181 research outputs found
Phytoplankton dynamics and bio-optical variables associated with Harmful Algal Blooms in aquaculture zones
The surveillance of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in aquaculture zones is a crucial component in monitoring and mitigation of adverse effects caused by accumulation of high biomass of algal cells and/or associated toxins. Integrated findings of this thesis strongly stress the significance of synoptic bio-optical and conventional measures for efficient surveillance of HABs and their environmental triggers over required spatio-temporal scales, here shown for a case study in the Ebro Delta, NW Mediterranean. In particular, the installation of an environmental observatory in the Ebro Delta aquaculture area, and the capability of a radiometric sensor system as key component are highly motivated by study results. Yet it was clearly shown that for the interpretation of bio-optical data, detailed knowledge on bloom characteristics is crucial. By such effective coverage of bloom dynamics, combined with insights on environmental scenarios that promote the proliferation of certain taxa, public and private responses can be optimised. In a future scenario, this knowledge can be transferred to predictive models of HABs. In this sense, these future steps may advance towards preventive measures rather than mitigation actions to deal with this environmental hazard
Sharp crossover from composite fermionization to phase separation in mesoscopic mixtures of ultracold bosons
We show that a two-component mixture of a few repulsively interacting
ultracold atoms in a one-dimensional trap possesses very different quantum
regimes and that the crossover between them can be induced by tuning the
interactions in one of the species. In the composite fermionization regime,
where the interactions between both components are large, none of the species
show large occupation of any natural orbital. Our results show that by
increasing the interaction in one of the species, one can reach the
phase-separated regime. In this regime, the weakly interacting component stays
at the center of the trap and becomes almost fully phase coherent, while the
strongly interacting component is displaced to the edges of the trap. The
crossover is sharp, as observed in the in the energy and the in the largest
occupation of a natural orbital of the weakly interacting species. Such a
transition is a purely mesoscopic effect which disappears for large atom
numbers.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
Cooperative Effect of miR-141-3p and miR-145-5p in the Regulation of Targets in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Background Due to the poor prognosis for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC),
there is an urgent need for new therapeutic targets and for prognostic markers
to identify high risk tumors. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are frequently dysregulated
in tumors, play a crucial role during carcinogenesis and therefore might be
promising new biomarkers. In previous studies, we identified miR-141-3p and
miR-145-5p to be downregulated in clear cell RCC (ccRCC). Our objective was to
investigate the functional association of these miRNAs, focusing on the
cooperative regulation of new specific targets and their role in ccRCC
progression. Methods The effect of miR-141-3p and miR-145-5p on cell migration
was examined by overexpression in 786-O cells. New targets of both miRNAs were
identified by miRWalk, validated in 786-O and ACHN cells and additionally
characterized in ccRCC tissue on mRNA and protein level. Results In functional
analysis, a tumor suppressive effect of miR-141-3p and miR-145-5p by
decreasing migration and invasion of RCC cells could be shown. Furthermore,
co-overexpression of the miRNAs seemed to result in an increased inhibition of
cell migration. Both miRNAs were recognized as post-transcriptional regulators
of the targets EAPP, HS6ST2, LOX, TGFB2 and VRK2. Additionally, they showed a
cooperative effect again as demonstrated by a significantly increased
inhibition of HS6ST2 and LOX expression after simultaneous overexpression of
both miRNAs. In ccRCC tissue, LOX mRNA expression was strongly increased
compared to normal tissue, allowing also to distinguish between non-metastatic
and already metastasized primary tumors. Finally, in subsequent tissue
microarray analysis LOX protein expression showed a prognostic relevance for
the overall survival of ccRCC patients. Conclusion These results illustrate a
jointly strengthening effect of the dysregulated miR-141-3p and miR-145-5p in
various tumor associated processes. Focusing on the cooperative effect of
miRNAs provides new opportunities for the development of therapeutic
strategies and offers novel prognostic and diagnostic capabilities
Are depressive symptoms associated with quality of care in diabetes? Findings from a nationwide populationbased study
Introduction We investigated whether the presence
of depressive symptoms among adults with diagnosed
diabetes is associated with adverse quality of diabetes
care.
Research design and methods The study population
was drawn from the German national health survey
‘German Health Update’ 2014/2015-European Health
Interview Survey and included 1712 participants aged
≥18 years with self-reported diabetes during the past 12
months. Depressive symptoms in the past 2weeks were
assessed by the eight-item depression module of the
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), with PHQ-8 sum
score values ≥10 indicating current depressive symptoms.
