Adjuvant Chemotherapy With or Without Radiotherapy for Resected Pancreatic Cancer After Multiagent Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant therapy is associated with improved pancreatic cancer survival after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery. However, whether adjuvant treatment should include radiotherapy is unclear in this setting.

METHODS

This study queried the National Cancer Database for pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients who underwent curative resection after multiagent neoadjuvant chemotherapy between 2010 and 2019 and received adjuvant treatment. Adjuvant chemotherapy plus radiotherapy (external beam, 45-50.4 gray) was compared with adjuvant chemotherapy alone. Uni- and multivariable Cox regression was used to assess survival associations. Analyses were repeated in a propensity score-matched subgroup.

RESULTS

Of 1983 patients who received adjuvant treatment after multiagent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and resection, 1502 (75.7%) received adjuvant chemotherapy alone and 481 (24.3%) received concomitant adjuvant radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy). The patients treated with adjuvant chemoradiotherapy were younger, were treated at non-academic facilities more often, and had higher rates of lymph node metastasis (ypN1-2), positive resection margins (R1), and lymphovascular invasion (LVI+). The median survival was shorter for the chemoradiotherapy-treated patients according to the unadjusted analysis (26.8 vs 33.2 months; p = 0.0017). After adjustment for confounders, chemoradiotherapy was associated with better outcomes in the multivariable model (hazard ratio [HR], 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.93; p = 0.008). The association between chemoradiotherapy and improved outcomes was stronger for the patients with grade III tumors (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.37-0.74) or LVI+ tumors (HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.44-0.75). In a subgroup of 396 propensity-matched patients, chemoradiotherapy was associated with a survival benefit only for the patients with LVI+ or grade III tumors.

CONCLUSION

After multiagent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and resection for pancreatic cancer, additional adjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus adjuvant chemotherapy alone is associated with improved survival for patients with LVI+ or grade III tumors.

High-resolution comparative atomic structures of two Giardiavirus prototypes infecting G. duodenalis parasite

The Giardia lamblia virus (GLV) is a non-enveloped icosahedral dsRNA and endosymbiont virus that infects the zoonotic protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (syn. G. lamblia, G. intestinalis), which is a pathogen of mammals, including humans. Elucidating the transmission mechanism of GLV is crucial for gaining an in-depth understanding of the virulence of the virus in G. duodenalis. GLV belongs to the family Totiviridae, which infects yeast and protozoa intracellularly; however, it also transmits extracellularly, similar to the phylogenetically, distantly related toti-like viruses that infect multicellular hosts. The GLV capsid structure is extensively involved in the longstanding discussion concerning extracellular transmission in Totiviridae and toti-like viruses. Hence, this study constructed the first high-resolution comparative atomic models of two GLV strains, namely GLV-HP and GLV-CAT, which showed different intracellular localization and virulence phenotypes, using cryogenic electron microscopy single-particle analysis. The atomic models of the GLV capsids presented swapped C-terminal extensions, extra surface loops, and a lack of cap-snatching pockets, similar to those of toti-like viruses. However, their open pores and absence of the extra crown protein resemble those of other yeast and protozoan Totiviridae viruses, demonstrating the essential structures for extracellular cell-to-cell transmission. The structural comparison between GLV-HP and GLV-CAT indicates the first evidence of critical structural motifs for the transmission and virulence of GLV in G. duodenalis.

Achieving Precision Healthcare through Nanomedicine and Enhanced Model Systems

The ability to customize medical choices according to an individual's genetic makeup and biomarker patterns marks a significant advancement toward overall improved healthcare for both individuals and society at large. By transitioning from the conventional one-size-fits-all approach to tailored treatments that can account for predispositions of different patient populations, nanomedicines can be customized to target the specific molecular underpinnings of a patient's disease, thus mitigating the risk of collateral damage. However, for these systems to reach their full potential, our understanding of how nano-based therapeutics behave within the intricate human body is necessary. Effective drug administration to the targeted organ or pathological niche is dictated by properties such as nanocarrier (NC) size, shape, and targeting abilities, where understanding how NCs change their properties when they encounter biomolecules and phenomena such as shear stress in flow remains a major challenge. This Review specifically focuses on vessel-on-a-chip technology that can provide increased understanding of NC behavior in blood and summarizes the specialized environment of the joint to showcase advanced tissue models as approaches to address translational challenges. Compared to conventional cell studies or animal models, these advanced models can integrate patient material for full customization. Combining such models with nanomedicine can contribute to making personalized medicine achievable.

Thiamin dynamics during the adult life cycle of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Thiamin is an essential water-soluble B vitamin known for its wide range of metabolic functions and antioxidant properties. Over the past decades, reproductive failures induced by thiamin deficiency have been observed in several salmonid species worldwide, but it is unclear why this micronutrient deficiency arises. Few studies have compared thiamin concentrations in systems of salmonid populations with or without documented thiamin deficiency. Moreover, it is not well known whether and how thiamin concentration changes during the marine feeding phase and the spawning migration. Therefore, samples of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were collected when actively feeding in the open Baltic Sea, after the sea migration to natal rivers, after river migration, and during the spawning period. To compare populations of Baltic salmon with systems without documented thiamin deficiency, a population of landlocked salmon located in Lake Vänern (Sweden) was sampled as well as salmon from Norwegian rivers draining into the North Atlantic Ocean. Results showed the highest mean thiamin concentrations in Lake Vänern salmon, followed by North Atlantic, and the lowest in Baltic populations. Therefore, salmon in the Baltic Sea seem to be consistently more constrained by thiamin than those in other systems. Condition factor and body length had little to no effect on thiamin concentrations in all systems, suggesting that there is no relation between the body condition of salmon and thiamin deficiency. In our large spatiotemporal comparison of salmon populations, thiamin concentrations declined toward spawning in all studied systems, suggesting that the reduction in thiamin concentration arises as a natural consequence of starvation rather than to be related to thiamin deficiency in the system. These results suggest that factors affecting accumulation during the marine feeding phase are key for understanding the thiamin deficiency in salmonids.

FKBP51-Hsp90 Interaction-Deficient Mice Exhibit Altered Endocrine Stress Response and Sex Differences Under High-Fat Diet

FK506-binding protein 51 kDa (FKBP51), encoded by Fkbp5 gene, gained considerable attention as an important regulator of several aspects of human biology including stress response, metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, and age-dependent neurodegeneration. Its catalytic peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) activity is mediated by the N-terminal FK506-binding (FK1) domain, whereas the C-terminal tetratricopeptide motif (TPR) domain is responsible for FKBP51 interaction with molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). To understand FKBP51-related biology, several mouse models have been created. These include Fkbp5 complete and conditional knockouts, overexpression, and humanized models. To dissect the role of FKBP51-Hsp90 interaction in FKBP51 biology, we have created an interaction-deficient mouse (Fkbp5TPRmut) by introducing two-point mutations in the TPR domain of FKBP51. FKBP51-Hsp90 interaction-deficient mice are viable, fertile and show Mendelian inheritance. Intracellular association of FKBP51 with Hsp90 is significantly reduced in homozygous mutants compared to wild-type animals. No behavioral differences between genotypes were seen at 2 months of age, however, sex-dependent differences were detected in Y-maze and fear conditioning tests at the age of 12 months. Moreover, we have found a significant reduction in plasma levels of corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone in Fkbp5TPRmut mice after acute stress. In contrast to Fkbp5 knockout mice, females of Fkbp5TPRmut showed increased body weight gain under high-fat diet treatment. Our data confirm the importance of FKBP51-Hsp90 interactions for stress-related endocrine signaling. Also, Fkbp5TPRmut mice can serve as a useful in vivo tool to discriminate between Hsp90-dependent and independent functions of FKBP51.

Volcanic unrest as seen from the magmatic source: Reyðarártindur pluton, Iceland

How the Earth's crust accommodates magma emplacement influences the signals that can be detected by monitoring volcano seismicity and surface deformation, which are routinely used to forecast volcanic eruptions. However, we lack direct observational links between deformation caused by magma emplacement and monitoring signals. Here we use field mapping and photogrammetry to quantify deformation caused by the emplacement of at least 2.5 km3 of silicic magma in the Reyðarártindur pluton, Southeast Iceland. Our results show that magma emplacement triggered minor and local roof uplift, and that magma reservoir growth was largely aseismic by piecemeal floor subsidence. The occurrence and arrangement of fractures and faults in the reservoir roof can be explained by magmatic overpressure, suggesting that magma influx was not fully accommodated by floor subsidence. The tensile and shear fracturing would have caused detectable seismicity. Overpressure eventually culminated in eruption, as evidenced by exposed conduits that are associated with pronounced local subsidence of the roof rocks, corresponding to the formation of an asymmetric graben at the volcano surface. Hence, the field observations highlight processes that may take place within silicic volcanoes, not accounted for in widely used models to interpret volcanic unrest.

