@article{BlaettnerDasPaprotkaetal.2016, author = {Bl{\"a}ttner, Sebastian and Das, Sudip and Paprotka, Kerstin and Eilers, Ursula and Krischke, Markus and Kretschmer, Dorothee and Remmele, Christian W. and Dittrich, Marcus and M{\"u}ller, Tobias and Schuelein-Voelk, Christina and Hertlein, Tobias and Mueller, Martin J. and Huettel, Bruno and Reinhardt, Richard and Ohlsen, Knut and Rudel, Thomas and Fraunholz, Martin J.}, title = {Staphylococcus aureus Exploits a Non-ribosomal Cyclic Dipeptide to Modulate Survival within Epithelial Cells and Phagocytes}, series = {PLoS Pathogens}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS Pathogens}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1005857}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-180380}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Community-acquired (CA) Staphylococcus aureus cause various diseases even in healthy individuals. Enhanced virulence of CA-strains is partly attributed to increased production of toxins such as phenol-soluble modulins (PSM). The pathogen is internalized efficiently by mammalian host cells and intracellular S. aureus has recently been shown to contribute to disease. Upon internalization, cytotoxic S. aureus strains can disrupt phagosomal membranes and kill host cells in a PSM-dependent manner. However, PSM are not sufficient for these processes. Here we screened for factors required for intracellular S. aureus virulence. We infected escape reporter host cells with strains from an established transposon mutant library and detected phagosomal escape rates using automated microscopy. We thereby, among other factors, identified a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) to be required for efficient phagosomal escape and intracellular survival of S. aureus as well as induction of host cell death. By genetic complementation as well as supplementation with the synthetic NRPS product, the cyclic dipeptide phevalin, wild-type phenotypes were restored. We further demonstrate that the NRPS is contributing to virulence in a mouse pneumonia model. Together, our data illustrate a hitherto unrecognized function of the S. aureus NRPS and its dipeptide product during S. aureus infection.}, language = {en} } @article{ZahnertLoewenheimBeutneretal.2016, author = {Zahnert, Thomas and L{\"o}wenheim, Hubert and Beutner, Dirk and Hagen, Rudolf and Ernst, Arneborg and Pau, Hans-Wilhelm and Zehlicke, Thorsten and K{\"u}hne, Hilke and Friese, Natascha and Tropitzsch, Anke and L{\"u}ers, Jan-Christoffer and Mlynski, Robert and Todt, Ingo and H{\"u}ttenbrink, Karl-Bernd}, title = {Multicenter Clinical Trial of Vibroplasty Couplers to Treat Mixed/Conductive Hearing Loss: First Results}, series = {Audiology and Neurotology}, volume = {21}, journal = {Audiology and Neurotology}, number = {4}, issn = {1420-3030}, doi = {10.1159/000444616}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-199129}, pages = {212-222}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Objective: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of round window (RW), oval window (OW), CliP and Bell couplers for use with an active middle ear implant. Methods: This is a multicenter, long-term, prospective trial with consecutive enrollment, involving 6 university hospitals in Germany. Bone conduction, air conduction, implant-aided warble-tone thresholds and Freiburger monosyllable word recognition scores were compared with unaided preimplantation results in 28 moderate-to-profound hearing-impaired patients after 12 months of follow-up. All patients had previously undergone failed reconstruction surgeries (up to 5 or more). In a subset of patients, additional speech tests at 12 months postoperatively were used to compare the aided with the unaided condition after implantation with the processor switched off. An established quality-of-life questionnaire for hearing aids was used to determine patient satisfaction. Results: Postoperative bone conduction remained stable. Mean functional gain for all couplers was 37 dB HL (RW = 42 dB, OW = 35 dB, Bell = 38 dB, CliP = 27 dB). The mean postoperative Freiburger monosyllable score was 71\% at 65 dB SPL. The postimplantation mean SRT50 (speech reception in quiet for 50\% understanding of words in sentences) improved on average by 23 dB over unaided testing and signal-to-noise ratios also improved in all patients. The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA)quality-of-life questionnaire was scored very positively by all patients. Conclusion: A significant improvement was seen with all couplers, and patients were satisfied with the device at 12 months postoperatively. These results demonstrate that an active implant is an advantage in achieving good hearing benefit in patients with prior failed reconstruction surgery.