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General Practitioners’ Views on Communication About Dietary Supplements During Periodic Health Examinations: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Germany
Full text linkIntroduction: The global dietary supplements (DS) market is expanding, numerous adults regularly consume DS. Potential
interactions with prescribed medications raise concerns, but communication about DS intake during medical consultations
remains limited. This study explores general practitioners’ (GPs) perceptions of communication on DS during periodic
health examinations (PHEs).
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 162 German GPs between May and August 2021. The
pseudonymized web-based questionnaire assessed DS-related was carried out to analyze quantitative data.
Results: In total, 162 general practitioners (GPs) participated in the survey, aged 50.2 years (±11.1). While 64.8% of
GPs considered DS to be an important topic, 38.8% rarely or never (<25% of conducted PHE) addressed DS during
PHEs. Personal DS use (Cramers’ V = 0.407; P < .001) and considering DS an important topic (Cramers’ V = 0.231; P = .016)
were associated with more frequent discussions about DS. Time constraints (24.9%), competing priorities (21.4%), and
uncertainty about DS (20.5%) were identified to be the main barriers. Suggestions for improving communication included
offering more reliable information and including DS in the medication plan.
Conclusion: This is the first study addressing communication about DS in Germany. Despite recognizing the relevance
of DS, GPs’ communication practices remain limited due to time constraints and competing priorities. Integrating DS in
the PHE could identify potential interactions with medication, strengthen patient-doctor-relationship, and satisfy patients’
needs for individualized counseling. Implementation of standardized DS documentation in medication plans and the
provision of evidence-based information resources may improve patient safety and fulfill GPs informational needs
Sustainable diets and cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Full text linkBackground
Sustainable diets are increasingly recommended as a strategy to reduce non-communicable diseases and promote planetary health. Current unhealthy dietary patterns are thought to contribute to the global cancer burden while food systems continue to exacerbate environmental challenges. Investigating the impact of sustainable diets on cancer is therefore critical.
Methods
This systematic review and meta-analysis included observational studies of healthy adults at baseline, reporting cancer incidence or cancer mortality during follow-up. Eligible studies were identified through a comprehensive search of multiple databases, including PubMed, ISI Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from inception to February 28, 2025. Sustainable diets were assessed using various metrics, and effect measures were pooled to compare adherence to sustainable dietary patterns. Summary effect estimates for cancer incidence and mortality were calculated using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses were conducted for sex, geographic regions, study design, sustainability metrics, dietary assessment indices on sustainability, cancer types, and dietary energy intake adjustment. E-values were used to assess the robustness of associations against potential unmeasured confounding. The study was pre-registered in PROSPERO (ID CRD42024545102).
Findings
We pooled 19 effect estimates from 17 studies, identified through the literature search. These studies encompassed over 2·2 million participants, with studies spanning from 1983 to 2022. Adherence to sustainable diets revealed a significant reduction in cancer incidence (RE = 0·93 [95% CI 0·88–0·98], I2 = 84·67%) and cancer mortality (HR = 0·88; 95% CI 0·85–0·92, I2 = 21·25%). Subgroup analyses indicated that the overall effect was modified by study region and design, sustainability metrics and dietary assessment indices. High heterogeneity, risk of bias in some studies, and e-values indicating potential residual confounding resulted in an overall low level of evidence as evaluated using GRADE.
Interpretation
These findings provide pooled evidence linking sustainable diets to reduced cancer incidence and mortality, highlighting their potential for cancer prevention and their dual health and environmental benefits. This analysis also revealed notable differences in sustainability metrics, emphasizing the need for standardized approaches
Experimental short-term heatwaves negatively impact body weight gain and survival during larval development in Bombus terrestris L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Full text linkClimate change-induced heatwaves threaten global biodiversity,
including crucial pollinators like bumblebees. In particular, the
increasing frequency, duration and intensity of heatwaves is
alarming. Despite these projections, little is known about the effects
of short-term heatwaves on insect larval development. Hence, we
investigated the impact of simulated heatwaves on the development
of 4th instar larvae (L4) of Bombus terrestris L. (Hymenoptera:
Apidae) using an in vitro rearing method. Individual larvae were
incubated at 37°C and 38°C for a period of 4 days, with a constant
rearing temperature of 34°C as the control. We examined body
weight gain, developmental duration, survival to adult stage, and
adult body size (i.e. dry mass, intertegular distance, and head width).
