Phenol degradation by halophilic bacteria isolated from hypersaline environments

Phenol is a toxic aromatic compound used or produced in many industries and as a result a common component of industrial wastewaters. Phenol containing waste streams are frequently hypersaline and therefore require halophilic microorganisms for efficient biotreatment without dilution. In this study three halophilic bacteria isolated from different saline environments and identified as Halomonas organivorans, Arhodomonas aquaeolei and Modicisalibacter tunisiensis were shown to be able to grow on phenol in hypersaline media containing 100 g/L of total salts at a concentration of 3 mM (280 mg/L), well above the concentration found in most waste streams. Genes encoding the aromatic dioxygenase enzymes catechol 1,2 dioxygenase and protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase were present in all strains as determined by PCR amplification using primers specific for highly conserved regions of the genes. The gene for protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase was cloned from the isolated H. organivorans and the translated protein was evaluated by comparative protein sequence analysis with protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase proteins from other microorganisms. Although the analysis revealed a wide range of sequence divergence among the protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase family, all of the conserved domain amino acid structures identified for this enzyme family are identical or conservatively substituted in the H. organivorans enzyme.     

Molecular mechanisms beyond glucose transport in diabetes-related male infertility

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the greatest public health threats in modern societies. Although during a few years it was suggested that DM had no significant effect in male reproductive function, this view has been challenged in recent years. The increasing incidence of DM worldwide will inevitably result in a higher prevalence of this pathology in men of reproductive age and subfertility or infertility associated with DM is expected to dramatically rise in upcoming years. From a clinical perspective, the evaluation of semen parameters, as well as spermatozoa deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity, are often studied due to their direct implications in natural and assisted conception. Nevertheless, recent studies based on the molecular mechanisms beyond glucose transport in testicular cells provide new insights in DM-induced alterations in male reproductive health. Testicular cells have their own glucose sensing machinery that react to hormonal fluctuations and have several mechanisms to counteract hyper- and hypoglycemic events. Moreover, the metabolic cooperation between testicular cells is crucial for normal spermatogenesis. Sertoli cells (SCs), which are the main components of blood–testis barrier, are not only responsible for the physical support of germ cells but also for lactate production that is then metabolized by the developing germ cells. Any alteration in this tied metabolic cooperation may have a dramatic consequence in male fertility potential. Therefore, we present an overview of the clinical significance of DM in the male reproductive health with emphasis on the molecular mechanisms beyond glucose fluctuation and transport in testicular cells.     

Truck Drivers Sleep-Wake Time Arrangements

Irregular working hours, including night work, change sleep-wake time arrangements which in turn might affect the ability to drive safely. This study aims to compare the effects of an irregular and a fixed day shift system on the sleep-wake cycle of truck drivers. The investigation of sleep-wake cycle was carried-out with 37 truck drivers working on two transportation plants: 24 working on irregular working hours and 13 on fixed day shift. The truck drivers filled out sleep logs and wore actigraphs for 10 consecutive days to identify activity and rest episodes. The group working in irregular hours showed more sleep episodes per 24 h and they were shorter compared to the fixed shift group (p < 0.05). No differences were found between the two transportation plants. These results suggest an the influence of working hours on specific sleep-wake patterns. The polyphasic sleep pattern shown by irregular shift group could be a strategy to cope with sleep deprivation, which may account for their difficulty to resist falling asleep behind the wheel.     

Hydrological attributes and rheophilic freshwater fish: stock assessment

The mathematical and statistical advances in fitting stock assessment models enabled the emergence of the paradigm of “integrated analysis”, which fits all available data to a single model of population dynamics that traditionally has total catch as the only forcing function of the system. This approach, however, allowed us to include, in a flexible way, the effect of hydrological regime as an additional forcing function. We tried to achieve this flexibility by making the annual recruitment rates and spawning biomass adjustable to the attributes of the hydrological cycle data. Our models showed that these attributes are influential in the population dynamics of Brycon hilarii of the Northern Pantanal, and their inclusion in the models allowed best partial fits (which considered fits only to the data components length- and age-compositions, CPUE of juveniles and adults) than the Base-case (without hydrological attributes). The best partial fits where obtained when the attributes “delay of floods” and “intensity of floods” were forcing the spawning biomass and the annual recruitment respectively, indicating that these characteristics of the population may be influenced by specific attributes of the water level. The use of integrated modeling contributed with the advancement of population ecology knowledge of rheophilic fish. It is recommended that freshwater fisheries management be integrated into the hydrology management.     

The effects of Eculizumab on the pathology of malignant atrophic papulosis

Background

Degos disease is a frequently fatal and incurable occlusive vasculopathy most commonly affecting the skin, gastrointestinal tract and brain. Vascular C5b-9 deposition and a type I interferon (IFN) rich microenvironment are held to be pathogenetically important in the evolution of the vascular changes. We recently discovered the use of eculizumab as a salvage drug in the treatment of near fatal Malignant atrophic papulosis (MAP). The effects of eculizumab on the pathology of MAP are explored.

Methods

Archival skin and gastrointestinal biopsy material was procured over a 2.5-year period before and after eculizumab therapy in our index case. Routine light microscopy and immunohistochemical assessment for C3d, C4d, C5b-9, MxA and caspase 3 were examined. Direct immunofluorescent studies were also conducted on select biopsy material.

