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Extracellular RNA drives TNF-a/TNF-receptor-1 mediated cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury: Mechanistic insights and therapeutic potential of RNase1
(2025) Cabrera-Fuentes, Hector A.; Ruiz-Meana, Marisol; Barreto, Guillermo; Serebruany, Victor L.; Sánchez-Vega, Jose T.; Pérez-Campos, Eduardo; Kostin, Sawa; Böning, Andreas; Jarquín González, Efrén Emmanuel; Al-Suhaimi, Ebtesam A.; Rodriguez-Montesinos, Julian; Inserte, Javier; Pedretti, Sarah; Yap, Jonathan; Irei, Jason; Sedding, Daniel G.; Lecour, Sandrine; Liehn, Elisa A.; Garcia-Dorado, David; Hausenloy, Derek J.; Boisvert, William A.; Preissner, Klaus T.
Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury causes cardiomyocyte death and exacerbates inflammation. Emerging evidence implicates extracellular RNA (eRNA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) as key mediators. We hypothesize that eRNA released from ischemic cardiomyocytes amplifies I/R injury via TNF-α/TNF-receptor- 1 (TNF-R1) signaling, and that hydrolysis of eRNA by RNase1 can attenuate I/R injury by disrupting this pathway. Here, we investigated the mechanistic role of eRNA and its interplay with TNF-α signaling in cardiac I/ R injury, and evaluated the therapeutic potential of RNase1 and cyclosporine-A (CsA). In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients, plasma eRNA levels were significantly elevated 2 h post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), correlating positively with Creatine Kinase (CK). In murine I/R and hypoxia/reoxygenation models, eRNA released from stressed cardiomyocytes acted as a damage-associated molecular pattern, triggering TNF-α shedding via TACE/ADAM17 and activating TNF-R1-mediated inflammation, mPTP opening, and cell death. Genetic deletion of TNF-α or TNF-R1 abrogated eRNA-induced cytotoxicity, while TNF-receptor- 2 (TNF- R2) deficiency exacerbated injury. Pharmacological inhibition of TACE with TAPI suppressed TNF-α release and preserved cell viability. RNase1 effectively degraded eRNA, blocking upstream pro-inflammatory signaling, whereas CsA preserved mitochondrial integrity by preventing mPTP opening. Notably, RNase1 and CsA showed synergistic protection in vivo when administered at reperfusion, significantly reducing myocardial infarct size. These findings identify eRNA as both a biomarker and pathogenic mediator of myocardial I/R injury, and support a dual-targeted strategy using RNase1 and CsA to interrupt the TNF-α/TNF-R1-driven inflammatory and mito chondrial death pathways. Targeting both upstream inflammatory and downstream mitochondrial mechanisms represents a promising cardioprotective intervention for acute myocardial infarction.
Multi-scale modelling of location- and frequency-dependent synaptic plasticity induced by repetitive magnetic stimulation in the dendrites of pyramidal neurons
(2025) Hananeia, Nicholas; Ebner, Christian; Galanis, Christos; Cuntz, Hermann; Opitz, Alexander; Vlachos, Andreas; Jedlicka, Peter
Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) induces long-term changes in synapses, but the mechanisms behind these modifications are not fully understood. Although there has been progress in the development of multi-scale modeling tools, no comprehensive module for simulating rTMS-induced synaptic plasticity in biophysically realistic neurons exists. Objective: We developed a modelling framework that allows the replication and detailed prediction of long-term changes of excitatory synapses in neurons stimulated by rTMS. Methods: We implemented a voltage-dependent plasticity model that has been pre-viously established for simulating frequency-, time-, and compartment-dependent spatio-temporal changes of excitatory synapses in neuronal dendrites. The plasticity model can be incorporated into biophysical neuronal models and coupled to electrical field simulations. Results: We show that the plasticity modelling framework replicates long-term poten-tiation (LTP)-like plasticity in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells evoked by 10-Hz repetitive magnetic stimulation (rMS). In line with previous experimental studies, this plasticity was strongly distance dependent and localised to the proximal synapses of the neuron. We predicted a decrease in the plasticity amplitude for 5 Hz and 1 Hz protocols with decreasing frequency. Finally, we successfully modelled plasticity in distal synapses upon local electrical theta-burst stimulation (TBS) and predicted proximal and distal plasticity for rMS TBS. Notably, the rMS TBS-evoked synaptic plasticity exhibited robust facilitation by dendritic spikes and low sensitivity to inhibitory suppression. Conclusion: The plasticity modelling framework enables precise simulations of LTP-like cellular effects with high spatio-temporal resolution, enhancing the efficiency of parameter screening and the development of plasticity-inducing rTMS protocols.
