The IRE1α-XBP1 arm of the unfolded protein response is a host factor activated in SARS-CoV-2 infection

SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause severe pneumonia, wherein exacerbated inflammation plays a major role. This is reminiscent of the process commonly termed cytokine storm, a condition dependent on a disproportionated production of cytokines. This state involves the activation of the innate immune response by viral patterns and coincides with the biosynthesis of the biomass required for viral replication, which may overwhelm the capacity of the endoplasmic reticulum and drive the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR is a signal transduction pathway composed of three branches that is initiated by a set of sensors: inositol-requiring protein 1 (IRE1), protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). These sensors control adaptive processes, including the transcriptional regulation of proinflammatory cytokines. Based on this background, the role of the UPR in SARS-CoV-2 replication and the ensuing inflammatory response was investigated using in vivo and in vitro models of infection. Mice and Syrian hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed a sole activation of the Ire1α-Xbp1 arm of the UPR associated with a robust production of proinflammatory cytokines. Human lung epithelial cells showed the dependence of viral replication on the expression of UPR-target proteins branching on the IRE1α-XBP1 arm and to a lower extent on the PERK route. Likewise, activation of the IRE1α-XBP1 branch by Spike (S) proteins from different variants of concern was a uniform finding. These results show that the IRE1α-XBP1 system enhances viral replication and cytokine expression and may represent a potential therapeutic target in SARS-CoV-2 severe pneumonia.

COVID-19 Stroke Apical Lung Examination Study 2: a national prospective CTA biomarker study of the lung apices, in patients presenting with suspected acute stroke (COVID SALES 2)

BACKGROUND

Apical ground-glass opacification (GGO) identified on CT angiography (CTA) performed for suspected acute stroke was developed in 2020 as a coronavirus-disease-2019 (COVID-19) diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in a retrospective study during the first wave of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively validate whether GGO on CTA performed for suspected acute stroke is a reliable COVID-19 diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and whether it is reliable for COVID-19 vaccinated patients.

METHODS

In this prospective, pragmatic, national, multi-center validation study performed at 13 sites, we captured study data consecutively in patients undergoing CTA for suspected acute stroke from January-March 2021. Demographic and clinical features associated with stroke and COVID-19 were incorporated. The primary outcome was the likelihood of reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction swab-test-confirmed COVID-19 using the GGO biomarker. Secondary outcomes investigated were functional status at discharge and survival analyses at 30 and 90 days. Univariate and multivariable statistical analyses were employed.

RESULTS

CTAs from 1,111 patients were analyzed, with apical GGO identified in 8.5 % during a period of high COVID-19 prevalence. GGO showed good inter-rater reliability (Fleiss κ = 0.77); and high COVID-19 specificity (93.7 %, 91.8-95.2) and negative predictive value (NPV; 97.8 %, 96.5-98.6). In subgroup analysis of vaccinated patients, GGO remained a good diagnostic biomarker (specificity 93.1 %, 89.8-95.5; NPV 99.7 %, 98.3-100.0). Patients with COVID-19 were more likely to have higher stroke score (NIHSS (mean +/- SD) 6.9 +/- 6.9, COVID-19 negative, 9.7 +/- 9.0, COVID-19 positive; p = 0.01), carotid occlusions (6.2 % negative, 14.9 % positive; p = 0.02), and larger infarcts on presentation CT (ASPECTS 9.4 +/- 1.5, COVID-19 negative, 8.6 +/- 2.4, COVID-19 positive; p = 0.00). After multivariable logistic regression, GGO (odds ratio 15.7, 6.2-40.1), myalgia (8.9, 2.1-38.2) and higher core body temperature (1.9, 1.1-3.2) were independent COVID-19 predictors. GGO was associated with worse functional outcome on discharge and worse survival after univariate analysis. However, after adjustment for factors including stroke severity, GGO was not independently predictive of functional outcome or mortality.

CONCLUSION

Apical GGO on CTA performed for patients with suspected acute stroke is a reliable diagnostic biomarker for COVID-19, which in combination with clinical features may be useful in COVID-19 triage.

