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Wade-Bohleber LM, Thoma R, Gerber AJ. Neural correlates of subjective arousal and valence in health and panic disorder. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2020; 305:111186. [PMID: 32957042 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2020.111186] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant emotion processing is a core characteristic of panic disorder (PD). Findings concerning the underlying neural pathways remain inconsistent. We applied functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in the context of a task based on the circumplex model of affect. This model links affective states to two underlying neurophysiological systems: arousal and valence. Twenty-two healthy participants and 20 participants with PD rated arousal and valence in response to affective faces during fMRI. In healthy controls, we found that arousal modulated the hemodynamic response in the parahippocampus, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the cuneus during face perception. Valence and extreme ratings of valence modulated the hemodynamic response in temporal, parietal, somatosensory, premotor and cerebellar regions. Comparing healthy controls to participants with PD, we found that healthy controls showed a stronger modulation of the hemodynamic response during face perception associated with extreme ratings of valence in the parahippocampus and the supplementary motor area. This suggests parahippocampal dysfunction in the processing of highly valenced affective faces in PD, which may underlie aberrant contextualization of strong affective stimuli. Our findings need to be interpreted with care as they were adjusted for multiple comparisons using a liberal correction procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Wade-Bohleber
- Psychological Institute, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - R Thoma
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Switzerland
| | - A J Gerber
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Silver Hill Hospital, New Canaan, CT, USA
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Thoma R, Kärger J, de Sousa Amadeu N, Nießing S, Janiak C. Assessing Guest-Molecule Diffusion in Heterogeneous Powder Samples of Metal-Organic Frameworks through Pulsed-Field-Gradient (PFG) NMR Spectroscopy. Chemistry 2017; 23:13000-13005. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201702586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roland Thoma
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie und Strukturchemie; Heinrich-Heine-Universität; 40204 Düsseldorf Germany
| | - Jörg Kärger
- Department of Interface Physics; Leipzig University; Linnéstrasse 5 04103 Leipzig Germany
| | - Nader de Sousa Amadeu
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie und Strukturchemie; Heinrich-Heine-Universität; 40204 Düsseldorf Germany
| | - Sandra Nießing
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie und Strukturchemie; Heinrich-Heine-Universität; 40204 Düsseldorf Germany
| | - Christoph Janiak
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie und Strukturchemie; Heinrich-Heine-Universität; 40204 Düsseldorf Germany
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Affiliation(s)
- R Thoma
- Ambulantes Zentrum für Schmerzmedizin, Algesiologikum MVZ München, Heßstr. 22, 80799, München, Deutschland.
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Krieger V, Ciglia E, Thoma R, Vasylyeva V, Frieg B, de Sousa Amadeu N, Kurz T, Janiak C, Gohlke H, Hansen FK. α-Aminoxy Peptoids: A Unique Peptoid Backbone with a Preference for cis-Amide Bonds. Chemistry 2017; 23:3699-3707. [PMID: 28090689 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201605100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
α-Peptoids, or N-substituted glycine oligomers, are an important class of peptidomimetic foldamers with proteolytic stability. Nevertheless, the presence of cis/trans-amide bond conformers, which contribute to the high flexibility of α-peptoids, is considered as a major drawback. A modified peptoid backbone with an improved control of the amide bond geometry could therefore help to overcome this limitation. Herein, we have performed the first thorough analysis of the folding propensities of α-aminoxy peptoids (or N-substituted 2-aminoxyacetic acid oligomers). To this end, the amide bond geometry and the conformational properties of a series of model α-aminoxy peptoids were investigated by using 1D and 2D NMR experiments, X-ray crystallography, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealing a unique preference for cis-amide bonds even in the absence of cis-directing side chains. The conformational analysis based on the MD simulations revealed that α-aminoxy peptoids can adopt helical conformations that can mimic the spatial arrangement of peptide side chains in a canonical α-helix. Given their ease of synthesis and conformational properties, α-aminoxy peptoids represent a new member of the peptoid family capable of controlling the amide isomerism while maintaining the potential for side-chain diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Krieger
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Emanuele Ciglia
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Roland Thoma
- Institute of Inorganic and Structural Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Vera Vasylyeva
- Institute of Inorganic and Structural Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Benedikt Frieg
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nader de Sousa Amadeu
- Institute of Inorganic and Structural Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Thomas Kurz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph Janiak
- Institute of Inorganic and Structural Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Holger Gohlke
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Finn K Hansen
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Leipzig University, Brüderstrasse 34, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
