@article{BauerNadler2010, author = {Bauer, Wolfgang R. and Nadler, Walter}, title = {Thermodynamics of Competitive Molecular Channel Transport: Application to Artificial Nuclear Pores}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-68484}, year = {2010}, abstract = {In an analytical model channel transport is analyzed as a function of key parameters, determining efficiency and selectivity of particle transport in a competitive molecular environment. These key parameters are the concentration of particles, solvent-channel exchange dynamics, as well as particle-in-channel- and interparticle interaction. These parameters are explicitly related to translocation dynamics and channel occupation probability. Slowing down the exchange dynamics at the channel ends, or elevating the particle concentration reduces the in-channel binding strength necessary to maintain maximum transport. Optimized in-channel interaction may even shift from binding to repulsion. A simple equation gives the interrelation of access dynamics and concentration at this transition point. The model is readily transferred to competitive transport of different species, each of them having their individual in-channel affinity. Combinations of channel affinities are determined which differentially favor selectivity of certain species on the cost of others. Selectivity for a species increases if its in-channel binding enhances the species' translocation probablity when compared to that of the other species. Selectivity increases particularly for a wide binding site, long channels, and fast access dynamics. Recent experiments on competitive transport of in-channel binding and inert molecules through artificial nuclear pores serve as a paradigm for our model. It explains qualitatively and quantitatively how binding molecules are favored for transport at the cost of the transport of inert molecules.}, subject = {Thermodynamik}, language = {en} } @article{BorisjukRolletschekFuchsetal.2011, author = {Borisjuk, Ljudmilla and Rolletschek, Hardy and Fuchs, Johannes and Melkus, Gerd and Neuberger, Thomas}, title = {Low and High Field Magnetic Resonance for \(in\) \(Vivo\) Analysis of Seeds}, series = {Materials}, volume = {4}, journal = {Materials}, number = {8}, doi = {10.3390/ma4081426}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-140910}, pages = {1426-1439}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Low field NMR has been successfully used for the evaluation of seed composition and quality, but largely only in crop species. We show here that 1.5T NMR provides a reliable means for analysing the seed lipid fraction present in a wide range of species, where both the seed size and lipid concentration differed by >10 fold. Little use of high field NMR has been made in seed research to date, even though it potentially offers many opportunities for studying seed development, metabolism and storage. Here we demonstrate how 17.5T and 20T NMR can be applied to image seed structure, and analyse lipid and metabolite distribution. We suggest that further technical developments in NMR/MRI will facilitate significant advances in our understanding of seed biology.}, language = {en} } @article{DietrichGoetzeGeier2016, author = {Dietrich, Christoph G. and G{\"o}tze, Oliver and Geier, Andreas}, title = {Molecular changes in hepatic metabolism and transport in cirrhosis and their functional importance}, series = {World Journal of Gastroenterology}, volume = {22}, journal = {World Journal of Gastroenterology}, number = {1}, doi = {10.3748/wjg.v22.i1.72}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-191136}, pages = {72-88}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Liver cirrhosis is the common endpoint of many hepatic diseases and represents a relevant risk for liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. The progress of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis is accompanied by deteriorating liver function. This review summarizes the regulatory and functional changes in phase I and phase II metabolic enzymes as well as transport proteins and provides an overview regarding lipid and glucose metabolism in cirrhotic patients. Interestingly, phase I enzymes are generally downregulated transcriptionally, while phase II enzymes are mostly preserved transcriptionally but are reduced in their function. Transport proteins are regulated in a specific way that resembles the molecular changes observed in obstructive cholestasis. Lipid and glucose metabolism are characterized by insulin resistance and catabolism, leading to the disturbance of energy expenditure and wasting. Possible non-invasive tests, especially breath tests, for components of liver metabolism are discussed. The heterogeneity and complexity of changes in hepatic metabolism complicate the assessment of liver function in individual patients. Additionally, studies in humans are rare, and species differences preclude the transferability of data from rodents to humans. In clinical practice, some established global scores or criteria form the basis for the functional evaluation of patients with liver cirrhosis, but difficult treatment decisions such as selection for transplantation or resection require further research regarding the application of existing non-invasive tests and the development of more specific tests.