The proteome of the heterocyst cell wall in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120

Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 is a filamentous cyanobacterium that serves as a model to analyze prokaryotic cell differentiation, evolutionary development of plastids, and the regulation of nitrogen fixation. The cell wall is the cellular structure in contact with the surrounding medium. To understand the dynamics of the cell wall proteome during cell differentiation, the cell wall from Anabaena heterocysts was enriched and analyzed. In line with the recently proposed continuity of the outer membrane along the Anabaena filament, most of the proteins identified in the heterocyst cell-wall fraction are also present in the cell wall of vegetative cells, even though the lipid content of both membranes is different

Education of physical and rehabilitation medicine specialists across Europe: a call for harmonization

BACKGROUND: Physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) is well established in Europe and officially recognized by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). The European PRM Board works to promote patient safety and quality of care through the development of the highest standards of medical training and healthcare across Europe as well as the harmonization of PRM specialists' qualifications. In its Action Plan for 2014-2018, the UEMS PRM Board has included the harmonization of the PRM curriculum among the EU countries, as one of its main goals. Based on a European Directive, the Belgian Superior Council is envisaging a reform of the PRM curriculum. AIM: The aim of this paper is to present the current situation of PRM education in Europe according to the survey carried out by the Belgium Task Force. DESIGN: An online survey was posted on May 3rd 2015 to all delegates of the UEMS PRM Section and Board. Two questions were formulated: 1) What is the duration and curriculum of PRM training in your country? 2) Does a Postgraduate Rehabilitation training exist for other medical specialties? RESULTS: The majority of the PRM training programs in Europe have a duration ranging from 4 to 5 years, and are not aiming at downsizing the duration to the European minimal training period of 3 years. The vast majority (70%) of the responding countries don't offer an additional accreditation of Rehabilitation for other medical specialties CONCLUSIONS: Comparing PRM training programs in Europe can support the long-awaited reform of the PRM postgraduate curriculum in Belgium and gives perspective to agree on a transparent and comparable specialty training throughout Europe. Providing a more comparable training promotes the establishment of PRM and its rehabilitation service provisions in the world

Influence of propyl gallate and rosemary extract on oxidative stability of blend vegetable oils

U ovom radu istraživan je utjecaj sintetskog antioksidansa propil galata (0,01 %) i prirodnog ekstrakta ružmarina Oxy´Less®CS (0,1 %) i StabilEnhance®OSR (0,1 %) na oksidacijsku stabilnost smjese suncokretovog ulja i ostalih vrsta biljnih ulja (50:50). Istraživana je smjesa suncokretovog ulja (50 %) i ostalih vrsta biljnih ulja (50 %): sojino ulje, ulje kukuruzne klice, repičino ulje i ulje koštica grožđa. Oksidacijska stabilnost različitih smjesa biljnih ulja, sa i bez dodanog sintetskog i prirodnog antioksidansa, ispitivana je primjenom Rancimat testa. Rezultat oksidacije ulja izražen je sa indukcijskim periodom (IP) na bazi kojih je računat i zaštitni faktor (PF). Stabilnost smjese ulja proporcionalna je indukcijskom periodu. Prirodni antioksidans ekstrakt ružmarina Oxy´Less®CS efikasnije povećava oksidacijsku stabilnost smjese suncokretovog ulja i ostalih ispitivanih ulja (50:50) u odnosu na StabilEnhance®OSR i propil galat. Rezultat istraživanja pokazuje da visoku antioksidacijsku aktivnost, mjerenu kao indukcijski period i zaštitni faktor, ima ekstrakt ružmarina Oxy´Less®CS u svim smjesama ulja. Sintetski antioksidans propil galat efikasnije povećava oksidacijsku stabilnost smjese ulja u odnosu na StabilEnhance®OSR.In this study, the antioxidant effect of propyl gallate (0,01 %) in blends of sunflower oil and other oil (50:50) was compared to that of natural rosemary extract Oxy\u27Less®CS (0,1 %) and StabilEnhance®OSR (0,1 %). Blends of sunflower oil (50 %) and other oil varieties (50 %) studied were soybean, corn, rapeseed and grape seed. The oxidative stability of different vegetable oil blends, with and without added synthetic and natural antioxidants, was evaluated using the Rancimat test conditions. The result of oil oxidation was expressed as induction period (IP) on the basis of which is calculated protection factors (PF). Stability is proportional to the induction period. Natural antioxidants rosemary extract Oxy\u27Less®CS increase the stability of blends of sunflower oil and other oil (50:50) more efficiently than StabilEnhance®OSR and propyl gallate. The results showed the highest antioxidant activity, measured as an induction period and protection factors, has rosemary extract Oxy\u27Less®CS in all blend oils. Synthetic antioxidant propyl gallate efficiently increase of oxidative stability of blend oils than StabilEnhance®OSR

White book on physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) in Europe. Chapter 10. Science and research in PRM: Specificities and challenges

