Ca/calmodulin signaling in organismal aging and cellular senescence: Impact on human diseases.

Molecular mechanisms of aging processes at the level of organisms and cells are in the focus of a large number of research laboratories. This research culminated in recent breakthroughs, which contributed to the better understanding of the natural aging process and aging associated malfunctions leading to age-related diseases. Ca in connection with its master intracellular sensor protein calmodulin (CaM) regulates a plethora of crucial cellular processes orchestrating a wide range of signaling processes.

A note of caution for using calmodulin antibodies.

Calmodulin (CaM) is a ubiquitous intracellular calcium receptor that regulates a plethora of cellular functions through interactions with target proteins. In mammals, an identical Calmodulin protein is expressed by 3 independent genes (CALM1, CALM2, CALM3). Therefore, antibodies generated against either of the three products (CaM1, CaM2, CaM3) of these genes cannot be distinguished, and conclusions based on the supposedly specific CaM antibodies claiming functions of one of the 3 genes may be misleading.

Nurses' and physicians' reported difficulties and enablers to recognising and reporting child abuse in Swiss paediatric emergency and paediatric surgery departments - an observational study.

Background: Under-detection and under-reporting of child abuse remains a considerable challenge in paediatric care, with a high number of cases missed each year in Switzerland and abroad. Published data regarding the obstacles and facilitators of detecting and reporting child maltreatment among paediatric nursing and medical staff in the paediatric emergency department (PED) are scarce. Despite the existence of international guidelines, the measures taken to counteract the incomplete detection of harm done to children in paediatric care are insufficient.

Genetic variation and microbiota in bumble bees cross-infected by different strains of C. bombi.

The bumblebee Bombus terrestris is commonly infected by a trypanosomatid gut parasite Crithidia bombi. This system shows a striking degree of genetic specificity where host genotypes are susceptible to different genotypes of parasite. To a degree, variation in host gene expression underlies these differences, however, the effects of standing genetic variation has not yet been explored.

Differential expression of the three independent CaM genes coding for an identical protein: Potential relevance of distinct mRNA stability by different codon usage.

The Ca-sensor protein calmodulin (CaM) is a major regulator of multiple cell functions. A unique and puzzling feature of human, and all so far investigated mammals, is the presence of three distinct CaM genes on different chromosomes, which code for identical proteins. How this case of apparent genetic redundancy evolved and why it could be to the advantage of the mammalian organisms is not well established.