D-Dimere und Schweregrad der koronaren Herzkrankheit bei Myokardinfarktpatienten

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird das Verhalten der D-Dimere in einem Kollektiv von Patienten mit Myokardinfarkt ohne atherosklerotische Erkrankungen anderer Gefäßregionen beschrieben. Bei den D-Dimeren handelt es sich um ein Abbauprodukt des quervernetzten Fibrins, sie sind ein Produkt des Reorganisationsvorganges, der nach einer Gerinnungsaktivierung auftritt. Die D-Dimere liegen bei Myokardinfarktpatienten in erhöhter Konzentration vor. Das Ausmaß der koronaren Gefäßsklerose korreliert mit der D-Dimer-Erhöhung. Die mehrfach beschriebene gegenseitige Abhängigkeit von D-Dimeren und Alter, Geschlecht und Lipidmetabolismus konnte in dieser Arbeit auch an Herzinfarktpatienten bestätigt werden. Eine weitere Erkenntnis dieser Untersuchung stellt das gegenläufige Verhalten von D-Dimeren und Pumpleistung des Herzens dar. Die hier gewonnenen Daten belegen, dass bei Patienten mit Myokardinfarkt eine erhöhte fibrinolytische Aktivität nachweisbar ist

Ready-meal consumption: associations with weight status and cooking skills

Abstract Objective The ready-meal market has grown considerably in recent years. At the same time, a degradation of traditional cooking skills has been observed. Ready meals are often rich in energy, fat and sugar and lack vegetables; however, studies investigating associations between ready-meal consumption, overweight and cooking skills are lacking. The present study examines whether demographic factors, overweight, beliefs about the nutritional value and taste of ready meals and cooking skills are associated with ready-meal consumption. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Ready-meal consumption, weight status, cooking skills, beliefs about the taste and nutritional value of ready meals and demographic variables were assessed with self-administered questionnaires. Data were analysed with one-way ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. Subjects A total of 1017 adults from the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Results Men reported being more positive about ready meals and having fewer cooking skills compared with women. Overweight adults (BMI > 25 kg/m2) were more positive about nutrients and vitamins in ready meals compared with normal-weight adults. Ready-meal consumption was associated with cooking skills (β = −0·192), age (β =− 0·228), overweight (β = 0·129), nutritional value (β = −0·131), taste (β = −0·126), working status (β = 0·096) and gender (β = 0·084). Conclusions Cooking skills were identified as a strong predictor of ready-meal consumption. The importance of cooking skills as a barrier to healthy eating should be explored, as it is plausible that cooking skills will further decrease in the future. Next, the study provided evidence for an association between ready-meal consumption and overweight. Further research should examine the importance of ready meals for the overweight epidemi

Methodische Probleme der Evaluation verbesserter Kommunikation am Beispiel der Lehrer-Schüler-Interaktion

Es wird zu zeigen versucht, dass die Beachtung des Systemgedankens (im Sinne von Watzlawick) bei der Evaluation von (verbesserten) Interaktionsbeziehungen methodologische Probleme aufwirft, die nur dann adäquat aufgefangen werden, wenn das herkömmliche Analyseinstrumentarium zur Erfassung erhöhter kommunikativer Kompetenz (Interaktionsanalysen etwa nach Bales oder Flanders; Prätest-Posttest-Verfahren der Klinischen Psychologie) um die Erhebung qualitativ-interpretativer Daten ergänzt wird. Am Beispiel der Lehrer-Schüler-Interaktion wird aufgezeigt, dass es zur Beurteilung der Kommunikation nicht ausreicht, die kommunikative Kompetenz der einzelnen Interaktionspartner jeweils für sich allein zu betrachten, sondern dass auch über deren gemeinsame Wechselbeziehung hinaus gegenseitige Beziehungsdefinitionen und immanente Regelstrukturen interpretativ erfasst werden sollten, um der Ganzheit des Systems "Lehrer - Schüler" gerecht zu werden.In evaluating (improved) interactional relationships a system's approach (Watzlawick) makes it necessary to complete the traditionally used instruments of interaction analysis (Bales; Flanders; etc.) by the investigation of qualitative-interpretative data. The analysis of interrelationship and of immanent system's rules (for example of the teacher-student-relation) should be added to ratings of the degree of communicative competence for each interaction member separately in order to take into account the unit of the system "teacher-student"

Individualized Biventricular Epicardial Augmentation Technology in a Drug-Induced Porcine Failing Heart Model

