@phdthesis{Hafner2021, author = {Hafner, Julia Alexandra}, title = {Prospektives Biomarker Screening zur Diagnose der Invasiven Aspergillose bei p{\"a}diatrischen Hochrisikopatienten}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23722}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-237226}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Die Invasive Aspergillose (IA) stellt eine Hauptursache der infektassoziierten Morbidit{\"a}t und Mortalit{\"a}t bei p{\"a}diatrischen Patienten mit h{\"a}mato-onkologischer Grunderkrankung und/oder allogener Stammzelltransplantation dar. Die sichere und fr{\"u}hzeitige Diagnose ist bei Kindern aufgrund sp{\"a}rlicher p{\"a}diatrischer Daten weiterhin eine klinische Herausforderung. Die Kombination der Biomarker Galactomannanantigen und Aspergillus DNA hat sich in Erwachsenenstudien als vorteilhaft in der Diagnose der IA erwiesen. Ziel der durchgef{\"u}hrten Studie war daher, die diagnostische G{\"u}te des kombinierten Biomarkerscreenings in einer p{\"a}diatrischen Hochrisikokohorte zu ermitteln. Hierf{\"u}r wurden 39 p{\"a}diatrische Patienten, die w{\"a}hrend eines Zeitraumes von drei Jahren aufgrund einer h{\"a}mato-onkologischen Grunderkrankung und Notwendigkeit einer Stammzelltransplantation in der W{\"u}rzburger Kinderklinik behandelt wurden, einem hochstandardisierten, zweimal w{\"o}chentlichen Screening auf Galactomannanantigen und fungaler DNA zugef{\"u}hrt. Zus{\"a}tzlich wurde f{\"u}r jeden Patienten ein breites Spektrum an klinischen Daten sowie mikrobiologischen und radiologischen Ergebnissen erfasst und die IA-Klassifikation nach den EORTC/MSG-Kriterien durchgef{\"u}hrt. Unsere Daten zeigten eine IA-Inzidenz (probable IA) von 10\%, was per definitionem einer Hochrisikokohorte entspricht. Das kombinierte Monitoring der Biomarker Galactomannanantigen und Aspergillus-DNA wies eine hohe diagnostische Genauigkeit mit einer Sensitivit{\"a}t/Spezifit{\"a}t/PPV/NPV von 1.00 und gute Eignung als Screeningtest auf. Die antifungale Prophylaxe zeigte keinen negativen Einfluss auf die diagnostischen G{\"u}tekriterien der beiden Biomarker, wie in anderen Studien postuliert. Der Galactomannanindex erwies sich als vielversprechender Surrogatmarker f{\"u}r das Outcome und das Therapieansprechen. Weiterf{\"u}hrende Studien sind notwendig, um festzulegen, ob die Biomarkerkombination eine Detektion asymptomatischer subklinischer Infektionen als eine Art „Fr{\"u}hwarnsystem" erm{\"o}glicht und somit eine Reduktion der Mortalit{\"a}t bedingen kann.}, subject = {Aspergillose}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Mortimer2021, author = {Mortimer, Niall Patrick}, title = {ADHD Genetics in Mouse and Man}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23626}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-236265}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with an estimated heritability of around 70\%. In order to fully understand ADHD biology it is necessary to incorporate multiple different types of research. In this thesis, both human and animal model research is described as both lines of research are required to elucidate the aetiology of ADHD and development new treatments. The role of a single gene, Adhesion G protein-coupled receptor L3 (ADGRL3) was investigated using a knockout mouse model. ADGRL3 has putative roles in neuronal migration and synapse function. Various polymorphisms in ADGRL3 have been linked with an increased risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in human studies. Adgrl3-deficient mice were examined across multiple behavioural domains related to ADHD: locomotive activity, visuospatial and recognition memory, gait impulsivity, aggression, sociability and anxiety-like behaviour. The transcriptomic alterations caused by Adgrl3-depletion were analysed by RNA-sequencing of three ADHD-relevant brain regions: prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus and striatum. Increased locomotive activity in Adgrl3-/- mice was observed across all tests with the specific gait analysis revealing subtle gait abnormalities. Spatial memory and learning domains were also impaired in these mice. Increased levels of impulsivity and sociability accompanying decreased aggression were also detected. None of these alterations were observed in Adgrl3+/- mice. The numbers of genes found to exhibit differential expression was relatively small in all brain regions sequenced. The absence of large scale gene expression dysregulation indicates a specific pathway of action, rather than a broad neurobiological perturbation. The PFC had the greatest number of differentially expressed genes and gene-set analysis of differential expression in this brain region detected a number of ADHD-relevant pathways including dopaminergic synapses as well as cocaine and amphetamine addiction. The most dysregulated gene in the PFC was Slc6a3 which codes for the dopamine transporter, a molecule vital to current pharmacological treatment of ADHD. The behavioural and transcriptomic results described in this thesis further validate Adgrl3 constitutive knockout mice as an experimental model of ADHD and provide neuroanatomical targets for future studies involving ADGRL3 modified animal models. The study of ADHD risk genes such as ADGRL3 requires the gene to be first identified using human studies. These studies may be genome based such as genome wide association studies (GWAS) or transcriptome based using microarray or RNA sequencing technology. To explore ADHD biology in humans the research described in this thesis includes both GWAS and trancriptomic data. A two-step transcriptome profiling was performed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 143 ADHD subjects and 169 healthy controls. We combined GWAS and expression data in an expression-based Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) analysis in a total sample of 879 ADHD cases and 1919 controls from three different datasets. Through this exploratory study we found eight differentially expressed genes in ADHD and no support for the genetic background of the disorder playing a role in the aberrant expression levels identified. These results highlight promising candidate genes and gene pathways for ADHD and support the use of peripheral tissues to assess gene expression signatures for ADHD. This thesis illustrates how both human and animal model research is required to increase our understanding of ADHD. The animal models provide biological insight into the targets identified in human studies and may themselves provide further relevant gene targets. Only by combining research from disparate sources can we develop the thorough understanding on ADHD biology required for treatment development, which is the ultimate goal of translational science research.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Wagenbrenner2021, author = {Wagenbrenner, Mike Helmut}, title = {In vitro-Charakterisierung mesenchymaler Stromazellen aus dem menschlichen H{\"u}ftgelenk}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23711}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-237110}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In dieser Arbeit konnte erstmals gezeigt werden, dass plastik-adh{\"a}rent wachsende, multipotente Vorl{\"a}uferzellen, die eine f{\"u}r MSCs charakteristische Kombination von Oberfl{\"a}chenantigenen tragen, aus allen vier untersuchten Geweben des arthrotischen H{\"u}ftgelenks isoliert werden konnten. MSC-{\"a}hnliche Zellen k{\"o}nnen somit nicht nur in der Spongiosa und im Gelenkknorpel, sondern auch in der anterioren Gelenkkapsel und dem Ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) des arthrotisch ver{\"a}nderten menschlichen H{\"u}ftgelenks nachgewiesen werden. Die FACS Analyse der Oberfl{\"a}chenantigene auf Zellen, die aus den vier unterschiedlichen Geweben eines beispielhaft gew{\"a}hlten Spenders isoliert wurden, zeigte eine deutliche Expression der Antigene CD44, CD73, CD90 und CD105. Unabh{\"a}ngig vom Nativgewebe zeigten somit alle untersuchten Zellen ein f{\"u}r MSCs charakteristisches, aber nicht spezifisches Profil an Antigenen auf ihrer Oberfl{\"a}che. Eine {\"U}bereinstimmung mit den ISCT Kriterien f{\"u}r MSCs war aufgrund der fehlenden Kontrolle h{\"a}matopoetischer Marker nicht m{\"o}glich. Die multipotente Differenzierung der isolierten Zellen erfolgte mithilfe spezifischer Differenzierungsmedien in Monolayer-Kulturen oder f{\"u}r die chondrogene Differenzierung in dreidimensionalen Pellet-Kulturen. Nach 21 Tagen konnten in allen differenzierten Kulturen histologisch und immunhistochemisch klare Zeichen der Osteo- und Adipogenese detektiert werden, w{\"a}hrend die Auswertung spezifischer Markergene eine klare Steigerung der Expression dieser im Vergleich zu den Negativkontrollen zeigte. Histologische und immunhistochemische Auswertungen best{\"a}tigten auch eine erfolgreiche chondrogene Differenzierung der Zell-Pellets aus Spongiosa, Knorpel und Kapsel. Lediglich in den chondrogen differenzierten Zell-Pellets aus dem LCF konnte immunhistochemisch keine Bildung des knorpelspezifischen Matrixproteins Col II nachgewiesen werden. Mikroskopisch zeigten vor allem die differenzierten MSC-Pellets aus Spongiosa und Knorpel morphologisch eine starke {\"A}hnlichkeit zu hyalinem Knorpelgewebe. Trotz dieser Abstufungen zeigten sich f{\"u}r die relative Expression der chondrogenen Markergene AGG, Col II und Sox-9 keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen den differenzierten MSC-Kulturen der vier unterschiedlichen Nativgewebe. Ein positiver Nachweis des Markers Col X wies nach 27 Tagen sowohl in differenzierten als auch in undifferenzierten Pellet-Kulturen auf eine leichte chondrogene Hypertrophie hin. Zusammenfassend zeigten sich keine signifikanten Unterschiede im Hinblick auf das osteogene und adipogene Differenzierungspotential aller untersuchten Zellen. W{\"a}hrend das chondrogene Differenzierungspotential der Zellen aus Spongiosa, Knorpel und Kapsel sich aus histologischer und immunhistochemischer Sicht {\"a}hnelte, zeigten Pellets aus dem LCF ein schw{\"a}cheres chondrogenes Differenzierungspotential in vitro. Obwohl somit erstmals MSC-{\"a}hnliche Zellen aus dem LCF und Gewebsproben, die neben dem Stratum synoviale auch das Stratum fibrosum der H{\"u}ftgelenkskapsel beinhalteten, charakterisiert wurden, sind weitere wissenschaftliche Arbeiten notwendig, um das multipotente Differenzierungspotential dieser Zellen zu optimieren.}, subject = {H{\"u}ftgelenk}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Breyer2021, author = {Breyer, Charles Pierre Paul}, title = {Putative Eisenregulation von Fractalkin (CX3CL1), pathophysiologische Rolle von CX3CL1 in Pl{\"a}ttchenmodellen und Eisenhaushalt in der Megakaryopoese}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23792}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-237929}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In dieser Arbeit wird gezeigt, dass Fractalkin (CX3L1) keine Eisenregulation im Sinne des klassischen IRE/IRP-Systems aufweist. Zus{\"a}tzlich wird die pathophysiologische Rolle der CX3CL1/CX3CR1-Achse in Megakaryozyten untersucht. Ferner wird die Eisenhom{\"o}ostase w{\"a}hrend der megakaryopetischen Differenzierung erforscht.}, subject = {Fractalkin}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Haack2021, author = {Haack, Stephanie}, title = {A novel mouse model for systemic cytokine release upon treatment with a superagonistic anti-CD28 antibody}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23775}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-237757}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The adaptive immune system is known to provide highly specific and effective immunity against a broad variety of pathogens due to different effector cells. The most prominent are CD4+ T-cells which differentiate after activation into distinct subsets of effector and memory cells, amongst others T helper 1 (Th1) cells. We have recently shown that mouse as well as human Th1 cells depend on T cell receptor (TCR) signals concomitant with CD28 costimulation in order to secrete interferon  (IFN) which is considered as their main effector function. Moreover, there is a class of anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies that is able to induce T cell (re-)activation without concomitant TCR ligation. These so-called CD28-superagonists (CD28-SA) have been shown to preferentially activate and expand CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and thereby efficaciously conferring protection e.g. against autoimmune responses in rodents and non-human primates. Considering this beneficial effect, CD28-SA were thought to be of great impact for immunotherapeutic approaches and a humanized CD28-SA was subjected to clinical testing starting with a first-in-man trial in London in 2006. Unexpectedly, the volunteers experienced life-threatening side effects due to a cytokine release syndrome (CRS) that was unpredicted by the preclinical studies prior to the trial. Retrospectively, CD4+ memory T cells within the tissues were identified as source of pro-inflammatory cytokines released upon CD28-SA administration. This was not predicted by the preclinical testing indicating a need for more reliable and predictive animal models. Whether mouse CD4+ T cells are generally irresponsive to CD28-SA stimulation or rather the lack of a bona fide memory T cell compartment in cleanly housed specific-pathogen-free (SPF) mice is the reason why the rodent models failed to predict the risk for a CRS remained unclear. To provide SPF mice with a true pool of memory/effector T cells, we transferred in vitro differentiated TCR-transgenic OT-II Th1 cells into untreated recipient mice. Given that Treg cells suppress T cell activation after CD28- SA injection in vivo, recipients were either Treg-competent or Treg-deficient, wild type or DEREG mice, respectively. Subsequent CD28-SA administration resulted in induction of systemic pro-inflammatory cytokine release, dominated by IFN, that was observed to be much more pronounced and robust in Treg-deficient recipients. Employing a newly established in vitro system mirroring the in vivo responses to CD28-SA stimulation of Th1 cells revealed that antigen-presenting cells (APCs) amplify CD28-SAinduced IFN release by Th1 cells due to CD40/CD40L-interactions. Thus, these data are the first to show that mouse Th1 cells are indeed sensitive to CD28-SA stimulation in vivo and in vitro responding with strong IFN release accompanied by secretion of further pro-inflammatory cytokines, which is compatible with a CRS. In conclusion, this study will facilitate preclinical testing of immunomodulatory agents providing a mouse model constituting more "human-like" conditions allowing a higher degree of reliability and translationability.