An evaluation of a multiplex PCR assay (Bruce-ladder) was performed in seven laboratories using 625 Brucella strains from different animal and geographical origins. This robust test can differentiate ...in a single step all of the classical Brucella species, including those found in marine mammals and the S19, RB51, and Rev.1 vaccine strains.
Defining the Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome in a COPD Cohort Cosio, Borja G., MD; Soriano, Joan B., MD; López-Campos, Jose Luis, MD ...
Chest,
2016, January 2016, 2016-Jan, 2016-01-00, 20160101, Letnik:
149, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Background Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) has been recently described by international guidelines. A stepwise approach to diagnosis using usual features of both diseases is recommended although ...its clinical application is difficult. Methods To identify patients with ACOS, a cohort of well-characterized patients with COPD and up to 1 year of follow-up was analyzed. We evaluated the presence of specific characteristics associated with asthma in this COPD cohort, divided into major criteria (bronchodilator test > 400 mL and 15% and past medical history of asthma) and minor criteria (blood eosinophils > 5%, IgE > 100 IU/mL, or two separate bronchodilator tests > 200 mL and 12%). We defined ACOS by the presence of one major criterion or two minor criteria. Baseline characteristics, health status (COPD Assessment Test CAT), BMI, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) index, rate of exacerbations, and mortality up to 1 year of follow-up were compared between patients with and without criteria for ACOS. Results Of 831 patients with COPD included,125 (15%) fulfilled the criteria for ACOS, and 98.4% of them sustained these criteria after 1 year. Patients with ACOS were predominantly male (81.6%), with symptomatic mild to moderate disease (67%), who were receiving inhaled corticosteroids (63.2%). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, and only survival was worse in patients with non-ACOS COPD after 1 year of follow-up ( P < .05). Conclusions The proposed ACOS criteria are present in 15% of a cohort of patients with COPD and these patients show better 1-year prognosis than clinically similar patients with COPD with no ACOS criteria. Trial Registry ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT01122758 ; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov
Two cysteine metabolism-related molecules, hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen cyanide, which are considered toxic, have now been considered as signaling molecules. Hydrogen sulfide is produced in ...chloroplasts through the activity of sulfite reductase and in the cytosol and mitochondria by the action of sulfide-generating enzymes, and regulates/affects essential plant processes such as plant adaptation, development, photosynthesis, autophagy, and stomatal movement, where interplay with other signaling molecules occurs. The mechanism of action of sulfide, which modifies protein cysteine thiols to form persulfides, is related to its chemical features. This post-translational modification, called persulfidation, could play a protective role for thiols against oxidative damage. Hydrogen cyanide is produced during the biosynthesis of ethylene and camalexin in non-cyanogenic plants, and is detoxified by the action of sulfur-related enzymes. Cyanide functions include the breaking of seed dormancy, modifying the plant responses to biotic stress, and inhibition of root hair elongation. The mode of action of cyanide is under investigation, although it has recently been demonstrated to perform post-translational modification of protein cysteine thiols to form thiocyanate, a process called S-cyanylation. Therefore, the signaling roles of sulfide and most probably of cyanide are performed through the modification of specific cysteine residues, altering protein functions.
Suicide is a major public health problem in Mexico and around the world. Genetic predisposition for major depressive disorder (MDD) has been associated with increased risk for suicidal behaviors (SB) ...in populations of European ancestry (EA). Here, we examine whether MDD polygenic risk scores (MDD PRS), derived from a genome‐wide association study involving EA individuals, predict SB, including ideation, planning, and attempt, among Mexican youth using a longitudinal design. At baseline, participants (N = 1,128, 12–17 years, 55% women) were interviewed and genotyped as part of a general population survey on adolescent mental health. Eight years later, they were recontacted for a follow up visit (N = 437, 20–25 years, 63% women). At both assessments, individuals reported on their engagement in SB within the past year. MDD PRS were significantly positively associated with SB, particularly suicide ideation and planning during adolescence, accounting for ~4–5% of the variance in these outcomes. In contrast, associations between MDD PRS and SB during young adulthood did not reach statistical significance. Our results suggest that increased genetic liability for depression increased risk for SB, particularly during adolescence, expanding our knowledge of the genetic underpinnings of SB.
