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The seeds of Plantago lanceolata comprise a stable core microbiome along a plant richness gradient.
de Souza, YPA, Schloter, M, Weisser, W, Huang, Y, Schulz, S
Environmental microbiome. 2024;(1):11
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seed endophytic bacteria are beneficial to plants. They improve seedling growth by enhancing plant nutrient uptake, modulating stress-related phytohormone production, and targeting pests and pathogens with antibiotics. Seed endophyte composition can be influenced by pollination, plant cultivar, and soil physicochemical conditions. However, the effects of plant community richness on seed endophytes are unknown. To investigate the effects of increasing plant species richness on the diversity and composition of the seed microbiome, we made use of a well-established long-term biodiversity experiment in Germany (The Jena Experiment). We sampled seeds from different Plantago lanceolata blossoms in a plant diversity gradient ranging from monoculture to 16 species mixtures. The seeds were surface sterilized to remove seed surface-associated bacteria and subjected to a metabarcoding approach to assess bacterial community structure. RESULTS Our data indicate a very stable core microbiome, which accounted for more than 90% of the reads and was present in all seeds independent of the plant richness level the seeds originated from. It consisted mainly of reads linked to Pseudomonas rhizosphaerae, Sphingomonas faeni and Pirellulla spp. 9% of the obtained reads were not part of the core microbiome and were only present in plots of specific diversity levels. The number of unique ASVs was positively correlated with plant richness. Interestingly, most reads described as non-core members belonged to the same genera described as the core microbiome, indicating the presence of different strains or species with possibly different functional properties important for seed performance. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that Plantago lanceolata maintains a large seeds core microbiome across the plant richness gradient. However, the number of unique ASVs increases alongside the plant community richness, indicating that ecosystem biodiversity also mitigates diversity loss in seed endophytes.
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Effects of home confinement on mental health and lifestyle behaviours during the COVID-19 outbreak: insights from the ECLB-COVID19 multicentre study.
Ammar, A, Trabelsi, K, Brach, M, Chtourou, H, Boukhris, O, Masmoudi, L, Bouaziz, B, Bentlage, E, How, D, Ahmed, M, et al
Biology of sport. 2021;38(1):9-21
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Plain language summary
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To curb the spread of the 2020 pandemic, social distancing, self-isolation and nationwide lockdown measures were put in place. These measures along with hygiene care are recognized as the most effective ways to curb the spread of disease. However; the weakening of social contacts can result in anxiety, frustration, panic attacks, loss or sudden increase of appetite, insomnia, depression, mood swings, delusions, fear, sleep disorders, and suicidal/domestic violence. The purpose of the study is to provide scientific data to help identify risk factors for the psychosocial strain during the COVID-19 outbreak. The study is an international cross-disciplinary online survey and was circulated in April 2020. 1047 replies were analysed from this preliminary phase. The results show a significant difference in all tested parameters and therefore reveal a large burden for mental wellbeing combined with a tendency towards an unhealthy lifestyle during, compared to before, the confinement enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic. These results highlight the importance for policy makers to consider strategies to promote wellbeing during future confinements.
Abstract
Although recognised as effective measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, social distancing and self-isolation have been suggested to generate a burden throughout the population. To provide scientific data to help identify risk factors for the psychosocial strain during the COVID-19 outbreak, an international cross-disciplinary online survey was circulated in April 2020. This report outlines the mental, emotional and behavioural consequences of COVID-19 home confinement. The ECLB-COVID19 electronic survey was designed by a steering group of multidisciplinary scientists, following a structured review of the literature. The survey was uploaded and shared on the Google online survey platform and was promoted by thirty-five research organizations from Europe, North Africa, Western Asia and the Americas. Questions were presented in a differential format with questions related to responses "before" and "during" the confinement period. 1047 replies (54% women) from Western Asia (36%), North Africa (40%), Europe (21%) and other continents (3%) were analysed. The COVID-19 home confinement evoked a negative effect on mental wellbeing and emotional status (P < 0.001; 0.43 ≤ d ≤ 0.65) with a greater proportion of individuals experiencing psychosocial and emotional disorders (+10% to +16.5%). These psychosocial tolls were associated with unhealthy lifestyle behaviours with a greater proportion of individuals experiencing (i) physical (+15.2%) and social (+71.2%) inactivity, (ii) poor sleep quality (+12.8%), (iii) unhealthy diet behaviours (+10%), and (iv) unemployment (6%). Conversely, participants demonstrated a greater use (+15%) of technology during the confinement period. These findings elucidate the risk of psychosocial strain during the COVID-19 home confinement period and provide a clear remit for the urgent implementation of technology-based intervention to foster an Active and Healthy Confinement Lifestyle AHCL).
