University of Kiel

About: University of Kiel is a education organization based out in Kiel, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Crystal structure. The organization has 27816 authors who have published 57114 publications receiving 2061802 citations. The organization is also known as: Christian Albrechts University & Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel.

ADAM10 mediates E-cadherin shedding and regulates epithelial cell-cell adhesion, migration, and beta-catenin translocation.

Abstract: E-cadherin controls a wide array of cellular behaviors, including cell-cell adhesion, differentiation, and tissue development. We show here that E-cadherin is cleaved specifically by ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) 10 in its ectodomain. Analysis of ADAM10-deficient fibroblasts, inhibitor studies, and RNA interference-mediated down-regulation of ADAM10 demonstrated that ADAM10 is responsible not only for the constitutive shedding but also for the regulated shedding of this adhesion molecule in fibroblasts and keratinocytes. ADAM10-mediated E-cadherin shedding affects epithelial cell-cell adhesion as well as cell migration. Furthermore, the shedding of E-cadherin by ADAM10 modulates the beta-catenin subcellular localization and downstream signaling. ADAM10 overexpression in epithelial cells increased the expression of the beta-catenin downstream gene cyclin D1 dose-dependently and enhanced cell proliferation. In ADAM10-deficient mouse embryos, the C-terminal E-cadherin fragment is not generated, and the full-length protein accumulates, highlighting the in vivo relevance for ADAM10 in E-cadherin shedding. Our data strongly suggest that this protease constitutes a major regulatory element for the multiple functions of E-cadherin under physiological as well as pathological conditions.

A blueprint for mapping and modelling ecosystem services

Abstract: The inconsistency in methods to quantify and map ecosystem services challenges the development of robust values of ecosystem services in national accounts and broader policy and natural resource management decision-making. In this paper we develop and test a blueprint to give guidance on modelling and mapping ecosystem services. The primary purpose of this blueprint is to provide a template and checklist of information needed for those beginning an ecosystem service modelling and mapping study. A secondary purpose is to provide, over time, a database of completed blueprints that becomes a valuable information resource of methods and information used in previous modelling and mapping studies. We base our blueprint on a literature review, expert opinions (as part of a related workshop organised during the 5th ESP conference2 ) and critical assessment of existing techniques used to model and map ecosystem services. While any study that models and maps ecosystem services will have its unique characteristics and will be largely driven by data and model availability, a tool such as the blueprint presented here will reduce the uncertainty associated with quantifying ecosystem services and thereby help to close the gap between theory and practice.

Disease concomitance in psoriasis

Abstract: Background : Psoriasis is a multifactorial disease of unknown origin. Objective : Our purpose was to determine the frequency of skin disorders concomitantly seen in patients with psoriasis. Methods : We analyzed data from more than 40,000 patients and calculated sex- and age-adjusted ratios of expected and observed incidence rates of associated disorders. Results : The results demonstrate that, compared with age-matched control patients without psoriasis, cutaneous immune disorders such as allergic contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and urticaria are underrepresented in patients with psoriasis. In contrast, certain systemic disorders such as diabetes, heart insufficiency, and obesity occur significantly more often in patients with psoriasis than in control subjects. Increased resistance to cutaneous bacterial infections was noted only in patients with early-onset psoriasis. Conclusion : Our observations show that a distinct pattern of associated diseases exists in patients with psoriasis. Although systemic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease may be related to dietary habits and nutritional status, the relative resistance to cutaneous infections together with decreased immune responsiveness suggest a genetically determined selection.