Law & critique
(2025)
Der zweite Band der Reihe „kontrovers“ widmet sich dem ambivalenten Verhältnis von Recht und Kritik. 29 Autor:innen verwenden Recht und Rechtskritik. Beitragende analysieren die Verbindung zu kritischer Reflexion, sozialen Praktiken und politischen Bewegungen, und Recht und Autonomität. Während manche einen dekolonialen, critical race theoretischen, posthumanistischen und anti-cis-patriarchalen Ansatz wählen, diskutieren andere die Notwendigkeit, Rechtsstaatlichkeit in Zeiten demokratischer Krisen zu verteidigen. Widersprüche in existierenden rechtlichen Systemen und Rechtsstaaten sowie Prozesse rechtlicher Subjugation werden unter die Lupe genommen. Alternativ wird Recht pluralistisch verstanden und mit alternativen Mitteln rekonstruiert.
Sexuelle Bildung in der Grundschule und der universitären Lehrer*innenausbildung: Perspektiven aus Forschung, Praxis und Lehre
(2025)
Sexuelle Bildung ist ein hochrelevantes Thema für den Grundschulbereich. Junge Schüler*innen partizipieren zunehmend an gesellschaftlichen Diskursen (Umgang mit Vielfalt, Rassismus, Kinderrechte) und bringen damit verbunden vielfältige Fragen und Themen im Bereich der Sexuellen Bildung in den Unterricht. Der Sammelband gewährt mit aktuellen Forschungsarbeiten und Perspektiven aus der Praxis einen Einblick in die Chancen und Herausforderungen sexueller Bildung. Die Beiträge richten sich maßgeblich an Wissenschaftler*innen aus der universitären Lehrer*innenausbildung und (angehende) Lehrende.
Equine adipose-derived stem cells modulate in vitro neutrophil extracellular trap release by polymorphonuclear neutrophils
(2025) Salinas-Varas, Constanza; Espinosa, Gabriel; Muñoz-Caro, Tamara; Conejeros, Iván; Gärtner, Ulrich; Fey, Kerstin; Arnhold, Stefan; Taubert, Anja; Hermosilla, Carlos
Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) are thin and long web-like structures composed of DNA and antimicrobial proteins released by activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) as part of the innate immune response. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) represent an accessible, abundant and minimal invasive source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), with high regenerative potential, immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory properties. Although recognized immunomodulatory properties of ADSCs, their interaction with PMN and their role on NET formation remains poorly characterized. The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of equine ADSCs on NET formation by equine PMN. Equine ADSCs were isolated from two different sources of adipose tissue, subcutaneous and retroperitoneal adipose stores. Equine PMN were isolated from peripheral blood with a discontinuous density gradient and stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to induce NET release as positive control. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM) analyses were performed to assess NET release by equine PMN co-cultured with ADSCs. In vitro IFM-NET quantification revealed a significant NET decrease for PMN co-cultured with ADSCs and PMA. Furthermore, extracellular DNA quantification showed that inhibition of equine NET is dependent on the ADSCs to PMN ratio, for PMA and ionomycin stimulated PMN. Moreover, our findings unveil no modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by equine PMN when co-cultured with ADSCs. In summary, our results provide evidence of ADSCs on equine PMN, particularly in their capacity to attenuate NET formation and release. These results support the potential role of ADSCs on host innate immune response and thereby maintaining immune homeostasis. Further investigation is needed to better understand the specific molecular pathways involved in NETosis via ADSCs.
