Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018):a position statement of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles and update of the MISEV2014 guidelines

The last decade has seen a sharp increase in the number of scientific publications describing physiological and pathological functions of extracellular vesicles (EVs), a collective term covering various subtypes of cell-released, membranous structures, called exosomes, microvesicles, microparticles, ectosomes, oncosomes, apoptotic bodies, and many other names. However, specific issues arise when working with these entities, whose size and amount often make them difficult to obtain as relatively pure preparations, and to characterize properly. The International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) proposed Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles (“MISEV”) guidelines for the field in 2014. We now update these “MISEV2014” guidelines based on evolution of the collective knowledge in the last four years. An important point to consider is that ascribing a specific function to EVs in general, or to subtypes of EVs, requires reporting of specific information beyond mere description of function in a crude, potentially contaminated, and heterogeneous preparation. For example, claims that exosomes are endowed with exquisite and specific activities remain difficult to support experimentally, given our still limited knowledge of their specific molecular machineries of biogenesis and release, as compared with other biophysically similar EVs. The MISEV2018 guidelines include tables and outlines of suggested protocols and steps to follow to document specific EV-associated functional activities. Finally, a checklist is provided with summaries of key points

Gender differences in the use of cardiovascular interventions in HIV-positive persons; the D:A:D Study

Peer reviewe

Modelling Impact of Key Success Factors in Humanitarian Logistics

Recently the authors have explored strategic, tactical and operative key success factors for the humanitarian supply chain. Moreover, they have developed and tested a holistic and applicable performance measurement system for the humanitarian supply chain. Based on these results the impact of key success factors on performance is investigated: An impact model of key success factors on key performance indicators is developed and formulated. The evaluation of the model will be based on sequential qualitative system analysis for a first testing and analytical insights. Findings reveal that performance measurement in humanitarian logistics and humanitarian supply chains is still an open area of research, especially compared to the commercial logistics and supply chain sector. Moreover, it highlights how to identify and measure success in humanitarian supply chains. The results help humanitarian logistics and humanitarian supply chain actors to conduct further research in this area and to develop key performance indicators and measurement frameworks that suit the humanitarian logistics sector

Survival of soil microbial population after glyphosate application

Modern agricultural production is often associated with application of agrochemicals. One of them is glyphosate, which has become one of the most widely used herbicides in weed control. However, the widespread use of glyphosate may influence the living organism’s activity. The aim of this paper was to estimate the soil microbial activity after glyphosate application. Glyphosate (Glifomark SG) was applied at the end of 2017 on two locations: Principovo polje, and Novi Travnik (Travnik municipality, Bosnia and Herzegovina), so that corn and raspberry residues can be removed. Soil sampling (0–10 and 10–30 cm) was conducted at the time of glyphosate application, also 15 and 45 days after application. On control soil glyphosate was not applied. Chemical soil analysis (pH, content of humus, available P and K) was performed using standard methodology, whilst microbial abundance (total number of bacteria, ammonification bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and glyphosate-tolerant bacteria) was analyzed using agar plate method. The results of chemical soil analysis showed slightly acid to slightly alkaline pH value, moderate to high humus content, and low to high content of available P and K. In most of samples, bacterial number was reduced 15 days after glyphosate application, whilst at the end of experiment increase of bacterial abundance was recorded. Similar results were obtained for fungi. Rapid decrease of actinomycetes number was observed after application of glyphosate. Two bacterial strains (PP-23 and NT-11) were able to grow on mineral medium supplemented with glyphosate in concentrations of 1 and 2% (v/v), thus representing a promising candidates for bioremediation of soil contaminated with glyphosate

Protein secretion in the Archaea: multiple paths towards a unique cell surface

Archaea are similar to other prokaryotes in most aspects of cell structure but are unique with respect to the lipid composition of the cytoplasmic membrane and the structure of the cell surface. Membranes of archaea are composed of glycerol-ether lipids instead of glycerol-ester lipids and are based on isoprenoid side chains, whereas the cell walls are formed by surface-layer proteins. The unique cell surface of archaea requires distinct solutions to the problem of how proteins cross this barrier to be either secreted into the medium or assembled as appendages at the cell surface.