Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and picene mediate actions via estrogen receptor α signaling pathway in in vitro cell systems, altering gene expression.

Currently, the environmental impact of ubiquitous plastic debris triggered quite some public attention. However, the global impact of microplastic on human health is by and large either unknown or neglected. By looking at the underlying biochemical mechanisms leading to the global health threat microplastic was discovered to carry persistent organic pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), to marine life. The effect of microplastic-ingestion in the human body remains unfortunately somewhat elusive as of yet. For this reason, we screened for compounds binding to the human estrogen receptor α (ERα) and identified the PAH compounds indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (Indpy) and picene (…

[Einleitung: "Was vom Forschen übrig blieb…︁"].

Rationalitäten der Wissenproduktion: Über Transformationen von Gegenständen, Technologien und Information in Biomedizin und Lebenswissenschaften

Rationalities of Knowledge Production: On Transformations of Objects, Technologies and Information in Biomedicine and the Life Sciences. Since decades, scientific change has been interpreted in the light of of paradigm shifts and scientific revolutions. The Kuhnian interpretation of scientific change however is now more and more confronted with non-disciplinary thinking in both, science and studies on science. This paper explores how research in biomedicine and the life sciences can be characterized by different rationalities, sometimes converging, sometimes contradictory, all present at the same time with varying ways of influence, impact, and visibility. In general, the rationality of obj…

Building bridges: future directions for medical error disclosure research.

Abstract Objective The disclosure of medical errors has attracted considerable research interest in recent years. However, the research to date has lacked interdisciplinary dialog, making translation of findings into medical practice challenging. This article lays out the disciplinary perspectives of the fields of medicine, ethics, law and communication on medical error disclosure and identifies gaps and tensions that occur at these interdisciplinary boundaries. Methods This article summarizes the discussion of an interdisciplinary error disclosure panel at the 2012 EACH Conference in St. Andrews, Scotland, in light of the current literature across four academic disciplines. Results Current…

Patientenverfügung: Wahrnehmung und Wirklichkeit

BACKGROUND Knowledge and values prevalent with regard to advanced directive in the general German population have so far not been adequately taken into account as a topic of regulatory initiatives. This leads to unnecessary uncertainty about actual decision-making concerning therapeutic measures. METHODS 95 randomly chosen persons were included in a differentiated, online-supported survey consisting of multiple-choice questions as well as open interview questions, both question types addressing knowledge and values prevalent in our populations concerning advanced health care directives. Multiple choice questions were statistically correlated with open answers addressing the same content and…

PanCareLIFE

Aims: Survival after cancer diagnosed during childhood or adolescence continues to improve with new treatments and supportive therapies. Optimal long-term care requires that risks to vulnerable organs are clearly defined and translated into guidelines that are implemented into practice. PanCareLIFE is a pan-European consortium that addresses survivorship issues comprising fertility, hearing impairment and quality of life. This article describes the scientific basis of PanCareLIFE's studies.Methods: PanCareLIFE involves 17 partner institutions from eight European countries, with additional 11 data providers from five other countries. Study designs and methods include molecular genetic, cohor…

Can eastern wisdom resolve western epidemics? Traditional Chinese medicine therapies and the opioid crisis.

The widespread use of opioids to treat chronic pain led to a nation-wide crisis in the United States. Tens of thousands of deaths annually occur mainly due to respiratory depression, the most dangerous side effect of opioids. Non-opioid drugs and non-pharmacological treatments without addictive potential are urgently required. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on a completely different medical theory than academic Western medicine. The scientific basis of acupuncture and herbal treatments as main TCM practices has been considerably improved during the past two decades, and large meta-analyses with thousands of patients provide evidence for their efficacy. Furthermore, opinion lead…

Studien an gesunden Personen – aus ethischer Sicht

Bei der Mehrzahl der klinischen Studien ist die Mitwirkung von Patienten mit einem bestimmten, klar definierten Krankheitsbild essentielle Voraussetzung fur die Durchfuhrung der Studie. Bestimmte Studiendesigns erfordern allerdings regelmasig den Einschluss von gesunden Probanden, so etwa Medikamentenstudien in der fruhen klinischen Erprobung zur Uberprufung der Wirkung im gesunden Korper, klinische Studien mit einer gesunden Kontrollgruppe, Studien zu neuen Markern oder Kontrastmitteln oder epidemiologische Kohortenstudien mit Probanden als reprasentativem Querschnitt der Bevolkerung. In der bioethischen Diskussion gelten gesunde Studienteilnehmer haufig nicht als gesondert zu betrachtende…

Organophosphate ester tri-o-cresyl phosphate interacts with estrogen receptor α in MCF-7 breast cancer cells promoting cancer growth

