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Lammers A, Kaemmerer H, Hollweck R, Schneider R, Barthel P, Braun S, Wacker A, Brodherr-Heberlein S, Hauser M, Eicken A, Schmidt G, Hess J. Impaired cardiac autonomic nervous activity predicts sudden cardiac death in patients with operated and unoperated congenital cardiac disease. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2006; 132:647-55. [PMID: 16935122 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2006.03.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2005] [Revised: 02/26/2006] [Accepted: 03/06/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sudden cardiac death is a leading cause of mortality in patients with congenital cardiac disease after surgical correction and is potentially preventable. The identification of patients at risk is therefore of major interest. We sought to assess the prognostic value of impaired cardiac autonomic nervous activity in patients with congenital cardiac disease. METHODS Forty-three consecutive patients with congenital cardiac disease were included in this prospective study. Parameters of heart rate turbulence and heart rate variability were calculated from Holter electrocardiograms. In addition, serum brain natriuretic peptide levels were measured. A combined end point of sudden cardiac death or nearly missed sudden cardiac death was used. RESULTS During a mean follow up of 27 +/- 12.7 months, 5 patients died, and another 2 were successfully resuscitated. On univariate analysis, both brain natriuretic peptide levels and parameters of heart rate variability and heart rate turbulence were associated with impaired prognosis. On multivariate analysis, pathologic heart rate turbulence was found to be the strongest independent risk stratifier (hazard ratio, 61.5; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Impaired cardiac autonomic nervous activity is associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death in congenital cardiac disease. Our results suggest that heart rate turbulence might be superior to established markers of cardiac autonomic dysfunction, such as heart rate variability. The combined use of heart rate turbulence, heart rate variability, and markers of neurohormonal activation, such as brain natriuretic peptide, might further improve the prognostic value.
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Fratz S, Hauser M, Bengel FM, Hager A, Kaemmerer H, Schwaiger M, Hess J, Stern HC. Myocardial scars determined by delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography are not common in right ventricles with systemic function in long-term follow up. Heart 2006; 92:1673-7. [PMID: 16775088 PMCID: PMC1861207 DOI: 10.1136/hrt.2005.086579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that myocardial scars are common in patients with systemic right ventricles. METHODS 27 consecutive patients with systemic right ventricle were studied with delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography. Of the 27 patients, 18 had had an atrial switch operation a mean of 21.8 (SD 4.5) years previously and were 23.4 (SD 5.3) years old. Nine patients without previous heart surgery had congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries and were 35.3 (SD 15.6) years old. RESULTS Only one patient had a subendocardial scar identified by delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging. Positron emission tomography identified no myocardial scars. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the hypothesis that myocardial scars are common in patients with systemic right ventricles is not correct.
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Pillai SG, Chiano MN, White NJ, Speer M, Barnes KC, Carlsen K, Gerritsen J, Helms P, Lenney W, Silverman M, Sly P, Sundy J, Tsanakas J, von Berg A, Whyte M, Varsani S, Skelding P, Hauser M, Vance J, Pericak-Vance M, Burns DK, Middleton LT, Brewster SR, Anderson WH, Riley JH. A genome-wide search for linkage to asthma phenotypes in the genetics of asthma international network families: evidence for a major susceptibility locus on chromosome 2p. Eur J Hum Genet 2006; 14:307-16. [PMID: 16391567 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a complex disease and the intricate interplay between genetic and environmental factors underlies the overall phenotype of the disease. Families with at least two siblings with asthma were collected from Europe, Australia and the US. A genome scan using a set of 364 families with a panel of 396 microsatellite markers was conducted. Nonparametric linkage analyses were conducted for asthma and three asthma-related phenotypes: bronchial hyper-reactivity (BHR), strict definition of asthma and atopic asthma. Nine chromosomal regions with LOD scores greater than 1.5 were identified (chromosomes 1q, 2p, 3q, 4p, 4q, 6q, 12q, 20p and 21). Linkage refinement analysis was performed for three BHR loci by genotyping single nucleotide polymorphisms at an average marker density of 1 cM. The LOD scores increased to 3.07 at chromosome 4p and 4.58 at chromosome 2p, while the chromosome 6p locus did not refine. The LOD score at the chromosome 2p locus is highly significant on a genome-wide basis. The refined locus covers a region with a physical size of 12.2 Mb. Taken together, these results provide evidence for a major asthma susceptibility locus on chromosome 2p.
