UV-vis absorbance spectra, molar extinction coefficients and circular dichroism spectra for the two cyanobacterial metabolites anabaenopeptin A and anabaenopeptin B.

The UV-vis absorbance spectra, molar extinction coefficients and circular dichroism spectra, as well as NMR and high resolution tandem mass spectrometry spectra were determined for two prominent secondary metabolites from cyanobacteria, namely anabaenopeptin A and anabaenopeptin B. The compounds were extracted from the cyanobacterium CBT929 and purified by flash chromatography and HPLC. Exact amounts of isolated compounds were assessed by quantitative H-NMR with internal calibrant ethyl 4-(dimethylamino)benzoate in DMSO‑ at 298 K with a recycle delay (d1) of 120 s.

Precursor-Directed Biosynthesis and Fluorescence Labeling of Clickable Microcystins.

Microcystins, cyclic nonribosomal heptapeptides, are the most well-known cyanobacterial toxins. They are exceptionally well studied, but open questions remain concerning their physiological role for the producing microorganism or their suitability as lead compounds for anticancer drug development. One means to study specialized metabolites in more detail is the introduction of functional groups that make a compound amenable for bioorthogonal, so-called click reactions.

Identification of a triacylglycerol lipase in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

Diatoms accumulate triacylglycerols (TAGs) as storage lipids, but the knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of lipid metabolism is still sparse. Starting from a partial sequence for a putative TAG-lipase of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum retrieved from the data bases, we have identified the full length coding sequence, tgl1. The gene encodes an 813 amino acid sequence that shows distinct motifs for so called "true" TAG-lipases [EC 3.

Nonacetogenic growth of the acetogen Acetobacterium woodii on 1,2-propanediol.

Acetogenic bacteria can grow by the oxidation of various substrates coupled to the reduction of CO2 in the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Here, we show that growth of the acetogen Acetobacterium woodii on 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PD) as the sole carbon and energy source is independent of acetogenesis. Enzymatic measurements and metabolite analysis revealed that 1,2-PD is dehydrated to propionaldehyde, which is further oxidized to propionyl coenzyme A (propionyl-CoA) with concomitant reduction of NAD.

A comprehensive insight into the lipid composition of Myxococcus xanthus by UPLC-ESI-MS.

Analysis of whole cell lipid extracts of bacteria by means of ultra-performance (UP)LC-MS allows a comprehensive determination of the lipid molecular species present in the respective organism. The data allow conclusions on its metabolic potential as well as the creation of lipid profiles, which visualize the organism's response to changes in internal and external conditions. Herein, we describe: i) a fast reversed phase UPLC-ESI-MS method suitable for detection and determination of individual lipids from whole cell lipid extracts of all polarities ranging from monoacylglycerophosphoethanolamines to TGs; ii) the first overview of a wide range of lipid molecular species in vegetative Myxococcus xanthus DK1622 cells; iii) changes in their relative composition in selected mutants impaired in the biosynthesis of α-hydroxylated FAs, sphingolipids, and ether lipids; and iv) the first report of ceramide phosphoinositols in M.

A multifunctional enzyme is involved in bacterial ether lipid biosynthesis.

Fatty acid-derived ether lipids are present not only in most vertebrates but also in some bacteria. Here we describe what is to our knowledge the first gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of such lipids in myxobacteria that encodes the multifunctional enzyme ElbD, which shows similarity to polyketide synthases. Initial characterization of elbD mutants in Myxococcus xanthus and Stigmatella aurantiaca showed the importance of these ether lipids for fruiting body formation and sporulation.

The science of exoplanets and their systems.

A scientific forum on "The Future Science of Exoplanets and Their Systems," sponsored by Europlanet and the International Space Science Institute (ISSI) and co-organized by the Center for Space and Habitability (CSH) of the University of Bern, was held during December 5 and 6, 2012, in Bern, Switzerland. It gathered 24 well-known specialists in exoplanetary, Solar System, and stellar science to discuss the future of the fast-expanding field of exoplanetary research, which now has nearly 1000 objects to analyze and compare and will develop even more quickly over the coming years. The forum discussions included a review of current observational knowledge, efforts for exoplanetary atmosphere characterization and their formation, water formation, atmospheric evolution, habitability aspects, and our understanding of how exoplanets interact with their stellar and galactic environment throughout their history.

