11, 12 In this study, we analyzed only the XPC Lys939Gln polymorp

11, 12 In this study, we analyzed only the XPC Lys939Gln polymorphism because this polymorphism locus localizes at conserved sites of the gene31 and changes the coded PF-562271 ic50 amino acids, which may be associated with a decreased DNA repair capacity,12, 13, 15-20, 22, 23, 32 an increased frequency of p53 mutations,33,

34 and increased tumor risk.11, 17 We found that this polymorphism not only increased HCC risk but also correlated with the levels of XPC expression. Supporting our results, recent studies have suggested that this polymorphism modifies the HBV infection–related HCC risk,35 and the dysregulation of XPC expression is highly related to HCC.28 In this study, we stratified the analysis of XPC codon 939 genotypes by AFB1 exposure status. This was done primarily because several previous studies have provided evidence showing that there might be interactive effects of this polymorphism and carcinogens on cancer risk.19, 23 For example, Mechanic et al.19 conducted a hospital-based case-control study (including 2311 cases and 2022 controls) to elucidate whether XPC codon 939 Gln alleles modify the

risk for breast cancer associated with smoking. They found some multiplicatively interactive effects of the XPC polymorphism and smoking status on the risk of breast cancer. Zhou et al.23 also found a http://www.selleckchem.com/products/MG132.html statistically significant interaction between this polymorphism and environmental carcinogen exposure with respect to esophageal cancer in another Chinese population, the Hebei population (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.15-3.66). Our data not only support the aforementioned Etoposide mouse studies but also show positively modified effects of the XPC codon 939 Gln alleles on HCC carcinogenesis

induced by AFB1 exposure. Interestingly, this polymorphism is associated with shorter survival times and a higher risk of dying from HCC, especially under the condition of high AFB1 exposure. These results suggest that the XPC Lys939Gln polymorphism may alter the normal protein function and consequently may be associated with a reduction of the DNA repair capacity and the dysregulation of expression levels. The DNA damage induced by AFB1 cannot be repaired effectively and consequently may cause genic mutations (e.g., p53) and hepatocellular canceration. Thus, the XPC Lys939Gln polymorphism may play a role in the carcinogenetic pathway of AFB1 exposure–related HCC for Guangxi patients. In addition, we found some evidence of XPC-XPD interactive effects on HCC risk, possibly because this gene-gene interaction results in a more obvious decrease in the NER capacity and consequently correlates with a higher risk for HCC.

In expert hands, these procedures are now being performed with a

In expert hands, these procedures are now being performed with a low frequency of complications and with low recurrence rates. Although current methods are

time-consuming, it seems likely that the procedure will become simpler and faster as platforms are developed that permit simultaneous retraction and cutting. Another potential area is the local treatment of gastrointestinal neoplasms with agents administered via endoscopy, perhaps with guidance from EUS. Potential agents can be engineered viruses that either selectively kill malignant cells or sensitize malignant cells to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. An alternative approach is the application of immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer where an allogeneic, mixed-lymphocyte culture (cytoimplant) is injected into the cancer to initiate a strong tumor-specific Lumacaftor immune response. Both approaches have already been used with apparent benefit in preliminary studies.37,38 Despite the above, those who see endoscopic therapy as the future of gastrointestinal surgery should heed the lessons of endoscopic therapy

for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Between approximately 1990 and 2005, various endoscopic techniques were used to narrow the lower esophagus or ‘support’ the lower esophageal sphincter using injectible agents, scarring via radiofrequency energy or the placement of superficial sutures in the gastric cardia. These Selleck Nutlin 3 techniques have largely been abandoned although there are on-going studies designed to replicate

the principles that have been applied in open and laparoscopic fundoplication. For most endoscopy suites, the number of upper gastrointestinal procedures is either static or in decline while the number of colonoscopic procedures continues to increase. The former reflects at least some reduction in endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding while the latter reflects a focus on colorectal neoplasia, sometimes supported by local and national bowel cancer screening programs. While colonoscopy is likely to be central to surveillance for colorectal cancer for some years, alternative screening options could become available that might decrease Org 27569 the need for colonoscopic procedures. For example, fecal occult blood testing is widely used for community screening but only 1 in 20 positive subjects has cancer at colonoscopy. Conceivably, the detection of DNA mutations or specific cancer-associated proteins in blood or feces could be a more sensitive and specific indicator of high-risk neoplasms. Other investigations such as CT colonography and MRI colonography might also have an increased role in screening, particularly if sensitivity and specificity can be improved without the preceding use of laxatives.