}, language = {en} } @article{SchmidSteinleinWinking2016, author = {Schmid, Michael and Steinlein, Claus and Winking, Heinz}, title = {Multicolor Spectral Analyses of Mitotic and Meiotic Mouse Chromosomes Involved in Multiple Robertsonian Translocations. I. The CD/Cremona Hybrid Strain}, series = {Cytogenetic and Genome Research}, volume = {147}, journal = {Cytogenetic and Genome Research}, number = {4}, issn = {1424-8581}, doi = {10.1159/000444597}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-199013}, pages = {253-259}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Multicolor spectral analysis (spectral karyotyping) was applied to mitotic and male diakinetic chromosomes of hybrid mice carrying a unique system of 18 autosomal Robertsonian translocation chromosomes with alternating arm homologies. Only the autosomes 19 and the XY sex chromosomes are excluded from these Robertsonian translocations. The translocations, previously identified by conventional banding analyses, could be verified by spectral karyotyping. Besides the Robertsonian translocations, no other interchromosomal rearrangements were detected. In diakineses of male meiosis, the 18 metacentric Robertsonian translocation chromosomes form a very large meiotic 'superring'. The predictable, specific order of the chromosomes along this 'superring' was completely confirmed by multicolor spectral analysis. In the majority of diakineses analyzed, the free autosomal bivalent 19 and the XY sex bivalent form a conspicuous complex which tightly associates with the 12;14 Robertsonian translocation chromosome in the 'superring'.}, language = {en} } @article{SchmidSteinlein2016, author = {Schmid, Michael and Steinlein, Claus}, title = {Chromosome Banding in Amphibia. XXXIII. Demonstration of 5-Methylcytosine-Rich Heterochromatin in Anura}, series = {Cytogenetic and Genome Research}, volume = {148}, journal = {Cytogenetic and Genome Research}, number = {1}, issn = {1424-8581}, doi = {10.1159/000446141}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-199022}, pages = {35-43}, year = {2016}, abstract = {An experimental approach using monoclonal anti-5-methylcytosine (5-MeC) antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence was elaborated for detecting 5-MeC-rich chromosome regions in anuran chromosomes. This technique was applied to mitotic metaphases of 6 neotropical frog species belonging to 6 genera and 4 families. The hypermethylation patterns were compared with a variety of banding patterns obtained by conventional banding techniques. The hypermethylated DNA sequences are species-specific and located exclusively in constitutive heterochromatin. They are found in centromeric, pericentromeric, telomeric, and interstitial positions of the chromosomes and adjacent to nucleolus organizer regions. 5-MeC-rich DNA sequences can be embedded both in AT- and GC-rich repetitive DNA. The experimental parameters that have major influence on the reproducibility and quality of the anti-5-MeC antibody labeling are discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{DenglerMaldanerGlaeskeretal.2016, author = {Dengler, Julius and Maldaner, Nicolai and Gl{\"a}sker, Sven and Endres, Matthias and Wagner, Martin and Malzahn, Uwe and Heuschmann, Peter U. and Vajkoczy, Peter}, title = {Outcome of Surgical or Endovascular Treatment of Giant Intracranial Aneurysms, with Emphasis on Age, Aneurysm Location, and Unruptured Aneuryms - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis}, series = {Cerebrovascular Diseases}, volume = {41}, journal = {Cerebrovascular Diseases}, number = {3-4}, organization = {Giant Intracranial Aneurysm Study Group}, issn = {1015-9770}, doi = {10.1159/000443485}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-196792}, pages = {187-198}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background: Designing treatment strategies for unruptured giant intracranial aneurysms (GIA) is difficult as evidence of large clinical trials is lacking. We examined the outcome following surgical or endovascular GIA treatment focusing on patient age, GIA location and unruptured GIA. Methods: Medline and Embase were searched for studies reporting on GIA treatment outcome published after January 2000. We calculated the proportion of good outcome (PGO) for all included GIA and for unruptured GIA by meta-analysis using a random effects model. Results: We included 54 studies containing 64 study populations with 1,269 GIA at a median follow-up time (FU-T) of 26.4 months (95\% CI 10.8-42.0). PGO was 80.9\% (77.4-84.4) in the analysis of all GIA compared to 81.2\% (75.3-86.1) in the separate analysis of unruptured GIA. For each year added to patient age, PGO decreased by 0.8\%, both for all GIA and unruptured GIA. For all GIA, surgical treatment resulted in a PGO of 80.3\% (95\% CI 76.0-84.6) compared to 84.2\% (78.5-89.8, p = 0.27) after endovascular treatment. In unruptured GIA, PGO was 79.7\% (95\% CI 71.5-87.8) after surgical treatment and 84.9\% (79.1-90.7, p = 0.54) after endovascular treatment. PGO was lower in high quality studies and in studies presenting aggregate instead of individual patient data. In unruptured GIA, the OR for good treatment outcome was 5.2 (95\% CI 2.0-13.0) at the internal carotid artery compared to 0.1 (0.1-0.3, p < 0.1) in the posterior circulation. Patient sex, FU-T and prevalence of ruptured GIA were not associated with PGO. Conclusions: We found that the chances of good outcome after surgical or endovascular GIA treatment mainly depend on patient age and aneurysm location rather than on the type of treatment conducted. Our analysis may inform future research on GIA.