@phdthesis{Gogishvili2006,
  author    = {Gogishvili, Tea},
  title     = {Immunotherapy of allergic disorders in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-19304},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2006},
  abstract  = {Allergische Erkrankungen sind St{\"o}rungen, bei denen es zu Immunfehlregulationen kommt und die bei empf{\"a}nglichen Individuen zur Entstehung von Allergen spezifischen T-Helfer 2 (TH2) Immunantworten f{\"u}hren. Neuere Untersuchungen deuten darauf hin, dass die f{\"u}r Soforttypallergien charakteristischen TH2 Immunantworten sowohl durch nat{\"u}rlich vorkommende CD4+CD25+ regulatorische T Zellen (Treg) als auch durch Antigen induzierte IL-10-secreting CD4+ regulatorische T Zellen kontrolliert werden k{\"o}nnen. Weiterhin gibt es Hinweise, dass eine erfolgreiche Allergen spezifische Immuntherapie {\"u}ber die Induktion von IL-10 sezernierenden T reg Zellen vermittelt wird. In ersten Teil der Arbeit wird die Effizienz einer Allergen spezifischen Immuntherapie (SIT) in einem Mausmodel f{\"u}r allergische Atemwegsentz{\"u}ndung demonstriert. Als Allergieparameter wurden Allergen spezifisches IgE im Serum, verschiedene TH1 und TH2 Cytokine in der brochoalveol{\"a}ren Lavage Fl{\"u}ssigkeit und nach in vitro Restimulation in Milzzellen untersucht. Weiterhin wurden Histologien von Lungengewebe angefertigt, um das eosinophile Entz{\"u}ndungsinfiltrat und die Asthma typische Becherzellmetaplasie darzustellen. Weiterhin wurden durch FACS Untersuchungen regulatorische T Zellen nachgewiesen. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass im Mausmodell die intranasale Applikationsform der SIT die allergischen Symptome effizienter bek{\"a}mpfen konnte, als die beim Menschen etablierte subcutane Applikationsform. Um Mechanismen zu definieren die eine SIT effizienter machen k{\"o}nnten wurde ein IL-4/IL13 Inhibitor (QY) als Adjuvans f{\"u}r die SIT benutzt. F{\"u}r den Zytokininhibitor konnte gezeigt werden, dass bei einer Applikation w{\"a}hrend der allergischen Sensibilisierung die Entstehung einer TH2 Immunantwort und die Ausbildung allergischer Symptome verhindert wird. Die Applikation des Inhibitors zusammen mit einer SIT zeigte jedoch keine zus{\"a}tzlichen signifikanten antiallergischen Effekte im Vergleich zur Durchf{\"u}hrung der SIT als Monotherapie. Diese Ergebnisse deuten m{\"o}glicherweise daraufhin , dass der bekannte Wechsel einer TH2 Immunantwort zu einer TH1 Antwort w{\"a}hrend der SIT nicht der Schl{\"u}sselmechanismus zu einer erfolgreichen Behandlung ist. Insbesondere weil unter der SIT auch in unserem Mausmodell die Induktion von IL-10 sezernierenden CD4+ T regulatorischen Zellen mit der Suppression der allergischen Atemwegsentz{\"u}dnung vergesellschaftet waren, so dass m{\"o}glicherwiese diese Zellen f{\"u}r den Therapieerfolg relevant sind . Um die Rolle regulatorischer T Zellen im Allergiemodell n{\"a}her zu beleuchten wurde im 2. Teil der Arbeit ein monoklonaler superagonistischer anti-CD28 Antik{\"o}rper benutzt, von dem bekannt ist dass T regulatorische Zellen in vivo induziert werden. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Applikation des Antik{\"o}rpers w{\"a}hrend der allergischen Sensibilisierung die Etablierung einer TH2 Immunantwort verst{\"a}rkte. Im Gegensatz dazu wurden durch die therapeutische Applikation des anti CD28 Antik{\"o}rpers in einer etablierten Allergie, IL-10 sezernierende CD4+CD25+ T Zellen induziert, welches mit einer Abschw{\"a}chung der gemessenen Allergieparameter einherging.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Jurak2006,
  author    = {Jurak, Igor},
  title     = {The molecular mechanism of the Cytomegalovirus species specificity},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-19233},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2006},
