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The article discusses the shift towards organic and biotechnological methods in gardening, observed at the IPM fair, in Germany, with fewer exhibitors of chemical pesticides and more showcasing biological and biotechnological alternatives, reflecting a broader trend in the industry. It states that despite governmental aims to reduce chemical pesticide, the statistics show a limited conversion to organic farming, particularly in sectors like ornamental horticulture and nursery production.

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Scientists in Germany have developed a new method to analyze mRNA nanoparticles and similar pharmaceutical products. These nanoparticles, which have been recognized by the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology for their role in the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, have the potential to revolutionize the treatment and prevention of various diseases. The method allows for precise measurement of the size, structure, and number of particles in pharmaceutical products, providing valuable information for evaluating product quality. The technique combines two tools, asymmetrical-flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and can be applied to other types of research as well. The research was funded by the Bundesministerium fur Bildung und Forschung and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. [Extracted from the article]

A patent application has been submitted for a multilayer engineered heart muscle (MEHM) by researchers from Georg-August-Universitat Gottingen Stiftung Offentlichen Rechts Universitatsmedizin in Germany. The inventors aim to address the challenge of regenerating a failing heart, particularly after a heart attack, by developing an engineered heart muscle that can be implanted. The MEHM is created through a repetitive and sequential casting process, resulting in a thickened and enforced tissue. The method also ensures that the cells within the MEHM are adequately supplied with oxygen and nutrients through the use of perforations and poles. This patent application provides valuable information for researchers and medical professionals interested in tissue engineering and heart repair. [Extracted from the article]

A report from Leibniz University Hannover in Germany discusses a promising protocol for the endothelialization of vascular grafts in tissue engineering. The researchers developed a standardized cultivation process to create a confluent monolayer of human aortal endothelial cells on xenogenous scaffolds. They used a newly designed rotational bioreactor system with pulsatile flow to simulate arterial wall conditions and achieve optimal shear stress levels. The cultivation protocol demonstrated significant cell alignment in the direction of flow, indicating its potential for graft endothelialization and cultivation. This research is a key step towards the development of tissue-engineered vascular grafts for clinical application. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at University Hospital Wuerzburg in Germany analyzed the real-world outcomes of patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who were treated with tafasitamab/lenalidomide (TL). The study found that the overall response rate (ORR) was 33.1%, complete response rate (CRR) was 11.8%, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.7 months, and median overall survival (OS) was 8.9 months. Patients with relapsed disease had better ORR compared to those with primary refractory disease, and lower-risk patients had higher ORR and OS compared to higher-risk patients. The study also found that TL can be used after CAR T-cell therapy or as a bridge to CAR T-cell therapy. The most common adverse events were neutropenia, infections, and rash/itching. These findings suggest that TL may be less feasible for high-risk patients and that comorbidities, age, dose reductions, and the number of pretreatment lines may affect outcomes. The study's results align with those of the preceding phase II clinical trial. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by researchers at Jena University Hospital in Germany explores the role of bioenergetics in cardiac contractile adaptation and the development of contractile failure. The study highlights the importance of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and the mitochondrial electron transfer system (ETS) in providing energy for cardiomyocytes. The researchers discuss how the spatial adjustment of bioenergetics to intracellular oxygen fluctuations may contribute to cardiac contractile adaptation and the potential risks associated with this adaptation. The study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac function and could have implications for the prevention and treatment of contractile failure. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Heidelberg University Hospital in Germany explored ways to improve the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). CAR T-cell therapy has shown promising results in treating B-cell lymphoid malignancies, but its efficacy in AML has been limited. The researchers used a high throughput screening platform to identify compounds that could enhance the cytotoxicity of AML-specific CAR T-cell products. They found that the peptidomimetic birinapant and the hypomethylating agent decitabine showed the strongest improvement in CAR T-cell cytotoxicity. Further studies are being conducted to evaluate the effect of these compounds on CAR T-cell proliferation and anti-tumor efficacy. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nurnberg (FAU) in Germany has found that CAR-T cell therapy, a treatment commonly used for cancer patients, is also effective in treating patients with autoimmune diseases. The study analyzed the outcomes of 15 autoimmune disease patients and 40 non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients who underwent CAR-T cell therapy. The results showed that autoimmune disease patients experienced fewer toxicities and adverse events compared to lymphoma patients, despite similar expansion and dynamics of CAR-T cells. The study also found that autoimmune disease patients did not have long-term persistence of CAR-T cells and experienced B-cell reconstitution after the loss of CAR-T cell persistence. Further research is needed to understand the biological processes behind these findings. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers from Coriolis Pharma Research GmbH in Germany have developed three fast, precise, and accurate methods for determining the genome length in adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors using mass photometry (MP). AAV vectors are commonly used in gene therapy, and it is important to characterize their capsids for efficacy and safety. The three approaches involve protein-based calibration, calibration with different AAVs of varying genome lengths, and assessing genome length after release from the capsid. These methods provide valuable tools for the comprehensive characterization of AAV vectors in gene therapy. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Ruhr-University Bochum has provided new insights into gastric cancer. Gastric carcinomas are a common form of cancer in Germany, and the addition of the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab to chemotherapy has become the standard treatment for HER2-positive gastric cancers. However, accurate detection of HER2 gene amplification is crucial for therapy selection, and current methods are invasive and only detectable in about 20% of cases. This study aimed to establish a minimally invasive approach by determining the HER2 amplification status from circulating DNA fragments in blood. The researchers validated a digital droplet PCR-based method and found that changes in HER2 status during therapy can reflect treatment efficiency and uncover resistance. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at University Hospital Regensburg in Germany investigated the incidence, dynamics, and possible causes of hypofibrinogenemia (low fibrinogen levels) after CAR-T cell therapy. CAR-T cell therapy is a breakthrough treatment for cancer immunotherapy but can cause serious side effects such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS). The study found that hypofibrinogenemia is a common complication of CAR-T cell therapy and is associated with the administration of the Interleukin-6 receptor antagonist (IL6-RA) tocilizumab. Tocilizumab inhibits fibrinogen upregulation, leading to protracted hypofibrinogenemia. The findings highlight the need for close monitoring of fibrinogen levels after tocilizumab treatment. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at University Hospital Wurzburg in Germany have developed a primary cell-based in vitro model of the human small intestine for studying host-pathogen interactions. The model combines a biological extracellular matrix with primary tissue-derived enteroids to recreate the characteristics of the human small intestinal epithelium. Using this model, the researchers demonstrated the applicability of their approach to studying enteric infections, specifically with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. They also discovered the upregulation of olfactomedin 4 in infected cells, which had not been previously recognized as a host response to Salmonella infection. This tissue model bridges the gap between simplistic cell culture and animal models, providing valuable insights into human-specific features of host-pathogen interplay. [Extracted from the article]

