Podosphaera fusca is the main causal agent of cucurbit powdery mildew in Spain. Four Bacillus subtilis strains, UMAF6614, UMAF6619, UMAF6639, and UMAF8561, with proven ability to suppress the disease ...on melon in detached leaf and seedling assays, were subjected to further analyses to elucidate the mode of action involved in their biocontrol performance. Cell-free supernatants showed antifungal activities very close to those previously reported for vegetative cells. Identification of three lipopeptide antibiotics, surfactin, fengycin, and iturin A or bacillomycin, in butanolic extracts from cell-free culture filtrates of these B. subtilis strains pointed out that antibiosis could be a major factor involved in their biocontrol ability. The strong inhibitory effect of purified lipopeptide fractions corresponding to bacillomycin, fengycin, and iturin A on P. fusca conidia germination, as well as the in situ detection of these lipopeptides in bacterial-treated melon leaves, provided interesting evidence of their putative involvement in the antagonistic activity. Those results were definitively supported by site-directed mutagenesis analysis, targeted to suppress the biosynthesis of the different lipopeptides. Taken together, our data have allowed us to conclude that the iturin and fengycin families of lipopeptides have a major role in the antagonism of B. subtilis toward P. fusca.
Context.
Planets orbiting low-mass stars such as M dwarfs are now considered a cornerstone in the search for planets with the potential to harbour life. GJ 273 is a planetary system orbiting an M ...dwarf only 3.75 pc away, which is composed of two confirmed planets, GJ 273b and GJ 273c, and two promising candidates, GJ 273d and GJ 273e. Planet GJ 273b resides in the habitable zone. Currently, due to a lack of observed planetary transits, only the minimum masses of the planets are known:
M
b
sin
i
b
= 2.89
M
⊕
,
M
c
sin
i
c
= 1.18
M
⊕
,
M
d
sin
i
d
= 10.80
M
⊕
, and
M
e
sin
i
e
= 9.30
M
⊕
. Despite its interesting character, the GJ 273 planetary system has been poorly studied thus far.
Aims.
We aim to precisely determine the physical parameters of the individual planets, in particular, to break the mass–inclination degeneracy to accurately determine the mass of the planets. Moreover, we present a thorough characterisation of planet GJ 273b in terms of its potential habitability.
Methods.
First, we explored the planetary formation and hydration phases of GJ 273 during the first 100 Myr. Secondly, we analysed the stability of the system by considering both the two- and four-planet configurations. We then performed a comparative analysis between GJ 273 and the Solar System and we searched for regions in GJ 273 which may harbour minor bodies in stable orbits, that is, the main asteroid belt and Kuiper belt analogues.
Results.
From our set of dynamical studies, we find that the four-planet configuration of the system allows us to break the mass–inclination degeneracy. From our modelling results, the masses of the planets are unveiled as: 2.89 ≤
M
b
≤ 3.03
M
⊕
, 1.18 ≤
M
c
≤ 1.24
M
⊕
, 10.80 ≤
M
d
≤ 11.35
M
⊕
, and 9.30 ≤
M
e
≤ 9.70
M
⊕
. These results point to a system that is likely to be composed of an Earth-mass planet, a super-Earth and two mini-Neptunes. Based on planetary formation models, we determine that GJ 273b is likely an efficient water captor while GJ 273c is probably a dry planet. We find that the system may have several stable regions where minor bodies might reside. Collectively, these results are used to offer a comprehensive discussion about the habitability of GJ 273b.
Aim: The mountain mullet, Agonostomus monticola, is a diadromous fish wide-spread throughout Middle America, occurring in rivers along the Atlantic and Pacific slopes, as well as in the West Indies. ...Based on the disjunct distribution of this species, it has been hypothesized that this fish may represent more than one taxon. The purpose of this study was to conduct a robust phylogeographical analysis of A. monticola across its range, using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. We aimed to investigate the potential for cryptic diversity and the time-scale of divergence in an effort to elucidate biogeographical episodes within Middle America in relation to the evolutionary history of Agonostomus monticola. Location: North and Middle America, including the West Indies. Methods: Mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data (cyt b, S7-1) from individuals throughout the range of the species were analysed phylogenetically using maximum-likelihood methodology. The oldest known fossil mullet was used as a calibration to investigate divergence times for clades within A. monticola. Results: Results indicate four distinct lineages within the known range of A. monticola that largely correspond to oceanic basins (Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific-A, Pacific-B). Divergence time estimates indicate early to mid-Miocene divergences for all four A. monticola clades, with Oligocene to Miocene divergences of internal nodes. Main conclusions: These findings are congruent with geological hypotheses regarding movement of the Chortís block, as well as recent studies on the age of beginning emergence of the Panama Arc.