}, subject = {CD28}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Behr2021, author = {Behr, Greta}, title = {Die „Malen nach Zahlen" Methode zur Lehre der Pr{\"a}paration einer einfl{\"u}geligen Adh{\"a}sivbr{\"u}cke aus Zirkoniumdioxidkeramik}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23718}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-237186}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Einleitung: Das Erlernen neuer Pr{\"a}parationsarten ist nicht einfach, insbesondere bei Pr{\"a}parationen, die hohe technische Anforderungen stellen und deren Form sich von konventionellen Vollkronen unterscheidet, wie z. B. die Pr{\"a}paration einer Klebebr{\"u}cke. Um das sp{\"a}tere Therapiespektrum angehender Zahn{\"a}rzte zu erweitern, sollten diese eine große Anzahl verschiedener Pr{\"a}parationen im Studium erlernen. Im Studentenalltag bleibt oft keine Zeit f{\"u}r lange Erkl{\"a}rungen und exemplarische Pr{\"a}parationen. Deshalb wurde die "Malen-nach-Zahlen-Methode" entwickelt, um den Studenten das Erlernen neuer Pr{\"a}parationen zu erleichtern. Materialien und Methoden: Nach der Erstellung der Druckdatei f{\"u}r den {\"U}bungszahn wurden diese mit einem Stereolithographie-Drucker hergestellt. Der {\"U}bungszahn bestand aus zwei unterschiedlich farbigen Schichten mit einer integrierten Pr{\"a}paration. Die Schicht, die zum Erreichen der Zielpr{\"a}paration entfernt werden musste, war schwarz und sollte den Studenten das Ausmaß und die Dicke der Pr{\"a}paration zeigen. 42 Zahnmedizinstudenten ab dem vierten Studienjahr nahmen an einem freiwilligen Praktikum teil. Die Studenten wurden nach dem Zufallsprinzip in zwei gleich große Gruppen eingeteilt. Eine Gruppe {\"u}bte mit den "Malen nach Zahlen" Z{\"a}hnen, die andere mit Standardmodellz{\"a}hnen. Trotzdem hatte jeder Student die M{\"o}glichkeit, die neuen gedruckten Z{\"a}hne zu testen. Die Studenten hatten bereits Erfahrung mit anderen Standardmodell- und echten Z{\"a}hnen. Die gedruckten Z{\"a}hne wurden mit einem Fragebogen mit Schulnoten von 1 bis 6 bewertet. In einem zweiten Teil wurden die pr{\"a}parierten Z{\"a}hne der Sch{\"u}ler eingescannt und mit Hilfe einer 3D-Auswertungssoftware mit dem idealen pr{\"a}parierten Zahn verglichen. So konnte die "Malen-nach-Zahlen-Methode" mit herk{\"o}mmlichen Unterrichtsmethoden verglichen werden. Ergebnisse: Die Herstellung der Z{\"a}hne zum Erlernen der Pr{\"a}paration einer Klebebr{\"u}cke war einfach und kosteng{\"u}nstig. Insgesamt bewerteten die Studenten die Z{\"a}hne mit 1,9 und die Lehrmethode als positiv. Das Zahnmodell wurde insgesamt mit 1,9 bewertet. Es unterst{\"u}tzte die Studierenden dabei, die Zielpr{\"a}paration zu visualisieren und durch die Kontrolle mit der eigenen Arbeit eine Selbsteinsch{\"a}tzung zu entwickeln. Auch wenn die Studierenden ihren Lernerfolg und Lernprozess mit den 3D-gedruckten Z{\"a}hnen als besser einsch{\"a}tzten, konnte kein signifikanter Unterschied bei der sp{\"a}teren Auswertung der Z{\"a}hne festgestellt werden. Die Studenten w{\"u}nschten sich eine st{\"a}rkere Integration der gedruckten Z{\"a}hne in den Pr{\"a}parationsunterricht und {\"a}ußerten in den Freitextfragen, dass sie Vorteile in Bezug auf Unabh{\"a}ngigkeit, Kosten und Individualisierung der zahnmedizinischen Ausbildung sehen. Schlussfolgerungen: Es hat sich gezeigt, dass die Methode "Malen nach Zahlen" geeignet ist, neue Pr{\"a}parationen wie eine Klebebr{\"u}cke zu lehren. Die farbkodierte integrierte Pr{\"a}paration in den gedruckten Z{\"a}hnen und das gedruckte Zahnmodell erm{\"o}glichten es den Studenten, die Pr{\"a}paration einer Adh{\"a}sivbr{\"u}cke selbstst{\"a}ndig und mit geringem Aufwand zu erlernen.}, subject = {3D-Druck}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Auth2021, author = {Auth, Charlotte Sophie}, title = {Die Auswirkungen von Tph2-Defizienz und negativen fr{\"u}hen Umwelterfahrungen auf Angstverhalten in weiblichen M{\"a}usen}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23948}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-239488}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Angsterkrankungen geh{\"o}ren zu den am weitesten verbreiteten psychischen Erkrankungen und stellen eine betr{\"a}chtliche soziale und wirtschaftliche Herausforderung f{\"u}r unsere Gesellschaft dar. Aversive fr{\"u}he Erfahrungen sind ein bekannter Risikofaktor f{\"u}r die Entwicklung verschiedener psychischer Erkrankungen, insbesondere Angstst{\"o}rungen. W{\"a}hrend der fr{\"u}hen Entwicklung findet die Programmierung der Hypothalamus-Hypophysen-Nebennierenrinden- (HHN)-Achse, die die Aussch{\"u}ttung des Stresshormons Cortisol in Menschen bzw. Corticosteron in M{\"a}usen steuert, statt. Wenn Individuen in dieser kritischen Phase Stress ausgesetzt sind, wird die regelrechte Ausbildung der HHN-Achse gest{\"o}rt, was zu dysregulierten Verhaltensantworten auf Stressreize im sp{\"a}teren Leben f{\"u}hren kann. Das Serotonin (5-HT)-System als eines der ausgedehntesten Neurotransmittersysteme ist an der Vermittlung der Effekte von fr{\"u}her Stressexposition auf angst{\"a}hnliche Verhaltensweisen beteiligt. Das Ziel dieser Studie ist es, die Interaktion zwischen genetischer Pr{\"a}disposition und negativen Einfl{\"u}ssen in fr{\"u}hen Entwicklungsstadien auf die Ausbildung von Angstverhalten im Erwachsenenalter n{\"a}her zu beleuchten. In dieser Studie wurden Tryptophanhydroxylase 2 (Tph2)-defiziente weibliche M{\"a}use als Modell f{\"u}r ein lebenslanges konstitutives 5-HT Synthesedefizit im zentralen Nervensystem verwendet. Nachkommen dieser Mauslinie wurden im fr{\"u}hen Lebensalter Maternaler Separation (MS), d.h. einem m{\"u}tterlichen Trennungsparadigma, unterzogen und im Erwachsenenalter im „Open field" (OF) oder in der „Dark-light box" (DLB) getestet. Im Anschluss an die Verhaltensexperimente wurde die neuronale Aktivierung immunhistochemisch durch Darstellung des fr{\"u}hzeitig auftretenden Genprodukts c-Fos bestimmt. In der DLB zeigten homozygot Tph2-defiziente M{\"a}use eine verringerte motorische Aktivit{\"a}t im hellen Kompartiment, und dieser Effekt konnte durch MS normalisiert werden. Zus{\"a}tzlich verst{\"a}rkte MS bei diesem Genotyp das Auftreten von fluchtartigen Spr{\"u}ngen. Im OF hat MS fluchtartige Verhaltensweisen in homo- und heterozygoten Tph2-defizienten M{\"a}usen bef{\"o}rdert. Beide Verhaltenstests f{\"u}hrten zu spezifischen neuronalen Aktivierungsmustern, die mithilfe von c-Fos- Immunhistochemie ausgewertet wurden. Die Durchf{\"u}hrung des DLB-Tests f{\"u}hrte in Abh{\"a}ngigkeit vom Vorhandensein von Tph2 zur Aktivierung des paraventrikul{\"a}ren Kerns des Hypothalamus (PVN) und der basolateralen Amygdala (BL), wohingegen die Exposition gegen{\"u}ber dem OF-Test zu einer Aktivierung der lateralen Amygdala (La) in Tieren, die einem m{\"u}tterlichen Trennungsparadigma unterzogen wurden, sowie einer Aktivierung des ventrolateralen (VLPAG) und dorsolateralen (DLPAG) periaqu{\"a}duktalen H{\"o}hlengraus in Abh{\"a}ngigkeit von Tph2 und MS f{\"u}hrte. Zusammenfassend weisen die Ergebnisse dieser Studie darauf hin, dass MS aktive Verhaltensantworten auf aversive Reize in Abh{\"a}ngigkeit vom Vorhandensein von 5-HT im Gehirn f{\"o}rdert. Diese Effekte k{\"o}nnten durch die spezifische Aktivierung von mit Angstverhalten in Zusammenhang stehenden Gehirnregionen w{\"a}hrend der Verhaltensexperimente vermittelt werden.}, subject = {Angst}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Grabenbauer2021, author = {Grabenbauer, Felix}, title = {Radiosensibilisierung humaner Tumorzelllinien unterschiedlicher Entit{\"a}ten durch den MEK-Inhibitor PD184352 allein oder in Kombination mit dem HSP90-Inhibitor NVP-AUY922: Einfluss der Behandlungsschemas}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23979}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-239790}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Das Targeting des MEK-Proteins in Krebszellen f{\"u}hrt in der Regel zu einer erworbenen Resistenz gegen MEK-Inhibitoren und zur Aktivierung des {\"u}berlebenswichtigen Proteins Akt. Da sowohl MEK als auch Akt Clienten des Hsp90-Chaperonsystems sind, untersucht die vorliegende Arbeit die Reaktionen von bestrahlten Lungenkarzinom- (A549) und Glioblastom- (SNB19) Zelllinien auf eine kombinierte MEK- und Hsp90-Hemmung. Unerwarteterweise verbesserte der 24 h vor der Bestrahlung verabreichte MEK-Inhibitor PD184352 das Zell{\"u}berleben durch Hochregulation von MEK und Erk1/2, aber auch von Akt. Im Gegensatz dazu reduzierte PD184352, das 1 h vor der Bestrahlung zugegeben wurde, die Expression von Erk stark und regulierte Akt in beiden Zelllinien nicht hoch. Als Ergebnis verst{\"a}rkte der MEK-Inhibitor die radiosensibilisierende Wirkung des Hsp90-Inhibitors NVP-AUY922 in Glioblastomzellen (SNB19).}, subject = {Strahlenbiologie}, language = {de} } @article{ChifuHeinzeFussetal.2020, author = {Chifu, Irina and Heinze, Britta and Fuss, Carmina T. and Lang, Katharina and Kroiss, Matthias and Kircher, Stefan and Ronchi, Cristina L. and Altieri, Barbara and Schirbel, Andreas and Fassnacht, Martin and Hahner, Stefanie}, title = {Impact of the Chemokine Receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7 on Clinical Outcome in Adrenocortical Carcinoma}, series = {Frontiers in Endocrinology}, volume = {11}, journal = {Frontiers in Endocrinology}, issn = {1664-2392}, doi = {10.3389/fendo.2020.597878}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-216494}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Chemokine receptors have a negative impact on tumor progression in several human cancers and have therefore been of interest for molecular imaging and targeted therapy. However, their clinical and prognostic significance in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemokine receptor profile in ACC and to analyse its association with clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcome. A chemokine receptor profile was initially evaluated by quantitative PCR in 4 normal adrenals, 18 ACC samples and human ACC cell line NCI-H295. High expression of CXCR4 and CXCR7 in both healthy and malignant adrenal tissue and ACC cells was confirmed. In the next step, we analyzed the expression and cellular localization of CXCR4 and CXCR7 in ACC by immunohistochemistry in 187 and 84 samples, respectively. These results were correlated with clinicopathological parameters and survival outcome. We detected strong membrane expression of CXCR4 and CXCR7 in 50\% of ACC samples. Strong cytoplasmic CXCR4 staining was more frequent among samples derived from metastases compared to primaries (p=0.01) and local recurrences (p=0.04). CXCR4 membrane staining positively correlated with proliferation index Ki67 (r=0.17, p=0.028). CXCR7 membrane staining negatively correlated with Ki67 (r=-0.254, p=0.03) but positively with tumor size (r=0.3, p=0.02). No differences in progression-free or overall survival were observed between patients with strong and weak staining intensities for CXCR4 or CXCR7. Taken together, high expression of CXCR4 and CXCR7 in both local tumors and metastases suggests that some ACC patients might benefit from CXCR4/CXCR7-targeted therapy.}, language = {en} } @article{GrebeMalzahnDonhauseretal.2020, author = {Grebe, S{\"o}ren Jendrik and Malzahn, Uwe and Donhauser, Julian and Liu, Dan and Wanner, Christoph and Krane, Vera and Hammer, Fabian}, title = {Quantification of left ventricular mass by echocardiography compared to cardiac magnet resonance imaging in hemodialysis patients}, series = {Cardiovascular Ultrasound}, volume = {18}, journal = {Cardiovascular Ultrasound}, doi = {10.1186/s12947-020-00217-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-229282}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), defined by the left ventricular mass index (LVMI), is highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients and a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular events. Compared to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), echocardiography tends to overestimate the LVMI. Here, we evaluate the diagnostic performance of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) compared to CMR regarding the assessment of LVMI in hemodialysis patients. Methods: TTR and CMR data for 95 hemodialysis patients who participated in the MiREnDa trial were analyzed. The LVMI was calculated by two-dimensional (2D) TTE-guided M-mode measurements employing the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) and Teichholz (Th) formulas, which were compared to the reference method, CMR. Results: LVH was present in 44\% of patients based on LVMI measured by CMR. LVMI measured by echocardiography correlated moderately with CMR, ASE: r = 0.44 (0.34-0.62); Th: r = 0.44 (0.32-0.62). Compared to CMR, both echocardiographic formulas overestimated LVMI (mean increment LVMI (ASE-CMR): 19.5 +/- 19.48 g/m(2),p < 0.001; mean increment LVMI (Th-CMR): 15.9 +/- 15.89 g/m(2),p < 0.001). We found greater LVMI overestimation in patients with LVH using the ASE formula compared to the Th formula. Stratification of patients into CMR LVMI quartiles showed a continuous decrease in increment LVMI with increasing CMR LVMI quartiles for the Th formula (p < 0.001) but not for the ASE formula (p = 0.772). Bland-Altman analysis showed that the Th formula had a constant bias independent of LVMI. Both methods had good discrimination ability for the detection of LVH (ROC-AUC: 0.819 (0.737-0.901) and 0.808 (0.723-0.892) for Th and ASE, respectively). Conclusions: The ASE and Th formulas overestimate LVMI in hemodialysis patients. However, the overestimation is less with the Th formula, particularly with increasing LVMI. The results suggest that the Th formula should be preferred for measurement of LVMI in chronic hemodialysis patients.