cometadata/datacite-rtg-text-other-reclassification-records huggingface dataset:
Binding of the chemokine SLC/CCL21 to its receptor CCR7 increases adhesive properties of human mesangial cells
Creators: name: Banas, Bernhard
name: Wörnle, Markus
name: Merkle, Monika
name: Gonzalez-Rubio, Mercedes
name: Schmid, Holger
name: Kretzler, Matthias
name: Pietrzyk, Miriam C.
name: Fink, Monika
name: Perez de Lema, Guillermo
name: Schlöndorff, Detlef
Publisher: name: Universität Regensburg
Year: 2004
Subjects: subject: adhesion; chemokine; chemokine receptor; mesangial cell; cytoskeleton; detachment; homeostasis
subject: 610 Medizin

description: BACKGROUND: Adherence of human mesangial cells to the surrounding matrix contributes to glomerular homeostasis and is important for the maintenance of glomerular architecture and function in normal adult human kidney. The expression of chemokines and corresponding chemokine receptors on adjacent intrinsic renal cells indicates a novel chemokine/chemokine receptor function on nonimmune cells important for glomerular homeostasis. A constitutive expression of the chemokine SLC/CCL21 on human podocytes and of its corresponding receptor CCR7 on mesangial cells was shown before. SLC/CCL21 has a positive effect on proliferation and migration of mesangial cells and leads to increased cell survival in Fas-induced apoptosis. In leukocytes chemokines mediate integrin-dependent firm adhesion. Therefore, we examined the influence of chemokine receptor CCR7 activation by SLC/CCL21 on adhesive properties of human mesangial cells to matrix molecules. METHODS: Adhesion assays, mechanical detachment assays, and evaluation of integrin activation by integrin-linked kinase activity were performed. Changes in the cytoskeletal F-actin were illustrated by phalloidin immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: SLC/CCL21 stimulation enhanced adhesiveness to fibronectin in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. SLC/CCL21 also increased the firmness of mesangial cells adhesion as judged by detachment assays. Furthermore activation of integrin-linked kinase occurred with SLC/CCL21 addition to mesangial cells, resulting in increased phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt). Exposure of mesangial cells to SLC/CCL21 also resulted in F-actin rearrangements with membrane ruffling and extensions leading to bridging between mesangial cells. CONCLUSION: Activation of CCR7 on mesangial cells by SLC/CCL21 enhances the degree and firmness of cell adhesion and increases cell spreading and the formation of cell-cell contacts. This includes integrin-linked kinase activation and F-actin rearrangements. Thus, local chemokine generation and chemokine receptor expression on mesangial cells may play an important role in the maintenance of glomerular homeostasis and in local remodeling processes.
Rubio de Francia's extrapolation theory: estimates for the distribution function
Creators: name: Carro, María J.
name: Soria, Javier
name: Torres, Rodolfo H.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2010
Subjects: subject: Classical Analysis and ODEs (math.CA)
subject: Functional Analysis (math.FA)
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: 42B35, 46E30

description: Let $T$ be an arbitrary operator bounded from $L^{p_0}(w)$ into $L^{p_0, \infty}(w)$ for every weight $w$ in the Muckenhoupt class $A_{p_0}$. It is proved in this article that the distribution function of $Tf$ with respect to any weight $u$ can be essentially majorized by the distribution function of $Mf$ with respect to $u$ (plus an integral term easy to control). As a consequence, well-known extrapolation results, including results in a multilinear setting, can be obtained with very simple proofs. New applications in extrapolation for two-weight problems and estimates on rearrangement invariant spaces are established too.
description: 29 pages
Chemokine receptor Ccr2 deficiency reduces renal disease and prolongs survival in MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice
Creators: name: de Lema, Guillermo Pérez
name: Maier, Holger
name: Franz, Tobias J.
name: Escribese, Maríia
name: Chilla, Silvia
name: Segerer, Stephan
name: Camarasa, Natalia
name: Schmid, Holger
name: Banas, Bernhard
name: Kalaydjiev, Svetoslav
name: Busch, Dirk H.
name: Pfeffer, Klaus
name: Mampaso, Francisco
name: Schlöndorff, Detlef
name: Luckow, Bruno
Publisher: name: Universität Regensburg
Year: 2005
Subjects: subject: 610 Medizin

