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Köppen K, Rydzewski K, Doellinger J, Myrtennäs K, Forsman M, Appelt S, Scholz H, Heuner K. Phenotypic and genotypic discrimination of Francisella tularensis ssp. holarctica clades. Int J Med Microbiol 2023; 313:151583. [PMID: 37331050 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2023.151583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia, a zoonotic disease with a wide host range. F. tularensis ssp. holarctica (Fth) is of clinical relevance for European countries, including Germany. Whole genome sequencing methods, including canonical Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (canSNP) typing and whole genome SNP typing, have revealed that European Fth strains belong to a few monophyletic populations. The majority of German Fth isolates belong to two basal phylogenetic clades B.6 (biovar I) and B.12 (biovar II). Strains of B.6 and B.12 seem to differ in their pathogenicity, and it has been shown that strains of biovar II are resistant against erythromycin. In this study, we present data corroborating our previous data demonstrating that basal clade B.12 can be divided into clades B.71 and B.72. By applying phylogenetic whole genome analysis as well as proteome analysis, we could verify that strains of these two clades are distinct from one another. This was confirmed by measuring the intensity of backscatter light on bacteria grown in liquid media. Strains belonging to clades B.6, B.71 or B.72 showed clade-specific backscatter growth curves. Furthermore, we present the whole genome sequence of strain A-1341, as a reference genome of clade B.71, and whole proteomes comparison of Fth strains belonging to clades B.6, B.71 and B.72. Further research is necessary to investigate phenotypes and putative differences in pathogenicity of the investigated different clades of Fth to better understand the relationship between observed phenotypes, pathogenicity and distribution of Fth strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Köppen
- Working group: Cellular Interactions of Bacterial Pathogens, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerstin Rydzewski
- Working group: Cellular Interactions of Bacterial Pathogens, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joerg Doellinger
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Proteomics and Spectroscopy (ZBS 6), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerstin Myrtennäs
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mats Forsman
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sandra Appelt
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Holger Scholz
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Heuner
- Working group: Cellular Interactions of Bacterial Pathogens, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany; Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
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Scholz HC, Heckers KO, Appelt S, Geier-Dömling D, Schlegel P, Wattam AR. Isolation of Brucella inopinata from a White's tree frog ( Litoria caerulea): pose exotic frogs a potential risk to human health? Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1173252. [PMID: 37362939 PMCID: PMC10285381 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1173252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cold-blooded hosts, particularly exotic frogs, have become a newly recognized reservoir for atypical Brucella species and strains worldwide, but their pathogenicity to humans remains largely unknown. Here we report the isolation and molecular characterization of a B. inopinata strain (FO700662) cultured from clinical samples taken from a captive diseased White's Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea) in Switzerland. The isolation of B. inopinata from a frog along with other reports of human infection by atypical Brucella raises the question of whether atypical Brucella could pose a risk to human health and deserves further attention. Methods The investigations included histopathological analysis of the frog, bacterial culture and in-depth molecular characterization of strain FO700662 based on genome sequencing data. Results and Discussion Originally identified as Ochrobactrum based on its rapid growth and biochemical profile, strain FO700622 was positive for the Brucella- specific markers bcsp31 and IS711. It showed the specific banding pattern of B. inopinata in conventional Bruce-ladder multiplex PCR and also had identical 16S rRNA and recA gene sequences as B. inopinata. Subsequent genome sequencing followed by core genome-based MLST (cgMLST) analysis using 2704 targets (74% of the total chromosome) revealed only 173 allelic differences compared to the type strain of B. inopinata BO1T, while previously considered the closest related strain BO2 differed in 2046 alleles. The overall average nucleotide identity (ANI) between the type strain BO1T and FO700622 was 99,89%, confirming that both strains were almost identical. In silico MLST-21 and MLVA-16 also identified strain FO700662 as B. inopinata. The nucleotide and amino acid-based phylogenetic reconstruction and comparative genome analysis again placed the isolate together with B. inopinata with 100% support. In conclusion, our data unequivocally classified strain FO700622, isolated from an exotic frog, as belonging to B. inopinata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger C. Scholz
- Department of Bacteriology and Toxinology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Kim O. Heckers
- LABOklin GmbH and Co KG, Labor für klinische Diagnostik, Bad Kissingen, Germany
| | - Sandra Appelt
- Department of Bacteriology and Toxinology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Patrick Schlegel
- Kleintierpraxis Dr. med vet. Patrick Schlegel, Sargans, Switzerland
| | - Alice R. Wattam
- Biocomplexity Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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Appelt S, Kramer B, Hutchinson EF. Neurovascular territories of the canine fossa: Analysis of a South African population. Morphologie 2023; 107:22-27. [PMID: 35277339 DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The canine fossa, a depression on the surface of the maxillary bone, is important clinically due to the nexus of the neurovascular elements which occur in this region and supply the superficial and deep structures of the face. While it is known that there is much variation in the neurovascular structures of this region, little is known about sex differences. The aim of this study was to investigate and map the neurovascular branching within the region of the canine fossa of a South African population, with particular reference to any sex differences. METHODS Sixty hemifaces (n=30 female; n=30 male) of individuals between the ages of 40 and 100years were dissected. The origin, number of branches, connections between branches, origin of connecting branches and the distribution of the neurovascular structures associated with the mid-facial and canine fossa regions were documented. The data obtained was qualitative and was statistically analysed with SPSS v26 statistical analysis software. Frequency and contingency tables, along with Chi-squared analysis and Fischer's Exact test, were used for quantitative data analysis. RESULTS While high levels of variation in the neurovascular elements were documented, there was no statistically significant variation between the sexes. A sex variation was only observed for the terminal branches of CN VII with females displaying a lower number of buccal nerve terminal branches than males. CONCLUSION While only one sex difference of significance was found in the highly variable neurovascular structures resident in the region of the canine fossa, the variability of the neurovascular elements is of importance to surgeons.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Appelt
