@article{HamouKotliarTanetal.2020, author = {Hamou, Hussam Aldin and Kotliar, Konstantin and Tan, Sonny Kian and Weiß, Christel and Blume, Christian and Clusmann, Hans and Schubert, Gerrit Alexander and Albanna, Walid}, title = {Surgical nuances and placement of subgaleal drains for supratentorial procedures—a prospective analysis of efficacy and outcome in 150 craniotomies}, series = {Acta Neurochirurgica}, volume = {2020}, journal = {Acta Neurochirurgica}, number = {162}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {Cham}, issn = {0942-0940}, doi = {10.1007/s00701-019-04196-6}, pages = {729 -- 736}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Background For supratentorial craniotomy, surgical access, and closure technique, including placement of subgaleal drains, may vary considerably. The influence of surgical nuances on postoperative complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage or impaired wound healing overall remains largely unclear. With this study, we are reporting our experiences and the impact of our clinical routines on outcome in a prospectively collected data set. Method We prospectively observed 150 consecutive patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy and recorded technical variables (type/length of incision, size of craniotomy, technique of dural and skin closure, type of dressing, and placement of subgaleal drains). Outcome variables (subgaleal hematoma/CSF collection, periorbital edema, impairment of wound healing, infection, and need for operative revision) were recorded at time of discharge and at late follow-up. Results Early subgaleal fluid collection was observed in 36.7\% (2.8\% at the late follow-up), and impaired wound healing was recorded in 3.3\% of all cases, with an overall need for operative revision of 6.7\%. Neither usage of dural sealants, lack of watertight dural closure, and presence of subgaleal drains, nor type of skin closure or dressing influenced outcome. Curved incisions, larger craniotomy, and tumor size, however, were associated with an increase in early CSF or hematoma collection (p < 0.0001, p = 0.001, p < 0.01 resp.), and larger craniotomy size was associated with longer persistence of subgaleal fluid collections (p < 0.05). Conclusions Based on our setting, individual surgical nuances such as the type of dural closure and the use of subgaleal drains resulted in a comparable complication rate and outcome. Subgaleal fluid collections were frequently observed after supratentorial procedures, irrespective of the closing technique employed, and resolve spontaneously in the majority of cases without significant sequelae. Our results are limited due to the observational nature in our single-center study and need to be validated by supportive prospective randomized design.}, language = {en} } @article{RamoshabaHuismanLammertynetal.2020, author = {Ramoshaba, Nthai E. and Huisman, Hugo W. and Lammertyn, Leandi and Kotliar, Konstantin and Schutte, Aletta E. and Smith, Wayne}, title = {Retinal microvasculature and masked hypertension in young adults: the African-PREDICT study}, series = {Hypertension Research}, journal = {Hypertension Research}, number = {43}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {Osaka}, issn = {1348-4214}, doi = {10.1038/s41440-020-0487-0}, pages = {1231 -- 1238}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Masked hypertension is known to induce microvascular complications. However, it is unclear whether early microvascular changes are already occurring in young, otherwise healthy adults. We therefore investigated whether retinal microvascular calibers and acute responses to a flicker stimulus are related to masked hypertension. We used the baseline data of 889 participants aged 20-30 years who were taking part in the African Prospective study on the Early Detection and Identification of Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension. Clinic and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure were measured. The central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal vein equivalent were calculated from fundus images, and retinal vessel dilation was determined in response to flicker light-induced provocation. A smaller CRAE was observed in those with masked hypertension vs. those with normotension (157.1 vs. 161.2 measuring units, P < 0.001). In forward multivariable-adjusted regression analysis, only CRAE was negatively related to masked hypertension [adjusted R² = 0.267, β = -0.097 (95\% CI = -0.165; -0.029), P = 0.005], but other retinal microvascular parameters were not associated with masked hypertension. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, masked hypertension [OR = 2.333, (95\% CI = 1.316; 4.241), P = 0.004] was associated with a narrower CRAE. In young healthy adults, masked hypertension was associated with retinal arteriolar narrowing, thereby reflecting early microvascular alterations known to predict cardiovascular outcomes in later life.