Publications by authors named "Harms G"

Blood vessel formation relies on biochemical and mechanical signals, particularly during sprouting angiogenesis when endothelial tip cells (TCs) guide sprouting through filopodia formation. The contribution of BMP receptors in defining tip-cell characteristics is poorly understood. Our study combines genetic, biochemical, and molecular methods together with 3D traction force microscopy, which reveals an essential role of BMPR2 for actin-driven filopodia formation and mechanical properties of endothelial cells (ECs).

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Background: Excess fibrotic remodeling causes cardiac dysfunction in ischemic heart disease, driven by MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase-dependent TGF-ß1 (transforming growth factor-ß1) activation by coagulation signaling of myeloid cells. How coagulation-inflammatory circuits can be specifically targeted to achieve beneficial macrophage reprogramming after myocardial infarction (MI) is not completely understood.

Methods: Mice with permanent ligation of the left anterior descending artery were used to model nonreperfused MI and analyzed by single-cell RNA sequencing, protein expression changes, confocal microscopy, and longitudinal monitoring of recovery.

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Background: American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) shows variable response to therapy, but data on species-specific treatment efficacy is scarce. We describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with ACL imported to a tertiary centre in Germany and determine whether species-specific therapy according to the 2014 "LeishMan" group recommendations is associated with cure.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted at the Charité Institute of International Health in Berlin.

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Tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) is an organic hydroperoxide widely used as a model compound to induce oxidative stress. It leads to a plethora of cellular damage, including lipid peroxidation, DNA double-strand breaks (DNA DSBs), and breakdown of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). We could show in several cell lines that t-BuOOH induces ferroptosis, triggered by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation.

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Tissue-resident memory CD8 T cells (T) reside at sites of previous infection, providing protection against reinfection with the same pathogen. In the skin, T patrol the epidermis, where keratinocytes are the entry site for many viral infections. Epidermal T react rapidly to cognate antigen encounter with the secretion of cytokines and differentiation into cytotoxic effector cells, constituting a first line of defense against skin reinfection.

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Hard tissue formation patterns and rates reveal details of animal physiology, life history, and environment, but are understudied in reptiles. Here, we use fluorescence labels delivered in vivo and laser confocal scanning microscopy to study tooth and bone formation in a managed group of green iguanas (Iguana iguana, Linné 1758) kept for 1.5 years under experimentally controlled conditions and undergoing several dietary switches.

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The actin cytoskeleton is tightly controlled by RhoGTPases, actin binding-proteins and nucleation-promoting factors to perform fundamental cellular functions. We have previously shown that ERK3, an atypical MAPK, controls IL-8 production and chemotaxis (Bogueka et al., 2020).

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Primary cilia are microtubule-based cell organelles important for cellular communication. Since they are involved in the regulation of numerous signalling pathways, defects in cilia development or function are associated with genetic disorders, collectively called ciliopathies. Besides their ciliary functions, recent research has shown that several ciliary proteins are involved in the coordination of the actin cytoskeleton.

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Despite major advances in acute interventions for myocardial infarction (MI), adverse cardiac remodeling and excess fibrosis after MI causing ischemic heart failure (IHF) remain a leading cause of death worldwide. Here we identify a profibrotic coagulation signaling pathway that can be targeted for improved cardiac function following MI with persistent ischemia. Quantitative phosphoproteomics of cardiac tissue revealed an upregulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in human IHF.

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Microglia are phagocytosis-competent CNS cells comprising a spectrum of subtypes with beneficial and/or detrimental functions in acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders. The heterogeneity of microglia suggests differences in phagocytic activity and phenotype plasticity between microglia subtypes. To study these issues, primary murine glial cultures were cultivated in the presence of serum, different growth factors and cytokines to obtain M0-like, M1-like, and M2-like microglia as confirmed by morphology, M1/M2 gene marker expression, and nitric oxide assay.

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Objectives: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Asia, Northern, and Sub-Saharan Africa is mainly caused by Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica. We describe and evaluate the treatment outcome of CL among travelers and migrants in Europe.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of parasitological confirmed CL cases caused by L.

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Background: Stimulated dendritic cells (DCs), which constitute the most potent population of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), express the actin-bundling protein Fascin-1 (Fscn1). In tumor cells, de novo expression of Fscn1 correlates with their invasive and metastatic properties. Therefore, Fscn1 inhibitors have been developed to serve as antitumor agents.

