Chemosensory systems interact to shape relevant traits for bacterial plant pathogenesis.

Unlabelled: Chemosensory systems allow bacteria to respond and adapt to environmental conditions. Many bacteria contain more than one chemosensory system, but knowledge of their specific roles in regulating different functions remains scarce. Here, we address this issue by analyzing the function of the F6, F8, and alternative (non-motility) cellular functions (ACF) chemosensory systems of the model plant pathogen pv.

Buried graphene heterostructures for electrostatic doping of low-dimensional materials.

The fabrication and characterization of steep slope transistor devices based on low-dimensional materials requires precise electrostatic doping profiles with steep spatial gradients in order to maintain maximum control over the channel. In this proof-of-concept study we present a versatile graphene heterostructure platform with three buried individually addressable gate electrodes. The platform is based on a vertical stack of embedded titanium and graphene separated by an intermediate oxide to provide an almost planar surface.

How advances in cryo-electron tomography have contributed to our current view of bacterial cell biology.

Advancements in the field of cryo-electron tomography have greatly contributed to our current understanding of prokaryotic cell organization and revealed intracellular structures with remarkable architecture. In this review, we present some of the prominent advancements in cryo-electron tomography, illustrated by a subset of structural examples to demonstrate the power of the technique. More specifically, we focus on technical advances in automation of data collection and processing, sample thinning approaches, correlative cryo-light and electron microscopy, and sub-tomogram averaging methods.

Should dispersers be fast learners? Modeling the role of cognition in dispersal syndromes.

Both cognitive abilities and dispersal tendencies can vary strongly between individuals. Since cognitive abilities may help dealing with unknown circumstances, it is conceivable that dispersers may rely more heavily on learning abilities than residents. However, cognitive abilities are costly and leaving a familiar place might result in losing the advantage of having learned to deal with local conditions.

In situ imaging of bacterial outer membrane projections and associated protein complexes using electron cryo-tomography.

The ability to produce outer membrane projections in the form of tubular membrane extensions (MEs) and membrane vesicles (MVs) is a widespread phenomenon among diderm bacteria. Despite this, our knowledge of the ultrastructure of these extensions and their associated protein complexes remains limited. Here, we surveyed the ultrastructure and formation of MEs and MVs, and their associated protein complexes, in tens of thousands of electron cryo-tomograms of ~90 bacterial species that we have collected for various projects over the past 15 years (Jensen lab database), in addition to data generated in the Briegel lab.

[Antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulation in patients with coronary heart disease].

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a dynamic process with acute instable events and chronic periods leading to an increased mortality. Patients with CHD benefit from a differentiated antithrombotic therapy consisting of dual antiplatelet therapy in the acute phase and antiplatelet monotherapy or in combination with low dose anticoagulation (Xa-Inhibition) in the chronic phase. Current ESC-guidelines differentiate the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the chronic coronary syndrome (CCS).

High-Throughput Phenotyping of Dynamic Canopy Traits Associated with Stay-Green in Grain Sorghum.

Drought is a recurring phenomenon that puts crop yields at risk and threatens the livelihoods of many people around the globe. Stay-green is a drought adaption phenotype found in sorghum and other cereals. Plants expressing this phenotype show less drought-induced senescence and maintain functional green leaves for longer when water limitation occurs during grain fill, conferring benefits in both yield and harvestability.

Characterization of a Mo-Nitrogenase Variant Containing a Citrate-Substituted Cofactor.

Nitrogenase converts N to NH , and CO to hydrocarbons, at its cofactor site. Herein, we report a biochemical and spectroscopic characterization of a Mo-nitrogenase variant expressed in an Azotobacter vinelandii strain containing a deletion of nifV, the gene encoding the homocitrate synthase. Designated NifDK , the catalytic component of this Mo-nitrogenase variant contains a citrate-substituted cofactor analogue.

Modelling the evolution of cognitive styles.

Background: Individuals consistently differ in behaviour, exhibiting so-called personalities. In many species, individuals differ also in their cognitive abilities. When personalities and cognitive abilities occur in distinct combinations, they can be described as 'cognitive styles'.

Experimental Methods for Efficient Solar Hydrogen Production in Microgravity Environment.

Long-term space flights and cis-lunar research platforms require a sustainable and light life-support hardware which can be reliably employed outside the Earth's atmosphere. So-called 'solar fuel' devices, currently developed for terrestrial applications in the quest for realizing a sustainable energy economy on Earth, provide promising alternative systems to existing air-revitalization units employed on the International Space Station (ISS) through photoelectrochemical water-splitting and hydrogen production. One obstacle for water (photo-) electrolysis in reduced gravity environments is the absence of buoyancy and the consequential, hindered gas bubble release from the electrode surface.

A V-Nitrogenase Variant Containing a Citrate-Substituted Cofactor.

