@phdthesis{Zink2023, author = {Zink, Christoph}, title = {Biochemische und strukturbiologische Charakterisierung der Inhibition der Pyridoxal 5´-Phosphat Phosphatase durch 7,8-Dihydroxyflavon}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-25151}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-251511}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Die Pyridoxal-5'-Phosphat Phosphatase (PDXP), auch bekannt als Chronophin (CIN), ist eine HAD-Phosphatase, die beim Menschen ubiquit{\"a}r exprimiert wird und eine entscheidende Rolle im zellul{\"a}ren Vitamin-B6-Metabolismus einnimmt. PDXP ist in der Lage Pyridoxal-5'-Phosphat (PLP), die co-enzymatisch aktive Form von Vitamin B6, zu dephosphorylieren. In-vivo Studien mit M{\"a}usen zeigten, dass die Abwesenheit von PDXP mit verbesserten kognitiven Leistungen und einem verringerten Wachstum von Hirntumoren assoziiert ist. Dies begr{\"u}ndet die gezielte Suche nach einem pharmakologischen Inhibitor f{\"u}r PDXP. Ein Hochdurchsatz-Screen legte nahe, dass 7,8-Dihydroxyflavon (7,8-DHF) hierf{\"u}r ein potenzieller Kandidat ist. Zahlreiche Studien beschreiben bereits vielf{\"a}ltige positive neurologische Effekte nach in-vivo Administration von 7,8-DHF, allerdings bleibt der genaue Wirkmechanismus umstritten und wird bis dato nicht mit PDXP in Zusammenhang gebracht. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Inhibition von PDXP durch 7,8-DHF n{\"a}her zu charakterisieren und damit einen Beitrag zur Beantwortung der Frage zu leisten, ob PDXP an den 7,8-DHF-induzierten Effekten beteiligt ist. Hierzu wurde der Effekt von 7,8-DHF auf die enzymatische Aktivit{\"a}t von rekombinant hergestelltem, gereinigtem PDXP in in-vitro Phosphatase-Assays charakterisiert. Um die Selektivit{\"a}t von 7,8-DHF gegen{\"u}ber PDXP zu untersuchen, wurden f{\"u}nf weitere HAD-Phosphatasen getestet. Unter den analysierten Phosphatasen zeigte einzig die dem PDXP nah verwandte Phosphoglykolat Phosphatase (PGP) eine geringer ausgepr{\"a}gte Sensitivit{\"a}t gegen 7,8-DHF. Ein Vergleich von 7,8-DHF mit sechs strukturell verwandten, hydroxylierten Flavonen zeigte, dass 7,8-DHF unter den getesteten Substanzen die h{\"o}chste Potenz und Effektivit{\"a}t aufwies. Außerdem wurde eine Co-Kristallisation von PDXP mit 7,8-DHF durchgef{\"u}hrt, deren Struktur bis zu einer Aufl{\"o}sung von 2,0 {\AA} verfeinert werden konnte. Die in der Kristallstruktur identifizierte Bindungsstelle von 7,8-DHF an PDXP wurde mittels verschiedener, neu generierter PDXP-Mutanten enzymkinetisch best{\"a}tigt. Zusammenfassend zeigen die hier beschriebenen Ergebnisse, dass 7,8-DHF ein direkter, selektiver und vorwiegend kompetitiver Inhibitor der PDXP-Aktivit{\"a}t ist, mit einer IC50 im submikromolaren Bereich. Die Ergebnisse dieser in-vitro Untersuchungen motivieren zu weiterer Forschung bez{\"u}glich der 7,8-DHF-vermittelten Inhibition der PDXP-Aktivit{\"a}t in Zellen, um die Frage beantworten zu k{\"o}nnen, ob PDXP auch in-vivo ein relevantes Target f{\"u}r 7,8-DHF darstellt.}, subject = {Pyridoxalphosphat}, language = {de} } @article{ZilligPauliWieseretal.2023, author = {Zillig, Anna-Lena and Pauli, Paul and Wieser, Matthias and Reicherts, Philipp}, title = {Better safe than sorry? - On the influence of learned safety on pain perception}, series = {PloS One}, volume = {18}, journal = {PloS One}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0289047}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-349905}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The experience of threat was found to result—mostly—in increased pain, however it is still unclear whether the exact opposite, namely the feeling of safety may lead to a reduction of pain. To test this hypothesis, we conducted two between-subject experiments (N = 94; N = 87), investigating whether learned safety relative to a neutral control condition can reduce pain, while threat should lead to increased pain compared to a neutral condition. Therefore, participants first underwent either threat or safety conditioning, before entering an identical test phase, where the previously conditioned threat or safety cue and a newly introduced visual cue were presented simultaneously with heat pain stimuli. Methodological changes were performed in experiment 2 to prevent safety extinction and to facilitate conditioning in the first place: We included additional verbal instructions, increased the maximum length of the ISI and raised CS-US contingency in the threat group from 50\% to 75\%. In addition to pain ratings and ratings of the visual cues (threat, safety, arousal, valence, and contingency), in both experiments, we collected heart rate and skin conductance. Analysis of the cue ratings during acquisition indicate successful threat and safety induction, however results of the test phase, when also heat pain was administered, demonstrate rapid safety extinction in both experiments. Results suggest rather small modulation of subjective and physiological pain responses following threat or safety cues relative to the neutral condition. However, exploratory analysis revealed reduced pain ratings in later trials of the experiment in the safety group compared to the threat group in both studies, suggesting different temporal dynamics for threat and safety learning and extinction, respectively. Perspective: The present results demonstrate the challenge to maintain safety in the presence of acute pain and suggest more research on the interaction of affective learning mechanism and pain processing.}, language = {en} } @article{ZiebellRodriguesForsteretal.2023, author = {Ziebell, Philipp and Rodrigues, Johannes and Forster, Andr{\´e} and Sanguinetti, Joseph L. and Allen, John JB. and Hewig, Johannes}, title = {Inhibition of midfrontal theta with transcranial ultrasound explains greater approach versus withdrawal behavior in humans}, series = {Brain Stimulation}, volume = {16}, journal = {Brain Stimulation}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1016/j.brs.2023.08.011}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-349890}, pages = {1278-1288}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Highlights • Transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation/stimulation (TUS) is a growing field. • We conducted a double-blind sham-controlled within-subjects large sample TUS study. • Right prefrontal cortex TUS inhibits midfrontal theta electroencephalography (MFT). • TUS MFT inhibition explains greater approach versus withdrawal in a virtual T-maze. • This distinct TUS-MFT-behavior link merits future basic and applied research. Abstract Recent reviews highlighted low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (TUS) as a promising new tool for non-invasive neuromodulation in basic and applied sciences. Our preregistered double-blind within-subjects study (N = 152) utilized TUS targeting the right prefrontal cortex, which, in earlier work, was found to positively enhance self-reported global mood, decrease negative states of self-reported emotional conflict (anxiety/worrying), and modulate related midfrontal functional magnetic resonance imaging activity in affect regulation brain networks. To further explore TUS effects on objective physiological and behavioral variables, we used a virtual T-maze task that has been established in prior studies to measure motivational conflicts regarding whether participants execute approach versus withdrawal behavior (with free-choice responses via continuous joystick movements) while allowing to record related electroencephalographic data such as midfrontal theta activity (MFT). MFT, a reliable marker of conflict representation on a neuronal level, was of particular interest to us since it has repeatedly been shown to explain related behavior, with relatively low MFT typically preceding approach-like risky behavior and relatively high MFT typically preceding withdrawal-like risk aversion. Our central hypothesis is that TUS decreases MFT in T-maze conflict situations and thereby increases approach and reduces withdrawal. Results indicate that TUS led to significant MFT decreases, which significantly explained increases in approach behavior and decreases in withdrawal behavior. This study expands TUS evidence on a physiological and behavioral level with a large sample size of human subjects, suggesting the promise of further research based on this distinct TUS-MFT-behavior link to influence conflict monitoring and its behavioral consequences. Ultimately, this can serve as a foundation for future clinical work to establish TUS interventions for emotional and motivational mental health.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Zhou2023, author = {Zhou, Yang}, title = {The Exploitation of Opsin-based Optogenetic Tools for Application in Higher Plants}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23696}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-236960}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The discovery, heterologous expression, and characterization of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) - a light-sensitive cation channel found in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii - led to the success of optogenetics as a powerful technology, first in neuroscience. ChR2 was employed to induce action potentials by blue light in genetically modified nerve cells. In optogenetics, exogenous photoreceptors are expressed in cells to manipulate cellular activity. These photoreceptors were in the beginning mainly microbial opsins. During nearly two decades, many microbial opsins and their mutants were explored for their application in neuroscience. Until now, however, the application of optogenetics to plant studies is limited to very few reports. Several optogenetic strategies for plant research were demonstrated, in which most attempts are based on non-opsin optogenetic tools. Opsins need retinal (vitamin A) as a cofactor to generate the functional protein, the rhodopsin. As most animals have eyes that contain animal rhodopsins, they also have the enzyme - a 15, 15'-Dioxygenase - for retinal production from food-supplied provitamin A (beta-carotene). However, higher plants lack a similar enzyme, making it difficult to express functional rhodopsins successfully in plants. But plant chloroplasts contain plenty of beta-carotene. I introduced a gene, coding for a 15, 15'-Dioxygenase with a chloroplast target peptide, to tobacco plants. This enzyme converts a molecule of β-carotene into two of all-trans-retinal. After expressing this enzyme in plants, the concentration of all-trans-retinal was increased greatly. The increased retinal concentration led to increased expression of several microbial opsins, tested in model higher plants. Unfortunately, most opsins were observed intracellularly and not in the plasma membrane. To improve their localization in the plasma membrane, some reported signal peptides were fused to the N- or C-terminal end of opsins. Finally, I helped to identify three microbial opsins -- GtACR1 (a light-gated anion channel), ChR2 (a light-gated cation channel), PPR (a light-gated proton pump) which express and work well in the plasma membrane of plants. The transgene plants were grown under red light to prevent activation of the expressed opsins. Upon illumination with blue or green light, the activation of these opsins then induced the expected change of the membrane potential, dramatically changing the phenotype of plants with activated rhodopsins. This study is the first which shows the potential of microbial opsins for optogenetic research in higher plants, using the ubq10 promoter for ubiquitous expression. I expect this to be just the beginning, as many different opsins and tissue-specific promoters for selective expression now can be tested for their usefulness. It is further to be expected that the here established method will help investigators to exploit more optogenetic tools and explore the secrets, kept in the plant kingdom.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Zhang2023, author = {Zhang, Yanxiang}, title = {The Making of a Place: Topographical Literature on West Lake by Tian Rucheng (b. 1501) and Zhang Dai (b. 1597)}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-32759}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-327590}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {This dissertation explores the local gazetteers of West Lake that were compiled by literati of the Ming dynasty. In 1547, the first West Lake gazetteer was published by the local literatus of Hangzhou, Tian Rucheng 田汝成. In the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, accompanying the huge enthusiasm for West Lake and the flourishing of its tourism, the production of West Lake gazetteers reached its peak. This trend, however, was reduced by the turmoils in the last years of the Ming and the dynastic transition, a period when West Lake had also experienced destruction. Nevertheless, the practice was resumed in the first decades of the Qing dynasty by some literati who had survived the disasters. One prominent work of this period was compiled by the Ming loyalist and "remnant subject" Zhang Dai 張岱, who wrote an author's preface in 1671. This dissertation can be divided into two parts. The first part focuses on the editorial principles of compilers, e.g., which materials are included, how they are organized and presented. It explores various possible intentions of the compilers, such as scholarly and documentary, practical and oriented toward tour-guiding, didactic and educational, and personal and nostalgic ones. The second part focuses on some of the perceptions, attitudes, and values of literati focusing on West Lake. The discourses analyzed in this part include West Lake as a hybrid between metropolitan city and sheer wilderness, as a national symbol and object of nostalgia of the lost dynasty, and as a place of pleasure-seeking and indulgence. While a discourse often had a long tradition and historical development, the emphasis of the study is on the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, i.e., the late Ming.}, language = {en} } @misc{Zhang2023, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Zhang, Shenxishuai}, title = {Conflicts and Anxieties over Money in Late Ming Vernacular Stories}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-31673}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-316733}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The present study discusses money and conflicts and anxiety over money in late Ming vernacular stories and contextualizes these stories in the contemporary society of economic prosperity and rapid changes. The high monetization and extensive use of silver and copper cash as currency brought both wealth and conflicts in various aspects of society. Eleven vernacular stories from several collections are adopted as source materials for the close examination, including Jingshi tongyan (Stories to Caution the World, 1624) and Xingshi hengyan (Stories to Awaken the World, 1627) by Feng Menglong (1574-1646) and the two Pai'an jingqi (Slapping the Table in Amazement, 1628 and 1632) collections by Ling Mengchu (1580-1644), etc. The analysis then focuses on the relationship between money and four topics, the late Ming context, social relations, gender ideals, and religion. Multiple voices and various viewpoints in these narratives show human beings' struggles in taming and dominating money, the increasingly familiar and essential object in everyday life. Generally, when people cannot control money properly, there is a fear of its detrimental power to humans and social relations within and beyond families. On the contrary, characters, who are able to control money, are praised.