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Sonstige beteiligte Institutionen
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Silicatforschung ISC (8)
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) (7)
- Universitätsklinikum Würzburg (5)
- Fraunhofer Institut für Silicatforschung ISC (3)
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Silicatforschung (3)
- Klinikum Fulda (3)
- König-Ludwig-Haus Würzburg (3)
- Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm (3)
- Universitätsklinikum Münster (3)
- CHC Würzburg (Comprehensive Hearing Center) (2)
ResearcherID
- B-1911-2015 (1)
- B-4606-2017 (1)
- C-2593-2016 (1)
- D-1250-2010 (1)
- D-3057-2014 (1)
- I-5818-2014 (1)
- J-8841-2015 (1)
- M-1240-2017 (1)
- N-2030-2015 (1)
- N-3741-2015 (1)
EU-Project number / Contract (GA) number
- 311781 (1)
- 320377 (1)
- EU (FP7/ 2007-2013) (1)
The one electron oxidation potential of ten TAAs with all permutations of Cl , OMe- and Me-substituents in the three p-positions were determined by CV. The half wave potential of the first oxidation wave correlates linearly with the number of Cl- and OMe-substituents. AM1-CISD derived values of the absorption energies are in good agreement with the experiments but differ strongly for the oscillator strengths as well as for neutral compounds and their corresponding mono radical cations. The small solvent dependence of the experimental UV/Vis spectra in CH2Cl2 and MeCN reflects a minor charge transfer character of the electronic transitions. The UV/Vis/NIR spectra of the series of TAAs and their corresponding radical cations and the AM1 computations reveal that even small substituents may lead to strong symmetry breaking and to a modified electronic structure. The spectroscopic properties of a series of four bis-TAA donor-bridge-donor X-B-X dimers, composed of two asymmetric TAA chromophores (monomers) were investigated. UV/vis-, fluorescence and transient absorption spectra were recorded and compared with those of the corresponding X-B monomers. The excited states of the dimers are described as MV states which show, depending on the chemical nature of the bridge, a varying amount of interactions. It was found that superradiant emission only proceeds in the case of weak and medium coupling. Whether the first excited state potential energy surface of the dimers is a single minimum or a double minimum potential depends on the solvent polarity and the electronic coupling. In the latter case, the dimer relaxes in a symmetry broken CT state. The [2.2]paracyclophane bridged dimer is an example for a weakly coupled system, because the spectroscopic behavior is very similar to the corresponding p xylene monomer. In contrast, anthracene as well as p-xylene bridges mediate a stronger coupling and reveal a significant cooperative influence on the optical properties. A series of [2.2]paracylophane bridged bis-TAA MV radical cations X-B-X+ were analyzed by a GMH three-level model which takes two transitions into account: the IV-CT band and the bridge band. From the GMH analysis, one can conclude that the [2.2]paracyclophane moiety is not the limiting factor which governs the intramolecular charge transfer. The electronic interactions are of course smaller than direct conjugation but from the order of magnitude of the couplings of the [2.2]paracyclophane MV species it can be assumed that this bridge is able to mediate significant through-space and through-bond interactions. From the exponential dependence of the electronic coupling V between the two TAA localized states on the distance r between the two redox centers, it was inferred that the HT proceeds via superexchange mechanism. The analysis reveals that even significantly longer conjugated bridges should still mediate significant electronic interactions, because the decay constant of a series of conjugated MV species is small. The absorption properties of a series of bis-TAA-[2.2]paracyclophane dications X+-B-X+ were presented. The localized and the CT transitions of these dications are explained and analyzed by an exciton coupling model which also considers the photophysical properties of the monomeric TAA radical cations. Together with AM1-CISD calculated transition moments, experimental transition moments and transition energies of the bis-TAA dications were used to calculate electronic couplings by a GMH approach. These couplings are a measure for interactions of the excited MV CT states. The modification of the diabatic states reveals similarities of the GMH three-level model and the exciton coupling model. Comparison of the two models shows that the transition moment between the excited mixed-valence states of the dimer equals the dipole moment difference of the ground and the excited bridge state of the corresponding monomer. Thianthrenophane (1) has a cavity which offers enough room to potentially enable endohedral coordination to small ions or molecules. For the complexation of silver(I) perchlorate, the complex stability constants of thianthrenophane logK1=5.45 and of thianthrene logK2=9.16 were determined by UV/Vis titration. Single competition transport experiments with ten metal salts demonstrate a very high selectivity of thianthrenophane as a carrier for silver(I) and a distinctly higher transport rate compared to carriers such as thianthrene and 14-ane-S4. Although the X-ray crystal structure analysis of the polymeric [Ag(1)]ClO4 shows an exohedral coordination to silver(I), the formation of an endohedral [Ag(1)]+ complex is suggested to be the explanation for the unusual carrier selectivity of silver(I) by 1 in bulk liquid membrane.
Nach wie vor ist die Zahl der Malaria-Neuerkrankungen mit ca. 500 Millionen Menschen weltweit sehr besorgniserregend. Durch zunehmende Resistenzen der Erreger gegen zahlreiche Arzneimittel wird die Situation zusätzlich verschärft. Daher ist die Suche und Entwicklung neuartiger Medikamente wichtiger denn je. Die Natur ist immer noch das größte Reservoir an neuen Wirkstoffen, welche als Leitstrukturen für Arzneistoffe fungieren. In den letzten Jahren wurde eine große Zahl neuartiger, biologisch aktiver Naturstoffe identifiziert und hinsichtlich ihres Potenzials für eine pharmazeutische Weiterentwicklung analysiert. Die Naphthylisochinolin-Alkaloide gehören zu solch einer vielversprechenden Wirkstoffklasse, da sie sich v.a. durch ihre hervorragenden pharmakologischen Eigenschaften auszeichnen. Kürzlich wurden die ersten N,C-gekuppelten Naphthyldihydroisochinolin-Alkaloide, Ancistrocladinium A und B, entdeckt. Diese Verbindungen weisen als strukturelle Besonderheit eine außergewöhnliche Iminium-Aryl-Achse auf und besitzen zudem exzellente anti-infektive Aktivitäten, insbesondere gegen den Erreger der Orientbeule, Leishmania major. Ziel der vorliegenden Dissertation war die Synthese neuartiger sterisch gehinderter und strukturell vereinfachter Naphthylisochinoline für weiterführende Struktur-Aktivitäts-Beziehungen (SAR-Studien) und die stereochemische Analyse dieser Verbindungen. Zudem sollte eine Syntheseroute zu den neuartigen dimeren C,C-gekuppelten Naphthylisochinolin-Alkaloiden Shuangancistrotectorin A und B entwickelt werden.
Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt eine Möglichkeit auf, die bisher meist erfolglose Chemotherapie des malignen Melanoms zu verbessern: Durch Inhibition des Transkriptionsfaktors NF-kB, der für die Regulation vieler tumorrelevanter Gene verantwortlich ist, konnten die Tumorzellen gegenüber der Wirkung von Zytostatika sensibilisiert werden. Zunächst wurden acht verschiedene Melanomzellen in Bezug auf ihre NF-kB-Aktivität und der Expression NF-kB-regulierter Proteine vergleichen. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Mehrzahl der Melanomzellen über konstitutive Aktivität von NF-κB verfügt. Dabei bestand kein eindeutiger Zusammenhang zwischen der Expression NF-kB-regulierter Proteine und der Aktivität dieses Transkriptionsfaktors im Kern, was komplexe Regulationsmechanismen bei der Transkription und Translation vermuten lässt. Anhand einer ausgewählten Melanomzelllinie konnte gezeigt werden, dass zwei verschiedene NF-kB-Inhibitoren, der Proteasom-Inhibitor Bortezomib und der neue IKK-Inhibitor KINK-1 die Aktivität von NF-kB deutlich hemmen. Beim Vergleich beider NF-kB-Inhibitoren ließen sich unerwartet verschiedene molekulare Wirkungsmechanismen nachweisen: Während Bortezomib konzentrationsabhängig eine sehr starke Induktion von NOXA, eine Induktion von p53 sowie eine Abnahme von Cyclin D1 bewirkte, zeigte KINK-1 seine Effekte vor allem in der Reduktion von Chemokinen wie IL-8 und MCP-1. Passend zur Veränderung der Expression zellzyklus-relevanter Proteine hatte Bortezomib einen stärkeren Effekt auf den Zellzyklus als KINK-1. Beide Inhibitoren wurden mit verschiedenen Zytostatika kombiniert und konnten einerseits die Apoptoseinduktion durch Zytostatika verstärken und andererseits die durch Zytostatika reduzierte Invasion weiter reduzieren. Allerdings zeigte sich bei der Untersuchung tumorrelevanter Chemokine, dass KINK-1 im Gegensatz zu Bortezomib synergistische Effekte mit Camptothecin und Doxorubicin aufweist. Trotz molekularer Unterschiede bewirkten beide NF-kB-Inhibitoren vergleichbare funktionelle Effekte auf zellulärer Ebene. Dies galt auch für ein präklinisches in-vivo-Modell, in dem die experimentelle Lungenmetastasierung von B16F10-Melanomzellen in Mäusen ermittelt wurde: Hier wurden die Mäuse mit Camptothecin, KINK-1 und Bortezomib allein im Vergleich zu den jeweiligen Kombinationen aus Zytostatikum und NF-kB-Inhibitor behandelt. Beide Kombinationen zeigten eine signifikante Reduktion des Lungengewichts im Vergleich zu Camptothecin allein. Diese Arbeit konnte also den Nutzen aus NF-kB-Inhibition in Kombination mit Zytostatika für die hier verwendeten Substanzen bekräftigen und dabei einige molekulare Unterschiede aufdecken.
To grow larger, insects must shed their old rigid exoskeleton and replace it with a new one. This process is called molting and the motor behavior that sheds the old cuticle is called ecdysis. Holometabolic insects have pupal stages in between their larval and adult forms, during which they perform metamorphosis. The pupal stage ends with eclosion, i.e., the emergence of the adult from the pupal shell. Insects typically eclose at a specific time during the day, likely when abiotic conditions are at their optimum. A newly eclosed insect is fragile and needs time to harden its exoskeleton. Hence, eclosion is regulated by sophisticated developmental and circadian timing mechanisms.
In Drosophila melanogaster, eclosion is limited to a daily time window in the morning, regarded as the “eclosion gate”. In a population of laboratory flies entrained by light/dark cycles, most of the flies eclose around lights on. This rhythmic eclosion pattern is controlled by the circadian clock and persists even under constant conditions.
Developmental timing is under the control of complex hormonal signaling, including the steroid ecdysone, insulin-like peptides, and prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH). The interactions of the central circadian clock in the brain and a peripheral clock in the prothoracic gland (PG) that produces ecdysone are important for the circadian timing of eclosion. These two clocks are connected by a bilateral pair of peptidergic PTTH neurons (PTTHn) that project to the PG. Before each molt, the ecdysone level rises and then falls shortly before ecdysis. The falling ecdysone level must fall below a certain threshold value for the eclosion gate to open. The activity of PTTHn is inhibited by short neuropeptide F (sNPF) from the small ventrolateral neurons (sLNvs) and inhibition is thought to lead to a decrease in ecdysone production.
The general aim of this thesis is to further the understanding of how the circadian clock and neuroendocrinal pathways are coordinated to drive eclosion rhythmicity and to identify when these endocrinal signaling pathways are active. In Chapter I, a series of conditional PTTHn silencing-based behavioral assays, combined with neuronal activity imaging techniques such as non-invasive ARG-Luc show that PTTH signaling is active and required shortly before eclosion and may serve to phase-adjust the activity of the PG at the end of pupal development. Trans-synaptic anatomical stainings identified the sLNvs, dorsal neurons 1 (DN1), dorsal neurons 2 (DN2), and lateral posterior neurons (LPNs) clock neurons as directly upstream of the PTTHn.
Eclosion motor behavior is initiated by Ecdysis triggering hormone (ETH) which activates a pair of ventromedial (Vm) neurons to release eclosion hormone (EH) which positively feeds back to the source of ETH, the endocrine Inka cells. In Chapter II trans-synaptic tracing showed that most clock neurons provide input to the Vm and non-canonical EH neurons. Hence, clock can potentially influence the ETH/EH feedback loop. The activity profile of the Inka cells and Vm neurons before eclosion is described. Vm and Inka cells are active around seven hours before eclosion. Interestingly, all EH neurons appear to be exclusively peptidergic.
In Chapter III, using chemoconnectomics, PTTHns were found to express receptors for sNPF, allatostatin A (AstA), allatostatin C (AstC), and myosuppressin (Ms), while EH neurons expressed only Ms and AstA receptors. Eclosion assays of flies with impaired AstA, AstC, or Ms signaling do not show arrhythmicity under constant conditions. However, optogenetic activation of the AstA neurons strongly suppresses eclosion.
Chapter IV focuses on peripheral ventral’ Tracheal dendrite (v’Td) and class IV dendritic arborization (C4da) neurons. The C4da neurons mediate larval light avoidance through endocrine PTTH signaling. The v’Td neurons mainly receive O2/CO2 input from the trachea and are upstream of Vm neurons but are not required for eclosion rhythmicity. Conditional ablation of the C4da neurons or torso (receptor of PTTH) knock-out in the C4da neurons impaired eclosion rhythmicity. Six to seven hours before eclosion, PTTHn, C4da, and Vm neurons are active based on ARG-Luc imaging. Thus, C4da neurons may indirectly connect the PTTHn to the Vm neurons.
In summary, this thesis advances our knowledge of the temporal activity and role of PTTH signaling during pupal development and rhythmic eclosion. It further provides a comprehensive characterization of the synaptic and peptidergic inputs from clock neurons to PTTHn and EH neurons. AstA, AstC, and Ms are identified as potential modulators of eclosion circuits and suggest an indirect effect of PTTH signaling on EH signaling via the peripheral sensory C4da neurons.
