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Low-dimensional organic conductors show a rich phase diagram, which has, despite all efforts, still some unexplored regions. Charge ordered phases present in many compounds of the $${\hbox {(TMTTF)}}_2X$$ (TMTTF) 2 X family are typically studied with their unique electronic properties in mind. An influence on the spin arrangement is, however, not expected at first glance. Here, we report temperature and angle dependent electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements on the quasi one-dimensional organic conductor $${\hbox {(TMTTF)}}_2 {\hbox {NO}}_3$$ (TMTTF) 2 NO 3 . We found that the $${\hbox {(TMTTF)}}_2 {\hbox {NO}}_3$$ (TMTTF) 2 NO 3 compound develops a peculiar anisotropy with a doubled periodicity ($$ab'$$ a b ′ -plane) of the ESR linewidth below about $$T_{\text {CO}}= ({250\pm 10})~\hbox {K}$$ T CO = ( 250 ± 10 ) K . This behavior is similar to observations in the related compounds $${\hbox {(TMTTF)}}_2X$$ (TMTTF) 2 X ($$X = {\hbox {PF}}_6$$ X = PF 6 , $${\hbox {SbF}}_6$$ SbF 6 and $${\hbox {AsF}}_6$$ AsF 6 ), where it has been attributed to relaxation processes of magnetically inequivalent sites in the charge-ordered state. For the structural analogous $${\hbox {(TMTTF)}}_2 {\hbox {ClO}}_4$$ (TMTTF) 2 ClO 4 , known for the absence of charge order, such angular dependence of the ESR signal is not observed. Therefore, our ESR measurements lead us to conclude that a charge-order phase is stabilized in the title compound below $$T_{\text {CO}} \approx 250~\hbox {K}$$ T CO ≈ 250 K .

Purpose 68Ga-PSMA-11-PET/CT is increasingly used in early-stage biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer to detect potential lesions for an individualized radiotherapy concept. However, subtle findings especially concerning small local recurrences can still be challenging to interpret and are prone to variability between different readers. Thus, we analyzed interobserver variability, detection rate, and lesion patterns systematically in a homogeneous patient population with low-level biochemical recurrence. Methods We analyzed 68Ga-PSMA-11-PET/CTs in 116 patients with status post-prostatectomy and PSA levels up to 0.6 ng/ml. None of them received ADT or radiotherapy beforehand. Images were interpreted and blinded by two nuclear medicine physicians (R1 and R2). Findings were rated using a 5-point scale concerning local recurrence, lymph nodes, bone lesions, and other findings (1: definitely benign, 2: probably benign, 3: equivocal, 4: probably malignant, 5: definitely malignant). In findings with substantial discrepancies of 2 or more categories and/or potentially leading to differences in further patient management, a consensus reading was done with a third reader (R3). Interobserver agreement was measured by Cohens Kappa analysis after sub-categorizing our classification system to benign (1 + 2), equivocal (3), and malignant (4 + 5). Time course of PSA levels after salvage treatment of patients rated as positive (4 + 5) was analyzed. Results The overall detection rate (categories 4 and 5) was 50% (R1/R2, 49%/51%) and in the PSA subgroups 0–0.2 ng/ml, 0.21–0.3 ng/ml, and 0.31–0.6 ng/ml 24%/27%, 57%/57%, and 65%/68%, respectively. Local recurrence was the most common lesion manifestation followed by lymphatic and bone metastases. The overall agreement in the Cohens Kappa analysis was 0.74 between R1 and R2. For local, lymphatic, and bone sites, the agreement was 0.76, 0.73, and 0.58, respectively. PSA levels of PSMA PET/CT-positive patients after salvage treatment decreased in 75% (27/36) and increased in 25% (9/36). A decrease of PSA, although more frequent in patients with imaging suggesting only local tumor recurrence (86%, 18/21), was also observed in 67% (10/15) of patients with findings of metastatic disease. Conclusions In a highly homogeneous group of prostate cancer patients with early-stage biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy, we could show that 68Ga-PSMA-11-PET/CT has a good detection rate of 50% which is in accordance with literature, with clinically relevant findings even in patients with PSA