  abstract  = {Viruses have undergone a coevolution with their hosts, resulting in a specific adaptation to them. Consequently, many viruses have a limited host range. Occasionally, viruses acquire an adaptive mutation, which allows infection and replication in a different species as shown recently for the human immunodeficiency virus and influenza virus. Cross-species infections are responsible for the majority of emerging and re-emerging viral diseases. However, little is known about the mechanisms that restrict viruses to a certain host species, and the factors viruses need to cross the species barrier and replicate in a different host. Cytomegaloviruses are prototypes of the beta-herpesvirus subfamily and are highly species specific. They replicate only in cells of their own or a closely related species. The molecular mechanism underlying their species specificity is poorly understood and was investigated in this study. An initial observation showed that murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) can replicate in human 293 and 911 cells, but not in any other human cells tested. Both cell lines are transformed with adenoviral E1 genes that encode a transcriptional transactivator (E1A) and two suppressors of apoptosis (E1B-55k and E1B-19k). This has led to the hypothesis that these functions are required for MCMV replication in human cells. Further analysis revealed that normal human cells died rapidly after infection of caspase-9-mediated apoptosis. Apoptosis induced by MCMV can be suppressed by broad-spectrum caspase inhibitors, and virus replication can be rescued, indicating a major role of caspases in this process. Furthermore, over-expression of a mitochondria-localized inhibitor of apoptosis, a Bcl-2-like protein, prevented apoptosis induced by this virus. Human cells resistant to apoptosis allowed also an efficient MCMV replication. The important role of Bcl-2-like proteins for cytomegalovirus cross-species infections was subsequently confirmed by inserting the corresponding genes, and other inhibitors of apoptosis and control genes into the MCMV genome. Only recombinant viruses expressing a Bcl-2-like protein were able to replicate in human cells. A single gene of human cytomegalovirus encoding a mitochondrial inhibitor of apoptosis was sufficient to allow MCMV replication in human cells. Moreover, the same principle facilitated replication of the rat cytomegalovirus in human cells. Thus, induction of apoptosis limits rodent cytomegalovirus cross-species infection.},
  subject      = {Cytomegalie-Virus},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Bretz2006,
  author    = {Bretz, Thomas},
  title     = {Observations of the Active Galactic Nucleus 1ES1218+304 with the MAGIC-telescope},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-19240},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2006},
  abstract  = {The astronomical exploration at energies between 30\,GeV and \$\lesssim\$\,350\,GeV was the main motivation for building the \MAGIC-telescope. With its 17\,m \diameter\ mirror it is the worldwide largest imaging air-Cherenkov telescope. It is located at the Roque de los Muchachos at the Canary island of San Miguel de La Palma at 28.8\$^\circ\$\,N, 17.8\$^\circ\$\,W, 2200\,m a.s.l. The telescope detects Cherenkov light produced by relativistic electrons and positrons in air showers initiated by cosmic gamma-rays. The imaging technique is used to powerfully reject the background due to hadronically induced air showers from cosmic rays. Their inverse power-law energy-distribution leads to an increase of the event rate with decreasing energy threshold. For \MAGIC this implies a trigger rate in the order of 250\,Hz, and a correspondingly large data stream to be recorded and analyzed. A robust analysis software package, including the general framework \MARS, was developed and commissioned to allow automation, necessary for data taken under variable observing conditions. Since many of the astronomical sources of high-energy radiation, in particular the enigmatic gamma-ray bursts, are of a transient nature, the telescope was designed to allow repositioning in several tens of seconds, keeping a tracking accuracy of \$\lesssim\,\$0.01\$^\circ\$. Employing a starguider, a tracking accuracy of \$\lesssim\,\$1.3\,minutes of arc was obtained. The main class of sources at very high gamma-ray energies, known from previous imaging air-Cherenkov telescopes, are Active Galactic Nuclei with relativistic jets, the so-called high-peaked Blazars. Their spectrum is entirely dominated by non-thermal emission, spanning more than 15 orders of magnitude