@article{ArmbruesterMendeGelbrichetal.2021, author = {Armbr{\"u}ster, Lotte and Mende, Werner and Gelbrich, G{\"o}tz and Wermke, Peter and G{\"o}tz, Regina and Wermke, Kathleen}, title = {Musical intervals in infants' spontaneous crying over the first 4 months of life}, series = {Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica}, volume = {73}, journal = {Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1159/000510622}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-326093}, pages = {401-412}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Introduction: Perception and memorizing of melody and rhythm start about the third trimester of gestation. Infants have astonishing musical predispositions, and melody contour is most salient for them. Objective: To longitudinally analyse melody contour of spontaneous crying of healthy infants and to identify melodic intervals. The aim was 3-fold: (1) to answer the question whether spontaneous crying of healthy infants regularly exhibits melodic intervals across the observation period, (2) to investigate whether interval events become more complex with age and (3) to analyse interval size distribution. Methods: Weekly cry recordings of 12 healthy infants (6 females) over the first 4 months of life were analysed (6,130 cry utterances) using frequency spectrograms and pitch analyses (PRAAT). A preselection of utterances containing a well-identifiable, noise-free and undisturbed melodic contour was applied to identify and measure melodic intervals in the final subset of 3,114 utterances. Age-dependent frequency of occurrence of melodic intervals was statistically analysed using generalized estimating equations. Results: 85.3\% of all preselected melody contours (n = 3,114) either contained single rising or falling melodic intervals or complex events as combinations of both. In total 6,814 melodic intervals were measured. A significant increase in interval occurrence was found characterized by a non-linear age effect (3 developmental phases). Complex events were found to significantly increase linearly with age. In both calculations, no sex effect was found. Interval size distribution showed a maximum of the minor second as the prevailing musical interval in infants' crying over the first 4 months of life. Conclusion: Melodic intervals seem to be a regular phenomenon of spontaneous crying of healthy infants. They are suggested to be a further candidate for developing an early risk marker of vocal control in infants. Subsequent studies are needed to compare healthy infants and infants at risk for respiratory-laryngeal dysfunction to investigate the diagnostic value of the occurrence of melodic intervals and their age-depending complexification.}, language = {en} } @article{ArenaBisognoGąsioretal.2021, author = {Arena, Roberta and Bisogno, Simona and Gąsior, Łukasz and Rudnicka, Joanna and Bernhardt, Laura and Haaf, Thomas and Zacchini, Federica and Bochenek, Michał and Fic, Kinga and Bik, Ewelina and Barańska, Małgorzata and Bodzoń-Kułakowska, Anna and Suder, Piotr and Depciuch, Joanna and Gurgul, Artur and Polański, Zbigniew and Ptak, Grażyna E.}, title = {Lipid droplets in mammalian eggs are utilized during embryonic diapause}, series = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences}, volume = {118}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.2018362118}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-326085}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Embryonic diapause (ED) is a temporary arrest of an embryo at the blastocyst stage when it waits for the uterine receptivity signal to implant. ED used by over 100 species may also occur in normally "nondiapausing" mammals when the uterine receptivity signal is blocked or delayed. A large number of lipid droplets (LDs) are stored throughout the preimplantation embryo development, but the amount of lipids varies greatly across different mammalian species. Yet, the role of LDs in the mammalian egg and embryo remains unknown. Here, using a mouse model, we provide evidence that LDs play a crucial role in maintaining ED. By mechanical removal of LDs from zygotes, we demonstrated that delipidated embryos are unable to survive during ED. LDs are not essential for normal prompt implantation, without ED. We further demonstrated that with the progression of ED, the amount of intracellular lipid reduces, and composition changes. This decrease in lipid is caused by a switch from carbohydrate metabolism to lipid catabolism in diapausing blastocysts, which also exhibit increased release of exosomes reflecting elevated embryonic signaling to the mother. We have also shown that presence of LDs in the oocytes of various mammals positively corelates with their species-specific length of diapause. Our results reveal the functional role of LDs in embryonic development. These results can help to develop diagnostic techniques and treatment of recurrent implantation failure and will likely ignite further studies in developmental biology and reproductive medicine fields.}, language = {en} } @article{ArandBielerDuerrenbergeretal.2021, author = {Arand, Katja and Bieler, Evi and D{\"u}rrenberger, Markus and Kassemeyer, Hanns-Heinz}, title = {Developmental pattern of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) berry cuticular wax: Differentiation between epicuticular crystals and underlying wax}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {16}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0246693}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-326053}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The grapevine berry surface is covered by a cuticle consisting of cutin and various lipophilic wax compounds. The latter build the main barrier for transpirational water loss and protect the fruit against environmental factors e.g. pests, mechanical impacts or radiation. The integrety of the fruit surface is one important key factor for post-harvest quality and storage of fruits. Nonetheless, the developmental pattern of cuticular wax was so far only investigated for a very limited number of fruits. Therefore, we performed comparative investigations on the compositional and morphological nature of epicuticular wax crystals and underlying wax during fruit development in Vitis vinifera. The main compound oleanolic acid belongs to the pentacyclic triterpenoids, which occur very early in the development in high amounts inside the cuticle. The amount increases until veraison and decreases further during ripening. In general, very-long chain aliphatic (VLCA) compounds are present in much smaller amounts and alcohols and aldehydes follow the same trend during development. In contrast, the amount of fatty acids constantly increases from fruit set to ripening while wax esters only occur in significant amount at veraison and increase further. Wax crystals at the fruit surface are solely composed of VLCAs and the morphology changes during development according to the compositional changes of the VLCA wax compounds. The remarkable compositional differences between epicuticular wax crystals and the underlying wax are important to understand in terms of studying grape-pest interactions or the influence of environmental factors, since only wax crystals directly face the environment.}, language = {en} } @article{AppellDutkiewiczLopezetal.2021, author = {Appell, J{\"u}rgen and Dutkiewicz, Aldona and L{\´o}pez, Bel{\´e}n and Reinwand, Simon and Sadarangani, Kishin}, title = {H{\"o}lder-type spaces, singular operators, and fixed point theorems}, series = {Fixed Point Theory}, volume = {22}, journal = {Fixed Point Theory}, number = {1}, doi = {10.24193/fpt-ro.2021.1.03}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-326028}, pages = {31-58}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In this note, we give a sufficient condition for the existence of H{\"o}lder-type solutions to a class of fractional initial value problems involving Caputo derivatives. Since imposing (classical or general) global Lipschitz conditions on the nonlinear operators involved leads to degeneracy phenomena, the main emphasis is put on local Lipschitz conditions or fixed point principles of Schauder and Darbo type. To this end, we study continuity and boundedness conditions for linear Riemann-Liouville operators and nonlinear Nemytskij operators in H{\"o}lder spaces of integral type which have much better properties than classical H{\"o}lder spaces.}, language = {en} } @article{AnnasBeiselClementetal.2021, author = {Annas, George J. and Beisel, Chase L. and Clement, Kendell and Crisanti, Andrea and Francis, Stacy and Galardini, Marco and Galizi, Roberto and Gr{\"u}newald, Julian and Immobile, Greta and Khalil, Ahmad S. and M{\"u}ller, Ruth and Pattanayak, Vikram and Petri, Karl and Paul, Ligi and Pinello, Luca and Simoni, Alekos and Taxiarchi, Chrysanthi and Joung, J. Keith}, title = {A code of ethics for gene drive research}, series = {The CRISPR Journal}, volume = {4}, journal = {The CRISPR Journal}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1089/crispr.2020.0096}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-326012}, pages = {19-24}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Gene drives hold promise for use in controlling insect vectors of diseases, agricultural pests, and for conservation of ecosystems against invasive species. At the same time, this technology comes with potential risks that include unknown downstream effects on entire ecosystems as well as the accidental or nefarious spread of organisms that carry the gene drive machinery. A code of ethics can be a useful tool for all parties involved in the development and regulation of gene drives and can be used to help ensure that a balanced analysis of risks, benefits, and values is taken into consideration in the interest of society and humanity. We have developed a code of ethics for gene drive research with the hope that this code will encourage the development of an international framework that includes ethical guidance of gene drive research and is incorporated into scientific practice by gaining broad agreement and adherence.}, language = {en} } @article{AnkerPonikowskiWanneretal.2021, author = {Anker, Stefan D. and Ponikowski, Piotr and Wanner, Christoph and Pfarr, Egon and Hauske, Sibylle and Peil, Barbara and Salsali, Afshin and Ritter, Ivana and Koitka-Weber, Audrey and Brueckmann, Martina and Lindenfeld, JoAnn and Abraham, William T.}, title = {Kidney function after initiation and discontinuation of empagliflozin in patients with heart failure with and without type 2 diabetes: insights from the EMPERIAL trials}, series = {Circulation}, volume = {144}, journal = {Circulation}, number = {15}, organization = {EMPERIAL Investigators and National Coordinators}, doi = {10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.054669}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-326006}, pages = {1265-1267}, year = {2021}, abstract = {No abstract available.}, language = {en} } @article{AndreattaPauli2021, author = {Andreatta, Marta and Pauli, Paul}, title = {Contextual modulation of conditioned responses in humans: A review on virtual reality studies}, series = {Clinical Psychology Review}, volume = {90}, journal = {Clinical Psychology Review}, doi = {10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102095}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-325994}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Conditioned response (CRs) triggered by stimuli predicting aversive consequences have been confirmed across various species including humans, and were found to be exaggerated in anxious individuals and anxiety disorder patients. Importantly, contextual information may strongly modulate such conditioned responses (CR), however, there are several methodological boundaries in the translation of animal findings to humans, and from healthy individuals to patients. Virtual Reality (VR) is a useful technological tool for overcoming such boundaries. In this review, we summarize and evaluate human VR conditioning studies exploring the role of the context as conditioned stimulus or occasion setter for CRs. We observe that VR allows successful acquisition of conditioned anxiety and conditioned fear in response to virtual contexts and virtual cues, respectively. VR studies also revealed that spatial or temporal contextual information determine whether conditioned anxiety and conditioned fear become extinguished and/or return. Novel contexts resembling the threatening context foster conditioned fear but not conditioned anxiety, suggesting distinct context-related generalization processes. We conclude VR contexts are able to strongly modulate CRs and therefore allow a comprehensive investigation of the modulatory role of the context over CR in humans leading to conclusions relevant for non-VR and clinical studies.}, language = {en} } @article{AmarPacakSteichenetal.2021, author = {Amar, Laurence and Pacak, Karel and Steichen, Olivier and Akker, Scott A. and Aylwin, Simon J. B. and Baudin, Eric and Buffet, Alexandre and Burnichon, Nelly and Clifton-Bligh, Roderick J. and Dahia, Patricia L. M. and Fassnacht, Martin and Grossman, Ashley B. and Herman, Philippe and Hicks, Rodney J. and Januszewicz, Andrzej and Jimenez, Camilo and Kunst, Henricus P. M. and Lewis, Dylan and Mannelli, Massimo and Naruse, Mitsuhide and Robledo, Mercedes and Ta{\"i}eb, David and Taylor, David R. and Timmers, Henri J. L. M. and Treglia, Giorgio and Tufton, Nicola and Young, William F. and Lenders, Jaques W. M. and Gimenez-Roqueplo, Anne-Paule and Lussey-Lepoutre, Charlotte}, title = {International consensus on initial screening and follow-up of asymptomatic SDHx mutation carriers}, series = {Nature Reviews Endocrinology}, volume = {17}, journal = {Nature Reviews Endocrinology}, doi = {10.1038/s41574-021-00492-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-325982}, pages = {435-444}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Approximately 20\% of patients diagnosed with a phaeochromocytoma or paraganglioma carry a germline mutation in one of the succinate dehydrogenase (SDHx) genes (SDHA, SDHB, SDHC and SDHD), which encode the four subunits of the SDH enzyme. When a pathogenic SDHx mutation is identified in an affected patient, genetic counselling is proposed for first-degree relatives. Optimal initial evaluation and follow-up of people who are asymptomatic but might carry SDHx mutations have not yet been agreed. Thus, we established an international consensus algorithm of clinical, biochemical and imaging screening at diagnosis and during surveillance for both adults and children. An international panel of 29 experts from 12 countries was assembled, and the Delphi method was used to reach a consensus on 41 statements. This Consensus Statement covers a range of topics, including age of first genetic testing, appropriate biochemical and imaging tests for initial tumour screening and follow-up, screening for rare SDHx-related tumours and management of elderly people who have an SDHx mutation. This Consensus Statement focuses on the management of asymptomatic SDHx mutation carriers and provides clinicians with much-needed guidance. The standardization of practice will enable prospective studies in the near future.