@phdthesis{Tyagi2012, author = {Tyagi, Anu}, title = {Role of SWI/SNF in regulating pre-mRNA processing in Drosophila melanogaster}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-72253}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {ATP dependent chromatin remodeling complexes are multifactorial complexes that utilize the energy of ATP to rearrange the chromatin structure. The changes in chromatin structure lead to either increased or decreased DNA accessibility. SWI/SNF is one of such complex. The SWI/SNF complex is involved in both transcription activation and transcription repression. The ATPase subunit of SWI/SNF is called SWI2/SNF2 in yeast and Brahma, Brm, in Drosophila melanogaster. In mammals there are two paralogs of the ATPase subunit, Brm and Brg1. Recent studies have shown that the human Brm is involved in the regulation of alternative splicing. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Brm in pre-mRNA processing. The model systems used were Chironomus tentans, well suited for in situ studies and D. melanogaster, known for its full genome information. Immunofluorescent staining of the polytene chromosome indicated that Brm protein of C. tentans, ctBrm, is associated with several gene loci including the Balbiani ring (BR) puffs. Mapping the distribution of ctBrm along the BR genes by both immuno-electron microscopy and chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that ctBrm is widely distributed along the BR genes. The results also show that a fraction of ctBrm is associated with the nascent BR pre-mRNP. Biochemical fractionation experiments confirmed the association of Brm with the RNP fractions, not only in C. tentans but also in D. melanogaster and in HeLa cells. Microarray hybridization experiments performed on S2 cells depleted of either dBrm or other SWI/SNF subunits show that Brm affects alternative splicing and 3´ end formation. These results indicated that BRM affects pre-mRNA processing as a component of SWI/SNF complexes. 1}, subject = {Taufliege}, 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} } @phdthesis{Rau2012, author = {Rau, Daniel Matthias}, title = {Risikostratifizierung der Aortenstenose von {\"u}ber 80-j{\"a}hrigen Patienten mittels echokardiographischer Parameter}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-77484}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Ziel dieser klinisch prospektiven Studie ist es bei {\"u}ber 80 j{\"a}hrigen Patienten mit moderater und hochgradiger AS echokardiographische Parameter zu identifizieren, die die langfristige Prognose f{\"u}r diese Patienten quantifizieren k{\"o}nnen. Methodik: Es wurde bei 118 Patienten eine konventionelle echokardiographische Standarduntersuchung und eine Gewebedoppleruntersuchung durchgef{\"u}hrt. Zudem wurden die aktuellen klinischen Daten erhoben. Nach durchschnittlich 641 ± 224.2 wurde eine telefonische Follow Up Untersuchung durchgef{\"u}hrt. Ergebnisse: Die Patienten wurden anhand der konventionellen echokardiographischen Parameter in 5 Gruppen eingeteilt. Eine hochgradige Aortenstenose mit reduziertem Gradienten und reduzierter EF ist mittels der Standardechokardiographiedaten von einer moderaten AS signifikant unterscheidbar. Besser gelingt es jedoch eine Niedrig Gradient AS mit der mittels Gewebedoppler ermittelten Strainrate und der Ringmotion von einer mittelgradigen AS zu unterscheiden. Die Patienten aus der Gruppe mit einer hochgradigen AS und einem hohen Gradienten wiesen das h{\"o}chste Risiko eines kardialen Todes auf. Es stellte sich heraus, dass diese Patienten mittels Ringmotion und Strainrate signifikant von den Patienten mit einem niedrigeren Risiko unterschieden werden k{\"o}nnen. Zusammenfassung: Die Detektion des Grades der AS mit zus{\"a}tzlich der Ringmotion und der Strainrate hat signifikante Vorteile gegen{\"u}ber der Risikoquantifizierung {\"u}ber die EF und den Druckgradienten {\"u}ber der Aortenklappe alleine. Dies liefert wiederum eine bessere Einsch{\"a}tzung bez{\"u}glich der Dringlichkeit und Planung des Zeitpunktes f{\"u}r einen operativen Aortenklappenersatz, da alleine mit den Parametern der EF und des Gradienten die eigentlichen Hochrisikopatienten nicht ausreichend erfasst werden.}, subject = {Aortenstenose}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Kistenpfennig2012, author = {Kistenpfennig, Christa}, title = {Rhodopsin 7 and Cryptochrome - circadian photoreception in Drosophila}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-72209}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Many organisms evolved an endogenous clock to adapt to the daily environmental changes caused by the earth's rotation. Light is the primary time cue ("Zeitgeber") for entrainment of circadian clocks to the external 24-h day. In Drosophila, several visual pigments are known to mediate synchronization to light: The blue-light photopigment Cryptochrome (CRY) and six well-described rhodopsins (Rh1-Rh6). CRY is present in the majority of clock neurons as well as in the compound eyes, whereas the location of rhodopsins is restricted to the photoreceptive organs - the compound eyes, the ocelli and the HB-eyelets. CRY is thought to represent the key photoreceptor of Drosophila's circadian clock. Nevertheless, mutant flies lacking CRY (cry01) are able to synchronize their locomotor activity rhythms to light-dark (LD) cycles, but need significantly longer than wild-type flies. In this behavior, cry01 mutants strongly resemble mammalian species that do not possess any internal photoreceptors and perceive light information exclusively through their photoreceptive organs (eyes). Thus, a mammalian-like phase-shifting behavior would be expected in cry01 flies. We investigated this issue by monitoring a phase response curve (PRC) of cry01 and wild-type flies to 1-h light pulses of 1000 lux irradiance. Indeed, cry01 mutants produced a mammalian-similar so called type 1 PRC of comparatively low amplitude (< 25\% of wild-type) with phase delays to light pulses during the early subjective night and phase advances to light pulses during the late subjective night (~1 h each). Despite the predominant role of CRY, the visual system contributes to the light sensitivity of the fly's circadian clock, mainly around dawn and dusk. Furthermore, this phase shifting allows for the slow re-entrainment which we observed in cry01 mutants to 8-h phase delays of the LD 12 h:12 h cycle. However, cry01 also showed surprising differences in their shifting ability: First of all, their PRC was characterized by a second dead zone in the middle of the subjective night (ZT17-ZT19) in addition to the usual unresponsiveness during the subjective day. Second, in contrast to wild-type flies, cry01 mutants did not increase their shift of activity rhythms neither in response to longer stimuli nor to light pulses of higher irradiance. In contrast, both 6-h light pulses of 1000 lux and 1-h light pulses of 10,000 lux light intensity during the early subjective night even resulted in phase advances instead of the expected delays. Thus, CRY seems to be not only responsible for the high light sensitivity of the wild-type circadian clock, but is apparently also involved in integrating and processing light information. Rhodopsin 7 (Rh7) is a yet uncharacterized protein, but became a good photoreceptor candidate due to sequence similarities to the six known Drosophila Rhs. The second part of this thesis investigated the expression pattern of Rh7 and its possible functions, especially in circadian photoreception. Furthermore, we were interested in a potential interaction with CRY and thus, tested cry01 and rh70 cry01 mutants as well. Rh1 is the main visual pigment of the Drosophila compound eye and expressed in six out of eight photoreceptors cells (R1-R6) in each of the ~800 ommatidia. Motion vision depends exclusively on Rh1 function but, moreover, Rh1 plays an important structural role and assures proper photoreceptor cell development and maintenance. In order to investigate its possible photoreceptive function, we expressed Rh7 in place of Rh1. Rh7 was indeed able to overtake the role of Rh1 in both aspects: It prevented retinal degeneration and mediated the optomotor response (OR), a motion vision-dependent behavior. At the transcriptional level, rh7 is expressed at approximately equal amounts in adult fly brains and retinas. Due to a reduced specificity of anti-Rh7 antibodies, we could not verify this result at the protein level. However, analysis of rh7 null mutants (rh70) suggested different Rh7 functions in vivo. Previous experiments strongly indicated an increased sensitivity of the compound eyes in the absence of Rh7 and suggested impaired light adaptation. We aimed to test this hypothesis at the levels of circadian photoreception. Locomotor activity rhythms are a reliable output of the circadian clock. Rh70 mutant flies generally displayed a wild-type similar bimodal activity pattern comprising morning (M) and evening (E) activity bouts. Activity monitoring supported the proposed "shielding" function, since rh70 mutants behaved like wild-type flies experiencing high irradiances. Under all investigated conditions, their activity peaks lay further apart resulting in a prolonged midday break. The behavior of cry01 mutants was mainly characterized by an unexpectedly high flexibility in the timing of M and E activity bouts which allowed tracking of lights-on and lights-off even under extreme photoperiods. Activity profiles of the corresponding rh70 cry01 double mutants reflected neither synergistic nor antagonistic effects of Rh7 and CRY and were dominated by a broad E activity peak. In the future, the different circadian phenotypes will be further investigated on the molecular level by analysis of clock protein cycling in the underlying pacemaker neurons. The work of this thesis confirmed that Rh7 is indeed able to work as a photoreceptor and to initiate the classical phototransduction cascade. On the other hand, it provided further evidence at the levels of circadian photoreception that Rh7 might serve as a shielding pigment for Rh1 in vivo, thereby mediating proper light adaptation.}, 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} } @phdthesis{Moegele2012, author = {M{\"o}gele, Stefanie}, title = {Retrospektive klinische Studie zur {\"U}berlebenswahrscheinlichkeit von Stift-Stumpfaufbauten}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-72075}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Ziel der retrospektiven Studie war es, den Einfluss der prothetischen Restauration, beziehungsweise der Position des Pfeilers im Zahnbogen sowie der Art des restaurierten Zahnes auf das {\"U}berleben von mit Stift-Stumpfaufbauten rekonstruierten Z{\"a}hnen zu untersuchen. Die verschiedenen Parameter, die zu Erfolg oder Misserfolg gef{\"u}hrt haben, sollten analysiert werden, um gegebenenfalls deren Einfluss auf die Verweildauer der Stift-Stumpfaufbauten beziehungsweise der damit versorgten Z{\"a}hne in Form einer {\"U}berlebenszeitanalyse zu untersuchen Seit 1999 wurden Patienten, die in der Klinik mit einem Stift-Stumpfaufbau versorgt worden waren, protokollarisch erfasst. Die koronal stark zerst{\"o}rten Z{\"a}hne wurden durch ein weitgehend standardisiertes Behandlungsverfahren rekonstruiert und mit diversen prothetischen Restaurationen versehen. Das Patientenkollektiv umfasste 195 Patienten mit 320 Stift-Stumpfaufbauten. Zur {\"U}berlebenszeitanalyse kam die Methode nach Kaplan-Meier zum Einsatz. Die gruppenbezogenen {\"U}berlebenskurven wurden mittels Log-Rang-Test auf statistische Signifikanz getestet. Die h{\"a}ufigsten Misserfolgsgr{\"u}nde stellten Dezementierungen der Stift-Stumpfauf- bauten und Entz{\"u}ndungszeichen mit apikalen L{\"a}sionen dar. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie zeigten, dass der Erfolg einer postendodontischen Stiftverankerung je nach Zahntyp und Art der prothetischen Versorgung variierte. Festsitzende prothetische Restaurationen auf der Basis eines Stift-Stumpfaufbaus im Frontzahn- und Pr{\"a}molarenbereich hatten eine relativ hohe {\"U}berlebeswahrscheinlichkeit, vor allem wenn sie Br{\"u}ckenpfeiler waren. War der mit einem Stift-Stumpfaufbau rekonstruierte Zahn aber endst{\"a}ndig in der Zahnreihe, {\"u}berdurchschnittlichen Belastungen ausgesezt - wie der Eckzahn - oder diente als endst{\"a}ndiger Pfeiler einer herausnehmbaren teleskopierenden Prothese, waren fr{\"u}hzeitige Komplikationen wahrscheinlich. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass eine prim{\"a}re Verblockung die {\"U}berlebenswahrscheinlichkeit von Innenteleskopkronen positiv beeinflussen konnte.