Hybridization allows adaptations to be shared among lineages and may trigger the evolution of new species
. However, convincing examples of homoploid hybrid speciation remain rare because it is ...challenging to demonstrate that hybridization was crucial in generating reproductive isolation
. Here we combine population genomic analysis with quantitative trait locus mapping of species-specific traits to examine a case of hybrid speciation in Heliconius butterflies. We show that Heliconius elevatus is a hybrid species that is sympatric with both parents and has persisted as an independently evolving lineage for at least 180,000 years. This is despite pervasive and ongoing gene flow with one parent, Heliconius pardalinus, which homogenizes 99% of their genomes. The remaining 1% introgressed from the other parent, Heliconius melpomene, and is scattered widely across the H. elevatus genome in islands of divergence from H. pardalinus. These islands contain multiple traits that are under disruptive selection, including colour pattern, wing shape, host plant preference, sex pheromones and mate choice. Collectively, these traits place H. elevatus on its own adaptive peak and permit coexistence with both parents. Our results show that speciation was driven by introgression of ecological traits, and that speciation with gene flow is possible with a multilocus genetic architecture.
Previous studies have reported a correlation between a high-grade CMV-infection and an unfavorable prognosis in glioblastoma (GB). Coversely, epilepsy has been associated with a more favorable ...outcome in GB patients. Despites epilepsy and CMV share similar molecular mechanisms in GB tumoral microenvironment, the correlation between Tumor-Related-Epilepsy (TRE) and CMVinfection remains unexplored. The aim of our study is to examine the correlation between the dregree of CMV infection and seizure types on the survival of TRE Adult-type-diffuse-glioma. To achieve this objective, we conducted a comprehensive literature review to assess our results regarding previous publications
We conducted a retrospective-observational study on TRE Adult-type-diffuse-gliomas treated at a single center in Mexico from 2010 to 2018. Tumor tissue and cDNA were analyzed by immunochemistry (IHC) for CMV (IE and LA antigens) at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and RT-PCR for CMV-gB in Torreon Mexico, respectively. Bivariate analysis (X2-test) was performed to evaluate the association between subtypes of Adult-type-diffuse-glioma (IDH-mut grade 4 astrocytoma vs. IDH-wt glioblastoma) and the following variables: type of hemispheric involvement (mesial vs. neocortical involvement), degree of CMV infection (<25%vs. >25% infected-tumoral cells) and seizure types Focal awareness, focal impaired awareness, and FBTCS. Kaplan Meier and Cox analyses were performed to determine the risk, p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Sixty patients with TRE Adult type diffuse gliomas were included (80% IDH-wt glioblastoma and 20% IDH-mut grade 4astrocytomas). The mean age was 61.5 SD ± 18.4, and 57% were male. Fifty percent of the patients presented with mesial involvement of the hemysphere. Seizure types included focal awareness (15%), focal impaired awareness (43.3%), and FBTCS (41.7%). Ninety percent of cases were treated with Levetiracetam and 33.3% presented Engel-IA postoperative seizure control. More than 90% of samples were positive for CMV-immunohistochemistry (IHC). However, all cDNA analyzed by RT-PCR return negative results. The median of overall survival (OS) was 15 months. High-grade CMV-IE infection (14 vs. 25 months, p<0.001), mesial involvement (12 vs. 18 months, p<0.001), and FBTCS were associated with worse OS (9 vs.18 months for non-FBTCS). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that high-grade CMV infection (HR = 3.689, p=0.002) and FBTCS (HR=7.007, p<0.001) were independent unfavorable survival factors.
CMV induces a proinflammatory tumoral microenvironment that contributes to the developmet of epilepsy. Tumor progression could be associated not only with a higher degree of CMV infection but also to epileptogenesis, resulting in a seizure phenotype chracterized by FBTCS and poor survival outcomes. This study represents the first survival analysis in Latin America to include a representative sample of TRE Adult-type diffuse gliomas considering CMV-infection-degree and distinguishing features (such as FBTCS) that might have potential clinical relevance in this group of patients. Further prospective studies are required to validate these results.
