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Generating Homogeneous Gas Mixtures by Using Acoustic Waves

Krempel, Sandro; Seidel, N.; Tietze, Sabrina; Drese, Klaus Stefan (2021)

ACTUATOR; International Conference and Exhibition on New Actuator Systems and Applications 2021.



Ship Propulsion by Means of Acoustic Radiation

Backer, Alexander; Krempel, Sandro; Ritter, Frank; Tietze, Sabrina...

ACTUATOR, International Conference and Exhibition on New Actuator Systems and Applications 2021, Online 2021, 66 - 69.


 

Nowadays in almost all cases, the propulsion of ships is generated by mechanically moved propellers, which causes water flow and thrust. The disadvantage of this technology is the wear of the mechanical moving parts as well as the danger of the rotating parts in the water for example for living beings. The only alternative is still the sail or wind power.
In our approach the propulsion of a boat is generated without moving parts by means of ultrasonic waves emitted into
the water. In contrast to already existing experiments in which surface acoustic waves are conducted directly into the
water on piezoelectric substrates in order to generate a thrust, here the sound input takes place by piezoelectric transducers attached to the backside of non-piezoelectric material at the outer hull of the boat. A 3D printed model boat was
built and tested. In contrast to the previously published literature, the used electronic components and their operation for
the propulsion of the boat are described in detail. Sound generation and propagation are simulated in COMSOL


Analysis of ovarian transcriptomes reveals thousands of novel genes in the insect vector Rhodnius prolixus

Coelho, Vitor Lima; Fontenele de Brito, Tarcísio; Alexandre de Abreu Brito, Ingrid...

Scientific Reports 2021 (11), 1918.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81387-1


Open Access Peer Reviewed
 

Rhodnius prolixus is a Triatominae insect species and a primary vector of Chagas disease. The genome of R. prolixus has been recently sequenced and partially assembled, but few transcriptome analyses have been performed to date. In this study, we describe the stage-specific transcriptomes obtained from previtellogenic stages of oogenesis and from mature eggs. By analyzing ~ 228 million paired-end RNA-Seq reads, we significantly improved the current genome annotations for 9206 genes. We provide extended 5' and 3' UTRs, complete Open Reading Frames, and alternative transcript variants. Strikingly, using a combination of genome-guided and de novo transcriptome assembly we found more than two thousand novel genes, thus increasing the number of genes in R. prolixus from 15,738 to 17,864. We used the improved transcriptome to investigate stage-specific gene expression profiles during R. prolixus oogenesis. Our data reveal that 11,127 genes are expressed in the early previtellogenic stage of oogenesis and their transcripts are deposited in the developing egg including key factors regulating germline development, genome integrity, and the maternal-zygotic transition. In addition, GO term analyses show that transcripts encoding components of the steroid hormone receptor pathway, cytoskeleton, and intracellular signaling are abundant in the mature eggs, where they likely control early embryonic development upon fertilization. Our results significantly improve the R. prolixus genome and transcriptome and provide novel insight into oogenesis and early embryogenesis in this medically relevant insect.

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Positive Psychological Factors and Impairment in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease: Do Psychopathology and Sleep Quality Explain the Linkage?

Hirsch, J. K.; Altier, H.; Offenbächer, M.; Toussaint, L.; Kohls, Niko...

Arthritis Care & Research, n/a(n/a).
DOI: 10.1002/acr.24440


Peer Reviewed
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Effectiveness of Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Deep Breathing, and Guided Imagery

Toussaint, L.; Nguyen, Q. A.; Roettger, C.; Dixon, K.; Offenbächer, M.; Kohls, Niko...

in Promoting Psychological and Physiological States of Relaxation. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, 5924040. doi:10.1155/2021/5924040.


Peer Reviewed

The podocyte-specific knockout of palladin in mice with a 129 genetic background affects podocyte morphology and the expression of palladin interacting proteins

Artelt, Nadine; Ritter, Alina; Leitermann, Linda; Kliewe, Felix; Schlüter, Rabea...