}, subject = {{\"U}berlebenszeit}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Baltrusch2012, author = {Baltrusch, Stefanie}, title = {Retrospektive Analyse von Amputationen im Fußbereich infolge peripherer arterieller Verschlußkrankheit}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-113975}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Die Auswertung des Patientenkollektivs von 2000 bis 2004 an der Chirurgischen Universit{\"a}tsklinik W{\"u}rzburg ergab 63 Patienten (Gruppe 1), die einer Minoramputation und 59 Patienten die einer Minor- mit konsekutiver Majoramputation (Gruppe 2) infolge pAVK unterzogen wurden. Eine Abh{\"a}ngigkeit zwischen Alter und Majornachamputationsrate konnte nicht festgestellt werden, jedoch eine Tendenz beim Einfluss von Comorbidit{\"a}ten wie Diabetes mellitus und dialysepflichtiger Niereninsuffizienz auf die Wundheilung und Liegedauer. Die Anzahl an durchgef{\"u}hrten gef{\"a}ßchirurgischen Eingriffen wie PTA und Bypass-Operation lag in beiden Gruppen mit 65\% bzw. 72\% im Vergleich zur Literatur im Standardbereich. Eine hohe Rate an gef{\"a}ßmedizinischer Diagnostik und Therapie scheint auch bei fortgeschrittener pAVK (Grad IV) erforderlich, um die Notwendigkeit von Amputationen insbesondere die Anzahl an Majoramputationen zu verringern. Bei hoher und mit Gruppe 1 vergleichbarer Interventionsrate in Gruppe 2 l{\"a}sst sich allerdings auch erkennen, dass trotz Aussch{\"o}pfung dieser Massnahmen die Rate an Majoramputationen und damit des Beinverlustes hoch ist. Positiv zu werten ist, dass es bei {\"u}ber 50\% der Amputierten ausgereicht hat, eine Amputation im Fussbereich (Minoramputation) durchzuf{\"u}hren. Bei diesen 63 Patienten, war bei 58 Patienten sogar nur ein Eingriff n{\"o}tig. Ferner handelte es sich bei den Majoramputationen in der Mehrzahl um Unterschenkelamputation, und somit um einen nur partiellen Beinverlust . 76\% der durchgef{\"u}hrten ersten Majoramputationen erfolgten in den ersten beiden Monaten nach vorausgegangener Minoramputation, die gr{\"o}ßte Anzahl innerhalb des ersten Monats. Auch die letzte Amputation, die definitive Versorgung, erfolgte in den meisten F{\"a}llen innerhalb der ersten beiden Monate nach Prim{\"a}reingriff. Somit ist ein nur unwesentlicher Aufschub bis zur definitiven Versorgung ersichtlich. Der Versuch einer Konsolidierung der Isch{\"a}miefolgen (Gangr{\"a}n) mittels Minoramputation scheint bei fortgeschrittener pAVK im Stadium IV nach Aussch{\"o}pfung der gef{\"a}ßmedizinischen Diagnostika und Interventionen somit immer gerechtfertigt, und sollte wenn m{\"o}glich einer Majoramputation vorgezogen werden. Die durchschnittliche Krankenhausverweildauer in der Gruppe der Minoramputationen lag bei 28 Tagen, in der Gruppe 2 der Majoramputationen bei 39 Tagen. Die Mortalit{\"a}tsrate ergibt einen deutlich erh{\"o}hten Wert in der Gruppe der Majoramputationen. Die Dreijahresmortalit{\"a}t betrug in der Gruppe der Minoramputationen 20\% und der Majoramputationen 58\%. Es zeigte sich eine Zunahme der Mortalit{\"a}t mit zunehmender Amputationsh{\"o}he und zunehmender Zahl der Amputationen. Diese Daten lassen sich mit 52 aktuellen Literaturangaben durchaus vergleichen und beweisen die schlechte Prognose f{\"u}r AVK-Patienten, bei denen eine Majoramputation unausweichlich ist. Insgesamt ist es wichtig, dass ein Team aus Chirurgen, Gef{\"a}ßchirurgen, Radiologen und Angiologen kooperativ zusammen arbeitet, um dem Patienten, eine f{\"u}r ihn beste Versorgung anbieten zu k{\"o}nnen. Hier sollte auch nicht vor einem oft h{\"o}heren Patientenalter zur{\"u}ckgeschreckt werden, denn h{\"a}ufig konnte gerade bei diesen Patienten durch eine Bypass-Operation eine sonst vermutlich unumg{\"a}ngliche Amputation im Unter- bzw. Oberschenkelbereich verhindert werden.}, subject = {PAVK}, language = {de} } @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} } @techreport{LinkerMeuthMagnusetal.2012, author = {Linker, Ralf, A. and Meuth, Sven G. and Magnus, Tim and Korn, Thomas and Kleinschnitz, Christoph}, title = {Report on the 4'th scientific meeting of the "Verein zur F{\"o}rderung des Wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses in der Neurologie" (NEUROWIND e.V.) held in Motzen, Germany, Nov. 2'nd - Nov. 4'th, 2012 [meeting report]}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-76407}, year = {2012}, abstract = {From November 2nd - 4th 2012, the 4th NEUROWIND e.V. meeting was held in Motzen, Brandenburg, Germany. Again more than 60 participants, predominantly at the doctoral student or postdoc level, gathered to share their latest findings in the fields of neurovascular research, neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Like in the previous years, the symposium provided an excellent platform for scientific exchange and the presentation of innovative projects in the stimulating surroundings of the Brandenburg outback. This year's keynote lecture on the pathophysiological relevance of neuronal networks was given by Christian Gerloff, Head of the Department of Neurology at the University Clinic of Hamburg-Eppendorf. Another highlight of the meeting was the awarding of the NEUROWIND e.V. prize for young scientists working in the field of experimental neurology. The award is donated by the Merck Serono GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany and is endowed with 20.000 Euro. This year the jury decided unanimously to adjudge the award to Michael Gliem from the Department of Neurology at the University Clinic of D{\"u}sseldorf (group of Sebastian Jander), Germany, for his outstanding work on different macrophage subsets in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke published in the Annals of Neurology in 2012.}, subject = {Medizin}, 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} } @phdthesis{Peter2012, author = {Peter, Dominik}, title = {Reorganisation der Zellkontakte der Endothelbarriere bei der Stabilisierung durch cAMP und Rac1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-97787}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Zwischen Blutkompartiment und umliegenden Interstitium besteht eine Barriere, die durch eine einzelne Schicht aus Endothelzellen gebildet wird. Essentiell f{\"u}r diese Barriere, deren Funktion in der Begrenzung des Austausches von Fl{\"u}ssigkeit und gel{\"o}sten Stoffen liegt, sind interzellul{\"a}re Junktionen, welche die Endothelzellen miteinander verbinden. Durch eine gest{\"o}rte Funktion und Regulation der Endothelbarriere entstehen beim Menschen verschiedene Pathologien wie zum Beispiel {\"O}deme, h{\"a}morrhagischer Schlaganfall und vaskul{\"a}re Malformationen. Es ist bekannt, dass cAMP die Endothelbarriere zum Teil durch Aktivierung der kleinen GTPase Rac1 stabilisiert. Trotz der großen medizinischen Relevanz dieses Signalweges, sind die damit einhergehenden Effekte auf die interzellul{\"a}ren Kontakte auf ultrastruktureller Ebene weitgehend unbekannt. In mikrovaskul{\"a}ren Endothelzellkulturen kam es {\"a}hnlich wie in intakten Mikrogef{\"a}ßen zur St{\"a}rkung der Barrierefunktion. So resultierte sowohl nach Behandlung mit Forskolin und Rolipram (F/R), welche zur Steigerung der intrazellul{\"a}ren cAMP-Spiegel f{\"u}hren, als auch nach Zugabe von 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-2´-O-methyladenosin-3´,5´-cyclic monophosphorothioate (O-Me-cAMP), einem selektiven Aktivator des cAMP nachgeschalteten Epac/Rap1-Signalweges, ein Anstieg des TER; außerdem konnte durch beide Substanzen (F/R und O-Me-cAMP) die Aktivierung von Rac1 induziert werden. Desweiteren wurde eine verst{\"a}rkte Intensit{\"a}t und Linearisierung des Immunfluoreszenzsignals der Zelljunktionsproteine VE-Cadherin und Claudin5 entlang der Zellgrenzen beobachtet. In der ultrastrukturellen Analyse der interzellul{\"a}ren Kontaktzonen-Architektur zeigte sich unter F/R- oder O-Me-cAMP-Exposition ein signifikanter Anstieg an komplexen Interdigitationen. Diese komplexen Strukturen waren dadurch charakterisiert, dass sich die Membranen benachbarter Zellen, die durch zahlreiche endotheliale Junktionen stabilisiert wurden, {\"u}ber vergleichsweise lange Distanzen eng aneinanderlegten, so dass ein deutlich verl{\"a}ngerter Interzellularspalt resultierte. Die Inhibition der Rac1-Aktivierung durch NSC-23766 verminderte die Barrierefunktion und blockierte effektiv die O-Me-cAMP-vermittelte Barrierestabilisierung und Reorganisation der Kontaktzone einschließlich der Junktionsproteine. Demgegen{\"u}ber konnte die F/R-vermittelte Barrierestabilisierung durch NSC-23766 nicht beeintr{\"a}chtigt werden. Parallel dazu durchgef{\"u}hrte Experimente mit makrovaskul{\"a}ren Endothelien zeigten, dass es in diesem Zelltyp unter Bedingungen erh{\"o}hter cAMP-Konzentrationen weder zur Rac1-Aktivierung noch zur Barrierest{\"a}rkung oder Kontaktzonen-Reorganisation kam. Diese Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass in mikrovaskul{\"a}ren Endothelien Rac1-vermittelte {\"A}nderungen der Kontaktzonen-Morphologie zur cAMP-induzierten Barrierestabilisierung beitragen.}, subject = {Endothelbarriere}, language = {de} } @article{KleinertRollBaumgaertneretal.2012, author = {Kleinert, Stefan and Roll, Petra and Baumgaertner, Christian and Himsel, Andrea and Burkhardt, Harald and Mueller, Adelheid and Fleck, Martin and Feuchtenberger, Martin and Janett, Manfred and Tony, Hans-Peter}, title = {Renal Perfusion in Scleroderma Patients Assessed by Microbubble-Based Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75207}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Abstract: Objectives: Renal damage is common in scleroderma. It can occur acutely or chronically. Renal reserve might already be impaired before it can be detected by laboratory findings. Microbubble-based contrast-enhanced ultrasound has been demonstrated to improve blood perfusion imaging in organs. Therefore, we conducted a study to assess renal perfusion in scleroderma patients utilizing this novel technique. Materials and Methodology: Microbubble-based contrast agent was infused and destroyed by using high mechanical index by Siemens Sequoia (curved array, 4.5 MHz). Replenishment was recorded for 8 seconds. Regions of interests (ROI) were analyzed in renal parenchyma, interlobular artery and renal pyramid with quantitative contrast software (CUSQ 1.4, Siemens Acuson, Mountain View, California). Time to maximal Enhancement (TmE), maximal enhancement (mE) and maximal enhancement relative to maximal enhancement of the interlobular artery (mE\%A) were calculated for different ROIs. Results: There was a linear correlation between the time to maximal enhancement in the parenchyma and the glomerular filtration rate. However, the other parameters did not reveal significant differences between scleroderma patients and healthy controls. Conclusion: Renal perfusion of scleroderma patients including the glomerular filtration rate can be assessed using microbubble-based contrast media.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @article{WarnockOrtizMaueretal.2012, author = {Warnock, David G. and Ortiz, Alberto and Mauer, Michael and Linthorst, Gabor E. and Oliveira, Jo{\~a}o P. and Serra, Andreas L. and Mar{\´o}di, L{\´a}szl{\´o} and Mignani, Renzo and Vujkovac, Bojan and Beitner-Johnson, Dana and Lemay, Roberta and Cole, J. Alexander and Svarstad, Einar and Waldek, Stephen and Germain, Dominique P. and Wanner, Christoph}, title = {Renal outcomes of agalsidase beta treatment for Fabry disease: role of proteinuria and timing of treatment initiation}, series = {Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation}, volume = {27}, journal = {Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation}, number = {3}, organization = {Fabry Registry}, doi = {10.1093/ndt/gfr420}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124697}, pages = {1042-1049}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background. The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of renal disease progression in adults with Fabry disease during treatment with agalsidase beta. Methods. Renal function was evaluated in 151 men and 62 women from the Fabry Registry who received agalsidase beta at an average dose of 1 mg/kg/2 weeks for at least 2 years. Patients were categorized into quartiles based on slopes of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) during treatment. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with renal disease progression. Results. Men within the first quartile had a mean eGFR slope of -0.1 mL/min/1.73m2/year, whereas men with the most rapid renal disease progression (Quartile 4) had a mean eGFR slope of -6.7 mL/min/1.73m2/year. The risk factor most strongly associated with renal disease progression was averaged urinary protein:creatinine ratio (UP/Cr) ≥1 g/g (odds ratio 112, 95\% confidence interval (95\% CI) 4-3109, P = 0.0054). Longer time from symptom onset to treatment was also associated with renal disease progression (odds ratio 19, 95\% CI 2-184, P = 0.0098). Women in Quartile 4 had the highest averaged UP/Cr (mean 1.8 g/g) and the most rapid renal disease progression: (mean slope -4.4 mL/min/1.73m2/year). Conclusions. Adults with Fabry disease are at risk for progressive loss of eGFR despite enzyme replacement therapy, particularly if proteinuria is ≥1 g/g. Men with little urinary protein excretion and those who began receiving agalsidase beta sooner after the onset of symptoms had stable renal function. These findings suggest that early intervention may lead to optimal renal outcomes.}, language = {en} } @article{BrevoordKrankeKuijpersetal.2012, author = {Brevoord, Daniel and Kranke, Peter and Kuijpers, Marijn and Weber, Nina and Hollmann, Markus and Preckel, Benedikt}, title = {Remote Ischemic Conditioning to Protect against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {7}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0042179}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-134471}, pages = {e42179}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Remote ischemic conditioning is gaining interest as potential method to induce resistance against ischemia reperfusion injury in a variety of clinical settings. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate whether remote ischemic conditioning reduces mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, length of stay in hospital and in the intensive care unit and biomarker release in patients who suffer from or are at risk for ischemia reperfusion injury. Methods and Results: Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized clinical trials comparing remote ischemic conditioning, regardless of timing, with no conditioning. Two investigators independently selected suitable trials, assessed trial quality and extracted data. 23 studies in patients undergoing cardiac surgery (15 studies), percutaneous coronary intervention (four studies) and vascular surgery (four studies), comprising in total 1878 patients, were included in this review. Compared to no conditioning, remote ischemic conditioning did not reduce mortality (odds ratio 1.22 [95\% confidence interval 0.48, 3.07]) or major adverse cardiovascular events (0.65 [0.38, 1.14]). However, the incidence of myocardial infarction was reduced with remote ischemic conditioning (0.50 [0.31, 0.82]), as was peak troponin release (standardized mean difference -0.28 [-0.47, -0.09]). Conclusion: There is no evidence that remote ischemic conditioning reduces mortality associated with ischemic events; nor does it reduce major adverse cardiovascular events. However, remote ischemic conditioning did reduce the incidence of peri-procedural myocardial infarctions, as well as the release of troponin.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Hoelscher2012, author = {H{\"o}lscher, Uvo Christoph}, title = {Relaxations-Dispersions-Bildgebung in der Magnetresonanztomographie}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-79554}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Das Ziel dieser Promotion ist der Aufbau eines dreMR Setups f{\"u}r einen klinischen 1,5T Scanner, das die Relaxations-Dispersions-Bildgebung erm{\"o}glicht, und die anschließende Ergr{\"u}ndung von m{\"o}glichst vielen Anwendungsfeldern von dreMR. Zu der Aufgabe geh{\"o}rt die Bereitstellung der zugrunde liegenden Theorie, der Bau des experimentellen Setups (Offset-Spule und Stromversorgung) sowie die Programmierung der n{\"o}tigen Software. Mit dem gebauten Setup konnten zwei große Anwendungsfelder — dreMR Messungen mit und ohne Kontrastmitteln — untersucht werden.}, subject = {Kernspintomografie}, language = {de} } @article{RoeserEichholzSchwerdtleetal.2012, author = {Roeser, Karolin and Eichholz, Ruth and Schwerdtle, Barbara and Schlarb, Angelika A. and K{\"u}bler, Andrea}, title = {Relationship of sleep quality and health-related quality of life in adolescents according to self- and proxy ratings: a questionnaire survey}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75953}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Introduction: Sleep disturbances are common in adolescents and adversely affect performance, social contact, and susceptibility to stress. We investigated the hypothesis of a relationship between sleep and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and applied self- and proxy ratings. Materials and Methods: The sample comprised 92 adolescents aged 11-17 years. All participants and their parents completed a HRQoL measure and the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC ). Children with SDSC T -scores above the normal range (above 60) were classified as poor sleepers. Results: According to self- and proxy ratings, good sleepers reported significantly higher HRQoL than poor sleep- ers. Sleep disturbances were significantly higher and HRQoL significantly lower in self- as compared to parental ratings. Parent-child agreement was higher for subscales measuring observable aspects. Girls experienced significantly stronger sleep disturbances and lower self-rated HRQoL than boys. Discussion: Our findings support the positive relationship of sleep and HRQoL. Furthermore, parents significantly underestimate sleep disturbances and overestimate HRQoL in their children.}, subject = {Psychiatrie}, language = {en} } @article{PanduranganPajakMolnaretal.2012, author = {Pandurangan, Sudhakar and Pajak, Agnieszka and Molnar, Stephen J. and Cober, Elroy R. and Dhaubhadel, Sangeeta and Hern{\´a}ndez-Sebasti{\`a}, Cinta and Kaiser, Werner M. and Nelson, Randall L. and Huber, Steven C. and Marsolais, Fr{\´e}d{\´e}ric}, title = {Relationship between asparagine metabolism and protein concentration in soybean seed}, series = {Journal of Experimental Botany}, volume = {63}, journal = {Journal of Experimental Botany}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1093/jxb/ers039}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126900}, pages = {3173-3184}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The relationship between asparagine metabolism and protein concentration was investigated in soybean seed. Phenotyping of a population of recombinant inbred lines adapted to Illinois confirmed a positive correlation between free asparagine levels in developing seeds and protein concentration at maturity. Analysis of a second population of recombinant inbred lines adapted to Ontario associated the elevated free asparagine trait with two of four quantitative trait loci determining population variation for protein concentration, including a major one on chromosome 20 (linkage group I) which has been reported in multiple populations. In the seed coat, levels of asparagine synthetase were high at 50 mg and progressively declined until 150 mg seed weight, suggesting that nitrogenous assimilates are pre-conditioned at early developmental stages to enable a high concentration of asparagine in the embryo. The levels of asparaginase B1 showed an opposite pattern, being low at 50 mg and progressively increased until 150 mg, coinciding with an active phase of storage reserve accumulation. In a pair of genetically related cultivars, ∼2-fold higher levels of asparaginase B1 protein and activity in seed coat, were associated with high protein concentration, reflecting enhanced flux of nitrogen. Transcript expression analyses attributed this difference to a specific asparaginase gene, ASPGB1a. These results contribute to our understanding of the processes determining protein concentration in soybean seed.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Schmid2012, author = {Schmid, Benedikt}, title = {Relation between cerebral arterio-venous transit time and neuropsychological performance in patients with vascular dementia}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-71234}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Dementia, or any form of degenerative cognitive decline, is one of the major problems in present, and even more will be in future medicine. With Alzheimer's disease (AD) being the most prevalent, Vascular Dementia is the second most entity of dementing processes in the elderly. As diagnostic criteria are still imprecise and in many cases do not embrace early stages of the disease, recent studies have proposed more detailed classifications of the newly created condition Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI). Of all conditions subsumed under this term, subcortical small-vessel alterations are the most common cause for cognitive decline. The diagnosis of dementia / cognitive impairment is presently often made in late stages of the disease, when therapeutical options are poor. Thus, early detection of changes of the subcortical small vessels is desirable, when there is still time to identify and aggressively treat risk factors and underlying conditions like diabetes, hyper- or hypotension, and hyperlipidemia. This study aimed to evaluate whether cTT correlates to cognitive dysfunction, i.e. if cTT is fit as an early diagnostic tool for VCI. The study cohort included 38 patients from the Neurological Clinic of the W{\"u}rzburg University hospital admitted due to diagnoses other than dementia or stroke. As a result of this study it turned out that cTT is certainly capable of fulfilling the task to easily and effectively detect and evaluate possible microvascular lesions of the brain with respect to the actual clinical relevance for the patient. When compared to the other proposed diagnostic tools, neuropsychological testing and MRI, the advantages of cTT are obvious: its measurement is a low-cost and quick procedure which would spare both patients and examiners a long neuropsychological exam or complement it. cTT is safe to assess as the only possible risks derive from the use of the contrast agent, which are rare and easily manageable. It has also proven to be more accurate in showing the extent of cognitive impairment than MRI. Finally, it is widely available. The only prerequisite is an ultrasound machine capable of transcranial color-coded duplex sonography. No cost-intensive procedures like MRI are needed. So, with neuropsychological testing remaining the gold standard, cTT here proved to be a reliable alternative which is more time- and cost-effective than MRI.}, subject = {Demenz}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Haydn2012, author = {Haydn, Johannes}, title = {Regulation of ERK1/2 signaling in melanoma}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-85727}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Die Mechanismen in einer Zelle, die die Genexpression und somit den Stoffwechsel, das Wachstum und das gesamte Zellverhalten steuern, sind ebenso bedeutsam f{\"u}r das Verst{\"a}ndnis der grundlegenden Biologie einer lebenden Zelle wie f{\"u}r die Vorg{\"a}nge der Krebsentstehung. Dabei bilden hochvernetzte, und strikt regulierte Signaltransduktionswege die Basis f{\"u}r ein belastbares und zugleich hochflexibles regulatorisches Netzwerk. Die St{\"o}rung solcher Signalkaskaden kann zum einen urs{\"a}chlich aber auch modifizierend auf die Bildung von Tumoren wirken. Die von Rezeptortyrosinkinasen (RTK) und RAS abh{\"a}ngigen Signalwege, die zur Aktivierung von AKT und ERK1/2 f{\"u}hren, sind hierbei von besonderem Interesse f{\"u}r die Entstehung des malignen Melanoms. Mutationen in Komponenten dieser Wege (z.B. NRAS, BRAF oder PTEN), die die Signalst{\"a}rke erh{\"o}hen kommen in Melanomen sehr h{\"a}ufig vor. Im ersten Teil dieser Arbeit wurden die unterschiedlichen und vielf{\"a}ltigen Funktionen von MKP2, einem Feedbackregulator des ERK1/2-Weges, unter verschiedenen zellul{\"a}ren Rahmenbedingungen, untersucht. Des Weiteren wird eine Funktion des zum AP1-Komplex geh{\"o}renden FOSL1, einem unter transkriptioneller Kontrolle des ERK1/2-Weges stehendem Transkriptionsfaktors, hinsichtlich der Steuerung der Zell-Proliferation gezeigt. Weiterhin habe ich Aspekte der direkten pharmakologischen Inhibition des ERK1/2-Weges hinsichtlich ihres Effekts auf die Ausl{\"o}sung von Apoptose untersucht. Aufgrund der H{\"a}ufigkeit von Mutationen in Genen, die f{\"u}r Proteine des ERK1/2-Weges kodieren (z.B. NRASQ61K, BRAFV600E), gilt die Inhibition dieses Signalwegs als vielversprechende Strategie zur Behandlung des Melanoms. Auch wenn klinische Studien, die Inhibitoren f{\"u}r MEK oder RAF als Einzelmedikamente verwenden, bei mehrmonatiger Behandlung sehr erfolgreich sind, konnten so keine langfristigen Erfolge erzielt werden. Aus diesem Grund werden nun Kombinationstherapien, die einen Inhibitor des ERK1/2-Weges und eine weitere Form der Therapie kombinieren, untersucht. Der zweite Teil dieser Arbeit beschreibt, dass der spezifische MEK Inhibitor PD184352 Melanomzellen vor der Apoptosewirkung von Cisplatin sch{\"u}tzen kann. Einzelbehandlung mit Cisplatin f{\"u}hrt hierbei zur Akkumulation von DNA Sch{\"a}den, die wiederum Caspase-abh{\"a}ngig Apoptose induzieren. Zus{\"a}tzliche Anwendung des MEK Inhibitors verringerte jedoch in einigen Zelllinien das Potential von Cisplatin, Apoptose auszul{\"o}sen. Diese Zellen zeigten eine verst{\"a}rkte Aktivierung der Serin/Threonin-KInase AKT nach MEK Inhibition. Diese AKT Aktivierung f{\"u}hrte zur Inaktivierung der FOXO Transkriptionsfaktoren, was wiederum die Expression des pro-apoptotischen BH3-only Proteins PUMA verringerte. PUMA selbst ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil der Apoptose Maschinerie, die durch Cisplatin aktiviert wird. Die im Rahmen dieser Arbeit erhaltenen Befunde deuten darauf hin, dass RTKs, im besonderen EGFR, bei diesem Crosstalk eine Rolle spielen. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Inhibition des RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK Signalweges im Melanom nicht zwangsl{\"a}ufig von Vorteil sein muss, falls die Zellen gleichzeitig mit einem genotoxischen Medikament behandelt werden. Hier kann sie sogar die {\"U}berlebensf{\"a}higkeit von Melanomzellen unter Apoptose induzierenden Bedingungen verbessern.}, subject = {Melanom}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Hubertus2012, author = {Hubertus, Katharina}, title = {Regulation des cAMP Spiegel und der Signaltransduktion in humanen Thrombozyten durch Prostanoid-Rezeptoren}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-71996}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Prostanoide wirken {\"u}ber Prostanoid-Rezeptoren auf die Aktivierung oder Hemmung der Thrombozyten. In dieser Arbeit wurde die Existenz und Funktionsweise der Prostanoid-Rezeptoren anhand synthetischer Agonisten und Antagonisten in humanen Thrombozyten nachgewiesen. Weiter wurde untersucht, {\"u}ber welche Prostanoid-Rezeptoren die Signaltransduktion der nat{\"u}rlichen Agonisten wie PGE2, PGE1 und PGA1 vermittelt wird, sowie das Zusammenspiel der Prostanoid-Rezeptoren auf die Aktivierung oder Hemmung der Thrombozyten gezeigt. Das Vorhandensein der Prostaglandin E2 Synthase 3 wurde nachgewiesen sowie erste Anhaltspunkte f{\"u}r die Existenz eines Komplexes aus Prostaglandin E2 Synthase 3, Hitzeschockprotein-90 sowie Casein Kinase 2 gezeigt.