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Abstract The decline of insect abundance and richness has been documented for decades and has received increased attention in recent years. In 2017, a study by Hallmann and colleagues on insect biomasses in German nature protected areas received a great deal of attention and provided the impetus for the creation of the project Diversity of Insects in Nature protected Areas (DINA). The aim of DINA was to investigate possible causes for the decline of insects in nature protected areas throughout Germany and to develop strategies for managing the problem. A major issue for the protection of insects is the lack of insect-specific regulations for nature protected areas and the lack of a risk assessment and verification of the measures applied. Most nature protected areas border on or enclose agricultural land and are structured in a mosaic, resulting in an abundance of small and narrow areas. This leads to fragmentation or even loss of endangered habitats and thus threaten biodiversity. In addition, the impact of agricultural practices, especially pesticides and fertilisers, leads to the degradation of biodiversity at the boundaries of nature protected areas, reducing their effective size. All affected stakeholders need to be involved in solving these threats by working on joint solutions. Furthermore, agriculture in and around nature protected areas must act to promote biodiversity and utilise and develop methods that reverse the current trend. This also requires subsidies from the state to ensure economic sustainability and promote biodiversity-promoting practices.

Background Taxonomic identification through DNA barcodes gained considerable traction through the invention of next-generation sequencing and DNA metabarcoding. Metabarcoding allows for the simultaneous identification of thousands of organisms from bulk samples with high taxonomic resolution. However, reliable identifications can only be achieved with comprehensive and curated reference databases. Therefore, custom reference databases are often created to meet the needs of specific research questions. Due to taxonomic inconsistencies, formatting issues, and technical difficulties, building a custom reference database requires tremendous effort. Here, we present taxalogue, an easy-to-use software for creating comprehensive and customized reference databases that provide clean and taxonomically harmonized records. In combination with extensive geographical filtering options, taxalogue opens up new possibilities for generating and testing evolutionary hypotheses. Methods taxalogue collects DNA sequences from several online sources and combines them into a reference database. Taxonomic incongruencies between the different data sources can be harmonized according to available taxonomies. Dereplication and various filtering options are available regarding sequence quality or metadata information. taxalogue is implemented in the open-source Ruby programming language, and the source code is available at https://github.com/nwnoll/taxalogue. We benchmark four reference databases by sequence identity against eight queries from different localities and trapping devices. Subsamples from each reference database were used to compare how well another one is covered. Results taxalogue produces reference databases with the best coverage at high identities for most tested queries, enabling more accurate, reliable predictions with higher certainty than the other benchmarked reference databases. Additionally, the performance of taxalogue is more consistent while providing good coverage for a variety of habitats, regions, and sampling methods. taxalogue simplifies the creation of reference databases and makes the process reproducible and transparent. Multiple available output formats for commonly used downstream applications facilitate the easy adoption of taxalogue in many different software pipelines. The resulting reference databases improve the taxonomic classification accuracy through high coverage of the query sequences at high identities.

Obesity represents a worldwide health challenge, and the condition is accompanied by elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases caused by metabolic dysfunction and proinflammatory adipokines. Among those, the immune-modulatory cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (human: CAMP; murine: CRAMP) might contribute to the interaction of the innate immune system and metabolism in these settings. We investigated systemic CAMP/CRAMP levels in experimental murine models of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and cardiovascular patients. Atherosclerosis was induced in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (Ldlr−/−) mice by high-fat diet (HFD). C57BL/6J wild-type mice were subjected to myocardial infarction by permanent or transient left anterior descending (LAD)-ligation. Cramp gene expression in murine organs and tissues was investigated via real-time PCR. Blood samples of 234 adult individuals with or without coronary artery disease (CAD) were collected. Human and murine CAMP/CRAMP serum levels were quantified by ELISA. Atherosclerotic mice exhibited significantly increased CRAMP serum levels and induced Cramp gene expression in the spleen and liver, whereas experimental myocardial infarction substantially decreased CRAMP serum levels. Human CAMP serum quantities were not significantly affected by CAD while being correlated with leukocytes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our data show an influence of cathelicidin in experimental atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, as well as in patients with CAD. Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanism.