- School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - B Kramer
- School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - E F Hutchinson
- School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Appelt S, Rohleder AM, Jacob D, von Buttlar H, Georgi E, Mueller K, Wernery U, Kinne J, Joseph M, Jose SV, Scholz HC. Genetic diversity and spatial distribution of Burkholderia mallei by core genome-based multilocus sequence typing analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270499. [PMID: 35793321 PMCID: PMC9258848 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia mallei is the etiological agent of glanders, a highly contagious and often fatal disease in equids. Due to the high genetic clonality of B. mallei, high-resolution typing assays are necessary to differentiate between individual strains. Here we report on the development and validation of a robust and reproducible core genome-based Multi Locus Sequence Typing Assay (cgMLST) for B. mallei, which is based on 3328 gene targets and enables high-resolution typing at the strain level. The assay was validated using a set of 120 B. mallei genomes from public databases and 23 newly sequenced outbreak strains from in-house strain collections. In this cgMLST analysis, strains from different geographic regions were clearly distinguished by at least 70 allele differences, allowing spatial clustering while closely related and epidemiologically related strains were separated by only zero to three alleles. Neither the different sequencing technologies nor the assembly strategies had an influence on the cgMLST results. The developed cgMLST is highly robust, reproducible and can be used for outbreak investigations, source tracking and molecular characterization of new B. mallei isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Appelt
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Rohleder
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniela Jacob
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heiner von Buttlar
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department Bacteriology and Toxinology, Munich, Germany
| | - Enrico Georgi
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department Bacteriology and Toxinology, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Mueller
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department Bacteriology and Toxinology, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Wernery
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Joerg Kinne
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Marina Joseph
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Holger C. Scholz
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department Bacteriology and Toxinology, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Appelt S, Rohleder AM, Invernizzi C, Mikulak R, Brinkmann A, Nitsche A, Krüger M, Dorner MB, Dorner BG, Scholz HC, Grunow R. Strengthening the United Nations Secretary-General's Mechanism to an alleged use of bioweapons through a quality-assured laboratory response. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3078. [PMID: 34035242 PMCID: PMC8149868 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23296-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The cascade of innovations in biotechnology opens new pathways for biological warfare. The international laboratory network being developed under the UN Secretary-General’s Mechanism could provide vital evidence in case of an alleged biological attack.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Appelt
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 1, ZBS 2 and ZBS 3), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Rohleder
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 1, ZBS 2 and ZBS 3), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Robert Mikulak
- Biological Policy Staff, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, U.S. Department of State, Washington, USA
| | - Annika Brinkmann
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 1, ZBS 2 and ZBS 3), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 1, ZBS 2 and ZBS 3), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maren Krüger
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 1, ZBS 2 and ZBS 3), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin B Dorner
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 1, ZBS 2 and ZBS 3), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Brigitte G Dorner
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 1, ZBS 2 and ZBS 3), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Holger C Scholz
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 1, ZBS 2 and ZBS 3), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Roland Grunow
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 1, ZBS 2 and ZBS 3), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
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Appelt S, Jacob D, Rohleder AM, Bråve A, Szekely Björndal Å, Di Caro A, Grunow R. Assessment of biorisk management systems in high containment laboratories, 18 countries in Europe, 2016 and 2017. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 25. [PMID: 32914748 PMCID: PMC7502897 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2020.25.36.2000089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Europe-wide activities to improve biosafety and biosecurity performed within the frameworks of the European Union (EU)-funded Joint Actions EMERGE and QUANDHIP led to the development of an Integrated European Checklist for Laboratory Biorisk Management (ECL). To better understand different approaches shaping biorisk management (BRM) systems on an operational level in high containment laboratories, the ECL was used to map the implementation of BRM in 32 high containment laboratories in 18 countries in Europe. The results suggest that the BRM elements referring to standard microbiological working practices and the handling of infectious material were fulfilled particularly well. The elements safety exercises involving internal and external emergency responders, and appropriate decommissioning plans were not fulfilled particularly well. BRM in Biosafety Level (BSL) 4 laboratories handling Risk Group (RG) 4 viruses appear to vary among each other less than BSL3 laboratories handling RG 3 bacteria. It is important to agree on comparable regulations in Europe as high containment laboratories are indispensable for a safe, quick and effective response to public health threats. As high containment laboratories may also present a public health risk it is crucial to have robust BRM on organisational and operational levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Appelt
