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Severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria infections are caused by microvascular sequestration of parasites binding to the human endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) via the multi-domain P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) adhesion ligands. Using cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) and PfEMP1 sequence diversity analysis, we found that group A PfEMP1 CIDRα1 domains interact with t

Policies introduced by the Chinese government in the name of fighting terrorism, religious extremism and separatism have significantly reshaped the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR)–even though securitization has not brought the ‘stability’ that the PRC government claims in its continuous defense of its policies. Analysis of Chinese legal documents can provide a clearer picture of the gover

The Bacova_02091 gene in the β-mannan utilisation locus of Bacteroides ovatus encodes a family GH36 α-galactosidase (BoGal36A), transcriptionally upregulated during growth on galactomannan. Characterisation of recombinant BoGal36A reveals unique properties compared to other GH36 α-galactosidases, which preferentially hydrolyse terminal α-galactose in raffinose family oligosaccharides. BoGal36A pre

In mitoplasts from Arum maculatum spadices, succinate dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.99.1) and the alternative, cyanide-resistant oxidase activity (measured as m-chlorobenzhydroxamic acid-sensitive duroquinol oxidation) was unaffected by treatment with trypsin. In contrast, when 85% inside-out submitochondrial particles were treated with trypsin the alternative oxidase activity was inhibited by about 50% a

BACKGROUND: Chronic leg ulcers remain a challenge to the treating physician. Such wounds often need skin grafts to heal. This necessitates a readily available, fast, simple, and standardized procedure for grafting.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to test a novel method developed for outpatient transplant procedures.METHODS: The procedure employs a handheld disposable dermatome and a roller min

Sport diplomacy provides a challenging example of how diplomaticpractice is changing in light of a proliferation of actors,agendas, and modes of communication. This context hasinspired greater interest in techniques for managing the participationof others in the pursuit of desired outcomes, such asdebates surrounding multi-stakeholder diplomacy, publicdiplomacy, and soft power. However, these deba

During recent years, several spectacular collapses happened in large timber structures and the question is what can be done to prevent future failures. The main hypothesis for this project has been that quality assurance, control systems and improved training may be necessary, since the unwanted events are primarily related to human errors. A survey of failures in 127 timber structures has been ma

The relationship between the receptors for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the C3d fragment of complement was investigated at the molecular level. In the presence of cell-bound C3, virus binding was enhanced in EBV genome-carrying lines. An identical effect could be elicited by C3d at one-quarter the weight amount; C3b and methylamine-treated C3 had no effect on virus binding. The minimum concent

The development of a forest stand in south-eastern Norway during the last 9000 years is investigated by pollen and charcoal analyses. The aims are to identify factors that have influenced current biodiversity, which includes the lichen Usnea longissima, and examine the immigration and establishment of the current dominant tree Picea abies. Fire has been a variable but major disturbance factor at t

Using a crystalline embedding scheme it has recently become possible to study free-standing III - V nanowires with cross-sectional scanning tunnelling microscopy (XSTM). In the present paper we discuss how this novel method can be used for direct atomically resolved imaging of the interior of nanowires. We will focus in particular on two areas where this method provides unique possibilities. First

Hydrophobic interactions are highly selective, and differences in surface hydrophobicities between proteins can be used as an efficient handle to facilitate protein isolation. Aromatic amino acid residues are of particular importance for molecular recognition because they have a key role in several biological functions. The hydrophobicity of a protein can easily be altered with minor genetic modif

A detailed analysis of the mobilizable, ColE1-like resistance plasmid, pUB2380, is reported. The 8.5-kb genome encodes six (possibly seven) major functions: (1) a ColD-like origin of replication, oriV, with associated replication functions, RNAI and RNAII; (2) a set of active mobilization functions highly homologous to that of ColE1, including the origin of transfer, oriT; (3) a ColE1-like multime

Heterozygous PRRT2 variants are frequently implicated in Self-limited Infantile Epilepsy, whereas homozygous variants are so far linked to severe presentations including developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, movement disorders, and intellectual disability. In a study aiming to explore the genetics of epilepsy in the Sudanese population, we investigated several families including a consanguin

Considering small farming as a viable and optimal solution to achieve sustainability, the following work presents La Tabacca – a small farm in the Northwest of Italy – not as a generalisable model but as one of the many expressions of current environmentalism. After three and a half months of fieldwork – using the tool of critical ethnography – different layers and elements of the place have been