We selected 12 care indicators in diabetes based on selfreported information on care processes and outcomes.
Associations of depressive symptoms with those indicators
were examined in multivariable logistic regression models
with stepwise adjustments.
Results Overall, 15.6% of adults with diagnosed diabetes
reported depressive symptoms, which were higher in
women than in men (18.7% vs 12.9%). Adjusted for age,
sex, education, social support, health-related behaviors,
and diabetes duration, adults with depressive symptoms
were more likely to report acute hypoglycemia (OR 1.81,
95%CI 1.13 to 2.88) or hyperglycemia (OR 2.10, 95% CI
1.30 to 3.37) in the past 12 months, long-term diabetes
complications (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.55 to 3.39) as well as
currently having a diet plan (OR 2.14, 95%CI 1.39 to 3.29)
than adults without depressive symptoms. Significant
associations between depressive symptoms and other care
indicators were not observed.
Conclusions The present population-based study of
adults with diagnosed diabetes indicates an association
between depressive symptoms and adverse diabetesspecific care with respect to outcome but largely not to
process indicators. Our findings underline the need for
intensified care for persons with diabetes and depressive
symptoms. Future research needs to identify underlying
mechanisms with a focus on the inter-relationship between
diabetes, depression and diabetes-related distress.Peer Reviewe
Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in adults aged 40–79 years in Germany with and without prior coronary heart disease or stroke
Background Control of modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors has
substantially reduced CVD mortality, but risk factor levels in populations may
change and need continuous monitoring. This study aims to provide current
estimates of the prevalence of these risk factors in Germany according to sex
and history of coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke. Methods The analyses
were based on data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for
Adults (DEGS1; age 40–79 years, n = 5101), which is a cross-sectional
population-based examination survey. CVD risk factors were defined according
to recommendations in the European Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease
Prevention in Clinical Practice 2012. Results The mean age was 57 years and 52
% were female; 493 participants had prior CHD and 163 participants a prior
stroke. The overall prevalence of behavioural risk factors ranged from 17.9 %
for high risk alcohol consumption to 90 % for low vegetable intake. Blood
pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg was found in 21 % and 69 % had total cholesterol ≥ 5.0
mmol/l. Only 16 % met the targets for five behavioural factors combined
(smoking, physical activity, fruit intake, alcohol intake and obesity), 13 %
of those with and 16 % of those without CHD or stroke. The prevalences of most
behavioural risk factors were higher among men compared to women. Conclusions
There is a high prevention potential from modifiable cardiovascular risk
factors in the general population aged 40–79 years in Germany and among those
with prior CHD or stroke. Risk factors are often co-occurring, are
interrelated and require combined educational, behavioral, medical and policy
approaches
Условия формирования и проблемы функционирования крупных диверсифицированных производственно-корпоративных структур в Украине
У статті розглянуто умови формування та функціонування, а також історія розвитку великих диверсифікованих виробничо-корпоративних структур в Україні. Пропонуються підходи оцінки результативності процесу диверсифікації з використанням різних методик. Визначено, що в даний час оцінка результативності процесу диверсифікації можлива лише непрямими математичними методами.В статье рассмотрены условия формирования и функционирования, а также история развития крупных диверсифицированных производственно-корпоративных структур в Украине. Предлагаются подходы оценки результативности процесса диверсификации с использованием разных методик. Определено, что в настоящее время оценка результативности процесса диверсификации возможна лишь косвенными математическими методами.In the article address the formation and functioning of the conditions, as well as story development of large industrial and corporate structures, becoming diversification in Ukraine. Proposes approaches assessing impact of the process of diversification, using of different methods. Proved that the current performance assessment process of diversification can only be indirect mathematical methods
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The ocean sampling day consortium.
Ocean Sampling Day was initiated by the EU-funded Micro B3 (Marine Microbial Biodiversity, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology) project to obtain a snapshot of the marine microbial biodiversity and function of the world's oceans. It is a simultaneous global mega-sequencing campaign aiming to generate the largest standardized microbial data set in a single day. This will be achievable only through the coordinated efforts of an Ocean Sampling Day Consortium, supportive partnerships and networks between sites. This commentary outlines the establishment, function and aims of the Consortium and describes our vision for a sustainable study of marine microbial communities and their embedded functional traits
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