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Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a neuroendocrine tumor either induced by integration of the Merkel cell polyomavirus into the cell genome or by accumulation of UV-light-associated mutations (VP-MCC and UV-MCC). Whether VP- and UV-MCC have the same or different cellular origins is unclear; with mesenchymal or epidermal origins discussed. DNA-methylation patterns have a proven utility in determining cellular origins of cancers. Therefore, we used this approach to uncover evidence regarding the cell of origin of classical VP- and UV-MCC cell lines, i.e., cell lines with a neuroendocrine growth pattern (n = 9 and n = 4, respectively). Surprisingly, we observed high global similarities in the DNA-methylation of UV- and VP-MCC cell lines. CpGs of lower methylation in VP-MCC cell lines were associated with neuroendocrine marker genes such as SOX2 and INSM1, or linked to binding sites of EZH2 and SUZ12 of the polycomb repressive complex 2, i.e., genes with an impact on carcinogenesis and differentiation of neuroendocrine cancers. Thus, the observed differences appear to be rooted in viral compared to mutation-driven carcinogenesis rather than distinct cells of origin. To test this hypothesis, we used principal component analysis, to compare DNA-methylation data from different epithelial and non-epithelial neuroendocrine cancers and established a scoring model for epithelial and neuroendocrine characteristics. Subsequently, we applied this scoring model to the DNA-methylation data of the VP- and UV-MCC cell lines, revealing that both clearly scored as epithelial cancers. In summary, our comprehensive analysis of DNA-methylation suggests a common epithelial origin of UV- and VP-MCC cell lines.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly invasive and metastatic skin cancer. While high expression of miR-375 is a characteristic of MCC, it seems not to contribute to the malignant phenotype of MCC cells. miR-375 enrichment in MCC-derived extracellular vesicles suggests its intercellular signaling function. Here, we demonstrate that horizontally transferred miR-375 causes fibroblast polarization toward cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). The polarization is evidenced by phenotypic changes and induction of α-SMA, CXCL2, and IL-1β. Fibroblast polarization is inhibited by specific antagomirs and mimicked by experimental miR-375 expression. Mechanistically, miR-375 downregulates RBPJ and p53, two key players regulating fibroblast polarization. In clinical MCC samples, in situ hybridization located miR-375 in CAFs, which correlated with high α-SMA protein and low RBPJ and TP53 expression; single-cell RNAseq revealed a disparate fibroblast polarization negatively correlating with p53 pathway-related gene expression. Thus, the functional role of miR-375 in MCC is to generate a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment by inducing fibroblast polarization.

Background Sequencing of marker genes amplified from environmental samples, known as amplicon sequencing, allows us to resolve some of the hidden diversity and elucidate evolutionary relationships and ecological processes among complex microbial communities. The analysis of large numbers of samples at high sequencing depths generated by high throughput sequencing technologies requires efficient, flexible, and reproducible bioinformatics pipelines. Only a few existing workflows can be run in a user-friendly, scalable, and reproducible manner on different computing devices using an efficient workflow management system. Results We present Natrix, an open-source bioinformatics workflow for preprocessing raw amplicon sequencing data. The workflow contains all analysis steps from quality assessment, read assembly, dereplication, chimera detection, split-sample merging, sequence representative assignment (OTUs or ASVs) to the taxonomic assignment of sequence representatives. The workflow is written using Snakemake, a workflow management engine for developing data analysis workflows. In addition, Conda is used for version control. Thus, Snakemake ensures reproducibility and Conda offers version control of the utilized programs. The encapsulation of rules and their dependencies support hassle-free sharing of rules between workflows and easy adaptation and extension of existing workflows. Natrix is freely available on GitHub (https://github.com/MW55/Natrix) or as a Docker container on DockerHub (https://hub.docker.com/r/mw55/natrix). Conclusion Natrix is a user-friendly and highly extensible workflow for processing Illumina amplicon data.

