Diatom plastids depend on nucleotide import from the cytosol.

Diatoms are ecologically important algae that acquired their plastids by secondary endosymbiosis, resulting in a more complex cell structure and an altered distribution of metabolic pathways when compared with organisms with primary plastids. Diatom plastids are surrounded by 4 membranes; the outermost membrane is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum. Genome analyses suggest that nucleotide biosynthesis is, in contrast to higher plants, not located in the plastid, but in the cytosol.

Peroxisomal ATP import is essential for seedling development in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Several recent proteomic studies of plant peroxisomes indicate that the peroxisomal matrix harbors multiple ATP-dependent enzymes and chaperones. However, it is unknown whether plant peroxisomes are able to produce ATP by substrate-level phosphorylation or whether external ATP fuels the energy-dependent reactions within peroxisomes. The existence of transport proteins that supply plant peroxisomes with energy for fatty acid oxidation and other ATP-dependent processes has not previously been demonstrated.

Nonmitochondrial ATP/ADP transporters accept phosphate as third substrate.

Chlamydiales and Rickettsiales as metabolically impaired, intracellular pathogenic bacteria essentially rely on "energy parasitism" by the help of nucleotide transporters (NTTs). Also in plant plastids NTT-type carriers catalyze ATP/ADP exchange to fuel metabolic processes. The uptake of ATP4-, followed by energy consumption and the release of ADP3-, would lead to a metabolically disadvantageous accumulation of negative charges in form of inorganic phosphate (Pi) in the bacterium or organelle if no interacting Pi export system exists.

Transthoracic esophagectomy after endoscopic mucosal resection in patients with early esophageal carcinoma.

Introduction: For patients with esophageal carcinoma limited to the mucosa endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is the therapy of choice whereas surgical resection is advocated for submucosal tumors.

Methods: This study analyzes the histopathologic results of patients with early esophageal carcinoma who underwent EMR prior to transthoracic esophagectomy. Sixteen patients with early esophageal carcinoma and EMR as first line treatment were included in this retrospective study.

The relocation of starch metabolism to chloroplasts: when, why and how.

Plastid endosymbiosis was accompanied by the appearance of a novel type of semi-cristalline storage polysaccharide (starch). Interestingly, starch is found in the cytoplasm of Rhodophyceae and Glaucophyta but is localized to the chloroplast stroma of Chloroplastida. The pathway is presumed to have been cytosolic in the common ancestor of the three Archaeplastida lineages.

Characterization of the Arabidopsis Brittle1 transport protein and impact of reduced activity on plant metabolism.

The Arabidopsis genome contains a gene (Atbt1) encoding a highly hydrophobic membrane protein of the mitochondrial carrier family, with six predicted transmembrane domains, and showing substantial structural similarity to Brittle1 proteins from maize and potato. We demonstrate that AtBT1 transports AMP, ADP and ATP (but not ADP-glucose), shows a unidirectional mode of transport, and locates to the plastidial membrane and not to the ER as previously proposed. Analysis using an Atbt1 promoter-GUS construct revealed substantial gene expression in rapidly growing root tips and maturating or germinating pollen.

Endoscopic full-thickness plication for the treatment of GERD by application of multiple Plicator implants: a multicenter study (with video).

Background: The full-thickness Plicator allows transmural suturing at the gastroesophageal (GE) junction to restructure the antireflux barrier. Studies of the Plicator procedure to date have been limited to placement of a single transmural suture to create the endoscopic gastroplication.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of placing multiple transmural sutures for the treatment of GERD.

Thiol oxidation in bacteria, mitochondria and chloroplasts: common principles but three unrelated machineries?

The intermembrane space of mitochondria and the thylakoid lumen of chloroplasts are evolutionary descendents of the periplasmic space of bacteria. Presumably due to their common ancestry, the active oxidation of cysteinyl thiols is used in these three compartments in order to stabilize protein folding or to regulate protein function. In contrast, compartments of the eukaryotic cell which developed from the bacterial cytosol maintain cysteine residues largely reduced.

Citrate uptake into Pectobacterium atrosepticum is critical for bacterial virulence.

To analyze whether metabolite import into Pectobacterium atrosepticum cells affects bacterial virulence, we investigated the function of a carrier which exhibits significant structural homology to characterized carboxylic-acid transport proteins. The corresponding gene, ECA3984, previously annotated as coding for a Na(+)/sulphate carrier, in fact encodes a highly specific citrate transporter (Cit1) which is energized by the proton-motive force. Expression of the cit1 gene is stimulated by the presence of citrate in the growth medium and is substantial during growth of P.

Overriding the co-limiting import of carbon and energy into tuber amyloplasts increases the starch content and yield of transgenic potato plants.

Transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants simultaneously over-expressing a pea (Pisum sativum) glucose-6-phosphate/phosphate translocator (GPT) and an Arabidopsis thaliana adenylate translocator (NTT1) in tubers were generated. Double transformants exhibited an enhanced tuber yield of up to 19%, concomitant with an additional increased starch content of up to 28%, compared with control plants. The total starch content produced in tubers per plant was calculated to be increased by up to 44% in double transformants relative to the wild-type.