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniela Jacob
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Rohleder
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Bråve
- Office of Department of Microbiology, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Åsa Szekely Björndal
- Office of Department of Microbiology, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Antonino Di Caro
- Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Rome, Italy
| | - Roland Grunow
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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- The EMERGE partners are acknowledged at the end of the article
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7
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Dürrwald R, Wedde M, Biere B, Oh DY, Heßler-Klee M, Geidel C, Volmer R, Hauri AM, Gerst K, Thürmer A, Appelt S, Reiche J, Duwe S, Buda S, Wolff T, Haas W. Zoonotic infection with swine A/H1 avN1 influenza virus in a child, Germany, June 2020. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 25. [PMID: 33094718 PMCID: PMC7651875 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2020.25.42.2001638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
A zoonotic A/sw/H1avN1 1C.2.2 influenza virus infection was detected in a German child that presented with influenza-like illness, including high fever. There was a history of close contact with pigs 3 days before symptom onset. The child recovered within 3 days. No other transmissions were observed. Serological investigations of the virus isolate revealed cross-reactions with ferret antisera against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus, indicating a closer antigenic relationship with A(H1N1)pdm09 than with the former seasonal H1N1 viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Renate Volmer
- Landesbetrieb Hessisches Landeslabor (LHL), Fachgebiet II.4 Tiergesundheitsdienste, Gießen, Germany
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Grunert M, Appelt S, Grossfeld P, Sperling SR. The Needle in the Haystack-Searching for Genetic and Epigenetic Differences in Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Tetralogy of Fallot. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2020; 7:jcdd7040055. [PMID: 33276527 PMCID: PMC7761217 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd7040055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defect in human with an incidence of almost 1% of all live births. Most cases have a multifactorial origin with both genetics and the environment playing a role in its development and progression. Adding an epigenetic component to this aspect is exemplified by monozygotic twins which share the same genetic background but have a different disease status. As a result, the interplay between the genetic, epigenetic and the environmental conditions might contribute to the etiology and phenotype. To date, the underlying causes of the majority of CHDs remain poorly understood. In this study, we performed genome-wide high-throughput sequencing to examine the genetic, structural genomic and epigenetic differences of two identical twin pairs discordant for Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), representing the most common cyanotic form of CHDs. Our results show the almost identical genetic and structural genomic identity of the twins. In contrast, several epigenetic alterations could be observed given by DNA methylation changes in regulatory regions of known cardiac-relevant genes. Overall, this study provides first insights into the impact of genetic and especially epigenetic factors underlying monozygotic twins discordant for CHD like TOF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Grunert
- Cardiovascular Genetics, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13125 Berlin, Germany; (M.G.); (S.A.)
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), 10178 Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, 10178 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Appelt
- Cardiovascular Genetics, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13125 Berlin, Germany; (M.G.); (S.A.)
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), 10178 Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, 10178 Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Grossfeld
- Division of Cardiology, University of California San Diego, Rady’s Hospital MC 5004, San Diego, CA 92123, USA;
| | - Silke R. Sperling
- Cardiovascular Genetics, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13125 Berlin, Germany; (M.G.); (S.A.)
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), 10178 Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, 10178 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30450540123
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Appelt S, Faber M, Köppen K, Jacob D, Grunow R, Heuner K. Francisella tularensis Subspecies holarctica and Tularemia in Germany. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8091448. [PMID: 32971773 PMCID: PMC7564102 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by Francisella tularensis a small, pleomorphic, facultative intracellular bacterium. In Europe, infections in animals and humans are caused mainly by Francisella tularensis subspecies holarctica. Humans can be exposed to the pathogen directly and indirectly through contact with sick animals, carcasses, mosquitoes and ticks, environmental sources such as contaminated water or soil, and food. So far, F. tularensis subsp. holarctica is the only Francisella species known to cause tularemia in Germany. On the basis of surveillance data, outbreak investigations, and literature, we review herein the epidemiological situation-noteworthy clinical cases next to genetic diversity of F. tularensis subsp. holarctica strains isolated from patients. In the last 15 years, the yearly number of notified cases of tularemia has increased steadily in Germany, suggesting that the disease is re-emerging. By sequencing F. tularensis subsp. holarctica genomes, knowledge has been added to recent findings, completing the picture of genotypic diversity and geographical segregation of Francisella clades in Germany. Here, we also shortly summarize the current knowledge about a new Francisella species (Francisella sp. strain W12-1067) that has been recently identified in Germany. This species is the second Francisella species discovered in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Appelt
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.A.); (D.J.); (R.G.)
