TY - JOUR A1 - Kotz, Frederik A1 - Risch, Patrick A1 - Arnold, Karl A1 - Sevim, Semih A1 - Puigmartí-Luis, Josep A1 - Quick, Alexander A1 - Thiel, Michael A1 - Hrynevich, Andrei A1 - Dalton, Paul D. A1 - Helmer, Dorothea A1 - Rapp, Bastian E. T1 - Fabrication of arbitrary three-dimensional suspended hollow microstructures in transparent fused silica glass JF - Nature Communications N2 - Fused silica glass is the preferred material for applications which require long-term chemical and mechanical stability as well as excellent optical properties. The manufacturing of complex hollow microstructures within transparent fused silica glass is of particular interest for, among others, the miniaturization of chemical synthesis towards more versatile, configurable and environmentally friendly flow-through chemistry as well as high-quality optical waveguides or capillaries. However, microstructuring of such complex three-dimensional structures in glass has proven evasive due to its high thermal and chemical stability as well as mechanical hardness. Here we present an approach for the generation of hollow microstructures in fused silica glass with high precision and freedom of three-dimensional designs. The process combines the concept of sacrificial template replication with a room-temperature molding process for fused silica glass. The fabricated glass chips are versatile tools for, among other, the advance of miniaturization in chemical synthesis on chip. KW - chemical engineering KW - fluidics KW - materials for optics Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-224787 VL - 10 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Knop, Janin A1 - Spilgies, Lisanne M. A1 - Rufli, Stefanie A1 - Reinhart, Ramona A1 - Vasilikos, Lazaros A1 - Yabal, Monica A1 - Owsley, Erika A1 - Jost, Philipp J. A1 - Marsh, Rebecca A. A1 - Wajant, Harald A1 - Robinson, Mark D. A1 - Kaufmann, Thomas A1 - W. Wei-Lynn, Wong T1 - TNFR2 induced priming of the inflammasome leads to a RIPK1-dependent cell death in the absence of XIAP JF - Cell Death & Disease N2 - The pediatric immune deficiency X-linked proliferative disease-2 (XLP-2) is a unique disease, with patients presenting with either hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) or intestinal bowel disease (IBD). Interestingly, XLP-2 patients display high levels of IL-18 in the serum even while in stable condition, presumably through spontaneous inflammasome activation. Recent data suggests that LPS stimulation can trigger inflammasome activation through a TNFR2/TNF/TNFR1 mediated loop in xiap−/− macrophages. Yet, the direct role TNFR2-specific activation plays in the absence of XIAP is unknown. We found TNFR2-specific activation leads to cell death in xiap−/− myeloid cells, particularly in the absence of the RING domain. RIPK1 kinase activity downstream of TNFR2 resulted in a TNF/TNFR1 cell death, independent of necroptosis. TNFR2-specific activation leads to a similar inflammatory NF-kB driven transcriptional profile as TNFR1 activation with the exception of upregulation of NLRP3 and caspase-11. Activation and upregulation of the canonical inflammasome upon loss of XIAP was mediated by RIPK1 kinase activity and ROS production. While both the inhibition of RIPK1 kinase activity and ROS production reduced cell death, as well as release of IL-1β, the release of IL-18 was not reduced to basal levels. This study supports targeting TNFR2 specifically to reduce IL-18 release in XLP-2 patients and to reduce priming of the inflammasome components. KW - cell death and immune response KW - inflammation Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-325946 VL - 10 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Knödler, Maren A1 - Körfer, Justus A1 - Kunzmann, Volker A1 - Trojan, Jörg A1 - Daum, Severin A1 - Schenk, Michael A1 - Kullmann, Frank A1 - Schroll, Sebastian A1 - Behringer, Dirk A1 - Stahl, Michael A1 - Al-Batran, Salah-Eddin A1 - Hacker, Ulrich A1 - Ibach, Stefan A1 - Lindhofer, Horst A1 - Lordick, Florian T1 - Randomised phase II trial to investigate catumaxomab (anti-EpCAM × anti-CD3) for treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients with gastric cancer JF - British Journal of Cancer N2 - Background Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) represents an unfavourable prognostic factor for patients with gastric cancer (GC). Intraperitoneal treatment with the bispecific and trifunctional antibody catumaxomab (EpCAM, CD3), in addition to systemic chemotherapy, could improve elimination of PC. Methods This prospective, randomised, phase II study investigated the efficacy of catumaxomab followed by chemotherapy (arm A, 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, docetaxel, FLOT) or FLOT alone (arm B) in patients with GC and PC. Primary endpoint was the rate of macroscopic complete remission (mCR) of PC at the time of second diagnostic laparoscopy/laparotomy