}, subject = {Prostaglandine}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Doehler2012, author = {D{\"o}hler, Anja}, title = {Regulation der Toleranzinduktion von steady-state migratorischen Dendritischen Zellen durch den Transkriptionsfaktor RelB}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-72343}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Toleranz gegen{\"u}ber Selbstantigenen in den peripheren Geweben kann durch CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatorische T-Zellen (Tregs) vermittelt werden. Diese Zellen entstehen entweder in Folge der thymischen T-Zellselektion (nat{\"u}rlich vorkommende Tregs, nTreg) oder durch Konversion aus naiven T-Zellen in den peripheren lymphatischen Organen (induzierte Tregs, iTregs). Im Vorfeld der Arbeit war bereits bekannt, dass Dendritische Zellen (DZ) eine wichtige Rolle bei der Generierung von iTreg spielen. Allerdings bestand weitestgehend Unklarheit dar{\"u}ber, welche DZ in welchem Reifungszustand dazu in der Lage sind, iTregs gegen peripher-exprimierte Selbstantigene zu induzieren. Steady-state migratorische DZ (ssmDZ) gelten in dieser Hinsicht als potentielle Kandidaten, da bekannt ist, dass diese DZ bereits unter hom{\"o}ostatischen Bedingungen Selbstantigene aus peripheren Geweben in die drainierenden Lymphknoten transportieren und dort T-Zellen pr{\"a}sentieren k{\"o}nnen. Ein Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war daher, den Ph{\"a}notyp und die tolerogene Kapazit{\"a}t der ssmDZ in den hautdrainierenden Lymphknoten n{\"a}her zu untersuchen. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass ssmDZ einen semireifen MHC IIint CD40hi CD80/CD86int CCR7+ Ph{\"a}notyp aufweisen und in vitro mit Hilfe von endogenem TGF-β iTregs induzieren k{\"o}nnen. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus belegt diese Arbeit zusammen mit weiteren Daten aus unserer Arbeitsgruppe, dass ssmDZ in transgenen K5mOVA-M{\"a}usen zellassoziertes epidermales OVA aus der Haut in die drainierenden Lymphknoten transportieren und dort an CD4+ OVA-spezifische TZR-transgene OT-II T-Zellen pr{\"a}sentieren k{\"o}nnen. Innerhalb der ssmDZ konnten die Langerin+ dermalen DZ als die DZ-Subpopulation eingegrenzt werden, die f{\"u}r die Konversion von naiven OT-II T-Zellen in CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ iTregs verantwortlich war. Ferner zeigte sich, dass CD103 nicht als Marker f{\"u}r ssmDZ in den hautdrainierenden Lymphknoten herangezogen werden kann. Ein weiteres Ziel dieser Arbeit war, herauszufinden, welchen Einfluss der Transkriptionsfaktor RelB auf die partielle Reifung und Migration der ssmDZ hat. RelB ist ein Mitglied der NF-κB-Familie und wird mit der Reifung von DZ in Verbindung gebracht. Erste Experimente zeigten eine nukle{\"a}re Translokation von RelB in ssmDZ sowie eine verringerte Frequenz dieser DZ in den hautdrainierenden Lymphknoten von relB+/- M{\"a}usen und M{\"a}usen mit einer Defizienz f{\"u}r den RelB-Bindungspartner p52. Allerdings konnte bei M{\"a}usen mit einer DZ-spezifischen RelB-Inaktivierung (RelBDCko M{\"a}use) eine erh{\"o}hte Frequenz an ssmDZ in den hautdrainierenden Lymphknoten festgestellt, die nicht auf einer Zunahme an DZ in der Haut der Tiere zur{\"u}ckzuf{\"u}hren war. Diese Ergebnisse legen einerseits die Vermutung nahe, dass es sich bei den beobachteten Effekte in den relB+/- M{\"a}usen um DZ-extrinsische Auswirkungen auf die ssmDZ handelt. Andererseits scheint RelB unter hom{\"o}ostatischen Bedingungen die Erhaltung und Migration der ssmDZ eher negativ zu beeinflussen. Weitere durchflusszytometrische Analysen wiesen zudem darauf hin, dass RelB in ssmDZ die Expression von Reifungsmarkern nur partiell reguliert. So konnte auf den ssmDZ in den hautdrainierenden Lymphknoten von RelBDCko M{\"a}usen eine erh{\"o}hte Expression von CD40 beobachtet werden, w{\"a}hrend andere Reifungsmarker wie MHC II, CD80 und CD86 nicht signifikant in ihrer Expression betroffen waren. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde zudem untersucht, wie sich eine RelB-Defizienz in DZ auf die Hom{\"o}ostase und Induktion von Tregs auswirkt. Die hierzu analysierten RelBDCko M{\"a}use wiesen eine erh{\"o}hte Frequenz und absolute Zellzahl an Tregs in allen untersuchten lymphatischen Organen (hautdrainierende Lymphknoten, Milz und Thymus) auf. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus war in diesen Organen auch eine verst{\"a}rkte Proliferation der Tregs gegen{\"u}ber den Kontrolltieren festzustellen. Weitere Untersuchungen zeigten, dass die Proliferation der Tregs in RelBDCko M{\"a}usen in den hautdrainierenden Lymphknoten sogar st{\"a}rker ausfiel als in der Milz. RelB scheint somit die tolerogene Kapazit{\"a}t der DZ zur Regulation der Treg-Expansion im Thymus und in der Peripherie zu beeinflussen. Unter Verwendung von neutralisierenden αIL-2-Antik{\"o}rpern konnte zudem belegt werden, dass die periphere Proliferation der Tregs in den RelBDCko M{\"a}usen von IL-2 abh{\"a}ngig ist. Damit einhergehend zeigten erste Vorversuche eine erh{\"o}hte IL-2-Produktion in den peripheren lymphatischen Organen von RelBDCko M{\"a}usen. Zusammenfassend legen die Daten dieser Arbeit den Schluss nahe, dass ssmDZ in den hautdrainierenden Lymphknoten in der Lage sind, Toleranz durch Induktion von iTregs gegen epidermale Selbstantigene zu induzieren. Untersuchungen an neuartigen M{\"a}usen mit einer konditionalen RelB-Inaktivierung spezifisch in DZ deuten darauf hin, dass die Migration und Reifung von ssmDZ partiell durch RelB reguliert wird. Da Tregs eine Schl{\"u}sselrolle bei der Erhaltung der peripheren Toleranz einnehmen, ist die Beobachtung, dass eine RelB-Defizienz in allen DZ zu einer verst{\"a}rkten Treg-Proliferation und somit zu einer ver{\"a}nderten Treg-Hom{\"o}ostase f{\"u}hrt, ein intererssanter Ausgangspunkt f{\"u}r weitere Untersuchungen.}, subject = {Dendritische Zelle}, language = {de} } @article{WuPuAllenetal.2012, author = {Wu, Lingdan and Pu, Jie and Allen, John J. B. and Pauli, Paul}, title = {Recognition of facial expressions in individuals with elevated levels of depressive symptoms: an eye-movement study}, series = {Depression Research and Treatment}, volume = {2012}, journal = {Depression Research and Treatment}, number = {249030}, doi = {10.1155/2012/249030}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-123153}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Previous studies consistently reported abnormal recognition of facial expressions in depression. However, it is still not clear whether this abnormality is due to an enhanced or impaired ability to recognize facial expressions, and what underlying cognitive systems are involved. The present study aimed to examine how individuals with elevated levels of depressive symptoms differ from controls on facial expression recognition and to assess attention and information processing using eye tracking. Forty participants (18 with elevated depressive symptoms) were instructed to label facial expressions depicting one of seven emotions. Results showed that the high-depression group, in comparison with the low-depression group, recognized facial expressions faster and with comparable accuracy. Furthermore, the high-depression group demonstrated greater leftwards attention bias which has been argued to be an indicator of hyperactivation of right hemisphere during facial expression recognition.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Curtef2012, author = {Curtef, Oana}, title = {Rayleigh-quotient optimization on tensor products of Grassmannians}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-83383}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Applications in various research areas such as signal processing, quantum computing, and computer vision, can be described as constrained optimization tasks on certain subsets of tensor products of vector spaces. In this work, we make use of techniques from Riemannian geometry and analyze optimization tasks on subsets of so-called simple tensors which can be equipped with a differentiable structure. In particular, we introduce a generalized Rayleigh-quotient function on the tensor product of Grassmannians and on the tensor product of Lagrange- Grassmannians. Its optimization enables a unified approach to well-known tasks from different areas of numerical linear algebra, such as: best low-rank approximations of tensors (data compression), computing geometric measures of entanglement (quantum computing) and subspace clustering (image processing). We perform a thorough analysis on the critical points of the generalized Rayleigh-quotient and develop intrinsic numerical methods for its optimization. Explicitly, using the techniques from Riemannian optimization, we present two type of algorithms: a Newton-like and a conjugated gradient algorithm. Their performance is analysed and compared with established methods from the literature.}, subject = {Optimierung}, language = {en} } @article{HaeuslerHermKunzeetal.2012, author = {Haeusler, Karl Georg and Herm, Juliane and Kunze, Claudia and Kr{\"u}ll, Matthias and Brechtel, Lars and Lock, J{\"u}rgen and Hohenhaus, Marc and Heuschmann, Peter U. and Fiebach, Jochen B. and Haverkamp, Wilhelm and Endres, Matthias and Jungehulsing, Gerhard Jan}, title = {Rate of cardiac arrhythmias and silent brain lesions in experienced marathon runners: rationale, design and baseline data of the Berlin Beat of Running study}, series = {BMC Cardiovascular Disorders}, volume = {12}, journal = {BMC Cardiovascular Disorders}, number = {69}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2261-12-69}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-133677}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Regular exercise is beneficial for cardiovascular health but a recent meta-analysis indicated a relationship between extensive endurance sport and a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, an independent risk factor for stroke. However, data on the frequency of cardiac arrhythmias or (clinically silent) brain lesions during and after marathon running are missing. Methods/Design: In the prospective observational "Berlin Beat of Running" study experienced endurance athletes underwent clinical examination (CE), 3 Tesla brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), carotid ultrasound imaging (CUI) and serial blood sampling (BS) within 2-3 days prior (CE, MRI, CUI, BS), directly after (CE, BS) and within 2 days after (CE, MRI, BS) the 38\(^{th}\) BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2011. All participants wore a portable electrocardiogram (ECG)-recorder throughout the 4 to 5 days baseline study period. Participants with pathological MRI findings after the marathon, troponin elevations or detected cardiac arrhythmias will be asked to undergo cardiac MRI to rule out structural abnormalities. A follow-up is scheduled after one year. Results: Here we report the baseline data of the enrolled 110 athletes aged 36-61 years. Their mean age was 48.8 \(\pm\) 6.0 years, 24.5\% were female, 8.2\% had hypertension and 2.7\% had hyperlipidaemia. Participants have attended a mean of 7.5 \(\pm\) 6.6 marathon races within the last 5 years and a mean of 16 \(\pm\) 36 marathon races in total. Their weekly running distance prior to the 38\(^{th}\) BMW BERLIN-MARATHON was 65 \(\pm\) 17 km. Finally, 108 (98.2\%) Berlin Beat-Study participants successfully completed the 38\(^{th}\) BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2011. Discussion: Findings from the "Berlin Beats of Running" study will help to balance the benefits and risks of extensive endurance sport. ECG-recording during the marathon might contribute to identify athletes at risk for cardiovascular events. MRI results will give new insights into the link between physical stress and brain damage.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-12762, title = {Rapidity gap cross sections measured with the ATLAS detector in pp collisions at √s=7TeV}, series = {The European Physical Journal C}, volume = {72}, journal = {The European Physical Journal C}, number = {1926}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-012-1926-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-127629}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Pseudorapidity gap distributions in proton-proton collisions at √s=7 TeV are studied using a minimum bias data sample with an integrated luminosity of 7.1 μb\(^{-1}\). Cross sections are measured differentially in terms of Δη\(^F\), the larger of the pseudorapidity regions extending to the limits of the ATLAS sensitivity, at η=±4.9, in which no final state particles are produced above a transverse momentum threshold pcutT. The measurements span the region 0<Δη\(^F\)<8 for 200MeV G, that led to several splice products one of which lacked exons 11 and 12. This deletion was in frame and allowed for remarkable residual NADPH oxidase activity as determined by transduction experiments using a retroviral vector. We conclude that p67-phox which lacks the 34 amino acids encoded by the two exons can still exert considerable functional activity. This activity can partially explain the long-term survival of the patients without adequate diagnosis and treatment, but could not prevent progressing lung damage.