Background The health status of newborns is a major concern for parents and medical personnel. Recent studies have provided increasing evidence that factors from the foetal and perinatal periods of life influence health later in life. The “Follow‐up of the Survey of Neonates in Pomerania” (SNiP‐I‐Follow‐up) is the first follow‐up of the population‐based birth cohort study, SNiP‐I, established in north‐east Germany. Objectives The primary aim of SNiP‐I‐Follow‐up study was the collection of longitudinal data on children and adolescents. The associations will be analysed between risk factors in pregnancy and the perinatal period and health status in infancy and later childhood. Population The population‐based cohort study SNiP‐I was conducted in Pomerania in north‐east Germany between February 2002 and November 2008. All mothers from the SNiP‐I birth cohort were recontacted when their children were from 9 to 15 years of age. Design The SNiP‐I‐Follow‐up study was carried out between December 2016 and August 2017 and is a questionnaire‐based survey. Methods Physical development, health status, and social behaviour (school and leisure behaviour) of children were analysed using a questionnaire comprising medical, epidemiological, and socio‐economic data, associated health care risk factors, and life circumstances of newborns, children, and their parents. Preliminary results Out of 5725 children invited to participate in the SNiP‐I‐Follow‐up study between December 2016 and August 2017, 29% (n = 1665) children participated in the SNiP‐I‐Follow‐up study, providing data on 1665 mothers‐child dyads. Responders had higher socio‐economic status, especially in relation to maternal education status. Conclusion As a longitudinal birth cohort from rural Germany, the SNiP cohort will be a resource to address urgent research needs and contribute to overall population health.

Introduction: Breastfeeding is a recognized preferred method of infant feeding; however, for many women, difficulties in breastfeeding result in termination before the recommended period of time. Acupuncture is suggested to be a promising option to treat lactation insufficiency and enhance the production of maternal milk. Main Issue: We have reported the case of a woman with lactation insufficiency due to Caesarean section and congenital unilateral invaginated nipple. Milk production started on the 3rd day following delivery. The newborn was not provided with any food or fluids other than mother’s milk. At 5 days of life, the newborn required long feeding periods and lost 4% of his birth weight, with the participant reporting lactation insufficiency described by the perception of inadequate milk production. Management: Despite the implementation of conventional measures to improve lactation, the difficulties in breastfeeding persisted. Acupuncture was tried on Day 6 of life, and enhanced milk production was observed, which could be measured as the volume of residual milk extracted using the breast pump each time after the newborn achieved satiety. After acupuncture treatment there was an augmentation of maternal milk production from both breasts and successful lactation. Conclusion: This case study provides information that might be useful for prospective investigation of acupuncture’s efficacy in women with lactation insufficiency.

Aim This study analysed the comparative cost of feeding donor human milk to preterm infants compared to mother's own milk and formula. Methods A document and process analysis and a time measurement study were carried out at the milk bank of the Level 1 Perinatal Center of the University Hospital of Greifswald, Germany, from April to June 2017. The cost analysis data were provided by the University's financial department. Results The total cost per year was €92 085.02 for 300 litres of donor human milk: 27% of this was material costs, 51% was personnel costs, and 22% was other overheads. The average cost per litre was €306.95, and staff time was 492 minutes per litre. The total marginal cost for each additional litre of donor human milk, formula or unpasteurised mother´s milk was €82.88, €10.28 and €38.42, respectively. Pasteurising a litre of donor milk cost €3.51. Conclusion Providing preterm infants with donor milk was much more expensive than using formula or mother's own milk, but the cost of pasteurisation was minimal.

Epigenetic modifications play critical roles in regulating cell lineage differentiation, but the epigenetic mechanisms guiding specific differentiation steps within a cell lineage have rarely been investigated. To decipher such mechanisms, we used the defined transition from proliferating (PC) into hypertrophic chondrocytes (HC) during endochondral ossification as a model. We established a map of activating and repressive histone modifications for each cell type. ChromHMM state transition analysis and Pareto-based integration of differential levels of mRNA and epigenetic marks revealed that differentiation-associated gene repression is initiated by the addition of H3K27me3 to promoters still carrying substantial levels of activating marks. Moreover, the integrative analysis identified genes specifically expressed in cells undergoing the transition into hypertrophy. Investigation of enhancer profiles detected surprising differences in enhancer number, location, and transcription factor binding sites between the two closely related cell types. Furthermore, cell type-specific upregulation of gene expression was associated with increased numbers of H3K27ac peaks. Pathway analysis identified PC-specific enhancers associated with chondrogenic genes, whereas HC-specific enhancers mainly control metabolic pathways linking epigenetic signature to biological functions. Since HC-specific enhancers show a higher conservation in postnatal tissues, the switch to metabolic pathways seems to be a hallmark of differentiated tissues. Surprisingly, the analysis of H3K27ac levels at super-enhancers revealed a rapid adaption of H3K27ac occupancy to changes in gene expression, supporting the importance of enhancer modulation for acute alterations in gene expression. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

