@article{LatifiHeurich2019, author = {Latifi, Hooman and Heurich, Marco}, title = {Multi-scale remote sensing-assisted forest inventory: a glimpse of the state-of-the-art and future prospects}, series = {Remote Sensing}, volume = {11}, journal = {Remote Sensing}, number = {11}, issn = {2072-4292}, doi = {10.3390/rs11111260}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-197358}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Advances in remote inventory and analysis of forest resources during the last decade have reached a level to be now considered as a crucial complement, if not a surrogate, to the long-existing field-based methods. This is mostly reflected in not only the use of multiple-band new active and passive remote sensing data for forest inventory, but also in the methodic and algorithmic developments and/or adoptions that aim at maximizing the predictive or calibration performances, thereby minimizing both random and systematic errors, in particular for multi-scale spatial domains. With this in mind, this editorial note wraps up the recently-published Remote Sensing special issue "Remote Sensing-Based Forest Inventories from Landscape to Global Scale", which hosted a set of state-of-the-art experiments on remotely sensed inventory of forest resources conducted by a number of prominent researchers worldwide.}, language = {en} } @article{PaeleckeHabermannPaeleckeMauthetal.2019, author = {Paelecke-Habermann, Yvonne and Paelecke, Marko and Mauth, Juliane and Tschisgale, Juliane and Lindenmeyer, Johannes and K{\"u}bler, Andrea}, title = {A comparison of implicit and explicit reward learning in low risk alcohol users versus people who binge drink and people with alcohol dependence}, series = {Addictive Behaviors Reports}, volume = {9}, journal = {Addictive Behaviors Reports}, doi = {10.1016/j.abrep.2019.100178}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201406}, pages = {100178}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Chronic alcohol use leads to specific neurobiological alterations in the dopaminergic brain reward system, which probably are leading to a reward deficiency syndrome in alcohol dependence. The purpose of our study was to examine the effects of such hypothesized neurobiological alterations on the behavioral level, and more precisely on the implicit and explicit reward learning. Alcohol users were classified as dependent drinkers (using the DSM-IV criteria), binge drinkers (using criteria of the USA National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) or low-risk drinkers (following recommendations of the Scientific board of trustees of the German Health Ministry). The final sample (n = 94) consisted of 36 low-risk alcohol users, 37 binge drinkers and 21 abstinent alcohol dependent patients. Participants were administered a probabilistic implicit reward learning task and an explicit reward- and punishment-based trial-and-error-learning task. Alcohol dependent patients showed a lower performance in implicit and explicit reward learning than low risk drinkers. Binge drinkers learned less than low-risk drinkers in the implicit learning task. The results support the assumption that binge drinking and alcohol dependence are related to a chronic reward deficit. Binge drinking accompanied by implicit reward learning deficits could increase the risk for the development of an alcohol dependence.}, language = {en} } @article{BreunMonoranuKessleretal.2019, author = {Breun, Maria and Monoranu, Camelia M. and Kessler, Almuth F. and Matthies, Cordula and L{\"o}hr, Mario and Hagemann, Carsten and Schirbel, Andreas and Rowe, Steven P. and Pomper, Martin G. and Buck, Andreas K. and Wester, Hans-J{\"u}rgen and Ernestus, Ralf-Ingo and Lapa, Constantin}, title = {[\(^{68}\)Ga]-Pentixafor PET/CT for CXCR4-mediated imaging of vestibular schwannomas}, series = {Frontiers in Oncology}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in Oncology}, number = {503}, doi = {10.3389/fonc.2019.00503}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201863}, year = {2019}, abstract = {We have recently demonstrated CXCR4 overexpression in vestibular schwannomas (VS). This study investigated the feasibility of CXCR4-directed positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging of VS using the radiolabeled chemokine ligand [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor. Methods: 4 patients with 6 primarily diagnosed or pre-treated/observed VS were enrolled. All subjects underwent [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor PET/CT prior to surgical resection. Images were analyzed visually and semi-quantitatively for CXCR4 expression including calculation of tumor-to-background ratios (TBR). Immunohistochemistry served as standard of reference in three patients. Results: [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor PET/CT was visually positive in all cases. SUV\(_{mean}\) and SUV\(_{max}\) were 3.0 ± 0.3 and 3.8 ± 0.4 and TBR\(_{mean}\) and TBR\(_{max}\) were 4.0 ± 1.4 and 5.0 ± 1.7, respectively. Histological analysis confirmed CXCR4 expression in tumors. Conclusion: Non-invasive imaging of CXCR4 expression using [\(^{68}\)Ga]Pentixafor PET/CT of VS is feasible and could prove useful for in vivo assessment of CXCR4 expression.}, language = {en} } @article{FeldheimKesslerMonoranuetal.2019, author = {Feldheim, Jonas and Kessler, Almuth F. and Monoranu, Camelia M. and Ernestus, Ralf-Ingo and L{\"o}hr, Mario and Hagemann, Carsten}, title = {Changes of O\(^6\)-Methylguanine DNA Methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation in glioblastoma relapse—a meta-analysis type literature review}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {11}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {12}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers11121837}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-193040}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Methylation of the O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter has emerged as strong prognostic factor in the therapy of glioblastoma multiforme. It is associated with an improved response to chemotherapy with temozolomide and longer overall survival. MGMT promoter methylation has implications for the clinical course of patients. In recent years, there have been observations of patients changing their MGMT promoter methylation from primary tumor to relapse. Still, data on this topic are scarce. Studies often consist of only few patients and provide rather contrasting results, making it hard to draw a clear conclusion on clinical implications. Here, we summarize the previous publications on this topic, add new cases of changing MGMT status in relapse and finally combine all reports of more than ten patients in a statistical analysis based on the Wilson score interval. MGMT promoter methylation changes are seen in 115 of 476 analyzed patients (24\%; CI: 0.21-0.28). We discuss potential reasons like technical issues, intratumoral heterogeneity and selective pressure of therapy. The clinical implications are still ambiguous and do not yet support a change in clinical practice. However, retesting MGMT methylation might be useful for future treatment decisions and we encourage clinical studies to address this topic}, language = {en} } @article{HartmannPluetschowMottoketal.2019, author = {Hartmann, Sylvia and Pl{\"u}tschow, Annette and Mottok, Anja and Bernd, Heinz-Wolfram and Feller, Alfred C. and Ott, German and Cogliatti, Sergio and Fend, Falko and Quintanilla-Martinez, Leticia and Stein, Harald and Klapper, Wolfram and M{\"o}ller, Peter and Rosenwald, Andreas and Engert, Andreas and Hansmann, Martin-Leo and Eichenauer, Dennis A.}, title = {The time to relapse correlates with the histopathological growth pattern in nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma}, series = {American Journal of Hematology}, volume = {94}, journal = {American Journal of Hematology}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1002/ajh.25607}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-212594}, pages = {1208 -- 1213}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) can present with different histopathological growth patterns. The impact of these histopathological growth patterns on relapse characteristics is unknown. We therefore analyzed paired biopsies obtained at initial diagnosis and relapse from 33 NLPHL patients who had received first-line treatment within German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) trial protocols, and from a second cohort of 41 relapsed NLPHL patients who had been treated outside GHSG studies. Among the 33 GHSG patients, 21 patients presented with a typical growth pattern at initial diagnosis, whereas 12 patients had a variant histology. The histopathological growth patterns at initial diagnosis and at relapse were consistent in 67\% of cases. A variant histology at initial diagnosis was associated with a shorter median time to lymphoma recurrence (2.8 vs 5.2 years; P = .0219). A similar tendency towards a shorter median time to lymphoma recurrence was observed for patients presenting with a variant histology at relapse, irrespective of the growth pattern at initial diagnosis. Results obtained from the 41 NLPHL patients who had been treated outside GHSG studies were comparable (median time to lymphoma recurrence for variant histology vs typical growth pattern at initial diagnosis: 1.5 vs 7.0 years). In conclusion, the histopathological growth pattern remains consistent at relapse in the majority of NLPHL cases, and has major impact on the time of relapse.}, language = {en} } @article{BotheDeubelHesseetal.2019, author = {Bothe, Friederike and Deubel, Anne-Kathrin and Hesse, Eliane and Lotz, Benedict and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Werner, Carsten and Richter, Wiltrud and Hagmann, Sebastien}, title = {Treatment of focal cartilage defects in minipigs with zonal chondrocyte/mesenchymal progenitor cell constructs}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {20}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {3}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms20030653}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285118}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Despite advances in cartilage repair strategies, treatment of focal chondral lesions remains an important challenge to prevent osteoarthritis. Articular cartilage is organized into several layers and lack of zonal organization of current grafts is held responsible for insufficient biomechanical and biochemical quality of repair-tissue. The aim was to develop a zonal approach for cartilage regeneration to determine whether the outcome can be improved compared to a non-zonal strategy. Hydrogel-filled polycaprolactone (PCL)-constructs with a chondrocyte-seeded upper-layer deemed to induce hyaline cartilage and a mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-containing bottom-layer deemed to induce calcified cartilage were compared to chondrocyte-based non-zonal grafts in a minipig model. Grafts showed comparable hardness at implantation and did not cause visible signs of inflammation. After 6 months, X-ray microtomography (µCT)-analysis revealed significant bone-loss in both treatment groups compared to empty controls. PCL-enforcement and some hydrogel-remnants were retained in all defects, but most implants were pressed into the subchondral bone. Despite important heterogeneities, both treatments reached a significantly lower modified O'Driscoll-score compared to empty controls. Thus, PCL may have induced bone-erosion during joint loading and misplacement of grafts in vivo precluding adequate permanent orientation of zones compared to surrounding native cartilage.}, language = {en} } @article{LenhardLenhardGary2019, author = {Lenhard, Alexandra and Lenhard, Wolfgang and Gary, Sebastian}, title = {Continuous norming of psychometric tests: A simulation study of parametric and semi-parametric approaches}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {14}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0222279}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200480}, pages = {e0222279}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Continuous norming methods have seldom been subjected to scientific review. In this simulation study, we compared parametric with semi-parametric continuous norming methods in psychometric tests by constructing a fictitious population model within which a latent ability increases with age across seven age groups. We drew samples of different sizes (n = 50, 75, 100, 150, 250, 500 and 1,000 per age group) and simulated the results of an easy, medium, and difficult test scale based on Item Response Theory (IRT). We subjected the resulting data to different continuous norming methods and compared the data fit under the different test conditions with a representative cross-validation dataset of n = 10,000 per age group. The most significant differences were found in suboptimal (i.e., too easy or too difficult) test scales and in ability levels that were far from the population mean. We discuss the results with regard to the selection of the appropriate modeling techniques in psychometric test construction, the required sample sizes, and the requirement to report appropriate quantitative and qualitative test quality criteria for continuous norming methods in test manuals.