Although pulmonary events are considered to be frequently associated with malignant haemopathies, they have been sparsely studied in the specific context of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We aimed ...to describe their different types, their relative proportions and their relative effects on overall survival (OS). We conducted a multicentre retrospective cohort study. Patients with MDS (diagnosed according to the 2016 WHO classification) and pulmonary events were included. The inclusion period was 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2017 and patients were monitored until August 2019. Fifty-five hospitalized patients were included in the analysis. They had 113 separate pulmonary events. Thirteen patients (23.6%) had a systemic autoimmune disease associated with MDS. Median age at diagnosis of MDS was 77 years. Median time to onset of pulmonary events was 13 months. Pulmonary events comprised: 70 infectious diseases (62%); 27 interstitial lung diseases (23.9%), including 13 non-specific interstitial pneumonias and seven secondary organizing pneumonias or respiratory bronchiolitis-interstitial lung diseases; 10 pleural effusions (8.8%), including four cases of chronic organizing pleuritis with exudative effusion; and six pulmonary hypertensions (5.3%). The median OS of the cohort was 29 months after MDS diagnosis but OS was only 10 months after a pulmonary event. The OS was similar to that of the general myelodysplastic population. However, the occurrence of a pulmonary event appeared to be either an accelerating factor of death or an indicator for the worsening of the underlying MDS in our study. More than a third of pulmonary events were non-infectious and could be systemic manifestations of MDS.
In this study, we report on in vitro incorporation experiments of several labelled fatty acids in the ladybird alkaloids coccinelline (Coccinella 7‐punctata), adaline (Adalia 2‐punctata), and ...harmonine (Harmonia axyridis). The obtained results clearly indicate that stearic acid is the precursor of coccinelline and harmonine, whereas myristic acid is at the origin of the carbon skeleton of adaline. Possible pathways for the biosynthesis of these alkaloids are presented.
In vitro incorporation experiments of labelled fatty acids in the ladybird alkaloids coccinelline (Coccinella 7‐punctata), adaline (Adalia 2‐punctata) and harmonine (Harmonia axyridis) indicate that stearicacid is the best precursor for the biosynthesis of coccinelline and harmonine, whereas myristic acid is more efficient for the formation of the carbon skeleton of adaline.
Background
Systemic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (SIADs) occur in 10–20% of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Recently identified VEXAS (Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, ...Autoinflammatory, Somatic) syndrome, associated with somatic mutations in
UBA1
(Ubiquitin-like modifier-activating enzyme 1), encompasses a range of severe inflammatory conditions along with hematological abnormalities, including MDS. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the association between MDS and SIADs remain largely unknown, especially the roles of different myeloid immune cell subsets. The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate peripheral blood myeloid immune cells (dendritic cells (DC) and monocytes) by flow cytometry in MDS patients with associated SIAD (
n
= 14, most often including relapsing polychondritis or neutrophilic dermatoses) and to compare their distribution in MDS patients without SIAD (
n
= 23) and healthy controls (
n
= 7). Most MDS and MDS/SIAD patients had low-risk MDS. Eight of 14 (57%) MDS/SIAD patients carried
UBA1
somatic mutations, defining VEXAS syndrome.Compared with MDS patients, most DC and monocyte subsets were significantly decreased in MDS/SIAD patients, especially in MDS patients with VEXAS syndrome. Our study provides the first overview of the peripheral blood immune myeloid cell distribution in MDS patients with associated SIADs and raises several hypotheses: possible redistribution to inflammation sites, increased apoptosis, or impaired development in the bone marrow.
and
are terrestrial and rewarding orchids with a wide Eurasian distribution. Although genetically closely related, they exhibit significant morphological, phenological and ecological differences that ...maintain reproductive isolation between the species. However, where both species co-occur, individuals with intermediate phenotypic traits, often considered as hybrids, are frequently observed. Here, we combined neutral genetic markers (AFLPs), morphometrics and floral scent analysis (GC-MS) to investigate two mixed
populations where morphologically intermediate plants were found. Self-pollination experiments revealed a low level of autogamy and artificial crossings combined with assessments of fruit set and seed viability, showed compatibility between the two species. The results of the genetic analyses showed that morphologically intermediate plants had similar genetic patterns as the
group. These results are corroborated also by floral scent analyses, which confirmed a strong similarity in floral scent composition between intermediate morphotypes and
. Therefore, this study provided a much more detailed picture of the genetic structure of a sympatric zone between two closely allied species and supports the hypothesis that intermediate morphotypes in sympatry could reflect an adaptive evolution in response to local pollinator-mediated selection.