| | - Mirko Faber
- Gastrointestinal Infections, Zoonoses and Tropical Infections (Division 35), Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Kristin Köppen
- Cellular Interactions of Bacterial Pathogens, ZBS 2, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Daniela Jacob
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.A.); (D.J.); (R.G.)
| | - Roland Grunow
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.A.); (D.J.); (R.G.)
| | - Klaus Heuner
- Cellular Interactions of Bacterial Pathogens, ZBS 2, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-301-8754-2226
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Appelt S, Köppen K, Radonić A, Drechsel O, Jacob D, Grunow R, Heuner K. Genetic Diversity and Spatial Segregation of Francisella tularensis Subspecies holarctica in Germany. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:376. [PMID: 31781515 PMCID: PMC6851236 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis is an intracellular pleomorphic bacterium and the causative agent of tularemia, a zoonotic disease with a wide host range. Among the F. tularensis subspecies, especially F. tularensis subsp. holarctica is of clinical relevance for European countries. The study presented herein focuses namely on genetic diversity and spatial segregation of F. tularensis subsp. holarctica in Germany, as still limited information is available. The investigation is based on the analysis of 34 F. tularensis subsp. holarctica isolates and one draft genome from an outbreak strain. The isolates were cultured from sample material being that of primarily human patients (n = 25) and free-living animals (n = 9). For six of 25 human isolates, epidemiological links between disease onset and tick bites could be established, confirming the importance of arthropod linked transmission of tularemia in Germany. The strains were assigned to three of four major F. tularensis subsp. holarctica clades: B.4, B.6, and B.12. Thereby, B.6 and B.12 clade members were predominantly found; only one human isolate was assigned to clade B.4. Also, it turned out that eight isolates which caused pneumonia in patients clustered into the B.6 clade. Altogether, eight different final subclades were assigned to clade B.6 (biovar I, erythromycin sensitive) and six to B.12 (biovar II, erythromycin resistant) in addition to one new final B.12 subclade. Moreover, for 13 human and 3 animal isolates, final subclade subdivisions were not assigned (B.12 subdivisions B.33 and B.34, and B.6 subdivision B.45) because official nomenclatures are not available yet. This gives credit to the genetic variability of F. tularensis subsp. holarctica strains in Germany. The results clearly point out that the given genetic diversity in Germany seems to be comparably high to that found in other European countries including Scandinavian regions. A spatial segregation of B.6 and B.12 strains was found and statistically confirmed, and B.12 clade members were predominantly found in eastern parts and B.6 members more in western to southern parts of Germany. The portion of B.12 clade members in northeastern parts of Germany was 78.5% and in southwestern parts 1.9%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Appelt
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristin Köppen
- Working Group Cellular Interactions of Bacterial Pathogens, ZBS2, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aleksandar Radonić
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure Genome Sequencing (MF2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Drechsel
- Bioinformatics (MF1), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniela Jacob
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Roland Grunow
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Heuner
- Working Group Cellular Interactions of Bacterial Pathogens, ZBS2, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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Appelt S, Kentner A, Lehmkuhl S, Blümich B. From LASER physics to the para-hydrogen pumped RASER. Prog Nucl Magn Reson Spectrosc 2019; 114-115:1-32. [PMID: 31779878 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The properties of the LASER with respect to self-organization are compared with the key features of the p-H2 pumped RASER. According to LASER theory the equations of motion for the LASER can be derived from the enslaving principle, i.e. the slowest-changing order parameter (the light field in the resonator) enslaves the rapidly relaxing atomic degrees of freedom. Likewise, it is shown here that the equations of motion for the p-H2 pumped RASER result from a set of order parameters, where the transverse magnetization of the RASER-active spin states enslaves the electromagnetic modes. The consequences are striking for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, since long-lasting multi-mode RASER oscillations enable unprecedented spectroscopic resolution down to the micro-Hertz regime. Based on the theory for multi-mode RASER operation we analyze the conditions that reveal either the collapse of the entire NMR spectrum, the occurrence of self-organized frequency-combs, or RASER spectra which reflect the J-coupled network of the molecule. Certain RASER experiments involving the protons of 15N pyridine or 3-picoline molecules pumped with p-H2 via SABRE (Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange) show either a single RASER oscillation in the time domain, giant RASER pulses or a complex RASER beat pattern. The corresponding 1H spectra consist of one narrow line, equidistant narrow lines (frequency-comb), or highly resolved lines reporting NMR properties, respectively. Numerous applications in the areas of material sciences, fundamental physics and medicine involving high precision sensors for magnetic fields, rotational motions or molecular structures become feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Appelt
- Central Institute for Engineering, Electronics and Analytics - Electronic Systems (ZEA-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, D-52425 Jülich, Germany.
