KRT5 in-frame deletion in a family of German Shepherd dogs with split paw pad disease resembling localized epidermolysis bullosa simplex in human patients.

Split paw pad disease is a scarcely defined phenotype characterized by skin lesions on the paw pads of dogs. We studied a family of German Shepherd dogs, in which four dogs developed intermittent paw pad lesions and lameness. The paw pads of two of the affected dogs were biopsied and demonstrated cleft formation in the stratum spinosum and stratum corneum, the outermost layers of the epidermis. Whole genome sequencing data from an affected dog revealed a private heterozygous 18 bp in frame deletion in the KRT5 gene. The deletion NM_001346035.1:c.988_1005del or NP_001332964.1:p.(Asn330_Asp335del) is predicted to lead to a loss of six amino acids in the L12 linker domain of the encoded keratin 5. KRT5 variants in human patients lead to various subtypes of epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS). Localized EBS is the mildest of the KRT5-related human diseases and may be caused by variants affecting the L12 linker domain of keratin 5. We therefore think that the detected KRT5 deletion in dogs represents a candidate causal variant for the observed skin lesions in dogs. However, while the clinical phenotype of KRT5-mutant dogs of this study closely resembles human patients with localized EBS, there are differences in the histopathology. EBS is defined by cleft formation within the basal layer of the epidermis while the cleft formation in the dogs described herein occurred in the outermost layers, a hallmark of split paw pad disease. Our study provides a basis for further studies into the exact relation of split paw pad disease and EBS.

Association between maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and offspring's outcomes at 9 to 15 years of age.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal pre-pregnancy underweight, overweight and obesity might increase the risk for worse short- and long-term outcome in the offspring. There is a need for further study into the relationship between maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and the combined outcome of physical development, state of health and social behavior in children. QUESTION: Is maternal pre-pregnancy BMI associated with the child outcome in terms of physical development, state of health and social behavior (school and leisure time behavior) at the age of 9 to 15 years? METHODS: In the population-based birth cohort study Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNIP) children at the age 9-15 years and their families were re-examined by questionnaire-based follow-up. 5725 mother-child pairs were invited to SNiP-follow-up. This analysis is based on the recall fraction of 24.1% (n = 1379). Based on the maternal pre-pregnancy BMI (ppBMI), 4 groups were formed: underweight (ppBMI < 19 kg/m2, n = 117), normal weight (ppBMI 19-24.99 kg/m2, n = 913, reference), overweight (ppBMI 25-30 kg). /m2, n = 237) and obesity (ppBMI > 30 kg/m2, n = 109). RESULTS: In the multiple regression model, the BMI-z-score for children of mothers in the underweight group was -0.50 lower, and 0.50/1.07 higher in the overweight/obese group (p < 0.001) compared to reference at median age of 12 years. No differences were found in children of underweight mothers with regard to social behavior (interaction with friends and family), school and sports performance (coded from "very good" to "poor"), other leisure activities (watching television, using mobile phones, gaming), and health (occurrence of illnesses) compared to children of normal weight mothers. In contrast, maternal pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity were associated with lower school and sports performance, and higher screen time (smart phone, gaming, television) compared to children of normal weight mothers. CONCLUSION: Maternal pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity but not underweight was negatively associated with school performance and leisure time behavior in the offspring at 9-15 years of age.

[Operating models and organizational structures: opportunities and challenges for human milk banking in Germany]. / Versorgungsstrukturen und Betreibermodelle: Chancen und Herausforderungen des Frauenmilchbankwesens in Deutschland.

BACKGROUND: Donor human milk is the recommended alternative for feeding preterm infants if mother's own milk is unavailable. Human milk banks collect, screen, store and distribute donated human milk according to pre-specified standard operating procedures to premature infants without mothers own milk. AIM: Herein we characterize current operating models and the structural organisation of German milk bank institutions. The analysis of current and future opportunities and challenges may support the development of a comprehensive donor milk service within Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Summary of the panel discussion entitled "Operating models and organizational structures: opportunities and risks for donor human milk bank in Germany" during the 3rd Scientific Symposium of the German Human Milk Bank Initiative (FMBI), November 25th to 26th 2022, in Nuremberg, Germany. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Differing operator models may facilitate the use of donor human milk by incorporating unique site-specific factors, pre-existing infrastructure, and individual needs. In addition to the establishment of milk banks serving single neonatal units, high-capacity milk banks should be enabled to provide donor human milk using several hub-and-spoke systems. This may create a nationwide network for a sustainable human milk supply for preterm infants that is based on qualified breastfeeding and lactation support.

