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Tomar A, Gomez-Velazquez M, Gerlini R, Comas-Armangué G, Makharadze L, Kolbe T, Boersma A, Dahlhoff M, Burgstaller JP, Lassi M, Darr J, Toppari J, Virtanen H, Kühnapfel A, Scholz M, Landgraf K, Kiess W, Vogel M, Gailus-Durner V, Fuchs H, Marschall S, Hrabě de Angelis M, Kotaja N, Körner A, Teperino R. Epigenetic inheritance of diet-induced and sperm-borne mitochondrial RNAs. Nature 2024; 630:720-727. [PMID: 38839949 PMCID: PMC11186758 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07472-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Spermatozoa harbour a complex and environment-sensitive pool of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs)1, which influences offspring development and adult phenotypes1-7. Whether spermatozoa in the epididymis are directly susceptible to environmental cues is not fully understood8. Here we used two distinct paradigms of preconception acute high-fat diet to dissect epididymal versus testicular contributions to the sperm sncRNA pool and offspring health. We show that epididymal spermatozoa, but not developing germ cells, are sensitive to the environment and identify mitochondrial tRNAs (mt-tRNAs) and their fragments (mt-tsRNAs) as sperm-borne factors. In humans, mt-tsRNAs in spermatozoa correlate with body mass index, and paternal overweight at conception doubles offspring obesity risk and compromises metabolic health. Sperm sncRNA sequencing of mice mutant for genes involved in mitochondrial function, and metabolic phenotyping of their wild-type offspring, suggest that the upregulation of mt-tsRNAs is downstream of mitochondrial dysfunction. Single-embryo transcriptomics of genetically hybrid two-cell embryos demonstrated sperm-to-oocyte transfer of mt-tRNAs at fertilization and suggested their involvement in the control of early-embryo transcription. Our study supports the importance of paternal health at conception for offspring metabolism, shows that mt-tRNAs are diet-induced and sperm-borne and demonstrates, in a physiological setting, father-to-offspring transfer of sperm mitochondrial RNAs at fertilization.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Male
- Spermatozoa/metabolism
- Mice
- RNA, Mitochondrial/genetics
- RNA, Mitochondrial/metabolism
- Female
- Epigenesis, Genetic
- Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects
- Humans
- RNA, Transfer/genetics
- RNA, Transfer/metabolism
- Epididymis/metabolism
- Testis/metabolism
- RNA, Small Untranslated/genetics
- RNA, Small Untranslated/metabolism
- Mitochondria/metabolism
- Mitochondria/genetics
- Obesity/genetics
- Obesity/metabolism
- Obesity/etiology
- Oocytes/metabolism
- Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism
- Fertilization
- Overweight/genetics
- Overweight/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Paternal Inheritance/genetics
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2
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Ilicic K, Dollinger G, Dombrowsky A, Greubel C, Girst S, Sammer M, Siebenwirth C, Schmid E, Friedrich T, Kundrát P, Friedland W, Scholz M, Combs SE, Schmid TE, Reindl J. Enhanced RBE of Particle Radiation Depends on Beam Size in the Micrometer Range. Radiat Res 2024; 201:140-149. [PMID: 38214379 DOI: 10.1667/rade-23-00217.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
High-linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, such as heavy ions is associated with a higher relative biological effectiveness (RBE) than low-LET radiation, such as photons. Irradiation with low- and high-LET particles differ in the interaction with the cellular matter and therefore in the spatial dose distribution. When a single high-LET particle interacts with matter, it results in doses of up to thousands of gray (Gy) locally concentrated around the ion trajectory, whereas the mean dose averaged over the target, such as a cell nucleus is only in the range of a Gy. DNA damage therefore accumulates in this small volume. In contrast, up to hundreds of low-LET particle hits are required to achieve the same mean dose, resulting in a quasi-homogeneous damage distribution throughout the cell nucleus. In this study, we investigated the dependence of RBE from different spatial dose depositions using different focused beam spot sizes of proton radiation with respect to the induction of chromosome aberrations and clonogenic cell survival. Human-hamster hybrid (AL) as well as Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) were irradiated with focused low LET protons of 20 MeV (LET = 2.6 keV/µm) beam energy with a mean dose of 1.7 Gy in a quadratic matrix pattern with point spacing of 5.4 × 5.4 µm2 and 117 protons per matrix point at the ion microbeam SNAKE using different beam spot sizes between 0.8 µm and 2.8 µm (full width at half maximum). The dose-response curves of X-ray reference radiation were used to determine the RBE after a 1.7 Gy dose of radiation. The RBE for the induction of dicentric chromosomes and cell inactivation