Abstract Guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) are a group of GTPases that are induced by interferon- $$\gamma$$ γ and are crucial components of cell-autonomous immunity against intracellular pathogens. Here, we examine murine GBP2 (mGBP2), which we have previously shown to be an essential effector protein for the control of Toxoplasma gondii replication, with its recruitment through the membrane of the parasitophorous vacuole and its involvement in the destruction of this membrane likely playing a role. The overall aim of our work is to provide a molecular-level understanding of the mutual influences of mGBP2 and the parasitophorous vacuole membrane. To this end, we performed lipid-binding assays which revealed that mGBP2 has a particular affinity for cardiolipin. This observation was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy using giant unilamellar vesicles of different lipid compositions. To obtain an understanding of the protein dynamics and how this is affected by GTP binding, mGBP2 dimerization, and membrane binding, assuming that each of these steps are relevant for the function of the protein, we carried out standard as well as replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations with an accumulated simulation time of more than 30 μs. The main findings from these simulations are that mGBP2 features a large-scale hinge motion in its M/E domain, which is present in each of the studied protein states. When bound to a cardiolipin-containing membrane, this hinge motion is particularly pronounced, leading to an up and down motion of the M/E domain on the membrane, which did not occur on a membrane without cardiolipin. Our prognosis is that this up and down motion has the potential to destroy the membrane following the formation of supramolecular mGBP2 complexes on the membrane surface.

The pleiotropic chemokine chemerin is involved in multiple processes in metabolism and inflammation. The present study aimed to elucidate its regulation in morbid obesity and during therapy-induced rapid weight loss. A total of 128 severely obese patients were enrolled, and their basal anthropometric and clinical parameters were assessed. In total, 64 individuals attended a conservative 12-month weight loss program that included a low calorie-formula diet (LCD), and 64 patients underwent bariatric surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, RYGB). Blood serum was obtained at study baseline and at follow-up visits after 3, 6, and 12 months. Systemic chemerin concentrations, as well as metabolic and immunological parameters, were quantified. During the 12-month period studied, serum chemerin levels decreased significantly with weight loss after bariatric surgery, as well as with conservative low calorie therapy; however, the effects of RYGB were generally stronger. No substantial associations of systemic chemerin concentrations with therapy-induced improvement of type 2 diabetes and with indicators of liver function and fibrosis were observed. We conclude that systemic chemerin levels decrease in obese individuals during weight loss, regardless of the therapeutic strategy. A potential involvement in weight loss-associated improvement of metabolic disorders and liver fibrosis remains to be further investigated.

The NATALEE study showed a significant benefit in invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) for patients with HR+/HER2− early breast cancer (eBC) at intermediate and high risk of recurrence who were treated with the CDK4/6 inhibitor Ribociclib in combination with endocrine therapy (ET). This retrospective study aims to apply the NATALEE inclusion criteria to a representative real-world cohort to estimate the proportion of HR+/HER2− breast cancer patients eligible for adjuvant Ribociclib therapy. Patients who underwent full surgical treatment for eBC between January 2018 and December 2020 at two large German university breast cancer centers (University of Ulm, University of Tuebingen) were included. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the patient population eligible for Ribociclib treatment based on the NATALEE study’s inclusion criteria. Out of 2384 enrolled patients, 1738 had HR+/HER2− eBC, of whom 43% (747/1738) met the NATALEE inclusion criteria. Of note, these patients were older, received less chemotherapy and presented with less advanced tumor stages compared to the NATALEE study cohort. Additionally, compared to the NATALEE study cohort, fewer patients had lymph node involvement (72.4% vs. 88.7%). Our analysis suggests that approximately 43% of all HR+/HER2− breast cancer patients will qualify for Ribociclib treatment. Given the numerous treatment options for patients with HR+/HER2− eBC, as well as the differences between the NATALEE cohort and patients in the real-world clinical setting, future analyses will be needed to determine which patients would benefit most from adjuvant CDK4/6 inhibitor treatment.

