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Beyond money and possessions, how are the rich different from the general population? Drawing on a unique sample of high‐net‐worth individuals from Germany (≥1 million Euro in financial assets; N = 130), nationally representative data (N = 22,981), and an additional online panel (N = 690), we provide the first direct investigation of the stereotypically perceived and self‐reported personality profiles of high‐net‐worth individuals. Investigating the broad personality traits of the Big Five and the more specific traits of narcissism and locus of control, we find that stereotypes about wealthy people's personality are accurate albeit somewhat exaggerated and that wealthy people can be characterized as stable, flexible, and agentic individuals who are focused more on themselves than on others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To examine the psychometric properties of the German version of the abbreviated 16-item Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised in a sample of young people with Type 1 diabetes. Methods A total of 246 young people, aged 11-19 years, with Type 1 diabetes from six pediatric diabetes centres in Germany were assessed using the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised. In addition, they underwent screening with two generic tools as well as the WHO five-question well-being index. A clinician's report was also obtained. Results The Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised was found to have good internal consistency (Cronbach's a = 0.84). The Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised scores significantly correlated with those provided by the nonspecific screening tools (r = 0.37, P ≤ 0.000 and r = 0.50, P ≤ 0.000 for boys and r = 0.62, P ≤ 0.000 and r = 0.79, P ≤ 0.000 for girls), indicating convergent validity. The mean (SD) total of the scores was 12.0 (9.6). Criterion validity was confirmed against HbA1c value, BMI standard deviation score and expert (clinician) report. Of the boys included in the study, 11 scored higher than the threshold score on the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised, of whom only three (27%) were classified as 'suspected to have a disordered eating behaviour' by their clinicians. Conclusions The Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised delivered more specific information than generic screening instruments and identified more young people with eating disorders than did clinician report, especially regarding the detection of boys at risk. The results of this study support the utility of the German version of the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised to identify eating disorders in young people with Type 1 diabetes at an early stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cyclooxygenase-2 ( COX-2) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and 5-lipoxygenase (5- LO) is the major source of leukotrienes. Their role in IBD has been demonstrated in humans and animal models, but not in dogs with chronic enteropathies ( CCE). Hypothesis COX-2 and 5- LO are upregulated in dogs with CCE. Animals Fifteen healthy control dogs ( HCD), 10 dogs with inflammatory bowel disease ( IBD), and 15 dogs with food-responsive diarrhea ( FRD). Methods Prospective study. mRNA expression of COX-2, 5-LO, IL-1b, IL-4, IL-6, TNF, IL-10 and TFG-β was evaluated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR in duodenal and colonic biopsies before and after treatment. Results COX-2 expression in the colon was significantly higher in IBD and FRD before and after treatment (all P < .01). IL-1b was higher in FRD in the duodenum after treatment ( P = .021). TGF-β expression was significantly higher in the duodenum of HCD compared to FRD/ IBD before treatment (both P < .001) and IBD after treatment ( P = .012). There were no significant differences among groups and within groups before and after treatment for IL-4, IL-6, TNF, and IL-10. There was a significant correlation between COX-2 and IL-1b in duodenum and colon before treatment in FRD and IBD, whereas 5- LO correlated better with IL-6 and TNF. IL-10 and TGF-β usually were correlated. Conclusions and Clinical Importance COX-2 is upregulated in IBD and FRD, whereas IL-1b and TGF-β seem to be important pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, respectively. The use of dual COX/5- LO inhibitors could be an interesting alternative in the treatment of CCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of cartilage defects poses challenging problems in human and veterinary medicine, especially in horses. This study examines the suitability of applying scaffold materials similar to those used for human cartilage regeneration on equine chondrocytes. Chondrocytes gained from biopsies of the talocrural joint of three horses were propagated in 2D culture and grown on two different scaffold materials, hyaluronan ( HYAFF®) and collagen (BioGide®), and evaluated by light and electron microscopy. The equine chondrocytes developed well in both types of materials. They were vital and physiologically highly active. On the surface of the scaffolds, they formed cell multilayers. Inside the hyaluronan web, the chondrocytes were regularly distributed and spanned the large scaffold fibre distances by producing their own matrix sheath. Half-circle-like depressions occasionally found in the cell membrane were probably related to movement on the flexible matrix sheath. Inside the dense collagen scaffold, only single cells were found. They passed through the scaffold strands by cell shape adaptation. This study showed that the examined scaffold materials can be used for equine chondrocyte cultivation. Chondrocytes tend to form multilayers on the surface of both, very dense and very porous scaffolds, and have strategies to span between and move in large gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Narcissism affects social relationships from the very first interactions. The overall positivity of social impressions narcissists evoke is, however, unclear-with previous research reporting positive, negative, or null effects on popularity at short-term acquaintance. Here we postulate a dual-pathway model, which explains the effects of narcissism on (un-)popularity as the result of two opposing behavioral pathways: assertiveness and aggressiveness. Method In two studies, unacquainted German college students ( N = 100; N = 68) met in groups of four to six persons and engaged in group discussions. Afterward, they provided ratings of each other's assertiveness, aggressiveness, and likeability. In Study 2, we additionally videotaped the sessions and assessed participants' actual behavior. Results Results of both studies confirm our dual-pathway hypothesis: There was a 'positive' and a 'negative' path from targets' narcissism to being liked or not-dependent upon being seen as assertive or aggressive. Behavioral observations showed that expressive and dominant behaviors mediated the positive path, whereas arrogant and combative behaviors mediated the negative path. Conclusions Initial (un-)popularity of narcissists at early stages of interpersonal interactions depends on the behavioral pathway that is triggered in the given situational context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A long-term study over 25 months was conducted to evaluate the effects of genetically modified corn on performance of lactating dairy cows. Thirty-six dairy cows were assigned to two feeding groups and fed with diets based on whole-crop silage, kernels and whole-crop cobs from Bt-corn (Bt-MON810) or its isogenic not genetically modified counterpart (CON) as main components. The study included two consecutive lactations. There were no differences in the chemical composition and estimated net energy content of Bt-MON810 and CON corn components and diets. CON feed samples were negative for the presence of Cry1Ab protein, while in Bt-MON810 feed samples the Cry1Ab protein was detected. Cows fed Bt-MON810 corn had a daily Cry1Ab protein intake of 6.0 mg in the first lactation and 6.1 mg in the second lactation of the trial. Dry matter intake (DMI) was 18.8 and 20.7 kg/cow per day in the first and the second lactation of the trial, with no treatment differences. Similarly, milk yield (23.8 and 29.0 kg/cow per day in the first and the second lactation of the trial) was not affected by dietary treatment. There were no consistent effects of feeding MON810 or its isogenic CON on milk composition or body condition. Thus, the present long-term study demonstrated the compositional and nutritional equivalence of Bt-MON810 and its isogenic CON. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies on Pleistocene phylogeography of European taxa are biased towards (i) vertebrates, (ii) terrestrial taxa, (iii) single species, and (iv) taxa that survived the Pleistocene in southern refugia. Relatively little is known about whether evolutionary patterns of vertebrate and terrestrial taxa are also applicable to freshwater invertebrates, whether cold-adapted freshwater species could survive in extensive permafrost areas without retreating into refugia, and whether Pleistocene phylogeographical patterns are influenced by phylogeny. Here, the widespread and species-rich European spring snail genus Bythinella Moquin-Tandon, 1856 is utilized in an attempt to mitigate this bias. These strongly cold-adapted freshwater animals mostly occur in springs — highly isolated habitats that are relatively unaffected by anthropogenic influences. Phylogenetic and phylogeographical analyses based on mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA sequence data were conducted in 458 specimens from 142 populations occurring throughout Europe. The study provides evidence that most Bythinella spp. survived the Pleistocene in restricted northern glacial refugia that largely correspond to refugia previously recognized for other European biota. However, survival of Bythinella spp. in extensive permafrost areas outside of refugia can likely be rejected. Low dispersal ability and the isolation and fragmentation of spring habitats, as well as the distribution of perennial springs within permafrost regions, may account for this result. Tests involving a total of 29 nominal species showed that phylogenetically closely related Bythinella species did not occupy similar refugia. This lack of phylogenetic concordance could possibly be explained by the stochasticity of survival and dispersal in spring snails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize silage is commonly used as feed for farm animals. The aim of this study was to monitor the time-dependent degradation of non-recombinant chloroplast DNA (exemplified by the rubisco gene) in comparison with the recombinant cry1Ab gene in the course of the ensiling process. In parallel, the Cry1Ab protein content and fragment sizes were determined. Fragments of the rubisco (173, 896, 1197, 1753 and 2521 bp) and of the cry1Ab gene (211, 420, 727 and 1423 bp) were selected to investigate the DNA degradation process. The detection of the Cry1Ab protein was performed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting. Rubisco gene fragments of 173 bp were still detectable after 61 days, while fragments of 1197 and 2521 bp were detectable up to 30 days and on the first day only respectively. