@article{HornSchellerduPlessisetal.2013, author = {Horn, Anne and Scheller, Carsten and du Plessis, Stefan and Arendt, Gabriele and Nolting, Thorsten and Joska, John and Sopper, Sieghart and Maschke, Matthias and Obermann, Mark and Husstedt, Ingo W. and Hain, Johannes and Maponga, Tongai and Riederer, Peter and Koutsilieri, Eleni}, title = {Increases in CSF dopamine in HIV patients are due to the dopamine transporter 10/10-repeat allele which is more frequent in HIV-infected individuals}, series = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, volume = {120}, journal = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, doi = {10.1007/s00702-013-1086-x}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-132385}, pages = {1411-1419}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Dysfunction of dopaminergic neurotransmission has been implicated in HIV infection. We showed previously increased dopamine (DA) levels in CSF of therapy-na{\"i}ve HIV patients and an inverse correlation between CSF DA and CD4 counts in the periphery, suggesting adverse effects of high levels of DA on HIV infection. In the current study including a total of 167 HIV-positive and negative donors from Germany and South Africa (SA), we investigated the mechanistic background for the increase of CSF DA in HIV individuals. Interestingly, we found that the DAT 10/10-repeat allele is present more frequently within HIV individuals than in uninfected subjects. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for gender and ethnicity showed an odds ratio for HIV infection in DAT 10/10 allele carriers of 3.93 (95 \% CI 1.72-8.96; p = 0.001, Fishers exact test). 42.6 \% HIV-infected patients harbored the DAT 10/10 allele compared to only 10.5 \% uninfected DAT 10/10 carriers in SA (odds ratio 6.31), whereas 68.1 versus 40.9 \%, respectively, in Germany (odds ratio 3.08). Subjects homozygous for the 10-repeat allele had higher amounts of CSF DA and reduced DAT mRNA expression but similar disease severity compared with those carrying other DAT genotypes. These intriguing and novel findings show the mutual interaction between DA and HIV, suggesting caution in the interpretation of CNS DA alterations in HIV infection solely as a secondary phenomenon to the virus and open the door for larger studies investigating consequences of the DAT functional polymorphism on HIV epidemiology and progression of disease.}, language = {en} } @article{RudelPrustySiegletal.2013, author = {Rudel, Thomas and Prusty, Bhupesh K. and Siegl, Christine and Hauck, Petra and Hain, Johannes and Korhonen, Suvi J. and Hiltunen-Back, Eija and Poulakkainen, Mirja}, title = {Chlamydia trachomatis Infection Induces Replication of Latent HHV-6}, series = {PLoS ONE}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0061400}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-96731}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) exists in latent form either as a nuclear episome or integrated into human chromosomes in more than 90\% of healthy individuals without causing clinical symptoms. Immunosuppression and stress conditions can reactivate HHV-6 replication, associated with clinical complications and even death. We have previously shown that co-infection of Chlamydia trachomatis and HHV-6 promotes chlamydial persistence and increases viral uptake in an in vitro cell culture model. Here we investigated C. trachomatis-induced HHV-6 activation in cell lines and fresh blood samples from patients having Chromosomally integrated HHV-6 (CiHHV-6). We observed activation of latent HHV-6 DNA replication in CiHHV-6 cell lines and fresh blood cells without formation of viral particles. Interestingly, we detected HHV-6 DNA in blood as well as cervical swabs from C. trachomatis-infected women. Low virus titers correlated with high C. trachomatis load and vice versa, demonstrating a potentially significant interaction of these pathogens in blood cells and in the cervix of infected patients. Our data suggest a thus far underestimated interference of HHV-6 and C. trachomatis with a likely impact on the disease outcome as consequence of co-infection.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Schleissinger2013, author = {Schleißinger, Sebastian}, title = {Embedding Problems in Loewner Theory}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-96782}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2013}, abstract = {The work at hand studies problems from Loewner theory and is divided into two parts: In part 1 (chapter 2) we present the basic notions of Loewner theory. Here we use a modern form which was developed by F. Bracci, M. Contreras, S. D{\´i}az-Madrigal et al. and which can be applied to certain higher dimensional complex manifolds. We look at two domains in more detail: the Euclidean unit ball and the polydisc. Here we consider two classes of biholomorphic mappings which were introduced by T. Poreda and G. Kohr as generalizations of the class S. We