Synthesis of tumor-associated MUC1-glycopeptides and their multivalent presentation by functionalized gold colloids

The mucin MUC1 is a glycoprotein involved in fundamental biological processes, which can be found over-expressed and with a distinctly altered glycan pattern on epithelial tumor cells; thus it is a promising target structure in the quest for effective carbohydrate-based cancer vaccines and immunotherapeutics. Natural glycopeptide antigens indicate only a low immunogenicity and a T-cell independent immune response; however, this major drawback can be overcome by coupling of glycopeptide antigens multivalently to immunostimulating carrier platforms. In particular, gold nanoparticles are well suited as templates for the multivalent presentation of glycopeptide antigens, due to their remarkably high surface-to-volume ratio in combination with their high biostability. In this work the synthesis of novel MUC1-glycopeptide antigens and their coupling to gold nanoparticles of different sizes are presented. In addition, the development of a new dot-blot immunoassay to test the potential antigen-antibody binding is introduced

Die Nationalitätenfrage im Russischen Reich: Auswertung der Volkszählung von 1897

Zu den grundlegenden Vorrausetzungen nationaler Konflikte gehört die Verbindung nationaler mit sozialen Faktoren. Die Analyse der sozio-ethnischen Struktur des Russischen Reiches ist deshalb ein Desiderat historischer Forschung. Die einzige übergreifende Quelle für eine solche Untersuchung ist die russische Volkszählung von 1897. Der vorliegende Beitrag berichtet über ein Forschungsprojekt des Seminars für osteuropäische Geschichte der Universität Köln, das aus den 89 Bänden der Volkszählung eine Datenbank angelegt hat und auf dieser Basis die Nationalitätenfrage im Russischen Reich studiert. Über 130 ethnische Gruppen sind (aufgrund ihrer Muttersprache) registriert, und diese Daten sind mit einer Anzahl anderer Kategorien (Alter, Religion/Konfession, Beruf, Stand, Bildung, Krankheiten usw.) korreliert und in Tabellen zusammengefaßt. (pmb)'One of the basic preconditions for national conflicts is the connection and interdependancy of national and social factors. The analysis of the socio-ethnic structure of the late Russian Empire, the complex network of social strata and ethnic composure of the population was the main purpose of a research project which was carried out by A. Kappeler and his team at the Seminar for East-European History of the University of Cologne. As an outstanding source for this objective, the first Russian census of 1897 was evaluated which contains a wide variety of information. More than 130 ethnic groups have been registered with additional aggregated information about age, denomination, occupation, social position etc. All this data have been integrated after intensive operations concerning source criticism into a database which is now available at the Center for Historical Social Research for further research.' (author's abstract

Quantitative trait loci affecting pathogen resistance and ripening of grapevines

Grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) form the basis of viticulture, and are susceptible to diseases such as downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) and powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator). Therefore, successful viticulture programs require the use of pesticides. Breeding for resistance is the only eco-friendly solution. Marker-assisted selection is currently widely used for grapevine breeding. Consequently, traits of interest must be tagged with molecular markers linked to quantitative trait loci (QTL). We herein present our findings regarding genetic mapping and QTL analysis of resistance to downy and powdery mildew diseases in the progenies of the GF.GA-47-42 (‘Bacchus’ × ‘Seyval’) × ‘Villard blanc’ cross. Simple sequence repeats and single nucleotide polymorphisms of 151 individuals were analyzed. A map consisting of 543 loci was screened for QTL analyses based on phenotypic variations observed in plants grown in the field or under controlled conditions. A major QTL for downy mildew resistance was detected on chromosome 18. For powdery mildew resistance, a QTL was identified on chromosome 15. This QTL was replaced by a novel QTL on chromosome 18 in 2003 (abnormally high temperatures) and 2004. Subsequently, both QTLs functioned together. Additionally, variations in the timing of the onset of veraison, which is a crucial step during grape ripening, were studied to identify genomic regions affecting this trait. A major QTL was detected on linkage group 16, which was supplemented by a minor QTL on linkage group 18. This study provides useful information regarding novel QTL-linked markers relevant for the breeding of disease-resistant grapevines adapted to current climatic conditions

Cell-Sorting at the A/P Boundary in the Drosophila Wing Primordium: A Computational Model to Consolidate Observed Non-Local Effects of Hh Signaling

Non-intermingling, adjacent populations of cells define compartment boundaries; such boundaries are often essential for the positioning and the maintenance of tissue-organizers during growth. In the developing wing primordium of Drosophila melanogaster, signaling by the secreted protein Hedgehog (Hh) is required for compartment boundary maintenance. However, the precise mechanism of Hh input remains poorly understood. Here, we combine experimental observations of perturbed Hh signaling with computer simulations of cellular behavior, and connect physical properties of cells to their Hh signaling status. We find that experimental disruption of Hh signaling has observable effects on cell sorting surprisingly far from the compartment boundary, which is in contrast to a previous model that confines Hh influence to the compartment boundary itself. We have recapitulated our experimental observations by simulations of Hh diffusion and transduction coupled to mechanical tension along cell-to-cell contact surfaces. Intriguingly, the best results were obtained under the assumption that Hh signaling cannot alter the overall tension force of the cell, but will merely re-distribute it locally inside the cell, relative to the signaling status of neighboring cells. Our results suggest a scenario in which homotypic interactions of a putative Hh target molecule at the cell surface are converted into a mechanical force. Such a scenario could explain why the mechanical output of Hh signaling appears to be confined to the compartment boundary, despite the longer range of the Hh molecule itself. Our study is the first to couple a cellular vertex model describing mechanical properties of cells in a growing tissue, to an explicit model of an entire signaling pathway, including a freely diffusible component. We discuss potential applications and challenges of such an approach

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

Repérer les incontournables dans la lecture des programmes pour l’enseignement et l’évaluation des cours de mathématiques au secondaire ?

1. Sujet de l’atelier Le sujet de la troisième activité mathématique de la journée a été suggéré par Sabine Hausmann et Edith Baeten, conseillères pédagogiques à la FESEC-mathématique. Leur travail quotidien avec les enseignants de mathématiques du secondaire leur a permis d’observer de nombreux questionnaires d’évaluation et a mis en évidence une difficulté que semble éprouver un certain nombre d’enseignants à distinguer l’essentiel de l’accessoire dans les recommandations des programmes et ..