Foraging behaviour of small mammals for sessile prey

Not Availabl

Disassembly and domain structure of the proteins in the signal-recognition particle

The signal-recognition particle (SRP) is a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex consisting of six different polypeptide chains and a 7SL RNA. It participates in initiating the translocation of proteins across the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum, SRP was disassembled in 2 M KCl into three components, one RNP composed of 7SL RNA and the 54-kDa and 19-kDa proteins, and two heterodimers consisting of the 72/68-kDa and the 14/9-kDa proteins respectively. The 54-kDa protein could be released from the RNP subparticle by chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose in Mg2 ’ -depleted buffer, while the 19-kDa protein remained bound to the 7SL RNA. The domain structure of SRP proteins was probed by using mild elastase treatment and protein-specific antibodies. It was found that the 72, 68, 54 and 19-kDa SRP proteins were proteolytically processed in distinct steps. Most remarkably a protein fragment of 55-kDa, generated from the 72-kDa SRP protein, and a 35-kDa fragment from the 54-kDa SRP protein were both released from the RNP particle. Fragments generated from the 68-kDa protein and detectable with the anti-(68-kDa protein) antibody remained associated with the RNP particle. Cleavage of the SRP proteins by elastase at 2.5 pg/ml resulted in partial loss of activity, while 10 lg/ml caused complete inactivation of the particle. Neither the elongation arrest of IgG light chain nor its translocation across SRP-depleted microsomal membranes was promoted. The implications of these results on the possible interaction between the SRP subunits are discussed

Impact of hormone replacement therapy on the histologic subtype of breast cancer

Objective: Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with an increase in breast cancer risk, which correlates to the duration of HRT use. We wanted to investigate a possible association between HRT use and the risk of a histologic subtype of breast cancer. Patients and methods: From 1995 until 2004, 497 cases of primary ductal, lobular or ductulolobular breast cancer in postmenopausal women were diagnosed at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland. The data was derived from patient's records. HRT ever use was defined as HRT use for ≥6 months. Results: Of the 99 cases of lobular cancer 72.7% were invasive lobular cancers, 21.2% were invasive ductulolobular cancers and 6.1% were lobular cancers in situ. Of the 398 cases of ductal cancer, 90.5% were invasive ductal cancers and 9.5% were ductal cancers in situ. Totally 144 women were HRT ever users, and 341 women were HRT never users. HRT status could not be defined in 12 women. HRT ever use was associated with an increased risk for lobular cancer (OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.02-2.73). Also, menopause due to bilateral oophorectomy was associated with an increased risk for lobular cancer (OR 2.42; 95% CI 1.06-5.54). Conclusions: There is evidence that HRT as well as menopause due to bilateral oophorectomy may be associated with an increased risk for lobular cancer. This association is of major clinical relevance, since lobular breast cancer is more difficult to diagnose clinically and radiologically than ductal breast cance

Persistence of plastic debris and its colonization by bacterial communities after two decades on the abyssal seafloor

The fate of plastic debris entering the oceans is largely unconstrained. Currently, intensified research is devoted to the abiotic and microbial degradation of plastic floating near the ocean surface for an extended period of time. In contrast, the impacts of environmental conditions in the deep sea on polymer properties and rigidity are virtually unknown. Here, we present unique results of plastic items identified to have been introduced into deep-sea sediments at a water depth of 4150 m in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean more than two decades ago. The results, including optical, spectroscopic, physical and microbial analyses, clearly demonstrate that the bulk polymer materials show no apparent sign of physical or chemical degradation. Solely the polymer surface layers showed reduced hydrophobicity, presumably caused by microbial colonization. The bacterial community present on the plastic items differed significantly (p < 0.1%) from those of the adjacent natural environment by a dominant presence of groups requiring steep redox gradients (Mesorhizobium, Sulfurimonas) and a remarkable decrease in diversity. The establishment of chemical gradients across the polymer surfaces presumably caused these conditions. Our findings suggest that plastic is stable over extended times under deep-sea conditions and that prolonged deposition of polymer items at the seafloor may induce local oxygen depletion at the sediment-water interface

LASER treatment in gynaecology -A randomized controlled trial in women with symptomatic lichen sclerosus.

OBJECTIVE Aim of our study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of laser treatment in vulvar lichen sclerosus, mainly the reduction of existing symptoms as itching, burning and pain. We asked about the different outcome by using different application doses. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a prospective randomized double-blind dose-controlled trial in our dysplasia unit specializing vulvar disorders. 67patients with active LS were included. LS was confirmed by biopsy or by the validated CSS (clinical scoring system of vulvar LS). Computer generated randomization resulted in two groups, each group received a different application dose.(LDG- low dose group, NDG- normal dose group) During the study period of 18 weeks all participants received three laser applications in three subsequent sessions of three weeks. Two follow-ups six and twelve weeks after the first application was performed. At every visit, the participants filled in the VAS (visual analogue scale) for recording the actual vulvar symptoms as itching burning or pain on a range from 0 to 10. RESULTS Before treatment the mean VAS-Score was 4.3 (STD ± 2.4) in the NDG and 5.1(±2.6) in the LDG. After 18 weeks, the mean reduction was -2.4 (±2.3) for NDG and -2.7 (±2.8) for LDG. Four patients (two of each group) reported more pain after than before treatment. Both groups show significant lower VAS-Scores 18 weeks after the treatment than before therapy (p < 0.0001). The reduction of symptoms after 18 weeks between NDG and LDG was not significant (p = 0.6244). CONCLUSION Laser treatment with the microablative CO2 laser leads to a significant improvement for symptoms of LS. A higher dosage of laser radiation shows no benefit concerning the symptoms. We have not observed any serious adverse events during this study

Efficacy of topical progesterone versus topical clobetasol propionate in patients with vulvar Lichen sclerosus - A double-blind randomized phase II pilot study.

