Verbesserte Transparenz im Naturkostmarkt: Datenerhebung Naturkostfacheinzelhandel unter Berücksichtigung der Ausbildungsangebote

Der spezialisierte Naturkosthandel (NKH) stellt in Deutschland traditionell einen wichtigen Absatzkanal für ökologisch erzeugte Lebensmittel dar. Dieses Marktsegment ist dominiert von Klein- und Mittleren Unternehmen (KMU) und damit gekennzeichnet von einer relativ hohen Marktintransparenz. Da alle Marktbeteiligten ebenso wie die Politik aktuelle und belastbare Daten benötigen, wurden im BÖLN-Projekt 08OE123 die Strukturdaten des Naturkostfachhandels erstmals für das Jahr 2009 ff erhoben (siehe: https://orgprints.org/20521/1/20521-08OE123-bnn-roeder-kuhnert-2011-strukturdaten_naturkostfachhandel.pdf). Inzwischen ist aufgrund der dynamischen Marktentwicklung eine neue, grundlegende Erhebung der aktuellen Strukturdaten erforderlich. Durch diese fundierte Vollerhebung wird sichergestellt, dass die strukturelle Basis aufgrund von Annahmen und Schätzungen möglichst wenig anfällig für Ungenauigkeiten ist. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse der Strukturdatenerhebung lassen sich wie folgt zusammenfassen: Anhand der Erhebung konnte die Existenz von 2.516 stationären Verkaufsstellen des Naturkostfachhandels verifiziert werden. Dies entspricht einem Zuwachs von sieben Prozent seit der letzten Erhebung im Jahr 2010. Die Läden sind im Durchschnitt größer als 2010, vor allem die Anzahl der Bio-Supermärkte ab 400 m² hat stark zugenommen. Allerdings stellen die Bio-Fachgeschäfte bis 399 m² mit einem Anteil von 60 Prozent immer noch den größten Teil der Verkaufsstellen dar. Nach wie vor konzentrieren sich die Naturkost-Verkaufsstellen in städtischen Ballungsräumen sowie in Süd- und Westdeutschland. In fast allen Bundesländern ist ein Zuwachs bezüglich Anzahl und Größe der Verkaufsstellen zu verzeichnen. Viele stationäre Verkaufsstellen erweitern ihr Angebot mittlerweile mit Zusatzangeboten wie Café, Bistro, Lieferservice oder Online-Shop. Der Grad der Diversifizierung hat zugenommen. Für 38 Prozent steht nach eigener Einschätzung die Nachfolgeplanung noch an. Je größer die Fläche einer Verkaufsstelle ist, desto größer ist deren Umsatz, desto mehr Mitarbeiter werden in dieser beschäftigt, desto eher werden Azubis ausgebildet und desto aktiver sind diese hinsichtlich der Nutzung von Weiterbildungsangeboten. Es sind 58 Prozent der Antwortenden nach eigener Einschätzung im Bereich Aus- und Weiterbildung aktiv, der weit überwiegende Teil aus dieser Gruppe ist der Kategorie Bio-Supermarkt zuzurechnen. Während 31 Prozent der Antwortenden angeben keine Zeit für Aus- und Weiterbildung zu haben. Diese Gruppe wird weit überwiegend aus der Kategorie der Bio-Fachgeschäfte und der Hofläden gespeist. Praxisbezug, Aktualität und Nähe sind die wesentlichen Kriterien für die Teilnahme an einer Weiterbildung

Synthesis of tumor-associated MUC1-glycopeptides and their multivalent presentation by functionalized gold colloids

The mucin MUC1 is a glycoprotein involved in fundamental biological processes, which can be found over-expressed and with a distinctly altered glycan pattern on epithelial tumor cells; thus it is a promising target structure in the quest for effective carbohydrate-based cancer vaccines and immunotherapeutics. Natural glycopeptide antigens indicate only a low immunogenicity and a T-cell independent immune response; however, this major drawback can be overcome by coupling of glycopeptide antigens multivalently to immunostimulating carrier platforms. In particular, gold nanoparticles are well suited as templates for the multivalent presentation of glycopeptide antigens, due to their remarkably high surface-to-volume ratio in combination with their high biostability. In this work the synthesis of novel MUC1-glycopeptide antigens and their coupling to gold nanoparticles of different sizes are presented. In addition, the development of a new dot-blot immunoassay to test the potential antigen-antibody binding is introduced

Strukturdaten des Naturkostfachhandels: Erhebung des Status quo und Aufbau eines Instrumentariums zur kontinuierlichen Strukturbeschreibung des Bio-Marktsegmentes Naturkostfachhandel

