Involvement of long non-coding RNAs in glucose metabolism in cancer

The rapid and uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells is supported by metabolic reprogramming. Altered glucose metabolism supports cancer growth and progression. Compared with normal cells, cancer cells show increased glucose uptake, aerobic glycolysis and lactate production. Byproducts of adjusted glucose metabolism provide additional benefits supporting hallmark capabilities of cancer cells. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a heterogeneous group of transcripts of more than 200 nucleotides in length. They regulate numerous cellular processes, primarily through physical interaction with other molecules. Dysregulated lncRNAs are involved in all hallmarks of cancer including metabolic alterations. They may upregulate metabolic enzymes, modulate the expression of oncogenic or tumor-suppressive genes and disturb metabolic signaling pathways favoring cancer progression. Thus, lncRNAs are not only potential clinical biomarkers for cancer diagnostics and prediction but also possible therapeutic targets. This review summarizes the lncRNAs involved in cancer glucose metabolism and highlights their underlying molecular mechanisms

Entwicklung eines stufenübergreifenden Qualitätssicherungssystems für die ökologische Ernährungswirtschaft unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Kommunikations- und Organisationsstrukturen

Im Rahmen des Projektes wurden Konzepte zur Lösung drängender Probleme im Bereich Qualitätssicherung in der Ökologischen Lebensmittelwirtschaft erarbeitet. Dazu wurden Strukturen geschaffen, die es erlaubten die Fachleute der Branche in die Problemanalyse und Lösungserarbeitung einzubeziehen. Durch die intensive Einbindung der Akteure konnte gewährleistet werden, dass die erarbeiteten Konzepte von hoher Relevanz für die Branche und direkt umsetzbar sind. Neben der Erarbeitung von Konzepten war deren Abstimmung mit Branchenvertretern und der Wissenstransfer der Ergebnisse ein Schwerpunkt des Projektes. Die Analyse der Kommunikations- und Organisationsstrukturen der Branche gab Hinweise darauf, welche Akteure von besonderer Relevanz sind, welche Kommunikationsmittel genutzt werden und wo Lücken in den Organisationsstrukturen bestehen. Das Projekt hat im Bereich Kontaminationen von Öko-Lebensmitteln mit Pflanzenschutzmittelrückständen Konzepte erarbeitet, die eine Reduktion der Einträge in Erzeugung und Verarbeitung ermöglichen. Die rechtliche Situation bei Haftungsfragen wurde in leicht verständlicher Form aufgearbeitet. Mit der Kommentierung des Anhang III Nr. 9 der EU-Öko-Verordnung wurden Vorschläge zur effizienten Verbesserung der Kontrollen vorgelegt und Grundlagen geschaffen, um die Auslegung des Gesetzes in EU und Bundesländern zu harmonisieren. Im Bereich Gentechnik wurde ein Konzept zur Verbraucherinformation erarbeitet, welches von den Akteuren der Branche umgesetzt wurde. Erarbeitet wurden weiterhin konkrete Vorschläge für die Weiterentwicklung der gesetzlichen Rahmenbedingungen im Gentechnikbereich, um die Ökologische Lebensmittelwirtschaft in ihrem Bestand zu sichern. Von der angestrebten „Koexistenz“ gehen erhebliche Gefahren für diesen Wirtschaftsbereich aus. Die Erstellung einer „Handlungsempfehlung zur Umsetzung von Maßnahmen der Warenrückverfolgbarkeit und Herkunftssicherung in Unternehmen der Ökologischen Lebensmittelwirtschaft“ ist Hauptergebnis in einem weiteren Bereich des Projekts. Mit dem erarbeiteten Krisenmanagementplan steht der Branche künftig ein Instrument zur Verfügung, den kommunikativen Teil einer Krise koordiniert zu bewältigen

Analysis of Unmanned Aerial System-Based CIR Images in Forestry—A New Perspective to Monitor Pest Infestation Levels

The detection of pest infestation is an important aspect of forest management. In the case of the oak splendour beetle (Agrilus biguttatus) infestation, the affected oaks (Quercus sp.) show high levels of defoliation and altered canopy reflection signature. These critical features can be identified in high-resolution colour infrared (CIR) images of the tree crown and branches level captured by Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). In this study, we used a small UAS equipped with a compact digital camera which has been calibrated and modified to record not only the visual but also the near infrared reflection (NIR) of possibly infested oaks. The flight campaigns were realized in August 2013, covering two study sites which are located in a rural area in western Germany. Both locations represent small-scale, privately managed commercial forests in which oaks are economically valuable species. Our workflow includes the CIR/NIR image acquisition, mosaicking, georeferencing and pixel-based image enhancement followed by object-based image classification techniques. A modified Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVImod) derived classification was used to distinguish between five vegetation health classes, i.e., infested, healthy or dead branches, other vegetation and canopy gaps. We achieved an overall Kappa Index of Agreement (KIA) of 0.81 and 0.77 for each study site, respectively. This approach offers a low-cost alternative to private forest owners who pursue a sustainable management strategy