}, language = {en} } @article{OberdoerferLatoschik2019, author = {Oberd{\"o}rfer, Sebastian and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, title = {Knowledge encoding in game mechanics: transfer-oriented knowledge learning in desktop-3D and VR}, series = {International Journal of Computer Games Technology}, volume = {2019}, journal = {International Journal of Computer Games Technology}, doi = {10.1155/2019/7626349}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201159}, pages = {7626349}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Affine Transformations (ATs) are a complex and abstract learning content. Encoding the AT knowledge in Game Mechanics (GMs) achieves a repetitive knowledge application and audiovisual demonstration. Playing a serious game providing these GMs leads to motivating and effective knowledge learning. Using immersive Virtual Reality (VR) has the potential to even further increase the serious game's learning outcome and learning quality. This paper compares the effectiveness and efficiency of desktop-3D and VR in respect to the achieved learning outcome. Also, the present study analyzes the effectiveness of an enhanced audiovisual knowledge encoding and the provision of a debriefing system. The results validate the effectiveness of the knowledge encoding in GMs to achieve knowledge learning. The study also indicates that VR is beneficial for the overall learning quality and that an enhanced audiovisual encoding has only a limited effect on the learning outcome.}, language = {en} } @article{Puetz2019, author = {P{\"u}tz, Stephanie M.}, title = {Mbt/PAK4 together with SRC modulates N-Cadherin adherens junctions in the developing Drosophila eye}, series = {Biology Open}, volume = {8}, journal = {Biology Open}, doi = {10.1242/bio.038406}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200898}, pages = {bio038406}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Tissue morphogenesis is accompanied by changes of adherens junctions (AJ). During Drosophila eye development, AJ reorganization includes the formation of isolated N-Cadherin AJ between photoreceptors R3/R4. Little is known about how these N-Cadherin AJ are established and maintained. This study focuses on the kinases Mbt/PAK4 and SRC, both known to alter E-Cadherin AJ across phyla. Drosophila p21-activated kinase Mbt and the non-receptor tyrosine kinases Src64 and Src42 regulate proper N-Cadherin AJ. N-Cadherin AJ elongation depends on SRC kinase activity. Cell culture experiments demonstrate binding of both Drosophila SRC isoforms to N-Cadherin and its subsequent tyrosine phosphorylation. In contrast, Mbt stabilizes but does not bind N-Cadherin in vitro. Mbt is required in R3/R4 for zipping the N-Cadherin AJ between these cells, independent of its kinase activity and Cdc42-binding. The mbt phenotype can be reverted by mutations in Src64 and Src42. Because Mbt neither directly binds to SRC proteins nor has a reproducible influence on their kinase activity, the conclusion is that Mbt and SRC signaling converge on N-Cadherin. N-Cadherin AJ formation during eye development requires a proper balance between the promoting effects of Mbt and the inhibiting influences of SRC kinases.}, language = {en} } @article{BoertleinSchumacherKleuseretal.2019, author = {B{\"o}rtlein, Charlene and Schumacher, Fabian and Kleuser, Burkhard and D{\"o}lken, Lars and Avota, Elita}, title = {Role of neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (NSM 2) in the control of T cell plasma membrane lipid composition and cholesterol homeostasis}, series = {Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology}, volume = {7}, journal = {Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology}, number = {226}, issn = {2296-634X}, doi = {10.3389/fcell.2019.00226}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-190596}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The activity of neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (NSM2) to catalyze the conversion of sphingomyelin (SM) to ceramide and phosphocholine at the cytosolic leaflet of plasma membrane (PM) is important in T cell receptor (TCR) signaling. We recently identified PKCζ as a major NSM2 downstream effector which regulates microtubular polarization. It remained, however, unclear to what extent NSM2 activity affected overall composition of PM lipids and downstream effector lipids in antigen stimulated T cells. Here, we provide a detailed lipidomics analyses on PM fractions isolated from TCR stimulated wild type and NSM2 deficient (ΔNSM) Jurkat T cells. This revealed that in addition to that of sphingolipids, NSM2 depletion also affected concentrations of many other lipids. In particular, NSM2 ablation resulted in increase of lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC) and lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) which both govern PM biophysical properties. Crucially, TCR dependent upregulation of the important T cell signaling lipid diacylglycerol (DAG), which is fundamental for activation of conventional and novel PKCs, was abolished in ΔNSM cells. Moreover, NSM2 activity was found to play an important role in PM cholesterol transport to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and production of cholesteryl esters (CE) there. Most importantly, CE accumulation was essential to sustain human T cell proliferation. Accordingly, inhibition of CE generating enzymes, the cholesterol acetyltransferases ACAT1/SOAT1 and ACAT2/SOAT2, impaired TCR driven expansion of both CD4\(^+\) and CD8\(^+\) T cells. In summary, our study reveals an important role of NSM2 in regulating T cell functions by its multiple effects on PM lipids and cholesterol homeostasis.}, language = {en} } @article{WintzheimerOppmannDoldetal.2019, author = {Wintzheimer, Susanne and Oppmann, Maximilian and Dold, Martin and Pannek, Carolin and Bauersfeld, Marie-Luise and Henfling, Michael and Trupp, Sabine and Schug, Benedikt and Mandel, Karl}, title = {Indicator Supraparticles for Smart Gasochromic Sensor Surfaces Reacting Ultrafast and Highly Sensitive}, series = {Particle \& Particle Systems Characterization}, volume = {36}, journal = {Particle \& Particle Systems Characterization}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1002/ppsc.201900254}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-213671}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The detection of toxic gases, such as NH\(_{3}\) and CO, in the environment is of high interest in chemical, electronic, and automotive industry as even small amounts can display a health risk for workers. Sensors for the real-time monitoring of these gases should be simple, robust, reversible, highly sensitive, inexpensive and show a fast response. The indicator supraparticles presented herein can fulfill all of these requirements. They consist of silica nanoparticles, which are assembled to supraparticles upon spray-drying. Sensing molecules such as Reichardt's dye and a binuclear rhodium complex are loaded onto the microparticles to target NH\(_{3}\) and CO detection, respectively. The spray-drying technique affords high flexibility in primary nanoparticle size selection and thus, easy adjustment of the porosity and specific surface area of the obtained micrometer-sized supraparticles. This ultimately enables the fine-tuning of the sensor sensitivity and response. For the application of the indicator supraparticles in a gas detection device, they can be immobilized on a coating. Due to their microscale size, they are large enough to poke out of thin coating layers, thus guaranteeing their gas accessibility, while being small enough to be applicable to flexible substrates.}, language = {en} } @article{LuxHuBenKraiemetal.2019, author = {Lux, Thomas J. and Hu, Xiawei and Ben-Kraiem, Adel and Blum, Robert and Chen, Jeremy Tsung-Chieh and Rittner, Heike L.}, title = {Regional differences in tight junction protein expression in the blood-DRG barrier and their alterations after nerve traumatic injury in rats}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {21}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {1}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms21010270}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285029}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The nervous system is shielded by special barriers. Nerve injury results in blood-nerve barrier breakdown with downregulation of certain tight junction proteins accompanying the painful neuropathic phenotype. The dorsal root ganglion (DRG) consists of a neuron-rich region (NRR, somata of somatosensory and nociceptive neurons) and a fibre-rich region (FRR), and their putative epi-/perineurium (EPN). Here, we analysed blood-DRG barrier (BDB) properties in these physiologically distinct regions in Wistar rats after chronic constriction injury (CCI). Cldn5, Cldn12, and Tjp1 (rats) mRNA were downregulated 1 week after traumatic nerve injury. Claudin-1 immunoreactivity (IR) found in the EPN, claudin-19-IR in the FRR, and ZO-1-IR in FRR-EPN were unaltered after CCI. However, laser-assisted, vessel specific qPCR, and IR studies confirmed a significant loss of claudin-5 in the NRR. The NRR was three-times more permeable compared to the FRR for high and low molecular weight markers. NRR permeability was not further increased 1-week after CCI, but significantly more CD68\(^+\) macrophages had migrated into the NRR. In summary, NRR and FRR are different in na{\"i}ve rats. Short-term traumatic nerve injury leaves the already highly permeable BDB in the NRR unaltered for small and large molecules. Claudin-5 is downregulated in the NRR. This could facilitate macrophage invasion, and thereby neuronal sensitisation and hyperalgesia. Targeting the stabilisation of claudin-5 in microvessels and the BDB barrier could be a future approach for neuropathic pain therapy.}, language = {en} } @article{MatosMachadoSchartletal.2019, author = {Matos, Isa and Machado, Miguel P. and Schartl, Manfred and Coelho, Maria Manuela}, title = {Allele-specific expression variation at different ploidy levels in Squalius alburnoides}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {9}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-019-40210-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200910}, pages = {3688}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Allopolyploid plants are long known to be subject to a homoeolog expression bias of varying degree. The same phenomenon was only much later suspected to occur also in animals based on studies of single selected genes in an allopolyploid vertebrate, the Iberian fish Squalius alburnoides. Consequently, this species became a good model for understanding the evolution of gene expression regulation in polyploid vertebrates. Here, we analyzed for the first time genome-wide allele-specific expression data from diploid and triploid hybrids of S. alburnoides and compared homoeolog expression profiles of adult livers and of juveniles. Co-expression of alleles from both parental genomic types was observed for the majority of genes, but with marked homoeolog expression bias, suggesting homoeolog specific reshaping of expression level patterns in hybrids. Complete silencing of one allele was also observed irrespective of ploidy level, but not transcriptome wide as previously speculated. Instead, it was found only in a restricted number of genes, particularly ones with functions related to mitochondria and ribosomes. This leads us to hypothesize that allelic silencing may be a way to overcome intergenomic gene expression interaction conflicts, and that homoeolog expression bias may be an important mechanism in the achievement of sustainable genomic interactions, mandatory to the success of allopolyploid systems, as in S. alburnoides.}, language = {en} } @article{EversVeehMcNeilletal.2019, author = {Evers, Ann-Kristin and Veeh, Julia and McNeill, Rhiannon and Reif, Andreas and Kittel-Schneider, Sarah}, title = {C-reactive protein concentration in bipolar disorder: association with genetic variants}, series = {International Journal of Bipolar Disorders}, volume = {7}, journal = {International Journal of Bipolar Disorders}, doi = {10.1186/s40345-019-0162-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202289}, pages = {26}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background Several recent studies have investigated the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) in bipolar disorder (BD), but few studies have directly investigated the interaction between CRP genetic variants and peripheral CRP concentration across different phases of BD. In this study, we aimed to replicate previous findings that demonstrated altered CRP levels in BD, and to investigate whether there is an association of peripheral protein expression with genetic variants in the CRP gene. Methods 221 patients were included in the study, of which 183 (all episodes, 46 not medicated, 174 medicated) were genotyped for CRP single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) shown to influence peripheral CRP protein expression (rs1800947, rs2808630, rs1417938, rs1205). Results There were no differences in CRP levels associated with the genotypes, only regarding the rs1205 SNP there were significantly different CRP protein expression between the genotypes when taking body mass index, age, BD polarity, subtype and leukocyte number into account. However, we could show significantly elevated CRP protein expression in manic patients compared to euthymic and depressed patients, independent from genotype. Medication was found to have no effect on CRP protein expression. Conclusions These results indicate that low grade inflammation might play a role in mania and might be rather a state than a trait marker of bipolar disorder.