scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question

Showing papers by "University of Duisburg-Essen published in 2006"


Journal ArticleDOI
05 Apr 2006-JAMA
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated the effect of rosuvastatin on coronary atheroma burden using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging. And they found that very intensive statin therapy could regress coronary atherosclerosis as determined by IVUS imaging.
Abstract: ContextPrior intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) trials have demonstrated slowing or halting of atherosclerosis progression with statin therapy but have not shown convincing evidence of regression using percent atheroma volume (PAV), the most rigorous IVUS measure of disease progression and regression.ObjectiveTo assess whether very intensive statin therapy could regress coronary atherosclerosis as determined by IVUS imaging.Design and SettingProspective, open-label blinded end-points trial (A Study to Evaluate the Effect of Rosuvastatin on Intravascular Ultrasound-Derived Coronary Atheroma Burden [ASTEROID]) was performed at 53 community and tertiary care centers in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. A motorized IVUS pullback was used to assess coronary atheroma burden at baseline and after 24 months of treatment. Each pair of baseline and follow-up IVUS assessments was analyzed in a blinded fashion.PatientsBetween November 2002 and October 2003, 507 patients had a baseline IVUS examination and received at least 1 dose of study drug. After 24 months, 349 patients had evaluable serial IVUS examinations.InterventionAll patients received intensive statin therapy with rosuvastatin, 40 mg/d.Main Outcome MeasuresTwo primary efficacy parameters were prespecified: the change in PAV and the change in nominal atheroma volume in the 10-mm subsegment with the greatest disease severity at baseline. A secondary efficacy variable, change in normalized total atheroma volume for the entire artery, was also prespecified.ResultsThe mean (SD) baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level of 130.4 (34.3) mg/dL declined to 60.8 (20.0) mg/dL, a mean reduction of 53.2% (P<.001). Mean (SD) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level at baseline was 43.1 (11.1) mg/dL, increasing to 49.0 (12.6) mg/dL, an increase of 14.7% (P<.001). The mean (SD) change in PAV for the entire vessel was −0.98% (3.15%), with a median of −0.79% (97.5% CI, −1.21% to −0.53%) (P<.001 vs baseline). The mean (SD) change in atheroma volume in the most diseased 10-mm subsegment was −6.1 (10.1) mm3, with a median of −5.6 mm3 (97.5% CI, −6.8 to −4.0 mm3) (P<.001 vs baseline). Change in total atheroma volume showed a 6.8% median reduction; with a mean (SD) reduction of −14.7 (25.7) mm3, with a median of −12.5 mm3 (95% CI, −15.1 to −10.5 mm3) (P<.001 vs baseline). Adverse events were infrequent and similar to other statin trials.ConclusionsVery high-intensity statin therapy using rosuvastatin 40 mg/d achieved an average LDL-C of 60.8 mg/dL and increased HDL-C by 14.7%, resulting in significant regression of atherosclerosis for all 3 prespecified IVUS measures of disease burden. Treatment to LDL-C levels below currently accepted guidelines, when accompanied by significant HDL-C increases, can regress atherosclerosis in coronary disease patients. Further studies are needed to determine the effect of the observed changes on clinical outcome.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00240318Published online March 13, 2006 (doi:10.1001/jama.295.13.jpc60002).

1,913 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is the view of the AES Task Force on the Phenotype of PCOS that there should be acceptance of the original 1990 National Institutes of Health criteria with some modifications, taking into consideration the concerns expressed in the proceedings of the 2003 Rotterdam conference.
Abstract: Objective: The Androgen Excess Society (AES) charged a task force to review all available data and recommend an evidence-based definition for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), whether already in use or not, to guide clinical diagnosis and future research. Participants: Participants included expert investigators in the field. Evidence: Based on a systematic review of the published peer-reviewed medical literature, by querying MEDLINE databases, we tried to identify studies evaluating the epidemiology or phenotypic aspects of PCOS. Consensus Process: The task force drafted the initial report, following a consensus process via electronic communication, which was then reviewed and critiqued by the AES Board of Directors. No section was finalized until all members were satisfied with the contents and minority opinions noted. Statements that were not supported by peer-reviewed evidence were not included. Conclusions: Based on the available data, it is the view of the AES Task Force on the Phenotype of PCOS that...

1,877 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
22 Mar 2006-Polymer
TL;DR: A comprehensive overview on the development of polymeric membranes having advanced or novel functions in the various membrane sepn processes for liq. and gaseous mixts can be found in this paper.

