Biodiversitätsmonitoring im Südtiroler Kräuteranbau = Biodiversity surveys in medicinal and aromatic plant fields in South Tyrol

Medicinal and aromatic plants in mountain regions such as South Tyrol are cultivated on small-scale farms, which are characterized by a high diversity of cultivated crop species grown on a relatively small area. This small-scale cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants suggests that MAP fields are of high ecological value. However, research on this topic is generally lacking. In this study flower-visiting arthropods were recorded with pan traps in three herb fields during three survey events conducted in 2021. Our results indicate that medicinal and aromatic plant fields are valuable habitats for several taxa. In total 12.570 individuals were collected. Wild bees were particularly species-rich, accounting for 10 % of the regional wild bee species pool. Next to beneficial arthropods, potential pests, such as aphids were also highly abundant. However, natural enemies possibly counteracting pests were also numerous. Overall, we conclude that medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation may act as resource-rich oases for several arthropod groups, thereby promoting biodiversity also on a broader scale.Der Anbau von Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen zeichnet sich in der Regel durch vielfältige Anbaukulturen auf relativ kleinen Flächen aus. Dies gilt insbesondere für Südtirol, wo diese Kulturen hauptsächlich von kleinen Betrieben im Berggebiet angebaut werden. Dieser kleinflächige Anbau von Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen lässt vermuten, dass die Betriebe einen hohen ökologischen Wert haben. Es gibt wenige Studien zur Erfassung der Biodiversität im Anbau von Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen. Daher wurden in dieser Arbeit Kräuteranbau-Betriebe als Lebensraum für blütenbesuchende Arthropoden untersucht. An drei Untersuchungsstandorten wurden im Jahr 2021 jeweils an drei Terminen Farbschalen zur Sammlung von Arthropoden verwendet. Kräuteranbau-Betriebe stellten sich als ein wertvoller Lebensraum für verschiedene Arthropoden heraus. Insgesamt wurden 12.570 Individuen mit den Farbschalen gesammelt. Insbesondere Wildbienen waren mit 10 % des regionalen Artenpools sehr artenreich. Auch potenzielle Schädlinge, wie zum Beispiel Blattläuse, waren sehr häufig anzutreffen, wobei natürliche Feinde, wie zum Beispiel Parasitoide, ebenfalls zahlreich vertreten waren. Insgesamt können Kräuteranbaubetriebe als strukturreiche Oasen für Arthropoden fungieren und sich somit auf einer breiteren Skala positiv auf die Biodiversität auswirken

Adiponectin, Leptin and Visfatin in Hypoxia and its Effect for Weight Loss in Obesity

Rationale: Hypoxia induces leptin gene expression in human adipocytes via hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF-α/β). Under ambient moderate hypoxia, leptin in adipocytes is elevated for at least 14 days. Leptin is supposedly involved in the reduced food intake, increased utilization of fatty acids for energy production and possible weight loss observed at high altitudes. Literature on adiponectin and visfatin in high altitude is inconsistent with reports of elevated levels and non-elevated levels. Exercise in hypoxia studies in obese subjects have shown a significant weight loss after up to 3 weeks, but it is unclear if this effect holds up for longer time periods. Therefore, we aimed to investigate 32 obese subjects completing 52 exercise and rest sessions within 8 months at either moderate or sham hypoxia and to analyze leptin, adiponectin, and visfatin mRNA-expression at different time points of exposure.Methods: Abdominal subcutaneous fat biopsies were taken from 32 obese subjects before, after 3 months and after 8 months of intervention. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups and exercised at moderate intensity at two different study sites twice a week. The IG was exposed to normobaric hypoxia (FiO2: 14.0 ± 0.2%,) at exercise and at rest (FiO2: 12.0 ± 0.2%) and the CG to sham hypoxia. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used in order to determine mRNA-levels of leptin, adiponectin, and visfatin.Results: No differences in leptin levels after 3 and 8 months compared to baseline and between groups were found. There was no significant difference regarding adiponectin or visfatin at any time point compared to baseline in the hypoxia group, but an increase after 3 months was seen in the control group at normoxia compared to the hypoxia group (adiponectin: p = 0.029 and visfatin: p = 0.014).Conclusion: In this first several months' duration randomized sham controlled hypoxia exercise and rest study with obese subjects, we found no time extended leptin mRNA-expression in subjects under hypoxia after 3 and 8 months compared to baseline levels. Moderate exercise in normoxia not in hypoxia leads to elevated adiponectin and visfatin levels after 3 months

Physiological effects of training in hypoxic environments and its benefits for prevention and rehabilitation