Understanding the complex interactions between metabolism and the immune system (“metaflammation”) is crucial for the identification of key immunomodulatory factors as potential therapeutic targets in obesity and in cardiovascular diseases. Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) is an important factor of innate immunity and is expressed in adipocytes. CAMP, therefore, might play a role as an adipokine in metaflammation and adipose inflammation. TNFα, cell-free nucleic acids (cfDNA), and toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 are components of the innate immune system and are functionally active in adipose tissue. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of TNFα and cfDNA on CAMP expression in adipocytes. Since cfDNA acts as a physiological TLR9 agonist, we additionally investigated TLR9-mediated CAMP regulation in adipocytes and adipose tissue. CAMP gene expression in murine 3T3-L1 and human SGBS adipocytes and in murine and human adipose tissues was quantified by real-time PCR. Adipocyte inflammation was induced in vitro by TNFα and cfDNA stimulation. Serum CAMP concentrations in TLR9 knockout (KO) and in wildtype mice were quantified by ELISA. In primary adipocytes of wildtype and TLR9 KO mice, CAMP gene expression was quantified by real-time PCR. CAMP gene expression was considerably increased in 3T3-L1 and SGBS adipocytes during differentiation. TNFα significantly induced CAMP gene expression in mature adipocytes, which was effectively antagonized by inhibition of PI3K signaling. Cell-free nucleic acids (cfDNA) significantly impaired CAMP gene expression, whereas synthetic agonistic and antagonistic TLR9 ligands had no effect. CAMP and TLR9 gene expression were correlated positively in murine and human subcutaneous but not in intra-abdominal/visceral adipose tissues. Male TLR9 knockout mice exhibited lower systemic CAMP concentrations than wildtype mice. CAMP gene expression levels in primary adipocytes did not significantly differ between wildtype and TLR9 KO mice. These findings suggest a regulatory role of inflammatory mediators, such as TNFα and cfDNA, in adipocytic CAMP expression as a novel putative molecular mechanism in adipose tissue innate immunity.

Recent investigation has revealed the significant role of Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) in infection defense and innate immunity processes in adipose tissue. Meanwhile, knowledge of its regulation and functions in metabolic contexts as an adipokine remains sparce. The present study investigated the postprandial regulation of circulating CAMP levels during oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs). Eighty-six metabolically healthy volunteers participated in a standardized 75 g-2 h-OGTT setting. The effects of exogenous glucose, insulin, and incretins on CAMP expression in human adipocyte culture (cell-line SGBS) were studied in vitro. CAMP concentrations in blood serum samples were measured by ELISA techniques and adipocyte gene expression levels were quantified by real-time PCR. Of note, base-line CAMP serum quantities were negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol levels as well as with the anti-inflammatory adipokine adiponectin. During the 2 h following glucose ingestion, a significant rise in circulating CAMP concentrations was observed in considerable contrast to reduced quantities of fatty acid binding proteins (FABP) 2 and 4 and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4). In SGBS adipocytes, neither differing glucose levels nor insulin or incretin treatment significantly induced CAMP mRNA levels. According to our data, glucose represents a positive postprandial regulator of systemic CAMP. This effect apparently is not mediated by the regulatory impact of glucose metabolism on adipocyte CAMP expression.

