Receptor binding proteins of Listeria monocytogenes bacteriophages A118 and P35 recognize serovar-specific teichoic acids

Adsorption of a bacteriophage to the host requires recognition of a cell wall-associated receptor by a receptor binding protein (RBP). This recognition is specific, and high affinity binding is essential for efficient virus attachment. The molecular details of phage adsorption to the Gram-positive cell are poorly understood. We present the first description of receptor binding proteins and a tail tip structure for the siphovirus group infecting Listeria monocytogenes. The host-range determining factors in two phages, A118 and P35 specific for L. monocytogenes serovar 1/2 have been determined. Two proteins were identified as RBPs in phage A118. Rhamnose residues in wall teichoic acids represent the binding ligands for both proteins. In phage P35, protein gp16 could be identified as RBP and the role of both rhamnose and N-acetylglucosamine in phage adsorption was confirmed. Immunogold-labeling and transmission electron microscopy allowed the creation of a topological model of the A118 phage tail

Impact of aerobic exercise type on blood flow, muscle energy metabolism, and mitochondrial biogenesis in experimental lower extremity artery disease.

Exercise training (ET) is recommended for lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) management. However, there is still little information on the hemodynamic and metabolic adaptations by skeletal muscle with ET. We examined whether hindlimb perfusion/vascularization and muscle energy metabolism are altered differently by three types of aerobic ET. ApoE <sup>-/-</sup> mice with LEAD were assigned to one of four groups for 4 weeks: sedentary (SED), forced treadmill running (FTR), voluntary wheel running (VWR), or forced swimming (FS). Voluntary exercise capacity was improved and equally as efficient with FTR and VWR, but remained unchanged with FS. Neither ischemic hindlimb perfusion and oxygenation, nor arteriolar density and mRNA expression of arteriogenic-related genes differed between groups. <sup>18</sup> FDG PET imaging revealed no difference in the steady-state levels of phosphorylated <sup>18</sup> FDG in ischemic and non-ischemic hindlimb muscle between groups, nor was glycogen content or mRNA and protein expression of glucose metabolism-related genes in ischemic muscle modified. mRNA (but not protein) expression of lipid metabolism-related genes was upregulated across all exercise groups, particularly by non-ischemic muscle. Markers of mitochondrial content (mitochondrial DNA content and citrate synthase activity) as well as mRNA expression of mitochondrial biogenesis-related genes in muscle were not increased with ET. Contrary to FTR and VWR, swimming was ineffective in improving voluntary exercise capacity. The underlying hindlimb hemodynamics or muscle energy metabolism are unable to explain the benefits of running exercise

Advances in prevention and therapy of neonatal dairy calf diarrhoea : a systematical review with emphasis on colostrum management and fluid therapy

Neonatal calf diarrhoea remains the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in preweaned dairy calves worldwide. This complex disease can be triggered by both infectious and non-infectious causes. The four most important enteropathogens leading to neonatal dairy calf diarrhoea are Escherichia coli, rota-and coronavirus, and Cryptosporidium parvum. Besides treating diarrhoeic neonatal dairy calves, the veterinarian is the most obvious person to advise the dairy farmer on prevention and treatment of this disease. This review deals with prevention and treatment of neonatal dairy calf diarrhoea focusing on the importance of a good colostrum management and a correct fluid therapy

Исследовательская деятельность эколого-биологической направленности в НОУ "Эврика" - эффективное средство профессиональной ориентации учащихся

В статье научно-исследовательская деятельность эколого-биологической направленности старшеклассников НОУ "Эврика" г. Нижнего Новгорода рассматривается как одна из значимых инновационных форм профессионального самоопределения. Материалом исследования послужил анализ программ конференции городского научного общества учащихся "Эврика" и судьбы выпускников данного общества. Отмечена тенденция роста популярности эколого-биологических исследований среди старшеклассников г. Нижнего Новгорода и успешное вхождение в профессию выпускников научного общества учащихся.In the article, the research activity of the ecology and biology of senior pupils of the scientific society of the pupils "Eureka" in Nizhny Novgorod is considered as one of the significant innovative forms of professional self-determination. The material of the study was the analysis of the programs of the conference of the city scientific society of the students "Eureka" and the fate of the graduates of this society. The tendency of growth of popularity of ecological and biological researches among senior pupils of Nizhny Novgorod and successful entry into the profession of graduates of the scientific society of students is noted

Calf health from birth to weaning. I. General aspects of disease prevention

Calfhood diseases have a major impact on the economic viability of cattle operations. This is the first in a three part review series on calf health from birth to weaning, focusing on preventive measures. The review considers both pre- and periparturient management factors influencing calf health, colostrum management in beef and dairy calves and further nutrition and weaning in dairy calves

Charge-density oscillation on graphite induced by the interference of electron waves

We report on a pronounced redistribution of the local electronic density of states at the graphite surface, which is induced by the presence of low energy hydrogen-ion induced point defects. Scanning tunneling microscopy reveals standing waves in the local density of states, which are due to backscattering of electron wave functions at individual point defects. The superstructure thereby formed is directly related to the pointlike structure of the Fermi surface of graphite. For high defect density interference patterns are observed which sensitively change structure on the relative positions of the defects. These patterns could be reproduced by tight binding simulations of various defect distributions

Seasonal energy storage system based on hydrogen for self sufficient living

SELF is a resource independent living and working environment. By on-board renewable electricity generation and storage, it accounts for all aspects of living, such as space heating and cooking as well as providing a purified rainwater supply and wastewater treatment, excluding food supply. Uninterrupted, on-demand energy and water supply are the key challenges. Off-grid renewable power supply fluctuations on daily and seasonal time scales impose production gaps that have to be served by local storage, a function normally fulfilled by the grid. While daily variations only obligate a small storage capacity, requirements for seasonal storage are substantial. The energy supply for SELF is reviewed based on real meteorological data and demand patterns for Zurich, Switzerland. A battery system with propane for cooking serves as a reference for battery-only and hybrid battery/hydrogen systems. In the latter, hydrogen is used for cooking and electricity generation. The analysis shows that hydrogen is ideal for long term bulk energy storage on a seasonal timescale, while batteries are best suited for short term energy storage. Although the efficiency penalty from hydrogen generation is substantial, in off-grid systems, this parameter is tolerable since the harvesting ratio of photovoltaic energy is limited by storage capacity. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved