134 research outputs found
Isolation and characterization of Hofbauer cells from human term placentas
No full textHofbauer cells (HBCs) are macrophages of fetal origin present in the human placenta that play a key role in maintaining a healthy pregnancy. They are the most abundant immune cells (> 90%) in the placental villi. They have been implicated in various complications of pregnancy, though their role in these pathologies remains rudimentary. In addition, despite being discovered over a century ago, there is no consensus on the specific time window between delivery and placental sample processing for HBCs isolation, the site of biopsy sampling, and isolation protocol. In previous studies, mechanical disintegration, enzymatic digestions, density gradient separation, homogenization, adherence, rosetting, and immune selection techniques have been used to isolate HBCs for immunological studies. Here we review current knowledge on HBCs isolation methods, their role in healthy and pathologic pregnancy, and the impact of pregnancy complications on HBCs population and phenotype. A literature search was conducted on Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases using specific keywords, including “Isolation of Hofbauer cells, Hofbauer cells and infectious diseases, Hofbauer cells on immune function, and Hofbauer cells and maternal autoimmune pathology.” No restrictions were placed on the year of publication or author affiliation during the selection process. Developing a standardized and harmonized HBCs isolation technique(s) will allow comparative studies across laboratories, research groups studying HBCs. These standardized approaches will provide the necessary impetus for studies on HBCs and their functionality in healthy and placental pathologies
Outcome of glucose homeostasis in patient with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis undergoing treatment with bone active-drugs.
No full textVorläufige Ergebnisse der Gen-Panel-Diagnostik im Rahmen der Schwangerschafts-assoziierten Osteoporose (SSAO)
No full textPolymorphisms in DC-SIGN and L-SIGN genes are associated with HIV-1 vertical transmission in a Northeastern Brazilian population.
No full textDC-SIGN and L-SIGN are receptors expressed on specialized macrophages in decidua, (Hofbauer and placental capillary endothelial cells), known to interact with several pathogens, including HIV-1. To disclose the possible involvement of these molecules in the susceptibility to HIV vertical transmission, we analyzed DC-SIGN and L-SIGN gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 192 HIV-1 positive children and 58 HIV-1 negative children all born to HIV-1 positive mothers, as well as 96 healthy uninfected children not exposed to HIV-1, all from Northeast Brazil. The frequency of three SNPs in the DC-SIGN promoter (-139G>A, -201G>T and -336A>G) were significantly different when comparing HIV positive children with HIV-1 exposed uninfected children, indicating an association with susceptibility to HIV-1 vertical transmission. This genetic association suggests that DC-SIGN molecule may play a role in susceptibility to HIV-1 infection through vertical transmission
The application of Austrian legends in primary school education
No full textTato diplomová práce nazvaná se zabývá rozborem vybraných rakouských pověstí od autorky Friedl Hofbauer a jejich začleněním do výuky němčiny. Zaměřuje se na různé možnosti aktivit a na to, jak lze rakouské legendy kreativně využít v hodinách němčiny.ObhájenoThis thesis deals with analysing selected Austrian legends from the author Friedl Hofbauer and integrating them into German lessons. It focuses on various possibilities of activities and how the Austrian legends can be creatively used in German lessons
Normative Uncertainty in Solar Climate Engineering Research Governance
No full textThis paper explores what kind of uncertainty a research program governing solar climate engineering through Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) needs to account for. Specifically, it tries to answer two central issues with regards to SAI research and it’s ethical evaluation: One, what irreducible uncertainties remain throughout the decision-process, and, two, how do these remaining uncertainties affect the ethical evaluation of SAI research. The main assumption is that decisions on SAI research governance will be made under normative uncertainty, i.e. situations under irreducible knowledge-constraints that arise in concrete, practical decision-contexts. These decision-contexts are multi-lateral and empirically ambiguous, and the decision-makers need to reconcile a plurality of values. While normative uncertainty complicates the ethical evaluation of policy decisions, I argue that moral considerations can be accommodated through the inclusion of recognitional, participatory justice approaches, as well as adaptive and anticipatory governance methods
Techno-moral change through solar geoengineering: How geoengineering challenges sustainability
No full textThis article brings a new perspective to the ethical debate on geoengineering through stratospheric
aerosol injection (SAI), incorporating the emerging techno-moral change scholarship into the discussion
surrounding sustainability. The techno-moral change approach can help us understand
different ways in which technology might shape society. First, it helps highlight how values and
