Characterization of the interaction between the Sec61 translocon complex and ppαF using optical tweezers.

The Sec61 translocon allows the translocation of secretory preproteins from the cytosol to the endoplasmic reticulum lumen during polypeptide biosynthesis. These proteins possess an N-terminal signal peptide (SP) which docks at the translocon. SP mutations can abolish translocation and cause diseases, suggesting an essential role for this SP/Sec61 interaction.

The domestication of the larynx: The neural crest connection.

Wolves howl and dogs bark, both are able to produce variants of either vocalization, but we see a distinct difference in usage between wild and domesticate. Other domesticates also show distinct changes to their vocal output: domestic cats retain meows, a distinctly subadult trait in wildcats. Such differences in acoustic output are well-known, but the causal mechanisms remain little-studied.

The expensive-tissue hypothesis may help explain brain-size reduction during domestication.

Morphological traits, such as white patches, floppy ears and curly tails, are ubiquitous in domestic animals and are referred to as the 'domestication syndrome'. A commonly discussed hypothesis that has the potential to provide a unifying explanation for these traits is the 'neural crest/domestication syndrome hypothesis'. Although this hypothesis has the potential to explain most traits of the domestication syndrome, it only has an indirect connection to the reduction of brain size, which is a typical trait of domestic animals.

Cranial volume and palate length of cats, spp., under domestication, hybridization and in wild populations.

Reduced brain size, compared with wild individuals, is argued to be a key characteristic of domesticated mammal species, and often cited as a key component of a putative 'domestication syndrome'. However, brain size comparisons are often based on old, inaccessible literature and in some cases drew comparisons between domestic animals and wild species that are no longer thought to represent the true progenitor species of the domestic species in question. Here we replicate studies on cranial volumes in domestic cats that were published in the 1960s and 1970s, comparing wildcats, domestic cats and their hybrids.

Selection on vocal output affects laryngeal morphology in rats.

Although laryngeal morphology often reflects adaptations for vocalization, the structural consequences of selection for particular aspects of vocal behavior remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of increased ultrasonic calling in pups on the adult larynx morphology in selectively bred rat lines. Laryngeal morphology was assessed using multiple techniques: mineralized cartilage volumes were compared in 3D-models derived from microCT scans, internal structure was compared using clearing and staining procedures combined with microscopy, cellular structure was compared using histology and microscopy, and element composition was assessed with scanning energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

Selection on ultrasonic call rate in neonatal rats affects low frequency, but not ultrasonic, vocalizations in adults.

In this experiment, we studied a rodent model selected over 57 generations for high or low rates of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) during maternal separation as pups. We investigated the influence of this breeding on the adult animals' subsequent vocal output, comparing acoustic variables across developmental stages. We hypothesized that selection on pup USV rate would impact adult USV production without affecting lower frequency calls.

Metal-Catalyzed Cyclotrimerization Reactions of Cyanamides: Synthesis of 2-Aryl-α-carbolines.

The synthesis of annulated 2-aryl-α-carboline heterocycles is described using transition metal catalysis. A linear strategy is described that uses Rh(I) catalysis to form the α-carboline scaffold by [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization. Alternatively, a tandem catalytic approach using a Pd(II) precatalyst afforded the same target molecules by mediating a Sonogashira reaction and a [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization in the same reaction flask.

Talking to Dogs: Companion Animal-Directed Speech in a Stress Test.

Companion animal-directed speech (CADS) has previously been investigated in comparison to infant-directed speech and adult-directed speech. To investigate the influence of owner caregiving, attachment pattern, and personality on CADS, we used the Ainsworth strange situation procedure. It allowed us to assess voice source parameters of CADS across different contexts.

Clinical outcomes and quality of life 1 year after open microsurgical decompression or implantation of an interspinous stand-alone spacer.

Background: Interspinous stand-alone implants are inserted without open decompression to treat symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). The insertion procedure is technically simple, low-risk, and quick. However, the question remains whether the resulting clinical outcomes compare with those of microsurgical decompression, the gold standard.

