The German-Czech Border Region after the Fall of the Iron Curtain : Effects on the Labour Market

Using the IAB Employment Sample (IABS) covering 1980-2001 we investigate what impact the fall of the Iron Curtain has had on the skill structure of employment and wages in the western German districts neighbouring the Czech Republic. The introduction of free trade in this region, which has one of the world´s largest spatial wage differentials, can be seen as a natural experiment. We presume that changes in skill and wage structures are particularly apparent in the regions situated immediately on the open border. Distinguishing three skill categories we obtain unexpected results. Though we observe a general shift from low-skilled jobs towards skilled jobs and a convergence trend of border regions towards the national average, we do not find a special effect for the period after the opening of the border, neither concerning the skill structure nor the wage differentials. -- Unter Verwendung von Daten der IAB-Regionalstichprobe (IABS) untersuchen wir, ob nach dem Fall des Eisernen Vorhangs Qualifizierungstrends und Lohnentwicklung in den bayerischen Grenzregionen zu Tschechien signifikante Unterschiede im Vergleich mit der Entwicklung auf aggregierter staatlicher Ebene aufweisen. Der Trend zu höherer Qualifizierung sowie der Trend zu höheren relativen Löhnen für besser Qualifizierte sollten dort überdurchschnittlich messbar sein. Unsere Resultate können einen speziellen Grenzöffnungseffekt jedoch weder bei der Qualifikationsstruktur noch bei der relativen Lohnentwicklung in der Grenzregion feststellen.border regions,international trade,employment,wage inequality

The German-Czech border region after the fall of the Iron Curtain: Effects on the labour market : an empirical study using the IAB Employment Sample (IABS)

"Using the IAB Employment Sample (IABS) covering 1980-2001 we investigate what impact the fall of the Iron Curtain has had on the skill structure of employment and wages in the western German districts neighbouring the Czech Republic. The introduction of free trade in this region, which has one of the world's largest spatial wage differentials, can be seen as a natural experiment. We presume that changes in skill and wage structures are particularly apparent in the regions situated immediately on the open border. Distinguishing three skill categories we obtain unexpected results. Though we observe a general shift from low-skilled jobs towards skilled jobs and a convergence trend of border regions towards the national average, we do not find a special effect for the period after the opening of the border, neither concerning the skill structure nor the wage differentials." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))Grenzgebiet, Qualifikationsstruktur, Lohnhöhe, osteuropäischer Transformationsprozess - Auswirkungen, IAB-Beschäftigtenstichprobe, Bayern, Tschechische Republik, Bundesrepublik Deutschland

The German-Czech border region after the fall of the Iron Curtain: effects on the labour market ; an empirical study using the IAB Employment Sample (IABS)

Unter Verwendung der Daten der IAB-Beschäftigtenstichprobe der Jahre 1980-2001 wird untersucht, welchen Einfluss das Fallen des Eisernen Vorhangs auf die Qualifikationsstruktur der Beschäftigten und die Löhne in den westdeutschen Gebieten hatte, die an die Tschechische Republik grenzen. Die Einführung des freien Handels in dieser Region, die eine der weltweit größten regionalen Lohndifferentiale aufweist, kann als natürliches Experiment betrachtet werden. Die Autoren vermuten, dass der Wandel in den Qualifikations- und Lohnstrukturen besonders in den Regionen stattfand, die unmittelbar an der nun offenen Grenze lagen. Bei der Betrachtung dreier Qualifikationsstufen erhalten die Autoren unerwartete Resultate. Obwohl sie eine generelle Verlagerung von niedrig qualifizierten Jobs zu qualifizierten Jobs und einen Konvergenztrend von Grenzregionen gegenüber der gesamten Nation beobachten, finden sie keine speziellen Effekte für die Periode nach der Grenzöffnung im Hinblick auf die Qualifikationsstruktur und die Lohndifferenzierung. (IAB)"Using the IAB Employment Sample (IABS) covering 1980-2001 we investigate what impact the fall of the Iron Curtain has had on the skill structure of employment and wages in the western German districts neighbouring the Czech Republic. The introduction of free trade in this region, which has one of the world's largest spatial wage differentials, can be seen as a natural experiment. We presume that changes in skill and wage structures are particularly apparent in the regions situated immediately on the open border. Distinguishing three skill categories we obtain unexpected results. Though we observe a general shift from low-skilled jobs towards skilled jobs and a convergence trend of border regions towards the national average, we do not find a special effect for the period after the opening of the border, neither concerning the skill structure nor the wage differentials." (author's abstract

