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Glyphosate (N-[phosphonomethyl]-glycine) is the most widely used herbicide worldwide. Due to health concerns about glyphosate exposure, its continued use is controversially discussed. Biomonitoring is an important tool in safety evaluation and this study aimed to determine exposure to glyphosate and its metabolite AMPA, in association with food consumption data, in participants of the cross-sectional KarMeN study (Germany). Glyphosate and AMPA levels were measured in 24-h urine samples from study participants (n = 301). For safety evaluation, the intake of glyphosate and AMPA was calculated based on urinary concentrations and checked against the EU acceptable daily intake (ADI) value for glyphosate. Urinary excretion of glyphosate and/or AMPA was correlated with food consumption data. 8.3% of the participants (n = 25) exhibited quantifiable concentrations (> 0.2 µg/L) of glyphosate and/or AMPA in their urine. In 66.5% of the samples, neither glyphosate (< 0.05 µg/L) nor AMPA (< 0.09 µg/L) was detected. The remaining subjects (n = 76) showed traces of glyphosate and/or AMPA. The calculated glyphosate and/or AMPA intake was far below the ADI of glyphosate. Significant, positive associations between urinary glyphosate excretion and consumption of pulses, or urinary AMPA excretion and mushroom intake were observed. Despite the widespread use of glyphosate, the exposure of the KarMeN population to glyphosate and AMPA was found to be very low. Based on the current risk assessment of glyphosate by EFSA, such exposure levels are not expected to pose any risk to human health. The detected associations with consuming certain foods are in line with reports on glyphosate and AMPA residues in food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High alcohol consumption is an important risk factor for chronic disease and liver degeneration. Paraoxonase (PON1) and arylesterase (AE) are functions of the enzyme paraoxonase, which is synthesised by the liver. Paraoxonase circulates in plasma bound to HDL and hydrolyses lipid peroxides, protecting lipoproteins against oxidative modification. It has been shown that excessive alcohol consumption leads to a reduction of serum PON1 and AE activities; however, studies investigating the association with low and moderate alcohol consumption are scarce. We investigated the cross-sectional association between alcohol consumption and serum activities of PON1 and AE using data from the population-based Bavarian Food Consumption Survey II survey. PON1 and AE activities were quantified in serum samples of 566 male and female study participants (aged 18–80 years), and dietary intake including alcohol consumption was estimated from three 24-h dietary recalls. The association between alcohol consumption and PON1 and AE activities was analysed using linear regression, adjusted for age, sex and socio-economic status. There was no strong association between alcohol consumption and enzymatic activities of PON1 and AE in the Bavarian population. PON1 activity was seen to be lowest in non-drinkers (0 g/d) and highest in people who consumed 15·1–30 g of alcohol/d. AE activity increased across alcohol consumption categories, with a mean maximum difference of 14 U/ml (Pfor linear trend 0·04). These associations were attenuated after adjustment for blood concentrations of HDL. The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that alcohol consumption is related to important alterations in PON1 and AE activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The effect of polyphenol-rich cloudy apple juice (CloA) consumption on plasma parameters related to the obesity phenotype and potential effects of interactions between CloA and allelic variants in obesity candidate genes were assessed in obese men. Methods: In this controlled, randomized, and parallel study, n = 68, non-smoking, non-diabetic men with a BMI ≥27 kg/m received 750 mL/day CloA (802.5 mg polyphenols) or 750 mL/day control beverage (CB, isocaloric equivalent to CloA) for 4 weeks. Further, study participants were genotyped for single-nucleotide polymorphisms in PPARγ (rs1801282), UCP3 (rs1800849), IL-6 (rs1800795), FABP2 (rs1799883), INSIG2 (rs7566605), and PGC1 (rs8192678) genes. At the beginning and at the end of intervention plasma lipids, distinct adipokines and cytokines as well as anthropometric parameters were determined. Results: CloA compared to CB had no significant effect on plasma lipids, plasma adipokine and cytokine levels, BMI, and waist circumference. However, CloA consumption significantly reduced percent body fat compared to CB (∆ % body fat: CloA: −1.0 ± 1.3 vs. CB: −0.2 ± 0.9, p < 0.05). The IL-6-174 G/C polymorphism showed an interaction with body fat reduction induced by CloA. Solely in C/C, but not in G/C or G/G variants, a significant reduction in body fat after 4 weeks of CloA intervention was detectable. Conclusion: The observed diet-gene interaction might be a first indication for the impact of individual genetic background on CloA-mediated bioactivity on obesity-associated comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Adipose tissue-associated chronic inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-related diseases. Dietary fatty acids are known to influence inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether diets with regular fat contents but variable fat qualities affect adipose tissue-associated inflammation through the fatty acid composition of mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT). Methods: Obese Zucker rats were fed diets containing 7 % wt:wt rapeseed oil, corn oil, or lard for 10 weeks. Fatty acid composition and endocrine function regarding adipokines and cytokines of MAT, number of total CD3 T cells, and cytokine secretion of mesenteric lymph node (MLN)-derived lymphocytes were determined. Local effects in MAT and MLN were compared to systemic effects assessed in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results: Fatty acid composition of MAT reflected dietary fatty acid intake, without affecting endocrine function. Feeding the lard diet for 10 weeks increased the serum adiponectin and TNF-α secretion of blood lymphocytes, whereas CD3 T cells in blood were decreased. No effects were seen for the secretion of adipokines and cytokines from MAT, the amount of T cells in MLN, and cytokine secretion of MLN lymphocytes. Conclusions: In conclusion, feeding obese rats a diet with regular fat content but variable fat sources for 10 weeks, changed the fatty acid composition of MAT but not its secretory properties or MLN functions. Although the local immune system was not influenced, lard-feeding induced minor changes in systemic immune function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vegetables and fruit provide a significant part of human nutrition, as they are important sources of nutrients, dietary fibre, and phytochemicals. However, it is uncertain whether the risk of certain chronic diseases can be reduced by increased consumption of vegetables or fruit by the general public, and what strength of evidence has to be allocated to such an association. Methods: Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of the studies available in the literature and the respective study results has been performed and evaluated regarding obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, cancer, chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, osteoporosis, eye diseases, and dementia. For judgement, the strength of evidence for a risk association, the level of evidence, and the number of studies were considered, the quality of the studies and their estimated relevance based on study design and size. Results: For hypertension, CHD, and stroke, there is convincing evidence that increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruit reduces the risk of disease. There is probable evidence that the risk of cancer in general is inversely associated with the consumption of vegetables and fruit. In addition, there is possible evidence that an increased consumption of vegetables and fruit may prevent body weight gain. As overweight is the most important risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus, an increased consumption of vegetables and fruit therefore might indirectly reduces the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Independent of overweight, there