}, language = {en} } @article{TiffeMorbachRueckeretal.2019, author = {Tiffe, Theresa and Morbach, Caroline and R{\"u}cker, Viktoria and Gelbrich, G{\"o}tz and Wagner, Martin and Faller, Hermann and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Heuschmann, Peter U.}, title = {Impact of patient beliefs on blood pressure control in the general population: findings from the population-based STAAB cohort study}, series = {International Journal of Hypertension}, volume = {2019}, journal = {International Journal of Hypertension}, doi = {10.1155/2019/9385397}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200992}, pages = {9385397}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background. Effective antihypertensive treatment depends on patient compliance regarding prescribed medications. We assessed the impact of beliefs related towards antihypertensive medication on blood pressure control in a population-based sample treated for hypertension. Methods. We used data from the Characteristics and Course of Heart Failure Stages A-B and Determinants of Progression (STAAB) study investigating 5000 inhabitants aged 30 to 79 years from the general population of W{\"u}rzburg, Germany. The Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire German Version (BMQ-D) was provided in a subsample without established cardiovascular diseases (CVD) treated for hypertension. We evaluated the association between inadequately controlled hypertension (systolic RR >140/90 mmHg; >140/85 mmHg in diabetics) and reported concerns about and necessity of antihypertensive medication. Results. Data from 293 participants (49.5\% women, median age 64 years [quartiles 56.0; 69.0]) entered the analysis. Despite medication, half of the participants (49.8\%) were above the recommended blood pressure target. Stratified for sex, inadequately controlled hypertension was less frequent in women reporting higher levels of concerns (OR 0.36; 95\%CI 0.17-0.74), whereas no such association was apparent in men. We found no association for specific-necessity in any model. Conclusion. Beliefs regarding the necessity of prescribed medication did not affect hypertension control. An inverse association between concerns about medication and inappropriately controlled hypertension was found for women only. Our findings highlight that medication-related beliefs constitute a serious barrier of successful implementation of treatment guidelines and underline the role of educational interventions taking into account sex-related differences.}, language = {en} } @article{SchmalzlPlumhoffGilbertetal.2019, author = {Schmalzl, Jonas and Plumhoff, Piet and Gilbert, Fabian and Gohlke, Frank and Konrads, Christian and Brunner, Ulrich and Jakob, Franz and Ebert, Regina and Steinert, Andre F.}, title = {Tendon-derived stem cells from the long head of the biceps tendon}, series = {Bone \& Joint Research}, volume = {8}, journal = {Bone \& Joint Research}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1302/2046-3758.89.BJR-2018-0214.R2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200370}, pages = {414-424}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Objectives The long head of the biceps (LHB) is often resected in shoulder surgery and could therefore serve as a cell source for tissue engineering approaches in the shoulder. However, whether it represents a suitable cell source for regenerative approaches, both in the inflamed and non-inflamed states, remains unclear. In the present study, inflamed and native human LHBs were comparatively characterized for features of regeneration. Methods In total, 22 resected LHB tendons were classified into inflamed samples (n = 11) and non-inflamed samples (n = 11). Proliferation potential and specific marker gene expression of primary LHB-derived cell cultures were analyzed. Multipotentiality, including osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic, and tenogenic differentiation potential of both groups were compared under respective lineage-specific culture conditions. Results Inflammation does not seem to affect the proliferation rate of the isolated tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs) and the tenogenic marker gene expression. Cells from both groups showed an equivalent osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic and tenogenic differentiation potential in histology and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Conclusion These results suggest that the LHB tendon might be a suitable cell source for regenerative approaches, both in inflamed and non-inflamed states. The LHB with and without tendinitis has been characterized as a novel source of TDSCs, which might facilitate treatment of degeneration and induction of regeneration in shoulder surgery.}, language = {en} } @article{PaulsHamaratTrufasuetal.2019, author = {Pauls, Dennis and Hamarat, Yasmin and Trufasu, Luisa and Schendzielorz, Tim M. and Gramlich, Gertrud and Kahnt, J{\"o}rg and Vanselow, Jens and Schlosser, Andreas and Wegener, Christian}, title = {Drosophila carboxypeptidase D (SILVER) is a key enzyme in neuropeptide processing required to maintain locomotor activity levels and survival rate}, series = {European Journal of Neuroscience}, volume = {50}, journal = {European Journal of Neuroscience}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1111/ejn.14516}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-204863}, pages = {3502-3519}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Neuropeptides are processed from larger preproproteins by a dedicated set of enzymes. The molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying preproprotein processing and the functional importance of processing enzymes are well-characterised in mammals, but little studied outside this group. In contrast to mammals, Drosophila melanogaster lacks a gene for carboxypeptidase E (CPE ), a key enzyme for mammalian peptide processing. By combining peptidomics and neurogenetics, we addressed the role of carboxypeptidase D (dCPD ) in global neuropeptide processing and selected peptide-regulated behaviours in Drosophila . We found that a deficiency in dCPD results in C-terminally extended peptides across the peptidome, suggesting that dCPD took over CPE function in the fruit fly. dCPD is widely expressed throughout the nervous system, including peptidergic neurons in the mushroom body and neuroendocrine cells expressing adipokinetic hormone. Conditional hypomorphic mutation in the dCPD -encoding gene silver in the larva causes lethality, and leads to deficits in starvation-induced hyperactivity and appetitive gustatory preference, as well as to reduced viability and activity levels in adults. A phylogenomic analysis suggests that loss of CPE is not common to insects, but only occurred in Hymenoptera and Diptera. Our results show that dCPD is a key enzyme for neuropeptide processing and peptide-regulated behaviour in Drosophila . dCPD thus appears as a suitable target to genetically shut down total neuropeptide production in peptidergic neurons. The persistent occurrence of CPD in insect genomes may point to important further CPD functions beyond neuropeptide processing which cannot be fulfilled by CPE.}, language = {en} } @article{WajantBeilhack2019, author = {Wajant, Harald and Beilhack, Andreas}, title = {Targeting regulatory T cells by addressing tumor necrosis factor and its receptors in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and cancer}, series = {Frontiers in Immunology}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Immunology}, number = {2040}, doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2019.02040}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201578}, year = {2019}, abstract = {An intricate network of molecular and cellular actors orchestrates the delicate balance between effector immune responses and immune tolerance. The pleiotropic cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) proves as a pivotal protagonist promoting but also suppressing immune responses. These opposite actions are accomplished through specialist cell types responding to TNF via TNF receptors TNFR1 and TNFR2. Recent findings highlight the importance of TNFR2 as a key regulator of activated natural FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in inflammatory conditions, such as acute graft-vs.-host disease (GvHD) and the tumor microenvironment. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of TNFR2 signaling in T cells and discuss how these can reconcile seemingly conflicting observations when manipulating TNF and TNFRs. As TNFR2 emerges as a new and attractive target we furthermore pinpoint strategies and potential pitfalls for therapeutic targeting of TNFR2 for cancer treatment and immune tolerance after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.}, language = {en} } @article{JochmannElkenaniMohamedetal.2019, author = {Jochmann, Svenja and Elkenani, Manar and Mohamed, Belal A. and Buchholz, Eric and Lbik, Dawid and Binder, Lutz and Lorenz, Kristina and Shah, Ajay M. and Hasenfuß, Gerd and Toischer, Karl and Schnelle, Moritz}, title = {Assessing the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 in volume overload-induced cardiac remodelling}, series = {ESC Heart Failure}, volume = {6}, journal = {ESC Heart Failure}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1002/ehf2.12497}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-212735}, pages = {1015 -- 1026}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Aims Volume overload (VO) and pressure overload (PO) induce differential cardiac remodelling responses including distinct signalling pathways. Extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), key signalling components in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, modulate cardiac remodelling during pressure overload (PO). This study aimed to assess their role in VO-induced cardiac remodelling as this was unknown. Methods and results Aortocaval fistula (Shunt) surgery was performed in mice to induce cardiac VO. Two weeks of Shunt caused a significant reduction of cardiac ERK1/2 activation in wild type (WT) mice as indicated by decreased phosphorylation of the TEY (Thr-Glu-Tyr) motif (-28\% as compared with Sham controls, P < 0.05). Phosphorylation of other MAPKs was unaffected. For further assessment, transgenic mice with cardiomyocyte-specific ERK2 overexpression (ERK2tg) were studied. At baseline, cardiac ERK1/2 phosphorylation in ERK2tg mice remained unchanged compared with WT littermates, and no overt cardiac phenotype was observed; however, cardiac expression of the atrial natriuretic peptide was increased on messenger RNA (3.6-fold, P < 0.05) and protein level (3.1-fold, P < 0.05). Following Shunt, left ventricular dilation and hypertrophy were similar in ERK2tg mice and WT littermates. Left ventricular function was maintained, and changes in gene expression indicated reactivation of the foetal gene program in both genotypes. No differences in cardiac fibrosis and kinase activation was found amongst all experimental groups, whereas apoptosis was similarly increased through Shunt in ERK2tg and WT mice. Conclusions VO-induced eccentric hypertrophy is associated with reduced cardiac ERK1/2 activation in vivo. Cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of ERK2, however, does not alter cardiac remodelling during VO. Future studies need to define the pathophysiological relevance of decreased ERK1/2 signalling during VO.}, language = {en} } @article{ReulChristHarteltetal.2019, author = {Reul, Christian and Christ, Dennis and Hartelt, Alexander and Balbach, Nico and Wehner, Maximilian and Springmann, Uwe and Wick, Christoph and Grundig, Christine and B{\"u}ttner, Andreas and Puppe, Frank}, title = {OCR4all—An open-source tool providing a (semi-)automatic OCR workflow for historical printings}, series = {Applied Sciences}, volume = {9}, journal = {Applied Sciences}, number = {22}, issn = {2076-3417}, doi = {10.3390/app9224853}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-193103}, pages = {4853}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on historical printings is a challenging task mainly due to the complexity of the layout and the highly variant typography. Nevertheless, in the last few years, great progress has been made in the area of historical OCR, resulting in several powerful open-source tools for preprocessing, layout analysis and segmentation, character recognition, and post-processing. The drawback of these tools often is their limited applicability by non-technical users like humanist scholars and in particular the combined use of several tools in a workflow. In this paper, we present an open-source OCR software called OCR4all, which combines state-of-the-art OCR components and continuous model training into a comprehensive workflow. While a variety of materials can already be processed fully automatically, books with more complex layouts require manual intervention by the users. This is mostly due to the fact that the required ground truth for training stronger mixed models (for segmentation, as well as text recognition) is not available, yet, neither in the desired quantity nor quality. To deal with this issue in the short run, OCR4all offers a comfortable GUI that allows error corrections not only in the final output, but already in early stages to minimize error propagations. In the long run, this constant manual correction produces large quantities of valuable, high quality training material, which can be used to improve fully automatic approaches. Further on, extensive configuration capabilities are provided to set the degree of automation of the workflow and to make adaptations to the carefully selected default parameters for specific printings, if necessary. During experiments, the fully automated application on 19th Century novels showed that OCR4all can considerably outperform the commercial state-of-the-art tool ABBYY Finereader on moderate layouts if suitably pretrained mixed OCR models are available. Furthermore, on very complex early printed books, even users with minimal or no experience were able to capture the text with manageable effort and great quality, achieving excellent Character Error Rates (CERs) below 0.5\%. The architecture of OCR4all allows the easy integration (or substitution) of newly developed tools for its main components by standardized interfaces like PageXML, thus aiming at continual higher automation for historical printings.