PIN domain of Nob1p is required for D-site cleavage in 20S pre-rRNA

Nob1p (Yor056c) is essential for processing of the 20S pre-rRNA to the mature 18S rRNA. It is part of a pre-40S ribosomal particle that is transported to the cytoplasm and subsequently cleaved at the 3' end of mature 18S rRNA (D-site). Nob1p is also reported to participate in proteasome biogenesis, and it was therefore unclear whether its primary activity is in ribosome synthesis. In this work, we describe a homology model of the PIN domain of Nob1p, which structurally mimics Mg(2+)-dependent exonucleases despite negligible similarity in primary sequence. Insights gained from this model were used to design a point mutation that was predicted to abolish the postulated enzymatic activity. Cells expressing Nob1p with this mutation failed to cleave the 20S pre-rRNA. This supports both the significance of the structural model and the idea that Nob1p is the long-sought D-site endonuclease

Dynamic Smagorinsky model on anisotropic grids

Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of complex-geometry flows often involves highly anisotropic meshes. To examine the performance of the dynamic Smagorinsky model in a controlled fashion on such grids, simulations of forced isotropic turbulence are performed using highly anisotropic discretizations. The resulting model coefficients are compared with a theoretical prediction (Scotti et al., 1993). Two extreme cases are considered: pancake-like grids, for which two directions are poorly resolved compared to the third, and pencil-like grids, where one direction is poorly resolved when compared to the other two. For pancake-like grids the dynamic model yields the results expected from the theory (increasing coefficient with increasing aspect ratio), whereas for pencil-like grids the dynamic model does not agree with the theoretical prediction (with detrimental effects only on smallest resolved scales). A possible explanation of the departure is attempted, and it is shown that the problem may be circumvented by using an isotropic test-filter at larger scales. Overall, all models considered give good large-scale results, confirming the general robustness of the dynamic and eddy-viscosity models. But in all cases, the predictions were poor for scales smaller than that of the worst resolved direction

Liability taxes, risk, and the cost of banking crises

This study investigates the effects on risk and financial stability of the taxes on bank liabilities introduced across European countries after the global financial crisis. Using a difference -in-differences setup, we show that banks responded to the implementation of liability taxes by reducing their interbank exposure, and by increasing both equity, at least in the short term, and the risk weight of their assets. When we consider these adjustments in a microsimulation model for bank portfolio losses, we find that liability taxes reduce risk in the banking sector and could therefore decrease the cost of crises

Surgical treatment of solitary sternal metastasis from breast cancer Case report

Bone metastasis is a frequent and early complication of breast cancer. This case report describes a technique for a partial exeresis of the sternum and the reconstruction of the pleura with autologous dermis from the lower abdomen and the loss of substance with a myocutaneous flap

Direct numerical simulations of turbulent pipe flow at high Reynolds number

This paper is associated with a video winner of a 2021 American Physical Society’s Division of Fluid Dynamics (DFD) Gallery of Fluid Motion Award for work presented at the DFD Gallery of Fluid Motion. The original video is available online at the Gallery of Fluid Motion, https://doi.org/10.1103/APS.DFD.2021.GFM.V005

Dynamic Smagorinsky model on anisotropic grids

To examine the performance of the dynamic Smagorinsky model in a controlled fashion on anisotropic grids, simulations of forced isotropic turbulence are performed using highly anisotropic discretizations. The resulting model coefficients are compared with an earlier prediction. Two extreme cases are considered: pancake-like grids, for which two directions are poorly resolved compared to the third, and pencil-like grids, where one direction is poorly resolved when compared to the other two

Macro Minerals and Trace Elements in Milk of Dairy Buffaloes and Cows Reared in Mediterranean Areas

Aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in Ca, P, K, Na, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Se, Mo, Co, Li, B, Ti, Rb, and Sr concentrations in milk from buffaloes and cows reared in the same farm in Mediterranean areas and fed diets including the same ingredients. Individual milk samples were obtained from 32 Mediterranean buffaloes and 29 Italian Friesian cows and samples of milk, dietary ingredients and drinking water were analyzed for the investigated chemical elements by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Data about milk element concentrations were processed by one-way analysis of variance. Buffalo milk contains higher concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, B, Ti, and Sr, and lower concentrations of K, Na, Mo, Li, and Rb compared to cow milk, whereas milk from both species contains similar concentrations of Mn, Se, and Co. The concentrations of the investigated elements in the diet were similar for both species and the differences observed between buffalo and cow milk were not dependent on environmental factors