Labor turnover in Ethiopia's textile industry: a hotspot of social transformation
(2025) Fink, Michaela
The Ethiopian textile industry is particularly affected by high labor turnover. In a compelling social study, Michaela Fink investigates the causes of this issue, focusing primarily on the voices of the (female) workforce. She illustrates the tension between rural, community-based orientations of women workers and the industrial working environment in which they find themselves. For the women, it is often a balancing act between the rural world they come from and the urban consumerist world they live and work in. They are attracted to modern values of career, consumption and urbanity. At the same time, it is hardly possible for them to achieve modest prosperity.
Nexus between agricultural challenges, farming practices, and on-farm losses of selected arable crop farmers in Nigeria: a valuation constellation approach to advancing sustainable food systems
(2025) Abulude, Ifeoluwa
Introduction: Food loss remains a critical barrier to the sustainable transformation of global food systems, especially in the Global South, where systemic inefficiencies and data gaps persist. Despite increasing attention to food loss, less than 35% of global studies focus on losses at the primary production stage, with most research centred in the Global North. This geographical and methodological imbalance limits understanding of the complex, context-specific drivers of food loss in developing regions. This study explores how agricultural challenges influence farmers’ valuation processes and practices, and how these practices may contribute to on-farm losses offering insights within the specific context studies rather than generalisations for all of Nigeria, a country facing recurrent food insecurity and malnutrition. Using a valuation constellation perspective, conceptualising food systems as dynamic networks of interconnected actors, actions, and resources, the research explores food loss as a socially and structurally mediated phenomenon rather than a linear or isolated issue. Methods: Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were held with purposively selected farmers, facilitated by local extension agents, to gather nuanced insights into how farmers assign value and prioritise their farming practices. Results: Findings reveal that pests and diseases are predominant challenges leading to on-farm losses among arable crop farmers. Although pests and diseases are prominent, they are embedded within a broader constellation of factors, including knowledge gaps, economic limitations, and weak institutional support. These interconnected challenges contribute to both pre- and post-harvest losses, undermining food availability and worsening hunger. Discussion: The study emphasises the need for co-created, farmer-led strategies that address the constellation of social, material, and institutional dynamics shaping on-farm decision-making. It advocates for participatory valuation processes in policy development to ensure that farmers’ voices and rationales are structurally integrated into food system reforms. By reframing food loss through the lens of valuation constellation, this research offers a pathway towards more equitable and sustainable food system transformations.
Stabilizing Copper(I) Complexes by Terminal Olefinic Side Arms and Studying Their Reactivity Towards Oxidation
(2025) Granichny, Alexander; Würtele, Christian; Schindler, Siegfried
Many copper(I) complexes with aliphatic amine ligands have a strong tendency to disproportionate to copper(II) and elemental copper in solution at higher concentrations, making it difficult to isolate them and to study their reactivity. A series of copper(I) complexes with ligands based on tridentate N,N,N’,N’’,N’’-pentamethldiethylenetriamine (Me5dien) were synthesized that included terminal olefinic and aromatic groups. It could be shown that the olefinic side arms stabilized some of the copper(I) complexes. Whether and how strongly the complexes were stabilized depended on the position and length of the olefinic sidearm. Additionally, the reactivity of the copper(I) complexes towards dioxygen was investigated.
Lattice Dynamics of LiNb 1-xTaxO3 Solid Solutions: Theory and Experiment
(2025) Bernhardt, Felix; Gharat, Soham; Kapp, Alexander; Pfeiffer, Florian; Buschbeck, Robin; Hempel, Franz; Pashkin, Oleksiy; Kehr, Susanne C.; Rüsing, Michael; Sanna, Simone; Eng, Lukas M.
