PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

21-Mar-2014

Contact: Monika Landgraf presse@kit.edu 49-721-608-47414 Karlsruher Institut fr Technologie (KIT)

This news release is available in German.

Scientists of the KIT and the University of Kiev have produced an antibiotic, whose biological activity can be controlled with light. Thanks to the robust diarylethene photoswitch, the antimicrobial effect of the peptide mimetic can be applied in a spatially and temporally specific manner. This might open up new options for the treatment of local infections, as side effects are reduced. The researchers present their photoactivable antibiotic with the new photomodule in a "Very Important Paper" of the journal "Angewandte Chemie".

Photoswitchable molecules modify their structure and properties when exposed to light of an adequate wavelength. Among the photoswitches known are diarylethenes. By reversible photoisomerization, i.e. a reversible light-induced internal relocation of the molecule, the open form is turned into a closed form. Such photoswitch-able molecules are applied in molecular electronics and many other areas. Particularly interesting opportunities result from the insertion of photoswitches into biomolecules to control their activity by light. Interest focuses on so-called peptide mimetics, compounds whose major structural elements emulate a peptide, i.e. a small protein.

For the first time now, a group of researchers headed by Professor Anne S. Ulrich, Director of the Institute for Biological Interfaces 2 (IBG2) and holder of the Chair for Biochemistry at the Institute of Organic Chemistry (IOC) of KIT, has produced a photoswitchable peptide mimetic based on a diarylethene scaffold that can be photoisomerized reversibly. The scientists modified this building block into an amino acid analog and incorporated it directly into the backbone of the annular peptide antibiotic Gramicidin S. Biological activity of the resulting peptide mimetic can be controlled spatially and temporally with the help of UV and visible light. To demonstrate this, the scientists treated a bacterial film with the inactivated antibiotic and exposed it to light via a mask. As a result, the photoswitchable diarylethene was converted from a closed into an open form. Due to the structural modification induced, the entire substance molecule had a much higher antimicrobial effect. "In the future, such photoactivable antibiotics might be used as smart therapeutic agents against local bacterial infections," Professor Anne S. Ulrich explains. "Usual side effects can also be minimized by switching." Based on this strategy, new peptide-based agents against cancer might be feasible, as the newly developed photoactivable building block can also be applied in other peptide sequences.

The editors of the journal "Angewandte Chemie", in which the researchers of KIT and the University of Kiev present their photo-activable antibiotic and their photoswitch, have rated this publication a "VIP Very Important Paper".

###

Oleg Babii, Sergii Afonin, Marina Berditsch, Sabine Reier, Pavel K. Mykhailiuk, Vladimir S. Kubyshkin, Thomas Steinbrecher, Anne S. Ulrich, and Igor V. Komarov: Controlling Biological Activity with Light: Diarylethene-Containing Cyclic Peptidomimetics. Angewandte Chemie (2014). DOI: 10.1002/ange.201310019

Link:
Switching an antibiotic on and off with light

A rain garden can capture rain that would otherwise flow down your lawn and driveway into streets and storm sewers, and use it to make your property more beautiful. It does this if it is located where rain can be directed into it, built so that it can temporarily hold the water (a rain garden is not a pond), and planted with appropriate plants to add beauty and attract birds, bees and butterflies. While a handy homeowner can create a nice rain garden, assistance of a landscape professional with experience in rain gardens can be very helpful.

As in real estate, the first three things are location, location and location. The rain garden should be at least 10 feet from buildings. If one of your downspouts drains into your lawn, perhaps you already know where your rain garden should go. If it instead drains onto the driveway, could it be redirected toward a section of the yard?

Does the soil in that section drain readily? Dig a wide hole 6 inches deep and fill it with water. Wait 24 hours. If the water disappears within that time, the location is suitable for a rain garden.

Can you carve out a large enough space to handle the amount of rain you will get during downpours? Rain gardens range from 100-300 square feet and can usually handle rain from hard surfaces (roof, driveway) three times their size. More than one rain garden may be needed to handle rain from larger areas. Use a hose or rope to outline a curved shape for the proposed garden and move it around until you are satisfied with its placement. Unless it is located in a depression, you will have to excavate between 4-10 inches to form the level bowl of the rain garden. If the site is not level, use some of the excavated soil to make a berm on the downslope side to further prevent overflow. You may also wish to add a border.

