@article{KochereshkoDurnevBesombesetal.2016,
  author    = {Kochereshko, Vladimir P. and Durnev, Mikhail V. and Besombes, Lucien and Mariette, Henri and Sapega, Victor F. and Askitopoulos, Alexis and Savenko, Ivan G. and Liew, Timothy C. H. and Shelykh, Ivan A. and Platonov, Alexey V. and Tsintzos, Simeon I. and Hatzopoulos, Z. and Savvidis, Pavlos G. and Kalevich, Vladimir K. and Afanasiev, Mikhail M. and Lukoshkin, Vladimir A. and Schneider, Christian and Amthor, Matthias and Metzger, Christian and Kamp, Martin and Hoefling, Sven and Lagoudakis, Pavlos and Kavokin, Alexey},
  title     = {Lasing in Bose-Fermi mixtures},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {20091},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep20091},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168152},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, well-known for revolutionising photonic science, has been realised primarily in fermionic systems including widely applied diode lasers. The prerequisite for fermionic lasing is the inversion of electronic population, which governs the lasing threshold. More recently, bosonic lasers have also been developed based on Bose-Einstein condensates of exciton-polaritons in semiconductor microcavities. These electrically neutral bosons coexist with charged electrons and holes. In the presence of magnetic fields, the charged particles are bound to their cyclotron orbits, while the neutral exciton-polaritons move freely. We demonstrate how magnetic fields affect dramatically the phase diagram of mixed Bose-Fermi systems, switching between fermionic lasing, incoherent emission and bosonic lasing regimes in planar and pillar microcavities with optical and electrical pumping. We collected and analyzed the data taken on pillar and planar microcavity structures at continuous wave and pulsed optical excitation as well as injecting electrons and holes electronically. Our results evidence the transition from a Bose gas to a Fermi liquid mediated by magnetic fields and light-matter coupling.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SongJiaZhangetal.2016,
  author    = {Song, Ning-Ning and Jia, Yun-Fang and Zhang, Lei and Zhang, Qiong and Huang, Ying and Liu, Xiao-Zhen and Hu, Ling and Lan, Wei and Chen, Ling and Lesch, Klaus-Peter and Chen, Xiaoyan and Xu, Lin and Ding, Yu-Qiang},
  title     = {Reducing central serotonin in adulthood promotes hippocampal neurogenesis},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {20338},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep20338},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168004},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Chronic administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which up-regulates central serotonin (5-HT) system function, enhances adult hippocampal neurogenesis. However, the relationship between central 5-HT system and adult neurogenesis has not fully been understood. Here, we report that lowering 5-HT level in adulthood is also able to enhance adult hippocampal neurogenesis. We used tamoxifen (TM)-induced Cre in Pet1-CreER\(^{T2}\) mice to either deplete central serotonergic (5-HTergic) neurons or inactivate 5-HT synthesis in adulthood and explore the role of central 5-HT in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. A dramatic increase in hippocampal neurogenesis is present in these two central 5-HT-deficient mice and it is largely prevented by administration of agonist for 5-HTR2c receptor. In addition, the survival of new-born neurons in the hippocampus is enhanced. Furthermore, the adult 5-HT-deficient mice showed reduced depression-like behaviors but enhanced contextual fear memory. These findings demonstrate that lowering central 5-HT function in adulthood can also enhance adult hippocampal neurogenesis, thus revealing a new aspect of central 5-HT in regulating adult neurogenesis.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{RitterFanPaulsonetal.2016,
  author    = {Ritter, Cathrin and Fan, Kaiji and Paulson, Kelly G. and Nghiem, Paul and Schrama, David and Becker, J{\"u}rgen C.},
  title     = {Reversal of epigenetic silencing of MHC class I chain-related protein A and B improves immune recognition of Merkel cell carcinoma},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {21678},
  edition   = {6},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep21678},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167992},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a virally associated cancer characterized by its aggressive behavior and strong immunogenicity. Both viral infection and malignant transformation induce expression of MHC class I chain-related protein (MIC) A and B, which signal stress to cells of the immune system via Natural Killer group 2D (NKG2D) resulting in elimination of target cells. However, despite transformation and the continued presence of virally-encoded proteins, MICs are only expressed in a minority of MCC tumors in situ and are completely absent on MCC cell lines in vitro. This lack of MIC expression was due to epigenetic silencing via MIC promoter hypo-acetylation; indeed, MIC expression was re-induced by pharmacological inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) both in vitro and in vivo. This re-induction of MICs rendered MCC cells more sensitive to immune-mediated lysis. Thus, epigenetic silencing of MICs is an important immune escape mechanism of MCCs.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BiscottiGerdolCanapaetal.2016,
  author    = {Biscotti, Maria Assunta and Gerdol, Marco and Canapa, Adriana and Forconi, Mariko and Olmo, Ettore and Pallavicini, Alberto and Barucca, Marco and Schartl, Manfred},
  title     = {The Lungfish Transcriptome: A Glimpse into Molecular Evolution Events at the Transition from Water to Land},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {21571},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep21571},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167753},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Lungfish and coelacanths are the only living sarcopterygian fish. The phylogenetic relationship of lungfish to the last common ancestor of tetrapods and their close morphological similarity to their fossil ancestors make this species uniquely interesting. However their genome size, the largest among vertebrates, is hampering the generation of a whole genome sequence. To provide a partial solution to the problem, a high-coverage lungfish reference transcriptome was generated and assembled. The present findings indicate that lungfish, not coelacanths, are the closest relatives to land-adapted vertebrates. Whereas protein-coding genes evolve at a very slow rate, possibly reflecting a "living fossil" status, transposable elements appear to be active and show high diversity, suggesting a role for them in the remarkable expansion of the lungfish genome. Analyses of single genes and gene families documented changes connected to the water to land transition and demonstrated the value of the lungfish reference transcriptome for comparative studies of vertebrate evolution.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KurabiPakBernhardtetal.2016,
  author    = {Kurabi, Arwa and Pak, Kwang K. and Bernhardt, Marlen and Baird, Andrew and Ryan, Allen F.},
  title     = {Discovery of a Biological Mechanism of Active Transport through the Tympanic Membrane to the Middle Ear},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {22663},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep22663},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167741},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Otitis media (OM) is a common pediatric disease for which systemic antibiotics are often prescribed. While local treatment would avoid the systemic treatment side-effects, the tympanic membrane (TM) represents an impenetrable barrier unless surgically breached. We hypothesized that the TM might harbor innate biological mechanisms that could mediate trans-TM transport. We used two M13-bacteriophage display biopanning strategies to search for mediators of trans-TM transport. First, aliquots of linear phage library displaying 10\(^{10th}\) 12mer peptides were applied on the TM of rats with active bacterial OM. The middle ear (ME) contents were then harvested, amplified and the preparation re-applied for additional rounds. Second, the same na{\"i}ve library was sequentially screened for phage exhibiting TM binding, internalization and then transit. Results revealed a novel set of peptides that transit across the TM to the ME in a time and temperature dependent manner. The peptides with highest transport capacities shared sequence similarities. Historically, the TM was viewed as an impermeable barrier. However, our studies reveal that it is possible to translocate peptide-linked small particles across the TM. This is the first comprehensive biopanning for the isolation of TM transiting peptidic ligands. The identified mechanism offers a new drug delivery platform into the ME.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LousadaSorokaYagodzinskyyetal.2016,
  author    = {Lousada, Cl{\´a}udio M. and Soroka, Inna L. and Yagodzinskyy, Yuriy and Tarakina, Nadezda V. and Todoshchenko, Olga and H{\"a}nninen, Hannu and Korzhavyi, Pavel A. and Jonsson, Mats},
  title     = {Gamma radiation induces hydrogen absorption by copper in water},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {24234},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep24234},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167730},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {One of the most intricate issues of nuclear power is the long-term safety of repositories for radioactive waste. These repositories can have an impact on future generations for a period of time orders of magnitude longer than any known civilization. Several countries have considered copper as an outer corrosion barrier for canisters containing spent nuclear fuel. Among the many processes that must be considered in the safety assessments, radiation induced processes constitute a key-component. Here we show that copper metal immersed in water uptakes considerable amounts of hydrogen when exposed to γ-radiation. Additionally we show that the amount of hydrogen absorbed by copper depends on the total dose of radiation. At a dose of 69 kGy the uptake of hydrogen by metallic copper is 7 orders of magnitude higher than when the absorption is driven by H\(_{2}\)(g) at a pressure of 1 atm in a non-irradiated dry system. Moreover, irradiation of copper in water causes corrosion of the metal and the formation of a variety of surface cavities, nanoparticle deposits, and islands of needle-shaped crystals. Hence, radiation enhanced uptake of hydrogen by spent nuclear fuel encapsulating materials should be taken into account in the safety assessments of nuclear waste repositories.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{AudehmSchmidtBruecketal.2016,
  author    = {Audehm, P. and Schmidt, M. and Br{\"u}ck, S. and Tietze, T. and Gr{\"a}fe, J. and Macke, S. and Sch{\"u}tz, G. and Goering, E.},
  title     = {Pinned orbital moments - A new contribution to magnetic anisotropy},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {25517},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep25517},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167727},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Reduced dimensionality and symmetry breaking at interfaces lead to unusual local magnetic configurations, such as glassy behavior, frustration or increased anisotropy. The interface between a ferromagnet and an antiferromagnet is such an example for enhanced symmetry breaking. Here we present detailed X-ray magnetic circular dichroism and X-ray resonant magnetic reflectometry investigations on the spectroscopic nature of uncompensated pinned magnetic moments in the antiferromagnetic layer of a typical exchange bias system. Unexpectedly, the pinned moments exhibit nearly pure orbital moment character. This strong orbital pinning mechanism has not been observed so far and is not discussed in literature regarding any theory for local magnetocrystalline anisotropy energies in magnetic systems. To verify this new phenomenon we investigated the effect at different temperatures. We provide a simple model discussing the observed pure orbital moments, based on rotatable spin magnetic moments and pinned orbital moments on the same atom. This unexpected observation leads to a concept for a new type of anisotropy energy.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HorikiriYamaguchiKamideetal.2016,
  author    = {Horikiri, Tomoyuki and Yamaguchi, Makoto and Kamide, Kenji and Matsuo, Yasuhiro and Byrnes, Tim and Ishida, Natsuko and L{\"o}ffler, Andreas and H{\"o}fling, Sven and Shikano, Yutaka and Ogawa, Tetsuo and Forchel, Alfred and Yamamoto, Yoshihisa},
  title     = {High-energy side-peak emission of exciton-polariton condensates in high density regime},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {25655},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep25655},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167711},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {In a standard semiconductor laser, electrons and holes recombine via stimulated emission to emit coherent light, in a process that is far from thermal equilibrium. Exciton-polariton condensates-sharing the same basic device structure as a semiconductor laser, consisting of quantum wells coupled to a microcavity-have been investigated primarily at densities far below the Mott density for signatures of Bose-Einstein condensation. At high densities approaching the Mott density, exciton-polariton condensates are generally thought to revert to a standard semiconductor laser, with the loss of strong coupling. Here, we report the observation of a photoluminescence sideband at high densities that cannot be accounted for by conventional semiconductor lasing. This also differs from an upper-polariton peak by the observation of the excitation power dependence in the peak-energy separation. Our interpretation as a persistent coherent electron-hole-photon coupling captures several features of this sideband, although a complete understanding of the experimental data is lacking. A full understanding of the observations should lead to a development in non-equilibrium many-body physics.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GalloWardFotheringhametal.2016,