is probable evidence that there is no influence of increased consumption on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. There is possible evidence that increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruit lowers the risk of certain eye diseases, dementia and the risk of osteoporosis. Likewise, current data on asthma, COPD, and RA indicate that an increase in vegetable and fruit consumption may contribute to the prevention of these diseases. For IBD, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, there was insufficient evidence regarding an association with the consumption of vegetables and fruit. Conclusions: This critical review on the associations between the intake of vegetables and fruit and the risk of several chronic diseases shows that a high daily intake of these foods promotes health. Therefore, from a scientific point of view, national campaigns to increase vegetable and fruit consumption are justified. The promotion of vegetable and fruit consumption by nutrition and health policies is a preferable strategy to decrease the burden of several chronic diseases in Western societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although sugars and sugar derivatives are an important class of metabolites involved in many physiologic processes, there is limited knowledge on their occurrence and pattern in biofluids., Objective: Our aim was to obtain a comprehensive urinary sugar profile of healthy participants and to demonstrate the wide applicability and usefulness of this sugar profiling approach for nutritional as well as clinical studies., Design: In the cross-sectional KarMeN study, the 24-h urine samples of 301 healthy participants on an unrestricted diet, assessed via a 24-h recall, were analyzed by a newly developed semitargeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling method that enables the detection of known and unknown sugar compounds. Statistical analyses were performed with respect to associations of sex and diet with the urinary sugar profile., Results: In total, 40 known and 15 unknown sugar compounds were detected in human urine, ranging from mono- and disaccharides, polyols, and sugar acids to currently unknown sugar-like compounds. A number of rarely analyzed sugars were found in urine samples. Maltose was found in statistically higher concentrations in the urine of women compared with men and was also associated with menopausal status. Further, a number of individual sugar compounds associated with the consumption of specific foods, such as avocado, or food groups, such as alcoholic beverages and dairy products, were identified., Conclusions: We here provide data on the complex nature of the sugar profile in human urine, of which some compounds may have the potential to serve as dietary markers or early disease biomarkers. Thus, comprehensive urinary sugar profiling not only has the potential to increase our knowledge of host sugar metabolism, but can also reveal new dietary markers after consumption of individual food items, and may lead to the identification of early disease biomarkers in the future. The KarMeN study was registered at drks.de as DRKS00004890.

OBJECTIVE:: To investigate whether the daily intake of red wine (RW) at a dose which inversely correlates with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk modulates immune functions in healthy men. DESIGN:: Randomized single-blind trial with four intervention periods. SETTING:: The Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Federal Research Centre for Nutrition, Karlsruhe, Germany. SUBJECTS:: A total of 24 healthy males with moderate alcohol consumption patterns were recruited and all completed the study. INTERVENTION:: Participants consumed 500?ml of RW (12% ethanol (ETOH)) or 500?ml of a 12% ETOH dilution per day for a period of 2 weeks. To control the potential effects of RW polyphenols, accordingly 500?ml/day of dealcoholized red wine (DRW) and of red grape juice (RGJ) were given. The following immune parameters were measured before beverage consumption and at 1 and 2 weeks following beverage consumption: phagocytic activity of neutrophils and monocytes, production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa), interleukin-2 and -4, transforming growth factor-ß, TNFa mRNA, lymphocyte proliferation, lytic activity of natural killer cells, and percentage of apoptotic lymphocytes. RESULTS:: Consumption of a moderate volume of alcohol with RW and with a 12% ETOH dilution had no effect on immune functions in healthy males. Consumption of polyphenol-rich beverages (DRW and RGJ) did not affect immunity-related parameters. CONCLUSIONS:: Daily moderate consumption of alcohol and of RW for 2 weeks at doses which inversely correlate with CVD risk has no adverse effects on human immune cell functions. Polyphenol-rich beverages such as RGJ and DRW further do not suppress immune responses in healthy men. SPONSORSHIP:: The Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food, and Agriculture, Germany.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2004) 58, 40-45. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601742 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scope: Knowledge on the influence of current diet on trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels in humans is still inconsistent. Thus, we aimed to investigate associations of current diet with urine and plasma TMAO levels and to determine the effect of different foods on TMAO variation., Methods and Results: TMAO concentrations of 297 healthy individuals were assessed using 1 H-NMR spectroscopy for 24 h urine collection and spot urine, and LC-MS for plasma. Of 35 assessed food groups, those with a correlation of ρ >|0.15| with plasma or urine TMAO levels were further investigated in multivariate linear regression models showing current fish and (red) meat consumption as plausible dietary sources of TMAO. Overall, explained variance of TMAO levels by current diet and co-variables (age, sex, lean body mass, glomerular filtration rate) was small. Associations with urine and plasma concentrations differed depending on the TMAO source. Fish consumption was associated with urine and plasma TMAO concentrations, whereas meat consumption was only associated with TMAO concentrations in plasma. Furthermore, associations of plasma TMAO concentration with fish consumption were two times stronger than with meat consumption., Conclusion: Meat and fish consumption differentially affects TMAO concentrations in body fluids. Only a small fraction of variance is explained by current diet., (© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Background: Strong interindividual differences in the microbial conversion of some dietary polyphenols have been reported. In-depth studies of trans-resveratrol metabolism by human gut microbiota, however, are lacking, and only one bacterial metabolite, namely dihydroresveratrol, has been described. Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate interindividual differences in trans-resveratrol metabolism by human gut microbiota and to identify bacterial strains involved. Design: In the first part of the study, in vitro fermentation experiments were performed with feces samples from 7 healthy volunteers, and metabolite formation was measured by liquid chromatographyultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis)-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS detection. Microbial diversities in 3 feces samples were analyzed by high-throughput pyrosequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In addition, trans-resveratrol conversion experiments were conducted with selected fecal bacterial strains in pure culture. The second part of the study was a controlled intervention study with 12 healthy volunteers. After a washout period, all of the subjects received a one-time oral dose of 0.5 mg trans-resveratrol/kg body weight in the form of a grapevine-shoot supplement, and 24-h urine samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-UV/Vis-MS/MS. Results: Besides dihydroresveratrol, 2 previously unknown bacterial trans-resveratrol metabolites were identified in vitro and in vivo: 3,4'-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene and 3,4'-dihydroxybibenzyl (lunularin). Their formation, however, varied among the volunteers. Two strains, Slackia equolifaciens and Adlercreutzia equolifaciens, were identified as dihydroresveratrol producers. Gut bacteria able to produce dehydroxylated metabolites could, however, not be identified. Conclusions: trans-Resveratrol metabolism by human gut microbiota shows pronounced interindividual differences, which should be taken into account during investigation of health-related effects of this stilbene. This trial was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register as DRKS00004311, Universal Trial Number (WHO) UTN: U1111-1133-4621. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objective: beta-Carotene is often used as a marker for the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed, but little is known about plasma beta-carotene concentrations in subjects whose habitual (long-term) diets are characterized by different amounts of foods of plant origin. We compared dietary beta-carotene intake and plasma concentrations in women on habitual diets differing in the consumed amounts of foods of plant origin., Methods: A comparison of dietary beta-carotene intakes and plasma beta-carotene concentrations in women adhering to an average Western diet (n = 172), wholesome nutrition (following preventive recommendations) (n = 238) or a raw food diet (n = 104)., Results: Dietary beta-carotene intake was 5.5, 9.3, 14.7 mg/day for women adhering to an average Western diet, wholesome nutrition and raw food diet, respectively (p < 0.001). Corresponding multivariate adjusted plasma beta-carotene concentrations were 1.07, 1.65, and 1.16 micromol/l, respectively (p < 0.001). Comparable dietary beta-carotene intake resulted in lower multivariate adjusted plasma beta-carotene in women adhering to a raw food diet and average Western diet compared to those on wholesome nutrition (p < 0.001 for all intake groups up to 20 mg/day). The amount of fruit and vegetable intake did not predict plasma beta-carotene levels in women consuming a raw food diet., Conclusions: Plasma beta-carotene concentrations differed among the diet groups, with highest plasma levels in women adhering to wholesome nutrition. Plasma beta-carotene concentrations may not reflect beta-carotene intake and the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed., (2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

In Germany, 24% of the forest area is owned by small-scale private forest owners, whose property is affected by a societal demand for forest-related ecosystem services. In the inhomogeneous group of small-scale private forest owners, different living conditions and lifestyles exist, which are affecting the management of the forest ownership. To support the management activities of small-scale private forest owners, institutional instruments exist, but these are only used by a small proportion of forest owners. In order to gain insights into the accessibility and activation of small-scale private forest owners for management, and to draw conclusions for appropriate support instruments, a large number of studies have analyzed the factors influencing the management activities of forest owners. Some studies identify socio-demographic and socio-economic variables as important influencing factors, but do not take into account their complex interdependencies, which have developed as a result of the pluralization of lifestyles and individualization of forest owners. For this reason, in addition to the influencing factors identified in the literature as relevant for forest management activities of small-scale private forest owners, the lifestyle segmentation approach of Sinus milieus established in German market research was applied in this study. This approach allocates forest owners based on their complex lifestyles into ten different milieu groups. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine the parameters influencing the willingness to engage in eight different forest management activities. The results show that the willingness to engage in forest management activities in the future is higher compared to actions in the past. In addition to timber harvesting-related activities, the small-scale private forest owners show a high action potential for non-commodity-related activities. Non-commodity-related activities can primarily be explained by the Sinus milieu affiliation of the small-scale private forest owners. This result underlines the usefulness of a lifestyle segmentation approach such as the Sinus milieus to address small-scale private forest owners in a target group specific way in line with their willingness to engage in specific forest management activities. Institutional instruments such as the membership in a forest owners association or subsidies do not play a significant role for non-commodity-related activities and seem to be inappropriate for targeting small-scale private forest owners for these activities. Timber harvesting-related activities are primarily influenced by the presence of professional foresters, socio-demographic factors or institutional instruments. Based on these empirical findings, implications can be drawn for the target group-specific addressing of forest owners based on different management activities. In this way, forest owners can be motivated to engage in forest management and the provision of forest-related ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescence is marked by rapid biological and psychosocial changes that profoundly impact parent–child communication in order to reorganize responsibilities and move toward a more egalitarian relationship. Therefore, our primary objective in the present study was to explore the influence of changing conflict frequency and intensity on the perceived level of closeness between parents and adolescents, considering the perspectives of both parties involved. Using 10-wave longitudinal data with measures of parents (n = 17,005) and their children (n = 15,841) aged seven to 16 from the German Panel "Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics" (pairfam), the present study used fixed-effects models to address the research goal. The findings indicate that, for parents and adolescents, an increase in both conflict frequency and intensity corresponds to a more pronounced decline in closeness. Higher levels of initial closeness when the participants entered the survey resulted in milder decreases in closeness when conflict intensity was higher, a pattern observed for both parents and adolescents. Regarding conflict frequency, no impact of initial closeness was discerned among parents, while an opposing effect was found among adolescents. These findings shed light on changes in parent–child communication during the transition from early to middle adolescence, underscoring the need for further exploration of the closeness–conflict association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feathers have to be moulted to repair sustained damage. Our objective is to understand the relationship between the frequency of feather damage, feather sturdiness and moult sequence. Damage was recorded in five flight feather tracts for over 2000 Common Kingfishers Alcedo atthis ispida captured during a population study in northwestern Germany. We found that, of the feather tracts studied before the first moult, the tail feathers sustained most wear and damage, especially the more sturdily built outermost ones. Nevertheless, the probability of moulting a rectrix decreased from the central pair to the outside, while the damage risk increased. The sturdy distal primaries and the more lightly built innermost secondaries were the remiges with the highest frequency of damage, but not the most severe damage, while a row of midwing secondaries and primaries had the lowest damage risk. Where remiges had been retained when moult was suspended at the beginning of winter, about 75% of unmoulted feathers belonged to this low-risk group. The distal alula feather and the outermost primary covert had damage rates comparable to the low-risk row of remiges. Feather damage in the wings does not accumulate evenly over time, but increased markedly from March to April, coinciding with courtship and nest excavation, especially in females. Ultraviolet light seems to be an important factor for the observed feather deterioration, but is not the only one. The Kingfisher's unusual moult sequence of remiges and primary coverts matches the distribution pattern of feather damage, but the sequence of the first tail-feather