Rolle der Kinin Rezeptoren beim sekundären Hirnschaden nach transienter fokaler zerebraler Ischämie der Maus

Bradykinin – ein früher Entzündungsmediator – ist ein aktiver Metabolit des Kallikrein-Kinin Systems, der seine Funktion in erster Linie über den konstitutiv exprimierten Kinin B2 Rezeptor vermittelt. Sämtliche Komponenten dieses Systems sind im Gehirn nachgewiesen worden. Pharmakologische Studien mit Kinin B2 Rezeptor Antagonisten lassen vermuten, dass Bradykinin an der Entwicklung des sekundären Hirnschadens nach zerebraler Ischämie beteiligt ist. Ferner gibt es sehr starke Hinweise darauf, dass Bradykinin durch Öffnung der Blut-Hirn Schranke maßgeblich an der Entstehung des Hirnödems nach Ischämie beteiligt ist. Dennoch ist der zeitliche Verlauf der Produktion von Bradykinin und der Expression der Kinin Rezeptoren sowie die Rolle des Kinin B2 Rezeptors für die Entwicklung des Hirnschadens nach experimentellem Schlaganfall bisher nicht weiter beleuchtet worden. Aufgrund der sehr starken Hinweise auf eine pathophysiologische Relevanz des Kallikrein-Kinin Systems bei der zerebralen Ischämie, wollten wir dessen Beteiligung an der Entstehung des sekundären Hirnschadens nach transienter fokaler zerebraler Ischämie genauer untersuchen. Hierfür unterzogen wir Mäuse des Stammes C57/Bl6 einer 45minütigen Okklusion der A. cerebri media (MCA) mittels eines intraluminalen Fadens, was zu einem standardisierten ischämischen Infarkt im MCA-Versorgungsgebiet führte. Zunächst bestimmten wir die Konzentration an Bradykinin mit einem Radioimmunoassay, sowie die Expression der Kinin Rezeptoren auf mRNA- und Protein-Ebene mit Real-Time PCR bzw. Immunhistochemie zu unterschiedlichen Zeitpunkten nach Ischämie. Nachdem wir die zeitlichen Verläufe der Produktion von Bradykinin und der Expression der Kinin Rezeptoren ermittelt hatten, interessierten wir uns besonders für die funktionelle Bedeutung des B2 Rezeptors, über den vermutlich die pathologischen Mechanismen in Gang gesetzt werden. Um dessen Bedeutung beurteilen zu können, ermittelten wir 24 Stunden nach Ischämie bei B2 Rezeptor knockout Mäusen (B2-/-) gravimetrisch durch Messung von Feucht- und Trockengewicht das Hirnödem, histomorphometrisch das Infarktvolumen, die motorische Funktion mit Hilfe eines Neuroscores und die Mortalität während der ersten Woche nach experimentellem Schlaganfall. Die B2-/- und C57/Bl6 Mäuse waren zuvor ausführlich hinsichtlich der für unsere Versuche relevanten Parameter charakterisiert und verglichen worden, wobei wir die C57/Bl6 Mäuse als geeignete Kontrollen evaluierten. Die Konzentration an Bradykinin im Hirngewebe war 12 Stunden nach Ischämie maximal angestiegen (3-fach), während die Hochregulation der mRNA der Kinin B1 und B2 Rezeptoren nach 24 Stunden ihr Maximum hatte (5-fach bzw. 17-fach). Die Immunhistochemie zeigte, dass die Kinin B1 und B2 Rezeptoren konstitutiv über das gesamte Mäusegehirn verteilt exprimiert wurden, bereits 2 Stunden nach Ischämie in Neuronen, die morphologische Zeichen ischämischer Schädigung zeigten, hochreguliert wurden und über 24 Stunden hochreguliert blieben. Bei der Untersuchung der funktionellen Bedeutung des Kinin B2 Rezeptors für die Entwicklung des sekundären Hirnschadens nach transienter fokaler zerebraler Ischämie zeigte sich, dass die B2 Rezeptor knockout Mäuse verglichen mit ihren wildtyp Kontrollen signifikant vor den Folgen der MCA-Okklusion geschützt waren. Sie hatten verglichen mit ihren Kontrollen eine bessere motorische Funktion (p<0,03) und ein um 38% kleineres Infarktvolumen (p<0,001), entwickelten um 87% weniger Hirnödem (p<0,05) und überlebten länger (p<0,05). Somit bestätigen unsere Ergebnisse die Befunde anderer Arbeitsgruppen, die eine Neuroprotektion durch eine Pharmakotherapie mit B2 Rezeptor Antagonisten bei der zerebralen Ischämie zeigen konnten. Während die zeitlichen Muster der Produktion von Bradykinin und der Expression der Kinin Rezeptoren nach transienter fokaler zerebraler Ischämie eine allgemeine Beteiligung des Kallikrein-Kinin Systems an der Pathophysiologie des Schlaganfalls nahe legen, weisen unsere Versuche mit B2-/- Mäusen auf eine besonders schädliche Rolle des Kinin B2 Rezeptors beim postischämischen Zelltod hin. Desweiteren scheint der Kinin B2 Rezeptor ein sehr wichtiger Faktor der Hirnödementstehung zu sein. Diese Befunde erweitern unser bisher sehr beschränktes Verständnis des Kallikrein-Kinin Systems nach zerebraler Ischämie und könnten den Weg zu der Entwicklung neuer, spezifischerer Strategien zur Behandlung des ischämischen Schlaganfalls ebnen

