Cardiac expression of the CREM repressor isoform CREM-IbΔC-X in mice leads to arrhythmogenic alterations in ventricular cardiomyocytes.

Chronic β-adrenergic stimulation is regarded as a pivotal step in the progression of heart failure which is associated with a high risk for arrhythmia. The cAMP-dependent transcription factors cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) and cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM) mediate transcriptional regulation in response to β-adrenergic stimulation and CREM repressor isoforms are induced after stimulation of the β-adrenoceptor. Here, we investigate whether CREM repressors contribute to the arrhythmogenic remodeling in the heart by analyzing arrhythmogenic alterations in ventricular cardiomyocytes (VCMs) from mice with transgenic expression of the CREM repressor isoform CREM-IbΔC-X (TG).

A COL4A5 mutation with glomerular disease and signs of chronic thrombotic microangiopathy.

COL4A5 mutations are a known cause of Alport syndrome, which typically manifests with haematuria, hearing loss and ocular symptoms. Here we report on a 16-year-old male patient with a negative family history who presented with proteinuria, progressive renal failure and haemolysis, but without overt haematuria or hearing loss. A renal biopsy revealed features of atypical IgA nephropathy, while a second biopsy a year later showed features of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, but was finally diagnosed as chronic thrombotic microangiopathy.

One hundred ABO-incompatible kidney transplantations between 2004 and 2014: a single-centre experience.

Background: ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (ABOi KTx) expands the living donor transplantation options. However, long-term outcome data, especially in comparison with ABO-compatible kidney transplantation (ABOc KTx), remain limited. Since the first ABOi KTx in Germany on 1 April 2004 at our centre, we have followed 100 ABOi KTx over up to 10 years.

Versatile structures of group 13 metal halide complexes with 4,4'-bipy: from 1D coordination polymers to 2D and 3D metal-organic frameworks.

A systematic structural study of complexes formed by aluminium and gallium trihalides with 4,4'-bipyridine (bipy) in 2 : 1, 1 : 1, and 1 : 2 stoichiometric ratios has been performed. Molecular structures of 11 complexes in the solid state have been determined for the first time. Complexes of 2 : 1 composition are molecular, while complexes of 1 : 1 composition form metal-organic frameworks of different kinds: an ionic 3D network (three interpenetrated lvt nets for AlCl3bipy), an ionic 2D network for AlBr3bipy and GaBr3bipy and a 1D coordination polymer in the case of GaCl3bipy.

Stepwise Formation of a 1,3-Butadiene Analogue of Mixed Heavier Group 15 Elements.

The reaction of the phosphinidene complex [Cp*P{W(CO)5}2] (1 a) with di-tert-butylcarboimidophosphene leads to the P-C cage compound 6 and the Lewis acid-base adduct [Cp*P{W(CO)5}2(CNtBu)] (2 a). In contrast, the arsinidene complex shows a different reactivity. At low temperatures, the arsaphosphene complex [{W(CO)5}{η(2)-(Cp*)As=P(tBu)}{W(CO)5}] (3) is formed.

Osteomyelitis Because of Mycobacterium Xenopi in an Immunocompetent Child.

We present the case of a 6-year-old, immunocompetent boy with chronic osteomyelitis of the calcaneus caused by Mycobacterium xenopi. Of note, typical histopathology was not visible on the first biopsy and developed only later over a period of 6 weeks, highlighting the difficult differential diagnosis of osteomyelitis caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria.

Biochemical Characterization of Putative Adenylate Dimethylallyltransferase and Cytokinin Dehydrogenase from Nostoc sp. PCC 7120.

Cytokinins, a class of phytohormones, are adenine derivatives common to many different organisms. In plants, these play a crucial role as regulators of plant development and the reaction to abiotic and biotic stress. Key enzymes in the cytokinin synthesis and degradation in modern land plants are the isopentyl transferases and the cytokinin dehydrogenases, respectively.