AIM The aim was to investigate socio-economic risk factors for maternal underweight before pregnancy and then associations of underweight with neonatal outcomes. METHODS Data of 3401 mother-child dyads from the population-based birth cohort Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNiP) were analysed. RESULTS Bivariate analysis showed that underweighted mothers were younger, smoked more often, had a lower equivalent income and lower socio-economic status (employment status and/or educational level) compared to women with normal weight. The final prediction model revealed that only younger maternal age (OR = 0.93; 95%-CI = 0.90-0.97) and maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR = 2.52; 95%-CI = 1.74-3.66) were associated with underweight. Compared to women with normal pre-pregnancy BMI, underweight women had an increased chance of premature labour (OR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.29-2.31) and a reduced placental weight. The offspring of underweight women had an increased risk of late preterm birth (OR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.21-2.74) and birthweight

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer characterized by high invasiveness, early metastases, and high mortality. Because of the lack of suitable animal models, most functional studies are performed using cell lines, some of which lack classical neuroendocrine growth characteristics. Here, we scrutinized the molecular characteristics of classical MCC and variant MCC cell lines by differential gene expression and the respective epigenetic regulation by microRNAs and DNA methylation. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell lines were used for comparison. The most striking observation was a lower expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition–related genes in classical MCCs, which was accompanied by higher expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition–regulating microRNA clusters miR-200c-141 and miR-183-96-182 and hypomethylation of the respective microRNA loci. Experimental expression of the MCC lineage factor ATOH1 in variant MCCs resulted in an increased expression of miR-200c-141 paralleled by a reduction of genes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, thus demonstrating a connection between neuroendocrine characteristics and the lack of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Together, our observations not only reinforce concerns about the use of variant MCCs as proper MCC representatives, but also suggest variant MCCs as cells locked in an intermediate state between neuroendocrine and epithelial differentiation.

Protists influence ecosystems by modulating microbial population size, diversity, metabolic outputs and gene flow. In this study we used eukaryotic ribosomal amplicon diversity from 218 European freshwater lakes sampled in August 2012 to assess the effect of mountain ranges as biogeographic barriers on spatial patterns and microbial community structure in European freshwaters. The diversity of microbial communities as reflected by amplicon clusters suggested that the eukaryotic microbial inventory of lakes was well-sampled at the European and at the local scale. Our pan-European diversity analysis indicated that biodiversity and richness of high mountain lakes differed from that of lowland lakes. Further, the taxon inventory of high-mountain lakes strongly contributed to beta-diversity despite a low taxon inventory. Even though ecological factors, in general, strongly affect protist community pattern, we show that geographic distance and geographic barriers significantly contribute to community composition particularly for high mountain regions which presumably act as biogeographic islands. However, community composition in lowland lakes was also affected by geographic distance but less pronounced as in high mountain regions. In consequence protist populations are locally structured into distinct biogeographic provinces and community analyses revealed biogeographic patterns also for lowland lakes whereby European mountain ranges act as dispersal barriers in particular for short to intermediate distances whereas the effect of mountain ranges levels off on larger scale. CA Boenigk

BackgroundNeonate immune cell functions lack full protection against pathogens. This could be either defect or protective mechanism against overshooting proinflammatory immune responses.We here analysed the function of classical, pro- and anti-inflammatory monocytes and granulocytes from neonates in comparison with adults to investigate if suppressed functions of subpopulations are causative for the unique neonatal immune status. Therefore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and surface activation markers were quantified in subpopulations.MethodsIn a prospective, longitudinal study granulocyte and monocyte subpopulations were analysed in healthy term infants (> 37 week;n = 13) in comparison with healthy young adults (n = 11). Percentage (%) of cells expressing surface marker (HLA-DR, CD11b, CD62L, CD32, Toll-Like-Receptor-2) and expression per cell, determined by mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), were measured by flow cytometry. ROS production was induced by fMLP, PMA andE. coliin term neonates (> 37 week;n = 13).ResultsClassical granulocytes were down- and proinflammatory granulocytes upregulated in neonates compared with adults. Percentage of TLR-2 expressing granulocytes was increased in neonates. Granulocytic ROS production depended on stimulation. The percentage of anti-inflammatory monocytes was increased, while classical monocytes were reduced in neonates. HLA-DR (%, MFI) showed reduction for all monocyte subpopulations, while CD32, CD11b, CD62L and TLR-2 were differently regulated in comparison with adults.ConclusionsDifferentially regulated granulocyte and monocyte subpopulations indicate a unique state of neonatal immunity to fight infections and prevent dysregulation. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of reduced granulocytic ROS formation and reduced monocytic HLA-DR in active disease.

