Effect of SXWS/WSXWS peptides on chemotaxis and adhesion of the macrophage-like cell line J774

WSXWS motif is a conserved amino acid sequence that is present in type I cytokine receptors. This motif that can be found both in the ligand binding chains and signal transducer molecule of the receptors with different amino acids at the position “X” plays a role in the receptor folding, ligand binding and signal transduction as well. Structural analysis proved that WSEWS motif of IL-6R is located in a highly accessible location in the protein. Structural properties and chemotaxis of a tetrapeptide library with SXWS sequence, where X was the 19 proteinogenic amino acids except cystein were systematically studied earlier. It has been proved that C-terminal amidation and the identity of amino acid X had a pronounced influence on the chemotactic properties but less of the structure of the peptides. Here, we present our findings on the effect of a tetrapeptide and a pentapeptide library with the sequence of SXWS and WSXWS on the chemotaxis and adhesion of J774 murine macrophage cell line. We studied the effect of the presence/absence of N-terminal tryptophan and the different amino acids at the X position on these physiological responses. Results indicated that amino acid X had a marked influence on chemotaxis, adhesion as well as on proliferation induced by (W)SXWS peptides. Elongation of SXWS sequence with a tryptophan at the N terminus also altered pronouncedly all the physiological responses of the cells studied. A good correlation could be observed between the chemotaxis and the proliferation and physicochemical parameters of the amino acid X

Needs must when the devil drives – Migration of an entire university to digital teaching

This study describes how the pandemic and its need for digitization catalyzed broadly implemented further education at the University of Witten/Herdecke. The empirical data consist of 117 courses for the training of 320 university members. In addition, 424 students were surveyed on the perception of digital teaching. It became evident that even though technical knowledge was transferred successfully, the didactic implementation left room for improvement. The results of this study stress that a wide range of training opportunities support the use of technology enhanced learning as well as collaboration between faculty experts, IT professionals and educational developers

Biosynthesis of Selenocysteine on Its tRNA in Eukaryotes

Selenocysteine (Sec) is cotranslationally inserted into protein in response to UGA codons and is the 21st amino acid in the genetic code. However, the means by which Sec is synthesized in eukaryotes is not known. Herein, comparative genomics and experimental analyses revealed that the mammalian Sec synthase (SecS) is the previously identified pyridoxal phosphate-containing protein known as the soluble liver antigen. SecS required selenophosphate and O-phosphoseryl-tRNA([Ser]Sec) as substrates to generate selenocysteyl-tRNA([Ser]Sec). Moreover, it was found that Sec was synthesized on the tRNA scaffold from selenide, ATP, and serine using tRNA([Ser]Sec), seryl-tRNA synthetase, O-phosphoseryl-tRNA([Ser]Sec) kinase, selenophosphate synthetase, and SecS. By identifying the pathway of Sec biosynthesis in mammals, this study not only functionally characterized SecS but also assigned the function of the O-phosphoseryl-tRNA([Ser]Sec) kinase. In addition, we found that selenophosphate synthetase 2 could synthesize monoselenophosphate in vitro but selenophosphate synthetase 1 could not. Conservation of the overall pathway of Sec biosynthesis suggests that this pathway is also active in other eukaryotes and archaea that synthesize selenoproteins

Participatory Design of a Medication Module in an Electronic Medical Record for Paediatric Palliative Care: A Think-Aloud Approach with Nurses and Physicians

Background: Electronic medical records (EMRs) play a key role in improving documentation and quality of care in paediatric palliative care (PPC). Inadequate EMR design can cause incorrect prescription and administration of medications. Due to the fact of complex diseases and the resulting high level of medical complexity, patients in PPC are vulnerable to medication errors. Consequently, involving users in the development process is important. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptance of a medication module from the perspective of potential users in PPC and to involve them in the development process. Methods: A qualitative observational study was conducted with 10 nurses and four physicians using a concurrent think-aloud protocol and semi-structured qualitative interviews. A qualitative content analysis was applied based on a unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. Results: Requirements from the user’s perspective could be identified as possible influences on acceptance and actual use. Requirements were grouped into the categories “performance expectancies” and “effort expectancies”. Conclusions: The results serve as a basis for further development. Attention should be given to the reduction of display fragmentation, as it decreases cognitive load. Further approaches to evaluation should be taken