moult does not. Very few previous studies have investigated the relationship between patterns of feather damage and moult sequence. We hope this work encourages more investigation of this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 (EUBDS) aims to preserve and restore biodiversity by protecting large areas in the EU. An extensive part of these protected areas will presumably be covered by forests. This study analyses the economic effects of EUBDS implementation on German forestry in two scenarios, based on different possible interpretations of the EUBDS' key commitments, using a forest economic simulation model. A special focus is placed on the opportunity costs of coarse wood debris (CWD). Over a simulated 200-year period, a decrease in timber harvest of 13% and 44% is estimated under the respective scenario assumptions. This leads to a reduction in the silvicultural contribution margin (SCM) of on average 0.25 B EUR a−1 (14%) and 0.79 B EUR a−1 (45%). In terms of the total SCM, protected forests contribute 35% and 15% in the two scenarios. The accumulation and preservation of CWD incurs a substantial loss of utility, as 15% and 19% of annual logging is required for conservation purposes. However, the EUBDS may also provide economically tangible benefits. A rational decision would be to implement a scenario if the "net benefit" from the protected status exceeds the losses from set-aside and conservation requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intracellular bacteria Anaplasma spp. and Coxiella burnetii and the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) are tick-transmitted pathogens circulating in the southern German sheep population. Knowledge of interaction among Anaplasma spp., C. burnetii and TBEV in sheep is lacking, but together they might promote and reinforce disease progression. The current study aimed to identify co-exposure of sheep to Anaplasma spp., C. burnetii and TBEV. For this purpose, 1,406 serum samples from 36 sheep flocks located in both southern German federal states, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria, were analysed by ELISAs to determine the antibody levels of the three pathogens. Inconclusive and positive results from the TBEV ELISA were additionally confirmed by a serum neutralisation assay. The proportion of sheep with antibodies against Anaplasma spp. (47.2%), C. burnetii (3.7%) and TBEV (4.7%) differed significantly. Significantly more flocks with Anaplasma spp. seropositive sheep (91.7%) were detected than flocks with antibodies against TBEV (58.3%) and C. burnetii (41.7%), but there was no significant difference between the number of flocks which contained TBEV and C. burnetii seropositive sheep. Seropositivity against at least two pathogens was detected in 4.7% of sheep from 20 flocks. Most co-exposed sheep had antibodies against Anaplasma spp./TBEV (n = 36), followed by Anaplasma spp./C. burnetii (n = 27) and Anaplasma spp./C. burnetii/TBEV (n = 2). Only one sheep showed an immune response against C. burnetii and TBEV. Flocks with sheep being positive against more than one pathogen were widely distributed throughout southern Germany. The descriptive analysis revealed no association between the antibody response of the three pathogens at animal level. Taking the flocks as a cluster variable into account, the exposure to TBEV reduced the probability of identifying C. burnetii antibodies in sheep significantly (odds ratio 0.46; 95% confidence interval 0.24–0.85), but the reason for this is unknown. The presence of Anaplasma spp. antibodies did not influence the detection of antibodies against C. burnetii and TBEV. Studies under controlled conditions are necessary to evaluate any possible adverse impact of co-exposure to tick-borne pathogens on sheep health. This can help to clarify rare disease patterns. Research in this field may also support the One Health approach due to the zoonotic potential of Anaplasma spp., C. burnetii and TBEV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Selenium is important for human health. However, the selenium status and selenium intake of the German population has not been recorded in a representative study so far. Material and Methods: Thus, literature from the last 50 years was screened in a systematic way and the results of various studies were pulled together to shed light on the selenium status of the German population. Moreover, the selenium content of selected food items that were either found on the German market or grown in Germany was researched and evaluated. Results: Of 3542 articles identified, 37 studies met the inclusion criteria. These 37 studies comprised a total of 8,010 healthy adults living in Germany with a weighted arithmetic mean of 82 μg/l selenium in plasma or serum. The results will form a basis for interpreting upcoming results from national food consumption surveys. Furthermore, 363 selenium values for 199 food items were identified out of 20 data sources—published or analysed between 2002 and 2019. An estimation of the selenium intake of the German population will be possible with this data in future nutrition surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The important role of early self-regulation skills has been repeatedly demonstrated in research. However, there is a lack of studies that have simultaneously examined the influence of hot and cool self-regulation skills on school performance and behavior problems in a longitudinal design from preschool to elementary school and controlling intelligence. Our study was conducted in Germany with a total sample of N = 434 preschool-age children (age range from 5 to 7 years). In the German education system, children in the last year before starting school are considered preschool children. Relying on structural equation modeling, we found that children's intelligence and cool self-regulation skills are important for their school success. In addition, cool self-regulation skills in preschool are associated with behavior problems in elementary school. Since cool self-regulation predicts academic success even when controlling for intelligence, early intervention methods promoting cool self-regulation skills can positively affect subsequent school development. Likewise, a reduction of problem behavior patterns can be reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to dynamically model and quantify expected health effects of four scenarios: (i) a reference scenario with an unchanged fruit and vegetable intake, (ii) the removal of value-added tax (VAT) on fruits and vegetables, (iii) the implementation of a 20 % subsidy on fruits and vegetables and (iv) a guideline scenario with a population-wide fruit and vegetable intake of five portions per day.Design: Baseline fruit and vegetable intake data was derived from the GEDA 2012 study. We used price elasticities for Germany to calculate the change in fruit and vegetable consumption under the zero VAT and the 20 % subsidy scenario. All scenarios were modelled over a 10-year projection period using DYNAMO-HIA.Setting: Germany.Participants: A projected real-life population.Results: Cumulated over the 10-year projection period, an estimated 4450 incident ischaemic heart disease (IHD) cases, 7010 stroke cases and 13 960 deaths would be prevented under the zero VAT scenario. Under the 20 % subsidy scenario, 17 990 incident IHD cases, 27 390 stroke cases and 54 880 deaths would be averted. Although this corresponds to only a fraction of the incidents that would occur under the reference scenario, the averted cases translate to 2 % (for the zero VAT scenario) and 9 % (for the 20 % subsidy scenario) of IHD, stroke and death cases that would be prevented if the whole population consumed the recommended five portions of fruits and vegetables per day.Conclusions: Fiscal policies on fruits and vegetables provide a non-negligible step towards the removal of the health burden induced by low fruit and vegetable intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the relationship between preschoolers' self-regulation and their mathematical competence and its development over the first two years of primary school using data from the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS). Our results imply a positive association between self-regulation and mathematical competence levels, even when holding basic cognitive abilities constant. Self-regulation