SbcCD regulation and localization in Escherichia coli

The SbcCD complex and its homologues play important roles in DNA repair and in the maintenance of genome stability. In Escherichia coli, the in vitro functions of SbcCD have been well characterized, but its exact cellular role remains elusive. This work investigates the regulation of the sbcDC operon and the cellular localization of the SbcC and SbcD proteins. Transcription of the sbcDC operon is shown to be dependent on starvation and RpoS protein. Overexpressed SbcC protein forms foci that colocalize with the replication factory, while overexpressed SbcD protein is distributed through the cytoplasm

Rational points on Erdős–Selfridge superelliptic curves

Given k⩾2k⩾2, we show that there are at most finitely many rational numbers xx and y≠0y≠0 and integers ℓ⩾2ℓ⩾2 (with (k,ℓ)≠(2,2)(k,ℓ)≠(2,2)) for which \begin{eqnarray}x(x+1)\cdots (x+k-1)=y^{\ell }.\end{eqnarray} In particular, if we assume that ℓℓ is prime, then all such triples (x,y,ℓ)(x,y,ℓ) satisfy either y=0y=0 or ℓ<exp(3k)ℓ<exp⁡(3k)

DNA double strand break repair in Escherichia coli perturbs cell division and chromosome dynamics

To prevent the transmission of damaged genomic material between generations, cells require a system for accommodating DNA repair within their cell cycles. We have previously shown that Escherichia coli cells subject to a single, repairable site-specific DNA double-strand break (DSB) per DNA replication cycle reach a new average cell length, with a negligible effect on population growth rate. We show here that this new cell size distribution is caused by a DSB repair-dependent delay in completion of cell division. This delay occurs despite unperturbed cell size regulated initiation of both chromosomal DNA replication and cell division. Furthermore, despite DSB repair altering the profile of DNA replication across the genome, the time required to complete chromosomal duplication is invariant. The delay in completion of cell division is accompanied by a DSB repair-dependent delay in individualization of sister nucleoids. We suggest that DSB repair events create inter-sister connections that persist until those chromosomes are separated by a closing septum

Intravascular lymphoma presenting as a specific pulmonary embolism and acute respiratory failure: a case report

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

Theatrical dialogue in teaching the classics

This article addresses some fundamental affinities between theatre and teaching and is based on emerging work in a long-term experiment which we began in the conference ‘Weber/Simmel Antagonisms: Staged Dialogues’, held at the University of Edinburgh on December 2015. Aimed at exploring the possibilities of the theatrical and dialogical forms for teaching the classics of social and cultural theory, it is a risky experiment whose initial results are presented in this special issue. In order to introduce the dialogues and situate them in the context of the broader project, the article does three things: first, it expounds the process of subjectivation at work in both theatre and teaching and explores some of the modalities of the subjective shift sought for in spectators and students. Second, it explains the specificity of this experiment by contrasting it with other uses of theatrical dialogue in teaching. Finally, before briefly introducing each of the dialogues, the article clarifies the fundamental difference between the dialogical form and debate, as radically separating them is at the heart of any experiment in subjectivation, away from the stirring of opinions

On px2+q2n=yppx^2 + q^{2n}= y^p and related Diophantine equations

The title equation, where $p>3$ is a prime number $\not\equiv 7 \pmod 8$, $q$ is an odd prime number and $x,y,n$ are positive integers with $x,y$ relatively prime, is studied. When $p\equiv 3\pmod 8$, we prove (Theorem 2.3) that there are no solutions. For $p\not\equiv 3\pmod 8$ the treatment of the equation turns out to be a difficult task. We focus our attention to $p=5$, by reason of an article by F. Abu Muriefah, published in this journal, vol. 128 (2008), 1670-1675. Our main result concerning this special equation is Theorem 1.1, whose proof is based on results around the Diophantine equation $5x^2-4=y^n$ (integer solutions), interesting in themselves, which are exposed in Sections 3 and 4. These last results are obtained by using tools such as Linear Forms in Two Logarithms and Hypergeometric Series.Comment: 23 pages, second version with minor revision