Lithium niobate (LNO) and lithium tantalate (LTO) see widespread use in fundamental research and commercial technologies reaching from electronics over classical optics to integrated quantum communication. The mixed crystal system lithium niobate tantalate (LNT) allows for the dedicate engineering of material properties by combining the advantages of the two parental materials LNO and LTO. Vibrational spectroscopies such as Raman spectroscopy or (Fourier transform) infrared (IR) spectroscopy are vital techniques to provide detailed insight into the material properties, which is central to the analysis and optimization of devices. This work presents a joint experimental–theoretical approach allowing to unambiguously assign the spectral features in the LNT material family through both Raman and IR spectroscopy, as well as providing an in-depth explanation for the observed scattering efficiencies based on first-principles calculations. The phononic contribution to the static dielectric tensor is calculated from the experimental and theoretical data using the generalized Lyddane–Sachs–Teller relation and compared with the results of the first-principles calculations.
Social Identification in Times of Crisis: How Need to Belong, Perspective Taking, and Cognitive Closure Relate to Changes in Social Identification
(2025) Till, Franziska Julia; Heimrich, Julia; Frenzel, Svenja B.; van Dick, Rolf; Mojzisch, Andreas; Junker, Nina M.; Häusser, Jan A.
In a world shaped by global crises—from pandemics to international armed conflicts to an escalating climate crisis—research into human reactions to and coping with uncertainty is becoming increasingly important. The fundamental role of identification with social groups in maintaining well-being during times of threat has been emphasized. In this context, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between interindividual differences— need to belong, perspective taking, need for cognitive closure—and changes in social identification. To test our hypotheses, we conducted a two-wave online study with a sample of 1008 participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined changes in social identification in narrow social groups (i.e., family, friends, neighbors) and broader social categories (i.e., own country, Europe, humanity). We found an overall increase in social identification in times of crises across all groups. The results show that need to belong (at Time 1) was positively related to increases in social identification (at Time 2) for all groups, while the positive association between perspective taking (at Time 1) and increases in social identification (at Time 2) was observed for almost all groups except neighbors. Contrary to our expectations, however, the need for cognitive closure (at Time 1) showed no association with changes in identification with any social group (at Time 2). These findings emphasize the importance of interindividual differences for our understanding of changes in social identification over time.
Decoupling the Effects of Interface Chemical Degradation and Mechanical Cracking in Solid-State Batteries with Silicon Electrode
(2025) Huo, Hanyu; Bai, Yang; Benz, Sebastian Leonard; Weintraut, Timo; Wang, Shuo; Henss, Anja; Raabe, Dierk; Janek, Jürgen
Silicon is a promising negative electrode material for solid-state batteries (SSBs) due to its high specific capacity and ability to prevent lithium dendrite formation. However, SSBs with silicon electrodes currently suffer from poor cycling stability, despite chemical engineering efforts. This study investigates the cycling failure mechanism of composite Si/Li6PS5Cl electrodes by decoupling the effects of interface chemical degradation and mechanical cracking. Chlorine-rich Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5 suppresses interface chemical degradation when paired with silicon, while small-grained Li6PS5Cl shows 4.3-fold increase of interface resistance due to large Si/Li6PS5Cl contact area for interface degradation. Despite this, small-grained Li6PS5Cl improves the microstructure homogeneity of the electrode composites, effectively alleviating the stress accumulation caused by the expansion/shrinkage of silicon particles. This minimizes bulk cracks in Li6PS5Cl during the lithiation processes and interface delamination during the delithiation processes. Mechanical cracking shows a dominant role in increasing interface resistance than interface chemical degradation. Therefore, electrodes with small-grained Li6PS5Cl show better cycling stability than those with Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5. This work not only provides an approach to decouple the complex effects for cycling failure analysis but also provides a guideline for better use of silicon in negative electrodes of SSBs.
