Detection of Prokaryotic Genes in the Amphimedon queenslandica Genome

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is common between prokaryotes and phagotrophic eukaryotes. In metazoans, the scale and significance of HGT remains largely unexplored but is usually linked to a close association with parasites and endosymbionts. Marine sponges (Porifera), which host many microorganisms in their tissues and lack an isolated germ line, are potential carriers of genes transferred from prokaryotes. In this study, we identified a number of potential horizontally transferred genes within the genome of the sponge, Amphimedon queenslandica. We further identified homologs of some of these genes in other sponges. The transferred genes, most of which possess catalytic activity for carbohydrate or protein metabolism, have assimilated host genome characteristics and are actively expressed. The diversity of functions contributed by the horizontally transferred genes is likely an important factor in the adaptation and evolution of A. queenslandica. These findings highlight the potential importance of HGT on the success of sponges in diverse ecological niches.     

Social Influence and the Collective Dynamics of Opinion Formation

Social influence is the process by which individuals adapt their opinion, revise their beliefs, or change their behavior as a result of social interactions with other people. In our strongly interconnected society, social influence plays a prominent role in many self-organized phenomena such as herding in cultural markets, the spread of ideas and innovations, and the amplification of fears during epidemics. Yet, the mechanisms of opinion formation remain poorly understood, and existing physics-based models lack systematic empirical validation. Here, we report two controlled experiments showing how participants answering factual questions revise their initial judgments after being exposed to the opinion and confidence level of others. Based on the observation of 59 experimental subjects exposed to peer-opinion for 15 different items, we draw an influence map that describes the strength of peer influence during interactions. A simple process model derived from our observations demonstrates how opinions in a group of interacting people can converge or split over repeated interactions. In particular, we identify two major attractors of opinion: (i) the expert effect, induced by the presence of a highly confident individual in the group, and (ii) the majority effect, caused by the presence of a critical mass of laypeople sharing similar opinions. Additional simulations reveal the existence of a tipping point at which one attractor will dominate over the other, driving collective opinion in a given direction. These findings have implications for understanding the mechanisms of public opinion formation and managing conflicting situations in which self-confident and better informed minorities challenge the views of a large uninformed majority.     

The effect of acute taurine ingestion on 3-km running performance in trained middle-distance runners

Limited research examining the effect of taurine (TA) ingestion on human exercise performance exists. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute ingestion of 1,000 mg of TA on maximal 3-km time trial (3KTT) performance in trained middle-distance runners (MDR). Eight male MDR (mean ± SD: age 19.9 ± 1.2 years, body mass 69.4 ± 6.6 kg, height 180.5 ± 7.5 cm, 800 m personal best time 121.0 ± 5.3 s) completed TA and placebo (PL) trials 1 week apart in a double-blind, randomised, crossover designed study. Participants consumed TA or PL in capsule form on arrival at the laboratory followed by a 2-h ingestion period. At the end of the ingestion period, participants commenced a maximal simulated 3KTT on a treadmill. Capillary blood lactate was measured pre- and post-3KTT. Expired gas, heart rate (HR), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and split times were measured at 500-m intervals during the 3KTT. Ingestion of TA significantly improved 3KTT performance (TA 646.6 ± 52.8 s and PL 658.5 ± 58.2 s) (p = 0.013) equating to a 1.7 % improvement (range 0.34–4.24 %). Relative oxygen uptake, HR, RPE and blood lactate did not differ between conditions (p = 0.803, 0.364, 0.760 and 0.302, respectively). Magnitude-based inference results assessing the likeliness of a beneficial influence of TA were 99.3 %. However, the mechanism responsible for this improved performance is unclear. TA’s potential influence on exercise metabolism may involve interaction with the muscle membrane, the coordination or the force production capability of involved muscles. Further research employing more invasive techniques may elucidate TA’s role in improving maximal endurance performance.     

Prevalence of comorbidities in systemic sclerosis versus rheumatoid arthritis: a comparative,multicenter, matched-cohort study

Background

Comorbidities are common in chronic systemic connective tissue diseases and are associated with adverse outcomes, increased morbidity and mortality. Although the prevalence of comorbidities has been well-studied in isolated diseases, comparative studies between different autoimmune diseases are limited. In this study, we compared the prevalence of common comorbidities between patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Between 2016 and 2017, 408 consecutive patients with SSc, aged 59?±?13?years (87% women), were matched 1:1 for age and gender with 408 patients with RA; mean disease duration was 10?±?8 and 9?±?8?years, respectively. Rates of cardiovascular risk factors, coronary artery disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), osteoporosis, neoplasms and depression were compared between the two cohorts.