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Kyte JA, Mu L, Aamdal S, Kvalheim G, Dueland S, Hauser M, Gullestad HP, Ryder T, Lislerud K, Hammerstad H, Gaudernack G. Phase I/II trial of melanoma therapy with dendritic cells transfected with autologous tumor-mRNA. Cancer Gene Ther 2006; 13:905-18. [PMID: 16710345 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We have developed an individualized melanoma vaccine based on transfection of autologous dendritic cells (DCs) with autologous tumor-mRNA. Dendritic cells loaded with complete tumor-mRNA may generate an immune response against a broad repertoire of antigens, including unique patient-specific antigens. The purpose of the present phase I/II trial was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the vaccine, and the ability of the DCs to elicit T-cell responses in melanoma patients. Further, we compared intradermal (i.d.) and intranodal (i.n.) vaccine administration. Twenty-two patients with advanced malignant melanoma were included, each receiving four weekly vaccines. Monocyte-derived DCs were transfected with tumor-mRNA by electroporation, matured and cryopreserved. We obtained successful vaccine production for all patients elected. No serious adverse effects were observed. A vaccine-specific immune response was demonstrated in 9/19 patients evaluable by T-cell assays (T-cell proliferation/interferon-gamma ELISPOT) and in 8/18 patients evaluable by delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction. The response was demonstrated in 7/10 patients vaccinated intradermally and in 3/12 patients vaccinated intranodally. We conclude that immuno-gene-therapy with the described DC-vaccine is feasible and safe, and that the vaccine can elicit in vivo T-cell responses against antigens encoded by the transfected tumor-mRNA. The response rates do not suggest an advantage in applying i.n. vaccination.
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Aharonian F, Akhperjanian AG, Bazer-Bachi AR, Beilicke M, Benbow W, Berge D, Bernlöhr K, Boisson C, Bolz O, Borrel V, Braun I, Breitling F, Brown AM, Chadwick PM, Chounet LM, Cornils R, Costamante L, Degrange B, Dickinson HJ, Djannati-Ataï A, Drury LO, Dubus G, Emmanoulopoulos D, Espigat P, Feinstein F, Fontaine G, Fuchs Y, Funk S, Gallant YA, Giebels B, Gillessen S, Glicenstein JF, Goret P, Hadjichristidis C, Hauser D, Hauser M, Heinzelmann G, Henri G, Hermann G, Hinton JA, Hofmann W, Holleran M, Horns D, Jacholkowska A, de Jager OC, Khélifi B, Klages S, Komin N, Konopelko A, Latham IJ, Le Gallou R, Lemière A, Lemoine-Goumard M, Leroy N, Lohse T, Martin JM, Martineau-Huynh O, Marcowith A, Masterson C, McComb TJL, de Naurois M, Nolan SJ, Noutsos A, Orford KJ, Osborne JL, Ouchrif M, Panter M, Pelletier G, Pita S, Pühlhofer G, Punch M, Raubenheimer BC, Raue M, Raux J, Rayner SM, Reimer A, Reimer O, Ripken J, Rob L, Rolland L, Rowell G, Sahakian V, Saugé L, Schlenker S, Schlickeiser R, Schuster C, Schwanke U, Siewert M, Sol H, Spangler D, Steenkamp R, Stegmann C, Tavernet JP, Terrier R, Théoret CG, Tluczykont M, van Eldik C, Vasileiadis G, Venter C, Vincent P, Völk HJ, Wagner SJ. A low level of extragalactic background light as revealed by γ-rays from blazars. Nature 2006; 440:1018-21. [PMID: 16625189 DOI: 10.1038/nature04680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 438] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2005] [Accepted: 02/22/2006] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The diffuse extragalactic background light consists of the sum of the starlight emitted by galaxies through the history of the Universe, and it could also have an important contribution from the 'first stars', which may have formed before galaxy formation began. Direct measurements are difficult and not yet conclusive, owing to the large uncertainties caused by the bright foreground emission associated with zodiacal light. An alternative approach is to study the absorption features imprinted on the gamma-ray spectra of distant extragalactic objects by interactions of those photons with the background light photons. Here we report the discovery of gamma-ray emission from the blazars H 2356 - 309 and 1ES 1101 - 232, at redshifts z = 0.165 and z = 0.186, respectively. Their unexpectedly hard spectra provide an upper limit on the background light at optical/near-infrared wavelengths that appears to be very close to the lower limit given by the integrated light of resolved galaxies. The background flux at these wavelengths accordingly seems to be strongly dominated by the direct starlight from galaxies, thus excluding a large contribution from other sources-in particular from the first stars formed. This result also indicates that intergalactic space is more transparent to gamma-rays than previously thought.
