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Schöll M, Höhn C, Boucsein J, Moek F, Plath J, an der Heiden M, Huska M, Kröger S, Paraskevopoulou S, Siffczyk C, Buchholz U, Lachmann R. Bus Riding as Amplification Mechanism for SARS-CoV-2 Transmission, Germany, 2021 1. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:711-720. [PMID: 38526123 PMCID: PMC10977817 DOI: 10.3201/eid3004.231299] [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] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
To examine the risk associated with bus riding and identify transmission chains, we investigated a COVID-19 outbreak in Germany in 2021 that involved index case-patients among bus-riding students. We used routine surveillance data, performed laboratory analyses, interviewed case-patients, and conducted a cohort study. We identified 191 case-patients, 65 (34%) of whom were elementary schoolchildren. A phylogenetically unique strain and epidemiologic analyses provided a link between air travelers and cases among bus company staff, schoolchildren, other bus passengers, and their respective household members. The attack rate among bus-riding children at 1 school was ≈4 times higher than among children not taking a bus to that school. The outbreak exemplifies how an airborne agent may be transmitted effectively through (multiple) short (<20 minutes) public transport journeys and may rapidly affect many persons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Johannes Boucsein
- Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek, M. an der Heiden, M. Huska, S. Kröger, S. Paraskevopoulou, C. Siffczyk, U. Buchholz, R. Lachmann)
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek)
- Public Health Authority Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hesse, Germany (C. Höhn, J. Plath)
| | - Felix Moek
- Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek, M. an der Heiden, M. Huska, S. Kröger, S. Paraskevopoulou, C. Siffczyk, U. Buchholz, R. Lachmann)
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek)
- Public Health Authority Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hesse, Germany (C. Höhn, J. Plath)
| | - Jasper Plath
- Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek, M. an der Heiden, M. Huska, S. Kröger, S. Paraskevopoulou, C. Siffczyk, U. Buchholz, R. Lachmann)
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek)
- Public Health Authority Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hesse, Germany (C. Höhn, J. Plath)
| | - Maria an der Heiden
- Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek, M. an der Heiden, M. Huska, S. Kröger, S. Paraskevopoulou, C. Siffczyk, U. Buchholz, R. Lachmann)
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek)
- Public Health Authority Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hesse, Germany (C. Höhn, J. Plath)
| | - Matthew Huska
- Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek, M. an der Heiden, M. Huska, S. Kröger, S. Paraskevopoulou, C. Siffczyk, U. Buchholz, R. Lachmann)
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek)
- Public Health Authority Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hesse, Germany (C. Höhn, J. Plath)
| | - Stefan Kröger
- Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek, M. an der Heiden, M. Huska, S. Kröger, S. Paraskevopoulou, C. Siffczyk, U. Buchholz, R. Lachmann)
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek)
- Public Health Authority Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hesse, Germany (C. Höhn, J. Plath)
| | - Sofia Paraskevopoulou
- Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek, M. an der Heiden, M. Huska, S. Kröger, S. Paraskevopoulou, C. Siffczyk, U. Buchholz, R. Lachmann)
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek)
- Public Health Authority Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hesse, Germany (C. Höhn, J. Plath)
| | - Claudia Siffczyk
- Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek, M. an der Heiden, M. Huska, S. Kröger, S. Paraskevopoulou, C. Siffczyk, U. Buchholz, R. Lachmann)
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden (M. Schöll, J. Boucsein, F. Moek)
- Public Health Authority Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hesse, Germany (C. Höhn, J. Plath)
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Otto-Knapp R, Edwards S, Kuchukhidze G, Kröger S, Häcker B, Bivol S, Yedilbayev A. Availability of drugs for the treatment of multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in the World Health Organization European Region, October 2023. Euro Surveill 2024; 29:2400211. [PMID: 38666403 PMCID: PMC11063671 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2024.29.17.2400211] [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: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The BPaLM regimen (bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid and moxifloxacin) recently recommended by the World Health Organization offers short, safe, and effective treatment for multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (TB). In a survey with national TB focal points in 18 central and western European countries to explore barriers for the implementation of BPaLM, only three reported full availability of pretomanid, a necessary component of this regimen. Implementation barriers included financing and procurement. Solutions on national and supranational level are needed to guarantee universal access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Otto-Knapp
- German Central Committee against Tuberculosis (DZK), Berlin, Germany
| | - Suzanne Edwards
- Independent Consultant & Department of Healthcare Management, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Giorgi Kuchukhidze
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stefan Kröger
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Brit Häcker
- German Central Committee against Tuberculosis (DZK), Berlin, Germany
| | - Stela Bivol
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Askar Yedilbayev
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Hauer B, Kröger S, Haas W, Brodhun B. Tuberculosis in times of war and crisis: Epidemiological trends and characteristics of patients born in Ukraine, Germany, 2022. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2300284. [PMID: 37318760 PMCID: PMC10318937 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.24.2300284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 caused a large migration to other European countries, including Germany. This movement impacted the TB epidemiology, as Ukraine has a higher prevalence of TB and multidrug-resistant TB rates compared to Germany. Our descriptive analysis of TB surveillance data reveals important information to improve TB care in people displaced from Ukraine. We observed an expected increase in the number of TB patients born in Ukraine, which is, however, so far below WHO/Europe estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Hauer
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Kröger
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Walter Haas
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bonita Brodhun
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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Oh DY, Hölzer M, Paraskevopoulou S, Trofimova M, Hartkopf F, Budt M, Wedde M, Richard H, Haldemann B, Domaszewska T, Reiche J, Keeren K, Radonić A, Calderón JPR, Smith MR, Brinkmann A, Trappe K, Drechsel O, Klaper K, Hein S, Hildt E, Haas W, Calvignac-Spencer S, Semmler T, Dürrwald R, Thürmer A, Drosten C, Fuchs S, von Kleist M, Kröger S, Wolff T. 1358. Establishing Genomic SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance at the National Level: Germany, 2021. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022. [PMCID: PMC9752442 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac492.1187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of pathogen genomic surveillance. At RKI, the German National Institute of Public Health, we established the Integrated Molecular Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 (IMS-SC2) network to perform SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance. Methods SARS-CoV-2 positive samples from laboratories distributed across Germany regularly undergo whole-genome sequencing at RKI. This surveillance instrument enables (i) almost-real-time monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 genomic diversity and evolution, (ii) in vitro assessment of vaccine coverage against emerging variants and (iii) genome-based estimates of SARS-CoV-2-incidences. Results We report the results of our analyses of 3623 SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected between 12/1/2020 and 12/31/2021. All variants of concern were identified, at ratios equivalent to those in the 100-fold larger German GISAID sequence dataset from the same time period. Lineage distributions fluctuated over time, covering the rise of the Alpha and Delta, as well as the emergence of Omicron. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed variant assignments. Multiple mutations of concern emerged during the observation period. To model vaccine effectiveness in vitro, we employed authentic-virus neutralization assays, confirming that both the Beta and Zeta variants are capable of immune evasion. The IMS-SC2 sequence dataset facilitated an estimate of the SARS-CoV-2 incidence based on genetic evolution rates. Together with modelled vaccine efficacies, Delta-specific incidence estimation indicated that the German vaccination campaign contributed substantially to a deceleration of the nascent German Delta wave. Conclusion This example illustrates that pathogen genomics enables a proactive approach to controlling a pandemic as the virus evolves. Molecular and genomic SARS-CoV-2 surveillance will be crucial during the post-pandemic future, informing public health policies including vaccination strategies. Of note, the IMS-SC2 infrastructure can be adapted to many other pathogens, serving as a blueprint for future efforts to increase genomic pathogen surveillance. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djin-Ye Oh
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Hölzer
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Matthias Budt
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Janine Reiche
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sascha Hein
- Paul Ehrlich Institute, Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Walter Haas
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Ralf Dürrwald
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Fuchs
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Kröger
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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5
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Oh DY, Hölzer M, Paraskevopoulou S, Trofimova M, Hartkopf F, Budt M, Wedde M, Richard H, Haldemann B, Domaszewska T, Reiche J, Keeren K, Radonić A, Ramos Calderón JP, Smith MR, Brinkmann A, Trappe K, Drechsel O, Klaper K, Hein S, Hildt E, Haas W, Calvignac-Spencer S, Semmler T, Dürrwald R, Thürmer A, Drosten C, Fuchs S, Kröger S, von Kleist M, Wolff T. Advancing Precision Vaccinology by Molecular and Genomic Surveillance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Germany, 2021. Clin Infect Dis 2022; 75:S110-S120. [PMID: 35749674 PMCID: PMC9278222 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comprehensive pathogen genomic surveillance represents a powerful tool to complement and advance precision vaccinology. The emergence of the Alpha variant in December 2020 and the resulting efforts to track the spread of this and other severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern led to an expansion of genomic sequencing activities in Germany. METHODS At Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the German National Institute of Public Health, we established the Integrated Molecular Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 (IMS-SC2) network to perform SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance at the national scale, SARS-CoV-2-positive samples from laboratories distributed across Germany regularly undergo whole-genome sequencing at RKI. RESULTS We report analyses of 3623 SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected between December 2020 and December 2021, of which 3282 were randomly sampled. All variants of concern were identified in the sequenced sample set, at ratios equivalent to those in the 100-fold larger German GISAID sequence dataset from the same time period. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed variant assignments. Multiple mutations of concern emerged during the observation period. To model vaccine effectiveness in vitro, we employed authentic-virus neutralization assays, confirming that both the Beta and Zeta variants are capable of immune evasion. The IMS-SC2 sequence dataset facilitated an estimate of the SARS-CoV-2 incidence based on genetic evolution rates. Together with modeled vaccine efficacies, Delta-specific incidence estimation indicated that the German vaccination campaign contributed substantially to a deceleration of the nascent German Delta wave. CONCLUSIONS SARS-CoV-2 molecular and genomic surveillance may inform public health policies including vaccination strategies and enable a proactive approach to controlling coronavirus disease 2019 spread as the virus evolves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djin Ye Oh
- Correspondence: D.-Y. Oh Robert Koch Institute, Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany ()
| | | | - Sofia Paraskevopoulou
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (MF1), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Trofimova
- Systems Medicine of Infectious Disease (P5), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Hartkopf
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Genome Sequencing and Genomic Epidemiology (MF2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Budt
- Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses (FG17), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marianne Wedde
- Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses (FG17), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hugues Richard
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (MF1), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Berit Haldemann
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (MF1), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Janine Reiche
- Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses (FG17), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kathrin Keeren
- Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses (FG15), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aleksandar Radonić
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Genome Sequencing and Genomic Epidemiology (MF2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Annika Brinkmann
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS1), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kathrin Trappe
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (MF1), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Drechsel
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (MF1), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kathleen Klaper
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Genome Sequencing and Genomic Epidemiology (MF2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany,Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Pathogens and HIV (FG18), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sascha Hein
- Division of Virology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Eberhardt Hildt
- Division of Virology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Walter Haas
- Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses (FG15), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sébastien Calvignac-Spencer
- Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (P3), Viral Evolution, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Torsten Semmler
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Genome Sequencing and Genomic Epidemiology (MF2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Dürrwald
- Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses (FG17), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Thürmer
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Genome Sequencing and Genomic Epidemiology (MF2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Fuchs
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (MF1), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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Sievers C, Zacher B, Ullrich A, Huska M, Fuchs S, Buda S, Haas W, Diercke M, An der Heiden M, Kröger S. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.2 both show similarly reduced disease severity of COVID-19 compared to Delta, Germany, 2021 to 2022. Euro Surveill 2022; 27:2200396. [PMID: 35656831 PMCID: PMC9164675 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.22.2200396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [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] [Indexed: 04/10/2023] Open
Abstract
German national surveillance data analysis shows that hospitalisation odds associated with Omicron lineage BA.1 or BA.2 infections are up to 80% lower than with Delta infection, primarily in ≥ 35-year-olds. Hospitalised vaccinated Omicron cases' proportions (2.3% for both lineages) seemed lower than those of the unvaccinated (4.4% for both lineages). Independent of vaccination status, the hospitalisation frequency among cases with Delta seemed nearly threefold higher (8.3%) than with Omicron (3.0% for both lineages), suggesting that Omicron inherently causes less severe disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Sievers
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology (PAE), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
- These authors contributed equally to this work and share first authorship
| | - Benedikt Zacher
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- These authors contributed equally to this work and share first authorship
| | - Alexander Ullrich
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthew Huska
- Department of Genome Sequencing and Genomic Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Fuchs
- Department of Genome Sequencing and Genomic Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silke Buda
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Walter Haas
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michaela Diercke
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Kröger
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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Kukkola AT, Senior G, Maes T, Silburn B, Bakir A, Kröger S, Mayes AG. A large-scale study of microplastic abundance in sediment cores from the UK continental shelf and slope. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 178:113554. [PMID: 35390630 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
To inform risk assessments, reliable, time efficient and affordable quantification methods are required for creating a microplastic (MP) pollution baseline in the world's oceans. To facilitate this, MP abundance was investigated in sediments of three contrasting areas of the UK continental shelf: North West of Jones Bank, the Canyons in the Celtic Sea and Dogger Bank in the North Sea, utilising the Nile Red tagging method to assess its time efficiency and cost. Average MP abundance in the top 10 cm was 1050-2700 MP kg-1. MP abundance decreased with increasing sediment depth and increased with increasing water depth. The findings emphasise the extent of MP pollution and illustrate the value of Nile Red for large scale mapping at relatively low cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- A T Kukkola
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK; School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - G Senior
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - T Maes
- GRID-Arendal, Teaterplassen 3, 4836 Arendal, Norway
| | - B Silburn
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - A Bakir
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - S Kröger
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - A G Mayes
- School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK.