Mediators and Cytokines in Persistent Allergic Rhinitis and Nonallergic Rhinitis with Eosinophilia Syndrome

Background: Patients with nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome (NARES) show typical symptoms of persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR). The aim of the present study was to compare nasal cytokine patterns between NARES and PAR. Methods: Nasal secretions of 31 patients suffering from NARES, 20 patients with PAR to house dust mite and 21 healthy controls were collected using the cotton wool method and analyzed for interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (MIP-1 beta) by Bio-Plex Cytokine Assay as well as eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and tryptase by UniCAP-FEIA. Results: NARES and PAR presented elevated levels of tryptase, while ECP was markedly increased solely in NARES compared to both the controls and PAR. Elevated levels of IL-1 beta, IL-17, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and MCP-1 were found in NARES compared to the controls as well as PAR. MIP-1 beta was elevated in NARES and PAR, while IL-4, IL-6 and G-CSF showed increased levels in NARES, and IL-5 was elevated in PAR only. Conclusions: In patients with NARES and PAR, eosinophils and mast cells appear to be the pivotal cells of inflammation, reflected by high levels of tryptase and ECP as well as IL-5 and GM-CSF as factors for eosinophil migration and survival. The elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines in NARES may indicate the chronic, self-perpetuating process of inflammation in NARES which seems to be more pronounced than in PAR. IL-17 might be a factor for neutrophilic infiltration or be responsible for remodeling processes in NARES. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base

Usefulness of component resolved analysis of cat allergy in routine clinical practice