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Haines JL, Schnetz-Boutaud N, Schmidt S, Scott WK, Agarwal A, Postel EA, Olson L, Kenealy SJ, Hauser M, Gilbert JR, Pericak-Vance MA. Functional candidate genes in age-related macular degeneration: significant association with VEGF, VLDLR, and LRP6. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2006; 47:329-35. [PMID: 16384981 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.05-0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a retinal degenerative disease that is the leading cause of blindness worldwide for individuals over the age of 60. Although the etiology of AMD remains largely unknown, numerous studies have suggested that both genes and environmental risk factors significantly influence the risk of developing AMD. Identification of the underlying genes has been difficult, with both genomic screen (locational) and candidate gene (functional) approaches being used. The present study tested candidate genes for association with AMD. METHODS Eight genes (alpha-2-macroglobulin [A2M], creatine kinase [CKB], angiotensin-converting enzyme [DCP1], interleukin-1alpha [IL1A], low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 [LRP6], microsomal glutathione-S-transferase 1 [MGST1], vascular entothelial growth factor [VEGF], and very low density lipoprotein receptor [VLDLR]) were tested for genetic linkage and allelic association, using two independent datasets: a family-based association dataset including 162 families and an independent case-control dataset with 399 cases and 159 fully evaluated controls. RESULTS Test results suggested that genetic variation in five of these genes (IL1A, CKB, A2M, MGST1, and DCP1) is unlikely to explain a significant fraction of the risk of developing AMD in this population. LRP6 showed evidence both for linkage (heterogeneity lod [HLOD] = 1.14) in the family-based dataset and for association (P = 0.004) in the case-control dataset. VEGF showed evidence of linkage (HLOD = 1.32) and demonstrated significant independent allelic association in both the family-based (P = 0.001) and case-control (P = 0.02) datasets. VLDLR showed evidence of association in both the family based (P = 0.03) and case-control (P = 0.01) datasets. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that LRP6, VEGF, and VLDLR may play a role in the risk of developing AMD.
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Vizcaíno JA, Cardoza RE, Hauser M, Hermosa R, Rey M, Llobell A, Becker JM, Gutiérrez S, Monte E. ThPTR2, a di/tri-peptide transporter gene from Trichoderma harzianum. Fungal Genet Biol 2006; 43:234-46. [PMID: 16466953 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2005.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2005] [Revised: 12/01/2005] [Accepted: 12/09/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The generation of a wide ESTs library and database from Trichoderma harzianum CECT 2413 was the base for identifying the gene ThPTR2, coding for a PTR family di/tri-peptide transporter. The deduced protein sequence of the ThPTR2 gene showed the conserved motifs and also the 12 transmembrane domains typical of the PTR transporters. The highest level of ThPTR2 expression was found when the fungus was grown in chitin as sole carbon source. We also found that ThPTR2 expression was increased when Trichoderma interacted directly in solid medium with the plant-pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea, showing that ThPTR2 is involved in the mycoparasitic process. Additionally, its expression was triggered by nitrogen starvation and a higher level of expression was also found when Trichoderma was grown in secondary nitrogen sources like allantoin, yeast extract, and urea. However, no difference was found when Trichoderma was grown in presence or absence of glucose as carbon source. Strain T34-15, a transformant that overexpressed the ThPTR2 gene, showed about a 2-fold increase in the uptake of the dipeptide Leu-Leu. Additionally, two transformants from the strain Trichoderma longibrachiatum T52 that overexpressed ThPTR2 were also studied, confirming the role of this gene in peptide transport. Other homologous genes to ThPTR2 were identified in other Trichoderma strains. ThPTR2 is the first experimentally confirmed PTR family transporter gene from filamentous fungi.