}, language = {en} } @article{AlmanzarKleinSchmalzingetal.2016, author = {Almanzar, Giovanni and Klein, Matthias and Schmalzing, Marc and Hilligardt, Deborah and El Hajj, Nady and Kneitz, Hermann and Wild, Vanessa and Rosenwald, Andreas and Benoit, Sandrine and Hamm, Henning and Tony, Hans-Peter and Haaf, Thomas and Goebeler, Matthias and Prelog, Martina}, title = {Disease Manifestation and Inflammatory Activity as Modulators of Th17/Treg Balance and RORC/FoxP3 Methylation in Systemic Sclerosis}, series = {International Archives of Allergy and Immunology}, volume = {171}, journal = {International Archives of Allergy and Immunology}, number = {2}, issn = {1018-2438}, doi = {10.1159/000450949}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-196577}, pages = {141-154}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background: There is much evidence that T cells are strongly involved in the pathogenesis of localized and systemic forms of scleroderma (SSc). A dysbalance between FoxP3+ regulatory CD4+ T cells (Tregs) and inflammatory T-helper (Th) 17 cells has been suggested. Methods: The study aimed (1) to investigate the phenotypical and functional characteristics of Th17 and Tregs in SSc patients depending on disease manifestation (limited vs. diffuse cutaneous SSc, dcSSc) and activity, and (2) the transcriptional level and methylation status of Th17- and Treg-specific transcription factors. Results: There was a concurrent accumulation of circulating peripheral IL-17-producing CCR6+ Th cells and FoxP3+ Tregs in patients with dcSSc. At the transcriptional level, Th17- and Treg-associated transcription factors were elevated in SSc. A strong association with high circulating Th17 and Tregs was seen with early, active, and severe disease presentation. However, a diminished suppressive function on autologous lymphocytes was found in SSc-derived Tregs. Significant relative hypermethylation was seen at the gene level for RORC1 and RORC2 in SSc, particularly in patients with high inflammatory activity. Conclusions: Besides the high transcriptional activity of T cells, attributed to Treg or Th17 phenotype, in active SSc disease, Tregs may be insufficient to produce high amounts of IL-10 or to control proliferative activity of effector T cells in SSc. Our results suggest a high plasticity of Tregs strongly associated with the Th17 phenotype. Future directions may focus on enhancing Treg functions and stabilization of the Treg phenotype.}, language = {en} } @article{SchmidSteinlein2016, author = {Schmid, Michael and Steinlein, Claus}, title = {Chromosome Banding in Amphibia. XXXIV. Intrachromosomal Telomeric DNA Sequences in Anura}, series = {Cytogenetic and Genome Research}, volume = {148}, journal = {Cytogenetic and Genome Research}, number = {2-3}, issn = {1424-8581}, doi = {10.1159/000446298}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-196693}, pages = {211-226}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The mitotic chromosomes of 4 anuran species were examined by various classical banding techniques and by fluorescence in situ hybridization using a (TTAGGG)\(_n\) repeat. Large intrachromosomal telomeric sequences (ITSs) were demonstrated in differing numbers and chromosome locations. A detailed comparison of the present results with numerous published and unpublished data allowed a consistent classification of the various categories of large ITSs present in the genomes of anurans and other vertebrates. The classification takes into consideration the total numbers of large ITSs in the karyotypes, their chromosomal locations and their specific distribution patterns. A new category of large ITSs was recognized to exist in anuran species. It consists of large clusters of ITSs located in euchromatic chromosome segments, which is in clear contrast to the large ITSs in heterochromatic chromosome regions known in vertebrates. The origin of the different categories of large ITSs in heterochromatic and euchromatic chromosome regions, their mode of distribution in the karyotypes and evolutionary fixation in the genomes, as well as their cytological detection are discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{SchmidSteinleinLombetal.2016, author = {Schmid, Michael and Steinlein, Claus