@article{Kraft2012, author = {Kraft, Stephan}, title = {Zwischen anverwandt und anverwandelt: Familienkonzepte in Grimmelshausens "Simplicissimus Teutsch"}, series = {Simpliciana}, volume = {XXXIV}, journal = {Simpliciana}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-252805}, pages = {259-277}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Kein Abstract verf{\"u}gbar.}, language = {de} } @article{PfisterPohlKieseletal.2012, author = {Pfister, Roland and Pohl, Carsten and Kiesel, Andrea and Kunde, Wilfried}, title = {Your Unconscious Knows Your Name}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75304}, year = {2012}, abstract = {One's own name constitutes a unique part of conscious awareness - but does this also hold true for unconscious processing? The present study shows that the own name has the power to bias a person's actions unconsciously even in conditions that render any other name ineffective. Participants judged whether a letter string on the screen was a name or a non-word while this target stimulus was preceded by a masked prime stimulus. Crucially, the participant's own name was among these prime stimuli and facilitated reactions to following name targets whereas the name of another, yoked participant did not. Signal detection results confirmed that participants were not aware of any of the prime stimuli, including their own name. These results extend traditional findings on ''breakthrough'' phenomena of personally relevant stimuli to the domain of unconscious processing. Thus, the brain seems to possess adroit mechanisms to identify and process such stimuli even in the absence of conscious awareness.}, subject = {Psychologie}, language = {en} } @article{Haemmer2012, author = {H{\"a}mmer, Viola}, title = {Wo suchen die Profis? Elektronische Informationsmittel jenseits von Google}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-72776}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Fast zu jedem Thema liefert Google auf Knopfdruck eine Vielzahl von Informationen. Aber ist die Suchmaschine auch ein Werkzeug, mit dem wissenschaftliche Fragen zufriedenstellend beantwortet werden k{\"o}nnen? Und welche Alternativen gibt es f{\"u}r die wissenschaftliche Recherche?}, subject = {Online-Recherche}, language = {de} } @article{BertholdBrunner2012, author = {Berthold, Norbert and Brunner, Alexander}, title = {Wie ungleich ist die Welt? Eine empirische Analyse}, series = {Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik}, volume = {12}, journal = {Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik}, number = {4}, issn = {1468-2516}, doi = {10.1111/j.1468-2516.2012.00377.x}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-194171}, pages = {372-396}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Kein Abstract verf{\"u}gbar.}, language = {de} } @article{ZhangSiPahl2012, author = {Zhang, Shaowu and Si, Aung and Pahl, Mario}, title = {Visually guided decision making in foraging honeybees}, series = {Frontiers in Neuroscience}, volume = {6}, journal = {Frontiers in Neuroscience}, number = {88}, doi = {10.3389/fnins.2012.00088}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124228}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Honeybees can easily be trained to perform different types of discrimination tasks under controlled laboratory conditions. This review describes a range of experiments carried out with free-flying forager honeybees under such conditions. The research done over the past 30 or so years suggests that cognitive abilities (learning and perception) in insects are more intricate and flexible than was originally imagined. It has become apparent that honeybees are capable of a variety of visually guided tasks, involving decision making under challenging situations: this includes simultaneously making use of different sensory modalities, such as vision and olfaction, and learning to use abstract concepts such as "sameness" and "difference." Many studies have shown that decision making in foraging honeybees is highly flexible. The trained animals learn how to solve a task, and do so with a high accuracy, but when they are presented with a new variation of the task, they apply the learnt rules from the earlier setup to the new situation, and solve the new task as well. Honeybees therefore not only feature a rich behavioral repertoire to choose from, but also make decisions most apt to the current situation. The experiments in this review give an insight into the environmental cues and cognitive resources that are probably highly significant for a forager bee that must continually make decisions regarding patches of resources to be exploited.}, language = {en} } @article{PatilGentschevAdelfingeretal.2012, author = {Patil, Sandeep S. and Gentschev, Ivaylo and Adelfinger, Marion and Donat, Ulrike and Hess, Michael and Weibel, Stephanie and Nolte, Ingo and Frentzen, Alexa and Szalay, Aladar A.}, title = {Virotherapy of Canine Tumors with Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus GLV-1h109 Expressing an Anti-VEGF Single-Chain Antibody}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0047472}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130039}, pages = {e47472}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Virotherapy using oncolytic vaccinia virus (VACV) strains is one promising new strategy for cancer therapy. We have previously reported that oncolytic vaccinia virus strains expressing an anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) single-chain antibody (scAb) GLAF-1 exhibited significant therapeutic efficacy for treatment of human tumor xenografts. Here, we describe the use of oncolytic vaccinia virus GLV-1h109 encoding GLAF-1 for canine cancer therapy. In this study we analyzed the virus-mediated delivery and production of scAb GLAF-1 and the oncolytic and immunological effects of the GLV-1h109 vaccinia virus strain against canine soft tissue sarcoma and canine prostate carcinoma in xenograft models. Cell culture data demonstrated that the GLV-1h109 virus efficiently infect, replicate in and destroy both tested canine cancer cell lines. In addition, successful expression of GLAF-1 was demonstrated in virus-infected canine cancer cells and the antibody specifically recognized canine VEGF. In two different xenograft models, the systemic administration of the GLV-1h109 virus was found to be safe and led to anti-tumor and immunological effects resulting in the significant reduction of tumor growth in comparison to untreated control mice. Furthermore, tumor-specific virus infection led to a continued production of functional scAb GLAF-1, resulting in inhibition of angiogenesis. Overall, the GLV-1h109-mediated cancer therapy and production of immunotherapeutic anti-VEGF scAb may open the way for combination therapy concept i.e. vaccinia virus mediated oncolysis and intratumoral production of therapeutic drugs in canine cancer patients.}, language = {en} } @article{KunzePhamRaslanetal.2012, author = {Kunze, Ekkehard and Pham, Mirko and Raslan, Furat and Stetter, Christian and Lee, Jin-Yul and Solymosi, Laszlo and Ernestus, Ralf-Ingo and Hamilton Vince, Giles and Westermaier, Thomas}, title = {Value of Perfusion CT, Transcranial Doppler Sonography and Neurological Examination to detect delayed Vasospasm after aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage [Research Article]}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-76241}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background If detected in time, delayed cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may be treated by balloon angioplasty or chemical vasospasmolysis in order to enhance cerebral blood flow (CBF) and protect the brain from ischemic damage. This study was conceived to compare the diagnostic accuracy of detailed neurological examination, Transcranial Doppler Sonography (TCD), and Perfusion-CT (PCT) to detect angiographic vasospasm. Methods The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of delayed ischemic neurological deterioration (DIND), pathological findings on PCT- maps, and accelerations of the mean flow velocity (MVF) were calculated. Results The accuracy of DIND to predict angiographic vasospasm was 0.88. An acceleration of MFV in TCD (>140 cm/s) had an accuracy of 0.64, positive PCT-findings of 0.69 with a higher sensitivity, and negative predictive value than TCD. Interpretation Neurological assessment at close intervals is the most sensitive and specific parameter for cerebral vasospasm. PCT has a higher accuracy, sensitivity and negative predictive value than TCD. If detailed neurological evaluation is possible, it should be the leading parameter in the management and treatment decisions. If patients are not amenable to detailed neurological examination, PCT at regular intervals is a helpful tool to diagnose secondary vasospasm after aneurysmal SAH.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @article{RufFehnBachmannetal.2012, author = {Ruf, Katharina C. and Fehn, Sonja and Bachmann, Mich{\`e}le and Moeller, Alexander and Roht, Kristina and Kriemler, Susi and Hebestreit, Helge}, title = {Validation of activity questionnaires in patients with cystic fibrosis by accelerometry and cycle ergometry}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75083}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: The objective of this study was to validate physical activity questionnaires for cystic fibrosis (CF) against accelerometry and cycle ergometry. Methods: 41 patients with CF (12-42 years) completed the Habitual Activity Estimation Scale (HAES), the 7-Day Physical Activity Recall questionnaire (7D-PAR) and the Lipid Research Clinics questionnaire (LRC) and performed an incremental exercise test according to the Godfrey protocol up to volitional fatigue. Time spent in moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) assessed objectively by accelerometry was related to the time spent in the respective activity categories by correlation analyses and calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Furthermore, the results of the exercise test were correlated with the results of the questionnaires. Results: Time spent in the categories 'hard','very hard' and 'hard \& very hard' of the 7D-PAR (0.41 < r < 0.56) and 'active' (r = 0.33) of the HAES correlated significantly with MVPA. The activity levels of the LRC were not related to objectively determined physical activity. Significant ICCs were only observed between the 7D-PAR activitiy categories and MVPA (ICC = 0.40-0.44). Only the LRC showed moderate correlations with the exercise test (Wmax: r = 0.46, p = 0.002; VO2peak: r = 0.32, p = 0.041). Conclusions: In conclusion, the activity categories 'hard' and 'very hard' of the 7D-PAR best reflected objectively measured MVPA. Since the association was at most moderate, the 7D-PAR may be selected to describe physical activity within a population. None of the evaluated questionnaires was able to generate valid physical activity data exercise performance data at the individual level. Neither did any of the questionnaires provide a valid assessment of aerobic fitness on an invidual level.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @article{SchaeferWeibelDonatetal.2012, author = {Sch{\"a}fer, Simon and Weibel, Stephanie and Donat, Ulrike and Zhang, Quian and Aguilar, Richard J. and Chen, Nanhai G. and Szalay, Aladar A.}, title = {Vaccinia virus-mediated intra-tumoral expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 enhances oncolysis of PC-3 xenograft tumors}, series = {BMC Cancer}, volume = {12}, journal = {BMC Cancer}, number = {366}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2407-12-366}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-140800}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background Oncolytic viruses, including vaccinia virus (VACV), are a promising alternative to classical mono-cancer treatment methods such as surgery, chemo- or radiotherapy. However, combined therapeutic modalities may be more effective than mono-therapies. In this study, we enhanced the effectiveness of oncolytic virotherapy by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9)-mediated degradation of proteins of the tumoral extracellular matrix (ECM), leading to increased viral distribution within the tumors. Methods For this study, the oncolytic vaccinia virus GLV-1h255, containing the mmp-9 gene, was constructed and used to treat PC-3 tumor-bearing mice, achieving an intra-tumoral over-expression of MMP-9. The intra-tumoral MMP-9 content was quantified by immunohistochemistry in tumor sections. Therapeutic efficacy of GLV-1h255 was evaluated by monitoring tumor growth kinetics and intra-tumoral virus titers. Microenvironmental changes mediated by the intra-tumoral MMP-9 over-expression were investigated by microscopic quantification of the collagen IV content, the blood vessel density (BVD) and the analysis of lymph node metastasis formation. Results GLV-1h255-treatment of PC-3 tumors led to a significant over-expression of intra-tumoral MMP-9, accompanied by a marked decrease in collagen IV content in infected tumor areas, when compared to GLV-1h68-infected tumor areas. This led to considerably elevated virus titers in GLV-1h255 infected tumors, and to enhanced tumor regression. The analysis of the BVD, as well as the lumbar and renal lymph node volumes, revealed lower BVD and significantly smaller lymph nodes in both GLV-1h68- and GLV-1h255- injected mice compared to those injected with PBS, indicating that MMP-9 over-expression does not alter the metastasis-reducing effect of oncolytic VACV. Conclusions Taken together, these results indicate that a GLV-1h255-mediated intra-tumoral over-expression of MMP-9 leads to a degradation of collagen IV, facilitating intra-tumoral viral dissemination, and resulting in accelerated tumor regression. We propose that approaches which enhance the oncolytic effect by increasing the intra-tumoral viral load, may be an effective way to improve therapeutic outcome.}, language = {en} } @article{SchaeferWeibelDonatetal.2012, author = {Sch{\"a}fer, Simon and Weibel, Stephanie and Donat, Ulrike and Zhang, Qian and Aguilar, Richard J. and Chen, Nanhai G. and Szalay, Aladar A.}, title = {Vaccinia virus-mediated intra-tumoral expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 enhances oncolysis of PC-3 xenograft tumors}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-78220}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Oncolytic viruses, including vaccinia virus (VACV), are a promising alternative to classical mono-cancer treatment methods such as surgery, chemo- or radiotherapy. However, combined therapeutic modalities may be more effective than mono-therapies. In this study, we enhanced the effectiveness of oncolytic virotherapy by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9)-mediated degradation of proteins of the tumoral extracellular matrix (ECM), leading to increased viral distribution within the tumors. Methods: For this study, the oncolytic vaccinia virus GLV-1h255, containing the mmp-9 gene, was constructed and used to treat PC-3 tumor-bearing mice, achieving an intra-tumoral over-expression of MMP-9. The intra-tumoral MMP-9 content was quantified by immunohistochemistry in tumor sections. Therapeutic efficacy of GLV-1h255 was evaluated by monitoring tumor growth kinetics and intra-tumoral virus titers. Microenvironmental changes mediated by the intra-tumoral MMP-9 over-expression were investigated by microscopic quantification of the collagen IV content, the blood vessel density (BVD) and the analysis of lymph node metastasis formation. Results: GLV-1h255-treatment of PC-3 tumors led to a significant over-expression of intra-tumoral MMP-9, accompanied by a marked decrease in collagen IV content in infected tumor areas, when compared to GLV-1h68-infected tumor areas. This led to considerably elevated virus titers in GLV-1h255 infected tumors, and to enhanced tumor regression. The analysis of the BVD, as well as the lumbar and renal lymph node volumes, revealed lower BVD and significantly smaller lymph nodes in both GLV-1h68- and GLV-1h255- injected mice compared to those injected with PBS, indicating that MMP-9 over-expression does not alter the metastasis-reducing effect of oncolytic VACV. Conclusions: Taken together, these results indicate that a GLV-1h255-mediated intra-tumoral over-expression of MMP-9 leads to a degradation of collagen IV, facilitating intra-tumoral viral dissemination, and resulting in accelerated tumor regression. We propose that approaches which enhance the oncolytic effect by increasing the intra-tumoral viral load, may be an effective way to improve therapeutic outcome.}, subject = {Biochemie}, language = {en} } @article{VandenbergChahoudHeindeletal.2012, author = {Vandenberg, Laura N. and Chahoud, Ibrahim and Heindel, Jerrold J. and Padmanabhan, Vasantha and Paumgartten, Francisco J. R. and Sch{\"o}nfelder, Gilbert}, title = {Urinary, Circulating, and Tissue Biomonitoring Studies Indicate Widespread Exposure to Bisphenol A}, series = {Ci{\^e}ncia \& Sa{\´u}de Coletiva}, volume = {17}, journal = {Ci{\^e}ncia \& Sa{\´u}de Coletiva}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1289/ehp.0901716}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-134332}, pages = {407-434}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the highest-volume chemicals produced worldwide, and human exposure to BPA is thought to be ubiquitous. Thus, there are concerns that the amount of BPA to which humans are exposed may cause adverse health effects. We examined many possibilities for why biomonitoring and toxicokinetic studies could come to seemingly conflicting conclusions. More than 80 published human biomonitoring studies that measured BPA concentrations in human tissues, urine, blood, and other fluids, along with two toxicokinetic studies of human BPA metabolism were examined. Unconjugated BPA was routinely detected in blood (in the nanograms per milliliter range), and conjugated BPA was routinely detected in the vast majority of urine samples (also in the nanograms per milliliter range). In stark contrast, toxicokinetic studies proposed that humans are not internally exposed to BPA. Available data from biomonitoring studies clearly indicate that the general population is exposed to BPA and is at risk from internal exposure to unconjugated BPA. The two toxicokinetic studies that suggested human BPA exposure is negligible have significant deficiencies, are directly contradicted by hypothesis-driven studies, and are therefore not reliable for risk assessment purposes.}, language = {en} } @article{MonteliusLjungbergHornetal.2012, author = {Montelius, Mikael and Ljungberg, Maria and Horn, Michael and Forssell-Aronsson, Eva}, title = {Tumour size measurement in a mouse model using high resolution MRI}, series = {BMC Medical Imaging}, volume = {12}, journal = {BMC Medical Imaging}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2342-12-12}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124049}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background Animal models are frequently used to assess new treatment methods in cancer research. MRI offers a non-invasive in vivo monitoring of tumour tissue and thus allows longitudinal measurements of treatment effects, without the need for large cohorts of animals. Tumour size is an important biomarker of the disease development, but to our knowledge, MRI based size measurements have not yet been verified for small tumours (10-2-10-1 g). The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of MRI based tumour size measurements of small tumours on mice. Methods 2D and 3D T2-weighted RARE images of tumour bearing mice were acquired in vivo using a 7 T dedicated animal MR system. For the 3D images the acquired image resolution was varied. The images were exported to a PC workstation where the tumour mass was determined assuming a density of 1 g/cm3, using an in-house developed tool for segmentation and delineation. The resulting data were compared to the weight of the resected tumours after sacrifice of the animal using regression analysis. Results Strong correlations were demonstrated between MRI- and necropsy determined masses. In general, 3D acquisition was not a prerequisite for high accuracy. However, it was slightly more accurate than 2D when small (<0.2 g) tumours were assessed for inter- and intraobserver variation. In 3D images, the voxel sizes could be increased from 1603 μm3 to 2403 μm3 without affecting the results significantly, thus reducing acquisition time substantially. Conclusions 2D MRI was sufficient for accurate tumour size measurement, except for small tumours (<0.2 g) where 3D acquisition was necessary to reduce interobserver variation. Acquisition times between 15 and 50 minutes, depending on tumour size, were sufficient for accurate tumour volume measurement. Hence, it is possible to include further MR investigations of the tumour, such as tissue perfusion, diffusion or metabolic composition in the same MR session.}, language = {en} } @article{VerghoLoeserKocotetal.2012, author = {Vergho, Daniel Claudius and Loeser, Andreas and Kocot, Arkadius and Spahn, Martin and Riedm{\"u}ller, Hubertus}, title = {Tumor thrombus of inferior vena cava in patients with renal cell carcinoma - Clinical and oncological outcome of 50 patients after surgery}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75230}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: To evaluate oncological and clinical outcome in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and tumor thrombus involving inferior vena cava (IVC) treated with nephrectomy and thrombectomy. Methods: We identified 50 patients with a median age of 65 years, who underwent radical surgical treatment for RCC and tumor thrombus of the IVC between 1997 and 2010. The charts were reviewed for pathological and surgical parameters, as well as complications and oncological outcome. Results: The median follow-up was 26 months. In 21 patients (42\%) distant metastases were already present at the time of surgery. All patients underwent radical nephrectomy, thrombectomy and lymph node dissection through a flank (15 patients/30\%), thoracoabdominal (14 patients/28\%) or midline abdominal approach (21 patients/42\%), depending upon surgeon preference and upon the characteristics of tumor and associated thrombus. Extracorporal circulation with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was performed in 10 patients (20\%) with supradiaphragmal thrombus of IVC. Cancer-specific survival for the whole cohort at 5 years was 33.1\%. Survival for the patients without distant metastasis at 5 years was 50.7\%, whereas survival rate in the metastatic group at 5 years was 7.4\%. Median survival of patients with metastatic disease was 16.4 months. On multivariate analysis lymph node invasion, distant metastasis and grading were independent prognostic factors. There was no statistically significant influence of level of the tumor thrombus on survival rate. Indeed, patients with supradiaphragmal tumor thrombus (n = 10) even had a better outcome (overall survival at 5 years of 58.33\%) than the entire cohort. Conclusions: An aggressive surgical approach is the most effective therapeutic option in patients with RCC and any level of tumor thrombus and offers a reasonable longterm survival. Due to good clinical and oncological outcome we prefer the use of CPB with extracorporal circulation in patients with supradiaphragmal tumor thrombus. Cytoreductive surgery appears to be beneficial for patients with metastatic disease, especially when consecutive therapy is performed. Although sample size of our study cohort is limited consistent with some other studies lymph node invasion, distant metastasis and grading seem to have prognostic value.