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{MolinaGalindo2021, author = {Molina Galindo, Lara Sophia}, title = {Glaukomtherapie: Intraindividueller Vergleich zwischen der konventionellen Trabekulektomie und der filtrierenden Trabekulotomie}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-24641}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-246412}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Hintergrund: Die konventionelle Trabekulektomie (TET) stellt trotz einem eher ung{\"u}nstigen Komplikationsprofil weiterhin den Goldstandard der operativen Glaukomtherapie dar, da sie eine effektivere langfristige Drucksenkung als neuere Operationsverfahren aufweist. Fragestellung: Vergleich der Erfolgsquote und des Risikoprofils der TET mit einer durch Schaffen einer zweiten Filtrationsebene sowie Vermeiden einer peripheren Iridektomie modifizierten Trabekulektomie („Filtrierende Trabekulotomie" (FTO)). Material und Methode: Retrospektiv durchgef{\"u}hrter intraindividueller Vergleich {\"u}ber 36 Monate an 20 Patienten mit Offenwinkelglaukom nach TET an einem Auge und FTO am anderen Auge an der Augenklinik der Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg. Prim{\"a}rer Endpunkt war das Erreichen des absoluten/Teilerfolgs (IOD ≤18 mmHg und ≥ 20 \% Druckreduktion ohne/mit Medikation). Als sekund{\"a}re Endpunkte wurden das Auftreten von Komplikationen sowie der Verlauf von Augeninnendruck, Visus und lokaler Pharmakotherapie analysiert. Ergebnisse: Beide Operationsverfahren f{\"u}hrten zu einer signifikanten Reduktion des Augeninnendrucks zu jedem postoperativen Zeitpunkt. Nach 36 Monaten zeigte sich ein absoluter Erfolg bei 50 \% der Augen in der TET-Gruppe und 20 \% der FTO-Gruppe sowie ein Teilerfolg bei 71,4 \% gegen{\"u}ber 33,3 \%. Zu Komplikationen kam es mit Ausnahme des h{\"a}ufigeren Auftretens eines Hyph{\"a}mas in der FTO-Gruppe in vergleichbarem Ausmaß in beiden Gruppen. Der Visus und postoperative Medikamentenscore unterschieden sich nicht signifikant voneinander. Schlussfolgerung: Die TET war der FTO in Hinblick auf Erfolg und Komplikationsrisiko {\"u}berlegen. Die m{\"o}glichen Vorteile der Operation durch die genannten Modifikationen konnten nicht best{\"a}tigt werden.}, subject = {Offenwinkelglaukom}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Soda2021, author = {Soda, Hassan}, title = {Interdisziplin{\"a}res Schlaganfallmanagement anhand des Stroke Manager Programms - Studiendaten und Perspektiven f{\"u}r die Schlaganfallversorgung}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-24206}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-242061}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Die Schlaganfallnachsorge in Deutschland wird von verschiedenen Leistungserbringern gepr{\"a}gt, die teilweise komplement{\"a}re und komplexe Dienstleistungen erbringen und sektoren{\"u}bergreifend arbeiten. In Bad Neustadt wurde in Kooperation mit der Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg und dem Zentrum f{\"u}r Telemedizin Bad Kissingen das Stroke Manager Programm entwickelt und evaluiert. Das strukturierte Nachsorgeprogramm Stroke Manager basiert auf einer standardisierten Informations- und Software Unterst{\"u}tzung von der Akutversorgung bis drei Monate nach Entlassung aus der station{\"a}ren Versorgung. Anhand der Ergebnisse des Stroke Manager Programms konnte eine vergleichsweise hohe Persistenz bzgl. der station{\"a}r verordneten medikament{\"o}sen Sekund{\"a}rpr{\"a}vention {\"u}ber einen Zeitraum von drei Monaten festgestellt werden, ebenso konnten wir nachweisen, dass sich das Programm positiv auf die Versorgungsqualit{\"a}t sowie die Patientenzufriedenheit nach Schlaganfall auswirken kann. Die im Stroke Manager-Programm betreuten Schlaganfallpatienten wiesen im Vergleich signifikante Unterschiede bei den Faktoren Rauchverhalten, Schlaganfallschweregrad und subjektive, globale Lebensqualit{\"a}t auf.}, subject = {Stroke Manager}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Seidensticker2021, author = {Seidensticker, Katharina}, title = {Aufbau eines humanen 3D-Atemwegsmodells zur Modellierung der Atemwegsinfektion mit Bordetella pertussis}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-24209}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-242092}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Mittels Tissue Engineering hergestellte humane 3D in vitro-Testsysteme sind ein neuer Ansatz, um u.a. Erkrankungen der Atemwege zu simulieren und zu untersuchen. Obwohl gegen B. pertussis, den Erreger des Keuchhustens, Impfstoffe zur Verf{\"u}gung stehen, nimmt die Erkrankungs-Inzidenz in den letzten Jahren deutlich zu. Da B. pertussis zu den obligat humanpathogenen Erregern z{\"a}hlt, sind die aus Tierversuchen stammenden Daten nur unzureichend auf den Menschen {\"u}bertragbar. Die genauen Pathomechanismen der Infektion sind bisher nicht gekl{\"a}rt. Auf einer biologischen Kollagenmatrix wurde eine Ko-Kultur aus humanen tracheobronchialen Fibroblasten und humanen tracheobronchialen Epithelzellen (hTEC) angesiedelt und 3 Wochen unter apikaler Bel{\"u}ftung kultiviert. Die ausdifferenzierten 3D Testsysteme wurden mit {\"U}berst{\"a}nden von Bordetella pertussis-Kulturen inkubiert und auf licht- und elektronenmikroskopischer Ebene analysiert. Weiterhin wurden 2D Kulturen der hTEC mit Hilfe der Ramanspektroskopie nicht-invasiv auf intrazellul{\"a}re Ver{\"a}nderungen nach der Inkubation mit den bakteriellen {\"U}berst{\"a}nden untersucht. Das 3D Testsystem der humanen Atemwegschleimhaut zeigte auf lichtmikroskopischer und ultrastruktureller Ebene eine hohe in vitro - in vivo-Korrelation. Die elektronenmikroskopische Analyse zeigte morphologische Ver{\"a}nderungen nach der Inkubation mit den B. pertussis {\"U}berst{\"a}nden, die mit vorbeschrieben Effekten einer B. pertussis Infektion korrelieren. Mittels der Ramanspektroskopie ließen sich Gruppen von unbehandelten Zellen von Gruppen, die zuvor mit Bakterien{\"u}berst{\"a}nden inkubiert wurden, trennen. Somit zeigte sich die Ramanspektroskopie sensitiv f{\"u}r intrazellul{\"a}re Infektionsfolgen. Zusammenfassend wurde belegt, dass das 3D-Modell der humanen Atemwegschleimhaut zur Untersuchung obligat humanpathogener Infektionserreger geeignet ist und dass die Ramanspektroskopie eine nicht-invasive Methode ist, um durch Infektionen hervorgerufene intrazellul{\"a}ren Pathologien zu analysieren.}, subject = {Bordetella pertussis}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Kodandaraman2021, author = {Kodandaraman, Geema}, title = {Influence of insulin-induced oxidative stress in genotoxicity and disease}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-24200}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-242005}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Hormones are essential components in the body and their imbalance leads to pathological consequences. T2DM, insulin resistance and obesity are the most commonly occurring lifestyle diseases in the past decade. Also, an increased cancer incidence has been strongly associated with obese and T2DM patients. Therefore, our aim was to study the influence of high insulin levels in accumulating DNA damage in in vitro models and patients, through the induction of oxidative stress. The primary goal of this study was to analyze the genotoxicity induced by the combined action of two endogenous hormones (insulin and adrenaline) with in vitro models, through the induction of micronuclei and to see if they cause an additive increase in genomic damage. This is important for multifactorial diseases having high levels of more than one hormone, such as metabolic syndrome and conditions with multiple pathologies (e.g., T2DM along with high stress levels). Furthermore, the combination of insulin and the pharmacological inhibition of the tumor suppressor gene: PTEN, was to be tested in in vitro models for their genotoxic effect and oxidative stress inducing potential. As the tumor suppressor gene: PTEN is downregulated in PTEN associated syndromes and when presented along with T2DM and insulin resistance, this may increase the potential to accumulate genomic damage. The consequences of insulin action were to be further elucidated by following GFP-expressing cells in live cell-imaging to observe the ability of insulin, to induce micronuclei and replicative stress. Finally, the detrimental potential of high insulin levels in obese patients with hyperinsulinemia and pre-diabetes was to be studied by analyzing markers of oxidative stress and genomic damage. In summary, the intention of this work was to understand the effects of high insulin levels in in vitro and in patients to understand its relevance for the development of genomic instability and thus an elevated cancer risk.}, subject = {Insulin}, language = {en} } @article{SchulteBlum2022, author = {Schulte, Annemarie and Blum, Robert}, title = {Shaped by leaky ER: Homeostatic Ca\(^{2+}\) fluxes}, series = {Frontiers in Physiology}, volume = {13}, journal = {Frontiers in Physiology}, issn = {1664-042X}, doi = {10.3389/fphys.2022.972104}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-287102}, year = {2022}, abstract = {At any moment in time, cells coordinate and balance their calcium ion (Ca\(^{2+}\)) fluxes. The term 'Ca\(^{2+}\) homeostasis' suggests that balancing resting Ca2+ levels is a rather static process. However, direct ER Ca\(^{2+}\) imaging shows that resting Ca\(^{2+}\) levels are maintained by surprisingly dynamic Ca\(^{2+}\) fluxes between the ER Ca\(^{2+}\) store, the cytosol, and the extracellular space. The data show that the ER Ca\(^{2+}\) leak, continuously fed by the high-energy consuming SERCA, is a fundamental driver of resting Ca\(^{2+}\) dynamics. Based on simplistic Ca\(^{2+}\) toolkit models, we discuss how the ER Ca\(^{2+}\) leak could contribute to evolutionarily conserved Ca\(^{2+}\) phenomena such as Ca\(^{2+}\) entry, ER Ca\(^{2+}\) release, and Ca\(^{2+}\) oscillations.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Liang2021, author = {Liang, Raimunde}, title = {Identification of new drug targets in adrenocortical carcinoma through targeted mRNA analysis}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23554}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-235545}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC) are aggressive tumors associated with a heterogeneous but generally poor prognosis and limited treatment options for advanced stages. Despite promising molecular insights and improved understanding of ACC biology, efficient targeted therapies have not been identified yet. Thus, this study aims to identify potential new drug targets for a future personalized therapeutic approach. RNA was isolated from 104 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples from ACC patients, 40 of those 104 cases proved to be suitable for further mRNA analyses according to the quality check of the extracted RNA. Gene expression of 84 known cancer drug targets was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR using 5 normal adrenal glands as reference. Protein expression was investigated for selected candidate drug targets by immunohistochemistry in 104 ACC samples, 11 adenomas and 6 normal adrenal glands. Efficacy of an available inhibitor of the most promising candidate was tested by functional in vitro experiments in two ACC cell lines (NCI-H295R and MUC1) alone or in combination with other drugs. Most frequently overexpressed genes were TOP2A, IGF2, CDK1, CDK4, PLK4 and PLK1. Nuclear immunostaining of CDK1, CDK4 and PLK1 significantly correlated with the respective mRNA expression. CDK4 was chosen as the most promising candidate for functional validation as it is actionable by FDA-approved CDK4/6 inhibitors. ACC samples with copy number gains at CDK4 locus presented significantly higher CDK4 expression levels. The CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib showed a concentration- and time- dependent reduction of cell viability in vitro, which was more pronounced in NCI-H295R than in MUC1 cells. This was in line with higher CDK4 expression at western blot analysis in NCI-H295R cells. Furthermore, palbociclib was applied in combination with dual IGFR/IR inhibitor linsitinib showing a synergistic effect on reducing cell viability. In conclusion, this proof-of-principle study confirmed RNA profiling to be useful to discover potential drug targets. Detected drug targets are suitable to be investigated by immunohistochemistry in the clinical setting. Moreover, CDK4/6 inhibitors are promising candidates for treatment of a subset of patients with tumors presenting CDK4 copy number gains and/or overexpression, while linsitinib might be an interesting combination partner in patients with both IGF2 and IGF1R overexpression. These results are intended as a basis for a validation study in a prospective cohort, further evaluation in vivo in suitable mouse models or testing in patients with ACC in clinical trials are needed and might improve the future management of patients with ACC in terms of precision medicine.