Malaria and HIV are among the most important global health problems of our time and together are responsible for approximately 3 million deaths annually. These two diseases overlap in many regions of the world including sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and South America, leading to a higher risk of co-infection. In this study, we generated and characterized hybrid molecules to target P. falciparum and HIV simultaneously for a potential HIV/malaria combination therapy. Hybrid molecules were synthesized by covalent fusion between azidothymidine (AZT) and dihydroartemisinin (DHA), tetraoxane or chloroquine (CQ); and a small library was generated and tested for antiviral and antimalarial activity. Our data suggest that dihyate is the most potent molecule in vitro, with antiplasmodial activity comparable to that of DHA (IC50 = 26 nM, SI > 3000), a moderate activity against HIV (IC50 = 2.9 µM; SI > 35) and safe to HeLa cells at concentrations used in the assay (CC50 > 100 µM). Pharmacokinetic studies further revealed that dihyate is metabolically unstable and is cleaved following an O-dealkylation once in contact with cytochrome P450 enzymes. The later further explains the uneffectiveness of dihyate against the CQ-sensitive P. berghei N strain in mice when administered by oral route at 20 mg/kg. Here, we report on a first approach to develop antimalarial/anti-HIV hybrid molecules and future optimization efforts will aim at producing second generation hybrid molecules to improve activity against HIV as well as compound bioavailability. With the emergence of resistant parasites against all the counterpart drugs of artemisinin derivatives used in artemisinin based combination therapies (ACTs), the introduction of antibiotics in the treatment of malaria has renewed interest on the identification of antibiotics with potent antimalarial properties. In this study we also investigated the antiplasmodial potential of thiostrepton and derivatives, synthesized using combinations of tail truncation, oxidation, and addition of lipophilic thiols to the terminal dehydroamino acid. We showed that derivatives SS231 and SS234 exhibit a better antiplasmodial activity (IC50 = 1 µM SI > 59 and SI > 77 respectively) than thiostrepton (IC50 = 8.95 µM, SI = 1.7). The antiplasmodial activity of these derivatives was observed at concentrations which are not hemolytic and non-toxic to human cell lines. Thiostrepton and derivatives appeared to exhibit transmission blocking properties when administered at their IC50 or IC90 concentrations and our data also showed that they attenuate proteasome activity of Plasmodium, which resulted in an accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins after incubation with their IC80 concentrations. Our results indicate that the parasite’s proteasome could be an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. In this regard, thiostrepton derivatives are promising candidates by dually acting on two independent targets, the proteasome and the apicoplast, with the capacity to eliminate both intraerythrocytic asexual and transmission stages of the parasite. To further support our findings, we evaluated the activity of a new class of antimalarial and proteasome inhibitors namely peptidyl sulfonyl fluorides on gametocyte maturation and analogues AJ34 and AJ38 were able to completely suppress gametocytogenesis at IC50 concentrations (0.23 µM and 0.17 µM respectively) suggesting a strong transmission blocking potential. The proteasome, a major proteolytic complex, responsible for the degradation and re-cycling of non-functional proteins has been studied only indirectly in P. falciparum. In addition, an apparent proteasome-like protein with similarity to bacterial ClpQ/hslV threonine-peptidases was predicted in the parasite. Antibodies were generated against the proteasome subunits alpha type 5 (α5-SU), beta type 5 (β5-SU) and pfhslV in mice and we showed that the proteasome is expressed in both sexual and asexual blood stages of P. falciparum, where they localize in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. However, expression of PfhslV was only observed in trophozoites and shizonts. The trafficking of the studied proteasome subunits was further investigated by generating parasites expressing GFP tagged proteins. The expression of α5-SU-GFP in transgenic parasite appeared to localize abundantly in the cytoplasm of all blood stages, and no additional information was obtained from this parasite line. In conclusion, our data highlight two new tools towards combination therapy. Hybrid molecules represent promising tools for the cure of co-infected individuals, while very potent antibiotics with a wide scope of activities could be useful in ACTs by eliminating resistant parasites and limiting transmission of both, resistances and disease.
In the present thesis the MBE growth and sample characterization of HgTe structures is investigated
and discussed. Due to the first experimental discovery of the quantum Spin Hall effect
(QSHE) in HgTe quantum wells, this material system attains a huge interest in the spintronics
society. Because of the long history of growing Hg-based heterostructures here at the Experimentelle
Physik III in Würzburg, there are very good requirements to analyze this material
system more precisely and in new directions. Since in former days only doped HgTe quantum
wells were grown, this thesis deals with the MBE growth in the (001) direction of undoped
HgTe quantum wells, surface located quantum wells and three dimensional bulk layers. All
Hg-based layers were grown on CdTe substrates which generate strain in the layer stack and
provide therefore new physical effects. In the same time, the (001) CdTe growth was investigated
on n-doped (001) GaAs:Si because the Japanese supplier of CdTe substrates had a
supply bottleneck due to the Tohoku earthquake and its aftermath in 2011.
After a short introduction of the material system, the experimental techniques were demonstrated
and explained explicitly. After that, the experimental part of this thesis is displayed.
So, the investigation of the (001) CdTe growth on (001) GaAs:Si is discussed in chapter 4.
Firstly, the surface preparation of GaAs:Si by oxide desorption is explored and analyzed.
Here, rapid thermal desorption of the GaAs oxide with following cool down in Zn atmosphere
provides the best results for the CdTe due to small holes at the surface, while e.g. an atomic
flat GaAs buffer deteriorates the CdTe growth quality. The following ZnTe layer supplies the
(001) growth direction of the CdTe and exhibits best end results of the CdTe for 30 seconds
growth time at a flux ratio of Zn/Te ~ 1/1.2. Without this ZnTe layer, CdTe will grow in the
(111) direction. However, the main investigation is here the optimization of the MBE growth
of CdTe. The substrate temperature, Cd/Te flux ratio and the growth time has to be adjusted
systematically. Therefore, a complex growth process is developed and established. This optimized
CdTe growth process results in a RMS roughness of around 2.5 nm and a FWHM value
of the HRXRD w-scan of 150 arcsec. Compared to the literature, there is no lower FWHM
value traceable for this growth direction. Furthermore, etch pit density measurements show
that the surface crystallinity is matchable with the commercial CdTe substrates (around 1x10^4
cm^(-2)). However, this whole process is not completely perfect and offers still room for improvements.
The growth of undoped HgTe quantum wells was also a new direction in research in contrast
to the previous n-doped grown HgTe quantum wells. Here in chapter 5, the goal of very low
carrier densities was achieved and therefore it is now possible to do transport experiments in
the n - and p - region by tuning the gate voltage. To achieve this high sample quality, very precise
growth of symmetric HgTe QWs and their HRXRD characterization is examined. Here,
the quantum well thickness can now determined accurate to under 0.3 nm. Furthermore, the transport analysis of different quantum well thicknesses shows that the carrier density and
mobility increase with rising HgTe layer thickness. However, it is found out that the band
gap of the HgTe QW closes indirectly at a thickness of 11.6 nm. This is caused by the tensile
strained growth on CdTe substrates. Moreover, surface quantum wells are studied. These
quantum wells exhibit no or a very thin HgCdTe cap. Though, oxidization and contamination
of the surface reduces here the carrier mobility immensely and a HgCdTe layer of around 5 nm
provides the pleasing results for transport experiments with superconductors connected to the
topological insulator [119]. A completely new achievement is the realization of MBE growth
of HgTe quantum wells on CdTe/GaAs:Si substrates. This is attended by the optimization of
the CdTe growth on GaAs:Si. It exposes that HgTe quantum wells grown in-situ on optimized
CdTe/GaAs:Si show very nice transport data with clear Hall plateaus, SdH oscillations, low
carrier densities and carrier mobilities up to 500 000 cm^2/Vs. Furthermore, a new oxide etching
process is developed and analyzed which should serve as an alternative to the standard
HCl process which generates volcano defects at some time. However, during the testing time
the result does not differ in Nomarski, HRXRD, AFM and transport measurements. Here,
long-time tests or etching and mounting in nitrogen atmosphere may provide new elaborate
results.