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Borel N, Thoma R, Spaeni P, Weilenmann R, Teankum K, Brugnera E, Zimmermann DR, Vaughan L, Pospischil A. Chlamydia-related abortions in Cattle from Graubunden, Switzerland. Vet Pathol 2016; 43:702-8. [PMID: 16966448 DOI: 10.1354/vp.43-5-702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In 2001, the first case of bovine chlamydial abortion was reported in canton Graubunden, Switzerland. In this region, Chlamydophila (Cp.) abortus is endemic in small ruminants. Hence, we aimed to investigate the incidence of chlamydia-related abortions in cattle from Graubunden. During breeding seasons of 2003-2004, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded placenta specimens ( n = 235) from late-term abortions in cattle were analyzed by histopathology, immunohistochemistry with a Chlamydiaceae-specific monoclonal antibody against chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and 2 different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods (16 S ribosomal ribonucleic acid [rRNA] PCR, intergenic spacer [IGS-S] PCR), followed by PCR product sequencing. In 149 of 235 cases (63.4%), histopathologic lesions such as purulent and/or necrotizing placentitis were observed. Chlamydial antigen was clearly demonstrated in immunohistochemistry in only 1 of 235 cases (0.4%). Cp. abortus or Cp. psittaci was found in 12 of 235 (5.1%) and 10 of 235 cases (4.2%) by 16 S rRNA PCR and IGS-S PCR, respectively. However, we detected, by 16 S rRNA PCR, 43 of 235 cases (18.3%) to be positive for chlamydia-like organisms. In contrast to the situation in small ruminants in the canton Graubunden, bovine abortion from Cp. abortus seems not to play an important role. Nevertheless, zoonotic potential should be taken into account when handling abortion material from cattle. The significance of chlamydia-like isolates other than Waddlia chondrophila remains an open question in abortion and needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Borel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 268, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Sandrin D, Wagner D, Sitta CE, Thoma R, Felekyan S, Hermes HE, Janiak C, de Sousa Amadeu N, Kühnemuth R, Löwen H, Egelhaaf SU, Seidel CAM. Diffusion of macromolecules in a polymer hydrogel: from microscopic to macroscopic scales. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2016; 18:12860-76. [PMID: 27104814 DOI: 10.1039/c5cp07781h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
To gain insight into the fundamental processes determining the motion of macromolecules in polymeric matrices, the dynamical hindrance of polymeric dextran molecules diffusing as probe through a polyacrylamide hydrogel is systematically explored. Three complementary experimental methods combined with Brownian dynamics simulations are used to study a broad range of dextran molecular weights and salt concentrations. While multi-parameter fluorescence image spectroscopy (MFIS) is applied to investigate the local diffusion of single molecules on a microscopic length scale inside the hydrogel, a macroscopic transmission imaging (MTI) fluorescence technique and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) are used to study the collective motion of dextrans on the macroscopic scale. These fundamentally different experimental methods, probing different length scales of the system, yield long-time diffusion coefficients for the dextran molecules which agree quantitatively. The measured diffusion coefficients decay markedly with increasing molecular weight of the dextran and fall onto a master curve. The observed trends of the hindrance factors are consistent with Brownian dynamics simulations. The simulations also allow us to estimate the mean pore size for the herein investigated experimental conditions. In addition to the diffusing molecules, MFIS detects temporarily trapped molecules inside the matrix with diffusion times above 10 ms, which is also confirmed by anisotropy analysis. The fraction of bound molecules depends on the ionic strength of the solution and the charge of the dye. Using fluorescence intensity analysis, also MTI confirms the observation of the interaction of dextrans with the hydrogel. Moreover, pixelwise analysis permits to show significant heterogeneity of the gel on the microscopic scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Sandrin
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie II, Molekulare Physikalische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Abstract
Cross-sectoral clinical pathways for chronic pain patients in standard and routine care are a major challenge for the German healthcare system. The Algesiologikum group has developed such clinical pathways including an essential infrastructure. Cooperation partners of the Algesiologikum group are two outpatient medical care units, one neurosurgery practice and four hospitals. In the outpatient sector as well as in the inpatient sector the Algesiologikum group provides a multidisciplinary team caring for chronic pain patients. The range of treatment in the hospitals includes multimodal, invasive and surgical pain therapy. The present report illustrates possibilities and frontiers of the Algesiologikum concept based on all patients treated since 2009.
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Affiliation(s)
- A-M Schneider
- Algesiologikum - Zentren für Schmerzmedizin, Karlstrasse 96, Munich, Germany.
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Brülisauer F, Thoma R, Cagienard A, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Lutz H, Meli ML, Regula G, Jörger K, Perl R, Dreher UM, Braun U, Stärk KDC. Anaplasmose in einem Milchviehbetrieb in Graubünden: Epidemiologische Ausbruchsuntersuchung. SCHWEIZ ARCH TIERH 2012; 146:451-9. [PMID: 15526601 DOI: 10.1024/0036-7281.146.10.451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In summer of 2002, a case of severe clinical bovine anaplasmosis caused great losses in a dairy farm of an animal trader in Grisons. This article outlines the general approach of an outbreak investigation considering the case of anaplasmosis as an example. The goals of such investigations are to identify and eliminate the source of a disease outbreak in order to avoid additional cases. In addition, recommendations should be developed for preventing or limiting the magnitude of similar outbreaks in the future. In the outbreak presented, the causative agents were probably brought into the dairy farm by animal trade. Due to the large herd size, a missing quarantine for new animals and the coinfection with several pathogens, this case led to a high number of fatalities. The investigations of this outbreak demonstrated the importance of an universal and consistent identification of individual animals for the reconstruction of their movements. The veterinary practitioner should be reminded to act cautiously when facing strange clinical cases and to also consider "exotic diseases" as a possible cause.