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Zimmermann R, Sarma N, Thieme-Thörel D, Alpers K, Artelt T, Azouagh K, Bremer V, Broistedt P, Eckmanns T, Feltgen N, Huska M, Kröger S, Puls A, Scheithauer S, Mayr E, Rexroth U. COVID-19 Outbreaks in Settings With Precarious Housing Conditions in Germany: Challenges and Lessons Learned. Front Public Health 2021; 9:708694. [PMID: 34621717 PMCID: PMC8490676 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.708694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Two COVID-19 outbreaks occurred in residential buildings with overcrowded housing conditions in the city of Göttingen in Germany during May and June 2020, when COVID-19 infection incidences were low across the rest of the country, with a national incidence of 2.6/100,000 population. The outbreaks increased the local incidence in the city of Göttingen to 123.5/100,000 in June 2020. Many of the affected residents were living in precarious conditions and experienced language barriers. The outbreaks were characterized by high case numbers and attack rates among the residents, many asymptomatic cases, a comparatively young population, and substantial outbreak control measures implemented by local authorities. We analyzed national and local surveillance data, calculated age-, and gender-specific attack rates and performed whole genome sequencing analysis to describe the outbreak and characteristics of the infected population. The authorities' infection control measures included voluntary and compulsory testing of all residents and mass quarantine. Public health measures, such as the general closure of schools and a public space as well as the prohibition of team sports at local level, were also implemented in the district to limit the outbreaks locally. The outbreaks were under control by the end of June 2020. We describe the measures to contain the outbreaks, the challenges experienced and lessons learned. We discuss how public health measures can be planned and implemented through consideration of the needs and vulnerabilities of affected populations. In order to avoid coercive measures, barrier-free communication, with language translation when needed, and consideration of socio-economic circumstances of affected populations are crucial for controlling infectious disease transmission in an outbreak effectively and in a timely way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Zimmermann
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Navina Sarma
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Katharina Alpers
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tanja Artelt
- Infection Control and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Viviane Bremer
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Tim Eckmanns
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicolas Feltgen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Matthew Huska
- Department of Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Kröger
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Simone Scheithauer
- Infection Control and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Eckart Mayr
- Local Public Health Authority, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ute Rexroth
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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Calvignac-Spencer S, Budt M, Huska M, Richard H, Leipold L, Grabenhenrich L, Semmler T, von Kleist M, Kröger S, Wolff T, Hölzer M. Rise and Fall of SARS-CoV-2 Lineage A.27 in Germany. Viruses 2021; 13:1491. [PMID: 34452356 PMCID: PMC8402818 DOI: 10.3390/v13081491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we report on the increasing frequency of the SARS-CoV-2 lineage A.27 in Germany during the first months of 2021. Genomic surveillance identified 710 A.27 genomes in Germany as of 2 May 2021, with a vast majority identified in laboratories from a single German state (Baden-Wuerttemberg, n = 572; 80.5%). Baden-Wuerttemberg is located near the border with France, from where most A.27 sequences were entered into public databases until May 2021. The first appearance of this lineage based on sequencing in a laboratory in Baden-Wuerttemberg can be dated to early January '21. From then on, the relative abundance of A.27 increased until the end of February but has since declined-meanwhile, the abundance of B.1.1.7 increased in the region. The A.27 lineage shows a mutational pattern typical of VOIs/VOCs, including an accumulation of amino acid substitutions in the Spike glycoprotein. Among those, L18F, L452R and N501Y are located in the epitope regions of the N-terminal- (NTD) or receptor binding domain (RBD) and have been suggested to result in immune escape and higher transmissibility. In addition, A.27 does not show the D614G mutation typical for all VOIs/VOCs from the B lineage. Overall, A.27 should continue to be monitored nationally and internationally, even though the observed trend in Germany was initially displaced by B.1.1.7 (Alpha), while now B.1.617.2 (Delta) is on the rise.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthias Budt
- Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (M.B.); (T.W.)
| | - Matthew Huska
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Bioinformatics, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (M.H.); (H.R.)
| | - Hugues Richard
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Bioinformatics, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (M.H.); (H.R.)
| | - Luca Leipold
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Information and Research Data Management, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (L.L.); (L.G.)
| | - Linus Grabenhenrich
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Information and Research Data Management, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (L.L.); (L.G.)
| | - Torsten Semmler
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Genome Sequencing and Genomic Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Max von Kleist
- Systems Medicine of Infectious Disease, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Stefan Kröger
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Thorsten Wolff
- Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (M.B.); (T.W.)
| | - Martin Hölzer
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Bioinformatics, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (M.H.); (H.R.)
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Sanchini A, Jandrasits C, Tembrockhaus J, Kohl TA, Utpatel C, Maurer FP, Niemann S, Haas W, Renard BY, Kröger S. Improving tuberculosis surveillance by detecting international transmission using publicly available whole genome sequencing data. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 26. [PMID: 33446303 PMCID: PMC7809720 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2021.26.2.1900677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
IntroductionImproving the surveillance of tuberculosis (TB) is especially important for multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB. The large amount of publicly available whole genome sequencing (WGS) data for TB gives us the chance to re-use data and to perform additional analyses at a large scale.AimWe assessed the usefulness of raw WGS data of global MDR/XDR Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates available from public repositories to improve TB surveillance.MethodsWe extracted raw WGS data and the related metadata of M. tuberculosis isolates available from the Sequence Read Archive. We compared this public dataset with WGS data and metadata of 131 MDR- and XDR M. tuberculosis isolates from Germany in 2012 and 2013.ResultsWe aggregated a dataset that included 1,081 MDR and 250 XDR isolates among which we identified 133 molecular clusters. In 16 clusters, the isolates were from at least two different countries. For example, Cluster 2 included 56 MDR/XDR isolates from Moldova, Georgia and Germany. When comparing the WGS data from Germany with the public dataset, we found that 11 clusters contained at least one isolate from Germany and at least one isolate from another country. We could, therefore, connect TB cases despite missing epidemiological information.ConclusionWe demonstrated the added value of using WGS raw data from public repositories to contribute to TB surveillance. Comparing the German with the public dataset, we identified potential international transmission events. Thus, using this approach might support the interpretation of national surveillance results in an international context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Sanchini
- These authors contributed equally to this manuscript.,Respiratory Infections Unit (FG36), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Jandrasits
- Bioinformatics Unit (MF1), Department of Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.,These authors contributed equally to this manuscript
| | - Julius Tembrockhaus
- Bioinformatics Unit (MF1), Department of Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Andreas Kohl
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg - Lübeck - Borstel - Riems, Germany.,Molecular and Experimental Mycobacteriology, Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
| | - Christian Utpatel
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg - Lübeck - Borstel - Riems, Germany.,Molecular and Experimental Mycobacteriology, Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
| | - Florian P Maurer
- National and WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory for Mycobacteria, Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
| | - Stefan Niemann
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg - Lübeck - Borstel - Riems, Germany.,Molecular and Experimental Mycobacteriology, Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
| | - Walter Haas
- Respiratory Infections Unit (FG36), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernhard Y Renard
- Hasso Plattner Institute, Faculty for Digital Engineering, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.,Bioinformatics Unit (MF1), Department of Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Kröger
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover - Brunswick, Germany.,Respiratory Infections Unit (FG36), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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11
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Charles T, Eckardt M, Karo B, Haas W, Kröger S. Seasonality in extra-pulmonary tuberculosis notifications in Germany 2004-2014- a time series analysis. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:661. [PMID: 33823839 PMCID: PMC8025493 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10655-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seasonality in tuberculosis (TB) has been found in different parts of the world, showing a peak in spring/summer and a trough in autumn/winter. The evidence is less clear which factors drive seasonality. It was our aim to identify and evaluate seasonality in the notifications of TB in Germany, additionally investigating the possible variance of seasonality by disease site, sex and age group. METHODS We conducted an integer-valued time series analysis using national surveillance data. We analysed the reported monthly numbers of started treatments between 2004 and 2014 for all notified TB cases and stratified by disease site, sex and age group. RESULTS We detected seasonality in the extra-pulmonary TB cases (N = 11,219), with peaks in late spring/summer and troughs in fall/winter. For all TB notifications together (N = 51,090) and for pulmonary TB only (N = 39,714) we did not find a distinct seasonality. Additional stratified analyses did not reveal any clear differences between age groups, the sexes, or between active and passive case finding. CONCLUSION We found seasonality in extra-pulmonary TB only, indicating that seasonality of disease onset might be specific to the disease site. This could point towards differences in disease progression between the different clinical disease manifestations. Sex appears not to be an important driver of seasonality, whereas the role of age remains unclear as this could not be sufficiently investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Charles
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
- Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training, ECDC, Solna, Sweden.