was increased after irradiation with the smallest beam spot diameter (0.8 µm for chromosome aberration experiments and 1.0 µm for cell survival experiments) compared to homogeneous proton radiation but was still below the RBE of a corresponding high LET single ion hit. By increasing the spot size to 1.6-1.8 µm, the RBE decreased but was still higher than for homogeneously distributed protons. By further increasing the spot size to 2.7-2.8 µm, the RBE was no longer different from the homogeneous radiation. Our experiments demonstrate that varying spot size of low-LET radiation gradually modifies the RBE. This underlines that a substantial fraction of enhanced RBE originates from inhomogeneous energy concentrations on the µm scale (mean intertrack distances of low-LET particles below 0.1 µm) and quantifies the link between such energy concentration and RBE. The missing fraction of RBE enhancement when comparing with high-LET ions is attributed to the high inner track energy deposition on the nanometer scale. The results are compared with model results of PARTRAC and LEM for chromosomal aberration and cell survival, respectively, which suggest mechanistic interpretations of the observed radiation effects.
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3
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Friedrich T, Pfuhl T, Scholz M. Spectral composition of secondary electrons based on the Kiefer-Straaten ion track structure model. Phys Med Biol 2024; 69:025013. [PMID: 38118162 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad1765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
The major part of energy deposition of ionizing radiation is caused by secondary electrons, independent of the primary radiation type. However, their spatial concentration and their spectral properties strongly depend on the primary radiation type and finally determine the pattern of molecular damage e.g. to biological targets as the DNA, and thus the final effect of the radiation exposure. To describe the physical and to predict the biological consequences of charged ion irradiation, amorphous track structure approaches have proven to be pragmatic and helpful. There, the local dose deposition in the ion track is equated by considering the emission and slowing down of the secondary electrons from the primary particle track. In the present work we exploit the model of Kiefer and Straaten and derive the spectral composition of secondary electrons as function of the distance to the track center. The spectral composition indicates differences to spectra of low linear energy transfer (LET) photon radiation, which we confirm by a comparison with Monte Carlo studies. We demonstrate that the amorphous track structure approach provides a simple tool for evaluating the spectral electron properties within the track structure. Predictions of the LET of electrons across the track structure as well as the electronic dose build-up effect are derived. Implications for biological effects and corresponding predicting models based on amorphous track structure are discussed.
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Schneider K, Breuer G, Luibl L, Paulsen F, Scholz M, Burger PHM. Vulnerable in the end - Longitudinal study among medical students on mental health and personal and work-related resources over a 5.5-year-period. Ann Anat 2023; 250:152155. [PMID: 37683899 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2023.152155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health problems are common in medical professionals and their development already starts at the undergraduate level. Studies on medical students can replicate higher prevalence for depression and burnout in this group, but they normally compare semester cohorts in an anonymized, cross-sectional approach and without a preventive perspective. METHODS We surveyed medical students at the beginning and end of their medical curriculum and collected data on burnout, depressivity, work related experience and salutogenesis parameters with validated self-administered questionnaires. Most remarkably we obtained the data from the same 58 individuals after 5.5 years, representing data of the highest quality in order to compare the mental health status at the beginning and the end of our students´ medical curriculum. RESULTS Our results not only show a severe exacerbation of physical, mental and emotional burnout in the participants at the end of their studies. The students also do not seem to have sufficient personal (resilience) or social resources (e.g. experience of social support) for coping with their mental health problems around the time of their graduation. CONCLUSIONS Our participants reflect a development of mental health during their medical studies at university that is paving the way to the devastating prevalence of mental disorders and suicide in health professionals. From our results we derive an urgent need to integrate self-care and active coping in the learning goals of medical curricula.