Radiation exposure to family caregivers and nurses of pediatric neuroblastoma patients receiving 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) therapy.

Purpose: (131)I-MIBG provides molecularly targeted radiotherapy for pediatric neuroblastoma patients with relapsed or refractory disease. At our institution, designated family caregivers and nurses participate in the care of the child during hospital isolation for approximately 3-5 days post-administration. The purpose of this study was to measure radiation exposure to family caregivers and nurses caring for children with neuroblastoma during their stay in the hospital for (131)I-MIBG therapy.

Cytosolic re-localization and optimization of valine synthesis and catabolism enables inseased isobutanol production with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Background: The branched chain alcohol isobutanol exhibits superior physicochemical properties as an alternative biofuel. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae naturally produces low amounts of isobutanol as a by-product during fermentations, resulting from the catabolism of valine. As S.

Determination of the absolute configuration of peptide natural products by using stable isotope labeling and mass spectrometry.

Structure elucidation of natural products including the absolute configuration is a complex task that involves different analytical methods like mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, and chemical derivation, which are usually performed after the isolation of the compound of interest. Here, a combination of stable isotope labeling of Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus strains and their transaminase mutants followed by detailed MS analysis enabled the structure elucidation of novel cyclopeptides named GameXPeptides including their absolute configuration in crude extracts without their actual isolation.

Iodine-131-labeled meta-iodobenzylguanidine therapy of children with neuroblastoma: program planning and initial experience.

Patients with high-risk neuroblastoma have a poor prognosis, especially in cases of recurrent or relapsed disease. Iodine-131-labeled meta-iodobenzylguanidine ((131)I-MIBG) can be an effective and relatively well-tolerated agent for the treatment of refractory neuroblastoma. Establishing an MIBG therapy program requires a great deal of planning, availability of hospital resources, and the commitment of individuals with training and expertise in multiple disciplines.

Isoprenoids are essential for fruiting body formation in Myxococcus xanthus.

It was recently shown that Myxococcus xanthus harbors an alternative and reversible biosynthetic pathway to isovaleryl coenzyme A (CoA) branching from 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA. Analyses of various mutants in these pathways for fatty acid profiles and fruiting body formation revealed for the first time the importance of isoprenoids for myxobacterial development.

Demixing of hydrogen and helium at megabar pressures.

We present results of ab initio finite-temperature density functional theory molecular dynamics simulations for fluid hydrogen-helium mixtures at megabar pressures. The location of the miscibility gap is derived from the equation of state data. We find a close relation between hydrogen-helium phase separation and the continuous nonmetal-to-metal transition in hydrogen.

Myxotyrosides A and B, Unusual rhamnosides from Myxococcus sp.

Myxobacteria are gliding bacteria of the delta-subdivision of the Proteobacteria and known for their unique biosynthetic capabilities. Two examples of a new class of metabolites, myxotyrosides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from a Myxococcus sp. The myxotyrosides have a tyrosine-derived core structure glycosylated with rhamnose and acylated with unusual fatty acids such as (Z)-15-methyl-2-hexadecenoic and (Z)-2-hexadecenoic acid.

[A new measuring device for computer-assisted imaging of the form and flexibility of the spine].

Our aim is to present a new method to examine spinal mobility and spine shape excluding torsional scoliosis. In comparison to measuring devices of the spine used so far, this noninvasive and easy to use method documents altered patterns of intervertebral mobility of the lumbar and thoracic spine. This may lead to a broader application of the triflexometer as a diagnostic tool for orthopedic and rheumatologic diseases that can decrease the frequency of X-ray exposure if used in combination with radiographs.

A prototype multidisciplinary cancer screening clinic for the military medical facility.

Optimal treatment of cancer depends upon early diagnosis. With an aging retiree and dependent population, cancer diagnosis and management must be addressed by military medical treatment facilities (MTFs) in a coherent and cost-effective fashion. A prototype multidisciplinary cancer screening clinic is described which interdigitated MTF and local American Cancer Society resources.