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DNA methylation in bacteria is important for defense against foreign DNA, but is also involved in DNA repair, replication, chromosome partitioning, and regulatory processes. Thus, characterization of the underlying DNA methyltransferases in genetically tractable bacteria is of paramount importance. Here, we characterized the methylome and orphan methyltransferases in the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Single molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing revealed four DNA methylation recognition sequences in addition to the previously known motif m5CGATCG, which is recognized by M.Ssp6803I. For three of the new recognition sequences, we identified the responsible methyltransferases. M.Ssp6803II, encoded by the sll0729 gene, modifies GGm4CC, M.Ssp6803III, encoded by slr1803, represents the cyanobacterial dam-like methyltransferase modifying Gm6ATC, and M.Ssp6803V, encoded by slr6095 on plasmid pSYSX, transfers methyl groups to the bipartite motif GGm6AN7TTGG/CCAm6AN7TCC. The remaining methylation recognition sequence GAm6AGGC is probably recognized by methyltransferase M.Ssp6803IV encoded by slr6050. M.Ssp6803III and M.Ssp6803IV were essential for the viability of Synechocystis, while the strains lacking M.Ssp6803I and M.Ssp6803V showed growth similar to the wild type. In contrast, growth was strongly diminished of the Δsll0729 mutant lacking M.Ssp6803II. These data provide the basis for systematic studies on the molecular mechanisms impacted by these methyltransferases.

Motivation: Die Physiotherapie ist eine der wichtigsten Rehabilitationsmethoden [ref:1]. Vor allem Schlaganfallpatienten profitieren von einer physiotherapeutischen Behandlung [ref:2]. In Deutschland kommt es jährlich zu etwa 270.000 Schlaganfällen, die u.a. halbseitige[zum vollständigen Text gelangen Sie über die oben angegebene URL], 64. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Medizinische Informatik, Biometrie und Epidemiologie e.V. (GMDS)

International audience; N2 fixation fuels ~ 50 % of new primary production in the oligotrophic South Pacific Ocean. The VAHINE experiment has been designed to track the fate of diazotroph derived nitrogen (DDN) and carbon within a coastal lagoon ecosystem in a comprehensive way. For this, large-volume (~ 50 m3) mesocosms were deployed in the New Caledonia lagoon and were intentionally fertilized with dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) to stimulate N2 fixation. This study examined the temporal dynamics of the prokaryotic community together with the evolution of biogeochemical parameters for 23 consecutive days in one of these mesocosms (M1) and in the Nouméa lagoon using MiSeq 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We observed clear successions within M1, some of which were not mirrored in the lagoon. The dominating classes in M1 were alpha- and gammaproteobacteria, cyanobacteria (mainly Synechococcus), eukaryotic microalgae, on days 10 and 14 Marine Group II euryarchaea, on days 12-23 also Flavobacteriia. Enclosure led to significant changes in the M1 microbial community, probably initiated by the early decay of Synechococcus and diatoms. However, we did not detect a pronounced bottle effect with a copiotroph-dominated community. The fertilization with ~ 0.8 μM DIP on day 4 did not have directly observable effects on the overall community within M1, as the data samples obtained from before and four days after fertilization clustered together, but likely influenced the development of individual populations later on, like Defluviicoccus-related bacteria and UCYN-C type diazotrophic cyanobacteria. Growth of UCYN-C led to among the highest N2 fixation rates ever measured in this region and enhanced growth of nearly all abundant heterotrophic groups in M1. We further show that different Rhodobacteraceae were the most efficient heterotrophs in the investigated system and we observed niche partitioning within the SAR86 clade. Whereas the location in- or outside the mesocosm had a significant effect on community composition, the temporal effect was significantly stronger and similar in both locations, suggesting that overarching abiotic factors were more influential than the enclosure. While temporal community changes were evident, prokaryotic diversity (Shannon Index) only declined slightly from ~ 6.5 to 5.7 or 6.05 in the lagoon and M1, respectively, throughout the experiment, highlighting the importance of multiple and varying sources of organic matter maintaining competition.

