The trematodes and cestodes of Sorex araneus L. in Valaam Island (Ladoga Lake, USSR). 1

The trematode and the cestode fauna was examined in 50 specimens of common shrews Sorex araneus L. (Insectivora: Soricidae) cillected in Valaam Island, URSS during 1988 and 1989. Two species of Trematoda and seven species of Cestoda were identified; prevalence of infection was as follows: Brachulaemus fulvus (86% ), Rubenstrema exasperatum (4% ), Hymenolepis scutigera (54% ), Neoskrjabinolepis schaldybini (26% ), Vigisolepis spinulosa (4% ), Choanotaenia crassiscolex (86% ), Choanotaenia hepatica (6% ), Dilepis undula (2% ) and Polycercus sp. (2% ).

Exploration of receptor binding of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins

Wild type and mutant toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxins were examined for their binding to midgut brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV). CryIAa, CryIAb, and CryIAc were examined for their binding to Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) BBMV. The binding of CryIAa and CryIAc was directly correlated with their toxicity, while CryIAb was observed to have lower binding than expected from its toxicity. The latter observation confirms the observation of Wolfersberger (1990). The "rule" of reciprocity of binding and toxicity is apparently obeyed by CryIAa and CryIAc, but broken by CryIAb on L. dispar. Alanine substitutions were made in several positions of the putative loops of CryIAa to test the hypothesis that the loops are intimately involved in binding to the receptor. The mutant toxins showed minor shifts in heterologous binding to Bombyx mori BBMV, but not enough to conclude that the residues chosen play critical roles in receptor binding.

Methylation of GpG Island promoters in uveal melanoma

ABSTRACT : Background: Inactivation of tumour-related genes by promoter hypermethylation is a common epigenetic event in the development of a variety of tumours. Aim: To investigate in primary uveal melanoma the status of promoter methylation of genes thought to be involved in tumour development: p16, TIMP3, RASSF1, RARB, FHIT, hTERT and APC. Methods: Gene promoter methylation was studied by methylation-sensitive single-strand conformation analysis and dot-blot assay in a series of 23 primary uveal melanomas. All DNA samples were obtained from paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed tissue blocks. Results: hTERT promoter methylation was found with a relatively high frequency (52%). Promoter methylation of p16, TIMP3, RASSF1, RARB, FHIT and APC was a rare event. For none of these genes did promoter methylation exceed 15% of tumour samples, and, for some genes (FHIT and APC), no methylation was found at all. Furthermore, promoter methylation was absent in 39% (9/ 23) of cases. In only 22% (5/23) of cases was hypermethylation of at least two promoters observed. Conclusions: Promoter methylation of hTERT is a regular event in uveal melanoma. Hypermethylation of the other genes studied does not seem to be an essential element in the development of this tumour. As promoter methylation of APC, RASSF1 and RARB is often observed in cutaneous melanoma, these results suggest that different epigenetic events occur in the development of cutaneous and uveal melanoma. RAPPORT DE SYNTHESE : L'inactivation de gènes par une hyperméthylation de leur promoteur apparaît être un événement épigénétique fréquent, se retrouvant dans de nombreuses tumeurs. Dans cette étude, nous avons investigué dans des mélanomes primaires de l'uvée l'état de méthylation du promoteur de gènes fréquemment impliqués dans le développent tumoral tels que p16, TIMP3, RASSFI, RARB, FHIT, hTERT et APC. La méthylation des promoteurs de gènes a été étudiée par methylationsensitive single-strand conformation analysis (MS-SSCA) et dot blot assay (MS-DBA) dans une série de 23 mélanomes primaires de l'uvée. Tous les échantillons tissulaires provenaient de matériel fixé dans le formol et conservé dans des blocs de parraffine. Nous avons identifié une fréquence relativement élevée (52%) pour la méthylation du promoteur de hTERT. En ce qui concerne le reste des gènes étudiés, nous avons retrouvé des fréquences de méthylation de promoteurs relativement basses avec 13% pour RASSF1, 13% pour RARB 13%, 9% pour TIMP3 et 4% pour p16. Nous n'avons pas retrouvé d'hyperméthylation des promoteurs des gènes APC et FRIT. La méthylation de hTERT apparaît être un événement important dans la biologie du mélanome de l'uvée. L'hyperméthylation des autres gènes évalués ne semble pas être cruciale dans le développent de cette tumeur. Comme la méthylation des promoteurs des gènes APC, RASSF1 et RARB a été fréquemment observée dans le mélanome de la peau, notre étude tend à démontrer que des mécanismes épigénétiques différents surviennent dans le développement respectif de ces tumeurs.