Blood-brain barrier damage associates with glia-related cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND

The presence of Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) dysfunction is defined by albumin quotient (QALB) and characterize a group of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients at clinical onset. We evaluated the concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 87 cytokines, to better characterize the CSF inflammatory pattern in presence of BBB damage.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

In an exploratory cohort, CSF cytokines were evaluated by means of Multiplex technology (Bio-Plex Pro-Human Cytokine, GF and Diabetes 27-Plex Panel, Bio-Plex Pro-Human Chemokines 40-Plex Panel, Bio-Plex Pro-Human Inflammation Assays 37-Plex Panel) in a cohort of Other Not Inflammatory Neurological Disorders (ONIND) and in cohort of patients with MS, stratified according to BBB damage into QALB+ and QALB- MS patients. In the validation cohort, we evaluated the relevant molecules in a cohort of MS patients, stratified again into QALB+ and QALB-, including also Neurofilament Light (NfL) and Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) CSF concentration.

RESULTS

While MIP-1α, CXCL-13, and CCL-22 CSF concentrations were higher in both MS groups compared to ONIND, in QALB+ MS CSF concentrations of CXCL-9 (17.85 ± 4.69 pg/mL), CXCL-10 (476.5 ± 324.3 pg/mL), and IL-16 (96.08 ± 86.17 pg/mL) were higher than in QALB- MS (8.98 ± 5368 pg/mL, p < 0.005, 281.0 ± 180.9 pg/mL, p < 0.05, and 47.35 ± 36.87 pg/mL, p < 0.005, respectively) and ONIND (8.98 ± 5368 pg/mlL, p < 0.005, 281.0 ± 180.9 pg/mL, p < 0.005, and 47.35 ± 36.87 pg/mL, p < 0.001, respectively). A strong correlation was observed between CXCL-9 and CXCL-10 in all MS groups (all r>0.75, all p < 0.001). In the validation cohort again CXCL-10 CSF concentration were higher in QALB+ MS than in QALB- MS (94.25 ± 64.75 vs 153.8 ± 99.52, p < 0.05), while no difference was observed in serum. CSF NfL (1642 ± 1963 vs 3231 ± 3492 pg/mL, p < 0.05) and CHI3L1 (183.9 ± 86.62 vs 262 ± 137.5 ng/mL, p < 0.05) were increased in QALB+ MS.

CONCLUSIONS

BBB damage in MS is linked to a specific CSF cytokines pattern (CXCL-9, CXCL-10, IL-16), that are also involved in astrocyte-microglia interaction. To what extent their continuous production in the CNS may mark a more severe disease course merits to be investigated.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 and its variant polymorphisms on host responses and viral pathogenesis

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) encodes several proteins that inhibit host interferon responses. Among these, ORF6 antagonizes interferon signaling by disrupting nucleocytoplasmic trafficking through interactions with the nuclear pore complex components Nup98-Rae1. However, the roles and contributions of ORF6 during physiological infection remain unexplored. We assessed the role of ORF6 during infection using recombinant viruses carrying a deletion or loss-of-function (LoF) mutation in ORF6. ORF6 plays key roles in interferon antagonism and viral pathogenesis by interfering with nuclear import and specifically the translocation of IRF and STAT transcription factors. Additionally, ORF6 inhibits cellular mRNA export, resulting in the remodeling of the host cell proteome, and regulates viral protein expression. Interestingly, the ORF6:D61L mutation that emerged in the Omicron BA.2 and BA.4 variants exhibits reduced interactions with Nup98-Rae1 and consequently impairs immune evasion. Our findings highlight the role of ORF6 in antagonizing innate immunity and emphasize the importance of studying the immune evasion strategies of SARS-CoV-2.

Bat pluripotent stem cells reveal unusual entanglement between host and viruses

Bats are distinctive among mammals due to their ability to fly, use laryngeal echolocation, and tolerate viruses. However, there are currently no reliable cellular models for studying bat biology or their response to viral infections. Here, we created induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from two species of bats: the wild greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) and the greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis). The iPSCs from both bat species showed similar characteristics and had a gene expression profile resembling that of cells attacked by viruses. They also had a high number of endogenous viral sequences, particularly retroviruses. These results suggest that bats have evolved mechanisms to tolerate a large load of viral sequences and may have a more intertwined relationship with viruses than previously thought. Further study of bat iPSCs and their differentiated progeny will provide insights into bat biology, virus host relationships, and the molecular basis of bats' special traits.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 and its variant polymorphisms on host responses and viral pathogenesis

