@article{GiampaoloWojcikKleinHesslingetal.2019, author = {Giampaolo, Sabrina and W{\´o}jcik, Gabriela and Klein-Hessling, Stefan and Serfling, Edgar and Patra, Amiya K.}, title = {B cell development is critically dependent on NFATc1 activity}, series = {Cellular \& Molecular Immunology}, volume = {16}, journal = {Cellular \& Molecular Immunology}, doi = {10.1038/s41423-018-0052-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-233006}, pages = {508-520}, year = {2019}, abstract = {B cell development in bone marrow is a precisely regulated complex process. Through successive stages of differentiation, which are regulated by a multitude of signaling pathways and an array of lineage-specific transcription factors, the common lymphoid progenitors ultimately give rise to mature B cells. Similar to early thymocyte development in the thymus, early B cell development in bone marrow is critically dependent on IL-7 signaling. During this IL-7-dependent stage of differentiation, several transcription factors, such as E2A, EBF1, and Pax5, among others, play indispensable roles in B lineage specification and maintenance. Although recent studies have implicated several other transcription factors in B cell development, the role of NFATc1 in early B cell developmental stages is not known. Here, using multiple gene-manipulated mouse models and applying various experimental methods, we show that NFATc1 activity is vital for early B cell differentiation. Lack of NFATc1 activity in pro-B cells suppresses EBF1 expression, impairs immunoglobulin gene rearrangement, and thereby preBCR formation, resulting in defective B cell development. Overall, deficiency in NFATc1 activity arrested the pro-B cell transition to the pre-B cell stage, leading to severe B cell lymphopenia. Our findings suggest that, along with other transcription factors, NFATc1 is a critical component of the signaling mechanism that facilitates early B cell differentiation.}, language = {en} } @article{SchwabMeeuwsenEhlickeetal.2017, author = {Schwab, Andrea and Meeuwsen, Annick and Ehlicke, Franziska and Hansmann, Jan and Mulder, Lars and Smits, Anthal and Walles, Heike and Kock, Linda}, title = {Ex vivo culture platform for assessment of cartilage repair treatment strategies}, series = {ALTEX - Alternatives to animal experimentation}, volume = {34}, journal = {ALTEX - Alternatives to animal experimentation}, number = {2}, doi = {10.14573/altex.1607111}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-181665}, pages = {267-277}, year = {2017}, abstract = {There is a great need for valuable ex vivo models that allow for assessment of cartilage repair strategies to reduce the high number of animal experiments. In this paper we present three studies with our novel ex vivo osteochondral culture platform. It consists of two separated media compartments for cartilage and bone, which better represents the in vivo situation and enables supply of factors pecific to the different needs of bone and cartilage. We investigated whether separation of the cartilage and bone compartments and/or culture media results in the maintenance of viability, structural and functional properties of cartilage tissue. Next, we valuated for how long we can preserve cartilage matrix stability of osteochondral explants during long-term culture over 84 days. Finally, we determined the optimal defect size that does not show spontaneous self-healing in this culture system. It was demonstrated that separated compartments for cartilage and bone in combination with tissue-specific medium allow for long-term culture of osteochondral explants while maintaining cartilage viability, atrix tissue content, structure and mechanical properties for at least 56 days. Furthermore, we could create critical size cartilage defects of different sizes in the model. The osteochondral model represents a valuable preclinical ex vivo tool for studying clinically relevant cartilage therapies, such as cartilage biomaterials, for their regenerative potential, for evaluation of drug and cell therapies, or to study mechanisms of cartilage regeneration. It will undoubtedly reduce the number of animals needed for in vivotesting.