and Lomb, Christian and Sperling, Karl and Neitzel, Heidemarie}, title = {5-Methylcytosine-Rich Heterochromatin in the Indian Muntjac}, series = {Cytogenetic and Genome Research}, volume = {147}, journal = {Cytogenetic and Genome Research}, number = {4}, issn = {1424-8581}, doi = {10.1159/000444431}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-196701}, pages = {240-246}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Two 5-methylcytosine (5-MeC)-rich heterochromatic regions were demonstrated in metaphase chromosomes of the Indian muntjac by indirect immunofluorescence using a monoclonal anti-5-MeC antibody. The metaphases were obtained from diploid and triploid cell lines. A major region is located in the 'neck' of the 3;X fusion chromosome and can be detected after denaturation of the chromosomal DNA with UV-light irradiation for 1 h. It is located exactly at the border of the X chromosome and the translocated autosome 3. A minor region is found in the centromeric region of the free autosome 3 after denaturing the chromosomal DNA for 3 h or longer. The structure and possible function of the major hypermethylated region as barrier against spreading of the X-inactivation process into the autosome 3 is discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{SchmidSteinleinYanoetal.2016, author = {Schmid, Michael and Steinlein, Claus and Yano, Cassia F. and Cioffi, Marcelo B.}, title = {Hypermethylated Chromosome Regions in Nine Fish Species with Heteromorphic Sex Chromosomes}, series = {Cytogenetic and Genome Research}, volume = {147}, journal = {Cytogenetic and Genome Research}, number = {2-3}, issn = {1424-8581}, doi = {10.1159/000444067}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-196710}, pages = {169-178}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Sites and amounts of 5-methylcytosine (5-MeC)-rich chromosome regions were detected in the karyotypes of 9 Brazilian species of Characiformes fishes by indirect immunofluorescence using a monoclonal anti-5-MeC antibody. These species, belonging to the genera Leporinus, Triportheus and Hoplias, are characterized by highly differentiated and heteromorphic ZW and XY sex chromosomes. In all species, the hypermethylated regions are confined to constitutive heterochromatin. The number and chromosome locations of hypermethylated heterochromatic regions in the karyotypes are constant and species-specific. Generally, heterochromatic regions that are darkly stained by the C-banding technique are distinctly hypermethylated, but several of the brightly fluorescing hypermethylated regions merely exhibit moderate or faint C-banding. The ZW and XY sex chromosomes of all 9 analyzed species also show species-specific heterochromatin hypermethylation patterns. The analysis of 5-MeC-rich chromosome regions contributes valuable data for comparative cytogenetics of closely related species and highlights the dynamic process of differentiation operating in the repetitive DNA fraction of sex chromosomes.}, language = {en} } @article{VaiopoulosKanakisKapsimalietal.2016, author = {Vaiopoulos, Aristeidis G. and Kanakis, Meletios A. and Kapsimali, Violetta and Vaiopoulos, Georgios and Kaklamanis, Phedon G. and Zouboulis, Christos C.}, title = {Juvenile Adamantiades-Beh{\c{c}}et disease}, series = {Dermatology}, volume = {232}, journal = {Dermatology}, number = {2}, issn = {1018-8665}, doi = {10.1159/000442667}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-196616}, pages = {129 -- 136}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Adamantiades-Beh{\c{c}}et disease (ABD) is a chronic, multisystemic, recurrent, inflammatory vascular disorder of unknown etiology. Patients with symptoms initially appearing at the age of 16 or less are considered as cases of juvenile-onset ABD (JABD). JABD is relatively rare compared to ABD of adults, and only case reports and case studies have been published regarding this subtype of the disease. Epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of JABD are discussed in this review.}, language = {en} } @article{VermaSteinbacherSchmiedeletal.2016, author = {Verma, Pramod Kumar and Steinbacher, Andreas and Schmiedel, Alexander and Nuernberger, Patrick and Brixner, Tobias}, title = {Excited-state intramolecular proton transfer of 2-acetylindan-1,3-dione studied by ultrafast absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy}, series = {Structural Dynamics}, volume = {3}, journal = {Structural Dynamics}, doi = {10.1063/1.4937363}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-181301}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We employ transient absorption from the deep-UV to the visible region and fluorescence upconversion to investigate the photoinduced excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer dynamics in a biologically relevant drug molecule, 2-acetylindan-1,3-dione. The molecule is a ß-diketone which in the electronic ground state exists as exocyclic enol with an intramolecular H-bond. Upon electronic excitation at 300 nm, the first excited state of the exocyclic enol is initially populated, followed by ultrafast proton transfer (≈160 fs) to form the vibrationally hot endocyclic enol. Subsequently, solvent-induced vibrational relaxation takes place (≈10 ps) followed by decay (≈390 ps) to the corresponding ground state.