Abkehr vom Frieden? Eine medien- und politolinguistische Untersuchung von Facebook-Einträgen der Organisation Pegida

Celem artykułu jest wskazanie cech charakterystycznych języka stowarzyszenia Pegida (w obrębie postów na Facebooku) oraz w jaki sposób język może zostać wykorzystany, aby w mediach społecznościowych lub za ich pośrednictwem uzyskać akceptację. Analizie poddany zostanie aspekt wykorzystania przez stowarzyszenie języka jako narzędzie w pozyskiwaniu zwolenników i czy Pegida rzeczywiście używa języka jako środka krytyki złych stanów rzecz i przeciwników politycznych. W tym celu przeprowadzona zostanie analiza pragmalingwistyczna postów na Facebooku Pegidy, w ramach której zbadane zostaną działania takie jak REKLAMOWAĆ i KRYTYKOWAĆ oraz ich wzajemna relacja. Tło teoretyczne stanowią rozważania i metody zarówno z obszaru badań nad językiem reklamy, jak i politolingwistyki, które wraz z perspektywą pragmalingwistyczna zostaną omówione na wstępie.This article aims to show what characterizes Pegida’s language usage (within Facebook entries) and how language is used to achieve approval on or over the social network. It will investigate the extent to which the association uses language as an instrument to recruit supporters and whether Pegida actually uses language as a means of criticizing grievances and opponents. For this purpose, a pragmatic-orientated analysis of Pegida’s Facebook entries will be carried out, in which the linguistic implementation of the text action patterns ADVERTISING and CRITICIZING as well as their relationship to each other will be determined. The theoretical background is formed by findings and methods from both advertising research and political linguistics, which are explained in a first step together with the pragmatic perspective.Die Publikation wurde aus Mitteln des Instituts für Germanistik der Universität Łódź und des Vereins akademischer Lehrer zur Förderung der Kultur europäischer Sprachen finanziert

Intestinal Colonization of IL-2 Deficient Mice with Non-Colitogenic B. vulgatus Prevents DC Maturation and T-Cell Polarization

BACKGROUND: IL-2 deficient (IL-2(-/-)) mice mono-colonized with E. coli mpk develop colitis whereas IL-2(-/-)-mice mono-colonized with B. vulgatus mpk do not and are even protected from E. coli mpk induced colitis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We investigated if mono-colonization with E. coli mpk or B. vulgatus mpk differentially modulates distribution, activation and maturation of intestinal lamina propria (LP) dendritic cells (DC). LP DC in mice mono-colonized with protective B. vulgatus mpk or co-colonized with E. coli mpk/B. vulgatus mpk featured a semi-mature LP DC phenotype (CD40(lo)CD80(lo)MHC-II(hi)) whereas mono-colonization with colitogenic E. coli mpk induced LP DC activation and maturation prior to onset of colitis. Accordingly, chemokine receptor (CCR) 7 surface expression was more strikingly enhanced in mesenteric lymph node DC from E. coli mpk than B. vulgatus mpk mono- or co-colonized mice. Mature but not semi-mature LP DC promoted Th1 polarization. As B. vulgatus mpk promotes differentiation of semi-mature DC presumably by IL-6, mRNA and protein expression of IL-6 was investigated in LP DC. The data demonstrated that IL-6 mRNA and protein was increased in LP DC of B. vulgatus mpk as compared to E. coli mpk mono-colonized IL-2(-/-)-mice. The B. vulgatus mpk mediated suppression of CCR7 expression and DC migration was abolished in IL-6(-/-)-DC in vitro. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: From this data we conclude that the B. vulgatus triggered IL-6 secretion by LP DC in absence of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-12 or TNF-alpha induces a semi-mature LP DC phenotype, which might prevent T-cell activation and thereby the induction of colitis in IL-2(-/-)-mice. The data provide new evidence that IL-6 might act as an immune regulatory cytokine in the mucosa by targeting intestinal DC

Versatile Genetic Tool Box for the Crenarchaeote Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

For reverse genetic approaches inactivation or selective modification of genes are required to elucidate their putative function. Sulfolobus acidocaldarius is a thermoacidophilic Crenarchaeon which grows optimally at 76°C and pH 3. As many antibiotics do not withstand these conditions the development of a genetic system in this organism is dependent on auxotrophies. Therefore we constructed a pyrE deletion mutant of S. acidocaldarius wild type strain DSM639 missing 322 bp called MW001. Using this strain as the starting point, we describe here different methods using single as well as double crossover events to obtain markerless deletion mutants, tag genes genomically and ectopically integrate foreign DNA into MW001. These methods enable us to construct single, double, and triple deletions strains that can still be complemented with the pRN1 based expression vector. Taken together we have developed a versatile and robust genetic tool box for the crenarchaeote S. acidocaldarius that will promote the study of unknown gene functions in this organism and makes it a suitable host for synthetic biology approaches

