Analysis of the proteins synthesized in ultraviolet light-irradiated Escherichia coli following infection with the bacteriophages λ drif d 18 and λ dfus -3

The presence of EF-Tu, RNA polymerase subunit α, and EF-G on the λ dfus -3 genome and EF-Tu, ribosomal proteins L7/L12, and RNA polymerase subunit β on the λ drif d 18 genome has been confirmed using a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis technique sensitive to changes in isoelectric point and molecular weight. In this system two EF-Tu gene products could not be resolved. Following infection of ultraviolet light-irradiated Escherichia coli with either λ dfus -3 or λ drif d 18, the EF-Tu gene, tufA , near 65 minutes on the genetic map is expressed as 3–4 copies per EF-G molecule. The EF-Tu gene, tufB , near 79 minutes on the genetic map, is expressed at about one-third of this rate. α is expressed as 1 copy per EF-G molecule, β as 0.14 per EF-G molecule and L7/L12 as 2.5 per EF-G. These figures compare well with the relative amounts found in exponentially-growing cells, in which the ratio of EF-Tu to EF-G is approximately 5. Almost 90% of the total number of proteins (calculated on a molecular weight basis) which theoretically can be encoded on the λ drif d 18 have been identified on the two-dimensional gel.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47541/1/438_2004_Article_BF00341733.pd

Use of psychotropic drugs before pregnancy and the risk for induced abortion: population-based register-data from Finland 1996-2006

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Some, though not all studies have reported an increased risk for mental health problems after an induced abortion. Problems with design and data have compromised these studies and the generalisation of their results.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The Finnish Medication and Pregnancy database (N = 622 671 births and 114 518 induced abortions for other than fetal reasons) in 1996-2006 was utilised to study the use of psychotropic drugs in the three months before a pregnancy ending in a birth or an induced abortion.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In total 2.1% of women with a birth and 5.1% of women with an induced abortion had used a psychotropic medicine 0-3 months before pregnancy. Psychotropic drug users terminated their pregnancies (30.9%) more often than other pregnant women (15.5%). Adjustment for background characteristics explained one third of this elevated risk, but the risk remained significantly increased among users of psychotropic medicine (OR 1.94, 95% confidence intervals 1.87-2.02). A similar risk was found for first pregnancies (30.1% vs. 18.9%; adjusted OR 1.53, 95% confidence intervals 1.42-1.65). The rate for terminating pregnancy was the highest for women using hypnotics and sedatives (35.6% for all pregnancies and 29.1% for first pregnancies), followed by antipsychotics (33.9% and 36.0%) and antidepressants (32.0% and 32.1%).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The observed increased risk for induced abortion among women with psychotropic medication highlighs the importance to acknowledge the mental health needs of women seeking an induced abortion. Further studies are needed to establish the impact of pre-existing differences in mental health on mental health outcomes of induced abortions compared to outcomes of pregnancies ending in a birth.</p

Identifying the physical features of marina infrastructure associated with the presence of non-native species in the UK

Marine invasive non-native species (NNS) are one of the greatest threats to global marine biodiversity, causing significant economic and social impacts. Marinas are increasingly recognised as key reservoirs for invasive NNS. They provide submersed artificial habitat that unintentionally supports the establishment of NNS introduced from visiting recreational vessels. While ballast water and shipping vectors have been well documented, the role of recreational vessels in spreading NNS has been relatively poorly studied. Identification of the main physical features found within marinas, which relate to the presence of NNS, is important to inform the development of effective biosecurity measures and prevent further spread. Towards this aim, physical features that could influence the presence of NNS were assessed for marinas throughout the UK in July 2013. Thirty-three marine and brackish NNS have been recorded in UK marinas, and of the 88 marinas studied in detail, 83 contained between 1 and 13 NNS. Significant differences in freshwater input, marina entrance width and seawall length were associated with the presence of NNS. Additionally, questionnaires were distributed to marina managers and recreational vessel owners to understand current biosecurity practices and attitudes to recreational vessel biosecurity. The main barriers to biosecurity compliance were cited as cost and time. Further work identifying easily distinguished features of marinas could be used as a proxy to assess risk of invasion. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00227-016-2941-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users