}, language = {en} } @article{MuenstThierWinnemoelleretal.2016, author = {M{\"u}nst, Bernhard and Thier, Marc Christian and Winnem{\"o}ller, Dirk and Helfen, Martina and Thummer, Rajkumar P. and Edenhofer, Frank}, title = {Nanog induces suppression of senescence through downregulation of p27\(^{KIP1}\) expression}, series = {Journal of Cell Science}, volume = {129}, journal = {Journal of Cell Science}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1242/jcs.167932}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-190761}, pages = {912-920}, year = {2016}, abstract = {A comprehensive analysis of the molecular network of cellular factors establishing and maintaining pluripotency as well as self renewal of pluripotent stem cells is key for further progress in understanding basic stem cell biology. Nanog is necessary for the natural induction of pluripotency in early mammalian development but dispensable for both its maintenance and its artificial induction. To gain further insight into the molecular activity of Nanog, we analyzed the outcomes of Nanog gain-of-function in various cell models employing a recently developed biologically active recombinant cell-permeant protein, Nanog-TAT. We found that Nanog enhances the proliferation of both NIH 3T3 and primary fibroblast cells. Nanog transduction into primary fibroblasts results in suppression of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity. Investigation of cell cycle factors revealed that transient activation of Nanog correlates with consistent downregulation of the cell cycle inhibitor p27\(^{KIP1}\) (also known as CDKN1B). By performing chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis, we confirmed bona fide Nanog-binding sites upstream of the p27\(^{KIP1}\) gene, establishing a direct link between physical occupancy and functional regulation. Our data demonstrates that Nanog enhances proliferation of fibroblasts through transcriptional regulation of cell cycle inhibitor p27 gene.}, language = {en} } @article{EhnertParsaRoperetal.2016, author = {Ehnert, Ina and Parsa, Sepideh and Roper, Ian and Wagner, Marcus and Muller-Camen, Michael}, title = {Reporting on sustainability and HRM: a comparative study of sustainability reporting practices by the world's largest companies}, series = {International Journal of Human Resource Management}, volume = {27}, journal = {International Journal of Human Resource Management}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1080/09585192.2015.1024157}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-191141}, pages = {88-108}, year = {2016}, abstract = {As a response to the growing public awareness on the importance of organisational contributions to sustainable development, there is an increased incentive for corporations to report on their sustainability activities. In parallel with this has been the development of Sustainable HRM' which embraces a growing body of practitioner and academic literature connecting the notions of corporate sustainability to HRM. The aim of this article is to analyse corporate sustainability reporting amongst the world's largest companies and to assess the HRM aspects of sustainability within these reports in comparison to environmental aspects of sustainable management and whether organisational attributes - principally country-of-origin - influences the reporting of such practices. A focus in this article is the extent to which the reporting of various aspects of sustainability may reflect dominant models of corporate governance in the country in which a company is headquartered. The findings suggest, first and against expectations, that the overall disclosure on HRM-related performance is not lower than that on environmental performance. Second, companies report more on their internal workforce compared to their external workforce. Finally, international differences, in particular those between companies headquartered in liberal market economies and coordinated market economies, are not as apparent as expected.}, language = {en} } @article{DaryaeeChangSchiebeletal.2016, author = {Daryaee, Fereidoon and Chang, Andrew and Schiebel, Johannes and Lu, Yang and Zhang, Zhuo and Kapilashrami, Kanishk and Walker, Stephen G. and Kisker, Caroline and Sotriffer, Christoph A. and Fisher, Stewart L. and Tonge, Peter J.