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Aharonian F, Akhperjanian AG, Bazer-Bachi AR, Beilicke M, Benbow W, Berge D, Bernlöhr K, Boisson C, Bolz O, Borrel V, Braun I, Breitling F, Brown AM, Chadwick PM, Chounet LM, Cornils R, Costamante L, Degrange B, Dickinson HJ, Djannati-Ataï A, Drury LO, Dubus G, Emmanoulopoulos D, Espigat P, Feinstein F, Fontaine G, Fuchs Y, Funk S, Gallant YA, Giebels B, Gillessen S, Glicenstein JF, Goret P, Hadjichristidis C, Hauser D, Hauser M, Heinzelmann G, Henri G, Hermann G, Hinton JA, Hofmann W, Holleran M, Horns D, Jacholkowska A, de Jager OC, Khélifi B, Klages S, Komin N, Konopelko A, Latham IJ, Le Gallou R, Lemière A, Lemoine-Goumard M, Leroy N, Lohse T, Marcowith A, Martin JM, Martineau-Huynh O, Masterson C, McComb TJL, de Naurois M, Nolan SJ, Noutsos A, Orford KJ, Osborne JL, Ouchrif M, Panter M, Pelletier G, Pita S, Pühlhofer G, Punch M, Raubenheimer BC, Raue M, Raux J, Rayner SM, Reimer A, Reimer O, Ripken J, Rob L, Rolland L, Rowell G, Sahakian V, Saugé L, Schlenker S, Schlickeiser R, Schuster C, Schwanke U, Siewert M, Sol H, Spangler D, Steenkamp R, Stegmann C, Tavernet JP, Terrier R, Théoret CG, Tluczykont M, van Eldik C, Vasileiadis G, Venter C, Vincent P, Völk HJ, Wagner SJ. Discovery of very-high-energy γ-rays from the Galactic Centre ridge. Nature 2006; 439:695-8. [PMID: 16467831 DOI: 10.1038/nature04467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 376] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2005] [Accepted: 11/22/2005] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The source of Galactic cosmic rays (with energies up to 10(15) eV) remains unclear, although it is widely believed that they originate in the shock waves of expanding supernova remnants. At present the best way to investigate their acceleration and propagation is by observing the gamma-rays produced when cosmic rays interact with interstellar gas. Here we report observations of an extended region of very-high-energy (> 10(11) eV) gamma-ray emission correlated spatially with a complex of giant molecular clouds in the central 200 parsecs of the Milky Way. The hardness of the gamma-ray spectrum and the conditions in those molecular clouds indicate that the cosmic rays giving rise to the gamma-rays are likely to be protons and nuclei rather than electrons. The energy associated with the cosmic rays could have come from a single supernova explosion around 10(4) years ago.
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Kühne A, Bombeli T, Schär B, Hänseler E, Lüthi R, Hauser M, Seifert B, Fehr J, Hafner J. Thrombophilie bei Patienten mit venösen Ulzera. PHLEBOLOGIE 2006. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1622156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund: Bei Patienten mit venösen Ulzera liegt die Prävalenz der Faktor-V-Leiden-Mutation bei 23 bis 26%. Wir untersuchten die wichtigsten Thrombophilie-assoziierten Gerinnungsparameter bei Patienten mit venösem Ulkus mit oder ohne postthrombotischem Syndrom. Patienten, Methodik: Fall-Kontroll-Studie mit 73 konsekutiven Patienten mit venösen Ulzera und 45 Kontrollpersonen. Anamnese und duplexsonographische bzw. phlebographische Abklärung. Folgende Gerinnungsparameter wurden bestimmt: Antithrombin III, Protein C und Protein S, Faktor-V-Leiden-Mutation, Prothrombinmutation (G20210A), Lupus Antikoagulans, Antikardiolipin-Antikörper, Homocysteinkonzentration und die Mutation (C677T) der Methylentetrahydrofolat-Reduktase (MTHFR). Ergebnisse: 42 Patienten hatten ein postthrombotisches Syndrom: 52% hatten mindestens einen Thrombophilie-assoziierten Gerinnungsbefund (p = 0,001), 33% eine Zweier-Kombination (p = 0,001) und zusätzlich in 14% eine Dreier-Kombination (p = 0,0002). Die Faktor-V-Leiden-Mutation fand sich in 38% (p = 0,0001). 31 Patienten hatten eine primäre venöse Insuffizienz (kein postthrombotisches Syndrom): 39% hatten mindestens einen Thrombophilie-assoziierten Gerinnungsparameter (p = 0,14), 3% eine Zweier-Kombination (p = 1,0) und 0% eine Dreier-Kombination. Die Faktor-V-Leiden-Mutation fand sich in 16% (p = 0,11). Schlussfolgerung: Patienten mit postthrombotischen venösen Ulzera haben stark gehäuft (52%) Thrombophilie-assoziierte Gerinnungsbefunde. In 47% liegen Kombinationen der „klassischen“ Thrombophilie-Parameter vor. Routinemäßige Abklärungen des Thrombophiliestatus bei venösen Ulzera sind mangels Konsequenzen und wegen der hohen Kosten jedoch nicht angezeigt.
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Kühn A, Hauser M, Eicken A, Vogt M. Right heart failure due to an unroofed coronary sinus in an adult. Int J Cardiol 2005; 113:248-9. [PMID: 16290225 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2005.08.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2005] [Accepted: 08/20/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
An unroofed coronary sinus is a rare congenital malformation with a strong association to a persistent left vena cava superior. In most cases it occurs together with complex cardiac anomalies such as left isomerism. We report on a 72-year-old man with clinical signs of right heart failure caused by an isolated unroofed coronary sinus: The diagnosis was made by means of transesophageal echocardiography with contrast injection.