| | - A Kentner
- Central Institute for Engineering, Electronics and Analytics - Electronic Systems (ZEA-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - S Lehmkuhl
- Institut für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie, RWTH Aachen University, D-52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - B Blümich
- Institut für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie, RWTH Aachen University, D-52056 Aachen, Germany
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12
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Appelt S, Aly SS, Tonooka K, Glenn K, Xue Z, Lehenbauer TW, Marco ML. Development and comparison of loop-mediated isothermal amplification and quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of Mycoplasma bovis in milk. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:1985-1996. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-15306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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13
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Abstract
The Legionella genus comprises more than 60 species. In particular, Legionella pneumophila is known to cause severe illnesses in humans. Legionellaceae are ubiquitous inhabitants of aquatic environments. Some Legionellaceae are motile and their motility is important to move around in habitats. Motility can be considered as a potential virulence factor as already shown for various human pathogens. The genes of the flagellar system, regulator and structural genes, are structured in hierarchical levels described as the flagellar regulon. Their expression is modulated by various environmental factors. For L. pneumophila it was shown that the expression of genes of the flagellar regulon is modulated by the actual growth phase and temperature. Especially, flagellated Legionella are known to express genes during the transmissive phase of growth that are involved in the expression of virulence traits. It has been demonstrated that the alternative sigma-28 factor is part of the link between virulence expression and motility. In the following review, the structure of the flagellar regulon of L. pneumophila is discussed and compared to other flagellar systems of different Legionella species. Recently, it has been described that Legionella micdadei and Legionella fallonii contain a second putative partial flagellar system. Hence, the report will focus on flagellated and non-flagellated Legionella strains, phylogenetic relationships, the role and function of the alternative sigma factor (FliA) and its anti-sigma-28 factor (FlgM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Appelt
- Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Heuner
- Cellular Interactions of Bacterial Pathogens, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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14
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Daggumati P, Appelt S, Matharu Z, Marco ML, Seker E. Sequence-Specific Electrical Purification of Nucleic Acids with Nanoporous Gold Electrodes. J Am Chem Soc 2016; 138:7711-7. [PMID: 27244455 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b03563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic-acid-based biosensors have enabled rapid and sensitive detection of pathogenic targets; however, these devices often require purified nucleic acids for analysis since the constituents of complex biological fluids adversely affect sensor performance. This purification step is typically performed outside the device, thereby increasing sample-to-answer time and introducing contaminants. We report a novel approach using a multifunctional matrix, nanoporous gold (np-Au), which enables both detection of specific target sequences in a complex biological sample and their subsequent purification. The np-Au electrodes modified with 26-mer DNA probes (via thiol-gold chemistry) enabled sensitive detection and capture of complementary DNA targets in the presence of complex media (fetal bovine serum) and other interfering DNA fragments in the range of 50-1500 base pairs. Upon capture, the noncomplementary DNA fragments and serum constituents of varying sizes were washed away. Finally, the surface-bound DNA-DNA hybrids were released by electrochemically cleaving the thiol-gold linkage, and the hybrids were iontophoretically eluted from the nanoporous matrix. The optical and electrophoretic characterization of the analytes before and after the detection-purification process revealed that low target DNA concentrations (80 pg/μL) can be successfully detected in complex biological fluids and subsequently released to yield pure hybrids free of polydisperse digested DNA fragments and serum biomolecules. Taken together, this multifunctional platform is expected to enable seamless integration of detection and purification of nucleic acid biomarkers of pathogens and diseases in miniaturized diagnostic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Daggumati
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and ‡Department of Food Science & Technology, University of California , Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Sandra Appelt
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and ‡Department of Food Science & Technology, University of California , Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Zimple Matharu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and ‡Department of Food Science & Technology, University of California , Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Maria L Marco
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and ‡Department of Food Science & Technology, University of California , Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Erkin Seker
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and ‡Department of Food Science & Technology, University of California , Davis, California 95616, United States
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15
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Weizel R, Witzmann M, Schleuning G, Schmidmeier R, Marstrander N, Appelt S, Schrenk N. P-11 Advance planning in the context of a psychiatric acute care hospital: Acceptance of a trialogical pilot project. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2015-000978.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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16
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Türschmann P, Colell J, Theis T, Blümich B, Appelt S. Analysis of parahydrogen polarized spin system in low magnetic fields. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2014; 16:15411-21. [PMID: 24947652 DOI: 10.1039/c4cp01807a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of spin systems polarized either thermally or by parahydrogen exhibit strikingly different field dependencies. Thermally polarized spin systems show the well-known roof effect, observed when reducing magnetic field strengths which precludes the independent determination of chemical shift differences and J-coupling constants at low-fields. Quantum mechanical analysis of the NMR spectra with respect to polarization method, pulsed state preparation, and transition probabilities reveals that spectra of parahydrogen polarized systems feature an "inverse roof effect" in the regime where the chemical shift difference δν is smaller than J. This inverse roof effect allows for the extraction of both J-coupling and chemical shift information down to very low fields. Based on a two-spin system, the observed non-linear magnetic field dependence of the splitting of spectral lines is predicted. We develop a general solution for the steady state density matrix of a parahydrogen polarized three-spin system including a heteronucleus which allows explaining experimentally observed (1)H spectra. The analysis of three-spin density matrix illustrates two pathways for an efficient polarization transfer from parahydrogen to (13)C nuclei. Examination of the experimental data facilitates the extraction of all relevant NMR parameters using single-scan, high-resolution (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy at low fields at a fraction of the cost associated with cryogenically cooled high-field NMR spectrometers.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Türschmann
- Institut für Technische und Markomolekulare Chemie, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany.