is, however, generally not related to competence development over the first two years of primary school. Children with low initial mathematical competence and, to some extent, children with migration background benefit from self-regulation at the transition to primary school but not between grades 1 and 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fact that the Geneva Convention of 1929 placed prisoners of war (POWs) under the laws in effect in the army of the detaining state meant that western POWs in Nazi Germany were exposed to the extremely repressive Nazi wartime legislation. Hundreds of western POWs had to appear in front of German court martials as a result of a joke on Hitler, a critical comment on the conditions of captivity or the behavior of German soldiers. They were judged under the Nazi anti-subversion laws, which led to thousands of death sentences for civilians and German soldiers (although none for a western POW). Even private remarks in a letter to family could lead to several years in military prison. German judicial practice against POWs became more repressive as cases multiplied and as the judges and civilian witnesses became more nervous toward the end of the war, leading to rapid and harsh judgments based on dubious evidence and frivolous denunciations. The court martials sometimes reflected the attitudes and subversive thoughts of German witnesses. The fact that the sentences were legal according to the Geneva Convention of 1929 prompted the drafters of the 1949 Geneva Convention to revise the provisions for trials of POWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined how quantity and quality of early childhood education and care (ECEC) are related to the socio-emotional adjustment of children born in Germany (30–48 months old, N = 395). Previous research focused on a small set of ECEC features, used broad measures, and yielded inconclusive results. We assessed ECEC quantity (age at entry, hours per week), process quality (CLASS Pre-K), structural quality (child-teacher ratio), and classroom composition (percentage of immigrant children). Controlling for child, family, and teacher characteristics, we tested main and interaction effects in regression analyses. Research Findings: More hours per week predicted lower adjustment only on specific indicators (hyperactivity, conduct problems) and only in classrooms with a high percentage of immigrant children or a high child-teacher ratio. In addition, a higher child-teacher ratio predicted more conduct problems, but only for children who entered ECEC at a very young age. Process quality did not predict adjustment. Practice or policy: In sum, this implies that German ECEC does not pose a major risk for children's socio-emotional adjustment, as only certain aspects of quantity and structural quality are linked to very specific socio-emotional outcomes under very specific circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Environmental heterogeneity among sites can generate phenotypic and genetic variation facilitating differentiation and microevolution of plant populations. Badlands are desert‐like, predominantly vegetation‐poor habitats often embedded in (semi‐)dry grasslands. The desert‐like conditions of badlands demand extreme adaptation of plants, that is, phenotypic modifications in short‐term and/or natural adaptation in long‐term. However, detailed knowledge is missing about both plant phenotypic and genetic differentiation in this unique and widely occurring habitat type. The present study focused on the largest known badlands systems in Central Europe located in the "Drei Gleichen" region, a designated nature conservation area in Central Germany. Locations were suitable for this study in terms of having co‐occurring badlands and (semi‐)dry grassland habitats (sites) occupied by the pioneer plant Thymus praecox. Here, we studied the environmental preferences, morphological and functional trait variation, and genetic variation using microsatellite markers of T. praecox. Results revealed significant, mainly site‐dependent environmental, phenotypic, and genetic differentiation. In general, individuals in badlands are shorter in height and have lower patch sizes (length × width), relative growth rates, and smaller stomata. The PCA additionally unveiled slightly increased leaf robustness, trichome density, decreased stomatal conductance, fewer females, and earlier phenology in badlands. We interpret differentiation patterns as adaptive responses to light, temperature, drought, and nutrient stress conditions supported by reviewed literature. Genetic differentiation was strongest between local badlands and grassland sites, and clearly weaker among locations and between sites (in total) as indicated by GST, AMOVA, PCoA, and population structure. Our study supports the importance of small‐scale microhabitat conditions as a driver of microevolutionary processes, and the population's need for sufficient phenotypic variation and genetic resources to deal with environmental changes. We demonstrated that badlands are an appropriate model system for testing plant response to extreme habitats and that more research is needed on these fascinating landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, food banks offer foods for free (e.g. USA) or at nominal costs (e.g. Germany), to people in need, but nothing is known about their impact on fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. Study aims were to examine whether (1) German male food bank users have a higher FV intake (variety and amount) compared to non-food bank users and whether (2) providing fresh FV for free, which participants personally selected, can increase FV intake among men in dependence of their food bank use. For the first question, a cross-sectional design and for the second, a longitudinal design (randomized intervention study) were chosen. Sociodemographic variables and dietary patterns (Food Frequency questionnaire and FV variety questionnaire) were assessed at baseline and dietary patterns were evaluated again after the intervention. The intervention consisted of providing two daily portions of fresh FV each week for 4 weeks. In total, 52 men participated. Men using a food bank regularly consumed a significantly larger FV variety than non-food bank or infrequent food bank users. The provision of free FV improved intake among social disadvantaged men, whereby particularly non-food bank users benefited from the intervention. Using a food bank that offers fresh produce might be a promising public health approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aufgrund der derzeitigen Gesetzeslage dürfen öffentliche Bibliotheken an Sonntagen nicht öffnen. Ein Gesetzesentwurf der nordrhein-westfälischen Landesregierung, der die Sonntagsöffnung ermöglichen soll, hat das Thema nun erneut auf die Agenda gebracht. Der Aufsatz beschäftigt sich mit den Veränderungen in der Nutzung der öffentlichen Bibliotheken und was diese mit der Sonntagsöffnung zu tun haben. Daraus folgt, dass die Sonntagsöffnung einer der nächsten logischen Schritte bei der Weiterentwicklung der öffentlichen Bibliotheken in der digitalen Gesellschaft sein wird. The current legal situation prohibits Sunday opening hours for public libraries. A new draft bill by the North Rhine-Westphalian government proposing to allow Sunday openings has placed the issue on the agenda again. The article addresses changes in the use of public libraries and how they are related to Sunday openings. This implies that Sunday openings are the next logical step in the further development of public libraries in a digital society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Die Diskussion über die Sonntagsöffnung in deutschen kommunalen Bibliotheken dauert seit 2007 an. In Nordrhein-Westfalen ist nun durch eine politische Entscheidung weitere Bewegung in die Diskussion gekommen. Ein kurzer zusammenfassender Rückblick auf die Diskussion und das Aufzeigen neuer Hürden, die je nach Bundesland und Einrichtung anders ausfallen können. Und die Hypothese: Haben wir nicht wichtigere Themen? Eine kritische Anmerkung. The debate on Sunday opening hours in public libraries in Germany has been ongoing since 2007. Due to a recent political decision in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, it has been fuelled further. After a brief summary of the debate, I shall indicate how new obstacles are created