}, language = {en} } @article{NaegeleZugmaierGoebeleretal.2021, author = {N{\"a}gele, Virginie and Zugmaier, Gerhard and Goebeler, Maria-Elisabeth and Viardot, Andreas and Bargou, Ralf and Kufer, Peter and Klinger, Matthias}, title = {Relationship of T- and B-cell kinetics to clinical response in patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with blinatumomab}, series = {Experimental Hematology}, volume = {100}, journal = {Experimental Hematology}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exphem.2021.06.005}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-371526}, pages = {32-36}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Blinatumomab is a first-in-class immunotherapy based on the bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE®) immune-oncology platform, which redirects CD3+ T cells to kill CD19+ target cells. The objective of this analysis was to describe the correlation between B- and T-cell kinetics and response to blinatumomab in patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The clinical efficacy of treatment with blinatumomab in patients with r/r NHL was recently investigated in a phase 1 dose-escalation and expansion trial (NCT00274742) wherein 76 patients received blinatumomab by continuous intravenous infusion at various doses (0.5-90 μg/m2/day). B-Cell depletion and expansion of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells was analyzed in patients stratified per clinical response (complete response [CR], n = 16; partial response [PR], stable disease [SD], or progressive disease [PD], n = 54) for at least 4 weeks (additional 4 weeks after clinical benefit) from the date of administration of blinatumomab until dose-limiting toxicity or PD. B-cell depletion kinetics were faster in patients who had a CR than in patients who did not have a complete response (PR, SD, or PD). T-cell expansion (T-cell counts exceeding the baseline level on day 22) was more pronounced in patients with CR than in patients without CR. T-cell expansion in patients with CR correlated with increased T-cell counts of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells compared with patients without CR. Patients with r/r NHL who achieved a CR had faster B-cell depletion and increased expansion of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells than patients who did not achieve a CR.}, language = {en} } @article{NabeebaccusVermaZoccaratoetal.2021, author = {Nabeebaccus, Adam A and Verma, Sharwari and Zoccarato, Anna and Emanuelli, Giulia and Santos, Celio XC. and Streckfuss-B{\"o}meke, Katrin and Shah, Ajay M.}, title = {Cardiomyocyte protein O-GlcNAcylation is regulated by GFAT1 not GFAT2}, series = {Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications}, volume = {583}, journal = {Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications}, doi = {10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.10.056}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-371510}, pages = {121-127}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In response to cardiac injury, increased activity of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) is linked with cytoprotective as well as adverse effects depending on the type and duration of injury. Glutamine-fructose amidotransferase (GFAT; gene name gfpt) is the rate-limiting enzyme that controls flux through HBP. Two protein isoforms exist in the heart called GFAT1 and GFAT2. There are conflicting data on the relative importance of GFAT1 and GFAT2 during stress-induced HBP responses in the heart. Using neonatal rat cardiac cell preparations, targeted knockdown of GFPT1 and GFPT2 were performed and HBP activity measured. Immunostaining with specific GFAT1 and GFAT2 antibodies was undertaken in neonatal rat cardiac preparations and murine cardiac tissues to characterise cell-specific expression. Publicly available human heart single cell sequencing data was interrogated to determine cell-type expression. Western blots for GFAT isoform protein expression were performed in human cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). GFPT1 but not GFPT2 knockdown resulted in a loss of stress-induced protein O-GlcNAcylation in neonatal cardiac cell preparations indicating reduced HBP activity. In rodent cells and tissue, immunostaining for GFAT1 identified expression in both cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts whereas immunostaining for GFAT2 was only identified in fibroblasts. Further corroboration of findings in human heart cells identified an enrichment of GFPT2 gene expression in cardiac fibroblasts but not ventricular myocytes whereas GFPT1 was expressed in both myocytes and fibroblasts. In human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, only GFAT1 protein was expressed with an absence of GFAT2. In conclusion, these results indicate that GFAT1 is the primary cardiomyocyte isoform and GFAT2 is only present in cardiac fibroblasts. Cell-specific isoform expression may have differing effects on cell function and should be considered when studying HBP and GFAT functions in the heart.}, language = {en} } @article{MuzerelleSoizaReillyHaineretal.2021, author = {Muzerelle, Aude and Soiza-Reilly, Mariano and Hainer, Cornelia and Ruet, Pierre-Louis and Lesch, Klaus-Peter and Bader, Michael and Alenina, Natalia and Scotto-Lomassese, Sophie and Gaspar, Patricia}, title = {Dorsal raphe serotonin neurotransmission is required for the expression of nursing behavior and for pup survival}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {11}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-021-84368-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-371501}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Proper maternal care is an essential factor of reproductive success in mammals, involving a repertoire of behaviors oriented toward the feeding and care of the offspring. Among the neurotransmitters involved in the initiation of these behaviors, serotonin (5-HT) seems to play an important role. Here we compared pup-oriented maternal behaviors in mice with constitutive 5-HT depletion, the tryptophan hydroxylase 2-knock-out (Tph2-KO) and the Pet1-KO mice. We report that the only common pup-oriented defect in these 2 hyposerotoninergic models is a defective nursing in parturient mice and altered nursing-like (crouching) behavior in virgin mice, while pup retrieval defects are only present in Tph2-KO. Despite a normal mammary gland development and milk production, the defect in appropriate nursing is responsible for severe growth retardation and early lethality of pups born to hyposerotonergic dams. This nursing defect is due to acute rather constitutive 5-HT depletion, as it is reproduced by adult knockdown of Tph2 in the dorsal raphe nucleus in mothers with a prior normal maternal experience. We conclude that 5-HT innervation from the dorsal raphe is required for both the initiation and maintenance of a normal nursing behavior. Our findings may be related to observations of reduced maternal/infant interactions in human depression.}, language = {en} } @article{MuszynskaGuendelMelzeretal.2021, author = {Muszynska, Aleksandra and Guendel, Andre and Melzer, Michael and Moya, Yudelsy Antonia Tandron and R{\"o}der, Marion S. and Rolletschek, Hardy and Rutten, Twan and Munz, Eberhard and Melz, Gilbert and Ortleb, Stefan and Borisjuk, Ljudmilla and B{\"o}rner, Andreas}, title = {A mechanistic view on lodging resistance in rye and wheat: a multiscale comparative study}, series = {Plant Biotechnology Journal}, volume = {19}, journal = {Plant Biotechnology Journal}, doi = {10.1111/pbi.13689}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-371478}, pages = {2646-2661}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The development of crop varieties that are resistant to lodging is a top priority for breeding programmes. Herein, we characterize the rye mutant ´Stabilstroh' ('stable straw') possessing an exceptional combination of high lodging resistance, tall posture and high biomass production. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging displayed the 3-dimensional assembly of vascular bundles in stem. A higher number of vascular bundles and a higher degree of their incline were the features of lodging-resistant versus lodging-prone lines. Histology and electron microscopy revealed that stems are fortified by a higher proportion of sclerenchyma and thickened cell walls, as well as some epidermal invaginations. Biochemical analysis using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry further identified elevated levels of lignin, xylan, zinc and silicon as features associated with high lodging resistance. Combined effects of above features caused superior culm stability. A simplistic mathematical model showed how mechanical forces distribute within the stem under stress. Main traits of the lodging-resistant parental line were heritable and could be traced back to the genetic structure of the mutant. Evaluation of lodging-resistant wheat 'Babax' ('Baviacora') versus contrasting, lodging-prone, genotype ´Pastor´ agreed with above findings on rye. Our findings on mechanical stability and extraordinary culm properties may be important for breeders for the improvement of lodging resistance of tall posture cereal crops.}, language = {en} } @article{MustoEngelhardtCaersetal.2021, author = {Musto, Pellegrino and Engelhardt, Monika and Caers, Jo and Bolli, Niccolo' and Kaiser, Martin and van de Donk, Niels and Terpos, Evangelos and Broijl, Annemiek and de Larrea, Carlos Fern{\´a}ndez and Gay, Francesca and Goldschmidt, Hartmut and Hajek, Roman and Vangsted, Annette Juul and Zamagni, Elena and Zweegman, Sonja and Cavo, Michele and Dimopoulos, Meletios and Einsele, Hermann and Ludwig, Heinz and Barosi, Giovanni and Boccadoro, Mario and Mateos, Maria-Victoria and Sonneveld, Pieter and San Miguel, Jesus}, title = {2021 European Myeloma Network review and consensus statement on smoldering multiple myeloma: how to distinguish (and manage) Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde}, series = {Haematologica}, volume = {106}, journal = {Haematologica}, doi = {10.3324/haematol.2021.278519}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-371372}, pages = {2799-2812}, year = {2021}, abstract = {According to the updated International Myeloma Working Group criteria, smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is an asymptomatic plasma cell disorder characterized by an M-component >3 g/dL, bone marrow plasma cell infiltration >10\% and <60\%, and absence of any myeloma-defining event. Active multiple myeloma is preceded by SMM, with a median time to progression of approximately 5 years. Cases of SMM range from the extremes of "monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance-like", in which patients never progress during their lifetimes, to "early multiple myeloma", in which transformation into symptomatic disease, based on genomic evolution, may be rapid and devastating. Such a "split personality" makes the prognosis and management of individual patients challenging, particularly with regard to the identification and possible early treatment of high-risk SMM. Outside of clinical trials, the conventional approach to SMM generally remains close observation until progression to active multiple myeloma. However, two prospective, randomized trials have recently demonstrated a significant clinical benefit in terms of time to progression, and of overall survival in one of the two studies, for some patients with higher-risk SMM treated with lenalidomide ± dexamethasone, raising the question of whether such an approach should be considered a new standard of care. In this paper, experts from the European Myeloma Network describe current biological and clinical knowledge on SMM, focusing on novel insights into its molecular pathogenesis, new prognostic scoring systems proposed to identify SMM patients at higher risk of early transformation, and updated results of completed or ongoing clinical trials. Finally, some practical recommendations for the real-life management of these patients, based on Delphi consensus methodology, are provided.}, language = {en} } @article{MuraliHaendel2021, author = {Murali, Supriya and H{\"a}ndel, Barbara}, title = {The latency of spontaneous eye blinks marks relevant visual and auditory information processing}, series = {Journal of Vision}, volume = {21}, journal = {Journal of Vision}, doi = {10.1167/jov.21.6.7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-371361}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Eye blinks are influenced by external sensory and internal cognitive factors, as mainly shown in the visual domain. In previous studies, these factors corresponded to the time period of task-relevant sensory information and were often linked to a motor response. Our aim was to dissociate the influence of overall sensory input duration, task-relevant information duration, and the motor response to further understand how the temporal modulation of blinks compares among sensory modalities. Using a visual and an auditory temporal judgment task, we found that blinks were suppressed during stimulus presentation in both domains and that the overall input length had a significant positive relationship with the length of this suppression (i.e., with the latency of the first blink after stimulus onset). Importantly, excluding the influence of the overall sensory input duration we could show that the duration of task-relevant input had an additional influence on blink latency in the visual and the auditory domain. Our findings further suggest that this influence was not based on sensory input but on top-down processes. We could exclude task difficulty and the timing of the motor response as driving factors in the blink modulation. Our results suggest a sensory domain-independent modulation of blink latencies, introduced by changes in the length of the task-relevant, attended period. Therefore, not only do blinks mark the timing of sensory input or the preparation of the motor output, but they can also act as precise indicators of periods of cognitive processing.