Single-cell molecular profiling using ex vivo functional readouts fuels precision oncology in glioblastoma.

Background: Functional profiling of freshly isolated glioblastoma (GBM) cells is being evaluated as a next-generation method for precision oncology. While promising, its success largely depends on the method to evaluate treatment activity which requires sufficient resolution and specificity.

Methods: Here, we describe the 'precision oncology by single-cell profiling using ex vivo readouts of functionality' (PROSPERO) assay to evaluate the intrinsic susceptibility of high-grade brain tumor cells to respond to therapy.

Towards high-resolution laser ionization spectroscopy of the heaviest elements in supersonic gas jet expansion.

Resonant laser ionization and spectroscopy are widely used techniques at radioactive ion beam facilities to produce pure beams of exotic nuclei and measure the shape, size, spin and electromagnetic multipole moments of these nuclei. However, in such measurements it is difficult to combine a high efficiency with a high spectral resolution. Here we demonstrate the on-line application of atomic laser ionization spectroscopy in a supersonic gas jet, a technique suited for high-precision studies of the ground- and isomeric-state properties of nuclei located at the extremes of stability.

The PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast improves memory in rodents at non-emetic doses.

Enhancement of central availability of the second messenger cAMP is a promising approach to improve cognitive function. Pharmacological inhibition of phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4), a group of cAMP hydrolyzing enzymes in the brain, has been shown to improve cognitive performances in rodents and monkeys. However, inhibition of PDE4 is generally associated with severe emetic side-effects.

First Report of Pilidium concavum Causing Tan-Brown Rot on Strawberry Fruit in Belgium.

In April 2010, pink-orange spore masses that later turned brown were observed on 7 to 50% of the transplant lots during a routine screening of Belgian strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa, cv. Elsanta) for the latent presence of Colletotrichum acutatum using the petiole freeze method (4). These spore masses contained hyaline, canoe-shaped to allantoid conidia (mean size 7.

Evaluation of Six Models to Estimate Ascospore Maturation in Venturia pyrina.

Estimates of ascospore maturity generated by models developed for Venturia pyrina in Victoria, Australia (NV and SV), Oregon, United States (OR), and Italy (IT) or for V. inaequalis in New Hampshire, United States (NH-1) or modified in Norway (NH-2) were compared with observed field ascospore release of V. pyrina from 21 site-year combinations.

Epidemiological research of twig scab on pear as basis for a rational and ecological disease management.

Scab is one of the key parasites in fruit growth. In favourable weather conditions for the pathogen, a complete harvest can be destroyed if no control measurements are undertaken. The scab fungi on pear and apple are two distinct species.

Evaluation of the users value of salts against apple scab and powdery mildew for the integrated fruit production.

As new fungicides are mainly unisite action fungicides, the problem of fungicide resistance development is becoming more important every year. Combining chemical fungicides, which is the best anti-resistance strategy, is not always possible or recommended in the case when the number of available chemical fungicides are limited or a reduction in fungicide use is asked for. Therefore the use of salts as an anti-resistance strategy was looked upon.

Screening preharvest/postharvest strategies to prevent fruit rot decay.

In fruit growing preharvest sprayings in the orchard are mainly applied to protect fruit from decaying. Next to multisite fungicides (captan, thiram, tolylfluanid) the most commonly used products recognized for the Belgium market are Bellis (pyraclostrobin & boscalid) and the combination of Topsin M (thiophanate-methyl) and Frugico (diethofencarb). In general the spraying schedule varies depending on weather conditions (infection risk), preharvest interval of available fungicides, fruitgrower and cultivar of pome fruit (apple/pear).

Alternatives to copper in Scab control affect mineral composition in leaves and fruits of apple varieties with reduced Scab susceptibility or Scab resistance.

Scab (Venturia inaequalis) is the principal disease endangering both integrated and organic apple production. Scab pressure tends to build up over the years and organic farmers rely mainly on copper and sulphur treatments for control. The use of Cu in crop protection received scrutiny in recent years as this metal tends to accumulate in soil and substrates.

Brown spot control on pear: infection models versus the inoculum pressure in Belgium.

Stemphylium conidia and Pleospora ascospores were monitored in pear orchards in the region of Haspengouw in Belgium during the infectious periods of brown spot disease (end May - end August) in the years 2002, 2004 and 2005. The seasonal and daily dynamics of the captured fungal spores are discussed and a correlation analysis was performed to determine possible correlation with weather parameters. Furthermore the fungicide cover obtained by spraying upon climatological infection risk is compared with the inoculum pressure in the orchards.

A new post-harvest fungicide to control fruit rot on apple and pear.

