A leptospirose é uma zoonose causada por bactérias patogênicas do gênero Leptospira. A doença representa um grave problema de saúde pública nos países tropicais subdesenvolvidos. Mais de 500.000 casos graves de leptospirose são notificados a cada ano e a taxa de mortalidade excede 10% (World Health Organization, 1999). Os roedores são o principal reservatório urbano da doença, e eliminam leptospiras viáveis no meio ambiente ao longo de toda a vida. As bactérias entram no hospedeiro por abrasões na pele ou por membranas mucosas e rapidamente se espalham pelo organismo atingindo vários órgãos. A identificação de mecanismos de invasão e de evasão imune apresentados por leptospiras patogênicas é extremamente relevante e tem sido alvo de pesquisas recentes desenvolvidas por vários grupos. Nesse contexto, a caracterização funcional de proteínas de membrana externa de Leptospira, principais alvos de interação com moléculas do hospedeiro, é de grande importância. O Fator de Elongação Tu (EF-Tu), uma proteína bacteriana abundante envolvida na síntese protéica, pertence à categoria das proteínas conhecidas como \"moonlighting\". Tais moléculas possuem a capacidade de exercer mais de uma função e, normalmente, localizam-se em diferentes compartimentos da célula. Há relatos de que EF-Tu de agentes patogênicos possa atuar como um fator de virulência. No presente trabalho, demonstrou-se que EF-Tu de Leptospira está localizado na superfície da bactéria e possui funções adicionais, sendo receptor para moléculas presentes no plasma do hospedeiro. Tal proteína interage com vários componentes da matriz extracellular e também com plasminogênio, de maneira dosedependente. Resíduos de lisina são importantes para essa interação. Plasminogênio ligado a EF-Tu é convertido em sua forma ativa, plasmina, que, por sua vez, é capaz de clivar os substratos naturais C3b e fibrinogênio. EF-Tu de Leptospira também se liga a Fator H, principal regulador da via alternativa do sistema complemento, e este mantém sua atividade funcional ao agir como co-fator de Fator I na clivagem de C3b. O potencial imunoprotetor de EF-Tu em modelo animal foi avaliado, tendo em vista o alto grau de conservação da proteína em diferentes espécies de Leptospira. EF-Tu não conferiu proteção significativa e, portanto, não deve ser considerado como um candidato vacinal contra a leptospirose. Em suma, EF-Tu de Leptospira deve contribuir para o processo de invasão e evasão ao sistema imune inato do hospedeiro, inativando o sistema complemento. Tanto quanto é do nosso conhecimento, essa é a primeira descrição de uma proteína \"moonlighting\" em Leptospira. / Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by pathogenic bacteria from the genus Leptospira. The disease represents a serious public health problem in underdeveloped tropical countries. More than 500,000 cases of severe leptospirosis are reported each year, with mortality rates exceeding 10% (World Health Organization, 1999). Rodents are the main urban reservoir of the disease, shedding viable leptospires throughout their lives in the environment. Leptospires infect hosts through small abrasions in the skin or mucous membranes and they rapidly disseminate to target organs. The identification of invasion mechanisms and immune evasion strategies employed by pathogenic leptospires is of great relevance. In this context, functional characterization of leptospiral outer membrane proteins, which represent the main targets for interaction with host molecules, is extremely important. The elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), an abundant bacterial protein involved in protein synthesis, has been shown to display moonlighting activities. Known to perform more than one function at different times or in different places, it is found in several subcellular locations in a single organism, and may serve as a virulence factor in a range of important human pathogens. In this work we demonstrate that Leptospira EF-Tu is surface-exposed and performs additional roles as a cell-surface receptor for host plasma proteins. It interacts with several extracellular matrix components and also binds plasminogen in a dose-dependent manner. Lysine residues are critical for this interaction. Bound plasminogen is converted to active plasmin, which, in turn, is able to cleave the natural substrates C3b and fibrinogen. Leptospira EF-Tu also acquires Factor H (FH), the main soluble regulator of the alternative pathway of the complement system. FH bound to immobilized EF-Tu displays cofactor activity, mediating C3b degradation by Factor I (FI). Given the wide distribution of EF-Tu among Leptospira species, its immunoprotective potential was evaluated in an animal model. EF-Tu was not able to afford significant immunoprotection, and might not be considered a vaccine candidate against leptospirosis. In conclusion, EF-Tu may contribute to leptospiral tissue invasion and complement inactivation. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a leptospiral protein exhibiting moonlighting activities.

