@phdthesis{WeidergebOswald2023, author = {Weider [geb. Oswald], Margareta}, title = {Mundgesundheit von Hypophosphatasie-Patienten und Gendefekttr{\"a}gern - eine patientenorientierte Querschnittsstudie}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30278}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-302781}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Diese Studie evaluiert die Mundgesundheit von Hypophosphatasie (HPP)-Patienten und beinhaltet die Untersuchungen folgender Kenngr{\"o}ßen: erster Milchzahnverlust, Anzahl fehlender Z{\"a}hne, DMF/T-Index (Kari{\"o}s/Fehlend/Gef{\"u}llt), Blutung auf Sondierung (BOP), Sondierungstiefen (PPD), klinisches Attachmentniveau (CAL), Zahnlockerungen und kombinierter CDC/AAP Parodontal-Index. Die Daten wurden zwischen HHP-Patienten mit einer und zwei Mutationen auf dem f{\"u}r die alkalische Phosphatase kodierenden Genabschnitt (ALPL-Gen), sowie mit den Ergebnissen der DMS V verglichen, welche die Mundgesundheit der deutschen Allgemeinbev{\"o}lkerung repr{\"a}sentiert. 80 Patienten wurden untersucht; 64 von ihnen waren weiblich, 18 m{\"a}nnlich. Das Mittlere Alter lag bei 46,4 Jahren. 55 Studienteilnehmer wiesen eine Mutation und 18 zwei Mutationen des ALPL-Gens auf (n=7 keine Testung). Patienten, die von zwei Mutationen des f{\"u}r die alkalische Phosphatase kodierenden Genabschnitts betroffen waren, zeigten ein h{\"o}heres Risiko f{\"u}r Parodontitis und Zahnverlust als HPP-Patienten mit nur einer Mutation, sowie im Vergleich mit der deutschen Allgemeinbev{\"o}lkerung. Allerdings stiegen auch bei Patienten mit nur einer Mutation mit zunehmendem Lebensalter die Auspr{\"a}gungen parodontaler Erkrankungen, sowie die Zahnverlustrate im Vergleich zur Durchschnittsbev{\"o}lkerung in Deutschland.}, subject = {Hypophosphatasie}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Hartmann2023, author = {Hartmann, Sebastian Erich}, title = {Mobbing und Straining im {\"o}ffentlichen Dienst : Eine rechtliche W{\"u}rdigung juristisch vernachl{\"a}ssigter, aber real existenter Ph{\"a}nomene}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-31672}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-316724}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Mobbing und Straining sind Ph{\"a}nomene, die in Deutschland bislang kaum rechtliche Beachtung erfahren haben, obgleich sie real existieren, eine Vielzahl von Personen betreffen und immense wirtschaftliche Sch{\"a}den verursachen. So begegnet man diesen Ph{\"a}nomenen zuweilen mit allgemeinen Rechtsinstrumenten, was eine Herausforderung darstellt und mitunter an Grenzen st{\"o}ßt. Im ersten Teil der Arbeit wird ein umfassender {\"U}berblick dar{\"u}ber gegeben, welche Anspr{\"u}che in Betracht kommen und welche rechtlichen M{\"o}glichkeiten f{\"u}r betroffene Personen bestehen. In einer systematischen Darstellung wird aufgezeigt, wie reale Lebensvorg{\"a}nge im Kontext von Mobbing und Straining unter bestehende Rechtsvorschriften subsumiert werden k{\"o}nnen. Im Fokus steht insbesondere der Bereich des {\"o}ffentlichen Dienstes, der aufgrund seiner speziellen Rahmenbedingungen vielfach rechtliche und tats{\"a}chliche Besonderheiten aufweist, die es zu ber{\"u}cksichtigen gilt, wie etwa die Amtshaftung. Neben der rechtlichen Aufarbeitung h{\"a}lt der zweite Teil der Arbeit eine deutschlandweite Studie mit rund 2.300 Teilnehmenden zum Thema Straining und Mobbing im {\"o}ffentlichen Dienst bereit, deren Ergebnisse erstmalig Aussagen und R{\"u}ckschl{\"u}sse zum Strainingaufkommen in Deutschland zulassen. Ferner liefert die umfassende empirische Untersuchung vertiefte Erkenntnisse zur Existenz und Bedeutung der Ph{\"a}nomene Straining und Mobbing im Kontext des {\"o}ffentlichen Dienstes.}, subject = {Mobbing}, language = {de} } @article{WeibelPoppReisetal.2023, author = {Weibel, Stephanie and Popp, Maria and Reis, Stefanie and Skoetz, Nicole and Garner, Paul and Sydenham, Emma}, title = {Identifying and managing problematic trials: A research integrity assessment tool for randomized controlled trials in evidence synthesis}, series = {Research Synthesis Methods}, volume = {14}, journal = {Research Synthesis Methods}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1002/jrsm.1599}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-318236}, pages = {357 -- 369}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Evidence synthesis findings depend on the assumption that the included studies follow good clinical practice and results are not fabricated or false. Studies which are problematic due to scientific misconduct, poor research practice, or honest error may distort evidence synthesis findings. Authors of evidence synthesis need transparent mechanisms to identify and manage problematic studies to avoid misleading findings. As evidence synthesis authors of the Cochrane COVID-19 review on ivermectin, we identified many problematic studies in terms of research integrity and regulatory compliance. Through iterative discussion, we developed a research integrity assessment (RIA) tool for randomized controlled trials for the update of this Cochrane review. In this paper, we explain the rationale and application of the RIA tool in this case study. RIA assesses six study criteria: study retraction, prospective trial registration, adequate ethics approval, author group, plausibility of methods (e.g., randomization), and plausibility of study results. RIA was used in the Cochrane review as part of the eligibility check during screening of potentially eligible studies. Problematic studies were excluded and studies with open questions were held in awaiting classification until clarified. RIA decisions were made independently by two authors and reported transparently. Using the RIA tool resulted in the exclusion of >40\% of studies in the first update of the review. RIA is a complementary tool prior to assessing "Risk of Bias" aiming to establish the integrity and authenticity of studies. RIA provides a platform for urgent development of a standard approach to identifying and managing problematic studies.}, language = {en} } @article{BellutBieberKraftetal.2023, author = {Bellut, Maximilian and Bieber, Michael and Kraft, Peter and Weber, Alexander N. R. and Stoll, Guido and Schuhmann, Michael K.}, title = {Delayed NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition ameliorates subacute stroke progression in mice}, series = {Journal of Neuroinflammation}, volume = {20}, journal = {Journal of Neuroinflammation}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1186/s12974-022-02674-w}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300599}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Background Ischemic stroke immediately evokes a strong neuro-inflammatory response within the vascular compartment, which contributes to primary infarct development under vessel occlusion as well as further infarct growth despite recanalization, referred to as ischemia/reperfusion injury. Later, in the subacute phase of stroke (beyond day 1 after recanalization), further inflammatory processes within the brain parenchyma follow. Whether this second wave of parenchymal inflammation contributes to an additional/secondary increase in infarct volumes and bears the potential to be pharmacologically targeted remains elusive. We addressed the role of the NLR-family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the subacute phase of ischemic stroke. Methods Focal cerebral ischemia was induced in C57Bl/6 mice by a 30-min transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). Animals were treated with the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 therapeutically 24 h after or prophylactically before tMCAO. Stroke outcome, including infarct size and functional deficits as well as the local inflammatory response, was assessed on day 7 after tMCAO. Results Infarct sizes on day 7 after tMCAO decreased about 35\% after delayed and about 60\% after prophylactic NLRP3 inhibition compared to vehicle. Functionally, pharmacological inhibition of NLRP3 mitigated the local inflammatory response in the ischemic brain as indicated by reduction of infiltrating immune cells and reactive astrogliosis. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that the NLRP3 inflammasome continues to drive neuroinflammation within the subacute stroke phase. NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition leads to a better long-term outcome—even when administered with a delay of 1 day after stroke induction, indicating ongoing inflammation-driven infarct progression. These findings may pave the way for eagerly awaited delayed treatment options in ischemic stroke.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Saulin2023, author = {Saulin, Anne Christin}, title = {Sustainability of empathy as driver for prosocial behavior and social closeness: insights from computational modelling and functional magnetic resonance imaging}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30555}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-305550}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Empathy, the act of sharing another person's affective state, is a ubiquitous driver for helping others and feeling close to them. These experiences are integral parts of human behavior and society. The studies presented in this dissertation aimed to investigate the sustainability and stability of social closeness and prosocial decision-making driven by empathy and other social motives. In this vein, four studies were conducted in which behavioral and neural indicators of empathy sustainability were identified using model-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Applying reinforcement learning, drift-diffusion modelling (DDM), and fMRI, the first two studies were designed to investigate the formation and sustainability of empathy-related social closeness (study 1) and examined how sustainably empathy led to prosocial behavior (study 2). Using DDM and fMRI, the last two studies investigated how empathy combined with reciprocity, the social norm to return a favor, on the one hand and empathy combined with the motive of outcome maximization on the other hand altered the behavioral and neural social decision process. The results showed that empathy-related social closeness and prosocial decision tendencies persisted even if empathy was rarely reinforced. The sustainability of these empathy effects was related to recalibration of the empathy-related social closeness learning signal (study 1) and the maintenance of a prosocial decision bias (study 2). The findings of study 3 showed that empathy boosted the processing of reciprocity-based social decisions, but not vice versa. Study 4 revealed that empathy-related decisions were modulated by the motive of outcome maximization, depending on individual differences in state empathy. Together, the studies strongly support the concept of empathy as a sustainable driver of social closeness and prosocial behavior.}, subject = {Einf{\"u}hlung }, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Grimm2023, author = {Grimm, Philipp Martin}, title = {Locally driven complex plasmonic nanoantenna systems}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30315}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-303152}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Metallic nanostructures possess the ability to support resonances in the visible wavelength regime which are related to localized surface plasmons. These create highly enhanced electric fields in the immediate vicinity of metal surfaces. Nanoparticles with dipolar resonance also radiate efficiently into the far-field and hence serve as antennas for light. Such optical antennas have been explored during the last two decades, however, mainly as standalone units illuminated by external laser beams and more recently as electrically driven point sources, yet merely with basic antenna properties. This work advances the state of the art of locally driven optical antenna systems. As a first instance, the electric driving scheme including inelastic electron tunneling over a nanometer gap is merged with Yagi-Uda theory. The resulting antenna system consists of a suitably wired feed antenna, incorporating a tunnel junction, as well as several nearby parasitic elements whose geometry is optimized using analytical and numerical methods. Experimental evidence of unprecedented directionality of light emission from a nanoantenna is provided. Parallels in the performance between radiofrequency and optical Yagi-Uda arrays are drawn. Secondly, a pair of electrically connected antennas with dissimilar resonances is harnessed as electrodes in an organic light emitting nanodiode prototype. The organic material zinc phthalocyanine, exhibiting asymmetric injection barriers for electrons and holes, in conjunction with the electrode resonances, allows switching and controlling the emitted peak wavelength and directionality as the polarity of the applied voltage is inverted. In a final study, the near-field based transmission-line driving of rod antenna systems is thoroughly explored. Perfect impedance matching, corresponding to zero back-reflection, is achieved when the antenna acts as a generalized coherent perfect absorber at a specific frequency. It thus collects all guided, surface-plasmon mediated input power and transduces it to other nonradiative and radiative dissipation channels. The coherent interplay of losses and interference effects turns out to be of paramount importance for this delicate scenario, which is systematically obtained for various antenna resonances. By means of the here developed semi-analytical toolbox, even more complex nanorod chains, supporting topologically nontrivial localized edge states, are studied. The results presented in this work facilitate the design of complex locally driven antenna systems for optical wireless on-chip communication, subwavelength pixels, and loss-compensated integrated plasmonic nanocircuitry which extends to the realm of topological plasmonics.}, subject = {Plasmonik}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Lichter2023, author = {Lichter, Katharina}, title = {Die Ultrastruktur von Aktiven Zonen in hippocampalen Moosfaserboutons}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30312}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-303126}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In nervous systems, synapses precisely orchestrate information transfer and memory formation. Active zones (AZ) are specialized subcellular compartments at the presynaptic mesoscale which process synaptic transmission on an ultrastructural level. The AZ cytomatrix including the essential scaffold protein Rab3 interacting molecule (RIM) enables exocytosis of synaptic vesicles. A deficiency of the locally most abundant protein isoform RIM1α diminishes long-term potentiation in a complex central mammalian synapse - the connection of hippocampal mossy fiber boutons (MFB) to cornu ammonis (CA)3 pyramidal neurons. Behaviourally, these mice present with learning impairment. The present MD thesis addresses the so far unknown three-dimensional (3D) AZ ultrastructure of MFBs in acute hippocampal slices of wild-type and RIM1α-/- mice. In a first set of experiments, a standardized protocol