}, subject = {Geld}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Zeumer2023, author = {Zeumer, Karolina}, title = {Die Rolle dendritischer Zellen beim isch{\"a}mischen Schlaganfall}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30258}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-302580}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Ziel dieser Studie war es, zu untersuchen, ob dendritische Zellen eine Rolle beim isch{\"a}mischen Schlaganfall spielen. Zur Beantwortung dieser Fragestellung wurde ein Mausmodell gew{\"a}hlt, in dem es nach Administration von Diphterietoxin zur selektiven Depletion CD11c positiver Zellen kommt (C.FVB-Tg(Itgax-DTR/EGFP)57Lan/J). Hierbei wird der Diphterietoxinrezeptor unter dem CD11c Promotor (ITGAX) exprimiert. Aufgrund der Wiederherstellung dendritischer Zellen nach ca. 24 Stunden waren wiederholte Applikationen von Diphterietoxin notwendig. Die Zusammensetzung anderer Immunzellen wurde dabei im Wesentlichen nicht ge{\"a}ndert. F{\"u}r eine Schlaganfallinduktion wurde eine tMCAO (transient middle cerebral artery occlusion) durchgef{\"u}hrt. Hierbei wird durch Okklusion der A. cerebri media mittels Verschlussfilament f{\"u}r 30 oder 60 Minuten ein Schlaganfall im Mediastromgebiet induziert. Es wurden unterschiedliche Verschlusszeiten, Zeitpunkte und Depletionsraten untersucht. In keinem der Versuchsans{\"a}tze kam es zu einer signifikanten Ver{\"a}nderung des Schlaganfallvolumens nach Depletion CD11c positiver Zellen. Mittels quantitativer real-time PCR wurde die Expression unterschiedlicher Zytokine nach tMCAO und CD11c-Depletion untersucht. An Tag 1 nach Schlaganfallinduktion und hoher Depletionsrate ergab sich eine Verminderung der Expression von IL-1β und IL-6, w{\"a}hrend an Tag 3 und niedriger Depletionsrate die Expression dieser Zytokine nach CD11c-Depletion zunahm. Grund hierf{\"u}r k{\"o}nnte die Expression dieser Zytokine durch andere Zellen des Immunsystems, wie etwa neutrophile Granulozyten oder Mikroglia/Makrophagen sein, die m{\"o}glicherweise einer regulatorischen Funktion durch die Interaktion von Dendritischen Zellen und regulatorischen T-Zellen unterliegen. Weitere experimentelle Ans{\"a}tze sind notwendig, um diese Fragestellung beantworten zu k{\"o}nnen. TGF-β zeigte durchgehend in allen Versuchsanordnungen eine verminderte Expression nach der Depletion dendritischer Zellen. Es ist naheliegend, dass dieses neuroprotektiv-regulatorische Zytokin direkt einer Produktion durch dendritische Zellen oder von nachfolgend aktivierten T-Zellen unterliegt. In immunhistochemischen Studien konnte des Weiteren keine {\"A}nderung des Immigrationsverhaltens von CD11b+ Zellen ins Gehirn gesehen werden. Diese Studie unterliegt jedoch einigen Limitationen. So stellte sich im Laufe der Experimente heraus, dass die wiederholte Applikation von Diphterietoxin zu einer erh{\"o}hten Mortalit{\"a}t der Versuchstiere f{\"u}hrte. Nach Fertigstellung der Experimente erschien hierzu eine Publikation, welche die wiederholte Administration von DTX und die Entwicklung einer Myokarditis im gew{\"a}hlten Mausmodell in Zusammenhang brachte.}, subject = {Schlaganfall}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Zeller2023, author = {Zeller, Laura}, title = {Auditorisches Hirnstamm-Implantat bei Neurofibromatose Typ 2: Charakteristika der elektrisch evozierten auditorischen Potentiale und deren Bedeutung f{\"u}r den H{\"o}rerfolg}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30337}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-303373}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Auditorische Hirnstammimplantate (ABI stellen die einzige Option der H{\"o}rrehabilitation bei bilateraler retrocochle{\"a}rer Ertaubung dar. Die Implantate sind insbesondere in ihrer gr{\"o}ßten Nutzergruppe - Neurofibromatose Typ 2 Patienten - f{\"u}r ihr sehr variables H{\"o}rergebnis bekannt. Die Evozierbarkeit und die Qualit{\"a}t der intraoperativ abgeleiteten elektrisch evozierten auditorischen Hirnstammantworten wird als m{\"o}glicher Einflussfaktor auf das Outcome diskutiert. Bisher gelten weder f{\"u}r die Frage des Einsatzes an sich, noch f{\"u}r die Methodik oder die Analyse und Bewertung der EABR in der ABI-Chirurgie einheitliche Konzepte. Ziel dieser Studie ist die detaillierte Analyse der intraoperativ registrierten EABR w{\"a}hrend ABI-Implantation bei NF2-Patienten. Zudem stellt Beurteilung der H{\"o}rfunktion mit ABI bei NF2-Patienten stellt aufgrund oftmals begleitender Symptomatik der Grunderkrankung eine besondere Herausforderung dar. Sprachtests allein spiegeln die H{\"o}rfunktion in dieser Patientengruppe nicht immer umfassend wider. Die in dieser Studie angewendete W{\"u}rzburger Skala f{\"u}r Implantat-H{\"o}ren soll dieser Problematik gerecht werden, indem Ergebnisse eines etablierten Sprachtests mit der klinischen Kommunikationsf{\"a}higkeit kombiniert werden. Zusammenfassung der Hauptergebnisse: Nach intraoperativer Stimulation mittels ABI zeigten sich EABR-Antworten mit null bis 3 Vertex-positiven Peaks (P1, P2, P3), welche in dieser Kohorte im Mittel nach 0,42 ms (P1), 1,43 ms (P2) bzw. 2,40 ms (P3) auftraten. Eine 2-Peak Wellenform war in dieser Studie die am h{\"a}ufigsten beobachtete Morphologie (78,8\%). Bei der Stimulation unterschiedlicher Elektrodenkontakte zeigten sich Unterschiede in der EABR-Wellenmorphologie. Alle Antworten konnten in eine der f{\"u}nf Kategorien der W{\"u}rzburger EABR-Klassifikation eingeordnet werden. F{\"u}r die Latenz von P2 konnte eine statistisch signifikante Korrelation mit der Tumorausdehnung nach Hannover Klassifikation gezeigt werden. Die Einstufung des H{\"o}rergebnisses mit ABI in NF2 nach Ergebnis im MTP-Test und nach Kommunikationsf{\"a}higkeit im Alltag unterschied sich in 7 von 22 F{\"a}llen (31,2\%) um eine Kategorie. Bei der Einordnung in die W{\"u}rzburger Skala f{\"u}r Implantat-H{\"o}ren zeigte sich nach Diskussion der divergenten F{\"a}lle in 2 F{\"a}llen die Kategorisierung zugunsten des Ergebnisses im MTP-Test und in 5 F{\"a}llen zugunsten des Ergebnisses der Kommunikationsf{\"a}higkeit im Alltag. N{\"u}tzliches H{\"o}ren mit ABI konnte in 95,5\% der Patienten gezeigt werden, davon erzielten 68,2\% Sprachverst{\"a}ndnis. Die Ausl{\"o}sbarkeit reproduzierbarer intraoperativer EABRs konnte in 95,5\% H{\"o}rverm{\"o}gen hervorsagen.}, subject = {Neurofibromatose}, language = {de} } @article{ZeinerSchroederMetzneretal.2023, author = {Zeiner, Carsten and Schr{\"o}der, Malte and Metzner, Selina and Herrmann, Johannes and Notz, Quirin and Hottenrott, Sebastian and R{\"o}der, Daniel and Meybohm, Patrick and Lepper, Philipp M. and Lotz, Christopher}, title = {High-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy during refractory COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome: a retrospective observational study}, series = {BMC Pulmonary Medicine}, volume = {23}, journal = {BMC Pulmonary Medicine}, doi = {10.1186/s12890-023-02664-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-357231}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Background Current COVID-19 guidelines recommend the early use of systemic corticoids for COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It remains unknown if high-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy (MPT) ameliorates refractory COVID-19 ARDS after many days of mechanical ventilation or rapid deterioration with or without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Methods This is a retrospective observational study. Consecutive patients with COVID-19 ARDS treated with a parenteral high-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy at the intensive care units (ICU) of two University Hospitals between January 1st 2021 and November 30st 2022 were included. Clinical data collection was at ICU admission, start of MPT, 3-, 10- and 14-days post MPT. Results Thirty-seven patients (mean age 55 ± 12 years) were included in the study. MPT started at a mean of 17 ± 12 days after mechanical ventilation. Nineteen patients (54\%) received ECMO support when commencing MPT. Mean paO2/FiO2 significantly improved 3- (p = 0.034) and 10 days (p = 0.0313) post MPT. The same applied to the necessary FiO2 10 days after MPT (p = 0.0240). There were no serious infectious complications. Twenty-four patients (65\%) survived to ICU discharge, including 13 out of 20 (65\%) needing ECMO support. Conclusions Late administration of high-dose MPT in a critical subset of refractory COVID-19 ARDS patients improved respiratory function and was associated with a higher-than-expected survival of 65\%. These data suggest that high-dose MPT may be a viable salvage therapy in refractory COVID-19 ARDS.}, language = {en} } @article{ZeigermannEttelt2023, author = {Zeigermann, Ulrike and Ettelt, Stefanie}, title = {Spanning the boundaries between policy, politics and science to solve wicked problems: policy pilots, deliberation fora and policy labs}, series = {Sustainability Science}, volume = {18}, journal = {Sustainability Science}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1007/s11625-022-01187-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-324806}, pages = {809-821}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Current crises have highlighted the importance of integrating research, politics and practice to work on solutions for complex social problems. In recent years, policy deliberation fora, policy pilots and policy labs have increasingly been deployed to mobilise science to produce solutions, help create popular support and guide implementation of policies addressing major public policy problems. Yet, we know little about how these approaches manage to transcend the boundaries between research, politics and practice. By systematically comparing policy deliberation fora, policy pilots and policy labs, this paper explores their mechanisms of boundary spanning including relationship and trust building, knowledge translation and developing solutions. We situate our analysis in healthcare policy and climate change policy in Germany, two contrasting policy fields that share a perpetual and escalating sense of crisis. Our findings suggest that deliberation fora, policy pilots and policy labs address different dilemmas of policymaking, namely the idea dilemma, the implementation dilemma and the legitimacy dilemma. All three approaches reduce wicked problems to a manageable scale, by grounding them in local decision-making, reducing their scope or reducing the problem analytically. We argue that despite their ambition to modernise democratic practices, unless they are institutionally well embedded, their effects are likely to be small scale, local and temporary.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Zapf2023, author = {Zapf, Ludwig}, title = {Novel Borane- and Phosphorane- Functionalized Anionic Carbene Ligands}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-32078}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-320781}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) are utilized for the stabilization of reactive compounds, for the activation of strong bonds, and as ligands in transition metal chemistry. In contrast to neutral NHCs, few examples of anionic or even dianionic NHCs are known. One approach for the synthesis of anionic carbenes is the deprotonation of neutral or anionic precursors, bearing Lewis acids instead of alkyl or aryl substituents. Following this strategy, novel anionic and dianionic NHCs, featuring weakly coordinating fluorinated borane and phosphorane substituents or coordinating tricyanoborane substituents were synthesized within the scope of this thesis. These carbenes possess unprecedented stabilities compared to related species. Furthermore, their electronic and steric properties can be directly adjusted by the type of Lewis acid attached. Their potential as ligands with highly shielding weakly coordinating substituents next to the carbene coordination center was demonstrated by the syntheses of the respective NHC selenium adducts and NHC gold(I) complexes. In contrast anionic NHCs with coordinating tricyanoborane moieties have an outstanding potential as ditopic ligands with coordination being possible at the carbene center and via the cyano groups. Their beneficial ligand properties were demonstrated by the syntheses of the respective NHC selenium adducts and NHC nickeltricarbonyl complexes. The combination of electronic properties, the large buried volume, the negative charge, the possibility to act as ditopic or ligands with weakly coordinating groups, and the ease of accessibility render borane- and phosphorane functionalized NHCs unique novel ligands. A further project of this PhD thesis deals with the steric properties of Lewis acids. Therefore, an easy-to-apply model was designed to quantify the steric demand of Lewis acids. Using the results of this evaluation, a second model was developed which judges the steric repulsion in Lewis acid/base adduct formation for arbitrary sets of acids and bases.}, subject = {Komplexe}, language = {en} } @article{Zakaria2023, author = {Zakaria, Nevine Nizar}, title = {Assessing the working practices and the inclusive programs to students with disabilities in the Egyptian museums}, series = {Frontiers in Education}, volume = {8}, journal = {Frontiers in Education}, issn = {2504-284X}, doi = {10.3389/feduc.2023.1111695}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-319848}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Following the implementation of 2018's laws on the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Egypt, students with disabilities (SWDs) have both legal and moral rights to meaningful learning opportunities and inclusive education. Despite that, SWDs still have very limited education resources which limit their career aspirations and quality of life. In this respect, education whether as part of formal education or lifelong learning is central to the museum's mission. Museums, as part of non-formal education, are being acknowledged for their educative powers and investments in the development of quality formal, non-formal, and informal learning experiences. Further, phrases such as "inclusivity," "accessibility," and "diversity" were notably included in the newly approved museum definition by ICOM (2022) emphasizing museums' obligations to embrace societal issues and shape a cultural attitude concerning disability rights, diversity, and equality together with overcoming exclusionary educational practices. The study seeks to investigate the existing resources and inclusive practices in Egyptian museums to achieve non-formal education for SWDs. Qualitative research approaches have been employed to answer a specific question: How can Egyptian museums work within their governing systems to support the learning of SWDs beyond their formal education system? The study aims to assess the potential of Egyptian museums in facilitating learning for SWDs. Further, it examines the capability of Egyptian museums in contributing to informal and non-formal learning for SWDs and striving for inclusive education inspired by the social model of disability that fosters inclusive educational programs and adopts a human rights-based approach. The results revealed that Egyptian museums contributed to the learning of SWDs, yet small-scale programs and individual efforts, but they are already engaged in active inclusive practices that address the learning of SWDs. The study suggests that they need to be acknowledged and supported by the government as state instruments and direct actors in advancing inclusive education and implementing appropriate pedagogies in favor of SWDs.