In the context of the White Book of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM), this paper deals with Research, the future of PRM. PRM students and specialists are mainly involved in biomedical research, investigating the biological processes, the causes of diseases, their medical diagnosis, the evaluation of their consequences on functioning, disability and health and the effects of health interventions at an individual and a societal level. Most of the current PRM research, often interdisciplinary, originates from applied research which, using existing knowledge, is directed towards specific goals. Translational medical research, research and development, implementation research and clinical impact research are in this field. PRM physicians, mainly master or PhD students, are nowadays increasing their participation in basic research and in pre-clinical trials. PRM physicians are involved in primary research, which is an original first hand research, but also in secondary research, which is the analysis and interpretation of primary research publications in a field, with a specific methodology. Secondary research remains an important activity of the UEMS PRM section and it will be the field of the new created Cochrane Rehabilitation. Secondary research with interest for persons with disabilities, will be developed world wide on the basis of evidence based medicine, with the participation of PRM physicians and of all other health and social professionals involved in rehabilitation. The development of research activities with interest for PRM in Europe is a challenge for the future, which has to be faced now. The European PRM schools, the European master and PhD program with their supporting research and clinical facilities, the European PRM organizations with their websites, the PRM scientific journals and European congresses are a strong basis to develop research activities, together with the development of Cochrane Rehabilitation field and of our cooperation with European high level research facilities, European and international scientific societies in different fields. PRM will be a leader in this field of research

Eukaryote-wide sequence analysis of mitochondrial β-barrel outer membrane proteins

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The outer membranes of mitochondria are thought to be homologous to the outer membranes of Gram negative bacteria, which contain 100's of distinct families of <it>β</it>-barrel membrane proteins (BOMPs) often forming channels for transport of nutrients or drugs. However, only four families of mitochondrial BOMPs (MBOMPs) have been confirmed to date. Although estimates as high as 100 have been made in the past, the number of yet undiscovered MBOMPs is an open question. Fortunately, the recent discovery of a membrane integration signal (the <it>β</it>-signal) for MBOMPs gave us an opportunity to look for undiscovered MBOMPs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We present the results of a comprehensive survey of eukaryotic protein sequences intended to identify new MBOMPs. Our search employs recent results on <it>β</it>-signals as well as structural information and a novel BOMP predictor trained on both bacterial and mitochondrial BOMPs. Our principal finding is circumstantial evidence suggesting that few MBOMPs remain to be discovered, if one assumes that, like known MBOMPs, novel MBOMPs will be monomeric and <it>β</it>-signal dependent. In addition to this, our analysis of MBOMP homologs reveals some exceptions to the current model of the <it>β</it>-signal, but confirms its consistent presence in the C-terminal region of MBOMP proteins. We also report a <it>β</it>-signal independent search for MBOMPs against the yeast and Arabidopsis proteomes. We find no good candidates MBOMPs in yeast but the Arabidopsis results are less conclusive.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results suggest there are no remaining MBOMPs left to discover in yeast; and if one assumes all MBOMPs are <it>β</it>-signal dependent, few MBOMP families remain undiscovered in any sequenced organism.</p

Utjecaj propil galata i ekstrakta ružmarina na oksidacijsku stabilnost smjese biljnih ulja

U ovom radu istraživan je utjecaj sintetskog antioksidansa propil galata (0,01 %) i prirodnog ekstrakta ružmarina Oxy´Less®CS (0,1 %) i StabilEnhance®OSR (0,1 %) na oksidacijsku stabilnost smjese suncokretovog ulja i ostalih vrsta biljnih ulja (50:50). Istraživana je smjesa suncokretovog ulja (50 %) i ostalih vrsta biljnih ulja (50 %): sojino ulje, ulje kukuruzne klice, repičino ulje i ulje koštica grožđa. Oksidacijska stabilnost različitih smjesa biljnih ulja, sa i bez dodanog sintetskog i prirodnog antioksidansa, ispitivana je primjenom Rancimat testa. Rezultat oksidacije ulja izražen je sa indukcijskim periodom (IP) na bazi kojih je računat i zaštitni faktor (PF). Stabilnost smjese ulja proporcionalna je indukcijskom periodu. Prirodni antioksidans ekstrakt ružmarina Oxy´Less®CS efikasnije povećava oksidacijsku stabilnost smjese suncokretovog ulja i ostalih ispitivanih ulja (50:50) u odnosu na StabilEnhance®OSR i propil galat. Rezultat istraživanja pokazuje da visoku antioksidacijsku aktivnost, mjerenu kao indukcijski period i zaštitni faktor, ima ekstrakt ružmarina Oxy´Less®CS u svim smjesama ulja. Sintetski antioksidans propil galat efikasnije povećava oksidacijsku stabilnost smjese ulja u odnosu na StabilEnhance®OSR

The European physical and rehabilitation medicine journal network: historical notes on national journals.

