Evaluations of the 2019 Annual Statistics Under the Cervical Cytology Quality Assurance Agreement: 2019 Annual Statistics for Cervical Cytology from 15608413 Women.

Background: Cervical cancer screening, which was introduced into the programme of medical care covered by statutory health insurance in Germany in 1971 and has since been constantly updated through quality assurance measures, was fundamentally revised and developed in 2008 through the Cervical Cytology Quality Assurance Agreement pursuant to Section 135(2) of the German Social Code Book V [SGB V]. Since 2015 it has been mandatory for cytology facilities to record annual statistics based on the Munich Nomenclature III. The aim of this article is to present the results of the annual statistics for 2019, which was the last year before the introduction of the cervical cancer screening programme in accordance with the Federal Joint Committee's guideline on organised cancer screening programmes 1 .

Treatment of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections via mRNA-encoded Cas13a in rodents.

Cas13a has been used to target RNA viruses in cell culture, but efficacy has not been demonstrated in animal models. In this study, we used messenger RNA (mRNA)-encoded Cas13a for mitigating influenza virus A and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in mice and hamsters, respectively. We designed CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) specific for PB1 and highly conserved regions of PB2 of influenza virus, and against the replicase and nucleocapsid genes of SARS-CoV-2, and selected the crRNAs that reduced viral RNA levels most efficiently in cell culture.

The Peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein Pal contributes to the virulence of and provides protection against lethal aerosol challenge.

is a highly pathogenic bacterium that causes the fatal zoonosis glanders. The organism specifies multiple membrane proteins, which represent prime targets for the development of countermeasures given their location at the host-pathogen interface. We investigated one of these proteins, Pal, and discovered that it is involved in the ability of to resist complement-mediated killing and replicate inside host cells , is expressed and induces antibodies during the course of infection, and contributes to virulence in a mouse model of aerosol infection.

The autotransporter protein BatA is a protective antigen against lethal aerosol infection with and .

Background: and are the causative agents of glanders and melioidosis, respectively. There is no vaccine to protect against these highly-pathogenic and intrinsically antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and there is concern regarding their use as biological warfare agents. For these reasons, and are classified as Tier 1 organisms by the U.

Use of Immunohistochemistry to Demonstrate In Vivo Expression of the Burkholderia mallei Virulence Factor BpaB During Experimental Glanders.

Burkholderia mallei causes the highly contagious and debilitating zoonosis glanders, which infects via inhalation or percutaneous inoculation and often culminates in life-threatening pneumonia and sepsis. In humans, glanders is difficult to diagnose and requires prolonged antibiotic therapy with low success rates. No vaccine exists to protect against B.

Antibodies against -Expressed Antigens Are Sufficient To Protect against Lethal Aerosol Infection with Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei.

, a facultative intracellular bacterium and tier 1 biothreat, causes the fatal zoonotic disease glanders. The organism possesses multiple genes encoding autotransporter proteins, which represent important virulence factors and targets for developing countermeasures in pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. In the present study, we investigated one of these autotransporters, BatA, and demonstrate that it displays lipolytic activity, aids in intracellular survival, is expressed , elicits production of antibodies during infection, and contributes to pathogenicity in a mouse aerosol challenge model.

Type II integral membrane protein, TM of J paramyxovirus promotes cell-to-cell fusion.

Paramyxoviruses include many important animal and human pathogens. Most paramyxoviruses have two integral membrane proteins: fusion protein (F) and attachment proteins hemagglutinin, hemagglutinin-neuraminidase, or glycoprotein (G), which are critical for viral entry into cells. J paramyxovirus (JPV) encodes four integral membrane proteins: F, G, SH, and transmembrane (TM).

The Autotransporter BpaB Contributes to the Virulence of Burkholderia mallei in an Aerosol Model of Infection.

