Isolation and genome sequencing of four Arctic marine Psychrobacter strains exhibiting multicopper oxidase activity

Moghadam MS, Albersmeier A, Winkler A, et al. Isolation and genome sequencing of four Arctic marine Psychrobacter strains exhibiting multicopper oxidase activity. BMC Genomics. 2016;17(1): 117

Tumor-specific mutations in low-frequency genes affect their functional properties

Causal genetic changes in oligodendrogliomas (OD) with 1p/19q co-deletion include mutations in IDH1, IDH2, CIC, FUBP1, TERT promoter and NOTCH1. However, it is generally assumed that more somatic mutations are required for tumorigenesis. This study aimed to establish whether genes mutated at low frequency can be involved in OD initiation and/or progression. We performed whole-genome sequencing on three anaplastic ODs with 1p/19q co-deletion. To estimate mutation frequency, we performed targeted resequencing on an additional 39 ODs. Whole-genome sequencing identified a total of 55 coding mutations (range 8–32 mutations per tumor), including known abnormalities in IDH1, IDH2, CIC and FUBP1. We also identified mutations in genes, most of which were previously not implicated in ODs. Targeted resequencing on 39 additional ODs confirmed that these genes are mutated at low frequency. Most of the mutations identified were predicted to have a deleterious functional effect. Functional analysis on a subset of these genes (e.g. NTN4 and MAGEH1) showed that the mutation affects the subcellular localization of the protein (n = 2/12). In addition, HOG cells stably expressing mutant GDI1 or XPO7 showed altered cell proliferation compared to those expressing wildtype constructs. Similarly, HOG cells expressing mutant SASH3 or GDI1 showed altered migration. The significantly higher rate of predicted deleterious mutations, the changes in subcellular localization and the effects on proliferation and/or migration indicate that many of these genes functionally may contribute to gliomagenesis and/or progression. These low-frequency genes and their affected pathways may provide new treatment targets for this tumor type

Prediction of left lobe hypertrophy after right lobe radioembolization of the liver using a clinical data model with external validation

In cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), right-sided radioembolization (RE) with Yttrium-90-loaded microspheres is an established palliative therapy and can be considered a “curative intention” treatment when aiming for sequential tumor resection. To become surgical candidate, hypertrophy of the left liver lobe to > 40% (future liver remnant, FLR) is mandatory, which can develop after RE. The amount of radiation-induced shrinkage of the right lobe and compensatory hypertrophy of the left lobe is difficult for clinicians to predict. This study aimed to utilize machine learning to predict left lobe liver hypertrophy in patients with HCC and cirrhosis scheduled for right lobe RE, with external validation. The results revealed that machine learning can accurately predict relative and absolute volume changes of the left liver lobe after right lobe RE. This prediction algorithm could help to estimate the chances of conversion from palliative RE to curative major hepatectomy following significant FLR hypertrophy

International EANM-SNMMI-ISMRM consensus recommendation for PET/MRI in oncology

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) is an international scientific and professional organization founded in 1954 to promote the science, technology, and practical application of nuclear medicine. The European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) is a professional non-profit medical association that facilitates communication worldwide between individuals pursuing clinical and research excellence in nuclear medicine. The EANM was founded in 1985. The merged International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) is an international, nonprofit, scientific association whose purpose is to promote communication, research, development, and applications in the field of magnetic resonance in medicine and biology and other related topics and to develop and provide channels and facilities for continuing education in the field.The ISMRM was founded in 1994 through the merger of the Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and the Society of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. SNMMI, ISMRM, and EANM members are physicians, technologists, and scientists specializing in the research and practice of nuclear medicine and/or magnetic resonance imaging. The SNMMI, ISMRM, and EANM will periodically define new guidelines for nuclear medicine practice to help advance the science of nuclear medicine and/or magnetic resonance imaging and to improve the quality of service to patients throughout the world. Existing practice guidelines will be reviewed for revision or renewal, as appropriate, on their fifth anniversary or sooner, if indicated. Each practice guideline, representing a policy statement by the SNMMI/EANM/ISMRM, has undergone a thorough consensus process in which it has been subjected to extensive review. The SNMMI, ISMRM, and EANM recognize that the safe and effective use of diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging and magnetic resonance imaging requires specific training, skills, and techniques, as described in each document. Reproduction or modification of the published practice guideline by those entities not providing these services is not authorized. These guidelines are an educational tool designed to assist practitioners in providing appropriate care for patients. They are not inflexible rules or requirements of practice and are not intended, nor should they be used, to establish a legal standard of care. For these reasons and those set forth below, the SNMMI, the ISMRM, and the EANM caution against the use of these guidelines in litigation in which the clinical decisions of a practitioner are called into question. The ultimate judgment regarding the propriety of any specific procedure or course of action must be made by the physician or medical physicist in light of all the circumstances presented. Thus, there is no implication that an approach differing from the guidelines, standing alone, is below the standard of care. To the contrary, a conscientious practitioner may responsibly adopt a course of action different from that set forth in the guidelines when, in the reasonable judgment of the practitioner, such course of action is indicated by the condition of the patient, limitations of available resources, or advances in knowledge or technology subsequent to publication of the guidelines. The practice of medicine includes both the art and the science of the prevention, diagnosis, alleviation, and treatment of disease. The variety and complexity of human conditions make it impossible to always reach the most appropriate diagnosis or to predict with certainty a particular response to treatment. Therefore, it should be recognized that adherence to these guidelines will not ensure an accurate diagnosis or a successful outcome. All that should be expected is that the practitioner will follow a reasonable course of action based on current knowledge, available resources, and the needs of the patient to deliver effective and safe medical care. The sole purpose of these guidelines is to assist practitioners in achieving this objective