A leptospirose é uma zoonose causada por bactérias patogênicas do gênero Leptospira. A doença representa um grave problema de saúde pública nos países tropicais subdesenvolvidos. Mais de 500.000 casos graves de leptospirose são notificados a cada ano e a taxa de mortalidade excede 10% (World Health Organization, 1999). Os roedores são o principal reservatório urbano da doença, e eliminam leptospiras viáveis no meio ambiente ao longo de toda a vida. As bactérias entram no hospedeiro por abrasões na pele ou por membranas mucosas e rapidamente se espalham pelo organismo atingindo vários órgãos. A identificação de mecanismos de invasão e de evasão imune apresentados por leptospiras patogênicas é extremamente relevante e tem sido alvo de pesquisas recentes desenvolvidas por vários grupos. Nesse contexto, a caracterização funcional de proteínas de membrana externa de Leptospira, principais alvos de interação com moléculas do hospedeiro, é de grande importância. O Fator de Elongação Tu (EF-Tu), uma proteína bacteriana abundante envolvida na síntese protéica, pertence à categoria das proteínas conhecidas como \"moonlighting\". Tais moléculas possuem a capacidade de exercer mais de uma função e, normalmente, localizam-se em diferentes compartimentos da célula. Há relatos de que EF-Tu de agentes patogênicos possa atuar como um fator de virulência. No presente trabalho, demonstrou-se que EF-Tu de Leptospira está localizado na superfície da bactéria e possui funções adicionais, sendo receptor para moléculas presentes no plasma do hospedeiro. Tal proteína interage com vários componentes da matriz extracellular e também com plasminogênio, de maneira dosedependente. Resíduos de lisina são importantes para essa interação. Plasminogênio ligado a EF-Tu é convertido em sua forma ativa, plasmina, que, por sua vez, é capaz de clivar os substratos naturais C3b e fibrinogênio. EF-Tu de Leptospira também se liga a Fator H, principal regulador da via alternativa do sistema complemento, e este mantém sua atividade funcional ao agir como co-fator de Fator I na clivagem de C3b. O potencial imunoprotetor de EF-Tu em modelo animal foi avaliado, tendo em vista o alto grau de conservação da proteína em diferentes espécies de Leptospira. EF-Tu não conferiu proteção significativa e, portanto, não deve ser considerado como um candidato vacinal contra a leptospirose. Em suma, EF-Tu de Leptospira deve contribuir para o processo de invasão e evasão ao sistema imune inato do hospedeiro, inativando o sistema complemento. Tanto quanto é do nosso conhecimento, essa é a primeira descrição de uma proteína \"moonlighting\" em Leptospira. / Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by pathogenic bacteria from the genus Leptospira. The disease represents a serious public health problem in underdeveloped tropical countries. More than 500,000 cases of severe leptospirosis are reported each year, with mortality rates exceeding 10% (World Health Organization, 1999). Rodents are the main urban reservoir of the disease, shedding viable leptospires throughout their lives in the environment. Leptospires infect hosts through small abrasions in the skin or mucous membranes and they rapidly disseminate to target organs. The identification of invasion mechanisms and immune evasion strategies employed by pathogenic leptospires is of great relevance. In this context, functional characterization of leptospiral outer membrane proteins, which represent the main targets for interaction with host molecules, is extremely important. The elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), an abundant bacterial protein involved in protein synthesis, has been shown to display moonlighting activities. Known to perform more than one function at different times or in different places, it is found in several subcellular locations in a single organism, and may serve as a virulence factor in a range of important human pathogens. In this work we demonstrate that Leptospira EF-Tu is surface-exposed and performs additional roles as a cell-surface receptor for host plasma proteins. It interacts with several extracellular matrix components and also binds plasminogen in a dose-dependent manner. Lysine residues are critical for this interaction. Bound plasminogen is converted to active plasmin, which, in turn, is able to cleave the natural substrates C3b and fibrinogen. Leptospira EF-Tu also acquires Factor H (FH), the main soluble regulator of the alternative pathway of the complement system. FH bound to immobilized EF-Tu displays cofactor activity, mediating C3b degradation by Factor I (FI). Given the wide distribution of EF-Tu among Leptospira species, its immunoprotective potential was evaluated in an animal model. EF-Tu was not able to afford significant immunoprotection, and might not be considered a vaccine candidate against leptospirosis. In conclusion, EF-Tu may contribute to leptospiral tissue invasion and complement inactivation. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a leptospiral protein exhibiting moonlighting activities.

