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Recombination is the main driver of bacteriophage evolution. It may serve as a tool for extending the phage host spectrum, which is significant not only for phages' ecology but also for their utilisation as therapeutic agents of bacterial infections. The aim of this study was to detect the recombination events in the genomes of Litunavirus phages infecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and present their impact on phylogenetic relations within this phage group. The phylogenetic analyses involved: the whole-genome, core-genome (Schitoviridae conserved genes), variable genome region, and the whole-genome minus variable region. Interestingly, the recombination events taking place in the putative host recognition region (tail fibre protein gene and the adjacent downstream gene) significantly influenced tree topology, suggesting a strong phylogenetic signal. Our results indicate the recombination between phages from two genera Litunavirus and Luzeptimavirus and demonstrate its influence on phage phylogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing traffic on city streets leads to traffic disruptions, lowering the level of road safety, as well as the problem of finding a vacant parking space. Drivers looking for a vacant parking space on the street generate so-called search traffic. Paid parking zones are introduced to increase the availability of parking spaces for more drivers in many cities around the world. The development in the technology and information sector has contributed to the development of systems guiding drivers to vacant parking spaces. This article aims to analyze drivers' subjective assessment of the ease of finding a vacant parking space in an area equipped with vehicle detection devices. Data from the Municipal Roads Authority in Gliwice (Poland) were obtained for the study, covering the use of parking spaces in the paid parking zone covered by dynamic parking information. Moreover, a survey was conducted among users of the paid parking zone in Gliwice. The answers of the respondents were used to build a logit model that allows determining the probability of a driver's positive subjective assessment of the ease of finding a vacant parking space in an area equipped with vehicle detection devices. The results from the model allow the characterization of drivers who positively assess the ease of finding a vacant parking space in the area equipped with vehicle detection devices. In addition, it is possible to reach a group of drivers who negatively assessed the ease of finding a vacant parking space to learn about the factors that may cause them to change their assessment to a positive one. The research results allow city authorities to better manage parking spaces equipped with vehicle detection devices in the paid parking zone. This may change the negative assessment of the ease of finding a vacant parking space into a positive one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary. Currently, more inhabitants use a car for their travels. The consequence of the increase in traffic on the roads is the deterioration of road conditions, decrease in the level of road safety, increasing air pollution, as well as the problem of finding a place to park a vehicle. This article analyzes the daily variability of the use of parking spaces in the Paid Parking Zone (PPZ) covered by Dynamic Parking Information (DPI) in Gliwice before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first stage of the work, the daily variability of the use of parking spaces and the rotation indicator were analyzed in parking spaces at PPZ covered by DPI before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wilcoxon test was performed to verify whether the differences are statistically significant. The results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the decrease in the use of parking space and the rotation indicator in the parking spaces at PPZ. In addition, the research shows that collecting fees for parking a vehicle in a parking space increases the use of space and the rotation indicator. Due to this, parking spaces are available for more drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Cypripedium is one of five monophyletic genera within slipper orchids. Nuclear ribosomal ITS, nuclear low copy gene (ACO) and plastid data were used for molecular clock analyses. According to these analyses, the most recent common ancestor of Cypripedium appeared in the early Eocene. The Irapeana section is the oldest phylogenetic line within Cypripedium. The analyses indicate that after the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (c. 41 Ma) three main evolutionary lineages were split. Other important evolutionary processes took place in the late Oligocene-early Miocene. In this period, there were numerous divergence events within species groups characterized by transcontinental disjunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the modern world, transport as an integral part of social life is important. The development of all modes of transport requires continuous efficient management of the transport process, as well as the use of tools to optimise this process. This article aims to analyse international road cargo transport in EU countries and Poland from 2008-2018. The first part of this article analyses the number of employees and the trade of transport companies in EU countries. Then, the share of individual modes of transport in the transport of cargo in Poland from 2008 and 2018 is presented. The next section presents the results of the forecast of the volume of cargo transported by road in Poland from 2019-2021. The forecast values of the volume of cargo transport in Poland for 2019-2021, which were determined from the additive and multiplicative model, are at a similar level to the