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Ruf A, Banner DW, Benz J, Bertschinger J, Burger D, Crisci M, Cuppuleri S, Debulpaep M, Grabulovski D, Gsell B, Huber W, Kusznir E, Laeremans T, Matile H, Pecoraro V, Rufer A, Schlatter D, Steyeart J, Stihle M, Thoma R, Weber M, Wiget A. Fyn, Fab, Xap: evaluation of different protein binders as crystallization aids. Acta Crystallogr A 2012. [DOI: 10.1107/s0108767312097267] [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: 11/10/2022] Open
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Blumer S, Greub G, Waldvogel A, Hässig M, Thoma R, Tschuor A, Pospischil A, Borel N. Waddlia, Parachlamydia and Chlamydiaceae in Bovine Abortion. J Comp Pathol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2011.11.011] [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: 11/26/2022]
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Tronnier V, Baron R, Birklein F, Eckert S, Harke H, Horstkotte D, Hügler P, Hüppe M, Kniesel B, Maier C, Schütze G, Thoma R, Treede R, Vadokas V. Epidurale Rückenmarkstimulation zur Therapie chronischer Schmerzen. Schmerz 2011; 25:484-92. [DOI: 10.1007/s00482-011-1094-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [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: 12/26/2022]
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Blumer S, Greub G, Waldvogel A, Hässig M, Thoma R, Tschuor A, Pospischil A, Borel N. Waddlia, Parachlamydia and Chlamydiaceae in bovine abortion. Vet Microbiol 2011; 152:385-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2011] [Revised: 05/05/2011] [Accepted: 05/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Müller-Schwefe G, Freytag A, Höer A, Schiffhorst G, Becker A, Casser HR, Glaeske G, Thoma R, Treede RD. Healthcare utilization of back pain patients: results of a claims data analysis. J Med Econ 2011; 14:816-23. [PMID: 21992218 DOI: 10.3111/13696998.2011.625067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The high life-time prevalence of chronic back pain (25-30% according to surveys in small samples) suggests that it may be a major source of healthcare cost and that prevention of chronic back pain may be both ethically and economically recommendable. To obtain valid economic data on the cost of back pain in Germany, a retrospective claims data analysis was performed. METHODS Using data from 2006 of 5.2 million beneficiaries of a German statutory health insurance fund (DAK Unternehmen Leben) covering ~7% of the German population, mean value analyses report on key healthcare utilization figures from a sickness funds? perspective. In contrast to other studies, cost data are primary data and not extrapolated, but clinical characteristics include surrogate markers as no clinical case descriptions were available. RESULTS Based on previously investigated diagnosis patterns three types of back pain could be identified: (other) specific back pain (n=211,216), pain due to spinal disk disease (n=195,712), and non-specific back pain (n=534,272). Of all back pain patients, 25.8% were identified as at risk to develop chronic pain, where only 2.6% were detected as patients with chronic back pain. Mean resource utilization and related healthcare costs were significantly higher for beneficiaries with indicators for chronic back pain than for beneficiaries with only risk factors for developing chronic back pain. This especially holds for outpatient analgesic prescriptions (p<0.05), for in-hospital multimodal pain therapy (p<0.05), for in-hospital care in general (p<0.05), as well as for direct cost of care (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The results show the potential that could be made accessible by an early detection of back pain patients who bear a risk of pain becoming chronic, both in terms of quality-of-life as well as in financial terms.
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Wuersch K, Bischoff M, Thoma R, Matter M. Nasal Osteoma in a Dairy Cow: a Combined Clinical, Imaging and Histopathological Approach to Diagnosis. J Comp Pathol 2009; 141:204-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2009.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2008] [Revised: 02/21/2009] [Accepted: 04/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Braun U, Milicevic A, Forster E, Irmer M, Reichle S, Previtali M, Gautschi A, Steininger K, Thoma R, Zeller S, Lazzarini A, Manzoni C, Ohlerth S. An unusual cause of traumatic reticulitis/reticuloperitonitis in a herd of Swiss dairy cows nearby an airport. SCHWEIZ ARCH TIERH 2009; 151:127-31. [PMID: 19263382 DOI: 10.1024/0036-7281.151.3.127] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This report describes the findings in five cows from one dairy herd, in which all 31 cows were slaughtered or euthanised because of traumatic reticuloperitonitis. All the cows had numerous thin sharp pieces of metal attached to a magnet in the reticulum, giving the magnet a hedgehog-like appearance. Investigation revealed that the cattle had eaten forage harvested from a field immediately adjacent to an airport. The snow was cleared from the airport runways with a machine that had a wire-bristle brush attachment. Mechanical wear resulted in numerous wire bristles breaking and these were blown with the snow onto the field in question. The wire then became accidentally incorporated into the hay and grass silage at harvest the next summer and was ingested by the cattle in the fall and winter. To prevent further cases, approximately 200 tonnes of hay and grass silage contaminated with wire were discarded and 30 hectares of the 50-hectare field were cultivated and re-sown. The wire-bristles of the snow plow were replaced with plastic bristles. The cost of this and the livestock loss was several hundred thousand Swiss Francs.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Braun
- Departement für Nutztiere der Universität Zürich.
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Thoma R, Fischer C. Lärmexposition des Frühgeborenen im Inkubator auf der neonatologischen Intensivstation. Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol 2007. [DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-983157] [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: 10/21/2022]
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Tanner F, Hegglin D, Thoma R, Brosi G, Deplazes P. [Echinococcus multilocularis in Grisons: distribution in foxes and presence of potential intermediate hosts]. SCHWEIZ ARCH TIERH 2006; 148:501-10. [PMID: 17024979 DOI: 10.1024/0036-7281.148.9.501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The southern border of the European endemic area of Echinococcus multilocularis runs along the alpine crest. This endemic transition area was analysed in the canton Grisons on a small spatial scale. A total of 543 foxes originating from 10 areas north and 4 areas south of the main alpine divide were investigated. Parasites were isolated using the sedimentation and counting technique on intestinal contents. The mean prevalence of E. multilocularis was 6.4% with significant differences between different areas. In the southern valleys, only foxes from the Val Müstair were infected (14.3%). On the northern side of the main alpine divide, prevalences varied between 0 and 40%. The predation habits of foxes on potential intermediate hosts was investigated by means of stomach content analyses (n=530). Rodents of the genera Microtus/Pitymys were found in 19.6% of fox stomachs, Clethrionomys glareolus in 8.0% and Arvicola terrestris in 0.4%. A small scale analysis based on a 10 x 10 km grid suggested that the predation rate on the genera Microtus/Pitymys significantly correlated with the prevalence of E. multilocularis in foxes (Spearman's r = 0.51). Hence, E. multilocularis appears to occur in the alpine study area on a very small spatial scale. These local sources of infection may persist for decades. This may partly explains why, during the last 34 years, some human cases of alveolar echinococcosis occurred in areas of the Canton Grisons where the parasite is presently endemic in foxes. No such human cases have been recorded in other areas free of E. multilocularis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Tanner
- Institut für Parasitologie der Universität Zurich
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Thoma R, Mehl A, Gockel H, Siregar D, Rooij N. 117 EPIDEMIOLOGY, OUTCOME AND COSTS IN A MANAGED REGIONAL CHRONIC BACK PAIN NETWORK. Eur J Pain 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s1090-3801(06)60120-1] [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]
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Abstract
The German refined diagnosis-related-groups (G-DRG) system was introduced on 1st January 2003, initially on a voluntary basis and on 1st January 2004 the use of a G-DRG costing for stationary hospital treatment became obligatory. The possibility of a description of acute and chronic pain therapy in the G-DRG system was initially rudimentary and not logically planned and also a fair allotment of proceeds according to resources was not possible. By further development of the G-DRG system, pain therapeutic treatment could be improved in some areas, but in others it still remains unsatisfactory. This article offers a summary of the underlying systematics of the G-DRG system and consideration of chronic and current pain therapy in the G-DRG system 2006. In addition to information on currently available possibilities of a pain therapeutical coding in conformation with the G-DRG system, the tasks which are still outstanding will be outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Meissner
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivtherapie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Erlanger Allee 101, 07740 Jena.
