A Riboswitch‐based Inducible Gene Expression System for Trypanosoma brucei

Generation of conditional mutants in Trypanosoma brucei can be done by the use of RNA interference (RNAi). However, RNAi frequently produces off target effects. Here, we present an alternative strategy in which the glmS ribozyme is inserted in the C‐terminal region of one allele of a GOI and effectively knocks it down in response to the presence of glucosamine in the culture medium. Using several endogenous genes, we show that the glmS ribozyme cleaves the mRNA in vivo leading to reduction in mRNA and protein expression following glucosamine treatment in both T. brucei procyclic and bloodstream forms. Glucosamine‐induced ribozyme activation can be rapidly reversed by removing the inducer. In summary, the glmS ribozyme could be used as a tool to study essential genes in T. brucei.     

Thrombus aspiration in hyperglycemic ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients: clinical outcomes at 1-year follow-up

Objectives

We evaluate whether the thrombus aspiration (TA) before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) may improve STEMI outcomes in hyperglycemic patients.

Background

The management of hyperglycemic patients during STEMI is unclear.

Methods

We undertook an observational cohort study of 3166 first STEMI. Patients were grouped on the basis of whether they received TA or not. Moreover, among these patients we selected a subgroup of STEMI patients with hyperglycemia during the event (glycaemia?>?140 mg/dl). The endpoint at 1 year included all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality and re-hospitalization for coronary disease, heart failure and stroke.

Results

One-thousand STEMI patients undergoing PPCI to plus TA (TA-group) and 1504 STEMI patients treated with PPCI alone (no-TA group) completed the study. In overall study-population, Kaplan–Meier-analysis demonstrated no significant difference in mortality rates between patients with and without TA (P?=?0.065). After multivariate Cox-analysis (HR: 0.94, 95% CI 0.641–1.383) and the addition of propensity matching (HR: 0.86 95% CI 0.412–1.798) TA was still not associated with decreased mortality. By contrast, in hyperglycemic subgroup STEMI patients (TA-group, n?=?331; no-TA group, n?=?566), Kaplan–Meier-analysis demonstrated a significantly lower mortality (P?=?0.019) in TA-group than the no-TA group. After multivariate Cox-analysis (HR: 0.64, 95% CI 0.379–0.963) and the addition of propensity matching (HR: 0.54, 95% CI 0.294–0.984) TA was still associated with decreased mortality.

Conclusions

TA was not associated with lower mortality in PPCI for STEMI when used in our large all-comer cohort. Conversely, TA during PPCI for STEMI reduces clinical outcomes in hyperglycemic patients.Trial registration NCT02817542. 25th, June 2016

     

Effects of reduced natural background radiation on Drosophila melanogaster growth and development as revealed by the FLYINGLOW program

Natural background radiation of Earth and cosmic rays played a relevant role during the evolution of living organisms. However, how chronic low doses of radiation can affect biological processes is still unclear. Previous data have indicated that cells grown at the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory (LNGS, L'Aquila) of National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) of Italy, where the dose rate of cosmic rays and neutrons is significantly reduced with respect to the external environment, elicited an impaired response against endogenous damage as compared to cells grown outside LNGS. This suggests that environmental radiation contributes to the development of defense mechanisms at cellular level. To further understand how environmental radiation affects metabolism of living organisms, we have recently launched the FLYINGLOW program that aims at exploiting Drosophila melanogaster as a model for evaluating the effects of low doses/dose rates of radiation at the organismal level. Here, we will present a comparative data set on lifespan, motility and fertility from different Drosophila strains grown in parallel at LNGS and in a reference laboratory at the University of L'Aquila. Our data suggest the reduced radiation environment can influence Drosophila development and, depending on the genetic background, may affect viability for several generations even when flies are moved back to normal background radiation. As flies are considered a valuable model for human biology, our results might shed some light on understanding the effect of low dose radiation also in humans.     

Co-metabolism of paint byAureobasidium pullulans BH-1-ATCC 34621

Although the ability ofAureobasidium pullulans BH-I-ATCC 34621 to cause paint deterioration during its growth on wood has been reported, the mechanism by which paint degradation occurred was unclear. Evidence now indicates that co-metabolism of acrylic, resins in the paint is the cause of paint deterioration byA. pullulans.     

Combined pituitary stimulation test using LHRH, TRH and insulin in subjects with short stature: evaluation of the response of pituitary tropins at 8 a.m. and at 8 p.m]

The effect of a combined test (insulin, TRH, LHRH) on plasma levels of GH, LH, FSH, PRL and Cortisol was studied in 5 subjects with short stature. Two test were performed at 8 a.m. and at 8 p.m. In all subjects the GH, FSH, LH, TSH, PRL and Cortisol levels showed no relevant response during the two tests.     

Plasma LH, FSH, TSH, prolactin and cortisol during a combined test of pituitary reserve in prepubertal subjects with short stature]

The effect of a combined test (insulin, TRH, LHRH) on plasma concentrations of LH, FSH, PRL, Cortisol was studied in 18 normal subjects in prepubescent state and in 65 patients in prepubescent state with short stature. In 6 subjects with short stature there was no change of LH, and in 7 subjects with short stature there was no change of FSH. In conclusion the combined test for pituitary stimulation provides an useful method for localizing the lesion in disorders of hypothalamo-pituitary axis.     

A new alternative process for Kraft E1 effluent treatment

Lentinus edodes (UEC-2019 strain) was selected after screening 51 ligninolytic strains of fungi for their ability to decolorize phenolic industrial effluent with high content of lignin peroxidases, Mn-peroxidases and beta-glucosidases. This strain removed 73 % of color in theEucalyptus Kraft E1 effluent in 5 days without any additional carbon sources. A 13% mycelial adsorption was found. Correlation between mass loss, COD, TOC and decolorization was observed. When an effluent pre-irradiated (10 min) in the presence of ZnO was treated withL. edodes, a marked enhancement of the decolorization at 48 h was obtained.L. edodes is an active fungus in this pre-treatment and biobleaching process. The combined photo-biological decolorization procedure appears to be an efficient decontamination method with great potential in industrial effluent treatment.Abbreviation COD Chemical oxygen demand - TOC Total organic carbon