values for 2008-2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a rule, the road traffic volume distribution in particular hours on working days shows certain patterns on specific types of roads. Public holidays during the year cause disturbances and differences in the distribution of the daily traffic volume compared to working days. The road traffic volume distribution during the day is very important in the analysis of phenomena occurring in terms of road traffic. Knowledge of the values of traffic volumes during the day and their variability allows for the determination of a number of measures and parameters assessing traffic conditions prevailing on the elements of transport networks. Knowledge and understanding of changes in the distribution of traffic volume during a day are crucial for many aspects of transport engineering, such as road traffic control, road safety, and forecasting the traffic volume. This article evaluates the differences in the road traffic volume distributions during the day between public holidays and working days. The analysis was performed for selected intersections located in the city of Gliwice. The results of the statistical test show that on public holidays, there was less traffic volume compared to working days. The greatest decrease in the value of traffic volume occurred on 3rd May, 25th, and 26th December. This decrease ranged from 27.24% to 35.67%. It can be noticed that for all analyzed intersections, the smallest differences in the values of traffic volumes between a public holiday and a working day occurred on 1st November. Additionally, the nature of the impact of public holidays on the road traffic volume on days before and after public holidays was examined. The nonparametric hypothesis testing method was used to investigate changes in the road traffic volume patterns caused by public holidays. The results of Friedman's test show and confirm that there are differences in traffic volumes on the day before and after a public holiday and an average day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transport accessibility of cities decreases with the increase in road traffic. Planners, traffic engineers, and road managers are looking for solutions that will reduce congestion on city streets without limiting transport accessibility to the city center. The article presents an overview of solutions used in Poland and abroad that aim to encourage people who travel by car to the city center to use other means of transport. The solutions were identified that can contribute to reducing road traffic in the city without limiting its transport accessibility based on the area inventory in Krakow. The next part of the article analyzes the use of P&R parking and the bike-sharing Wavelo system in Krakow in 2018. The results of the conducted analyses indicate that the most entrances to the P&R parking in Krakow were in the morning hours, whereas the most exits from these parking were in the afternoon. The holiday months were characterized by a lower use of parking space compared with the remaining months. These conclusions may indicate that the people using the analyzed parking lots are mainly commuters. On the contrary, the analysis of the use of the bike-sharing Wavelo system in Krakow allows for the conclusion that a large number of people used rental bikes for short journeys. These trips can complement the journeys made with the use of public transport or as a continuation of the journey after leaving the car in the P&R parking. Investments and development of this type of solutions may be an incentive for people traveling by car to use another means of transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intersection of a public road with a railway line in one level, called a rail-road crossing, is a particularly dangerous place due to the traffic flows crossing it. The regulations give absolute priority to a rail vehicle over a public road user; in addition, significant differences in the masses and speeds of moving vehicles require traffic regulation consisting of adequate passage protection. To this end, the road on which motor vehicles is equipped with road signs informing drivers that they are approaching an intersection with a railway line. The rail-road crossing, depending on the category, is equipped with signaling devices warning of an oncoming train and barriers closing the entire width of the road or part of it, operated or operating automatically. In Poland, the category of rail-road crossing, the associated method and type of security used at the crossing, is determined on the basis of relevant acts and internal regulations of the railway line manager. The paper presents an overview of the state of safety at rail-road crossings in Poland in the years 2008-2018, presents applicable regulations regarding traffic safety at rail-road crossings, and presents methods of protection of rail-road crossings. In addition, a map of concentration of events on rail-road crossings was presented for the area of the Silesian Voivodeship. The effect of the case study for the Silesian Voivodeship is to identify sensitive rail-road crossings with the highest number of events during the analysis period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the work was inventory intersections like roundabouts in all cities with poviat rights located in two voivodeships of Poland: Upper Silesian and Masovian, and then performing users surveys of registered roundabouts. Survey research had two main objectives. The first one was to learn how vehicle drivers, pedestrians and cyclists perceived roundabouts as safe or unsafe road solutions. The second one was to learn about the behaviour of three users groups: vehicle drivers, pedestrians and cyclists on this type of road infrastructure in terms of traffic safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a