University of Graz

About: University of Graz is a education organization based out in Graz, Steiermark, Austria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Quantum chromodynamics. The organization has 17934 authors who have published 37489 publications receiving 1110980 citations. The organization is also known as: Carolo Franciscea Graecensis & Karl Franzens Universität.

The functionality of HLA-G is emerging.

Abstract: Summary: In view of the recently published data, the HLA-G class Ib gene appears to be a functional locus. This is based on the following observations: 1) HLA-G is capable of presenting nonamer peptides and of exerting antigen-presenting functions; 2) HLA-G is a ligand for at least three natural killer (NK) and other cell inhibitory receptors of the immunoglobulin superfamily, namely leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor-1 /immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT)-2, ILT-4 and p49; 3) in addition to the extravillous cytotrophoblast cells, HLA-G proteins have been detected in endothelial cells of placental chorionic villi, as well as in amniotic fluid and in some medullary thymic epithelial cells; 4) major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ib genes that share the unique characteristics of HLA-G, including a high expression in placenta, have been reported in other mammalian species. In addition to the classical MHC class I roles (antigen presentation and ligarion to NK receptors inducing inhibitory and/or activatory signals), HLA-G is likely to exert other, novel functions: first, HLA-G was shown to be involved in the control of HLA-E expression by furnishing the appropriate class I leader sequence nonamer peptide; second, we hypothesize that HLA-G could be a regulator of placental angiogenesis; third, soluble HLA-G isoforms may act as specific immunosuppressors during pregnancy. Such functional properties, although incompletely understood, are likely to be important in the outcome of human pregnancies but also in normal adult life.

Phosphorylation of different tau sites during progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau aggregates in several cortical brain regions. Tau phosphorylation causes formation of neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads. Phosphorylation at tau Ser202/Thr205 is well characterized since labeling of this site is used to assign Braak stage based on occurrence of neurofibrillary tangles. Only little is known about the spatial and temporal phosphorylation profile of other phosphorylated tau (ptau) sites. Here, we investigate total tau and ptau at residues Tyr18, Ser199, Ser202/Thr205, Thr231, Ser262, Ser396, Ser422 as well as amyloid-β plaques in human brain tissue of AD patients and controls. Allo- and isocortical brain regions were evaluated applying rater-independent automated quantification based on digital image analysis. We found that the level of ptau at several residues, like Ser199, Ser202/Thr205, and Ser422 was similar in healthy controls and Braak stages I to IV but was increased in Braak stage V/VI throughout the entire isocortex and transentorhinal cortex. Quantification of ThioS-stained plaques showed a similar pattern. Only tau phosphorylation at Tyr18 and Thr231 was already significantly increased in the transentorhinal region at Braak stage III/IV and hence showed a progressive increase with increasing Braak stages. Additionally, the increase in phosphorylation relative to controls was highest at Tyr18, Thr231 and Ser199. By contrast, Ser396 tau and Ser262 tau showed only a weak phosphorylation in all analyzed brain regions and only minor progression. Our results suggest that the ptau burden in the isocortex is comparable between all analyzed ptau sites when using a quantitative approach while levels of ptau at Tyr18 or Thr231 in the transentorhinal region are different between all Braak stages. Hence these sites could be crucial in the pathogenesis of AD already at early stages and therefore represent putative novel therapeutic targets.

Hemispheric sunspot numbers R~n and R~s from 1945-2004: catalogue and N-S asymmetry analysis for solar cycles 18-23

Abstract: From sunspot drawings provided by the Kanzelhohe Solar Observatory, Austria, and the Skalnate Pleso Observatory, Slovak Republic, we extracted a data catalogue of hemispheric Sunspot Numbers covering the time span 1945-2004. The validated catalogue includes daily, monthly-mean, and smoothed-monthly relative sunspot numbers for the northern and southern hemispheres separately and is available for scientific use. These data we then investigated with respect to north-south asymmetries for almost 6 entire solar cycles (Nos. 18-23). For all the cycles studied, we found that the asymmetry based on the absolute asymmetry index is enhanced near the cycle maximum, which contradicts to previous results that are based on the normalized asymmetry index. Moreover, the weak magnetic interdependence between the two solar hemispheres is confirmed by their self-contained evolution during a cycle. For the time span 1945-2004, we found that the cycle maxima and also the declining and increasing phases are clearly shifted, whereas the minima seem to be in phase for both hemispheres. The asymmetric behavior reveals no obvious connection to either the sunspot cycle period of ~11- or the magnetic cycle of ~22-years. The most striking excess of activity is observed for the northern hemisphere in cycles 19 and 20.

Long term sequelae of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (chronic lung disease of infancy)

Abstract: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common form of chronic lung disease in infancy. The clinical, radiological, and pathological features of BPD were first described a little more than three decades ago.1 The disease was then seen in large preterm infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome who had been treated with high inspired oxygen concentrations and prolonged mechanical ventilation with high positive airway pressures resulting in inflammation, fibrosis, and smooth muscle hypertrophy in the airways.2 Despite advances in the prevention and management of respiratory distress syndrome (including the widespread use of antenatal steroids and surfactant treatment), neonatal chronic lung disease is still one of the major complications in mechanically ventilated premature infants. Acceptance of modest hypercapnia with less aggressive application of positive pressure ventilation and reduction of the use of high oxygen concentrations led to a decrease in the incidence of BPD in newborn infants with a birth weight above 1500 g. However, with increased survival of extremely premature infants (24–26 weeks gestation, birth weight 1250 g.3 Apart from differences in patient populations and management, the reported variation in the incidence of BPD might also be due to the use of different criteria to define it.1 11 12 “Classic” BPD, as described by Northway and colleagues, is a severe form of chronic lung disease that has become less common and has been replaced by less severe forms which are observed in very small premature infants who survive after prolonged mechanical ventilation.8 …