}, language = {en} } @article{ZaitsevaHoffmannLoestetal.2023, author = {Zaitseva, Olena and Hoffmann, Annett and L{\"o}st, Margaretha and Anany, Mohamed A. and Zhang, Tengyu and Kucka, Kirstin and Wiegering, Armin and Otto, Christoph and Wajant, Harald}, title = {Antibody-based soluble and membrane-bound TWEAK mimicking agonists with FcγR-independent activity}, series = {Frontiers in Immunology}, volume = {14}, journal = {Frontiers in Immunology}, doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2023.1194610}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-323116}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-inducible 14 (Fn14) activates the classical and alternative NFκB (nuclear factor 'kappa-light-chain-enhancer' of activated B-cells) signaling pathway but also enhances tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced cell death. Fn14 expression is upregulated in non-hematopoietic cells during tissue injury and is also often highly expressed in solid cancers. In view of the latter, there were and are considerable preclinical efforts to target Fn14 for tumor therapy, either by exploiting Fn14 as a target for antibodies with cytotoxic activity (e.g. antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)-inducing IgG variants, antibody drug conjugates) or by blocking antibodies with the aim to interfere with protumoral Fn14 activities. Noteworthy, there are yet no attempts to target Fn14 with agonistic Fc effector function silenced antibodies to unleash the proinflammatory and cell death-enhancing activities of this receptor for tumor therapy. This is certainly not at least due to the fact that anti-Fn14 antibodies only act as effective agonists when they are presented bound to Fcγ receptors (FcγR). Thus, there are so far no antibodies that robustly and selectively engage Fn14 signaling without triggering unwanted FcγR-mediated activities. In this study, we investigated a panel of variants of the anti-Fn14 antibody 18D1 of different valencies and domain architectures with respect to their inherent FcγR-independent ability to trigger Fn14-associated signaling pathways. In contrast to conventional 18D1, the majority of 18D1 antibody variants with four or more Fn14 binding sites displayed a strong ability to trigger the alternative NFκB pathway and to enhance TNF-induced cell death and therefore resemble in their activity soluble (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), one form of the natural occurring ligand of Fn14. Noteworthy, activation of the classical NFκB pathway, which naturally is predominately triggered by membrane-bound TWEAK but not soluble TWEAK, was preferentially observed with a subset of constructs containing Fn14 binding sites at opposing sites of the IgG scaffold, e.g. IgG1-scFv fusion proteins. A superior ability of IgG1-scFv fusion proteins to trigger classical NFκB signaling was also observed with the anti-Fn14 antibody PDL192 suggesting that we identified generic structures for Fn14 antibody variants mimicking soluble and membrane-bound TWEAK.}, language = {en} } @article{ZaitsevaAnanyWajantetal.2023, author = {Zaitseva, Olena and Anany, Mohamed and Wajant, Harald and Lang, Isabell}, title = {Basic characterization of antibodies targeting receptors of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily}, series = {Frontiers in Immunology}, volume = {14}, journal = {Frontiers in Immunology}, doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2023.1115667}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-311407}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Many new immunotherapeutic approaches aim on the stimulatory targeting of receptors of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) using antibodies with intrinsic or conditional agonism. There is an initial need to characterize corresponding TNFRSF receptor (TNFR)-targeting antibodies with respect to affinity, ligand binding, receptor activation and the epitope recognized. Here, we report a collection of simple and matched protocols enabling the detailed investigation of these aspects by help of Gaussia princeps luciferase (GpL) fusion proteins and analysis of interleukin-8 (IL8) production as an easily measurable readout of TNFR activation. In a first step, the antibodies and antibody variants of interest are transiently expressed in human embryonal kidney 293 cells, either in non-modified form or as fusion proteins with GpL as a reporter domain. The supernatants containing the antibody-GpL fusion proteins can then be used without further purification in cell-free and/or cellular binding studies to determine affinity. Similarly, binding studies with mutated TNFR variants enable the characterization of the antibody binding site within the TNFR ectodomain. Furthermore, in cellular binding studies with GpL fusion proteins of soluble TNFL molecules, the ability of the non-modified antibody variants to interfere with TNFL-TNFR interaction can be analyzed. Last but not least, we describe a protocol to determine the intrinsic and the Fc gamma receptor (FcγR)-dependent agonism of anti-TNFR antibodies which exploits i) the capability of TNFRs to trigger IL8 production in tumor cell lines lacking expression of FcγRs and ii) vector- and FcγR-transfected cells, which produce no or only very low amounts of human IL8. The presented protocols only require standard molecular biological equipment, eukaryotic cell culture and plate readers for the quantification of luminescent and colorimetric signals.}, language = {en} } @article{ZacherWollankaSaueretal.2023, author = {Zacher, Magdalena and Wollanka, Nele and Sauer, Christina and Haßtenteufel, Kathrin and Wallwiener, Stephanie and Wallwiener, Markus and Maatouk, Imad}, title = {Prenatal paternal depression, anxiety, and somatic symptom burden in different risk samples: an explorative study}, series = {Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics}, volume = {307}, journal = {Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1007/s00404-022-06612-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-324465}, pages = {1255-1263}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Purpose Growing evidence implies that transition to parenthood triggers symptoms of mental burden not only in women but likewise in men, especially in high-risk pregnancies. This is the first study that examined and compared the prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptom burden of expectant fathers who face different risk situations during pregnancy. Methods Prevalence rates of paternal depression (Edinburgh postnatal depression scale), anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder seven), and somatic symptom burden (somatic symptom scale eight) were examined in two risk samples and one control group in the third trimester of their partners' pregnancy: risk sample I (n = 41) consist of expectant fathers whose partners were prenatally hospitalized due to medical complications; risk sample II (n = 52) are fathers whose partners were prenatally mentally distressed; and control group (n = 70) are those non-risk pregnancies. Results On a purely descriptive level, the data display a trend of higher symptom burden of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms in the two risk samples, indicating that expectant fathers, whose pregnant partners were hospitalized or suffered prenatal depression, were more prenatally distressed. Exploratory testing of group differences revealed an almost three times higher prevalence rate of anxiety in fathers whose partner was hospitalized (12.2\%) compared to those non-risks (4.3\%). Conclusion Results underline the need for screening implementations for paternal prenatal psychological distress, as well as specific prevention and treatment programs, especially for fathers in risk situations, such as their pregnant partners' prenatal hospitalization. The study was registered with the German clinical trials register (DRKS00020131) on 2019/12/09.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Yuan2023, author = {Yuan, Xidi}, title = {Aging and inflammation in the peripheral nervous system}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23737}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-237378}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Aging is known to be a risk factor for structural abnormalities and functional decline in the nervous system. Characterizing age-related changes is important to identify putative pathways to overcome deleterious effects and improve life quality for the elderly. In this study, the peripheral nervous system of 24-month-old aged C57BL/6 mice has been investigated and compared to 12-month-old adult mice. Aged mice showed pathological alterations in their peripheral nerves similar to nerve biopsies from elderly human individuals, with nerve fibers showing demyelination and axonal damage. Such changes were lacking in nerves of adult 12-month-old mice and adult, non-aged humans. Moreover, neuromuscular junctions of 24-month-old mice showed increased denervation compared to adult mice. These alterations were accompanied by elevated numbers of macrophages in the peripheral nerves of aged mice. The neuroinflammatory conditions were associated with impaired myelin integrity and with a decline of nerve conduction properties and muscle strength in aged mice. To determine the pathological impact of macrophages in the aging mice, macrophage depletion was performed in mice by oral administration of CSF-1R specific kinase (c-FMS) inhibitor PLX5622 (300 mg/kg body weight), which reduced the number of macrophages in the peripheral nerves by 70\%. The treated mice showed attenuated demyelination, less muscle denervation and preserved muscle strength. This indicates that macrophage-driven inflammation in the peripheral nerves is partially responsible for the age-related neuropathy in mice. Based on previous observations that systemic inflammation can accelerate disease progression in mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases, it was hypothesized that systemic inflammation can exacerbate the peripheral neuropathy found in aged mice. To investigate this hypothesis, aged C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 500 μg/kg body weight) to induce systemic inflammation by mimicking bacterial infection, mostly via activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Altered endoneurial macrophage activation, highlighted by Trem2 downregulation, was found in LPS injected aged mice one month after injection. This was accompanied by a so far rarely observed form of axonal perturbation, i.e., the occurrence of "dark axons" characterized by a damaged cytoskeleton and an increased overall electron density of the axoplasm. At the same time, however, LPS injection reduced demyelination and muscle denervation in aged mice. Interestingly, TREM2 deficiency in aged mice led to similar changes to LPS injection. This suggests that LPS injection likely mitigates aging-related demyelination and muscle denervation via Trem2 downregulation. Taken together, this study reveals the role of macrophage-driven inflammation as a pathogenic mediator in age-related peripheral neuropathy, and that targeting macrophages might be an option to mitigate peripheral neuropathies in aging individuals. Furthermore, this study shows that systemic inflammation may be an ambivalent modifier of age-related nerve damage, leading to a distinct type of axonal perturbation, but in addition to functionally counteracting, dampened demyelination and muscle denervation. Translationally, it is plausible to assume that tipping the balance of macrophage polarization to one direction or the other may determine the functional outcome in the aging peripheral nervous system of the elderly.}, subject = {Maus}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{YuStrzelczyk2023, author = {Yu-Strzelczyk, Jing}, title = {Generation and Characterization of novel proteins for light-activated hyperpolarization of cell membranes}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-26675}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-266752}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The light-gated cation channel Channelrhodopsin-2 was discovered and characterized in 2003. Already in 2005/2006 five independent groups demonstrated that heterologous expression of Channelrhodopsin-2 is a highly useful and simply applicable method for depolarizing and thereby activating nerve cells. The application of Channelrhodopsin-2 revolutionized neuroscience research and the method was then called optogenetics. In recent years more and more light-sensitive proteins were successfully introduced as "optogenetic tools", not only in neuroscience. Optogenetic tools for neuronal excitation are well developed with many different cation-conducting wildtype and mutated channelrhodopsins, whereas for inhibition of neurons in the beginning (2007) only hyperpolarizing ion pumps were available. The later discovered light-activated anion channels (anion channelrhodopsins) can be useful hyperpolarizers, but only at low cytoplasmic anion concentration. For this thesis, I optimized CsR, a proton-pumping rhodopsin from Coccomyxa subellipsoidea, which naturally shows a robust expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes and plant leaves. I improved the expression and therefore the photocurrent of CsR about two-fold by N-terminal modification to the improved version CsR2.0, without altering the proton pump function and the action spectrum. A light pulse hyperpolarised the mesophyll cells of CsR2.0-expressing transgenic tobacco plants (N. tabacum) by up to 20 mV from the resting membrane potential of -150 to -200 mV. The robust heterologous expression makes CsR2.0 a promising optogenetic tool for hyperpolarization in other organisms as well. A single R83H point-mutation converted CsR2.0 into a light-activated (passive) proton channel with a reversal potential close to the Nernst potential for intra-/extra-cellular H+ concentration. This light-gated proton channel is expected to become a further useful optogenetic tool, e.g. for analysis of pH-regulation in cells or the intercellular space. Ion pumps as optogenetic tools require high expression levels and high light intensity for efficient pump currents, whereas long-term illumination may cause unwanted heating effects. Although anion channelrhodopsins are effective hyperpolarizing tools in some cases, their effect on neuronal activity is dependent on the cytoplasmic chloride concentration which can vary among neurons. In nerve cells, increased conductance for potassium terminates the action potential and K+ conductance underlies the resting membrane potential in excitable cells. Therefore, several groups attempted to synthesize artificial light-gated potassium channels but 2 all of these published innovations showed serious drawbacks, ranging from poor expression over lacking reversibility to poor temporal precision. A highly potassium selective light-sensitive silencer of action potentials is needed. To achieve this, I engineered a light-activated potassium channel by the genetic fusion of a photoactivated adenylyl cyclase, bPAC, and a cAMP-gated potassium channel, SthK. Illumination activates bPAC to produce cAMP and the elevated cAMP level opens SthK. The slow diffusion and degradation of cAMP makes this construct a very light-sensitive, long-lasting inhibitor. I have successfully developed four variants with EC50 to cAMP ranging from 7 over 10, 21, to 29 μM. Together with the original fusion construct (EC50 to cAMP is 3 μm), there are five different light- (or cAMP-) sensitive potassium channels for researchersto choose, depending on their cell type and light intensity needs.