We and others have previously shown that the SARS-CoV-2 accessory protein ORF6 is a powerful antagonist of the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway by directly interacting with Nup98-Rae1 at the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and disrupting bidirectional nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking. In this study, we further assessed the role of ORF6 during infection using recombinant SARS-CoV-2 viruses carrying either a deletion or a well characterized M58R loss-of-function mutation in ORF6. We show that ORF6 plays a key role in the antagonism of IFN signaling and in viral pathogenesis by interfering with karyopherin(importin)-mediated nuclear import during SARS-CoV-2 infection both in vitro , and in the Syrian golden hamster model in vivo . In addition, we found that ORF6-Nup98 interaction also contributes to inhibition of cellular mRNA export during SARS-CoV-2 infection. As a result, ORF6 expression significantly remodels the host cell proteome upon infection. Importantly, we also unravel a previously unrecognized function of ORF6 in the modulation of viral protein expression, which is independent of its function at the nuclear pore. Lastly, we characterized the ORF6 D61L mutation that recently emerged in Omicron BA.2 and BA.4 and demonstrated that it is able to disrupt ORF6 protein functions at the NPC and to impair SARS-CoV-2 innate immune evasion strategies. Importantly, the now more abundant Omicron BA.5 lacks this loss-of-function polymorphism in ORF6. Altogether, our findings not only further highlight the key role of ORF6 in the antagonism of the antiviral innate immune response, but also emphasize the importance of studying the role of non-spike mutations to better understand the mechanisms governing differential pathogenicity and immune evasion strategies of SARS-CoV-2 and its evolving variants.

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY

SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 subverts bidirectional nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking to inhibit host gene expression and contribute to viral pathogenesis.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 and its variant polymorphisms on host responses and viral pathogenesis

We and others have previously shown that the SARS-CoV-2 accessory protein ORF6 is a powerful antagonist of the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway by directly interacting with Nup98-Rae1 at the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and disrupting bidirectional nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking. In this study, we further assessed the role of ORF6 during infection using recombinant SARS-CoV-2 viruses carrying either a deletion or a well characterized M58R loss-of-function mutation in ORF6. We show that ORF6 plays a key role in the antagonism of IFN signaling and in viral pathogenesis by interfering with karyopherin(importin)-mediated nuclear import during SARS-CoV-2 infection both in vitro , and in the Syrian golden hamster model in vivo . In addition, we found that ORF6-Nup98 interaction also contributes to inhibition of cellular mRNA export during SARS-CoV-2 infection. As a result, ORF6 expression significantly remodels the host cell proteome upon infection. Importantly, we also unravel a previously unrecognized function of ORF6 in the modulation of viral protein expression, which is independent of its function at the nuclear pore. Lastly, we characterized the ORF6 D61L mutation that recently emerged in Omicron BA.2 and BA.4 and demonstrated that it is able to disrupt ORF6 protein functions at the NPC and to impair SARS-CoV-2 innate immune evasion strategies. Importantly, the now more abundant Omicron BA.5 lacks this loss-of-function polymorphism in ORF6. Altogether, our findings not only further highlight the key role of ORF6 in the antagonism of the antiviral innate immune response, but also emphasize the importance of studying the role of non-spike mutations to better understand the mechanisms governing differential pathogenicity and immune evasion strategies of SARS-CoV-2 and its evolving variants.

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY

SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 subverts bidirectional nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking to inhibit host gene expression and contribute to viral pathogenesis.

Biomarkers of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and the assessment of quality of life before and after adenotonsillectomy

The study aims to explore the inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) triggered by adenoids and/or tonsillar hypertrophy and their changes after adenotonsillectomy (AT) and to investigate the associated behavioral disorders in OSAS, before and after AT. Thirty patients with OSAS and 20 healthy children, aged 3 - 13 years were included in the study. According to apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), OSAS children were classified into 3 groups: mild (n = 19), moderate (n = 5), and severe OSAS (n = 6). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes activities were assessed in serum, preoperative and 6 weeks after AT. TNF-α, IL-6 and malondialdehyde levels were also estimated in adenoid and tonsils tissues. A Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire was completed by the parents before and after AT. As a result of the study, we obtained the following results: TNF-α, IL-6 and malondialdehyde evaluated preoperative increased in serum and tissues in OSAS, especially in severe disease compared to mild and moderate forms. Six weeks after AT, AHI diminished significantly in OSAS, as well as the inflammatory markers and malondialdehyde, in parallel with significant improvement of antioxidant enzymes activities. Daytime sleepiness, hyperactivity and attention deficit in OSAS, even in mild disease were present, with significant improvements of obstructive symptoms after AT. We conclude that OSAS caused by adenoids and/or tonsillar hypertrophy led to changes in the blood parameters, with significant improvement after AT. Postoperatively, a significant improvement in sleep quality and behavior in OSAS patients was also observed.