Background: The shortage of skilled personnel is ubiquitous, basic and further training is a key aspect in the recruitment of new medical colleagues. The significance of the nursing practicum in its function as gateway to the gynaecology and obstetrics discipline is practically unexplored. Methods: In an online questionnaire, medical students in all German faculties were questioned about the practica in their courses. The questionnaire reached 9079 medical students. 149 participants in nursing practica were selectively asked to answer 140 questions. We analysed those students who could, on the basis of their experiences in nursing practica, imagine undertaking an internship (clinical elective) in gynaecology (internship yes “Iy”) separately from those who could not or were still undecided (internship no “In” or, respectively, internship perhaps “Ip”). Results: Altogether 149 medical students who participated in a nursing practicum in the gynaecology discipline were selected, of these 94.9 % were female. 92 (61.7 %) of the students replied that, after their gynaecological nursing practicum, they wanted to undertake an internship in gynaecology (Iy); 39 (26.2 %) answered negatively (In) and 18 (12.1 %) were still undecided (Ip). With regard to the parameters gender, age and duration of study, there were no significant differences among the 3 groups (χ 2 0.83). Besides the didactic and professional quality of the training, Iy also mentioned having had a higher practical orientation. They attained their aims more frequently, were better integrated in the health-care team and acquired more practical competences. Satisfaction with the practicum was evaluated as highest among the Iy. Discussion: Those students who could imagine taking an internship in gynaecology were seen to be more satisfied with their practica than those participants who declined or were undecided. The high proportion of females is an early indicator for a feminisation of the specialty. If necessary this could be countered with the help of nursing management.

Background Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most frequent complication during pregnancy. Untreated GDM is a severe threat to maternal and neonatal health. Based on recent evidence, up to 15% of all pregnancies may be affected by GDM. We hypothesized that in a rural birth cohort, higher maternal BMI and adverse socioeconomic conditions would promote GDM, which in turn would lead to adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes. Methods The current study is a part of a population-based cohort study examining the health and socioeconomic information from 5801 mothers and their children. The study, titled the Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNiP), was based in northeastern Pomerania, Germany (2002–2008). Results The cumulative incidence of GDM was 5.1%. Multiple logistic regression revealed prepregnancy overweight (OR 1.84 (95% CI 1.27–2.68)), prepregnancy obesity (OR 3.67 (2.48–5.44)) and maternal age (OR 1.06 (1.03–1.08)) as risk factors for GDM (p = 0.001). Alcohol use during pregnancy (OR 0.61 (0.41–0.90), a higher monthly income (OR 0.62 (0.46–0.83)), and the highest level of education (OR 0.44 (0.46–0.83)) decreased the risk of GDM. Newborns of GDM mothers had an increased risk of hypoglycaemia (OR 11.71 (7.49–18.30)) or macrosomia (OR 2.43 (1.41–4.18)) and were more often delivered by primary (OR 1.76 (1.21–2.60)) or secondary C-section (OR 2.00 (1.35–2.97)). Moreover, they were born 0.78 weeks (95% CI -1.09 – -0.48 weeks) earlier than infants of mothers without diabetes, resulting in higher percentage of late preterm infants with a gestational age of 32–36 weeks (11.1% vs. 6.96%). Conclusions Age and BMI before pregnancy were the predominant mediators of the increased risk of GDM, whereas a higher income and educational level were protective. GDM affected relevant perinatal and neonatal outcomes based on its association with an increased risk of delivery by C-section, preterm birth, macrosomia at birth and neonatal hypoglycaemia.

