Analysis and comparison : Report on the analysis of state of technology, administrative and legal procedures, financial situation, demographic needs, similarities and differences in the participating countries Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Poland and Russia ; Formulation of benchmarks

The report analyses the engineering and technology standards in the countries Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Poland and Russia. It shows the comparison and investigations of administration procedures, building permit rules, tendering rules and laws in the participating countries

Analyzing Satisfaction in Residential Open Space

Zugleich gedruckt veröffentlicht im Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin unter der ISBN 978-3-7983-2542-5.This research has been conducted to investigate the most important criteria in the dwelling environment influenced residents’ satisfaction. The meaning of the yard has been changed to the semipublic open space, following the emergence of multi-families complex as one of the prevalent sort of habitation in the big cities of Iran. Therefor the features of residential open space which effect on habitants’ perception and consequently, residents’ satisfaction was studied. This paper is based on the data collected from the questionnaire contained sections measuring residents perceptions of space in eleven residential complexes in Tehran. The path model analysis had spatial, contextual, functional and social features as the exogenous variables predicting residents’ evaluation of open space and the level of satisfaction. The structural equation modeling implied that overall residents’ satisfaction was associated intensively with the spatial feature of complexes. Sense of privacy, coherence and safety are the most important features affect residents’ satisfaction, whereas social and functional features do not have vital effect on habitant perception of satisfaction

The Dependence of Outdoor Thermal Comfort on Urban Layouts

Zugleich gedruckt veröffentlicht im Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin unter der ISBN 978-3-7983-2540-1.The goal of this research was evaluation of effect of urban layouts on outdoor thermal comfort. Thermal comfort in outdoor settings is a topic that, until recently, has received little research attention. Most of the researches concerning thermal comfort focused mostly on indoor spaces. The former studies -carried out by author in Iran- showed thermal comfort is the main component of comfortability in urban open space. To analysis the effect of urban layouts on outdoor thermal comfort, Young Cities project located in Tehran region was selected. Analyses were done in two different levels and scales, including large scale, 35Hectar pilot project in Hashtgerd using ENVI-met and medium scale, Sub-neighborhood level, by Ecotect. The result of this research would lead to optimizing sub-neighborhood layout regarding outdoor thermal comfort and energy efficiency and defining architectural guidelines for 35 hectare pilot project. Furthermore based on these outcomes optimal; form, orientation, façade, height of building and layout of open space would be suggested

Trastuzumab (Herceptin (R)): Monoclonal antibody in the treatment of HER2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer in the metastatic and (neo)adjuvant situation

Trastuzumab (Herceptin (R)) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically targets HER2/neu (human epidermal growth factor receptor-2) breast cancer cells, which are overexpressed in about 25-30% of breast carcinomas. After phase I and II trials, several phase III studies of trastuzumab alone or in combination with various chemotherapies were conducted. Patients with HER2/neu overexpression levels of 3+ determined by immunohistochemical assay or gene amplification (fluorescence in situ hybridization) derive most clinical benefit from trastuzumab. Taking into consideration efficacy and side effect profile, the combination of trastuzumab and paclitaxel showed an improvement of all clinical parameters, including overall survival, for the first time in the history of palliative breast cancer therapy. The application of trastuzumab has meanwhile become an established part of systemic therapy of metastastic breast cancer, and excellent data of its application in the adjuvant setting now exist (NSABP-B31, NCCTG-N9831, HERA), with significantly better relapse-free survival in the treatment arms with trastuzumab. Ongoing trials investigate the role of trastuzumab in the neoadjuvant setting. Trastuzumab is generally well tolerated. Cardiotoxicity is the main concern, thus monitoring of cardiac function is recommended

Bioinformatic evaluation of L-arginine catabolic pathways in 24 cyanobacteria and transcriptional analysis of genes encoding enzymes of L-arginine catabolism in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

