Targeting a heterologous protein to multiple plant organelles via rationally designed 5′ mRNA tags

Background: Plant bioengineers require simple genetic devices for predictable localization of heterologous proteins to multiple subcellular compartments. Results: We designed novel hybrid signal sequences for multiple-compartment localization and characterize their function when fused to GFP in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf tissue. TriTag-1 and TriTag-2 use alternative splicing to generate differentially localized GFP isoforms, localizing it to the chloroplasts, peroxisomes and cytosol. TriTag-1 shows a bias for targeting the chloroplast envelope while TriTag-2 preferentially targets the peroxisomes. TriTag-3 embeds a conserved peroxisomal targeting signal within a chloroplast transit peptide, directing GFP to the chloroplasts and peroxisomes. Conclusions: Our novel signal sequences can reduce the number of cloning steps and the amount of genetic material required to target a heterologous protein to multiple locations in plant cells. This work harnesses alternative splicing and signal embedding for engineering plants to express multi-functional proteins from single genetic constructs

Voter Turnout with Peer Punishment

We introduce a model where social norms of voting participation are strategically chosen by competing political parties and determine voters' turnout. Social norms must be enforced through costly peer monitoring and punishment. When the cost of enforcement of social norms is low, the larger party is always advantaged. Otherwise, in the spirit of Olson (1965), the smaller party may be advantaged. Our model shares features of the ethical voter model and it delivers novel and empirically relevant comparative statics results

Success in contests

Models of two contestants exerting effort to win a prize are very common and widely used in political economy. The contest success function plays as fundamental a role in the theory of contests as does the production function in the theory of the firm, yet beyond the existence of equilibrium few general results are known. This paper seeks to remedy that gap

Unknown Erasures. Ovvero, perché le iscrizioni scientifiche non possono assurgere a icone culturali.

Delving into the case of the image of the sleeve of Unknown Pleasures, first record released by UK post–punk band Joy Division, the article reconstructs the genealogy of its sleeve’s image in order to account for how it has arisen to cultural icon. Through this genealogy, the article also shows the different ways in which scientific inscriptions and cultural icons work, by referring to Bruno Latour’s reflection about inscriptions, scientific visualizations, immutable mobiles and modes of existenc

Folgoration as an Example of Pathergy in a Patient Affected by Pyoderma Gangrenosum and Takayasu's Arteritis

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic dermatosis of unknown aetiology. Clinical manifestations of PG are characterized by destructive, necrotizing, and noninfective ulceration of the skin. 20–30% of cases are initiated and aggravated by minor trauma or surgery, a phenomenon named pathergy. PG is related to several autoimmune diseases including ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and monoclonal gammopathy. The association with Takayasu's arteritis (TA), a chronic inflammatory and stenotic disease of large and medium-sized arteries, is instead less common. We report a case of PG associated with TA that was induced by an accident with folgoration of the skin; in this case the folgoration can be considered as an exemple of Pathergy, that is, a characteristic feature of PG

Operational indications and self-assessment checklist for internal audits in cyclotron facilities – an Italian experience

In this work the authors intend to provide useful operational indications to approach, with the best practice, the design of a cyclotron facility for the production of PET radioisotopes. Special attention is devoted to organizational and safety aspects. In order to prompt toward a systematic application of the proposed indications, the article presents them in form of a specific self-assessment checklist, consisting in a list of items which address the design process in all the different phases. This checklist represents a useful toolbox both in the design stage and subsequently for the development of internal audits

Risk factors for hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a letermovir-exposed CMV-free population receiving PTCy

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a highly impacting complication in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), occurring in 12%–37% of patients. The impact of transplant- and patient-specific variables has been described, with a possible role for JCV and BKV, which may be cooperating with cytomegalovirus (CMV). Here, we analyze 134 letermovir-exposed, CMV-free patients, treated with the same cyclophosphamide-based graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis, describing risk factors for HC. The overall incidence of HC was 23%. Patients with HLA mismatched transplant, higher comorbidity score, and receiving three alkylating agents with TBF (thiotepa, busulfan, and fludarabine) conditioning regimen had a higher risk of HC in multivariate analysis (OR: 4.48, 6.32, and 1.32, respectively). A HC-score including male gender, TBF conditioning, and HLA-mismatch stratifies the risk of HC in the first 100 days after HSCT. The role of BKV and JCV was not highly impacting in those patients, suggesting a possible synergistic effect between CMV and JCV in causing HC. HC can be interpreted as the combination of patient-related factors, chemotherapy-related toxicities—especially due to alkylating agents—and immunological elements

Indicazioni operative utili alla progettazione di ambienti dedicati alla manipolazione di sorgenti non sigillate e alla produzione di radiofarmaci: medicina nucleare, PET, ciclotrone

Con il presente lavoro, l’Inail - organo tecnico consultivo del Ministero della Salute anche per la concessione delle autorizzazioni connesse ai nulla osta di categoria A in ambito nucleare - intende proporre indicazioni operative utili ad approcciare nel modo migliore la problematica relativa alla progettazione di un servizio di medicina nucleare ‘complesso’. Nel fare ciò, ha inteso stabilire una collaborazione con l’Enea, al fine di condividere il frutto delle reciproche competenze e delle specifiche esperienze acquisite, e di strutturare un gruppo di lavoro che potesse mettere a disposizione dell’utenza le più idonee sensibilità professionali. Il lavoro che ne è scaturito non intende porsi come uno ‘standard’ elettivo di riferimento, ma piuttosto come semplice modello di confronto per condurre il lettore a riflettere su determinate questioni invitandolo a una più ampia e sistematica valutazione. Ovviamente, il prodromo a questo tentativo è stato la presa d’atto del quadro normativo vigente, e quindi il documento necessiterà di una pronta rivalutazione allorquando anche nel nostro Paese risulterà recepita la direttiva Euratom 2013/59. L’emanazione dell’atto di recepimento comporterà infatti l’esigenza di allineare la trattazione alle nuove disposizioni, e l’occasione sarà anche utile per integrare il testo con indicazioni più propriamente dedicate agli aspetti di radioprotezione del lavoratore, che in questa fase - stante il momento di transizione normativo - sono stati volontariamente tralasciati