The back cover picture shows “HOB Art”, an artistic depiction of a DNA origami nanostructure decorated with six HOB proteins. HOB is a halo-based oligonucleotide-binder protein with a rationally engineered binding interface to attain extraordinarily high reaction rates in the covalent ligation with chlorohexyl-modified DNA. More information about the art of HOBbing proteins with DNA can be found in the communication by C. M. Niemeyer et al. on page 1102 in Issue 12, 2016 (DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201600039).
The aetiology of sarcoidosis is unclear. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2 and -β3 have been reported to be associated with the development of lung fibrosis in patients with sarcoidosis. SNPs in TGF-β2 (rs1891467) and TGF-β3 (rs3917200) were investigated in 296 patients with sarcoidosis (acute/self remitting, n = 70 (including 62 patients with Löfgren's syndrome); chronic, n = 168; acute/chronic, n = 58) by real-time PCR. 32 patients showed radiological signs of lung fibrosis. The genotype frequencies were compared among the sarcoidosis groups as well as to 377 healthy controls. We found a significant association with the G-allele in rs1891467 in TGF-β2 and an acute/self remitting course of sarcoidosis compared to a chronic course (p = 0.001). The results were even more evident for patients with Löfgren's syndrome (p<0.001). Moreover, we could demonstrate a borderline significance between TGF-β3 (rs3917200) and lung fibrosis (p = 0.050). Carriers of the G-allele in rs1891467 might be protected from developing a chronic course. Moreover, there is evidence that rs3917200 is involved in the development of lung fibrosis in sarcoidosis. This study is the first in sarcoidosis patients to suggest a genetic implication of TGF-β2 as a protective factor in the course of sarcoidosis.
The authors, who are nursing faculty members and leaders at a faith-based institution of higher education, discuss their concept of wisdom and how it guides their teaching and practice. Wisdom is seen by them as a universal humanuniverse living experience that is inspired and cocreated with their faith and understanding of God with others. They apply the concept of wisdom in global service experiences that their institution supports. These experiences strengthen their inherent core whatness as they cocreate what is important in the moment while participating in teaching-learning.
If the face fits: Self-labeling fusion proteins have been used for the site-specific decoration of DNA origami. This method even allows individual faces of the quasi-two-dimensional plane of the nanostructure to be specifically decorated (see picture), thereby enabling directional immobilization and thus control over the accessibility of distinct proteins presented on the structure. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as "Supporting Information". Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
There is growing concern in the United States that there will be a shortage of scientists in the
not-too-distant future. To address this issue, 4-H identified as one of its priorities to meet the
needs of children, youth and the nation with high quality science, engineering and technology
learning programs (4-H SET Checklist). 4-H’s approach is comprehensive and holistic: from
agriculture to climate change to alternative energy, youth are learning about highly relevant
complex systems and issues that will ensure their contributions to their communities today and
their success as global leaders tomorrow (http://www.4-h.org/youth-development-programs/4-
h-science-programs/).
National 4-H leaders saw that within the environmental sciences, a 2002 edition of Exploring
Your Environment (Hartz & Carlson) needed to be updated and to incorporate relevant
ecosystem and world environmental issues. The curriculum first originated in Minnesota, so a
team of writers from the University of Minnesota Extension 4-H program was asked to rewrite
the curriculum.
Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) allows the identification of objects through the analysis of their unique spectral signatures. Although first developed many years ago for use in terrestrial remote sensing, this technology has more recently been studied for application in the medical field. With preliminary data favoring a role for HSI in distinguishing normal and lesional skin tissues, we sought to investigate the potential use of HSI as a diagnostic aid in the classification of atypical Spitzoid neoplasms, a group of lesions that often leave dermatopathologists bewildered. One hundred and two hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue samples were divided into 1 of 4 diagnostic categories (Spitz nevus, Spitz nevus with unusual features, atypical Spitzoid neoplasm, and Spitzoid malignant melanoma) and 1 of 2 control groups (benign melanocytic nevus and malignant melanoma). A region of interest was selected from the dermal component of each sample, thereby maximizing the examination of melanocytes. Tissue samples were examined at ×400 magnification using a spectroscopy system interfaced with a light microscope. The absorbance patterns of wavelengths from 385 to 880 nm were measured and then analyzed within and among groups. All tissue groups demonstrated 3 common absorbance spectra at 496, 533, and 838 nm. Each sample group contained at least one absorption point that was unique to that group. The Spitzoid malignant melanoma category had the highest number of total and unique absorption points for any sample group. The data were then clustered into 12 representative spectral classes. Although each of the sample groups contained all 12 spectral vectors, they did so in differing proportions. These preliminary results reveal differences in the spectral signatures of the Spitzoid lesions examined in this study. Further investigation into a role for HSI in classifying atypical Spitzoid neoplasms is encouraged.