for near-to-native synaptic tissue preparation at MFBs using high-pressure freezing and freeze substitution and 3D modelling using electron tomography was developed and established. Based on the excellent preservation of synaptic tissue using this protocol, the AZ ultrastructure in both genotypes was quantified in detail up to an individual docked synaptic vesicle using custom-written programming scripts. The experiments demonstrate that deficiency of RIM1α leads to multidimensional alter-ation of AZ 3D ultrastructure and synaptic vesicle pools in MFBs. (Tightly) docked synaptic vesicles - ultrastructural correlates of the readily releasable pool - are reduced, decentralized, and structurally modified, whereas the more distant vesicle pool clusters more densely above larger and more heterogenous AZ surfaces with higher synaptic clefts. The present thesis contributes to a more comprehensive understanding regarding the role of RIM1α for (tight) vesicle docking and organization at MFBs. Furthermore, the precise 3D ultrastructural analysis of MFB AZs in this thesis provides the necessary mor-phological basis for further studies to correlate synaptic ultrastructure with presynaptic plasticity and memory dysfunction in RIM1α-/- mice using advanced electrophysiological and behavioral techniques.}, subject = {Hippocampus}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{FetivaMora2023, author = {Fetiva Mora, Maria Camila}, title = {Changes in chromatin accessibility by oncogenic YAP and its relevance for regulation of cell cycle gene expression and cell migration}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30291}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-302910}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Various types of cancer involve aberrant cell cycle regulation. Among the pathways responsible for tumor growth, the YAP oncogene, a key downstream effector of the Hippo pathway, is responsible for oncogenic processes including cell proliferation, and metastasis by controlling the expression of cell cycle genes. In turn, the MMB multiprotein complex (which is formed when B-MYB binds to the MuvB core) is a master regulator of mitotic gene expression, which has also been associated with cancer. Previously, our laboratory identified a novel crosstalk between the MMB-complex and YAP. By binding to enhancers of MMB target genes and promoting B-MYB binding to promoters, YAP and MMB co-regulate a set of mitotic and cytokinetic target genes which promote cell proliferation. This doctoral thesis addresses the mechanisms of YAP and MMB mediated transcription, and it characterizes the role of YAP regulated enhancers in transcription of cell cycle genes. The results reported in this thesis indicate that expression of constitutively active, oncogenic YAP5SA leads to widespread changes in chromatin accessibility in untransformed human MCF10A cells. ATAC-seq identified that newly accessible and active regions include YAP-bound enhancers, while the MMB-bound promoters were found to be already accessible and remain open during YAP induction. By means of CRISPR-interference (CRISPRi) and chromatin immuniprecipitation (ChIP), we identified a role of YAP-bound enhancers in recruitment of CDK7 to MMB-regulated promoters and in RNA Pol II driven transcriptional initiation and elongation of G2/M genes. Moreover, by interfering with the YAP-B-MYB protein interaction, we can show that binding of YAP to B-MYB is also critical for the initiation of transcription at MMB-regulated genes. Unexpectedly, overexpression of YAP5SA also leads to less accessible chromatin regions or chromatin closing. Motif analysis revealed that the newly closed regions contain binding motifs for the p53 family of transcription factors. Interestingly, chromatin closing by YAP is linked to the reduced expression and loss of chromatin-binding of the p53 family member Np63. Furthermore, I demonstrate that downregulation of Np63 following expression of YAP is a key step in driving cellular migration. Together, the findings of this thesis provide insights into the role of YAP in the chromatin changes that contribute to the oncogenic activities of YAP. The overexpression of YAP5SA not only leads to the opening of chromatin at YAP-bound enhancers which together with the MMB complex stimulate the expression of G2/M genes, but also promotes the closing of chromatin at ∆Np63 -bound regions in order to lead to cell migration.}, subject = {Chromatin}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Sauer2023, author = {Sauer, Christian}, title = {Development, Simulation and Evaluation of Mobile Wireless Networks in Industrial Applications}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-29923}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-299238}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Manyindustrialautomationsolutionsusewirelesscommunicationandrelyontheavail- ability and quality of the wireless channel. At the same time the wireless medium is highly congested and guaranteeing the availability of wireless channels is becoming increasingly difficult. In this work we show, that ad-hoc networking solutions can be used to provide new communication channels and improve the performance of mobile automation systems. These ad-hoc networking solutions describe different communi- cation strategies, but avoid relying on network infrastructure by utilizing the Peer-to- Peer (P2P) channel between communicating entities. This work is a step towards the effective implementation of low-range communication technologies(e.g. VisibleLightCommunication(VLC), radarcommunication, mmWave communication) to the industrial application. Implementing infrastructure networks with these technologies is unrealistic, since the low communication range would neces- sitate a high number of Access Points (APs) to yield full coverage. However, ad-hoc networks do not require any network infrastructure. In this work different ad-hoc net- working solutions for the industrial use case are presented and tools and models for their examination are proposed. The main use case investigated in this work are Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) for industrial applications. These mobile devices drive throughout the factory trans- porting crates, goods or tools or assisting workers. In most implementations they must exchange data with a Central Control Unit (CCU) and between one another. Predicting if a certain communication technology is suitable for an application is very challenging since the applications and the resulting requirements are very heterogeneous. The proposed models and simulation tools enable the simulation of the complex inter- action of mobile robotic clients and a wireless communication network. The goal is to predict the characteristics of a networked AGV fleet. Theproposedtoolswereusedtoimplement, testandexaminedifferentad-hocnetwork- ing solutions for industrial applications using AGVs. These communication solutions handle time-critical and delay-tolerant communication. Additionally a control method for the AGVs is proposed, which optimizes the communication and in turn increases the transport performance of the AGV fleet. Therefore, this work provides not only tools for the further research of industrial ad-hoc system, but also first implementations of ad-hoc systems which address many of the most pressing issues in industrial applica- tions.