Mediterranean spring ecosystems are unique habitats at the interface between surface water and groundwater. These ecosystems support a remarkable array of biodiversity and provide important ...ecological functions and ecosystem services. Spring ecosystems are influenced by abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors such as the lithology of their draining aquifers, their climate, and the land use of their recharge area, all of which affect the water chemistry of the aquifer and the spring discharges. One of the most relevant characteristics of spring ecosystems is the temporal stability of environmental conditions, including physicochemical features of the spring water, across seasons and years. This stability allows a wide range of species to benefit from these ecosystems (particularly during dry periods), fostering an unusually high number of endemic species. However, global change poses important threats to these freshwater ecosystems. Changes in temperature, evapotranspiration, and precipitation patterns can alter the water balance and chemistry of spring water. Eutrophication due to agricultural practices and emergent pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and pesticides, is also a growing concern for the preservation of spring biodiversity. Here, we provide a synthesis of the main characteristics and functioning of Mediterranean spring ecosystems. We then describe their ecological value and biodiversity patterns and highlight the main risks these ecosystems face. Moreover, we identify existing knowledge gaps to guide future research in order to fully uncover the hidden biodiversity within these habitats and understand the main drivers that govern them. Finally, we provide a brief summary of recommended actions that should be taken to effectively manage and preserve Mediterranean spring ecosystems for future generations. Even though studies on Mediterranean spring ecosystems are still scarce, our review shows there are sufficient data to conclude that their future viability as functional ecosystems is under severe threat.
Mediterranean spring ecosystems are unique habitats supporting a remarkable array of biodiversity and providing important ecological functions and ecosystem services. However, global change poses important threats to these freshwater ecosystems, such as changes in climate patterns and increasing human pressures like overexploitation and pollution. We provide a synthesis of the main characteristics and functioning of Mediterranean spring ecosystems and their threats due to global change.
Cysteine occupies a central position in plant metabolism because it is a reduced sulfur donor molecule involved in the synthesis of essential biomolecules and defense compounds. Moreover, cysteine ...per se and its derivative molecules play roles in the redox signaling of processes occurring in various cellular compartments. Cysteine is synthesized during the sulfate assimilation pathway via the incorporation of sulfide to O-acetylserine, catalyzed by O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase (OASTL). Plant cells contain OASTLs in the mitochondria, chloroplasts, and cytosol, resulting in a complex array of isoforms and subcellular cysteine pools. In recent years, significant progress has been made in Arabidopsis, in determining the specific roles of the OASTLs and the metabolites produced by them. Thus, the discovery of novel enzymatic activities of the less-abundant, like DES1 with L-cysteine desulfhydrase activity and SCS with S-sulfocysteine synthase activity, has provided new perspectives on their roles, besides their metabolic functions. Thereby, the research has been demonstrated that cytosolic sulfide and chloroplastic S-sulfocysteine act as signaling molecules regulating autophagy and protecting the photosystems, respectively. In the cytosol, cysteine plays an essential role in plant immunity; in the mitochondria, this molecule plays a central role in the detoxification of cyanide, which is essential for root hair development and plant responses to pathogens.
Cysteine occupies a central position in plant metabolism. In this review, we describe the current knowledge concerning the importance of cysteine and its derivative molecules in Arabidopsis thaliana. We unravel the role of these compounds in both the signaling and control of different plant processes.
Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can increase LC risk. Metallomics may provide insights into both of these tobacco-related ...diseases and their shared etiology. We conducted an observational study of 191 human serum samples, including those of healthy controls, LC patients, COPD patients, and patients with both COPD and LC. We found 18 elements (V, Al, As, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, Se, W, Mo, Sb, Pb, Tl, Cr, Mg, Ni, and U) in these samples. In addition, we evaluated the elemental profiles of COPD cases of varying severity. The ratios and associations between the elements were also studied as possible signatures of the diseases. COPD severity and LC have a significant impact on the elemental composition of human serum. The severity of COPD was found to reduce the serum concentrations of As, Cd, and Tl and increased the serum concentrations of Mn and Sb compared with healthy control samples, while LC was found to increase Al, As, Mn, and Pb concentrations. This study provides new insights into the effects of LC and COPD on the human serum elemental profile that will pave the way for the potential use of elements as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. It also sheds light on the potential link between the two diseases, i.e., the evolution of COPD to LC.