The main focus of this thesis is on the MBE growth and standard characterization of HgTe bulk
layers and is discussed in chapter 6. Due to the tensile strained growth on lattice mismatched
CdTe, HgTe bulk opens up a band gap of around 22 meV at the G-point and exhibits therefore
its topological surface states. The analysis of surface condition, roughness, crystalline quality,
carrier density and mobility via Nomarski, AFM, XPS, HRXRD and transport measurements
is therefore included in this work. Layer thickness dependence of carrier density and mobility
is identified for bulk layer grown directly on CdTe substrates. So, there is no clear correlation
visible between HgTe layer thickness and carrier density or mobility. So, the carrier density is
almost constant around 1x10^11 cm^(-2) at 0 V gate voltage. The carrier mobility of these bulk
samples however scatters between 5 000 and 60 000 cm^2/Vs almost randomly. Further experiments
should be made for a clearer understanding and therefore the avoidance of unusable
bad samples.But, other topological insulator materials show much higher carrier densities and
lower mobility values. For example, Bi2Se3 exhibits just density values around 1019 cm^(-2)
and mobility values clearly below 5000 cm2/Vs. The carrier density however depends much
on lithography and surface treatment after growth. Furthermore, the relaxation behavior and
critical thickness of HgTe grown on CdTe is determined and is in very good agreement with
theoretical prediction (d_c = 155 nm). The embedding of the HgTe bulk layer between HgCdTe
layers created a further huge improvement. Similar to the quantum well structures the carrier
mobility increases immensely while the carrier density levels at around 1x10^11 cm^(-2) at 0
V gate voltage as well. Additionally, the relaxation behavior and critical thickness of these
barrier layers has to be determined. HgCdTe grown on commercial CdTe shows a behavior as
predicted except the critical thickness which is slightly higher than expected (d_c = 850 nm).
Otherwise, the relaxation of HgCdTe grown on CdTe/GaAs:Si occurs in two parts. The layer
is fully strained up to 250 nm. Between 250 nm and 725 nm the HgCdTe film starts to relax
randomly up to 10 %. The relaxation behavior for thicknesses larger than 725 nm occurs than
linearly to the inverse layer thickness. A explanation is given due to rough interface conditions
and crystalline defects of the CdTe/GaAs:Si compared to the commercial CdTe substrate. HRXRD and AFM data support this statement. Another point is that the HgCdTe barriers protect the active HgTe layer and because of the high carrier mobilities the Hall measurements provide new transport data which have to be interpreted more in detail in the future. In addition, HgTe bulk samples show very interesting transport data by gating the sample from the top and the back. It is now possible to manipulate the carrier densities of the top and bottom surface states almost separately. The back gate consisting of the n-doped GaAs substrate and the thick insulating CdTe buffer can tune the carrier density for Delta(n) ~ 3x10^11 cm^(-2). This is sufficient to tune the Fermi energy from the p-type into the n-type region [138].
In this thesis it is shown that strained HgTe bulk layers exhibit superior transport data by embedding between HgCdTe barrier layers. The n-doped GaAs can here serve as a back gate.
Furthermore, MBE growth of high crystalline, undoped HgTe quantum wells shows also new
and extended transport output. Finally, it is notable that due to the investigated CdTe growth
on GaAs the Hg-based heterostructure MBE growth is partially independent from commercial
suppliers.
Im Zellkern eukaryotischer Zellen werden Gene in mRNAs transkribiert, welche umfangreich prozessiert und aus dem Zellkern exportiert werden. Im Zytoplasma erfolgt die Translation der mRNAs in Proteine, ein Prozess, welcher viel Energie benötigt und daher mittels vielfältiger Mechanismen streng reguliert wird. Ein Beispiel hierfür stellt die Klasse der TOP-mRNAs dar, eine RNA-Spezies, welche hauptsächlich Transkripte von Genen umfasst, die selbst in die Translation involviert sind. Die prominentesten Vertreter dieser Klasse sind die Proteine der kleinen und großen ribosomalen Untereinheiten. TOP-mRNAs zeichnen sich durch ein gemeinsames Sequenz-Motiv am Anfang Ihrer 5’-UTR aus, welches aus einem Pyrimidinstrang besteht und unmittelbar nach dem Cap mit einem Cytosin beginnt. Dieses allen TOP-RNAs gemeinsame Motiv ermöglicht die zeitgleiche Translationskontrolle dieser RNA-Klasse. So kann die Translation der TOP-mRNAs unter Stressbedingungen wie z.B. Nährstoffmangel koordiniert inhibiert werden, wodurch Energie eingespart wird.
Bereits lange wird nach einem Regulator gesucht, der an dieses TOP-Motiv bindet und die koordinierte Regulation ermöglicht. Man kann sich hier einen Inhibitor oder auch einen Aktivator vorstellen. Verschiedene Proteine wurden bereits in Erwägung gezogen. In dieser Arbeit wurde das Protein TIAR mittels Massenspektrometrie als TOP-interagierender Faktor identifiziert und dessen Bindungseigenschaften mit dem TOP-Motiv durch Shift Assays untersucht. Hierbei konnten Minimalkonstrukte verschiedener Organismen sowie RNA-TOP – Sequenzen identifiziert werden, welche sich für Strukturanalysen eignen würden. Als weiterer TOP-interagierender Faktor wurde über verschiedene sequenzielle Reinigungsschritte das Protein 14-3-3ε identifiziert.
Weiterhin wurden die TOP-Motiv-bindenden Proteine LARP1 und LARP7 auf Ihre Bindungseigenschaften mit Ihren Zielsequenzen untersucht. Während gezeigt werden konnte, dass LARP1 einen inhibierenden Einfluss auf TOP-RNAs hat, wurde in weiteren Shift-Assays die Bindungseigenschaften von LARP7 mit 7SK untersucht, wobei ebenfalls ein minimales LARP7–Konstrukt sowie 7SK-Konstrukte für Strukturanalysen identifiziert werden konnten. Weiterhin konnte gezeigt werden, dass verschiedene Substanzen wie tRNA und Arginin einen starken Einfluss auf die LARP7-7SK – Interaktion ausüben, welcher in weiteren Studien berücksichtigt werden sollte.
The interaction between circadian clocks and metabolism is of increasing interest, since clock dysfunction often correlates with metabolic pathologies. Many research articles have been published analysing the impact of factors such as circadian clock, light, feeding time and diet-type on energy homeostasis in various tissues/organs of organisms with most of the findings done in mammals. Little is known about the impact of circadian clock and the above-mentioned factors on circulating lipids, especially the transport form of lipids - diacylglycerol (DG) and membrane lipids such as phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the Drosophila hemolymph. The fruit fly Drosophila is a prime model organism in circadian, behaviour and metabolism research.
To study the role of circadian clock and behaviour in metabolism, we performed an extensive comparative hemolymph lipid (diacylglycerol: DG, phosphatidylethanolamine: PE, phosphatidylcholine: PC) analysis using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) between wild-type flies (WTCS) and clock disrupted mutants (per01). In addition, clock controlled food intake– feeding behaviour was investigated. Time-dependent variation of transport (DG) and membrane lipids (PE and PC) were not rhythmic in WTCS under constant darkness and in per01 under LD, suggesting an impact of light and clock genes on daily lipid oscillations. Day-time and night-time restriction of food led to comparable lipid profiles, suggesting that lipid oscillations are not exclusively entrained by feeding but rather are endogenously regulated. Ultradian oscillations in lipid levels in WTCS under LD were masked by digested fatty acids since lipid levels peaked more robustly at the beginning and end of light phase when flies were fed a lipid- and protein-free diet. These results suggest that metabolite (DG, PE and PC) oscillation is influenced by complex interactions between nutrient-type, photic conditions, circadian clock and feeding time.
In conclusion, the results of this thesis suggest that circadian clocks determine transport and membrane lipid oscillation in Drosophila hemolymph in complex interactions between nutrient-type, photic conditions and feeding behaviour.
