A gold speciation that adds a second layer to synergistic gold-copper toxicity in Cupriavidus metallidurans.

The metal-resistant bacterium Cupriavidus metallidurans occurs in metal-rich environments. In auriferous soils, the bacterium is challenged by a mixture of copper ions and gold complexes, which exert synergistic toxicity. The previously used, self-made Au(III) solution caused a synergistic toxicity of copper and gold that was based on the inhibition of the CupA-mediated efflux of cytoplasmic Cu(I) by Au(I) in this cellular compartment. In this publication, the response of the bacterium to gold and copper was investigated by using a commercially available Au(III) solution instead of the self-made solution. The new solution was five times more toxic than the previously used one. Increased toxicity was accompanied by greater accumulation of gold atoms by the cells. The contribution of copper resistance determinants to the commercially available Au(III) solution and synergistic gold-copper toxicity was studied using single- and multiple-deletion mutants. The commercially available Au(III) solution inhibited periplasmic Cu(I) homeostasis, which is required for the allocation of copper ions to copper-dependent proteins in this compartment. The presence of the gene for the periplasmic Cu(I) and Au(I) oxidase, CopA, decreased the cellular copper and gold content. Transcriptional reporter gene fusions showed that up-regulation of gig, encoding a minor contributor to copper resistance, was strictly glutathione dependent. Glutathione was also required to resist synergistic gold-copper toxicity. The new data indicated a second layer of synergistic copper-gold toxicity caused by the commercial Au(III) solution, inhibition of the periplasmic copper homeostasis in addition to the cytoplasmic one.IMPORTANCEWhen living in auriferous soils, Cupriavidus metallidurans is not only confronted with synergistic toxicity of copper ions and gold complexes but also by different gold species. A previously used gold solution made by using aqua regia resulted in the formation of periplasmic gold nanoparticles, and the cells were protected against gold toxicity by the periplasmic Cu(I) and Au(I) oxidase CopA. To understand the role of different gold species in the environment, another Au(III) solution was commercially acquired. This compound was more toxic due to a higher accumulation of gold atoms by the cells and inhibition of periplasmic Cu(I) homeostasis. Thus, the geo-biochemical conditions might influence Au(III) speciation. The resulting Au(III) species may subsequently interact in different ways with C. metallidurans and its copper homeostasis system in the cytoplasm and periplasm. This study reveals that the geochemical conditions may decide whether bacteria are able to form gold nanoparticles or not.

Perimenopause and Postmenopause - Diagnosis and Interventions. Guideline of the DGGG and OEGGG (S3-Level, AWMF Registry Number 015-062, September 2020).

Aim The aim of the interdisciplinary S3-guideline Perimenopause and Postmenopause - Diagnosis and Interventions is to provide help to physicians as they inform women about the physiological changes which occur at this stage of life and the treatment options. The guideline should serve as a basis for decisions taken during routine medical care. This short version lists the statements and recommendations given in the long version of the guideline together with the evidence levels, the level of recommendation, and the strength of consensus. Methods The statements and recommendations are largely based on methodologically high-quality publications. The literature was evaluated by experts and mandate holders using evidence-based medicine (EbM) criteria. The search for evidence was carried out by the Essen Research Institute for Medical Management (EsFoMed). To some extent, this guideline also draws on an evaluation of the evidence used in the NICE guideline on Menopause and the S3-guidelines of the AWMF and has adapted parts of these guidelines. Recommendations Recommendations are given for the following subjects: diagnosis and therapeutic interventions for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, urogynecology, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, dementia, depression, mood swings, hormone therapy and cancer risk, as well as primary ovarian insufficiency.

Associação entre hábitos orais e má oclusão com problemas respiratórios em escolares de 5 anos / Association between oral habits and malocclusion with respiratory problems in 5-year-old schoolchildren

Introdução Toda má oclusão apresenta origem multifatorial, e dentre os fatores que a desencadeiam estão os hábitos. O surgimento de um hábito pode estar relacionado com o emocional, o fisiológico ou com o aprendizado condicionado do indivíduo. Objetivo Analisar as relações entre hábitos e más oclusões associado a problemas respiratórios em escolares de 5 anos. Material e método Foi realizado um estudo transversal com uma amostra de 753 crianças pertencentes à rede municipal de ensino da cidade de Araraquara, SP. Foram realizados exames clínicos para avaliação da má oclusão (Foster & Hamilton), além de aplicado questionários aos pais para avaliação de condição socioeconômica e demográfica, qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal (ECOHIS) e hábitos. A análise dos dados foi feita pela análise bivariada por teste qui-quadrado seguida de modelo de regressão logística múltipla considerando nível de significância de 5%. Resultado A prevalência de crianças com problemas respiratórios e/ou alergias foi de 46,9%, com má oclusão foi de 58,7% e com algum tipo de hábito oral deletério foi de 12,0%. Apresentaram mais chance de ter problemas respiratórios e/ou alergias crianças do sexo masculino (1,40 vezes mais) e crianças com algum hábito oral deletério (1,95 vezes mais). Conclusão Observou-se que apresentaram maior chance de problemas respiratórios e/ou alergias as crianças do sexo masculino, crianças com algum hábito oral deletério e que apresentavam bruxismo.