International audience; This study investigates how wastewater containing 2 mg l−1 of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and 2 mg l−1 of diclofenac (DCF) affects the composition of bacterial communities present in the roots and rhizomes of Miscanthus × giganteus plants grown in laboratory-scale constructed wetlands. Bacterial communities in plant roots and rhizomes were identified in treated and control samples by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Moreover, bacterial endophytes were isolated in R2A and 1/10 869 media and screened for their ability to metabolize SMX and DCF in liquid medium by HPLC. Our results show significant changes in the abundance of main genera, namely Sphingobium and Streptomyces between control and treated plants. Around 70% of the strains isolated from exposed plants belonged to the phylum Actinobacteria and were classified as Streptomyces, Microbacterium, and Glycomyces. In non-exposed plants, Proteobacteria represented 43.5% to 63.6% of the total. We identified 17 strains able to remove SMX and DCF in vitro. From those, 76% were isolated from exposed plants. Classified mainly as Streptomyces, they showed the highest SMX (33%) and DCF (41%) removal efficiency. These isolates, alone or in combination, might be used as bio-inoculants in constructed wetlands to enhance the phytoremediation of SMX and DCF during wastewater treatment.

In der kommunalen Gesundheitsforderung haben Hausarzte eine zunehmend wichtige Bedeutung. Bislang ist wenig bekannt, wieweit Konzepte der Gesundheitsforderung in der Praxis umgesetzt werden bzw. der Hausarzt als Akteur in die Prozesse der kommunalen Gesundheitsforderung integriert ist. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie ist es darum, zu erfahren, welche Rolle Hausarzte innerhalb der kommunalen Gesundheitsforderung aus ihrer Sicht bereits einnehmen und welches Verbesserungspotential dabei besteht. Innerhalb eines qualitativen Studienansatzes wurden 19 semistrukturierte Telefoninterviews durchgefuhrt, transkribiert und qualitativ-inhaltsanalytisch nach Mayring ausgewertet. Die Befragten sehen v. a. in der Vernetzung mit kommunalen Einrichtungen in verschiedenen Settings eine gute Moglichkeit, Hausarzte in die kommunale Gesundheitsforderung zu integrieren. Dabei werden v. a. die Settings Kindergarten und Schule sowie die betriebliche Gesundheitsforderung genannt. Hinderlich fur eine starkere Anbindung des Hausarztes in der Gesundheitsforderung sind dabei Zeitmangel und eine unzureichende Vergutung. Hausarzte spielen eine wichtige Rolle fur das nachhaltige Gelingen einer kommunalen Gesundheitsforderung, aufgrund von wahrgenommenen Barrieren wird diese aber haufig nur unzureichend ausgefullt. Politische Rahmenbedingungen sollten Pravention und Gesundheitsforderung auch im hausarztlichen Kontext starken. Die Rollen der einzelnen Akteure sollten dabei genauer definiert werden, sowie ausreichende Ressourcen zur Verfugung gestellt werden. Zukunftige Forschungen sollten Kooperationsmoglichkeiten von Hausarzten und der Gemeinde genauer untersuchen, um Bedingungen fur eine nachhaltig erfolgreiche Kooperation zu identifizieren.

