Minor inheritance inhibits the calibration of the 10Be production rate from the AD 1717 Val Ferret rock avalanche, European Alps

To calibrate the in situ 10Be production rate, we collected surface samples from nine large granitic boulders within the deposits of a rock avalanche that occurred in AD 1717 in the upper Ferret Valley, Mont Blanc Massif, Italy. The 10Be concentrations were extremely low and successfully measured within 10% analytical uncertainty or less. The concentrations vary from 4829 ± 448 to 5917 ± 476 at g−1. Using the historical age exposure time, we calculated the local and sea level-high latitude (i.e. ≥60°) cosmogenic 10Be spallogenic production rates. Depending on the scaling schemes, these vary between 4.60 ± 0.38 and 5.26 ± 0.43 at g−1 a−1. Although they correlate well with global values, our production rates are clearly higher than those from more recent calibration sites. We conclude that our 10Be production rate is a mean and an upper bound for production rates in the Massif region over the past 300 years. This rate is probably influenced by inheritance and will yield inaccurate (e.g. too young) exposure ages when applied to surface-exposure studies in the area. Other independently dated rock-avalanche deposits in the region that are approximately 103 years old could be considered as possible calibration sites.

Probing the effect of minor groove interactions on the catalytic efficiency of DNAzymes 8–17 and 10–23

DNAzymes (Dz) 8–17 and 10–23 are two widely studied and well-characterized RNA-cleaving DNA catalysts. In an effort to further improve the understanding of the fragile interactions and dynamics of the enzymatic mechanism, this study examines the catalytic efficiency of minimally modified DNAzymes. Five single mutants of Dz8–17 and Dz10–23 were prepared by replacing the adenine residues in the corresponding catalytic cores with 3-deazaadenine units. Kinetic assays were used to assess the effect on the catalytic activity and thereby identify the importance of hydrogen bonding that arises from the N3 atoms. The results suggest that modifications at A15 and A15.0 of Dz8–17 have a significant influence and show a reduction in catalytic activity. Modification at each location in Dz10–23 results in a decrease of the observed rate constants, with A12 appearing to be the most affected with a reduction of ∼80% of kobs and ∼25% of the maximal cleavage rate compared to the wild-type DNAzyme. On the other hand, modification of A12 in Dz8–17 showed an ∼130% increase in kobs, thus unraveling a new potential site for the introduction of chemical modifications. A pH-profile analysis showed that the chemical cleavage step is rate-determining, regardless of the presence and/or location of the mutation. These findings point towards the importance of the N3-nitrogens of certain adenine nucleotides located within the catalytic cores of the DNAzymes for efficient catalytic activity and further suggest that they might directly partake in maintaining the appropriate tertiary structure. Therefore, it appears that minor groove interactions constitute an important feature of DNAzymes as well as ribozymes.

Interaction of sulfate assimilation with carbon and nitrogen metabolism in Lemna minor

Cysteine synthesis from sulfide andO-acetyl-L-serine (OAS) is a reaction interconnecting sulfate, nitrogen, and carbon assimilation. UsingLemna minor, we analyzed the effects of omission of CO2 from the atmosphere and simultaneous application of alternative carbon sources on adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate reductase (APR) and nitrate reductase (NR), the key enzymes of sulfate and nitrate assimilation, respectively. Incubation in air without CO2 led to severe decrease in APR and NR activities and mRNA levels, but ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase was not considerably affected. Simultaneous addition of sucrose (Suc) prevented the reduction in enzyme activities, but not in mRNA levels. OAS, a known regulator of sulfate assimilation, could also attenuate the effect of missing CO2 on APR, but did not affect NR. When the plants were subjected to normal air after a 24-h pretreatment in air without CO2, APR and NR activities and mRNA levels recovered within the next 24 h. The addition of Suc and glucose in air without CO2 also recovered both enzyme activities, with OAS again influenced only APR.35SO4 2− feeding showed that treatment in air without CO2 severely inhibited sulfate uptake and the flux through sulfate assimilation. After a resupply of normal air or the addition of Suc, incorporation of 35S into proteins and glutathione greatly increased. OAS treatment resulted in high labeling of cysteine; the incorporation of 35S in proteins and glutathione was much less increased compared with treatment with normal air or Suc. These results corroborate the tight interconnection of sulfate, nitrate, and carbon assimilation.