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Tkach O, Vo TP, Fedchenko O, Medjanik K, Lytvynenko Y, Babenkov S, Vasilyev D, Nguyen QL, Peixoto TRF, Gloskowskii A, Schlueter C, Chernov S, Hoesch M, Kutnyakhov D, Scholz M, Wenthaus L, Wind N, Marotzke S, Winkelmann A, Rossnagel K, Minár J, Elmers HJ, Schönhense G. Circular dichroism in hard X-ray photoelectron diffraction observed by time-of-flight momentum microscopy. Ultramicroscopy 2023; 250:113750. [PMID: 37178606 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2023.113750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
X-ray photoelectron diffraction (XPD) is a powerful technique that yields detailed structural information of solids and thin films that complements electronic structure measurements. Among the strongholds of XPD we can identify dopant sites, track structural phase transitions, and perform holographic reconstruction. High-resolution imaging of kll-distributions (momentum microscopy) presents a new approach to core-level photoemission. It yields full-field kx-ky XPD patterns with unprecedented acquisition speed and richness in details. Here, we show that beyond the pure diffraction information, XPD patterns exhibit pronounced circular dichroism in the angular distribution (CDAD) with asymmetries up to 80%, alongside with rapid variations on a small kll-scale (0.1 Å-1). Measurements with circularly-polarized hard X-rays (hν = 6 keV) for a number of core levels, including Si, Ge, Mo and W, prove that core-level CDAD is a general phenomenon that is independent of atomic number. The fine structure in CDAD is more pronounced compared to the corresponding intensity patterns. Additionally, they obey the same symmetry rules as found for atomic and molecular species, and valence bands. The CD is antisymmetric with respect to the mirror planes of the crystal, whose signatures are sharp zero lines. Calculations using both the Bloch-wave approach and one-step photoemission reveal the origin of the fine structure that represents the signature of Kikuchi diffraction. To disentangle the roles of photoexcitation and diffraction, XPD has been implemented into the Munich SPRKKR package to unify the one-step model of photoemission and multiple scattering theory.
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Filipova V, Stuerzebecher PE, Kralisch S, Schubert MR, Hoffmann A, Oliveira F, Sheikh B, Blueher M, Kogel A, Scholz M, Miehle K, Ebert T, Laufs U, Toenjes A, Boeckel JN. Leptin mediates protective effects on the vasculature. Eur Heart J 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac544.3057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction and purpose
Lipodystrophy (LD) syndromes are characterized by the loss of adipose tissue resulting in metabolic complications and accelerated atherosclerosis. The systemic concentration of the adipokine leptin is reduced in LD as a result of adipose tissue deficiency. A therapeutical option to treat LD is the substitution of leptin, which improves metabolic complications and reduces mortality. However, the vascular effects of leptin remain largely unknown.
Here we analyze the direct effects of leptin on the vascular system and the development of atherosclerosis.
Methods and results
Treatment of human endothelial cells (ECs) with leptin reduced endothelial inflammation and the process of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) (CNN1, −41.4%, p<0.05, n=4). In addition, leptin administration prevented the EndMT-induced increase of endothelial permeability. The protective effect of leptin on EndMT was confirmed in vivo in a combined lipodystrophic and atherosclerosis-prone mouse model (LDLR−/−; aP2-nSrebp1c). Treatment of the mice with leptin (3.0 mg/kg body weight daily for 8 weeks) decreased EndMT. Leptin showed no effect on plaques size but reduced the protrusion of plaques in atherosclerotic areas of the aortic roots (−31%, p<0.05, n=4–6).
Cytokine screening revealed an increase of the growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) in serum of LD patients (+26.2%, p<0.05, n=53–58) and in ECs after EndMT (+138%, p<0.05, n=6743–10920). This increase was reversed using leptin treatment in ECs undergoing EndMT, in the LD mice model, and in LD patients after 4 weeks of leptin administration. Indeed, treatment of endothelial cells with GDF15 induced EndMT (CNN1, +7.7-fold-control, p<0.05, n=3), and impaired EC barrier function. Neutralizing antibodies targeting GDF15 inhibited EndMT-mediated expression of mesenchymal genes (CNN1, −54%, p<0.05, n=4). The treatment of ECs with serum from LD patients induced EndMT and the increase of mesenchymal marker expression was inhibited with additional administration with neutralizing antibodies targeting GDF15 (CNN1, −28%, p<0.05, n=3).