Future work focused on feedback processing, correlating factors o

Future work focused on feedback processing, correlating factors of accuracy (when feedback matches brain activity, whether from real data or randomly generated data) and direction (positive feedback vs. negative feedback), could Alvelestat solubility dmso also aid in isolating feedback components. We did not provide feedback during rest periods to keep the task simple for participants and to allow contrasts of “task—rest” to include feedback components. While analyzing the data without temporal filtering did not change our primary findings, there were some trends worth considering in future work. Baseline rest values, specifically for real feedback, tend to drift up throughout

the scan (Fig 1). Providing feedback during rest to reduce such drift could produce greater “task—rest” contrast values. Practice and learning effects may Venetoclax be important as task signal trended up, specifically through the real feedback scan. There are many limitations of this pilot study. A considerable number of scans were excluded based on quality checks, and future RTfMRIf studies relying on functionally defined ROIs may be limited if such defined ROIs

are not reliably found. Excluded studies also altered our counterbalanced design, so our study may be susceptible to order effects. However, we did not note obvious order effects in our limited sample. We did not use EMG recordings to verify that participants were performing motor imagery rather than actual movements. However, we took steps to minimize the possibility of actual movements (immobilization and instructions), blinded participants to false feedback conditions, and failed to find significant differences in primary motor cortex in real versus false feedback fMRI contrasts. It should also be noted that there are other ways to provide feedback,

such as a continuous timeline that cues participants to the relationship between what they are doing in the moment and the sluggish 3-6 seconds hemodynamic delay.8,12 Such approaches may require extensive training not required for intermittent feedback. However, we tested only two Farnesyltransferase specific feedback strategies in our study and did not examine training effects. In summary, we have shown that participants can use intermittent feedback to modulate premotor cortex activity during an imaginary movement task. Feedback displayed intermittently may be superior to feedback that is constantly updating and continuously shown, at least for some tasks. As we only tested motor imagery using a single ROI, it is difficult to know if these findings generalize to other RTfMRIf applications. This pilot study provides some interesting, albeit preliminary, data to guide future studies using RTfMRIf. Future methods work is needed to refine and develop the most interesting new tool of RTfMRIf.

At present in China, because of inadequate management conditions,

At present in China, because of inadequate management conditions, arthropathy develops not only in severe haemophilia patients, but also in patients with moderate (and even mild) disease. Both our severe and moderate patients Selleckchem BI-6727 need secondary prophylaxis. In

this trial, as expected, the severe patients and the older patients (with more arthropathy) derive more benefit from the prophylaxis protocol. As anticipated, the results were better when prophylaxis was carried for a longer period. To a larger extent, the quality of life in haemophilia is influenced by their joint status. In our study, the improved daily activities following prophylaxis (as documented on 43 patients assessed at the BCH and Nanfang Hospital centers) reflect the improvement of joint mobility. The trial therefore demonstrated that low-dose secondary prophylaxis, even on a short-term basis, is helpful in maintaining basic joint activities thereby enhancing their quality of life. The limitation of factor concentrates availability and affordability is hitherto a major constrain for any form of prophylaxis in China and similarly in many parts of the developing world. In our study, if ‘optimal-dose’ regimen (A1, Tables 3 and 4) was applied, the consumption of factors

during the prophylaxis period was similar buy PD98059 to that during the observation period (102.9 vs. 103.2 IU kg−1 per month/person). This trial shows that our low-dose short-term secondary prophylaxis protocol confers benefits in our setting without increasing factor consumption (over that for on-demand therapy). Low-dose prophylaxis should be a check details viable option in China (and by extension to many other developing countries) with economic constraints and limitations in factor availability. There remain limitations in our study. First, the prophylaxis was so short-term (6–12 weeks) that we were unable to assess changes in arthropathy. Second, we do not have a common protocol for on-demand therapy and for breakthrough

bleeding, as this was dictated by what the patients could afford, and by the local practices. The study, particularly the factor consumption aspect will be more robust if rFVIII (or pdFVIII) was also available as a sponsored study drug at the ‘optimal dose (A1)’ at no cost to the participants both for the on-demand treatment during the observation period and for breakthrough bleeding during the prophylaxis period. Economic constraint and limitation in factor concentrate availability are regarded as the main obstacles to prophylaxis. In our study, all participants were offered rFVIII through a donation, so that the burden of cost of concentrate, at least for the prophylaxis injections was not a factor. Despite this, a minimum of 6 weeks prophylaxis was accomplished by patients only at three centers.

