BEP in die Zukunft! Einführung von Tiergesundheitsplänen in österreichischen Bio-Schweinebetrieben

Das Forschungsprojekt „Einführung und Monitoring von 'BetriebsEntwicklungsPlänen(BEP) Tiergesundheit und Wohlbefinden' in österreichischen Bioschweinebetrieben hatte zum Ziel, durch Einführung des Konzeptes der Betriebsentwicklungspläne zur Verbesserung von Gesundheit und Wohlbefinden und zur Reduktion des Tierarzneimitteleinsatzes als Teil eines Qualitätssicherungssystems beizutragen. Gleichzeitig sollten die Effektivität, Akzeptanz und betriebswirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen dieses Instrumentes überprüft werden. Dazu wurden auf insgesamt 60 marktrelevanten Betrieben (20 Ferkelerzeugung, 20 kombinierte Betriebe, 20 Schweinemast) Erhebungen durchgeführt. 'BEP‘ kann als innovatives und praxistaugliches Beratungs- und Betreuungsinstrument angesehen werden, dessen Umsetzung in verschieden Bereichen (TGD, Erzeugerverbände, Arbeitskreise etc.) denkbar ist

Applied use of taxonomy: lessons learned from the first German intercalibration exercise for benthic diatoms

The first German intercalibration exercise for benthic diatoms was conducted to improve the application of the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive for running waters and lakes in Germany. The intercalibration exercise revealed several taxonomic problems. Among others, considerable problems occurred with identifying and differentiating species of the following four groups: (I) Amphora indistincta Levkov and A. pediculus (Kützing) Grunow, (II) Cocconeis placentula var. euglypta Ehrenberg and C. placentula var. lineata (Ehrenberg) Van Heurck, (III) Navicula cryptotenella Lange-Bertalot and N. cryptotenelloides Lange-Bertalot and (IV) N. reichardtiana Lange-Bertalot and N. caterva Hohn & Hellermann. The taxonomic problems that emerged occurred due to both insufficient use of given taxonomic details (by limnologists) and ambiguous species descriptions and documentation (by taxonomists). Thus, we recommend to the applied limnologist to use the mandatory identification literature and to document any ambiguous valves during routine counts. Also, it would be desirable to further investigate certain species by taxonomists and, in general, to provide more basic data with species descriptions or in identification manuals. These measures will improve the use of diatoms as bioindicators and consequently benefit both applied limnologists and taxonomists

Matrix gla protein (MGP): an overexpressed and migration-promoting mesenchymal component in glioblastoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recent studies have demonstrated that a molecular subtype of glioblastoma is characterized by overexpression of extracellular matrix (ECM)/mesenchymal components and shorter survival. Specifically, gene expression profiling studies revealed that matrix gla protein (MGP), whose function has traditionally been linked to inhibition of calcification of arteries and cartilage, is overexpressed in glioblastomas and associated with worse outcome.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In order to analyze the role of MGP in glioblastomas, we performed expression, migration and proliferation studies.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Real-time PCR and ELISA assays confirmed overexpression of MGP in glioblastoma biopsy specimens and cell lines at mRNA and protein levels as compared to normal brain tissue. Immunohistochemistry verified positivity of glial tumor cells for MGP. RNAi-mediated knockdown of MGP in three glioma cell lines (U343MG, U373MG, H4) led to marked reduction of migration, as demonstrated by wound healing and transwell assays, while no effect on proliferation was seen.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data suggest that upregulation of MGP (and possibly other ECM-related components as well) results in unfavorable prognosis via increased migration.</p

Zusammen und getrennt wohnende Paare: Unterschiede in grundlegenden Beziehungsdimensionen

"Diese Untersuchung befasst sich mit der Frage, wie sich zusammen und getrennt wohnende Paare bezüglich grundlegender Beziehungsmerkmale unterscheiden und wie diese Unterschiede zu erklären sind. Als Messverfahren dienten Beziehungsskalen, die Konflikt, Liebe, Altruismus, Investment und Sicherheit erfassen, sowie ein zusätzlicher Erhebungsfragebogen zu den Erfahrungen in der Partnerschaft. Befragt wurden 125 Personen zwischen 20 und 40 Jahren, die zur Zeit der Untersuchung einen romantischen Partner hatten. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass zusammen wohnende Paare sich von getrennt wohnenden durch ein höheres Investment und eine geringere Liebesausprägung unterscheiden. Der Liebeseffekt wurde durch die Annahme interpretiert, dass sich das Zusammenwohnen und Vorhandensein von Kindern negativ darauf auswirkt, wie Partner ihre gemeinsame Zeit miteinander verbringen. Dies wiederum beeinflusst die Liebesausprägung ungünstig. Für die Unterschiede auf der Skala Liebe konnte eine LISREL-Analyse die Interpretation der Ergebnisse unterstützen." (Autorenreferat)"This study is concerned with the differences between couples who live together and apart, respectively, on basic relationship dimensions. In addition, explanations for these differences are examined Measures include relationship scales which tap conflict, love, altruism, investment, and security and an experience questionnaire. 125 persons between 20 and 40 years of age who currently had a romantic partner took part in the study. Results indicate that couples living together express higher investment and less love than couples living apart. The love effect was interpreted by assuming that living together and having children has negative consequences on how partners spend their time together which in turn influences the expressed love negatively. This explanation was supported by a LISREL-analysis." (author's abstract

β-lactam antibiotic-induced release of lipoteichoic acid from Staphylococcus aureus leads to activation of neutrophil granulocytes

BACKGROUND: Polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes (PMN) are phagocytes of the first line of antimicrobial defense. Previously we demonstrated that lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) directly activates neutrophil granulocytes. Others have reported that exposure of S. aureus to β-lactam antibiotics leads to LTA release. In the present study we addressed the question whether exposure of S. aureus to β-lactam antibiotics or antibiotics of other groups results in the generation of PMN-stimulating activity and whether this activity can be attributed to LTA. METHODS: S. aureus were exposed to flucloxacillin, a β-lactam antibiotic or to the protein synthesis-inhibitors erythromycin and gentamicin, or to ciprofloxacin, a gyrase inhibitor. Supernatants of the antibiotic-treated bacteria were assayed for their LTA content and for their effect on PMN functions. RESULTS: We observed that exposure of S. aureus to flucloxacillin and, to a lesser degree to ciprofloxacin, but not to erythromycin or gentamicin led to LTA release. Co-incubation of neutrophil granulocytes with LTA-containing supernatants led to PMN activation as assed by morphological changes, release of IL-8, delay of spontaneous apoptosis and enhanced phagocytic activity. Depletion of LTA from the supernatants markedly reduced their PMN-activating capacity. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that, via the activation of PMN, antibiotic-induced LTA release from S. aureus leads to enhanced antimicrobial activity of the innate immune defense mechanisms