A framework for the joint institutionalization of climate change mitigation and adaptation in city administrations

Cities are key actors in reducing both the causes of climate change (mitigation) and its impact (adaptation), and many have developed separate mitigation and adaptation strategies and measures. However, in order to maximize outcomes, both scholars and practitioners are increasingly calling for more integrated and synergetic approaches. Unfortunately, related research remains scarce and fragmented, and there is a lack of systematic investigation into the necessary institutional conditions and processes. Against this background, this paper develops a framework to assess and support the joint institutionalization of climate adaptation and mitigation-here called adaptigation-in city administrations. This pioneering framework draws upon four key features of bureaucracies: organizational structure, visions and goals, actors, and technology and tools. Illustrated by pilot applications to the cities of Würzburg (Germany) and Mwanza (Tanzania), the framework provides a robust basis for future research, policy recommendations, and the development of context-specific guidelines for national and local decision-makers and officials. It highlights the importance of (i) clearly defined procedures for the implementation of adaptigation into urban planning processes (e.g., with the active involvement of stakeholders in the form of working groups or roundtable discussions), (ii) locally relevant goals and visions, established in collaboration with stakeholders, and (iii) the creation of mitigation and adaptation structures that are supported by the appropriate level of human resources, both within and outside city administrations. In this context, global, supranational, and national institutions play an important role in supporting institutionalization by providing targeted funding and promoting adaptigation, which requires the development of integrated goals, visions, and legislation.

Changes in biomechanics of skiing at maximal velocity caused by simulated 20-km skiing race using V2 skating technique

This study investigated how the fatigue caused by a 20-km simulated skating cross-country skiing race on snow affects the final spurt performance from a biomechanical perspective. Subjects performed a 100-m maximal skiing trial before and at the end of the simulated race. Cycle characteristics, ground reaction forces from skis and poles, and muscle activity from eight muscles were recorded during each trial. Results showed that subjects were in a fatigued state after the simulated race manifested by 11.6% lower skiing speed (P<.01). The lower skiing speed was related to an 8.0% decrease in cycle rate (P<.01), whereas cycle length was slightly decreased (tendency). In temporal patterns, relative kick time was increased (10.9%, P<.01) while relative poling time was slightly decreased (tendency). Vertical ski force production decreased by 8.3% while pole force production decreased by 26.0% (both, P<.01). Muscle activation was generally decreased in upper (39.2%) and lower body (30.7%) (both, P<.01). Together these findings show different responses to fatigue in the upper and lower body. In ski forces, fatigue was observed via longer force production times while force production levels decreased only slightly. Pole forces showed equal force production times in the fatigued state while force production level decreased threefold compared to the ski forces.

High density lipoprotein-associated lysosphingolipids reduce E-selectin expression in human endothelial cells

Adhesion and recruitment of blood monocytes, processes mediated by cell adhesion molecules including E-selectin, represent an early event in atherogenesis. High density lipoproteins (HDLs) were shown to inhibit cytokine-induced expression of adhesion molecules, but mechanisms underlying this effect are not fully understood. We here investigated the effects of sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) and lysosulfatide (LSF), two lysosphingolipids associated with HDL, on TNF-alpha-induced E-selectin expression in human umbilical endothelial cells. We found that HDL, SPC, and LSF inhibited E-selectin expression both on mRNA and protein level. In addition, all three agents reduced the number of E-selectin molecules present on endothelial cell surface. The inhibitory effects of HDL, SPC, and LSF on TNF-alpha-induced E-selectin expression were partially reverted in the presence of suramin, an antagonist of lysosphingolipid receptor EDG-3, or pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of trimeric G proteins. In addition, inhibition of activation of protein kinase Akt with LY294002 but not inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) with U73122 abolished the restrictive effects of HDL-, SPC-, or LSF on E-selectin expression. We conclude that HDL-associated lysosphingolipids may at least partially account for the inhibitory effects of HDL on cytokine-induced expression of adhesion molecules, and that activations of G-protein-coupled receptors and protein kinase Akt are involved in this process.