•Survival in Tumoral-related Epilepsy (TRE) Adult-type Diffuse Gliomas is longer in patients with non-FBTCS.•A higher degree of CMV infection is associated with a proinflammatory tumor microenvironment that promotes epileptogenesis which determines a clinical phenotype of FBTCS and poor survival.•FBTCS and High-grade CMV-IE infection in tumor tissue, were both identified as unfavorable survival factors in Adult-type Diffuse Gliomas in our series.•This study represents the first survival analysis of a cohort of TRE Adult-type Diffuse Gliomas, demonstrating that a High-grade CMV infectionand FBTCS seizure phenotype were associated with poor survival.
Objective: to assess the significance of increased serum transaminase levels in neonates admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and its relationship with blood transfusion. Methods: follow-up ...prospective study of 209 patients; 177 completed follow-up, of whom 129 were transfused and 48 were not; 57 were born after full gestation and 120 were born prematurely. The activity of serum levels of ALT, AST, and GGT was measured monthly up to six months of age, and until six months after the last transfusion. At the end of follow-up, and whenever an increase in serum transaminase levels was detected, the viral agents of hepatitis A, B, C, G, TT, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr, and herpes 1 and 2, and toxoplasma were studied. Viral serology was also carried out in mothers and in donors when children tested positive. Results: one hundred twenty nine neonates (73%) received 461 U red blood cell transfusions (3.6 ± 3 U/patient). ALT levels increased in 54 (30.5%) patients, of whom 46 (36%) were transfused and eight (17%) were not (p < 0.05). The independent variables were 'infection by G virus' and 'parenteral nutrition for more than 12 days'; the variable 'transfusion' was close to the limit for statistical significance. Twenty patients (11.3%) had increased serum ALT levels 2.5 times above the normal value: 18 (14%) were transfused and two (4%) were not (p = 0.106). Only the G and TT viruses were related with transfusion; patients remained asymptomatic, although most neonates were chronically infected. Conclusion: follow-up showed that increased serum ALT levels are common among severely ill neonates. Blood transfusions are safe concerning most hepatotropic viruses, but transmission of viruses G and TT is possible.Objetivo: estudiar la importancia y significado del aumento de transaminasas en neonatos que ingresaron en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales y su relación con la transfusión sanguínea. Métodos: seguimiento prospectivo de 209 pacientes de los cuales 177 completaron el seguimiento: 129 transfundidos y 48 no transfundidos (57 nacidos a término y 120 prematuros). Se determinaron la ALT, AST y GGT mensualmente hasta los seis meses de edad y hasta los seis meses de la última transfusión. Al final del seguimiento y cuando había un aumento de transaminasas se investigó el virus de la hepatitis A, B, C, G, TT, citomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr, herpes 1-2 y toxoplasma. La serología viral también se estudió en todas las madres y en los niños positivos en sus donantes. Resultados: ciento veintinueve neonatos (73%) recibieron 461 U/concentrados-hematíes (3,6 ± 3 U/paciente). Cincuenta y cuatro pacientes (30,5%) presentaron un aumento de ALT, 46 (36%) transfundidos y 8 (17%) no transfundidos (p < 0,05). Las variables independientes asociadas con este aumento de las transaminasas fueron: la infección con el virus G, la nutrición parenteral durante más de 12 días y, con casi significación estadística, la transfusión. Veinte pacientes (11,3%) tenían un aumento de ALT superior a 2,5 veces el valor normal: 18 (14%) transfundidos, 2 (4%) no transfundidos (p = 0,106). Sólo el virus G y el virus TT se relacionaron con la transfusión; el curso clínico fue asintomático, aunque la mayoría quedaron crónicamente infectados. Conclusión: en el seguimiento de los neonatos graves, el aumento de las transaminasas es frecuente. Las transfusiones son seguras para la mayoría de los virus hepatotropos, pero es posible la transmisión de los virus G y TT.
