The search for drought tolerant species or cultivars is important to address water scarcity caused by climate change in Mediterranean regions. The anisohydric-isohydric behavior concept has been ...widely used to describe stomatal regulation during drought, simply in terms of variation of minimal water potential (Ψ
) in relation to pre-dawn water potential (Ψ
). However, its simplicity has sometimes failed to deliver consistent results in describing a complex behavior that results from the coordination of several plant functional traits. While
(almond) is known as a drought tolerant species, little information is available regarding consistent metrics to discriminate among cultivars or the mechanisms underlying drought tolerance in almond. Here we show a sequence of plant stomatal, hydraulic, and wilting responses to drought in almonds, and the main differences between anisohydric and isohydric cultivars. In a pot desiccation experiment we observed that stomatal closure in
is not driven by loss in turgor or onset of xylem cavitation, but instead, occurs early in response to decreasing Ψ
that could be related to the protection of the integrity of the hydraulic system, independently of cultivar. Also, we report that anisohydric cultivars of
are characterized by maximum stomatal conductance, lower water potentials for stomatal closure and turgor loss, and lower vulnerability to xylem cavitation, which are traits that correlated with metrics to discriminate anisohydric and isohydric behavior. Our results demonstrate that
presents a strategy to avoid cavitation by closing stomata during the early stages of drought. Future research should also focus on below-ground hydraulic traits, which could trigger stomatal closure in almond.
Background and aim
There are few studies of urinary biomarkers and histopathologic features in lupus nephritis (LN). The aim was to analyze the correlation between a wide panel of urinary biomarkers ...and serum concentrations of anti C1q antibodies with histological items of activity and chronicity on kidney biopsy in LN patients.
Methods
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were included. LN diagnosis was based on ACR criteria. Histologic features of activity and chronicity indices were analyzed according to the Austin classification. Serum Anti C1q levels were determined by commercial ELISA. Urinary levels of transferrin, ceruloplasmin (CP), VCAM-1, TWEAK, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein were measured by commercial ELISA.
Results
We included 120 SLE patients (81% female, mean age 33.1 ± 9.3 years, 59.4% Mestizo, 37.8% Afro-Latin American): 64% had LN. Kidney biopsy was performed in 55 patients, but only 37 were made in our center. Anti C1q antibodies were associated with endocapillary proliferation. In patients with cellular crescents, urinary concentrations of CP were significantly higher. In patients with a chronicity index (CI) ≥ 4, fibrous crescents, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis, urinary MCP-1 levels were higher.
Conclusions
In SLE patients, serum anti C1q antibodies and urinary CP were associated with activity on kidney biopsy and MCP-1 with chronic damage. This panel of biomarkers could be validated in larger, multi-ethnic population as a complementary tool for better stratification of LN patients.
Key Points
• Urinary biomarkers are complementary useful tools for the assessment of SLE patients.
• Urinary levels of CP correlated with activity findings on kidney biopsy in LN patients.
• Urinary levels of MCP-1 correlated with chronic damage, especially with fibrous crescents, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis.
ABSTRACT Introduction: Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has shown to be one of the most effective new strategies to treat some types of cancer. However, stopping the suppression induced by ...the checkpoints, mainly CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1, makes patients prone to develop different immune reactions that can range from mild organ involvement to life-threatening compromises. This highlights the importance that patients should be carefully evaluated during treatment in order to detect and understand these types of manifestations, and find tools for their management. Objectives: To determine the autoantibody profile of patients under treatment with checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), with or without symptoms suggestive of rheumatological disease associated with the therapy. The clinical and demographical characteristics of such patients were also analyzed. Methods: Patients diagnosed with cancer and under treatment with ICI were recruited. Sera were evaluated with commercial kits to determine the presence of autoantibodies. The presence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) was evaluated according to the definitions proposed in the guidelines of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Results: Of the twenty-four patients evaluated, fifteen presented with at least one adverse immunological event, where dermatological and musculoskeletal were the most prevalent. Autoantibodies were obtained from the serum of 22 patients. Nineteen of them had at least one autoantibody, with antinuclear and anti-smooth muscle antibodies being the most prevalent. Conclusion: The seroprevalence found in our study suggests that autoantibodies may be part of irAEs in patients treated with ICI. However, more studies are required to define the usefulness of autoantibody detection in these patients in order to predict clinical manifestations.