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @article{HeddergottKruegerBabuetal.2012, author = {Heddergott, Nico and Kr{\"u}ger, Timothy and Babu, Sujin B. and Wei, Ai and Stellamanns, Erik and Uppaluri, Sravanti and Pfohl, Thomas and Stark, Holger and Engstler, Markus}, title = {Trypanosome Motion Represents an Adaptation to the Crowded Environment ofthe Vertebrate Bloodstream}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-78421}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Blood is a remarkable habitat: it is highly viscous, contains a dense packaging of cells and perpetually flows at velocities varying over three orders of magnitude. Only few pathogens endure the harsh physical conditions within the vertebrate bloodstream and prosper despite being constantly attacked by host antibodies. African trypanosomes are strictly extracellular blood parasites, which evade the immune response through a system of antigenic variation and incessant motility. How the flagellates actually swim in blood remains to be elucidated. Here, we show that the mode and dynamics of trypanosome locomotion are a trait of life within a crowded environment. Using high-speed fluorescence microscopy and ordered micro-pillar arrays we show that the parasites mode of motility is adapted to the density of cells in blood. Trypanosomes are pulled forward by the planar beat of the single flagellum. Hydrodynamic flow across the asymmetrically shaped cell body translates into its rotational movement. Importantly, the presence of particles with the shape, size and spacing of blood cells is required and sufficient for trypanosomes to reach maximum forward velocity. If the density of obstacles, however, is further increased to resemble collagen networks or tissue spaces, the parasites reverse their flagellar beat and consequently swim backwards, in this way avoiding getting trapped. In the absence of obstacles, this flagellar beat reversal occurs randomly resulting in irregular waveforms and apparent cell tumbling. Thus, the swimming behavior of trypanosomes is a surprising example of micro-adaptation to life at low Reynolds numbers. For a precise physical interpretation, we compare our high-resolution microscopic data to results from a simulation technique that combines the method of multi-particle collision dynamics with a triangulated surface model. The simulation produces a rotating cell body and a helical swimming path, providing a functioning simulation method for a microorganism with a complex swimming strategy}, subject = {Biologie}, language = {en} } @article{HeddergottKruegerBabuetal.2012, author = {Heddergott, Niko and Kr{\"u}ger, Timothy and Babu, Sujin B. and Wei, Ai and Stellamanns, Erik and Uppaluri, Sravanti and Pfohl, Thomas and Stark, Holger and Engstler, Markus}, title = {Trypanosome Motion Represents an Adaptation to the Crowded Environment of the Vertebrate Bloodstream}, series = {PLoS Pathogens}, volume = {8}, journal = {PLoS Pathogens}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1003023}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-134595}, pages = {e1003023}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Blood is a remarkable habitat: it is highly viscous, contains a dense packaging of cells and perpetually flows at velocities varying over three orders of magnitude. Only few pathogens endure the harsh physical conditions within the vertebrate bloodstream and prosper despite being constantly attacked by host antibodies. African trypanosomes are strictly extracellular blood parasites, which evade the immune response through a system of antigenic variation and incessant motility. How the flagellates actually swim in blood remains to be elucidated. Here, we show that the mode and dynamics of trypanosome locomotion are a trait of life within a crowded environment. Using high-speed fluorescence microscopy and ordered micro-pillar arrays we show that the parasites mode of motility is adapted to the density of cells in blood. Trypanosomes are pulled forward by the planar beat of the single flagellum. Hydrodynamic flow across the asymmetrically shaped cell body translates into its rotational movement. Importantly, the presence of particles with the shape, size and spacing of blood cells is required and sufficient for trypanosomes to reach maximum forward velocity. If the density of obstacles, however, is further increased to resemble collagen networks or tissue spaces, the parasites reverse their flagellar beat and consequently swim backwards, in this way avoiding getting trapped. In the absence of obstacles, this flagellar beat reversal occurs randomly resulting in irregular waveforms and apparent cell tumbling. Thus, the swimming behavior of trypanosomes is a surprising example of micro-adaptation to life at low Reynolds numbers. For a precise physical interpretation, we compare our high-resolution microscopic data to results from a simulation technique that combines the method of multi-particle collision dynamics with a triangulated surface model. The simulation produces a rotating cell body and a helical swimming path, providing a functioning simulation method for a microorganism with a complex swimming strategy.}, language = {en} } @article{FinzeReiss2012, author = {Finze, Maik and Reiss, Guido J.}, title = {Trimethyl­sulfonium 1-amino-6-fluoro-2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10,11,12-decaiodo-1-carba-closo-dodeca­borate}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75397}, year = {2012}, abstract = {no abstract available}, subject = {Chemie}, language = {en} } @article{PruggerHeidrichWellmannetal.2012, author = {Prugger, Christof and Heidrich, Jan and Wellmann, J{\"u}rgen and Dittrich, Ralf and Brand, Stefan-Martin and Telgmann, Ralph and Breithardt, G{\"u}nter and Reinecke, Holger and Scheld, Hans and Kleine-Katth{\"o}fer, Peter and Heuschmann, Peter U. and Keil, Ulrich}, title = {Trends in Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Patients With Coronary Heart Disease : Results From the EUROASPIRE I, II, and III Surveys in the M{\"u}nster Region}, series = {Deutsches {\"A}rzteblatt International}, volume = {109}, journal = {Deutsches {\"A}rzteblatt International}, number = {17}, doi = {10.3238/arztebl.2012.0303}, pages = {303-U21}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Target values for cardiovascular risk factors in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) are stated in guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. We studied secular trends in risk factors over a 12-year period among CHD patients in the region of Munster, Germany. Methods: The cross-sectional EUROASPIRE I, II and III surveys were performed in multiple centers across Europe. For all three, the Munster region was the participating German region. In the three periods 1995/96, 1999/2000, and 2006/07, the surveys included (respectively) 392, 402 and 457 <= 70-year-old patients with CHD in Munster who had sustained a coronary event at least 6 months earlier. Results: The prevalence of smoking remained unchanged, with 16.8\% in EUROASPIRE I and II and 18.4\% in EUROASPIRE III (p=0.898). On the other hand, high blood pressure and high cholesterol both became less common across the three EUROASPIRE studies (60.7\% to 69.4\% to 55.3\%, and 94.3\% to 83.4\% to 48.1\%, respectively; p<0.001 for both). Obesity became more common (23.0\% to 30.6\% to 43.1\%, p<0.001), as did treatment with antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs (80.4\% to 88.6\% to 94.3\%, and 35.0\% to 67.4\% to 87.0\%, respectively; p<0.001 for both). Conclusion: The observed trends in cardiovascular risk factors under-score the vital need for better preventive strategies in patients with CHD.}, language = {en} } @article{SchmittBackesNourkamiTutdibietal.2012, author = {Schmitt, Jana and Backes, Christina and Nourkami-Tutdibi, Nasenien and Leidinger, Petra and Deutscher, Stephanie and Beier, Markus and Gessler, Manfred and Graf, Norbert and Lenhof, Hans-Peter and Keller, Andreas and Meese, Eckart}, title = {Treatment-independent miRNA signature in blood of wilms tumor patients}, series = {BMC Genomics}, volume = {13}, journal = {BMC Genomics}, number = {379}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2164-13-379}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124034}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background Blood-born miRNA signatures have recently been reported for various tumor diseases. Here, we compared the miRNA signature in Wilms tumor patients prior and after preoperative chemotherapy according to SIOP protocol 2001. Results We did not find a significant difference between miRNA signature of both groups. However both, Wilms tumor patients prior and after chemotherapy showed a miRNA signature different from healthy controls. The signature of Wilms tumor patients prior to chemotherapy showed an accuracy of 97.5\% and of patients after chemotherapy an accuracy of 97.0\%, each as compared to healthy controls. Conclusion Our results provide evidence for a blood-born Wilms tumor miRNA signature largely independent of four weeks preoperative chemotherapy treatment.}, language = {en} } @article{HickeySridharWestermannetal.2012, author = {Hickey, Scott F. and Sridhar, Malathy and Westermann, Alexander J. and Qin, Qian and Vijayendra, Pooja and Liou, Geoffrey and Hammond, Ming C.}, title = {Transgene regulation in plants by alternative splicing of a suicide exon}, series = {Nucleic Acids Research}, volume = {40}, journal = {Nucleic Acids Research}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1093/nar/gks032}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-134724}, pages = {4701-4710}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Compared to transcriptional activation, other mechanisms of gene regulation have not been widely exploited for the control of transgenes. One barrier to the general use and application of alternative splicing is that splicing-regulated transgenes have not been shown to be reliably and simply designed. Here, we demonstrate that a cassette bearing a suicide exon can be inserted into a variety of open reading frames (ORFs), generating transgenes whose expression is activated by exon skipping in response to a specific protein inducer. The surprisingly minimal sequence requirements for the maintenance of splicing fidelity and regulation indicate that this splicing cassette can be used to regulate any ORF containing one of the amino acids Glu, Gln or Lys. Furthermore, a single copy of the splicing cassette was optimized by rational design to confer robust gene activation with no background expression in plants. Thus, conditional splicing has the potential to be generally useful for transgene regulation.}, language = {en} } @article{PernitzschSharma2012, author = {Pernitzsch, Sandy R. and Sharma, Cynthia M.}, title = {Transcriptome Complexity and Riboregulation in the Human Pathogen Helicobacter pylori}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75096}, year = {2012}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @article{FoersterBeisserGrohmeetal.2012, author = {F{\"o}rster, Frank and Beisser, Daniela and Grohme, Markus A. and Liang, Chunguang and Mali, Brahim and Siegl, Alexander Matthias and Engelmann, Julia C. and Shkumatov, Alexander V. and Schokraie, Elham and M{\"u}ller, Tobias and Schn{\"o}lzer, Martina and Schill, Ralph O. and Frohme, Marcus and Dandekar, Thomas}, title = {Transcriptome analysis in tardigrade species reveals specific molecular pathways for stress adaptations}, series = {Bioinformatics and biology insights}, volume = {6}, journal = {Bioinformatics and biology insights}, doi = {10.4137/BBI.S9150}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-123089}, pages = {69-96}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Tardigrades have unique stress-adaptations that allow them to survive extremes of cold, heat, radiation and vacuum. To study this, encoded protein clusters and pathways from an ongoing transcriptome study on the tardigrade \(Milnesium\) \(tardigradum\) were analyzed using bioinformatics tools and compared to expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from \(Hypsibius\) \(dujardini\), revealing major pathways involved in resistance against extreme environmental conditions. ESTs are available on the Tardigrade Workbench along with software and databank updates. Our analysis reveals that RNA stability motifs for \(M.\) \(tardigradum\) are different from typical motifs known from higher animals. \(M.\) \(tardigradum\) and \(H.\) \(dujardini\) protein clusters and conserved domains imply metabolic storage pathways for glycogen, glycolipids and specific secondary metabolism as well as stress response pathways (including heat shock proteins, bmh2, and specific repair pathways). Redox-, DNA-, stress- and protein protection pathways complement specific repair capabilities to achieve the strong robustness of \(M.\) \(tardigradum\). These pathways are partly conserved in other animals and their manipulation could boost stress adaptation even in human cells. However, the unique combination of resistance and repair pathways make tardigrades and \(M.\) \(tardigradum\) in particular so highly stress resistant.}, language = {en} } @article{HerbortButz2012, author = {Herbort, Oliver and Butz, Martin V.}, title = {Too good to be true? Ideomotor theory from a computational perspective}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-76383}, year = {2012}, abstract = {In recent years, Ideomotor Theory has regained widespread attention and sparked the development of a number of theories on goal-directed behavior and learning. However, there are two issues with previous studies' use of Ideomotor Theory. Although Ideomotor Theory is seen as very general, it is often studied in settings that are considerably more simplistic than most natural situations. Moreover, Ideomotor Theory's claim that effect anticipations directly trigger actions and that action-effect learning is based on the formation of direct action-effect associations is hard to address empirically. We address these points from a computational perspective. A simple computational model of Ideomotor Theory was tested in tasks with different degrees of complexity.The model evaluation showed that Ideomotor Theory is a computationally feasible approach for understanding efficient action-effect learning for goal-directed behavior if the following preconditions are met: (1) The range of potential actions and effects has to be restricted. (2) Effects have to follow actions within a short time window. (3) Actions have to be simple and may not require sequencing. The first two preconditions also limit human performance and thus support Ideomotor Theory. The last precondition can be circumvented by extending the model with more complex, indirect action generation processes. In conclusion, we suggest that IdeomotorTheory offers a comprehensive framework to understand action-effect learning. However, we also suggest that additional processes may mediate the conversion of effect anticipations into actions in many situations.}, subject = {Psychologie}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12812, title = {Time-dependent angular analysis of the decay B\(^0_s\)→J/ψϕ and extraction of ΔΓ\(_s\) and the CP-violating weak phase ϕ\(_s\) by ATLAS}, series = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, volume = {12}, journal = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, number = {072}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1007/JHEP12(2012)072}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-128125}, year = {2012}, abstract = {A measurement of B\(^0_s\)→J/ψϕ decay parameters, including the CP -violating weak phase ϕ\(_s\) and the decay width difference ΔΓ\(_s\) is reported, using 4.9 fb\(^{-1}\) of integrated luminosity collected in 2011 by the ATLAS detector from LHC pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy √s=7 TeV. The mean decay width Γ\(_s\) and the transversity amplitudes |A\(_0\)(0)|\(^2\) and |A\(_∥\)(0)|\(^2\) are also measured. The values reported for these parameters are: ϕ\(_s\)=0.22±0.41 (stat.)±0.10 (syst.) rad ΔΓ\(_s\)=0.053±0.021 (stat.)±0.010 (syst.)ps\(^{-1}\) Γ\(_s\)=0.677±0.007 (stat.)±0.004 (syst.) ps\(^{-1}\) |A\(_0\)(0)|\(^2\)=0.528±0.006 (stat.)±0.009 (syst.) |A\(_∥\)(0)|\(^2\)=0.220±0.008 (stat.)±0.007 (syst.) where the values quoted for ϕ\(_s\) and ΔΓ\(_s\) correspond to the solution compatible with the external measurements to which the strong phase δ\(_⊥\) is constrained and where ΔΓ\(_s\) is constrained to be positive. The fraction of S-wave KK or f\(_0\) contamination through the decays B\(^0_s\)→J/ψK\(^+\)K\(^-\)(f\(_0\)) is measured as well and is found to be consistent with zero. Results for ϕ\(_s\) and ΔΓ\(_s\) are also presented as 68\%, 90\% and 95\% likelihood contours, which show agreement with Standard Model expectations.}, language = {en} } @article{LanghauserHeilerGrudzenskietal.2012, author = {Langhauser, Friederike L. and Heiler, Patrick M. and Grudzenski, Saskia and Lemke, Andreas and Alonso, Angelika and Schad, Lothar R. and Hennerici, Michael G. and Meairs, Stephen and Fata, Marc}, title = {Thromboembolic stroke in C57BL/6 mice monitored by 9.4 T MRI using a 1H cryo probe}, series = {Experimental and Translational Stroke Medicine}, volume = {4}, journal = {Experimental and Translational Stroke Medicine}, number = {18}, doi = {10.1186/2040-7378-4-18}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124218}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background A new thromboembolic animal model showed beneficial effects of t-PA with an infarct volume reduction of 36.8\% in swiss mice. Because knock-out animal experiments for stroke frequently used C57BL76 mice we evaluated t-PA effects in this mouse strain and measured infarct volume and vascular recanalisation in-vivo by using high-field 9.4 T MRI and a 1H surface cryo coil. Methods Clot formation was triggered by microinjection of murine thrombin into the right middle cerebral artery (MCA). Animals (n = 28) were treated with 10 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg or no tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) 40 min after MCA occlusion. For MR-imaging a Bruker 9.4 T animal system with a 1H surface cryo probe was used and a T2-weighted RARE sequence, a diffusion weighted multishot EPI sequence and a 3D flow-compensated gradient echo TOF angiography were performed. Results The infarct volume in animals treated with t-PA was significantly reduced (0.67 ± 1.38 mm3 for 10 mg/kg and 10.9 ± 8.79 mm3 for 5 mg/kg vs. 19.76 ± 2.72 mm3 ; p < 0.001) compared to untreated mice. An additional group was reperfused with t-PA inside the MRI. Already ten minutes after beginning of t-PA treatment, reperfusion flow was re-established in the right MCA. However, signal intensity was lower than in the contralateral MCA. This reduction in cerebral blood flow was attenuated during the first 60 minutes after reperfusion. 24 h after MCA occlusion and reperfusion, no difference in signal intensity of the contralateral and ipsilateral MCAs was observed. Conclusions We confirm a t-Pa effect using this stroke model in the C57BL76 mouse strain and demonstrate a chronological sequence MRI imaging after t-PA using a 1H surface cryo coil in a 9.4 T MRI. This setting will allow testing of new thrombolytic strategies for stroke treatment in-vivo in C57BL76 knock-out mice.}, language = {en} } @article{NanguneriFlottmannHorstmannetal.2012, author = {Nanguneri, Siddharth and Flottmann, Benjamin and Horstmann, Heinz and Heilemann, Mike and Kuner, Thomas}, title = {Three-Dimensional, Tomographic Super-Resolution Fluorescence Imaging of Serially Sectioned Thick Samples}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0038098}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-134434}, pages = {e38098}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Three-dimensional fluorescence imaging of thick tissue samples with near-molecular resolution remains a fundamental challenge in the life sciences. To tackle this, we developed tomoSTORM, an approach combining single-molecule localization-based super-resolution microscopy with array tomography of structurally intact brain tissue. Consecutive sections organized in a ribbon were serially imaged with a lateral resolution of 28 nm and an axial resolution of 40 nm in tissue volumes of up to 50 \(\mu\)mx50\(\mu\)mx2.5\(\mu\)m. Using targeted expression of membrane bound (m)GFP and immunohistochemistry at the calyx of Held, a model synapse for central glutamatergic neurotransmission, we delineated the course of the membrane and fine-structure of mitochondria. This method allows multiplexed super-resolution imaging in large tissue volumes with a resolution three orders of magnitude better than confocal microscopy.}, language = {en} } @article{AsoHerbOguetaetal.2012, author = {Aso, Yoshinori and Herb, Andrea and Ogueta, Maite and Siwanowicz, Igor and Templier, Thomas and Friedrich, Anja B. and Ito, Kei and Scholz, Henrike and Tanimoto, Hiromu}, title = {Three Dopamine Pathways Induce Aversive Odor Memories with Different Stability}, series = {PLoS Genetics}, volume = {8}, journal = {PLoS Genetics}, number = {7}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pgen.1002768}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130631}, pages = {e1002768}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Animals acquire predictive values of sensory stimuli through reinforcement. In the brain of Drosophila melanogaster, activation of two types of dopamine neurons in the PAM and PPL1 clusters has been shown to induce aversive odor memory. Here, we identified the third cell type and characterized aversive memories induced by these dopamine neurons. These three dopamine pathways all project to the mushroom body but terminate in the spatially segregated subdomains. To understand the functional difference of these dopamine pathways in electric shock reinforcement, we blocked each one of them during memory acquisition. We found that all three pathways partially contribute to electric shock memory. Notably, the memories mediated by these neurons differed in temporal stability. Furthermore, combinatorial activation of two of these pathways revealed significant interaction of individual memory components rather than their simple summation. These results cast light on a cellular mechanism by which a noxious event induces different dopamine signals to a single brain structure to synthesize an aversive memory.