BACKGROUND Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that mostly affects the anogenital region of women and lowers patients' quality of life. Current standard treatment of LS is topical steroids. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of topical progesterone 8% ointment and compare to standard therapy with topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% in premenopausal women presenting with previously untreated early onset LS. STUDY DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, 2-arm, single center superiority trial in premenopausal women with histologically confirmed vulvar LS who were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment or progesterone 8% ointment. The primary outcome was the clinical severity LS score after 12 weeks, which consists of six clinical features assessed by the physician. Secondary outcomes were the symptom severity LS score, which consists of three symptoms rated by the patient, the Short Form SF-12 physical and mental health scores, and adverse events. Response to medication was assessed by biopsy at the end of the treatment to evaluate inflammatory parameters. RESULTS Overall, 105 women were screened, 102 underwent vulvar biopsy and 37 received a histologically confirmed diagnosis of LS and were randomized: 17 to progesterone and 20 to clobetasol propionate. At 12 weeks, the mean clinical LS scores improved from 4.6 (SD 2.0) to 4.5 (SD 1.7) in the progesterone arm, and from 4.6 (SD 2.8) to 2.9 (SD 2.2) in the clobetasol propionate arm (difference in favor of clobetasol 1.61; 95% CI 0.44 to 2.77, p = 0.009), and the mean symptom severity LS scores improved from 4.5 (SD 3.8) to 3.1 (SD 3.0) in the progesterone arm, and from 4.7 (SD 2.8) to 1.9 (SD 1.8) in the clobetasol propionate arm (difference in favor of clobetasol 1.32; 95% CI -0.25 to 2.89, p = 0.095). LS was in complete remission in 6 out of 10 patients (60%) with available biopsy in the progesterone arm, and in 13 out of 16 patients (81.3%) in the clobetasol propionate arm (odds ratio in favor of clobetasol 0.35; 95% CI 0.06 to 2.06, p = 0.234). No drug-related serious adverse event occurred during the trial. CONCLUSIONS Topical progesterone 8% ointment is inferior to standard therapy with topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% in previously untreated premenopausal women with vulvar LS after 12 weeks treatment

Group B streptococcal colonization in elderly women.

BACKGROUND In non-pregnant adults, the incidence of invasive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease is continuously increasing. Elderly and immunocompromised persons are at increased risk of infection. GBS commonly colonizes the vaginal tract, though data on colonization in the elderly are scarce. It is unknown whether the prevalence of GBS colonization is increasing in parallel to the observed rise of invasive infection. We conducted a three-year (2017-2019) prospective observational cross-sectional study in two teaching hospitals in Switzerland to determine the rate of GBS vaginal colonization in women over 60 years and i) to compare the proportions of known risk factors associated with invasive GBS diseases in colonized versus non-colonized women and ii) to evaluate the presence of GBS clusters with specific phenotypic and genotypic patterns in this population. METHODS GBS screening was performed by using vaginal swabs collected during routine examination from women willing to participate in the study and to complete a questionnaire for risk factors. Isolates were characterized for antibiotic resistance profile, serotype and sequence type (ST). RESULTS The GBS positivity rate in the elderly was 17% (44/255 positive samples), and similar to the one previously reported in pregnant women (around 20%). We could not find any association between participants' characteristics, previously published risk factors and GBS colonization. All strains were susceptible to penicillin, 22% (8/36) were not susceptible to erythromycin, 14% (5/36) were not susceptible to clindamycin and 8% (3/36) showed inducible clindamycin resistance. Both M and L phenotypes were each detected in one isolate. The most prevalent serotypes were III (33%, 12/36) and V (31%, 11/36). ST1 and ST19 accounted for 11% of isolates each (4/36); ST175 for 8% (3/36); and ST23, ST249 and ST297 for 6% each (2/36). Significantly higher rates of resistance to macrolides and clindamycin were associated with the ST1 genetic background of ST1. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate a similar colonization rate for pregnant and elderly women. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trial ISRCTN15468519 ; 06/01/2017

Response of the wood-decay fungus Schizophyllum commune to co-occurring microorganisms

Microorganisms are constantly interacting in a given environment by a constant exchange of signaling molecules. In timber, wood-decay fungi will come into contact with other fungi and bacteria. In naturally bleached wood, dark, pigmented lines arising from confrontation of two fungi often hint at such interactions. The metabolites (and pigment) exchange was investigated using the lignicolous basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune, and co-occurring fungi and bacteria inoculated directly on sterilized wood, or on media. In interactions with competitive wood degrading fungi, yeasts or bacteria, different competition strategies and communication types were observed, and stress reactions, as well as competitor-induced enzymes or pigments were analyzed. Melanin, indole, flavonoids and carotenoids were shown to be induced in S. commune interactions. The induced genes included multi-copper oxidases lcc1, lcc2, mco1, mco2, mco3 and mco4, possibly involved in both pigment production and lignin degradation typical for wood bleaching by wood-decay fungi