Effects of different nitrogen fertilization systems on crop yield and nitrogen use efficiency - Results of a field experiment in southern Germany.

The effects of the German Fertilizer Application Ordinance (GFO) on crop yield, nitrogen use efficiency and economical performance are highly controversial in science and practice in Germany. This study presents the results of a multi-year field experiment conducted at an experimental farm in southern Germany, in which the effects of different fertilizer systems on crop yield, protein concentration and nitrogen balance were analyzed. At this study site, relatively low N mineralization from the soil N pool was detected.

Increased abundance of Cbl E3 ligases alters PDGFR signaling in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

In recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), loss of collagen VII, the main component of anchoring fibrils critical for epidermal-dermal cohesion, affects several intracellular signaling pathways and leads to impaired wound healing and fibrosis. In skin fibroblasts, wound healing is also affected by platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) signaling. To study a potential effect of loss of collagen VII on PDGFR signaling we performed unbiased disease phosphoproteomics.

[Prenatal care in patients with renal disease].

History And Clinical Findings: We report of three pregnancies, two with renal insufficiency and one with a history of renal transplantation. Pat.1 is a 32y at 20 weeks of gestation with acute renal failure, nephrotic syndrome and history of familial Mediterranean fever.

Multiplexed antibody detection from blood sera by immobilization of in vitro expressed antigens and label-free readout via imaging reflectometric interferometry (iRIf).

The detection of antibodies from blood sera is crucial for diagnostic purposes. Miniaturized protein assays in combination with microfluidic setups hold great potential by enabling automated handling and multiplexed analyses. Yet, the separate expression, purification, and storage of many individual proteins are time consuming and limit applicability.

Dealing with prognostic signature instability: a strategy illustrated for cardiovascular events in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Background: Identification of prognostic gene expression markers from clinical cohorts might help to better understand disease etiology. A set of potentially important markers can be automatically selected when linking gene expression covariates to a clinical endpoint by multivariable regression models and regularized parameter estimation. However, this is hampered by instability due to selection from many measurements.

Role and interaction of p53, BAX and the stress-activated protein kinases p38 and JNK in benzo(a)pyrene-diolepoxide induced apoptosis in human colon carcinoma cells.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are ubiquitous environmental pollutants formed during incomplete combustion of organic material. For example benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a constituent and contaminant of cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust, industrial waste and even food products. B[a]P is carcinogenic to rodents and humans.

A solution model of the complex formed by adrenodoxin and adrenodoxin reductase determined by paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy.

Lanthanide tags offer the opportunity to retrieve long-range distance information from NMR experiments that can be used to guide protein docking. To determine whether sufficient restraints can be retrieved for proteins with low solubility and availability, Ln tags were applied in the study of the 65 kDa membrane-associated protein complex formed by the electron carrier adrenodoxin and its electron donor, adrenodoxin reductase. The reductase is only monomeric at low concentration, and the paramagnetic iron-sulfur cluster of adrenodoxin broadens many of the resonances of nuclei in the interface.

Combination of immunosuppressive drugs leaves specific "fingerprint" on gene expression in vitro.

Following organ transplantation many patients suffer from drug-related side effects, or receive more immunosuppression than necessary to prevent rejection. Hence, parameters are needed to tailor the immunosuppressive therapy to the individual needs of an organ recipient. The aim of this study was to determine whether drug combinations provoke specific gene expression patterns in a simple assay system in vitro.

Increased expression of secreted frizzled-related protein 4 in polycystic kidneys.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common hereditary disease associated with progressive renal failure. Although cyst growth and compression of surrounding tissue may account for some loss of renal tissue, the other factors contributing to the progressive renal failure in patients with ADPKD are incompletely understood. Here, we report that secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (sFRP4) is upregulated in human ADPKD and in four different animal models of PKD, suggesting that sFRP4 expression is triggered by a common mechanism that underlies cyst formation.

Relationship of hepatitis B or C virus prevalences, risk factors, and outcomes in renal transplant recipients: analysis of German data.

Background: Chronic liver disease resulting from hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus infections is still a major concern in kidney recipients. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalences, risk factors, and impact of HBV and HCV infections in adult renal transplant recipients in Germany.

Materials And Methods: Data were collected on 1633 kidney recipients transplanted between 1989 and 2002 at the 21 German renal transplant centers participating in MOST, the prospective Multinational Observational Study in Transplantation.

Preemptive postoperative antigen-specific immunoadsorption in ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation: necessary or not?

Several standard protocols for ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation use scheduled preemptive antigen-specific immunoadsorption during the postoperative period. Our center has developed a different approach. Our patients undergo antigen-specific immunoadsorption postoperatively only if their isoagglutinine titers (immunoglobulin G anti-A/B) exceed 1:8 in the first postoperative week and 1:16 in the second postoperative week.

ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation-proposal of an intensified apheresis strategy for patients with high initial isoagglutinine titers.