}, language = {en} } @article{DjebkoPuppeKayal2019, author = {Djebko, Kirill and Puppe, Frank and Kayal, Hakan}, title = {Model-based fault detection and diagnosis for spacecraft with an application for the SONATE triple cube nano-satellite}, series = {Aerospace}, volume = {6}, journal = {Aerospace}, number = {10}, issn = {2226-4310}, doi = {10.3390/aerospace6100105}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-198836}, pages = {105}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The correct behavior of spacecraft components is the foundation of unhindered mission operation. However, no technical system is free of wear and degradation. A malfunction of one single component might significantly alter the behavior of the whole spacecraft and may even lead to a complete mission failure. Therefore, abnormal component behavior must be detected early in order to be able to perform counter measures. A dedicated fault detection system can be employed, as opposed to classical health monitoring, performed by human operators, to decrease the response time to a malfunction. In this paper, we present a generic model-based diagnosis system, which detects faults by analyzing the spacecraft's housekeeping data. The observed behavior of the spacecraft components, given by the housekeeping data is compared to their expected behavior, obtained through simulation. Each discrepancy between the observed and the expected behavior of a component generates a so-called symptom. Given the symptoms, the diagnoses are derived by computing sets of components whose malfunction might cause the observed discrepancies. We demonstrate the applicability of the diagnosis system by using modified housekeeping data of the qualification model of an actual spacecraft and outline the advantages and drawbacks of our approach.}, language = {en} } @article{DietrichKrebsLimanetal.2019, author = {Dietrich, Georg and Krebs, Jonathan and Liman, Leon and Fette, Georg and Ertl, Maximilian and Kaspar, Mathias and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Puppe, Frank}, title = {Replicating medication trend studies using ad hoc information extraction in a clinical data warehouse}, series = {BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making}, volume = {19}, journal = {BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making}, doi = {10.1186/s12911-018-0729-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200409}, pages = {15}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background Medication trend studies show the changes of medication over the years and may be replicated using a clinical Data Warehouse (CDW). Even nowadays, a lot of the patient information, like medication data, in the EHR is stored in the format of free text. As the conventional approach of information extraction (IE) demands a high developmental effort, we used ad hoc IE instead. This technique queries information and extracts it on the fly from texts contained in the CDW. Methods We present a generalizable approach of ad hoc IE for pharmacotherapy (medications and their daily dosage) presented in hospital discharge letters. We added import and query features to the CDW system, like error tolerant queries to deal with misspellings and proximity search for the extraction of the daily dosage. During the data integration process in the CDW, negated, historical and non-patient context data are filtered. For the replication studies, we used a drug list grouped by ATC (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System) codes as input for queries to the CDW. Results We achieve an F1 score of 0.983 (precision 0.997, recall 0.970) for extracting medication from discharge letters and an F1 score of 0.974 (precision 0.977, recall 0.972) for extracting the dosage. We replicated three published medical trend studies for hypertension, atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease. Overall, 93\% of the main findings could be replicated, 68\% of sub-findings, and 75\% of all findings. One study could be completely replicated with all main and sub-findings. Conclusion A novel approach for ad hoc IE is presented. It is very suitable for basic medical texts like discharge letters and finding reports. Ad hoc IE is by definition more limited than conventional IE and does not claim to replace it, but it substantially exceeds the search capabilities of many CDWs and it is convenient to conduct replication studies fast and with high quality.}, language = {en} } @article{LodaKrebsDanhofetal.2019, author = {Loda, Sophia and Krebs, Jonathan and Danhof, Sophia and Schreder, Martin and Solimando, Antonio G. and Strifler, Susanne and Rasche, Leo and Kort{\"u}m, Martin and Kerscher, Alexander and Knop, Stefan and Puppe, Frank and Einsele, Hermann and Bittrich, Max}, title = {Exploration of artificial intelligence use with ARIES in multiple myeloma research}, series = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, volume = {8}, journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, number = {7}, issn = {2077-0383}, doi = {10.3390/jcm8070999}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-197231}, pages = {999}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background: Natural language processing (NLP) is a powerful tool supporting the generation of Real-World Evidence (RWE). There is no NLP system that enables the extensive querying of parameters specific to multiple myeloma (MM) out of unstructured medical reports. We therefore created a MM-specific ontology to accelerate the information extraction (IE) out of unstructured text. Methods: Our MM ontology consists of extensive MM-specific and hierarchically structured attributes and values. We implemented "A Rule-based Information Extraction System" (ARIES) that uses this ontology. We evaluated ARIES on 200 randomly selected medical reports of patients diagnosed with MM. Results: Our system achieved a high F1-Score of 0.92 on the evaluation dataset with a precision of 0.87 and recall of 0.98. Conclusions: Our rule-based IE system enables the comprehensive querying of medical reports. The IE accelerates the extraction of data and enables clinicians to faster generate RWE on hematological issues. RWE helps clinicians to make decisions in an evidence-based manner. Our tool easily accelerates the integration of research evidence into everyday clinical practice.}, language = {en} } @article{LopezArreguinMontenegro2019, author = {Lopez-Arreguin, A. J. R. and Montenegro, S.}, title = {Improving engineering models of terramechanics for planetary exploration}, series = {Results in Engineering}, volume = {3}, journal = {Results in Engineering}, doi = {10.1016/j.rineng.2019.100027}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202490}, pages = {100027}, year = {2019}, abstract = {This short letter proposes more consolidated explicit solutions for the forces and torques acting on typical rover wheels, that can be used as a method to determine their average mobility characteristics in planetary soils. The closed loop solutions stand in one of the verified methods, but at difference of the previous, observables are decoupled requiring a less amount of physical parameters to measure. As a result, we show that with knowledge of terrain properties, wheel driving performance rely in a single observable only. Because of their generality, the formulated equations established here can have further implications in autonomy and control of rovers or planetary soil characterization.}, language = {en} } @article{GomesWestermannSauerweinetal.2019, author = {Gomes, Sara F. Martins and Westermann, Alexander J. and Sauerwein, Till and Hertlein, Tobias and F{\"o}rstner, Konrad U. and Ohlsen, Knut and Metzger, Marco and Shusta, Eric V. and Kim, Brandon J. and Appelt-Menzel, Antje and Schubert-Unkmeir, Alexandra}, title = {Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived brain endothelial cells as a cellular model to study Neisseria meningitidis infection}, series = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, number = {1181}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2019.01181}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201562}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Meningococcal meningitis is a severe central nervous system infection that occurs when Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) penetrates brain endothelial cells (BECs) of the meningeal blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. As a human-specific pathogen, in vivo models are greatly limited and pose a significant challenge. In vitro cell models have been developed, however, most lack critical BEC phenotypes limiting their usefulness. Human BECs generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) retain BEC properties and offer the prospect of modeling the human-specific Nm interaction with BECs. Here, we exploit iPSC-BECs as a novel cellular model to study Nm host-pathogen interactions, and provide an overview of host responses to Nm infection. Using iPSC-BECs, we first confirmed that multiple Nm strains and mutants follow similar phenotypes to previously described models. The recruitment of the recently published pilus adhesin receptor CD147 underneath meningococcal microcolonies could be verified in iPSC-BECs. Nm was also observed to significantly increase the expression of pro-inflammatory and neutrophil-specific chemokines IL6, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL8, and CCL20, and the secretion of IFN-γ and RANTES. For the first time, we directly observe that Nm disrupts the three tight junction proteins ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5, which become frayed and/or discontinuous in BECs upon Nm challenge. In accordance with tight junction loss, a sharp loss in trans-endothelial electrical resistance, and an increase in sodium fluorescein permeability and in bacterial transmigration, was observed. Finally, we established RNA-Seq of sorted, infected iPSC-BECs, providing expression data of Nm-responsive host genes. Altogether, this model provides novel insights into Nm pathogenesis, including an impact of Nm on barrier properties and tight junction complexes, and suggests that the paracellular route may contribute to Nm traversal of BECs.}, language = {en} } @article{DechaudVolffSchartletal.2019, author = {Dechaud, Corentin and Volff, Jean-Nicolas and Schartl, Manfred and Naville, Magali}, title = {Sex and the TEs: transposable elements in sexual development and function in animals}, series = {Mobile DNA}, volume = {10}, journal = {Mobile DNA}, doi = {10.1186/s13100-019-0185-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202510}, pages = {42}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Transposable elements are endogenous DNA sequences able to integrate into and multiply within genomes. They constitute a major source of genetic innovations, as they can not only rearrange genomes but also spread ready-to-use regulatory sequences able to modify host gene expression, and even can give birth to new host genes. As their evolutionary success depends on their vertical transmission, transposable elements are intrinsically linked to reproduction. In organisms with sexual reproduction, this implies that transposable elements have to manifest their transpositional activity in germ cells or their progenitors. The control of sexual development and function can be very versatile, and several studies have demonstrated the implication of transposable elements in the evolution of sex. In this review, we report the functional and evolutionary relationships between transposable elements and sexual reproduction in animals. In particular, we highlight how transposable elements can influence expression of sexual development genes, and how, reciprocally, they are tightly controlled in gonads. We also review how transposable elements contribute to the organization, expression and evolution of sexual development genes and sex chromosomes. This underscores the intricate co-evolution between host functions and transposable elements, which regularly shift from a parasitic to a domesticated status useful to the host.