Background: Approximately 6% of women with breast cancer carry pathogenic germline variants in predisposition genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. Depending on personal and family cancer history, it is therefore recommended to test for hereditary breast cancer. Moreover, as shown by the phase III OlympiA trial, olaparib significantly improves overall survival in patients with HER2 negative (HER2−) early breast cancer who (1) carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 germline mutation (gBRCA1/2-positive), (2) have received (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy and (3) are at high clinical risk. The objective of the current analysis was to determine the number of patients with early HER2− breast cancer who are at high clinical risk, according to the inclusion criteria of OlympiA, and to estimate how many of these patients would meet the criteria for hereditary cancer testing in a real-world analysis. Methods: All patients included in this retrospective analysis were treated for early breast cancer (eBC) at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ulm University Hospital, Germany, and the Department of Women’s Health at Tuebingen University Hospital, Germany, between January 2018 and December 2020. Patients were identified as high risk, in line with the clinicopathological determiners used in the OlympiA trial. The criteria of the German Consortium for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer were used to identify patients who qualify for hereditary cancer testing. Results: Of 2384 eligible patients, 1738 patients (72.9%) showed a hormone receptor positive (HR+)/HER2− tumor biology, 345 patients (14.5%) displayed HER2+ breast cancer and 301 patients (12.6%) suffered from HR-/HER2− breast cancer (TNBC). Of 2039 HER2− breast cancer patients, 271 patients (13.3%) were at high clinical risk. This cohort encompassed 130 of the 1738 patients with HR+/HER2− breast cancer (7.5%) and 141 of 301 patients with TNBC (46.8%). A total of 121 of 271 patients (44.6%) with high clinical risk met the criteria for hereditary cancer testing (34 of 130 (26.2%) HR+/HER2− patients and 87 of 141 (61.7%) patients with TNBC). Conclusion: Approximately one in ten patients with HR+/HER2−, and half of the patients with TNBC, meet the high-risk criteria according to OlympiA. Half of these patients do not meet the criteria for hereditary cancer testing and should therefore be tested for the presence of gBRCA1/2 mutations, irrespective of their own or family cancer history. The overall number of patients with early breast cancer benefiting from olaparib needs to be investigated in future studies.

The aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, particularly of Aβ1−42, has been linked to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, we focus on the conformational change of Aβ1−42 in the presence of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) lipids using molecular dynamics simulations. We analyze the conformational changes that occur in Aβ by extracting the key structural features that are then used to generate transition networks. Using the same three features per network highlights the transitions from intrinsically disordered states ubiquitous in Aβ1−42 in solution to more compact states arising from stable β-hairpin formation when Aβ1−42 is in the vicinity of a GAG molecule, and even more compact states characterized by a α-helix or β-sheet structures when Aβ1−42 interacts with a POPC lipid cluster. We show that the molecular mechanisms underlying these transitions from disorder to order are different for the Aβ1−42/GAG and Aβ1−42/POPC systems. While in the latter the hydrophobicity provided by the lipid tails facilitates the folding of Aβ1−42, in the case of GAG there are hardly any intermolecular Aβ1−42–GAG interactions. Instead, GAG removes sodium ions from the peptide, allowing stronger electrostatic interactions within the peptide that stabilize a β-hairpin. Our results contribute to the growing knowledge of the role of GAGs and lipids in the conformational preferences of the Aβ peptide, which in turn influences its aggregation into toxic oligomers and amyloid fibrils.

Introduction: Obesity and related diseases are among the main public health issues in the western world. They are thought to be caused by a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation. Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) was recently discovered to be expressed and secreted by adipocytes. Representing a novel immunomodulatory adipokine, CAMP might play an important role in the complex interaction between metabolism and inflammation. Methods: In a cohort of 80 volunteers, serum samples were collected prior to, and 2 h, 4 h, and 6 h after, oral lipid ingestion. CAMP, fatty acid binding proteins 2 and 4 (FABP-2/-4), and dipeptidylpeptidase-4 (DPP-4) serum concentrations were measured via ELISA. Human Simpson–Golabi–Behmel syndrome (SGBS) adipocytes were treated with free fatty acids, and gene expression levels of CAMP, FABP-4, and DPP-4 were quantified by RT-PCR. Results: The mean base-line CAMP serum concentration was 55.78 ± 29.26 ng/mL, with a range of 10.77–146.24 ng/mL. Interestingly, CAMP serum levels were positively correlated with LDL cholesterol, but negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol and adiponectin. Men exhibited higher CAMP serum concentrations than women, an effect apparently linked to oral contraception in the majority of female participants. In both genders, CAMP serum concentrations significantly decreased in a stepwise manner 4 h and 6 h after oral lipid ingestion. This decline was paralleled by a rise of serum bile acid and triglyceride levels upon lipid ingestion. In human SGBS adipocytes, treatment with free fatty acids did not affect CAMP gene expression, but increased FABP-4 gene expression. Conclusions: In conclusion, systemic levels of the antimicrobial peptide and novel adipokine CAMP are significantly decreased upon oral lipid ingestion. While this decline might be linked to the simultaneous increase in bile acids, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Furthermore, CAMP might indicate a putative novel cardiovascular biomarker of both inflammatory and metabolic relevance in metaflammation and adipose inflammation.