In the last 40 years, physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) has made significant steps forward in Europe with the foundation of the European Federation of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (EFPMR) (1963) which gave rise to the European Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ESPRM) (2004) the European Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (1970), the PRM Section of the European Union of Medical Specialists (1974), and the European Board of PRM (1991). Our journal, formerly Europa Medico-physica (1964), the official journal of the EFPMR, now European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (EJPRM) and official journal of the ESPRM since 2008, is distinct for its steadfast European vocation, long-standing Mediter-ranean interests and connections with various national scientific societies. Jointly with the ESPRM, efforts are under way to set up the European Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Journal Network (EPRMJN). The aim of this article is to present a profile of the national journals in the EPRMJN so as to give a better overview of how the scientific part of PRM in Europe has developed within a national perspective.A profile of the following national journals is presented: Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (France), Fizikalna i rehabilitacijska medicina (Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine) (Croatia), Neurorehabilitation (Bulgaria), Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Portuguese Society Journal (Portugal), Physical Medicine, Rehabilitaton, Health (Bulgaria), Physikalische Medizin - Rehabilitationsmedizin - Kurort-medizin/Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (Germany and Austria) Prevention and Rehabilitation (Bulgaria), Rehabilitacija (Rehabilitation) (Slovenia), Rehabilitación (Madr) (Spain), Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Turkey).Some national journals in Europe have a very long history and tradition of research and education. Having a better knowledge of these realities, usually hidden to the international readership owing to the English language barrier, could promote science in our specialty

National journals of physical rehabilitation medicine in Europe: a survey.

The European Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Journal Network (EPRMJN), a joint initiative between the European Society Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ESPRM) and the European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (EJPRM), has the aim to increase scientific knowledge among PRM specialists and foster collaboration among physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) journals. This article reports the results of a survey of national PRM journals in Europe we conducted to obtain an overview of the current state of PRM research in the European setting.Every year 682 PRM papers are published in a total of 66 issues per 3 294 page in the 16 national journals that responded to our survey, out of the 21 published in 15 countries; 12 countries have no PRM journals and two did not respond. Some 94\% of the journals responding to the survey have a research aim and 88\% an educational aim; all journals use a peer-review process (75\% blinded); on average, 58.8 submissions are received per year, of which 6.7\% are invited papers; the rejection rate is 21.4\%. The majority of papers report original research, and main topics are musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation.Since the national journals published in Europe have a good peer review process and publish mainly original articles, it is possible that good research can be found. A major problem is the English language barrier to wider readerships, as many researchers publish only in their native language. The EPRMJN aims to discover this research and make it accessible to international audiences through systematic collection of articles appearing in the national journals of the EPRMJN and publication of content summaries on the ESPRM website

Conserved pore-forming regions in polypeptide-transporting proteins

Transport of solutes and polypeptides across membranes is an essential process for every cell. In the past, much focus has been placed on helical transporters. Recently, the beta-barrel-shaped transporters have also attracted some attention. The members of this family are found in the outer bacterial membrane and the outer membrane of endosymbiotically derived organelles. Here we analyze the features and the evolutionary development of a specified translocator family, namely the beta-barrel-shaped polypeptide-transporters. We identified sequence motifs, which characterize all transporters of this family, as well as motifs specific for a certain subgroup of proteins of this class. The general motifs are related to the structural composition of the pores. Further analysis revealed a defined distance of two motifs to the C-terminal portion of the proteins. Furthermore, the evolutionary relationship of the proteins and the motifs are discussed

White Book on Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) in Europe. Chapter 4. History of the specialty : where PRM comes from

In the context of the White Book of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) in Europe, this paper deals with the history of the PRM medical specialty. The specialty evolved in different European countries, and sometimes also into the single countries, from different medical streams that finally joined. These included among others: balneology, gymnastic, use of physical agents (water, heat, cold, massage, joint manipulations, physical exercise, etc.). Another important role has been played by the increasing number of people experiencing or likely to experience disability due to improvement of medicine and consequent survivals from wars, accidents and/or big infective epidemics (like polio); these evolutions happened in strict relationship with other specialties like cardiology, neurology, orthopaedics, pneumology, rheumatology, traumatology, creating a knowledge transversal to all of them. Consequently, the PRM specialty has been gradually introduced in the different European countries, however with no uniformity. Subsequently, European Organizations were created for its diffusion and coordination at the level of medical competences and patient care as well as medical teaching and research: The European Federation of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - later European Society (ESPRM), The Acad\ue9mie M\ue9dicale Europ\ue9enne de M\ue9decine de R\ue9adaptation (EARME), The PRM Section of the European Union of Medical Specialists and the European College of PRM (served by the UEMS-PRM Board), were created and work today regarding these general aims. Nowadays a uniform definition of the specialty exists in Europe, which is concordant with the internationally accepted description of PRM (based on the ICF-model). Moreover, research in PRM has been mainly improved during recent decades in Europe due to some external as well as internal scientific influences, thus increasing its scientific importance, together with a parallel increase in rehabilitation journals, many of them indexed and some with impact factor (Cr, EJPRM, JRM, among others), as well as a parallel increase in scientific congresses and courses. Last but not least, the recent creation of the Cochrane Rehabilitation field will also give a great boost to this primary medical specialty, as well as the discovery on new physical agents and technologies that diminish activity limitation and participation restriction of disable persons