}, language = {en} } @misc{FazelRezaiAllisonGugeretal.2012, author = {Fazel-Rezai, Reza and Allison, Brendan Z. and Guger, Christoph and Sellers, Eric W. and Kleih, Sonja C. and K{\"u}bler, Andrea}, title = {P300 brain computer interface: current challenges and emerging trends}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75941}, year = {2012}, abstract = {A brain-computer interface (BCI) enables communication without movement based on brain signals measured with electroencephalography (EEG). BCIs usually rely on one of three types of signals: the P300 and other components of the event-related potential (ERP), steady state visual evoked potential (SSVEP), or event related desynchronization (ERD). Although P300 BCIs were introduced over twenty years ago, the past few years have seen a strong increase in P300 BCI research. This closed-loop BCI approach relies on the P300 and other components of the ERP, based on an oddball paradigm presented to the subject. In this paper, we overview the current status of P300 BCI technology, and then discuss new directions: paradigms for eliciting P300s; signal processing methods; applications; and hybrid BCIs. We conclude that P300 BCIs are quite promising, as several emerging directions have not yet been fully explored and could lead to improvements in bit rate, reliability, usability, and flexibility.}, subject = {Psychologie}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Brand2012, author = {Brand, Susanne}, title = {Oxidativer Stress und DNA-Sch{\"a}den induziert durch das Peptidhormon Angiotensin II in vivo : Identifizierung des AT1-Rezeptors und reaktiver Sauerstoffspezies als urs{\"a}chliche Faktoren}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-77573}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Das Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosteron-System (RAAS) reguliert den Blutdruck und den Wasser- und Elektrolythaushalt des K{\"o}rpers. Angiotensin II (Ang II), das aktive Peptid des RAAS, bewirkt eine Vasokonstriktion und in h{\"o}heren Konzentrationen Bluthochdruck. Epidemiologische Studien haben gezeigt, dass eine Verbindung zwischen Hypertonie und dem geh{\"a}uften Auftreten von Krebs besteht. Eine Metaanalyse von 13 Fall-Kontroll-Studien konnte einen Zusammenhang zwischen Hypertonie und einem erh{\"o}hten Risiko, an einem Nierenzellkarzinom zu erkranken nachweisen. In vitro-Studien und Studien an der isolierten Niere konnten bereits genotoxische Effekte des blutdruckregulierenden Hormons Ang II zeigen. Zielsetzung dieser Arbeit war es, zun{\"a}chst in vivo zu pr{\"u}fen, ob steigende Ang II-Konzentrationen einen Einfluss auf die genomische Stabilit{\"a}t von Nieren- und Herzzellen besitzen. Hierzu wurden im Dosisversuch m{\"a}nnliche C57BL/6-M{\"a}use mit osmotischen Minipumpen ausgestattet, die Ang II in vier verschiedenen Konzentrationen zwischen 60 ng/kg min und 1 µg/kg min {\"u}ber einen Zeitraum von 28 Tagen abgeben sollten. W{\"a}hrend des Versuchszeitraums fanden regelm{\"a}ßige, nicht-invasive Blutdruckmessungen an der Maus statt. Die Behandlung mit Ang II f{\"u}hrte zu einem signifikanten Anstieg des Blutdrucks und zu histopathologischen Ver{\"a}nderungen der Glomeruli und des Tubulussystems, was sich in einer verschlechterten Albumin-Ausscheidung wiederspiegelte. Außerdem induzierte die Behandlung mit Ang II die dosisabh{\"a}ngige Bildung von reaktiven Sauerstoffspezies, DNA-Doppelstrangbr{\"u}chen und oxidativer DNA-Sch{\"a}den. Diese Parameter waren bereits in Tieren erh{\"o}ht, die keinen Bluthochdruck entwickelten und stiegen mit der h{\"o}chsten Ang II-Konzentration noch an, obwohl hier im Vergleich zur Vorg{\"a}ngergruppe, die eine geringere Ang II-Konzentration erhielt, kein h{\"o}herer Blutdruck vorlag. Diese Beobachtung deutet auf eine m{\"o}gliche Unabh{\"a}ngigkeit des entstandenen Schadens vom Bluthochdruck hin und lenkt die Aufmerksamkeit auf Ang II als genomsch{\"a}digenden Faktor. Der folgende Interventionsversuch sollte Aufschluss {\"u}ber die m{\"o}gliche blutdruckunabh{\"a}ngige genomsch{\"a}digende Wirkung von Ang II geben. Dazu wurden C57BL/6-M{\"a}use neben der Ang II-Behandlung in einer Konzentration von 600 ng/kg min zus{\"a}tzlich {\"u}ber einen Zeitraum von 28 Tagen mit 5 verschiedenen Substanzen behandelt: Candesartan, Ramipril, Hydralazin, Eplerenon und Tempol. Candesartan ist ein Ang II-Rezeptor-Antagonist, der selektiv den AT1-Rezeptor blockiert. Ramipril wirkt als Hemmer des Angiotensin-Konversions-Enzyms und verhindert die Bildung von endogenem Ang II aus Ang I. Hydralazin, als Vasodilatator, greift nicht in das Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosteron-System ein. Eplerenon blockiert als selektiver Aldosteronantagonist den Mineralkortikoidrezeptor. Tempol wirkt als Antioxidans. Die Behandlung mit Ang II in einer Konzentration von 600 ng/kg min im Interventionsversuch f{\"u}hrte zur Hochregulierung der NADPH-Oxidase 4 und zur Produktion reaktiver Sauerstoffspezies in der Niere und im kardiovaskul{\"a}ren Gewebe. Der entstandene oxidative Stress f{\"u}hrte wiederum zu DNA-Sch{\"a}den und einer Aktivierung der Transkriptionsfaktoren Nrf2 und NF-B. Nrf2-vermittelt wurde die Induktion antioxidativer Gene ausgel{\"o}st, was allerdings nicht ausreichend war, um vor Ang II-induzierten ROS und DNA-Sch{\"a}den zu sch{\"u}tzen. Eine l{\"a}ngerfristige NF-B-Aktivierung durch hohe Ang II-Spiegel kann das {\"U}berleben und die Proliferation von Zellen, die DNA-Sch{\"a}den in Form von Doppelstrangbr{\"u}chen tragen, f{\"o}rdern, was eine Tumor-initiierende Wirkung haben k{\"o}nnte. Die beschriebenen Effekte erh{\"o}hter Ang II-Spiegel konnten durch die Intervention mit dem AT1-Rezeptorblocker Candesartan verhindert werden, was die Beteiligung des Rezeptors nachweist. Eine blutdruckunabh{\"a}ngige, genomsch{\"a}digende Wirkung von Ang II konnte leider durch die Intervention mit Hydralazin nicht verdeutlicht werden, da die erw{\"u}nschte langfristige Blutdrucksenkung ausblieb. Allerdings zeigte die Intervention mit Tempol eine Abnahme an oxidativem Stress und DNA-Sch{\"a}den trotz ausbleibender Blutdrucksenkung. Die Bedeutung von ROS in der Bildung von DNA-Sch{\"a}den und die Unabh{\"a}ngigkeit dieser Sch{\"a}den vom Blutdruck konnten somit hervorgehoben werden. Die Tatsache, dass die Intervention mit Ramipril den Blutdruck nicht senken konnte, der oxidative Stress und die DNA-Sch{\"a}den durch m{\"o}gliche antioxidative Eigenschaften aber vermindert wurden, unterst{\"u}tzt diese Beobachtung. Die Intervention mit Eplerenon f{\"u}hrte zum Teil zu einer Verminderung an ROS und DNA-Sch{\"a}den, brachte diese Parameter aber nicht auf Kontrollniveau zur{\"u}ck. Somit ist eine Beteiligung von Aldosteron nicht auszuschließen.}, subject = {Oxidativer Stress}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Grebner2012, author = {Grebner, Wiebke}, title = {Organspezifische Bildung und Funktion von Oxylipinen in Arabidopsis thaliana}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-76730}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Oxylipine sind Signalmolek{\"u}le, welche durch die enzymatische oder nicht-enzymatische Oxidation von Fetts{\"a}uren gebildet werden. Eine bedeutende Gruppe von Oxylipinen in Pflanzen sind die Jasmonate. Dazu z{\"a}hlen Jasmons{\"a}ure (JA), deren Vorstufe 12-Oxophytodiens{\"a}ure (OPDA) sowie deren Metabolite. Ein bedeutender Metabolit von JA ist das Aminos{\"a}ure-Konjugat JA-Isoleucin (JA-Ile), welches hohe biologische Aktivit{\"a}t besitzt. Besonders f{\"u}r die oberirdischen Organe von Pflanzen wurden bisher vielf{\"a}ltige Funktionen von Jasmonaten beschrieben. Sie sind beteiligt an verschiedenen Entwicklungsprozessen wie der Fertilit{\"a}t von Bl{\"u}ten, aber auch an der Abwehr von Pathogenen und Herbivoren und bei der Reaktion von Pflanzen auf abiotische Stressoren wie hohe Salzkonzentrationen oder Trockenheit. {\"U}ber die Bildung und Funktion von Oxylipinen in Wurzeln ist bisher jedoch nur wenig bekannt. Aus diesem Grund wurden in der vorliegenden Arbeit die Gehalte von Galaktolipiden und Jasmonaten in Spross und Wurzel von Arabidopsis thaliana Pflanzen verglichen. Mit Hilfe verschiedener JA Biosynthese-Mutanten konnte zudem die Bildung von Jasmonaten in der Wurzel und deren biologische Funktion in diesem Pflanzenorgan untersucht werden. Um die Wurzeln der Arabidopsis Pflanzen einfach behandeln zu k{\"o}nnen und um schnell und stressfrei gr{\"o}ßere Mengen von Wurzelmaterial ernten zu k{\"o}nnen, wurde ein hydroponisches Anzuchtsystem etabliert. Die Analyse von Galaktolipiden zeigte, dass in der Wurzel deutlich geringere Galaktolipid Gehalte als im Spross vorhanden sind. Da Galaktolipide den Hauptbestandteil plastid{\"a}rer Membranen ausmachen, in den Wurzeln insgesamt jedoch weniger Plastiden vorkommen als in Bl{\"a}ttern, w{\"a}re dies ein m{\"o}glicher Grund f{\"u}r den beobachteten Unterschied. Das Vorkommen von mit OPDA oder dnOPDA veresterten Galaktolipiden (Arabidopsiden) wird in der Literatur f{\"u}r die Thylakoidmembranen der Chloroplasten beschrieben. Die Analyse der Arabidopsid Gehalte von Wurzeln konnte diese Aussage st{\"u}tzen, da in Wurzeln, welche normalerweise keine Chloroplasten besitzen, nahezu keine Arabidopside detektiert werden konnten. Die Analyse der Jasmonate zeigte anhand von Pfropfungsexperimenten mit der Jasmonat-freien dde2 Mutante, dass die Wurzeln unabh{\"a}ngig vom Spross in der Lage sind Jasmonate zu bilden, obwohl die Expression vieler JA-Biosynthese-Gene in den Wurzeln sehr gering ist. Zudem zeigten diese Experimente, dass es keinen direkten Transport von Jasmonaten zwischen Spross und Wurzel gibt. Die Bildung von Jasmonaten in der Wurzel konnte durch verschiedene Stresse wie Verwundung, osmotischen Stress oder Trockenheit induziert werden. K{\"a}lte und Salzstress hatten hingegen keinen Jasmonat-Anstieg in den Wurzeln zur Folge. Anders als bei osmotischem Stress und Trockenheit, wo sowohl die Gehalte von OPDA als auch von JA und JA-Ile anstiegen, konnte bei Verwundung keine Zunahme der OPDA-Spiegel detektiert werden. Hier kam es zu einer deutlichen Abnahme, wohingegen die JA und JA-Ile Spiegel sehr stark anstiegen. Dies deutet darauf hin, dass es sehr komplexe und vielf{\"a}ltige Regulationsmechanismen hinsichtlich der Bildung von Jasmonaten gibt. Der erste Schritt der JA-Biosynthese, die Bildung von 13-Hydroperoxyfetts{\"a}uren (HPOTE), wird durch 13-Lipoxygenase (LOX) Enzyme katalysiert. In Arabidopsis sind vier unterschiedliche 13-LOX Isoformen bekannt. Die Untersuchung verschiedener 13-LOX-Mutanten ergab, dass nur die LOX6 an der Biosynthese von Jasmonaten in der Wurzel beteiligt ist. So konnten in Wurzeln der lox6 Mutante weder basal noch nach verschiedenen Stressen bedeutende Mengen von Jasmonaten gemessen werden. Im Spross dieser Mutante war basal kein OPDA vorhanden, nach Stresseinwirkung wurden jedoch {\"a}hnliche Jasmonat Gehalte wie im Wildtyp detektiert. Um Hinweise auf die biologische Funktion von Jasmonaten in Wurzeln zu erhalten, wurden Untersuchungen mit einer lox6 KO Mutante durchgef{\"u}hrt. Dabei zeigte sich, dass abgeschnittene lox6 Wurzeln, welche keine Jasmonate bilden, im Vergleich zum Wildtyp von saprobiont lebenden Kellerasseln (Porcellio scaber) bevorzugt als Futter genutzt werden. Bl{\"a}tter dieser Mutante, welche nach Stress ann{\"a}hernd gleiche Jasmonat Gehalte wie der Wildtyp aufweisen, wurden nicht bevorzugt gefressen. Von der Jasmonat-freien dde2 Mutante wurden hingegen sowohl die Wurzeln als auch die Bl{\"a}tter bevorzugt gefressen. Neben den Experimenten mit Kellerasseln wurden auch Welke-Versuche mit lox6 und dde2 Pflanzen durchgef{\"u}hrt. Hierbei wiesen die lox6 Pflanzen, nicht aber die dde2 Pflanzen, eine erh{\"o}hte Suszeptibilit{\"a}t gegen{\"u}ber Trockenheit auf. dde2 Pflanzen haben im Gegensatz zu LOX Mutanten unver{\"a}nderte 13-HPOTE Gehalte, aus denen auch andere Oxylipine als Jasmonate gebildet werden k{\"o}nnen. Dies zeigt, dass durch LOX6 gebildete Oxylipine, im Falle von Trockenheit aber nicht Jasmonate, an der Reaktion von Arabidopsis Pflanzen auf biotische und abiotische Stresse beteiligt sind.}, subject = {Oxylipine}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Hu2012, author = {Hu, Wanning}, title = {Organometal half-sandwich complexes and their bioconjugates: Biological activity on cancer cells and potential applications in biolabelling}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-87899}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {In summary, structure-activity relationships in peptide and dendrimer carriers modified with different organometal complexes were studied on a human breast cancer cell line. Variation of the organometal cargo and carrier can significantly influence their biological properties and might open the way to new approaches in chemotherapy. Furthermore, the incorporation of complexes with different C≡O vibrational signatures in a model peptide was explored to examine information encoding in biomolecules in a barcoding strategy for potential imaging applications. In particular for the latter, additional stable metal-carbonyl markers need to be prepared in future work to expand the pool of vibrational labels available.}, subject = {Konjugate}, language = {en} } @article{KotteLoewHuberetal.2012, author = {Kotte, K. and L{\"o}w, F. and Huber, S. G. and Krause, T. and Mulder, I. and Sch{\"o}ler, H. F.