in energy, from radio to gamma-ray energies. Predictions based on radiation models invoking a synchrotron self-Compton or hadronic origin of the gamma-rays suggest, that a fairly large number of them should be detectable by \MAGIC. Promising candidates have been chosen from existing compilations, requiring high (synchrotron) X-ray flux, assumed to be related to a high (possibly inverse-Compton) flux at GeV energies, and a low distance, in oder to avoid strong attenuation due to pair-production in interactions with low-energy photons from the extragalactic background radiation along the line of sight. Based on this selection the first \AGN, emitting gamma-rays at 100\,GeV, 1ES\,1218+304 at a redshift of \$z=0.182\$, was discovered, one of the two farthest known \AGN emitting in the TeV energy region. In this context, the automated analysis chain was successfully demonstrated. The source was observed in January 2005 during six moonless nights for 8.2\,h. At the same time the collaborating \KVA-telescope, located near the \MAGIC site, observed in the optical band. The lightcurve calculated showed no day-to-day variability and is compatible with a constant flux of \$F(\$\,\$>\$\,\$100\,\mbox{GeV})=(8.7\pm1.4) \cdot 10^{-7}\,\mbox{m}^{-2}\,\mbox{s}^{-1}\$ within the statistical errors. A differential spectrum between 87\,GeV and 630\,GeV was calculated and is compatible with a power law of \$F_E(E) = (8.1\pm 2.1) \cdot 10^{-7}(E/\mbox{250\,GeV})^{-3.0\pm0.4}\,\mbox{TeV}^{-1}\,\mbox{m}^{-2}\,\mbox{s}^{-1}\$ within the statistical errors. The spectrum emitted by the source was obtained by taking into account the attenuation due to pair-production with photons of the extragalactic background at low photon energies. A homogeneous, one-zone synchrotron self-Compton model has been fitted to the collected multi-wavelength data. Using the simultaneous optical data, a best fit model could be obtained from which some physical properties of the emitting plasma could be inferred. The result was compared with the so-called {\em Blazar sequence}.},
  subject      = {Aktiver galaktischer Kern},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Kacprzak2006,
  author    = {Kacprzak, Sylwia},
  title     = {Investigations of the EPR parameters of bioradicals by density functional methods},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-19108},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2006},
  abstract  = {Die quantenchemische Modellierung von Parametern der elektronenparamagnetischen Resonanz (EPR) stellt, in Kombination mit Daten aus modernen Hochfeld-/Hochfrequenz (HF) EPR-Techniken, eine {\"u}beraus wichtige analytische Methode dar, um Einblicke in die Radikal-Protein-Wechselwirkung zu gewinnen. Diese Wechselwirkung bestimmt zu einem großen Teil die Abl{\"a}ufe radikalischer biochemischer Prozesse. In dieser Arbeit untersuchten wir in einer Reihe von Dichtefunktionaltheorie (DFT)-Studien die EPR-Parameter diverser biologisch wichtiger Radikale sowie mehrerer durch Radikal-Protein-Wechselwirkungen im Photosystem I inspirierter Modellsysteme. Wir demonstrierten die Genauigkeit sowie die Kapazit{\"a}t unserer Methode, um Einblicke in die in vivo Umgebung und Reaktivit{\"a}t von Bioradikalen zu erhalten. Unser DFT-Ansatz zur Berechnung elektronischer g-Tensoren wurde auf Semichinonradikalanionen in verschiedenen Proteinumgebungen photosynthetischer Reaktionszentren angewandt. Supermolekulare Modelle wurden, basierend auf einer Kombination aus kristallographischen und quantenchemischen Strukturdaten, f{\"u}r die aktiven Zentren QA und QB bakterieller Reaktionszentren, f{\"u}r A1 des Photosystems I sowie f{\"u}r Ubisemichinon in gefrorenem 2-Propanol erstellt. Nach der Skalierung der berechneten \&\#8710;gx Komponenten um 0.92 stimmen die auf gradienten-korrigertem DFT-Niveau mit den bestenverf{\"u}gbaren Spin-Bahn-Operatoren berechneten Komponenten \&\#8710;gx sowie \&\#8710;gy mit den Hochfeld-EPR-Referenzdaten innerhalb der experimentellen Genauigkeit in allen vier untersuchten Systemen {\"u}berein. Der Einfluss verschiedener nichtkovalenter Wechselwirkungen zwischen dem Semichinon und dem Protein wurde durch das sukzessive Verkleinern der Modellsysteme studiert. Dabei wurde