TY - GEN A1 - Lopens, Steffi A1 - Schierack, Peter A1 - Krause, Jenny A1 - Piaszczyński, Michał A1 - Król, Robert A1 - Staroń, Robert A1 - Krupa, Łukasz A1 - Gutkowski, Krzysztof A1 - Kruk, Beata A1 - Grąt, Michał A1 - Krawczyk, Marek A1 - Patkowski, Waldemar A1 - Glaser, Fabian A1 - Rödiger, Stefan A1 - Grossmann, Kai A1 - Pająk, Jacek A1 - Milkiewicz, Piotr A1 - Lammert, Frank A1 - Zieniewicz, Krzysztof A1 - Schramm, Christoph A1 - Roggenbuck, Dirk A1 - Krawczyk, Marcin T1 - Antimicrobial glycoprotein 2 (GP2) in gallstones, bile fluid and peribiliary glands of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis T2 - Clinica Chimica Acta Y1 - 2024 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cca.2024.119841 SN - 0009-8981 VL - 562 SP - 1 EP - 8 PB - Elsevier BV ER - TY - GEN A1 - Geithe, Christiane A1 - Zeng, Bo A1 - Schmidt, Carsten A1 - Dinter, Franziska A1 - Roggenbuck, Dirk A1 - Lehmann, Werner A1 - Dame, Gregory A1 - Schierack, Peter A1 - Hanack, Katja A1 - Rödiger, Stefan T1 - A multiplex microchamber diffusion assay for the antibody-based detection of microRNAs on randomly ordered microbeads T2 - Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X Y1 - 2024 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosx.2024.100484 SN - 2590-1370 VL - 18 (2024) SP - 1 EP - 7 PB - Elsevier BV ER - TY - GEN A1 - Naz, Fizza A1 - Ahmad, Abrar A1 - Sarwar, Yasra A1 - Khan, Muhammad Moman A1 - Schierack, Peter A1 - Rauf, Waqar A1 - Ali, Aamir T1 - Characterization of Salmonella enterica Biofilms and Antibiofilm Effect of Carvacrol and 2-Aminobenzimidazole T2 - Foodborne Pathogens and Disease Y1 - 2024 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2023.0044 SN - 1535-3141 VL - 21 IS - 1 SP - 52 EP - 60 PB - Mary Ann Liebert Inc. ER - TY - GEN A1 - Khan, Muhammad Moman A1 - Mushtaq, Muhammad Ahmed A1 - Abbas, Nayyar A1 - Fatima, Fariha A1 - Gibbon, Marjorie J. A1 - Schierack, Peter A1 - Mohsin, Mashkoor T1 - Occurrence, antimicrobial resistance and genomic features of Klebsiella pneumoniae from broiler chicken in Faisalabad, Pakistan T2 - Frontiers in Veterinary Science N2 - IntroductionThe dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in critical priority pathogens is a significant threat. Non-clinical reservoirs of AMR, such as agriculture and food production facilities, may contribute to the transmission of clinically relevant pathogens such as multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae. There is currently very limited knowledge regarding the population structure and genomic diversity of K. pneumoniae in poultry production in Pakistan.MethodsWe explored healthy broilers in a commercial farm from Faisalabad, Pakistan, and identified six K. pneumoniae strains from 100 broiler birds. We characterized the strains, determining clonality, virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes using next generation sequencing.ResultsThe evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibility revealed that all the strains were MDR. Genomic analysis showed that 3/6 strains belonged to ST152, harbouring acquired resistance aminoglycosides [aadA2, aph(4′)-Ia], β-lactams (blaSHV-187, blaLAP2), fosfomycin (fosA6), tetracycline (tetA), trimethoprim (dfrA12), quinolone (qnrS1), sulphonamides (sul2) and phenicol (floR). All the strains harboured the efflux pump genes oqxA, oqxB, emrR, kpnG, kpnH, kpnF, baeR, mtdB and mtdC. All six strains encoded identical virulence profiles possessing six genes, i.e., ureA, iutA, entB, allS, fimH and mrkD. Phylogenomic analysis of the dominant sequence type (ST152) present in our dataset with publicly available genomes showed that the isolates clustered to strains mainly from human sources and could pose a potential threat to food safety and public health.DiscussionThe combination of these findings with antimicrobial use data would allow a better understanding of the selective pressures that may be driving the spread of AMR. This is the first report of MDR K. pneumoniae isolated from broiler hens in Pakistan, and the finding suggests that routine