TY - JOUR A1 - Angheloiu, George O. A1 - Hänscheid, Heribert A1 - Wen, Xiaoyan A1 - Capponi, Vincent A1 - Anderson, William D. A1 - Kellum, John A. T1 - Experimental first-pass method for testing and comparing sorbent polymers used in the clearance of iodine contrast materials JF - Blood Purification N2 - Background: Sorbents have been shown to adsorb iodinated radiocontrast media. Objective: In this study we describe a simple method to compare various sorbents in terms of capacity to adsorb radiocontrast media. Methods: Iodixanol solution was injected into columns filled with three types of sorbent at filtration velocities of increasing magnitude. Two variables of interest – contrast removal rate and matched iodine retention (MIR) – were calculated to measure the adsorption efficiency and the mass of contrast iodine adsorbed versus sorbent used, respectively. Results: The highest contrast removal and MIR for Porapak Q, CST 401 and Amberlite XAD4 were 41, 38 and 16% (p = 0.22 and 0.0005 for comparisons between Porapak Q-CST 401 and CST 401-Amberlite XAD4) and 0.060, 0.055 and 0.024, respectively (p = 0.18 and 0.0008). Extrapolation to a clinical scenario may suggest that removal of 8 ml iodixanol could be achieved by masses of sorbents of 43, 47 and 107 g, respectively. Conclusion: In this study we set a benchmark for comparing the radiocontrast-adsorbing efficiency of polymer sorbents during first-pass experiments, using a readily available methodology. KW - adsorption KW - acute renal failure KW - sorbents KW - iodine contrast Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-199118 SN - 0253-5068 SN - 1421-9735 N1 - Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich. VL - 34 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Müller, P.A. A1 - Bröcker, E.B. A1 - Klinker, E. A1 - Stoevesandt, J. A1 - Benoit, S. T1 - Adjuvant treatment of recalcitrant Bullous pemphigoid with immunoadsorption JF - Dermatology N2 - Elimination of pathogenic autoantibodies by immunoadsorption (IA) has been described as an effective adjuvant treatment in severe bullous autoimmune diseases, especially in pemphigus. There is much less experience in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid (BP). BP was diagnosed in a 62-year-old Caucasian woman presenting a pruritic rash with multiple tense blisters. Standard treatments with topical and oral corticosteroids, steroid-sparing agents including dapsone, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and intravenous immunoglobulins were ineffective or had to be discontinued due to adverse events. An immediate clinical response could be achieved by two treatment cycles of adjuvant protein A immunoadsorption (PA-IA) in addition to continued treatment with MMF (2 g/day) and prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day). Tolerance was excellent. Clinical improvement remained stable after discontinuation of IA and went along with sustained reduction of circulating autoantibodies. Our data demonstrate that PA-IA might be a safe and effective adjuvant treatment in severe and recalcitrant BP. KW - Bullous pemphigoid KW - Immunoadsorption KW - Immunoapheresis Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-196620 SN - 1018-8665 SN - 1421-9832 N1 - This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively. VL - 224 IS - 3 SP - 224 EP - 227 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Grundmeier, Natalie A1 - Hamm, Henning A1 - Weissbrich, Benedikt A1 - Lang, Sabrina Christine A1 - Bröcker, Eva-Bettina A1 - Kerstan, Andreas T1 - High-risk human papillomavirus infection in Bowen’s disease of the nail unit: report of three cases and review of the literature JF - Dermatology N2 - Background: Bowen’s disease (BD) of the nail unit is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the frequency of high-risk HPV infection, gender, age and digital distribution in this condition. Methods: Biopsy specimens of 3 consecutive cases with periungual BD were investigated for the presence of HPV DNA by in situ hybridization and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, 74 cases of ungual BD conducted with HPV genotyping as reported in the literature were reviewed. Results: PCR of biopsy specimens revealed in 2 cases infection with HPV-16 and in 1 case with HPV-73. Additionally, in 1 HPV-16-positive case HPV-31/33 was detected by in situ hybridization. In line, review of the literature demonstrated a clear association of HPV-positive BD with high-risk HPV types. Interestingly, age at diagnosis was significantly lower in women. Whereas in both genders the second to fourth fingers on both hands were commonly diseased, only in men the thumbs were also prominently affected. Conclusions: Infection with high-risk HPV types is common in BD of the nail unit suggesting the aetiological cause. Therefore, patients and partners should be closely followed up for digital and genital HPV-associated lesions. KW - Nail unit KW - Human papillomavirus KW - Bowen’s disease, periungual Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-196638 SN - 1018-8665 SN - 1421-9832 N1 - This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively. VL - 223 IS - 4 SP - 293 EP - 300 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Prelog, Martina T1 - Differential Approaches for Vaccination from Childhood to Old Age JF - Gerontology N2 - Primary prevention strategies, such