'Ageing with an alcohol problem is not what I envision': reclaiming agency in shaping personal ageing trajectory and recovery from alcohol problems

BACKGROUND

Eliciting and understanding older persons' descriptions of their resources for healthy ageing and the interaction of these resources with alcohol use and alcohol problems can facilitate health promotion. It can also inform clinicians when identifying areas of recovery capital that present risks and strength for older people seeking alcohol treatment. The objective of this study was to illuminate the experiences and perspectives of older persons on ageing, alcohol use, treatment, and recovery from alcohol problems, as well as their understanding of healthy ageing.

METHODS

Eight men and two women, aged 61 to 73 years, with moderate drinking as a treatment goal and treated at an outpatient alcohol clinic in Sweden, participated in semi-structured audio-recorded virtual interviews. A qualitative content analysis examined the transcribed interviews.

RESULTS

Three themes were identified: "Tipping the balance", "Staying behind a veil" and "Lifting the vail". First, participants understood healthy ageing as a personal and multidimensional process that involved actively expanding, maintaining or adjusting to the resources needed to lead an active and meaningful life while preserving autonomy, dignity and independence for as long as possible. Second, most participants viewed moderate alcohol use as a contributor to healthy ageing. They sought treatment when their drinking became unsustainable and an immediate threat to their healthy ageing resources. Stigma, ambivalence and a lack of treatment options, however, contributed to delayed treatment. Third, the participants responded to treatment approaches that elicited their concern, incorporated their expertise and treatment and life goals, appreciated their autonomy and agency, and considered them partners in goal setting and decision making. Reduced drinking helped participants regain their agency and improved their healthy ageing capital which in turn catalyzed continuing recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Older persons in non-abstinent recovery perceive healthy ageing and alcohol recovery as personal and interacting multidimensional processes involving their agency to improve biopsychosocial functioning. Treatment approaches that recognize older persons' desire for healthy ageing, incorporate their treatment goals and respect their autonomy are likely to be acceptable and effective.

Molecular Architecture Effects on Bulk Nanostructure in Bis(Orthoborate) Ionic Liquids

A series of 19 ionic liquids (ILs) based on phosphonium and imidazolium cations of varying alkyl-chain lengths with the orthoborate anions bis(oxalato)borate [BOB]- , bis(mandelato)borate, [BMB]- and bis(salicylato)borate, [BScB]- , are synthesized and studied using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). All measured systems display nanostructuring, with 1-methyl-3-n-alkyl imidazolium-orthoborates forming clearly bicontinuous L3 spongelike phases when the alkyl chains are longer than C6 (hexyl). L3 phases are fitted using the Teubner and Strey model, and diffusely-nanostructured systems are primarily fitted using the Ornstein-Zernicke correlation length model. Strongly-nanostructured systems have a strong dependence on the cation, with molecular architecture variation explored to determine the driving forces for self-assembly. The ability to form well-defined complex phases is effectively extinguished in several ways: methylation of the most acidic imidazolium ring proton, replacing the imidazolium 3-methyl group with a longer hydrocarbon chain, substitution of [BOB]- by [BMB]- , or exchanging the imidazolium for phosphonium systems, irrespective of phosphonium architecture. The results suggest there is only a small window of opportunity, in terms of molecular amphiphilicity and cation:anion volume matching, for the formation of stable extensive bicontinuous domains in pure bulk orthoborate-based ILs. Particularly important for self-assembly processes appear to be the ability to form H-bonding networks, which offer additional versatility in imidazolium systems.

Heart age gap estimated by explainable advanced electrocardiography is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and survival

Aims

Deep neural network artificial intelligence (DNN-AI)-based Heart Age estimations have been presented and used to show that the difference between an electrocardiogram (ECG)-estimated Heart Age and chronological age is associated with prognosis. An accurate ECG Heart Age, without DNNs, has been developed using explainable advanced ECG (A-ECG) methods. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the explainable A-ECG Heart Age and compare its performance to a DNN-AI Heart Age.

Methods and results

Both A-ECG and DNN-AI Heart Age were applied to patients who had undergone clinical cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. The association between A-ECG or DNN-AI Heart Age Gap and cardiovascular risk factors was evaluated using logistic regression. The association between Heart Age Gaps and death or heart failure (HF) hospitalization was evaluated using Cox regression adjusted for clinical covariates/comorbidities. Among patients [n = 731, 103 (14.1%) deaths, 52 (7.1%) HF hospitalizations, median (interquartile range) follow-up 5.7 (4.7-6.7) years], A-ECG Heart Age Gap was associated with risk factors and outcomes [unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval) (5 year increments): 1.23 (1.13-1.34) and adjusted HR 1.11 (1.01-1.22)]. DNN-AI Heart Age Gap was associated with risk factors and outcomes after adjustments [HR (5 year increments): 1.11 (1.01-1.21)], but not in unadjusted analyses [HR 1.00 (0.93-1.08)], making it less easily applicable in clinical practice.

Conclusion

A-ECG Heart Age Gap is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and HF hospitalization or death. Explainable A-ECG Heart Age Gap has the potential for improving clinical adoption and prognostic performance compared with existing DNN-AI-type methods.

The Impact of Aging and Toll-like Receptor 2 Deficiency on the Clinical Outcomes of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) causes a broad range of infections. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 senses the S. aureus lipoproteins in S. aureus infections. Aging raises the risk of infection. Our aim was to understand how aging and TLR2 affect the clinical outcomes of S. aureus bacteremia. Four groups of mice (wild type/young, wild type/old, TLR2-/-/young, and TLR2-/-/old) were intravenously infected with S. aureus, and the infection course was followed. Both TLR2 deficiency and aging enhanced the susceptibility to disease. Increased age was the main contributing factor for increased mortality rates and changes in spleen weight, whereas other clinical parameters, such as weight loss and kidney abscess formation, were more TLR2 dependent. Importantly, aging increased mortality rates without relying on TLR2. In vitro, both aging and TLR2 deficiency down-regulated cytokine/chemokine production of immune cells with distinct patterns. In summary, we demonstrate that aging and TLR2 deficiency impair the immune response to S. aureus bacteremia in distinct ways.

Assessment of depression and anxiety in young and old with a question-based computational language approach

Middle aged adults experience depression and anxiety differently than younger adults. Age may affect life circumstances, depending on accessibility of social connections, jobs, physical health, etc, as these factors influence the prevalence and symptomatology. Depression and anxiety are typically measured using rating scales; however, recent research suggests that such symptoms can be assessed by open-ended questions that are analysed by question-based computational language assessments (QCLA). Here, we study middle aged and younger adults' responses about their mental health using open-ended questions and rating scales about their mental health. We then analyse their responses with computational methods based on natural language processing (NLP). The results demonstrate that: (1) middle aged adults describe their mental health differently compared to younger adults; (2) where, for example, middle aged adults emphasise depression and loneliness whereas young adults list anxiety and financial concerns; (3) different semantic models are warranted for younger and middle aged adults; (4) compared to young participants, the middle aged participants described their mental health more accurately with words; (5) middle-aged adults have better mental health than younger adults as measured by semantic measures. In conclusion, NLP combined with machine learning methods may provide new opportunities to identify, model, and describe mental health in middle aged and younger adults and could possibly be applied to the older adults in future research. These semantic measures may provide ecological validity and aid the assessment of mental health.

Drought hazards and stakeholder perception: Unraveling the interlinkages between drought severity, perceived impacts, preparedness, and management

The future risk for droughts and water shortages calls for substantial efforts by authorities to adapt at local levels. Understanding their perception of drought hazards, risk and vulnerability can help to identify drivers of and barriers to drought risk planning and management in a changing climate at the local level. This paper presents a novel interdisciplinary drought case study in Sweden that integrates soft data from a nationwide survey among more than 100 local practitioners and hard data based on hydrological measurements to provide a holistic assessment of the links between drought severity and the perceived levels of drought severity, impacts, preparedness, and management for two consecutive drought events. The paper highlights challenges for drought risk planning and management in a changing climate at the local level and elaborates on how improved understanding of local practitioners to plan for climate change adaptation can be achieved.

Biomarkers or biotargets? Using competition to lure cancer cells into evolutionary traps

Background and Objectives

Cancer biomarkers provide information on the characteristics and extent of cancer progression and help inform clinical decision-making. However, they can also play functional roles in oncogenesis, from enabling metastases and inducing angiogenesis to promoting resistance to chemotherapy. The resulting evolution could bias estimates of cancer progression and lead to suboptimal treatment decisions.

Methodology

We create an evolutionary game theoretic model of cell-cell competition among cancer cells with different levels of biomarker production. We design and simulate therapies on top of this pre-existing game and examine population and biomarker dynamics.