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses revealed that fragments of the cry1Ab gene with sizes of 211 and 420 bp were detectable up to 61 days, fragments with sizes of 727 and 1423 bp, 30 and 6 days respectively. The ELISA showed a decrease of the Cry1Ab protein in maize silage during the ensiling process. No marked degradation was observed during the first 43 h. Thereafter, a sharp decrease was measured. After 61 days, 23.6 ± 0.9% of the initial Cry1Ab protein was still detectable. Immunoblotting confirmed the results of the ELISA showing a positive signal of approximately 60 kDa size for 8 days of ensiling; no further immunoactive fragments were detectable by immunoblotting. In conclusion, the ensiling process markedly decreases the presence of long functional cry1Ab gene fragments and full size Cry1Ab protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Small ligands and their receptors are widely used non-covalent couplers in various biotech applications. One prominent example, the digoxigenin–antibody complex, was often used to immobilize samples for single molecule force measurements by optical trap or AFM. Here, we employed dynamic AFM spectroscopy to demonstrate that a single digoxigenin–antibody bond is likely to fail even under moderate loading rates. This effect potentially could lower the yield of measurements or even obscure the unbinding data of the sample by the rupture events of the coupler. Immobilization by multiple antibody–antigen bonds, therefore, is highly recommended. The analysis of our data revealed a pronounced loading rate dependence of the rupture force, which we analyzed based on the well-established Bell–Evans-model with two subsequent unbinding barriers. We could show that the first barrier has a width of Δx 1 =1.15nm and a spontaneous rate of k off1 =0.015s−1 and the second has a width of Δx 2 =0.35nm and a spontaneous rate of k off2 =4.56s−1. In the crossover region between the two regimes, we found a marked discrepancy between the predicted bond rupture probability density and the measured rupture force histograms, which we discuss as non-Markovian contribution to the unbinding process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Peroxidase and chitinase activities were measured in roots of Eucalyptus globulus spp. bicostata (Maid. et al.) Kirkp. during colonization by Pisolithus sp. isolated from under Eucalyptus. Ten fungal isolates, ranging from poor to good root colonizers, were selected to represent a range of ectomycorrhizal aggressivity. The induction of chitinases and peroxidases was strongly related to the aggressiveness of the fungal strain. Only good colonizers, that is strains which rapidly form differentiated ectomycorrhizas, induced a strong response in tin plant. Therefore, it can be concluded that these enzymes are not responsible for poor root colonization by the less aggressive strains. The chitinase response of Eucalyptus roots to contact with fungal extracts differed only slightly between weakly and strongly aggressive strains. This suggests that a major component of differential induction observed in vivo is the consequence of root colonization, tissue penetration and the ability to deliver elicitors to the plant prior to and during rot colonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The placenta plays a critical role in maternal-fetal nutrient transport and fetal protection against drugs. Creating physiological in vitro models to study these processes is crucial, but technically challenging. This study introduces an efficient cell model that mimics the human placental barrier using co-cultures of primary trophoblasts and primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) on a Transwell ® -based system. Monolayer formation was examined over 7 days by determining transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), permeability of Lucifer yellow (LY) and inulin, localization of transport proteins at the trophoblast membrane (immunofluorescence), and syncytialization markers (RT-qPCR/ELISA). We analysed diffusion-based (caffeine/antipyrine) and transport-based (leucine/Rhodamine-123) processes to study the transfer of physiologically relevant compounds. The latter relies on the adequate localization and function of the amino-acid transporter LAT1 and the drug transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) which were studied by immunofluorescence microscopy and application of respective inhibitors (2-Amino-2-norbornanecarboxylic acid (BCH) for LAT1; cyclosporine-A for P-gp). The formation of functional monolayer(s) was confirmed by increasing TEER values, low LY transfer rates, minimal inulin leakage, and appropriate expression/release of syncytialization markers. These results were supported by microscopic monitoring of monolayer formation. LAT1 was identified on the apical and basal sides of the trophoblast monolayer, while P-gp was apically localized. Transport assays confirmed the inhibition of LAT1 by BCH, reducing both intracellular leucine levels and leucine transport to the basal compartment. Inhibiting P-gp with cyclosporine-A increased intracellular Rhodamine-123 concentrations. Our in vitro model mimics key aspects of the human placental barrier. It represents a powerful tool to study nutrient and drug transport mechanisms across the placenta, assisting in evaluating safer pregnancy therapies., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aim: To develop and evaluate the concept of a non-invasive machine learning (ML) approach for detecting hypoglycaemia based exclusively on combined driving (CAN) and eye tracking (ET) data., Materials and Methods: We first developed and tested our ML approach in pronounced hypoglycaemia, and then we applied it to mild hypoglycaemia to evaluate its early warning potential. For this, we conducted two consecutive, interventional studies in individuals with type 1 diabetes. In study 1 (n = 18), we collected CAN and ET data in a driving simulator during euglycaemia and pronounced hypoglycaemia (blood glucose [BG] 2.0-2.5 mmol L -1 ). In study 2 (n = 9), we collected CAN and ET data in the same simulator but in euglycaemia and mild hypoglycaemia (BG 3.0-3.5 mmol L -1 )., Results: Here, we show that our ML approach detects pronounced and mild hypoglycaemia with high accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve 0.88 ± 0.10 and 0.83 ± 0.11, respectively)., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that an ML approach based on CAN and ET data, exclusively, enables detection of hypoglycaemia while driving. This provides a promising concept for alternative and non-invasive detection of hypoglycaemia., (© 2023 The Authors. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The placenta supplies the foetus with critical nutrients such as essential amino acids (AA, eg leucine) for development and growth. It also represents a cellular barrier which is formed by a polarized, differentiated syncytiotrophoblast (STB) monolayer. Active Na + -independent leucine transport across the placenta is mainly attributed to the System L transporters LAT1/SLC7A5 and LAT2/SLC7A8. This study explored the influence of trophoblast differentiation on the activity of LAT1/LAT2 and the relevance of LAT1/LAT2 in leucine uptake and transfer in trophoblasts by applying specific small molecule inhibitors (JPH203/JG336/JX009). L-leucine uptake (total dose = 167 μmol/L) was sensitive to LAT1-specific inhibition by JPH203 (EC 50  = 2.55 µmol/L). The inhibition efficiency of JPH203 was increased by an additional methoxy group in the JPH203-derivate JG336 (EC 50  = 1.99 µmol/L). Interestingly, JX009 showed efficient System L inhibition (EC 50  = 2.35 µmol/L) and was the most potent inhibitor of leucine uptake in trophoblasts. The application of JPH203 and JX009 in Transwell ® -based leucine transfer revealed LAT1 as the major accumulative transporter at the apical membrane, but other System L transporters such as LAT2 as rate-limiting for leucine efflux across the basal membrane. Therefore, differential specificity of the applied inhibitors allowed for estimation of the contribution of LAT1 and LAT2 in materno-foetal AA transfer and their potential impact in pregnancy diseases associated with impaired foetal growth., (© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Human articular chondrocytes are expanded in monolayer culture in order to obtain sufficient cells for matrix-associated cartilage transplantation. During this proliferation process, the cells change their shape as well as their expression profile. These changes resemble those that occur during embryogenesis, when the limb anlagen form the interzone that later develops the joint cleft. We analysed the expression profile of genes that are reportedly important for these changes during embryogenesis within the dedifferentiation process of adult articular chondrocytes. We found GDF-5, BMPR-Ib and connexin 43 up-regulated, as well as a down-regulation of BMPR-Ia and noggin. Connexin 32 could not be detected in either native cartilage or in dedifferentiated cells. The newly synthesized proteins were detected by immunofluorescence. There is evidence from our results that dedifferentiated chondrocytes resemble the cells from the interzone in developing synovial joints.

Protein crystallography has proven to be an effective method of obtaining high-resolution structures of protein-ligand complexes. However, in certain cases only apoprotein structures are readily available and the generation of crystal complexes is more problematic. Some crystallographic systems are not amenable to soaking of ligands owing to crystal-packing effects and many protein-ligand complexes do not crystallize under the same conditions as used for the apoprotein. Using crystals of human phosphodiesterase 10a (hPDE10a) as an example of such a challenging crystallographic system, the structure of the complex with papaverine was obtained to 2.8 A resolution using protein crystals cross-linked by glutaraldehyde prior to soaking of the ligand. Inspection of the electron-density maps suggested that the correct mode of binding was obtained in one of the two monomers in the asymmetric unit and inspection of crystal-packing contacts explained why cocrystallization experiments and soaking of crystals that were not cross-linked were unsuccessful.

Release from and accumulation in tissue slices of some neurotransmitters under acute ethanol in naive rats and in long-term voluntarily ethanol drinking rats were investigated. Slices of the rat caudatoputamen were prelabeled with [3H]choline and release of [3H]acetylcholine was stimulated through either N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors or strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors. Ethanol in vitro at 2 per thousand, 4 per thousand, and 6 per thousand (34 mM, 68 mM, and 102 mM, respectively) concentration-dependently depressed the maximum effect of the concentration-response curve of NMDA in naive rats. In contrast, voluntary ethanol consumption over months led to a significantly enhanced NMDA receptor response characterized by an increase in the maximum effect of the concentration-response curve. The glycine receptor-mediated release of [3H]acetylcholine, which is inhibited by acute ethanol in a competitive-like fashion, was not changed in animals that ingested ethanol over months. Electrically evoked release of [3H]noradrenaline ([3H]NA) and its presynaptic modulation by morphine through mu-opioid receptors in neocortical slices of the rat, preloaded with [3H]NA, was nearly identical in both ethanol-naive rats and in ethanol drinking rats. The accumulation of [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid in rat cerebellum tissue was neither affected by acute ethanol in vitro nor after chronic ethanol consumption. In summary, long-term voluntary ethanol intake caused a significant increase in NMDA receptor function in the rat caudatoputamen, but did not result in changes in glycine-evoked [3H]acetylcholine release of electrically evoked [3H]NA release modulated by morphine or cerebellar [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid accumulation.