Dissecting and optimizing bioactivities of chitosans by enzymatic modification.

Chitosans are versatile biopolymers with antimicrobial and plant-strengthening properties relevant to agriculture. However, a limited understanding of molecular structure-function relationships and cellular modes of action of chitosans hampers the development of effective chitosan-based agro-biologics. We partially hydrolyzed a chitosan polymer (degree of polymerization DP 800, fraction of acetylation F 0.

External post-mortem examination in virtual reality-scalability of a monocentric application.

Conducting external post-mortem examinations is an essential skill required of physicians in various countries, regardless of their specialization. However, the quality of these examinations has been a subject of continuous debates, and notable errors were reviled. In response to these shortcomings, a virtual reality (VR) application was developed at Halle's medical department in Germany, focusing on the scene of discovery and the completion of death certificates.

Traces of dietary patterns in saliva of hominids: Profiling salivary amino acid fingerprints in great apes and humans.

Herbivorous animals that regularly consume tannin-rich food are known to secrete certain tannin-binding salivary proteins (TBSPs), especially proline-rich proteins and histidine-rich proteins, as an effective measure to counteract the antinutritive effects of dietary tannins. Due to their high binding capacity, TBSPs complex with tannins in the oral cavity, and thereby protect dietary proteins and digestive enzymes. Although the natural diet of great apes (Hominidae) is biased toward ripe fruits, analyses of food plants revealed that their natural diet contains considerable amounts of tannins, which is raising the question of possible counter-measures to cope with dietary tannins.

Impact of extractables from rubber closures on protein stability under heat stress.

Commercially available, uncoated elastomeric closures were examined in regard to a potential contribution of extracted compounds from the rubber stoppers to protein aggregation under worst-case conditions. All rubber stoppers were confirmed to comply with Ph. Eur.

Medico-legal assessment of methamphetamine and amphetamine serum concentrations-what can we learn from survived intoxications?

Medico-legal experts are increasingly enlisted to assess the methamphetamine and amphetamine serum concentrations after a criminal offense. However, since criminal users rarely provide useful information to medico-legal experts regarding the substances abused, when the substance(s) was/were used, dose of ingestion tools are needed to interpret the analytical data, which can be used as objective evidence in such cases. A comparative series of methamphetamine and amphetamine serum concentrations were used to analyze the frequency of concentrations, to determine methamphetamine/amphetamine concentration ratios, and prove them as a tool to distinguish pure methamphetamine from mixed amphetamine/methamphetamine ingestion.

Long-term outcome in a case of shaken baby syndrome.

Shaken baby syndrome is one of the most common causes of disability and death in infants younger than one year of age. The syndrome is the result of major mechanical forces affecting the head and central nervous system. The outcome for surviving children is often poor, with both physical and mental disabilities.

Soluble full-length expression and characterization of snRNP protein U1-68/70K.

The autoantigen U1-68/70K is the dominant diagnostic marker in Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) that until recently could not be expressed in its full-length form (Northemann et al., 1995, [16]). Using cell-free expression screening, we successfully produced the snRNP protein U1-68/70K in a soluble full-length form in Escherichia coli cells.

Pinning down a polymorphic parasite: new genetic and morphological descriptions of Eimeria macropodis from the Tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii).

Identification of the protozoan parasite, Eimeria has traditionally relied on oocyst morphology, host range and life-cycle attributes. However, it is increasingly recognized that Eimeria species can vary in size and shape across their host range, an attribute known as 'polymorphism' that presents a unique challenge for identification. Advances in molecular tools hold promise for characterising Eimeria that may otherwise be misclassified based on morphology.

High-throughput methods for miniaturization and automation of monoclonal antibody purification processes.

In the last decade, high-throughput downstream process development techniques have entered the biopharmaceutical industry. As chromatography is the standard downstream purification method, several high-throughput chromatographic methods have been developed and applied including miniaturized chromatographic columns for utilization on liquid handling stations. These columns were used to setup a complete downstream process on a liquid handling station for the first time.

Silencing and heterologous expression of ppo-2 indicate a specific function of a single polyphenol oxidase isoform in resistance of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) possesses an unusually high degree of disease resistance. As this plant exhibits high polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and PPO have been implicated in resistance against pests and pathogens, we analyzed the potential involvement of five PPO isoenzymes in the resistance of dandelion against Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato.

Polyphenoloxidase silencing affects latex coagulation in Taraxacum species.

Latex is the milky sap that is found in many different plants. It is produced by specialized cells known as laticifers and can comprise a mixture of proteins, carbohydrates, oils, secondary metabolites, and rubber that may help to prevent herbivory and protect wound sites against infection. The wound-induced browning of latex suggests that it contains one or more phenol-oxidizing enzymes.