description: MRL/MpJ-Fas(lpr)/J (MRL/lpr) mice represent a well-established mouse model of human systemic lupus erythematosus. MRL/lpr mice homozygous for the spontaneous lymphoproliferation mutation (lpr) are characterized by systemic autoimmunity, massive lymphadenopathy associated with proliferation of aberrant T cells, splenomegaly, hypergammaglobulinemia, arthritis, and fatal immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis. It was reported previously that steady-state mRNA levels for the chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 (Ccr2) continuously increase in kidneys of MRL/lpr mice. For examining the role of Ccr2 for development and progression of immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis, Ccr2-deficient mice were generated and backcrossed onto the MRL/lpr genetic background. Ccr2-deficient MRL/lpr mice developed less lymphadenopathy, had less proteinuria, had reduced lesion scores, and had less infiltration by T cells and macrophages in the glomerular and tubulointerstitial compartment. Ccr2-deficient MRL/lpr mice survived significantly longer than MRL/lpr wild-type mice despite similar levels of circulating immunoglobulins and comparable immune complex depositions in the glomeruli of both groups. Anti-dsDNA antibody levels, however, were reduced in the absence of Ccr2. The frequency of CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood was significantly lower in Ccr2-deficient MRL/lpr mice. Thus Ccr2 deficiency influenced not only monocyte/macrophage and T cell infiltration in the kidney but also the systemic T cell response in MRL/lpr mice. These data suggest an important role for Ccr2 both in the general development of autoimmunity and in the renal involvement of the lupus-like disease. These results identify Ccr2 as an additional possible target for the treatment of lupus nephritis.
Colloidal ionic complexes on periodic substrates: ground state configurations and pattern switching
Creators: name: Shawish, Samir El
name: Dobnikar, Jure
name: Trizac, Emmanuel
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2011
Subjects: subject: Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We theoretically and numerically studied ordering of "colloidal ionic clusters" on periodic substrate potentials as those generated by optical trapping. Each cluster consists of three charged spherical colloids: two negatively and one positively charged. The substrate is a square or rectangular array of traps, each confining one such cluster. By varying the lattice constant from large to small, the observed clusters are first rod-like and form ferro- and antiferro-like phases, then they bend into a banana-like shape and finally condense into a percolated structure. Remarkably, in a broad parameter range between single-cluster and percolated structures, we have found stable supercomplexes composed of six colloids forming grape-like or rocket-like structures. We investigated the possibility of macroscopic pattern switching by applying external electrical fields.
description: 14 pages, 13 figures
Derrida's Generalized Random Energy models 4: Continuous state branching and coalescents
Creators: name: Bovier, Anton
name: Kurkova, Irina
Publisher: name: Weierstrass Institute
Year: 2003
Subjects: subject: Gaussian processes
subject: generalized random energy model
subject: continuous state branching process
subject: subordinators
subject: coalescent processes
subject: genealogy
subject: Ghirlanda-Guerra identities
subject: 82B44
subject: 60G70
subject: 60K35

description: In this paper we conclude our analysis of Derrida's Generalized Random Energy Models (GREM) by identifying the thermodynamic limit with a one-parameter family of probability measures related to a continuous state branching process introduced by Neveu. Using a construction introduced by Bertoin and Le Gall in terms of a coherent family of subordinators related to Neveu's branching process, we show how the Gibbs geometry of the limiting Gibbs measure is given in terms of the genealogy of this process via a deterministic time-change. This construction is fully universal in that all different models (characterized by the covariance of the underlying Gaussian process) differ only through that time change, which in turn is expressed in terms of Parisi's overlap distribution. The proof uses strongly the Ghirlanda-Guerra identities that impose the structure of Neveu's process as the only possible asymptotic random mechanism.
Radical prostatectomy and work : men's perspectives
Creators: name: Yu Ko, Wellam F.
Publisher: name: University of British Columbia
Year: 2018

description: The objective of this study was to explore the connections between men’s experiences of work, prostate cancer and radical prostatectomy to develop a grounded theory that describes the processes used by participants to reformulate the worker identity. The research questions that guided the study were:1.How does screening and diagnosis of prostate cancer affect men and their work? and 2. How are participants’ work-related experiences affected following radical prostatectomy? Digitally recorded, in-depth, individual interviews were conducted with 24 English speaking men who were working at the time of prostate cancer diagnosis and subsequently underwent radical prostatectomy. Constructivist grounded theory guided collection and analysis of the data. A masculinities framework highlighted the ways in which gender shaped participants’ experiences. Findings suggest that work was central to participants’ masculine identities and was an activity that benefited men and their families. Related to this, finding prostate cancer emerged as a threat to most men’s health and work, and a stark reminder of their mortality. Choosing radical prostatectomy was viewed as necessary in treating the disease to ensure survival. In preparing the workplace for their absence due to surgery, men made sick leave arrangements with the aim of minimizing disruptions to workplace productivity. The basic social process of Reformulating the Worker Identity after radical prostatectomy was developed. Results indicate that men reformulated worker identities to accommodate treatment side-effects and challenges for fully resuming work responsibilities. This process comprised two parts. First, recovering after radical prostatectomy allowed men to restore physical strength to resume daily activities through processes that included embodying the sick role, contesting side-effects, and conceding new realities wherein men drew on masculine ideals of resilience and responsibility for solving one’s problems, and by reconciling the changes surgery had imposed on their lives. Second, in re-negotiating work expectations, men adjusted work responsibilities to facilitate their return to work by assessing work capacity, re-balancing work and health, and re-setting work obligations, wherein men reevaluated the importance of work in relation to emergent health needs and lobbied for return to work accommodations needed to sustain ongoing recovery.
Cardiovascular risk estimates and risk factors in renal transplant recipients
Creators: name: Krämer, B. K.
name: Böger, C.
name: Krüger, B.
name: Marienhagen, J.
name: Pietrzyk, M.
name: Obed, A.
name: Paczek, L.
name: Mack, M.
name: Banas, B.
Publisher: name: Universität Regensburg
Year: 2005
Subjects: subject: 610 Medizin