as vaccinations at the age extremes, in neonates and elderly individuals, demonstrate a challenge to health professionals and public health specialists. The aspects of the differentiation and maturation of the adaptive immune system, the functional implications of immunological immaturity or immunosenescence and its impact on vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy will be highlighted in this review. Several approaches have been undertaken to promote Th1 responses in neonates and to enhance immune functions in elderly, such as conjugation to carrier proteins, addition of adjuvants, concomitant vaccination with other vaccines, change in antigen concentrations or dose intervals or use of different administration routes. Also, early protection by maternal vaccination seems to be beneficial in neonates. However, it also appears necessary to think of other end points than antibody concentrations to assess vaccine efficacy in neonates or elderly, as also the cellular immune response may be impaired by the mechanisms of immaturity, underlying health conditions, immunosuppressive treatments or immunosenescence. Thus, lifespan vaccine programs should be implemented to all individuals on a population level not only to improve herd protection and to maintain protective antibody levels and immune memory, but also to cover all age groups, to protect unvaccinated elderly persons and to provide indirect protection for neonates and small infants. KW - immunosenescence KW - aging KW - T cells KW - B cells KW - immunization KW - vaccination KW - thymus KW - influenza KW - neonates KW - antibody Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-196602 SN - 0304-324X SN - 1423-0003 N1 - This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively. VL - 59 IS - 3 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Müller, Joachim A1 - Brill, Stefan A1 - Hagen, Rudolf A1 - Moeltner, Alexander A1 - Brockmeier, Steffi-Johanna A1 - Stark, Thomas A1 - Helbig, Silke A1 - Maurer, Jan A1 - Zahnert, Thomas A1 - Zierhofer, Clemens A1 - Nopp, Peter A1 - Anderson, Ilona T1 - Clinical Trial Results with the MED-EL Fine Structure Processing Coding Strategy in Experienced Cochlear Implant Users JF - ORL N2 - Objectives: To assess the subjective and objective performance of the new fine structure processing strategy (FSP) compared to the previous generation coding strategies CIS+ and HDCIS. Methods: Forty-six adults with a minimum of 6 months of cochlear implant experience were included. CIS+, HDCIS and FSP were compared in speech perception tests in noise, pitch scaling and questionnaires. The randomized tests were performed acutely (interval 1) and again after 3 months of FSP experience (interval 3). The subjective evaluation included questionnaire 1 at intervals 1 and 3, and questionnaire 2 at interval 2, 1 month after interval 1. Results: Comparison between FSP and CIS+ showed that FSP performed at least as well as CIS+ in all speech perception tests, and outperformed CIS+ in vowel and monosyllabic word discrimination. Comparison between FSP and HDCIS showed that both performed equally well in all speech perception tests. Pitch scaling showed that FSP performed at least as well as HDCIS. With FSP, sound quality was at least as good and often better than with HDCIS. Conclusions: Results indicate that FSP performs better than CIS+ in vowel and monosyllabic word understanding. Subjective evaluation demonstrates strong user preferences for FSP when listening to speech and music. KW - pitch KW - CIS+ KW - OPUS KW - fine structure processing KW - cochlear implant KW - coding strategy KW - speech perception KW - music Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-196396 SN - 0301-1569 SN - 1423-0275 N1 - This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively. VL - 74 IS - 4 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Dreyer, Ingo A1 - Gomez-Porras, Judith Lucia A1 - Riaño-Pachón, Diego Mauricio A1 - Hedrich, Rainer A1 - Geiger, Dietmar T1 - Molecular Evolution of Slow and Quick Anion Channels (SLACs and QUACs/ALMTs) JF - Frontiers in Plant Science N2 - Electrophysiological analyses conducted about 25 years ago detected two types of anion channels in the plasma membrane of guard cells. One type of channel responds slowly to changes in membrane voltage while the other responds quickly. Consequently, they were named SLAC, for SLow Anion Channel, and QUAC, for QUick Anion Channel. Recently, genes SLAC1 and QUAC1/ALMT12, underlying the two different anion current components, could be identified in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Expression of the gene products in Xenopus oocytes confirmed the quick and slow current kinetics. In this study we provide an overview on our current knowledge on slow and quick anion channels in plants and analyze the molecular evolution of ALMT/QUAC-like and SLAC-like channels. We discovered fingerprints that allow screening databases for these channel types and were able to identify 192 (177 non-redundant) SLAC-like and 422 (402 non-redundant) ALMT/QUAC-like proteins in the fully sequenced genomes of 32 plant species. Phylogenetic analyses provided new insights into the molecular evolution of these channel types. We also combined sequence alignment and clustering with predictions of protein features, leading to the identification of known conserved phosphorylation