}, language = {en} } @article{SaddiqueUsmanBernhofer2019, author = {Saddique, Naeem and Usman, Muhammad and Bernhofer, Christian}, title = {Simulating the impact of climate change on the hydrological regimes of a sparsely gauged mountainous basin, northern Pakistan}, series = {Water}, volume = {11}, journal = {Water}, number = {10}, issn = {2073-4441}, doi = {10.3390/w11102141}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-193175}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Projected climate changes for the 21st century may cause great uncertainties on the hydrology of a river basin. This study explored the impacts of climate change on the water balance and hydrological regime of the Jhelum River Basin using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Two downscaling methods (SDSM, Statistical Downscaling Model and LARS-WG, Long Ashton Research Station Weather Generator), three Global Circulation Models (GCMs), and two representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) for three future periods (2030s, 2050s, and 2090s) were used to assess the climate change impacts on flow regimes. The results exhibited that both downscaling methods suggested an increase in annual streamflow over the river basin. There is generally an increasing trend of winter and autumn discharge, whereas it is complicated for summer and spring to conclude if the trend is increasing or decreasing depending on the downscaling methods. Therefore, the uncertainty associated with the downscaling of climate simulation needs to consider, for the best estimate, the impact of climate change, with its uncertainty, on a particular basin. The study also resulted that water yield and evapotranspiration in the eastern part of the basin (sub-basins at high elevation) would be most affected by climate change. The outcomes of this study would be useful for providing guidance in water management and planning for the river basin under climate change.}, language = {en} } @article{SbieraKunzWeigandetal.2019, author = {Sbiera, Silviu and Kunz, Meik and Weigand, Isabel and Deutschbein, Timo and Dandekar, Thomas and Fassnacht, Martin}, title = {The new genetic landscape of Cushing's disease: deubiquitinases in the spotlight}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {11}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {11}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers11111761}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-193194}, pages = {1761}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Cushing's disease (CD) is a rare condition caused by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing adenomas of the pituitary, which lead to hypercortisolism that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Treatment options in case of persistent or recurrent disease are limited, but new insights into the pathogenesis of CD are raising hope for new therapeutic avenues. Here, we have performed a meta-analysis of the available sequencing data in CD to create a comprehensive picture of CD's genetics. Our analyses clearly indicate that somatic mutations in the deubiquitinases are the key drivers in CD, namely USP8 (36.5\%) and USP48 (13.3\%). While in USP48 only Met415 is affected by mutations, in USP8 there are 26 different mutations described. However, these different mutations are clustering in the same hotspot region (affecting in 94.5\% of cases Ser718 and Pro720). In contrast, pathogenic variants classically associated with tumorigenesis in genes like TP53 and BRAF are also present in CD but with low incidence (12.5\% and 7\%). Importantly, several of these mutations might have therapeutic potential as there are drugs already investigated in preclinical and clinical setting for other diseases. Furthermore, network and pathway analyses of all somatic mutations in CD suggest a rather unified picture hinting towards converging oncogenic pathways.}, language = {en} } @article{HaringCrandallCarboneetal.2019, author = {Haring, Bernhard and Crandall, Carolyn J and Carbone, Laura and Liu, Simin and Li, Wenjun and Johnson, Karen C and Wactawski-Wende, Jean and Shadyab, Aladdin H and Gass, Margery L and Kamensky, Victor and Cauley, Jane A and Wassertheil-Smoller, Sylvia}, title = {Lipoprotein(a) plasma levels, bone mineral density and risk of hip fracture: a post hoc analysis of the Women's Health Initiative, USA}, series = {BMJ Open}, volume = {9}, journal = {BMJ Open}, doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027257}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201139}, pages = {e027257}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Objectives Elevated Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, its roles in bone metabolism and fracture risk are unclear. We therefore investigated whether plasma Lp(a) levels were associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and incident hip fractures in a large cohort of postmenopausal women. Design Post hoc analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), USA. Setting 40 clinical centres in the USA. Participants The current analytical cohort consisted of 9698 white, postmenopausal women enrolled in the WHI, a national prospective study investigating determinants of chronic diseases including heart disease, breast and colorectal cancers and osteoporotic fractures among postmenopausal women. Recruitment for WHI took place from 1 October 1993 to 31 December 1998. Exposures Plasma Lp(a) levels were measured at baseline. Outcome measures Incident hip fractures were ascertained annually and confirmed by medical records with follow-up through 29 August 2014. BMD at the femoral neck was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry in a subset of participants at baseline. Statistical analyses Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations of quartiles of plasma Lp(a) levels with hip fracture events and hip BMD T-score, respectively. Results During a mean follow-up of 13.8 years, 454 incident cases of hip fracture were observed. In analyses adjusting for confounding variables including age, body mass index, history of hysterectomy, smoking, physical activity, diabetes mellitus, general health status, cardiovascular disease, use of menopausal hormone therapy, use of bisphosphonates, calcitonin or selective-oestrogen receptor modulators, baseline dietary and supplemental calcium and vitamin D intake and history of fracture, no significant association of plasma Lp(a) levels with low hip BMD T-score or hip fracture risk was detected. Conclusions These findings suggest that plasma Lp(a) levels are not related to hip BMD T-score or hip fracture events in postmenopausal women.}, language = {en} } @article{ElhfnawyHeuschmannPhametal.2019, author = {Elhfnawy, Ahmed Mohamed and Heuschmann, Peter U. and Pham, Mirko and Volkmann, Jens and Fluri, Felix}, title = {Stenosis length and degree interact with the risk of cerebrovascular events related to internal carotid artery stenosis}, series = {Frontiers in Neurology}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Neurology}, number = {317}, issn = {1664-2295}, doi = {10.3389/fneur.2019.00317}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-196225}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background and Purpose: Internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS)≥70\% is a leading cause of ischemic cerebrovascular events (ICVEs). However, a considerable percentage of stroke survivors with symptomatic ICAS (sICAS) have <70\% stenosis with a vulnerable plaque. Whether the length of ICAS is associated with high risk of ICVEs is poorly investigated. Our main aim was to investigate the relation between the length of ICAS and the development of ICVEs. Methods: In a retrospective cross-sectional study, we identified 95 arteries with sICAS and another 64 with asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis (aICAS) among 121 patients with ICVEs. The degree and length of ICAS as well as plaque echolucency were assessed on ultrasound scans. Results: A statistically significant inverse correlation between the ultrasound-measured length and degree of ICAS was detected for sICAS≥70\% (Spearman correlation coefficient ρ = -0.57, p < 0.001, n = 51) but neither for sICAS<70\% (ρ = 0.15, p = 0.45, n = 27) nor for aICAS (ρ = 0.07, p = 0.64, n = 54). The median (IQR) length for sICAS<70\% and ≥70\% was 17 (15-20) and 15 (12-19) mm (p = 0.06), respectively, while that for sICAS<90\% and sICAS 90\% was 18 (15-21) and 13 (10-16) mm, respectively (p < 0.001). Among patients with ICAS <70\%, a cut-off length of ≥16 mm was found for sICAS rather than aICAS with a sensitivity and specificity of 74.1\% and 51.1\%, respectively. Irrespective of the stenotic degree, plaques of the sICAS compared to aICAS were significantly more often echolucent (43.2 vs. 24.6\%, p = 0.02). Conclusion: We found a statistically insignificant tendency for the ultrasound-measured length of sICAS<70\% to be longer than that of sICAS≥70\%. Moreover, the ultrasound-measured length of sICAS<90\% was significantly longer than that of sICAS 90\%. Among patients with sICAS≥70\%, the degree and length of stenosis were inversely correlated. Larger studies are needed before a clinical implication can be drawn from these results.}, language = {en} } @article{NeuederAndreattaPauli2019, author = {Neueder, Dorothea and Andreatta, Marta and Pauli, Paul}, title = {Contextual fear conditioning and fear generalization in individuals with panic attacks}, series = {Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience}, volume = {13}, journal = {Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience}, doi = {10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00152}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201318}, pages = {152}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Context conditioning is characterized by unpredictable threat and its generalization may constitute risk factors for panic disorder (PD). Therefore, we examined differences between individuals with panic attacks (PA; N = 21) and healthy controls (HC, N = 22) in contextual learning and context generalization using a virtual reality (VR) paradigm. Successful context conditioning was indicated in both groups by higher arousal, anxiety and contingency ratings, and increased startle responses and skin conductance levels (SCLs) in an anxiety context (CTX+) where an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US) occurred unpredictably vs. a safety context (CTX-). PA compared to HC exhibited increased differential responding to CTX+ vs. CTX- and overgeneralization of contextual anxiety on an evaluative verbal level, but not on a physiological level. We conclude that increased contextual conditioning and contextual generalization may constitute risk factors for PD or agoraphobia contributing to the characteristic avoidance of anxiety contexts and withdrawal to safety contexts and that evaluative cognitive process may play a major role.}, language = {en} } @article{WuReimannSiddiquietal.2019, author = {Wu, Hao and Reimann, Sabine and Siddiqui, Sophiya and Haag, Rainer and Siegmund, Britta and Dernedde, Jens and Glauben, Rainer}, title = {dPGS Regulates the Phenotype of Macrophages via Metabolic Switching}, series = {Macromolecular Bioscience}, volume = {19}, journal = {Macromolecular Bioscience}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1002/mabi.201900184}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-212711}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The synthetic compound dendritic polyglycerol sulfate (dPGS) is a pleiotropic acting molecule but shows a high binding affinity to immunological active molecules as L-/P-selectin or complement proteins leading to well described anti-inflammatory properties in various mouse models. In order to make a comprehensive evaluation of the direct effect on the innate immune system, macrophage polarization is analyzed in the presence of dPGS on a phenotypic but also metabolic level. dPGS administered macrophages show a significant increase of MCP1 production paralleled by a reduction of IL-10 secretion. Metabolic analysis reveals that dPGS could potently enhance the glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration in M0 macrophages as well as decrease the mitochondrial respiration of M2 macrophages. In summary the data indicate that dPGS polarizes macrophages into a pro-inflammatory phenotype in a metabolic pathway-dependent manner.}, language = {en} } @article{GlaserGradzkaLuczewskaSzymankiewiczBreborowiczetal.2019, author = {Glaser, Kirsten and Gradzka-Luczewska, Anna and Szymankiewicz-Breborowicz, Marta and Kawczynska-Leda, Natalia and Henrich, Birgit and Waaga-Gasser, Ana Maria and Speer, Christian P.}, title = {Perinatal ureaplasma exposure is associated with increased risk of late onset sepsis and imbalanced inflammation in preterm infants and may add to lung injury}, series = {Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology}, number = {68}, doi = {10.3389/fcimb.2019.00068}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201270}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background: Controversy remains concerning the impact of Ureaplasma on preterm neonatal morbidity. Methods: Prospective single-center study in very low birth weight infants <30 weeks' gestation. Cord blood and initial nasopharyngeal swabs were screened for Ureaplasma parvum and U. urealyticum using culture technique and polymerase chain reaction. Neonatal outcomes were followed until death or discharge. Multi-analyte immunoassay provided cord blood levels of inflammatory markers. Using multivariate regression analyses, perinatal Ureaplasma exposure was evaluated as risk factor for the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), other neonatal morbidities until discharge and systemic inflammation at admission. Results: 40/103 (39\%) infants were positive for Ureaplasma in one or both specimens, with U. parvum being the predominant species. While exposure to Ureaplasma alone was not associated with BPD, we found an increased risk of BPD in Ureaplasma-positive infants ventilated ≥5 days (OR 1.64; 95\% CI 0.12-22.98; p = 0.009). Presence of Ureaplasma was associated with a 7-fold risk of late onset sepsis (LOS) (95\% CI 1.80-27.39; p = 0.014). Moreover, Ureaplasma-positive infants had higher I/T ratios (b 0.39; 95\% CI 0.08-0.71; p = 0.014), increased levels of interleukin (IL)-17 (b 0.16; 95\% CI 0.02-0.30; p = 0.025) and matrix metalloproteinase 8 (b 0.77; 95\% CI 0.10-1.44; p = 0.020), decreased levels of IL-10 (b -0.77; 95\% CI -1.58 to -0.01; p = 0.043) and increased ratios of Tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-8, and IL-17 to anti-inflammatory IL-10 (p = 0.003, p = 0.012, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Positive Ureaplasma screening was not associated with BPD. However, exposure contributed to BPD in infants ventilated ≥5 days and conferred an increased risk of LOS and imbalanced inflammatory cytokine responses.