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Ruf A, Thoma R, D'Arcy B, Müller F, Kusznir E, Stihle M, Morand O. Crystal structure of oxido squalene cyclase. Acta Crystallogr A 2005. [DOI: 10.1107/s0108767305089452] [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: 11/10/2022] Open
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Borel N, Doherr MG, Vretou E, Psarrou E, Thoma R, Pospischil A. Seroprevalences for ovine enzootic abortion in Switzerland. Prev Vet Med 2004; 65:205-16. [PMID: 15488271 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2004.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2003] [Revised: 07/13/2004] [Accepted: 08/07/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Our aim was to assess the seroprevalence of Chlamydophila (Cd) abortus (Chlamydia psittaci serotype 1), denoted ovine enzootic abortion (OEA), in the Swiss sheep population. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) was adapted for the investigation of pooled serum samples (pool approach) and receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was applied to define the cut-off of the pool approach. At a cut-off value of 30% inhibition, the flock-level pooled sensitivity and specificity were 92.9% and 97.6% when compared to classifying the flock based on individual-animal samples. Subsequently, sera from 775 randomly selected flocks out of 11 cantons of Switzerland were investigated using the pool approach. The cantons included in the study represented 72% of the Swiss sheep flocks and 76% of Swiss sheep population. Antibodies against Cd. abortus were found in almost 19% (144) of the 775 examined sheep flocks. Test prevalences were adjusted for the imperfect test characteristics using the Rogan-Gladen estimator and Bayesian inference. Seroprevalence was highest (43%) in the canton Graubunden. In the remaining 10 cantons the seroprevalence ranged from 2 to 29%. The cELISA in combination with testing pooled sera and statistical methods for true prevalence estimation provided a good survey tool at lower costs and time when compared to other approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Borel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 268, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Thoma R, D'Arcy B, Müller F, Kusznir E, Stihle M, Morand O, Ruf A. Crystal structure of oxido squalene cyclase. Acta Crystallogr A 2004. [DOI: 10.1107/s0108767304099520] [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: 11/11/2022] Open
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Winter E, Thoma R. [Treatment of pain in cancer patients]. MMW Fortschr Med 2004; 146:44-6, 48. [PMID: 15219129] [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: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Patients experiencing constant pain continue to receive less than optimal treatment. In the case of cancer pain in particular, adequate therapy is a must. On the basis of the WHO analgesic ladder, nonopioids and opioids of varying potency must be applied as required, together with antiemetics, laxatives, gastric-protective preparations and bisphosphonates to ameliorate side effects. A particular problem in the treatment of cancer pain is the suddenly occurring stress and perforation pain. This can be reduced with fast-acting opioids such as the fentanyl stick. If the patient does not respond adequately to any of the noninvasive methods, local anesthetics and opiates applied via an i.v. pump system that permits bolus application and spinal and epidural methods have proven useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Winter
- Kankenhaus der Missions-Benediktinerinnen, Schmerabteilung, Tutzing.
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27
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Abstract
A case of bovine abortion was for the first time in Switzerland diagnosed by immunohistochemistry PCR (16S rRNA, ompA) and gene sequence analysis to be caused by Chlamydia psittaci. A possible occurence of further cases has to be investigated. Based on the existence of several methods with very different sensitivity and specificity to diagnose chlamydia it is suggested that at least two verified diagnostic tools should be used to diagnose an involvement of chlamydia in bovine abortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pospischil
- Institut für Veterinärpathologie der Universität Zürich.
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28
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Chanton-Greutmann H, Thoma R, Corboz L, Borel N, Pospischil A. [Abortion in small ruminants in Switzerland: investigations during two lambing seasons (1996-1998) with special regard to chlamydial abortions]. SCHWEIZ ARCH TIERH 2002; 144:483-92. [PMID: 12677687 DOI: 10.1024/0036-7281.144.9.483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abortion cases of 144 goats und 86 sheep were investigated etiologically during 2 lambing seasons (1996/1997, 1997/1998). Macroscopic inspection of fetus and placenta was completed by histopathology and bacteriological isolation of agents. In addition, immunohistologically the following antigens were labeled in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections: Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Chlamydophila abortus (formerly Chlamydia psittaci serovar 1) and Border Disease Virus. From farms with abortions caused by Chlamydophila abortus specific data were recorded. In 75% of abortion cases in sheep and in 59% of cases in goats an etiologic diagnosis could be substantiated. Chlamydophila abortus is the most commonly involved agent in the etiology of caprine and ovine abortion (sheep 39%, goats 23%), followed by Toxoplasma gondii (sheep 19%, goats 15%) and Coxiella burnetti (sheep 1%, goats 10%). All other agents are of minor importance. An infectious cause of abortion based on histopathologic findings without isolation of agents was observed in sheep (10%) and goats (21%). Malformation occurred in sheep (2%) and goats (3%) and lesions suggestive for Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency were seen in goats only (2%).