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Broehl2024, author = {Br{\"o}hl, Kathleen}, title = {„Lanfranks ‚Chirurgia parva' in der Abschrift Konrad Schrecks von Aschaffenburg" als Quelle zur sp{\"a}tmittelalterlich-fr{\"u}hneuzeitlichen Traumatologie}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-35922}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-359227}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es, „Lanfranks ‚Chirurgia parva' in der Abschrift Konrad Schrecks von Aschaffenburg"1 anhand der von Ralf Vollmuth in seiner Habilitationsschrift „Traumatologie und Feldchirurgie an der Wende vom Mittelalter zur Neuzeit" erarbeiteten Strukturvorgabe inhaltlich zu erschließen. Durch die Aufarbeitung verschiedener chirurgischer Fachb{\"u}cher und Manuale unter Verwendung einer gemeinsamen Strukturvorlage soll erm{\"o}glicht werden, medizinhistorische Quellen kritisch-kontrastiv zu vergleichen. Das bedeutet, dass die Quellen zuerst ediert und anschließend gegebenenfalls {\"u}bersetzt werden m{\"u}ssen. Im n{\"a}chsten Schritt werden die verwendeten Arzneimittel - pflanzlicher, tierischer, mineralischer Herkunft - identifiziert und bestimmt. Im Anschluss werden Monographien mit den bestimmenden Inhaltsstoffen und Eigenschaften erstellt. Anhand dieser Pflanzen- und Arzneistoffmonographien, die im Sinne einer Datenbank aufeinander aufbauen, sollte es dann m{\"o}glich sein, unter modernen pharmakologischen Gesichtspunkten die Wirksamkeit der verwendeten Arzneimittel zu erschließen. Eine ausreichende Zahl von Quellen, die nach einer gemeinsamen Strukturvorlage bearbeitet wurden, kann es schließlich erm{\"o}glichen, zu beurteilen, welche der beschriebenen Anwendungen repr{\"a}sentativ waren, welche Außenseiterstellung einnahmen oder nur theoretische Ans{\"a}tze bildeten, die praktisch keine Verwendung fanden.}, subject = {Lanfrancus, Mediolanensis}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{KellnergebFriedel2024, author = {Kellner [geb. Friedel], Theresa}, title = {Suizid durch Selbstverbrennung im Freien - Eine bildmorphologische Analyse der Intensit{\"a}t und Verteilung von Verbrennungen im Zusammenhang mit der K{\"o}rperposition w{\"a}hrend des Brandgeschehens}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-35919}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-359193}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Ziel dieser Dissertation ist es, etwaige Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede hinsichtlich der Distribution und Intensit{\"a}t von Brandverletzungen bei suizidaler Selbstverbrennung im Freien in Abh{\"a}ngigkeit von der jeweiligen K{\"o}rperposition zum Auffindezeitpunkt anhand der Aktenlage herauszuarbeiten. Das Studienkollektiv umfasst 38 F{\"a}lle aus 9 deutschen rechtsmedizinischen Instituten, darunter 13 (34,2 \%) weibliche und 25 (65,8 \%) m{\"a}nnliche Suizidenten/-innen im Alter von 18 - 77 Jahren. Neben einer deskriptiven visuellen Analyse erfolgt die Auswertung der Verteilung der Verbrennungen mittels der Software BurnCase 3D, die es erm{\"o}glicht, eine Sortierung der einzelnen K{\"o}rperbereiche nach deren durchschnittlicher Verbrennungsintensit{\"a}t innerhalb verschiedener Cluster f{\"u}r die unterschiedlichen Auffindepositionen am Tatort (R{\"u}ckenlage, Bauchlage, Seitenlage, Aufrecht, Sitzend) vorzunehmen. Am ehesten auf das in aufrechter Haltung beginnende Brandgeschehen zur{\"u}ckzuf{\"u}hren ist eine cluster{\"u}bergreifend auftretende, intensive und nach kranial an Intensit{\"a}t abnehmende Verbrennung des Halses sowie der lateralen und perioralen Kopfbereiche. Geringe Verbrennungsfolgen weisen die distalen unteren Extremit{\"a}ten sowie die Auflagefl{\"a}chen des K{\"o}rpers auf dem Untergrund auf. Es zeigt sich eine Beeinflussung der lokalen Verbrennungstiefe durch ein hohes Fettgewebevorkommen. Ebenfalls cluster{\"u}bergreifend k{\"o}nnen verst{\"a}rkte Brandwirkungen an den Oberschenkelinnenseiten festgestellt werden. In R{\"u}cken- und Bauchlage liegt zudem eine h{\"o}here Verbrennungsintensit{\"a}t an den Flanken, den Arminnenseiten und im Unterbauchbereich vor. Bei in Seitenlage verbrannten K{\"o}rpern ergeben sich Hinweise darauf, dass die nach oben gerichtete K{\"o}rperseite vermehrt Verbrennungen aufweist. In aufrechter und sitzender Position konzentriert sich der Brandfokus {\"u}berwiegend auf Torso, Hals und Kopf. Zus{\"a}tzlich wurde eine Betrachtung des Entstehungsmusters kutaner Hitzerisse durchgef{\"u}hrt. Hier ergaben sich {\"U}bereinstimmungen u.a. mit dem Verlauf der Hautfaltlinien nach Pinkus. Ein K{\"o}rperschema mit Abbildung der beobachteten Orientierungen der Risse wurde angefertigt. Die wichtigsten Limitationen ergeben sich aus einer geringen Fallzahl, einer fotografischen Dokumentation, die nicht alle K{\"o}rperbereiche in ausreichender Qualit{\"a}t und Detailliertheit abdeckt, sowie dem subjektiven Bias hinsichtlich der Bewertung der Verbrennungsintensit{\"a}ten.