[Parametric imaging in breast diagnostics : Computed tomography].

Background: The complementary breast diagnostics (CMD) include the clinical examination, ultrasound, mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast and the assessment of conspicuous findings by interventional methods.

Objective: In recent years special breast computed tomography (BCT) systems have been developed and the question arises as to what significance this technology has in comparison to the established MRI procedure.

Material And Methods: Presentation of the two dedicated BCT systems with different concepts, which are currently commercially available.

Modelling pesticide degradation and leaching in conservation agriculture: Effect of no-till and mulching.

No-till and mulching are typical management operations in conservation agriculture (CA). To model pesticide degradation and leaching under a CA scenario, as compared to a conventional-tillage scenario (CT), the mulch module of the agro-hydrological model Daisy was extended. A Daisy soil column was parameterized with measurements of topsoil, mulch, and a realistic subsoil, and tested against published experimental data of pesticide fate in laboratory soil columns covered by mulch.

Checking the pulse: perspectives on grain legume production.

Including more grain legumes in cropping systems is considered a climate-smart solution to increase sustainability, soil fertility, and cropping systems diversification, while reducing nitrogen (N) inputs. However, increasing pulse production in temperate areas for food and feed comes with challenges that should be addressed and require more research for successful implementation.

Two-speed genome evolution drives pathogenicity in fungal pathogens of animals.

The origins and evolution of virulence in amphibian-infecting chytrids () and ( are largely unknown. Here, we use deep nanopore sequencing of and comparative genomics against 21 high-quality genome assemblies that span the fungal Chytridiomycota. We discover that has the most repeat-rich genome of the Chytridiomycota, comprising 40.

Understanding the Role of Nitronate Monooxygenases in Virulence of the Human Fungal Pathogen .

is the leading cause of the fungal invasive disease called aspergillosis, which is associated with a high mortality rate that can reach 50% in some groups of immunocompromised individuals. The increasing prevalence of azole-resistant isolates, both in clinical settings and the environment, highlights the importance of discovering new fungal virulence factors that can potentially become targets for novel antifungals. Nitronate monooxygenases (Nmos) represent potential targets for antifungal compounds as no orthologs of those enzymes are present in humans.

Semifield root phenotyping: Root traits for deep nitrate uptake.

Deep rooting winter wheat genotypes can reduce nitrate leaching losses and increase N uptake. We aimed to investigate which deep root traits are correlated to deep N uptake and to estimate genetic variation in root traits and deep N tracer uptake. In 2 years, winter wheat genotypes were grown in RadiMax, a semifield root-screening facility.

Cyanobacterial Mats in Calcite-Precipitating Serpentinite-Hosted Alkaline Springs of the Voltri Massif, Italy.

(1) Background: Microbial communities in terrestrial, calcifying high-alkaline springs are not well understood. In this study, we investigate the structure and composition of microbial mats in ultrabasic (pH 10-12) serpentinite springs of the Voltri Massif (Italy). (2) Methods: Along with analysis of chemical and mineralogical parameters, environmental DNA was extracted and subjected to analysis of microbial communities based upon next-generation sequencing.

Semi-automated delineation of breast cancer tumors and subsequent materialization using three-dimensional printing (rapid prototyping).

Objective: Three-dimensional (3D) printing has become widely available, and a few cases of its use in clinical practice have been described. The aim of this study was to explore facilities for the semi-automated delineation of breast cancer tumors and to assess the feasibility of 3D printing of breast cancer tumors.

Methods: In a case series of five patients, different 3D imaging methods-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), and 3D ultrasound-were used to capture 3D data for breast cancer tumors.

Extended reaction scope of thiamine diphosphate dependent cyclohexane-1,2-dione hydrolase: from C-C bond cleavage to C-C bond ligation.

ThDP-dependent cyclohexane-1,2-dione hydrolase (CDH) catalyzes the CC bond cleavage of cyclohexane-1,2-dione to 6-oxohexanoate, and the asymmetric benzoin condensation between benzaldehyde and pyruvate. One of the two reactivities of CDH was selectively knocked down by mutation experiments. CDH-H28A is much less able to catalyze the CC bond formation, while the ability for CC bond cleavage is still intact.

[Ophthalmopathology in everyday clinical routine].