Turning Drops into Bubbles: Cavitation by Vapor Diffusion through Elastic Networks

Some members of the vegetal kingdom can achieve surprisingly fast movements making use of a clever combination of evaporation, elasticity, and cavitation. In this process, enthalpic energy is transformed into elastic energy and suddenly released in a cavitation event which produces kinetic energy. Here, we study this unusual energy transformation by a model system: A droplet in an elastic medium shrinks slowly by diffusion and eventually transforms into a bubble by a rapid cavitation event. The experiments reveal the cavity dynamics over the extremely disparate timescales of the process, spanning 9 orders of magnitude. We model the initial shrinkage as a classical diffusive process, while the sudden bubble growth and oscillations are described using an inertial-(visco)elastic model, in excellent agreement with the experiments. Such a model system could serve as a new paradigm for motile synthetic materials.

“Biology of the Eye,” A Novel Multiformat Translational Elective for Medical Students

Objective To allow medical undergraduate students an exposure to ophthalmology in the preclinical years as well as introduce concepts of basic and clinical science in ophthalmology for medical students.

Methods The 10-session elective was offered to 2nd year medical students in the fall of 2016 and to 1st and 2nd year medical students in the fall of 2017 at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. The curriculum included a dissection laboratory, lectures, and journal reviews of key topics in ophthalmology with a basic scientist and clinician. At the conclusion of the sessions, the students evaluated this course by survey.

Results Six medical students participated in the fall of 2016 and 11 students in the fall of 2017. The response rate was 83.33 and 100%, respectively. On a five- point Likert's scale, the students in both fall 2016 and 2017 rated the course as 4.7, indicating a positive reaction. Quality of learning objectives was rated as 4.4 and 4.5 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Course management had a score of 4.4 and 4.6 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Comments included: “I learned a lot about the eye I would not have known if I had not taken the course,” “I enjoyed the interplay between the clinical and basic science experts,” and “I liked the model of learning about a subject then looking at the research [sic].”

Conclusions Based on the students' responses and level of satisfaction, we concluded that the elective course was successful at increasing medical students' exposure to ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine while incorporating both basic and clinical science. Based on review of the students' feedback, modifications to the course included, expanding the course to 1st year medical students, limiting presentation times, simplifying presentation topics, and adding worksheets to guide article review sessions.

Impact of 3-Monthly Vitamin D Supplementation Plus Exercise on Survival after Surgery for Osteoporotic Hip Fracture in Adult Patients over 50 Years: A Pragmatic Randomized, Partially Blinded, Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether 3-monthly supplementation of an oral vitamin D widely used in Spain (calcifediol) plus daily exercise could influence survival at one and four years after surgery for osteoporotic hip fracture.

DESIGN

A pragmatic, randomized, partially single-blind placebo-controlled study.

SETTING

Patients admitted to a tertiary university hospital for acute hip fracture.

PARTICIPANTS

675 healthy adult patients undergoing surgery for osteoporotic hip fracture were recruited from January 2004 to December 2007.

INTERVENTION

Patients were randomized to receive either 3-monthly oral doses of 3 mg calcifediol (Hidroferol Choque®) or placebo in the 12 months postsurgery. Patients who received calcifediol were also given an exercise programme. The placebo group received standard health recommendations only.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary endpoint was survival at 1 year and at 4 year follow-up. We also recorded new fractures, medical complications and anti-osteoporotic treatment compliance.

RESULTS

We included a total of 88 patients, aged 62 to 99 years. Mean age was 82 years and 88.6% were women. At 12 months, 10 (11.3%) patients had died, 9 of them, from the non-intervention group. At 4 years after surgery, 20 (22.7%) had died, 3 (3.4%) from the intervention group and 17 (19.3%) from the non-intervention group. At this time, survival curve analysis showed 93% survival in the intervention group and 62% in the non-intervention group (p=0.001). At 12-month follow up, there were 18 new fractures, 9 in each group. The non-intervention group had more medical complications, with significant differences at visit 2 (p = 0.04) and 3 (p = 0.02) but not at visit 4 (p = 0.18). No significant differences between groups were found regarding treatment compliance.