}, subject = {Selbstverbrennung}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Landmesser2024, author = {Landmesser, Patricia Sophia}, title = {Seropr{\"a}valenz von SARS-CoV-2 Antik{\"o}rpern bei Medizinstudierenden im zweiten klinischen Semester von Juli 2020 bis Juni 2021}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-35924}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-359246}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Im sechsten Semester des Medizinstudiums an der Julius-Maximilians-Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg findet das verpflichtende Praktikum „Impfkurs" statt. Im Rahmen dieses Kurses wurde vom Sommersemester 2020 bis zum Sommersemester 2021 ein standardisierter online Fragebogen erhoben, der unter anderem demographische Daten sowie Expositionsm{\"o}glichkeiten gegen{\"u}ber SARS-CoV-2 im privaten, beruflichen und universit{\"a}ren Umfeld erfragte. Zus{\"a}tzlich wurde im gleichen Zeitraum der SARS-CoV-2 Serostatus der Medizinstudierenden erhoben und ausgewertet und dieser mit den Daten des Fragebogens zusammengef{\"u}hrt. Daf{\"u}r wurden Blutproben entnommen, welche im Labor des Instituts f{\"u}r Virologie der Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg mittels Western Blot auf IgG/IgM/IgA Antik{\"o}rper gegen SARS-CoV-2 untersucht wurden.}, subject = {SARS-CoV-2}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Adam2024, author = {Adam, Pia Sophie}, title = {Expression von PD-L1 und FGFR1-4 beim anaplastischen und gering differenzierten Schilddr{\"u}senkarzinom - Evaluation als pr{\"a}klinische diagnostische Marker}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-35939}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-359391}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Background: Treatment options for poorly differentiated (PDTC) and anaplastic (ATC) thyroid carcinoma are unsatisfactory and prognosis is generally poor. Lenvatinib (LEN), a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) 1-4 is approved for advanced radioiodine refractory thyroid carcinoma, but response to single agent is poor in ATC. Recent reports of combining LEN with PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab (PEM) are promising. Materials and methods: Primary ATC (n=93) and PDTC (n=47) tissue samples diagnosed 1997-2019 at five German tertiary care centers were assessed for PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry using Tumor Proportion Score (TPS). FGFR 1-4 mRNA was quantified in 31 ATC and 14 PDTC with RNAscope in-situ hybridization. Normal thyroid tissue (NT) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) served as controls. Disease specific survival (DSS) was the primary outcome variable. Results: PD-L1 TPS≥50\% was observed in 42\% of ATC and 26\% of PDTC specimens. Mean PD-L1 expression was significantly higher in ATC (TPS 30\%) than in PDTC (5\%; p<0.01) and NT (0\%, p<0.001). 53\% of PDTC samples had PD-L1 expression ≤5\%. FGFR mRNA expression was generally low in all samples but combined FGFR1-4 expression was significantly higher in PDTC and ATC compared to NT (each p<0.001). No impact of PD-L1 and FGFR 1-4 expression was observed on DSS. Conclusion: High tumoral expression of PD-L1 in a large proportion of ATCs and a subgroup of PDTCs provides a rationale for immune checkpoint inhibition. FGFR expression is low thyroid tumor cells. The clinically observed synergism of PEM with LEN may be caused by immune modulation.}, subject = {Schilddr{\"u}senkrebs}, language = {de} } @article{BelicPageLazariotouetal.2019, author = {Belic, Stanislav and Page, Lukas and Lazariotou, Maria and Waaga-Gasser, Ana Maria and Dragan, Mariola and Springer, Jan and Loeffler, Juergen and Morton, Charles Oliver and Einsele, Hermann and Ullmann, Andrew J. and Wurster, Sebastian}, title = {Comparative Analysis of Inflammatory Cytokine Release and Alveolar Epithelial Barrier Invasion in a Transwell® Bilayer Model of Mucormycosis}, series = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2018.03204}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-252477}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Understanding the mechanisms of early invasion and epithelial defense in opportunistic mold infections is crucial for the evaluation of diagnostic biomarkers and novel treatment strategies. Recent