We analyzed clinical features of these patients, as to mainly pre

We analyzed clinical features of these patients, as to mainly prevalence of dementia, completion for scheduled endoscopy and complications etc. selleck 2) There were the total number of 2058 patients who were performed therapeutic digestive endoscopy. For them, clinical features were compared between two groups (patients more than 90 years old and ones under 90 years old). Results: 1) The oldest patient was 98 years old (mean age was 92.03 +/− 2.02 years old). Of

all the 178 patients performed endoscopy, about 11.8% were suffered from dementia and about 32% were administrated anticoagulant-antiplatelet agents. Endoscopy was interrupted in five patients (about 2.8%) because of their disquieting and post-ERCP pancreatitis was occurred in one patient. However, there was no patient with post procedural bleeding and perforation. 2) Between the two groups, there was no significant difference of frequency as to interruption of endoscopy due to disquieting. In the group of patients more than 90 years old, there was no one with post procedural bleeding, perforation and post-ERCP pancreatitis. Conclusion: Digestive Endoscopy for patients BGJ398 in vivo more than 90 years old in our hospital is thought to be safely performed under the close investigation about for medical and cliental indications, considering unique and special aspects of such patients. Key Word(s): 1.

digestive endoscopy; 2. 90 years old; Presenting Author: REGI GEORGE Additional Authors: SYEDMUHAMMAD ALI, JACOB CHACKO, NERUKAV RADHAKRISHNAN, RICHARD HAMMONDS Corresponding Author: REGI GEORGE Affiliations: Pennine Acute NHS Trust; Salford Royal, Hospital Objective: The purpose of ESD and Hybrid ESD (circumferential excision and snaring) is to obtain an en bloc specimen. Methods: A retrospective audit on 38 patients who underwent ESD/H-ESD for large sessile colorectal polyps under a single endoscopist between April 2004–2012. Follow-up endoscopy

was performed at both 3–6 months and 12–14 months Results: 38 patients (16 male), mean age = 70. Mean polyp size: ESD group; 26 mm (15–50 mm), H-ESD group; 49 mm (20–100 mm). Complete resections; 17 cases (44%). 21 cases not confirmed due to piecemeal excision. APC performed in 16 out of 38 (42%). ESD: 13 cases (34%). Complete resection 6. Incomplete resection10. 1 case was a sub mucosal lipoma. Histology: (Tubullo Cytidine deaminase villous adenoma (TVA) with low grade dysplasia (LGD) 7, TVA with high grade dysplasis (HGD) 5) H-ESD: 25 (65.7%) cases. Complete resection 11. Lateral margin clearance not confirmed in 14 cases due to piecemeal resection. Histology: (TVA with LGD 16, TVA with HGD 6 and adenocarcinoma 2 in which one case the lateral and deep margins were clear, the other case was incomplete and referred to MDT) Complications: Minor bleeding controlled endoscopically; 11 (4 ESD, 7 H-ESD), 1 case of post H-ESD bleeding required blood transfusion, 2 retroperitoneal perforation.

Subsequently, at UT Southwestern, he analyzed mammalian responses

Subsequently, at UT Southwestern, he analyzed mammalian responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide. This work culminated in the identification of Toll-like receptors as key sensors of the innate immune system, used to detect infection. In further studies, Beutler employed a forward genetic strategy to elucidate many aspects of mammalian immunity. In addition to the Nobel Prize, he has received many other awards for his work, a partial list of which includes the Balzan Prize

(2007), the Albany Medical Center Prize (2009), the Shaw Prize (2011), the Korsmeyer selleck chemicals Award (2013), and election to both the US National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine (2008). Beutler is also a member of the German Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina) and of the French Legion d’Honneur.