}, language = {en} } @article{YamakawaFukushimaItohetal.2012, author = {Yamakawa, Hisanori and Fukushima, Yoshimasa and Itoh, Shigeru and Heber, Ulrich}, title = {Three different mechanisms of energy dissipation of a desiccation-tolerant moss serve one common purpose: to protect reaction centres against photo-oxidation}, series = {Journal of Experimental Botany}, volume = {63}, journal = {Journal of Experimental Botany}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1093/jxb/ers062}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126897}, pages = {3765-3775}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Three different types of non-photochemical de-excitation of absorbed light energy protect photosystem II of the sun- and desiccation-tolerant moss Rhytidium rugosum against photo-oxidation. The first mechanism, which is light-induced in hydrated thalli, is sensitive to inhibition by dithiothreitol. It is controlled by the protonation of a thylakoid protein. Other mechanisms are activated by desiccation. One of them permits exciton migration towards a far-red band in the antenna pigments where fast thermal deactivation takes place. This mechanism appears to be similar to a mechanism detected before in desiccated lichens. A third mechanism is based on the reversible photo-accumulation of a radical that acts as a quencher of excitation energy in reaction centres of photosystem II. On the basis of absorption changes around 800 nm, the quencher is suggested to be an oxidized chlorophyll. The data show that desiccated moss is better protected against photo-oxidative damage than hydrated moss. Slow drying of moss thalli in the light increases photo-protection more than slow drying in darkness.}, language = {en} } @article{Lutz2012, author = {Lutz, Manfred B.}, title = {Therapeutic Potential of Semi-Mature Dendritic Cells for Tolerance Induction}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75535}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Dendritic cells (DCs) are major players in the control of adaptive tolerance and immunity. Therefore, their specific generation and adoptive transfer into patients or their in vivo targeting is attractive for clinical applications. While injections of mature immunogenic DCs are tested in clinical trials, tolerogenic DCs still are awaiting this step. Besides the tolerogenic potential of immature DCs, also semi-mature DCs can show tolerogenic activity but both types also bear unfavorable features. Optimal tolerogenic DCs, their molecular tool bar, and their use for specific diseases still have to be defined. Here, the usefulness of in vitro generated and adoptively transferred semi-mature DCs for tolerance induction is outlined. The in vivo targeting of semi-mature DCs as represented by steady state migratory DCs are discussed for treatment of autoimmune diseases and allergies. First clinical trials with transcutaneous allergen application may point to their therapeutic use in the future.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @article{MeuleKuebler2012, author = {Meule, Adrian and K{\"u}bler, Andrea}, title = {The translation of substance dependence criteria to food-related behaviors: different views and interpretations.}, series = {Frontiers in psychiatry}, journal = {Frontiers in psychiatry}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2012.00064}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-123092}, year = {2012}, abstract = {No abstract available.}, language = {en} } @article{BenischSchillingKleinHitpassetal.2012, author = {Benisch, Peggy and Schilling, Tatjana and Klein-Hitpass, Ludger and Frey, S{\"o}nke P. and Seefried, Lothar and Raaijmakers, Nadja and Krug, Melanie and Regensburger, Martina and Zeck, Sabine and Schinke, Thorsten and Amling, Michael and Ebert, Amling and Jakob, Franz}, title = {The Transcriptional Profile of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Populations in Primary Osteoporosis Is Distinct and Shows Overexpression of Osteogenic Inhibitors}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0045142}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-133379}, pages = {e45142}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Primary osteoporosis is an age-related disease characterized by an imbalance in bone homeostasis. While the resorptive aspect of the disease has been studied intensely, less is known about the anabolic part of the syndrome or presumptive deficiencies in bone regeneration. Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are the primary source of osteogenic regeneration. In the present study we aimed to unravel whether MSC biology is directly involved in the pathophysiology of the disease and therefore performed microarray analyses of hMSC of elderly patients (79-94 years old) suffering from osteoporosis (hMSC-OP). In comparison to age-matched controls we detected profound changes in the transcriptome in hMSC-OP, e.g. enhanced mRNA expression of known osteoporosis-associated genes (LRP5, RUNX2, COL1A1) and of genes involved in osteoclastogenesis (CSF1, PTH1R), but most notably of genes coding for inhibitors of WNT and BMP signaling, such as Sclerostin and MAB21L2. These candidate genes indicate intrinsic deficiencies in self-renewal and differentiation potential in osteoporotic stem cells. We also compared both hMSC-OP and non-osteoporotic hMSC-old of elderly donors to hMSC of similar to 30 years younger donors and found that the transcriptional changes acquired between the sixth and the ninth decade of life differed widely between osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic stem cells. In addition, we compared the osteoporotic transcriptome to long term-cultivated, senescent hMSC and detected some signs for pre-senescence in hMSC-OP. Our results suggest that in primary osteoporosis the transcriptomes of hMSC populations show distinct signatures and little overlap with non-osteoporotic aging, although we detected some hints for senescence-associated changes. While there are remarkable inter-individual variations as expected for polygenetic diseases, we could identify many susceptibility genes for osteoporosis known from genetic studies. We also found new candidates, e.g. MAB21L2, a novel repressor of BMP-induced transcription. Such transcriptional changes may reflect epigenetic changes, which are part of a specific osteoporosis-associated aging process.}, language = {en} } @article{SpiveyDeGiorgiZhaoetal.2012, author = {Spivey, Tara L. and De Giorgi, Valeria and Zhao, Yingdong and Bedognetti, Davide and Pos, Zoltan and Liu, Qiuzhen and Tomei, Sara and Ascierto, Maria Libera and Uccellini, Lorenzo and Reinboth, Jennifer and Chouchane, Lotfi and Stroncek, David F. and Wang, Ena and Marincola, Francesco M.}, title = {The stable traits of melanoma genetics: an alternate approach to target discovery}, series = {BMC Genomics}, volume = {13}, journal = {BMC Genomics}, number = {156}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2164-13-156}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-131992}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: The weight that gene copy number plays in transcription remains controversial; although in specific cases gene expression correlates with copy number, the relationship cannot be inferred at the global level. We hypothesized that genes steadily expressed by 15 melanoma cell lines (CMs) and their parental tissues (TMs) should be critical for oncogenesis and their expression most frequently influenced by their respective copy number. Results: Functional interpretation of 3,030 transcripts concordantly expressed (Pearson's correlation coefficient p-value < 0.05) by CMs and TMs confirmed an enrichment of functions crucial to oncogenesis. Among them, 968 were expressed according to the transcriptional efficiency predicted by copy number analysis (Pearson's correlation coefficient p-value < 0.05). We named these genes, "genomic delegates" as they represent at the transcriptional level the genetic footprint of individual cancers. We then tested whether the genes could categorize 112 melanoma metastases. Two divergent phenotypes were observed: one with prevalent expression of cancer testis antigens, enhanced cyclin activity, WNT signaling, and a Th17 immune phenotype (Class A). This phenotype expressed, therefore, transcripts previously associated to more aggressive cancer. The second class (B) prevalently expressed genes associated with melanoma signaling including MITF, melanoma differentiation antigens, and displayed a Th1 immune phenotype associated with better prognosis and likelihood to respond to immunotherapy. An intermediate third class (C) was further identified. The three phenotypes were confirmed by unsupervised principal component analysis. Conclusions: This study suggests that clinically relevant phenotypes of melanoma can be retraced to stable oncogenic properties of cancer cells linked to their genetic back bone, and offers a roadmap for uncovering novel targets for tailored anti-cancer therapy.}, language = {en} } @article{HuserRohwedderApostolopoulouetal.2012, author = {Huser, Annina and Rohwedder, Astrid and Apostolopoulou, Anthi A. and Widmann, Annekathrin and Pfitzenmaier, Johanna E. and Maiolo, Elena M. and Selcho, Mareike and Pauls, Dennis and von Essen, Alina and Gupta, Tript and Sprecher, Simon G. and Birman, Serge and Riemensperger, Thomas and Stocker, Reinhard F. and Thum, Andreas S.}, title = {The Serotonergic Central Nervous System of the Drosophila Larva: Anatomy and Behavioral Function}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0047518}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130437}, pages = {e47518}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The Drosophila larva has turned into a particularly simple model system for studying the neuronal basis of innate behaviors and higher brain functions. Neuronal networks involved in olfaction, gustation, vision and learning and memory have been described during the last decade, often up to the single-cell level. Thus, most of these sensory networks are substantially defined, from the sensory level up to third-order neurons. This is especially true for the olfactory system of the larva. Given the wealth of genetic tools in Drosophila it is now possible to address the question how modulatory systems interfere with sensory systems and affect learning and memory. Here we focus on the serotonergic system that was shown to be involved in mammalian and insect sensory perception as well as learning and memory. Larval studies suggested that the serotonergic system is involved in the modulation of olfaction, feeding, vision and heart rate regulation. In a dual anatomical and behavioral approach we describe the basic anatomy of the larval serotonergic system, down to the single-cell level. In parallel, by expressing apoptosis-inducing genes during embryonic and larval development, we ablate most of the serotonergic neurons within the larval central nervous system. When testing these animals for naive odor, sugar, salt and light perception, no profound phenotype was detectable; even appetitive and aversive learning was normal. Our results provide the first comprehensive description of the neuronal network of the larval serotonergic system. Moreover, they suggest that serotonin per se is not necessary for any of the behaviors tested. However, our data do not exclude that this system may modulate or fine-tune a wide set of behaviors, similar to its reported function in other insect species or in mammals. Based on our observations and the availability of a wide variety of genetic tools, this issue can now be addressed.}, language = {en} } @article{BandyraSaidPfeifferetal.2012, author = {Bandyra, Katarzyna J. and Said, Nelly and Pfeiffer, Verena and G{\´o}rna, Maria W. and Vogel, J{\"o}rg and Luisi, Ben F.}, title = {The Seed Region of a Small RNA Drives the Controlled Destruction of the Target mRNA by the Endoribonuclease RNase E}, series = {Molecular Cell}, volume = {47}, journal = {Molecular Cell}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1016/j.molcel.2012.07.015}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126202}, pages = {943-953}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Numerous small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) in bacteria modulate rates of translation initiation and degradation of target mRNAs, which they recognize through base-pairing facilitated by the RNA chaperone Hfq. Recent evidence indicates that the ternary complex of Hfq, sRNA and mRNA guides endoribonuclease RNase E to initiate turnover of both the RNAs. We show that a sRNA not only guides RNase E to a defined site in a target RNA, but also allosterically activates the enzyme by presenting a monophosphate group at the 5′-end of the cognate-pairing "seed." Moreover, in the absence of the target the 5′-monophosphate makes the sRNA seed region vulnerable to an attack by RNase E against which Hfq confers no protection. These results suggest that the chemical signature and pairing status of the sRNA seed region may help to both 'proofread' recognition and activate mRNA cleavage, as part of a dynamic process involving cooperation of RNA, Hfq and RNase E.}, language = {en} } @article{NaseemDandekar2012, author = {Naseem, Muhammad and Dandekar, Thomas}, title = {The Role of Auxin-Cytokinin Antagonism in Plant-Pathogen Interactions}, series = {PLOS Pathogens}, volume = {8}, journal = {PLOS Pathogens}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1003026}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-131901}, pages = {e1003026}, year = {2012}, abstract = {No abstract available.}, language = {en} } @article{SchubertJoniauGonteroetal.2012, author = {Schubert, Maria and Joniau, Steven and Gontero, Paolo and Kneitz, Susanne and Scholz, Claus-J{\"u}rgen and Kneitz, Burkhard and Briganti, Alberto and Karnes, R. Jeffery and Tombal, Bertrand and Walz, Jochen and Hsu, Chao-Yu and Marchioro, Giansilvio and Bader, Pia and Bangma, Chris and Frohneberg, Detlef and Graefen, Markus and Schr{\"o}der, Fritz and van Cangh, Paul and van Poppel, Hein and Spahn, Martin}, title = {The Role of Adjuvant Hormonal Treatment after Surgery for Localized High-Risk Prostate Cancer: Results of a Matched Multiinstitutional Analysis}, series = {Advances in Urology}, volume = {2012}, journal = {Advances in Urology}, doi = {10.1155/2012/612707}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-137712}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Introduction. To assess the role of adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in high-risk prostate cancer patients (PCa) after surgery. Materials and Methods. The analysis case matched 172 high-risk PCa patients with positive section margins or non-organ confined disease and negative lymph nodes to receive adjuvant ADT (group 1, n=86 ) or no adjuvant ADT (group 2, n=86). Results. Only 11.6\% of the patients died, 2.3\% PCa related. Estimated 5-10-year clinical progression-free survival was 96.9\% (94.3\%) for group 1 and 73.7\% (67.0\%) for group 2, respectively. Subgroup analysis identified men with T2/T3a tumors at low-risk and T3b margins positive disease at higher risk for progression. Conclusion. Patients with T2/T3a tumors are at low-risk for metastatic disease and cancer-related death and do not need adjuvant ADT. We identified men with T3b margin positive disease at highest risk for clinical progression. These patients benefit from immediate adjuvant ADT.}, language = {en} } @article{RhiemEngelGraeseretal.2012, author = {Rhiem, Kerstin and Engel, Christoph and Graeser, Monika and Zachariae, Silke and Kast, Karin and Kiechle, Marion and Ditsch, Nina and Janni, Wolfgang and Mundhenke, Christoph and Golatta, Michael and Varga, Dominic and Preisler-Adams, Sabine and Heinrich, Tilman and Bick, Ulrich and Gadzicki, Dorothea and Briest, Susanne and Meindl, Alfons and Schmutzler, Rita K.}, title = {The risk of contralateral breast cancer in patients from BRCA1/2 negative high risk families as compared to patients from BRCA1 or BRCA2 positive families: a retrospective cohort study}, series = {Breast Cancer Research}, volume = {14}, journal = {Breast Cancer Research}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1186/bcr3369}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135715}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Introduction: While it has been reported that the risk of contralateral breast cancer in patients from BRCA1 or BRCA2 positive families is elevated, little is known about contralateral breast cancer risk in patients from high risk families that tested negative for BRCA1/2 mutations. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter cohort study was performed from 1996 to 2011 and comprised 6,235 women with unilateral breast cancer from 6,230 high risk families that had tested positive for BRCA1 (n = 1,154) or BRCA2 (n = 575) mutations or tested negative (n = 4,501). Cumulative contralateral breast cancer risks were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method and were compared between groups using the log-rank test. Cox regression analysis was applied to assess the impact of the age at first breast cancer and the familial history stratified by mutation status. Results: The cumulative risk of contralateral breast cancer 25 years after first breast cancer was 44.1\% (95\%CI, 37.6\% to 50.6\%) for patients from BRCA1 positive families, 33.5\% (95\%CI, 22.4\% to 44.7\%) for patients from BRCA2 positive families and 17.2\% (95\%CI, 14.5\% to 19.9\%) for patients from families that tested negative for BRCA1/2 mutations. Younger age at first breast cancer was associated with a higher risk of contralateral breast cancer. For women who had their first breast cancer before the age of 40 years, the cumulative risk of contralateral breast cancer after 25 years was 55.1\% for BRCA1, 38.4\% for BRCA2, and 28.4\% for patients from BRCA1/2 negative families. If the first breast cancer was diagnosed at the age of 50 or later, 25-year cumulative risks were 21.6\% for BRCA1, 15.5\% for BRCA2, and 12.9\% for BRCA1/2 negative families. Conclusions: Contralateral breast cancer risk in patients from high risk families that tested negative for BRCA1/2 mutations is similar to the risk in patients with sporadic breast cancer. Thus, the mutation status should guide decision making for contralateral mastectomy.}, language = {en} } @article{SpannausHartlWoehrletal.2012, author = {Spannaus, Ralf and Hartl, Maximilian J. and W{\"o}hrl, Birgitta M. and Rethwilm, Axel and Bodem, Jochen}, title = {The prototype foamy virus protease is active independently of the integrase domain}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75370}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Recently, contradictory results on foamy virus protease activity were published. While our own results indicated that protease activity is regulated by the viral RNA, others suggested that the integrase is involved in the regulation of the protease. Results: To solve this discrepancy we performed additional experiments showing that the protease-reverse transcriptase (PR-RT) exhibits protease activity in vitro and in vivo, which is independent of the integrase domain. In contrast, Pol incorporation, and therefore PR activity in the viral context, is dependent on the integrase domain. To further analyse the regulation of the protease, we incorporated Pol in viruses by expressing a GagPol fusion protein, which supported near wild-type like infectivity. A GagPR-RT fusion, lacking the integrase domain, also resulted in wild-type like Gag processing, indicating that the integrase is dispensable for viral Gag maturation. Furthermore, we demonstrate with a trans-complementation assays that the PR in the context of the PR-RT protein supports in trans both, viral maturation and infectivity. Conclusion: We provide evidence that the FV integrase is required for Pol encapsidation and that the FV PR activity is integrase independent. We show that an active PR can be encapsidated in trans as a GagPR-RT fusion protein.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @article{MakoahNigelArndtPradel2012, author = {Makoah Nigel, Animake and Arndt, Hans-Dieter and Pradel, Gabriele}, title = {The proteasome of malaria parasites: A multi-stage drug target for chemotherapeutic intervention?}, series = {International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance}, volume = {2}, journal = {International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijpddr.2011.12.001}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-137777}, pages = {1-10}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The ubiquitin/proteasome system serves as a regulated protein degradation pathway in eukaryotes, and is involved in many cellular processes featuring high protein turnover rates, such as cell cycle control, stress response and signal transduction. In malaria parasites, protein quality control is potentially important because of the high replication rate and the rapid transformations of the parasite during life cycle progression. The proteasome is the core of the degradation pathway, and is a major proteolytic complex responsible for the degradation and recycling of non-functional ubiquitinated proteins. Annotation of the genome for Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria tropica, revealed proteins with similarity to human 26S proteasome subunits. In addition, a bacterial ClpQ/hslV threonine peptidase-like protein was identified. In recent years several independent studies indicated an essential function of the parasite proteasome for the liver, blood and transmission stages. In this review, we compile evidence for protein recycling in Plasmodium parasites and discuss the role of the 26S proteasome as a prospective multi-stage target for antimalarial drug discovery programs.