Molecular Cross-Talk between Gravity- and Light-Sensing Mechanisms in Euglena gracilis

Euglena gracilis is a photosynthetic flagellate. To acquire a suitable position in its surrounding aquatic environment, it exploits light and gravity primarily as environmental cues. Several physiological studies have indicated a fine-tuned relationship between gravity sensing (gravitaxis) and light sensing in E. gracilis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is largely unknown. The photoreceptor photoactivated adenylyl cyclase (PAC) has been studied for over a decade. Nevertheless, no direct/indirect interaction partner (upstream/downstream) has been reported for PAC. It has been shown that a specific protein, kinase A (PKA), showed to be involved in phototaxis and gravitaxis. The current study reports the localization of the specific PKA and its relationship with PAC.     

Zur enzymatischen Hydrolyse verschiedener Stärkearten

On the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Various Starches. The behaviour of different commercial starches to amylolytic enzyme preparations and of their hydrolyzates during raffination was investigated. No significant differences in final degree of saccharification of starches from yellow maize, waxy maize, amylo-maize, potatoes and wheat were observed. The lower De-values of waxy maize hydrolyzates after liquefaction were completely compensated during final saccharification phase. Determinations of viscosity after liquefaction and saccharification always showed highest viscosity in raw hydrolyzates produced from wheat starch. After filtration of the raw hydrolyzates these differences in viscosity were no more observed. Addition of pentosanase during sacharification period did not affect viscosity and filtration of the hydrolyzates. Glucoamylase with increased pentosanase activity affected filtration of wheat starch hydrolyzates positively; viscosity kept unchanged. Development of enzymatic liquefaction of the individual starches was studied by means of a Brabender Viscograph. By this informative differences between potato and waxy maize starches on one side and maize and wheat starches on the other side were observed.     

Zur Chlorierung von N-Aryl-2,4-dimethyl-buta-1,3-dien-1,4-sultamen

About Chlorination of N-Aryl-2,4-dimethyl-buta-1,3-dien-1,4-sultames The sultames of structure 1 are easily chlorinated by sulfurylchloride, chlorine or tertbutylhypochlorite. The structure of the mono-( 2a-c,3a, d ), di-( 4a-d ), tri- ( 5c, d ) and pentachlorosultames ( 6a, b ) is determined by ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy. Contrary to the bromination the chlorination (by SO₂Cl₂) starts with the substitution of the sultamring (formation of mono- and di-chlorosultames) followed of the substitution of the (C-4)-CH₃- group (formation of trichlorosultames). By 1,4-addition of an other molecule of chlorine to 5 the pentachlorosultames 6a, b are obtained. Already by recrystalisation of 6a, b in an alcohol the chlorine in 4-position is exchanged by the corresponding alkoxy group (CH₃O, C₂H₅O, n-C₃H₇O) and the compounds 7-9 are formed.     

Bibliometric and text mining approaches to evaluate landfill design standards

Scientometrics - In 2014, Canadians generated 961 kg of waste per capita. Landfilling is a logical choice for many Canadian communities because of land availability. This paper examines...     

Si Doping of GaN in Hydride Vapor-Phase Epitaxy

Growth of GaN boules by hydride vapor-phase epitaxy (HVPE) is very attractive for fabrication of GaN substrates. Use of dichlorosilane as a source for Si doping of bulk GaN is investigated. It is shown that no tensile strain is incorporated into mm-thick, Si-doped GaN layers on sapphire substrates if the threading dislocation density is previously reduced to 2.5 × 10⁷ cm^?2 or below. High-quality GaN layers with electron densities up to 1.5 × 10¹⁹ cm^?3 have been achieved, and an upper limit of about 4 × 10¹⁹ cm^?3 for Si doping of GaN boules was deduced considering the evolution of dislocations with thickness. A 2-inch, Si-doped GaN crystal with length exceeding 6 mm and targeted Si doping of about 1 × 10¹⁸ cm^?3 is demonstrated.     

The Acute Antiallodynic Effect of Tolperisone in Rat Neuropathic Pain and Evaluation of Its Mechanism of Action

Current treatment approaches to manage neuropathic pain have a slow onset and their use is largely hampered by side-effects, thus there is a significant need for finding new medications. Tolperisone, a centrally acting muscle relaxant with a favorable side effect profile, has been reported to affect ion channels, which are targets for current first-line medications in neuropathic pain. Our aim was to explore its antinociceptive potency in rats developing neuropathic pain evoked by partial sciatic nerve ligation and the mechanisms involved. Acute oral tolperisone restores both the decreased paw pressure threshold and the elevated glutamate level in cerebrospinal fluid in neuropathic rats. These effects were comparable to those of pregabalin, a first-line medication in neuropathy. Tolperisone also inhibits release of glutamate from rat brain synaptosomes primarily by blockade of voltage-dependent sodium channels, although inhibition of calcium channels may also be involved at higher concentrations. However, pregabalin fails to affect glutamate release under our present conditions, indicating a different mechanism of action. These results lay the foundation of the avenue for repurposing tolperisone as an analgesic drug to relieve neuropathic pain.     

The Role of Oncostatin M and Its Receptor Complexes in Cardiomyocyte Protection,Regeneration, and Failure

Oncostatin M (OSM), a member of the interleukin-6 family, functions as a major mediator of cardiomyocyte remodeling under pathological conditions. Its involvement in a variety of human cardiac diseases such as aortic stenosis, myocardial infarction, myocarditis, cardiac sarcoidosis, and various cardiomyopathies make the OSM receptor (OSMR) signaling cascades a promising therapeutic target. However, the development of pharmacological treatment strategies is highly challenging for many reasons. In mouse models of heart disease, OSM elicits opposing effects via activation of the type II receptor complex (OSMR/gp130). Short-term activation of OSMR/gp130 protects the heart after acute injury, whereas chronic activation promotes the development of heart failure. Furthermore, OSM has the ability to integrate signals from unrelated receptors that enhance fetal remodeling (dedifferentiation) of adult cardiomyocytes. Because OSM strongly stimulates the production and secretion of extracellular proteins, it is likely to exert systemic effects, which in turn, could influence cardiac remodeling. Compared with the mouse, the complexity of OSM signaling is even greater in humans because this cytokine also activates the type I leukemia inhibitory factor receptor complex (LIFR/gp130). In this article, we provide an overview of OSM-induced cardiomyocyte remodeling and discuss the consequences of OSMR/gp130 and LIFR/gp130 activation under acute and chronic conditions.