Der spezialisierte Naturkosthandel stellt in Deutschland traditionell einen wichtigen Absatzkanal für Öko-Lebensmittel dar. Zu Beginn des zweijährigen Projektes im Dezember 2009 lagen zu den Strukturen der Branche keine vollständigen und abgesicherten Daten vor. Dies galt insbesondere für den Naturkosteinzelhandel, aber auch den Naturkostgroßhandel. Es bestand eine relativ hohe Marktintransparenz. Vor diesem Hintergrund zielte das Vorhaben zunächst auf die Erhebung der Grundgesamtheit des Naturkosteinzelhandels ab. Zum Oktober 2010 wurden 2.346 Naturfachgeschäfte ermittelt. Aus der Grundgesamtheit wurde eine repräsentative Stichprobe von 319 Geschäften für die Durchführung von Face-to-Face-Interviews gezogen. Im Ergebnis lagen auswertbare Daten von 254 Geschäften vor, die detaillierte Auskünfte über u. a. Verkaufsflächen, Umsätze, Sortimentsstrukturen und Bezugsquellen der Einzelhändler ermöglichen. Zur Analyse der Großhandelsstrukturen wurden rund 131 Großhändler und Hersteller, die den Naturkosteinzelhandel direkt beliefern, telefonisch kontaktiert und nach bestimmten Kriterien befragt. Mit einer weitergehenden schriftlichen Befragung konnten auswertbare Ergebnisse von 28 Unternehmen erzielt werden, die erstmals vertiefte Einblicke in Umsätze sowie die Umsatzanteile verschiedener Kundengruppen und Sortimente geben. Auf der Grundlage der erhobenen Daten wurde ein Verfahren zur Hochrechnung des Marktvolumens der Naturkostbranche erarbeitet. Dazu wurden sechs verschiedene Varianten getestet und diskutiert. Die letztlich ausgewählte Variante kommt zu dem Ergebnis, dass das Marktvolumen des Naturkostfachhandels im Jahr 2009 1,77 Milliarden Euro betrug. Abschließend wurden mögliche Varianten für eine Datenfortschreibung (Strukturdaten und Hochrechnung des Marktvolumens) diskutiert. Dieses erfolgte sowohl auf der Basis der im Projekt erhobenen Daten als auch auf der Basis von bestehenden Datenquellen, die Teile der Naturkostbranche im Rahmen von Stichproben abbilden

Influence of Plasma-Isolated Anthocyanins and Their Metabolites on Cancer Cell Migration (HT-29 and Caco-2) In Vitro: Results of the ATTACH Study

Cancer mortality is mainly due to metastasis. Therefore, searching for new therapeutic agents suppressing cancer cell migration is crucial. Data from human studies regarding effects of anthocyanins on cancer progression, however, are scarce and it is unclear whether physiological concentrations of anthocyanins and their metabolites reduce cancer cell migration in vivo. In addition, interactions with chemotherapeutics like 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are largely unknown. Thus, we combined a placebo-controlled, double-blinded, cross-over study with in vitro migration studies of colon cancer cell lines to examine the anti-migratory effects of plasma-isolated anthocyanins and their metabolites (PAM). Healthy volunteers (n = 35) daily consumed 0.33 L of an anthocyanin-rich grape/bilberry juice and an anthocyanin-depleted placebo juice for 28 days. PAM were isolated before and after intervention by solid-phase extraction. HT-29 and Caco-2 cells were incubated with PAM in a Boyden chamber. Migration of HT-29 cells was significantly inhibited by PAM from juice but not from placebo. In contrast, Caco-2 migration was not affected. Co-incubation with 5-FU and pooled PAM from volunteers (n = 10), which most effectively inhibited HT-29 migration, further reduced HT-29 migration in comparison to 5-FU alone. Therefore, PAM at physiological concentrations impairs colon cancer cell migration and may support the effectiveness of chemotherapeutics

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and oligometastatic liver disease

