Predictive and prognostic significance of tumour subtype,SSTR1-5 and e-cadherin expression in a well-defined cohort of patients with acromegaly

In somatotroph pituitary tumours, somatostatin analogue (SSA) therapy outcomes vary throughout the studies. We performed an analysis of cohort of patients with acromegaly from the Czech registry to identify new prognostic and predictive factors. Clinical data of patients were collected, and complex immunohistochemical assessment of tumour samples was performed (SSTR1-5, dopamine D2 receptor, E-cadherin, AIP). The study included 110 patients. In 31, SSA treatment outcome was evaluated. Sparsely granulated tumours (SGST) differed from the other subtypes in expression of SSTR2A, SSTR3, SSTR5 and E-cadherin and occurred more often in young. No other clinical differences were observed. Trouillas grading system showed association with age, tumour size and SSTR2A expression. Factors significantly associated with SSA treatment outcome included age, IGF1 levels, tumour size and expression of E-cadherin and SSTR2A. In the group of SGST, poor SSA response was observed in younger patients with larger tumours, lower levels of SSTR2A and higher Ki67. We observed no relationship with expression of other proteins including AIP. No predictive value of E-cadherin was observed when tumour subtype was considered . Multiple additional factors apart from SSTR2A expression can predict treatment outcome in patients with acromegaly.     

The role of the Listeria monocytogenes surfactome in biofilm formation

Listeria monocytogenes is a highly pathogenic foodborne bacterium that is ubiquitous in the natural environment and capable of forming persistent biofilms in food processing environments. This species has a rich repertoire of surface structures that enable it to survive, adapt and persist in various environments and promote biofilm formation. We review current understanding and advances on how L. monocytogenes organizes its surface for biofilm formation on surfaces associated with food processing settings, because they may be an important target for development of novel antibiofilm compounds. A synthesis of the current knowledge on the role of Listeria surfactome, comprising peptidoglycan, teichoic acids and cell wall proteins, during biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces is provided. We consider indications gained from genome-wide studies and discuss surfactome structures with established mechanistic aspects in biofilm formation. Additionally, we look at the analogies to the species L. innocua, which is closely related to L. monocytogenes and often used as its model (surrogate) organism.     

Lipids of different phytoplankton groups differ in sensitivity to degradation: Implications for carbon export

The future of life on Earth depends on how the ocean might change, as it plays an important role in mitigating the effects of global warming. The main role is played by phytoplankton. Not only are phytoplankton the base of the oceans' food web, but they also play an important role in the biological carbon pump (BCP), the process of forming organic matter (OM) and transporting it to the deep sea, representing a sink of atmospheric CO₂. Lipids are considered important vectors for carbon sequestration. A change in the phytoplankton community composition as a result of ocean warming is expected to affect the BCP. Many predictions indicate a dominance of small at the expense of large phytoplankton. To gain insight into interplay between the phytoplankton community structure, lipid production and degradation, and adverse environmental conditions, we analyzed phytoplankton composition, particulate organic carbon (POC) and its lipid fraction in the northern Adriatic over a period from winter to summer at seven stations with a gradient of trophic conditions. We found that at high salinity and low nutrient content, where nanophytoplankton prevailed over diatoms, the newly fixed carbon is substantially directed toward the synthesis of lipids. Lipids produced by nanophytoplankton, coccolithophores, and phytoflagellates, are more resistant to degradation than those produced by diatoms. The difference in lipid degradability is discussed as a difference in the size of the cell phycosphere. We hypothesize that the lipids of nanophytoplankton are less degradable due to the small phycosphere with a poorer bacterial community and consequently a lower lipid degradation rate compared with diatoms. The lipid chemical composition of the different phytoplankton groups could have a different susceptibility to degradation. Results suggest a successful lipid carbon sink of nanophytoplankton and, thus, a negative feedback on global warming.     

Junco inflexi-Menthetum longifoliae Lohm. 1953 undEpilobio-Juncetum (effusi) Oberd. 1957 in der Tschechoslowakei

Junco inflexi-Menthetum longifoliae stellt auf dem Gebiet der Tschechoslowakei eine sowohl floristisch als auch ökologisch zeimlich gut ausgeprägte Assoziation dar. Es trägt den kennzeichnenden Charakter der Kontaktgesellschaften mit Bindung an nasse bis wechselfeuchtige Böden, deren Sorptionskomplex mit Ionen zweiwertiger Basen gesättigt ist. Es sind zwei Subassoziationen angeführt:Junco inflexi-Menthetum longifoliae typicum undJunco inflexi-Menthetum longifoliae caricetosum. An analogen Standorten mit saureren Böden und nicht völlig gesättigtem Sorptionskomplex entwickelt sich die AssoziationEpilobio-Juncetum (effusi).     

Chemical sterilization of nutrient media for plant cell cultures using diethylpyrocarbonate

Summary Diethylpyrocarbonate (DPC), when added at about 1g/l to culture media is able to sterilize them. DPC kills all the contaminating microorganisms, and in contact with water it decomposes to ethanol and carbon dioxide in amounts not inhibiting the growth of plant cells. The plant cells cultivated on media treated by DPC did not show changes in their basic characteristics.