}, subject = {Proteine}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Yin2023, author = {Yin, Jing}, title = {Progressive alterations of pro- and antidegeneration markers in the nigrostriatal tract of the AAV1/2-A53T-α synuclein rat model of Parkinson's disease}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-26064}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-260645}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Neurodegeneration plays an essential role in Parkinson's disease (PD). Several crucial neuronal pro-and antidegeneration markers were described to be altered in disease models accompanied by neurodegeneration. In the AAV1/2-A53T-aSyn PD rat model progressive time-dependent motor impairment and neurodegeneration in the nigrostriatal tract starting from 2 weeks after PD model induction could be found. Downregulation of Nrf2 in SN and nigrostriatal axon localization, a trend of Tau downregulation in SN and upregulation in axon localization in the AAV1/2-A53T-aSyn PD rat model were observed, indicating potential therapeutic value of these two molecular targets in PD. No alterations of SARM1 and NMNAT2 could be detected, indicating little relevance of these two molecules with our AAV1/2-A53T-aSyn rat model.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Ye2023, author = {Ye, Liqing}, title = {RNA-RNA interactions in viral genome packaging}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-29636}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-296361}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {RNA is one of the most abundant macromolecules and plays essential roles in numerous biological processes. This doctoral thesis consists of two projects focusing on RNA structure and RNA-RNA interactions in viral genome packaging. In the first project I developed a method called Functional Analysis of RNA Structure (FARS-seq) to investigate structural features regulating genome dimerization within the HIV-1 5'UTR. Genome dimerization is a conserved feature of retroviral replication and is thought to be a prerequisite for binding to the viral structural protein Pr55Gag during genome packaging. It also plays a role in genome integrity and evolution through recombination, and is linked to a structural switch that may regulate genome packaging and translation within cells. Despite its importance for HIV-1 replication, the RNA signals regulating genome dimerization, and the molecular mechanism leading to the selection of the genome dimer over the monomer for packaging are incompletely understood. The FARS-seq method combines RNA structural information obtained by chemical probing with single nucleotide resolution profiles of RNA function obtained by mutational interference. In this way, we found nucleotides that were critical for dimerization, especially within the well-characterized dimerization motif within stem-loop 1 (SL1). We also found stretches of nucleotides that enhanced genome dimerization upon mutation, suggesting their role in negatively regulating dimerization. A structural analysis identified distinct structural signatures within monomeric and dimeric RNA. The dimeric conformation displayed the canonical transactivation response (TAR), PolyA, primer binding site (PBS), and SL1-SL3 stem-loops, and contained a long range U5-AUG interaction. Unexpectedly, in monomeric RNA, SL1 was reconfigured into long- and short-range base-pairings with PolyA and PBS, respectively. Intriguingly, these base pairings concealed the palindromic sequence needed for dimerization and disrupted the internal loop in SL1 previously shown to contain the major packaging motif for Pr55Gag. We therefore rationally introduced mutations into PolyA and PBS, and showed how these regions regulate genome dimerization, and the binding of Pr55Gag in vitro, as well as genome packaging into virions. These findings give insights into late stages of the HIV-1 life cycle and a mechanistic explanation for the link between RNA dimerization and packaging. In the second project, I developed a proximity ligation and high-throughput sequencing-based method, RNA-RNA seq, which can measure direct (RNA-RNA) and indirect (protein-mediated) interactions. In contrast to existing methods, RNA-RNA seq is not limited by specific protein or RNA baits, nor to a particular crosslinking reagent. The genome of influenza A virus contains eight segments, which assemble into a "7+1" supramolecular complex. However, the molecular details of genome assembly are poorly understood. Our goal is to use RNA-RNA seq to identify the sites of interaction between the eight genomic RNAs of influenza, and to use this information to define the quaternary RNA architecture of the genome. We showed that RNA-RNA seq worked on model substrates, like the HIV-1 Dimerization Initiation Site (DIS) RNA and purified ribosome, as well as influenza A virus infected cells.}, subject = {RNS-Viren}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Yang2023, author = {Yang, Weiyue}, title = {Population Policy and Governance at the Local Level - A Qualitative Research of the Implementation of the Universal Two-Child Policy in China}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-31305}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-313052}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The universal two-child policy was introduced by the central government of China in 2016 to respond to the country's deteriorating population problems, but it was soon replaced by a three-child policy in 2021 given that it failed to continuously boost fertility in Chinese society. This dissertation empirically investigates the implementation of universal two-child policy in three Chinese major cities. Based on the data collected through semi-structured interviews with leaders of local family planning agencies, it finds that local officials are primarily devoted to coping with the discontent of the bereaved single-child parents (shidu families), which is an unexpected consequence of the historical one-child policy, rather than working on the tasks regarding birth encouragement. The dissertation suggests understanding the implementation of China's population policy within the framework of both historical and rational choice institutionalism. The target responsibility system as an effective tool of the central authority drives local agents to fix their attention at tasks that have larger impact on their career. The shifted focus in the implementation of the universal two-child policy is a result of local officials' emphasis on the task of maintaining social stability. Shidu families are deemed as a salient threat to social order because their discontent with the state support has incurred continuous petitions at both the national and local level, which would severely undermine local officials' career advancement. However, in the meantime, stability maintenance is found to have become alienated as reflected by the rising costs and that it replaced birth support to be the focus of local family planning agents in the universal two-child policy era. Since the conflict between the shidu group and the state is unlikely to be resolved, the future population policy design and enforcement will continue to be constrained by the shidu problem.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Yang2023, author = {Yang, Mengshi}, title = {Synthesis, solubility and optical activity of chiral poly(2,4- disubstituted-2-oxazoline)s}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-32242}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-322429}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Motivated by the perceived great potential of chiral polymers, the presented work aimed at the investigation of synthesis, solubility and optical activity of chiral poly(2,4-disubstituted-2-oxazoline)s. A novel polymeric carrier based on ABA-type triblock copolymers poly(2-oxazoline)s with chiral and racemic hydrophobic blocks was developed for the formulation of chiral and achiral drugs (Fig. 5.1). Poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (pMeOx) was used as hydrophilic A block, and poly(2-ethyl-4-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (pEtEtOx) and poly(2-propyl-4-methyl-2-oxazoline) (pPrMeOx) were used as hydrophobic B blocks. Curcumin (CUR), paclitaxel (PTX) and chiral/racemic ibuprofen (R/S/RS-IBU) were applied as model drugs. Nanoformulations were prepared consisting of these triblock copolymers and model drugs. ...}, language = {en} } @article{XuFahmyGarciaWesdorpetal.2023, author = {Xu, Jietao and Fahmy-Garcia, Shorouk and Wesdorp, Marinus A. and Kops, Nicole and Forte, Lucia and De Luca, Claudio and Misciagna, Massimiliano Maraglino and Dolcini, Laura and Filardo, Giuseppe and Labbert{\´e}, Margot and Vanc{\´i}kov{\´a}, Karin and Kok, Joeri and van Rietbergen, Bert and Nickel, Joachim and Farrell, Eric and Brama, Pieter A. J. and van Osch, Gerjo J. V. M.}, title = {Effectiveness of BMP-2 and PDGF-BB adsorption onto a collagen/collagen-magnesium-hydroxyapatite scaffold in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing osteochondral defect bone repair: in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo evaluation}, series = {Journal of Functional Biomaterials}, volume = {14}, journal = {Journal of Functional Biomaterials}, number = {2}, issn = {2079-4983}, doi = {10.3390/jfb14020111}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-304019}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Despite promising clinical results in osteochondral defect repair, a recently developed bi-layered collagen/collagen-magnesium-hydroxyapatite scaffold has demonstrated less optimal subchondral bone repair. This study aimed to improve the bone repair potential of this scaffold by adsorbing bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and/or platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) onto said scaffold. The in vitro release kinetics of BMP-2/PDGF-BB demonstrated that PDGF-BB was burst released from the collagen-only layer, whereas BMP-2 was largely retained in both layers. Cell ingrowth was enhanced by BMP-2/PDFG-BB in a bovine osteochondral defect ex vivo model. In an in vivo semi-orthotopic athymic mouse model, adding BMP-2 or PDGF-BB increased tissue repair after four weeks. After eight weeks, most defects were filled with bone tissue. To further investigate the promising effect of BMP-2, a caprine bilateral stifle osteochondral defect model was used where defects were created in weight-bearing femoral condyle and non-weight-bearing trochlear groove locations. After six months, the adsorption of BMP-2 resulted in significantly less bone repair compared with scaffold-only in the femoral condyle defects and a trend to more bone repair in the trochlear groove. Overall, the adsorption of BMP-2 onto a Col/Col-Mg-HAp scaffold reduced bone formation in weight-bearing osteochondral defects, but not in non-weight-bearing osteochondral defects.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Xiao2023, author = {Xiao, Yin}, title = {Lack of NFATc1 SUMOylation prevents autoimmunity and alloreactivity}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-32105}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-321054}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {SUMOylation, as a post-translational modification, plays a crucial role in several biological processes. Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins can be reversibly linked to the lysine residues located within specific motifs on numerous target proteins, leading to the change of stability, localization, activity of target proteins, mostly by promoting or interfering with the interaction with other molecules. Consequently, it can regulate gene transcription, migration, cell cycle progression, cellular responses to stress, and tumorigenesis. NFATc1 belongs to the Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cells (NFAT) transcription factor family, which is dephosphorylated and translocates to the nucleus upon cell stimulation, which provokes Ca2+ signalling. NFAT plays a crucial role in the development and function of the immune system. NFATc1 has three SUMOylation sites at the position of aa 349, 702, and 914. In our previous study, we demonstrated that point mutations performed on the SUMOylation sites on all three or only at the lysine residues K702 and K914 lead to enhanced expression of IL-2 in vitro. To evaluate the function of SUMOylation of NFATc1 on T cell-mediated immunity in vivo, we not only generated a transgenic mouse strain (NFATc1/ΔS+ mouse) by point mutations from Lysine to Arginine on the two SUMOylation sites within exon 10 of Nfatc1 to prevent their SUMOylation, but in combination created another mouse strain (NFATc1/ΔBC+ mouse) that is completely Nfatc1 exon 10-ablated by using the LoxP/Cre system. In NFATc1/ΔS+ T cells, we observed enhanced IL-2 production and less IL-17A and IFN-γ expression. In line with exon 10 bearing the relevant SUMO sites, NFATc1/ΔBC+ CD4+ T cells behaved similarly as NFATc1/ΔS+ ones. The mechanism is that elevated IL-2 secretion can counteract the expression of IL-17A and IFN-γ via STAT5 and Blimp-1 induction. Afterwards, Blimp-1 suppressed IL-2 itself as well as Bcl2A1. Next, we performed two disease models with our NFATc1/ΔS+ mice. In a major mismatch model for acute graft-versus-host disease, we found that the mice transplanted with NFATc1/ΔS+ CD3+ T cells developed less severe disease, and T cells proliferated less due to increased Tregs. Moreover, when transferring 2D2.NFATc1/ΔS+ Th1 plus Th17 cells to Rag1-/- mice to induce experimental autoimmune encephalitis, we also observed ameliorated disease compared to animals with transferred WT T cells as well as increased Tregs. Taking all data together, the deficiency in SUMOylation of NFATc1 leads to an elevated IL-2 secretion in T cells and subsequent activation of STAT5, which competes with STAT3 to inhibit IL-17A production and promotes Treg expansion, as well as to an enforcement of Blimp-1 expression, which suppresses IFN-γ and IL-2 expression. Consequently and despite a short phase of enhanced IL-2 secretion, the deficiency of SUMOylation on NFATc1 can protect from autoreactive and alloreactive diseases. Moreover, to further understand the function of SUMOylation of NFATc1 in humans, we started by establishing an in vitro 3D culture system for tonsil organoids, which was successful in the presence of feeder cells, along with IL-4 and IL-7 cytokines. To confirm that our 3D tonsil organoids can respond to real antigens, we used CMV peptides and peptides of spike proteins from Covid-19 as real antigens, and co-cultured with tonsil organoids, which indeed can generate memory cells and plasmablasts. In the end, we also compared 3D to 2D cultures. Although the total numbers of all B cell subsets were much less in 3D culture than that in 2D culture, still, it indicates that this in-vitro culture system has its limitation, while being usable to produce the similar results as 2D did. Therefore, this 3D culture system can be used as a platform to investigate NFATc1/ΔS+ or NFATc1/ΔBC+ TFH and TFR cells in the dynamic of human GC responses.