norms are interrelated. Second, it shows that techno-moral change can happen even if the technology
is in no way realized. Through the introduction of two techno-moral vignettes, two
diametrically opposed ways in which SAI forces us to rethink sustainability and our relationship
with nature are suggested. SAI could lead to a situation of entrenchment, wherein sustainability as
a norm is undermined, or transformation where the necessity of acting according to sustainability
is highlighted
Isolation and identification of a marker substance in ginseng-leaves
No full textDiese Diplomarbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Isolierung und Identifizierung einer Markersubstanz in Ginseng Blättern. Nach der Einleitung, in der die Zielsetzung der Arbeit beschrieben wird, werden im zweiten Kapitel der aktuelle Stand der Wissenschaft behandelt. Hierzu wurde ein Steckbrief von Ginseng, mit allen wissenswerten Daten und der Wirkungsweise angefertigt, um ein Grundverständnis der Materie zu schaffen. Kapitel drei enthält eine Auflistung sämtlicher Apparaturen, Materialien, Proben, Extrakte und einer detaillierten Erklärung aller angewendeten nass-chemischen und instrumentellen Methoden (DC, SC, HPLC, MS und NMR). Den Hauptteil der Arbeit stellt Teil vier dar, in dem die Durchführung der experimentellen Analysen, der Ginsengproben sowie deren Ergebnisse beschrieben und in einer Schlussfolgerung wissenschaftlich aufgearbeitet werden. Um die Ergebnisse für Teil vier zu generieren, wurden zahlreiche Extrakte gepulverter Ginsengproben laut Arzneibuch hergestellt. Diese wurden via DC, präparativer DC, SC, HPLC, präparativer HPLC, LC-MS, LC-HRMS und NMR aufgereinigt und analysiert. Zum Schluss wurde als Markersubstanz Kaempferol-3-O-glucosyl(1-2)galactosid, mit Trivialnamen Panasenosid identifiziert. Dieser Marker ist blattspezifisch und in den Blättern aller Arten der Gattung Panax zu finden. Er kann als Qualitätskriterium zur Überprüfung der Reinheit von Ginsengwurzelpräparaten herangezogen werden. Das letzte Kapitel fasst alle erhoben Daten, Ergebnisse und die Schlussfolgerung zusammen und schließt die Arbeit ab.This diploma thesis deals with the isolation and identification of a marker substance in ginseng leaves. After the introduction, that describes the goal of the thesis, the second chapter refers to the current state of science. For this purpose, a profile of ginseng with the main facts and the effects of the plant on the human body are described to create a basic understanding for the reader. Chapter three deals with a list of all used equipment, materials, samples, extracts, and a detailed explanation of all applied wet chemical and instrumental methods (DC, SC, HPLC, MS and NMR). The main part of the thesis is part four, in which the implementation of the experimental analysis, the Ginseng samples and their results are described and scientifically processed in a conclusion. In order to generate the results for part four, numerous ginseng extracts were prepared according to the pharmacopoeia. These samples were purified and analysed via DC, preparative DC, SC, HPLC, semipreparative HPLC, LC-MS, LC-HRMS and NMR. Finally, the marker substance was identified as a kaempferol-3-O-glucosyl(1-2)galactoside, called panasenoside. The marker is species-unspecific and can be found in the leaves of all species of Panax. The results can be used as a quality criterion for checking the purity of ginseng root preparations. The last chapter summarizes all the data and results with a conclusion.vorgelegt von Lukas HofbauerZusammenfassungen auf Deutsch und EnglischAbweichender Titel laut Übersetzung des Verfassers/der VerfasserinDiplomarbeit Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz 2020 855
Systemic risks and solar climate engineering research. Integrating technology ethics into the governance of systemic risks
No full textThe paper explores how the framework of systemic risks can help govern the risks imposed through solar climate engineering research. The central argument is that a systemic perspective of risk is a useful tool for analysing and assessing the risks imposed through Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) research. SAI is a form of climate engineering that could cool the planet by enhancing its albedo through the injection of aerosols into the stratosphere. Researching such a technology creates systemic risks with a strong sociotechnical component. This component consists of the potential societal harm that a developing or new technology might cause to existing norms, values, institutions, and politics. The systemic risk framework is a valuable heuristic for this case, given the complex interdependencies of societal systems, infrastructures, markets, etc. At the same time, the systemic risk framework can be enhanced through the inclusion of a more robust and reflected ethical considerations on technological risks. Consequently, this article seeks to supplement the systemic risk governance framework with insights from technology ethics. Specifically, the paper offers an ethically reflective conception of societal value dynamism and stakeholder engagement and participation, tying it to existing systemic risk governance approaches.Ethics & Philosophy of Technolog
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