Characterization of intracellular membrane structures derived from a massive expansion of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane due to synthetic ER-membrane-resident polyproteins.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a dynamic organelle that is amenable to major restructuring. Introduction of recombinant ER-membrane-resident proteins that form homo oligomers is a known method of inducing ER proliferation: interaction of the proteins with each other alters the local structure of the ER network, leading to the formation large aggregations of expanded ER, sometimes leading to the formation of organized smooth endoplasmic reticulum (OSER). However, these membrane structures formed by ER proliferation are poorly characterized and this hampers their potential development for plant synthetic biology. Here, we characterize a range of ER-derived membranous compartments in tobacco and show how the nature of the polyproteins introduced into the ER membrane affect the morphology of the final compartment. We show that a cytosol-facing oligomerization domain is an essential component for compartment formation. Using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, we demonstrate that although the compartment retains a connection to the ER, a diffusional barrier exists to both the ER and the cytosol associated with the compartment. Using quantitative image analysis, we also show that the presence of the compartment does not disrupt the rest of the ER network. Moreover, we demonstrate that it is possible to recruit a heterologous, bacterial enzyme to the compartment, and for the enzyme to accumulate to high levels. Finally, transgenic Arabidopsis constitutively expressing the compartment-forming polyproteins grew and developed normally under standard conditions.

IntEResting structures: formation and applications of organized smooth endoplasmic reticulum in plant cells.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle with remarkable plasticity, capable of rapidly changing its structure to accommodate different functions based on intra- and extracellular cues. One of the ER structures observed in plants is known as "organized smooth endoplasmic reticulum" (OSER), consisting of symmetrically stacked ER membrane arrays. In plants, these structures were first described in certain specialized tissues, e.g. the sieve elements of the phloem, and more recently in transgenic plants overexpressing ER membrane resident proteins. To date, much of the investigation of OSER focused on yeast and animal cells but research into plant OSER has started to grow. In this update, we give a succinct overview of research into the OSER phenomenon in plant cells with case studies highlighting both native and synthetic occurrences of OSER. We also assess the primary driving forces that trigger the formation of OSER, collating evidence from the literature to compare two competing theories for the origin of OSER: that OSER formation is initiated by oligomerizing protein accumulation in the ER membrane or that OSER is the result of ER membrane proliferation. This has long been a source of controversy in the field and here we suggest a way to integrate arguments from both sides into a single unifying theory. Finally, we discuss the potential biotechnological uses of OSER as a tool for the nascent plant synthetic biology field with possible applications as a synthetic microdomain for metabolic engineering and as an extensive membrane surface for synthetic chemistry or protein accumulation.

Environmental reservoir dynamics predict global infection patterns and population impacts for the fungal disease white-nose syndrome.

Disease outbreaks and pathogen introductions can have significant effects on host populations, and the ability of pathogens to persist in the environment can exacerbate disease impacts by fueling sustained transmission, seasonal epidemics, and repeated spillover events. While theory suggests that the presence of an environmental reservoir increases the risk of host declines and threat of extinction, the influence of reservoir dynamics on transmission and population impacts remains poorly described. Here we show that the extent of the environmental reservoir explains broad patterns of host infection and the severity of disease impacts of a virulent pathogen. We examined reservoir and host infection dynamics and the resulting impacts of Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungal pathogen that causes white-nose syndrome, in 39 species of bats at 101 sites across the globe. Lower levels of pathogen in the environment consistently corresponded to delayed infection of hosts, fewer and less severe infections, and reduced population impacts. In contrast, an extensive and persistent environmental reservoir led to early and widespread infections and severe population declines. These results suggest that continental differences in the persistence or decay of P. destructans in the environment altered infection patterns in bats and influenced whether host populations were stable or experienced severe declines from this disease. Quantifying the impact of the environmental reservoir on disease dynamics can provide specific targets for reducing pathogen levels in the environment to prevent or control future epidemics.

Comparative study of the effect of bilastine and cetirizine on cognitive functions at ground level and at an altitude of 4,000 m simulated in hypobaric chamber: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study.

