Beispiele waghalsigen Denkens : Frankfurter Wissenschaftler geben neue Reihe zur Philosophie des Mittelalters heraus

Rezensionen zu: Band 1: Gilbert Crispin : Religionsgespräche mit einem Juden und einem Heiden, Lateinisch-Deutsch, übersetzt und eingeleitet von Karl Werner Wilhelm und Gerhard Wilhelmi, Freiburg / Basel / Wien 2005, Herder Verlag, ISBN 3-451-28506-1, 197 Seiten, 32 Euro. Band 2: Ibn Sab'in : Die Sizilianischen Fragen ; Arabisch-Deutsch, übersetzt und eingeleitet von Anna Akasoy, Freiburg / Basel / Wien 2005, Herder Verlag, ISBN 3-451-28505-3, 252 Seiten, 34 Euro. Band 4: Johannes Duns Scotus : Pariser Vorlesungen über Wissen und Kontingenz ; Lateinisch-Deutsch, übersetzt und eingeleitet von Joachim R. Söder, Freiburg/ Basel / Wien 2005, Herder Verlag, ISBN 3-451-28686-6, 215 Seiten, 29,50 Euro

Akzeptanz von Futterpflanzen mit Vorkommen von kondensierten Tanninen bei Schafen und ihre Gehalte an nutzbarem Rohprotein

Plants with moderate contents of condensed tannins are assumed to have anthelmintic Plants with moderate contents of condensed tannins are assumed to have anthelmintic properties and to improve protein supply of ruminants by reducing its ruminal degradability. In the present study, birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), chicory (Cychorium intybus) and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), suitable to be grown in Central Europe, were tested for their suitability as feed for ruminants. Sainfoin proved to be the most promising forage plant since it was very well accepted by the sheep and presented the highest content of utilizable crude protein as determined in vitro. Only few condensed tannins were detected in chicory. Further in vivo studies are required to confirm a better metabolic protein supply of ruminants when fed sainfoin

Immune activation and inflammation in lactating women on combination antiretroviral therapy: role of gut dysfunction and gut microbiota imbalance.

INTRODUCTION Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) effectively controls HIV; however, chronic low-level viremia and gut microbiota dysbiosis remain significant drivers of gut and systemic inflammation. In this study, we explored the relationship between gut microbiota composition, intestinal inflammation, microbial translocation, and systemic inflammation in women on cART in Sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS We conducted a study in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected lactating women followed up at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum in Harare, Zimbabwe. We used 16S ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid (rRNA) sequencing and MesoScale Discovery V-Plex assays to examine the gut microbiome and to quantify plasma inflammatory biomarkers, respectively. In addition, we measured fecal calprotectin, plasma lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), and soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to assess gut inflammation, microbial translocation, and monocyte/macrophage activation. RESULTS A group of 77 lactating women were studied, of which 35% were HIV-infected. Fecal calprotectin levels were similar by HIV status at both follow-up time points. In the HIV-infected group at 6 weeks postpartum, fecal calprotectin was elevated: median (interquartile range) [158.1 µg/g (75.3-230.2)] in women who had CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts <350 cells/µL compared with those with ≥350 cells/µL [21.1 µg/g (0-58.4)], p = 0.032. Plasma sCD14 levels were significantly higher in the HIV-infected group at both 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum, p < 0.001. Plasma LBP levels were similar, but higher levels were observed in HIV-infected women with elevated fecal calprotectin. We found significant correlations between fecal calprotectin, LBP, and sCD14 with proinflammatory cytokines. Gut microbial alpha diversity was not affected by HIV status and was not affected by use of antibiotic prophylaxis. HIV significantly affected microbial beta diversity, and significant differences in microbial composition were noted. The genera Slackia and Collinsella were relatively more abundant in the HIV-infected group, whereas a lower relative abundance of Clostriduim sensu_stricto_1 was observed. Our study also found correlations between gut microbial taxa abundance and systemic inflammatory biomarkers. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION HIV-infected lactating women had increased immune activation and increased microbial translocation associated with increased gut inflammation. We identified correlations between the gut inflammation and microbial composition, microbial translocation, and systemic inflammation. The interplay of these parameters might affect the health of this vulnerable population

QLIF Workshop 2: Safety of foods from organic and low input farming systems

In this workshop, we will summarize the results of the QLIF project on food safety issues. The participants discuss safety problems related to organic and low input standards and techniques for both animal and plant products. They will relate the findings to consumers’ perception and concern. Improved production and processing techniques will be suggested

Antenatal gut microbiome profiles and effect on pregnancy outcome in HIV infected and HIV uninfected women in a resource limited setting.

BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) severely damages the epithelial cells of the gut lining leading to an inflamed leaky gut, translocation of microbial products, and dysbiosis resulting in systemic immune activation. Also, microbiota composition and maternal gut function can be altered in pregnancy through changes in the immune system and intestinal physiology. The aim of this study was to investigate the gut microbiota in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected pregnant women and to compare and identify the association between gut microbial composition and adverse birth outcomes. RESULTS A total of 94 pregnant women (35 HIV-infected and 59 HIV-uninfected controls) were recruited in Harare from 4 polyclinics serving populations with relatively poor socioeconomic status. Women were of a median age of 28 years (interquartile range, IQR: 22.3-32.0) and 55% of women were 35 weeks gestational age at enrolment (median 35.0 weeks, IQR: 32.5-37.2). Microbiota profiling in these participants showed that species richness was significantly lower in the HIV-infected pregnant women compared to their HIV-uninfected peers and significant differences in β-diversity using Bray-Curtis dissimilarity were observed. In contrast, there was no significant difference in α-diversity between immune-compromised (CD4+  < 350 cells/µL) and immune-competent HIV-infected women (CD4+  ≥ 350 cells/µL) even after stratification by viral load suppression. HIV infection was significantly associated with a reduced abundance of Clostridium, Turicibacter, Ruminococcus, Parabacteroides, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Treponema, Oscillospira, and Faecalibacterium and a higher abundance of Actinomyces, and Succinivibrio. Low infant birth weight (< 2500 g) was significantly associated with high abundances of the phylum Spirochaetes, the families Spirochaeteceae, Veillonellaceae, and the genus Treponema. CONCLUSION The results reported here show that the species richness and taxonomy composition of the gut microbiota is altered in HIV-infected pregnant women, possibly reflecting intestinal dysbiosis. Some of these taxa were also associated with low infant birth weight

The personality traits activity, self-reproach, and negative affect jointly predict clinical recurrence, depressive symptoms, and low quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

BACKGROUND The bidirectional "gut-brain axis" has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). While the influence of stress and depressive symptoms on IBD is well-characterized, the role of personality remains insufficiently investigated. METHODS Personality was assessed in 1154 Swiss IBD cohort study (SIBDCS) patients via the NEO-Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) as well as in 2600 participants of the population-based CoLaus¦PsyCoLaus cohort study (NEO-FFI-revised). The NEO-FFI subcomponents activity, self-reproach and negative affect were associated with higher IBD disease activity and were combined to a NEO-FFI risk score. This risk score was validated and its effect on clinical IBD course and psychological endpoints was analysed in time-to-event and cumulative incidence analyses. RESULTS In time-to-event analyses, a high NEO-FFI risk score was predictive for the clinical endpoints of new extraintestinal manifestation [EIM, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.64, corrected p value (q) = 0.036] and two established composite flare endpoints (aHR = 1.53-1.63, q = 0.003-0.006) as well as for the psychological endpoints depressive symptoms (aHR = 7.06, q < 0.001) and low quality of life (aHR = 3.06, q < 0.001). Furthermore, cumulative incidence analyses showed that patients at high NEO-FFI risk experienced significantly more episodes of active disease, new EIMs, one of the flare endpoints, depressive episodes and low disease-related quality of life. Personalities of IBD patients showed only minor differences from the general population sample (Pearson's r = 0.03-0.14). CONCLUSIONS Personality assessed by the NEO-FFI contained considerable predictive power for disease recurrence, depressive symptoms and low quality of life in IBD patients. Nevertheless, the personalities of IBD patients did not substantially differ from the general population

Because I'm happy - positive affect and its predictive value for future disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: While the detrimental impact of negative emotions on the clinical course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and quality of life has been extensively investigated, evidence for a potential impact of positive emotions is scarce. OBJECTIVES: We aim to analyse contributing factors of positive affect and their predictive value for disease course in IBD patients. DESIGN: In this retrospective cohort study, epidemiological, psychosocial and IBD disease characteristics of Swiss IBD cohort study patients were analysed longitudinally. METHODS: Epidemiological, psychosocial and disease characteristics were extracted from the database of the Swiss IBD cohort study. Participants' positive emotions were assessed cross-sectionally with the seven-item Marburg questionnaire (range 1-6) addressing positive affect in different aspects of daily life. Predictors of positive emotions were identified by linear regression. The quantitative longitudinal impact of positive emotions on the further disease course was analysed using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Among 702 IBD patients, those reporting more positive emotions were found to have significantly less intense medical treatment, less pain and fewer depressive symptoms (p  3.5) experienced longer flare-free survival, also after adjusting for confounders (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.39, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The absence of pain and depressive symptoms were the strongest drivers for high positive affect. Higher scores of positive affect were associated with longer disease-free survival in IBD patients

