76
|
Hoffmann RW, Schäfer W. The Adduct of Tetramethoxyallene and Tetracyanoethylene. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.197007331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|
77
|
Kamte MF, Baumeister U, Schäfer W. Electrochemical Synthesis of Tricyanomethyl Copper Complexes. Z Anorg Allg Chem 2003. [DOI: 10.1002/zaac.200300144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
|
78
|
Schäfer W. Some biomechanical aspects of continence function. SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF UROLOGY AND NEPHROLOGY. SUPPLEMENTUM 2002:44-60; discussion 106-25. [PMID: 11409614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
|
79
|
Knutson T, Schäfer W, Fall M, Pettersson S, Dahlstrand C. Can urodynamic assessment of outflow obstruction predict outcome from watchful waiting?--A four-year follow-up study. SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF UROLOGY AND NEPHROLOGY 2001; 35:463-9. [PMID: 11848425 DOI: 10.1080/003655901753367569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE One of the most common "treatment" alternatives in suspected outflow obstruction due to bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is watchful waiting (WW). The aim of this study was to see whether there were any differences in outcome between patients with slight, moderate or severe obstruction due to BOO as classified by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and urodynamics. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-seven men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and suspected BOO were included. All of the patients were investigated by a routine investigation schedule, including TRUS and urodynamics with pressure-flow measurement (pQS) at baseline. Patients with cancer in the urinary tract, prostatitis, history of detrusor hyperreflexia (peripheral or central diseases or trauma to the nervous system affecting the bladder) and serious systemic diseases were excluded. Patients were examined at baseline, then checked again after 1 year and 4 years. Patients who did not want to continue with WW were listed as treatment failures. RESULTS At baseline, 43.2% of the patients were urodynamically severely obstructed and 32.3% were moderately obstructed. Thirty-five per cent of the patients were found to have previously unknown detrusor hyperactivity/overactivity. The prevalence of detrusor hyperactivity/overactivity increased with BOO. After 1 year, IPSS had decreased at unchanged Qmax and postresidual volume. These findings persisted at 4 years. The failure rate increased in the more obstructed patients and was significantly higher with more severe obstruction. Complications were found in 13.5%, with no significant differences between patients with minor BOO [Detrusor Adjusted Mean PURR Factor (DAMPF) scale <42], moderate BOO (DAMPF 42-65) and severe BOO (DAMPF >65). CONCLUSIONS In patients with severe BOO, the LUTS and failure rate increase over time. The percentage of patients with detrusor hyperactivity/overactivity was higher in the severely obstructed group. By including full urodynamics when investigating patients with BOO, it seems possible to predict the failure rate according to the patients' obstruction grade. This gives an opportunity to treat the patient with minimal invasion, and to give the individual patient a more precise prognosis if WW is preferred.
Collapse
|
80
|
Schäfer W. Predicting natural attenuation of xylene in groundwater using a numerical model. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2001; 52:57-83. [PMID: 11695746 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-7722(01)00153-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The aquifer beneath an abandoned refinery in the Lower Rhine area, Germany, was contaminated with a number of different mineral oil products. Groundwater sampling in the area around the former xylene plant revealed that a xylene plume had developed in the underlying groundwater, and moreover, that there is strong evidence for in situ microbial xylene degradation with oxygen, nitrate, sulfate and ferric iron as electron acceptors. In order to prevent further xylene spreading, three pumping wells extracting contaminated water were installed downgradient of the spill zone. The numerical reactive transport code Transport Biochemisty Chemistry (TBC) was applied to this situation to quantify the relation of microbial degradation to xylene removal by the pumping wells. It could be shown that the unamended in situ degradation was an appreciable xylene removal process that contributed to about one-third to the total xylene removal (degradation plus extraction). A further objective of the model application was to predict xylene spreading under regional flow conditions, i.e. without operation of the three pumping wells, to consider the possible effects of natural xylene attenuation. To accomplish this, the model calibrated for the situation with operating wells was transferred to the hydraulic situation of regional flow while retaining the parameters of the biochemical model. It turned out that the xylene plume that is expected to develop downgradient of the source area will be limited to an extension of not more than 1000 m. An interesting feature of the simulations results was that xylene degradation under iron-reducing conditions, which was of minor importance for the situation with operating pumping wells, becomes the dominant degradation mechanism under regional flow conditions. Moreover, iron reduction will be the key process in controlling plume evolution. The model application illustrates that multi-species reactive transport models are needed to adequately transfer reactive processes from one hydraulic situation to another, while single species models are not suited for this predictive task.