Chemotaxis towards, adhesion to, and growth in carp gut mucus of two Aeromonas hydrophila strains with different pathogenicity for common carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

Characteristics that promote bacterial colonization of the intestinal mucosal surface were examined in two strains of the common fish pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila, with different pathogenicity. The characteristics examined were chemotactic activity towards mucus, bacterial adherence to mucus and growth in mucus. Intestinal gut mucus of healthy common carp was used.

Identification of a novel adenine nucleotide transporter in the endoplasmic reticulum of Arabidopsis.

Many metabolic reactions in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) require high levels of energy in the form of ATP, which is important for cell viability. Here, we report on an adenine nucleotide transporter residing in the ER membranes of Arabidopsis thaliana (ER-ANT1). Functional integration of ER-ANT1 in the cytoplasmic membrane of intact Escherichia coli cells reveals a high specificity for an ATP/ADP antiport.

[Short version of the updated S3 (level 3) guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of gallstones of the German Society for Digestive and Metabolic Diseases and the German Society for the Surgery of the Alimentary Tract].

This short version of the guidelines summarizes the evidence-based key recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of gallstones. The guidelines were developed by an interdisciplinary team of gastroenterologists, surgeons, radiologists, geneticists, and patient support groups, under the auspice of the German Society for Gastroenterology and Metabolic Diseases and the German Society for General Surgery and Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. It used structural level 3 consensus-based methodology and includes statements on clinical practice, prevention, quality assurance, outcome analysis, and integration of outpatient and inpatient care for patients with gallstone disease.

Therapy of Zenker's diverticulum.

Introduction: Zenker's diverticulum is a rare disease, which can cause considerable suffering. The classic presentation is worsening dysphagia. Anatomically there is a loose bulge of the dorsal wall of the hypopharynx.

Biochemical and histochemical effects of perorally applied endotoxin on intestinal mucin glycoproteins of the common carp Cyprinus carpio.

Mucins are high molecular weight glycoproteins produced by goblet cells and secreted on mucosal surfaces. We investigated biochemical and histochemical properties of intestinal mucins of virus- and parasite-free common carp Cyprinus carpio in response to a single peroral application of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide = LPS). Intracellular mucins were quantified histochemically by their carbohydrate content and characterized by specific, lectin-based methods.

[S3-guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of gallstones. German Society for Digestive and Metabolic Diseases and German Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract].

This guideline provides evidence-based key recommendations for diagnosis and therapy of gallstones and upgrades version 2000. It was developed by an interdisciplinary team of gastroenterologists, surgeons, radiologists, geneticists, external comparative quality assurance and patient support groups under the auspices of the German Society for Digestive and Metabolic Diseases and the German Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. The guideline used structural S3 consensus-based methodology and includes statements on clinical practice, prevention, outcome analysis, and integration of outpatient and inpatient care for patients with gallstone diseases.

Enlightening energy parasitism by analysis of an ATP/ADP transporter from chlamydiae.

Energy parasitism by ATP/ADP transport proteins is an essential, common feature of intracellular bacteria such as chlamydiae and rickettsiae, which are major pathogens of humans. Although several ATP/ADP transport proteins have so far been characterized, some fundamental questions regarding their function remained unaddressed. In this study, we focused on the detailed biochemical analysis of a representative ATP/ADP transporter (PamNTT1), from the amoeba symbiont Protochlamydia amoebophila (UWE25) to further clarify the principle of energy exploitation.

Novel tonoplast transporters identified using a proteomic approach with vacuoles isolated from cauliflower buds.

Young meristematic plant cells contain a large number of small vacuoles, while the largest part of the vacuome in mature cells is composed by a large central vacuole, occupying 80% to 90% of the cell volume. Thus far, only a limited number of vacuolar membrane proteins have been identified and characterized. The proteomic approach is a powerful tool to identify new vacuolar membrane proteins.

Molecular and biochemical analysis of the plastidic ADP-glucose transporter (ZmBT1) from Zea mays.

Physiological studies on the Brittle1 maize mutant have provided circumstantial evidence that ZmBT1 (Zea mays Brittle1 protein) is involved in the ADP-Glc transport into maize endosperm plastids, but up to now, no direct ADP-Glc transport mediated by ZmBT1 has ever been shown. The heterologous synthesis of ZmBT1 in Escherichia coli cells leads to the functional integration of ZmBT1 into the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. ZmBT1 transports ADP-Glc in counterexchange with ADP with apparent affinities of about 850 and 465 mum, respectively.

First data on the palliative treatment of patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction using the WallFlex enteral stent: a retrospective multicenter study.

Background And Study Aims: Gastric outlet obstruction can occur as a late complication of a variety of cancers. Palliation of the obstructive symptoms is the primary aim of treatment in these patients. Self-expandable metal stents have emerged as a promising treatment option.

In-vivo microvascular imaging of early squamous-cell cancer of the esophagus by confocal laser endomicroscopy.

We present the case of a 63-year-old man with an early esophageal squamous-cell cancer that was visualized and analyzed by fluorescein-aided confocal laser endomicroscopic imaging. Our findings indicate that endomicroscopy is readily able to provide images of microvessels and to differentiate between normal and abnormal tumor vessels. Endomicroscopy therefore has the potential to characterize microvascular changes in early squamous-cell cancer, suggesting that this technique might have major implications for optimizing treatment strategies in modern endoscopy.