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerNordhornNeumannKeiletal.2021, author = {M{\"u}ller-Nordhorn, Jacqueline and Neumann, Konrad and Keil, Thomas and Willich, Stefan N. and Binting, Sylvia}, title = {State-level trends in sudden unexpected infant death and immunization in the United States: an ecological study}, series = {BMC Pediatrics}, volume = {21}, journal = {BMC Pediatrics}, doi = {10.1186/s12887-021-02733-w}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-371356}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) continues to be a major contributor to infant mortality in the United States. The objective was to analyze time trends in SUID and their association with immunization coverage. Methods The number of deaths and live births per year and per state (1992-2015) was obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We calculated infant mortality rates (i.e., deaths below one year of age) per 1000 live births for SUID. We obtained data on immunization in children aged 19-35 months with three doses or more of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (3+ DTP), polio (3+ Polio), and Haemophilus influenzae type b (3+ Hib) as well as four doses or more of DTP (4+ DTP) from the National Immunization Survey, and data on infant sleep position from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Study. Data on poverty and race were derived from the Current Population and American Community Surveys of the U.S. Census Bureau. We calculated mean SUID mortality rates with 95\% confidence interval (CI) as well as the annual percentage change using breakpoint analysis. We used Poisson regression with random effects to examine the dependence of SUID rates on immunization coverage, adjusting for sleep position and poverty (1996-2015). In a second model, we additionally adjusted for race (2000-2015). Results Overall, SUID mortality decreased in the United States. The mean annual percent change was - 9.6 (95\% CI = - 10.5, - 8.6) between 1992 and 1996, and - 0.3 (95\% CI = - 0.4, - 0.1) from 1996 onwards. The adjusted rate ratios for SUID mortality were 0.91 (95\% CI = 0.80, 1.03) per 10\% increase for 3+ DTP, 0.88 (95\% CI = 0.83, 0.95) for 4+ DTP, 1.00 (95\% CI = 0.90, 1.10) for 3+ polio, and 0.95 (95\% CI = 0.89, 1.02) for 3+ Hib. After additionally adjusting for race, the rate ratios were 0.76 (95\% CI = 0.67, 0.85) for 3+ DTP, 0.83 (95\% CI = 0.78, 0.89) for 4+ DTP, 0.81 (95\% CI = 0.73, 0.90) for 3+ polio, and 0.94 (95\% CI = 0.88, 1.00) for 3+ Hib. Conclusions SUID mortality is decreasing, and inversely related to immunization coverage. However, since 1996, the decline has slowed down.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerVoggLightningetal.2021, author = {Mueller, Jonathan Wolf and Vogg, Nora and Lightning, Thomas Alec and Weigand, Isabel and Ronchi, Cristina L and Foster, Paul A and Kroiss, Matthias}, title = {Steroid Sulfation in Adrenal Tumors}, series = {Journal of Clinical Endocrinology \& Metabolism}, volume = {106}, journal = {Journal of Clinical Endocrinology \& Metabolism}, doi = {10.1210/clinem/dgab182}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-371305}, pages = {3385-3397}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Context The adrenal cortex produces specific steroid hormones including steroid sulfates such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), the most abundant steroid hormone in the human circulation. Steroid sulfation involves a multistep enzyme machinery that may be impaired by inborn errors of steroid metabolism. Emerging data suggest a role of steroid sulfates in the pathophysiology of adrenal tumors and as potential biomarkers. Evidence Acquisition Selective literature search using "steroid," "sulfat*," "adrenal," "transport," "mass spectrometry" and related terms in different combinations. Evidence Synthesis A recent study highlighted the tissue abundance of estrogen sulfates to be of prognostic impact in adrenocortical carcinoma tissue samples using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging. General mechanisms of sulfate uptake, activation, and transfer to substrate steroids are reasonably well understood. Key aspects of this pathway, however, have not been investigated in detail in the adrenal; these include the regulation of substrate specificity and the secretion of sulfated steroids. Both for the adrenal and targeted peripheral tissues, steroid sulfates may have relevant biological actions beyond their cognate nuclear receptors after desulfation. Impaired steroid sulfation such as low DHEAS in Cushing adenomas is of diagnostic utility, but more comprehensive studies are lacking. In bioanalytics, the requirement of deconjugation for gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry has precluded the study of steroid sulfates for a long time. This limitation may be overcome by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Conclusions A role of steroid sulfation in the pathophysiology of adrenal tumors has been suggested and a diagnostic utility of steroid sulfates as biomarkers is likely. Recent analytical developments may target sulfated steroids specifically.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerKleinertHillermannetal.2021, author = {M{\"u}ller, Frank and Kleinert, Evelyn and Hillermann, Nele and Simmenroth, Anne and Hummers, Eva and Zychlinsky Scharff, Anna and Dopfer, Christian and Happle, Christine and Jablonka, Alexandra}, title = {Disease burden in a large cohort of asylum seekers and refugees in Germany}, series = {Journal of Global Health}, volume = {11}, journal = {Journal of Global Health}, doi = {10.7189/jogh.11.04002}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-371228}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background: Currently, health care systems worldwide are challenged with providing care to an increasing number of migrants, refugees, and displaced persons. In this article, we report on disease burden and drug prescription patterns in a large refugee cohort in Germany. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of anonymized medical records including demographic data, diagnoses, and drug prescriptions in two refugee reception centres between 2015 and 2019. Refugees and migrants received medical assistance exclusively through the on-site clinics. Thus, this study represents all medical visits of the housed residents. Results: In total, n = 15531 diagnoses from n = 4858 patients in a cohort of n = 10431 accommodated refugees were recorded. N = 11898 medications were prescribed. Overall, 29.8\% of all refugees sought medical attention. Half of the patients were female (49.6\%), the average age was 23.8 years (SD [standard deviation] 17.0, min 0, max 81), and 41.5\% were minors (<18 years). Most patients had Middle Eastern or Northern African origin (63.9\%). The largest proportion of diagnoses belonged to the ICD (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems) category "R" (miscellaneous, 33.5\%), followed by diseases of the respiratory system (category "J", 16.5\%), or the musculoskeletal system (category "M", 7.1\%). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were most frequently prescribed. Conclusions: This analysis in two large refugee centres in Germany shows that about one third of refugees seek medical attention upon initial arrival. Complaints are manifold, with a high prevalence of respiratory infections.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerSchmitz2021, author = {M{\"u}ller, Daniel and Schmitz, Patrick W.}, title = {The right to quit work: An efficiency rationale for restricting the freedom of contract}, series = {Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization}, volume = {184}, journal = {Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization}, doi = {10.1016/j.jebo.2021.02.004}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-371218}, pages = {653-669}, year = {2021}, abstract = {A principal hires an agent to provide a verifiable service. Initially, the agent can exert unobservable effort to reduce his disutility from providing the service. If the agent is free to waive his right to quit, he may voluntarily sign a contract specifying an inefficiently large service level, while there are insufficient incentives to exert effort. If the agent's right to quit is inalienable, the underprovision of effort may be further aggravated, but the service level is ex post efficient. Overall, it turns out that the total surplus can be larger when agents are not permitted to contractually waive their right to quit work. Yet, we also study an extension of our model in which even the agent can be strictly better off when the parties have the contractual freedom to waive the agent's right to quit.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerHassel2021, author = {M{\"u}ller, Christina and Hassel, Holger}, title = {Cooperative planning in childcare centers to improve physical activity: a qualitative investigation of directors' perspectives}, series = {Health Promotion International}, volume = {36(S2)}, journal = {Health Promotion International}, doi = {10.1093/heapro/daab171}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-371207}, pages = {ii8-ii15}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Interventions to promote physical activity (PA) in childcare centers have been shown to increase children's PA levels; moreover, a growing number of evidence-based best practice guidelines exist for this setting. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the facilitators of and barriers to the successful implementation of PA guidelines and interventions. We used Cooperative Planning to improve capabilities for PA in childcare centers. This qualitative study aimed to explore childcare center directors' views on the Cooperative Planning process and identify the facilitators of and barriers to its implementation. We conducted guided semi-structured interviews with the directors of nine childcare centers after completion of the 12-month Cooperative Planning process. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis with inductive category development. Facilitators and barriers were systematized according to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Cooperative Planning was regarded as being helpful for structuring the process and involving all team members. Several facilitators within the CFIR domains inner setting (structural characteristics, networks and communications, implementation climate), outer setting (support from parents and provider), characteristics of individuals (intrinsic motivation of the staff) and process (individual drivers) were identified. The reported barriers included structural characteristics (e.g. lack of time), networks and communications (e.g. team conflicts) and characteristics of individuals (e.g. lack of willingness to accept change). Several contextual and interpersonal factors seem to influence the extent to which a Cooperative Planning process can be implemented by a childcare center's team. Future research is needed to evaluate the strategies needed to overcome the identified barriers.}, language = {en} } @article{MorgensternPeikertLuebbertetal.2021, author = {Morgenstern, Marcel and Peikert, Christian D. and L{\"u}bbert, Philipp and Suppanz, Ida and Klemm, Cinzia and Alka, Oliver and Steiert, Conny and Naumenko, Nataliia and Schendzielorz, Alexander and Melchionda, Laura and M{\"u}hlh{\"a}user, Wignand W. D. and Knapp, Bettina and Busch, Jakob D. and Stiller, Sebastian B. and Dannenmaier, Stefan and Lindau, Caroline and Licheva, Mariya and Eickhorst, Christopher and Galbusera, Riccardo and Zerbes, Ralf M. and Ryan, Michael T. and Kraft, Claudine and Kozjak-Pavlovic, Vera and Drepper, Friedel and Dennerlein, Sven and Oeljeklaus, Silke and Pfanner, Nikolaus and Wiedemann, Nils and Warscheid, Bettina}, title = {Quantitative high-confidence human mitochondrial proteome and its dynamics in cellular context}, series = {Cell Metabolism}, volume = {33}, journal = {Cell Metabolism}, doi = {10.1016/j.cmet.2021.11.001}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-371114}, pages = {2464-2483}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Mitochondria are key organelles for cellular energetics, metabolism, signaling, and quality control and have been linked to various diseases. Different views exist on the composition of the human mitochondrial proteome. We classified >8,000 proteins in mitochondrial preparations of human cells and defined a mitochondrial high-confidence proteome of >1,100 proteins (MitoCoP). We identified interactors of translocases, respiratory chain, and ATP synthase assembly factors. The abundance of MitoCoP proteins covers six orders of magnitude and amounts to 7\% of the cellular proteome with the chaperones HSP60-HSP10 being the most abundant mitochondrial proteins. MitoCoP dynamics spans three orders of magnitudes, with half-lives from hours to months, and suggests a rapid regulation of biosynthesis and assembly processes. 460 MitoCoP genes are linked to human diseases with a strong prevalence for the central nervous system and metabolism. MitoCoP will provide a high-confidence resource for placing dynamics, functions, and dysfunctions of mitochondria into the cellular context.}, language = {en} } @article{MorenoYruelaBakVrsanovaetal.2021, author = {Moreno-Yruela, Carlos and B{\ae}k, Michael and Vrsanova, Adela-Eugenie and Schulte, Clemens and Maric, Hans M. and Olsen, Christian A.