Intradomain LexA rotation is a prerequisite for DNA binding specificity

In the absence of DNA damage the LexA protein represses the bacterial SOS system. We performed molecular dynamic simulations of two LexA dimers bound to operators. Our model predicted that rotation of the LexA DNA binding domain, with respect to the dimerised C-terminal domain, is required for selective DNA binding. To confirm the model, double and quadruple cysteine LexA mutants were engineered. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assay and surface plasmon resonance showed that disulfide bond formation between the introduced cysteine residues precluded LexA specific DNA binding due to blocked domain reorientation. Our model could provide the basis for novel drug design.     

Differential role of PI3K/Akt pathway in the infarct size limitation and antiarrhythmic protection in the rat heart

Endogenous cardiac protection against prolonged ischemic insult can be achieved by repeated brief episodes of ischemia (hypoxia) or by cardiac adaptation to various stresses such as chronic hypoxia. Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt is involved in antiapoptotic effects, however, it is not clear whether it is required for overall heart salvage including protection against myocardial infarction and arrhythmias. We focussed on the potential common role of PI3K/Akt in anti-infarct protection, in the experimental settings of long-term adaptation to chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHH; 8 h/day, 25–30 exposures, in vivo rats) and acute ischemic preconditioning (IP; Langendorff-perfused hearts). In addition, we explored the role of PI3K/Akt in susceptibility to ischemic ventricular arrhythmias. In normoxic open-chest rats, PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 (LY; 0.3 mg/kg) given 5 min before test occlusion/reperfusion (I/R) did not affect infarct size (IS) normalized to the size of area at risk (AR). In hypoxic rats, LY partially attenuated IS-limiting effect of IHH (IS/AR 59.7 ± 4.1% vs. 51.8 ± 4.4% in the non-treated rats; p > 0.05) and increased IS/AR to its value in normoxic rats (64.9 ± 5.1%). In the isolated hearts, LY (5 μM) applied 15 min prior to I/R completely abolished anti-infarct protection by IP (IS/AR 55.0 ± 4.9% vs. 15.2 ± 1.2% in the non-treated hearts and 42.0 ± 5.5% in the non-preconditioned controls; p < 0.05). In the non-preconditioned hearts, PI3K/Akt inhibition did not modify IS/AR, on the other hand, it markedly suppressed arrhythmias. In the LY-treated isolated hearts, the total number of ventricular premature beats and the incidence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) was reduced from 518 ± 71 and 100% in the controls to 155 ± 15 and 12.5%, respectively (p < 0.05). Moreover, bracketing of IP with LY did not reverse antiarrhythmic effect of IP. These results suggest that activation of PI3K/Akt cascade plays a role in the IS-limiting mechanism in the rat heart, however, it is not involved in the mechanisms of antiarrhythmic protection.     

Biogas production: evaluation of the influence of K2FeO4 pretreatment of maple leaves (Acer platanoides) on microbial consortia composition

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - The potential of K2FeO4 as a pretreatment agent of a lignocellulosic material was examined on leaves of Acer platanodides as the sole substrate for biogas...     

Climate change opens new frontiers for marine species in the Arctic: Current trends and future invasion risks

Climate change and increased anthropogenic activities are expected to elevate the potential of introducing nonindigenous species (NIS) into the Arctic. Yet, the knowledge base needed to identify gaps and priorities for NIS research and management is limited. Here, we reviewed primary introduction events to each ecoregion of the marine Arctic realm to identify temporal and spatial patterns, likely source regions of NIS, and the putative introduction pathways. We included 54 introduction events representing 34 unique NIS. The rate of NIS discovery ranged from zero to four species per year between 1960 and 2015. The Iceland Shelf had the greatest number of introduction events (n = 14), followed by the Barents Sea (n = 11), and the Norwegian Sea (n = 11). Sixteen of the 54 introduction records had no known origins. The majority of those with known source regions were attributed to the Northeast Atlantic and the Northwest Pacific, 19 and 14 records, respectively. Some introduction events were attributed to multiple possible pathways. For these introductions, vessels transferred the greatest number of aquatic NIS (39%) to the Arctic, followed by natural spread (30%) and aquaculture activities (25%). Similar trends were found for introductions attributed to a single pathway. The phyla Arthropoda and Ochrophyta had the highest number of recorded introduction events, with 19 and 12 records, respectively. Recommendations including vector management, horizon scanning, early detection, rapid response, and a pan‐Arctic biodiversity inventory are considered in this paper. Our study provides a comprehensive record of primary introductions of NIS for marine environments in the circumpolar Arctic and identifies knowledge gaps and opportunities for NIS research and management. Ecosystems worldwide will face dramatic changes in the coming decades due to global change. Our findings contribute to the knowledge base needed to address two aspects of global change—invasive species and climate change.     