PloS One 16 (12), e0260878.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260878


Open Access Peer Reviewed
 

Proper and size selective blood filtration in the kidney depends on an intact morphology of podocyte foot processes. Effacement of interdigitating podocyte foot processes in the glomeruli causes a leaky filtration barrier resulting in proteinuria followed by the development of chronic kidney diseases. Since the function of the filtration barrier is depending on a proper actin cytoskeleton, we studied the role of the important actin-binding protein palladin for podocyte morphology. Podocyte-specific palladin knockout mice on a C57BL/6 genetic background (PodoPalldBL/6-/-) were back crossed to a 129 genetic background (PodoPalld129-/-) which is known to be more sensitive to kidney damage. Then we analyzed the morphological changes of glomeruli and podocytes as well as the expression of the palladin-binding partners Pdlim2, Lasp-1, Amotl1, ezrin and VASP in 6 and 12 months old mice. PodoPalld129-/- mice in 6 and 12 months showed a marked dilatation of the glomerular tuft and a reduced expression of the mesangial marker protein integrin α8 compared to controls of the same age. Furthermore, ultrastructural analysis showed significantly more podocytes with morphological deviations like an enlarged sub-podocyte space and regions with close contact to parietal epithelial cells. Moreover, PodoPalld129-/- of both age showed a severe effacement of podocyte foot processes, a significantly reduced expression of pLasp-1 and Pdlim2, and significantly reduced mRNA expression of Pdlim2 and VASP, three palladin-interacting proteins. Taken together, the results show that palladin is essential for proper podocyte morphology in mice with a 129 background.

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Circulation of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli of Pandemic Sequence Types 131, 648, and 410 Among Hospitalized Patients, Caregivers, and the Community in Rwanda

Eger, Elias; Heiden, Stefan; Korolew, Katja; Bayingana, Claude; Ndoli, Jules...

Frontiers in Microbiology 12, 662575.
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.662575


Open Access Peer Reviewed
 

Multi-drug resistant (MDR), gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) limit therapeutic options and increase morbidity, mortality, and treatment costs worldwide. They pose a serious burden on healthcare systems, especially in developing countries like Rwanda. Several studies have shown the effects caused by the global spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli. However, limited data is available on transmission dynamics of these pathogens and the mobile elements they carry in the context of clinical and community locations in Sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we examined 120 ESBL-producing E. coli strains from patients hospitalized in the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (Rwanda), their attending caregivers as well as associated community members and livestock. Based on whole-genome analysis, the genetic diversification and phylogenetics were assessed. Moreover, the content of carried plasmids was characterized and investigated for putative transmission among strains, and for their potential role as drivers for the spread of antibiotic resistance. We show that among the 30 different sequence types (ST) detected were the pandemic clonal lineages ST131, ST648 and ST410, which combine high-level antimicrobial resistance with virulence. In addition to the frequently found resistance genes bla CTX-M-15 , tet(34), and aph(6)-Id, we identified csg genes, which are required for curli fiber synthesis and thus biofilm formation. Numerous strains harbored multiple virulence-associated genes (VAGs) including pap (P fimbriae adhesion cluster), fim (type I fimbriae) and chu (Chu heme uptake system). Furthermore, we found phylogenetic relationships among strains from patients and their caregivers or related community members and animals, which indicates transmission of pathogens. Also, we demonstrated the presence and potential transfer of identical/similar ESBL-plasmids in different strains from the Rwandan setting and when compared to an external plasmid. This study highlights the circulation of clinically relevant, pathogenic ESBL-producing E. coli among patients, caregivers and the community in Rwanda. Combining antimicrobial resistance with virulence in addition to the putative exchange of mobile genetic elements among bacterial pathogens poses a significant risk around the world.

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Identification and Regulation of Tomato Serine/Arginine-Rich Proteins Under High Temperatures

Rosenkranz, Remus; Bachiri, Samia; Vraggalas, Stavros; Keller, Mario; Simm, Stefan...

Frontiers in Plant Science 12, 645689.
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.645689


Open Access Peer Reviewed
 

Alternative splicing is an important mechanism for the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes during development, cell differentiation or stress response. Alterations in the splicing profiles of genes under high temperatures that cause heat stress (HS) can impact the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and thermotolerance. Consequently, information on factors involved in HS-sensitive alternative splicing is required to formulate the principles of HS response. Serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins have a central role in alternative splicing. We aimed for the identification and characterization of SR-coding genes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a plant extensively used in HS studies. We identified 17 canonical SR and two SR-like genes. Several SR-coding genes show differential expression and altered splicing profiles in different organs as well as in response to HS. The transcriptional induction of five SR and one SR-like genes is partially dependent on the master regulator of HS response, HS transcription factor HsfA1a. Cis-elements in the promoters of these SR genes were predicted, which can be putatively recognized by HS-induced transcription factors. Further, transiently expressed SRs show reduced or steady-state protein levels in response to HS. Thus, the levels of SRs under HS are regulated by changes in transcription, alternative splicing and protein stability. We propose that the accumulation or reduction of SRs under HS can impact temperature-sensitive alternative splicing.