Collapse
|
81
|
|
82
|
Bader O, Schaller M, Klein S, Kukula J, Haack K, Mühlschlegel F, Korting HC, Schäfer W, Hube B. The KEX2 gene of Candida glabrata is required for cell surface integrity. Mol Microbiol 2001; 41:1431-44. [PMID: 11580846 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2001.02614.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Candida glabrata has emerged as one of the most common causes of candidosis. In order to identify factors that are necessary for viability and pathogenicity of this fungal pathogen, we analysed the role of the KEX2 gene, which codes for a regulatory endoproteinase that is known to process certain virulence factors in Candida albicans. The KEX2 gene from C. glabrata was cloned and found to have 51% and 62% identity and high structural similarities to the homologous counterparts in C. albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. KEX2 was expressed at all time points investigated during growth in complex medium. In order to investigate the role of this putative regulatory proteinase, Kex2-deficient mutants were produced. In addition to known kex2 phenotypes, such as pH and calcium hypersensitivity, the mutants grew in cellular aggregates and were found to be hypersensitive to several antifungal drugs that target the cell membrane, including azoles, amorolfine and amphotericin B. Ultrastructural investigation after exposure to low doses of itraconazole showed azole-specific alterations such as enlarged vacuoles and proliferation of the cytoplasmatic membrane in the kex2 mutants, but not in the control strains. In contrast, antifungals such as 5-flucytosine and hydroxypyridones inhibited growth of the kex2 mutants and the control strains to the same extent. In an in vitro model of oral candidosis, kex2 mutants showed reduced tissue damage in the presence of itraconazole compared with the control infections. These data suggest that Kex2 is involved in the processing of proteins that are essential for cell surface integrity of C. glabrata.
Collapse
|
83
|
Stehr F, Felk A, Kretschmar M, Schaller M, Schäfer W, Hube B. [Extracellular hydrolytic enzymes and their relevance during Candida albicans infections]. Mycoses 2001; 43 Suppl 2:17-21. [PMID: 11291571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans cannot only infect skin and mucosa, but can also cause life threatening systemic candidosis. While natural barriers and the immune system of healthy individuals normally prevent such infections, virulence factors exist that enable C. albicans to survive on surfaces and the permit the fungus to invade tissues and organs in immunocompromised patients. Adhesions factors, morphological flexibility and hydrolytic enzymes belong to this group of virulence factors.C.albicans appears to be able to use these specific virulence attributes at distinct stages of an infection or in different types of candidosis. For example, distinct adhension factors are important for the persistence of C. albicans on mucosal epithelial cells, while other factors are necessary for the adhesion to endothelial tissue. The differential expression of specific virulence factors at different stages of an infection could be the reason why C. albicans not only has single genes for extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, but gene families. Both secreted aspartate proteinases (Saps) and secreted lipases (Lips) from C. albicans are encoded by at least 10 different genes. This high number of similar genes might empower C. albicans with the ability to secrete a specific and appropriate enzymatic response at distinct stages of an infection. For both gene families differential expression has been shown in vitro and in vivo, which would be reasonable for such an adaptation. Expression studies revealed that distinct SAP and LIP genes were expressed under conditions when potential subtrates ( proteins or lipids) were not present in the growth medium. Such expression patterns would imply that these genes may have functions other than simply providing nutrients for the fungus. The specific transcription of single SAP genes during the course of an infection suggests that these genes may have specific functions during different stages of an infection. In fact, inhibition studies and the use of mutants with targeted gene disruptions showed that distinct SAP genes (SAP1-3) are important durning infections of skin and mucosa, while others (SAP4-6) are most relevant for systemic infections.