Plastic in the ocean degrades to microplastic, thereby enhancing the leaching of incorporated plasticizers due to the increased particle surface. The uptake of microplastic-derived plasticizers by marine animals and the subsequent entry in the food chain raises concerns for adverse health effects in human beings. Frequently used plasticizers as the organophosphate ester tri-o-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) are known to affect the male reproductive system. However, the overall endocrine potential of TOCP and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive as yet. In this study, we investigated the molecular effects of TOCP on estrogen receptor α (ERα)-transfected HEK-ESR1 cells and the human bre…

Threats to human health by great ocean garbage patches

Broken heart, tako-tsubo or stress cardiomyopathy? Metaphors, meanings and their medical impact

The cardiac impact of psychological stress historically and socially understood as boundary experiences of human life has long since become an icon. From the aching heart to the sudden death provoked by awe, horror, grief, anger, and humiliation on one side and extreme enchantment, enthusiasm, and excitement on the other, the broken heart has become a globally recognized and powerful metaphor present from folklore to popular culture to high literature and back to everyday communication. In medicine, the "broken heart syndrome" is described as a relatively new nosological entity that has been used synonymously with the term tako-tsubo or stress cardiomyopathy. Among those three terms, howeve…

Effect of Neonatal Outcome Estimates on Decision-Making Preferences of Mothers Facing Preterm Birth

This randomized clinical trial examines the effect of neonatal outcomes on the preferences for expectant German mothers for life-sustaining treatments.

Notfallsituationen und Patientenverfügungen aus der Sicht des Palliativpatienten - Ergebnisse einer Befragung

Einleitung: Patientenverfugungen (PV) erfreuen sich zunehmender Beliebtheit in der Bevolkerung. Reichweite und Berucksichtigung von PV in einer praklinischen Notfallsituation sind jedoch auch nach der gesetzlichen Regelung von 2009 umstritten. Wegen dieser Unsicherheit und Defiziten vorhandener PV wurde eine spezielle Notfall-Patientenverfugung (PALMA: Patientenanweisungen fur lebenserhaltende Masnahmen) fur die Praklinik entwickelt. Nach einer Notarztebefragung in 2008 wurde nun auch eine Untersuchung aus Patientensicht durchgefuhrt. Methoden: Zur Bewertung wurden Patienten der Palliativstation der Universitatsmedizin Mainz bei Entlassung befragt. In einem 20-minutigen Interview wurden sow…

Ethische Dimensionen der künstlichen Ernährung bei Intensivpatienten

Nicht erst seit der Fall Terri Schiavo mit maximaler medialer Aufmerksamkeit begleitet worden ist (Ankermann 1999; Annas 2005), wird das Thema der kunstlichen Ernahrung auch in der breiten offentlichkeit – oft emotional und kontrovers – diskutiert (Gjerdingen 1999). Auch in der arzteschaft und in den Pflege- und Heilberufen stost man in der Regel auf dezidierte, durch Werthaltungen gepragte Positionen in Bezug auf das Fur und Wider von Masnahmen kunstlicher Ernahrung, die die Auseinandersetzung mit dem Thema auf der Ebene der Alltagsmoral widerspiegeln. Daran hat auch die durch die jungste Rechtsprechung geschaffene Rechtssicherheit wenig geandert. Sowohl das 3. anderungsgesetz zum Betreuun…

Bisphenolic compounds alter gene expression in MCF-7 cells through interaction with estrogen receptor α

Plasticizers released from microplastic are increasingly viewed with concern. While adverse health effects induced by bisphenol A and its analogues on marine animals are well documented in the literature, the endocrine potential of bisphenolic compounds on human health remains elusive. We applied next generation sequencing (NGS) with the estrogen receptor α (ERα) positive human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 treated with 17-β-estradiol (E2), bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol B (BPB), bisphenol Z (BPZ) and tetramethyl bisphenol A (4MeBPA). We used molecular docking, microscale thermophoresis, ERα activation assay, and cell cycle experiments on MCF-7 and ERα overexpressing HEK293 cells to verify th…

Does Obsolescence Matter? The Real Questions of Genetic Enhancement

In his article, Robert Sparrow (2019) builds his arguments on a precondition of rapid technical progress in gene-editing technologies on one hand and on the implication that that gene-editing techn...

Health(care) in the Crisis: Reflections in Science and Society on Opioid Addiction

Opioid abuse and misuse have led to an epidemic which is currently spreading worldwide. Since the number of opioid overdoses is still increasing, it is becoming obvious that current rather unsystematic approaches to tackle this health problem are not effective. This review suggests that fighting the opioid epidemic requires a structured public health approach. Therefore, it is important to consider not only scientific and biomedical perspectives, but societal implications and the lived experience of groups at risk as well. Hence, this review evaluates the risk factors associated with opioid overdoses and investigates the rates of chronic opioid misuse, particularly in the context of chronic…

Mapping the Other Side of Agency

Schonau et al. (2021) put forward an “agency map” that brings together the so far underappreciated interrelation of responsibility, privacy, authenticity, and trust for the purpose of better unders...