Background: To report our experience with SBRT in primary and secondary liver tumors. Methods: We retrospectively analysed 55 patients (70 lesions) with a median follow-up of 10 months (range 1-57) treated from 2011 to 2016. All patients had not been eligible for other local treatment options. Median age was 64 years and 64% were male. 27 patients (36 lesions) suffered from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, Child A: 78%, Child B:18%, Child C:4%), 28 patients (34 lesions) had oligometastatic liver disease (MD). Treatment planning was based on 4D-CT usually after placement of fiducials. Dose and fractionation varied depending on localization and size, most commonly 3 x 12.5 Gy (prescribed to the surrounding 65%-isodose) in 56% and 5x8Gy (80% isodose) in 20% of the treated lesions. Results: Local recurrence was observed in 7 patients (13%) and 8 lesions (11%), resulting in estimated 1- and 2-year local control rates (LC) of 91 and 74%. Estimated 1- and 2-year rates of Freedom from hepatic failure (FFHF) were 42 and 28%. Number of lesions was predictive for LC and FFHF in the entire cohort. Estimated 1- and 2-year overall survival (OS) was 76 and 57%. OS was significantly affected by number of treated lesions and performance status. In the HCC subgroup, pretreatment liver function and gender were also predictive for OS. Maximum acute non-hepatic toxicity was grade 1 in 16% and grade 2 in 10% of the patients. Three HCC patients (11%) developed marked deterioration of liver function (grade 3/4). Conclusions: SBRT resulted in high local control and acceptable survival rates in patients with HCC or MD not amendable to other locally-ablative treatment options with limited toxicity. Care should be taken in HCC patients with Child B cirrhosis

Clinical outcome of elderly patients (>= 70 years) with esophageal cancer undergoing definitive or neoadjuvant radio(chemo)therapy: a retrospective single center analysis

Background: To analyse the outcome of elderly patients (>= 70 years) with esophageal cancer treated with curative intent radio(chemo)therapy. Methods: Fifty five patients (median 75 years) receiving curative intent radio(chemo)therapy for esophageal cancel from 1999 to 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Most patients showed locally advanced disease (T3/4:78%, N+:58%) with squamous cell histology (74%). Charlson comorbidity score was > 1 in 27%. 48 patients (87%) received definitive treatment while 7 patients were treated neoadjuvantly. RT was carried out as 3D-conformal treatment or IMRT. Concurrent chemotherapy was applied in 85%, mainly cisplatin/5-FU or mitomycin/5-FU. (18)FDG-PET/CT staging was used in 65%. Results: Median follow-up was 11 months (1-68) and 21 months in survivors. 1- and 2-year rates of LRC, DC, FFTF and OS were 60%/45, 81%/72, 55%/41 and 46%/26% for the entire cohort. In univariate analysis, addition of surgery was associated with improved LRC and FFTF, nodal involvement with improved DC and lower T stage, lower Charlson score and use of PET-CT with improved OS. In multivariate analysis, lower T stage and lower Charlson score remained significant for OS. Patients treated after 2008 showed a significantly improved FFTF (1-year FFTF 64% vs 35%) and OS (1-year OS 66% vs 24%). Maximum (chemo)radiation related grade3+ toxicity was observed in 80% including 7 deaths (13%). Grade5 toxicity was significantly associated with Charlson score (CS > 1:33% vs CS <<= 1:5%) and treatment period (24% before vs 3% after 2008). The patients treated after 2008 included significantly more SCCs, less T4 stages, had a higher percentage of PET-CT staging and were treated with smaller field lengths. Trends were also observed for lower Charlson scores and increased use of IMRT. Conclusion: Curative intent (chemo)radiation of elderly patients with esophageal cancer may result in considerable toxicity and unfavorable outcome. However, a clear improvement over time was observed in our cohort, probably based on improved patient selection. In patients with less advanced stages and lower comoribidity similar results as in younger cohorts seem achievable with modern staging and treatment approaches. Age per se should not be a decisive factor, but careful attention should be paid regarding patient selection including a structured and tight follow-up strategy

Longitudinal associations of DNA methylation and sleep in children : a meta-analysis

Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).Background: Sleep is important for healthy functioning in children. Numerous genetic and environmental factors, from conception onwards, may influence this phenotype. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation have been proposed to underlie variation in sleep or may be an early-life marker of sleep disturbances. We examined if DNA methylation at birth or in school age is associated with parent-reported and actigraphy-estimated sleep outcomes in children. Methods: We meta-analysed epigenome-wide association study results. DNA methylation was measured from cord blood at birth in 11 cohorts and from peripheral blood in children (4–13 years) in 8 cohorts. Outcomes included parent-reported sleep duration, sleep initiation and fragmentation problems, and actigraphy-estimated sleep duration, sleep onset latency and wake-after-sleep-onset duration. Results: We found no associations between DNA methylation at birth and parent-reported sleep duration (n = 3658), initiation problems (n = 2504), or fragmentation (n = 1681) (p values above cut-off 4.0 × 10–8). Lower methylation at cg24815001 and cg02753354 at birth was associated with longer actigraphy-estimated sleep duration (p = 3.31 × 10–8, n = 577) and sleep onset latency (p = 8.8 × 10–9, n = 580), respectively. DNA methylation in childhood was not cross-sectionally associated with any sleep outcomes (n = 716–2539). Conclusion: DNA methylation, at birth or in childhood, was not associated with parent-reported sleep. Associations observed with objectively measured sleep outcomes could be studied further if additional data sets become available.Peer reviewe