| | - Matthias Eckardt
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Basel Karo
- Centre for International Health Protection (ZIG), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Walter Haas
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Kröger
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hanover - Brunswick, Germany
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12
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Abstract
Background The rehabilitation process following cochlear implant (CI) surgery is carried out in a multimodal therapy according to German national guidelines and includes technical and medical aftercare. In times of the corona pandemic surgery and rehabilitation appointments were cancelled or delayed leading to a more difficult access to auditory rehabilitation. Newly implemented hygiene modalities due to the SARS-CoV‑2 pandemic have changed medical aftercare and the rehabilitation process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of rehabilitation under corona conditions. Material and methods An anonymous survey of adult cochlear implant patients was carried out by a non-standardized questionnaire. Demographics were analyzed and the quality of medical aftercare, speech therapy, technical aftercare, psychological support and the hygiene modalities were compared to previous rehabilitation stays. Results In total 109 patients completed the questionnaire. The quality of rehabilitation and individual therapy were rated as qualitatively similar or improved. The threat of the pandemic and fear of corona were rated unexpectedly high with 68% and 50%, respectively. The hygiene measures during the rehabilitation stay eased subjective fears at the same time. The majority of patients were annoyed by wearing face masks but visors, protection shields and social distancing were more tolerated. Conclusion The implementation of the new hygiene modalities within the therapeutic rehabilitation setting was well-accepted by patients allowing access to auditory rehabilitation. A successful rehabilitation should ensure a fear-free environment by adhering to the necessary hygiene modalities. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00106-020-00923-z) includes the study questionnaire. Article and supplementary material are available at www.springermedizin.de. Please enter the title of the article in the search field, the supplementary material can be found under “Ergänzende Inhalte”. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- A Aschendorff
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - S Arndt
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - S Kröger
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - T Wesarg
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - M C Ketterer
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - P Kirchem
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - S Pixner
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - F Hassepaß
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - R Beck
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
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13
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Aschendorff A, Arndt S, Kröger S, Wesarg T, Ketterer MC, Kirchem P, Pixner S, Hassepaß F, Beck R. [Quality of cochlear implant rehabilitation under COVID-19 conditions. German version]. HNO 2020; 68:847-853. [PMID: 32876719 PMCID: PMC7466923 DOI: 10.1007/s00106-020-00922-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Hintergrund Die Rehabilitation nach CI(Cochleaimplantat)-Operation erfolgt leitliniengerecht durch eine multimodale Therapie, technische Anpassungen des Sprachprozessors und medizinische Nachsorge. Zu Zeiten der Corona-Pandemie wurde für die Patienten der Zugang zur auditorischen Rehabilitation verzögert oder erschwert. Die neuen Hygienemaßnahmen durch die SARS-Cov-2-Pandemie verändern auch die medizinische Nachsorge und Rehabilitation nach CI. Ziel der Untersuchung war es, die Qualität der Rehabilitation unter Corona-Bedingungen zu evaluieren. Material und Methoden Wir führten eine anonyme Befragung erwachsener Rehabilitanden mittels nichtstandardisiertem Fragebogen durch. Beurteilt wurden im Vergleich zu den Voraufenthalten die Qualität der ärztlichen Betreuung, der Sprach- und Musiktherapie, der technischen Anpassung und der psychologischen Betreuung sowie der Einsatz der Hygienemaßnahmen. Ergebnisse Insgesamt 109 Rehabilitanden beantworteten den Fragebogen. Die Qualität der Rehabilitation und der Therapien wurde als qualitativ unverändert oder besser eingeschätzt. Die Gefährlichkeit der Pandemie, aber auch die Angst in der derzeitigen Situation gaben die Rehabilitanden zu einem unerwartet hohen Prozentsatz mit 68 bzw. 50 % an. Gleichzeitig konnten die getroffenen Hygienemaßnahmen die Patienten subjektiv während des Aufenthalts entlasten. Der Mund-Nasen-Schutz war für die Mehrheit sehr störend, Visiere, Spuckschutz bzw. Abstandsgebot wurden eher toleriert. Schlussfolgerungen Die Umsetzung der Hygienemaßnahmen im therapeutischen Setting der CI-Rehabilitation wird von den Rehabilitanden akzeptiert und erlaubt den Zugang zur auditorischen Rehabilitation. Ziel einer erfolgreichen CI-Rehabilitation sollte eine möglichst angstfreie Behandlung unter Wahrung der Hygieneregeln sein. Zusatzmaterial online Die Online-Version dieses Beitrags (10.1007/s00106-020-00922-0) enthält den Studienfragebogen. Beitrag und Zusatzmaterial stehen Ihnen auf www.springermedizin.de zur Verfügung. Bitte geben Sie dort den Beitragstitel in die Suche ein, das Zusatzmaterial finden Sie beim Beitrag unter „Ergänzende Inhalte“. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- A Aschendorff
- Klinik für Hals‑, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland.
| | - S Arndt
- Klinik für Hals‑, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - S Kröger
- Klinik für Hals‑, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - T Wesarg
- Klinik für Hals‑, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - M C Ketterer
- Klinik für Hals‑, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - P Kirchem
- Klinik für Hals‑, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - S Pixner
- Klinik für Hals‑, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - F Hassepaß
- Klinik für Hals‑, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - R Beck
- Klinik für Hals‑, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau, Killianstr. 5, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland
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14
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Suárez I, Fünger SM, Kröger S, Rademacher J, Fätkenheuer G, Rybniker J. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Tuberculosis. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2020; 116:729-735. [PMID: 31755407 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Around 10 million people worldwide contract tuberculosis every year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one-quarter of the world's population is latently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In Ger- many, the incidence of tuberculosis was in decline over several decades but rose in 2015 to 7.3 new cases per 100 000 persons. In 2018, a total of 5429 new cases were documented, corresponding to 6.5 new cases per 100 000 persons. METHODS This article is based on literature retrieved by a selective search in PubMed and on the authors' clinical experience. RESULTS Tuberculosis involves the lungs in almost 75% of patients but can generally involve any organ. In Germany, the majority of patients come from high-incidence countries. If a patient's differential diagnosis includes tuberculosis, the main tests for the detection of the pathogen in sputum and tissue samples are culture (the gold standard), microscopy, and nucleic acid amplification tests. Imaging studies are also used for diagnosis and follow-up. The standard treatment consists of a combination of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide, followed by a combination of isoniazid and rifampicin only. Liver damage is one of the more common adverse effects of this treatment, arising in 2.4% of patients. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, which is rare in Germany (around 100 cases per year), should be treated in special- ized centers. CONCLUSION Rapid diagnosis and targeted treatment are essential to prevent an unfavorable course of the disease as well as its transmission to other individuals. In patients presenting with unclear symptoms, tuberculosis should always be considered as a differential diagnosis. The diagnosis of latent tuberculosis and decision-making regarding its treatment are difficult because of the lack of specific biomarkers and of relevant data from clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Suárez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Cologne; German Center for Infection Research, Cologne-Bonn, Partner Site Cologne; Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin; Department of Pneumonology, Hanover Medical School
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15
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Riedel R, Addo R, Ferreira-Gomes M, Heinz GA, Heinrich F, Kummer J, Greiff V, Schulz D, Klaeden C, Cornelis R, Menzel U, Kröger S, Stervbo U, Köhler R, Haftmann C, Kühnel S, Lehmann K, Maschmeyer P, McGrath M, Naundorf S, Hahne S, Sercan-Alp Ö, Siracusa F, Stefanowski J, Weber M, Westendorf K, Zimmermann J, Hauser AE, Reddy ST, Durek P, Chang HD, Mashreghi MF, Radbruch A. Discrete populations of isotype-switched memory B lymphocytes are maintained in murine spleen and bone marrow. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2570. [PMID: 32444631 PMCID: PMC7244721 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16464-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, it is not clear how memory B lymphocytes are maintained over time, and whether only as circulating cells or also residing in particular tissues. Here we describe distinct populations of isotype-switched memory B lymphocytes (Bsm) of murine spleen and bone marrow, identified according to individual transcriptional signature and B cell receptor repertoire. A population of marginal zone-like cells is located exclusively in the spleen, while a population of quiescent Bsm is found only in the bone marrow. Three further resident populations, present in spleen and bone marrow, represent transitional and follicular B cells and B1 cells, respectively. A population representing 10-20% of spleen and bone marrow memory B cells is the only one qualifying as circulating. In the bone marrow, all cells individually dock onto VCAM1+ stromal cells and, reminiscent of resident memory T and plasma cells, are void of activation, proliferation and mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Riedel
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, 24306, Plön, Germany
| | - Richard Addo
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marta Ferreira-Gomes
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gitta Anne Heinz
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frederik Heinrich
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jannis Kummer
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor Greiff
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH Zürich), CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Daniel Schulz
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cora Klaeden
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rebecca Cornelis
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Menzel
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH Zürich), CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Kröger
- Knowledge Management in Bioinformatics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrik Stervbo
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Köhler
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Haftmann
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, Universitätsspital Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Kühnel
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrin Lehmann
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Patrick Maschmeyer
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mairi McGrath
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Naundorf
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hahne
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Özen Sercan-Alp
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- R&D, TA Immunology & Inflammation Research, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Industriepark Hoechst, 65926, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Francesco Siracusa
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jonathan Stefanowski
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Melanie Weber
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerstin Westendorf
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jakob Zimmermann
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anja E Hauser
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sai T Reddy
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH Zürich), CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pawel Durek
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hyun-Dong Chang
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mir-Farzin Mashreghi
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- BCRT/DRFZ Single-Cell Laboratory for Advanced Cellular Therapies - Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Andreas Radbruch
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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Glasauer S, Kröger S, Haas W, Perumal N. International tuberculosis contact-tracing notifications in Germany: analysis of national data from 2010 to 2018 and implications for efficiency. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:267. [PMID: 32252650 PMCID: PMC7137477 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-04982-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND International contact-tracing (CT) following exposure during long-distance air travel is resource-intensive, whereas evidence for risk of tuberculosis (TB) transmission during international travel is weak. In this study, we systematically analyzed the information from international requests for CT received at the national level in Germany in order to evaluate the continued utility of the current approach and to identify areas for improvement. METHODS An anonymized archive of international CT notifications received by the Robert Koch Institute between 2010 and 2018 was searched for key parameters for data collection. A total of 31 parameters, such as characteristics of TB patients and their identified contacts, were extracted from each CT notification and collated into a dataset. Descriptive data analysis and trend analyses were performed to identify key characteristics of CT notifications, patients, and contacts over the years. RESULTS 192 CT notifications, each corresponding to a single TB index case, were included in the study, increasing from 12 in 2010 to 41 in 2018. The majority of notifications (N = 130, 67.7%) concerned international air travel, followed by private contact (N = 39, 20.3%) and work exposure (N = 16, 8.3%). 159 (82.8%) patients had sputum smear results available, of which 147 (92.5%) were positive. Of 119 (62.0%) patients with drug susceptibility testing results, most (N = 92, 77.3%) had pan-sensitive TB, followed by 15 (12.6%) with multi-drug resistant TB. 115 (59.9%) patients had information on infectiousness, of whom 99 (86.1%) were considered infectious during the exposure period. 7 (5.3%) patients travelled on long-distance flights despite a prior diagnosis of active TB. Of the 771 contact persons, 34 (4.4%) could not be reached for CT measures due to lack of contact information. CONCLUSION The high variability in completeness of information contained within the international CT requests emphasizes the need for international standards for reporting of CT information. With the large proportion of TB patients reported to have travelled while being infectious in our study, we feel that raising awareness among patients and health professionals to detect TB early and prevent international long-distance travel during the infectious disease phase should be a cornerstone strategy to safeguard against possible transmission during international travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Glasauer
