Autoimmune neurological conditions associated with Zika virus infection

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging flavivirus rapidly spreading throughout the tropical Americas. mosquitoes is the principal way of transmission of the virus to humans. ZIKV can be spread by transplacental, perinatal, and body fluids. ZIKV infection is often asymptomatic and those with symptoms present minor illness after 3 to 12 days of incubation, characterized by a mild and self-limiting disease with low-grade fever, conjunctivitis, widespread pruritic maculopapular rash, arthralgia and myalgia. ZIKV has been linked to a number of central and peripheral nervous system injuries such as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), transverse myelitis (TM), meningoencephalitis, ophthalmological manifestations, and other neurological complications. Nevertheless, mechanisms of host-pathogen neuro-immune interactions remain incompletely elucidated. This review provides a critical discussion about the possible mechanisms underlying the development of autoimmune neurological conditions associated with Zika virus infection

IAOx induces the SUR phenotype and differential signalling from IAA under different types of nitrogen nutrition in Medicago truncatula roots

Indole-3-acetaldoxime (IAOx) is a particularly relevant molecule as an intermediate in the pathway for tryptophan-dependent auxin biosynthesis. The role of IAOx in growth-signalling and root phenotype is poorly studied in cruciferous plants and mostly unknown in non-cruciferous plants. We synthesized IAOx and applied it to M. truncatula plants grown axenically with NO3 -, NH4 + or urea as the sole nitrogen source. During 14 days of growth, we demonstrated that IAOx induced an increase in the number of lateral roots, especially under NH4 + nutrition, while elongation of the main root was inhibited. This phenotype is similar to the phenotype known as superroot previously described in SUR1- and SUR2-defective Arabidopsis mutants. The effect of IAOx, IAA or the combination of both on the root phenotype was different and dependent on the type of N-nutrition. Our results also showed the endogenous importance of IAOx in a legume plant in relation to IAA metabolism, and suggested IAOx long-distance transport depending on the nitrogen source provided. Finally, our results point out to CYP71A as the major responsible enzymes for IAA synthesis from IAOx, while they exclude indole-3-acetaldehyde oxidases. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.This work was supported by the grants AGL2017-86293-P and CGL2017-84723-P from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) , AGL2014-52396-P from the Ministry of Science Innovation and Universities (MICINN) , and IT932-16 from the Basque Government, Spain . JB and PL-G are holders of PhD fellowships from the Public University of Navarre. ACh received a Juan de la Cierva initiation grant FJCI-2016-27905 and RE received a Juan de la Cierva incorporation grant IJCI-2014-21452. This research was also supported by the Basque Government through the BERC 2018-2021 program, and by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the BC3 María de Maeztu excellence accreditation (MDM-2017-0714)

Estudio de la co-digestión anaeróbica de desechos orgánicos agroindustriales

The results of the study of anaerobic co-digestion of agro-industrial organic waste and animal manure are presented in this work. The experiments are divided in two stages. In the first stage the optimal ratio between vegetable waste and animal manure is studied in batch reactors. Once the results of the optimal mixture are obtained, the research of the anaerobic co-digestion continues in semi-continuous operating reactor. In this reactor, the main operating parameters can be controlled. The daily biogas production and the consum­ption of the buffering solution are monitored in function of the hydraulic residence time (TRH) and the daily organic load in the feed. It can be observed that the reactor operation is stable at TRH greater than 10 days and organic loads up to 4,0 kgDQO/m3d. A yield of de 100 kgDQO/m3reactor is achieved, while the specific biogas production obtained is of 0,31 m3biogas/kgDQO,feed. When the TRH is reduced below 10 days and the organic load is increased simultaneously, the digester enters an unstable operation regime and it tends to acidify. This indicates that the methanogenesis is the limiting step in the process.En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de la co-digestión anaeróbica de desechos or­gánicos agroindustriales y animales. Para esto se han realizado experimentos en dos eta­pas. En la primera etapa se estudia la mezcla óptima entre desecho vegetal y animal en reactores discontinuos. Obtenidos los resultados de la mezcla óptima, se prosigue con la investigación de la co-digestión en un reactor de régimen semi-continuo. En este reactor se controlan los principales parámetros operativos y se monitorean la producción de bio- gás y el consumo de solución amortiguadora de pH, en función del tiempo de residencia hidráulico (TRH) y de la carga orgánica diaria en la alimentación. Se puede observar que el biodigestor opera en condiciones estables a TRH mayores a 10 días y cargas orgánicas de hasta 4,0 kgDQO/m3d. El rendimiento alcanzado es de 100 kgDQO/m3reactor. La producción específica de biogás es de 0,31 m3biogas/kgDQO,alimentado. Al reducir el TRH por debajo de los 10 días y simultáneamente aumentar la carga orgánica diaria, la operación del biodigestor es inestable y tiende a acidificarse, lo cual indica que bajo estas condiciones, la metanogénesis es el paso limitante en el proceso de digestión

