Novel sst5-selective somatostatin dicarba-analogues: synthesis and conformation-affinity relationships

We describe synthesis, conformational studies, and binding to the five somatostatin receptors (sst 1-5) of a few analogues of the cyclic octapeptide octreotide (1), where the disulfide bridge was replaced by a dicarba group. These analogues were prepared by on-resin RCM of linear hepta-peptides containing two allylglycine residues; first- and second-generation Grubbs catalyst efficiencies were compared. The C=C bridge was hydrogenated via two different methods. Binding experiments showed that two analogues had good affinity and high selectivity for the sst5 receptor. Three-dimensional structures of the active analogues were determined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Conformation-affinity relationships confirmed the importance of D-Phe(2) orientation for sst2 affinity. Moreover, helical propensities well correlates with the peptide sst5 affinity. The presence of the bulky aromatic side chain of Tyr(Bzl)(10) favored the formation of a 3(10)-helix and enhanced the sst5 selectivity suppressing the sst2 affinity. Finally, a new pharmacophore model for the sst5 was developed.

[Swiss Research Agenda for Nursing (SRAN): the development of an agenda for clinical nursing research in Switzerland]

In many Anglo-Saxon and North European countries nursing research agendas have been developed to address priorities in nursing research in accordance with a nationally defined health policy. In Switzerland, due to lack of a nationwide governmental health policy, co-ordination of nursing research so far was scarce. The "Swiss Research Agenda for Nursing (SRAN)" project developed an agenda for clinical nursing research between 2005 and 2007. Based on literature reviews, expert panels and a national survey a project team formulated an agenda which passed a consensus conference. The agenda recommends aspects that should lead research and defines seven research priorities for nursing in Switzerland for the time between 2007 and 2017. Nursing research should prioritize to investigate 1) the effectiveness of nursing interventions; 2) the influences of service adaptations in a changing health care system; 3) the phenomena in patients requiring nursing care; 4) the influence of the work environment on the quality of nursing care; 5) the functioning of family and social systems; 6) varieties of life circumstances and their integration; and 7) the implementation of ethical principles in nursing. Written in German and French, the Swiss Research Agenda for Nursing for the first time formulates priorities for nursing research in Switzerland and can be used for strategic discussions. As a next step, the development of an action plan to enhance nursing research will take place in Switzerland.

Rhythmisches und musikalisches Lernen. Didaktische Analysen und Synthesen

In diesem Buch werden theoretische Fundierungen, aktuelle Ansätze und Praxisanwendungen der Musikpädagogik vereint. Mit einem einführenden Kapitel und neun Fachbeiträgen bietet es einen umfassenden Überblick für Personen, die im musikalisch-rhythmischen Bereich arbeiten oder sich als Eltern oder als Bildungsfachleute dafür interessieren. Es enthält theoretische und praxistaugliche Konzepte gegenwärtiger Musikpädagogik, unter anderem eine Darstellung über den Aufbauenden Musikunterricht, einen Beitrag zum Umgang mit musikalischer Multikulturalität sowie ein theoretisch fundiertes Beispiel für konstruktivistisch orientiertes Vorgehen im Musiklehren. Weiter finden sich erprobte neue Konzepte für die Unterrichtspraxis und die Ausbildung von Lehrerinnen und Lehrern, so etwa für die Stimmbildung von Kindern. Eine Rarität bietet das abschliessende Kapitel mit Ausführungen über ein altes Rhythmusinstrument des Alpenraums, das Schwyzer Chlefeli, und die Arbeit mit Kindern und Jugendlichen zur Erhaltung des dazuge-hörigen Brauchs in der Fastenzeit. Die Herausgeberin und der Herausgeber setzen sich dezidiert für die Aufrechterhaltung eines öffentlichen musikalischen Bildungsangebotes ein.