  author    = {Gallo, Linda A. and Ward, Micheal S. and Fotheringham, Amelia K. and Zhuang, Aowen and Borg, Danielle J. and Flemming, Nicole B. and Harvie, Ben M. and Kinneally, Toni L. and Yeh, Shang-Ming and McCarthy, Domenica A. and Koepsell, Hermann and Vallon, Volker and Pollock, Carol and Panchapakesan, Usha and Forbes, Josephine M.},
  title     = {Once daily administration of the SGLT2 inhibitor, empagliflozin, attenuates markers of renal fibrosis without improving albuminuria in diabetic db/db mice},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {26428},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep26428},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167678},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Blood glucose control is the primary strategy to prevent complications in diabetes. At the onset of kidney disease, therapies that inhibit components of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) are also indicated, but these approaches are not wholly effective. Here, we show that once daily administration of the novel glucose lowering agent, empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor which targets the kidney to block glucose reabsorption, has the potential to improve kidney disease in type 2 diabetes. In male db/db mice, a 10-week treatment with empagliflozin attenuated the diabetes-induced upregulation of profibrotic gene markers, fibronectin and transforming-growth-factor-beta. Other molecular (collagen IV and connective tissue growth factor) and histological (tubulointerstitial total collagen and glomerular collagen IV accumulation) benefits were seen upon dual therapy with metformin. Albuminuria, urinary markers of tubule damage (kidney injury molecule-1, KIM-1 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, NGAL), kidney growth, and glomerulosclerosis, however, were not improved with empagliflozin or metformin, and plasma and intra-renal renin activity was enhanced with empagliflozin. In this model, blood glucose lowering with empagliflozin attenuated some molecular and histological markers of fibrosis but, as per treatment with metformin, did not provide complete renoprotection. Further research to refine the treatment regimen in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy is warranted.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{PfeifferKruegerMaierhoferetal.2016,
  author    = {Pfeiffer, Susanne and Kr{\"u}ger, Jacqueline and Maierhofer, Anna and B{\"o}ttcher, Yvonne and Kl{\"o}ting, Nora and El Hajj, Nady and Schleinitz, Dorit and Sch{\"o}n, Michael R. and Dietrich, Arne and Fasshauer, Mathias and Lohmann, Tobias and Dreßler, Miriam and Stumvoll, Michael and Haaf, Thomas and Bl{\"u}her, Matthias and Kovacs, Peter},
  title     = {Hypoxia-inducible factor 3A gene expression and methylation in adipose tissue is related to adipose tissue dysfunction},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {27969},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep27969},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167662},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Recently, a genome-wide analysis identified DNA methylation of the HIF3A (hypoxia-inducible factor 3A) as strongest correlate of BMI. Here we tested the hypothesis that HIF3A mRNA expression and CpG-sites methylation in adipose tissue (AT) and genetic variants in HIF3A are related to parameters of AT distribution and function. In paired samples of subcutaneous AT (SAT) and visceral AT (VAT) from 603 individuals, we measured HIF3A mRNA expression and analyzed its correlation with obesity and related traits. In subgroups of individuals, we investigated the effects on HIF3A genetic variants on its AT expression (N = 603) and methylation of CpG-sites (N = 87). HIF3A expression was significantly higher in SAT compared to VAT and correlated with obesity and parameters of AT dysfunction (including CRP and leucocytes count). HIF3A methylation at cg22891070 was significantly higher in VAT compared to SAT and correlated with BMI, abdominal SAT and VAT area. Rs8102595 showed a nominal significant association with AT HIF3A methylation levels as well as with obesity and fat distribution. HIF3A expression and methylation in AT are fat depot specific, related to obesity and AT dysfunction. Our data support the hypothesis that HIF pathways may play an important role in the development of AT dysfunction in obesity.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{RichterMathesFroniusetal.2016,
  author    = {Richter, K. and Mathes, V. and Fronius, M. and Althaus, M. and Hecker, A. and Krasteva-Christ, G. and Padberg, W. and Hone, A. J. and McIntosh, J. M. and Zakrzewicz, A. and Grau, V.},
  title     = {Phosphocholine - an agonist of metabotropic but not of ionotropic functions of α9-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {28660},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep28660},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167655},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {We demonstrated previously that phosphocholine and phosphocholine-modified macromolecules efficiently inhibit ATP-dependent release of interleukin-1β from human and murine monocytes by a mechanism involving nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Interleukin-1β is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine of innate immunity that plays pivotal roles in host defence. Control of interleukin-1β release is vital as excessively high systemic levels cause life threatening inflammatory diseases. In spite of its structural similarity to acetylcholine, there are no other reports on interactions of phosphocholine with nAChR. In this study, we demonstrate that phosphocholine inhibits ion-channel function of ATP receptor P2X7 in monocytic cells via nAChR containing α9 and α10 subunits. In stark contrast to choline, phosphocholine does not evoke ion current responses in Xenopus laevis oocytes, which heterologously express functional homomeric nAChR composed of α9 subunits or heteromeric receptors containing α9 and α10 subunits. Preincubation of these oocytes with phosphocholine, however, attenuated choline-induced ion current changes, suggesting that phosphocholine may act as a silent agonist. We conclude that phophocholine activates immuno-modulatory nAChR expressed by monocytes but does not stimulate canonical ionotropic receptor functions.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{NukarinenNaegelePedrottietal.2016,
  author    = {Nukarinen, Ella and N{\"a}gele, Thomas and Pedrotti, Lorenzo and Wurzinger, Bernhard and Mair, Andrea and Landgraf, Ramona and B{\"o}rnke, Frederik and Hanson, Johannes and Teige, Markus and Baena-Gonzalez, Elena and Dr{\"o}ge-Laser, Wolfgang and Weckwerth, Wolfram},
  title     = {Quantitative phosphoproteomics reveals the role of the AMPK plant ortholog SnRK1 as a metabolic master regulator under energy deprivation},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {31697},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep31697},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167638},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Since years, research on SnRK1, the major cellular energy sensor in plants, has tried to define its role in energy signalling. However, these attempts were notoriously hampered by the lethality of a complete knockout of SnRK1. Therefore, we generated an inducible amiRNA::SnRK1α2 in a snrk1α1 knock out background (snrk1α1/α2) to abolish SnRK1 activity to understand major systemic functions of SnRK1 signalling under energy deprivation triggered by extended night treatment. We analysed the in vivo phosphoproteome, proteome and metabolome and found that activation of SnRK1 is essential for repression of high energy demanding cell processes such as protein synthesis. The most abundant effect was the constitutively high phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6) in the snrk1α1/α2 mutant. RPS6 is a major target of TOR signalling and its phosphorylation correlates with translation. Further evidence for an antagonistic SnRK1 and TOR crosstalk comparable to the animal system was demonstrated by the in vivo interaction of SnRK1α1 and RAPTOR1B in the cytosol and by phosphorylation of RAPTOR1B by SnRK1α1 in kinase assays. Moreover, changed levels of phosphorylation states of several chloroplastic proteins in the snrk1α1/α2 mutant indicated an unexpected link to regulation of photosynthesis, the main energy source in plants.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{VermaRaiKaushiketal.2016,
  author    = {Verma, Nidhi and Rai, Amit Kumar and Kaushik, Vibha and Br{\"u}nnert, Daniela and Chahar, Kirti Raj and Pandey, Janmejay and Goyal, Pankaj},
  title     = {Identification of gefitinib off-targets using a structure-based systems biology approach; their validation with reverse docking and retrospective data mining},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {33949},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep33949},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167621},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Gefitinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is used as FDA approved drug in breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer treatment. However, this drug has certain side effects and complications for which the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. By systems biology based in silico analysis, we identified off-targets of gefitinib that might explain side effects of this drugs. The crystal structure of EGFR-gefitinib complex was used for binding pocket similarity searches on a druggable proteome database (Sc-PDB) by using IsoMIF Finder. The top 128 hits of putative off-targets were validated by reverse docking approach. The results showed that identified off-targets have efficient binding with gefitinib. The identified human specific off-targets were confirmed and further analyzed for their links with biological process and clinical disease pathways using retrospective studies and literature mining, respectively. Noticeably, many of the identified off-targets in this study were reported in previous high-throughput screenings. Interestingly, the present study reveals that gefitinib may have positive effects in reducing brain and bone metastasis, and may be useful in defining novel gefitinib based treatment regime. We propose that a system wide approach could be useful during new drug development and to minimize side effect of the prospective drug.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{RahmanKleinKlembtetal.2016,
  author    = {Rahman, SK. Shaid-Ur and Klein, Thorsten and Klembt, Sebastian and Gutowski, J{\"u}rgen and Hommel, Detlef and Sebald, Kathrin},
  title     = {Observation of a hybrid state of Tamm plasmons and microcavity exciton polaritons},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {34392},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep34392},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167617},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {We present evidence for the existence of a hybrid state of Tamm plasmons and microcavity exciton polaritons in a II-VI material based microcavity sample covered with an Ag metal layer. The bare cavity mode shows a characteristic anticrossing with the Tamm-plasmon mode, when microreflectivity measurements are performed for different detunings between the Tamm plasmon and the cavity mode. When the Tamm-plasmon mode is in resonance with the cavity polariton four hybrid eigenstates are observed due to the coupling of the cavity-photon mode, the Tamm-plasmon mode, and the heavy- and light-hole excitons. If the bare Tamm-plasmon mode is tuned, these resonances will exhibit three anticrossings. Experimental results are in good agreement with calculations based on the transfer matrix method as well as on the coupled-oscillators model. The lowest hybrid eigenstate is observed to be red shifted by about 13 meV with respect to the lower cavity polariton state when the Tamm plasmon is resonantly coupled with the cavity polariton. This spectral shift which is caused by the metal layer can be used to create a trapping potential channel for the polaritons. Such channels can guide the polariton propagation similar to one-dimensional polariton wires.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ShepardChevalPeterlinetal.2016,
  author    = {Shepard, Blythe D. and Cheval, Lydie and Peterlin, Zita and Firestein, Stuart and Koepsell, Hermann and Doucet, Alain and Pluznick, Jennifer L.},
