@article{TuerpSchlenkerSchroederetal.2016, author = {T{\"u}rp, Jens C. and Schlenker, Anna and Schr{\"o}der, Johannes and Essig, Marco and Schmitter, Marc}, title = {Disk displacement, eccentric condylar position, osteoarthrosis - misnomers for variations of normality? Results and interpretations from an MRI study in two age cohorts}, series = {BMC Oral Health}, volume = {16}, journal = {BMC Oral Health}, number = {124}, doi = {10.1186/s12903-016-0319-4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164710}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Clinical decision-making and prognostic statements in individuals with manifest or suspected temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) may involve assessment of (a) the position of articular disc relative to the mandibular condyle, (b) the location of the condyle relative to the temporal joint surfaces, and (c) the depth of the glenoid fossa of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs). The aim of this study was twofold: (1) Determination of the prevalence of these variables in two representative population-based birth cohorts. (2) Reinterpretation of the clinical significance of the findings. Methods From existing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the TMJs that had been taken in 2005 and 2006 from 72 subjects born between 1930 and 1932 and between 1950 and 1952, respectively, the condylar position at closed jaw was calculated as percentage displacement of the condyle from absolute centricity. By using the criteria introduced by Orsini et al. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 86:489-97, 1998), a textbook-like disc position at closed jaw was distinguished from an anterior location. TMJ morphology of the temporal joint surfaces was assessed at open jaw by measuring the depth of the glenoid fossa, using the method proposed by Muto et al. (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 52:1269-72, 1994). Frequency distributions were recorded for the condylar and disc positions at closed jaw. Student's t-test with independent samples was used as test of significance to detect differences of condylar positions between the age cohorts (1930 vs. 1950) and the sexes. The significance levels were set at 5\%. First, the results from the measurement of the age cohorts were compared without differentiation of sexes, i.e., age cohort 1930-1932 versus age cohort 1950-1952. Subsequently, the age cohorts were compared by sex, i.e., men in cohort 1930-1932 versus men in cohort 1950-1952, and women in cohort 1930-1932 women men in cohort 1950-1952. Results In both cohorts, condylar position was characterized by great variability. About 50\% of the condyles were located centrically, while the other half was either in an anterior or in a posterior position. In both female cohorts, a posterior position predominated, whereas a centric position prevailed among men. Around 75\% of the discs were positioned textbook-like, while the remaining forth was located anteriorly. Age had no statistically significant influence on condylar or on disc position. Conversely, comparison between the age groups revealed a statistically significant decrease of the depth of the glenoid fossa in both older cohorts. This age-dependent changes may be interpreted as flattening of the temporal joint surfaces. Conclusions We call for a re-interpretation of imaging findings because they may insinuate pathology which usually is not present. Instead, anterior or posterior positions of the mandibular condyle as well as an anterior location of the articular disc should be construed as a variation of normalcy. Likewise, flattening of articular surfaces of the TMJs may be considered as normal adaptive responses to increased loading, rather than pathological degenerative changes.}, language = {en} } @article{AlnawaisehSchubertNelisetal.2016, author = {Alnawaiseh, Maged and Schubert, Friederike and Nelis, Pieter and Wirths, Gabriele and Rosentreter, Andr{\´e} and Eter, Nicole}, title = {Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography findings in retinal arterial macroaneurysms}, series = {BMC Ophthalmology}, volume = {16}, journal = {BMC Ophthalmology}, number = {120}, doi = {10.1186/s12886-016-0293-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164702}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Optical coherence tomography angiography is a novel imaging technique that allows dyeless in vivo visualization of the retinal and choroidal vasculature. The purpose of this study was to describe optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography findings in patients with retinal arterial macroaneurysms (RAMs). Methods Three eyes of three patients with RAMs were retrospectively included. Fundus photography, OCT, fluorescein angiography (FA), and OCT angiography were performed. The entire imaging data was analyzed in detail. Results OCT angiography could detect the RAMs noninvasively without dye injection. By simultaneously observing the OCT scans, it was possible to determine the depth of the RAMs in the retina, to detect the exact localization in relation to the main vessel, and to determine the level of blood flow in the RAMs. Conclusions OCT angiography can clearly visualize RAMs without use of a dye. It also allows layer-specific observation of blood flow in each layer of the RAM. OCT angiography provides additional dynamic information on RAMs, which is not obtained with FA and facilitates a better understanding of its morphology and activity. This information in combination with ICG and fluorescein angiography can help to optimize direct laser treatment.}, language = {en} } @article{PadbergKnispelZoellneretal.2016, author = {Padberg, Inken and Knispel, Petra and Z{\"o}llner, Susanne and Sieveking, Meike and Schneider, Alice and Steinbrink, Jens and Heuschmann, Peter U. and Wellwood, Ian and Meisel, Andreas}, title = {Social work after stroke: identifying demand for support by recording stroke patients' and carers' needs in different phases after stroke}, series = {BMC Neurology}, volume = {16}, journal = {BMC Neurology}, number = {111}, doi = {10.1186/s12883-016-0626-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164691}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Previous studies examining social work interventions in stroke often lack information on content, methods and timing over different phases of care including acute hospital, rehabilitation and out-patient care. This limits our ability to evaluate the impact of social work in multidisciplinary stroke care. We aimed to quantify social-work-related support in stroke patients and their carers in terms of timing and content, depending on the different phases of stroke care. Methods We prospectively collected and evaluated data derived from a specialized "Stroke-Service-Point" (SSP); a "drop in" center and non-medical stroke assistance service, staffed by social workers and available to all stroke patients, their carers and members of the public in the metropolitan region of Berlin, Germany. Results Enquiries from 257 consenting participants consulting the SSP between March 2010 and April 2012 related to out-patient and in-patient services, therapeutic services, medical questions, medical rehabilitation, self-help groups and questions around obtaining benefits. Frequency of enquiries for different topics depended on whether patients were located in an in-patient or out-patient setting. The majority of contacts involved information provision. While the proportion of male and female patients with stroke was similar, about two thirds of the carers contacting the SSP were female. Conclusion The social-work-related services provided by a specialized center in a German metropolitan area were diverse in terms of topic and timing depending on the phase of stroke care. Targeting the timing of interventions might be important to increase the impact of social work on patient's outcome.}, language = {en} } @article{BuschNadalSchmidetal.2016, author = {Busch, Martin and Nadal, Jennifer and Schmid, Matthias and Paul, Katharina and Titze, Stephanie and H{\"u}bner, Silvia and K{\"o}ttgen, Anna and Schultheiss, Ulla T. and Baid-Agrawal, Seema and Lorenzen, Johan and Schlieper, Georg and Sommerer, Claudia and Krane, Vera and Hilge, Robert and Kielstein, Jan T. and Kronenberg, Florian and Wanner, Christoph and Eckardt, Kai-Uwe and Wolf, Gunter}, title = {Glycaemic control and antidiabetic therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease - cross-sectional data from the German Chronic Kidney Disease (GCKD) cohort}, series = {BMC Nephrology}, volume = {17}, journal = {BMC Nephrology}, number = {59}, doi = {10.1186/s12882-016-0273-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164687}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Little is known about practice patterns of anti-diabetic therapy in the presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and correlates with glycaemic control. We therefore aimed to analyze current antidiabetic treatment and correlates of metabolic control in a large contemporary prospective cohort of patients with diabetes and CKD. Methods The German Chronic Kidney Disease (GCKD) study enrolled 5217 patients aged 18-74 years with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 30-60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or proteinuria >0.5 g/d. The use of diet prescription, oral anti-diabetic medication, and insulin was assessed at baseline. HbA1c, measured centrally, was the main outcome measure. Results At baseline, DM was present in 1842 patients (35 \%) and the median HbA1C was 7.0 \% (25th-75th percentile: 6.8-7.9 \%), equalling 53 mmol/mol (51, 63); 24.2 \% of patients received dietary treatment only, 25.5 \% oral antidiabetic drugs but not insulin, 8.4 \% oral antidiabetic drugs with insulin, and 41.8 \% insulin alone. Metformin was used by 18.8 \%. Factors associated with an HbA1C level >7.0 \% (53 mmol/mol) were higher BMI (OR = 1.04 per increase of 1 kg/m2, 95 \% CI 1.02-1.06), hemoglobin (OR = 1.11 per increase of 1 g/dL, 95 \% CI 1.04-1.18), treatment with insulin alone (OR = 5.63, 95 \% CI 4.26-7.45) or in combination with oral antidiabetic agents (OR = 4.23, 95 \% CI 2.77-6.46) but not monotherapy with metformin, DPP-4 inhibitors, or glinides. Conclusions Within the GCKD cohort of patients with CKD stage 3 or overt proteinuria, antidiabetic treatment patterns were highly variable with a remarkably high proportion of more than 50 \% receiving insulin-based therapies. Metabolic control was overall satisfactory, but insulin use was associated with higher HbA1C levels.}, language = {en} } @article{DienemannFujiiOrlandietal.2016, author = {Dienemann, Thomas and Fujii, Naohiko and Orlandi, Paula and Nessel, Lisa and Furth, Susan L. and Hoy, Wendy E. and Matsuo, Seiichi and Mayer, Gert and Methven, Shona and Schaefer, Franz and Schaeffner, Elke S. and Sol{\´a}, Laura and Stengel, B{\´e}n{\´e}dicte and Wanner, Christoph and Zhang, Luxia and Levin, Adeera and Eckardt, Kai-Uwe and Feldman, Harold I.}, title = {International Network of Chronic Kidney Disease cohort studies (iNET-CKD): a global network of chronic kidney disease cohorts}, series = {BMC Nephrology}, volume = {17}, journal = {BMC Nephrology}, doi = {10.1186/s12882-016-0335-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164604}, pages = {121}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health burden, yet it is still underrepresented within public health agendas in many countries. Studies focusing on the natural history of CKD are challenging to design and conduct, because of the long time-course of disease progression, a wide variation in etiologies, and a large amount of clinical variability among individuals with CKD. With the difference in health-related behaviors, healthcare delivery, genetics, and environmental exposures, this variability is greater across countries than within one locale and may not be captured effectively in a single study. Methods Studies were invited to join the network. Prerequisites for membership included: 1) observational designs with a priori hypotheses and defined study objectives, patient-level information, prospective data acquisition and collection of bio-samples, all focused on predialysis CKD patients; 2) target sample sizes of 1,000 patients for adult cohorts and 300 for pediatric cohorts; and 3) minimum follow-up of three years. Participating studies were surveyed regarding design, data, and biosample resources. Results Twelve prospective cohort studies and two registries covering 21 countries were included. Participants age ranges from >2 to >70 years at inclusion, CKD severity ranges from stage 2 to stage 5. Patient data and biosamples (not available in the registry studies) are measured yearly or biennially. Many studies included multiple ethnicities; cohort size ranges from 400 to more than 13,000 participants. Studies' areas of emphasis all include but are not limited to renal outcomes, such as progression to ESRD and death. Conclusions iNET-CKD (International Network of CKD cohort studies) was established, to promote collaborative research, foster exchange of expertise, and create opportunities for research training. Participating studies have many commonalities that will facilitate comparative research; however, we also observed substantial differences. The diversity we observed across studies within this network will be able to be leveraged to identify genetic, behavioral, and health services factors associated with the course of CKD. With an emerging infrastructure to facilitate interactions among the investigators of iNET-CKD and a broadly defined research agenda, we are confident that there will be great opportunity for productive collaborative investigations involving cohorts of individuals with CKD.}, language = {en} } @article{KuhlmannHussBuergeretal.2016, author = {Kuhlmann, S.M. and Huss, M. and B{\"u}rger, A. and Hammerle, F.}, title = {Coping with stress in medical students: results of a randomized controlled trial using a mindfulness-based stress prevention training (MediMind) in Germany}, series = {BMC Medical Education}, volume = {16}, journal = {BMC Medical Education}, doi = {10.1186/s12909-016-0833-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164593}, pages = {316}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background High prevalence rates of psychological distress in medical training and later professional life indicate a need for prevention. Different types of intervention were shown to have good effects, but little is known about the relative efficacy of different types of stress management interventions, and methodological limitations have been reported. In order to overcome some of these limitations, the present study aimed at evaluating the effect of a specifically developed mindfulness-based stress prevention training for medical students (MediMind) on measures of distress, coping and psychological morbidity. Methods We report on a prospective randomized controlled trial with three study conditions: experimental treatment (MediMind), standard treatment (Autogenic Training) and a control group without treatment. The sample consisted of medical or dental students in the second or eighth semester. They completed self-report questionnaires at baseline, after the training and at one year follow-up. Distress (Trier Inventory for the Assessment of Chronic Stress, TICS) was assessed as the primary outcome and coping (Brief COPE) as a co-primary outcome. Effects on the psychological morbidity (Brief Symptom Inventory, BSI) as a secondary outcome were expected one year after the trainings. Results Initially, N = 183 students were randomly allocated to the study groups. At one year follow-up N = 80 could be included into the per-protocol analysis: MediMind (n =31), Autogenic Training (n = 32) and control group (n = 17). A selective drop-out for students who suffered more often from psychological symptoms was detected (p = .020). MANCOVA's on TICS and Brief COPE revealed no significant interaction effects. On the BSI, a significant overall interaction effect became apparent (p = .002, η2partial = .382), but post hoc analyses were not significant. Means of the Global Severity Index (BSI) indicated that MediMind may contribute to a decrease in psychological morbidity. Conclusion Due to the high and selective dropout rates, the results cannot be generalized and further research is necessary. Since the participation rate of the trainings was high, a need for further prevention programs is indicated. The study gives important suggestions on further implementation and evaluation of stress prevention in medical schools.}, language = {en} } @article{ShenChalopinGarciaetal.2016, author = {Shen, Yingjia and Chalopin, Domitille and Garcia, Tzintzuni and Boswell, Mikki and Boswell, William and Shiryev, Sergey A. and Agarwala, Richa and Volff, Jean-Nicolas and Postlethwait, John H. and Schartl, Manfred and Minx, Patrick and Warren, Wesley C. and Walter, Ronald B.}, title = {X. couchianus and X. hellerii genome models provide genomic variation insight among Xiphophorus species}, series = {BMC Genomics}, volume = {17}, journal = {BMC Genomics}, doi = {10.1186/s12864-015-2361-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164582}, pages = {37}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Xiphophorus fishes are represented by 26 live-bearing species of tropical fish that express many attributes (e.g., viviparity, genetic and phenotypic variation, ecological adaptation, varied sexual developmental mechanisms, ability to produce fertile interspecies hybrids) that have made attractive research models for over 85 years. Use of various interspecies hybrids to investigate the genetics underlying spontaneous and induced tumorigenesis has resulted in the development and maintenance of pedigreed Xiphophorus lines specifically bred for research. The recent availability of the X. maculatus reference genome assembly now provides unprecedented opportunities for novel and exciting comparative research studies among Xiphophorus species. Results We present sequencing, assembly and annotation of two new genomes representing Xiphophorus couchianus and Xiphophorus hellerii. The final X. couchianus and X. hellerii assemblies have total sizes of 708 Mb and 734 Mb and correspond to 98 \% and 102 \% of the X. maculatus Jp 163 A genome size, respectively. The rates of single nucleotide change range from 1 per 52 bp to 1 per 69 bp among the three genomes and the impact of putatively damaging variants are presented. In addition, a survey of transposable elements allowed us to deduce an ancestral TE landscape, uncovered potential active TEs and document a recent burst of TEs during evolution of this genus. Conclusions Two new Xiphophorus genomes and their corresponding transcriptomes were efficiently assembled, the former using a novel guided assembly approach. Three assembled genome sequences within this single vertebrate order of new world live-bearing fishes will accelerate our understanding of relationship between environmental adaptation and genome evolution. In addition, these genome resources provide capability to determine allele specific gene regulation among interspecies hybrids produced by crossing any of the three species that are known to produce progeny predisposed to tumor development.}, language = {en} } @article{daCruzRodriguezCasuriagaSantinaqueetal.2016, author = {da Cruz, Irene and Rodr{\´i}guez-Casuriaga, Rosana and Santi{\~n}aque, Frederico F. and Far{\´i}as, Joaquina and Curti, Gianni and Capoano, Carlos A. and Folle, Gustavo A. and Benavente, Ricardo and Sotelo-Silveira, Jos{\´e} Roberto and Geisinger, Adriana}, title = {Transcriptome analysis of highly purified mouse spermatogenic cell populations: gene expression signatures switch from meiotic-to postmeiotic-related processes at pachytene stage}, series = {BMC Genomics}, volume = {17}, journal = {BMC Genomics}, doi = {10.1186/s12864-016-2618-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164574}, pages = {294}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Spermatogenesis is a complex differentiation process that involves the successive and simultaneous execution of three different gene expression programs: mitotic proliferation of spermatogonia, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. Testicular cell heterogeneity has hindered its molecular analyses. Moreover, the characterization of short, poorly represented cell stages such as initial meiotic prophase ones (leptotene and zygotene) has remained elusive, despite their crucial importance for understanding the fundamentals of meiosis. Results We have developed a flow cytometry-based approach for obtaining highly pure stage-specific spermatogenic cell populations, including early meiotic prophase. Here we combined this methodology with next generation sequencing, which enabled the analysis of meiotic and postmeiotic gene expression signatures in mouse with unprecedented reliability. Interestingly, we found that a considerable number of genes involved in early as well as late meiotic processes are already on at early meiotic prophase, with a high proportion of them being expressed only for the short time lapse of lepto-zygotene stages. Besides, we observed a massive change in gene expression patterns during medium meiotic prophase (pachytene) when mostly genes related to spermiogenesis and sperm function are already turned on. This indicates that the transcriptional switch from meiosis to post-meiosis takes place very early, during meiotic prophase, thus disclosing a higher incidence of post-transcriptional regulation in spermatogenesis than previously reported. Moreover, we found that a good proportion of the differential gene expression in spermiogenesis corresponds to up-regulation of genes whose expression starts earlier, at pachytene stage; this includes transition protein-and protamine-coding genes, which have long been claimed to switch on during spermiogenesis. In addition, our results afford new insights concerning X chromosome meiotic inactivation and reactivation. Conclusions This work provides for the first time an overview of the time course for the massive onset and turning off of the meiotic and spermiogenic genetic programs. Importantly, our data represent a highly reliable information set about gene expression in pure testicular cell populations including early meiotic prophase, for further data mining towards the elucidation of the molecular bases of male reproduction in mammals.}, language = {en} } @article{JoensuuAltimirHakolaetal.2016, author = {Joensuu, Johanna and Altimir, Nuria and Hakola, Hannele and Rost{\´a}s, Michael and Raivonen, Maarit and Vestenius, Mika and Aaltonen, Hermanni and Riederer, Markus and B{\"a}ck, Jaana}, title = {Role of needle surface waxes in dynamic exchange of mono- and sesquiterpenes}, series = {Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics}, volume = {16}, journal = {Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics}, doi = {10.5194/acp-16-7813-2016}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-198547}, pages = {7813-7823}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) produced by plants have a major role in atmospheric chemistry. The different physicochemical properties of BVOCs affect their transport within and out of the plant as well as their reactions along the way. Some of these compounds may accumulate in or on the waxy surface layer of conifer needles and participate in chemical reactions on or near the foliage surface. The aim of this work was to determine whether terpenes, a key category of BVOCs produced by trees, can be found on the epicuticles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and, if so, how they compare with the terpenes found in shoot emissions of the same tree. We measured shoot-level emissions of pine seedlings at a remote outdoor location in central Finland and subsequently analysed the needle surface waxes for the same compounds. Both emissions and wax extracts were clearly dominated by monoterpenes, but the proportion of sesquiterpenes was higher in the wax extracts. There were also differences in the terpene spectra of the emissions and the wax extracts. The results, therefore, support the existence of BVOC associated to the epicuticular waxes. We briefly discuss the different pathways for terpenes to reach the needle surfaces and the implications for air chemistry.}, language = {en} } @article{ČuklinaHahnImakaevetal.2016, author = {Čuklina, Jelena and Hahn, Julia and Imakaev, Maxim and Omasits, Ulrich and F{\"o}rstner, Konrad U. and Ljubimov, Nikolay and Goebel, Melanie and Pessi, Gabriella and Fischer, Hans-Martin and Ahrens, Christian H. and Gelfand, Mikhail S. and Evguenieva-Hackenberg, Elena}, title = {Genome-wide transcription start site mapping of Bradyrhizobium japonicum grown free-living or in symbiosis - a rich resource to identify new transcripts, proteins and to study gene regulation}, series = {BMC Genomics}, volume = {17}, journal = {BMC Genomics}, doi = {10.1186/s12864-016-2602-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164565}, pages = {302}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Differential RNA-sequencing (dRNA-seq) is indispensable for determination of primary transcriptomes. However, using dRNA-seq data to map transcriptional start sites (TSSs) and promoters genome-wide is a bioinformatics challenge. We performed dRNA-seq of Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110, the nitrogen-fixing symbiont of soybean, and developed algorithms to map TSSs and promoters. Results A specialized machine learning procedure for TSS recognition allowed us to map 15,923 TSSs: 14,360 in free-living bacteria, 4329 in symbiosis with soybean and 2766 in both conditions. Further, we provide proteomic evidence for 4090 proteins, among them 107 proteins corresponding to new genes and 178 proteins with N-termini different from the existing annotation (72 and 109 of them with TSS support, respectively). Guided by proteomics evidence, previously identified TSSs and TSSs experimentally validated here, we assign a score threshold to flag 14 \% of the mapped TSSs as a class of lower confidence. However, this class of lower confidence contains valid TSSs of low-abundant transcripts. Moreover, we developed a de novo algorithm to identify promoter motifs upstream of mapped TSSs, which is publicly available, and found motifs mainly used in symbiosis (similar to RpoN-dependent promoters) or under both conditions (similar to RpoD-dependent promoters). Mapped TSSs and putative promoters, proteomic evidence and updated gene annotation were combined into an annotation file. Conclusions The genome-wide TSS and promoter maps along with the extended genome annotation of B. japonicum represent a valuable resource for future systems biology studies and for detailed analyses of individual non-coding transcripts and ORFs. Our data will also provide new insights into bacterial gene regulation during the agriculturally important symbiosis between rhizobia and legumes.