Conclusion
Our findings indicate that EndMT is part of the cardiovascular disease progression in lipodystrophy syndromes. Leptin treatment has direct protective vascular effects by preventing inflammation, EndMT, and maintaining endothelial integrity.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)
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7
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Iliakis G, Mladenov E, Mladenova V, Soni A, Stuschke M, Scholz M. SP-0841 DSB complexity: A key to cell lethality. Radiother Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(22)04036-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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8
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Marciniak Ł, Akel M, Kulińska A, Lee S, Scholz M, Saw S. Results of plasma radiative compression investigation in the PF-24 device operated with D2, Ar and (100%-x)D2+x%Ar mixtures obtained using the 5-phase Lee model code. Appl Radiat Isot 2022; 182:110118. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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9
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Petrov I, Boesenberg U, Bushuev VA, Hallmann J, Kazarian K, Lu W, Möller J, Reiser M, Rodriguez-Fernandez A, Samoylova L, Scholz M, Sinn H, Zozulya A, Madsen A. Performance of a cryo-cooled crystal monochromator illuminated by hard X-rays with MHz repetition rate at the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser. OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 30:4978-4987. [PMID: 35209469 DOI: 10.1364/oe.451110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Due to the high intensity and MHz repetition rate of photon pulses generated by the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser, the heat load on silicon crystal monochromators can become large and prevent ideal transmission in Bragg diffraction geometry due to crystal deformation. Here, we present experimental data illustrating how heat load affects the performance of a cryogenically cooled monochromator under such conditions. The measurements are in good agreement with a depth-uniform model of X-ray dynamical diffraction taking beam absorption and heat deformation of the crystals into account.
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10
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Lucaciu R, Suchorska B, Wettig M, Jung S, Scholz M. P04.22 Tumor treating fields in high-grade glioma patients: A retrospective single-center study. Neuro Oncol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab180.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Tumor-treating fields (TTFields) are a modern anti-mitotic, non-invasive therapy for the treatment of patients with recurrent and newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In Europe, Optune® recieved in 2015 the CE certification. TTFields are a low-intensity (1–3 V/cm) approved therapeutic modality using a non-invasive application of intermediate frequency (200 kHz) alternating electric fields through four transducer arrays directly applied to the skin. The EF-14 study has shown that the addition of TTFields to temozolomide chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed GBM significantly improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) without additional adverse events, apart from mild to moderate skin irritations (Stupp et al., JAMA 2017).
MATERIAL
We retrospectively analyzed data from TTFields-treated patients (2015–2020) that were treated at our department. Patient characteristics such as MGMT promoter methylation status, age, and diagnosis, as well as treatment duration and TTFields therapy usage, were evaluated for this study.
RESULTS
29 patients were treated with TTFields therapy between 2015 and 2020 at our hospital. Most patients received TTFields as primary treatment together with temozolomide maintenance therapy. In detail, 48% of patients were diagnosed with newly diagnosed GBM, 41% received TTFields therapy after tumor recurrence and 10% were diagnosed with other high-grade gliomas. In summary, patients could integrate TTFields therapy into their daily life and showed high adherence to the therapy.Particularly, one of our patients (with MGMT-promoter methylation positive) receives TTFields therapy now for almost 1229 days (approx. 41 months) and is still on therapy. Additionally, this patient shows a high usage rate of 86% indicating well integration of the therapy into daily life.
CONCLUSION
Taken together, our data provided the outcomes of using TTFields together with chemotherapy in the treatment of recurrent and newly diagnosed GBM in our department. Therapy with TTFields has been showing to provide significant clinical benefit for GBM patients.
