Quality of life in a high-risk group of elderly primary care patients: characteristics and potential for improvement.

Purpose: Quality of Life (QoL) is associated with a bandwidth of lifestyle factors that can be subdivided into fixed and potentially modifiable ones. We know too little about the role of potentially modifiable factors in comparison to fixed ones. This study examines four aspects of QoL and its associations with 15 factors in a sample of elderly primary care patients with a high risk of dementia.

Rubber Oxygenase Degradation Assay by UV-Labeling and Gel Permeation Chromatography.

A versatile and robust end-group derivatization approach using oximes has been developed for the detection of oxidative degradation of synthetic polyisoprenes and polybutadiene. This method demonstrates broad applicability, effectively monitoring degradation across a wide molecular weight range through ultraviolet (UV)-detection coupled to gel permeation chromatography. Importantly, it enables the effective monitoring of degradation via derivatization-induced UV-maximum shifts, even in the presence of an excess of undegraded polyene, overcoming limitations previously reported with refractive index detectors.

Secretion and directed evolution of unspecific peroxygenases in S. cerevisiae.

Yeast-based secretion systems are advantageous for engineering highly interesting enzymes that are not or barely producible in E. coli. The herein-presented production setup facilitates high-throughput screening as no cell lysis is required.

Light-Controlled Biocatalysis by Unspecific Peroxygenases with Genetically Encoded Photosensitizers.

Fungal unspecific peroxygenases (UPOs) have gained substantial attention for their versatile oxyfunctionalization chemistry paired with impressive catalytic capabilities. A major drawback, however, remains their sensitivity towards their co-substrate hydrogen peroxide, necessitating the use of smart in situ hydrogen peroxide generation methods to enable efficient catalysis setups. Herein, we introduce flavin-containing protein photosensitizers as a new general tool for light-controlled in situ hydrogen peroxide production.

Mortality and Hospitalizations Among Patients Enrolled in an Interprofessional Medication Management Program.

Background: Measures for improving medication safety in outpatient care are often complex and involve medication reviews. Over the period 2016-2022 (with a preceeding one-year pilot phase), an interprofessional medication management program- the Medicines Initiative Saxony-Thuringia (Arzneimittelinitiative Sachsen-Thüringen, ARMIN)-was implemented in two German federal states. More than 5000 patients received a medication review by the end of 2019 by a team composed of physicians and pharmacists and were provided with joint, continuous care thereafter.

Social Network and Participation in Elderly Primary Care Patients in Germany and Associations with Depressive Symptoms-A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the AgeWell.de Study.

This study aims to describe social network and social participation and to assess associations with depressive symptoms in older persons with increased risk for dementia in Germany. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study in primary care patients (aged 60−77) as part of a multicenter cluster-randomized controlled trial (AgeWell.de).

Attitudes of non-participating general practitioners and community pharmacists towards interprofessional medication management in primary care: an interview study.

Background: Interprofessional medication management in primary care is a recognized strategy for improving medication safety, but it is poorly implemented in Germany. As a pilot project, ARMIN [Arzneimittelinitiative Sachsen-Thüringen] was initiated in 2014 to establish better interprofessional medication management between general practitioners and community pharmacists.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the views of non-participating general practitioners and community pharmacists towards interprofessional medication management within ARMIN and to identify barriers to participation.

YfeX - A New Platform for Carbene Transferase Development with High Intrinsic Reactivity.

Carbene transfer biocatalysis has evolved from basic science to an area with vast potential for the development of new industrial processes. In this study, we show that YfeX, naturally a peroxidase, has great potential for the development of new carbene transferases, due to its high intrinsic reactivity, especially for the N-H insertion reaction of aromatic and aliphatic primary and secondary amines. YfeX shows high stability against organic solvents (methanol and DMSO), greatly improving turnover of hydrophobic substrates.

Task sharing in an interprofessional medication management program - a survey of general practitioners and community pharmacists.

Background: Pharmacist-led medication review and medication management programs (MMP) are well-known strategies to improve medication safety and effectiveness. If performed interprofessionally, outcomes might even improve. However, little is known about task sharing in interprofessional MMP, in which general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists (CPs) collaboratively perform medication reviews and continuously follow-up on patients with designated medical and pharmaceutical tasks, respectively.

Physical Activity Determinants in Older German Adults at Increased Dementia Risk with Multimorbidity: Baseline Results of the AgeWell.de Study.

Background: Multimorbidity is a common issue in aging societies and is usually associated with dementia in older people. Physical activity (PA) may be a beneficial nonpharmacological strategy for patients with complex health needs. However, insufficient PA is predominant in this population.

Association of mental demands in the workplace with cognitive function in older adults at increased risk for dementia.

Objectives: Growing evidence suggests a protective effect of high mental demands at work on cognitive function in later life. However, evidence on corresponding associations in older adults at increased risk for dementia is currently lacking. This study investigates the association between mental demands at work and cognitive functioning in the population of the AgeWell.

Accessing Chemo- and Regioselective Benzylic and Aromatic Oxidations by Protein Engineering of an Unspecific Peroxygenase.

Unspecific peroxygenases (UPOs) enable oxyfunctionalizations of a broad substrate range with unparalleled activities. Tailoring these enzymes for chemo- and regioselective transformations represents a grand challenge due to the difficulties in their heterologous productions. Herein, we performed protein engineering in using the UPO from .

Valorization of Small Alkanes by Biocatalytic Oxyfunctionalization.

