The C-terminal extension of the beta 7 subunit and activator complexes stabilize nascent 20 S proteasomes and promote their maturation

The eukaryotic 20 S proteasome is formed by dimerization of two precursor complexes containing the maturation factor Ump1. beta 7/Pre4 is the only one of the 14 subunits forming the 20 S proteasome that is absent from these precursor complexes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Increased expression of Pre4 leads to a reduction in the level of precursor complex, indicating that Pre4 incorporation into these complexes is rate-limiting for their dimerization. When we purified these precursor complexes, we observed co-purification of Blm10, a large protein known to attach to the alpha ring surface of proteasomes. In contrast to single mutants lacking either Blm10 or the C-terminal extension of Pre4, a mutant lacking both grew extremely poorly, accumulated very high levels of precursor complexes, and was impaired in beta subunit maturation. The effect of blm10 Delta on proteasome biogenesis is modest, apparently because the 19 S regulatory particle is capable of substituting for Blm10, as long as precursor complex dimers are stabilized by the Pre4Cterminus. We found that a mutation (sen3/rpn2) affecting the Rpn2 subunit inhibits attachment of the 19 S activator to the 20 S particle or its precursors. Although the sen3 mutation alone had no apparent effect on precursor complex dimerization and active site maturation, the sen3 blm10 double mutant was impaired in these processes. Together these data demonstrate that Blm10 and the 19 S activator have a partially redundant function in stabilizing nascent 20 S proteasomes and in promoting their activation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

LOAD EFFECTS OF FAST LONGITUDINAL ROTATIONS

Pirouettes, jumps in figure skating and twisting somersaults are fascinating movements in sports. But there is a lack of investigations in the field of motor control and load effects of fast longitudinal rotations. The purpose of the present study was to analyze load effects during and after longitudinal rotations. A "Longitudinal Rotation Simulator", posturography, and video nystagmography were used to analyze the rotational load. Six gymnasts, eleven figure skaters, and nineteen non-athletes were investigated. There were significant differences in the postural control between gymnasts and non-athletes. Per-rotatory nystagmus amplitude was significantly lower after three rotations than after ten rotations. The posturography and the video nystagmography are valid methods to characterize the rotational load

Entwicklung von Strategien zur Ausdehnung des Ökologischen Landbaus in Luxemburg

To develop strategies for the increase of organic production in Luxemburg, NGOs have initiated this empirical study. In total about 120 farmers will be interviewed to investigate motives and barriers for conversion and attitudes towards organic farming. Results are recommendations for political activities, information and advice. First results show surprising similarities with a study in Lower Saxony in 2003: Motives and barriers for conversion seem to be relatively independent of structural conditions and the development of the organic market. The differences are more obvious according to farmers interest, attitudes and knowledge about organic farming

A multi-agent simulation framework for automated negotiation in order promising

The purpose of this paper is to propose and test a multi-agent-based system for automated multi-attribute negotiation in order promising. In a make-to-order production model, it is not always possible to satisfy the Available-to-Promise (ATP) and Capable-to-Promise (CTP) conditions. Therefore, it is important to quickly explore alternate solutions that would satisfy both the customer and the supplier. We adopt the concepts of evolutionary system design that advocates for continuous exploration of new solutions based on extensive search and multi-attribute simulations that help identify for better negotiated solutions based on real-life ordering situations – changes of delivery date, price adjustments, addition/modifications of valueadded services as part of the order. Results of our simulations showed that negotiation procedures did reduce the number of rejected orders and increase the overall revenue when negotiation concepts are introduced

Enhancement of Neocortical-Medial Temporal EEG Correlations during Non-REM Sleep

Interregional interactions of oscillatory activity are crucial for the integrated processing of multiple brain regions. However, while the EEG in virtually all brain structures passes through substantial modifications during sleep, it is still an open question whether interactions between neocortical and medial temporal EEG oscillations also depend on the state of alertness. Several previous studies in animals and humans suggest that hippocampal-neocortical interactions crucially depend on the state of alertness (i.e., waking state or sleep). Here, we analyzed scalp and intracranial EEG recordings during sleep and waking state in epilepsy patients undergoing presurgical evaluation. We found that the amplitudes of oscillations within the medial temporal lobe and the neocortex were more closely correlated during sleep, in particular during non-REM sleep, than during waking state. Possibly, the encoding of novel sensory inputs, which mainly occurs during waking state, requires that medial temporal dynamics are rather independent from neocortical dynamics, while the consolidation of memories during sleep may demand closer interactions between MTL and neocortex