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Article Synopsis
  • Surveillance of human leishmaniasis in Europe is mainly limited to specific countries, focusing on local infections, and lacks integrated analysis across different nations until now.
  • This study aimed to provide a broader viewpoint by analyzing cases of autochthonous and imported leishmaniasis from 15 medical centers across 11 European countries over a five-year period.
  • Results showed 1,142 diagnosed cases, with a majority being cutaneous leishmaniasis imported from outside Europe, emphasizing the need for collaborative data collection to monitor changing patterns of the disease.
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Article Synopsis
  • Therapy resistance is a key factor in cancer mortality, necessitating personalized medicine approaches, including the use of nanoparticles (NPs) designed to target specific resistance mechanisms.
  • Researchers identified the ion channel LRRC8A as a critical player in cisplatin resistance in cancer cells, confirmed through advanced technologies such as next-generation sequencing and CRISPR/Cas9.
  • They developed biocompatible polysarcosine-based nanoparticles loaded with cisplatin that effectively bypassed the LRRC8A transport pathway, significantly improving efficacy against cisplatin-resistant cancer cells compared to standard treatments.
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Our aim was to identify sexual risk behavior among HIV-negative pregnant women in Kabarole District, Uganda, by conducting a cross-sectional study among 1610 women within three healthcare settings. One in six women engaged in HIV-specific risk behaviors including multiple sexual partners or alcohol abuse; 80% of the pregnant women reported to generally abstain from using condoms. In multivariate analysis, predictors of sexual risk behavior included being a client of the public health facilities as compared to the private facility (AOR 3.

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Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is frequent in travellers and can involve oro-nasal mucosae. Clinical presentation impacts therapeutic management.

Methodology: Demographic and clinical data from 459 travellers infected in 47 different countries were collected by members of the European LeishMan consortium.

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Background: Nonsterile gloves (NSG) are often overused, while the emphasis should lie in hand hygiene (HH). Furthermore, improper HH leads to contamination of NSG in glove boxes. The aim of this study was to compare microbial loads on hands from health-care workers (HCW) after HH to NSG and to study the influence of position and filling level of glove boxes on contamination rates.

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Introduction: Serum calcification propensity is emerging as an independent predictor for cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk populations. Calcification propensity can be monitored by the maturation time of calciprotein particles in serum (T test). A low T value is an independent determinant of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in various populations.

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Background: The Syrian conflict has led to a dramatic increase of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), triggered by continuous population displacements, disrupted control programmes, poor shelter and sanitation.

Methods: A retrospective patient record study was conducted at the Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health in Berlin. Records of all refugees from Syria treated for CL between January 2015 and March 2020 were reviewed.

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Objectives: The study attempted to determine the incidence of HIV among pregnant women in Kabarole District, Uganda, and to identify socio-demographic and behavioral risk factors for seroconversion during pregnancy.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective cohort study among women for whom a documented HIV-negative test result from the first pregnancy trimester could be confirmed using available records, and who were HIV-retested in the third trimester or during delivery. In total, 1610 pregnant women from three different healthcare settings took part in the study.

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ERK3 is a ubiquitously expressed member of the atypical mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the physiological significance of its short half-life remains unclear. By employing gastrointestinal 3D organoids, we detect that ERK3 protein levels steadily decrease during epithelial differentiation. ERK3 is not required for 3D growth of human gastric epithelium.

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Hyalinosis is a vascular lesion affecting the renal vasculature and contributing to aging-related renal function decline. We assessed whether arteriolar hyalinosis is caused by Klotho deficiency, a state known to induce both renal and vascular phenotypes associated with aging. Histochemistry was used to assess hyalinosis in Klotho kidneys, compared with Klotho and wild-type littermates.

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Aims: Oxidative stress is a driver in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) complications. As thiols (R-SH) are oxidized by reactive oxygen and sulfur species, circulating concentrations may directly reflect systemic redox status. We hypothesized that high serum R-SH concentrations are a reflection of a favourable redox status and may therefore positively associate with disease status.

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Background: Sierra Leone has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Encouraging the use of skilled birth attendance in health facilities is an important step in the endeavor to increase the number of safe deliveries. However, public trust in health facilities has been greatly damaged during the Ebola epidemic outbreak in Sierra Leone in 2014/2015, and little is known about external and intrinsic barriers to facility-based delivery (FBD) in the country since the end of the Ebola epidemic.

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