In this study, Illumina sequencing was used for the identification of bulking and foaming bacteria in industrial wastewater treatment plants. The reliable identification of bulking and foaming bacteria represents the first step in developing effective and specific control strategies to avoid disturbances in activated sludge systems. Illumina sequencing revealed 432 16S rRNA operational taxonomic units, representing phylotypes and including 21 bulking and foaming bacteria in the two investigated industrial wastewater treatment plants. Foaming represents the most severe problem in the cascade biology system. Up to 22.5% of all sequencing reads are bulking and foaming bacteria, including Chryseobacterium, Candidatus Microthrix parvicella and Gordonia sp. as the dominant bulking and foaming bacteria which are known for foam formation. Moreover, Illumina sequencing revealed an increase in Candidatus Microthrix parvicella and Gordonia sp. reads from activated sludge to foam and scum samples, indicating a preferred flotation and/or growth advantages in the foam and scum layers. Analyses of the taxonomic assignment and distribution showed that the phylum Actinobacteria is the most dominant phylum, underlining the key role of Actinobacteria in bulking and foaming. Multivariate data analysis was applied, revealing that the dominant bulking and foaming bacteria are positively correlated with the sludge age and influent flow and negatively correlated with the dissolved oxygen level and the temperature. In terms of developing a specific control strategy, the positive linear relationships to the fatty acid and surfactant sludge loadings are highlighted and the removal of lipid compounds from the wastewater influent could avoid an overgrowth of bulking and foaming bacteria.

Stream ecosystems are affected by multiple anthropogenic stressors worldwide. Even though effects of many single stressors are comparatively well studied, the effects of multiple stressors are difficult to predict. In particular bacteria and protists, which are responsible for the majority of ecosystem respiration and element flows, are infrequently studied with respect to multiple stressors responses. We conducted a stream mesocosm experiment to characterize the responses of single and multiple stressors on microbiota. Two functionally important stream habitats, leaf litter and benthic phototrophic rock biofilms, were exposed to three stressors in a full factorial design: fine sediment deposition, increased chloride concentration (salinization) and reduced flow velocity. We analyzed the microbial composition in the two habitat types of the mesocosms using an amplicon sequencing approach. Community analysis on different taxonomic levels as well as principle component analyses (PCoAs) based on realtive abundances of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) showed treatment specific shifts in the eukaryotic biofilm community. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that Bacillariophyta responded positively salinity and sediment increase, while the relative read abundance of chlorophyte taxa decreased. The combined effects of multiple stressors were mainly antagonistic. Therefore, the community composition in multiply stressed environments resembled the composition of the unstressed control community in terms of OTU occurrence and relative abundances.

Background Some etiological factors involved in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) occur in the last trimester of pregnancy, which could result in a decreased incidence of DDH in preterm infants. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of DDH between preterm and term infants. Methods Ultrasound of the hip joint was performed in 2,534 term infants and 376 preterm infants within the population-based Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNiP) study. Results A total of 42 (1.66%) term infants had DDH (Graf type II c, 0.8%; type D, 0.3% left and 0.4% right; type III a, 0.2% left). Eighteen infants had bilateral findings. Hip dysplasia occurred more frequently in female neonates (32/1,182 vs. 10/1,302, p

OA Förderung 2015 High throughput sequencing (HTSeq) of small ribosomal subunit amplicons has the potential for a comprehensive characterization of microbial community compositions, down to rare species. However, the error-prone nature of the multi-step experimental process requires that the resulting raw sequences are subjected to quality control procedures. These procedures often involve an abundance cutoff for rare sequences or clustering of sequences, both of which limit genetic resolution. Here we propose a simple experimental protocol that retains the high genetic resolution granted by HTSeq methods while effectively removing many low abundance sequences that are likely due to PCR and sequencing errors. According to this protocol, we split samples and submit both halves to independent PCR and sequencing runs. The resulting sequence data is graphically and quantitatively characterized by the discordance between the two experimental branches, allowing for a quick identification of problematic samples. Further, we discard sequences that are not found in both branches (“AmpliconDuo filter”). We show that the majority of sequences removed in this way, mostly low abundance but also some higher abundance sequences, show features expected from random modifications of true sequences as introduced by PCR and sequencing errors. On the other hand, the filter retains many low abundance sequences observed in both branches and thus provides a more reliable census of the rare biosphere. We find that the AmpliconDuo filter increases biological resolution as it increases apparent community similarity between biologically similar communities, while it does not affect apparent community similarities between biologically dissimilar communities. The filter does not distort overall apparent community compositions. Finally, we quantitatively explain the effect of the AmpliconDuo filter by a simple mathematical model.

