Extracellular riboflavin induces anaerobic biofilm formation in Shewanella oneidensis

Background Some microorganisms can respire with extracellular electron acceptors using an extended electron transport chain to the cell surface. This process can be applied in bioelectrochemical systems in which the organisms produce an electrical current by respiring with an anode as electron acceptor. These organisms apply flavin molecules as cofactors to facilitate one-electron transfer catalyzed by the terminal reductases and in some cases as endogenous electron shuttles. Results In the model organism Shewanella oneidensis, riboflavin production and excretion trigger a specific biofilm formation response that is initiated at a specific threshold concentration, similar to canonical quorum-sensing molecules. Riboflavin-mediated messaging is based on the overexpression of the gene encoding the putrescine decarboxylase speC which leads to posttranscriptional overproduction of proteins involved in biofilm formation. Using a model of growth-dependent riboflavin production under batch and biofilm growth conditions, the number of cells necessary to produce the threshold concentration per time was deduced. Furthermore, our results indicate that specific retention of riboflavin in the biofilm matrix leads to localized concentrations, which by far exceed the necessary threshold value. Conclusion This study describes a new quorum-sensing mechanism in S. oneidensis. Biofilm formation of S. oneidensis is induced by low concentrations of riboflavin resulting in an upregulation of the ornithine-decarboxylase speC. The results can be applied for the development of strains catalyzing increased current densities in bioelectrochemical systems

Planung als Element berufspraktischer Professionalisierung. Das Praxismodell der PPH Augustinum

Astrid Kohl, Andrea Scheer, Julia Seyss-Inquart und Elisabeth Sturm betonen den Fokus auf die Planung als Element der berufspraktischen Professionalisierung und geben Einblicke in den Aufbau der entsprechenden Planungskompetenzen im Rahmen des Praxismodells der PPH Augustinum. Mit zusammenfassenden Ergebnissen aus der Begleitforschung werden drei zentrale Entwicklungsfelder für die berufspraktische Professionalisierung berichtet und daraus resultierende weiterführende Fragen formuliert. (DIPF/Orig.

The demand for sports and exercise: Results from an illustrative survey

Funding from the Department of Health policy research programme was used in this study.There is a paucity of empirical evidence on the extent to which price and perceived benefits affect the level of participation in sports and exercise. Using an illustrative sample of 60 adults at Brunel University, West London, we investigate the determinants of demand for sports and exercise. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews that covered indicators of sports and exercise behaviour; money/time price and perceived benefits of participation; and socio- economic/demographic details. Count, linear and probit regression models were fitted as appropriate. Seventy eight per cent of the sample participated in sports and exercise and spent an average of £27 per month and an average of 20 min travelling per occasion of sports and exercise. The demand for sport and exercise was negatively associated with time (travel or access time) and ‘variable’ price and positively correlated with ‘fixed’ price. Demand was price inelastic, except in the case of meeting the UK government’s recommended level of participation, which is time price elastic (elasticity = −2.2). The implications of data from a larger nationally representative sample as well as the role of economic incentives in influencing uptake of sports and exercise are discussed.This article is available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund

Functional hyper-IL-6 from vaccinia virus-colonized tumors triggers platelet formation and helps to alleviate toxicity of mitomycin C enhanced virus therapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Combination of oncolytic vaccinia virus therapy with conventional chemotherapy has shown promise for tumor therapy. However, side effects of chemotherapy including thrombocytopenia, still remain problematic.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Here, we describe a novel approach to optimize combination therapy of oncolytic virus and chemotherapy utilizing virus-encoding hyper-IL-6, GLV-1h90, to reduce chemotherapy-associated side effects.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We showed that the hyper-IL-6 cytokine was successfully produced by GLV-1h90 and was functional both in cell culture as well as in tumor-bearing animals, in which the cytokine-producing vaccinia virus strain was well tolerated. When combined with the chemotherapeutic mitomycin C, the anti-tumor effect of the oncolytic virotherapy was significantly enhanced. Moreover, hyper-IL-6 expression greatly reduced the time interval during which the mice suffered from chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Therefore, future clinical application would benefit from careful investigation of additional cytokine treatment to reduce chemotherapy-induced side effects.</p

SÍNDROME DE BURNOUT EM ENFERMEIROS ATUANTES NO ATENDIMENTO PRÉ-HOSPITALAR

A profissão de Enfermagem é considerada uma das profissões mais desgastantes. Fatores estressores, exaustores e de perigo que permeiam o processo de trabalho da equipe de enfermagem nas urgências e emergências podem resultar no adoecimento profissional e no acometimento de síndromes como a Síndrome e Burnout. Essa síndrome se apresenta por meio de expressões físicas, comportamentais e psíquicas como a sensação de esgotamento físico e emocional e para ser diagnosticada necessita de avaliação por profissional capacitado, como o psiquiatra. &nbsp;A vista disso tem-se por objetivo abordar os impactos decorrentes da Síndrome de Burnout nos enfermeiros que atuam no atendimento pré-hospitalar

Bariatric surgery prevents carotid wall thickness progression.