A new report from the Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics in Germany explores the impact of various parameters on the printed layer height in 3D inkjet printing. The study found that printing resolution, coverage percentage, and droplet volume all had noticeable effects on the layer height, with printing resolution being the most influential parameter. The researchers were able to identify optimal printing parameters for both the highest printed layer and cost-effective printing scenarios. This research provides valuable insights for the field of tissue engineering and bio-inspired structures. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena in Germany has explored the use of dually modified cellulose as a non-viral vector for the delivery and uptake of HDAC3 siRNA. The researchers aimed to find an appropriate delivery system for RNA interference in order to treat various diseases. The modified biopolymer showed promising results, with low cytotoxicity and efficient complexation of siRNA. The study suggests that this modified cellulose could be a biocompatible non-viral vector with potential applications in siRNA-based therapy. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Ulm University Hospital in Germany evaluated the effectiveness of intensive chemotherapy with or without the anti-CD33 antibody-drug conjugate gemtuzumab ozogamicin in patients with newly diagnosed, NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The study found that there was no significant difference in short-term event-free survival or overall survival between the two treatment groups. However, the addition of gemtuzumab ozogamicin resulted in a significantly lower cumulative incidence of relapse, suggesting that it may reduce the need for salvage therapy in these patients. The researchers concluded that gemtuzumab ozogamicin should be considered as part of the standard treatment for adults with NPM1-mutated AML. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from Heidelberg University in Germany discusses the potential of liposomes as a delivery system for mRNA. Liposomes are lipid nanoparticles that have shown promise in delivering therapeutics, including the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. The researchers investigated the oral application of mRNA using liposomes functionalized with cell-penetrating peptides. They found that these liposomal formulations exhibited enhanced uptake in Caco-2 cells, an epithelial cell line, and were cytocompatible. This research suggests that liposomal drug delivery systems hold promise for the oral delivery of mRNA. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Hannover Medical School in Germany explored the role of cadherins in the development and progression of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The researchers investigated changes in the expression of cadherin 3 (CDH3) mRNA, DNA methylation, and protein expression in RCC patients. They found that there was a loss of CDH3 expression, DNA hypermethylation, and loss of CDH3 protein expression in RCC tumors. The study suggests that the loss of CDH3 expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of a subset of RCC. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind this loss of expression and its effects on the invasive behavior of renal tumor cells. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. - Roche Diagnostics GmbH in Penzberg, Germany discusses the development of a new method for analyzing recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) used in gene therapy. The current analytical methods for characterizing and quantifying rAAV capsids are time-consuming, complicated, and costly. To address this, the researchers introduced an affinity-based high-performance liquid chromatography method that can determine the capsid titer and full/empty ratio of rAAVs in less than 5 minutes. The method showed good performance and has the potential to be a fast, simple, and efficient tool for supporting the development of rAAV gene therapies. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany has found that tissue released during orthopedic surgery has the potential to regenerate bone. The study investigated the composition of this tissue and its effect on synthetic bone substitute materials. The researchers identified multiple growth factors and cytokines in the tissue, and found that it had a high regenerative potential. Additionally, they observed that a composite material called PCL-TCP showed advantages in cytocompatibility compared to TCP alone. This research provides valuable insights into tissue engineering and its potential applications in bone regeneration. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at University Hospital Heidelberg in Germany has revealed new findings on siRNA-based therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF). The researchers focused on the transcription factor ETV1 and its role in regulating the expression of the atrial-specific potassium channel TASK-1, which is upregulated in AF patients. Through experiments on cardiomyocytes, the researchers found that inhibiting ETV1 led to a decrease in TASK-1 expression and a prolongation of action potential duration. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying AF and may aid in the development of TASK-1-based therapies for AF. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Hannover Medical School in Germany focused on tissue engineering and its application to peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a rare type of heart disease that affects women during or after pregnancy. The researchers aimed to establish an in vitro 3D disease model of PPCM using bioartificial cardiac tissues (BCTs) derived from patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). They selected three patients with previously unstudied mutations in the TTN gene and successfully generated iPSC lines from each patient. The study found that the BCTs from patients with TTN mutations showed altered stiffness after stimulation, suggesting a potential role of sarcomeric mutations in PPCM pathogenesis. The researchers concluded that iPSC and tissue engineering technologies can be valuable tools for developing personalized therapeutic strategies for PPCM. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at RWTH Aachen University in Germany explores the field of cardiovascular tissue engineering. The study focuses on the production of a dexamethasone-loaded polymeric electrospun construct that can be used as a tubular cardiovascular implant. The construct contains induced pluripotent stem cell cardiomyocytes, human umbilical vein smooth muscle cells, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells embedded in a fibrin gel. The researchers evaluated the function and cytotoxicity of the construct and found promising results. This study provides valuable insights into the release of dexamethasone and cytotoxicity in tissue engineering. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany focused on the use of antineoplastics in patients with severe renal impairment. The researchers administered fludarabine, a drug that is typically not recommended for patients with impaired kidney function, to a 58-year-old female patient with myeloma-associated renal impairment. The therapy, which included lymphodepletion followed by CAR-T cell therapy with Idecabtagen vicleucel, was well tolerated and resulted in excellent CAR-T cell expansion and ongoing complete remission after 12 months. This research provides valuable insights into the potential use of antineoplastics in patients with kidney disease. [Extracted from the article]