by this legislation, which vary widely depending on the federal state and/or kind of institution. One may ask - aren't there more important topics and issues to be solved? A critical comment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Will man eine Sonntagsöffnung öffentlicher Bibliotheken ermöglichen, so ist dies ohne gesetzgeberische Maßnahmen nicht möglich. Soll neben der bloßen Öffnung des Gebäudes auch Bibliothekspersonal am Sonntag beschäftigt werden, kann auf eine arbeitszeitrechtliche Regelung nicht verzichtet werden. Solange der Bund hier keine Neubestimmung der Ausnahmen in § 10 ArbZG vornimmt, bleibt für die Länder nur der Weg über eine Regelung in eigenen Bedarfsgewerbeverordnungen. Nordrhein-Westfalen wird diesen Weg nach Hessen als zweites Bundesland beschreiten. Im Gegensatz zu Hessen wurde die geplante Regelung aber sorgfältiger ausgearbeitet und begründet. Ob dies einen Rechtsstreit wie im Fall Hessens verhindern wird, bleibt abzuwarten. Nicht unrealistisch ist allerdings die Überlegung, dass die Neuregelung in Nordrhein-Westfalen nach Jahren des Stillstandes endlich auch auf der Bundesebene zu einer überfälligen Novelle des Arbeitszeitgesetzes führt. Without further legislative action, Sunday opening in public libraries is impossible. Regulating opening hours of the library building is not in itself sufficient, it will be necessary to ensure that library staff can work on Sundays as well. This requires a new legislation on working hours. With the legal reorganisation of the exemption clause in § 10 ArbZG by the German federal government still pending, the federal states will have to regulate Sunday working hours through their own commercial state laws. The second federal state after Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia is prepared to embark on this process. The planned regulation will be further specified and substantiated than in the Hessian case. It remains to be seen whether a legal dispute like the one caused in Hesse can thus be prevented. However, it is not unrealistic to think that a new regulation on working hours in North Rhine-Westphalia could also lead to the long overdue amendment of the Working Hours Act at federal level after years of deadlock in the matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young children in immigrant families tend to face more challenges and can often call upon fewer resources than their native‐born peers. This situation adversely affects their social–emotional development. In this study, the development of emotion knowledge of 576 immigrant and native‐born German children, aged 3–6 years, was compared at three time points over a 12‐month period by means of a latent growth curve analysis. Language abilities and behavioural self‐regulation were examined as mediators of the relation between immigration background and emotion knowledge. The immigrant children showed less emotion knowledge than did their native‐born peers at each point of measurement. These effects were partially mediated by their behavioural self‐regulation and their language abilities. How behavioural self‐regulation and language abilities affect the development of emotion knowledge and what this effect means for interventions are discussed. Statement of contributionWhat is already known on this subject?Emotion knowledge develops rapidly between the ages of three and six.Emotion knowledge develops similarly in different cultures.What does this study adds?This study compares the development of emotion knowledge between immigrant children and native‐born children.It includes language skills as mediator on the development of emotion knowledge.It also includes behavioural self‐regulation as mediator on the development of emotion knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Black Forest is considered to be a rather unfavorable area, having a short vegetation period, low mean annual temperatures, high precipitation, and a pronounced relief. These conditions do not favor agricultural land use and thus it is widely accepted that people only began using the land intensively during the Middle Ages. In this integrated study 17 soil profiles, two peat bogs and a database of archaeological finds were used to reconstruct past land use impacts on the environment. AMS–14C datings of charcoals, luminescence datings of colluvial deposits, archaeological finds and pollen records indicate land use already during the Neolithic. This pre‐medieval land use might be related to seasonal settlements dominated by pastoralism and the use of wood or bedrock to build settlements and infrastructure or as energy supply. There is new evidence of human activity dating back to the Bronze and Iron Age, which is a discrepancy to the absence of archaeological finds in the direct vicinity of the studied sites. With the beginning of the Middle Ages land use practices changed, most likely with the expansion and intensification of agricultural land use, which coincides with the increasing use of natural resources in the Black Forest. Hence, the main phases of colluvial deposition date to the Middle Ages and Modern Times. Increased contents of As, Cr, Cu, Pb, or Zn in medieval colluvial deposits might indicate smelting or mining, even though there are no known archeological sites pointing to such activities nearby. Whereas the pattern of colluvial deposition in the southeastern Black Forest points to distinct, but local land use in pre‐medieval times and to intensified and widespread land use since the Middle Ages, thick and multi‐layered colluvial deposits indicate intensive land use in the neighboring Baar region since the Neolithic. The different land use patterns of these two regions originate from the rather favorable conditions for agriculture in terms of soils, climate, and topography in the Baar region compared to the unfavorable conditions in the Black Forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In American society, as elsewhere, social change has brought about a shift from the traditional nuclear family to more diverse forms of family, fatherhood and motherhood. But the much-cited change in family values and gender roles has not been linear - new research reveals a picture with light and dark sides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents novel research on Nazi youth programs amongst the Batschka's "Donauschwaben." Illustrating how "reichsdeutsche" and "aus-landsdeutsche" youths came into contact through Nazi youth programs during the 1930s and early 1940s, it traces how youth exchanges shaped diverse but mutually constitutive Utopian imaginations of "Germanness" and "German" space. Children from the Reich promulgated visions of a "utopian" but "corrupted" Batschka, while ethnic German youths gained visions of a Germany which they could, in adhering to National Socialism, seemingly help build. As this article argues, Utopias were not merely created "from above" and then multiplied and altered "from below"; rather, they also helped spur activity and violence in line with Nazism's geopolitical and ideological aims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and salt intake are known dietary influences on blood pressure (BP) in adults, but data on their long-term relevance during growth for later BP are rare. We aimed to examine the independent and concomitant influences of adolescent FV and salt intakes on BP in young adulthood. Methods: In total, 206 participants (108 males) provided a plausible BP measurement in young adulthood (18-25 years) as well as three repeated 3-day weighed dietary records, 24-h urine samples and BP measurements during adolescence (11-16 years). FV intake was assessed based on dietary records and its urinary biomarkers such as potassium, oxalate and hippuric acid. Urinary sodium chloride (NaCl) was used to estimate salt intake. Prospective associations of adolescent FV and salt intake with adult BP were examined in sex-stratified linear regression models. Results: In multivariable models, a 100 g higher FV intake during adolescence was prospectively related to 0.9 mmHg lower systolic BP in young adult females ( P = 0.02), but not in males ( P = 0.8). Biomarkers supported the findings for FV regarding systolic BP. Concurrently, a 1 g higher salt intake was related to 1.7 mmHg higher systolic BP in young men only ( P = 0.01). For diastolic BP, results were inconsistent. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that in adolescent healthy girls, a higher FV intake may be more relevant for BP than a reduced salt intake and the opposite appears to apply for boys. The physiological implications of the observed sex-specific diet-BP relationships need deeper examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Findings:Behavioral self-regulation is crucial for school success. Although behavioral self-regulation typically grows rapidly during the preschool period, children in this age group vary widely in their behavioral self-regulation capacities. The present study investigated 3 potential determinants of growth rates in behavioral self-regulation in children from an affluent region in Germany: family educational resources, child gender, and child negative affectivity. Using a longitudinal design, we observed children (N = 60) during the last 2 years before school entry. Children from families with relatively fewer educational resources started off with a lower level of behavioral self-regulation and did not catch up with their more advantaged peers. Boys showed poorer initial behavioral self-regulation than girls, but their gains in behavioral self-regulation were greater over time compared to girls’. Negative affectivity influenced neither the initial level of nor growth in behavioral self-regulation.Practice or Policy:The present findings suggest that even in a relatively affluent region differences in families’ educational resources influence children’s behavioral self-regulation trajectories. At least in the German context, early interventions to facilitate behavioral self-regulation in children from families with comparatively fewer educational resources should be a focus of policies attempting to reduce achievement gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Bibliotheken: Tore zur Welt des Wissens. 101. Deutscher Bibliothekartag in Hamburg 2012. Hrsg. von Klaus-Rainer Brintzinger und Ulrich Hohoff unter Mitw. von Benjamin Rücker. Hildesheim: Olms 2013. 338 S., Ill. - ISBN 978-3-487-14888-5. € 49,80 ( Frank Förster Geozentrum Hannover, Bibliothek/Archiv) Handbuch Bibliothek: Geschichte, Aufgaben, Perspektiven. Hrsg. von Konrad Umlauf und Stefan Gradmann. Stuttgart: Metzler 2012. IX, 422 S. - ISBN 3-476-02376-6. € 69,95 ( Klaus-Rainer Brintzinger Universitätsbibliothek LMU München) Grundlagen der praktischen Information und Dokumentation. Hrsg. von Rainer Kuhlen und Klaus Laisiepen. 6., völlig neu gefasste Ausgabe. Berlin u. a.: De Gruyter 2013. XVII, 696 S., Ill. - ISBN 3-11-025822-6. € 159,95 ( Frank Förster Geozentrum Hannover, Bibliothek/Archiv) Martin Paul Eve: Open Access and the Humanities: ­Contexts, Controversies and the Future. Cambridge ­University Press 2014. 209 S. - ISBN 978-1-10-748401-6. £ 30,00. Open Access via Cambridge Books Online. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781316161012. ( Konstanze Söllner Universitätsbibliothek Erlangen-Nürnberg) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health risk behaviours such as smoking, physical inactivity and poor diet are independently associated with depression. However, there is a paucity of data examining associations between combined healthy behaviours and mental distress and depression. Methods: Using cross-sectional data from a nationwide population-based sample of adults in Germany [German Health Update (GEDA) 2009 and 2010 telephone surveys; n = 21 940 women, n = 17 061 men], we examined associations between five healthy behaviours and frequent mental distress (FMD) and self-reported diagnosed depression in the past 12 months. Healthy behaviours included non-smoking, low-risk alcohol drinking, regular sport, maintaining normal weight and healthy fruit and vegetable consumption. Multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for potential confounders examined associations between the combined number of healthy behaviours and FMD and self-reported diagnosed depression. Results: FMD was reported by 13.6 and 8.0% and diagnosed depression in the last 12 months by 8.3 and 4.7% of women and men, respectively. At least four of five assessed healthy behaviours were reported by 29.1% of women and 17.8% of men. Compared with those with less than two healthy behaviours, women and men with at least four behaviours were about half as likely to report FMD [odds ratio (OR) 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44-0.64, and OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.41-0.66, respectively) and women with at least four behaviours were less likely to report diagnosed depression (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.61-0.95). Conclusion: A higher number of healthy behaviours are associated with a lower prevalence of FMD for both women and men and of self-reported diagnosed depression in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Science policy increasingly requires that universities engage in transfer activities with a focus on technology transfer. With the considerable weight of the service sector in the economy the service transfer will get more attention. An appropriate indicator for analysing service innovations are service marks. This type of investigation reveals a growing activity of German universities in services with a focus on education, in particular further education. The mark analysis shows a relevant international competition in the market of higher education. In other fields like financial and business consultancy or medical services, the German universities as institutions exhibit a certain activity as well, but first of all university professors privately. As mark applications are linked to considerable formal requirements, additional surveys should be conducted to grasp the informal activities in service transfer as well. In any case, the amount of service transfer is quite considerable, so that the discourse on third mission of Higher Education Institutions will get a new perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: We assessed trends in the proportion of transmitted (TDR) and acquired (ADR) HIV drug resistance and associated mutations between 2001 and 2011 in the German ClinSurv-HIV Drug Resistance Study. Method: The German ClinSurv-HIV Drug Resistance Study is a subset of the German ClinSurv-HIV Cohort. For the ClinSurv-HIV Drug Resistance Study all available sequences isolated from patients in five study centres of the long term observational ClinSurv-HIV Cohort were included. TDR was estimated using the first viral sequence of antiretroviral treatment (ART) naïve patients. One HIV sequence/patient/year of ART experienced patients was considered to estimate the proportion of ADR. Trends in the proportion of HIV drug resistance were calculated by logistic regression. Results: 9,528 patients were included into the analysis. HIV-sequences of antiretroviral naïve and treatment experienced patients were available from 34% (3,267/9,528) of patients. The proportion of TDR over time was stable at 10.4% (95% CI 9.1–11.8; p for trend = 0.6; 2001–2011). The proportion of ADR among all treated patients was 16%, whereas it was high among those with available HIV genotypic resistance test (64%; 1,310/2,049 sequences; 95% CI 62–66) but declined significantly over time (OR 0.8; 95% CI 0.77–0.83; p for trend<0.001; 2001–2011). Viral load monitoring subsequent to resistance testing was performed in the majority of treated patients (96%) and most of them (67%) were treated successfully. Conclusions: The proportion of TDR was stable in this study population. ADR declined significantly over time. This decline might have been influenced by broader resistance testing, resistance test guided therapy and the availability of more therapeutic options and not by a decline in the proportion of TDR within the study population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The years 1946–1960 saw a wave of reports of flying saucer sightings on both sides of the Atlantic. To date, however, few scholars have examined how the phenomenon moved across states and regions, what responses it garnered and what impact it had on contemporary thought and values. This article examines how the mainstream press and public intellectuals in postwar West and East Germany reported on and discussed flying saucer reports. The evidence shows that both cold war geopolitics and the occult were used to explain sightings, but that suspected American influences and anti-American sentiments figured heavily in how most reports were interpreted. Flying saucers thus functioned as cyphers for considering alien influences in postwar society. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

