Array-based profiling of reference-independent methylation status (aPRIMES) identifies frequent promoter methylation and consecutive downregulation of ZIC2 in pediatric medulloblastoma

Existing microarray-based approaches for screening of DNA methylation are hampered by a number of shortcomings, such as the introduction of bias by DNA copy-number imbalances in the test genome and negligence of tissue-specific methylation patterns. We developed a method designated array-based profiling of reference-independent methylation status (aPRIMES) that allows the detection of direct methylation status rather than relative methylation. Array-PRIMES is based on the differential restriction and competitive hybridization of methylated and unmethylated DNA by methylation-specific and methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes, respectively. We demonstrate the accuracy of aPRIMES in detecting the methylation status of CpG islands for different states of methylation. Application of aPRIMES to the DNA from desmoplastic medulloblastomas of monozygotic twins showed strikingly similar methylation profiles. Additional analysis of 18 sporadic medulloblastomas revealed an overall correlation between highly methylated tumors and poor clinical outcome and identified ZIC2 as a frequently methylated gene in pediatric medulloblastoma

Wer wäre ich ohne Stress? – Konfliktlösungspotential mit IBSR

Spatial time domain reflectometry (spatial TDR) is a new measurement method for determining water content profiles along elongated probes (transmission lines). The method is based on the inverse modeling of TDR reflectograms using an optimization algorithm. By means of using flat ribbon cables it is possible to take two independent TDRmeasurements from both ends of the probe, which are used to improve the spatial information content of the optimization results and to consider effects caused by electrical conductivity. The method has been used for monitoring water content distributions on a full-scale levee model made of well-graded clean sand. Flood simulation tests, irrigation tests, and long-term observations were carried out on the model. The results show that spatial TDR is able to determine water content distributions with an accuracy of the spatial resolution of about ±3 cm compared to pore pressure measurements and an average deviation of ±2 vol % compared to measurements made using another independent TDR measurement system

Installation technique of elongated sensors in river dykes

During a flood event river dykes are subject to a temporally limited hydraulic load. As a result, transient seepage through dykes takes place, which can be accelerated due to an initially higher degree of soil water content caused by a precursory flood event or by extensive precipitation. In order to observe the distribution of the water content inside dykes, a monitoring system based on spatial TDR has been developed with a new type of sensor adjusted for the use in boreholes. The installation procedure for the borehole-sensor is based on conventionally drilled boreholes and is therefore suitable for any kind of geotechnical purposes

Monitoring system for river dykes based on Spatial-TDR

During a flood event river dykes are subject to a temporally limited hydraulic load. As a result, transient seepage through dykes takes place, which can be accelerated due to an initially higher degree of soil water content caused by a precursory flood event or by extensive precipitation. In order to observe the distribution of the water content inside dykes, a monitoring system based on Spatial- TDR has been developed. The distribution of the water content measured is used to forecast the transient seepage through the dyke and to assess the stability of the construction. A new sensor and installation technique have been developed for a monitoring system which has been applied on two rivers in Germany

Synthesis of (-)-Hennoxazole A: Integrating Batch and Flow Chemistry Methods

A new total synthesis of (–)-hennoxazole A is reported. The synthetic approach is based on the preparation of three similarly sized fragments resulting in a fast and convergent assembly of the natural product. The three key reactions of the synthesis include a highly stereoselective 1,5-anti aldol coupling, a gold-catalyzed alkoxycyclization reaction, and a stereocontrolled diene cross-meta­thesis. The synthesis involves integrated batch and flow chemistry methods leading to the natural product in 16 steps longest linear ­sequence and 2.8% overall yield