Results

Using total biomarker as a proxy for population size generally underestimates chemotherapy efficacy and overestimates targeted therapy efficacy. If biomarker production promotes resistance and a targeted therapy against the biomarker exists, this dynamic can be used to set an evolutionary trap. After chemotherapy selects for a high biomarker-producing cancer cell population, targeted therapy could be highly effective for cancer extinction. Rather than using the most effective therapy given the cancer's current biomarker level and population size, it is more effective to 'overshoot' and utilize an evolutionary trap when the aim is extinction. Increasing cell-cell competition, as influenced by biomarker levels, can help prime and set these traps.

Conclusion and Implications

Evolution of functional biomarkers amplify the limitations of using total biomarker levels as a measure of tumor size when designing therapeutic protocols. Evolutionarily enlightened therapeutic strategies may be highly effective, assuming a targeted therapy against the biomarker is available.

Opportunities to tackle antibiotic resistance development in the aquatic environment through the Water Framework Directive

Antibiotics are critical components of modern health care. Protecting their efficacy through managing the rise in antibiotic resistance is therefore a global concern. It is not known to what extent environmental pollution from antibiotics contributes to the development of resistance, but encountered concentrations are frequently above concentrations predicted to select for resistance. Hence, measures are needed to manage risks. Here, we analyse if the indirect health risks from antibiotics in the aquatic environment can be considered in the context of the EU Water Framework Directive and the setting of environmental quality standards (EQS). By scrutinising current legislation, we conclude that it is possible to take the indirect health risks from antimicrobial resistance into account when deriving EQS for substances with antibiotic activity. We base this on the following conclusions: (1) human health concerns can be the main driver when setting an EQS, (2) an EQS can be based on data not specified in the guidance document, and (3) there are no restrictions against establishing EQS using data on antimicrobial resistance properties. In addition, since antimicrobial resistance travel across borders, we see strong reasons to prioritise setting these EQS on the EU level over the national level. Even though there is no agreed-upon method for how to develop EQS protective against resistance selection, there are several suggestions available in the literature and a couple of examples of regulatory initiatives. Also, addressing antimicrobial resistance through the Water Framework Directive can act as a driving force for other applicable legislation where such risks are not considered. We end by providing a set of recommendations for the European Commission and the Members States' future work on addressing aquatic pollution and antimicrobial resistance.

Limited effects of macro-nutrient ratios on thiamin content and transfer in phytoplankton and copepods

Vitamin B₁ (thiamin) is primarily produced by bacteria, phytoplankton and fungi in aquatic food webs and transferred to higher trophic levels by ingestion. However, much remains unknown regarding the dynamics this water-soluble, essential micronutrient; e.g. how it relates to macronutrients (carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous). Nutrient limitation has been found to be related to periods of thiamin deficiency as well as in models. Hence, thiamin transfer to copepods from three phytoplankton species from different taxa was investigated, along with the effect of various nutrient regimes on thiamin content. Nutrient levels did not affect thiamin content of phytoplankton nor the transfer to copepods. Instead, phytoplankton displayed species-specific thiamin and macronutrient contents and whilst a higher thiamin content in the prey lead to higher levels in copepods, the transfer was lower for Skeletonema compared to Dunaliella and Rhodomonas. In all, thiamin transfer to copepods is not only dependent on thiamin content of the prey, but also the edibility and/or digestibility is of importance. Thiamin is essential for all organisms, and this study offers insights into the limited effect of macronutrients on the dynamics and transfer of thiamin in the aquatic food webs.

Biased 2×2 periodic Aztec diamond and an elliptic curve

We study random domino tilings of the Aztec diamond with a biased 2 × 2 periodic weight function and associate a linear flow on an elliptic curve to this model. Our main result is a double integral formula for the correlation kernel, in which the integrand is expressed in terms of this flow. For special choices of parameters the flow is periodic, and this allows us to perform a saddle point analysis for the correlation kernel. In these cases we compute the local correlations in the smooth disordered (or gaseous) region. The special example in which the flow has period six is worked out in more detail, and we show that in that case the boundary of the rough disordered region is an algebraic curve of degree eight.

A novel assay for improved detection of sputum periostin in patients with asthma

BACKGROUND

Serum periostin associates with type-2 inflammation in asthmatic airways, but also reflects whole body periostin levels originating from multiple sources. Less is known about sputum periostin as a biomarker in asthma as detection levels are low using currently available periostin assays. We aimed to investigate detection of sputum periostin using ELISA assays targeting different periostin epitopes and relate levels to clinical characteristics.

METHODS

Two ELISA systems were developed using antibodies detecting whole periostin or cleavage products, the molecular weight and amino acid sequences of which were confirmed. The ELISA assays were applied to sputum from 80 patients with mild-to-moderate and severe asthma enrolled in the European, multi-center study BIOAIR. Results were related to clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

Sputum was found to contain smaller periostin fragments, possibly due to proteolytic cleavage at a C-terminal site. Comparing ELISA methodology using antibodies against cleaved versus whole periostin revealed detectable levels in 90% versus 44% of sputum samples respectively. Sputum periostin showed associations with blood and sputum eosinophils. Furthermore, sputum, but not serum, periostin correlated with reduced lung function and sputum IL-13 and was reduced by oral corticosteroid treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

We present an ELISA method for improved analysis of sputum periostin by detecting cleavage products of the periostin protein. Using this assay, sputum periostin was detectable and associated with more disease-relevant parameters in asthma than serum periostin. Sputum periostin is worth considering as a phenotype-specific biomarker in asthma as its proximity to the airways may eliminate some of the confounding factors known to affect serum periostin.

Thiol-ene-based microfluidic chips for glycopeptide enrichment and online digestion of inflammation-related proteins osteopontin and immunoglobulin G

Proteins, and more specifically glycoproteins, have been widely used as biomarkers, e.g., to monitor disease states. Bottom-up approaches based on mass spectrometry (MS) are techniques commonly utilized in glycoproteomics, involving protein digestion and glycopeptide enrichment. Here, a dual function polymeric thiol-ene-based microfluidic chip (TE microchip) was applied for the analysis of the proteins osteopontin (OPN) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), which have important roles in autoimmune diseases, in inflammatory diseases, and in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). TE microchips with larger internal surface features immobilized with trypsin were successfully utilized for OPN digestion, providing rapid and efficient digestion with a residence time of a few seconds. Furthermore, TE microchips surface-modified with ascorbic acid linker (TEA microchip) have been successfully utilized for IgG glycopeptide enrichment. To illustrate the use of the chips for more complex samples, they were applied to enrich IgG glycopeptides from human serum samples with antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The dual functional TE microchips could provide high throughput for online protein digestion and glycopeptide enrichment, showing great promise for future extended applications in proteomics and the study of related diseases.

Phylogeny of the Madagascar-centred tribe Danaideae (Rubiaceae) as a precursor to taxonomic revision: insights into its generic and species limits, affinities and distribution

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The tribe Danaideae (Rubiaceae) is almost exclusively endemic to the Western Indian Ocean Region (WIOR), and encompasses the genera Danais, Payera and Schismatoclada that occur in humid, sub-humid and mountain and mountain bio climate zones. Much of the species diversity is endemic to restricted, remote and/or mountainous areas of Madagascar and recent field work on the island indicates substantial unknown diversity of the Danaideae. Furthermore, the monophyly of the Malagasy genera Payera and Schismatoclada has been questioned in previous work, species delimitations and phylogenetic relationships within the genera are poorly understood, and the distribution and evolution of gross morphological features have not been assessed.

METHODS

We conducted morphological investigations, and produced robust phylogenies of Danaideae based on nuclear and plastid sequence data from 193 terminals. Ample plant material has been newly collected in the WIOR for the purpose of the present study, including potentially new species unknown to science. We performed Bayesian non-clock and relaxed-clock analyses employing three alternative clock models of a dataset with a dense sample of taxa from the entire geographical ranges of Danaideae. Based on the results, we discuss species diversity and distribution, relationships, and morphology in Danaideae.

KEY RESULTS

Our results demonstrate the monophyly of Danaideae, its three genera and 42 species. Nine species are resolved as non-monophyletic. Many geographically distinct but morphologically heterogeneous lineages were identified, and morphological features traditionally considered diagnostic of subgroups of the genera, used for example in species identification keys, are not clade-specific.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that Madagascar contains ample previously undocumented morphological and species diversity of Danaideae. Our novel approach to molecular phylogenetic analyses as a precursor to taxonomic revisions provides numerous benefits for the latter. There are tentative indications of parallel northward diversification in Payera and Schismatoclada on Madagascar, and of geographical phylogenetic clustering despite the anemochorous condition of Danaideae.

