Mucin Biopolymers As Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Agents

Mucus is a porous biopolymer matrix that coats all wet epithelia in the human body and serves as the first line of defense against many pathogenic bacteria and viruses. However, under certain conditions viruses are able to penetrate this infection barrier, which compromises the protective function of native mucus. Here, we find that isolated porcine gastric mucin polymers, key structural components of native mucus, can protect an underlying cell layer from infection by small viruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV), Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV), or a strain of influenza A virus. Single particle analysis of virus mobility inside the mucin barrier reveals that this shielding effect is in part based on a retardation of virus diffusion inside the biopolymer matrix. Our findings suggest that purified mucins may be used as a broad-range antiviral supplement to personal hygiene products, baby formula or lubricants to support our immune system.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (grant P30-ES002109)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (grant P50-GM068763)German Academic Exchange Service (Postdoctoral fellowship

Lipid metabolism adaptations are reduced in human compared to murine Schwann cells following injury

Mammals differ in their regeneration potential after traumatic injury, which might be caused by species-specific regeneration programs. Here, we compared murine and human Schwann cell (SC) response to injury and developed an ex vivo injury model employing surgery-derived human sural nerves. Transcriptomic and lipid metabolism analysis of murine SCs following injury of sural nerves revealed down-regulation of lipogenic genes and regulator of lipid metabolism, including Pparg (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) and S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate). Human SCs failed to induce similar adaptations following ex vivo nerve injury. Pharmacological PPARg and S1P stimulation in mice resulted in up-regulation of lipid gene expression, suggesting a role in SCs switching towards a myelinating state. Altogether, our results suggest that murine SC switching towards a repair state is accompanied by transcriptome and lipidome adaptations, which are reduced in humans

Das AKTIN-Notaufnahmeregister – kontinuierlich aktuelle Daten aus der Akutmedizin

Background!#!Emergency care in Germany is in transition. Emergency departments (EDs) treat their patients based on symptoms and acuity. However, this perspective is not reflected in claims data. The aim of the AKTIN project was to establish an Emergency Department Data Registry as a data privacy-compliant infrastructure for the use of routine medical data.!##!Methods!#!Data from the respective documentation systems are continuously transmitted to local data warehouses using a standardized interface. They are available for several applications such as internal reports but also multicentre studies, in compliance with data privacy regulations. Based on a 12-months period we evaluate the population with focus on acuity assessment (triage) and vital parameters in combination with presenting complaints.!##!Results!#!For the period April 2018 to March 2019, 436,149 cases from 15 EDs were available. A triage level is documented in 86.0% of cases, and 70.5% were triaged within 10 min of arrival. Ten EDs collected a presenting complaint regularly (82.3%). The respective documentation of vital signs shows plausible patterns.!##!Conclusions!#!The AKTIN registry provides an almost real-time insight into German EDs, regardless of the primary documentation system and health insurance claims data. The Federal Joint Committee's requirements are largely met. Standardized presenting complaints allow for symptom-based analyses as well as health surveillance