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  • 1
    In: Journal of Clinical Medicine, MDPI AG, Vol. 10, No. 7 ( 2021-03-30), p. 1387-
    Abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) independent of obesity (OBS) imposes severe cardiovascular risk. To what extent plasma cystine concentration (CySS), a novel pro-oxidative vascular risk factor, is increased in OSA with or without OBS is presently unknown. We therefore studied CySS together with the redox state and precursor amino acids of glutathione (GSH) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in untreated male patients with OSA (apnea-hypopnea-index (AHI) 〉 15 h−1, n = 28) compared to healthy male controls (n = 25) stratifying for BMI ≥ or 〈 30 kg m−2. Fifteen OSA patients were reassessed after 3–5-months CPAP. CySS correlated with cumulative time at an O2-saturation 〈 90% (Tu90%) (r = 0.34, p 〈 0.05) beside BMI (r = 0.58, p 〈 0.001) and was higher in subjects with “hypoxic stress” (59.4 ± 2.0 vs. 50.1 ± 2.7 µM, p 〈 0.01) defined as Tu90% ≥ 15.2 min (corresponding to AHI ≥ 15 h−1). Moreover, CySS significantly correlated with systolic (r = 0.32, p 〈 0.05) and diastolic (r = 0.31, p 〈 0.05) blood pressure. CPAP significantly lowered CySS along with blood pressure at unchanged BMI. Unexpectedly, GSH antioxidant capacity in PBMC was increased with OSA and reversed with CPAP. Plasma CySS levels are increased with OSA-related hypoxic stress and associated with higher blood pressure. CPAP decreases both CySS and blood pressure. The role of CySS in OSA-related vascular endpoints and their prevention by CPAP warrants further studies.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2077-0383
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2021
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2662592-1
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  • 2
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    MDPI AG ; 2022
    In:  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 19, No. 10 ( 2022-05-16), p. 6038-
    In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, MDPI AG, Vol. 19, No. 10 ( 2022-05-16), p. 6038-
    Abstract: The objective of this work was to perform a series of measurements of radon and thoron exhalation in the underground workings of an experimental coal mine. In the years 2012–2015, experiments on underground coal gasification were carried out in a coal mine, which caused, among other effects, damage to rock mass. Afterward, periodic increases in the concentration of potential alpha energy (PAEC) of radon decay products in the air were found, which could pose a hazard to miners. The question posed was whether the gasification experiment resulted in the increased migration of radon and thoron. If so, did it increase the radiation hazard to miners? The adaptation of the existing instrumentation to the specific conditions was conducted, and a series of measurements were made. It was found that the measured values of radon and thoron exhalation rates ranged from 3.0 up to 38 Bq·m−2·h−1 for radon and from 500 up to 2000 Bq·m−2·h−1 for thoron.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1660-4601
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2175195-X
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  • 3
    In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, MDPI AG, Vol. 19, No. 14 ( 2022-07-11), p. 8466-
    Abstract: Background: Value-Based Care (VBC) is being discussed to provide better outcomes to patients, with an aim to reimburse healthcare providers (HCPs) based on the quality of care they deliver. Little is known about German HCPs’ knowledge of VBC. This study aims to investigate the knowledge of HCPs of VBC and to identify potential needs for further education toward implementation of VBC in Germany. Methods: For evidence generation, we performed a literature search and conducted an online survey among HCPs at 89 hospitals across Germany. The questionnaire was based on published evidence and co-developed with an expert panel using a mixed methods approach. Results: We found HCPs to believe that VBC is more applicable in surgery than internal medicine and that well-defined cycles of care are essential for its application. HCPs believe that VBC can reduce health care costs significantly. However, they also assume that implementing VBC will be challenging. Conclusions: The concept in general is well perceived, however, HCPs do not want to participate in any financial risk sharing. Installing an authority/independent agency that measures achieved value, digital transformation, and that improves the transition between the inpatient and the outpatient sectors are top interests of HCPs.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1660-4601
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2175195-X
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  • 4
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    MDPI AG ; 2022
    In:  International Journal of Molecular Sciences Vol. 23, No. 15 ( 2022-08-01), p. 8548-
    In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI AG, Vol. 23, No. 15 ( 2022-08-01), p. 8548-
    Abstract: In our study, our aim was to examine the cytotoxic and radio-sensitizing effect of the alkaloid piperine, a major pungent of black pepper, on two different human epithelial tumor cell lines in vitro. The growth of the human cell lines T98G (glioblastoma) and FaDu (hypopharyngeal carcinoma) was examined under the influence of piperine in different concentrations. In addition, after combined treatment with ionizing radiation, long-term survival was investigated with a colony formation assay. The proliferation was analyzed using the BrdU-assay, while the DNA repair capacity was examined via the γH2AX assay. Piperine reduced the growth of both cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner as well as a time-dependent one. After combined treatment with piperine and ionizing radiation, an inhibition of clonogenic survival could be proven. A reduced proliferation capacity and an additive effect on DNA damage 24 h after irradiation are possible causal mechanisms, which were also demonstrated for both cell lines. Based on the results presented in this study, piperine was shown to have cytotoxic antitumor activity and a radio-sensitizing effect in micromolar concentrations in the human tumor cells that were tested. Based on these results piperine represents a potential therapeutic option in radio-oncological treatment.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1422-0067
