High-throughput process development of an alternative platform for the production of virus-like particles in Escherichia coli.

The production of safe vaccines against untreatable or new diseases has pushed the research in the field of virus-like particles (VLPs). Currently, a large number of commercial VLP-based human vaccines and vaccine candidates are available or under development. A promising VLP production route is the controlled in vitro assembly of virus proteins into capsids.

Imaging with positive T1-contrast using superstimulated echoes.

This article presents the basic principles of the superstimulated echo mechanism and shows preliminary results of its application to T1-weighted imaging with positive T1-contrast. A superstimulated echo scheme uses a preparation of square-wave modulated, periodically inverted z-magnetization, which after signal evolution during the mixing time TM is fully converted into transverse magnetization. This avoids the 50% signal loss of a conventional stimulated echo.

Growth and nutritive quality of Poa pratensis as influenced by ozone and competition.

Interspecific plant competition has been hypothesized to alter effects of early-season ozone (O3) stress. A phytometer-based approach was utilized to investigate O3 effects on growth and nutritive quality of Poa pratensis grown in monoculture and in mixed cultures with four competitor-plant species (Anthoxanthum odoratum, Achillea millefolium, Rumex acetosa and Veronica chamaedrys). Mesocosms were exposed during April/May 2000-2002 to charcoal-filtered air+25 ppb O3 (control) or non-filtered air+50 ppb O3 (elevated O3).

Calculation of flip angles for echo trains with predefined amplitudes with the extended phase graph (EPG)-algorithm: principles and applications to hyperecho and TRAPS sequences.

The article presents an algorithm for calculation of flip angles in multiecho experiments to generate echoes with predefined amplitudes based on the extended phase graph algorithm. The algorithm can be used to optimize the echo envelope and thus the point spread function (PSF) in hyperecho and TRAPS (transition into the pseudosteady state) experiments while minimizing the total RF power. Implementations at 3 T using echo trains with Gaussian and Lorentzian PSF demonstrate a reduction in RF power by a factor of 3-5 while maintaining high image quality.

Preliminary results of simultaneous radiochemotherapy with paclitaxel for urinary bladder cancer.

Background: Paclitaxel (Taxol) has been shown to be effective in metastatic bladder cancer as single agent and in combination with other cytotoxic drugs. Its efficacy seems to be comparable to cisplatin. We have used paclitaxel as alternative to cisplatin in selected patients with simultaneous radiochemotherapy.