Global population structure and evolution of Bordetella pertussis and their relationship with vaccination.

Bordetella pertussis causes pertussis, a respiratory disease that is most severe for infants. Vaccination was introduced in the 1950s, and in recent years, a resurgence of disease was observed worldwide, with significant mortality in infants. Possible causes for this include the switch from whole-cell vaccines (WCVs) to less effective acellular vaccines (ACVs), waning immunity, and pathogen adaptation. Pathogen adaptation is suggested by antigenic divergence between vaccine strains and circulating strains and by the emergence of strains with increased pertussis toxin production. We applied comparative genomics to a worldwide collection of 343 B. pertussis strains isolated between 1920 and 2010. The global phylogeny showed two deep branches; the largest of these contained 98% of all strains, and its expansion correlated temporally with the first descriptions of pertussis outbreaks in Europe in the 16th century. We found little evidence of recent geographical clustering of the strains within this lineage, suggesting rapid strain flow between countries. We observed that changes in genes encoding proteins implicated in protective immunity that are included in ACVs occurred after the introduction of WCVs but before the switch to ACVs. Furthermore, our analyses consistently suggested that virulence-associated genes and genes coding for surface-exposed proteins were involved in adaptation. However, many of the putative adaptive loci identified have a physiological role, and further studies of these loci may reveal less obvious ways in which B. pertussis and the host interact. This work provides insight into ways in which pathogens may adapt to vaccination and suggests ways to improve pertussis vaccines. IMPORTANCE Whooping cough is mainly caused by Bordetella pertussis, and current vaccines are targeted against this organism. Recently, there have been increasing outbreaks of whooping cough, even where vaccine coverage is high. Analysis of the genomes of 343 B. pertussis isolates from around the world over the last 100 years suggests that the organism has emerged within the last 500 years, consistent with historical records. We show that global transmission of new strains is very rapid and that the worldwide population of B. pertussis is evolving in response to vaccine introduction, potentially enabling vaccine escape

Regionalna wymowa procesów antropogenizacji regionu środkowej Obry na podstawie badań osadów jeziora Wonieść

The study was aimed at anthropogenization processes of the Kościan Plain. They are noticeable in local palynological diagrams (eg. at the archaeological site in Bruszczewo) as well as on settlement maps of the Polish Archaeological Record Project. The goal was to determine whether the processes were perceptible also in a regional scale, in deposits of the biggest water body in the examined area, located 15 km to the east from Bruszczewo. Anthropogenic participation in changes of plant cover is clearly visible in the local diagram from Bruszczewo. While compared with the mentioned, anthropogenic influence in deposits of Wonieść Lake is rather inconspicuous. In the Neolithic and Early Bronze Periods, percentage of herbaceous plants (amount of grasses and herbs) maintained the level of 10%. Increase in NAP is marked not earlier than in the Roman Iron Age, and then from the Early Middle Ages until the present time (Dörfler, to be published soon). Comparison of palynological results to sedimentological analyses indicates that periods of increased values of CerealiaandPlantago lanceolataindices are correlated with inflow of mineral material to lacustrine water body. Larger fractions were observed there i.e. fine- and medium-grained sands, and even gravels as well as organic matter. In the geochemical record for the same periods, an increased percentage of trace elements can be visible (however their distinctive escalation is manifested not earlier than in the Middle Ages). These changes are accompanied by intensified eutrophication index (phosphorus percentage) as well as by occurrence of diatoms, which prefer eutrophic conditions

Research Pilot Project on CO2 Geological Storage in the Czech Republic (REPP-CO2)

The paper presents information about the latest pilot project entitled “Preparation of a Research Pilot Project on CO2 Geological Storage in the Czech Republic (REPP-CO2)”. This project was funded by the Norway Grants and performed by the consortium led by the Czech Geological Survey (ÈGS) in cooperation with a Norwegian partner – IRIS (International Research Institute of Stavanger), and VSB – Technical University of Ostrava also employees of Faculty of Mining and Geology and the Faculty of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering. The scientists from the Institute of Applied Geology (Silesian University of Technology) were also involved in this Project. The main objective of the research activities was to develop and improve the methodology of chosen laboratory, modelling, and simulation and monitoring procedures and techniques, which are essential for the assessment of CO2 storage and other related activities, such as static and dynamic modelling, risk analysis, repository monitoring, etc

Projekt badawczy: ”Projektowanie, wpływ na środowisko i skuteczność działania energetyzowanych cieczy do szczelinowania skał zbiornikowych ropy i gazu Europy Środkowej” (ENFLUID) – założenia, przebieg i rezultaty