}, title = {Organohalogen emissions from saline environments - spatial extrapolation using remote sensing as most promising tool}, series = {Biogeosciences}, volume = {9}, journal = {Biogeosciences}, number = {3}, doi = {10.5194/bg-9-1225-2012}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-134265}, pages = {1225-1235}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Due to their negative water budget most recent semi-/arid regions are characterized by vast evaporates (salt lakes and salty soils). We recently identified those hyper-saline environments as additional sources for a multitude of volatile halogenated organohalogens (VOX). These compounds can affect the ozone layer of the stratosphere and play a key role in the production of aerosols. A remote sensing based analysis was performed in the Southern Aral Sea basin, providing information of major soil types as well as their extent and spatial and temporal evolution. VOX production has been determined in dry and moist soil samples after 24 h. Several C1- and C2 organohalogens have been found in hyper-saline topsoil profiles, including CH3Cl, CH3Br, CHBr3 and CHCl3. The range of organohalogens also includes trans-1,2-dichloroethene (DCE), which is reported here to be produced naturally for the first time. Using MODIS time series and supervised image classification a daily production rate for DCE has been calculated for the 15 000 km\(^2\) ranging research area in the southern Aralkum. The applied laboratory setup simulates a short-term change in climatic conditions, starting from dried-out saline soil that is instantly humidified during rain events or flooding. It describes the general VOX production potential, but allows only for a rough estimation of resulting emission loads. VOX emissions are expected to increase in the future since the area of salt affected soils is expanding due to the regressing Aral Sea. Opportunities, limits and requirements of satellite based rapid change detection and salt classification are discussed.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Huggenberger2012, author = {Huggenberger, Alexander}, title = {Optimierung von positionierten In(Ga)As-Quantenpunkten zur Integration in Halbleiter-Mikroresonatoren}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-78031}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Diese Arbeit besch{\"a}ftigt sich mit der Herstellung von positionierten In(Ga)As-Quantenpunkten zur Integration in Halbleiter-Mikroresonatoren. Dazu wurden systematisch die optischen Eigenschaften - insbesondere die Linienbreite und die Feinstrukturaufspaltung der Emission einzelner Quantenpunkte - optimiert. Diese Optimierung erfolgt im Hinblick auf die Verwendung der Quantenpunkte in Lichtquellen zur Realisierung einer Daten{\"u}bertragung, die durch Quantenkryptographie abh{\"o}rsicher verschl{\"u}sselt wird. Ein gekoppeltes Halbleitersystem aus einem Mikroresonator und einem Quantenpunkt kann zur Herstellung von Einzelphotonenquellen oder Quellen verschr{\"a}nkter Photonen verwendet werden. In dieser Arbeit konnten positionierte Quantenpunkte skalierbar in Halbleiter-Mikroresonatoren integriert werden. In(Ga)As-Quantenpunkte auf GaAs sind ein h{\"a}ufig untersuchtes System und k{\"o}nnen heutzutage mit hoher Kristallqualit{\"a}t durch Molekularstrahlepitaxie hergestellt werden. Um die Emission der Quantenpunkte gerichtet erfolgen zu lassen und die Auskoppeleffizienz der Bauteile zu erh{\"o}hen, wurden Mikros{\"a}ulenresonatoren oder photonische Kristallresonatoren eingesetzt. Die Integration in diese Resonatoren erfolgt durch Ausrichtung an Referenzstrukturen, wodurch dieses Verfahren skalierbar. Die Strukturierung der Substrate f{\"u}r die Herstellung von positionierten Quantenpunkten wurde durch optische Lithographie und Elektronenstrahllithographie in Kombination mit unterschiedlichen {\"A}tztechniken erreicht. F{\"u}r den praktischen Einsatz solcher Strukturen wurde ein Kontaktierungsschema f{\"u}r den elektrischen Betrieb entwickelt. Zur Verbesserung der optischen Eigenschaften der positionierten Quantenpunkte wurde ein Wachstumsschema verwendet, das aus einer optisch nicht aktiven In(Ga)As-Schicht und einer optisch aktiven Quantenpunktschicht besteht. F{\"u}r die Integration einzelner Quantenpunkte in Halbleiter-Mikroresonatoren wurden positionierte Quantenpunkte auf einem quadratischen Gitter mit einer Periode von 200 nm bis zu 10 mum realisiert. Eine wichtige Kenngr{\"o}ße der Emission einzelner Quantenpunkte ist deren Linienbreite. Bei positionierten Quantenpunkten ist diese h{\"a}ufig aufgrund spektraler Diffusion gr{\"o}ßer als bei selbstorganisierten Quantenpunkten. Im Verlauf dieser Arbeit wurden unterschiedliche Ans{\"a}tze und Strategien zur {\"U}berwindung dieses Effekts verfolgt. Dabei konnte ein minimaler Wert von 25 mueV f{\"u}r die Linienbreite eines positionierten Quantenpunktes auf einem quadratischen Gitter mit einer Periode von 2 μm erzielt werden. Die statistische Auswertung vieler Quantenpunktlinien ergab eine mittlere Linienbreite von 133 mueV. Die beiden Ergebnisse zeugen davon, dass diese Quantenpunkte eine hohe optische Qualit{\"a}t besitzen. Die FSS der Emission eines Quantenpunktes sollte f{\"u}r die direkte Erzeugung polarisationsverschr{\"a}nkter Photonen m{\"o}glichst klein sein. Deswegen wurden unterschiedliche Ans{\"a}tze diskutiert, um die FSS einer m{\"o}glichst großen Zahl von Quantenpunkten systematisch zu reduzieren. Die FSS der Emission von positionierten In(Ga)As-Quantenpunkten auf (100)-orientiertem Galliumarsenid konnte auf einen minimalen Wert von 9.8 mueV optimiert werden. Ein anderes Konzept zur Herstellung positionierter Quantenpunkte stellt das Wachstum von InAs in ge{\"a}tzten, invertierten Pyramiden in (111)-GaAs dar In (111)- und (211)-In(Ga)As sollte aufgrund der speziellen Symmetrie des Kristalls bzw. der piezoelektrischen Felder die FSS verschwinden. Mit Hilfe von Quantenpunkten auf solchen Hochindex-Substraten konnten FSS von weniger als 5 mueV gemessen werden. Bis zu einem gewissen Grad kann die Emission einzelner Quantenpunkte durch laterale elektrische Felder beeinflusst werden. Besonders die beobachtete Reduzierung der FSS positionierter In(Ga)As-Quantenpunkte auf (100)-orientiertem GaAs von ca. 25 mueV auf 15 mueV durch ein laterales, elektrisches Feld ist viel versprechend f{\"u}r den k{\"u}nftigen Einsatz solcher Quantenpunkte in Quellen f{\"u}r verschr{\"a}nkte Photonen. Durch die Messung der Korrelationsfunktion wurde die zeitliche Korrelation der Emission von Exziton und Biexziton nachgewiesen und das Grundprinzip zum Nachweis eines polarisationsverschr{\"a}nkten Zustandes gezeigt. In Zusammenarbeit mit der Universit{\"a}t Tokyo wurde ein Konzept entwickelt, mit dem k{\"u}nftig Einzelquantenpunktlaser skalierbar durch Kopplung positionierter Quantenpunkte und photonischer Kristallkavit{\"a}ten hergestellt werden k{\"o}nnen. Weiterhin konnte mit Hilfe eines elektrisch kontaktierten Mikros{\"a}ulenresonators bei spektraler Resonanz von Quantenpunktemission und Kavit{\"a}tsmode eine Steigerung der spontanen Emission nachgewiesen werden. Dieses System ließ sich bei geeigneten Anregungsbedingungen auch als Einzelphotonenquelle betreiben, was durch den experimentell bestimmten Wert der Autokorrelationsfunktion f{\"u}r verschwindende Zeitdifferenzen nachgewiesen wurde.}, subject = {Quantenpunkt}, language = {de} } @article{AeschlimannBauerBayeretal.2012, author = {Aeschlimann, Martin and Bauer, Michael and Bayer, Daniela and Brixner, Tobias and Cunovic, Stefan and Fischer, Alexander and Melchior, Pascal and Pfeiffer, Walter and Rohmer, Martin and Schneider, Christian and Str{\"u}ber, Christian and Tuchscherer, Philip and Voronine, Dimitri V.}, title = {Optimal open-loop near-field control of plasmonic nanostructures}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75256}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Optimal open-loop control, i.e. the application of an analytically derived control rule, is demonstrated for nanooptical excitations using polarization-shaped laser pulses. Optimal spatial near-field localization in gold nanoprisms and excitation switching is realized by applying a shift to the relative phase of the two polarization components. The achieved near-field switching confirms theoretical predictions, proves the applicability of predefined control rules in nanooptical light-matter interaction and reveals local mode interference to be an important control mechanism.}, subject = {Chemie}, language = {en} } @article{HubertPawlikClausetal.2012, author = {Hubert, Kerstin and Pawlik, Marie-Christin and Claus, Heike and Jarva, Hanna and Meri, Seppo and Vogel, Ulrich}, title = {Opc Expression, LPS Immunotype Switch and Pilin Conversion Contribute to Serum Resistance of Unencapsulated Meningococci}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0045132}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135421}, pages = {e45132}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Neisseria meningitidis employs polysaccharides and outer membrane proteins to cope with human serum complement attack. To screen for factors influencing serum resistance, an assay was developed based on a colorimetric serum bactericidal assay. The screening used a genetically modified sequence type (ST)-41/44 clonal complex (cc) strain lacking LPS sialylation, polysaccharide capsule, the factor H binding protein (fHbp) and MutS, a protein of the DNA repair mechanism. After killing of >99.9\% of the bacterial cells by serum treatment, the colorimetric assay was used to screen 1000 colonies, of which 35 showed enhanced serum resistance. Three mutant classes were identified. In the first class of mutants, enhanced expression of Opc was identified. Opc expression was associated with vitronectin binding and reduced membrane attack complex deposition confirming recent observations. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) immunotype switch from immunotype L3 to L8/L1 by lgtA and lgtC phase variation represented the second class. Isogenic mutant analysis demonstrated that in ST-41/44 cc strains the L8/L1 immunotype was more serum resistant than the L3 immunotype. Consecutive analysis revealed that the immunotypes L8 and L1 were frequently observed in ST-41/44 cc isolates from both carriage and disease. Immunotype switch to L8/L1 is therefore suggested to contribute to the adaptive capacity of this meningococcal lineage. The third mutant class displayed a pilE allelic exchange associated with enhanced autoaggregation. The mutation of the C terminal hypervariable region D of PilE included a residue previously associated with increased pilus bundle formation. We suggest that autoaggregation reduced the surface area accessible to serum complement and protected from killing. The study highlights the ability of meningococci to adapt to environmental stress by phase variation and intrachromosomal recombination affecting subcapsular antigens.}, language = {en} } @article{HartungSeufertBergesetal.2012, author = {Hartung, Andreas and Seufert, Florian and Berges, Carsten and Gessner, Viktoria H. and Holzgrabe, Ulrike}, title = {One-Pot Ugi/Aza-Michael Synthesis of Highly Substituted 2,5-Diketopiperazines with Anti-Proliferative Properties}, series = {Molecules}, volume = {17}, journal = {Molecules}, number = {12}, doi = {10.3390/molecules171214685}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130423}, pages = {14685-14699}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The well-known Ugi reaction of aldehydes with amines, carboxylic acids and isocyanides leads to the formation of acyclic alpha-acylaminocarboxamides. Replacement of the carboxylic acid derivatives with beta-acyl substituted acrylic acids gives access to highly substituted 2,5-diketopiperazines in one single reaction-step without additives or complex reaction procedures. The obtained diketopiperazines show anti-proliferative effects on activated T cells and represent therefore potential candidates for targeting unwanted T cell-mediated immune responses.