}, language = {en} } @article{VadokasKoehlerWeilandetal.2019, author = {Vadokas, Georg and Koehler, Stefan and Weiland, Judith and Lilla, Nadine and Stetter, Christian and Westermaier, Thomas}, title = {Early antiinflammatory therapy attenuates brain damage after SAH in rats}, series = {Translational Neuroscience}, volume = {10}, journal = {Translational Neuroscience}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1515/tnsci-2019-0018}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201440}, pages = {104-111}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background Early inflammatory processes may play an important role in the development of early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Experimental studies suggest that anti-inflammatory and membrane-stabilizing drugs might have beneficial effects, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of early treatment with methylprednisolone and minocycline on cerebral perfusion and EBI after experimental SAH. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to SAH using the endovascular filament model. 30 minutes after SAH, they were randomly assigned to receive an intravenous injection of methylprednisolone (16mg/kg body weight, n=10), minocycline (45mg/kg body weight, n=10) or saline (n=11). Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), intracranial pressure (ICP) and local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) over both hemispheres were recorded continuously for three hours following SAH. Neurological assessment was performed after 24 hours. Hippocampal damage was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining (caspase 3). Results Treatment with methylprednisolone or minocycline did not result in a significant improvement of MABP, ICP or LCBF. Animals of both treatment groups showed a non-significant trend to better neurological recovery compared to animals of the control group. Mortality was reduced and hippocampal damage significantly attenuated in both methylprednisolone and minocycline treated animals. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that inflammatory processes may play an important role in the pathophysiology of EBI after SAH. Early treatment with the anti-inflammatory drugs methylprednisolone or minocycline in the acute phase of SAH has the potential to reduce brain damage and exert a neuroprotective effect.}, language = {en} } @article{LiuMingZhangetal.2019, author = {Liu, Xiaocui and Ming, Wenbo and Zhang, Yixiao and Friedrich, Alexandra and Marder, Todd B.}, title = {Copper-Catalyzed Triboration: Straightforward, Atom-Economical Synthesis of 1,1,1-Triborylalkanes from Terminal Alkynes and HBpin}, series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, volume = {58}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, number = {52}, doi = {10.1002/anie.201909376}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-206185}, pages = {18923-18927}, year = {2019}, abstract = {A convenient and efficient one-step synthesis of 1,1,1-triborylalkanes was achieved via sequential dehydrogenative borylation and double hydroborations of terminal alkynes with HBpin (HBpin=pinacolborane) catalyzed by inexpensive and readily available Cu(OAc)\(_2\). This process proceeds under mild conditions, furnishing 1,1,1-tris(boronates) with wide substrate scope, excellent selectivity, and good functional-group tolerance, and is applicable to gram-scale synthesis without loss of yield. The 1,1,1-triborylalkanes can be used in the preparation of α-vinylboronates and borylated cyclic compounds, which are valuable but previously rare compounds. Different alkyl groups can be introduced stepwise via base-mediated deborylative alkylation to produce racemic tertiary alkyl boronates, which can be readily transformed into useful tertiary alcohols.}, language = {en} } @article{OttoSchmidtKastneretal.2019, author = {Otto, C. and Schmidt, S. and Kastner, C. and Denk, S. and Kettler, J. and M{\"u}ller, N. and Germer, C.T. and Wolf, E. and Gallant, P. and Wiegering, A.}, title = {Targeting bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibits MYC expression in colorectal cancer cells}, series = {Neoplasia}, volume = {21}, journal = {Neoplasia}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1016/j.neo.2019.10.003}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202451}, pages = {1110-1120}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The transcriptional regulator BRD4 has been shown to be important for the expression of several oncogenes including MYC. Inhibiting of BRD4 has broad antiproliferative activity in different cancer cell types. The small molecule JQ1 blocks the interaction of BRD4 with acetylated histones leading to transcriptional modulation. Depleting BRD4 via engineered bifunctional small molecules named PROTACs (proteolysis targeting chimeras) represents the next-generation approach to JQ1-mediated BRD4 inhibition. PROTACs trigger BRD4 for proteasomale degradation by recruiting E3 ligases. The aim of this study was therefore to validate the importance of BRD4 as a relevant target in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and to compare the efficacy of BRD4 inhibition with BRD4 degradation on downregulating MYC expression. JQ1 induced a downregulation of both MYC mRNA and MYC protein associated with an antiproliferative phenotype in CRC cells. dBET1 and MZ1 induced degradation of BRD4 followed by a reduction in MYC expression and CRC cell proliferation. In SW480 cells, where dBET1 failed, we found significantly lower levels of the E3 ligase cereblon, which is essential for dBET1-induced BRD4 degradation. To gain mechanistic insight into the unresponsiveness to dBET1, we generated dBET1-resistant LS174t cells and found a strong downregulation of cereblon protein. These findings suggest that inhibition of BRD4 by JQ1 and degradation of BRD4 by dBET1 and MZ1 are powerful tools for reducing MYC expression and CRC cell proliferation. In addition, downregulation of cereblon may be an important mechanism for developing dBET1 resistance, which can be evaded by incubating dBET1-resistant cells with JQ1 or MZ1.}, language = {en} } @article{StengelVuralBrunderetal.2019, author = {Stengel, Helena and Vural, Atay and Brunder, Anna-Michelle and Heinius, Annika and Appeltshauser, Luise and Fiebig, Bianca and Giese, Florian and Dresel, Christian and Papagianni, Aikaterini and Birklein, Frank and Weis, Joachim and Huchtemann, Tessa and Schmidt, Christian and K{\"o}rtvelyessy, Peter and Villmann, Carmen and Meinl, Edgar and Sommer, Claudia and Leypoldt, Frank and Doppler, Kathrin}, title = {Anti-pan-neurofascin IgG3 as a marker of fulminant autoimmune neuropathy}, series = {Neurology: Neuroimmunology \& Neuroinflammation}, volume = {6}, journal = {Neurology: Neuroimmunology \& Neuroinflammation}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1212/NXI.0000000000000603}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202462}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Objective To identify and characterize patients with autoantibodies against different neurofascin (NF) isoforms. Methods Screening of a large cohort of patient sera for anti-NF autoantibodies by ELISA and further characterization by cell-based assays, epitope mapping, and complement binding assays. Results Two different clinical phenotypes became apparent in this study: The well-known clinical picture of subacute-onset severe sensorimotor neuropathy with tremor that is known to be associated with IgG4 autoantibodies against the paranodal isoform NF-155 was found in 2 patients. The second phenotype with a dramatic course of disease with tetraplegia and almost locked-in syndrome was associated with IgG3 autoantibodies against nodal and paranodal isoforms of NF in 3 patients. The epitope against which these autoantibodies were directed in this second phenotype was the common Ig domain found in all 3 NF isoforms. In contrast, anti-NF-155 IgG4 were directed against the NF-155-specific Fn3Fn4 domain. The description of a second phenotype of anti-NF-associated neuropathy is in line with some case reports of similar patients that were published in the last year. Conclusions Our results indicate that anti-pan-NF-associated neuropathy differs from anti-NF-155-associated neuropathy, and epitope and subclass play a major role in the pathogenesis and severity of anti-NF-associated neuropathy and should be determined to correctly classify patients, also in respect to possible differences in therapeutic response.}, language = {en} } @article{FiedlerHirschElHajjetal.2019, author = {Fiedler, David and Hirsch, Daniela and El Hajj, Nady and Yang, Howard H. and Hu, Yue and Sticht, Carsten and Nanda, Indrajit and Belle, Sebastian and Rueschoff, Josef and Lee, Maxwell P. and Ried, Thomas and Haaf, Thomas and Gaiser, Timo}, title = {Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of colorectal adenomas with and without recurrence reveals an association between cytosine-phosphate-guanine methylation and histological subtypes}, series = {Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer}, volume = {58}, journal = {Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1002/gcc.22787}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-212676}, pages = {783 -- 797}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Aberrant methylation of DNA is supposed to be a major and early driver of colonic adenoma development, which may result in colorectal cancer (CRC). Although gene methylation assays are used already for CRC screening, differential epigenetic alterations of recurring and nonrecurring colorectal adenomas have yet not been systematically investigated. Here, we collected a sample set of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded colorectal low-grade adenomas (n = 72) consisting of primary adenomas without and with recurrence (n = 59), recurrent adenomas (n = 10), and normal mucosa specimens (n = 3). We aimed to unveil differentially methylated CpG positions (DMPs) across the methylome comparing not only primary adenomas without recurrence vs primary adenomas with recurrence but also primary adenomas vs recurrent adenomas using the Illumina Human Methylation 450K BeadChip array. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering exhibited a significant association of methylation patterns with histological adenoma subtypes. No significant DMPs were identified comparing primary adenomas with and without recurrence. Despite that, a total of 5094 DMPs (false discovery rate <0.05; fold change >10\%) were identified in the comparisons of recurrent adenomas vs primary adenomas with recurrence (674; 98\% hypermethylated), recurrent adenomas vs primary adenomas with and without recurrence (241; 99\% hypermethylated) and colorectal adenomas vs normal mucosa (4179; 46\% hypermethylated). DMPs in cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) islands were frequently hypermethylated, whereas open sea- and shelf-regions exhibited hypomethylation. Gene ontology analysis revealed enrichment of genes associated with the immune system, inflammatory processes, and cancer pathways. In conclusion, our methylation data could assist in establishing a more robust and reproducible histological adenoma classification, which is a prerequisite for improving surveillance guidelines.}, language = {en} } @article{EvdokimovFrankKlitschetal.2019, author = {Evdokimov, Dimitar and Frank, Johanna and Klitsch, Alexander and Unterecker, Stefan and Warrings, Bodo and Serra, Jordi and Papagianni, Aikaterini and Saffer, Nadine and Meyer zu Altenschildesche, Caren and Kampik, Daniel and Malik, Rayaz A. and Sommer, Claudia and {\"U}ceyler, Nurcan}, title = {Reduction of skin innervation is associated with a severe fibromyalgia phenotype}, series = {Annals of Neurology}, volume = {86}, journal = {Annals of Neurology}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1002/ana.25565}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-206168}, pages = {504-516}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Objective: To assess patterns and impact of small nerve fiber dysfunction and pathology in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Methods: One hundred seventeen women with FMS underwent neurological examination, questionnaire assessment, neurophysiology assessment, and small fiber tests: skin punch biopsy, corneal confocal microscopy, microneurography, quantitative sensory testing including C-tactile afferents, and pain-related evoked potentials. Data were compared with those of women with major depressive disorder and chronic widespread pain (MD-P) and healthy women. Results: Intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) was reduced at different biopsy sites in 63\% of FMS patients (MDP: 10\%, controls: 18\%; p < 0.001 for each). We found 4 patterns of skin innervation in FMS: normal, distally reduced, proximally reduced, and both distally and proximally reduced (p < 0.01 for each compared to controls). Microneurography revealed initial activity-dependent acceleration of conduction velocity upon low frequencies of stimulation in 1A fibers, besides 1B fiber spontaneous activity and mechanical sensitization in FMS patients. FMS patients had elevated warm detection thresholds (p < 0.01), impaired C-tactile afferents (p < 0.05), and reduced amplitudes (p < 0.001) of pain-related evoked potentials compared to controls. Compared to FMS patients with normal skin innervation, those with generalized IENFD reduction had higher pain intensity and impairment due to pain, higher disease burden, more stabbing pain and paresthesias, and more anxiety (p < 0.05 for each). FMS patients with generalized IENFD reduction also had lower corneal nerve fiber density (p < 0.01) and length (p < 0.05). Interpretation: The extent of small fiber pathology is related to symptom severity in FMS. This knowledge may have implications for the diagnostic classification and treatment of patients with FMS.