Mouse Organotypic Brain Slice Cultures: A Novel Model for Studying Neuroimmune Responses to Cryptococcal Brain Infections.

Cryptococcal meningitis affects millions of people worldwide and is especially prevalent in regions with a high burden of HIV/AIDS. The study of the pathophysiology of this often fatal disease has been significantly hindered by the lack of reliable experimental models, especially at the level of the brain, which is the main organ of injury. Here we outline our novel protocol for the use of hippocampal organotypic brain slice cultures (HOCs) to study the host-fungal interactions during cryptococcal infections of the brain. HOCs are a powerful platform for investigating neuroimmune interactions as they allow for the preservation of all innate neuroglial cells including microglia, astrocytes, and neurons, all of which maintain their three-dimensional architecture and functional connectivity. We made HOCs from neonatal mice and infected these with a fluorescent strain of Cryptococcus neoformans for 24 h. Using immunofluorescent staining, we confirmed the presence and morphology of microglia, astrocytes, and neurons in HOCs prior to infection. Using fluorescent and light microscopy, we also confirmed that Cryptococcus neoformans encapsulates and buds in vitro, as it would in a host. Finally, we demonstrate that infection of HOCs with Cryptococcus neoformans results in close association of the fungal cells with host microglial cells. Our results demonstrate the utility of HOCs as a model to study the pathophysiology and host neuroimmune responses in neurocryptococcosis, which may assist in improving our collective understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease.

Antenatal Care and Health Behavior of Pregnant Women-An Evaluation of the Survey of Neonates in Pomerania.

BACKGROUND: The German maternity guidelines require regular medical checkup (MC) during pregnancy as a measure of prevention. Socioeconomic factors such as education, profession, income and origin, but also age and parity may influence the preventive and health behavior of pregnant women. The aim was to investigate the influence of these factors on the participation rate in MC of pregnant women. METHOD: The current analysis is based on the prospective population-based birth cohort study Survey of Neonates in Pomerania, which was conducted in Western Pomerania, Germany. The data of 4092 pregnant women from 2004 to 2008 were analyzed regarding the antenatal care and health behavior. Up to 12 MC were regularly offered; participation in 10 MC is defined as standard screening according to maternity guidelines. RESULTS: Women participated in the first preventive MC on average in the 10th (±3.8 SD) week of pregnancy. 1343 (34.2%) women participated in standard screening and 2039 (51.9%) took a screening above standard. 547 (13.92%) women participated in less than the 10 standard MCs. In addition, about one-third of the pregnancies investigated in this study were unplanned. Bivariate analyses showed an association between better antenatal care behavior and higher maternal age, stabile partnerships and mother born in Germany, p < 0.05. On the contrary antenatal care below standard were more often found by women with unplanned pregnancies, less educational women and women with lower equivalent income, p < 0.001. Health behaviors also influenced antenatal care. Whereas the risk of antenatal care below standard increased by smoking during pregnancy (RRR 1.64; 95% CI 1.25, 2.14) and alcohol consumption (RRR 1.31; 95% CI 1.01, 1.69), supplementation intake was associated with decreased risk (iodine-RRR 0.66; 95% CI 0.53, 0.81; folic acid-RRR 0.56; 95% CI 0.44, 0.72). The health behavior of pregnant women also differs according to their social status. Higher maternal income was negatively correlated with smoking during pregnancy (OR 0.2; 95% CI 0.15, 0.24), but positively associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy (OR 1.3; 95% CI 1.15, 1.48) and lower pre-pregnancy BMI (Coef. = 0.083, p < 0.001). Lower maternal education was positively correlated with smoking during pregnancy (OR 59.0; 95% CI 28.68, 121.23). CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal care according to maternity guidelines is well established with a high participation rate in MC during pregnancy of more than 85%. However, targeted preventive measures may address younger age, socioeconomic status and health-damaging behaviors (smoking, drinking) of the pregnant women because these factors were associated with antenatal care below standard.