1,841 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Eculizumab is an effective therapy for PNH and Clinically significant improvements were found in the quality of life, as measured by scores on the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue instrument and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire.
Abstract: BACKGROUND We tested the safety and efficacy of eculizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against terminal complement protein C5 that inhibits terminal complement activation, in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). METHODS We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, phase 3 trial. Patients received either placebo or eculizumab intravenously; eculizumab was given at a dose of 600 mg weekly for 4 weeks, followed 1 week later by a 900-mg dose and then 900 mg every other week through week 26. The two primary end points were the stabilization of hemoglobin levels and the number of units of packed red cells transfused. Biochemical indicators of intravascular hemolysis and the patients' quality of life were also assessed. RESULTS Eighty-seven patients underwent randomization. Stabilization of hemoglobin levels in the absence of transfusions was achieved in 49% (21 of 43) of the patients assigned to eculizumab and none (0 of 44) of those assigned to placebo (P<0.001). During the study, a median of 0 units of packed red cells was administered in the eculizumab group, as compared with 10 units in the placebo group (P<0.001). Eculizumab reduced intravascular hemolysis, as shown by the 85.8% lower median area under the curve for lactate dehydrogenase plotted against time (in days) in the eculizumab group, as compared with the placebo group (58,587 vs. 411,822 U per liter; P<0.001). Clinically significant improvements were also found in the quality of life, as measured by scores on the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue instrument (P<0.001) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire. Of the 87 patients, 4 in the eculizumab group and 9 in the placebo group had serious adverse events, none of which were considered to be treatment-related; all these patients recovered without sequelae. CONCLUSIONS Eculizumab is an effective therapy for PNH.

1,051 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that PARP-1 operates in an alternative pathway of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) that functions as backup to the classical pathway of NHEJ that utilizes DNA-PKcs, Ku, DNA ligase IV, XRCC4, XLF/Cernunnos and Artemis.
Abstract: Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase 1 (PARP-1) recognizes DNA strand interruptions in vivo and triggers its own modification as well as that of other proteins by the sequential addition of ADP-ribose to form polymers. This modification causes a release of PARP-1 from DNA ends and initiates a variety of responses including DNA repair. While PARP-1 has been firmly implicated in base excision and single strand break repair, its role in the repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) remains unclear. Here, we show that PARP-1, probably together with DNA ligase III, operates in an alternative pathway of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) that functions as backup to the classical pathway of NHEJ that utilizes DNA-PKcs, Ku, DNA ligase IV, XRCC4, XLF/Cernunnos and Artemis. PARP-1 binds to DNA ends in direct competition with Ku. However, in irradiated cells the higher affinity of Ku for DSBs and an excessive number of other forms of competing DNA lesions limit its contribution to DSB repair. When essential components of the classical pathway of NHEJ are absent, PARP-1 is recruited for DSB repair, particularly in the absence of Ku and non-DSB lesions. This form of DSB repair is sensitive to PARP-1 inhibitors. The results define the function of PARP-1 in DSB repair and characterize a candidate pathway responsible for joining errors causing genomic instability and cancer.

792 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
14 Apr 2006-Science
TL;DR: A dense whole-genome scan of DNA samples from the Framingham Heart Study participants was used to identify a common genetic variant near the INSIG2 gene associated with obesity, suggesting that common genetic polymorphisms are important determinants of obesity.
Abstract: Obesity is a heritable trait and a risk factor for many common diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. We used a dense whole-genome scan of DNA samples from the Framingham Heart Study participants to identify a common genetic variant near the INSIG2 gene associated with obesity. We have replicated the finding in four separate samples composed of individuals of Western European ancestry, African Americans, and children. The obesity-predisposing genotype is present in 10% of individuals. Our study suggests that common genetic polymorphisms are important determinants of obesity.