Results

The patient had received eculizumab as a emergent life saving measure and following rapid improvement he continued with biweekly infusions for 4 years. Although improved he continues to have signs and symptoms of persistent abdominal disease. Pre-Eculizumab biopsies showed an active thrombotic microangiopathy associated with a high type I interferon signature and extensive vascular deposits of C5b-9 in skin and gastrointestinal biopsies. Endothelial cell apoptosis as revealed by Caspase 3 expression was noted. Inflammation comprising lymphocytes and macrophages along with mesenchymal mucin was observed as well. Post-eculizumab biopsies did not show active luminal thrombosis but only chronic sequelae of prior episodes of vascular injury. There was no discernible caspase 3 expression. After 12 months of therapy, C5b-9 was no longer detectable in tissue. The high type I IFN signature and inflammation along with mucin deposition was not altered by the drug. In addition, there was little effect of the drug on the occlusive fibrointimal arteriopathy which appears to be one characterized by extensive myofibroblastic expansion of the intima potentially as revealed by staining for smooth muscle actin without immunoreactivity for desmin and myogenin.

Conclusions

Complement activation and enhanced endothelial cell apoptosis play an important role in the thrombotic complications of MAP. However, the larger vessel proliferative intimal changes appear to be independent of complement activation and may be on the basis of other upstream mechanisms. Monitoring C5b-9 deposition in tissue is likely not of great value in assessing treatment response to eculizumab given the persistence of C5b-9 in tissue for several months despite clinically effective C5 blocking therapy. A more integrated approach addressing upstream and downstream pathways in addition to those attributable to complement activation are critical for the successful treatment of MAP. Eculizumab may be used as salvage therapy in critically ill patients with thrombotic microangiopathy.

     

Genetic distinctiveness of the damselfly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coenagrion puella</Emphasis> in North Africa: an overlooked and endangered taxon

North African odonates are facing conservation challenges, not only by increased degradation and loss of habitat, but also by having poorly understood taxonomy. Coenagrion puella is a widely distributed damselfly but there is debate about the taxonomic status of North African populations, where the species is very rare. We evaluate the genetic distinctiveness of North African C. puella using mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers. We found a clear genetic differentiation between North African and European populations (3.4 % mtDNA) and a lack of shared haplotypes between individuals from the two continents. These results suggest that the damselfly C. puella comprises two genetically distinct phylogenetic lineages: one in Europe and one in North Africa, and re-invigorate the debate on the validity of the North African endemic C. puella kocheri. We propose that these two lineages of C. puella should be managed as distinct molecular operational taxonomic units. More generally, this study reinforces the important role of North Africa as centre of speciation and differentiation for odonates, and highlights the relevance of incorporating genetic data to understand the evolutionary history and taxonomy for effective biodiversity conservation.     

Electroencephalographic Patterns in Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review of the Literature

The main objective of this study is to review and summarize recent findings on electroencephalographic patterns in individuals with chronic pain. We also discuss recent advances in the use of quantitative Electroencephalography (qEEG) for the assessment of pathophysiology and biopsychosocial factors involved in its maintenance over time. Data collection took place from February 2014 to July 2015 in PubMed, SciELO and PEDro databases. Data from cross-sectional studies and longitudinal studies, as well as clinical trials involving chronic pain participants were incorporated into the final analysis. Our primary findings related to chronic pain were an increase of theta and alpha EEG power at rest, and a decrease in the amplitude of evoked potentials after sensory stimulation and cognitive tasks. This review suggests that qEEG could be considered as a simple and objective tool for the study of brain mechanisms involved in chronic pain, as well as for identifying the specific characteristics of chronic pain condition. In addition, results show that qEEG probably is a relevant outcome measure for assessing changes in therapeutic studies.     

Cortical Morphology Differences in Subjects at Increased Vulnerability for Developing a Psychotic Disorder: A Comparison between Subjects with Ultra-High Risk and 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

IntroductionSubjects with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) and subjects with ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR) share a risk of approximately 30% to develop a psychotic disorder. Studying these groups helps identify biological markers of pathophysiological processes involved in the development of psychosis. Total cortical surface area (cSA), total cortical grey matter volume (cGMV), cortical thickness (CT), and local gyrification index (LGI) of the cortical structure have a distinct neurodevelopmental origin making them important target markers to study in relation to the development of psychosis.Results22q11DS subjects had lower total cSA and total cGMV compared to UHR and HC subjects. The 22q11DS subjects showed bilateral lower LGI in the i) prefrontal cortex, ii) precuneus, iii) precentral gyrus and iv) cuneus compared to UHR subjects. Additionally, lower LGI was found in the left i) fusiform gyrus and right i) pars opercularis, ii) superior, and iii) inferior temporal gyrus in 22q11DS subjects compared to HC. In comparison to 22q11DS subjects, the UHR subjects had lower CT of the insula. For both risk groups, positive symptom severity was negatively correlated to rostral middle frontal gyrus CT.ConclusionA shared negative correlation between positive symptom severity and rostral middle frontal gyrus CT in UHR and 22q11DS may be related to their increased vulnerability to develop a psychotic disorder. 22q11DS subjects were characterised by widespread lower degree of cortical gyrification linked to early and postnatal neurodevelopmental pathology. No implications for early neurodevelopmental pathology were found for the UHR subjects, although they did have distinctively lower insula CT which may have arisen from defective pruning processes during adolescence. Implications of these findings in relation to development of psychotic disorders are in need of further investigation in longitudinal studies.