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Kröger
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Walter Haas
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nita Perumal
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
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Jandrasits C, Kröger S, Haas W, Renard BY. Computational pan-genome mapping and pairwise SNP-distance improve detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission clusters. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1007527. [PMID: 31815935 PMCID: PMC6922483 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing based base-by-base distance measures have become an integral complement to epidemiological investigation of infectious disease outbreaks. This study introduces PANPASCO, a computational pan-genome mapping based, pairwise distance method that is highly sensitive to differences between cases, even when located in regions of lineage specific reference genomes. We show that our approach is superior to previously published methods in several datasets and across different Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineages, as its characteristics allow the comparison of a high number of diverse samples in one analysis—a scenario that becomes more and more likely with the increased usage of whole-genome sequencing in transmission surveillance. Tuberculosis still is a threat to global health. It is essential to detect and interrupt transmissions to stop the spread of this infectious disease. With the rising use of next-generation sequencing methods, its application in the surveillance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has become increasingly important in the last years. The main goal of molecular surveillance is the identification of patient-patient transmission and cluster detection. The mutation rate of M. tuberculosis is very low and stable. Therefore, many existing methods for comparative analysis of isolates provide inadequate results since their resolution is too limited. There is a need for a method that takes every detectable difference into account. We developed PANPASCO, a novel approach for comparing pairs of isolates using all genomic information available for each pair. We combine improved SNP-distance calculation with the use of a pan-genome incorporating more than 100 M. tuberculosis reference genomes representing lineages 1-4 for read mapping prior to variant detection. We thereby enable the collective analysis and comparison of similar and diverse isolates associated with different M. tuberculosis strains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefan Kröger
- Respiratory Infections Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Walter Haas
- Respiratory Infections Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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18
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Helbling P, Kröger S, Haas W, Brusin S, Cirillo D, Groenheit R, Guthmann JP, Soini H, Pfaff G, Hendrickx D, van der Werf M. The role of entry-screening procedures in the identification of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis cluster cases amongst patients arriving in Europe from the horn of Africa, 2016-17. Int J Infect Dis 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2018.11.068] [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: 11/24/2022] Open
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19
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Faehnrich B, Pastor A, Heide C, Kröger S, Zentek J. Effects of isoquinoline alkaloids from Macleaya cordata on physiological, immunological and inflammatory parameters in healthy beagles: Alkaloids in dog nutrition. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2018; 103:661-667. [PMID: 30552735 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13041] [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: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate nutritional, physiological and immunological effects of a plant-derived blend of isoquinoline alkaloids (Sangrovit® Extra) in healthy dogs. Two groups of healthy, adult beagles (N = 10) were tested in a cross-over experiment, lasting two consecutive three-week periods. The experimental group received 1.2 g additive/kg feed, according to the recommendation of 10-20 mg/kg live weight per day. The control group received the same feed without additive. Complete blood count, immunological parameters and amino acid concentrations in serum were assessed. Faeces were analysed for short-chain fatty acids, lactate and ammonium; moreover, their quantity and consistency were determined. Neither feed intake, total apparent nutrient digestibility (crude protein and fat, organic matter, sodium, potassium) were affected by intake of the product. Lymphocyte and monocyte counts were slightly increased in both groups. Elevation was not treatment dependant. IgA, IgG, haptoglobin in serum and flow cytometric phenotyping of peripheral lymphocytes were not affected by alkaloids supplementation. Numerically greater methionine concentrations in blood serum occurred in the experimental group (p = 0.182). Quantity and consistency of faeces and ammonium concentration in faeces were not affected by the additive. Faecal concentrations of short-chain organic acids differed between groups (acetic acid, % of total SCFA: control group 52.3 ± 5.2 vs. experimental group 57.1 ± 4.5, p = 0.042), lactate concentrations (d-, l- and total) did not. Due to the shift of SCFA proportions in faeces, an effect of isoquinoline alkaloids (IQs) on the metabolic activity of intestinal microbiota is probable. In conclusion, the addition of IQs in the given dose was well tolerated and did not have adverse effects in healthy dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Faehnrich
- Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe GmbH, Eltville, Germany
| | - A Pastor
- Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe GmbH, Eltville, Germany
| | - C Heide
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - S Kröger
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - J Zentek
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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20
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Münkler P, Kröger S, Liosis S, Abdin A, Lyan E, Eitel C, Eitel I, Meyer C, Willems S, Heeger CH, Tilz RR. Ablation Index for Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation - Clinical Applicability and Comparison With Force-Time Integral. Circ J 2018; 82:2722-2727. [PMID: 30197409 DOI: 10.1253/circj.cj-18-0361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Key determinants for lesion formation in catheter ablation are contact force, radiofrequency (RF) power and time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical applicability of ablation index (AI), a novel non-linear formula based on these components, and to compare AI with the conventional linear force-time interval (FTI) in pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Methods and Results: Target AI ranges were defined for anatomical segments of the ipsilateral pulmonary veins. The operator was blinded to AI during PVI for the initial 11 patients (group A), and was unblinded for the remaining 23 patients (group B). We assessed (1) the clinical value of AI to avoid excessively high and low values with an operator blinded vs. non-blinded to AI; and (2) the relation of AI and FTI in predefined ranges. In group A, 235/564 lesions (41.7%) were in the predefined target range as compared with 1,171/1,412 lesions (82.9%) in group B (P<0.001). A given AI may correspond to a wide range of FTI, as reflected by a quartile coefficient of dispersion for AI of 0.11 vs. a quartile coefficient of dispersion for FTI of 0.36. CONCLUSIONS Incorporating RF current power, the non-linear AI provides more comprehensive information during PVI compared with FTI. Given that the FTI for a given AI varies widely, the value of FTI in clinical practice is questionable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Münkler
- University Heart Center Lübeck, Medical Clinic II (Cardiology/Angiology/Intensive Care Medicine), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein.,Department of Cardiology - Electrophysiology, University Heart Center Hamburg, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Stefan Kröger
- Robert Koch Institute, Department Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Unit Respiratory Infections
| | - Spyridon Liosis
- University Heart Center Lübeck, Medical Clinic II (Cardiology/Angiology/Intensive Care Medicine), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein
| | - Amr Abdin
- University Heart Center Lübeck, Medical Clinic II (Cardiology/Angiology/Intensive Care Medicine), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein
| | - Evgeny Lyan
- University Heart Center Lübeck, Medical Clinic II (Cardiology/Angiology/Intensive Care Medicine), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein
| | - Charlotte Eitel
- University Heart Center Lübeck, Medical Clinic II (Cardiology/Angiology/Intensive Care Medicine), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein
| | - Ingo Eitel
- University Heart Center Lübeck, Medical Clinic II (Cardiology/Angiology/Intensive Care Medicine), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck
| | - Christian Meyer
- Department of Cardiology - Electrophysiology, University Heart Center Hamburg, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Stephan Willems
- Department of Cardiology - Electrophysiology, University Heart Center Hamburg, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Christian-Hendrik Heeger
- University Heart Center Lübeck, Medical Clinic II (Cardiology/Angiology/Intensive Care Medicine), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein
| | - Roland Richard Tilz
- University Heart Center Lübeck, Medical Clinic II (Cardiology/Angiology/Intensive Care Medicine), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein
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21
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Keimer B, Kröger S, Röhe I, Pieper R, Simon A, Zentek J. Influence of differently processed yeast (Kluyveromyces fragilis) on feed intake and gut physiology in weaned pigs. J Anim Sci 2018; 96:194-205. [PMID: 29385459 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skx031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Two feeding trials were conducted to investigate the effects of hydrolyzed (HY) or non-hydrolyzed (NHY) yeast (Kluyveromyces fragilis) in isoenergetic and isonitrogeneous diets in the postweaning period. In experiment 1, a total of 550 unsexed pigs (6.5 ± 0.5 kg BW), weaned at 24 ± 2 d of age, were allocated to five treatment groups, receiving either a control diet (CON) or diets with 1%, 3%, and 5% HY (groups HY1, HY3, and HY5, respectively), or a diet with 3% NHY (group NHY3). In experiment 2, a total of 48 male and female pigs (6.2 ± 0.3 kg BW, weaned at d 25) were allocated to three dietary groups (n = 8 replicates with two pigs) receiving a control diet (CON) or diets with 1% NHY or 1% HY. Eight animals were sacrificed 2 wk after weaning for histological investigations in the jejunum and colon, determination of apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of CP and ether extract (EE), and electrophysiological measurements in the jejunal tissue after addition of carbachol or l-glutamine using Ussing chambers. In experiment 1, different treatments had no significant effect on pig performance, but diet HY1 tended to increase ADG and G:F in wk 2 after weaning (P < 0.1). In experiment 2, diet HY1 increased feed intake in wk 2 (P < 0.05), whereas NHY yeast had no effect on feed intake. Villus height, villus/crypt ratio in jejunum (P < 0.05), and crypt depth in colon (P < 0.01) were increased in group HY1. Crypt depth in jejunum and small intestinal length were not affected by different treatments. The AID of CP and EE tended to increase in group HY1 (P < 0.1) compared with groups CON and NHY. In the Ussing chamber experiments, no changes in basal electrophysiological parameters were observed, and the reactions of the treatment groups to carbachol and l-glutamine were comparable. ADFI was positively correlated with different parameters of intestinal morphology (villus height, villus/crypt ratio, crypt depth in colon, length of small intestine), AID of CP, EE, and performance. The results suggest that a supplementation of 1% HY based on K. fragilis to pig diets may positively influence ADFI and intestinal morphology in pig in the early postweaning period (d 1 to 14).
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Affiliation(s)
- B Keimer
- Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Department of Crop and Animal Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Biochem Zusatzstoffe GmbH, D-Lohne, Germany
| | - S Kröger
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - I Röhe
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - R Pieper
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - A Simon
- Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Department of Crop and Animal Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - J Zentek
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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22
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Helbling P, Kröger S, Haas W, Brusin S, Cirillo DM, Groenheit R, Guthmann JP, Soini H, Hendrickx D, van der Werf MJ. Screening of migrants for tuberculosis identifies patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis but is not sufficient. Clin Microbiol Infect 2018; 24:918-919. [PMID: 29559390 PMCID: PMC6081608 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P Helbling
- Federal Office of Public Health, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
| | - S Kröger
- Robert Koch Institute, Postbox 650261, 13302 Berlin, Germany
| | - W Haas
- Robert Koch Institute, Postbox 650261, 13302 Berlin, Germany
| | - S Brusin
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Tomtebodavägen 11a, 17165 Solna, Sweden
| | - D M Cirillo
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, via Olgettina 60 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - R Groenheit
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Department of Microbiology, Nobels väg 18, 17182 Solna, Sweden
| | - J-P Guthmann
- Santé Publique France, Infectious Diseases Department, 12 Rue du Val d'Osne Saint-Maurice, France
| | - H Soini
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Department of Health Security, Mannerheimintie 166, 00270 Helsinki, Finland
| | - D Hendrickx
- State Public Health Office of Baden-Württemberg, Nordbahnhofstraße 135, 70191 Stuttgart, Germany; European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Tomtebodavägen 11a, 17165 Solna, Sweden
| | - M J van der Werf
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Tomtebodavägen 11a, 17165 Solna, Sweden.