Einleitung: Die konventionelle Marsupialisation des Wharton´schen und Stenon´schen Ganges bei Sialothiasis von Glandula submandibularis und parotidea stellt eine etablierte chirurgische Methode dar. Schwierigkeiten dieses sonst risikoarmen Eingriffs bestehen bei akuten Entzündungen, da durch Blutung und Schwellung die Übersichtlichkeit erheblich reduziert ist.Material und Methode: Berichtet wird über die Erfahrung der CO2-Laser-Marsupialisation bei insgesamt 15 Patienten. Davon wurden 12 Marsupialisation am Wharton´schen Gang und 3 am Stenon´schen Gang durchgeführt.Ergebnisse: Insgesamt konnten in 10 Fällen ein oder mehrere Speichelsteine entfernt werden. Alle Patienten berichteten in einem Nachbeobachtungszeitraum von 3 Monaten über ein Sistieren der Beschwerden oder aber eine erhebliche Besserung. Bei 3 Patienten kam es zu einem Wiederauftreten der Beschwerden und in einem Fall verblieben Steine im Bereich des proximalen Wharton´schen Ganges. Nervenläsionen fanden sich bei keinem Patienten. Alle erhielten eine postoperative Schmerzmedikation mit Diclofenac.Schlussfolgerungen: Bei der Marsupialisation war durch den Einsatz des CO2-Lasers auch bei deutlichen Entzündungszeichen ein blutfreies Operieren möglich. Die Methode ist eine risikoarme, dem konventionellen Vorgehen bei schwierigen Verhältnissen überlegene chirurgische Therapie, welche bei Verfügbarkeit der Technik leicht durchführbar ist.

Scanning electron microscopy, when applied to the surfaces of the needles of Taxus spp. (yew) revealed features that appear useful in the taxonomy of this tree species which yields the important anticancer drug, taxol. For instance, all of the four North American species have 3-5 rows of stomata on one-half of the abaxial leaf surface, whereas all of the others, including those from Europe and Asia, have 7-10 rows of stomata. The appearance of individual or fused papilliform epidermal cells and their arrangement on the leaf surface also is a feature that varies between species. Patterns of wax formation appeared on all species of yew examined but none could characteristically be assigned to a given species. Wax pattern variation was dependent upon age, environment, and probably to some extent, species differences. This study may provide some additional useful and reliable indicators in Taxus taxonomy.

The present study was performed to provide a better understanding of the morphological variations of mammalian hair. Terminal hair samples were obtained from different regions of the body of the same Caucasian male. All hair samples were either cleaned or treated before being examined with scanning electron microscopy. As human scalp hair grew it appeared small like lanugo hair, but the increase in diameter appeared to have been relatively rapid. As hair increased in diameter the appearance of the scales changed. Neck hair was slightly smaller in diameter than scalp hair, and axillary hair was slightly smaller in diameter than neck hair. Nostril hair was larger than scalp or axillary hair. Eyelash hair was much smaller and much shorter than eyebrow hair. Neck hair, forearm hair, and shin hair were smaller than hair from most other regions of the body. Chest hair was similar in size to scalp hair, and pubic and sideburn hair were larger than scalp hair. A morphological feature called "steak-boning" was more characteristically present in whiskers of Caucasoids than Orientals or Blacks. "Steak-boning" occurred most frequently in hair of the mustache, followed by that of the chin, sideburn, cheek and under the chin. Cut surfaces of whiskers were different for electric as compared with straightedge razors. Hair morphology varied relative to the body region. Computer analysis of resin-embedded hair made it possible to classify arm, mustache, cheek, chin, head, shin, and pubic hair, and to quantify cross-sectioned differences.

In order to determine cytological effects of microwave heating compared to conductive heating, whole potatoes were heated in a microwave oven in plastic bags for 0.5, 1 and 2 minutes and in boiling water for 5. 10 and 20 minutes. Both heating treatments caused swelling and partial disruption of starch granules. However, as observed with scanning electron microscopy, swelling patterns of starch granules were different in potatoes using the two heating processes. In conductive heating potatoes were heated from the outside to the inside. Microwave heated potatoes were heated fairly uniformly in different regions of tubers. The weight loss of potatoes was insignificant with both heat treatments. The sottening of potatoes heated in boiling water corresponded with conductive heating patterns. With both conventional heating and microwave heating potatoes were softer outside than inside, although this pattern did not correspond with heating patterns with microwave heating.

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Thirty-three pigs in three groups of nineteen, ten, and four pigs were infected with three different African swine fever (ASF) virus isolates, respectively. All virus isolates were attenuated to varying degrees by passaging in cell cultures, and they retained sufficiently low virulence to produce subacute and chronic infections in pigs. Sera collected at various intervals were tested for antibody activity by the immunoelectroosmophoresis, agar gel diffusion precipitin, and complement-fixation tests using a modified Kolmer technique. Results clearly indicated that the immunoelectroosmophoresis test is a rapid (30 minute) and accurate method with extreme sensitivity and superior to the complement-fixation and agar gel diffusion precipitin tests in detecting antibody against ASF virus. Possible use of this method in detecting ASF virus infection is suggested.

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Enthält: Abdankungsrede von Herrn Pfarrer W. Hess, sowie, Trauerrede von Herrn G. Burkhard, Kirchengutsverwalter