Next comes the fun part planting. Rain gardens can be located in sun or part shade. They have distinct planting areas: the bowl and the upper part and a transition zone between them. The bowl area will need plants such as spiderwort and blue flag that can handle wet feet. Plants for the entire rain garden should also handle dry conditions. Native plants are often preferred for that reason. You can use perennials, shrubs or even small trees in a rain garden. Dont forget mulch. Choose wood chips made from hardwoods that will not float away. River rock can be used for the inlet.

Mulch will help keep down weeds but you will have to weed, especially the first season. You will have to water your rain garden in dry seasons. The final result is a beautiful garden that captures rain that would otherwise overburden storm sewers and water treatment plants. Step-by-step instructions are at: http://learningstore.uwex.edu/assets/pdfs/GWQ037.pdf

The Anoka County Master Gardeners invite you to visit our web page http://anokamastergardeners.org/. Click on hot topics for information about the Home Landscaping and Garden Fair, April 12, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Bunker Hills Activities Center, 550 Bunker Lake Blvd. NW, Andover. There also is information on our plant sale (hundreds of plants at reasonable prices) and the plant diagnostic clinic, which offers expert help with your landscape and garden problems.

Lynda Ellis is an Anoka County Master Gardener.

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Garden Views: Tips on adding a rain garden to your property

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Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) March 20, 2014

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) announces a call for entries for the 2014 APSP International Awards of Excellence program. The program recognizes and rewards installations of pools, spas, hot tubs, and water features that showcase the most beautiful and creative work in the industry.

APSP receives hundreds of entries each year, representing member firms across the U.S. and the world. Entries can be submitted at APSP.org/AOE through Aug. 1. Entries are critiqued and awarded by a judging panel of APSP members representing a cross section of the various segments of the pool and hot tub industry, as well as representatives from fields such as architecture and landscape design. Award recipients will be announced in the fall and celebrated at the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo in November in Orlando, FL.

For over 40 years, APSPs International Awards of Excellence program has celebrated the best in design, said Rich Gottwald, APSP president and CEO. We look forward to recognizing new installations that revolutionize the way the industry builds and look forward to inspiring consumers and other industry professionals through our inspiration gallery.

The 2013 corporate sponsors included CNA Insurance; Latham Pool Products Inc.; Lonza; and S.R. Smith. For 2014 sponsorship information, email Helen Bloch at hbloch(at)apsp(dot)org.

For more information about the APSP International Awards of Excellence program, email Lorna Watkins at lwatkins(at)apsp(dot)org.

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals is the worlds oldest and largest association representing swimming pool, hot tub, and spa manufacturers, distributors, manufacturers agents, designers, builders, installers, suppliers, retailers, and service professionals. Dedicated to the growth and development of its members businesses and to promoting the enjoyment and safety of pools and spas, APSP offers a range of services, from professional development to advancing key legislation and regulation at the federal and local levels, to consumer outreach and public safety. APSP is the only industry organization recognized by the American National Standards Institute to develop and promote national standards of pools, hot tubs, and spas. For more information, visit apsp.org.

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APSP Announces Call for Entries to Celebrate the Worlds Best Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs and Water Features

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Details Published on Friday, 21 March 2014 09:25

Perak MB/Google ImagesIPOH: More than 17,000 hectares of land in Perak have been illegally cleared, resulting in the state government losing hundreds of millions of ringgit in revenue.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the illegal activity was believed to be done in a planned manner by certain groups.

It is not some small activity, there are areas where the activity is done in a syndicate manner, he told reporters after the Selamat Pagi Perak Bersama Menteri Besar programme over PerakFM here today.

He said besides the Land and Mines Office, the enforcement now involved the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

There may have been weaknesses before in enforcement resulting in it now being rampant, and there wasnt a good mechanism to control this from happening, he said.

Zambry said various steps were being taken to overcome the problem including identifying the affected areas and legal action which could be taken against those responsible.

He said there were several cases where the responsible parties were identified but managed to escape.

-The Malay Mail http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/perak-state-government-loses-millions-due-to-illegal-land-clearing

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