Schriek S, Rückert C, Staiger D, Pistorius EK, Michel K-P. Bioinformatic evaluation of L-arginine catabolic pathways in 24 cyanobacteria and transcriptional analysis of genes encoding enzymes of L-arginine catabolism in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. BMC Genomics. 2007;8(1): 437.BACKGROUND:So far very limited knowledge exists on L-arginine catabolism in cyanobacteria, although six major L-arginine-degrading pathways have been described for prokaryotes. Thus, we have performed a bioinformatic analysis of possible L-arginine-degrading pathways in cyanobacteria. Further, we chose Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 for a more detailed bioinformatic analysis and for validation of the bioinformatic predictions on L-arginine catabolism with a transcript analysis.RESULTS:We have evaluated 24 cyanobacterial genomes of freshwater or marine strains for the presence of putative L-arginine-degrading enzymes. We identified an L-arginine decarboxylase pathway in all 24 strains. In addition, cyanobacteria have one or two further pathways representing either an arginase pathway or L-arginine deiminase pathway or an L-arginine oxidase/dehydrogenase pathway. An L-arginine amidinotransferase pathway as a major L-arginine-degrading pathway is not likely but can not be entirely excluded. A rather unusual finding was that the cyanobacterial L-arginine deiminases are substantially larger than the enzymes in non-photosynthetic bacteria and that they are membrane-bound. A more detailed bioinformatic analysis of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 revealed that three different L-arginine-degrading pathways may in principle be functional in this cyanobacterium. These are (i) an L-arginine decarboxylase pathway, (ii) an L-arginine deiminase pathway, and (iii) an L-arginine oxidase/dehydrogenase pathway. A transcript analysis of cells grown either with nitrate or L-arginine as sole N-source and with an illumination of 50 mumol photons m-2 s-1 showed that the transcripts for the first enzyme(s) of all three pathways were present, but that the transcript levels for the L-arginine deiminase and the L-arginine oxidase/dehydrogenase were substantially higher than that of the three isoenzymes of L-arginine decarboxylase.CONCLUSION:The evaluation of 24 cyanobacterial genomes revealed that five different L-arginine-degrading pathways are present in the investigated cyanobacterial species. In Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 an L-arginine deiminase pathway and an L-arginine oxidase/dehydrogenase pathway represent the major pathways, while the L-arginine decarboxylase pathway most likely only functions in polyamine biosynthesis. The transcripts encoding the enzymes of the two major pathways were constitutively expressed with the exception of the transcript for the carbamate kinase, which was substantially up-regulated in cells grown with L-arginine

The complete genome sequence of the acarbose producer Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110

Schwientek P, Szczepanowski R, Rückert C, et al. The complete genome sequence of the acarbose producer Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110. BMC Genomics. 2012;13(1): 112.Background Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 is known as the wild type producer of the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose, a potent drug used worldwide in the treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus. As the incidence of diabetes is rapidly rising worldwide, an ever increasing demand for diabetes drugs, such as acarbose, needs to be anticipated. Consequently, derived Actinoplanes strains with increased acarbose yields are being used in large scale industrial batch fermentation since 1990 and were continuously optimized by conventional mutagenesis and screening experiments. This strategy reached its limits and is generally superseded by modern genetic engineering approaches. As a prerequisite for targeted genetic modifications, the complete genome sequence of the organism has to be known. Results Here, we present the complete genome sequence of Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 [GenBank:CP003170], the first publicly available genome of the genus Actinoplanes, comprising various producers of pharmaceutically and economically important secondary metabolites. The genome features a high mean G + C content of 71.32% and consists of one circular chromosome with a size of 9,239,851 bp hosting 8,270 predicted protein coding sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of the core genome revealed a rather distant relation to other sequenced species of the family Micromonosporaceae whereas Actinoplanes utahensis was found to be the closest species based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison. Besides the already published acarbose biosynthetic gene cluster sequence, several new non-ribosomal peptide synthetase-, polyketide synthase- and hybrid-clusters were identified on the Actinoplanes genome. Another key feature of the genome represents the discovery of a functional actinomycete integrative and conjugative element. Conclusions The complete genome sequence of Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 marks an important step towards the rational genetic optimization of the acarbose production. In this regard, the identified actinomycete integrative and conjugative element could play a central role by providing the basis for the development of a genetic transformation system for Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 and other Actinoplanes spp. Furthermore, the identified non-ribosomal peptide synthetase- and polyketide synthase-clusters potentially encode new antibiotics and/or other bioactive compounds, which might be of pharmacologic interest

Blood pressure and lipid management fall far short in persons with type 2 diabetes: results from the DIAB-CORE Consortium including six German population-based studies

