Π^1_1 Borel Sets

The results in this paper were motivated by the following question of Sacks. Suppose T is a recursive theory with countably many countable models. What can you say about the least ordinal ɑ such that all models of T have Scott rank below ɑ? If Martin's conjecture is true for T then ɑ ≤ ω·2

Identification of small non-coding RNAs from mitochondria and chloroplasts

Small non-protein-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been identified in a wide spectrum of organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. In eukarya, systematic searches for ncRNAs have so far been restricted to the nuclear or cytosolic compartments of cells. Whether or not small stable non-coding RNA species also exist in cell organelles, in addition to tRNAs or ribosomal RNAs, is unknown. We have thus generated cDNA libraries from size-selected mammalian mitochondrial RNA and plant chloroplast RNA and searched for small ncRNA species in these two types of DNA-containing cell organelles. In total, we have identified 18 novel candidates for organellar ncRNAs in these two cellular compartments and confirmed expression of six of them by northern blot analysis or RNase A protection assays. Most candidate ncRNA genes map to intergenic regions of the organellar genomes. As found previously in bacteria, the presumptive ancestors of present-day chloroplasts and mitochondria, we also observed examples of antisense ncRNAs that potentially could target organelle-encoded mRNAs. The structural features of the identified ncRNAs as well as their possible cellular functions are discussed. The absence from our libraries of abundant small RNA species that are not encoded by the organellar genomes suggests that the import of RNAs into cell organelles is of very limited significance or does not occur at all

The Physics of the B Factories

This work is on the Physics of the B Factories. Part A of this book contains a brief description of the SLAC and KEK B Factories as well as their detectors, BaBar and Belle, and data taking related issues. Part B discusses tools and methods used by the experiments in order to obtain results. The results themselves can be found in Part C

Profiling antimicrobial peptides from the medical maggot Lucilia sericata as potential antibiotics for MDR Gram-negative bacteria

Background The ability of MDR Gram-negative bacteria to evade even antibiotics of last resort is a severe global challenge. The development pipeline for conventional antibiotics cannot address this issue, but antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) offer an alternative solution. Objectives Two insect-derived AMPs (LS-sarcotoxin and LS-stomoxyn) were profiled to assess their suitability for systemic application in humans. Methods The peptides were tested against an extended panel of 114 clinical MDR Gram-negative bacterial isolates followed by time–kill analysis, interaction studies and assays to determine the likelihood of emerging resistance. In further in vitro studies we addressed cytotoxicity, cardiotoxicity and off-target interactions. In addition, an in vivo tolerability and pharmacokinetic study in mice was performed. Results LS-sarcotoxin and LS-stomoxyn showed potent and selective activity against Gram-negative bacteria and no cross-resistance with carbapenems, fluoroquinolones or aminoglycosides. Peptide concentrations of 4 or 8 mg/L inhibited 90% of the clinical MDR isolates of Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Acinetobacter baumannii and Salmonella enterica isolates tested. The ‘all-d’ homologues of the peptides displayed markedly reduced activity, indicating a chiral target. Pharmacological profiling revealed a good in vitro therapeutic index, no cytotoxicity or cardiotoxicity, an inconspicuous broad-panel off-target profile, and no acute toxicity in mice at 10 mg/kg. In mouse pharmacokinetic experiments LS-sarcotoxin and LS-stomoxyn plasma levels above the lower limit of quantification (1 and 0.25 mg/mL, respectively) were detected after 5 and 15 min, respectively. Conclusions LS-sarcotoxin and LS-stomoxyn are suitable as lead candidates for the development of novel antibiotics; however, their pharmacokinetic properties need to be improved for systemic administration.Peer Reviewe

Metal-onmetal hip implants: Do they impair renal function in the long-term? A 10-year follow-up study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 128: 915–919

Abstract Introduction The aim of our study was to investigate a potential inXuence of elevated serumcobalt and serumchromiumlevels on renal function at minimum 10 years after implantation of a metal-on-metal hip. Materials and methods Between November 1992 and June 1994 98 patients (44 m, 54 f) with an average age of 56 (22-79) years received a metal-on-metal bearing Metasul™. At the time of the 10-year follow-up, 15 patients had died and 8 were lost to follow-up. The remaining 75 patients had laboratory analysis including serumcreatinine and full blood cell count as well as chromium and cobalt serumlevels. Results Ten years postoperatively the median serumcreatinine level was 0.86 (0.55-1.51) mg/dl, the serumcreatinine clearance Ccr was in the normal range. The hemogram did not diVer from that measured at the time of surgery. The median serumcobalt concentration was 0. 75 (0.3-50.10) g/l and the serumchromium concentration was 0.95 (0.3-58.6) g/l, 10 years postoperatively. Conclusion Our long-term data do not show any inXuence of serum cobalt or chromium concentrations on renal function following total hip arthroplasty

Tracing the opposing assimilate and nutrient flows in live conifer needles

The vasculature along conifer needles is fundamentally different from that in angiosperm leaves containing a unique transfusion tissue inside the bundle sheath. To identify the pathway of photoassimilates from mesophyll to phloem, and the opposing pathway of nutrients from xylem to mesophyll, we used specific tracers. For symplasmic transport we applied esculin to the tip of attached pine needles and followed tracer movement down the phloem. For apoplasmic transport we let detached needles take up a membrane-impermeable contrast agent and used micro-X-ray computed tomography to map critical water exchange interfaces and domain borders. Microscopy and segmentation of X-ray data enabled us to render and quantify the functional 3D structure of the water-filled apoplasm and the complementary symplasmic domain. The transfusion tracheid system formed a sponge-like apoplasmic domain that was blocked at the bundle sheath. Transfusion parenchyma cell chains bridged this domain as tortuous symplasmic pathways with strong local anisotropy which, as the accumulation of esculin, pointed to the phloem flanks as preferred phloem loading path. Simple estimates support the pivotal role of the bundle sheath, showing that a bidirectional movement of nutrient ions and assimilates is feasible and emphasising the bundle sheath's role in nutrient and assimilate exchange