Draft genome sequence of a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strain from deer meat showing an IS-element integration in the B-subunit of the Shiga toxin Stx2b gene.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are important food-borne pathogens. Here we report sequence data of the STEC strain BfR-EC-18960, which has integrated IS elements in the B-subunit of the Shiga toxin Stx2b gene. The strain was isolated from deer meat at a local butchery in Germany in 2021.

Changes in Sex Difference in Time-Limited Ultra-Cycling Races from 6 Hours to 24 Hours.

Background and objective: Existing research shows that the sex differences in distance-limited ultra-cycling races decreased with both increasing race distance and increasing age. It is unknown, however, whether the sex differences in time-limited ultra-cycling races will equally decrease with increasing race distance and age. This study aimed to examine the sex differences regarding performance for time-limited ultra-cycling races (6, 12, and 24 h). Methods: Data were obtained from the online database of the Ultra-Cycling Marathon Association (UMCA) of time-limited ultra-cycling races (6, 12, and 24 h) from the years 1983-2019. A total of 18,241 race results were analyzed to compare cycling speed between men and women by calendar year, age group (<29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; >70 years), and race duration. Results: The participation of both men (85.1%) and women (14.9%) increased between 1983 and 2019. The age of peak performance was between 40 and 59 years for men and between 30 and 59 years for women. Between 2000 and 2019, more men (63.1% of male participants and 52.2% of female participants) competed in 24 h races. In the 24 h races, the sex difference decreased significantly in all age groups. Men cycled 9.6% faster than women in the 12 h races and 4% faster in the 24 h races. Both women and men improved their performance significantly across the decades. Between 2000 and 2019, the improvement in the 24 h races were 15.6% for men and 21.9% for women. Conclusion: The sex differences in cycling speed decreased between men and women with increasing duration of ultra-cycling races and with increasing age. Women showed a greater performance improvement than men in the last 20 years. The average cycling speed of men and women started to converge in the 24 h races.

Characterisation of human corneal epithelial cell cultures maintained under serum-free conditions.

Three-dimensional tissue constructs have been proposed as in vitro screening models for ocular irritancy. Based on our previous studies, in which a full-thickness corneal model based exclusively on SV40-immortalised cell lines was generated, we have currently evaluated the effects of a range of commercially-available cell culture media on several cellular parameters in cultures of a human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell line. This cell line was used in an attempt to establish a rational basis for the development of serum-free culture media for the assembly and long-term tissue culture of full-thickness corneal models. Briefly, we investigated the impact of serum-free culture on the proliferation, morphology, barrier function and cytokine expression of HCE cells. The number of cell layers and the epithelial differentiation were evaluated by histology. Barrier properties were characterised via the determination of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), fluorescein permeation, and the expression of the tight junction-related protein, zona occludin 1 (ZO-1). The cytokine expression pattern in response to serum-free culture was measured by using an antibody array system. Our results revealed that both the morphology and the barrier function of the epithelial constructs were comparable to those of human donor corneas, when serum-free media were supplemented with ascorbic acid, calcium, hydrocortisone and retinoic acid. Under these conditions, the artificial epithelium based on serum-free HCE cultures represented a valid model for the natural ocular surface.