Exploration of immune competencies of viral-specific CD8+T cells in MS patients using tetramers and functional CTL assays

Introduction: Epstein-Barr Virus(EBV) has been repeatedly associatedwith multiple sclerosis (MS). Wehave previously shown that there is ahigh peripheral as well as intrathecalactivation of EBV-, but not cytomegalovirus(CMV)-specific CD8+ Tcells, early in the course of MS,strengthening the link between EBVand MS. However, the trigger of thisincreased EBV-specific CD8+ T cellresponse remains obscure. It could resultfrom a higher EBV viral load. Alternatively,it could be due to an intrinsicallydeficient EBV-specificCTL response, cytotoxic granulesmediated.Thus, we performed anin-depth study of the phenotype of exvivo EBV- and CMV-specific CD8+T cells in MS patients and control patients,assessing their cytotoxic activity.Methods:We analyzed the profileof cytotoxic granules in EBV- andCMV-specific CD8+ T cells in a cohortof 13 early MS patients, 20 lateMS, 30 other neurological diseases(OND) patients and 7 healthy controlsubjects. Ex vivo analysis of EBV- orCMV-specific CD8+ T cells was performedusing HLA class I/tetramercomplexes coupled to CCR7 andCD57 markers in conjunction withperforin, granzymes A, BandKstaining.In a sub-cohort of MS patientsand controls, cytotoxic activity ofEBV- and CMV-specific CD8+ Tcells was investigated using a functionalCFSE CTL assay. Results: UsingHLA Class I tetramers for EBVand CMV, we found that the frequencyof EBV- or CMV-specificCD8+ T cells were similar in all studysubjects. Most of EBV- and CMVspecificCD8+Tcells were highly differentiated(CCR7-) and a variousproportion expressed the exhaustionmarker CD57. MS and OND patientshad increased perforin expression inEBV-specific CD8+ T cells. Most importantly,we found that MS patientswith longer disease duration tended tohave lower CTL cytotoxicity as comparedto earlyMSpatients or controls.Conclusions: Effector EBV-specificCD8+ T cells are increased in earlyMS, however their cytotoxic granuleprofile does not seem to be fully alteredand the cytotoxic activity ofthese cells is normal. However, thecytotoxic activity of CTL decreasedin late MS patients suggesting an exhaustionof EBV-specific CD8+ Tcells possibly due to EBV reactivation.This work was supported by theSwiss National Foundation PP00B3-124893, the Swiss Society for MS,and the Biaggi Foundation to RADP.

Recepció de literatura infantil i juvenil anglosaxona a la Catalunya noucentista: Treasure Island

Translation during the noucentisme was a very important resource for standardising the modern Catalan language and for filling in the historical gaps of Catalan Literature. The literati of the noucentisme looked to Europe to find works that had similar ideals to their own and that could be presented in Catalonia to educate and instruct its new generations. The translation of children and young adults’ literature, therefore, formed a major part of the project. Together with the best writers and illustrators of the period and the support of the publishing industry, the golden era in the history of children and young adults’ literature emerged. In this project our aim is to study the reception of British children and young adults’ literature during the noucentisme. This will be done by using Treasure Island and two of its translations, the first of which is from 1926 by Joan Arús and the second from 2008 by Joan Sellent. Cultural references and the illustrations will be analysed, and we shall ascertain whether the two translators and illustrators used domesticating or foreignising strategies and whether they followed the tendencies of translation of children and young adults’ literature.

Functional analysis of pyochelin-/enantiopyochelin-related genes from a pathogenicity island of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14.