  title     = {A Renal Olfactory Receptor Aids in Kidney Glucose Handling},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {35215},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep35215},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167605},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Olfactory receptors (ORs) are G protein-coupled receptors which serve important sensory functions beyond their role as odorant detectors in the olfactory epithelium. Here we describe a novel role for one of these ORs, Olfr1393, as a regulator of renal glucose handling. Olfr1393 is specifically expressed in the kidney proximal tubule, which is the site of renal glucose reabsorption. Olfr1393 knockout mice exhibit urinary glucose wasting and improved glucose tolerance, despite euglycemia and normal insulin levels. Consistent with this phenotype, Olfr1393 knockout mice have a significant decrease in luminal expression of Sglt1, a key renal glucose transporter, uncovering a novel regulatory pathway involving Olfr1393 and Sglt1. In addition, by utilizing a large scale screen of over 1400 chemicals we reveal the ligand profile of Olfr1393 for the first time, offering new insight into potential pathways of physiological regulation for this novel signaling pathway.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BerntRangrezEdenetal.2016,
  author    = {Bernt, Alexander and Rangrez, Ashraf Y. and Eden, Matthias and Jungmann, Andreas and Katz, Sylvia and Rohr, Claudia and M{\"u}ller, Oliver J. and Katus, Hugo A. and Sossalla, Samuel T. and Williams, Tatjana and Ritter, Oliver and Frank, Derk and Frey, Norbert},
  title     = {Sumoylation-independent activation of Calcineurin-NFAT-signaling via SUMO2 mediates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {35758},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep35758},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167525},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {The objective of this study was to identify unknown modulators of Calcineurin (Cn)-NFAT signaling. Measurement of NFAT reporter driven luciferase activity was therefore utilized to screen a human cardiac cDNA-library (~10\(^{7}\) primary clones) in C2C12 cells through serial dilutions until single clones could be identified. This extensive screening strategy culminated in the identification of SUMO2 as a most efficient Cn-NFAT activator. SUMO2-mediated activation of Cn-NFAT signaling in cardiomyocytes translated into a hypertrophic phenotype. Prohypertrophic effects were also observed in mice expressing SUMO2 in the heart using AAV9 (Adeno-associated virus), complementing the in vitro findings. In addition, increased SUMO2-mediated sumoylation in human cardiomyopathy patients and in mouse models of cardiomyopathy were observed. To decipher the underlying mechanism, we generated a sumoylation-deficient SUMO2 mutant (ΔGG). Surprisingly, ΔGG replicated Cn-NFAT-activation and the prohypertrophic effects of native SUMO2, both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a sumoylation-independent mechanism. Finally, we discerned a direct interaction between SUMO2 and CnA, which promotes CnA nuclear localization. In conclusion, we identified SUMO2 as a novel activator of Cn-NFAT signaling in cardiomyocytes. In broader terms, these findings reveal an unexpected role for SUMO2 in cardiac hypertrophy and cardiomyopathy, which may open the possibility for therapeutic manipulation of this pathway.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{JahnMarkertRyuetal.2016,
  author    = {Jahn, Martin T. and Markert, Sebastian M. and Ryu, Taewoo and Ravasi, Timothy and Stigloher, Christian and Hentschel, Ute and Moitinho-Silva, Lucas},
  title     = {Shedding light on cell compartmentation in the candidate phylum Poribacteria by high resolution visualisation and transcriptional profiling},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {35860},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep35860},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167513},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Assigning functions to uncultivated environmental microorganisms continues to be a challenging endeavour. Here, we present a new microscopy protocol for fluorescence in situ hybridisation-correlative light and electron microscopy (FISH-CLEM) that enabled, to our knowledge for the first time, the identification of single cells within their complex microenvironment at electron microscopy resolution. Members of the candidate phylum Poribacteria, common and uncultivated symbionts of marine sponges, were used towards this goal. Cellular 3D reconstructions revealed bipolar, spherical granules of low electron density, which likely represent carbon reserves. Poribacterial activity profiles were retrieved from prokaryotic enriched sponge metatranscriptomes using simulation-based optimised mapping. We observed high transcriptional activity for proteins related to bacterial microcompartments (BMC) and we resolved their subcellular localisation by combining FISH-CLEM with immunohistochemistry (IHC) on ultra-thin sponge tissue sections. In terms of functional relevance, we propose that the BMC-A region may be involved in 1,2-propanediol degradation. The FISH-IHC-CLEM approach was proven an effective toolkit to combine -omics approaches with functional studies and it should be widely applicable in environmental microbiology.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{PlumSteinbachAttemsetal.2016,
  author    = {Plum, Sarah and Steinbach, Simone and Attems, Johannes and Keers, Sharon and Riederer, Peter and Gerlach, Manfred and May, Caroline and Marcus, Katrin},
  title     = {Proteomic characterization of neuromelanin granules isolated from human substantia nigra by laser-microdissection},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {37139},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep37139},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167507},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Neuromelanin is a complex polymer pigment found primarily in the dopaminergic neurons of human substantia nigra. Neuromelanin pigment is stored in granules including a protein matrix and lipid droplets. Neuromelanin granules are yet only partially characterised regarding their structure and function. To clarify the exact function of neuromelanin granules in humans, their enrichment and in-depth characterization from human substantia nigra is necessary. Previously published global proteome studies of neuromelanin granules in human substantia nigra required high tissue amounts. Due to the limited availability of human brain tissue we established a new method based on laser microdissection combined with mass spectrometry for the isolation and analysis of neuromelanin granules. With this method it is possible for the first time to isolate a sufficient amount of neuromelanin granules for global proteomics analysis from ten 10 μm tissue sections. In total 1,000 proteins were identified associated with neuromelanin granules. More than 68\% of those proteins were also identified in previously performed studies. Our results confirm and further extend previously described findings, supporting the connection of neuromelanin granules to iron homeostasis and lysosomes or endosomes. Hence, this method is suitable for the donor specific enrichment and proteomic analysis of neuromelanin granules.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{EstrechoGaoBrodbecketal.2016,
  author    = {Estrecho, E. and Gao, T. and Brodbeck, S. and Kamp, M. and Schneider, C. and H{\"o}fling, S. and Truscott, A. G. and Ostrovskaya, E. A.},
  title     = {Visualising Berry phase and diabolical points in a quantum exciton-polariton billiard},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {37653},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep37653},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167496},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Diabolical points (spectral degeneracies) can naturally occur in spectra of two-dimensional quantum systems and classical wave resonators due to simple symmetries. Geometric Berry phase is associated with these spectral degeneracies. Here, we demonstrate a diabolical point and the corresponding Berry phase in the spectrum of hybrid light-matter quasiparticles—exciton-polaritons in semiconductor microcavities. It is well known that sufficiently strong optical pumping can drive exciton-polaritons to quantum degeneracy, whereby they form a macroscopically populated quantum coherent state similar to a Bose-Einstein condensate. By pumping a microcavity with a spatially structured light beam, we create a two-dimensional quantum billiard for the exciton-polariton condensate and demonstrate a diabolical point in the spectrum of the billiard eigenstates. The fully reconfigurable geometry of the potential walls controlled by the optical pump enables a striking experimental visualization of the Berry phase associated with the diabolical point. The Berry phase is observed and measured by direct imaging of the macroscopic exciton-polariton probability densities.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BossertdeBruinGoetzetal.2016,
  author    = {Bossert, Nelli and de Bruin, Donny and G{\"o}tz, Maria and Bouwmeester, Dirk and Heinrich, Doris},
  title     = {Fluorescence-tunable Ag-DNA biosensor with tailored cytotoxicity for live-cell applications},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {37897},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep37897},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167482},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {DNA-stabilized silver clusters (Ag-DNA) show excellent promise as a multi-functional nanoagent for molecular investigations in living cells. The unique properties of these fluorescent nanomaterials allow for intracellular optical sensors with tunable cytotoxicity based on simple modifications of the DNA sequences. Three Ag-DNA nanoagent designs are investigated, exhibiting optical responses to the intracellular environments and sensing-capability of ions, functional inside living cells. Their sequence-dependent fluorescence responses inside living cells include (1) a strong splitting of the fluorescence peak for a DNA hairpin construct, (2) an excitation and emission shift of up to 120 nm for a single-stranded DNA construct, and (3) a sequence robust in fluorescence properties. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of these Ag-DNA constructs is tunable, ranging from highly cytotoxic to biocompatible Ag-DNA, independent of their optical sensing capability. Thus, Ag-DNA represents a versatile live-cell nanoagent addressable towards anti-cancer, patient-specific and anti-bacterial applications.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WildgruberAschenbrennerWendorffetal.2016,
  author    = {Wildgruber, Moritz and Aschenbrenner, Teresa and Wendorff, Heiko and Czubba, Maria and Glinzer, Almut and Haller, Bernhard and Schiemann, Matthias and Zimmermann, Alexander and Berger, Hermann and Eckstein, Hans-Henning and Meier, Reinhard and Wohlgemuth, Walter A. and Libby, Peter and Zernecke, Alma},
  title     = {The "Intermediate" CD14\(^{++}\)CD16\(^{+}\) monocyte subset increases in severe peripheral artery disease in humans},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {39483},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep39483},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167476},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Monocytes are key players in atherosclerotic. Human monocytes display a considerable heterogeneity and at least three subsets can be distinguished. While the role of monocyte subset heterogeneity has already been well investigated in coronary artery disease (CAD), the knowledge about monocytes and their heterogeneity in peripheral artery occlusive disease (PAOD) still is limited. Therefore, we aimed to investigate monocyte subset heterogeneity in patients with PAOD. Peripheral blood was obtained from 143 patients suffering from PAOD (Rutherford stage I to VI) and three monocyte subsets were identified by flow cytometry: CD14\(^{++}\)CD16\(^{-}\) classical monocytes, CD14\(^{+}\)CD16\(^{++}\) non-classical monocytes and CD14\(^{++}\)CD16\(^{+}\) intermediate monocytes. Additionally the expression of distinct surface markers (CD106, CD162 and myeloperoxidase MPO) was analyzed. Proportions of CD14\(^{++}\)CD16\(^{+}\) intermediate monocyte levels were significantly increased in advanced stages of PAOD, while classical and non-classical monocytes displayed no such trend. Moreover, CD162 and MPO expression increased significantly in intermediate monocyte subsets in advanced disease stages. Likewise, increased CD162 and MPO expression was noted in CD14\(^{++}\)CD16\(^{-}\) classical monocytes. These data suggest substantial dynamics in monocyte subset distributions and phenotypes in different stages of PAOD, which can either serve as biomarkers or as potential therapeutic targets to decrease the inflammatory burden in advanced stages of atherosclerosis.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{RoeschPanjeSterzingetal.2016,
  author    = {Roesch, J. and Panje, C. and Sterzing, F. and Mantel, F. and Nestle, U. and Andratschke, N. and Guckenberger, M.},
  title     = {SBRT for centrally localized NSCLC - What is too central?},
  series = {Radiation Oncology},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Radiation Oncology},
  number    = {157},
