Portrayal of movie villains from different genres through the ages

Die vorliegende Bachelorarbeit von Maximilian Körner im Studiengang „Film- und Fernsehregie“ befasst sich mit der filmischen Darstellung verschiedener Filmschurken unterschiedlicher Genres mit Beispielfilmen aus mehreren Zeitepochen. Die Arbeit untersucht die Darstellung der Schurken nach internen und externen Faktoren und zeigt dem Leser so dar, inwiefern sich die Präsentation des Gegenspielers innerhalb der Genres unterscheidet und welche Stilmittel zu welcher Zeit besonders vertreten waren

Differences in sibling cooperation in presence and absence of parental care in a genus with interspecific variation in offspring dependence

The widely spread evolutionary strategy of parental care is considered an important driver of social evolution. While offspring were long thought to primarily interact competitively, recent studies revealed the potential importance of sibling cooperation. Theories suggest that the degree of cooperation in offspring interactions depends on the degree of offspring dependence on parental care: offspring unable to forage on their own should compete more, whereas more independent juveniles may increase the degree of cooperation. In this study, we tested the occurrence of sibling cooperation in the absence of post-hatching care in several burying beetle species exhibiting varying degrees of offspring dependence. To this end, we measured larval growth rate and survival in the presence and absence of pre-hatching care using different brood sizes. We found that sibling cooperation cannot be exclusively explained by offspring dependence on parental care. While only species with more independent larvae cooperated when receiving pre-hatching care, larval cooperation occurred across species in the absence of care. The latter result suggests that sibling cooperation was already present in an early ancestor of the genus Nicrophorus. Overall, these findings give important insights into the transition from facultative to obligate family life.This is the data file associated with the cooperation experiment. Please check the first sheet in the file for further details regarding the individual columns. The second sheet contains the data for the experiment. Funding provided by: German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)*Crossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: STE 1874/6-1This excel file contains data from the laboratory described in the article

Treatment of intracranial neoplasia in dogs using higher doses: A randomized controlled trial comparing a boosted to a conventional radiation protocol

Background: Local progression of intracranial tumors can be the consequence of insufficient radiation dose delivered. Dose increases in the brain must be made carefully so as not to risk debilitating adverse effects such as radiation necrosis. Hypothesis: A new protocol with 10 × 4 Gy + 11% physical dose increase limited to the macroscopic tumor volume results in a clinically better outcome compared to a 10 × 4 Gy protocol. Animals: Fifty-seven client-owned dogs with primary intracranial neoplasia. Methods: Randomized controlled trial. Twenty-eight dogs were assigned to the control protocol (10 × 4 Gy) and 29 to the simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) protocol with 4.45 Gy dose increase. Treatment groups were compared for outcome and signs of toxicity. Results: Mild, transient acute or early-delayed adverse radiation effects were observed in 5 dogs. Severe late adverse effects were not seen. Between the protocols, no significant differences were found for outcome (intention-to-treat analysis): overall time to progression (TTP) was 708 days (95% confidence interval (95% CI) [545,872]), in the control group it was 828 days (95% CI [401,1256]), and in the SIB group 627 days (95% CI [282,973]; P = .07). Median overall survival (OS) was 684 days (95% CI [516,853]), in the control group it was 724 days (95% CI [623,826]), and in the SIB group 557 days (95% CI [95,1020]; P = .47). None of the tested variables was prognostic in terms of outcome. Conclusion and clinical importance: The dose escalation used with an 11% physical dose increase did not result in better outcome

Microbial management as a driver of parental care and family aggregations in carrion feeding insects