sites in SLAC1-like channels along with potential sites that have not been yet experimentally confirmed. Using a similar strategy to analyze the hydropathicity of ALMT/QUAC-like channels, we propose a modified topology with additional transmembrane regions that integrates structure and function of these membrane proteins. Our results suggest that cross-referencing phylogenetic analyses with position-specific protein properties and functional data could be a very powerful tool for genome research approaches in general. KW - anion channel KW - evolution KW - SLAC/SLAH KW - ALMT KW - QUAC KW - voltage dependent KW - topology KW - phosphorylation Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-189345 SN - 1664-462X VL - 3 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Varykhalov, A. A1 - Marchenko, D. A1 - Sánchez-Barriga, J. A1 - Scholz, M. R. A1 - Verberck, B. A1 - Trauzettel, B. A1 - Wehling, T. O. A1 - Carbone, C. A1 - Rader, O. T1 - Intact Dirac Cones at Broken Sublattice Symmetry: Photoemission Study of Graphene on Ni and Co JF - Physical Review X N2 - The appearance of massless Dirac fermions in graphene requires two equivalent carbon sublattices of trigonal shape. While the generation of an effective mass and a band gap at the Dirac point remains an unresolved problem for freestanding extended graphene, it is well established by breaking translational symmetry by confinement and by breaking sublattice symmetry by interaction with a substrate. One of the strongest sublattice-symmetry-breaking interactions with predicted and measured band gaps ranging from 400 meV to more than 3 eV has been attributed to the interfaces of graphene with Ni and Co, which are also promising spin-filter interfaces. Here, we apply angle-resolved photoemission to epitaxial graphene on Ni (111) and Co(0001) to show the presence of intact Dirac cones 2.8 eV below the Fermi level. Our results challenge the common belief that the breaking of sublattice symmetry by a substrate and the opening of the band gap at the Dirac energy are in a straightforward relation. A simple effective model of a biased bilayer structure composed of graphene and a sublattice-symmetry-broken layer, corroborated by density-functional-theory calculations, demonstrates the general validity of our conclusions. KW - NI(111) KW - ultrasoft pseudopotentials KW - monolayer graphite KW - electronic states KW - transistors KW - surface Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135732 VL - 2 IS - 041017 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rhiem, Kerstin A1 - Engel, Christoph A1 - Graeser, Monika A1 - Zachariae, Silke A1 - Kast, Karin A1 - Kiechle, Marion A1 - Ditsch, Nina A1 - Janni, Wolfgang A1 - Mundhenke, Christoph A1 - Golatta, Michael A1 - Varga, Dominic A1 - Preisler-Adams, Sabine A1 - Heinrich, Tilman A1 - Bick, Ulrich A1 - Gadzicki, Dorothea A1 - Briest, Susanne A1 - Meindl, Alfons A1 - Schmutzler, Rita K. T1 - The risk of contralateral breast cancer in patients from BRCA1/2 negative high risk families as compared to patients from BRCA1 or BRCA2 positive families: a retrospective cohort study JF - Breast Cancer Research N2 - Introduction: While it has been reported that the risk of contralateral breast cancer in patients from BRCA1 or BRCA2 positive families is elevated, little is known about contralateral breast cancer risk in patients from high risk families that tested negative for BRCA1/2 mutations. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter cohort study was performed from 1996 to 2011 and comprised 6,235 women with unilateral breast cancer from 6,230 high risk families that had tested positive for BRCA1 (n = 1,154) or BRCA2 (n = 575) mutations or tested negative (n = 4,501). Cumulative contralateral breast cancer risks were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method and were compared between groups using the log-rank test. Cox regression analysis was applied to assess the impact of the age at first breast cancer and the familial history stratified by mutation status. Results: The cumulative risk of contralateral breast cancer 25 years after first breast cancer was 44.1% (95%CI, 37.6% to 50.6%) for patients from BRCA1 positive families, 33.5% (95%CI, 22.4% to 44.7%) for patients from BRCA2 positive families and 17.2% (95%CI, 14.5% to 19.9%) for patients from families that tested negative for BRCA1/2 mutations. Younger age at first breast cancer was associated with a higher risk of contralateral breast cancer. For women who had their first breast cancer before the age of 40 years, the cumulative risk of contralateral breast cancer after 25 years was 55.1% for BRCA1, 38.4% for BRCA2, and 28.4% for patients from BRCA1/2 negative families. If the first breast cancer was diagnosed at the age of 50 or later, 25-year cumulative risks were 21.6% for BRCA1, 15.5% for BRCA2, and 12.9% for BRCA1/2 negative families. Conclusions: Contralateral breast cancer risk in patients from high risk families that tested negative for BRCA1/2 mutations is similar to the risk in patients with sporadic breast cancer. Thus, the mutation status should guide decision making for contralateral mastectomy. KW - contralateral breast cancer KW - BRCA1/2 negative KW - BRCA1 positive KW - BRCA2 positive Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135715 VL - 14 IS - 6 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Klingseisen, Laura