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23
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Paschen U, Kröger S, Bohuslavizki KH, Clausen M, Jansen-Schmidt V. Introduction of a quality management system compliant with DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 into a university department of nuclear medicine. Nuklearmedizin 2018. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1625286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
SummaryIn 1995, the management of the University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf proposed to establish a total quality assurance (QA) system. A revised QA-system has been introduced stepwise in the department of nuclear medicine since 1997, and certification was achieved in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 on February 14,2001.The QA-handbook is devided into two parts. The first part contains operational (diagnostic and therapeutic) procedures in so-called standard operating procedures (SOP). They describe the indication of procedures as well as the competences and time necessary in a standardized manner. Up to now, more than 70 SOPs have been written as a collaborative approach between technicians and physicians during daily clinical routine after analysing and discussing the procedures. Thus, the results were more clearly defined processes and more satisfied employees.The second part consists of general rules and directions concerning the security of work and equipment as well as radialion protection tasks, hygiene etc. as it is required by the law. This part was written predominantly by the management of the department of nuclear-medicine and the QA-coordinator. Detailed information for the patients, documentation of the work-flows as well as the medical report was adapted to the QM-system. Although in the introduction phase of a QA-system a vast amount of time is necessary, some months later a surplus for the clinical workday will become available. The well defined relations of competences and procedures will result in a gain of time, a reduction of costs and a help to ensure the legal demands. Last but not least, the QA-system simply helps to build up confidence and acceptance both by the patients and the referring physicians.
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24
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Pieper R, Kröger S, Weigend M, Hanschen F, Kroh L, Zentek J. Graukresse (Berteroa incana) im Heu: ein „neues” Gesundheitsrisiko für Pferde. Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere 2018. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1624987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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25
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Aldridge JN, Lessin G, Amoudry LO, Hicks N, Hull T, Klar JK, Kitidis V, McNeill CL, Ingels J, Parker ER, Silburn B, Silva T, Sivyer DB, Smith HEK, Widdicombe S, Woodward EMS, van der Molen J, Garcia L, Kröger S. Comparing benthic biogeochemistry at a sandy and a muddy site in the Celtic Sea using a model and observations. Biogeochemistry 2017; 135:155-182. [PMID: 32009696 PMCID: PMC6961523 DOI: 10.1007/s10533-017-0367-0] [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] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Results from a 1D setup of the European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model (ERSEM) biogeochemical model were compared with new observations collected under the UK Shelf Seas Biogeochemistry (SSB) programme to assess model performance and clarify elements of shelf-sea benthic biogeochemistry and carbon cycling. Observations from two contrasting sites (muddy and sandy) in the Celtic Sea in otherwise comparable hydrographic conditions were considered, with the focus on the benthic system. A standard model parameterisation with site-specific light and nutrient adjustments was used, along with modifications to the within-seabed diffusivity to accommodate the modelling of permeable (sandy) sediments. Differences between modelled and observed quantities of organic carbon in the bed were interpreted to suggest that a large part (>90%) of the observed benthic organic carbon is biologically relatively inactive. Evidence on the rate at which this inactive fraction is produced will constitute important information to quantify offshore carbon sequestration. Total oxygen uptake and oxic layer depths were within the range of the measured values. Modelled depth average pore water concentrations of ammonium, phosphate and silicate were typically 5-20% of observed values at the muddy site due to an underestimate of concentrations associated with the deeper sediment layers. Model agreement for these nutrients was better at the sandy site, which had lower pore water concentrations, especially deeper in the sediment. Comparison of pore water nitrate with observations had added uncertainty, as the results from process studies at the sites indicated the dominance of the anammox pathway for nitrogen removal; a pathway that is not included in the model. Macrofaunal biomasses were overestimated, although a model run with increased macrofaunal background mortality rates decreased macrofaunal biomass and improved agreement with observations. The decrease in macrofaunal biomass was compensated by an increase in meiofaunal biomass such that total oxygen demand remained within the observed range. The permeable sediment modification reproduced some of the observed behaviour of oxygen penetration depth at the sandy site. It is suggested that future development in ERSEM benthic modelling should focus on: (1) mixing and degradation rates of benthic organic matter, (2) validation of benthic faunal biomass against large scale spatial datasets, (3) incorporation of anammox in the benthic nitrogen cycle, and (4) further developments to represent permeable sediment processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. N. Aldridge
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - G. Lessin
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - L. O. Amoudry
- National Oceanography Centre, Joseph Proudman Building, 6 Brownlow Street, Liverpool, L3 5DA UK
| | - N. Hicks
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA UK
| | - T. Hull
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - J. K. Klar
- Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
- LEGOS, University of Toulouse, IRD, CNES, CNRS, UPS, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - V. Kitidis
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - C. L. McNeill
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - J. Ingels
- Coastal and Marine Laboratory, Florida State University, 3618 Coastal Highway 98, St Teresa, 32358 FL USA
| | - E. R. Parker
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - B. Silburn
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - T. Silva
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - D. B. Sivyer
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - H. E. K. Smith
- Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
| | - S. Widdicombe
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - E. M. S. Woodward
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - J. van der Molen
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - L. Garcia
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - S. Kröger
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
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Thompson CEL, Silburn B, Williams ME, Hull T, Sivyer D, Amoudry LO, Widdicombe S, Ingels J, Carnovale G, McNeill CL, Hale R, Marchais CL, Hicks N, Smith HEK, Klar JK, Hiddink JG, Kowalik J, Kitidis V, Reynolds S, Woodward EMS, Tait K, Homoky WB, Kröger S, Bolam S, Godbold JA, Aldridge J, Mayor DJ, Benoist NMA, Bett BJ, Morris KJ, Parker ER, Ruhl HA, Statham PJ, Solan M. An approach for the identification of exemplar sites for scaling up targeted field observations of benthic biogeochemistry in heterogeneous environments. Biogeochemistry 2017; 135:1-34. [PMID: 32009689 PMCID: PMC6961521 DOI: 10.1007/s10533-017-0366-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Continental shelf sediments are globally important for biogeochemical activity. Quantification of shelf-scale stocks and fluxes of carbon and nutrients requires the extrapolation of observations made at limited points in space and time. The procedure for selecting exemplar sites to form the basis of this up-scaling is discussed in relation to a UK-funded research programme investigating biogeochemistry in shelf seas. A three-step selection process is proposed in which (1) a target area representative of UK shelf sediment heterogeneity is selected, (2) the target area is assessed for spatial heterogeneity in sediment and habitat type, bed and water column structure and hydrodynamic forcing, and (3) study sites are selected within this target area encompassing the range of spatial heterogeneity required to address key scientific questions regarding shelf scale biogeochemistry, and minimise confounding variables. This led to the selection of four sites within the Celtic Sea that are significantly different in terms of their sediment, bed structure, and macrofaunal, meiofaunal and microbial community structures and diversity, but have minimal variations in water depth, tidal and wave magnitudes and directions, temperature and salinity. They form the basis of a research cruise programme of observation, sampling and experimentation encompassing the spring bloom cycle. Typical variation in key biogeochemical, sediment, biological and hydrodynamic parameters over a pre to post bloom period are presented, with a discussion of anthropogenic influences in the region. This methodology ensures the best likelihood of site-specific work being useful for up-scaling activities, increasing our understanding of benthic biogeochemistry at the UK-shelf scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. E. L. Thompson
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
| | - B. Silburn
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - M. E. Williams
- National Oceanography Centre, 6 Brownlow St, Liverpool, L3 5DA UK
| | - T. Hull
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - D. Sivyer
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - L. O. Amoudry
- National Oceanography Centre, 6 Brownlow St, Liverpool, L3 5DA UK
| | - S. Widdicombe
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - J. Ingels
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - G. Carnovale
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - C. L. McNeill
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - R. Hale
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
| | - C. Laguionie Marchais
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
| | - N. Hicks
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA UK
| | - H. E. K. Smith
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
| | - J. K. Klar
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
- LEGOS, University of Toulouse, IRDm CNES, CNRS, UPS, 14 av. Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - J. G. Hiddink
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, LL59 5AB UK
| | - J. Kowalik
- Navama – Technology for Nature, Landshuter Allee 8, 80637 Munich, Germany
| | - V. Kitidis
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - S. Reynolds
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth, PO1 3QL UK
| | - E. M. S. Woodward
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - K. Tait
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - W. B. Homoky
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3AN UK
| | - S. Kröger
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - S. Bolam
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - J. A. Godbold
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
| | - J. Aldridge
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - D. J. Mayor
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
| | - N. M. A. Benoist
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
| | - B. J. Bett
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
| | - K. J. Morris
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
| | - E. R. Parker
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - H. A. Ruhl
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
| | - P. J. Statham
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
| | - M. Solan
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
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Kröger S, Vahjen W, Zentek J. Influence of lignocellulose and low or high levels of sugar beet pulp on nutrient digestibility and the fecal microbiota in dogs. J Anim Sci 2017; 95:1598-1605. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2016.0873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Silburn B, Kröger S, Parker ER, Sivyer DB, Hicks N, Powell CF, Johnson M, Greenwood N. Benthic pH gradients across a range of shelf sea sediment types linked to sediment characteristics and seasonal variability. Biogeochemistry 2017; 135:69-88. [PMID: 32009692 PMCID: PMC6961502 DOI: 10.1007/s10533-017-0323-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This study used microelectrodes to record pH profiles in fresh shelf sea sediment cores collected across a range of different sediment types within the Celtic Sea. Spatial and temporal variability was captured during repeated measurements in 2014 and 2015. Concurrently recorded oxygen microelectrode profiles and other sedimentary parameters provide a detailed context for interpretation of the pH data. Clear differences in profiles were observed between sediment type, location and season. Notably, very steep pH gradients exist within the surface sediments (10-20 mm), where decreases greater than 0.5 pH units were observed. Steep gradients were particularly apparent in fine cohesive sediments, less so in permeable sandier matrices. We hypothesise that the gradients are likely caused by aerobic organic matter respiration close to the sediment-water interface or oxidation of reduced species at the base of the oxic zone (NH4 +, Mn2+, Fe2+, S-). Statistical analysis suggests the variability in the depth of the pH minima is controlled spatially by the oxygen penetration depth, and seasonally by the input and remineralisation of deposited organic phytodetritus. Below the pH minima the observed pH remained consistently low to maximum electrode penetration (ca. 60 mm), indicating an absence of sub-oxic processes generating H+ or balanced removal processes within this layer. Thus, a climatology of sediment surface porewater pH is provided against which to examine biogeochemical processes. This enhances our understanding of benthic pH processes, particularly in the context of human impacts, seabed integrity, and future climate changes, providing vital information for modelling benthic response under future climate scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Silburn
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT UK
| | - S. Kröger
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT UK
| | - E. R. Parker
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT UK
| | - D. B. Sivyer
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT UK
