@article{BrumbergKuzkinaLapaetal.2021, author = {Brumberg, Joachim and Kuzkina, Anastasia and Lapa, Constantin and Mammadova, Sona and Buck, Andreas and Volkmann, Jens and Sommer, Claudia and Isaias, Ioannis U. and Doppler, Kathrin}, title = {Dermal and cardiac autonomic fiber involvement in Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy}, series = {Neurobiology of Disease}, volume = {153}, journal = {Neurobiology of Disease}, doi = {10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105332}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-260061}, pages = {105332}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Pathological aggregates of alpha-synuclein in peripheral dermal nerve fibers can be detected in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy. This study combines skin biopsy staining for p-alpha-synuclein depositions and radionuclide imaging of the heart with [\(^{123}\)I]-metaiodobenzylguanidine to explore peripheral denervation in both diseases. To this purpose, 42 patients with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or multiple system atrophy were enrolled. All patients underwent a standardized clinical workup including neurological evaluation, neurography, and blood samples. Skin biopsies were obtained from the distal and proximal leg, back, and neck for immunofluorescence double labeling with anti-p-alpha-synuclein and anti-PGP9.5. All patients underwent myocardial [\(^{123}\)I]-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy. Dermal p-alpha-synuclein was observed in 47.6\% of Parkinson's disease patients and was mainly found in autonomic structures. 81.0\% of multiple system atrophy patients had deposits with most of cases in somatosensory fibers. The [\(^{123}\)I]-metaiodobenzylguanidine heart-to-mediastinum ratio was lower in Parkinson's disease than in multiple system atrophy patients (1.94 +/- 0.63 vs. 2.91 +/- 0.96; p < 0.0001). Irrespective of the diagnosis, uptake was lower in patients with than without p-alpha-synuclein in autonomic structures (1.42 +/- 0.51 vs. 2.74 +/- 0.83; p < 0.0001). Rare cases of Parkinson's disease with p-alpha-synuclein in somatosensory fibers and multiple system atrophy patients with deposits in autonomic structures or both fiber types presented with clinically overlapping features. In conclusion, this study suggests that alpha-synuclein contributes to peripheral neurodegeneration and mediates the impairment of cardiac sympathetic neurons in patients with synucleinopathies. Furthermore, it indicates that Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy share pathophysiologic mechanisms of peripheral nervous system dysfunction with a clinical overlap.}, language = {en} } @article{SeifertGrollWeichholdetal.2021, author = {Seifert, Annika and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Weichhold, Jan and Boehm, Anne V. and M{\"u}ller, Frank A. and Gbureck, Uwe}, title = {Phase Conversion of Ice-Templated α-Tricalcium Phosphate Scaffolds into Low-Temperature Calcium Phosphates with Anisotropic Open Porosity}, series = {Advanced Engineering Materials}, volume = {23}, journal = {Advanced Engineering Materials}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1002/adem.202001417}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256311}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The current study aims to extend the material platform for anisotropically structured calcium phosphates to low-temperature phases such as calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) or the secondary phosphates monetite and brushite. This is achieved by the phase conversion of highly porous α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) scaffolds fabricated by ice-templating into the aforementioned phases by hydrothermal treatment or incubation in phosphoric acid. Prior to these steps, α-TCP scaffolds are either sintered for 8 h at 1400 °C or remain in their original state. Both nonsintered and sintered α-TCP specimens are converted into CDHA by hydrothermal treatment, while a transformation into monetite and brushite is achieved by incubation in phosphoric acid. Hydrothermal treatment for 72 h at 175 °C increases the porosity in nonsintered samples from 85\% to 88\% and from 75\% to 88\% in the sintered ones. An increase in the specific surface area from (1.102 ± 0.005) to (9.17 ± 0.01) m2 g-1 and from (0.190 ± 0.004) to (2.809 ± 0.002) m2 g-1 due to the phase conversion is visible for both the nonsintered and sintered samples. Compressive strength of the nonsintered samples increases significantly from (0.76 ± 0.11) to (5.29 ± 0.94) MPa due to incubation in phosphoric acid.