studies revealed unique characteristics of the immunopathology of mucormycoses. We therefore adapted an alveolar Transwell® A549/HPAEC bilayer model for the assessment of epithelial barrier integrity and cytokine response to Rhizopus arrhizus, Rhizomucor pusillus, and Cunninghamella bertholletiae. Hyphal penetration of the alveolar barrier was validated by 18S ribosomal DNA detection in the endothelial compartment. Addition of dendritic cells (moDCs) to the alveolar compartment led to reduced fungal invasion and strongly enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine response, whereas epithelial CCL2 and CCL5 release was reduced. Despite their phenotypic heterogeneity, the studied Mucorales species elicited the release of similar cytokine patterns by epithelial and dendritic cells. There were significantly elevated lactate dehydrogenase concentrations in the alveolar compartment and epithelial barrier permeability for dextran blue of different molecular weights in Mucorales-infected samples compared to Aspergillus fumigatus infection. Addition of monocyte-derived dendritic cells further aggravated LDH release and epithelial barrier permeability, highlighting the influence of the inflammatory response in mucormycosis-associated tissue damage. An important focus of this study was the evaluation of the reproducibility of readout parameters in independent experimental runs. Our results revealed consistently low coefficients of variation for cytokine concentrations and transcriptional levels of cytokine genes and cell integrity markers. As additional means of model validation, we confirmed that our bilayer model captures key principles of Mucorales biology such as accelerated growth in a hyperglycemic or ketoacidotic environment or reduced epithelial barrier invasion upon epithelial growth factor receptor blockade by gefitinib. Our findings indicate that the Transwell® bilayer model provides a reliable and reproducible tool for assessing host response in mucormycosis.}, language = {en} } @article{BalasubramanianSkafHolzgrabeetal.2018, author = {Balasubramanian, Srikkanth and Skaf, Joseph and Holzgrabe, Ulrike and Bharti, Richa and F{\"o}rstner, Konrad U. and Ziebuhr, Wilma and Humeida, Ute H. and Abdelmohsen, Usama R. and Oelschlaeger, Tobias A.}, title = {A new bioactive compound from the marine sponge-derived Streptomyces sp. SBT348 inhibits staphylococcal growth and biofilm formation}, series = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2018.01473}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-221408}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Staphylococcus epidermidis, the common inhabitant of human skin and mucosal surfaces has emerged as an important pathogen in patients carrying surgical implants and medical devices. Entering the body via surgical sites and colonizing the medical devices through formation of multi-layered biofilms leads to refractory and persistent device-related infections (DRIs). Staphylococci organized in biofilms are more tolerant to antibiotics and immune responses, and thus are difficult-to-treat. The consequent morbidity and mortality, and economic losses in health care systems has strongly necessitated the need for development of new anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm-based therapeutics. In this study, we describe the biological activity of a marine sponge-derived Streptomyces sp. SBT348 extract in restraining staphylococcal growth and biofilm formation on polystyrene, glass, medically relevant titan metal, and silicone surfaces. A bioassay-guided fractionation was performed to isolate the active compound (SKC3) from the crude SBT348 extract. Our results demonstrated that SKC3 effectively inhibits the growth (MIC: 31.25 \(\mu\)g/ml) and biofilm formation (sub-MIC range: 1.95-<31.25 \(\mu\)g/ml) of S. epidermidis RP62A in vitro. Chemical characterization of SKC3 by heat and enzyme treatments, and mass spectrometry (HRMS) revealed its heat-stable and non-proteinaceous nature, and high molecular weight (1258.3 Da). Cytotoxicity profiling of SKC3 in vitro on mouse fibroblast (NIH/3T3) and macrophage (J774.1) cell lines, and in vivo on the greater wax moth larvae Galleria mellonella revealed its non-toxic nature at the effective dose. Transcriptome analysis of SKC3 treated S. epidermidis RP62A has further unmasked its negative effect on central metabolism such as carbon flux as well as, amino acid, lipid, and energy metabolism. Taken together, these findings suggest a potential of SKC3 as a putative drug to prevent staphylococcal DRIs.