A1 - Ehrenschwender, Martin A1 - Heigl, Ulrike A1 - Wajant, Harald A1 - Hehlgans, Thomas A1 - Schütze, Stefan A1 - Schneider-Brachert, Wulf T1 - E3-14.7K Is Recruited to TNF-Receptor 1 and Blocks TNF Cytolysis Independent from Interaction with Optineurin JF - PLoS One N2 - Escape from the host immune system is essential for intracellular pathogens. The adenoviral protein E3-14.7K (14.7K) is known as a general inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced apoptosis. It efficiently blocks TNF-receptor 1 (TNFR1) internalization but the underlying molecular mechanism still remains elusive. Direct interaction of 14.7K and/or associated proteins with the TNFR1 complex has been discussed although to date not proven. In our study, we provide for the first time evidence for recruitment of 14.7K and the 14.7K interacting protein optineurin to TNFR1. Various functions have been implicated for optineurin such as regulation of receptor endocytosis, vesicle trafficking, regulation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) pathway and antiviral signaling. We therefore hypothesized that binding of optineurin to 14.7K and recruitment of both proteins to the TNFR1 complex is essential for protection against TNF-induced cytotoxic effects. To precisely dissect the individual role of 14.7K and optineurin, we generated and characterized a 14.7K mutant that does not confer TNF-resistance but is still able to interact with optineurin. In H1299 and KB cells expressing 14.7K wild-type protein, neither decrease in cell viability nor cleavage of caspases was observed upon stimulation with TNF. In sharp contrast, cells expressing the non-protective mutant of 14.7K displayed reduced viability and cleavage of initiator and effector caspases upon TNF treatment, indicating ongoing apoptotic cell death. Knockdown of optineurin in 14.7K expressing cells did not alter the protective effect as measured by cell viability and caspase activation. Taken together, we conclude that optineurin despite its substantial role in vesicular trafficking, endocytosis of cell surface receptors and recruitment to the TNFR1 complex is dispensable for the 14.7K-mediated protection against TNF-induced apoptosis. KW - 14.7K KW - tumor necrosis factor KW - NF-kappa-B KW - E3 14.7-kilodalton protein KW - myosin-VI KW - apoptosis KW - cells KW - compartmentalization KW - inhibitor KW - binding Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135687 VL - 7 IS - 6 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Otto, Wolfgang A1 - Rubenwolf, Peter C. A1 - Burger, Maximilian A1 - Fritsche, Hans-Martin A1 - Rößler, Wolfgang A1 - May, Matthias A1 - Hartmann, Arndt A1 - Hofstädter, Ferdinand A1 - Wieland, Wolf F. A1 - Denzinger, Stefan T1 - Loss of aquaporin 3 protein expression constitutes an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival: an immunohistochemical study on stage pT1 urothelial bladder cancer JF - BMC Cancer N2 - Background: Treatment of patients with stage pT1 urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) continues to be a challenge due to its unpredictable clinical course. Reliable molecular markers that help to determine appropriate individual treatment are still lacking. Loss of aquaporin (AQP) 3 protein expression has previously been shown in muscle-invasive UBC. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of AQP3 protein expression with regard to the prognosis of stage pT1 UBC. Method: AQP 3 protein expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry in specimens of 87 stage T1 UBC patients, who were diagnosed by transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) and subsequent second resection at a high-volume urological centre between 2002 and 2009. Patients underwent adjuvant instillation therapy with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Loss of AQP3 protein expression was defined as complete absence of the protein within the whole tumour. Expression status was correlated retrospectively with clinicopathological and follow-up data (median: 31 months). Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to assess the value of AQP3 tumour expression with regard to recurrence-free (RFS), progression-free (PFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). RFS, PFS and CSS were calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Log rank test. Results: 59% of patients were shown to exhibit AQP3-positive tumours, whereas 41% of tumours did not express the marker. Loss of AQP3 protein expression was associated with a statistically significantly worse PFS (20% vs. 72%, p=0.020). This finding was confirmed by multivariate Cox regression analysis (HR 7.58, CI 1.29 - 44.68; p=0.025). Conclusions: Loss of AQP3 protein expression in pT1 UBC appears to play a key role in disease progression and is associated with worse PFS. Considering its potential prognostic value, assessment of AQP3 protein expression could be used to help stratify the behavior of patients with pT1 UBC. KW - urothelial bladder carcinoma KW - progression KW - transitional cell carcinoma KW - bacillus calmette guerin KW - water channels KW - follow up KW - in vitro KW - recurrence KW - growth KW - T1 KW - tumor KW - proliferation KW - stage pT1 KW - aquaporin 3 protein KW - immunohistochemistry Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135679 VL - 12 IS - 459 ER -