prove a conjecture of G. Kohr about support points of these classes. The proof relies on the observation that the classes describe so called Runge domains, which follows from a result by L. Arosio, F. Bracci and E. F. Wold. Furthermore, we prove a conjecture of G. Kohr about support points of a class of biholomorphic mappings that comes from applying the Roper-Suffridge extension operator to the class S. In part 2 (chapter 3) we consider one special Loewner equation: the chordal multiple-slit equation in the upper half-plane. After describing basic properties of this equation we look at the problem, whether one can choose the coefficient functions in this equation to be constant. D. Prokhorov proved this statement under the assumption that the slits are piecewise analytic. We use a completely different idea to solve the problem in its general form. As the Loewner equation with constant coefficients holds everywhere (and not just almost everywhere), this result generalizes Loewner's original idea to the multiple-slit case. Moreover, we consider the following problems: • The "simple-curve problem" asks which driving functions describe the growth of simple curves (in contrast to curves that touch itself). We discuss necessary and sufficient conditions, generalize a theorem of J. Lind, D. Marshall and S. Rohde to the multiple-slit equation and we give an example of a set of driving functions which generate simple curves because of a certain self-similarity property. • We discuss properties of driving functions that generate slits which enclose a given angle with the real axis. • A theorem by O. Roth gives an explicit description of the reachable set of one point in the radial Loewner equation. We prove the analog for the chordal equation.}, subject = {Biholomorphe Abbildung}, language = {en} } @article{StoevesandtHofmannHainetal.2013, author = {Stoevesandt, Johanna and Hofmann, Bernd and Hain, Johannes and Kerstan, Andreas and Trautmann, Axel}, title = {Single venom-based immunotherapy effectively protects patients with double positive tests to honey bee and Vespula venom}, series = {Allergy, Asthma \& Clinical Immunology}, journal = {Allergy, Asthma \& Clinical Immunology}, doi = {10.1186/1710-1492-9-33}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-96808}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background Referring to individuals with reactivity to honey bee and Vespula venom in diagnostic tests, the umbrella terms "double sensitization" or "double positivity" cover patients with true clinical double allergy and those allergic to a single venom with asymptomatic sensitization to the other. There is no international consensus on whether immunotherapy regimens should generally include both venoms in double sensitized patients. Objective We investigated the long-term outcome of single venom-based immunotherapy with regard to potential risk factors for treatment failure and specifically compared the risk of relapse in mono sensitized and double sensitized patients. Methods Re-sting data were obtained from 635 patients who had completed at least 3 years of immunotherapy between 1988 and 2008. The adequate venom for immunotherapy was selected using an algorithm based on clinical details and the results of diagnostic tests. Results Of 635 patients, 351 (55.3\%) were double sensitized to both venoms. The overall re-exposure rate to Hymenoptera stings during and after immunotherapy was 62.4\%; the relapse rate was 7.1\% (6.0\% in mono sensitized, 7.8\% in double sensitized patients). Recurring anaphylaxis was statistically less severe than the index sting reaction (P = 0.004). Double sensitization was not significantly related to relapsing anaphylaxis (P = 0.56), but there was a tendency towards an increased risk of relapse in a subgroup of patients with equal reactivity to both venoms in diagnostic tests (P = 0.15). Conclusions Single venom-based immunotherapy over 3 to 5 years effectively and long-lastingly protects the vast majority of both mono sensitized and double sensitized Hymenoptera venom allergic patients. Double venom immunotherapy is indicated in clinically double allergic patients reporting systemic reactions to stings of both Hymenoptera and in those with equal reactivity to both venoms in diagnostic tests who have not reliably identified the culprit stinging insect.