Genomic islands are foreign DNA blocks inserted in so-called regions of genomic plasticity (RGP). Depending on their gene content, they are classified as pathogenicity, symbiosis, metabolic, fitness or resistance islands, although a detailed functional analysis is often lacking. Here we focused on a 34-kb pathogenicity island of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 (PA14GI-6), which is inserted at RGP5 and carries genes related to those for pyochelin/enantiopyochelin biosynthesis. These enantiomeric siderophores of P. aeruginosa and certain strains of Pseudomonas protegens are assembled by a thiotemplate mechanism from salicylate and two molecules of cysteine. The biochemical function of several proteins encoded by PA14GI-6 was investigated by a series of complementation analyses using mutants affected in potential homologs. We found that PA14_54940 codes for a bifunctional salicylate synthase/salicyl-AMP ligase (for generation and activation of salicylate), that PA14_54930 specifies a dihydroaeruginoic acid (Dha) synthetase (for coupling salicylate with a cysteine-derived thiazoline ring), that PA14_54910 produces a type II thioesterase (for quality control), and that PA14_54880 encodes a serine O-acetyltransferase (for increased cysteine availability). The structure of the PA14GI-6-specified metabolite was determined by mass spectrometry, thin-layer chromatography, and HPLC as (R)-Dha, an iron chelator with antibacterial, antifungal and antitumor activity. The conservation of this genomic island in many clinical and environmental P. aeruginosa isolates of different geographical origin suggests that the ability for Dha production may confer a selective advantage to its host.

Obesity Weighting up the Evidence: All-Island Multisectoral Conference on Obesity

The World Health Organization reports that overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions globally and estimates that approximately 1.6 billion adults and at least 20 million children under the age of five are overweight or obese. It is accepted that being overweight or obese increases the risk of health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers and has significant impacts on a wide range of other factors including education, employment and emotional wellbeing. This conference aimed to present a multisectoral audience with the latest developments in overweight and obesity prevention and management. This presentation was given by Dr. Kevin Balanda, Institute of Public Health in Ireland. The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) is leading the development of an All-Ireland obesity observatory The obesity observatory development is being undertaken in collaboration with: - HRB Centre for Health and Diet Research ﾖ UCC /UCD - Centre of Excellence for Public Health (NI) - QUB Projected outcomes: Adequate sample size Data to be sought and recorded Usefulness of a database in influencing policy Value to clinicians in management of obesity

Counting the Cost of Diabetes on the Island of Ireland

A new report published by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) and released on Monday 9 July 2007, predicts a 26% increase in diabetes in Northern Ireland and a 37% increase in the Republic over the ten year period (2005-2015). The new report entitled, Making Diabetes Count: What does the future hold? is the second such report from the authors - The Irish Diabetes Prevalence Working Group.

Food Security on the island of Ireland: are we sleep walking into a crisis?

IPH has developed a discussion paper on food security on the island. This makes the case that health is and needs to be central to food and agricultural policy. Population health, food systems and agricultural production are intimately linked.  A clear framework on food security is needed in both parts of the island of Ireland and this offers a key opportunity for cooperation. This article has been published in the latest edition of The Journal of Cross Border Studies in Ireland - No 6 launched on 8 March 2011.

Consideration of health in Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) on the island of Ireland

This IPH report explores the extent health was incorporated into SEA in a manner which would suggest a good understanding of the many social and economic factors which strongly influence health. The research identifies that a consideration of health is not routinely included in SEAs. There is a need to build capacity and change mindsets in how SEAs are undertaken to more completely factor in the health impacts.

Extra healthy years or just extra years? What can we know from the data we have on the island of Ireland?

As life expectancy continues to rise, the prevalence of chronic conditions is increasing in our society. However, we do not know if the extra years of life gained are being spent with disability and illness, or in good health. Furthermore, it is unclear if all groups in society experience their extra years of life in the same way. This report examines patterns of health expectancies across the island of Ireland, examining any North-South and socio-economic differences as well looking at differences in data sources. The older population (aged 65 or over) on the island of Ireland is growing and becoming a larger percentage of the total  population. Republic of Ireland Census 2011 revealed that 12% of the RoI population was aged 65 or over (CSO, 2012), and Northern Ireland Census 2011 revealed that 13% of the NI population was aged 65 or over (NISRA, 2012). By 2041 the population aged 65 or over is projected to reach 22% in RoI and 24% in NI (McGill, 2010). It is unclear, however, if this increasing longevity will be enjoyed equally by all strata of society.

A Tobacco-Free Future - An all-island report on tobacco, inequalities and childhood 2013

A Tobacco-Free Future - An all-island report on tobacco, inequalities and childhood 2013 reveals declines in smoking rates among both children and pregnant women over the past decade, both North and South of the border. This report published by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) and the TobaccoFree Research Institute Ireland (TFRI), shows that while tobacco control measures are being successful, disadvantaged children are at particular risk of tobacco-related harms.