}, title = {Hydroxamic acid-modified peptide microarrays for profiling isozyme-selective interactions and inhibition of histone deacetylases}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {12}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-020-20250-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-371052}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Histones control gene expression by regulating chromatin structure and function. The posttranslational modifications (PTMs) on the side chains of histones form the epigenetic landscape, which is tightly controlled by epigenetic modulator enzymes and further recognized by so-called reader domains. Histone microarrays have been widely applied to investigate histone-reader interactions, but not the transient interactions of Zn2+-dependent histone deacetylase (HDAC) eraser enzymes. Here, we synthesize hydroxamic acid-modified histone peptides and use them in femtomolar microarrays for the direct capture and detection of the four class I HDAC isozymes. Follow-up functional assays in solution provide insights into their suitability to discover HDAC substrates and inhibitors with nanomolar potency and activity in cellular assays. We conclude that similar hydroxamic acid-modified histone peptide microarrays and libraries could find broad application to identify class I HDAC isozyme-specific substrates and facilitate the development of isozyme-selective HDAC inhibitors and probes.}, language = {en} } @article{MorenoVelasquezPerez2021, author = {Moreno-Vel{\´a}squez, Sergio D. and P{\´e}rez, J. Christian}, title = {Imaging and Quantification of mRNA Molecules at Single-Cell Resolution in the Human Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans}, series = {mSphere}, volume = {6}, journal = {mSphere}, doi = {10.1128/mSphere.00411-21}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370999}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The study of gene expression in fungi has typically relied on measuring transcripts in populations of cells. A major disadvantage of this approach is that the transcripts' spatial distribution and stochastic variation among individual cells within a clonal population is lost. Traditional fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques have been of limited use in fungi due to poor specificity and high background signal. Here, we report that in situ hybridization chain reaction (HCR), a method that employs split-initiator probes to trigger signal amplification upon mRNA-probe hybridization, is ideally suited for the imaging and quantification of low-abundance transcripts at single-cell resolution in the fungus Candida albicans. We show that HCR allows the absolute quantification of transcripts within a cell by microscopy as well as their relative quantification by flow cytometry. mRNA imaging also revealed the subcellular localization of specific transcripts. Furthermore, we establish that HCR is amenable to multiplexing by visualizing different transcripts in the same cell. Finally, we combine HCR with immunostaining to image specific mRNAs and proteins simultaneously within a single C. albicans cell. The fungus is a major pathogen in humans where it can colonize and invade mucosal surfaces and most internal organs. The technical development that we introduce, therefore, paves the way to study the patterns of expression of pathogenesis-associated C. albicans genes in infected organs at single-cell resolution.}, language = {en} } @article{MoellerVolzSeifritzetal.2021, author = {M{\"o}ller, Hans-J{\"u}rgen and Volz, Hans-Peter and Seifritz, Erich and M{\"u}ller, Heiko and Kenntner-Mabiala, Ramona and Kaussner, Yvonne and Schoch, Stefanie and Kasper, Siegfried}, title = {Silexan does not affect driving performance after single and multiple dose applications: Results from a double-blind, placebo and reference-controlled study in healthy volunteers}, series = {Journal of Psychiatric Research}, volume = {136}, journal = {Journal of Psychiatric Research}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.10.028}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370908}, pages = {543-551}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Anxiolytic drugs often have sedative effects that impair the ability to drive. Our double-blind, randomized crossover trial investigated the effect of Silexan, a non-sedating, anxiolytic herbal medicinal product, on driving performance in healthy volunteers. Part 1 aimed at demonstrating equivalence between 80 mg/d Silexan and placebo. Part 2 was performed to demonstrate superiority of 160 and 320 mg Silexan over 1 mg lorazepam and included a placebo arm for assay sensitivity. Driving performance was assessed in a validated, alcohol-calibrated simulator test. The primary outcome was the standard deviation of the lane position (SDLP). Secondary outcomes included driving errors and sleepiness. Fifty and 25 subjects were randomized in Parts 1 and 2, respectively. In Part 1, Silexan 80 mg was confirmed to be equivalent to placebo after single administration (equivalence range: δ = ±2 cm). The 95\% confidence interval (CI) for the SDLP marginal mean value difference Silexan-placebo for single administration was -1.43; +1.38 and thus similar to the 95\% CI of -1.45; +0.79 cm for 7 days' multiple dosing. In Part 2, 95\% CIs for SDLP marginal mean value differences to lorazepam were -8.58; -5.42 cm for Silexan 160 mg and -8.65; -5.45 cm for 320 mg (p < 0.001). Confirmatory results were supported by secondary outcomes, where results for Silexan were comparable to placebo and more favorable than for lorazepam. The study demonstrates that single doses of up to 320 mg Silexan and multiple doses of 80 mg/d have no adverse effect on driving performance.}, language = {en} } @article{MiyazakiKamiyaWohlgemuthetal.2021, author = {Miyazaki, Mitsuhiko and Kamiya, Tairiku and Wohlgemuth, Matthias and Chatterjee, Kuntal and Mitrić, Roland and Dopfer, Otto and Fujii, Masaaki}, title = {Real-time observation of photoionization-induced water migration dynamics in 4-methylformanilide-water by picosecond time-resolved infrared spectroscopy and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations}, series = {Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics}, volume = {24}, journal = {Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics}, doi = {10.1039/d1cp03327a}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370868}, pages = {73-85}, year = {2021}, abstract = {A novel time-resolved pump-probe spectroscopic approach that enables to keep high resolution in both the time and energy domain, nanosecond excitation-picosecond ionization-picosecond infrared probe (ns-ps-ps TRIR) spectroscopy, has been applied to the trans-4-methylformanilide-water (4MetFA-W) cluster. Water migration dynamics from the CO to the NH binding site in a peptide linkage triggered by photoionization of 4MetFA-W is directly monitored by the ps time evolution of IR spectra, and the presence of an intermediate state is revealed. The time evolution is analyzed by rate equations based on a four-state model of the migration dynamics. Time constants for the initial to the intermediate and hot product and to the final product are obtained. The acceleration of the dynamics by methyl substitution and the strong contribution of intracluster vibrational energy redistribution in the termination of the solvation dynamics is suggested. This picture is well confirmed by the ab initio on-the-fly molecular dynamics simulations. Vibrational assignments of 4MetFA and 4MetFA-W in the neutral (S0 and S1) and ionic (D0) electronic states measured by ns IR dip and electron-impact IR photodissociation spectroscopy are also discussed prior to the results of time-resolved spectroscopy.}, language = {en} } @article{MingMyallHernandezetal.2021, author = {Ming, Damien K. and Myall, Ashleigh C. and Hernandez, Bernard and Weiße, Andrea Y. and Peach, Robert L. and Barahona, Mauricio and Rawson, Timothy M. and Holmes, Alison H.}, title = {Informing antimicrobial management in the context of COVID-19: understanding the longitudinal dynamics of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin}, series = {BMC Infectious Diseases}, volume = {21}, journal = {BMC Infectious Diseases}, doi = {10.1186/s12879-021-06621-7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370797}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background To characterise the longitudinal dynamics of C-reactive protein (CRP) and Procalcitonin (PCT) in a cohort of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 and support antimicrobial decision-making. Methods Longitudinal CRP and PCT concentrations and trajectories of 237 hospitalised patients with COVID-19 were modelled. The dataset comprised of 2,021 data points for CRP and 284 points for PCT. Pairwise comparisons were performed between: (i) those with or without significant bacterial growth from cultures, and (ii) those who survived or died in hospital. Results CRP concentrations were higher over time in COVID-19 patients with positive microbiology (day 9: 236 vs 123 mg/L, p < 0.0001) and in those who died (day 8: 226 vs 152 mg/L, p < 0.0001) but only after day 7 of COVID-related symptom onset. Failure for CRP to reduce in the first week of hospital admission was associated with significantly higher odds of death. PCT concentrations were higher in patients with COVID-19 and positive microbiology or in those who died, although these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions Both the absolute CRP concentration and the trajectory during the first week of hospital admission are important factors predicting microbiology culture positivity and outcome in patients hospitalised with COVID-19. Further work is needed to describe the role of PCT for co-infection. Understanding relationships of these biomarkers can support development of risk models and inform optimal antimicrobial strategies.}, language = {en} } @article{MilićCeppiBruzzoneetal.2021, author = {Milić, Mirta and Ceppi, Marcello and Bruzzone, Marco and Azqueta, Amaya and Brunborg, Gunnar and Godschalk, Roger and Koppen, Gudrun and Langie, Sabine and M{\o}ller, Peter and Teixeira, Jo{\~a}o Paulo and Alija, Avdulla and Anderson, Diana and Andrade, Vanessa and Andreoli, Cristina and Asllani, Fisnik and Bangkoglu, Ezgi Eyluel and Barančokov{\´a}, Magdalena and Basaran, Nursen and Boutet-Robinet, Elisa and Buschini, Annamaria and Cavallo, Delia and Costa Pereira, Cristiana and Costa, Carla and Costa, Solange and Da Silva, Juliana and Del Boˊ, Cristian and Dimitrijević Srećković, Vesna and Djelić, Ninoslav and Dobrzyńska, Malgorzata and Duračkov{\´a}, Zdenka and Dvoř{\´a}kov{\´a}, Monika and Gajski, Goran and Galati, Serena and Garc{\´i}a Lima, Omar and Giovannelli, Lisa and Goroshinskaya, Irina A. and Grindel, Annemarie and Gutzkow, Kristine B. and Hern{\´a}ndez, Alba and Hern{\´a}ndez, Carlos and Holven, Kirsten B. and Ibero-Baraibar, Idoia and Ottestad, Inger and Kadioglu, Ela and Kažimirov{\´a}, Alena and Kuznetsova, Elena and Ladeira, Carina and Laffon, Blanca and Lamonaca, Palma and Lebailly, Pierre and Louro, Henriqueta and Mandina Cardoso, Tania and Marcon, Francesca and Marcos, Ricard and Moretti, Massimo and Moretti, Silvia and Najafzadeh, Mojgan and Nemeth, Zsuzsanna and Neri, Monica and Novotna, Bozena and Orlow, Irene and Paduchova, Zuzana and Pastor, Susana and Perdry, Herv{\´e} and Spremo-Potparević, Biljana and Ramadhani, Dwi and Riso, Patrizia and Rohr, Paula and Rojas, Emilio and Rossner, Pavel and Safar, Anna and Sardas, Semra and Silva, Maria Jo{\~a}o and Sirota, Nikolay and Smolkova, Bozena and Staruchova, Marta and Stetina, Rudolf and Stopper, Helga and Surikova, Ekaterina I. and Ulven, Stine M. and Ursini, Cinzia Lucia and Valdiglesias, Vanessa and Valverde, Mahara and Vodicka, Pavel and Volkovova, Katarina and Wagner, Karl-Heinz and Živković, Lada and Dušinsk{\´a}, Maria and Collins, Andrew R. and Bonassi, Stefano}, title = {The hCOMET project: International database comparison of results with the comet assay in human biomonitoring. Baseline frequency of DNA damage and effect of main confounders}, series = {Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research}, volume = {787}, journal = {Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research}, doi = {10.1016/j.mrrev.2021.108371}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-371614}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The alkaline comet assay, or single cell gel electrophoresis, is one of the most popular methods for assessing DNA damage in human population. One of the open issues concerning this assay is the identification of those factors that can explain the large inter-individual and inter-laboratory variation. International collaborative initiatives such as the hCOMET project - a COST Action launched in 2016 - represent a valuable tool to meet this challenge. The aims of hCOMET were to establish reference values for the level of DNA damage in humans, to investigate the effect of host factors, lifestyle and exposure to genotoxic agents, and to compare different sources of assay variability. A database of 19,320 subjects was generated, pooling data from 105 studies run by 44 laboratories in 26 countries between 1999 and 2019. A mixed random effect log-linear model, in parallel with a classic meta-analysis, was applied to take into account the extensive heterogeneity of data, due to descriptor, specimen and protocol variability. As a result of this analysis interquartile intervals of DNA strand breaks (which includes alkali-labile sites) were reported for tail intensity, tail length, and tail moment (comet assay descriptors). A small variation by age was reported in some datasets, suggesting higher DNA damage in oldest age-classes, while no effect could be shown for sex or smoking habit, although the lack of data on heavy smokers has still to be considered. Finally, highly significant differences in DNA damage were found for most exposures investigated in specific studies. In conclusion, these data, which confirm that DNA damage measured by the comet assay is an excellent biomarker of exposure in several conditions, may contribute to improving the quality of study design and to the standardization of results of the comet assay in human populations.