Seasonal and Spatial Variations in Synechococcus Abundance and Diversity Throughout the Gullmar Fjord, Swedish Skagerrak

The picophytoplankton Synechococcus is a globally abundant autotroph that contributes significantly to primary production in the oceans and coastal areas. These cyanobacteria constitute a diverse genus of organisms that have developed independent niche spaces throughout aquatic environments. Here, we use the 16S V3–V4 rRNA gene region and flow cytometry to explore the diversity of Synechococcus within the picophytoplankton community in the Gullmar Fjord, on the west coast of Sweden. We conducted a station-based 1-year time series and two transect studies of the fjord. Our analysis revealed that within the large number of Synechococcus amplicon sequence variants (ASVs; 239 in total), prevalent ASVs phylogenetically clustered with clade representatives in both marine subcluster 5.1 and 5.2. The near-surface composition of ASVs shifted from spring to summer, when a 5.1 subcluster dominated community developed along with elevated Synechococcus abundances up to 9.3 × 104 cells ml–1. This seasonal dominance by subcluster 5.1 was observed over the length of the fjord (25 km), where shifts in community composition were associated with increasing depth. Unexpectedly, the community shift was not associated with changes in salinity. Synechococcus abundance dynamics also differed from that of the photosynthetic picoeukaryote community. These results highlight how seasonal variations in environmental conditions influence the dynamics of Synechococcus clades in a high latitude threshold fjord.

Hospital Admission Rate, Cumulative Hospitalized Days, and Time to Admission Among Older Persons With Substance Use and Psychiatric Conditions

Background

Substance use among older persons occurs with medical and psychiatric comorbidities. This study examined the associations of substance use disorder (SUD), psychiatric, and dual diagnoses with 12-month cumulative hospitalized days, hospital admission rate and number of days to first hospitalization.

Methods

The cohort of 3,624 individuals (28.2% women) aged 50 years or older was assessed for substance use severity in 65 Swedish municipalities during March 2003-May 2017. Addiction Severity Index data were linked to hospital discharge records and crime statistics. The outcomes were (a) 12-month cumulative hospitalized days; (b) Hospital admission rate, and (c) days to first hospitalization. Generalized linear regression techniques investigated associations between outcomes and SUD, psychiatric and dual diagnoses at admission.

Results

During 2003-2017, 73.5% of the participants were hospitalized. Twelve-month hospitalized days were positively associated with SUD (Incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.41, 95%CI: 1.26-1.58), dual diagnosis (IRR = 2.03, 95%CI: 1.74-2.36), and psychiatric diagnoses (IRR = 2.51, 95%CI: 2.09-3.01). Hospital admission rate was positively associated with SUD (IRR = 4.67, 95%CI: 4.28-5.08), dual diagnosis (IRR = 1.83, 95%CI: 1.64-2.04), and psychiatric diagnoses (IRR = 1.73, 95%CI: 1.55-1.92). Days to first hospitalization were negatively associated with SUD (IRR = 0.52, 95%CI: 0.47-0.58), dual diagnosis (IRR = 0.57, 95%CI: 0.50-0.65), and psychiatric diagnoses (IRR = 0.83, 95%CI: 0.73-0.93). The marginal effects of SUD and/or mental disorders increased with age for all outcomes, except for days to first hospitalization.

Conclusion

Three of four older persons assessed for substance use severity were later hospitalized. Substance use disorders, dual diagnoses and other mental disorders were the primary reasons for hospitalization and were associated with longer stays, earlier hospitalization, and repeated admissions. Sensitizing service providers to old age substance use and sharing data across the care continuum could provide multiple points of contact to reduce the risk of hospitalizations among older persons with problematic substance use.

Interacting phenotypes and the coevolutionary process: Interspecific indirect genetic effects alter coevolutionary dynamics

Coevolution occurs when species interact to influence one another's fitness, resulting in reciprocal evolutionary change. In many coevolving lineages, trait expression in one species is modified by the genotypes and phenotypes of the other, forming feedback loops reminiscent of models of intraspecific social evolution. Here, we adapt the theory of within-species social evolution, characterized by indirect genetic effects and social selection imposed by interacting individuals, to the case of interspecific interactions. In a trait-based model, we derive general expressions for multivariate evolutionary change in two species and the expected between-species covariance in evolutionary change when selection varies across space. We show that reciprocal interspecific indirect genetic effects can dominate the coevolutionary process and drive patterns of correlated evolution beyond what is expected from direct selection alone. In extreme cases, interspecific indirect genetic effects can lead to coevolution when selection does not covary between species or even when one species lacks genetic variance. Moreover, our model indicates that interspecific indirect genetic effects may interact in complex ways with cross-species selection to determine the course of coevolution. Importantly, our model makes empirically testable predictions for how different forms of reciprocal interactions contribute to the coevolutionary process.

A Genomic Perspective Across Earth's Microbiomes Reveals That Genome Size in Archaea and Bacteria Is Linked to Ecosystem Type and Trophic Strategy

Our view of genome size in Archaea and Bacteria has remained skewed as the data has been dominated by genomes of microorganisms that have been cultivated under laboratory settings. However, the continuous effort to catalog Earth's microbiomes, specifically propelled by recent extensive work on uncultivated microorganisms, provides an opportunity to revise our perspective on genome size distribution. We present a meta-analysis that includes 26,101 representative genomes from 3 published genomic databases; metagenomic assembled genomes (MAGs) from GEMs and stratfreshDB, and isolates from GTDB. Aquatic and host-associated microbial genomes present on average the smallest estimated genome sizes (3.1 and 3.0 Mbp, respectively). These are followed by terrestrial microbial genomes (average 3.7 Mbp), and genomes from isolated microorganisms (average 4.3 Mbp). On the one hand, aquatic and host-associated ecosystems present smaller genomes sizes in genera of phyla with genome sizes above 3 Mbp. On the other hand, estimated genome size in phyla with genomes under 3 Mbp showed no difference between ecosystems. Moreover, we observed that when using 95% average nucleotide identity (ANI) as an estimator for genetic units, only 3% of MAGs cluster together with genomes from isolated microorganisms. Although there are potential methodological limitations when assembling and binning MAGs, we found that in genome clusters containing both environmental MAGs and isolate genomes, MAGs were estimated only an average 3.7% smaller than isolate genomes. Even when assembly and binning methods introduce biases, estimated genome size of MAGs and isolates are very similar. Finally, to better understand the ecological drivers of genome size, we discuss on the known and the overlooked factors that influence genome size in different ecosystems, phylogenetic groups, and trophic strategies.

Social effects on AVT and CRF systems

Stress and aggression have negative effects on fish welfare and productivity in aquaculture. Thus, research to understand aggression and stress in farmed fish is required. The neuropeptides arginine-vasotocin (AVT) and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) are involved in the control of stress and aggression. Therefore, we investigated the effect of agonistic interactions on the gene expression of AVT, CRF and their receptors in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The social interactions lead to a clear dominant-subordinate relationship with dominant fish feeding more and being more aggressive. Subordinate fish had an upregulation of the AVT receptor (AVT-R), an upregulation of CRF mRNA levels, and higher plasma cortisol levels. The attenuating effect of AVT on aggression in rainbow trout is proposed to be mediated by AVT-R, and the attenuating effect of the CRF system is proposed to be mediated by CRF.

Overlooked Binary Compounds Uncovered in the Reinspection of the La-Au System: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Electronic Properties of La7Au3, La3Au2, and La3Au4

Although compound formation between two elements is well studied, thorough investigations make it possible to uncover new binary compounds. A re-examination of the La-Au system revealed three new phases, which were characterized with respect to their structural and electronic properties as well as thermal stability: La7Au3 (Th7Fe3 type, space group P63mc, Pearson code hP20) appears to be metastable. It can be obtained by slow crystallization from a stoichiometric melt. La3Au2 (U3Si2 type, space group P4/mbm, Pearson code tP10) is stable up to 1013 K, where it decomposes peritectically. La3Au4 (Pu3Pd4 type, space group R3̅, Pearson code hR14) is thermally stable up to at least 1273 K. In addition, the crystal structures of La2Au (anti-PbCl2 type, space group Pnma, Pearson code oP12) and α-LaAu (FeB type, space group Pnma, Pearson code oP8) could be determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The electronic structures and chemical bonding have been evaluated from first principles calculations. They show that all compounds can be viewed as electron-rich, polar intermetallics.

FGF signalling plays similar roles in development and regeneration of the skeleton in the brittle star Amphiura filiformis

Regeneration as an adult developmental process is in many aspects similar to embryonic development. Although many studies point out similarities and differences, no large-scale, direct and functional comparative analyses between development and regeneration of a specific cell type or structure in one animal exist. Here, we use the brittle star Amphiura filiformis to characterise the role of the FGF signalling pathway during skeletal development in embryos and arm regeneration. In both processes, we find ligands expressed in ectodermal cells that flank underlying skeletal mesenchymal cells, which express the receptors. Perturbation of FGF signalling showed inhibited skeleton formation in both embryogenesis and regeneration, without affecting other key developmental processes. Differential transcriptome analysis finds mostly differentiation genes rather than transcription factors to be downregulated in both contexts. Moreover, comparative gene analysis allowed us to discover brittle star-specific differentiation genes. In conclusion, our results show that the FGF pathway is crucial for skeletogenesis in the brittle star, as in other deuterostomes, and provide evidence for the re-deployment of a developmental gene regulatory module during regeneration.