Use of Linear Programming to Develop Cost-Minimized Nutritionally Adequate Health Promoting Food Baskets

Background Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) are developed to promote healthier eating patterns, but increasing food prices may make healthy eating less affordable. The aim of this study was to design a range of cost-minimized nutritionally adequate health-promoting food baskets (FBs) that help prevent both micronutrient inadequacy and diet-related non-communicable diseases at lowest cost. [br/] Methods Average prices for 312 foods were collected within the Greater Copenhagen area. The cost and nutrient content of five different cost-minimized FBs for a family of four were calculated per day using linear programming. The FBs were defined using five different constraints: cultural acceptability (CA), or dietary guidelines (DG), or nutrient recommendations (N), or cultural acceptability and nutrient recommendations (CAN), or dietary guidelines and nutrient recommendations (DGN). The variety and number of foods in each of the resulting five baskets was increased through limiting the relative share of individual foods. [br/] Results The one-day version of N contained only 12 foods at the minimum cost of DKK 27 ((sic)3.6). The CA, DG, and DGN were about twice of this and the CAN cost similar to DKK 81 ((sic)10.8). The baskets with the greater variety of foods contained from 70 (CAN) to 134 (DGN) foods and cost between DKK 60 ((sic)8.1, N) and DKK 125 ((sic)16.8, DGN). Ensuring that the food baskets cover both dietary guidelines and nutrient recommendations doubled the cost while cultural acceptability (CAN) tripled it. [br/] Conclusion Use of linear programming facilitates the generation of low-cost food baskets that are nutritionally adequate, health promoting, and culturally acceptable

Acute kidney injury in the critically ill: an updated review on pathophysiology and management.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is now recognized as a heterogeneous syndrome that not only affects acute morbidity and mortality, but also a patient's long-term prognosis. In this narrative review, an update on various aspects of AKI in critically ill patients will be provided. Focus will be on prediction and early detection of AKI (e.g., the role of biomarkers to identify high-risk patients and the use of machine learning to predict AKI), aspects of pathophysiology and progress in the recognition of different phenotypes of AKI, as well as an update on nephrotoxicity and organ cross-talk. In addition, prevention of AKI (focusing on fluid management, kidney perfusion pressure, and the choice of vasopressor) and supportive treatment of AKI is discussed. Finally, post-AKI risk of long-term sequelae including incident or progression of chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular events and mortality, will be addressed

Spherical nematic shells with a threefold valence

Theoretical Physic

Report of the first AKI Round Table meeting: an initiative of the ESICM AKI Section.

Critical Care Nephrology is an emerging sub-specialty of Critical Care. Despite increasing awareness about the serious impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) and renal replacement therapy (RRT), important knowledge gaps persist. This report represents a summary of a 1-day meeting of the AKI section of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) identifying priorities for future AKI research. International Members of the AKI section of the ESICM were selected and allocated to one of three subgroups: "AKI diagnosis and evaluation", "Medical management of AKI" and "Renal Replacement Therapy for AKI." Using a modified Delphi methodology, each group identified knowledge gaps and developed potential proposals for future collaborative research. The following key research projects were developed: Systematic reviews: (a) epidemiology of AKI with stratification by patient cohorts and diagnostic criteria; (b) role of higher blood pressure targets in patients with hypertension admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, and (c) specific clearance characteristics of different modalities of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Observational studies: (a) epidemiology of critically ill patients according to AKI duration, and (b) current clinical practice of CRRT. Intervention studies:( a) Comparison of different blood pressure targets in critically ill patients with hypertension, and (b) comparison of clearance of solutes with various molecular weights between different CRRT modalities. Consensus was reached on a future research agenda for the AKI section of the ESICM