Learning Objectives: Discuss how the immune system operates, particularly with respect to the production of antibodies against and infectious agent Create and solve immune diseases using a germline mutagen Identify parallels between the mouse and human where immune function is concerned Exhibit Hall D 1:30 – 2:00 PM Snack Break AASLD Distinguished Awards Sunday, November 3 2:45 – 3:00 PM Hall E/General Session AASLD Distinguished Clinician Educator/Mentor Award Presented to: Arthur J. McCullough, MD Presented by: Anthony S. Tavill, MD General Hepatology Update Sunday, November 3 3:00 – 4:30 PM Ballroom AB General AT9283 solubility dmso Hepatology Update MODERATORS: Ester C. Little, MD Paul Angulo, MD 1.5 CME Credits This annual forum is intended to provide hepatologists an update on the diagnosis and management of three clinically relevant topics that are commonly encountered in routine clinical practice. Issues including diagnostic strategies and approaches to management are reviewed

to provide state-of-the-art guidelines particularly for diagnostic dilemmas. Learning Objectives: Describe the current guidelines for the diagnosis and management of hepatocellular carcinoma Identify the most common drugs that can cause liver damage and understand the mechanisms of liver toxicity Discuss the current guidelines for the diagnosis and management of MTMR9 Primary Biliary Cirrhosis 3:00 – 3:25 PM Update on Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Jorge A. Marrero, MD 3:25 – 3:50 PM Drug-induced Liver Injury Update Paul B. Watkins, MD 3:50 – 4:15 PM PBC Keith D. Lindor, MD 4:15 – 4:30 PM Discussion Parallel Session Parallel 1:Biliary Atresia and Neonatal Cholestasis Sunday, November 3 3:00 – 4:30 PM Room 146A MODERATORS: Regino P. Gonzalez-Peralta, MD Ronald J. Sokol, MD 3:00 PM 13: ARF6 gene dysregulation may contribute to biliary dysgenesis in biliary atresia (BA) Mylarappa Ningappa, Joseph Glessner, Johoon So, Donghun Shin, Chethan Ashokkumar, Hakon Hakonarson, Rakesh Sindhi 3:15 PM 14: Diagnostic and Predictive Value of Serum Biomarkers in Biliary Atresia James E.

Five adults had significant bleeds following major surgery, one h

Five adults had significant bleeds following major surgery, one had lower limb compartmental syndrome and one a post-traumatic upper limb haematoma

and haemarthrosis. SCBT administration alternated one APCC dose to 1–3 rFVIIa doses: dosing intervals ranged between 3 and 6 h; APCC (20–80 U kg−1) was given every 8–12 h; rFVIIa (90–270 μg kg−1) was given every 3–12 h. Bleeding control was achieved in 12–24 h in all patients. SCBT was discontinued after 1–15 days. Fulvestrant No clinical adverse events were observed, but a significant increase in D-dimer levels was seen in three/five patients who were assessed. SCBT was efficacious without adverse events; nevertheless, due to potential risks, it remains a salvage treatment. A Alvelestat mouse prospective clinical trial is needed to provide further evidence. “
“Summary.  Wound healing involves a complex series of interactions between coagulation, inflammation, angiogenesis, and cellular migration and proliferation. Our laboratory has developed an excisional dermal wound model in mice in order to study some of these processes and to determine how coagulation defects affect wound healing. In contrast to wild type mice, haemophilia B mice typically show delayed healing, signs of bleeding into the wound, and significant wound expansion. The difference in wound size may result from limited fibrin deposition in haemophilic animals and the subsequent inability to anchor the platelet plug to the surrounding tissues, thus allowing

wound expansion through oedema. Haemophilic mice also demonstrate impaired wound healing times. However, while pre-treatment with factor IX or human activated factor VII improves

some wound characteristics in haemophilia B animals, the time to wound healing is still delayed and signs of ongoing bleeding are evident. Haemophilic mice also show a deficient initial inflammatory response and increased angiogenesis, Oxalosuccinic acid which, in turn, leads to increased bleeding: in the absence of robust haemostasis, these fragile, newly sprouted vessels have a tendency to bleed. Taken together, these observations suggest that ongoing haemostasis is necessary for normal wound healing. If this is correct, then optimal wound healing in haemophilia would require therapy until at least the point that vessel formation is stabilized. The goal of such treatment would be to avoid a feedback cycle in which bleeding tends to lead to further bleeding. Once initiated, this cycle may be difficult to control. “
“Summary.  Many studies in the field of haemophilia and other coagulation deficiencies require analyses of bleeding frequencies. In haemophilia, the association of bleeding frequency with factor VIII (FVIII) activity levels is known from experience, but significant results are lacking. Bleeding frequencies in haemophilia are highly skewed count data, with large proportions of zeros. Both the skewness and the high amount of zeros pose a problem for standard (linear) modelling techniques.