The personality traits activity, self-reproach, and negative affect jointly predict clinical recurrence, depressive symptoms, and low quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease patients

BACKGROUND The bidirectional "gut-brain axis" has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). While the influence of stress and depressive symptoms on IBD is well-characterized, the role of personality remains insufficiently investigated. METHODS Personality was assessed in 1154 Swiss IBD cohort study (SIBDCS) patients via the NEO-Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) as well as in 2600 participants of the population-based CoLaus¦PsyCoLaus cohort study (NEO-FFI-revised). The NEO-FFI subcomponents activity, self-reproach and negative affect were associated with higher IBD disease activity and were combined to a NEO-FFI risk score. This risk score was validated and its effect on clinical IBD course and psychological endpoints was analysed in time-to-event and cumulative incidence analyses. RESULTS In time-to-event analyses, a high NEO-FFI risk score was predictive for the clinical endpoints of new extraintestinal manifestation [EIM, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.64, corrected p value (q) = 0.036] and two established composite flare endpoints (aHR = 1.53-1.63, q = 0.003-0.006) as well as for the psychological endpoints depressive symptoms (aHR = 7.06, q < 0.001) and low quality of life (aHR = 3.06, q < 0.001). Furthermore, cumulative incidence analyses showed that patients at high NEO-FFI risk experienced significantly more episodes of active disease, new EIMs, one of the flare endpoints, depressive episodes and low disease-related quality of life. Personalities of IBD patients showed only minor differences from the general population sample (Pearson's r = 0.03-0.14). CONCLUSIONS Personality assessed by the NEO-FFI contained considerable predictive power for disease recurrence, depressive symptoms and low quality of life in IBD patients. Nevertheless, the personalities of IBD patients did not substantially differ from the general population

Digitalisierung beruflicher Lern- und Arbeitsprozesse. Impulse aus der Bauwirtschaft und anderen gewerblich-technischen Sektoren

Der Sammelband stellt aktuelle Ansätze zum digital unterstützten beruflichen Lernen dar. Die Beiträge geben Einblicke in die dynamische Entwicklung der Schnittstellen von Erwerbsarbeit und beruflicher Aus-, Fort- und Weiterbildung im Kontext der Digitalisierung Arbeits- und Lernmitteln. Der Band schließt damit an die 2019 ebenfalls im Universitätsverlag der Technischen Universität Berlin erschienene Publikation „Berufsbildung am Bau digital“ (hrsg. von Bernd Mahrin und Johannes Meyser) an. Das erste Kapitel erörtert grundsätzliche didaktische Fragen zu digital unterstütztem Lernen und Arbeiten einschließlich der Rahmenbedingungen. Im zweiten Kapitel schließen sich Beiträge zur Kapazitätsentwicklung, zu Standards und zu digitalen Werkzeugen an. Das dritte Kapitel widmet sich konkreten Einzellösungen mit starkem Praxisbezug und hohem Transferpotenzial zum digitalisierten Arbeiten und Lernen im Bausektor und im Metallbereich. Das abschließende vierte Kapitel präsentiert übergreifend nutzbare und frei zugängliche Online-Angebote wie einen Medienpool für Bildungszwecke, eine Lernmedien-Datenbank und ein hybrides Lernsystem mit virtuellem 3D-Gebäudemodell. Das Buch ist entstanden im Rahmen des durch das Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung und den Europäischen Sozialfonds geförderten Projektes DigiBAU – Digitales Bauberufliches Lernen und Arbeiten. (DIPF/Orig.)The anthology presents current approaches to digitally supported professional learning. The articles provide insights into the dynamic development of the interfaces between gainful employment and vocational training and further education in the context of digitization of work and learning aids. The volume is thus connected to the publication “Berufsbildung am Bau digital” (edited by Bernd Mahrin and Johannes Meyser), which was published in 2019 by the University Press of the Technische Universität Berlin. The first chapter discusses fundamental didactic questions about digitally supported learning and working, including the framework conditions. The second chapter picks contributions on capacity development, standards, and digital tools out as central themes. The third chapter is dedicated to concrete specific solutions with strong practical relevance and high transfer potential for digitized work and learning in the construction sector and in the metal sector. The final fourth chapter presents comprehensive and freely accessible online offers such as a media pool for educational purposes, a learning media database and a hybrid learning system with a virtual 3D building model. The book was created as part of the DigiBAU project - digital vocational learning and working in the field of construction - funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the European Social Fund. (DIPF/Orig.