CONCLUSION

3-monthly, oral supplements of 3 mg calcifediol plus daily exercise improved survival at one-year and four-year follow up after surgery for an osteoporotic hip fracture.

Pattern Formation by Staphylococcus epidermidis via Droplet Evaporation on Micropillars Arrays at a Surface

We evaluate the effect of epoxy surface structuring on the evaporation of water droplets containing Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis). During evaporation, droplets with S. epidermidis cells yield to complex wetting patterns such as the zipping-wetting1-3 and the coffee-stain effects. Depending on the height of the microstructure, the wetting fronts propagate circularly or in a stepwise manner, leading to the formation of octagonal or square-shaped deposition patterns.4,5 We observed that the shape of the dried droplets has considerable influence on the local spatial distribution of S. epidermidis deposited between micropillars. These changes are attributed to an unexplored interplay between the zipping-wetting1 and the coffee-stain6 effects in polygonally shaped droplets containing S. epidermidis. Induced capillary flows during evaporation of S. epidermidis are modeled with polystyrene particles. Bacterial viability measurements for S. epidermidis show high viability of planktonic cells, but low biomass deposition on the microstructured surfaces. Our findings provide insights into design criteria for the development of microstructured surfaces on which bacterial propagation could be controlled, limiting the use of biocides.

Imaging of cardiovascular risk in patients with Turner's syndrome

Turner's syndrome is a disorder defined by an absent or structurally abnormal second X chromosome and affects around 1 in 2000 newborn females. The standardised mortality ratio in Turner's syndrome is around three-times higher than in the general female population, mainly as a result of cardiovascular disorders. Most striking is the early age at which Turner's syndrome patients develop the life-threatening complications of cardiovascular disorders compared to the general population. The cardiovascular risk stratification in Turner's syndrome is challenging and imaging is not systematically used. The aim of this article is to review cardiovascular risks in this group of patients and discuss a systematic imaging approach for early identification of cardiovascular disorders in these patients.

Limitations of a Simplification Antiretroviral Strategy for HIV-Infected Patients with Decreasing Adherence to a Protease Inhibitor Regimen

PURPOSE

To determine the long-term efficacy of a simplification strategy in the clinical setting when used to improve adherence.

METHOD

Prospective study of 70 patients included in a regimen with ddI plus 3TC plus an NNRTI, after viral suppression with a PI-containing regimen, due to decreasing adherence. Adherence to PI was calculated as the percentage of doses taken last week before inclusion, and patients were stratified as high and low adherence (95% and <95% of doses).

RESULTS

Overall, 19 patients (27%) related adherence to PI <95% at inclusion (6 patients [9%], with adherence <80%). Mean adherence improved, with only 8% of patients presenting values <95%. At 104 weeks, 88% of patients on therapy had viral load suppression, but only 43% by ITT analysis. The main cause of therapy change or withdrawal was toxicity or drug interactions (26%). Notably, 16% of patients were lost to follow-up or left therapy, especially in the group of initially low adherent (26% vs. 12%, p = .02).

CONCLUSION

The use of a simplification strategy could be associated with long-term high risk of treatment failure, when used to improve adherence in the clinical setting.

Clinique des pathologies médicolégales du sommeil

Introduction

Psychiatrie et médecine légale se côtoient devant les Assises. Si les meurtres au cours du sommeil sont rares (3 cas en 30 ans d’expertise pénale), ce phénomène est connu de longue date - 19e siècle (Fodéré, Lutaud, Brouardel, Briand, Chaudé, Casper).

Objectifs

– reconnaître et dépister les pathologies du sommeil capables de conduire à de tels drames souvent interprétés de manière erronée ;

Méthodologie

– à partir de trois dossiers de meurtre au cours du sommeil, d’une analyse électrophysiologique, de la littérature, deux pathologies émergent dans la transition sommeil (non REM)–veille :

– le somnambulisme,

– la confusion de l’éveil ;

– ces états meurtriers sont sauvages, violents, complexes, automates, inexplicables, sans motif conscient, avec au réveil une amnésie totale ou partielle ;

– le prévenu face à ces comportements se retrouve devant les Assises condamné alors que la doctrine devrait conduire à l’irresponsabilité.