INTRODUCTION: Antihistamines are easily accessible and cover the vast majority of the medical therapy of allergic rhinitis. However, their systemic administration may more frequently associate with their well-known side-effect, sedation, which is a serious problem in persons in safety-critical jobs such as aviation. We have a poor understanding whether a non-sedative antihistamine has an impact on vigilance when hypobaric hypoxia occurs during flight. METHODS: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over study the effect of 20 mg bilastine was compared to 10 mg cetirizine and to placebo (20 mg pyridoxine) in 33 individuals at ground level and at 4,000 m altitude simulated in hypobaric chamber. Levels of vigilance, ultrashort memory, combined distributive attention, monotony tolerance and peripheral blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) were assessed. RESULTS: Bilastine did not impair the tested abilities in comparison with the control groups either at ground level or hypobaric hypoxia. Administration of cetirizine increased the number of errors at ground level. At the simulated altitude, already impaired results were additionally demonstrated with regards to the distributive attention test. CONCLUSIONS: From the two examined antihistamines, bilastine should be the preferred medication for by individuals who require constant attention and are exposed to hypobaric hypoxia.

Bat in the Hungarian Folklore and Folk Medicine. / A DENEVÉR A MAGYAR NÉPHITBEN ÉS NÉPI GYÓGYÁSZATBAN.

Author gives a wide overview on the role of the bat in Hungarian folklore and folk medicine. His detailed and thoroughly noted treatise begins with the analysis of the various names of the bat in Hungarian dialects emphasising also the special phonological and phonosemanti- cal characteristics of the variations of its name. The strange appearance and the problematic zoological classification of the bat in the European lore and early scientific literature probably explains the doubtful and mostly negative role, this animal played in European literary heritage and lore. Bat proved to be a common tool of apotropaic or love magic and its body or blood was widely used to treatments of folk medicine as well. After grouping, listing and citing the various Hungarian lores connected with the bat, author cites some recent literary and poetrical allusions to the animal. This comprehensive collection of the Hungarian linguistic and ethnological heritage regarding bat, will certainly prove to be a useful source for further ethnozoological resarch.

New kind of polarotaxis governed by degree of polarization: attraction of tabanid flies to differently polarizing host animals and water surfaces.

Aquatic insects find their habitat from a remote distance by means of horizontal polarization of light reflected from the water surface. This kind of positive polarotaxis is governed by the horizontal direction of polarization (E-vector). Tabanid flies also detect water by this kind of polarotaxis. The host choice of blood-sucking female tabanids is partly governed by the linear polarization of light reflected from the host's coat. Since the coat-reflected light is not always horizontally polarized, host finding by female tabanids may be different from the established horizontal E-vector polarotaxis. To reveal the optical cue of the former polarotaxis, we performed choice experiments in the field with tabanid flies using aerial and ground-based visual targets with different degrees and directions of polarization. We observed a new kind of polarotaxis being governed by the degree of polarization rather than the E-vector direction of reflected light. We show here that female and male tabanids use polarotaxis governed by the horizontal E-vector to find water, while polarotaxis based on the degree of polarization serves host finding by female tabanids. As a practical by-product of our studies, we explain the enigmatic attractiveness of shiny black spheres used in canopy traps to catch tabanids.

Preoperative computed tomography-guided hookwire needle localization of a peritoneal multilocular inclusion cyst.

Preoperative hookwire localization of breast lesions is a well established technique to aid surgeons in localizing breast tumors. We describe the innovative use of a standard hookwire with CT guidance to localize an intraperitoneal inclusion cyst.

[Contributions to the terminology of Hungarian Folk Dermatology]. / Adalékok a népi dermatológia terminológiájához.

The ethno-linguistical article provides a rich collection and thorough evaluation of the different Hungarian expressions and names denoting a certain symptom, a rush or pimple on the tongue. Author attempts to determine the notion and present the beliefs connected with it. He points out that in different places similar denominations may not refer to the same illness, while elsewhere people used different names for the individual illnesses - for everyday use, while the other for incantations.

Hand-Assisted laparoscopic Surgery.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) has been sporadically described in the past to assist the surgeon during operations of complexity or when operations require specimen removal. The hand will offer the surgeon an advantage in terms of tactile feedback, exposure, retraction, or orientation so that it will enable him or her to operate with greater safety and efficiency. The fundamental pre-requisite for successful HALS is a reliable hand-assist device. We perform HALS for complex advanced laparoscopic surgery where it may save time, increase accuracy and improve safety. Additionally, this approach is considered for any operation that requires specimen removal, since an enlarged incision may be required. Early introduction of the hand may facilitate dissection and specimen removal.

New Device for Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery has undergone a rapid evolution since the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy of Erich Mühe in 1985. Many surgeons felt that further technological success would be related not only to increasing experience and skill of surgeons, but also technological advances which would enable surgeons to perform increasingly more difficult and complex tasks. Progress has been rapid for some, but broad acceptance by surgeons has been slow.