The $\Lambda^0_b \to D^+ D^- \Lambda$ decay is observed for the first time
using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at a
center-of-mass energy of $13 \mathrm{TeV}$, ...corresponding to an integrated
luminosity of $5.3 \mathrm{fb}^{-1}$. Using the $B^0 \to D^+ D^-
K_{\mathrm{S}}^0$ decay as a reference channel, the product of the relative
production cross-section and decay branching fractions is measured to be $$
{\cal R}=\frac{\sigma_{\Lambda^0_b}}{\sigma_{B^0}} \times \frac{{\cal
B}(\Lambda^0_b \to D^+ D^- \Lambda)}{{\cal B}(B^0 \to D^+ D^-
K_{\mathrm{S}}^0)}=0.179 \pm 0.022 \pm 0.014 $$ where the first uncertainty is
statistical and the second is systematic. The known branching fraction of the
reference channel, ${\cal B}(B^0 \to D^+ D^- K_{\mathrm{S}}^0)$, and the
cross-section ratio, $\sigma_{\Lambda^0_b} / \sigma_{B^0}$, previously measured
by $\mathrm{LHCb}$ are used to derive the branching fraction of the
$\Lambda^0_b \to D^+ D^- \Lambda$ decay $$ {\cal B}(\Lambda^0_b \to D^+ D^-
\Lambda)=(1.24 \pm 0.15 \pm 0.10 \pm 0.28 \pm 0.11) \times 10^{-4}, $$ where
the third and fourth contributions are due to uncertainties of ${\cal B}(B^0
\to D^+ D^- K_{\mathrm{S}}^0)$ and $\sigma_{\Lambda^0_b} / \sigma_{B^0}$,
respectively. Inspection of the $D^+ \Lambda$ and $D^+ D^-$ invariant-mass
distributions suggests a rich presence of intermediate resonances in the decay.
The $\Lambda^0_b \to D^{*+} D^- \Lambda$ decay is also observed for the first
time as a partially reconstructed component in the $D^+ D^- \Lambda$ invariant
mass spectrum.
JHEP 06 (2024) 098 The resonant structure of the radiative decay $\Lambda_b^0\to pK^-\gamma$ in
the region of proton-kaon invariant-mass up to 2.5 GeV$/c^2$ is studied using
proton-proton collision ...data recorded at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and
13 TeV collected with the LHCb detector, corresponding to a total integrated
luminosity of 9 fb$^{-1}$. Results are given in terms of fit and interference
fractions between the different components contributing to this final state.
Only $\Lambda$ resonances decaying to $pK^-$ are found to be relevant, where
the largest contributions stem from the $\Lambda(1520)$, $\Lambda(1600)$,
$\Lambda(1800)$, and $\Lambda(1890)$ states.
A potential point of concern among clinicians is whether results derived from the clinical trials can be reasonably applied or generalised to a definable group of patients seen in real world. It can ...be the case of the GiACTA study that is a phase III randomised controlled trial of tocilizumab (TCZ) in giant cell arteritis (GCA). To address this question, we compared the clinical features and the responses to TCZ from the GiACTA trial patients with those from a series of GCA seen in the daily clinical practice.
Comparative study of clinical features between patients from the GiACTA trial (overall n=251) and those from a multicentre series of real-world GCA patients undergoing TCZ therapy (n=134). The diagnosis of GCA in the GiACTA trial was established by the ACR modified criteria whereas in the series of real-world patients it was made by using the ACR criteria, a positive biopsy of temporal artery or the presence of imaging techniques consistent with large-vessel vasculitis in individuals who presented cranial symptoms of GCA. GiACTA trial patients received subcutaneous TCZ (162 mg every 1 or 2 weeks) whereas those from the clinical practice series were treated using standard IV dose (8 mg/kg/month) or subcutaneous (162 mg/week).
Real-life patients undergoing TCZ were older with longer disease duration and higher values of ESR and had received conventional immunosuppressive therapy (mainly methotrexate) more commonly than those included in the GiACTA trial. Despite clinical differences, TCZ was equally effective in both GiACTA trial and clinical practice patients. However, serious infections were more commonly observed in GCA patients recruited from the clinical practice.
