•The nanostructure of BC is highly suitable for the preparation of inorganic materials-BC composites.•Process conditions affect bacterial cellulose production and properties.•Chemical post-treatments ...of BC may impact on its assemblies with inorganic phases.•Composites of BC with metal oxide, metal sulfide and metal nanoparticles are reviewed.•Conversion of BC into carbon and integration with inorganic phases is described.
This mini review is limited to very recent studies (last 5–10 years) on two major issues, concerning: the production and physical/chemical modification of bacterial cellulose (BC), and its transformation into carbon and integrated synthesis of metal oxides (TiO2, ZnO, Fe3O4, etc.), metal sulfide (ZnS, CdS, etc.) and metal nanoparticles (Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, etc.) within bacterial cellulose nanoribbons network. We believe that the crossover of these two domains could be of considerable interest in the view of improving the performance of materials prepared with bacterial cellulose. The diversity of these nanomaterials allows targeting of many very different properties/applications: electrochemical devices, catalysis and photocatalysis, sensors, etc. After an introduction to the most important chemical and physical characteristics of BC, production parameters, and its physical and chemical modifications, we review the use of BC as a precursor of inorganic materials like carbon and composites with metal or inorganic nanoparticles.
Altered interplay between gut mucosa and microbiota during treated HIV infection may possibly contribute to increased bacterial translocation and chronic immune activation, both of which are ...predictors of morbidity and mortality. Although a dysbiotic gut microbiota has recently been reported in HIV+ individuals, the metagenome gene pool associated with HIV infection remains unknown. The aim of this study is to characterize the functional gene content of gut microbiota in HIV+ patients and to define the metabolic pathways of this bacterial community, which is potentially associated with immune dysfunction. We determined systemic markers of innate and adaptive immunity in a cohort of HIV-infected individuals on successful antiretroviral therapy without comorbidities and in healthy non-HIV-infected subjects. Metagenome sequencing revealed an altered functional profile, with enrichment of the genes involved in various pathogenic processes, lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, bacterial translocation, and other inflammatory pathways. In contrast, we observed depletion of genes involved in amino acid metabolism and energy processes. Bayesian networks showed significant interactions between the bacterial community, their altered metabolic pathways, and systemic markers of immune dysfunction. This study reveals altered metabolic activity of microbiota and provides novel insight into the potential host-microbiota interactions driving the sustained inflammatory state in successfully treated HIV-infected patients.
The Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey is one of the largest contemporary spectroscopic surveys of low redshift galaxies. Covering an area of ∼286 deg2 (split among five survey regions) down to a ...limiting magnitude of r < 19.8 mag, we have collected spectra and reliable redshifts for 238 000 objects using the AAOmega spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope. In addition, we have assembled imaging data from a number of independent surveys in order to generate photometry spanning the wavelength range 1 nm–1 m. Here, we report on the recently completed spectroscopic survey and present a series of diagnostics to assess its final state and the quality of the redshift data. We also describe a number of survey aspects and procedures, or updates thereof, including changes to the input catalogue, redshifting and re-redshifting, and the derivation of ultraviolet, optical and near-infrared photometry. Finally, we present the second public release of GAMA data. In this release, we provide input catalogue and targeting information, spectra, redshifts, ultraviolet, optical and near-infrared photometry, single-component Sérsic fits, stellar masses, Hα-derived star formation rates, environment information, and group properties for all galaxies with r < 19.0 mag in two of our survey regions, and for all galaxies with r < 19.4 mag in a third region (72 225 objects in total). The data base serving these data is available at http://www.gama-survey.org/.
Aim
Endoanal and endorectal ultrasound are essential diagnostic tools for perianal fistula. Recent studies have examined ultrasound signs that help differentiate cryptoglandular anal fistula from ...perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease. The main aim of this work was to describe a new ultrasound sign for perianal fistula and to evaluate its ability to differentiate Crohn's disease from cryptoglandular anal fistula.
Method
This study included 363 patients (113 women; mean age 46.5 ± 14.3 years). Overall, 287 (79.1%) patients had a cryptoglandular perianal fistula and 76 (20.9%) had fistulizing Crohn's disease. All patients underwent three‐dimensional anal endosonography for perianal fistula. The reading was carried out by two observers.
Results
Observer 1, who was an experienced sonographer and colorectal surgeon, observed the ultrasound sign in 120 patients (33.1%), while observer 2, who was inexperienced, observed it in 129 patients (35.5%). The overall interobserver agreement was 67.22%. The Kappa coefficient measuring interobserver agreement was 0.273 (0.17–0.38). Among those patients with Crohn's disease, 48.68% had the sign and 16% did not (p = 0.001). A logistic regression study showed that the sign was a predictor of Crohn's disease (p = 0.001), with an odds ratio of 2.33 (1.39–3.91). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 38.68%, 71.08%, 30.83%, 83.95% and 66.39%, respectively.