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Mu LJ, Kyte JA, Kvalheim G, Aamdal S, Dueland S, Hauser M, Hammerstad H, Waehre H, Raabe N, Gaudernack G. Immunotherapy with allotumour mRNA-transfected dendritic cells in androgen-resistant prostate cancer patients. Br J Cancer 2005; 93:749-56. [PMID: 16136047 PMCID: PMC2361645 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6602761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we present results from a clinical trial employing a new vaccination method using dendritic cells (DCs) transfected with mRNA from allogeneic prostate cancer cell lines (DU145, LNCaP and PC-3). In all, 20 patients were enrolled and 19 have completed vaccination. Each patient received at least four weekly injections with 2 × 107 transfected DCs either intranodally or intradermally. Safety and feasibility of vaccination were determined. Immune responses were measured as delayed-type hypersensitivity and by in vitro immunoassays including ELISPOT and T-cell proliferation in pre- and postvaccination peripheral blood samples. Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and bone scans were monitored. No toxicity or serious adverse events related to vaccinations were observed. A total of 12 patients developed a specific immune response to tumour mRNA-transfected DCs. In total, 13 patients showed a decrease in log slope PSA. This effect was strengthened by booster vaccinations. Clinical outcome was significantly related to immune responses (n=19, P=0.002, r=0.68). Vaccination with mRNA-transfected DCs is safe and results in cellular immune responses specific for antigens encoded by mRNA derived from the prostate cancer cell lines. The observation that in some patients vaccination affected the PSA level suggests that this approach may become useful as a treatment modality for prostate cancer patients.
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Aharonian F, Akhperjanian AG, Aye KM, Bazer-Bachi AR, Beilicke M, Benbow W, Berge D, Berghaus P, Bernlöhr K, Boisson C, Bolz O, Borrel V, Braun I, Breitling F, Brown AM, Gordo JB, Chadwick PM, Chounet LM, Cornils R, Costamante L, Degrange B, Dickinson HJ, Djannati-Ataï A, Drury LO, Dubus G, Emmanoulopoulos D, Espigat P, Feinstein F, Fleury P, Fontaine G, Fuchs Y, Funk S, Gallant YA, Giebels B, Gillessen S, Glicenstein JF, Goret P, Hadjichristidis C, Hauser M, Heinzelmann G, Henri G, Hermann G, Hinton JA, Hofmann W, Holleran M, Horns D, Jacholkowska A, de Jager OC, Khélifi B, Komin N, Konopelko A, Latham IJ, Le Gallou R, Lemière A, Lemoine-Goumard M, Leroy N, Lohse T, Marcowith A, Martin JM, Martineau-Huynh O, Masterson C, McComb TJL, de Naurois M, Nolan SJ, Noutsos A, Orford KJ, Osborne JL, Ouchrif M, Panter M, Pelletier G, Pita S, Pühlhofer G, Punch M, Raubenheimer BC, Raue M, Raux J, Rayner SM, Reimer A, Reimer O, Ripken J, Rob L, Rolland L, Rowell G, Sahakian V, Saugé L, Schlenker S, Schlickeiser R, Schuster C, Schwanke U, Siewert M, Sol H, Spangler D, Steenkamp R, Stegmann C, Tavernet JP, Terrier R, Théoret CG, Tluczykont M, Vasileiadis G, Venter C, Vincent P, Völk HJ, Wagner SJ. Discovery of Very High Energy Gamma Rays Associated with an X-ray Binary. Science 2005; 309:746-9. [PMID: 16002580 DOI: 10.1126/science.1113764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
X-ray binaries are composed of a normal star in orbit around a neutron star or stellar-mass black hole. Radio and x-ray observations have led to the presumption that some x-ray binaries called microquasars behave as scaled-down active galactic nuclei. Microquasars have resolved radio emission that is thought to arise from a relativistic outflow akin to active galactic nuclei jets, in which particles can be accelerated to large energies. Very high energy gamma-rays produced by the interactions of these particles have been observed from several active galactic nuclei. Using the High Energy Stereoscopic System, we find evidence for gamma-ray emission of >100 gigaelectron volts from a candidate microquasar, LS 5039, showing that particles are also accelerated to very high energies in these systems.