prior to optional surgery. Results Median follow-up was 52 months. Out of 35 patients screened, 15 were allocated to arm A and 16 to arm B. mCR rate was 27% in arm A and 19% in arm B (p = 0.69). Severe side effects associated with catumaxomab were nausea, infection, abdominal pain, and elevated liver enzymes. Median progression-free (6.7 vs. 5.4 months, p = 0.71) and overall survival (13.2 vs. 13.0 months, p = 0.97) were not significantly different in both treatment arms. Conclusions Addition of catumaxomab to systemic chemotherapy was feasible and tolerable in advanced GC. Although the primary endpoint could not be demonstrated, results are promising for future investigations integrating intraperitoneal immunotherapy into a multimodal treatment strategy. KW - cancer immunotherapy KW - gastric cancer Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-325938 VL - 119 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kim, Bo-Mi A1 - Amores, Angel A1 - Kang, Seunghyun A1 - Ahn, Do-Hwan A1 - Kim, Jin-Hyoung A1 - Kim, Il-Chan A1 - Lee, Jun Hyuck A1 - Lee, Sung Gu A1 - Lee, Hyoungseok A1 - Lee, Jungeun A1 - Kim, Han-Woo A1 - Desvignes, Thomas A1 - Batzel, Peter A1 - Sydes, Jason A1 - Titus, Tom A1 - Wilson, Catherine A. A1 - Catchen, Julian M. A1 - Warren, Wesley C. A1 - Schartl, Manfred A1 - Detrich, H. William III A1 - Postlethwait, John H. A1 - Park, Hyun T1 - Antarctic blackfin icefish genome reveals adaptations to extreme environments JF - Nature Ecology & Evolution N2 - Icefishes (suborder Notothenioidei; family Channichthyidae) are the only vertebrates that lack functional haemoglobin genes and red blood cells. Here, we report a high-quality genome assembly and linkage map for the Antarctic blackfin icefish Chaenocephalus aceratus, highlighting evolved genomic features for its unique physiology. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that Antarctic fish of the teleost suborder Notothenioidei, including icefishes, diverged from the stickleback lineage about 77 million years ago and subsequently evolved cold-adapted phenotypes as the Southern Ocean cooled to sub-zero temperatures. Our results show that genes involved in protection from ice damage, including genes encoding antifreeze glycoprotein and zona pellucida proteins, are highly expanded in the icefish genome. Furthermore, genes that encode enzymes that help to control cellular redox state, including members of the sod3 and nqo1 gene families, are expanded, probably as evolutionary adaptations to the relatively high concentration of oxygen dissolved in cold Antarctic waters. In contrast, some crucial regulators of circadian homeostasis (cry and per genes) are absent from the icefish genome, suggesting compromised control of biological rhythms in the polar light environment. The availability of the icefish genome sequence will accelerate our understanding of adaptation to extreme Antarctic environments. KW - animal physiology KW - evolutionary genetics KW - genomics KW - ichthyology Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-325811 VL - 3 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kessler, Almuth F. A1 - Frömbling, Greta E. A1 - Gross, Franziska A1 - Hahn, Mirja A1 - Dzokou, Wilfrid A1 - Ernestus, Ralf-Ingo A1 - Löhr, Mario A1 - Hagemann, Carsten T1 - Effects of tumor treating fields (TTFields) on glioblastoma cells are augmented by mitotic checkpoint inhibition JF - Cell Death Discovery N2 - Tumor treating fields (TTFields) are approved for glioblastoma (GBM) therapy. TTFields disrupt cell division by inhibiting spindle fiber formation. Spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) inhibition combined with antimitotic drugs synergistically decreases glioma cell growth in cell culture and mice. We hypothesized that SAC inhibition will increase TTFields efficacy. Human GBM cells (U-87 MG, GaMG) were treated with TTFields (200 kHz, 1.7 V/cm) and/or the SAC inhibitor MPS1-IN-3 (IN-3, 4 µM). Cells were counted after 24, 48, and 72 h of treatment and at 24 and 72 h after end of treatment (EOT). Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, Annexin-V staining and TUNEL assay were used to detect alterations in cell cycle and apoptosis after 72 h of treatment. The TTFields/IN-3 combination decreased cell proliferation after 72 h compared to either treatment alone (−78.6% vs. TTFields, P = 0.0337; −52.6% vs. IN-3, P = 0.0205), and reduced the number of viable cells (62% less than seeded). There was a significant cell cycle shift from G1 to G2/M phase (P < 0.0001). The apoptotic rate increased to 44% (TTFields 14%, P = 0.0002; IN-3 4%, P < 0.0001). Cell growth recovered 24 h after EOT with TTFields and IN-3 alone, but the combination led to further decrease by 92% at 72 h EOT if IN-3 treatment was continued (P = 0.0288). The combination of TTFields and SAC inhibition led to earlier and prolonged effects that significantly augmented the efficacy of TTFields and highlights a potential new targeted multimodal treatment for GBM. Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-325744 VL - 4 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kästner, Niklas A1 - Richter, S. Helene A1 - Urbanik, Sarah A1 - Kunert, Joachim A1 - Waider, Jonas A1 - Lesch, Klaus-Peter A1 - Kaiser, Sylvia A1 - Sachser, Norbert T1 - Brain serotonin deficiency affects female aggression JF - Scientific Reports N2 - The neurotransmitter serotonin plays a key role in the control of aggressive behaviour. While so far most studies have investigated variation in serotonin levels, a recently created tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2) knockout mouse model allows studying effects of complete brain serotonin deficiency. First studies revealed increased aggressiveness in homozygous Tph2 knockout mice in the context of a resident-intruder paradigm. Focussing on females, this study aimed to elucidate effects of serotonin deficiency on aggressive and non-aggressive social behaviours not in a test situation but a natural setting. For this purpose, female Tph2 wildtype (n = 40) and homozygous knockout mice (n = 40) were housed with a same-sex conspecific of either the same or the other genotype in large terraria. The main findings were: knockout females displayed untypically high levels of aggressive behaviour even after several days of co-housing. Notably, in response to aggressive knockout partners, they showed increased levels of defensive behaviours. While most studies on aggression in rodents have focussed on males, this study suggests a significant involvement of serotonin also in the control of female aggression. Future research will show, whether the observed behavioural effects are directly caused by the lack of serotonin or by potential compensatory mechanisms. KW - animal behaviour KW - genetics of the nervous system KW - social behaviour Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-325386 VL - 9 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Joos, J. P. A1 - Saadatmand, A. R. A1 - Schnabel, C. A1 - Viktorinová, I. A1 - Brand, T. A1 - Kramer, M. A1 - Nattel, S. A1 - Dobrev, D. A1 - Tomancak, P. A1 - Backs, J. A1 - Kleinbongard, P. A1 - Heusch, G. A1 - Lorenz, K. A1 - Koch, E. A1 - Weber, S. A1 - El-Armouche, A. T1 - Ectopic expression of S28A-mutated Histone H3 modulates longevity, stress resistance and cardiac function in Drosophila JF - Scientific Reports N2 - Histone H3 serine 28 (H3S28) phosphorylation and de-repression of polycomb repressive complex (PRC)-mediated gene regulation is linked to stress conditions in mitotic and post-mitotic cells. To better understand the role of H3S28 phosphorylation in vivo, we studied a Drosophila strain with ectopic expression of constitutively-activated H3S28A, which prevents PRC2 binding at H3S28, thus mimicking H3S28 phosphorylation. H3S28A mutants showed prolonged life span and improved resistance against starvation and paraquat-induced oxidative stress. Morphological and functional analysis of heart tubes revealed smaller luminal areas and thicker walls accompanied by moderately improved cardiac function after acute stress induction. Whole-exome deep gene-sequencing from isolated heart tubes revealed phenotype-corresponding changes in longevity-promoting and myotropic genes. We also found changes in genes controlling mitochondrial biogenesis and respiration. Analysis of mitochondrial respiration from whole flies revealed improved efficacy of ATP production with reduced electron transport-chain activity. Finally, we analyzed posttranslational modification of H3S28 in an experimental heart failure model and observed increased H3S28 phosphorylation levels in HF hearts. Our data establish a critical role of H3S28 phosphorylation in vivo for life span, stress resistance, cardiac and mitochondrial function in Drosophila. These findings may pave the way for H3S28 phosphorylation as a putative target to treat stress-related disorders such as heart failure. KW - cardiac hypertrophy KW - epigenetics KW - heart failure Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-323637 VL - 8 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Izquierdo, Manuel A1 - Karolak, Michael A1 - Prabhakaran, Dharmalingam A1 - Boothroyd, Andrew T. A1 - Scherz, Andreas O. A1 - Lichtenstein, Alexander A1 - Molodtsov, Serguei L. T1 - Monitoring ultrafast metallization in LaCoO3 with femtosecond soft x-ray spectroscopy JF - Communications Physics N2 - The study of ultrafast dynamics is a new tool to understand and control the properties of correlated oxides. By enhancing some properties and realizing new dynamically excited phrases, this tool has opened new routes for technological applications. LaCoO3 is one paradigmatic example where the strong electron, spin, and lattice coupling induced by electronic correlations results in a low-temperature spin transition