Development of a LINAC head model for the CyberKnife VSI-System using EGSnrc Monte Carlo system.

Introduction: In order to understand the interaction processes of photons and electrons of the CyberKnife VSI-System, a modeling of the LINAC head must take place. Here, a Monte Carlo simulation can help. By comparing the measured data with the simulation data, the agreement can be checked.

Comparison of two optimization algorithms (VOLO , SEQU) for CyberKnife® treatment of acoustic neuromas, lung metastases, and liver metastases.

Introduction: Two optimization algorithms VOLO™ and sequential optimization algorithm (SEQU) are compared in the Precision® treatment planning system from Accuray® for stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) treatment plans. The aim is to compare the two algorithms to assess if VOLO™ is better of SEQU in certain treatment site.

Materials And Methods: Sixty clinical treatment cases were compared.

Point-of-care measured serum cholinesterase activity predicts patient outcome following severe burns.

Risk stratification is of utmost importance in burn therapy. However, suitable bedside biomarkers to evaluate the emerging inflammatory response following burn injuries are missing. Serum cholinesterase (butyrylcholinesterase, BChE) has been shown to be a clinically relevant biomarker in acute inflammatory diseases including burns.

Enzyme-Compatible Dynamic Nanoreactors from Electrostatically Bridged Like-Charged Surfactants and Polyelectrolytes.

Reported is an unanticipated mechanism of attractive electrostatic interactions of fully neutralized polyacrylic acid (PAA) with like-charged surfactants. Amphiphilic polymer-surfactant complexes with high interfacial activity and a solubilization capacity exceeding that of conventional micelles are formed by bridging with Ca ions. Incorporation of a protease into such dynamic nanoreactors results in a synergistically enhanced cleaning performance because of the improved solubilization of poorly water-soluble immobilized proteins.

ThrR, a DNA-binding transcription factor involved in controlling threonine biosynthesis in Bacillus subtilis.

The threonine dehydratase IlvA is part of the isoleucine biosynthesis pathway in the Gram-positive model bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Consequently, deletion of ilvA causes isoleucine auxotrophy. It has been reported that ilvA pseudo-revertants having a derepressed hom-thrCB operon appear in the presence of threonine.

Evidence for synergistic control of glutamate biosynthesis by glutamate dehydrogenases and glutamate in Bacillus subtilis.

In the Gram-positive bacterium, Bacillus subtilis glutamate is synthesized by the glutamine synthetase and the glutamate synthase (GOGAT). During growth with carbon sources that exert carbon catabolite repression, the rocG glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) gene is repressed and the transcription factor GltC activates the expression of the GOGAT encoding gltAB genes. In the presence of amino acids of the glutamate family, the GDH RocG is synthesized and the enzyme prevents GltC from binding to DNA.

A novel engineering tool in the Bacillus subtilis toolbox: inducer-free activation of gene expression by selection-driven promoter decryptification.

Bacillus subtilis is a Gram-positive bacterium that is easy to manipulate genetically. Several methods for genome engineering have been developed that helped to extend our understanding of how the B. subtilis cell operates.