A simulated heatwave of 37°C did not significantly affect larval
development, but 38°C impaired larval body mass gain. While
developmental duration and adult body size were unaffected, an
acute heat stress of 38°C during the L4 stage reduced the probability
of pupae reaching adulthood. These findings highlight the potential
for heatwaves to negatively affect bee populations by impairing larval
growth and reducing survival to the adult stage, which may have
severe implications for colony fitness
Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Photochemical Processes in Specific Solvent Environments
No full textDiese Arbeit basiert auf der Untersuchung von drei verschiedenen molekularen Systemen mittels zeitaufgelöster Absorptions- und Emissionsspektroskopie. Im ersten Abschnitt geht es um die Untersuchung des Mechanismus der lichtinduzierten Isomerisierung von 1,3,5-Triphenylformazan (TPF) in Abhängigkeit verschiedener äußerer Einflüsse. Durch die Kombination mehrerer transienter Absorptionsexperimente auf unterschiedlichen Zeitskalen war es möglich den gesamten Relaxationsprozess zu verfolgen. Mit Hilfe von quantenchemischen Rechnungen konnten anschließend die am Relaxationsprozess beteiligten Isomere identifiziert werden. Darüber hinaus zeigten einige Relaxationsschritte eine außerordentliche Empfindlichkeit gegenüber der Lösungsmittelumgebung, weshalb ein potenzieller Relaxationspfad abgeleitet werden konnte, der teilweise durch einen Protonentransfer unterstützt wird.
Das zweite Forschungsprojekt befasst sich mit der Untersuchung der photochemischen Eigenschaften von Tropylium-Kationen, die mit unterschiedlichen funktionellen Gruppen substituiert sind. Insgesamt wurden sechs verschiedene Tropylium-Farbstoffe systematisch durch transiente Absorptions- und zeitaufgelöste Emissionsexperimente analysiert. Jedes Tropyliumsalz besteht aus einem elektronenarmen Tropyliumgerüst, das mit einem elektronenreichen Anilinteil verbunden ist. In Kombination mit quantenchemischen Berechnungen konnte gezeigt werden, dass verschiedene Konformere dieser Tropylium-Kationen möglich sind. In Abhängigkeit sowohl von der sterischen Wirkung der Substituenten als auch von der Lösungsmittelumgebung werden unterschiedliche Konformere begünstigt, was zu einem individuellen photochemischen Verhalten und einer hohen Abstimmbarkeit dieser Art von Molekülen führt.
Schließlich wurde die Ionenpaarbildung während der asymmetrischen Transferhydrierung am Beispiel der enantioselektiven Iminreduktion untersucht. Es ist bereits literaturbekannt, dass während der Katalyse ein Ionenpaar-Komplex zwischen einem Iminsubstrat und einer chiralen Phosphorsäure (CPA) als Intermediat gebildet wird. Es wird angenommen, dass die Bildung des Ionenpaar-Komplexes ein grundlegender Schritt des Reaktionsmechanismus ist. Um den Isomerisierungsprozess des Imins innerhalb des Komplexes zu untersuchen, wurde zuvor ein geeigneter Aufbau entworfen und im Rahmen dieser Arbeit umgesetzt. Der experimentelle Aufbau ermöglicht Messungen bei kryogenen Temperaturen mit denen spektroskopische Untersuchungen des binären Imin/CPA-Komplexes möglich sind
Synthesis of unnatural cyclic amino acids and their application in biologically active peptides
No full textThe Introduction chapter reviews the literature on cyclic g-amino acids. The chapter covers their applications as small molecules and constituents of proteins.
The Main part is divided into three chapters. In the first chapter, the design, synthesis, and conformational analysis of linear peptides with cis-configured 2-(aminomethyl)-3-phenylcyclobutanecarboxylic acid (cis-g-CBAA) are studied. Special emphasis was put on both cis-g-CBAA enantiomers and their influence on the conformation and pharmacological activity of short neuropeptide Y analogs.
The second chapter concentrates on the design and synthesis of 4-aminopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acids (cis-b-APCAs). Moreover, their application as unnatural constituents of the short peptidic GPCR ligands, particularly NPY Y4 and NTS1,2 receptors ligands, was evaluated.
In the third chapter, the visible light-mediated Aza-Paterno Büchi [2+2]-cycloaddition for the synthesis of enantiopure diazabicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-2-ones, isoxazolidines, and g-amino acid derivatives is presented
Pristine aquatic habitats - a relic of the past? Habitat analysis of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera (L.) and its community
No full textPristine aquatic habitats are increasingly at risk of becoming relics of the past, as anthropogenic impacts continuously degrade freshwater ecosystems. While comprehensive nature conservation efforts have helped to improve the condition of many bodies of water, they have not yet succeeded in sufficiently protecting the particularly sensitive species. This is exemplified by the constitution of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera, which serves as an indicator species of oligotrophic freshwater habitats and is currently one of the most endangered species. While the direct impacts of pollution and overexploitation are pervasive in the discourse of pearl mussel protection, a significant aspect of habitat quality is the availability of suitable food resources and the biotic composition of its habitats. This thesis advances beyond the conventional approaches to species conservation by examining the habitat of M. margaritifera and its ecological community through a comprehensive, multifaceted approach.
After providing a general introduction to the scope of this thesis, the first chapter introduces the freshwater pearl mussel M. margaritifera and presents an overview of its conservation status and threats, its biology and ecology, and the current state of knowledge about its habitat and diet.