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Bracher J, Wolffram D, Deuschel J, Görgen K, Ketterer JL, Ullrich A, Abbott S, Barbarossa MV, Bertsimas D, Bhatia S, Bodych M, Bosse NI, Burgard JP, Castro L, Fairchild G, Fuhrmann J, Funk S, Gogolewski K, Gu Q, Heyder S, Hotz T, Kheifetz Y, Kirsten H, Krueger T, Krymova E, Li ML, Meinke JH, Michaud IJ, Niedzielewski K, Ożański T, Rakowski F, Scholz M, Soni S, Srivastava A, Zieliński J, Zou D, Gneiting T, Schienle M. A pre-registered short-term forecasting study of COVID-19 in Germany and Poland during the second wave. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5173. [PMID: 34453047 PMCID: PMC8397791 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25207-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease modelling has had considerable policy impact during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and it is increasingly acknowledged that combining multiple models can improve the reliability of outputs. Here we report insights from ten weeks of collaborative short-term forecasting of COVID-19 in Germany and Poland (12 October-19 December 2020). The study period covers the onset of the second wave in both countries, with tightening non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and subsequently a decay (Poland) or plateau and renewed increase (Germany) in reported cases. Thirteen independent teams provided probabilistic real-time forecasts of COVID-19 cases and deaths. These were reported for lead times of one to four weeks, with evaluation focused on one- and two-week horizons, which are less affected by changing NPIs. Heterogeneity between forecasts was considerable both in terms of point predictions and forecast spread. Ensemble forecasts showed good relative performance, in particular in terms of coverage, but did not clearly dominate single-model predictions. The study was preregistered and will be followed up in future phases of the pandemic.
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12
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Vondracek P, Panek R, Hron M, Havlicek J, Weinzettl V, Todd T, Tskhakaya D, Cunningham G, Hacek P, Hromadka J, Junek P, Krbec J, Patel N, Sestak D, Varju J, Adamek J, Balazsova M, Balner V, Barton P, Bielecki J, Bilkova P, Błocki J, Bocian D, Bogar K, Bogar O, Boocz P, Borodkina I, Brooks A, Bohm P, Burant J, Casolari A, Cavalier J, Chappuis P, Dejarnac R, Dimitrova M, Dudak M, Duran I, Ellis R, Entler S, Fang J, Farnik M, Ficker O, Fridrich D, Fukova S, Gerardin J, Hanak I, Havranek A, Herrmann A, Horacek J, Hronova O, Imrisek M, Isernia N, Jaulmes F, Jerab M, Kindl V, Komm M, Kovarik K, Kral M, Kripner L, Macusova E, Majer T, Markovic T, Matveeva E, Mikszuta-Michalik K, Mohelnik M, Mysiura I, Naydenkova D, Nemec I, Ortwein R, Patocka K, Peterka M, Podolnik A, Prochazka F, Prevratil J, Reboun J, Scalera V, Scholz M, Svoboda J, Swierblewski J, Sos M, Tadros M, Titus P, Tomes M, Torres A, Tracz G, Turjanica P, Varavin M, Veselovsky V, Villone F, Wąchal P, Yanovskiy V, Zadvitskiy G, Zajac J, Zak A, Zaloga D, Zelda J, Zhang H. Preliminary design of the COMPASS upgrade tokamak. FUSION ENGINEERING AND DESIGN 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2021.112490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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13
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Bertoglio F, Fühner V, Ruschig M, Heine PA, Abassi L, Klünemann T, Rand U, Meier D, Langreder N, Steinke S, Ballmann R, Schneider KT, Roth KDR, Kuhn P, Riese P, Schäckermann D, Korn J, Koch A, Chaudhry MZ, Eschke K, Kim Y, Zock-Emmenthal S, Becker M, Scholz M, Moreira GMSG, Wenzel EV, Russo G, Garritsen HSP, Casu S, Gerstner A, Roth G, Adler J, Trimpert J, Hermann A, Schirrmann T, Dübel S, Frenzel A, Van den Heuvel J, Čičin-Šain L, Schubert M, Hust M. A SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody selected from COVID-19 patients binds to the ACE2-RBD interface and is tolerant to most known RBD mutations. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109433. [PMID: 34273271 PMCID: PMC8260561 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel betacoronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes a form of severe pneumonia disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To develop human neutralizing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, antibody gene libraries from convalescent COVID-19 patients were constructed and recombinant antibody fragments (scFv) against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein were selected by phage display. The antibody STE90-C11 shows a subnanometer IC50 in a plaque-based live SARS-CoV-2 neutralization assay. The in vivo efficacy of the antibody is demonstrated in the Syrian hamster and in the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) mice model. The crystal structure of STE90-C11 Fab in complex with SARS-CoV-2-RBD is solved at 2.0 Å resolution showing that the antibody binds at the same region as ACE2 to RBD. The binding and inhibition of STE90-C11 is not blocked by many known emerging RBD mutations. STE90-C11-derived human IgG1 with FcγR-silenced Fc (COR-101) is undergoing Phase Ib/II clinical trials for the treatment of moderate to severe COVID-19.
