Monkeypox is the most prevalent Orthopoxvirus zoonosis infection since the eradication of smallpox. The current multi-country outbreak involves five WHO regions affecting mainly Europe. Accurate ...clinical and virological aspects of the disease outside endemic areas are needed.
We performed an observational study of cases diagnosed in Madrid (Spain) (May/June 2022). Confirmation from vesicular lesions swabs, Orthopoxvirus real-time PCR, sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and direct detection by Electron microscopy was performed. In addition, a structured epidemiological questionnaire was completed systematically to gather sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral data from all confirmed cases.
We extracted data from 48 patients, all cisgender men. The median age was 35 years (IQR 29 - 44), and 87.5% were MSM. The most prevalent symptoms were the presence of vesicular-umbilicated and pseudo-pustular skin lesions (93.8%), asthenia (66.6%), and fever (52.1%). In addition, the location of the lesions in the genital or perianal area was related to the role in sexual intercourse (p<0.001). Sequencing analysis indicated the virus circulating in Spain belongs to the western African clade. Like the other European cases in the outbreak, the Spanish isolates are a direct descendant of viruses previously detected in Nigeria, the UK, Singapore, and Israel in 2017-2018.
Monkeypox is an emerging infectious disease in Europe where community transmission is reported, mainly in MSM. The first symptom was skin lesions instead of classical fever and rash. The disease follows a self-limited course, and there have been no cases with a serious presentation or severe complications.
•UV-C irradiation was identified as an alternative way of Aloe vera gel processing.•Thermal treatment (TT) affected simple sugar content more than UV-C irradiation.•In contrast to TT, UV-C ...irradiation did not strongly affect molecular weight.•TT resulted in more pronounced deacetylation of acemannan than UV-C irradiation.•Acemannan quantification was performed by 1H NMR.
The effects of pH (3.5, 4.5, and 5.5) and UV-C irradiation dose (12.8, 24.2, 35.8, and 54.6 mJ/cm2) on the physicochemical properties changes in 10% Aloe vera gel blends; in addition, the acemannan concentration and structural changes in the precipitated polysaccharides were evaluated. A thermal treatment (TT; 45 s at 90 °C) was used for comparison. In contrast to TT, a dose of 24.2 mJ/cm2 did not induce significant changes of free sugar content. Moreover, TT and UV-C irradiation did not significantly affect the content of mannose but increased those of galactose, fructose, and glucose. 1H NMR analysis revealed minimal changes in the isolated fractions of acemannan, indicating that compared to the unprocessed control sample, the acemannan deacetylation was more pronounced by TT (27%) than by UV-C irradiation (11% at 54.6 mJ/cm2), without any significant difference between the two. UV-C irradiation of Aloe vera gel blends at pH 3.5 and 24.2 mJ/cm2 was an alternative to TT and efficiently preserve the characteristics of acemannan.
Most of the world's land surface is currently under human use and natural habitats remain as fragmented samples of the original landscapes. Measuring the quality of plant progeny sired in these ...pervasive environments represents a fundamental endeavour for predicting the evolutionary potential of plant populations remaining in fragmented habitats and thus their ability to adapt to changing environments. By means of hierarchical and phylogenetically independent meta‐analyses we reviewed habitat fragmentation effects on the genetic and biological characteristics of progenies across 179 plant species. Progeny sired in fragmented habitats showed overall genetic erosion in contrast with progeny sired in continuous habitats, with the exception of plants pollinated by vertebrates. Similarly, plant progeny in fragmented habitats showed reduced germination, survival and growth. Habitat fragmentation had stronger negative effects on the progeny vigour of outcrossing‐ than mixed‐mating plant species, except for vertebrate‐pollinated species. Finally, we observed that increased inbreeding coefficients due to fragmentation correlated negatively with progeny vigour. Our findings reveal a gloomy future for angiosperms remaining in fragmented habitats as fewer sired progeny of lower quality may decrease recruitment of plant populations, thereby increasing their probability of extinction.
Defects in the biosynthesis and/or function of primary cilia cause a spectrum of disorders collectively referred to as ciliopathies. A subset of these disorders is distinguished by profound ...abnormalities of the skeleton that include a long narrow chest with markedly short ribs, extremely short limbs, and polydactyly. These include the perinatal lethal short‐rib polydactyly syndromes (SRPS) and the less severe asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy (ATD), Ellis–van Creveld (EVC) syndrome, and cranioectodermal dysplasia (CED) phenotypes. To identify new genes and define the spectrum of mutations in the skeletal ciliopathies, we analyzed 152 unrelated families with SRPS, ATD, and EVC. Causal variants were discovered in 14 genes in 120 families, including one newly associated gene and two genes previously associated with other ciliopathies. These three genes encode components of three different ciliary complexes; FUZ, which encodes a planar cell polarity complex molecule; TRAF3IP1, which encodes an anterograde ciliary transport protein; and LBR, which encodes a nuclear membrane protein with sterol reductase activity. The results established the molecular basis of SRPS type IV, in which mutations were identified in four different ciliary genes. The data provide systematic insight regarding the genotypes associated with a large cohort of these genetically heterogeneous phenotypes and identified new ciliary components required for normal skeletal development.