  doi       = {10.1186/s13014-016-0732-5},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167459},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Purpose Current guidelines recommend stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in medically inoperable patients. There are excellent outcome and toxicity data for SBRT of peripheral lung tumors. However, the discussion on SBRT for centrally located tumors is controversial. This study evaluated current clinical practice regarding SBRT of centrally located lung tumors, to identify common fractionation schedules and commonly accepted contraindications for SBRT. Methods A questionnaire consisting of two parts was introduced at the annual meeting of the DEGRO working group on stereotactic radiotherapy, representing centers in Germany and Switzerland. The first part of the questionnaire covered general information about the centers, whereas the second part specifically addressed SBRT of centrally located lung tumors, using case examples of nine primary NSCLC patients. Reconstructions of a contrast enhanced CT, as well as PET-Imaging for each case were demonstrated to the participants. Results Twenty-six centers participated in the meeting. The majority was academic (73\%), participated in interdisciplinary thoracic oncology tumorboards (88\%) and offered SBRT for lung tumors (96\%). Two centers questioned the indication of SBRT for central lung tumors because of lack of evidence. The majority of centers had experience in SBRT for central lung tumors (88\%) and half of the centers reported more than ten cases treated during a median period of five years. Most fractionation schedules used PTV encompassing doses of 48-60 Gy in eight fractions with maximum doses of 125-150\%. A clear indication for SBRT treatment was seen by more than 85\% of centers in three of the nine patients in whom tumors were small and not closer than 2 cm to the main bronchus. Prior pneumonectomy or immediate adjacency to hilar/mediastinal structures were not considered as contraindications for SBRT. In cases where the tumor exceeded 4 cm in diameter or was located closer than 4 cm to the carina 50-80\% of centers saw an indication for SBRT. One case, with a 7 cm tumor reaching to the carina would have been treated with SBRT only by one center. Conclusion Within DEGRO working group on stereotactic radiotherapy, SBRT for small (<4 cm) early stage NSCLC is a common indication, if the minimal distance to the main bronchi is at least 2 cm. The controversy on the treatment of larger and more central tumors will hopefully be solved by ongoing prospective clinical trials.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HoffmannPfeilAlfonsoetal.2016,
  author    = {Hoffmann, Angelika and Pfeil, Johannes and Alfonso, Julieta and Kurz, Felix T. and Sahm, Felix and Heiland, Sabine and Monyer, Hannah and Bendszus, Martin and Mueller, Ann-Kristin and Helluy, Xavier and Pham, Mirko},
  title     = {Experimental Cerebral Malaria Spreads along the Rostral Migratory Stream},
  series = {PLoS Pathogens},
  volume    = {12},
  journal   = {PLoS Pathogens},
  number    = {3},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1005470},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167434},
  pages     = {e1005470},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {It is poorly understood how progressive brain swelling in experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) evolves in space and over time, and whether mechanisms of inflammation or microvascular sequestration/obstruction dominate the underlying pathophysiology. We therefore monitored in the Plasmodium berghei ANKA-C57BL/6 murine ECM model, disease manifestation and progression clinically, assessed by the Rapid-Murine-Coma-and-Behavioral-Scale (RMCBS), and by high-resolution in vivo MRI, including sensitive assessment of early blood-brain-barrier-disruption (BBBD), brain edema and microvascular pathology. For histological correlation HE and immunohistochemical staining for microglia and neuroblasts were obtained. Our results demonstrate that BBBD and edema initiated in the olfactory bulb (OB) and spread along the rostral-migratory-stream (RMS) to the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles, the dorsal-migratory-stream (DMS), and finally to the external capsule (EC) and brainstem (BS). Before clinical symptoms (mean RMCBS = 18.5±1) became evident, a slight, non-significant increase of quantitative T2 and ADC values was observed in OB+RMS. With clinical manifestation (mean RMCBS = 14.2±0.4), T2 and ADC values significantly increased along the OB+RMS (p = 0.049/p = 0.01). Severe ECM (mean RMCBS = 5±2.9) was defined by further spread into more posterior and deeper brain structures until reaching the BS (significant T2 elevation in DMS+EC+BS (p = 0.034)). Quantitative automated histological analyses confirmed microglial activation in areas of BBBD and edema. Activated microglia were closely associated with the RMS and neuroblasts within the RMS were severely misaligned with respect to their physiological linear migration pattern. Microvascular pathology and ischemic brain injury occurred only secondarily, after vasogenic edema formation and were both associated less with clinical severity and the temporal course of ECM. Altogether, we identified a distinct spatiotemporal pattern of microglial activation in ECM involving primarily the OB+RMS axis, a distinct pathway utilized by neuroblasts and immune cells. Our data suggest significant crosstalk between these two cell populations to be operative in deeper brain infiltration and further imply that the manifestation and progression of cerebral malaria may depend on brain areas otherwise serving neurogenesis.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MuellerDolowschiakSellinetal.2016,
  author    = {M{\"u}ller, Anna A. and Dolowschiak, Tamas and Sellin, Mikael E. and Felmy, Boas and Verbree, Carolin and Gadient, Sandra and Westermann, Alexander J. and Vogel, J{\"o}rg and LeibundGut-Landmann, Salome and Hardt, Wolf-Dietrich},
  title     = {An NK Cell Perforin Response Elicited via IL-18 Controls Mucosal Inflammation Kinetics during Salmonella Gut Infection},
  series = {PLoS Pathogens},
  volume    = {12},
  journal   = {PLoS Pathogens},
  number    = {6},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1005723},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167429},
  pages     = {e1005723},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Salmonella Typhimurium (S.Tm) is a common cause of self-limiting diarrhea. The mucosal inflammation is thought to arise from a standoff between the pathogen's virulence factors and the host's mucosal innate immune defenses, particularly the mucosal NAIP/NLRC4 inflammasome. However, it had remained unclear how this switches the gut from homeostasis to inflammation. This was studied using the streptomycin mouse model. S.Tm infections in knockout mice, cytokine inhibition and -injection experiments revealed that caspase-1 (not -11) dependent IL-18 is pivotal for inducing acute inflammation. IL-18 boosted NK cell chemoattractants and enhanced the NK cells' migratory capacity, thus promoting mucosal accumulation of mature, activated NK cells. NK cell depletion and Prf\(^{-/-}\) ablation (but not granulocyte-depletion or T-cell deficiency) delayed tissue inflammation. Our data suggest an NK cell perforin response as one limiting factor in mounting gut mucosal inflammation. Thus, IL-18-elicited NK cell perforin responses seem to be critical for coordinating mucosal inflammation during early infection, when S.Tm strongly relies on virulence factors detectable by the inflammasome. This may have broad relevance for mucosal defense against microbial pathogens.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HeiseAmannEnsslenetal.2016,
  author    = {Heise, Ruth and Amann, Philipp M. and Ensslen, Silke and Marquardt, Yvonne and Czaja, Katharina and Joussen, Sylvia and Beer, Daniel and Abele, Rupert and Plewnia, Gabriele and Tamp{\´e}, Robert and Merk, Hans F. and Hermanns, Heike M. and Baron, Jens M.},
  title     = {Interferon Alpha Signalling and Its Relevance for the Upregulatory Effect of Transporter Proteins Associated with Antigen Processing (TAP) in Patients with Malignant Melanoma},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0146325},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167409},
  pages     = {e0146325},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Introduction Interferon alpha (IFNα) is routinely used in the clinical practice for adjuvant systemic melanoma therapy. Understanding the molecular mechanism of IFNα effects and prediction of response in the IFNα therapy regime allows initiation and continuation of IFNα treatment for responder and exclusion of non-responder to avoid therapy inefficacy and side-effects. The transporter protein associated with antigen processing-1 (TAP1) is part of the MHC class I peptide-loading complex, and important for antigen presentation in tumor and antigen presenting cells. In the context of personalized medicine, we address this potential biomarker TAP1 as a target of IFNα signalling. Results We could show that IFNα upregulates TAP1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with malignant melanoma receiving adjuvant high-dose immunotherapy. IFNα also induced expression of TAP1 in mouse blood and tumor tissue and suppressed the formation of melanoma metastasis in an in vivo B16 tumor model. Besides its expression, TAP binding affinity and transport activity is induced by IFNα in human monocytic THP1 cells. Furthermore, our data revealed that IFNα clearly activates phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 in THP1 and A375 melanoma cells. Inhibition of Janus kinases abrogates the IFNα-induced TAP1 expression. These results suggest that the JAK/STAT pathway is a crucial mediator for TAP1 expression elicited by IFNα treatment. Conclusion We suppose that silencing of TAP1 expression provides tumor cells with a mechanism to escape cytotoxic T-lymphocyte recognition. The observed benefit of IFNα treatment could be mediated by the shown dual effect of TAP1 upregulation in antigen presenting cells on the one hand, and of TAP1 upregulation in 'silent' metastatic melanoma cells on the other hand. In conclusion, this work contributes to a better understanding of the mode of action of IFNα which is essential to identify markers to predict, assess and monitor therapeutic response of IFNα treatment in the future.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WeisschuhMayerStrometal.2016,
  author    = {Weisschuh, Nicole and Mayer, Anja K. and Strom, Tim M. and Kohl, Susanne and Gl{\"o}ckle, Nicola and Schubach, Max and Andreasson, Sten and Bernd, Antje and Birch, David G. and Hamel, Christian P. and Heckenlively, John R. and Jacobson, Samuel G. and Kamme, Christina and Kellner, Ulrich and Kunstmann, Erdmute and Maffei, Pietro and Reiff, Charlotte M. and Rohrschneider, Klaus and Rosenberg, Thomas and Rudolph, G{\"u}nther and V{\´a}mos, Rita and Vars{\´a}nyi, Bal{\´a}zs and Weleber, Richard G. and Wissinger, Bernd},
  title     = {Mutation Detection in Patients with Retinal Dystrophies Using Targeted Next Generation Sequencing},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0145951},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167398},
  pages     = {e0145951},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Retinal dystrophies (RD) constitute a group of blinding diseases that are characterized by clinical variability and pronounced genetic heterogeneity. The different nonsyndromic and syndromic forms of RD can be attributed to mutations in more than 200 genes. Consequently, next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are among the most promising approaches to identify mutations in RD. We screened a large cohort of patients comprising 89 independent cases and families with various subforms of RD applying different NGS platforms. While mutation screening in 50 cases was performed using a RD gene capture panel, 47 cases were analyzed using whole exome sequencing. One family was analyzed using whole genome sequencing. A detection rate of 61\% was achieved including mutations in 34 known and two novel RD genes. A total of 69 distinct mutations were identified, including 39 novel mutations. Notably, genetic findings in several families were not consistent with the initial clinical diagnosis. Clinical reassessment resulted in refinement of the clinical diagnosis in some of these families and confirmed the broad clinical spectrum associated with mutations in RD genes.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{vanUnenStumpfSchmidetal.2016,
  author    = {van Unen, Jakobus and Stumpf, Anette D. and Schmid, Benedikt and Reinhard, Nathalie R. and Hordijk, Peter L. and Hoffmann, Carsten and Gadella, Theodorus W. J. and Goedhart, Joachim},
  title     = {A New Generation of FRET Sensors for Robust Measurement of Gα\(_{i1}\), Gα\(_{i2}\) and Gα\(_{i3}\) Activation Kinetics in Single Cells},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0146789},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167387},
  pages     = {e0146789},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) can activate a heterotrimeric G-protein complex with subsecond kinetics. Genetically encoded biosensors based on F{\"o}rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) are ideally suited for the study of such fast signaling events in single living cells. Here we report on the construction and characterization of three FRET biosensors for the measurement of Gα\(_{i1}\), Gα\(_{i2}\) and Gα\(_{i3}\) activation. To enable quantitative long-term imaging of FRET biosensors with high dynamic range, fluorescent proteins with enhanced photophysical properties are required. Therefore, we use the currently brightest and most photostable CFP variant, mTurquoise2, as donor fused to Gα\(_{i}\) subunit, and cp173Venus fused to the Gγ\(_{2}\) subunit as acceptor. The Gα\(_{i}\) FRET biosensors constructs are expressed together with Gβ\(_{1}\) from a single plasmid, providing preferred relative expression levels with reduced variation in mammalian cells. The Gα\(_{i}\) FRET sensors showed a robust response to activation of endogenous or over-expressed alpha-2A-adrenergic receptors, which was inhibited by pertussis toxin. Moreover, we observed activation of the Gα\(_{i}\) FRET sensor in single cells upon stimulation of several GPCRs, including the LPA\(_{2}\), M\(_{3}\) and BK\(_{2}\) receptor. Furthermore, we show that the sensors are well suited to extract kinetic parameters from fast measurements in the millisecond time range. This new generation of FRET biosensors for Gα\(_{i1}\), Gα\(_{i2}\) and Gα\(_{i3}\) activation will be valuable for live-cell measurements that probe Gα\(_{i}\) activation.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KrupkaMayWeimeretal.2016,