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Vassholz M, Hoeppe HP, Hagemann J, Rosselló JM, Osterhoff M, Mettin R, Kurz T, Schropp A, Seiboth F, Schroer CG, Scholz M, Möller J, Hallmann J, Boesenberg U, Kim C, Zozulya A, Lu W, Shayduk R, Schaffer R, Madsen A, Salditt T. Pump-probe X-ray holographic imaging of laser-induced cavitation bubbles with femtosecond FEL pulses. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3468. [PMID: 34103498 PMCID: PMC8187368 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23664-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cavitation bubbles can be seeded from a plasma following optical breakdown, by focusing an intense laser in water. The fast dynamics are associated with extreme states of gas and liquid, especially in the nascent state. This offers a unique setting to probe water and water vapor far-from equilibrium. However, current optical techniques cannot quantify these early states due to contrast and resolution limitations. X-ray holography with single X-ray free-electron laser pulses has now enabled a quasi-instantaneous high resolution structural probe with contrast proportional to the electron density of the object. In this work, we demonstrate cone-beam holographic flash imaging of laser-induced cavitation bubbles in water with nanofocused X-ray free-electron laser pulses. We quantify the spatial and temporal pressure distribution of the shockwave surrounding the expanding cavitation bubble at time delays shortly after seeding and compare the results to numerical simulations.
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15
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Madsen A, Hallmann J, Ansaldi G, Roth T, Lu W, Kim C, Boesenberg U, Zozulya A, Möller J, Shayduk R, Scholz M, Bartmann A, Schmidt A, Lobato I, Sukharnikov K, Reiser M, Kazarian K, Petrov I. Materials Imaging and Dynamics (MID) instrument at the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser Facility. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2021; 28:637-649. [PMID: 33650576 PMCID: PMC7941285 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577521001302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The Materials Imaging and Dynamics (MID) instrument at the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (EuXFEL) facility is described. EuXFEL is the first hard X-ray free-electron laser operating in the MHz repetition range which provides novel science opportunities. The aim of MID is to enable studies of nano-structured materials, liquids, and soft- and hard-condensed matter using the bright X-ray beams generated by EuXFEL. Particular emphasis is on studies of structure and dynamics in materials by coherent scattering and imaging using hard X-rays. Commission of MID started at the end of 2018 and first experiments were performed in 2019.
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Scholz M, Onal B, Schleicher P, Pingel A, Hoffmann C, Kandziora F. Two-level ACDF with a zero-profile stand-alone spacer compared to conventional plating: a prospective randomized single-center study. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2020; 29:2814-2822. [PMID: 32430769 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-020-06454-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Stand-alone zero-profile devices have already proven safety, and a reduced dysphagia rate was assumed. So far, no level-one evidence is available to prove the proposed advantages of zero-profile implants in multilevel procedures. The aim of this RCT was to compare the clinical and radiological outcome of a zero-profile spacer versus cage + plate in two-level ACDF. METHODS Consecutive patients with contiguous two-level cDD were randomly assigned either to the interventional group (zero-profile device) or to the control group (cage + plate). Primary endpoint of the study was the prevalence of dysphagia at 24 months. Disability, progress of adjacent segment degeneration, fusion status and loss of correction were analyzed as secondary outcome measure. Primary outcome parameter was statistically analyzed by Chi-square test. RESULTS Forty-one patients met inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to the interventional and the control group. Dysphagia was frequent in either group at 3 months FU favoring interventional group (p = 0.078). At final FU, less patients of the interventional group complained about dysphagia, but the difference was not significant. No relevant differences at final FU were recorded for NPDI, loss of correction and adjacent-level degeneration. Fusion rate was slightly lower in the interventional group. DISCUSSION Two-level ACDF either by a stand-alone zero-profile spacer or cage + plate is safe. Using a zero-profile cage dysphagia was infrequent at 24 months, but the value did not reach statistical significance in comparison with the cage + plate. Hence, this randomized trial was not able to prove the proposed clinical superiority for dysphagia rates for zero-profile anchored spacer in two-level cDD.