| | - N. Hicks
- Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll PA37 1QA UK
| | - C. F. Powell
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT UK
| | - M. Johnson
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT UK
- University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ UK
| | - N. Greenwood
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT UK
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Hicks N, Ubbara GR, Silburn B, Smith HEK, Kröger S, Parker ER, Sivyer D, Kitidis V, Hatton A, Mayor DJ, Stahl H. Oxygen dynamics in shelf seas sediments incorporating seasonal variability. Biogeochemistry 2017; 135:35-47. [PMID: 32009690 PMCID: PMC6961513 DOI: 10.1007/s10533-017-0326-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Shelf sediments play a vital role in global biogeochemical cycling and are particularly important areas of oxygen consumption and carbon mineralisation. Total benthic oxygen uptake, the sum of diffusive and faunal mediated uptake, is a robust proxy to quantify carbon mineralisation. However, oxygen uptake rates are dynamic, due to the diagenetic processes within the sediment, and can be spatially and temporally variable. Four benthic sites in the Celtic Sea, encompassing gradients of cohesive to permeable sediments, were sampled over four cruises to capture seasonal and spatial changes in oxygen dynamics. Total oxygen uptake (TOU) rates were measured through a suite of incubation experiments and oxygen microelectrode profiles were taken across all four benthic sites to provide the oxygen penetration depth and diffusive oxygen uptake (DOU) rates. The difference between TOU and DOU allowed for quantification of the fauna mediated oxygen uptake and diffusive uptake. High resolution measurements showed clear seasonal and spatial trends, with higher oxygen uptake rates measured in cohesive sediments compared to the permeable sediment. The significant differences in oxygen dynamics between the sediment types were consistent between seasons, with increasing oxygen consumption during and after the phytoplankton bloom. Carbon mineralisation in shelf sediments is strongly influenced by sediment type and seasonality.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Hicks
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA UK
| | - G. R. Ubbara
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA UK
- Present Address: Department of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Joseph Black Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ UK
| | - B. Silburn
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - H. E. K. Smith
- Ocean Biogeochemistry and Ecosystems, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
| | - S. Kröger
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - E. R. Parker
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - D. Sivyer
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT UK
| | - V. Kitidis
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH UK
| | - A. Hatton
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA UK
| | - D. J. Mayor
- Ocean Biogeochemistry and Ecosystems, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
| | - H. Stahl
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA UK
- College of Sustainability Sciences and Humanities, Zayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Pieper R, Scharek-Tedin L, Zetzsche A, Röhe I, Kröger S, Vahjen W, Zentek J. Bovine milk-based formula leads to early maturation-like morphological, immunological, and functional changes in the jejunum of neonatal piglets. J Anim Sci 2016; 94:989-99. [PMID: 27065261 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-9942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial rearing and formula feeding is coming more into the focus due to increasing litter sizes and limited nursing capacity of sows. The formula composition is important to effectively support the development of the gut and prevent intestinal dysfunction in neonatal piglets. In this study, newborn piglets ( = 8 per group) were fed a bovine milk-based formula (FO), containing skimmed milk and whey as the sole protein and carbohydrate sources, or were suckled by the sow (sow milk [SM]). After 2 wk, tissue from the jejunum was analyzed for structural (i.e., morphometry) and functional (i.e., disaccharidase activity, glucose transport, permeability toward macromolecules, and immune cell presence) changes and concomitant expression of related genes. Formula-fed piglets had more liquid feces ( < 0.05) over the entire experimental period. Although FO contained twice as much lactose (46% on a DM basis) as SM (21%) and no maltose or starch, the lactase activity was lower ( < 0.05) and glucose transport capacity was higher ( < 0.05) in FO-fed pigs. The relative proportion of intraepithelial natural killer cells and proinflammatory cytokine gene expression (, , and ) was higher in FO-fed pigs ( < 0.05). Piglets fed FO had deeper crypts, larger villus area, and higher expression of caspase 3 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen ( < 0.05). Epithelial permeability toward fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran was higher and expression of claudin-4 was lower in FO-fed piglets ( < 0.05). The data suggest an early response to bovine milk-based compounds in the FO accompanied with early onset of functional maturation and impaired barrier function. Whether lactose, absence of species-specific protective factors, or antigenicity of foreign proteins lead to to the observed intestinal reactions requires further clarification.
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Jargosch M, Kröger S, Gralinska E, Klotz U, Fang Z, Chen W, Leser U, Selbig J, Groth D, Baumgrass R. Data integration for identification of important transcription factors of STAT6-mediated cell fate decisions. Genet Mol Res 2016; 15:gmr8493. [PMID: 27420972 DOI: 10.4238/gmr.15028493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Data integration has become a useful strategy for uncovering new insights into complex biological networks. We studied whether this approach can help to delineate the signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6)-mediated transcriptional network driving T helper (Th) 2 cell fate decisions. To this end, we performed an integrative analysis of publicly available RNA-seq data of Stat6-knockout mouse studies together with STAT6 ChIP-seq data and our own gene expression time series data during Th2 cell differentiation. We focused on transcription factors (TFs), cytokines, and cytokine receptors and delineated 59 positively and 41 negatively STAT6-regulated genes, which were used to construct a transcriptional network around STAT6. The network illustrates that important and well-known TFs for Th2 cell differentiation are positively regulated by STAT6 and act either as activators for Th2 cells (e.g., Gata3, Atf3, Satb1, Nfil3, Maf, and Pparg) or as suppressors for other Th cell subpopulations such as Th1 (e.g., Ar), Th17 (e.g., Etv6), or iTreg (e.g., Stat3 and Hif1a) cells. Moreover, our approach reveals 11 TFs (e.g., Atf5, Creb3l2, and Asb2) with unknown functions in Th cell differentiation. This fact together with the observed enrichment of asthma risk genes among those regulated by STAT6 underlines the potential value of the data integration strategy used here. Thus, our results clearly support the opinion that data integration is a useful tool to delineate complex physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Jargosch
- Signal Transduction, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany
| | - S Kröger
- Knowledge Management in Bioinformatics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - E Gralinska
- Signal Transduction, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany
| | - U Klotz
- Signal Transduction, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany.,Bioinformatics Group, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Z Fang
- Signal Transduction, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany
| | - W Chen
- Scientific Genomics Platform, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - U Leser
- Knowledge Management in Bioinformatics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - J Selbig
- Bioinformatics Group, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - D Groth
- Bioinformatics Group, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - R Baumgrass
- Signal Transduction, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany
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Kröger S, Pieper R, Aschenbach JR, Martin L, Liu P, Rieger J, Schwelberger HG, Neumann K, Zentek J. Effects of high levels of dietary zinc oxide on ex vivo epithelial histamine response and investigations on histamine receptor action in the proximal colon of weaned piglets1. J Anim Sci 2015; 93:5265-72. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-9095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
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Pieper R, Neumann K, Kröger S, Richter JF, Wang J, Martin L, Bindelle J, Htoo JK, Vahjen V, Van Kessel AG, Zentek J. Influence of fermentable carbohydrates or protein on large intestinal and urinary metabolomic profiles in piglets. J Anim Sci 2013; 90 Suppl 4:34-6. [PMID: 23365276 DOI: 10.2527/jas.53918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It was recently shown that variations in the ratio of dietary fermentable carbohydrates (fCHO) and fermentable protein (fCP) differentially affect large intestinal microbial ecology and the mucosal response. Here we investigated the use of mass spectrometry to profile changes in metabolite composition in colon and urine associated with variation in dietary fCHO and fCP composition and mucosal physiology. Thirty-two weaned piglets were fed 4 diets in a 2 × 2 factorial design with low fCP and low fCHO, low fCP and high fCHO, high fCP and low fCHO, and high fCP and high fCHO. After 21 to 23 d, all pigs were euthanized and colon digesta and urine metabolite profiles were obtained by mass spectrometry. Analysis of mass spectra by partial least squares approach indicated a clustering of both colonic and urinary profiles for each pig by feeding group. Metabolite identification and annotation using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathways revealed increased abundance of metabolites associated with arachidonic acid metabolism in colon of pigs fed a high concentration of fCP irrespective of dietary fCHO. Urinary metabolites did not show as clear patterns. Mass spectrometry can effectively differentiate metabolite profiles in colon contents and urine associated with changes in dietary composition. Whether metabolite profiling is an effective tool to identify specific metabolites (biomarkers) or metabolite profiles associated with gut function and integrity needs further elucidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pieper
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
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Yunus A, Awad W, Kröger S, Zentek J, Böhm J. In vitro aflatoxin B1 exposure decreases response to carbamylcholine in the jejunal epithelium of broilers. Poult Sci 2010; 89:1372-8. [DOI: 10.3382/ps.2009-00617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Groneberg DA, Scutaru C, Lauks M, Takemura M, Fischer TC, Kölzow S, van Mark A, Uibel S, Wagner U, Vitzthum K, Beck F, Mache S, Kreiter C, Kusma B, Friedebold A, Zell H, Gerber A, Bock J, Al-Mutawakl K, Donat J, Geier MV, Pilzner C, Welker P, Joachim R, Bias H, Götting M, Sakr M, Addicks JP, Börger JA, Jensen AM, Grajewski S, Shami A, Neye N, Kröger S, Hoffmann S, Kloss L, Mayer S, Puk C, Henkel U, Rospino R, Schilling U, Krieger E, Westphal G, Meyer-Falcke A, Hupperts H, de Roux A, Tropp S, Weiland M, Mühlbach J, Steinberg J, Szerwinski A, Falahkohan S, Sudik C, Bircks A, Noga O, Dickgreber N, Dinh QT, Golpon H, Kloft B, Groneberg RNB, Witt C, Wicker S, Zhang L, Springer J, Kütting B, Mingomataj EC, Fischer A, Schöffel N, Unger V, Quarcoo D. Mobile Air Quality Studies (MAQS)-an international project. J Occup Med Toxicol 2010; 5:8. [PMID: 20380704 PMCID: PMC2865482 DOI: 10.1186/1745-6673-5-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 11/27/2009] [Accepted: 04/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to an increasing awareness of the potential hazardousness of air pollutants, new laws, rules and guidelines have recently been implemented globally. In this respect, numerous studies have addressed traffic-related exposure to particulate matter using stationary technology so far. By contrast, only few studies used the advanced technology of mobile exposure analysis. The Mobile Air Quality Study (MAQS) addresses the issue of air pollutant exposure by combining advanced high-granularity spatial-temporal analysis with vehicle-mounted, person-mounted and roadside sensors. The MAQS-platform will be used by international collaborators in order 1) to assess air pollutant exposure in relation to road structure, 2) to assess air pollutant exposure in relation to traffic density, 3) to assess air pollutant exposure in relation to weather conditions, 4) to compare exposure within vehicles between front and back seat (children) positions, and 5) to evaluate "traffic zone"-exposure in relation to non-"traffic zone"-exposure.Primarily, the MAQS-platform will focus on particulate matter. With the establishment of advanced mobile analysis tools, it is planed to extend the analysis to other pollutants including NO2, SO2, nanoparticles and ozone.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Groneberg
- Department of Environmental and Traffic Medicine, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cristian Scutaru
- Department of Informatics, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Silvana Kölzow
- Department of Allergy, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anke van Mark
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Stefanie Uibel
- Department of Toxicology, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Karin Vitzthum
- Department of Sports Medicine, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Beck
- Pariser Street Outpatient Clincis, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Mache
- Department of Health Management, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carolin Kreiter
- Chest Department Heckeshorn, Helios-Emil-von-Behring-Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bianca Kusma
- Department of Occupational Psychology, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annika Friedebold
- Department of Surgery, Helios-Emil-von-Behring-Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hanna Zell
- Department of Environmental and Traffic Medicine, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Johanna Bock
- Department of Toxicology, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Maria Victoria Geier
- Department of Environmental and Traffic Medicine, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carolin Pilzner
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Centre of Medicine, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Pia Welker
- Department of Cell Biology, Mivenion Inc., Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Harald Bias