}, language = {en} } @article{FreibergMatlachGrehnetal.2013, author = {Freiberg, Florentina Joyce and Matlach, Juliane and Grehn, Franz and Karl, Sabine and Klink, Thomas}, title = {Postoperative subconjunctival bevacizumab injection as an adjunct to 5-fluorouracil in the management of scarring after trabeculectomy}, series = {Clinical Ophthalmology}, journal = {Clinical Ophthalmology}, doi = {10.2147/OPTH.S41750}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-96546}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Purpose: Scarring after glaucoma filtering surgery remains the most frequent cause for bleb failure. The aim of this study was to assess if the postoperative injection of bevacizumab reduces the number of postoperative subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) injections. Further, the effect of bevacizumab as an adjunct to 5-FU on the intraocular pressure (IOP) outcome, bleb morphology, postoperative medications, and complications was evaluated. Methods: Glaucoma patients (N = 61) who underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin C were analyzed retrospectively (follow-up period of 25 ± 19 months). Surgery was performed exclusively by one experienced glaucoma specialist using a standardized technique. Patients in group 1 received subconjunctival applications of 5-FU postoperatively. Patients in group 2 received 5-FU and subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab. Results: Group 1 had 6.4 ± 3.3 (0-15) (mean ± standard deviation and range, respectively) 5-FU injections. Group 2 had 4.0 ± 2.8 (0-12) (mean ± standard deviation and range, respectively) 5-FU injections. The added injection of bevacizumab significantly reduced the mean number of 5-FU injections by 2.4 ± 3.08 (P ≤ 0.005). There was no significantly lower IOP in group 2 when compared to group 1. A significant reduction in vascularization and in cork screw vessels could be found in both groups (P < 0.0001, 7 days to last 5-FU), yet there was no difference between the two groups at the last follow-up. Postoperative complications were significantly higher for both groups when more 5-FU injections were applied. (P = 0.008). No significant difference in best corrected visual acuity (P = 0.852) and visual field testing (P = 0.610) between preoperative to last follow-up could be found between the two groups. Conclusion: The postoperative injection of bevacizumab reduced the number of subconjunctival 5-FU injections significantly by 2.4 injections. A significant difference in postoperative IOP reduction, bleb morphology, and postoperative medication was not detected.}, language = {en} } @misc{Forster2013, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Forster, Johannes}, title = {Mathematical Modeling of Complex Fluids}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-83533}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2013}, abstract = {This thesis gives an overview over mathematical modeling of complex fluids with the discussion of underlying mechanical principles, the introduction of the energetic variational framework, and examples and applications. The purpose is to present a formal energetic variational treatment of energies corresponding to the models of physical phenomena and to derive PDEs for the complex fluid systems. The advantages of this approach over force-based modeling are, e.g., that for complex systems energy terms can be established in a relatively easy way, that force components within a system are not counted twice, and that this approach can naturally combine effects on different scales. We follow a lecture of Professor Dr. Chun Liu from Penn State University, USA, on complex fluids which he gave at the University of Wuerzburg during his Giovanni Prodi professorship in summer 2012. We elaborate on this lecture and consider also parts of his work and publications, and substantially extend the lecture by own calculations and arguments (for papers including an overview over the energetic variational treatment see [HKL10], [Liu11] and references therein).}, subject = {Variationsrechnung}, language = {en} } @misc{Proell2013, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Pr{\"o}ll, Sebastian}, title = {Stability of Switched Epidemiological Models}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-108573}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2013}, abstract = {In this thesis it is shown how the spread of infectious diseases can be described via mathematical models that show the dynamic behavior of epidemics. Ordinary differential equations are used for the modeling process. SIR and SIRS models are distinguished, depending on whether a disease confers immunity to individuals after recovery or not. There are characteristic parameters for each disease like the infection rate or the recovery rate. These parameters indicate how aggressive a disease acts and how long it takes for an individual to recover, respectively. In general the parameters are time-varying and depend on population groups. For this reason, models with multiple subgroups are introduced, and switched systems are used to carry out time-variant parameters. When investigating such models, the so called disease-free equilibrium is of interest, where no infectives appear within the population. The question is whether there are conditions, under which this equilibrium is stable. Necessary mathematical tools for the stability analysis are presented. The theory of ordinary differential equations, including Lyapunov stability theory, is fundamental. Moreover, convex and nonsmooth analysis, positive systems and differential inclusions are introduced. With these tools, sufficient conditions are given for the disease-free equilibrium of SIS, SIR and SIRS systems to be asymptotically stable.