Display omitted
•Intense turnover of organic matter was induced by inoculation of composting piles.•More simple compounds were released from polymeric fractions in inoculated piles.•Humification was ...more intense and earlier achieved in inoculated piles.•Inoculation clearly stimulated growth and activity of the composting microbiota.•Inoculation affected microbiota structure but its functionality remained unaltered.
Enhanced organic matter turnover was detected in lignocellulosic composting piles inoculated with microorganisms specifically capable of decomposing polymeric compounds. In comparison to uninoculated piles, the following results were obtained in the inoculated piles: degradation of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin were 28%, 21% and 25% respectively higher. Total organic matter, total sugars and phenolic compounds also decreased more intensely. Greater amounts of soluble organic carbon, reducing sugars and soluble proteins were available to the composting microbiota. Recycling of organic to inorganic nitrogen was improved and humification was more intense and earlier attained. Microbial community structure was also affected by inoculation. It was initially thought that these effects were due to enzymatic capabilities of inoculants, however, microbial counts, especially those corresponding to functional groups, revealed that inoculation induced a true stimulation of microbial growth and activity in the entire composting microbiota which was actually responsible for all the beneficial effects reported here.
The safety of thiopurines and anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) drugs during pregnancy remains controversial, as the experience with these drugs in this situation is limited. Our aim is to assess ...the safety of thiopurines and anti-TNF-α drugs for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during pregnancy.
Retrospective, multicenter study in IBD patients. Pregnancies were classified according to the therapeutic regimens during pregnancy or during the 3 months before the conception: non-exposed group, pregnancies exposed to thiopurines alone (group A), and pregnancies exposed to anti-TNF-α drugs (group B). An unfavorable Global Pregnancy Outcome (GPO) was considered if pregnancy developed with obstetric complications in the mother and in the newborn.
A total of 187 pregnancies in the group A, 66 pregnancies in the group B, and 318 pregnancies in the non-exposed group were included. The rate of unfavorable GPO was different among the three groups (31.8% in non-exposed group, 21.9% in group A, and 34.8% in group B), being lower in pregnancies under thiopurines than among non-exposed (P = 0.01). The rate of pregnancy complications was similar among the three groups (27.7% in non-exposed, 20.9% in group A, and 30.3% in group B). The rate of neonatal complications was different among the three groups (23.3% in non-exposed group, 13.9% in group A, and 21.2% in group B), being lower in pregnancies under thiopurines than among non-exposed (P = 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, the treatment with thiopurines (odds ratio = 0.6; 95% confidence interval = 0.4-0.9, P = 0.02) was the only predictor of favorable GPO, whereas maternal age >35 years at conception was the only predictor of unfavorable GPO. The treatment with anti-TNF-α drugs was not associated with an unfavorable GPO.
The treatment with thiopurines and anti-TNF-α drugs does not seem to increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and does seem to be safe for the newborn.
Ridge regression has been widely applied to estimate under collinearity by defining a class of estimators that are dependent on the parameter k. The variance inflation factor (VIF) is applied to ...detect the presence of collinearity and also as an objective method to obtain the value of k in ridge regression. Contrarily to the definition of the VIF, the expressions traditionally applied in ridge regression do not necessarily lead to values of VIFs equal to or greater than 1. This work presents an alternative expression to calculate the VIF in ridge regression that satisfies the aforementioned condition and also presents other interesting properties.
Many alternatives for the proper disposal of horticultural plant wastes have been studied, and composting is one of the most attractive due to its insignificant environmental impact and low cost. The ...quality of compost for agronomical use is related to the degree of organic matter maturation and stabilization. Traditional parameters as well as temperature, ratio C/N, cationic exchange capacity, extractable carbon, or evolution of humificated substances have been successfully used to assess compost maturity and stability. However, microorganisms frequently isolated during composting release a wide range of hydrolytic enzymes, whose activity could apparently give interesting information on the rate of decomposition of organic matter and, therefore, on the product stability. The aim of this work was to study the evolution of some important enzymatic activities during composting of agricultural wastes and their comparison with other chemical parameters commonly employed as quality and maturity indexes, to establish a relationship between the degradation intensity of specific organic carbon fractions throughout the process. In this work, the chemical and biochemical parameters of plant wastes were studied along a composting process of 189 days to evaluate their importance as tools for compost characterization. Results showed an intense enzymatic activity during the first 2–3 weeks of composting (bio-oxidative phase), because of the availability of easily decomposable organic compounds. From a biological point of view, a less intense phase was observed between second and third month of composting (mesophilic or cooling phase). Finally, chemical humification parameters were more closely associated with the period between 119 and 189 days (maturation phase). Significant correlations between the enzymatic activities as well as between enzyme activities and other more traditional parameters were also highlighted, indicating that both kind of indexes can be a reliable tool to determine the degree of stability and maturation of horticultural plant wastes based-compost.