}, language = {en} } @article{GaertnerMarekArrowsmithetal.2021, author = {G{\"a}rtner, Annalena and Marek, Matth{\"a}us and Arrowsmith, Merle and Auerhammer, Dominic and Radacki, Krzysztof and Prieschl, Dominic and Dewhurst, Rian D. and Braunschweig, Holger}, title = {Boron- versus Nitrogen-Centered Nucleophilic Reactivity of (Cyano)hydroboryl Anions: Synthesis of Cyano(hydro)organoboranes and 2-Aza-1,4-diborabutatrienes}, series = {Chemistry—A European Journal}, volume = {27}, journal = {Chemistry—A European Journal}, number = {37}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202101025}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256853}, pages = {9694-9699}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene-stabilized (cyano)hydroboryl anions were synthesized by deprotonation of (cyano)dihydroborane precursors. While they display boron-centered nucleophilic reactivity towards organohalides, generating fully unsymmetrically substituted cyano(hydro)organoboranes, they show cyano-nitrogen-centered nucleophilic reactivity towards haloboranes, resulting in the formation of hitherto unknown linear 2-aza-1,4-diborabutatrienes.}, language = {en} } @article{MachataSreekantapuramHuennigeretal.2021, author = {Machata, Silke and Sreekantapuram, Sravya and H{\"u}nniger, Kerstin and Kurzai, Oliver and Dunker, Christine and Schubert, Katja and Kr{\"u}ger, Wibke and Schulze-Richter, Bianca and Speth, Cornelia and Rambach, G{\"u}nter and Jacobsen, Ilse D.}, title = {Significant Differences in Host-Pathogen Interactions Between Murine and Human Whole Blood}, series = {Frontiers in Immunology}, volume = {11}, journal = {Frontiers in Immunology}, issn = {1664-3224}, doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2020.565869}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-222575}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Murine infection models are widely used to study systemic candidiasis caused by C. albicans. Whole-blood models can help to elucidate host-pathogens interactions and have been used for several Candida species in human blood. We adapted the human whole-blood model to murine blood. Unlike human blood, murine blood was unable to reduce fungal burden and more substantial filamentation of C. albicans was observed. This coincided with less fungal association with leukocytes, especially neutrophils. The lower neutrophil number in murine blood only partially explains insufficient infection and filamentation control, as spiking with murine neutrophils had only limited effects on fungal killing. Furthermore, increased fungal survival is not mediated by enhanced filamentation, as a filament-deficient mutant was likewise not eliminated. We also observed host-dependent differences for interaction of platelets with C. albicans, showing enhanced platelet aggregation, adhesion and activation in murine blood. For human blood, opsonization was shown to decrease platelet interaction suggesting that complement factors interfere with fungus-to-platelet binding. Our results reveal substantial differences between murine and human whole-blood models infected with C. albicans and thereby demonstrate limitations in the translatability of this ex vivo model between hosts.}, language = {en} } @article{ShemerMekiesBenJehudaetal.2021, author = {Shemer, Yuval and Mekies, Lucy N. and Ben Jehuda, Ronen and Baskin, Polina and Shulman, Rita and Eisen, Binyamin and Regev, Danielle and Arbustini, Eloisa and Gerull, Brenda and Gherghiceanu, Mihaela and Gottlieb, Eyal and Arad, Michael and Binah, Ofer}, title = {Investigating LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy using human induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived cardiomyocytes}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {22}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {15}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms22157874}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285673}, year = {2021}, abstract = {LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy is an inherited heart disease caused by mutations in the LMNA gene encoding for lamin A/C. The disease is characterized by left ventricular enlargement and impaired systolic function associated with conduction defects and ventricular arrhythmias. We hypothesized that LMNA-mutated patients' induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) display electrophysiological abnormalities, thus constituting a suitable tool for deciphering the arrhythmogenic mechanisms of the disease, and possibly for developing novel therapeutic modalities. iPSC-CMs were generated from two related patients (father and son) carrying the same E342K mutation in the LMNA gene. Compared to control iPSC-CMs, LMNA-mutated iPSC-CMs exhibited the following electrophysiological abnormalities: (1) decreased spontaneous action potential beat rate and decreased pacemaker current (I\(_f\)) density; (2) prolonged action potential duration and increased L-type Ca\(^{2+}\) current (I\(_{Ca,L}\)) density; (3) delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs), arrhythmias and increased beat rate variability; (4) DADs, arrhythmias and cessation of spontaneous firing in response to β-adrenergic stimulation and rapid pacing. Additionally, compared to healthy control, LMNA-mutated iPSC-CMs displayed nuclear morphological irregularities and gene expression alterations. Notably, KB-R7943, a selective inhibitor of the reverse-mode of the Na\(^+\)/Ca\(^{2+}\) exchanger, blocked the DADs in LMNA-mutated iPSC-CMs. Our findings demonstrate cellular electrophysiological mechanisms underlying the arrhythmias in LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy.}, language = {en} } @article{GottschollDiezSoltamovetal.2021, author = {Gottscholl, Andreas and Diez, Matthias and Soltamov, Victor and Kasper, Christian and Krauße, Dominik and Sperlich, Andreas and Kianinia, Mehran and Bradac, Carlo and Aharonovich, Igor and Dyakonov, Vladimir}, title = {Spin defects in hBN as promising temperature, pressure and magnetic field quantum sensors}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {12}, journal = {Nature Communications}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-021-24725-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-261581}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Spin defects in solid-state materials are strong candidate systems for quantum information technology and sensing applications. Here we explore in details the recently discovered negatively charged boron vacancies (V\(_B\)\(^-\)) in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and demonstrate their use as atomic scale sensors for temperature, magnetic fields and externally applied pressure. These applications are possible due to the high-spin triplet ground state and bright spin-dependent photoluminescence of the V\(_B\)\(^-\). Specifically, we find that the frequency shift in optically detected magnetic resonance measurements is not only sensitive to static magnetic fields, but also to temperature and pressure changes which we relate to crystal lattice parameters. We show that spin-rich hBN films are potentially applicable as intrinsic sensors in heterostructures made of functionalized 2D materials.}, language = {en} } @article{MegasSimonsKimetal.2021, author = {Megas, Ioannis-Fivos and Simons, David and Kim, Bong-Sung and Stoppe, Christian and Piatkowski, Andrzej and Fikatas, Panagiotis and Fuchs, Paul Christian and Bastiaanse, Jacqueline and Pallua, Norbert and Bernhagen, J{\"u}rgen and Grieb, Gerrit}, title = {Macrophage migration inhibitory factor — an innovative indicator for free flap ischemia after microsurgical reconstruction}, series = {Healthcare}, volume = {9}, journal = {Healthcare}, number = {6}, issn = {2227-9032}, doi = {10.3390/healthcare9060616}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-239632}, year = {2021}, abstract = {(1) Background: Nowadays, the use of microsurgical free flaps is a standard operative procedure in reconstructive surgery. Still, thrombosis of the microanastomosis is one of the most fatal postoperative complications. Clinical evaluation, different technical devices and laboratory markers are used to monitor critical flap perfusion. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a structurally unique cytokine with chemokine-like characteristics, could play a role in predicting vascular problems and the failure of flap perfusion. (2) Methods: In this prospective observational study, 26 subjects that underwent microsurgical reconstruction were observed. Besides clinical data, the number of blood leukocytes, CRP and MIF were monitored. (3) Results: Blood levels of MIF, C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocytes increased directly after surgery. Subjects that needed surgical revision due to thrombosis of the microanastomosis showed significantly higher blood levels of MIF than subjects without revision. (4) Conclusion: We conclude that MIF is a potential and innovative indicator for thrombosis of the microanastomosis after free flap surgery. Since it is easy to obtain diagnostically, MIF could be an additional tool to monitor flap perfusion besides clinical and technical assessments.}, language = {en} } @article{HabensteinThammRoessler2021, author = {Habenstein, Jens and Thamm, Markus and R{\"o}ssler, Wolfgang}, title = {Neuropeptides as potential modulators of behavioral transitions in the ant Cataglyphis nodus}, series = {Journal of Comparative Neurology}, volume = {529}, journal = {Journal of Comparative Neurology}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1002/cne.25166}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-244751}, pages = {3155 -- 3170}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Age-related behavioral plasticity is a major prerequisite for the ecological success of insect societies. Although ecological aspects of behavioral flexibility have been targeted in many studies, the underlying intrinsic mechanisms controlling the diverse changes in behavior along the individual life history of social insects are not completely understood. Recently, the neuropeptides allatostatin-A, corazonin, and tachykinin have been associated with the regulation of behavioral transitions in social insects. Here, we investigated changes