}, language = {en} } @article{MergetKoetschanHackletal.2012, author = {Merget, Benjamin and Koetschan, Christian and Hackl, Thomas and F{\"o}rster, Frank and Dandekar, Thomas and M{\"u}ller, Tobias and Schultz, J{\"o}rg and Wolf, Matthias}, title = {The ITS2 Database}, series = {Journal of Visual Expression}, volume = {61}, journal = {Journal of Visual Expression}, number = {e3806}, doi = {10.3791/3806}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124600}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) has been used as a phylogenetic marker for more than two decades. As ITS2 research mainly focused on the very variable ITS2 sequence, it confined this marker to low-level phylogenetics only. However, the combination of the ITS2 sequence and its highly conserved secondary structure improves the phylogenetic resolution1 and allows phylogenetic inference at multiple taxonomic ranks, including species delimitation. The ITS2 Database presents an exhaustive dataset of internal transcribed spacer 2 sequences from NCBI GenBank accurately reannotated. Following an annotation by profile Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), the secondary structure of each sequence is predicted. First, it is tested whether a minimum energy based fold (direct fold) results in a correct, four helix conformation. If this is not the case, the structure is predicted by homology modeling. In homology modeling, an already known secondary structure is transferred to another ITS2 sequence, whose secondary structure was not able to fold correctly in a direct fold. The ITS2 Database is not only a database for storage and retrieval of ITS2 sequence-structures. It also provides several tools to process your own ITS2 sequences, including annotation, structural prediction, motif detection and BLAST search on the combined sequence-structure information. Moreover, it integrates trimmed versions of 4SALE and ProfDistS for multiple sequence-structure alignment calculation and Neighbor Joining tree reconstruction. Together they form a coherent analysis pipeline from an initial set of sequences to a phylogeny based on sequence and secondary structure. In a nutshell, this workbench simplifies first phylogenetic analyses to only a few mouse-clicks, while additionally providing tools and data for comprehensive large-scale analyses.}, language = {en} } @article{IsaiasVolkmannMarzeganetal.2012, author = {Isaias, Ioannis U. and Volkmann, Jens and Marzegan, Alberto and Marotta, Giorgio and Cavallari, Paolo and Pezzoli, Gianni}, title = {The Influence of Dopaminergic Striatal Innervation on Upper Limb Locomotor Synergies}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0051464}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-133976}, pages = {e51464}, year = {2012}, abstract = {To determine the role of striatal dopaminergic innervation on upper limb synergies during walking, we measured arm kinematics in 13 subjects with Parkinson disease. Patients were recruited according to several inclusion criteria to represent the best possible in vivo model of dopaminergic denervation. Of relevance, we included only subjects with normal spatio-temporal parameters of the stride and gait speed to avoid an impairment of upper limbs locomotor synergies as a consequence of gait impairment per se. Dopaminergic innervation of the striatum was measured by FP-CIT and SPECT. All patients showed a reduction of gait-associated arms movement. No linear correlation was found between arm ROM reduction and contralateral dopaminergic putaminal innervation loss. Still, a partition analysis revealed a 80\% chance of reduced arm ROM when putaminal dopamine content loss was >47\%. A significant correlation was described between the asymmetry indices of the swinging of the two arms and dopaminergic striatal innervation. When arm ROM was reduced, we found a positive correlation between upper-lower limb phase shift modulation ( at different gait velocities) and striatal dopaminergic innervation. These findings are preliminary evidence that dopaminergic striatal tone plays a modulatory role in upper-limb locomotor synergies and upper-lower limb coupling while walking at different velocities.}, language = {en} } @article{ErmertFinkMorseetal.2012, author = {Ermert, Volker and Fink, Andreas H. and Morse, Andrew P. and Paeth, Heiko}, title = {The Impact of Regional Climate Change on Malaria Risk due to Greenhouse Forcing and Land-Use Changes in Tropical Africa}, series = {Environmental Health Perspectives}, volume = {120}, journal = {Environmental Health Perspectives}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1289/ehp.1103681}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135562}, pages = {77-84}, year = {2012}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Climate change will probably alter the spread and transmission intensity of malaria in Africa. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we assessed potential changes in the malaria transmission via an integrated weather disease model. METHODS: We simulated mosquito biting rates using the Liverpool Malaria Model (LMM). The input data for the LMM were bias-corrected temperature and precipitation data from the regional model (REMO) on a 0.5 degrees latitude longitude grid. A Plasmodium falciparum infection model expands the LMM simulations to incorporate information on the infection rate among children. Malaria projections were carried out with this integrated weather disease model for 2001 to 2050 according to two climate scenarios that include the effect of anthropogenic land-use and land-cover changes on climate. RESULTS: Model-based estimates for the present climate (1960 to 2000) are consistent with observed data for the spread of malaria in Africa. In the model domain, the regions where malaria is epidemic are located in the Sahel as well as in various highland territories. A decreased spread of malaria over most parts of tropical Africa is projected because of simulated increased surface temperatures and a significant reduction in annual rainfall. However, the likelihood of malaria epidemics is projected to increase in the southern part of the Sahel. In most of East Africa, the intensity of malaria transmission is expected to increase. Projections indicate that highland areas that were formerly unsuitable for malaria will become epidemic, whereas in the lower-altitude regions of the East African highlands, epidemic risk will decrease. CONCLUSIONS: We project that climate changes driven by greenhouse-gas and land-use changes will significantly affect the spread of malaria in tropical Africa well before 2050. The geographic distribution of areas where malaria is epidemic might have to be significantly altered in the coming decades.}, language = {en} } @article{JaschkeChungHesseetal.2012, author = {Jaschke, Alexander and Chung, Bomee and Hesse, Deike and Kluge, Reinhart and Zahn, Claudia and Moser, Markus and Petzke, Klaus-J{\"u}rgen and Brigelius-Floh{\´e}, Regina and Puchkov, Dmytro and Koepsell, Hermann and Heeren, Joerg and Joost, Hans-Georg and Sch{\"u}rmann, Annette}, title = {The GTPase ARFRP1 controls the lipidation of chylomicrons in the Golgi of the intestinal epithelium}, series = {Human Molecular Genetics}, volume = {21}, journal = {Human Molecular Genetics}, number = {14}, doi = {10.1093/hmg/dds140}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125658}, pages = {3128-3142}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The uptake and processing of dietary lipids by the small intestine is a multistep process that involves several steps including vesicular and protein transport. The GTPase ADP-ribosylation factor-related protein 1 (ARFRP1) controls the ARF-like 1 (ARL1)-mediated Golgi recruitment of GRIP domain proteins which in turn bind several Rab-GTPases. Here, we describe the essential role of ARFRP1 and its interaction with Rab2 in the assembly and lipidation of chylomicrons in the intestinal epithelium. Mice lacking Arfrp1 specifically in the intestine \((Arfrp1^{vil-/-})\) exhibit an early post-natal growth retardation with reduced plasma triacylglycerol and free fatty acid concentrations. \(Arfrp1^{vil-/-}\) enterocytes as well as Arfrp1 mRNA depleted Caco-2 cells absorbed fatty acids normally but secreted chylomicrons with a markedly reduced triacylglycerol content. In addition, the release of apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) was dramatically decreased, and ApoA-I accumulated in the \(Arfrp1^{vil-/-}\) epithelium, where it predominantly co-localized with Rab2. The release of chylomicrons from Caco-2 was markedly reduced after the suppression of Rab2, ARL1 and Golgin-245. Thus, the GTPase ARFRP1 and its downstream proteins are required for the lipidation of chylo­microns and the assembly of ApoA-I to these particles in the Golgi of intestinal epithelial cells.}, language = {en} } @article{FrankeFaraoneAshersonetal.2012, author = {Franke, B. and Faraone, S. V. and Asherson, P. and Buitelaar, J. and Bau, C. H. D. and Ramos-Quiroga, J. A. and Mick, E. and Grevet, E. H. and Johansson, S. and Haavik, J. and Lesch, K.-P. and Cormand, B. and Reif, A.}, title = {The genetics of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults, a review}, series = {Molecular Psychiatry}, volume = {17}, journal = {Molecular Psychiatry}, doi = {10.1038/mp.2011.138}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124677}, pages = {960-987}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The adult form of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (aADHD) has a prevalence of up to 5\% and is the most severe long-term outcome of this common neurodevelopmental disorder. Family studies in clinical samples suggest an increased familial liability for aADHD compared with childhood ADHD (cADHD), whereas twin studies based on self-rated symptoms in adult population samples show moderate heritability estimates of 30-40\%. However, using multiple sources of information, the heritability of clinically diagnosed aADHD and cADHD is very similar. Results of candidate gene as well as genome-wide molecular genetic studies in aADHD samples implicate some of the same genes involved in ADHD in children, although in some cases different alleles and different genes may be responsible for adult versus childhood ADHD. Linkage studies have been successful in identifying loci for aADHD and led to the identification of LPHN3 and CDH13 as novel genes associated with ADHD across the lifespan. In addition, studies of rare genetic variants have identified probable causative mutations for aADHD. Use of endophenotypes based on neuropsychology and neuroimaging, as well as next-generation genome analysis and improved statistical and bioinformatic analysis methods hold the promise of identifying additional genetic variants involved in disease etiology. Large, international collaborations have paved the way for well-powered studies. Progress in identifying aADHD risk genes may provide us with tools for the prediction of disease progression in the clinic and better treatment, and ultimately may help to prevent persistence of ADHD into adulthood.}, language = {en} } @article{JinAllisonKaufmannetal.2012, author = {Jin, Jing and Allison, Brendan Z. and Kaufmann, Tobias and K{\"u}bler, Andrea and Zhang, Yu and Wang, Xingyu and Cichocki, Andrzej}, title = {The Changing Face of P300 BCIs: A Comparison of Stimulus Changes in a P300 BCI Involving Faces, Emotion, and Movement}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0049688}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-134173}, pages = {e49688}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: One of the most common types of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) is called a P300 BCI, since it relies on the P300 and other event-related potentials (ERPs). In the canonical P300 BCI approach, items on a monitor flash briefly to elicit the necessary ERPs. Very recent work has shown that this approach may yield lower performance than alternate paradigms in which the items do not flash but instead change in other ways, such as moving, changing colour or changing to characters overlaid with faces. Methodology/Principal Findings: The present study sought to extend this research direction by parametrically comparing different ways to change items in a P300 BCI. Healthy subjects used a P300 BCI across six different conditions. Three conditions were similar to our prior work, providing the first direct comparison of characters flashing, moving, and changing to faces. Three new conditions also explored facial motion and emotional expression. The six conditions were compared across objective measures such as classification accuracy and bit rate as well as subjective measures such as perceived difficulty. In line with recent studies, our results indicated that the character flash condition resulted in the lowest accuracy and bit rate. All four face conditions (mean accuracy >91\%) yielded significantly better performance than the flash condition (mean accuracy = 75\%). Conclusions/Significance: Objective results reaffirmed that the face paradigm is superior to the canonical flash approach that has dominated P300 BCIs for over 20 years. The subjective reports indicated that the conditions that yielded better performance were not considered especially burdensome. Therefore, although further work is needed to identify which face paradigm is best, it is clear that the canonical flash approach should be replaced with a face paradigm when aiming at increasing bit rate. However, the face paradigm has to be further explored with practical applications particularly with locked-in patients.}, language = {en} } @article{RamachandranShearerJacobetal.2012, author = {Ramachandran, Vinoy K. and Shearer, Neil and Jacob, Jobin J. and Sharma, Cynthia M. and Thompson, Arthur}, title = {The architecture and ppGpp-dependent expression of the primary transcriptome of Salmonella Typhimurium during invasion gene expression}, series = {BMC Genomics}, volume = {13}, journal = {BMC Genomics}, number = {25}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2164-13-25}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130625}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Invasion of intestinal epithelial cells by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) requires expression of the extracellular virulence gene expression programme (STEX), activation of which is dependent on the signalling molecule guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp). Recently, next-generation transcriptomics (RNA-seq) has revealed the unexpected complexity of bacterial transcriptomes and in this report we use differential RNA sequencing (dRNA-seq) to define the high-resolution transcriptomic architecture of wildtype S. Typhimurium and a ppGpp null strain under growth conditions which model STEX. In doing so we show that ppGpp plays a much wider role in regulating the S. Typhimurium STEX primary transcriptome than previously recognised. Results: Here we report the precise mapping of transcriptional start sites (TSSs) for 78\% of the S. Typhimurium open reading frames (ORFs). The TSS mapping enabled a genome-wide promoter analysis resulting in the prediction of 169 alternative sigma factor binding sites, and the prediction of the structure of 625 operons. We also report the discovery of 55 new candidate small RNAs (sRNAs) and 302 candidate antisense RNAs (asRNAs). We discovered 32 ppGpp-dependent alternative TSSs and determined the extent and level of ppGpp-dependent coding and non-coding transcription. We found that 34\% and 20\% of coding and non-coding RNA transcription respectively was ppGpp-dependent under these growth conditions, adding a further dimension to the role of this remarkable small regulatory molecule in enabling rapid adaptation to the infective environment. Conclusions: The transcriptional architecture of S. Typhimurium and finer definition of the key role ppGpp plays in regulating Salmonella coding and non-coding transcription should promote the understanding of gene regulation in this important food borne pathogen and act as a resource for future research.}, language = {en} } @article{PilsKoppPetersonetal.2012, author = {Pils, Stefan and Kopp, Kathrin and Peterson, Lisa and Tascon, Julia Delgado and Nyffenegger-Jann, Naja J. and Hauck, Christof R.}, title = {The Adaptor Molecule Nck Localizes the WAVE Complex to Promote Actin Polymerization during CEACAM3-Mediated Phagocytosis of Bacteria}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0032808}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-131747}, pages = {e32808}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: CEACAM3 is a granulocyte receptor mediating the opsonin-independent recognition and phagocytosis of human-restricted CEACAM-binding bacteria. CEACAM3 function depends on an intracellular immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-like sequence that is tyrosine phosphorylated by Src family kinases upon receptor engagement. The phosphorylated ITAM-like sequence triggers GTP-loading of Rac by directly associating with the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Vav. Rac stimulation in turn is critical for actin cytoskeleton rearrangements that generate lamellipodial protrusions and lead to bacterial uptake. Principal Findings: In our present study we provide biochemical and microscopic evidence that the adaptor proteins Nck1 and Nck2, but not CrkL, Grb2 or SLP-76, bind to tyrosine phosphorylated CEACAM3. The association is phosphorylation-dependent and requires the Nck SH2 domain. Overexpression of the isolated Nck1 SH2 domain, RNAi-mediated knock-down of Nck1, or genetic deletion of Nck1 and Nck2 interfere with CEACAM3-mediated bacterial internalization and with the formation of lamellipodial protrusions. Nck is constitutively associated with WAVE2 and directs the actin nucleation promoting WAVE complex to tyrosine phosphorylated CEACAM3. In turn, dominant-negative WAVE2 as well as shRNA-mediated knock-down of WAVE2 or the WAVE-complex component Nap1 reduce internalization of bacteria. Conclusions: Our results provide novel mechanistic insight into CEACAM3-initiated phagocytosis. We suggest that the CEACAM3 ITAM-like sequence is optimized to co-ordinate a minimal set of cellular factors needed to efficiently trigger actin-based lamellipodial protrusions and rapid pathogen engulfment.}, language = {en} } @article{SamimiFinkPaeth2012, author = {Samimi, C. and Fink, A. H. and Paeth, H.}, title = {The 2007 flood in the Sahel: causes, characteristics and its presentation in the media and FEWS NET}, series = {Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences}, volume = {12}, journal = {Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences}, number = {2}, doi = {10.5194/nhess-12-313-2012}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-131790}, pages = {313 -- 325}, year = {2012}, abstract = {During the rainy season in 2007, reports about exceptional rains and floodings in the Sahel were published in the media, especially in August and September. Institutions and organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP) and FEWS NET put the events on the agenda and released alerts and requested help. The partly controversial picture was that most of the Sahel faced a crisis caused by widespread floodings. Our study shows that the rainy season in 2007 was exceptional with regard to rainfall amount and return periods. In many areas the event had a return period between 1 and 50 yr with high spatial heterogeneity, with the exception of the Upper Volta basin, which yielded return periods of up to 1200 yr. Despite the strong rainfall, the interpretation of satellite images show that the floods were mainly confined to lakes and river beds. However, the study also proves the difficulties in assessing the meteorological processes and the demarcation of flooded areas in satellite images without ground truthing. These facts and the somewhat vague and controversial reports in the media and FEWS NET demonstrate that it is crucial to thoroughly analyze such events at a regional and local scale involving the local population.}, language = {en} } @article{RadermacherWinglerKleikersetal.2012, author = {Radermacher, Kim A. and Wingler, Kirstin and Kleikers, Pamela and Altenh{\"o}fer, Sebastian and Hermans, Johannes J. R. and Kleinschnitz, Christoph and Schmidt, Harald H. H. W.}, title = {The 1027th target candidate in stroke: Will NADPH oxidase hold up?}, series = {Experimental and Translational Stroke Medicine}, volume = {4}, journal = {Experimental and Translational Stroke Medicine}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1186/2040-7378-4-11}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124197}, year = {2012}, abstract = {As recently reviewed, 1026 neuroprotective drug candidates in stroke research have all failed on their road towards validation and clinical translation, reasons being quality issues in preclinical research and publication bias. Quality control guidelines for preclinical stroke studies have now been established. However, sufficient understanding of the underlying mechanisms of neuronal death after stroke that could be possibly translated into new therapies is lacking. One exception is the hypothesis that cellular death is mediated by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is defined as an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from different possible enzymatic sources. Among these, NADPH oxidases (NOX1-5) stand out as they represent the only known enzyme family that has no other function than to produce ROS. Based on data from different NOX knockout mouse models in ischemic stroke, the most relevant isoform appears to be NOX4. Here we discuss the state-of-the-art of this target with respect to stroke and open questions that need to be addressed on the path towards clinical translation.}, language = {en} } @article{JainJavdanFegeretal.2012, author = {Jain, Preetesh and Javdan, Mohammad and Feger, Franziska K. and Chiu, Pui Yan and Sison, Cristina and Damle, Rajendra N. and Bhuiya, Tawfiqul A. and Sen, Filiz and Abruzzo, Lynne V. and Burger, Jan A. and Rosenwald, Andreas and Allen, Steven L. and Kolitz, Jonathan E. and Rai, Kanti R. and Chiorazzi, Nicholas and Sherry, Barbara}, title = {Th17 and non-Th17 interleukin-17-expressing cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: delineation, distribution, and clinical relevance}, series = {Haematologica}, volume = {97}, journal = {Haematologica}, number = {4}, doi = {10.3324/haematol.2011.047316}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-131290}, pages = {599 - 607}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background The levels and clinical relevance of Th17 cells and other interleukin-17-producing cells have not been analyzed in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The objective of this study was to quantify blood and tissue levels of Th17 and other interleukin-17-producing cells in patients with this disease and correlate blood levels with clinical outcome. Design and Methods: Intracellular interleukin-17A was assessed in blood and splenic mononuclear cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and healthy subjects using flow cytometry. Interleukin-17A-producing cells were analyzed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded spleen and lymph node sections using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Results: The absolute numbers of Th17 cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the percentages of Th17 cells in spleen cell suspensions were higher in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia than in healthy subjects; in six out of eight paired chronic lymphocytic leukemia blood and spleen sample comparisons, Th17 cells were enriched in spleen suspensions. Circulating Th17 levels correlated with better prognostic markers and longer overall survival of the patients. Two "non-Th17" interleukin-17-expressing cells were identified in chronic lymphocytic leukemia spleens: proliferating cells of the granulocytic lineage and mature mast cells. Granulocytes and mast cells in normal spleens did not express interleukin-17. Conversely, both chronic lymphocytic leukemia and healthy lymph nodes contained similar numbers of interleukin-17+ mast cells as well as Th17 cells. Conclusions: Th17 cells are elevated in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients with better prognostic markers and correlate with longer survival. Furthermore, non-Th17 interleukin-17A-expressing cells exist in chronic lymphocytic leukemia spleens as maturing granulocytes and mature mast cells, suggesting that the microenvironmental milieu in leukemic spleens promotes the recruitment and/or expansion of Th17 and other IL-17-expressing cells. The pathophysiology of Th17 and non-Th17-interleukin-producing cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and their distributions and roles in this disease merit further study.