PHILABUSTER is a new post-harvest fungicide developed by Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V..

Botrytis infection warnings in strawberry: reduced enhanced chemical control.

The fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea is the causal agent of grey mould, the most important fungal fruit rot disease in strawberry in Europe. Currently disease control for grey mould is based on preventive spraying every five to seven days during flowering and harvest. Replacing preventive spraying with applications based on infection warnings can optimize performance and reduce the amount of sprays needed.

Signum, a new fungicide with interesting properties in resistance management of fungal diseases in strawberries.

Signum, a new fungicide developed by BASF, was applied during 6 successive years against fungal diseases in strawberries. The product is formulated as a water dispersible granule, containing 6.7 % pyraclostrobin and 26.

Evaluation of peripheral blood CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte subsets, CD69 expression and histologic rejection grade as diagnostic markers for the presence of cardiac allograft rejection.

We investigated the dynamics of the CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte subsets, and the expression of activation markers in cardiac transplant recipients. We tested 132 peripheral blood samples from 62 cardiac transplant recipients using fluorescent staining and flow cytometry analysis. The results were correlated with histological rejection grade of concurrently taken biopsies, and 5-year survival of the recipients.

HLA-A and -B alleles in cornea donors as risk factors for graft rejection.

We determined the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A, -B and -DR allele frequencies in recipients and donors of 115 cornea transplants, for recipients who developed graft rejection and those who did not. No difference in HLA allele frequencies of the recipients was found. The frequencies of the HLA-A26, -B35 and -B44 alleles in cornea donors were increased in recipients who developed graft failure.

Rebound effect of the allogenic T-cell response to donor and third-party lymphocytes after cyclosporine withdrawal in renal transplant recipients.

Mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assays were performed serially over 24 months in 19 first cadaver renal transplant recipients. Immunosuppression consisted of cyclosporine, methylprednisolone and azathioprine. Cyclosporine was withdrawn at 6 months postoperatively.

A unique African HLA haplotype may identify a population at increased risk for kidney graft rejection.

We determined HLA-A, -B, and -DR allele frequencies in kidney transplant recipients in relation to graft survival. Most recipients and donors were from African descent. The frequency of HLA-A30 was somewhat increased in recipients who rejected the graft.

Interaction between panel reactive antibodies, auto- and cold reactive antibodies, and a positive B cell cross-match in renal and cardiac allograft survival.

We analyzed the influence on allograft survival of pretransplant panel reactive antibodies (PRA) < 10%, PRA > 10%, autoantibodies, cold antibodies and a positive B cell crossmatch in 807 renal and 237 cardiac transplant recipients. Donors and recipients were predominantly of mixed ancestry (Khoi, San, Xhosa and Caucasoid). Log rank analysis showed that PRA < 10%, cold antibodies, and a positive B cell cross-match did not influence allograft survival.

An adverse matching effect for the HLA-B locus in corneal transplantation.

The results of tissue typing on 115 recipient/donor pairs prior to corneal grafting were analyzed with the proportional hazard regression model for the incidence of the first rejection episode and for graft failure from rejection. Like other investigators, we found that a previously failed corneal graft and the degree of recipient corneal vascularization were significant risk factor for graft rejection. ABO blood group matching had no effect.

Sequential mixed lymphocyte culture after kidney transplantation: induction of tolerance or sensitization.

Serial mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) was used to monitor the evolution of donor-specific responsiveness over the first 2 years after cadaveric renal transplantation. Lymphocytes obtained from 37 patients at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months following transplantation were assayed in a one-way MLC using donor lymphocytes as stimulator cells. Donor-specific hyporesponsiveness developed in 66% of the patients with functioning grafts.

C4 polymorphism and extended HLA haplotypes in Namibian San and Khoi and in South African Xhosa.

We studied C4A and C4B polymorphisms and HLA-B and -DR associations in the San, Khoi and Xhosa. C4A and C4B alleles were determined using conventional protein allotyping methods. The C4A*3, C4B*1 haplotype had a high frequency (30-55%) in all populations.

DBP (vitamin D binding protein) and BF (properdin factor B) allele distribution in Namibian San and Khoi and in other South African populations.

The genetic polymorphism of vitamin D binding protein (DBP) and of properdin Factor B (BF) was determined in unrelated Namibian San and Khoi, and in South African Blacks, Caucasoids and Cape Coloureds. Alleles have been confirmed by segregation patterns in family studies. The DBP phenotypes were identified by isoelectric focusing on ultrathin polyacrylamide gels and the BF phenotypes were identified by electrophoresis on 1% agarose gels; both methods were followed by immunofixation.