}, title = {Correlating drug-target kinetics and in vivo pharmacodynamics: long residence time inhibitors of the FabI enoyl-ACP reductase}, series = {Chemical Science}, volume = {7}, journal = {Chemical Science}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1039/c6sc01000h}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-191218}, pages = {5945-5954}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Drug-target kinetics enable time-dependent changes in target engagement to be quantified as a function of drug concentration. When coupled to drug pharmacokinetics (PK), drug-target kinetics can thus be used to predict in vivo pharmacodynamics (PD). Previously we described a mechanistic PK/PD model that successfully predicted the antibacterial activity of an LpxC inhibitor in a model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. In the present work we demonstrate that the same approach can be used to predict the in vivo activity of an enoyl-ACP reductase (FabI) inhibitor in a model of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. This is significant because the LpxC inhibitors are cidal, whereas the FabI inhibitors are static. In addition P. aeruginosa is a Gram-negative organism whereas MRSA is Gram-positive. Thus this study supports the general applicability of our modeling approach across antibacterial space.}, language = {en} } @article{ElHajjDittrichBoecketal.2016, author = {El Hajj, Nady and Dittrich, Marcus and B{\"o}ck, Julia and Kraus, Theo F. J. and Nanda, Indrajit and M{\"u}ller, Tobias and Seidmann, Larissa and Tralau, Tim and Galetzka, Danuta and Schneider, Eberhard and Haaf, Thomas}, title = {Epigenetic dysregulation in the developing Down syndrome cortex}, series = {Epigenetics}, volume = {11}, journal = {Epigenetics}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1080/15592294.2016.1192736}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-191239}, pages = {563-578}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Using Illumina 450K arrays, 1.85\% of all analyzed CpG sites were significantly hypermethylated and 0.31\% hypomethylated in fetal Down syndrome (DS) cortex throughout the genome. The methylation changes on chromosome 21 appeared to be balanced between hypo- and hyper-methylation, whereas, consistent with prior reports, all other chromosomes showed 3-11times more hyper- than hypo-methylated sites. Reduced NRSF/REST expression due to upregulation of DYRK1A (on chromosome 21q22.13) and methylation of REST binding sites during early developmental stages may contribute to this genome-wide excess of hypermethylated sites. Upregulation of DNMT3L (on chromosome 21q22.4) could lead to de novo methylation in neuroprogenitors, which then persists in the fetal DS brain where DNMT3A and DNMT3B become downregulated. The vast majority of differentially methylated promoters and genes was hypermethylated in DS and located outside chromosome 21, including the protocadherin gamma (PCDHG) cluster on chromosome 5q31, which is crucial for neural circuit formation in the developing brain. Bisulfite pyrosequencing and targeted RNA sequencing showed that several genes of PCDHG subfamilies A and B are hypermethylated and transcriptionally downregulated in fetal DS cortex. Decreased PCDHG expression is expected to reduce dendrite arborization and growth in cortical neurons. Since constitutive hypermethylation of PCDHG and other genes affects multiple tissues, including blood, it may provide useful biomarkers for DS brain development and pharmacologic targets for therapeutic interventions.}, language = {en} } @article{BratengeierHolubyev2016, author = {Bratengeier, Klaus and Holubyev, Kostyantyn}, title = {Anisotropy of dose contributions-an instrument to upgrade real time IMRT and VMAT adaptation?}, series = {Medical Physics}, volume = {43}, journal = {Medical Physics}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1118/1.4963806}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-186833}, pages = {5826-5834}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Purpose: To suggest a definition of dose deposition anisotropy for the purpose of ad hoc adaptation of intensity modulated arc therapy (IMRT) and volumetric arc therapy (VMAT), particularly in the vicinity of important organs at risk (OAR), also for large deformations. Methods: Beam's-eye-view (BEV) based fluence warping is a standard adaptation method with disadvantages for strongly varying OAR shapes. 2-Step-adaptation overcomes these difficulties by a deeper analysis of the 3D properties of adaptation processes, but requires separate arcs for every OAR to spare, which makes it impractical for cases with multiple OARs. The authors aim to extend the 2-Step method to arbitrary intensity modulated plan by analyzing the anisotropy of dose contributions. Anisotropy was defined as a second term of Fourier transformation of gantry angle dependent dose contributions. For a cylindrical planning target volume (PTV) surrounding an OAR of varying diameter, the anisotropy and the dose-normalized anisotropy were analyzed for several scenarios of optimized fluence distributions. 