case study, which among other things includes the analysis of the three roundabouts entry capacity: a turbo- and two spiralroundabouts. These intersections are located in one of the main road localised in Sosnowiec city (Poland). Before reconstruction, this road was characterised by unfavourable road and traffic conditions, insufficient capacity and low traffic safety level. The traffic congestion decreased significantly, traffic and road conditions, as well as the level of road traffic safety, were improved after the rebuilding of this route and the designing of three roundabouts on it. Results obtained from field measurements enabled comparative analysis of theoretical and empirical capacity values: lanes on the entry of turbo-roundabout and entries of the spiral-roundabout. This paper presents also characteristics of turbo- and spiralroundabouts with methods, which are dedicated to entry capacity calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological, biological, and genetic characteristics of a virulent Siphoviridae phage, named vB-EcoS-95, is reported. This phage was isolated from urban sewage. It was found to infect some Escherichia coli strains giving clear plaques. The genome of this phage is composed of 50,910 bp and contains 89 ORFs. Importantly, none of the predicted ORFs shows any similarity with known pathogenic factors that would prevent its use in medicine. Genome sequence analysis of vB-EcoS-95 revealed 74% similarity to genomic sequence of Shigella phage pSf-1. Compared to pSf-1, phage vb-EcoS-95 does not infect Shigella strains and has an efficient bacteriolytic activity against some E. coli strains. One-step growth analysis revealed that this phage has a very short latent period (4 min), and average burst size of 115 plaque forming units per cell, which points to its high infectivity of host cells and strong lytic activity. The bacteriolytic effect of vB-EcoS-95 was tested also on biofilm-producing strains. These results indicate that vB-EcoS-95 is a newly discovered E. coli phage that may be potentially used to control the formation of biofilms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the level of road safety in the case of the city of Sosnowiec. Traffic safety was compared over a 11-year period from 2006 to 2016. The data were obtained from the municipal police headquarters in Sosnowiec. The authors of this publication created a graphical presentation of traffic incidents with their participants and causes. Numerical data have been presented, and separated into road accidents and collisions as well as injured and fatalities. The age and sex characteristics of the perpetrators of road accidents were presented. The QGIS program was also used for the analysis, which allowed us to map the most dangerous intersections in Sosnowiec. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, grayling-specific Gyrodactylus salaris Malmberg, 1957 isolates from Baltic Sea basin were collected in Sweden for the first time. Samples were obtained in three drainage systems: Kalixälven (River Kaitum), Ljungan (River Sölvbacka strömmar), and Umeälven (River Juktån). Three molecular markers were analysed: nuclear ITS rDNA (Internal Transcribed Spacer) and ADNAM1 (Anonymous DNA Marker 1), and mitochondrial cox1 gene. As a result, four new mitochondrial haplotypes were identified (III-C1tt, III-C1ttht, IX-A1tt and X-A1tt). The ADNAM1 analyses resulted in revealing two new alleles (WS4 and BS9) and two new genotypes (T6 and T7). T7 seems to be an indicator of ancient crossing between Baltic and White Sea lineages of the parasite which happened during a first 3000-year period of Eemian interglacial about 130,000 years ago in the connection between Baltic and White Sea. Molecular clock estimates were adjusted, revealing the mean substitution rate and the divergence rate among branches of 3.6% (95% HPD: 2.2%-5.2%) and 7.2% per million years, respectively. As a result, cox1 phylogeny rooted with the introgressed haplotypes has been revised and altered in accordance to new data, revealing fourteen equidistant lineages five of which have been excluded from the study. Based on the new phylogenetic approach, including the molecular clock, this work suggests an overall revision of G. salaris phylogeny and attempts at precisely drawing the division of lineages within this polytypic species as well as proposes unification in nomenclature for its strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of smart cities and sustainable transport is to ensure the efficient movement of people while minimizing a negative impact on the environment. Many cities around the world conduct a policy aimed at limiting parking spaces; however, the complete elimination of parking spaces in cities currently does not seem possible. Parking vehicles cause disturbances in road traffic by searching for a parking space and performing the parking maneuver. This article analyzes the impact of the parking maneuver on the capacity of the inlets of intersections with traffic lights, and the significance of the time it takes to enter and exit a parking space on road traffic disturbance areas under Polish conditions. The research is carried out in on-street parking, characterized by different positions of the parking space to the road, the different surfaces of parking spaces, and the geometry of the road next to which the parking spaces are located. Differences in the time of entry to and exit from the parking space between the research areas indicate that different characteristics of the parking spaces affect the time of the parking maneuver. Drivers wait for the acceptable distance between vehicles on the road into which the vehicle can exit from the parking space. Drivers exiting from perpendicular parking spaces more often cause traffic disruptions than in the case of parallel parking spaces, due to