  author    = {Krupka, Jennifer and May, Frauke and Weimer, Thomas and Pragst, Ingo and Kleinschnitz, Christoph and Stoll, Guido and Panousis, Con and Dickneite, Gerhard and Nolte, Marc W.},
  title     = {The Coagulation Factor XIIa Inhibitor rHA-Infestin-4 Improves Outcome after Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0146783},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167370},
  pages     = {e0146783},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Background and Purpose Ischemic stroke provokes severe brain damage and remains a predominant disease in industrialized countries. The coagulation factor XII (FXII)-driven contact activation system plays a central, but not yet fully defined pathogenic role in stroke development. Here, we investigated the efficacy of the FXIIa inhibitor rHA-Infestin-4 in a rat model of ischemic stroke using both a prophylactic and a therapeutic approach. Methods For prophylactic treatment, animals were treated intravenously with 100 mg/kg rHA-Infestin-4 or an equal volume of saline 15 min prior to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) of 90 min. For therapeutic treatment, 100 mg/kg rHA-Infestin-4, or an equal volume of saline, was administered directly after the start of reperfusion. At 24 h after tMCAO, rats were tested for neurological deficits and blood was drawn for coagulation assays. Finally, brains were removed and analyzed for infarct area and edema formation. Results Within prophylactic rHA-Infestin-4 treatment, infarct areas and brain edema formation were reduced accompanied by better neurological scores and survival compared to controls. Following therapeutic treatment, neurological outcome and survival were still improved although overall effects were less pronounced compared to prophylaxis. Conclusions With regard to the central role of the FXII-driven contact activation system in ischemic stroke, inhibition of FXIIa may represent a new and promising treatment approach to prevent cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{VolckmarHanPuetteretal.2016,
  author    = {Volckmar, Anna-Lena and Han, Chung Ting and P{\"u}tter, Carolin and Haas, Stefan and Vogel, Carla I. G. and Knoll, Nadja and Struve, Christoph and G{\"o}bel, Maria and Haas, Katharina and Herrfurth, Nikolas and Jarick, Ivonne and Grallert, Harald and Sch{\"u}rmann, Annette and Al-Hasani, Hadi and Hebebrand, Johannes and Sauer, Sascha and Hinney, Anke},
  title     = {Analysis of Genes Involved in Body Weight Regulation by Targeted Re-Sequencing},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {2},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0147904},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167274},
  pages     = {e0147904},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Introduction Genes involved in body weight regulation that were previously investigated in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and in animal models were target-enriched followed by massive parallel next generation sequencing. Methods We enriched and re-sequenced continuous genomic regions comprising FTO, MC4R, TMEM18, SDCCAG8, TKNS, MSRA and TBC1D1 in a screening sample of 196 extremely obese children and adolescents with age and sex specific body mass index (BMI) ≥ 99th percentile and 176 lean adults (BMI ≤ 15th percentile). 22 variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Genotyping was performed in up to 705 independent obesity trios (extremely obese child and both parents), 243 extremely obese cases and 261 lean adults. Results and Conclusion We detected 20 different non-synonymous variants, one frame shift and one nonsense mutation in the 7 continuous genomic regions in study groups of different weight extremes. For SNP Arg695Cys (rs58983546) in TBC1D1 we detected nominal association with obesity (pTDT = 0.03 in 705 trios). Eleven of the variants were rare, thus were only detected heterozygously in up to ten individual(s) of the complete screening sample of 372 individuals. Two of them (in FTO and MSRA) were found in lean individuals, nine in extremely obese. In silico analyses of the 11 variants did not reveal functional implications for the mutations. Concordant with our hypothesis we detected a rare variant that potentially leads to loss of FTO function in a lean individual. For TBC1D1, in contrary to our hypothesis, the loss of function variant (Arg443Stop) was found in an obese individual. Functional in vitro studies are warranted.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LorenzBhattacharyyaFeileretal.2016,
  author    = {Lorenz, Sonja and Bhattacharyya, Moitrayee and Feiler, Christian and Rape, Michael and Kuriyan, John},
  title     = {Crystal Structure of a Ube2S-Ubiquitin Conjugate},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {2},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0147550},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167265},
  pages     = {e0147550},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Protein ubiquitination occurs through the sequential formation and reorganization of specific protein-protein interfaces. Ubiquitin-conjugating (E2) enzymes, such as Ube2S, catalyze the formation of an isopeptide linkage between the C-terminus of a "donor" ubiquitin and a primary amino group of an "acceptor" ubiquitin molecule. This reaction involves an intermediate, in which the C-terminus of the donor ubiquitin is thioester-bound to the active site cysteine of the E2 and a functionally important interface is formed between the two proteins. A docked model of a Ube2S-donor ubiquitin complex was generated previously, based on chemical shift mapping by NMR, and predicted contacts were validated in functional studies. We now present the crystal structure of a covalent Ube2S-ubiquitin complex. The structure contains an interface between Ube2S and ubiquitin in trans that resembles the earlier model in general terms, but differs in detail. The crystallographic interface is more hydrophobic than the earlier model and is stable in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Remarkably, the docked Ube2S-donor complex converges readily to the configuration seen in the crystal structure in 3 out of 8 MD trajectories. Since the crystallographic interface is fully consistent with mutational effects, this indicates that the structure provides an energetically favorable representation of the functionally critical Ube2S-donor interface.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ThormannAhrensArmijosetal.2016,
  author    = {Thormann, Birthe and Ahrens, Dirk and Armijos, Diego Mar{\´i}n and Peters, Marcell K. and Wagner, Thomas and W{\"a}gele, Johann W.},
  title     = {Exploring the Leaf Beetle Fauna (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) of an Ecuadorian Mountain Forest Using DNA Barcoding},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {2},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0148268},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167253},
  pages     = {e0148268},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Background Tropical mountain forests are hotspots of biodiversity hosting a huge but little known diversity of insects that is endangered by habitat destruction and climate change. Therefore, rapid assessment approaches of insect diversity are urgently needed to complement slower traditional taxonomic approaches. We empirically compare different DNA-based species delimitation approaches for a rapid biodiversity assessment of hyperdiverse leaf beetle assemblages along an elevational gradient in southern Ecuador and explore their effect on species richness estimates. Methodology/Principal Findings Based on a COI barcode data set of 674 leaf beetle specimens (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) of 266 morphospecies from three sample sites in the Podocarpus National Park, we employed statistical parsimony analysis, distance-based clustering, GMYC- and PTP-modelling to delimit species-like units and compared them to morphology-based (parataxonomic) species identifications. The four different approaches for DNA-based species delimitation revealed highly similar numbers of molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) (n = 284-289). Estimated total species richness was considerably higher than the sampled amount, 414 for morphospecies (Chao2) and 469-481 for the different MOTU types. Assemblages at different elevational levels (1000 vs. 2000 m) had similar species numbers but a very distinct species composition for all delimitation methods. Most species were found only at one elevation while this turnover pattern was even more pronounced for DNA-based delimitation. Conclusions/Significance Given the high congruence of DNA-based delimitation results, probably due to the sampling structure, our study suggests that when applied to species communities on a regionally limited level with high amount of rare species (i.e. ~50\% singletons), the choice of species delimitation method can be of minor relevance for assessing species numbers and turnover in tropical insect communities. Therefore, DNA-based species delimitation is confirmed as a valuable tool for evaluating biodiversity of hyperdiverse insect communities, especially when exact taxonomic identifications are missing.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LehnersTabatabaiPrifertetal.2016,
  author    = {Lehners, Nicola and Tabatabai, Julia and Prifert, Christiane and Wedde, Marianne and Puthenparambil, Joe and Weissbrich, Benedikt and Biere, Barbara and Schweiger, Brunhilde and Egerer, Gerlinde and Schnitzler, Paul},
  title     = {Long-Term Shedding of Influenza Virus, Parainfluenza Virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Nosocomial Epidemiology in Patients with Hematological Disorders},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {2},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0148258},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167243},
  pages     = {e0148258},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Respiratory viruses are a cause of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), but can be associated with severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in immunocompromised patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic variability of influenza virus, parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the duration of viral shedding in hematological patients. Nasopharyngeal swabs from hematological patients were screened for influenza, parainfluenza and RSV on admission as well as on development of respiratory symptoms. Consecutive swabs were collected until viral clearance. Out of 672 tested patients, a total of 111 patients (17\%) were infected with one of the investigated viral agents: 40 with influenza, 13 with parainfluenza and 64 with RSV; six patients had influenza/RSV or parainfluenza/RSV co-infections. The majority of infected patients (n = 75/111) underwent stem cell transplantation (42 autologous, 48 allogeneic, 15 autologous and allogeneic). LRTI was observed in 48 patients, of whom 15 patients developed severe LRTI, and 13 patients with respiratory tract infection died. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a variety of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2), influenza B, parainfluenza 3 and RSV A, B viruses. RSV A was detected in 54 patients, RSV B in ten patients. The newly emerging RSV A genotype ON1 predominated in the study cohort and was found in 48 (75\%) of 64 RSV-infected patients. Furthermore, two distinct clusters were detected for RSV A genotype ON1, identical RSV G gene sequences in these patients are consistent with nosocomial transmission. Long-term viral shedding for more than 30 days was significantly associated with prior allogeneic transplantation (p = 0.01) and was most pronounced in patients with RSV infection (n = 16) with a median duration of viral shedding for 80 days (range 35-334 days). Long-term shedding of respiratory viruses might be a catalyzer of nosocomial transmission and must be considered for efficient infection control in immunocompromised patients.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{AcqualagnaBotrelVidaurreetal.2016,
  author    = {Acqualagna, Laura and Botrel, Loic and Vidaurre, Carmen and K{\"u}bler, Andrea and Blankertz, Benjamin},
  title     = {Large-Scale Assessment of a Fully Automatic Co-Adaptive Motor Imagery-Based Brain Computer Interface},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {2},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0148886},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167230},