Mind the gap; seven reasons to close fragmented genome assemblies.

Like other domains of life, research into the biology of filamentous microbes has greatly benefited from the advent of whole-genome sequencing. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have revolutionized sequencing, making genomic sciences accessible to many academic laboratories including those that study non-model organisms. Thus, hundreds of fungal genomes have been sequenced and are publically available today, although these initiatives have typically yielded considerably fragmented genome assemblies that often lack large contiguous genomic regions.

Kidins220/ARMS binds to the B cell antigen receptor and regulates B cell development and activation.

B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling is critical for B cell development and activation. Using mass spectrometry, we identified a protein kinase D-interacting substrate of 220 kD (Kidins220)/ankyrin repeat-rich membrane-spanning protein (ARMS) as a novel interaction partner of resting and stimulated BCR. Upon BCR stimulation, the interaction increases in a Src kinase-independent manner.

Single-Molecule Real-Time Sequencing Combined with Optical Mapping Yields Completely Finished Fungal Genome.

Unlabelled: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have increased the scalability, speed, and resolution of genomic sequencing and, thus, have revolutionized genomic studies. However, eukaryotic genome sequencing initiatives typically yield considerably fragmented genome assemblies. Here, we assessed various state-of-the-art sequencing and assembly strategies in order to produce a contiguous and complete eukaryotic genome assembly, focusing on the filamentous fungus Verticillium dahliae.

Evaluating exposure of pedestrians to airborne contaminants associated with non-potable water use for pavement cleaning.

Climate change and increasing demography press local authorities to look after affordable water resources and replacement of drinking water for city necessities like street and pavement cleaning by more available raw water. Though, the substitution of drinking by non-drinking resources demands the evaluation of sanitary hazards. This article aims therefore to evaluate the contribution of cleaning water to the overall exposure of city dwellers in case of wet pavement cleaning using crossed physical, chemical and biological approaches.

Dynamics enhanced by HCl doping triggers full Pauling entropy release at the ice XII-XIV transition.

The pressure-temperature phase diagram of ice displays a perplexing variety of structurally distinct phases. In the century-long history of scientific research on ice, the proton-ordered ice phases numbered XIII through XV were discovered only recently. Despite considerable effort, none of the transitions leading from the low-temperature ordered ices VIII, IX, XI, XIII, XIV and XV to their high-temperature disordered counterparts were experimentally found to display the full Pauling entropy.

Annexin A4 is a novel direct regulator of adenylyl cyclase type 5.

Annexin A4 (AnxA4), a Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-binding protein, is up-regulated in the human failing heart. In this study, we examined the impact of AnxA4 on β-adrenoceptor (β-AR)/cAMP-dependent signal transduction. Expression of murine AnxA4 in human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells dose-dependently inhibited cAMP levels after direct stimulation of adenylyl cyclases (ACs) with forskolin (FSK), as determined with an exchange protein activated by cAMP-Förster resonance energy transfer (EPAC-FRET) sensor and an ELISA (control vs.

Draft Genome Sequence of a Strain of Cosmopolitan Fungus Trichoderma atroviride.

An unknown fungus has been isolated as a contaminant of in vitro-grown fungal cultures. In an attempt to identify the contamination, we isolated the causal agent and performed whole-genome sequencing. BLAST analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence against the NCBI database showed 100% identity to Trichoderma atroviride, and further alignment of the genome assembly confirmed the unknown fungus to be T.

Role of vegetation (Typha latifolia) on nutrient removal in a horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetland treating UASB reactor-trickling filter effluent.

The main objective of the work is to characterize the role of plants in a constructed wetland in the removal of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). The experiments were carried out in a full-scale system in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, with two parallel horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetland units (one planted with Typha latifolia and one unplanted) treating the effluent from a system composed of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor and a trickling filter (TF). Each wetland unit received a mean flow of approximately 8.