Background: Although most deaths among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are attributable to cardiovascular disease, modifiable cardiovascular risk factors appear to be inadequately treated in medical practice. The aim of this study was to describe hypertension, dyslipidemia and medical treatment of these conditions in a large population-based sample. Methods: The present analysis was based on the DIAB-CORE project, in which data from five regional population-based studies and one nationwide German study were pooled. All studies were conducted between 1997 and 2006. We assessed the frequencies of risk factors and co-morbidities, especially hypertension and dyslipidemia, in participants with and without T2D. The odds of no or insufficient treatment and the odds of pharmacotherapy were computed using multivariable logistic regression models. Types of medication regimens were described. Results: The pooled data set comprised individual data of 15, 071 participants aged 45–74 years, including 1287 (8.5%) participants with T2D. Subjects with T2D were significantly more likely to have untreated or insufficiently treated hypertension, i.e. blood pressure of > = 140/90 mmHg (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.26-1.61) and dyslipidemia i.e. a total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio > = 5 (OR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.59-2.04) than participants without T2D. Untreated or insufficiently treated blood pressure was observed in 48.9% of participants without T2D and in 63.6% of participants with T2D. In this latter group, 28.0% did not receive anti-hypertensive medication and 72.0% were insufficiently treated. In non-T2D participants, 28.8% had untreated or insufficiently treated dyslipidemia. Of all participants with T2D 42.5% had currently elevated lipids, 80.3% of these were untreated and 19.7% were insufficiently treated. Conclusions: Blood pressure and lipid management fall short especially in persons with T2D across Germany. The importance of sufficient risk factor control besides blood glucose monitoring in diabetes care needs to be emphasized in order to prevent cardiovascular sequelae and premature death

Genome-wide association and HLA fine-mapping studies identify risk loci and genetic pathways underlying allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is the most common clinical presentation of allergy, affecting 400 million people worldwide, with increasing incidence in westernized countries1,2. To elucidate the genetic architecture and understand the underlying disease mechanisms, we carried out a meta-analysis of allergic rhinitis in 59,762 cases and 152,358 controls of European ancestry and identified a total of 41 risk loci for allergic rhinitis, including 20 loci not previously associated with allergic rhinitis, which were confirmed in a replication phase of 60,720 cases and 618,527 controls. Functional annotation implicated genes involved in various immune pathways, and fine mapping of the HLA region suggested amino acid variants important for antigen binding. We further performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyses of allergic sensitization against inhalant allergens and nonallergic rhinitis, which suggested shared genetic mechanisms across rhinitis-related traits. Future studies of the identified loci and genes might identify novel targets for treatment and prevention of allergic rhinitis

Surgery for benign insulinoma: An international review

In a multiinstitutional review, data on 396 patients with benign solitary or multiple insulinomas operated on in 15 centers were collected. In these 396 patients, 419 laparotomies (375 primary procedures and 44 reoperations) were performed. The rate of unnecessary laparotomies was 1.7%. Complications occurred after 132 operations (31.5%), requiring 27 reinterventions (6.4%). Ten (2%) patients died within 30 days of surgery. The success rate of first procedures in the centers was 94.9%. After reoperation, all but 2 (99.5%) of these patients were cured. The overall cure rate including those patients who had their primary operations elsewhere was 97.5% . Compilant les dossiers de 15 établissements internationaux, nous avons colligé les données concernant 396 patients présentant un insulinome bénin unique ou multiple, opérés. Chez ces 396 patients, 419 laparotomies (375 interventions de première intention et 44 reprises) ont été effectuées. Le taux de laparotomie inutile était de 1.7%. Des complications sont intervenues à la suite de 132 opérations (31.5%), nécessitant 27 réinterventions (6.4%). Dix (2%) patients sont morts dans les trente jours après l'acte chirurgical. Le taux de succès des interventions de première intention dans les centres de l'étude était de 94.9%. Après réinterventions, tous les patients sauf 2 (99.5%) ont été guéris. Le taux global de guérison, y compris les patients ayant été opérés une première fois ailleurs, était de 97.5%. En una revisión multiinstitucional se recolectaron los datos sobre 396 pacientes con insulinomas benignos solitarios o múltiples operados en 15 centros. En estos 396 pacientes se efectuaron 419 laparotomías (375 procedimientos primarios y 44 reoperaciones). Se registró una tasa de laparotomías innecesarias de 1.7%; se presentaron complicaciones después de 132 operaciones (31.5%), las cuales requirieron 27 reintervenciones (6.4%). Diez (2%) pacientes murieron dentro de los primeras 30 días después de la cirugía. La tasa de éxito del procedimiento primario realizado en estos centros fue 94.9%. Después de las reoperaciones la totalidad de los pacientes, menos 2 (99.5%), fueron curados. La tasa global de curación, incluyendo los que tuvieron su operación primaria por fuera de los centros del estudio, fue 97.5%.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41289/1/268_2005_Article_BF01658536.pd