Background: The benefits of training in hypoxic environments are widely discussed. Several interventional studies prove its usefulness for different applications. Lately the impact of hypoxia on pre-existing health conditions in middle aged and elderly populations has come into focus. Especially the potential of hypoxic training in reducing the workload during endurance training could withhold great benefits for orthopedically impaired populations like geriatric patients. Furthermore, several studies show beneficial effects of hypoxic training on cardiovascular risk factors and blood perfusion in muscles. This study compound aims at the investigation of physiological effects and potential benefits of hypoxic training interventions in the elderly. Methods: Three studies and one review are supposed to give an overview of physiological effects and the usability of hypoxia as additive for endurance training in the elderly. Study A evaluates the effects of a commonly practiced hiking prevention program on cardiovascular risk factors in 24 elderly subjects (10 female, age 66.2 ± 4.4 years and 14 male, age 65.6 ± 2.7 years). Study B and C identify possible obstacles and risks when planning rehabilitation or prevention programs in NH. Study B shows the main differences between NH and HH comparing the physiological effects in six subjects (age 28.3 ± 8.2 years) during a “real” and a simulated hike. Meanwhile, paper C gives an overview of possible risks and especially the impact of prolonged hypoxia exposure and its potential impact on cognitive functions. Finally, in Study D, 40 geriatric patients (NG: n = 16, age 82.0 ±7.8 years, HG: n = 19, age 80.2 ± 7.2 years) participated in a single blinded, placebo controlled interventional study, investigating the potential reduction of physical workload during endurance training using NH and its physiological effects. Results: Only one hiking session per week over a time course of nine months does not lower cardiovascular risk factors in subjects older than 60 years. Systolic blood pressure seems to be lowered only in patients with pathological or borderline values. For prevention- or rehabilitation programs, using normobaric hypoxia, some differences have to be taken into account. In NH, heartrate is lower while peripheral oxygen saturation is higher maintaining a similar physical strain as in HH (p < 0.05). Furthermore, NH seems to impair cognitive reaction time after sleep to a certain degree. Physical workload (Watt/kg p = 0.012) and related parameters are significantly reduced in a three week interventional endurance training study on simulated 3000 m in the elderly. Discussion: NH training lowers physical workload during endurance training in the elderly. Especially for geriatric rehabilitation, where patients and their therapists have only three weeks and rather short training sessions for measurable improvements, NH has great benefits. Furthermore, it seems to provide a safe environment and allows better monitoring than HH for prevention- or rehabilitation programs. Cardiac and pulmonary demands are lower in NH compared to HH. Overnight stays in hypoxia bear some risk for cognitive impairment, which has to be taken into account as possible risk for accidents. Nevertheless, we think during normal daytime training sessions and in quite low altitudes, this is no limiting factor for preventive- or rehabilitative programs. The common hiking routine of only one hiking session per week, practiced by most elderly, seems not to be sufficient to improve cardiovascular fitness. Therefore, the search for new possibilities to use the benefits of hypoxia for this age group is of importance. Conclusion: Training in hypoxic environments bears a lot of potential for certain patient groups. Especially the use of NH as additive to endurance training either to lower physical workload or to enhance the training intensity seems to be promising. This also could open the field of low volume high intensity training for geriatrics

Seasonal Xylem Sap Acidification Is Governed by Tree Phenology, Temperature and Elevation of Growing Site

pH of xylem sap (pHx) was determined in three trees (Malus domestica (apple tree),&nbsp;Picea abies and Pinus cembra) in response to seasonal changes. Conifer trees from lowland (600 m) were compared to trees growing at the alpine timberline (1950 m a.s.l.). Xylem sap was extracted with a Scholander pressure bomb and pHx was measured with a pH microsensor. In all species, pHx changed markedly with season. In spring, pHx was acidic; during winter, the pHx was more alkaline. In apple trees, the pHx did not show a significant correlation with temperature but was rather affected by developmental stage. During flushing in spring, xylem sap acidification took place concomitant to the developmental stage &ldquo;tight cluster&rdquo;, when foliar development enables a significant transpiration and a consequent movement of water in the xylem. The xylem sap of the two studied conifers showed a significantly larger seasonal alkalinisation (+2.1) than found in apple trees (+1.2) and was significantly more pronounced at the timberline. Xylem sap acidification took place before bud break. pHx had a significant negative correlation with soil temperatures and corresponded to already reported pHx of angiosperms. Overall, pHx appears to be a sensitive stress marker and indicator of activity status in tree xylem

Weight Loss and Fat Metabolism during Multi-Day High-Altitude Sojourns: A Hypothesis Based on Adipocyte Signaling