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29
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Borel N, Doherr MG, Vretou E, Psarrou E, Thoma R, Pospischil A. [Ovine enzootic abortion: seroprevalence in Switzerland using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA)]. SCHWEIZ ARCH TIERH 2002; 144:474-82. [PMID: 12677686 DOI: 10.1024/0036-7281.144.9.474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The present study gives an overview over the seroprevalence of ovine enzootic abortion in Switzerland. 639 sheep flocks out of eight cantons in Switzerland were examined by a competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for antibodies against Chlamydophila abortus (Chlamydia psittaci serotype 1), the agent causing ovine enzootic abortion. The eight cantons included Aargau, Bern, Zürich, Appenzell-Ausserrhoden, Appenzell-Innerrhoden and Fribourg, the Vallais and the Graubünden. They were representative for 57% of the Swiss sheep flocks and for 60% of Swiss sheep population. In total, almost 19% (118) of the examined flocks were seropositive. Seroprevalence was the highest in Graubünden with 41%; this requires further examination and the evaluation of the need for a monitoring and controlling program. The examination of pooled sera made it possible to test a large number of samples with a reasonable amount of work. Higher sensitivity (92.9%) and specificity (97.6%) than the complement fixation test (CFT) in combination with testing of pooled sera makes the cELISA to be an usuable tool for serological screening on flock level.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Borel
- Institut für Veterinärpathologie der Universität Zürich.
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30
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Pospischil A, Thoma R, Hilbe M, Grest P, Zimmermann D, Gebbers JO. [Abortion in humans caused by Chlamydophila abortus (Chlamydia psittaci serovar 1)]. SCHWEIZ ARCH TIERH 2002; 144:463-6. [PMID: 12677684 DOI: 10.1024/0036-7281.144.9.463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
On a farm housing cattle and goats an abortion storm occurred affecting 50% of the goats during the lambing season 2000/2001. In one of three investigated caprine abortions Chlamydophila abortus could be identified as etiology. During this time a pregnant woman (pregnancy week 19/20) had contact with aborting goats. She developed a severe generalized infection and aborted. The placenta contained Chlamydophila abortus shown by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Aim of the present case report is to alert veterinarians about the potential zoonotic risk of ovine/caprine abortions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pospischil
- Institut für Veterinärpathologie der Universität Zürich.
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31
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Thoma R, Schlatter D, Stihle M, Kueng E, Mueller F, Boroni E, Hennig M. Crystal engineering yields crystals of cyclophilin D diffracting to 1.5 Å resolution. Acta Crystallogr A 2002. [DOI: 10.1107/s0108767302096095] [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: 11/10/2022] Open
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32
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Hennig M, Schlatter D, Stihle M, Thoma R. Crystal engineering yields crystals of cyclophilin D diffracting to 1.5 Å resolution: a sound basis for the support of drug discovery. Acta Crystallogr A 2002. [DOI: 10.1107/s010876730209654x] [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: 11/10/2022] Open
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33
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Pospischil A, Thoma R, Hilbe M, Grest P, Gebbers JO. Abortion in woman caused by caprine Chlamydophila abortus (Chlamydia psittaci serovar 1). Swiss Med Wkly 2002; 132:64-6. [PMID: 11971199 DOI: 2002/05/smw-09911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
On a farm housing cattle and goats an abortion storm occurred affecting 50% of the goats during the lambing season 2000/2001. In one of three investigated caprine abortions Chlamydophila abortus could be identified as aetiology. During this time a pregnant woman (pregnancy week 19/20) had contact with aborting goats. She developed a severe generalized infection and aborted. The placenta contained Chlamydophila abortus shown by immunohistochemistry and PCR. The aim of the present case report is to alert medical doctors about the potential zoonotic risk of ovine/caprine abortions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pospischil
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology of the University of Zürich, Switzerland.
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34
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Pospischil A, Thoma R, Hilbe M, Grest P, Gebbers JO. Abortion in woman caused by caprine Chlamydophila abortus (Chlamydia psittaci serovar 1). Swiss Med Wkly 2002; 132:64-6. [PMID: 11971199 DOI: 10.4414/smw.2002.09911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
On a farm housing cattle and goats an abortion storm occurred affecting 50% of the goats during the lambing season 2000/2001. In one of three investigated caprine abortions Chlamydophila abortus could be identified as aetiology. During this time a pregnant woman (pregnancy week 19/20) had contact with aborting goats. She developed a severe generalized infection and aborted. The placenta contained Chlamydophila abortus shown by immunohistochemistry and PCR. The aim of the present case report is to alert medical doctors about the potential zoonotic risk of ovine/caprine abortions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pospischil
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology of the University of Zürich, Switzerland.