}, language = {en} } @article{BabskiHaasNaetherSchindleretal.2016, author = {Babski, Julia and Haas, Karina A. and N{\"a}ther-Schindler, Daniela and Pfeiffer, Friedhelm and F{\"o}rstner, Konrad U. and Hammelmann, Matthias and Hilker, Rolf and Becker, Anke and Sharma, Cynthia M. and Marchfelder, Anita and Soppa, J{\"o}rg}, title = {Genome-wide identification of transcriptional start sites in the haloarchaeon Haloferax volcanii based on differential RNA-Seq (dRNA-Seq)}, series = {BMC Genomics}, volume = {17}, journal = {BMC Genomics}, number = {629}, doi = {10.1186/s12864-016-2920-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164553}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Differential RNA-Seq (dRNA-Seq) is a recently developed method of performing primary transcriptome analyses that allows for the genome-wide mapping of transcriptional start sites (TSSs) and the identification of novel transcripts. Although the transcriptomes of diverse bacterial species have been characterized by dRNA-Seq, the transcriptome analysis of archaeal species is still rather limited. Therefore, we used dRNA-Seq to characterize the primary transcriptome of the model archaeon Haloferax volcanii. Results Three independent cultures of Hfx. volcanii grown under optimal conditions to the mid-exponential growth phase were used to determine the primary transcriptome and map the 5′-ends of the transcripts. In total, 4749 potential TSSs were detected. A position weight matrix (PWM) was derived for the promoter predictions, and the results showed that 64 \% of the TSSs were preceded by stringent or relaxed basal promoters. Of the identified TSSs, 1851 belonged to protein-coding genes. Thus, fewer than half (46 \%) of the 4040 protein-coding genes were expressed under optimal growth conditions. Seventy-two percent of all protein-coding transcripts were leaderless, which emphasized that this pathway is the major pathway for translation initiation in haloarchaea. A total of 2898 of the TSSs belonged to potential non-coding RNAs, which accounted for an unexpectedly high fraction (61 \%) of all transcripts. Most of the non-coding TSSs had not been previously described (2792) and represented novel sequences (59 \% of all TSSs). A large fraction of the potential novel non-coding transcripts were cis-antisense RNAs (1244 aTSSs). A strong negative correlation between the levels of antisense transcripts and cognate sense mRNAs was found, which suggested that the negative regulation of gene expression via antisense RNAs may play an important role in haloarchaea. The other types of novel non-coding transcripts corresponded to internal transcripts overlapping with mRNAs (1153 iTSSs) and intergenic small RNA (sRNA) candidates (395 TSSs). Conclusion This study provides a comprehensive map of the primary transcriptome of Hfx. volcanii grown under optimal conditions. Fewer than half of all protein-coding genes have been transcribed under these conditions. Unexpectedly, more than half of the detected TSSs belonged to several classes of non-coding RNAs. Thus, RNA-based regulation appears to play a more important role in haloarchaea than previously anticipated.}, language = {en} } @article{SchofferSchueleinArandetal.2016, author = {Schoffer, Olaf and Sch{\"u}lein, Stefanie and Arand, Gerlinde and Arnholdt, Hans and Baaske, Dieter and Bargou, Ralf C. and Becker, Nikolaus and Beckmann, Matthias W. and Bodack, Yves and B{\"o}hme, Beatrix and Bozkurt, Tayfun and Breitsprecher, Regine and Buchali, Andre and Burger, Elke and Burger, Ulrike and Dommisch, Klaus and Elsner, Gudrun and Fernschild, Karin and Flintzer, Ulrike and Funke, Uwe and Gerken, Michael and G{\"o}bel, Hubert and Grobe, Norbert and Gumpp, Vera and Heinzerling, Lucie and Kempfer, Lana Raffaela and Kiani, Alexander and Klinkhammer-Schalke, Monika and Kl{\"o}cking, Sabine and Kreibich, Ute and Knabner, Katrin and Kuhn, Peter and Lutze, Stine and M{\"a}der, Uwe and Maisel, Tanja and Maschke, Jan and Middeke, Martin and Neubauer, Andreas and Niedostatek, Antje and Opazo-Saez, Anabelle and Peters, Christoph and Schell, Beatrice and Schenkirsch, Gerhard and Schmalenberg, Harald and Schmidt, Peter and Schneider, Constanze and Schubotz, Birgit and Seide, Anika and Strecker, Paul and Taubenheim, Sabine and Wackes, Matthias and Weiß, Steffen and Welke, Claudia and Werner, Carmen and Wittekind, Christian and Wulff, J{\"o}rg and Zettl, Heike and Klug, Stefanie J.}, title = {Tumour stage distribution and survival of malignant melanoma in Germany 2002-2011}, series = {BMC Cancer}, volume = {16}, journal = {BMC Cancer}, number = {936}, doi = {10.1186/s12885-016-2963-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164544}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Over the past two decades, there has been a rising trend in malignant melanoma incidence worldwide. In 2008, Germany introduced a nationwide skin cancer screening program starting at age 35. The aims of this study were to analyse the distribution of malignant melanoma tumour stages over time, as well as demographic and regional differences in stage distribution and survival of melanoma patients. Methods Pooled data from 61 895 malignant melanoma patients diagnosed between 2002 and 2011 and documented in 28 German population-based and hospital-based clinical cancer registries were analysed using descriptive methods, joinpoint regression, logistic regression and relative survival. Results The number of annually documented cases increased by 53.2\% between 2002 (N = 4 779) and 2011 (N = 7 320). There was a statistically significant continuous positive trend in the proportion of stage UICC I cases diagnosed between 2002 and 2011, compared to a negative trend for stage UICC II. No trends were found for stages UICC III and IV respectively. Age (OR 0.97, 95\% CI 0.97-0.97), sex (OR 1.18, 95\% CI 1.11-1.25), date of diagnosis (OR 1.05, 95\% CI 1.04-1.06), 'diagnosis during screening' (OR 3.24, 95\% CI 2.50-4.19) and place of residence (OR 1.23, 95\% CI 1.16-1.30) had a statistically significant influence on the tumour stage at diagnosis. The overall 5-year relative survival for invasive cases was 83.4\% (95\% CI 82.8-83.9\%). Conclusions No distinct changes in the distribution of malignant melanoma tumour stages among those aged 35 and older were seen that could be directly attributed to the introduction of skin cancer screening in 2008. "}, language = {en} } @article{StoelzelMohrKrameretal.2016, author = {St{\"o}lzel, F. and Mohr, B. and Kramer, M. and Oelschl{\"a}gel, U. and Bochtler, T. and Berdel, W. E. and Kaufmann, M. and Baldus, C. D. and Sch{\"a}fer-Eckart, K. and Stuhlmann, R. and Einsele, H. and Krause, S. W. and Serve, H. and H{\"a}nel, M. and Herbst, R. and Neubauer, A. and Sohlbach, K. and Mayer, J. and Middeke, J. M. and Platzbecker, U. and Schaich, M. and Kr{\"a}mer, A. and R{\"o}llig, C. and Schetelig, J. and Bornh{\"a}user, M. and Ehninger, G.}, title = {Karyotype complexity and prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia}, series = {Blood Cancer Journal}, volume = {6}, journal = {Blood Cancer Journal}, doi = {10.1038/bcj.2015.114}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164530}, pages = {e386}, year = {2016}, abstract = {A complex aberrant karyotype consisting of multiple unrelated cytogenetic abnormalities is associated with poor prognosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The European Leukemia Net classification and the UK Medical Research Council recommendation provide prognostic categories that differ in the definition of unbalanced aberrations as well as the number of single aberrations. The aim of this study on 3526 AML patients was to redefine and validate a cutoff for karyotype complexity in AML with regard to adverse prognosis. Our study demonstrated that (1) patients with a pure hyperdiploid karyotype have an adverse risk irrespective of the number of chromosomal gains, (2) patients with translocation t(9;11)(p21∼22;q23) have an intermediate risk independent of the number of additional aberrations, (3) patients with 4 abnormalities have an adverse risk per se and (4) patients with three aberrations in the absence of abnormalities of strong influence (hyperdiploid karyotype, t(9;11)(p21∼22;q23), CBF-AML, unique adverse-risk aberrations) have borderline intermediate/adverse risk with a reduced overall survival compared with patients with a normal karyotype.}, language = {en} } @article{WilhelmSmetakReimeretal.2016, author = {Wilhelm, M. and Smetak, M. and Reimer, P. and Geissinger, E. and Ruediger, T. and Metzner, B. and Schmitz, N. and Engert, A. and Schaefer-Eckart, K. and Birkmann, J.}, title = {First-line therapy of peripheral T-cell lymphoma: extension and long-term follow-up of a study investigating the role of autologous stem cell transplantation}, series = {Blood Cancer Journal}, volume = {6}, journal = {Blood Cancer Journal}, doi = {10.1038/bcj.2016.63}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164506}, pages = {e452}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Current guidelines recommend consolidation with autologous stem cell transplantation (autoSCT) after induction chemotherapy for most patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). This assumption is based on five prospective phase II studies, three of which included <50 patients with limited follow-up. Here we present the final analysis of the prospective German study. The treatment regimen consisted of four to six cycles of CHOP chemotherapy followed by mobilizing therapy and stem cell collection. Patients in complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR) underwent myeloablative chemo(radio)therapy and autoSCT. From January 2001 to July 2010, 111 patients were enrolled in the study. The main subgroups were PTCL not specified (n=42) and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (n=37). Seventy-five (68\%) of the 111 patients received transplantation. The main reason for not receiving autoSCT was progressive disease. In an intent-to-treat analysis, the complete response rate after myeloablative therapy was 59\%. The estimated 5-year overall survival, disease-free survival and progression-free survival rates were 44\%, 54\% and 39\%, respectively. The results of this study confirm that upfront autoSCT can result in long-term remissions in patients with all major subtypes of PTCL and therefore should be part of first-line therapy whenever possible.}, language = {en} } @article{GoekbugetKelshChiaetal.2016, author = {G{\"o}kbuget, N. and Kelsh, M. and Chia, V. and Advani, A. and Bassan, R. and Dombret, H. and Doubek, M. and Fielding, A. K. and Giebel, S. and Haddad, V. and Hoelzer, D. and Holland, C. and Ifrah, N. and Katz, A. and Maniar, T. and Martinelli, G. and Morgades, M. and O'Brien, S. and Ribera, J.-M. and Rowe, J. M. and Stein, A. and Topp, M. and Wadleigh, M. and Kantarjian, H.}, title = {Blinatumomab vs historical standard therapy of adult relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia}, series = {Blood Cancer Journal}, volume = {6}, journal = {Blood Cancer Journal}, doi = {10.1038/bcj.2016.84}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164495}, pages = {e473}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We compared outcomes from a single-arm study of blinatumomab in adult patients with B-precursor Ph-negative relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R ALL) with a historical data set from Europe and the United States. Estimates of complete remission (CR) and overall survival (OS) were weighted by the frequency distribution of prognostic factors in the blinatumomab trial. Outcomes were also compared between the trial and historical data using propensity score methods. The historical cohort included 694 patients with CR data and 1112 patients with OS data compared with 189 patients with CR and survival data in the blinatumomab trial. The weighted analysis revealed a CR rate of 24\% (95\% CI: 20-27\%) and a median OS of 3.3 months (95\% CI: 2.8-3.6) in the historical cohort compared with a CR/CRh rate of 43\% (95\% CI: 36-50\%) and a median OS of 6.1 months (95\% CI: 4.2-7.5) in the blinatumomab trial. Propensity score analysis estimated increased odds of CR/CRh (OR=2.68, 95\% CI: 1.67-4.31) and improved OS (HR=0.536, 95\% CI: 0.394-0.730) with blinatumomab. The analysis demonstrates the application of different study designs and statistical methods to compare novel therapies for R/R ALL with historical data.}, language = {en} } @article{FornariRapplMorelhaoetal.2016, author = {Fornari, C. I. and Rappl, P. H. O. and Morelhao, S. L. and Peixoto, T. R. F. and Bentmann, H. and Reinert, F. and Abramof, E.}, title = {Preservation of pristine Bi\(_2\)Te\(_3\) thin film topological insulator surface after ex situ mechanical removal of Te capping layer}, series = {APL Materials}, volume = {4}, journal = {APL Materials}, doi = {10.1063/1.4964610}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164468}, pages = {106107}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Ex situ analyses on topological insulator films require protection against surface contamination during air exposure. This work reports on a technique that combines deposition of protective capping just after epitaxial growth and its mechanical removal inside ultra-high vacuum systems. This method was applied to Bi2Te3 films with thickness varying from 8 to 170 nm. Contrarily to other methods, this technique does not require any sputtering or thermal annealing setups installed inside the analyzing system and preserves both film thickness and surface characteristics. These results suggest that the technique presented here can be expanded to other topological insulator materials.}, language = {en} } @article{TrudzinskiMinkoRappetal.2016, author = {Trudzinski, Franziska C. and Minko, Peter and Rapp, Daniel and F{\"a}hndrich, Sebastian and Haake, Hendrik and Haab, Myriam and Bohle, Rainer M. and Flaig, Monika and Kaestner, Franziska and Bals, Robert and Wilkens, Heinrike and Muellenbach, Ralf M. and Link, Andreas and Groesdonk, Heinrich V. and Lensch, Christian and Langer, Frank and Lepper, Philipp M.}, title = {Runtime and aPTT predict venous thrombosis and thromboembolism in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a retrospective analysis}, series = {Annals of Intensive Care}, volume = {6}, journal = {Annals of Intensive Care}, doi = {10.1186/s13613-016-0172-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164455}, pages = {66}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Even though bleeding and thromboembolic events are major complications of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), data on the incidence of venous thrombosis (VT) and thromboembolism (VTE) under ECMO are scarce. This study analyzes the incidence and predictors of VTE in patients treated with ECMO due to respiratory failure. Methods Retrospective analysis of patients treated on ECMO in our center from 04/2010 to 11/2015. Patients with thromboembolic events prior to admission were excluded. Diagnosis was made by imaging in survivors and postmortem examination in deceased patients. Results Out of 102 screened cases, 42 survivors and 21 autopsy cases [mean age 46.0 ± 14.4 years; 37 (58.7 \%) males] fulfilling the above-mentioned criteria were included. Thirty-four patients (54.0 \%) underwent ECMO therapy due to ARDS, and 29 patients (46.0 \%) with chronic organ failure were bridged to lung transplantation. Despite systemic anticoagulation at a mean PTT of 50.6 ± 12.8 s, [VT/VTE 47.0 ± 12.3 s and no VT/VTE 53.63 ± 12.51 s (p = 0.037)], VT and/or VTE was observed in 29 cases (46.1 \%). The rate of V. cava thrombosis was 15/29 (51.7 \%). Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism prevailed in deceased patients [5/21 (23.8 \%) vs. 2/42 (4.8 \%) (p = 0.036)]. In a multivariable analysis, only aPTT and time on ECMO predicted VT/VTE. There was no difference in the incidence of clinically diagnosed VT in ECMO survivors and autopsy findings. Conclusions Venous thrombosis and thromboembolism following ECMO therapy are frequent. Quality of anticoagulation and ECMO runtime predicted thromboembolic events. "}, language = {en} } @article{LotzSchmidRossietal.2016, author = {Lotz, Christian and Schmid, Freia F. and Rossi, Angela and Kurdyn, Szymon and Kampik, Daniel and De Wever, Bart and Walles, Heike and Groeber, Florian K.}, title = {Alternative Methods for the Replacement of Eye Irritation Testing}, series = {ALTEX - Alternatives to Animal Experimentation}, volume = {33}, journal = {ALTEX - Alternatives to Animal Experimentation}, number = {1}, doi = {10.14573/altex.1508241}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164444}, pages = {55-67}, year = {2016}, abstract = {In the last decades significant regulatory attempts were made to replace, refine and reduce animal testing to assess the risk of consumer products for the human eye. As the original in vivo Draize eye test is criticized for limited predictivity, costs and ethical issues, several animal-free test methods have been developed to categorize substances according to the global harmonized system (GHS) for eye irritation. This review summarizes the progress of alternative test methods for the assessment of eye irritation. Based on the corneal anatomy and current knowledge of the mechanisms causing eye irritation, different ex vivo and in vitro methods will be presented and discussed with regard to possible limitations and status of regulatory acceptance. In addition to established in vitro models, this review will also highlight emerging, full thickness cornea models that might be suited to predict all GHS categories.}, language = {en} } @article{GroeberEngelhardtLangeetal.2016, author = {Groeber, Florian and Engelhardt, Lisa and Lange, Julia and Kurdyn, Szymon and Schmid, Freia F. and R{\"u}cker, Christoph and Mielke, Stephan and Walles, Heike and Hansmann, Jan}, title = {A First Vascularized Skin Equivalent as an Alternative to Animal Experimentation}, series = {ALTEX - Alternatives to Animal Experimentation}, volume = {33}, journal = {ALTEX - Alternatives to Animal Experimentation}, number = {4}, doi = {10.14573/altex.1604041}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164438}, pages = {415-422}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Tissue-engineered skin equivalents mimic key aspects of the human skin, and can thus be employed as wound coverage for large skin defects or as in vitro test systems as an alternative to animal models. However, current skin equivalents lack a functional vasculature limiting clinical and research applications. This study demonstrates the generation of a vascularized skin equivalent with a perfused vascular network by combining a biological vascularized scaffold (BioVaSc) based on a decellularized segment of a porcine jejunum and a tailored bioreactor system. Briefly, the BioVaSc was seeded with human fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and human microvascular endothelial cells. After 14 days at the air-liquid interface, hematoxylin \& eosin and immunohistological staining revealed a specific histological architecture representative of the human dermis and epidermis including a papillary-like architecture at the dermal-epidermal-junction. The formation of the skin barrier was measured non-destructively using impedance spectroscopy. Additionally, endothelial cells lined the walls of the formed vessels that could be perfused with a physiological volume flow. Due to the presence of a complex in-vivo-like vasculature, the here shown skin equivalent has the potential for skin grafting and represents a sophisticated in vitro model for dermatological research.}, language = {en} } @article{DePalmaAbrahamczykAizenetal.2016, author = {De Palma, Adriana and Abrahamczyk, Stefan and Aizen, Marcelo A. and Albrecht, Matthias and Basset, Yves and Bates, Adam and Blake, Robin J. and Boutin, C{\´e}line and Bugter, Rob and Connop, Stuart and Cruz-L{\´o}pez, Leopoldo and Cunningham, Saul A. and Darvill, Ben and Diek{\"o}tter, Tim and Dorn, Silvia and Downing, Nicola and Entling, Martin H. and Farwig, Nina and Felicioli, Antonio and Fonte, Steven J. and Fowler, Robert and Franzen, Markus Franz{\´e}n and Goulson, Dave and Grass, Ingo and Hanley, Mick E. and Hendrix, Stephen D. and Herrmann, Farina and Herzog, Felix and Holzschuh, Andrea and Jauker, Birgit and Kessler, Michael and Knight, M. E. and Kruess, Andreas and Lavelle, Patrick and Le F{\´e}on, Violette and Lentini, Pia and Malone, Louise A. and Marshall, Jon and Mart{\´i}nez Pach{\´o}n, Eliana and McFrederick, Quinn S. and Morales, Carolina L. and Mudri-Stojnic, Sonja and Nates-Parra, Guiomar and Nilsson, Sven G. and {\"O}ckinger, Erik and Osgathorpe, Lynne and Parra-H, Alejandro and Peres, Carlos A. and Persson, Anna S. and Petanidou, Theodora and Poveda, Katja and Power, Eileen F. and Quaranta, Marino and Quintero, Carolina and Rader, Romina and Richards, Miriam H. and Roulston, T'ai and Rousseau, Laurent and Sadler, Jonathan P. and Samneg{\aa}rd, Ulrika and Schellhorn, Nancy A. and Sch{\"u}epp, Christof and Schweiger, Oliver and Smith-Pardo, Allan H. and Steffan-Dewenter, Ingolf and Stout, Jane C. and Tonietto, Rebecca K. and Tscharntke, Teja and Tylianakis, Jason M. and Verboven, Hans A. F. and Vergara, Carlos H. and Verhulst, Jort and Westphal, Catrin and Yoon, Hyung Joo and Purvis, Andy}, title = {Predicting bee community responses to land-use changes: Effects of geographic and taxonomic biases}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/srep31153}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167642}, pages = {31153}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Land-use change and intensification threaten bee populations worldwide, imperilling pollination services. Global models are needed to better characterise, project, and mitigate bees' responses to these human impacts. The available data are, however, geographically and taxonomically unrepresentative; most data are from North America and Western Europe, overrepresenting bumblebees and raising concerns that model results may not be generalizable to other regions and taxa. To assess whether the geographic and taxonomic biases of data could undermine effectiveness of models for conservation policy, we have collated from the published literature a global dataset of bee diversity at sites facing land-use change and intensification, and assess whether bee responses to these pressures vary across 11 regions (Western, Northern, Eastern and Southern Europe; North, Central and South America; Australia and New Zealand; South East Asia; Middle and Southern Africa) and between bumblebees and other bees. Our analyses highlight strong regionally-based responses of total abundance, species richness and Simpson's diversity to land use, caused by variation in the sensitivity of species and potentially in the nature of threats. These results suggest that global extrapolation of models based on geographically and taxonomically restricted data may underestimate the true uncertainty, increasing the risk of ecological surprises.}, language = {en} } @article{Schoech2016, author = {Sch{\"o}ch, Christof}, title = {Ein digitales Textformat f{\"u}r die Literaturwissenschaften. Die Richtlinien der Text Encoding Initiative und ihr Nutzen f{\"u}r Textedition und Textanalyse}, series = {Romanische Studien}, volume = {4}, journal = {Romanische Studien}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-171351}, pages = {325-364}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Die stetig voranschreitende Digitalisierung literarischer Texte verschiedenster Sprachen, Epochen und Gattungen stellt die Literaturwissenschaften immer wieder vor die Frage, wie sie diese Entwicklung mitgestalten und zu ihrem Vorteil nutzen k{\"o}nnen. Dabei ist digital nicht gleich digital, sondern es existiert eine Vielzahl sehr unterschiedlicher, digitaler Repr{\"a}sentationsformen von Text. Nur wenige dieser Repr{\"a}sentationsformen werden literaturwissenschaftlichen Anforderungen tats{\"a}chlich gerecht, darunter diejenige, die den Richtlinien der Text Encoding Initiative folgt. Der vorliegende Beitrag vergleicht zun{\"a}chst einige derzeit g{\"a}ngige digitale Repr{\"a}sentationsformen von Text. F{\"u}r literaturwissenschaftliche Forschung besonders geeignet erweist sich hierbei eine Repr{\"a}sentationsform, die den Richtlinien der Text Encoding Initiative folgt. Daher informiert der Beitrag anschließend {\"u}ber deren Nutzen f{\"u}r die literaturwissenschaftliche Arbeit, sowohl im Bereich der wissenschaftlichen Textedition als auch im Bereich der Analyse und Interpretation von Texten. Nur wenn die Literaturwissenschaften in ihrer Breite den Nutzen von offenen, expressiven, flexiblen und standardisierten, langfristig nutzbaren Formaten f{\"u}r die Forschung erkennen, k{\"o}nnen sie sich mit dem erforderlichen Nachdruck f{\"u}r deren Verbreitung einsetzen und durch die zunehmende Verf{\"u}gbarkeit von Texten in solchen Formaten f{\"u}r die eigene Forschung und Lehre davon profitieren.}, language = {de} } @article{KestlerLuccaKrause2016, author = {Kestler, Thomas and Lucca, Juan Bautista and Krause, Silvana}, title = {'Break-In Parties' and Changing Patterns of Democracy in Latin America}, series = {Brazilian Political Science Review}, volume = {10}, journal = {Brazilian Political Science Review}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1590/1981-38212016000100004}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-171333}, pages = {e0004}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Although Lijphart's typology of consensus and majoritarian democracy can be regarded as the most widely used tool to classify democratic regimes, it has been rarely applied to Latin America so far. We try to fill this gap by adapting Lijphart's typological framework to the Latin American context in the following way. In contrast to previous studies, we treat the type of democracy as an independent variable and include informal factors such as clientelism or informal employment in our assessment of democratic patterns. On this basis, we aim to answer the following questions. First, how did the patterns of democracy evolve in Latin America over the two decades between 1990 and 2010 and what kind of differences can be observed in the region? Second, what are the institutional determinants of the observed changes? We focus on the emergence of new parties because of their strong impact on the first dimension of Lijphart's typology. From our observations we draw the following tentative conclusions: If strong new parties established themselves in the party system but failed to gain the presidency, they pushed the system towards consensualism. Conversely, new parties that gained the presidency produced more majoritarian traits.