Discussion

– des critères médico-légaux ont été définis par Bonkalo au 5e Meeting international de Forensic Science–Toronto 1969 ;

– les actes impulsifs, insensés, survenant au cours de la transition sommeil lent-veille s’inscrivent dans le cadre des parasomnies caractérisées par des éveils incomplets ;

– les générateurs de ces comportements sont les mêmes que ceux de l’épilepsie fronto-limbique ;

– le cerveau est capable de générer des états dissociés avec éveil de certaines structures cortico-sous-corticales et sommeil du lobe préfrontal ;

– le sommeil et l’éveil peuvent se côtoyer dans le temps et l’espace sur le cortex.

Conclusions

– dans ce type d’affaire criminelle la répression prédomine ;

– l’expert aux Assises est souvent bafoué, voire humilié ;

– la méconnaissance des avocats, des magistrats, des experts, des jurés conduit à des décisions qui s’opposent au Code pénal ;

– pourtant dans son manuel de médecine légale, Lutaud (1886) rappelait : « Le somnambule endormi peut conduire à des actes criminels et n’en conserver aucun souvenir à son réveil. Il en résulte que, comme l’aliéné, il ne saurait être responsable des actions commises pendant son sommeil ».

Search for lepton flavour violation in the eμ continuum with the ATLAS detector in [Formula: see text]pp collisions at the LHC

This paper presents a search for the t-channel exchange of an R-parity violating scalar top quark ([Formula: see text]) in the e±μ∓ continuum using 2.1 fb-1 of data collected by the ATLAS detector in [Formula: see text]pp collisions at the Large Hadron Collider. Data are found to be consistent with the expectation from the Standard Model backgrounds. Limits on R-parity-violating couplings at 95 % C.L. are calculated as a function of the scalar top mass ([Formula: see text]). The upper limits on the production cross section for pp→eμX, through the t-channel exchange of a scalar top quark, ranges from 170 fb for [Formula: see text] to 30 fb for [Formula: see text].

Methods for neuronal guiding and synapse formation

HYPOTHESIS

Light at certain wavelengths, can cross the cell, tissue sections and organ tissues for in-vitro studies, but can also be used for in-vivo studies. The ability to guide the growth of neural extensions was proven by laser. Synapses produced with laser have the instability as main disadvantage, in the absence of high densities of neurons. The main mechanism of synapse formation is the synaptic plasticity. In this case, dendritic learning spines increase in size and are transformed in dendritic memory spines.

AIM

The goal of this study was to evaluate if the creation of synapses using laser, without cell disruptions, is feasible.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We have stimulated neuronal guiding growth using a laser system called multipoint optical tweezers. Approaches were made between dendrites and neuronal bodies. Normal mechanism of synapses formation was stimulated by using electrical stimuli, applied by using a patch-clamp set-up. This approach revealed the transmission of electrical stimuli on both sides of the synapse, but also its unidirectional transmission, which is correlated with cell integrity.

DISCUSSION

The feasibility of achieving laser synapses was proven, and this method can be useful for the development of neural circuits, and for the modulation of the existing ones. We suggest that light is the best tool to guide neural growth and synapse formation. This method is cost efficient and very easy to perform. Our model is very good for understanding molecular mechanisms in pathological neurons that are relocated in key positions from pathological tissues or from transfected cell lines.

Measurement of the ZZ production cross section and limits on anomalous neutral triple gauge couplings in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A measurement of the ZZ production cross section in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.02 fb(-1) recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC is presented. Twelve events containing two Z boson candidates decaying to electrons and/or muons are observed, with an expected background of 0.3 ± 0.3(stat)(-0.3)(+0.4)(syst) events. The cross section measured in a phase-space region with good detector acceptance and for dilepton masses within the range 66 to 116 GeV is σ(ZZ → ℓ+ ℓ- ℓ+ ℓ-)(fid) = 19.4(-5.2)(+6.3)(stat)(-0.7)(+0.9)(syst) ± 0.7(lumi) fb. The resulting total cross section for on-shell ZZ production, σ(ZZ)(tot) = 8.5(-2.3)(+2.7)(stat)(-0.3)(+0.4)(syst) ± 0.3(lumi) pb, is consistent with the standard model expectation of 6.5(-0.2)(+0.3) pb calculated at the next-to-leading order in QCD. Limits on anomalous neutral triple gauge boson couplings are derived.