Zum 1. Juli 2008 trat in Baden-Wurttemberg der Vertrag zur Hausarztzentrierten Versorgung (HzV) nach § 73b SGB V in Kraft. Die HzV zielt u. a. auf eine verbesserte Versorgung von Versicherten, insbesondere mit chronischen Erkrankungen und komplexem Versorgungsbedarf (z. B. bei Pflegebedurftigkeit), ab. Der vorliegende Beitrag fokussiert in vier verschiedenen Arbeitspaketen (AP I bis AP IV) auf die Beantwortung der Fragen, wie sich die Versorgung in der HzV auf darin eingeschriebene Versicherte der AOK Baden-Wurttemberg und deren Versorger auswirkt. Arbeitspaket I (AP I) untersucht auf Basis von AOK-Routinedaten explorativ Zusammenhange zwischen einer Einschreibung in die HzV und patientenseitiger Inanspruchnahme von Versorgungsleistungen. AP II beschaftigt sich mit der Frage, welche Veranderungen durch die Teilnahme an der HzV aus Sicht der Hausarzte und Versicherten eingetreten sind. AP III untersucht den Einsatz von VERAH (Versorgungsassistenten in der Hausarztpraxis), die im Rahmen der HzV eine besondere Rolle spielen. AP IV analysiert auf der Basis von Routinedaten Fragestellungen zur Versorgungsqualitat alterer Versicherter uber 65 Jahren. Die methodische Vorgehensweise der Evaluation folgt einem Mixed-Methods-Design, bei dem neben quantitativen auch qualitative Verfahren verwendet wurden. Dies ermoglicht, die Implementierung der HzV in die Regelversorgung aus verschiedenen Perspektiven eingehender zu betrachten. In allen vier Arbeitspaketen waren in grosen Teilen positive Assoziationen zwischen einer Einschreibung in die HzV und den jeweils untersuchten Zielgrosen zu beobachten, die im Folgenden detailliert dargestellt werden. Die bisherigen Ergebnisse sprechen klar dafur, die HzV sowie die dazu korrespondierende Begleitevaluation weiterzufuhren.

Modern information visualisation systems do not only support interactivity but also increasingly complex problem solving. In this study we compare two interactive information visualisation systems: VisuExplore and Gravi++. By analysing logfiles we were able to identify sets of activities and interaction patterns users followed while working with these systems. These patterns are an indication of strategies users adopt to find solutions. Identifying such patterns may help in improving the design of future information visualisation systems.

Vor dem Hintergrund des (drohenden) Arztemangels mussen insbesondere angesichts eines zukunftig steigenden Versorgungsbedarfs Konzepte entwickelt werden, die den Erwartungen der nachruckenden Arztegeneration gerecht werden. Im Kompetenzzentrum Allgemeinmedizin in Baden-Wurttemberg wurde eine Online-Umfrage unter Studierenden aller medizinischen Fakultaten zur Berufswahl und zu den Erwartungen an die spatere Berufstatigkeit durchgefuhrt. Die vorliegende Analyse fokussiert auf Geschlechtsunterschiede innerhalb der Bereiche „Work-Life-Balance“ und „personliche Werte“. Geschlechtsunterschiede wurden mit dem Mann-Whitney-U-Test untersucht. Zusatzlich wurde in einer linearen Regressionsanalyse fur die Variablen Geschlecht, Alter und Semesterzahl kontrolliert. Insgesamt haben 1299 Studierende teilgenommen. Flexible Arbeitszeiten finden 57,1% der Frauen und 50,4% der Manner wichtig. Die Vereinbarung von Familie und Beruf beurteilten 92,3% der Frauen und 86,7% der Manner als wichtig. Die Moglichkeit zur Teilzeit stuften 72,7% der Frauen aber nur 22,2% der Manner als wichtig ein. Neben dem Geschlecht haben auch das Alter und die Semesterzahl einen Einfluss auf die Beurteilung der „Work-Life-Balance“ und der „personlichen Werte“. Die vorliegende Studie zeigt relevante Unterschiede in den Erwartungen mannlicher und weiblicher Medizinstudierender an die „Work-Life-Balance“ insbesondere im Hinblick auf den Wunsch nach Moglichkeiten zur Teilzeitarbeit. Fur eine nachhaltige Sicherstellung der arztlichen Versorgung ist es angesichts des steigenden Anteils von Arztinnen unerlasslich, gendersensible Arbeits(zeit)modelle zu entwickeln, um eine echte Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf zu ermoglichen.

