Comparative de novo transcriptome analysis of barley varieties with different malting qualities.

Barley is one of the most important crops in the world. Barley is used as both food and feed and is important for malt production. Demands for malting quality differ among countries and customs.

Detailed kinetic analysis of the interaction between the FOXO4-DNA-binding domain and DNA.

The FOXO forkhead transcription factors are potent transcriptional activators involved in a wide range of key biological processes. In this work, the real-time kinetics of the interaction between the FOXO4-DNA binding domain (FOXO4-DBD) and the DNA was studied by using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). SPR analysis revealed that the interaction between FOXO4-DBD and the double stranded DNA containing either the insulin-responsive or the Daf-16 family member-binding element is preferably described by using a conformational change model which suggests a structural change of FOXO4-DBD upon binding to the DNA.

Role of individual phosphorylation sites for the 14-3-3-protein-dependent activation of yeast neutral trehalase Nth1.

Trehalases are important highly conserved enzymes found in a wide variety of organisms and are responsible for the hydrolysis of trehalose that serves as a carbon and energy source as well as a universal stress protectant. Emerging evidence indicates that the enzymatic activity of the neutral trehalase Nth1 in yeast is enhanced by 14-3-3 protein binding in a phosphorylation-dependent manner through an unknown mechanism. In the present study, we investigated in detail the interaction between Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nth1 and 14-3-3 protein isoforms Bmh1 and Bmh2.

14-3-3 protein masks the DNA binding interface of forkhead transcription factor FOXO4.

The role of 14-3-3 proteins in the regulation of FOXO forkhead transcription factors is at least 2-fold. First, the 14-3-3 binding inhibits the interaction between the FOXO and the target DNA. Second, the 14-3-3 proteins prevent nuclear reimport of FOXO factors by masking their nuclear localization signal.

[EBV-positive Hodgkin's lymphoma in children under 10 years].

The number of EBV-positive child patients with HL varies in different countries and regions. In developing countries the number of child patients with this disease is higher than in the patient population of economically advanced countries. The authors examined 24 patients under 10 years with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Effectiveness of radiochemotherapy on lymph node metastases in patients with stage IV oropharyngeal cancer.

Radiochemotherapy plays a leading role in the treatment of patients with advanced squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the oropharynx. The aim of the present study was to estimate its effectiveness on lymph node (LN) metastases. Seventeen patients with advanced UICC stage IV oropharyngeal SCC (1xT2, 4xT3, 12xT4, 2xN1, 15xN2) were observed prospectively.

Evaluation of a laser system for CT software simulation (EXOMIO) in patients with breast cancer.

Purpose: To develop a manually movable laser system connected to the CT table for alignment of the isocenter cross of irradiation fields on the patient's skin directly after CT software simulation.

Material And Methods: The specially designed laser system was constructed in the authors' department, and the mean focusing accuracy of isocenter translations was analyzed using Alderson phantom measurements. The mean overall accuracy from setup to treatment of the whole procedure of CT software simulation was measured by the comparison of bone structures and mamma contour of the digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) with the verification film.

Methodology of continuous extracranial radiosurgery for lung cancer using EXOMIO 3-D CT simulation.

Background: It is well known that precision can be achieved using radiosurgery for brain tumors. This method can be extended to treat localized lung tumors and lung metastases.

Material And Methods: The conventional procedure of extracranial radiosurgery is contained in the following steps: adaptation of the vacuum mattress, planning CT, three-dimensional (3-D) treatment planning, CT repositioning, and irradiation.

[Intra-abdominal desmoplastic small-cell tumor of the peritoneum].

The authors described three cases of intraabdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumour of the peritoneum (IDSRT). In one case the patient was a woman, and in the other two men. The age ranged from 20-29 years.

Randomized phase III trial of postoperative radiochemotherapy +/- amifostine in head and neck cancer. Is there evidence for radioprotection?

Purpose: Experimental and clinical data suggest a reduction of radiation-induced acute toxicity by amifostine (A). We investigated this issue in a randomized trial comparing radiochemotherapy (RT + CT) versus radiochemotherapy plus amifostine (RC + CT + A) in patients with head and neck cancer.

Patients And Methods: 56 patients with oro-/hypopharynx or larynx cancer (T1-2 N1-2 G3, T3-4 N0-2 G1-3) were randomized to receive RC + CT alone or RC + CT + A.

[Radiotherapy of urothelial carcinomas of the urinary bladder].

Radiotherapy of bladder cancer is a locally effective therapeutic approach. It is increasingly becoming part of the multimodal protocols aimed at the preservation of both organ and organ function. In this context, it is an alternative to cystectomy.

[Radiotherapy for an adenolymphoma of the parotid gland (Warthin tumor)].

Background: With 17.6% of all primary parotid neoformations the benign Warthin's tumor (cystadenolymphoma) is the second common parotid gland tumor. Males > 50 years are affected predominantly.

[Side effects of postoperative radiochemotherapy with amifostine versus radiochemotherapy alone in head and neck tumors. Preliminary results of a prospective randomized trial].

Purpose: Experimental and clinical data suggest a reduction of radiation-induced acute toxicity by amifostine. We investigated this issue in a randomized trial comparing radiochemotherapy (RCT) versus radiochemotherapy and amifostine (RCT + A) in patients with head and neck cancer.

Patients And Methods: Forty-seven patients with pharyngeal or laryngeal cancer (T1-2 N1-2 G3, T3-4 N0-2 G1-3) were randomized to receive RCT alone (21 patients) or RCT + A (21 patients).

Clinical use of a simulation-multileaf collimator.

Background: At the University of Lübeck, radiotherapy is delivered by a 6/18-MV linear accelerator. Using the integrated multileaf collimator, irradiation of individually shaped treatment fields is possible in place of alloy blocks. Due to unsatisfactory pretherapeutic review of the radiation-field-specific multileaf collimator (MLC) configuration, we developed a simulation-multileaf collimator (SMLC) and assessed its feasibility at different tumor sites.

[Malignant lymphoma with epithelioid cells].

Authors studied a group of 6 cases of malignant lymphomas with epithelioid cells. Their additional common features were a variegated cell population, big admixture of T lymphocytes and rare elements reminding of Reed-Sternberg cells. The seventh case serving as a standard was Hodgkin's disease with a high content of epithelioid cells.

[The basal cell nevus syndrome. Case report of a 14-year-old girl].

"Basal cell naevus syndrome" (Gorlin's syndrome) is a sporadic autosomal dominant hereditary precancerous condition which affects several organ systems. The dominating clinical manifestations are multiple basal cell naevi which develop into malignant basocellular carcinoma. Further abnormalities include abnormalities of the vertebrae and ribs, odontogenic keratocysts, calcification of the falx cerebri, a special facial appearance with progeny and macrocephaly.

[Performance standards in pathology].

Author stimulates discussion about the criteria of efficiency in departments of pathology and introduces original parameters for its evaluation. He tries to contribute to defining capacity, measuring efficiency and settling objective need of pathological services.

Determination of water in organic solvents by flow-injection analysis with Karl Fischer reagent and a biamperometric detection system.

A flow-injection system with a biamperometric flow-through detector provided with two platinum plate electrodes was tested for the determination of water with a two-component pyridine-free Karl Fischer reagent. The response was shown to be linear in the concentration range 0.03-0.