Die Euromaidan-Revolution war bereits der dritte politische Umsturz innerhalb weniger Jahre in der Ukraine. Frauen und Männer waren gleichermaßen daran beteiligt, jedoch werden Frauen oft "nur" als Helferinnen angesehen, da es doch vor allem die Männer waren, die die Revolution gemacht haben und die auf den Barrikaden standen und gekämpft haben. Der Artikel versucht mithilfe von Interviews, Blogeinträgen und wissenschaftlichen Texten die Geschlechterrollen am Euromaidan zu reflektieren und zu zeigen, welche Aufgaben und Zuständigkeiten Frauen und Männer am Maidan hatten. The Euromaidan revolution is already the third political revolution in Ukraine in recent times. Men and women participated equally in this revolution, but women are often described as "only" being helpers while men "made" the revolution and actively fought at the barricades. The article aims to reflect the gender roles of men and women in this revolution. Interviews, blog notes and scientific articles are utilised to show the tasks and responsibilities of men and women at the Maidan.

International audience; To date, the signal transducing adaptor molecule 2 (STAM2) was shown to harbour two ubiquitin binding domains (UBDs) known as the VHS and UIM domains, while the SH3 domain of STAM2 was reported to interact with deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) like UBPY and AMSH. In the present study, NMR evidences the interaction of the STAM2 SH3 domain with ubiquitin, demonstrating that SH3 constitutes the third UBD of STAM2. Furthermore, we show that a UBPY-derived peptide can outcompete ubiquitin for SH3 binding and vice versa. These results suggest that the SH3 domain of STAM2 plays versatile roles in the context of ubiquitin mediated receptor sorting.

International audience; As the upstream component of the ESCRT (endosomal sorting complexes required for transport) machinery, the ESCRT-0 complex is responsible for directing ubiquitinated membrane proteins to the multivesicular body pathway. ESCRT-0 is formed by two subunits known as Hrs (hepatocyte growth factor-regulated substrate) and STAM (signal transducing adaptor molecule), both of which harbor multiple ubiquitin-binding domains (UBDs). In particular, STAM2 possesses two UBDs, the VHS (Vps27/Hrs/Stam) and UIM (ubiquitin interacting motif) domains, connected by a 20-amino acid flexible linker. In the present study, we report the interactions of the UIM domain and VHS-UIM construct of STAM2 with monoubiquitin (Ub), Lys(48)- and Lys(63)-linked diubiquitins. Our results demonstrate that the UIM domain alone binds monoubiquitin, Lys(48)- and Lys(63)-linked diubiquitins with the same affinity and in the same binding mode. Interestingly, binding of VHS-UIM to Lys(63)-linked diubiquitin is not only avid, but also cooperative. We also show that the distal domain of Lys(63)-linked diubiquitin stabilizes the helical structure of the UIM domain and that the corresponding complex adopts a specific structural organization responsible for its greater affinity. In contrast, binding of VHS-UIM to Lys(48)-linked diubiquitin and monoubiquitin is not cooperative and does not show any avidity. These results may explain the better sorting efficiency of some cargoes polyubiquitinated with Lys(63)-linked chains over monoubiquitinated cargoes or those tagged with Lys(48)-linked chains.

Aim The aim of the study is to determine any connections between maternal diabetes and the pregnancy outcome of mothers and newborns. Methods From 03/2003 to 11/2008 in local and university hospitals in Northeast Pomerania, Germany a total of n=4593 mothers and their children were used as a prospective population-based birth cohort. The objective of the survey of newborns in Pomerania (SNiP) is to evaluate the negative pregnancy outcome, morbidity and mortality in diabetes affected pregnant woman. A comparison of glucose-intolerance affected childbearing mothers (n=243) identified by oral glucose tolerance test and non-diabetic mothers (n=4350) were conducted. Results The prevalence of maternal glucose-intolerance is 5.3%. Comorbidity of maternal diabetes is more prevelant with higher age, greater number of previous pregnancies (parity) and those who are overweight (relative risk 1.97). Macrosomi (OR=2.28) and reduced gestational age are identified as a fetal risk factors. As a maternal risk factor is considered positive vaginal infection (OR=1.97). As a negative outcome a higher rate of Cesarean section, instrumental delivery (OR=1.96) and pathologic final delivery positions (15.3% non-diabetes/9.3% diabetes) can be observed. This all leads to a four times higher odds ratio of post-partus hospitalization (OR=3.70) and mandatory pre-partus therapy (OR=4.78) of the diabetes affected group. Conclusions Newborns of mothers with gestational diabetes demonstrate a fetopathia diabetica with makrosomi and immaturity which leads to higher rate of birth complications and post-partus hospitalisation of almost every second newborn. An increased risk for mothers and their children exists in case of gestational diabetes.

