E-Tools for Personalizing Learning During the Pandemic: Case Study of an Innovative Solution for Remote Teaching.

"Every child counts" has lost its value even from the political discourse of some societies during the pandemic, proving that the level of culture of inclusion is the true standard of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) commitment. Online education and therapy required rethinking the way we educate children with special needs and, implicitly, prepare them for life. We consider that the personalized approach of the therapeutic intervention was the main difficulty.

Packaging of Dinoroseobacter shibae DNA into Gene Transfer Agent Particles Is Not Random.

Gene transfer agents (GTAs) are phage-like particles which contain a fragment of genomic DNA of the bacterial or archaeal producer and deliver this to a recipient cell. GTA gene clusters are present in the genomes of almost all marine Rhodobacteraceae (Roseobacters) and might be important contributors to horizontal gene transfer in the world's oceans. For all organisms studied so far, no obvious evidence of sequence specificity or other nonrandom process responsible for packaging genomic DNA into GTAs has been found.

Gene Flow Across Genus Barriers - Conjugation of Dinoroseobacter shibae's 191-kb Killer Plasmid into Phaeobacter inhibens and AHL-mediated Expression of Type IV Secretion Systems.

Rhodobacteraceae harbor a conspicuous wealth of extrachromosomal replicons (ECRs) and therefore the exchange of genetic material via horizontal transfer has been supposed to be a major evolutionary driving force. Many plasmids in this group encode type IV secretion systems (T4SS) that are expected to mediate transfer of proteins and/or DNA into host cells, but no experimental evidence of either has yet been provided. Dinoroseobacter shibae, a species of the Roseobacter group within the Rhodobacteraceae family, contains five ECRs that are crucial for anaerobic growth, survival under starvation and the pathogenicity of this model organism.

The tetraspanin TSP3 of Neurospora crassa is a vacuolar membrane protein and shares characteristics with IDI proteins.

The fungal vacuole is an organelle, which adopts pleiotropic morphologies and functions. In aging and starving hyphae it is the compartment of degradation and recycling of cellular constituents. Here we identified TSP3, one of three tetraspanins present in the filamentous ascomycete fungus Neurospora crassa, as a vacuolar membrane protein.

Responses of photosystems I and II of Acutodesmus obliquus to chemical stress caused by the use of recycled nutrients.

Nutrients derived from hydrothermal gasification of Acutodesmus obliquus were tested on its biological compatibility to support growth of the same microalgae. Photosynthetic parameters of photosystems I and II (PS I and PS II) were investigated to study physiological effects on the microalgal cell. The nutrients were collected as liquid residues.

Biodiversity of soil cyanobacteria in the hyper-arid Atacama Desert, Chile.

The cyanobacterial diversity of soils of the Atacama Desert (Chile) was investigated using 16S rRNA gene cloning/sequencing directly from soil samples and 16S rRNA gene sequencing from unialgal cultures. Within the hyper-arid Atacama Desert, one of the driest parts of the world, 10 sites with differing altitude and distance to the shore were sampled along a total air-line distance (from south to north) of ~1,100 km. Filamentous cyanobacteria belonging to Nostocophycideae and Synechococcophycideae were present.

Identification of new N-acylhomoserine lactone signalling compounds of Dinoroseobacter shibae DFL-12(T) by overexpression of luxI genes.

Bacteria of the Roseobacter clade are widespread in the ocean and occur in many different habitats. In the genome of Dinoroseobacter shibae DFL-12, luxI homologous genes that encode synthases responsible for the formation of N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) have been described. These compounds are known autoinducers that regulate several biological traits-namely, flagella formation and cell differentiation-in D.

N-acylated alanine methyl esters (NAMEs) from Roseovarius tolerans, structural analogs of quorum-sensing autoinducers, N-acylhomoserine lactones.

The Roseobacter clade is one of the most important bacteria group living in the ocean. Liquid cultures of Roseovarius tolerans EL 164 were investigated for the production of autoinducers such as N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) and other secondary metabolites. The XAD extracts were analyzed by GC/MS.

You are what you talk: quorum sensing induces individual morphologies and cell division modes in Dinoroseobacter shibae.

Dinoroseobacter shibae, a member of the Roseobacter clade abundant in marine environments, is characterized by a pronounced pleomorphism. Cell shapes range from variable-sized ovoid rods to long filaments with a high copy number of chromosomes. Time-lapse microscopy shows cells dividing either by binary fission or by budding from the cell poles.

The German Stain Commission: recommendations for the interpretation of mixed stains.

In the course of forensic DNA analysis, the interpretation of DNA profiles of mixed stains, i.e. cell material from more than a single donor, has become increasingly more important.

Identification of menstrual blood by real time RT-PCR: technical improvements and the practical value of negative test results.

The identification of body fluids can be of crucial importance in forensic casework. Recently we have shown that the detection of cell- and tissue-specific mRNAs is a suitable technique to identify menstrual blood and semen. In this paper we present an improved method using real time-PCR and the menstrual blood marker MMP-7 which increases sensitivity and specificity.