description: Cardiovascular morbidity, including coronary artery disease and left ventricular hypertrophy, and mortality are high in patients following renal transplantation. Cardiovascular disease is thought to be due to traditional (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus and smoking) as well as nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors (microinflammation). Furthermore, immunosuppressive drugs, namely, calcineurin inhibitors, sirolimus, and steroids, have been reported to adversely affect cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia). Evidence from comparative trials and from conversion studies suggest that blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia after renal transplantation may be differentially affected by the calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporine and tacrolimus. In the European Tacrolimus versus Cyclosporin A Microemulsion Renal Transplantation Study, 557 patients were randomly allocated to therapy with tacrolimus (n = 286) versus cyclosporine (n = 271). In addition, to blood pressure, serum cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood glucose, we estimated the 10-year risk of coronary heart disease (Framingham risk score). Tacrolimus resulted in a significantly lower time-weighted average of serum cholesterol (P < .001), and mean arterial blood pressure (P < .05), but a higher time-weighted average of blood glucose (P < .01) than cyclosporine. Mean 10-year coronary artery disease risk estimate was significantly lower in men treated with tacrolimus, (10.0% versus 13.2%; P < .01) but was unchanged in women (4.7% versus 7.0%). Tacrolimus and cyclosporine microemulsion have compound-specific effects on cardiovascular risk factors that differentially affect the predicted rate of coronary artery disease.
Local and global persistence exponents of two quenched continuous lattice spin models
Creators: name: Bhar, Shyamal
name: Dutta, Subhrajit
name: Roy, Soumen Kumar
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2010
Subjects: subject: Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: Local and global persistence exponents associated with zero temperature quenched dynamics of two dimensional XY model and three dimensional Heisenberg model have been estimated using numerical simulations. We have used the method of block persistence to find both global and local exponents simultaneously (in a single simulation). Temperature universality of both the exponents for three dimensional Heisenberg model has been confirmed by simulating the stochastic (with noise) version of the equation of motion. The noise amplitudes added were small enough to retain the dynamics below criticality. In the second part of our work we have studied scaling associated with correlated persistence sites in the three dimensional Heisenberg model in the later stages of the dynamics. The relevant length scale associated with correlated persistent sites was found to behave in a manner similar to the dynamic length scale associated with the phase ordering dynamics.
description: 20 pages, 7 figures
Many-server diffusion limits for $G/Ph/n+GI$ queues
Creators: name: Dai, J. G.
name: He, Shuangchi
name: Tezcan, Tolga
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2010
Subjects: subject: Probability (math.PR)
subject: FOS: Mathematics

description: This paper studies many-server limits for multi-server queues that have a phase-type service time distribution and allow for customer abandonment. The first set of limit theorems is for critically loaded $G/Ph/n+GI$ queues, where the patience times are independent and identically distributed following a general distribution. The next limit theorem is for overloaded $G/ Ph/n+M$ queues, where the patience time distribution is restricted to be exponential. We prove that a pair of diffusion-scaled total-customer-count and server-allocation processes, properly centered, converges in distribution to a continuous Markov process as the number of servers $n$ goes to infinity. In the overloaded case, the limit is a multi-dimensional diffusion process, and in the critically loaded case, the limit is a simple transformation of a diffusion process. When the queues are critically loaded, our diffusion limit generalizes the result by Puhalskii and Reiman (2000) for $GI/Ph/n$ queues without customer abandonment. When the queues are overloaded, the diffusion limit provides a refinement to a fluid limit and it generalizes a result by Whitt (2004) for $M/M/n/+M$ queues with an exponential service time distribution. The proof techniques employed in this paper are innovative. First, a perturbed system is shown to be equivalent to the original system. Next, two maps are employed in both fluid and diffusion scalings. These maps allow one to prove the limit theorems by applying the standard continuous-mapping theorem and the standard random-time-change theorem.
description: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/09-AAP674 the Annals of Applied Probability (http://www.imstat.org/aap/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org)
Steroid withdrawal or steroid avoidance in renal transplant recipients: focus on tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimens
Creators: name: Krämer, B. K.
name: Krüger, B.
name: Mack, M.
name: Obed, A.
name: Banas, B.
name: Paczek, L.
name: Schlitt, H. J.
Publisher: name: Universität Regensburg
Year: 2005
Subjects: subject: 610 Medizin