Background and purpose 40% of all initial infections with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy develop into connatal toxoplasmosis, which is associated with the risk of severe damage to the CNS, frequent premature deliveries, and stillbirths. In Germany, toxoplasmosis immunity screenings are not covered by the state health insurance as a general preventive care service, in contrast to screening for rubella immunity. Therefore, we analysed the impact of socioeconomic factors on the efficiency of private toxoplasmosis screening during pregnancy in a population-based study. Material and methods Toxoplasmosis and rubella screening data were collected from 5403 mothers during the period from May 2002 to June 2008 within the population-based Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNiP). Results At the first screening, 34.2% of expecting mothers were immune to toxoplasmosis, 75.2% had immunity against rubella after active immunisation. Negative immunity for toxoplasmosis was found in 39.7% and in 7.7% for rubella (missing information: toxoplasmosis: 25.8%; rubella 17.2%). Less than 10% of the women without immunity participated in a second toxoplasmosis screening. An active toxoplasmosis infection was found in 0.3% (n = 17) women during pregnancy. There were no infections with the rubella virus. Pregnant women with a higher socioeconomic status participated in screenings considerably more frequently. Conclusion Our population-based sample demonstrated a substantial risk of toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy in contrast to the rubella risk. Furthermore, lower socioeconomic status adversely affects the rate of toxoplasmosis screening. This data support the need for toxoplasmosis screening for pregnant women as a general health care benefit covered by insurance.

Background The subject of “pregnancy and disease” is of particular importance for maternal well-being and neonatal outcomes. The international literature has focused on acute diseases during pregnancy; however, there are only a few studies investigating chronic diseases in pregnant women. The focus of this study is on diseases of women in childbearing age that are not related to the pregnancy. The objective of the paper is to deliver population based prevalences of chronic dieases in childbearing women and compare the two groups of chronically ill women and healthy women in detail regarding sociodemography, peri- and prenatal parameters and birth outcomes. Methods Data of n = 5320 childbearing women were evaluated in the context of the population-based Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNiP). Data were obtained via face-to-face interviews, self-applied questionnaires, and abstraction from medical records at the time of giving birth. Sociodemographic and health status data were assessed, including chronic diseases that were taken out of medical records. A comprehensive set of pre- and perinatal varaiables were assessed. Results In the SNiP, every fifth pregnant woman suffers from at least one chronic disease, and higher prevalence rates have been reported in the literature. There was a significant difference between chronically ill women and healthy women in age, education and income. Prenatal complications were more frequent in the healthy group than in the chronic disease group. Women with chronic diseases delivered by Cesarean section more frequently than women in the healthy group. Every tenth woman with at least one chronic disease gave birth to a premature infant, while only one in every 13 woman in the healthy control group gave birth to a premature infant. Conclusions This analysis is the first population-based study in which all chronic diseases could be taken into consideration. The population-based prevalences rates in the SNiP data are consistently lower than those found in the literature. There are differences between chronically ill women and healthy women in peri- and prenatal variables as well as birth outcome on the population level. However, they are less frequent than expected and further analyses are need focusing on specific diseases.

Background The Nationale Stillkommission was founded in Germany in 1994 to increase the acceptance of breastfeeding as the primary means of infant nutrition. Scientific studies like “Stillen und Säuglingsernährung (SuSe-Studie)”, and regional studies in Bavaria, Freiburg, Hamburg, and Berlin demonstrated breastfeeding initiation rates of 90 to 95%, but the total breastfeeding rate decreased to 25–61% after infants were 6 months old. One predictor of breastfeeding duration may be maternal motivation. The present study aimed to describe breastfeeding motivation. Methods We analysed data collected in 2004–2008, during a previous study, the Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNiP). We retrieved data regarding maternal breastfeeding motivation, family environment, and socioeconomic factors. We constructed a quantitative breastfeeding-motivation score to identify factors involved in maternal breastfeeding. Results Ninety five percent of mothers who gave birth in the study period and area provided information in the survey. The breastfeeding initiation rate was 88.4%. Mothers’ intentions to provide exclusive breastfeeding (only breast milk, no other liquids or infant formula) increased linearly from 71.9% in 2005 to 76.8% in 2008. Women motivated to provide exclusive breastfeeding were, on average, older, primiparous, and able to deliver spontaneously more often than women with less breastfeeding motivation. Furthermore, women with no motivation to provide exclusive breastfeeding and women that intended to provide breastfeeding combined with a complementary nutrition source had visited prenatal classes less frequently, had lower levels education, had lower average incomes, had a German nationality more often, and used tobacco more often than women motivated to provide exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusions Breastfeeding intentions increased during the SNiP Study. This study identified several factors that might serve for targeted breastfeeding promotion in mothers younger than 25 years, mothers with low education, and multiparous mothers or women who have received a caesarean section. Furthermore, breastfeeding motivation might be enhanced during pregnancy and/or after delivery by providing prenatal classes.