In einem Zeitraum von Oktober 1997 bis Mai 1998 werden an 19 Patienten 22 Untersuchungen der Becken- und Bein-Arterien sowohl in MRA-Technik als auch als i.a. DSA durchgeführt. Hierbei finden im Rahmen der MRA-Untersuchung in allen Fällen die zeitaufgelöste, Kontrastmittel-unterstützte 3d-Flash-Sequenz und die EKG-getriggerte 2d-Flash-Multivenc-Pha-senkontrast-Sequenz Anwendung. Beide Methoden werden in der Diagnostik der pAVK von der Aortenbifurkation bis zum distalen Unterschenkel getestet und in 3 Fällen im Rahmen einer periinterventionellen Kontrolle vor und nach PTA eingesetzt. Das Patientenkollektiv setzt sich ausnahmslos aus Patienten mit pAVK zusammen, die häufig Nebenbefunde wie zum Beispiel einen Diabetes mellitus oder eine Niereninsuffizienz aufweisen. Die Auswertung der Angiographien erfolgt durch die Zuordnung der verschiedenen arte-riellen Abschnitte zu verschiedenen Stenosegraden und dem anschließenden statistischen Ver-gleich der Befunde der MRA und der i.a.DSA. Als Ergebnisse erhalten wir für die Kontrastmittel-unterstützte MRA eine Übereinstim-mungsrate mit der i.a. DSA von 79% sowie eine Sensitivität von 96,7% und eine Spezifität von 97% für die Abbildung hämodynamisch relevanter Stenosen. Die Sensitivität für die Detektion von Verschlüssen beträgt 97,8% und die entsprechende Spezifität 99,2%. Die Phasenkontrast-MRA zeigt im Vergleich mit der i.a.DSA eine schwächere Überein-stimmungsrate von 65,4% sowie eine Sensitivität von 88,3% und eine Spezifität von 85,6% für die Darstellung hämodynamisch relevanter Stenosen. Für die Diagnose eines Gefäßverschlus-ses ist die Sensitivität 89% und die Spezifität 91,8%. Als Schlußfolgerung wird festgestellt, daß die MRA eine nichtinvasive, zur i.a.DSA äqui-valente Untersuchungsmethode darstellt, die bei Kontraindikationen gegen die i.a.DSA einge-setzt werden kann. Im Vergleich zur Phasenkontrast-MRA ist die Kontrastmittel-unterstützte MRA sowohl ein schnelleres als auch ein präziseres Verfahren zur Diagnostik von Gefäßläsio-nen der Becken-Bein-Arterien und bietet den Vorteil der 3-dimensionalen Darstellung. Die Phasenkontrast-MRA ist insbesondere durch die einfache Durchführbarkeit und die fehlende Invasivität ebenfalls als Verfahren zur Diagnostik der peripheren AVK denkbar, jedoch ist zur exakten Stenosegraduierung im Bereich der Läsion eine nachgeschaltete Untersuchung mit weiteren Methoden nötig. Die MRA kann in der postinterventionellen, angiographischen Kontrolle eingesetzt werden. Für die Empfehlung zum routinemäßigen Einsatz in diesem Bereich sind jedoch Studien mit größeren Fallzahlen nötig. In naher Zukunft läßt sich die MRA-Technik durch die Entwicklung von leistungsfähi-geren Gradientenspulensystemen, neuen Prototypen von Oberflächenspulen, intelligenteren Nachverarbeitungs-Algorhytmen und Blutpool-Kontrastmitteln noch weiter optimieren. Die Evolution der MRA-Technik wird ihre Integration in die Routinediagnostik vereinfachen und ihr Indikationsspektrum erweitern.
Infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms are one of the largest socioeconomic burdens today. Although infectious diseases have been studied for decades, in numerous cases, the precise mechanisms involved in the multifaceted interaction between pathogen and host continue to be elusive. Thus, it still remains a challenge for researchers worldwide to develop novel strategies to investigate the molecular context of infectious diseases in order to devise preventive or at least anti-infective measures. One of the major drawbacks in trying to obtain in-depth knowledge of how bacterial pathogens elicit disease is the lack of suitable infection models to authentically mimic the disease progression in humans. Numerous studies rely on animal models to emulate the complex temporal interactions between host and pathogen occurring in humans. While they have greatly contributed to shed light on these interactions, they require high maintenance costs, are afflicted with ethical drawbacks, and are not always predictive for the infection outcome in human patients. Alternatively, in-vitro two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems have served for decades as representatives of human host environments to study infectious diseases. These cell line-based models have been essential in uncovering virulence-determining factors of diverse pathogens as well as host defense mechanisms upon infection. However, they lack the morphological and cellular complexity of intact human tissues, limiting the insights than can be gained from studying host-pathogen interactions in these systems.
The focus of this thesis was to establish and innovate intestinal human cell culture models to obtain in-vitro reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) tissue that can faithfully mimic pathogenesis-determining processes of the zoonotic bacterium Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni). Generally employed for reconstructive medicine, the field of tissue engineering provides excellent tools to generate organ-specific cell culture models in vitro, realistically recapitulating the distinctive architecture of human tissues. The models employed in this thesis are based on decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds of porcine intestinal origin. Reseeded with intestinal human cells, application of dynamic culture conditions promoted the formation of a highly polarized mucosal epithelium maintained by functional tight and adherens junctions. While most other in-vitro infection systems are limited to a flat monolayer, the tissue models developed in this thesis can display the characteristic 3D villi and crypt structure of human small intestine.
First, experimental conditions were established for infection of a previously developed, statically cultivated intestinal tissue model with C. jejuni. This included successful isolation of bacterial colony forming units (CFUs), measurement of epithelial barrier function, as well as immunohistochemical and histological staining techniques. In this way, it became possible to follow the number of viable bacteria during the infection process as well as their translocation over the polarized epithelium of the tissue model. Upon infection with C. jejuni, disruption of tight and adherens junctions could be observed via confocal microscopy and permeability measurements of the epithelial barrier. Moreover, C. jejuni wildtype-specific colonization and barrier disruption became apparent in addition to niche-dependent bacterial localization within the 3D microarchitecture of the tissue model. Pathogenesis-related phenotypes of C. jejuni mutant strains in the 3D host environment deviated from those obtained with conventional in-vitro 2D monolayers but mimicked observations made in vivo. Furthermore, a genome-wide screen of a C. jejuni mutant library revealed significant differences for bacterial factors required or dispensable for interactions with unpolarized host cells or the highly prismatic epithelium provided by the intestinal tissue model. Elucidating the role of several previously uncharacterized factors specifically important for efficient colonization of a 3D human environment, promises to be an intriguing task for future research.
At the frontline of the defense against invading pathogens is the protective, viscoelastic mucus layer overlying mucosal surfaces along the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The development of a mucus-producing 3D tissue model in this thesis was a vital step towards gaining a deeper understanding of the interdependency between bacterial pathogens and host-site specific mucins. The presence of a mucus layer conferred C. jejuni wildtype-specific protection against epithelial barrier disruption by the pathogen and prevented a high bacterial burden during the course of infection. Moreover, results obtained in this thesis provide evidence in vitro that the characteristic corkscrew morphology of C. jejuni indeed grants a distinct advantage in colonizing mucous surfaces.
Overall, the results obtained within this thesis highlight the strength of the tissue models to combine crucial features of native human intestine into accessible in-vitro infection models. Translation of these systems into infection research demonstrated their ability to expose in-vivo like infection outcomes. While displaying complex organotypic architecture and highly prismatic cellular morphology, these tissue models still represent an imperfect reflection of human tissue. Future advancements towards inclusion of human primary and immune cells will strive for even more comprehensive model systems exhibiting intricate multicellular networks of in-vivo tissue. Nevertheless, the work presented in this thesis emphasizes the necessity to investigate host-pathogen interactions in infection models authentically mimicking the natural host environment, as they remain among the most vital parts in understanding and counteracting infectious diseases.