Die TU Dresden ist die größte Technische Universität in Deutschland – und eine der größten Universitäten mit einem alle Wissenschaftsdisziplinen übergreifenden Fächerangebot. Unsere wissenschaftlichen Kennzahlen weisen uns in den Ingenieurwissenschaften, den Naturwissenschaften, den Geistes-, Sozial- und Kulturwissenschaften und in der Medizin als hervorragende Universität aus. In unseren Forschungsschwerpunkten Biomedizin und Bioengineering, Materialwissenschaften, Informationstechnik und Mikroelektronik, Kultur und Wissen sowie Energie und Umwelt zählen wir zu den führenden Hochschulen. Darüber hinaus gibt es zahlreiche weitere Fachgebiete, in denen exzellente Forschung und Lehre geleistet wird. Dank dieser Kompetenztiefe und -vielfalt befassen wir uns insbesondere mit den großen Aufgaben unserer Gesellschaft, die häufig nur durch disziplinenübergreifende Ansätze lösbar sind. Gerade dafür bietet Dresden optimale Grundlagen. Denn diese schöne Stadt an der Elbe hat eine Konzentration an wissenschaftlichen und kulturellen Einrichtungen, die europaweit einmalig ist. 15 dieser Institutionen sind in dem Forschungsverbund DRESDEN-concept eng verzahnt, im Zentrum die TU Dresden. Er verbindet vielschichtige Wissenschaftsbereiche mit allen Ebenen der Gesellschaft und wird von Menschen mit unterschiedlichen Interessen, Berufen und Weltanschauungen getragen. Stellvertretend für über 36.000 Studierende und 8.100 Mitarbeiter zeigen die folgenden Seiten ausgewählte Themen und Persönlichkeiten, die gemeinsam neue Wege gehen. Sie schaffen das Wissen, aus dem Zukunft wächst. Prof. Dr. Dr.-Ing. habil. Hans Müller-Steinhagen, Rektor der TU Dresden / TU Dresden is the biggest University of Technology in Germany – and one of the major universities with a range of subjects and research fields covering every academic discipline. Our academic indicators mark us out as an excellent university in engineering, the natural sciences, the humanities, the social sciences, cultural studies and medicine. We are a leading site of further education with research priority areas in biomedicine and bioengineering, materials science, computer science and microelectronics, culture and knowledge, and energy and the environment. In addition to this there are numerous other fields of excellent research and teaching. With this depth and variety of expertise, we concentrate particularly on the major challenges to modern society, which can often only be solved by means of synergies and interdisciplinary approaches. Dresden provides the perfect conditions for this: this beautiful city on the Elbe river has a high concentration of scientific and cultural institutions which make it one of a kind in Europe. The most important of these institutions are joined together in the DRESDEN-concept research institute alliance, which revolves around the TU Dresden. This combines multifaceted academic fields with all levels of society and is supported by people with all kinds of interests, jobs and ideologies. On behalf of over 36,000 students and 8,100 members of staff, the following pages will present selected topics and personalities coming together to explore new routes. This is how they create the knowledge from which the future develops. Prof. Hans Müller-Steinhagen, Rector of the TU Dresden

St. Gallen, Univ., Diss., 2007. / Diss.Nr. 3319.

