84 research outputs found
Hidden localization motifs: naturally occurring peroxisomal targeting signals in non-peroxisomal proteins
BACKGROUND: Can sequence segments coding for subcellular targeting or for posttranslational modifications occur in proteins that are not substrates in either of these processes? Although considerable effort has been invested in achieving low false-positive prediction rates, even accurate sequence-analysis tools for the recognition of these motifs generate a small but noticeable number of protein hits that lack the appropriate biological context but cannot be rationalized as false positives. RESULTS: We show that the carboxyl termini of a set of definitely non-peroxisomal proteins with predicted peroxisomal targeting signals interact with the peroxisomal matrix protein receptor peroxin 5 (PEX5) in a yeast two-hybrid test. Moreover, we show that examples of these proteins - chicken lysozyme, human tyrosinase and the yeast mitochondrial ribosomal protein L2 (encoded by MRP7) - are imported into peroxisomes in vivo if their original sorting signals are disguised. We also show that even prokaryotic proteins can contain peroxisomal targeting sequences. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, functional localization signals can evolve in unrelated protein sequences as a result of neutral mutations, and subcellular targeting is hierarchically organized, with signal accessibility playing a decisive role. The occurrence of silent functional motifs in unrelated proteins is important for the development of sequence-based function prediction tools and the interpretation of their results. Silent functional signals have the potential to acquire importance in future evolutionary scenarios and in pathological conditions
The intelligent design of evolution
Research on humanoid robots for use in servicing tasks, e.g. fetching and delivery, attracts steadily more interest. With Rollinâ Justin a mobile robotic system and research platform is presented that allows the implementation and demonstration of sophisticated control algorithms and dexterous manipulation. Important problems of service robotics such as mobile manipulation and strategies for using the increased workspace and redundancy in manipulation task can be studied in detail. This paper gives an overview of the design considerations for a mobile platform and their realizations to transform the formerly table-mounted humanoid upper body system Justin into Rollinâ Justin, a fully self-sustaining mobile research platform
results of the prospective observational Berlin Beat of Running study
Objectives: While regular physical exercise has many health benefits,
strenuous physical exercise may have a negative impact on cardiac function.
The âBerlin Beat of Runningâ study focused on feasibility and diagnostic value
of continuous ECG monitoring in recreational endurance athletes during a
marathon race. We hypothesised that cardiac arrhythmias and especially atrial
fibrillation are frequently found in a cohort of recreational endurance
athletes. The main secondary hypothesis was that pathological laboratory
findings in these athletes are (in part) associated with cardiac arrhythmias.
Design: Prospective observational cohort study including healthy volunteers.
Setting and participants: One hundred and nine experienced marathon runners
wore a portable ECG recorder during a marathon race in Berlin, Germany.
Athletes underwent blood tests 2â3 days prior, directly after and 1â2 days
after the race. Results: Overall, 108 athletes (median 48 years (IQR 45â53),
24% women) completed the marathon in 249±43âmin. Blinded ECG analysis revealed
abnormal findings during the marathon in 18 (16.8%) athletes. Ten (9.3%)
athletes had at least one episode of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia,
one of whom had atrial fibrillation; eight (7.5%) individuals showed transient
ST-T-segment deviations. Abnormal ECG findings were associated with advanced
age (OR 1.11 per year, 95%âCI 1.01 to 1.23), while sex and cardiovascular risk
profile had no impact. Directly after the race, high-sensitive troponin T was
elevated in 18 (16.7%) athletes and associated with ST-T-segment deviation (OR
9.9, 95% CI 1.9 to 51.5), while age, sex and cardiovascular risk profile had
no impact. Conclusions: ECG monitoring during a marathon is feasible. Abnormal
ECG findings were present in every sixth athlete. Exercise-induced transient
ST-T-segment deviations were associated with elevated high-sensitive troponin
T (hsTnT) values. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01428778; Results
Extent of routine diagnostic cardiac work-up at certified German stroke units participating in the prospective MonDAFIS study
Causes of death and comorbidities in hospitalized patients with COVID-19
Infection by the new corona virus strain SARS-CoV-2 and its related syndrome COVID-19 has been associated with more than two million deaths worldwide. Patients of higher age and with preexisting chronic health conditions are at an increased risk of fatal disease outcome. However, detailed information on causes of death and the contribution of pre-existing health conditions to death yet is missing, which can be reliably established by autopsy only. We performed full body autopsies on 26 patients that had died after SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 at the Charite University Hospital Berlin, Germany, or at associated teaching hospitals. We systematically evaluated causes of death and pre-existing health conditions. Additionally, clinical records and death certificates were evaluated. We report findings on causes of death and comorbidities of 26 decedents that had clinically presented with severe COVID-19. We found that septic shock and multi organ failure was the most common immediate cause of death, often due to suppurative pulmonary infection. Respiratory failure due to diffuse alveolar damage presented as immediate cause of death in fewer cases. Several comorbidities, such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and obesity were present in the vast majority of patients. Our findings reveal that causes of death were directly related to COVID-19 in the majority of decedents, while they appear not to be an immediate result of preexisting health conditions and comorbidities. We therefore suggest that the majority of patients had died of COVID-19 with only contributory implications of preexisting health conditions to the mechanism of death
Leibhafte Kunst. Statuen und kulturelle IdentitÀt
Dreidimensionale lebensgroĂe Figuren gehören zu den wirkmĂ€chtigen und auffĂ€lligsten Artikulationsformen der griechischen und römischen Antike. Wegen ihrer Anschaulichkeit sowie wegen ihrer dauernden und körperhaften PrĂ€senz sind sie besonders einflussreiche Konkretisierungen von religiösen Auffassungen, MachtverhĂ€ltnissen und Wissensordnungen. SpĂ€tere Epochen
der europĂ€ischen Kulturgeschichte haben sich in immer neuen RĂŒckbezĂŒgen daran orientiert.
Der vorliegende Band untersucht die Leistung der StatuÂen als eine Konkretisierungsform von politischen, soziaÂlen und religiösen Vorstellungen. Den Ausgangspunkt bilden PhĂ€nomene der griechischen und römischen Antike, doch machen BeitrĂ€ge aus der Kunstgeschichte, Ethnologie und Germanistik deutlich, dass das Thema weit ĂŒber die Altertumswissenschaften hinaus interessant und wichtig ist. Gerade der Blick auf auĂereuropĂ€ische Ausdrucksformen macht deutlich, dass die Entwicklung der antiken Skulptur, die aus einer europĂ€ischen PerÂspektive konsequent und selbstverstĂ€ndlich erscheint, nur eine unter vielen möglichen Optionen darstellte
Impact of standardized monitoring for detection of atrial fibrillation in ischemic stroke (MonDAFIS):rationale and design of a prospective randomized multicentre study
Schwierige MissionsanfĂ€nge auf einsamer SĂŒdsee-Insel mitgeteilt
von G. KunzeSchriftenreihe des Originals: [Rheinische Missionsschriften] ; [76
670-727 Die vierfache Wurzel des auĂerchristlichen Unsterblichkeitsglaubens und ihr Korrelat in der christlichen Jenseitshoffnung
Kleine ZĂŒge aus dem Missionsleben auf Neu-Guinea : erste Predigtversuche unter den Papua : Erfreuliches aus der Arbeit ; Gefahren zu Wasser und zu Lande ; Mitteilungen
von G. KunzeSchriftenreihe des Originals: [Rheinische Missionsschriften] ; [79
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