}, language = {en} } @article{MichelenManoharanElkheiretal.2021, author = {Michelen, Melina and Manoharan, Lakshmi and Elkheir, Natalie and Cheng, Vincent and Dagens, Andrew and Hastie, Claire and O'Hara, Margaret and Suett, Jake and Dahmash, Dania and Bugaeva, Polina and Rigby, Ishmeala and Munblit, Daniel and Harriss, Eli and Burls, Amanda and Foote, Carole and Scott, Janet and Carson, Gail and Olliaro, Piero and Sigfrid, Louise and Stavropoulou, Charitini}, title = {Characterising long COVID: a living systematic review}, series = {BMJ Global Health}, volume = {6}, journal = {BMJ Global Health}, doi = {10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005427}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370762}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background While it is now apparent clinical sequelae (long COVID) may persist after acute COVID-19, their nature, frequency and aetiology are poorly characterised. This study aims to regularly synthesise evidence on long COVID characteristics, to help inform clinical management, rehabilitation strategies and interventional studies to improve long-term outcomes. Methods A living systematic review. Medline, CINAHL (EBSCO), Global Health (Ovid), WHO Global Research on COVID-19 database, LitCovid and Google Scholar were searched till 17 March 2021. Studies including at least 100 people with confirmed or clinically suspected COVID-19 at 12 weeks or more post onset were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the tool produced by Hoy et al. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and meta-analyses to estimate prevalence. Results A total of 39 studies were included: 32 cohort, 6 cross-sectional and 1 case-control. Most showed high or moderate risk of bias. None were set in low-income countries and few included children. Studies reported on 10 951 people (48\% female) in 12 countries. Most included previously hospitalised people (78\%, 8520/10 951). The longest mean follow-up time was 221.7 (SD: 10.9) days post COVID-19 onset. Over 60 physical and psychological signs and symptoms with wide prevalence were reported, most commonly weakness (41\%; 95\% CI 25\% to 59\%), general malaise (33\%; 95\% CI 15\% to 57\%), fatigue (31\%; 95\% CI 24\% to 39\%), concentration impairment (26\%; 95\% CI 21\% to 32\%) and breathlessness (25\%; 95\% CI 18\% to 34\%). 37\% (95\% CI 18\% to 60\%) of patients reported reduced quality of life; 26\% (10/39) of studies presented evidence of reduced pulmonary function. Conclusion Long COVID is a complex condition with prolonged heterogeneous symptoms. The nature of studies precludes a precise case definition or risk evaluation. There is an urgent need for prospective, robust, standardised, controlled studies into aetiology, risk factors and biomarkers to characterise long COVID in different at-risk populations and settings. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020211131.}, language = {en} } @article{MeyerSchloissnigFranchinietal.2021, author = {Meyer, Axel and Schloissnig, Siegfried and Franchini, Paolo and Du, Kang and Woltering, Joost M. and Irisarri, Iker and Wong, Wai Yee and Nowoshilow, Sergej and Kneitz, Susanne and Kawaguchi, Akane and Fabrizius, Andrej and Xiong, Peiwen and Dechaud, Corentin and Spaink, Herman P. and Volff, Jean-Nicolas and Simakov, Oleg and Burmester, Thorsten and Tanaka, Elly M. and Schartl, Manfred}, title = {Giant lungfish genome elucidates the conquest of land by vertebrates}, series = {Nature}, volume = {590}, journal = {Nature}, doi = {10.1038/s41586-021-03198-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370750}, pages = {284-289}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Lungfishes belong to lobe-fined fish (Sarcopterygii) that, in the Devonian period, 'conquered' the land and ultimately gave rise to all land vertebrates, including humans1,2,3. Here we determine the chromosome-quality genome of the Australian lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri), which is known to have the largest genome of any animal. The vast size of this genome, which is about 14× larger than that of humans, is attributable mostly to huge intergenic regions and introns with high repeat content (around 90\%), the components of which resemble those of tetrapods (comprising mainly long interspersed nuclear elements) more than they do those of ray-finned fish. The lungfish genome continues to expand independently (its transposable elements are still active), through mechanisms different to those of the enormous genomes of salamanders. The 17 fully assembled lungfish macrochromosomes maintain synteny to other vertebrate chromosomes, and all microchromosomes maintain conserved ancient homology with the ancestral vertebrate karyotype. Our phylogenomic analyses confirm previous reports that lungfish occupy a key evolutionary position as the closest living relatives to tetrapods4,5, underscoring the importance of lungfish for understanding innovations associated with terrestrialization. Lungfish preadaptations to living on land include the gain of limb-like expression in developmental genes such as hoxc13 and sall1 in their lobed fins. Increased rates of evolution and the duplication of genes associated with obligate air-breathing, such as lung surfactants and the expansion of odorant receptor gene families (which encode proteins involved in detecting airborne odours), contribute to the tetrapod-like biology of lungfishes. These findings advance our understanding of this major transition during vertebrate evolution.}, language = {en} } @article{MertensHofkensVandeHeyningetal.2021, author = {Mertens, Griet and Hofkens, Anouk and Van de Heyning, Paul and Van Rompaey, Vincent and Boudewyns, An and Di Gregorio, Maria Fernanda and Eikelboom, Robert H. and Marino, Roberta and Kurz, Anja and K{\"u}hn, Heike and Shehata-Dieler, Wafaa and Lorens, Artur and Pulibalathingal, Sasidharan and Rajeswaran, Ranjith and Tavora-Vieira, Dayse and Bellekom, Sandra R. and Topsakal, Vedat}, title = {Minimal outcome measurements in pediatric cochlear implant users: a consensus paper}, series = {B-ENT}, volume = {17}, journal = {B-ENT}, doi = {10.5152/B-ENT.2021.20195}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370700}, pages = {110-120}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The benefits of cochlear implantation in children with severe hearing impairments are widely known; however, there is no consensus regarding which minimal outcome measurements (MOMs) should be used to determine outcomes in this population with pediatric cochlear implant (CI). Therefore, the authors aim to propose a MOM test battery for pediatric CI recipients that can facilitate international multi-center research and collaboration. A pediatric MOM test battery was developed and agreed-upon by members of the HEARRING group across 30 expert clinics in the field of hearing implantation. The MOM test battery was chosen based on a literature search that focused on outcome measurements applied in clinical trials involving children with a hearing implant. Members of the HEARRING group were then asked to evaluate each of the pediatric MOM tests used. The final pediatric MOM test battery was defined for different chronological age categories (six weeks-18 years) at different suggested test intervals. The test battery includes objective hearing measurements, aided and unaided audiometry, speech perception tests in quiet and in noise, subjective hearing assessments, assessment of language development, and mental and motor development. This study presents a consensus on a MOM test battery for pediatric CI recipients that was agreed upon by members of the HEARRING group. This test battery should allow for international multi-center research to be able to extend and share evidence that will guide future clinical practice and research efforts in pediatric populations with CI.}, language = {en} } @article{MelfsenRomanosJansetal.2021, author = {Melfsen, Siebke and Romanos, Marcel and Jans, Thomas and Walitza, Susanne}, title = {Betrayed by the nervous system: a comparison group study to investigate the 'unsafe world' model of selective mutism}, series = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, volume = {128}, journal = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, doi = {10.1007/s00702-021-02404-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370681}, pages = {1433-1443}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The study presented in the following verifies some assumptions of the novel 'unsafe world' model of selective mutism (SM). According to this model, SM is a stress reaction to situations erroneously experienced via cognition without awareness as 'unsafe'. It assumes a high sensitivity to unsafety, whereby the nervous system triggers dissociation or freeze mode at relatively low thresholds. We examine whether there is a correlation between SM, sensory-processing sensitivity and dissociation. We compared a sample of 28 children and adolescents with SM (mean age 12.66 years; 18 females) to 33 controls without SM (mean age 12.45 years; 21 females). Both groups were compared using a medical history sheet, the 'Selective Mutism Questionnaire' (SMQ), a 'Checklist for Speaking Behaviour' (CheckS), the 'Highly Sensitive Person Scale' (HSPS), the 'Child Dissociative Checklist' (CDC), the 'Adolescent Dissociative Experience Scale' (A-DES) and the 'Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children' (SPAIK). Appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests were conducted to examine differences between groups. The results indicate that sensory-processing sensitivity was significantly higher in the group of children and adolescents with SM [X2(1) = 7.224, p = 0.0007; d = 1.092]. Furthermore, dissociative symptoms were more common in children and adolescents with SM than in controls [F(1, 33) = 13.004, p = 0.001; d = 0.986]. The results indicate that sensory-processing sensitivity and dissociation are important factors of SM that may hold important implications for the treatment.}, language = {en} } @article{MegyDownesMorelKoppetal.2021, author = {Megy, Karyn and Downes, Kate and Morel-Kopp, Marie-Christine and Bastida, Jos{\´e} M. and Brooks, Shannon and Bury, Loredana and Leinoe, Eva and Gomez, Keith and Morgan, Neil V. and Othman, Maha and Ouwehand, Willem H. and Perez Botero, Juliana and Rivera, Jos{\´e} and Schulze, Harald and Tr{\´e}gou{\"e}t, David-Alexandre and Freson, Kathleen}, title = {GoldVariants, a resource for sharing rare genetic variants detected in bleeding, thrombotic, and platelet disorders: Communication from the ISTH SSC Subcommittee on Genomics in Thrombosis and Hemostasis}, series = {Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis}, volume = {19}, journal = {Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis}, doi = {10.1111/jth.15459}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370602}, pages = {2612-2617}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The implementation of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies in research and diagnostic laboratories has linked many new genes to rare bleeding, thrombotic, and platelet disorders (BTPD), and revealed multiple genetic variants linked to those disorders, many of them being of uncertain pathogenicity when considering the accepted evidence (variant consequence, frequency in control datasets, number of reported patients, prediction models, and functional assays). The sequencing effort has also resulted in resources for gathering disease-causing variants associated with specific genes, but for BTPD, such well-curated databases exist only for a few genes. On the other hand, submissions by individuals or diagnostic laboratories to the variant database ClinVar are hampered by the lack of a submission process tailored to capture the specific features of hemostatic diseases. As we move toward the implementation of HTS in the diagnosis of BTPD, the Scientific and Standardization Committee for Genetics in Thrombosis and Haemostasis has developed and tested a REDCap-based interface, aimed at the community, to submit curated genetic variants for diagnostic-grade BTPD genes. Here, we describe the use of the interface and the initial submission of 821 variants from 30 different centers covering 14 countries. This open-access variant resource will be shared with the community to improve variant classification and regular bulk data transfer to ClinVar.}, language = {en} } @article{MaynardRostaingSchaeferetal.2021, author = {Maynard, Stephanie A and Rostaing, Philippe and Schaefer, Natascha and Gemin, Olivier and Candat, Adrien and Dumoulin, Andr{\´e}a and Villmann, Carmen and Triller, Antoine and Specht, Christian G}, title = {Identification of a stereotypic molecular arrangement of endogenous glycine receptors at spinal cord synapses}, series = {eLife}, volume = {10}, journal = {eLife}, doi = {10.7554/eLife.74441}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370504}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Precise quantitative information about the molecular architecture of synapses is essential to understanding the functional specificity and downstream signaling processes at specific populations of synapses. Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are the primary fast inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in the spinal cord and brainstem. These inhibitory glycinergic networks crucially regulate motor and sensory processes. Thus far, the nanoscale organization of GlyRs underlying the different network specificities has not been defined. Here, we have quantitatively characterized the molecular arrangement and ultra-structure of glycinergic synapses in spinal cord tissue using quantitative super-resolution correlative light and electron microscopy. We show that endogenous GlyRs exhibit equal receptor-scaffold occupancy and constant packing densities of about 2000 GlyRs µm-2 at synapses across the spinal cord and throughout adulthood, even though ventral horn synapses have twice the total copy numbers, larger postsynaptic domains, and more convoluted morphologies than dorsal horn synapses. We demonstrate that this stereotypic molecular arrangement is maintained at glycinergic synapses in the oscillator mouse model of the neuromotor disease hyperekplexia despite a decrease in synapse size, indicating that the molecular organization of GlyRs is preserved in this hypomorph. We thus conclude that the morphology and size of inhibitory postsynaptic specializations rather than differences in GlyR packing determine the postsynaptic strength of glycinergic neurotransmission in motor and sensory spinal cord networks.