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35
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Sterner R, Merz A, Thoma R, Kirschner K. Phosphoribosylanthranilate isomerase and indoleglycerol-phosphate synthase: tryptophan biosynthetic enzymes from Thermotoga maritima. Methods Enzymol 2001; 331:270-80. [PMID: 11265469 DOI: 10.1016/s0076-6879(01)31064-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R Sterner
- Universität zu Köln, Institut für Biochemie, D-50674 Köln, Germany
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36
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Killion MC, Teder H, Thoma R. Suitcase lab measurement of digital cellphone interference levels on hearing aids. J Am Acad Audiol 2001; 12:281-5. [PMID: 11440313] [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: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
A low-cost, "real-life" method for measuring the interference caused by digital wireless (cell-phones) telephones in hearing aids is proposed. Data would be valid for specific telephone and hearing aid models. The estimated equipment cost is $500.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Killion
- Etymotic Research Inc., Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007, USA
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37
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Abstract
The atomic structures of two proteins in the histidine biosynthesis pathway consist of beta/alpha barrels with a twofold repeat pattern. It is likely that these proteins evolved by twofold gene duplication and gene fusion from a common half-barrel ancestor. These ancestral domains are not visible as independent domains in the extant proteins but can be inferred from a combination of sequence and structural analysis. The detection of subdomain structures may be useful in efforts to search genome sequences for functionally and structurally related proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Lang
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Hamburg Outstation, EMBL c/o Deutsches Elektronen- Synchrotron (DESY), Notkestrasse 85, D-22603 Hamburg, Germany
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38
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Busch M, Thoma R, Schiller I, Corboz L, Pospischil A. Occurrence of chlamydiae in the genital tracts of sows at slaughter and their possible significance for reproductive failure. J Vet Med B Infect Dis Vet Public Health 2000; 47:471-80. [PMID: 11014069 DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0450.2000.00415.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate further the role of chlamydiae as pathogens in the genital tracts of sows at slaughter. Genital tracts of 101 randomly selected sows were collected and specimens of genital tract localizations were systematically examined for chlamydiae using immunohistochemistry and PCR. In the genital tracts of 10 sows, Chlamydia psittaci DNA was detected by PCR, and was further typed as 'serotype 1' in nine cases and as avian strain 6 BC in one animal. However, all specimens examined by immunohistochemistry were negative for chlamydiae. Pooled samples of scalding tank water were additionally investigated for 95 animals. Of these samples, 63.2% contained chlamydial DNA, mostly C. trachomatis, and in one sample C. psittaci 'serotype 1'. Although in most cases contamination through influx of faecally contaminated scalding water is a possible reason for the positive PCR results in the genital tract, latent infection cannot be excluded. In conclusion, the results obtained suggest that chlamydiae are of no or only minor importance in the examined group of Swiss breeding sows. Nevertheless, the role and significance of chlamydiae as pathogens in porcine reproductive disorders remain unresolved and require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Busch
- Institutes of Veterinary Pathology and Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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39
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Thoma R, Hennig M, Sterner R, Kirschner K. Structure and function of mutationally generated monomers of dimeric phosphoribosylanthranilate isomerase from Thermotoga maritima. Structure 2000; 8:265-76. [PMID: 10745009 DOI: 10.1016/s0969-2126(00)00106-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oligomeric proteins may have been selected for in hyperthermophiles because subunit association provides extra stabilization. Phosphoribosylanthranilate isomerase (PRAI) is monomeric and labile in most mesophilic microorganisms, but dimeric and stable in the hyperthermophile Thermotoga maritima (tPRAI). The two subunits of tPRAI are associated back-to-back and are locked together by a hydrophobic loop. The hypothesis that dimerization is important for thermostability has been tested by rationally designing monomeric variants of tPRAI. RESULTS The comparison of tPRAI and PRAI from Escherichia coli (ePRAI) suggested that levelling the nonplanar dimer interface would weaken the association. The deletion of two residues in the loop loosened the dimer. Subsequent filling of the adjacent pocket and the exchange of polar for apolar residues yielded a weakly associating and a nonassociating monomeric variant. Both variants are as active as the parental dimer but far more thermolabile. The thermostability of the weakly associating monomer increased significantly with increasing protein concentration. The X-ray structure of the nonassociating monomer differed from that of the parental subunit only in the restructured interface. The orientation of the original subunits was maintained in a crystal contact between two monomers. CONCLUSIONS tPRAI is dimeric for reasons of stability. The clearly separated responsibilities of the betaalpha loops, which are involved in activity, and the alphabeta loops, which are involved in protein stability, has permitted the evolution of dimers without compromising their activity. The preserved interaction in the crystal contacts suggests the most likely model for dimer evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Thoma
- Abteilung für Biophysikalische Chemie, Biozentrum der Universität Basel, Basel, CH-4056, Switzerland
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40
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Affiliation(s)
- U Braun
- Klinik für Wiederkäuerund Pferdemedizin der Universität Zürich, Switzerland
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41
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Abstract
The importance of genes in the etiology of schizophrenia is well known, but the manner in which the relevant genomic factors influence neural development and the nature of selection forces operating on these factors are poorly understood. In several prominent papers, Crow has provided a unique and comprehensive theory that attempts to deal with these issues. A central aspect of his theory is that a single gene leads to reduced cerebral lateralization, increased ventricular size, and risk for developing schizophrenia. He relies greatly on Annett's right shift theory of individual variation in handedness. An alternative approach, based on the construct of developmental instability, provides a different way to conceptualize genetic influences, selection forces, and atypical lateralization in schizophrenia. We suggest that the developmental instability model has stronger empirical support and is better grounded in contemporary evolutionary genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Yeo
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87131, USA.
