Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Open Access LMU ( Ludwig-Maximilians-Univ. München)Not a member yet
40914 research outputs found
Sort by
Establishment, operation and development of the electronic Pollen Information Network (ePIN) in Bavaria, Germany
No full textTargeted introduction of premature stop codon in plant mitochondrial mRNA by a designer pentatricopeptide repeat protein with C‐to‐U editing function
No full textRNA editing is a crucial post-transcriptional modification in endosymbiotic plant organelles, predominantly involving C-to-U conversions. Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins play a key role in this process. To establish a system for gene expression manipulation in genetically inaccessible mitochondria, we engineered a synthetic PPR protein, dPPR-nad7-DYW, to induce de novo C-to-U editing in the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 7 (nad7) mRNA of Arabidopsis thaliana, thereby creating a premature stop codon. This designer protein, composed of 13 P-type PPR domains, was fused with the DYW-type cytidine deaminase domain from Physcomitrium patens PpPPR_56 and programmed to bind a specific nad7 mRNA segment. In vitro binding assays confirmed the specificity of dPPR-nad7-DYW for its target sequence. When expressed in Arabidopsis plants, dPPR-nad7-DYW achieved up to 85% editing efficiency at the target site, successfully introducing a premature stop codon in nad7 mRNA. This resulted in reduced polysome loading of nad7 transcripts and a phenotype characteristic of mitochondrial complex I dysfunction. RNA-sequencing revealed potential off-target editing events, albeit at lower frequencies. Our study demonstrates the successful application of an editing factor with a synthetic P-type PPR tract targeting a de novo editing site in plant mitochondria, achieving high editing efficiency. This approach opens new avenues for manipulating organellar gene expression and studying mitochondrial gene function in plants and other eukaryotes
Antagonism of prostate α1A-adrenoceptors by verapamil in human prostate smooth muscle contraction
No full textVoiding symptoms and hypertension are common comorbidities. α1-Blockers are the first-line medication for the treatment of voiding symptoms. Off-target antagonism of α1-adrenoceptors by cardiovascular drugs may add to the side effects of α1-blockers but may also hold the potential to avoid polypharmacy. Here, we examined α1-adrenergic antagonism by the calcium channel blocker verapamil in the human prostate. Prostate tissues were obtained from radical prostatectomy. Contractions were examined by organ bath. Verapamil caused concentration-dependent inhibitions of α1-adrenergic and electric field stimulation-induced contractions and increases of EC50 values for α1-agonists. Emax values for phenylephrine, methoxamine, noradrenaline, and electric field stimulation were decreased by 41%, 17%, 41%, and 39% by 1-μM verapamil and by 62%, 36%, 51%, and 93% by 10-μM verapamil. EC50 values for phenylephrine, methoxamine, and noradrenaline were increased by 0.47, 0.36, and 0.18 orders of magnitude by 1-μM verapamil and by 0.83, 1.22, and 1.54 orders of magnitude by 10-μM verapamil. The 100-nM verapamil increased the EC50 values for noradrenaline by 0.43 magnitudes but only slightly (<0.2 magnitudes) for phenylephrine and methoxamine. U46619-induced contractions were unchanged by 10-μM verapamil. Emax values for endothelin-1-induced contractions were reduced by 14% by 10-μM verapamil. Antagonism of α1-adrenoceptors by verapamil in the human prostate begins at concentrations corresponding to plasma concentrations at high doses. Improvements of voiding symptoms through this antagonism may help to avoid polypharmacy in elderly populations, but application in BPH may be limited by drug-drug interactions and additive side effects
Intravascular lithotripsy-assisted percutaneous deep vein arterialization for no-option chronic limb-threatening patients and heavily calcified tibial occlusive disease
Get PDFPurpose: To report the first chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) patients who underwent an intravascular lithotripsy (IVL)-assisted percutaneous deep vein arterialization (pDVA). Case Report 1: An 81-year-old patient presented with CLTI and a heavily calcified lesion of the popliteal artery and tibioperoneal trunk (TPT), with a distal tibial and foot arch occlusion. The patient underwent IVL and drug-coated balloon angioplasty for the distal popliteal artery and of the TPT to improve the inflow prior to pDVA. The wound situation remained stable without secondary procedure until the patient`s deaths due to complications of urosepsis 3 months later. Case Report 2: A 64-year-old patient with rest pain of the left limb with a single-vessel tibial run-off (peroneal artery) and occluded pedal arch was treated with 3.5 mm IVL followed by a successful pDVA as mentioned above. IVL performed in the proximal posterior tibial artery to optimize the inflow to the circuit and change the compliance of the crossing point from the arterial to the vein system. The patient underwent repeat angioplasty of the plantar vein arch 5 months after the index procedure and thereafter remained asymptomatic during 2 years of follow-up. Conclusion: The combined use of IVL and pDVA could improve the patency of the reconstruction with clinical benefits in no-option CTLI patients
„Wie ertrage ich Armut mit Würde?“