}, language = {en} } @article{HommersLewandEhrmann2012, author = {Hommers, Wilfried and Lewand, Martin and Ehrmann, Dominic}, title = {Testing the moral algebra of two Kohlbergian informers}, series = {Ps{\´i}cologica}, volume = {33}, journal = {Ps{\´i}cologica}, number = {3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-133917}, pages = {515-532}, year = {2012}, abstract = {This paper seeks to unify two major theories of moral judgment: Kohlberg's stage theory and Anderson's moral information integration theory. Subjects were told about thoughts of actors in Kohlberg's classic altruistic Heinz dilemma and in a new egoistical dilemma. These actors's thoughts represented Kohlberg's stages I (Personal Risk) and IV (Societal Risk) and had three levels, High, Medium, and Low. They were presented singly and in a 3 x 3 integration design. Subjects judged how many months of prison the actor deserved. The data supported the averaging model of moral integration theory, whereas Kohlberg's theory has no way to handle the integration problem. Following this, subjects ranked statements related to Kohlberg's first four stages in a procedure similar to that of Rest (1975). Higher score went with larger effect of Societal Risk as predicted by Kohlberg's theory. But contrary to Kohlberg's theory, no age trends were found. Also strongly contrary to Kohlberg's theory, effects of Personal Risk (Stage I) and Societal Risk (Stage IV) correlated positively.}, language = {en} } @article{HintzscheJastrowKleineOstmannetal.2012, author = {Hintzsche, Henning and Jastrow, Christian and Kleine-Ostmann, Thomas and K{\"a}rst, Uwe and Schrader, Thorsten and Stopper, Helga}, title = {Terahertz electromagnetic fields (0.106 THz) do not induce manifest genomic damage in vitro}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-76268}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Terahertz electromagnetic fields are non-ionizing electromagnetic fields in the frequency range from 0.1 to 10 THz. Potential applications of these electromagnetic fields include the whole body scanners, which currently apply millimeter waves just below the terahertz range, but future scanners will use higher frequencies in the terahertz range. These and other applications will bring along human exposure to these fields. Up to now, only a limited number of investigations on biological effects of terahertz electromagnetic fields have been performed. Therefore, research is strongly needed to enable reliable risk assessment. Cells were exposed for 2 h, 8 h, and 24 h with different power intensities ranging from 0.04 mW/cm2 to 2 mW/cm2, representing levels below, at, and above current safety limits. Genomic damage on the chromosomal level was measured as micronucleus formation. DNA strand breaks and alkali-labile sites were quantified with the comet assay. No DNA strand breaks or alkali-labile sites were observed as a consequence of exposure to terahertz electromagnetic fields in the comet assay. The fields did not cause chromosomal damage in the form of micronucleus induction.}, subject = {Toxikologie}, language = {en} } @article{TempelVeitAssmannetal.2012, author = {Tempel, Jean-Sebastian and Veit, Tempel and Assmann, Marc and Kreilkamp, Lars Erik and H{\"o}fling, Sven and Kamp, Martin and Forchel, Alfred and Bayer, Manfred}, title = {Temperature dependence of pulsed polariton lasing in a GaAs microcavity}, series = {New Journal of Physics}, volume = {14}, journal = {New Journal of Physics}, number = {083014}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/14/8/083014}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-134022}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The second-order correlation function g\(^2\)(\(\tau\) = 0), input-output curves and pulse duration of the emission from a microcavity exciton-polariton system subsequent to picosecond-pulsed excitation are measured for different temperatures. At low temperatures a two-threshold behaviour emerges, which has been attributed to the onset of polariton lasing and conventional lasing at the first and the second threshold, respectively. We observe that polariton lasing is stable up to temperatures comparable with the exciton binding energy. At higher temperatures a single threshold displays the direct transition from thermal emission to photon lasing.}, language = {en} } @article{HeisigWeberEnglbergeretal.2012, author = {Heisig, Julia and Weber, David and Englberger, Eva and Winkler, Anja and Kneitz, Susanne and Sung, Wing-Kin and Wolf, Elmar and Eilers, Martin and Wei, Chia-Lin and Gessler, Manfred}, title = {Target Gene Analysis by Microarrays and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Identifies HEY Proteins as Highly Redundant bHLH Repressors}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75341}, year = {2012}, abstract = {HEY bHLH transcription factors have been shown to regulate multiple key steps in cardiovascular development. They can be induced by activated NOTCH receptors, but other upstream stimuli mediated by TGFß and BMP receptors may elicit a similar response. While the basic and helix-loop-helix domains exhibit strong similarity, large parts of the proteins are still unique and may serve divergent functions. The striking overlap of cardiac defects in HEY2 and combined HEY1/HEYL knockout mice suggested that all three HEY genes fulfill overlapping function in target cells. We therefore sought to identify target genes for HEY proteins by microarray expression and ChIPseq analyses in HEK293 cells, cardiomyocytes, and murine hearts. HEY proteins were found to modulate expression of their target gene to a rather limited extent, but with striking functional interchangeability between HEY factors. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed a much greater number of potential binding sites that again largely overlap between HEY factors. Binding sites are clustered in the proximal promoter region especially of transcriptional regulators or developmental control genes. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that HEY proteins primarily act as direct transcriptional repressors, while gene activation seems to be due to secondary or indirect effects. Mutagenesis of putative DNA binding residues supports the notion of direct DNA binding. While class B E-box sequences (CACGYG) clearly represent preferred target sequences, there must be additional and more loosely defined modes of DNA binding since many of the target promoters that are efficiently bound by HEY proteins do not contain an Ebox motif. These data clearly establish the three HEY bHLH factors as highly redundant transcriptional repressors in vitro and in vivo, which explains the combinatorial action observed in different tissues with overlapping expression.}, subject = {Biologie}, language = {en} } @article{FehrholzBersaniKrameretal.2012, author = {Fehrholz, Markus and Bersani, Iliana and Kramer, Boris W. and Speer, Christian P. and Kunzmann, Steffen}, title = {Synergistic Effect of Caffeine and Glucocorticoids on Expression of Surfactant Protein B (SP-B) mRNA}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-77927}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Administration of glucocorticoids and caffeine is a common therapeutic intervention in the neonatal period, but possible interactions between these substances are still unclear. The present study investigated the effect of caffeine and different glucocorticoids on expression of surfactant protein (SP)-B, crucial for the physiological function of pulmonary surfactant. We measured expression levels of SP-B, various SP-B transcription factors including erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 4 (ErbB4) and thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), as well as the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) after administering different doses of glucocorticoids, caffeine, cAMP, or the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor rolipram in the human airway epithelial cell line NCI-H441. Administration of dexamethasone (1 mM) or caffeine (5 mM) stimulated SP-B mRNA expression with a maximal of 38.8611.1-fold and 5.261.4-fold increase, respectively. Synergistic induction was achieved after coadministration of dexamethasone (1 mM) in combination with caffeine (10 mM) (206659.7-fold increase, p,0.0001) or cAMP (1 mM) (2136111-fold increase, p = 0.0108). SP-B mRNA was synergistically induced also by administration of caffeine with hydrocortisone (87.9639.0), prednisolone (154666.8), and betamethasone (12366.4). Rolipram also induced SP-B mRNA (64.9621.0-fold increase). We detected a higher expression of ErbB4 and GR mRNA (7.0- and 1.7-fold increase, respectively), whereas TTF-1, Jun B, c-Jun, SP1, SP3, and HNF-3a mRNA expression was predominantly unchanged. In accordance with mRNA data, mature SP-B was induced significantly by dexamethasone with caffeine (13.869.0-fold increase, p = 0.0134). We found a synergistic upregulation of SP-B mRNA expression induced by co-administration of various glucocorticoids and caffeine, achieved by accumulation of intracellular cAMP. This effect was mediated by a caffeinedependent phosphodiesterase inhibition and by upregulation of both ErbB4 and the GR. These results suggested that caffeine is able to induce the expression of SP-transcription factors and affects the signaling pathways of glucocorticoids, amplifying their effects. Co-administration of caffeine and corticosteroids may therefore be of benefit in surfactant homeostasis.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @article{BeckerAndersenHofmeisterMuelleretal.2012, author = {Becker, J{\"u}rgen C. and Andersen, Mads H. and Hofmeister-M{\"u}ller, Valeska and Wobser, Marion and Frey, Lidia and Sandig, Christiane and Walter, Steffen and Singh-Jasuja, Harpreet and K{\"a}mpgen, Eckhart and Opitz, Andreas and Zapatka, Marc and Br{\"o}cker, Eva-B. and thor Straten, Per and Schrama, David and Ugurel, Selma}, title = {Survivin-specific T-cell reactivity correlates with tumor response and patient survival: a phase-II peptide vaccination trial in metastatic melanoma}, series = {Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy}, volume = {61}, journal = {Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1007/s00262-012-1266-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126215}, pages = {2091-2103}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background Therapeutic vaccination directed to induce an anti-tumoral T-cell response is a field of extensive investigation in the treatment of melanoma. However, many vaccination trials in melanoma failed to demonstrate a correlation between the vaccine-specific immune response and therapy outcome. This has been mainly attributed to immune escape by antigen loss, rendering us in the need of new vaccination targets. Patients and methods This phase-II trial investigated a peptide vaccination against survivin, an oncogenic inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein crucial for the survival of tumor cells, in HLA-A1/-A2/-B35-positive patients with treatment-refractory stage-IV metastatic melanoma. The study endpoints were survivin-specific T-cell reactivity (SSTR), safety, response, and survival (OS). Results Sixty-one patients (ITT) received vaccination therapy using three different regimens. 55 patients (PP) were evaluable for response and survival, and 41/55 for SSTR. Patients achieving progression arrest (CR + PR + SD) more often showed SSTRs than patients with disease progression (p = 0.0008). Patients presenting SSTRs revealed a prolonged OS (median 19.6 vs. 8.6 months; p = 0.0077); multivariate analysis demonstrated SSTR as an independent predictor of survival (p = 0.013). The induction of SSTRs was associated with gender (female vs. male; p = 0.014) and disease stage (M1a/b vs. M1c; p = 0.010), but not with patient age, HLA type, performance status, or vaccination regimen. Conclusion Survivin-specific T-cell reactivities strongly correlate with tumor response and patient survival, indicating that vaccination with survivin-derived peptides is a promising treatment strategy in melanoma.}, language = {en} } @article{BeckerAndersenHofmeisterMuelleretal.2012, author = {Becker, J{\"u}rgen C. and Andersen, Mads H. and Hofmeister-M{\"u}ller, Valeska and Wobser, Marion and Frey, Lidia and Sandig, Christiane and Walter, Steffen and Singh-Jasuja, Harpreet and K{\"a}mpgen, Eckhart and Opitz, Andreas and Zapatka, Marc and Br{\"o}cker, Eva-B. and thor Straten, Per and Schrama, David and Ugurel, Selma}, title = {Survivin-specific T-cell reactivity correlates with tumor response and patient survival: a phase-II peptide vaccination trial in metastatic melanoma}, series = {Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy}, volume = {61}, journal = {Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1007/s00262-012-1266-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124830}, pages = {2091-2103}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background Therapeutic vaccination directed to induce an anti-tumoral T-cell response is a field of extensive investigation in the treatment of melanoma. However, many vaccination trials in melanoma failed to demonstrate a correlation between the vaccine-specific immune response and therapy outcome. This has been mainly attributed to immune escape by antigen loss, rendering us in the need of new vaccination targets. Patients and methods This phase-II trial investigated a peptide vaccination against survivin, an oncogenic inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein crucial for the survival of tumor cells, in HLA-A1/-A2/-B35-positive patients with treatment-refractory stage-IV metastatic melanoma. The study endpoints were survivin-specific T-cell reactivity (SSTR), safety, response, and survival (OS). Results Sixty-one patients (ITT) received vaccination therapy using three different regimens. 55 patients (PP) were evaluable for response and survival, and 41/55 for SSTR. Patients achieving progression arrest (CR + PR + SD) more often showed SSTRs than patients with disease progression (p = 0.0008). Patients presenting SSTRs revealed a prolonged OS (median 19.6 vs. 8.6 months; p = 0.0077); multivariate analysis demonstrated SSTR as an independent predictor of survival (p = 0.013). The induction of SSTRs was associated with gender (female vs. male; p = 0.014) and disease stage (M1a/b vs. M1c; p = 0.010), but not with patient age, HLA type, performance status, or vaccination regimen. Conclusion Survivin-specific T-cell reactivities strongly correlate with tumor response and patient survival, indicating that vaccination with survivin-derived peptides is a promising treatment strategy in melanoma.}, language = {en} } @article{RallGrimm2012, author = {Rall, Susanne and Grimm, Tiemo}, title = {Survival in Duchenne muscular dystrophy}, series = {Acta Myologica}, volume = {31}, journal = {Acta Myologica}, number = {2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124404}, pages = {117-120}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Objective: To determine the survival in a population of German patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Patients and methods: Information about 94 patients born between 1970 and 1980 was obtained by telephone interviews and questionnaires. In addition to age of death or actual age during the investigation, data concerning clinical course and medical interventions were collected. Results: 67 patients with molecularly confirmed diagnoses had a median survival of 24.0 years. Patients without molecular confirmation (clinical diagnosis only) had a chance of 67 \% to reach that age. Grouping of our patient cohort according to the year of death (before and after 2000), ventilation was recognized as main intervention affecting survival with ventilated reaching a median survival of 27.0 years. For those without ventilation it was 19.0 years. Conclusion and clinical relevance: our study provides survival data for a cohort of DMD patients in Germany stratified by year of death. Median survival was 24.0 years in patients confirmed by molecular testing. Ventilated patients had a median survival of 27 years. We consider this piece of information helpful in the medical care of DMD patients.}, language = {en} } @article{SchwitterWackerWilkeetal.2012, author = {Schwitter, Juerg and Wacker, Christian M. and Wilke, Norbert and Al-Saadi, Nidal and Sauer, Ekkehart and Huettle, Kalman and Sch{\"o}nberg, Stefan O. and Debl, Kurt and Strohm, Oliver and Ahlstrom, Hakan and Dill, Thorsten and Hoebel, Nadja and Simor, Tamas}, title = {Superior diagnostic performance of perfusion-cardiovascular magnetic resonance versus SPECT to detect coronary artery disease: The secondary endpoints of the multicenter multivendor MR-IMPACT II (Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Myocardial Perfusion Assessment in Coronary Artery Disease Trial)}, series = {Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance}, volume = {14}, journal = {Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance}, number = {61}, organization = {MR-IMPACT investigators}, doi = {10.1186/1532-429X-14-61}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-134256}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Perfusion-cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is generally accepted as an alternative to SPECT to assess myocardial ischemia non-invasively. However its performance vs gated-SPECT and in sub-populations is not fully established. The goal was to compare in a multicenter setting the diagnostic performance of perfusion-CMR and gated-SPECT for the detection of CAD in various populations using conventional x-ray coronary angiography (CXA) as the standard of reference. Methods: In 33 centers (in US and Europe) 533 patients, eligible for CXA or SPECT, were enrolled in this multivendor trial. SPECT and CXA were performed within 4 weeks before or after CMR in all patients. Prevalence of CAD in the sample was 49\% and 515 patients received MR contrast medium. Drop-out rates for CMR and SPECT were 5.6\% and 3.7\%, respectively (ns). The study was powered for the primary endpoint of non-inferiority of CMR vs SPECT for both, sensitivity and specificity for the detection of CAD (using a single-threshold reading), the results for the primary endpoint were reported elsewhere. In this article secondary endpoints are presented, i.e. the diagnostic performance of CMR versus SPECT in subpopulations such as multi-vessel disease (MVD), in men, in women, and in patients without prior myocardial infarction (MI). For diagnostic performance assessment the area under the receiver-operator-characteristics-curve (AUC) was calculated. Readers were blinded versus clinical data, CXA, and imaging results. Results: The diagnostic performance (= area under ROC = AUC) of CMR was superior to SPECT (p = 0.0004, n = 425) and to gated-SPECT (p = 0.018, n = 253). CMR performed better than SPECT in MVD (p = 0.003 vs all SPECT, p = 0.04 vs gated-SPECT), in men (p = 0.004, n = 313) and in women (p = 0.03, n = 112) as well as in the non-infarct patients (p = 0.005, n = 186 in 1-3 vessel disease and p = 0.015, n = 140 in MVD). Conclusion: In this large multicenter, multivendor study the diagnostic performance of perfusion-CMR to detect CAD was superior to perfusion SPECT in the entire population and in sub-groups. Perfusion-CMR can be recommended as an alternative for SPECT imaging.}, language = {en} } @article{RaketteDonatOhlsenetal.2012, author = {Rakette, Sonja and Donat, Stefanie and Ohlsen, Knut and Stehle, Thilo}, title = {Structural Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus Serine/Threonine Kinase PknB}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0039136}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135369}, pages = {e39136}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Effective treatment of infections caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus remains a worldwide challenge, in part due to the constant emergence of new strains that are resistant to antibiotics. The serine/threonine kinase PknB is of particular relevance to the life cycle of S. aureus as it is involved in the regulation of purine biosynthesis, autolysis, and other central metabolic processes of the bacterium. We have determined the crystal structure of the kinase domain of PknB in complex with a non-hydrolyzable analog of the substrate ATP at 3.0 angstrom resolution. Although the purified PknB kinase is active in solution, it crystallized in an inactive, autoinhibited state. Comparison with other bacterial kinases provides insights into the determinants of catalysis, interactions of PknB with ligands, and the pathway of activation.}, language = {en} } @article{RackwitzEdenReppenhagenetal.2012, author = {Rackwitz, Lars and Eden, Lars and Reppenhagen, Stephan and Reichert, Johannes C. and Jakob, Franz and Walles, Heike and Pullig, Oliver and Tuan, Rocky S. and Rudert, Maximilian and N{\"o}th, Ulrich}, title = {Stem cell- and growth factor-based regenerative therapies for avascular necrosis of the femoral head}, series = {Stem Cell Research \& Therapy}, volume = {3}, journal = {Stem Cell Research \& Therapy}, number = {7}, doi = {10.1186/scrt98}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135413}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a debilitating disease of multifactorial genesis, predominately affects young patients, and often leads to the development of secondary osteoarthritis. The evolving field of regenerative medicine offers promising treatment strategies using cells, biomaterial scaffolds, and bioactive factors, which might improve clinical outcome. Early stages of AVN with preserved structural integrity of the subchondral plate are accessible to retrograde surgical procedures, such as core decompression to reduce the intraosseous pressure and to induce bone remodeling. The additive application of concentrated bone marrow aspirates, ex vivo expanded mesenchymal stem cells, and osteogenic or angiogenic growth factors (or both) holds great potential to improve bone regeneration. In contrast, advanced stages of AVN with collapsed subchondral bone require an osteochondral reconstruction to preserve the physiological joint function. Analogously to strategies for osteochondral reconstruction in the knee, anterograde surgical techniques, such as osteochondral transplantation (mosaicplasty), matrix-based autologous chondrocyte implantation, or the use of acellular scaffolds alone, might preserve joint function and reduce the need for hip replacement. This review summarizes recent experimental accomplishments and initial clinical findings in the field of regenerative medicine which apply cells, growth factors, and matrices to address the clinical problem of AVN.