Synergistic Combination of Unquenching and Plasmonic Fluorescence Enhancement in Fluorogenic Nucleic Acid Hybridization Probes.

Fluorogenic nucleic acid hybridization probes are widely used for detecting and quantifying nucleic acids. The achieved sensitivity strongly depends on the contrast between a quenched closed form and an unquenched opened form with liberated fluorescence. So far, this contrast was improved by improving the quenching efficiency of the closed form.

Formation of mannitol core microparticles for sustained release with lipid coating in a mini fluid bed system.

The goal of this study was to prepare sustained release microparticles for methyl blue and aspartame as sparingly and freely water-soluble model drugs by lipid film coating in a Mini-Glatt fluid bed, and to assess the effect of coating load of two of lipids, hard fat and glyceryl stearate, on the release rates. 30g drug-loaded mannitol carrier microparticles with average diameter of 500 or 300μm were coated with 5g, 10g, 20g and 30g lipids, respectively. The model drugs were completely released in vitro through pores which mainly resulted from dissolution of the polyol core beads.

Spray drying of silica microparticles for sustained release application with a new sol-gel precursor.

A new precursor, tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl) orthosilicate (TMEOS) was used to fabricate microparticles for sustained release application, specifically for biopharmaceuticals, by spray drying. The advantages of TMEOS over the currently applied precursors are its water solubility and hydrolysis at moderate pH without the need of organic solvents or catalyzers. Thus a detrimental effect on biomolecular drug is avoided.

The effect of aluminium and sodium impurities on the in vitro toxicity and pro-inflammatory potential of cristobalite.

Background: Exposure to crystalline silica (SiO), in the form of quartz, tridymite or cristobalite, can cause respiratory diseases, such as silicosis. However, the observed toxicity and pathogenicity of crystalline silica is highly variable. This has been attributed to a number of inherent and external factors, including the presence of impurities.

Modelling sediment fluxes in the Danube River Basin with SWAT.

Sediment management is of prior concern in the Danube Basin for provision of economic and environmental services. This study aimed at assessing current (1995-2009) sediment fluxes of the Danube Basin with SWAT model and identifying sediment budget knowledge gaps. After hydrologic calibration, hillslope gross erosion and sediment yields were broadly calibrated using ancillary data (measurements in plots and small catchments, and national and European erosion maps).

Utility of an immunocytochemical assay using aqueous humor in the diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis.

Objective: In cats suffering from feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) without effusion, antemortem diagnosis is challenging. Uveitis is common in these cats. It was the aim of this study to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of an immunocytochemical assay (ICC) in aqueous humor of cats suspected of having FIP.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a form of immunotherapy that has increased the chances of survival for patients with relapsed leukemia and high risk leukemia in remission. The major obstacles are graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) involving vital organs and infections. A most efficacious prophylaxis of GVHD is by depleting of T cells from the graft.

An integrated assessment framework for the analysis of multiple pressures in aquatic ecosystems and the appraisal of management options.

The contribution illustrates an integrated assessment framework aimed at evaluating the relationships between multiple pressures and water body status for the purposes of river basin management. The framework includes the following steps. (1) Understanding how the different pressures affect the status of water bodies.

Chromatin organization revealed by nanostructure of irradiation induced γH2AX, 53BP1 and Rad51 foci.

The spatial distribution of DSB repair factors γH2AX, 53BP1 and Rad51 in ionizing radiation induced foci (IRIF) in HeLa cells using super resolution STED nanoscopy after low and high linear energy transfer (LET) irradiation was investigated. 53BP1 and γH2AX form IRIF with same mean size of (540 ± 40) nm after high LET irradiation while the size after low LET irradiation is significantly smaller. The IRIF of both repair factors show nanostructures with partial anti-correlation.

Environmental and socio-economic methodologies and solutions towards integrated water resources management.

Semi-arid regions are facing the challenge of managing water resources under conditions of increasing scarcity and drought. These are recently pressured by the impact of climate change favoring the shifting from using surface water to groundwater without taking sustainability issues into account. Likewise, water scarcity raises the competition for water among users, increasing the risk of social conflicts, as the availability of fresh water in sufficient quality and quantity is already one of the major factors limiting socio-economic development.

Monoplacophoran mitochondrial genomes: convergent gene arrangements and little phylogenetic signal.

Background: Although recent studies have greatly advanced understanding of deep molluscan phylogeny, placement of some taxa remains uncertain as different datasets support competing class-relationships. Traditionally, morphologists have placed Monoplacophora, a group of morphologically simple, limpet-like molluscs as sister group to all other conchiferans (shelled molluscs other than Polyplacophora), a grouping that is supported by the latest large-scale phylogenomic study that includes Laevipilina. However, molecular datasets dominated by nuclear ribosomal genes support Monoplacophora + Polyplacophora (Serialia).

Myelin-oligodendrocyte-glycoprotein (MOG) autoantibodies as potential markers of severe optic neuritis and subclinical retinal axonal degeneration.

Antibodies against conformation-dependent epitopes of myelin-oligodendrocyte-glycoprotein (MOG-abs) are present in subgroups of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), recurrent optic neuritis (rON), multiple sclerosis (MS), and anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Using optical coherence tomography (OCT) we assessed whether MOG-abs might serve as potential marker of retinal axonal degeneration. We investigated a clinically heterogeneous cohort of 13 MOG-abs-positive patients (4 MOG-abs-positive rON, 4 MOG-abs-positive adult MS, 3 MOG-abs-positive relapsing encephalomyelitis, 2 MOG-abs-positive aquaporin-4-abs-negative NMOSD).

