Preusser Research Group

BackgroundThe complex ecosystem on skin comprising tens of thousands of microorganisms plays an important role in health and disease. The last decade in particular has witnessed a surge in microbiome research, which has been elucidating the role of the microbiota in numerous skin pathologies. Of relevance to the current study, are recent evidences implicating the microbiome in skin pigmentary conditions. Melasma is one such refractory, hyperpigmentary condition with a poorly understood pathogenesis. The present study was carried out to characterize the nature of microbial dysbiosis and its impact on microbial community structure in melasma subjects.ResultsThe clinical assessment of melasma carried out using biophysical, biochemical and biomarker-based measures confirmed significant changes in melasma lesions, most notably, those linked to redox, inflammation and barrier properties. A deep characterization of the skin microbiome in melasma from human face, indicated significant differences between lesional and peri-lesional areas. Of the 377 genera identified through an agglomeration of all OTUs at the Genus level through 16S rRNA sequencing, 344 were common, while 12 were unique to lesional and 21 unique in peri-lesional areas. A significant decrease was observed in alpha diversity in melasma lesion as compared to peri-lesion areas, with an accompanying decrease in number of interconnections among them. The differences in the microbiome also appeared to correlate with several clinical parameters, notably with the melasma severity measured through modified MASI (mMASI) scoring. The observed changes in both host and microbiome, point to a potential role for the latter in melasma pathogenesis.ConclusionsOur study indicates that there are significant differences in the microbiome between lesional and peri-lesional areas of melasma subjects, with associated changes in microbial community structures. Additionally, the observed changes were seen to correlate with measured clinical parameters. These findings provide the opportunity to further probe the nature of host and microbiome links that may underlie the phenotypic manifestation, as well as provide effective routes for managing this recalcitrant disorder.

The characterization of globular clusters (GCs) in the Galactic bulge is a challenging task due to high extinction and severe stellar crowding. VVV-CL001 is a poorly studied GC located in the inner bulge, known for its extremely old age, extreme velocity, and low metallicity. Given its unique properties, a detailed study of this cluster can provide valuable insights into the early chemical and dynamical evolution of the Milky Way (MW). The aim of this study was to derive the fundamental parameters of VVV-CL001 including metallicity, heliocentric radial velocity (RV), proper motions (PMs), structural properties, orbit, and age, in order to improve our understanding of its origin and role in the early evolution of the MW. We combined spectroscopic, astrometric, and photometric data to characterize VVV-CL001. Metallicity and RV were determined from medium-resolution spectra obtained with FORS2 at the Very Large Telescope. PMs were derived using Gaia DR3 data. Near-infrared photometry from the FourStar instrument on Magellan was used to refine the cluster's position, construct a radial density profile, and estimate its age, distance, and reddening. Our results confirm that VVV-CL001 is an old (12.1^ +1.0 _ -1.2 Gyr), metal-poor ( Fe/H $= -2.25 ± 0.05$ dex) globular cluster located at a heliocentric position of d_⊙ = 7.1^ +1.3 _ -1.1 kpc, with a reddening of E(J-K_ _ $= 1.40^ +0.01 -0.02 $. Its mean PMs are μ_α^* = -3.68 ± 0.09 mas yr -1 $ and μ_δ = -1.76 ± 0.10 mas yr^-1, and it exhibits a RV of -334 ± 4 km s^-1. The cluster follows a retrograde-prograde eccentric (e = 0.76^ +0.10 _ -0.14 ) orbit, confined within the Galactic plane ($|Z|_ ̊m max = 1.0^ +0.45 _ -0.32 $ kpc) and inside the bar's radius of influence (R < 5 kpc), with a pericenter of r_ ̊m peri = 0.6^ +0.3 _ -0.2 kpc and an apocenter of $r_ ̊m apo = 4.5^ +2.5 _ -1.2 kpc. These orbital properties, combined with its ancient age and low metallicity, strongly support an in situ origin for VVV-CL001 and likely membership of the disk GC system that was captured by the potential of the bar during its formation. Thus, VVV-CL001 emerges as a fossil remnant of the earliest phases of Galactic assembly and a valuable tracer of the population that contributed to the formation of the inner thick disk and bulge, which are likely part of the main progenitor of the MW. Our study highlights the relevance of detailed chemo-dynamical analyses in unveiling the origin of GCs in the inner Galaxy.