}, language = {en} } @article{Toepfer2012, author = {Toepfer, Regina}, title = {Spielregeln f{\"u}r das {\"U}berleben: Dietrich von Bern im "Nibelungenlied" und in der "Nibelungenklage"}, series = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r deutsches Altertum und deutsche Literatur}, volume = {141}, journal = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r deutsches Altertum und deutsche Literatur}, number = {3}, issn = {0044-2518}, doi = {10.3813/zfda-2012-0011}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-303049}, pages = {310-334}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Ankn{\"u}pfend an Jan Dirk M{\"u}llers Studie 'Spielregeln f{\"u}r den Untergang' fragt der Beitrag nach jenen Verhaltensweisen im 'Nibelungenlied', mit denen die Katastrophe h{\"a}tte verhindert werden k{\"o}nnen. Im Zentrum des Beitrags steht Dietrich von Bern, der wiederholt Handlungsalternativen aufzeigt, die eine andere Entwicklung des Geschehens erm{\"o}glicht h{\"a}tten. Seine Spielregeln f{\"u}r ein {\"U}berleben funktionieren nur deshalb nicht, weil der Herr der Amelungen in der nibelungischen Welt keine Mitspieler findet, die sich dauerhaft an seine Regeln halten. Nach der Katastrophe werden seine Maximen jedoch best{\"a}tigt und anerkannt, wie die zeitgen{\"o}ssischen Reflexionen im Umfeld des Epos zeigen. In der ʻNibelungenklageʼ wird nicht nur r{\"u}ckblickend das Fehlverhalten einzelner Figuren getadelt, sondern erm{\"o}glichen die Anweisungen Dietrichs auch ein Weiterleben und die Gestaltung k{\"u}nftigen Geschehens. Um diese These zu st{\"u}tzen, werden zun{\"a}chst die f{\"u}r Dietrich relevanten Episoden des 'Nibelungenlieds' in chronologischer Folge untersucht und die jeweiligen Handlungsmaximen bestimmt, anschließend die Bedeutung und Bewertung seiner Spielregeln in der 'Klage' untersucht. Flankierend werden auch die Werke der historischen Dietrichepik herangezogen.}, subject = {Nibelungenlied}, language = {de} } @article{TobiasVoelkerGuneschetal.2012, author = {Tobias, Kaufmann and V{\"o}lker, Stefan and Gunesch, Laura and K{\"u}bler, Andrea}, title = {Spelling is just a click away - a user-centered brain-computer interface including auto-calibration and predictive text entry}, doi = {10.3389/fnins.2012.00072}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75739}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) based on event-related potentials (ERP) allow for selection of characters from a visually presented character-matrix and thus provide a communica- tion channel for users with neurodegenerative disease. Although they have been topic of research for more than 20 years and were multiply proven to be a reliable communication method, BCIs are almost exclusively used in experimental settings, handled by qualified experts. This study investigates if ERP-BCIs can be handled independently by laymen without expert support, which is inevitable for establishing BCIs in end-user's daily life situations. Furthermore we compared the classic character-by-character text entry against a predictive text entry (PTE) that directly incorporates predictive text into the character- matrix. N = 19 BCI novices handled a user-centered ERP-BCI application on their own without expert support. The software individually adjusted classifier weights and control parameters in the background, invisible to the user (auto-calibration). All participants were able to operate the software on their own and to twice correctly spell a sentence with the auto-calibrated classifier (once with PTE, once without). Our PTE increased spelling speed and, importantly, did not reduce accuracy. In sum, this study demonstrates feasi- bility of auto-calibrating ERP-BCI use, independently by laymen and the strong benefit of integrating predictive text directly into the character-matrix.}, subject = {Psychologie}, language = {en} } @article{RewitzKeitzlTuchschereretal.2012, author = {Rewitz, Christian and Keitzl, Thomas and Tuchscherer, Philip and Goetz, Sebastian and Geisler, Peter and Razinskas, Gary and Hecht, Bert and Brixner, Tobias}, title = {Spectral-interference microscopy for characterization of functional plasmonic elements}, series = {Optics Express}, journal = {Optics Express}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-85922}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Plasmonic modes supported by noble-metal nanostructures offer strong subwavelength electric-field confinement and promise the realization of nanometer-scale integrated optical circuits with well-defined functionality. In order to measure the spectral and spatial response functions of such plasmonic elements, we combine a confocal microscope setup with spectral interferometry detection. The setup, data acquisition, and data evaluation are discussed in detail by means of exemplary experiments involving propagating plasmons transmitted through silver nanowires. By considering and experimentally calibrating any setup-inherent signal delay with an accuracy of 1 fs, we are able to extract correct timing information of propagating plasmons. The method can be applied, e.g., to determine the dispersion and group velocity of propagating plasmons in nanostructures, and can be extended towards the investigation of nonlinear phenomena.}, language = {en} } @article{MichalskiHeindlKaczaetal.2012, author = {Michalski, D. and Heindl, M. and Kacza, J. and Laignel, F. and K{\"u}ppers-Tiedt, L. and Schneider, D. and Grosche, J. and Boltze, J. and L{\"o}hr, M. and Hobohm, C. and H{\"a}rtig, W.}, title = {Spatio-temporal course of macrophage-like cell accumulation after experimental embolic stroke depending on treatment with tissue plasminogen activator and its combination with hyperbaric oxygenation}, series = {European Journal of Histochemistry}, volume = {56}, journal = {European Journal of Histochemistry}, number = {2}, doi = {10.4081/ejh.2012.e14}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-133136}, pages = {78 -- 89}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Inflammation following ischaemic stroke attracts high priority in current research, particularly using human-like models and long-term observation periods considering translational aspects. The present study aimed on the spatio-temporal course of macrophage-like cell accumulation after experimental thromboembolic stroke and addressed microglial and astroglial reactions in the ischaemic border zone. Further, effects of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) as currently best treatment for stroke and the potentially neuroprotective co-administration of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) were investigated. Rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion and were assigned to control, tPA or tPA+HBO. Twenty-four hours, 7, 14 and 28 days were determined as observation time points. The accumulation of macrophage-like cells was semiquantitatively assessed by CD68 staining in the ischaemic area and ischaemic border zone, and linked to the clinical course. CD11b, ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Neuronal Nuclei (NeuN) were applied to reveal delayed glial and neuronal alterations. In all groups, the accumulation of macrophage-like cells increased distinctly from 24 hours to 7 days post ischaemia. tPA+HBO tended to decrease macrophage-like cell accumulation at day 14 and 28. Overall, a trend towards an association of increased accumulation and pronounced reduction of the neurological deficit was found. Concerning delayed inflammatory reactions, an activation of microglia and astrocytes with co-occurring neuronal loss was observed on day 28. Thereby, astrogliosis was found circularly in contrast to microglial activation directly in the ischaemic area. This study supports previous data on long-lasting inflammatory processes following experimental stroke, and additionally provides region-specific details on glial reactions. The tendency towards a decreasing macrophage-like cell accumulation after tPA+HBO needs to be discussed critically since neuroprotective properties were recently ascribed to long-term inflammatory processes.}, language = {en} } @article{DubovykMenzConradetal.2012, author = {Dubovyk, Olena and Menz, Gunter and Conrad, Christopher and Kann, Elena and Machwitz, Miriam and Khamzina, Asia}, title = {Spatio-temporal analyses of cropland degradation in the irrigated lowlands of Uzbekistan using remote-sensing and logistic regression modeling}, series = {Environmental Monitoring and Assessment}, volume = {185}, journal = {Environmental Monitoring and Assessment}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1007/s10661-012-2904-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-129912}, pages = {4775-4790}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Advancing land degradation in the irrigated areas of Central Asia hinders sustainable development of this predominantly agricultural region. To support decisions on mitigating cropland degradation, this study combines linear trend analysis and spatial logistic regression modeling to expose a land degradation trend in the Khorezm region, Uzbekistan, and to analyze the causes. Time series of the 250-m MODIS NDVI, summed over the growing seasons of 2000-2010, were used to derive areas with an apparent negative vegetation trend; this was interpreted as an indicator of land degradation. About one third (161,000 ha) of the region's area experienced negative trends of different magnitude. The vegetation decline was particularly evident on the low-fertility lands bordering on the natural sandy desert, suggesting that these areas should be prioritized in mitigation planning. The results of logistic modeling indicate that the spatial pattern of the observed trend is mainly associated with the level of the groundwater table (odds = 330 \%), land-use intensity (odds = 103 \%), low soil quality (odds = 49 \%), slope (odds = 29 \%), and salinity of the groundwater (odds = 26 \%). Areas, threatened by land degradation, were mapped by fitting the estimated model parameters to available data. The elaborated approach, combining remote-sensing and GIS, can form the basis for developing a common tool for monitoring land degradation trends in irrigated croplands of Central Asia.}, language = {en} } @article{WolterAizezersFenneletal.2012, author = {Wolter, Steffen and Aizezers, Janis and Fennel, Franziska and Seidel, Marcus and W{\"u}rthner, Frank and K{\"u}hn, Oliver and Lochbrunner, Stefan}, title = {Size-dependent exciton dynamics in one-dimensional perylene bisimide aggregates}, series = {New Journal of Physics}, volume = {14}, journal = {New Journal of Physics}, number = {105027}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/14/10/105027}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135190}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The size-dependent exciton dynamics of one-dimensional aggregates of substituted perylene bisimides are studied by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy and kinetic Monte-Carlo simulations as a function of the excitation density and the temperature in the range of 25-90 degrees C. For low temperatures, the aggregates can be treated as infinite chains and the dynamics is dominated by diffusion-driven exciton-exciton annihilation. With increasing temperature the aggregates dissociate into small fragments consisting of very few monomers. This scenario is also supported by the time-dependent anisotropy deduced from polarization-dependent experiments.}, language = {en} } @article{RonchiLeichSbieraetal.2012, author = {Ronchi, Cristina L. and Leich, Ellen and Sbiera, Silviu and Weismann, Dirk and Rosenwald, Andreas and Allolio, Bruno and Fassnacht, Martin}, title = {Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Microarray Analysis in Cortisol-Secreting Adrenocortical Adenomas Identifies New Candidate Genes and Pathways}, series = {Neoplasia}, volume = {14}, journal = {Neoplasia}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1593/neo.111758}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-134953}, pages = {206}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The genetic mechanisms underlying adrenocortical tumor development are still largely unknown. We used high-resolution single nucleotide polymorphism microarrays (Affymetrix SNP 6.0) to detect copy number alterations (CNAs) and copy-neutral losses of heterozygosity (cnLOH) in 15 cortisol-secreting adrenocortical adenomas with matched blood samples. We focused on microalterations aiming to discover new candidate genes involved in early tumorigenesis and/or autonomous cortisol secretion. We identified 962 CNAs with a median of 18 CNAs per sample. Half of them involved noncoding regions, 89\% were less than 100 kb, and 28\% were found in at least two samples. The most frequently gained regions were 5p15.33, 6q16.1, 7p22.3-22.2, 8q24.3, 9q34.2-34.3, 11p15.5, 11q11, 12q12, 16q24.3, 20p11.1-20q21.11, and Xq28 (>= 20\% of cases), most of them being identified in the same three adenomas. These regions contained among others genes like NOTCH1, CYP11B2, HRAS, and IGF2. Recurrent losses were less common and smaller than gains, being mostly localized at 1p, 6q, and 11q. Pathway analysis revealed that Notch signaling was the most frequently altered. We identified 46 recurrent CNAs that each affected a single gene (31 gains and 15 losses), including genes involved in steroidogenesis (CYP11B1) or tumorigenesis (CTNNB1, EPHA7, SGK1, STIL, FHIT). Finally, 20 small cnLOH in four cases affecting 15 known genes were found. Our findings provide the first high-resolution genome-wide view of chromosomal changes in cortisol-secreting adenomas and identify novel candidate genes, such as HRAS, EPHA7, and SGK1. Furthermore, they implicate that the Notch1 signaling pathway might be involved in the molecular pathogenesis of adrenocortical tumors.}, language = {en} } @article{LangenhorstGogishviliRibechinietal.2012, author = {Langenhorst, Daniela and Gogishvili, Tea and Ribechini, Eliana and Kneitz, Susanne and McPherson, Kirsty and Lutz, Manfred B. and H{\"u}nig, Thomas}, title = {Sequential induction of effector function, tissue migration and cell death during polyclonal activation of mouse regulatory T-cells}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-76009}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The ability of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T-cells (Treg) to produce interleukin (IL)-10 is important for the limitation of inflammation at environmental interfaces like colon or lung. Under steady state conditions, however, few Tregs produce IL-10 ex vivo. To investigate the origin and fate of IL-10 producing Tregs we used a superagonistic mouse anti-mouse CD28 mAb (CD28SA) for polyclonal in vivo stimulation of Tregs, which not only led to their numeric expansion but also to a dramatic increase in IL-10 production. IL-10 secreting Tregs strongly upregulated surface receptors associated with suppressive function as compared to non-producing Tregs. Furthermore, polyclonally expanding Tregs shifted their migration receptor pattern after activation from a CCR7+CCR52 lymph node-seeking to a CCR72CCR5+ inflammationseeking phenotype, explaining the preferential recruitment of IL-10 producers to sites of ongoing immune responses. Finally, we observed that IL-10 producing Tregs from CD28SA stimulated mice were more apoptosis-prone in vitro than their IL-10 negative counterparts. These findings support a model where prolonged activation of Tregs results in terminal differentiation towards an IL-10 producing effector phenotype associated with a limited lifespan, implicating built-in termination of immunosuppression.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @article{BarthHerrmannTappeetal.2012, author = {Barth, Thomas F. E. and Herrmann, Tobias S. and Tappe, Dennis and Stark, Lorenz and Gr{\"u}ner, Beate and Buttenschoen, Klaus and Hillenbrand, Andreas and Juchems, Markus and Henne-Bruns, Doris and Kern, Petra and Seitz, Hanns M. and M{\"o}ller, Peter and Rausch, Robert L. and Kern, Peter and Deplazes, Peter}, title = {Sensitive and Specific Immunohistochemical Diagnosis of Human Alveolar Echinococcosis with the Monoclonal Antibody Em2G11}, series = {PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases}, volume = {6}, journal = {PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0001877}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135371}, pages = {e1877}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by the metacestode stage of Echinococcus multilocularis. Differential diagnosis with cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by E. granulosus and AE is challenging. We aimed at improving diagnosis of AE on paraffin sections of infected human tissue by immunohistochemical testing of a specific antibody. Methodology/Principal Findings: We have analysed 96 paraffin archived specimens, including 6 cutting needle biopsies and 3 fine needle aspirates, from patients with suspected AE or CE with the monoclonal antibody (mAb) Em2G11 specific for the Em2 antigen of E. multilocularis metacestodes. In human tissue, staining with mAb Em2G11 is highly specific for E. multilocularis metacestodes while no staining is detected in CE lesions. In addition, the antibody detects small particles of E. multilocularis (spems) of less than 1 mm outside the main lesion in necrotic tissue, liver sinusoids and lymphatic tissue most probably caused by shedding of parasitic material. The conventional histological diagnosis based on haematoxylin and eosin and PAS stainings were in accordance with the immunohistological diagnosis using mAb Em2G11 in 90 of 96 samples. In 6 samples conventional subtype diagnosis of echinococcosis had to be adjusted when revised by immunohistology with mAb Em2G11. Conclusions/Significance: Immunohistochemistry with the mAb Em2G11 is a new, highly specific and sensitive diagnostic tool for AE. The staining of small particles of E. multilocularis (spems) outside the main lesion including immunocompetent tissue, such as lymph nodes, suggests a systemic effect on the host.}, language = {en} } @article{VanBaelenMottetSpahnetal.2012, author = {Van Baelen, Anthony and Mottet, Nicolas and Spahn, Martin and Briganti, Alberto and Gontero, Paolo and Joniau, Steven}, title = {Sense and Nonsense of an Extended Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection in Prostate Cancer}, series = {Advances in Urology}, volume = {2012}, journal = {Advances in Urology}, number = {983058}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-123990}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Lymph node metastases associated with prostate cancer (PCa) has been shown to be a poor prognostic factor. The role of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) itself in relation to survival remains unclear, however. A Medline search was conducted to address this issue. The following conclusions were drawn. Only recently, improved survival due to completion of radical prostatectomy (RP) (compared to abandoning RP) in known or presumed lymph-node-positive patients has been shown. Lymph node sampling can only be considered representative if an adequate number of nodes is removed. While several authors have suggested that a therapeutic benefit in patients undergoing RP is not provided by PLND, the reliability of these studies is uncertain. Contrary to this, several studies have indicated the possibility of long-term survival even in the presence of limited lymph node metastases. The role and timing of initiation of adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients who have node-positive disease after RP is controversial. Recent studies suggest that delaying ADT may not adversely impact survival.}, language = {en} } @article{LeistnerBenikLaumeieretal.2012, author = {Leistner, Stefanie and Benik, Steffen and Laumeier, Inga and Ziegler, Annerose and Nieweler, Gabriele and Nolte, Christian H. and Heuschmann, Peter U. and Audebert, Heinrich J.}, title = {Secondary Prevention after Minor Stroke and TIA - Usual Care and Development of a Support Program}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0049985}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135247}, pages = {e49985}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Effective methods of secondary prevention after stroke or TIA are available but adherence to recommended evidence-based treatments is often poor. The study aimed to determine the quality of secondary prevention in usual care and to develop a stepwise modeled support program. Methods: Two consecutive cohorts of patients with acute minor stroke or TIA undergoing usual outpatient care versus a secondary prevention program were compared. Risk factor control and medication adherence were assessed in 6-month follow-ups (6M-FU). Usual care consisted of detailed information concerning vascular risk factor targets given at discharge and regular outpatient care by primary care physicians. The stepwise modeled support program additionally employed up to four outpatient appointments. A combination of educational and behavioral strategies was employed. Results: 168 patients in the observational cohort who stated their openness to participate in a prevention program (mean age 64.7 y, admission blood pressure (BP): 155/84 mmHg) and 173 patients participating in the support program (mean age 67.6 y, BP: 161/84 mmHg) were assessed at 6 months. Proportions of patients with BP according to guidelines were 50\% in usual-care and 77\% in the support program (p<0.01). LDL<100 mg/dl was measured in 62 versus 71\% (p = 0.12). Proportions of patients who stopped smoking were 50 versus 79\% (p<0.01). 72 versus 89\% of patients with atrial fibrillation were on oral anticoagulation (p = 0.09). Conclusions: Risk factor control remains unsatisfactory in usual care. Targets of secondary prevention were met more often within the supported cohort. Effects on (cerebro-)vascular recurrence rates are going to be assessed in a multicenter randomized trial.