Collapse
|
84
|
Nasser Eddine A, Hannemann F, Schäfer W. Cloning and expression analysis of NhL1, a gene encoding an extracellular lipase from the fungal pea pathogen Nectria haematococca MP VI (Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi) that is expressed in planta. Mol Genet Genomics 2001; 265:215-24. [PMID: 11361331 DOI: 10.1007/s004380000410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2000] [Accepted: 10/25/2000] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The filamentous fungus Nectria haematococca (anamorph Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi) resides in soil, and attacks pea seedlings in the area of the underground epicotyl and upper tap root, causing foot rot disease. We detected lipase activity during in vitro growth of N. haematococca. Subsequently, a lipase gene was cloned and functionally characterised by heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The full-length cDNA of 1152 bp was cloned using a 3' RACE-PCR approach coupled with cDNA library screening. The genomic clone, comprising an ORF of 999 bp interrupted by two introns of 56 and 64 bp, was isolated from a newly constructed lambda phage library. Analysis of the deduced protein sequence revealed the presence of a typical signal peptide at the N-terminus, and of the three conserved amino acids forming the active site of lipases. The lipase of N. haematococca has a low degree of similarity to the lipases from Humicola lanuginosa (37.2%), Rhizomucor miehei (21.6%), Rhizopus delemar (23.1%), Rhizopus niveus (25.9%), and to mono- and diacylglycerol lipase from Penicillium camembertii (30.8%), and very high similarity (94.6%) to a lipase from Fusarium heterosporum. The lipase from N. haematococca shows maximal activity at 37 degrees C and pH 8.0. Based on Southern analysis, the lipase clone represents a single-copy gene in N. haematococca. Expression analysis was performed by RT-PCR. In vitro, the lipase gene shows a low basal expression, but is highly inducible by lipase substrates, and repressed by glucose. During plant infection, transcripts of this fungal lipase gene were detected 4, 8, and 10 days after infection.
Collapse
|
85
|
Reinartz P, Schirp U, Zimny M, Sabri O, Nowak B, Schäfer W, Cremerius U, Büll U. Optimizing ventilation-perfusion lung scintigraphy: parting with planar imaging. Nuklearmedizin 2001; 40:38-43. [PMID: 11354986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
AIM Of the study was to introduce and verify a ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) acquisition protocol that incorporates new developments in scintigraphy in order to allow for a more balanced comparison with other diagnostic procedures. METHODS In 103 patients suspect of having pulmonary embolism, V/Q scans were acquired exclusively with SPECT technique. Ventilation was done with ultrafine aerosol. Planar images in eight directions were reconstructed through addition of three consecutive SPECT projections. Three referees examined the scans in regard to type, localization, and extent of V/Q defects. RESULTS Using this protocol, significantly more defects, especially of subsegmental size, were detected (p < 0.01). Sensitivity, and diagnostic accuracy were also significantly improved (p < 0.01) to 0.96, and 0.99, respectively. Furthermore, kappa values were increased up to 0.82--a relevant enhancement in the ability to precisely localize V/Q defects. CONCLUSION In conclusion this protocol provides high-resolution tomographic scans as well as high-quality planar images within a short acquisition time. Due to the significant increase in lesion detection, sensitivity, diagnostic accuracy, and anatomical localization of defects, it is a substantial improvement in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism that will put V/Q scintigraphy on a par with other tomographic methods.
Collapse
|
86
|
Liao LM, Shi BY, Liang CQ, Schäfer W. Evaluation for Madigan's prostatectomy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Asian J Androl 2001; 3:33-7. [PMID: 11250791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To comparatively evaluate the efficacy and post-operative complications of the Madigan's prostatectomy (MPC) and suprapubic prostatectomy (SPPC). METHODS A total of 43 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were divided into two groups: 21 underwent MPC and 22, SPPC. In all the patients, the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and urinary pressure-flow studies were assessed before and 6 months after operation. The International Continence Society (ICS) nomogram, Abrams-Griffiths (AG) number and linear passive urethral resistance relation analysis (L-PURR) were used to diagnose and grade bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). The IPSS and the urodynamic parameters before and after operation, as well as the advantages and post-operative complications were recorded and compared. RESULTS Patients of both the MPC and SPPC groups had a significant improvement in IPSS and urodynamic parameters. Obstruction was relieved in 81.0% of MPC and 86.4% of SPPC patients. MPC has the advantages of the absence of postoperative hematuria and post-catheter stricture, a shorter period of hospitalization, and lower incidence of retrograde ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSION Both MPC and SPPC can effectively relieve BOO. MPC has certain advantages and a lower incidence of complications as compared with SPPC.