Cobalt‐mediated radical coupling (CMRC) is a straightforward approach to the synthesis of symmetrical macromolecules that relies on the addition of 1,3‐diene compounds onto polymer precursors ...preformed by cobalt‐mediated radical polymerization (CMRP). Mechanistic features that make this process so efficient for radical polymer coupling are reported here. The mechanism was established on the basis of NMR spectroscopy and MALDI‐MS analyses of the coupling product and corroborated by DFT calculations. A key feature of CMRC is the preferential insertion of two diene units in the middle of the chain of the coupling product mainly according to a trans‐1,4‐addition pathway. The large tolerance of CMRC towards the diene structure is demonstrated and the impact of this new coupling method on macromolecular engineering is discussed, especially for midchain functionalization of polymers. It is worth noting that the interest in CMRC goes beyond the field of polymer chemistry, since it constitutes a novel carbon–carbon bond formation method that could be applied to small organic molecules.
Chemistry under control: A controlled cobalt‐mediated radical polymerization and radical coupling reaction (CMRP and CMRC) led to well‐defined midchain‐functionalized symmetrical polymers. New synthetic possibilities, structure of the coupling products, and the CMRC mechanism were examined through a magnifying glass (see figure; PAN=poly(acrylonitrile)).
A sequence coding for a peroxiredoxin (Prx) was isolated from a xylem/phloem cDNA library from Populus trichocarpa and subsequently inserted into an expression plasmid yielding the construction ...pET-Prx. The recombinant protein was produced in Escherichia coli cells and purified to homogeneity with a high yield. The poplar Prx is composed of 162 residues, a property that makes it the shortest plant Prx sequence isolated so far. It was shown that the protein is monomeric and possesses two conserved cysteines (Cys). The Prx degrades hydrogen peroxide and alkyl hydroperoxides in the presence of an exogenous proton donor that can be either thioredoxin or glutaredoxin (Grx). Based on this finding, we propose that the poplar protein represents a new type of Prx that differs from the so-called 2-Cys and 1-Cys Prx, a suggestion supported by the existence of natural fusion sequences constituted of a Prx motif coupled to a Grx motif. The protein was shown to be highly expressed in sieve tubes where thioredoxin h and Grx are also major proteins.
Comparative mapping provides new insights into the evolutionary history of genomes. In particular, recent studies in mammals have suggested a role for segmental duplication in genome evolution. In ...some species such as Drosophila or maize, transposable elements (TEs) have been shown to be involved in chromosomal rearrangements. In this work, we have explored the presence of interspersed repeats in regions of chromosomal rearrangements, using an updated high-resolution integrated comparative map among cattle, man and mouse.
The bovine, human and mouse comparative autosomal map has been constructed using data from bovine genetic and physical maps and from FISH-mapping studies. We confirm most previous results but also reveal some discrepancies. A total of 211 conserved segments have been identified between cattle and man, of which 33 are new segments and 72 correspond to extended, previously known segments. The resulting map covers 91% and 90% of the human and bovine genomes, respectively. Analysis of breakpoint regions revealed a high density of species-specific interspersed repeats in the human and mouse genomes.
Analysis of the breakpoint regions has revealed specific repeat density patterns, suggesting that TEs may have played a significant role in chromosome evolution and genome plasticity. However, we cannot rule out that repeats and breakpoints accumulate independently in the few same regions where modifications are better tolerated. Likewise, we cannot ascertain whether increased TE density is the cause or the consequence of chromosome rearrangements. Nevertheless, the identification of high density repeat clusters combined with a well-documented repeat phylogeny should highlight probable breakpoints, and permit their precise dating. Combining new statistical models taking the present information into account should help reconstruct ancestral karyotypes.
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