Demographic structure and microevolution of an Italian alpine isolated population

The isonymic method has been generally accepted in population genetic studies and surnames have been successfully used to investigate human populations as if they were genetic markers associated to the Y chromosome. In this study we analysed the microevolution dynamics of Postua, a mountain village of North Western Italy, by means of demographic methods. The uniqueness of this community is due to its past geographical and cultural isolation and to the high frequency of marriage between relatives. During the study period considered (1640-1989) the population underwent several fluctuations in size and other demographic parameters such as the endogamy, isonimy and consanguinity rates. Until the first half of the XIX century Postua appears to be a village characterised by a closed and isolated community, with high endogamy (80-90%) and isonimy (up to 34.4%). Only at the beginning of the XX century, when the population started to be subjected to significant immigration fluxes, data show a progressive reduction of the isolation. The population showed two demographic peaks, the first around the second half of the XVIII century (1639 inhabitants) and the second at the end of the XIX century (1464 inhabitants). The S/Nratio was low (0.2-0.3) and relatively constant until the beginning of the last century, and only in the last three decades of the XX century, when the population was subjected to immigration, Postua showed a significant increase in the S/Nratio values (to about 0.9). The surname frequency was constant until the 1850 when almost all surnames were the same as those already present in the XVII century. From the first half of the XIX century, the founder surnames decreased, whereas new surnames started to increase and became persistent in the population.

Comparison of five organic wastes regarding their behaviour during composting: part 2, nitrogen dynamic

This paper aimed to compare household waste, separated pig solids, food waste, pig slaughterhouse sludge and green algae regarding processes ruling nitrogen dynamic during composting. For each waste, three composting simulations were performed in parallel in three similar reactors (300 L), each one under a constant aeration rate. The aeration flows applied were comprised between 100 and 1100 L/h. The initial waste and the compost were characterized through the measurements of their contents in dry matter, total carbon, Kjeldahl and total ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrite and nitrate. Kjeldahl and total ammoniacal nitrogen and nitrite and nitrate were measured in leachates and in condensates too. Ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions were monitored in continue. The cumulated emissions in ammonia and in nitrous oxide were given for each waste and at each aeration rate. The paper focused on process of ammonification and on transformations and transfer of total ammoniacal nitrogen. The parameters of nitrous oxide emissions were not investigated. The removal rate of total Kjeldahl nitrogen was shown being closely tied to the ammonification rate. Ammonification was modelled thanks to the calculation of the ratio of biodegradable carbon to organic nitrogen content of the biodegradable fraction. The wastes were shown to differ significantly regarding their ammonification ability. Nitrogen balances were calculated by subtracting nitrogen losses from nitrogen removed from material. Defaults in nitrogen balances were assumed to correspond to conversion of nitrate even nitrite into molecular nitrogen and then to the previous conversion by nitrification of total ammoniacal nitrogen. The pool of total ammoniacal nitrogen, i.e. total ammoniacal nitrogen initially contained in waste plus total ammoniacal nitrogen released by ammonification, was calculated for each experiment. Then, this pool was used as the referring amount in the calculation of the rates of accumulation, stripping and nitrification of total ammoniacal nitrogen. Separated pig solids were characterised by a high ability to accumulate total ammoniacal nitrogen. Whatever the waste, the striping rate depended mostly on the aeration rate and on the pool concentration in biofilm. The nitrification rate was observed as all the higher as the concentration in total ammoniacal nitrogen in the initial waste was low. Thus, household waste and green algae exhibited the highest nitrification rates. This result could mean that in case of low concentrations in total ammoniacal nitrogen, a nitrifying biomass was already developed and that this biomass consumed it. In contrast, in case of high concentrations, this could traduce some difficulties for nitrifying microorganisms to develop.

Comparison of five organic wastes regarding their behaviour during composting: part 1, biodegradability, stabilization kinetics and temperature rise

This paper aims to compare household waste, separated pig solids, food waste, pig slaughterhouse sludge and green algae regarding their biodegradability, their stabilization kinetics and their temperature rise during composting. Three experiments in lab-scale pilots (300 L) were performed for each waste, each one under a constant aeration rate. The aeration rates applied were comprised between 100 and 1100 L/h. The biodegradability of waste was expressed as function of dry matter, organic matter, total carbon and chemical oxygen demand removed, on one hand, and of total oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production on the other. These different variables were found closely correlated. Time required for stabilization of each waste was determined too. A method to calculate the duration of stabilization in case of limiting oxygen supply was proposed. Carbon and chemical oxygen demand mass balances were established and gaseous emissions as carbon dioxide and methane were given. Finally, the temperature rise was shown to be proportional to the total mass of material biodegraded during composting.