}, language = {en} } @article{DeakPopZimtaetal.2019, author = {Deak, Dalma and Pop, Cristina and Zimta, Alina-Andreea and Jurj, Ancuta and Ghiaur, Alexandra and Pasca, Sergiu and Teodorescu, Patric and Dascalescu, Angela and Antohe, Ion and Ionescu, Bogdan and Constantinescu, Catalin and Onaciu, Anca and Munteanu, Raluca and Berindan-Neagoe, Ioana and Petrushev, Bobe and Turcas, Cristina and Iluta, Sabina and Selicean, Cristina and Zdrenghea, Mihnea and Tanase, Alina and Danaila, Catalin and Colita, Anca and Colita, Andrei and Dima, Delia and Coriu, Daniel and Einsele, Hermann and Tomuleasa, Ciprian}, title = {Let's Talk About BiTEs and Other Drugs in the Real-Life Setting for B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia}, series = {Frontiers in Immunology}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Immunology}, number = {2856}, issn = {1664-3224}, doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2019.02856}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-193921}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background: Therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are currently initially efficient, but even if a high percentage of patients have an initial complete remission (CR), most of them relapse. Recent data shows that immunotherapy with either bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs) of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells can eliminate residual chemotherapy-resistant B-ALL cells. Objective: The objective of the manuscript is to present improvements in the clinical outcome for chemotherapy-resistant ALL in the real-life setting, by describing Romania's experience with bispecific antibodies for B-cell ALL. Methods: We present the role of novel therapies for relapsed B-cell ALL, including the drugs under investigation in phase I-III clinical trials, as a potential bridge to transplant. Blinatumomab is presented in a critical review, presenting both the advantages of this drug, as well as its limitations. Results: Bispecific antibodies are discussed, describing the clinical trials that resulted in its approval by the FDA and EMA. The real-life setting for relapsed B-cell ALL is described and we present the patients treated with blinatumomab in Romania. Conclusion: In the current manuscript, we present blinatumomab as a therapeutic alternative in the bridge-to-transplant setting for refractory or relapsed ALL, to gain a better understanding of the available therapies and evidence-based data for these patients in 2019.}, language = {en} } @article{DrescherKleinSchmittetal.2019, author = {Drescher, Nora and Klein, Alexandra-Maria and Schmitt, Thomas and Leonhardt, Sara Diana}, title = {A clue on bee glue: New insight into the sources and factors driving resin intake in honeybees (Apis mellifera)}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {14}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0210594}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200935}, pages = {e0210594}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are threatened by numerous pathogens and parasites. To prevent infections they apply cooperative behavioral defenses, such as allo-grooming and hygiene, or they use antimicrobial plant resin. Resin is a chemically complex and highly variable mixture of many bioactive compounds. Bees collect the sticky material from different plant species and use it for nest construction and protection. Despite its importance for colony health, comparatively little is known about the precise origins and variability in resin spectra collected by honeybees. To identify the botanical resin sources of A. mellifera in Western Europe we chemically compared resin loads of individual foragers and tree resins. We further examined the resin intake of 25 colonies from five different apiaries to assess the effect of location on variation in the spectra of collected resin. Across all colonies and apiaries, seven distinct resin types were categorized according to their color and chemical composition. Matches between bee-collected resin and tree resin indicated that bees used poplar (Populus balsamifera, P. x canadensis), birch (Betula alba), horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) and coniferous trees (either Picea abies or Pinus sylvestris) as resin sources. Our data reveal that honeybees collect a comparatively broad and variable spectrum of resin sources, thus assuring protection against a variety of antagonists sensitive to different resins and/or compounds. We further unravel distinct preferences for specific resins and resin chemotypes, indicating that honeybees selectively search for bioactive resin compounds.}, language = {en} } @article{LechermeierZimmerLueffeetal.2019, author = {Lechermeier, Carina G. and Zimmer, Frederic and L{\"u}ffe, Teresa M. and Lesch, Klaus-Peter and Romanos, Marcel and Lillesaar, Christina and Drepper, Carsten}, title = {Transcript analysis of zebrafish GLUT3 genes, slc2a3a and slc2a3b, define overlapping as well as distinct expression domains in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) central nervous system}, series = {Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience}, volume = {12}, journal = {Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience}, number = {199}, doi = {10.3389/fnmol.2019.00199}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201797}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The transport of glucose across the cell plasma membrane is vital to most mammalian cells. The glucose transporter (GLUT; also called SLC2A) family of transmembrane solute carriers is responsible for this function in vivo. GLUT proteins encompass 14 different isoforms in humans with different cell type-specific expression patterns and activities. Central to glucose utilization and delivery in the brain is the neuronally expressed GLUT3. Recent research has shown an involvement of GLUT3 genetic variation or altered expression in several different brain disorders, including Huntington's and Alzheimer's diseases. Furthermore, GLUT3 was identified as a potential risk gene for multiple psychiatric disorders. To study the role of GLUT3 in brain function and disease a more detailed knowledge of its expression in model organisms is needed. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has in recent years gained popularity as a model organism for brain research and is now well-established for modeling psychiatric disorders. Here, we have analyzed the sequence of GLUT3 orthologs and identified two paralogous genes in the zebrafish, slc2a3a and slc2a3b. Interestingly, the Glut3b protein sequence contains a unique stretch of amino acids, which may be important for functional regulation. The slc2a3a transcript is detectable in the central nervous system including distinct cellular populations in telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon and rhombencephalon at embryonic and larval stages. Conversely, the slc2a3b transcript shows a rather diffuse expression pattern at different embryonic stages and brain regions. Expression of slc2a3a is maintained in the adult brain and is found in the telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon, cerebellum and medulla oblongata. The slc2a3b transcripts are present in overlapping as well as distinct regions compared to slc2a3a. Double in situ hybridizations were used to demonstrate that slc2a3a is expressed by some GABAergic neurons at embryonic stages. This detailed description of zebrafish slc2a3a and slc2a3b expression at developmental and adult stages paves the way for further investigations of normal GLUT3 function and its role in brain disorders.}, language = {en} } @article{BrosgeLorenzHeltenetal.2019, author = {Brosge, Felix and Lorenz, Thomas and Helten, Holger and Bolm, Carsten}, title = {BN- and BO-Doped Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Polymers with Sulfoximine Core Units}, series = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, volume = {25}, journal = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, number = {55}, doi = {10.1002/chem.201903289}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-206194}, pages = {12708-12711}, year = {2019}, abstract = {While polysulfones constitute a class of well-established, highly valuable applied materials, knowledge about polymers based on the related sulfoximine group is very limited. We have employed functionalized diaryl sulfoximines and a p -phenylene bisborane as building blocks for unprecedented BN- and BO-doped alternating inorganic-organic hybrid copolymers. While the former were accessed by a facile silicon/boron exchange protocol, the synthesis of polymers with main-chain B-O linkages was achieved by salt elimination.}, language = {en} } @article{MuenstermannStrobelKlosetal.2019, author = {Muenstermann, Marcel and Strobel, Lea and Klos, Andreas and Wetsel, Rick A. and Woodruff, Trent M. and K{\"o}hl, J{\"o}rg and Johswich, Kay O.}, title = {Distinct roles of the anaphylatoxin receptors C3aR, C5aR1 and C5aR2 in experimental meningococcal infections}, series = {Virulence}, volume = {10}, journal = {Virulence}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1080/21505594.2019.1640035}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200496}, pages = {677-694}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The complement system is pivotal in the defense against invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis (Nme, meningococcus), particularly via the membrane attack complex. Complement activation liberates the anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a, which activate three distinct G-protein coupled receptors, C3aR, C5aR1 and C5aR2 (anaphylatoxin receptors, ATRs). We recently discovered that C5aR1 exacerbates the course of the disease, revealing a downside of complement in Nme sepsis. Here, we compared the roles of all three ATRs during mouse nasal colonization, intraperitoneal infection and human whole blood infection with Nme. Deficiency of complement or ATRs did not alter nasal colonization, but significantly affected invasive disease: Compared to WT mice, the disease was aggravated in C3ar\(^{-/-}\) mice, whereas C5ar1\(^{-/-}\) and C5ar2\(^{-/-}\) mice showed increased resistance to meningococcal sepsis. Surprisingly, deletion of either of the ATRs resulted in lower cytokine/chemokine responses, irrespective of the different susceptibilities of the mice. This was similar in ex vivo human whole blood infection using ATR inhibitors. Neutrophil responses to Nme were reduced in C5ar1\(^{-/-}\) mouse blood. Upon stimulation with C5a plus Nme, mouse macrophages displayed reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, when C5aR1 or C5aR2 were ablated or inhibited, suggesting that both C5a-receptors prime an initial macrophage response to Nme. Finally, in vivo blockade of C5aR1 alone (PMX205) or along with C5aR2 (A8\(^{Δ71-73}\)) resulted in ameliorated disease, whereas neither antagonizing C3aR (SB290157) nor its activation with a "super-agonist" peptide (WWGKKYRASKLGLAR) demonstrated a benefit. Thus, C5aR1 and C5aR2 augment disease pathology and are interesting targets for treatment, whereas C3aR is protective in experimental meningococcal sepsis.