What Causes Seizures in Neurocysticercosis?

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most prevalent parasitic infection of the central nervous system. It is caused by the presence of larvae of the cestode Taenia solium in the brain. The most common symptom of NCC is seizures, and it is widely considered the world's leading cause of preventable epilepsy. Despite the prevalence and impact of NCC, a thorough, mechanistic understanding of seizure generation is still lacking. In this review, we address the question "What causes seizures in NCC?" by summarizing and discussing the major theories that seek to explain the seizurogenic and epileptogenic processes in this disorder. In addition, we highlight the potential for recent advances in disease modeling to help accelerate progress in this area.

Maternal socioeconomic and lifestyle factors and life dissatisfaction associated with a small for gestational age infant. The Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNiP).

PURPOSE: The aim is to investigate the associations of the mother's socioeconomic and lifestyle factors and life satisfaction with the delivery of a small for gestational age (SGA) infant. METHODS: Data from 4598 participants of the population-based birth cohort study Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SniP) including comprehensive information on pregnancies, mothers, and their offspring in Western Pomerania, Germany were used in this study. The associations were analyzed using linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS: After logistic regression analysis adjusted for height of the mother, women who delivered SGA infants, had lower education (p < 0.01) and smoked more frequently during pregnancy (p < 0.01) compared with mothers of adequate for gestational age (AGA) neonates. A mother with less than 10 years of education and one who continued smoking during pregnancy had an odds ratio (OR) of 2.23 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.44 to 3.46] and 2.68 (95% CI = 2.06-3.49) of having an SGA infant, respectively. There was no association between the employment of the mother (p = 0.28), the monthly income (p = 0.09), the family status (p = 0.80), the number of friendships outside the household that the mother would not wish to relinquish (p = 0.47), the number of people that she could rely on in case of an emergency (p = 0.75), or alcohol consumption prior to (p = 0.14) or during the pregnancy (p = 0.99) with SGA. Finally, women who delivered SGA infants were more frequently dissatisfied with their employment (p = 0.03) and financial status (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Women who delivered SGA infants had more associated socioeconomic and lifestyle risk factors and were more frequently dissatisfied with their life conditions than mothers of AGA neonates.

Preterm ETs Are Significantly Reduced Compared with Adults and Partially Reduced Compared with Term Infants.

The release of DNA by cells during extracellular trap (ET) formation is a defense function of neutrophils and monocytes. Neutrophil ET (NET) formation in term infants is reduced compared to adults. Objective: The aim was to quantify NET and monocyte ET (MET) release and the respective key enzymes myeloperoxidase (MPO) and neutrophil elastase (NE) in preterm infants. In this prospective explorative study, ET induction was stimulated by N-formylmethionine-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) in the cord blood of preterm infants (n = 55, 23-36 weeks) compared to term infants and adults. METs were quantified by microscopy, and NETs by microscopy and flow cytometry. We also determined the MPO levels within NETs and the intracellular concentrations of NE and MPO in neutrophils. The percentage of neutrophils releasing ET was significantly reduced for preterm infants compared to adults for all stimulants, and with a 68% further reduction for PMA compared to term infants (p = 0.0141). The NET area was not reduced except for when fMLP was administered. The amount of MPO in NET-producing cells was reduced in preterm infants compared to term infants. For preterm infants, but not term infants, the percentage of monocytes releasing ETs was significantly reduced compared to healthy adults for LTA and LPS stimulation. Conclusion: In preterm infants, ETs are measurable parts of the innate immune system, but are released in a reduced percentage of cells compared to adults.

A Water-Free Omega-3 Fatty Acid Eye Drop Formulation for the Treatment of Evaporative Dry Eye Disease: A Prospective, Multicenter Noninterventional Study.

