Description of nine new centipede species from Amazonia and related matters on Neotropical geophilomorphs (Chilopoda: Geophilomorpha)

Nine new species of geophilomorph centipedes, all from Amazonian sites, are described: one species belongs to Ballophilidae (ltyphilus demoraisi n.sp.), three to Geophilidae (Ribautia (Schizoribautia) difficilis n.sp., R. (R.)ducalis n.sp., R. (R.) proxima n.sp.), and five to Schendylidae (Pectiniunguis ducalis n.sp.). The ♂ allotype of Ityphilus crabilli PEREIRA, MINELLI & BARBIERI, 1994 is designated and described. Descriptive data and/or taxonomic comments are given for several Neotropical species of the genus Ribautia: R. (Schizoribautia) montana KRAUS, 1954 is regarded as a good species and redescribed from type material. R.(S.) seydi RIBAUT, 1923, R.(S.) peruana VERHOEFF, 1941 and R.(S.) titicacae TURK, 1955 are regarded here as distinct species. Ribautia silvana KRAUS, 1954 is placed in the subgenus Ribautia (Schizoribautia) and the ♂ holotype is described

A multi-species cluster of GES-5 carbapenemase producing Enterobacterales linked by a geographically disseminated plasmid

BACKGROUND: Early and accurate treatment of infections due to carbapenem-resistant organisms is facilitated by rapid diagnostics but rare resistance mechanisms can compromise detection. One year after a GES-5 carbapenemase-positive Klebsiella oxytoca infection was identified by whole genome sequencing (WGS) (later found to be part of a cluster of three cases), a cluster of 11 patients with GES-5-positive K. oxytoca was identified over 18 weeks in the same hospital. METHODS: Bacteria were identified by MALDI-TOF, antimicrobial susceptibility testing followed EUCAST guidelines. Ertapenem-resistant isolates were referred to Public Health England for characterization using PCR detection of GES, pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and WGS for the second cluster. RESULTS: The identification of the first GES-5 K. oxytoca isolate was delayed, being identified on WGS. A GES-gene PCR informed the occurrence of the second cluster in real-time. In contrast to PFGE, WGS phylogenetic analysis refuted an epidemiological link between the two clusters; it also suggested a cascade of patient-to-patient transmission in the later cluster. A novel GES-5-encoding plasmid was present in K. oxytoca,E. coli and E. cloacae isolates from unlinked patients within the same hospital group and in human and wastewater isolates from three hospitals elsewhere in the UK. CONCLUSIONS: Genomic sequencing revolutionized the epidemiological understanding of the clusters, it also underlined the risk of covert plasmid propagation in healthcare settings and revealed the national distribution of the resistance-encoding plasmid. Sequencing results also informed and led to the ongoing use of enhanced diagnostic tests for detecting carbapenemases locally and nationally

Spectrum and characterisation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 deleterious mutations in high-risk Czech patients with breast and/or ovarian cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The incidence of breast cancer has doubled over the past 20 years in the Czech Republic. Hereditary factors may be a cause of young onset, bilateral breast or ovarian cancer, and familial accumulation of the disease. <it>BRCA1 </it>and <it>BRCA2 </it>mutations account for an important fraction of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer cases. One thousand and ten unrelated high-risk probands with breast and/or ovarian cancer were analysed for the presence of a <it>BRCA1 </it>or <it>BRCA2 </it>gene mutation at the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute (Czech Republic) during 1999–2006.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The complete coding sequences and splice sites of both genes were screened, and the presence of large intragenic rearrangements in <it>BRCA1 </it>was verified. Putative splice-site variants were analysed at the cDNA level for their potential to alter mRNA splicing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 294 unrelated families (29.1% of the 1,010 probands) pathogenic mutations were identified, with 44 different <it>BRCA1 </it>mutations and 41 different <it>BRCA2 </it>mutations being detected in 204 and 90 unrelated families, respectively. In total, three <it>BRCA1 </it>founder mutations (c.5266dupC; c.3700_3704del5; p.Cys61Gly) and two <it>BRCA2 </it>founder mutations (c.7913_7917del5; c.8537_8538del2) represent 52% of all detected mutations in Czech high-risk probands. Nine putative splice-site variants were evaluated at the cDNA level. Three splice-site variants in <it>BRCA1 </it>(c.302-3C>G; c.4185G>A and c.4675+1G>A) and six splice-site variants in <it>BRCA2 </it>(c.475G>A; c.476-2>G; c.7007G>A; c.8755-1G>A; c.9117+2T>A and c.9118-2A>G) were demonstrated to result in aberrant transcripts and are considered as deleterious mutations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study represents an evaluation of deleterious genetic variants in the <it>BRCA1 </it>and <it>2 </it>genes in the Czech population. The classification of several splice-site variants as true pathogenic mutations may prove useful for genetic counselling of families with high risk of breast and ovarian cancer.</p

