Leveraging Real-World Data for the Selection of Relevant Eligibility Criteria for the Implementation of Electronic Recruitment Support in Clinical Trials.

Background: Even though clinical trials are indispensable for medical research, they are frequently impaired by delayed or incomplete patient recruitment, resulting in cost overruns or aborted studies. Study protocols based on real-world data with precisely expressed eligibility criteria and realistic cohort estimations are crucial for successful study execution. The increasing availability of routine clinical data in electronic health records (EHRs) provides the opportunity to also support patient recruitment during the prescreening phase.

In silico metabolic network analysis of Arabidopsis leaves.

Background: During the last decades, we face an increasing interest in superior plants to supply growing demands for human and animal nutrition and for the developing bio-based economy. Presently, our limited understanding of their metabolism and its regulation hampers the targeted development of desired plant phenotypes. In this regard, systems biology, in particular the integration of metabolic and regulatory networks, is promising to broaden our knowledge and to further explore the biotechnological potential of plants.

Novel Approach for High-Throughput Metabolic Screening of Whole Plants by Stable Isotopes.

Here, we demonstrate whole-plant metabolic profiling by stable isotope labeling and combustion isotope-ratio mass spectrometry for precise quantification of assimilation, translocation, and molecular reallocation of (13)CO2 and (15)NH4NO3 The technology was applied to rice (Oryza sativa) plants at different growth stages. For adult plants, (13)CO2 labeling revealed enhanced carbon assimilation of the flag leaf from flowering to late grain-filling stage, linked to efficient translocation into the panicle. Simultaneous (13)CO2 and (15)NH4NO3 labeling with hydroponically grown seedlings was used to quantify the relative distribution of carbon and nitrogen.

Characterization and control of fungal morphology for improved production performance in biotechnology.

Filamentous fungi have been widely applied in industrial biotechnology for many decades. In submerged culture processes, they typically exhibit a complex morphological life cycle that is related to production performance--a link that is of high interest for process optimization. The fungal forms can vary from dense spherical pellets to viscous mycelia.

Integration of in vivo and in silico metabolic fluxes for improvement of recombinant protein production.

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger is an efficient host for the recombinant production of the glycosylated enzyme fructofuranosidase, a biocatalyst of commercial interest for the synthesis of pre-biotic sugars. In batch culture on a minimal glucose medium, the recombinant strain A. niger SKAn1015, expressing the fructofuranosidase encoding suc1 gene secreted 45U/mL of the target enzyme, whereas the parent wild type SKANip8 did not exhibit production.

Flux Design: In silico design of cell factories based on correlation of pathway fluxes to desired properties.

Background: The identification of genetic target genes is a key step for rational engineering of production strains towards bio-based chemicals, fuels or therapeutics. This is often a difficult task, because superior production performance typically requires a combination of multiple targets, whereby the complex metabolic networks complicate straightforward identification. Recent attempts towards target prediction mainly focus on the prediction of gene deletion targets and therefore can cover only a part of genetic modifications proven valuable in metabolic engineering.

Influence of pH on the expression of a recombinant epoxide hydrolase in Aspergillus niger.

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger was investigated in relation to its ability to produce a soluble epoxide hydrolase (EH) (E.C. 3.

Production of epoxide hydrolases in batch fermentations of Botryosphaeria rhodina.

The filamentous fungus Botryosphaeria rhodina (ATCC 9055) was investigated related to its ability for epoxide hydrolase (EH) production. Epoxide hydrolase activity is located at two different sites of the cells. The larger part is present in the cytosol (70%), while the smaller part is associated to membranes (30%).

Metabolic flux analysis using stoichiometric models for Aspergillus niger: comparison under glucoamylase-producing and non-producing conditions.

Aspergillus niger AB1.13 cultures with glucoamylase production (with D-glucose as substrate) and without glucoamylase production (with D-xylose as substrate) were characterized by metabolic flux analysis. Two comprehensive metabolic models for d-glucose- as well as for D-xylose-consumption were used to quantify and compare the metabolic fluxes through the central pathways of carbon metabolism at different pH-values.

[The intrapulmonary pseudo-malposition of chest tubes in the computed tomogram (CT)].

The diagnosis of an intrapulmonary malposition of chest tubes on CT may be problematic. We report about 13 chest tubes which were suspected on CT to be in an intrapulmonary malposition. In all cases as well as clinical and radiological follow up ruled out such a malposition.