festgestellt, dass der Effekt der Wasserstoffbr{\"u}ckenbindung zu den beiden Carbonyl-Sauerstoff-Atomen der Semichinone wegen der kompensierenden Spinpolarisationseffekte nicht additiv ist. Der Effekt der Tryptophan-Semichinon \&\#61552;-Stapelung hat auf QA und A1 unterschiedliche Auswirkungen. Dies konnte auf die andersartige Ausrichtung der wechselwirkenden Fragmente sowie auf die unterschiedliche Spinpolarisation zur{\"u}ckgef{\"u}hrt werden. Im n{\"a}chsten Teil dieser Arbeit wurden Semichinone der so genannten „hoch-affinen" Bindungsstelle der Chinoloxidase (QH) untersucht. Vor kurzem durchgef{\"u}hrte Multifrequenz-EPR-Studien der QH der Chinoloxidase legten asymmetrische Wasserstoffbr{\"u}ckenbindungen zum Semichinonradikalanion nahe. Eine einzelne Wasserstoffbr{\"u}ckenbindung zum O1 des Carbonyls war ein weiteres vorgeschlagenes Strukturmerkmal, das allerdings im Gegensatz zu fr{\"u}heren experimentellen Hinweisen st{\"u}nde. Wir haben DFT Berechnungen der EPR-Parameter (g-Tensoren, 13C-, 1H- und 17O-Hyperfeinkopplungstensoren) einer großen Anzahl von supermolekularen Modellkomplexen durchgef{\"u}hrt, um detaillierte Einblicke in die Zusammenh{\"a}nge zwischen Struktur, Umgebung und EPR-Parametern von Ubisemichinon-Radikalanionen zu gewinnen. Ein Bindungsmodell, das nur eine einzige Wasserstoffbr{\"u}cke ber{\"u}cksichtigt, ist demnach weder in der Lage, die experimentell beobachteten niedrigen gx-Komponenten der g-Tensoren, noch die beobachtete große Asymmetrie von 13C-Carbonyl HFC-Tensoren zu erkl{\"a}ren. Basierend auf einem detaillierten Vergleich zwischen Rechnung und Experiment wurde ein Modell mit zwei Wasserstoffbr{\"u}ckenbindungen zu O1 und einer Wasserstoffbr{\"u}ckenbindung zu O4 f{\"u}r QH vorgeschlagen. Ein Modell mit jeweils einer Wasserstoffbr{\"u}ckenbindung mehr kann jedoch ebenfalls nicht v{\"o}llig ausgeschlossen werden. Zus{\"a}tzlich wurden weitere erkannte Zusammenh{\"a}nge zwischen EPR-Parametern und Wasserstoffbr{\"u}ckenbindungen von Ubisemichinonen in Proteinen diskutiert. Theoretische Untersuchungen bez{\"u}glich des Mechanismus des Elektronentransfers im Photosystem I gaben den Anstoß, relativ kleine rotierende molekulare Motoren, bestehend aus intramolekular verbundenen Dyaden, welche eine Chinoneinheit sowie eine Pyrrol- oder Indoleinheit verkn{\"u}pfen, zu modellieren. Die Berechnungen zeigten, dass f{\"u}r einige Systeme, abh{\"a}ngig von der L{\"a}nge und den Ankn{\"u}pfungspunkten der verbundenen Ketten, eine Reduktion des Chinons zum Semichinonradikalanion oder Chinolatdianion mit einer reversiblen intramolekularen Neuorientierung weg von einer \&\#61552;-Stapelung und hin zu einer T-Stapelung auftritt. Durch die Umstrukturierung wird eine Wasserstoffbr{\"u}ckenbindung der Pyrrol- oder Indol-N-H-Funktion zum Semichinon- oder Chinolat-\&\#61552;-Systems nach der Reduktion ausgebildet. In einigen Systemen bilden sich jedoch Wasserstoffbr{\"u}ckenbindungen zum Semichinon- oder Chinolat-Sauerstoffatom aus, die gegen{\"u}ber der T-Stapelung bevorzugt werden. Die intramolekularen Wechselwirkungen ver{\"a}ndern das Redoxpotential des Chinons. Der elektronische g-Tensor, welcher f{\"u}r die Semichinone berechnet wurde, beweist eindeutig das Vorhandensein dieser Wasserstoffbr{\"u}ckenbindung zum Semichinon. g-Tensoren stellen somit eine geeignete Kenngr{\"o}ße in der EPR Spektroskopie dar, um strittige Strukturen aufzukl{\"a}ren. Wir halten auch einen intramolekularer Protonentransfer im dianionischen Zustand f{\"u}r m{\"o}glich. Im Gegensatz zu Semichinonen welche paramagnetische Zust{\"a}nde von Enzymen-Cofaktoren darstellen sind Glyclradikale echte Proteinradikale. Als Schritt zum tiefer gehenden Verst{\"a}ndnis von EPR-Parametern des Glycylradikals in Proteinen wurden die Hyperfeinkopplungstensoren und insbesondere der g-Tensor des N-Acetylglycyls durch systematische hochgenaue quantenchemischen Berechnungen an diversen geeigneten Modellsystemen untersucht. Die quantitative Berechnung von g-Tensoren f{\"u}r solche Glycyl-{\"a}hnlichen Radikale ist eine enorme Herausforderung, insbesondere wegen der sehr kleinen g-Anisotropie. Diese ist zudem mit einer nichtsymmetrischen delokalisierten Spindichteverteilung auf verschiedene Atome des