Regeneration of Nardus stricta subalpine grasslands in the Giant Mountains [Krkonose]

The origin of Nardus stricta dominated subalpine grassland (Nardo-Caricion rigidae alliance) is a frequently discussed topic in the Giant Mountains (Karkonosze in the Czech Republic). Many researchers considered them, as secondary stands arisen after Pinus mugo removal and by consequent oligotrophization of original plant communities, caused by long-term rough grazing and hay making activities without manuring. On the contrary, they are recognized as natural due to inability of generative reproduction of N. stricta and the very slow vegetative spread there. The aim of this study was to find proofs for generative reproduction of mat grass in subalpine conditions of the Giant Mountains. We identified a Pinus mugo nursery with arable land abandoned in 1956 and compared its vegetation with that of the surrounding area. Dense and homogenous sward dominated by N. stricta developed during the succession on the old arable land for 48 years, and it is an indisputable proof of generative reproduction of N. stricta there. Synthesizing historical facts on human activities in the past and the results of our contemporary vegetation analysis, we conclude that the Nardo-Caricion rigidae grassland was capable to spread relatively quickly, when agricultural activities above the upper timber line were introduced

Organization and regulation of gene transcription.

The regulated transcription of genes determines cell identity and function. Recent structural studies have elucidated mechanisms that govern the regulation of transcription by RNA polymerases during the initiation and elongation phases. Microscopy studies have revealed that transcription involves the condensation of factors in the cell nucleus. A model is emerging for the transcription of protein-coding genes in which distinct transient condensates form at gene promoters and in gene bodies to concentrate the factors required for transcription initiation and elongation, respectively. The transcribing enzyme RNA polymerase II may shuttle between these condensates in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Molecular principles are being defined that rationalize transcriptional organization and regulation, and that will guide future investigations

Muscle hypertrophy and architectural changes in response to eight-week neuromuscular electrical stimulation training in healthy older people

Loss of muscle mass of the lower limbs and of the spine extensors markedly impairs locomotor ability and spine stability in old age. In this study, we investigated whether 8 w of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) improves size and architecture of the lumbar multifidus (LM) and vastus lateralis (VL) along with locomotor ability in healthy older individuals. Eight volunteers (aged 65 65 years) performed NMES 3 times/week. Eight sex-and age-matched individuals served as controls. Functional tests (Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST)), VL muscle architecture (muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA), and fiber length (FL)), along with VL cross-sectional area (CSA) and both sides of LM were measured before and after by ultrasound. By the end of the training period, MT and CSA of VL increased by 8.6% and 11.4%, respectively. No significant increases were observed in FL and PA. LM CSA increased by 5.6% (left) and 7.1% (right). Interestingly, all VL architectural parameters significantly decreased in the control group. The combined NMES had a large significant effect on TUG (r = 0.50, p = 0.046). These results extend previous findings on the hypertrophic effects of NMES training, suggesting to be a useful mean for combating age-related sarcopenia