More grassland, more hedgerows, more maize? Land-use scenarios help us to understand how species diversity can be increased in Germany's agricultural landscapes. The necessary data is being gathered by monitoring ten bird species in their natural habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and -furan (PCDD/F) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl (dl-PCB) exposure from food were estimated using new food consumption data from the recent German food consumption survey (Nationale Verzehrsstudie II – NVS II). Based on these comprehensive data, information on the consumption of 545 individual food items by the German population was derived. Concentrations of dioxin-like compounds in food were compiled from the German Food Monitoring Programme (GFMP), the German Dioxin Database, other German authority programmes, European countries’ authority programmes and the published literature covering the years 2000–2010. By multiplication with consumption data, estimates of intake from food were determined. The main food groups contributing most to the intake of the general public aredairy products(including milk),meatandfish(including seafood), followed – due to high consumption – by the main groupvegetables. The combined intake of PCDD/F and dl-PCB (as toxic equivalents – TEQ) from food was estimated to be 2.11/1.53 pg kg–1 bw and day and 3.56/2.85 pg kg–1 bw and day (upper/lower bound) for average and high-end consumers, respectively. The estimated intake of average consumers is close to a reference value derived by the Scientific Committee on Food in 2001. Uncertainties in these estimates pertain to the influence of values below the limit of quantification (upper/lower bound ratio) and some foods not considered due to the lack of contamination data. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Polyphenols are thought to play important roles in human nutrition and health but these health effects are dependent on their bioavailability. This study is one of a series with the aim of determining possible effects of food matrices on caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) bioavailability using ileostomy volunteers. Methods: After a CQA-free diet, ileostomists consumed coffee (746 μmol total CQA), and CQAs in excreted ileal fluid were subsequently identified and quantified with HPLC-diode array detection and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. In our previous studies, other food sources such as cloudy apple juice (CAJ) (358 μmol CQA) and apple smoothie (AS) (335 μmol CQA) were investigated with the same model. Results: Interesterification of CQA from both apple matrices was observed during gastrointestinal passage, whereas CQA consumed in coffee was not influenced by interesterification reactions. In total, 74.3, 22.4, and 23.8 % of the CQA from CAJ, AS, and coffee, respectively, were absorbed or degraded. Conclusion: Our results show that variations in food matrices and variations in phenolic composition have a major influence on intestinal bioavailability and interesterification of the investigated subclass of polyphenols, the CQAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The anticipatory proportion (AP), the ratio between perseverative and anticipatory speech errors, is reduced in patients with brain injury. However, it is unknown whether the AP is also reduced in elderly speakers with cognitive impairment. Methods: 20 elderly speakers with a Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 25-27 and 20 elderly speakers with an MMSE score of 28-30 were assessed using a tongue-twister-based speech test, the Regensburg Word Fluency Test (RWT) and an object naming test. Results: The AP in the group of speakers with an MMSE score of 25-27 was significantly lower. Accordingly, the AP and scores in the RWT and the object naming test were higher in persons with an MMSE score of 28-30. Conclusion: Language alterations in mild cognitive dysfunction are detectable with the AP. Further longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the predictive value of the AP. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Findings: Behavior regulation, including paying attention, remembering instructions, and controlling action, contributes to children's successful adaptation to and functioning in preschool and school settings. This study examined the development of behavior regulation in early childhood and its potential contribution to individual differences in children's early knowledge (mathematics and vocabulary). Sixty German preschool children were administered a direct observational measure of behavior regulation, the Head-to-Toes Task, and a standardized test to assess early mathematics and vocabulary. Results revealed significant gains in behavior regulation between of 3 and 4 years of age. Moreover, early gender differences were found, with girls outperforming boys at age 4. Behavior regulation was significantly related to performance on the academic tasks, but the pathways to math and vocabulary knowledge differed. Practice or Policy: Discussion focuses on the role of behavior regulation in early academic achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Because of its ethical and social implications, preimplantation sex selection is frequently the subject of debates. Methods: In 2006, we surveyed specialists in reproductive medicine in Germany using an anonymous questionnaire, including sociodemographic data and questions regarding ethical problems occurring in the practice of reproductive medicine. Most questions focused on preimplantation sex selection, including 10 case vignettes, since these enabled us to describe the most difficult and ethically controversial situations. This is the first survey among specialists in reproductive medicine regarding this topic in Germany. Results: 114 specialists in reproductive medicine participated, 72 males (63%) and 42 females (37%), average age was 48 years (age range 29–67 years). The majority of respondents (79%) favoured a regulation that limits the use of preimplantation sex selection only for medical reasons, such as X-linked diseases (including 18%: summoning an ethics commission for every case). A minority of 18% approved of the use of sex selection for non-medical reasons (4% generally and further 14% for family balancing). 90% had received obvious requests from patients. The highest approval (46%) got the counselling guideline against a preimplantation sex selection and advising a normal pregnancy, if preimplantation sex selection would be allowed in Germany. The majority (67%) was opposed the personal use of preimplantation sex selection for non-medical reasons, but would think about it in medical cases. In opposite to woman, 14% of the men were in favour of personal use for non-medical reasons (p = 0,043). 25% of specialists in reproductive medicine feared that an allowance of preimplantation sex selection would cause a shift in the sex ratio. Conclusions: The majority of German specialists in reproductive medicine opposes preimplantation sex selection for non-medical reasons while recommending preimplantation sex selection for medical reasons, e.g. X-linked diseases like haemophilia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Does simply seeing a word such as rise activate upward responses? The present study is concerned with bottom-up activation of motion-related experiential traces. Verbs referring to an upward or downward motion (e.g., rise/ fall) were presented in one of four colors. Participants had to perform an upward or downward hand movement (Experiments 1 and 2a/2b) or a stationary up or down located keypress response (Experiment 3) according to font color. In all experiments, responding was faster if the word's immanent motion direction matched the response (e.g., upward/up response in case of rise); however, this effect was strongest in the experiments requiring an actual upward or downward response movement (Experiments 1 and 2a/2b). These findings suggest bottom-up activation of motion-related experiential traces, even if the task does not demand lexical access or focusing on a word's meaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]