Moreover, in primary tumor we also investigated S100A4 expression

Moreover, in primary tumor we also investigated S100A4 expression. Results. PTX at 1.5nM and 15nM caused a significant reduction in the nuclear expression of S100A4 in CCA cells (p<0.01), without affecting www.selleckchem.com/products/sorafenib.html S100A4 cystoplasmic content. The decrease in S100A4 nuclear expression was associated with a marked reduction in both migration and invasiveness (p<0.01), without affecting cell proliferation and apoptosis, or inducing detectable

cytoskeletal damage. PTX administration impaired activity of the GTPases Rho-A (p<0.01) and Cdc42 (p<0.01). When administered in vivo to SCID mice xenografted with EGI cells, PTX caused a significant reduction in both the primary tumor size and the number of lung MM and ITC (p<0.05). In PTX-treated mice, the number of CCA cells expressing nuclear S100A4 in the primary tumor were significantly reduced (p<0.05). Conclusion. Pharmacological down-regulation of nuclear S100A4 by PTX at doses well below the commonly used chemotherapy regimens, results in a reduction in CCA cell motility and invasiveness, thereby hampering their hema-togenous metastatic spread. These effects are not caused by changes in cell proliferation, cytoskeleton integrity or apopto-sis, but are associated with a reduction in the activity of Rho-A and Cdc42, known to regulate the directionality of cell movements.

These data indicate that inhibition of S100A4 nuclear translocation is a promising therapeutic target in CCA. Disclosures: The following people have nothing to disclose: Gaia Spagnuolo, selleck inhibitor Massimiliano

Cadamuro, Luisa Sambado, Stefano Indraccolo, Giorgia Nardo, Antonio Rosato, Carlo Spirli, Mario Strazzabosco, Luca Fabris Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of HCC is still unclear. O-glycosylation has been found to play critical roles in disease development. N-acetylga-lactosaminyltransferase 1 (GALNT1) is, among the 20 GALNT enzymes, most highly expressed in HCC which catalyze the first step of O-glycosylation resulting in the formation of tumor-associated Tn antigens. The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression of GALNT1 in relation Sirolimus nmr to Tn antigen expression and its role in HCC. Method: Resources from public database from Oncomine and NextBio Research were analyzed and GALNT1 mRNA expression levels in HCC were compared with normal liver tissues. The GALNT1 expression levels in HCC cell lines were analyzed by western blotting. Overexpression of GALNT1 was achieved using pcDNA3.1A plasmid while knockdown of GALNT1 was achieved using GALNT1 siRNA in HA22T and HepG2. Subsequent cell surface Tn antigen expression was analyzed by flow cytometry and cell migration and Matrigel™ invasion assays were performed. Results: GALNT1 mRNA expression is up-regulated in HCC (n = 225) compared with normal liver tissues (n = 220), fold change 1.452, p < 0.

84,86 Hui et al86 indicated that differences in FD symptoms corr

84,86 Hui et al.86 indicated that differences in FD symptoms correlated with psychological factors such as negative perception of major life events rather than with the number of stressful life events experienced. Chen et al.87 demonstrated that severity of stressful life events was positively correlated with disturbance of gastric myoelectric activity

in FD patients. Coping pattern is a psychological factor associated with FD symptoms.84,86,88 Several psychological studies have found that effective coping strategies play a role in mitigating anxiety, depression, and somatic problems.88,89 Cheng et al.89 designed flexible coping psychotherapy for enhancing coping flexibility of FD patients and Navitoclax in vitro demonstrated that the psychotherapy significantly changed FD symptom severity. Finally, familial factors may include psychological, environmental or genetic factors, which may contribute to abdominal symptoms of FD patients. Ahn et al.90 found that family function score was lower in an FD group than in a normal control group, and Ochi