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Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Seed Oil for Treating Menopausal Symptoms: An Individually Controlled Cohort Study.
Huber, R, Gminski, R, Tang, T, Weinert, T, Schulz, S, Linke-Cordes, M, Martin, I, Fischer, H
Alternative therapies in health and medicine. 2017;(2):28-34
Abstract
Context • In the folk medicine of Mediterranean countries and in ancient Ayurveda, Punica granatum seeds (ie, pomegranate seeds) have been used for treatment of various disorders, including those that nowadays are classified as menopausal symptoms (MSs). Pomegranate seed oil (PSO) from those seeds mainly contains unsaturated fatty acids such as γ-linoleic acid and linolenic acid, but it also includes phytoestrogens. It is, therefore, regarded as a promising option for treating MSs today. Objectives • The study intended to investigate the safety and effectiveness of PSO as a defined P granatum seed oil for patients with MSs. Design • The research team designed an individually controlled, investigator-initiated cohort study. Setting • The treatments were performed at 2 institutions: (1) the Center for Complementary Medicine at the University Medical Center Freiburg (Freiburg, Germany); and (2) in the medical practice of H. Fischer (Freiburg, Germany). Participants • Seventy-eight patients, who had a mean duration of MSs of 46 mo, participated in the study. Intervention • After 4 wk without treatment, which functioned as a period providing an individual control, each participant took 1000 mg of PSO daily in 2 capsules for 8 wk. Outcome Measures • The symptom severity was scored on the German version of the menopausal rating scale (MRS) at baseline, after 4 wk without treatment, after 4 wk of treatment, and postintervention, with 0 = absence of symptoms and 4 = very strong symptoms. The efficacy and tolerability were estimated on scales from 0-4. Each participant's 17ß estradiol was determined at baseline and after postintervention using the patient's sera. The content of the β-sitosterol was determined in the PSO preparations by gas chromatography. Results • The content of β-sitosterol in the PSO used in the study was 6.3 mg/1000 mg. In the intention to treat analysis, most MRS symptoms were significantly and relevantly reduced (eg, hot flushes changed from 2.32 ± 1.04 to 1.41 ± 1.07, P < .001). Remarkably, urogenital tract symptoms (ie, a dry vagina) also significantly improved, moving from 1.32 ± 1.43 to 0.85 ± 1.19, P < .001. Few patients reported gastrointestinal symptoms. The tolerability was excellent at 3.69 ± 0.71 after 4 wk of treatment and 3.71 ± 0.65 after 8 wk of treatment. The 17ß estradiol was unchanged. Conclusions • Participants showed significant improvements in all domains of the MRS, remarkably including the difficult-to-treat urogenital symptoms. No changes occurred in the 17ß-estradiol in patients' sera after the PSO treatment. The results are promising and encourage the investigation of PSO rich in β-sitosterol for treatment of MSs in placebo-controlled studies.
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Type III-Dependent Translocation of HrpB2 by a Nonpathogenic hpaABC Mutant of the Plant-Pathogenic Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria.