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2019364-6
    SSG: 12
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  • 5
    In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI AG, Vol. 24, No. 10 ( 2023-05-09), p. 8500-
    Abstract: Multiple myeloma (MM) arises following malignant proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow, that secrete high amounts of specific monoclonal immunoglobulins or light chains, resulting in the massive production of unfolded or misfolded proteins. Autophagy can have a dual role in tumorigenesis, by eliminating these abnormal proteins to avoid cancer development, but also ensuring MM cell survival and promoting resistance to treatments. To date no studies have determined the impact of genetic variation in autophagy-related genes on MM risk. We performed meta-analysis of germline genetic data on 234 autophagy-related genes from three independent study populations including 13,387 subjects of European ancestry (6863 MM patients and 6524 controls) and examined correlations of statistically significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; p 〈 1 × 10−9) with immune responses in whole blood, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) from a large population of healthy donors from the Human Functional Genomic Project (HFGP). We identified SNPs in six loci, CD46, IKBKE, PARK2, ULK4, ATG5, and CDKN2A associated with MM risk (p = 4.47 × 10−4−5.79 × 10−14). Mechanistically, we found that the ULK4rs6599175 SNP correlated with circulating concentrations of vitamin D3 (p = 4.0 × 10−4), whereas the IKBKErs17433804 SNP correlated with the number of transitional CD24+CD38+ B cells (p = 4.8 × 10−4) and circulating serum concentrations of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein (MCP)-2 (p = 3.6 × 10−4). We also found that the CD46rs1142469 SNP correlated with numbers of CD19+ B cells, CD19+CD3− B cells, CD5+IgD− cells, IgM− cells, IgD−IgM− cells, and CD4−CD8− PBMCs (p = 4.9 × 10−4−8.6 × 10−4) and circulating concentrations of interleukin (IL)-20 (p = 0.00082). Finally, we observed that the CDKN2Ars2811710 SNP correlated with levels of CD4+EMCD45RO+CD27− cells (p = 9.3 × 10−4). These results suggest that genetic variants within these six loci influence MM risk through the modulation of specific subsets of immune cells, as well as vitamin D3−, MCP-2−, and IL20-dependent pathways.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1422-0067
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2023
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2019364-6
    SSG: 12
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  • 6
    In: Diversity, MDPI AG, Vol. 12, No. 6 ( 2020-06-23), p. 256-
    Abstract: Background: The impact of selective thinning on forest diversity has been extensively studied in temperate and boreal regions. However, in the tropics, knowledge is still poor regarding the impacts of this silvicultural treatment on functional diversity, especially in tropical mountain forests, which are considered to be highly biodiverse ecosystems and also endangered by human activities. By evaluating the changes on functional diversity by using different indicators, hypothesizing that selective thinning significantly affects (directly or indirectly) tropical mountain forests, this work promotes sustainable ecosystem use. Methods: A total of 52 permanent plots of 2500 m2 each were installed in a primary mountain forest in the San Francisco Biological Reserve to assess the impact of this silvicultural treatment. Selective thinning can be defined as a controlled process, in which trees that compete with ecologically and/or valuable timber species are progressively removed to stimulate the development of profitable ones, called potential crop trees (PCT). In doing so, the best specimens remain in the forest stand until their final harvest. After PCT selection, 30 plots were chosen for the intervention, while 22 plots served as control plots. The thinning intensity fluctuated between 4 and 56 trees ha−1 (average 18.8 ± 12.1 stems ha−1). Functional Diversity (FD) indices, including the community weighted mean (CWM), were determined based on six traits using the FD package implemented in R software. The difference between initial and final conditions of functional richness (FRic), functional divergence (FDiv), functional evenness (FEve), functional dispersion (FDis), and Rao quadratic entropy (RaoQ) was modeled using linear mixed models (LMM). As fixed factors, we used all the predictors inherent to structural and ecological forest conditions before and after the selective thinning and as a random variable, we used the membership to nested sampling units. Results: Functional Richness (FRic) showed significant changes after selective thinning, the other indexes (FEve, FDis, FDiv, RaoQ) were only influenced by predictors related to ecological conditions and characteristics of the community.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1424-2818
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2518137-3
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  • 7
    In: Cancers, MDPI AG, Vol. 15, No. 14 ( 2023-07-11), p. 3572-