}, language = {en} } @article{NeumaierKotliarHaerenetal.2021, author = {Neumaier, Felix and Kotliar, Konstantin and Haeren, Roel Hubert Louis and Temel, Yasin and L{\"u}ke, Jan Niklas and Seyam, Osama and Lindauer, Ute and Clusmann, Hans and Hescheler, J{\"u}rgen and Schubert, Gerrit Alexander and Schneider, Toni and Albanna, Walid}, title = {Retinal Vessel Responses to Flicker Stimulation Are Impaired in Ca v 2.3-Deficient Mice—An in- vivo Evaluation Using Retinal Vessel Analysis (RVA)}, series = {Frontiers in Neurology}, volume = {12}, journal = {Frontiers in Neurology}, publisher = {Frontiers}, doi = {10.3389/fneur.2021.659890}, pages = {1 -- 11}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @article{MuschallikMolinnusBongaertsetal.2017, author = {Muschallik, Lukas and Molinnus, Denise and Bongaerts, Johannes and Pohl, Martina and Wagner, Torsten and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Siegert, Petra and Selmer, Thorsten}, title = {(R,R)-Butane-2,3-diol Dehydrogenase from Bacillus clausii DSM 8716T: Cloning and Expression of the bdhA-Gene, and Initial Characterization of Enzyme}, series = {Journal of Biotechnology}, volume = {258}, journal = {Journal of Biotechnology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0168-1656}, doi = {10.1016/j.jbiotec.2017.07.020}, pages = {41 -- 50}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The gene encoding a putative (R,R)-butane-2,3-diol dehydrogenase (bdhA) from Bacillus clausii DSM 8716T was isolated, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli. The amino acid sequence of the encoded protein is only distantly related to previously studied enzymes (identity 33-43\%) and exhibited some uncharted peculiarities. An N-terminally StrepII-tagged enzyme variant was purified and initially characterized. The isolated enzyme catalyzed the (R)-specific oxidation of (R,R)- and meso-butane-2,3-diol to (R)- and (S)-acetoin with specific activities of 12 U/mg and 23 U/mg, respectively. Likewise, racemic acetoin was reduced with a specific activity of up to 115 U/mg yielding a mixture of (R,R)- and meso-butane-2,3-diol, while the enzyme reduced butane-2,3-dione (Vmax 74 U/mg) solely to (R,R)-butane-2,3-diol via (R)-acetoin. For these reactions only activity with the co-substrates NADH/NAD+ was observed. The enzyme accepted a selection of vicinal diketones, α-hydroxy ketones and vicinal diols as alternative substrates. Although the physiological function of the enzyme in B. clausii remains elusive, the data presented herein clearly demonstrates that the encoded enzyme is a genuine (R,R)-butane-2,3-diol dehydrogenase with potential for applications in biocatalysis and sensor development.}, language = {en} } @article{GeierLehnertzBialonski2015, author = {Geier, Christian and Lehnertz, Klaus and Bialonski, Stephan}, title = {Time-dependent degree-degree correlations in epileptic brain networks: from assortative to dissortative mixing}, series = {Frontiers in Human Neuroscience}, journal = {Frontiers in Human Neuroscience}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1662-5161}, doi = {10.3389/fnhum.2015.00462}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @article{UysalCreutzFiratetal.2022, author = {Uysal, Karya and Creutz, Till and Firat, Ipek Seda and Artmann, Gerhard and Teusch, Nicole and Temiz Artmann, Ayseg{\"u}l}, title = {Bio-functionalized ultra-thin, large-area and waterproof silicone membranes for biomechanical cellular loading and compliance experiments}, series = {Polymers}, volume = {14}, journal = {Polymers}, number = {11}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4360}, pages = {2213}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Biocompatibility, flexibility and durability make polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes top candidates in biomedical applications. CellDrum technology uses large area, <10 µm thin membranes as mechanical stress sensors of thin cell layers. For this to be successful, the properties (thickness, temperature, dust, wrinkles, etc.) must be precisely controlled. The following parameters of membrane fabrication by means of the Floating-on-Water (FoW) method were investigated: (1) PDMS volume, (2) ambient temperature, (3) membrane deflection and (4) membrane mechanical compliance. Significant differences were found between all PDMS volumes and thicknesses tested (p < 0.01). They also differed from the calculated values. At room temperatures between 22 and 26 °C, significant differences in average thickness values were found, as well as a continuous decrease in thicknesses within a 4 °C temperature elevation. No correlation was found between the membrane thickness groups (between 3-4 µm) in terms of deflection and compliance. We successfully present a fabrication method for thin bio-functionalized membranes in conjunction with a four-step quality management system. The results highlight the importance of tight regulation of production parameters through quality control. The use of membranes described here could also become the basis for material testing on thin, viscous layers such as polymers, dyes and adhesives, which goes far beyond biological applications.