Abstract The Si/SiGe heterosystem would be ideally suited for the realization of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible integrated light sources, but the indirect band gap, exacerbated by a type-II band offset, makes it challenging to achieve efficient light emission. We address this problem by strain engineering in ordered arrays of vertically close-stacked SiGe quantum dot (QD) pairs. The strain induced by the respective lower QD creates a preferential nucleation site for the upper one and strains the upper QD as well as the Si cap above it. Electrons are confined in the strain pockets in the Si cap, which leads to an enhanced wave function overlap with the heavy holes near the upper QD’s apex. With a thickness of the Si spacer between the stacked QDs below 5 nm, we separated the functions of the two QDs: The role of the lower one is that of a pure stressor, whereas only the upper QD facilitates radiative recombination of QD-bound excitons. We report on the design and strain engineering of the QD pairs via strain-dependent Schrödinger-Poisson simulations, their implementation by molecular beam epitaxy, and a comprehensive study of their structural and optical properties in comparison with those of single-layer SiGe QD arrays. We find that the double QD arrangement shifts the thermal quenching of the photoluminescence signal at higher temperatures. Moreover, detrimental light emission from the QD-related wetting layers is suppressed in the double-QD configuration.

Abstract With increased application of DNA metabarcoding in biodiversity assessment, various laboratory protocols have been optimized, and their further evaluation is subject of current research. Homogenization of bulk samples and subsequent DNA extraction from a subsample of destructed tissue is a common first stage of the metabarcoding process. This can either be conducted using sample material soaked in a storage fixative, e.g., ethanol (here referred to as “wet” treatment) or from dried individuals (“dry”). However, it remains uncertain if perfect mixing and equal distribution of DNA within the tube is ensured during homogenization and to what extent incomplete mixing and resulting variations in tissue composition affect diversity assessments if only a fraction of the destructed sample is processed in the downstream metabarcoding workflow. Here we investigated the efficiency of homogenization under wet and dry conditions and tested how variations in destructed tissue composition might affect diversity assessments of complex arthropod samples. We considered five time intervals of Malaise trap bulk samples and process nine different subsamples of homogenized tissue (20 mg each) in both treatments. Results indicate a more consistent diversity assessment from dried material, but at the cost of a higher processing time. Both approaches detected comparable OTU diversity and revealed similar taxa compositions in a single tissue extraction. With an increased number of tissue subsamples during DNA extraction, OTU diversity increased for both approaches, especially for highly diverse samples obtained during the summer. Here, particularly the detection of small and low‐biomass taxa increased. The processing of multiple subsamples in the metabarcoding protocol can therefore be a helpful procedure to enhance diversity estimates and counteract taxonomic bias in biodiversity assessments. However, the process induces higher costs and time effort and the application in large‐scale biodiversity assessment, e.g., in monitoring schemes needs to be considered on project‐specific prospects.