}, language = {en} } @article{JoensuuAltimirHakolaetal.2016, author = {Joensuu, Johanna and Altimir, Nuria and Hakola, Hannele and Rost{\´a}s, Michael and Raivonen, Maarit and Vestenius, Mika and Aaltonen, Hermanni and Riederer, Markus and B{\"a}ck, Jaana}, title = {Role of needle surface waxes in dynamic exchange of mono- and sesquiterpenes}, series = {Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics}, volume = {16}, journal = {Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics}, number = {12}, doi = {10.5194/acp-2015-1024}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-171324}, pages = {7813-7823}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) produced by plants have a major role in atmospheric chemistry. The different physicochemical properties of BVOCs affect their transport within and out of the plant as well as their reactions along the way. Some of these compounds may accumulate in or on the waxy surface layer of conifer needles and participate in chemical reactions on or near the foliage surface. The aim of this work was to determine whether terpenes, a key category of BVOCs produced by trees, can be found on the epicuticles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and, if so, how they compare with the terpenes found in shoot emissions of the same tree. We measured shoot-level emissions of pine seedlings at a remote outdoor location in central Finland and subsequently analysed the needle surface waxes for the same compounds. Both emissions and wax extracts were clearly dominated by monoterpenes, but the proportion of sesquiterpenes was higher in the wax extracts. There were also differences in the terpene spectra of the emissions and the wax extracts. The results, therefore, support the existence of BVOC associated to the epicuticular waxes. We briefly discuss the different pathways for terpenes to reach the needle surfaces and the implications for air chemistry.}, language = {en} } @article{SchroederMeyerterVehnFassnachtRiederleetal.2016, author = {Schroeder, Katharina and Meyer-ter-Vehn, Tobias and Fassnacht-Riederle, Heidi and Guthoff, Rainer}, title = {Course of disease in multifocal choroiditis lacking sufficient immunosuppression: a case report}, series = {Journal of Medical Case Reports}, volume = {10}, journal = {Journal of Medical Case Reports}, number = {298}, doi = {10.1186/s13256-016-1069-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-171317}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background: Multifocal choroiditis with panuveitis is a rare disease. The educational merit of this case presentation results from the good documentation and the impressive ocular fundus pictures. Case presentation: We illustrate the 3-year course of disease in a 22-year-old myopic white woman with multifocal choroiditis with panuveitis and secondary choroidal neovascularization. The activity of the disease was evaluated clinically by optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography. Choroidal neovascularization was treated by intravitreal bevacizumab (2.5 mg/0.1 ml). Our patient lacked systemic therapy for the first 11 months because of noncompliance. Conclusions: The case is remarkable as the delayed onset of peripheral lesions and the additional existence of high myopia made diagnosis difficult. In addition, it demonstrates that full outbreak of disease with multiple central and peripheral fundus lesions and secondary choroidal neovascularization can develop without systemic treatment.}, language = {en} } @article{DietrichSteudeTropfetal.2016, author = {Dietrich, Christof P. and Steude, Anja and Tropf, Laura and Schubert, Marcel and Kronenberg, Nils M. and Ostermann, Kai and H{\"o}fling, Sven and Gather, Malte C.}, title = {An exciton-polariton laser based on biologically produced fluorescent protein}, series = {Science Advances}, volume = {2}, journal = {Science Advances}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1126/sciadv.1600666}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-171305}, pages = {e1600666}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Under adequate conditions, cavity polaritons form a macroscopic coherent quantum state, known as polariton condensate. Compared to Wannier-Mott excitons in inorganic semiconductors, the localized Frenkel excitons in organic emitter materials show weaker interaction with each other but stronger coupling to light, which recently enabled the first realization of a polariton condensate at room temperature. However, this required ultrafast optical pumping, which limits the applications of organic polariton condensates. We demonstrate room temperature polariton condensates of cavity polaritons in simple laminated microcavities filled with biologically produced enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). The unique molecular structure of eGFP prevents exciton annihilation even at high excitation densities, thus facilitating polariton condensation under conventional nanosecond pumping. Condensation is clearly evidenced by a distinct threshold, an interaction-induced blueshift of the condensate, long-range coherence, and the presence of a second threshold at higher excitation density that is associated with the onset of photon lasing.}, language = {en} } @article{SperlichAchtzehndeMareesetal.2016, author = {Sperlich, Billy and Achtzehn, Silvia and de Mar{\´e}es, Markus and von Papen, Henning and Mester, Joachim}, title = {Load management in elite German distance runners during 3-weeks of high-altitude training}, series = {Physiological Reports}, volume = {4}, journal = {Physiological Reports}, number = {12}, doi = {10.14814/phy2.12845}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-171294}, pages = {e12845}, year = {2016}, abstract = {There is a debate on the optimal way of monitoring training loads in elite endurance athletes especially during altitude training camps. In this case report, including nine members of the German national middle distance running team, we describe a practical approach to monitor the psychobiological stress markers during 21 days of altitude training (~2100 m above sea-level) to estimate the training load and to control muscle damage, fatigue, and/or chronic overreaching. Daily examination included: oxygen saturation of hemoglobin, resting heart rate, body mass, body and sleep perception, capillary blood concentration of creatine kinase. Every other day, venous serum concentration of blood urea nitrogen, venous blood concentration of hemoglobin, hematocrit, red and white blood cell were measured. If two or more of the above-mentioned stress markers were beyond or beneath the athlete's normal individual range, the training load of the subsequent training session was reduced. Running speed at 3 mmol L\(^{-1}\) blood lactate (V\(_{3}\)) improved and no athlete showed any signs of underperformance, chronic muscle damage, decrease body and sleep perception as well as activated inflammatory process during the 21 days. The dense screening of biomarkers in the present case study may stimulate further research to identify candidate markers for load monitoring in elite middle- and long-distance runners during a training camp at altitude.}, language = {en} } @article{StolzeTrautmannGoebeleretal.2016, author = {Stolze, Ina and Trautmann, Axel and Goebeler, Matthias and Stoevesandt, Johanna}, title = {Dangerous Leg Cramps: Severe Pustular Exanthema Caused by an Over-the-Counter Drug}, series = {Acta Dermato-Venereologica}, volume = {96}, journal = {Acta Dermato-Venereologica}, doi = {10.2340/00015555-2324}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-171285}, pages = {703-704}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Abstract is missing}, language = {en} } @article{MeulePlatte2016, author = {Meule, Adrian and Platte, Petra}, title = {Attentional bias toward high-calorie food-cues and trait motor impulsivity interactively predict weight gain}, series = {Health Psychology Open}, journal = {Health Psychology Open}, doi = {10.1177/2055102916649585}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168504}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Strong bottom-up impulses and weak top-down control may interactively lead to overeating and, consequently, weight gain. In the present study, female university freshmen were tested at the start of the first semester and again at the start of the second semester. Attentional bias toward high- or low-calorie food-cues was assessed using a dot-probe paradigm and participants completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Attentional bias and motor impulsivity interactively predicted change in body mass index: motor impulsivity positively predicted weight gain only when participants showed an attentional bias toward high-calorie food-cues. Attentional and non-planning impulsivity were unrelated to weight change. Results support findings showing that weight gain is prospectively predicted by a combination of weak top-down control (i.e. high impulsivity) and strong bottom-up impulses (i.e. high automatic motivational drive toward high-calorie food stimuli). They also highlight the fact that only specific aspects of impulsivity are relevant in eating and weight regulation.}, language = {en} } @article{DeebGiordanoRossietal.2016, author = {Deeb, Wissam and Giordano, James J. and Rossi, Peter J. and Mogilner, Alon Y. and Gunduz, Aysegul and Judy, Jack W. and Klassen, Bryan T. and Butson, Christopher R. and Van Horne, Craig and Deny, Damiaan and Dougherty, Darin D. and Rowell, David and Gerhardt, Greg A. and Smith, Gwenn S. and Ponce, Francisco A. and Walker, Harrison C. and Bronte-Stewart, Helen M. and Mayberg, Helen S. and Chizeck, Howard J. and Langevin, Jean-Philippe and Volkmann, Jens and Ostrem, Jill L. and Shute, Jonathan B. and Jimenez-Shahed, Joohi and Foote, Kelly D. and Wagle Shukla, Aparna and Rossi, Marvin A. and Oh, Michael and Pourfar, Michael and Rosenberg, Paul B. and Silburn, Peter A. and de Hemptine, Coralie and Starr, Philip A. and Denison, Timothy and Akbar, Umer and Grill, Warren M. and Okun, Michael S.}, title = {Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Deep Brain Stimulation Think Tank: A Review of Emerging Issues and Technologies}, series = {Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience}, number = {38}, doi = {10.3389/fnint.2016.00038}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168493}, year = {2016}, abstract = {This paper provides an overview of current progress in the technological advances and the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, as presented by participants of the Fourth Annual DBS Think Tank, which was convened in March 2016 in conjunction with the Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration at the University of Florida, Gainesveille FL, USA. The Think Tank discussions first focused on policy and advocacy in DBS research and clinical practice, formation of registries, and issues involving the use of DBS in the treatment of Tourette Syndrome. Next, advances in the use of neuroimaging and electrochemical markers to enhance DBS specificity were addressed. Updates on ongoing use and developments of DBS for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, Alzheimer's disease, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, obesity, addiction were presented, and progress toward innovation(s) in closed-loop applications were discussed. Each section of these proceedings provides updates and highlights of new information as presented at this year's international Think Tank, with a view toward current and near future advancement of the field.}, language = {en} } @article{HommersGoers2016, author = {Hommers, Wilfried and G{\"o}rs, Marijke}, title = {Information integration of Kohlbergian thoughts about consensual sex}, series = {Universitas Psychologica}, volume = {15}, journal = {Universitas Psychologica}, number = {3}, doi = {10.11144/Javeriana.upsy15-3.iikt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168487}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The unification of two major approaches to moral judgment is the purpose of the present approach. Kohlberg's well-known stage theory assumes a sequence of discrete stages that underlie all moral judgment. Stage theory recognizes the problem of integrating considerations but gives no way to solve such integration, even with information from any one stage. And, of course, the stage concept denies any significant integration from different stages. Thus, research on moral judgment needs to study the integration problem which can be tested within Anderson's theory of information integration. The main purpose of the present study was to extend this unificationist approach to the issue of sexual morality. A novel task presents information from two very different stages. The results showed that in contrast to discreteness the stage informers were positively correlated in punishment judgments of both genders about consensual sex of juveniles. Furthermore, the subjects integrated considerations from those very different stages also in contrast to the hypothesis that only a single stage was operative at any time.}, language = {en} } @article{BergesKerkauWerneretal.2016, author = {Berges, Carsten and Kerkau, Thomas and Werner, Sandra and Wolf, Nelli and Winter, Nadine and H{\"u}nig, Thomas and Einsele, Hermann and Topp, Max S. and Beyersdorf, Niklas}, title = {Hsp90 inhibition ameliorates CD4\(^{+}\) T cell-mediated acute Graft versus Host disease in mice}, series = {Immunity, Inflammation and Disease}, volume = {4}, journal = {Immunity, Inflammation and Disease}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1002/iid3.127}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168318}, pages = {463-473}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Introduction: For many patients with leukemia only allogeneic bone marrow transplantion provides a chance of cure. Co-transplanted mature donor T cells mediate the desired Graft versus Tumor (GvT) effect required to destroy residual leukemic cells. The donor T cells very often, however, also attack healthy tissue of the patient inducing acute Graft versus Host Disease (aGvHD)—a potentially life-threatening complication. Methods: Therefore, we used the well established C57BL/6 into BALB/c mouse aGvHD model to evaluate whether pharmacological inhibition of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) would protect the mice from aGvHD. Results: Treatment of the BALB/c recipient mice from day 0 to +2 after allogeneic CD4\(^{+}\) T cell transplantation with the Hsp90 inhibitor 17-(dimethylaminoethylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (DMAG) partially protected the mice from aGvHD. DMAG treatment was, however, insufficient to prolong overall survival of leukemia-bearing mice after transplantation of allogeneic CD4\(^{+}\) and CD8\(^{+}\) T cells. Ex vivo analyses and in vitro experiments revealed that DMAG primarily inhibits conventional CD4\(^{+}\) T cells with a relative resistance of CD4\(^{+}\) regulatory and CD8\(^{+}\) T cells toward Hsp90 inhibition. Conclusions: Our data, thus, suggest that Hsp90 inhibition might constitute a novel approach to reduce aGvHD in patients without abrogating the desired GvT effect.}, language = {en} } @article{KappKosmalaKircheretal.2016, author = {Kapp, Markus and Kosmala, Aleksander and Kircher, Stefan and Luber, Verena and Kunzmann, Volker}, title = {Exceptional Response to Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel and Gemcitabine in a Patient with a Refractory Adenocarcinoma of the Ampulla of Vater}, series = {Case Reports in Oncology}, volume = {9}, journal = {Case Reports in Oncology}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1159/000443304}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168358}, pages = {15-24}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Ampullary carcinoma is a rare tumor and evidence on the treatment of recurrent metastatic disease is scarce. We report the case of a 60-year-old patient with an R0-resected node-positive adenocarcinoma of the papilla of Vater of an initially diagnosed intestinal subtype who developed pulmonary metastases 2 months after adjuvant gemcitabine chemotherapy and, subsequently, liver metastases. Palliative combination chemotherapy with standard regimens for intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (FOLFOX and FOLFIRI) failed. However, subsequent combination chemotherapy with nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel and gemcitabine, a regimen with proven efficacy in metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, resulted in a durable, very good partial remission. Treatment was manageable and well tolerated. Primary tumor and metastatic tissue were reassessed by immunohistochemistry and had to be reclassified to a mixed phenotype containing predominant elements of the pancreatobiliary subtype. Our case suggests that combination chemotherapy with nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel and gemcitabine could represent a promising option for the treatment of this rare disease and warrants further investigation within controlled clinical trials. Moreover, thorough characterization of ampullary carcinomas by histomorphology and additional immunohistochemistry should become mandatory in order to start a chemotherapeutic regimen tailored for the definitive subtype.}, language = {en} } @article{DeelemanReinholdMillerFloren2016, author = {Deeleman-Reinhold, Christa L. and Miller, Jeremy and Floren, Andreas}, title = {Depreissia decipiens, an enigmatic canopy spider from Borneo revisited (Araneae, Salticidae), with remarks on the distribution and diversity of canopy spiders in Sabah, Borneo}, series = {ZooKeys}, volume = {556}, journal = {ZooKeys}, doi = {10.3897/zookeys.556.6174}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168342}, pages = {1-17}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Depreissia is a little known genus comprising two hymenopteran-mimicking species, one found in Central Africa and one in the north of Borneo. The male of D. decipiens is redescribed, the female is described for the first time. The carapace is elongated, dorsally flattened and rhombus-shaped, the rear of the thorax laterally depressed and transformed, with a pair of deep pits; the pedicel is almost as long as the abdomen. The male palp is unusual, characterized by the transverse deeply split membranous tegulum separating a ventral part which bears a sclerotized tegular apophysis and a large dagger-like retrodirected median apophysis. The female epigyne consists of one pair of large adjacent spermathecae and very long copulatory ducts arising posteriorly and rising laterally alongside the spermathecae continuing in several vertical and horizontal coils over the anterior surface. Relationships within the Salticidae are discussed and an affinity with the Cocalodinae is suggested. Arguments are provided for a hypothesis that D. decipiens is not ant-mimicking as was previously believed, but is a mimic of polistinine wasps. The species was found in the canopy in the Kinabalu area only, in primary and old secondary rainforest at 200-700 m.a.s.l. Overlap of canopy-dwelling spider species with those in the understorey are discussed and examples of species richness and endemism in the canopy are highlighted. Canopy fogging is a very efficient method of collecting for most arthropods. The canopy fauna adds an extra dimension to the known biodiversity of the tropical rainforest. In southeast Asia, canopy research has been neglected, inhibiting evaluation of comparative results of this canopy project with that from other regions. More use of fogging as a collecting method would greatly improve insight into the actual species richness and species distribution in general.}, language = {en} } @article{SchlinkertLudwigBataryetal.2016, author = {Schlinkert, Hella and Ludwig, Martin and Bat{\´a}ry, P{\´e}ter and Holzschuh, Andrea and Kov{\´a}cs-Hosty{\´a}nszki, Anik{\´o} and Tscharntke, Teja and Fischer, Christina}, title = {Forest specialist and generalist small mammals in forest edges and hedges}, series = {Wildlife Biology}, volume = {22}, journal = {Wildlife Biology}, number = {3}, doi = {10.2981/wlb.00176}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168333}, pages = {86-94}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Agricultural intensification often leads to fragmentation of natural habitats, such as forests, and thereby negatively affects forest specialist species. However, human introduced habitats, such as hedges, may counteract negative effects of forest fragmentation and increase dispersal, particularly of forest specialists. We studied effects of habitat type (forest edge versus hedge) and hedge isolation from forests (connected versus isolated hedge) in agricultural landscapes on abundance, species richness and community composition of mice, voles and shrews in forest edges and hedges. Simultaneously to these effects of forest edge/hedge type we analysed impacts of habitat structure, namely percentage of bare ground and forest edge/hedge width, on abundance, species richness and community composition of small mammals. Total abundance and forest specialist abundance (both driven by the most abundant species Myodes glareolus, bank vole) were higher in forest edges than in hedges, while hedge isolation had no effect. In contrast, abundance of habitat generalists was higher in isolated compared to connected hedges, with no effect of habitat type (forest edge versus hedge). Species richness as well as abundance of the most abundant habitat generalist Sorex araneus (common shrew), were not affected by habitat type or hedge isolation. Decreasing percentage of bare ground and increasing forest edge/hedge width was associated with increased abundance of forest specialists, while habitat structure was unrelated to species richness or abundance of any other group. Community composition was driven by forest specialists, which exceeded habitat generalist abundance in forest edges and connected hedges, while abundances were similar to each other in isolated hedges. Our results show that small mammal forest specialists prefer forest edges as habitats over hedges, while habitat generalists are able to use unoccupied ecological niches in isolated hedges. Consequently even isolated hedges can be marginal habitats for forest specialists and habitat generalists and thereby may increase regional farmland biodiversity.}, language = {en} } @article{BenAmiTongBhuiyanetal.2016, author = {Ben Ami, Tal and Tong, Yuehong and Bhuiyan, Alauddin and Huisingh, Carrie and Ablonczy, Zsolt and Ach, Thomas and Curcio, Christine A. and Smith, R. Theodore}, title = {Spatial and Spectral Characterization of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Fluorophore Families by Ex Vivo Hyperspectral Autofluorescence Imaging}, series = {Translational Vision Science \& Technology}, volume = {5}, journal = {Translational Vision Science \& Technology}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1167/tvst.5.3.5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168328}, pages = {5}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Purpose: Discovery of candidate spectra for abundant fluorophore families in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) by ex vivo hyperspectral imaging. Methods: Hyperspectral autofluorescence emission images were captured between 420 and 720 nm (10-nm intervals), at two excitation bands (436-460, 480-510 nm), from three locations (fovea, perifovea, near-periphery) in 20 normal RPE/Bruch's membrane (BrM) flatmounts. Mathematical factorization extracted a BrM spectrum (S0) and abundant lipofuscin/melanolipofuscin (LF/ML) spectra of RPE origin (S1, S2, S3) from each tissue. Results: Smooth spectra S1 to S3, with perinuclear localization consistent with LF/ML at all three retinal locations and both excitations in 14 eyes (84 datasets), were included in the analysis. The mean peak emissions of S0, S1, and S2 at λ\(_{ex}\) 436 nm were, respectively, 495 ± 14, 535 ± 17, and 576 ± 20 nm. S3 was generally trimodal, with peaks at either 580, 620, or 650 nm (peak mode, 650 nm). At λ\(_{ex}\) 480 nm, S0, S1, and S2 were red-shifted to 526 ± 9, 553 ± 10, and 588 ± 23 nm, and S3 was again trimodal (peak mode, 620 nm). S1 often split into two spectra, S1A and S1B. S3 strongly colocalized with melanin. There were no significant differences across age, sex, or retinal location. Conclusions: There appear to be at least three families of abundant RPE fluorophores that are ubiquitous across age, retinal location, and sex in this sample of healthy eyes. Further molecular characterization by imaging mass spectrometry and localization via super-resolution microscopy should elucidate normal and abnormal RPE physiology involving fluorophores. Translational Relevance: Our results help establish hyperspectral autofluorescence imaging of the human retinal pigment epithelium as a useful tool for investigating retinal health and disease.}, language = {en} } @article{LeiboldvandenHoveViechtbaueretal.2016, author = {Leibold, NK and van den Hove, DLA and Viechtbauer, W and Buchanan, GF and Goossens, L and Lange, I and Knuts, I and Lesch, KP and Steinbusch, HWM and Schruers, KRJ}, title = {CO\(_{2}\) exposure as translational cross-species experimental model for panic}, series = {Translational Psychiatry}, volume = {6}, journal = {Translational Psychiatry}, number = {e885}, doi = {10.1038/tp.2016.162}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168308}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The current diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders are being challenged by the heterogeneity and the symptom overlap of psychiatric disorders. Therefore, a framework toward a more etiology-based classification has been initiated by the US National Institute of Mental Health, the research domain criteria project. The basic neurobiology of human psychiatric disorders is often studied in rodent models. However, the differences in outcome measurements hamper the translation of knowledge. Here, we aimed to present a translational panic model by using the same stimulus and by quantitatively comparing the same outcome measurements in rodents, healthy human subjects and panic disorder patients within one large project. We measured the behavioral-emotional and bodily response to CO\(_{2}\) exposure in all three samples, allowing for a reliable cross-species comparison. We show that CO\(_{2}\) exposure causes a robust fear response in terms of behavior in mice and panic symptom ratings in healthy volunteers and panic disorder patients. To improve comparability, we next assessed the respiratory and cardiovascular response to CO\(_{2}\), demonstrating corresponding respiratory and cardiovascular effects across both species. This project bridges the gap between basic and human research to improve the translation of knowledge between these disciplines. This will allow significant progress in unraveling the etiological basis of panic disorder and will be highly beneficial for refining the diagnostic categories as well as treatment strategies.