surveillance of WHO critical priority pathogens in such settings would be beneficial to the development of effective control strategies to reduce AMR. KW - antimicrobial resistance KW - poultry KW - genomics KW - sequence type Y1 - 2024 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1433124 SN - 2297-1769 VL - 11 PB - Frontiers Media S.A. ER - TY - GEN A1 - Fotang, Chefor A1 - Dutton, Paul A1 - Bröring, Udo A1 - Roos, Christian A1 - Willie, Jacob A1 - Angwafo, Tsi Evaristus A1 - Chuo, Mvo Denis A1 - Kamgang, Serge Alexis A1 - Enoguanbhor, Evidence Chinedu A1 - Schierack, Peter A1 - Birkhofer, Klaus T1 - Tool use by Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees for driver ant predation in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve, North-West Region Cameroon T2 - Folia Primatologica N2 - Chimpanzees feed on driver ants (Dorylus sp.) using different tools and predation techniques that vary among populations and can be affected by availability of ant species as well as ecological and social-learning factors. At the Kom-Wum Forest Reserve (KWFR) in Cameroon, we investigated tool use behavior in Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes ellioti), examining the characteristics of tools used in driver ant predation, looking for possible seasonal patterns and comparing our results to those from other study sites. We recovered 83 tools along line transects and recces (reconnaissance) during two seasons. We found that chimpanzees used tools with blunting and dirty ends (possible digging and probing tools) and tools without (dipping tools), in driver ant predation. Tools with dirty ends tended to be thicker (N = 52), and thinner tools were less likely to have dirt (N = 31). Tools recovered in the wet season (N = 62), were significantly shorter and thicker than those recovered in the dry season (N = 21). Furthermore, driver ant tools recovered at KWFR are on average the longest yet recorded insect dipping tools for chimpanzees comparable to those used in North Uele. We found no evidence of nut-cracking, tool use for honey bee nor termite consumption and did not observe the potential prey remains in chimpanzee faeces despite their presence in the reserve. Our results suggest that seasonality significantly contributes to a divergence in the form of tools selected for driver ant predation. KW - ant dip KW - driver ants KW - insectivory KW - tool use Y1 - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1163/14219980-bja10006 SN - 1421-9980 SN - 0015-5713 VL - 94 IS - 1 SP - 73 EP - 85 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Fotang, Chefor A1 - Bröring, Udo A1 - Roos, Christian A1 - Dutton, Paul A1 - Tédonzong, Luc R. D. A1 - Willie, Jacob A1 - Angwafo, Tsi Evaristus A1 - Yuh, Yisa Ginath A1 - Schierack, Peter A1 - Birkhofer, Klaus T1 - Mapping suitable habitat for Nigeria–Cameroon chimpanzees in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve, North-Western Cameroon T2 - Primates N2 - Great apes lose suitable habitats required for their reproduction and survival due to human activities across their distribution range in Africa. Little is known about habitat suitability of the Nigeria–Cameroon chimpanzee [Pan troglodytes ellioti (Matschie, 1914)], particularly for populations inhabiting forest reserves in North-West Cameroon. To address this knowledge gap, we employed a common species distribution model (MaxEnt) to map and predict suitable habitats for the Nigeria–Cameroon chimpanzee in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve, North-West Cameroon, based on environmental factors that potentially affect habitat suitability. We related these environmental factors to a dataset of chimpanzee occurrence points recorded during line transect and reconnaissance (recce) surveys in the forest reserve and surrounding forests. Up to 91% of the study area is unsuitable for chimpanzees. Suitable habitats only represented 9% of the study area, with a high proportion of highly suitable habitats located outside the forest reserve. Elevation, secondary forests