Bestimmung der Lösungsstruktur der dritten Extrazellulärdomäne des Signaltransduktors gp130 mittels mehrdimensionaler heteronuklearer NMR-Spektroskopie

The signal transducer gp130: Solution structure of the carboxy-terminal domain of the cytokin receptor homology region. The transmembrane glycoprotein gp130 is the common signal transducing receptor subunit of the interleukin-6-type cytokines. It is a member of the cytokin-receptor superfamily predicted to consist of six domains in its extracellular part. The second and the third domain constitute the cytokine-binding module defined by a set of four conserved cysteines and a WSXWS motif, respectively. The three-dimensional structure of the carboxy-terminal domain of this region was determined by multidimensional NMR. The domain consists of seven beta-strands constituting a fibronectin type-III like topology. The structure reveals that the WSDWS motif of gp130 is part of an extended tryptophan/arginine zipper which modulates the conformation of the CD-loop

Bestimmung der Lösungsstruktur der dritten Extrazellulärdomäne des Signaltransduktors gp130 mittels mehrdimensionaler heteronuklearer NMR-Spektroskopie

The signal transducer gp130: Solution structure of the carboxy-terminal domain of the cytokin receptor homology region. The transmembrane glycoprotein gp130 is the common signal transducing receptor subunit of the interleukin-6-type cytokines. It is a member of the cytokin-receptor superfamily predicted to consist of six domains in its extracellular part. The second and the third domain constitute the cytokine-binding module defined by a set of four conserved cysteines and a WSXWS motif, respectively. The three-dimensional structure of the carboxy-terminal domain of this region was determined by multidimensional NMR. The domain consists of seven beta-strands constituting a fibronectin type-III like topology. The structure reveals that the WSDWS motif of gp130 is part of an extended tryptophan/arginine zipper which modulates the conformation of the CD-loop

Evaluation of an Electronic Medical Record Module for Nursing Documentation in Paediatric Palliative Care: Involvement of Nurses with a Think-Aloud Approach

Background: Paediatric palliative care (PPC) is a noncurative approach to the care of children and adolescents with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses. Electronic medical records (EMRs) play an important role in documenting such complex processes. Despite their benefits, they can introduce unintended consequences if future users are not involved in their development. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptance of a novel module for nursing documentation by nurses working in the context of PPC. Methods: An observational study employing concurrent think-aloud and semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 nurses working in PPC. Based on the main determinants of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The main determinants of UTAUT were found to potentially influence acceptance of the novel module. Participants perceived the module to be self-explanatory and intuitive. Some adaptations, such as the reduction of fragmentation in the display, the optimization of confusing mouseover fields, and the use of familiar nursing terminology, are reasonable ways of increasing software adoption. Conclusions: After adaptation of the modules based on the results, further evaluation with the participation of future users is required

Participatory Design of an Electronic Medical Record for Paediatric Palliative Care: A Think-Aloud Study with Nurses and Physicians

Background: Electronic medical records (EMRs) offer a promising approach to mapping and documenting the complex information gathered in paediatric palliative care (PPC). However, if they are not well developed, poorly implemented EMRs have unintended consequences that may cause harm to patients. One approach to preventing such harm is the involvement of users in the participatory design to ensure user acceptance and patient safety. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the acceptance of a novel patient chart module (PCM) as part of an EMR from the perspective of potential users in PPC and to involve these professionals in the design process. Methods: A qualitative observational study with N = 16 PPC professionals (n = 10 nurses, n = 6 physicians) was conducted, including concurrent think aloud (CTA) and semi-structured interviews. A structured content analysis based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology was applied. Results: The results can be summarized in terms of general observations, performance expectancy, effort expectancy and facilitating conditions, all of which are likely to have a positive influence on acceptance of the PCM from the user perspective in the context of PPC. Conclusions: The involvement of users in the development of EMRs is important for meeting the requirements in PPC. Further software adaptations are necessary to implement these requirements