University of Basel

About: University of Basel is a education organization based out in Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Gene. The organization has 25084 authors who have published 52975 publications receiving 2388002 citations. The organization is also known as: Universität Basel & Basel University.

Adolescents’ Electronic Media Use at Night, Sleep Disturbance, and Depressive Symptoms in the Smartphone Age

Abstract: Adolescence is a time of increasing vulnerability for poor mental health, including depression. Sleep disturbance is an important risk factor for the development of depression during adolescence. Excessive electronic media use at night is a risk factor for both adolescents’ sleep disturbance and depression. To better understand the interplay between sleep, depressive symptoms, and electronic media use at night, this study examined changes in adolescents’ electronic media use at night and sleep associated with smartphone ownership. Also examined was whether sleep disturbance mediated the relationship between electronic media use at night and depressive symptoms. 362 adolescents (12–17 year olds, M = 14.8, SD = 1.3; 44.8 % female) were included and completed questionnaires assessing sleep disturbance (short sleep duration and sleep difficulties) and depressive symptoms. Further, participants reported on their electronic media use in bed before sleep such as frequency of watching TV or movies, playing video games, talking or text messaging on the mobile phone, and spending time online. Smartphone ownership was related to more electronic media use in bed before sleep, particularly calling/sending messages and spending time online compared to adolescents with a conventional mobile phone. Smartphone ownership was also related to later bedtimes while it was unrelated to sleep disturbance and symptoms of depression. Sleep disturbance partially mediated the relationship between electronic media use in bed before sleep and symptoms of depression. Electronic media use was negatively related with sleep duration and positively with sleep difficulties, which in turn were related to depressive symptoms. Sleep difficulties were the more important mediator than sleep duration. The results of this study suggest that adolescents might benefit from education regarding sleep hygiene and the risks of electronic media use at night.

Recommendations for naming plant pathogenesis-related proteins

Abstract: Pathogenesis-related proteins (abbreviated PRs) are defined as plant proteins that are induced in pathological or related situations. We propose a unifying nomenclature for PRs based on their grouping into families sharing amino acid sequences, serological relationship, and/or enzymatic or biological activity. The nomenclature classifies novel proteins identified by electrophoresis or chromatography along with those established by other workers. The previously proposed system of the five well-established families from tobacco is extended to accommodate a further six families. Families are indicated by arabic numerals and individual members are named by lower case letters in the order in which they are described. Additional rules are proposed to deal with forms containing more than a single polypeptide and as yet unclassified PRs. PR genes whose sequences are conserved but whose designations are not based on function are to be designated Ypr in accordance with the recommendations of the Commission on Plant Gene Nomenclature.

Structural basis for sugar translocation through maltoporin channels at 3.1 A resolution.

Abstract: Trimeric maltoporin (LamB protein) facilitates the diffusion of maltodextrins across the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The crystal structure of maltoporin from Escherichia coli, determined to a resolution of 3.1 angstroms, reveals an 18-stranded, antiparallel beta-barrel that forms the framework of the channel. Three inwardly folded loops contribute to a constriction about halfway through the channel. Six contingent aromatic residues line the channel and form a path from the vestibule to the periplasmic outlet. Soaking of a crystal with maltotriose revealed binding of the sugar to this hydrophobic track across the constriction, which suggests that maltose and linear oligosaccharides may be translocated across the membrane by guided diffusion along this path.

Differential diagnosis of suspected multiple sclerosis: a consensus approach

Abstract: Background and objectivesDiagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) requires exclusion of diseases that could better explain the clinical and paraclinical findings A systematic process for exclusion of alternative diagnoses has not been defined An International Panel of MS experts developed consensus perspectives on MS differential diagnosisMethodsUsing available literature and consensus, we developed guidelines for MS differential diagnosis, focusing on exclusion of potential MS mimics, diagnosis of common initial isolated clinical syndromes, and differentiating between MS and non-MS idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseasesResultsWe present recommendations for 1) clinical and paraclinical red flags suggesting alternative diagnoses to MS; 2) more precise definition of “clinically isolated syndromes” (CIS), often the first presentations of MS or its alternatives; 3) algorithms for diagnosis of three common CISs related to MS in the optic nerves, brainstem, and spinal cord; and 4) a classification schem