The XPF-ERCC1 Complex Is Essential for Genome Stability and Is Involved in the Mechanism of Gene Targeting in Physcomitrella patens

The XPF-ERCC1 complex, a highly conserved structure-specific endonuclease, functions in multiple DNA repair pathways that are pivotal for maintaining genome stability, including nucleotide excision repair, interstrand crosslink repair, and homologous recombination. XPF-ERCC1 incises double-stranded DNA at double-strand/single-strand junctions, making it an ideal enzyme for processing DNA structures that contain partially unwound strands. Here, we have examined the role of the XPF-ERCC1 complex in the model bryophyte Physcomitrella patens which exhibits uniquely high gene targeting frequencies. We undertook targeted knockout of the Physcomitrella ERCC1 and XPF genes. Mutant analysis shows that the endonuclease complex is essential for resistance to UV-B and to the alkylating agent MMS, and contributes to the maintenance of genome integrity but is also involved in gene targeting in this model plant. Using different constructs we determine whether the function of the XPF-ERCC1 endonuclease complex in gene targeting was removal of 3′ non-homologous termini, similar to SSA, or processing of looped-out heteroduplex intermediates. Interestingly, our data suggest a role of the endonuclease in both pathways and have implications for the mechanism of targeted gene replacement in plants and its specificities compared to yeast and mammalian cells

Disruption of d-alanyl esterification of Staphylococcus aureus cell wall teichoic acid by the β-lactam resistance modifier (−)-epicatechin gallate

The naturally occurring polyphenol (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECg) increases oxacillin susceptibility in mecA-containing strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Decreased susceptibility to lysostaphin suggests alterations to the wall teichoic acid (WTA) content of ECg-grown bacteria. Changes in WTA structure in response to ECg were determined.Peer reviewe

Das Qualitative Zufriedenheitsmodell (QZM)

Available from Bibliothek des Instituts fuer Weltwirtschaft, ZBW, Duesternbrook Weg 120, D-24105 Kiel W 547 (66) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

Case Report: Lipoprotein Glomerulopathy Complicated by Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.

Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) is a rare inherited disease caused by mutations in the APOE gene, encoding apolipoprotein E (apoE). Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) characterized by overactivation of the alternative complement pathway. Here we report the case of a 21-year-old man with LPG who developed aHUS. A functional complement assay demonstrated an overactivation of the complement system. Complementary genetic analysis revealed a homozygous aHUS risk allele for complement factor-H related 1 (CFHR1), CFHR1*B. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an aHUS in a patient with LPG

Learning Florianopolis biogeography through digital prototyping

A biogeografia da ilha de Santa Catarina (Florianópolis/SC) é rica em diversidade e está diretamente ligada à cultura local, representada na gastronomia, festas, artesanato e folclore. Dentre as riquezas de ecossistemas ali localizadas, pode-se citar restingas, dunas, manguezais, floresta de encosta e de planície, lagoas e baías, que proporcionam o habitat de uma variedade de mamíferos, aves, répteis, anfíbios dentre outras formas de vida. Alguns deles, já identificados como símbolos representativos do local, por meio de projetos de lei, evidenciam ainda mais a cultura local a níveis nacional e internacional. O reconhecimento destes exemplares se faz presente nesta pesquisa, direcionado a alunos do ensino fundamental, proporcionando o conhecimento da vasta biogeografia de Florianópolis, de forma interdisciplinar, com o uso de técnicas da prototipagem digital como ferramenta aliada da criatividade.The biogeography of Santa Catarina Island (Florianópolis/SC) is rich in diversity and is directly linked to the local culture, represented in gastronomy, festivals, crafts and folklore. Among the wealth of ecosystems located there, one can mention sandbanks, dunes, mangroves, hillside and plain forest, lakes and bays, which provide the habitat for a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and other forms of life. Some of them, already identified as representative symbols of the place, point even more the local culture at national and international levels. The recognition of these specimens is the main goal in this research, aimed at elementary school students, providing knowledge of the vast biogeography of Florianópolis, in an interdisciplinary way, with the use of digital prototyping techniques as a tool allied with creativity

Increased parasite resistance and recurrent airway obstruction in horses of a high-prevalence family

BACKGROUND: Equine recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) shares many characteristics with human asthma. In humans, an inverse relationship between susceptibility to asthma and resistance to parasites is suspected. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Members of a high-incidence RAO half-sibling family (F) shed fewer strongylid eggs compared with RAO-unaffected pasture mates (PM) and that RAO-affected horses shed fewer eggs than RAO-unaffected half-siblings. ANIMALS: Seventy-three F and 73 unrelated, age matched PM. METHODS: Cases and controls kept under the same management and deworming regime were examined. Each individual was classified as RAO affected or RAO unaffected and fecal samples were collected before and 1-3 weeks and 3 months after deworming. Samples were analyzed by combined sedimentation-flotation and modified McMaster methods and classified into 3 categories of 0 eggs per gram of feces (EpG), 1-100 EpG, and > 100 EpG, respectively. RESULTS: PM compared with RAO-affected F had a 16.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.0-136.3) times higher risk for shedding > 100 EpG compared with 0 EpG and a 5.3 (95% CI: 1.0-27.4) times higher risk for shedding > 100 EpG compared with 0 EpG. There was no significant effect when RAO-unaffected F were compared with their PM. RAO-unaffected compared with RAO-affected offspring had a 5.8 (95% CI: 0.0-1.0) times higher risk for shedding 1-100 EpG. Age, sex, breed, and sharing pastures with other species had no significant confounding effects. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: RAO is associated with resistance against strongylid parasites in a high-prevalence family