Non-systemic diffuse lymphangiomatosis of spleen and liver.

We present a 27-year-old woman with non-systemic diffuse lymphangiomatosis of spleen and liver. The tumour consisted of capillary and cavernous lymphatic vessels located in abundant fibrous tissue. The vascular endothelium showed immunoreactivity for factor VIII-related antigen.

Computed tomographic diagnosis of left superior vena cava and absence of the azygos vein: case report.

The radiologic findings on plain chest films and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CCT) of the thorax in a case of isolated persistence of the left superior vena cava associated with absence of the right azygos vein are described. Chest x-rays allowed a presumptive diagnosis of the vascular anomaly. Confirmation of this anomaly was achieved by CT.

White fingers after excessive motorcycle driving: a case report.

An 18-year-old male presented with Raynaud's phenomenon which was found to be caused by occlusion of the proper palmar digital arteries on the right hand and obstruction of the superficial palmar arterial arch on the left hand. These lesions in the arteries of both hands resemble those found in patients with vibration-induced white fingers such as in mine or foundry workers. The only likely cause for the pathological vascular findings in our patient was an exposure to vibration due to excessive off-street motorcycle driving.

Colobronchial and gastrocolic fistulas: rare complication of Crohn's disease.

A rare case of colobronchial and gastrocolic fistulas originating from the splenic flexure in a patient with Crohn's disease is presented. A computed tomographic (CT) examination of the chest first suggested the presence of the colobronchial fistula.

[Computerized tomography image of entero-enteric invagination].

A case demonstrating the computertomographic appearance of entero-enteric intussusception in an adult patient is presented. Unlike conventional barium studies CT is able to demonstrate completely the intussusception complex. Its characteristic CT-appearance allows a definite diagnosis.

[High-resolution computed tomography of the thorax in lymphangioleiomyomatosis and tuberous sclerosis].

We present three cases that illustrate the HRCT appearance of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis and pulmonary involvement in tuberous sclerosis. All patients had multiple cystic lesions diffusely distributed throughout the lungs. The lack of fibrotic changes was a prominent feature in all patients.

[Computed tomography findings in hereditary angioneurotic edema].

The authors describe the computer tomographic findings in a patient with proven hereditary angioneurotic edema of the gastrointestinal tract with emphasis on differential diagnoses.

[Conventional and computed tomographic findings in polysplenia syndrome].

A case of polysplenia syndrome associated with abdominal situs inversus and anomalies of the inferior vena cava system is demonstrated by conventional and CT examinations. The conventional radiographic findings already suggest the diagnosis; final verification can be achieved via computed tomography.

[Research schools in pharmacy. 2. Ernst A. Schmidt (1845-1921) and high area of scholarship; the history of pharmaceutical science. 33].

The aim of this article is to trace the historical development of Ernst Schmidt and his research school. Schmidt was an ideally director and teacher. The scientific programme is represented by two books, 197 papers and 117 dissertations.

[Computer-assisted diagnosis of bone tumors and tumor-like skeletal diseases: critical evaluation of its clinical use].

Thirty-four patients with bone tumours and tumour-like abnormalities of the skeleton, of varying ages, were examined by a computer-aided diagnostic program; the accuracy, clinical usefulness and specific advantages and disadvantages of the program have been evaluated. This was done by two statistical methods, both with showed high accuracy and reliability of the system (97% and 88.2%).

[Endoscopic fistulotomy in choledocholithiasis].

In 9 cases of choledocholithiasis and 2 cases of endoscopically determined stenosis of the papilla in which an EPT could not be successfully performed it was possible to carry out a prepapillary choledochoduodenal fistula by means of endoscopy. Subsequently the fistula was split in the cranial direction using a papillotome, i.e.

[Studies on inhibition of platelet aggregation by carbocromen (author's transl)].

3-(2-Diethylaminoethyl)4-methyl-7-(carbethoxy-methoxy)-2-oxo-1,2-chromene-hydrochloride (carbocromen; Intensaïn) shows dose dependent platelet aggregation inhibitory activity in vitro according to the methods of Born (following ADP, epinephrine and collagen) and of Breddin (platelet agglutination test--PAT--, adhesively). The effect was found to be more pronounced than that of acetylsalicylic acid. Furthermore, in vivo carbocromen inhibited the increased spontaneous platelet aggregation in man.