Endothelial Damage in Sepsis: The Importance of Systems Biology

The early diagnosis and appropriate stratification of sepsis continues to be one of the most important challenges in modern medicine. Single isolated biomarkers have not been enough to improve diagnostic and prognostic strategies and to progress toward therapeutic goals. The information generated by the human genome project has allowed a more holistic approach to the problem. The integration of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics in sepsis has allowed us to progress in the knowledge of new pathways which are pathophysiologically involved in this disease. Thus, we have understood the importance of and complex interaction between the inflammatory response and the endothelium. Understanding the role of important parts of the microcirculation, such as the endothelial glycocalyx and its interaction with the inflammatory response, has provided early recognition elements for clinical practice that allow the rational use of traditional medical interventions in sepsis. This comprehensive approach, which differs from the classical mechanistic approach, uses systems biology to increase the diagnostic and prognostic spectrum of endothelial damage biomarkers in sepsis, and to provide information on new pathways involved in the pathophysiology of the disease. This, in turn, provides tools for perfecting traditional medical interventions, using them at the appropriate times according to the disease's pathophysiological context, while at the same time discovering new and improved therapeutic alternatives. We have the challenge of transferring this ideal scenario to our daily clinical practice to improve our patients' care. The purpose of this article is to provide a general description of the importance of systems biology in integrating the complex interaction between the endothelium and the inflammatory response in sepsis

Peripheral Inflammatory Parameters in Late-Life Depression: A Systematic Review

Depressive disorders appear relatively frequently in older patients, and therefore represent an important disease burden worldwide. Given the high levels of inflammatory parameters found in depressed elderly patients, the "inflammaging" hypothesis is gaining strength. In this systematic review, we summarize current evidence regarding the relationship between inflammatory parameters and late-life depression, with a unique focus on longitudinal studies to guarantee temporality. According to the data summarized in this review, the levels of some proinflammatory parameters-especially interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-could serve as biomarkers for the future development of depressive symptoms in elderly patients. Proinflammatory cytokines seem to be associated with the future development of clinically significant depression, irrespective of baseline scores, thus indicating that inflammation temporally precedes and increases depression risk. As insufficient research has been conducted in this field, further prospective studies are clearly warranted.This study was funded by grants from Research Network Center of Mental Health-CIBERSAM (2010-P-02); the Government of Spain “Health Research Fund” FEDER (PI08-1213, PI11-01977, PI14-01900, PI08-0873; PI10-01746; PS09/02002; PI12/02077; PI15-00789; PI13/00451); Ministry of Health and Social Equality (20111064) Policy; Local funding from the Department of Education, Language Policy and Culture of the Basque Government (200911147, 2013111162, 2010111170, SAIO10-PC10BF01); European Comission funds (UE/2012/FI-STAR). We appreciate the support of the University of the Basque Country (GIC10/80, GIC12/84) and the Basque Foundation for Health Innovation and Research-BIOEF. The Psychiatry Research Unit of the University Hospital of Álava-Santiago is supported by the “Stanley Research Foundation” (03-RC-003). John O’Brien is supported by the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre awarded to the University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Trust

Extensive assessment of blood glucose monitoring during postprandial period and its impact on closed-loop performance