}, subject = {Industrie}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Hamann2023, author = {Hamann, Catharina Sophia}, title = {Fear and anxiety disorders - interaction of AVP and OXT brain systems with the serotonergic system}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30333}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-303338}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Anxiety disorders pose a great burden onto society and economy and can have devastating consequences for affected individuals. Treatment options are still limited to psychopharmacotherapy originally developed for the treatment of depression and behavioral therapy. A combination of genetic traits together with aversive events is most likely the cause of these diseases. Gene x environment studies are trying to find a link between genetic traits and specific negative circumstances. In a first study, we focused on social anxiety disorder (SAD), which is the second most-common anxiety disorder after specific phobias. We used a social fear conditioning (SFC) paradigm, which is able to mimic the disease in a mouse model. We wanted to investigate protein levels, as well as mRNA expression of immediate early genes (IEGs), to determine brain areas affected by the paradigm. We also included genes of the vasopressin (AVP)-, oxytocin (OXT)-, neuropeptide Y (NPY)-, and the serotonin system, to investigate the effects of SFC on neurotransmitter gene expression levels in brain regions related to social as well as fear-related behavior. AVP and OXT regulate a lot of different social and anxiety-related behaviors, both positive and negative. Finding a link between different neurotransmitter systems in the development of anxiety disorders could help to identify potential targets for new treatment approaches, which are desperately needed, because the rate of patients not responding to available treatment is very high. We were able to show altered gene expression of the IEGs cFos and Fosl2, as well as a change in number and density of cFOS-positive cells in the dorsal hippocampus, indicating an influence of SFC on neuronal activity. Our results reveal a possible involvement of anterior dentate gyrus (DG), as well as cornu ammonis area 1 (CA1) and CA3 in the dorsal hippocampus during the expression of social fear. Contrary to our hypothesis, we were not able to see changes in neuronal activity through expression changes of IEGs in the amygdala. Significant higher IEG immunoreactivity and gene expression in the dorsal hippocampus of animals without fear conditioning (SFC-), compared to animals with fear conditioning (SFC+), indicate an involvement of different hippocampal regions in two possible scenarios. Either as elevated gene expression in SFC- animals compared to SFC+ animals or as reduction in SFC+ animals compared to SFC- animals. However, this question cannot be answered without an additional control of basal IEG-activity without social interaction. The NPY system in general and the neuropeptide y receptor type 2 in particular seem to be involved in regulating the response to social fear, mostly through the septum region. In addition to that, a possible role for the induction of social fear response could be identified in the serotonergic system and especially the serotonin receptor 2a of the PVN. In a second study we focused on changes in the serotonergic system. A polymorphism in the human serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene is associated with higher risks for the development of anxiety disorders. This makes the 5-HTT a widely used target to study possible causes and the development of anxiety disorders. In mice, a genetically induced knockout of the 5-Htt gene is associated with increased anxiety-like behavior. High amounts of stress during pregnancy, also known as prenatal stress, significantly increase the risk to develop psychiatric disorders for the unborn child. We utilized a prenatal stress paradigm in mice heterozygous for the 5-Htt gene. Some of the animals which had been subjected to prenatal stress showed noticeably "unsocial" interaction behavior towards conspecifics. Again, we were searching for links between the serotonergic system and AVP- and OXT systems. Through quantitative gene expression analysis, we were able to show that both AVP and OXT neuromodulator systems are affected through prenatal stress in female mice, but not in male mice. The 5-Htt genotype seems to be only slightly influential to AVP, OXT or any other neurotransmitter system investigated. Gene expression of AVP and OXT brain systems is highly influenced through the estrous cycle stages of female mice. Additionally, we analyzed the AVP and OXT neuropeptide levels of mice with different 5-Htt genotypes and in both sexes, in order to see whether the production of AVP and OXT is influenced by 5-Htt genotype. On neuropeptide level, we were able to identify a sex difference for vasopressin-immunoreactive (ir) cells in the PVN, with male mice harboring significantly more positive cells than female mice.}, subject = {Serotonin}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Laesker2023, author = {L{\"a}sker, Katharina}, title = {The influence of the short-chain fatty acid butyrate on "Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3" (STAT3) and selected inflammatory genes in the colon carcinoma cell line CACO-2 cultured in 2D and 3D}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30038}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300389}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {A disturbance in the symbiotic mutualism between the intestinal microbiome and the human host's organism (syn. dysbiosis) accompanies the development of a variety of inflammatory and metabolic diseases that comprise the Metabolic Syndrome, chronic inflammatory gut diseases like Crohn's disease, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular diseases, among others. The changed uptake and effectiveness of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as well as an increase of the intestinal permeability are common, interdependent disease elements in this regard. Short chain fatty acids are end-products of intestinal bacterial fermentation and affect the mucosal barrier integrity via numerous molecular mechanisms. There is evidence to suggest, that SCFAs have a modulating influence on Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in intestinal epithelial cells. STAT3 is a central gene-transcription factor in signaling pathways of proliferation and inflammation. It can be activated by growth factors and other intercellular signaling molecules like the cytokine Oncostatin M (OSM). The mode of STAT3's activation exhibits, finally, a decisive influence on the immunological balance at the intestinal mucosa. Therefore, the posttranslational modification of STAT3 under the influence of SCFAs is likely to be a very important factor within the development and -progression of dysbiosis-associated diseases. In this study, a clear positive in vitro-effect of the short chain fatty acid butyrate on the posttranslational serine727-phosphorylation of STAT3 and its total protein amount in the human adenocarcinoma cell line CACO2 is verified. Moreover, an increased gene expression of the OSM-receptor subunit OSMRβ can be observed after butyrate incubation. Histone deacetylase inhibition is shown to have a predominant role in these effects. Furthermore, a subsequent p38 MAPK-activation by Butyrate is found to be a key molecular mechanism regarding the STAT3-phosphorylation at serine727-residues. To consider the portion of butyrate receptor signaling in this context in future assays, a CACO-2 cell 3D-culture model is introduced in which an improvement of the GPR109A-receptor expression in CACO-2 cells is accomplished.