Variability and effects of bronchial colonisation in patients with moderate COPD

Sputum and lung function were periodically assessed in stable moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outpatients to determine relationships between bronchial colonisation and inflammation. Relationships between potentially pathogenic microorganism (PPM) typology, bronchial inflammation (neutrophilia, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12) and post-bronchodilator decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) were analysed. PPMs periodically showing the same molecular profile using pulse field gel electrophoresis were considered long-term persistent. Bronchial colonisation was observed in 56 out of 79 follow-up examinations (70.9%) and was mainly due to Haemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enterobacteria (n = 47). These PPMs were all related to sputum neutrophilia (p< or =0.05, Chi-squared test), and H. influenzae was related to higher levels of IL-1beta (p = 0.005) and IL-12 (p = 0.01), with a dose-response relationship (Spearman's correlation coefficient of 0.38 for IL-1beta (p = 0.001), and of 0.32 for IL-12 (p = 0.006)). Haemophilus parainfluenzae was not associated with an identifiable inflammatory response. Long-term persistence of the same strain was observed in 12 examinations (21.4%), mainly due to P. aeruginosa or enterobacteria. A neutrophilic bronchial inflammatory response was associated with a statistically significant decline in FEV(1) during follow-up (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.07-6.62). A load-related relationship to bronchial inflammation in moderate COPD was observed for colonisation by H. influenzae, but not for colonisation by H. parainfluenzae.

Population data for Y-chromosome STR haplotypes from Piedmont (Italy)

Eight Y-chromosome STR loci (DYS19, DYS389-I, DYS389-II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393 and DYS385) were analysed in a sample of 236 unrelated males from four towns of Piedmont (Trino, Biella, Cavaglià, Postua). One hundred and fifty six different haplotypes were observed and 55 of them were not previously observed in the Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database (http://www.ystr.org/).

Primary pulmonary nodular amyloidosis

Primary nodular amyloidosis of the lung is an uncommon manifestation. The disease runs a benign course, but offers diagnostic problems due to non-specific radiological features entering the big field of the solitary nodule. We describe the case of a 60 year old man with multiple nodules on the left lung operated on diagnostic and therapeutic video-assisted thoracoscopy and discuss the possibilities, if any, of suspecting such a disease through radiologic characteristics along with findings from the patient's history, physical examination and laboratory tests.

Limits on gravitational-wave emission from selected pulsars using LIGO data

We place direct upper limits on the amplitude of gravitational waves from 28 isolated radio pulsars by a coherent multidetector analysis of the data collected during the second science run of the LIGO interferometric detectors. These are the first direct upper limits for 26 of the 28 pulsars. We use coordinated radio observations for the first time to build radio-guided phase templates for the expected gravitational-wave signals. The unprecedented sensitivity of the detectors allows us to set strain upper limits as low as a few times 10(-24). These strain limits translate into limits on the equatorial ellipticities of the pulsars, which are smaller than 10(-5) for the four closest pulsars.

[Percutaneous endoscopic cholangioscopy (percutaneous cholangioscopy)]

The aim of this paper is to present the percutaneous cholangioscopic method, objectives, indications, technique and advantages of this method in exploration and treatment of common bile duct disease. Percutaneous cholangioscopy is a complementary mini-invasive method, which is associated to classic or laparoscopic surgical procedures on common bile duct disorder. This method has the main characteristic intraductal approach, which is made via an external preformed fistula derived from an anterior surgical open or mini-invasive interventional procedures performed on the common bile duct. Percutaneous cholangioscopy is very performing in early or differential diagnosis determination of common bile duct malignant tumors and is a valuable method for mini-invasive intraductal treatment that can be performed by this method, avoiding another interventional surgical or endoscopical procedure on common bile duct.

[Peroral cholangioscopy]

The aim of this study was to present peroral cholangioscopic method, their technique, indications, contraindications, the advantages and disadvantages of this method. Peroral cholangioscopy is associated with ERCP and was developed in the last two decades by development of "mother & baby" endoscopic system. In same mode with percutaneous cholangioscopy or laparoscopic cholangioscopy, peroral cholangioscopy have an important role in diagnosis and therapy of common bile duct diseases. In 2001-2002 the authors have perform six peroral cholangioscopy for diagnosis and therapy (nonspecific radiological findings on ERCP) and in five cases, they have found choledochal lithiasis which was resolved by this way. In one case has not found any pathology. By their efficiency with a low rate of specific complications, peroral cholangioscopy is now an appropriate method in diagnosis and therapy of common bile duct disease.