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Blumenstein2012, author = {Blumenstein, Christian}, title = {One-Dimensional Electron Liquid at a Surface: Gold Nanowires on Ge(001)}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-72801}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Selbstorganisierte Nanodr{\"a}hte auf Halbleiteroberfl{\"a}chen erm{\"o}glichen die Untersuchung von Elektronen in niedrigen Dimensionen. Interessanterweise werden die elektronischen Eigenschaften des Systems von dessen Dimensionalit{\"a}t bestimmt, und das noch {\"u}ber das Quasiteilchenbild hinaus. Das quasi-eindimensionale (1D) Regime zeichnet sich durch eine schwache laterale Kopplung zwischen den Ketten aus und erm{\"o}glicht die Ausbildung einer Peierls Instabilit{\"a}t. Durch eine Nesting Bedingung in der Fermi Fl{\"a}che kommt es zu einer Bandr{\"u}ckfaltung und damit zu einem isolierenden Grundzustand. Dies wird begleitet von einer neuen {\"U}berstruktur im Realraum, die mit dem Nestingvektor korrespondiert. In fr{\"u}heren Nanodrahtsystemen wurde ein solcher Effekt gezeigt. Dazu geh ̈oren Indium Ketten auf Si(111) und die Gold rekonstruierten Substrate Si(553) und Si(557). Die Theorie sagt jedoch einen weiteren Zustand voraus, der nur im perfekten 1D Grenzfall existiert und der bei geringster Kopplung mit h{\"o}heren Dimensionen zerst{\"o}rt wird. Dieser Zustand wird Tomonaga-Luttinger Fl{\"u}ssigkeit (TLL) genannt und f{\"u}hrt zu einem Zusammenbruch des Quasiteilchenbildes der Fermi-Fl{\"u}ssigkeit. Hier sind nur noch kollektive Anregungen der Elektronen erlaubt, da die starke laterale Einschr{\"a}nkung zu einer erh{\"o}hten Kopplung zwischen den Teilchen f{\"u}hrt. Dadurch treten interessante Effekte wie Spin-Ladungs-Trennung auf, bei dem sich die Ladung und der Spin eines Elektrons entkoppeln und getrennt voneinander durch den Nanodraht bewegen k{\"o}nnen. Bis heute wurde solch ein seltener Zustand noch nicht an einer Oberfl{\"a}che beobachtet. In dieser Arbeit wird ein neuer Ansatz zur Herstellung von besser definierten 1D Ketten gew{\"a}hlt. Dazu wird die Au-rekonstruierte Ge(001) Nanodraht-Oberfl{\"a}che untersucht. F{\"u}r die Pr{\"a}paration des Substrates wird ein neues Rezept entwickelt, welches eine langreichweitig geordnete Oberfl{\"a}che erzeugt. Um das Wachstum der Nanodr{\"a}hte zu optimieren wird das Wachstums-Phasendiagramm ausgiebig untersucht. Außerdem werden die strukturellen Bausteine der Ketten sehr genau beschrieben. Es ist bemerkenswert, dass ein struktureller Phasen{\"u}bergang der Ketten oberhalb von Raumtemperatur gefunden wird. Aufgrund von spektroskopischen Untersuchungen kann eine Peierls Instabilit{\"a}t als Ursache ausgeschlossen werden. Es handelt sich um einen 3D-Ising-Typ {\"U}bergang an dem das Substrat ebenfalls beteiligt ist. Die Untersuchungen zur elektronischen Struktur der Ketten zeigen zwei deutliche Erkennungsmerkmale einer TLL: Ein potenzgesetzartiger Verlauf der Zustandsdichte und universales Skalenverhalten. Daher wird zum ersten Mal eine TLL an einer Oberfl{\"a}che nachgewiesen, was nun gezielt lokale Untersuchungen und Manipulationen erm{\"o}glicht. Dazu geh{\"o}ren (i) Dotierung mit Alkalimetallen, (ii) die Untersuchung von Kettenenden und (iii) die einstellbare Kopplung zwischen den Ketten durch zus{\"a}tzliche Goldatome. Damit wird ein wichtiger Beitrag zu theoretischen Vorhersagen und Modellen geliefert und somit das Verst{\"a}ndnis korrelierter Elektronen vorangetrieben.}, subject = {Nanodraht}, language = {en} } @article{PatilGentschevNolteetal.2012, author = {Patil, Sandeep S. and Gentschev, Ivaylo and Nolte, Ingo and Ogilvie, Gregory and Szalay, Aladar A.}, title = {Oncolytic virotherapy in veterinary medicine: current status and future prospects for canine patients}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75128}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Oncolytic viruses refer to those that are able to eliminate malignancies by direct targeting and lysis of cancer cells, leaving non-cancerous tissues unharmed. Several oncolytic viruses including adenovirus strains, canine distemper virus and vaccinia virus strains have been used for canine cancer therapy in preclinical studies. However, in contrast to human studies, clinical trials with oncolytic viruses for canine cancer patients have not been reported. An 'ideal' virus has yet to be identified. This review is focused on the prospective use of oncolytic viruses in the treatment of canine tumors - a knowledge that will undoubtedly contribute to the development of oncolytic viral agents for canine cancer therapy in the future.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @article{WangChenMinevetal.2012, author = {Wang, Huiqiang and Chen, Nanhai G. and Minev, Boris R. and Szalay, Aladar A.}, title = {Oncolytic vaccinia virus GLV-1h68 strain shows enhanced replication in human breast cancer stem-like cells in comparison to breast cancer cells}, series = {Journal of Translational Medicine}, volume = {10}, journal = {Journal of Translational Medicine}, number = {167}, doi = {10.1186/1479-5876-10-167}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-130019}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Recent data suggest that cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in cancer, as these cells possess enhanced tumor-forming capabilities and are responsible for relapses after apparently curative therapies have been undertaken. Hence, novel cancer therapies will be needed to test for both tumor regression and CSC targeting. The use of oncolytic vaccinia virus (VACV) represents an attractive anti-tumor approach and is currently under evaluation in clinical trials. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate whether VACV does kill CSCs that are resistant to irradiation and chemotherapy. Methods: Cancer stem-like cells were identified and separated from the human breast cancer cell line GI-101A by virtue of increased aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) activity as assessed by the ALDEFLUOR assay and cancer stem cell-like features such as chemo-resistance, irradiation-resistance and tumor-initiating were confirmed in cell culture and in animal models. VACV treatments were applied to both ALDEFLUOR-positive cells in cell culture and in xenograft tumors derived from these cells. Moreover, we identified and isolated CD44\(^+\)CD24\(^+\)ESA\(^+\) cells from GI-101A upon an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). These cells were similarly characterized both in cell culture and in animal models. Results: We demonstrated for the first time that the oncolytic VACV GLV-1h68 strain replicated more efficiently in cells with higher ALDH1 activity that possessed stem cell-like features than in cells with lower ALDH1 activity. GLV-1h68 selectively colonized and eventually eradicated xenograft tumors originating from cells with higher ALDH1 activity. Furthermore, GLV-1h68 also showed preferential replication in CD44\(^+\)CD24\(^+\)ESA\(^+\) cells derived from GI-101A upon an EMT induction as well as in xenograft tumors originating from these cells that were more tumorigenic than CD44\(^+\)CD24\(^-\)ESA\(^+\) cells. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings indicate that GLV-1h68 efficiently replicates and kills cancer stem-like cells. Thus, GLV-1h68 may become a promising agent for eradicating both primary and metastatic tumors, especially tumors harboring cancer stem-like cells that are resistant to chemo and/or radiotherapy and may be responsible for recurrence of tumors.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Leikam2012, author = {Leikam, Claudia}, title = {Oncogene-induced senescence in melanocytes}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-79316}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer with very limited treatment options. Upon appearance of metastases chemotherapeutics are used to either kill or slow down the growth of cancer cells by inducing apoptosis or senescence, respectively. With melanomas originating from melanocytes, it is vital to elucidate the mechanisms that distinguish senescence induction from proliferation and tumourigenicity. Xmrk (Xiphophorus melanoma receptor kinase), the fish orthologue of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), causes highly aggressive melanoma in fish. Using an inducible variant, HERmrk, I showed that high receptor levels result in melanocyte senescence, whereas low and medium expression allows for cell proliferation and tumourigenicity. Mechanistically, HERmrk leads to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, which trigger a DNA damage response. Consequently, multinucleated, senescent cells develop by both endomitosis and fusion. Furthermore, oncogenic N-RAS (N--RAS61K) induces a similar multinucleated phenotype in melanocytes. In addition, I found that both overexpression of C-MYC and the knockdown of miz­-1 (Myc­-interacting zinc finger protein 1) diminished HERmrk-induced senescence entry. C-MYC prevent ROS induction, DNA damage and senescence, while acting synergistically with HERmrk in conveying tumourigenic features to melanocytes. Further analyses identified cystathionase (CTH) as a novel target gene of Myc and Miz-­1 crucial for senescence prevention. CTH encodes an enzyme involved in the synthesis of cysteine from methionine, thereby allowing for increased ROS detoxification. Even though senescence was thought to be irreversible and hence tumour protective, I demonstrated that prolonged expression of the melanoma oncogene N­-RAS61K in pigment cells overcomes initial OIS by triggering the emergence of tumour-initiating, mononucleated stem-like cells from multinucleated senescent cells. This progeny is dedifferentiated, highly proliferative, anoikis­-resistant and induces fast­-growing, metastatic tumours upon transplantation into nude mice. Our data demonstrate that induction of OIS is not only a cellular failsafe mechanism, but also carries the potential to provide a source for highly aggressive, tumour­-initiating cells.}, subject = {Melanom}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Scheer2012, author = {Scheer, Uta Christine}, title = {On-Pump versus Off-Pump - Ein Vergleich zweier Operationstechniken hinsichtlich ihrer perioperativen klinischen Komplikationen: Eine prospektiv-randomisierte Studie}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-83662}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Die Studie vergleicht die operative Koronarrevaskularisation mit und ohne Herz-Lungen-Maschine hinsichtlich allgemeiner und insbesondere neurologischer Komplikationen.}, subject = {Bypass}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Akindeinde2012, author = {Akindeinde, Saheed Ojo}, title = {Numerical Verification of Optimality Conditions in Optimal Control Problems}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-76065}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {This thesis is devoted to numerical verification of optimality conditions for non-convex optimal control problems. In the first part, we are concerned with a-posteriori verification of sufficient optimality conditions. It is a common knowledge that verification of such conditions for general non-convex PDE-constrained optimization problems is very challenging. We propose a method to verify second-order sufficient conditions for a general class of optimal control problem. If the proposed verification method confirms the fulfillment of the sufficient condition then a-posteriori error estimates can be computed. A special ingredient of our method is an error analysis for the Hessian of the underlying optimization problem. We derive conditions under which positive definiteness of the Hessian of the discrete problem implies positive definiteness of the Hessian of the continuous problem. The results are complemented with numerical experiments. In the second part, we investigate adaptive methods for optimal control problems with finitely many control parameters. We analyze a-posteriori error estimates based on verification of second-order sufficient optimality conditions using the method developed in the first part. Reliability and efficiency of the error estimator are shown. We illustrate through numerical experiments, the use of the estimator in guiding adaptive mesh refinement.}, subject = {Optimale Kontrolle}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Luitz2012, author = {Luitz, David J.}, title = {Numerical methods and applications in many fermion systems}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75927}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {This thesis presents results covering several topics in correlated many fermion systems. A Monte Carlo technique (CT-INT) that has been implemented, used and extended by the author is discussed in great detail in chapter 3. The following chapter discusses how CT-INT can be used to calculate the two particle Green's function and explains how exact frequency summations can be obtained. A benchmark against exact diagonalization is presented. The link to the dynamical cluster approximation is made in the end of chapter 4, where these techniques are of immense importance. In chapter 5 an extensive CT-INT study of a strongly correlated Josephson junction is shown. In particular, the signature of the first order quantum phase transition between a Kondo and a local moment regime in the Josephson current is discussed. The connection to an experimental system is made with great care by developing a parameter extraction strategy. As a final result, we show that it is possible to reproduce experimental data from a numerically exact CT-INT model-calculation. The last topic is a study of graphene edge magnetism. We introduce a general effective model for the edge states, incorporating a complicated interaction Hamiltonian and perform an exact diagonalization study for different parameter regimes. This yields a strong argument for the importance of forbidden umklapp processes and of the strongly momentum dependent interaction vertex for the formation of edge magnetism. Additional fragments concerning the use of a Legendre polynomial basis for the representation of the two particle Green's function, the analytic continuation of the self energy for the Anderson Kane Mele Model, as well as the generation of test data with a given covariance matrix are documented in the appendix. A final appendix provides some very important matrix identities that are used for the discussion of technical details of CT-INT.