Labour markets and employment relations in transition: the case of German unification
Examines some of the radical changes in labour markets and employment relations in the former German Democratic Republic (DDR) immediately following German unification and identifies a large degree of continuity in management personnel but an almost total replacement of union officials. Concludes that, while unification has undermined some of the characteristics of the employment relations system, stronger pressures for change are arising from the impact of global competitive pressures in the German economy. The system is likely to be subject to evolutionary modification rather than radical change.
Human Resource Management in a Unified Germany
From a comparative viewpoint, German personnel management can be seen as a configuration shaped by a specific form of “corporatism”, worker participation, and the educational system (particularly the apprenticeship tradition). Although challenges from new technology and internationalization have prompted new concepts and negotiation patterns, the approach to personnel management in Germany has not changed drastically. This is reflected in a reluctance to accept, or translate, the label of “human resource management”. The historically unique constellation of a rapid integration of a previously separate and potentially hostile state (the GDR) into the Federal Republic has brought about new strategies and procedures of co‐operation between employers, unions, and state agencies. They also follow, however, the lines of German traditions and institutions.
Cross talk between redox signalling and metabolic activity of osteoblasts and fibroblasts in the presence of hydroxyapatite-based biomaterials influences bone regeneration
Regeneration of bone tissue defects that result from metabolic disorders, including periodontal diseases, can be supported by biomaterials based on hydroxyapatite. Despite of good biocompatibility of biomaterials they can cause oxidative stress and inflammatory processes as a result of mechanical interaction with surrounding tissues. Because osteoblasts are responsible for bone regeneration process in which gingival fibroblasts may also participate, the aim of the work was to investigate the influence of hydroxyapatite-based biomaterials (allogeneic and xenogeneic) and biomaterials combined with enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain) on osteoblast and fibroblast redox balance in the context of osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.
The results showed that examined substitutes were not cytotoxic in vitro, but affected redox balance of osteoblasts and fibroblasts (ROS level increase and GSH level decrease) which led to oxidative stress (MDA and protein carbonyl groups level increase) resulting in an increase of the Nrf2 and NFκB expression. The consequence of these changes was partial inhibition of proliferation and osteoblast differentiation. Emdogain alone and combined with biomaterials decreased ROS generation and increased GSH level in both osteoblasts and fibroblasts leading to reduction of transcription factors expression especially proinflammatory NFκB, which promoted osteoblast differentiation and mineralization process.