Background: Cat allergy is of great importance, and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. Cat allergens and house dust mite allergens represent the major indoor allergens;however, they are ubiquitous. Cat sensitization and allergy are known risk factors for rhinitis, bronchial hyperreactivity and asthma. Thus, the diagnosis of sensitization to cats is important for any allergist. Methods: 70 patients with positive skin prick tests for cats were retrospectively compared regarding their skin prick test results, as well as their specific immunoglobulin E antibody profiles with regard to their responses to the native cat extract, rFel d 1, nFel d 2 and rFel d 4. 35 patients were allergic to cats, as determined by positive anamnesis and/or nasal provocation with cat allergens, and 35 patients exhibited clinically non-relevant sensitization, as indicated by negative anamnesis and/or a negative nasal allergen challenge. Results: Native cat extract serology testing detected 100% of patients who were allergic to cats but missed eight patients who showed sensitization in the skin prick test and did not have allergic symptoms. The median values of the skin prick test, as well as those of the specific immunoglobulin E antibodies against the native cat extract, were significantly higher for allergic patients than for patients with clinically non-relevant sensitization. Component based diagnostic testing to rFel d 1 was not as reliable. Sensitization to nFel d 2 and rFel d 4 was seen only in individual patients. Conclusion: Extract based diagnostic methods for identifying cat allergy and sensitization, such as the skin prick test and native cat extract serology, remain crucial in routine clinical practice. In our study, component based diagnostic testing could not replace these methods with regard to the detection of sensitization to cats and differentiation between allergy and sensitization without clinical relevance. However, component resolved allergy diagnostic tools have individual implications, and future studies may facilitate a better understanding of its use and subsequently may improve the clinical management of allergic patients

Clinical Relevance of IgE to Profilin and/or Polcalcin in Pollen-Sensitized Patients

Background: Component-resolved diagnostics is gaining importance in allergy diagnostics. Allergen extracts contain components with different rates of prevalence and clinical relevance, which can be subdivided at molecular level into major and minor allergens. Clinical complaints are usually triggered by major allergens, while the role of sensitization to the panallergens profilin and polcalcin still remains unclear. Methods: Eighty-six patients from southern Bavaria with sensitization to the panallergens profilin (Bet v 2/PhI p 12) and/or polcalcin (Bet v4/Phl p 7) were examined in regard to their sensitization to the 4 main botanic denominations Betulaceae, Oleaceae, Poaceae and Asteraceae by skin prick test and measurement of specific immunoglobulin E antibodies to natural allergen extracts as well as major allergen components rPhl p 1/5, rBet v 1, rOle e 1 and nArt v 1. Sensitization was rated as clinically relevant or irrelevant depending on anamnesis or intranasal allergen challenge. Results: Regarding the 4 botanic denominations, there was no significant difference in the incidence of sensitization to the panallergens profilin, polcalcin or both. The sensitization pattern does not alter when subdividing the cohort into clinically relevant and silent sensitization. We did not find clinically symptomatic sensitization to panallergens without cosensitization to a major allergen. Conclusions: Our results suggest that sole sensitization to panallergens seems to have no clinical relevance in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Clinical complaints seem to be triggered manly by major allergens. Thus, component-resolved allergy diagnostics is crucial in the diagnosis and treatment of polysensitized patients. (C) 2016 S. Karger AG, Base

De novo sensitization during subcutaneous allergen specific immunotherapy - an analysis of 51 cases of SCIT and 33 symptomatically treated controls

Since the beneficial implementation of allergen specific subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), there are only a few studies on the risk of SCIT-induced neosensitizations. In 51 patients, we retrospectively analyzed sIgE and sIgG patterns by a multiplex ELISA as well as demographic and clinical features before and after SCIT. 33 allergic patients, who only received symptomatic treatment, served as controls. In 12 of 51 SCIT-treated patients (24%), we found new sIgE against allergen components of the allergen source treated by SCIT;eight of them were adults. Among controls, no adult patient showed neosensitization to components of the primarily affected allergen source. Only two children of the control group were affected by neosensitization, which was limited to major allergen components and rarely accompanied by sIgG. In the SCIT-treated group, neosensitization affected major and minor allergen components, and was accompanied by a strong induction of sIgG against major components. A clear clinical predictor of neosensitization during SCIT was not found. Comparing symptom scores, patients seem to profit more from SCIT, if neosensitization remained absent. Patients undergoing SCIT might carry an enhanced risk of neosensitization towards formerly unrecognized allergen components. According to anamnestic data, these neosensitizations might be of clinical relevance - supporting attempts towards personalized recombinant vaccines