  pages     = {e0148886},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {In the last years Brain Computer Interface (BCI) technology has benefited from the development of sophisticated machine leaning methods that let the user operate the BCI after a few trials of calibration. One remarkable example is the recent development of co-adaptive techniques that proved to extend the use of BCIs also to people not able to achieve successful control with the standard BCI procedure. Especially for BCIs based on the modulation of the Sensorimotor Rhythm (SMR) these improvements are essential, since a not negligible percentage of users is unable to operate SMR-BCIs efficiently. In this study we evaluated for the first time a fully automatic co-adaptive BCI system on a large scale. A pool of 168 participants naive to BCIs operated the co-adaptive SMR-BCI in one single session. Different psychological interventions were performed prior the BCI session in order to investigate how motor coordination training and relaxation could influence BCI performance. A neurophysiological indicator based on the Power Spectral Density (PSD) was extracted by the recording of few minutes of resting state brain activity and tested as predictor of BCI performances. Results show that high accuracies in operating the BCI could be reached by the majority of the participants before the end of the session. BCI performances could be significantly predicted by the neurophysiological indicator, consolidating the validity of the model previously developed. Anyway, we still found about 22\% of users with performance significantly lower than the threshold of efficient BCI control at the end of the session. Being the inter-subject variability still the major problem of BCI technology, we pointed out crucial issues for those who did not achieve sufficient control. Finally, we propose valid developments to move a step forward to the applicability of the promising co-adaptive methods.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{Hoelldobler2016,
  author    = {H{\"o}lldobler, Bert},
  title     = {Queen Specific Exocrine Glands in Legionary Ants and Their Possible Function in Sexual Selection},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {3},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0151604},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167057},
  pages     = {e0151604},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {The colonies of army ants and some other legionary ant species have single, permanently wingless queens with massive post petioles and large gasters. Such highly modified queens are called dichthadiigynes. This paper presents the unusually rich exocrine gland endowment of dichthadiigynes, which is not found in queens of other ant species. It has been suggested these kinds of glands produce secretions that attract and maintain worker retinues around queens, especially during migration. However, large worker retinues also occur in non-legionary species whose queens do not have such an exuberance of exocrine glands. We argue and present evidence in support of our previously proposed hypothesis that the enormous outfit of exocrine glands found in dichthadiigynes is due to sexual selection mediated by workers as the main selecting agents},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WeidnerRousseauPlauthetal.2016,
  author    = {Weidner, Christopher and Rousseau, Morten and Plauth, Annabell and Wowro, Sylvia J. and Fischer, Cornelius and Abdel-Aziz, Heba and Sauer, Sascha},
  title     = {Iberis amara Extract Induces Intracellular Formation of Reactive Oxygen Species and Inhibits Colon Cancer},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {4},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0152398},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167044},
  pages     = {e0152398},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Massively increasing global incidences of colorectal cancer require efficient treatment and prevention strategies. Here, we report unexpected anticancerogenic effects of hydroethanolic Iberis amara extract (IAE), which is known as a widely used phytomedical product for treating gastrointestinal complaints. IAE significantly inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 and T84 colon carcinoma cells with an inhibitory concentration (IC\(_{50}\)) of 6 and 9 μg/ml, respectively, and further generated inhibitory effects in PC-3 prostate and MCF7 breast cancer cells. Inhibition of proliferation in HT-29 cells was associated with a G2/M phase cell cycle arrest including reduced expression of various regulatory marker proteins. Notably, in HT-29 cells IAE further induced apoptosis by intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Consistent with predictions derived from our in vitro experiments, bidaily oral gavage of 50 mg/kg of IAE over 4 weeks resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth in a mouse HT-29 tumor xenograft model. Taken together, Iberis amara extracts could become useful alternatives for preventing and treating the progression of colon cancer.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KlementChampOttoetal.2016,
  author    = {Klement, Rainer J. and Champ, Colin E. and Otto, Christoph and K{\"a}mmerer, Ulrike},
  title     = {Anti-Tumor Effects of Ketogenic Diets in Mice: A Meta-Analysis},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {5},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0155050},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167036},
  pages     = {e0155050},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Background Currently ketogenic diets (KDs) are hyped as an anti-tumor intervention aimed at exploiting the metabolic abnormalities of cancer cells. However, while data in humans is sparse, translation of murine tumor models to the clinic is further hampered by small sample sizes, heterogeneous settings and mixed results concerning tumor growth retardation. The aim was therefore to synthesize the evidence for a growth inhibiting effect of KDs when used as a monotherapy in mice. Methods We conducted a Bayesian random effects meta-analysis on all studies assessing the survival (defined as the time to reach a pre-defined endpoint such as tumor volume) of mice on an unrestricted KD compared to a high carbohydrate standard diet (SD). For 12 studies meeting the inclusion criteria either a mean survival time ratio (MR) or hazard ratio (HR) between the KD and SD groups could be obtained. The posterior estimates for the MR and HR averaged over four priors on the between-study heterogeneity τ\(^{2}\) were MR = 0.85 (95\% highest posterior density interval (HPDI) = [0.73, 0.97]) and HR = 0.55 (95\% HPDI = [0.26, 0.87]), indicating a significant overall benefit of the KD in terms of prolonged mean survival times and reduced hazard rate. All studies that used a brain tumor model also chose a late starting point for the KD (at least one day after tumor initiation) which accounted for 26\% of the heterogeneity. In this subgroup the KD was less effective (MR = 0.89, 95\% HPDI = [0.76, 1.04]). Conclusions There was an overall tumor growth delaying effect of unrestricted KDs in mice. Future experiments should aim at differentiating the effects of KD timing versus tumor location, since external evidence is currently consistent with an influence of both of these factors.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{VogtmannHuaZelleretal.2016,
  author    = {Vogtmann, Emily and Hua, Xing and Zeller, Georg and Sunagawa, Shinichi and Voigt, Anita Y. and Hercog, Rajna and Goedert, James J. and Shi, Jianxin and Bork, Peer and Sinha, Rashmi},
  title     = {Colorectal Cancer and the Human Gut Microbiome: Reproducibility with Whole-Genome Shotgun Sequencing},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {5},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0155362},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166904},
  pages     = {e0155362},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Accumulating evidence indicates that the gut microbiota affects colorectal cancer development, but previous studies have varied in population, technical methods, and associations with cancer. Understanding these variations is needed for comparisons and for potential pooling across studies. Therefore, we performed whole-genome shotgun sequencing on fecal samples from 52 pre-treatment colorectal cancer cases and 52 matched controls from Washington, DC. We compared findings from a previously published 16S rRNA study to the metagenomics-derived taxonomy within the same population. In addition, metagenome-predicted genes, modules, and pathways in the Washington, DC cases and controls were compared to cases and controls recruited in France whose specimens were processed using the same platform. Associations between the presence of fecal Fusobacteria, Fusobacterium, and Porphyromonas with colorectal cancer detected by 16S rRNA were reproduced by metagenomics, whereas higher relative abundance of Clostridia in cancer cases based on 16S rRNA was merely borderline based on metagenomics. This demonstrated that within the same sample set, most, but not all taxonomic associations were seen with both methods. Considering significant cancer associations with the relative abundance of genes, modules, and pathways in a recently published French metagenomics dataset, statistically significant associations in the Washington, DC population were detected for four out of 10 genes, three out of nine modules, and seven out of 17 pathways. In total, colorectal cancer status in the Washington, DC study was associated with 39\% of the metagenome-predicted genes, modules, and pathways identified in the French study. More within and between population comparisons are needed to identify sources of variation and disease associations that can be reproduced despite these variations. Future studies should have larger sample sizes or pool data across studies to have sufficient power to detect associations that are reproducible and significant after correction for multiple testing.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{StockPetrašMelteretal.2016,
  author    = {Stock, Nina Katharina and Petr{\´a}š, Petr and Melter, Oto and Kapounov{\´a}, Gabriela and Vopalkov{\´a}, Petra and Kubele, Jan and Vaniš, V{\´a}clav and Tkadlec, Jan and Buk{\´a}čkov{\´a}, Eva and Machov{\´a}, Ivana and Jindr{\´a}k, Vlastimil},
  title     = {Importance of Multifaceted Approaches in Infection Control: A Practical Experience from an Outbreak Investigation},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {6},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0157981},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166891},
  pages     = {e0157981},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Background This study presents the results of a multidisciplinary, nosocomial MRSA outbreak investigation in an 8-bed medical intensive care unit (ICU). The identification of seven MRSA positive patients in the beginning of 2014 led to the closure of the ward for several weeks. A multidisciplinary, retrospective investigation was initiated in order to identify the reason and the source for the outbreak, describe MRSA transmission in the department and identify limitations in infection control. Methods The investigation comprised an epidemiological description of MRSA cases from 2012 to 2014 and a characterization of MRSA isolates, including phage-, spa- and PFGE-typing. Additionally, MRSA screening was performed from the hospital staff and the environment. To identify the reason for the outbreak, work-related, psychological and behavioral factors were investigated by impartial audits and staff interviews. Results Thirty-one MRSA cases were registered during the study period, and 36 isolates were investigated. Molecular typing determined the outbreak strain (phage type 54/812, PFGE type A4, spa type t003) and identified the probable index case. Nasal carriage in one employee and a high environmental contamination with the outbreak strain was documented. Important gaps in nursing procedures and general management were identified. Elevated stress levels and communication problems preceded the outbreak. Compliance with hand hygiene and isolation procedures was evaluated as appropriate. Conclusion This study demonstrates the complexity of controlling hospital-associated infections. The combined use of different typing methods is beneficial for outbreak investigations. Psychological, behavioral and other work-related factors have an important impact on the spread of nosocomial pathogens. These factors should be addressed and integrated in routine infection control practice.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KuntzenKuhnKuntzenetal.2016,
  author    = {Kuntzen, Thomas and Kuhn, Sereina and Kuntzen, Daniela and Seifert, Burkhardt and M{\"u}llhaupt, Beat and Geier, Andreas},
  title     = {Influence of Ribavirin Serum Levels on Outcome of Antiviral Treatment and Anemia in Hepatitis C Virus Infection},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {7},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0158512},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166888},
  pages     = {e0158512},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Background Ribavirin blood levels vary considerably between patients with standard weight-based dosing. Their impact on sustained virological response (SVR) with pegylated interferon and ribavirin is controversial, but has mostly been studied before the IL28b gene polymorphism as a possible confounder was discovered. Methods The impact of serum ribavirin trough levels at week 4, at the end of treatment and of mean levels across the entire antiviral treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin on relapse, SVR rates and anemia was retrospectively studied by univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses in 214 patients with HCV genotype 1-4 infection, including 88 patients with available IL28b genotyping. Results Mean ribavirin levels varied between 0.68-5.65 mg/l and significantly differed between patients with or without SVR. By multivariable regression including age, sex, HCV viral load, HCV genotype, liver fibrosis stage, prior treatments, immunosuppression and IL28b genotype, ribavirin levels consistently displayed significant influence on SVR and relapse without indication for a specific importance of higher concentrations early or late in the treatment course. Although hemoglobin decline was on average more pronounced in patients with higher ribavirin levels, hemoglobin remained relatively stable in a significant proportion of these, indicating that ribavirin levels alone are insufficient to predict anemia. Conclusion While data are scarce to draw conclusions applicable for modern DAA therapies, these results support ribavirin treatment based on serum levels instead of purely weight-based dosing in combination with pegylated interferon.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{VigoritoKuchenbaeckerBeesleyetal.2016,