No full textVor dem Hintergrund der Diskussion einer zunehmenden Prekarisierung der Medienbranche nimmt unsere Studie die subjektive Komponente von Prekarität in den Blick und lässt mittels qualitativer Interviews 27 Journalist:innen zu Wort kommen, die sich von prekären Bedingungen betroffen fühlen. Zur Analyse der Wahrnehmung dieser Arbeitsbedingungen nutzen wir das Drei-Zonen-Modell moderner Lohnarbeitsgesellschaft aus der Arbeitssoziologie. Das Modell typologisiert integrierte, prekäre und desintegrierte Beschäftigungsverhältnisse und deren subjektive Bewertung. Wir nutzen Erkenntnisse aus dem Forschungsstand, um zunächst das gesamte Modell auf das Berufsfeld des Journalismus anzuwenden. Anschließend arbeiten wir auf Basis unserer Interviews diejenigen Typen des Modells detaillierter heraus, die von der Zone der Integration in die Zone der Prekarität führen. Die „Verunsicherten“ nehmen trotz einer unbefristeten Vollzeitstelle eine latente Unsicherheit aufgrund von hoher Arbeitsbelastung wahr, während bei den „Abstiegsbedrohten“ das Gefühl der Unsicherheit akut ist. Den Typus der „Hoffenden“ bilden junge Journalist:innen, die Prekarität als Teil der Karriere hinnehmen, und die „Zufriedenen“ können sich aufgrund finanzieller Unterstützung die Unsicherheit ‚leisten‘. Die freiberuflich tätigen „Realistischen“ haben angesichts ihres geringen Einkommens Existenzängste und leben zum Teil in Armut. Unsere Studie macht prekäre Arbeitsbedingungen im Journalismus und ihre problematischen individuellen Konsequenzen sichtbar. Wenn Journalist:innen vor Prekarität aus dem Beruf flüchten, hat das negative Effekte auf die Leistungserbringung und Diversität des Berufsstands.Our study is embedded in the discussion of an increasing precarization of the media industry. The journalistic profession is vulnerable to atypical forms of employment, exposing journalists to precarious working conditions. So far, journalism research has primarily focused on structural data on the working situations of journalists. However, precarity entails not merely objective disadvantages but also the subjective perception of powerlessness in relation to working conditions. Thus, our study focuses on the subjective component of precarity in journalism. We use Castel and Dörre’s Three-Zone Model of modern labor as a conceptual framework and adapt it to the context of journalism. The theoretical model presents a typology of integrated, precarious, and disintegrated employment forms and their subjective evaluation.
Between March and May 2022, we conducted 27 qualitative interviews with journalists in Germany to explore how they perceive their precarious work life. We interviewed 17 freelance journalists, eight journalists with full-time positions (five of them were permanently employed), and two part-time news workers (one of which was on a permanent contract). Interviewees’ ages varied from 30 to 66 years, and they worked for different types of media such as daily newspapers, broadcasting media and online media. The interviews were analyzed using a category-guided content analysis and were assigned to various types in the Three-Zone Model that range from the zone of integration to the zone of precarity.
The analysis shows that journalists perceive precarity in many different ways. The Insecure perceive latent insecurity due to a high workload despite having a permanent full-time position. As one journalist told us: “It is expected that the job comes first, everything else comes after.” The situations of these journalists make clear that precarity is also perceived in employment positions that are formally secure. The Threatened experience acute feelings of insecurity, for example, due to a sudden decrease in assignments during the COVID-19 pandemic. These interviews demonstrate that despite its systemic relevance, the journalism profession cannot be considered crisis-proof. The Hopeful, young journalists, feel insecure about their future but accept precarity as part of their career. They work in atypical forms of employment and hope to be rewarded with a secure position through their commitment and motivation. Nevertheless, some of those young journalists set themselves a deadline for how long they will endure this phase of hopefulness and have a plan B for their career. The Satisfied can afford the insecurity due to financial support, i.e., through their partner or heritage. These journalists are aware that the additional security can be seen as a privilege and that they are dependent on others. Last but not least, self-employed Realists experience existential fears due to low journalistic income and/or their higher age. Some of these freelancing journalists live in poverty and have difficulties making ends meet. In the words of one of our interviewees: “How do I bear poverty with dignity? … Just as I have learned to talk about my unemployment benefits now” (freelance journalist in her late forties). With six journalists currently transitioning out of journalism at the time of the interview, we advocate for an expansion of the typology to encompass the category of exiting the profession (the Switchers).
Our findings also reveal the need to differentiate between the precarious situation of freelance and salaried journalists. Whilst the former often define precarity on a material level, precarity for permanent employees is primarily expressed in insecurities that result from conditions in their employment contracts and work overload. Furthermore, the perception of precarious employment differs depending on the age of journalists: Older journalists we spoke to perceive their age as a major factor of uncertainty, as it restricts their chances in the job market and increases the need for security. Conversely, younger journalists tend to belong to the Hopeful type, as they attempt to identify opportunities within precarious employment and view insecurity as a natural part of their career.