727 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the magnetic and structural transformations in the Heusler-based system were studied in the composition range $0.05, 0.16, and 0.25, respectively, and the magnetic coupling in both austenitic and martensitic states is ferromagnetic.
Abstract: The magnetic and structural transformations in the Heusler-based system ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{0.50}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{0.50\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{In}}_{x}$ are studied in the composition range $0.05\ensuremath{\leqslant}x\ensuremath{\leqslant}0.25$. While the cubic phase is preserved in the range $0.165\ensuremath{\leqslant}x\ensuremath{\leqslant}0.25$, we find the presence of martensitic transformations in alloys with $x\ensuremath{\leqslant}0.16$. In a critical composition range $0.15\ensuremath{\leqslant}x\ensuremath{\leqslant}0.16$, the magnetic coupling in both austenitic and martensitic states is ferromagnetic. Magnetic field-induced structural transitions are also found in the $x=0.16$ alloy, whereby the structural transition temperature shifts by $42\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ in a field of $50\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kOe}$.

563 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a common SUMO-interacting motif (SIM) was defined and mapped to the binding surfaces of SUMO1 and SUMO2 using yeast two-hybrid system, bioinformatics and NMR spectroscopy.

563 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: General recommendations on European bioassessment of streams were derived from the results, including those on land use changes, hydromorphological degradation on the microhabitat scale and general degradation gradients.
Abstract: Summary 1. Periphytic diatoms, macrophytes, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish were sampled with standard methods in 185 streams in nine European countries to compare their response to degradation. Streams were classified into two main stream type groups (i.e. lowland, mountain streams); in addition, the lowland streams were grouped into four more specific stream types. 2. Principal components analysis with altogether 43 environmental parameters was used to construct complex stressor gradients for physical–chemical, hydromorphological and land use data. About 30 metrics were calculated for each sample and organism group. Metric responses to different stress types were analysed by Spearman Rank Correlation. 3. All four organism groups showed significant response to eutrophication/organic pollution gradients. Generally, diatom metrics were most strongly correlated to eutrophication gradients (85% and 89% of the diatom metrics tested correlated significantly in mountain and lowland streams, respectively), followed by invertebrate metrics (91% and 59%). 4. Responses of the four organism groups to other gradients were less strong; all organism groups responded to varying degrees to land use changes, hydromorphological degradation on the microhabitat scale and general degradation gradients, while the response to hydromorphological gradients on the reach scale was mainly limited to benthic macroinvertebrates (50% and 44% of the metrics tested correlated significantly in mountain and lowland streams, respectively) and fish (29% and 47%). 5. Fish and macrophyte metrics generally showed a poor response to degradation gradients in mountain streams and a strong response in lowland streams. 6. General recommendations on European bioassessment of streams were derived from the results.

525 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Endovascular stent-graft placement in type B-AD is technically feasible with success rates of >95% in selected cohort, and both, acute and mid-term mortality of this novel treatment strategy appear to favourably compare with surgical treatment but further studies are necessary.
Abstract: Aims This article summarizes all available published data with respect to clinical success, complications, and outcomes of endovascular stent–graft placement among patients with descending aortic dissection (AD). Methods and results We performed a meta-analysis of all published series on retrograde endovascular stent–graft placement encompassing � 3 patients with AD. Thirty-nine studies, involving a total of 609 patients, were included. Procedural success was reported in 98.2+ 0.5% of patients. Major complications were reported in 11.1+ 1.4%, with the most dreaded neurologic complications in 2.9 + 0.7% patients. Periprocedural stroke was encountered more frequently than paraplegia (1.9+ 0.6% vs. 0.8+ 0.4%). Overall complications were significantly higher in patients undergoing stent–graft placement for acute AD than in patients with chronic AD (21.7 + 2.8% vs. 9.1+ 2.3%, P ¼ 0.005). The overall 30-day mortality was 5.3+ 0.9%, and was three-fold higher in patients with acute AD when compared with chronic AD (9.8 + 2.2% vs. 3.2+ 1.4%, P ¼ 0.015). In addition, 2.8 + 0.7% of patients died over a mean follow-up period of 19.5 + 7.1 months. Kaplan–Meier analysis yielded overall survival rates of 90.6+ 1.6% at 6 months, 89.9+ 1.7% at 1 year, and 88.8 + 1.9% at 2 years, respectively. Conclusion Endovascular stent–graft placement in type B-AD is technically feasible with success rates of .95% in selected cohort. Although minimally invasive, major complications occurred in 14–18% of patients depending upon the acuity of presentation, with very low incidence of paraplegia. Both, acute and mid-term mortality of this novel treatment strategy appear to favourably compare with surgical treatment but further studies are necessary to compare stent–graft placement with medical treatment in uncomplicated AD.