- AMZ, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Götting
- Department of Informatics, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mohannad Sakr
- Department of Allergy, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Al-Assaf University Hospital, Lattakia, Syria
| | - Johann P Addicks
- Department of Toxicology, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Sonja Grajewski
- Department of Environmental and Traffic Medicine, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Awfa Shami
- Department of Health Management, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria
| | - Niko Neye
- Department of Medicine, Park-Klinik Weissensee, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Kröger
- Department of Health Management, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sarah Hoffmann
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisa Kloss
- Department of Environmental and Traffic Medicine, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Clemens Puk
- Department of Environmental and Traffic Medicine, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Robert Rospino
- Department of Environmental and Traffic Medicine, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ute Schilling
- Department of Toxicology, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Gesa Westphal
- Department of Health Management, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Meyer-Falcke
- Strategy Centre for Health, Health Care Campus North Rhine Westphalia, Bochum, Germany
| | - Hagen Hupperts
- Department of Informatics, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Salome Tropp
- Department of Environmental and Traffic Medicine, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marco Weiland
- Department of Sports Medicine, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janette Mühlbach
- Department of Sports Medicine, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Steinberg
- Department of Environmental and Traffic Medicine, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Szerwinski
- Department of Health Management, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sepiede Falahkohan
- Department of Allergy, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Oliver Noga
- Institute for Allergy and Asthma Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicolas Dickgreber
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Centre of Medicine, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Q Thai Dinh
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Centre of Medicine, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiko Golpon
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Centre of Medicine, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Beatrix Kloft
- Otto-Heubner-Centre, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Christian Witt
- Department of Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine Wicker
- Occupational Medicine Service, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Li Zhang
- Fujian First College of Medicine, Fujian, PR China
| | - Jochen Springer
- Division of Applied Cachexia Research and Center for Cardiovascular Research, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Birgitta Kütting
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University of Erlangen- Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ervin C Mingomataj
- Dept of Allergology & Clinical Immunology, Mother Theresa School of Medicine, Tirana, Albania
| | - Axel Fischer
- Otto-Heubner-Centre, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Norman Schöffel
- Department of Informatics, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volker Unger
- Department of Informatics, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Quarcoo
- Department of Environmental and Traffic Medicine, The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical School of the Freie University Berlin and the Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Yamamoto T, Kato Y, Kawaguchi-Niida M, Shibata N, Osawa M, Saito K, Kröger S, Kobayashi M. Characteristics of neurons and glia in the brain of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy. Acta Myol 2008; 27:9-13. [PMID: 19108571 PMCID: PMC2859607] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy accompanies central nervous system and ocular lesions. Morphological findings suggest that major central nervous system lesions, such as cortical dysplasia, are caused by the abnormal glia limitans due to an impairment of astrocytes. Increase of corpora amylacea and neurofibrillary tangles suggests acceleration of the aging process in the Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy brain. Glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan is decreased in the central nervous system of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy in a similar manner to the skeletal muscle, but dystroglycan mRNA levels appear to be increased. Glycosylated alpha-dystroglycan is reduced in the glia limitans formed by astrocytic endfeet. Slight accumulation of N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysine, an oxidative modification product, is observed in astrocytes of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy and in an astrocytoma cell line with suppressed fukutin expression. Cerebral cortical neurons of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy and controls react with an antibody for core alpha-dystroglycan but not with an antibody for glycosylated alpha-dystroglycan. Carboxymethyl lysine is accumulated in cortical neurons of a severe case of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy. Both astrocytes and neurons appear to be sensitive to oxidative stress when fukutin is suppressed. However, it is still unclear how the loss of fukutin causes astrocytic and neuronal dysfunction. Since the central nervous system is composed of several components that are closely related to each other, more investigations are needed for thorough understanding of the Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy brain. Moreover, since astrocytes and epithelial cells may show different cellular responses to fukutin suppression, it seems important to evaluate the functions of fukutin in each type of cell or tissue, not only to prove the pathogenesis of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy, but also for applying appropriate therapies, especially those at molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Yamamoto
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan.
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Abstract
Mutations in dystrophin cause muscular dystrophy but also affect the CNS, including information processing in the retina. To better understand the molecular basis of these CNS deficits, we analyzed the molecular composition and developmental appearance of dystrophin and of the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DPC) in the embryonic and adult avian retina. We detected a concentration of the DPC at the vitreal border and in the outer plexiform layer of the adult retina. At both locations the complex had a different molecular composition and different developmental expression pattern. At the vitreal border, the complex was composed of utrophin, alpha-dystrobrevin-1, and dystroglycan, and was present at all stages of retinal development even before neurogenesis and gliogenesis. On the other hand, the complex in the outer plexiform layer consisted of dystrophin, beta-dystrobrevin and dystroglycan. The distribution of this complex changed from a diffusely distributed to an aggregated form during development concomitant with synapse formation in the outer plexiform layer. Solubilization of the retinal extracellular matrix by intravitreal injection of collagenase resulted in a redistribution of the complex at the retinal vitreal border but had no influence on the distribution of the dystrophin-associated proteins in the outer plexiform layer. These results demonstrate two types of dystrophin-like complexes in the chick retina with differential molecular compositions, different anchorage to the extracellular matrix, and different developmental expression patterns, suggesting distinct functions for the DPC at both locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Blank
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Max-Planck-Institute for Brain Research, Deutschordenstrasse 46, Frankfurt, Germany
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Jansen-Schmidt V, Paschen U, Kröger S, Bohuslavizki KH, Clausen M. [Introduction of a quality management system compliant with DIN EN 9001:2000 in a university department of nuclear medicine]. Nuklearmedizin 2001; 40:228-38. [PMID: 11797512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
In 1995, the management of the University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf proposed to establish a total quality assurance (QA) system. A revised QA-system has been introduced stepwise in the department of nuclear medicine since 1997, and certification was achieved in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 on February 14, 2001. The QA-handbook is divided into two parts. The first part contains operational (diagnostic and therapeutic) procedures in so-called standard operating procedures (SOP). They describe the indication of procedures as well as the competences and time necessary in a standardized manner. Up to now, more than 70 SOPs have been written as a collaborative approach between technicians and physicians during daily clinical routine after analysing and discussing the procedures. Thus, the results were more clearly defined processes and more satisfied employees. The second part consists of general rules and directions concerning the security of work and equipment as well as radiation protection tasks, hygiene etc. as it is required by the law. This part was written predominantly by the management of the department of nuclear-medicine and the QA-coordinator. Detailed information for the patients, documentation of the work-flows as well as the medical report was adopted to the QM-system. Although in the introduction phase of a QA-system a vast amount of time is necessary, some months later a surplus for the clinical workday will become available. The well defined relations of competences and procedures will result in a gain of time, a reduction of costs and a help to ensure the legal demands. Last but not least, the QA-system simply helps to build up confidence and acceptance both by the patients and the referring physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Jansen-Schmidt
- Abteilung für Nuklearmedizin, Universitätsklinikums Hamburg-Eppendorf, Deutschland
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39
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Yard BA, Kahlert S, Engelleiter R, Resch S, Waldherr R, Groffen AJ, van den Heuvel LP, van der Born J, Berden JH, Kröger S, Hafner M, van der Woude FJ. Decreased glomerular expression of agrin in diabetic nephropathy and podocytes, cultured in high glucose medium. Exp Nephrol 2001; 9:214-22. [PMID: 11340306 DOI: 10.1159/000052614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM A decrease in glomerular heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycan (PG), without apparent decrease in HSPG core protein expression, has been reported to occur in diabetic nephropathy (DN). In most studies however, agrin, the major HSPG core protein in the glomerular basement membrane, has not been studied. This prompted us to study the glomerular expression of agrin in parallel to the expression of HS-glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in biopsies of patients with DN. Furthermore, the influence of glucose on agrin production in cultured podocytes and the expression of agrin in fetal kidneys was investigated. METHODS Cryostat sections of renal biopsies from patients with DN (n = 8) and healthy controls (HC, n = 8), were stained for agrin and HS-GAG. Sections of fetal kidneys were double stained for agrin and CD35 or CD31. Stainings were performed by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). The production of agrin by cultured human podocytes was tested by ELISA and IIF. RESULTS The expression of agrin, detected by AS46, was significantly reduced in biopsies from patients with DN compared to HC (p < 0.01). Similar findings were observed when monoclonal antibody JM72 was used (p < 0.05). In addition, a significant reduction in the glomerular expression of HS-GAG was detected with JM403 in these patients (p < 0.01). Agrin is expressed in cultured podocytes, the expression hereof was reduced when the cells were cultured in the presence of 25 mM D-glucose (p < 0.01). In biopsies of human fetal kidneys, glomerular expression of agrin coincided with the expression of CD31. In early stages of glomerular differentiation there was a strong staining for agrin and CD31 while CD35 was only slightly positive. CONCLUSIONS Our data argue against a selective dysregulation in HSPG sulfation in DN, but suggest a pivotal role for hyperglycemia in the downregulation of agrin core protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A Yard
- V. Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Klinikum Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Neumann FR, Bittcher G, Annies M, Schumacher B, Kröger S, Ruegg MA. An alternative amino-terminus expressed in the central nervous system converts agrin to a type II transmembrane protein. Mol Cell Neurosci 2001; 17:208-25. [PMID: 11161480 DOI: 10.1006/mcne.2000.0932] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Agrin is a basal lamina-associated heparansulfate proteoglycan that is a key molecule in the formation of the vertebrate neuromuscular junction. The carboxy-terminal part of agrin is involved in its synaptogenic activity. The amino-terminal end of chick agrin consists of a signal sequence, required for the targeting of the protein to the secretory pathway, and the amino-terminal agrin (NtA) domain that binds to basal lamina-associated laminins. The cDNA encoding rat agrin lacks this NtA domain and instead codes for a shorter amino-terminal end. While the NtA domain is conserved in several species, including human, sequences homologous to the amino-terminus of rat agrin have not been described. In this work, we have characterized these amino-terminal sequences in mouse and chick. We show that they all serve as a noncleaved signal anchor that immobilizes the protein in a N(cyto)/C(exo) orientation in the plasma membrane. Like the secreted form, this transmembrane form of agrin is highly glycosylated indicative of a heparansulfate proteoglycan. The structure of the 5' end of the mouse agrin gene suggests that a distinct promoter drives expression of the transmembrane form. Agrin transcripts encoding this form are enriched in the embryonic brain, particularly in neurons. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a molecule that is synthesized both as a basal lamina and a plasma membrane protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- F R Neumann
- Department of Pharmacology/Neurobiology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 70, Basel, CH-4056, Switzerland