La inmunoterapia con inhibidores de puntos de control (ICC) ha demostrado ser una de las nuevas estrategias más efectivas para tratar varios tipos de cáncer. Sin embargo, al detener la supresión ...ejercida por los puntos de chequeo, principalmente CTLA-4 y PD-1/PD-L1, algunos pacientes presentan diferentes reacciones inmunológicas (irAE) que pueden ir desde compromiso orgánico leve hasta grave, con riesgo de muerte. Esto hace importante que durante el tratamiento los pacientes sean evaluados cuidadosamente, para lograr detectar y entender este tipo de manifestaciones y encontrar herramientas para su manejo.
Determinar la presencia de autoanticuerpos en un grupo de pacientes en tratamiento con ICC, con o sin clínica sugestiva de enfermedad reumatológica asociada a la terapia. Además, evaluar las características clínicas y demográficas de dichos pacientes.
En este estudio transversal se reclutaron pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer y bajo tratamiento con ICC. En el suero se determinaron autoanticuerpos mediante kits comerciales. La presencia de irAE fue evaluada de acuerdo con las definiciones propuestas en las guías de la Sociedad Americana de Oncología Clínica.
De los 24 pacientes evaluados, 15 presentaron al menos un evento adverso inmunológico, siendo los dermatológicos y los musculoesqueléticos los más prevalentes. Respecto a la presencia de autoanticuerpos, de los 22 sueros analizados 19 presentaban al menos un autoanticuerpo, siendo los anticuerpos antinucleares y antimúsculo liso los más comunes.
La seroprevalencia encontrada en nuestros pacientes nos sugiere que los autoanticuerpos podrían hacer parte de las irAE en pacientes tratados con ICC. Sin embargo, se requieren más estudios para lograr definir la utilidad de la determinación de autoanticuerpos en estos pacientes como predictores de manifestaciones clínicas.
Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has shown to be one of the most effective new strategies to treat some types of cancer. However, stopping the suppression induced by the checkpoints, mainly CTLA-4 and PD-1 / PD-L1, makes patients prone to develop different immune reactions that can range from mild organ involvement to life-threatening compromises. This highlights the importance that patients should be carefully evaluated during treatment in order to detect and understand these types of manifestations, and find tools for their management.
To determine the autoantibody profile of patients under treatment with checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), with or without symptoms suggestive of rheumatological disease associated with the therapy. The clinical and demographical characteristics of such patients were also analysed.
Patients diagnosed with cancer and under treatment with ICI were recruited. Sera were evaluated with commercial kits to determine the presence of autoantibodies. The presence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) was evaluated according to the definitions proposed in the guidelines of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Of the twenty-four patients evaluated, fifteen presented with at least one adverse immunological event, where dermatological and musculoskeletal were the most prevalent. Autoantibodies were obtained from the serum of 22 patients. Nineteen of them had at least one autoantibody, with antinuclear and anti-smooth muscle antibodies being the most prevalent.
The seroprevalence found in our study suggests that autoantibodies may be part of irAEs in patients treated with ICI. However, more studies are required to define the usefulness of autoantibody detection in these patients in order to predict clinical manifestations.
Los pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) tienen un riesgo aumentado de padecer infecciones tanto adquiridas en la comunidad como asociadas con el cuidado de la salud. Las infecciones ...bacterianas son las más frecuentes y graves durante la hospitalización de estos pacientes.
Desarrollar y validar internamente un modelo de predicción clínica de pronóstico del riesgo de infección bacteriana adquirida en el hospital en pacientes con LES, usando datos clínicos y de laboratorio obtenidos durante las primeras horas de hospitalización.
Se analizó una cohorte retrospectiva de pacientes con LES mayores de 16 años, hospitalizados por motivos diferentes a infección bacteriana en 2 hospitales de alta complejidad de Medellín entre 2011 y 2016. Se compararon las características de los pacientes que desarrollaron el desenlace de infección bacteriana entre el día 3 y el día 15 de hospitalización con aquellos que no lo presentaron. Las variables significativas en el análisis bivariado fueron consideradas para la construcción del modelo por medio de regresión logística multivariada.