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Derwand R, Scholz M. Does zinc supplementation enhance the clinical efficacy of chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine to win today's battle against COVID-19? Med Hypotheses 2020; 142:109815. [PMID: 32408070 PMCID: PMC7202847 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Currently, drug repurposing is an alternative to novel drug development for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The antimalarial drug chloroquine (CQ) and its metabolite hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) are currently being tested in several clinical studies as potential candidates to limit SARS-CoV-2-mediated morbidity and mortality. CQ and HCQ (CQ/HCQ) inhibit pH-dependent steps of SARS-CoV-2 replication by increasing pH in intracellular vesicles and interfere with virus particle delivery into host cells. Besides direct antiviral effects, CQ/HCQ specifically target extracellular zinc to intracellular lysosomes where it interferes with RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity and coronavirus replication. As zinc deficiency frequently occurs in elderly patients and in those with cardiovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, or diabetes, we hypothesize that CQ/HCQ plus zinc supplementation may be more effective in reducing COVID-19 morbidity and mortality than CQ or HCQ in monotherapy. Therefore, CQ/HCQ in combination with zinc should be considered as additional study arm for COVID-19 clinical trials.
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Berndtsson R, Becker P, Persson A, Aspegren H, Haghighatafshar S, Jönsson K, Larsson R, Mobini S, Mottaghi M, Nilsson J, Nordström J, Pilesjö P, Scholz M, Sternudd C, Sörensen J, Tussupova K. Drivers of changing urban flood risk: A framework for action. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 240:47-56. [PMID: 30928794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.03.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study focuses on drivers for changing urban flood risk. We suggest a framework for guiding climate change adaptation action concerning flood risk and manageability in cities. The identified key drivers of changing flood hazard and vulnerability are used to provide an overview of each driver's impact on flood risk and manageability at the city level. We find that identified drivers for urban flood risk can be grouped in three different priority areas with different time horizon. The first group has high impact but is manageable at city level. Typical drivers in this group are related to the physical environment such as decreasing permeability and unresponsive engineering. The second group of drivers is represented by public awareness and individual willingness to participate and urbanization and urban sprawl. These drivers may be important and are manageable for the cities and they involve both short-term and long-term measures. The third group of drivers is related to policy and long-term changes. This group is represented by economic growth and increasing values at risk, climate change, and increasing complexity of society. They have all high impact but low manageability. Managing these drivers needs to be done in a longer time perspective, e.g., by developing long-term policies and exchange of ideas.
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Schneider H, Steigerwald-Otremba AS, Häfer M, Krause F, Scholz M, Haak R. Is Optical Coherence Tomography a Potential Tool to Evaluate Marginal Adaptation of Class III/IV Composite Restorations In Vivo? Oper Dent 2018; 44:242-253. [PMID: 30517066 DOI: 10.2341/17-192-c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Margin analysis of Class III and IV composite restorations in vitro and in vivo occurred by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The results were compared and related to clinical evaluation. METHODS AND MATERIALS Eight Class III composite restorations were imaged in vitro using OCT and SEM. The margins were analyzed quantitatively. OCT signals were verified by assignment to the criteria perfect margin, gap, and positive/negative ledge. In vivo quantitative margin analysis of Class III/IV composite restorations made of the micro-hybrid composite Venus combined with the self-etch adhesive iBond Gluma inside (1-SE) or etch-and-rinse adhesive Gluma Comfort Bond (2-ER) (all Heraeus Kulzer) was carried out using OCT and SEM after 90 months of clinical function. The results were compared with clinical evaluation (US Public Health Service criteria; marginal integrity, marginal discoloration). RESULTS In vitro, the correlation between OCT and SEM was high for all four margin criteria (Kendall tau b [τb] correlation: 0.64-0.92, pi≤0.026), with no significant differences between OCT and SEM (pi≥0.63). In vivo, a moderate correlation was observed (τb: 0.38-0.45, pi<0.016). Clinically, the cumulative failure rate in the criterion marginal integrity was higher for the 1-SE group (baseline 90 M, p=0.011). Similarly, OCT and SEM detected higher percentages of the criterion gap in the 1-SE group (p: 0.027/0.002), in contrast to perfect margin. Both, gap and perfect margin ranged widely between 0.0% and 88.7% (OCT) and between 0.0% and 89.0% (SEM). CONCLUSION Despite the positive selection bias after 90 months with only a few patients left, quantitative margin analysis allows for differentiation between the two adhesives at this specific date. OCT in particular offers the possibility to evaluate marginal integrity directly in vivo.
