Efficacy and Patient-Reported Outcomes of a New Mometasone Cream Treating Atopic Eczema

This double-blind controlled phase II study was conducted to compare a newly developed formulation of mometasone furoate with a water content of 33% (Monovo (R) Cream) and with a smooth consistency versus the commercially available fatty cream of mometasone furoate (Ecural (R) Fettcreme) in terms of efficacy, cosmetic properties, and patients' acceptance. In 20 patients with mild to moderate atopic eczema, the preparations were tested intraindividually in a randomized mode and in two comparable lesion areas. Both preparations were equally effective and well tolerated. Due to improved cosmetic properties, the new formulation was preferred by the patients when asked for preferential use. Quality of life could be improved by treating with both preparations. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base

#INSTAFOOD – A FIRST INVESTIGATION OF THE “SOCIAL EATER” ON INSTAGRAM

The user base of social network sites has grown largely within the last years. Due to the increasing utilization of smartphones and the mobile Internet, users are able to share details of their everyday life independent of time and place. Thereby visual communication becomes particularly popular, reflected by the remarkable growth in social networking platforms such as Instagram. It enables users to modify their mobile photos and videos and afterwards share them with a community. Whereas the Instagram content is mostly dominated by portrayals of users themselves or in company with other people, a considerable part of the shared content appears to be “food”-related. The current study investigates the extent and the underlying motives of the evolving “social eater”-phenomenon on Instagram as a popular social media platform. Due to the fact that impression management is referred to as one of the central motives of participating in social network sites, it is suggested that motives of “food”-sharing on Instagram are of a self-presentational nature as well. A quantitative survey of 1,847 German Instagram users has been conducted in order to examine the extent of the phenomenon and well as the self-presentational motives underlying the activity of “food”- sharing on Instagram. The results show a considerable appearance of “food” as a social subject and the dominance of identity-related motives. Considering these motives, the research develops communication strategies on how companies in the “food”-sector could present themselves and interact with the “social eater” on Instagram in the best possible way

A mutation within the SH2 domain of slp-76 regulates the tissue distribution and cytokine production of iNKT cells in mice

TCR ligation is critical for the selection, activation, and integrin expression of T lymphocytes. Here, we explored the role of the TCR adaptor protein slp-76 on iNKT-cell biology. Compared to B6 controls, slp-76ace/ace mice carrying a missense mutation (Thr428Ile) within the SH2-domain of slp-76 showed an increase in iNKT cells in the thymus and lymph nodes, but a decrease in iNKT cells in spleens and livers, along with reduced ADAP expression and cytokine response. A comparable reduction in iNKT cells was observed in the livers and spleens of ADAP-deficient mice. Like ADAP−/− iNKT cells, slp-76ace/ace iNKT cells were characterized by enhanced CD11b expression, correlating with an impaired induction of the TCR immediate-early gene Nur77 and a decreased adhesion to ICAM-1. Furthermore, CD11b-intrinsic effects inhibited cytokine release, concanavalin A-mediated inflammation, and iNKT-cell accumulation in the liver. Unlike B6 and ADAP−/− mice, the expression of the transcription factors Id3 and PLZF was reduced, whereas NP-1-expression was enhanced in slp-76ace/ace mice. Blockade of NP-1 decreased the recovery of iNKT cells from peripheral lymph nodes, identifying NP-1 as an iNKT-cell-specific adhesion factor. Thus, slp-76 contributes to the regulation of the tissue distribution, PLZF, and cytokine expression of iNKT cells via ADAP-dependent and -independent mechanism

Blood coagulation and beyond:Position paper from the Fourth Maastricht Consensus Conference on Thrombosis

The 4th Maastricht Consensus Conference on Thrombosis (MCCT), included the following themes: Theme 1: The coagulome as a critical driver of cardiovascular disease Blood coagulation proteins also play divergent roles in biology and pathophysiology, related to specific organs, including brain, heart, bone marrow and kidney. Four investigators shared their views on these organ-specific topics. Theme 2: Novel mechanisms of thrombosis Mechanisms linking factor XII to fibrin, including their structural and physical properties, contribute to thrombosis, which is also affected by variation in microbiome status. Virus infections associated-coagulopathies perturb the hemostatic balance resulting in thrombosis and/or bleeding. Theme 3: How to limit bleeding risks: insights from translational studies This theme included state of the art methodology for exploring the contribution of genetic determinants of a bleeding diathesis; determination of polymorphisms in genes that control the rate of metabolism by the liver of P2Y12 inhibitors, to improve safety of antithrombotic therapy. Novel reversal agents for direct oral anticoagulants are discussed. Theme 4: Hemostasis in extracorporeal systems: how to utilize ex vivo models? Perfusion flow chamber and nanotechnology developments are developed for studying bleeding and thrombosis tendencies. Vascularised organoids are utilized for disease modeling and drug development studies. Strategies for tackling extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) associated coagulopathy are discussed. Theme 5: Clinical dilemmas in thrombosis and antithrombotic management Plenary presentations addressed controversial areas, ie thrombophilia testing, thrombosis risk assessment in hemophilia, novel antiplatelet strategies and clinically tested factor XI(a) inhibitors,both possibly with reduced bleeding risk. Finally, Covid-19 associated coagulopathy is revisited.</p