}, subject = {Butyrate }, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Aigner2023, author = {Aigner, Max}, title = {Establishing successful protocols and imaging pipelines for Expansion Microscopy in murine blood platelets}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30900}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-309003}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Platelets play an important role in the body, since they are part of the hemostasis system, preventing and stopping blood loss. Nevertheless, when platelet or coagulation system function are impaired, uncontrolled bleedings but also irreversible vessel occlusion followed by ischemic tissue damage can occur. Therefore, understanding platelet function and activation, mechanisms which are controlled by a variety of platelet membrane receptors and other factors is important to advance out knowledge of hemostasis and platelet malfunction. For a complete picture of platelet function and their modulating behavior it is desired to be able to quantify receptor distributions and interactions of these densely packed molecular ensembles in the membrane. This challenges scientists for several reasons. Most importantly, platelets are microscopically small objects, challenging the spatial resolution of conventional light microscopy. Moreover, platelet receptors are highly abundant on the membrane so even super-resolution microscopy struggles with quantitative receptor imaging on platelets. With Expansion microscopy (ExM), a new super-resolution technique was introduced, allowing resolutions to achieve super-resolution without using a super-resolution microscope, but by combining a conventional confocal microscopy with a highly processed sample that has been expanded physically. In this doctoral thesis, I evaluated the potential of this technique for super-resolution platelet imaging by optimizing the sample preparation process and establishing an imaging and image processing pipeline for dual-color 3D images of different membrane receptors. The analysis of receptor colocalization using ExM demonstrated a clear superiority compared to conventional microscopy. Furthermore, I identified a library of fluorescently labeled antibodies against different platelet receptors compatible with ExM and showed the possibility of staining membrane receptors and parts of the cytoskeleton at the same time.}, subject = {Mikroskopie}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Heider2023, author = {Heider, Melanie}, title = {Detektionsrate der \(^{68}\)Ga-PSMA-PET/CT bei Patienten mit Rezidiv eines Prostatakarzinoms und Androgendeprivationstherapie}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30612}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-306123}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Die Detektion des Prostataspezifischen Membranantigens (PSMA) mittels kombinierter Positronenemissions- und Computertomographie (PET/CT) ist ein etabliertes diagnostisches Verfahren bei Patienten mit Prostatakarzinom. Hierbei ist bislang unklar, ob und wie eine bereits eingeleitete Androgendeprivationstherapie (ADT) die diagnostische Genauigkeit der PSMA-PET/CT beeinflusst. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, die Detektionsrate der PSMA-PET/CT mit 68Ga-PSMA I\&T unter ADT in Abh{\"a}ngigkeit des PSA-Wertes zu evaluieren und mit einer Kontrollgruppe ohne ADT zu vergleichen. In dieser retrospektiven Studie wurden Daten von Patienten mit biochemischem Rezidiv nach radikaler Prostatektomie analysiert, welche zwischen 2014 und 2018 eine PSMA-PET/CT am Universit{\"a}tsklinikum W{\"u}rzburg erhalten haben. Mittels Propensity Score Matching wurde f{\"u}r die Patienten mit ADT innerhalb der letzten 6 Monate vor Durchf{\"u}hrung der PSMA-PET/CT eine Kontrollgruppe ohne ADT erstellt. Die Patienten mit ADT (n=62) wiesen eine signifikant h{\"o}here Detektionsrate auf als die Patienten ohne ADT (n=62). Die Traceranreicherung unterschied sich nicht signifikant in beiden Gruppen. Dagegen wiesen die Patienten mit ADT jedoch eine signifikant h{\"o}here Tumorlast auf und hatten h{\"a}ufiger Knochen- und Organmetastasen, sodass als Ursache f{\"u}r die h{\"o}here Detektionsrate der PSMA-PET/CT bei Patienten mit ADT ein fortgeschritteneres Tumorstadium angenommen wurde. Die Detektionsrate war bei den Patienten mit ADT auch bei niedrigen PSA-Werten hoch. Es scheint daher nicht erforderlich zu sein, eine bestehende ADT vor Durchf{\"u}hrung der PSMA-PET/CT im biochemischen Rezidiv abzusetzen und damit das Risiko einer Krankheitsprogression einzugehen. Die Korrelation des PSA-Wertes mit der Tumorlast in der PSMA-PET/CT war bei Patienten mit ADT geringer ausgepr{\"a}gt als bei Patienten ohne ADT. Patienten unter ADT k{\"o}nnten daher von einer regelm{\"a}ßigen Durchf{\"u}hrung der PSMA-PET/CT zur {\"U}berwachung der Krankheitsprogression profitieren. Hier bleibt allerdings eine Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse abzuwarten, da dies deutlich aufwendiger und teurer ist als die Bestimmung des PSA-Wertes.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {de} } @article{ParisiLehnerSchraderetal.2023, author = {Parisi, Sandra and Lehner, Nina and Schrader, Hanna and Kierer, Leonard and Fleischer, Anna and Miljukov, Olga and Borgulya, Gabor and R{\"u}ter, Gernot and Viniol, Annika and G{\´a}gyor, Ildik{\´o}}, title = {Experiencing COVID-19, home isolation and primary health care: A mixed-methods study}, series = {Frontiers in Public Health}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Public Health}, issn = {2296-2565}, doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2022.1023431}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-301498}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Objectives Although the vast majority of COVID-19 cases are treated in primary care, patients' experiences during home isolation have been little studied. This study aimed to explore the experiences of patients with acute COVID-19 and to identify challenges after the initial adaptation of the German health system to the pandemic (after first infection wave from February to June 2020). Methods A mixed-method convergent design was used to gain a holistic insight into patients experience. The study consisted of a cross-sectional survey, open survey answers and semi-structured telephone interviews. Descriptive analysis was performed on quantitative survey answers. Between group differences were calculated to explore changes after the first infection wave. Qualitative thematic analysis was conducted on open survey answers and interviews. The results were then compared within a triangulation protocol. Results A total of 1100 participants from all German states were recruited by 145 general practitioners from August 2020 to April 2021, 42 additionally took part in qualitative interviews. Disease onset varied from February 2020 to April 2021. After the first infection wave, more participants were tested positive during the acute disease (88.8\%; 95.2\%; P < 0.001). Waiting times for tests (mean 4.5 days, SD 4.1; 2.7days, SD 2.6, P < 0.001) and test results (mean 2.4 days, SD 1.9; 1.8 days, SD 1.3, P < 0.001) decreased. Qualitative results indicated that the availability of repeated testing and antigen tests reduced insecurities, transmission and related guilt. Although personal consultations at general practices increased (6.8\%; 15.5\%, P < 0.001), telephone consultation remained the main mode of consultation (78.5\%) and video remained insignificant (1.9\%). The course of disease, the living situation and social surroundings during isolation, access to health care, personal resilience, spirituality and feelings of guilt and worries emerged as themes influencing the illness experience. Challenges were contact management and adequate provision of care during home isolation. A constant contact person within the health system helped against feelings of care deprivation, uncertainty and fear. Conclusions Our study highlights that home isolation of individuals with COVID-19 requires a holistic approach that considers all aspects of patient care and effective coordination between different care providers.