}, language = {en} } @article{JoosSaadatmandSchnabeletal.2018, author = {Joos, J. P. and Saadatmand, A. R. and Schnabel, C. and Viktorinov{\´a}, I. and Brand, T. and Kramer, M. and Nattel, S. and Dobrev, D. and Tomancak, P. and Backs, J. and Kleinbongard, P. and Heusch, G. and Lorenz, K. and Koch, E. and Weber, S. and El-Armouche, A.}, title = {Ectopic expression of S28A-mutated Histone H3 modulates longevity, stress resistance and cardiac function in Drosophila}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {8}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-21372-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-323637}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Histone H3 serine 28 (H3S28) phosphorylation and de-repression of polycomb repressive complex (PRC)-mediated gene regulation is linked to stress conditions in mitotic and post-mitotic cells. To better understand the role of H3S28 phosphorylation in vivo, we studied a Drosophila strain with ectopic expression of constitutively-activated H3S28A, which prevents PRC2 binding at H3S28, thus mimicking H3S28 phosphorylation. H3S28A mutants showed prolonged life span and improved resistance against starvation and paraquat-induced oxidative stress. Morphological and functional analysis of heart tubes revealed smaller luminal areas and thicker walls accompanied by moderately improved cardiac function after acute stress induction. Whole-exome deep gene-sequencing from isolated heart tubes revealed phenotype-corresponding changes in longevity-promoting and myotropic genes. We also found changes in genes controlling mitochondrial biogenesis and respiration. Analysis of mitochondrial respiration from whole flies revealed improved efficacy of ATP production with reduced electron transport-chain activity. Finally, we analyzed posttranslational modification of H3S28 in an experimental heart failure model and observed increased H3S28 phosphorylation levels in HF hearts. Our data establish a critical role of H3S28 phosphorylation in vivo for life span, stress resistance, cardiac and mitochondrial function in Drosophila. These findings may pave the way for H3S28 phosphorylation as a putative target to treat stress-related disorders such as heart failure.}, language = {en} } @article{KnopSpilgiesRuflietal.2019, author = {Knop, Janin and Spilgies, Lisanne M. and Rufli, Stefanie and Reinhart, Ramona and Vasilikos, Lazaros and Yabal, Monica and Owsley, Erika and Jost, Philipp J. and Marsh, Rebecca A. and Wajant, Harald and Robinson, Mark D. and Kaufmann, Thomas and W. Wei-Lynn, Wong}, title = {TNFR2 induced priming of the inflammasome leads to a RIPK1-dependent cell death in the absence of XIAP}, series = {Cell Death \& Disease}, volume = {10}, journal = {Cell Death \& Disease}, doi = {10.1038/s41419-019-1938-x}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-325946}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The pediatric immune deficiency X-linked proliferative disease-2 (XLP-2) is a unique disease, with patients presenting with either hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) or intestinal bowel disease (IBD). Interestingly, XLP-2 patients display high levels of IL-18 in the serum even while in stable condition, presumably through spontaneous inflammasome activation. Recent data suggests that LPS stimulation can trigger inflammasome activation through a TNFR2/TNF/TNFR1 mediated loop in xiap-/- macrophages. Yet, the direct role TNFR2-specific activation plays in the absence of XIAP is unknown. We found TNFR2-specific activation leads to cell death in xiap-/- myeloid cells, particularly in the absence of the RING domain. RIPK1 kinase activity downstream of TNFR2 resulted in a TNF/TNFR1 cell death, independent of necroptosis. TNFR2-specific activation leads to a similar inflammatory NF-kB driven transcriptional profile as TNFR1 activation with the exception of upregulation of NLRP3 and caspase-11. Activation and upregulation of the canonical inflammasome upon loss of XIAP was mediated by RIPK1 kinase activity and ROS production. While both the inhibition of RIPK1 kinase activity and ROS production reduced cell death, as well as release of IL-1β, the release of IL-18 was not reduced to basal levels. This study supports targeting TNFR2 specifically to reduce IL-18 release in XLP-2 patients and to reduce priming of the inflammasome components.}, language = {en} }