The characteristics of insoluble softwood substrates affect fungal morphology, secretome composition, and hydrolytic efficiency of enzymes produced by Trichoderma reesei

BACKGROUND

On-site enzyme production using Trichoderma reesei can improve yields and lower the overall cost of lignocellulose saccharification by exploiting the fungal gene regulatory mechanism that enables it to continuously adapt enzyme secretion to the substrate used for cultivation. To harness this, the interrelation between substrate characteristics and fungal response must be understood. However, fungal morphology or gene expression studies often lack structural and chemical substrate characterization. Here, T. reesei QM6a was cultivated on three softwood substrates: northern bleached softwood Kraft pulp (NBSK) and lodgepole pine pretreated either by dilute-acid-catalyzed steam pretreatment (LP-STEX) or mild alkaline oxidation (LP-ALKOX). With different pretreatments of similar starting materials, we presented the fungus with systematically modified substrates. This allowed the elucidation of substrate-induced changes in the fungal response and the testing of the secreted enzymes' hydrolytic strength towards the same substrates.

RESULTS

Enzyme activity time courses correlated with hemicellulose content and cellulose accessibility. Specifically, increased amounts of side-chain-cleaving hemicellulolytic enzymes in the protein produced on the complex substrates (LP-STEX; LP-ALKOX) was observed by secretome analysis. Confocal laser scanning micrographs showed that fungal micromorphology responded to changes in cellulose accessibility and initial culture viscosity. The latter was caused by surface charge and fiber dimensions, and likely restricted mass transfer, resulting in morphologies of fungi in stress. Supplementing a basic cellulolytic enzyme mixture with concentrated T. reesei supernatant improved saccharification efficiencies of the three substrates, where cellulose, xylan, and mannan conversion was increased by up to 27, 45, and 2800%, respectively. The improvement was most pronounced for proteins produced on LP-STEX and LP-ALKOX on those same substrates, and in the best case, efficiencies reached those of a state-of-the-art commercial enzyme preparation.

CONCLUSION

Cultivation of T. reesei on LP-STEX and LP-ALKOX produced a protein mixture that increased the hydrolytic strength of a basic cellulase mixture to state-of-the-art performance on softwood substrates. This suggests that the fungal adaptation mechanism can be exploited to achieve enhanced performance in enzymatic hydrolysis without a priori knowledge of specific substrate requirements.

Ultrastructural and molecular analysis of the origin and differentiation of cells mediating brittle star skeletal regeneration

BACKGROUND

Regeneration is the ability to re-grow body parts or tissues after trauma, and it is widespread across metazoans. Cells involved in regeneration can arise from a pool of undifferentiated proliferative cells or be recruited from pre-existing differentiated tissues. Both mechanisms have been described in different phyla; however, the cellular and molecular mechanisms employed by different animals to restore lost tissues as well as the source of cells involved in regeneration remain largely unknown. Echinoderms are a clade of deuterostome invertebrates that show striking larval and adult regenerative abilities in all extant classes. Here, we use the brittle star Amphiura filiformis to investigate the origin and differentiation of cells involved in skeletal regeneration using a combination of microscopy techniques and molecular markers.

RESULTS

Our ultrastructural analyses at different regenerative stages identify a population of morphologically undifferentiated cells which appear in close contact with the proliferating epithelium of the regenerating aboral coelomic cavity. These cells express skeletogenic marker genes, such as the transcription factor alx1 and the differentiation genes c-lectin and msp130L, and display a gradient of morphological differentiation from the aboral coelomic cavity towards the epidermis. Cells closer to the epidermis, which are in contact with developing spicules, have the morphology of mature skeletal cells (sclerocytes), and express several skeletogenic transcription factors and differentiation genes. Moreover, as regeneration progresses, sclerocytes show a different combinatorial expression of genes in various skeletal elements.

CONCLUSIONS

We hypothesize that sclerocyte precursors originate from the epithelium of the proliferating aboral coelomic cavity. As these cells migrate towards the epidermis, they differentiate and start secreting spicules. Moreover, our study shows that molecular and cellular processes involved in skeletal regeneration resemble those used during skeletal development, hinting at a possible conservation of developmental programmes during adult regeneration. Finally, we highlight that many genes involved in echinoderm skeletogenesis also play a role in vertebrate skeleton formation, suggesting a possible common origin of the deuterostome endoskeleton pathway.

Butterflies fly using efficient propulsive clap mechanism owing to flexible wings

Butterflies look like no other flying animal, with unusually short, broad and large wings relative to their body size. Previous studies have suggested butterflies use several unsteady aerodynamic mechanisms to boost force production with upstroke wing clap being a prominent feature. When the wings clap together at the end of upstroke the air between the wings is pressed out, creating a jet, pushing the animal in the opposite direction. Although viewed, for the last 50 years, as a crucial mechanism in insect flight, quantitative aerodynamic measurements of the clap in freely flying animals are lacking. Using quantitative flow measurements behind freely flying butterflies during take-off and a mechanical clapper, we provide aerodynamic performance estimates for the wing clap. We show that flexible butterfly wings, forming a cupped shape during the upstroke and clap, thrust the butterfly forwards, while the downstroke is used for weight support. We further show that flexible wings dramatically increase the useful impulse (+22%) and efficiency (+28%) of the clap compared to rigid wings. Combined, our results suggest butterflies evolved a highly effective clap, which provides a mechanistic hypothesis for their unique wing morphology. Furthermore, our findings could aid the design of man-made flapping drones, boosting propulsive performance.

Type and amount of help as predictors for impression of helpers

Impression of helpers can vary as a function of the magnitude of helping (amount of help) and of situational and motivational aspects (type of help). Over three studies conducted in Sweden and the US, we manipulated both the amount and the type of help in ten diverse vignettes and measured participants' impressions of the described helpers. Impressions were almost unaffected when increasing the amount of help by 500%, but clearly affected by several type of help-manipulations. Particularly, helpers were less positively evaluated if they had mixed motives for helping, did not experience intense emotions or empathy, or if helping involved no personal sacrifice. In line with the person-centered theory of moral judgment, people seem to form impressions of helpers primarily based on the presumed underlying processes and motives of prosociality rather than its consequences.

Configurational and Constitutional Dynamics of Enamine Molecular Switches

Dual configurational and constitutional dynamics in systems based on enamine molecular switches has been systematically studied. pH-responsive moieties, such as 2-pyridyl and 2-quinolinyl units, were required on the "stator" part, also providing enamine stability through intramolecular hydrogen-bonding (IMHB) effects. Upon protonation or deprotonation, forward and backward switching could be rapidly achieved. Extension of the stator π-system in the 2-quinolinyl derivative provided a higher E-isomeric equilibrium ratio under neutral conditions, pointing to a means to achieve quantitative forward/backward isomerization processes. The "rotor" part of the enamine switches exhibited constitutional exchange ability with primary amines. Interestingly, considerably higher exchange rates were observed with amines containing ester groups, indicating potential stabilization of the transition state through IMHB. Acids, particularly BiIII , were found to efficiently catalyze the constitutional dynamic processes. In contrast, the enamine and the formed dynamic enamine system showed excellent stability under basic conditions. This coupled configurational and constitutional dynamics expands the scope of dynamic C-C and C-N bonds and potentiates further studies and applications in the fields of molecular machinery and systems chemistry.

Neuropsychological outcome after cardiac arrest: a prospective case control sub-study of the Targeted hypothermia versus targeted normothermia after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest trial (TTM2)

BACKGROUND

This study is designed to provide detailed knowledge on cognitive impairment after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and its relation to associated factors, and to validate the neurocognitive screening of the Targeted Hypothermia versus Targeted Normothermia after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest trial (TTM2-trial), assessing effectiveness of targeted temperature management after OHCA.

METHODS

This longitudinal multi-center clinical study is a sub-study of the TTM2-trial, in which a comprehensive neuropsychological examination is performed in addition to the main TTM2-trial neurocognitive screening. Approximately 7 and 24 months after OHCA, survivors at selected study sites are invited to a standardized assessment, including performance-based tests of cognition and questionnaires of emotional problems, fatigue, executive function and insomnia. At 1:1 ratio, a matched control group from a cohort of acute myocardial infarction (MI) patients is recruited to perform the same assessment. We aim to include 100 patients per group. Potential differences between the OHCA patients and the MI controls at 7 and 24 months will be analyzed with a linear regression, using composite z-scores per cognitive domain (verbal, visual/constructive, working memory, episodic memory, processing speed, executive functions) as primary outcome measures. Results from OHCA survivors on the main TTM2-trial neurocognitive screening battery will be compared with neuropsychological test results at 7 months, using sensitivity and specificity analyses.