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Hennlein2023, author = {Hennlein, Luisa}, title = {Plastin 3 rescues defective cell surface translocation and activation of TrkB in mouse models for spinal muscular atrophy}, publisher = {Journal of Cell Biology}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-29879}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-298793}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic pediatric condition that affects lower motoneurons leading to their degeneration and muscle weakness. It is caused by homozygous loss or mutations in the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene; however, the pathomechanism leading to motoneuron degeneration is not fully resolved. Cultured embryonic SMA motoneurons display axon elongation and differentiation defects accompanied by collapsed growth cones with a disturbed actin cytoskeleton. Intriguingly, motoneurons cultured from mice deficient for the Tropomyosin-kinase receptor B (TrkB), exhibit similar pathological features. Thus, the question arises whether SMA motoneurons suffer from defective Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/TrkB signaling and whether there is a link to the disturbed actin cytoskeleton. In the recent years, modifier genes such as Plastin 3 (PLS3) were shown to beneficially interfere with SMA pathology. Nevertheless, the mechanism of how the actin-bundler PLS3 counteracts SMN deficiency is not well understood. In this study, we investigated TrkB localization and its activation in cultured SMA motoneurons and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). While TrkB levels are only mildly affected locally in axon terminals, BDNF-mediated TrkB phosphorylation was massively disturbed. The activity-dependent TrkB translocation to the cell surface and its activation via BDNF were shown to be Pls3-dependent processes, that can be abolished by knockdown of Pls3. In contrast, PLS3 overexpression in SMA motoneurons rescued the defects on morphological and functional level. In particular, the relocation of TrkB to the cell surface after BDNF-induced internalization is disturbed in SMA, which is based on an actin-dependent TrkB translocation defect from intracellular stores. Lastly, AAV9-mediated PLS3 overexpression in vivo in neonatal SMA mice provided further evidence for the capacity of PLS3 to modulate actin dynamics necessary for accurate BDNF/TrkB signaling. In conclusion, we provide a novel role for PLS3 in mediating proper alignment of transmembrane proteins as prerequisite for their appropriate functioning. Hence, PLS3 is required for a key process indispensable for the development and function of motoneurons even beyond the context of SMA.}, subject = {Spinale Muskelatrophie}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Jaud2023, author = {Jaud, Tobias Armin}, title = {Application based personalized food choices and health sustainment: scientific background and investigation of biomarkers in human tissue specimens}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-29864}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-298646}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Dietary fatty acids serve as objective biomarkers for the estimation of habitual diet mainly because biomarkers are free of memory bias or inaccuracies of food databases. The aim of the present work encompassed the implementation of a gas chromatographical method coupled with a mass spectrometrical and flame-ionization detector for analysis of fatty acid biomarkers in human biospecimens, their analytical determination and statistical evaluation in two different study populations and different biospecimens as well as the elaboration of adverse reactions to food ingredients with special focus on food allergies and food intolerances in the context of a possible implementation into an application for consumer health. The first aim was the identification of potential influence of fatty acid biomarkers on desaturase and elongase indexes (Δ9DI, Δ6DI, Δ5DI and ELOVLI5), which are factors in type 2 diabetes risk, in breast adipose tissue from healthy women. Influence of further variables on respective indexes was also investigated. 40 samples were investigated and potential variables were either collected by questionnaire or determined. Principle component analysis was applied for fatty acid biomarkers (PCdiet1, PCdiet2 and PCdiet3 representative for the dietary intake of vegetable oils/nuts, fish and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils), endogenous estrogens (PCE1) and oxysterols (PCOxy1). Multiple linear regression models were applied. Δ9DI and Δ6DI were influenced non-significantly and significantly negatively by PCdiet2 supporting a putative beneficial effect of vegetable oils and nuts on type 2 diabetes risk factors. ELOVLI5 and Δ5DI were influenced significantly and non-significantly positively by PCdiet1 supporting a putative beneficial effect of fish consumption on type 2 diabetes risk factors. On the other hand, PCdiet1 also significantly and non-significantly positively influenced Δ9DI and Δ6DI supporting a putative adverse effect of fish biomarkers on type 2 diabetes risk factors. The opposing influences of PCdiet1 suggesting an ambivalent role of dietary intake of fish on investigated indexes. Δ6DI was significantly positively influenced by PCdiet3 and number of pregnancies supporting a putative adverse effect of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and pregnancies on type 2 diabetes risk factors. Lifestyle factors like smoking significantly and non-significantly influenced Δ9DI and Δ6DI putatively adversely. Δ5DI was influenced significantly positively by estrogen active drugs suggesting a putative beneficial effect on type 2 diabetes risk factors. It must be considered that a variation coefficient of up to 0.44 only explained 44\% of variance of the respective indexes, suggesting other influencing factors might play a role. The second aim was the implementation of a gas chromatographical method coupled with a mass spectrometrical and flame-ionization detector for analysis of fatty acid biomarkers in human biospecimens. The method was optimized for separation and detection of 40 fatty acids. Mean recovery for tridecanoic acid was x(tridecanoic acid) = 90.51\% and for nonadecanoic acid x(nonadecanoic acid) = 96.21\%. Thus, there was no significant loss of fatty acids with shorter and longer carbon chains over the extraction process to be expected. Limit of detections were calculated in adipose tissue samples and ranged from 0.007 to 0.077\% of the proportion of the respective fatty acid to total fatty acids. The third aim was the investigation if differentiation between breast glandular and adipose tissue had a relevant impact on the analysis of dietary fatty acid biomarkers or if contamination of breast glandular with breast adipose tissue and vice versa was neglectable for the analysis of dietary fatty acid biomarkers. No statistical significant differences were observed for all investigated fatty acid biomarkers (pentadecanoic-, heptadecanoic-, trans palmitoleic-, eicosapentaenoic-, docosahexaenoic-, linoleic and α-linolenic acid) between breast glandular and adipose tissue. Thus, differentiation between breast glandular and adipose tissue seems not to be necessary for the analysis of fatty acids serving as biomarkers for the intake of specific food groups. Potential influence of mixed breast tissue on fatty acid biomarkers analysis seems to be neglectable. The fourth aim was the determination of fatty acid biomarkers in adipose tissue in another study population from healthy participants. 