Escherichia coli fusion carrier proteins act as solubilizing agents for recombinant uncoupling protein 1 through interactions with GroEL.

in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (2005), 333

Fusing recombinant proteins to highly soluble partners is frequently used to prevent aggregation of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. Moreover, co-overexpression of prokaryotic chaperones can ... [more ▼]

Fusing recombinant proteins to highly soluble partners is frequently used to prevent aggregation of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. Moreover, co-overexpression of prokaryotic chaperones can increase the amount of properly folded recombinant proteins. To understand the solubility enhancement of fusion proteins, we designed two recombinant proteins composed of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), a mitochondrial membrane protein, in fusion with MBP or NusA. We were able to express soluble forms of MBP-UCP1 and NusA-UCP1 despite the high hydrophobicity of UCP1. Furthermore, the yield of soluble fusion proteins depended on co-overexpression of GroEL that catalyzes folding of polypeptides. MBP-UCP1 was expressed in the form of a non-covalent complex with GroEL. MBP-UCP1/GroEL was purified and characterized by dynamic light scattering, gel filtration, and electron microscopy. Our findings suggest that MBP and NusA act as solubilizing agents by forcing the recombinant protein to pass through the bacterial chaperone pathway in the context of fusion protein. [less ▲]

Les Escherichia coli producteurs de shigatoxines dans les toxi-infections d'origine alimentaire.

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2007), 151

Certains Escherichia coli producteurs de Shigatoxines (STEC) sont responsables de toxi-infections d’origine alimentaire qui se traduisent par des diarrhées mais aussi par des syndromes plus graves pour ... [more ▼]

Certains Escherichia coli producteurs de Shigatoxines (STEC) sont responsables de toxi-infections d’origine alimentaire qui se traduisent par des diarrhées mais aussi par des syndromes plus graves pour l’homme comme le syndrome hémolytique urémique pouvant provoquer la mort. Il s’agit d’agents zoonotiques dont le réservoir principal est le bovin et les autres ruminants. Les principaux modes de transmission des infections à STEC à l’homme sont la consommation d’aliments contaminés (viande de boeuf peu cuite, produits laitiers non pasteurisés), la transmission de personne à personne, l’ingestion d’eau contaminée et le contact avec des animaux (notamment les bovins) et leur environnement. Les facteurs de virulence des Escherichia coli producteurs de Shigatoxines sont principalement les protéines codées par un îlot de pathogénicité, « Locus of Enterocyte Effacement », impliquées dans la formation de la lésion d’attachement et d’effacement et de la diarrhée et les toxines de Shiga codées par des bactériophages et impliquées dans les syndromes extraintestinaux. La souche de STEC du sérotype O157:H7 est responsable d’épidémies dans le monde causant des milliers de malades et des dizaines de morts. De nombreuses méthodes de diagnostic ont été développées pour identifier ce pathogène à partir des aliments. Elles regroupent des méthodes de bactériologie classique, des méthodes immunologiques et des méthodes moléculaires. Des mesures d’hygiène sont particulièrement importantes pour éviter la contamination des animaux à la ferme et celle de la viande à l’abattoir. Enfin, des modèles d’évaluation du risque ont été développés notamment afin de modéliser le comportement des STEC dans l’aliment. [less ▲]

Escherichia coli virulence factors

in Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology (2013), 152

Escherichia coli was described in 1885 by a German pediatrician, Theodor Escherich, in the faeces of a child suffering diarrhoea. In 1893, a Danish veterinarian postulated that the E. coli species ... [more ▼]

Escherichia coli was described in 1885 by a German pediatrician, Theodor Escherich, in the faeces of a child suffering diarrhoea. In 1893, a Danish veterinarian postulated that the E. coli species comprises different strains, some being pathogens, others not. Today the E. coli species is subdivided into several pathogenic strains causing different intestinal, urinary tract or internal infections and pathologies, in animal species and in humans. Since this congress topic is the interaction between E. coli and the mucosal immune system, the purpose of this manuscript is to present different classes of adhesins (fimbrial adhesins, afimbrial adhesins and outer membrane proteins), the type 3 secretion system, and some toxins (oligopeptide, AB, and RTX pore-forming toxins) produced by E. coli, that can directly interact with the epithelial cells of the intestinal, respiratory and urinary tracts. [less ▲]

Escourgeon et Orge d'hiver fourragère

in Fumure et protection phytosanitaire des céréales: Informations avant les semis des céréales (1998, September 10)

Escourgeon et Orge d'hiver fourragers

in Livre Blanc: Céréales - Gembloux - Informations avant les semis (2004, September 09)

Escourgeon et Orge d'hiver fourragers

in Livre Blanc: Céréales - Gembloux - Informations avant les semis (2006, September 07)

Escourgeon et Orge d'hiver fourragers

in Livre Blanc: Céréales - Gembloux - Informations avant les semis (2000, September 14)

El escritor más importante de la España contemporánea

Conference given outside the academic context (2012)

ESO key programme, gravitational lensing: quasars and radio galaxies; a status report

in Distribution of Matter in the Universe (1992, December 01)

The scientific background and objectives of our ESO Key Programme are first recalled. A brief account of our research activities (observing runs at ESO and elsewhere, meetings, etc.) is then given ... [more ▼]

The scientific background and objectives of our ESO Key Programme are first recalled. A brief account of our research activities (observing runs at ESO and elsewhere, meetings, etc.) is then given. Preliminary scientific results are presented concerning 1) our observational database for highly luminous quasars and distant powerful radiogalaxies; 2) speckle observations of highly luminous quasars; 3) the photometric monitoring and 4) detailed studies of several known gravitational lenses; 5) optical observations of 3C and 4C radio galaxies and 6) of the well known Einstein ring MG 1131+0456. [less ▲]

Esophageal cancer surgery in patients older than 75: long term results.

in Acta Chirurgica Belgica (2011), 111(1), 12-7

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate short and long term results after esophageal cancer resection in patients older than 75. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the database of esophageal ... [more ▼]

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate short and long term results after esophageal cancer resection in patients older than 75. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the database of esophageal cancer surgically treated in our department between January 2003 and December 2009 to identify patients older than 75. The preoperative, operative, postoperative and long term characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 137 patient, 23 were older than 75. The histological subtype was adenocarcinoma in 100%. The surgical techniques were a "Lewis-Santy" procedure in 43%, a trans-hiatal resection in 22%, a "Sweet" procedure in 13%, a stripping in 13% and a McKeown procedure in 9%. The in-hospital postoperative mortality was 13%. The in-hospital postoperative morbidity (Dindo-Clavien Grade >2, deceased patients included) was 26%. In univariate analysis, no statistically significant risk factor of morbidity was found. A Charlson Comorbidity Index >2 was, in univariate analysis, the sole risk factor of postoperative mortality (p = 0.0362). The mean hospital stay was 22 +/- 12 days. The median survival was 24.2 months. The 5-year overall survival was 39% and the 5-year disease free survival was 26%.57% of long-term deaths were not cancer related. CONCLUSION: Esophageal surgery performed in selected patients older than 75 has an acceptable morbidity and mortality but when a severe complication occurs, it leads to death in half of the cases. Surgery enables a long term survival benefit. This study confirmed our attitude of not considering age as a contra-indication for esophageal surgery but rather considering general status, self-reliance and associated comorbidities for patients' selection. [less ▲]