Collapse
|
87
|
Ruiz-Roldán MC, Maier FJ, Schäfer W. PTK1, a mitogen-activated-protein kinase gene, is required for conidiation, appressorium formation, and pathogenicity of Pyrenophora teres on barley. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2001; 14:116-25. [PMID: 11204774 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi.2001.14.2.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are a group of protein kinases that execute a wide variety of roles in cellular signal transduction pathways such as osmoregulation, cell wall biosynthesis, growth, and differentiation. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with degenerate primers based on conserved regions of known MAPKs was used to clone the MAPK gene PTK1 from the leaf pathogen Pyrenophora teres (anamorph Drechslera teres), the causal agent of net blotch of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The predicted amino acid sequence shows high homology with MAPKs from other phytopathogenic fungi. The gene is present in the genome as a single copy. PTK1 is expressed during in vitro growth on complete medium, under conidiation-inducing conditions and during infection of barley leaves, as shown by reverse transcription-PCR studies. In order to assess the role of PTK1 in the life cycle of P. teres, targeted gene disruption was conducted. Mutants carrying an interrupted copy of the gene were deficient in conidiation, did not form appressoria on glass surfaces or on barley leaves, lost their ability to infect barley leaves, and could not colonize host tissues following artificial wounding.
Collapse
|
88
|
Sabri O, Zimny M, Schreckenberger M, Reinartz P, Nowak B, Ostwald E, Schäfer W, Block S, Setani K, Büll U. [Characterization of therapy failures in radioiodine therapy of Graves' disease without simultaneous antithyroid agents]. Nuklearmedizin 2001; 40:1-6. [PMID: 11373933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Aim of this study was a characterization of radioiodine therapy (RIT) failures in Graves' disease without simultaneous carbimazole. METHOD 226 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Graves' disease received 686.8 +/- 376.4 MBq of iodine-131 orally for thyroid ablation. Target dose was 250 Gy. All patients were followed up for 6 months. Therapy failures were compared with successes regarding possible influencing variables initial thyroid volume, thyroid function, immune activity (TRAb), I-131 uptake, effective half-life, absorbed energy dose, age and gender. RESULTS 212 of 226 patients (93.8%) were treated successfully, 14 (6.2%) showed a hyperthyroidism relapse within 6 months which required a second radioiodine therapy. A success rate of 92.5% (62/67) could also be achieved with 67 patients who were hyperthyroid at the time of RIT. Compared to the therapy successes, the 14 failures achieved significantly lower absorbed doses (223.8 +/- 76.6 Gy vs. 285.2 +/- 82.1 Gy, p < 0.005), but with no significant differences regarding age, thyroid volume, function or TRAb (all p > 0.2). Of the 14 failures, n = 8 reached an absorbed dose < 200 Gy and n = 1 a dose < 250 Gy, although 5 of the failures reached an absorbed dose of > 250 Gy. Stepwise logistic regression revealed only absorbed energy dose as a variable significantly influencing therapy success (p < 0.005), but no influence of initial thyroid volume, function, TRAb value, age (all p > 0.2) or gender (p = 0.13). Two-tailed Fisher's exact test showed no significant influence of gender on success rates (failures/successes: male 1/36, female 13/176, p = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS Except for the absorbed energy dose, no other significant variable influencing the outcome of radioiodine therapy in Graves' disease without simultaneous carbimazole could be found. It should be noted, though, that 5 therapy failures (2.2%) reached an absorbed energy dose of > 250 Gy.