In addition to the endocrine and paracrine systems, peripheral tissues such as gonads, skin, and adipose tissue are involved in the intracrine mechanisms responsible for the formation of sex steroids via the transformation of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA/DHEAS) into potent androgenic and estrogenic hormones. Numerous studies have examined the relationship between overweight, central obesity, and plasma levels of DHEA and DHEAS. The sodium-dependent organic anion transporter Soat (Slc10a6) is a plasma membrane uptake transporter for sulfated steroids. Significantly increased expression of Slc10a6 mRNA has been previously described in organs and tissues of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mice, including white adipose tissue. These findings suggest that Soat plays a role in the supply of steroids in peripheral target tissues. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of Soat in adipocytes and its role in adipogenesis. Soat expression was analyzed in mouse white intra-abdominal (WAT), subcutaneous (SAT), and brown (BAT) adipose tissue samples and in murine 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, adipose tissue mass and size of the adipocytes were analyzed in wild-type and Slc10a6−/− knockout mice. Soat expression was detected in mouse WAT, SAT, and BAT using immunofluorescence. The expression of Slc10a6 mRNA was significantly higher in 3T3-L1 adipocytes than that of preadipocytes and was significantly upregulated by exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Slc10a6 mRNA levels were also upregulated in the adipose tissue of LPS-treated mice. In Slc10a6−/− knockout mice, adipocytes increased in size in the WAT and SAT of female mice and in the BAT of male mice, suggesting adipocyte hypertrophy. The serum levels of adiponectin, resistin, and leptin were comparable in wild-type and Slc10a6−/− knockout mice. The treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with DHEA significantly reduced lipid accumulation, while DHEAS did not have a significant effect. However, following LPS-induced Soat upregulation, DHEAS also significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in adipocytes. In conclusion, Soat-mediated import of DHEAS and other sulfated steroids could contribute to the complex pathways of sex steroid intracrinology in adipose tissues. Although in cell cultures the Soat-mediated uptake of DHEAS appears to reduce lipid accumulation, in Slc10a6−/− knockout mice, the Soat deletion induced adipocyte hyperplasia through hitherto unknown mechanisms.

Mit DeepGreen wurde eine Infrastruktur aufgebaut und etabliert, die Zeitschriftenartikel von wissenschaftlichen Verlagen abholt und berechtigten Bibliotheken zur Veröffentlichung in ihren Repositorien sendet. DeepGreen unterstützt Bibliotheken als Dienstleister für Hochschulen, außeruniversitäre Einrichtungen und die dort tätigen Wissenschaftler*innen, Publikationen auf Open-Access-Repositorien frei zugänglich zu machen und fördert das Zusammenspiel von wissenschaftlichen Einrichtungen und Verlagen. DeepGreen wurde von Januar 2016 bis Juni 2021 von der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft gefördert und wird nun vom Kooperativen Bibliotheksverbund Berlin-Brandenburg, von der Bayerischen Staatsbibliothek und von der Universitätsbibliothek Erlangen-Nürnberg in arbeitsteiliger Eigenleistung für zwei Jahre weiterbetrieben. Der vorliegende Beitrag beleuchtet vielfältige Aspekte bei der Realisierung von DeepGreen und geht auf die Perspektiven dieser zentralen Open-Access-Infrastruktur für deutsche Wissenschaftseinrichtungen ein.

Background & Aims: Cell differentiation in the colonic crypt is driven by a metabolic switch from glycolysis to mitochondrial oxidation. Mitochondrial and goblet cell dysfunction have been attributed to the pathology of ulcerative colitis (UC). We hypothesized that p32/gC1qR/HABP1, which critically maintains oxidative phosphorylation, is involved in goblet cell differentiation and hence in the pathogenesis of UC. Methods: Ex vivo, goblet cell differentiation in relation to p32 expression and mitochondrial function was studied in tissue biopsies from UC patients versus controls. Functional studies were performed in goblet cell-like HT29-MTX cells in vitro. Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex V-deficient, ATP8 mutant mice were utilized as a confirmatory model. Nutritional intervention studies were performed in C57BL/6 mice. Results: In UC patients in remission, colonic goblet cell differentiation was significantly decreased compared to controls in a p32-dependent manner. Plasma/serum L-lactate and colonic pAMPK level were increased, pointing at high glycolytic activity and energy deficiency. Consistently, p32 silencing in mucus-secreting HT29-MTX cells abolished butyrate-induced differentiation and induced a shift towards glycolysis. In ATP8 mutant mice, colonic p32 expression correlated with loss of differentiated goblet cells, resulting in a thinner mucus layer. Conversely, feeding mice an isocaloric glucose-free, high-protein diet increased mucosal energy supply that promoted colonic p32 level, goblet cell differentiation and mucus production. Conclusion: We here describe a new molecular mechanism linking mucosal energy deficiency in UC to impaired, p32-dependent goblet cell differentiation that may be therapeutically prevented by nutritional intervention.