Denkwürdigkeiten des Generals Franz Sigel aus den Jahren 1848 und 1849

Welsch (Projektbearbeiter): Herausgabe eines Teils der Aufzeichnungen des Kriegsministers und Oberbefehlshabers der badisch-pfälzischen Revolutionstruppen Sigel durch den sozialdemokratischen Reichstagsabgeordneten und späteren württembergischen Staatspräsidenten Blos. Nebst "einige[n] Darstellungen aus Sigel's Leben und Wirken in Nordamerika"

Kundmachung: Gestern Abends hat der Ober-Commandant den ersten Bericht des Herrn Generals Bem entgegengenommen ...

Welsch (Projektbearbeiter): Mitteilung der Besetzung aller Linien und Außentore durch die Mobilgarde, Ankündigung einer neuen Note an den Feldmarschalleutnant Graf Auersperg sowie einer Deputation an den Kaiser

Prodromal Transient Ischemic Attack or Minor Stroke and Outcome in Basilar Artery Occlusion

BACKGROUND The presence of prodromal transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) has been associated with a favorable outcome in anterior circulation stroke. We aimed to determine the association between prodromal TIAs or minor stroke and outcomes at 1 month, in the Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study, a registry of patients presenting with an acute symptomatic and radiologically confirmed basilar artery occlusion. METHODS A total of 619 patients were enrolled in the registry. Information on prodromal TIAs was available for 517 patients and on prodromal stroke for 487 patients. We calculated risk ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for poor clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≥4) according to the variables of interest. RESULTS Prodromal minor stroke was associated with poor outcome (crude risk ratio [cRR], 1.26; 95% CI, 1.12-1.42), but TIAs were not (cRR, .93; 95% CI, .79-1.09). These associations remained essentially the same after adjustment for confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS Prodromal minor stroke was associated with an unfavorable outcome in patients with basilar artery occlusion, whereas prodromal TIA was not.

Offizieller Bericht über den Kampf vom 15. Juni 1849: Sieg der Unsern an allen Orten unter dem Oberbefehl des Generals Mieroslawski! Der Kampf begann des Morgens um 10 Uhr gleichzeitig an vier Punkten ...

Welsch (Projektbearbeiter): Bericht über den erfolgreichen Widerstand der badisch-pfälzischen Revolutionsarmee, der im Kampf gegen die aus Richtung Westen und Norden anrückenden Bundestruppen die Einnahme von Käfertal und Ladenburg gelingt. "... angesichts der numerischen Überlegenheit des Feindes [war jedoch] die Neckarlinie auf Dauer nicht zu halten ..." [1848/49: Rev. d. dt. Demokraten in Baden; Baden-Baden 1998, S. 372]

Aus dem Schreiben eines russischen Generals an einen Verwandten in Berlin: Was wir von einer russischen Invasion etwa zu erwarten haben, darüber giebt uns folgender Brief ein Bild ...: Petersburg, den 13. März alten Styles (26. April) 1848: In meinem glücklichen Vaterlande leben wir guten Muthes unter dem Schutze weiser Gesetze ...

Welsch (Projektbearbeiter): Abdruck eines - tatsächlichen oder fiktiven - Briefes eines ungenannten russischen Generals, in dem dieser angesichts der revolutionären Geschehnisse in Preußen - "Noch nie war die Menschheit ... so tief herabgesunken vom Throne der Gottheit und Wahrheit als jetzt ..." - die vermeintlich gerechten und revolutionsresistenten Zustände seiner Heimat preist: "Denn hier zu Lande ist das Vertrauen zu Gott und zum Monarchen felsenfest und unerschüttert."

Ein angebliches Attentat der Frankfurter Juden gegen die Truppen des Generals Custine im Jahre 1792

J. Kracauer

Interferon response of the cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelium to major and minor group rhinovirus infection

Rhinoviruses (RVs) are associated with exacerbations of cystic fibrosis (CF), asthma and COPD. There is growing evidence suggesting the involvement of the interferon (IFN) pathway in RV-associated morbidity in asthma and COPD. The mechanisms of RV-triggered exacerbations in CF are poorly understood. In a pilot study, we assessed the antiviral response of CF and healthy bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) to RV infection, we measured the levels of IFNs, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) upon infection with major and minor group RVs and poly(IC) stimulation. Major group RV infection of CF BECs resulted in a trend towards a diminished IFN response at the level of IFNs, PRRs and ISGs in comparison to healthy BECs. Contrary to major group RV, the IFN pathway induction upon minor group RV infection was significantly increased at the level of IFNs and PRRs in CF BECs compared to healthy BECs.