Collapse
|
89
|
Donovan JL, Peters TJ, Abrams P, Brookes ST, de aa Rosette JJ, Schäfer W. Scoring the short form ICSmaleSF questionnaire. International Continence Society. J Urol 2001. [PMID: 11061889 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-5347(05)66926-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The International Continence Society (ICS) ICSmale questionnaire was devised to provide a thorough evaluation of the occurrence and bothersomeness of lower urinary tract symptoms and their impact on the lives of men with benign prostatic disease. This report completes the developmental work on the questionnaire, producing the concise short form instrument, ICSmaleSF, with a valid, reliable and scientifically justified scoring system. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two data sets were used. The short form version of the questionnaire was devised and initially evaluated using data on men with uncomplicated lower urinary tract symptoms who were involved in the CLasP randomized controlled trial comparing laser therapy with transurethral prostatic resection and conservative management or monitoring without active intervention. External validation of the scoring system was undertaken using data from phase II of the ICS benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) study, an observational study of outcome in men with lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic enlargement. All patients completed the developmental version of the ICSmale questionnaire. Parallel analysis on the CLasP data set identified items that were responsive to change or highly problematic, allowing other redundant and overlapping items to be eliminated. Factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha coefficients were used to examine the clustering of items. Regression models were used to investigate the validity of followup scores within and across treatment groups in the CLasP and ICS/BPH studies. RESULTS The questionnaire, which originally comprised 22 items, was shortened to 11 items in the 2 distinct factors of voiding (ICSmaleVS) and incontinence (ICSmaleIS) symptoms. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were high at 0.76 for ICSmaleVS and 0.78 for ICSmaleIS. A simple additive score was calculated by adding the 5 items in ICSmaleVS and 6 in ICSmaleIS. ICSmaleVS and ICSmaleIS detected expected improvement in the laser therapy and transurethral prostatic resection groups, and stability in the conservative management group within CLasP. Similarly each subscore but particularly ICSmaleVS was sensitive to differences in the outcome of the range of treatments in the ICS/BPH study. While frequency and nocturia were highly problematic and sensitive to change individually, they did not load into the other main factors or correlate with each other. It is suggested that these symptoms should be evaluated separately with the additional inclusion of a single item measure of the impact of lower urinary tract symptoms on daily life. CONCLUSIONS The ICSmaleSF represents a comprehensive, concise, valid and reliable instrument for evaluating men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Unlike other questionnaires in the field it contains subscores for the domains of voiding and incontinent symptoms as well as the separate consideration of frequency, nocturia and impact on daily life. We hope that it will become the tool of choice for the comprehensive evaluation of treatment of men with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic disease.
Collapse
|
90
|
Schäfer W, Lövenich R, Fromer NA, Chemla DS. From coherently excited highly correlated states to incoherent relaxation processes in semiconductors. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2001; 86:344-347. [PMID: 11177827 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.86.344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2000] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Recent theories of highly excited semiconductors are based on two formalisms, referring to complementary experimental conditions, the real-time nonequilibrium Green's function techniques and the coherently controlled truncation of the many-particle problem. We present a novel many-particle theory containing both of these methods as limiting cases. As a first example of its application, we investigate four-particle correlations in a strong magnetic field including dephasing resulting from the growth of incoherent one-particle distribution functions. Our results are the first rigorous solution concerning formation and decay of four-particle correlations in semiconductors. They are in excellent agreement with experimental data.
Collapse
|
91
|
Hube B, Stehr F, Bossenz M, Mazur A, Kretschmar M, Schäfer W. Secreted lipases of Candida albicans: cloning, characterisation and expression analysis of a new gene family with at least ten members. Arch Microbiol 2000; 174:362-74. [PMID: 11131027 DOI: 10.1007/s002030000218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular lipolytic activity enabled the human pathogen Candida albicans to grow on lipids as the sole source of carbon. Nine new members of a lipase gene family (LIP2-LIP10) with high similarities to the recently cloned lipase gene LIP1 were cloned and characterised. The ORFs of all ten lipase genes are between 1281 and 1416 bp long and encode highly similar proteins with up to 80% identical amino acid sequences. Each deduced lipase sequence has conserved lipase motifs, four conserved cysteine residues, conserved putative N-glycosylation sites and similar hydrophobicity profiles. All LIP genes, except LIP7, also encode an N-terminal signal sequence. LIP3-LIP6 were expressed in all media and at all time points of growth tested as shown by Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses. LIP1, LIP3, LIP4, LIP5, LIP6 and LIP8 were expressed in medium with Tween 40 as a sole source of carbon. However, the same genes were also expressed in media without lipids. Two other genes, LIP2 and LIP9, were only expressed in media lacking lipids. Transcripts of most lipase genes were detected during the yeast-to-hyphal transition. Furthermore, LIP5, LIP6, LIP8 and LIP9 were found to be expressed during experimental infection of mice. These data indicate lipid-independent, highly flexible in vitro and in vivo expression of a large number of LIP genes, possibly reflecting broad lipolytic activity, which may contribute to the persistence and virulence of C. albicans in human tissue.
