cDNA Cloning Demonstrates the Expression of Pregnancy-Specific Glycoprotein Genes, a Subgroup of the Carcinoembryonic Antigen Gene Family, in Fetal Liver

The pregnancy-specific glycoprotein (PSG) genes constitute a subgroup of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) gene family. Here we report the cloning of four cDNAs coding for different members of the PSG family from a human fetal liver cDNA library. They are derived from three closely related genes (PSG1, PSG4 and PSG6). Two of the cDNA clones represent splice variants of PSG1 (PSG1a, PSG1d) differing in their C-terminal domain and 3′-untranslated regions. All encoded proteins show the same domain arrangement (N-RA1-RA2-RB2-C). Transcripts of the genes PSG1 and PSG4 could be detected in placenta by hybridization with gene-specific oligonucleotides. Expression of cDNA in a mouse and monkey cell line shows that the glycosylated PSG1a protein has a Mr of 65–66 kD and is released from the transfected cells. Sequence comparisons in the C-terminal domain and the 3′-untranslated regions of CEA/PSG-like genes suggests a complex splicing pattern to exist for various gene family members and a common evolutionary origin of these region

Spatiotemporal Expression of Pregnancy-Specific Glycoprotein Gene rnCGMl in Rat Placenta

As a basis towards a better understanding of the role of the pregnancy-specific glycoprotein (PSG) family in the maintenance of pregnancy, detailed investigations are described on the expression of a recently identified rat PSG gene (rnCGM1) at the mRNA and protein levels. Using specific oligonucleotide primers, rnCGM1 transcripts were identified after reverse transcription, polymerase chain reaction, and hybridization with a radiolabelled, internal oligonucleotide. Transcripts were only found in significant amounts in placenta. In situ hybridization visualized rnCGM1 transcripts at day 14 post coitum (p.c.), in secondary trophoblast giant cells and in the spongiotrophoblast. Only those secondary giant cells lining the maternal decidua were positive. In contrast, primary giant cells did not contain rnCGM1 mRNA. At day 18 p.c., rnCGM1. transcripts were almost exclusively detectable in the spongiotrophoblast. No rnCGM1 transcripts were found in rat embryos of these two developmental stages. Rabbit antisera were generated against the amino-terminal immunoglobulin variable-like domain and against a synthetic peptide containing the last 13 carboxy-terminal amino acids of rnCGM1. Bothe antisera recognized a 124 kDa protein in day 18 rat placental extracts as identified by Western blot analysis. The anti-peptide antiserum recognized a 116 kDa protein in the serum of a 14 day p.c. pregnant rat that is absent from the sera of non-pregnant females. Taken together, these results confirm exclusive expression of rnCGM1 in the rat trophoblast, but unlike human PSG, negligible or no expression is found in other organs, such as fetal liver or salivary glands, indicating a more specialized function of rnCGM1. Its spatiotemporal expression pattern is conducive with a potential role of PSG in protecting the fetus against the maternal immune system and/or in regulating the invasive growth of trophoblast cells

Orthogonality catastrophe and Kondo effect in graphene

Anderson's orthogonality catastrophe in graphene, at energies close to the Dirac point, is analyzed. It is shown that, in clean systems, the orthogonality catastrophe is suppressed, due to the vanishing density of states at the Dirac point. In the presence of preexisting localized states at the Dirac energy, the orthogonality catastrophe shows similar features to those found in normal metals with a finite density of states at the Fermi level. The implications for the Kondo effect induced by magnetic impurities, and for the Fermi edge singularities in tunneling processes are also discussed.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure

On a Schwarzian PDE associated with the KdV Hierarchy

We present a novel integrable non-autonomous partial differential equation of the Schwarzian type, i.e. invariant under M\"obius transformations, that is related to the Korteweg-de Vries hierarchy. In fact, this PDE can be considered as the generating equation for the entire hierarchy of Schwarzian KdV equations. We present its Lax pair, establish its connection with the SKdV hierarchy, its Miura relations to similar generating PDEs for the modified and regular KdV hierarchies and its Lagrangian structure. Finally we demonstrate that its similarity reductions lead to the {\it full} Painlev\'e VI equation, i.e. with four arbitary parameters.Comment: 11 page

Nachhaltiges Management von Stadtbäumen zur Optimierung der Lebenserwartung und der Vitalität