Digital Map Complexity and Behavioral Consistency in Mobility Information Systems

Digitally enabled mobility services and their associated information systems (IS) have spread rapidly in recent times, for example in the form of smartphone and in-vehicle applications. Such services often enable users to achieve more environmentally friendly, equitable, and safe individual mobility. User interfaces typically feature digital maps to facilitate spatial orientation and choice. This study pioneers an investigation of digital maps for low-stake decision making as prevalent in mobility IS. To this end, we blend previous theoretical research on task and map complexity from other disciplines. By analyzing data from a discrete choice experiment, we confirm the hypothesized relationship between visual map intricacy, choice complexity, and informational performance, measured as behavioral consistency. We propose an IS research agenda to initiate a discussion about design of and human interaction with digital maps, their role for mobility IS, and for our field beyond

Non-coding RNAs and ferroptosis: potential implications for cancer therapy

Ferroptosis is a recently defined form of regulated cell death, which is biochemically and morphologically distinct from traditional forms of programmed cell death such as apoptosis or necrosis. It is driven by iron, reactive oxygen species, and phospholipids that are oxidatively damaged, ultimately resulting in mitochondrial damage and breakdown of membrane integrity. Numerous cellular signaling pathways and molecules are involved in the regulation of ferroptosis, including enzymes that control the cellular redox status. Alterations in the ferroptosis-regulating network can contribute to the development of various diseases, including cancer. Evidence suggests that ferroptosis is commonly suppressed in cancer cells, allowing them to survive and progress. However, cancer cells which are resistant to common chemotherapeutic drugs seem to be highly susceptible to ferroptosis inducers, highlighting the great potential of pharmacologic modulation of ferroptosis for cancer treatment. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are considered master regulators of various cellular processes, particularly in cancer where they have been implicated in all hallmarks of cancer. Recent work also demonstrated their involvement in the molecular control of ferroptosis. Hence, ncRNA-based therapeutics represent an exciting alternative to modulate ferroptosis for cancer therapy. This review summarizes the ncRNAs implicated in the regulation of ferroptosis in cancer and highlights their underlying molecular mechanisms in the light of potential therapeutic applications

High-resolution classification of south patagonian peat bog microforms reveals potential gaps in up-scaled CH4 fluxes by use of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) and CIR imagery

South Patagonian peat bogs are little studied sources of methane (CH4). Since CH4 fluxes can vary greatly on a small scale of meters, high-quality maps are needed to accurately quantify CH4 fluxes from bogs. We used high-resolution color infrared (CIR) images captured by an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to investigate potential uncertainties in total ecosystem CH4 fluxes introduced by the classification of the surface area. An object-based approach was used to classify vegetation both on species and microform level. We achieved an overall Kappa Index of Agreement (KIA) of 0.90 for the species- and 0.83 for the microform-level classification, respectively. CH4 fluxes were determined by closed chamber measurements on four predominant microforms of the studied bog. Both classification approaches were employed to up-scale CH4 closed chamber measurements in a total area of around 1.8 hectares. Including proportions of the surface area where no chamber measurements were conducted, we estimated a potential uncertainty in ecosystem CH4 fluxes introduced by the classification of the surface area. This potential uncertainty ranged from 14.2 mg·m-2· day-1 to 26.8 mg·m-2· day-1. Our results show that a simple classification with only few classes potentially leads to pronounced bias in total ecosystem CH4 fluxes when plot-scale fluxes are up-scaled.Fil: Lehmann, Jan R. K.. Westfalische Wilhelms Universitat; AlemaniaFil: Münchberger, Wiebke. Westfalische Wilhelms Universitat; AlemaniaFil: Knoth, Christian. Westfalische Wilhelms Universitat; AlemaniaFil: Blodau, Christian. Westfalische Wilhelms Universitat; AlemaniaFil: Nieberding, Felix. Westfalische Wilhelms Universitat; AlemaniaFil: Prinz, Torsten. Westfalische Wilhelms Universitat; AlemaniaFil: Pancotto, Veronica Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Kleinebecker, Till. Westfalische Wilhelms Universitat; Alemani