}, language = {en} } @article{WuenschRiesHeinzelmannetal.2023, author = {W{\"u}nsch, Anna Chiara and Ries, Elena and Heinzelmann, Sina and Frabschka, Andrea and Wagner, Peter Christoph and Rauch, Theresa and Koderer, Corinna and El-Mesery, Mohamed and Volland, Julian Manuel and K{\"u}bler, Alexander Christian and Hartmann, Stefan and Seher, Axel}, title = {Metabolic silencing via methionine-based amino acid restriction in head and neck cancer}, series = {Current Issues in Molecular Biology}, volume = {45}, journal = {Current Issues in Molecular Biology}, number = {6}, issn = {1467-3045}, doi = {10.3390/cimb45060289}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-319257}, pages = {4557 -- 4573}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In recent years, various forms of caloric restriction (CR) and amino acid or protein restriction (AAR or PR) have shown not only success in preventing age-associated diseases, such as type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, but also potential for cancer therapy. These strategies not only reprogram metabolism to low-energy metabolism (LEM), which is disadvantageous for neoplastic cells, but also significantly inhibit proliferation. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common tumour types, with over 600,000 new cases diagnosed annually worldwide. With a 5-year survival rate of approximately 55\%, the poor prognosis has not improved despite extensive research and new adjuvant therapies. Therefore, for the first time, we analysed the potential of methionine restriction (MetR) in selected HNSCC cell lines. We investigated the influence of MetR on cell proliferation and vitality, the compensation for MetR by homocysteine, the gene regulation of different amino acid transporters, and the influence of cisplatin on cell proliferation in different HNSCC cell lines.}, language = {en} } @article{WoersdoerferErguen2023, author = {W{\"o}rsd{\"o}rfer, Philipp and Erg{\"u}n, S{\"u}leyman}, title = {"Organoids": insights from the first issues}, series = {Organoids}, volume = {2}, journal = {Organoids}, number = {2}, issn = {2674-1172}, doi = {10.3390/organoids2020006}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-313694}, pages = {79 -- 81}, year = {2023}, abstract = {No abstract available}, language = {en} } @article{WuZhaoHochreinetal.2023, author = {Wu, Hao and Zhao, Xiufeng and Hochrein, Sophia M. and Eckstein, Miriam and Gubert, Gabriela F. and Kn{\"o}pper, Konrad and Mansilla, Ana Maria and {\"O}ner, Arman and Doucet-Ladev{\`e}ze, Remi and Schmitz, Werner and Ghesqui{\`e}re, Bart and Theurich, Sebastian and Dudek, Jan and Gasteiger, Georg and Zernecke, Alma and Kobold, Sebastian and Kastenm{\"u}ller, Wolfgang and Vaeth, Martin}, title = {Mitochondrial dysfunction promotes the transition of precursor to terminally exhausted T cells through HIF-1α-mediated glycolytic reprogramming}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {14}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-023-42634-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-358052}, year = {2023}, abstract = {T cell exhaustion is a hallmark of cancer and persistent infections, marked by inhibitory receptor upregulation, diminished cytokine secretion, and impaired cytolytic activity. Terminally exhausted T cells are steadily replenished by a precursor population (Tpex), but the metabolic principles governing Tpex maintenance and the regulatory circuits that control their exhaustion remain incompletely understood. Using a combination of gene-deficient mice, single-cell transcriptomics, and metabolomic analyses, we show that mitochondrial insufficiency is a cell-intrinsic trigger that initiates the functional exhaustion of T cells. At the molecular level, we find that mitochondrial dysfunction causes redox stress, which inhibits the proteasomal degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and promotes the transcriptional and metabolic reprogramming of Tpex cells into terminally exhausted T cells. Our findings also bear clinical significance, as metabolic engineering of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells is a promising strategy to enhance the stemness and functionality of Tpex cells for cancer immunotherapy.}, language = {en} } @article{WoznickiLaquaAlHajetal.2023, author = {Woznicki, Piotr and Laqua, Fabian Christopher and Al-Haj, Adam and Bley, Thorsten and Baeßler, Bettina}, title = {Addressing challenges in radiomics research: systematic review and repository of open-access cancer imaging datasets}, series = {Insights into Imaging}, volume = {14}, journal = {Insights into Imaging}, issn = {1869-4101}, doi = {10.1186/s13244-023-01556-w}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-357936}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Objectives Open-access cancer imaging datasets have become integral for evaluating novel AI approaches in radiology. However, their use in quantitative analysis with radiomics features presents unique challenges, such as incomplete documentation, low visibility, non-uniform data formats, data inhomogeneity, and complex preprocessing. These issues may cause problems with reproducibility and standardization in radiomics studies. Methods We systematically reviewed imaging datasets with public copyright licenses, published up to March 2023 across four large online cancer imaging archives. We included only datasets with tomographic images (CT, MRI, or PET), segmentations, and clinical annotations, specifically identifying those suitable for radiomics research. Reproducible preprocessing and feature extraction were performed for each dataset to enable their easy reuse. Results We discovered 29 datasets with corresponding segmentations and labels in the form of health outcomes, tumor pathology, staging, imaging-based scores, genetic markers, or repeated imaging. We compiled a repository encompassing 10,354 patients and 49,515 scans. Of the 29 datasets, 15 were licensed under Creative Commons licenses, allowing both non-commercial and commercial usage and redistribution, while others featured custom or restricted licenses. Studies spanned from the early 1990s to 2021, with the majority concluding after 2013. Seven different formats were used for the imaging data. Preprocessing and feature extraction were successfully performed for each dataset. Conclusion RadiomicsHub is a comprehensive public repository with radiomics features derived from a systematic review of public cancer imaging datasets. By converting all datasets to a standardized format and ensuring reproducible and traceable processing, RadiomicsHub addresses key reproducibility and standardization challenges in radiomics. Critical relevance statement This study critically addresses the challenges associated with locating, preprocessing, and extracting quantitative features from open-access datasets, to facilitate more robust and reliable evaluations of radiomics models. Key points - Through a systematic review, we identified 29 cancer imaging datasets suitable for radiomics research. - A public repository with collection overview and radiomics features, encompassing 10,354 patients and 49,515 scans, was compiled. - Most datasets can be shared, used, and built upon freely under a Creative Commons license. - All 29 identified datasets have been converted into a common format to enable reproducible radiomics feature extraction.}, language = {en} } @article{WohnradeVellingMixetal.2023, author = {Wohnrade, Camilla and Velling, Ann-Kathrin and Mix, Lucas and Wurster, Claudia D. and Cordts, Isabell and Stolte, Benjamin and Zeller, Daniel and Uzelac, Zeljko and Platen, Sophia and Hagenacker, Tim and Deschauer, Marcus and Lingor, Paul and Ludolph, Albert C. and Lul{\´e}, Doroth{\´e}e and Petri, Susanne and Osmanovic, Alma and Schreiber-Katz, Olivia}, title = {Health-related quality of life in spinal muscular atrophy patients and their caregivers — a prospective, cross-sectional, multi-center analysis}, series = {Brain Sciences}, volume = {13}, journal = {Brain Sciences}, number = {1}, issn = {2076-3425}, doi = {10.3390/brainsci13010110}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-305048}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a disabling disease that affects not only the patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but also causes a high caregiver burden (CGB). The aim of this study was to evaluate HRQoL, CGB, and their predictors in SMA. In two prospective, cross-sectional, and multi-center studies, SMA patients (n = 39) and SMA patient/caregiver couples (n = 49) filled in the EuroQoL Five Dimension Five Level Scale (EQ-5D-5L) and the Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36). Caregivers (CGs) additionally answered the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Patients were clustered into two groups with either low or high HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L index value <0.259 or >0.679). The latter group was mostly composed of ambulatory type III patients with higher motor/functional scores. More severely affected patients reported low physical functioning but good mental health and vitality. The CGB (mean ZBI = 22/88) correlated negatively with patients' motor/functional scores and age. Higher CGB was associated with a lower HRQoL, higher depression and anxiety, and more health impairments of the CGs. We conclude that patient and CG well-being levels interact closely, which highlights the need to consider the health of both parties while evaluating novel treatments.}, language = {en} } @incollection{Wohlfahrt2023, author = {Wohlfahrt, Saskia}, title = {Rethinking Cultural Studies: From the Role of the Intellectual to Transnational Feminism}, series = {Global Cultural Studies? Engaged Scholarship between National and Transnational Frames}, booktitle = {Global Cultural Studies? Engaged Scholarship between National and Transnational Frames}, editor = {Jetter, Tobias}, publisher = {W{\"u}rzburg University Press}, address = {W{\"u}rzburg}, doi = {10.25972/WUP-978-3-95826-207-2-159}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-305935}, publisher = {W{\"u}rzburg University Press}, pages = {159-170}, year = {2023}, abstract = {No abstract available.}, subject = {Kulturwissenschaften}, language = {en} } @article{WobserGoebeler2023, author = {Wobser, Marion and Goebeler, Matthias}, title = {Special Issue "Cutaneous Lymphomas"}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {15}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {5}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers15051481}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-304180}, year = {2023}, abstract = {No abstract available}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Wobbe2023, author = {Wobbe, Christina}, title = {Hochaufgel{\"o}ste Mikroskopie mittels strukturierter Beleuchtung zur altersabh{\"a}ngigen Akkumulation autofluoreszierender Granula im retinalen Pigmentepithel des Menschen}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-32149}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-321490}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Die Technik der strukturierten Beleuchtungsmikroskopie (structured illumination microscopy, SIM) ist eine etablierte ultrastrukturelle Aufnahmemethode, die der hochaufl{\"o}senden Visualisierung intrazellul{\"a}rer Strukturen dient. In der Ophthalmologie findet diese Art der Bildgebung bisher wenig Anwendung. SIM erm{\"o}glicht die histologische Darstellung retinaler Strukturen, wie der Zellen des humanen retinalen Pigmentepithels (RPE). In den Zellen des RPE reichern sich Granula an, die f{\"u}r die Autofluoreszenz-Bildgebung von Bedeutung sind. Anhand der Morphologie und autofluoreszierenden Merkmale lassen sich grunds{\"a}tzlich drei Granulatypen im RPE unterscheiden: Melanosomen (M), Melanolipofuszin (ML)- und Lipofuszin (L)-Granula. Die Anwendung der SIM erm{\"o}glicht die pr{\"a}zise Darstellung und Differenzierung dieser autofluoreszierenden Strukturen, sowie die Bestimmung ihrer Anzahl und Lokalisation. Ziel der Arbeit ist die Darstellung der im humanen RPE lokalisierten Granula mithilfe der SIM. Anhand der unterschiedlichen Autofluoreszenz (AF) der Granula k{\"o}nnen diese innerhalb des RPE-Zellk{\"o}rpers klassifiziert, sowie deren Anzahl und Dichte analysiert werden. Diese Analyse wird in Altersgruppen und Retinalokalisationen differenziert. Zudem sind direkte Vergleiche zwischen der Histologie (SIM, ex vivo) und klinischen Aufnahmen (Fundusautofluoreszenz, in vivo) kaum existent. Durch Ermittlung der Gesamt-AF pro Zelle in Korrelation zu der intrazellul{\"a}ren Granuladichte und -verteilung soll eine neue Interpretationsebene erm{\"o}glicht werden. Diese Arbeit soll helfen anhand der gewonnenen Daten die Stoffwechselmechanismen der Retina und deren Einfluss auf die Fundusautofluoreszenz (FAF) besser verstehen zu k{\"o}nnen. Sie soll insbesondere dazu beitragen bestehende und neue klinische FAF-Bildgebungsverfahren zu validieren, die Diagnostik pathologischer Prozesse der Retina zu optimieren und sowohl eine m{\"o}glichst fr{\"u}he Erkennung als auch pr{\"a}zise Prognostik zu erm{\"o}glichen. Zudem sollen die Daten eine belastbare Basis darstellen, um die mit einem hohen Zeitaufwand verbundene manuelle Zellanalyse einer geschulten k{\"u}nstlichen Intelligenz zu {\"u}berlassen. Damit k{\"o}nnte der Analyseprozess von Gewebeproben immens beschleunigt werden und in seiner Effizienz maximiert werden.}, subject = {Netzhaut}, language = {de} } @article{WitteArrowsmithLamprechtetal.2023, author = {Witte, Robert and Arrowsmith, Merle and Lamprecht, Anna and Schorr, Fabian and Krummenacher, Ivo and Braunschweig, Holger}, title = {C-C and C-N Bond Activation, Lewis-Base Coordination and One- and Two-Electron Oxidation at a Linear Aminoborylene}, series = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, volume = {29}, journal = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, number = {16}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202203663}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-312491}, year = {2023}, abstract = {A cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene (CAAC)-stabilized dicoordinate aminoborylene is synthesized by the twofold reduction of a [(CAAC)BCl\(_{2}\)(TMP)] (TMP=2,6-tetramethylpiperidyl) precursor. NMR-spectroscopic, X-ray crystallographic and computational analyses confirm the cumulenic nature of the central C=B=N moiety. Irradiation of [(CAAC)B(TMP)] (2) resulted in an intramolecular C-C bond activation, leading to a doubly-fused C\(_{10}\)BN heterocycle, while the reaction with acetonitrile resulted in an aryl migration from the CAAC to the acetonitrile nitrogen atom, concomitant with tautomerization of the latter to a boron-bound allylamino ligand. One-electron oxidation of 2 with CuX (X=Cl, Br) afforded the corresponding amino(halo)boryl radicals, which were characterized by EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Placing 2 under an atmosphere of CO afforded the tricoordinate (CAAC,CO)-stabilized aminoborylene. Finally, the twofold oxidation of 2 with chalcogens led, in the case of N\(_{2}\)O and sulfur, to the splitting of the B-C\(_{CAAC}\) bond and formation of the 2,4-diamino-1,3,2,4-dichalcogenadiboretanes and CAAC-chalcogen adducts, whereas with selenium a monomeric boraselenone was isolated, which showed some degree of B-Se multiple bonding.