}, language = {en} } @article{MaulanaKromidasWallstabeetal.2021, author = {Maulana, Tengku Ibrahim and Kromidas, Elena and Wallstabe, Lars and Cipriano, Madalena and Alb, Miriam and Zaupa, C{\´e}cile and Hudecek, Michael and Fogal, Birgit and Loskill, Peter}, title = {Immunocompetent cancer-on-chip models to assess immuno-oncology therapy}, series = {Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews}, volume = {173}, journal = {Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews}, doi = {10.1016/j.addr.2021.03.015}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370493}, pages = {281-305}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The advances in cancer immunotherapy come with several obstacles, limiting its widespread use and benefits so far only to a small subset of patients. One of the underlying challenges remains to be the lack of representative nonclinical models that translate to human immunity and are able to predict clinical efficacy and safety outcomes. In recent years, immunocompetent Cancer-on-Chip models emerge as an alternative human-based platform that enables the integration and manipulation of complex tumor microenvironment. In this review, we discuss novel opportunities offered by Cancer-on-Chip models to advance (mechanistic) immuno-oncology research, ranging from design flexibility to multimodal analysis approaches. We then exemplify their (potential) applications for the research and development of adoptive cell therapy, immune checkpoint therapy, cytokine therapy, oncolytic virus, and cancer vaccines.}, language = {en} } @article{MateosDimopoulosCavoetal.2021, author = {Mateos, Maria-Victoria and Dimopoulos, Meletios A. and Cavo, Michele and Suzuki, Kenshi and Knop, Stefan and Doyen, Chantal and Lucio, Paulo and Nagy, Zsolt and Pour, Ludek and Grosicki, Sebastian and Crepaldi, Andre and Liberati, Anna Marina and Campbell, Philip and Yoon, Sung-Soo and Iosava, Genadi and Fujisaki, Tomoaki and Garg, Mamta and Iida, Shinsuke and Blad{\´e}, Joan and Ukropec, Jon and Pei, Huiling and Van Rampelbergh, Rian and Kudva, Anupa and Qi, Ming and San-Miguel, Jesus}, title = {Daratumumab Plus Bortezomib, Melphalan, and Prednisone Versus Bortezomib, Melphalan, and Prednisone in Transplant-Ineligible Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Frailty Subgroup Analysis of ALCYONE}, series = {Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma \& Leukemia}, volume = {21}, journal = {Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma \& Leukemia}, doi = {10.1016/j.clml.2021.06.005}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370456}, pages = {785-798}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background In the phase 3 ALCYONE study, daratumumab plus bortezomib/melphalan/prednisone (D-VMP) versus bortezomib/melphalan/prednisone (VMP) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in transplant-ineligible, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients. We present a subgroup analysis of ALCYONE by patient frailty status. Patients and Methods Frailty assessment was performed retrospectively using age, Charlson comorbidity index, and baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score. Patients were classified as fit (0), intermediate (1), or frail (≥2); a nonfrail category combined fit and intermediate patients. Results Among randomized patients (D-VMP, n = 350; VMP, n = 356), 391 (55.4\%) were nonfrail (D-VMP, 187 [53.4\%]; VMP, 204 [57.3\%]) and 315 (44.6\%) were frail (163 [46.6\%]; 152 [42.7\%]). After 40.1-months median follow-up, nonfrail patients had longer PFS and OS than frail patients, but benefits of D-VMP versus VMP were maintained across subgroups: PFS nonfrail (median, 45.7 vs. 19.1 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.36; P < .0001), frail (32.9 vs. 19.5 months; HR, 0.51; P < .0001); OS nonfrail (36-month rate, 83.6\% vs. 74.5\%), frail (71.4\% vs. 59.0\%). Improved greater than or equal to complete response and minimal residual disease (10-5)-negativity rates were observed for D-VMP versus VMP across subgroups. The 2 most common grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events were neutropenia (nonfrail: 39.2\% [D-VMP] and 42.4\% [VMP]; frail: 41.3\% and 34.4\%) and thrombocytopenia (nonfrail: 32.8\% and 36.9\%; frail: 36.9\% and 39.1\%). Conclusion Our findings support the clinical benefit of D-VMP in transplant-ineligible NDMM patients enrolled in ALCYONE, regardless of frailty status.}, language = {en} } @article{MatarranzGhoshKandanellietal.2021, author = {Matarranz, Beatriz and Ghosh, Goutam and Kandanelli, Ramesh and Sampedro, Angel and Kartha, Kalathil K. and Fern{\´a}ndez, Gustavo}, title = {Understanding the role of conjugation length on the self-assembly behaviour of oligophenyleneethynylenes}, series = {Chemical Communications}, volume = {57}, journal = {Chemical Communications}, doi = {10.1039/d1cc01054a}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370444}, pages = {4890-4893}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Oligophenyleneethynylenes (OPEs) are prominent building blocks with exciting optical and supramolecular properties. However, their generally small spectroscopic changes upon aggregation make the analysis of their self-assembly challenging, especially in the absence of additional hydrogen bonds. Herein, by investigating a series of OPEs of increasing size, we have unravelled the role of the conjugation length on the self-assembly properties of OPEs.}, language = {en} } @article{MasiasCernaVelazcoJonesPerezetal.2021, author = {Masias, J. and Cerna-Velazco, N. and Jones-P{\´e}rez, J. and Porod, W.}, title = {Resolving a challenging supersymmetric low-scale seesaw scenario at the ILC}, series = {Physical Review D}, volume = {103}, journal = {Physical Review D}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevD.103.115028}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370328}, year = {2021}, abstract = {We investigate a scenario inspired by natural supersymmetry, where neutrino data is explained within a low-scale seesaw scenario. For this the minimal supersymmetric Standard Model is extended by adding light right-handed neutrinos and their superpartners, the R-sneutrinos. Moreover, we consider the lightest neutralinos to be Higgsino-like. We first update a previous analysis and assess to which extent does existing LHC data constrain the allowed slepton masses. Here we find scenarios where sleptons with masses as low as 175 GeV are consistent with existing data. However, we also show that the upcoming run will either discover or rule out sleptons with masses of 300 GeV, even for these challenging scenarios. We then take a scenario which is on the borderline of observability of the upcoming LHC run assuming a luminosity of 300 fb(-1). We demonstrate that a prospective international e(+)e(-) linear collider with a center of mass energy of 1 TeV will be able to discover sleptons in scenarios which are difficult for the LHC. Moreover, we also show that a measurement of the spectrum will be possible within 1-3 percent accuracy.}, language = {en} } @article{MartinezLenzSchindleretal.2021, author = {Martinez, Simon and Lenz, J{\"u}rgen and Schindler, Hans and Wendler, Willi and Rues, Stefan and Schweizerhof, Karl and Terebesi, Sophia and Giannakopoulos, Nikolaos Nikitas and Schmitter, Marc}, title = {Clinical Data-Driven Finite Element Analysis of the Kinetics of Chewing Cycles in Order to Optimize Occlusal Reconstructions}, series = {Computer Modeling in Engineering \& Sciences}, volume = {129}, journal = {Computer Modeling in Engineering \& Sciences}, doi = {10.32604/cmes.2021.017422}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370318}, pages = {1259-1281}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The occlusal design plays a decisive role in the fabrication of dental restorations. Dentists and dental technicians depend on mechanical simulations of mandibular movement that are as accurate as possible, in particular, to produce interference-free yet chewing-efficient dental restorations. For this, kinetic data must be available, i.e., movements and deformations under the influence of forces and stresses. In the present study, so-called functional data were collected from healthy volunteers to provide consistent information for proper kinetics. For the latter purpose, biting and chewing forces, electrical muscle activity and jaw movements were registered synchronously, and individual magnetic resonance tomograms (MRI) were prepared. The acquired data were then added to a large complex finite element model of the complete masticatory system using the functional information obtained and individual anatomical geometries so that the kinetics of the chewing process and teeth grinding could be realistically simulated. This allows developing algorithms that optimize computer-aided manufacturing of dental prostheses close to occlusion. In this way, a failure-free function of the dental prosthesis can be guaranteed and its damage during usage can be reduced or prevented even including endosseous implants.}, language = {en} } @article{MaronHaggenmuellervonKalleetal.2021, author = {Maron, Roman C. and Haggenm{\"u}ller, Sarah and von Kalle, Christof and Utikal, Jochen S. and Meier, Friedegund and Gellrich, Frank F. and Hauschild, Axel and French, Lars E. and Schlaak, Max and Ghoreschi, Kamran and Kutzner, Heinz and Heppt, Markus V. and Haferkamp, Sebastian and Sondermann, Wiebke and Schadendorf, Dirk and Schilling, Bastian and Hekler, Achim and Krieghoff-Henning, Eva and Kather, Jakob N. and Fr{\"o}hling, Stefan and Lipka, Daniel B. and Brinker, Titus J.}, title = {Robustness of convolutional neural networks in recognition of pigmented skin lesions}, series = {European Journal of Cancer}, volume = {145}, journal = {European Journal of Cancer}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejca.2020.11.020}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370245}, pages = {81-91}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background A basic requirement for artificial intelligence (AI)-based image analysis systems, which are to be integrated into clinical practice, is a high robustness. Minor changes in how those images are acquired, for example, during routine skin cancer screening, should not change the diagnosis of such assistance systems. Objective To quantify to what extent minor image perturbations affect the convolutional neural network (CNN)-mediated skin lesion classification and to evaluate three possible solutions for this problem (additional data augmentation, test-time augmentation, anti-aliasing). Methods We trained three commonly used CNN architectures to differentiate between dermoscopic melanoma and nevus images. Subsequently, their performance and susceptibility to minor changes ('brittleness') was tested on two distinct test sets with multiple images per lesion. For the first set, image changes, such as rotations or zooms, were generated artificially. The second set contained natural changes that stemmed from multiple photographs taken of the same lesions. Results All architectures exhibited brittleness on the artificial and natural test set. The three reviewed methods were able to decrease brittleness to varying degrees while still maintaining performance. The observed improvement was greater for the artificial than for the natural test set, where enhancements were minor. Conclusions Minor image changes, relatively inconspicuous for humans, can have an effect on the robustness of CNNs differentiating skin lesions. By the methods tested here, this effect can be reduced, but not fully eliminated. Thus, further research to sustain the performance of AI classifiers is needed to facilitate the translation of such systems into the clinic.}, language = {en} } @article{MarcuSchlosserKeuppetal.2021, author = {Marcu, Ana and Schlosser, Andreas and Keupp, Anne and Trautwein, Nico and Johann, Pascal and W{\"o}lfl, Matthias and Lager, Johanna and Monoranu, Camelia Maria and Walz, Juliane S and Henkel, Lisa M and Krauß, J{\"u}rgen and Ebinger, Martin and Schuhmann, Martin and Thomale, Ulrich Wilhelm and Pietsch, Torsten and Klinker, Erdwine and Schlegel, Paul G and Oyen, Florian and Reisner, Yair and Rammensee, Hans-Georg and Eyrich, Matthias}, title = {Natural and cryptic peptides dominate the immunopeptidome of atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors}, series = {Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer}, volume = {9}, journal = {Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer}, doi = {10.1136/jitc-2021-003404}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370214}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT) are highly aggressive CNS tumors of infancy and early childhood. Hallmark is the surprisingly simple genome with inactivating mutations or deletions in the SMARCB1 gene as the oncogenic driver. Nevertheless, AT/RTs are infiltrated by immune cells and even clonally expanded T cells. However, it is unclear which epitopes T cells might recognize on AT/RT cells. Methods Here, we report a comprehensive mass spectrometry (MS)-based analysis of naturally presented human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and class II ligands on 23 AT/RTs. MS data were validated by matching with a human proteome dataset and exclusion of peptides that are part of the human benignome. Cryptic peptide ligands were identified using Peptide-PRISM. Results Comparative HLA ligandome analysis of the HLA ligandome revealed 55 class I and 139 class II tumor-exclusive peptides. No peptide originated from the SMARCB1 region. In addition, 61 HLA class I tumor-exclusive peptide sequences derived from non-canonically translated proteins. Combination of peptides from natural and cryptic class I and class II origin gave optimal representation of tumor cell compartments. Substantial overlap existed with the cryptic immunopeptidome of glioblastomas, but no concordance was found with extracranial tumors. More than 80\% of AT/RT exclusive peptides were able to successfully prime CD8+ T cells, whereas naturally occurring memory responses in AT/RT patients could only be detected for class II epitopes. Interestingly, >50\% of AT/RT exclusive class II ligands were also recognized by T cells from glioblastoma patients but not from healthy donors. Conclusions These findings highlight that AT/RTs, potentially paradigmatic for other pediatric tumors with a low mutational load, present a variety of highly immunogenic HLA class I and class II peptides from canonical as well as non-canonical protein sources. Inclusion of such cryptic peptides into therapeutic vaccines would enable an optimized mapping of the tumor cell surface, thereby reducing the likelihood of immune evasion.