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Berry S, Fischer JH, Kruip J, Hauser M, Wildner GF. Monitoring cytosolic pH of carboxysome-deficient cells of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 using fluorescence analysis. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2005; 7:342-7. [PMID: 16025406 DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Disruption of the ccmM gene in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 causes a deficiency of carboxysomes and impairs growth in ambient CO2. The effect of this gene defect on cellular metabolism was investigated using electron microscopy, biochemical and fluorescence analysis. Mutant cells were devoid of the characteristic dense polyhedral bodies called carboxysomes. The photosynthetic oxygen evolution was considerably lower in mutant cells compared to wild type, while Rubisco activity in cell extracts was similar. During photosynthetic CO2-dependent oxygen evolution, Rubisco Vmax dropped from 142 micromol mg-1 chlorophyll h-1 (WT) to 77 micromol mg-1 chlorophyll h-1 in the mutant cells, and the Km for Ci (inorganic carbon) increased from 0.5 mM (WT) to 40 mM. The fluorescent indicator, acridine yellow, was used for non-invasive measurements of cytoplasmic pH changes in whole cells induced by addition of Ci, making use of the decrease in fluorescence yield that accompanies cytoplasmic acidification. The experimental results indicate that control of the cytoplasmic pH is linked to the internal carbon pool (Ci). Both wild-type and ccmM-deficient cells showed a linear response of acridine yellow fluorescence quenching and, thus, of internal acidification, with respect to externally added inorganic carbon. However, the fluorescence analysis of mutant (carboxysome-free) cells indicated slower kinetics of Ci accumulation.
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Lammers A, Hager A, Eicken A, Lange R, Hauser M, Hess J. Need for closure of secundum atrial septal defect in infancy. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2005; 129:1353-7. [PMID: 15942577 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2004.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Closure of isolated secundum atrial septal defect is generally recommended at the age of 4 to 5 years. However, there are children with isolated secundum atrial septal defect in whom early closure should be performed. We aimed to assess the underlying conditions that led to earlier closure in this special patient group and to analyze the outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS From January 1990 through August 2002, 24 infants with isolated secundum atrial septal defect underwent surgical closure within the first year of life. All children were symptomatic. Signs of pulmonary hyperperfusion, such as tachydyspnea, failure to thrive, recurrent respiratory infections, or heart failure, were present. Four infants required artificial ventilation. Ten patients had additional problems, such as prematurity with chronic lung disease, hepato-omphalocele and congenital diaphragmatic hernia, which were present in 1 patient each. Eleven patients had defined dysmorphic syndromes. All but 1 infant underwent preoperative invasive hemodynamic evaluation. Thirteen patients had pulmonary hypertension preoperatively. The follow-up time was 46 +/- 33 months (range, 4-125 months). At follow-up, pulmonary artery pressure proved to be normal in 11 of the 13 children who had pulmonary hypertension previously. One patient died of persistent pulmonary hypertension. Clinical performance, growth, and development improved in nearly all patients. All ventilator-dependent children could be weaned shortly after atrial septal defect closure. CONCLUSIONS If lungs are compromised, even a minor left-to-right shunt might be poorly tolerated in infancy. In these children early surgical closure of an isolated secundum atrial septal defect should be performed to support thrive and growth and to prevent the onset of irreversible changes of the pulmonary vasculature.
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Aamdal S, Kyte J, Dueland S, Mu L, Gullestad HP, Ryder T, Hauser M, Kvalheim G, Sæbøe-Larsen S, Gaudernack G. Phase I/II trial of vaccine therapy with tumor-RNA transfected dendritic cells in patients with advanced malignant melanoma. J Clin Oncol 2005. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2005.23.16_suppl.2540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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142
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Dueland S, Mu LJ, Kvalheim G, Hauser M, Waehre H, Aamdal S, Gaudernack G. Dendritic cells transfected with allo-tumor mRNA as cancer vaccine in treatment of hormone resistant prostate cancer patients. J Clin Oncol 2005. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2005.23.16_suppl.2541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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143
