Validation of Modaplex POLE mutation assay in endometrial carcinoma.

The TCGA-based molecular classification of endometrial cancer has emerged as an important tool to stratify patients according to prognosis. A simplified scheme has been proposed, by using immunohistochemistry for p53, MSH6, and PMS2 and a molecular test for POLE mutations (NGS or Sanger sequencing, techniques that are not available in many centers worldwide). In this study, we validate a novel method that allows simultaneous analysis of multiple pathogenic POLE mutations.

Prognostic value of ALK overexpression and molecular abnormalities in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma.

Background: ALK receptor tyrosine kinase (ALK) aberrations have an established role in pathogenesis of many neoplasms, but their clinical significance in high grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is unclear.

Objective: To analyse the frequency of ALK overexpression, molecular abnormalities of ALK, and their impact on the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in HGSOC.

Methods: Protein expression was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using three different clones of anti-ALK antibody.

Functional and mutational analysis after radiation and cetuximab treatment on prostate carcinoma cell line DU145.

Background: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor is often overexpressed in advanced prostate carcinoma. In-vitro-studies in prostate carcinoma cell line DU145 have demonstrated increased sensibility to radiation after cetuximab treatment, but clinical data are not sufficient to date.

Methods: We analyzed effects of radiation and cetuximab in DU145 and A431 using proliferation, colony-forming-unit- and annexin-V-apoptosis-assays.

Salvage Radiation Therapy for Patients With Relapsing Glioblastoma Multiforme and the Role of Slow Fractionation.

Background: Salvage radiation therapy (SRT) can be offered to patients with relapsing glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Here we report our experience with a schedule extending the treatment time of SRT with the aim to prolong the cytotoxic effect of ionizing radiation while minimizing the cytotoxic hazards for the surrounding brain.

Methods And Patients: From 2009 until 2017, 124 of 218 patients received radical resection, adjuvant chemo-radiation with photons and temozolomide (TMZ) followed by adjuvant TMZ.

Carnosine increases efficiency of temozolomide and irradiation treatment of isocitrate dehydrogenase-wildtype glioblastoma cells in culture.

The naturally occurring dipeptide carnosine (CAR) has been considered for glioblastoma therapy. As CAR also protects against ionizing irradiation (IR), we investigated whether it may counteract standard therapy consisting of postsurgery IR and treatment with temozolomide (TMZ). Four isocitrate dehydrogenase-wildtype primary cell cultures were exposed to different doses of IR and different concentrations of TMZ and CAR.

D,L-Methadone does not improve radio- and chemotherapy in glioblastoma in vitro.

Purpose: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Median survival of glioblastoma patients under standard therapy including radiotherapy and chemotherapy using temozolomide (TMZ) is 14.6 months.

Ultrafast infrared spectroscopy on channelrhodopsin-2 reveals efficient energy transfer from the retinal chromophore to the protein.

The primary reaction dynamics of channelrhodopsin-2 was investigated using femtosecond vis-pump/mid-IR probe spectroscopy. Due to the fast deactivation of the excited state in channelrhodopsin-2, it is possible to observe the direct impact of retinal isomerization on the protein surrounding. We show that the dominant negative band at 1665 cm(-1) tentatively assigned to an amide I vibration is developed with a time constant of 0.

Investigating the CO2 uncaging mechanism of nitrophenylacetates by means of fs-IR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations.

Caged compounds are widely utilized for light-triggered control of biological and chemical reactions. In our study we investigated the photo-induced decarboxylation of all three constitutional isomers of nitrophenylacetate (NPA), which can be regarded as caged-CO(2). UV-pump/IR-probe spectroscopy was used to directly observe the nascent CO(2) in the region of 2340 cm(-1).

Molecular mechanism of uncaging CO2 from nitrophenylacetate provides general guidelines for improved ortho-nitrobenzyl cages.

Femtosecond spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations provide detailed insights into the specificities of the uncaging mechanism of CO2 from ortho-, meta-, and para-nitrophenylacetate. The emerging general principles allow a rational design of improved ortho-nitrophenyl cages for chemical and biological applications.

Golden hamsters are nocturnal in captivity but diurnal in nature.

Daily activity rhythms are nearly universal among animals and their specific pattern is an adaptation of each species to its ecological niche. Owing to the extremely consistent nocturnal patterns of activity shown by golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) in the laboratory, this species is a prime model for studying the mechanisms controlling circadian rhythms. In contrast to laboratory data, we discovered that female hamsters in the wild were almost exclusively diurnal.

Initial reaction dynamics of proteorhodopsin observed by femtosecond infrared and visible spectroscopy.

We present a comparative study using femtosecond pump/probe spectroscopy in the visible and infrared of the early photodynamics of solubilized proteorhodopsin (green absorbing variant) in D(2)O with deprotonated (pD 9.2) and protonated (pD 6.4) primary proton acceptor Asp-97.

Molecular phylogeny of the Cricetinae subfamily based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b and 12S rRNA genes and the nuclear vWF gene.

Despite some popularity of hamsters as pets and laboratory animals there is no reliable phylogeny of the subfamily Cricetinae available so far. Contradicting views exist not only about the actual number of species but also concerning the validity of several genera. We used partial DNA sequences of two mitochondrial (cytochrome b, 12S rRNA) and one partial nuclear gene (von Willebrand Factor exon 28) to provide a first gene tree of the Cricetinae based on 15 taxa comprising six genera.

Characterization of the porcine CDKN3 gene as a potential candidate for congenital splay leg in piglets.

Congenital splay leg is a hereditary disease observed in newborn piglets. The etiology and pathogenetic mechanism of the disorder are still unknown. The gene for cyclin-dependent protein kinase inhibitor 3 (CDKN3) was identified as a potential candidate gene in a differential display experiment.