}, language = {en} } @article{MarcuBichmannKuchenbeckeretal.2021, author = {Marcu, Ana and Bichmann, Leon and Kuchenbecker, Leon and Kowalewski, Daniel Johannes and Freudenmann, Lena Katharina and Backert, Linus and M{\"u}hlenbruch, Lena and Szolek, Andr{\´a}s and L{\"u}bke, Maren and Wagner, Philipp and Engler, Tobias and Matovina, Sabine and Wang, Jian and Hauri-Hohl, Mathias and Martin, Roland and Kapolou, Konstantina and Walz, Juliane Sarah and Velz, Julia and Moch, Holger and Regli, Luca and Silginer, Manuela and Weller, Michael and L{\"o}ffler, Markus W. and Erhard, Florian and Schlosser, Andreas and Kohlbacher, Oliver and Stevanović, Stefan and Rammensee, Hans-Georg and Neidert, Marian Christoph}, title = {HLA Ligand Atlas: a benign reference of HLA-presented peptides to improve T-cell-based cancer immunotherapy}, series = {Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer}, volume = {9}, journal = {Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer}, doi = {10.1136/jitc-2020-002071}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370160}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background The human leucocyte antigen (HLA) complex controls adaptive immunity by presenting defined fractions of the intracellular and extracellular protein content to immune cells. Understanding the benign HLA ligand repertoire is a prerequisite to define safe T-cell-based immunotherapies against cancer. Due to the poor availability of benign tissues, if available, normal tissue adjacent to the tumor has been used as a benign surrogate when defining tumor-associated antigens. However, this comparison has proven to be insufficient and even resulted in lethal outcomes. In order to match the tumor immunopeptidome with an equivalent counterpart, we created the HLA Ligand Atlas, the first extensive collection of paired HLA-I and HLA-II immunopeptidomes from 227 benign human tissue samples. This dataset facilitates a balanced comparison between tumor and benign tissues on HLA ligand level. Methods Human tissue samples were obtained from 16 subjects at autopsy, five thymus samples and two ovary samples originating from living donors. HLA ligands were isolated via immunoaffinity purification and analyzed in over 1200 liquid chromatography mass spectrometry runs. Experimentally and computationally reproducible protocols were employed for data acquisition and processing. Results The initial release covers 51 HLA-I and 86 HLA-II allotypes presenting 90,428 HLA-I- and 142,625 HLA-II ligands. The HLA allotypes are representative for the world population. We observe that immunopeptidomes differ considerably between tissues and individuals on source protein and HLA-ligand level. Moreover, we discover 1407 HLA-I ligands from non-canonical genomic regions. Such peptides were previously described in tumors, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), healthy lung tissues and cell lines. In a case study in glioblastoma, we show that potential on-target off-tumor adverse events in immunotherapy can be avoided by comparing tumor immunopeptidomes to the provided multi-tissue reference. Conclusion Given that T-cell-based immunotherapies, such as CAR-T cells, affinity-enhanced T cell transfer, cancer vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibition, have significant side effects, the HLA Ligand Atlas is the first step toward defining tumor-associated targets with an improved safety profile. The resource provides insights into basic and applied immune-associated questions in the context of cancer immunotherapy, infection, transplantation, allergy and autoimmunity. It is publicly available and can be browsed in an easy-to-use web interface at https://hla-ligand-atlas.org .}, language = {en} } @article{MannucciDangHuberetal.2021, author = {Mannucci, Ilaria and Dang, Nghi D. P. and Huber, Hannes and Murry, Jaclyn B. and Abramson, Jeff and Althoff, Thorsten and Banka, Siddharth and Baynam, Gareth and Bearden, David and Beleza-Meireles, Ana and Benke, Paul J. and Berland, Siren and Bierhals, Tatjana and Bilan, Frederic and Bindoff, Laurence A. and Braathen, Geir Julius and Busk, {\O}yvind L. and Chenbhanich, Jirat and Denecke, Jonas and Escobar, Luis F. and Estes, Caroline and Fleischer, Julie and Groepper, Daniel and Haaxma, Charlotte A. and Hempel, Maja and Holler-Managan, Yolanda and Houge, Gunnar and Jackson, Adam and Kellogg, Laura and Keren, Boris and Kiraly-Borri, Catherine and Kraus, Cornelia and Kubisch, Christian and Le Guyader, Gwenael and Ljungblad, Ulf W. and Brenman, Leslie Manace and Martinez-Agosto, Julian A. and Might, Matthew and Miller, David T. and Minks, Kelly Q. and Moghaddam, Billur and Nava, Caroline and Nelson, Stanley F. and Parant, John M. and Prescott, Trine and Rajabi, Farrah and Randrianaivo, Hanitra and Reiter, Simone F. and Schuurs-Hoeijmakers, Janneke and Shieh, Perry B. and Slavotinek, Anne and Smithson, Sarah and Stegmann, Alexander P. A. and Tomczak, Kinga and Tveten, Kristian and Wang, Jun and Whitlock, Jordan H. and Zweier, Christiane and McWalter, Kirsty and Juusola, Jane and Quintero-Rivera, Fabiola and Fischer, Utz and Yeo, Nan Cher and Kreienkamp, Hans-J{\"u}rgen and Lessel, Davor}, title = {Genotype-phenotype correlations and novel molecular insights into the DHX30-associated neurodevelopmental disorders}, series = {Genome Medicine}, volume = {13}, journal = {Genome Medicine}, doi = {10.1186/s13073-021-00900-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-306477}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background We aimed to define the clinical and variant spectrum and to provide novel molecular insights into the DHX30-associated neurodevelopmental disorder. Methods Clinical and genetic data from affected individuals were collected through Facebook-based family support group, GeneMatcher, and our network of collaborators. We investigated the impact of novel missense variants with respect to ATPase and helicase activity, stress granule (SG) formation, global translation, and their effect on embryonic development in zebrafish. SG formation was additionally analyzed in CRISPR/Cas9-mediated DHX30-deficient HEK293T and zebrafish models, along with in vivo behavioral assays. Results We identified 25 previously unreported individuals, ten of whom carry novel variants, two of which are recurrent, and provide evidence of gonadal mosaicism in one family. All 19 individuals harboring heterozygous missense variants within helicase core motifs (HCMs) have global developmental delay, intellectual disability, severe speech impairment, and gait abnormalities. These variants impair the ATPase and helicase activity of DHX30, trigger SG formation, interfere with global translation, and cause developmental defects in a zebrafish model. Notably, 4 individuals harboring heterozygous variants resulting either in haploinsufficiency or truncated proteins presented with a milder clinical course, similar to an individual harboring a de novo mosaic HCM missense variant. Functionally, we established DHX30 as an ATP-dependent RNA helicase and as an evolutionary conserved factor in SG assembly. Based on the clinical course, the variant location, and type we establish two distinct clinical subtypes. DHX30 loss-of-function variants cause a milder phenotype whereas a severe phenotype is caused by HCM missense variants that, in addition to the loss of ATPase and helicase activity, lead to a detrimental gain-of-function with respect to SG formation. Behavioral characterization of dhx30-deficient zebrafish revealed altered sleep-wake activity and social interaction, partially resembling the human phenotype. Conclusions Our study highlights the usefulness of social media to define novel Mendelian disorders and exemplifies how functional analyses accompanied by clinical and genetic findings can define clinically distinct subtypes for ultra-rare disorders. Such approaches require close interdisciplinary collaboration between families/legal representatives of the affected individuals, clinicians, molecular genetics diagnostic laboratories, and research laboratories.}, language = {en} } @article{MaksimovaShalginskikhVlasovaetal.2021, author = {Maksimova, Varvara and Shalginskikh, Natalya and Vlasova, Olga and Usalka, Olga and Beizer, Anastasia and Bugaeva, Polina and Fedorov, Dmitry and Lizogub, Olga and Lesovaya, Ekaterina and Katz, Richard and Belitsky, Gennady and Kirsanov, Kirill and Yakubovskaya, Marianna}, title = {HeLa TI cell-based assay as a new approach to screen for chemicals able to reactivate the expression of epigenetically silenced genes}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {16}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0252504}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370152}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Chemicals reactivating epigenetically silenced genes target diverse classes of enzymes, including DNMTs, HDACs, HMTs and BET protein family members. They can strongly influence the expression of genes and endogenous retroviral elements with concomitant dsRNA synthesis and massive transcription of LTRs. Chemicals reactivating gene expression may cause both beneficial effects in cancer cells and may be hazardous by promoting carcinogenesis. Among chemicals used in medicine and commerce, only a small fraction has been studied with respect to their influence on epigenetic silencing. Screening of chemicals reactivating silent genes requires adequate systems mimicking whole-genome processes. We used a HeLa TSA-inducible cell population (HeLa TI cells) obtained by retroviral infection of a GFP-containing vector followed by several rounds of cell sorting for screening purposes. Previously, the details of GFP epigenetic silencing in HeLa TI cells were thoroughly described. Herein, we show that the epigenetically repressed gene GFP is reactivated by 15 agents, including HDAC inhibitors-vorinostat, sodium butyrate, valproic acid, depsipeptide, pomiferin, and entinostat; DNMT inhibitors-decitabine, 5-azacytidine, RG108; HMT inhibitors-UNC0638, BIX01294, DZNep; a chromatin remodeler-curaxin CBL0137; and BET inhibitors-JQ-1 and JQ-35. We demonstrate that combinations of epigenetic modulators caused a significant increase in cell number with reactivated GFP compared to the individual effects of each agent. HeLa TI cells are competent to metabolize xenobiotics and possess constitutively expressed and inducible cytochrome P450 mono-oxygenases involved in xenobiotic biotransformation. Thus, HeLa TI cells may be used as an adequate test system for the extensive screening of chemicals, including those that must be metabolically activated. Studying the additional metabolic activation of xenobiotics, we surprisingly found that the rat liver S9 fraction, which has been widely used for xenobiotic activation in genotoxicity tests, reactivated epigenetically silenced genes. Applying the HeLa TI system, we show that N-nitrosodiphenylamine and N-nitrosodimethylamine reactivate epigenetically silenced genes, probably by affecting DNA methylation.}, language = {en} } @article{MaistrenkoScharfManskeetal.2021, author = {Maistrenko, Oleksii and Scharf, Benedikt and Manske, Dirk and Hankiewicz, Ewelina M.}, title = {Planar Josephson Hall effect in topological Josephson junctions}, series = {Physical Review B}, volume = {103}, journal = {Physical Review B}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.103.054508}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370139}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Josephson junctions based on three-dimensional topological insulators offer intriguing possibilities to realize unconventional 𝑝-wave pairing and Majorana modes. Here, we provide a detailed study of the effect of a uniform magnetization in the normal region: We show how the interplay between the spin-momentum locking of the topological insulator and an in-plane magnetization parallel to the direction of phase bias leads to an asymmetry of the Andreev spectrum with respect to transverse momenta. If sufficiently large, this asymmetry induces a transition from a regime of gapless, counterpropagating Majorana modes to a regime with unprotected modes that are unidirectional at small transverse momenta. Intriguingly, the magnetization-induced asymmetry of the Andreev spectrum also gives rise to a Josephson Hall effect, that is, the appearance of a transverse Josephson current. The amplitude and current phase relation of the Josephson Hall current are studied in detail. In particular, we show how magnetic control and gating of the normal region can enable sizable Josephson Hall currents compared to the longitudinal Josephson current. Finally, we also propose in-plane magnetic fields as an alternative to the magnetization in the normal region and discuss how the planar Josephson Hall effect could be observed in experiments.}, language = {en} } @article{MainaPelliccioli2021, author = {Maina, Ezio and Pelliccioli, Giovanni}, title = {Polarized Z bosons from the decay of a Higgs boson produced in association with two jets at the LHC}, series = {The European Physical Journal C}, volume = {81}, journal = {The European Physical Journal C}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-021-09774-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370126}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Investigating the polarization of weak bosons provides an important probe of the scalar and gauge sector of the Standard Model. This can be done in the Higgs decay to four leptons, whose Standard-Model leading-order amplitude enables to generate polarized observables from unpolarized ones via a fully-differential reweighting method. We study the Z-boson polarization from the decay of a Higgs boson produced in association with two jets, both in the gluon-fusion and in the vector-boson fusion channel. We also address the possibility of extending the results of this work to higher orders in perturbation theory.