}, subject = {Fermionensystem}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Foerster2012, author = {F{\"o}rster, Sabine}, title = {Nuclear Hormone Receptors and Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Signaling in Echinococcus multilocularis}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-85832}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Parasitic helminths share a large degree of common genetic heritage with their various hosts. This includes cell-cell-communication mechanisms mediated by small peptide cytokines and lipophilic/steroid hormones. These cytokines are candidate molecules for host-parasite cross-communication in helminth diseases. In this work the function of two evolutionary conserved signaling pathways in the model cestode Echinococcus multilocularis has been studied. First, signaling mechanisms mediated through fibroblast growth factors (FGF) and their cognate receptors (FGFR) which influence a multitude of biological functions, like homeostasis and differentiation, were studied. I herein investigated the role of EmFR which is the only FGFR homolog in E. multilocularis. Functional analyses using the Xenopus oocyte expression system clearly indicate that EmFR can sense both acidic and basic FGF of human origin, resulting in an activation of the EmFR tyrosine kinase domain. In vitro experiments demonstrate that mammalian FGF significantly stimulates proliferation and development of E. multilocularis metacestode vesicles and primary cells. Furthermore, DNA synthesis and the parasite's Erk-like MAPK cascade module was stimulated in the presence of exogenously added mammalian FGF. By using the FGFR inhibitor BIBF1120 the activity of EmFR in the Xenopus oocyte system was effectively blocked. Addition of BIBF1120 to in vitro cultivated Echinococcus larval material led to detrimental effects concerning the generation of metacestode vesicles from parasite stem cells, the proliferation and survival of metacestode vesicles, and the dedifferentiation of protoscoleces towards the metacestode. In conclusion, these data demonstrate the presence of a functional EmFR-mediated signaling pathway in E. multilocularis that is able to interact with host-derived cytokines and that plays an important role in larval parasite development. Secondly, the role of nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) signaling was addressed. Lipophilic and steroid hormone signaling contributes to the regulation of metazoan development. By means of in silico analyses I demonstrate that E. multilocularis expresses a set of 17 NHRs that broadly overlaps with that of the related flatworms Schistosoma mansoni and S. japonicum, but also contains several NHR encoding genes that are unique to this parasite. One of these, EmNHR1, is homolog to the DAF-12/HR-96 subfamily of NHRs which regulate cholesterol homeostasis in metazoans. Modified yeast-two hybrid analyses revealed that host serum contains a ligand which induces homodimerization of the EmNHR1 ligand-binding domain. Also, a HNF4-like homolog, EmHNF4, was characterized. Human HNF4 plays an important role in liver development. RT-PCR experiments showed that both isoforms of the EmHNF4 encoding gene are expressed stage-dependently suggesting distinct functions of the two isoforms in the parasite. Moreover, specific regulatory mechanisms on the convergence of NHR signaling and TGF-β/BMP signaling pathways in E. multilocularis have been identified. On the one hand, EmNHR1 directly interacted with the EmSmadC and on the other hand EmHNF4b interacted with EmSmadD, EmSmadE which are all downstream signaling components of the TGF-β/BMP signaling pathway. This suggests cross-communication in order to regulate target gene expression. With these results, further studies on the role of NHR signaling in the cestode will be facilitated. Also, the first serum-free in vitro cultivation system for E. multilocularis was established using PanserinTM401 as medium. Serum-free co-cultivation with RH-feeder cells and an axenic cultivation method have been established. With the help of this serum-free cultivation system investigations on the role of specific peptide hormones, like FGFs, or lipophilic/steroid hormones, like cholesterol, for the development of helminths will be much easier.}, subject = {Signaltransduktion}, language = {en} } @article{HarringtonScelsiHarteletal.2012, author = {Harrington, John M. and Scelsi, Chris and Hartel, Andreas and Jones, Nicola G. and Engstler, Markus and Capewell, Paul and MacLeod, Annette and Hajduk, Stephen}, title = {Novel African Trypanocidal Agents: Membrane Rigidifying Peptides}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0044384}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135179}, pages = {e44384}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The bloodstream developmental forms of pathogenic African trypanosomes are uniquely susceptible to killing by small hydrophobic peptides. Trypanocidal activity is conferred by peptide hydrophobicity and charge distribution and results from increased rigidity of the plasma membrane. Structural analysis of lipid-associated peptide suggests a mechanism of phospholipid clamping in which an internal hydrophobic bulge anchors the peptide in the membrane and positively charged moieties at the termini coordinate phosphates of the polar lipid headgroups. This mechanism reveals a necessary phenotype in bloodstream form African trypanosomes, high membrane fluidity, and we suggest that targeting the plasma membrane lipid bilayer as a whole may be a novel strategy for the development of new pharmaceutical agents. Additionally, the peptides we have described may be valuable tools for probing the biosynthetic machinery responsible for the unique composition and characteristics of African trypanosome plasma membranes.}, language = {en} } @article{ChenchiahSchloemerkemper2012, author = {Chenchiah, Isaac and Schl{\"o}merkemper, Anja}, title = {Non-laminate microstructures in monoclinic-I martensite}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-72134}, year = {2012}, abstract = {We study the symmetrised rank-one convex hull of monoclinic-I martensite (a twelve-variant material) in the context of geometrically-linear elasticity. We construct sets of T3s, which are (non-trivial) symmetrised rank-one convex hulls of 3-tuples of pairwise incompatible strains. Moreover we construct a five-dimensional continuum of T3s and show that its intersection with the boundary of the symmetrised rank-one convex hull is four-dimensional. We also show that there is another kind of monoclinic-I martensite with qualitatively different semi-convex hulls which, so far as we know, has not been experimentally observed. Our strategy is to combine understanding of the algebraic structure of symmetrised rank-one convex cones with knowledge of the faceting structure of the convex polytope formed by the strains.}, subject = {Martensit}, language = {en} } @article{RiedelMottokBredeetal.2012, author = {Riedel, Simone S. and Mottok, Anja and Brede, Christian and B{\"a}uerlein, Carina A. and Jord{\´a}n Garrote, Ana Laura and Ritz, Miriam and Mattenheimer, Katharina and Rosenwald, Andreas and Einsele, Hermann and Bogen, Bjarne and Beilhack, Andreas}, title = {Non-Invasive Imaging Provides Spatiotemporal Information on Disease Progression and Response to Therapy in a Murine Model of Multiple Myeloma}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-77978}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B-cell malignancy, where malignant plasma cells clonally expand in the bone marrow of older people, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Typical clinical symptoms include increased serum calcium levels, renal insufficiency, anemia, and bone lesions. With standard therapies, MM remains incurable; therefore, the development of new drugs or immune cell-based therapies is desirable. To advance the goal of finding a more effective treatment for MM, we aimed to develop a reliable preclinical MM mouse model applying sensitive and reproducible methods for monitoring of tumor growth and metastasis in response to therapy. Material and Methods: A mouse model was created by intravenously injecting bone marrow-homing mouse myeloma cells (MOPC-315.BM) that expressed luciferase into BALB/c wild type mice. The luciferase in the myeloma cells allowed in vivo tracking before and after melphalan treatment with bioluminescence imaging (BLI). Homing of MOPC-315.BM luciferase+ myeloma cells to specific tissues was examined by flow cytometry. Idiotype-specific myeloma protein serum levels were measured by ELISA. In vivo measurements were validated with histopathology. Results: Strong bone marrow tropism and subsequent dissemination of MOPC-315.BM luciferase+ cells in vivo closely mimicked the human disease. In vivo BLI and later histopathological analysis revealed that 12 days of melphalan treatment slowed tumor progression and reduced MM dissemination compared to untreated controls. MOPC-315.BM luciferase+ cells expressed CXCR4 and high levels of CD44 and a4b1 in vitro which could explain the strong bone marrow tropism. The results showed that MOPC-315.BM cells dynamically regulated homing receptor expression and depended on interactions with surrounding cells. Conclusions: This study described a novel MM mouse model that facilitated convenient, reliable, and sensitive tracking of myeloma cells with whole body BLI in living animals. This model is highly suitable for monitoring the effects of different treatment regimens.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @article{VottelerCarvajalBerrioPudlasetal.2012, author = {Votteler, Miriam and Carvajal Berrio, Daniel A. and Pudlas, Marieke and Walles, Heike and Schenke-Layland, Katja}, title = {Non-contact, Label-free Monitoring of Cells and Extracellular Matrix using Raman Spectroscopy}, series = {Journal of Visual Expression}, volume = {63}, journal = {Journal of Visual Expression}, number = {e3977}, doi = {10.3791/3977}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124569}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Non-destructive, non-contact and label-free technologies to monitor cell and tissue cultures are needed in the field of biomedical research.1-5 However, currently available routine methods require processing steps and alter sample integrity. Raman spectroscopy is a fast method that enables the measurement of biological samples without the need for further processing steps. This laser-based technology detects the inelastic scattering of monochromatic light.6 As every chemical vibration is assigned to a specific Raman band (wavenumber in cm-1), each biological sample features a typical spectral pattern due to their inherent biochemical composition.7-9 Within Raman spectra, the peak intensities correlate with the amount of the present molecular bonds.1 Similarities and differences of the spectral data sets can be detected by employing a multivariate analysis (e.g. principal component analysis (PCA)).10 Here, we perform Raman spectroscopy of living cells and native tissues. Cells are either seeded on glass bottom dishes or kept in suspension under normal cell culture conditions (37 °C, 5\% CO2) before measurement. Native tissues are dissected and stored in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 4 °C prior measurements. Depending on our experimental set up, we then either focused on the cell nucleus or extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as elastin and collagen. For all studies, a minimum of 30 cells or 30 random points of interest within the ECM are measured. Data processing steps included background subtraction and normalization.}, language = {en} } @misc{SerflingAvotsKleinHesslingetal.2012, author = {Serfling, Edgar and Avots, Andris and Klein-Hessling, Stefan and Rudolf, Ronald and Vaeth, Martin and Berberich-Siebelt, Friederike}, title = {NFATc1/alphaA: The other Face of NFAT Factors in Lymphocytes}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75748}, year = {2012}, abstract = {In effector T and B cells immune receptor signals induce within minutes a rise of intracellular Ca++, the activation of the phosphatase calcineurin and the translocation of NFAT transcription factors from cytosol to nucleus. In addition to this first wave of NFAT activation, in a second step the occurrence of NFATc1/αA, a short isoform of NFATc1, is strongly induced. Upon primary stimulation of lymphocytes the induction of NFATc1/αA takes place during the G1 phase of cell cycle. Due to an auto-regulatory feedback circuit high levels of NFATc1/αA are kept constant during persistent immune receptor stimulation. Contrary to NFATc2 and further NFATc proteins which dampen lymphocyte proliferation, induce anergy and enhance activation induced cell death (AICD), NFATc1/αA supports antigenmediated proliferation and protects lymphocytes against rapid AICD. Whereas high concentrations of NFATc1/αA can also lead to apoptosis, in collaboration with NF-κB-inducing co-stimulatory signals they support the survival of mature lymphocytes in late phases after their activation. However, if dysregulated, NFATc1/αA appears to contribute to lymphoma genesis and - as we assume - to further disorders of the lymphoid system. While the molecular details of NFATc1/αA action and its contribution to lymphoid disorders have to be investigated, NFATc1/αA differs in its generation and function markedly from all the other NFAT proteins which are expressed in lymphoid cells. Therefore, it represents a prime target for causal therapies of immune disorders in future.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} }