DISCUSSION

In this study we collect detailed information on cognitive impairment after OHCA and compare this to a control group of patients with acute MI. The validation of the TTM2 neurocognitive screening battery could justify its inclusion in routine follow-up. Our results may have a potential to impact on the design of future follow-up strategies and interventions after OHCA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03543371 . Registered 1 June 2018.

The effect of prophylactic surgery in survival and HRQoL in appendiceal NEN

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Long-term outcomes are understudied in patients with well-differentiated appendiceal neuroendocrine neoplasms (WD-ANENs). We aimed to evaluate the validity of currently applied criteria for completion prophylactic right hemicolectomy (pRHC) and determine its association with patient outcomes, including health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

METHODS

Eligible patients from five European referral centers were divided between those who underwent appendectomy alone and those who underwent completion pRHC. HRQoL EORTC-QLC-C30 questionnaires and cross-sectional imaging data were prospectively collected. Age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited for HRQoL analysis' validation.

RESULTS

We included 166 patients (119 women [71.2%]: mean age at baseline: 31 ± 16 years). Mean follow-up was 50.9 ± 54 months. Most patients (152 [92%]) had tumors ≤20 mm in size. Fifty-eight patients (34.9%) underwent pRHC that in final analysis was regarded as an overtreatment in 38/58 (65.5%). In multivariable analysis, tumor size >20 mm was the only independent predictor for lymph node (LN) involvement (p = 0.002). No mortality was reported, whereas 2-, 5- and 10-year recurrence-free survival in patients subjected to postoperative cross-sectional imaging (n = 136) was 98.5%, 97.8%, and 97.8%, respectively. Global HRQoL was not significantly impaired in patients with WD-ANEN compared with age- and sex-matched healthy individuals (median scores 0.83[0.08-1] vs 0.83[0.4-1], respectively; p = 0.929). Among patients with WD-ANEN impaired social functioning (p = 0.016), diarrhea (p = 0.003) and financial difficulties (0.024) were more frequently reported in the pRHC group.

CONCLUSIONS

WD-ANEN is a low-malignant neoplasm with unconfirmed associated mortality, low recurrence rate, and overall preserved HRQoL. pRHC comes at a price of excessive surgery, functional HRQoL issues, and diarrhea. The value per se of a prophylactic surgical approach to patients with WD-ANENs <20 mm is challenged.

The influence of hydrodynamic exposure on carbon storage and nutrient retention in eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) meadows on the Swedish Skagerrak coast

Cold-temperate seagrass (Zostera marina) meadows provide several important ecosystem services, including trapping and storage of sedimentary organic carbon and nutrients. However, seagrass meadows are rapidly decreasing worldwide and there is a pressing need for protective management of the meadows and the organic matter sinks they create. Their carbon and nutrient storage potential must be properly evaluated, both at present situation and under future climate change impacts. In this study, we assessed the effect of wave exposure on sedimentary carbon and nitrogen accumulation using existing data from 53 Z. marina meadows at the Swedish west coast. We found that meadows with higher hydrodynamic exposure had larger absolute organic carbon and nitrogen stocks (at 0-25 cm depth). This can be explained by a hydrodynamically induced sediment compaction in more exposed sites, resulting in increased sediment density and higher accumulation (per unit volume) of sedimentary organic carbon and nitrogen. With higher sediment density, the erosion threshold is assumed to increase, and as climate change-induced storms are predicted to be more common, we suggest that wave exposed meadows can be more resilient toward storms and might therefore be even more important as carbon- and nutrient sinks in the future.

A genome-wide association study on medulloblastoma

INTRODUCTION

Medulloblastoma is a malignant embryonal tumor of the cerebellum that occurs predominantly in children. To find germline genetic variants associated with medulloblastoma risk, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) including 244 medulloblastoma cases and 247 control subjects from Sweden and Denmark.

METHODS

Genotyping was performed using Illumina BeadChips, and untyped variants were imputed using IMPUTE2.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine variants in 11 loci were associated with increased medulloblastoma risk (p < 1 × 10-5), but none were statistically significant after adjusting for multiple testing (p < 5 × 10-8). Thirteen of these variants were genotyped, whereas 46 were imputed. Genotyped variants were further investigated in a validation study comprising 249 medulloblastoma cases and 629 control subjects. In the validation study, rs78021424 (18p11.23, PTPRM) was associated with medulloblastoma risk with OR in the same direction as in the discovery cohort (ORT = 1.59, pvalidation = 0.02). We also selected seven medulloblastoma predisposition genes for investigation using a candidate gene approach: APC, BRCA2, PALB2, PTCH1, SUFU, TP53, and GPR161. The strongest evidence for association was found for rs201458864 (PALB2, ORT = 3.76, p = 3.2 × 10-4) and rs79036813 (PTCH1, ORA = 0.42, p = 2.6 × 10-3).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study, including a novel potential medulloblastoma risk loci at 18p11.23, are suggestive but need further validation in independent cohorts.

Pair Correlation Analysis Maps the Dynamic Two-Dimensional Organization of Natural Killer Cell Receptors at the Synapse

In living systems, the contact between cells is the basis of recognition, differentiation, and orchestration of an immune response. Obstacles and barriers to biomolecular motion, especially for receptors at cellular synapses, critically control these functions by creating an anisotropic environment. Whereas conventional fluorescence fluctuation methods, such as fluorescence correlation spectroscopy or fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, can only measure the isotropic diffusion of molecules, the two-dimensional pair correlation function (2D-pCF) approach probes the anisotropic paths at different spatial locations within an image, allowing the creation of high-resolution maps that can visualize and quantify how molecules move in a living cell. In this work, we show how the 2D-pCF method maps the environment in cellular synapses as perceived by natural killer (NK) cell receptors. In cultured human HLA null 721.221 cells, 2D-pCF reveals the motion of inhibitory receptor HLA-Cw4-YFP coexpressed with KIR3DL1 to be highly directional around specific loci, while these restrictions were absent in the case of HLA-B51-YFP coexpressed with KIR2DL1. Further, in freshly isolated educated (H-2D^d) and uneducated (MHC^-/-) primary murine NK cells, the 2D-pCF method shows significant differences in the paths taken by activating receptor NKp46 and inhibitory receptor Ly49A in educated compared to uneducated cells. Altogether, we demonstrate that the 2D-pCF method is very powerful in informing about the spatial organization of motion in cells. Our data support the hypothesis that flexibility in the spatial arrangement of membrane receptors, that is, the absence of barriers, is crucial for NK cell function.

Genomic architecture of parallel ecological divergence: Beyond a single environmental contrast

The study of parallel ecological divergence provides important clues to the operation of natural selection. Parallel divergence often occurs in heterogeneous environments with different kinds of environmental gradients in different locations, but the genomic basis underlying this process is unknown. We investigated the genomics of rapid parallel adaptation in the marine snail Littorina saxatilis in response to two independent environmental axes (crab-predation versus wave-action and low-shore versus high-shore). Using pooled whole-genome resequencing, we show that sharing of genomic regions of high differentiation between environments is generally low but increases at smaller spatial scales. We identify different shared genomic regions of divergence for each environmental axis and show that most of these regions overlap with candidate chromosomal inversions. Several inversion regions are divergent and polymorphic across many localities. We argue that chromosomal inversions could store shared variation that fuels rapid parallel adaptation to heterogeneous environments, possibly as balanced polymorphism shared by adaptive gene flow.

The relative contributions of myocardial perfusion, blood volume and extracellular volume to native T1 and native T2 at rest and during adenosine stress in normal physiology

BACKGROUND

Both ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease can cause disturbances in the myocardial blood volume (MBV), myocardial perfusion and the myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV). Recent studies suggest that native myocardial T1 mapping can detect changes in MBV during adenosine stress without the use of contrast agents. Furthermore, native T2 mapping could also potentially be used to quantify changes in myocardial perfusion and/or MBV. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the relative contributions of myocardial perfusion, MBV and ECV to native T1 and native T2 at rest and during adenosine stress in normal physiology.

METHODS

Healthy subjects (n = 41, 26 ± 5 years, 51% females) underwent 1.5 T cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) scanning. Quantitative myocardial perfusion [ml/min/g] and MBV [%] maps were computed from first pass perfusion imaging at adenosine stress (140 microg/kg/min infusion) and rest following an intravenous contrast bolus (0.05 mmol/kg, gadobutrol). Native T1 and T2 maps were acquired before and during adenosine stress. T1 maps at rest and stress were also acquired following a 0.2 mmol/kg cumulative intravenous contrast dose, rendering rest and stress ECV maps [%]. Myocardial T1, T2, perfusion, MBV and ECV values were measured by delineating a region of interest in the midmural third of the myocardium.