Success of the German Cystic Fibrosis Registry
(2025) Naehrlich, Lutz; Burkhart, Manuel
The German Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Registry (GCFR) is a national General Data Protection Regulation–compliant centralised database sponsored by the German Cystic Fibrosis Association (Mukoviszidose e.V.) and based on informed consent for each participating patient, ethical approval, and data protection votes. The aims of the GCFR are to optimise quality of care for CF at the centres, generate epidemiologic overviews, address research questions related to improved CF care, and inform caregivers, patients (aimed at patient empowerment), and health authorities and industry (aimed at care planning and pharmacovigilance). Established in 1995, the Registry has captured data on > 9600 individuals with a combined total of more than 140 000 annual assessments with an estimated coverage rate of > 90%. Patient data are collected after informed consent and confirmed diagnosis of CF, or a CFTR-related disorder, or a screening-positive inconclusive diagnosis of CF (i.e., CFSPID). The registry collects core, encounter, and annual health data. Data include demographics, anthropometrics, lung function, microbiology, CF-specific complications and chronic medications, hospitalisations, demand-oriented antibiotic therapies, and outcomes (death and transplants). Real world and pharmacovigilance studies have been published and additional research underway; there is a formal process for requesting access to the GCFR.
A Systematic Targeted Genetic Screen Identifies Proteins Involved in Cytoadherence of the Malaria Parasite P. falciparum
(2025) Küster, Nina; Roling, Lena; Ouayoue, Ardin; Steeg, Katharina; Przyborski, Jude M.
Immediately after invading their chosen host cell, the mature human erythrocyte, malaria parasites begin to export an array of proteins to this compartment, where they initiate processes that are prerequisite for parasite survival and propagation, including nutrient import and immune evasion. One consequence of these activities is the emergence of novel adhesive phenotypes that can lead directly to pathology in the human host. To identify parasite proteins involved in this process, we used modern genetic tools to target genes encoding 15 exported parasite proteins, selected by an in silico workflow. This resulted in four genetically modified parasite lines that were then characterised in detail. Of these lines, three could be shown to have aberrations in adhesion, and of these one appears to have a block in the transport and/or correct folding of the major surface adhesin PfEMP1 (Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1). Our data expand the known factors involved in this important process and once again highlight the complexity of this phenomenon.
Cellular immune responses of bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils to Calicophoron daubneyi
(2025) Silva, Liliana M. R.; López-Osorio, Sara; Peixoto, Raquel; Zhou, Ershun; Espinosa, Gabriel; Gärtner, Ulrich; Taubert, Anja; Conejeros, Iván; Hermosilla, Carlos
Calicophoron daubneyi infections have increased in Europe, being more frequent than fasciolosis in some areas. Infection occurs once definitive hosts ingest encysted metacercariae present on vegetation. Following excystation, juvenile flukes penetrate the small intestinal mucosa and migrate into the rumen where adults mature. Throughout the somatic migration, juveniles come across different microenvironments and tissues and encounter host leukocytes. Besides phagocytosis, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and degranulation, polymorphonuclear neutrophils also cast neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which can entrap several parasite species, including the closely related liver fluke Fasciola hepatica. In this study, we analyzed whether in vitro exposure of bovine neutrophils to C. daubneyi antigen (CdAg) and eggs triggered neutrophils activation and NET formation. Results on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunofluorescence analyses show weak formation of short spread NETs upon CdAg stimulation, corroborated by increased extracellular DNA measurements. Likewise, early NETosis was confirmed via nuclear area expansion assays. Bovine neutrophil stimulation with CdAg 100 µg/mL concentration led to a significant increase in oxygen consumption rates (p = 0.0152) and extracellular acidification rates (p = 0.0022), while lower concentrations of CdAg (10 µg/mL) failed to induce neutrophil activation, suggesting a dose dependent response. Both intra- and extracellular ROS production was not affected by any CdAg concentration here studied. Bovine neutrophil total adenosine triphosphate concentration significantly decreased after exposure to CdAg 100 µg/mL, in line to the observed with the positive control (phorbol myristate acetate/ionomycin). In summary, C. daubneyi activates bovine neutrophils with rather weak responses, which might suggest that the release of C. daubneyi-specific molecules (i.e. excretory-secretory antigens, proteases, or nucleases) could interfere with neutrophil-related effector mechanisms. Further ex vivo analyses will clarify if such mechanisms are also involved in pathogenesis of paramphistomosis by demonstrating neutrophil recruitment into affected intestinal mucosa.