}, subject = {Adrenokortikales Karzinom}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Qureischi2021, author = {Qureischi, Musga}, title = {Selective modulation of alloreactive T cells in preclinical models of acute Graft-versus-Host Disease}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23603}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-236031}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a curative therapy for the treatment of malignant and non-malignant bone marrow diseases. The major complication of this treatment is a highly inflammatory reaction called Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD). Here, transplanted donor T cells cause massive tissue destruction and inflammation in the main target organs liver, skin and the intestine. Currently, this inflammatory reaction can be treated successfully using strong immunosuppressive agents. One efficient group of immunosuppressants are calcineurin inhibitors such as Cyclosporin A (CsA) and Tacrolimus (FK506). These treatment strategies target all T lymphocytes subsets equally and do not separate GvH from the desirable Graft-versus-Leukemia (GvL) effect. Therefore, we aimed to find immunological targets on alloreactive T cells in order to develop novel treatment strategies, which selectively modulates alloreactive T cells without impairing the GvL effect or hematopoietic immune reconstitution. The aim of this thesis was to develop a predictive marker panel to track alloreactive T cells in the peripheral blood (PB) of murine allo-HCT recipients. In clinically relevant model of aGvHD we demonstrated that alloreactive T cells have a distinct surface marker expression profile and can be detected in the PB before aGvHD manifestation. Based on our data, we propose a combinatory panel consisting of 4 surface markers (a4b7 integrin, CD162E, CD162P und CD62L) on circulating CD8+ T cells to identify the risk of aGvHD after allo-HCT. Since tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFR SF) members are involved in several immunological processes, we did extensive surface marker expression analysis of several TNFR superfamily members and other immunomodulatory molecules on conventional and regulatory T cells (Tcons vs. Tregs) on different time points during aGvHD progression. The aim of this study was to find subset-specific immunomodulatory molecules on recently activated Tcons and Tregs. We found that GITR, 4-1BB and CD27 were highly expressed on alloreactive and na{\"i}ve Tregs. In contrast, PD1 expression was highly upregulated on recently activated alloreactive Tcons. The data of this study serves as basis for future approaches, which aim to develop T cell subset specific therapeutic antibody fusion proteins. a4b7 integrin and CD162P (P-Selectin ligand) are highly upregulated on alloreactive T cells and mediate the infiltration of these cells into GvHD target organs. We developed recombinant (antibody) fusion proteins to target these two homing molecules and could show that antibody-based fusion proteins are superior to ligand-based fusion proteins regarding production efficiency and binding affinity. Therefore, we propose for future studies to focus on the described antibody-based fusion proteins for the selective targeting of T cells. Since the widely used calcineurin inhibitors are impairing the desirable GvL effect, we investigated if selective NFATc1 inhibition might be a novel strategy to prevent or reduce alloreactivity, while hopefully maintaining the GvL effect. In particular, we addressed the role of the isoform NFATc1 and inhibited its posttranslational modification by SUMO (Small Ubiquitin-related Modifier). Indeed, inhibition of NFATc1 SUMOylation resulted in reduced inflammation and increased Treg frequencies in a murine MHC major mismatch aGvHD model. Conclusively, we showed that alloreactive T cells can be identified by their surface profile in the PB of allo-HCT recipients before aGvHD symptoms appeared. Furthermore, we introduced a approach to selectively target alloreactive T cells by antibody fusion proteins, which might serve as a novel strategy to separate GvH from GvL. Additionally, we demonstrated that averted posttranslational modification of NFATc1 by SUMOylation serves as potential target to reduce alloreactivity of T cells.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Paul2021, author = {Paul, Rebecca Theodora}, title = {Subjektive Krankheitswahrnehmung, Therapieadh{\"a}renz und Zufriedenheit mit erhaltenen Informationen bei Patienten mit chronischer Nebenniereninsuffizienz - Zusammenhang mit der Teilnahme an einer standardisierten Patientenschulung}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23552}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-235522}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Rezente Studien mit kleineren Fallzahlen offenbaren bei Patienten mit chronischer Nebenniereninsuffizienz eine sehr negative Krankheitswahrnehmung, große {\"A}ngste und Sorgen hinsichtlich der Substitutionstherapie mit Glucocorticoiden sowie eine geringe Therapieadh{\"a}renz. Ziel der vorliegenden Beobachtungsstudie war es daher im Rahmen einer monozentrischen Querschnittstudie nebenniereninsuffiziente Patienten zu Therapieadh{\"a}renz, subjektiver Krankheits- und Glucocorticoidwahrnehmung und Zufriedenheit mit erhaltenen Informationen zu befragen. Zudem wurden erstmalig die Zusammenh{\"a}nge zwischen der Teilnahme an einer standardisierten NNI-Schulung und oben genannten Aspekten im Rahmen einer multizentrischen L{\"a}ngschnittstudie untersucht. Die Ergebnisse der Querschnittstudie zeichnen insgesamt ein deutlich positiveres Bild von der subjektiven Krankheits- und Therapiewahrnehmung als bisher in der Literatur beschrieben. Die subjektive Therapieadh{\"a}renz war hoch. Zudem waren Sorgen und {\"A}ngste hinsichtlich der Glucocorticoid-Substitution geringer ausgepr{\"a}gt als erwartet. Nichtsdestotrotz ließ sich konkordant zu fr{\"u}heren Publikationen eine zum Teil sehr große Unzufriedenheit mit erhaltenen Informationen zu m{\"o}glichen Problemen der Glucocorticoid-Substitution feststellen. Die Ergebnisse der L{\"a}ngschnittstudie deuten darauf hin, dass die standardisierte Patientenschulung ein geeignetes Instrument sein k{\"o}nnte, um die Zufriedenheit von Patienten mit NNI zu steigern, das Selbstmanagement zu st{\"a}rken und gleichzeitig positiven Einfluss auf die Wahrnehmung der Substitutionstherapie nehmen k{\"o}nnte.}, subject = {Nebennierenrindeninsuffizienz}, language = {de} } @article{SommerKloseWelschetal.2020, author = {Sommer, Claudia and Klose, Petra and Welsch, Patrick and Petzke, Frank and H{\"a}user, Winfried}, title = {Opioids for chronic non-cancer neuropathic pain. An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy, tolerability and safety in randomized placebo-controlled studies of at least 4 weeks duration}, series = {European Journal of Pain}, volume = {24}, journal = {European Journal of Pain}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1002/ejp.1494}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218487}, pages = {3 -- 18}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Background and Objective This updated systematic review evaluated the efficacy, tolerability and safety of opioids compared to placebo in chronic non-cancer neuropathic pain. Databases and Data Treatment Clinicaltrials.gov, CENTRAL, PubMed and PsycINFO were searched from October 2013 to June 2019. Randomized controlled trials comparing opioids with placebo and at least 4 weeks double-blinded duration were analysed. Primary outcomes were pain relief of 50\% or greater, disability, tolerability and safety. Effects were summarized by a random effects model using risk differences (RD) or standardized mean differences (SMD). We added four new studies with 662 participants for a total of 16 included studies with 2,199 participants. Study duration ranged between 4 and 12 weeks. Studies with a parallel and cross-over design: Based on low to moderate quality evidence, opioids (buprenorphine, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, tramadol) provided a clinically relevant pain relief of 50\% or greater and reduction of disability compared to placebo. There was no clinically relevant harm with regards to the drop out rate due to adverse and serious adverse events by opioids compared to placebo. Enriched enrolment randomized withdrawal design: Based on low to moderate quality evidence, tapentadol provided a clinically relevant pain relief of 50\% or greater and reduction of disability compared to placebo in diabetic polyneuropathy. There was no clinically relevant harm with regards to the drop out rate due to adverse and serious adverse events by tapentadol compared to placebo. Conclusions Some opioids provided a short-term substantial pain relief in highly selected patients in some neuropathic pain syndromes. Significance Some opioids (buprenorphine, morphine, oxycodone, tramadol, tapentadol) provide substantial pain relief compared to placebo in postherpetic neuralgia and peripheral neuropathies of different aetiologies for 4-12 weeks. There is insufficient evidence to support or refute the suggestion that these drugs are effective in other neuropathic pain conditions. The safety of opioids with regards to abuse and deaths in the studies analysed cannot be extrapolated to routine clinical care.}, language = {en} } @article{WagnerMottUpcinetal.2021, author = {Wagner, Nicole and Mott, Kristina and Upcin, Berin and Stegner, David and Schulze, Harald and Erg{\"u}n, S{\"u}leyman}, title = {CXCL12-abundant reticular (CAR) cells direct megakaryocyte protrusions across the bone marrow sinusoid wall}, series = {Cells}, volume = {10}, journal = {Cells}, number = {4}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells10040722}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-234180}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Megakaryocytes (MKs) release platelets into the lumen of bone marrow (BM) sinusoids while remaining to reside within the BM. The morphogenetic events of this complex process are still not fully understood. We combined confocal laser scanning microscopy with transmission and serial block-face scanning electron microscopy followed by 3D-reconstruction on mouse BM tissue sections. These analyses revealed that MKs in close vicinity to BM sinusoid (BMS) wall first induce the lateral retraction of CXCL12-abundant reticular (CAR) cells (CAR), followed by basal lamina (BL) degradation enabling direct MK-sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) interaction. Subsequently, an endothelial engulfment starts that contains a large MK protrusion. Then, MK protrusions penetrate the SEC, transmigrate into the BMS lumen and form proplatelets that are in direct contact to the SEC surface. Furthermore, such processes are induced on several sites, as observed by 3D reconstructions. Our data demonstrate that MKs in interaction with CAR-cells actively induce BMS wall alterations, including CAR-cell retraction, BL degradation, and SEC engulfment containing a large MK protrusion. This results in SEC penetration enabling the migration of MK protrusion into the BMS lumen where proplatelets that are adherent to the luminal SEC surface are formed and contribute to platelet release into the blood circulation.}, language = {en} } @article{KristDornquastReinholdetal.2021, author = {Krist, Lilian and Dornquast, Christina and Reinhold, Thomas and Becher, Heiko and J{\"o}ckel, Karl-Heinz and Schmidt, B{\"o}rge and Schramm, Sara and Icke, Katja and Danquah, Ina and Willich, Stefan N. and Keil, Thomas and Brand, Tilman}, title = {Association of acculturation status with longitudinal changes in health-related quality of life — results from a cohort study of adults with Turkish origin in Germany}, series = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, volume = {18}, journal = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, number = {6}, issn = {1660-4601}, doi = {10.3390/ijerph18062827}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-234068}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Health-related quality of life (HRQL) among migrant populations can be associated with acculturation (i.e., the process of adopting, acquiring and adjusting to a new cultural environment). Since there is a lack of longitudinal studies, we aimed to describe HRQL changes among adults of Turkish descent living in Berlin and Essen, Germany, and their association with acculturation. Participants of a population-based study were recruited in 2012-2013 and reinvited six years later to complete a questionnaire. Acculturation was assessed at baseline using the Frankfurt acculturation scale (integration, assimilation, separation and marginalization). HRQL was assessed at baseline (SF-8) and at follow-up (SF-12) resulting in a physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) sum score. Associations with acculturation and HRQL were analyzed with linear regression models using a time-by-acculturation status interaction term. In the study 330 persons were included (65\% women, mean age ± standard deviation 43.3 ± 11.8 years). Over the 6 years, MCS decreased, while PCS remained stable. While cross-sectional analyses showed associations of acculturation status with both MCS and PCS, temporal changes including the time interaction term did not reveal associations of baseline acculturation status with HRQL. When investigating HRQL in acculturation, more longitudinal studies are needed to take changes in both HRQL and acculturation status into account.}, language = {en} } @article{GenestRakPetryketal.2020, author = {Genest, Franca and Rak, Dominik and Petryk, Anna and Seefried, Lothar}, title = {Physical Function and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults Treated With Asfotase Alfa for Pediatric-Onset Hypophosphatasia}, series = {JBMR Plus}, volume = {4}, journal = {JBMR Plus}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1002/jbm4.10395}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218410}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare, inherited, metabolic disease characterized by tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase deficiency resulting in musculoskeletal and systemic clinical manifestations. This observational study evaluated the effectiveness of enzyme replacement therapy with asfotase alfa on physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among adults with pediatric-onset HPP who received asfotase alfa for 12 months at a single center (ClinicalTrial.gov no.: NCT03418389). Primary outcomes evaluated physical function with the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), timed up-and-go (TUG) test, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and handheld dynamometry (HHD). Secondary outcome measures included the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), pain prevalence/intensity, and pain medication use; HRQoL was evaluated using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2). Safety data were collected throughout the study. All 14 patients (11 women) had compound heterozygous ALPL gene mutations and ≥1 HPP bone manifestation, including history of ≥1 fracture. Mean (min, max) age was 51 (19 to 78) years. From baseline to 12 months of treatment, median 6MWT distance increased from 267 m to 320 m (n = 13; p = 0.023); median TUG test time improved from 14.4 s to 11.3 s (n = 9; p = 0.008). Specific components of the SPPB also improved significantly: median 4-m gait speed increased from 0.8 m/s to 1.1 m/s (n = 10; p = 0.007) and median repeated chair-rise time improved from 22 s to 13 s (n = 9; p = 0.008). LEFS score improved from 24 points to 53 points (n = 10; p = 0.002). Improvements in HHD were not clinically significant. SF-36v2 Physical Component Score (PCS) improved after 12 months of treatment (n = 9; p = 0.010). Pain level did not change significantly from baseline to 12 months of treatment. There were significant improvements on chair-rise time and SF-36v2 PCS by 3 months, and on TUG test time after 6 months. No new safety signals were identified. These results show the real-world effectiveness of asfotase alfa in improving physical functioning and HRQoL in adults with pediatric-onset HPP. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.