RESULTS

During adenosine stress, there was an increase in myocardial native T1, native T2, perfusion, MBV, and ECV (p ≤ 0.001 for all). Myocardial perfusion, MBV and ECV all correlated with both native T1 and native T2, respectively (R2 = 0.35 to 0.61, p < 0.001 for all). Multivariate linear regression revealed that ECV and perfusion together best explained the change in native T2 (ECV beta 0.21, p = 0.02, perfusion beta 0.66, p < 0.001, model R2 = 0.64, p < 0.001), and native T1 (ECV beta 0.50, p < 0.001, perfusion beta 0.43, p < 0.001, model R2 = 0.69, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Myocardial native T1, native T2, perfusion, MBV, and ECV all increase during adenosine stress. Changes in myocardial native T1 and T2 during adenosine stress in normal physiology can largely be explained by the combined changes in myocardial perfusion and ECV.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02723747. Registered March 16, 2016.

Societal causes of, and responses to, ocean acidification

Major climate and ecological changes affect the world's oceans leading to a number of responses including increasing water temperatures, changing weather patterns, shrinking ice-sheets, temperature-driven shifts in marine species ranges, biodiversity loss and bleaching of coral reefs. In addition, ocean pH is falling, a process known as ocean acidification (OA). The root cause of OA lies in human policies and behaviours driving society's dependence on fossil fuels, resulting in elevated CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere. In this review, we detail the state of knowledge of the causes of, and potential responses to, OA with particular focus on Swedish coastal seas. We also discuss present knowledge gaps and implementation needs.

Common Cerambycid Pheromone Components as Attractants for Longhorn Beetles (Cerambycidae) Breeding in Ephemeral Oak Substrates in Northern Europe

Longhorn beetles are ecologically important insects in forest ecosystems as decomposers of woody substrates, microhabitat engineers, and as components of forest food webs. These species can be greatly affected both positively and negatively by modern forestry management practices, and should be monitored accordingly. Through headspace sampling, coupled gas chromatography-electroantennography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and field bioassays, we identified two compounds, 2-methyl-1-butanol and 3-hydroxy-2-hexanone, that constitute aggregation-sex pheromone attractants of three cerambycid species which breed primarily in different types of fresh, recently dead oak wood in Northern Europe: Pyrrhidium sanguineum (L.), Phymatodes alni ssp. alni (L.), and Phymatodes testaceus (L.) (Cerambycinae: Callidiini). Analyses of headspace volatiles collected from live insects indicated that the male-produced aggregation-sex pheromone of P. sanguineum is a 1–15:100 blend of (R)-2-methyl-1-butanol and (R)-3-hydroxy-2-hexanone, whereas the corresponding ratios for P. alni were 70–110:100. In field bioassays, adult P. sanguineum and P. alni were significantly attracted to multiple blends with varying ratios of the two compounds. When tested individually, the compounds were minimally attractive. In contrast, adult P. testaceus exhibited nonspecific attraction to both of the individual compounds and to different blends, despite the hydroxyketone not being part of its pheromone, which consists of (R)-2-methyl-1-butanol alone. Overall, our results suggest that a blend of 50:100 of racemic 2-methyl-1-butanol and 3-hydroxy-2-hexanone is appropriate for parallel, cost-efficient pheromone-based monitoring of all three species. In particular, these species could serve as useful indicators of how modern forestry practices affect a whole guild of saproxylic insects that require ephemeral deadwood substrates for successful breeding.

Exploring the xylose paradox in Saccharomyces cerevisiae through in vivo sugar signalomics of targeted deletants

BACKGROUND

There have been many successful strategies to implement xylose metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but no effort has so far enabled xylose utilization at rates comparable to that of glucose (the preferred sugar of this yeast). Many studies have pointed towards the engineered yeast not sensing that xylose is a fermentable carbon source despite growing and fermenting on it, which is paradoxical. We have previously used fluorescent biosensor strains to in vivo monitor the sugar signalome in yeast engineered with xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase (XR/XDH) and have established that S. cerevisiae senses high concentrations of xylose with the same signal as low concentration of glucose, which may explain the poor utilization.

RESULTS

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of three deletions (ira2∆, isu1∆ and hog1∆) that have recently been shown to display epistatic effects on a xylose isomerase (XI) strain. Through aerobic and anaerobic characterization, we showed that the proposed effects in XI strains were for the most part also applicable in the XR/XDH background. The ira2∆isu1∆ double deletion led to strains with the highest specific xylose consumption- and ethanol production rates but also the lowest biomass titre. The signalling response revealed that ira2∆isu1∆ changed the low glucose-signal in the background strain to a simultaneous signalling of high and low glucose, suggesting that engineering of the signalome can improve xylose utilization.

CONCLUSIONS

The study was able to correlate the previously proposed beneficial effects of ira2∆, isu1∆ and hog1∆ on S. cerevisiae xylose uptake, with a change in the sugar signalome. This is in line with our previous hypothesis that the key to resolve the xylose paradox lies in the sugar sensing and signalling networks. These results indicate that the future engineering targets for improved xylose utilization should probably be sought not in the metabolic networks, but in the signalling ones.

A combination of incidence data and mobility proxies from social media predicts the intra-urban spread of dengue in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Only a few studies have investigated the potential of using geotagged social media data for predicting the patterns of spatio-temporal spread of vector-borne diseases. We herein demonstrated the role of human mobility in the intra-urban spread of dengue by weighting local incidence data with geo-tagged Twitter data as a proxy for human mobility across 45 neighborhoods in Yogyakarta city, Indonesia. To estimate the dengue virus importation pressure in each study neighborhood monthly, we developed an algorithm to estimate a dynamic mobility-weighted incidence index (MI), which quantifies the level of exposure to virus importation in any given neighborhood. Using a Bayesian spatio-temporal regression model, we estimated the coefficients and predictiveness of the MI index for lags up to 6 months. Specifically, we used a Poisson regression model with an unstructured spatial covariance matrix. We compared the predictability of the MI index to that of the dengue incidence rate over the preceding months in the same neighborhood (autocorrelation) and that of the mobility information alone. We based our estimates on a volume of 1·302·405 geotagged tweets (from 118·114 unique users) and monthly dengue incidence data for the 45 study neighborhoods in Yogyakarta city over the period from August 2016 to June 2018. The MI index, as a standalone variable, had the highest explanatory power for predicting dengue transmission risk in the study neighborhoods, with the greatest predictive ability at a 3-months lead time. The MI index was a better predictor of the dengue risk in a neighborhood than the recent transmission patterns in the same neighborhood, or just the mobility patterns between neighborhoods. Our results suggest that human mobility is an important driver of the spread of dengue within cities when combined with information on local circulation of the dengue virus. The geotagged Twitter data can provide important information on human mobility patterns to improve our understanding of the direction and the risk of spread of diseases, such as dengue. The proposed MI index together with traditional data sources can provide useful information for the development of more accurate and efficient early warning and response systems.

Recent studies have shown that Twitter can be utilized as a tool for health research, and aggregated large-scale social media data can indicate the risk of infectious disease in real-time with high accuracy and at low cost. However, most of these studies relied primarily on content analysis or text mining, while only a few analyzed the networks of Twitter users. None has incorporated user geolocation data to explain health outcomes at an intra-urban level. Currently dengue early warning systems rely on syndromic surveillance, which lacks completeness and timeliness. Effective syndromic surveillance is rarely achieved due to its technical complexity and a general lack of capacity. Researchers have assessed vector indices, meteorological factors and environmental variables as predictors of dengue incidence, but have failed to capture the complexity of transmission as it relates to human behaviors and movements. Here we develop an algorithm to estimate a dynamic mobility-weighted incidence index (MI), which quantifies the level of exposure to virus importation in a given neighborhood. The proposed index is based on publicly available social media and routine disease surveillance data, and provides a low-cost source of information for assessing the risk of spread of communicable diseases, such as dengue. This study suggests that the MI index is of utility and significance for dengue surveillance and early warnings systems and can enhance timely decision-making within the public health system.

Centiloid cut-off values for optimal agreement between PET and CSF core AD biomarkers

BACKGROUND

The Centiloid scale has been developed to standardize measurements of amyloid PET imaging. Reference cut-off values of this continuous measurement enable the consistent operationalization of decision-making for multicentre research studies and clinical trials. In this study, we aimed at deriving reference Centiloid thresholds that maximize the agreement against core Alzheimer's disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in two large independent cohorts.

METHODS

A total of 516 participants of the ALFA+ Study (N = 205) and ADNI (N = 311) underwent amyloid PET imaging ([18F]flutemetamol and [18F]florbetapir, respectively) and core AD CSF biomarker determination using Elecsys® tests. Tracer uptake was quantified in Centiloid units (CL). Optimal Centiloid cut-offs were sought that maximize the agreement between PET and dichotomous determinations based on CSF levels of Aβ42, tTau, pTau, and their ratios, using pre-established reference cut-off values. To this end, a receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC) was conducted, and Centiloid cut-offs were calculated as those that maximized the Youden's J Index or the overall percentage agreement recorded.