}, language = {en} } @article{TemizArtmannKurulgandemirciFıratetal.2021, author = {Temiz Artmann, Ayseg{\"u}l and Kurulgan demirci, Eylem and F{\i}rat, Ipek Seda and Oflaz, Hakan and Artmann, Gerhard}, title = {Recombinant activated protein C (rhAPC) affects lipopolysaccharide-induced mechanical compliance changes and beat frequency of mESC-derived cardiomyocyte monolayers}, series = {SHOCK}, journal = {SHOCK}, publisher = {Wolters Kluwer}, address = {K{\"o}ln}, issn = {1540-0514}, doi = {10.1097/SHK.0000000000001845}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @article{BialonskiCaronSchloenetal.2016, author = {Bialonski, Stephan and Caron, David A. and Schloen, Julia and Feudel, Ulrike and Kantz, Holger and Moorthi, Stefanie D.}, title = {Phytoplankton dynamics in the Southern California Bight indicate a complex mixture of transport and biology}, series = {Journal of Plankton Research}, volume = {38}, journal = {Journal of Plankton Research}, number = {4}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1464-3774}, doi = {10.1093/plankt/fbv122}, pages = {1077 -- 1091}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The stimulation and dominance of potentially harmful phytoplankton taxa at a given locale and time are determined by local environmental conditions as well as by transport to or from neighboring regions. The present study investigated the occurrence of common harmful algal bloom (HAB) taxa within the Southern California Bight, using cross-correlation functions to determine potential dependencies between HAB taxa and environmental factors, and potential links to algal transport via local hydrography and currents. A simulation study, in which Lagrangian particles were released, was used to assess travel times due to advection by prevailing ocean currents in the bight. Our results indicate that transport of some taxa may be an important mechanism for the expansion of their distributions into other regions, which was supported by mean travel times derived from our simulation study and other literature on ocean currents in the Southern California Bight. In other cases, however, phytoplankton dynamics were rather linked to local environmental conditions, including coastal upwelling events. Overall, our study shows that complex current patterns in the Southern California Bight may contribute significantly to the formation and expansion of HABs in addition to local environmental factors determining the spatiotemporal dynamics of phytoplankton blooms.}, language = {en} } @incollection{EngelmannBaumann2022, author = {Engelmann, Ulrich M. and Baumann, Martin}, title = {Moderationsexpertise f{\"u}r QMBs - das Mindset}, series = {Qualit{\"a}tsmanagement im Gesundheitswesen}, booktitle = {Qualit{\"a}tsmanagement im Gesundheitswesen}, editor = {Herbig, Nicola and Poppelreuter, Stefan}, edition = {59. Update}, publisher = {T{\"U}V-Verlag}, address = {K{\"o}ln}, isbn = {978-3-8249-0714-4}, pages = {Kapitel 10814}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Teamsitzungen, Arbeitsgruppentreffen, Kickoffs und Meetings - sie alle werden mit dem Ziel durchgef{\"u}hrt, innerhalb einer vorgegebenen Zeitspanne ein gemeinsames Arbeitsziel zu erreichen. Damit die Zielerreichung auch bei komplexeren Arbeitsauftr{\"a}gen nicht vom Zufall abh{\"a}ngt, empfiehlt es sich, die Leitung des Ablaufs einem Moderator zu {\"u}bertragen. In diesem Beitrag einer mehrteiligen Serie wird beschrieben, {\"u}ber welches Mindset der Moderator verf{\"u}gen sollte, welche grunds{\"a}tzlichen Methoden hilfreich sind und was bei der Onlinemoderation im Besonderen zu beachten ist.}, language = {de} } @article{Gaigall2023, author = {Gaigall, Daniel}, title = {Allocating and forecasting changes in risk}, series = {Journal of risk}, volume = {25}, journal = {Journal of risk}, number = {3}, editor = {AitSahlia, Farid}, publisher = {Infopro Digital Risk}, address = {London}, issn = {1755-2842}, doi = {10.21314/JOR.2022.048}, pages = {1 -- 24}, year = {2023}, abstract = {We consider time-dependent portfolios and discuss the allocation of changes in the risk of a portfolio to changes in the portfolio's components. For this purpose we adopt established allocation principles. We also use our approach to obtain forecasts for changes in the risk of the portfolio's components. To put the approach into practice we present an implementation based on the output of a simulation. Allocation is illustrated with an example portfolio in the context of Solvency II. The quality of the forecasts is investigated with an empirical study.}, language = {en} }