Retrospective evaluation of autotransfusion using a cell saver device versus allotransfusion in the perioperative management of acute hemoperitoneum in 43 dogs (2017–2021)
(2025) Blunschi, Fabienne; Gluding, Dennis; Hassdenteufel, Esther; Schneider, Matthias; Lehmann, Hendrik
Background: Cell saver (CS) technology is an increasingly popular approach for autotransfusion in small animal veterinary medicine for the treatment of patients with abdominal hemorrhagic effusion. Objective: To evaluate the utility, effectiveness, and safety of autotransfusions collected with a CS device and to assess whether the use of the CS device reduces the demand for allogenic blood transfusions. Materials and methods: Retrospective study of dogs with acute hemoperitoneum of splenic origin treated surgically. Dogs were grouped by the type of transfusion received: allo- and autotransfusion (AA), allotransfusion only (AO), autotransfusion only (CS), and no transfusion (NT). Differences in changes of laboratory parameters (hematocrit and lactate), transfusion volume, and outcomes were analyzed across groups. Results: Forty-three dogs were included. Twenty-seven (62.8%) suffered from hemangiosarcoma, and 16 (37.2%) had a benign cause of hemoperitoneum. The classification into blood transfusion groups was as follows: 7/43 (16.3%) in the AA-group, 11/43 (25.6%) in the AO-group, 11/43 (25.6%) in the CS-group and 14/43 (32.6%) in the NT-group. Increase in hematocrit over time was similar in all subgroups that received any form of blood transfusion (AA-, AO-, CS-group). Total volume of transfused blood (autologous and allogenic) was significantly higher in the AA-group (median 54.0mL/kg, range 24.7–126.5mL/kg) than in the AO-group (median 7.6mL/kg, range 4.6–13.5mL/kg, p = 0.01) but not the CS-group (median 23.8mL/kg, range 14.1–50.0mL/kg, p = 0.22). No difference was found for the volume of allogenic blood transfused between the AA-group (median 9.4mL/kg, range 5.0–16.2mL/kg) and AO-group (median 7.6mL/kg, range 4.6–13.5mL/kg) (p = 0.68). The use of the CS device did not adversely affect the time from presentation to surgery, the duration of surgery, or the outcomes. Discussion: The use of autologous blood transfusions obtained by CS device in dogs suffering from acute hemoperitoneum caused by a benign or malignant splenic disorder appeared safe and effective in the cases described. And therefore may emphasize its further application as an addition or alternative to traditional allogenic blood transfusions.