Die TU Dresden ist die größte Technische Universität in Deutschland – und eine der größten Universitäten mit einem alle Wissenschaftsdisziplinen übergreifenden Fächerangebot. Unsere wissenschaftlichen Kennzahlen weisen uns in den Ingenieurwissenschaften, den Naturwissenschaften, den Geistes-, Sozial- und Kulturwissenschaften und in der Medizin als hervorragende Universität aus. In unseren Forschungsschwerpunkten Biomedizin und Bioengineering, Materialwissenschaften, Informationstechnik und Mikroelektronik, Kultur und Wissen sowie Energie und Umwelt zählen wir zu den führenden Hochschulen. Darüber hinaus gibt es zahlreiche weitere Fachgebiete, in denen exzellente Forschung und Lehre geleistet wird. Dank dieser Kompetenztiefe und -vielfalt befassen wir uns insbesondere mit den großen Aufgaben unserer Gesellschaft, die häufig nur durch disziplinenübergreifende Ansätze lösbar sind. Gerade dafür bietet Dresden optimale Grundlagen. Denn diese schöne Stadt an der Elbe hat eine Konzentration an wissenschaftlichen und kulturellen Einrichtungen, die europaweit einmalig ist. 15 dieser Institutionen sind in dem Forschungsverbund DRESDEN-concept eng verzahnt, im Zentrum die TU Dresden. Er verbindet vielschichtige Wissenschaftsbereiche mit allen Ebenen der Gesellschaft und wird von Menschen mit unterschiedlichen Interessen, Berufen und Weltanschauungen getragen. Stellvertretend für über 36.000 Studierende und 8.100 Mitarbeiter zeigen die folgenden Seiten ausgewählte Themen und Persönlichkeiten, die gemeinsam neue Wege gehen. Sie schaffen das Wissen, aus dem Zukunft wächst. Prof. Dr. Dr.-Ing. habil. Hans Müller-Steinhagen, Rektor der TU Dresden:4 // 5 Exzellenz schafft Wissen // Excellence creates knowledge 6 // 7 Zahlen // Figures 8 // 9 Umfassende Transformation // Sweeping transformation 10 // 11 Geschichte // History 12 // 13 Exzellente Forschung // Excellent research 14 // 15 Motor der Region // Driving the region 16 // 17 DRESDEN-concept // DRESDEN-concept 18 // 21 Studieren in Dresden // Studying at TU Dresden 22 // 23 Neugier auf das Unbekannte // Curious about the unknown 24 // 25 Training für den Notfall // Training for an emergency 26 // 27 Exzellente Forschungsbedingungen // Excellent research conditions 28 // 29 Lernen von der Natur // Learning from nature 30 // 33 Von Stammzellen zu Geweben // From stem cells to tissues 34 // 35 Kommunikation in Lichtgeschwindigkeit // Communicating at the speed of light 36 // 37 Nano-elektronisch und cyber-physikalisch // Nanoelectronic and cyber-physical 38 // 39 Materialwissenschaften // Materials sciences 40 // 41 Zukunftsweisende Materialien // Pioneering materials 42 // 43 Exzellenz für morgen // Excellence for tomorrow 44 // 45 Gemeinsinn und Gemeingut // Common sense and common good 46 // 47 Expeditionen für die Zukunft // Expeditions for the future 48 // 49 Partnerschaften mit globalen Institutionen // Partnerships with global institutions 50 // 51 Unternehmensverbund der TU Dresden // TU Dresden AG 52 // 53 Technologietransfer an der TU Dresden // Technology transfer at TU Dresden 54 // 55 Ein Ziel und zwei Gewinner // One goal and two winners 56 // 57 Dialog mit der Gesellschaft // Dialog with society 58 // 59 Lebensqualität in der Elbmetropole // Quality of life in the city on the Elbe river 60 // 61 Die Struktur der TU Dresden // Structure of the TU Dresden / TU Dresden is the biggest University of Technology in Germany – and one of the major universities with a range of subjects and research fields covering every academic discipline. Our academic indicators mark us out as an excellent university in engineering, the natural sciences, the humanities, the social sciences, cultural studies and medicine. We are a leading site of further education with research priority areas in biomedicine and bioengineering, materials science, computer science and microelectronics, culture and knowledge, and energy and the environment. In addition to this there are numerous other fields of excellent research and teaching. With this depth and variety of expertise, we concentrate particularly on the major challenges to modern society, which can often only be solved by means of synergies and interdisciplinary approaches. Dresden provides the perfect conditions for this: this beautiful city on the Elbe river has a high concentration of scientific and cultural institutions which make it one of a kind in Europe. The most important of these institutions are joined together in the DRESDEN-concept research institute alliance, which revolves around the TU Dresden. This combines multifaceted academic fields with all levels of society and is supported by people with all kinds of interests, jobs and ideologies. On behalf of over 36,000 students and 8,100 members of staff, the following pages will present selected topics and personalities coming together to explore new routes. This is how they create the knowledge from which the future develops. Prof. Hans Müller-Steinhagen, Rector of the TU Dresden:4 // 5 Exzellenz schafft Wissen // Excellence creates knowledge 6 // 7 Zahlen // Figures 8 // 9 Umfassende Transformation // Sweeping transformation 10 // 11 Geschichte // History 12 // 13 Exzellente Forschung // Excellent research 14 // 15 Motor der Region // Driving the region 16 // 17 DRESDEN-concept // DRESDEN-concept 18 // 21 Studieren in Dresden // Studying at TU Dresden 22 // 23 Neugier auf das Unbekannte // Curious about the unknown 24 // 25 Training für den Notfall // Training for an emergency 26 // 27 Exzellente Forschungsbedingungen // Excellent research conditions 28 // 29 Lernen von der Natur // Learning from nature 30 // 33 Von Stammzellen zu Geweben // From stem cells to tissues 34 // 35 Kommunikation in Lichtgeschwindigkeit // Communicating at the speed of light 36 // 37 Nano-elektronisch und cyber-physikalisch // Nanoelectronic and cyber-physical 38 // 39 Materialwissenschaften // Materials sciences 40 // 41 Zukunftsweisende Materialien // Pioneering materials 42 // 43 Exzellenz für morgen // Excellence for tomorrow 44 // 45 Gemeinsinn und Gemeingut // Common sense and common good 46 // 47 Expeditionen für die Zukunft // Expeditions for the future 48 // 49 Partnerschaften mit globalen Institutionen // Partnerships with global institutions 50 // 51 Unternehmensverbund der TU Dresden // TU Dresden AG 52 // 53 Technologietransfer an der TU Dresden // Technology transfer at TU Dresden 54 // 55 Ein Ziel und zwei Gewinner // One goal and two winners 56 // 57 Dialog mit der Gesellschaft // Dialog with society 58 // 59 Lebensqualität in der Elbmetropole // Quality of life in the city on the Elbe river 60 // 61 Die Struktur der TU Dresden // Structure of the TU Dresden