Results

The prevalence of dyslipidemia (18.4% vs 30.1%, p?=?0.001) and diabetes mellitus (5.6% vs 11.8%, p?=?0.007) and body mass index (p?=?0.001) were lower in SSc compared to RA, while there was no difference in arterial hypertension or smoking. While there was a trend for lower prevalence of ischemic stroke in SSc than in RA (1.1% vs 3.2%, p?=?0.085), coronary artery disease was comparable (2.7% vs 3.7%). No differences were found between patients with SSc and patients with RA in the prevalence of COPD (5.2% vs 3.7%), osteoporosis (24% vs 22%) or neoplasms overall (1.1% vs 1.7%); however lung cancer was the most prevalent cancer in SSc (7/17, 41%), whereas hematologic malignancies (7/19, 36%) and breast cancer (7/19, 36%) predominated in RA. Depression was more prevalent in SSc (22% vs 12%, p?=?0.001), especially in diffuse SSc.

Conclusions

Despite the prevalence of dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus in SSc being almost half that in RA, the cardiovascular comorbidity burden appears to be similar in both. The overall prevalence of neoplasms is no higher in SSc than in RA, but SSc has a more negative impact on quality of life, as clearly, more SSc patients develop depression compared to patients with RA.

     

Planktic cyanophytes and their ecology in the shallow Lake Mikri Prespa, Greece

Cyanophytes dominated the phytoplankton of shallow Lake Mikri Prespa during the period May 1990 to September 1992 (76.5 and 52.0% of the total phytoplankton biomass in 1990–1991 and 1991–1992, respectively). Biomass peaks were observed in autumn (from 5.2 to 34.5 g m^-3) when low dissolved inorganic nitrogen, high phosphate phosphorus and low Z_cu to Z_mix ratio prevailed. The dominant species were Microcystis aeruginosa and M. wesenbergii. These represented 64 and 86% of the cyanophyte biomass in 1990–1991 and 1991–1992, respectively and revealed similar patterns of seasonality forming biomass peaks in late summer - autumn. Small chroococcalean cyanophytes (< 2 μm) showed also similar temporal distributions. Of the filamentous cyanophytes, the most important species was Anabaena lemmermannii var. minor which formed peaks in late summer and autumn (2.6 and 1.1 g m^-3 in 1990 and 1992, respectively). Rainfall and the N:P ratio were probably the main factors influencing the seasonality of all of the filamentous cyanophytes in the lake. Cyanophytes, tended to increase at temperatures higher than 16 °C and at inorganic nitrogen concentrations lower than 100 μg 1^--¹. The frequent mixing of the water column did not seem to prohibit the substantial increase of the group.     

Spectrophotometric assays for measuring redox biomarkers in blood

The assessment of redox status is most frequently performed by measuring redox biomarkers. The spectrophotometer is the most commonly used analytical instrument in biochemistry. There is a huge number of spectrophotometric redox biomarkers and assays, thus distinguishing the most appropriate biomarkers and protocols is overwhelming. The aim of the present review is to propose valid and reliable spectrophotometric assays for measuring redox biomarkers in blood. It is hoped that this work will help researchers to select the most suitable redox biomarkers and assays.     

Biochemical characterization of the interaction between HspA1A and phospholipids

Seventy-kilodalton heat shock proteins (Hsp70s) are molecular chaperones essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Apart from their indispensable roles in protein homeostasis, specific Hsp70s localize at the plasma membrane and bind to specific lipids. The interaction of Hsp70s with lipids has direct physiological outcomes including lysosomal rescue, microautophagy, and promotion of cell apoptosis. Despite these essential functions, the Hsp70-lipid interactions remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, we characterized the interaction of HspA1A, an inducible Hsp70, with five phospholipids. We first used high concentrations of potassium and established that HspA1A embeds in membranes when bound to all anionic lipids tested. Furthermore, we found that protein insertion is enhanced by increasing the saturation level of the lipids. Next, we determined that the nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) of the protein binds to lipids quantitatively more than the substrate-binding domain (SBD). However, for all lipids tested, the full-length protein is necessary for embedding. We also used calcium and reaction buffers equilibrated at different pH values and determined that electrostatic interactions alone may not fully explain the association of HspA1A with lipids. We then determined that lipid binding is inhibited by nucleotide-binding, but it is unaffected by protein-substrate binding. These results suggest that the HspA1A lipid-association is specific, depends on the physicochemical properties of the lipid, and is mediated by multiple molecular forces. These mechanistic details of the Hsp70-lipid interactions establish a framework of possible physiological functions as they relate to chaperone regulation and localization.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12192-015-0636-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Spatial and temporal RF electromagnetic field exposure of children and adults in indoor micro environments in Belgium and Greece