Introduction All malocclusion has a multifactorial origin, and among the factors that trigger it are the habits. The appearance of a habit can be related to the emotional, physiological or conditioned learning of the individual. Objective Evaluate the relationship between habits and malocclusions associated with respiratory problems in 5-year-old students. Material and method A cross-sectional study were carried out with a sample of 753 children belonging to the municipal education network of the city of Araraquara-SP. Clinical exams were performed for malocclusion evaluation (Foster & Hamilton), applying questionnaires to the parents for evaluation of socioeconomic and demographic condition, oral health related quality of life (ECOHIS) and habits. Data analysis was performed by bivariate analysis using chi-square test followed by multiple logistic regression model considering 5% significance level. Result The prevalence of children with respiratory problems and/or allergies was 46.9%, with malocclusion was 58.7% and with some type of deleterious oral habit was 12.0%. Male children were 1.40 times more likely to present respiratory problems or allergies and children with some deleterious oral habits were 1.95 times more likely to present respiratory problems or allergies. Conclusion It was observed that male children, children that presented deleterious oral habits, and children with bruxism are more likely to have respiratory problems and/or allergies.

Male reproductive system and spermatogenesis of Limodromus assimilis (Paykull 1790).

Based on advanced light and electron microscopy, we describe the male reproductive system and sperm development of Limodromus assimilis. The genital tract consists of pairs of uni-follicular testes, spermatic ducts with diverticula regions, seminal vesicles, accessory glands, an unpaired ejaculatory duct and an aedeagus containing an internal sac equipped with sclerotic scales. Based on their morphology, we draw conclusions about their functions. After spermatogenesis within the follicle, the spermatozoa become released from the sperm cysts. The single spermatozoa move into the diverticula of the vasa deferentia I. Here, they become attached to central rods (spermatostyles), forming secondary conjugates (spermiozeugmata). The coordinated flagella movement of the conjugates possibly improves sperm velocity. Using super-resolution microscopy, we identified highly condensed reticulate chromatin in the lancet-shaped spermatozoa heads and the mitochondrial derivates of the flagella, likely formed by genomic and mitochondrial DNA, respectively. The results show, for the first time, sperm bundle formation in a Platynini species mainly corresponding to that found in Pterostichini species.

[Catatonia]. / Katatonie -- Eine Ubersicht.

Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by mental, motor and behavioral symptoms. It occurs in up to 18 % of acute admissions and is most frequently associated with affective and psychotic disorders. It is also seen in dissociative disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, mental retardation and organic psychiatric disorders. Catatonic syndromes are impressive states that can be reliably and validly diagnosed both clinically and with psychometric measurements and they can be treated effectively. Despite this, they are often not recognized in clinical practice, are not part of the therapeutic strategy and thus remain untreated. The following article is intended to give a review of the most pertinent questions related to the diagnosis and treatment of catatonia in order to improve clinicians' ability to recognize and treat catatonic symptoms and syndromes adequately.

Factor analysis of the catatonia rating scale and catatonic symptom distribution across four diagnostic groups.

Catatonia is a frequent psychomotor syndrome, which has received increasing recognition over the last decade. The assessment of the catatonic syndrome requires systematic rating scales that cover the complex spectrum of catatonic motor signs and behaviors. The Catatonia Rating Scale (CRS) is such an instrument, which has been validated and which has undergone extensive reliability testing. In the present study, to further validate the CRS, the items composing this scale were submitted to principal components factor extraction followed by a varimax rotation. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to assess group differences on the extracted factors in patients with schizophrenia, pure mania, mixed mania, and major depression (N=165). Four factors were extracted, which accounted for 71.5% of the variance. The factors corresponded to the clinical syndromes of (1) catatonic excitement, (2) abnormal involuntary movements/mannerisms, (3) disturbance of volition/catalepsy, and (4) catatonic inhibition. The ANOVA revealed that each of the groups showed a distinctive catatonic symptom pattern and that the overlap between diagnostic groups was minimal. We conclude that this four-factor symptom structure of catatonia challenges the current conceptualization, which proposes only two symptom subtypes.

Relevance of the catatonic syndrome to the mixed manic episode.

BACKGROUND: Catatonic symptoms have been associated with mixed mania in the older psychiatric literature, however, to date no systematic studies have been performed to assess their frequency in these patients. METHOD: Ninety-nine patients with bipolar disorder manic or mixed episode were assessed for the presence of catatonia. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients fulfilled criteria for mixed mania of whom 24 were catatonic. Among the patients with pure mania, only three were catatonic. Eighteen catatonic patients with mixed mania required admission to the acute care unit (ACU). LIMITATIONS: Our findings only apply to severely ill patients with mixed mania who require ACU admission. Nevertheless, it is important to know, that the likelihood of overlooking catatonia in less severely ill patients with mixed mania is low and that it does not need to be routinely assessed on a general ward. CONCLUSIONS: Catatonia is frequent in mania and linked to the mixed episode. Catatonia in mixed mania is likely to be found among the severely ill group of patients with mixed mania, who require emergency treatment.