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Wirthensohn2023, author = {Wirthensohn, Raphael Sebastian}, title = {Metallvermittelte Perfluoralkylierungen und die elektrochemische Fluorierung zu Perfluoralkylverbindungen}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-28664}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-286640}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Diese Arbeit besch{\"a}ftigt sich mit der Synthese und Charakterisierung von mehrfach perfluoralkylierten Verbindungen. Das erste Kapitel behandelt die Kupfer-vermittelte mehrfache Pentafluorethylierung von aromatischen Systemen, sowie die Untersuchung deren Folgechemie. Dabei wurden iodierte Aryl-Derivate mit dem Kupferorganyl CuC2F5 umgesetzt. Mit dieser Methode konnten symmetrisch und unsymmetrisch pentafluorethylierte Anilin- und Phenol-Derivate dargestellt werden. Die Anilin-Derivate wurden zu den entsprechenden Diazoniumsalzen umgesetzt, welche zun{\"a}chst vollst{\"a}ndig charakterisiert und anschließend deren Folgechemie untersucht wurde. Das zweite Kapitel behandelt die Darstellung von Bis(trifluormethyl)sulfon durch elektrochemische Fluorierung mittels des Simons-Prozesses. Dabei wurde der Umsatz der Reaktion durch Verwendung der teilfluorierten Verbindung (Trifluormethyl)methylsulfon als Startmaterial optimiert.}, subject = {Perfluoralkylierung}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Wirsing2023, author = {Wirsing, Sara}, title = {Computational Spectroscopic Studies with Focus on Organic Semiconductor Systems}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-28655}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-286552}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {This work presents excited state investigations on several systems with respect to experimental spectroscopic work. The majority of projects covers the temporal evolution of excitations in thin films of organic semiconductor materials. In the first chapters, thinfilm and interface systems are build from diindeno[1,2,3-cd:1',2',3'-lm]perylene (DIP) and N,N'-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-dicyanoperylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboximide) (PDIR-CN2) layers, in the third chapter bulk systems consist of 4,4',4"-tris[(3-methylphenyl)phenylamino] triphenylamine (m-MTDATA), 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (BPhen) and tris-(2,4,6-trimethyl-3-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)borane (3TPYMB). These were investigated by aggregate-based calculations. Careful selection of methods and incorporation of geometrical relaxation and environmental effects allows for a precise energetical assignment of excitations. The biggest issue was a proper description of charge-transfer excitations, which was resolved by the application of ionization potential tuning on aggregates. Subsequent characterization of excitations and their interplay condenses the picture. Therefore, we could assign important features of the experimental spectroscopic data and explain differences between systems. The last chapter in this work covers the analysis of single molecule spectroscopy on methylbismut. This poses different challenges for computations, such as multi-reference character of low-lying excitations and an intrinsic need for a relativistic description. We resolved this by combining complete active space self-consistent field based methods with scalarrelativistic density-functional theory. Thus we were able to confidently assign the spectroscopic features and explain underlying processes.}, subject = {Theoretische Chemie}, language = {en} } @article{WinklerLiPaulietal.2023, author = {Winkler, Markus H. and Li, Yonghui and Pauli, Paul and M{\"u}hlberger, Andreas}, title = {Modulation of smoking cue reactivity by social context—Implications for exposure therapy in virtual reality}, series = {Frontiers in Virtual Reality}, volume = {4}, journal = {Frontiers in Virtual Reality}, doi = {10.3389/frvir.2023.926679}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-306199}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Rationale: Social factors are considered important for the initiation and maintenance of drug abuse. Virtual reality (VR) research on cue reactivity and exposure frequently incorporates social stimuli as part of complex drug-intake scenarios. Attempts are rarely made to dissect the impact of the different components and their interactive effects. The present study critically extends this line of research by investigating the modulatory effects of social context on the reactivity evoked by proximal smoking cues. Methods: Thirty-two smokers and 33 never-smokers were presented in VR with proximal cues and neutral stimuli, embedded in a social context or a neutral context. A virtual hand model was used to translate real hand movements into VR. Each trial started with the presentation of the different stimulus-context combinations. Discrete stimuli were presented on the table in front of the participants, and contextual stimuli were presented at the end of the table. Afterward, participants were instructed to grasp the target stimulus (a cigarette vs. a pencil) in front of them. After successful contact, the stimulus appeared in the virtual hand. Modulation of cue reactivity by social context was assessed by self-report, physiological measures, and overt approach behavior. Results: The results revealed modulatory effects of social context on the responses to proximal smoking cues in smokers. In contrast to never-smokers, smoking cues evoked craving in smokers, which was attenuated in a social context. Furthermore, social context increased the latency to approach and contact the cigarette in the group of smokers but did not affect behavioral approach responses in never-smokers. Other data provided indications for interactive, but also main effects of cues and contexts. Interestingly, cue-evoked craving was increased after contact with the virtual cigarette. Conclusion: The present study critically extends previous research by providing evidence for the modulation of cue reactivity by social context. The results are particularly important given the well-established role of drug-associated environmental contexts in the stimulus control of addictive behaviors. Our results emphasize the need to address social context effects on cue reactivity in basic research and treatment and further suggest that changes in the perceived availability of smoking might enhance or inhibit cue-evoked reactivity.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Winkler2023, author = {Winkler, Julia}, title = {The Experience of Emotional Shifts as a Narrative Process: Investigating the Relationship of Emotional Shifts and Transportation and Their Roles in Narrative Persuasion}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-32179}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-321794}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Emotional shifts are often a fundamental part of the narrative experience and engrained into the schematic structures of stories. Recent theoretical work suggests that these shifts are key for narrative influence and are interconnected with transportation, a known mechanism of narrative effects. Empirical research examining this proposition is still scarce, inconclusive, and lacking measures that assess the experience of emotional shifts throughout a narrative to explain effects. This thesis aims to contribute to this research lacuna and investigates the link between emotional shifts, transportation, and story-consistent outcomes using different methods to measure emotional shifts in the moment they occur (Manuscript \#1 and \#2), and using various narrative stimuli (audiovisual, written, auditive). Manuscript \#1 uses real-time-response (RTR) measurement to examine the relationship of valence shifts experienced during film viewing with transportation and post-exposure self-reported emotional flow. Manuscript \#2 reports a pilot study and two experiments in which a self-probed emotional retrospection task is used to measure the number and intensity of emotional shifts during reading. I investigate the effect of reviews on transportation, the link between transportation and emotional shifts, and their respective associations with story-consistent attitudes, social sharing intentions, and donation behavior. In Manuscript \#3, narrative structures are manipulated. Two experiments examine the effects of audio stories with shifting (positive-negative-positive) vs. positive-only emotional trajectories on the experience of happiness- and sadness-shifts, transportation, and post-exposure emotional flow. Transportation was positively linked to valence shifts (M\#1), and the number and intensity of emotional shifts (M\#2), and emotional flow (M\#1, M\#3). In M\#3, transportation was predicted by shifts in happiness, but not sadness. Emotional flow was linked to shifts in happiness, sadness, and RTR valence (M\#1, M\#3). Emotional shifts and transportation were associated with social sharing intentions, but only transportation was linked to some story-consistent attitudes (affective attitudes in particular).}, subject = {Gef{\"u}hl}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Wimmer2023, author = {Wimmer, Franziska}, title = {Implications of self-targeting by type I CRISPR-Cas systems}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-28777}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-287771}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {CRISPR-Cas systems are highly diverse and canonically function as prokaryotic adaptive immune systems. The canonical resistance mechanism relies on spacers that are complementary to the invaders' nucleic acids. By accidental incorporation or other mechanisms, prokaryotes can also acquire self-targeting spacers that are complementary to their own genome. As self-targeting commonly leads to lethal autoimmunity, the existence of self-targeting spacers poses a paradox. In Chapter 1, we provide an overview of the prevalence of self-targeting spacers, summarize how they can be incorporated, and which means can be employed by the host to evade lethal self-targeting. In addition, we outline alternative functions of CRISPR-Cas systems that are associated with self-targeting spacers. Whether CRISPR-Cas systems can efficiently target their own genome depends heavily on the presence of protospacer adjacent motifs (PAMs) next to the target region. In Chapter 2, we developed a method to determine PAM requirements. Thereby, we specifically focused on type I systems that engage multi-protein complexes, which are challenging to assess. Using the cell-free transcription-translation (TXTL) system, we developed an enrichment-based binding assay and validated its reliability by examining the well-known PAM requirements of the E. coli type I-E system. In Chapter 3, we applied the TXTL-based PAM assay to assess 16 additional CRISPR-Cas systems. These 16 systems included three CRISPR-Cas associated transposons (CASTs). CASTs are recently discovered transposons that employ CRISPR-Cas systems in a non-canonical function for the directed integration of the transposon. To further characterize CASTs in TXTL outside their PAM requirements, we reconstituted the transposition of CASTs in TXTL. In Chapter 4, we turned to non-canonical self-targeting CRISPR-Cas systems, which were already discussed in Chapter 1. While investigating how the plant pathogen Xanthomonas albilineans survives self-targeting by its two endogenous CRISPR-Cas systems, we identified multiple putative anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) in the genome of X. albilineans. Two of the Acrs, named AcrIC11 and AcrIF12Xal, inhibited degradation by their respective CRISPR-Cas systems but still retained Cascade-binding ability, and appear responsible for the lack of autoimmunity in X. albilineans. In summary, we developed new technologies that eased the investigation of non-canonical multi-component systems and, if applied to additional systems, might reveal unique properties that could be implemented in new CRISPR-Cas based tools.}, subject = {CRISPR/Cas-Methode}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Willmann2023, author = {Willmann, Lukas}, title = {Altersabh{\"a}ngige Makuladegeneration - Regeneration des retinalen Pigmentepithels durch Anregung zur Proliferation durch den Transkriptionsfaktor E2F2}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-29183}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-291833}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Altersbedingte Makuladegeneration (AMD) ist weltweit die h{\"a}ufigste Ursache von irreversibler Erblindung des alternden Menschen. Mit der anti-VEGF-Behandlung steht f{\"u}r die deutlich seltenere feuchte AMD eine zugelassene Therapie bereit, die deutlich h{\"a}ufigere trockene AMD entzieht sich aktuell jedoch jeglicher Therapie. Ein zentraler Pathomechanismus der AMD ist der progrediente Untergang des retinalen Pigmentepithels (RPE). Die Rarifizierung und letztendlich Atrophie des RPEs f{\"u}hrt zum Untergang der funktionellen Einheit aus RPE, Photorezeptoren und Bruch'scher Membran und somit zum irreversiblen Funktionsverlust. Ein m{\"o}glicher therapeutischer Ansatz, der progredienten Atrophie des RPEs entgegenzuwirken, ist, das prinzipiell post- mitotischen RPE zur Proliferation anzuregen. Grundlage unserer in vitro Untersuchungen ist das ARPE-19 Zellmodell. Um die Proliferation anzuregen wurden die RPE-Zellen mit E2F2, einem Zellzyklus- regulierendem Transkriptionsfaktor, transfiziert. Zun{\"a}chst wurde ein nicht-proliferatives RPE-Zellmodell mit spontanem Wachstumsarrest etabliert. Innerhalb von zwei Wochen konnte die Ausbildung von Zonulae occludentes als Zeichen der Integrit{\"a}t des adh{\"a}renten Zellmonolayers beobachtet werden. Die chemische Transfektion von E2F2 unter einem CMV-Promoter f{\"u}hrte zur {\"U}berexpression von E2F2-Protein. Der proliferationssteigernde Effekt von E2F2 konnte durch die Proliferationsmarker Cyclin D1 sowie Ki67, dem Anstieg der BrdU-Aufnahme und der nach Transfektion mit E2F2 zunehmenden Gesamtzellzahl nachgewiesen werden. Der Zellzahlerh{\"o}hung standen jedoch potentiell qualitative und funktionelle Einbußen entgegen. So zeigten sich nach Behandlung mit E2F2 die Zellviabilit{\"a}t reduziert und die Apoptoserate sowie die Permeabilit{\"a}t des Epithels erh{\"o}ht. Diese Einschr{\"a}nkungen waren jedoch nur passager bis 7 Tage nach Transfektion sichtbar und reversibel. Unsere Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass diese Defizite nicht durch E2F2 selbst, sondern durch das Transfektionsreagenz PEI bedingt waren. Weitere funktionelle Defizite k{\"o}nnten durch epithelial-mesenchymale Transition (EMT) verursacht werden. Hier zeigte sich durch E2F2 keine De-Differenzierung im Sinne einer typischen EMT-Marker- Expression. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt in einem in vitro Zellmodell die Grundlagen eines vielversprechenden Ansatzes zur Therapie der trockenen AMD: Durch {\"U}berexpression eines den Zellzyklus regulierenden Gens (hier E2F2) wurde die RPE-Regeneration angeregt. Analog zur schon zugelassenen Gentherapie des RPEs bei RPE65-assoziierten Netzhautdystrophien durch den Transfer von funktionst{\"u}chtigem RPE65-Gen mittels Adeno-assoziierten Viren k{\"o}nnte mittels E2F2, {\"u}bertragen mit einem lentiviralen Verktor, eine Stimulation des RPEs zur Proliferation m{\"o}glich sein. Entscheidend ist der m{\"o}glichst gute Struktur- und Funktionserhalt des Photorezeptor-Bruch-Membran-RPE Komplexes. Eine Therapie sollte daher in fr{\"u}hen Krankheitsstadien erfolgen, um die Progression zu fortgeschrittenen Erkrankungsstadien mit irreversiblem Funktionsverlust zu verz{\"o}gern oder zu verhindern.