Rhino Attacks on Man in Udjung Kulon

Reports of attacks by Javanese rhino (Rhinoceros sandaicus are quite rare. HOOGERWERF (1938) and SODY (1959) mentioned some cases, and SCHENKEL & SCHENKEL-HULLIGER (1969) also provided a general discussion of the aggressive behaviour of rhinos

Evolutionary Descent of Prion Genes from the ZIP Family of Metal Ion Transporters

In the more than twenty years since its discovery, both the phylogenetic origin and cellular function of the prion protein (PrP) have remained enigmatic. Insights into a possible function of PrP may be obtained through the characterization of its molecular neighborhood in cells. Quantitative interactome data demonstrated the spatial proximity of two metal ion transporters of the ZIP family, ZIP6 and ZIP10, to mammalian prion proteins in vivo. A subsequent bioinformatic analysis revealed the unexpected presence of a PrP-like amino acid sequence within the N-terminal, extracellular domain of a distinct sub-branch of the ZIP protein family that includes ZIP5, ZIP6 and ZIP10. Additional structural threading and orthologous sequence alignment analyses argued that the prion gene family is phylogenetically derived from a ZIP-like ancestral molecule. The level of sequence homology and the presence of prion protein genes in most chordate species place the split from the ZIP-like ancestor gene at the base of the chordate lineage. This relationship explains structural and functional features found within mammalian prion proteins as elements of an ancient involvement in the transmembrane transport of divalent cations. The phylogenetic and spatial connection to ZIP proteins is expected to open new avenues of research to elucidate the biology of the prion protein in health and disease

Zusammenhang zwischen Burnout und Persönlichkeit

BACKGROUND: The causes of burnout can be mainly ascribed to stressful working conditions. Research results concerning the influence of personality characteristics on the risk of burnout are rare. Research addressing the interaction of the person and the environment on the risk of burnout is needed. METHODS: This study analysed data from the Zürich study. This study of a cohort from the general population started in 1978, when the participants were 19 and 20 years old and followed them until the age of 49 and 50. In the last interview (2008) several dimensions of burnout were assessed for the first time. The association between burnout and coping (mastery and self-confidence) on the one hand and personality characteristics as assessed in 1988 by means of the Freiburg Personality Inventory on the other were analysed. RESULTS: In a path-analytical model various associations between the variables under investigation were found. The results identify a complex interaction between a dysfunctional, maladaptive personality and burnout. CONCLUSIONS: More samples from the general population are needed to better understand the interaction between person and environment on the risk of burnout