Physical and functional interactions between Drosophila TRAF2 and Pelle kinase contribute to Dorsal activation

Signaling through the Toll receptor is required for dorsal/ventral polarity in Drosophila embryos, and also plays an evolutionarily conserved role in the immune response. Upon ligand binding, Toll appears to multimerize and activate the associated kinase, Pelle. However, the immediate downstream targets of Pelle have not been identified. Here we show that Drosophila tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (dTRAF2), a homologue of human TRAF6, physically and functionally interacts with Pelle, and is phosphorylated by Pelle in vitro. Importantly, dTRAF2 and Pelle cooperate to activate Dorsal synergistically in cotransfected Schneider cells. Deletion of the C-terminal TRAF domain of dTRAF2 enhances Dorsal activation, perhaps reflecting the much stronger interaction of the mutant protein with phosphorylated, active Pelle. Taken together, our results indicate that Pelle and dTRAF2 physically and functionally interact, and that the TRAF domain acts as a regulator of this interaction. dTRAF2 thus appears to be a downstream target of Pelle. We discuss these results in the context of Toll signaling in flies and mammals.

Lambert-Eaton sera reduce low-voltage and high-voltage activated Ca2+ currents in murine dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are categorized as either high-voltage activated (HVA) or low-voltage activated (LVA), and a subtype (or subtypes) of HVA Ca2+ channels link the presynaptic depolarization to rapid neuro-transmitter release. Reductions in transmitter release are characteristic of the autoimmune disorder, Lambert-Eaton syndrome (LES). Because antibodies from LES patients reduce Ca2+ influx in a variety of cell types and disrupt the intramembrane organization of active zones at neuromuscular synapses, specificity of LES antibodies for the Ca2+ channels that control transmitter release has been suggested as the mechanism for disease. We tested sera from four patients with LES. Serum samples from three of the four patients reduced both the maximal LVA and HVA Ca2+ conductances in murine dorsal root ganglion neurons. Thus, even though LES is expressed as a neuromuscular and autonomic disorder, our studies suggest that Ca2+ channels may be broadly affected in LES patients. To account for the specificity of disease expression, we suggest that incapacitation of only a fraction of the Ca2+ channels clustered at active zones would severely depress transmitter release. In particular, if several Ca2+ channels in a cluster are normally required to open simultaneously before transmitter release becomes likely, the loss of a few active zone Ca2+ channels would exponentially reduce the probability of transmitter release. This model may explain why LES is expressed as a neuromuscular disorder and can account for a clinical hallmark of LES, facilitation of neuromuscular transmission produced by vigorous voluntary effort.

Reactivated and latent varicella-zoster virus in human dorsal root ganglia.

Ganglia obtained at autopsy were examined by in situ hybridization from one patient with zoster (also called herpes zoster or shingles), two varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-seropositive patients with clinical evidence of zoster, one VZV-seronegative child, and one fetus. Ganglia positive for VZV had a hybridization signal in both neuronal and nonneuronal satellite cells. Ganglia obtained from the fetus and from the seronegative infant were consistently negative for VZV. Two striking observations were evident regarding the presence of VZV DNA in ganglia obtained from the individual with zoster at the time of death. First, ganglia innervating the sites of reactivation and ganglia innervating adjacent sites yielded strongly positive signals in neurons and satellite cells, whereas ganglia from distant sites were rarely positive. Second, VZV DNA was found in both the nuclei and the cytoplasm of neurons innervating areas of zoster. However, in neurons innervating zoster-free areas, VZV DNA was found only in the nucleus of neurons and their supporting satellite cells. Immunohistochemistry with a fluorescent monoclonal antibody to the VZV glycoprotein gpI, a late virus protein, revealed a positive signal in the cytoplasm of ganglia with clinical evidence of reactivation. These results illustrate that both neuronal and satellite cells become latently infected following primary VZV infection. The presence of VZV DNA and gpI in the cytoplasm of neurons demonstrates productive infection following reactivation at the site of latency.

Spatial learning with a minislab in the dorsal hippocampus.

We have determined the volume and location of hippocampal tissue required for normal acquisition of a spatial memory task. Ibotenic acid was used to make bilateral symmetric lesions of 20-100% of hippocampal volume. Even a small transverse block (minislab) of the hippocampus (down to 26% of the total) could support spatial learning in a water maze, provided it was at the septal (dorsal) pole of the hippocampus. Lesions of the septal pole, leaving 60% of the hippocampi intact, caused a learning deficit, although normal electrophysiological responses, synaptic plasticity, and preserved acetylcholinesterase staining argue for adequate function of the remaining tissue. Thus, with an otherwise normal brain, hippocampal-dependent spatial learning only requires a minislab of dorsal hippocampal tissue.

Improving Colorado Mountain Highway Culvert Stream Crossings for Trout Passage

Highways can be effective barriers to animal migration. Where highways cross over streams, a passageway, typically a culvert, not designed for fish access can cut off an organism from miles of habitat. Traditional methods of culvert design, to convey floodwaters, reduced access to aquatic and riparian range. The Colorado Department of Transportation likely has numerous culverts that restrict aquatic passage. This paper provides guidance to CDOT for assessment of stream geomorphic conditions affecting culvert performance for fish passage, understanding aquatic organism habitat requirements, and incorporating ecological parameters into culvert designs that benefit fish and other organisms. A case study illustrates culvert problems in a difficult geomorphic setting including a fish passage assessment to evaluate stream stability for long-term culvert reliability.