and a high-temperature semiconductor-to-metal transition that is still not completely understood. Here, we monitor ultrafast metallization in LaCoO3 using time-resolved soft x-ray reflectivity experiments. While the process is entangled at the Co L3 edge, the time information of the different channels is decrypted at different resonant energies of the O K edge. Metallization is shown to occur via transient electronic, spin, and lattice separation. Our results agree with the thermodynamical model and demonstrate the potential of femtosecond soft x-ray experiments at the O K edge to understand correlated oxides. KW - electronic properties and materials KW - magnetic properties and materials Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-323265 VL - 2 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hommers, L. G. A1 - Richter, J. A1 - Yang, Y. A1 - Raab, A. A1 - Baumann, C. A1 - Lang, K. A1 - Schiele, M. A. A1 - Weber, H. A1 - Wittmann, A. A1 - Wolf, C. A1 - Alpers, G. W. A1 - Arolt, V. A1 - Domschke, K. A1 - Fehm, L. A1 - Fydrich, T. A1 - Gerlach, A. A1 - Gloster, A. T. A1 - Hamm, A. O. A1 - Helbig-Lang, S. A1 - Kircher, T. A1 - Lang, T. A1 - Pané-Farré, C. A. A1 - Pauli, P. A1 - Pfleiderer, B. A1 - Reif, A. A1 - Romanos, M. A1 - Straube, B. A1 - Ströhle, A. A1 - Wittchen, H.-U. A1 - Frantz, S. A1 - Ertl, G. A1 - Lohse, M. J. A1 - Lueken, U. A1 - Deckert, J. T1 - A functional genetic variation of SLC6A2 repressor hsa-miR-579-3p upregulates sympathetic noradrenergic processes of fear and anxiety JF - Translational Psychiatry N2 - Increased sympathetic noradrenergic signaling is crucially involved in fear and anxiety as defensive states. MicroRNAs regulate dynamic gene expression during synaptic plasticity and genetic variation of microRNAs modulating noradrenaline transporter gene (SLC6A2) expression may thus lead to altered central and peripheral processing of fear and anxiety. In silico prediction of microRNA regulation of SLC6A2 was confirmed by luciferase reporter assays and identified hsa-miR-579-3p as a regulating microRNA. The minor (T)-allele of rs2910931 (MAFcases = 0.431, MAFcontrols = 0.368) upstream of MIR579 was associated with panic disorder in patients (pallelic = 0.004, ncases = 506, ncontrols = 506) and with higher trait anxiety in healthy individuals (pASI = 0.029, pACQ = 0.047, n = 3112). Compared to the major (A)-allele, increased promoter activity was observed in luciferase reporter assays in vitro suggesting more effective MIR579 expression and SLC6A2 repression in vivo (p = 0.041). Healthy individuals carrying at least one (T)-allele showed a brain activation pattern suggesting increased defensive responding and sympathetic noradrenergic activation in midbrain and limbic areas during the extinction of conditioned fear. Panic disorder patients carrying two (T)-alleles showed elevated heart rates in an anxiety-provoking behavioral avoidance test (F(2, 270) = 5.47, p = 0.005). Fine-tuning of noradrenaline homeostasis by a MIR579 genetic variation modulated central and peripheral sympathetic noradrenergic activation during fear processing and anxiety. This study opens new perspectives on the role of microRNAs in the etiopathogenesis of anxiety disorders, particularly their cardiovascular symptoms and comorbidities. KW - clinical genetics KW - psychiatric disorders Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-322497 VL - 8 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Holzinger, Steffen A1 - Schneider, Christian A1 - Höfling, Sven A1 - Porte, Xavier A1 - Reitzenstein, Stephan T1 - Quantum-dot micropillar lasers subject to coherent time-delayed optical feedback from a short external cavity JF - Scientific Reports N2 - We investigate the mode-switching dynamics of an electrically driven bimodal quantum-dot micropillar laser when subject to delayed coherent optical feedback from a short external cavity. We experimentally characterize how the external cavity length, being on the same order than the microlaser’s coherence length, influences the spectral and dynamical properties of the micropillar laser. Moreover, we determine the relaxation oscillation frequency of the micropillar by superimposing optical pulse injection to a dc current. It is found that the optical pulse can be used to disturb the feedback-coupled laser within one roundtrip time in such a way that it reaches the same output power as if no feedback was present. Our results do not only expand the understanding of microlasers when subject to optical feedback from short external cavities, but pave the way towards tailoring the properties of this key nanophotonic system for studies in the quantum regime of self-feedback and its implementation to integrated photonic circuits. KW - nanophotonics and plasmonics KW - photonic devices KW - quantum dots KW - semiconductor lasers Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-322485 VL - 9 ER -