BACKGROUND Bariatric surgery is a treatment option for patients with severe obesity and improves parameters of cardiovascular and/or metabolic disease. Carotid intima media thickness (C-IMT) is a surrogate measure of subclinical atherosclerosis. Previous studies showed short to mid-term arrest and even regression of C‑IMT progression following bariatric surgery. We aimed to investigate the long-term effect of weight loss on C‑IMT progression 10 years after bariatric surgery in comparison to a population-based control cohort. METHODS In total, 21 eligible patients were examined preoperatively, at 5 and 10 years after bariatric surgery. Anthropometric parameters, plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), insulin, and glucose were assessed at all three study visits. C‑IMT was measured via B‑mode scans of the common carotid artery. C‑IMT progression was measured in an age-matched and BMI-matched cohort selected from the population-based Bruneck study to compare with changes in C‑IMT progression after bariatric surgery. RESULTS C‑IMT remained stable over the 10-year observation period after bariatric surgery. The control cohort showed a significant C‑IMT progression over 10 years. The difference in C‑IMT progression over 10 years was significant (p < 0.01) between both cohorts. CONCLUSION Weight loss induced by bariatric surgery halts the natural progression of C‑IMT over a 10-year observation period

TYPO EINA. 01

Núm. 1 (2018)En aquest número recollim els textos de tres treballs de recerca (On typographic superfamilies: investigating the history, nature and rationale of extended typeface families / Julia Sturm; Humanismo, Racionalismo y Funcionalismo: la importancia de Adrian Frutiger en la consolidación de una nueva categoría tipográfica / Elio Salichs; Revisió de l’origen de la humanista cursiva fins a la seva formalització: de Niccolò Niccoli a Bartolomeo Sanvito / Laia Soler i Canaleta) i mostres de treballs de disseny d’alfabets de diverses edicions del màster (Stampa / Guillermo Bragoni; Stimme / Natalia Weber Antón). També hi trobareu tres textos que glossen la figura de Josep Maria Pujol (1947-2012) que va ser professor del centre i del màster

Uptake and effectiveness of the Children's Fitness Tax Credit in Canada: the rich get richer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Government of Canada implemented a Children's Fitness Tax Credit (CFTC) in 2007 which allows a non-refundable tax credit of up to $500 to register a child in an eligible physical activity (PA) program. The purposes of this study were to assess whether the awareness, uptake, and perceived effectiveness of this tax credit varied by household income among Canadian parents.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An internet-based panel survey was conducted in March 2009 with a representative sample of 2135 Canadians. Of those, parents with children aged 2 to 18 years of age (<it>n </it>= 1004) were asked if their child was involved in organized PA programs (including dance and sports), the associated costs to register their child in these programs, awareness of the CFTC, if they had claimed the CFTC for the tax year 2007, and whether they planned to claim it in the upcoming year. Parents were also asked if they believed the CFTC has lead to their child being more involved in PA programs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among parents, 54.4% stated their child was in organized PA and 55.5% were aware of the CFTC. Parents in the lowest income quartile were significantly less aware and less likely to claim the CFTC than other income groups. Among parents who had claimed the CFTC, few (15.6%) believed it had increased their child's participation in PA programs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>More than half of Canadian parents with children have claimed the CFTC. However, the tax credit appears to benefit the wealthier families in Canada.</p

Healthcare provision for insect venom allergy patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

The population prevalence of insect venom allergy ranges between 3–5%, and it can lead to potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. Patients who have experienced a systemic allergic reaction following an insect sting should be referred to an allergy specialist for diagnosis and treatment. Due to the widespread reduction in outpatient and inpatient care capacities in recent months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the various allergy specialized centers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland have taken different measures to ensure that patients with insect venom allergy will continue to receive optimal allergy care. A recent data analysis from the various centers revealed that there has been a major reduction in newly initiated insect venom immunotherapy (a 48.5% decline from March–June 2019 compared to March–June 2020: data from various centers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). The present article proposes defined organizational measures (e.g., telephone and video appointments, rearranging waiting areas and implementing hygiene measures and social distancing rules at stable patient numbers) and medical measures (collaboration with practice-based physicians with regard to primary diagnostics, rapid COVID-19 testing, continuing already-initiated insect venom immunotherapy in the outpatient setting by making use of the maximal permitted injection intervals, prompt initiation of insect venom immunotherapy during the summer season, and, where necessary, using outpatient regimens particularly out of season) for the care of insect venom allergy patients during the COVID-19 pandemic