Perspectives on the adoption of black-soldier fly larvae for animal feed among livestock farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa
(2025) Nyamuhirwa, Dieu-Merci Akonkwa; Feleke, Shiferaw; Dontsop Nguezet, Paul-Martin; Sissoko, Dioukou; Moussa, Bokar; Kouakou, Abel-Gautier; Zakari, Seydou; Abdoulaye, Tahirou; Manyong, Victor
Introduction: Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are increasingly promoted as cost-effective, and environmentally friendly source of protein in animal nutrition. However, there is limited information about farmers' adoption rates and the factors influencing their adoption decisions in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This article assesses livestock farmers' actual and potential adoption rates of BSFL and determinants of their adoption decisions. Methods: In this paper, we used the treatment effect framework approach on data collected from 1,885 fish, poultry, and pig smallholder farmers in five cities of four West and Central African countries, including Kinshasa and Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Accra in Ghana, Bamako in Mali, and Niamey in Niger. Results and discussion: The results show that about 20 percent of surveyed farmers are aware of BSFL as a protein source in animal feed, and the actual adoption rate of BSFL is four percent. However, the treatment effect analysis showed that the adoption rate could quadruple if all farmers were aware. This result suggests that successful awareness creation can boost the actual adoption of BSFL, which currently stands at four percent. The awareness creation should target educated livestock farmers with access to group membership, credit, extension services, and diversified income sources to influence their decisions to adopt BSFL as a source of protein in animal feed.
Intracrine Formation of Steroid Hormones in Breast Cancer, Epidermal Keratinocyte, Dermal Fibroblast, and Adipocyte Cell Lines Measured by LC-MS/MS
(2025) Karakus, Emre; Schmid, Andreas; Schäffler, Andreas; Wudy, Stefan A.; Geyer, Joachim
Peripheral tissues such as skin and adipose tissue play a crucial role in the intracrine formation of sex steroid hormones, complementing the endocrine and paracrine systems. These mechanisms involve the conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated form—DHEAS—into potent androgenic and estrogenic hormones. In vitro studies using tissue-specific cell lines are essential for unraveling the complex intracrine synthesis of these hormones. This study examined the formation of DHEA, androstenedione (A4), testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol (E2) from DHEAS in four cell lines: MCF-7 breast cancer cells, HaCaT keratinocytes, human dermal fibroblasts (HDF), and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and mature adipocytes, using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). MCF-7 cells converted DHEAS to DHEA, A4, T, E2, and DHT, while HaCaT cells produced all these steroids except DHT. Mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes produced DHEA, A4, T, and DHT. By contrast, HDF and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes converted DHEAS only to DHEA and A4. This study highlights the vital role of peripheral tissues, such as skin and adipose tissue, for the intracrine formation of sex hormones and underlines the crucial role of in vitro cell culture models to analyze such effects. The data shed light on the significant impact of androgen metabolism in skin and adipose tissue, which is of great relevance for aging, wound healing, obesity, and lipid metabolism.
Screening of Piglets for Signs of Inflammation and Necrosis as Early Life Indicators of Animal Health and Welfare Hazards
(2025) Koenders-van Gog, Karien; Wijnands, Thomas; Lechner, Mirjam; Reiner, Gerald; Fink-Gremmels, Johanna
Ensuring animal health and well-being requires animal-based measures for early and direct intervention at the point of care. Insight into the pathophysiology of Swine Inflammation and Necrosis Syndrome (SINS) has led to a non-invasive, clinical scoring system that can be used in daily practice. This provides information on the cause of observed lesions for direct intervention in affected herds. The aim of the current study was to re-evaluate the practicality of the SINS scoring system under field conditions. In addition, this is the first study to provide insight into the prevalence of SINS on Dutch farms. This study involved the scoring of 5958 piglets from 20 visits on 13 farms randomly selected by a veterinary practice in the Netherlands. The results showed that up to 64.1% of the piglets had visible inflammatory alterations in different body parts within the first seven days of life. Sow rectal temperature, signs of coprostasis and water intake during pregnancy were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) correlated with the prevalence of SINS in piglets. In conclusion, the SINS scoring system is an easy-to-use, non-invasive diagnostic tool that summarises animal-based observations at the point of care, providing a valuable communication tool between farmers, nutritionists and veterinarians in their efforts to improve animal health and welfare.