Distribution of selected trace elements in the major fractions of donkey milk

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, Mo, Co, Li, B, Ti, Cr, Rb, Sr, Cd, and Pb in donkey milk and their distribution in major milk fractions (i.e., fat, casein, whey proteins, and aqueous phase). Individual milk samples were provided by 16 clinically healthy lactating donkeys. Subsequent centrifugation, ultracentrifugation, and ultrafiltration were carried out to remove fat, casein, and whey proteins to obtain skim milk, a supernatant whey fraction, and the aqueous phase of milk, respectively. Concentrations of the elements were measured in whole milk and fractions by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and the concentrations associated with fat, casein, and whey proteins were then calculated. The effect of removal of fat, casein, and whey proteins was determined by repeated-measures ANOVA. The fat fraction of donkey milk carried a small (∼4.5% to 13.5%) but significant proportion of Mo, Co, Ti, Cr, and Sr. The casein fraction in donkey milk carried almost all milk Zn, a majority of Cu and Mn, and most of Mo, Ti, and Sr. Relevant proportions, between 20% and 36%, of Se, Co, and Cr were also associated with caseins. The majority of Se, Co, Li, B, Cr, and Rb, and relevant proportions of Mn, Mo, Ti, and Sr were found in soluble form (ultracentrifuged samples) and distributed between whey proteins and the aqueous phase of milk (ultrafiltered samples). Whey proteins in donkey milk carried the majority of milk Se and Co. All Li and B was present in the aqueous phase of milk, which also contained most Rb and Cr, and 17% to 42% of Mn, Se, Mo, Co, Ti, and Sr

Thoracoscopy in pleural effusion –two techniques: awake single-access video-assisted thoracic surgery versus 2-ports video-assisted thoracic surgery under general anesthesia

Awake single access video-assisted thoracic surgery with local anesthesia improves procedure tolerance, reduces postoperative stay and costs. MATERIALS & METHODS: Local anesthesia was made with lidocaine and ropivacaine. We realize one 20 mm incision for the 'single-access', and two incisions for the '2-trocars technique'. RESULTS: Mortality rate was 0% in both groups. Postoperative stay: 3dd ± 4 versus 4dd ± 5, mean operative time: 39 min versus 37 min (p < 0.05). Chest tube duration: 2dd ± 5 versus 3dd ± 6. COMPLICATIONS: 11/95 versus 10/79. CONCLUSION: Awake technique reduce postoperative hospital stay and chest drainage duration, similar complications and recurrence rate. The authors can say that 'awake single-access VATS' is an optimal diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the management of pleural effusions, but above extends surgical indication to high-risk patients

Nodular histiocytic/mesothelial hyperplasia as consequence of chronic mesothelium irritation by sub-phrenic abscess.

Nodular histiocytic/mesothelial hyperplasia (NHMH) is a benign localized alteration, first described in 1975 by Rosai in the hernia sac [1]. Few pulmonary cases have been reported in literature [2–6]. Sometimes it has been reported in the pericardium [7,8] or presenting as an inguinal mass [9]. The ‘mesothelial/monocytic incidental cardiac excrescence’, first described by Weinot et al. in 1994 [10] is now considered a similar lesion to NHMH [11]. It consists of a reactive proliferation of histiocytes and mesothelium secondary to chronic irritation and it has been observed in pleura-damaging processes, such as pneumothorax [5], or as consequence of cardiac catheterization, inflammation, mechanical or tumor stimulation [11]. The rarity of NHMH and the moderate cytological atypia often present, make this lesion difficult to diagnose. It can be easily confused with primary mesothelial lesions and neoplasms such as adenocarcinomas, granulosa cell tumors or Langerhans’ histiocytosis. We report a case of pleural NHMH in a patient with a subphrenic abscess, in which no pulmonary pathogenic noxa was evident. We hypothesize a transdiaphragmatic chronic irritation as a pathogenetic mechanism underlying NHMH