Members of a recently discovered subfamily of cytokinin receptors display differences and similarities to their classical counterparts.

Cytokinins represent a group of plant hormones that have been shown to be essential for plant growth and development. A recent large-scale phylogenetic analysis of components of the cytokinin signal transduction pathway revealed, among other findings, the existence of a second, previously unknown subfamily of cytokinin receptors. Here we report that the cytokinin binding domains of the members of the 2 subfamilies contain residues that are highly conserved in either or in both subfamilies.

MyD88 in macrophages is critical for abscess resolution in staphylococcal skin infection.

When Staphylococcus aureus penetrates the epidermis and reaches the dermis, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMLs) accumulate and an abscess is formed. However, the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate initiation and termination of inflammation in skin infection are incompletely understood. In human myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) deficiency, staphylococcal skin and soft tissue infections are a leading and potentially life-threatening problem.

The glass transition in high-density amorphous ice.

There has been a long controversy regarding the glass transition in low-density amorphous ice (LDA). The central question is whether or not it transforms to an ultraviscous liquid state above 136 K at ambient pressure prior to crystallization. Currently, the most widespread interpretation of the experimental findings is in terms of a transformation to a superstrong liquid above 136 K.

Reaction of tungsten-phosphinidene and -arsinidene complexes with carbodiimides and alkyl azides: a straightforward way to four-membered heterocycles.

The reaction of the phosphinidene and arsinidene complexes [Cp*E{W(CO)5 }2 ] (E=P (1 a), As (1 b); Cp*=C5 Me5 ) with carbodiimides leads to the new four-membered heterocycles of the type [Cp*C(NR)2 E{W(CO)5 }2 ] (E=P: R=iPr (2 a), Cy (3 a); E=As: R=iPr (2 b), Cy (3 b)). The reaction of phosphinidene complex 1 a with alkyl azides yields the triazaphosphete derivatives [Cp*P{W(CO)5 }N(R)NN{W(CO)5 }] (R=Hex, Cy) (4). These unprecedented N3 P four-membered triazaphosphete complexes can be regarded as stabilized intermediates of the Staudinger reaction, which have not been previously isolated.

Transcription factor cAMP response element modulator (Crem) restrains Pdgf-dependent proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in mice.

Transcription factors of the cAMP response element-binding protein (Creb)/cAMP response element modulator (Crem) family were linked to the switch from a contractile to a proliferating phenotype in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Here, we analyzed the vascular function of Crem in mice with a global inactivation of Crem (Crem(-/-)). CRE-mediated transcriptional activity was enhanced in primary Crem(-/-) VSMCs under nonstimulated conditions and under stimulation with Forskolin and platelet-derived growth factor (Pdgf) whereas stimulation with nitric oxide or cGMP showed no effect.

An update on ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation.

ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation is nowadays a well-established procedure to expand living donor transplantation to blood group incompatible donor/recipient constellations. In the last two decades, transplantation protocols evolved to more specific isohaemagglutinin elimination techniques and established competent antirejection protection protocols without the need of splenectomy. ABOi kidney transplantation associated accommodation despite isohaemagglutinin reappearance, C4d positivity of peritubular capillaries as well as the increased incidence of bleeding complications is currently under intense investigation.

DOWNY MILDEW RESISTANT 6 and DMR6-LIKE OXYGENASE 1 are partially redundant but distinct suppressors of immunity in Arabidopsis.

Arabidopsis downy mildew resistant 6 (dmr6) mutants have lost their susceptibility to the downy mildew Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis. Here we show that dmr6 is also resistant to the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae and the oomycete Phytophthora capsici. Resistance is accompanied by enhanced defense gene expression and elevated salicylic acid levels.

Functional analysis of Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis RXLR effectors.

The biotrophic plant pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis produces a set of putative effector proteins that contain the conserved RXLR motif. For most of these RXLR proteins the role during infection is unknown. Thirteen RXLR proteins from H.