Social behaviors and lifestyles have evolved as successful strategies to cope with adverse and challenging living conditions, often by manipulating the immediate environment. These manipulations can extend to the surrounding microbiome, both in terms of combating harmful agents such as pathogens but also by facilitating the growth of beneficial microbes. In contrast to the largely antagonistic role traditionally assigned to microbes in social systems, these host–microbe interactions are receiving increasing attention as potential facilitators of social evolution. Here, we explore this perspective using Nicrophorus burying beetles, a group of insect carrion breeders which offer insights into the evolutionary interactions between sociality and microbial mutualists in a relatively simple family model. Recent studies have demonstrated the constant microbial challenges faced by Nicrophorus nurseries and the costly consequences they entail. Here, we provide an overview of these challenges and then explore the role of microbial mutualists in this social endeavor, focusing on the advantages they confer in terms of development and immunity. Additionally, we discuss how these mutualistic associations may select for committed parental care and more obligate forms of social life by promoting prolonged social associations through vertical transmission. Our review highlights the hypothesis that microbial mutualists not only provide immediate benefits but may also encourage social interactions in their hosts. However, the occurrence, degree, and underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon remain largely theoretical, as do the evolutionary feedbacks on microbes. Empirical evidence in this area is currently limited, emphasizing the need for further research. Nicrophorus burying beetles represent an ideal system to investigate the interplay between microbial mutualists and social evolution, offering a promising avenue for future studies. Overall, this review underscores the importance of understanding the complex interactions between microbial mutualists and social behaviors in challenging environments, and beyond

Unraveling the kinetics and pharmacology of human PepT1 using solid supported membrane-based electrophysiology

The human Peptide Transporter 1 (hPepT1) is known for its broad substrate specificity and its ability to transport (pro-)drugs. Here, we present an in-depth comprehensive study of hPepT1 and its interactions with various substrates via solid supported membrane-based electrophysiology (SSME). Using hPepT1-containing vesicles, we could not identify any peptide induced pre-steady-state currents, indicating that the recorded peak currents reflect steady-state transport. Electrogenic co-transport of H+/glycylglycine (GlyGly) was observed across a pH range of 5.0 to 9.0. The pH dependence is described by a bell-shaped activity curve and two pK values. KM and relative Vmax values of various canonical and non-canonical peptide substrates were contextualized with current mechanistic understandings of hPepT1. Finally, specific inhibition was observed for various inhibitors in a high throughput format, and IC50 values are reported. Taken together, these findings contribute to promoting the design and analysis of pharmacologically relevant substances

Incidence of delayed and missed diagnoses in whole-body multidetector CT in patients with multiple injuries after trauma

Background: Whole-body CT (WBCT) is the imaging modality of choice during the initial diagnostic work-up of multiple injured patients in order to identify serious injuries and initiate adequate treatment immediately. However, delayed diagnosed or even missed injuries have been reported frequently ranging from 1.3% to 47%. Purpose: To highlight commonly missed lesions in WBCT of patients with multiple injuries. Material and Methods: A total of 375 patients (age 42.8 +/- 17.9 years, ISS 26.6 +/- 17.0) with a WBCT (head to symphysis) were included. The final CT report was compared with clinical and operation reports. Discrepant findings were recorded and grouped as relevant and non-relevant to further treatment. In both groups, an experienced trauma radiologist read the CT images retrospectively, whether these lesions were missed or truly not detectable. Results: In 336 patients (89.6%), all injuries in the regions examined were diagnosed correctly in the final reports of the initial CT. Forty-eight patients (12.8%) had injuries in regions of the body that were not included in the CT. Fourteen patients (3.7%) had injuries that did not require further treatment. Twenty-five patients (6.7%) had injuries that required further treatment. With secondary interpretation, 85.4% of all missed lesions could be diagnosed in retrospect from the primary CT data-set. Small pancreatic and bowel contusions were identified as truly non-detectable. Conclusion: In multiple traumas, only a few missed injuries in initial WBCT reading are clinically relevant. However, as the vast majority of these injuries are detectable, the radiologist has to be alert for commonly missed findings to avoid a delayed diagnosis

Strahlentherapie zur Behandlung makroskopischer Analbeuteltumoren des Hundes – eine retrospektive Studie