}, language = {en} } @article{ZayatsJacobsenKleppeetal.2016, author = {Zayats, T and Jacobsen, KK and Kleppe, R and Jacob, CP and Kittel-Schneider, S and Ribas{\´e}s, M and Ramos-Quiroga, JA and Richarte, V and Casas, M and Mota, NR and Grevet, EH and Klein, M and Corominas, J and Bralten, J and Galesloot, T and Vasquez, AA and Herms, S and Forstner, AJ and Larsson, H and Breen, G and Asherson, P and Gross-Lesch, S and Lesch, KP and Cichon, S and Gabrielsen, MB and Holmen, OL and Bau, CHD and Buitelaar, J and Kiemeney, L and Faraone, SV and Cormand, B and Franke, B and Reif, A and Haavik, J and Johansson, S}, title = {Exome chip analyses in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder}, series = {Translational Psychiatry}, volume = {6}, journal = {Translational Psychiatry}, number = {e923}, doi = {10.1038/tp.2016.196}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168297}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly heritable childhood-onset neuropsychiatric condition, often persisting into adulthood. The genetic architecture of ADHD, particularly in adults, is largely unknown. We performed an exome-wide scan of adult ADHD using the Illumina Human Exome Bead Chip, which interrogates over 250 000 common and rare variants. Participants were recruited by the International Multicenter persistent ADHD CollaboraTion (IMpACT). Statistical analyses were divided into 3 steps: (1) gene-level analysis of rare variants (minor allele frequency (MAF)<1\%); (2) single marker association tests of common variants (MAF⩾1\%), with replication of the top signals; and (3) pathway analyses. In total, 9365 individuals (1846 cases and 7519 controls) were examined. Replication of the most associated common variants was attempted in 9847 individuals (2077 cases and 7770 controls) using fixed-effects inverse variance meta-analysis. With a Bonferroni-corrected significance level of 1.82E-06, our analyses of rare coding variants revealed four study-wide significant loci: 6q22.1 locus (P=4.46E-08), where NT5DC1 and COL10A1 reside; the SEC23IP locus (P=6.47E-07); the PSD locus (P=7.58E-08) and ZCCHC4 locus (P=1.79E-06). No genome-wide significant association was observed among the common variants. The strongest signal was noted at rs9325032 in PPP2R2B (odds ratio=0.81, P=1.61E-05). Taken together, our data add to the growing evidence of general signal transduction molecules (NT5DC1, PSD, SEC23IP and ZCCHC4) having an important role in the etiology of ADHD. Although the biological implications of these findings need to be further explored, they highlight the possible role of cellular communication as a potential core component in the development of both adult and childhood forms of ADHD.}, language = {en} } @article{KronhardtBeitzingerBarthetal.2016, author = {Kronhardt, Angelika and Beitzinger, Christoph and Barth, Holger and Benz, Roland}, title = {Chloroquine Analog Interaction with C2-and Iota-Toxin in Vitro and in Living Cells}, series = {Toxins}, volume = {8}, journal = {Toxins}, number = {8}, doi = {10.3390/toxins8080237}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168286}, pages = {237}, year = {2016}, abstract = {C2-toxin from Clostridium botulinum and Iota-toxin from Clostridium perfringens belong both to the binary A-B-type of toxins consisting of two separately secreted components, an enzymatic subunit A and a binding component B that facilitates the entry of the corresponding enzymatic subunit into the target cells. The enzymatic subunits are in both cases actin ADP-ribosyltransferases that modify R177 of globular actin finally leading to cell death. Following their binding to host cells' receptors and internalization, the two binding components form heptameric channels in endosomal membranes which mediate the translocation of the enzymatic components Iota a and C2I from endosomes into the cytosol of the target cells. The binding components form ion-permeable channels in artificial and biological membranes. Chloroquine and related 4-aminoquinolines were able to block channel formation in vitro and intoxication of living cells. In this study, we extended our previous work to the use of different chloroquine analogs and demonstrate that positively charged aminoquinolinium salts are able to block channels formed in lipid bilayer membranes by the binding components of C2- and Iota-toxin. Similarly, these molecules protect cultured mammalian cells from intoxication with C2- and Iota-toxin. The aminoquinolinium salts did presumably not interfere with actin ADP-ribosylation or receptor binding but blocked the pores formed by C2IIa and Iota b in living cells and in vitro. The blocking efficiency of pores formed by Iota b and C2IIa by the chloroquine analogs showed interesting differences indicating structural variations between the types of protein-conducting nanochannels formed by Iota b and C2IIa.}, language = {en} } @article{LapaLueckerathKleinleinetal.2016, author = {Lapa, Constantin and L{\"u}ckerath, Katharina and Kleinlein, Irene and Monoranu, Camelia Maria and Linsenmann, Thomas and Kessler, Almuth F. and Rudelius, Martina and Kropf, Saskia and Buck, Andreas K. and Ernestus, Ralf-Ingo and Wester, Hans-J{\"u}rgen and L{\"o}hr, Mario and Herrmann, Ken}, title = {\(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor-PET/CT for Imaging of Chemokine Receptor 4 Expression in Glioblastoma}, series = {Theranostics}, volume = {6}, journal = {Theranostics}, number = {3}, doi = {10.7150/thno.13986}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168174}, pages = {428-434}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4) has been reported to be overexpressed in glioblastoma (GBM) and to be associated with poor survival. This study investigated the feasibility of non-invasive CXCR4-directed imaging with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) using the radiolabelled chemokine receptor ligand \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor. 15 patients with clinical suspicion on primary or recurrent glioblastoma (13 primary, 2 recurrent tumors) underwent \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor-PET/CT for assessment of CXCR4 expression prior to surgery. O-(2-\(^{18}\)F-fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (\(^{18}\)F-FET) PET/CT images were available in 11/15 cases and were compared visually and semi-quantitatively (SUV\(_{max}\), SUV\(_{mean}\)). Tumor-to-background ratios (TBR) were calculated for both PET probes. \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor-PET/CT results were also compared to histological CXCR4 expression on neuronavigated surgical samples. \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor-PET/CT was visually positive in 13/15 cases with SUV\(_{mean}\) and SUV\(_{max}\) of 3.0±1.5 and 3.9±2.0 respectively. Respective values for \(^{18}\)F-FET were 4.4±2.0 (SUV\(_{mean}\)) and 5.3±2.3 (SUV\(_{max}\)). TBR for SUV\(_{mean}\) and SUV\(_{max}\) were higher for \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor than for \(^{18}\)F-FET (SUV\(_{mean}\) 154.0±90.7 vs. 4.1±1.3; SUV\(_{max}\) 70.3±44.0 and 3.8±1.2, p<0.01), respectively. Histological analysis confirmed CXCR4 expression in tumor areas with high \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor uptake; regions of the same tumor without apparent \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor uptake showed no or low receptor expression. In this pilot study, \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor retention has been observed in the vast majority of glioblastoma lesions and served as readout for non-invasive determination of CXCR4 expression. Given the paramount importance of the CXCR4/SDF-1 axis in tumor biology, \(^{68}\)Ga-Pentixafor-PET/CT might prove a useful tool for sensitive, non-invasive in-vivo quantification of CXCR4 as well as selection of patients who might benefit from CXCR4-directed therapy.}, language = {en} } @article{ManukjanRippergerVenturinietal.2016, author = {Manukjan, Georgi and Ripperger, Tim and Venturini, Letizia and Stadler, Michael and G{\"o}hring, Gudrun and Schambach, Axel and Schlegelberger, Brigitte and Steinemann, Doris}, title = {GABP is necessary for stem/progenitor cell maintenance and myeloid differentiation in human hematopoiesis and chronic myeloid leukemia}, series = {Stem Cell Research}, volume = {16}, journal = {Stem Cell Research}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1016/j.scr.2016.04.007}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168165}, pages = {677-681}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells and their potential to give rise to progenitors of differentiated lymphoid and myeloid cells are accomplished by a network of regulatory processes. As a part of this network, the heteromeric transcription factor GA-binding protein (GABP) plays a crucial role in self-renewal of murine hematopoietic and leukemic stem cells. Here, we report the consequences of functional impairment of GABP in human hematopoietic and in leukemic stem/progenitor cells. Ectopic overexpression of a dominant-negative acting GABP mutant led to impaired myeloid differentiation of CD34\(^{+}\) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells obtained from healthy donors. Moreover, drastically reduced clonogenic capacity of leukemic stem/progenitor cells isolated from bone marrow aspirates of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients underlines the importance of GABP on stem/progenitor cell maintenance and confirms the relevance of GABP for human myelopoiesis in healthy and diseased states.}, language = {en} } @article{KochereshkoDurnevBesombesetal.2016, author = {Kochereshko, Vladimir P. and Durnev, Mikhail V. and Besombes, Lucien and Mariette, Henri and Sapega, Victor F. and Askitopoulos, Alexis and Savenko, Ivan G. and Liew, Timothy C. H. and Shelykh, Ivan A. and Platonov, Alexey V. and Tsintzos, Simeon I. and Hatzopoulos, Z. and Savvidis, Pavlos G. and Kalevich, Vladimir K. and Afanasiev, Mikhail M. and Lukoshkin, Vladimir A. and Schneider, Christian and Amthor, Matthias and Metzger, Christian and Kamp, Martin and Hoefling, Sven and Lagoudakis, Pavlos and Kavokin, Alexey}, title = {Lasing in Bose-Fermi mixtures}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {20091}, doi = {10.1038/srep20091}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168152}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, well-known for revolutionising photonic science, has been realised primarily in fermionic systems including widely applied diode lasers. The prerequisite for fermionic lasing is the inversion of electronic population, which governs the lasing threshold. More recently, bosonic lasers have also been developed based on Bose-Einstein condensates of exciton-polaritons in semiconductor microcavities. These electrically neutral bosons coexist with charged electrons and holes. In the presence of magnetic fields, the charged particles are bound to their cyclotron orbits, while the neutral exciton-polaritons move freely. We demonstrate how magnetic fields affect dramatically the phase diagram of mixed Bose-Fermi systems, switching between fermionic lasing, incoherent emission and bosonic lasing regimes in planar and pillar microcavities with optical and electrical pumping. We collected and analyzed the data taken on pillar and planar microcavity structures at continuous wave and pulsed optical excitation as well as injecting electrons and holes electronically. Our results evidence the transition from a Bose gas to a Fermi liquid mediated by magnetic fields and light-matter coupling.}, language = {en} } @article{SongJiaZhangetal.2016, author = {Song, Ning-Ning and Jia, Yun-Fang and Zhang, Lei and Zhang, Qiong and Huang, Ying and Liu, Xiao-Zhen and Hu, Ling and Lan, Wei and Chen, Ling and Lesch, Klaus-Peter and Chen, Xiaoyan and Xu, Lin and Ding, Yu-Qiang}, title = {Reducing central serotonin in adulthood promotes hippocampal neurogenesis}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {20338}, doi = {10.1038/srep20338}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168004}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Chronic administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which up-regulates central serotonin (5-HT) system function, enhances adult hippocampal neurogenesis. However, the relationship between central 5-HT system and adult neurogenesis has not fully been understood. Here, we report that lowering 5-HT level in adulthood is also able to enhance adult hippocampal neurogenesis. We used tamoxifen (TM)-induced Cre in Pet1-CreER\(^{T2}\) mice to either deplete central serotonergic (5-HTergic) neurons or inactivate 5-HT synthesis in adulthood and explore the role of central 5-HT in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. A dramatic increase in hippocampal neurogenesis is present in these two central 5-HT-deficient mice and it is largely prevented by administration of agonist for 5-HTR2c receptor. In addition, the survival of new-born neurons in the hippocampus is enhanced. Furthermore, the adult 5-HT-deficient mice showed reduced depression-like behaviors but enhanced contextual fear memory. These findings demonstrate that lowering central 5-HT function in adulthood can also enhance adult hippocampal neurogenesis, thus revealing a new aspect of central 5-HT in regulating adult neurogenesis.}, language = {en} } @article{RitterFanPaulsonetal.2016, author = {Ritter, Cathrin and Fan, Kaiji and Paulson, Kelly G. and Nghiem, Paul and Schrama, David and Becker, J{\"u}rgen C.}, title = {Reversal of epigenetic silencing of MHC class I chain-related protein A and B improves immune recognition of Merkel cell carcinoma}, series = {Scientific Reports}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {21678}, edition = {6}, doi = {10.1038/srep21678}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167992}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a virally associated cancer characterized by its aggressive behavior and strong immunogenicity. Both viral infection and malignant transformation induce expression of MHC class I chain-related protein (MIC) A and B, which signal stress to cells of the immune system via Natural Killer group 2D (NKG2D) resulting in elimination of target cells. However, despite transformation and the continued presence of virally-encoded proteins, MICs are only expressed in a minority of MCC tumors in situ and are completely absent on MCC cell lines in vitro. This lack of MIC expression was due to epigenetic silencing via MIC promoter hypo-acetylation; indeed, MIC expression was re-induced by pharmacological inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) both in vitro and in vivo. This re-induction of MICs rendered MCC cells more sensitive to immune-mediated lysis. Thus, epigenetic silencing of MICs is an important immune escape mechanism of MCCs.}, language = {en} } @article{BiscottiGerdolCanapaetal.2016, author = {Biscotti, Maria Assunta and Gerdol, Marco and Canapa, Adriana and Forconi, Mariko and Olmo, Ettore and Pallavicini, Alberto and Barucca, Marco and Schartl, Manfred}, title = {The Lungfish Transcriptome: A Glimpse into Molecular Evolution Events at the Transition from Water to Land}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {21571}, doi = {10.1038/srep21571}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167753}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Lungfish and coelacanths are the only living sarcopterygian fish. The phylogenetic relationship of lungfish to the last common ancestor of tetrapods and their close morphological similarity to their fossil ancestors make this species uniquely interesting. However their genome size, the largest among vertebrates, is hampering the generation of a whole genome sequence. To provide a partial solution to the problem, a high-coverage lungfish reference transcriptome was generated and assembled. The present findings indicate that lungfish, not coelacanths, are the closest relatives to land-adapted vertebrates. Whereas protein-coding genes evolve at a very slow rate, possibly reflecting a "living fossil" status, transposable elements appear to be active and show high diversity, suggesting a role for them in the remarkable expansion of the lungfish genome. Analyses of single genes and gene families documented changes connected to the water to land transition and demonstrated the value of the lungfish reference transcriptome for comparative studies of vertebrate evolution.}, language = {en} } @article{KurabiPakBernhardtetal.2016, author = {Kurabi, Arwa and Pak, Kwang K. and Bernhardt, Marlen and Baird, Andrew and Ryan, Allen F.}, title = {Discovery of a Biological Mechanism of Active Transport through the Tympanic Membrane to the Middle Ear}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {22663}, doi = {10.1038/srep22663}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167741}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Otitis media (OM) is a common pediatric disease for which systemic antibiotics are often prescribed. While local treatment would avoid the systemic treatment side-effects, the tympanic membrane (TM) represents an impenetrable barrier unless surgically breached. We hypothesized that the TM might harbor innate biological mechanisms that could mediate trans-TM transport. We used two M13-bacteriophage display biopanning strategies to search for mediators of trans-TM transport. First, aliquots of linear phage library displaying 10\(^{10th}\) 12mer peptides were applied on the TM of rats with active bacterial OM. The middle ear (ME) contents were then harvested, amplified and the preparation re-applied for additional rounds. Second, the same na{\"i}ve library was sequentially screened for phage exhibiting TM binding, internalization and then transit. Results revealed a novel set of peptides that transit across the TM to the ME in a time and temperature dependent manner. The peptides with highest transport capacities shared sequence similarities. Historically, the TM was viewed as an impermeable barrier. However, our studies reveal that it is possible to translocate peptide-linked small particles across the TM. This is the first comprehensive biopanning for the isolation of TM transiting peptidic ligands. The identified mechanism offers a new drug delivery platform into the ME.}, language = {en} } @article{LousadaSorokaYagodzinskyyetal.2016, author = {Lousada, Cl{\´a}udio M. and Soroka, Inna L. and Yagodzinskyy, Yuriy and Tarakina, Nadezda V. and Todoshchenko, Olga and H{\"a}nninen, Hannu and Korzhavyi, Pavel A. and Jonsson, Mats}, title = {Gamma radiation induces hydrogen absorption by copper in water}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {24234}, doi = {10.1038/srep24234}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167730}, year = {2016}, abstract = {One of the most intricate issues of nuclear power is the long-term safety of repositories for radioactive waste. These repositories can have an impact on future generations for a period of time orders of magnitude longer than any known civilization. Several countries have considered copper as an outer corrosion barrier for canisters containing spent nuclear fuel. Among the many processes that must be considered in the safety assessments, radiation induced processes constitute a key-component. Here we show that copper metal immersed in water uptakes considerable amounts of hydrogen when exposed to γ-radiation. Additionally we show that the amount of hydrogen absorbed by copper depends on the total dose of radiation. At a dose of 69 kGy the uptake of hydrogen by metallic copper is 7 orders of magnitude higher than when the absorption is driven by H\(_{2}\)(g) at a pressure of 1 atm in a non-irradiated dry system. Moreover, irradiation of copper in water causes corrosion of the metal and the formation of a variety of surface cavities, nanoparticle deposits, and islands of needle-shaped crystals. Hence, radiation enhanced uptake of hydrogen by spent nuclear fuel encapsulating materials should be taken into account in the safety assessments of nuclear waste repositories.}, language = {en} } @article{AudehmSchmidtBruecketal.2016, author = {Audehm, P. and Schmidt, M. and Br{\"u}ck, S. and Tietze, T. and Gr{\"a}fe, J. and Macke, S. and Sch{\"u}tz, G. and Goering, E.}, title = {Pinned orbital moments - A new contribution to magnetic anisotropy}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {25517}, doi = {10.1038/srep25517}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167727}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Reduced dimensionality and symmetry breaking at interfaces lead to unusual local magnetic configurations, such as glassy behavior, frustration or increased anisotropy. The interface between a ferromagnet and an antiferromagnet is such an example for enhanced symmetry breaking. Here we present detailed X-ray magnetic circular dichroism and X-ray resonant magnetic reflectometry investigations on the spectroscopic nature of uncompensated pinned magnetic moments in the antiferromagnetic layer of a typical exchange bias system. Unexpectedly, the pinned moments exhibit nearly pure orbital moment character. This strong orbital pinning mechanism has not been observed so far and is not discussed in literature regarding any theory for local magnetocrystalline anisotropy energies in magnetic systems. To verify this new phenomenon we investigated the effect at different temperatures. We provide a simple model discussing the observed pure orbital moments, based on rotatable spin magnetic moments and pinned orbital moments on the same atom. This unexpected observation leads to a concept for a new type of anisotropy energy.}, language = {en} } @article{HorikiriYamaguchiKamideetal.2016, author = {Horikiri, Tomoyuki and Yamaguchi, Makoto and Kamide, Kenji and Matsuo, Yasuhiro and Byrnes, Tim and Ishida, Natsuko and L{\"o}ffler, Andreas and H{\"o}fling, Sven and Shikano, Yutaka and Ogawa, Tetsuo and Forchel, Alfred and Yamamoto, Yoshihisa}, title = {High-energy side-peak emission of exciton-polariton condensates in high density regime}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {25655}, doi = {10.1038/srep25655}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167711}, year = {2016}, abstract = {In a standard semiconductor laser, electrons and holes recombine via stimulated emission to emit coherent light, in a process that is far from thermal equilibrium. Exciton-polariton condensates-sharing the same basic device structure as a semiconductor laser, consisting of quantum wells coupled to a microcavity-have been investigated primarily at densities far below the Mott density for signatures of Bose-Einstein condensation. At high densities approaching the Mott density, exciton-polariton condensates are generally thought to revert to a standard semiconductor laser, with the loss of strong coupling. Here, we report the observation of a photoluminescence sideband at high densities that cannot be accounted for by conventional semiconductor lasing. This also differs from an upper-polariton peak by the observation of the excitation power dependence in the peak-energy separation. Our interpretation as a persistent coherent electron-hole-photon coupling captures several features of this sideband, although a complete understanding of the experimental data is lacking. A full understanding of the observations should lead to a development in non-equilibrium many-body physics.}, language = {en} } @article{GalloWardFotheringhametal.2016, author = {Gallo, Linda A. and Ward, Micheal S. and Fotheringham, Amelia K. and Zhuang, Aowen and Borg, Danielle J. and Flemming, Nicole B. and Harvie, Ben M. and Kinneally, Toni L. and Yeh, Shang-Ming and McCarthy, Domenica A. and Koepsell, Hermann and Vallon, Volker and Pollock, Carol and Panchapakesan, Usha and Forbes, Josephine M.}, title = {Once daily administration of the SGLT2 inhibitor, empagliflozin, attenuates markers of renal fibrosis without improving albuminuria in diabetic db/db mice}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {26428}, doi = {10.1038/srep26428}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167678}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Blood glucose control is the primary strategy to prevent complications in diabetes. At the onset of kidney disease, therapies that inhibit components of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) are also indicated, but these approaches are not wholly effective. Here, we show that once daily administration of the novel glucose lowering agent, empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor which targets the kidney to block glucose reabsorption, has the potential to improve kidney disease in type 2 diabetes. In male db/db mice, a 10-week treatment with empagliflozin attenuated the diabetes-induced upregulation of profibrotic gene markers, fibronectin and transforming-growth-factor-beta. Other molecular (collagen IV and connective tissue growth factor) and histological (tubulointerstitial total collagen and glomerular collagen IV accumulation) benefits were seen upon dual therapy with metformin. Albuminuria, urinary markers of tubule damage (kidney injury molecule-1, KIM-1 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, NGAL), kidney growth, and glomerulosclerosis, however, were not improved with empagliflozin or metformin, and plasma and intra-renal renin activity was enhanced with empagliflozin. In this model, blood glucose lowering with empagliflozin attenuated some molecular and histological markers of fibrosis but, as per treatment with metformin, did not provide complete renoprotection. Further research to refine the treatment regimen in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy is warranted.}, language = {en} } @article{PfeifferKruegerMaierhoferetal.2016, author = {Pfeiffer, Susanne and Kr{\"u}ger, Jacqueline and Maierhofer, Anna and B{\"o}ttcher, Yvonne and Kl{\"o}ting, Nora and El Hajj, Nady and Schleinitz, Dorit and Sch{\"o}n, Michael R. and Dietrich, Arne and Fasshauer, Mathias and Lohmann, Tobias and Dreßler, Miriam and Stumvoll, Michael and Haaf, Thomas and Bl{\"u}her, Matthias and Kovacs, Peter}, title = {Hypoxia-inducible factor 3A gene expression and methylation in adipose tissue is related to adipose tissue dysfunction}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {27969}, doi = {10.1038/srep27969}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167662}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Recently, a genome-wide analysis identified DNA methylation of the HIF3A (hypoxia-inducible factor 3A) as strongest correlate of BMI. Here we tested the hypothesis that HIF3A mRNA expression and CpG-sites methylation in adipose tissue (AT) and genetic variants in HIF3A are related to parameters of AT distribution and function. In paired samples of subcutaneous AT (SAT) and visceral AT (VAT) from 603 individuals, we measured HIF3A mRNA expression and analyzed its correlation with obesity and related traits. In subgroups of individuals, we investigated the effects on HIF3A genetic variants on its AT expression (N = 603) and methylation of CpG-sites (N = 87). HIF3A expression was significantly higher in SAT compared to VAT and correlated with obesity and parameters of AT dysfunction (including CRP and leucocytes count). HIF3A methylation at cg22891070 was significantly higher in VAT compared to SAT and correlated with BMI, abdominal SAT and VAT area. Rs8102595 showed a nominal significant association with AT HIF3A methylation levels as well as with obesity and fat distribution. HIF3A expression and methylation in AT are fat depot specific, related to obesity and AT dysfunction. Our data support the hypothesis that HIF pathways may play an important role in the development of AT dysfunction in obesity.}, language = {en} } @article{RichterMathesFroniusetal.2016, author = {Richter, K. and Mathes, V. and Fronius, M. and Althaus, M. and Hecker, A. and Krasteva-Christ, G. and Padberg, W. and Hone, A. J. and McIntosh, J. M. and Zakrzewicz, A. and Grau, V.