Identification and characterization of a novel PAMP from a widespread microbial virulence factor and its perception system in Arabidopsis

NEP1-like proteins (NLPs) are phytotoxins and microbial virulence factors secreted by bacteria, oomycetes and fungi capable of exerting immune responses in dicot plant species. Previously, this immunogenic activity has been linked to cytotoxicity, supposedly through toxin-mediated release of endogenous signals of danger called DAMPs (damage-associated molecular patterns). Here, immunogenic activity could be traced back to a 20 amino acid stretch within a Phytophthora parasitica-derived NLP, designated as nlp20. Immunogenic orthologous sequences can be found in NLPs of bacteria, oomycetes and fungi; a unique distribution pattern of all known PAMPs to date. Nlp20 is perceived by the Arabidopsis LRR-RP (leucine-rich repeat receptor protein) RLP23, likely forming a tripartite receptor complex with the LRR-RK-type (leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase) co-receptors SERK3/BAK1 (somatic embryogenesis receptor 3/BRI1-associated kinase 1) and SOBIR1/EVR (suppressor of BIR1-1/evershed) to facilitate downstream signaling. SOBIR1/EVR interacts constitutively and independent of nlp20 with RLP23, whereas SERK3/BAK1 gets recruited into the receptor complex in a nlp20-dependent fashion only. Interfamily transfer of RLP23 into the crop potato confers disease resistance against devastating pathogens such as Phytophthora infestans and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, turning RLP23 into a promising candidate for future engineering of durable broad-spectrum disease resistance in important crops

Andenlupine trifft Mais – Einfluss des Gemengeanbaus auf Wurzeln und Wasser

Die Wurzeluntersuchungen fanden in einem zweijährigen Feldversuch statt. Der Gemengeanbau von LUA und Mais zeigte einen Einfluss auf die Wurzelstratifikation und den Wasserentzug der Kulturen aus dem Boden. Ein Einfluss auf die Einzelpflanzenbiomasse konnte nicht nachgewiesen werden

Изменение параметров процесса выброса угля и газа в зависимости от длины шпуров для отбойки угля и породы

Виконано чисельне моделювання процесу викиду вугілля та метану у вибої одиночної гірничої виробки, що проводиться буропідривним способом. Розглянуто ініціювання процесу викиду у випадках різної довжини шпурів для відбивання вугілля та породи. Проаналізовано зміну розподілів коефіцієнтів проникності поперед вибоєм, значень тиску газу та швидкості утворення порожнини викиду вугілля та газу.Numerical modeling of process of coal and methane outburst in a working face of single opening, what is driving by drill and fire system, is executed. Initiation of coal and methane outburst process in cases of various length of blast-holes is observed. Change of distribution of permeability coefficient ahead of a face, pressure values and speed of formation of outburst cavity is analysed

Environmental Factors Affecting the Expression of pilAB as Well as the Proteome and Transcriptome of the Grass Endophyte Azoarcus sp. Strain BH72

gene encoding the structural protein of type IV pili that are essential for plant colonization appears to be regulated in a population density-dependent manner.. The expression of one of them was shown to be induced in plant roots. sp. to analyze mechanisms and molecules involved in the population-dependent gene expression in this endophyte in future

Efficacy of a spot-on combination containing 10% w/v imidacloprid and 1% w/v moxidectin for the treatment of troglostrongylosis in experimentally infected cats

Parasitic bronchopneumonia in domestic cats in Europe, which can manifest with moderate to severe clinical signs, is frequently caused by Troglostrongylus brevior. Data on epizootiological and clinical relevance of cat troglostrongylosis have been published in the last decade but treatment options are still limited. Promising effectiveness data have been generated from clinical cases and field trials for a spot-on formulation containing 1% w/v moxidectin and 10% w/v imidacloprid (Advocate®, Elanco Animal Health). Therefore, two studies have been conducted to confirm under experimental conditions the efficacy of moxidectin 1% contained in Advocate® for the treatment of cat troglostrongylosis

Genomic Profiling of Childhood Tumor Patient-Derived Xenograft Models to Enable Rational Clinical Trial Design.

Accelerating cures for children with cancer remains an immediate challenge as a result of extensive oncogenic heterogeneity between and within histologies, distinct molecular mechanisms evolving between diagnosis and relapsed disease, and limited therapeutic options. To systematically prioritize and rationally test novel agents in preclinical murine models, researchers within the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Consortium are continuously developing patient-derived xenografts (PDXs)-many of which are refractory to current standard-of-care treatments-from high-risk childhood cancers. Here, we genomically characterize 261 PDX models from 37 unique pediatric cancers; demonstrate faithful recapitulation of histologies and subtypes; and refine our understanding of relapsed disease. In addition, we use expression signatures to classify tumors for TP53 and NF1 pathway inactivation. We anticipate that these data will serve as a resource for pediatric oncology drug development and will guide rational clinical trial design for children with cancer