  author    = {Vigorito, Elena and Kuchenbaecker, Karoline B. and Beesley, Jonathan and Adlard, Julian and Agnarsson, Bjarni A. and Andrulis, Irene L. and Arun, Banu K. and Barjhoux, Laure and Belotti, Muriel and Benitez, Javier and Berger, Andreas and Bojesen, Anders and Bonanni, Bernardo and Brewer, Carole and Caldes, Trinidad and Caligo, Maria A. and Campbell, Ian and Chan, Salina B. and Claes, Kathleen B. M. and Cohn, David E. and Cook, Jackie and Daly, Mary B. and Damiola, Francesca and Davidson, Rosemarie and de Pauw, Antoine and Delnatte, Capucine and Diez, Orland and Domchek, Susan M. and Dumont, Martine and Durda, Katarzyna and Dworniczak, Bernd and Easton, Douglas F. and Eccles, Diana and Ardnor, Christina Edwinsdotter and Eeles, Ros and Ejlertsen, Bent and Ellis, Steve and Evans, D. Gareth and Feliubadalo, Lidia and Fostira, Florentia and Foulkes, William D. and Friedman, Eitan and Frost, Debra and Gaddam, Pragna and Ganz, Patricia A. and Garber, Judy and Garcia-Barberan, Vanesa and Gauthier-Villars, Marion and Gehrig, Andrea and Gerdes, Anne-Marie and Giraud, Sophie and Godwin, Andrew K. and Goldgar, David E. and Hake, Christopher R. and Hansen, Thomas V. O. and Healey, Sue and Hodgson, Shirley and Hogervorst, Frans B. L. and Houdayer, Claude and Hulick, Peter J. and Imyanitov, Evgeny N. and Isaacs, Claudine and Izatt, Louise and Izquierdo, Angel and Jacobs, Lauren and Jakubowska, Anna and Janavicius, Ramunas and Jaworska-Bieniek, Katarzyna and Jensen, Uffe Birk and John, Esther M. and Vijai, Joseph and Karlan, Beth Y. and Kast, Karin and Khan, Sofia and Kwong, Ava and Laitman, Yael and Lester, Jenny and Lesueur, Fabienne and Liljegren, Annelie and Lubinski, Jan and Mai, Phuong L. and Manoukian, Siranoush and Mazoyer, Sylvie and Meindl, Alfons and Mensenkamp, Arjen R. and Montagna, Marco and Nathanson, Katherine L. and Neuhausen, Susan L. and Nevanlinna, Heli and Niederacher, Dieter and Olah, Edith and Olopade, Olufunmilayo I. and Ong, Kai-ren and Osorio, Ana and Park, Sue Kyung and Paulsson-Karlsson, Ylva and Pedersen, Inge Sokilde and Peissel, Bernard and Peterlongo, Paolo and Pfeiler, Georg and Phelan, Catherine M. and Piedmonte, Marion and Poppe, Bruce and Pujana, Miquel Angel and Radice, Paolo and Rennert, Gad and Rodriguez, Gustavo C. and Rookus, Matti A. and Ross, Eric A. and Schmutzler, Rita Katharina and Simard, Jacques and Singer, Christian F. and Slavin, Thomas P. and Soucy, Penny and Southey, Melissa and Steinemann, Doris and Stoppa-Lyonnet, Dominique and Sukiennicki, Grzegorz and Sutter, Christian and Szabo, Csilla I. and Tea, Muy-Kheng and Teixeira, Manuel R. and Teo, Soo-Hwang and Terry, Mary Beth and Thomassen, Mads and Tibiletti, Maria Grazia and Tihomirova, Laima and Tognazzo, Silvia and van Rensburg, Elizabeth J. and Varesco, Liliana and Varon-Mateeva, Raymonda and Vratimos, Athanassios and Weitzel, Jeffrey N. and McGuffog, Lesley and Kirk, Judy and Toland, Amanda Ewart and Hamann, Ute and Lindor, Noralane and Ramus, Susan J. and Greene, Mark H. and Couch, Fergus J. and Offit, Kenneth and Pharoah, Paul D. P. and Chenevix-Trench, Georgia and Antoniou, Antonis C.},
  title     = {Fine-Scale Mapping at 9p22.2 Identifies Candidate Causal Variants That Modify Ovarian Cancer Risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carriers},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {7},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0158801},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166869},
  pages     = {e0158801},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Population-based genome wide association studies have identified a locus at 9p22.2 associated with ovarian cancer risk, which also modifies ovarian cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. We conducted fine-scale mapping at 9p22.2 to identify potential causal variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Genotype data were available for 15,252 (2,462 ovarian cancer cases) BRCA1 and 8,211 (631 ovarian cancer cases) BRCA2 mutation carriers. Following genotype imputation, ovarian cancer associations were assessed for 4,873 and 5,020 SNPs in BRCA1 and BRCA 2 mutation carriers respectively, within a retrospective cohort analytical framework. In BRCA1 mutation carriers one set of eight correlated candidate causal variants for ovarian cancer risk modification was identified (top SNP rs10124837, HR: 0.73, 95\%CI: 0.68 to 0.79, p-value 2× 10-16). These variants were located up to 20 kb upstream of BNC2. In BRCA2 mutation carriers one region, up to 45 kb upstream of BNC2, and containing 100 correlated SNPs was identified as candidate causal (top SNP rs62543585, HR: 0.69, 95\%CI: 0.59 to 0.80, p-value 1.0 × 10-6). The candidate causal in BRCA1 mutation carriers did not include the strongest associated variant at this locus in the general population. In sum, we identified a set of candidate causal variants in a region that encompasses the BNC2 transcription start site. The ovarian cancer association at 9p22.2 may be mediated by different variants in BRCA1 mutation carriers and in the general population. Thus, potentially different mechanisms may underlie ovarian cancer risk for mutation carriers and the general population.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HarksJockelSchneiderSchlagenhaufetal.2016,
  author    = {Harks, Inga and Jockel-Schneider, Yvonne and Schlagenhauf, Ulrich and May, Theodor W. and Gravemeier, Martina and Prior, Karola and Petersilka, Gregor and Ehmke, Gregor},
  title     = {Impact of the Daily Use of a Microcrystal Hydroxyapatite Dentifrice on De Novo Plaque Formation and Clinical/Microbiological Parameters of Periodontal Health. A Randomized Trial},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {7},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0160142},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166853},
  pages     = {e0160142},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Aim This 12-week prospective, randomized, double-blind, two-center trial evaluated the impact of a microcrystalline zinc hydroxyapatite (mHA) dentifrice on plaque formation rate (PFR) in chronic periodontitis patients. We hypothesized that mHA precipitates cause delayed plaque development when compared to a fluoridated control (AmF/SnF\(_{2}\)), and therefore would improve periodontal health. Material \& Methods At baseline and after 4 and 12 weeks, PFR and other clinical and microbiological parameters were recorded. Seventy periodontitis patients received a mHA or AmF/SnF\(_{2}\) dentifrice as daily oral care without hygiene instructions. Four weeks after baseline, participants received full mouth debridement and continued using the dentifrices for another 8 weeks. Results Primary outcome PFR did not change statistically significantly from baseline to weeks 4 and 12, neither in mHA (n = 33; 51.7±17.2\% vs. 48.5±16.65\% vs. 48.4±19.9\%) nor in AmF/SnF2-group (n = 34; 52.3±17.5\% vs. 52.5±21.3\% vs. 46.1±21.8\%). Secondary clinical parameters such as plaque control record, gingival index, bleeding on probing, and pocket probing depth improved, but between-group differences were not statistically significant. Microbiological analyses showed similar slight decreases in colony-forming units in both groups. Conclusion In patients with mild-to-moderate periodontitis, periodontal therapy and use of a mHA-or AmF/SnF\(_{2}\) dentifrice without instructions induced comparable improvements in periodontal health but did not significantly reduce the PFR.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HellenbrandClausSchinketal.2016,
  author    = {Hellenbrand, Wiebke and Claus, Heike and Schink, Susanne and Marcus, Ulrich and Wichmann, Ole and Vogel, Ulrich},
  title     = {Risk of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Men Who Have Sex with Men: Lessons Learned from an Outbreak in Germany, 2012-2013},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {8},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0160126},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166842},
  pages     = {e0160126},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Background We undertook investigations in response to an invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) outbreak in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Berlin 2012-2013 to better understand meningococcal transmission and IMD risk in MSM. Methods We retrospectively searched for further IMD cases in MSM in Germany through local health departments and undertook exploratory interviews. We performed antigen sequence typing, characterized fHbp and aniA genes of strains with the outbreak finetype and reviewed epidemiologically or spatiotemporally linked cases from 2002-2014. Results Among the 148 IMD-cases notified from 01.01.2012-30.09.2013 in 18-59 year-old men we identified 13 MSM in 6 federal states: 11 serogroup C (MenC, all finetype C:P1.5-1,10-8:F3-6), 2 MenB. Interviews with 7 MSM revealed frequent meeting of multiple partners online or via mobile apps and illicit drug use as potential risk factors. MenC incidence was 13-fold higher in MSM than non-MSM. MenC isolates from 9/11 MSM had a novel fHbp allele 766. All C:P1.5-1,10-8:F3-6 strains from MSM versus 16/23 from non-MSM had intact aniA genes (p = 0.04). Although definitive evidence for transmission among MSM in epidemiological or spatiotemporal clusters in 2002-2014 was lacking, clusters were more frequent in men aged 20-49 years. Molecular analysis of C:P1.5-1,10-8:F3-6 strains revealed cases with intact aniA since 2007, mainly associated with fHbp361, fHbp766 and fHbp813, all involving one or more MSM. Conclusions MenC incidence was elevated in MSM during the study period. Multiple casual sexual contacts and illicit drug use were common in affected MSM. In all strains from MSM we detected an intact aniA gene coding for a nitrite reductase, which permits survival in microanaerobic environments and could play a role in meningococcal transmission in MSM through urogenital colonization. Furthermore, meningococcal transmission among MSM may be sustained over large areas and thus require modified spatiotemporal scanning algorithms for timely detection and control.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MaaroufNeudorferElMajdoubetal.2016,
  author    = {Maarouf, Mohammad and Neudorfer, Clemens and El Majdoub, Faycal and Lenartz, Doris and Kuhn, Jens and Sturm, Volker},
  title     = {Deep Brain Stimulation of Medial Dorsal and Ventral Anterior Nucleus of the Thalamus in OCD: A Retrospective Case Series},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {8},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0160750},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166830},
  pages     = {e0160750},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Background The current notion that cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuits are involved in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has instigated the search for the most suitable target for deep brain stimulation (DBS). However, despite extensive research, uncertainty about the ideal target remains with many structures being underexplored. The aim of this report is to address a new target for DBS, the medial dorsal (MD) and the ventral anterior (VA) nucleus of the thalamus, which has thus far received little attention in the treatment of OCD. Methods In this retrospective trial, four patients (three female, one male) aged 31-48 years, suffering from therapy-refractory OCD underwent high-frequency DBS of the MD and VA. In two patients (de novo group) the thalamus was chosen as a primary target for DBS, whereas in two patients (rescue DBS group) lead implantation was performed in a rescue DBS attempt following unsuccessful primary stimulation. Results Continuous thalamic stimulation yielded no significant improvement in OCD symptom severity. Over the course of thalamic DBS symptoms improved in only one patient who showed "partial response" on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive (Y-BOCS) Scale. Beck Depression Inventory scores dropped by around 46\% in the de novo group; anxiety symptoms improved by up to 34\%. In the de novo DBS group no effect of DBS on anxiety and mood was observable. Conclusion MD/VA-DBS yielded no adequate alleviation of therapy-refractory OCD, the overall strategy in targeting MD/VA as described in this paper can thus not be recommended in DBS for OCD. The magnocellular portion of MD (MDMC), however, might prove a promising target in the treatment of mood related and anxiety disorders.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HeurichZeisKuechenhoffetal.2016,
  author    = {Heurich, Marco and Zeis, Klara and K{\"u}chenhoff, Helmut and M{\"u}ller, J{\"o}rg and Belotti, Elisa and Bufka, Luděk and Woelfing, Benno},
  title     = {Selective Predation of a Stalking Predator on Ungulate Prey},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {8},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0158449},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166827},
