Genomes of all organisms are persistently threatened by endogenous and exogenous assaults. Bacterial mechanisms of genome maintenance must provide protection throughout the physiologically distinct phases of the life cycle. Spore-forming bacteria must also maintain genome integrity within the dormant endospore. The nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) influence nucleoid organization and may alter DNA topology to protect DNA or to alter gene expression patterns. NAPs are characteristically multifunctional; nevertheless, Dps, HU and CbpA are most strongly associated with DNA protection. Archaea display great variety in genome organization and many inhabit extreme environments. As of yet, only MC1, an archaeal NAP, has been shown to protect DNA against thermal denaturation and radiolysis. ssDNA are intermediates in vital cellular processes, such as DNA replication and recombination. Single-stranded binding proteins (SSBs) prevent the formation of secondary structures but also protect the hypersensitive ssDNA against chemical and nuclease degradation. Ionizing radiation upregulates SSBs in the extremophile Deinococcus radiodurans.

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The interaction of phages with abiotic environmental surfaces is usually an understudied field of phage ecology. In this study, we investigated the virucidal potential of different metal salts, metal and ceramic powders doped with Ag and Cu ions, and newly fabricated ceramic and metal surfaces against Phi6 bacteriophage. The new materials were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) and/or selective laser melting (SLM) techniques and had different surface free energies and infiltration features. We show that inactivation of Phi6 in solutions with Ag and Cu ions can be as effective as inactivation by pH, temperature, or UV. Adding powder to Ag and Cu ion solutions decreased their virucidal effect. The newly fabricated ceramic and metal surfaces showed very good virucidal activity. In particular, 45%TiO2 + 5%Ag + 45%ZrO2 + 5%Cu, in addition to virus adhesion, showed virucidal and infiltration properties. The results indicate that more than 99.99% of viruses deposited on the new ceramic surface were inactivated or irreversibly attached to it.

Background Both obesity and gestational diabetes (GDM) are associated with adverse outcomes. Diet during pregnancy impacts weight gain and fetal growth. Therefore, we aimed to explore non-pharmacological treatment success depending on pre-pregnancy body weight and its association with large for gestational age (LGA) infants in women with GDM. Methods In our observational study we investigated 57 singleton pregnant women with GDM. All women received standard treatment, including healthy diet education and regular medical checkups. Data were collected through blood analysis, medical records and questionnaires assessing diet before conception and during pregnancy. Differences in dietary patterns were compared in normal weight and overweight/obese group using Mann–Whitney U, Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test or Kruskal–Wallis test, as appropriate. Logistic regression was used for prediction of LGA. p-value less than 0.05 was used for statistical significance. Results Preconceptionally, the Mann–Whitney U test showed that the normal-weight group (n = 41) more frequently consumed fruits ( U = 116.5, p < 0.001), eggs ( U = 189.5, p = 0.02), cheese ( U = 148.0, p = 0.003) compared to the overweight/obese group (n = 16), that consumed more beef ( U = 407.0, p = 0.03) and low-calorie beverages ( U = 397.0, p = 0.05). During pregnancy both groups improved their diet, with no differences detected. Personality types differed only preconceptionally with regard to healthy diet. Excessive gestational weight gain did not significantly differ between body-weight groups (16.6% vs. 23.1%), neither did the incidence of LGA infants (46.2% vs. 43.8%). Significant predictors of LGA were paternal height (OR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.01–1.23), 3rd trimester HbA1c (OR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.26–0.97), unemployment (OR = 4.80, 95% CI 1.12–20.61) and diet improvement during pregnancy (OR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.02–1.39). After adjustment improvement in diet was no longer a significant predictor for LGA. Conclusion Even though dietary patterns of the participants significantly improved during pregnancy, LGA infants were born independently of pre-pregnancy weight or diet and despite good glycemic control. Further research is needed to explore social determinants of health and whether solutions outside the health sector could provide efficient means in preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes as well as improving metabolic health.