}, title = {Phosphocholine - an agonist of metabotropic but not of ionotropic functions of α9-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {28660}, doi = {10.1038/srep28660}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167655}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We demonstrated previously that phosphocholine and phosphocholine-modified macromolecules efficiently inhibit ATP-dependent release of interleukin-1β from human and murine monocytes by a mechanism involving nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Interleukin-1β is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine of innate immunity that plays pivotal roles in host defence. Control of interleukin-1β release is vital as excessively high systemic levels cause life threatening inflammatory diseases. In spite of its structural similarity to acetylcholine, there are no other reports on interactions of phosphocholine with nAChR. In this study, we demonstrate that phosphocholine inhibits ion-channel function of ATP receptor P2X7 in monocytic cells via nAChR containing α9 and α10 subunits. In stark contrast to choline, phosphocholine does not evoke ion current responses in Xenopus laevis oocytes, which heterologously express functional homomeric nAChR composed of α9 subunits or heteromeric receptors containing α9 and α10 subunits. Preincubation of these oocytes with phosphocholine, however, attenuated choline-induced ion current changes, suggesting that phosphocholine may act as a silent agonist. We conclude that phophocholine activates immuno-modulatory nAChR expressed by monocytes but does not stimulate canonical ionotropic receptor functions.}, language = {en} } @article{NukarinenNaegelePedrottietal.2016, author = {Nukarinen, Ella and N{\"a}gele, Thomas and Pedrotti, Lorenzo and Wurzinger, Bernhard and Mair, Andrea and Landgraf, Ramona and B{\"o}rnke, Frederik and Hanson, Johannes and Teige, Markus and Baena-Gonzalez, Elena and Dr{\"o}ge-Laser, Wolfgang and Weckwerth, Wolfram}, title = {Quantitative phosphoproteomics reveals the role of the AMPK plant ortholog SnRK1 as a metabolic master regulator under energy deprivation}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {31697}, doi = {10.1038/srep31697}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167638}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Since years, research on SnRK1, the major cellular energy sensor in plants, has tried to define its role in energy signalling. However, these attempts were notoriously hampered by the lethality of a complete knockout of SnRK1. Therefore, we generated an inducible amiRNA::SnRK1α2 in a snrk1α1 knock out background (snrk1α1/α2) to abolish SnRK1 activity to understand major systemic functions of SnRK1 signalling under energy deprivation triggered by extended night treatment. We analysed the in vivo phosphoproteome, proteome and metabolome and found that activation of SnRK1 is essential for repression of high energy demanding cell processes such as protein synthesis. The most abundant effect was the constitutively high phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6) in the snrk1α1/α2 mutant. RPS6 is a major target of TOR signalling and its phosphorylation correlates with translation. Further evidence for an antagonistic SnRK1 and TOR crosstalk comparable to the animal system was demonstrated by the in vivo interaction of SnRK1α1 and RAPTOR1B in the cytosol and by phosphorylation of RAPTOR1B by SnRK1α1 in kinase assays. Moreover, changed levels of phosphorylation states of several chloroplastic proteins in the snrk1α1/α2 mutant indicated an unexpected link to regulation of photosynthesis, the main energy source in plants.}, language = {en} } @article{VermaRaiKaushiketal.2016, author = {Verma, Nidhi and Rai, Amit Kumar and Kaushik, Vibha and Br{\"u}nnert, Daniela and Chahar, Kirti Raj and Pandey, Janmejay and Goyal, Pankaj}, title = {Identification of gefitinib off-targets using a structure-based systems biology approach; their validation with reverse docking and retrospective data mining}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {33949}, doi = {10.1038/srep33949}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167621}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Gefitinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is used as FDA approved drug in breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer treatment. However, this drug has certain side effects and complications for which the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. By systems biology based in silico analysis, we identified off-targets of gefitinib that might explain side effects of this drugs. The crystal structure of EGFR-gefitinib complex was used for binding pocket similarity searches on a druggable proteome database (Sc-PDB) by using IsoMIF Finder. The top 128 hits of putative off-targets were validated by reverse docking approach. The results showed that identified off-targets have efficient binding with gefitinib. The identified human specific off-targets were confirmed and further analyzed for their links with biological process and clinical disease pathways using retrospective studies and literature mining, respectively. Noticeably, many of the identified off-targets in this study were reported in previous high-throughput screenings. Interestingly, the present study reveals that gefitinib may have positive effects in reducing brain and bone metastasis, and may be useful in defining novel gefitinib based treatment regime. We propose that a system wide approach could be useful during new drug development and to minimize side effect of the prospective drug.}, language = {en} } @article{RahmanKleinKlembtetal.2016, author = {Rahman, SK. Shaid-Ur and Klein, Thorsten and Klembt, Sebastian and Gutowski, J{\"u}rgen and Hommel, Detlef and Sebald, Kathrin}, title = {Observation of a hybrid state of Tamm plasmons and microcavity exciton polaritons}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {34392}, doi = {10.1038/srep34392}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167617}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We present evidence for the existence of a hybrid state of Tamm plasmons and microcavity exciton polaritons in a II-VI material based microcavity sample covered with an Ag metal layer. The bare cavity mode shows a characteristic anticrossing with the Tamm-plasmon mode, when microreflectivity measurements are performed for different detunings between the Tamm plasmon and the cavity mode. When the Tamm-plasmon mode is in resonance with the cavity polariton four hybrid eigenstates are observed due to the coupling of the cavity-photon mode, the Tamm-plasmon mode, and the heavy- and light-hole excitons. If the bare Tamm-plasmon mode is tuned, these resonances will exhibit three anticrossings. Experimental results are in good agreement with calculations based on the transfer matrix method as well as on the coupled-oscillators model. The lowest hybrid eigenstate is observed to be red shifted by about 13 meV with respect to the lower cavity polariton state when the Tamm plasmon is resonantly coupled with the cavity polariton. This spectral shift which is caused by the metal layer can be used to create a trapping potential channel for the polaritons. Such channels can guide the polariton propagation similar to one-dimensional polariton wires.}, language = {en} } @article{ShepardChevalPeterlinetal.2016, author = {Shepard, Blythe D. and Cheval, Lydie and Peterlin, Zita and Firestein, Stuart and Koepsell, Hermann and Doucet, Alain and Pluznick, Jennifer L.}, title = {A Renal Olfactory Receptor Aids in Kidney Glucose Handling}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {35215}, doi = {10.1038/srep35215}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167605}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Olfactory receptors (ORs) are G protein-coupled receptors which serve important sensory functions beyond their role as odorant detectors in the olfactory epithelium. Here we describe a novel role for one of these ORs, Olfr1393, as a regulator of renal glucose handling. Olfr1393 is specifically expressed in the kidney proximal tubule, which is the site of renal glucose reabsorption. Olfr1393 knockout mice exhibit urinary glucose wasting and improved glucose tolerance, despite euglycemia and normal insulin levels. Consistent with this phenotype, Olfr1393 knockout mice have a significant decrease in luminal expression of Sglt1, a key renal glucose transporter, uncovering a novel regulatory pathway involving Olfr1393 and Sglt1. In addition, by utilizing a large scale screen of over 1400 chemicals we reveal the ligand profile of Olfr1393 for the first time, offering new insight into potential pathways of physiological regulation for this novel signaling pathway.}, language = {en} } @article{BerntRangrezEdenetal.2016, author = {Bernt, Alexander and Rangrez, Ashraf Y. and Eden, Matthias and Jungmann, Andreas and Katz, Sylvia and Rohr, Claudia and M{\"u}ller, Oliver J. and Katus, Hugo A. and Sossalla, Samuel T. and Williams, Tatjana and Ritter, Oliver and Frank, Derk and Frey, Norbert}, title = {Sumoylation-independent activation of Calcineurin-NFAT-signaling via SUMO2 mediates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {35758}, doi = {10.1038/srep35758}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167525}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The objective of this study was to identify unknown modulators of Calcineurin (Cn)-NFAT signaling. Measurement of NFAT reporter driven luciferase activity was therefore utilized to screen a human cardiac cDNA-library (~10\(^{7}\) primary clones) in C2C12 cells through serial dilutions until single clones could be identified. This extensive screening strategy culminated in the identification of SUMO2 as a most efficient Cn-NFAT activator. SUMO2-mediated activation of Cn-NFAT signaling in cardiomyocytes translated into a hypertrophic phenotype. Prohypertrophic effects were also observed in mice expressing SUMO2 in the heart using AAV9 (Adeno-associated virus), complementing the in vitro findings. In addition, increased SUMO2-mediated sumoylation in human cardiomyopathy patients and in mouse models of cardiomyopathy were observed. To decipher the underlying mechanism, we generated a sumoylation-deficient SUMO2 mutant (ΔGG). Surprisingly, ΔGG replicated Cn-NFAT-activation and the prohypertrophic effects of native SUMO2, both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a sumoylation-independent mechanism. Finally, we discerned a direct interaction between SUMO2 and CnA, which promotes CnA nuclear localization. In conclusion, we identified SUMO2 as a novel activator of Cn-NFAT signaling in cardiomyocytes. In broader terms, these findings reveal an unexpected role for SUMO2 in cardiac hypertrophy and cardiomyopathy, which may open the possibility for therapeutic manipulation of this pathway.}, language = {en} } @article{JahnMarkertRyuetal.2016, author = {Jahn, Martin T. and Markert, Sebastian M. and Ryu, Taewoo and Ravasi, Timothy and Stigloher, Christian and Hentschel, Ute and Moitinho-Silva, Lucas}, title = {Shedding light on cell compartmentation in the candidate phylum Poribacteria by high resolution visualisation and transcriptional profiling}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {35860}, doi = {10.1038/srep35860}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167513}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Assigning functions to uncultivated environmental microorganisms continues to be a challenging endeavour. Here, we present a new microscopy protocol for fluorescence in situ hybridisation-correlative light and electron microscopy (FISH-CLEM) that enabled, to our knowledge for the first time, the identification of single cells within their complex microenvironment at electron microscopy resolution. Members of the candidate phylum Poribacteria, common and uncultivated symbionts of marine sponges, were used towards this goal. Cellular 3D reconstructions revealed bipolar, spherical granules of low electron density, which likely represent carbon reserves. Poribacterial activity profiles were retrieved from prokaryotic enriched sponge metatranscriptomes using simulation-based optimised mapping. We observed high transcriptional activity for proteins related to bacterial microcompartments (BMC) and we resolved their subcellular localisation by combining FISH-CLEM with immunohistochemistry (IHC) on ultra-thin sponge tissue sections. In terms of functional relevance, we propose that the BMC-A region may be involved in 1,2-propanediol degradation. The FISH-IHC-CLEM approach was proven an effective toolkit to combine -omics approaches with functional studies and it should be widely applicable in environmental microbiology.}, language = {en} } @article{PlumSteinbachAttemsetal.2016, author = {Plum, Sarah and Steinbach, Simone and Attems, Johannes and Keers, Sharon and Riederer, Peter and Gerlach, Manfred and May, Caroline and Marcus, Katrin}, title = {Proteomic characterization of neuromelanin granules isolated from human substantia nigra by laser-microdissection}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {37139}, doi = {10.1038/srep37139}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167507}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Neuromelanin is a complex polymer pigment found primarily in the dopaminergic neurons of human substantia nigra. Neuromelanin pigment is stored in granules including a protein matrix and lipid droplets. Neuromelanin granules are yet only partially characterised regarding their structure and function. To clarify the exact function of neuromelanin granules in humans, their enrichment and in-depth characterization from human substantia nigra is necessary. Previously published global proteome studies of neuromelanin granules in human substantia nigra required high tissue amounts. Due to the limited availability of human brain tissue we established a new method based on laser microdissection combined with mass spectrometry for the isolation and analysis of neuromelanin granules. With this method it is possible for the first time to isolate a sufficient amount of neuromelanin granules for global proteomics analysis from ten 10 μm tissue sections. In total 1,000 proteins were identified associated with neuromelanin granules. More than 68\% of those proteins were also identified in previously performed studies. Our results confirm and further extend previously described findings, supporting the connection of neuromelanin granules to iron homeostasis and lysosomes or endosomes. Hence, this method is suitable for the donor specific enrichment and proteomic analysis of neuromelanin granules.}, language = {en} } @article{EstrechoGaoBrodbecketal.2016, author = {Estrecho, E. and Gao, T. and Brodbeck, S. and Kamp, M. and Schneider, C. and H{\"o}fling, S. and Truscott, A. G. and Ostrovskaya, E. A.}, title = {Visualising Berry phase and diabolical points in a quantum exciton-polariton billiard}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {37653}, doi = {10.1038/srep37653}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167496}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Diabolical points (spectral degeneracies) can naturally occur in spectra of two-dimensional quantum systems and classical wave resonators due to simple symmetries. Geometric Berry phase is associated with these spectral degeneracies. Here, we demonstrate a diabolical point and the corresponding Berry phase in the spectrum of hybrid light-matter quasiparticles—exciton-polaritons in semiconductor microcavities. It is well known that sufficiently strong optical pumping can drive exciton-polaritons to quantum degeneracy, whereby they form a macroscopically populated quantum coherent state similar to a Bose-Einstein condensate. By pumping a microcavity with a spatially structured light beam, we create a two-dimensional quantum billiard for the exciton-polariton condensate and demonstrate a diabolical point in the spectrum of the billiard eigenstates. The fully reconfigurable geometry of the potential walls controlled by the optical pump enables a striking experimental visualization of the Berry phase associated with the diabolical point. The Berry phase is observed and measured by direct imaging of the macroscopic exciton-polariton probability densities.}, language = {en} } @article{BossertdeBruinGoetzetal.2016, author = {Bossert, Nelli and de Bruin, Donny and G{\"o}tz, Maria and Bouwmeester, Dirk and Heinrich, Doris}, title = {Fluorescence-tunable Ag-DNA biosensor with tailored cytotoxicity for live-cell applications}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {37897}, doi = {10.1038/srep37897}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167482}, year = {2016}, abstract = {DNA-stabilized silver clusters (Ag-DNA) show excellent promise as a multi-functional nanoagent for molecular investigations in living cells. The unique properties of these fluorescent nanomaterials allow for intracellular optical sensors with tunable cytotoxicity based on simple modifications of the DNA sequences. Three Ag-DNA nanoagent designs are investigated, exhibiting optical responses to the intracellular environments and sensing-capability of ions, functional inside living cells. Their sequence-dependent fluorescence responses inside living cells include (1) a strong splitting of the fluorescence peak for a DNA hairpin construct, (2) an excitation and emission shift of up to 120 nm for a single-stranded DNA construct, and (3) a sequence robust in fluorescence properties. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of these Ag-DNA constructs is tunable, ranging from highly cytotoxic to biocompatible Ag-DNA, independent of their optical sensing capability. Thus, Ag-DNA represents a versatile live-cell nanoagent addressable towards anti-cancer, patient-specific and anti-bacterial applications.}, language = {en} } @article{WildgruberAschenbrennerWendorffetal.2016, author = {Wildgruber, Moritz and Aschenbrenner, Teresa and Wendorff, Heiko and Czubba, Maria and Glinzer, Almut and Haller, Bernhard and Schiemann, Matthias and Zimmermann, Alexander and Berger, Hermann and Eckstein, Hans-Henning and Meier, Reinhard and Wohlgemuth, Walter A. and Libby, Peter and Zernecke, Alma}, title = {The "Intermediate" CD14\(^{++}\)CD16\(^{+}\) monocyte subset increases in severe peripheral artery disease in humans}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {39483}, doi = {10.1038/srep39483}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167476}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Monocytes are key players in atherosclerotic. Human monocytes display a considerable heterogeneity and at least three subsets can be distinguished. While the role of monocyte subset heterogeneity has already been well investigated in coronary artery disease (CAD), the knowledge about monocytes and their heterogeneity in peripheral artery occlusive disease (PAOD) still is limited. Therefore, we aimed to investigate monocyte subset heterogeneity in patients with PAOD. Peripheral blood was obtained from 143 patients suffering from PAOD (Rutherford stage I to VI) and three monocyte subsets were identified by flow cytometry: CD14\(^{++}\)CD16\(^{-}\) classical monocytes, CD14\(^{+}\)CD16\(^{++}\) non-classical monocytes and CD14\(^{++}\)CD16\(^{+}\) intermediate monocytes. Additionally the expression of distinct surface markers (CD106, CD162 and myeloperoxidase MPO) was analyzed. Proportions of CD14\(^{++}\)CD16\(^{+}\) intermediate monocyte levels were significantly increased in advanced stages of PAOD, while classical and non-classical monocytes displayed no such trend. Moreover, CD162 and MPO expression increased significantly in intermediate monocyte subsets in advanced disease stages. Likewise, increased CD162 and MPO expression was noted in CD14\(^{++}\)CD16\(^{-}\) classical monocytes. These data suggest substantial dynamics in monocyte subset distributions and phenotypes in different stages of PAOD, which can either serve as biomarkers or as potential therapeutic targets to decrease the inflammatory burden in advanced stages of atherosclerosis.}, language = {en} } @article{RoeschPanjeSterzingetal.2016, author = {Roesch, J. and Panje, C. and Sterzing, F. and Mantel, F. and Nestle, U. and Andratschke, N. and Guckenberger, M.}, title = {SBRT for centrally localized NSCLC - What is too central?}, series = {Radiation Oncology}, volume = {11}, journal = {Radiation Oncology}, number = {157}, doi = {10.1186/s13014-016-0732-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167459}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Purpose Current guidelines recommend stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in medically inoperable patients. There are excellent outcome and toxicity data for SBRT of peripheral lung tumors. However, the discussion on SBRT for centrally located tumors is controversial. This study evaluated current clinical practice regarding SBRT of centrally located lung tumors, to identify common fractionation schedules and commonly accepted contraindications for SBRT. Methods A questionnaire consisting of two parts was introduced at the annual meeting of the DEGRO working group on stereotactic radiotherapy, representing centers in Germany and Switzerland. The first part of the questionnaire covered general information about the centers, whereas the second part specifically addressed SBRT of centrally located lung tumors, using case examples of nine primary NSCLC patients. Reconstructions of a contrast enhanced CT, as well as PET-Imaging for each case were demonstrated to the participants. Results Twenty-six centers participated in the meeting. The majority was academic (73\%), participated in interdisciplinary thoracic oncology tumorboards (88\%) and offered SBRT for lung tumors (96\%). Two centers questioned the indication of SBRT for central lung tumors because of lack of evidence. The majority of centers had experience in SBRT for central lung tumors (88\%) and half of the centers reported more than ten cases treated during a median period of five years. Most fractionation schedules used PTV encompassing doses of 48-60 Gy in eight fractions with maximum doses of 125-150\%. A clear indication for SBRT treatment was seen by more than 85\% of centers in three of the nine patients in whom tumors were small and not closer than 2 cm to the main bronchus. Prior pneumonectomy or immediate adjacency to hilar/mediastinal structures were not considered as contraindications for SBRT. In cases where the tumor exceeded 4 cm in diameter or was located closer than 4 cm to the carina 50-80\% of centers saw an indication for SBRT. One case, with a 7 cm tumor reaching to the carina would have been treated with SBRT only by one center. Conclusion Within DEGRO working group on stereotactic radiotherapy, SBRT for small (<4 cm) early stage NSCLC is a common indication, if the minimal distance to the main bronchi is at least 2 cm. The controversy on the treatment of larger and more central tumors will hopefully be solved by ongoing prospective clinical trials.}, language = {en} } @article{HoffmannPfeilAlfonsoetal.2016, author = {Hoffmann, Angelika and Pfeil, Johannes and Alfonso, Julieta and Kurz, Felix T. and Sahm, Felix and Heiland, Sabine and Monyer, Hannah and Bendszus, Martin and Mueller, Ann-Kristin and Helluy, Xavier and Pham, Mirko}, title = {Experimental Cerebral Malaria Spreads along the Rostral Migratory Stream}, series = {PLoS Pathogens}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS Pathogens}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1005470}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167434}, pages = {e1005470}, year = {2016}, abstract = {It is poorly understood how progressive brain swelling in experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) evolves in space and over time, and whether mechanisms of inflammation or microvascular sequestration/obstruction dominate the underlying pathophysiology. We therefore monitored in the Plasmodium berghei ANKA-C57BL/6 murine ECM model, disease manifestation and progression clinically, assessed by the Rapid-Murine-Coma-and-Behavioral-Scale (RMCBS), and by high-resolution in vivo MRI, including sensitive assessment of early blood-brain-barrier-disruption (BBBD), brain edema and microvascular pathology. For histological correlation HE and immunohistochemical staining for microglia and neuroblasts were obtained. Our results demonstrate that BBBD and edema initiated in the olfactory bulb (OB) and spread along the rostral-migratory-stream (RMS) to the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles, the dorsal-migratory-stream (DMS), and finally to the external capsule (EC) and brainstem (BS). Before clinical symptoms (mean RMCBS = 18.5±1) became evident, a slight, non-significant increase of quantitative T2 and ADC values was observed in OB+RMS. With clinical manifestation (mean RMCBS = 14.2±0.4), T2 and ADC values significantly increased along the OB+RMS (p = 0.049/p = 0.01). Severe ECM (mean RMCBS = 5±2.9) was defined by further spread into more posterior and deeper brain structures until reaching the BS (significant T2 elevation in DMS+EC+BS (p = 0.034)). Quantitative automated histological analyses confirmed microglial activation in areas of BBBD and edema. Activated microglia were closely associated with the RMS and neuroblasts within the RMS were severely misaligned with respect to their physiological linear migration pattern. Microvascular pathology and ischemic brain injury occurred only secondarily, after vasogenic edema formation and were both associated less with clinical severity and the temporal course of ECM. Altogether, we identified a distinct spatiotemporal pattern of microglial activation in ECM involving primarily the OB+RMS axis, a distinct pathway utilized by neuroblasts and immune cells. Our data suggest significant crosstalk between these two cell populations to be operative in deeper brain infiltration and further imply that the manifestation and progression of cerebral malaria may depend on brain areas otherwise serving neurogenesis.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerDolowschiakSellinetal.2016, author = {M{\"u}ller, Anna A. and Dolowschiak, Tamas and Sellin, Mikael E. and Felmy, Boas and Verbree, Carolin and Gadient, Sandra and Westermann, Alexander J. and Vogel, J{\"o}rg and LeibundGut-Landmann, Salome and Hardt, Wolf-Dietrich}, title = {An NK Cell Perforin Response Elicited via IL-18 Controls Mucosal Inflammation Kinetics during Salmonella Gut Infection}, series = {PLoS Pathogens}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS Pathogens}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1005723}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167429}, pages = {e1005723}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Salmonella Typhimurium (S.Tm) is a common cause of self-limiting diarrhea. The mucosal inflammation is thought to arise from a standoff between the pathogen's virulence factors and the host's mucosal innate immune defenses, particularly the mucosal NAIP/NLRC4 inflammasome. However, it had remained unclear how this switches the gut from homeostasis to inflammation. This was studied using the streptomycin mouse model. S.Tm infections in knockout mice, cytokine inhibition and -injection experiments revealed that caspase-1 (not -11) dependent IL-18 is pivotal for inducing acute inflammation. IL-18 boosted NK cell chemoattractants and enhanced the NK cells' migratory capacity, thus promoting mucosal accumulation of mature, activated NK cells. NK cell depletion and Prf\(^{-/-}\) ablation (but not granulocyte-depletion or T-cell deficiency) delayed tissue inflammation. Our data suggest an NK cell perforin response as one limiting factor in mounting gut mucosal inflammation. Thus, IL-18-elicited NK cell perforin responses seem to be critical for coordinating mucosal inflammation during early infection, when S.Tm strongly relies on virulence factors detectable by the inflammasome. This may have broad relevance for mucosal defense against microbial pathogens.