Scheibner, F, Schulz, S, Hausner, J, Marillonnet, S, Büttner, D
Applied and environmental microbiology. 2016;(11):3331-3347
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Abstract
UNLABELLED The plant-pathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria employs a type III secretion (T3S) system to translocate effector proteins into plant cells. The T3S apparatus spans both bacterial membranes and is associated with an extracellular pilus and a channel-like translocon in the host plasma membrane. T3S is controlled by the switch protein HpaC, which suppresses secretion and translocation of the predicted inner rod protein HrpB2 and promotes secretion of translocon and effector proteins. We previously reported that HrpB2 interacts with HpaC and the cytoplasmic domain of the inner membrane protein HrcU (C. Lorenz, S. Schulz, T. Wolsch, O. Rossier, U. Bonas, and D. Büttner, PLoS Pathog 4:e1000094, 2008, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1000094). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the control of HrpB2 secretion are not yet understood. Here, we located a T3S and translocation signal in the N-terminal 40 amino acids of HrpB2. The results of complementation experiments with HrpB2 deletion derivatives revealed that the T3S signal of HrpB2 is essential for protein function. Furthermore, interaction studies showed that the N-terminal region of HrpB2 interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of HrcU, suggesting that the T3S signal of HrpB2 contributes to substrate docking. Translocation of HrpB2 is suppressed not only by HpaC but also by the T3S chaperone HpaB and its secreted regulator, HpaA. Deletion of hpaA, hpaB, and hpaC leads to a loss of pathogenicity but allows the translocation of fusion proteins between the HrpB2 T3S signal and effector proteins into leaves of host and non-host plants. IMPORTANCE The T3S system of the plant-pathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria is essential for pathogenicity and delivers effector proteins into plant cells. T3S depends on HrpB2, which is a component of the predicted periplasmic inner rod structure of the secretion apparatus. HrpB2 is secreted during the early stages of the secretion process and interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of the inner membrane protein HrcU. Here, we localized the secretion and translocation signal of HrpB2 in the N-terminal 40 amino acids and show that this region is sufficient for the interaction with the cytoplasmic domain of HrcU. Our results suggest that the T3S signal of HrpB2 is required for the docking of HrpB2 to the secretion apparatus. Furthermore, we provide experimental evidence that the N-terminal region of HrpB2 is sufficient to target effector proteins for translocation in a nonpathogenic X. campestris pv. vesicatoria strain.
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Fluorescently labeled recombinant RNAP system to probe archaeal transcription initiation.
Schulz, S, Kramm, K, Werner, F, Grohmann, D
Methods (San Diego, Calif.). 2015;:10-8
Abstract
The transcriptional apparatus is one of the most complex cellular machineries and in order to fully appreciate the behavior of these protein-nucleic acid assemblies one has to understand the molecular details of the system. In addition to classical biochemical and structural studies, fluorescence-based techniques turned out as an important--and sometimes the critical--tool to obtain information about the molecular mechanisms of transcription. Fluorescence is not only a multi-modal parameter that can report on molecular interactions, environment and oligomerization status. Measured on the single-molecule level it also informs about the heterogeneity of the system and gives access to distances and distance changes in the molecular relevant nanometer regime. A pre-requisite for fluorescence-based measurements is the site-specific incorporation of one or multiple fluorescent dyes. In this respect, the archaeal transcription system is ideally suited as it is available in a fully recombinant form and thus allows for site-specific modification via sophisticated labeling schemes. The application of fluorescence based approaches to the archaeal transcription apparatus changed our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and dynamics that drive archaeal transcription and unraveled the architecture of transcriptional complexes not amenable to structural interrogation.
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Unrestricted fruits and vegetables in the PKU diet: a 1-year follow-up.
Rohde, C, Mütze, U, Schulz, S, Thiele, AG, Ceglarek, U, Thiery, J, Mueller, AS, Kiess, W, Beblo, S
European journal of clinical nutrition. 2014;(3):401-3
Abstract
Phenylketonuria (PKU) therapy demands phenylalanine (Phe) calculation. In most countries, almost all food is taken into account, even fruits and vegetables. We investigated whether unrestricted consumption of fruits and vegetables negatively influences metabolic control. Nineteen PKU children (2-10 years) started with 2 weeks of free or restricted fruit and vegetable intake. After 2 weeks, the regime changed from free to restricted or restricted to free (cross-over design). Over the first 4 weeks, dried blood Phe concentration was measured, fruit and vegetable consumption recorded and nutrient intake calculated from diet records. Thereafter the diet was changed to free use of fruits and vegetables for all patients. Six and 12 months later, diet and Phe concentrations were monitored. Median Phe intake increased significantly by 65 mg/day (week 4, P<0.001), 68 mg/day (month 6, P<0.001) and 70 mg/day (month 12, P<0.001). Dried blood Phe concentrations remained stable (P=0.894), as did the frequency of Phe concentrations above the recommended range (P=0.592). In conclusion, PKU diet liberalization for fruits and vegetables seems unproblematic.