[EN] Background: Closed-loop (CL) systems aims to outperform usual treatments in blood glucose control and continuous glucose monitors (CGM) are a key component in such systems. Meals represents one of the main disturbances in blood glucose control, and postprandial period (PP) is a challenging situation for both CL system and CGM accuracy. Methods: We performed an extensive analysis of sensor¿s performance by numerical accuracy and precision during PP, as well as its influence in blood glucose control under CL therapy. Results: During PP the mean absolute relative difference (MARD) for both sensors presented lower accuracy in the hypoglycemic range (19.4 ± 12.8%) than in other ranges (12.2 ± 8.6% in euglycemic range and 9.3 ± 9.3% in hyperglycemic range). The overall MARD was 12.1 ± 8.2%. We have also observed lower MARD for rates of change between 0 and 2 mg/dl. In CL therapy, the 10 trials with the best sensor spent less time in hypoglycemia (PG < 70 mg/dl) than the 10 trials with the worst sensors (2 ± 7 minutes vs 32 ± 38 minutes, respectively). Conclusions: In terms of accuracy, our results resemble to previously reported. Furthermore, our results showed that sensors with the lowest MARD spent less time in hypoglycemic range, indicating that the performance of CL algorithm to control PP was related to sensor accuracy.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This project has been partially supported by the Spanish Government through Grants DPI 2013-46982-C2-1-R, DPI 2016-78831-C2-1-R, DPI 2013-46982-C2-2-R, and DPI 2016-78831-C2-2-R, the National Council of Technological and Scientific Development, CNPq Brazil through Grants 202050/2015-7 and 207688/2014-1.Biagi, L.; Hirata-Bertachi, A.; Conget, I.; Quirós, C.; Giménez, M.; Ampudia-Blasco, F.; Rossetti, P.... (2017). Extensive assessment of blood glucose monitoring during postprandial period and its impact on closed-loop performance. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 11(6):1089-1095. https://doi.org/10.1177/1932296817714272S10891095116Doyle, F. J., Huyett, L. M., Lee, J. B., Zisser, H. C., & Dassau, E. (2014). Closed-Loop Artificial Pancreas Systems: Engineering the Algorithms. Diabetes Care, 37(5), 1191-1197. doi:10.2337/dc13-2108Cengiz, E., & Tamborlane, W. V. (2009). A Tale of Two Compartments: Interstitial Versus Blood Glucose Monitoring. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, 11(S1), S-11-S-16. doi:10.1089/dia.2009.0002Cobelli, C., Schiavon, M., Dalla Man, C., Basu, A., & Basu, R. (2016). Interstitial Fluid Glucose Is Not Just a Shifted-in-Time but a Distorted Mirror of Blood Glucose: Insight from an In Silico Study. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, 18(8), 505-511. doi:10.1089/dia.2016.0112Castle, J. R., & Ward, W. K. (2010). Amperometric Glucose Sensors: Sources of Error and Potential Benefit of Redundancy. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 4(1), 221-225. doi:10.1177/193229681000400127Basu, A., Dube, S., Veettil, S., Slama, M., Kudva, Y. C., Peyser, T., … Basu, R. (2014). Time Lag of Glucose From Intravascular to Interstitial Compartment in Type 1 Diabetes. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 9(1), 63-68. doi:10.1177/1932296814554797Keenan, D. B., Grosman, B., Clark, H. W., Roy, A., Weinzimer, S. A., Shah, R. V., & Mastrototaro, J. J. (2011). Continuous Glucose Monitoring Considerations for the Development of a Closed-Loop Artificial Pancreas System. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 5(6), 1327-1336. doi:10.1177/193229681100500603Van Bon, A. C., Jonker, L. D., Koebrugge, R., Koops, R., Hoekstra, J. B. L., & DeVries, J. H. (2012). Feasibility of a Bihormonal Closed-Loop System to Control Postexercise and Postprandial Glucose Excursions. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 6(5), 1114-1122. doi:10.1177/193229681200600516Rossetti, P., Quirós, C., Moscardó, V., Comas, A., Giménez, M., Ampudia-Blasco, F. J., … Vehí, J. (2017). Closed-Loop Control of Postprandial Glycemia Using an Insulin-on-Board Limitation Through Continuous Action on Glucose Target. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, 19(6), 355-362. doi:10.1089/dia.2016.0443Bailey, T., Zisser, H., & Chang, A. (2009). New Features and Performance of a Next-Generation SEVEN-Day Continuous Glucose Monitoring System with Short Lag Time. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, 11(12), 749-755. doi:10.1089/dia.2009.0075Zschornack, E., Schmid, C., Pleus, S., Link, M., Klötzer, H.-M., Obermaier, K., … Freckmann, G. (2013). Evaluation of the Performance of a Novel System for Continuous Glucose Monitoring. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 7(4), 815-823. doi:10.1177/193229681300700403Pleus, S., Schmid, C., Link, M., Zschornack, E., Klötzer, H.-M., Haug, C., & Freckmann, G. (2013). Performance Evaluation of a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System under Conditions Similar to Daily Life. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 7(4), 833-841. doi:10.1177/193229681300700405Zisser, H. C., Bailey, T. S., Schwartz, S., Ratner, R. E., & Wise, J. (2009). Accuracy of the SEVEN® Continuous Glucose Monitoring System: Comparison with Frequently Sampled Venous Glucose Measurements. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 3(5), 1146-1154. doi:10.1177/193229680900300519Obermaier, K., Schmelzeisen-Redeker, G., Schoemaker, M., Klötzer, H.-M., Kirchsteiger, H., Eikmeier, H., & del Re, L. (2013). Performance Evaluations of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems: Precision Absolute Relative Deviation is Part of the Assessment. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 7(4), 824-832. doi:10.1177/193229681300700404Clarke, W. L., Cox, D., Gonder-Frederick, L. A., Carter, W., & Pohl, S. L. (1987). Evaluating Clinical Accuracy of Systems for Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose. Diabetes Care, 10(5), 622-628. doi:10.2337/diacare.10.5.622Martin Bland, J., & Altman, D. (1986). STATISTICAL METHODS FOR ASSESSING AGREEMENT BETWEEN TWO METHODS OF CLINICAL MEASUREMENT. The Lancet, 327(8476), 307-310. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(86)90837-8Breton, M., & Kovatchev, B. (2008). Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation of the Accuracy of Continuous Glucose Sensors. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 2(5), 853-862. doi:10.1177/193229680800200517Kropff, J., Bruttomesso, D., Doll, W., Farret, A., Galasso, S., Luijf, Y. M., … DeVries, J. H. (2014). Accuracy of two continuous glucose monitoring systems: a head‐to‐head comparison under clinical research centre and daily life conditions. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 17(4), 343-349. doi:10.1111/dom.12378Reddy, M., Herrero, P., Sharkawy, M. E., Pesl, P., Jugnee, N., Pavitt, D., … Oliver, N. S. (2015). Metabolic Control With the Bio-inspired Artificial Pancreas in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 10(2), 405-413. doi:10.1177/1932296815616134Pleus, S., Schoemaker, M., Morgenstern, K., Schmelzeisen-Redeker, G., Haug, C., Link, M., … Freckmann, G. (2015). Rate-of-Change Dependence of the Performance of Two CGM Systems During Induced Glucose Swings. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 9(4), 801-807. doi:10.1177/193229681557871