The oxidation of alkanes into valuable chemical products is a vital reaction in organic synthesis. This reaction, however, is challenging, owing to the inertness of C-H bonds. Transition metal catalysts for C-H functionalization are frequently explored.

Improving the Heterologous Production of Fungal Peroxygenases through an Episomal Promoter and Signal Peptide Shuffling System.

Fungal peroxygenases (UPOs) have emerged as oxyfunctionalization catalysts of tremendous interest in recent years. However, their widespread use in the field of biocatalysis is still hampered by their challenging heterologous production, substantially limiting the panel of accessible enzymes for investigation and enzyme engineering. Building upon previous work on UPO production in yeast, we have developed a combined promoter and signal peptide shuffling system for episomal high throughput UPO production in the industrially relevant, methylotrophic yeast .

A modular two yeast species secretion system for the production and preparative application of unspecific peroxygenases.

Fungal unspecific peroxygenases (UPOs) represent an enzyme class catalysing versatile oxyfunctionalisation reactions on a broad substrate scope. They are occurring as secreted, glycosylated proteins bearing a haem-thiolate active site and rely on hydrogen peroxide as the oxygen source. However, their heterologous production in a fast-growing organism suitable for high throughput screening has only succeeded once-enabled by an intensive directed evolution campaign.

Recruitment and Baseline Characteristics of Participants in the AgeWell.de Study-A Pragmatic Cluster-Randomized Controlled Lifestyle Trial against Cognitive Decline.

Targeting dementia prevention, first trials addressing multiple modifiable risk factors showed promising results in at-risk populations. In Germany, AgeWell.de is the first large-scale initiative investigating the effectiveness of a multi-component lifestyle intervention against cognitive decline.

Mediastinal fluid as a predictor for esophageal perforation as the cause of pneumomediastinum.

Purpose: Pneumomediastinum is not an uncommon finding on emergency CTs and is seen in a variety of settings, including acute trauma, recent repeated emesis and recent thoracic surgery, and after EGD (Kouritas et al. J Thorac Dis 7(Suppl 1):S44-S49, 2015). The purpose of this study was to examine cases of CT pneumomediastinum for distinguishing features which could support or exclude esophageal injury as a cause, which in turn could help guide evaluation of these patients.

Golden Mutagenesis: An efficient multi-site-saturation mutagenesis approach by Golden Gate cloning with automated primer design.

Site-directed methods for the generation of genetic diversity are essential tools in the field of directed enzyme evolution. The Golden Gate cloning technique has been proven to be an efficient tool for a variety of cloning setups. The utilization of restriction enzymes which cut outside of their recognition domain allows the assembly of multiple gene fragments obtained by PCR amplification without altering the open reading frame of the reconstituted gene.

Process of translation and cross-cultural adaptation of two Australian instruments to evaluate the physician-pharmacist collaboration in Germany.

Background: Building interprofessional working relationships between physicians and pharmacists is essential to ensure high-quality patient care. To assess which factors influence the performance and success of their collaboration, validated instruments should be used, such as the Australian "Attitudes Toward Collaboration Instrument (ATCI)" and the "Frequency of Interprofessional Collaboration Instrument (FICI)". Both instruments were already translated in a previous German study, but not pretested for comprehensibility or cultural appropriateness to ensure that the target group is able to adequately answer the translated items.

I-131 uptake in the breast from fat necrosis.

Radioactive iodine I-131 whole-body scintigraphy is used to monitor thyroid cancer metastases after total thyroidectomy. We present a case of a woman who was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer and underwent a total thyroidectomy. I-131 scintigraphy revealed abnormal accumulation of radioactive iodine in the right breast causing concern for thyroid cancer metastasis.

Tryptamine Synthesis by Iron Porphyrin Catalyzed C-H Functionalization of Indoles with Diazoacetonitrile.

The functionalization of C-H bonds with non-precious metal catalysts is an important research area for the development of efficient and sustainable processes. Herein, we describe the development of iron porphyrin catalyzed reactions of diazoacetonitrile with N-heterocycles yielding important precursors of tryptamines, along with experimental mechanistic studies and proof-of-concept studies of an enzymatic process with YfeX enzyme. By using readily available FeTPPCl, we achieved the highly efficient C-H functionalization of indole and indazole heterocycles.

[Potential Benchmarks for Successful Interdisciplinary Collaboration Projects in Germany: A Systematic Review].

Aim Of The Study: Collaboration between general practitioners and community pharmacists is essential to ensure safe and effective patient care. However, collaboration in primary care is not standardized and varies greatly. This review aims to highlight projects about professional collaboration in ambulatory care in Germany and identifies promising approaches and successful benchmarks that should be considered for future projects.

Balloon occlusion technique for embolization of unselectable hemorrhaging pelvic arteries in the setting of traumatic pelvic fractures.

Though hemorrhaging pelvic arteries can be treated with transcatheter arterial embolization, difficulty in selection of injured arteries can lead to increased morbidity and mortality due to embolization of untargeted vasculature and prolonged time to hemostasis, resulting in unnecessary ischemic injury and prolonged hemorrhage. This report describes a balloon occlusion technique utilized in the setting of an unselectable hemorrhaging obturator artery.

Modulating proposed electron transfer pathways in P450 led to improved activity and coupling efficiency.

Electrochemical in vitro reduction of P450 enzymes is a promising alternative to in vivo applications. Previously we presented three engineered P450 variants for aniline hydroxylation, equipped with a carbon nanotube binding-peptide (CNT-tag) for self-assembly on CNT electrodes. Compared to wildtype P450 the NADPH-dependent activity was enhanced, but the coupling efficiency remained low.