  pages     = {e0158449},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Prey selection is a key factor shaping animal populations and evolutionary dynamics. An optimal forager should target prey that offers the highest benefits in terms of energy content at the lowest costs. Predators are therefore expected to select for prey of optimal size. Stalking predators do not pursue their prey long, which may lead to a more random choice of prey individuals. Due to difficulties in assessing the composition of available prey populations, data on prey selection of stalking carnivores are still scarce. We show how the stalking predator Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) selects prey individuals based on species identity, age, sex and individual behaviour. To address the difficulties in assessing prey population structure, we confirm inferred selection patterns by using two independent data sets: (1) data of 387 documented kills of radio-collared lynx were compared to the prey population structure retrieved from systematic camera trapping using Manly's standardized selection ratio alpha and (2) data on 120 radio-collared roe deer were analysed using a Cox proportional hazards model. Among the larger red deer prey, lynx selected against adult males—the largest and potentially most dangerous prey individuals. In roe deer lynx preyed selectively on males and did not select for a specific age class. Activity during high risk periods reduced the risk of falling victim to a lynx attack. Our results suggest that the stalking predator lynx actively selects for size, while prey behaviour induces selection by encounter and stalking success rates.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SchererBauerSchmausetal.2016,
  author    = {Scherer, Sandra D. and Bauer, Jochen and Schmaus, Anja and Neumaier, Christian and Herskind, Carsten and Veldwijk, Marlon R. and Wenz, Frederik and Sleeman, Jonathan P.},
  title     = {TGF-β1 Is Present at High Levels in Wound Fluid from Breast Cancer Patients Immediately Post-Surgery, and Is Not Increased by Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT)},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {9},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0162221},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166811},
  pages     = {e0162221},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {In patients with low-risk breast cancer, intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) during breast-conserving surgery is a novel and convenient treatment option for delivering a single high dose of irradiation directly to the tumour bed. However, edema and fibrosis can develop after surgery and radiotherapy, which can subsequently impair quality of life. TGF-β is a strong inducer of the extracellular matrix component hyaluronan (HA). TGF-β expression and HA metabolism can be modulated by irradiation experimentally, and are involved in edema and fibrosis. We therefore hypothesized that IORT may regulate these factors.Wound fluid (WF) draining from breast lumpectomy sites was collected and levels of TGF-β1 and HA were determined by ELISA. Proliferation and marker expression was analyzed in primary lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) treated with recombinant TGF-β or WF. Our results show that IORT does not change TGF-β1 or HA levels in wound fluid draining from breast lumpectomy sites, and does not lead to accumulation of sHA oligosaccharides. Nevertheless, concentrations of TGF-β1 were high in WF from patients regardless of IORT, at concentrations well above those associated with fibrosis and the suppression of LEC identity. Consistently, we found that TGF-β in WF is active and inhibits LEC proliferation. Furthermore, all three TGF-β isoforms inhibited LEC proliferation and suppressed LEC marker expression at pathophysiologically relevant concentrations. Given that TGF-β contributes to edema and plays a role in the regulation of LEC identity, we suggest that inhibition of TGF-β directly after surgery might prevent the development of side effects such as edema and fibrosis.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{RueckerKeilFitzgeraldetal.2016,
  author    = {R{\"u}cker, Viktoria and Keil, Ulrich and Fitzgerald, Anthony P and Malzahn, Uwe and Prugger, Christof and Ertl, Georg and Heuschmann, Peter U and Neuhauser, Hannelore},
  title     = {Predicting 10-Year Risk of Fatal Cardiovascular Disease in Germany: An Update Based on the SCORE-Deutschland Risk Charts},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {9},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0162188},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166804},
  pages     = {e0162188},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Estimation of absolute risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), preferably with population-specific risk charts, has become a cornerstone of CVD primary prevention. Regular recalibration of risk charts may be necessary due to decreasing CVD rates and CVD risk factor levels. The SCORE risk charts for fatal CVD risk assessment were first calibrated for Germany with 1998 risk factor level data and 1999 mortality statistics. We present an update of these risk charts based on the SCORE methodology including estimates of relative risks from SCORE, risk factor levels from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults 2008-11 (DEGS1) and official mortality statistics from 2012. Competing risks methods were applied and estimates were independently validated. Updated risk charts were calculated based on cholesterol, smoking, systolic blood pressure risk factor levels, sex and 5-year age-groups. The absolute 10-year risk estimates of fatal CVD were lower according to the updated risk charts compared to the first calibration for Germany. In a nationwide sample of 3062 adults aged 40-65 years free of major CVD from DEGS1, the mean 10-year risk of fatal CVD estimated by the updated charts was lower by 29\% and the estimated proportion of high risk people (10-year risk > = 5\%) by 50\% compared to the older risk charts. This recalibration shows a need for regular updates of risk charts according to changes in mortality and risk factor levels in order to sustain the identification of people with a high CVD risk.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LoCascioGoetzeLatshangetal.2016,
  author    = {Lo Cascio, Christian M. and Goetze, Oliver and Latshang, Tsogyal D. and Bluemel, Sena and Frauenfelder, Thomas and Bloch, Konrad E.},
  title     = {Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {10},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0163779},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166793},
  pages     = {e0163779},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Background In adult patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) life-threatening constipation has been reported. Since gastrointestinal function in DMD has not been rigorously studied we investigated objective and subjective manifestations of gastrointestinal disturbances in DMD patients. Methods In 33 patients with DMD, age 12-41 years, eating behavior and gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated by questionnaires. Gastric emptying half time (T\(_{1/2}\)) and oro-cecal transit time (OCTT) were evaluated by analyzing \(^{13}\)CO\(_{2}\) exhalation curves after ingestion of \(^{13}\)C labeled test meals. Colonic transit time (CTT) was measured by abdominal radiography following ingestion of radiopaque markers. Results The median (quartiles) T\(_{1/2}\) was 187 (168, 220) minutes, the OCTT was 6.3 (5.0, 7.9) hours, both substantially longer than normal data (Goetze 2005, T\(_{1/2}\): 107±10; Geypens 1999, OCTT 4.3±0.1 hours). The median CTT was 60 (48, 82) hours despite extensive use of laxative measures (Meier 1995, upper limit of normal: 60 hours). T\(_{1/2}\) and OCTT did not correlate with symptoms evaluated by the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) (Spearman r = -0.3, p = 0.1; and r = -0.15, p = 0.4, respectively). CTT was not correlated with symptoms of constipation assessed by ROME III criteria (r = 0.12, p = 0.5). Conclusions DMD patients have a markedly disturbed gastrointestinal motor function. Since objective measures of impaired gastrointestinal transport are not correlated with symptoms of gastroparesis or constipation our findings suggest that measures assuring adequate intestinal transport should be taken independent of the patient's perception in order to prevent potentially life threatening constipation, particularly in older DMD patients.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HoltfrerichSchwarzSprengeretal.2016,
  author    = {Holtfrerich, Sarah K. C. and Schwarz, Katharina A. and Sprenger, Christian and Reimers, Luise and Diekhof, Esther K.},
  title     = {Endogenous Testosterone and Exogenous Oxytocin Modulate Attentional Processing of Infant Faces},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {11},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0166617},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166783},
  pages     = {e0166617},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Evidence indicates that hormones modulate the intensity of maternal care. Oxytocin is known for its positive influence on maternal behavior and its important role for childbirth. In contrast, testosterone promotes egocentric choices and reduces empathy. Further, testosterone decreases during parenthood which could be an adaptation to increased parental investment. The present study investigated the interaction between testosterone and oxytocin in attentional control and their influence on attention to baby schema in women. Higher endogenous testosterone was expected to decrease selective attention to child portraits in a face-in-the-crowd-paradigm, while oxytocin was expected to counteract this effect. As predicted, women with higher salivary testosterone were slower in orienting attention to infant targets in the context of adult distractors. Interestingly, reaction times to infant and adult stimuli decreased after oxytocin administration, but only in women with high endogenous testosterone. These results suggest that oxytocin may counteract the adverse effects of testosterone on a central aspect of social behavior and maternal caretaking.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{DreschersSauppHornefetal.2016,
  author    = {Dreschers, Stephan and Saupp, Peter and Hornef, Mathias and Prehn, Andrea and Platen, Christopher and Morschh{\"a}user, Joachim and Orlikowsky, Thorsten W.},
  title     = {Reduced PICD in Monocytes Mounts Altered Neonate Immune Response to Candida albicans},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {11},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0166648},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166778},
  pages     = {e0166648},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Background Invasive fungal infections with Candida albicans (C. albicans) occur frequently in extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants and are associated with poor outcome. Phagocytosis of C.albicans initializes apoptosis in monocytes (phagocytosis induced cell death, PICD). PICD is reduced in neonatal cord blood monocytes (CBMO). Hypothesis Phagocytosis of C. albicans causes PICD which differs between neonatal monocytes (CBMO) and adult peripheral blood monocytes (PBMO) due to lower stimulation of TLR-mediated immune responses. Methods The ability to phagocytose C. albicans, expression of TLRs, the induction of apoptosis (assessment of sub-G1 and nick-strand breaks) were analyzed by FACS. TLR signalling was induced by agonists such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Pam3Cys, FSL-1 and Zymosan and blocked (neutralizing TLR2 antibodies and MYD88 inhibitor). Results Phagocytic indices of PBMO and CBMO were similar. Following stimulation with agonists and C. albicans induced up-regulation of TLR2 and consecutive phosphorylation of MAP kinase P38 and expression of TNF-α, which were stronger on PBMO compared to CBMO (p < 0.005). Downstream, TLR2 signalling initiated caspase-3-dependent PICD which was found reduced in CBMO (p < 0.05 vs PBMO). Conclusion Our data suggest direct involvement of TLR2-signalling in C. albicans-induced PICD in monocytes and an alteration of this pathway in CBMO.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{XuHeKaiseretal.2016,
  author    = {Xu, Li and He, Jianzheng and Kaiser, Andrea and Gr{\"a}ber, Nikolas and Schl{\"a}ger, Laura and Ritze, Yvonne and Scholz, Henrike},
  title     = {A Single Pair of Serotonergic Neurons Counteracts Serotonergic Inhibition of Ethanol Attraction in Drosophila},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {12},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0167518},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166762},
  pages     = {e0167518},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Attraction to ethanol is common in both flies and humans, but the neuromodulatory mechanisms underlying this innate attraction are not well understood. Here, we dissect the function of the key regulator of serotonin signaling—the serotonin transporter-in innate olfactory attraction to ethanol in Drosophila melanogaster. We generated a mutated version of the serotonin transporter that prolongs serotonin signaling in the synaptic cleft and is targeted via the Gal4 system to different sets of serotonergic neurons. We identified four serotonergic neurons that inhibit the olfactory attraction to ethanol and two additional neurons that counteract this inhibition by strengthening olfactory information. Our results reveal that compensation can occur on the circuit level and that serotonin has a bidirectional function in modulating the innate attraction to ethanol. Given the evolutionarily conserved nature of the serotonin transporter and serotonin, the bidirectional serotonergic mechanisms delineate a basic principle for how random behavior is switched into targeted approach behavior.},
  language  = {en}
}