description: Steroid-induced adverse effects after transplantation include cosmetic, metabolic, and cardiovascular complications. Steroid withdrawal or avoidance with cyclosporine-based regimens have been hampered by an unacceptably high rate of acute rejections and increased rates of graft loss. Recently the results of several large, randomized trials of steroid withdrawal/avoidance with tacrolimus-based immunosuppression in renal transplant recipients became available. A review of these trials appeared to be of clinical interest. Data from the THOMAS trial clearly indicate that steroid withdrawal from a regimen of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), steroids after 3 months after transplantation is safe with regard to acute rejection rate and graft survival. If an induction therapy with daclizumab is used in combination with tacrolimus and MMF (CARMEN trial), even steroid avoidance is safe with regard to acute rejection rate and graft survival. Finally, in the ATLAS trial, steroid avoidance with basiliximab in combination with tacrolimus (resulting in tacrolimus monotherapy) or alternatively with tacrolimus and MMF both resulted in similar graft survival, but higher rates of acute rejection. In conclusion, steroid withdrawal is safe from a triple-drug regimen of tacrolimus, MMF, and steroids after 3 months after transplantation, and steroid use may completely be avoided with tacrolimus, and MMF combined with daclizumab induction. Tacrolimus monotherapy may be achieved using basiliximab induction at the price of higher rates of acute rejection, but with unaffected graft survival. Thus tacrolimus-based immunosuppression with or without interleukin-2 receptor antagonist induction has made steroid withdrawal or avoidance a realistic option in renal transplantation.
Impact of Fuel Injection Temperature Dynamics on the Stability of Liquid Oxygen-Methane Supercritical Combustion
Creators: name: Sharma, Abhishek
name: De, Ashoke
name: Kumar, S. Sunil
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2025
Subjects: subject: Fluid Dynamics (physics.flu-dyn)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: A crucial factor in the stability of high-pressure rocket-scale combustors is the temperature at which fuel is injected. This study investigates its effect on the stability of supercritical liquid oxygen (LOx)-methane combustion and highlights the impact of shear layer dynamics in cases with lower injection temperatures. The stability features of a rocket-scale combustor operating with multiple injector elements are investigated using a high-fidelity large eddy simulation (LES) framework. The numerical framework combines a flamelet-generated manifold (FGM) combustion model with complex real gas thermodynamics in a scale-resolving simulation setup. It reproduces the non-equilibrium transcritical injection and supercritical combustion characteristics of supercritical methane-oxygen flames. To ascertain the effect of injection temperature on flame and combustor stability, we perform several LES simulations at various methane injection temperatures and produce a stability map. Our analysis shows extremely unstable flame characteristics at lower fuel injection temperatures that are not seen under typical fuel injection circumstances. Below a specific methane injection temperature, LES captures a high-amplitude, self-sustaining instability. It is determined that the combustor becomes unstable below a specific stability boundary temperature. Detailed spectral and dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) analysis of the stable and unstable cases reveals the onset of longitudinal acoustic waves in the combustor. Our thorough investigation pinpoints the instability mechanism, emphasizing that the leading causes of this self-sustaining instability in the combustor are a reduced velocity ratio, fuel buildup, and fuel cut-off occurrences.
Effects of mycophenolate mofetil on donor-specific antibody formation in renal transplantation
Creators: name: Lederer, Stephan R.
name: Friedrich, Nicole
name: Banas, Bernhard
name: Welser, Georg
name: Albert, Ekkehard D.
name: Sitter, Thomas
Publisher: name: Universität Regensburg
Year: 2005
Subjects: subject: 610 Medizin

description: BACKGROUND: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a routinely used immunosuppressive agent that selectively blocks T- and B-lymphocyte proliferation. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of this drug on human leukocyte(HLA) antibody production in general and donor-specific antibody (DSA) formation in particular in 154 recipients of renal allografts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Renal allograft recipients were subdivided into three groups. Group 1 patients (n = 60) had received MMF since transplantation in combination with either cyclosporin A or tacrolimus and steroids. Group 2 patients (n = 29) had received an MMF-free immunosuppressive regimen initially followed by addition of MMF some time later. Group 3 patients (n = 65) had received no MMF. Cyclosporin A or tacrolimus in combination with azathioprine and/or steroids were used for immunosuppression. DSA were demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of panel-reactive antibodies of HLA class I and II specificity. RESULTS: The HLA antibodies were found in 16.7%, 27.6% and 30.8% of transplant recipients in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. DSA were found in 8.3%, 17.2% and 20.0%, and non-DSA in 10.0%, 20.7% and 24.6%, of patients in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. CONCLUSION: The MMF reduces anti-HLA class I and II antibody production and consequently DSA production in renal allograft recipients. Our data indicate this effect to be more pronounced in patients given MMF immediately after transplantation than in those in whom MMF is introduced some time later. The presence of DSA in the serum of renal allograft recipients is associated with poorer graft function (higher serum creatinine and more rejection episodes).
EEG_NIRS_HRF_scripts.zip
Creators: name: Acharya, Deepshikha
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2022
Subjects: Neuroscience

description: Scripts for - Acharya D, Ruesch A, Schmitt S, Yang J, Smith MA, Kainerstorfer JM. Changes in neurovascular coupling with cerebral perfusion pressure indicate a link to cerebral autoregulation. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism. January 2022. doi:10.1177/0271678X221076566
A surface electrode point Paul trap
Creators: name: Kim, Tony Hyun
name: Herskind, Peter F.
name: Kim, Taehyun
name: Kim, Jungsang
name: Chuang, Isaac L.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2010
Subjects: subject: Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
subject: Atomic Physics (physics.atom-ph)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We present a model as well as experimental results for a surface electrode radio-frequency Paul trap that has a circular electrode geometry well-suited for trapping of single ions and two-dimensional planar ion crystals. The trap design is compatible with microfabrication and offers a simple method by which the height of the trapped ions above the surface may be changed \emph{in situ}. We demonstrate trapping of single and few Sr+ ions over an ion height range of 200-1000 microns for several hours under Doppler laser cooling, and use these to characterize the trap, finding good agreement with our model.
description: 10 pages, 11 figures, 1 table
Enhanced ecto-apyrase activity of stimulated endothelial or mesangial cells is downregulated by glucocorticoids in vitro
Creators: name: Kapojos, Jola J.
name: van den Berg, Anke
name: Borghuis, Theo
name: Banas, Bernhard
name: Huitema, Sippie
name: Poelstra, Klaas
name: Bakker, Winston W.
Publisher: name: Universität Regensburg
Year: 2004
Subjects: subject: 610 Medizin