density, distance to villages and primary forests density were the most important predictors of habitat suitability for the Nigeria–Cameroon chimpanzee. The probability of chimpanzee occurrence increased with elevation, secondary forest density and distance from villages and roads. Our study provides evidence that suitable chimpanzee habitat in the reserve is degraded, suggesting that efforts to maintain protected areas are insufficient. The reserve management plan needs to be improved to conserve the remaining suitable habitat and to avoid local extinction of this endangered subspecies. KW - Environmental factors KW - Habitat requirements KW - Human impact KW - Protected area KW - Maximum entropy KW - Pan troglodytes ellioti Y1 - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-023-01054-z SN - 1610-7365 IS - 25 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Liedtke, Victoria A1 - Rose, Laura A1 - Hiemann, Rico A1 - Nasser, Abdullah A1 - Rödiger, Stefan A1 - Bonaventura, Alena A1 - Winkler, Laura A1 - Sowa, Mandy A1 - Stöckle, Michael A1 - Schierack, Peter A1 - Junker, Kerstin A1 - Roggenbuck, Dirk T1 - Over-Expression of LEDGF/p75 in HEp-2 Cells Enhances Autoimmune IgG Response in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia—A Novel Diagnostic Approach with Therapeutic Consequence? T2 - International Journal of Molecular Sciences N2 - Lens epithelium-derived growth factor splice variant of 75 kDa (LEDGF/p75) is an autoantigen over-expressed in solid tumors and acts as a stress-related transcriptional co-activator. Participation of autoimmune responses in the pathophysiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (PBH) and a corresponding immunosuppressive therapy by TNFalpha antagonists has been recently suggested. Thus, autoAb testing could aid in the diagnosis of BPH patients profiting from such therapy. We generated CRISPR/Cas9 modified HEp-2 LEDGF knock-out (KO) and HEp-2 LEDGF/p75 over-expressing (OE) cells and examined IgG autoantibody reactivity to LEDGF/p75 in patients with prostate cancer (PCa, n = 89), bladder cancer (BCa, n = 116), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, n = 103), and blood donors (BD, n = 60) by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Surprisingly, we could not detect elevated binding of autoAbs against LEDGF/p75 in cancer patients, but autoAb reactivity to LEDGF/p75 OE cells in about 50% of patients with BPH was unexpectedly significantly increased. Furthermore, a line immunoassay enabling the detection of 18 different autoAbs revealed a significantly increased occurrence of anti-dsDNA autoAbs in 34% of BPH patients in contrast to tumor patients and BD. This finding was confirmed by anti-mitochondrial (mDNA) autoAb detection with the Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence test, which also showed a significantly higher prevalence (34%) of anti-mDNA autoAbs in BPH. In summary, our study provided further evidence for the occurrence of autoimmune responses in BPH. Furthermore, LEDGF/p75 over-expression renders HEp-2 cells more autoantigenic and an ideal target for autoAb analysis in BPH with a potential therapy consequence. KW - LEDGF/p75 KW - autoimmunity KW - CRISPR/Cas9 KW - dsDNA KW - mDNA Y1 - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076166 SN - 1422-0067 VL - 24 IS - 7 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Khan, Muhammad Moman A1 - Ali, Aamir A1 - Kolenda, Rafał A1 - Olowe, Olugbenga Adekunle A1 - Weinreich, Jörg A1 - Li, Ganwu A1 - Schierack, Peter T1 - The role of AJB35136 and fdtA genes in biofilm formation by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli T2 - BMC Veterinary Research Y1 - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-023-03672-7 SN - 1746-6148 VL - 19 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Roei, Tulchinsky A1 - Boris, Gilburd A1 - Yehuda, Shovman A1 - Milena, Tocut A1 - Eleanor, Zeruya A1 - Ariel, Binyaminov A1 - Tima, Davidson A1 - Büttner, Thomas A1 - Nasser, Abdullah A1 - Michel, Juliane A1 - Rödiger, Stefan A1 - Schierack, Peter A1 - Howard, Amital A1 - Roggenbuck, Dirk A1 - Yehuda, Shoenfeld A1 - Ora, Shovman T1 - CytoBead ANA 2 assay : a novel method for the detection of antinuclear antibodies T2 - Scientific reports N2 - Detection of anti-nuclear autoantibodies (ANA) is based on a two-step algorithm including indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp2 cells and subsequent reflex/confirmatory testing for specific autoantibodies. Simultaneous cell- and microbead-based autoantibody detection by IIF may be utilized for the evaluation of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). In the present study, we assessed the performance of CytoBead ANA 2 in the detection of ANA and ANA-specific autoantibodies, compared to ANA IIF and BioPlex™ 2200. We also tested the ability of CytoBead ANA DFS-70 to identify dense-fine speckled (DFS) pattern associated with anti-DFS70 antibodies in non-SARDs patients. Hundred-twelve routine sera samples were assessed by manual CytoBead ANA 2 for the presence of ANA and specific autoantibodies. In parallel, these samples were analyzed by HEp2 ANA IIF test and a subsequent multiplexed assay BioPlex™ 2200 ANA. Twenty-nine ANA-positive samples obtained from non-SARDs patients and exhibiting DFS pattern by ANA IIF were further tested by CytoBead ANA DFS-70. A substantial agreement was observed between classical ANA IIF and manual CytoBead ANA 2 for the detection of ANA (k = 0.74). Discordant results were mainly associated with the presence of anti-SSA/Ro antibodies detected by CytoBead ANA 2 in ANA IIF negative patients. A good to almost perfect agreement was found between CytoBead ANA 2 and BioPlex™ 2200 for detection of specific antibodies with kappa values ranging from 0.70 to 0.90. Twenty samples (68.9%) obtained from 29 ANA IIF positive without SARDs patients exhibited DFS pattern in CytoBead ANA DFS-70, which confirmed the presence of anti-DFS70 antibodies. The diagnostic performance of manual CytoBead ANA 2 for ANA screening and detection of ANA specific antibodies is comparable to the diagnostic performance of ANA IIF followed by BioPlex™ 2200. This novel one-step assay enables simultaneous ANA screening and confirmation and represents a promising alternative approach to the time-consuming and costly two-tier ANA analysis. KW - Anti-nuclear antibodies KW - Anti-DFS70 antibodies KW - Indirect immunofluorescence KW - Multiplexed assay KW - CytoBead technology Y1 - 2025 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04583-3 SN - 2045-2322 VL - 15 IS - 1 SP - 1 EP - 11 PB - Nature Publishing Group UK CY - London ER - TY - GEN A1 - Azam, Hafiz Muhammad Husnain A1 - Mumtaz, Mehvish A1 - Rödiger, Stefan A1 - Schierack, Peter A1 - Hussain, Nazim A1 - Aisha, Ambreen T1 - MicroRNAs in neurodegenerative diseases : from molecular mechanisms to clinical biomarkers, detection methods and therapeutic strategies—advances and challenges T2 - Neurological sciences N2 - Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) pose significant challenges in early detection and treatment due to their complex pathophysiology and heterogeneous clinical presentations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression, have emerged as promising diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in NDDs. Pathological examination of affected tissues reveals early synaptic dysfunction, protein misfolding, and neuroinflammation occur prior to overt clinical symptoms, highlighting the importance of sensitive diagnostics approaches in prodromal stages. This review summarizes for researchers on the role of miRNAs in NDDs by examining their diagnostic potential in biofluids such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid, and their therapeutic applicability through inhibition or replacement strategies. Literature from peer-reviewed databases was assessed with a focus on recent advances in molecular detection platforms, computational modeling of miRNA–mRNA interactions, and preclinical/clinical investigations. More than 2600 human miRNAs have been identified, collectively regulating over half of mammalian