Abstract Background Evidence-based practice, decision aids, patient preferences and autonomy preferences (AP) play an important role in making decisions with the patient. They are crucial in the process of a shared decision making (SDM) and can be incorporated into quality criteria for patient involvement in health care. However, there are few studies on SDM and AP in the field of dentistry. This study explored patients’ autonomy preferences in dentistry in comparison to other medical domains, comparing them with patient preferences in two other cohorts of patients with different conditions and in different health care settings. Methods A sample of 100 dental patients attending 16 dentists was consecutively recruited in a university-based prosthodontic clinic. Patients’ and dentists’ preferences regarding their roles in dental decision making for commonly performed diagnostic and treatment decisions were compared using the Control Preference Scale (CPS). This was followed by cross sectional surveys to study autonomy preferences in three additional cohorts recruited from general practices (n = 100), a multiple sclerosis clinic (n = 109), and a university-based prosthodontic clinic (n = 100). A questionnaire with combined items from the Autonomy Preference Index (API) to assess general and the CPS to assess specific preferences was used in the additional cohorts. Results Dentists were less willing to give patients control than patients were willing to enact autonomy. However, decisions about management of tooth loss were considered relevant for a shared decision making by both parties. When comparing cohorts from different samples, the highest AP was expressed by people with multiple sclerosis and the lowest by patients in dentistry (means: dentistry 2.5, multiple sclerosis 2.1, general practice 2.4, p = .035). There were considerable intra-individual differences in autonomy preferences referring to different decision types (p

As an alternative to conventional encapsulation concepts for a double glass photovoltaic (PV) module, we introduce an innovative ionomer-based multi-layer encapsulant, by which the application of additional edge sealing to prevent moisture penetration is not required. The spontaneous moisture absorption and desorption of this encapsulant and its raw materials, poly (ethylene-co-acrylic acid) and an ionomer, are analyzed under different climatic conditions in this work. The relative air humidity is thermodynamically the driving force for these inverse processes and determines the corresponding equilibrium moisture content (EMC). Higher air humidity results in a larger EMC. The homogenization of the absorbed water molecules is a diffusion-controlled process, in which temperature plays a dominant role. Nevertheless, the diffusion coefficient at a higher temperature is still relatively low. Hence, under normal climatic conditions for the application of PV modules, we believe that the investigated ionomer-based encapsulant can “breathe” the humidity: During the day, when there is higher relative humidity, it “inhales” (absorbs) moisture and restrains it within the outer edge of the module; then at night, when there is a lower relative humidity, it “exhales” (desorbs) the moisture. In this way, the encapsulant protects the cell from moisture ingress.

A novel Three-Point Bending Beam Test (3-PBT) using a Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) with linear drive motor is introduced for testing asphalt binder at low temperature conditions. This 3-PBT in DSR can be used as surrogate for Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) tests. Advantages in comparison to BBR are that (i) 3-PBT works without harmful cooling medium ethanol, (ii) the amount of asphalt binder for testing is significantly lower (using material equivalent of 10% of BBR tests), (iii) a silicone rubber mold is used for specimen preparation instead of standard aluminum mold for BBR tests, which makes handling easier, and (iv) the loading protocol is more practical without applying contact load manually. The novel 3-PBT in DSR is presented with respect to preparation, installation, and conditioning of specimens, as well as to the loading protocol. Tests were conducted at temperatures of −10, −16, and −20°C. For the purpose of comparison to BBR tests, and of identifying most suitable testing conditions from alternative setups, a test series was run including 9 different asphalt binders. As to BBR tests, two different cooling media were used, i.e., ethanol and air. Finally, all test results obtained from DSR and BBR tests were analyzed in view of precision and correlation. DSR results correlated well with BBR results, while precision of 3-PBT in DSR was found to be satisfying.