525 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, two critical steps towards soot production in combustors are the decomposition of the fuel and the subsequent formation of aromatic hydrocarbons with one to three benzenoid rings.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An overview of fundamental experimental and theoretical aspects of soot measurements by laser-induced incandescence (LII) is provided in this paper. But despite the widespread application of LII for soot-concentration and particle-size measurements, there is still a significant lack in fundamental understanding for many of the underlying physical processes.
Abstract: This paper provides an overview of a workshop focused on fundamental experimental and theoretical aspects of soot measurements by laser-induced incandescence (LII). This workshop was held in Duisburg, Germany in September 2005. The goal of the workshop was to review the current understanding of the technique and identify gaps in this understanding associated with experimental implementation, model descriptions, and signal interpretation. The results of this workshop suggest that uncertainties in the understanding of this technique are sufficient to lead to large variability among model predictions from different LII models, among measurements using different experimental approaches, and between modeled and measured signals, even under well-defined conditions. This article summarizes the content and conclusions of the workshop, discusses controversial topics and areas of disagreement identified during the workshop, and highlights recent important references related to these topics. It clearly demonstrates that despite the widespread application of LII for soot-concentration and particle-size measurements there is still a significant lack in fundamental understanding for many of the underlying physical processes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There is a need to determine the physical consequences of continued repetitive loading of major structures of the locomotor system in the obese and to establish how obesity may interact with other factors to potentially increase the risk of musculoskeletal disease.
Abstract: Despite the multifactorial nature of musculoskeletal disease, obesity consistently emerges as a key and potentially modifiable risk factor in the onset and progression of musculoskeletal conditions of the hip, knee, ankle, foot and shoulder. To date, the majority of research has focused on the impact of obesity on bone and joint disorders, such as the risk of fracture and osteoarthritis. However, emerging evidence indicates that obesity may also have a profound effect on soft-tissue structures, such as tendon, fascia and cartilage. Although the mechanism remains unclear, the functional and structural limitations imposed by the additional loading of the locomotor system in obesity have been almost universally accepted to produce aberrant mechanics during locomotor tasks, thereby unduly raising stress within connective-tissue structures and the potential for musculoskeletal injury. While such mechanical theories abound, there is surprisingly little scientific evidence directly linking musculoskeletal injury to altered biomechanics in the obese. For the most part, even the biomechanical effects of obesity on the locomotor system remain unknown. Given the global increase in obesity and the rapid rise in musculoskeletal disorders, there is a need to determine the physical consequences of continued repetitive loading of major structures of the locomotor system in the obese and to establish how obesity may interact with other factors to potentially increase the risk of musculoskeletal disease.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that LPS critically involves the p44/42 MAPK and NF-kappaB pathway in the activation of HIF-1, which is an important transcription factor for LPS-induced ADM expression.
Abstract: Inflammatory mediators activate the transcriptional complex HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1), the key regulator of hypoxia-induced gene expression. Here we report that bacterial LPS (lipopolysaccharide) induces HIF-1α mRNA expression and HIF-1α protein accumulation in human monocytes as well as in non-differentiated and differentiated cells of the human monocytic cell line THP-1 under normoxic conditions. LPS and hypoxia synergistically activated HIF-1. Whereas LPS increased HIF-1α mRNA expression through activation of a NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) site in the promoter of the HIF-1α gene, hypoxia post-translationally stabilized HIF-1α protein. HIF-1α activation was followed by increased expression of the HIF-1 target gene encoding ADM (adrenomedullin). Knocking down HIF-1α by RNA interference significantly decreased ADM expression, which underlines the importance of HIF-1 for the LPS-induced ADM expression in normoxia. Simultaneously with HIF-1 activation, an increase in p44/42 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) phosphorylation was observed after incubation with LPS. In cells pretreated with the p44/42 MAPK inhibitor PD 98059 or with RNAi (interfering RNA) directed against p44/42 MAPK, LPS-induced HIF-1α accumulation and ADM expression were significantly decreased. From these results we conclude that LPS critically involves the p44/42 MAPK and NF-κB pathway in the activation of HIF-1, which is an important transcription factor for LPS-induced ADM expression.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The data demonstrate that HDL and its constituent, S1P, acutely protect the heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury in vivo via an S 1P3-mediated and NO-dependent pathway and a rapid therapeutic elevation of S1p-containing HDL plasma levels may be beneficial in patients at high risk of acute myocardial ischemIA.
Abstract: Background— All treatments of acute myocardial infarction are aimed at rapid revascularization of the occluded vessel; however, no clinical strategies are currently available to protect the heart from ischemia/reperfusion injury after restitution of blood flow. We hypothesized that some of the cholesterol transport–independent biological properties of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) implied in atheroprotection may also be beneficial in settings of acute myocardial reperfusion injury. Methods and Results— In an in vivo mouse model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, we observed that HDL and its sphingolipid component, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), dramatically attenuated infarction size by ≈20% and 40%, respectively. The underlying mechanism was an inhibition of inflammatory neutrophil recruitment and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the infarcted area. In vitro, HDL and S1P potently suppressed leukocyte adhesion to activated endothelium under flow and protected rat neonatal cardiomyocytes against apoptosis. In ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The role of extracellular polymeric substances for attachment under the conditions of a space station and resulting effects like biofouling, biocorrosion, malodorous gases, etc will be discussed.