A Simulation Tool Chain for Investigating Future V2X-based Automotive E/E Architectures

Due to the evermore rising number of functions, current E/E architectures are more and more a vulnerable source for faults and a barrier to innovation. This situation is aggravated by the integration of new technologies like Vehicle-to-X Communication (V2XC) which form the basis for a large number of future services and applications. At the same time, this “opening” of the E/E architecture to the outside world increases potential for non-deterministic disturbances. In order to overcome the limitations of current E/E architectures, application of new design principles and methodologies is necessary. Platform-based design (PBD) is a promising solution for the development of safety-critical functions, to increase reliability and to reduce development cost. Within this context, we propose a novel extensible tool chain that targets the facilitation of exploration, validation and verification of future V2X-based automotive E/E architectures. The tool chain supports composition of heterogeneous domain-specific models by integrating a heterogeneous modeling tool with a simulation middleware and serves as starting point for the investigation of PBD concepts in the V2X context. We believe that the tool chain can support modeling and validation of future V2X-based E/E architectures. In the final paper, we will evaluate the proposed approach by means of a case study regarding validation capabilities as well as execution performance

Impact of polysialylated CD56 on natural killer cell cytotoxicity

Moebius J, Widera D, Schmitz J, Kaltschmidt C, Pichaczek C. Impact of polysialylated CD56 on natural killer cell cytotoxicity. BMC IMMUNOLOGY. 2007;8(1):13

Immunohistochemical Detection of Various Proteoglycans in the Extracellular Matrix of Zebra Mussels

Mussels have been used as animal models for studying ecotoxicology, biomineralization, and bio-adhesion for many years. Despite a wealth of studies on their shell matrix and byssus proteins, few studies have focused on the extracellular matrix molecules in mussel soft tissues. Extracellular matrix molecules may play important roles in biomineralization, immune reaction, and tissue homeostasis. In the present study, extracellular matrix and mineralization-related molecules in zebra mussel soft tissue were immunolocalized using well-characterized monoclonal antibodies. Our results demonstrate specific immunolocalization for collagen IV, fibronectin, and keratan sulfate in hemocytes; collagen IV in peripheral nerves; and aggrecan, link protein, and collagen XVIII in foot tissue. Laminin, decorin, and osteonectin were also broadly immunolocalized in mussel soft tissues. The distributions of these extracellular matrix molecules in mussel tissues are in line with the cell-mediated shell mineralization hypothesis, providing evidence for the molecules involved in the peripheral nervous system and byssus formation, and explaining the conservation of extracellular matrix molecules during evolution. These results further contribute to establishing zebra mussels as an attractive animal model in biomedical research

Serum 1,3-Beta-D-Glucan Values During and After Laparoscopic and Open Intestinal Surgery.

Background1,3-beta-D Glucan (BDG) assay has good accuracy for distinguishing patients with invasive fungal infections from patients without. Some procedures and medications affect BDG levels, resulting in false-positive BDG results. The extent of intestinal surgery on BDG kinetics is unknown. We evaluated the influence of laparoscopic and open intestinal surgery on peri- and postsurgical serum BDG values.MethodsBDG was determined in 346 samples from 50 patients undergoing laparoscopic (24) or open (26) intestinal surgery at the following time points: after insertion of arterial but before skin incision, after skin incision but before dissection of the intestinal mucosa, after completion of anastomosis, after completion of skin sutures, in the evening after surgery, day 2 after surgery, 4-5 days after surgery.ResultsBDG was positive (ie, concentration ≥80 pg/mL) in 54% to 61% of patients during laparoscopic and open surgery (highest rates after completion of skin sutures). BDG was still positive in 12% (open) to 17% (laparoscopic) of patients without any suspected or proven fungal infection or anastomotic leakage 4-5 days after surgery. After completion of gut anastomosis, the BDG increase was higher in open compared with laparoscopic intestinal surgery.ConclusionsThe value of positive BDG tests in the perioperative setting up to 5 days postsurgery seems to be limited due to BDG elevations from intestinal surgical procedures