•Enzymatic and temperature patterns registered inside the pile are directly related.•Enzymatic activity reaches its peak during the first days of the composting process.•When piles begin to cool, the enzymatic activity decreases noticeably.•The intensity of the enzymatic activity indirectly affects the humification process.
Summary
Background
Grey Zone (GZ) is an ill‐defined situation including patients falling between inactive carrier (IC) state and HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B (HBeAg‐negative CHB).
Aims
To ...assess the long‐term outcomes of GZ patients compared to IC in the absence of treatment.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of 287 IC and GZ HBeAg‐negative patients. Patients were classified into 4 groups at baseline: HBV‐DNA <2000 IU/mL and ALT <40 U/L (IC), HBV‐DNA <2000 IU/mL and ALT 40‐80 U/L (GZ‐1), HBV‐DNA 2000‐20 000 IU/mL and ALT <40 U/L (GZ‐2) or ALT 40‐80 U/L (GZ‐3). Data were also analysed using AASLD ALT criteria.
Results
After a median follow‐up of 8.2 (5‐19) years, HBsAg loss occurred in about 15% ICs or GZ patients. Transition into IC state occurred in 40% of GZ patients. DNA fluctuations >2000 IU/mL correlated inversely with transition into IC and HBsAg loss. HBsAg levels were significantly lower in ICs than in GZ patients (338 IU/mL 20‐3269 vs 5763 IU/mL 2172‐17 754; P < 0.05). Among the latter group, there was an increasing gradient of HBsAg levels from GZ‐1 to GZ‐3 patients (P < 0.05). HBeAg‐negative CHB occurred in only 18 (6.3%) GZ patients. No patient developed cirrhosis nor advanced fibrosis. ALT/HBV‐DNA fluctuations and HBeAg‐negative CHB development were more frequent in genotype B/C patients, whereas HBsAg loss occurred only in genotype A/D patients.
Conclusions
Most Caucasian GZ patients present excellent long‐term outcomes in the absence of treatment, with a high rate of HBsAg loss and low rate of progression to HBeAg‐negative CHB. HBV‐genotyping and HBsAg levels could help to predict outcomes and better classify GZ patients.
Linked ContentThis article is linked to Ridruejo paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14644.
Abstract
Rear‐edge tree populations are experiencing a combination of higher temperatures and more intense droughts that might push individuals beyond their tolerance limits. This trend towards ...rising atmospheric CO
2
is concurrent with an increase in intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE), which theoretically enhances photosynthesis and decrease evapotranspiration rates, consequently improving tree resistance to drought. However, it remains unclear whether iWUE is favouring tree growth under current climate conditions, particularly when climate and iWUE legacy effects are simultaneously considered.
We evaluated this question with an extensive sampling along Iberian rear‐edge (dry) populations comprising four mountain ranges and two distinct altitudes. We simultaneously examined the effects of climate and iWUE on secondary growth using annually resolved basal area increments (BAIs) for the period 1901–2017. We used linear mixed models including second‐order autocorrelation and 1‐year legacy effects of iWUE and summer drought.
BAI and iWUE increased across the studied period. iWUE increase was driven by changes in atmospheric CO
2
concentration and water availability during the growing season. Climate and iWUE exerted direct and lagged effects on beech growth. Water availability during growing season was the main driver of tree growth, combining direct and indirect effects through its impact on iWUE. Legacy effects of water availability and iWUE were more important than growing season conditions. The net effect of iWUE shifted when lagged effects were considered, resulting in a net negative impact on tree growth.
Synthesis
: Our results reveal that climate and iWUE legacy effects must be considered to assess the net iWUE effect on secondary growth. Considering lagged effects, the current increase in iWUE is constraining tree growth. Modelling efforts of tree growth response to climate warming should include climate and iWUE legacy effects to adequately assess terrestrial ecosystem carbon balance.
GJ 3470b is a warm Neptune transiting an M-dwarf star at the edge of the evaporation desert. It offers the possibility of investigating how low-mass, close-in exoplanets evolve under the irradiation ...from their host stars. We observed three transits of GJ 3470b in the Lyman-α line with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) as part of the Panchromatic Comparative Exoplanet Treasury (PanCET) program. Absorption signatures are detected with similar properties in all three independent epochs, with absorption depths of 35 ± 7% in the blue wing of the line, and 23 ± 5% in the red wing. The repeatability of these signatures, their phasing with the planet transit, and the radial velocity of the absorbing gas allow us to conclude that there is an extended upper atmosphere of neutral hydrogen around GJ 3470b. We determine from our observations the stellar radiation pressure and XUV irradiation from GJ 3470 and use them to perform numerical simulations of the upper atmosphere of GJ 3470b with the EVaporating Exoplanets (EVE) code. The unusual redshifted signature can be explained by the damping wings of dense layers of neutral hydrogen that extend beyond the Roche lobe and are elongated in the direction of the planet motion. This structure could correspond to a shocked layer of planetary material formed by the collision of the expanding thermosphere with the wind of the star. The blueshifted signature is well explained by neutral hydrogen atoms escaping at rates of about 1010 g s−1 that are blown away from the star by its strong radiation pressure and are quickly photoionized, resulting in a smaller exosphere than that of the warm Neptune GJ 436b. The stronger escape from GJ 3470b, however, may have led to the loss of about 4–35% of its current mass over its ~2 Gyr lifetime.
