@article{BrendtkeWiehlGroeberetal.2016,
  author    = {Brendtke, Rico and Wiehl, Michael and Groeber, Florian and Schwarz, Thomas and Walles, Heike and Hansmann, Jan},
  title     = {Feasibility Study on a Microwave-Based Sensor for Measuring Hydration Level Using Human Skin Models},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {4},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0153145},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-179934},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Tissue dehydration results in three major types of exsiccosis—hyper-, hypo-, or isonatraemia. All three types entail alterations of salt concentrations leading to impaired biochemical processes, and can finally cause severe morbidity. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the feasibility of a microwave-based sensor technology for the non-invasive measurement of the hydration status. Electromagnetic waves at high frequencies interact with molecules, especially water. Hence, if a sample contains free water molecules, this can be detected in a reflected microwave signal. To develop the sensor system, human three-dimensional skin equivalents were instituted as a standardized test platform mimicking reproducible exsiccosis scenarios. Therefore, skin equivalents with a specific hydration and density of matrix components were generated and microwave measurements were performed. Hydration-specific spectra allowed deriving the hydration state of the skin models. A further advantage of the skin equivalents was the characterization of the impact of distinct skin components on the measured signals to investigate mechanisms of signal generation. The results demonstrate the feasibility of a non-invasive microwave-based hydration sensor technology. The sensor bears potential to be integrated in a wearable medical device for personal health monitoring.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{FecherHofmannBucketal.2016,
  author    = {Fecher, David and Hofmann, Elisabeth and Buck, Andreas and Bundschuh, Ralph and Nietzer, Sarah and Dandekar, Gudrun and Walles, Thorsten and Walles, Heike and L{\"u}ckerath, Katharina and Steinke, Maria},
  title     = {Human Organotypic Lung Tumor Models: Suitable For Preclinical \(^{18}\)F-FDG PET-Imaging},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {8},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0160282},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-179678},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Development of predictable in vitro tumor models is a challenging task due to the enormous complexity of tumors in vivo. The closer the resemblance of these models to human tumor characteristics, the more suitable they are for drug-development and -testing. In the present study, we generated a complex 3D lung tumor test system based on acellular rat lungs. A decellularization protocol was established preserving the architecture, important ECM components and the basement membrane of the lung. Human lung tumor cells cultured on the scaffold formed cluster and exhibited an up-regulation of the carcinoma-associated marker mucin1 as well as a reduced proliferation rate compared to respective 2D culture. Additionally, employing functional imaging with 2-deoxy-2-[\(^{18}\)F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) these tumor cell cluster could be detected and tracked over time. This approach allowed monitoring of a targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment in the in vitro lung tumor model non-destructively. Surprisingly, FDG-PET assessment of single tumor cell cluster on the same scaffold exhibited differences in their response to therapy, indicating heterogeneity in the lung tumor model. In conclusion, our complex lung tumor test system features important characteristics of tumors and its microenvironment and allows monitoring of tumor growth and -metabolism in combination with functional imaging. In longitudinal studies, new therapeutic approaches and their long-term effects can be evaluated to adapt treatment regimes in future.},
  language  = {en}
}