}, subject = {Netzhaut}, language = {de} } @article{WilhelmsBroscheitShityakov2023, author = {Wilhelms, Benedikt and Broscheit, Jens and Shityakov, Sergey}, title = {Chemical analysis and molecular modelling of cyclodextrin-formulated propofol and its sodium salt to improve drug solubility, stability and pharmacokinetics (cytogenotoxicity)}, series = {Pharmaceuticals}, volume = {16}, journal = {Pharmaceuticals}, number = {5}, issn = {1424-8247}, doi = {10.3390/ph16050667}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-313705}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Propofol is a widely used general anesthetic in clinical practice, but its use is limited by its water-insoluble nature and associated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic limitations. Therefore, researchers have been searching for alternative formulations to lipid emulsion to address the remaining side effects. In this study, novel formulations for propofol and its sodium salt Na-propofolat were designed and tested using the amphiphilic cyclodextrin (CD) derivative hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD). The study found that spectroscopic and calorimetric measurements suggested complex formation between propofol/Na-propofolate and HPβCD, which was confirmed by the absence of an evaporation peak and different glass transition temperatures. Moreover, the formulated compounds showed no cytotoxicity and genotoxicity compared to the reference. The molecular modeling simulations based on molecular docking predicted a higher affinity for propofol/HPβCD than for Na-propofolate/HPβCD, as the former complex was more stable. This finding was further confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography. In conclusion, the CD-based formulations of propofol and its sodium salt may be a promising option and a plausible alternative to conventional lipid emulsions.}, language = {en} } @article{WienrichCarolusMarkusetal.2023, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Carolus, Astrid and Markus, Andr{\´e} and Augustin, Yannik and Pfister, Jan and Hotho, Andreas}, title = {Long-term effects of perceived friendship with intelligent voice assistants on usage behavior, user experience, and social perceptions}, series = {Computers}, volume = {12}, journal = {Computers}, number = {4}, issn = {2073-431X}, doi = {10.3390/computers12040077}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-313552}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Social patterns and roles can develop when users talk to intelligent voice assistants (IVAs) daily. The current study investigates whether users assign different roles to devices and how this affects their usage behavior, user experience, and social perceptions. Since social roles take time to establish, we equipped 106 participants with Alexa or Google assistants and some smart home devices and observed their interactions for nine months. We analyzed diverse subjective (questionnaire) and objective data (interaction data). By combining social science and data science analyses, we identified two distinct clusters—users who assigned a friendship role to IVAs over time and users who did not. Interestingly, these clusters exhibited significant differences in their usage behavior, user experience, and social perceptions of the devices. For example, participants who assigned a role to IVAs attributed more friendship to them used them more frequently, reported more enjoyment during interactions, and perceived more empathy for IVAs. In addition, these users had distinct personal requirements, for example, they reported more loneliness. This study provides valuable insights into the role-specific effects and consequences of voice assistants. Recent developments in conversational language models such as ChatGPT suggest that the findings of this study could make an important contribution to the design of dialogic human-AI interactions.}, language = {en} } @book{Wiedemann2023, author = {Wiedemann, Cathrin}, title = {Picken, Packen, Radeln? Betriebsformen, Standorte, Arbeitsprozesse und deren Auswirkungen auf Besch{\"a}ftigte im Lebensmittelonlinehandel in Deutschland}, edition = {1. Auflage}, publisher = {W{\"u}rzburg University Press}, address = {W{\"u}rzburg}, isbn = {978-3-95826-208-9}, issn = {2196-5811}, doi = {10.25972/WUP-978-3-95826-209-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-298886}, publisher = {W{\"u}rzburg University Press}, pages = {XV, 171}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Der Lebensmittelonlinehandel in Deutschland gewann, verst{\"a}rkt durch die Covid-19-Pandemie, an Umsatzanteilen im Lebensmitteleinzelhandel. Hierdurch wurden neue Anforderungen an Arbeit und Besch{\"a}ftigung in Deutschland geschaffen. Insbesondere in urbanen R{\"a}umen hat die Lebensmittelzustellung durch neu entstandene Betriebsformen zugenommen. So entstehen durch das Versprechen der Betriebe, Lebensmittel in kurzen Zeitr{\"a}umen zu liefern, verschiedene Logistikstandorte und u.a. urbane Fahrradlieferdienste. W{\"a}hrend Medien und Gewerkschaften bereits vor der Entstehung prek{\"a}rer Arbeitsbedingungen warnen, sind die genauen Auswirkungen des Lebensmittelonlinehandels auf die Entwicklung neuer Arbeitsstandorte und die dort stattfindende Besch{\"a}ftigung nur unzureichend bekannt. Diese Arbeit untersucht den Lebensmittelonlinehandel anhand seiner Betriebsformen, Standorte und Arbeitsprozesse sowie deren Auswirkungen auf Besch{\"a}ftigte in Deutschland. Den konzeptionellen Hintergrund bilden Arbeiten der geographischen Handelsforschung sowie Debatten zu Arbeitsplatzqualit{\"a}t und Besch{\"a}ftigung. F{\"u}r die Analyse sind Prim{\"a}rdaten und Sekund{\"a}rdaten erhoben worden. Es zeigt sich, dass teilweise komplexe Betriebsformen entstehen, bei denen sich die Arbeit und Arbeitsorte ver{\"a}ndern. Zudem entstehen neue Herausforderungen f{\"u}r die Besch{\"a}ftigten (u.a. physische und psychische Belastung), welche in dieser Arbeit identifiziert werden.}, subject = {Arbeitsprozess}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Wiebecke2023, author = {Wiebecke, Sophie Karolina}, title = {Einfluss mikrobieller Substanzen von Parodontitis-assoziierten Bakterien auf die Funktion humaner Thrombozyten}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-32903}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-329038}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Diese Arbeit untersuchte die Wirkung von bakteriellen Substanzen auf essenzielle thrombozyt{\"a}re Funktionen. Bei den Substanzen handelte es sich um Toxine von Bakterien, die mutmaßlich zur Pathogenese der Parodontitis beitragen. W{\"a}hrend LTX von Bakterium A. actinomycetemcomitans und C14 von F. nucleatum zur Hemmung der Aggregation und zur Stimulation inhibitorischer Systeme beitr{\"a}gt, induziert LPS von P. gingivalis eine leichte Aktivierung der Thrombozyten, gekennzeichnet durch eine gering verst{\"a}rkte P-Selektin-Expression.}, subject = {Parodontitis}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Widmaier2023, author = {Widmaier, Louis}, title = {Die Regulation des Chemokinrezeptors CXCR4 durch Chemotherapeutika in Myelomzelllinien}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-34568}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-345682}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Untersucht wurde der Einfluss mehrerer Chemotherapeutika auf den Chemokinrezeptor CXCR4 in Myelomzelllinien auf Ebene des Promotors, der mRNA und der Rezeptorverteilung, wobei drei Substanzen (Etoposid, Bortezomib und Dexamethason) als potenzielle Suppressoren des Promotors ausgemacht werden konnten. Abh{\"a}ngig vom Myelom-Zelltyp und der Dosierung k{\"o}nnen so evtl. R{\"u}ckschl{\"u}sse auf die beobachtete Suppression von CXCR4 bei erkrankten Patienten mit hoher CXCR4-Aktivit{\"a}t (hier: Malignes Myelom) durch die begleitende Chemotherapie gezogen werden, welche eine Diagnostik und Therapie bei diesen Patienten erschwert. Hintergrund: Hintergrund f{\"u}r diese Arbeit waren Beobachtungen in klinischen Fallstudien von Lapa et al. am Universit{\"a}tsklinikum W{\"u}rzburg, die sich auf CXCR4 bezogen, welches u.a. bei Patienten mit Multiplem Myelom {\"u}berexprimiert wird und dadurch bereits als Target f{\"u}r Diagnostik und Therapie in der Klinik Anwendung findet. Dabei konnte bei PET-CT Untersuchungen in der Nuklearmedizin beobachtet werden, dass es durch die begleitende Chemotherapie der Patienten zu einer Suppression des markierten CXCR4-Signals kam, so dass es nicht mehr zur Verlaufsbeobachtung und vor allem nicht mehr zur Radiotherapie und Therapiekontrolle verwendet werden konnte. Um den Einfluss und m{\"o}gliche Interaktionen der Chemotherapeutika auf CXCR4 zu untersuchen, war es Ziel dieser Arbeit, ein vergleichbares Szenario in-vitro nachzustellen und Einfl{\"u}sse messbar zu machen, um so m{\"o}gliche Ans{\"a}tze und Verbesserungsvorschl{\"a}ge f{\"u}r die klinische Anwendung zu liefern. Methoden/Ergebnisse: Hierf{\"u}r wurden im ersten Teil INA-6 (Myelomzellen) und Mesenchymale Stammzellen (MSC) kultiviert, in Ko-Kultur gebracht und nach einer bestimmten Zeit wieder getrennt, um anschließend den gegenseitigen Einfluss in Bezug auf CXCR4 zu messen. Zudem wurde der Einfluss von Dexamethason untersucht. Es zeigte sich eine enge Bindung zwischen INA-6 und MSC sowie eine hohe CXCR4-Aktivit{\"a}t bei INA-6, jedoch konnte keine Induktion der CXCR4-Aktivit{\"a}t in MSC durch INA-6-Kontakt oder Dexamethason quantifiziert werden. Die Immunzytologie erwies sich aufgrund einer schweren Anf{\"a}rbbarkeit von CXCR4 - auch mit verschiedensten Antik{\"o}rpern und sogar Liganden-gekoppeltem Farbstoff- als kaum auswertbar, wobei eine Darstellung von CXCR4 generell aber gelang. Der CXCR4-Promotor wurde mittels Software genauer analysiert, wobei einige relevante Bindestellen, u.a. f{\"u}r Glukokortikoide und NFkB gefunden wurden. Die Herstellung eines CXCR4- pGl4.14-Promotor-Konstrukts war erfolgreich, ebenso dessen Einschleusung in Myelomzellen. Auch gelang die Herstellung stabiler transfizierter INA-6, sodass mit diesen anschließend konstantere Ergebnisse erzielt werden konnten. Im gr{\"o}ßten Teil der Arbeit wurden geeignete Chemotherapeutika-Konzentrationen ermittelt und in Viabilit{\"a}ts- und Apoptose-Versuchen {\"u}berpr{\"u}ft. Die Stimulationsversuche mit diesen zeigten variable Effekte abh{\"a}ngig vom Zelltyp (INA-6, MM1S), jedoch konnten Bortezomib, Etoposid und Dexamethason konzentrationsabh{\"a}ngig als starke Suppressoren der CXCR4-Aktivit{\"a}t ausgemacht werden, was sich v.a. auf Ebene der Promotoraktivit{\"a}t - gemessen mittels Luciferase - zeigte. Interpretation: In-vitro konnten somit drei potenzielle Suppressoren der CXCR4-Aktivit{\"a}t ausgemacht werden: Etoposid, Bortezomib und Dexamethason. Zumindest beim INA-6-Zelltyp fiel dieser Effekt deutlich aus, wobei in der Klinik der entsprechende Zelltyp sowie die Dosierung der Medikamente ber{\"u}cksichtigt werden m{\"u}ssen. Hinzu kommen weitere Einflussfaktoren des menschlichen K{\"o}rpers, die nicht ber{\"u}cksichtig werden konnten. Die genauen Mechanismen der Suppression k{\"o}nnten sich aus den Bindestellen des Promotors erkl{\"a}ren, die von uns analysiert wurden, aber auf die in weiteren Arbeiten noch n{\"a}her eingegangen werden muss.}, subject = {Bortezomib}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Wetterich2023, author = {Wetterich, Maximilian Michael}, title = {Meniskuschirurgie: Eine Analyse zu aktuellen Behandlungsstrategien, Risikofaktoren, diagnostischen Verfahren und bisherigen {\"a}tiologischen Grundlagen}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-29900}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-299000}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Die Menisken sind ein vitaler Bestandteil f{\"u}r die Stabilit{\"a}t und Mobilit{\"a}t des Kniegelenks. Verletzungen des Meniskus weisen eine hohe Pr{\"a}valenz in der Bev{\"o}lkerung auf. Sch{\"a}tzungsweise sind bis zu 25\% der Erwachsenen in den USA betroffen. Auch in Deutschland wird die Meniskusruptur mittlerweile als Berufskrankheit anerkannt. Die Studie ist als retrospektive Registerstudie designt. Alle Patienten wurden im Zeitraum vom 08.01.2009 bis zum 23.12.2019 am Universit{\"a}tsklinikum in W{\"u}rzburg operiert. Insgesamt schlossen wir 361 Patienten ein. Unter Ausschluss von Begleitverletzungen und Knochenmarks{\"o}demen konnten 41,6\% der eingeschlossenen F{\"a}lle als isolierte Meniskusl{\"a}sionen eingestuft werden, insbesondere bei j{\"u}ngeren Patienten (<40 Jahre) ließ sich zudem ein ad{\"a}quates Trauma nachweisen. M{\"o}gliche Risikofaktoren wurden auf deren Einfluss f{\"u}r eine Rel{\"a}sion untersucht. Dabei stellte sich unter den Variablen BMI, Alter und OP-Technik lediglich letztere als ein signifikanter Faktor heraus (logRank von 0,019 5-Jahre-Follow-up; logRank von <0,001 10-Jahre- Follow-up). Die Diagnostik mittels MRT als Goldstandard und die {\"U}berpr{\"u}fung derer Befunde in der Arthroskopie wiesen einen deutlichen Abfall der Sensitivit{\"a}t vom Innen- zum Außenmeniskus auf. Interessanter sind die F{\"a}lle, in denen eine L{\"a}sion {\"u}bersehen wurde, falls auf dem anderen Meniskus eine L{\"a}sion festgestellt wurde. Zusammenfassend zeigt unsere Studie eindeutig, dass es isolierte Meniskusl{\"a}sionen gibt. Auch Nahtverfahren, welche sich gerade weiterhin im Aufschwung befinden, m{\"u}ssten weiter auf die h{\"o}heren Rel{\"a}sionsraten untersucht und beobachtet werde. BMI als Risikofaktor f{\"u}r ein Therapieversagen bleibt weiterhin zu diskutieren auch mit Einbezug von sportlicher und k{\"o}rperlicher Aktivit{\"a}t. MRT als Goldstandard der nichtinvasiven Diagnostik wird unver{\"a}ndert bleiben. Jedoch sollte ein Fokus darauf geworfen werden, wann und unter welchen Umst{\"a}nden L{\"a}sionen {\"u}bersehen werden. Dies erfordert weitere speziell daf{\"u}r ausgerichtete Ausarbeitungen.}, subject = {Meniskus}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Westarp2023, author = {Westarp, Emilia Margarete}, title = {Outcome thorakaler Aneurysma-Operationen bei bikuspiden und trikuspiden Aortenklappen}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-32068}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-320686}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Die bikuspide Aortenklappe ist als h{\"a}ufigster angeborener Klappenfehler bei Erwachsenen eine relevante Diagnose nicht nur im Fachgebiet der Herz-Thorax-Chirurgie. Etwa die H{\"a}lfte aller Patienten mit dieser Klappenanomalie entwickelt im Verlauf eine aneurysmatische Dilatation der thorakalen aszendierenden Aorta, was auch bikuspide Aortopathie genannt wird. Dieses Aneurysma kann anhand seiner Lokalisation in verschiedene Ph{\"a}notypen unterteilt werden. Bis heute sind sowohl bei der Erforschung der Entstehung der bikuspiden Aortopathie als auch bei deren Therapie noch viele Fragen offen und es fehlt an klaren Leitlinien, um einen individualisierten Behandlungsansatz f{\"u}r den einzelnen Patienten bereitstellen zu k{\"o}nnen. Ziel unserer Studie war es, durch Vergleiche klinischer Parameter die aktuell angewendete Praxis der chirurgischen Therapie zu evaluieren sowie Ansatzpunkte f{\"u}r zuk{\"u}nftige individuellere Risikoabsch{\"a}tzung herauszuarbeiten. Hierf{\"u}r untersuchten wir Patienten, die an einem Aneurysma der aszendierenden Aorta operiert worden waren, aufgeteilt nach Patienten mit bikuspiden und trikuspiden Klappen. Pr{\"a}operativ stellten wir folgende signifikante Unterschiede fest: Bikuspide Patienten waren j{\"u}nger, wiesen {\"o}fter arterielle und pulmonale Hypertonie auf, zeigten geringere Aneurysma-Durchmesser und hatten h{\"a}ufiger eine stenotische Klappe als trikuspide Patienten. F{\"u}r alle Patienten zeigte sich eine Korrelation von Aortenwurzel-Durchmesser und BSA. Im unmittelbar postoperativen Verlauf fand sich hinsichtlich der Komplikationen und 30-Tage-Mortalit{\"a}t ein {\"a}hnlich guter Outcome f{\"u}r beide Klappenmorphologien sowie die verschiedenen angewendeten Operationsverfahren. Eine bikuspide Aortenklappe kann daher aktuell nicht per se als Faktor f{\"u}r ein erh{\"o}htes perioperatives Risiko gesehen werden und die derzeitige klinische Praxis ist f{\"u}r die betroffenen Patienten eine sichere Vorgehensweise.