}, language = {en} } @article{EiringhausWuenscheTirilomisetal.2020, author = {Eiringhaus, J{\"o}rg and W{\"u}nsche, Christoph M. and Tirilomis, Petros and Herting, Jonas and Bork, Nadja and Nikolaev, Viacheslav O. and Hasenfuss, Gerd and Sossalla, Samuel and Fischer, Thomas H.}, title = {Sacubitrilat reduces pro-arrhythmogenic sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca\(^{2+}\) leak in human ventricular cardiomyocytes of patients with end-stage heart failure}, series = {ESC Heart Failure}, volume = {7}, journal = {ESC Heart Failure}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1002/ehf2.12918}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218479}, pages = {2992 -- 3002}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Aims Inhibition of neprilysin and angiotensin II receptor by sacubitril/valsartan (Val) (LCZ696) reduces mortality in heart failure (HF) patients compared with sole inhibition of renin-angiotensin system. Beneficial effects of increased natriuretic peptide levels upon neprilysin inhibition have been proposed, whereas direct effects of sacubitrilat (Sac) (LBQ657) on myocardial Ca\(^{2+}\) cycling remain elusive. Methods and results Confocal microscopy (Fluo-4 AM) was used to investigate pro-arrhythmogenic sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca\(^{2+}\) leak in freshly isolated murine and human ventricular cardiomyocytes (CMs) upon Sac (40 μmol/L)/Val (13 μmol/L) treatment. The concentrations of Sac and Val equalled plasma concentrations of LCZ696 treatment used in PARADIGM-HF trial. Epifluorescence microscopy measurements (Fura-2 AM) were performed to investigate effects on systolic Ca\(^{2+}\) release, SR Ca\(^{2+}\) load, and Ca\(^{2+}\)-transient kinetics in freshly isolated murine ventricular CMs. The impact of Sac on myocardial contractility was evaluated using in toto-isolated, isometrically twitching ventricular trabeculae from human hearts with end-stage HF. Under basal conditions, the combination of Sac/Val did not influence diastolic Ca\(^{2+}\)-spark frequency (CaSpF) nor pro-arrhythmogenic SR Ca\(^{2}\) leak in isolated murine ventricular CMs (n CMs/hearts = 80/7 vs. 100/7, P = 0.91/0.99). In contrast, Sac/Val treatment reduced CaSpF by 35 ± 9\% and SR Ca\(^{2+}\) leak by 45 ± 9\% in CMs put under catecholaminergic stress (isoproterenol 30 nmol/L, n = 81/7 vs. 62/7, P < 0.001 each). This could be attributed to Sac, as sole Sac treatment also reduced both parameters by similar degrees (reduction of CaSpF by 57 ± 7\% and SR Ca2+ leak by 76 ± 5\%; n = 101/4 vs. 108/4, P < 0.01 each), whereas sole Val treatment did not. Systolic Ca2+ release, SR Ca\(^{2+}\) load, and Ca\(^{2+}\)-transient kinetics including SERCA activity (k\(_{SERCA}\)) were not compromised by Sac in isolated murine CMs (n = 41/6 vs. 39/6). Importantly, the combination of Sac/Val and Sac alone also reduced diastolic CaSpF and SR Ca\(^{2+}\) leak (reduction by 74 ± 7\%) in human left ventricular CMs from patients with end-stage HF (n = 71/8 vs. 78/8, P < 0.05 each). Myocardial contractility of human ventricular trabeculae was not acutely affected by Sac treatment as the developed force remained unchanged over a time course of 30 min (n trabeculae/hearts = 3/3 vs. 4/3). Conclusion This study demonstrates that neprilysin inhibitor Sac directly improves Ca\(^{2+}\) homeostasis in human end-stage HF by reducing pro-arrhythmogenic SR Ca\(^{2+}\) leak without acutely affecting systolic Ca\(^{2+}\) release and inotropy. These effects might contribute to the mortality benefits observed in the PARADIGM-HF trial.}, language = {en} } @article{KimShustaDoran2019, author = {Kim, Brandon J. and Shusta, Eric V. and Doran, Kelly S.}, title = {Past and current perspectives in modeling bacteria and blood-brain barrier interactions}, series = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, number = {1336}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2019.01336}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201766}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The central nervous system (CNS) barriers are highly specialized cellular barriers that promote brain homeostasis while restricting pathogen and toxin entry. The primary cellular constituent regulating pathogen entry in most of these brain barriers is the brain endothelial cell (BEC) that exhibits properties that allow for tight regulation of CNS entry. Bacterial meningoencephalitis is a serious infection of the CNS and occurs when bacteria can cross specialized brain barriers and cause inflammation. Models have been developed to understand the bacterial - BEC interaction that lead to pathogen crossing into the CNS, however, these have been met with challenges due to these highly specialized BEC phenotypes. This perspective provides a brief overview and outlook of the in vivo and in vitro models currently being used to study bacterial brain penetration, and opinion on improved models for the future.}, language = {en} } @article{KrieterKerwagenRuethetal.2019, author = {Krieter, Detlef H. and Kerwagen, Simon and R{\"u}th, Marieke and Lemke, Horst-Dieter and Wanner, Christoph}, title = {Differences in dialysis efficacy have limited effects on protein-bound uremic toxins plasma levels over time}, series = {Toxins}, volume = {11}, journal = {Toxins}, number = {4}, doi = {10.3390/toxins11010047}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201770}, pages = {47}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The protein-bound uremic toxins para-cresyl sulfate (pCS) and indoxyl sulfate (IS) are associated with cardiovascular disease in chronic renal failure, but the effect of different dialysis procedures on their plasma levels over time is poorly studied. The present prospective, randomized, cross-over trial tested dialysis efficacy and monitored pre-treatment pCS and IS concentrations in 15 patients on low-flux and high-flux hemodialysis and high-convective volume postdilution hemodiafiltration over six weeks each. Although hemodiafiltration achieved by far the highest toxin removal, only the mean total IS level was decreased at week three (16.6 ± 12.1 mg/L) compared to baseline (18.9 ± 13.0 mg/L, p = 0.027) and to low-flux dialysis (20.0 ± 12.7 mg/L, p = 0.021). At week six, the total IS concentration in hemodiafiltration reached the initial values again. Concentrations of free IS and free and total pCS remained unaltered. Highest beta2-microglobulin elimination in hemodiafiltration (p < 0.001) led to a persistent decrease of the plasma levels at week three and six (each p < 0.001). In contrast, absent removal in low-flux dialysis resulted in rising beta2-microglobulin concentrations (p < 0.001). In conclusion, this trial demonstrated that even large differences in instantaneous protein-bound toxin removal by current extracorporeal dialysis techniques may have only limited impact on IS and pCS plasma levels in the longer term.}, language = {en} } @article{KraftReichertPryss2021, author = {Kraft, Robin and Reichert, Manfred and Pryss, R{\"u}diger}, title = {Towards the interpretation of sound measurements from smartphones collected with mobile crowdsensing in the healthcare domain: an experiment with Android devices}, series = {Sensors}, volume = {22}, journal = {Sensors}, number = {1}, issn = {1424-8220}, doi = {10.3390/s22010170}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-252246}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The ubiquity of mobile devices fosters the combined use of ecological momentary assessments (EMA) and mobile crowdsensing (MCS) in the field of healthcare. This combination not only allows researchers to collect ecologically valid data, but also to use smartphone sensors to capture the context in which these data are collected. The TrackYourTinnitus (TYT) platform uses EMA to track users' individual subjective tinnitus perception and MCS to capture an objective environmental sound level while the EMA questionnaire is filled in. However, the sound level data cannot be used directly among the different smartphones used by TYT users, since uncalibrated raw values are stored. This work describes an approach towards making these values comparable. In the described setting, the evaluation of sensor measurements from different smartphone users becomes increasingly prevalent. Therefore, the shown approach can be also considered as a more general solution as it not only shows how it helped to interpret TYT sound level data, but may also stimulate other researchers, especially those who need to interpret sensor data in a similar setting. Altogether, the approach will show that measuring sound levels with mobile devices is possible in healthcare scenarios, but there are many challenges to ensuring that the measured values are interpretable.}, language = {en} } @article{AnkenbrandShainbergHocketal.2021, author = {Ankenbrand, Markus J. and Shainberg, Liliia and Hock, Michael and Lohr, David and Schreiber, Laura M.}, title = {Sensitivity analysis for interpretation of machine learning based segmentation models in cardiac MRI}, series = {BMC Medical Imaging}, volume = {21}, journal = {BMC Medical Imaging}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1186/s12880-021-00551-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-259169}, pages = {27}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background Image segmentation is a common task in medical imaging e.g., for volumetry analysis in cardiac MRI. Artificial neural networks are used to automate this task with performance similar to manual operators. However, this performance is only achieved in the narrow tasks networks are trained on. Performance drops dramatically when data characteristics differ from the training set properties. Moreover, neural networks are commonly considered black boxes, because it is hard to understand how they make decisions and why they fail. Therefore, it is also hard to predict whether they will generalize and work well with new data. Here we present a generic method for segmentation model interpretation. Sensitivity analysis is an approach where model input is modified in a controlled manner and the effect of these modifications on the model output is evaluated. This method yields insights into the sensitivity of the model to these alterations and therefore to the importance of certain features on segmentation performance. Results We present an open-source Python library (misas), that facilitates the use of sensitivity analysis with arbitrary data and models. We show that this method is a suitable approach to answer practical questions regarding use and functionality of segmentation models. We demonstrate this in two case studies on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The first case study explores the suitability of a published network for use on a public dataset the network has not been trained on. The second case study demonstrates how sensitivity analysis can be used to evaluate the robustness of a newly trained model. Conclusions Sensitivity analysis is a useful tool for deep learning developers as well as users such as clinicians. It extends their toolbox, enabling and improving interpretability of segmentation models. Enhancing our understanding of neural networks through sensitivity analysis also assists in decision making. Although demonstrated only on cardiac magnetic resonance images this approach and software are much more broadly applicable.}, language = {en} } @article{MarquardtKollmannsbergerKrebsetal.2022, author = {Marquardt, Andr{\´e} and Kollmannsberger, Philip and Krebs, Markus and Argentiero, Antonella and Knott, Markus and Solimando, Antonio Giovanni and Kerscher, Alexander Georg}, title = {Visual clustering of transcriptomic data from primary and metastatic tumors — dependencies and novel pitfalls}, series = {Genes}, volume = {13}, journal = {Genes}, number = {8}, issn = {2073-4425}, doi = {10.3390/genes13081335}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-281872}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Personalized oncology is a rapidly evolving area and offers cancer patients therapy options that are more specific than ever. However, there is still a lack of understanding regarding transcriptomic similarities or differences of metastases and corresponding primary sites. Applying two unsupervised dimension reduction methods (t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) and Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP)) on three datasets of metastases (n = 682 samples) with three different data transformations (unprocessed, log10 as well as log10 + 1 transformed values), we visualized potential underlying clusters. Additionally, we analyzed two datasets (n = 616 samples) containing metastases and primary tumors of one entity, to point out potential familiarities. Using these methods, no tight link between the site of resection and cluster formation outcome could be demonstrated, or for datasets consisting of solely metastasis or mixed datasets. Instead, dimension reduction methods and data transformation significantly impacted visual clustering results. Our findings strongly suggest data transformation to be considered as another key element in the interpretation of visual clustering approaches along with initialization and different parameters. Furthermore, the results highlight the need for a more thorough examination of parameters used in the analysis of clusters.}, language = {en} } @article{KaiserBrambrinkBenditzetal.2022, author = {Kaiser, Moritz and Brambrink, Sara and Benditz, Achim and Achenbach, Leonard and Gehentges, Matthias and K{\"o}nig, Matthias Alexander}, title = {Increase in lower limb strength after multimodal pain management in patients with low back pain}, series = {Medicina}, volume = {58}, journal = {Medicina}, number = {7}, issn = {1648-9144}, doi = {10.3390/medicina58070837}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-284264}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a multimodal pain therapy (MPM) regarding the objective parameter muscle strength of segment-dependent lower limb muscle groups before and after such a treatment. Materials and Methods: 52 patients with a history of low back pain and/or leg pain received standardized multimodal pain management. Strength of segment indicating lower limb muscles were assessed for each patient before and after ten days of treatment by handheld dynamometry. Results: Overall strength increased significantly from 23.6 kg ± 6.6 prior to treatment to 25.4 ± 7.3 after treatment, p ≤ 0.001. All muscle groups significantly increased in strength with exception of great toe extensors. Conclusions: Despite lower basic strength values at the beginning of treatment, all investigated muscle groups, except for the great toe extensors, showed a significant increase of overall strength after completion of the multimodal pain management concept. Increased overall strength could help with avoiding further need of medical care by supporting patients' autonomy in daily life activities, as well as maintaining working abilities. Thus, our study is the first to show a significant positive influence on lower limb strength in patients with low back pain after a conservative MPM program.