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17
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Krawitz PM, Schiska D, Krüger U, Appelt S, Heinrich V, Parkhomchuk D, Timmermann B, Millan JM, Robinson PN, Mundlos S, Hecht J, Gross M. Screening for single nucleotide variants, small indels and exon deletions with a next-generation sequencing based gene panel approach for Usher syndrome. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2014; 2:393-401. [PMID: 25333064 PMCID: PMC4190874 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Usher syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized both by deafness and blindness. For the three clinical subtypes of Usher syndrome causal mutations in altogether 12 genes and a modifier gene have been identified. Due to the genetic heterogeneity of Usher syndrome, the molecular analysis is predestined for a comprehensive and parallelized analysis of all known genes by next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches. We describe here the targeted enrichment and deep sequencing for exons of Usher genes and compare the costs and workload of this approach compared to Sanger sequencing. We also present a bioinformatics analysis pipeline that allows us to detect single-nucleotide variants, short insertions and deletions, as well as copy number variations of one or more exons on the same sequence data. Additionally, we present a flexible in silico gene panel for the analysis of sequence variants, in which newly identified genes can easily be included. We applied this approach to a cohort of 44 Usher patients and detected biallelic pathogenic mutations in 35 individuals and monoallelic mutations in eight individuals of our cohort. Thirty-nine of the sequence variants, including two heterozygous deletions comprising several exons of USH2A, have not been reported so far. Our NGS-based approach allowed us to assess single-nucleotide variants, small indels, and whole exon deletions in a single test. The described diagnostic approach is fast and cost-effective with a high molecular diagnostic yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Krawitz
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Human Genetics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniela Schiska
- Department of Audiology and Phoniatrics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Krüger
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Human Genetics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Appelt
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Human Genetics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Verena Heinrich
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Human Genetics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Dmitri Parkhomchuk
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Human Genetics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Jose M Millan
- Unidad de Genetica, Hospital Universitario La Fe and CIBERER Valencia, Spain
| | - Peter N Robinson
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Human Genetics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Mundlos
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Human Genetics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Jochen Hecht
- Berlin Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies BCRT Berlin, Germany
| | - Manfred Gross
- Department of Audiology and Phoniatrics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin, Germany
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18
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Appelt S, Armougom F, Le Bailly M, Robert C, Drancourt M. Polyphasic analysis of a middle ages coprolite microbiota, Belgium. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88376. [PMID: 24586319 PMCID: PMC3938422 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Paleomicrobiological investigations of a 14(th)-century coprolite found inside a barrel in Namur, Belgium were done using microscopy, a culture-dependent approach and metagenomics. Results were confirmed by ad hoc PCR--sequencing. Investigations yielded evidence for flora from ancient environment preserved inside the coprolite, indicated by microscopic observation of amoebal cysts, plant fibers, seeds, pollens and mold remains. Seventeen different bacterial species were cultured from the coprolite, mixing organisms known to originate from the environment and organisms known to be gut inhabitants. Metagenomic analyses yielded 107,470 reads, of which known sequences (31.9%) comprised 98.98% bacterial, 0.52% eukaryotic, 0.44% archaeal and 0.06% viral assigned reads. Most abundant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. The 16 S rRNA gene dataset yielded 132,000 trimmed reads and 673 Operational Taxonomic Units. Most abundant bacterial phyla observed in the 16 S rRNA gene dataset belonged to Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Chlamydia. The Namur coprolite yielded typical gut microbiota inhabitants, intestinal parasites Trichuris and Ascaris and systemic pathogens Bartonella and Bordetella. This study adds knowledge to gut microbiota in medieval times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Appelt
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses Tropicales Emergentes, UM63, Centre national de la recherche scientifique 7278, IRD 198, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1095, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Fabrice Armougom
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses Tropicales Emergentes, UM63, Centre national de la recherche scientifique 7278, IRD 198, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1095, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Matthieu Le Bailly
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique UMR 6249 Chrono-Environnement, Franche-Comté Université, Besançon, France
| | - Catherine Robert
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses Tropicales Emergentes, UM63, Centre national de la recherche scientifique 7278, IRD 198, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1095, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Michel Drancourt