Induction of a hypertrophic growth status of coronary smooth muscle cells is associated with an overexpression of TGF-beta

Hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle cells occurs during hypertension-induced remodelling of arteries and during development of arteriosclerosis and restenosis following angioplasty but the pathogenesis of the hypertrophic status is not yet fully understood. In a previous study we demonstrated that the synthetic non-sulfated, non-toxic heparin-mimicking compound RG-13577 is capable of inducing a cell cycle-arrested hypertrophic phenotype of coronary smooth muscle cells. In this study we clarify the mode of action of RG-13577 and demonstrate that the RG-13577-induced hypertrophy is associated with an increased expression of TGF-beta1 as indicated by an increase in TGF-beta1-specific protein and mRNA level. Furthermore we show that RG-13577-treated hypertrophic smooth muscle cells maintain full metabolic activity as indicated by a continuous de novo synthesis of protein and proteoglycans and that the RG-13577-induced growth arrest is caused not only by a higher expression of TGF-beta, but also by a reduced response of RG-treated cells to the mitogenic activity of bFGF, PDGF and EGF. The growth inhibitory activity of RG-13577 is reduced in the presence of neutralizing antibodies against TGF-beta. TGF-beta itself has anti-proliferative activity in serum-depleted medium. The RG-13577 effect is reversible since incubation of hypertrophic cells in RG-13577-free medium restores cell volume and [3H]thymidine incorporation to the values of untreated control cells within 4 days. We conclude, that the active metabolic status of RG-13577-treated cells in association with the overexpression of TGF-beta could promote repair processes of injured arteries after angioplasty without stimulating cell proliferation.

[Treatment of cartilage defects]

Articular surface defects will not heal spontaneously. Localized defects, e.g., in the knee joint, should be treated with transplantation of autologous cells containing material of different composition. For transplantation of osteochondral pegs they are grafted from minor loaded joint areas and implanted into highly loaded defect regions. For autologous cartilage cell transplantation they are proliferated in vitro and then implanted into the defect zone under an periostal flap, harvested from the proximal tibia and sutured into the cartilage level around the defect. Autologous paste of cartilage and cancellous bone is transplanted into aggressively prepared defects with the concept of regrowing articular cartilage out of the transplanted cells and the subchondral bone.

Association of pp60c-src with biliary glycoprotein (CD66a), an adhesion molecule of the carcinoembryonic antigen family downregulated in colorectal carcinomas

CD66a, also known as 'biliary glycoprotein (BGP)', is the human homologue of a cell adhesion molecule (CAM) of the rat (Cell-CAM). CD66a, which belongs to the carcinoembryonic antigen family and the immunoglobulin superfamily, is expressed in cells of myeloid and epithelial origin. The cytoplasmic domain of the major isoform of CD66a (CD66acyt) contains two tyrosine residues in amino acid motifs potentially interacting with protein tyrosine kinases of the Src family. Here we provide evidence that CD66a is associated with pp60c-src. From membrane fractions of granulocytes and the colonic cell line HT29, phosphokinase activity was co-immunoprecipitated with CD66a when monoclonal CD66 antibodies or an antiserum against the recombinant cytoplasmic domain of CD66a were used. From the dissociated immunecomplexes, a phosphokinase of M(r) 60,000 was reprecipitated using antibodies against pp60c-src. In vitro, the recombinant cytoplasmic domain was a substrate and binding partner of pp60c-src. Phosphopeptides corresponding to the tyrosine containing amino acid sequences of CD66acyt activated the kinase activity of pp60c-src to a greater extent than a phosphopeptide containing Tyr527 from the SH2-binding regulatory domain of pp60c-src. The down-regulation of CD66a in about 80% of colorectal carcinomas may contribute to a dysregulation of pp60c-src in colorectal cancer.