Collapse
|
92
|
Grauschopf U, Lilie H, Honold K, Wozny M, Reusch D, Esswein A, Schäfer W, Rücknagel KP, Rudolph R. The N-terminal fragment of human parathyroid hormone receptor 1 constitutes a hormone binding domain and reveals a distinct disulfide pattern. Biochemistry 2000; 39:8878-87. [PMID: 10913300 DOI: 10.1021/bi0001426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The N-terminal extracellular parts of human G-protein coupled receptor class B, for example, receptors for secretin, glucagon, or parathyroid hormone, are involved in ligand binding. To obtain structural and functional information on the N-terminal receptor fragment of human parathyroid hormone receptor 1 (PTHR1), the truncated receptor was expressed in the cytosol of Escherichia coli in the form of inclusion bodies. Oxidative refolding of inclusion body material resulted in stable, soluble, monomeric protein. Ligand binding was proved by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry. Refolded receptor fragment was able to bind parathyroid hormone with an apparent dissociation constant of 3-5 microM. Far-UV circular dichroism spectra showed that the refolded polypeptide contained approximately 25% alpha-helical and 23% beta-sheet secondary structures. Analysis of the disulfide bond pattern of the refolded receptor fragment revealed disulfide bonds between Cys170 and Cys131, Cys148 and Cys108, and Cys117 and Cys48. These results demonstrate that the extracellular N-terminal domain of the parathyroid hormone receptor (PTHR1) possesses a well-defined, stable conformation, which shows a significant ligand binding activity.
Collapse
|
93
|
Nordling J, Abrams P, Ameda K, Andersen JT, Donovan J, Griffiths D, Kobayashi S, Koyanagi T, Schäfer W, Yalla S, Mattiasson A. Outcome measures for research in treatment of adult males with symptoms of lower urinary tract dysfunction. Neurourol Urodyn 2000; 17:263-71. [PMID: 9590478 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1520-6777(1998)17:3<263::aid-nau11>3.0.co;2-l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
94
|
Tammela TL, Schäfer W, Barrett DM, Abrams P, Hedlund H, Rollema HJ, Matos-Ferreira A, Nordling J, Bruskewitz R, Miller P, Kirby R, Andersen JT, Jacobsen C, Gormley GJ, Malice MP, Bach MA. Repeated pressure-flow studies in the evaluation of bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic enlargement. Finasteride Urodynamics Study Group. Neurourol Urodyn 2000; 18:17-24. [PMID: 10090123 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1520-6777(1999)18:1<17::aid-nau4>3.0.co;2-m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Test-retest reliability of repeated voids in pressure-flow studies and the influence on maximum flow rate (Q(max)pQ), detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate (p(det)Qmax), voided volume, and residual urine were studied. Also the agreement in interpretation of pressure-flow tracings between investigators and a single blinded central reader acting as a quality control center (QCC) were assessed. In addition, correlations between p(det)Qmax and patient age, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), free maximum flow rate (Qmax), and prostate volume were calculated. Using suprapubic pressure recording, 216 men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) were investigated in 11 centers. In each pressure-flow study, three sequential voids were performed, and quality controlled recordings were analyzed for Q(max)pQ and p(det)Qmax by the QCC. Trans rectal ultrasound was used to measure the prostate volume. Mean Q(max)pQ did not change, but p(det)Qmax decreased significantly in the second and third sequential voids. Using the Abrams-Griffiths nomogram definition of obstruction, 125 patients (67%) were classified as obstructed from the first void, but only 111 patients (59%) from the third void. The agreement between the investigator assessment and that of a single blinded reader was good. There was no significant correlation between p(det)Qmax and patient age, IPSS, and Qmax, whereas a modest correlation was found between p(det)Qmax and prostate volume. In summary, there was no significant change in Q(max)pQ, but p(det)Qmax decreased for the three consecutive voids, which can be explained by a decrease in outlet resistance. The agreement between the investigator and QCC interpretations shows the value of a standardized technique, supporting the feasibility of multicenter urodynamic studies. There is a modest, but statistically significant, correlation between detrusor pressure and prostate size, supporting the hypothesis that prostate size is a contributing factor in symptomatic BPH.