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Bonacker M, Kröger S, Krupski G. [Two unusual cases of arterial and venous collateral circulation the the ligamentum teres hepatis]. ROFO-FORTSCHR RONTG 2000; 172:856-7. [PMID: 11111303 DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-7902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Herrmann R, Straub V, Blank M, Kutzick C, Franke N, Jacob EN, Lenard HG, Kröger S, Voit T. Dissociation of the dystroglycan complex in caveolin-3-deficient limb girdle muscular dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2000; 9:2335-40. [PMID: 11001938 DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.hmg.a018926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Limb girdle muscular dystrophy is a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders inherited in an autosomal recessive or dominant mode. Caveolin-3, the muscle-specific member of the caveolin gene family, is implicated in the pathogenesis of autosomal dominant limb girdle muscular dystrophy 1C. Here we report on a 4-year-old girl presenting with myalgia and muscle cramps due to a caveolin-3 deficiency in her dystrophic skeletal muscle as a result of a heterozygous 136G-->A substitution in the caveolin-3 gene. The novel sporadic missense mutation in the caveolin signature sequence of the caveolin-3 gene changes an alanine to a threonine (A46T) and prevents the localization of caveolin-3 to the plasma membrane in a dominant negative fashion. Caveolin-3 has been suggested to interact with the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex, which in striated muscle fibers links the cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix and with neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Similar to dystrophin-deficient Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a secondary decrease in neuronal nitric oxide synthase and alpha-dystroglycan expression was detected in the caveolin-3-deficient patient. These results implicate an important function of the caveolin signature sequence and common mechanisms in the pathogenesis of dystrophin-glycoprotein complex-associated muscular dystrophies with caveolin-3-deficient limb girdle muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Herrmann
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology, University of Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany
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Abstract
The distribution of the beta1 integrin subunit was investigated in the developing and adult chick retina at the light and electron microscopic levels, using two different monoclonal antibodies. Western blotting revealed a single band with a molecular weight of approximately 130 kDa in the retina and in a number of other tissues, indicating the specificity of the antibodies. In the retina, immunoreactivity was detected on radial cells spanning the entire width between the pigment epithelium and the vitreal border. These cells were undifferentiated neuroepithelial cells at early stages and radial Müller glial cells at later stages of development. At all stages, the beta1 subunit was concentrated at the vitreal border of the retina around the inner limiting membrane. Mechanical isolation of the inner limiting membrane, as well as immunoelectron microscopy, demonstrated that this immunoreactivity was due to a concentration of the beta1 subunit in the endfeet of neuroepithelial and Müller glial cells. Injection of collagenase into the vitreous of live embryos, a procedure that selectively removes the inner limiting membrane, but does not proteolytically degrade the integrin protein, resulted in a redistribution of the integrin immunoreactivity, demonstrating that the integrity of the basal lamina is required for the maintenance of the concentration of the beta1 subunit in the endfeet. These results suggest a role for the beta1 subunit-containing integrin heterodimers in the adhesion of neuroepithelial and Müller glial cells to extracellular matrix components of the inner limiting membrane, possibly stabilizing the radial morphology of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Hering
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Max-Planck-Institute for Brain Research, D-60528 Frankfurt, Germany
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Bohuslavizki KH, Klutmann S, Kröger S, Sonnemann U, Buchert R, Werner JA, Mester J, Clausen M. FDG PET detection of unknown primary tumors. J Nucl Med 2000; 41:816-22. [PMID: 10809197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The management of patients presenting with metastases of unknown primary origin remains a clinical challenge despite a large variety of imaging modalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate FDG PET in detecting the sites of primary cancer in these patients. METHODS Fifty-three patients with metastatic cervical adenopathy (n = 44) or extracervical metastases (n = 9) of unknown primary origin were included after extensive but inconclusive conventional diagnostic work-up. Patients received 370 MBq FDG (10 mCi) intravenously, and whole-body images were acquired at 60 min after injection. Clinical, surgical, and histopathologic findings and complete correlative imaging were used to assess the results. RESULTS In 27 of 53 patients FDG PET showed focal tracer accumulations corresponding to potential primary tumor sites located in the lungs (n = 12), the palatine tonsil (n = 5), the salivary glands (n = 2), the nasopharynx (n = 1), the oropharynx (n = 3), the maxillary sinus (n = 1), and the larynx (n = 1). Moreover, in 2 patients FDG PET revealed lesions suspected to be tumors in the breast and the ileocolonic area. In 20 (37.8%) of these 53 patients FDG PET was true-positive, identifying the primary tumor in the lungs (n = 10), the head and neck region (n = 8), the breast (n = 1), and the ileocolonic area (n = 1). In 6 of 27 patients FDG PET was false-positive, predominantly identifying suspicious areas in the palatine tonsil (n = 3). One patient denied further diagnostic work-up after PET; thus, positive PET could not be evaluated. In 26 of 53 patients PET did not reveal lesions suspected to be the primary. However, primary tumors were not found in these patients at clinical follow-up. CONCLUSION FDG PET is a valuable diagnostic tool in patients with cancer of unknown primary because it imaged unknown primary tumors in about one third of all patients investigated. In addition, FDG PET assists in both guiding biopsies for histologic evaluation and selecting the appropriate treatment protocols for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Bohuslavizki
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Abstract
Endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide II (EMAP II) is a chemoattractant for monocytes and granulocytes. EMAP II is translated as a precursor protein, proEMAP II, and is proteolytically cleaved to become the mature, biologically active cytokine. In this study we show that the EMAP II mRNA and the EMAP II precursor protein are constitutively expressed by all cell types analyzed in vitro, whereas the mature cytokine is only present in the supernatant of apoptotic cells. During mouse embryogenesis we found widespread expression of the EMAP II mRNA with transcripts being abundant in areas of tissue remodeling, where a large number of apoptotic cells could be detected by TUNEL staining. In the adult mouse, strong expression of the EMAP II mRNA is restricted to the brain, testis and thymus. Interestingly, prominent signals for EMAP II mRNA are found in local correlation with sites of apoptosis in thymus and testis but not in the brain. We propose that during development, the generation and release of the mature EMAP II may provide a mechanism for the recruitment of phagocytic cells to sites of programmed cell death. In the adult brain, the generation of mature EMAP II may contribute to the recruitment of monocytes and the immunosurveillance of this tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- U E Knies
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Max-Planck-Institute für Physiologische und Klinische Forschung, Parkstrasse 1, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
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Abstract
Several forms of inherited muscular dystrophy are associated with brain abnormalities and cognitive impairment. One of the most common and severe of these diseases is Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Dystrophin, the product of the DMD gene, is found in neurones, where it is associated with the postsynaptic membrane. Cognitive impairment in individuals with DMD is thought to be due to an abnormality in the neuronal membrane that is caused by lack of dystrophin. Recent experimental evidence has provided valuable clues in our understanding of the complex molecular neurobiology of muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Blake
- Dept of Human Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, UK OX1 3QX
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Kröger S, Sawula JA, Klutmann S, Brenner W, Bohuslavizki KH, Henze E, Clausen M. [Efficacy of radiation synovectomy in degenerative inflammatory and chronic inflammatory joint diseases]. Nuklearmedizin 1999; 38:279-84. [PMID: 10599067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
AIM Effect of radiosynovectomy (RS) should be evaluated both by subjective and objective parameters in patients with osteoarthritis and in patients with inflammatory joint disorders not caused by rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS A total of 98 joints in 61 patients were investigated. Patients were divided into two groups. The first group included 35 patients with therapy-resistant effusions caused by severe osteoarthritis (46 joints). The second group consisted of 26 patients (52 joints) with ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, undifferentiated spondylarthropathy, psoriatic arthritis, pigmented villo-nodular synovitis, and recurrent synovitis following surgery. Effect of RS was evaluated by a standardized questionnaire and quantified by T/B-ratios derived from blood pool images prior to and after RS. RESULTS Within the first patient group suffering from osteoarthritis, 40% showed a good or excellent improvement of clinical symptoms, 51% were unchanged, and in 9% symptoms worsened. Similar results were found in the second patient group. The majority of unchanged results were small finger joints. In contrast, wrist and knee joints showed a better improvement. Good correlation between results of bone scan and patients subjective impression was found in 38% and 67% in the first and the second patient group, respectively. CONCLUSION Radiosynovectomy might be an effective treatment in osteoarthritis and inflammatory joint disorders not caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kröger
- Abteilung für Nuklearmedizin, Universitätskrankenhauses Eppendorf, Hamburg
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Koulen P, Honig LS, Fletcher EL, Kröger S. Expression, distribution and ultrastructural localization of the synapse-organizing molecule agrin in the mature avian retina. Eur J Neurosci 1999; 11:4188-96. [PMID: 10594644 DOI: 10.1046/j.1460-9568.1999.00848.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
At the vertebrate neuromuscular junction the extracellular matrix molecule agrin is responsible for the formation, maintenance and regeneration of most if not all postsynaptic specializations. Several agrin isoforms are generated by alternative splicing which differ in their function and which are all expressed in the CNS. To analyse the role of agrin in the CNS, we investigated the expression and ultrastructural localization of agrin in the posthatched chick retina. In situ hybridization revealed the presence of agrin mRNA in all cellular layers of the mature retina, indicating that most if not all major retinal cell types synthesize agrin. Pan-specific as well as isoform-specific antiagrin antisera stained the optic fibre layer and the outer plexiform layer. However, only the pan-specific antiserum additionally stained the inner limiting membrane. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that in the optic fibre layer agrin was associated with ganglion cell axons and that at least part of this agrin corresponds to a neuronal isoform of agrin. In the outer plexiform layer, agrin was localized in the cleft between the photoreceptor terminals and the invaginating horizontal and bipolar cell dendrites. In the synapse-containing inner plexiform layer both antisera revealed punctate immunoreactivity. This staining corresponded to agrin concentrated in the synaptic cleft of conventional synapses as determined by preembedding immunoelectron microscopy. Agrin is thus concentrated at mature interneuronal synapses as it is at the neuromuscular junction, consistent with a role of agrin during formation and/or maintenance of synapses in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Koulen
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Max-Planck-Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt, Germany
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Bohuslavizki KH, Klutmann S, Brenner W, Kröger S, Buchert R, Bleckmann C, Mester J, Henze E, Clausen M. Radioprotection of salivary glands by amifostine in high-dose radioiodine treatment. Results of a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Strahlenther Onkol 1999; 175 Suppl 4:6-12. [PMID: 10584133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Parenchymal impairment of salivary glands following high-dose radioiodine treatment is a well-known side effect in general caused by free radicals. Therefore, the radioprotective effect of the radical scavenger amifostine was evaluated prospectively in patients receiving high-dose radioiodine treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS Parenchymal function was assessed by quantitative salivary gland scintigraphy performed in 50 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer prior to and 3 months after high-dose radioiodine treatment with either 3 GBq 131I (n = 21) or 6 GBq 131I (n = 29) in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Twenty-five patients treated with 500 mg/m2 amifostine intravenously prior to high-dose radioiodine treatment were compared to 25 control patients receiving physiological saline solution. Xerostomia was graded according to WHO-criteria. RESULTS In 25 control patients high-dose radioiodine treatment significantly (p < 0.001) reduced parenchymal function of parotid and submandibular glands by 40.2 +/- 14.1% and 39.9 +/- 15.3%, respectively. Nine out of these 25 patients developed Grade I and 2 Grade II xerostomia. In contrast, in 25 amifostine-treated patients there was no significant (p = 0.691) decrease in parenchymal function following high-dose radioiodine treatment, and xerostomia did not occur in any of them. CONCLUSION Parenchymal damage of salivary glands induced by high-dose radioiodine treatment can be significantly reduced by amifostine which may improve quality of life of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Bohuslavizki
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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