}, language = {en} } @article{HaertleinSchiesslWagneretal.1983, author = {H{\"a}rtlein, Michael and Schiessl, Sigrid and Wagner, Wilma and Rdest, Ursula and Kreft, J{\"u}rgen and Goebel, Werner}, title = {Transport of hemolysin by Escherichia coli}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-60619}, year = {1983}, abstract = {No abstract available}, subject = {Biologie}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Pielstroem2013, author = {Pielstr{\"o}m, Steffen}, title = {On the Role of Local Information in the Spatial Organisation of Collective Nest Digging in the Leaf-Cutting Ant Atta vollenweideri (Forel, 1893)}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-79118}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Many ant species excavate underground nests. One of the most impressive examples is the Chaco leaf-cutting ant Atta vollenweideri from the Gran Chaco region in South America. The nests excavated by the workers of that species are among the largest insect-built structures on the planet. They are ecavated over years possibly involving millions of working individuals. However, the mechanisms underlying the organisation of collective nest digging in ants remain largely unknown. Considering the sheer dimensions of the nest in comparison to the size and presumably limited perceptual and cognitive abilities of the single worker, the assumption can be made that organising mechanisms are mostly based on responses of individuals to local stimuli within their perceptual range. Among these local stimuli that guide nest digging we can expect environmental variables, stimuli that relate to the requirements of the colony, and stimuli related to the spatial coordination of collective effort. The present thesis investigates the role of local stimuli from these three categories in the organisation of collective digging behaviour in the Chaco leaf-cutting ant. It describes experiments on (1) how workers respond in the context of digging to differences in soil moisture, which comprises an important environmental variable; (2) how available nest space influences nest enlargement; (3) and how the spatial coordination of excavating workers is implemented by responding to stimuli arising from nest mates while engaged in digging behaviour. The experiments on soil water content show that workers prefer to dig in moist materials that allow for fast excavation and transport rates. Accordingly, an unequal distribution of water in the soil around a nest can influence how the nest shape develops. On the other hand, results also indicate that workers strongly avoid excavating in extremely moist materials. Regarding the abundant occurrence of flooding events in the Gran Chaco region, the latter can be interpreted as an adaptation to avoid water inflow into the nest. In the experiments on the effect of nest space, the ants excavated less when presented with larger nests. When a large amount of space was suddenly added to the nest during the digging process, excavation rates decreased according to the new volume. These observations confirm the hypothesis that digging activity is regulated according to space requirements, possibly because crowding conditions inside the nest influence excavation behaviour. However, observations also indicate an intrinsic decrease of digging motivation with time. Moreover, excavation rates correlate with nest size only when comparing nests of similar shape. Distributing a similar nest volume to three smaller chambers, instead of one, resulted in drastically decreased digging rates. A possible explanation for that observation lies in the distribution of workers inside the nest that may vary according to nest geometry: a different distribution of individuals can lead to in different local crowding conditions in similar nest volumes. Furthermore, two different stimuli are described that are used in the spatial coordination of collective digging effort. First, fresh soil pellets deposited close to the digging site on their way from the surface increase the probability that arriving workers join excavation efforts at the same site. The deposition of pellets on the way is a consequence of sequential task partitioning during soil transport. The pellets are carried in transport chains that closely resemble the modalities of leaf transport observed at the surface. Second, workers stridulate while digging. The short-ranged vibrational signals produced thereby also attract nest mates to excavate at the same location. Accordingly, two mutually complementing mechanisms are described that allow to concentrate excavators at one location. In both cases, a local stimulus that is generated by current close-by excavation activity increases the probability of the stimulus receiver to dig close to other excavators. In an environment otherwise poor in digging stimuli, these mechanisms can be especially important to give collective digging efforts a common direction. As a consequence it can be argued that the spatial organisation of collective digging is based on choice copying. Individuals copy nest mate decisions on where to excavate by responding to local stimuli provided by nest mate digging activity. Taken together, responses to local stimuli can determine the direction of nest growth, aid in preventing the inflow of surface water into the nest, guide the adjustment of nest size to colony requirements and spatially coordinate collective digging efforts. Even though it cannot be ruled out that digging responses based e.g. on spatial memory or long-term experience exist, the results presented here clearly demonstrate that responses to local information account for many important aspects of nest development.