Nitrogenases catalyze the ambient reduction of N and CO at its cofactor site. Herein we present a biochemical and spectroscopic characterization of an Azotobacter vinelandii V nitrogenase variant expressing a citrate-substituted cofactor. Designated VnfDGK , the catalytic component of this V nitrogenase variant has an αβ (δ) subunit composition and carries an 8Fe P* cluster and a citrate-substituted V cluster analogue in the αβ dimer, as well as a 4Fe cluster in the "orphaned" β-subunit.

Need for speed: Short lifespan selects for increased learning ability.

It is generally assumed that an investment into cognitive abilities and their associated cost is particularly beneficial for long-lived species, as a prolonged lifespan allows to recoup the initial investment. However, ephemeral organisms possess astonishing cognitive abilities too. Invertebrates, for example, are capable of simple associative learning, reversal learning, and planning.

Bacterial community composition of biofilms in milking machines of two dairy farms assessed by a combination of culture-dependent and -independent methods.

Dairy biofilms as a source of contamination of milk and its products are of great concern in the dairy industry. For a reliable risk assessment, knowledge about the microbial community composition of biofilms in the milking systems of dairy farms must be improved. In this work, swab samples of milking machine biofilms of two dairy farms were investigated by a combination of culture-dependent and -independent methods.

Structural Analysis of a Nitrogenase Iron Protein from Methanosarcina acetivorans: Implications for CO Capture by a Surface-Exposed [FeS] Cluster.

Nitrogenase iron (Fe) proteins reduce CO to CO and/or hydrocarbons under ambient conditions. Here, we report a 2.4-Å crystal structure of the Fe protein from (NifH), which is generated in the presence of a reductant, dithionite, and an alternative CO source, bicarbonate.

Patient involvement in clinical trials: motivation and expectations differ between patients and researchers involved in a trial on urinary tract infections.

Plain English Summary: Patients should be involved in the design, conduct and dissemination of research that affects them. Patient involvement leads to empowerment and enhances the quality of research. Differing motives and expectations between researchers and patients involved can hamper involvement.

Early nonreactivity in the conjunctival provocation test predicts beneficial outcome of sublingual immunotherapy.

Background: Clinical practice needs a common parameter that can provide an early, reliable estimation of the outcome of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in an upcoming pollen season. We investigated whether the conjunctival provocation test (CPT) can predict the beneficial outcome of SLIT in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis after 4 weeks of treatment.

Methods: We conducted two separate prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trials.

Efficient solar hydrogen generation in microgravity environment.

Long-term space missions require extra-terrestrial production of storable, renewable energy. Hydrogen is ascribed a crucial role for transportation, electrical power and oxygen generation. We demonstrate in a series of drop tower experiments that efficient direct hydrogen production can be realized photoelectrochemically in microgravity environment, providing an alternative route to existing life support technologies for space travel.

A Comparative Analysis of the CO-Reducing Activities of MoFe Proteins Containing Mo- and V-Nitrogenase Cofactors.

The Mo and V nitrogenases are structurally homologous yet catalytically distinct in their abilities to reduce CO to hydrocarbons. Here we report a comparative analysis of the CO-reducing activities of the Mo- and V-nitrogenase cofactors (i.e.

RCAT reflects symptom control and quality of life in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients.

Background: The Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA LEN) Taskforce has requested more data on correlations between various patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical trials on allergy. We compared three tools-the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (RCAT), Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) and Rhinitis Total Symptom Score (RTSS)-to determine whether the RCAT alone is a sufficient primary outcome parameter in clinical trials on allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Methods: In two double-blind, placebo-controlled immunotherapy studies, 33 patients allergic to grass pollen and 94 to birch pollen completed two questionnaires (RCAT and RQLQ) and kept their own symptom diary from which the RTSS was calculated.

Tuning Electron Flux through Nitrogenase with Methanogen Iron Protein Homologues.

Nitrogenase uses a reductase component called Fe protein to deliver electrons to its catalytic partner for substrate reduction. The essential role of Fe protein in catalysis makes it an ideal target for regulating the electron flux and enzymatic activity of nitrogenase without perturbing the cofactor site. This work reports that hybrids between the Fe protein homologs of Methanosarcina acetivorans and the catalytic components of Azotobacter vinelandii can trap substrate CO through reduced electron fluxes.

Social makes smart: rearing conditions affect learning and social behaviour in jumping spiders.

There is a long-standing debate as to whether social or physical environmental aspects drive the evolution and development of cognitive abilities. Surprisingly few studies make use of developmental plasticity to compare the effects of these two domains during development on behaviour later in life. Here, we present rearing effects on the development of learning abilities and social behaviour in the jumping spider Marpissa muscosa.

The synganglion of the jumping spider Marpissa muscosa (Arachnida: Salticidae): Insights from histology, immunohistochemistry and microCT analysis.

Jumping spiders are known for their extraordinary cognitive abilities. The underlying nervous system structures, however, are largely unknown. Here, we explore and describe the anatomy of the brain in the jumping spider Marpissa muscosa (Clerck, 1757) by means of paraffin histology, X-ray microCT analysis and immunohistochemistry as well as three-dimensional reconstruction.