}, language = {en} } @article{PauliPaulProppertetal.2021, author = {Pauli, Martin and Paul, Mila M. and Proppert, Sven and Mrestani, Achmed and Sharifi, Marzieh and Repp, Felix and K{\"u}rzinger, Lydia and Kollmannsberger, Philip and Sauer, Markus and Heckmann, Manfred and Sir{\´e}n, Anna-Leena}, title = {Targeted volumetric single-molecule localization microscopy of defined presynaptic structures in brain sections}, series = {Communications Biology}, volume = {4}, journal = {Communications Biology}, doi = {10.1038/s42003-021-01939-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-259830}, pages = {407}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Revealing the molecular organization of anatomically precisely defined brain regions is necessary for refined understanding of synaptic plasticity. Although three-dimensional (3D) single-molecule localization microscopy can provide the required resolution, imaging more than a few micrometers deep into tissue remains challenging. To quantify presynaptic active zones (AZ) of entire, large, conditional detonator hippocampal mossy fiber (MF) boutons with diameters as large as 10 mu m, we developed a method for targeted volumetric direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM). An optimized protocol for fast repeated axial scanning and efficient sequential labeling of the AZ scaffold Bassoon and membrane bound GFP with Alexa Fluor 647 enabled 3D-dSTORM imaging of 25 mu m thick mouse brain sections and assignment of AZs to specific neuronal substructures. Quantitative data analysis revealed large differences in Bassoon cluster size and density for distinct hippocampal regions with largest clusters in MF boutons. Pauli et al. develop targeted volumetric dSTORM in order to image large hippocampal mossy fiber boutons (MFBs) in brain slices. They can identify synaptic targets of individual MFBs and measured size and density of Bassoon clusters within individual untruncated MFBs at nanoscopic resolution.}, language = {en} } @article{RobinsonHutmacherDalton2019, author = {Robinson, Thomas M. and Hutmacher, Dietmar W. and Dalton, Paul D.}, title = {The next frontier in melt electrospinning: taming the jet}, series = {Advanced Functional Materials}, volume = {29}, journal = {Advanced Functional Materials}, doi = {10.1002/adfm.201904664}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-204819}, pages = {1904664}, year = {2019}, abstract = {There is a specialized niche for the electrohydrodynamic jetting of melts, from biomedical products to filtration and soft matter applications. The next frontier includes optics, microfluidics, flexible electronic devices, and soft network composites in biomaterial science and soft robotics. The recent emphasis on reproducibly direct-writing continual molten jets has enabled a spectrum of contemporary microscale 3D objects to be fabricated. One strong suit of melt processing is the capacity for the jet to solidify rapidly into a fiber, thus fixing a particular structure into position. The ability to direct-write complex and multiscaled architectures and structures has greatly contributed to a large number of recent studies, explicitly, toward fiber-hydrogel composites and fugitive inks, and has expanded into several biomedical applications such as cartilage, skin, periosteum, and cardiovascular tissue engineering. Following the footsteps of a publication that summarized melt electrowriting literature up to 2015, the most recent literature from then until now is reviewed to provide a continuous and comprehensive timeline that demonstrates the latest advances as well as new perspectives for this emerging technology.}, language = {en} } @article{StaussBrunnerBerberichSiebeltetal.2016, author = {Stauss, Dennis and Brunner, Cornelia and Berberich-Siebelt, Friederike and H{\"o}pken, Uta E. and Lipp, Martin and M{\"u}ller, Gerd}, title = {The transcriptional coactivator Bob1 promotes the development of follicular T helper cells via Bcl6}, series = {Embo Journal}, volume = {35}, journal = {Embo Journal}, number = {8}, doi = {10.15252/embj.201591459}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-189506}, pages = {881-898}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Follicular T helper (Tfh) cells are key regulators of the germinal center reaction and long-term humoral immunity. Tfh cell differentiation requires the sustained expression of the transcriptional repressor Bcl6; however, its regulation in CD4\(^+\) T cells is incompletely understood. Here, we report that the transcriptional coactivator Bob1, encoded by the Pou2af1 gene, promotes Bcl6 expression and Tfh cell development. We found that Bob1 together with the octamer transcription factors Oct1/Oct2 can directly bind to and transactivate the Bcl6 and Btla promoters. Mixed bone marrow chimeras revealed that Bob1 is required for the expression of normal levels of Bcl6 and BTLA, thereby controlling the pool size and composition of the Tfh compartment in a T cell-intrinsic manner. Our data indicate that T cell-expressed Bob1 is directly involved in Tfh cell differentiation and required for mounting normal T cell-dependent B-cell responses.}, language = {en} } @article{BeckTitzeHuebneretal.2015, author = {Beck, Hanna and Titze, Stephanie I. and H{\"u}bner, Silvia and Busch, Martin and Schlieper, Georg and Schultheiss, Ulla T. and Wanner, Christoph and Kronenberg, Florian and Krane, Vera and Eckardt, Kai-Uwe and K{\"o}ttgen, Anna}, title = {Heart Failure in a Cohort of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: The GCKD Study}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0122552}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-143315}, pages = {e0122552}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background and Aims Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for development and progression of heart failure (HF). CKD and HF share common risk factors, but few data exist on the prevalence, signs and symptoms as well as correlates of HF in populations with CKD of moderate severity. We therefore aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of HF in the German Chronic Kidney Disease (GCKD) study, a large observational prospective study. Methods and Results We analyzed data from 5,015 GCKD patients aged 18-74 years with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 ml/min/1.73m\(^{2}\) or with an eGFR >= 60 and overt proteinuria (>500 mg/d). We evaluated a definition of HF based on the Gothenburg score, a clinical HF score used in epidemiological studies (Gothenburg HF), and self-reported HF. Factors associated with HF were identified using multivariable adjusted logistic regression. The prevalence of Gothenburg HF was 43\% (ranging from 24\% in those with eGFR >90 to 59\% in those with eGFR<30 ml/min/1.73m2). The corresponding estimate for self-reported HF was 18\% (range 5\%-24\%). Lower eGFR was significantly and independently associated with the Gothenburg definition of HF (p-trend <0.001). Additional significantly associated correlates included older age, female gender, higher BMI, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, valvular heart disease, anemia, sleep apnea, and lower educational status. Conclusions The burden of self-reported and Gothenburg HF among patients with CKD is high. The proportion of patients who meet the criteria for Gothenburg HF in a European cohort of patients with moderate CKD is more than twice as high as the prevalence of self-reported HF. However, because of the shared signs, symptoms and medications of HF and CKD, the Gothenburg score cannot be used to reliably define HF in CKD patients. Our results emphasize the need for early screening for HF in patients with CKD.}, language = {en} } @article{JanssenHoffmannKannoetal.2020, author = {Janssen, Jan P. and Hoffmann, Jan V. and Kanno, Takayuki and Nose, Naoko and Grunz, Jan-Peter and Onoguchi, Masahisa and Chen, Xinyu and Lapa, Constantin and Buck, Andreas K. and Higuchi, Takahiro}, title = {Capabilities of multi-pinhole SPECT with two stationary detectors for in vivo rat imaging}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {10}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-020-75696-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-230616}, year = {2020}, abstract = {We aimed to investigate the image quality of the U-SPECT5/CT E-Class a micro single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system with two large stationary detectors for visualization of rat hearts and bones using clinically available \(^{99m}\)Tc-labelled tracers. Sensitivity, spatial resolution, uniformity and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the small-animal SPECT scanner were investigated in phantom studies using an ultra-high-resolution rat and mouse multi-pinhole collimator (UHR-RM). Point source, hot-rod, and uniform phantoms with \(^{99m}\)Tc-solution were scanned for high-count performance assessment and count levels equal to animal scans, respectively. Reconstruction was performed using the similarity-regulated ordered-subsets expectation maximization (SROSEM) algorithm with Gaussian smoothing. Rats were injected with similar to 100 MBq [\(^{99m}\)TcTc-MIBI or similar to 150 MBq [\(^{99m}\)Tc]Tc-HMDP and received multi-frame micro-SPECT imaging after tracer distribution. Animal scans were reconstructed for three different acquisition times and post-processed with different sized Gaussian filters. Following reconstruction, CNR was calculated and image quality evaluated by three independent readers on a five-point scale from 1="very poor" to 5="very good". Point source sensitivity was 567 cps/MBq and radioactive rods as small as 1.2 mm were resolved with the UHR-RM collimator. Collimator-dependent uniformity was 55.5\%. Phantom CNR improved with increasing rod size, filter size and activity concentration. Left ventricle and bone structures were successfully visualized in rat experiments. Image quality was strongly affected by the extent of post-filtering, whereas scan time did not have substantial influence on visual assessment. Good image quality was achieved for resolution range greater than 1.8 mm in bone and 2.8 mm in heart. The recently introduced small animal SPECT system with two stationary detectors and UHR-RM collimator is capable to provide excellent image quality in heart and bone scans in a rat using standardized reconstruction parameters and appropriate post-filtering. However, there are still challenges in achieving maximum system resolution in the sub-millimeter range with in vivo settings under limited injection dose and acquisition time.}, language = {en} } @article{DeebGiordanoRossietal.2016, author = {Deeb, Wissam and Giordano, James J. and Rossi, Peter J. and Mogilner, Alon Y. and Gunduz, Aysegul and Judy, Jack W. and Klassen, Bryan T. and Butson, Christopher R. and Van Horne, Craig and Deny, Damiaan and Dougherty, Darin D. and Rowell, David and Gerhardt, Greg A. and Smith, Gwenn S. and Ponce, Francisco A. and Walker, Harrison C. and Bronte-Stewart, Helen M. and Mayberg, Helen S. and Chizeck, Howard J. and Langevin, Jean-Philippe and Volkmann, Jens and Ostrem, Jill L. and Shute, Jonathan B. and Jimenez-Shahed, Joohi and Foote, Kelly D. and Wagle Shukla, Aparna and Rossi, Marvin A. and Oh, Michael and Pourfar, Michael and Rosenberg, Paul B. and Silburn, Peter A. and de Hemptine, Coralie and Starr, Philip A. and Denison, Timothy and Akbar, Umer and Grill, Warren M. and Okun, Michael S.}, title = {Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Deep Brain Stimulation Think Tank: A Review of Emerging Issues and Technologies}, series = {Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience}, number = {38}, doi = {10.3389/fnint.2016.00038}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168493}, year = {2016}, abstract = {This paper provides an overview of current progress in the technological advances and the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, as presented by participants of the Fourth Annual DBS Think Tank, which was convened in March 2016 in conjunction with the Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration at the University of Florida, Gainesveille FL, USA. The Think Tank discussions first focused on policy and advocacy in DBS research and clinical practice, formation of registries, and issues involving the use of DBS in the treatment of Tourette Syndrome. Next, advances in the use of neuroimaging and electrochemical markers to enhance DBS specificity were addressed. Updates on ongoing use and developments of DBS for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, Alzheimer's disease, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, obesity, addiction were presented, and progress toward innovation(s) in closed-loop applications were discussed. Each section of these proceedings provides updates and highlights of new information as presented at this year's international Think Tank, with a view toward current and near future advancement of the field.