On the significance of Surfactant Protein-A within the human lungs

Surfactant Protein-A (SP-A) is the most prominent among four proteins in the pulmonary surfactant-system. SP-A is expressed by alveolar epithelial cells type II as well as by a portion of non small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC)

LED-FISH: Fluorescence microscopy based on light emitting diodes for the molecular analysis of Her-2/neu oncogene amplification

Light emitting diodes (LED), which are available as small monochromatic light sources with characteristic features such as maximum illumination power combined with minimum energy consumption and extremely long lifespan have already proved as a highly potential low-cost alternative for specific diagnostic applications in clinical medicine such as tuberculosis fluorescence microscopy. Likewise, the most reliable evaluation of Her-2/neu (c-erbB2) gene amplification, which has been established in the last few years for routine diagnosis in clinical pathology as determinant towards Herceptin-based treatment of patients with breast cancer, is based on fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and corresponding high priced fluorescence equipment. In order to test the possibility to utilize the advantages of low-cost LED technology on FISH analysis of c-erbB2 gene expression for routine diagnostic purposes, the applicability of a standard bright field Carl Zeiss Axiostar Plus microscope equipped with a Fraen AFTER* LED Fluorescence Microscope Kit for the detection of Her-2/neu gene signals was compared to an advanced Nikon Eclipse 80i fluorescence microscope in combination with a conventional 100W mercury vapor lamp. Both microscopes were fitted with the same Quicam FAST CCD digital camera to unequivocally compare the quality of the captured images. C-erbB2 gene expression was analyzed in 30 different human tissue samples of primary invasive breast cancer, following formalin fixation and subsequent paraffin-embedding. The Her2/neu gene signals (green) were identifiable in the tumor cells in all cases and images of equal quality were captured under almost identical conditions by 480 nm (blue) LED module equipped standard Axiostar microscope as compared to conventional fluorescence microscopy. In this first attempt, these monochromatic LED elements proved in principle to be suitable for the detection of Her-2/neu gene expression by FISH. Thus, our own experiences emphasize the high potential of this technology to provide a serious alternative to conventional fluorescence microscopy in routine pathology; representing a sustainable technological progress, this low-cost technology will clearly give direction also to the growing field of molecular pathology

Karriere und Familie - ein Widerspruch?Wünsche und Erwartungen von zukünftigen Akademikerinnen bezüglichihrer beruflichen Tätigkeit und der Vereinbarkeit von Beruf und Familie

Der vorherrschende Wunsch von zukünftigen Akademikerinnen ist es, Beruf und Familie miteinander zu vereinen. Im Rahmen dieser Vorstellung ist ein sicherer Arbeitsplatz (Abb. 6, Kapitel 8.1.4) das wesentliche Ziel. Die Aspekte hohes Einkommen und die Chance von Aufstiegsmöglichkeiten sehen 70% der Studentinnen als relevant an (Abb. 6, Kapitel 8.1.4). Den Aspekt Führungsposition bewerten knapp 40% als bedeutsam (Abb. 6, Kapitel 8.1.4). Als herausragendes Angebot seitens des Arbeitgebers werden flexible und familienfreundliche Arbeitszeiten gesehen (Abb. 7, Kapitel 8.1.5). Angebote, wie eine Kinderbetreuung am Arbeitsplatz, finanzielle Unterstützung am Arbeitsplatz und die Mithilfe bei der Vermittlung eines Kinderbetreuungsplatzes werden gleichwertig bewertet (Abb. 7, Kapitel 8.1.5). Gleichwohl wird der Wunsch nach einer beruflichen Karriere nicht vernachlässigt, dieser ist aber nicht zwangsläufig mit der Ausübung einer Führungsposition verbunden. Über die Hälfte der Studentinnen wünschen sich mindestens 2 Kinder (Tab. 6, Anhang I). Rund 40% der Studentinnen erwägen bis zu einem Jahr Elternzeit in Anspruch zu nehmen, um dann eine Erwerbstätigkeit in Teilzeit auszuüben (Tab. 33, Anhang II). Etwa 75% der Studentinnen planen die Einbindung des Partners in die Erziehung der Kinder durch die Inanspruchnahme der Elternzeit (Tab. 8, Anhang I). Wichtige Voraussetzungen, um ein Studium mit Kind absolvieren zu können, sehen Studentinnen einerseits in der Möglichkeit einer Kinderbetreuung vor Ort und andererseits in einer flexiblen Stundenplangestaltung. Ein weiterer Aspekt bei der Unterstützung der Vereinbarkeit von Studium und Kind, ist die Erlassung der Studiengebühr (Abb. 5, Kapitel 8.1.3).The predominant desire of future academics is to combine career and family. The essential goal as part of this performance is a safe workplace (Fig. 6, section 8.1.4). 70% of the students see the aspects of high income and the chance of promotion opportunities as relevant too (Fig. 6, section 8.1.4). Nearly 40% evaluate the aspect of leadership as significant (Fig. 6, section 8.1.4). The flexible and family friendly working hours are seen by the employers as an outstanding offer (Fig. 7, Chapter 8.1.5). Offers, such as child care at work, financial support at work and assisting in finding kindergarten places are rated equivalent (Fig. 7, Chapter 8.1.5). However, the desire for a career is not neglected, but this is not necessarily connected with the hold of a management position. About half of the female students want at least 2 children (Table 6, Annex I). About 40% of students consider taking a year of parental leave and thereafter beginning a part-time employment (Table 33, Annex II). About 75% of the students plan the integration of the partner in the children education process through the use of paternity leave (Table 8, Annex I). The key requirements for Students with children are the possibilities of a part time child care on one hand and a flexible study schedule on the other. Another aspect in supporting the reconciliation of work and children is the removal of the tuition fee (Fig. 5, section 8.1.3)

Improved molecular read-out options via adequate tissue fixation

The research was conducted in Pinrang district with the aim to analyze the potential and problems in irrigation management. Data were collected by interview method on the P3A advisers and FGD to the members of six elected P3A. Data were analyzed descriptively about resources, organizations, and the rules of irrigation management. The results showed that the organization of P3A less functional because there is no coordination between P3A and GP3A, including the duplication guidance of District offices of Irrigation and Agriculture, the utilization of water resources is inefficient because of silting in the secondary channel, water gate set freely by farmers, some tertiary channels damaged or turned off by the farmers, many farmers who make a shortcut channel, lack of watergate regulator; there are no sanctions imposed for who make shortcut and turn off channels. The members of P3A should be involved on every policy process making in the field of irrigation

cAMP guided his way: a life for G protein-mediated signal transduction and molecular pharmacology-tribute to Karl H. Jakobs

Karl H. Jakobs, former editor-in-chief of Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology and renowned molecular pharmacologist, passed away in April 2018. In this article, his scientific achievements regarding G protein-mediated signal transduction and regulation of canonical pathways are summarized. Particularly, the discovery of inhibitory G proteins for adenylyl cyclase, methods for the analysis of receptor-G protein interactions, GTP supply by nucleoside diphosphate kinases, mechanisms in phospholipase C and phospholipase D activity regulation, as well as the development of the concept of sphingosine-1-phosphate as extra- and intracellular messenger will presented. His seminal scientific and methodological contributions are put in a general and timely perspective to display and honor his outstanding input to the current knowledge in molecular pharmacology