Previous evaluations of the German disease management program (DMP) for type 2 diabetes show that this approach curbs drug and hospital costs, may reduce mortality and improve quality of diabetes care. Otherwise until now there have been no evaluations which analyse the impact of comorbidity (COMORB) on the effectiveness of German DMP to strengthen patient-reported quality of care. Therefore, the study aimed to assess and compare the impact of comorbidity on patient-reported quality of care for patients participating in DMP and in routine care (RC). A questionnaire including the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) was mailed to a random sample of 3,546 patients. We grouped patients according to their participation into DMP and RC. To compare groups, we performed analysis of covariance. We considered all main effects, the interaction of DMP * COMORB and assessed the estimated PACIC scores for each number of other conditions. 1,532 questionnaires were returned (42.2%). Valid data existed for 1,399 patients. The analysis showed that only participation in the DMP (p

In a comprehensive picture of inclusion com- plex formation of the highly fluorescent dye coumarin-6 (C6) and betacyclodextrin (beta-CD), which was obtained using various fluorescence spectroscopic methods, it was demonstrated that up to three beta-CD rings can thread on the rod like dye molecule. Interaction of coumarins and modified coumarins with cellular organelles or proteins has been reported in several publications. Especially 7-amino- coumarins are characterized by unique properties like high fluorescence quantum yield and are thus already used successfully in different areas, like staining of fluorescent nanoparticles. We could show that Coumarin-6 made sol- uble by complexation with beta-cyclodextrin is able to stain eukaryotic cells specifically dependent on their origin and cellular behaviour. The staining reaction is indepen- dent from pH, is photo stable, and shows no cross talk with proteins in the cytoplasm and other staining procedures or erythrocytes. Staining with coumarin 6/cyclodextrin com- plexes can thus be used for fast discrimination of different cell types. Importantly, it could be shown that the ideal staining reaction is dependent on the stoichiometry of the complex-formation.

We demonstrate qualitative dissociations of brightness processing in visuomotor priming and conscious vision. Speeded keypress responses to the brighter of two luminance targets were performed in the presence of preceding dark and bright primes (clearly visible and flanking the targets) whose apparent brightness values were enhanced or attenuated by a visual illusion. Response times to the targets were greatly affected by consistent versus inconsistent arrangements of the primes, relative to the targets (response priming). Priming effects could systematically contradict subjective brightness matches, such that one prime could appear brighter than the other but could prime as if it were darker. Systematic variation of the illusion showed that response-priming effects depended only on local flanker-background contrast, not on the subjective appearance of the flankers. Our findings suggest that speeded motor responses, as opposed to conscious perceptual judgments, access an early phase of lightness and brightness processing prior to full lightness constancy.

Die Versorgung chronischer Krankheiten und Multimorbiditat stellen eine zunehmende Herausforderung dar. Die speziellen Anforderungen multipel und chronisch erkrankter Patienten lassen die hausarztliche Versorgung stetig komplexer werden. Als Teil umfassender Konzepte zur strukturierten Versorgung wie etwa des Chronic-Care-Modells (CCM) wird dabei auch die Einbeziehung nichtarztlicher Gesundheitsberufe diskutiert. Welche Haltung deutsche Hausarzte gegenuber einer systematischen Einbeziehung ihrer Medizinischen Fachangestellten (MFA) in die Versorgung chronisch kranker Patienten einnehmen, war eine Fragestellung der hier vorgestellten qualitativen Studie. 14 Interviews mit Hausarzten. Die Auswertung erfolgte qualitativ- inhaltsanalytisch mit dem Computerprogramm Atlas.ti. Die Mehrheit der Hausarzte steht einer Integration der MFA positiv gegenuber. Als Voraussetzung dafur sehen Arzte eine aufgabenorientierte spezielle Schulung der MFA. Als forderliche Faktoren werden Erfahrung, die haufig langjahrige Beziehung zum Patienten sowie weitgehend selbststandiges und eigenverantwortliches Handeln genannt. Barrieren sehen Arzte im Zeitaufwand fur das Personal. Es besteht Bedarf an aufgabenbezogener Fortbildung, um Praxisteams zu professionalisieren. Wichtig erscheint dennoch, dass dieser Ansatz nur fur bestimmte Erkrankungen, ausgewahlte Patienten und einige MFA geeignet ist. Im Rahmen der weiteren Professionalisierung von MFA sollte der Bedarf eines neuen Anforderungsprofils des Berufsbildes evaluiert werden.