Predictors and outcomes in primary depression care (POKAL) – a research training group develops an innovative approach to collaborative care

BACKGROUND: The interdisciplinary research training group (POKAL) aims to improve care for patients with depression and multimorbidity in primary care. POKAL includes nine projects within the framework of the Chronic Care Model (CCM). In addition, POKAL will train young (mental) health professionals in research competences within primary care settings. POKAL will address specific challenges in diagnosis (reliability of diagnosis, ignoring suicidal risks), in treatment (insufficient patient involvement, highly fragmented care and inappropriate long-time anti-depressive medication) and in implementation of innovations (insufficient guideline adherence, use of irrelevant patient outcomes, ignoring relevant context factors) in primary depression care. METHODS: In 2021 POKAL started with a first group of 16 trainees in general practice (GPs), pharmacy, psychology, public health, informatics, etc. The program is scheduled for at least 6 years, so a second group of trainees starting in 2024 will also have three years of research-time. Experienced principal investigators (PIs) supervise all trainees in their specific projects. All projects refer to the CCM and focus on the diagnostic, therapeutic, and implementation challenges. RESULTS: The first cohort of the POKAL research training group will develop and test new depression-specific diagnostics (hermeneutical strategies, predicting models, screening for suicidal ideation), treatment (primary-care based psycho-education, modulating factors in depression monitoring, strategies of de-prescribing) and implementation in primary care (guideline implementation, use of patient-assessed data, identification of relevant context factors). Based on those results the second cohort of trainees and their PIs will run two major trials to proof innovations in primary care-based a) diagnostics and b) treatment for depression. CONCLUSION: The research and training programme POKAL aims to provide appropriate approaches for depression diagnosis and treatment in primary care

Boron isotope sensitivity to seawater pH change in a species of Neogoniolithon coralline red alga

The increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) observed since the industrial revolution has reduced surface ocean pH by ∼0.1 pH units, with further change in the oceanic system predicted in the coming decades. Calcareous organisms can be negatively affected by extreme changes in seawater pH (pHsw) such as this due to the associated changes in the oceanic carbonate system. The boron isotopic composition (δ11B) of biogenic carbonates has been previously used to monitor pH at the calcification site (pHcf) in scleractinian corals, providing mechanistic insights into coral biomineralisation and the impact of variable pHsw on this process. Motivated by these investigations, this study examines the δ11B of the high-Mg calcite skeleton of the coralline red alga Neogoniolithon sp. to constrain pHcf, and investigates how this taxon’s pHcf is impacted by ocean acidification. δ11B was measured in multiple algal replicates (n = 4–5) cultured at four different pCO2 scenarios – averaging (±1σ) 409 (±6), 606 (±7), 903 (±12) and 2856 (±54) μatm, corresponding to average pHsw (±1σ) of 8.19 (±0.03), 8.05 (±0.06), 7.91 (±0.03) and 7.49 (±0.02) respectively. Results show that skeletal δ11B is elevated relative to the δ11B of seawater borate at all pHsw treatments by up to 18‰. Although substantial variability in δ11B exists between replicate samples cultured at a given pHsw (smallest range = 2.32‰ at pHsw 8.19, largest range = 6.08‰ at pHsw 7.91), strong correlations are identified between δ11B and pHsw (R2 = 0.72, p < 0.0001, n = 16) and between δ11B and B/Ca (R2 = 0.72, p < 0.0001, n = 16). Assuming that skeletal δ11B reflects pHcf as previously observed for scleractinian corals, the average pHcf across all experiments was 1.20 pH units (0.79 to 1.56) higher than pHsw, with the magnitude of this offset varying parabolically with decreasing pHsw, with a maximum difference between pHsw and pHcf at a pHsw of 7.91. Observed relationships between pHsw and calcification rate, and between pHsw and pHcf, suggest that coralline algae exhibit some resilience to moderate ocean acidification via increase of pHcf relative to pHsw in a similar manner to scleractinian corals. However, these results also indicate that pHcf cannot be sufficiently increased by algae exposed to a larger reduction in pHsw, adversely impacting calcification rates of coralline red algae

Terrestrial Very-Long-Baseline Atom Interferometry:Workshop Summary

This document presents a summary of the 2023 Terrestrial Very-Long-Baseline Atom Interferometry Workshop hosted by CERN. The workshop brought together experts from around the world to discuss the exciting developments in large-scale atom interferometer (AI) prototypes and their potential for detecting ultralight dark matter and gravitational waves. The primary objective of the workshop was to lay the groundwork for an international TVLBAI proto-collaboration. This collaboration aims to unite researchers from different institutions to strategize and secure funding for terrestrial large-scale AI projects. The ultimate goal is to create a roadmap detailing the design and technology choices for one or more km-scale detectors, which will be operational in the mid-2030s. The key sections of this report present the physics case and technical challenges, together with a comprehensive overview of the discussions at the workshop together with the main conclusions