Palmitate-Triggered COX2/PGE2-Related Hyperinflammation in Dual-Stressed PdL Fibroblasts Is Mediated by Repressive H3K27 Trimethylation

The interrelationships between periodontal disease, obesity-related hyperlipidemia and mechanical forces and their modulating effects on the epigenetic profile of periodontal ligament (PdL) cells are assumed to be remarkably complex. The PdL serves as a connective tissue between teeth and alveolar bone and is involved in pathogen defense and the inflammatory responses to mechanical stimuli occurring during tooth movement. Altered inflammatory signaling could promote root resorption and tooth loss. Hyperinflammatory COX2/PGE2 signaling was reported for human PdL fibroblasts (HPdLFs) concomitantly stressed with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharides and compressive force after exposure to palmitic acid (PA). The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which this was modulated by global and gene-specific changes in histone modifications. The expression of key epigenetic players and global H3Kac and H3K27me3 levels were quantitatively evaluated in dual-stressed HPdLFs exposed to PA, revealing a minor force-related reduction in repressive H3K27me3. UNC1999-induced H3K27me3 inhibition reversed the hyperinflammatory responses of dual-stressed PA cultures characterized by increased COX2 expression, PGE2 secretion and THP1 adhesion. The reduced expression of the gene encoding the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and the increased presence of H3K27me3 at its promoter-associated sites were reversed by inhibitor treatment. Thus, the data highlight an important epigenetic interplay between the different stimuli to which the PdL is exposed

Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography Using a Novel Elastin-Specific Molecular Probe in an Experimental Animal Model

Objectives. The aim of this study was to test the potential of a new elastin-specific molecular agent for the performance of contrast-enhanced first-pass and 3D magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), compared to a clinically used extravascular contrast agent (gadobutrol) and based on clinical MR sequences. Materials and Methods. Eight C57BL/6J mice (BL6, male, aged 10 weeks) underwent a contrast-enhanced first-pass and 3D MR angiography (MRA) of the aorta and its main branches. All examinations were on a clinical 3 Tesla MR system (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany). The clinical dose of 0.1 mmol/kg was administered in both probes. First, a time-resolved MRA (TWIST) was acquired during the first-pass to assess the arrival and washout of the contrast agent bolus. Subsequently, a high-resolution 3D MRA sequence (3D T1 FLASH) was acquired. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were calculated for all sequences. Results. The elastin-specific MR probe and the extravascular imaging agent (gadobutrol) enable high-quality MR angiograms in all animals. During the first-pass, the probes demonstrated a comparable peak enhancement (300.6 +/- 32.9 vs. 288.5 +/- 33.1, p > 0.05). Following the bolus phase, both agents showed a comparable intravascular enhancement (SNR: 106.7 +/- 11 vs. 102.3 +/- 5.3; CNR 64.5 +/- 7.4 vs. 61.1 +/- 7.2, p > 0.05). Both agents resulted in a high image quality with no statistical difference (p > 0.05). Conclusion. The novel elastin-specific molecular probe enables the performance of first-pass and late 3D MR angiography with an intravascular contrast enhancement and image quality comparable to a clinically used extravascular contrast agent

Dual-probe molecular MRI for the in vivo characterization of atherosclerosis in a mouse model: Simultaneous assessment of plaque inflammation and extracellularmatrix remodeling

Molecular MRI is a promising in-vivo modality to detect and quantify morphological and molecular vessel-wall changes in atherosclerosis. The combination of different molecular biomarkers may improve the risk stratification of patients. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of simultaneous visualization and quantification of plaque-burden and inflammatory activity by dual-probe molecular MRI in a mouse-model of progressive atherosclerosis and in response-to-therapy. Homozygous apolipoprotein E knockout mice (ApoE-/-) were fed a high-fat-diet (HFD) for up to four-months prior to MRI of the brachiocephalic-artery. To assess response-to-therapy, a statin was administered for the same duration. MR imaging was performed before and after administration of an elastin-specific gadolinium-based and a macrophage-specific iron-oxide-based probe. Following in-vivo MRI, samples were analyzed using histology, immunohistochemistry, inductively-coupled-mass-spectrometry and laser-inductively-coupled-mass-spectrometry. In atherosclerotic-plaques, intraplaque expression of elastic-fibers and inflammatory activity were not directly linked. While the elastin-specific probe demonstrated the highest accumulation in advanced atherosclerotic-plaques after four-months of HFD, the iron-oxide-based probe showed highest accumulation in early atherosclerotic-plaques after two-months of HFD. In-vivo measurements for the elastin and iron-oxide-probe were in good agreement with ex-vivo histopathology (Elastica-van-Giesson stain: y = 298.2 + 5.8, R2 = 0.83, p < 0.05; Perls' Prussian-blue-stain: y = 834.1 + 0.67, R2 = 0.88, p < 0.05). Contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR) measurements of the elastin probe were in good agreement with ICP-MS (y = 0.11x-11.3, R² = 0.73, p < 0.05). Late stage atherosclerotic-plaques displayed the strongest increase in both CNR and gadolinium concentration (p < 0.05). The gadolinium probe did not affect the visualization of the iron-oxide-probe and vice versa. This study demonstrates the feasibility of simultaneous assessment of plaque-burden and inflammatory activity by dual-probe molecular MRI of progressive atherosclerosis. The in-vivo detection and quantification of different MR biomarkers in a single scan could be useful to improve characterization of atherosclerotic-lesions