Our study demonstrates that journalism research can benefit from concepts of the sociology of work. The results of the analysis shed light on precarious working conditions in journalism and their problematic individual and sociopolitical consequences. If journalists escape from precarity, this has negative effects on their job performance and the diversity of the profession. Thus, we express the concern that journalism may no longer be able to fulfill its democratic functions. The results are alarming, as precarious conditions impact the quality of journalistic products. At the same time, we argue that precarity research in journalism contributes to making journalistic working conditions visible. As stated by the journalists in our study, they often cannot draw attention to the deficiencies within their profession themselves: “The precarious journalists remain invisible. You can only see the successful ones who earn a lot of money.
The Reliability, But Not the Cronbach’s Alpha, of Knowledge Tests Matters: Response to Zitzmann and Orona (2025)
No full text
Influence of executive functions on quality of life in Pediatric Epilepsy: A cross-sectional study
No full textBackground
The EpiTrack Junior is a screening tool assessing executive function in children with epilepsy. This study aimed to investigate whether children and adolescents with epilepsy are at a higher risk of experiencing a reduced quality of life if they also reveal abnormal results reflecting executive dysfunction.
Methods
We screened patients for executive dysfunction using the clinical test tool EpiTrack Junior. To assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL), the German children’s and parents’ version of KINDL questionnaire was used. The KINDL scores (total score and dimensions scores) of patients with and without clinically conspicuous values were compared (≤ 28 and > 29, respectively). In addition, the exact EpiTrack Junior point scores were correlated with the KINDL total score and the scores of all KINDL dimensions.
Results
In this study 112 (mean age = 11.72, SD = 3.6) patients with epilepsy and their parents were included. Patients with executive dysfunctions (EpiTrack Junior values ≤ 28) scored significantly poorer in the QoL categories ‘family’ and ‘social environment’ than patients without. In the ‘family’ dimension, the child-report revealed the following data: z = -2.759; adjusted p-value: 0.042, and in the ‘friends’ dimension, parent-reports yielded the following data: z = -3.645; adjusted p-value: 0.007. In contrast, the 'self-esteem' dimension in the children's version showed significantly higher values in patients with executive dysfunctions than for those without: z = -2.524; adjusted p-value: 0.042. No significant differences between patients with and without executive dysfunctions were found for the overall quality of life (as assessed by the KINDL 'total score') as well as for the other dimensions (school, physical and emotional well-being).
Conclusions
No differences were found in the overall quality of life between patients with and without executive dysfunction. Nevertheless, executive dysfunction appeared to have a negative impact on some areas of life, such as family and friends, and was a predictor of increased self-esteem
Impact of Glazing, Coating, and Polishing on the Color Stability and Surface Properties of a 3D Printed Resin and Two Veneering Composite Resins
No full textObjective:
To analyze the impact of various surface treatments on color stability and surface properties of a 3D printed and two veneering composite resins.
Materials and Methods:
Specimens were manufactured from a 3D printed (VarseoSmile CrownPlus) or two veneering composite resins (GRADIA PLUS; VITA VM LC flow) and underwent varnishing (OPTIGLAZE; VITA AKZENT LC), coating, polishing (goat hair brush; silicone polisher) or remained untreated. For 14 days, specimens were stored in red wine, curcuma, cress, or water. Individual and, for ΔE 00 > 1.8, professional prophylaxis was performed. Color (ΔE 00), surface free energy (SFE), and surface roughness (SR) were measured longitudinally. Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, Friedman, and Wilcoxon tests were computed (α = 0.05).
Results:
For the 3D printed resin, varnishing, coating, or goat hair brushing minimized discoloration, while untreated surfaces showed the highest discoloration. Veneering composite resins benefited from goat hair brushing. Individual and professional prophylaxis improved surface properties and partially reversed discolorations. Solely goat hair brushed veneering composite resins achieved surface roughness values ≤ 0.2 μm.
Conclusions:
To prevent discoloration, varnishing and goat hair brushing can be recommended for all materials. Individual prophylaxis was most effective for veneering composite resin 1, whereas professional prophylaxis significantly reduced discoloration on 3D printed resin. Only veneering composite resins treated with goat hair brushing achieved surface roughness values of ≤ 0.2 μm.
Clinical Significance:
As 3D printed resins tend to discolor easily, it is important to understand how different surface treatments may impact their color stability. Applying treatments such as varnishing, coating, and polishing can improve the color stability and surface properties, ensuring better esthetic results over time
Zur Perspektivierung der Bewegungsrichtung bei Richtungsadverbien in den bairischen Dialekten
No full textThis paper examines the variation and change in the morphological perspectivization of the direction of movement in directional adverbs in the Bavarian dialects of Bavaria, Salzburg and Upper Austria. To this end, an online survey was designed as an apparent-time study, which was completed by 366 dialect speakers from 205 German and Austrian locations. The study’s central question concerns the factors that influence the transposition of the origo from the speaker to the listener. The results of the study, which employed a generalized additive mixed-effects model (GAMM), indicate that the cognitive-pragmatic factors of degree of listener relevance and intended perspectivization of the direction of movement according to speaker perspective, in particular, contribute to clarifying the variance in the data. In contrast, no significant effects could be found for the dialect region and the sociolinguistic factors gender, age, and educational level