Concepts of Authorship in Pre-Modern Arabic Texts

The objective of the contributions presented in this volume is the investigation of authorship in pre-modern Arabic texts. From several angles and different perspectives it has been asked how the author in his various facets and aspects, and as a principle of organization and guidance, can be traced and understood. The author can be perceived as a historical individual, a singular genius, or a gifted anthologist; he can claim authority or pass it on to others. The author can be invisible, applying textual strategies for steering the reader’s perception and interpretation, trying to leave the reader oblivious to his authorial interference. Although authors can be proud to present their knowledge and their opinions, they can also be reluctant to show themselves and can even disclaim their responsibility, depending on the issue at hand. The contributions gathered in this volume provide a fresh view on the multilayered nature of authorial functions and open up new perspectives on our understanding of the rich and diverse pre-modern Arabic culture and literature

Bamberger Orientstudien

Der Band versammelt insgesamt vierzehn Beiträge von Mitgliedern des Instituts für Orientalistik der Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg zu verschiedenen Forschungsthemen. Das Institut umfasst sieben Professuren/Lehrstühle: Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft (Prof. Dr. Geoffrey Haig), Arabistik (Prof. Lale Behzadi), Iranistik (Prof. Dr. Birgitt Hoffmann), Islamische Kunstgeschichte und Archäologie (Prof. Dr. Lorenz Korn), Islamwissenschaft (Prof. Dr. Patrick Franke), Judaistik (Prof. Dr. Susanne Talabardon) und Turkologie (Prof. Dr. Christoph Herzog). Bei den Artikeln handelt es sich um Forschungsbeiträge zur Sprachgeographie Ostanatoliens (Geoffrey Haig), der türkischen (Patrick Bartsch), persischen (Roxane Haag-Higuchi) und arabischen (Lale Behzadi) Literatur, der Religionswissenschaft (Patrick Franke, Johannes Rosenbaum, Susanne Talabardon), zu verschiedenen Aspekten der Geschichte des Nahen und Mittleren Ostens (Birgitt Hoffmann, Nana Kharebava, Andreas Wilde, Barbara Henning, Christoph Herzog) sowie zur islamischen Architektur (Lorenz Korn, Mustafa Tupev).This volume brings together fourteen contributions on diverse fields of research by members of the Institute for Near and Middle Eastern Studies of the Otto-Friedrich University, Bamberg. The institute includes seven departments: General Linguistics (Geoffrey Haig), Arabic Studies (Lale Behzadi), Iranian Studies (Birgitt Hoffmann), Islamic Art and Archaeology (Lorenz Korn), Islamic Studies (Patrick Franke), Jewish Studies (Susanne Talabardon) and Turkish Studies (Christoph Herzog). The contributions to the volume represent original research in the following fields: the linguistic geography of Eastern Anatolia (Geoffrey Haig), Turkish (Patrick Bartsch), Persian (Roxane Haag-Higuchi) and Arabic (Lale Behzadi) literature, aspects of religious studies (Patrick Franke, Johannes Rosenbaum, Susanne Talabardon), Near and Middle Eastern history (Birgitt Hoffmann, Nana Kharebava, Andreas Wilde, Barbara Henning, Christoph Herzog), and Islamic architecture (Lorenz Korn, Mustafa Tupev)

The Multiscenario Multienvironment BioSecure Multimodal Database (BMDB)

A new multimodal biometric database designed and acquired within the framework of the European BioSecure Network of Excellence is presented. It is comprised of more than 600 individuals acquired simultaneously in three scenarios: 1) over the Internet, 2) in an office environment with desktop PC, and 3) in indoor/outdoor environments with mobile portable hardware. The three scenarios include a common part of audio/video data. Also, signature and fingerprint data have been acquired both with desktop PC and mobile portable hardware. Additionally, hand and iris data were acquired in the second scenario using desktop PC. Acquisition has been conducted by 11 European institutions. Additional features of the BioSecure Multimodal Database (BMDB) are: two acquisition sessions, several sensors in certain modalities, balanced gender and age distributions, multimodal realistic scenarios with simple and quick tasks per modality, cross-European diversity, availability of demographic data, and compatibility with other multimodal databases. The novel acquisition conditions of the BMDB allow us to perform new challenging research and evaluation of either monomodal or multimodal biometric systems, as in the recent BioSecure Multimodal Evaluation campaign. A description of this campaign including baseline results of individual modalities from the new database is also given. The database is expected to be available for research purposes through the BioSecure Association during 2008Comment: Published at IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence journa