Untersuchungen zur minimalen Resterkrankung bei der akuten myeloischen Leukämie im Kindesalter

Die prognostische Bedeutung der minimalen Resterkrankung (MRD) bei der akuten myeloischen Leukaemie (AML) im Kindesalter ist noch nicht bekannt. Mit einer Sensitivitaet von 10-4 bis 10-5 ist die molekulargenetische Detektion residualer Zellen möglich, jedoch zeigen nur etwa 30 % der Kinder mit AML eine Mutation. Die immunologische Detektion leukaemie-assoziierter Immunphaenotypen (LAIP) gelingt zwar bei 80 - 90 % der Kinder, jedoch ist die Durchflusszytometrie nicht ausreichend standardisiert. Ein 4-Farb-Konsensus-Panel wurde entwickelt und dessen Spezifitaet und Sensitivitaet bestimmt. Es konnten drei Gruppen an LAIP mit unterschiedlicher Spezifitaet für die Detektion der MRD bestimmt werden. Die Untersuchung von 55 Kindern mit AML zeigte, dass ein positives immunologisches MRD-Ergebnis (MRD+) mit einem 1,8-fach erhöhtem Rezidiv-Risiko bei früherem Eintreten des Rezidivs assoziiert ist. Die qualitative Bestimmung AML-spezifisicher Gen-Rearrangements (REAR) AML1/ETO, CBF-beta/MYH11 sowie MLL-REARs sind zur MRD-Detektion nicht geeignet; die quantitative Analyse des AML1/ETO-REARs scheint dahingegen vielversprechender zu sein

Computational reconstruction and analysis of structural models of avian cryptochrome 4

A recent study by Xu et al. (Nature,2021, 594, 535−540) provided strongevidence that cryptochrome 4 (Cry4) is a key protein to endow migratory birds with the magneticcompass sense. The investigation compared the magneticfield response of Cry4 from migratoryand nonmigratory bird species and suggested that a difference in magnetic sensitivity could exist.Thisfinding prompted an in-depth investigation into Cry4 protein differences on the structuraland dynamic levels. In the present study, the pigeon Cry4 (ClCry4) crystal structure was used toreconstruct the missing avian Cry4 protein structures via homology modeling for carefullyselected bird species. The reconstructed Cry4 structure from European robin, Eurasian blackcap,zebrafinch, chicken, and pigeon were subsequently simulated dynamically and analyzed. Thestudied avian Cry4 structures showflexibility in analogous regions pointing to similar activationmechanisms and/or signaling interaction partners. It can be concluded that the experimentallyrecorded difference in the magneticfield sensitivity of Cry4 from different birds is unlikely to bedue to solely intrinsic dynamics of the proteins but requires additional factors that have not yet been identified

Method of manufacturing silicon topological capacitors

In accordance with the present invention, a novel method to fabricate topological capacitors is provided. The fabrication method of the instant invention is based upon a reversed surface topology utilizing deep reactive ion etching to establish conductive capacitive elements and non-conductive capacitive element groups

Fuel cell with simultaneous gas generation

The present invention is a method of generating electrical energy from chemically generated hydrogen and oxygen including the steps of establishing a first reaction compartment, generating hydrogen gas from a reaction of aluminum metal and aqueous alkali solution in the first reaction compartment, establishing a second reaction compartment, generating oxygen gas from a reaction of oxygenated salt, water and a catalyst in the second reaction compartment, fluidly coupling the first reaction compartment to a fuel cell anode, fluidly coupling the second reaction compartment to a fuel cell cathode, and feeding the hydrogen and oxygen gas to a fuel cell to generate electricity

Fuel cell

The present invention is a method of generating electrical energy from chemically generated hydrogen and oxygen including the steps of establishing a first reaction compartment, generating hydrogen gas from a reaction of aluminum metal and aqueous alkali solution in the first reaction compartment, establishing a second reaction compartment, generating oxygen gas from a reaction of oxygenated salt, water and a catalyst in the second reaction compartment, fluidly coupling the first reaction compartment to a fuel cell anode, fluidly coupling the second reaction compartment to a fuel cell cathode, and feeding the hydrogen and oxygen gas to a fuel cell to generate electricity

MEMS based conductivity-temperature-depth sensor for harsh oceanic environment

A MEMS-based silicon CTD sensor for ocean environment is presented. The sensor components are a capacitive conductivity sensor, a gold doped silicon temperature sensor, and a multiple diapghram piezoresistive pressure sensor. The sensor elements have further been packaged to protect them from harsh marine environment. The sensor components showed good linear response, resolution and mechanical integrity to the harsh ocean environment