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Aharonian F, Akhperjanian AG, Aye KM, Bazer-Bachi AR, Beilicke M, Benbow W, Berge D, Berghaus P, Bernlöhr K, Boisson C, Bolz O, Borgmeier C, Braun I, Breitling F, Brown AM, Gordo JB, Chadwick PM, Chounet LM, Cornils R, Costamante L, Degrange B, Djannati-Ataï A, Drury LO, Dubus G, Ergin T, Espigat P, Feinstein F, Fleury P, Fontaine G, Funk S, Gallant YA, Giebels B, Gillessen S, Goret P, Hadjichristidis C, Hauser M, Heinzelmann G, Henri G, Hermann G, Hinton JA, Hofmann W, Holleran M, Horns D, de Jager OC, Jung I, Khélifi B, Komin N, Konopelko A, Latham IJ, Le Gallou R, Lemière A, Lemoine M, Leroy N, Lohse T, Marcowith A, Masterson C, McComb TJL, de Naurois M, Nolan SJ, Noutsos A, Orford KJ, Osborne JL, Ouchrif M, Panter M, Pelletier G, Pita S, Pühlhofer G, Punch M, Raubenheimer BC, Raue M, Raux J, Rayner SM, Redondo I, Reimer A, Reimer O, Ripken J, Rob L, Rolland L, Rowell G, Sahakian V, Saugé L, Schlenker S, Schlickeiser R, Schuster C, Schwanke U, Siewert M, Sol H, Steenkamp R, Stegmann C, Tavernet JP, Terrier R, Théoret CG, Tluczykont M, van der Walt DJ, Vasileiadis G, Venter C, Vincent P, Visser B, Völk HJ, Wagner SJ. A new population of very high energy gamma-ray sources in the Milky Way. Science 2005; 307:1938-42. [PMID: 15790849 DOI: 10.1126/science.1108643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Very high energy gamma-rays probe the long-standing mystery of the origin of cosmic rays. Produced in the interactions of accelerated particles in astrophysical objects, they can be used to image cosmic particle accelerators. A first sensitive survey of the inner part of the Milky Way with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) reveals a population of eight previously unknown firmly detected sources of very high energy gamma-rays. At least two have no known radio or x-ray counterpart and may be representative of a new class of "dark" nucleonic cosmic ray sources.
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144
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Wacker A, Kaemmerer H, Hollweck R, Hauser M, Deutsch MA, Brodherr-Heberlein S, Eicken A, Hess J. Outcome of operated and unoperated adults with congenital cardiac disease lost to follow-up for more than five years. Am J Cardiol 2005; 95:776-9. [PMID: 15757611 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2004.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2004] [Revised: 11/15/2004] [Accepted: 11/15/2004] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Many patients with congenital cardiac disease need a regular cardiologic follow-up (FU) even after successful primary treatment. Nevertheless, many of them are lost to FU. The present study verifies for the first time the outcome of adults with congenital cardiac disease lost to FU of a specialized institution for >5 years.
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145
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Walaga C, Hauser M. Achieving household food security through organic agriculture? Lessons from Uganda. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.20446/jep-2414-3197-21-3-65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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146
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Aharonian FA, Akhperjanian AG, Aye KM, Bazer-Bachi AR, Beilicke M, Benbow W, Berge D, Berghaus P, Bernlöhr K, Bolz O, Boisson C, Borgmeier C, Breitling F, Brown AM, Gordo JB, Chadwick PM, Chitnis VR, Chounet LM, Cornils R, Costamante L, Degrange B, Djannati-Ataï A, Drury LO, Ergin T, Espigat P, Feinstein F, Fleury P, Fontaine G, Funk S, Gallant YA, Giebels B, Gillessen S, Goret P, Guy J, Hadjichristidis C, Hauser M, Heinzelmann G, Henri G, Hermann G, Hinton JA, Hofmann W, Holleran M, Horns D, De Jager OC, Jung I, Khélifi B, Komin N, Konopelko A, Latham IJ, Le Gallou R, Lemoine M, Lemière A, Leroy N, Lohse T, Marcowith A, Masterson C, McComb TJL, De Naurois M, Nolan SJ, Noutsos A, Orford KJ, Osborne JL, Ouchrif M, Panter M, Pelletier G, Pita S, Pohl M, Pühlhofer G, Punch M, Raubenheimer BC, Raue M, Raux J, Rayner SM, Redondo I, Reimer A, Reimer O, Ripken J, Rivoal M, Rob L, Rolland L, Rowell G, Sahakian V, Saugé L, Schlenker S, Schlickeiser R, Schuster C, Schwanke U, Siewert M, Sol H, Steenkamp R, Stegmann C, Tavernet JP, Théoret CG, Tluczykont M, Van Der Walt DJ, Vasileiadis G, Vincent P, Visser B, Völk HJ, Wagner SJ. High-energy particle acceleration in the shell of a supernova remnant. Nature 2004; 432:75-7. [PMID: 15525982 DOI: 10.1038/nature02960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 408] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2004] [Accepted: 08/17/2004] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A significant fraction of the energy density of the interstellar medium is in the form of high-energy charged particles (cosmic rays). The origin of these particles remains uncertain. Although it is generally accepted that the only sources capable of supplying the energy required to accelerate the bulk of Galactic cosmic rays are supernova explosions, and even though the mechanism of particle acceleration in expanding supernova remnant (SNR) shocks is thought to be well understood theoretically, unequivocal evidence for the production of high-energy particles in supernova shells has proven remarkably hard to find. Here we report on observations of the SNR RX J1713.7 - 3946 (G347.3 - 0.5), which was discovered by ROSAT in the X-ray spectrum and later claimed as a source of high-energy gamma-rays of TeV energies (1 TeV = 10(12) eV). We present a TeV gamma-ray image of the SNR: the spatially resolved remnant has a shell morphology similar to that seen in X-rays, which demonstrates that very-high-energy particles are accelerated there. The energy spectrum indicates efficient acceleration of charged particles to energies beyond 100 TeV, consistent with current ideas of particle acceleration in young SNR shocks.