Many cities limit the top speeds of shared e-scooters, but little is known about how these policies affect user behavior. This study measured speeds and observed use of roads, sidewalks, and bike lanes for 2,004 e-scooter riders in Washington, D.C., where shared e-scooters were equipped with speed governors that limited their speed to 10 mph, and Austin, TX, where the limit was 20 mph. At locations without bike lanes, riders in Washington were 51% more likely to ride on sidewalks than in Austin when accounting for environmental and rider characteristics. Over 80% of e-scooter users rode in bike lanes in both cities when they were available. Although the mean riding speed on sidewalks was not significantly higher in Austin than in Washington, demonstrating self-regulation of speed on sidewalks, the percentage of e-scooter riders traveling on sidewalks at speeds ≥10 mph (41% in Austin versus 17% in Washington) or ≥15 mph (9% in Austin versus <1% in Washington) was higher in Austin. Increased sidewalk riding associated with setting shared e-scooter speed limiters to 10 mph could potentially lead to more interactions with pedestrians, but lower e-scooter speeds at the high end of the distribution may mitigate injury risk to them. Bike lanes could provide space for e-scooters to ride where their speeds would more closely match other users. Future refinements to technology to identify sidewalk riding more accurately could potentially allow maximum e-scooter speeds to be adjusted to mix with pedestrians on sidewalks and cyclists in bike lanes.

Abstract BackgroundCaring for Dementia patients is taxing, affecting the caregiver emotionally, physically and financially. Often this results in strained relationships and health issues for the caregiver who becomes known as the ‘invisible patient’.MethodThe Bridgeport Hospital Center for Geriatrics multidisciplinary team engages with our patients and their caregivers in a variety of locations and methods.We provide a number of educational opportunities, assist in goal setting and in long term planning. We offer LCSW counseling, support groups, and focus on giving a voice to the caregiver through a variety of means.ResultThese engagements have helped our patients and their families as they navigate this difficult journey. Families report through surveys lessened burden, they report being ‘heard’ and being grateful for the 24/7 support.ConclusionWe found that our multidisciplinary approach and seeing patients and their caregivers at different points within the of the medical system improves outcomes. Both patient and caregiver satisfaction is improved and stress/burden are decreased.

Current knowledge about bacterial DDRs is based off of Escherichia coli, where the global SOS repressor, LexA, controls genes involved in the response to DNA damage. Acinetobacter baumannii is an emerging opportunistic pathogen able to quickly acquire antibiotic resistances and survive desiccation better than other bacteria. Remarkably, A. baumannii does not have a LexA homologue and as a result, there is much to learn about the A. baumannii gene network in response to DNA damage and environmental stress. Clearly, A. baumannii is adept at surviving harsh environments, and we have previously shown that A. baumannii acquires antibiotic resistances due to activities controlled by the DNA damage response (DDR).Moreover, we have evidence suggesting that there are multiple regulators involved in the induction of the A. baumannii DDR and that there are multiple layers involved in its regulation. In this work, we have identified a DDR regulator of error prone DNA polymerases, the DDR‐regulated activities responsible for cellular mutagenesis. Through a forward genetic screen, we have found that when a TetR‐like protein is inactivated, there is deregulation of the expression of several genes that encode error‐prone DNA polymerases and of another previously identified transcription factor, UmuDAb. Here, we refer to the TetR‐like regulator as EppR (Error Prone DNA Polymerase Regulator), and we show that it binds to the promoter region of several genes encoding error‐prone polymerases and that it represses their expression. Our data is consistent with EppR playing a role in the A. baumannii DDR as a repressor of expression of error‐prone DNA polymerases.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate New Jersey's unique combination of a higher licensing age and a strong GDL system applicable to all novice drivers. Methods: Population-based crash rates for drivers of ages potentially affected by GDL were compared, pre- and post-GDL implementation, with those of adults ages 25–59, using data on fatal crashes and on all police-reported crashes. Results: After GDL implementation, there were statistically significant reductions in the crash rates of 17-year-olds, based on all reported crashes (16%), injury crashes (14%), and fatal crashes (25%), relative to those of drivers ages 25–59. The crash rates of 18-year-olds decreased significantly on the basis of all reported crashes (10%) and injury crashes (10%), relative to those of drivers ages 25–59. The fatal crash involvement rate of 18-year-olds decreased by 4 percent, which was not statistically significant. There was also a statistically significant reduction in fatal crashes of 16-year-old drivers; however, this is unlikely to have been attributable to GDL. Significant reductions in nighttime crashes (of all severity levels) of drivers ages 17 and 18 were observed, as were significant yet smaller reductions in their daytime crash rates. Reductions in fatal crashes of 17- and 18-year-olds carrying more than one passenger were sizable (23 and 24%, respectively) but were not statistically significant. Conclusions: New Jersey's licensing age of 17 eliminates most crashes at age 16. To the extent that the relative inexperience of 17-year-old drivers may negatively impact their crash rates, this effect appears to be largely blunted by New Jersey's strong GDL system. New Jersey's GDL system also reduces crashes at age 18, an age group untouched by other states' GDL systems. New Jersey's combination of licensing policies for young drivers is a model for the nation.

KritV Kritische Vierteljahresschrift für Gesetzgebung und Rechtswissenschaft , Seite 115 - 139