27 adipose tissue samples were analyzed. Milk and ruminant fat biomarkers exhibited proportions of 0.47\% for pentadecanoic acid, 0.34\% for heptadecanoic acid and 0.25\% for trans palmitoleic acid. Fish fatty acid biomarkers revealed proportions of 0.034\% for eicosapentaenoic acid and 0.061\% for docosahexaenoic acid. The mean proportion of vegetable oils and nuts biomarkers were 9.58\% for linoleic acid and 0.48\% for α-linolenic acid in all adipose tissues. Principle component analysis was applied for the fatty acid biomarkers to provide objective markers of habitual diet for this study population. PCdiet1 was mainly characterized by pentadecanoic acid, heptadecanoic acid and trans palmitoleic acid and therefore served as a principle component for the dietary intake of milk and ruminant fat. PCdiet2 and PCdiet3 only exhibited pattern for ω3 and ω6 fatty acids but not for dietary intake of specific food groups and could therefore not used as objective marker. PCdiet1, 2 and 3 explained 82.76\% of variance. The last aim of this thesis was the elaboration of adverse reactions to food ingredients with special focus on food allergies and food intolerances in the context of a possible implementation into an application for consumer health. Scientific information on adverse reactions to food ingredients and trigger substances was provided in this thesis and possible implementation strategies were evaluated. For food allergens, which have regulatory requirements in the context of labelling, a strategy was elaborated, where it is necessary to provide information on the list of ingredients, the nexus 'contain' and the respective food allergen as well as information on the name of the product. For food intolerances, which do not have regulatory requirements, limits were shown in the context of the application. If the elaborated food intolerances shall be implemented into the application, a professional dietary concept has to be developed for every food intolerance because of the complexity of the implementation.}, subject = {Lebensmittelchemie}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Jung2023, author = {Jung, Johannes}, title = {Wechselwirkungen zwischen Kantenzust{\"a}nden auf dem topologisch kristallinen Isolator Pb\(_{1-x}\)Sn\(_x\)Se}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-29861}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-298616}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Einerseits besteht die einfachste M{\"o}glichkeit zum Ladungs- und Informationstransport zwischen zwei Punkten in deren direkter Verbindung durch eindimensionale Kan{\"a}le. Andererseits besitzen topologische Materialien exotische und {\"a}ußerst vorteilhafte Eigenschaften, weshalb es nahe liegt, dass schon bald neue Anwendungen aus ihnen realisiert werden. Wenn diese beiden Entwicklungen zusammenkommen, dann ist ein grundlegendes Verst{\"a}ndnis von Quanteninterferenz oder Hybridisierungseffekten in eindimensionalen, topologischen Kan{\"a}len von fundamentaler Wichtigkeit. Deshalb werden in der vorliegenden Arbeit Wechselwirkungen von eindimensionalen, topologisch gesch{\"u}tzten Kantenzust{\"a}nden, die an ungeradzahligen Stufenkanten auf der (001)-Oberfl{\"a}che von Pb1-xSnxSe auftreten, untersucht. Aufgrund der lateralen Lokalisierung auf wenige Nanometer um eine Stufenkante herum und der Notwendigkeit zwischen gerad- und ungeradzahligen Stufenkantenh{\"o}hen zu unterscheiden, bieten sich die Rastertunnelmikroskopie und -spektroskopie als Methoden an. Die neu entdeckten Kopplungs- bzw. Wechselwirkungseffekte zwischen benachbarten Kantenzust{\"a}nden treten auf, sobald der Stufe zu Stufe Abstand einen kritischen Wert von dkri ≈ 25nm unterschreitet. Dieses Kriterium kann durch verschiedene r{\"a}umliche Anordnungen von Stufenkanten erf{\"u}llt werden. Infolgedessen werden sich kreuzende, parallel verlaufende und zusammenlaufende Stufenkanten genauer untersucht. Bei letzteren ver{\"a}ndert sich entlang der Struktur kontinuierlich der Abstand und damit die Kopplungsst{\"a}rke zwischen den beiden Randkan{\"a}len. Infolgedessen wurden drei Koppelungsregime identifiziert. (I) Ausgehend von einer schwachen Wechselwirkung zeigt der f{\"u}r die Kantenzust{\"a}nde charakteristische Peak im Spektrum zun{\"a}chst eine Verbreiterung und Verminderung der Intensit{\"a}t. (II) Mit weiter zunehmender Wechselwirkung beginnt sich der Zustand in zwei Peaks aufzuspalten, sodass ab dkri ≈ 15nm an beiden Stufenkanten durchgehen eine Doppelpeak zu beobachten ist . Mit weiter abnehmendem Abstand erreicht die Aufspaltung Werte von einigen 10 meV, w{\"a}hrend sich die Intensit{\"a}t weiter reduziert. (III) Sobald zwei Stufenkanten weniger als etwa 5nm voneinander getrennt sind, konvergieren aufgrund der schwindenden Intensit{\"a}t und des sinkenden energetischen Abstands der beiden Peaks zu den van Hove Singularit{\"a}ten die Spektren an den Stufenkanten gegen das Spektrum {\"u}ber einer Terrasse. i Die Aufspaltung verl{\"a}uft in den Bereichen I und II asymmetrisch, d. h. ein Peak verbleibt ungef{\"a}hr bei der Ausgangsenergie, w{\"a}hrend der andere mit zunehmender Kopplung immer weiter weg schiebt. Bez{\"u}glich der Asymmetrie kann kein Unterschied festgestellt werden, ob die zusammenlaufenden Stufenkanten eine Insel oder Fehlstelleninsel bilden oder ob die Stufenkanten sogar g{\"a}nzlich parallel verlaufen. Es zeigt sich keine Pr{\"a}ferenz, ob zun{\"a}chst der niederenergetische oder der hochenergetische Peak schiebt. Erst im Regime starker Kopplung (III) kann beobachtet werden, dass beide Peaks die Ausgangsenergie deutlich verlassen. Im Gegensatz dazu kann bei sich kreuzenden Stufen ein erheblicher Einfluss der Geometrie, in Form des eingeschlossenen Winkels, auf das Spektrum beobachtet werden. Unabh{\"a}ngig vom Winkel existiert am Kreuzungspunkt selbst kein Kantenzustand mehr. Die Zust{\"a}nde an den vier Stufen beginnen, abh{\"a}ngig vom Winkel, etwa 10-15nm vor dem Kreuzungspunkt abzuklingen. {\"U}berraschenderweise zeigt sich dabei, dass im Fall rechtwinkliger Stufen gar keine Aufspaltung zu beobachten ist, w{\"a}hrend bei allen anderen Winkeln ein Doppelpeak festgestellt werden kann. Diese Entdeckung deutet auf Orthogonalit{\"a}t bez{\"u}glich einer Quantenzahl bei den beteiligten Kantenzust{\"a}nde hin. Neben einer nur theoretisch vorhergesagten Spinpolarisation kann dieser Effekt auch von dem orbitalem Charakter der beteiligten Dirac-Kegel verursacht sein. Da der topologische Schutz in Pb1-xSnxSe durch Kristallsymmetrien garantiert ist, wird als letzter intrinsischer Effekt der Einfluss von eindimensionalen Defekten auf die Kantenzust{\"a}nde untersucht. Ber{\"u}cksichtigt werden dabei ein nicht n{\"a}her klassifizierbarer, oberfl{\"a}chennaher Defekt und Schraubversetzungen. In beiden F{\"a}llen kann ebenfalls eine Aufspaltung des Kantenzustands in einen Doppelpeak gezeigt werden. Im zweiten Teil dieser Arbeit werden die Grundlagen f{\"u}r eine Wiederverwendung von (Pb,Sn)Se-Oberfl{\"a}chen bei zuk{\"u}nftige Experimenten mit (magnetischen) Adatomen geschaffen. Durch Kombination von Inoenzerst{\"a}ubung und Tempern wird dabei nicht nur eine gereinigte Oberfl{\"a}che erzeugt, sondern es kann auch das Ferminiveau gezielt erh{\"o}ht oder gesenkt werden. Dieser Effekt beruht auf eine Modifikation der Sn- Konzentration und der von ihr kontrollierten Anzahl an Defektelektronen. Als letztes sind erste Messungen an Cu- und Fe-dotierte Proben gezeigt. Durch die Adatome tritt eine n-Dotierung auf, welche den Dirac-Punkt des Systems in Richtung des Ferminiveaus verschiebt. Sobald er dieses erreicht hat kommt es zu Wechselwirkungsph{\"a}nomenen an freistehenden Stufenkanten. Dies f{\"u}hrt zu einer Doppelpeakstruktur mit einer feinen Aufspaltung von wenigen meV. Das Ph{\"a}nomen ist auf ein schmales Energiefenster beschr{\"a}nkt, bei dem die Lage des Dirac-Punkts nur etwa 5 meV (in beide Richtungen) von der des Ferminiveaus abweichen darf.