Klinische Ethikberatung: Therapieziele, Patientenwille und Entscheidungsprobleme in der modernen Medizin

Die klinische Ethikberatung in Deutschland wurde zunachst v. a. in Krankenhausern unter konfessioneller Tragerschaft, spater auch motiviert durch Verfahren der Krankenhauszertifizierung etabliert. Ihre Aufgaben bestehen in der Regel in der klinischen Ethikberatung, der Mitwirkung an der Erstellung von Leitlinien sowie in der Aus- und Fortbildung des arztlichen und pflegerischen Personals in Fragen der Ethik. Daruber hinaus gibt es vereinzelt Krankenhauser, in denen Ethikkomitees im Einzellfall oder in der Regel in das ganze Klinikum betreffende Grundsatzentscheidungen eingebunden sind.

Invited Commentary: From Moral Reflexes to Ethical Reflection: Ethical Commentary on the Refusal of Cardiac Surgery in Patients with Intravenous Drug Abuse, Active Hepatitis C, or HIV/AIDS

Why should We Bother? Ethical and Social Issues in Individualized Medicine

Individualized medicine, methodologically rooted in pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics, is now venturing into clinical application. Prescribing the right drug in the right dose to the right patient according to specific health needs and individual characteristics is a core mission of individualized medicine. The intrinsic values of this mission are so self-evident that--at first glance--the ethical and social issues raised by individualized medicine seem to be negligible. However, the translation of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics into clinical routine not only requires the collection and evaluation of large amounts of individual genetic data, but also heralds the need for further …

Biopiracy of natural products and good bioprospecting practice

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T16:27:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-02-15 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Background: Biopiracy mainly focuses on the use of biological resources and/or knowledge of indigenous tribes or communities without allowing them to share the revenues generated out of economic exploitation or other non-monetary incentives associated with the resource/knowledge. Methods: Based on collaborations of scientists from five continents, we have created a communication platform to discuss not only scientific topics, but also more general issues with social relevance. This platform was termed 'PhytCancer -Phytotherapy to Fight Cancer' (www.phy…

Schöne neue Welt der Prävention? Zu Voraussetzungen und Reichweite von Public Health Genetics

Recent developments in molecular genetics and genomics have not only provided new insights into the biological foundation of life but have also brought about significant changes in the ways health and disease are understood. Nowadays, understanding how the human genome interacts with health-related behaviour and diverse environments is recognised to be the key for biomedical innovation. Even though advances in genetics and genomics have unveiled a whole new complexity of the genetic underpinnings of health and disease and clearly show the need for further investigation, studies of health-related genetic traits already give rise to novel approaches to prevention. As a relatively new field Pu…

Biopiracy versus One-World Medicine-From colonial relicts to global collaborative concepts.

Abstract Background Practices of biopiracy to use genetic resources and indigenous knowledge by Western companies without benefit-sharing of those, who generated the traditional knowledge, can be understood as form of neocolonialism. Hypothesis The One-World Medicine concept attempts to merge the best of traditional medicine from developing countries and conventional Western medicine for the sake of patients around the globe. Study design Based on literature searches in several databases, a concept paper has been written. Legislative initiatives of the United Nations culminated in the Nagoya protocol aim to protect traditional knowledge and regulate benefit-sharing with indigenous communiti…

Butyl octyl phthalate interacts with estrogen receptor α in MCF‑7 breast cancer cells to promote cancer development

Rationing and triage of scarce, lifesaving therapy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional, social media-driven, scenario-based online query of societal attitudes

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe recent COVID-19 pandemic made us aware that medical resources are limited. When demand for essential resources surpasses availability, difficult triaging decisions are necessary. While algorithms exist, almost nothing is known on societal attitudes regarding triage criteria.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted via social media channels to query a broad sample of society. Participants were asked to make triage decisions in case-based vignettes, exploring a variety of factors. They also were asked to assess how sure they were about their decisions, and how such decisions should be reached.ResultsThe survey was completed in full by 1626 participants in April 2020…

Determination of Death in Execution by Lethal Injection in China.

Abstract:Since 1997, execution in China has been increasingly performed by lethal injection. The current criteria for determination of death for execution by lethal injection (cessation of heartbeat, cessation of respiration, and dilated pupils) neither conform to current medical science nor to any standard of medical ethics. In practice, death is pronounced in China within tens of seconds after starting the lethal injection. At this stage, however, neither the common criteria for cardiopulmonary death (irreversible cessation of heartbeat and breathing) nor that of brain death (irreversible cessation of brain functions) have been met. To declare a still-living person dead is incompatible wi…