Stability of the replicative Mcm3 protein in proliferating and differentiating human cells.

Mcm proteins are abundant nuclear proteins involved in the regulation of genome replication. Previous experiments had shown that levels of Mcm-specific mRNAs increase at the G1/S phase transition of the cell cycle, but that the amounts of Mcm proteins do not change much during the cell cycle. To learn more about the stability of an Mcm protein we performed experiments which showed that: (i) more than 60% of [35S]methionine pulse-labeled Mcm3 protein appears to be degraded during a 24-h chase in HeLa cells; (ii) the amount of Mcm3 protein significantly decreases during the differentiation of HL60 cells in vitro (whereas another replication-initiation protein, hOrc2, remains fairly constant); and (iii) according to immunohistochemical staining, Mcm3 protein is present in nuclei of cells in the proliferating zone of human epidermal tissue, but in decreasing amounts in nuclei of differentiating cells of the upper cell layers.

Immunohistochemical localization of thromboxane synthase in human tissues.

Thromboxane A2 is formed mainly in platelets where we have isolated thromboxane synthase as a cytochrome P450-like haemoprotein. A rabbit antiserum prepared against this enzyme was monospecific according to Western blot analysis and was used for immunostaining of human tissues. In liver the Kupffer cells were clearly stained and in the connective tissue, histiocytes and monocytic cells were positive.

Budd-Chiari-Stuart-Bras syndrome: clinical, sonographic, radiological reexaminations in occlusive diseases of hepatic veins.

Ten patients with clinically and histologically verified Budd-Chiari-Stuart-Bras Syndrome (i.e. occlusive disease of small or large efferent hepatic veins) were re-examined, the examination also including combined ultrasonography and computed tomography.

Follow-up of treated adult celiac disease: clinical and morphological studies.

A follow-up study of 18 patients with celiac disease is reported. Adherence to the diet, blood chemistry and serum amino acid concentration were investigated in all patients. In addition, HLA blood group typing was performed.

[Principles of order in the course of tuberculosis. Pathogenesis, morphology, and radiological findings of tuberculosis (author's transl)].

Presentation of different kinds in the course of tuberculosis of the lung. Comparison of pathologic-anatomical findings and radiology of an active, exudative, cavernous, cirrhotic, and miliary tuberculosis. Discussion of the concept of activity from different points of views: clinical, radiological, and histological.

[Oral contraceptives and benign tumorous conditions of the liver (author's transl)].

Tumorous lesions of the liver were diagnosed by means of angiography, sonography and laparoscopy in six patients on oral contraceptives for a long time. These lesions were identified as liver cell adenoma (1), focal nodular hyperplasia (4) and cavernous hemangioma (1). The relationship between oral contraceptives and liver disorders is well-known.

[Lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Problems in differential diagnosis, etiology and prognosis (author's transl)].

Four different cases (diffuse interstitial lung fibrosis with leiomyomatosis, Lymphangioleiomyomatosis of the lung, fibroleiomyoma of the lung and adenomyofibroma of the lung) are presented and the differential diagnostic criteria are discussed. On survey of the literature on Lymphangioleiomyomatosis it is concluded that so far this diagnosis seems ill defined. As it cannot be excluded that the cases described so far represent an assortment of various diseases with different etiology, the authors believe that it is impossible to give a reliable statement on prognosis either for the condition in general or for an individual case.

[Non-tropical sprue discrepancy between clinical and biopsy findings. Five years' observation of a case (author's transl)].

After doagnosis and establishment of an appropriate diet a 51-year-old female patient with coeliac disease, who was critically ill in the beginning, became symptomless; nevertheless, a five year follow-up study with mucosa biopsies reveals a persisting villous atrophy with hyperplastic crypts ("flat mucosa"). This discrepancy between clinical and histological findings is discussed and it is emphasized that for coeliac patients a strict adherence to a gluten-free diet and bioptic supervision of therapy are essential. Treatment aimed solely at abolishing the clinical symptoms obviously bears the risk of a persisting symptomless illness and the danger of late complications.