Despite clinical differences with patients recruited in clinical trials, data from real-life patients confirm the efficacy of TCZ in GCA.
In the present work the synthesis of ZnO semiconductor thin films was performed successively using spin coating and chemical bath deposition techniques. The deposition was made by varying the ...concentration of zinc acetate and hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA: ZnAc) in the precursor solution. This process led to two preferred growth directions (002) and (101), both with very similar texture coefficients, too; a noticeable change in morphology of structured surface, variation in unit cell parameters and crystalline grain size. All the films turned out homogeneously submicro and microstructured and with a wurtzite-type hexagonal crystalline structure. Using pre-loaded Mathematica 11.3 software functions and an algorithm developed in it, the micrographies were analyzed to calculate the percentage of substrate-covered area which was always greater than 80%. Likewise, it also found that resistivity decreases at a higher percentage of covered area and that the variation in the shape of the photo luminescent emission spectrum can be considered as a qualitative indication of the concentration of charge carriers.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Conversely, OSA has not been shown to increase recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with acute ...coronary syndrome (ACS). This lack of homogeneity could suggest that the deleterious effect of OSA and its contribution to CVD could depend on specific patient profiles.
To evaluate the effect of OSA on cardiovascular risk for patients with different ACS phenotypes.
analysis of the ISAACC (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Patients with ACS and OSA) study, including 1,701 patients admitted for ACS (NCT01335087). To evaluate the presence of OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 15 events · h
), all patients underwent polygraphy. Patients were followed up for a minimum period of 1 year. We performed nonsupervised clustering using latent class analysis to identify subgroups of patients on the basis of 12 clinical factors associated with cardiovascular risk. The effect of OSA on recurrent cardiovascular event risk was evaluated for each phenotype identified.
Two phenotypes were identified: patients without previous heart disease and without previous ACS ("no-previous-CVD" phenotype; 81%) and patients with previous heart disease and previous ACS ("previous-CVD" phenotype; 19%). The median (interquartile range) at follow-up was 2.67 (3.8) years. For the no-previous-CVD phenotype, the effect of OSA showed an adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.54 (1.06-2.24;
value = 0.02), whereas for the previous-CVD phenotype, the effect of OSA showed an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.69 (0.46-1.04;
value = 0.08).
For patients with ACS and a specific phenotype, OSA is associated with an increased risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. These patients are mainly characterized by no previous heart disease and admission for a first ACS occurrence.
Abstract
Aims
We aimed to determine whether treatment with sildenafil improves outcomes of patients with persistent pulmonary hypertension (PH) after correction of valvular heart disease (VHD).
...Methods and results
The sildenafil for improving outcomes after valvular correction (SIOVAC) study was a multricentric, randomized, parallel, and placebo-controlled trial that enrolled stable adults with mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 30 mmHg who had undergone a successful valve replacement or repair procedure at least 1 year before inclusion. We assigned 200 patients to receive sildenafil (40 mg three times daily, n = 104) or placebo (n = 96) for 6 months. The primary endpoint was the composite clinical score combining death, hospital admission for heart failure (HF), change in functional class, and patient global self-assessment. Only 27 patients receiving sildenafil improved their composite clinical score, as compared with 44 patients receiving placebo; in contrast 33 patients in the sildenafil group worsened their composite score, as compared with 14 in the placebo group odds ratio 0.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22–0.67; P < 0.001. The Kaplan–Meier estimates for survival without admission due to HF were 0.76 and 0.86 in the sildenafil and placebo groups, respectively (hazard ratio 2.0, 95% CI = 1.0–4.0; log-rank P = 0.044). Changes in 6-min walk test distance, natriuretic peptides, and Doppler-derived systolic pulmonary pressure were similar in both groups.
Conclusion
Treatment with sildenafil in patients with persistent PH after successfully corrected VHD is associated to worse clinical outcomes than placebo. Off-label usage of sildenafil for treating this source of left heart disease PH should be avoided.
The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00862043.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 132 (2024) 242301 The LHCb collaboration measures production of the exotic hadron
$\chi_{c1}$(3872) in proton-nucleus collisions for the first time. Comparison
with the charmonium ...state $\psi$(2$S$) suggests that the exotic
$\chi_{c1}$(3872) experiences different dynamics in the nuclear medium than
conventional hadrons, and comparison with data from proton-proton collisions
indicates that the presence of the nucleus may modify $\chi_{c1}$(3872)
production rates. This is the first measurement of the nuclear modification
factor of an exotic hadron.
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