Closed-Loop Control of Postprandial Glycemia Using an Insulin-on-Board Limitation Through Continuous Action on Glucose Target

This is a copy of an article published in the Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics © 2017 [copyright Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.]; Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics is available online at: https://www.liebertpub.com/.[EN] Background: Postprandial (PP) control remains a challenge for closed-loop (CL) systems. Few studies with inconsistent results have systematically investigated the PP period. Objective: To compare a new CL algorithm with current pump therapy (open loop [OL]) in the PP glucose control in type 1 diabetes (T1D) subjects. Methods: A crossover randomized study was performed in two centers. Twenty T1D subjects (F/M 13/7, age 40.7 -10.4 years, disease duration 22.6 +/- 9.9 years, and A1c 7.8% +/- 0.7%) underwent an 8-h mixed meal test on four occasions. In two (CL1/CL2), after meal announcement, a bolus was given followed by an algorithmdriven basal infusion based on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Alternatively, in OL1/OL2 conventional pump therapy was used. Main outcome measures were as follows: glucose variability, estimated with the coefficient of variation (CV) of the area under the curve (AUC) of plasma glucose (PG) and CGM values, and from the analysis of the glucose time series; mean, maximum (C-max), and time to C-max glucose concentrations and time in range (180 mg/dL). Results: CVs of the glucose AUCs were low and similar in all studies (around 10%). However, CL achieved greater reproducibility and better PG control in the PP period: CL1 = CL2 0.05) nor the need for oral glucose was significantly different (CL 40.0% vs. OL 22.5% of meals; P = 0.054). Conclusions: This novel CL algorithm effectively and consistently controls PP glucose excursions without increasing hypoglycemia. Study registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: study number NCT02100488.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through Grants DPI2013-46982-C2-1-R and DPI2013-46982-C2-2-R, and the EU through FEDER funds. C.Q. is the recipient of a grant from the Hospital Clinic i Universitari of Barcelona ("Ajut a la recerca Josep Font 2014-2017").Rossetti, P.; Quirós, C.; Moscardo-Garcia, V.; Comas, A.; Giménez, M.; Ampudia-Blasco, F.; León, F.... (2017). Closed-Loop Control of Postprandial Glycemia Using an Insulin-on-Board Limitation Through Continuous Action on Glucose Target. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics. 19(6):355-362. https://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2016.0443S35536219

Ligand-engaged TCR is triggered by Lck not associated with CD8 coreceptor

Producción CientíficaThe earliest molecular events in T-cell recognition have not yet been fully described, and the initial T-cell receptor (TCR)-triggering mechanism remains a subject of controversy. Here, using total internal reflection/Forster resonance energy transfer microscopy, we observe a two-stage interaction between TCR, CD8 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-peptide. There is an early (within seconds) interaction between CD3ζ and the coreceptor CD8 that is independent of the binding of CD8 to MHC, but that requires CD8 association with Lck. Later (several minutes) CD3ζ–CD8 interactions require CD8–MHC binding. Lck can be found free or bound to the coreceptor. This work indicates that the initial TCR-triggering event is induced by free Lck. The early signalling events that trigger initial T-cell receptor signalling are not clearly defined. Here the authors show that this occurs in two stages, the first between the CD8 coreceptor and CD3 requiring Lck association to CD8, while the second interaction requires binding of major histocompatibility molecules

Coreceptor affinity for MHC defines peptide specificity requirements for TCR interaction with coagonist peptide-MHC

Recent work has demonstrated that nonstimulatory endogenous peptides can enhance T cell recognition of antigen, but MHCI- and MHCII-restricted systems have generated very different results. MHCII-restricted TCRs need to interact with the nonstimulatory peptide–MHC (pMHC), showing peptide specificity for activation enhancers or coagonists. In contrast, the MHCI-restricted cells studied to date show no such peptide specificity for coagonists, suggesting that CD8 binding to noncognate MHCI is more important. Here we show how this dichotomy can be resolved by varying CD8 and TCR binding to agonist and coagonists coupled with computer simulations, and we identify two distinct mechanisms by which CD8 influences the peptide specificity of coagonism. Mechanism 1 identifies the requirement of CD8 binding to noncognate ligand and suggests a direct relationship between the magnitude of coagonism and CD8 affinity for coagonist pMHCI. Mechanism 2 describes how the affinity of CD8 for agonist pMHCI changes the requirement for specific coagonist peptides. MHCs that bind CD8 strongly were tolerant of all or most peptides as coagonists, but weaker CD8-binding MHCs required stronger TCR binding to coagonist, limiting the potential coagonist peptides. These findings in MHCI systems also explain peptide-specific coagonism in MHCII-restricted cells, as CD4–MHCII interaction is generally weaker than CD8–MHCI.National Institutes of Health (U.S.). Pioneer Awar