A patent has been issued to Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum in Germany for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is a liver disease that is associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. The patent describes a method for treating NASH by administering an inhibitor of thrombocyte aggregation or activation. This treatment aims to inhibit inflammation in the liver and prevent the progression of NASH into liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. The invention provides a potential therapeutic approach for addressing the unmet need in treating NASH. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at Ulm University Medical Center in Germany have made advancements in cancer gene therapy by developing optimized peptide nanofibrils (PNFs) that enhance gene transfer rates. PNFs bind to negatively charged virions, facilitating their attachment to cells and increasing cellular entry and gene transfer rates. The researchers identified an 8-mer peptide, RM-8, which effectively boosts T cell transduction rates. They further refined the peptide to create the D4 derivative, which demonstrated superior transduction rates in primary T and NK cells. This nanotechnological tool has the potential to improve ex vivo gene transfer in CAR-T cell production and other therapeutic applications. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by Boehringer Ingelheim in Rohrdorf, Germany, examined the pharmacokinetics of clorsulon, a fasciolicide used in cattle. The study administered clorsulon to 32 healthy Brown Swiss cattle either intravenously or subcutaneously at different doses. The results showed that clorsulon was well absorbed and fully bioavailable after subcutaneous injection, and there was a proportional increase in systemic exposure with increasing subcutaneous doses. The study provides valuable information on the pharmacokinetics of clorsulon in cattle. [Extracted from the article]

A patent has been issued for a mixing apparatus and method for operating a mixing apparatus. The patent, filed by inventors from Germany, describes a mixing system that allows for the safe introduction of a driving force into fluids and solids. The mixing apparatus includes a mixing container, a feed-through passage, a drive shaft, a stirring element, an adjustable seal, and a particle separator. The patent aims to improve the safety and efficiency of mixing biological media in a sterile environment. The assignee for this patent is Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH. [Extracted from the article]