Report on the Hydroida : collected during the exploration of the Gulf Stream by L. F. de Pourtalès, assistant United States Coast Survey / by Geo. J. Allman, M.D., LL.D., ...

v.5:no.2 (1877)

Analysis of Hyporheic Flow Induced by a Bar in a Gravel Stream: an Experimental Study

Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2016-06-01 00:03:02.939

On Ukrainian Gas Transit and South Stream. There may be more than meets the eye. CEPS Commentaries, 21 March 2014

The EU relies to a considerable degree on imports to meet its demand for natural gas. Whereas Norwegian export pipelines are directly connected to the EU gas system, a major share of Russian gas flows through the Ukrainian territory before reaching consumers located other consumers located down in the supply chain (e.g. Slovakia, Hungary or Italy). But is the Ukrainian gas transit route still a risk? Will the construction of the South Stream pipeline further reduce the importance of Ukraine as a transit country? Or is there more at stake here than meets the eye?

Nord Stream on the liberalising EU gas market. OSW Point of View, March 2010

Nord Stream increases Gazprom’s flexibility as far its export routes are concerned; it enables them to be changed with regard to the market or political situation. Nevertheless, this expensive pipeline may contribute to a further drop in the price competitiveness of Russian gas. Accordingly, increasing the attractiveness of Russian fuel and ensuring profitable sales is steadily becoming the main challenge for Gazprom in the EU against a backdrop of increasing competitiveness on the market.

The declared end of South Stream and why nobody seems to care. CEPS Commentary, 5 December 2014

More than seven years after the South Stream pipeline project was first announced in June 2007, it finally seems to have been dropped by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on his visit to Turkey this week. This CEPS Commentary looks at the ostensible reasons for President Putin’s decision as well as on what’s potentially behind them. It concludes that the EU may actually benefit from this decision in being able to secure more gas with less political interference from Russia.

At any price: Russia is embarking on the construction of South Stream. OSW Commentary No. 98, 2012-12-07

Gazprom is determined to continue its efforts to build the South Stream gas pipeline regardless of the slump on the European gas market and the fact that there is sufficient capacity already in the existing transport infrastructure. The official inauguration of the maritime section of South Stream was held on 7 December this year, but the construction itself will commence in 2014. The agreements concluded so far, both intergovernmental and between corporations, are necessary for the launch of the construction of the new pipeline, but still do not guarantee that the project will be completed on time. First of all, some legal problems have yet to be resolved, such as the evaluation of the compliance of the planned actions with the ‘third energy package’ or the fact that ecological surveys required under European law need to be carried out. Secondly, given the present situation on the European gas market and medium-term forecasts, the high cost of implementation of this project and the maintenance expenses of existing pipelines – which are not being used to full capacity – the new project seems to be unfeasible. However, Gazprom’s determination in its efforts to build the pipeline proves that Russia is ready to take a high economic risk to maintain its dominant position on the European gas supply market; it will restrict the possibilities of alternative infrastructural projects being implemented (above all, the EU’s Southern Corridor) and use the construction of new pipelines as an instrument of political pressure on the present transit countries (especially Ukraine).

Turkish Stream and its implications for the EU. European Policy Brief No. 34, March 2015

“A first assessment is that this would not work”, EC Vice-President in charge of Energy Union Mr. Maros Sefcovic said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal at the World Economic Forum in Davos on the 22nd of January. He was commenting on the recent announcement by President Vladimir Putin and Gazprom’s Alexei Miller. Indeed, the Russian gas giant’s CEO announced that South Stream would be replaced by a new project, Turkish Stream, linking Russia to the European part of Turkey and this in addition to the existing 16 billion cubic meters (bcm) Blue stream. This policy brief looks at the various implications this new reality could have for Europe’s energy security.

Nord Stream expansion: what does it mean for Europe? EPC Commentary, 2 July 2015

Two announcements in sequence have shaken the energy debate on 18 and 19 June. Gazprom announced the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding with Shell, Exon and OMV for the construction of strings 3 and 4 of Nord Stream, aiming at doubling the current 55 bcm capacity of the corridor running in the Baltic sea bed and connecting the Russian terminal of Vyborg to Germany. On the day after, a €2 bn deal between Russia and Greece was signed for extending the Turkish Stream project into Greek territory. ...

Nord Stream II – Another test for EU unity. EPC Commentary, 9 October 2015

In September 2015, Gazprom and major European energy companies (Germany's E.ON and BASF/Wintershall, Austria's OMV, France’s ENGIE and Royal Dutch Shell) signed an agreement to double the Nord Stream gas pipeline’s capacity by 2019. The plan is to transport up to 55 billion additional cubic meters of gas a year to Germany through the Baltic Sea, bypassing Ukraine and other Central-Eastern European countries.