During coal mining activities, many compounds are released into the environment that can negatively impact human health. Particulate matter, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals, and ...oxides are part of the complex mixture that can affect nearby populations. Therefore, we designed this study to evaluate the potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in individuals chronically exposed to coal residues from peripheral blood lymphocytes and buccal cells. We recruited 150 individuals who lived more than 20 years in La Loma-Colombia and 120 control individuals from the city of Barranquilla without a history of exposure to coal mining. In the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN-Cyt) assay, significant differences in the frequency of micronucleus (MN), nucleoplasmic bridge (NPB), nuclear bud (NBUD), and apoptotic cells (APOP) were observed between the two groups. In the buccal micronucleus cytome (BM-Cyt) assay, a significant formation of NBUD, karyorrhexis (KRX), karyolysis (KRL), condensed chromatin (CC), and binucleated (BN) cells was observed in the exposed group. Considering the characteristics of the study group, a significant correlation for CBMN-Cyt was found between NBUD and vitamin consumption, between MN or APOP and meat consumption, and between MN and age. Moreover, a significant correlation for BM-Cyt was found between KRL and vitamin consumption or age, and BN versus alcohol consumption. Using Raman spectroscopy, a significant increase in the concentration of DNA/RNA bases, creatinine, polysaccharides, and fatty acids was detected in the urine of individuals exposed to coal mining compared to the control group. These results contribute to the discussion on the effects of coal mining on nearby populations and the development of diseases due to chronic exposure to these residues.
Background: The impact of biologics on the risk of postoperative complications (PC) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still an ongoing debate. This lack of evidence is more relevant for ...ustekinumab and vedolizumab. Aims: To evaluate the impact of biologics on the risk of PC. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 37 centres. Patients treated with biologics within 12 weeks before surgery were considered “exposed”. The impact of the exposure on the risk of 30-day PC and the risk of infections was assessed by logistic regression and propensity score-matched analysis. Results: A total of 1535 surgeries were performed on 1370 patients. Of them, 711 surgeries were conducted in the exposed cohort (584 anti-TNF, 58 vedolizumab and 69 ustekinumab). In the multivariate analysis, male gender (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2–2.0), urgent surgery (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2–2.2), laparotomy approach (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1–1.9) and severe anaemia (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3–2.6) had higher risk of PC, while academic hospitals had significantly lower risk. Exposure to biologics (either anti-TNF, vedolizumab or ustekinumab) did not increase the risk of PC (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 0.97–1.58), although it could be a risk factor for postoperative infections (OR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.03–2.27). Conclusions: Preoperative administration of biologics does not seem to be a risk factor for overall PC, although it may be so for postoperative infections.
In potentially severe diseases in general and COVID-19 in particular, it is vital to early identify those patients who are going to progress to severe disease. A recent living systematic review ...dedicated to predictive models in COVID-19, critically appraises 145 models, 8 of them focused on prediction of severe disease and 23 on mortality. Unfortunately, in all 145 models, they found a risk of bias significant enough to finally "not recommend any for clinical use". Authors suggest concentrating on avoiding biases in sampling and prioritising the study of already identified predictive factors, rather than the identification of new ones that are often dependent on the database. Our objective is to develop a model to predict which patients with COVID-19 pneumonia are at high risk of developing severe illness or dying, using basic and validated clinical tools. We studied a prospective cohort of consecutive patients admitted in a teaching hospital during the "first wave" of the COVID-19 pandemic. Follow-up to discharge from hospital. Multiple logistic regression selecting variables according to clinical and statistical criteria. 404 consecutive patients were evaluated, 392 (97%) completed follow-up. Mean age was 61 years; 59% were men. The median burden of comorbidity was 2 points in the Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index, CRB was abnormal in 18% of patients and basal oxygen saturation on admission lower than 90% in 18%. A model composed of Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index, CRB score and basal oxygen saturation can predict unfavorable evolution or death with an area under the ROC curve of 0.85 (95% CI 0.80-0.89), and 0.90 (95% CI 0.86 to 0.94), respectively. Prognosis of COVID-19 pneumonia can be predicted without laboratory tests using two classic clinical tools and a pocket pulse oximeter.
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