Burkholderia mallei is a highly pathogenic bacterium that causes the zoonosis glanders. Previous studies indicated that the genome of the organism contains eight genes specifying autotransporter proteins, which are important virulence factors of Gram-negative bacteria. In the present study, we report the characterization of one of these autotransporters, BpaB.

Use of the common marmoset to study Burkholderia mallei infection.

Burkholderia mallei is a host-adapted bacterium that does not persist outside of its equine reservoir. The organism causes the zoonosis glanders, which is endemic in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America. Infection by B.

Characterization of an autotransporter adhesin protein shared by Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Background: Autotransporters form a large family of outer membrane proteins specifying diverse biological traits of Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we report the identification and characterization of a novel autotransporter gene product of Burkholderia mallei (locus tag BMA1027 in strain ATCC 23344).

Results: Database searches identified the gene in at least seven B.

Use of a safe, reproducible, and rapid aerosol delivery method to study infection by Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei in mice.

Burkholderia pseudomallei, the etiologic agent of melioidosis, is a saprophytic bacterium readily isolated from wet soils of countries bordering the equator. Burkholderia mallei is a host-adapted clone of B. pseudomallei that does not persist outside of its equine reservoir and causes the zoonosis glanders, which is endemic in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America.

Infection of mice, ferrets, and rhesus macaques with a clinical mumps virus isolate.

In recent years, many mumps outbreaks have occurred in vaccinated populations worldwide. The reasons for these outbreaks are not clear. Animal models are needed to investigate the causes of outbreaks and to understand the pathogenesis of mumps virus (MuV).

Characterizing the mechanical parameters of forward and backward falls as experienced in snowboarding.

Wrist injuries are frequently observed after falls in snowboarding. In this study, laboratory experiments mimicking forward and backward falls were analysed. In six different falling scenarios, participants self-initiated falls from a static initial position.

Are current back protectors suitable to prevent spinal injury in recreational snowboarders?

Objective: Back protectors for snowboarders were analysed with respect to their potential to prevent spinal injury.

Design: In 20 Swiss skiing resorts, athletes were interviewed on the slope. In addition, an online survey was conducted.

Production of H5-specific monoclonal antibodies and the development of a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of H5 antibodies in multiple species.

The hemagglutinin gene of an avian influenza virus (AIV) A/duck/NC/674964/07 (H5N2) was cloned and expressed in a baculovirus system (H5-Bac). In parallel, a recombinant hemagglutinin of A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1) was expressed in mammalian cells, purified, and used for generation of H5-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAb). The purified H5-Bac was used to develop a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) to detect H5 antibodies in a species-independent approach using one of the established H5-specific MAbs as the competitor antibody.

Characterization of conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies against rabies virus nucleoprotein.

Three anti-rabies virus (RABV) nucleoprotein (N) monoclonal antibodies (Mab) were characterized by immunofluorescence assays, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. One of these Mabs recognized the antigen by all of the assays, while the other two recognized N only in the native form in the immunofluorescence assay. These data, together with epitope mapping studies, suggest that two anti-N Mabs recognize conformational epitopes located within the N-terminal region of the RABV N protein.

Immunogenicity of avian H5N1 influenza virus recombinant vaccines in cats.

Confirmed reports of large domesticated cats becoming infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus have raised questions about both the risk of infection for these animals, and their potential as vector or reservoir hosts in an influenza pandemic. With this in mind, we examined the immunogenicity of the hemagglutinin (HA) of H5N1 strain A/Vietnam/1203/04 using several different vaccination strategies. Data from ELISA assays showed that vaccination with a single dose of recombinant H5 HA protein induces a robust antibody response against both whole inactivated virus and recombinant HA antigen.

Listener-based analysis of surface importance for acoustic metrics.

Acoustic quality in room acoustics is measured by well defined quantities, like definition, which can be derived from simulated impulse response filters or measured values. These take into account the intensity and phase shift of multiple reflections due to a wave front emanating from a sound source. Definition (D50) and clarity (C50) for example correspond to the fraction of the energy received in total to the energy received in the first 50 ms at a certain listener position.