}, language = {en} } @article{HeiseAmannEnsslenetal.2016, author = {Heise, Ruth and Amann, Philipp M. and Ensslen, Silke and Marquardt, Yvonne and Czaja, Katharina and Joussen, Sylvia and Beer, Daniel and Abele, Rupert and Plewnia, Gabriele and Tamp{\´e}, Robert and Merk, Hans F. and Hermanns, Heike M. and Baron, Jens M.}, title = {Interferon Alpha Signalling and Its Relevance for the Upregulatory Effect of Transporter Proteins Associated with Antigen Processing (TAP) in Patients with Malignant Melanoma}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0146325}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167409}, pages = {e0146325}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Introduction Interferon alpha (IFNα) is routinely used in the clinical practice for adjuvant systemic melanoma therapy. Understanding the molecular mechanism of IFNα effects and prediction of response in the IFNα therapy regime allows initiation and continuation of IFNα treatment for responder and exclusion of non-responder to avoid therapy inefficacy and side-effects. The transporter protein associated with antigen processing-1 (TAP1) is part of the MHC class I peptide-loading complex, and important for antigen presentation in tumor and antigen presenting cells. In the context of personalized medicine, we address this potential biomarker TAP1 as a target of IFNα signalling. Results We could show that IFNα upregulates TAP1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with malignant melanoma receiving adjuvant high-dose immunotherapy. IFNα also induced expression of TAP1 in mouse blood and tumor tissue and suppressed the formation of melanoma metastasis in an in vivo B16 tumor model. Besides its expression, TAP binding affinity and transport activity is induced by IFNα in human monocytic THP1 cells. Furthermore, our data revealed that IFNα clearly activates phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 in THP1 and A375 melanoma cells. Inhibition of Janus kinases abrogates the IFNα-induced TAP1 expression. These results suggest that the JAK/STAT pathway is a crucial mediator for TAP1 expression elicited by IFNα treatment. Conclusion We suppose that silencing of TAP1 expression provides tumor cells with a mechanism to escape cytotoxic T-lymphocyte recognition. The observed benefit of IFNα treatment could be mediated by the shown dual effect of TAP1 upregulation in antigen presenting cells on the one hand, and of TAP1 upregulation in 'silent' metastatic melanoma cells on the other hand. In conclusion, this work contributes to a better understanding of the mode of action of IFNα which is essential to identify markers to predict, assess and monitor therapeutic response of IFNα treatment in the future.}, language = {en} } @article{WeisschuhMayerStrometal.2016, author = {Weisschuh, Nicole and Mayer, Anja K. and Strom, Tim M. and Kohl, Susanne and Gl{\"o}ckle, Nicola and Schubach, Max and Andreasson, Sten and Bernd, Antje and Birch, David G. and Hamel, Christian P. and Heckenlively, John R. and Jacobson, Samuel G. and Kamme, Christina and Kellner, Ulrich and Kunstmann, Erdmute and Maffei, Pietro and Reiff, Charlotte M. and Rohrschneider, Klaus and Rosenberg, Thomas and Rudolph, G{\"u}nther and V{\´a}mos, Rita and Vars{\´a}nyi, Bal{\´a}zs and Weleber, Richard G. and Wissinger, Bernd}, title = {Mutation Detection in Patients with Retinal Dystrophies Using Targeted Next Generation Sequencing}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0145951}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167398}, pages = {e0145951}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Retinal dystrophies (RD) constitute a group of blinding diseases that are characterized by clinical variability and pronounced genetic heterogeneity. The different nonsyndromic and syndromic forms of RD can be attributed to mutations in more than 200 genes. Consequently, next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are among the most promising approaches to identify mutations in RD. We screened a large cohort of patients comprising 89 independent cases and families with various subforms of RD applying different NGS platforms. While mutation screening in 50 cases was performed using a RD gene capture panel, 47 cases were analyzed using whole exome sequencing. One family was analyzed using whole genome sequencing. A detection rate of 61\% was achieved including mutations in 34 known and two novel RD genes. A total of 69 distinct mutations were identified, including 39 novel mutations. Notably, genetic findings in several families were not consistent with the initial clinical diagnosis. Clinical reassessment resulted in refinement of the clinical diagnosis in some of these families and confirmed the broad clinical spectrum associated with mutations in RD genes.}, language = {en} } @article{vanUnenStumpfSchmidetal.2016, author = {van Unen, Jakobus and Stumpf, Anette D. and Schmid, Benedikt and Reinhard, Nathalie R. and Hordijk, Peter L. and Hoffmann, Carsten and Gadella, Theodorus W. J. and Goedhart, Joachim}, title = {A New Generation of FRET Sensors for Robust Measurement of Gα\(_{i1}\), Gα\(_{i2}\) and Gα\(_{i3}\) Activation Kinetics in Single Cells}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0146789}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167387}, pages = {e0146789}, year = {2016}, abstract = {G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) can activate a heterotrimeric G-protein complex with subsecond kinetics. Genetically encoded biosensors based on F{\"o}rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) are ideally suited for the study of such fast signaling events in single living cells. Here we report on the construction and characterization of three FRET biosensors for the measurement of Gα\(_{i1}\), Gα\(_{i2}\) and Gα\(_{i3}\) activation. To enable quantitative long-term imaging of FRET biosensors with high dynamic range, fluorescent proteins with enhanced photophysical properties are required. Therefore, we use the currently brightest and most photostable CFP variant, mTurquoise2, as donor fused to Gα\(_{i}\) subunit, and cp173Venus fused to the Gγ\(_{2}\) subunit as acceptor. The Gα\(_{i}\) FRET biosensors constructs are expressed together with Gβ\(_{1}\) from a single plasmid, providing preferred relative expression levels with reduced variation in mammalian cells. The Gα\(_{i}\) FRET sensors showed a robust response to activation of endogenous or over-expressed alpha-2A-adrenergic receptors, which was inhibited by pertussis toxin. Moreover, we observed activation of the Gα\(_{i}\) FRET sensor in single cells upon stimulation of several GPCRs, including the LPA\(_{2}\), M\(_{3}\) and BK\(_{2}\) receptor. Furthermore, we show that the sensors are well suited to extract kinetic parameters from fast measurements in the millisecond time range. This new generation of FRET biosensors for Gα\(_{i1}\), Gα\(_{i2}\) and Gα\(_{i3}\) activation will be valuable for live-cell measurements that probe Gα\(_{i}\) activation.}, language = {en} } @article{KrupkaMayWeimeretal.2016, author = {Krupka, Jennifer and May, Frauke and Weimer, Thomas and Pragst, Ingo and Kleinschnitz, Christoph and Stoll, Guido and Panousis, Con and Dickneite, Gerhard and Nolte, Marc W.}, title = {The Coagulation Factor XIIa Inhibitor rHA-Infestin-4 Improves Outcome after Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0146783}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167370}, pages = {e0146783}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background and Purpose Ischemic stroke provokes severe brain damage and remains a predominant disease in industrialized countries. The coagulation factor XII (FXII)-driven contact activation system plays a central, but not yet fully defined pathogenic role in stroke development. Here, we investigated the efficacy of the FXIIa inhibitor rHA-Infestin-4 in a rat model of ischemic stroke using both a prophylactic and a therapeutic approach. Methods For prophylactic treatment, animals were treated intravenously with 100 mg/kg rHA-Infestin-4 or an equal volume of saline 15 min prior to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) of 90 min. For therapeutic treatment, 100 mg/kg rHA-Infestin-4, or an equal volume of saline, was administered directly after the start of reperfusion. At 24 h after tMCAO, rats were tested for neurological deficits and blood was drawn for coagulation assays. Finally, brains were removed and analyzed for infarct area and edema formation. Results Within prophylactic rHA-Infestin-4 treatment, infarct areas and brain edema formation were reduced accompanied by better neurological scores and survival compared to controls. Following therapeutic treatment, neurological outcome and survival were still improved although overall effects were less pronounced compared to prophylaxis. Conclusions With regard to the central role of the FXII-driven contact activation system in ischemic stroke, inhibition of FXIIa may represent a new and promising treatment approach to prevent cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.}, language = {en} } @article{VolckmarHanPuetteretal.2016, author = {Volckmar, Anna-Lena and Han, Chung Ting and P{\"u}tter, Carolin and Haas, Stefan and Vogel, Carla I. G. and Knoll, Nadja and Struve, Christoph and G{\"o}bel, Maria and Haas, Katharina and Herrfurth, Nikolas and Jarick, Ivonne and Grallert, Harald and Sch{\"u}rmann, Annette and Al-Hasani, Hadi and Hebebrand, Johannes and Sauer, Sascha and Hinney, Anke}, title = {Analysis of Genes Involved in Body Weight Regulation by Targeted Re-Sequencing}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0147904}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167274}, pages = {e0147904}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Introduction Genes involved in body weight regulation that were previously investigated in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and in animal models were target-enriched followed by massive parallel next generation sequencing. Methods We enriched and re-sequenced continuous genomic regions comprising FTO, MC4R, TMEM18, SDCCAG8, TKNS, MSRA and TBC1D1 in a screening sample of 196 extremely obese children and adolescents with age and sex specific body mass index (BMI) ≥ 99th percentile and 176 lean adults (BMI ≤ 15th percentile). 22 variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Genotyping was performed in up to 705 independent obesity trios (extremely obese child and both parents), 243 extremely obese cases and 261 lean adults. Results and Conclusion We detected 20 different non-synonymous variants, one frame shift and one nonsense mutation in the 7 continuous genomic regions in study groups of different weight extremes. For SNP Arg695Cys (rs58983546) in TBC1D1 we detected nominal association with obesity (pTDT = 0.03 in 705 trios). Eleven of the variants were rare, thus were only detected heterozygously in up to ten individual(s) of the complete screening sample of 372 individuals. Two of them (in FTO and MSRA) were found in lean individuals, nine in extremely obese. In silico analyses of the 11 variants did not reveal functional implications for the mutations. Concordant with our hypothesis we detected a rare variant that potentially leads to loss of FTO function in a lean individual. For TBC1D1, in contrary to our hypothesis, the loss of function variant (Arg443Stop) was found in an obese individual. Functional in vitro studies are warranted.}, language = {en} } @article{LorenzBhattacharyyaFeileretal.2016, author = {Lorenz, Sonja and Bhattacharyya, Moitrayee and Feiler, Christian and Rape, Michael and Kuriyan, John}, title = {Crystal Structure of a Ube2S-Ubiquitin Conjugate}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0147550}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167265}, pages = {e0147550}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Protein ubiquitination occurs through the sequential formation and reorganization of specific protein-protein interfaces. Ubiquitin-conjugating (E2) enzymes, such as Ube2S, catalyze the formation of an isopeptide linkage between the C-terminus of a "donor" ubiquitin and a primary amino group of an "acceptor" ubiquitin molecule. This reaction involves an intermediate, in which the C-terminus of the donor ubiquitin is thioester-bound to the active site cysteine of the E2 and a functionally important interface is formed between the two proteins. A docked model of a Ube2S-donor ubiquitin complex was generated previously, based on chemical shift mapping by NMR, and predicted contacts were validated in functional studies. We now present the crystal structure of a covalent Ube2S-ubiquitin complex. The structure contains an interface between Ube2S and ubiquitin in trans that resembles the earlier model in general terms, but differs in detail. The crystallographic interface is more hydrophobic than the earlier model and is stable in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Remarkably, the docked Ube2S-donor complex converges readily to the configuration seen in the crystal structure in 3 out of 8 MD trajectories. Since the crystallographic interface is fully consistent with mutational effects, this indicates that the structure provides an energetically favorable representation of the functionally critical Ube2S-donor interface.}, language = {en} } @article{ThormannAhrensArmijosetal.2016, author = {Thormann, Birthe and Ahrens, Dirk and Armijos, Diego Mar{\´i}n and Peters, Marcell K. and Wagner, Thomas and W{\"a}gele, Johann W.}, title = {Exploring the Leaf Beetle Fauna (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) of an Ecuadorian Mountain Forest Using DNA Barcoding}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0148268}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167253}, pages = {e0148268}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Tropical mountain forests are hotspots of biodiversity hosting a huge but little known diversity of insects that is endangered by habitat destruction and climate change. Therefore, rapid assessment approaches of insect diversity are urgently needed to complement slower traditional taxonomic approaches. We empirically compare different DNA-based species delimitation approaches for a rapid biodiversity assessment of hyperdiverse leaf beetle assemblages along an elevational gradient in southern Ecuador and explore their effect on species richness estimates. Methodology/Principal Findings Based on a COI barcode data set of 674 leaf beetle specimens (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) of 266 morphospecies from three sample sites in the Podocarpus National Park, we employed statistical parsimony analysis, distance-based clustering, GMYC- and PTP-modelling to delimit species-like units and compared them to morphology-based (parataxonomic) species identifications. The four different approaches for DNA-based species delimitation revealed highly similar numbers of molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) (n = 284-289). Estimated total species richness was considerably higher than the sampled amount, 414 for morphospecies (Chao2) and 469-481 for the different MOTU types. Assemblages at different elevational levels (1000 vs. 2000 m) had similar species numbers but a very distinct species composition for all delimitation methods. Most species were found only at one elevation while this turnover pattern was even more pronounced for DNA-based delimitation. Conclusions/Significance Given the high congruence of DNA-based delimitation results, probably due to the sampling structure, our study suggests that when applied to species communities on a regionally limited level with high amount of rare species (i.e. ~50\% singletons), the choice of species delimitation method can be of minor relevance for assessing species numbers and turnover in tropical insect communities. Therefore, DNA-based species delimitation is confirmed as a valuable tool for evaluating biodiversity of hyperdiverse insect communities, especially when exact taxonomic identifications are missing.}, language = {en} } @article{LehnersTabatabaiPrifertetal.2016, author = {Lehners, Nicola and Tabatabai, Julia and Prifert, Christiane and Wedde, Marianne and Puthenparambil, Joe and Weissbrich, Benedikt and Biere, Barbara and Schweiger, Brunhilde and Egerer, Gerlinde and Schnitzler, Paul}, title = {Long-Term Shedding of Influenza Virus, Parainfluenza Virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Nosocomial Epidemiology in Patients with Hematological Disorders}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0148258}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167243}, pages = {e0148258}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Respiratory viruses are a cause of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), but can be associated with severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in immunocompromised patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic variability of influenza virus, parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the duration of viral shedding in hematological patients. Nasopharyngeal swabs from hematological patients were screened for influenza, parainfluenza and RSV on admission as well as on development of respiratory symptoms. Consecutive swabs were collected until viral clearance. Out of 672 tested patients, a total of 111 patients (17\%) were infected with one of the investigated viral agents: 40 with influenza, 13 with parainfluenza and 64 with RSV; six patients had influenza/RSV or parainfluenza/RSV co-infections. The majority of infected patients (n = 75/111) underwent stem cell transplantation (42 autologous, 48 allogeneic, 15 autologous and allogeneic). LRTI was observed in 48 patients, of whom 15 patients developed severe LRTI, and 13 patients with respiratory tract infection died. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a variety of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2), influenza B, parainfluenza 3 and RSV A, B viruses. RSV A was detected in 54 patients, RSV B in ten patients. The newly emerging RSV A genotype ON1 predominated in the study cohort and was found in 48 (75\%) of 64 RSV-infected patients. Furthermore, two distinct clusters were detected for RSV A genotype ON1, identical RSV G gene sequences in these patients are consistent with nosocomial transmission. Long-term viral shedding for more than 30 days was significantly associated with prior allogeneic transplantation (p = 0.01) and was most pronounced in patients with RSV infection (n = 16) with a median duration of viral shedding for 80 days (range 35-334 days). Long-term shedding of respiratory viruses might be a catalyzer of nosocomial transmission and must be considered for efficient infection control in immunocompromised patients.}, language = {en} } @article{AcqualagnaBotrelVidaurreetal.2016, author = {Acqualagna, Laura and Botrel, Loic and Vidaurre, Carmen and K{\"u}bler, Andrea and Blankertz, Benjamin}, title = {Large-Scale Assessment of a Fully Automatic Co-Adaptive Motor Imagery-Based Brain Computer Interface}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0148886}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167230}, pages = {e0148886}, year = {2016}, abstract = {In the last years Brain Computer Interface (BCI) technology has benefited from the development of sophisticated machine leaning methods that let the user operate the BCI after a few trials of calibration. One remarkable example is the recent development of co-adaptive techniques that proved to extend the use of BCIs also to people not able to achieve successful control with the standard BCI procedure. Especially for BCIs based on the modulation of the Sensorimotor Rhythm (SMR) these improvements are essential, since a not negligible percentage of users is unable to operate SMR-BCIs efficiently. In this study we evaluated for the first time a fully automatic co-adaptive BCI system on a large scale. A pool of 168 participants naive to BCIs operated the co-adaptive SMR-BCI in one single session. Different psychological interventions were performed prior the BCI session in order to investigate how motor coordination training and relaxation could influence BCI performance. A neurophysiological indicator based on the Power Spectral Density (PSD) was extracted by the recording of few minutes of resting state brain activity and tested as predictor of BCI performances. Results show that high accuracies in operating the BCI could be reached by the majority of the participants before the end of the session. BCI performances could be significantly predicted by the neurophysiological indicator, consolidating the validity of the model previously developed. Anyway, we still found about 22\% of users with performance significantly lower than the threshold of efficient BCI control at the end of the session. Being the inter-subject variability still the major problem of BCI technology, we pointed out crucial issues for those who did not achieve sufficient control. Finally, we propose valid developments to move a step forward to the applicability of the promising co-adaptive methods.}, language = {en} } @article{Hoelldobler2016, author = {H{\"o}lldobler, Bert}, title = {Queen Specific Exocrine Glands in Legionary Ants and Their Possible Function in Sexual Selection}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0151604}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167057}, pages = {e0151604}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The colonies of army ants and some other legionary ant species have single, permanently wingless queens with massive post petioles and large gasters. Such highly modified queens are called dichthadiigynes. This paper presents the unusually rich exocrine gland endowment of dichthadiigynes, which is not found in queens of other ant species. It has been suggested these kinds of glands produce secretions that attract and maintain worker retinues around queens, especially during migration. However, large worker retinues also occur in non-legionary species whose queens do not have such an exuberance of exocrine glands. We argue and present evidence in support of our previously proposed hypothesis that the enormous outfit of exocrine glands found in dichthadiigynes is due to sexual selection mediated by workers as the main selecting agents}, language = {en} } @article{WeidnerRousseauPlauthetal.2016, author = {Weidner, Christopher and Rousseau, Morten and Plauth, Annabell and Wowro, Sylvia J. and Fischer, Cornelius and Abdel-Aziz, Heba and Sauer, Sascha}, title = {Iberis amara Extract Induces Intracellular Formation of Reactive Oxygen Species and Inhibits Colon Cancer}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0152398}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167044}, pages = {e0152398}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Massively increasing global incidences of colorectal cancer require efficient treatment and prevention strategies. Here, we report unexpected anticancerogenic effects of hydroethanolic Iberis amara extract (IAE), which is known as a widely used phytomedical product for treating gastrointestinal complaints. IAE significantly inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 and T84 colon carcinoma cells with an inhibitory concentration (IC\(_{50}\)) of 6 and 9 μg/ml, respectively, and further generated inhibitory effects in PC-3 prostate and MCF7 breast cancer cells. Inhibition of proliferation in HT-29 cells was associated with a G2/M phase cell cycle arrest including reduced expression of various regulatory marker proteins. Notably, in HT-29 cells IAE further induced apoptosis by intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Consistent with predictions derived from our in vitro experiments, bidaily oral gavage of 50 mg/kg of IAE over 4 weeks resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth in a mouse HT-29 tumor xenograft model. Taken together, Iberis amara extracts could become useful alternatives for preventing and treating the progression of colon cancer.}, language = {en} } @article{KlementChampOttoetal.2016, author = {Klement, Rainer J. and Champ, Colin E. and Otto, Christoph and K{\"a}mmerer, Ulrike}, title = {Anti-Tumor Effects of Ketogenic Diets in Mice: A Meta-Analysis}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0155050}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167036}, pages = {e0155050}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Currently ketogenic diets (KDs) are hyped as an anti-tumor intervention aimed at exploiting the metabolic abnormalities of cancer cells. However, while data in humans is sparse, translation of murine tumor models to the clinic is further hampered by small sample sizes, heterogeneous settings and mixed results concerning tumor growth retardation. The aim was therefore to synthesize the evidence for a growth inhibiting effect of KDs when used as a monotherapy in mice. Methods We conducted a Bayesian random effects meta-analysis on all studies assessing the survival (defined as the time to reach a pre-defined endpoint such as tumor volume) of mice on an unrestricted KD compared to a high carbohydrate standard diet (SD). For 12 studies meeting the inclusion criteria either a mean survival time ratio (MR) or hazard ratio (HR) between the KD and SD groups could be obtained. The posterior estimates for the MR and HR averaged over four priors on the between-study heterogeneity τ\(^{2}\) were MR = 0.85 (95\% highest posterior density interval (HPDI) = [0.73, 0.97]) and HR = 0.55 (95\% HPDI = [0.26, 0.87]), indicating a significant overall benefit of the KD in terms of prolonged mean survival times and reduced hazard rate. All studies that used a brain tumor model also chose a late starting point for the KD (at least one day after tumor initiation) which accounted for 26\% of the heterogeneity. In this subgroup the KD was less effective (MR = 0.89, 95\% HPDI = [0.76, 1.04]). Conclusions There was an overall tumor growth delaying effect of unrestricted KDs in mice. Future experiments should aim at differentiating the effects of KD timing versus tumor location, since external evidence is currently consistent with an influence of both of these factors.