description: Endothelial as well as mesangial cells show enhanced activity of ecto-apyrase following pro-inflammatory stimulation in vitro. Since this ecto-enzyme appears to be able to regulate plasma hemopexin, which latter molecule plays a role in the pathogenesis of corticosteroid responsive nephrotic syndrome, the question was raised whether glucocorticoids are potentially able to downregulate ecto-apyrase activity of these cells. Therefore, cell cultures of endothelial or mesangial were stimulated with or without lipopolysaccharide (10 ng/ml). Parallel cultures were supplemented with prednisolone with or without the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone in various concentrations. After 24 h, cytospins were prepared and cytochemically stained for ecto-apyrase activity. mRNA for apyrase of these cells was detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Apyrase activity of either cells or soluble apyrase (0.16 U/ml buffer) with or without supplementation of prednisolone were biochemically assayed for their phosphatase activity. The results show significantly decreased ecto-apyrase activity of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells after treatment with prednisolone as compared to non-prednisolone-treated cells. Preincubation with mifepristone did not inhibit the effect of prednisolone. Identical mRNA signals for apyrase were found in prednisolone and non-prednisolone-treated cells. Interestingly, soluble apyrase also showed a significant decrease of activity following preincubation with prednisolone. It is concluded that prednisolone is able to downregulate ecto-apyrase of stimulated endothelial or mesangial cells, which may potentially inhibit the conversion of hemopexin to its pro-inflammatory isoform. As blocking of the cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor showed no effect upon the prednisolone action, whereas prednisolone is able to affect soluble apyrase per se, it is felt that this particular action of prednisolone may (at least partly) be mediated through a non-genomic pathway.
Expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR3 in human renal allografts--a prospective study
Creators: name: Hoffmann, Ute
name: Segerer, Stephan
name: Rümmele, Petra
name: Krüger, Bernd
name: Pietrzyk, Miriam
name: Hofstädter, Ferdinand
name: Banas, Bernhard
name: Krämer, Bernhard K.
Publisher: name: Universität Regensburg
Year: 2006
Subjects: subject: chemokine receptors; CXCR3; human renal allograft rejection; immunohistochemistry
subject: 610 Medizin

description: BACKGROUND: Mechanisms involved in the recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells during renal allograft injury are still incompletely understood. Since chemokines play pivotal roles in this process, our prospective study was performed to evaluate further the role of the chemokine receptor CXCR3. METHODS: A total of 138 biopsies were included from patients without rejection and unaltered morphology (according to Banff 97 classification grade 1, n = 49), with acute interstitial rejection (Banff grade 4 type I, n = 8), with acute vascular rejection (Banff grade 4 type II, n = 23), with chronic allograft nephropathy (Banff grade 5, n = 16), without rejection but with various other lesions (Banff grade 6, n = 36) and from pre-transplant kidneys (n = 6). The expression of CXCR3-, CD4- and CD8-positive cells was localized by immunohistochemistry and quantified by image analysis. RESULTS: CXCR3 was expressed by infiltrating inflammatory cells, but not by intrinsic renal structures. CXCR3-positive cells were found to be involved in tubulitis and vascular rejection. The area of CXCR3-positive staining was significantly larger in biopsies with acute interstitial rejection (P<0.001) and acute vascular rejection (P<0.001) as compared with normal renal graft biopsies. There was a strong morphological and numerical correlation between CXCR3 and both CD4- and CD8-positive T cells, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A significant part of both CD4- and CD8-positive T cells express the chemokine receptor CXCR3. During renal allograft rejection, the number of these cells increases significantly at the site of injury and might be targeted by CXCR3 blocking agents.
Localization and functional characterization of glycosaminoglycan domains in the normal human kidney as revealed by phage display-derived single chain antibodies
Creators: name: Lensen, Joost F. M.
name: Rops, Angelique L. W. M. M.
name: Wijnhoven, Tessa J. M.
name: Hafmans, Theo
name: Feitz, Wouter F. J.
name: Oosterwijk, Egbert
name: Banas, Bernhard
name: Bindels, René J. M.
name: van den Heuvel, Lambert P. W. J.
name: van der Vlag, Johan
name: Berden, Jo H. M.
name: van Kuppevelt, Toin H.
Publisher: name: Universität Regensburg
Year: 2005
Subjects: subject: 610 Medizin