In this paper, a retrospective study was performed to find out whether the introduction of early nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) as a new standard regime of very low birthweight infants will lead to a decreasing tracheal intubation and ventilation rate, as well as to a lower incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in a tertiary-level perinatal centre. Ninety-three infants (study group) with early nCPAP as the first respiratory support were compared to 63 infants (historical control group) born before the use of early nCPAP. No statistically significant differences were found in the baseline characteristics. The main results of the study include reduced intubation mainly in infants with a birthweight

An acidic domain (AD) of gp130 was previously found to interact with the Src family kinase (SFK) Hck. Here, the influence of myristoylated peptides derived from this AD was assessed in the mouse myeloma cell line, 7TD1. The IL-6-dependent growth of 7TD1 cells was reduced by approximately 75%, if 100 microM of myristoylated 18mer peptide (18AD) was included in the growth medium, but was unaffected by a control peptide with scrambled sequence (18sc). A similar differential inhibition by peptides 18AD and 18sc was observed for the erythropoietin-dependent growth of BaF-EH cells expressing chimeric erythropoietin receptor-gp130 and human Hck and for the human myeloma cell line INA-6. While the peptide 18AD concentration inhibiting 50% was approximately 30 microM in 7TD1 and BaF-EH cells, peptide 18AD did not significantly inhibit growth of IL-6-independent MM1.S myeloma and OKT1 hybridoma cells or of BaF-EH cells supplied with IL-3. Treatment with 100 microM peptide 18AD caused the same degree or 60% of apoptosis induction as IL-6 deprivation in 7TD1 or INA-6 cells, respectively. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that peptide 18AD interfered with the association of Hck and gp130 in 7TD1 lysates in a concentration-dependent manner. IL-6-treatment of INA-6 cells induced the kinase activities of Fyn, Lyn and Hck, but not Src, and the IL-6-induced SFK activities were inhibited by peptide 18AD. Expression in 7TD1 cells of a kinase-inactive Hck mutant (K269R) elicited a dominant-negative effect on cell number increases providing further evidence that SFKs are required for gp130 signalling in myeloma cells.

Background Disease Management Programmes (DMPs) have been introduced in Germany ten years ago with the aim to improve effectiveness and equity of care, but little is known about the degree to which enrolment in the programme meets the principles of equity in health care. We aimed to analyse horizontal equity in DMP enrolment among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods Cross-sectional analysis of horizontal inequities in physician-reported enrolment in the DMP for CHD in a large population-based cohort-study in Germany (2008–2010). We calculated horizontal inequity indices (HII) and their 95% confidence intervals [95%CI] for predicted need-standardised DMP enrolment across two measures of socio-economic status (SES) (educational attainment, regional deprivation) stratified by sex. Need-standardised DMP enrolment was predicted in multi-level logistic regression models. Results Among N = 1,280 individuals aged 55–84 years and diagnosed with CHD, DMP enrolment rates were 22.2% (women) and 35.0% (men). Education-related inequities in need-standardised DMP enrolment favoured groups with lower education, but HII estimates were not significant. Deprivation-related inequities among women significantly favoured groups with higher SES (HII = 0.086 [0.007 ; 0.165]. No such deprivation-related inequities were seen among men (HII = 0.014 [−0.048 ; 0.077]). Deprivation-related inequities across the whole population favoured groups with higher SES (HII estimates not significant). Conclusion Need-standardised DMP enrolment was fairly equitable across educational levels. Deprivation-related inequities in DMP enrolment favoured women living in less deprived areas relative to those living in areas with higher deprivation. Further research is needed to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to deprivation-related horizontal inequities in DMP enrolment among women. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12939-015-0155-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Landfilling of municipal waste is still a major issue of the waste management system in Europe. The generated leachate must be appropriately treated before being discharged into the environment. Technologies meant for leachate treatment can be classified as follows (i) biological methods, (ii) chemical and physical methods. Here we review briefly the main processes currently used for the landfill leachates treatments.