protein-coding genes. Quantitative methodologies, particularly reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), enable reliable miRNA profiling, facilitating early diagnosis and prognosis of NDDs. Therapeutic strategies, including antagomirs, mimics, sponges and viral or non-viral delivery systems, show promise in modulating disease pathways. However, significant challenges remain, including variability in miRNA extraction and quantification protocols, off-target effects, delivery barriers across the blood brain barrier and limited reproducibility across studies. MiRNAs represent a class of molecular tools with potential to transform diagnostics and therapeutics in NDDs. Future research should prioritize methodological standardization, validation in large multicenter cohorts, and improved computational approaches to elucidate miRNA-mediated regulatory networks in NDDs. Replication studies and translational research are essential harnessing the the full clinical utility of miRNAs in the management of Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease and other NDDs. KW - MicroRNA KW - Neurodegenerative diseases KW - Alzheimer’s disease KW - Parkinson’s disease KW - Huntington’s disease KW - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis KW - Diagnostic biomarkers KW - MiRNA-based therapeutics KW - Molecular diagnostics KW - Gene regulation KW - Biofluid biomarkers KW - Delivery technologies KW - Neuroinflammation KW - RT-qPCR KW - NGS KW - Clinical translation Y1 - 2025 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-025-08419-w SN - 1590-3478 PB - Springer CY - Milano ER - TY - GEN A1 - Khan, Muhammad Moman A1 - Mushtaq, Muhammad Ahmed A1 - Suleman, Muhammad A1 - Ahmed, Umer A1 - Ashraf, Muhammad Faisal A1 - Aslam, Rizwan A1 - Mohsin, Mashkoor A1 - Rödiger, Stefan A1 - Sarwar, Yasra A1 - Schierack, Peter A1 - Ali, Aamir T1 - Fecal microbiota landscape of commercial poultry farms in Faisalabad, Pakistan : a 16S rRNA gene-based metagenomics study T2 - Poultry science N2 - This study explores the microbiota of broiler and layer farms, aiming to understand how genetic breed, age, and farm type influence microbial communities in commercial settings. Fecal samples from 18 poultry farms (twelve layers and six broilers) in Faisalabad, Pakistan were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V3-V4 region to evaluate bacterial composition. The dominant phylum, Firmicutes, accounted for 58.72 % of the microbial population, with Lactobacillus being the most abundant genus in both broilers and layers. The total abundance of potentially pathogenic genera was also assessed with Enterococcus and Corynebacterium being the most prevalent across all farms, regardless of bird type. Layers exhibited greater microbial richness and diversity than broilers, while the Karachi cage system (KCS) farm type showed higher richness than Floor system (FS). Although the breed significantly influenced microbial diversity, age was not a determining factor. Co-occurrence analyses revealed close interactions among phyla (Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Fusobacteriota, and Bacteroidota) and genera (Lactobacillus, Brevibacterium, Enterococcus), suggesting their pivotal roles within the microbial community. Additionally, functional analysis detected important metabolic pathways and traced microbial signatures of key pathogenic bacteria, enhancing our understanding of microbial contributions to poultry health. Despite limitations such as the need for broader geographic sampling and accounting for diet and medication, this study advances microbiome research in Pakistan's poultry sector, emphasizing consistent taxa and opening avenues for future investigations into microbiome manipulations for improved food safety and achieve better sustainable practices. KW - 16S rRNA KW - Broiler KW - Farm-type KW - Layer KW - Metagenomics Y1 - 2025 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2025.105089 SN - 0032-5791 SN - 1525-3171 VL - 104 IS - 6 SP - 1 EP - 11 PB - Elsevier BV CY - Amsterdam ER -