Direct observation of liquid crystals using cryo-TEM: Specimen preparation and low-dose imaging

Liquid crystals (LCs) represent a challenging group of materials for direct transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies due to the complications in specimen preparation and the severe radiation damage. In this paper, we summarize a series of specimen preparation methods, including thin film and cryo-sectioning approaches, as a comprehensive toolset enabling high-resolution direct cryo-TEM observation of a broad range of LCs. We also present comparative analysis using cryo-TEM and replica freeze-fracture TEM on both thermotropic and lyotropic LCs. In addition to the revisits of previous practices, some new concepts are introduced, e.g., suspended thermotropic LC thin films, combined high-pressure freezing and cryo-sectioning of lyotropic LCs, and the complementary applications of direct TEM and indirect replica TEM techniques. The significance of subnanometer resolution cryo-TEM observation is demonstrated in a few important issues in LC studies, including providing direct evidences for the existence of nanoscale smectic domains in nematic bent-core thermotropic LCs, comprehensive understanding of the twist-bend nematic phase, and probing the packing of columnar aggregates in lyotropic chromonic LCs. Direct TEM observation opens ways to a variety of TEM techniques, suggesting that TEM (replica, cryo, and in situ techniques), in general, may be a promising part of the solution to the lack of effective structural probe at the molecular scale in LC studies. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:754-772, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The LPS O -antigen is required for Myxococcus xanthus social motility and multicellular development

The gliding bacterium Myxococcus xanthus aggregates to form spore-filled fruiting bodies when starved at high density. All of the identified M. xanthus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-antigen biosynthesis mutants exhibit defective motility and fruiting-body development. To determine the cause of these phenotypes, the cell-surface properties of the LPS O-antigen mutants were compared to wild-type cells. The binding characteristics of wild-type and LPS O-antigen-defective strains to cationic resin indicate that the mutant cell surfaces are more electronegative. Antibiotic sensitivity and hexadecane adhesion assays indicate that the wild-type M. xanthus cell surface is hydrophobic, supporting the idea that phospholipids are present in the outer leaflet of the outer membrane. The absence of the LPS O-antigen appears to expose charges associated with phospholipids and LPS core/lipid A, resulting in a dramatic alteration of the cell-surface organization and charge. These differences may affect the interaction of the LPS O-antigen mutants with their substratum and neighboring cells, leading to defects in social and single-cell gliding motility and thus, deficiencies in fruiting body formation. ^ The LPS O-antigen biosynthetic mutations also bypass the requirement of 4521 gene expression for the cell-density signal, A signal. The 4521 gene is overexpressed in these mutants. This 4521 overexpression is dependent on the sensor kinase SasS. Co-development with wild-type cells, or the addition of crude polysaccharides or membrane vesicles restores the ability of LPS O-antigen mutants to form fruiting bodies and lowers 4521 developmental gene expression to wild-type levels. Wild-type vesicles may attach or incorporate into the outer membrane of the mutants that lack LPS O-antigen, restoring a wild-type periplasmic status and allowing for normal levels of 4521 activity and fruiting body formation. We propose that the LPS composition and the configuration of the outer membrane are important elements for the complex behavioral response of M. xanthus fruiting body development. ^

El aborigen en defensa de su identidad : Análisis de los poemas 'My name' de Magoleng wa Selepe (Sudáfrica) y 'Spiritual song of the aborigine' de Hyllus Maris (Australia)

Fil: Iacoboni, Gabriela N.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

El fortalecimiento de la alfabetización académica desde la lectocomprensión en lengua extranjera : Una experiencia práctica

Fil: Iacoboni, Gabriela N.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

El aborigen en defensa de su identidad : Análisis de los poemas 'My name' de Magoleng wa Selepe (Sudáfrica) y 'Spiritual song of the aborigine' de Hyllus Maris (Australia)

Fil: Iacoboni, Gabriela N.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

El fortalecimiento de la alfabetización académica desde la lectocomprensión en lengua extranjera : Una experiencia práctica

Fil: Iacoboni, Gabriela N.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.