Journal Article
TL;DR: However, there is surprisingly little scientific evidence directly linking musculoskeletal injury to altered biomechanics in the obese as mentioned in this paper, and even the biomechanical effects of obesity on the locomotor system remain unknown.
Abstract: Despite the multifactorial nature of musculoskeletal disease, obesity consistently emerges as a key and potentially modifiable risk factor in the onset and progression of musculoskeletal conditions of the hip, knee, ankle, foot and shoulder. To date, the majority of research has focused on the impact of obesity on bone and joint disorders, such as the risk of fracture and osteoarthritis. However, emerging evidence indicates that obesity may also have a profound effect on soft-tissue structures, such as tendon, fascia and cartilage. Although the mechanism remains unclear, the functional and structural limitations imposed by the additional loading of the locomotor system in obesity have been almost universally accepted to produce aberrant mechanics during locomotor tasks, thereby unduly raising stress within connective-tissue structures and the potential for musculoskeletal injury. While such mechanical theories abound, there is surprisingly little scientific evidence directly linking musculoskeletal injury to altered biomechanics in the obese. For the most part, even the biomechanical effects of obesity on the locomotor system remain unknown. Given the global increase in obesity and the rapid rise in musculoskeletal disorders, there is a need to determine the physical consequences of continued repetitive loading of major structures of the locomotor system in the obese and to establish how obesity may interact with other factors to potentially increase the risk of musculoskeletal disease.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Dec 2006-Surgery
TL;DR: The posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe and fast procedure and in experienced hands, this method represents the ideal approach in adrenal surgery.

Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: This document suggests a normative methodology for the development and application of Multimetric Indices as a tool with which to evaluate the ecological status of running waters.
Abstract: The requirements of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), aimed at an integrative assessment methodology for evaluating the ecological status of water bodies are frequently being achieved through multimetric techniques, ie by combining several indices, which address different stressors or different components of the biocoenosis This document suggests a normative methodology for the development and application of Multimetric Indices as a tool with which to evaluate the ecological status of running waters The methodology has been derived from and tested on a European scale within the framework of the AQEM and STAR research projects, and projects on the implementation of the WFD in Austria and Germany We suggest a procedure for the development of Multimetric Indices, which is composed of the following steps: (1) selection of the most suitable form of a Multimetric Index; (2) metric selection, broken down into metric calculation, exclusion of numerically unsuitable metrics, definition of a stressor gradient, correlation of stressor gradients and metrics, selection of candidate metrics, selection of core metrics, distribution of metrics within the metric types, definition of upper and lower anchors and scaling; (3) generation of a Multimetric Index (general or stressor-specific approach); (4) setting class boundaries; (5) interpretation of results Each step is described by examples

