University of Vienna

About: University of Vienna is a education organization based out in Vienna, Austria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 44686 authors who have published 95840 publications receiving 2907492 citations.

probeBase—an online resource for rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes: new features 2007

Abstract: probeBase is a curated database of annotated rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes and supporting information. Rapid access to probe, microarray and reference data is achieved by powerful search tools and via different lists that are based on selected categories such as functional or taxonomic properties of the target organism(s) or the hybridization format (fluorescence in situ hybridization or microarray) in which the probes were applied. Additional information on probe coverage and specificity is available through direct submissions of probe sequences from probeBase to RDP-II and Greengenes, two major rRNA sequence databases. A freely editable user comments field for each probe entry allows any user to add, modify or remove information or to report errors in real-time. probeBase entries increased from 700 to more than 1200 during the past three years. Several options for submission of single probes or entire probe sets, even prior to publication of newly developed probes, should further contribute to keeping probeBase an up-to-date and useful resource. probeBase is freely accessible at http://www.microbial-ecology.net/probebase. Email correspondence can be addressed to ten.ygoloce-laiborcim@esabeborp.

Bosons in a trap: A rigorous derivation of the Gross-Pitaevskii energy functional

Abstract: The ground-state properties of interacting Host gases in external potentials, as considered in recent exptriments, are usually described by means of the Gross-Pitaevskii energy functional. We present here a rigorous proof of the asymptotic exactness of this approximation for the ground-state energy and particle density of a dilute Bose gas with a positive interaction.

Mutations in PROP1 cause familial combined pituitary hormone deficiency

Abstract: Combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) in man denotes impaired production of growth hormone (GH) and one or more of the other five anterior pituitary hormones. Mutations of the pituitary transcription factor gene POU1F1 (the human homologue of mouse Pit1) are responsible for deficiencies of GH, prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in Snell and Jackson dwarf mice and in man, while the production of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), luteiniz-ing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is preserved. The Ames dwarf (df) mouse displays a similar phenotype, and appears to be epistatic to Snell and Jackson dwarfism. We have recently positionally cloned the putative Ames dwarf gene Prop1 (ref. 1)f which encodes a paired-like homeodomain protein that is expressed specifically in embryonic pituitary and is necessary for Pit1 expression. In this report we have identified four CPHD families with homozy-gosity or compound heterozygosity for inactivating mutations of PROP1. These mutations in the human PROP1 gene result in a gene product with reduced DNA-binding and transcriptional activation ability in comparison to the product of the murine df mutation. In contrast to individuals with POU1F1 mutations, those with PROP1 mutations cannot produce LH and FSH at a sufficient level and do not enter puberty spontaneously. Our results identify a major cause of CPHD in humans and suggest a direct or indirect role for PROP1 in the ontogenesis of pituitary gonadotropes, as well as somatotropes, lactotropes and caudomedial thyrotropes.

Epidermal Langerhans cells bear Fc and C3 receptors.

Abstract: THE mammalian epidermis contains a system of dendritic cells, eponymously referred to as Langerhans cells, whose functions are obscure. It is, however, accepted that Langerhans cells are of mesenchymal origin and since they are known also to occur in the dermis, lymph nodes, thymus, and other organs, the concept of Langerhans cells has widened to encompass a cellular system populating the connective tissues and certain stratified squamous epithelia of mammals1. Among the many hypotheses about their biological significance they have been considered to represent immunocompetent cells or cells which might capture antigenic materials2, but there is insufficient evidence for this. Lymphocytes have been observed to be closely associated with Langerhans cells in delayed type hypersensitivity reactions to dinitrochloro-benzene in guinea pigs3; and when guinea pigs passively sensitised with lymphocytes from ferritin-hypersensitive donors, were challenged with ferritin, ferritin-containing Langerhans cells were observed in the draining lymph nodes of the challenged animals4. Metals and certain amines have an affinity for Langerhans cells in vitro5, but since they can phagocytose ferritin and other substances without previous sensitisation1, doubt remains whether they are immunologically engaged in the uptake and transport of potentially antigenic material. If Langerhans cells are indeed involved in immunological reactions, they should bear some of the surface markers characteristics of cells with known immunological functions, and we have now shown that they carry receptors for Fc and C3.