limited visibility. The occupancy of parking spaces directly next to the analyzed ones also affects the time of entry to and exit from the parking space. However, between the time of entry to or exit from the parking space, and the use of the parking space, there is no relationship. This finding indicates that more factors determine the time of entry to and exit from the parking space. The results presented in the article show the need to conduct further research on the impact of parking maneuvers on the capacity of intersections with traffic lights for road traffic conditions in Poland. The results of the research will allow for the design and construction of an optimal parking infrastructure that will meet the needs of road users, while minimizing the negative impact on road conditions and the natural environment following sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acne inversa (AI; also designated as Hidradenitis suppurativa) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease, localized in the axillary, inguinal and perianal skin areas that causes painful, fistulating sinuses with malodorous purulence and scars. Several chronic inflammatory diseases are associated with the metabolic syndrome and its consequences including arteriosclerosis, coronary heart disease, myocardial infraction, and stroke. So far, the association of AI with systemic metabolic alterations is largely unexplored. Methods and Findings: A hospital-based case-control study in 80 AI patients and 100 age- and sex-matched control participants was carried out. The prevalence of central obesity (odds ratio 5.88), hypertriglyceridemia (odds ratio 2.24), hypo- HDL-cholesterolemia (odds ratio 4.56), and hyperglycemia (odds ratio 4.09) in AI patients was significantly higher than in controls. Furthermore, the metabolic syndrome, previously defined as the presence of at least three of the five alterations listed above, was more common in those patients compared to controls (40.0% versus 13.0%; odds ratio 4.46, 95% confidence interval 2.02 to 9.96; P<0.001). AI patients with metabolic syndrome also had more pronounced metabolic alterations than controls with metabolic syndrome. Interestingly, there was no correlation between the severity or duration of the disease and the levels of respective parameters or the number of criteria defining the metabolic syndrome. Rather, the metabolic syndrome was observed in a disproportionately high percentage of young AI patients. Conclusions: This study shows for the first time that AI patients have a high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and all of its criteria. It further suggests that the inflammation present in AI patients does not have a major impact on the development of metabolic alterations. Instead, evidence is given for a role of metabolic alterations in the development of AI. We recommend monitoring of AI patients in order to correct their modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous, automatic measurements of road traffic volume allow the obtaining of information on daily, weekly or seasonal fluctuations in road traffic volume. They are the basis for calculating the annual average daily traffic volume, obtaining information about the relevant traffic volume, or calculating indicators for converting traffic volume from short-term measurements to average daily traffic volume. The covid-19 pandemic has contributed to extensive social and economic anomalies worldwide. In addition to the health consequences, the impact on travel behavior on the transport network was also sudden, extensive, and unpredictable. Changes in the transport behavior resulted in different values of traffic volume on the road and street network than before. The article presents road traffic volume analysis in the city before and during the restrictions related to covid-19. Selected traffic characteristics were compared for 2019 and 2020. This analysis made it possible to characterize the daily, weekly and annual variability of traffic volume in 2019 and 2020. Moreover, the article attempts to estimate daily traffic patterns at particular stages of the pandemic. These types of patterns were also constructed for the weeks in 2019 corresponding to these stages of the pandemic. Daily traffic volume distributions in 2020 were compared with the corresponding ones in 2019. The obtained results may be useful in terms of planning operational and strategic activities in the field of traffic management in the city and management in subsequent stages of a pandemic or subsequent pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basic function of the Park and Ride (P&R) facility is to allow users to leave their vehicle on the outskirts of the city and to continue their journey to the city center using means of public transport, e.g., bus, tram, trolleybus, subway, train, or bike. In the first part of the paper, an analysis of the selected factors related to the functioning of P&R facilities in Warsaw (Poland) was performed. The main purpose of this paper was to identify and quantify the influence factors determining the choice of P&R facility during a journey. This analysis was performed for three hypothetical journey scenarios. A list of potential factors determining the choice of P&R facility during travel was compiled after conducting previous research in this area and studying the worldwide scientific literature on the subject. The structural parameters of the multinomial logit model were estimated based on the data from the survey conducted in Warsaw. The results of the analyses indicate that the decision to choose a hypothetical journey scenario depends on many factors, but primarily on the level of education, the number of years of having a driving license, age, the number of kilometers traveled during the year, and the performed activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two