in brain localization and expression of these neuropeptides following major behavioral transitions in Cataglyphis nodus ants. Our immunohistochemical analyses in the brain revealed that the overall branching pattern of neurons immunoreactive (ir) for the three neuropeptides is largely independent of the behavioral stages. Numerous allatostatin-A- and tachykinin-ir neurons innervate primary sensory neuropils and high-order integration centers of the brain. In contrast, the number of corazonergic neurons is restricted to only four neurons per brain hemisphere with cell bodies located in the pars lateralis and axons extending to the medial protocerebrum and the retrocerebral complex. Most interestingly, the cell-body volumes of these neurons are significantly increased in foragers compared to freshly eclosed ants and interior workers. Quantification of mRNA expression levels revealed a stage-related change in the expression of allatostatin-A and corazonin mRNA in the brain. Given the presence of the neuropeptides in major control centers of the brain and the neurohemal organs, these mRNA-changes strongly suggest an important modulatory role of both neuropeptides in the behavioral maturation of Cataglyphis ants.}, language = {en} } @article{SchembriKimLiessetal.2021, author = {Schembri, Tim and Kim, Jin Hong and Liess, Andreas and Stepanenko, Vladimir and Stolte, Matthias and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Semitransparent Layers of Social Self-Sorting Merocyanine Dyes for Ultranarrow Bandwidth Organic Photodiodes}, series = {Advanced Optical Materials}, volume = {9}, journal = {Advanced Optical Materials}, number = {15}, doi = {10.1002/adom.202100213}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-244762}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Two dipolar merocyanines consisting of the same π-conjugated chromophore but different alkyl substituents adopt very different packing arrangements in their respective solid state with either H- or J-type exciton coupling, leading to ultranarrow absorption bands at 477 and 750 nm, respectively, due to exchange narrowing. The social self-sorting behavior of these push-pull chromophores in their mixed thin films is evaluated and the impact on morphology as well as opto-electronical properties is determined. The implementation of this well-tuned two-component material with tailored optical features allows to optimize planar heterojunction organic photodiodes with fullerene ​(C\(_{60}\)) with either dual or single wavelength selectivity in the blue and NIR spectral range with ultranarrow bandwidths of only 11 nm (200 cm\(^{-1}\)) and an external quantum efficiency of up to 18\% at 754 nm under 0 V bias. The application of these photodiodes as low-power consuming heart rate monitors is demonstrated by a reflectance-mode photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor.}, language = {en} } @article{HolfelderMulanskySchleeetal.2021, author = {Holfelder, Marc and Mulansky, Lena and Schlee, Winfried and Baumeister, Harald and Schobel, Johannes and Greger, Helmut and Hoff, Andreas and Pryss, R{\"u}diger}, title = {Medical device regulation efforts for mHealth apps during the COVID-19 pandemic — an experience report of Corona Check and Corona Health}, series = {J — Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal}, volume = {4}, journal = {J — Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal}, number = {2}, issn = {2571-8800}, doi = {10.3390/j4020017}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285434}, pages = {206 -- 222}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Within the healthcare environment, mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) are becoming more and more important. The number of new mHealth apps has risen steadily in the last years. Especially the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an enormous amount of app releases. In most countries, mHealth applications have to be compliant with several regulatory aspects to be declared a "medical app". However, the latest applicable medical device regulation (MDR) does not provide more details on the requirements for mHealth applications. When developing a medical app, it is essential that all contributors in an interdisciplinary team — especially software engineers — are aware of the specific regulatory requirements beforehand. The development process, however, should not be stalled due to integration of the MDR. Therefore, a developing framework that includes these aspects is required to facilitate a reliable and quick development process. The paper at hand introduces the creation of such a framework on the basis of the Corona Health and Corona Check apps. The relevant regulatory guidelines are listed and summarized as a guidance for medical app developments during the pandemic and beyond. In particular, the important stages and challenges faced that emerged during the entire development process are highlighted.}, language = {en} }