Guideline for sustainable, energy efficient architecture and construction

Zugleich gedruckt erschienen im Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin: ISBN 978-3-7983-2677-4; ISSN 2193-6099Die enorme Bedeutung nachhaltiger Projekte wie Umweltschutz, Ökologie, sparsamer Umgang mit Rohstoffen, Energieeffizienz usw. dringt immer stärker in unser Bewusstsein. Aufgrund der massiven und rasanten Entwicklung in den Schwellenländern, z. B. Iran, gewinnen Umweltschutz und Nachhaltigkeit immer mehr an Relevanz. Ein einseitiges Wirtschaftswachstum, ohne Berücksichtigung ökologischer und klimatischer Bedingungen, verursacht die Zerstörung der Umwelt und Rohstoffe, Ressourcen, die für die weitere Entwicklung der Länder unverzichtbar sind. Es ist unumgänglich, sich umfassend mit nachhaltiger Entwicklung und ökologischen Aspekten auseinanderzusetzen, die unmittelbaren Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt zu erfassen und gleichzeitig Möglichkeiten einer Optimierung aufzuzeigen. Nachhaltigkeit und Umweltschutz erfassen eine Vielzahl von Themen und Aspekten, u. a. den Energieverbrauch; ein wesentlicher Faktor, da der Energieverbrach in Gebäuden den größten Einfluss auf die Umweltbilanz hat. In Anbetracht des enormen Energieverbrauchs in Bauwirtschaft und Wohnungsbau ist es unerlässlich, gerade in diesem Bereich eine Optimierung in der weiteren Entwicklung zu verfolgen. Diesem Ziel folgend, werden in dieser Publikation Verfahren und Methoden, für nachhaltige Bauweisen, unter Berücksichtigung einer besseren Bauqualität und gesundheitlicher Aspekte, erläutert. Die Maßnahmen nachhaltigen Designs beinhalten verschiedene Ansätze und Methoden, energieeffiziente und umweltfreundliche Gebäude zu entwickeln. Sie zeigen Entwurf, Konstruktion und bauliche Ausführung von Gebäuden im Allgemeinen und Wohngebäuden im speziellen. Neben den verschiedenen Ansätzen sind die „passive solar strategies“ die wohl namhaftesten Methoden, da diese sehr rentabel und daher für Bauherren attraktiv sind. Angesichts der speziellen Situation im Iran im Besonderen und der MENA-Region im Allgemeinen, könnten die passiven Design- (Architektur-) Strategien als eine der am besten anzuwendenden Methoden für Rohstoffeffizienz und Nachhaltigkeit betrachtet werden. Dies setzt eine besondere Berücksichtigung des dortigen Klimas, der sozialen Charakteristiken derzeitiger oder zukünftiger Einwohner als auch der topographisch-physischen und architektonischen Charakteristiken der betroffenen Region voraus. Beeinflussung und Beziehungen zwischen Gesellschaft, Gebäuden, Architektur und Klima sind „lokal spezifisch“ und dynamisch. Deshalb sollten diese Faktoren für jeden Standort neu geprüft und analysiert werden. Die Resultate dieser Analysen, allgemein für Gebäude in der MENA-Region und im Besonderen im Iran, zeigen deutlich die Überlegenheit von passiven Designstrategien. Diese Publikation ist das Resultat der entwickelten Pilotprojekte im Rahmen des Young Cities-Projektes. Sie beginnt mit der Vorstellung der Zielgruppe, relevanten Definitionen und einem kurzem Überblick des konventionellen Ansatzes und dessen Einfluss auf die Umwelt. Das Kapitel endet mit einem kurzen Rückblick über den Nutzen nachhaltiger Bauweise. Nach Analyse des Klimas und seine Beziehung zu thermischem Komfort und Gebäuden werden die wichtigsten Prinzipien passiver Solarenergie vorgestellt: Orientierung, Tageslicht, Schatten, thermale Masse, Isolierung und Ventilierung; ihre Grundlagen und Designstrategien detailliert erläutert. Nachhaltige Konstruktion und deren Hauptpfeiler, Bausysteme, Bauelemente, ökologische Bauelemente und anwendbare Maßnahmen für die Bauphysik, werden anschließend beleuchtet. Dabei wurden die Konstruktionssysteme in sechs Hauptgruppen gegliedert: Ziegeleinfüllung, leichtgewichtige Ziegeleinfüllung, klassische Füllwände, leichtgewichtige Stahlrahmen, tunnelförmige Struktursysteme und vorgefertigte Modelle. Anhand folgender Faktoren werden diese eingehend dargestellt: Baukonzepts, Fabrikproduktion, Isolierung, Abnutzung, Verarbeitung, Arbeitsaufwand, Installierung, Transport-Beförderung, Services, hydronische Kühlung/Heizung und Sicherheit. Die Hauptbauelemente wie Unterbau, Wände, Boden, Dächer, Türen und Fenster werden beschrieben und verschiedene Baureihen dieser vorgestellt. Das vierte Kapitel befasst sich mit ökologischen Baumaterialien. Um hierbei eine vergleichbare Basis zu finden, wurden gemeinsame Kriterien ausgewählt: graue Energie, Verschmutzung und Abfall, lokale Produktion, Wiederverwendung und Recycling, Nachhaltigkeit und Interdependenzen. Im fünften Kapitel werden anwendbare Maßnahmen für die Bauphysik, wie Isolierung, Lasur, Wärmemasse, Tageslicht, Schatten, Ventilation und Luftdichte, untersucht, deren Grundlagen beschrieben und Empfehlungen bezüglich der Gestaltung präsentiert.Nowadays there is an ever growing awareness regarding inevitable importance of sustainable development and