Background Congenital toxoplasmosis is associated with severe complications. German state health insurance covers rubella, but not toxoplasmosis, immunity screening. We analysed the effect of socioeconomic factors on the efficiency of private toxoplasmosis screening during pregnancy. Methods Toxoplasmosis and rubella screening data (n = 5402 mothers) were collected within the population-based Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNiP). Results At the first-trimester screening, 34.4 % (88.1 %) of expecting mothers were immune to toxoplasmosis (rubella). Susceptibility for toxoplasmosis (rubella) was observed in 39.6 % (8.9 %) and 25.8 % (2.95 %) were not tested. Data on a 2nd screening were available in a subgroup of women with negative immunity showing less than 45 % participation rate. Active toxoplasmosis (no rubella) infection was observed in 0.3 % (n = 17) of pregnant women. A multiple logistic regression model (AIC = 719.67; AUC = 0.725) revealed that the likelihood of participating in a second toxoplasmosis screening increased among women with a good level of education and a steady partnership and decreased with paternal unemployment and the absence of breastfeeding. The highest probability of non-participation in toxoplasmosis screening was found among women with temporal burden and family responsibilities. A cost-benefit analysis showed that covering general screening for toxoplasmosis with health insurance saved costs. Conclusion Toxoplasmosis carried a substantial risk of infection during pregnancy. Although increased socioeconomic status was positively associated with the participation in toxoplasmosis screening, this was not the case when pregnant women had strong temporal burden and family responsibilities. This data supports the need for toxoplasmosis screening among pregnant women as a general healthcare benefit covered by insurance. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12884-016-0966-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The article provides an analysis of the reporting about the Euromaidan actions of the three biggest German weekly magazines. The content analysis based on specific keywords will show, which politicians and events the journalists refer to. As a part of media reporting about the events that took place in Ukraine 2013–2014, the analysis will show an example of the topics German media talk about. It is obvious that well known Ukrainian politicians, such as Vitali Klitschko or Yulia Tymoshenko, are interviewed. Other politicians, such as Arseniy Yatsenyuk or Oleh Tyahnibok, barely appear in the reportings of the three weekly magazines. They are neither interviewed nor shown in detail. They seem to stand in the background of box champion Vitali Klitschko, who is very well known in Germany. The magazines call him “opposition leader” (that is wrong, he was one of the leaders of the opposition) and “the next strong man in Kiev. The reporting is centered on Tymoshenko and Klitschko. Another conclusion that can be made from the analysis is the perspective of the journalists. The conflict in Ukraine is mostly shown in the German-Russian-relationship and just marginally focused on Ukraine itself. Often, the consequences for Germany and the European economy are discussed. W artykule przedstawiono analizę sprawozdań nt. wydarzeń określanych mianem Euromajdanu, zaczerpniętych z trzech największych niemieckich tygodników. Analiza treści na podstawie określonych słów kluczowych pokazuje, jak niemieccy politycy i dziennikarze wydarzenia te rozumieją i interpretują. Czymś oczywistym jest obecność wywiadów z dobrze znanymi politykami ukraińskimi, takimi jak Witalij Kliczko czy Julia Tymoszenko. Inni politycy jednak, jak Arsenij Jaceniuk lub Ołeh Tiahnybok, ledwie pojawiają się w doniesienia tych tygodników. Brakuje zarówno wywiadów z nimi, jak i szczegółowych informacji na temat ich osób i działalności. Sporo uwagi niemieckich mediów koncentruje na sobie Witalij Kliczko, słynny w Niemczech bokser. Magazyny nazywają go „liderem opozycji” (co nie jest do końca zgodne z prawdą, bo był on tylko jednym z liderów), a także „następnym silnym człowiekiem w Kijowie”. Doniesienia skupiają się na Tymoszenko i Kliczce. Kolejny wniosek, jaki może być wyciągnięty z analizy dotyczy perspektywy dziennikarzy. Konflikt na Ukrainie pokazywany jest głównie na tle relacji niemiecko-rosyjskich i tylko jako marginalnie dotyczący samej Ukrainy. Często omawiane są kwestie istotne dla Niemiec i gospodarki europejskiej.