Blood coagulation and beyond: Position paper from the Fourth Maastricht Consensus Conference on Thrombosis

The 4th Maastricht Consensus Conference on Thrombosis (MCCT), included the following themes: Theme 1: The coagulome as a critical driver of cardiovascular disease Blood coagulation proteins also play divergent roles in biology and pathophysiology, related to specific organs, including brain, heart, bone marrow and kidney. Four investigators shared their views on these organ-specific topics. Theme 2: Novel mechanisms of thrombosis Mechanisms linking factor XII to fibrin, including their structural and physical properties, contribute to thrombosis, which is also affected by variation in microbiome status. Virus infections associated-coagulopathies perturb the hemostatic balance resulting in thrombosis and/or bleeding. Theme 3: How to limit bleeding risks: insights from translational studies This theme included state of the art methodology for exploring the contribution of genetic determinants of a bleeding diathesis; determination of polymorphisms in genes that control the rate of metabolism by the liver of P2Y12 inhibitors, to improve safety of antithrombotic therapy. Novel reversal agents for direct oral anticoagulants are discussed. Theme 4: Hemostasis in extracorporeal systems: how to utilize ex vivo models? Perfusion flow chamber and nanotechnology developments are developed for studying bleeding and thrombosis tendencies. Vascularised organoids are utilized for disease modeling and drug development studies. Strategies for tackling extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) associated coagulopathy are discussed. Theme 5: Clinical dilemmas in thrombosis and antithrombotic management Plenary presentations addressed controversial areas, ie thrombophilia testing, thrombosis risk assessment in hemophilia, novel antiplatelet strategies and clinically tested factor XI(a) inhibitors,both possibly with reduced bleeding risk. Finally, Covid-19 associated coagulopathy is revisited

eFood in Deutschland | Käufertypen in einem Potenzialmarkt: Wettbewerbsvorteil oder strategische Falle?

Im Vergleich zu „Pionierbranchen“ wie Mode oder Medien steht der Online-Handel mit Lebensmitteln erst am Anfang. Dabei kann dieser zu einem Wettbewerbsvorteil werden – wenn der Handel es richtig angeht. Auf der anderen Seite steht das Risiko einer strategischen Falle, d.h. es wird unter Umständen aufgrund der Widerstände beim Verbraucher nur ein Nischenmarkt bedient, der eine geringe Profitabilität aufweist. Im Spannungsfeld „Marktpotenzial auf Handelsseite“ vs. „Zurückhaltung beim Verbraucher“ rücken dabei Fragen der Kommunikationspolitik im Online-Lebensmittelhandel in den Fokus. Für eine erfolgreiche Umsetzung stellt eine eindeutige Typologie eine notwendige Basis dar, um die konkreten Bedürfnisse potenzieller Konsumenten anzusprechen. Ein Engagement im eFood-Bereich ist daher als Investition in die zukünftige Entwicklung der Märkte und ihrer Zielgruppen zu betrachten. Although online trading in the food sector is still in early stages, it may become a competitive edge – if retailers go about it the right way. On the other hand, due to consumer resistance, there is the risk of serving only a niche market, which cannot be maintained in terms of profitability. Therefore, a stronger focus on communication policies is needed. Engaging in the eFood sector finally has to be seen as an important investment into future markets and their target groups. Keywords: online lebensmittelhandel, lieferfenster, informationszeitalter, face to the custome

Fotovoltaik

Fotovoltaik (PV) hat sich von einer hochsubventionierten zu einer konkurrenzfähigen Stromquelle entwickelt. In den meisten äquatornahen Ländern ist PV heute die günstigste Stromproduktionstechnologie. PV dürfte mittelfristig nach der Wasserkraft zur wichtigsten Stromquelle der Schweiz werden. Das Dächerpotenzial (rund 50 TWh Stromproduktion) und das Fassadenpotenzial (17 TWh Stromproduktion) könnten den Schweizer Strombedarf in der Jahresbilanz decken. Die stromproduzierende Gebäudehülle wird somit bei Neubauten genauso wie die Wärmedämmung zur Selbstverständlichkeit. Mit PV alleine wird sich allerdings die Stromlücke insbesondere im Winter nicht schliessen lassen