Learning new sensorimotor contingencies:Effects of long-term use of sensory augmentation on the brain and conscious perception

Theories of embodied cognition propose that perception is shaped by sensory stimuli and by the actions of the organism. Following sensorimotor contingency theory, the mastery of lawful relations between own behavior and resulting changes in sensory signals, called sensorimotor contingencies, is constitutive of conscious perception. Sensorimotor contingency theory predicts that, after training, knowledge relating to new sensorimotor contingencies develops, leading to changes in the activation of sensorimotor systems, and concomitant changes in perception. In the present study, we spell out this hypothesis in detail and investigate whether it is possible to learn new sensorimotor contingencies by sensory augmentation. Specifically, we designed an fMRI compatible sensory augmentation device, the feelSpace belt, which gives orientation information about the direction of magnetic north via vibrotactile stimulation on the waist of participants. In a longitudinal study, participants trained with this belt for seven weeks in natural environment. Our EEG results indicate that training with the belt leads to changes in sleep architecture early in the training phase, compatible with the consolidation of procedural learning as well as increased sensorimotor processing and motor programming. The fMRI results suggest that training entails activity in sensory as well as higher motor centers and brain areas known to be involved in navigation. These neural changes are accompanied with changes in how space and the belt signal are perceived, as well as with increased trust in navigational ability. Thus, our data on physiological processes and subjective experiences are compatible with the hypothesis that new sensorimotor contingencies can be acquired using sensory augmentation

Feasibility study on image guided patient positioning for stereotactic body radiation therapy of liver malignancies guided by liver motion

Background: Fiducial markers are the superior method to compensate for interfractional motion in liver SBRT. However this method is invasive and thereby limits its application range. In this retrospective study, the compensation method for the interfractional motion using fiducial markers (gold standard) was compared to a new non-invasive approach, which does rely on the organ motion of the liver and the relative tumor position within this volume. Methods: We analyzed six patients (3 m, 3f) treated with SBRT in 2014. After fiducial marker implantation, all patients received a treatment CT (free breathing, without abdominal compression) and a 4D-CT (consisting of 10 respiratory phases). For all patients the gross tumor volumes (GTVs), internal target volume (ITV), planning target volume (PTV), internal marker target volumes (IMTVs) and the internal liver target volume (ILTV) were delineated based on the CT and 4D-CT images. CBCT imaging was used for the standard treatment setup based on the fiducial markers. According to the patient coordinates the 3 translational compensation values (t(x), t(y), t(z)) for the interfractional motion were calculated by matching the blurred fiducial markers with the corresponding IMTV structures. 4 observers were requested to recalculate the translational compensation values for each CBCT (31) based on the ILTV structures. The differences of the translational compensation values between the IMTV and ILTV approach were analyzed. Results: The magnitude of the mean absolute 3D registration error with regard to the gold standard overall patients and observers was 0.50 cm +/- 0.28 cm. Individual registration errors up to 1.3 cm were observed. There was no significant overall linear correlation between the respiratory motion and the registration error of the ILTV approach. Conclusions: Two different methods to calculate the translational compensation values for interfractional motion in stereotactic liver therapy were evaluated. The registration accuracy of the ILTV approach is mainly limited by the non-rigid behavior of the liver and the individual registration experience of the observer. The ILTV approach lacks the accuracy that would be desired for stereotactic radiotherapy of the liver

Synthesis of tumor-associated MUC1-glycopeptides and their multivalent presentation by functionalized gold colloids

The mucin MUC1 is a glycoprotein involved in fundamental biological processes, which can be found over-expressed and with a distinctly altered glycan pattern on epithelial tumor cells; thus it is a promising target structure in the quest for effective carbohydrate-based cancer vaccines and immunotherapeutics. Natural glycopeptide antigens indicate only a low immunogenicity and a T-cell independent immune response; however, this major drawback can be overcome by coupling of glycopeptide antigens multivalently to immunostimulating carrier platforms. In particular, gold nanoparticles are well suited as templates for the multivalent presentation of glycopeptide antigens, due to their remarkably high surface-to-volume ratio in combination with their high biostability. In this work the synthesis of novel MUC1-glycopeptide antigens and their coupling to gold nanoparticles of different sizes are presented. In addition, the development of a new dot-blot immunoassay to test the potential antigen-antibody binding is introduced