Purpose: NovaTears®+Omega-3 is a water-free eye drop solution with non-animal-derived omega-3 fatty acids. It allows to supplement omega-3 fatty acids directly in the tear film of patients with dry eye disease (DED). This post-market clinical follow-up (PMCF) study evaluated for the first time the effects on clinical signs and patient symptoms of DED, and safety and tolerability of NovaTears+Omega-3 (0.2%) eye drops, when used in accordance with its approved label. Methods: A prospective, multicenter, single-arm, uncontrolled, open-label observational cohort study was performed in patients suffering from symptoms of evaporative DED. Patients were treated 4 times daily bilaterally according to the instructions for use for 8 weeks, and standard of care clinical end points were assessed at baseline and follow-up. The trial was conducted at 2 investigational sites in Germany, Europe. Results: Thirty-six patients were included and 33 completed the study. NovaTears+Omega-3 (0.2%) showed clinically and statistically significant improvements in various clinical signs, such as total corneal staining, tear film break-up time, and Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) score, as well as in symptoms measured by Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI©) and visual analog scales over the 8-week treatment period with change from baseline P values all <0.0001. No worsening of any safety parameter (intraocular pressure, slit-lamp examination, visual acuity) was observed, and no adverse event was reported throughout the study. Conclusions: In this observational PMCF study, NovaTears+Omega-3 was safe and well tolerated. Treatment over an 8-week period resulted in significantly improved clinical signs and subjective symptoms in patients with evaporative dry eye. The study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04521465).

Increase in Bone Mass Before Onset of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Rats.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The typical insulin deficiency in type 1 diabetes mellitus has general effects on metabolism and also affects bone quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two diabetic rat lines (BB/OK; BB.6KWR) and two non-diabetic rat strains (KWR and BB.14+18KWR), as control group, were included in the study. Bone mineral density, bone mineral content and body structure measurements were performed. The measurements took place before the onset of diabetes mellitus Results: A comparison of the groups showed increased bone density values of the diabetic rats in relation to the control groups. A new finding of increased bone density in the diabetic rats occurs. CONCLUSION: Diabetic rats showed no osteoporotic bone metabolism before the onset of clinically relevant type 1 diabetes mellitus, but rather increased bone metabolic activity.

Stimulation of Lactation Using Acupuncture: A Case Study.

INTRODUCTION: Breastfeeding is a recognized preferred method of infant feeding; however, for many women, difficulties in breastfeeding result in termination before the recommended period of time. Acupuncture is suggested to be a promising option to treat lactation insufficiency and enhance the production of maternal milk. MAIN ISSUE: We have reported the case of a woman with lactation insufficiency due to Caesarean section and congenital unilateral invaginated nipple. Milk production started on the 3rd day following delivery. The newborn was not provided with any food or fluids other than mother's milk. At 5 days of life, the newborn required long feeding periods and lost 4% of his birth weight, with the participant reporting lactation insufficiency described by the perception of inadequate milk production. MANAGEMENT: Despite the implementation of conventional measures to improve lactation, the difficulties in breastfeeding persisted. Acupuncture was tried on Day 6 of life, and enhanced milk production was observed, which could be measured as the volume of residual milk extracted using the breast pump each time after the newborn achieved satiety. After acupuncture treatment there was an augmentation of maternal milk production from both breasts and successful lactation. CONCLUSION: This case study provides information that might be useful for prospective investigation of acupuncture's efficacy in women with lactation insufficiency.