Collapse
|
95
|
de la Rosette JJ, Witjes WP, Schäfer W, Abrams P, Donovan JL, Peters TJ, Millard RJ, Frimodt-Møller C, Kalomiris P. Relationships between lower urinary tract symptoms and bladder outlet obstruction: results from the ICS-"BPH" study. Neurourol Urodyn 2000; 17:99-108. [PMID: 9514142 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1520-6777(1998)17:2<99::aid-nau3>3.0.co;2-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Despite the lack of evidence in the literature for close relationships between lower urinary tract symptoms and bladder outlet obstruction, the majority of urologists rely on symptomatology when selecting patients for prostatic surgery. We investigated the relationships between a wide range of lower urinary tract symptoms from the ICSmale questionnaire and the results of urodynamic pressure and flow studies. We evaluated 933 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive for bladder outlet obstruction from 12 countries who participated in the ICS-"BPH" study with the ICSmale questionnaire and urodynamic pressure and flow studies. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were obtained between symptoms and measures of bladder outlet obstruction. There was little or no correlation between a wide range of symptoms and the results of free uroflowmetry and pressure and flow studies. From symptoms alone, it is not possible to diagnose bladder outlet obstruction. Pressure and flow studies and symptom profiles measure different aspects of the clinical condition that should be viewed separately in the evaluation and treatment decision of the patient presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms.
Collapse
|
96
|
Wagner F, Kusserow H, Schäfer W. Cloning and targeted disruption of two polygalacturonase genes in Penicillium olsonii. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2000; 186:293-9. [PMID: 10802187 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2000.tb09120.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The filamentous fungus Penicillium olsonii secretes several polygalacturonases (PGs) with molecular masses of about 47 kDa. These enzymes consist of several basic and acidic isoforms, with dominant activities at pI 4.5 and pI 7.9. Two polygalacturonase genes, pg1 and pg2, have been cloned. The corresponding enzymes, PG1 and PG2, consist of 370 and 380 amino acids, respectively, and show significant similarities to endo-polygalacturonases from other filamentous fungi. Targeted disruption of pg1 resulted in the elimination of all basic PG isoforms. In contrast, disruption of pg2 reduced, but did not eliminate the acidic PG activities. The PGs of P. olsonii must therefore be encoded by a gene family of at least three genes. Induction studies with various carbon sources revealed that the acidic and basic isoforms are differentially regulated. Pectin is the best inducer of the acidic PG isoforms. The basic isoforms, however, are best induced by monosaccharides like glucose, alpha-L-rhamnose and alpha-L-arabinose.
Collapse
|
97
|
Tonn O, Kriegbaum S, Braitmaier A, Schäfer W, Esswein A, Dony C, Kaluza K, Honold K. Expression-level dependent activation of recombinant human parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related peptide receptor: effect of human parathyroid hormone (1-34), (1-31), and (28-48). J Recept Signal Transduct Res 2000; 20:133-51. [PMID: 10994650 DOI: 10.3109/10799890009150641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
A stable recombinant chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell model system expressing the human type-1 receptor for parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-related peptide (hPTH-R) was established for the analysis of human PTH (hPTH) variants. The cell lines showed receptor expression in the range from 10(5) to I.9 x 10(6) receptors per cell. The affinity of the receptors for hPTH-(1-34) was independent of the receptor number per cell (Kd approximately = 8 nmol/1). The induction of cAMP by hPTH-(1-34) is maximal in clones expressing >2x10(5) receptors per cell and Ca++ signals were maximal in cell lines expressing >1.4x10(6) receptors per cell. Second messenger specific inhibitors demonstrated that PTH-induced increases in intracellular cAMP and Ca++ are independent and Ca++ ions are derived from intracellular stores. The cAMP-specific receptor activator hPTH-(1-31) showed also an increase in intracellular Ca++. Even in cell lines expressing more than 10(6) receptors per cell the Ca++/PKC specific activator hPTH-(28-48) did not activate hPTH-Rs. Based on these results, synthesis of further derivatives of PTH is required to identify pathway-specific ligands for the type-1 hPTH-R.
Collapse
|
98
|
van Waalwijk van Doorn E, Anders K, Khullar V, Kulseng-Hanssen S, Pesce F, Robertson A, Rosario D, Schäfer W. Standardisation of ambulatory urodynamic monitoring: Report of the Standardisation Sub-Committee of the International Continence Society for Ambulatory Urodynamic Studies. Neurourol Urodyn 2000; 19:113-25. [PMID: 10679828 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1520-6777(2000)19:2<113::aid-nau2>3.0.co;2-#] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
99
|
Casper F, Seufert R, Pollow K, Schäfer W, Zahradnik HP. [Epidemiology, risk factors and predictors of pre-eclampsia]. ZENTRALBLATT FUR GYNAKOLOGIE 2000; 121:637-9. [PMID: 10666878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
|
100
|
|