Molek{\"u}ls verbunden, die mit vergleichbaren Spinbahneffekten zum g-Tensor beitragen. Die Wahl eines geeigneten Eichursprungs des magnetischen Vektorpotentials und geeigneter Spin-Bahn-Operatoren, gestaltete sich weitaus anspruchsvoller als in vorausgegangen Arbeiten zu g-Tensoren organischer Radikale. Umgebungseffekte, die durch supermolekulare Wasserstoffbr{\"u}ckenbindungs-Modelle ber{\"u}cksichtigt wurden, stellen sich hingegen als nicht so schwerwiegend heraus, zum Teil durch die gegenseitige Kompensierung des Einflusses von intramolekularen und intermolekularen Wasserstoffbr{\"u}ckenbindungen. Den gr{\"o}ßten Einfluss auf den g-Tensor {\"u}bt die Konformation des Radikals aus. Die angewendete DFT Methode {\"u}bersch{\"a}tzt systematisch sowohl die \&\#8710;gx als auch die \&\#8710;gy Komponente des g-Tensors. Dieses Ergebnis ist wichtig f{\"u}r Untersuchungen von Protein-Glycyl-Radikalen (siehe weiter unten). Die 1H\&\#61537; und 13C\&\#61537; Hyperfeinkopplungen h{\"a}ngen nur wenig von den gew{\"a}hlten supermolekularen Modellen ab und scheinen weniger empfindlich gegen{\"u}ber der genauen Struktur und Umgebung des Molek{\"u}ls zu sein. Die Anzahl der bekannten Enzyme, die als funktionelle Gruppe ein Glycyl-Radikal besitzen, wird immer gr{\"o}ßer. Wir f{\"u}hrten in dieser Arbeit eine systematische quantenchemische Studie zur Spindichteverteilung, elektronischem g-Tensor und Hyperfeinkopplungskonstanten diverser Modelle von Protein-gebundenen Glycylradikalen durch. Wie schon bei N-Acetylglycyl gesehen (siehe oben) stellt auch hier die geringe g-Anisotropie dieses delokalisierten, asymmetrischen Systems selbst f{\"u}r moderne Rechenmethoden eine betr{\"a}chtliche Herausforderung dar. Dies betrifft zum einen die Qualit{\"a}t der Strukturoptimierung, zum anderen die Wahl des Spin-Bahn-Operators und des Eichursprungs des magnetischen Vektorpotentials. Umgebungseffekte aufgrund der Ausbildung von Wasserstoffbr{\"u}ckenbindungen h{\"a}ngen in komplizierter Weise von den verschiedenen intramolekularen Wasserstoffbr{\"u}ckenbindungen verschiedener Konformationen des Radikals ab. Die jeweilige Konformation hat insgesamt gesehen die gr{\"o}ßte Auswirkung auf den berechneten g-Tensor (jedoch weniger auf den Hyperfeinkopplungstensor). Wir diskutierten dies im Zusammenhang verschiedener g-Tensoren, welche vor kurzem durch Hochfeld-EPR Messungen f{\"u}r drei verschiedene Enzyme erhalten wurden. Basierend auf den Resultaten der Kalibrierungsstudie an N-Acetylgylcyl, schlagen wir vor, dass das Glycylradikal, welches f{\"u}r die E.coli anaerobische Ribonucleotid Reductase (RNR) beobachtet wurde, eine gestreckte Konformation besitzt, die sich von derjenigen der entsprechenden Radikale der Pyruvat Format-Lyase (PFL) oder Benzylsuccinatsynthase (BSS) unterscheidet.},
  subject      = {Biologisches System},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Heisswolf2006,
  author    = {Heisswolf, Annette},
  title     = {The distribution of leaf beetles on multiple spatial scales : causes and consequences},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-18945},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2006},
  abstract  = {Herbivorous insects are the major link between primary producers and a multitude of animals at higher trophic levels. Elucidating the causes and consequences of their distribution patterns in the "green world" is thus essential for our understanding of numerous ecological processes on multiple spatial scales. We can ask where and why a certain herbivore can be found in the landscape, within the habitat, on which plant within the habitat and finally, where on that plant. Depending on spatial scale the distribution of herbivores is shaped by different processes (fitness considerations, physiological abilities, population dynamics, dispersal behavior, history of the landscape etc.). Scaling down from fragmented landscapes to individual host plants this thesis analyzes the distribution patterns of the strictly monophagous herbivore Cassida canaliculata Laich. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), which feeds and oviposits exclusively on meadow sage, Salvia pratensis L. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), and compares it to those of the polyphagous tansy leaf beetle Galeruca tanaceti L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), which does not oviposit on its host plants, but on dry non-host structures. The specialist Cassida canaliculata depended on all spatial scales (fragmented landscape, microhabitat and host plant individual) mainly on the distribution and quality of its single host plant species Salvia pratensis, whereas enemy-free-space - i.e. avoidance of parasitism and predation of egg clutches, larvae, and pupae - seemed to influence oviposition site choice only on the scale of the host plant individual. On this spatial scale, offspring of Cassida canaliculata had a higher chance of survival on large host plant individuals, which were also preferred for oviposition by the females. In contrast, the distribution patterns of the generalist Galeruca tanaceti was shaped by the interaction with its parasitoid regarding both microhabitat choice and egg distribution within individual host plants. On the microhabitat scale, beetles could escape from their parasitoids by ovipositing into high and dense vegetation. Regarding oviposition site choice within a host plant individual, females oviposited as high as possible in the vegetation and could thus reduce both the risk of parasitism and the probability of winter mortality. The results of my thesis show that the degree of specificity of a herbivore is of central importance for the resulting egg distribution pattern on all spatial scales.},
  subject      = {Blattk{\"a}fer},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Nikolaev2005,
  author    = {Nikolaev, Viacheslav},
  title     = {Development and application of fluorescent cAMP und cGMP biosensors},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-15673},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2005},
  abstract  = {The cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP are two ubiquitous important second messengers, which regulate diverse physiological responses from vision and memory to blood pressure and thrombus formation. They act in cells via cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PKA and GK), cyclic nucleotide-gated channels and Epac. Although the concept of cyclic nucleotide signalling is well developed based on classical biochemical studies, these techniques have not allowed to analyze cAMP and cGMP in live cells with high temporal and spatial resolution. In the present study fluorescence resonance energy transfer was used to develop a technique for visualization of cAMP and cGMP in live cells and in vitro by means of fluorescent biosensors. Ligand-induced conformational change in a single nucleotide-binding domain flanked with green fluorescent protein mutants was used for dynamic, highly sensitive measurements of cAMP and cGMP. Such biosensors retained binding properties and chemical specificity of unmodified domains, allowing to image cyclic nucleotides in a physiologically relevant range of concentrations. To develop cAMP-sensors, binding domains of PKA, Epac and cAMP-gated HCN-channel were used. cGMP-sensors were based on single domains of GK and phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Sensors based on Epac were used to analyze spatio-temporal dynamics of cAMP in neurons and macrophages, demonstrating that cAMP-gradients travel with a high speed (~ 40 \&\#956;m/s) throughout the entire cytosol. To understand the mechanisms of cAMP-compartmentation, kinetics properties of phosphodi-esterase (PDE2) were, next, analyzed in aldosterone producing cells. PDE2 is able to rapidly hydrolyze extensive amounts of cAMP, so that the speed of cAMP-hydrolysis is much faster than that of its synthesis, which might serve as a basis of compartmentation. cAMP-sensors were also used to develop a clinically relevant diagnostic method for reliable detection of \&\#946;1-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies in cardiac myopathy patients, which has allowed to significantly increase the sensitivity of previously developed diagnostic approaches. Conformational change in a single binding domain of GK and PDE was, next, used to create novel fluorescent biosensors for cGMP. These sensors demonstrated high spatio-temporal resolution and were applied to analyze rapid dynamics of cGMP production by soluble and particulate guanylyl cyclases as well as to image cGMP in mesangial cells. In summary, highly sensitive biosensors for cAMP and cGMP based on single cyclic nucleotide-binding domains have been developed and used in various biological and clinically relevant applications.},
