-imputed genotype data in up to similar to 370,000 women, we identify 389 independent signals (P <5 x 10(-8)) for age at menarche, a milestone in female pubertal development. In Icelandic data, these signals explain similar to 7.4% of the population variance in age at menarche, corresponding to similar to 25% of the estimated heritability. We implicate similar to 250 genes via coding variation or associated expression, demonstrating significant enrichment in neural tissues. Rare variants near the imprinted genes MKRN3 and DLK1 were identified, exhibiting large effects when paternally inherited. Mendelian randomization analyses suggest causal inverse associations, independent of body mass index (BMI), between puberty timing and risks for breast and endometrial cancers in women and prostate cancer in men. In aggregate, our findings highlight the complexity of the genetic regulation of puberty timing and support causal links with cancer susceptibility

Genome-wide analysis identifies 12 loci influencing human reproductive behavior.

The genetic architecture of human reproductive behavior-age at first birth (AFB) and number of children ever born (NEB)-has a strong relationship with fitness, human development, infertility and risk of neuropsychiatric disorders. However, very few genetic loci have been identified, and the underlying mechanisms of AFB and NEB are poorly understood. We report a large genome-wide association study of both sexes including 251,151 individuals for AFB and 343,072 individuals for NEB. We identified 12 independent loci that are significantly associated with AFB and/or NEB in a SNP-based genome-wide association study and 4 additional loci associated in a gene-based effort. These loci harbor genes that are likely to have a role, either directly or by affecting non-local gene expression, in human reproduction and infertility, thereby increasing understanding of these complex traits