Cytokine patterns in nasal secretion of non-atopic patients distinguish between chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polys

Background: Being one of the most common nasal diseases, chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is subdivided into CRS with nasal polyps (NP) and CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). CRSsNP presents itself with a T(H)1 milieu and neutrophil infiltration, while NP is characterised by a mixed T(H)1/T(H)2 profile and an influx of predominantly eosinophils, plasma cells and mast cells. For the purpose of discovering disease-specific cytokine profiles, the present study compares levels of mediators and cytokines in nasal secretions between CRSsNP, NP, and healthy controls. Methods: The study included 45 participants suffering from NP, 48 suffering from CRSsNP and 48 healthy controls. Allergic rhinitis constituted an exclusion criterion. Nasal secretions, sampled using the cotton wool method, were analysed for IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, IL-8, GM-CSF, G-CSF, IFN-gamma, MCP-1, MIP-1 alpha, MIP-1 beta, eotaxin, and RANTES, and for ECP and tryptase, using Bio-Plex Cytokine assay or ELISA, respectively. Results: Elevated levels of IL-5, IL-17, G-CSF, MCP-1, MIP-1 alpha, MIP-1 beta, ECP, and tryptase, as well as decreased levels of IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, and IFN-gamma were detected in NP. CRSsNP presented increased levels of RANTES and MIP-1 beta while IL-13 was decreased. No differences between the three groups were found for IL-4, IL-8, GM-CSF, and eotaxin. Conclusions: The present work suggests a disequilibrium of T(H)1 and T(H)2, together with a down-regulation of regulatory T lymphocytes and up-regulated T(H)17 in NP. Moreover, elevated levels of diverse mediators represent the activation of various inflammatory cells in this disease entity. The inflammation in CRSsNP, however, is only weakly depicted in nasal secretions. Therefore, cytokines in nasal secretions may provide helpful information for differential diagnosis

Component resolved analysis of ash pollen allergy in Bavaria

Background: Sensitization to ash pollen is underestimated in various regions. The prevalence in Germany is about 10%. However, allergy to ash pollen is widely overlooked by allergists, since the pollination period of ash and birch in central Europe closely overlap and rhinoconjunctival symptoms during April/May are often assigned to birch pollen. Component resolved analysis of the different ash allergens is not routinely available. Therefore, we would like to question the usefulness of component resolved diagnostic via olive components, as ash and olive are both part of the Oleaceae family.Methods: 113 patients with nasal provocation and skin prick test to ash were retrospectively compared regarding their specific immunoglobulin E antibody profiles with response to native ash extract, rOle e 1, nOle e 7 and rOle e 9.Results: In nasal provocation testing 58% of 113 patients sensitized to ash were allergic, 42% were only sensitized without showing symptoms. Skin prick testing and serology against native ash extract detected most patients sensitized to ash pollen, whereas rOle e 1 was less sensitive. However, the value of measurements of skin prick test, serology to native ash extract and rOle e 1 did not allow a differentiation between an allergy and clinically silent sensitization. Specific antibodies to nOle e 7 and rOle e 9 were only seen in individual patients and were all positive for native ash extract and rOle e 1.Conclusion: Skin prick testing and serology to native extract of ash pollen are the most reliable tools to diagnose a sensitization to ash pollen for patients living in Germany. Component resolved diagnostic to the major allergen rOle e 1 as representative of the Oleaceae family is possible but was less sensitive. Diagnostic of nOle e 7 and rOle e 9 did not show any additional benefit. Regarding differentiation between allergy and clinically silent sensitization to ash pollen, provocation is the leading diagnostic tool. Concluding, in routine clinical practice the standard methodsskin prick test, serology to native ash extract and provocation testingremain crucial in the diagnosis and differentiation of ash sensitization and allergy