Fremdschämen or Fremdscham, a negative emotion which arises while observing someone behave inappropriately, comes to fame after the turn of the millennium in german speaking countries. There, they name it literally „other‘s shame“ and it becomes obvious that this emotion happens most commonly while watching TV: reality shows, talent shows and bad comedies. The word even makes it to the dictionaries starting 2009, as its use increases unstoppably in everyday language, starting to get used in more and more situations, seemingly as a synonym of embarrassing or shameful. Still, a look in the emotional research on the subject returns exactly zero results as of 2011, leaving open the question as of what this emotion might be, and what it is not. The present wort aims at explaining not only the phenomenon of Fremdschämen, but also the Emotion behind it - Embarrassment -, at a process level.
Unter den sechs Arten der Gattung Listeria finden sich nur zwei pathogene Spezies. L. monocytogenes ist pathogen für Mensch und Tier, L. ivanovii nur tierpathogen. Beide Arten besitzen ein Virulenzgencluster, das auch als Pathogenitätsinsel LIPI-1 bezeichnet wird. Pathogenitätsinseln (PAIs) sind bei gram-negativen Bakterien weit verbreitet, wurden bei gram-positiven Pathogenen bisher jedoch nur selten beschrieben. In L. ivanovii wurde nun ein weiterer Virulenz-assoziierter, instabiler Chromosomenabschnitt entdeckt, der in einem Teilbereich Eigenschaften einer Pathogenitätsinsel besitzt. Ausgehend von einem spontanen, aber reproduzierbaren Deletionsereignis eines großen Genomabschnitts, der einige schon bekannte Virulenz-assoziierte Gene umfasst (i-inlE, i-inlF, smcL), wurden in Zusammenarbeit mit den Kooperationspartnern an der "Universidad Complutense de Madrid", insbesondere mit G. Domínguez-Bernal die komplette deletierte Region sowie flankierende Genombereiche genauer analysiert. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit konnten rechts von dem bereits charakterisierten Gen smcL 13 neue Open Reading Frames (ORFs) bzw. Gene (ydeI, rnaH, norA) von L. ivanovii identifiziert werden, die größtenteils in der Deletionsmutante L. ivanovii GD-3 deletiert waren. Für die meisten Open Reading Frames konnten Homologien zu ORFs in den Genomsequenzen von L. monocytogenes und der apathogenen Art L. innocua gefunden werden. Eigene experimentelle Analysen zeigten zudem, dass diese ORFs in ähnlicher Anordnung auch in den apathogenen Arten L. seeligeri und L. welshimeri vorhanden sind, was wahrscheinlich macht, dass sie nicht an der Virulenz von Listerien beteiligt sind. G. Domínguez-Bernal fand im links von smcL liegenden Bereich eine Reihe neuer Internalingene, die alle spezifisch für L. ivanovii sind. Für die Gene i-inlE, i-inlF und smcL ist bereits bekannt, dass diese Virulenz-assoziiert sind. Dies führte zur Definition einer neuen, LIPI-2 genannten Pathogenitätsinsel in L. ivanovii, die außer smcL und i-inlFE alle neu gefundenen Internalingene umfasst. In dieser Arbeit durchgeführte Untersuchungen der LIPI-2 flankierenden Bereiche zeigten, dass diese in L. monocytogenes und auch den apathogenen Arten L. innocua, L. seeligeri und L. welshimeri bemerkenswert konserviert sind. Durch Transkriptionsuntersuchungen mittels RT-PCR wurde die Expression der neu identifizierten Gene analysiert. Hierbei wurden verschiedene Kulturbedingungen untersucht sowie die Transkription nach Infektion mehrerer Zelllinien bestimmt. Bei der Sequenzanalyse wurde für fast alle Internalingene eine PrfA-Box identifiziert und es bestätigte sich in dieser Arbeit, dass die meisten der Internalingene PrfA-abhängig exprimiert werden. Allerdings wiesen die einzelnen Gene kein einheitliches Transkriptionsprofil unter verschiedenen in vitro-Bedingungen auf. Eine Analyse der Genexpression nach Infektion verschiedener Zelllinien zeigte schließlich, dass die Internalingene während einer Infektion differentiell transkribiert werden und möglicherweise am Infektionsgeschehen beteiligt sind. Das Expressionsmuster der zu LIPI-2 benachbarten Open Reading Frames bestätigte, dass diese Gene PrfA-unabhängig und unter verschiedenen Bedingungen konstitutiv exprimiert werden. Das Expressionsmuster dieser Gene läßt den Schluss zu, dass sie vermutlich nicht zur Virulenz von L. ivanovii beitragen. Die Untersuchung der Virulenzclustergene in LIPI-1 schließlich zeigte eine deutliche PrfA-Abhängigkeit der Genexpression. Es konnte bestätigt werden, dass deren Transkription unter PrfA-induzierenden Bedingungen verstärkt wird. Zudem fand sich auch nach Infektion eine deutliche Expression dieser Gene.
The superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) comprises more than 800 members, which are divided into five families based on phylogenetic analyses (GRAFS classification): Glutamate, Rhodopsin, Adhesion, Frizzled/Taste2 and Secretin. The adhesion G protein-coupled receptor (aGPCR) family forms with 33 homologs in Mammalia the second largest and least investigated family of GPCRs. The general architecture of an aGPCR comprises the GPCR characteristics of an extracellular region (ECR), a seven transmembrane (7TM) domain and an intracellular region (ICR). A special feature of aGPCRs is the extraordinary size of the ECR through which they interact with cellular and matricellular ligands via adhesion motif folds. In addition, the ECR contains a so-called GPCR autoproteolysis-inducing (GAIN) domain, which catalyzes autoproteolytic cleavage of the protein during maturation. This cleavage leads to the formation of an N-terminal (NTF) and a C-terminal fragment (CTF), which build a unit by means of hydrophobic interactions and therefore appear as a heterodimeric receptor at the cell surface. In the past, it has been shown that the first few amino acids of the CTF act as a tethered agonist (TA) that mediates the activation of the receptor through the interaction with the 7TM domain. However, the molecular mechanism promoting the TA-7TM domain interaction remains elusive. This work reveals a novel molecular mechanism that does not require the dissociation of the NTF-CTF complex to promote release of the TA and thus activation of the aGPCR. The introduction of bioorthogonal labels into receptorsignaling- relevant regions of the TA of various aGPCRs demonstrated that the TA is freely accessible within the intact GAIN domain. This suggests a structural flexibility of the GAIN domain, which allows a receptor activation independent of the NTF-CTF dissociation, as found in cleavage-deficient aGPCR variants. Furthermore, the present study shows that the cellular localization and the conformation of the 7TM domain depends on the activity state of the aGPCR, which in turn indicates that the TA mediates conformational changes through the interaction with the 7TM domain, which ultimately regulates the receptor activity. In addition, biochemical analyses showed that the GAIN domain-mediated autoproteolysis of the human aGPCR CD97 (ADGRE5/E5) promotes further cleavage events within the receptor. This suggests that aGPCRs undergo cleavage cascades, which are initialized by the autoproteolytic reaction of the GAIN domain. Thus, it can be assumed that aGPCRs are subject to additional proteolytic events. Finally, the constitutive internalization of the NTF and the CTF of E5 was demonstrated by various labeling methods. It was possible to label both fragments independently and to follow their subcellular location in vitro. In summary, these obtained results contribute to a better understanding about the molecular mechanisms of activity and signaling of aGPCRs.
This work developed during the first funding period of the subproject B05 in the framework of the interdisciplinary research consortium TRR 225 ‘From the Fundamentals of Biofabrication toward functional Tissue Models’ and was part of a cooperation between the Orthopedic Department represented by Prof. Dr. Regina Ebert and the Institute of Organic Chemistry represented by Prof. Dr. Jürgen Seibel.