Die chirurgische Therapie einer chronischen monstrosen Abdominalhernie bedingt die Reposition des Bruchinhaltes und den spannungsfreien Bauchdeckenverschluss. Eine initiale Laparoskopie simuliert die postoperative Bauchwandspannung. Die Kenntnis und die Bedeutung des praoperativen Pneumoperitoneums bei chronischer Eventeration kann im Zeitalter der allgemein verfugbaren Laparoskopie eine „abdominelle Katastrophe“ mit Darmresektion, Abdominalkompartement oder aufwendiger Bauchdeckenplastik vermeiden. Wir berichten uber den Fall einer langjahrigen monstrosen Skrotalhernie mit akuter Urosepsis bei Harnverhalt.

In the two decades since Audre Lorde (1984) pointed out that we have no patterns for relating across our differences as equals (p. 115), struggles to transform higher education have come to focus on communication about and across differences. Despite these efforts, conversations in higher education about group difference and equity too often exacerbate feelings of cynicism and disenfranchisement. In this article we discuss research into the actual discourses at work in communication about the cultural politics of institutional practices. We report on an analysis of qualitative data, using this data to help clarify the challenges of relating across differences as equals.

The gene for phytase from Escherichia coli was sequenced and compared with the appA gene. It was found to be a mutant derivative of the appA gene. After fusion with a C-terminal His-tag, phytase was purified by affinity chromatography and the enzymatic properties were analyzed. To develop a system for overexpression and extracellular production of phytase in E. coli, factors affecting the expression and secretion such as promoter type, host strain and selection pressure were analyzed. Using a secretion system based on the controlled expression of the kil gene, the expression of phytase was improved and the enzyme was released into the culture medium at a high level. An effective fermentation strategy based on fed-batch operation was developed.

Fragestellung: Bei Erkrankungen und Storungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter ist die Familie in vielfaltiger und komplexer Weise (etwa bei der Entstehung, Aufrechterhaltung und Genesung) involviert. Die vorliegende Pilotstudie stellt einen Zusammenhang zwischen familiaren Variablen und den Therapieeffekten einer psychologischen Gruppen- und Familienbehandlung bei padiatrischen Kopfschmerzen dar.

Wir berichten uber einen 34-jahrigen Patienten, der sich aufgrund Melana und Hamatemesis in unserer Klinik vorstellte. Die endoskopische Diagnostik zeigte einen riesigen, breitbasigen Polypen im Duodenum, der die Blutungsquelle darstellte. Der 10 cm lange Tumor wurde offen-chirurgisch transduodenal reseziert, histologisch wurde ein Hamartom des Duodenums nachgewiesen. Dieser Fall zeigt einen auserordentlich seltenen benignen Tumor des Duodenums, seinen moglichen klinischen Verlauf und eine Moglichkeit seiner Therapie.

Morphometric methods have been developed for standardized assessment of vertebral deformities in clinical and epidemiologic studies of spinal osteoporosis. However, vertebral deformity may be caused by a variety of other conditions. To examine the validity of morphometrically assessed vertebral deformities as an index of osteoporotic vertebral fractures, we developed an algorithm for radiological differential classification (RDC) based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative assessment of lateral spinal radiographs. Radiographs were obtained in a population of 50- to 80-year-old German women (n= 283) and men (n = 297) surveyed in the context of the European Vertebral Osteoporosis Study (EVOS). Morphometric methods (Eastell 3 SD and 4 SD criteria, McCloskey) were validated against RDC and against bone mineral density (BMD) at the femur and the lumbar spine. According to RDC 36 persons (6.2%) had at least one osteoporotic vertebral fracture; among 516 (88.9%) nonosteoporotics 154 had severe spondylosis, 132 had other spinal disease and 219 had normal findings; 14 persons (2.4%) could not be unequivocally classified. The prevalence of morphometrically assessed vertebral deformities ranged from 7.3% to 19.2% in women and from 3.5% to 16.6% in men, depending on the stringency of the morphometric criteria. The agreement between RDC and morphometric methods was poor. In men, 62–86% of cases with vertebral deformities were classified as nonosteoporotic (severe spondylosis or other spinal disease) by RDC, compared with 31–68% in women. Among these, most had wedge deformities of the thoracic spine. On the other hand, up to 80% of osteoporotic vertebral fractures in men and up to 48% in women were missed by morphometry, in particular endplate fractures at the lumbar spine. In the group with osteoporotic vertebral fractures by RDC the proportion of persons with osteoporosis according to the WHO criteria (T-score