its sub topics such as environment protection, ecology, resource saving, energy efficiency, etc. Due to massive and rapid development in recent years, this topic is getting more crucial in developing countries for instance Iran. It is getting more obvious that most of the development activities in absence of precise analysis of current conditions, as well as consequences of such activities, will lead to devastation of natural resources. The resources that is essential for further development of the country. Therefore, It is necessary to deal with sustainable development and environmental issues from the broader perspective, where includes items underlying immediate causes of environmental impact and at the same time tries to improve them. Sustainability or sustainable development is an umbrella covering many issues and aspects, among them energy, which is the key item, because energy consumption of buildings could have an impact on environment more than other aspects. Considering the huge portion of energy consumption in construction industry and housing sector, paying special attention to improvements in this sector is essential. Following this goal, the aim of this publication is to highlight procedures and practices which promote sustainable construction that is about creating a better quality of building and more healthy places to live in. Procedure of sustainable design includes various approaches and methods to develop energy efficient and environmentally sensitive buildings. Such approaches and methods demonstrate how to design, develop and construct all buildings in general and residential buildings in particular. Among various approaches towards sustainability, “Passive solar strategies” are well-known thanks to their cost efficiency and context friendliness of its principals and measures. The approach of passive design (architectural) strategies could be considered as the most applicable approach for resource saving and sustainability, thinking about special situation of Iran in particular and the Mena region in general. Such an approach requires paying special attention to climate, social characteristics of current or prospective inhabitants, topographical-physical characteristics as well as architectural characteristics of the understudied area. The relationships and interactions among society, building and its architecture and climate is “Site-specific” and dynamic. Therefore, they should be studied and properly analyzed throughout a specific project process for each certain place. The most expecting outcomes are precise definitions of passive design strategies, generally for buildings in MENA Region and especially for Iran. This publication is prepared in the young cities project framework, as the reasonable outcome of the developed pilot projects. The book starts with introducing the target group, related definitions and a brief overview on a conventional approach and its impact on environment. This chapter ends up with a brief review on benefits of applying sustainable guidelines. As the next step, after analyzing the climate and its relationship with thermal comfort and building, the main principals of passive solar design are introduced. The selected principles are: orientation, day-lighting, shading, thermal mass, insulation and ventilation. After a brief introduction of the principals, each one is explained in detail through its general principles and design strategies. Sustainable construction is examined based on its main pillars: construction systems, building elements, ecological building materials, and applicable measures for building physic. Construction systems are sorted out in six main groups as: block work- brick infill, block work- lightweight block infill, conventional panels, light weight steel frame, tunnel form structural system and precast modular. All selected systems are introduced based on following factors: brief description of the building concept, factory production, insulation, wastage, finishes, labor, installation, transport- lifting, services, hydronic cooling/ heating and safety. Then main building elements are examined. Here the elements are limited to: foundations, walls, floors, roofs, doors and windows. After a short description, different types of each element are introduced. Ecological building materials are investigated in chapter four. To find a base to compare, several common criteria are selected such as: embodied energy, pollution and waste, local production, reusability and recyclability, durability and interdependency. Applicable measures for building physic are examined in chapter five. The selected main measures are as follows: insulation, glazing, thermal mass, day-lighting, shading, ventilation and air-tightness. After describing the general principles of each measure, several recommendations in frame of design considerations are provided.Road, Housing & Urban Development Research Center, Tehra