Structure and mechanism of the CMR complex for CRISPR-Mediated antiviral immunity

The prokaryotic clusters of regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system utilizes genomically encoded CRISPR RNA (crRNA), derived from invading viruses and incorporated into ribonucleoprotein complexes with CRISPR-associated (CAS) proteins, to target and degrade viral DNA or RNA on subsequent infection. RNA is targeted by the CMR complex. In Sulfolobus solfataricus, this complex is composed of seven CAS protein subunits (Cmr1-7) and carries a diverse "payload" of targeting crRNA. The crystal structure of Cmr7 and low-resolution structure of the complex are presented. S. solfataricus CMR cleaves RNA targets in an endo-nucleolytic reaction at UA dinucleotides. This activity is dependent on the 8 nt repeat-derived 5' sequence in the crRNA, but not on the presence of a proto-spacer-associated motif (PAM) in the target. Both target and guide RNAs can be cleaved, although a single molecule of guide RNA can support the degradation of multiple targets.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Degeneration of Lumbar Intervertebral Discs: Characterization of Anulus Fibrosus Tissue and Cells of Different Degeneration Grades

Intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation and degeneration is a major source of back pain. In order to regenerate a herniated and degenerated disc, closure of the anulus fibrosus (AF) is of crucial importance. For molecular characterization of AF, genome-wide Affymetrix HG-U133plus2.0 microarrays of native AF and cultured cells were investigated. To evaluate if cells derived from degenerated AF are able to initiate gene expression of a regenerative pattern of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, cultivated cells were stimulated with bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) for 24 h. Comparative microarray analysis of native AF tissues showed 788 genes with a significantly different gene expression with 213 genes more highly expressed in mild and 575 genes in severe degenerated AF tissue. Mild degenerated native AF tissues showed a higher gene expression of common cartilage ECM genes, whereas severe degenerated AF tissues expressed genes known from degenerative processes, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and bone associated genes. During monolayer cultivation, only 164 differentially expressed genes were found. The cells dedifferentiated and altered their gene expression profile. RTD-PCR analyses of BMP2- and TGFβ1-stimulated cells from mild and severe degenerated AF tissue after 24 h showed an increased expression of cartilage associated genes. TNFα stimulation increased MMP1, 3, and 13 expression. Cells derived from mild and severe degenerated tissues could be stimulated to a comparable extent. These results give hope that regeneration of mildly but also strongly degenerated disc tissue is possible

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Visualization of Prostate Cancer in MRI

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in men. For detection and diagnosis of PCa, non-invasive methods, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can reduce the risk potential of surgical intervention. To explore the molecular characteristics of the tumor, we investigated the applicability of ferumoxytol in PCa in a xenograft mouse model in two different tumor volumes, 500 mm3 and 1000 mm3. Macrophages play a key role in tumor progression, and they are able to internalize iron-oxide particles, such as ferumoxytol. When evaluating T2*-weighted sequences on MRI, a significant decrease of signal intensity between pre- and post-contrast images for each tumor volume (n = 14; p < 0.001) was measured. We, furthermore, observed a higher signal loss for a tumor volume of 500 mm3 than for 1000 mm3. These findings were confirmed by histological examinations and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The 500 mm3 tumors had 1.5% iron content (n = 14; σ = 1.1), while the 1000 mm3 tumors contained only 0.4% iron (n = 14; σ = 0.2). In vivo MRI data demonstrated a correlation with the ex vivo data (R2 = 0.75). The results of elemental analysis by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry correlated strongly with the MRI data (R2 = 0.83) (n = 4). Due to its long retention time in the blood, biodegradability, and low toxicity to patients, ferumoxytol has great potential as a contrast agent for visualization PCa.SonderforschungsbereichDeutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftPeer Reviewe