RESULTS

All Centiloid cut-offs fell within the range of 25-35, except for CSF Aβ42 that rendered an optimal cut-off value of 12 CL. As expected, the agreement of tau/Aβ42 ratios was higher than that of CSF Aβ42. Centiloid cut-off robustness was confirmed even when established in an independent cohort and against variations of CSF cut-offs.

CONCLUSIONS

A cut-off of 12 CL matches previously reported values derived against postmortem measures of AD neuropathology. Together with these previous findings, our results flag two relevant inflection points that would serve as boundary of different stages of amyloid pathology: one around 12 CL that marks the transition from the absence of pathology to subtle pathology and another one around 30 CL indicating the presence of established pathology. The derivation of robust and generalizable cut-offs for core AD biomarkers requires cohorts with adequate representation of intermediate levels.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ALFA+ Study, NCT02485730 ALFA PET Sub-study, NCT02685969.

Determination of essential phenotypic elements of clusters in high-dimensional entities-DEPECHE

Technological advances have facilitated an exponential increase in the amount of information that can be derived from single cells, necessitating new computational tools that can make such highly complex data interpretable. Here, we introduce DEPECHE, a rapid, parameter free, sparse k-means-based algorithm for clustering of multi- and megavariate single-cell data. In a number of computational benchmarks aimed at evaluating the capacity to form biologically relevant clusters, including flow/mass-cytometry and single cell RNA sequencing data sets with manually curated gold standard solutions, DEPECHE clusters as well or better than the currently available best performing clustering algorithms. However, the main advantage of DEPECHE, compared to the state-of-the-art, is its unique ability to enhance interpretability of the formed clusters, in that it only retains variables relevant for cluster separation, thereby facilitating computational efficient analyses as well as understanding of complex datasets. DEPECHE is implemented in the open source R package DepecheR currently available at github.com/Theorell/DepecheR.

Migration-related land use dynamics in increasingly hybrid peri-urban space: insights from two agricultural communities in Bolivia

This article investigates the impact of transnational labor migration on agriculture in urbanizing communities in Bolivia. Previous research shows that the characteristics of rural out-migration communities affect whether agricultural practices are intensified and improved. Using a mixed methods approach, two closely located peri-urban communities with distinct prerequisites for agricultural development are analyzed. This study shows weak migration-induced changes in agriculture and concludes that transnational migration does not necessarily accelerate an ongoing urbanization process. It shows that remittances function to maintain farming for subsistence and as a secondary livelihood activity. However, major investments in agricultural intensification are not attractive due to the communities' proximity to the main cities. This article highlights the need for nuanced conceptualization when studying migration-driven agricultural change in hybrid peri-urban spaces.

Prevention and Management of Bleeding Episodes in Children with Hemophilia

Regular prophylactic treatment with factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX (FIX) concentrates in hemophilia A and B, respectively, is introduced in early infancy and has resulted in dramatic improvement of the conditions. Recombinant FVIII and FIX concentrates have been available for > 25 years and have been modified and refined through the years; however, unfortunately frequent intravenous administrations are still necessary. The half-lives of these products have now been extended (EHL) by fusion with albumin, the Fc-portion of IgG, or by being PEGylated. This has been very successful for EHL-FIX, with 3-5 times longer half-life, and to a lesser degree for EHL-FVIII with a half-life extension of only 1.5 times the conventional products. New treatment principles using FVIII mimetics or monoclonal antibodies that rebalance the pro- and anti-coagulation system by interfering with production of anti-thrombin or tissue factor pathway inhibitor have the benefits of long-lasting activity, subcutaneous administration, and being useful in patients both with and without neutralizing antibodies. As the ultimate treatment, recent progress has also been made with gene therapy of both hemophilia A and B.

SURGE complex of Plasmodium falciparum in the rhoptry-neck (SURFIN4.2-RON4-GLURP) contributes to merozoite invasion

Plasmodium falciparum invasion into red blood cells (RBCs) is a complex process engaging proteins on the merozoite surface and those contained and sequentially released from the apical organelles (micronemes and rhoptries). Fundamental to invasion is the formation of a moving junction (MJ), a region of close apposition of the merozoite and the RBC plasma membranes, through which the merozoite draws itself before settling into a newly formed parasitophorous vacuole (PV). SURFIN4.2 was identified at the surface of the parasitized RBCs (pRBCs) but was also found apically associated with the merozoite. Using antibodies against the N-terminus of the protein we show the presence of SURFIN4.2 in the neck of the rhoptries, its secretion into the PV and shedding into the culture supernatant upon schizont rupture. Using immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry we describe here a novel protein complex we have named SURGE where SURFIN4.2 forms interacts with the rhoptry neck protein 4 (RON4) and the Glutamate Rich Protein (GLURP). The N-terminal cysteine-rich-domain (CRD) of SURFIN4.2 mediates binding to the RBC membrane and its interaction with RON4 suggests its involvement in the contact between the merozoite apex and the RBC at the MJ. Supporting this suggestion, we also found that polyclonal antibodies to the extracellular domain (including the CRD) of SURFIN4.2 partially inhibit merozoite invasion. We propose that the formation of the SURGE complex participates in the establishment of parasite infection within the PV and the RBCs.

Attributions and private theories of mental illness among young adults seeking psychiatric treatment in Nairobi: an interpretive phenomenological analysis

BACKGROUND

Mental illness affects every segment of population including young adults. The beliefs held by young patients regarding the causes of mental illness impact their treatment-seeking behaviour. It is pertinent to know the commonly held attributions around mental illness so as to effectively provide psychological care, especially in a resource constrained context such as Kenya. This helps in targeting services around issues such as stigma and extending youth-friendly services.

METHODS

Guided by the private theories interview (PTI-P) and attributional framework, individual semi-structured interviews were carried out with ten young adults of ages 18-25 years about their mental health condition for which they were undergoing treatment. Each interview took 30-45 min. We mapped four attributions (locus of control, stability, controllability and stigma) on PTI-P questions. Data was transcribed verbatim to produce transcripts coded using interpretive phenomenological analysis. These codes were then broken down into categories that could be used to understand various attributions.

RESULTS

We found PTI-P to be a useful tool and it elicited three key themes: (a) psychosocial triggers of distress (with themes of negative thoughts, emotions around mental health stigma and negative childhood experiences, parents' separation or divorce, death of a loved one etc.), (b) biological conditions and psychopathologies limiting intervention, and (c) preferences and views on treatment. Mapping these themes on our attributional framework, PTI-P themes presented as causal attributions explaining stigma, locus of control dimensions and stability. External factors were mainly ascribed to be the cause of unstable and uncontrollable attributions including persistent negative emotions and thoughts further exacerbating psychological distress. Nine out of the ten participants expressed the need for more intense and supportive therapy.

CONCLUSION

Our study has provided some experiential evidence in understanding how stigma, internal vs external locus of control, stability vs instability attributions play a role in shaping attitudes young people have towards their mental health. Our study points to psychosocial challenges such as stigma, poverty and lack of social support that continue to undermine mental well-being of Kenyan youth. These factors need to be considered when addressing mental health needs of young people in Kenya.

Enhanced transfer of organic matter to higher trophic levels caused by ocean acidification and its implications for export production: A mass balance approach

Ongoing acidification of the ocean through uptake of anthropogenic CO₂ is known to affect marine biota and ecosystems with largely unknown consequences for marine food webs. Changes in food web structure have the potential to alter trophic transfer, partitioning, and biogeochemical cycling of elements in the ocean. Here we investigated the impact of realistic end-of-the-century CO₂ concentrations on the development and partitioning of the carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and silica pools in a coastal pelagic ecosystem (Gullmar Fjord, Sweden). We covered the entire winter-to-summer plankton succession (100 days) in two sets of five pelagic mesocosms, with one set being CO₂ enriched (~760 μatm pCO₂) and the other one left at ambient CO₂ concentrations. Elemental mass balances were calculated and we highlight important challenges and uncertainties we have faced in the closed mesocosm system. Our key observations under high CO₂ were: (1) A significantly amplified transfer of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus from primary producers to higher trophic levels, during times of regenerated primary production. (2) A prolonged retention of all three elements in the pelagic food web that significantly reduced nitrogen and phosphorus sedimentation by about 11 and 9%, respectively. (3) A positive trend in carbon fixation (relative to nitrogen) that appeared in the particulate matter pool as well as the downward particle flux. This excess carbon counteracted a potential reduction in carbon sedimentation that could have been expected from patterns of nitrogen and phosphorus fluxes. Our findings highlight the potential for ocean acidification to alter partitioning and cycling of carbon and nutrients in the surface ocean but also show that impacts are temporarily variable and likely depending upon the structure of the plankton food web.