Ciliopathies are inherited disorders due to defects in the biosynthesis and/or function of primary cilia. The skeletal ciliopathies are a subset of recessive ciliary phenotypes that have abnormalities primarily affecting the skeleton. Mutations in 25 different genes have been characterized in this group of disorders, identifying proteins that are required for normal skeletal development.
The investigation of the chemical reactivity of complex systems such as transition metal clusters is a very complicated task because often the structures of the corresponding transition states are ...far from being intuitive. Bimetallic transition metal clusters represent a particular class of complex systems. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) is applied to study the isomerization reactions of the Cu15V+ cluster. Full geometry optimizations of dozens of initial structures taken along Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD) trajectories were performed using a quasi-Newton method in a reduced space Cartesian coordinate system that works considering the internal degrees of freedom. Harmonic frequencies calculations were performed at the optimized structures. To study the isomerization reactions between the obtained stable isomers, a hierarchical transition state algorithm has been applied to locate the transition states of this cluster. The found transition states were than connected with the corresponding minimum structures by calculating the intrinsic reaction coordinates. This work demonstrates the capability of the applied method to study non-intuitive rearrangement mechanisms in complex finite systems and to create networks between minima and transition state structures on their potential energy surface.
Introduction
Organ procurement organizations (OPO) have started to employ transplant‐trained surgeons dedicated to organ procurement with the aim to increase allograft utilization and enhance the use ...of procured organs. We investigated the effects of an OPO‐employed surgeon on the procurement and utilization of organs from pediatric donors within the Southwestern Transplant Alliance OPO.
Methods
OPO data were obtained for all procurements that were performed between 2014 and 2019. The analysis was performed to see if the presence of an OPO donor surgeon impacted the utilization of pediatric livers. Donor and recipient demographic data were examined between allografts procured with the presence of an OPO surgeon (OPO‐Present) and those without an OPO surgeon (OPO‐Absent). A p‐value of <.05 was considered significant.
Results
Of 149 pediatric procurements, 91 included an OPO‐donor surgeon. In procurements with OPO‐Present, donors were younger (8.2 vs. 11.2, p < .05) and had longer distances to travel to the recipient center (334 vs. 175 miles p < .05), but had comparable cold ischemic times. In terms of organ share type, more OPO‐Present livers were shared nationally and there was no difference in discard rate between OPO‐Present and OPO‐Absent procurements. Finally, OPO‐Present livers were more likely to be transplanted to pediatric recipients compared to OPO‐Absent (47.3% vs. 24.1% p < .05).
Conclusion
The presence of an OPO surgeon has impacted organ utilization, leading to increased transplantation of pediatric livers in pediatric recipients, and has expanded the geographical share of pediatric livers.
Objective
To assess the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with chondroitin sulfate (CS) and glucosamine sulfate (GS) compared to placebo in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis ...(OA).
Methods
A multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study was performed in 164 patients with Kellgren/Lawrence grade 2 or grade 3 radiographic knee OA and moderate‐to‐severe knee pain (mean ± SD global pain score 62.1 ± 11.3 mm on a 100‐mm visual analog scale VAS). Patients were randomized to receive either combined treatment with CS (1,200 mg) plus GS (1,500 mg) or placebo in a single oral daily dose for 6 months. The mean change from baseline in the VAS global pain score was set as the primary end point. Secondary outcomes included the mean change in the investigator's global assessment of disease activity, total Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), pain and function subscale scores on the WOMAC, responder rates based on the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT)–Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) 2004 response criteria, and rescue medication use. Adverse events were also recorded. A Data and Safety Monitoring Board was instituted to ensure patient safety and data accuracy.
Results
Intriguingly, in the modified intent‐to‐treat (mITT) population, CS/GS combination therapy was inferior to placebo in the reduction of joint pain (mean ± SD change in VAS global pain score over 6 months −11.8 ± 2.4 mm 19% reduction in patients receiving CS plus GS versus −20.5 ± 2.4 mm 33% reduction in patients receiving placebo; peak between‐group difference in global pain score at 6 months 8.7 mm 14.2%, P < 0.03), but no between‐group differences were seen in the per‐protocol completers. Both placebo treatment and CS/GS combination treatment improved to a similar extent the total WOMAC score as well as the pain and function WOMAC subscale scores, both in the mITT population and in the per‐protocol completers. Neither the OMERACT–OARSI responder rate nor the frequency of rescue medication use differed between the treatment groups. Severe adverse events were uncommon and equally distributed.