This article is intended to take up the cudgels on behalf of ophthalmopathology. To achieve this it is required to shed a light on ophthalmopathology in everyday clinical routine and to emphasise its relevance in today's world. Furthermore, it is intended to show how ophthalmopathology (unconsciously in part) has an impact on our actions.

Direct observation of electrogenic NH4(+) transport in ammonium transport (Amt) proteins.

Ammonium transport (Amt) proteins form a ubiquitous family of integral membrane proteins that specifically shuttle ammonium across membranes. In prokaryotes, archaea, and plants, Amts are used as environmental NH4(+) scavengers for uptake and assimilation of nitrogen. In the eukaryotic homologs, the Rhesus proteins, NH4(+)/NH3 transport is used instead in acid-base and pH homeostasis in kidney or NH4(+)/NH3 (and eventually CO2) detoxification in erythrocytes.

Asymmetric Stetter reactions catalyzed by thiamine diphosphate-dependent enzymes.

The intermolecular asymmetric Stetter reaction is an almost unexplored transformation for biocatalysts. Previously reported thiamine diphosphate (ThDP)-dependent PigD from Serratia marcescens is the first enzyme identified to catalyze the Stetter reaction of α,β-unsaturated ketones (Michael acceptor substrates) and α-keto acids. PigD is involved in the biosynthesis of the potent cytotoxic agent prodigiosin.

[Demodex folliculorum: diagnosis and therapy today].

Demodex folliculorum is an ectoparasite found in eye lashes. A Demodex-associated blepharoconjunctivitis is common. Demodex are diagnosed via microscopy in a drop of oil after epilation of a few eye lashes.

Catalytic scope of the thiamine-dependent multifunctional enzyme cyclohexane-1,2-dione hydrolase.

The thiamine diphosphate (ThDP)-dependent enzyme cyclohexane-1,2-dione hydrolase (CDH) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography (Ni-NTA). Recombinant CDH showed the same C-C bond-cleavage and C-C bond-formation activities as the native enzyme. Furthermore, we have shown that CDH catalyzes the asymmetric cross-benzoin reaction of aromatic aldehydes and (decarboxylated) pyruvate (up to quantitative conversion, 92-99 % ee).

Biodegradation of bisphenol A by Heliscus lugdunensis, a naturally occurring hyphomycete in freshwater environments.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental contaminant that has been under investigation for its detrimental effect on the aquatic ecosystem. In this study, an aquatic fungus, Heliscus lugdunensis Saccardo & Therry (live and heat-inactivated by autoclaving) was evaluated for its ability to utilize BPA as a carbon source. Both live and heat-inactivated fungal cultures were exposed to 10 mg L(-1) bisphenol A after cultivation in glucose for 3d.

Familial Mediterranean fever-associated mutation pyrin E148Q as a potential risk factor for multiple sclerosis.

Background: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited autoinflammatory disease caused by mutations in the MEFV gene and characterized by recurrent febrile polyserositis. A possible association of FMF and multiple sclerosis (MS) has been suggested in cohorts from Turkey and Israel.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of MEFV mutations in subjects with MS and in controls in Germany.

Mechanism of disruption of the Amt-GlnK complex by P(II)-mediated sensing of 2-oxoglutarate.

GlnK proteins regulate the active uptake of ammonium by Amt transport proteins by inserting their regulatory T-loops into the transport channels of the Amt trimer and physically blocking substrate passage. They sense the cellular nitrogen status through 2-oxoglutarate, and the energy level of the cell by binding both ATP and ADP with different affinities. The hyperthermophilic euryarchaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus possesses three Amt proteins, each encoded in an operon with a GlnK ortholog.

pH-dependent gating in a FocA formate channel.

The formate transporter FocA was described to switch its mode of operation from a passive export channel at high external pH to a secondary active formate/H(+) importer at low pH. The crystal structure of Salmonella typhimurium FocA at pH 4.0 shows that this switch involves a major rearrangement of the amino termini of individual protomers in the pentameric channel.

[Laser trabeculoplasty: therapeutic options and adverse effects].

Laser trabeculoplasty is a simple method for treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension and has few adverse effects. There are different laser systems for reducing the intraocular pressure of patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Complications include transient intraocular pressure elevation, iritis, and anterior synechiae.