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42
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Gut-Zangger P, Vretou E, Psarrou E, Pospischil A, Thoma R. [Chlamydia abortion in sheep: possibilities for serological diagnosis using a competitive ELISA and insight into the epidemiologic situation in Switzerland]. SCHWEIZ ARCH TIERH 1999; 141:361-6. [PMID: 10475045] [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: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
466 sheep sera out of 19 flocks in Switzerland were examined by a competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for antibodies against Chlamydia psittaci "serotype 1" ("ovine enzootic abortion"). Since numerous positive reactors were found in flocks without abortion history, 30 fecal samples out of two of these flocks were examined by PCR for evidence of chlamydial DNA. One of these samples turned out to contain DNA of Chlamydia psittaci "serotype 1". These results suggest, that in Switzerland "serotype 1" of Chlamydia psittaci is widespread not only as cause of chlamydial abortion but also as latent intestinal infection in sheep. The resulting difficulties for serological diagnosis of chlamydial abortion and possible solutions based on the cELISA are discussed. The complement fixation test (CFT), still considered as standard method for serological examination for Chlamydiae, has additionally been applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Gut-Zangger
- Institut für Veterinärpathologie, Universität Zürich
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43
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Thoma R, Obmolova G, Lang DA, Schwander M, Jenö P, Sterner R, Wilmanns M. Efficient expression, purification and crystallisation of two hyperthermostable enzymes of histidine biosynthesis. FEBS Lett 1999; 454:1-6. [PMID: 10413084 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(99)00757-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Enzymes from hyperthermophiles can be efficiently purified after expression in mesophilic hosts and are well-suited for crystallisation attempts. Two enzymes of histidine biosynthesis from Thermotoga maritima, N'-((5'-phosphoribosyl)-formimino)-5-aminoimidazol-4-carb oxamid ribonucleotide isomerase and the cyclase moiety of imidazoleglycerol phosphate synthase, were overexpressed in Escherichia coli, both in their native and seleno-methionine-labelled forms, purified by heat precipitation of host proteins and crystallised. N'-((5'-phosphoribosyl)-formimino)-5-aminoimidazol-4-carb oxamid ribonucleotide isomerase crystallised in four different forms, all suitable for X-ray structure solution, and the cyclase moiety of imidazoleglycerol phosphate synthase yielded one crystal form that diffracted to atomic resolution. The obtained crystals will enable the determination of the first three-dimensional structures of enzymes from the histidine biosynthetic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Thoma
- Abteilung für Biophysikalische Chemie, Biozentrum der Universität Basel, Switzerland
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44
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Thoma R, Schwander M, Liebl W, Kirschner K, Sterner R. A histidine gene cluster of the hyperthermophile Thermotoga maritima: sequence analysis and evolutionary significance. Extremophiles 1998; 2:379-89. [PMID: 9827326 DOI: 10.1007/s007920050082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The sequences of histidine operon genes in hyperthermophiles are informative for understanding high protein thermostability and the evolution of metabolic pathways. Therefore, a cluster of eight his genes from the hyperthermophilic and phylogenetically early bacterium Thermotoga maritima was cloned and sequenced. The cluster has the gene order hisDCBdHAFI-E, lacking only hisG and hisBp, and does not contain intercistronic regions. This compact organization of his genes resembles the his operon of enterobacteria. Sequence analysis downstream of the stop codon of hisI-E identifies a region with a significantly higher cytosine over guanosine content, which is indicative of a rho-dependent termination of transcription of the his operon. Multiple sequence alignments of N1-((5'-phosphoribosyl)-formimino)-5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxyam ide ribonucleotide isomerase (HisA) and of the cycloligase moiety of imidazoleglycerol phosphate synthase (HisF) support the previous assignment of the (beta alpha)8-barrel fold to these proteins. The alignments also reveal a second phosphate-binding motif located in the first halves of both enzymes and thereby support the hypothesis that HisA and HisF have evolved by a sequence of two gene duplication events. Comparison of the amino acid compositions of HisA and HisF from mesophiles and thermophiles shows that the thermostable variants of both enzymes contain a significantly increased number of charged amino acid residues and may therefore be stabilized by additional salt bridges.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Thoma
- Abteilung für Biophysikalische Chemie, Universität Basel, Switzerland
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45
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Schönmann M, Thoma R, Braun U. [A case of acute disseminated Mucor encephalitis in a heifer]. SCHWEIZ ARCH TIERH 1998; 139:490-4. [PMID: 9480541] [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: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The case of a 2 1/2 year old Swiss Braunvieh heifer suffering from an acute disseminated mycotic encephalitis caused by a Mucorales spp. infection is presented. Clinical signs and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (increased protein concentration and pleocytosis) were typical for an acute encephalitis, probably due to a listeriosis. The histological examination of the brain revealed an acute disseminated thrombo-embolic encephalomyelitis due to a fungi infection, morphologically consistent with Mucorales spp. The occurrence of bovine cerebral mucormycosis is rare and therefore the veterinarian should become aware of a case which was clinically not distinguishable from a listeriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Schönmann
- Klinik für Wiederkäuer und Pferdemedizin, Universität Zürich
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46
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Abstract
On the basis of prior studies of handedness, it was predicted that variations from modal asymmetry scores on cognitive tasks, in either direction from the mean, would be associated with an elevated incidence of classic markers of developmental instability (minor physical anomalies and fluctuating anatomic asymmetries). University students (N = 146) were administered 4 tasks that typically reveal functional asymmetries: the fused rhymed words dichotic listening task, the line bisection task, the chimeric faces task, and the cartoon faces task. A composite measure of developmental instability was computed from minor physical anomalies and fluctuating asymmetries. Participants with greater evidence of developmental instability had more atypical lateralization scores, deviating more from the sample mean, in either direction. Directional asymmetries were unrelated to developmental instability. These results suggest that developmental instability influences variation in the lateralization of cognitive skills as well as handedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Yeo
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87131, USA
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47
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Schiller I, Koesters R, Weilenmann R, Thoma R, Kaltenboeck B, Heitz P, Pospischil A. Mixed infections with porcine Chlamydia trachomatis/pecorum and infections with ruminant Chlamydia psittaci serovar 1 associated with abortions in swine. Vet Microbiol 1997; 58:251-60. [PMID: 9453135 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1135(97)00154-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In a previous immunohistological study, chlamydiae were detected in 5 out of 139 cases of swine abortion, and a possible implication of C. psittaci serovar 1 was suggested. The present study sought to classify the chlamydiae found in the fetal organs of these abortions. DNA extracted from 15 paraffin-embedded tissue specimens (10 livers and 5 lungs, obtained from 10 fetuses from 9 cases of abortion) was amplified in a nested PCR with Chlamydia omp1 genus-specific primers. Chlamydia DNA was amplified in 9 liver and 2 lung specimens. Eight of the amplification products were cloned, and 5 clones of each amplification were sequenced. Sequence analysis demonstrated in 7 specimens the simultaneous presence of porcine C. trachomatis S45 and C. pecorum 1710S omp1 genotypes. All DNA fragments of 1 amplification were identical to the ruminant C. psittaci B577 omp1 genotype (serovar 1). The results suggest that mixed infections with porcine C. trachomatis and C. pecorum dominate chlamydial infections associated with abortion in swine, but ruminant abortigenic C. psittaci are also found.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Schiller
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
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48
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Abstract
On the basis of prior studies of handedness, it was predicted that variations from modal asymmetry scores on cognitive tasks, in either direction from the mean, would be associated with an elevated incidence of classic markers of developmental instability (minor physical anomalies and fluctuating anatomic asymmetries). University students (N = 146) were administered 4 tasks that typically reveal functional asymmetries: the fused rhymed words dichotic listening task, the line bisection task, the chimeric faces task, and the cartoon faces task. A composite measure of developmental instability was computed from minor physical anomalies and fluctuating asymmetries. Participants with greater evidence of developmental instability had more atypical lateralization scores, deviating more from the sample mean, in either direction. Directional asymmetries were unrelated to developmental instability. These results suggest that developmental instability influences variation in the lateralization of cognitive skills as well as handedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Yeo
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87131, USA
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49
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Abstract
Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded fetal livers and lungs from 139 cases of swine abortion were investigated retrospectively for chlamydiae by means of immunohistochemistry. Using a genus-specific antibody, chlamydial antigen was found in eight livers obtained from five (3.6%) abortion cases from different herds. All lung sections were negative. Chlamydiae were also labeled in five of the eight positive livers using a monoclonal antibody against immunotype 1 of Chlamydia psittaci; the remaining three livers were negative. No reactivity was seen using an antibody specific for C. trachomatis. Chlamydiae should be considered a cause of abortion in sows in Switzerland. Porcine abortigenic strains identified in this study differed immunologically from intestinal strains (known to be mainly C. trachomatis) but shared similarities with abortigenic chlamydiae of ruminants.