}, subject = {Gew{\"o}hnliche Differentialgleichung}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Christ2013, author = {Christ, Thomas}, title = {Value-distribution of the Riemann zeta-function and related functions near the critical line}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-97763}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2013}, abstract = {The Riemann zeta-function forms a central object in multiplicative number theory; its value-distribution encodes deep arithmetic properties of the prime numbers. Here, a crucial role is assigned to the analytic behavior of the zeta-function on the so called critical line. In this thesis we study the value-distribution of the Riemann zeta-function near and on the critical line. Amongst others we focus on the following. PART I: A modified concept of universality, a-points near the critical line and a denseness conjecture attributed to Ramachandra. The critical line is a natural boundary of the Voronin-type universality property of the Riemann zeta-function. We modify Voronin's concept by adding a scaling factor to the vertical shifts that appear in Voronin's universality theorem and investigate whether this modified concept is appropriate to keep up a certain universality property of the Riemann zeta-function near and on the critical line. It turns out that it is mainly the functional equation of the Riemann zeta-function that restricts the set of functions which can be approximated by this modified concept around the critical line. Levinson showed that almost all a-points of the Riemann zeta-function lie in a certain funnel-shaped region around the critical line. We complement Levinson's result: Relying on arguments of the theory of normal families and the notion of filling discs, we detect a-points in this region which are very close to the critical line. According to a folklore conjecture (often attributed to Ramachandra) one expects that the values of the Riemann zeta-function on the critical line lie dense in the complex numbers. We show that there are certain curves which approach the critical line asymptotically and have the property that the values of the zeta-function on these curves are dense in the complex numbers. Many of our results in part I are independent of the Euler product representation of the Riemann zeta-function and apply for meromorphic functions that satisfy a Riemann-type functional equation in general. PART II: Discrete and continuous moments. The Lindel{\"o}f hypothesis deals with the growth behavior of the Riemann zeta-function on the critical line. Due to classical works by Hardy and Littlewood, the Lindel{\"o}f hypothesis can be reformulated in terms of power moments to the right of the critical line. Tanaka showed recently that the expected asymptotic formulas for these power moments are true in a certain measure-theoretical sense; roughly speaking he omits a set of Banach density zero from the path of integration of these moments. We provide a discrete and integrated version of Tanaka's result and extend it to a large class of Dirichlet series connected to the Riemann zeta-function.}, subject = {Riemannsche Zetafunktion}, language = {en} } @unpublished{GeiselhartGielenLazaretal.2013, author = {Geiselhart, Roman and Gielen, Rob H. and Lazar, Mircea and Wirth, Fabian R.}, title = {An Alternative Converse Lyapunov Theorem for Discrete-Time Systems}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-78512}, year = {2013}, abstract = {This paper presents an alternative approach for obtaining a converse Lyapunov theorem for discrete-time systems. The proposed approach is constructive, as it provides an explicit Lyapunov function. The developed converse theorem establishes existence of global Lyapunov functions for globally exponentially stable (GES) systems and semi-global practical Lyapunov functions for globally asymptotically stable systems. Furthermore, for specific classes of sys- tems, the developed converse theorem can be used to establish non-conservatism of a particular type of Lyapunov functions. Most notably, a proof that conewise linear Lyapunov functions are non-conservative for GES conewise linear systems is given and, as a by-product, tractable construction of polyhedral Lyapunov functions for linear systems is attained.}, subject = {Ljapunov-Funktion}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Sen2013, author = {Sen, Surath}, title = {Character Analysis and Numerical Computations of Standard M.I. Probability Distributions}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-78623}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Development and character analysis of software programs, which compute minimum information probability distributions.}, subject = {Newton-Verfahren}, language = {en} }