Einfluss regionaler Bankenmärkte auf dezentrale Banken: Demographie, Bankenwettbewerb und Kreditportfolio

Auf Grundlage eines neuen Datensatzes wird untersucht, warum dezentrale Banken auch in strukturschwachen Regionen, in denen sie wichtige gesamtgesellschaftliche Aufgaben übernehmen, i.d.R. erfolgreich wirtschaften. Sparkassen in demographisch schrumpfenden Regionen und insbesondere in Ostdeutschland, in denen ein vergleichsweise geringer Bankenwettbewerb (regionale Marktstruktur) besteht, haben gleichwohl eine höhere Quote an notleidenden Krediten, einen höheren Sparüberschuss und eine höhere Zinsspanne als die Institute in der Vergleichsgruppe der wachsenden westdeutschen Regionen. Unsere Analysen lassen nicht darauf schließen, dass die höhere Marktmacht der Sparkassen in demographisch schrumpfenden Regionen (Oligopolrenten) einen ausgeprägten Einfluss auf Rentabilität und Kreditrisiko hat. Allerdings erscheint uns bedeutsam, dass die Erfolgsfaktoren dezentraler Banken in strukturschwachen Regionen auch in dem föderalen Staatsaufbau und einem spezifischen auf regionalen Ausgleich ausgerichteten Wohlfahrtsmodell begründet liegen. So werden in demographisch schrumpfenden und strukturschwachen Regionen hohe Sparüberschüsse auch deshalb erwirtschaftet, weil dort die Rentner zurzeit noch über relativ hohe Renten verfügen und daher eine hohe Sparquote verursachen

Finanzierungsprobleme kleinerer Unternehmen in strukturschwachen Regionen

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Identification and Characterization of Cannabichromene\u27s Major Metabolite Following Incubation with Human Liver Microsomes

Cannabichromene (CBC) is a minor cannabinoid within the array of over 120 cannabinoids identified in the Cannabis sativa plant. While CBC does not comprise a significant portion of whole plant material, it is available to the public in a purified and highly concentrated form. As minor cannabinoids become more popular due to their potential therapeutic properties, it becomes crucial to elucidate their metabolism in humans. Therefore, the goal of this was study to identify the major CBC phase I-oxidized metabolite generated in vitro following incubation with human liver microsomes. The novel metabolite structure was identified as 2′-hydroxycannabicitran using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Following the identification, in silico molecular modeling experiments were conducted and predicted 2′-hydroxycannabicitran to fit in the orthosteric site of both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. When tested in vitro utilizing a competitive binding assay, the metabolite did not show significant binding to either the CB1 or CB2 receptors. Further work necessitates the determination of potential activity of CBC and the here-identified phase I metabolite in other non-cannabinoid receptors

In vitro and in vivo Assessment of Keratose as a Novel Excipient of Paclitaxel Coated Balloons

Purpose: Drug coated balloons (DCB) are continually improving due to advances in coating techniques and more effective excipients. Paclitaxel, the current drug choice of DCB, is a microtubule-stabilizing chemotherapeutic agent that inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation. Excipients work to promote coating stability and facilitate paclitaxel transfer and retention at the target lesion, although current excipients lack sustained, long-term paclitaxel retention. Keratose, a naturally derived protein, has exhibited unique properties allowing for tuned release of various therapeutic agents. However, little is known regarding its ability to support delivery of anti-proliferative agents such as paclitaxel. The goal of this project was to thus demonstrate the feasibility of keratose as a DCB-coating excipient to promote the release and delivery of paclitaxel.Methods: Keratose was combined with paclitaxel in vitro and the release kinetics of paclitaxel and keratose were evaluated through high performance liquid chromatograph-mass spectroscopy (HPLC-MS) and spectrophotometry, respectively. A custom coating method was developed to deposit keratose and paclitaxel on commercially available angioplasty balloons via an air spraying method. Coatings were then visualized under scanning electron microscopy and drug load quantified by HPLC-MS. Acute arterial transfer of paclitaxel at 1 h was assessed using a novel ex vivo model and further evaluated in vivo in a porcine ilio-femoral injury model.Results: Keratose demonstrated tunable release of paclitaxel as a function of keratose concentration in vitro. DCB coated via air spraying yielded consistent drug loading of 4.0 ± 0.70 μg/mm2. Under scanning electron microscopy, the keratose-paclitaxel DCB showed uniform coverage with a consistent, textured appearance. The acute drug transfer of the keratose-paclitaxel DCB was 43.60 ± 14.8 ng/mg at 1 h ex vivo. These measurements were further confirmed in vivo as the acute 1 h arterial paclitaxel levels were 56.60 ± 66.4 ng/mg.Conclusion: The keratose-paclitaxel coated DCB exhibited paclitaxel uptake and achieved acute therapeutic arterial tissue levels, confirming the feasibility of keratose as a novel excipient for DCB