Functional reconstitution of cell-free synthesized purified K channels.

The study of ion channel activity and the screening of possible inhibitor molecules require reliable methods for production of active channel proteins, their insertion into artificial membranes and for the measurement of their activity. Here we report on cell-free expression of soluble and active K1.1 and K1.

A ring-shaped conduit connects the mother cell and forespore during sporulation in Bacillus subtilis.

During spore formation in Bacillus subtilis a transenvelope complex is assembled across the double membrane that separates the mother cell and forespore. This complex (called the "A-Q complex") is required to maintain forespore development and is composed of proteins with remote homology to components of type II, III, and IV secretion systems found in Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we show that one of these proteins, SpoIIIAG, which has remote homology to ring-forming proteins found in type III secretion systems, assembles into an oligomeric ring in the periplasmic-like space between the two membranes.

Rational design of enhanced photoresistance in a photoswitchable fluorescent protein.

Fluorescent proteins are particularly susceptible to photobleaching, the permanent loss of fluorescence emission resulting from photodestruction of the chromophore. In the case of Reversibly Switchable Fluorescent Proteins (RSFPs), which can be switched back and forth between a non-fluorescent and a fluorescent state, the achievable number of switching cycles is limited by photobleaching, a process known as photofatigue. Photofatigue has become a crucial limitation in a number of advanced applications based on repeated photoswitching of RSFPs, notably in the field of super-resolution fluorescence microscopy.

Activity of ceftaroline against Enterococcus faecium PBP5.

The opportunistic human pathogen Enterococcus faecium overproduces the low-affinity PBP5. In clinical strains, mutations in PBP5 further reduce its acylation rate by β-lactams. Previous studies have reported that ceftaroline had poor inhibitory activity against β-lactam-resistant E.

Interaction of ceftobiprole with the low-affinity PBP 5 of Enterococcus faecium.

Ceftobiprole is a new cephalosporin that exhibits a high level of affinity for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus PBP 2a. It was reported that ceftobiprole did not interact with a mutated form of the low-affinity protein Enterococcus faecium PBP 5 (PBP 5fm) that, when overexpressed, confers a beta-lactam resistance phenotype to the bacterium. Our results show that ceftobiprole binds to unmutated PBP 5fm to form a stable acyl-enzyme and that ceftobiprole is able to efficiently kill a penicillin-resistant Enterococcus faecium strain that produces this protein.

Active site mapping of MraY, a member of the polyprenyl-phosphate N-acetylhexosamine 1-phosphate transferase superfamily, catalyzing the first membrane step of peptidoglycan biosynthesis.

The MraY transferase is an integral membrane protein that catalyzes an essential step of peptidoglycan biosynthesis, namely the transfer of the phospho-N-acetylmuramoyl-pentapeptide motif onto the undecaprenyl phosphate carrier lipid. It belongs to a large superfamily of eukaryotic and prokaryotic prenyl sugar transferases. No 3D structure has been reported for any member of this superfamily, and to date MraY is the only protein that has been successfully purified to homogeneity.

[Umbilical hernias treatment by the "stamp mesh technique"].

We describe an original technique for umbilical hernia repair ("stamps mesh technique") during which no umbilical ring widening is carried out. A non-absorbable mesh is positioned in the preperitoneal space.

[Disappearance of auto-antibody-induced haemolysis after resection of a gastric stromal tumor. Case report and review of the literature].

Introduction: There are two types of autoimmune haemolytic anemia, idiopathic or associated to other disorders (infections, thyroidal diseases, cancer.). The treatment of this particular anemia depends on the primary or secondary feature.

Direct vascular actions of methyclothiazide in remodeled mesenteric arteries from hypertensive patients.

In vitro experiments were designed to assess the inhibitory effect of the thiazide diuretic methyclothiazide (MCTZ) on contractile responses to norepinephrine (NE) of mesenteric rings from hypertensive patients and normotensive controls. Arteries were taken from portions of mesocolon from 24 patients: 13 hypertensives and 11 normotensives. Changes in the tension of mesenteric ring preparations were measured isometrically.