}, subject = {Blattschneiderameisen}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Popp2005, author = {Popp, Christian}, title = {Cuticular transport of hydrophilic molecules with special focus on primary metabolites and active ingredients}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-15174}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2005}, abstract = {The plant cuticle as an interface between the plant interior and the adjoining atmosphere plays an important role in any interaction between the plant and its environment. Transport processes across the cuticles were the object of countless research since many decades. However, bulk of the work done was focused on transport of lipophilic molecules. It is highly plausible to examine the penetration of lipophilic compounds, since the cuticle is dominated by lipophilic compartments itself, and the most crop protection agents have lipophilic character. As a result of this research, cuticular transport of lipophilic compounds is relatively well understood. Since several years, examinations were expanded on transport of hydrophilic molecules. In the present study, a direct comparison was made between transport properties of lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds, which allows an objective assessment of the mechanism governing their penetration. The results of this present study debunked the existence of two different pathways across isolated cuticles of Hedera helix (English ivy), a lipophilic and a hydrophilic pathway. This finding was supported by examinations regarding to accelerator and temperature effects on the mobility of both pathways, because the hydrophilic path is insensitive to them - in contrary to the lipophilic one. The lipophilic pathway is rigorously restricted to lipophilic molecules and the hydrophilic pathway is only accessible for hydrophilic molecules. Uncharged hydrophilic compounds can cross the cuticle even the molecules are of relatively large dimensions. In contrast to that, dissociable compounds with a molar volume higher than 110 cm³ mol-1 are excluded from cuticular penetration. Differences in the mobility of uncharged and dissociable molecules might be a hint towards the chemical nature of the polar pathways. It is assumed, that both, cellulose and pectin fibrils, traverse the cuticle which are originated from the epidermal cell wall. While uncharged carbohydrates might be able to penetrate across a pathway made up of cellulose and pectin, dissociated amino acids might be restricted to the cellulose path. This could be a plausible explanation for the higher mobility and the higher cuticle/water partition coefficients of the carbohydrates compared with the amino acids. A hydrophilic pathway was found with isolated grapevine cuticles, too. The apparent size selectivity of the hydrophilic pathway implies transport via narrow pores. From the present data, a mean pore radius of 0.31 nm (H. helix) or rather 0.34 nm (V. vinifera) was calculated. The absolute number of pores per cm² is 1.1 x 109 for H. helix and 3.3 x 109 for V. vinifera cuticles. This finding and the enlarged pore size distribution of grapevine cuticles might be an explanation for the transport of uncharged and dissociable hydrophilic compounds of higher molar volume like paraquat dichloride - in contrast to ivy membranes Wax extraction of ivy membranes uncovers additional pores, which explains the increased mobilities of the hydrophilic compounds across dewaxed membranes. From these extensive measurements it is very conspicuous, that the bulk of cuticular water transpiration occurs via the polar pathway. Since the work was focused on cuticular penetration of primary metabolites like amino acids and carbohydrates, a mechanistic explanation of leaching processes is obtained, simultaneously. In cuticular research, an inconsistent terminology regarding the transport path of the hydrophilic compounds was used. The term 'hydrophilic pathway' is definitely correct, since it makes no statement with regard to the shape of this path. In contrast to that, the terms 'polar pore' or 'aqueous pore' could imply that there is a tube or rather a water-filled tube traversing the cuticle. However - at this point of time - the imagination about the shape of this path is a pathway across interfibrilar gaps within polysaccharide strains. The proposed diameter of these interfibrilar gaps fits very well to the diameter determined in this study. Therefore, the imagination of a pore is not unfounded, but it is a very narrow pore, definitely. Additionally, this pathway is a very straight pathway which corresponds to this simplified imagination. An expanded study was done with paraquat dichloride, which was applied as aqueous droplets on grapevine cuticles. It is assumed that these model membranes reflect transport properties which are very close to that of relevant crops and weeds. The predominating parameter for paraquat penetration is the moisture, either originated from a relative humidity of at least 75\% or provided by added chemicals. There is a tendency for good suitability of hygroscopic additives. Increased paraquat penetration was also obtained by raised concentrations and removal of the cuticular waxes.}, subject = {Kutikula}, language = {en} }