The main goal of the project, realized by the Silesian University of Technology (as the Project Promotor), Oil and Gas Institute – National Research Institute and University of Stavanger, was the development of energized fracturing fluids for use in oil and gas reservoir formations in Central Europe. Transferring the American or foreign experience was not the solution, and already known methods may require modification or development. This has become important in the case of European gas shales, reservoir potential of which were the subject of intensive diagnosis when the project was launched. Within the framework of the project, composition of energized fracturing fluid for work in different formations of Central Europe was designed, mutual interactions between the fluids and the fractured rock were defined, the effects of energized fluids application on the geochemistry of the formation in the short and in the long-term were determined and the methods of treatment and recycling of flowback water were proposed. The project was focused on innovative technology, allowing for an efficient development of conventional and unconventional gas reservoirs, combined with maximum reduction of the negative impact of this process on the natural environment. The project also facilitated the strengthening and sharing of knowledge based on the fields of research and technological topics and issues of unconventional shale reservoirs.Głównym celem projektu „ENFLUID”, realizowanego przez Politechnikę Śląską (w roli Koordynatora), Instytut Nafty i Gazu – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy oraz Uniwersytet Stavanger, było opracowanie optymalnego składu energetyzowanych cieczy szczelinujących, przydatnych do zastosowania w złożowych formacjach ropy i gazu Europy Środkowej. W tych specyficznych warunkach bezpośrednia adaptacja technologii i doświadczeń zagranicznych nie jest właściwym rozwiązaniem, a znane metody szczelinowania mogą wymagać modyfikacji lub rozwinięcia. Ma to szczególne znaczenie w przypadku łupków gazonośnych, których potencjał złożowy jest przedmiotem intensywnego rozpoznania. W ramach projektu opracowano skład energetyzowanych cieczy szczelinujących odpowiednich do zastosowania w różnych formacjach złożowych, zdefiniowano wzajemne interakcje pomiędzy cieczami a skałą poddawaną szczelinowaniu, określono jakie są skutki stosowania energetyzowanych cieczy szczelinujących na środowisko geochemiczne formacji w krótkim i długim okresie czasu oraz zaproponowano metody neutralizacji oraz recyklingu płynów zwrotnych ze szczelinowania. Realizacja projektu pozwoliła na stworzenie innowacyjnej technologii, ukierunkowanej na efektywne wykorzystanie konwencjonalnych i niekonwencjonalnych złóż gazu i ropy zamkniętych w formacjach złożowych Europy Środkowej, przy równoczesnej minimalizacji negatywnego wpływu tego procesu na środowisko naturalne

Characteristics of depositional environments of Czechowskie Lake basin and its vicinity

W artykule przedstawiono przegląd badań nad morfogenezą misy jeziornej Jeziora Czechowskiego na Pojezierzu Starogardzkim. W dostępnych odsłonięciach, wkopach i wierceniach o nienaruszonej strukturze przeprowadzono analizę sedymentologiczną osadów glacjofluwialnych, glacjolimnicznych, limnicznych i stokowych. Wyniki tej analizy uzupełniono rezultatami kartowania geologicznego i geomorfologicznego. W efekcie przeprowadzonych prac stwierdzono, że misa jeziora założona jest w głębokiej rynnie subglacjalnej, która do początku allerødu zakonserwowana była bryłami martwego lodu. Ich wytopienie doprowadziło do powstania zróżnicowanej morfologii dna rynny. W najgłębszych miejscach, dzięki ograniczonej miksji, były warunki do zachowania rocznej laminacji osadów dennych. Sedymentacja osadów glacjofluwialnych w otoczeniu rynny była bardzo zróżnicowana i w wielu miejscach wskazuje na warunki przepływu nadkrytycznego. W przypowierzchniowej warstwie osadów sandrowych stwierdzono ślady zapisu procesów mrozowych (gleby mrozowe) oraz wytrącenia węglanowe wskazujące na występowanie warunków peryglacjalnych po zaprzestaniu przepływu proglacjalnego. Osady limniczne są również zróżnicowane w zależności od cech morfometrycznych basenu sedymentacyjnego, a przede wszystkim od głębokości ich depozycji. Osady stokowe pochodzą w większości z ostatnich dwustu lat, a ich depozycja nastąpiła wskutek działalności gospodarczej człowieka.The paper aims to review the investigations on the genesis of the Czechowskie Lake basin (Starogard Lakeland, north-central Poland). The sedimentological analysis of the glaciofluvial, glaciolimnic, limnic and colluvial deposits have been conducted in the outcrops, pits and boreholes with undisturbed cores. They were supplemented by the results of the geological and geomorphological mapping. Summing up the investigations it can be stated that the lake basin developed within a deep subglacial channel which was preserved by the dead ice blocks till the onset of the Allerød. Their melting led to the emergence of a morphologically diversified lake basin. The conditions in its deepest parts, due to hampered mixing and wave action, favoured the preservation of the annually laminated sediments. The glaciofluvial deposition in the vicinity of the lake was diverse and in many places it indicates the supercritical condition of the water flow. Within the near-surface layer of outwash deposits were recognized the traces of the periglacial processes and calcareous precipitates which indicate short glaciolimnic periods or breaks in sedimentation. The limnic sediments are also diversified and dependent on the morphometric features of the sedimentary basin, mostly the depth of the deposition. Colluvial deposits have originated mostly in the last 200 years as a consequence of the transient deforestation of the surrounding area