By analysing historical maps from 1850 onwards, the second chapter analyses the alterations in land utilisation over the past 170 years and their potential consequences for the habitats of the freshwater pearl mussel. It becomes evident that landscape alterations, including the straightening of watercourses, the reduction of wetlands, and the loss of small-scale land use, have been prevalent across the study area, including remote regions where biodiversity conservation efforts are underway. These changes illustrate the extensive impact of land-use practices on freshwater ecosystems.
Further investigation of the indicator species Myriophyllum alterniflorum reveals in the third chapter that the interaction between sediment composition, flow velocity, shading, and water quality, plays a critical role in the species’ survival. Multiple stressors acting simultaneously exacerbate threats to its existence.
The habitat of M. margaritifera and its associated community is examined in the fourth chapter using environmental DNA (eDNA) and joint species distribution models (jSDM). This demonstrates that species assemblages either positively or negatively associate with the freshwater pearl mussel. Additionally, the extent of agricultural land in the catchment has a negative influence on the pearl mussel-associated community. However, biotic interactions have a greater impact on community composition than environmental or spatial variables.
The fifth chapter examines the impact of traditional meadow irrigation practices on the habitat of M. margaritifera. It finds that meadow irrigation not only correlates with the mussel's historical distribution but also enhances water and sediment oxygenation, as well as calcium and organic content of detritus, which in turn facilitates enhanced juvenile mussel growth and survival.
Finally, a general discussion is held on the significance of these results for applied nature conservation. Collectively, they emphasise the intricate nature of conserving pristine aquatic habitats, underscoring the necessity for comprehensive conservation strategies. Environmental metabarcoding can be a part of such strategies, as it represents a promising avenue for advancing ecological understanding, provided that its inherent limitations in practical applications are carefully considered
Data Archive of "Ultrafast Exciton Dynamics in the Atomically Thin van der Waals Magnet CrSBr "
No full textNisin-enriched coatings on titanium implants prevent Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation: the Galleria mellonella model as a testing platform
No full textBackground: Bone and joint infections pose significant clinical challenges, often leading to severe complications and substantial healthcare
costs. Traditional antibiotic therapies are becoming increasingly ineffective due to rising antibiotic resistance and the biofilm-forming
ability of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Antimicrobial coatings offer a promising approach for the prevention and
treatment of implant-associated and bone infections. Following the demonstrated in vitro efficacy of nisin, a naturally occurring antimicrobial
peptide, in preventing S. aureus biofilm formation, this study investigates the in vivo potential of a nisin-enriched coating to prevent
biofilm-related infections using the Galleria mellonella larva haematogenous implant infection model. Methods: Methicillin-sensitive
S. aureus (MSSA) EDCC 5055 was used to infect larvae implanted with nisin-coated titanium Kirschner wires (K-wires). Survival rates
and bacterial loads on both the K-wires and in larval tissue were analysed. Biofilm formation on K-wires was further analysed using
scanning electron microscopy. Results: The results showed that nisin-coated K-wires significantly improved larval survival and reduced
bacterial burden compared to control groups. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the absence of biofilm formation on nisin-coated
K-wires. Conclusions: These findings suggest that nisin-enriched coatings could be a viable strategy for preventing bone and joint infections.
Additionally, this study demonstrates the feasibility of testing implant coatings in a cost-effective and ethically sound alternative
in vivo model. Further evaluation and testing of the nisin-enhanced coating in vertebrate animal implant infection models is warranted
Prognostic Role of Serum IL-6 Levels in Bladder Cancer Patients and Hints of its Origin
No full textBackground
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is associated with adverse clinical outcome in cancer patients. In bladder cancer (BC) patients, higher IL-6 serum levels have been linked with adverse pathologic features, worse overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). IL-6 is being investigated as a therapeutic target. However, concentrations in tumor-tissue are not investigated in detail. Objective of this study is to analyze the prognostic value of IL-6 in BC patients and to investigate its concentration in tumor tissue.
Methods
In this single center prospective observational study, preoperative serum samples of 179 BC patients undergoing radical cystectomy were collected between September 2019 and September 2022. Tumor-tissue of additional 20 patients was collected during transurethral resection or radical cystectomy for investigation of IL-6 in tumor tissue supernatant. IL-6 concentration was measured by ELISA.
Results
Median serum IL-6 concentration was 5.4 pg/mL. High serum IL-6 was an independent predictor of OS (HR 1.95; 95% CI, 1.07-3.55; P = .03) and CSS (HR 2.31; 95% CI, 1.14-4.68; P = .02) in multivariate Cox regression analyses. Patients with advanced tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, and larger tumor size had significantly higher preoperative serum IL-6 concentration (all P < .01). In tumor tissue supernatant, IL-6 concentration was higher in muscle-invasive BC, with a median of 715.4 pg/mL, as opposed to 20.7 pg/mL in pTa tumor stage (P < .01).
Conclusions
Serum IL-6 is a strong predictor of poor survival rates and adverse pathologic features in BC patients. IL-6 concentrations in tumor tissue supernatant correlate with tumor stage. The role of IL-6 in theranostics of bladder cancer deserves more attention