A comparative study of muscle force estimates using Huxley's and Hill's muscle model

Determination of muscle forces in individual muscles is often essential to assess optimal performance of human motion. Inverse dynamic methods based on the kinematics of the given motion and on the use of optimisation approach are the most widely used for muscle force estimation. The aim of this study was to estimate how the choice of muscle model influences predicted muscle forces. Huxley's (1957, Prog Biophys Biop Chem. 7: 255–318) and Hill's (1938, Proc R Soc B. 126: 136–195) muscle models were used for determination of muscle forces of two antagonistic muscles of the lower extremity during cycling. Huxley's model is a complex model that couples biochemical and physical processes with the microstructure of the muscle whereas the Hill's model is a phenomenological model. Muscle forces predicted by both models are within the same range. Huxley's model predicts more realistic patterns of muscle activation but it is computationally more demanding. Therefore, if the overall muscle forces are to be assessed, it is reasonable to use a simpler implementation based on Hill's model.     

Amniotic membrane properties and current practice of amniotic membrane use in ophthalmology in Slovenia

Amniotic membrane (AM) is the innermost, multilayered part of the placenta. When harvested, processed and stored properly, its properties, stemming from AM biological composition, make it a useful tissue for ophthalmic surgery. AM was shown to have several beneficial effects: it promotes epithelization, has antimicrobial effects, decreases inflammation, fibrosis and neovascularization. Many case reports and case series as well as practical experience (e.g. reconstruction of conjunctival and corneal defects, treatment of corneal ulcers) demonstrated the beneficial effect of AM for different ophthalmological indications. The combination of the above mentioned beneficial effects and reasonable mechanical properties are also the reason why AM is used as a substrate for ex vivo expansion of epithelial progenitor cells. Recently, amnion-derived cells, which also have stem cell characteristics, have been proposed as potential contributors to cell-based treatment of ocular surface disease. However, the use of AM remains one of the least standardized methods in ophthalmic surgery. In this review, the various properties of AM and its current clinical use in ophthalmology in Slovenia are discussed.     

Ex Vivo and In Silico Feasibility Study of Monitoring Electric Field Distribution in Tissue during Electroporation Based Treatments

Magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) was recently proposed for determining electric field distribution during electroporation in which cell membrane permeability is temporary increased by application of an external high electric field. The method was already successfully applied for reconstruction of electric field distribution in agar phantoms. Before the next step towards in vivo experiments is taken, monitoring of electric field distribution during electroporation of ex vivo tissue ex vivo and feasibility for its use in electroporation based treatments needed to be evaluated. Sequences of high voltage pulses were applied to chicken liver tissue in order to expose it to electric field which was measured by means of MREIT. MREIT was also evaluated for its use in electroporation based treatments by calculating electric field distribution for two regions, the tumor and the tumor-liver region, in a numerical model based on data obtained from clinical study on electrochemotherapy treatment of deep-seated tumors. Electric field distribution inside tissue was successfully measured ex vivo using MREIT and significant changes of tissue electrical conductivity were observed in the region of the highest electric field. A good agreement was obtained between the electric field distribution obtained by MREIT and the actual electric field distribution in evaluated regions of a numerical model, suggesting that implementation of MREIT could thus enable efficient detection of areas with insufficient electric field coverage during electroporation based treatments, thus assuring the effectiveness of the treatment.     

α7 nicotinic receptors play a role in regulation of cardiac hemodynamics

The α7 nicotinic receptors (NR) have been confirmed in the heart but their role in cardiac functions has been contradictory. To address these contradictory findings, we analyzed cardiac functions in α7 NR knockout mice (α7^−/−) in vivo and ex vivo in isolated hearts. A standard limb leads electrocardiogram was used, and the pressure curves were recorded in vivo, in Arteria carotis and in the left ventricle, or ex vivo, in the left ventricle of the spontaneously beating isolated hearts perfused following Langedorff's method. Experiments were performed under basic conditions, hypercholinergic conditions, and adrenergic stress. The relative expression levels of α and β NR subunits, muscarinic receptors, β1 adrenergic receptors, and acetylcholine life cycle markers were determined using RT-qPCR. Our results revealed a prolonged QT interval in α7^−/− mice. All in vivo hemodynamic parameters were preserved under all studied conditions. The only difference in ex vivo heart rate between genotypes was the loss of bradycardia in prolonged incubation of isoproterenol-pretreated hearts with high doses of acetylcholine. In contrast, left ventricular systolic pressure was lower under basal conditions and showed a significantly higher increase during adrenergic stimulation. No changes in mRNA expression were observed. In conclusion, α7 NR has no major effect on heart rate, except when stressed hearts are exposed to a prolonged hypercholinergic state, suggesting a role in acetylcholine spillover control. In the absence of extracardiac regulatory mechanisms, left ventricular systolic impairment is revealed.