description: Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) play an important role in renal homeostasis. They are strongly negatively charged polysaccharides that bind and modulate a myriad of proteins, including growth factors, cytokines, and enzymes. With the aid of specific phage display-derived antibodies, the distribution of heparan sulfate (HS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) domains in the normal human kidney was studied. HS domains were specifically located in basement membranes and/or surfaces of renal cells and displayed a characteristic distribution over the nephron. A characteristic location in specific parts of the tubular system was also observed. CS showed mainly an interstitial location. Immunoelectron microscopy indicated specific ultrastructural location of domains. Only partial overlap with any of seven different proteoglycan core proteins was observed. Two HS domains, one highly sulfated (defined by antibody HS4C3) and one low sulfated (defined by antibody RB4Ea12), were studied for their cell biologic relevance with respect to the proliferative effect of FGF-2 on human mesangial cells in vitro. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) binding was HS dependent. Addition of purified HS4C3 antibody but not of the RB4Ea12 antibody counteracted the binding and the proliferative effect of FGF-2, indicating that the HS4C3 domain is involved in FGF-2 handling by mesangial cells. In conclusion, specific GAG domains are differentially distributed in the normal human kidney and are likely involved in binding of effector molecules such as FGF-2. The availability of tools to identify and study relevant GAG structures allows the development of glycomimetica to halt, for instance, mesangial proliferation and matrix production as seen in diabetic nephropathy.
Calderón-Zygmund operators related to Laguerre function expansions of convolution type
Creators: name: Nowak, Adam
name: Szarek, Tomasz
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2011
Subjects: subject: Classical Analysis and ODEs (math.CA)
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: 42C05 (Primary) 42B20 (Secondary)

description: We develop a technique of proving standard estimates in the setting of Laguerre function expansions of convolution type, which works for all admissible type multi-indices $α$ in this context. This generalizes a simpler method existing in the literature, but being valid for a restricted range of $α$. As an application, we prove that several fundamental operators in harmonic analysis of the Laguerre expansions, including maximal operators related to the heat and Poisson semigroups, Riesz transforms, Littlewood-Paley-Stein type square functions and multipliers of Laplace and Laplace-Stieltjes transforms type, are (vector-valued) Calderón-Zygmund operators in the sense of the associated space of homogeneous type.
description: 18 pages
Quantitative gene expression analysis of fractalkine using laser microdissection in biopsies from kidney allografts with acute rejection
Creators: name: Pietrzyk, M. C.
name: Banas, B.
name: Wolf, K.
name: Rümmele, P.
name: Woenckhaus, M.
name: Hoffmann, U.
name: Krämer, B. K.
name: Fischereder, M.
Publisher: name: Universität Regensburg
Year: 2004
Subjects: subject: 610 Medizin

description: Percutaneous biopsy of the kidney remains the gold standard to establish a diagnosis in renal diseases. Only semiquantitative assessments of gene expression on biopsies have been possible so far. We studied gene expression of the chemokine fractalkine (FKN) in 12 biopsies from laser microdissected kidney allografts that showed histologic signs of acute rejection and 10 controls. As quantified by real-time PCR, the relative tubular FKN expression increased from 1.0 [0.81 to 2.95] (median [range]) in controls to 12.44 [0.90 to 191.0] in acute rejection (P < .01); glomerular FKN expression from 1.3 [0.07 to 27.44] to 12.22 [1.32 to 50.23] (P < .05); and vascular expression, from 0.72 [0.37 to 5.11] to 7.07 [1.19 to 73.49] (P < .01). Furthermore, there was a trend toward higher glomerular FKN expression among patients with more severe rejection. Our results suggest a role of FKN in acute renal allograft rejection.
High Critical Current Density 4 MA/cm2 in Co-Doped BaFe2As2 Epitaxial Films Grown on (La, Sr)(Al, Ta)O3 Substrates without Buffer Layers
Creators: name: Katase, Takayoshi
name: Hiramatsu, Hidenori
name: Kamiya, Toshio
name: Hosono, Hideo
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2010
Subjects: subject: Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: High critical current densities Jc of 4 MA/cm2 at 4 K were obtained in Co-doped BaFe2As2 (BaFe2As2:Co) epitaxial films grown directly on (La, Sr)(Al, Ta)O3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Use of a highly pure target and improvement of film homogeneity were the critical factors to achieve the high Jc. The improved BaFe2As2:Co epitaxial films contained almost no Fe impurity and showed high crystallinity (crystallite tilt angle delta omega = 0.5 deg and twist angle delta fai = 0.5 deg) and a sharp superconducting transition with a width of 1.1 K. It is considered that these improvements resulted in the enhanced superconducting properties comparable to those of single crystals.
description: to be published in Applied Physics Express
ROHF Theory Made Simple
Creators: name: Tsuchimochi, Takashi
name: Scuseria, Gustavo E.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2010
Subjects: subject: Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
subject: Chemical Physics (physics.chem-ph)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: Restricted open-shell Hartree-Fock (ROHF) theory is formulated as a projected self-consistent unrestricted HF (UHF) model by mathematically constraining spin density eigenvalues. The resulting constrained UHF (CUHF) wave function is identical to that obtained from Roothaan's effective Fock operator. Our $α$ and $β$ CUHF Fock operators are parameter-free and have canonical orbitals and orbital energies that are physically meaningful as in UHF, except for eliminating spin contamination. The present approach removes ambiguities in ROHF orbital energies and the non-uniqueness of methods that build upon them. We present benchmarks to demonstrate CUHF physical correctness and good agreement with experimental results.
Coping with resource curse : examining the case of extractive industry transparency initiative of Mongolia
Creators: name: Batdorj, Bulgan
Publisher: name: University of British Columbia
Year: 2018