}, language = {en} } @article{HsiehLinsenmair2012, author = {Hsieh, Yu-Lung and Linsenmair, Karl Eduard}, title = {Seasonal dynamics of arboreal spider diversity in a temperate forest}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75158}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Measuring and estimating biodiversity patterns is a fundamental task of the scientist working to support conservation and informmanagement decisions.Most biodiversity studies in temperate regions were often carried out over a very short period of time (e.g., a single season) and it is often—at least tacitly—assumed that these short-termfindings are representative of long-termgeneral patterns.However, should the studied biodiversity pattern in fact contain significant temporal dynamics, perhaps leading to contradictory conclusions. Here, we studied the seasonal diversity dynamics of arboreal spider communities dwelling in 216 European beeches (Fagus sylvatica L.) to assess the spider community composition in the following seasons: two cold seasons (I:November 2005-January 2006; II: February-April) and two warm seasons (III: May-July; IV: August-October). We show that the usually measured diversity of the warmseason community (IV: 58 estimated species) alone did not deliver a reliable image of the overall diversity present in these trees, and therefore, we recommend it should not be used for sampling protocols aimed at providing a full picture of a forest's biodiversity in the temperate zones. In particular, when the additional samplings of other seasons (I, II, III) were included, the estimated species richness nearly doubled (108). Community I possessed the lowest diversity and evenness due to the harsh winter conditions: this community was comprised of one dominant species together with several species low in abundance. Similarity was lowest (38.6\%) between seasonal communities I and III, indicating a significant species turnover due to recolonization, so that community III had the highest diversity. Finally, using nonparametric estimators, we found that further sampling in late winter (February-April) is most needed to complete our inventory. Our study clearly demonstrates that seasonal dynamics of communities should be taken into account when studying biodiversity patterns of spiders, and probably forest arthropods in general.}, subject = {Biologie}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12752, title = {Search for top and bottom squarks from gluino pair production in final states with missing transverse energy and at least three b-jets with the ATLAS detector}, series = {The European Physical Journal C}, volume = {72}, journal = {The European Physical Journal C}, number = {2174}, organization = {The ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-012-2174-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-127523}, year = {2012}, abstract = {This letter reports the results of a search for top and bottom squarks from gluino pair production in 4.7 fb\(^{-1}\) of pp collisions at √s=7 TeV using the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The search is performed in events with large missing transverse momentum and at least three jets identified as originating from a b-quark. Exclusion limits are presented for a variety of gluino-mediated models with gluino masses up to 1 TeV excluded.}, language = {en} } @article{AadAbbottAbdallahetal.2012, author = {Aad, G. and Abbott, B. and Abdallah, J. and Abdel Khalek, S. and Abdelalim, A. A.}, title = {Search for the Standard Model Higgs boson in the H→WW(⋆)→ℓνℓνH→WW(⋆)→ℓνℓν decay mode with 4.7 fb\(^{-1}\) of ATLAS data at \(\sqrt{s}\)=7 TeV}, series = {Physics Letters B}, volume = {761}, journal = {Physics Letters B}, number = {1}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1016/j.physletb.2012.08.010}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-127307}, pages = {62-81}, year = {2012}, abstract = {A search for the Standard Model Higgs boson in the H→WW(⋆)→ℓνℓνH→WW(⋆)→ℓνℓν (ℓ=e,μℓ=e,μ) decay mode is presented. The search is performed using proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7 fb\(^{-1}\) at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV collected during 2011 with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. No significant excess of events over the expected background is observed. An upper bound is placed on the Higgs boson production cross section as a function of its mass. A Standard Model Higgs boson with mass in the range between 133 GeV and 261 GeV is excluded at 95\% confidence level, while the expected exclusion range is from 127 GeV to 233 GeV.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12889, title = {Search for supersymmetry in events with large missing transverse momentum, jets, and at least one tau lepton in 7 TeV proton-proton collision data with the}, series = {The European Physical Journal C}, volume = {72}, journal = {The European Physical Journal C}, number = {2215}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {dx.doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-012-2215-7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-128891}, year = {2012}, abstract = {A search for supersymmetry (SUSY) in events with large missing transverse momentum, jets, and at least one hadronically decaying τ lepton, with zero or one additional light lepton (e/μ), has been performed using 4.7 fb\(^{-1}\) of proton-proton collision data at \(\sqrt s\)=7TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. No excess above the Standard Model background expectation is observed and a 95 \% confidence level visible cross-section upper limit for new phenomena is set. In the framework of gauge-mediated SUSY-breaking models, lower limits on the mass scale Λ are set at 54 TeV in the regions where the \(\tilde τ_1\) is the next-to-lightest SUSY particle (tanβ>20). These limits provide the most stringent tests to date of GMSB models in a large part of the parameter space considered.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12895, title = {Search for second generation scalar leptoquarks in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {The European Physical Journal C}, volume = {72}, journal = {The European Physical Journal C}, number = {2151}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-012-2151-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-128957}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The results of a search for the production of second generation scalar leptoquarks are presented for final states consisting of either two muons and at least two jets or a muon plus missing transverse momentum and at least two jets. A total of 1.03 fb\(^{-1}\) integrated luminosity of proton-proton collision data produced by the Large Hadron Collider at s√=7 TeV and recorded by the ATLAS detector is used for the search. The event yields in the signal regions are found to be consistent with the Standard Model background expectations. The production of second generation leptoquarks is excluded for a leptoquark mass m\(_{LQ}\)<594 (685) GeV at 95 \% confidence level, for a branching ratio of 0.5 (1.0) for leptoquark decay to a muon and a quark.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12896, title = {Search for same-sign top-quark production and fourth-generation down-type quarks in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, volume = {04}, journal = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, number = {69}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1007/JHEP04(2012)069}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-128960}, year = {2012}, abstract = {A search is presented for same-sign top-quark production and down-type heavy quarks of charge -1/3 in events with two isolated leptons (e or μ) that have the same electric charge, at least two jets and large missing transverse momentum. The data are selected from pp collisions at √s=7TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 1.04 fb\(^{-1}\). The observed data are consistent with expectations from Standard Model processes. Upper limits are set at 95 \% confidence level on the cross section of new sources of same-sign top-quark pair production of 1.4-2.0 pb depending on the assumed mediator mass. Upper limits are also set on the pair-production cross-section for new heavy down-type quarks; a lower limit of 450 GeV is set at 95 \% confidence level on the mass of heavy down-type quarks under the assumption that they decay 100 \% of the time to W t.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12917, title = {Search for R-parity-violating supersymmetry in events with four or more leptons in √s=7 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector}, series = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, volume = {12}, journal = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, number = {124}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1007/JHEP12(2012)124}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-129179}, year = {2012}, abstract = {A search for new phenomena in final states with four or more leptons (electrons or muons) is presented. The analysis is based on 4.7 fb\(^{-1}\) of √s=7 TeV proton-proton collisions delivered by the Large Hadron Collider and recorded with the ATLAS detector. Observations are consistent with Standard Model expectations in two signal regions: one that requires moderate values of missing transverse momentum and another that requires large effective mass. The results are interpreted in a simplified model of R-parity-violating supersymmetry in which a 95\% CL exclusion region is set for charged wino masses up to 540 GeV. In an R-parity-violating MSUGRA/CMSSM model, values of m 1/2 up to 820 GeV are excluded for 10 < tan β < 40.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12813, title = {Search for pair production of massive particles decaying into three quarks with the ATLAS detector in √s=7TeV pp collisions at the LHC}, series = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, volume = {12}, journal = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, number = {86}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1007/JHEP12(2012)086}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-128133}, year = {2012}, abstract = {A search is conducted for hadronic three-body decays of a new massive coloured particle in √s=7TeV pp collisions at the LHC using an integrated luminosity of 4.6 fb\(^{-1}\) collected by the ATLAS detector. Supersymmetric gluino pair production in the context of a model with R-parity violation is used as a benchmark scenario. The analysis is divided into two search channels, each optimised separately for their sensitivity to high-mass and low-mass gluino production. The first search channel uses a stringent selection on the transverse momentum of the six leading jets and is performed as a counting experiment. The second search channel focuses on low-mass gluinos produced with a large boost. Large-radius jets are selected and the invariant mass of each of the two leading jets is used as a discriminant between the signal and the background. The results are found to be consistent with Standard Model expectations and limits are set on the allowed gluino mass.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12956, title = {Search for light scalar top-quark pair production in final states with two leptons with the ATLAS detector in √s=7 TeV proton-proton collisions}, series = {The European Physical Journal C}, volume = {72}, journal = {The European Physical Journal C}, number = {2237}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-012-2237-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-129561}, year = {2012}, abstract = {A search is presented for the pair production of light scalar top quarks in √s=7 TeV proton-proton collisions recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. This analysis uses the full data sample collected during 2011 running that corresponds to a total integrated luminosity of 4.7 fb\(^{-1}\). Light scalar top quarks are searched for in events with two opposite-sign leptons (e, μ), large missing transverse momentum and at least one jet in the final state. No excess over Standard Model expectations is found, and the results are interpreted under the assumption that the light scalar top decays to a b-quark in addition to an on-shell chargino whose decay occurs through a virtual W boson. If the chargino mass is 106 GeV, light scalar top-quark masses up to 130 GeV are excluded for neutralino masses below 70 GeV.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12763, title = {Search for lepton flavour violation in the eμ continuum with the ATLAS detector in √s=7 TeV pp collisions at the LHC}, series = {The European Physical Journal C}, volume = {72}, journal = {The European Physical Journal C}, number = {2040}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-012-2040-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-127632}, year = {2012}, abstract = {This paper presents a search for the t-channel exchange of an R-parity violating scalar top quark ( \(\tilde{t}\) ) in the e\(^±\) μ\(^∓\) continuum using 2.1 fb\(^{-1}\) of data collected by the ATLAS detector in √s=7 TeV pp collisions at the Large Hadron Collider. Data are found to be consistent with the expectation from the Standard Model backgrounds. Limits on R-parity-violating couplings at 95 \% C.L. are calculated as a function of the scalar top mass (m\(_\tilde{t}\)). The upper limits on the production cross section for pp→eμX, through the t-channel exchange of a scalar top quark, ranges from 170 fb for m\(_\tilde{t}\)=95 GeV to 30 fb for m\(_\tilde{t}\)=1000 GeV.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12797, title = {Search for high-mass resonances decaying to dilepton final states in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, volume = {11}, journal = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, number = {138}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1007/JHEP11(2012)138}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-127974}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider is used to search for high-mass resonances decaying to an electron-positron pair or a muon-antimuon pair. The search is sensitive to heavy neutral Z′ gauge bosons, Randall-Sundrum gravitons, Z* bosons, techni-mesons, Kaluza-Klein Z/γ bosons, and bosons predicted by Torsion models. Results are presented based on an analysis of pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.9 fb\(^{-1}\) in the e\(^+\)e\(^-\) channel and 5.0 fb\(^{-1}\) in the μ\(^+\)μ\(^-\)channel. A Z′ boson with Standard Model-like couplings is excluded at 95 \% confidence level for masses below 2.22 TeV. A Randall-Sundrum graviton with coupling k/\(\overline M_{Pl}\)=0.1 is excluded at 95 \% confidence level for masses below 2.16 TeV. Limits on the other models are also presented, including Technicolor and Minimal Z′ Models.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12779, title = {Search for heavy neutrinos and right-handed W bosons in events with two leptons and jets in pp collisions at \(\sqrt{s}\)=7TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {The European Physical Journal C}, volume = {72}, journal = {The European Physical Journal C}, number = {2056}, organization = {The ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-012-2056-4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-127796}, year = {2012}, abstract = {This letter reports on a search for hypothetical heavy neutrinos, N, and right-handed gauge bosons, W R, in events with high transverse momentum objects which include two reconstructed leptons and at least one hadronic jet. The results were obtained from data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.1 fb\(^{-1}\) collected in proton-proton collisions at √s=7 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. No excess above the Standard Model background expectation is observed. Excluded mass regions for Majorana and Dirac neutrinos are presented using two approaches for interactions that violate lepton and lepton-flavor numbers. One approach uses an effective operator framework, the other approach is guided by the Left-Right Symmetric Model. The results described in this letter represent the most stringent limits to date on the masses of heavy neutrinos and W\(_R\) bosons obtained in direct searches.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12954, title = {Search for doubly charged Higgs bosons in like-sign dilepton final states at √s=7 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {The European Physical Journal C}, volume = {72}, journal = {The European Physical Journal C}, number = {2244}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-012-2244-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-129540}, year = {2012}, abstract = {A search for doubly charged Higgs bosons decaying to pairs of electrons and/or muons is presented. The search is performed using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7 fb\(^{-1}\) of pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Pairs of prompt, isolated, high-p\(_T\) leptons with the same electric charge (\(e^±e^±, e^±μ^±, μ^±μ^±\)) are selected, and their invariant mass distribution is searched for a narrow resonance. No significant excess over Standard Model background expectations is observed, and limits are placed on the cross section times branching ratio for pair production of doubly charged Higgs bosons. The masses of doubly charged Higgs bosons are constrained depending on the branching ratio into these leptonic final states. Assuming pair production, coupling to left-handed fermions, and a branching ratio of 100 \% for each final state, masses below 409 GeV, 375 GeV, and 398 GeV are excluded for \(e^±e^±, e^±μ^±\), and \(μ^±μ^±\), respectively.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12916, title = {Search for charged Higgs bosons decaying via H\(^±\) → τν in \(t\overline t\) events using pp collision data at √s=7 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, volume = {06}, journal = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, number = {39}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1007/JHEP06(2012)039}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-129163}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The results of a search for charged Higgs bosons are presented. The analysis is based on 4.6fb\(^{-1}\) of proton-proton collision data at √s=7TeV collected by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, using top quark pair events with a τ lepton in the final state. The data are consistent with the expected background from Standard Model processes. Assuming that the branching ratio of the charged Higgs boson to a τ lepton and a neutrino is 100 \%, this leads to upper limits on the branching ratio of top quark decays to a b quark and a charged Higgs boson between 5\% and 1\% for charged Higgs boson masses ranging from 90 GeV to 160 GeV, respectively. In the context of the m\(^{max}_h\) scenario of the MSSM, tan β above 12-26, as well as between 1 and 2-6, can be excluded for charged Higgs boson masses between 90 GeV and 150 GeV.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12785, title = {Search for anomaly-mediated supersymmetry breaking with the ATLAS detector based on a disappearing-track signature in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV}, series = {The European Physical Journal C}, volume = {72}, journal = {The European Physical Journal C}, number = {1993}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-012-1993-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-127850}, year = {2012}, abstract = {In models of anomaly-mediated supersymmetry breaking (AMSB), the lightest chargino is predicted to have a lifetime long enough to be detected in collider experiments. This letter explores AMSB scenarios in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV by attempting to identify decaying charginos which result in tracks that appear to have few associated hits in the outer region of the tracking system. The search was based on data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.02 fb\(^{-1}\) collected with the ATLAS detector in 2011. The p\(_T\) spectrum of candidate tracks is found to be consistent with the expectation from Standard Model background processes and constraints on the lifetime and the production cross section were obtained. In the minimal AMSB framework with m\(_{3/2}\)<32 TeV, m\(_0\)<1.5 TeV, tanβ=5 and μ>0, a chargino having mass below 92 GeV and a lifetime between 0.5 ns and 2 ns is excluded at 95 \% confidence level.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12798, title = {Search for anomalous production of prompt like-sign lepton pairs at √s=7TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, volume = {12}, journal = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, number = {7}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1007/JHEP12(2012)007}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-127983}, year = {2012}, abstract = {An inclusive search for anomalous production of two prompt, isolated leptons with the same electric charge is presented. The search is performed in a data sample corresponding to 4.7 fb\(^{-1}\) of integrated luminosity collected in 2011 at √s=7TeV with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Pairs of leptons (e\(^{±}\)e\(^{±}\), e\(^{±}\)μ\(^{±}\), and μ\(^{±}\)μ\(^{±}\)) with large transverse momentum are selected, and the dilepton invariant mass distribution is examined for any deviation from the Standard Model expectation. No excess is found, and upper limits on the production cross section of like-sign lepton pairs from physics processes beyond the Standard Model are placed as a function of the dilepton invariant mass within a fiducial region close to the experimental selection criteria. The 95\% confidence level upper limits on the cross section of anomalous e\(^{±}\)e\(^{±}\), e\(^{±}\)μ\(^{±}\), or μ\(^{±}\)μ\(^{±}\) production range between 1.7 fb and 64 fb depending on the dilepton mass and flavour combination.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12751, title = {Search for a heavy top-quark partner in final states with two leptons with the ATLAS detector at the LHC}, series = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, volume = {11}, journal = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, number = {094}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1007/JHEP11(2012)094}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-127511}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The results of a search for direct pair production of heavy top-quark partners in 4.7 fb\(^{-1}\) of integrated luminosity from pp collisions at √s=7 TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC are reported. Heavy top-quark partners decaying into a top quark and a neutral non-interacting particle are searched for in events with two leptons in the final state. No excess above the Standard Model expectation is observed. Limits are placed on the mass of a supersymmetric scalar top and of a spin-1/2 top-quark partner. A spin-1/2 top-quark partner with a mass between 300 GeV and 480 GeV, decaying to a top quark and a neutral non-interacting particle lighter than 100 GeV, is excluded at 95\% confidence level.