newly discovered bacteriophages, isolated from chicken feces and infecting Salmonella enterica strains, are described in this report. These phages have been named vB_Sen-TO17 and vB_Sen-E22, and we present their molecular and functional characterization. Both studied viruses are able to infect several S. enterica strains and develop lytically, but their specific host ranges differ significantly. Electron microscopic analyses of virions have been performed, and full genome sequences were determined and characterized, along with molecular phylogenetic studies. Genomes of vB_Sen-TO17 (ds DNA of 41,658 bp) and vB_Sen-E22 (dsDNA of 108,987 bp) are devoid of homologs of any known or putative gene coding for toxins or any other proteins potentially deleterious for eukaryotic cells. Both phages adsorbed efficiently (>95% adsorbed virions) within 10 min at 42 °C (resembling chicken body temperature) on cells of most tested host strains. Kinetics of lytic development of vB_Sen-TO17 and vB_Sen-E22, determined in one-step growth experiments, indicated that development is complete within 30–40 min at 42 °C, whereas burst sizes vary from 9 to 79 progeny phages per cell for vB_Sen-TO17 and from 18 to 64 for vB_Sen-E22, depending on the host strain. Virions of both phages were relatively stable (from several percent to almost 100% survivability) under various conditions, including acidic and alkaline pH values (from 3 to 12), temperatures from −80 °C to 60 °C, 70% ethanol, chloroform, and 10% DMSO. These characteristics of vB_Sen-TO17 and vB_Sen-E22 indicate that these phages might be considered in further studies on phage therapy, particularly in attempts to eliminate S. enterica from chicken intestine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A newly isolated bacteriophage infecting Enterococcus faecalis strains has been characterized, including determination of its molecular features. This phage, named vB_EfaS-271, has been classified as a Siphoviridae member, according to electron microscopy characterization of the virions, composed of a 50 nm-diameter head and a long, flexible, noncontractable tail (219 × 12.5 nm). Analysis of the whole dsDNA genome of this phage showed that it consists of 40,197 bp and functional modules containing genes coding for proteins that are involved in DNA replication (including DNA polymerase/primase), morphogenesis, packaging and cell lysis. Mass spectrometry analysis allowed us to identify several phage-encoded proteins. vB_EfaS-271 reveals a relatively narrow host range, as it is able to infect only a few E. faecalis strains. On the other hand, it is a virulent phage (unable to lysogenize host cells), effectively and quickly destroying cultures of sensitive host bacteria, with a latent period as short as 8 min and burst size of approximately 70 phages per cell at 37 °C. This phage was also able to destroy biofilms formed by E. faecalis. These results contribute to our understanding of the biodiversity of bacteriophages, confirming the high variability among these viruses and indicating specific genetic and functional features of vB_EfaS-271. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular and functional characterization of a series of three bacteriophages, vB_SenM-1, vB_SenM-2, and vB_SenS-3, infecting various Salmonella enterica serovars and strains is presented. All these phages were able to develop lytically while not forming prophages. Moreover, they were able to survive at pH 3. The phages revealed different host ranges within serovars and strains of S. enterica, different adsorption rates on host cells, and different lytic growth kinetics at various temperatures (in the range of 25 to 42 °C). They efficiently reduced the number of cells in the bacterial biofilm and decreased the biofilm mass. Whole genome sequences of these phages have been determined and analyzed, including their phylogenetic relationships. In conclusion, we have demonstrated detailed characterization of a series of three bacteriophages, vB_SenM-1, vB_SenM-2, and vB_SenS-3, which reveal favorable features in light of their potential use in phage therapy of humans and animals, as well as for food protection purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The park and ride (P&R) parking type is usually located near peripheral public transport stops. These parking places are dedicated to people who, after leaving their vehicle in the parking, continue their journey to the city center using some form of public transport such as bus, metro, rail or tram systems. This article aims to examine the features associated with P&R parking locations in use in Cracow (Poland). The analysis included the number of entries and exits to and from parking during particular periods of the day, week and year, parking time of vehicles, and parking space use. A parking peak hour factor was also calculated, which expresses the crowding degree of vehicle entries/exits in/out parking during a particular period. In addition, the paper presents an analysis of factors determining users to P&R parking use. In the modeling process, logit models were used, which, as stated after analyzing the literature on the subject, were already used in various countries around the world to describe the behavior of P&R parking users. However, so far, such research relating to Polish conditions has been not published in the available literature. The obtained results allowed to state that the most important factors determining the likelihood of using P&R parking in Cracow are age, number of years having a driving license, monthly income (gross), and an average number of trips made during a day. Other variables, which not included in the study, can influence the P&R parking use. However, the presented results are the basis for conducting furtherer, more in-depth analyses based on a larger