2-Step adaptation to decreasing and increasing OAR diameter was performed, and compared to a usual fluence based adaptation method. For two clinical cases, prostate and neck, the VMAT was generated and the behavior of anisotropy was qualitatively explored for deformed organs at risk. \# Results: Dose contribution anisotropy in the PTV peaks around nearby OARs. The thickness of the "anisotropy wall" around OAR increases for increasing OAR radius, as also does the width of 2-Step dose saturating fluence peak adjacent to the OAR K. Bratengeier et al., "A comparison between 2-Step IMRT and conventional IMRT planning," Radiother. Oncol. 84, 298-306 (2007)]. Different optimized beam fluence profiles resulted in comparable radial dependence of normalized anisotropy. As predicted, even for patient cases, anisotropy was inflated even more than increasing diameters of OAR. Conclusions: For cylindrically symmetric cases, the dose distribution anisotropy defined in the present work implicitly contains adaptation-relevant information about 3D relationships between PTV and OAR and degree of OAR sparing. For more complex realistic cases, it shows the predicted behavior qualitatively. The authors claim to have found a first component for advancing a 2-Step adaptation to a universal adaptation algorithm based on the BEV projection of the dose anisotropy. Further planning studies to explore the potential of anisotropy for adaptation algorithms using phantoms and clinical cases of differing complexity will follow.}, language = {en} } @article{DotterweichSchlegelmilchKelleretal.2016, author = {Dotterweich, Julia and Schlegelmilch, Katrin and Keller, Alexander and Geyer, Beate and Schneider, Doris and Zeck, Sabine and Tower, Robert J. J. and Ebert, Regina and Jakob, Franz and Sch{\"u}tze, Norbert}, title = {Contact of myeloma cells induces a characteristic transcriptome signature in skeletal precursor cells-implications for myeloma bone disease}, series = {Bone}, volume = {93}, journal = {Bone}, doi = {10.1016/j.bone.2016.08.006}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-186688}, pages = {155-166}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Physical interaction of skeletal precursors with multiple myeloma cells has been shown to suppress their osteogenic potential while favoring their tumor-promoting features. Although several transcriptome analyses of myeloma patient-derived mesenchymal stem cells have displayed differences compared to their healthy counterparts, these analyses insufficiently reflect the signatures mediated by tumor cell contact, vary due to different methodologies, and lack results in lineage-committed precursors. To determine tumor cell contact-mediated changes on skeletal precursors, we performed transcriptome analyses of mesenchymal stem cells and osteogenic precursor cells cultured in contact with the myeloma cell line INA-6. Comparative analyses confirmed dysregulation of genes which code for known disease-relevant factors and additionally revealed upregulation of genes that are associated with plasma cell homing, adhesion, osteoclastogenesis, and angiogenesis. Osteoclast-derived coupling factors, a dysregulated adipogenic potential, and an imbalance in favor of anti-anabolic factors may play a role in the hampered osteoblast differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells. Angiopoietin-Like 4 (ANGPTL4) was selected from a list of differentially expressed genes as a myeloma cell contact-dependent target in skeletal precursor cells which warranted further functional analyses. Adhesion assays with full-length ANGPTL4-coated plates revealed a potential role of this protein in INA6 cell attachment. This study expands knowledge of the myeloma cell contact-induced signature in the stromal compartment of myelomatous bones and thus offers potential targets that may allow detection and treatment of myeloma bone disease at an early stage.}, language = {en} } @article{ScharawIskarOrietal.2016, author = {Scharaw, Sandra and Iskar, Murat and Ori, Alessandro and Boncompain, Gaelle and Laketa, Vibor and Poser, Ina and Lundberg, Emma and Perez, Franck and Beck, Martin and Bork, Peer and Pepperkok, Rainer}, title = {The endosomal transcriptional regulator RNF11 integrates degradation and transport of EGFR}, series = {Journal of Cell Biology}, volume = {215}, journal = {Journal of Cell Biology}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1083/jcb.201601090}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-186731}, pages = {543-558}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Stimulation of cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces internalization and partial degradation of the EGF receptor (EGFR) by the endo-lysosomal pathway. For continuous cell functioning, EGFR plasma membrane levels are maintained by transporting newly