Canine anal gland tumors are locally invasive and early metastasize to the loco-regional pelvic lymph nodes. Radiation therapy is a good method for loco-regional tumor control, especially in inoperable tumors. Since the organs in the pelvic area are sensitive to both acute and late radiation damage (chronic diarrhea, bleeding, strictures or intestinal perforations) and such damage mainly depends on the fraction size, we examined the radiation protocol used in this study with a reduced number of fractions (hypofractionated) regarding effectiveness and side effects. This retrospective study describes 13 dogs with macroscopic anal gland carcinoma that were irradiated with imaging-guided, intensity-modulated radiation therapy with a hypofractionated curative protocol of 12 × 3,8 Gy. Gross pathology was either in the region of the anal gland and/or in the sublumbar lymph nodes. Ten of the 13 dogs had advanced tumor diseases (stage 3a or 3b). The acute radiation reactions were mild to moderate and had been reported for some of the dogs in a previous study. The mean study time was 572 days (range 105–1292 days). Disease progression was observed or suspected in 7/13 dogs during the study period: local or loco-regional progression occurred in 3 dogs (23 %) and distant metastases in 4 dogs (31 %). Median progression-free survival was 480 days (95 %CI, 223–908), median survival was 597 days (95 %CI, 401–908). One year after treatment, 76,9 % (95 %CI, 53,5–100) of the dogs were still alive. The likelihood of tumor progression was lower with increasing age, otherwise none of the examined tumor or patient factors showed a prognostic influence on progression or survival time. No clinically relevant late side effects were observed apart from slight alopecia, pigmentation changes or dry, scaly skin, Medium to long-term tumor control can be expected in dogs with macroscopic anal gland tumors treated with a moderately hypofractionated radiation therapy protocol (12 × 3,8 Gy). During long-term monitoring no serious side effects or side effects requiring treatment were observed

Expression of SEC62 Oncogene in Benign, Malignant and Borderline Melanocytic Tumors—Unmasking the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?

SEC62 oncogene located at chromosomal region 3q26 encodes for a transmembrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is expressed at high levels in numerous human malignancies. SEC62 overexpression has been associated with worse prognosis and high risk for lymphatic and distant metastases in head and neck cancer, cervical cancer, hepatocellular cancer, and lung cancer. However, its role in the development and tumor biology of melanocytic lesions has not been investigated so far. An immunohistochemical study including 209 patients with melanocytic lesions (malignant melanoma (MM), n = 93; melanoma metastases (MET), n = 28; Spitz nevi (SN), n = 29; blue nevi (BN), n = 21; congenital nevi (CN), n = 38) was conducted and SEC62 expression was correlated with clinical data including patient survival and histopathological characteristics. SN showed the highest SEC62 expression levels followed by MET, MM, CN, and BN. High SEC62 expression correlated with a shorter overall and progression-free survival in MM patients. Additionally, high Sec62 levels correlated significantly with higher tumor size (T stage), the presence of tumor ulceration, and the presence of lymph node as well as distant metastases. Strikingly, SEC62 expression showed a strong correlation with Clark level. Taken together, these data demonstrate that SEC62 is a promising prognostic marker in MM and has the potential to predict biological behavior and clinical aggressiveness of melanocytic lesions

Antagonizing Sec62 function in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis represents a novel therapeutic strategy for head and neck cancer

Various cancer types including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) show a frequent amplification of chromosomal region 3q26 that encodes, among others, for the SEC62 gene. Located in the ER membrane, this translocation protein is known to play a critical role as a potential driver oncogene in cancer development. High SEC62 expression levels were observed in various cancer entities and were associated with a poor outcome and increased metastatic burden. Because of its intracellular localization the SEC62 protein is poorly accessible for therapeutic antibodies, therefore a functional SEC62 knockdown represents the most promising mechanism of a potential antineoplastic targeted therapy. By stimulating the Ca2+ efflux from the ER lumen and thereby increasing cellular stress levels, a functional inhibition of SEC62 bears the potential to limit tumor growth and metastasis formation. In this study, two potential anti-metastatic and -proliferative agents that counteract SEC62 function were investigated in functional in vitro assays by utilizing an immortalized human hypopharyngeal cancer cell line as well as a newly established orthotopic murine in vivo model. Additionally, a CRISPR/ Cas9 based SEC62 knockout HNSCC cell line was generated and functionally characterized for its relevance in HNSCC cell proliferation and migration as well as sensitivity to SEC62 targeted therapy in vitro