[Problems of reoperation after prosthetic repair of groin hernia].

The easy performance and the efficiency of these repairs should make the surgeon attentive to some related drawbacks, which can scarcely appear when reoperating on the bladder or the prostate, also on the iliac vessels. The encountered difficulties are related to the scar sclerosis much or less extensive and/or effective, invading the Retzius and/or the Bogros' spaces. The authors report their intraoperative and anatomical findings.

[Repair of inguinal hernias without tension and without suture using a large dacron mesh prosthesis and by pre-peritoneal approach. A method of reference for selective indication].

This original and now classical method was the first tensionless and sutureless repair of groin hernias proposed almost 30 years ago. Its authors recall its principles, technique and results. The discussion justifies the choice of the particular prosthetic material, demythifies the sepsis risk which is balanced by the recurrence risk, the potentially raising problems related to retroparictal sclerosis at reoperation on the bladder or external iliac vessels, and defines the indications and contraindications of the procedure.

[Is there a reasonable role for prosthetic materials in the emergency treatment of hernias?].

On the basis of 54 reparations par prosthesis among our personal series of 264 strangled hernias, we tried to define the situations where prosthetic material should be used in emergency procedures. Use of a plug for the cure of crural hernias was found to be effective and usually a reasonable option. Inversely, large prostheses cannot be proposed except in a limited number of cases using an indirect approach in order to assure correct separation between the septic procedure for intestinal resection and abdominal wall repair.

[Classification of inguinal hernias. A personal proposal].

There is no universally accepted classification of groin hernias, so related propositions are still hopeful. The authors examine the justifications and the useful criterias of such a project, the published classifications, and propose their own plan to discussion.

[Conservative treatment of splenic injuries in adults. Conservation or surgery?].

A preservative attitude towards splenic traumatism is globally no more discussed. But the best way to succeed for the general surgeon has to be precise: non operative either coeliotomy for preservative surgery? About 55 observations of splenic traumatisms, the authors compare advantages with drawback of each position and try to show out the factors acting on each choice to aim a preservative score the highest possible. Now the global preservative score is 47%.

[Cecal hernia through Winslow's foramen. Radiographic study of a case and review of the literature].

A case of herniation of the cecum through the foramen of Winslow is reported in a 49-year-old man, admitted for acute abdominal pain. Diagnosis, suspected by abdominal plain films, and established by water-soluble enema, was confirmed by emergency surgical management. Herniation through Winslow's foramen represents the least common variety of internal hernias.

Current surgical treatment of post-operative eventrations.

A series of 247 post-operative eventrations (POE) is reported with a study of general features, such as: patients' sex and age, size, location and etiology of POE (serial laparotomies, parietal sepsis), classic predisposing factors. Pre-operative preparation involved the use of Goni-Moreno progressive pneumo-peritoneum in 18.5% of patients.

[Postoperative eventrations. Apropos of 247 surgically treated cases].

The 247 eventrations operated upon concerned 230 patients (60% women and 40% men) mean age 54.5 years. Eventrations were large (collar greater than 10 cm) in 18, 5% and were in the median line in 81%.

[Cuffing of the distal esophagus in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux].

This technique was derived from Nissen-Rossetti's fundoplication operation. Anatomical bases for the method are described which allow the simple performance of a regulated and measured version (in spite of regional anatomical variations), that is non-calibrating (to avoid exposure to conventional sequelae of fundal plication) and reproducible (essential when comparing results assessed for global series). Technical features are described in detail and discussed, while emphasizing the importance of the following rules; respect of regional fascial structures, avoidance of vagal trunks, observation of the compliance of the gastrosplenic omentum and conformation of the gastrophrenic ligament to allow simple mobilization of the anterior and posterior hemivalves.