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147
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Mätzing H, Baumann W, Hauser M, Penkuhn K, Paur HR, Seifert H. Massenspektrometrie und Größenanalyse von elektrisch geladenen Rußpartikeln. CHEM-ING-TECH 2004. [DOI: 10.1002/cite.200490134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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148
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Oliveira SA, Scott WK, Zhang F, Stajich JM, Fujiwara K, Hauser M, Scott BL, Pericak-Vance MA, Vance JM, Martin ER. Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype tagging polymorphisms in the Tau H1 haplotype. Neurogenetics 2004; 5:147-55. [PMID: 15459824 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-004-0180-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2003] [Accepted: 03/30/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We and others have previously detected association of the Tau H1 haplotype on chromosome 17 with risk of idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD). The H1 haplotype appears to have a fundamental importance in neurodegeneration, as multiple studies have shown it is also associated with an increased risk for progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, frontotemporal lobar degeneration syndromes, and primary progressive aphasia. Therefore, to divide the H1 haplotype into sub-haplotypes that could be more significantly associated with the risk of developing PD, and to delimit the genes lying in the H1 haplotype, we analyzed 34 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning over 3.15 megabases in the region containing Tau. These SNPs are located in or flank the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1, presenilin homolog 2, Tau, Saitohin, and KIAA1267 genes. Analysis of linkage disequilibrium (LD) using these 34 SNPs suggests that the H1 haplotype extends over about 1.3 megabases, making it the largest region of LD reported to date. Of the 29 SNPs lying in this region of LD, 5 were identified as "haplotype tagging" SNPs (htSNPs), capturing 96% of the sample's haplotype diversity. Association analysis with these htSNPs revealed a new H1 sub-haplotype that is significantly associated with PD ( P<0.02). These results define the genes and regulatory regions included in this region of LD, containing an important susceptibility allele contributing to increased risk of neurodegeneration.
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Hauser M, Bengel F, Kuehn A, Nekolla S, Kaemmerer H, Schwaiger M, Hess J. Myocardial blood flow and coronary flow reserve in children with "normal" epicardial coronary arteries after the onset of Kawasaki disease assessed by positron emission tomography. Pediatr Cardiol 2004; 25:108-12. [PMID: 14668960 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-003-0472-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was investigated in children (14.2 +/- 5.01 years) with "resolved" coronary involvement after the onset of Kawasaki disease and angiographically normal epicardial coronary arteries. Ten asymptomatic children with a history of Kawasaki disease had electrocardiography, echocardiography, and positron emission tomography (PET) 10.3 +/- 6.01 years after onset of the acute illness. Myocardial perfusion was assessed by NH(3)- PET at rest and after vasodilatation and compared with that of 10 healthy volunteers (26.1 +/- 6.3 years). No patient had signs of myocardial ischemia; on echocardiography ventricular function was normal without dyskinetic areas or signs of enlargement or stenosis of the proximal coronary arteries. There was no statistical significant difference between patients and volunteers in MBF at rest (0.86 +/- 0.27 vs 0.77 +/- 0.17 ml/g/min), whereas MBF after vasodilatation (2.42 +/- 0.81 vs 3.10 +/- 0.8 ml/g/min) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) (2.89 +/- 0.26 vs 4.09 +/- 1.01 mmHg/ml/g/min) were significantly attenuated in the Kawasaki group. No stress-induced perfusion defects could be detected. In children with a history of Kawasaki disease and angiographically normal epicardial coronary arteries, there is a significant attenuation of MBF after vasodilatation and a significant reduction of CFR. Impairment of vasoreactive ability may indicate residual damage of the coronary arteries and may be a risk factor for atherosclerosis in adulthood.
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Hager A, Hess J, Michels S, Hauser M, Schwaiger M, Stern H. 1059-32 Failure to rise stroke volume in patients with transposition of the great arteries after atrial switch operation is due to fixed venous return. J Am Coll Cardiol 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(04)90071-x] [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: 11/28/2022]
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