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MESH Headings
- Abortion, Septic/epidemiology
- Abortion, Septic/microbiology
- Abortion, Septic/veterinary
- Abortion, Veterinary/epidemiology
- Abortion, Veterinary/microbiology
- Abortion, Veterinary/pathology
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial/analysis
- Antibodies, Bacterial/immunology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/analysis
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibody Specificity
- Antigens, Bacterial/analysis
- Antigens, Bacterial/immunology
- Chlamydia Infections/diagnosis
- Chlamydia Infections/microbiology
- Chlamydia Infections/veterinary
- Chlamydia trachomatis/isolation & purification
- Chlamydia trachomatis/physiology
- Chlamydophila psittaci/isolation & purification
- Chlamydophila psittaci/physiology
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/veterinary
- Female
- Immunohistochemistry/methods
- Incidence
- Liver/chemistry
- Liver/embryology
- Liver/pathology
- Pregnancy
- Psittacosis/diagnosis
- Psittacosis/microbiology
- Psittacosis/veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Swine
- Swine Diseases/diagnosis
- Swine Diseases/microbiology
- Swine Diseases/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- R Thoma
- Institut für Veterinärpathologie der Universität Zürich, Switzerland
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Pinna G, Meinhold H, Hiedra L, Thoma R, Hoell T, Gräf KJ, Stoltenburg-Didinger G, Eravci M, Prengel H, Brödel O, Finke R, Baumgartner A. Elevated 3,5-diiodothyronine concentrations in the sera of patients with nonthyroidal illnesses and brain tumors. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997; 82:1535-42. [PMID: 9141546 DOI: 10.1210/jcem.82.5.3939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This study reports the development of a highly sensitive and reproducible RIA for the measurement of 3,5-diiodothyronine (3,5-T2) in human serum and tissue. The RIA employs 3-bromo-5-[125I]iodo-L-thyronine (3-Br-5-[125I]T1) as tracer, which was synthesized carrier free by an interhalogen exchange from 3,5-dibromo-L-thyronine (3,5-Br2T0). The detection limits were 1.0 fmol/g and 0.8 pmol/L in human brain tissue and serum, respectively. T3, diiodothyroacetic acid, and 3-monoiodothyronine cross-reacted with a 3,5-T2 antibody to the extent of 0.06%, 0.13%, and 0.65%, respectively. Serum concentrations of 3,5-T2 were measured in 62 healthy controls and 4 groups of patients with nonthyroidal illness, i.e. patients with sepsis (n = 24), liver diseases (n = 23), head and/or brain injury n = 15), and brain tumors (n = 21). The mean serum level of 3,5-T2 in the healthy subjects was 16.2 +/- 6.4 pmol/L. Concentrations of 3,5-T2 were significantly elevated in patients with sepsis (46.7 +/- 48.8 pmol/L; P < 0.01), liver diseases (24.8 +/- 14.9 pmol/L; P < 0.01), head and/or brain injury (24.1 +/- 11.3 pmol/L; P < 0.05), and brain tumors (21.6 +/- 4.8 pmol/L; P < 0.01). In all 4 patient groups, serum levels of T3 were significantly reduced, confirming the existence of a low T3 syndrome in these diseases. Serum concentrations of 3,5-T2 were significantly elevated in patients with hyperthyroidism (n = 9) and were reduced in patients with hypothyroidism (n = 8). The levels of T4, T3, and 3,5-T2 were measured in normal human tissue samples from the pituitary gland and various brain regions and in brain tumors. In normal brain tissue, the concentrations of 3,5-T2 ranged between 70-150 fmol/g, and the ratio of T3 to 3,5-T2 was approximately 20:1. In brain tumors, however, T3 levels were markedly lower, resulting in a ratio of T3 to 3,5-T2 of approximately 1:1. Recent findings suggest a physiological, thyromimetic role of 3,5-T2, possibly stimulating mitochondrial respiratory chain activity. Should this prove to be correct, then the increased availability of 3,5-T2 in nonthyroidal illness may be one factor involved in maintaining clinical euthyroidism in patients with reduced serum levels of T3 during nonthyroidal illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Pinna
- Department of Radiological Diagnostics and Nuclear Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin, Free University of Berlin, Germany
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