Interconnection between DNA damage, senescence, inflammation, and cancer.

In order to deal with endogenous and exogenous factors, including radiation or pathogens, cells evolved different strategies. This includes highly complex processes such as DNA damage response, senescence, cell death, and inflammatory reactions. Recent research indicates an interconnection between the mentioned cellular pathways whilst all of them seem to play a role in induction and progression, but also the prevention of cancerous diseases and therefore qualify for potential prevention and treatment strategies.

Lung transplantation in the spotlight: Reasons for high-cost procedures.

Background: Hospital treatment costs of lung transplantation are insufficiently analyzed. Accordingly, it remains unknown, whether current Diagnosis Related Groups, merely accounting for 3 ventilation time intervals and length of hospital stay, reproduce costs properly, even when an increasing number of complex recipients are treated. Therefore, in this cost determination study, actual costs were calculated and cost drivers identified.

The proteasome regulates collagen-induced platelet aggregation via nuclear-factor-kappa-B (NFĸB) activation.

Introduction: Platelets possess critical hemostatic functions in the system of thrombosis and hemostasis, which can be affected by a multitude of external factors. Previous research has shown that platelets have the capacity to synthesize proteins de novo and more recently a multicatalytic protein complex, the proteasome, has been discovered in platelets. Due to its vital function for cellular integrity, the proteasome has become a therapeutic target for anti-proliferative drug therapies in cancer.

CA27.29 as a tumour marker for risk evaluation and therapy monitoring in primary breast cancer patients.

Several trials showed that tumour markers are associated with an impaired prognosis for breast cancer. Whether earlier treatment can improve the course of the disease remains controversial. The SUCCESS Trial compares FEC (500/100/500)-docetaxel (100) vs.

Clinical Chemistry Reference Intervals for C57BL/6J, C57BL/6N, and C3HeB/FeJ Mice (Mus musculus).

Although various mouse inbred strains are widely used to investigate disease mechanisms and to establish new therapeutic strategies, sex-specific reference intervals for laboratory diagnostic analytes that are generated from large numbers of animals have been unavailable. In this retrospective study, we screened data from more than 12,000 mice phenotyped in the German Mouse Clinic from January 2006 through June 2014 and selected animals with the genetic background of C57BL/6J, C57BL/6N, or C3HeB/FeJ. In addition, we distinguished between the C57BL/6NTac substrain and C57BL/6N mice received from other vendors.

Expression of heavy chain-only antibodies can support B-cell development in light chain knockout chickens.

Since the discovery of antibody-producing B cells in chickens six decades ago, chickens have been a model for B-cell development in gut-associated lymphoid tissue species. Here we describe targeting of the immunoglobulin light chain locus by homologous recombination in chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) and generation of VJCL knockout chickens. In contrast to immunoglobulin heavy chain knockout chickens, which completely lack mature B cells, homozygous light chain knockout (IgL(-/-) ) chickens have a small population of B lineage cells that develop in the bursa and migrate to the periphery.

Potential accuracy of navigated K-wire guided supra-acetabular osteotomies in orthopedic surgery: a CT fluoroscopy cadaver study.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of supra-acetabular pelvic tumor resections in human, full-body cadavers and under realistic operation room conditions with the help of a navigation system and K-wires as guidance for the oscillating saw.

Methods: Seven hemipelvises from fresh, human, male, full-body cadavers were used. A preoperative and a postoperative CT was performed.

Helium ions for radiotherapy? Physical and biological verifications of a novel treatment modality.

Purpose: Modern facilities for actively scanned ion beam radiotherapy allow in principle the use of helium beams, which could present specific advantages, especially for pediatric tumors. In order to assess the potential use of these beams for radiotherapy, i.e.

Confirmation of a non-synonymous SNP in PNPLA8 as a candidate causal mutation for Weaver syndrome in Brown Swiss cattle.

Background: Bovine progressive degenerative myeloencephalopathy (Weaver syndrome) is a neurodegenerative disorder in Brown Swiss cattle that is characterized by progressive hind leg weakness and ataxia, while sensorium and spinal reflexes remain unaffected. Although the causal mutation has not been identified yet, an indirect genetic test based on six microsatellite markers and consequent exclusion of Weaver carriers from breeding have led to the complete absence of new cases for over two decades. Evaluation of disease status by imputation of 41 diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a common haplotype published in 2013 identified several suspected carriers in the current breeding population, which suggests a higher frequency of the Weaver allele than anticipated.

In vivo imaging in autoimmune diseases in the central nervous system.

Intravital imaging is becoming more popular and is being used to visualize cellular motility and functions. In contrast to in vitro analysis, which resembles in vivo analysis, intravital imaging can be used to observe and analyze cells directly in vivo. In this review, I will summarize recent imaging studies of autoreactive T cell infiltration into the central nervous system (CNS) and provide technical background.

N-glycosylation heterogeneity and the influence on structure, function and pharmacokinetics of monoclonal antibodies and Fc fusion proteins.

Monoclonal antibody and Fc fusion protein drugs are complex heterogeneous mixtures of numerous different protein variants and modifications. N-glycosylation as one of the most complex post-translational modification influences the structural characteristics of the antibodies Fc part thereby potentially modulating effector function and pharmacokinetics. Several investigations on the relationship between N-glycosylation and pharmacokinetics have been published.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Macrolides- and Amoxicillin/Clavulanate-induced Acute Liver Injury.

Antibacterials are frequently associated with idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (DILI). The objective of this study was to estimate the risk of macrolides and amoxicillin/clavulanate (AMC) on DILI. We conducted a systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis (MA) with studies retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Library Plus, Web of Knowledge, clinicaltrials.