  subject      = {Cyclo-AMP},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Klug2006,
  author    = {Klug, Andreas},
  title     = {Affine-Scaling Methods for Nonlinear Minimization Problems and Nonlinear Systems of Equations with Bound Constraints},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-18851},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2006},
  abstract  = {In this thesis affine-scaling-methods for two different types of mathematical problems are considered. The first type of problems are nonlinear optimization problems subject to bound constraints. A class of new affine-scaling Newton-type methods is introduced. The methods are shown to be locally quadratically convergent without assuming strict complementarity of the solution. The new methods differ from previous ones mainly in the choice of the scaling matrix. The second type of problems are semismooth system of equations with bound constraints. A new affine-scaling trust-region method for these problems is developed. The method is shown to have strong global and local convergence properties under suitable assumptions. Numerical results are presented for a number of problems arising from different areas.},
  subject      = {Skalierungsfunktion},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{MalkinOndik2006,
  author    = {Malkin Ondik, Irina},
  title     = {Development, validation, and application of new relativistic methods for all-electron unrestricted two-component calculations of EPR parameters},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-18890},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2006},
  abstract  = {In this work we have developed the method of back-transfoprmation within the Douglas-Kroll-Hess (DKH) framework, which has simplified the picture-change consistent transformation of first-order property operators in the DKH approach, making the implementation feasible. This has enabled us to implement the first all-electron scalar relativistic calculations of hyperfine coupling tensors at DKH2 level. Furthemore we have presented a general, relativistic two-component DFT approach for the unrestricted calculations of electronic g-tensors, based on DKH Hamiltonian. Additionally we have derived the expressions for the evaluation of hyperfine structurs and two-component unrestricted treatment of g-tensor within the Resolution of Identity Dirac Kohn Sham method developed by Stanoslav Komorovsky and Michal Repisky in collaboration with other members of the group of V. G. Malkin. All these approaches have been extensively validated.},
  subject      = {Elektronenspinresonanz},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Endler2006,
  author    = {Endler, Annett},
  title     = {Regulation of reproductive division of labor in the ant Camponotus floridanus : behavioral mechanisms and pheromonal effects},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-18872},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2006},
  abstract  = {A hitherto unresolved problem is how workers are prevented from reproducing in large insect societies. The queen informs about her fertility and health which ensures sufficient indirect fitness benefits for workers. In the ant Camponotus floridanus, I found such a signal located on eggs of highly fertile queens. Groups of workers were regularly provided with different sets of brood. Only in groups with queen eggs workers refrain from reproducing. Thus, the eggs seem to inform the workers about queen presence. The signal on queen eggs is presumably the same that enables workers to distinguish between queen and worker-laid eggs, latter are destroyed by workers. Queen and worker-laid eggs differ in their surface hydrocarbons in a similar way as fertile queens differ from workers in the composition of their cuticular hydrocarbons. When I transferred hydrocarbons