University of Marburg

About: University of Marburg is a education organization based out in Marburg, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Virus. The organization has 23195 authors who have published 42907 publications receiving 1506069 citations. The organization is also known as: Philipps University of Marburg & Philipps-Universität.

Crystal Structure of a Photolyase Bound to a CPD-Like DNA Lesion After in Situ Repair

Abstract: DNA photolyases use light energy to repair DNA that comprises ultraviolet-induced lesions such as the cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Here we report the crystal structure of a DNA photolyase bound to duplex DNA that is bent by 50 degrees and comprises a synthetic CPD lesion. This CPD lesion is flipped into the active site and split there into two thymines by synchrotron radiation at 100 K. Although photolyases catalyze blue light-driven CPD cleavage only above 200 K, this structure apparently mimics a structural substate during light-driven DNA repair in which back-flipping of the thymines into duplex DNA has not yet taken place.

Controlled death (apoptosis) of normal and putative preneoplastic cells in rat liver following withdrawal of tumor promoters.

Abstract: Numerous drugs, hormones and environmental pollutants induce liver growth by hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia, and promote preferential growth of putative preneoplastic foci in the liver. In the present study the regression of hyperplasia after cessation of inducer/promoter treatment was studied in normal liver and in liver foci. High doses of cyproterone acetate (CPA), a synthetic sex steroid, were administered to rats and produced a doubling of liver size; after cessation of treatment liver size declined, and 27% of the total liver DNA disappeared within 6 days. In histological sections from the involuting liver no necroses, but numerous apoptotic bodies (ABs) were found; retreatment with CPA interrupted the formation of ABs. These findings suggest that elimination of excess liver DNA after cessation of CPA treatment is due to controlled cell death by apoptosis. In a further series of experiments putative preneoplastic foci were produced by a single dose of N-nitrosomorpholine and subsequently stimulated to grow by 10 or 28 weeks of phenobarbital (PB) treatment. After withdrawal of PB numerous ABs were present in normal liver and in the foci; in both, retreatment with PB decreased the appearance of ABs. It appears that inhibition of cell death by PB may contribute to tumour promotion. Under all conditions tested more ABs were found in the foci than in non-focal parts of the liver, suggesting an enhanced cell turnover in foci. The apparent sensitivity of foci to mechanisms controlling cell death might eventually provide a means for elimination of preneoplastic lesions.

Pion and kaon production in central Pb+Pb collisions at 20A and 30A GeV: Evidence for the onset of deconfinement

Abstract: Results on charged pion and kaon production in central Pb+Pb collisions at 20A and 30A GeV are presented and compared to data at lower and higher energies. Around 30A GeV a rapid change of the energy dependence for the yields of pions and kaons as well as for the shape of the transverse mass spectra is observed. The change is compatible with the prediction that the threshold for production of a state of deconfined matter at the early stage of the collisions is located at low CERN Super Proton Synchroton energies.

Intravenous immunoglobulins containing antibodies against β-amyloid for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract: Objective: Active or passive immunisation can mitigate plaque pathology in murine models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recently, it has been shown that antibodies against b-amyloid (Ab) are present in human immunoglobulin preparations (IVIgG), which specifically recognise and inhibit the neurotoxic effects of Ab. This study reports the results from a pilot study using IVIgG in patients with AD. Methods: Five patients with AD were enrolled and received monthly IVIgG over a 6 month period. Efficacy assessment included total Ab/Ab1–42 measured in the CSF/serum as well as effects on cognition (ADAS-cog; CERAD) at baseline and at 6 months following IVIgG. Results: Following IVIgG, total Ab levels in the CSF decreased by 30.1% (17.3–43.5%) compared to baseline (p,0.05). Total Ab increased in the serum by 233% (p,0.05). No significant change was found in Ab1–42 levels in the CSF/serum. Using ADAS-cog, an improvement of 3.7i2.9 points was detected. Scores in the MMSE were essentially unchanged (improved in four patients, stable in one patient) following IVIgG compared to baseline. Conclusion: Although the sample size of this pilot study is too small to draw a clear conclusion, the results of this pilot study provide evidence for a more detailed investigation of IVIgG for the treatment of AD.