}, language = {en} } @article{DresenPimientoPateletal.2023, author = {Dresen, Ellen and Pimiento, Jose M. and Patel, Jayshil J. and Heyland, Daren K. and Rice, Todd W. and Stoppe, Christian}, title = {Overview of oxidative stress and the role of micronutrients in critical illness}, series = {Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition}, volume = {47}, journal = {Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition}, doi = {10.1002/jpen.2421}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-318186}, pages = {S38 -- S49}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Inflammation and oxidative stress represent physiological response mechanisms to different types of stimuli and injury during critical illness. Its proper regulation is fundamental to cellular and organismal survival and are paramount to outcomes and recovery from critical illness. A proper maintenance of the delicate balance between inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune response is crucial for resolution from critical illness with important implications for patient outcome. The extent of inflammation and oxidative stress under normal conditions is limited by the antioxidant defense system of the human body, whereas the antioxidant capacity is commonly significantly compromised, and serum levels of micronutrients and vitamins significantly depleted in patients who are critically ill. Hence, the provision of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients may help to reduce the extent of oxidative stress and therefore improve clinical outcomes in patients who are critically ill. As existing evidence of the beneficial effects of antioxidant supplementation in patients who are critically ill is still unclear, actual findings about the most promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidative candidates selenium, vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D will be discussed in this narrative review. The existing evidence provided so far demonstrates that several factors need to be considered to determine the efficacy of an antioxidant supplementation strategy in patients who are critically ill and indicates the need for adequately designed multicenter prospective randomized control trials to evaluate the clinical significance of different types and doses of micronutrients and vitamins in selected groups of patients with different types of critical illness.}, language = {en} } @article{KobsarKoehnlechnerKlingleretal.2022, author = {Kobsar, Anna and Koehnlechner, Karina and Klingler, Philipp and Niklaus, Marius and Zeller-Hahn, Julia and Koessler, Angela and Weber, Katja and Boeck, Markus and Koessler, Juergen}, title = {The effect of short-term refrigeration on platelet responsiveness}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {12}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-022-21124-4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-301390}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Storage of platelet concentrates (PC) at cold temperature (CT) is discussed as an alternative to the current standard of storage at room temperature (RT). Recently, we could show that cold-induced attenuation of inhibitory signaling is an important mechanism promoting platelet reactivity. For developing strategies in blood banking, it is required to elucidate the time-dependent onset of facilitated platelet activation. Thus, freshly prepared platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) was stored for 1 and 2 h at CT (2-6 °C) or at RT (20-24 °C), followed by subsequent comparative analysis. Compared to RT, basal and induced vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation levels were decreased under CT within 1 h by approximately 20\%, determined by Western blot analysis and flow cytometry. Concomitantly, ADP- and collagen-induced threshold aggregation values were enhanced by up to 30-40\%. Furthermore, platelet-covered areas on collagen-coated slides and aggregate formation under flow conditions were increased after storage at CT, in addition to induced activation markers. In conclusion, a time period of 1-2 h for refrigeration is sufficient to induce an attenuation of inhibitory signaling, accompanied with an enhancement of platelet responsiveness. Short-term refrigeration may be considered as a rational approach to obtain PC with higher functional reactivity for the treatment of hemorrhage.}, language = {en} } @article{PageWallstabeLotheretal.2021, author = {Page, Lukas and Wallstabe, Julia and Lother, Jasmin and Bauser, Maximilian and Kniemeyer, Olaf and Strobel, Lea and Voltersen, Vera and Teutschbein, Janka and Hortschansky, Peter and Morton, Charles Oliver and Brakhage, Axel A. and Topp, Max and Einsele, Hermann and Wurster, Sebastian and Loeffler, Juergen}, title = {CcpA- and Shm2-Pulsed Myeloid Dendritic Cells Induce T-Cell Activation and Enhance the Neutrophilic Oxidative Burst Response to Aspergillus fumigatus}, series = {Frontiers in Immunology}, volume = {12}, journal = {Frontiers in Immunology}, issn = {1664-3224}, doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2021.659752}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-239493}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Aspergillus fumigatus causes life-threatening opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. As therapeutic outcomes of invasive aspergillosis (IA) are often unsatisfactory, the development of targeted immunotherapy remains an important goal. Linking the innate and adaptive immune system, dendritic cells are pivotal in anti-Aspergillus defense and have generated interest as a potential immunotherapeutic approach in IA. While monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) require ex vivo differentiation, antigen-pulsed primary myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) may present a more immediate platform for immunotherapy. To that end, we compared the response patterns and cellular interactions of human primary mDCs and moDCs pulsed with an A. fumigatus lysate and two A. fumigatus proteins (CcpA and Shm2) in a serum-free, GMP-compliant medium. CcpA and Shm2 triggered significant upregulation of maturation markers in mDCs and, to a lesser extent, moDCs. Furthermore, both A. fumigatus proteins elicited the release of an array of key pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and CCL3 from both DC populations. Compared to moDCs, CcpA- and Shm2-pulsed mDCs exhibited greater expression of MHC class II antigens and stimulated stronger proliferation and IFN-γ secretion from autologous CD4\(^+\) and CD8\(^+\) T-cells. Moreover, supernatants of CcpA- and Shm2-pulsed mDCs significantly enhanced the oxidative burst in allogeneic neutrophils co-cultured with A. fumigatus germ tubes. Taken together, our in vitro data suggest that ex vivo CcpA- and Shm2-pulsed primary mDCs have the potential to be developed into an immunotherapeutic approach to tackle IA.}, language = {en} } @article{ClausHubertBecheretal.2019, author = {Claus, Heike and Hubert, Kerstin and Becher, D{\"o}rte and Otto, Andreas and Pawlik, Marie-Christin and Lappann, Ines and Strobel, Lea and Vogel, Ulrich and Johswich, Kay}, title = {A homopolymeric adenosine tract in the promoter region of nspA influences factor H-mediated serum resistance in Neisseria meningitidis}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {9}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-019-39231-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200956}, pages = {2736}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Although usually asymptomatically colonizing the human nasopharynx, the Gram-negative bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) can spread to the blood stream and cause invasive disease. For survival in blood, N. meningitidis evades the complement system by expression of a polysaccharide capsule and surface proteins sequestering the complement regulator factor H (fH). Meningococcal strains belonging to the sequence type (ST-) 41/44 clonal complex (cc41/44) cause a major proportion of serogroup B meningococcal disease worldwide, but they are also common in asymptomatic carriers. Proteome analysis comparing cc41/44 isolates from invasive disease versus carriage revealed differential expression levels of the outer membrane protein NspA, which binds fH. Deletion of nspA reduced serum resistance and NspA expression correlated with fH sequestration. Expression levels of NspA depended on the length of a homopolymeric tract in the nspA promoter: A 5-adenosine tract dictated low NspA expression, whereas a 6-adenosine motif guided high NspA expression. Screening German cc41/44 strain collections revealed the 6-adenosine motif in 39\% of disease isolates, but only in 3.4\% of carriage isolates. Thus, high NspA expression is associated with disease, but not strictly required. The 6-adenosine nspA promoter is most common to the cc41/44, but is also found in other hypervirulent clonal complexes.}, language = {en} } @article{BankogluArnoldHeringetal.2018, author = {Bankoglu, Ezgi Eyluel and Arnold, Charlotte and Hering, Ilona and Hankir, Mohammed and Seyfried, Florian and Stopper, Helga}, title = {Decreased chromosomal damage in lymphocytes of obese patients after bariatric surgery}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {8}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {11195}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-29581-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-177090}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The number of bariatric surgeries being performed worldwide has markedly risen. While the improvement in obesity-associated comorbidities after bariatric surgery is well-established, very little is known about its impact on cancer risk. The peripheral lymphocyte micronucleus test is a widely used method for the monitoring of chromosomal damage levels in vivo, and micronucleus frequency positively correlates with cancer risk. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the micronucleus frequency before and after bariatric surgery in obese subjects. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from 45 obese subjects before and at two time-points after bariatric surgery (6 and 12 months) to assess spontaneous micronucleus frequency. Consistent with the increased cancer risk previously shown, bariatric surgery-induced weight loss led to a significant reduction in lymphocyte micronucleus frequency after 12 months. Interestingly, comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome further seemed to have an impact on the lymphocyte micronucleus frequency. Our findings may indicate a successful reduction of cancer risk in patients following weight loss caused by bariatric surgery.}, language = {en} } @article{FriedrichHartigPruessetal.2022, author = {Friedrich, Maximilian and Hartig, Johannes and Pr{\"u}ss, Harald and Ip, Wang Chi and Volkmann, Jens}, title = {Rapidly progressive dementia: Extending the spectrum of GFAP-astrocytopathies?}, series = {Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology}, volume = {9}, journal = {Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1002/acn3.51513}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-312957}, pages = {410-415}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy (GFAP-A) is a steroid-responsive meningoencephalomyelitis, sometimes presenting with atypical clinical signs such as movement disorders or psychiatric and autonomic features. Beyond clinical presentation and imaging, diagnosis relies on detection of GFAP-antibodies (AB) in CSF. Using quantitative behavioral, serologic, and immunohistochemical analyses, we characterize two patients longitudinally over 18-24 months who presented with rapidly progressive neurocognitive deterioration in the context of GFAP-AB in CSF and unremarkable cranial MRI studies. Intensified immunotherapy was associated with clinical stabilization. The value of GFAP-AB screening in selected cases of rapidly progressive dementias is discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{ManukjanWiegeringReindletal.2020, author = {Manukjan, Georgi and Wiegering, Verena and Reindl, Tobias and Strauß, Gabriele and Klopocki, Eva and Schulze, Harald and Andres, Oliver}, title = {Novel variants in FERMT3 and RASGRP2 - Genetic linkage in Glanzmann-like bleeding disorders}, series = {Pediatric Blood \& Cancer}, volume = {67}, journal = {Pediatric Blood \& Cancer}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1002/pbc.28078}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-208129}, pages = {e28078}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Defects of platelet intracellular signaling can result in severe platelet dysfunction. Several mutations in each of the linked genes FERMT3 and RASGRP2 on chromosome 11 causing a Glanzmann-like bleeding phenotype have been identified so far. We report on novel variants in two unrelated pediatric patients with severe bleeding diathesis—one with leukocyte adhesion deficiency type III due to a homozygous frameshift in FERMT3 and the other with homozygous variants in both, FERMT3 and RASGRP2 . We focus on the challenging genetic and functional variant assessment and aim to accentuate the risk of obtaining misleading results due to the phenomenon of genetic linkage.}, language = {en} } @article{TanBabakVenkatesanetal.2019, author = {Tan, Aaron and Babak, Maria V. and Venkatesan, Gopalakrishnan and Lim, Clarissa and Klotz, Karl-Norbert and Herr, Deron Raymond and Cheong, Siew Lee and Federico, Stephanie and Spalluto, Giampiero and Ong, Wei-Yi and Chen, Yu Zong and Loo, Jason Siau Ee and Pastorin, Giorgia}, title = {Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of New Indolylpyrimidylpiperazines for Gastrointestinal Cancer Therapy}, series = {Molecules}, volume = {24}, journal = {Molecules}, number = {20}, issn = {1420-3049}, doi = {10.3390/molecules24203661}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-193271}, pages = {3661}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Human A3 adenosine receptor hA3AR has been implicated in gastrointestinal cancer, where its cellular expression has been found increased, thus suggesting its potential as a molecular target for novel anticancer compounds. Observation made in our previous work indicated the importance of the carbonyl group of amide in the indolylpyrimidylpiperazine (IPP) for its human A2A adenosine receptor (hA2AAR) subtype binding selectivity over the other AR subtypes. Taking this observation into account, we structurally modified an indolylpyrimidylpiperazine (IPP) scaffold, 1 (a non-selective adenosine receptors' ligand) into a modified IPP (mIPP) scaffold by switching the position of the carbonyl group, resulting in the formation of both ketone and tertiary amine groups in the new scaffold. Results showed that such modification diminished the A2A activity and instead conferred hA3AR agonistic activity. Among the new mIPP derivatives (3-6), compound 4 showed potential as a hA3AR partial agonist, with an Emax of 30\% and EC50 of 2.89 ± 0.55 μM. In the cytotoxicity assays, compound 4 also exhibited higher cytotoxicity against both colorectal and liver cancer cells as compared to normal cells. Overall, this new series of compounds provide a promising starting point for further development of potent and selective hA3AR partial agonists for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.