}, language = {en} } @article{VogtmannHuaZelleretal.2016, author = {Vogtmann, Emily and Hua, Xing and Zeller, Georg and Sunagawa, Shinichi and Voigt, Anita Y. and Hercog, Rajna and Goedert, James J. and Shi, Jianxin and Bork, Peer and Sinha, Rashmi}, title = {Colorectal Cancer and the Human Gut Microbiome: Reproducibility with Whole-Genome Shotgun Sequencing}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0155362}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166904}, pages = {e0155362}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Accumulating evidence indicates that the gut microbiota affects colorectal cancer development, but previous studies have varied in population, technical methods, and associations with cancer. Understanding these variations is needed for comparisons and for potential pooling across studies. Therefore, we performed whole-genome shotgun sequencing on fecal samples from 52 pre-treatment colorectal cancer cases and 52 matched controls from Washington, DC. We compared findings from a previously published 16S rRNA study to the metagenomics-derived taxonomy within the same population. In addition, metagenome-predicted genes, modules, and pathways in the Washington, DC cases and controls were compared to cases and controls recruited in France whose specimens were processed using the same platform. Associations between the presence of fecal Fusobacteria, Fusobacterium, and Porphyromonas with colorectal cancer detected by 16S rRNA were reproduced by metagenomics, whereas higher relative abundance of Clostridia in cancer cases based on 16S rRNA was merely borderline based on metagenomics. This demonstrated that within the same sample set, most, but not all taxonomic associations were seen with both methods. Considering significant cancer associations with the relative abundance of genes, modules, and pathways in a recently published French metagenomics dataset, statistically significant associations in the Washington, DC population were detected for four out of 10 genes, three out of nine modules, and seven out of 17 pathways. In total, colorectal cancer status in the Washington, DC study was associated with 39\% of the metagenome-predicted genes, modules, and pathways identified in the French study. More within and between population comparisons are needed to identify sources of variation and disease associations that can be reproduced despite these variations. Future studies should have larger sample sizes or pool data across studies to have sufficient power to detect associations that are reproducible and significant after correction for multiple testing.}, language = {en} } @article{StockPetrašMelteretal.2016, author = {Stock, Nina Katharina and Petr{\´a}š, Petr and Melter, Oto and Kapounov{\´a}, Gabriela and Vopalkov{\´a}, Petra and Kubele, Jan and Vaniš, V{\´a}clav and Tkadlec, Jan and Buk{\´a}čkov{\´a}, Eva and Machov{\´a}, Ivana and Jindr{\´a}k, Vlastimil}, title = {Importance of Multifaceted Approaches in Infection Control: A Practical Experience from an Outbreak Investigation}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0157981}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166891}, pages = {e0157981}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background This study presents the results of a multidisciplinary, nosocomial MRSA outbreak investigation in an 8-bed medical intensive care unit (ICU). The identification of seven MRSA positive patients in the beginning of 2014 led to the closure of the ward for several weeks. A multidisciplinary, retrospective investigation was initiated in order to identify the reason and the source for the outbreak, describe MRSA transmission in the department and identify limitations in infection control. Methods The investigation comprised an epidemiological description of MRSA cases from 2012 to 2014 and a characterization of MRSA isolates, including phage-, spa- and PFGE-typing. Additionally, MRSA screening was performed from the hospital staff and the environment. To identify the reason for the outbreak, work-related, psychological and behavioral factors were investigated by impartial audits and staff interviews. Results Thirty-one MRSA cases were registered during the study period, and 36 isolates were investigated. Molecular typing determined the outbreak strain (phage type 54/812, PFGE type A4, spa type t003) and identified the probable index case. Nasal carriage in one employee and a high environmental contamination with the outbreak strain was documented. Important gaps in nursing procedures and general management were identified. Elevated stress levels and communication problems preceded the outbreak. Compliance with hand hygiene and isolation procedures was evaluated as appropriate. Conclusion This study demonstrates the complexity of controlling hospital-associated infections. The combined use of different typing methods is beneficial for outbreak investigations. Psychological, behavioral and other work-related factors have an important impact on the spread of nosocomial pathogens. These factors should be addressed and integrated in routine infection control practice.}, language = {en} } @article{KuntzenKuhnKuntzenetal.2016, author = {Kuntzen, Thomas and Kuhn, Sereina and Kuntzen, Daniela and Seifert, Burkhardt and M{\"u}llhaupt, Beat and Geier, Andreas}, title = {Influence of Ribavirin Serum Levels on Outcome of Antiviral Treatment and Anemia in Hepatitis C Virus Infection}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {7}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0158512}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166888}, pages = {e0158512}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Ribavirin blood levels vary considerably between patients with standard weight-based dosing. Their impact on sustained virological response (SVR) with pegylated interferon and ribavirin is controversial, but has mostly been studied before the IL28b gene polymorphism as a possible confounder was discovered. Methods The impact of serum ribavirin trough levels at week 4, at the end of treatment and of mean levels across the entire antiviral treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin on relapse, SVR rates and anemia was retrospectively studied by univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses in 214 patients with HCV genotype 1-4 infection, including 88 patients with available IL28b genotyping. Results Mean ribavirin levels varied between 0.68-5.65 mg/l and significantly differed between patients with or without SVR. By multivariable regression including age, sex, HCV viral load, HCV genotype, liver fibrosis stage, prior treatments, immunosuppression and IL28b genotype, ribavirin levels consistently displayed significant influence on SVR and relapse without indication for a specific importance of higher concentrations early or late in the treatment course. Although hemoglobin decline was on average more pronounced in patients with higher ribavirin levels, hemoglobin remained relatively stable in a significant proportion of these, indicating that ribavirin levels alone are insufficient to predict anemia. Conclusion While data are scarce to draw conclusions applicable for modern DAA therapies, these results support ribavirin treatment based on serum levels instead of purely weight-based dosing in combination with pegylated interferon.}, language = {en} } @article{VigoritoKuchenbaeckerBeesleyetal.2016, author = {Vigorito, Elena and Kuchenbaecker, Karoline B. and Beesley, Jonathan and Adlard, Julian and Agnarsson, Bjarni A. and Andrulis, Irene L. and Arun, Banu K. and Barjhoux, Laure and Belotti, Muriel and Benitez, Javier and Berger, Andreas and Bojesen, Anders and Bonanni, Bernardo and Brewer, Carole and Caldes, Trinidad and Caligo, Maria A. and Campbell, Ian and Chan, Salina B. and Claes, Kathleen B. M. and Cohn, David E. and Cook, Jackie and Daly, Mary B. and Damiola, Francesca and Davidson, Rosemarie and de Pauw, Antoine and Delnatte, Capucine and Diez, Orland and Domchek, Susan M. and Dumont, Martine and Durda, Katarzyna and Dworniczak, Bernd and Easton, Douglas F. and Eccles, Diana and Ardnor, Christina Edwinsdotter and Eeles, Ros and Ejlertsen, Bent and Ellis, Steve and Evans, D. Gareth and Feliubadalo, Lidia and Fostira, Florentia and Foulkes, William D. and Friedman, Eitan and Frost, Debra and Gaddam, Pragna and Ganz, Patricia A. and Garber, Judy and Garcia-Barberan, Vanesa and Gauthier-Villars, Marion and Gehrig, Andrea and Gerdes, Anne-Marie and Giraud, Sophie and Godwin, Andrew K. and Goldgar, David E. and Hake, Christopher R. and Hansen, Thomas V. O. and Healey, Sue and Hodgson, Shirley and Hogervorst, Frans B. L. and Houdayer, Claude and Hulick, Peter J. and Imyanitov, Evgeny N. and Isaacs, Claudine and Izatt, Louise and Izquierdo, Angel and Jacobs, Lauren and Jakubowska, Anna and Janavicius, Ramunas and Jaworska-Bieniek, Katarzyna and Jensen, Uffe Birk and John, Esther M. and Vijai, Joseph and Karlan, Beth Y. and Kast, Karin and Khan, Sofia and Kwong, Ava and Laitman, Yael and Lester, Jenny and Lesueur, Fabienne and Liljegren, Annelie and Lubinski, Jan and Mai, Phuong L. and Manoukian, Siranoush and Mazoyer, Sylvie and Meindl, Alfons and Mensenkamp, Arjen R. and Montagna, Marco and Nathanson, Katherine L. and Neuhausen, Susan L. and Nevanlinna, Heli and Niederacher, Dieter and Olah, Edith and Olopade, Olufunmilayo I. and Ong, Kai-ren and Osorio, Ana and Park, Sue Kyung and Paulsson-Karlsson, Ylva and Pedersen, Inge Sokilde and Peissel, Bernard and Peterlongo, Paolo and Pfeiler, Georg and Phelan, Catherine M. and Piedmonte, Marion and Poppe, Bruce and Pujana, Miquel Angel and Radice, Paolo and Rennert, Gad and Rodriguez, Gustavo C. and Rookus, Matti A. and Ross, Eric A. and Schmutzler, Rita Katharina and Simard, Jacques and Singer, Christian F. and Slavin, Thomas P. and Soucy, Penny and Southey, Melissa and Steinemann, Doris and Stoppa-Lyonnet, Dominique and Sukiennicki, Grzegorz and Sutter, Christian and Szabo, Csilla I. and Tea, Muy-Kheng and Teixeira, Manuel R. and Teo, Soo-Hwang and Terry, Mary Beth and Thomassen, Mads and Tibiletti, Maria Grazia and Tihomirova, Laima and Tognazzo, Silvia and van Rensburg, Elizabeth J. and Varesco, Liliana and Varon-Mateeva, Raymonda and Vratimos, Athanassios and Weitzel, Jeffrey N. and McGuffog, Lesley and Kirk, Judy and Toland, Amanda Ewart and Hamann, Ute and Lindor, Noralane and Ramus, Susan J. and Greene, Mark H. and Couch, Fergus J. and Offit, Kenneth and Pharoah, Paul D. P. and Chenevix-Trench, Georgia and Antoniou, Antonis C.}, title = {Fine-Scale Mapping at 9p22.2 Identifies Candidate Causal Variants That Modify Ovarian Cancer Risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carriers}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {7}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0158801}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166869}, pages = {e0158801}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Population-based genome wide association studies have identified a locus at 9p22.2 associated with ovarian cancer risk, which also modifies ovarian cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. We conducted fine-scale mapping at 9p22.2 to identify potential causal variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Genotype data were available for 15,252 (2,462 ovarian cancer cases) BRCA1 and 8,211 (631 ovarian cancer cases) BRCA2 mutation carriers. Following genotype imputation, ovarian cancer associations were assessed for 4,873 and 5,020 SNPs in BRCA1 and BRCA 2 mutation carriers respectively, within a retrospective cohort analytical framework. In BRCA1 mutation carriers one set of eight correlated candidate causal variants for ovarian cancer risk modification was identified (top SNP rs10124837, HR: 0.73, 95\%CI: 0.68 to 0.79, p-value 2× 10-16). These variants were located up to 20 kb upstream of BNC2. In BRCA2 mutation carriers one region, up to 45 kb upstream of BNC2, and containing 100 correlated SNPs was identified as candidate causal (top SNP rs62543585, HR: 0.69, 95\%CI: 0.59 to 0.80, p-value 1.0 × 10-6). The candidate causal in BRCA1 mutation carriers did not include the strongest associated variant at this locus in the general population. In sum, we identified a set of candidate causal variants in a region that encompasses the BNC2 transcription start site. The ovarian cancer association at 9p22.2 may be mediated by different variants in BRCA1 mutation carriers and in the general population. Thus, potentially different mechanisms may underlie ovarian cancer risk for mutation carriers and the general population.}, language = {en} } @article{HarksJockelSchneiderSchlagenhaufetal.2016, author = {Harks, Inga and Jockel-Schneider, Yvonne and Schlagenhauf, Ulrich and May, Theodor W. and Gravemeier, Martina and Prior, Karola and Petersilka, Gregor and Ehmke, Gregor}, title = {Impact of the Daily Use of a Microcrystal Hydroxyapatite Dentifrice on De Novo Plaque Formation and Clinical/Microbiological Parameters of Periodontal Health. A Randomized Trial}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {7}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0160142}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166853}, pages = {e0160142}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Aim This 12-week prospective, randomized, double-blind, two-center trial evaluated the impact of a microcrystalline zinc hydroxyapatite (mHA) dentifrice on plaque formation rate (PFR) in chronic periodontitis patients. We hypothesized that mHA precipitates cause delayed plaque development when compared to a fluoridated control (AmF/SnF\(_{2}\)), and therefore would improve periodontal health. Material \& Methods At baseline and after 4 and 12 weeks, PFR and other clinical and microbiological parameters were recorded. Seventy periodontitis patients received a mHA or AmF/SnF\(_{2}\) dentifrice as daily oral care without hygiene instructions. Four weeks after baseline, participants received full mouth debridement and continued using the dentifrices for another 8 weeks. Results Primary outcome PFR did not change statistically significantly from baseline to weeks 4 and 12, neither in mHA (n = 33; 51.7±17.2\% vs. 48.5±16.65\% vs. 48.4±19.9\%) nor in AmF/SnF2-group (n = 34; 52.3±17.5\% vs. 52.5±21.3\% vs. 46.1±21.8\%). Secondary clinical parameters such as plaque control record, gingival index, bleeding on probing, and pocket probing depth improved, but between-group differences were not statistically significant. Microbiological analyses showed similar slight decreases in colony-forming units in both groups. Conclusion In patients with mild-to-moderate periodontitis, periodontal therapy and use of a mHA-or AmF/SnF\(_{2}\) dentifrice without instructions induced comparable improvements in periodontal health but did not significantly reduce the PFR.}, language = {en} } @article{HellenbrandClausSchinketal.2016, author = {Hellenbrand, Wiebke and Claus, Heike and Schink, Susanne and Marcus, Ulrich and Wichmann, Ole and Vogel, Ulrich}, title = {Risk of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Men Who Have Sex with Men: Lessons Learned from an Outbreak in Germany, 2012-2013}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0160126}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166842}, pages = {e0160126}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background We undertook investigations in response to an invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) outbreak in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Berlin 2012-2013 to better understand meningococcal transmission and IMD risk in MSM. Methods We retrospectively searched for further IMD cases in MSM in Germany through local health departments and undertook exploratory interviews. We performed antigen sequence typing, characterized fHbp and aniA genes of strains with the outbreak finetype and reviewed epidemiologically or spatiotemporally linked cases from 2002-2014. Results Among the 148 IMD-cases notified from 01.01.2012-30.09.2013 in 18-59 year-old men we identified 13 MSM in 6 federal states: 11 serogroup C (MenC, all finetype C:P1.5-1,10-8:F3-6), 2 MenB. Interviews with 7 MSM revealed frequent meeting of multiple partners online or via mobile apps and illicit drug use as potential risk factors. MenC incidence was 13-fold higher in MSM than non-MSM. MenC isolates from 9/11 MSM had a novel fHbp allele 766. All C:P1.5-1,10-8:F3-6 strains from MSM versus 16/23 from non-MSM had intact aniA genes (p = 0.04). Although definitive evidence for transmission among MSM in epidemiological or spatiotemporal clusters in 2002-2014 was lacking, clusters were more frequent in men aged 20-49 years. Molecular analysis of C:P1.5-1,10-8:F3-6 strains revealed cases with intact aniA since 2007, mainly associated with fHbp361, fHbp766 and fHbp813, all involving one or more MSM. Conclusions MenC incidence was elevated in MSM during the study period. Multiple casual sexual contacts and illicit drug use were common in affected MSM. In all strains from MSM we detected an intact aniA gene coding for a nitrite reductase, which permits survival in microanaerobic environments and could play a role in meningococcal transmission in MSM through urogenital colonization. Furthermore, meningococcal transmission among MSM may be sustained over large areas and thus require modified spatiotemporal scanning algorithms for timely detection and control.}, language = {en} } @article{MaaroufNeudorferElMajdoubetal.2016, author = {Maarouf, Mohammad and Neudorfer, Clemens and El Majdoub, Faycal and Lenartz, Doris and Kuhn, Jens and Sturm, Volker}, title = {Deep Brain Stimulation of Medial Dorsal and Ventral Anterior Nucleus of the Thalamus in OCD: A Retrospective Case Series}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0160750}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166830}, pages = {e0160750}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background The current notion that cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuits are involved in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has instigated the search for the most suitable target for deep brain stimulation (DBS). However, despite extensive research, uncertainty about the ideal target remains with many structures being underexplored. The aim of this report is to address a new target for DBS, the medial dorsal (MD) and the ventral anterior (VA) nucleus of the thalamus, which has thus far received little attention in the treatment of OCD. Methods In this retrospective trial, four patients (three female, one male) aged 31-48 years, suffering from therapy-refractory OCD underwent high-frequency DBS of the MD and VA. In two patients (de novo group) the thalamus was chosen as a primary target for DBS, whereas in two patients (rescue DBS group) lead implantation was performed in a rescue DBS attempt following unsuccessful primary stimulation. Results Continuous thalamic stimulation yielded no significant improvement in OCD symptom severity. Over the course of thalamic DBS symptoms improved in only one patient who showed "partial response" on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive (Y-BOCS) Scale. Beck Depression Inventory scores dropped by around 46\% in the de novo group; anxiety symptoms improved by up to 34\%. In the de novo DBS group no effect of DBS on anxiety and mood was observable. Conclusion MD/VA-DBS yielded no adequate alleviation of therapy-refractory OCD, the overall strategy in targeting MD/VA as described in this paper can thus not be recommended in DBS for OCD. The magnocellular portion of MD (MDMC), however, might prove a promising target in the treatment of mood related and anxiety disorders.}, language = {en} } @article{HeurichZeisKuechenhoffetal.2016, author = {Heurich, Marco and Zeis, Klara and K{\"u}chenhoff, Helmut and M{\"u}ller, J{\"o}rg and Belotti, Elisa and Bufka, Luděk and Woelfing, Benno}, title = {Selective Predation of a Stalking Predator on Ungulate Prey}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0158449}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166827}, pages = {e0158449}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Prey selection is a key factor shaping animal populations and evolutionary dynamics. An optimal forager should target prey that offers the highest benefits in terms of energy content at the lowest costs. Predators are therefore expected to select for prey of optimal size. Stalking predators do not pursue their prey long, which may lead to a more random choice of prey individuals. Due to difficulties in assessing the composition of available prey populations, data on prey selection of stalking carnivores are still scarce. We show how the stalking predator Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) selects prey individuals based on species identity, age, sex and individual behaviour. To address the difficulties in assessing prey population structure, we confirm inferred selection patterns by using two independent data sets: (1) data of 387 documented kills of radio-collared lynx were compared to the prey population structure retrieved from systematic camera trapping using Manly's standardized selection ratio alpha and (2) data on 120 radio-collared roe deer were analysed using a Cox proportional hazards model. Among the larger red deer prey, lynx selected against adult males—the largest and potentially most dangerous prey individuals. In roe deer lynx preyed selectively on males and did not select for a specific age class. Activity during high risk periods reduced the risk of falling victim to a lynx attack. Our results suggest that the stalking predator lynx actively selects for size, while prey behaviour induces selection by encounter and stalking success rates.}, language = {en} } @article{SchererBauerSchmausetal.2016, author = {Scherer, Sandra D. and Bauer, Jochen and Schmaus, Anja and Neumaier, Christian and Herskind, Carsten and Veldwijk, Marlon R. and Wenz, Frederik and Sleeman, Jonathan P.}, title = {TGF-β1 Is Present at High Levels in Wound Fluid from Breast Cancer Patients Immediately Post-Surgery, and Is Not Increased by Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT)}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0162221}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166811}, pages = {e0162221}, year = {2016}, abstract = {In patients with low-risk breast cancer, intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) during breast-conserving surgery is a novel and convenient treatment option for delivering a single high dose of irradiation directly to the tumour bed. However, edema and fibrosis can develop after surgery and radiotherapy, which can subsequently impair quality of life. TGF-β is a strong inducer of the extracellular matrix component hyaluronan (HA). TGF-β expression and HA metabolism can be modulated by irradiation experimentally, and are involved in edema and fibrosis. We therefore hypothesized that IORT may regulate these factors.Wound fluid (WF) draining from breast lumpectomy sites was collected and levels of TGF-β1 and HA were determined by ELISA. Proliferation and marker expression was analyzed in primary lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) treated with recombinant TGF-β or WF. Our results show that IORT does not change TGF-β1 or HA levels in wound fluid draining from breast lumpectomy sites, and does not lead to accumulation of sHA oligosaccharides. Nevertheless, concentrations of TGF-β1 were high in WF from patients regardless of IORT, at concentrations well above those associated with fibrosis and the suppression of LEC identity. Consistently, we found that TGF-β in WF is active and inhibits LEC proliferation. Furthermore, all three TGF-β isoforms inhibited LEC proliferation and suppressed LEC marker expression at pathophysiologically relevant concentrations. Given that TGF-β contributes to edema and plays a role in the regulation of LEC identity, we suggest that inhibition of TGF-β directly after surgery might prevent the development of side effects such as edema and fibrosis.}, language = {en} } @article{RueckerKeilFitzgeraldetal.2016, author = {R{\"u}cker, Viktoria and Keil, Ulrich and Fitzgerald, Anthony P and Malzahn, Uwe and Prugger, Christof and Ertl, Georg and Heuschmann, Peter U and Neuhauser, Hannelore}, title = {Predicting 10-Year Risk of Fatal Cardiovascular Disease in Germany: An Update Based on the SCORE-Deutschland Risk Charts}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0162188}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166804}, pages = {e0162188}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Estimation of absolute risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), preferably with population-specific risk charts, has become a cornerstone of CVD primary prevention. Regular recalibration of risk charts may be necessary due to decreasing CVD rates and CVD risk factor levels. The SCORE risk charts for fatal CVD risk assessment were first calibrated for Germany with 1998 risk factor level data and 1999 mortality statistics. We present an update of these risk charts based on the SCORE methodology including estimates of relative risks from SCORE, risk factor levels from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults 2008-11 (DEGS1) and official mortality statistics from 2012. Competing risks methods were applied and estimates were independently validated. Updated risk charts were calculated based on cholesterol, smoking, systolic blood pressure risk factor levels, sex and 5-year age-groups. The absolute 10-year risk estimates of fatal CVD were lower according to the updated risk charts compared to the first calibration for Germany. In a nationwide sample of 3062 adults aged 40-65 years free of major CVD from DEGS1, the mean 10-year risk of fatal CVD estimated by the updated charts was lower by 29\% and the estimated proportion of high risk people (10-year risk > = 5\%) by 50\% compared to the older risk charts. This recalibration shows a need for regular updates of risk charts according to changes in mortality and risk factor levels in order to sustain the identification of people with a high CVD risk.}, language = {en} } @article{LoCascioGoetzeLatshangetal.2016, author = {Lo Cascio, Christian M. and Goetze, Oliver and Latshang, Tsogyal D. and Bluemel, Sena and Frauenfelder, Thomas and Bloch, Konrad E.