DNA-methylation patterns imply a common cellular origin of virus- and UV-associated Merkel cell carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a neuroendocrine tumor either induced by integration of the Merkel cell polyomavirus into the cell genome or by accumulation of UV-light-associated mutations (VP-MCC and UV-MCC). Whether VP- and UV-MCC have the same or different cellular origins is unclear; with mesenchymal or epidermal origins discussed. DNA-methylation patterns have a proven utility in determining cellular origins of cancers. Therefore, we used this approach to uncover evidence regarding the cell of origin of classical VP- and UV-MCC cell lines, i.e., cell lines with a neuroendocrine growth pattern (n = 9 and n = 4, respectively). Surprisingly, we observed high global similarities in the DNA-methylation of UV- and VP-MCC cell lines. CpGs of lower methylation in VP-MCC cell lines were associated with neuroendocrine marker genes such as SOX2 and INSM1, or linked to binding sites of EZH2 and SUZ12 of the polycomb repressive complex 2, i.e., genes with an impact on carcinogenesis and differentiation of neuroendocrine cancers. Thus, the observed differences appear to be rooted in viral compared to mutation-driven carcinogenesis rather than distinct cells of origin. To test this hypothesis, we used principal component analysis, to compare DNA-methylation data from different epithelial and non-epithelial neuroendocrine cancers and established a scoring model for epithelial and neuroendocrine characteristics. Subsequently, we applied this scoring model to the DNA-methylation data of the VP- and UV-MCC cell lines, revealing that both clearly scored as epithelial cancers. In summary, our comprehensive analysis of DNA-methylation suggests a common epithelial origin of UV- and VP-MCC cell lines.

Peripheral Taenia infection increases immunoglobulins in the central nervous system.

Human cysticercosis is a disease caused by larvae of the cestode Taenia solium. It is an important common cause of adult-onset seizures world-wide where it exacts a debilitating toll on the health and well-being of affected communities. It is commonly assumed that the major symptoms associated with cysticercosis are a result of the direct presence of larvae in the brain. As a result, the possible effects of peripherally located larvae on the central nervous system are not well understood. To address this question, we utilised the Taenia crassiceps intra-peritoneal murine model of cysticercosis, where larvae are restricted to the peritoneal cavity. In this model, previous research has observed behavioural changes in rodents but not the development of seizures. Here we used ELISAs, immunoblotting and the Evans Blue test for blood-brain barrier permeability to explore the central effects of peripheral infection of mice with T. crassiceps. We identified high levels of parasite-targeting immunoglobulins in the sera of T. crassiceps-infected mice. We show that the T. crassciceps larvae themselves also contain and release host immunoglobulins over time. Additionally, we describe, for the first known time, significantly increased levels of IgG within the hippocampi of infected mice, which are accompanied by changes in blood-brain barrier permeability. However, these T. crassiceps-induced changes were not accompanied by alterations to the levels of proinflammatory, pro-seizure cytokines in the hippocampus. These findings contribute to the understanding of systemic and neuroimmune responses in the T. crassiceps model of cysticercosis, with implications for the pathogenesis of human cysticercosis.

Epigenetic Mechanisms Mediating Cell State Transitions in Chondrocytes.

Epigenetic modifications play critical roles in regulating cell lineage differentiation, but the epigenetic mechanisms guiding specific differentiation steps within a cell lineage have rarely been investigated. To decipher such mechanisms, we used the defined transition from proliferating (PC) into hypertrophic chondrocytes (HC) during endochondral ossification as a model. We established a map of activating and repressive histone modifications for each cell type. ChromHMM state transition analysis and Pareto-based integration of differential levels of mRNA and epigenetic marks revealed that differentiation-associated gene repression is initiated by the addition of H3K27me3 to promoters still carrying substantial levels of activating marks. Moreover, the integrative analysis identified genes specifically expressed in cells undergoing the transition into hypertrophy. Investigation of enhancer profiles detected surprising differences in enhancer number, location, and transcription factor binding sites between the two closely related cell types. Furthermore, cell type-specific upregulation of gene expression was associated with increased numbers of H3K27ac peaks. Pathway analysis identified PC-specific enhancers associated with chondrogenic genes, whereas HC-specific enhancers mainly control metabolic pathways linking epigenetic signature to biological functions. Since HC-specific enhancers show a higher conservation in postnatal tissues, the switch to metabolic pathways seems to be a hallmark of differentiated tissues. Surprisingly, the analysis of H3K27ac levels at super-enhancers revealed a rapid adaption of H3K27ac occupancy to changes in gene expression, supporting the importance of enhancer modulation for acute alterations in gene expression. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Classical and Variant Merkel Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines Display Different Degrees of Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer characterized by high invasiveness, early metastases, and high mortality. Because of the lack of suitable animal models, most functional studies are performed using cell lines, some of which lack classical neuroendocrine growth characteristics. Here, we scrutinized the molecular characteristics of classical MCC and variant MCC cell lines by differential gene expression and the respective epigenetic regulation by microRNAs and DNA methylation. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell lines were used for comparison. The most striking observation was a lower expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related genes in classical MCCs, which was accompanied by higher expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition-regulating microRNA clusters miR-200c-141 and miR-183-96-182 and hypomethylation of the respective microRNA loci. Experimental expression of the MCC lineage factor ATOH1 in variant MCCs resulted in an increased expression of miR-200c-141 paralleled by a reduction of genes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, thus demonstrating a connection between neuroendocrine characteristics and the lack of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Together, our observations not only reinforce concerns about the use of variant MCCs as proper MCC representatives, but also suggest variant MCCs as cells locked in an intermediate state between neuroendocrine and epithelial differentiation.