For treatment of advanced heart failure, current strategies include cardiac transplantation or blood-contacting pump technology associated with complications, including stroke and bleeding. This study investigated an individualized biventricular epicardial augmentation technology in a drug-induced porcine failing heart model. A total of 11 pigs were used, for the assessment of hemodynamics and cardiac function under various conditions of support pressures and support durations (n = 4), to assess device positioning and function by in vivo computer tomographic imaging (n = 3) and to investigate a minimally invasive implantation on the beating heart (n = 4). Support pressures of 20-80 mmHg gradually augmented cardiac function parameters in this animal model as indicated by increased left ventricular stroke volume, end-systolic pressures, and decreased end-diastolic pressures. Strong evidence was found regarding the necessity of mechanical synchronization of support end with the isovolumetric relaxation phase of the heart. In addition, the customized, self-expandable implant enabled a marker-guided minimally invasive implantation through a 4cm skin incision using fluoroscopy. Correct positioning was confirmed in computer tomographic images. Continued long-term survival investigations will deliver preclinical evidence for further development of this concept

Automatic detection of the carotid artery boundary on cross-sectional MR image sequences using a circle model guided dynamic programming

Systematic aerobe training has positive effects on the compliance of dedicated arterial walls. The adaptations of the arterial structure and function are associated with the blood flow-induced changes of the wall shear stress which induced vascular remodelling via nitric oxide delivered from the endothelial cell. In order to assess functional changes of the common carotid artery over time in these processes, a precise measurement technique is necessary. Before this study, a reliable, precise, and quick method to perform this work is not present

The Bishopric of Bamberg in the Medieval World

Der Band „Das Bistum Bamberg in der Welt des Mittelalters“ bietet den um bibliographische Hinweise erweiterten Text der Vorträge, die im Rahmen der Ringvorlesung des Zentrums für Mittelalterstudien (ZEMAS) der Universität Bamberg im Jahr des tausendjährigen Bestehens der (Erz-)Diözese Bamberg gehalten wurden. Ausführlich behandelt wird die Gründung des Bistums 1007 und seine Entwicklung im weiteren Verlauf des Mittelalters. Neben den historischen kommen auch baugeschichtliche, kunsthistorische und literaturgeschichtliche Aspekte zur Sprache. Alle Vorträge sind vergleichend angelegt und zeigen auf, in welche größeren Prozesse Gründung und Entwicklung des Bistums Bamberg sich einfügen. Der Blick reicht daher von Bamberg und Oberfranken über Merseburg, Magdeburg, Prag, Regensburg, Kärnten, Konstanz und Eger bis nach Burgund, Istrien, Apulien und in die Werkstätten arabischer Elfenbeinschnitzer in Andalusien.The volume "The Diocese of Bamberg in the Medieval World" collects extended versions of papers presented in the Centre for Medieval Studies (ZEMAS) at the university of Bamberg lecture series commemorating the millenary anniversary of the (arch) diocese of Bamberg. The lectures address, in detail, the founding of the diocese in 1007 and its subsequent development over the course of the Middle Ages. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, the papers emphasize political history, architectural history, art history, and literary history. All the lectures are presented comparatively and demonstrate how the foundation and the development of the diocese of Bamberg are integrated in larger processes and developments. This perspective extends the scope of these papers from Bamberg and Upper Franconia to Merseburg, Magdeburg, Prague, Regensburg, Carinthia (Austria), Constance, and Cheb (Czech Republic) to Burgundy (France), Apulia (Italy), Istria (Croatia), and the workshops of Arab ivory carvers in Andalusia

Benefits from below: silicon supplementation maintains legume productivity under predicted climate change scenarios

Many studies demonstrate that elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations (eCO2) can promote root nodulation and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in legumes such as lucerne (Medicago sativa). But when elevated temperature (eT) conditions are applied in tandem with eCO2, a more realistic scenario for future climate change, the positive effects of eCO2 on nodulation and BNF in M. sativa are often much reduced. Silicon (Si) supplementation of M. sativa has also been reported to promote root nodulation and BNF, so could potentially restore the positive effects of eCO2 under eT. Increased nitrogen availability, however, could also increase host suitability for aphid pests, potentially negating any benefit. We applied eCO2 (+240 ppm) and eT (+4°C), separately and in combination, to M. sativa growing in Si supplemented (Si+) and un-supplemented soil (Si-) to determine whether Si moderated the effects of eCO2 and eT. Plants were either inoculated with the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum or insect-free. In Si- soils, eCO2 stimulated plant growth by 67% and nodulation by 42%, respectively, whereas eT reduced these parameters by 26 and 48%, respectively. Aphids broadly mirrored these effects on Si- plants, increasing colonization rates under eCO2 and performing much worse (reduced abundance and colonization) under eT when compared to ambient conditions, confirming our hypothesized link between root nodulation, plant growth, and pest performance. Examined across all CO2 and temperature regimes, Si supplementation promoted plant growth (+93%), and root nodulation (+50%). A. pisum abundance declined sharply under eT conditions and was largely unaffected by Si supplementation. In conclusion, supplementing M. sativa with Si had consistent positive effects on plant growth and nodulation under different CO2 and temperature scenarios. These findings offer potential for using Si supplementation to maintain legume productivity under predicted climate change scenarios without making legumes more susceptible to insect pests