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Sage in vitro cultures: a promising tool for the production of bioactive terpenes and phenolic substances.
Marchev, A, Haas, C, Schulz, S, Georgiev, V, Steingroewer, J, Bley, T, Pavlov, A
Biotechnology letters. 2014;(2):211-21
Abstract
Extracts of Salvia species are used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases. The economic importance of this genus has increased in recent years due to evidence that some of its secondary metabolites have valuable pharmaceutical and nutraceutical properties.The bioactivity of sage extracts is mainly due to their content of terpenes and polyphenols. The increasing demand for sage products combined with environmental, ecological and climatic limitations on the production of sage metabolites from field-grown plants have led to extensive investigations into biotechnological approaches for the production of Salvia phytochemicals. The purpose of this review is to evaluate recent progress in investigations of sage in vitro systems as tools for producing important terpenoids and polyphenols and in development of methods for manipulating regulatory processes to enhance secondary metabolite production in such systems.
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Rationale and design of The Intracoronary Stenting and Antithrombotic Regimen-Testing of a six-week versus a six-month clopidogrel treatment Regimen In Patients with concomitant aspirin and oraL anticoagulant therapy following drug-Eluting stenting (ISAR-TRIPLE) study.
Fiedler, KA, Byrne, RA, Schulz, S, Sibbing, D, Mehilli, J, Ibrahim, T, Maeng, M, Laugwitz, KL, Kastrati, A, Sarafoff, N
American heart journal. 2014;(4):459-465.e1
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increasing number of patients undergoing coronary stenting need lifelong anticoagulation and therefore require a triple therapy typically consisting of aspirin, clopidogrel, and a vitamin K antagonist. Triple therapy confers an elevated bleeding risk as compared with dual therapy; however, omission of either antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy might increase the risk of stent thrombosis or thrombembolic events. Although guidelines recommend a duration of dual antiplatelet therapy of 6 to 12months after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation, the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients receiving oral anticoagulation is not known. HYPOTHESIS We postulate that 6-week clopidogrel therapy after DES implantation as compared with 6-month therapy is associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients undergoing DES implantation receiving concomitant aspirin and vitamin K antagonists. STUDY DESIGN The ISAR-TRIPLE is a randomized, open-label trial that examines the restriction of clopidogrel therapy from 6 months to 6 weeks after DES implantation in the setting of concomitant aspirin and oral anticoagulant. Patients are randomized in a 1:1 fashion to either 6-week or 6-month clopidogrel therapy. The primary end point is a composite of death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, stroke, or major bleeding. The secondary end point comprises ischemic and bleeding complications. According to sample size calculations, a total of 600 patients are required to be enrolled. Clinical follow-up is scheduled at 6 weeks and at 6 and 9 months after randomization. SUMMARY There is clinical equipoise regarding the optimal duration of triple therapy after DES implantation in patients who need vitamin K antagonist therapy. The ISAR-TRIPLE trial aims to test the hypothesis that a 6-week triple therapy compared with a 6-month triple therapy improves net clinical outcomes.