Merkel cell carcinoma-derived exosome-shuttle miR-375 induces fibroblast polarization by inhibition of RBPJ and p53.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly invasive and metastatic skin cancer. While high expression of miR-375 is a characteristic of MCC, it seems not to contribute to the malignant phenotype of MCC cells. miR-375 enrichment in MCC-derived extracellular vesicles suggests its intercellular signaling function. Here, we demonstrate that horizontally transferred miR-375 causes fibroblast polarization toward cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). The polarization is evidenced by phenotypic changes and induction of α-SMA, CXCL2, and IL-1ß. Fibroblast polarization is inhibited by specific antagomirs and mimicked by experimental miR-375 expression. Mechanistically, miR-375 downregulates RBPJ and p53, two key players regulating fibroblast polarization. In clinical MCC samples, in situ hybridization located miR-375 in CAFs, which correlated with high α-SMA protein and low RBPJ and TP53 expression; single-cell RNAseq revealed a disparate fibroblast polarization negatively correlating with p53 pathway-related gene expression. Thus, the functional role of miR-375 in MCC is to generate a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment by inducing fibroblast polarization.

Maternal pre-pregnancy underweight as a risk factor for the offspring: Survey of Neonates in Pomerania.

AIM: The aim was to investigate socio-economic risk factors for maternal underweight before pregnancy and then associations of underweight with neonatal outcomes. METHODS: Data of 3401 mother-child dyads from the population-based birth cohort Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNiP) were analysed. RESULTS: Bivariate analysis showed that underweighted mothers were younger, smoked more often, had a lower equivalent income and lower socio-economic status (employment status and/or educational level) compared to women with normal weight. The final prediction model revealed that only younger maternal age (OR = 0.93; 95%-CI = 0.90-0.97) and maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR = 2.52; 95%-CI = 1.74-3.66) were associated with underweight. Compared to women with normal pre-pregnancy BMI, underweight women had an increased chance of premature labour (OR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.29-2.31) and a reduced placental weight. The offspring of underweight women had an increased risk of late preterm birth (OR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.21-2.74) and birthweight < 2500 g (OR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.23-2.95). CONCLUSION: Smoking during pregnancy and a younger age were identified as risk factors for maternal pre-pregnancy underweight which then was associated with late preterm birth and low birthweight.

Taenia larvae possess distinct acetylcholinesterase profiles with implications for host cholinergic signalling.