from the queen cuticle to worker eggs the eggs were no longer destroyed, indicating that they now carry the signal. These hydrocarbons thus represent a queen signal that regulates worker reproduction in this species. But the signal is not present in all fertile queens. Founding queens with low egg-laying rates differ in the composition of cuticular hydrocarbons from queens with high productivity. Similar differences in the composition of surface hydrocarbons were present on their eggs. The queen signal develops along with an increasing fertility and age of the queen, and this is perceived by the workers. Eggs from founding queens were destroyed like worker eggs. This result shows that founding queens lack the appropriate signal. In these little colony foundations chemical communication of queen status may not be necessary to prevent workers from reproducing, since workers may benefit more from investing in colony growth and increased productivity of large colonies rather than from producing male eggs in incipient colonies. If the queen is missing or the productivity of the queen decreases, workers start laying eggs. There is some evidence from correlative studies that, under queenless conditions, worker police each other because of differences in individual odors as a sign of social status. It can be expressed as either aggressive inhibition of ovarian activity, workers with developed ovaries are attacked by nest-mates, or destruction by worker-laid eggs. I found that in C. floridanus workers, in contrast to known studies, police only by egg eating since they are able to discriminate queen- and worker-laid eggs. Workers with developed ovaries will never attacked by nest-mates. This is further supported by qualitative and quantitative differences in the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of queens and workers, whereas profiles of workers with and without developed ovaries show a high similarity. I conclude that workers discriminate worker eggs on the basis of their hydrocarbon profile, but they are not able to recognize egg-laying nest-mates. Improving our knowledge of the proximate mechanisms of the reproductive division of labor in evolutionary derived species like C. floridanus will help to understand the evolution of extreme reproductive altruism involving sterility as a characteristic feature of advanced eusocial systems.},
  subject      = {Camponotus floridanus},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Meister2006,
  author    = {Meister, Daniel},
  title     = {The complexity of membership problems for finite recurrent systems and minimal triangulations},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-18837},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2006},
  abstract  = {The dissertation thesis studies the complexity of membership problems. Generally, membership problems consider the question whether a given object belongs to a set. Object and set are part of the input. The thesis studies the complexity of membership problems for two special kinds of sets. The first problem class asks whether a given natural number belongs to a set of natural numbers. The set of natural numbers is defined via finite recurrent systems: sets are built by iterative application of operations, like union, intersection, complementation and arithmetical operations, to already defined sets. This general problem implies further problems by restricting the set of used operations. The thesis contains completeness results for well-known complexity classes as well as undecidability results for these problems. The second problem class asks whether a given graph is a minimal triangulation of another graph. A graph is a triangulation of another graph, if it is a chordal spanning supergraph of the second graph. If no proper supergraph of the first graph is a triangulation of the second graph, the first graph is a minimal triangulation of the second graph. The complexity of the membership problem for minimal triangulations of several graph classes is investigated. Restricted variants are solved by linear-time algorithms. These algorithms rely on appropriate characterisations of minimal triangulations.},
  subject      = {Komplexit{\"a}t},
  language  = {en}
}