}, language = {en} } @article{MaierWeissenbergerRudertetal.2021, author = {Maier, Gerrit S. and Weissenberger, Manuel and Rudert, Maximilian and Roth, Klaus E. and Horas, Konstantin}, title = {The role of vitamin D and vitamin D deficiency in orthopaedics and traumatology—a narrative overview of the literature}, series = {Annals of Translational Medicine}, volume = {9}, journal = {Annals of Translational Medicine}, doi = {10.21037/atm-21-779}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370110}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Vitamin D is considered to play an important role in musculoskeletal health. It's classical function is the regulation of calcium and phosphate homeostasis, thus ensuring a balanced bone metabolism that is characterised by an equal amount of bone resorption and bone formation. In the past decades, a plethora of pre-clinical and clinical studies reporting on potential health-beneficial properties of vitamin D have emerged. Moreover, there is an abundance of reports highlighting vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in patients with almost innumerable diseases. Further, it is estimated that more than one billion people globally are affected by insufficient vitamin D levels. As such, research on vitamin D has been particularly popular over the past years. In orthopaedics and traumatology, most studies describe favourable effects of vitamin D in general. However, the relative importance of vitamin D is oftentimes debated. In this narrative review of the literature, we consider first, the properties of vitamin D and how vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) impact on musculoskeletal health. Secondly, we provide an overview of studies reporting the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in traumatology and diverse orthopaedic diseases including bone oncology. Lastly, we emphasise recent findings and touch on future perspectives in vitamin D research.}, language = {en} } @article{MaguniaLedererVerbuechelnetal.2021, author = {Magunia, Harry and Lederer, Simone and Verbuecheln, Raphael and Gilot, Bryant Joseph and Koeppen, Michael and Haeberle, Helene A. and Mirakaj, Valbona and Hofmann, Pascal and Marx, Gernot and Bickenbach, Johannes and Nohe, Boris and Lay, Michael and Spies, Claudia and Edel, Andreas and Schiefenh{\"o}vel, Fridtjof and Rahmel, Tim and Putensen, Christian and Sellmann, Timur and Koch, Thea and Brandenburger, Timo and Kindgen-Milles, Detlef and Brenner, Thorsten and Berger, Marc and Zacharowski, Kai and Adam, Elisabeth and Posch, Matthias and Moerer, Onnen and Scheer, Christian S. and Sedding, Daniel and Weigand, Markus A. and Fichtner, Falk and Nau, Carla and Pr{\"a}tsch, Florian and Wiesmann, Thomas and Koch, Christian and Schneider, Gerhard and Lahmer, Tobias and Straub, Andreas and Meiser, Andreas and Weiss, Manfred and Jungwirth, Bettina and Wappler, Frank and Meybohm, Patrick and Herrmann, Johannes and Malek, Nisar and Kohlbacher, Oliver and Biergans, Stephanie and Rosenberger, Peter}, title = {Machine learning identifies ICU outcome predictors in a multicenter COVID-19 cohort}, series = {Critical Care}, volume = {25}, journal = {Critical Care}, doi = {10.1186/s13054-021-03720-4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-306766}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background Intensive Care Resources are heavily utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, risk stratification and prediction of SARS-CoV-2 patient clinical outcomes upon ICU admission remain inadequate. This study aimed to develop a machine learning model, based on retrospective \& prospective clinical data, to stratify patient risk and predict ICU survival and outcomes. Methods A Germany-wide electronic registry was established to pseudonymously collect admission, therapeutic and discharge information of SARS-CoV-2 ICU patients retrospectively and prospectively. Machine learning approaches were evaluated for the accuracy and interpretability of predictions. The Explainable Boosting Machine approach was selected as the most suitable method. Individual, non-linear shape functions for predictive parameters and parameter interactions are reported. Results 1039 patients were included in the Explainable Boosting Machine model, 596 patients retrospectively collected, and 443 patients prospectively collected. The model for prediction of general ICU outcome was shown to be more reliable to predict "survival". Age, inflammatory and thrombotic activity, and severity of ARDS at ICU admission were shown to be predictive of ICU survival. Patients' age, pulmonary dysfunction and transfer from an external institution were predictors for ECMO therapy. The interaction of patient age with D-dimer levels on admission and creatinine levels with SOFA score without GCS were predictors for renal replacement therapy. Conclusions Using Explainable Boosting Machine analysis, we confirmed and weighed previously reported and identified novel predictors for outcome in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Using this strategy, predictive modeling of COVID-19 ICU patient outcomes can be performed overcoming the limitations of linear regression models. Trial registration "ClinicalTrials" (clinicaltrials.gov) under NCT04455451.}, language = {en} } @article{MagneaPelliccioliSignorileSignorileetal.2021, author = {Magnea, Lorenzo and Pelliccioli, Giovanni and Signorile-Signorile, Chiara and Torrielli, Paolo and Uccirati, Sandro}, title = {Analytic integration of soft and collinear radiation in factorised QCD cross sections at NNLO}, series = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, volume = {2021}, journal = {Journal of High Energy Physics}, doi = {10.1007/JHEP02(2021)037}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370064}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Within the framework of local analytic sector subtraction, we present the full analytic integration of double-real and real-virtual local infrared counterterms that enter NNLO QCD computations with any number of massless final-state partons. We show that a careful choice of phase-space mappings leads to simple analytic results, including non-singular terms, that can be obtained with conventional integration techniques.}, language = {en} } @article{MacLeodSurulirajGalletal.2021, author = {MacLeod, Lucy and Suruliraj, Banuchitra and Gall, Dominik and Bessenyei, Kitti and Hamm, Sara and Romkey, Isaac and Bagnell, Alexa and Mattheisen, Manuel and Muthukumaraswamy, Viswanath and Orji, Rita and Meier, Sandra}, title = {A Mobile Sensing App to Monitor Youth Mental Health: Observational Pilot Study}, series = {JMIR mHealth and uHealth}, volume = {9}, journal = {JMIR mHealth and uHealth}, doi = {10.2196/20638}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370054}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background: Internalizing disorders are the most common psychiatric problems observed among youth in Canada. Sadly, youth with internalizing disorders often avoid seeking clinical help and rarely receive adequate treatment. Current methods of assessing internalizing disorders usually rely on subjective symptom ratings, but internalizing symptoms are frequently underreported, which creates a barrier to the accurate assessment of these symptoms in youth. Therefore, novel assessment tools that use objective data need to be developed to meet the highest standards of reliability, feasibility, scalability, and affordability. Mobile sensing technologies, which unobtrusively record aspects of youth behaviors in their daily lives with the potential to make inferences about their mental health states, offer a possible method of addressing this assessment barrier. Objective: This study aims to explore whether passively collected smartphone sensor data can be used to predict internalizing symptoms among youth in Canada. Methods: In this study, the youth participants (N=122) completed self-report assessments of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Next, the participants installed an app, which passively collected data about their mobility, screen time, sleep, and social interactions over 2 weeks. Then, we tested whether these passive sensor data could be used to predict internalizing symptoms among these youth participants. Results: More severe depressive symptoms correlated with more time spent stationary (r=0.293; P=.003), less mobility (r=0.271; P=.006), higher light intensity during the night (r=0.227; P=.02), and fewer outgoing calls (r=-0.244; P=.03). In contrast, more severe anxiety symptoms correlated with less time spent stationary (r=-0.249; P=.01) and greater mobility (r=0.234; P=.02). In addition, youths with higher anxiety scores spent more time on the screen (r=0.203; P=.049). Finally, adding passively collected smartphone sensor data to the prediction models of internalizing symptoms significantly improved their fit. Conclusions: Passively collected smartphone sensor data provide a useful way to monitor internalizing symptoms among youth. Although the results replicated findings from adult populations, to ensure clinical utility, they still need to be replicated in larger samples of youth. The work also highlights intervention opportunities via mobile technology to reduce the burden of internalizing symptoms early on.}, language = {en} } @article{MacchiaroliPrezaGastonPerezetal.2021, author = {Macchiaroli, Natalia and Preza, Mat{\´i}as and Gast{\´o}n P{\´e}rez, Mat{\´i}as and Kamenetzky, Laura and Cucher, Marcela and Koziol, Uriel and Castillo, Estela and Berriman, Matthew and Brehm, Klaus and Rosenzvit, Mara Cecilia}, title = {Expression profiling of Echinococcus multilocularis miRNAs throughout metacestode development in vitro}, series = {PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases}, volume = {15}, journal = {PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0009297}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-370046}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The neglected zoonotic disease alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by the metacestode stage of the tapeworm parasite Echinococcus multilocularis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs with a major role in regulating gene expression in key biological processes. We analyzed the expression profile of E. multilocularis miRNAs throughout metacestode development in vitro, determined the spatial expression of miR-71 in metacestodes cultured in vitro and predicted miRNA targets. Small cDNA libraries from different samples of E. multilocularis were sequenced. We confirmed the expression of 37 miRNAs in E. multilocularis being some of them absent in the host, such as miR-71. We found a few miRNAs highly expressed in all life cycle stages and conditions analyzed, whereas most miRNAs showed very low expression. The most expressed miRNAs were miR-71, miR-9, let-7, miR-10, miR-4989 and miR-1. The high expression of these miRNAs was conserved in other tapeworms, suggesting essential roles in development, survival, or host-parasite interaction. We found highly regulated miRNAs during the different transitions or cultured conditions analyzed, which might suggest a role in the regulation of developmental timing, host-parasite interaction, and/or in maintaining the unique developmental features of each developmental stage or condition. We determined that miR-71 is expressed in germinative cells and in other cell types of the germinal layer in E. multilocularis metacestodes cultured in vitro. MiRNA target prediction of the most highly expressed miRNAs and in silico functional analysis suggested conserved and essential roles for these miRNAs in parasite biology. We found relevant targets potentially involved in development, cell growth and death, lifespan regulation, transcription, signal transduction and cell motility. The evolutionary conservation and expression analyses of E. multilocularis miRNAs throughout metacestode development along with the in silico functional analyses of their predicted targets might help to identify selective therapeutic targets for treatment and control of AE.}, language = {en} } @article{MaasBrandlHussainetal.2021, author = {Maas, Bea and Brandl, Manuela and Hussain, Raja Imran and Frank, Thomas and Zulka, Klaus Peter and Rabl, Dominik and Walcher, Ronnie and Moser, Dietmar}, title = {Functional traits driving pollinator and predator responses to newly established grassland strips in agricultural landscapes}, series = {Journal of Applied Ecology}, volume = {58}, journal = {Journal of Applied Ecology}, doi = {10.1111/1365-2664.13892}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-369992}, pages = {1728-1737}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Agricultural biodiversity and associated ecosystem functions are declining at alarming rates due to widespread land use intensification. They can only be maintained through targeted landscape management that supports species with different habitat preferences, dispersal capacities and other functional traits that determine their survival. However, we need better understanding whether short-term measures can already improve functional diversity in European agroecosystems. We investigated spatio-temporal responses of bees (solitary bees, bumblebees and honey bees), hoverflies, carabid beetles and spiders to newly established grassland strips in Lower Austria over 3 years, and along a distance gradient to old grasslands. Specifically, we asked if new grasslands, compared to old grasslands and cereal fields, serve as temporal dispersal habitat or corridor, and how species-specific traits affect dispersal patterns. Using a trait-based functional diversity approach, we investigated year and distance effects for nine selected key traits per taxon (e.g. body size, feeding guild and habitat preferences). Our results show that the functional diversity of predators and pollinators (i.e. functional richness and evenness), as well as community-weighted means of selected key traits in new grasslands significantly differed from adjacent cereal fields, but only slowly adjusted to adjacent old grasslands. These effects significantly decreased with increasing distance to old grasslands for carabids and spiders, but not for mobile bees and hoverflies. Synthesis and applications. Over 3 years, newly established grassland strips supported larger sized and actively foraging/hunting species in the agricultural landscape. Adjacent crops likely benefit from such measures through enhanced functional diversity and related ecosystem services. However, our results also suggest that 3-year period is too short to enhance the occurrence of pollinators and epigeic predators in new grasslands. Agri-environment measures need to be complemented by the conservation of permanent habitats to effectively maintain species and functional diversity. Our findings should be acknowledged by European policy and agricultural decision makers for the design of more effective agri-environment schemes, taking into account trait-dependent species responses to land use change.}, language = {en} }