Personal radio frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure, or exposimetry, is gaining importance in the bioelectromagnetics community but only limited data on personal exposure is available in indoor areas, namely schools, crèches, homes, and offices. Most studies are focused on adult exposure, whereas indoor microenvironments, where children are exposed, are usually not considered. A method to assess spatial and temporal indoor exposure of children and adults is proposed without involving the subjects themselves. Moreover, maximal possible daily exposure is estimated by combining instantaneous spatial and temporal exposure. In Belgium and Greece, the exposure is measured at 153 positions spread over 55 indoor microenvironments with spectral equipment. In addition, personal exposimeters (measuring EMFs of people during their daily activities) captured the temporal exposure variations during several days up to one week at 98 positions. The data were analyzed using the robust regression on order statistics (ROS) method to account for data below the detection limit. All instantaneous and maximal exposures satisfied international exposure limits and were of the same order of magnitude in Greece and Belgium. Mobile telecommunications and radio broadcasting (FM) were most present. In Belgium, digital cordless phone (DECT) exposure was present for at least 75% in the indoor microenvironments except for schools. Temporal variations of the exposure were mainly due to variations of mobile telecommunication signals. The exposure was higher during daytime than at night due to the increased voice and data traffic on the networks. Total exposure varied the most in Belgian crèches (39.3%) and Greek homes (58.2%).     

The direct cost of "Thriasio" school screening program

Background

Adolescent girls treated with a brace for scoliosis are submitted to prolonged stress related to both the disease and the therapy. Currently proposed quality of life questionnaires are focused on the outcome of therapy. Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire (BSSQ) enables monitoring of patients being under treatment with a brace or exercises. The aim of the study was to assess the stress level in conservatively managed scoliotic girls using BSSQ.

Materials and methods

111 girls, aged 14,2 ± 2,2 years, mean Cobb angle of the primary curve 42,8° ± 17,0° and mean Bunnell angle of 11,4° ± 4,5° were examined with two versions of BSSQ (Deformity and Brace). The analysis considered the type of treatment, curve location, correlation of the total score with age, Cobb angle and Bunnell rotation angle.

Results

The BSSQ Deformity revealed the median of 17 points in patients managed with exercises (from 4 to 24 points), 18 in patients managed with a brace (from 8 to 24 points) and 12 in patients before surgery (from 3 to 21 points). Braced patients who completed both questionnaires (n = 50) revealed significantly higher score with BSSQ Deformity (median = 18) comparing to BSSQ Brace (median = 9). There was a correlation between the total score of BSSQ Deformity and the Cobb angle (r = -0,34), Bunnell primary curve rotation (r = -0,34) and Bunnell sum of rotation (r = -0,33) but not with the age of patients.

Conclusion

Scoliotic adolescents managed with exercises and brace suffered little stress from the deformity. The brace increased the level of stress over the stress induced by the deformity. The stress level correlated with clinical deformity (Bunnell angle), radiological deformity (Cobb angle) and the type of treatment (exercises, bracing, surgery). Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaires are simple and helpful in the management of girls treated conservatively for idiopathic scoliosis.     

SOSORT consensus paper: school screening for scoliosis. Where are we today?

This report is the SOSORT Consensus Paper on School Screening for Scoliosis discussed at the 4^th International Conference on Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities, presented by SOSORT, on May 2007. The objectives were numerous, 1) the inclusion of the existing information on the issue, 2) the analysis and discussion of the responses by the meeting attendees to the twenty six questions of the questionnaire, 3) the impact of screening on frequency of surgical treatment and of its discontinuation, 4) the reasons why these programs must be continued, 5) the evolving aim of School Screening for Scoliosis and 6) recommendations for improvement of the procedure.