Bäume mit grossem Kronenvolumen und entsprechendem Alter erbringen vielfältige Ökosystemdienstleistungen. Im urbanen Raum sind Bäume einer Vielzahl von Stressfaktoren ausgesetzt, die ein vitales Wachstum stark einschränken. Häufig werden Stadtbäume nach 20 bis 40 Jahren ersetzt. Ein nachhaltiges Management von Stadtbäumen ermöglicht es, langfristig von den Leistungen der Stadtbäume profitieren zu können. Diese Masterarbeit untersucht anhand von Recherchen und Gesprächen mit Fachpersonen, mit welchen Massnahmen in der Planungs-, Bau- und Pflegephase ein solches Stadtbaummanagement zielgerecht umgesetzt werden kann. Eine wichtige Voraussetzung ist die strategische Planung mit einer Bestandsaufnahme, Zielformulierungen sowie Umsetzungs- und Monitoringplänen. Eine fachgerechte Planung stellt den Stadtbäumen genügend ober- und unterirdischen Raum zu Verfügung. Anhand des Standortes kann die zentrale Funktion des Stadtbaumes definiert werden, die dann eine entsprechende Arten- und Sortenwahl ermöglicht. Sind Standort und Baumart festgelegt, erfolgt die Planung der Baumgrube, des Wurzelbereichs, der Bewässerungs- und Belüftungssysteme und der Substratzusammensetzung. Eine standortgerechte Gestaltung der Baumscheibe und eine fachgerechte Baumpflanzung gehören ebenfalls zu den planerischen und baulichen Massnahmen. In der Pflegephase sind eine artspezifische, periodische Jungbaumpflege mit bedarfsgerechten Wasser- und Nährstoffgaben, Gehölzschnitte zur Erzielung der gewünschten Kronenform und Verhinderung von Problemstellungen sowie Baumkontrollen zur Garantie der Verkehrssicherheit erforderlich. Manuelle Bewässerungsmethoden, der Einsatz von Pflanzenernährungs- und Pflanzenschutzmittel spielen im urbanen Raum eine untergeordnete Rolle. Wichtiger sind prophylaktische Massnahmen, die entsprechende Defizite verhindern. Ein differenzierter Winterdienst, der neben Sicherheitsaspekten und ökonomischen Kriterien die Umweltbelastung durch Streusalze miteinbezieht, und ein fachgerecht umgesetzter Baumschutz auf Baustellen sind ebenfalls von Bedeutung in der Pflegephase. Zu einem nachhaltigen Management von Stadtbäumen gehört ein effizientes Schädlingsmanagement. In einem Feldversuch wird das Untersuchungs- und Anwendungsregime in der biologischen Bekämpfung des Buchsbaumzünslers (Diaphania perspectalis) analysiert. Die Ergebnisse des Feldversuches können aufgrund des tiefen Befallsdrucks ausgewertet werden. Recherchen zeigen, dass regelmässige Untersuchungen der Buchspflanzen notwendig sind, um die Larven frühzeitig zu bekämpfen. Dadurch können die beachtlichen Schäden, die der Buchsbaumzünsler zu verursachen vermag, verhindert werden. Zur Bekämpfung hat sich ein biokonformes Insektizid auf Basis der von Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki erzeugten Toxine etabliert. Trees with large crown volume and corresponding age provide a wide range of ecosystem services. The urban environment, with its many constraints, limits the average lifespan of a tree to only 20 to 40 years. Urban forestry aims to increase longevity and the vitality of urban trees for the purpose of a long-term benefit from the services they provide. This Master’s Thesis examines specific principles in planning, constructing and maintaining urban forests. A key aspect is a strategic management plan with a current state analysis, a vision and goals as well as an implementation and monitoring plan. Strategic planning creates tree places with sufficient soil volume for root growth and aerial space for tree crown spread and development. The selection of tree species should depend on the function, that is, the desired benefits from a tree. Tree species and planting site conditions influence the layout of the planting site including soil composition, irrigation and ventilation systems. Surface opening treatment and professional tree planting also belong to the planning and construction measures. Maintenance measures include a species-specific, post-planting care with a needs-based water and nutrient supply, pruning to achieve the desired crown shape and prevent problematic growth, and tree control to guarantee road safety. Manual irrigation methods as well as the use of plant nutrition and pesticides play a subordinate role in the urban context; more important are prophylactic measures to prevent corresponding deficits. An economic use of de-icing salt, which mitigates salt damage to trees without limiting safety, and professionally implemented tree protection on construction sites are also important in the maintenance phase. Sustainable urban forestry also includes effective pest management. In a field experiment, the examination and application routine for the biological control of Diaphania perspectalis (the box-tree pyralid) was analysed. Due to low infestation, the results were inconclusive. Research shows that regular, consistent monitoring is necessary and enables early control measures against young larvae, thereby preventing considerable damage. For pest control, a biocompliant insecticide on the basis of toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki is now commonly used

Which variables are associated with blood glucose levels outside the target range in surgical critically ill patients? A retrospective observational study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of the present study is to determine the variables affecting blood glucose concentrations outside the target range of 80 and 150 mg/dl in critically ill surgical patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All critically ill surgical patients admitted to a university ICU, from 01/2007 to 12/2008, were surveyed daily using computer assistance with respect to minimal and maximal daily blood glucose concentrations, application of insulin and demographic/clinical variables. Multiple logistic regression for clustered data with backward elimination was performed to identify variables strongly associated with blood glucose concentrations < 80 mg/dl or ≥ 150 mg/dl in 804 patients with an ICU stay > 72 hours.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Application of insulin (odds ratio (OR) 2.1, with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7; 2.6), noradrenaline (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2 - 1.8) or steroids (1.3, 1.003 - 1.7), and age (per year) (1.02, 1.01 - 1.03) were associated with an increased risk of blood glucose concentrations < 80 mg/dl. In analogy, application of insulin (OR 2.4, 95% CI 2.0 - 2.7), noradrenaline (1.4, 1.2 - 1.6) or steroids (1.4, 1.2 - 1.7), severe sepsis (1.2, 1.1 - 1.4), neurosurgery (OR 1.0) compared to abdominal, vascular and trauma surgery, and age (per year) (1.01, 1.01 - 1.02), were associated with an increased risk of blood glucose concentrations ≥ 150 mg/dl.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Critically ill surgical patients are at an increased risk for fluctuating blood glucose concentrations ranging < 80 mg/dl or ≥ 150 mg/dl in particular if they are of advanced age and require administration of insulin, noradrenaline, and/or steroids. Patients who underwent neurosurgery and/or presented with severe sepsis/shock are those in particular at risk for blood glucose concentrations ≥ 150 mg/dl.</p