}, title = {Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0163779}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166793}, pages = {e0163779}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background In adult patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) life-threatening constipation has been reported. Since gastrointestinal function in DMD has not been rigorously studied we investigated objective and subjective manifestations of gastrointestinal disturbances in DMD patients. Methods In 33 patients with DMD, age 12-41 years, eating behavior and gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated by questionnaires. Gastric emptying half time (T\(_{1/2}\)) and oro-cecal transit time (OCTT) were evaluated by analyzing \(^{13}\)CO\(_{2}\) exhalation curves after ingestion of \(^{13}\)C labeled test meals. Colonic transit time (CTT) was measured by abdominal radiography following ingestion of radiopaque markers. Results The median (quartiles) T\(_{1/2}\) was 187 (168, 220) minutes, the OCTT was 6.3 (5.0, 7.9) hours, both substantially longer than normal data (Goetze 2005, T\(_{1/2}\): 107±10; Geypens 1999, OCTT 4.3±0.1 hours). The median CTT was 60 (48, 82) hours despite extensive use of laxative measures (Meier 1995, upper limit of normal: 60 hours). T\(_{1/2}\) and OCTT did not correlate with symptoms evaluated by the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) (Spearman r = -0.3, p = 0.1; and r = -0.15, p = 0.4, respectively). CTT was not correlated with symptoms of constipation assessed by ROME III criteria (r = 0.12, p = 0.5). Conclusions DMD patients have a markedly disturbed gastrointestinal motor function. Since objective measures of impaired gastrointestinal transport are not correlated with symptoms of gastroparesis or constipation our findings suggest that measures assuring adequate intestinal transport should be taken independent of the patient's perception in order to prevent potentially life threatening constipation, particularly in older DMD patients.}, language = {en} } @article{HoltfrerichSchwarzSprengeretal.2016, author = {Holtfrerich, Sarah K. C. and Schwarz, Katharina A. and Sprenger, Christian and Reimers, Luise and Diekhof, Esther K.}, title = {Endogenous Testosterone and Exogenous Oxytocin Modulate Attentional Processing of Infant Faces}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0166617}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166783}, pages = {e0166617}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Evidence indicates that hormones modulate the intensity of maternal care. Oxytocin is known for its positive influence on maternal behavior and its important role for childbirth. In contrast, testosterone promotes egocentric choices and reduces empathy. Further, testosterone decreases during parenthood which could be an adaptation to increased parental investment. The present study investigated the interaction between testosterone and oxytocin in attentional control and their influence on attention to baby schema in women. Higher endogenous testosterone was expected to decrease selective attention to child portraits in a face-in-the-crowd-paradigm, while oxytocin was expected to counteract this effect. As predicted, women with higher salivary testosterone were slower in orienting attention to infant targets in the context of adult distractors. Interestingly, reaction times to infant and adult stimuli decreased after oxytocin administration, but only in women with high endogenous testosterone. These results suggest that oxytocin may counteract the adverse effects of testosterone on a central aspect of social behavior and maternal caretaking.}, language = {en} } @article{DreschersSauppHornefetal.2016, author = {Dreschers, Stephan and Saupp, Peter and Hornef, Mathias and Prehn, Andrea and Platen, Christopher and Morschh{\"a}user, Joachim and Orlikowsky, Thorsten W.}, title = {Reduced PICD in Monocytes Mounts Altered Neonate Immune Response to Candida albicans}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0166648}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166778}, pages = {e0166648}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Invasive fungal infections with Candida albicans (C. albicans) occur frequently in extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants and are associated with poor outcome. Phagocytosis of C.albicans initializes apoptosis in monocytes (phagocytosis induced cell death, PICD). PICD is reduced in neonatal cord blood monocytes (CBMO). Hypothesis Phagocytosis of C. albicans causes PICD which differs between neonatal monocytes (CBMO) and adult peripheral blood monocytes (PBMO) due to lower stimulation of TLR-mediated immune responses. Methods The ability to phagocytose C. albicans, expression of TLRs, the induction of apoptosis (assessment of sub-G1 and nick-strand breaks) were analyzed by FACS. TLR signalling was induced by agonists such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Pam3Cys, FSL-1 and Zymosan and blocked (neutralizing TLR2 antibodies and MYD88 inhibitor). Results Phagocytic indices of PBMO and CBMO were similar. Following stimulation with agonists and C. albicans induced up-regulation of TLR2 and consecutive phosphorylation of MAP kinase P38 and expression of TNF-α, which were stronger on PBMO compared to CBMO (p < 0.005). Downstream, TLR2 signalling initiated caspase-3-dependent PICD which was found reduced in CBMO (p < 0.05 vs PBMO). Conclusion Our data suggest direct involvement of TLR2-signalling in C. albicans-induced PICD in monocytes and an alteration of this pathway in CBMO.}, language = {en} } @article{XuHeKaiseretal.2016, author = {Xu, Li and He, Jianzheng and Kaiser, Andrea and Gr{\"a}ber, Nikolas and Schl{\"a}ger, Laura and Ritze, Yvonne and Scholz, Henrike}, title = {A Single Pair of Serotonergic Neurons Counteracts Serotonergic Inhibition of Ethanol Attraction in Drosophila}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0167518}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166762}, pages = {e0167518}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Attraction to ethanol is common in both flies and humans, but the neuromodulatory mechanisms underlying this innate attraction are not well understood. Here, we dissect the function of the key regulator of serotonin signaling—the serotonin transporter-in innate olfactory attraction to ethanol in Drosophila melanogaster. We generated a mutated version of the serotonin transporter that prolongs serotonin signaling in the synaptic cleft and is targeted via the Gal4 system to different sets of serotonergic neurons. We identified four serotonergic neurons that inhibit the olfactory attraction to ethanol and two additional neurons that counteract this inhibition by strengthening olfactory information. Our results reveal that compensation can occur on the circuit level and that serotonin has a bidirectional function in modulating the innate attraction to ethanol. Given the evolutionarily conserved nature of the serotonin transporter and serotonin, the bidirectional serotonergic mechanisms delineate a basic principle for how random behavior is switched into targeted approach behavior.}, language = {en} } @article{KuenstnerHoffmannFraseretal.2016, author = {K{\"u}nstner, Axel and Hoffmann, Margarete and Fraser, Bonnie A. and Kottler, Verena A. and Sharma, Eshita and Weigel, Detlef and Dreyer, Christine}, title = {The Genome of the Trinidadian Guppy, Poecilia reticulata, and Variation in the Guanapo Population}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0169087}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166755}, pages = {e0169087}, year = {2016}, abstract = {For over a century, the live bearing guppy, Poecilia reticulata, has been used to study sexual selection as well as local adaptation. Natural guppy populations differ in many traits that are of intuitively adaptive significance such as ornamentation, age at maturity, brood size and body shape. Water depth, light supply, food resources and predation regime shape these traits, and barrier waterfalls often separate contrasting environments in the same river. We have assembled and annotated the genome of an inbred single female from a high-predation site in the Guanapo drainage. The final assembly comprises 731.6 Mb with a scaffold N50 of 5.3 MB. Scaffolds were mapped to linkage groups, placing 95\% of the genome assembly on the 22 autosomes and the X-chromosome. To investigate genetic variation in the population used for the genome assembly, we sequenced 10 wild caught male individuals. The identified 5 million SNPs correspond to an average nucleotide diversity (π) of 0.0025. The genome assembly and SNP map provide a rich resource for investigating adaptation to different predation regimes. In addition, comparisons with the genomes of other Poeciliid species, which differ greatly in mechanisms of sex determination and maternal resource allocation, as well as comparisons to other teleost genera can begin to reveal how live bearing evolved in teleost fish.}, language = {en} } @article{ZieglerRichterMahretal.2016, author = {Ziegler, C. and Richter, J. and Mahr, M. and Gajewska, A. and Schiele, M.A. and Gehrmann, A. and Schmidt, B. and Lesch, K.-P. and Lang, T. and Helbig-Lang, S. and Pauli, P. and Kircher, T. and Reif, A. and Rief, W. and Vossbeck-Elsebusch, A.N. and Arolt, V. and Wittchen, H.-U. and Hamm, A.O. and Deckert, J. and Domschke, K.}, title = {MAOA gene hypomethylation in panic disorder-reversibility of an epigenetic risk pattern by psychotherapy}, series = {Translational Psychiatry}, journal = {Translational Psychiatry}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1038/tp.2016.41}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-164422}, pages = {e773}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Epigenetic signatures such as methylation of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene have been found to be altered in panic disorder (PD). Hypothesizing temporal plasticity of epigenetic processes as a mechanism of successful fear extinction, the present psychotherapy-epigenetic study for we believe the first time investigated MAOA methylation changes during the course of exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in PD. MAOA methylation was compared between N=28 female Caucasian PD patients (discovery sample) and N=28 age- and sex-matched healthy controls via direct sequencing of sodium bisulfite-treated DNA extracted from blood cells. MAOA methylation was furthermore analyzed at baseline (T0) and after a 6-week CBT (T1) in the discovery sample parallelized by a waiting time in healthy controls, as well as in an independent sample of female PD patients (N=20). Patients exhibited lower MAOA methylation than healthy controls (P<0.001), and baseline PD severity correlated negatively with MAOA methylation (P=0.01). In the discovery sample, MAOA methylation increased up to the level of healthy controls along with CBT response (number of panic attacks; T0-T1: +3.37±2.17\%), while non-responders further decreased in methylation (-2.00±1.28\%; P=0.001). In the replication sample, increases in MAOA methylation correlated with agoraphobic symptom reduction after CBT (P=0.02-0.03). The present results support previous evidence for MAOA hypomethylation as a PD risk marker and suggest reversibility of MAOA hypomethylation as a potential epigenetic correlate of response to CBT. The emerging notion of epigenetic signatures as a mechanism of action of psychotherapeutic interventions may promote epigenetic patterns as biomarkers of lasting extinction effects.}, language = {en} } @article{VendelovadeLimaLorenzattoetal.2016, author = {Vendelova, Emilia and de Lima, Jeferson Camargo and Lorenzatto, Karina Rodrigues and Monteiro, Karina Mariante and Mueller, Thomas and Veepaschit, Jyotishman and Grimm, Clemens and Brehm, Klaus and Hrčkov{\´a}, Gabriela and Lutz, Manfred B. and Ferreira, Henrique B. and Nono, Justin Komguep}, title = {Proteomic Analysis of Excretory-Secretory Products of Mesocestoides corti Metacestodes Reveals Potential Suppressors of Dendritic Cell Functions}, series = {PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0005061}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166742}, pages = {e0005061}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Accumulating evidences have assigned a central role to parasite-derived proteins in immunomodulation. Here, we report on the proteomic identification and characterization of immunomodulatory excretory-secretory (ES) products from the metacestode larva (tetrathyridium) of the tapeworm Mesocestoides corti (syn. M. vogae). We demonstrate that ES products but not larval homogenates inhibit the stimuli-driven release of the pro-inflammatory, Th1-inducing cytokine IL-12p70 by murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Within the ES fraction, we biochemically narrowed down the immunosuppressive activity to glycoproteins since active components were lipid-free, but sensitive to heat- and carbohydrate-treatment. Finally, using bioassay-guided chromatographic analyses assisted by comparative proteomics of active and inactive fractions of the ES products, we defined a comprehensive list of candidate proteins released by M. corti tetrathyridia as potential suppressors of DC functions. Our study provides a comprehensive library of somatic and ES products and highlight some candidate parasite factors that might drive the subversion of DC functions to facilitate the persistence of M. corti tetrathyridia in their hosts.}, language = {en} } @article{ReynoldsHofmeisterCliffeetal.2016, author = {Reynolds, David and Hofmeister, Brigitte T. and Cliffe, Laura and Alabady, Magdy and Siegel, T. Nicolai and Schmitz, Robert J. and Sabatini, Robert}, title = {Histone H3 Variant Regulates RNA Polymerase II Transcription Termination and Dual Strand Transcription of siRNA Loci in Trypanosoma brucei}, series = {PLoS Genetics}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS Genetics}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pgen.1005758}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166738}, pages = {e1005758}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Base J, β-D-glucosyl-hydroxymethyluracil, is a chromatin modification of thymine in the nuclear DNA of flagellated protozoa of the order Kinetoplastida. In Trypanosoma brucei, J is enriched, along with histone H3 variant (H3.V), at sites involved in RNA Polymerase (RNAP) II termination and telomeric sites involved in regulating variant surface glycoprotein gene (VSG) transcription by RNAP I. Reduction of J in T. brucei indicated a role of J in the regulation of RNAP II termination, where the loss of J at specific sites within polycistronic gene clusters led to read-through transcription and increased expression of downstream genes. We now demonstrate that the loss of H3.V leads to similar defects in RNAP II termination within gene clusters and increased expression of downstream genes. Gene derepression is intensified upon the subsequent loss of J in the H3.V knockout. mRNA-seq indicates gene derepression includes VSG genes within the silent RNAP I transcribed telomeric gene clusters, suggesting an important role for H3.V in telomeric gene repression and antigenic variation. Furthermore, the loss of H3.V at regions of overlapping transcription at the end of convergent gene clusters leads to increased nascent RNA and siRNA production. Our results suggest base J and H3.V can act independently as well as synergistically to regulate transcription termination and expression of coding and non-coding RNAs in T. brucei, depending on chromatin context (and transcribing polymerase). As such these studies provide the first direct evidence for histone H3.V negatively influencing transcription elongation to promote termination.}, language = {en} } @article{HershkoShalevOdenheimerBergmanElgrablyWeissetal.2016, author = {Hershko-Shalev, Tal and Odenheimer-Bergman, Ahuva and Elgrably-Weiss, Maya and Ben-Zvi, Tamar and Govindarajan, Sutharsan and Seri, Hemda and Papenfort, Kai and Vogel, J{\"o}rg and Altuvia, Shoshy}, title = {Gifsy-1 Prophage IsrK with Dual Function as Small and Messenger RNA Modulates Vital Bacterial Machineries}, series = {PLoS Genetics}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS Genetics}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pgen.1005975}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166717}, pages = {e1005975}, year = {2016}, abstract = {While an increasing number of conserved small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) are known to function in general bacterial physiology, the roles and modes of action of sRNAs from horizontally acquired genomic regions remain little understood. The IsrK sRNA of Gifsy-1 prophage of Salmonella belongs to the latter class. This regulatory RNA exists in two isoforms. The first forms, when a portion of transcripts originating from isrK promoter reads-through the IsrK transcription-terminator producing a translationally inactive mRNA target. Acting in trans, the second isoform, short IsrK RNA, binds the inactive transcript rendering it translationally active. By switching on translation of the first isoform, short IsrK indirectly activates the production of AntQ, an antiterminator protein located upstream of isrK. Expression of antQ globally interferes with transcription termination resulting in bacterial growth arrest and ultimately cell death. Escherichia coli and Salmonella cells expressing AntQ display condensed chromatin morphology and localization of UvrD to the nucleoid. The toxic phenotype of AntQ can be rescued by co-expression of the transcription termination factor, Rho, or RNase H, which protects genomic DNA from breaks by resolving R-loops. We propose that AntQ causes conflicts between transcription and replication machineries and thus promotes DNA damage. The isrK locus represents a unique example of an island-encoded sRNA that exerts a highly complex regulatory mechanism to tune the expression of a toxic protein.}, language = {en} } @article{IslesIngasonLowtheretal.2016, author = {Isles, Anthony R. and Ingason, Andr{\´e}s and Lowther, Chelsea and Walters, James and Gawlick, Micha and St{\"o}ber, Gerald and Rees, Elliott and Martin, Joanna and Little, Rosie B. and Potter, Harry and Georgieva, Lyudmila and Pizzo, Lucilla and Ozaki, Norio and Aleksic, Branko and Kushima, Itaru and Ikeda, Masashi and Iwata, Nakao and Levinson, Douglas F. and Gejman, Pablo V. and Shi, Jianxin and Sanders, Alan R. and Duan, Jubao and Willis, Joseph and Sisodiya, Sanjay and Costain, Gregory and Werge, Thomas M. and Degenhardt, Franziska and Giegling, Ina and Rujescu, Dan and Hreidarsson, Stefan J. and Saemundsen, Evald and Ahn, Joo Wook and Ogilvie, Caroline and Girirajan, Santhosh D. and Stefansson, Hreinn and Stefansson, Kari and O'Donovan, Michael C. and Owen, Michael J. and Bassett, Anne and Kirov, George}, title = {Parental Origin of Interstitial Duplications at 15q11.2-q13.3 in Schizophrenia and Neurodevelopmental Disorders}, series = {PLoS Genetics}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS Genetics}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pgen.1005993}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166706}, pages = {e1005993}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Duplications at 15q11.2-q13.3 overlapping the Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome (PWS/AS) region have been associated with developmental delay (DD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SZ). Due to presence of imprinted genes within the region, the parental origin of these duplications may be key to the pathogenicity. Duplications of maternal origin are associated with disease, whereas the pathogenicity of paternal ones is unclear. To clarify the role of maternal and paternal duplications, we conducted the largest and most detailed study to date of parental origin of 15q11.2-q13.3 interstitial duplications in DD, ASD and SZ cohorts. We show, for the first time, that paternal duplications lead to an increased risk of developing DD/ASD/multiple congenital anomalies (MCA), but do not appear to increase risk for SZ. The importance of the epigenetic status of 15q11.2-q13.3 duplications was further underlined by analysis of a number of families, in which the duplication was paternally derived in the mother, who was unaffected, whereas her offspring, who inherited a maternally derived duplication, suffered from psychotic illness. Interestingly, the most consistent clinical characteristics of SZ patients with 15q11.2-q13.3 duplications were learning or developmental problems, found in 76\% of carriers. Despite their lower pathogenicity, paternal duplications are less frequent in the general population with a general population prevalence of 0.0033\% compared to 0.0069\% for maternal duplications. This may be due to lower fecundity of male carriers and differential survival of embryos, something echoed in the findings that both types of duplications are de novo in just over 50\% of cases. Isodicentric chromosome 15 (idic15) or interstitial triplications were not observed in SZ patients or in controls. Overall, this study refines the distinct roles of maternal and paternal interstitial duplications at 15q11.2-q13.3, underlining the critical importance of maternally expressed imprinted genes in the contribution of Copy Number Variants (CNVs) at this interval to the incidence of psychotic illness. This work will have tangible benefits for patients with 15q11.2-q13.3 duplications by aiding genetic counseling.}, language = {en} } @article{MeierKruseButtlaretal.2016, author = {Meier, Doreen and Kruse, Janis and Buttlar, Jann and Friedrich, Michael and Zenk, Fides and Boesler, Benjamin and Forstner, Konrad U. and Hammann, Christian and Nellen, Wolfgang}, title = {Analysis of the Microprocessor in Dictyostelium: The Role of RbdB, a dsRNA Binding Protein}, series = {PLoS Genetics}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS Genetics}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pgen.1006057}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166687}, pages = {e1006057}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We identified the dsRNA binding protein RbdB as an essential component in miRNA processing in Dictyostelium discoideum. RbdB is a nuclear protein that accumulates, together with Dicer B, in nucleolar foci reminiscent of plant dicing bodies. Disruption of rbdB results in loss of miRNAs and accumulation of primary miRNAs. The phenotype can be rescued by ectopic expression of RbdB thus allowing for a detailed analysis of domain function. The lack of cytoplasmic dsRBD proteins involved in miRNA processing, suggests that both processing steps take place in the nucleus thus resembling the plant pathway. However, we also find features e.g. in the domain structure of Dicer which suggest similarities to animals. Reduction of miRNAs in the rbdB- strain and their increase in the Argonaute A knock out allowed the definition of new miRNAs one of which appears to belong to a new non-canonical class.}, language = {en} } @article{DennerPellen2016, author = {Denner, Ansgar and Pellen, Mathieu}, title = {NLO electroweak corrections to off-shell top-antitop production with leptonic decays at the LHC}, series = {Journal of High Energy Phsyics}, volume = {08}, journal = {Journal of High Energy Phsyics}, number = {155}, doi = {10.1007/JHEP08(2016)155}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166415}, year = {2016}, abstract = {For the first time the next-to-leading-order electroweak corrections to the full off-shell production of two top quarks that decay leptonically are presented. This calculation includes all off-shell, non-resonant, and interference effects for the 6-particle phase space. While the electroweak corrections are below one per cent for the integrated cross section, they reach up to 15\% in the high-transverse-momentum region of distributions. To support the results of the complete one-loop calculation, we have in addition evaluated the electroweak corrections in two different pole approximations, one requiring two on-shell top quarks and one featuring two on-shell W bosons. While the former deviates by up to 10\% from the full calculation for certain distributions, the latter provides a very good description for most observables. The increased centre-of-mass energy of the LHC makes the inclusion of electroweak corrections extremely relevant as they are particularly large in the Sudakov regime where new physics is expected to be probed.}, language = {en} } @article{WidmannArtingerBiesingeretal.2016, author = {Widmann, Annekathrin and Artinger, Marc and Biesinger, Lukas and Boepple, Kathrin and Peters, Christina and Schlechter, Jana and Selcho, Mareike and Thum, Andreas S.}, title = {Genetic Dissection of Aversive Associative Olfactory Learning and Memory in Drosophila Larvae}, series = {PLoS Genetics}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS Genetics}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pgen.1006378}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166672}, pages = {e1006378}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Memory formation is a highly complex and dynamic process. It consists of different phases, which depend on various neuronal and molecular mechanisms. In adult Drosophila it was shown that memory formation after aversive Pavlovian conditioning includes—besides other forms—a labile short-term component that consolidates within hours to a longer-lasting memory. Accordingly, memory formation requires the timely controlled action of different neuronal circuits, neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and molecules that were initially identified by classical forward genetic approaches. Compared to adult Drosophila, memory formation was only sporadically analyzed at its larval stage. Here we deconstruct the larval mnemonic organization after aversive olfactory conditioning. We show that after odor-high salt conditioning larvae form two parallel memory phases; a short lasting component that depends on cyclic adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate (cAMP) signaling and synapsin gene function. In addition, we show for the first time for Drosophila larvae an anesthesia resistant component, which relies on radish and bruchpilot gene function, protein kinase C activity, requires presynaptic output of mushroom body Kenyon cells and dopamine function. Given the numerical simplicity of the larval nervous system this work offers a unique prospect for studying memory formation of defined specifications, at full-brain scope with single-cell, and single-synapse resolution.}, language = {en} } @article{DennerJennichesLangetal.2016, author = {Denner, Ansgar and Jenniches, Laura and Lang, Jean-Nicolas and Sturm, Christian}, title = {Gauge-independent (MS)over-bar renormalization in the 2HDM}, series = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, volume = {09}, journal = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, number = {115}, doi = {10.1007/JHEP09(2016)115}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166402}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We present a consistent renormalization scheme for the CP-conserving Two-Higgs-Doublet Model based on (MS)over-bar renormalization of the mixing angles and the soft-Z 2-symmetry-breaking scale M sb in the Higgs sector. This scheme requires to treat tadpoles fully consistently in all steps of the calculation in order to provide gauge-independent S-matrix elements. We show how bare physical parameters have to be defined and verify the gauge independence of physical quantities by explicit calculations in a general R ξ -gauge. The procedure is straightforward and applicable to other models with extended Higgs sectors. In contrast to the proposed scheme, the (MS)over-bar renormalization of the mixing angles combined with popular on-shell renormalization schemes gives rise to gauge-dependent results already at the one-loop level. We present explicit results for electroweak NLO corrections to selected processes in the appropriately renormalized Two-Higgs-Doublet Model and in particular discuss their scale dependence.}, language = {en} }