Larvae of the cestodes Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps infect the central nervous system of humans. Taenia solium larvae in the brain cause neurocysticercosis, the leading cause of adult-acquired epilepsy worldwide. Relatively little is understood about how cestode-derived products modulate host neural and immune signalling. Acetylcholinesterases, a class of enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, are produced by a host of parasitic worms to aid their survival in the host. Acetylcholine is an important signalling molecule in both the human nervous and immune systems, with powerful modulatory effects on the excitability of cortical networks. Therefore, it is important to establish whether cestode derived acetylcholinesterases may alter host neuronal cholinergic signalling. Here we make use of multiple techniques to profile acetylcholinesterase activity in different extracts of both Taenia crassiceps and Taenia solium larvae. We find that the larvae of both species contain substantial acetylcholinesterase activity. However, acetylcholinesterase activity is lower in Taenia solium as compared to Taenia crassiceps larvae. Further, whilst we observed acetylcholinesterase activity in all fractions of Taenia crassiceps larvae, including on the membrane surface and in the excreted/secreted extracts, we could not identify acetylcholinesterases on the membrane surface or in the excreted/secreted extracts of Taenia solium larvae. Bioinformatic analysis revealed conservation of the functional protein domains in the Taenia solium acetylcholinesterases, when compared to the homologous human sequence. Finally, using whole-cell patch clamp recordings in rat hippocampal brain slice cultures, we demonstrate that Taenia larval derived acetylcholinesterases can break down acetylcholine at a concentration which induces changes in neuronal signalling. Together, these findings highlight the possibility that Taenia larval acetylcholinesterases can interfere with cholinergic signalling in the host, potentially contributing to pathogenesis in neurocysticercosis.

Natrix: a Snakemake-based workflow for processing, clustering, and taxonomically assigning amplicon sequencing reads.

BACKGROUND: Sequencing of marker genes amplified from environmental samples, known as amplicon sequencing, allows us to resolve some of the hidden diversity and elucidate evolutionary relationships and ecological processes among complex microbial communities. The analysis of large numbers of samples at high sequencing depths generated by high throughput sequencing technologies requires efficient, flexible, and reproducible bioinformatics pipelines. Only a few existing workflows can be run in a user-friendly, scalable, and reproducible manner on different computing devices using an efficient workflow management system. RESULTS: We present Natrix, an open-source bioinformatics workflow for preprocessing raw amplicon sequencing data. The workflow contains all analysis steps from quality assessment, read assembly, dereplication, chimera detection, split-sample merging, sequence representative assignment (OTUs or ASVs) to the taxonomic assignment of sequence representatives. The workflow is written using Snakemake, a workflow management engine for developing data analysis workflows. In addition, Conda is used for version control. Thus, Snakemake ensures reproducibility and Conda offers version control of the utilized programs. The encapsulation of rules and their dependencies support hassle-free sharing of rules between workflows and easy adaptation and extension of existing workflows. Natrix is freely available on GitHub ( https://github.com/MW55/Natrix ) or as a Docker container on DockerHub ( https://hub.docker.com/r/mw55/natrix ). CONCLUSION: Natrix is a user-friendly and highly extensible workflow for processing Illumina amplicon data.

Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNiP): Study design and cohort update.

BACKGROUND: The health status of newborns is a major concern for parents and medical personnel. Recent studies have provided increasing evidence that factors from the foetal and perinatal periods of life influence health later in life. The "Follow-up of the Survey of Neonates in Pomerania" (SNiP-I-Follow-up) is the first follow-up of the population-based birth cohort study, SNiP-I, established in north-east Germany. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of SNiP-I-Follow-up study was the collection of longitudinal data on children and adolescents. The associations will be analysed between risk factors in pregnancy and the perinatal period and health status in infancy and later childhood. POPULATION: The population-based cohort study SNiP-I was conducted in Pomerania in north-east Germany between February 2002 and November 2008. All mothers from the SNiP-I birth cohort were recontacted when their children were from 9 to 15 years of age. DESIGN: The SNiP-I-Follow-up study was carried out between December 2016 and August 2017 and is a questionnaire-based survey. METHODS: Physical development, health status, and social behaviour (school and leisure behaviour) of children were analysed using a questionnaire comprising medical, epidemiological, and socio-economic data, associated health care risk factors, and life circumstances of newborns, children, and their parents. PRELIMINARY RESULTS: Out of 5725 children invited to participate in the SNiP-I-Follow-up study between December 2016 and August 2017, 29% (n = 1665) children participated in the SNiP-I-Follow-up study, providing data on 1665 mothers-child dyads. Responders had higher socio-economic status, especially in relation to maternal education status. CONCLUSION: As a longitudinal birth cohort from rural Germany, the SNiP cohort will be a resource to address urgent research needs and contribute to overall population health.