Several publications and random observations have reported weight loss in high-altitude sojourners of both sexes. This could be a result of multiple adaptations, which hypoxia and mountaineering provoke on a cellular and organic level. Several publications have discussed the effect on appetite-regulating hormones to be one of the main contributing factors. We aimed to review the available data and show the current state of knowledge regarding nutritional aspects in high altitude with a special focus on fatty dietary forms. To reach this aim we conducted a literature search via PubMed according to the PRISMA 2020 protocol to identify relevant studies. We found that very few studies cover this field with scientifically satisfying evidence. For final analysis, reviews as well as papers that were not clearly related to the topic were excluded. Six articles were included discussing hormonal influences and the impact of exercise on appetite regulation as well as genetic factors altering metabolic processes at altitude. Leptin expression seems to be the biggest contributor to appetite reduction at altitude with an initial increase followed by a decrease in the course of time at high altitude. Its expression is greatly dependent on the amount of white adipose tissue. Since the expression of leptin is associated with an increased &beta;-oxidation of fatty acids, a high-fat diet could be advantageous at a certain time point in the course of high-altitude sojourns

Agronomische und phytochemische Charakterisierung von Brotklee-Landsorten

Der Brotklee oder Schabziger Trigonella caerulea (L.) Ser. gehört zur Pflanzenfamilie der Fabaceae. Das getrocknete Kraut wird in der Alpenregion traditionell zum Würzen von Käse und Brot verwendet. Verschiedene α-Ketosäuren sind für das charakteristische Aroma verantwortlich, aber derzeit ist wenig über deren Vorkommen im getrockneten Pflanzenmaterial bekannt. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, die agronomischen Eigenschaften und die Inhaltsstoffe von sieben Brotklee-Landsorten aus Südtirol (Italien) zu untersuchen. Die untersuchten Landsorten zeigten ähnliche agronomische Eigenschaften aber deutliche Unterschiede im Gehalt an α-Ketosäuren und in deren Zusammensetzung.Trigonella caerulea (L.) Ser. is an annual herb that belongs to the Fabaceae plant family. The dried aerial parts of T. caerulea are traditionally used in the Alpine Region for flavoring cheese and bread. Different α-keto acids are considered responsible for the characteristic aroma, but at present very little is known about their quantity in the dried plant material. The aim of the present study was to analyze the agronomic traits and the phytochemical composition of seven accessions of T. caerulea from South Tyrol (Italy). The studied accessions showed similar agronomic traits, however differences in the overall content and composition of alpha-keto acids were found.AlternativeReviewe

Interface verification using executable reference models: An application in the automotive infotainment

Modern in-vehicle infotainment systems comprise highly interactive software components. The verification of the interfaces of such components poses a major challenge for developers. In this work, we present an approach for model-based verification of distributed infotainment components. We define a layered reference model which specifies the interaction between two components at syntactical and behavioral level. The layers abstract from the used middleware so developers may focus on the components' actual interface behavior. Additionally, we define a model execution framework which enables the reuse of the reference model for verification of interface implementations. We demonstrate the applicability of the approach using an industrial case study. Our approach aims at reducing errors in the communication behavior and increasing the overall product quality

The Effects of Napping on Wakefulness and Endurance Performance in Athletes: A Randomized Crossover Study

Background: Athletes often experience poor sleep quality due to stress, altitude exposure, travel across different time zones, and pre-competition nervousness. Coaches use daytime naps to counteract the negative effects of fragmented nighttime sleep. Napping before competitions has also been used to enhance performance in athletes without sleep problems, with mixed results in previous studies, particularly for endurance performance. Thus, we investigated the effects of napping after partial sleep deprivation (PSD) on endurance performance and wakefulness in athletes. Methods: We recruited 12 healthy and trained participants (seven female and five male) for a randomized crossover study design. The participants underwent two test sessions: a five-hour night of sleep without a nap (noNap) and a five-hour night of sleep with a 30-min nap opportunity (Nap30). Participants recorded their sleep-wake rhythm one week before and during the study using the Consensus Sleep Diary-Core and the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire to examine their circadian rhythm type. We quantified PSD and the nap with pupillography (pupil unrest index, PUI), a subjective level of sleepiness questionnaire (Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, KSS), and polysomnography. After each night, participants performed a maximal cycling ergometry test to determine time to exhaustion (TTE) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max). Results: Participants had an average sleep duration of 7.2 ± 0.7 h and were identified as moderately morning types (n = 5), neither type (n = 5), and moderately evening types (n = 2). There was a significant difference in both sleepiness parameters between the two conditions, with the PUI (p = 0.015) and KSS (p ≤ 0.01) significantly decreased at 5 h and nap compared with only 5 h of sleep. The PUI (p ≤ 0.01) and KSS (p ≤ 0.01) decreased significantly from before to after the nap. However, there was no significant difference in physical exercise test results between the conditions for TTE (p = 0.367) or VO 2max (p = 0.308). Conclusions: Our results suggest that napping after light PSD does not significantly influence endurance performance. We conclude that aerobic performance is a multidimensional construct, and napping after PSD may not enhance it. However, napping is an effective method to increase wakefulness and vigilance, which can be beneficial for sports competitions