Conclusion
The results of this trial demonstrate a lack of superiority of CS/GS combination therapy over placebo in terms of reducing joint pain and functional impairment in patients with symptomatic knee OA over 6 months. Further research might fully elucidate the suitability of CS/GS combination therapy in patients with OA.
Methane flux from freshwater mineral-soil (FWMS) wetlands and its variability among sites is largely modulated by plant-mediated transport. However, plant-mediated transport processes are rarely ...resolved in land surface models and are poorly parametrized for plants commonly found in FWMS wetlands. Here, relationships between methane flux and CO₂ uptake, as well as plant conductance of methane were evaluated for three plant species and two characteristic functional types: emergent (narrow-leaved cattail) and floating-leaved (American lotus and water lily). We found significant but contrasting correlations between methane flux and CO₂ uptake in cattails (r² = 0.51, slope = −0.16, during morning) and water lily (r² = 0.32, slope = 0.064, after midday). This relationship was not significant in American lotus, showing that stomata regulation of methane fluxes is species-specific and not generalizable across the floating-leaved plant functional type. Conductance of methane per leaf area showed distinct seasonal dynamics across species. Conductance was similar among the floating-leaved species (6.2 × 10−3 m d−1 in lotus and 7.2 × 10−3 m d−1 in water lily) and higher than conductance in the emergent species (2.7 × 10−3 m d−1). Our results provide direct observations of plant conductance rates and identify the vegetation parameters (leaf area, stomatal conductance) that modify them. Our results further suggest that models of methane emissions from FWMS should parameterize plant-mediated transport in different plant functional types, scaled by leaf area and with variable seasonal phenological dynamics, and consider possible species-specific mechanisms that control methane transport through plants.
Objective
In this study, we aim to assess short‐term allograft outcomes following deceased donor kidney transplantation from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) lower ...respiratory tract (LRT) nucleic acid testing (NAT) positive donors.
Methods
From September to December 2021, SARS‐CoV‐2 NAT positive organ donors, whose solid abdominal organs were transplanted at our academic medical center were identified. Donors were stratified into having tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 in an upper respiratory tract (URT) or LRT sample. For this study, the SARS‐CoV‐2 LRT NAT positive deceased kidney donors and their respective recipients were examined. Donor and recipient demographic data, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)‐related history, patient outcomes, as well as postoperative graft function were evaluated.
Results
Thirteen SARS‐CoV‐2 positive deceased donors were identified. Of these, eight were LRT NAT positive and yielded nine kidneys. These allografts were successfully transplanted into vaccinated and unvaccinated recipients. All recipients received standard induction immunosuppression and did not receive any prophylactic therapy for SARS‐CoV‐2. Two recipients had delayed graft function. At 1‐month post‐transplant, there was no clinical evidence of donor‐derived COVID‐19 or graft loss, and all recipients were free from dialysis.
Conclusion
We describe the first case series of SARS‐CoV‐2 LRT NAT positive deceased kidney donors for vaccinated and unvaccinated recipients with excellent short‐term allograft outcomes and no clinical evidence of donor‐derived COVID‐19 post‐transplantation. Given the increasing prevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the population, utilization of SARS‐CoV‐2 LRT NAT positive deceased donors could be considered an acceptable source of organs for renal transplantation, especially as multi‐center experiences and longer‐term follow‐up emerge.
Besides its primary function in locomotion, skeletal muscle (SKM), which represents up to half of human's weight, also plays a fundamental homeostatic role. Through the secretion of soluble peptides, ...or myokines, SKM interacts with major organs involved in metabolic processes. In turn, metabolic cues from these organs are received by muscle cells, which adapt their response accordingly. This is done through an intricate intracellular signaling network characterized by the cross-talking between anabolic and catabolic pathways. A fine regulation of the network is required to protect the organism from an excessive energy expenditure. Systemic inflammation evokes a catabolic reaction in SKM known as sarcopenia. In turn this response comprises several mechanisms, which vary depending on the nature of the insult and its magnitude. In this regard, aging, chronic inflammatory systemic diseases, osteoarthritis and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies can lead to muscle loss. Interestingly, sarcopenia may persist despite remission of chronic inflammation, an issue which warrants further research. The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) system stands as a major participant in muscle loss during systemic inflammation, while it is also a well-recognized orchestrator of muscle cell turnover. Herein we summarize current knowledge about models of sarcopenia, their triggers and major mediators and their effect on both protein and cell growth yields. Also, the dual action of the JAK/STAT pathway in muscle mass changes is discussed. We highlight the need to unravel the precise contribution of this system to sarcopenia in order to design targeted therapeutic strategies.
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