}, language = {en} } @article{GrafenSchumacherChithelenetal.2019, author = {Grafen, Anika and Schumacher, Fabian and Chithelen, Janice and Kleuser, Burkhard and Beyersdorf, Niklas and Schneider-Schaulies, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Use of acid ceramidase and sphingosine kinase inhibitors as antiviral compounds against measles virus infection of lymphocytes in vitro}, series = {Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology}, volume = {7}, journal = {Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology}, number = {218}, issn = {2296-634X}, doi = {10.3389/fcell.2019.00218}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-196099}, year = {2019}, abstract = {As structural membrane components and signaling effector molecules sphingolipids influence a plethora of host cell functions, and by doing so also the replication of viruses. Investigating the effects of various inhibitors of sphingolipid metabolism in primary human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and the human B cell line BJAB we found that not only the sphingosine kinase (SphK) inhibitor SKI-II, but also the acid ceramidase inhibitor ceranib-2 efficiently inhibited measles virus (MV) replication. Virus uptake into the target cells was not grossly altered by the two inhibitors, while titers of newly synthesized MV were reduced by approximately 1 log (90\%) in PBL and 70-80\% in BJAB cells. Lipidomic analyses revealed that in PBL SKI-II led to increased ceramide levels, whereas in BJAB cells ceranib-2 increased ceramides. SKI-II treatment decreased sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) levels in PBL and BJAB cells. Furthermore, we found that MV infection of lymphocytes induced a transient (0.5-6 h) increase in S1P, which was prevented by SKI-II. Investigating the effect of the inhibitors on the metabolic (mTORC1) activity we found that ceranib-2 reduced the phosphorylation of p70 S6K in PBL, and that both inhibitors, ceranib-2 and SKI-II, reduced the phosphorylation of p70 S6K in BJAB cells. As mTORC1 activity is required for efficient MV replication, this effect of the inhibitors is one possible antiviral mechanism. In addition, reduced intracellular S1P levels affect a number of signaling pathways and functions including Hsp90 activity, which was reported to be required for MV replication. Accordingly, we found that pharmacological inhibition of Hsp90 with the inhibitor 17-AAG strongly impaired MV replication in primary PBL. Thus, our data suggest that treatment of lymphocytes with both, acid ceramidase and SphK inhibitors, impair MV replication by affecting a number of cellular activities including mTORC1 and Hsp90, which alter the metabolic state of the cells causing a hostile environment for the virus.}, language = {en} } @article{ScheerVokuhlBlanketal.2019, author = {Scheer, Monika and Vokuhl, Christian and Blank, Bernd and Hallmen, Erika and von Kalle, Thekla and M{\"u}nter, Marc and Wessalowski, R{\"u}diger and Hartwig, Maite and Sparber-Sauer, Monika and Schlegel, Paul-Gerhardt and Kramm, Christof M. and Kontny, Udo and Spriewald, Bernd and Kegel, Thomas and Bauer, Sebastian and Kazanowska, Bernarda and Niggli, Felix and Ladenstein, Ruth and Ljungman, Gustaf and Jahnukainen, Kirsi and Fuchs, J{\"o}rg and Bielack, Stefan S. and Klingebiel, Thomas and Koscielniak, Ewa}, title = {Desmoplastic small round cell tumors: Multimodality treatment and new risk factors}, series = {Cancer Medicine}, volume = {8}, journal = {Cancer Medicine}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1002/cam4.1940}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-228444}, pages = {527-545}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background To evaluate optimal therapy and potential risk factors. Methods Data of DSRCT patients <40 years treated in prospective CWS trials 1997-2015 were analyzed. Results Median age of 60 patients was 14.5 years. Male:female ratio was 4:1. Tumors were abdominal/retroperitoneal in 56/60 (93\%). 6/60 (10\%) presented with a localized mass, 16/60 (27\%) regionally disseminated nodes, and 38/60 (63\%) with extraperitoneal metastases. At diagnosis, 23/60 (38\%) patients had effusions, 4/60 (7\%) a thrombosis, and 37/54 (69\%) elevated CRP. 40/60 (67\%) patients underwent tumor resection, 21/60 (35\%) macroscopically complete. 37/60 (62\%) received chemotherapy according to CEVAIE (ifosfamide, vincristine, actinomycin D, carboplatin, epirubicin, etoposide), 15/60 (25\%) VAIA (ifosfamide, vincristine, adriamycin, actinomycin D) and, 5/60 (8\%) P6 (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, ifosfamide, etoposide). Nine received high-dose chemotherapy, 6 received regional hyperthermia, and 20 received radiotherapy. Among 25 patients achieving complete remission, 18 (72\%) received metronomic therapies. Three-year event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 11\% (±8 confidence interval [CI] 95\%) and 30\% (±12 CI 95\%), respectively, for all patients and 26.7\% (±18.0 CI 95\%) and 56.9\% (±20.4 CI 95\%) for 25 patients achieving remission. Extra-abdominal site, localized disease, no effusion or ascites only, absence of thrombosis, normal CRP, complete tumor resection, and chemotherapy with VAIA correlated with EFS in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, significant factors were no thrombosis and chemotherapy with VAIA. In patients achieving complete remission, metronomic therapy with cyclophosphamide/vinblastine correlated with prolonged time to relapse. Conclusion Pleural effusions, venous thrombosis, and CRP elevation were identified as potential risk factors. The VAIA scheme showed best outcome. Maintenance therapy should be investigated further.}, language = {en} } @article{Wajant2019, author = {Wajant, Harald}, title = {Molecular mode of action of TRAIL receptor agonists—common principles and their translational exploitation}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {11}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {7}, doi = {10.3390/cancers11070954}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202416}, pages = {954}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its death receptors TRAILR1/death receptor 4 (DR4) and TRAILR2/DR5 trigger cell death in many cancer cells but rarely exert cytotoxic activity on non-transformed cells. Against this background, a variety of recombinant TRAIL variants and anti-TRAIL death receptor antibodies have been developed and tested in preclinical and clinical studies. Despite promising results from mice tumor models, TRAIL death receptor targeting has failed so far in clinical studies to show satisfying anti-tumor efficacy. These disappointing results can largely be explained by two issues: First, tumor cells can acquire TRAIL resistance by several mechanisms defining a need for combination therapies with appropriate sensitizing drugs. Second, there is now growing preclinical evidence that soluble TRAIL variants but also bivalent anti-TRAIL death receptor antibodies typically require oligomerization or plasma membrane anchoring to achieve maximum activity. This review discusses the need for oligomerization and plasma membrane attachment for the activity of TRAIL death receptor agonists in view of what is known about the molecular mechanisms of how TRAIL death receptors trigger intracellular cell death signaling. In particular, it will be highlighted which consequences this has for the development of next generation TRAIL death receptor agonists and their potential clinical application.}, language = {en} } @article{LohrTerekhovWengetal.2019, author = {Lohr, David and Terekhov, Maxim and Weng, Andreas Max and Schroeder, Anja and Walles, Heike and Schreiber, Laura Maria}, title = {Spin echo based cardiac diffusion imaging at 7T: An ex vivo study of the porcine heart at 7T and 3T}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {14}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0213994}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201376}, pages = {e0213994}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Purpose of this work was to assess feasibility of cardiac diffusion tensor imaging (cDTI) at 7 T in a set of healthy, unfixed, porcine hearts using various parallel imaging acceleration factors and to compare SNR and derived cDTI metrics to a reference measured at 3 T. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 7T and 3T whole body systems using a spin echo diffusion encoding sequence with echo planar imaging readout. Five reference (b = 0 s/mm\(^2\)) images and 30 diffusion directions (b = 700 s/mm\(^2\)) were acquired at both 7 T and 3 T using a GRAPPA acceleration factor R = 1. Scans at 7 T were repeated using R = 2, R = 3, and R = 4. SNR evaluation was based on 30 reference (b = 0 s/mm\(^2\)) images of 30 slices of the left ventricle and cardiac DTI metrics were compared within AHA segmentation. The number of hearts scanned at 7 T and 3 T was n = 11. No statistically significant differences were found for evaluated helix angle, secondary eigenvector angle, fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient at the different field strengths, given sufficiently high SNR and geometrically undistorted images. R≥3 was needed to reduce susceptibility induced geometric distortions to an acceptable amount. On average SNR in myocardium of the left ventricle was increased from 29±3 to 44±6 in the reference image (b = 0 s/mm\(^2\)) when switching from 3 T to 7 T. Our study demonstrates that high resolution, ex vivo cDTI is feasible at 7 T using commercial hardware.}, language = {en} } @article{RufBeerKoestleretal.2019, author = {Ruf, Katharina and Beer, Meinrad and K{\"o}stler, Herbert and Weng, Andreas Max and Neubauer, Henning and Klein, Alexander and Platek, Kathleen and Roth, Kristina and Beneke, Ralph and Hebestreit, Helge}, title = {Size-adjusted muscle power and muscle metabolism in patients with cystic fibrosis are equal to healthy controls - a case control study}, series = {BMC Pulmonary Medicine}, volume = {19}, journal = {BMC Pulmonary Medicine}, doi = {10.1186/s12890-019-1039-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200981}, pages = {269}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background Skeletal muscle function dysfunction has been reported in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Studies so far showed inconclusive data whether reduced exercise capacity is related to intrinsic muscle dysfunction in CF. Methods Twenty patients with CF and 23 age-matched controls completed an incremental cardiopulmonary cycling test. Further, a Wingate anaerobic test to assess muscle power was performed. In addition, all participants completed an incremental knee-extension test with 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy to assess muscle metabolism (inorganic phosphate (Pi) and phosphocreatinine (PCr) as well as intracellular pH). In the MRI, muscle cross-sectional area of the M. quadriceps (qCSA) was also measured. A subgroup of 15 participants (5 CF, 10 control) additionally completed a continuous high-intensity, high-frequency knee-extension exercise task during 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy to assess muscle metabolism. Results Patients with CF showed a reduced exercise capacity in the incremental cardiopulmonary cycling test (VO2peak: CF 77.8 ± 16.2\%predicted (36.5 ± 7.4 ml/qCSA/min), control 100.6 ± 18.8\%predicted (49.1 ± 11.4 ml/qCSA/min); p < 0.001), and deficits in anaerobic capacity reflected by the Wingate test (peak power: CF 537 ± 180 W, control 727 ± 186 W; mean power: CF 378 ± 127 W, control 486 ± 126 W; power drop CF 12 ± 5 W, control 8 ± 4 W. all: p < 0.001). In the knee-extension task, patients with CF achieved a significantly lower workload (p < 0.05). However, in a linear model analysing maximal work load of the incremental knee-extension task and results of the Wingate test, respectively, only muscle size and height, but not disease status (CF or not) contributed to explaining variance. In line with this finding, no differences were found in muscle metabolism reflected by intracellular pH and the ratio of Pi/PCr at submaximal stages and peak exercise measured through MRI spectroscopy. Conclusions The lower absolute muscle power in patients with CF compared to controls is exclusively explained by the reduced muscle size in this study. No evidence was found for an intrinsic skeletal muscle dysfunction due to primary alterations of muscle metabolism.}, language = {en} } @article{PetritschKosmalaWengetal.2019, author = {Petritsch, Berhard and Kosmala, Aleksander and Weng, Andreas Max and Bley, Thorsten Alexander}, title = {Tin-filtered 100kV ultra-low-dose CT of the paranasal sinus: initial clinical results}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {14}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1371/ journal.pone.0216295}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-204127}, pages = {e0216295}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Objectives To investigate the feasibility, diagnostic image quality and radiation dose of 3\(^{rd}\) generation dual-source computed tomography (CT) using a tin-filtered 100 kV protocol in patients with suspected acute inflammatory sinus disease. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 109 consecutive patients who underwent CT (Siemens SOMATOM Force, Erlangen, Germany) of the paranasal sinus with a new tin-filtered scanprotocol (Sn100 kV; tube current 35 mAs) using iterative reconstruction. Two readers independently assessed subjective image quality using a five-point Likert scale (1 = excellent, 5 = non-diagnostic). Inter-observer agreement was calculated and expressed as percentage of agreement. Noise was determined for calculation of signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR). Effective radiation dose (ED) was calculated from the dose-length-product (DLP). Results All examinations showed diagnostic image quality regarding evaluation of inflammatory sinus disease. On average, subjective general image quality was rated moderate (= 3) with a percentage of agreement between the observers of 81\%. The mean image noise was 14.3 HU. The calculated median SNR was 6.0 for intraorbital fat, and 3.6 for the vitreous body, respectively. The median DLP was 2.1 mGy*cm, resulting in a median ED of 0.012 mSv. Conclusions Taking the study limitations into account, ultra-low-dose tin-filtered CT of the paranasal sinus at a tube voltage of 100 kV utilizing an iterative reconstruction algorithm provides for reliable exclusion of suspected acute inflammatory sinus disease in 100\% of the cases.}, language = {en} }