This project dealed with cellular behavior during the bioprinting process and how to influence it by modifying the cell glycocalyx with functional target molecules. The focus was on the impact of potential shear stress, that cells experience when they get processed in thermoresponsive bioinks, and a way to increase the cell stiffness via metabolic glycoengineering to attenuate shear forces. For the characterization of the metabolic glycoengineering, four different peracetylated and four non-acetylated modified monosaccharides (two mannose and two sialic acid sugars) were tested in primary human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSC) and telomerase-immortalized hMSC (hMSC-TERT). Viability results demonstrated a dose-dependent correlation for all sugars, at which hMSC-TERT seemed to be more susceptible leading to lower viability rates. The assessment of the incorporation efficiencies was performed by click chemistry using fluorescent dyes and revealed also a dose-dependent correlation for all mannose and sialic acid sugars, while glucose and galactose variants were not detected in the glycocalyx. However, incorporation efficiencies were highest when using mannose sugars in the primary hMSC. A subsequent analysis of the temporal retention of the incorporated monosaccharides showed a constant declining fluorescence signal up to 6 d for azido mannose in hMSC-TERT, whereas no signal could be detected for alkyne mannose after 2 d. Investigation of the differentiation potential and expression of different target genes revealed no impairment after incubation with mannose sugars, indicating a normal phenotype for hMSC-TERT. Following the successful establishment of the method, either a coumarin derivative or an artificial galectin 1 ligand were incorporated into the cell glycocalyx of hMSC-TERT as functional target molecule. The biophysical analysis via shear flow deformation cytometry revealed a slightly increased cell stiffness and lowered fluidity for both molecules. A further part of this project aimed to control lectin-mediated cell adhesion by artificial galectin 1 ligands. As that hypothesis was settled in the work group of Prof. Dr. Jürgen Seibel, this work supported with an initial characterization of galectin 1 as part of the hMSC biology. A stable galectin 1 expression at gene and protein level in both hMSC and hMSC-TERT could be confirmed, at which immunocytochemical stainings could detect the protein only in the glycocalyx. The treatment of hMSC-TERT with a galectin 1 ligand in different concentrations did not show an altered gene expression of galectin 1. However, these first data in addition to the investigation of stiffness confirmed the applicability of specific and artificial
IV
galectin 1 ligands in biofabrication approaches to alter cell properties of hMSC. To conclude, metabolic glycoengineering has been successfully implemented in hMSC and hMSC-TERT to introduce glycocalyx modifications which reside there for several days. A proof of concept was carried out by the increase of cell stiffness and fluidity by the incorporation of a coumarin derivative or an artificial galectin 1 ligand.
For the characterization of shear stress impact on cells after printing in thermoresponsive bioinks, the processing of hMSC-TERT (mixing or additionally printing) with Pluronic F127 or Polyoxazoline-Polyoxazine (POx-POzi) polymer solution was investigated. While there were no changes in viability when using POx-POzi bioink, processing with Pluronic F127 indicated slightly lower viability and increased apoptosis activity. Assessment of cellular responses to potential shear stress showed no reorganization of the cytoskeleton independent of the bioink, but highly increased expression of the mechanoresponsive proto-oncogene c Fos which was more pronounced when using Pluronic F127 and just mixed with the bioinks. Interestingly, processing of the mechanoresponsive reporter cell line hMSC-TERT-AP1 revealed slightly elevated mechanotransduction activity when using POx-POzi polymer and just mixed with the bioinks as well. In conclusion, hMSC-TERT embedded in thermoresponsive bioinks might shortly experience shear stress during the printing process, but that did not lead to remarkable cell damage likely due to the rheological properties of the bioinks. Furthermore, the printing experiments also suggested that cells do not sense more shear stress when additionally printed.
Sustainability has become a critical topic in all areas of supply chain management. As discussed earlier, drivers for this development can be identified as both internal and external phenomena. Since customers are one of the key stakeholders in supply chain management, special attention is paid to the impact of costumers´ behavior on sustainable supply chain design decisions. In this context, two main research questions were analyzed:
1.What is the appropriate way to design a supply chain according to environmentally-oriented requirements of customers?
2.What is the impact of customer´s behavior regarding both usage and return of products on supply chain design decisions in an environmentally conscious closed-loop supply chain environment?
Therefore, three different optimization models with various main aspects are developed. To illustrate how the presented models can be applied in practical problem cases, guidelines for implementing an environmentally supply chain design project are presented.
HINTERGRUND: Der brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) reguliert die synaptische Plastizität und spielt somit eine wichtige Rolle in der Gedächtnisbildung und -erhaltung. Deswegen gibt es eingehende Untersuchungen dieses neurotrophischen Faktors in Bezug auf Demenzerkrankungen, vor allem der Alzheimer Demenz. In dieser Studie wurde nach einem Zusammenhang zwischen BDNF Blutplasmawerten und der Alzheimer Demenz in einer longitudinalen Kohortenstudie, der Vienna-Transdanube-Aging(VITA)-Studie gesucht. METHODEN: Die VITA-Studie ist eine kommunale Kohortenstudie aller 75jährigen Einwohner einer geographischen Region Wiens. Es wurden die BDNF Plasmawerte der Basisuntersuchung und der ersten Folgeuntersuchung 30 Monate später als mögliche Biomarker für die Alzheimer Demenz untersucht. Assoziationen zwischen BDNF Plasmawerten und anderen epidemiologischen Eckdaten wurden ebenfalls analysiert. ERGEBNISSE: Wir konnten keine Assoziation zwischen BDNF Plasmawerten und der Entwicklung oder einer bereits bestehenden Alzheimer Demenz finden. Geschlecht, Body-Maß-Index und Depression stellten sich als Komorbiditäts-Faktoren von Demenz-erkrankungen dar. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNG: BDNF Plasmawerte sind diesen Ergebnissen nach kein so viel versprechender molekularer Marker für Alzheimer Demenz wie erhofft. BDNF wird jedoch weiterhin in vielen interessanten Studienprotokollen untersucht, da es sowohl im Blutserum als auch im Hirngewebe nachgewiesen werden kann und somit viele diagnostische und therapeutische Ansätze inspiriert.
Basierend auf dem Auslauftrichter nach DIN ISO 4324 wurde ein neuartiges Gerät zur Bestimmung der Fließeigenschaften von Schüttgütern entwickelt. Der modifizierte Auslauftrichter zerstört mit Hilfe eines speziellen Rührwerkzeuges ausflussverhindernde Schüttgutbrücken. Durch Charakterisierung des Ausflussverhaltens eines Modellschüttgutes (Aerosil 200/Maisstärke) konnten verschiedene Prozessparameter identifiziert werden, die eine Abhängigkeit von unterschiedlichen Fließeigenschaften des Modellschüttgutes aufweisen. Mit Hilfe des modifizierten Auslauftrichters wurden im weiteren Teil dieser Arbeit binäre Mischungen aus einem Fließregulierungsmittel und Maisstärke auf ihr Fließverhalten untersucht. Hierdurch konnte eine Aussage über das fließregulierende Potential der Nanomaterialien erhalten werden. Es zeigte sich, dass die Primärpartikelgröße, die Aggregatfestigkeit und der hydrophile/hydrophobe Charakter der jeweiligen Nanomaterialien einen entscheidenden Einfluss auf das fließregulierende Potential der Nanomaterialien besitzten.
