Informed consent: study of quality of information given to participants in a clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE--To determine whether the participants in a clinical trial had perceived adequate information about the trial according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki. DESIGN--About 18 months after the end of a gynaecological clinical trial the participants received a questionnaire by post, which focused on the quality of the information given to them before entering the trial. Neither researchers nor participants were aware in advance that the trial would become the subject of this follow up investigation. SETTING--Eight different centres in Sweden. SUBJECTS--43 women out of the 53 who completed the trial (mean (range) age 23 (16 to 35) years) returned the questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Adequacy of the information (based on requirements of the Declaration of Helsinki) to enable the following: understanding of the aims of the study; awareness of what participation meant; and awareness of the possibility of withdrawing from participation at any time. Motives for agreeing to participate, and a subjective evaluation of the given information were also recorded. RESULTS--All but one of the participants had been aware that they were taking part in a research project. Five women stated that they had not been aware that a second laparoscopy was performed only for research reasons. Seven women reported that they had not been aware of the meaning of participating in the project and 17 that they had had no information about the possibility of withdrawing from the study whenever they wanted. In the subjective rating 22 women considered the information given as good or very good. There was a systematic variation in the quality of the given information among the eight centres. CONCLUSION--Although all but one of the participants had been aware that they were taking part in a clinical trial, the quality of the information understood and recalled by participants varied, and in many cases clearly did not meet the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki. Variations among centres in participants'' perception of information suggest that deficiencies in perception may be caused by informers rather than the participants.     

Efficient epoxidation of unsaturated fatty acids by a hydroperoxide-dependent oxygenase

Detergent-solubilized and partially purified soybean peroxygenase was shown to actively catalyze, in the presence of alkylhydroperoxides as co-substrates, the epoxidation of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acids. Octadecenoic acids were found to be better substrates than shorter mono-unsaturated fatty acids (C16:1 or C14:1), but the position of their double bond (at positions 6, 9, or 11) had little effect on the rates of epoxidation. The peroxygenase exhibits a strong stereospecificity since octadecenoic acids with double bonds in trans-configuration were not epoxidized at detectable rates. Oxidation of linoleic acid yielded the two positional monoepoxide isomers and, as the minor product, the diepoxide. An important regioselectivity was, however, observed in this case; i.e. the unsaturation at position 9,10 was epoxidized preferentially to that at 12, 13. Oxidation of oleic acid in the presence of 18O-labeled hydroperoxy-linoleic acid revealed an incorporation of about 80% of the label into the epoxide ring. Products similar to those formed by the peroxygenase by epoxidation of unsaturated free fatty acids such as linoleic acid have been described as important metabolites (leukotoxins) in the defense of plants, e.g. in fungal agressions. This aspect underlines the physiological relevance of this new and potent catalytic activity of the peroxygenase.     

Virulence ofEscherichia coli strains isolated from urine of patients with acute cystitis and from faeces of healthy women

E. coli strains were isolated from the urine of patients with acute cystitis in general practice and from the faeces of a comparable reference group of healthy individuals. These strains were serotyped and tested for virulence in an experimental mouse model. Of 30 cystitis-strains 18 were virulent, and of 30 faeces-strains 15 were virulent. It is concluded that the cystitis-strains were not more often virulent than the faeces-strains. O antigens commonly found among urinaryE. coli isolates were present in 60% of the cystitis-strains and in 37% of the faeces-strains. K antigens commonly found in urinaryE. coli strains were present in 33% of the cystitis-strains and in 12% of the faeces-strains. Neither the presence of common urinary O-antigens, nor the presence of common urinary K antigens could be associated with virulence of the isolated strains. However, it is suggested that certain O and K antigens (O2, O6, K23) may be associated with virulence for the urinary tract.     

Le Crocodilien Diplocynodon (Eusuchia,Alligatoridae) dans la«série du gypse d'Aix à Venelles (Bouches-du-Rhône,France)

A crocodilian skeleton from the «série du gypse d'Aix (basal Aquitanian) at Venelles (Bouches-du-Rhône) is described and referred to Diplocynodon cf. rateli. The specimen seems to have been mutilated by scavengers before burial. The occurrence of the freshwater crocodilian Diplocynodon in the «série du gypse d'Aix is in agreement with recent reconstructions of the depositional environment, which suggest a basin with a fluctuating, but usually low, salinity.     

Croissance individuelle et dynamique de population de Daphnia Magna en culture dans les eaux usées traitées

Résumé Pour atteindre les buts visés par le recyclage biologique des eaux usées, il faut exploiter une population d'organismes filtreurs dont l'augmentation nette de biomasse est rapide et importante. L'augmentation nette de biomasse sera favorisée par une croissance individuelle, une reproduction et une survie excellentes dans l'eau usée traitée. L'étude de ces paramèters sur des cohortes de Daphnia magna soumises à différentes conditions expérimentales, indique qu'il s'agit d'un organisme prometteur pour le recyclage biologique. Dans nos conditions expérimentales, D. magna montre un bilan azoté positif durant toute sa vie. La production rapide de biomasse est favorisée par une température élevée (15 °C) et une nourriture abondante. L'eau traité montre les signes d'une certaine toxicité envers les juvéniles mais non envers les adultes. Nos données établissent que la production d'oeufs requiert une taille minimale de la femelle de 2,7 mm, information primordiale pour l'exploitation future de la population.

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To realize the objectives of the biological recycling of wastewaters, it is necessary to exploit a population of filtering organisms, the biomass of which shows a rapid and important net increase. The net increase of biomass is favored by excellent individual growth, reproduction and survival in treated wastewaters. The study of these parameters, with cohorts of Daphnia magna submitted to different treatments, indicated that it is a promising organism for biological recycling. Under our experimental conditions, D. magna exhibited a positive nitrogen balance for the whole of its life. The rapid production of biomass was favored by high temperature (15 °C) and abundant food. The treated wastewaters proved to be somewhat toxic to juveniles but not to adults. Our results demonstrated that the egg production requires a female minimal size of 2.7 mm; this information is most important in the future exploitation of the population.