}, subject = {Aortenaneurysma}, language = {de} } @article{WersebeckmannBiegerlLeyeretal.2023, author = {Wersebeckmann, Vera and Biegerl, Carolin and Leyer, Ilona and Mody, Karsten}, title = {Orthopteran diversity in steep slope vineyards: the role of vineyard type and vegetation management}, series = {Insects}, volume = {14}, journal = {Insects}, number = {1}, issn = {2075-4450}, doi = {10.3390/insects14010083}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-304891}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The abandonment of traditional agricultural practices and subsequent succession are major threats to many open-adapted species and species-rich ecosystems. Viticulture on steep slopes has recently suffered from strong declines due to insufficient profitability, thus increasing the area of fallow land considerably. Changing cultivation systems from vertically oriented to modern vineyard terraces offers an opportunity to maintain management economically viable and thus reduces further abandonment. Hillside parallel terraces favor mechanization, and their embankments offer large undisturbed areas that could provide valuable habitats. We investigated the effects of vineyard abandonment, different vineyard management types (vertically oriented vs. terraced), and local parameters on Orthoptera diversity in 45 study sites along the Upper Middle Rhine Valley in Germany. Our results show that woody structures and vineyard abandonment reduced Orthoptera diversity at the local and landscape scale due to decreased habitat quality, especially for open-adapted species. In contrast, open inter-rows of actively managed vineyard types supported heat-adapted Caelifera species. On terrace embankments, extensive management and taller vegetation benefited Ensifera species, while short and mulched vegetation in vertically oriented vineyards favored the dominance of one single Caelifera species. Our results highlight the significance of maintaining viticultural management on steep slopes for the preservation of both open-adapted Orthoptera species and the cultural landscape.}, language = {en} } @article{WernerSayehliHaenscheidetal.2023, author = {Werner, Rudolf A. and Sayehli, Cyrus and H{\"a}nscheid, Heribert and Higuchi, Takahiro and Serfling, Sebastian E. and Fassnacht, Martin and Goebeler, Maria-Elisabeth and Buck, Andreas K. and Kroiss, Matthias}, title = {Successful combination of selpercatinib and radioiodine after pretherapeutic dose estimation in RET-altered thyroid carcinoma}, series = {European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging}, volume = {50}, journal = {European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1007/s00259-022-06061-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-324435}, pages = {1833-1834}, year = {2023}, abstract = {No abstract available.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Werner2023, author = {Werner, Jana Sophia}, title = {Frequenzabh{\"a}ngigkeit der IP3-induzierten Calciumregulation in murinen ventrikul{\"a}ren Kardiomyozyten}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-32315}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-323158}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In Kardiomyozyten ist Calcium (Ca2+) ein wichtiges Signalmolek{\"u}l und eine pr{\"a}zise Regulation der Ca2+ Konzentration in den Zellkompartimenten erforderlich. Ca2+ wird Angiotensin II-induziert und vom Botenstoff IP3 vermittelt aus IP3 Rezeptoren des Sarkoplasmatischen Retikulum (SR) freigesetzt, was zur mitochondrialen Ca2+ Aufnahme f{\"u}hrt. Diese Kommunikationswege zwischen SR und Mitochondrium sind u.a. bei der Herzinsuffizienz durch pathologische Umbauprozesse gest{\"o}rt. Zudem zirkulieren bei Herzinsuffizienz vermehrt Hormone wie AngII, welches u.a. die intrazellul{\"a}re IP3 Konzentration steigert und als Hypertrophie Signal wirkt. Dieser Arbeit geht die Vermutung voraus, dass eine gest{\"o}rte mitochondriale Ca2+ Aufnahme durch Ver{\"a}nderung des nukle{\"a}ren Ca2+ Transienten die hypertrophe Genexpression beeinflussen kann. Es wurde an ventrikul{\"a}ren Kardiomyozyten von adulten M{\"a}usen mit kardiospezifischem MCU Knock out oder MCU Wildtyp untersucht, wie sich Ca2+ Transienten in Zytosol und Nukleus bei AngII-Stimulation und St{\"o}rung der mitochondrialen Ca2+ Aufnahme durch Blockade des mRyR1 oder des MCU ver{\"a}ndern. Zum Vergleich wurde der Effekt des β adrenerg vermittelten, IP3 unabh{\"a}ngigen Ca2+ Anstiegs beobachtet. Zur Untersuchung der Frequenzabh{\"a}ngigkeit der Effekte wurde die elektrische Stimulation wurde variiert. Die Arbeit zeigt, dass sich die Blockade der mitochondrialen Ca2+ Aufnahme unterschiedlich auf den nukle{\"a}ren Ca2+ Transienten auswirkt: Bei AngII-Stimulation kam es in Folge der Blockade des mRyR1, nicht aber des MCU, zur Steigerung des nukle{\"a}ren Ca2+ Transienten. Dieser Effekt war bei 1 Hz Stimulationsfrequenz, nicht aber nach einer Steigerung auf 4 Hz zu beobachten. Bei β adrenerger Stimulation hingegen ver{\"a}nderte die Blockade des MCU oder des mRyR1 die Ca2+ Transienten im Kern nicht signifikant. Die Arbeit verdeutlicht die Bedeutung der IP3 vermittelten Ca2+ Freisetzung f{\"u}r die Kontrolle der Ca2+ Konzentrationen in unterschiedlichen zellul{\"a}ren Kompartimenten.}, subject = {Calciumtransport}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Werner2023, author = {Werner, Andrea}, title = {K{\"o}rperpsychotherapie: Grundlagen - Konzepte - Anwendungsgebiete}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-26516}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-265161}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {K{\"o}rperpsychotherapie etabliert sich zunehmend und ist keine neue Entdeckung. Bereits vor {\"u}ber 120 Jahren war bekannt, dass {\"u}ber den K{\"o}rper die Psyche erreicht werden kann und damit die verbale Psychotherapie effektiver und gegebenenfalls erst m{\"o}glich wurde. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen sprechen daf{\"u}r, dass K{\"o}rperpsychotherapie heute als f{\"u}nfte S{\"a}ule der allgemein anerkannten psychotherapeutischen Verfahren (PA, TP, VT, ST) angesehen werden kann. Sie hat sich aus der atemtherapeutischen und der Bewegung der Gymnastik sowie der Verwendung in der Psychoanalyse entwickelt. Sie ist weitestgehend in die tiefenpsychologische und verhaltenstherapeutische Psychotherapie integriert und kann zu den humanistischen Verfahren gez{\"a}hlt werden. Anwendung findet die K{\"o}rperpsychotherapie beispielsweise in der Psychosomatischen Medizin sowie auf verschiedenen Gebieten der Psychotherapie. Laut den hier vorgelegten Befunden erreicht die Arbeit am K{\"o}rper nonverbal Verarbeitetes, das sich tief in das implizite K{\"o}rperged{\"a}chtnis eingegraben hat, lange bevor ein junger Mensch das Sprechen erlernte. Eine M{\"o}glichkeit, dies konzeptuell einzuordnen und therapeutisch nutzbar zu machen, ist das Modell der „verk{\"o}rperten Selbstwahrnehmung" nach Fogel, das Teile des K{\"o}rperschemas beinhaltet. In der Bindungsbeziehung nicht ad{\"a}quates Eingehen auf die kindlichen Bed{\"u}rfnisse hat weitreichende Folgen auf das weitere Leben. In Untersuchungen konnte gezeigt werden, wie sich St{\"o}rungen in der Entwicklung eines Kindes in Form von K{\"o}rperschemast{\"o}rungen und K{\"o}rperdissoziationen, in Emotionsregulations- und als Entwicklungstraumast{\"o}rung manifestieren k{\"o}nnen. Diese sind weit verbreitet und Teil einer Gesellschaft, die auf Leistung und Effizienz ausgerichtet ist und in Zusammenhang mit chronischem Stress stehen. Evolutionsgeschichtlich begr{\"u}ndete {\"U}berlebensmuster werden durch chronischen Stress aktiviert und sind Ursache zahlreicher Erkrankungen. Hierf{\"u}r liefert Porges mit seiner Polyvagal-Theorie einen neuen neurobiologischen Erkl{\"a}rungsansatz. Durch eine Imbalance stressausl{\"o}sender und entspannender Faktoren zugunsten des Stresses werden k{\"o}rpereigene Selbstheilungskr{\"a}fte der Selbstregulation verhindert und die Resilienzf{\"a}higkeit eingeschr{\"a}nkt. Selbstregulation und Resilienz sind vorhanden, wenn das Ruhe- und Bindungssystem dominiert im Gegensatz zur Kampf-, Flucht- und Erstarrungsreaktion. In seiner Hypothese zeigt Porges auf, wie das autonome Nervensystem Verhaltensweisen beeinflusst und wie diesen begegnet werden kann. Durch den sympathischen Zweig wird die An- und Verspannungsreaktion auf k{\"o}rperlicher Seite mit den auch auf der psychischen Seite verbundenen Reaktionen vermittelt. Diesem kann durch die parasympathisch vermittelte Oxytocin-Freisetzung begegnet werden. Durch eine Balance dieser beiden Waagschalen kann k{\"o}rperliche und seelische Gesundheit sowie Resilienzf{\"a}higkeit gef{\"o}rdert werden. Die K{\"o}rperpsychotherapie bietet auch aus meiner Sicht eine noch untersch{\"a}tzte M{\"o}glichkeit, die Balance wieder herzustellen. Eine Methode, die positive durch Oxytocin vermittelte heilsame Reaktionen in Gang zu setzt, stellt die ber{\"u}hrende K{\"o}rperarbeit dar wie sie beispielsweise nach der Rosen-Methode praktiziert wird. K{\"o}rperpsychotherapie im Allgemeinen kann in der Behandlung von Depressionen, Angst- und psychosomatischen St{\"o}rungen hilfreich sein. Sie ist empirisch in einer umfassenden Theorie begr{\"u}ndet und fundiert auf neurobiologischen und neurowissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen. Aus Sicht der Autorin handelt es sich bei der K{\"o}rperpsychotherapie angesichts der vorliegenden Befunde und theoretischen Wirkkonzepte um einen therapeutischen Ansatz, der wesentlich dazu beitragen kann, die Behandlung psychischer St{\"o}rungen kosteneffizienter und wirksamer zu gestalten. Um differenzierter zwischen theoretischem Potential und tats{\"a}chlich nachweisbaren Effekten k{\"o}rperpsychotherapeutischer Methoden unterscheiden zu k{\"o}nnen, ist es aus meiner Sicht dringend zu empfehlen, k{\"o}rperpsychotherapeutische Arbeitsans{\"a}tze exakter zu erforschen. Beispielsweise w{\"a}re es lang- oder mittelfristig auch w{\"u}nschenswert, Forschungsdaten f{\"u}r eine pr{\"a}zisere Indikationsstellung zur Verf{\"u}gung zu haben. Dabei w{\"a}re beispielweise zu kl{\"a}ren, welche Verfahren f{\"u}r welche St{\"o}rungsbilder, in welchem Behandlungssetting und f{\"u}r welche Behandlungsdauer in Frage kommen. Auch fehlen hinsichtlich der Kontraindikationen belastbare Forschungsdaten zu den oben benannten Empfehlungen diverser Vertreter der K{\"o}rperpsychotherapie. Aufgrund des hohen Erkl{\"a}rungspotentials f{\"u}r das individuelle Erleben psychisch beeintr{\"a}chtigter Personen, das beispielsweise die Polyvagal-Theorie nach Porges oder die verk{\"o}rperte Selbstwahrnehmung nach Fogel bieten, erscheint mir auch die Forderung nach einer Ber{\"u}cksichtigung k{\"o}rperpsychotherapeutischer Theorien und Methoden in der Ausbildung von {\"A}rzten und Psychologen nachvollziehbar und sinnvoll. Aufgrund der in dieser Arbeit zusammengetragenen Ergebnisse halte ich es f{\"u}r dringend empfehlenswert, die K{\"o}rperpsychotherapie als eigenst{\"a}ndiges Behandlungselement in die fachgerechte Versorgung psychisch Erkrankter aufzunehmen, sofern keine der erw{\"a}hnten Kontraindikationen dem widersprechen.}, subject = {K{\"o}rperpsychotherapie}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Wendlinger2023, author = {Wendlinger, Simone Alice}, title = {Function of Peripheral Blood Eosinophils in Melanoma}, publisher = {Cancers (Basel)}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30119}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-301194}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Despite accounting for only a small proportion of all skin cancers, malignant melanoma displays a serious health risk with increasing incidence and high mortality rate. Fortunately, advances in the treatment of malignant melanoma now prolong survival and enhance response and treatment efficacy. Established biomarkers help evaluate disease progression and facilitate choosing appropriate and individual treatment options. However, the need for easily accessible and reliable biomarkers is rising to predict patient-specific clinical outcome. Eosinophil infiltration into the tumor and high peripheral eosinophil counts prior and during treatment have been associated with better response in patients for various cancer entities, including melanoma. An analysis of a heterogeneous study cohort reported high serum ECP levels in non-responders. Hence, eosinophil frequency and serum ECP as a soluble eosinophil-secreted mediator were suggested as prognostic biomarkers in melanoma. We examined whether melanoma patients treated with first-line targeted therapy could also benefit from the effects of eosinophils. In total, 243 blood and serum samples from patients with advanced melanoma were prospectively and retrospectively collected before and after drug initiation. To link eosinophil function to improved clinical outcome, soluble serum markers and peripheral blood counts were used for correlative studies using a homogeneous study cohort. In addition, functional and phenotypical characterizations provided insights into the expression profile and activity of freshly isolated eosinophils, including comparisons between patients and healthy donors. Our data showed a significant correlation between high pre-treatment blood eosinophil counts and improved response to targeted therapy and by trend to combinatorial immunotherapy in patients with metastatic melanoma. In accordance with previous studies our results links eosinophil blood counts to better response in melanoma patients. High pre-treatment ECP serum concentration correlated with response to immunotherapy but not to targeted therapy. Eosinophils from healthy donors and patients showed functional and phenotypical similarities. Functional assays revealed a strong cytotoxic potential of blood eosinophils towards melanoma cells in vitro, inducing apoptosis and necrosis. In addition, in vitro cytotoxicity was an active process of peripheral eosinophils and melanoma cells with bidirectional features and required close cell-cell interaction. The extent of cytotoxicity was dose-dependent and showed susceptibility to changes in physical factors like adherence. Importantly, we provide evidence of an additive tumoricidal function of eosinophils and combinatorial targeted therapy in vitro. In summary, we give valuable insights into the complex and treatment-dependent role of eosinophils in melanoma. As a result, our data support the suggestion of eosinophils and their secreted mediators as potential prognostic biomarkers. It will take additional studies to examine the molecular mechanisms that underlie our findings.}, subject = {Melanom}, language = {en} }