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Wójcik-Gargula A, Tracz G, Scholz M. CALCULATIONS OF SHUTDOWN DOSE RATE FOR THE TPR SPECTROMETER OF THE HIGH-RESOLUTION NEUTRON SPECTROMETER FOR ITER. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2018; 180:75-79. [PMID: 29244166 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncx270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This work presents results of the calculations performed in order to predict the neutron-induced activity in structural materials that are considered to be using at the TPR spectrometer-one of the detection system of the High-Resolution Neutron Spectrometer for ITER. An attempt has been made to estimate the shutdown dose rates in a Cuboid #1 and to check if they satisfy ICRP regulatory requirements for occupational exposure to radiation and ITER nuclear safety regulations for areas with personal access. The results were obtained by the MCNP and FISPACT-II calculations.
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Bielecki J, Drozdowicz K, Dworak D, Igielski A, Janik W, Kulinska A, Marciniak L, Scholz M, Turzanski M, Wiacek U, Woznicka U, Wójcik-Gargula A. EXPERIMENTAL AND MONTE CARLO INVESTIGATIONS OF BCF-12 SMALL‑AREA PLASTIC SCINTILLATION DETECTORS FOR NEUTRON PINHOLE CAMERA. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2018; 180:427-431. [PMID: 29237067 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncx277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Plastic organic scintillators such as the blue-emitting BCF-12 are versatile and inexpensive tools. Recently, BCF-12 scintillators have been foreseen for investigation of the spatial distribution of neutrons emitted from dense magnetized plasma. For this purpose, small-area (5 mm × 5 mm) detectors based on BCF-12 scintillation rods and Hamamatsu photomultiplier tubes were designed and constructed at the Institute of Nuclear Physics. They will be located inside the neutron pinhole camera of the PF-24 plasma focus device. Two different geometrical layouts and approaches to the construction of the scintillation element were tested. The aim of this work was to determine the efficiency of the detectors. For this purpose, the experimental investigations using a neutron generator and a Pu-Be source were combined with Monte Carlo computations using the Geant4 code.
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Lalem T, Zhang L, Scholz M, Burkhardt R, Saccheti V, Thiery J, Devaux Y. P830Cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1C (CDKN1C), a novel female-specific marker of left ventricular dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction. Eur Heart J 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehy564.p830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Jacobi T, Scheffler L, Scholz M, Schuch A, Stumvoll M, Tönjes A, Klöting N, Blüher M, Kovacs P. Protektiv- und Risiko-HLA Allele für Typ 2 Diabetes Mellitus in 3 deutschen Kohorten. DIABETOL STOFFWECHS 2018. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1657796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Marciniak Ł, Akel M, Kulińska A, Scholz M, Lee S, Kunze HJ, Saw SH. Measurements and Simulations of Neutron Emission Versus Deuterium Filling Pressure in Plasma Focus Device PF-24. JOURNAL OF FUSION ENERGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10894-018-0157-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Burger PHM, Scholz M. Gender as an underestimated factor in mental health of medical students. Ann Anat 2018; 218:1-6. [PMID: 29551695 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Germany, currently two out of three medical students are female. Several studies corroborate that medical students show a significantly higher prevalence of stress-related mental disorders than the population in general. AIMS We aimed to evaluate, if gender has an influence on the distribution of mental stress parameters and learning style among male and female medical students. METHODS We investigated a total of 758 students of the medical faculty at the University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Germany, using standardized and validated psychological questionnaires on depressive symptoms (BDI-II), burnout (BOSS-II) and quality of life (SF-12). In addition, we screened the students for their learning styles according to Kolb. RESULTS Out of 723 participants who declared their gender, 57.8% were female and 37.6% were male. Female students showed significantly higher values for depressiveness as well as for emotional and cognitive burnout, whereas the mental quality of life was significantly lower. A considerably higher percentage of male students with a converging or an accommodating learning style were found in comparison to their female fellows. CONCLUSIONS We postulate that an adaptation of the medical curriculum content to the investigated factors may contribute to a higher mental stability and less stress-related symptoms in medical students.
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