Display omitted
•Metallomicelles of Ru(II) showed cytotoxic activity and selectivity by some cancer cell lines.•Confocal fluorescence microscopy demonstrated the interaction between micelles and ...DNA.•Metallomicelles of Ru(II) showed a good internalization into cancer and normal cells at low surfactant concentrations.•DNA acted as a catalyst in the structural change from spherical to elongated micelles.
The use of nanovectors in several medicinal treatments has reached a great importance in the last decade. Some drugs need to be protected to increase their lifetimes in the blood flow, to avoid degradation, to be delivered into target cells or to decrease their side effects. The goal of this work was to design and prepare nanovectors formed by novel surfactants derived from the Ru(bpy)32+ complex. These amphiphilic molecules are assembled to form metallomicelles which can act as pharmaceutical agents and, at the same time, as nanovectors for several drugs. TEM images showed a structural transition from spherical to elongated micelles when the surfactant concentration increased. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed the internalization of these metallomicelles into diverse cell lines and cytotoxicity assays demonstrated specificity for some human cancer cells. The encapsulation of various antibiotics was carried out as well as a thorough study about the DNA condensation by the metallomicelles. To the best of our knowledge, applications of these metallomicelles have not been shown in the literature yet.
Detection of posttransplant donor‐specific anti‐HLA antibodies (DSA) constitutes a risk factor for kidney allograft loss. Together with complement activation, NK‐cell antibody‐dependent cell mediated ...cytotoxicity (ADCC) has been proposed to contribute to the microvascular damage associated to humoral rejection. In the present observational exploratory study, we have tried to find a relationship of circulating donor‐specific and nondonor‐specific anti‐HLA antibodies (DSA and HLA non‐DSA) with peripheral blood NK‐cell subsets and clinical features in 393 renal allograft recipients. Multivariate analysis indicated that retransplantation and pretransplant sensitization were associated with detection of posttransplant DSA. Recipient female gender, DR mismatch and acute rejection were significantly associated with posttransplant DSA compared to HLA non‐DSA. In contrast with patients without detectable anti‐HLA antibodies, DSA and HLA non‐DSA patients displayed lower proportions of NK‐cells, associated with increased CD56bright and NKG2A+ subsets, the latter being more marked in DSA cases. These differences appeared unrelated to retransplantation, previous acute rejection or immunosuppressive therapy. Although preliminary and observational in nature, our results suggest that the assessment of the NK‐cell immunophenotype may contribute to define signatures of alloreactive humoral responses in renal allograft recipients.
This single‐center prospective study of kidney transplant recipients shows that patients with detectable anti‐HLA antibodies display lower proportions of NK cells and increased CD56bright and NKG2A+ subsets than patients without antibodies, the latter being more marked in cases with donor‐specific antibodies.
Background
The measurement of myocardial deformation by strain analysis is an evolving tool to quantify regional and global myocardial function.
Purpose
To assess the feasibility and reproducibility ...of myocardial strain/strain rate measurements with magnetic resonance feature tracking (MR‐FT) in healthy subjects and in patient groups.
Study Type
Prospective study.
Population
Sixty patients (20 hypertensives with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (H); 20 nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (D); 20 ischemic heart disease (I); as well as 20 controls (C) were included, 10 men and 10 women in each group.
Field Strength/Sequence
A 1.5T MR protocol including steady‐state free precession (SSFP) cine sequences in the standard views and late enhancement sequences.
Assessment
LV volumes, mass, global and regional radial, circumferential, and longitudinal strain/strain rate were measured using CVI42 software. The analysis time was recorded.
Statistical Tests
Intraobserver and interobserver agreement and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were obtained for reproducibility assessment as well as differences according to gender and group of pertinence.
Results
Strain/strain rate analysis could be achieved in all subjects. The average analysis time was 14 ± 3 minutes. The average intraobserver ICC was excellent (ICC >0.90) for strain and good (ICC >0.75) for strain rate. Reproducibility of strain measurements was good to excellent (ICC >0.75) for all groups of subjects and both genders. Reproducibility of strain measurements was good for basal segments (ICC >0.75) and excellent for middle and apical segments (ICC >0.90). Reproducibility of strain rate measurements was moderate for basal segments (ICC >0.50) and good for middle and apical segments.
Data Conclusion
MR‐FT for strain/strain rate analysis is a feasible and highly reproducible technique. CVI42 FT analysis was equally feasible and reproducible in various pathologies and between genders. Better reproducibility was seen globally for middle and apical segments, which needs further clarification.
Level of Evidence: 3
Technical Efficacy Stage 2
J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1415–1425.
PDF