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Promoting health by traveling: Mindfulness and travel medicine

Kohls, Niko (2020)

Health Promotion & Physical Activity, 2020, 4 (13), 62-64.


Peer Reviewed

Das gesundheitsökonomische Potential des Einsatzes von Placebos in der Behandlung von ADHS

Hamberger, Jens; Hinterberger , Thilo ; Loew, T.; Meißner, Karin; Weimer, K. (2020)

e-Poster beim Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik und Nervenheilkunde (DGPPN), 26.11.2020, Online-Kongress.



Von Nemesis und Narziss: Lektionen, die COVID bei Vorhaben - und der Ethik - globaler Gesundheitsförderung und Biosicherheit erteilen kann

DiEuliis, D.; Kohls, Niko; Giordano, J. (2020)

In M. Woesler & H. M. Sass (Eds.), Medizin und Ethik in Zeiten von Corona (pp. 323 - 327), 323-327.



Effects of the Gastein Healing Gallery on physical functioning, activity and participation – results of qualitative interviews of 14 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS)

Offenbaecher, M.; Zerhoch, Tamara; Nöfer, Eberhard; Kohls, Niko; Toussaint, L....

Eingereicht Österreichischer Kongress für Rheumatologie 2020..


Peer Reviewed

The perceived benefit and harm of mild radon hyperthermia, rehabilitation and medications from the point of view of a large cohort of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) attending the Gastein Healing Gallery

Offenbaecher, M.; Hirsch, J. K.; Sirios , F. ; van der Zee-Neuen, A.; Scharmga, A....

Eingereicht Österreichischer Kongress für Rheumatologie 2020..


Peer Reviewed

The perceived benefit and harm of active exercise, physical therapy and modalities of a large cohort of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) attending the Gastein Healing Gallery

Offenbacher, M.; Hirsch, J. K.; Sirios , F. ; van der Zee-Neuen, A.; Scharmga, A....

Eingereicht Österreichischer Kongress für Rheumatologie 2020.


Peer Reviewed

Effects of the Gastein Healing Gallery on physical functioning, activity and participation – results of qualitative interviews of 14 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS)

Offenbaecher, M.; Zerhoch, Tamara; Nöfer, Eberhard; Toussaint, L.; Kohls, Niko...

J Miner Stoffwechs Muskuloskelet Erkrank: 27:141.


Peer Reviewed

The perceived benefit and harm of mild radon hyperthermia, rehabilitation and medications from the point of view of a large cohort of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS)

Offenbaecher, M.; Hirsch, J. K.; Sirios , F. ; van der Zee-Neuen, A.; Scharmga, A....

attending the Gastein Healing Gallery. J Miner Stoffwechs Muskuloskelet Erkrank;27:145.


Peer Reviewed

The perceived benefit and harm of active exercise, physical therapy and modalities of a large cohort of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) attending the Gastein Healing Gallery

Offenbaecher, M.; Hirsch, J. K.; Sirios , F. ; van der Zee-Neuen, A.; Scharmga, A....

J Miner Stoffwechs Muskuloskelet Erkrank: 27:142.


Peer Reviewed

Effects of the Gastein Healing Gallery on medication use and physical and mental health – results of qualitative interviews of 14 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS)

Offenbaecher, M.; Zerhoch, Tamara; Nöfer, Eberhard; Kohls, Niko; Toussaint, L....

Suppl2:S96.


Peer Reviewed

Positive Psychological Traits and Functional Impairment in Chronic Pain: Do Reduced Stress, Pain, and Fatigue Explain the Benefits?

Altier, H.; Offenbaecher, M.; Toussaint, L.; Kohls, Niko; Sirois, F....

Posterpräsentation beim Deutschen Schmerzkongress 2020..


Peer Reviewed

Effects of the Gastein Healing Gallery on medication use and physical and mental health – results of qualitative interviews of 14 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS)

Offenbaecher, M.; Zerhoch, Tamara; Nöfer, Eberhard; Kohls, Niko; Toussaint, L....

Posterpräsentation beim Deutschen Schmerzkongress 2020..


Peer Reviewed

Fakultät Angewandte Naturwissenschaften und Gesundheit (FNG)

Hochschule Coburg

Friedrich-Streib-Str. 2
96450 Coburg


Support of publications
Monika Schnabel
Forschungsreferentin, EU-Referentin
T +49 9561 317 8062
monika.schnabel[at]hs-coburg.de