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12742, title = {Search for a fermiophobic Higgs boson in the diphoton decay channel with the ATLAS detector}, series = {The European Physical Journal C}, volume = {72}, journal = {The European Physical Journal C}, number = {2157}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-012-2157-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-127427}, year = {2012}, abstract = {A search for a fermiophobic Higgs boson using diphoton events produced in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of √s=7 TeV is performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.9 fb\(^{-1}\) collected by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. A specific benchmark model is considered where all the fermion couplings to the Higgs boson are set to zero and the bosonic couplings are kept at the Standard Model values (fermiophobic Higgs model). The largest excess with respect to the background-only hypothesis is found at 125.5 GeV, with a local significance of 2.9 standard deviations, which reduces to 1.6 standard deviations when taking into account the look-elsewhere effect. The data exclude the fermiophobic Higgs model in the ranges 110.0-118.0 GeV and 119.5-121.0 GeV at 95 \% confidence level.}, language = {en} } @article{DandekarFieselmannPoppetal.2012, author = {Dandekar, Thomas and Fieselmann, Astrid and Popp, Jasmin and Hensel, Michael}, title = {Salmonella enterica: a surprisingly well-adapted intracellular lifestyle}, series = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-123135}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The infectious intracellular lifestyle of Salmonella enterica relies on the adaptation to nutritional conditions within the Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV) in host cells. We summarize latest results on metabolic requirements for Salmonella during infection. This includes intracellular phenotypes of mutant strains based on metabolic modeling and experimental tests, isotopolog profiling using (13)C-compounds in intracellular Salmonella, and complementation of metabolic defects for attenuated mutant strains towards a comprehensive understanding of the metabolic requirements of the intracellular lifestyle of Salmonella. Helpful for this are also genomic comparisons. We outline further recent studies and which analyses of intracellular phenotypes and improved metabolic simulations were done and comment on technical required steps as well as progress involved in the iterative refinement of metabolic flux models, analyses of mutant phenotypes, and isotopolog analyses. Salmonella lifestyle is well-adapted to the SCV and its specific metabolic requirements. Salmonella metabolism adapts rapidly to SCV conditions, the metabolic generalist Salmonella is quite successful in host infection.}, language = {en} } @article{SuetterlinPaapBabicetal.2012, author = {S{\"u}tterlin, Stefan and Paap, Muirne C. S. and Babic, Stana and K{\"u}bler, Andrea and V{\"o}gele, Claus}, title = {Rumination and Age: Some Things Get Better}, series = {Journal of Aging Research}, volume = {2012}, journal = {Journal of Aging Research}, number = {267327}, doi = {10.1155/2012/267327}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124356}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Rumination has been defined as a mode of responding to distress that involves passively focusing one's attention on symptoms of distress without taking action. This dysfunctional response style intensifies depressed mood, impairs interpersonal problem solving, and leads to more pessimistic future perspectives and less social support. As most of these results were obtained from younger people, it remains unclear how age affects ruminative thinking. Three hundred members of the general public ranging in age from 15 to 87 years were asked about their ruminative styles using the Response Styles Questionnaire (RSQ), depression and satisfaction with life. A Mokken Scale analysis confirmed the two-factor structure of the RSQ with brooding and reflective pondering as subcomponents of rumination. Older participants (63 years and older) reported less ruminative thinking than other age groups. Life satisfaction was associated with brooding and highest for the earlier and latest life stages investigated in this study.}, language = {en} } @article{BetzSchneiderKressetal.2012, author = {Betz, Boris and Schneider, Reinhard and Kress, Tobias and Schick, Martin Alexander and Wanner, Christoph and Sauvant, Christoph}, title = {Rosiglitazone Affects Nitric Oxide Synthases and Improves Renal Outcome in a Rat Model of Severe Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury}, series = {PPAR Research}, volume = {2012}, journal = {PPAR Research}, number = {Article ID 219319}, doi = {10.1155/2012/219319}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130872}, pages = {12}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background. Nitric oxide (NO)-signal transduction plays an important role in renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. NO produced by endothelial NO-synthase (eNOS) has protective functions whereas NO from inducible NO-synthase (iNOS) induces impairment. Rosiglitazone (RGZ), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonist exerted beneficial effects after renal I/R injury, so we investigated whether this might be causally linked with NOS imbalance. Methods. RGZ (5 mg/kg) was administered i.p. to SD-rats (f) subjected to bilateral renal ischemia (60 min). Following 24 h of reperfusion, inulin-and PAH-clearance as well as PAH-net secretion were determined. Morphological alterations were graded by histopathological scoring. Plasma NOx-production was measured. eNOS and iNOS expression was analyzed by qPCR. Cleaved caspase 3 (CC3) was determined as an apoptosis indicator and ED1 as a marker of macrophage infiltration in renal tissue. Results. RGZ improves renal function after renal I/R injury (PAH-/inulin-clearance, PAH-net secretion) and reduces histomorphological injury. Additionally, RGZ reduces NOx plasma levels, ED-1 positive cell infiltration and CC3 expression. iNOS-mRNA is reduced whereas eNOS-mRNA is increased by RGZ. Conclusion. RGZ has protective properties after severe renal I/R injury. Alterations of the NO pathway regarding eNOS and iNOS could be an explanation of the underlying mechanism of RGZ protection in renal I/R injury.}, language = {en} } @article{BeitzingerStefaniKronhardtetal.2012, author = {Beitzinger, Christoph and Stefani, Caroline and Kronhardt, Angelika and Rolando, Monica and Flatau, Gilles and Lemichez, Emanuel and Benz, Roland}, title = {Role of N-Terminal His6-Tags in Binding and Efficient Translocation of Polypeptides into Cells Using Anthrax Protective Antigen (PA)}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-76325}, year = {2012}, abstract = {It is of interest to define bacterial toxin biochemical properties to use them as molecular-syringe devices in order to deliver enzymatic activities into host cells. Binary toxins of the AB7/8-type are among the most potent and specialized bacterial protein toxins. The B subunits oligomerize to form a pore that binds with high affinity host cell receptors and the enzymatic A subunit. This allows the endocytosis of the complex and subsequent injection of the A subunit into the cytosol of the host cells. Here we report that the addition of an N-terminal His6-tag to different proteins increased their binding affinity to the protective antigen (PA) PA63-channels, irrespective if they are related (C2I) or unrelated (gpJ, EDIN) to the AB7/8-family of toxins. His6-EDIN exhibited voltage-dependent increase of the stability constant for binding by a factor of about 25 when the trans-side corresponding to the cell interior was set to 270 mV. Surprisingly, the C. botulinum toxin C2II-channel did not share this feature of PA63. Cell-based experiments demonstrated that addition of an N-terminal His6-tag promoted also intoxication of endothelial cells by C2I or EDIN via PA63. Our results revealed that addition of His6-tags to several factors increase their binding properties to PA63 and enhance the property to intoxicate cells.}, subject = {Biologie}, language = {en} } @article{KrehanHeubeckMenzeletal.2012, author = {Krehan, Mario and Heubeck, Christian and Menzel, Nicolas and Seibel, Peter and Sch{\"o}n, Astrid}, title = {RNase MRP RNA and RNase P activity in plants are associated with a Pop1p containing complex}, series = {Nucleic Acids Research}, volume = {40}, journal = {Nucleic Acids Research}, number = {16}, doi = {10.1093/nar/gks476}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130648}, pages = {7956- 7966}, year = {2012}, abstract = {RNase P processes the 5'-end of tRNAs. An essential catalytic RNA has been demonstrated in Bacteria, Archaea and the nuclei of most eukaryotes; an organism-specific number of proteins complement the holoenzyme. Nuclear RNase P from yeast and humans is well understood and contains an RNA, similar to the sister enzyme RNase MRP. In contrast, no protein subunits have yet been identified in the plant enzymes, and the presence of a nucleic acid in RNase P is still enigmatic. We have thus set out to identify and characterize the subunits of these enzymes in two plant model systems. Expression of the two known Arabidopsis MRP RNA genes in vivo was verified. The first wheat MRP RNA sequences are presented, leading to improved structure models for plant MRP RNAs. A novel mRNA encoding the central RNase P/MRP protein Pop1p was identified in Arabidopsis, suggesting the expression of distinct protein variants from this gene in vivo. Pop1p-specific antibodies precipitate RNase P activity and MRP RNAs from wheat extracts. Our results provide evidence that in plants, Pop1p is associated with MRP RNAs and with the catalytic subunit of RNase P, either separately or in a single large complex.}, language = {en} } @article{GreiserGreiserAhrensetal.2012, author = {Greiser, Eberhard M. and Greiser, Karin Halina and Ahrens, Wolfgang and Hagen, Rudolf and Lazszig, Roland and Maier, Heinz and Schick, Bernhard and Zenner, Hans Peter}, title = {Risk factors for nasal malignancies in German men: the South-German Nasal cancer study}, series = {BMC Cancer}, volume = {12}, journal = {BMC Cancer}, number = {506}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2407-12-506}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-133365}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: There are few studies of the effects of nasal snuff and environmental factors on the risk of nasal cancer. This study aimed to investigate the impact of using nasal snuff and of other risk factors on the risk of nasal cancer in German men. Methods: A population-based case-control study was conducted in the German Federal States of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. Tumor registries and ear, nose and throat departments provided access to patients born in 1926 or later. Results: Telephone interviews were conducted with 427 cases (mean age 62.1 years) and 2.401 population-based controls (mean age 60.8 years). Ever-use of nasal snuff was associated with an odds ratio (OR) for nasal cancer of 1.45 (95\% confidence interval [CI] 0.88-2.38) in the total study population, whereas OR in smokers was 2.01 (95\% CI 1.00-4.02) and in never smokers was 1.10 (95\% CI 0.43-2.80). The OR in ever-smokers vs. never-smokers was 1.60 (95\% CI 1.24-2.07), with an OR of 1.06 (95\% CI 1.05-1.07) per pack-year smoked, and the risk was significantly decreased after quitting smoking. Exposure to hardwood dust for at least 1 year resulted in an OR of 2.33 (95\% CI 1.40-3.91) in the total population, which was further increased in never-smokers (OR 4.89, 95\% CI 1.92-12.49) in analyses stratified by smoking status. The OR for nasal cancer after exposure to organic solvents for at least 1 year was 1.53 (1.17-2.01). Ever-use of nasal sprays/nasal lavage for at least 1 month rendered an OR of 1.59 (1.04-2.44). The OR after use of insecticides in homes was 1.48 (95\% CI 1.04-2.11). Conclusions: Smoking and exposure to hardwood dust were confirmed as risk factors for nasal carcinoma. There is evidence that exposure to organic solvents, and in-house use of insecticides could represent novel risk factors. Exposure to asbestos and use of nasal snuff were risk factors in smokers only.}, language = {en} } @article{SchneiderTautzGruenewaldetal.2012, author = {Schneider, Christof W. and Tautz, J{\"u}rgen and Gr{\"u}newald, Bernd and Fuchs, Stefan}, title = {RFID Tracking of Sublethal Effects of Two Neonicotinoid Insecticides on the Foraging Behavior of Apis mellifera}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0030023}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-131753}, pages = {e30023}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The development of insecticides requires valid risk assessment procedures to avoid causing harm to beneficial insects and especially to pollinators such as the honeybee Apis mellifera. In addition to testing according to current guidelines designed to detect bee mortality, tests are needed to determine possible sublethal effects interfering with the animal's vitality and behavioral performance. Several methods have been used to detect sublethal effects of different insecticides under laboratory conditions using olfactory conditioning. Furthermore, studies have been conducted on the influence insecticides have on foraging activity and homing ability which require time-consuming visual observation. We tested an experimental design using the radiofrequency identification (RFID) method to monitor the influence of sublethal doses of insecticides on individual honeybee foragers on an automated basis. With electronic readers positioned at the hive entrance and at an artificial food source, we obtained quantifiable data on honeybee foraging behavior. This enabled us to efficiently retrieve detailed information on flight parameters. We compared several groups of bees, fed simultaneously with different dosages of a tested substance. With this experimental approach we monitored the acute effects of sublethal doses of the neonicotinoids imidacloprid (0.15-6 ng/bee) and clothianidin (0.05-2 ng/bee) under field-like circumstances. At field-relevant doses for nectar and pollen no adverse effects were observed for either substance. Both substances led to a significant reduction of foraging activity and to longer foraging flights at doses of >= 0.5 ng/bee (clothianidin) and >= 1.5 ng/bee (imidacloprid) during the first three hours after treatment. This study demonstrates that the RFID-method is an effective way to record short-term alterations in foraging activity after insecticides have been administered once, orally, to individual bees. We contribute further information on the understanding of how honeybees are affected by sublethal doses of insecticides.}, language = {en} } @article{HolstHolstHirschfelderetal.2012, author = {Holst, Alexandra Ioana and Holst, Stefan and Hirschfelder, Ursula and von Seckendorff, Volker}, title = {Retrieval analysis of different orthodontic brackets: the applicability of electron microprobe techniques for determining material heterogeneities and corrosive potential}, series = {Journal of applied oral science}, volume = {20}, journal = {Journal of applied oral science}, number = {4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130415}, pages = {478- 485}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the applicability of microanalytical methods with high spatial resolution to the characterization of the composition and corrosion behavior of two bracket systems. Material and methods: The surfaces of six nickel-free brackets and six nickel-containing brackets were examined for signs of corrosion and qualitative surface analysis using an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), prior to bonding to patient's tooth surfaces and four months after clinical use. The surfaces were characterized qualitatively by secondary electron (SE) images and back scattered electron (BSE) images in both compositional and topographical mode. Qualitative and quantitative wavelength-dispersive analyses were performed for different elements, and by utilizing qualitative analysis the relative concentration of selected elements was mapped two-dimensionally. The absolute concentration of the elements was determined in specially prepared brackets by quantitative analysis using pure element standards for calibration and calculating correction-factors (ZAF). Results: Clear differences were observed between the different bracket types. The nickel-containing stainless steel brackets consist of two separate pieces joined by a brazing alloy. Compositional analysis revealed two different alloy compositions, and reaction zones on both sides of the brazing alloy. The nickel-free bracket was a single piece with only slight variation in element concentration, but had a significantly rougher surface. After clinical use, no corrosive phenomena were detectable with the methods applied. Traces of intraoral wear at the contact areas between the bracket slot and the arch wire were verified. Conclusion: Electron probe microanalysis is a valuable tool for the characterization of element distribution and quantitative analysis for corrosion studies.}, language = {en} } @article{RitzEnlowSchulzetal.2012, author = {Ritz, Thomas and Enlow, Michelle Bosquet and Schulz, Stefan M. and Kitts, Robert and Staudenmayer, John and Wright, Rosalind J.}, title = {Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia as an Index of Vagal Activity during Stress in Infants: Respiratory Influences and Their Control}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0052729}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135396}, pages = {e52729}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is related to cardiac vagal outflow and the respiratory pattern. Prior infant studies have not systematically examined respiration rate and tidal volume influences on infant RSA or the extent to which infants' breathing is too fast to extract a valid RSA. We therefore monitored cardiac activity, respiration, and physical activity in 23 six-month old infants during a standardized laboratory stressor protocol. On average, 12.6\% (range 0-58.2\%) of analyzed breaths were too short for RSA extraction. Higher respiration rate was associated with lower RSA amplitude in most infants, and lower tidal volume was associated with lower RSA amplitude in some infants. RSA amplitude corrected for respiration rate and tidal volume influences showed theoretically expected strong reductions during stress, whereas performance of uncorrected RSA was less consistent. We conclude that stress-induced changes of peak-valley RSA and effects of variations in breathing patterns on RSA can be determined for a representative percentage of infant breaths. As expected, breathing substantially affects infant RSA and needs to be considered in studies of infant psychophysiology.}, language = {en} } @article{KleinschnitzMeuthMagnusetal.2012, author = {Kleinschnitz, Christph and Meuth, Sven G. and Magnus, Tim and Korn, Thomas and Linker, Ralf A.}, title = {Report on the 3'rd scientific meeting of the "Verein zur F{\"o}rderung des Wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses in der Neurologie" (NEUROWIND e.V.) held in Motzen, Germany, Nov. 4'th - Nov. 6'th, 2011}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75388}, year = {2012}, abstract = {From November 4th- 6th 2011, the 3rd NEUROWIND e.V. meeting was held in Motzen, Brandenburg, Germany. Like in the previous years, the meeting provided an excellent platform for scientific exchange and the presentation of innovative projects for young colleagues in the fields of neurovascular research, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. As kick-off to the scientific sessions, Reinhard Hohlfeld, Head of the Institute for Clinical Neuroimmunology in Munich, gave an illustrious overview on the many fascinations of neuroimmunologic research. A particular highlight on the second day of the meeting was the award of the 1'st NEUROWIND e.V. prize for young academics in the field of experimental neurology. This award is posted for young colleagues under the age of 35 with a significant achievement in the field of neurovascular research, neuroinflammation or neurodegeneration and comprises an amount of 20.000 Euro, founded by Merck Serono GmbH, Darmstadt. Germany. The first prize was awarded to Ivana Nikic from Martin Kerschensteiner's group in Munich for her brilliant work on a reversible form of axon damage in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis, published in Nature Medicine in 2011. This first prize award ceremony was a great incentive for the next call for proposals now upcoming in 2012.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @article{ErhardtAkulaSchumacheretal.2012, author = {Erhardt, A. and Akula, N. and Schumacher, J. and Czamara, D. and Karbalai, N. and M{\"u}ller-Myhsok, B. and Mors, O. and Borglum, A. and Kristensen, A. S. and Woldbye, D. P. D. and Koefoed, P. and Eriksson, E. and Maron, E. and Metspalu, A. and Nurnberger, J. and Philibert, R. A. and Kennedy, J. and Domschke, K. and Reif, A. and Deckert, J. and Otowa, T. and Kawamura, Y. and Kaiya, H. and Okazaki, Y. and Tanii, H. and Tokunaga, K. and Sasaki, T. and Ioannidis, J. P. A. and McMahon, F. J. and Binder, E. B.}, title = {Replication and meta-analysis of TMEM132D gene variants in panic disorder}, series = {Translational Psychiatry}, volume = {2}, journal = {Translational Psychiatry}, number = {e156}, doi = {10.1038/tp.2012.85}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-133324}, year = {2012}, abstract = {A recent genome-wide association study in patients with panic disorder (PD) identified a risk haplotype consisting of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs7309727 and rs11060369) located in intron 3 of TMEM132D to be associated with PD in three independent samples. Now we report a subsequent confirmation study using five additional PD case-control samples (n = 1670 cases and n 2266 controls) assembled as part of the Panic Disorder International Consortium (PanIC) study for a total of 2678 cases and 3262 controls in the analysis. In the new independent samples of European ancestry (EA), the association of rs7309727 and the risk haplotype rs7309727-rs11060369 was, indeed, replicated, with the strongest signal coming from patients with primary PD, that is, patients without major psychiatric comorbidities (n 1038 cases and n 2411 controls). This finding was paralleled by the results of the meta-analysis across all samples, in which the risk haplotype and rs7309727 reached P-levels of P = 1.4e-8 and P = 1.1e-8, respectively, when restricting the samples to individuals of EA with primary PD. In the Japanese sample no associations with PD could be found. The present results support the initial finding that TMEM132D gene contributes to genetic susceptibility for PD in individuals of EA. Our results also indicate that patient ascertainment and genetic background could be important sources of heterogeneity modifying this association signal in different populations.}, language = {en} }