Zur populationsgenetik der phosphoglucoseisomerase (EC: 5.3.1.9)

Summary In a population sample of 728 unrelated individuals from Marburg one variant PGI 5-1 was found.

---

---

Direktor: Prof. Dr. Dr. H. Ritter

---

Direktor: Prof. Dr. G. G. Wendt

---

Mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Transspecific variability of phosphohexose isomerase (E. C.: 5. 3. 1. 9) in primates

Summary The polymorphism of phosphohexose isomerase has been investigated in 428 subhuman Primates. 9 phosphohexose isomerase variants were found to be present. All of these are more negatively charged than the major band of PHI 1, the most common phenotype of human population. The distribution of the various PHI phenotypes has been estimated.

---

Zusammenfassung Die Phosphohexoseisomerasen der Primaten zeigen eine genetisch determinierte Variabilität. Bei der Untersuchung von 428 subhumanen Primaten konnten wir 9 PHI-Varianten nachweisen, die stärker negativ geladen sind und daher mehr anodisch wandern als das Isoenzym PHI 1, das bei allen Menschenpopulationen weitaus am häufigsten vorkommt. Sie werden abweichend von der beim Menschen üblichen Nomenklatur als PHI B-J bezeichnet; PHI 1 des Menschen wäre als PHI A in dieses System einzuordnen.

---

---

Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Zur transspezifischen Variabilität der NAD-Malatdehydrogenase (E.C.: 1.1.1.37) der Primaten

Zusammenfassung Die NAD-Malatdehydrogenase der Primaten zeigt eine genetisch determinierte Variabilität. Bei der Untersuchung von 425 subhumanen Primaten konnten vier Varianten nachgewiesen werden; ihre Verteilung wurde ermittelt.

---

Transspecific variability of NDA-malate dehydrogenase in primates

Summary The NAD-Malate dehydrogenase in the erythrocytes of Primates show a transspecific variability. Four variants were found to be present in subhuman Primates; their distribution in 425 individuals was estimated.

---

---

Mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Unprecedented Melioidosis Cases in Northern Australia Caused by an Asian Burkholderia pseudomallei Strain Identified by Using Large-Scale Comparative Genomics

Melioidosis is a disease of humans and animals that is caused by the saprophytic bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Once thought to be confined to certain locations, the known presence of B. pseudomallei is expanding as more regions of endemicity are uncovered. There is no vaccine for melioidosis, and even with antibiotic administration, the mortality rate is as high as 40% in some regions that are endemic for the infection. Despite high levels of recombination, phylogenetic reconstruction of B. pseudomallei populations using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has revealed surprisingly robust biogeographic separation between isolates from Australia and Asia. To date, there have been no confirmed autochthonous melioidosis cases in Australia caused by an Asian isolate; likewise, no autochthonous cases in Asia have been identified as Australian in origin. Here, we used comparative genomic analysis of 455 B. pseudomallei genomes to confirm the unprecedented presence of an Asian clone, sequence type 562 (ST-562), in Darwin, northern Australia. First observed in Darwin in 2005, the incidence of melioidosis cases attributable to ST-562 infection has steadily risen, and it is now a common strain in Darwin. Intriguingly, the Australian ST-562 appears to be geographically restricted to a single locale and is genetically less diverse than other common STs from this region, indicating a recent introduction of this clone into northern Australia. Detailed genomic and epidemiological investigations of new clinical and environmental B. pseudomallei isolates in the Darwin region and ST-562 isolates from Asia will be critical for understanding the origin, distribution, and dissemination of this emerging clone in northern Australia.     

Tripping without falling; lower limb strength, a limitation for balance recovery and a target for training in the elderly.

To reduce the number of falls in old age, we need to understand the mechanisms underpinning a fall, who are at risk of falling, and what interventions can prevent such individuals from falling. This paper provides an overview of our recent research on tripping and muscle strength in the elderly, addressing these questions. To prevent a fall after tripping over an obstacle, high demands are posed on lower limb muscles. It was shown that the support limb plays an important role in balance recovery by generating the appropriate joint moments during push-off. Older individuals show lower rates of moment generation in all support limb joints and a lower peak ankle moment than young adults. As strength declines with age (due to muscular, tendinous and neural alterations), leg muscle strength might be the limiting factor in preventing a fall. Indeed, high-risk fallers could be identified based on maximum leg press push-off force capacity. Resistance training can reverse the ageing-related loss of strength. Therefore, the effects of 16-weeks resistance training on tripping reactions were studied in a small group of elderly. Maximum push-off force increased significantly by training. Moreover, trainers improved more than controls in moment generation after tripping, especially around the ankle. It can be concluded that transfer of resistance training effects to balance recovery is feasible.     

Bacterial diversity and activity along a salinity gradient in soda lakes of the Kulunda Steppe (Altai, Russia)

Here we describe the diversity and activity of sulfate reducing bacteria along a salinity gradient in four different soda lakes from the Kulunda Steppe (South East Siberia, Russia). For this purpose, a combination of culture-dependent and independent techniques was applied. The general bacterial and SRB diversity were analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) targeting the 16S rDNA gene. DNA was used to detect the microbial populations that were present in the soda lake sediments, whereas ribosomal RNA was used as a template to obtain information on those that were active. Individual DGGE bands were sequenced and a phylogenetic analysis was performed. In addition, the overall activity of SRB was obtained by measuring the sulfate reduction rates (SRR) and their abundance was estimated by serial dilution. Our results showed the presence of minor, but highly active microbial populations, mostly represented by members of the Proteobacteria. Remarkably high SRR were measured at hypersaline conditions (200 g L⁻¹). A relatively high viable count indicated that sulfate reducing bacteria could be highly active in hypersaline soda lakes. Furthermore, the increase of sodium carbonate/bicarbonate seemed to affect the composition of the microbial community in soda lakes, but not the rate of sulfate reduction.