Abstract
We make use of JWST medium-band and broadband NIRCam imaging, along with ultradeep MIRI 5.6
μ
m imaging, in the Hubble eXtreme Deep Field to identify prominent line emitters at
z
≃ 7–8. Out ...of a total of 58 galaxies at
z
≃ 7–8, we find 18 robust candidates (≃31%) for (H
β
+ O
iii
) emitters, based on their enhanced fluxes in the F430M and F444W filters, with EW
0
(H
β
+O
iii
) ≃87–2100 Å. Among these emitters, 16 lie in the MIRI coverage area and 12 exhibit a clear flux excess at 5.6
μ
m, indicating the simultaneous presence of a prominent H
α
emission line with EW
0
(H
α
) ≃200–3000 Å. This is the first time that H
α
emission can be detected in individual galaxies at
z
> 7. The H
α
line, when present, allows us to separate the contributions of H
β
and O
iii
to the (H
β
+O
iii
) complex and derive H
α
-based star formation rates (SFRs). We find that in most cases O
iii
/H
β
> 1. Instead, two galaxies have O
iii
/H
β
< 1, indicating that the NIRCam flux excess is mainly driven by H
β
. Most prominent line emitters are very young starbursts or galaxies on their way to/from the starburst cloud. They make for a cosmic SFR density
log
10
(
ρ
SFR
H
α
/
(
M
⊙
yr
−
1
Mpc
−
3
)
)
≃
−
2.35
, which is about a quarter of the total value (
log
10
(
ρ
SFR
tot
/
(
M
⊙
yr
−
1
Mpc
−
3
)
)
≃
−
1.76
) at
z
≃ 7–8. Therefore, the strong H
α
emitters likely had a significant role in reionization.
Cysteine (Cys) is the first organic compound containing reduced sulfur that is synthesized in the last stage of plant photosynthetic assimilation of sulfate. It is a very important metabolite not ...only because it is crucial for the structure, function and regulation of proteins but also because it is the precursor molecule of an enormous number of sulfur-containing metabolites essential for plant health and development. The biosynthesis of Cys is accomplished by the sequential reaction of serine acetyltransferase (SAT) and O-acetylserine(thiol)synthase (OASTL). In Arabidopsis thaliana, the analysis of specific mutants of members of the SAT and OASTL families has demonstrated that the cytosol is the compartment where the bulk of Cys synthesis takes place and that the cytosolic OASTL enzyme OAS-A1 is the responsible enzyme. Another member of the OASTL family is DES1, a novel L-cysteine desulfhydrase that catalyzes the desulfuration of Cys to produce sulfide, thus acting in a manner opposite to that of OAS-A1. Detailed studies of the oas-a1 and des1 null mutants have revealed the involvement of the DES1 and OAS-A1 proteins in coordinate regulation of Cys homeostasis and the generation of sulfide in the cytosol for signaling purposes. Thus, the levels of Cys in the cytosol strongly affect plant responses to both abiotic and biotic stress conditions, while sulfide specifically generated from the degradation of Cys negatively regulates autophagy induced in different situations. In conclusion, modulation of the levels of Cys and sulfide is likely critical for plant performance.
Abstract By using an ultradeep JWST/MIRI image at 5.6 μ m in the Hubble eXtreme Deep Field, we constrain the role of strong H α emitters (HAEs) during “cosmic reionization” at z ≃ 7–8. Our sample of ...HAEs is comprised of young (<35 Myr) galaxies, except for one single galaxy (≈300 Myr), with low stellar masses (≲10 9 M ⊙ ). These HAEs show a wide range of rest-frame UV continuum slopes ( β ), with a median value of β = −2.15 ± 0.21, which broadly correlates with stellar mass. We estimate the ionizing photon production efficiency ( ξ ion,0 ) of these sources (assuming f esc,LyC = 0%), which yields a median value log 10 ( ξ ion , 0 / ( Hz erg − 1 ) ) = 25.50 − 0.12 + 0.10 . We show that ξ ion,0 positively correlates with H α equivalent width and specific star formation rate. Instead ξ ion,0 weakly anticorrelates with stellar mass and β . Based on the β values, we predict f esc , LyC = 4 % − 2 + 3 , which results in log 10 ( ξ ion / ( Hz erg − 1 ) ) = 25.55 − 0.13 + 0.11 . Considering this and related findings from the literature, we find a mild evolution of ξ ion with redshift. Additionally, our results suggest that these HAEs require only modest escape fractions ( f esc,rel ) of 6%–15% to reionize their surrounding intergalactic medium. By only considering the contribution of these HAEs, we estimated their total ionizing emissivity ( N ̇ ion ) as N ̇ ion = 10 50.53 ± 0.45 s − 1 Mpc − 3 . When comparing their N ̇ ion with non-HAE galaxies across the same redshift range, we find that that strong, young, and low-mass emitters may have played an important role during cosmic reionization.
PDF
![MIDIS: Strong (Hβ+[O iii]) ...](http://api.summon.serialssolutions.com/2.0.0/image/issn/XR4PS5YY4K/0004-637X/small "MIDIS: Strong (Hβ+[O iii]) and Hα Emitters at Redshift z ≃ 7–8 Unveiled with JWST NIRCam and MIRI Imaging in the Hubble eXtreme Deep Field")