A Review of Needle Navigation Technologies in Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Surgeries - Toward a More Effective and Easy-to-Apply Process
(2025) Steeg, Katharina; Krombach, Gabriele Anja; Friebe, Michael Horst
Background: This review evaluates needle navigation technologies in minimally invasive cardiovascular surgery (MICS), identifying their strengths and limitations and the requirements for an ideal needle navigation system that features optimal guidance and easy adoption in clinical practice. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and IEEE databases up until June 2024 identified original studies on needle navigation in MICS. Eligible studies were those published within the past decade and that performed MICS requiring needle navigation technologies in adult patients. Animal studies, case reports, clinical trials, or laboratory experiments were excluded to focus on actively deployed techniques in clinical practice. Extracted data included the study year, modalities used, procedures performed, and the reported strengths and limitations, from which the requirements for an optimal needle navigation system were derived. Results: Of 36 eligible articles, 21 used ultrasound (US) for real-time imaging despite depth and needle visibility challenges. Computer tomography (CT)-guided fluoroscopy, cited in 19 articles, enhanced deep structure visualization but involved radiation risks. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), though excellent for soft-tissue contrast, was not used due to metallic tool incompatibility. Multimodal techniques, like US–fluoroscopy fusion, improved accuracy but added cost and workflow complexity. No single technology meets all the criteria for an ideal needle navigation system, which should combine real-time imaging, 3D spatial awareness, and tissue integrity feedback while being cost-effective and easily integrated into existing workflows. Conclusions: This review derived the criteria and obstacles an ideal needle navigation system must address before its clinical adoption, along with novel technological approaches that show potential to overcome those challenges. For instance, fusion technologies overlay information from multiple visual approaches within a single interface to overcome individual limitations. Additionally, emerging diagnostic methods like vibroacoustic sensing or optical fiber needles offer information from complementary sensory channels, augmenting visual approaches with insights into tissue integrity and structure, thereby paving the way for enhanced needle navigation systems in MICS.
Case Series Evaluating the Relationship of SGLT2 Inhibition to Pulmonary Artery Pressure and Non-Invasive Cardiopulmonary Parameters in HFpEF/HFmrEF Patients - A Pilot Study
(2025) Herrmann, Ester Judith; Guckert, Michael; Gruen, Dimitri; Keller, Till; Tello, Khodr; Seeger, Werner; Sossalla, Samuel; Assmus, Birgit
The initiation of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor treatment was shown to reduce pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III heart failure (HF) patients with an implanted PAP sensor. We aimed to investigate the impact of SGLT2-I initiation on pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), pulmonary arterial capacitance (PAC), and right ventricle (RV) to PA (RV-PA) coupling in a pilot cohort of HF with preserved/mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF/HFmrEF) patients and whether PVR and PCWP can be serially calculated non-invasively using PAP sensor data during follow-up. Methods: Right heart catheterization parameters (PVR, PCWP, and PAC) were obtained at sensor implantation and echocardiographic assessments (E/E’, RV-PA coupling, and RV cardiac output) were made at baseline and every 3 months. SGLT2 inhibition was initiated after 3 months of telemedical care. Three methods for calculating PVR and PCWP were compared using Bland–Altman plots and Spearman’s correlation. Results: In 13 HF patients (mean age 77 ± 4 years), there were no significant changes in PAP, PVR, PCWP, RV-PA coupling, or PAC over 9 months (all p-values > 0.05), including after SGLT2-I initiation. PVR values were closely correlated across the three methods (PVRNew and PVRNew Tedford (r = 0.614, p < 0.001), PVREcho and PVRNew Tedford (r = 0.446, p = 0.006), and PVREcho and PVRNew (r = 0.394, p = 0.016)), but PCWP methods lacked reliable association (PCWPEcho and PCWPNew (r = 0.180, p = 0.332). Conclusions: No changes in cardiopulmonary hemodynamics were detected after hemodynamic telemonitoring either prior to or following SGLT2-I initiation. Different PVR assessment methods yielded comparable results, whereas PCWP methods were not associated with each other. Further investigations with larger cohorts including repeated right heart catheterization are planned.

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