Beiträge zu Rohstoffen in Sachsen

Das neue Geoprofil 17/2023 zu Rohstoffen in Sachsen enthält einen Beitrag zur Zinnmineralisation im Westerzgebirge sowie einen über den Delitzscher Karbonatit-Komplex. Der Sn-Vererzungstyp bei Bockau und Aue-Bad Schlema ist völlig verschieden von dem der Greisen-, Trümerzonen-, Gang- und Skarntypen und ist auch nicht vergleichbar mit der Zinnvererzung der Felsitzone bei Freiberg. Die neuen Untersuchungen erbrachten erstmalig den Nachweis einer im Erzgebirge verbreiteten low-grade mineralization vom Typ einer frühvariszischen polystadialen, vorwiegend monomineralischen und metamorph geprägten Erzbildung. Insbesondere durch Bohrarbeiten der SDAG Wismut ist die Verbreitung der ultramafischen Lamprophyre (UML) und Karbonatite mit oberkretazischem Alter im Gebiet von Delitzsch gut bekannt. Auf die Geologie des Komplexes wird detailliert eingegangen. Redaktionsschluss: 11.10.202

Health Economy Reporting: A Case Review from Germany

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Towards a value chain for mobile value services for charities

This paper presents a case study on the use of mobile digital services through smart phones to enhance known value chains by increasing the lateral margin value of services in the charity industry. Based on empirical data gathered from research, surveys and interviews, detailed recommendations and considerations for the design of mobile digital services are discussed: location services, in particular, are identified as relevant both to increase user-friendly navigation and to offer relevant services or information to users. Moreover, ensuring adequate privacy and security settings is seen as crucial to adding value in established service value chains. Using the findings and the concept of the charity value chain, the paper identifies four main design cues which were considered in the implementation of the Loc Aid application: awareness and information, trust, transparency, and convenience. The paper discusses each in more detail, and provides examples and arguments for considering these when implementing mobile applications

The novel TRAIL-receptor agonist APG350 exerts superior therapeutic activity in pancreatic cancer cells

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has raised attention as a novel anticancer therapeutic as it induces apoptosis preferentially in tumor cells. However, first-generation TRAIL-receptor agonists (TRAs), comprising recombinant TRAIL and agonistic receptor-specific antibodies, have not demonstrated anticancer activity in clinical studies. In fact, cancer cells are often resistant to conventional TRAs. Therefore, in addition to TRAIL-sensitizing strategies, next-generation TRAs with superior apoptotic activity are warranted. APG350 is a novel, highly potent TRAIL-receptor agonist with a hexavalent binding mode allowing the clustering of six TRAIL-receptors per drug molecule. Here we report on preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies testing the activity of APG350 on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. We found that APG350 potently induced apoptosis of Colo357, PancTuI and Panc89 cells in vitro. In addition, APG350 treatment activated non-canonical TRAIL signaling pathways (MAPK, p38, JNK, ERK1/ERK2 and NF-κB) and induced the secretion of IL-8. Stable overexpression of Bcl-xL inhibited APG350-induced cell death and augmented activation of non-canonical pathways. Intriguingly, pre-treatment of Bcl-xL-overexpressing cells with the BH3-mimic Navitoclax restored their sensitivity to APG350. To study the effects of APG350 on PDAC cells in vivo, we applied two different orthotopic xenotransplantation mouse models, with and without primary tumor resection, representing adjuvant and palliative treatment regimes, respectively. APG350 treatment of established tumors (palliative treatment) significantly reduced tumor burden. These effects, however, were not seen in tumors with enforced overexpression of Bcl-xL. Upon primary tumor resection and subsequent APG350 treatment (adjuvant therapy), APG350 limited recurrent tumor growth and metastases. Importantly, therapeutic efficacy of APG350 treatment was more effective compared with treatment with soluble TRAIL in both models. In conclusion, APG350 represents a promising next-generation TRA for the treatment of PDAC. Moreover, our results suggest that combining APG350 with Navitoclax might be a succesfull strategy for cancers harboring mitochondrial apoptosis resistance

The flame retardant DE-71 (a mixture of polybrominated diphenyl ethers) inhibits human differentiated thyroid cell function in vitro

Normal thyroid function is essential for general growth and metabolism, but can be affected by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been used worldwide to reduce flammability in different materials and are suspected to be EDCs. The production of the commercial Penta- and OctaBDE mixtures is banned, but DecaBDEs and existing products may leak PBDEs into the environment. Our aim was to investigate the effect of the PentaBDE mixture DE-71 on human thyroid cells in vitro. Primary human thyroid cells were obtained as paraadenomatous tissue and cultured in monolayers. The influence of DE-71 on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and thyroglobulin (Tg) production was examined in the culture medium by competitive radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis of thyroid-specific genes was performed on the exposed cell cultures. PBDE concentrations were determined in cellular and supernatant fractions of the cultures. DE-71 inhibited Tg-release from TSH-stimulated thyrocytes. At 50 mg/L DE-71, mean Tg production was reduced by 71.9% (range: 8.5-98.7%), and cAMP by 95.1% (range: 91.5-98.8%) compared to controls). Expression of mRNA encoding Tg, TPO and TSHr were significantly inhibited (