Conclusion
This study provides a new ultrasound sign for perianal fistula (the rosary sign) in patients with Crohn's disease. The sign can be used to differentiate Crohn's disease from other types of fistula. This is useful in the management of patients with anal fistula.
We integrated the emerging information of the ecological, economic and social importance of the coasts at a global scale. We defined coastal regions to range from the continental shelf (to a depth of ...200 m), the intertidal areas and adjacent land within 100 km of the coastline. We used the 1 km resolution Global Land Cover Characteristics Database and calculated the area covered by 11 different land cover classes (natural and human-altered ecosystems) within the 100 km limit Burke, L., Kura, Y., Kasem, K., Revenga, C., Spalding, M., McAllister, D., 2001. Coastal Ecosystems. Washington DC World Resource Institute. 93 pp.. Cover of aquatic ecosystems was calculated based on several world databases. Our results show that the coasts of the world comprise a wide variety of geomorphological characteristics of which mountainous coasts with a narrow shelf are the most abundant. Sandy shores are found on 16% of the coastal countries. The coasts are located in every weather regime and the number of biomes is equally variable. Within the 100 km limit, 72% still is covered by natural ecosystems and 28% have been altered by human activities (urban and croplands). Open shrubs and evergreen broadleaf forests are the most abundant terrestrial ecosystems. Canada has the largest area of natural and relatively well preserved terrestrial ecosystems. Indonesia and China have the largest percentages of cropland area near the shore, and Japan and the US have the largest coastal urban areas. Indonesia, Australia, Brazil, Bahamas and New Caledonia have the largest areas of aquatic ecosystems. The calculated economic value of goods and services provided by coastal ecosystems showed that altogether, coastal ecosystems contribute 77% of global ecosystem-services value calculated by Costanza et al. Costanza, R., d'Arge, R., de Groot, R., Farber, S., Grasso, M., Hannon, B., Naeem, S., Limburg, K., Paruelo, J., O’Neill, R.V., Raskin, R., Sutton, P., ven den Belt, M., 1997. The value of the world’s ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature 387, 253–260. According to 2003 data, 2.385 million people live within the coastal limit, which represents 41% of world global population. More than 50% of the coastal countries have from 80 to 100% of their total population within 100 km of the coastline. Twenty-one of the 33 world's megacities are found on the coast. Multivariate analyses grouped coastal countries according to their ecological, economic and social characteristics. Three gradients explained 55% of the variance: degree of conservation, ecosystem service product and demographic trends. Given the current scenario and the climate change prediction, the coastal environments will be confronting serious environmental issues that should be worked in advance, in order to achieve a sustainable development of the most valued locations of the world. Several recommendations are made.
Abstract
We report the discovery of six ultra-faint Milky Way satellites identified through matched-filter searches conducted using Dark Energy Camera (DECam) data processed as part of the second ...data release of the DECam Local Volume Exploration (DELVE) survey. Leveraging deep Gemini/GMOS-N imaging (for four candidates) as well as follow-up DECam imaging (for two candidates), we characterize the morphologies and stellar populations of these systems. We find that these candidates all share faint absolute magnitudes (
M
V
≥ −3.2 mag) and old, metal-poor stellar populations (
τ
> 10 Gyr, Fe/H < −1.4 dex). Three of these systems are more extended (
r
1/2
> 15 pc), while the other three are compact (
r
1/2
< 10 pc). From these properties, we infer that the former three systems (Boötes V, Leo Minor I, and Virgo II) are consistent with ultra-faint dwarf galaxy classifications, whereas the latter three (DELVE 3, DELVE 4, and DELVE 5) are likely ultra-faint star clusters. Using data from the Gaia satellite, we confidently measure the proper motion of Boötes V, Leo Minor I, and DELVE 4, and tentatively detect a proper-motion signal from DELVE 3 and DELVE 5; no signal is detected for Virgo II. We use these measurements to explore possible associations between the newly discovered systems and the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal, the Magellanic Clouds, and the Vast Polar Structure, finding several plausible associations. Our results offer a preview of the numerous ultra-faint stellar systems that will soon be discovered by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and highlight the challenges of classifying the faintest stellar systems.