No description available.

Systematic calculations were performed to uncover the free energy surfaces for hydrolytic reactions of methyl-diphosphate (in vacuum and implicit solvents) and GTP in EF-Tu active site. Density functional theory and ONIOM extrapolative QM/MM scheme were adopted for the assay. In accordance with experiments, the catalytic effect of the sodium cation was mild. It changes the conformation of GTP attracting its negatively charged oxygen atoms. hydrolýze GTP. The Na+ also equilibrates the charges of all phosphate groups of the GTP mostly by transferring electrons from gamma to beta-phosphate group, which is characteristic for the intermediate states during the hydrolytic reaction.

No description available.

none

On May 13, 2008, the Faculty of Architecture Building, or ‘Bouwkunde’, at the Delft University of Technology, Netherlands suffered a fire that resulted in the collapse of the northwest wing of the 13 story building. No one was injured but the building was a complete loss. Collapse of concrete buildings in fire is rare; this report aims to provide a preliminary evaluation of the structure and point to key areas that may be of interest to future analyses and investigations. To this end, a large database of information was collected, including original and renovation construction documents, original structural calculations, and over 3000 photographs of the structure during and after the fire. This data has been organized and reviewed to provide a clearer understanding of the building and fire. Preliminary models of the fire are developed and applied to selected structural elements in the FOA to the temperature distributions within the members. Also provided is an overview of available methods for calculating the ultimate strength of reinforced concrete members at elevated temperatures and a computer application, UT Fire: Reinforced Concrete Analysis, which can be used to estimate member capacities through a given fire event, based on their internal temperature distributions. / text