    Abstract: The absolute monocyte count (AMC) is associated with mortality in a variety of medical conditions. Its prognostic impact in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) is less well studied. Therefore, we investigated its potential prognostic value in a cohort from the Düsseldorf MDS registry in relationship to the revised international prognostic scoring system (IPSS-R). An AMC below the population’s median ( 〈 0.2 × 109/L) was associated with several adverse disease features such as lower haemoglobin levels, lower count of neutrophils and platelets, and a higher percentage of blasts in the bone marrow. MDS patients with an AMC 〈 0.2 × 109/L had a significantly higher risk of progression into acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In a univariate, proportional hazards model the effect of the AMC as a continuous variable was modelled via p-splines. We found a U-shaped effect with the lowest hazard around 0.3 × 109/L. Accordingly, an AMC within the last quartile of the population (0.4 × 109/L) was associated with a reduced overall survival independently of IPSS-R, but not with the risk of secondary AML. Considering monocytopenia as a risk factor for AML progression in MDS may provide an additional argument for allogeneic transplantation or the use of hypomethylating agents in patients who are not clear candidates for those treatments according to current prognostic scoring systems and/or recommendations. Further studies are needed to assess the prognostic impact of the AMC in the context of prognostic scoring systems, considering the molecular risk profile, and to identify the mechanisms responsible for the higher mortality in MDS patients with a subtle monocytosis.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2072-6694
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2023
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2527080-1
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  • 8
    In: Toxins, MDPI AG, Vol. 8, No. 12 ( 2016-12-06), p. 365-
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2072-6651
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2016
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2518395-3
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  • 9
    In: Sustainability, MDPI AG, Vol. 12, No. 9 ( 2020-05-10), p. 3896-
    Abstract: Bioeconomy regions are a young concept representing emerging amalgamation points for the implementation of cross-sectoral value-added chains. When sustainable bioeconomy strategies are rolled out, their proof-of-concept implies that industrial R & D activities should lead to impact decoupling and that the valorization of locally available lignocellulosic biomass has to contribute to an increase in added value. Furthermore, regional co-benefits for society and a positive influence on local environmental and socioeconomic conditions are major factors. The fulfillment of these strategic goals would be a milestone achievement when progressing from the blueprint development and the road-mapping stage towards socially accepted and sustainable wood-based bioeconomy strategies. For regional industrial and science stakeholders who run pilot facilities for process upscaling and for energy and material flow integration, this requires well-orchestrated integrative processes, which go beyond conventional “Life Cycle Management” approaches. It is obvious that assessing and monitoring such integrative systems will have to account for different stakeholder perspectives and for detailed technology deployment and resource conversion scenarios. Applying a sustainability index methodology in a case study region must include an evaluation of the whole supply chain and the process networks associated with the characteristic products of the evaluated region. To date, no such integrative assessment methods exist in the literature. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to lay out, on the basis of a practical example in the case study region of Central Germany, an assessment of the sustainability level of wood-based bioeconomy networks by applying the Sustainability Monitoring Tool -SUMINISTRO”- to examine regional bio-based industry networks.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2071-1050
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2518383-7
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  • 10
    In: Sustainability, MDPI AG, Vol. 10, No. 6 ( 2018-05-23), p. 1707-
    Abstract: The páramo, a collection of Neotropical alpine ecosystems, plays a prominent role in ecosystem services (ESs), providing water supply and regulation, conservation of biodiversity, and carbon storage in soil. The establishment of pine plantations for carbon sequestration and wood production has recently raised questions concerning the possible impact on the páramo’s ES. This study identifies the main stakeholders in this field and compares and contrasts their perceptions of the impact of pine plantations on the páramo’s ES, because the disparity among stakeholders’ perceptions must be addressed to achieve sustainable management. The data were gathered using 56 semi-structured interviews and were qualitatively analyzed. The results show that the main stakeholder groups (landowners, local government officials, foresters, and nature conservationists) acknowledge the important ES of the plantations. The perception of plantation impact varies among and within stakeholder groups, however, on specific functions, such as water provision, carbon storage, erosion prevention, and habitat function for wildlife and natural vegetation. Consideration and integration of these perceptions can help policy makers and organizations develop sustainable policies for the future management of the páramo ecosystem.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2071-1050
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2018
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2518383-7
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