et al.91 suggested that parental criticism experienced in early life may underlie PD-0332991 nmr the psychological background of FD patients and correlated with their abdominal symptoms. All of these results add support to the theory of psychosocial disturbances in the pathogenesis of FD. Statement 17. Gastric acid may be responsible for the symptoms in a subset of patients with functional dyspepsia. Grade of evidence: moderate. Level of agreement: a: 89.5%; b: 10.5%; c: 0%; d: 0%; e: 0%; f: 0%. Because anti-secretory

therapy is effective in some patients with FD,92,93 it is thought that gastric acid may play a role in the pathogenesis of FD. However, oxyclozanide it has not been clearly demonstrated that excessive gastric acid is a pathogenetic factor in FD, and data on the amount of gastric acid secretion in patients with FD are lacking. Results of studies from Asian countries are controversial.94–96 Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are believed to be beneficial in a subset of patients with FD. This positive response is mainly confined to patients with ulcer-like and reflux-like dyspepsia.92 Patients with postprandial pain are reported to have a high prevalence of pathological acid exposure, which suggests that patients who respond to acid-suppressive therapy might have non-erosive reflux disease.97 Several studies have suggested a role for increased duodenal acid exposure or duodenal or gastric hypersensitivity to acid in the pathogenesis of symptoms in some patients with FD.76,98–100 These factors might explain the beneficial effects of acid-suppressive treatment for FD. However, the prevalence and pathogenetic role of these abnormalities in Asian patients with FD remains to be further explored. Statement 18. Helicobacter pylori may play a role in pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia. Grade of evidence: moderate. Level of agreement: a: 52.6%; b: 31.6%; c: 5.3%; d: 10.

4-kb versions, thus confirming that the observed size difference

4-kb versions, thus confirming that the observed size difference is entirely due to changes in this region of the genes. Further analysis shows that the upstream selleck compound sequences of the short and long versions are similar, with the exception of the two 147-bp repeats that are inserted at 425 bp upstream from the ATG start site (Fig. 4a). These repeats lack a similarity to known transposable elements. To identify known S. cerevisiae transcription factor-binding sites, the siteseer program (Boardman et al., 2003) was used. Most relevant, two Mal63-binding sites were found, one of which partially overlaps with a Mig1 site (Fig. 4b). The latter is involved in glucose repression. MALx3 encodes a regulatory gene in the MAL gene

HCS assay cluster that is essential for the regulation of the maltase (MALx2) and maltose permease (MALx1) genes. The two Mal63-binding sites are present in both the 2.4- and the 2.7-kb versions of the genes and in the same order and context, but the two repeats in the promoters of the long versions move these binding sites 294 bp away from the transcription initiation site (Fig. 4b). As information is only available for the binding sites

of S. cerevisiae transcription factors, the presence of additional binding sites for transcription factors encoded by the non-cerevisiae part of the genome cannot be excluded. Our previous studies (Dietvorst et al., 2005) showed that the inability of strain A15 to grow on maltotriose in the presence of antimycin A was caused by an insufficient uptake of maltotriose. Our results further suggested that the transporters encoded by the MTT1-type genes are more efficient in maltotriose transport than the transporters encoded by MAL31-type genes. The present study confirms for that in lager strains, at least two types of genes are present that encode maltose transporters, MTT1 and MAL31. Moreover, these genes occur with promoters of different lengths. Of all four possible combinations, only the small version of MTT1 could restore the growth of A15 on maltotriose in the presence of antimycin A. This indicated that this combination resulted in the most efficient

maltotriose uptake. The MTT1 gene probably originates from the non-cerevisiae part of the genome as it is not present in the S. cerevisiae genome sequence and a highly similar gene was isolated from S. pastorianus (Salema-Oom et al., 2005). Recent sequence data on the WS34/70 strain confirm this suggestion (Nakao et al., 2009). Because we isolated the genes by PCR using specific primers, it cannot be ruled out that other transporter genes are present, but were not found in this study. With our PCR approach, we isolated a varying number of different independent MAL31 and MTT1 genes from each strain. It is expected that each strain has several potentially different versions of the MALx1 genes. Thus, MAL11, MAL21, MAL31, MAL41 and occasionally, MAL61 are found in lager strains (Jespersen et al., 1999; Vidgren et al.