Comparative visualization for wave-based and geometric acoustics.

We present a comparative visualization of the acoustic simulation results obtained by two different approaches that were combined into a single simulation algorithm. The first method solves the wave equation on a volume grid based on finite elements. The second method, phonon tracing, is a geometric approach that we have previously developed for interactive simulation, visualization and modeling of room acoustics.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) expression in cultured bovine endometrial cells and response to omega-3 fatty acid, growth hormone and agonist stimulation in relation to series 2 prostaglandin production.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a family of nuclear transcription factors thought to act as receptors for polyunsaturated fatty acids and to reduce production of series 2 prostaglandins (PG). The objectives of the current study were to characterize PPAR expression and the prostaglandin synthetic activity of cultured bovine endometrial cells in response to known PPAR ligands, as well as to key stimulators and inhibitors of series 2 prostaglandin secretion. PPARalpha and PPARdelta, but not PPARgamma, mRNAs are expressed in the BEND cell line regardless of treatment.

[Inhibition of arteriosclerotic plaque development by garlic].

Objective: In an in vitro biosensor model (PCT/EP 97/05212), the interplay between different lipoproteins in arteriosclerotic nanoplaque formation, as well as aqueous garlic extract (0.2-5.0 g/l from LI 111 powder) as a possible candidate drug against arterio/atherosclerosis were tested within the frame of a high throughput screening.

Interferon-tau induces degradation of prostaglandin H synthase-2 messenger RNA in bovine endometrial cells through a transcription-dependent mechanism.

A series of experiments were undertaken to examine the effects of interferon (IFN)-tau on regulation of prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS)-2 mRNA in bovine endometrial (BEND) cells as a means to elucidate the actions of IFN-tau to maintain pregnancy. The objective was to determine if IFN-tau mediates posttranscriptional regulation of PGHS-2 mRNA. Cells were treated with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PdBu) for 3 h to induce PGHS-2 mRNA expression.

Selective interactions of Kruppel-like factor 9/basic transcription element-binding protein with progesterone receptor isoforms A and B determine transcriptional activity of progesterone-responsive genes in endometrial epithelial cells.

The Sp/KLF transcription factor basic transcription element-binding protein (BTEB1) regulates gene transcription by binding to GC-rich sequence motifs present in the promoters of numerous tissue-specific as well as housekeeping genes. Similar to other members of this family, BTEB1 can act as a transactivator or transrepressor depending on cell and promoter context, although the molecular mechanism underlying these distinct activities remains unclear. Here we report that BTEB1 can mediate signaling pathways involving the nuclear receptor for the steroid hormone progesterone in endometrial epithelial cells by its selective interaction with the progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms, PR-A and PR-B.

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor mediates proliferation of human endometrial epithelial cells by positive and negative regulation of growth-associated genes.

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) inhibits chymotrypsin, trypsin, elastase, and cathepsin G. This protein also exhibits proliferative effects, although little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying this activity. We have generated SLPI-ablated epithelial sublines by stably transfecting the Ishikawa human endometrial cell line with an antisense human SLPI RNA expression vector.

Molecular markers of endometrial epithelial cell mitogenesis mediated by the Sp/Krüppel-like factor BTEB1.

Basic transcription element binding (BTEB1) protein is one of at least 20 Sp/KLF family members that function as transcriptional activators or repressors by binding to GC/GT-rich sequences within target genes to influence cellular homeostasis in mammals. Previously, we demonstrated that increased expression of BTEB1 in a human endometrial epithelial cell line Hec-1-A resulted in serum dependent-enhanced proliferation, which was accompanied by heightened expression of cell cycle- and growth-associated genes. In the present study, we examined the mechanism underlying the altered proliferative potential associated with BTEB1 by the identification of additional BTEB1 downstream gene targets and by the demonstration of BTEB1 transactivation of promoters for a number of growth-associated genes.