Se incluyeron 765 episodios, de los cuales 98 (12,8%) presentaron el desenlace de interés. Se consideraron 35 predictores candidatos. Las variables incorporadas en el modelo final fueron: edad, recuento de neutrófilos, puntaje de actividad lúpica SLEDAI, uso de sonda vesical, uso de catéter venoso central en las primeras 72h, dosis de glucocorticoides en el mes previo y el uso de un antimalárico en los 3 meses previos. La capacidad de discriminación del modelo fue aceptable a buena (AUC-ROC 0,74; IC 95% 0,69-0,80). La prueba de bondad de ajuste de Hosmer-Lemeshow (p=0,637) evidenció una adecuada calibración.
Desarrollamos un modelo de predicción clínica de pronóstico del riesgo de infección bacteriana nosocomial en pacientes con LES. El modelo desarrollado está compuesto por variables clínicas y de laboratorio simples disponibles en el momento del ingreso al hospital. Se requieren estudios de validación externa y de impacto clínico antes de su implementación rutinaria.
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of developing community-acquired infections, as well as those associated with health care. Bacterial infections are the most common and serious while these patients are in hospital.
To develop, and internally validate, a clinical prediction model for the prognosis of the risk of hospital-acquired bacterial infection in SLE patients using clinical and laboratory data obtained during the first hours of hospital admission.
An analysis was performed on retrospective cohort of patients with SLE older than 16 years and admitted for reasons other than bacterial infection in 2 highly complex hospitals in Medellín between 2011 and 2016. The characteristics of the patients who developed a bacterial infection were compared between day 3 and day 15 of hospital admission with those who did not develop one. The significant variables in the bivariate analysis were used for the construction of the model using multivariate logistic regression.
A total of 765 episodes were included, of which 98 (12.8%) presented the outcome of interest. Thirty-five candidate predictors were considered. The variables incorporated in the final model were: age, neutrophil count, SLEDAI lupus activity score, use of a bladder catheter, use of a central venous catheter in the first 72h, glucocorticoid doses in the previous month, and use of an antimalarial drug in the 3 previous months. The discrimination capacity of the model was acceptable to good (AUC-ROC 0.74; 95% CI 0.69-0.80). The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test (P=.637) suggested adequate calibration.
A clinical prediction model of prognostic risk of nosocomial bacterial infection in patients with SLE has been developed. This model is made up of simple clinical and laboratory variables available at the time of hospital admission. External validation and clinical impact studies are required before routine implementation.
Molecular analysis of ancient caries Simón, Marc; Montiel, Rafael; Smerling, Andrea ...
Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences,
09/2014, Letnik:
281, Številka:
1790
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
An 84 base pair sequence of the Streptococcus mutans virulence factor, known as dextranase, has been obtained from 10 individuals from the Bronze Age to the Modern Era in Europe and from before and ...after the colonization in America. Modern samples show four polymorphic sites that have not been found in the ancient samples studied so far. The nucleotide and haplotype diversity of this region have increased over time, which could be reflecting the footprint of a population expansion. While this segment has apparently evolved according to neutral evolution, we have been able to detect one site that is under positive selection pressure both in present and past populations. This study is a first step to study the evolution of this microorganism, analysed using direct evidence obtained from ancient remains.
Molecular analysis of ancient caries Simón, Marc; Montiel, Rafael; Smerling, Andrea ...
Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences,
09/2014, Letnik:
281, Številka:
1790
Journal Article
Recenzirano
An 84 base pair sequence of the Streptococcus mutans virulence factor, known as dextranase, has been obtained from 10 individuals from the Bronze Age to the Modern Era in Europe and from before and ...after the colonization in America. Modern samples show four polymorphic sites that have not been found in the ancient samples studied so far. The nucleotide and haplotype diversity of this region have increased over time, which could be reflecting the footprint of a population expansion. While this segment has apparently evolved according to neutral evolution, we have been able to detect one site that is under positive selection pressure both in present and past populations. This study is a first step to study the evolution of this microorganism, analysed using direct evidence obtained from ancient remains.
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