}, subject = {Topologischer Isolator}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Forster2023, author = {Forster, Leonard}, title = {Hyaluronic acid based Bioinks for Biofabrication of Mesenchymal Stem Cells}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-29860}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-298603}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {As a major component of the articular cartilage extracellular matrix, hyaluronic acid is a widely used biomaterial in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. According to its well-known interaction with multiple chondrocyte surface receptors which positively affects many cellular pathways, some approaches by combining mesenchymal stem cells and hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels are already driven in the field of cartilage regeneration and fat tissue. Nevertheless, a still remaining major problem is the development of the ideal matrix for this purpose. To generate a hydrogel for the use as a matrix, hyaluronic acid must be chemically modified, either derivatized or crosslinked and the resulting hydrogel is mostly shaped by the mold it is casted in whereas the stem cells are embedded during or after the gelation procedure which does not allow for the generation of zonal hierarchies, cell density or material gradients. This thesis focuses on the synthesis of different hyaluronic acid derivatives and poly(ethylene glycol) crosslinkers and the development of different hydrogel and bioink compositions that allow for adjustment of the printability, integration of growth factors, but also for the material and biological hydrogel, respectively bioink properties.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Fasemore2023, author = {Fasemore, Akinyemi Mandela}, title = {Genomic and internet based analysis of \(Coxiella\) \(burnetii\)}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-29663}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-296639}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Coxiella burnetii, a Gram negative obligate intracellular bacterium, is the causative agent of Q fever. It has a world wide distribution and has been documented to be capable of causing infections in several domestic animals, livestock species, and human beings. Outbreaks of Q fever are still being observed in livestock across animal farms in Europe, and primary transmission to humans still oc- curs especially in animal handlers. Public health authorities in some countries like Germany are required by law to report human acute cases denoting the significance of the challenge posed by C. burnetii to public health. In this thesis, I have developed a platform alongside methods to address the challenges of genomic analyses of C. burnetii for typing purposes. Identification of C. burnetii isolates is an important task in the laboratory as well as in the clinics and genotyping is a reliable method to identify and characterize known and novel isolates. Therefore, I designed and implemented several methods to facilitate the genotyping analyses of C. burnetii genomes in silico via a web platform. As genotyping is a data intensive process, I also included additional features such as visualization methods and databases for interpretation and storage of obtained results. I also developed a method to profile the resistome of C. burnetii isolates using a machine learning approach. Data about antibiotic resistance in C. burnetii are scarce majorly due to its lifestyle and the difficulty of cultivation in laboratory media. Alternative methods that rely on homology identification of resistance genes are also inefficient in C. burnetii, hence, I opted for a novel approach that has been shown to be promising in other bacteria species. The applied method relied on an artificial neural network as well as amino acid composition of position specific scoring matrix profile for feature extraction. The resulting model achieved an accuracy of ≈ 0.96 on test data and the overall performance was significantly higher in comparison to existing models. Finally, I analyzed two new C. burnetii isolates obtained from an outbreak in Germany, I compared the genome to the RSA 493 reference isolate and found extensive deletions across the genome landscape. This work has provided a new digital infrastructure to analyze and character- ize C. burnetii genomes that was not in existence before and it has also made a significant contribution to the existing information about antibiotic resistance genes in C. burnetii.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Vogg2023, author = {Vogg, Nora Johanna}, title = {Mass spectrometry-based quantification of steroids for the diagnostic workup of adrenal tumors}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-29343}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-293438}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Tumors of the adrenal gland belong to the most frequent neoplasms in humans with a prevalence of 3-10 \% in adults. The aim of the diagnostic workup is the identification of potentially hormone-secreting and / or malignant tumors, because most of these tumors will require surgical resection. Malignant adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC) are very rare and associated with a poor prognosis in advanced stages, therefore, an early and accurate diagnosis is crucial. Within this thesis, two liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods for the quantification of steroids in different biomaterials were developed to improve the diagnostic workup of adrenal tumors. First, an LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of cortisol and dexamethasone in serum samples after dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was developed, validated, and applied to 400 clinical samples. Newly established method-specific threshold concentrations for cortisol and dexamethasone increased DST specificity from 67.5 \% to 92.4 \% while preserving 100 \% sensitivity. Second, an LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of eleven urinary steroids was developed and validated to improve the differentiation between ACC and adrenocortical adenomas (ACA). A decision tree requiring only two steroids was trained for classification and tested based on 24 h urine samples from 268 patients with adrenal tumor. Malignancy was excluded with a negative predictive value of 100 \% in an independent validation cohort of 84 samples of 24-h urine. A newly proposed simplified diagnostic workflow with urinary steroid profiling as first tier test could obviate additional adrenal-specific imaging in 42 of 64 patients with ACA. The new DST method is already in clinical use at the University Hospital W{\"u}rzburg, whereas the classification model based on urinary steroid profiling will require prospective validation in a larger cohort.}, subject = {Nebennierentumor}, language = {en} }