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses Tropicales Emergentes, UM63, Centre national de la recherche scientifique 7278, IRD 198, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1095, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- * E-mail:
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19
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Gordji-Nejad A, Colell J, Glöggler S, Blümich B, Appelt S. Studies of ⁶Li-NMR properties in different salt solutions in low magnetic fields. J Magn Reson 2012; 214:10-14. [PMID: 22055979 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2011.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2011] [Revised: 09/16/2011] [Accepted: 09/17/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In this article we report the longitudinal relaxation times (T(1)) of various (6)Li salts ((6)LiI, (6)LiCl and (6)LiNO(3)) in D(2)O and H(2)O, measured in low magnetic fields (B(0)=3.5mT). This investigation serves the purpose of clarifying the relaxation behavior of different (6)Li solutions and different concentrations. The measurement were undertaken to establish a framework for future applications of hyperpolarized (6)Li in medical imaging, biological studies and investigations of lithium ion batteries. Time will pass during the transport of hyperpolarized lithium ions to the sample, which leads to a polarization loss. In order to store polarization as long as possible, it is necessary to examine which (6)Li salt solution has the longest relaxation time T(1). Longitudinal relaxation times of (6)Li salts in D(2)O and H(2)O were investigated as a function of concentration and the most extended T(1) was found for (6)LiI in D(2)O and H(2)O. In agreement with the theory the relaxation time T(1) of all (6)Li salts increase with decreasing concentration. In the case of (6)LiI in H(2)O an inverse behavior was observed. We assume that the prolonged T(1) times occur due to formation of (6)LiOH upon the solution of (6)LiI in H(2)O, which settles as a precipitate. By diluting the solution, the precipitate continuously dissolves and approaches T(1) of (6)LiOH (T(1)∼28s), leading to a shorter T(1) relaxation time.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gordji-Nejad
- Central Institute for Electronics, Research Center Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany.
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20
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Ledbetter MP, Theis T, Blanchard JW, Ring H, Ganssle P, Appelt S, Blümich B, Pines A, Budker D. Near-zero-field nuclear magnetic resonance. Phys Rev Lett 2011; 107:107601. [PMID: 21981529 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.107.107601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We investigate nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in near zero field, where the Zeeman interaction can be treated as a perturbation to the electron mediated scalar interaction (J coupling). This is in stark contrast to the high-field case, where heteronuclear J couplings are normally treated as a small perturbation. We show that the presence of very small magnetic fields results in splitting of the zero-field NMR lines, imparting considerable additional information to the pure zero-field spectra. Experimental results are in good agreement with first-order perturbation theory and with full numerical simulation when perturbation theory breaks down. We present simple rules for understanding the splitting patterns in near-zero-field NMR, which can be applied to molecules with nontrivial spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Ledbetter
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720-7300, USA.
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Acosta RH, Blümler P, Han S, Appelt S, Häsing FW, Schmiedeskamp J, Heil W, Spiess HW. Imaging of a mixture of hyperpolarized 3He and 129Xe. Magn Reson Imaging 2004; 22:1077-83. [PMID: 15527994 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2004.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2004] [Accepted: 08/01/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
With the use of hyperpolarized gases, a great number of experiments have been carried out in order to improve the diagnostics of the lung, both from a structural and a functional point of view. 3He is best suited for structural studies, whereas 129Xe gives more detailed information about the functionality of the lung because it enters the bloodstream. In this work, we propose the use of a gas mixture to perform consecutive analysis of lung structure and functionality upon the delivery of a single bolus of gas. We show images of a helium-xenon gas mixture in the presence of a small amount of liquid toluene in order to demonstrate how both nuclei can be detected independently, extracting the spectroscopic information provided by the 129Xe spectra and obtaining an image with high sensitivity for 3He. A second experiment performed on a dissected mouse lung was used to demonstrate how the mixture of gases can enhance sensitivity in the larger airways of the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H Acosta
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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22