Heterologous gene products produced by Escherichia coli cells can be exported into the culture medium by the action of the kil gene of the ColE1 plasmid, which encodes a bacterial release protein. The kil gene was fused with the stationary-phase promoter of the fic gene of E. coli, and a secretion cassette (Kil-Km cassette) containing the regulated kil gene, the Km-resistance gene, and multiple cloning sites for the integration of target genes was constructed. Using the gene for beta-glucanase (bgl) as a target gene, it was shown that the protein produced was only secreted into the medium during the stationary phase. Quasi-lysis and lethality were not observed. The primary effect of the induction of the kil gene was the overproduction of beta-glucanase. The total amount produced per milliliter of bacterial culture was almost threefold higher than that of the corresponding Kil- control. The protein pattern of periplasm and culture medium was analyzed before and after induction of the kil gene expression, indicating that the release of periplasmic proteins is semiselective. This secretion system is the first to use a growth-phase-regulated promoter for the expression of the kil gene.

When leaves ofApium graveolens are exposed to vapours of methyl jasmonate (MeJa) or fed through the petiole with aqueous solutions of jasmonic acid (Ja), the levels of natural furanocoumarins, in particular xanthotoxin and bergapten, are greatly increased. The induction becomes manifest after application of ≥20 nmol of either Meja or Ja. Levels of xanthotoxin and bergapten begin to increase approximately 24 h after application of the inducer. Maximum concentration of the two furanocoumarins (40–70 fold increase) is reached after 4–6 days. This pronounced effect of volatile MeJa on the physiological status of the celery leaf may be considered as representative of a build-up of chemical defenses, in an undamaged plant, after receipt of airborne signals from damaged or undamaged, but fragrant plants.

Background To maintain patients’ quality of life is one of the major goals in palliative home care provided by general practitioners (GPs). GPs need adequate training to care for palliative patients. The paper seeks to evaluate whether a specific training in Germany (PAMINO) has any improving impact on the care of palliative patients and their health-related quality of life. Methods From September 2007 until June 2009, GPs and their palliative care patients with cancer participated in a study to evaluate palliative courses for GPs offered by a regional palliative care initiative (PAMINO). For a period of six months at most or until death, patients were asked monthly to judge their quality of life on the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative (QLQ-C15-PAL) of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and on the Palliative Care Outcome Scale (POS). The ‘Overall quality of life’ scale of the QLQ-C15-PAL takes values between 0 and 100 with higher values indicating a higher quality of life. The POS sum scale takes values between 0 and 40 with higher values indicating worse care outcomes. Patients cared for by PAMINO-trained GPs and patients cared for by other GPs (control group) are compared using t-tests for differences in group means. Results One hundred patients participated in the study; 96 patients filled out the questionnaires at least once. On the QLQ-C15-PAL, mean quality of life of the patient groups of PAMINO-trained and other GPs were 37.7 (SD = 25.5) and 39.4 (SD = 26.3) (p = .76), respectively. On the POS, respective mean values of 13.6 (SD = 5.8) and 12.0 (SD = 6.5) (p = .26) were given. Patients cared for by a PAMINO-trained GP did not report better quality of life and care outcomes than patients cared for by other general practitioners. Conclusions Patients cared for by PAMINO-trained and other GPs in our study did not report differences in quality of life. Quality of life and care outcomes of all patients were better than of palliative patients in institutional or specialized care, emphasizing the ability of GPs to provide adequate care for these vulnerable patients. However, conclusions need to be drawn cautiously since the study had a small sample size. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN78021852

The design of future radioactive ion beam (RIB) facilites requires the forecast of radio isotope inventory after irradiation. At CERN – ISOLDE, we developed a software that estimates the activity of irradiated materials as a function of time dedicated to radioactive waste management. This tool can also be used for licensing procedures, planning of irradiation experiments and the estimation of yields.