description: This study examines the case of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative of Mongolia (EITIM) through the lens of collaborative governance theory as a coping mechanism for a type of wicked problem known as the resource curse phenomenon. Wicked problems are problems with no definitive solutions that cannot be traced to source causes. They often encompass a set of interlocking issues that are changing constantly. The resource curse is the paradox of mineral wealth leading to poor development outcomes in developing countries (Auty 1993), and is characteristic of a wicked problem. This case study employs a mixed method approach in understanding how and why the EITIM has been successful. The methodology and conceptual framework are grounded in holism, mutual causality, and interdependence theory. Descriptive analysis, quantitative analysis, and social network analysis were applied to examine the four components of the conceptual framework: system context, institutional design, collaborative process, and performance productivity. Key contributions from this work include: extracting key factors contributing to the successful practice of collaborative governance, expansion of the resource curse phenomenon and wicked problem theories, and establishing the importance of recognizing the resource curse as a wicked problem. This perspective shifts the approach, strategy and expectations around how to approach and resolve the resource curse phenomenon. It’s problem-solving approach, strategy and expectations are embraced in the research design and provide new insight into effective strategies for collaborative governance.
Rational Solutions of the H3 and Q1 Models in the ABS Lattice List
Creators: name: Shi, Ying
name: Zhang, Da-jun
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2011
Subjects: subject: Exactly Solvable and Integrable Systems (nlin.SI)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: In the paper we present rational solutions for the H3 and Q1 models in the Adler-Bobenko-Suris lattice list. These solutions are in Casoratian form and are generated by considering difference equation sets satisfied by the basic Casoratian column vector.
C-reactive protein as predictor of death in end-stage diabetic nephropathy: role of peripheral arterial disease
Creators: name: Böger, Carsten A.
name: Götz, Angela
name: Stubanus, Mike
name: Banas, Bernhard
name: Deinzer, Martina
name: Krüger, Bernd
name: Holmer, Stephan R.
name: Schmitz, Gerd
name: Riegger, Günter A. J.
name: Krämer, Bernhard K.
Publisher: name: Universität Regensburg
Year: 2005
Subjects: subject: dialysis; diabetic nephropathy; inflammation; survival; peripheral arterial disease; diabetes mellitus
subject: 610 Medizin

description: BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes type 2 receiving dialysis therapy have a poor survival prognosis, mainly due to cardiovascular events. Increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, important in atherosclerosis, are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events. However, to date no study has shown the predictive value of CRP in relation to peripheral arterial disease stage. METHODS: We enrolled all 445 prevalent patients with diabetic nephropathy receiving maintenance hemodialysis in 30 centers in Southern Germany from August 1999 to January 2000 for prospective study until December 2003. At inclusion, CRP and a complete clinical phenotype, including peripheral arterial disease Fontaine Stage were determined. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 305 (68.5%) patients died. An increased log CRP at study inclusion was significantly associated with an increase in hazard ratio (HR) by multivariate Cox regression for all-cause (HR = 1.5, P= 0.002) and cardiac death (HR = 1.76, P= 0.02) in the entire collective. This result was applicable only to patients with peripheral arterial disease Fontaine stage IV (N= 190, multivariate HR = 1.75 for all-cause mortality, P= 0.006). Possibly due to inadequate power, we observed only an insignificant trend for CRP as predictor of all-cause death in patients without peripheral arterial disease or with less severe forms of peripheral arterial disease (HR = 1.36, P= 0.08). CONCLUSION: In contrast to patients with peripheral arterial disease stage IV, patients with less severe atherosclerosis and elevated CRP are, if any, at less risk for cardiovascular mortality, possibly due to the difference in extent of affected vasculature and thus activated platelets and coagulation. Before judging the predictive value of CRP for mortality, peripheral vessel status should be determined.
Probing the course of cosmic expansion with a combination of observational data
Creators: name: Li, Zhengxiang
name: Wu, Puxun
name: Yu, Hongwei
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2010
Subjects: subject: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)
subject: Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We study the cosmic expansion history by reconstructing the deceleration parameter $q(z)$ from the SDSS-II type Ia supernova sample (SNIa) with two different light curve fits (MLCS2k2 and SALT-II), the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) distance ratio, the cosmic microwave background (CMB) shift parameter, and the lookback time-redshift (LT) from the age of old passive galaxies. Three parametrization forms for the equation of state of dark energy (CPL, JBP, and UIS) are considered. Our results show that, for the CPL and the UIS forms, MLCS2k2 SDSS-II SNIa+BAO+CMB and MLCS2k2 SDSS-II SNIa+BAO+CMB+LT favor a currently slowing-down cosmic acceleration, but this does not occur for all other cases, where an increasing cosmic acceleration is still favored. Thus, the reconstructed evolutionary behaviors of dark energy and the course of the cosmic acceleration are highly dependent both on the light curve fitting method for the SNIa and the parametrization form for the equation of state of dark energy.
description: 19 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in JCAP
Imaging Localized States in Graphene Nanostructures
Creators: name: Schnez, S.
name: Güttinger, J.
name: Huefner, M.
name: Stampfer, C.
name: Ensslin, K.
name: Ihn, T.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2010
Subjects: subject: Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: Probing techniques with spatial resolution have the potential to lead to a better understanding of the microscopic physical processes and to novel routes for manipulating nanostructures. We present scanning-gate images of a graphene quantum dot which is coupled to source and drain via two constrictions. We image and locate conductance resonances of the quantum dot in the Coulomb-blockade regime as well as resonances of localized states in the constrictions in real space.
description: 18 pages, 7 figures
Effects of chemokines on proliferation and apoptosis of human mesangial cells
Creators: name: Wörnle, Markus
name: Schmid, Holger
name: Merkle, Monika
name: Banas, Bernhard
Publisher: name: Universität Regensburg
Year: 2004
Subjects: subject: 610 Medizin