Digital imaging of the dissection and sexual abuse of a corpse - an exceptional case of necrophilia.

Regular necrophilia refers to the sexually motivated abuse of corpses and is not considered as severe crime in many western countries. However, the risk of "switching" to necrophilic homicides, i.e.

History of forensic serology and molecular genetics in the sphere of activity of the German Society for Forensic Medicine.

In the field of forensic serology, essential developmental impulses have come from the sphere of activity of the German Society for Forensic Medicine. Among these are the orientating enzyme-reactive and specific tests for blood using crystallization tests, the determination of the species-specificity of the donor of the stain and the beginning of the individualization of a stain to its donor. Pioneering work has also been done in the development of blood group serology of the conventional markers.

The use of clinical CCT images in the forensic examination of closed head injuries.

The forensic evaluation of clinical cranial computed tomographies (CCT) frequently is the only reliable source of morphological evidence in head injuries when the injured individual survives or when death is delayed and autopsy findings are characterized by secondary changes. We have reviewed 21 cases where clinical CCT examinations were used to establish a medico-legal diagnosis. In 18 cases falls (n = 13) could be distinguished from blows (n = 5) due to the presence and/or absence of coup and contrecoup lesions and linear or depressed skull fractures.

STR analysis of artificially degraded DNA-results of a collaborative European exercise.

Degradation of human DNA extracted from forensic stains is, in most cases, the result of a natural process due to the exposure of the stain samples to the environment. Experiences with degraded DNA from casework samples show that every sample may exhibit different properties in this respect, and that it is difficult to systematically assess the performance of routinely used typing systems for the analysis of degraded DNA samples. Using a batch of artificially degraded DNA with an average fragment size of approx.

Quantification of RNA degradation by semi-quantitative duplex and competitive RT-PCR: a possible indicator of the age of bloodstains?

In vitro RNA degradation is a complex and non-linear process which can serve as indicator for the quality and age of stains. We have developed a semi-quantitative duplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay which, in combination with competitive RT-PCR using an external standard, allows quantification of RNA degradation levels. Using this method, we have investigated 106 bloodstains stored up to 15 years.

Quantification of mRNA degradation as possible indicator of postmortem interval--a pilot study.

Postmortem RNA degradation is a complex process which has not been studied systematically up to now. RNA, in contrast to DNA, is degraded in vivo to control translation and is believed to be less stable than DNA in vitro and postmortem due to ubiquitously present ribonucleases. Quantification of the fragmentation level of human mRNA might be a tool for determination for the time since death.

A method for simultaneous RNA and DNA isolation from dried blood and semen stains.

The origin of forensic stains can be determined by detection of cell- and tissue-specific messenger-RNA (mRNA) using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as demonstrated recently by the authors. However, in cases with limited sample amount DNA analysis has priority in routine forensic laboratory work. The objective of this study was to develop an easy-to-perform method for the simultaneous isolation of RNA and DNA from the same sample.

Sudden death due to pituitary apoplexy.

A case of sudden, unexpected death due to hemorrhage into a large, previously undiagnosed pituitary adenoma (pituitary apoplexy) in a 41-year-old man is presented. Pituitary adenomas are frequent intracranial tumors with usually benign prognosis. Acute hemorrhage into the tumor is a severe and potentially fatal complication, if not diagnosed and treated early, and occurs in up to 10% of cases.

Protamine mRNA as molecular marker for spermatozoa in semen stains.

Cytological detection of spermatozoa with subsequent DNA analysis is the most important biological evidence in sexual crimes when suitable samples are available. Immunological and enzymatic detection of semen-specific proteins may be helpful but cannot replace specific identification of spermatozoa. We have recently shown that detection of cell-specific gene expression can be used to identify menstrual blood.

Evaluation of mRNA markers for the identification of menstrual blood.

The detection of epithelial cells in dried bloodstains by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction is based on cell- and tissue-specific gene expression. In this paper mRNA markers suitable for the identification of menstrual blood were evaluated. RNA isolated from autopsy tissue samples including endometrium, vaginal mucosa, and blood were screened for tissue-specific expression patterns using RT-PCR with primers for hormone receptors, intermediate filaments, matrix metalloproteinases, heat shock proteins, cytokines, and growth factors.

Intracranial stab injuries: case report and case study.

Non-missile penetrating brain injuries are rare events in western countries. We report a case with lethal stab injury of the brain and identification of the weapon used in the assault by digital superimposition on CT scans taken at admission of the victim to a hospital. Furthermore, all cases with knife stab wounds of the skull between 1971 and 2000 were analyzed and compared with literature reports.

Paternity testing after pregnancy termination using laser microdissection of chorionic villi.

We report an unusual case of paternity testing from residues of chorionic villi 5 weeks after pregnancy termination. The autopsy of a 32-year-old female homicide victim revealed the presence of intact chorionic villi at the former placenta implantation site. Fetal cells were selectively isolated by laser-induced microdissection of the remaining villi to avoid contamination with maternal DNA.