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The important consequences are that the surface of nanocrystalline HAp has nothing in common with the bulk composition and that the chemistry of such materials (e.g. the binding of protein molecules to phosphate surfaces) must be reconsidered.
Abstract: Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HAp) prepared by a precipitation route was investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) powder patterns of the elongated nanocrystals with a typical diameter of about 10 nm and length of 30-50 nm (by transmission electron microscopy (TEM)) revealed the presence of HAp with significantly broadened XRD reflections. However, Ca deficiency was found, as the Ca/P ratio was 1.5 only (so-called calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA)), and not 1.67. This Ca deficiency of nanocrystalline HAp is explained using NMR. It is shown unambiguously that (i) the nanocrystals consist of a crystalline core and a (disordered) surface region with a relative phosphate content of about 1:1, (ii) the crystalline core is HAp, and (iii) the surface region is dominated by hydrogen phosphate anions (with no hydroxyapatite-like structural motif) and structural water (hydrate). From the relative phosphate content and taking into account the crystal shape, the thickness of the surface layer along the main crystal axis could be estimated to be about 1 nm, and the average chemical composition of the surface layer has been determined. Finally, a Ca/P ratio of 1.52 was estimated from the NMR data that compares well with the value of 1.51 from chemical analysis. The important consequences are that the surface of nanocrystalline HAp has nothing in common with the bulk composition and that the chemistry of such materials (e.g. the binding of protein molecules to phosphate surfaces) must be reconsidered.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple method for constructing transversely isotropic polyconvex functions suitable for the description of biological soft tissues is presented, where only a few parameters are necessary to approximate a variety of stress-strain curves and to satisfy the condition of a stress-free reference configuration a priori in the framework of polyconcaveity.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the results of a bottleneck experiment with pedestrians are presented in the form of total times, fluxes, specific fluxes and time gaps, and the main aim was to find the dependence of these values on the bottleneck width.
Abstract: In this work the results of a bottleneck experiment with pedestrians are presented in the form of total times, fluxes, specific fluxes, and time gaps. A main aim was to find the dependence of these values on the bottleneck width. The results show a linear decline of the specific flux with increasing width as long as only one person at a time can pass, and a constant value for larger bottleneck widths. Differences between small (one person at a time) and wide bottlenecks (two persons at a time) were also found in the distribution of time gaps.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This mini-review gives an overview on the use and the actions of selected metal species of actual scientific concern, with a focus on neuronal cells.
Abstract: Metals and metal compounds are constituents of our natural environment. Their distribution depends on the existence of natural sources (e.g. volcanoes or erosion) and their use in human's activity. They are transformed naturally (e.g. by bacterial activity) with formation of organic species that influence their mobility and accumulation in abiotic as well as biotic systems. Up to date metal species are released into the environment questioning their influence on human health. Due to their widespread use in human activities such as industry, agriculture and even as medicine (e.g. As, Se, Pt), numerous health risks may be associated with exposure to these substances. Different reports on metal intoxication are documented and studies especially on neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, or carcinogenicity, are previously published in numerous articles. This mini-review gives an overview on the use and the actions of selected metal species of actual scientific concern, with a focus on neuronal cells.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors have modelled the phase diagram of magnetic shape memory alloys of the Heusler type by using the phenomenological Ginzburg-Landau theory and found that the driving force for structural transformations is considerably enhanced by the extremely low lying optical modes of Ni, which interfere with the acoustical modes enhancing phonon softening of the TA2 mode.
Abstract: We have modelled the phase diagram of magnetic shape memory alloys of the Heusler type by using the phenomenological Ginzburg–Landau theory. When fixing the parameters by realistic values taken from experiment we are able to reproduce most details of, for example, the phase diagram of Ni2+xMn1−xGa in the (T, x) plane. We present the results of ab initio calculations of the electronic and phonon properties of several ferromagnetic Heusler alloys, which allow one to characterize the structural changes associated with the martensitic instability leading to the modulated and tetragonal phases. From the ab initio investigations emerges a complex pattern of the interplay of magic valence electron per atom numbers (Hume–Rothery rules for magnetic ternary alloys), Fermi surface nesting and phonon instability. As the main result, we find that the driving force for structural transformations is considerably enhanced by the extremely low lying optical modes of Ni in the Ni-based Heusler alloys, which interfere with the acoustical modes enhancing phonon softening of the TA2 mode. In contrast, the ferromagnetic Co-based Heusler alloys show no tendency for phonon softening.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The transfection efficiency of EGFP-encoding DNA was tested with different cell lines (T-HUVEC, HeLa, and LTK) and the efficiency of such multi-shell particles was significantly higher than that of simple DNA-coated calcium phosphate nanoparticles.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors start to hunt the motive, restricting their attention to a subclass of graphs in four dimensional scalar field theory which give scheme independent contributions to the above functions.