synthesized EGFRs to the cell surface. The regulation of this process is largely unknown. In this study, we find that EGF stimulation specifically increases the transport efficiency of newly synthesized EGFRs from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane. This coincides with an up-regulation of the inner coat protein complex II (COP II) components SEC23B, SEC24B, and SEC24D, which we show to be specifically required for EGFR transport. Up-regulation of these COP II components requires the transcriptional regulator RNF11, which localizes to early endosomes and appears additionally in the cell nucleus upon continuous EGF stimulation. Collectively, our work identifies a new regulatory mechanism that integrates the degradation and transport of EGFR in order to maintain its physiological levels at the plasma membrane.}, language = {en} } @article{DekantBridges2016, author = {Dekant, Wolfgang and Bridges, James}, title = {Assessment of reproductive and developmental effects of DINP, DnHP and DCHP using quantitative weight of evidence}, series = {Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology}, volume = {81}, journal = {Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology}, doi = {10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.09.032}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-186750}, pages = {397-406}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Quantitative weight of evidence (QWoE) methodology utilizes detailed scoring sheets to assess the quality/reliability of each publication on toxicity of a chemical and gives numerical scores for quality and observed toxicity. This QWoE-methodology was applied to the reproductive toxicity data on diisononylphthalate (DINP), di-n-hexylphthalate (DnHP), and dicyclohexylphthalate (DCHP) to determine if the scientific evidence for adverse effects meets the requirements for classification as reproductive toxicants. The scores for DINP were compared to those when applying the methodology DCHP and DnHP that have harmonized classifications. Based on the quality/reliability scores, application of the QWoE shows that the three databases are of similar quality; but effect scores differ widely. Application of QWoE to DINP studies resulted in an overall score well below the benchmark required to trigger classification. For DCHP, the QWoE also results in low scores. The high scores from the application of the QWoE methodology to the toxicological data for DnHP represent clear evidence for adverse effects and justify a classification of DnHP as category 1B for both development and fertility. The conclusions on classification based on the QWoE are well supported using a narrative assessment of consistency and biological plausibility.}, language = {en} } @article{MuenchHsinFerberetal.2016, author = {M{\"u}nch, Miriam and Hsin, Chih-Hsuan and Ferber, Elena and Berger, Susanne and M{\"u}ller, Martin J.}, title = {Reactive electrophilic oxylipins trigger a heat stress-like response through HSFA1 transcription factors}, series = {Journal of Experimental Botany}, volume = {67}, journal = {Journal of Experimental Botany}, number = {21}, doi = {10.1093/jxb/erw376}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-186766}, pages = {6139-6148}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Electrophilic oxylipins trigger a heat-shock-like response in the absence of heat through the canonical heat-shock transcription factor A1, thereby helping to cope with stresses associated with protein damage.Abiotic and biotic stresses are often characterized by an induction of reactive electrophile species (RES) such as the jasmonate 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA) or the structurally related phytoprostanes. Previously, RES oxylipins have been shown massively to induce heat-shock-response (HSR) genes including HSP101 chaperones. Moreover, jasmonates have been reported to play a role in basal thermotolerance. We show that representative HSR marker genes are strongly induced by RES oxylipins through the four master regulator transcription factors HSFA1a, b, d, and e essential for short-term adaptation to heat stress in Arabidopsis. When compared with Arabidopsis seedlings treated at the optimal acclimation temperature of 37 A degrees C, the exogenous application of RES oxylipins at 20 A degrees C induced a much weaker induction of HSP101 at both the gene and protein expression levels which, however, was not sufficient to confer short-term acquired thermotolerance. Moreover, jasmonate-deficient mutant lines displayed a wild-type-like HSR and were not compromised in acquiring thermotolerance. Hence, the OPDA- and RES oxylipin-induced HSR is not sufficient to protect seedlings from severe heat stress but may help plants to cope better with stresses associated with protein unfolding by inducing a battery of chaperones in the absence of heat.}, language = {en} }