Das kindliche Glaukom ist eine seltene Erkrankung. Die Patienten müssen ein ganzes Leben lang beobachtet werden. Eine erfolgreiche Operation verlängert zwar die Kontrollintervalle, kann sie aber nicht ersetzen. Ungefähr drei Viertel der Glaukomaugen wurde ein- oder zweimal operiert, bei den übrigen mussten drei Operationen oder mehr pro Auge durchgeführt werden. Der intraokulare Druck ist ein wichtiger Parameter für kurzfristige Kontrollen. Nach erfolgreicher Operation sinkt der intraokulare Druck unter 21 mmHg bei 72,1% der Glaukomaugen ohne Medikamente und bei 95,6% mit Medikamenten. Die Achsenlänge ist ein wichtiger Parameter für die langfristige Kontrolle. Der Unterschied zwischen der Achsenlänge der Glaukomaugen und dem altersentsprechenden Normwert blieb bei allen untersuchten Glaukomaugen signifikant, ebenso beim unilateralen kindlichen Glaukom zwischen Achsenlänge der Glaukomaugen und ihren Partneraugen. Bei operierten Glaukomaugen verläuft die Achsenlänge mit zunehmendem Alter ungefähr parallel zur Normkurve mit einem mittleren Unterschied von 1,8 ± 1,2 mm. Der Unterschied zwischen dem Hornhautdurchmesser der Glaukomaugen bei der ersten und letzten Untersuchung ist nicht signifikant. Die Werte des Hornhautdurchmessers zeigen mit zunehmendem Alter einen horizontalen Verlauf, insbesondere nach dem ersten Lebensjahr. Beim unilateralen kindlichen Glaukom verläuft der Hornhautdurchmesser parallel zum Hornhautdurchmesser der Partneraugen mit einem mittleren Unterschied von 1,0 ± 0,6 mm. Trotz eines Visus von 0,32 oder besser bei mehr als der Hälfte der Glaukomaugen blieb die Sehschärfe außerhalb des unteren Normbereichs. Zwei Drittel der unilateralen kindlichen Glaukomaugen zeigten bei der letzten Untersuchung eine Amblyopie von 2 Visusstufen oder mehr. Die Myopie ist der häufigste Refraktionsfehler. Ein Drittel der Glaukompatienten entwickelten einen Strabismus. Die Anisometropie ist der häufigste Grund der Okklusion bei der Mehrzahl der Glaukompatienten mit oder ohne Strabismus. Intaktes Stereosehen ist bei mehr als der Hälfte der Patienten nachweisbar. Die Korrelation zwischen IOD und Achsenlänge bei der letzten Untersuchung ist deutlich signifikant. Eine Abnahme der Achsenlänge während der Verlaufsbeobachtung wurde nur bei Augen mit IOD niedriger als 17 mmHg beobachtet. Die Achsenlänge wies eine signifikante Korrelation zu Visus und Myopie auf. Die Korrelation zum Hornhautdurchmesser war nur bei der Erstuntersuchung signifikant. Ein Hornhautdurchmesser mehr als oder 14 mm, eine mittlere bis höhergradige Myopie und ein Visus von weniger als oder 0,16 wurden häufiger festgestellt, wenn die Achsenlänge 24,5 mm überschritt. Der Visus mehr als oder 1,0 wurde nur bei Achsenlänge niedriger als oder 24,5 mm erreicht. Die Achsenlänge erwies sich gegenüber den Hornhautdurchmesser als der sicherere Parameter in der Diagnostik und der Verlaufskontrolle des kindlichen Glaukoms.
In this work we wanted to investigate the role of NFATc1 in lymphocyte physiology and in pathological conditions (eg. psoriasis). NFATc1 is part of the signal transduction
pathways that regulates B cells activation and function. NFATc1 has different isoforms that are due to different promoters (P1 and P2), polyadenylation and alternative splicing. Moreover, we tried to elucidate the points of interactions between the NFAT and the NF-κB pathways in
activated B-cell fate. NFAT and NF-κB factors share several properties, such as a similar mode of induction and architecture in their DNA binding domain. We used mice which over-express a constitutive active version of NFATc1/α in their B cells with -or without- an ablated IRF4. IRF4 inhibits cell cycle progression of germinal center B cell-derived Burkitt’s lymphoma cells and
induces terminal differentiation toward plasma cells. Our experiments showed that a ‘double hit’ in factors affecting B cell activation (NFATc1 in this case) and late B cell Differentiation (IRF4 in this case) alter the development of the B cells, lead to increase in their numbers and increase in stimulation induced proliferation. Therefore, the overall picture indicates a link between these 2 genes and probable carcinogenic alterations that may occur in B cells.
We also show that in splenic B cells, c-Rel (of the NF-κB canonical pathway) Support the induction of NFATc1/αA through BCR signals. We also found evidence that the lack of NFATc1 affects the expression of Rel-B (of the NF-κB non-canonical pathway). These data suggest a tight interplay between NFATc1 and NF-κB in B cells, influencing the competence of B cells and their functions in peripheral tissues.
We also used IMQ-induced psoriasis-like inflammation on mice which either lack NFATc1 from B cell. Psoriasis is a systemic chronic immunological disease characterized
primarily by abnormal accelerated proliferation of the skin keratinocytes. In psoriasis, the precipitating event leads to immune cell activation. Our experiments showed that NFATc1 is needed for the development of psoriasis. It also showed that IL-10 is the link that enables NFAT
from altering the B cell compartment (eg Bregs) in order to affect inflammation. The important role of B cell in psoriasis is supported by the flared up psoriasis-like inflammation in mice that lack B cells. Bregs is a special type of B cells that regulate other B cells and T cells; tuning the immunological response through immunomodulatory cytokines.
Frizzled (FZD) are highly conserved receptors that belong to class F of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. They are involved in a great variety of processes during embryonic development, organogenesis, and adult tissue homeostasis. In particular, FZD5 is an important therapeutic target due to its involvement in several pathologies, such as tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, little is known regarding the activation of FZD receptors and the signal initiation, and their GPCR nature has been debated. In order to investigate the activation mechanism of these receptors, FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer)-based biosensors for FZD5 have been developed and characterized. A cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) was fused to the C-terminus of the receptor and the specific FlAsH-binding sequence (CCPGCC) was inserted within the 2nd or the 3rd intracellular loop. Single-cell FRET experiments performed using one of these sensors, V5-mFZD5-FlAsH436-CFP, reported structural rearrangements in FZD5 upon stimulation with the endogenous ligand WNT-5A. These movements are similar to those observed in other GPCRs using the same technique, which suggests an activation mechanism for FZD reminiscent of GPCRs. Furthermore, stimulation of the FZD5 FRET-based sensor with various recombinant WNT proteins in a microplate FRET reader allowed to obtain concentration-response curves for several ligands, being possible to distinguish between full and partial agonists. This technology allowed to address the selectivity between WNTs and FZD5 using a full-length receptor in living cells. In addition, G protein FRET-based sensors revealed that WNT-5A specifically induced Gαq activation mediated by FZD5, but not Gαi activation. Other WNT proteins were also able to induce Gαq activation, but with lower efficacy than WNT-5A. In addition, a dual DAG/calcium sensor further showed that WNT-5A stimulation led to the activation of the Gαq-dependent signaling pathway mediated by FZD5, which outcome was the activation of Protein Kinase C (PKC) and the release of intracellular calcium. Altogether, these data provide evidence that the activation process of FZD5 resembles the general characteristics of class A and B GPCR activation, and this receptor also mediates the activation of the heterotrimeric Gαq protein and its downstream signaling pathway. In addition, the FZD5 receptor FRET-based sensor provides a valuable tool to characterize the pharmacological properties of WNTs and other potential ligands for this receptor.