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Han S, Kühn H, Häsing FW, Münnemann K, Blümich B, Appelt S. Time resolved spectroscopic NMR imaging using hyperpolarized 129Xe. J Magn Reson 2004; 167:298-305. [PMID: 15040986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2004.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2003] [Revised: 12/19/2003] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We have visualized the melting and dissolution processes of xenon (Xe) ice into different solvents using the methods of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, imaging, and time resolved spectroscopic imaging by means of hyperpolarized 129Xe. Starting from the initial condition of a hyperpolarized solid Xe layer frozen on top of an ethanol (ethanol/water) ice block we measured the Xe phase transitions as a function of time and temperature. In the pure ethanol sample, pieces of Xe ice first fall through the viscous ethanol to the bottom of the sample tube and then form a thin layer of liquid Xe/ethanol. The xenon atoms are trapped in this liquid layer up to room temperature and keep their magnetization over a time period of 11 min. In the ethanol/water mixture (80 vol%/20%), most of the polarized Xe liquid first stays on top of the ethanol/water ice block and then starts to penetrate into the pores and cracks of the ethanol/water ice block. In the final stage, nearly all the Xe polarization is in the gas phase above the liquid and trapped inside the pores. NMR spectra of homogeneous samples of pure ethanol containing thermally polarized Xe and the spectroscopic images of the melting process show that very high concentrations of hyperpolarized Xe (about half of the density of liquid Xe) can be stored or delivered in pure ethanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Han
- Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128, Mainz, Germany
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Appelt S, Haesing F, Baer-Lang S, Shah N, Blümich B. Proton magnetization enhancement of solvents with hyperpolarized xenon in very low-magnetic fields. Chem Phys Lett 2001. [DOI: 10.1016/s0009-2614(01)01106-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Sommer R, Pribil W, Appelt S, Gehringer P, Eschweiler H, Leth H, Cabaj A, Haider T. Inactivation of bacteriophages in water by means of non-ionizing (UV-253.7 nm) and ionizing (gamma) radiation: a comparative approach. Water Res 2001; 35:3109-3116. [PMID: 11487107 DOI: 10.1016/s0043-1354(01)00030-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Thc inactivation behaviour of the bacteriophages PHI X 174 (ssDNA virus). MS2 (ssRNA virus) and B40-8 (dsDNA) toward non-ionizing (UV-253.7 nm) as well as to ionizing radiation (gamma radiation) was studied in order to evaluate their potential as viral indicators for water disinfection by irradiation. Previous findings of the high UV-253.7 nm resistance of MS2 were confirmed whereas an unexpected high sensitivity to gamma radiation compared to the two other phages was found. On the other hand, PHI X 174 revealed an enhanced UV sensitivity but a high resistance to ionizing radiation. B40-8 had an intermediate position between the other two bacteriophages relative to both types of radiation. As expected, the data of E. coli reconfirmed the unreliability of fecal indicator bacteria for the purpose of predicting responses of viruses to water treatment. In UV disinfection the influence of water matrix may be adequately controlled by considering the UV (253.7 nm) absorption of the water whereas so far no such parameter has existed for the influence of the water quality on ionizing irradiation with respect to the scavenger concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Sommer
- Hygiene Institute University of Vienna, Austria.
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Shah NJ, Unlü T, Wegener HP, Halling H, Zilles K, Appelt S. Measurement of rubidium and xenon absolute polarization at high temperatures as a means of improved production of hyperpolarized (129)Xe. NMR Biomed 2000; 13:214-9. [PMID: 10867699 DOI: 10.1002/1099-1492(200006)13:4<214::aid-nbm634>3.0.co;2-g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We report on a rubidium-xenon (Rb-Xe) polarization unit for the continuous production of large quantities of hyperpolarized (129)Xe. The unit includes two diagnostic systems which enable the absolute measurement of both the (85)Rb and (129)Xe polarization in situ and at high temperatures. The Rb diagnostic system allows the measurement of one- or two-dimensional images of the absolute Rb polarization and thus enables the experimental study of light penetration into the optical pumping cell. The equilibrium Xe polarization measured in the optical pumping cell and in the freezing unit is typically approximately 20%, under optimal flowing conditions, and this is much lower than the volume-averaged rubidium polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- N J Shah
- Institute of Medicine, Research Centre Jülich, 52428 Jülich,
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Abstract
In the care and further treatment of patients with hand injuries, a necessary requirement of the hand surgeon is that he be able to cope with the interlocking factors that are no longer influential, for example, the type and extent of the trauma or the age of the patient; the influential factors are a thought-out care plan, atraumatic action with regard to optimal restoration of the hand. This also showed a retrospective analysis of results and post-examination from flexor tendon injuries in the hand of 298 patients, who were surgically cared for from 1984 to 1994 at the surgical clinic of the University of Jena. Of the 298 patients 119 patients with 198 flexor tendon injuries (165 fingers and 33 thumbs) were followed up. For objective assessment of the treatment results, the assessment scheme Buck-Gramcko was used.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Friedel
- Arbeitsbereich Handchirurgie, FSU Jena
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Appelt S, Wäckerle G, Mehring M. Deviation from Berry's adiabatic geometric phase in a 131Xe nuclear gyroscope. Phys Rev Lett 1994; 72:3921-3924. [PMID: 10056334 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.72.3921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
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Wäckerle G, Appelt S, Mehring M. Two-dimensional optical spectroscopy by periodic excitation of sublevel coherence with sub-Doppler resolution. Phys Rev A 1991; 43:242-250. [PMID: 9904775 DOI: 10.1103/physreva.43.242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
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