description: BACKGROUND: Proliferation and apoptosis of mesangial cells (MC) are important mechanisms during nephrogenesis, for the maintenance of glomerular homeostasis as well as in renal disease and glomerular regeneration. Expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors by intrinsic renal cells, e.g. SLC/CCL21 on podocytes and CCR7 on MC is suggested to play a pivotal role during these processes. Therefore the effect of selected chemokines on MC proliferation and apoptosis was studied. METHODS: Proliferation assays, cell death assays including cell cycle analysis, hoechst stain and measurement of caspase-3 activity were performed. RESULTS: A dose-dependent, mesangioproliferative effect of the chemokine SLC/CCL21, which is constitutively expressed on human podocytes was seen via activation of the chemokine receptor CCR7, which is constitutively expressed on MC. In addition, in cultured MC SLC/CCL21 had a protective effect on cell survival in Fas-mediated apoptosis. The CXCR3 ligands IP-10/CXCL10 and Mig/CXCL9 revealed a proproliferative effect but did not influence apoptosis of MC. Both the CCR1 ligand RANTES/CCL5 and the amino-terminally modified RANTES analogue Met-RANTES which blocks CCR1 signalling had no effect on proliferation and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: The different effects of chemokines and their respective receptors on proliferation and apoptosis of MC suggest highly regulated, novel biological functions of chemokine/chemokine receptor pairs in processes involved in renal inflammation, regeneration and glomerular homeostasis.
Retinoic acid treatment protects MRL/lpr lupus mice from the development of glomerular disease
Creators: name: Perez de Lema, Guillermo
name: Lucio-Cazaña, Francisco Javier
name: Molina, Ana
name: Luckow, Bruno
name: Schmid, Holger
name: de Wit, Cor
name: Moreno-Manzano, Victoria
name: Banas, Bernhard
name: Mampaso, Francisco
name: Schlöndorff, Detlef
Publisher: name: Universität Regensburg
Year: 2004
Subjects: subject: 610 Medizin

description: BACKGROUND: Retinoic acid (tRA) is an active metabolite of vitamin A with potent anti-inflammatory properties. We analyzed the effects of tRA on the development of lupus nephritis in MRL/lpr mice. METHODS: MRL/lpr mice received chow supplemented with vehicle or tRA (daily 10 mg/kg) from 8 to 14 weeks until their sacrifice. MRL/wt mice served as an additional control. RESULTS: tRA-treated MRL/lpr mice showed reduced lymphoadenopathy and splenomegaly as compared to vehicle-treated controls. Treatment reduced proteinuria to almost basal levels. Plasma IgG and anti-DNA antibodies increased comparably in both vehicle and tRA-treated mice. Vehicle-treated mice showed characteristic renal lesions. In contrast tRA-treated mice showed almost normal glomerular histology with a pronounced reduction in endocapillary cell proliferation. T-cell and macrophage infiltrates were reduced after tRA treatment within glomeruli and interstitium as compared to vehicle-treated animals. In spite of this, immune complex and complement deposition were comparable in both groups. Adoptively transferred T cells from vehicle-treated to tRA-treated MRL/lpr mice did not induce renal lesions or proteinuria. These beneficial effects of tRA treatment were associated with reduced renal expression of chemokines and inflammatory cytokines. Surprisingly, renal transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) mRNA levels of tRA-treated mice were elevated, possibly indicating that TGF-beta acts as an anti-inflammatory signal in this lupus model. CONCLUSION: tRA treatment reduces lymphoproliferation and glomerulonephritis in MRL/lpr mice. This occurs in spite of unaltered anti-DNA titers and glomerular immune complex deposition, and cannot be overcome by T-cell transfer from nephritic MRL/lpr mice.
Test of the Conserved Vector Current Hypothesis by beta-ray Angular Distribution Measurement in the Mass-8 System
Creators: name: Sumikama, T.
name: Matsuta, K.
name: Nagatomo, T.
name: Ogura, M.
name: Iwakoshi, T.
name: Nakashima, Y.
name: Fujiwara, H.
name: Fukuda, M.
name: Mihara, M.
name: Minamisono, K.
name: Yamaguchi, T.
name: Minamisono, T.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2011
Subjects: subject: Nuclear Experiment (nucl-ex)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: The beta-ray angular correlations for the spin alignments of 8Li and 8B have been observed in order to test the conserved vector current (CVC) hypothesis. The alignment correlation terms were combined with the known beta-alpha-angular correlation terms to determine all the matrix elements contributing to the correlation terms. The weak magnetism term, 7.5\pm0.2, deduced from the beta-ray correlation terms was consistent with the CVC prediction 7.3\pm0.2, deduced from the analog-gamma-decay measurement based on the CVC hypothesis. However, there was no consistent CVC prediction for the second-forbidden term associated with the weak vector current. The experimental value for the second-forbidden term was 1.0 \pm 0.3, while the CVC prediction was 0.1 \pm 0.4 or 2.1 \pm 0.5.
description: 31 pages, 12 figures, Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. C