     

Influence of leg regeneration on ecdysteroid titres in Acheta larvae

The effects of regeneration on ecdysteroid levels and duration of the 10th larval instar of female house crickets were studied. Three experimental groups were used. The first consisted of larvae regenerating two legs cut off on the first day of this stage. The second group was made up of insects that underwent either an epidermal incision (sham-operated group I) or bleeding (sham-operated group II) at the same time as amputation in the first group. The last group was composed of normal insects.Larval stage length: in the first two groups, the duration of the 10th larval stage was significantly modified. It increased for regenerating animals as well as for sham-operated group I, but decreased for sham-operated group II.Ecdysteroid production: controls showed two periods of intense ecdysteroid activity. The first, which took place between days 4 and 6, was assumed to induce apolysis of the tegument and to render regeneration impossible (it coincided with the so-called critical period for regeneration). The second, which occurred between days 7 and 8 initiated cuticle synthesis. For sham-operated insects neither epidermal injury nor a loss of blood appear to change this hormonal profile significantly. Regenerating crickets however exhibited drastically reduced ecdysteroid peaks: the total apparent production of ecdysteriods was 50% below normal. Moreover, relative concentration of ecdysone to 20-hydroxy-ecdysone was greatly increased. Thus, regeneration obviously has a great and specific influence on ecdysteroid release in insect larvae. This effect may be related to changes observed in the prothoracic gland cycle which suggest that it plays a complex role in the regulation of the regenerative process.     

Remarks on oxygen effects

Oxygen concentration will influence the alpha- and beta-effect (two-component theory of radiation effects) independently. The beta-effect is reduced by a dose-modifying factor gamma. Oxygen, in competition with enzyme repair actions fortifies a part of the beta-lesions and this model leads to a simple equation for the factor gamma. The alpha-effect is also enhanced by oxygen. Measurements of OER indicate that the reduction of the effect from aerobic to anoxic condition might be about 70%. The functional dependence of oxygen concentration has not been investigated. For small oxygen concentrations of 0.15 to 0.5 muM/l and doses below 1000 R Révész and Littbrand have found that oxygen can protect the irradiated cells and thus increase survivals with about 10%. This is explained as a scavenger action where radical hydrogen atoms are oxidized and hydrated electrons captured by oxygen moelcules. When the oxygen concentration is increased, or with higher doses, the usual sensitizing effect of oxygen exceeds the protection effect. The influence of oxygen on alpha-effects are mainly connected with indirect radiation effects and thus depend on temperature and milieu.     

SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells associate with inflammation and reduced lung function in pulmonary post-acute sequalae of SARS-CoV-2

As of January 2022, at least 60 million individuals are estimated to develop post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). While elevated levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells have been observed in non-specific PASC, little is known about their impact on pulmonary function which is compromised in the majority of these individuals. This study compares frequencies of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells and inflammatory markers with lung function in participants with pulmonary PASC and resolved COVID-19 (RC). Compared to RC, participants with respiratory PASC had between 6- and 105-fold higher frequencies of IFN-γ- and TNF-α-producing SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in peripheral blood, and elevated levels of plasma CRP and IL-6. Importantly, in PASC participants the frequency of TNF-α-producing SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, which exhibited the highest levels of Ki67 indicating they were activity dividing, correlated positively with plasma IL-6 and negatively with measures of lung function, including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV¹), while increased frequencies of IFN-γ-producing SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells associated with prolonged dyspnea. Statistical analyses stratified by age, number of comorbidities and hospitalization status demonstrated that none of these factors affect differences in the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 T cells and plasma IL-6 levels measured between PASC and RC cohorts. Taken together, these findings demonstrate elevated frequencies of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in individuals with pulmonary PASC are associated with increased systemic inflammation and decreased lung function, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells contribute to lingering pulmonary symptoms. These findings also provide mechanistic insight on the pathophysiology of PASC that can inform development of potential treatments to reduce symptom burden.     

Demographic responses to climate‐driven variation in habitat quality across the annual cycle of a migratory bird species

The demography and dynamics of migratory bird populations depend on patterns of movement and habitat quality across the annual cycle. We leveraged archival GPS‐tagging data, climate data, remote‐sensed vegetation data, and bird‐banding data to better understand the dynamics of black‐headed grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) populations in two breeding regions, the coast and Central Valley of California (Coastal California) and the Sierra Nevada mountain range (Sierra Nevada), over 28 years (1992–2019). Drought conditions across the annual cycle and rainfall timing on the molting grounds influenced seasonal habitat characteristics, including vegetation greenness and phenology (maturity dates). We developed a novel integrated population model with population state informed by adult capture data, recruitment rates informed by age‐specific capture data and climate covariates, and survival rates informed by adult capture–mark–recapture data and climate covariates. Population size was relatively variable among years for Coastal California, where numbers of recruits and survivors were positively correlated, and years of population increase were largely driven by recruitment. In the Sierra Nevada, population size was more consistent and showed stronger evidence of population regulation (numbers of recruits and survivors negatively correlated). Neither region showed evidence of long‐term population trend. We found only weak support for most climate–demographic rate relationships. However, recruitment rates for the Coastal California region were higher when rainfall was relatively early on the molting grounds and when wintering grounds were relatively cool and wet. We suggest that our approach of integrating movement, climate, and demographic data within a novel modeling framework can provide a useful method for better understanding the dynamics of broadly distributed migratory species.