Since Tydén's description of ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantations based on antigen-specific immunoadsorption (IA) and rituximab (Tydén et al., Am J Transplant 2005;5:145-148), this technique has been successfully adopted by many transplant centers worldwide. The majority of centers strictly adhere to the Swedish protocol and perform IAs with a target volume of 1.

cDNA microarray analysis of adaptive changes after renal ablation in a sclerosis-resistant mouse strain.

Background: 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx) in susceptible animals causes glomerular sclerosis and interstitial fibrosis in the remnant kidney. Oxidative stress, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and the de novo synthesis of collagen seem to contribute to this process. However, these factors might also be required for tissue repair without fibrosis.

[The blood group incompatible living kidney transplantation].

Until recently, living kidney donations between donors and recipients of different blood groups were contraindicated. Since 2004, blood group incompatible kidney transplantations have been performed in Germany. Through the use of the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab and a highly selective immunoadsorption treatment, the recipient's antibodies against the foreign blood group are removed before the transplantation to minimize the risk of an antibody-mediated acute rejection reaction after the transplantation.

On-demand strategy as an alternative to conventionally scheduled post-transplant immunoadsorptions after ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation.

Background: Since 2001, approximately 100 ABO-incompatible kidney transplantations have been performed in Europe. The standard protocol, employed by most transplant centres, uses rituximab and scheduled pre-emptive antigen-specific immunoadsorption on post-operative days 3, 6 and 9.

Methods: Our centre has performed 22 ABO-incompatible kidney transplantations since 2004, using a different approach; like in Sweden, all patients received immunoadsorptions preoperatively, but instead of scheduling pre-emptive post-transplant immunoadsorptions, we submitted patients to immunoadsorptions post-operatively only, if their isoagglutinine titers (IgG-Anti-A or -B) exceeded certain thresholds.

Implementation of a Protocol for ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation--a three-center experience with 60 consecutive transplantations.

Background: A new protocol for ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation has recently been introduced. We report here on the joint experience of the implementation in Stockholm and Uppsala, Sweden and Freiburg, Germany.

Methods: The new protocol utilizes antigen-specific immunoadsorption to remove existing ABO-antibodies, rituximab, and intravenous immunoglobulin to prevent the rebound of antibodies, and conventional tacrolimus, mycophenolate-mofetil, and prednisolone immunosuppression.

Microarray analysis reveals influence of the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide on gene transcription profiles in human epithelial cells.

Sesquiterpene lactones are known for their anti-inflammatory activity which has been proven in various assays on DNA, mRNA and protein level. Here we report on the change in the gene expression profile in TNF-alpha stimulated human 293 cells after treatment with parthenolide using a cDNA microarray analysis. Twenty-one of 7028 genes were found to be up- and 18 down-regulated.

Primary mouse hepatocytes for systems biology approaches: a standardized in vitro system for modelling of signal transduction pathways.

Complex cellular networks regulate regeneration, detoxification and differentiation of hepatocytes. By combining experimental data with mathematical modelling, systems biology holds great promises to elucidate the key regulatory mechanisms involved and predict targets for efficient intervention. For the generation of high-quality quantitative data suitable for mathematical modelling a standardised in vitro system is essential.

Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and reconstruction.

Renal artery stenosis is common especially in patients with generalized atherosclerosis. It is frequently associated with difficult-to-treat hypertension and with renal failure. There is an ongoing debate about the appropriate screening and treatment of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.

Living-donor kidney transplantation: the Freiburg experience.

Background And Aim: The objective of this study was to determine outcome after living-donor kidney transplantation in a single-center institution in Germany.

Materials And Methods: From 1976 to May 2005, a total of 298 living-donor kidney transplants were performed at the University of Freiburg. Most recipients (78.

Steroid refractory episcleritis as early manifestation of neurosyphilis.

Since the incidence of syphilis is constantly rising in western countries during the last few years the awareness of atypical presentations of this treatable disease is warranted. Especially since early treatment results in complete elimination of Treponema pallidum, thus preventing disabilities and neurological deterioration as a consequence of late stage infection. We describe a case in which a patient with asymptomatic neurosyphilis presented with a history of longstanding episcleritis.

Host cell responses induced by hepatitis C virus binding.

Initiation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is mediated by docking of the viral envelope to the hepatocyte cell surface membrane followed by entry of the virus into the host cell. Aiming to elucidate the impact of this interaction on host cell biology, we performed a genomic analysis of the host cell response following binding of HCV to cell surface proteins. As ligands for HCV-host cell surface interaction, we used recombinant envelope glycoproteins and HCV-like particles (HCV-LPs) recently shown to bind or enter hepatocytes and human hepatoma cells.

ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation using antigen-specific immunoadsorption and rituximab: a single center experience.

Background: For years ABO-incompatible kidney transplantations were preferentially performed in Japanese centers. In order to overcome the increased risk of humoral rejections, patients were treated with multiple sessions of plasmapheresis, intensified immunosuppressive therapy and splenectomy before transplantation. Despite good long-term results regarding patient and organ survival rates, increased morbidity during the early post-transplant period prevented a broad application of this method.