}, language = {en} } @article{KressJessenMarquardtetal.2021, author = {Kreß, Julia Katharina Charlotte and Jessen, Christina and Marquardt, Andr{\´e} and Hufnagel, Anita and Meierjohann, Svenja}, title = {NRF2 enables EGFR signaling in melanoma cells}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {22}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {8}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms22083803}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-260222}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) are rarely mutated in cutaneous melanoma, but the expression and activation of several RTK family members are associated with a proinvasive phenotype and therapy resistance. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a member of the RTK family and is only expressed in a subgroup of melanomas with poor prognosis. The insight into regulators of EGFR expression and activation is important for the understanding of the development of this malignant melanoma phenotype. Here, we describe that the transcription factor NRF2, the master regulator of the oxidative and electrophilic stress response, mediates the expression and activation of EGFR in melanoma by elevating the levels of EGFR as well as its ligands EGF and TGFα. ChIP sequencing data show that NRF2 directly binds to the promoter of EGF, which contains a canonical antioxidant response element. Accordingly, EGF is induced by oxidative stress and is also increased in lung adenocarcinoma and head and neck carcinoma with mutationally activated NRF2. In contrast, regulation of EGFR and TGFA occurs by an indirect mechanism, which is enabled by the ability of NRF2 to block the activity of the melanocytic lineage factor MITF in melanoma. MITF effectively suppresses EGFR and TGFA expression and therefore serves as link between NRF2 and EGFR. As EGFR was previously described to stimulate NRF2 activity, the mutual activation of NRF2 and EGFR pathways was investigated. The presence of NRF2 was necessary for full EGFR pathway activation, as NRF2-knockout cells showed reduced AKT activation in response to EGF stimulation compared to controls. Conversely, EGF led to the nuclear localization and activation of NRF2, thereby demonstrating that NRF2 and EGFR are connected in a positive feedback loop in melanoma. In summary, our data show that the EGFR-positive melanoma phenotype is strongly supported by NRF2, thus revealing a novel maintenance mechanism for this clinically challenging melanoma subpopulation.}, language = {en} } @article{BraunEvdokimovFranketal.2022, author = {Braun, Alexandra and Evdokimov, Dimitar and Frank, Johanna and Pauli, Paul and Wabel, Thomas and {\"U}{\c{c}}eyler, Nurcan and Sommer, Claudia}, title = {Relevance of Religiosity for Coping Strategies and Disability in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome}, series = {Journal of Religion and Health}, volume = {61}, journal = {Journal of Religion and Health}, number = {1}, issn = {1573-6571}, doi = {10.1007/s10943-020-01177-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-269135}, pages = {524-539}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Coping strategies are essential for the outcome of chronic pain. This study evaluated religiosity in a cohort of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), its effect on pain and other symptoms, on coping and FMS-related disability. A total of 102 FMS patients were recruited who filled in questionnaires, a subgroup of 42 patients participated in a face-to-face interview, and data were evaluated by correlation and regression analyses. Few patients were traditionally religious, but the majority believed in a higher existence and described their spirituality as "transcendence conviction". The coping strategy "praying-hoping" and the ASP dimension "religious orientation" (r = 0.5, P < 0.05) showed a significant relationship independent of the grade of religiosity (P < 0.05). A high grade of belief in a higher existence was negatively associated with the choice of ignoring as coping strategy (r = - 0.4, P < 0.05). Mood and affect-related variables had the highest impact on disability (b = 0.5, P < 0.05). In this cohort, the grade of religiosity played a role in the choice of coping strategies, but had no effects on health and mood outcome.}, language = {en} } @article{HankeRauschSosnowskietal.2022, author = {Hanke, Kathrin and Rausch, Tanja K. and Sosnowski, Runa and Paul, Pia and Spiegler, Juliane and M{\"u}ller, Mirja and K{\"o}nig, Inke R. and G{\"o}pel, Wolfgang and Herting, Egbert and H{\"a}rtel, Christoph}, title = {Early skin-to-skin contact does not affect cerebral tissue oxygenation in preterm infants <32 weeks of gestation}, series = {Children}, volume = {9}, journal = {Children}, number = {2}, issn = {2227-9067}, doi = {10.3390/children9020211}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-262290}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Aim: It was the aim of our study to determine the regional cerebral tissue oxygenation saturation (rcSO\(_2\)) as an additional monitoring parameter during early skin-to-skin contact (SSC) in preterm infants with a gestational age of <32 gestational weeks. Methods: We conducted two observational convenience sample studies using additional monitoring with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in the first 120 h of life: (a) NIRS 1 (gestational age of 26 0/7 to 31 6/7 weeks) and (b) NIRS 2 (gestational age of 24 0/7 to 28 6/7 weeks). The rcSO\(_2\) values were compared between resting time in the incubator (period I), SSC (period II) and handling nursing care (period III). For the comparison, we separated the sequential effects by including a "wash-out phase" of 1 h between each period. Results: During the first 120 h of life 38/53 infants in NIRS 1 and 15/23 infants in NIRS 2 received SSC, respectively. We found no remarkable differences for rcSO\(_2\) values of NIRS 1 patients between SSC time and period I (95\% confidence interval (CI) for the difference in \%: SSC vs. period I [1; 3]). In NIRS 2, rcSO\(_2\) values during SSC were only 2\% lower compared with period I [median [1. quartile; 3. quartile] in \%; 78 [73; 82] vs. 80 [74; 85]] but were similar to period III [78 [72; 83]]. In a combined analysis, a small difference in rcSO\(_2\) values between SSC and resting times was found using a generalized linear mixed model that included gender and gestational age (OR 95\% CI; 1.178 [1.103; 1.253], p < 0.0001). Episodes below the cut-off for "hypoxia"; e.g., <55\%, were comparable during SSC and periods I and III (0.3-2.1\%). No FiO\(_2\) adjustment was required in the vast majority of SSC episodes. Conclusions: Our observational data indicate that rcSO\(_2\) values of infants during SSC were comparable to rcSO\(_2\) values during incubator care and resting time. This additional monitoring supports a safe implementation of early SSC in extremely preterm infants in NICUs.}, language = {en} } @article{GerovaWickeChiharaetal.2021, author = {Gerova, Milan and Wicke, Laura and Chihara, Kotaro and Schneider, Cornelius and Lavigne, Rob and Vogel, J{\"o}rg}, title = {A grad-seq view of RNA and protein complexes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa under standard and bacteriophage predation conditions}, series = {mbio}, volume = {12}, journal = {mbio}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1128/mBio.03454-20}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-259054}, pages = {e03454-20}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is not only a major cause of nosocomial infections but also serves as a model species of bacterial RNA biology. While its transcriptome architecture and posttranscriptional regulation through the RNA-binding proteins Hfq, RsmA, and RsmN have been studied in detail, global information about stable RNA-protein complexes in this human pathogen is currently lacking. Here, we implement gradient profiling by sequencing (Grad-seq) in exponentially growing P. aeruginosa cells to comprehensively predict RNA and protein complexes, based on glycerol gradient sedimentation profiles of >73\% of all transcripts and ∼40\% of all proteins. As to benchmarking, our global profiles readily reported complexes of stable RNAs of P. aeruginosa, including 6S RNA with RNA polymerase and associated product RNAs (pRNAs). We observe specific clusters of noncoding RNAs, which correlate with Hfq and RsmA/N, and provide a first hint that P. aeruginosa expresses a ProQ-like FinO domain-containing RNA-binding protein. To understand how biological stress may perturb cellular RNA/protein complexes, we performed Grad-seq after infection by the bacteriophage ΦKZ. This model phage, which has a well-defined transcription profile during host takeover, displayed efficient translational utilization of phage mRNAs and tRNAs, as evident from their increased cosedimentation with ribosomal subunits. Additionally, Grad-seq experimentally determines previously overlooked phage-encoded noncoding RNAs. Taken together, the Pseudomonas protein and RNA complex data provided here will pave the way to a better understanding of RNA-protein interactions during viral predation of the bacterial cell. IMPORTANCE Stable complexes by cellular proteins and RNA molecules lie at the heart of gene regulation and physiology in any bacterium of interest. It is therefore crucial to globally determine these complexes in order to identify and characterize new molecular players and regulation mechanisms. Pseudomonads harbor some of the largest genomes known in bacteria, encoding ∼5,500 different proteins. Here, we provide a first glimpse on which proteins and cellular transcripts form stable complexes in the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We additionally performed this analysis with bacteria subjected to the important and frequently encountered biological stress of a bacteriophage infection. We identified several molecules with established roles in a variety of cellular pathways, which were affected by the phage and can now be explored for their role during phage infection. Most importantly, we observed strong colocalization of phage transcripts and host ribosomes, indicating the existence of specialized translation mechanisms during phage infection. All data are publicly available in an interactive and easy to use browser.}, language = {en} } @article{DoryabTaskinStahlhutetal.2021, author = {Doryab, Ali and Taskin, Mehmet Berat and Stahlhut, Philipp and Schr{\"o}ppel, Andreas and Wagner, Darcy E. and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Schmid, Otmar}, title = {A Biomimetic, Copolymeric Membrane for Cell-Stretch Experiments with Pulmonary Epithelial Cells at the Air-Liquid Interface}, series = {Advanced Functional Materials}, volume = {31}, journal = {Advanced Functional Materials}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1002/adfm.202004707}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-225645}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Chronic respiratory diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide, but only symptomatic therapies are available for terminal illness. This in part reflects a lack of biomimetic in vitro models that can imitate the complex environment and physiology of the lung. Here, a copolymeric membrane consisting of poly(ε-)caprolactone and gelatin with tunable properties, resembling the main characteristics of the alveolar basement membrane is introduced. The thin bioinspired membrane (≤5 μm) is stretchable (up to 25\% linear strain) with appropriate surface wettability and porosity for culturing lung epithelial cells under air-liquid interface conditions. The unique biphasic concept of this membrane provides optimum characteristics for initial cell growth (phase I) and then switch to biomimetic properties for cyclic cell-stretch experiments (phase II). It is showed that physiologic cyclic mechanical stretch improves formation of F-actin cytoskeleton filaments and tight junctions while non-physiologic over-stretch induces cell apoptosis, activates inflammatory response (IL-8), and impairs epithelial barrier integrity. It is also demonstrated that cyclic physiologic stretch can enhance the cellular uptake of nanoparticles. Since this membrane offers considerable advantages over currently used membranes, it may lead the way to more biomimetic in vitro models of the lung for translation of in vitro response studies into clinical outcome.}, language = {en} } @article{GergsJahnSchulzetal.2022, author = {Gergs, Ulrich and Jahn, Tina and Schulz, Nico and Großmann, Claudia and Rueckschloss, Uwe and Demus, Uta and Buchwalow, Igor B. and Neumann, Joachim}, title = {Protein phosphatase 2A improves cardiac functional response to ischemia and sepsis}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {23}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {9}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms23094688}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-284035}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Reversible protein phosphorylation is a posttranslational modification of regulatory proteins involved in cardiac signaling pathways. Here, we focus on the role of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) for cardiac gene expression and stress response using a transgenic mouse model with cardiac myocyte-specific overexpression of the catalytic subunit of PP2A (PP2A-TG). Gene and protein expression were assessed under basal conditions by gene chip analysis and Western blotting. Some cardiac genes related to the cell metabolism and to protein phosphorylation such as kinases and phosphatases were altered in PP2A-TG compared to wild type mice (WT). As cardiac stressors, a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis in vivo and a global cardiac ischemia in vitro (stop-flow isolated perfused heart model) were examined. Whereas the basal cardiac function was reduced in PP2A-TG as studied by echocardiography or as studied in the isolated work-performing heart, the acute LPS- or ischemia-induced cardiac dysfunction deteriorated less in PP2A-TG compared to WT. From the data, we conclude that increased PP2A activity may influence the acute stress tolerance of cardiac myocytes.}, 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} }