number of independent variables that may determine the P&R parking use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bike-sharing system allows urban residents to rent a bike at one of the rental stations located in the city, use them for their journey, and return them to any other or the same station. In recent years, in many cities around the world, such systems were established to encourage their residents to use bikes as an element of enhancing sustainable mobility and as a good complement to travel made using other modes of transport. The main purpose of this article is to present the results of an analysis of the functioning of the bike-sharing system in Warsaw (Poland). Moreover, the article presents an analysis of the accessibility to individual stations. An important aspect is that the bike-sharing system has been popular among users and that more people use it. Therefore, the city should be provided with a dense network of conveniently located bike-sharing stations. Also, the quality of the bike-sharing system should be an adjustment to the user's expectations. In connection with the above, the article also presents the results of the analysis of factors affecting bike-sharing system usage as well as the level of satisfaction connected with bike-sharing system usage. The results of the analysis showed that there is a strong positive correlation between these variables. The obtained results can be helpful for carrying out activities whose purpose is to increase the bike-sharing system usage as well as to increase the level of satisfaction connected with bike-sharing system usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Coelomic fluid and cells (coelomocytes) were extruded by the electric shock (1min, 4.5V) from field-collected individuals of Allolobophora chlorotica (Sav.). Coelomocytes were subjected to bright field and fluorescence light as well as electron microscopy (transmission and scanning). Results of all methods combined, revealed two distinct populations of circulating cells in the coelomic fluid: (1) autofluorescent eleocytes/chloragocytes filled with numerous large granules (chloragosomes) containing fluorophores, mainly riboflavin; and (2) amoebocytes, which can be differentiated into: (a) hyaline amoebocytes, firmly spreading in form of crinoline-like membranes; (b) granular amoebocytes with numerous dark granules spreading in form of fine pseudopodia. Flow cytometry confirmed the presence of highly complex autofluorescent cells (eleocytes/chloragocytes) and two cohorts of not-autofluorescence much less complex amoebocytes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory disease with characteristic skin alterations and functions as a model of immune-mediated disorders. Cytokines have a key role in psoriasis pathogenesis. Here, we demonstrated that out of 30 individually quantified cytokines, IL-19 showed the strongest differential expression between psoriatic lesions and healthy skin. Cutaneous IL-19 overproduction was reflected by elevated IL-19 blood levels that correlated with psoriasis severity. Accordingly, anti-psoriatic therapies substantially reduced both cutaneous and systemic IL-19 levels. IL-19 production was induced in keratinocytes by IL-17A and was further amplified by tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-22. Among skin cells, keratinocytes were found to be important targets of IL-19. IL-19 alone, however, regulated only a few keratinocyte functions. While increasing the production of S100A7/8/9 and, to a moderate extent, also IL-1β, IL-20, chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 8, and matrix metalloproteinase 1, IL-19 had no clear influence on the differentiation, proliferation, or migration of these cells. Importantly, IL-19 amplified many IL-17A effects on keratinocytes, including the induction of β-defensins, IL-19, IL-23p19, and T helper type 17-cell- and neutrophil-attracting chemokines. In summary, IL-19 as a component of the IL-23/IL-17 axis strengthens the IL-17A action and might be a biomarker for the activity of this axis in chronic inflammatory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Virus-X-Viral Metagenomics for Innovation Value-project was a scientific expedition to explore and exploit uncharted territory of genetic diversity in extreme natural environments such as geothermal hot springs and deep-sea ocean ecosystems. Specifically, the project was set to analyse and exploit viral metagenomes with the ultimate goal of developing new gene products with high innovation value for applications in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical, and the life science sectors. Viral gene pool analysis is also essential to obtain fundamental insight into ecosystem dynamics and to investigate how viruses influence the evolution of microbes and multicellular organisms. The Virus-X Consortium, established in 2016, included experts from eight European countries. The unique approach based on high throughput bioinformatics technologies combined with structural and functional studies resulted in the development of a biodiscovery pipeline of significant capacity and scale. The activities within the Virus-X consortium cover the entire range from bioprospecting and methods development in bioinformatics to protein production and characterisation, with the final goal of translating our results into new products for the bioeconomy. The significant impact the consortium made in all of these areas was possible due to the successful cooperation between expert teams that worked together to solve a complex scientific problem using state-of-the-art technologies as well as developing novel tools to explore the virosphere, widely considered as the last great frontier of life., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of FEMS. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)