Superficial fungal infections are common in dermatology and are often caused by opportunistic species in the Candida and Malassezia genera. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the ...expression of genes coding for enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) chains following the adherence of Candida and Malassezia yeasts to skin cell lines. Gene expression was analyzed using reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. Interactions between the yeasts and the skin cells induced the following changes in genes involved in the biosynthesis of heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate: downregulation of CHPF in keratinocytes and downregulation of EXT1, EXT2, CHSY3, and CHPF in fibroblasts. Adherence to fibroblasts had an even greater effect on GAG biosynthetic enzymes, inducing the downregulation of 13 genes and the upregulation of two (CHST15 and CHST7). Interactions between yeasts and skin cells might affect the binding affinity of GAG chains, possibly changing their ability to function as receptors for pathogens and interfering with a key stage at the start of infection.
Background and purpose
The unanticipated detection by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the brain of asymptomatic subjects of white matter lesions suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been ...named radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS). As the difference between early MS i.e. clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and RIS is the occurrence of a clinical event, it is logical to improve detection of the subclinical form without interfering with MRI as there are radiological diagnostic criteria for that. Our objective was to use machine‐learning classification methods to identify morphometric measures that help to discriminate patients with RIS from those with CIS.
Methods
We used a multimodal 3‐T MRI approach by combining MRI biomarkers (cortical thickness, cortical and subcortical grey matter volume, and white matter integrity) of a cohort of 17 patients with RIS and 17 patients with CIS for single‐subject level classification.
Results
The best proposed models to predict the diagnosis of CIS and RIS were based on the Naive Bayes, Bagging and Multilayer Perceptron classifiers using only three features: the left rostral middle frontal gyrus volume and the fractional anisotropy values in the right amygdala and right lingual gyrus. The Naive Bayes obtained the highest accuracy overall classification, 0.765; area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC), 0.782.
Conclusions
A machine‐learning approach applied to multimodal MRI data may differentiate between the earliest clinical expressions of MS (CIS and RIS) with an accuracy of 78%.
► Color organic strawberries were darker, less vivid, and tended to be redder. ► Organic strawberries had a significantly higher content of anthocyanins. ► Samples from organic farming had a higher ...content of AA. ► Pgd-3-glu and Cyn-3-glu represented almost total anthocyanins of strawberries. ► No significant differences were found in TPC content of the two types of strawberry.
The CIEL*a*b* and sensory color and anthocyanin, ascorbic acid and total phenolic contents were determined in strawberries (Fragaria×ananassa Duch, cv Selva) grown in the same geographical area of Galicia (NW Spain) under organic and conventional farming methods. The cultivation system was significant for all of the CIEL*a*b* surface color parameters. The color of the organic fruits was darker, less vivid and frequently redder (lower L*, C* and H values). These differences were consistent with the higher scores given by assessors in the external color evaluation for organically grown strawberry. Furthermore, the organic strawberries had a significantly higher level of anthocyanins (19.3±6.8 versus 9.8±1.8μg/gfreshwt (fw) for Cyn-3-glu; 332.3±66.5 versus 254.1±33.6μg/gfw for Pgd-3-glub) and ascorbic acid (86.4±12.7 versus 71.2±4.9mg/100gfw); in contrast, the cultivation system (organic or conventional) did not affect the total phenolic content. The organic strawberries have a higher nutritional value, in terms of antioxidant compounds, which is also reflected in better sensory color characteristics.
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•Biomarkers of aging are a valuable tool to understand the aging process.•Intrinsic capacity may be characterized by the multi-omics technologies.•Biomarkers reflect at several ...molecular levels an individual’s state of health.•Aging process is not linked to the chronological age.•Age-related diseases may be addressed by the biomarkers of aging.
The aging process has been linked to the occurrence of chronic diseases and functional impairments, including cancer, sarcopenia, frailty, metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. Nonetheless, aging is highly variable and heterogeneous and represents a challenge for its characterization. In this sense, intrinsic capacity (IC) stands as a novel perspective by the World Health Organization, which integrates the individual wellbeing, environment, and risk factors to understand aging. However, there is a lack of quantitative and qualitative attributes to define it objectively. Therefore, in this review we attempt to summarize the most relevant and promising biomarkers described in clinical studies at date over different molecular levels, including epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and the microbiome. To aid gerontologists, geriatricians, and biomedical researchers to understand the aging process through the IC. Aging biomarkers reflect the physiological state of individuals and the underlying mechanisms related to homeostatic changes throughout an individual lifespan; they demonstrated that aging could be measured independently of time (that may explain its heterogeneity) and to be helpful to predict age-related syndromes and mortality. In summary, we highlight the areas of opportunity and gaps of knowledge that must be addressed to fully integrate biomedical findings into clinically useful tools and interventions.
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