Abstract: The appearance of multiple zeta values in anomalous dimensions and β-functions of renormalizable quantum field theories has given evidence towards a motivic interpretation of these renormalization group functions. In this paper we start to hunt the motive, restricting our attention to a subclass of graphs in four dimensional scalar field theory which give scheme independent contributions to the above functions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the results of a pedestrian counterflow experiment in a corridor of width 2 meters are presented, where 67 participants were divided into two groups with varying relative and absolute size and walked in opposite directions through a corridor.
Abstract: In this work the results of a pedestrian counterflow experiment in a corridor of width 2 m are presented. 67 participants were divided into two groups with varying relative and absolute size and walked in opposite directions through a corridor. The video footage taken from the experiment was evaluated for passing times, walking speeds, fluxes and lane formation, including symmetry breaking. The results include comparatively large fluxes and speeds as well as a maximal asymmetry between left- and right-hand traffic. The sum of flow and counterflow in any case turns out to be larger than the flow in all situations without counterflow.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Over a period of 12 months, intensive atorvastatin therapy was unable to attenuate CAC progression compared with standard ator VASTatin therapy, and the possibility remains that the time window was too short to demonstrate an effect.
Abstract: Background— Recent clinical trials have suggested that intensive versus standard lipid-lowering therapy provides for additional benefit. Electron-beam computed tomography provides the opportunity to quantify the progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in serial measurements. Methods and Results— In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial, 471 patients (age 61±8 years) who had no history of coronary artery disease and no evidence of high-grade coronary stenoses (>50% diameter reduction) were randomized if they had ≥2 cardiovascular risk factors and moderate calcified coronary atherosclerosis as evidenced by a CAC score ≥30. Patients were assigned to receive 80 mg or 10 mg of atorvastatin per day over 12 months. Progression of CAC volume scores could be analyzed in 366 patients. After pretreatment with 10 mg of atorvastatin for 4 weeks, 12 months of study medication reduced LDL cholesterol from 106±22 to 87±33 mg/dL in the group randomized to receive 80 mg of atorvastatin (P<0.001), whereas...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Ceramide-enriched membrane platforms do not seem to be part of a specific signaling pathway but may facilitate and amplify the specific signaling elicited by the cognate stimulus, which may enable them to be critically involved in the induction of apoptosis by death receptors and stress stimuli, bacterial and viral infections of mammalian cells, and the regulation of cardiovascular functions.
Abstract: Activation of cells by receptor- and nonreceptor-mediated stimuli not only requires a change in the activity of signaling proteins but also requires a reorganization of the topology of the signalosom in the cell. The cell membrane contains distinct domains, rafts that serve the spatial organization of signaling molecules in the cell. Many receptors or stress stimuli transform rafts by the generation of ceramide. These stimuli activate the acid sphingomyelinase and induce a translocation of this enzyme onto the extracellular leaflet of the cell membrane. Surface acid sphingomyelinase generates ceramide that serves to fuse small rafts and to form large ceramide-enriched membrane platforms. These platforms cluster receptor molecules, recruit intracellular signaling molecules to aggregated receptors, and seem to exclude inhibitory signaling factors. Thus ceramide-enriched membrane platforms do not seem to be part of a specific signaling pathway but may facilitate and amplify the specific signaling elicited by the cognate stimulus. This general function may enable these membrane domains to be critically involved in the induction of apoptosis by death receptors and stress stimuli, bacterial and viral infections of mammalian cells, and the regulation of cardiovascular functions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: However, contrary to clinical doctrine, histological evidence does not support this concept, with inflammation rarely observed in chronic plantar fasciitis, despite an abundance of anecdotal evidence indicating a causal link between arch function and heel pain this article.
Abstract: Plantar fasciitis is a musculoskeletal disorder primarily affecting the fascial enthesis. Although poorly understood, the development of plantar fasciitis is thought to have a mechanical origin. In particular, pes planus foot types and lower-limb biomechanics that result in a lowered medial longitudinal arch are thought to create excessive tensile strain within the fascia, producing microscopic tears and chronic inflammation. However, contrary to clinical doctrine, histological evidence does not support this concept, with inflammation rarely observed in chronic plantar fasciitis. Similarly, scientific support for the role of arch mechanics in the development of plantar fasciitis is equivocal, despite an abundance of anecdotal evidence indicating a causal link between arch function and heel pain. This may, in part, reflect the difficulty in measuring arch mechanics in vivo. However, it may also indicate that tensile failure is not a predominant feature in the pathomechanics of plantar fasciitis. Alternative mechanisms including 'stress-shielding', vascular and metabolic disturbances, the formation of free radicals, hyperthermia and genetic factors have also been linked to degenerative change in connective tissues. Further research is needed to ascertain the importance of such factors in the development of plantar fasciitis.