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Abciximab and heparin versus bivalirudin for non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
Kastrati, A, Neumann, FJ, Schulz, S, Massberg, S, Byrne, RA, Ferenc, M, Laugwitz, KL, Pache, J, Ott, I, Hausleiter, J, et al
The New England journal of medicine. 2011;(21):1980-9
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The combination of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and heparin has not been compared with bivalirudin in studies specifically involving patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We compared the two treatments in this patient population. METHODS Immediately before PCI, we randomly assigned, in a double-blind manner, 1721 patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction to receive abciximab plus unfractionated heparin (861 patients) or bivalirudin (860 patients). The study tested the hypothesis that abciximab and heparin would be superior to bivalirudin with respect to the primary composite end point of death, large recurrent myocardial infarction, urgent target-vessel revascularization, or major bleeding within 30 days. Secondary end points included the composite of death, any recurrent myocardial infarction, or urgent target-vessel revascularization (efficacy end point) and major bleeding (safety end point) within 30 days. RESULTS The primary end point occurred in 10.9% of the patients in the abciximab group (94 patients) and in 11.0% in the bivalirudin group (95 patients) (relative risk with abciximab, 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74 to 1.32; P=0.94). Death, any recurrent myocardial infarction, or urgent target-vessel revascularization occurred in 12.8% of the patients in the abciximab group (110 patients) and in 13.4% in the bivalirudin group (115 patients) (relative risk, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.25; P=0.76). Major bleeding occurred in 4.6% of the patients in the abciximab group (40 patients) as compared with 2.6% in the bivalirudin group (22 patients) (relative risk, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.10 to 3.07; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Abciximab and unfractionated heparin, as compared with bivalirudin, failed to reduce the rate of the primary end point and increased the risk of bleeding among patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who were undergoing PCI. (Funded by Nycomed Pharma and others; ISAR-REACT 4 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00373451.).
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Randomized trial of paclitaxel- versus sirolimus-eluting stents for treatment of coronary restenosis in sirolimus-eluting stents: the ISAR-DESIRE 2 (Intracoronary Stenting and Angiographic Results: Drug Eluting Stents for In-Stent Restenosis 2) study.
Mehilli, J, Byrne, RA, Tiroch, K, Pinieck, S, Schulz, S, Kufner, S, Massberg, S, Laugwitz, KL, Schömig, A, Kastrati, A, et al
Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2010;(24):2710-6
Abstract
OBJECTIVES For patients with sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) restenosis requiring reintervention, we compared a strategy of repeat SES (Cypher, Cordis, Miami Lakes, Florida) implantation with paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) (Taxus, Boston Scientific, Natick, Massachusetts) implantation. BACKGROUND Despite their high anti-restenotic efficacy, the widespread utilization of SES therapy has led to a significant absolute number of patients presenting with SES treatment failure. The optimal treatment strategy for such patients remains unclear. METHODS The ISAR-DESIRE 2 (Intracoronary Stenting and Angiographic Results: Drug Eluting Stents for In-Stent Restenosis 2) study was a randomized, open-label, active-controlled trial conducted among 450 patients with clinically significant in-SES restenosis at 2 centers in Munich, Germany. After pre-treatment with 600 mg clopidogrel, all patients were randomly assigned to either SES or PES implantation. The primary end point was late lumen loss, based on in-stent analysis, at 6- to 8-month follow-up angiography. Secondary end points were binary angiographic restenosis (diameter stenosis >50%) at 6- to 8-month follow-up, target lesion revascularization, the composite of death or myocardial infarction, and definite stent thrombosis at 12 months. RESULTS Regarding anti-restenotic efficacy, there were no differences between SES and PES in late loss (0.40 +/- 0.65 mm vs. 0.38 +/- 0.59 mm; p = 0.85), binary restenosis (19.6% vs. 20.6%; p = 0.69), or target lesion revascularization (16.6% vs. 14.6%; p = 0.52). In terms of safety outcomes, the rates of death/myocardial infarction (6.1% vs. 5.8%; p = 0.86) and stent thrombosis (0.4% vs. 0.4%; p > 0.99) were also similar. CONCLUSIONS In cases of SES restenosis, treatment with either repeat SES or switch to PES was associated with a comparable degree of efficacy and safety. Drug resistance at an individual patient level may play a contributory role to the somewhat higher than expected late loss observed with the SES in the current study. (Intracoronary Stenting and Angiographic Results: Drug-Eluting Stents for In-Stent Restenosis 2 [ISAR-DESIRE 2]; NCT00598715).