NIR jets from a clustered region of massive star formation: Morphology and composition in the IRAS 18264-1152 region

Context. Massive stars play crucial roles in determining the physical and chemical evolution of galaxies. However, they form deeply embedded in their parental clouds, making it challenging to directly observe these stars and their immediate environments. It is known that accretion and ejection processes are intrinsically related, thus observing the massive protostellar outflows can provide crucial information about the processes governing massive star formation very close to the central engine. Aims. We aim to probe the IRAS 18264-1152 (also known as G19.88-0.53) high-mass star-forming complex in the near infrared (NIR) through its molecular hydrogen (H2) jets to analyse the morphology and composition of the line emitting regions and to compare with other outflow tracers. Methods. We observed the H2 NIR jets via K-band (1.9 2.5 μm) observations obtained with the integral field units VLT/SINFONI and VLT/KMOS. VLT/SINFONI provides the highest NIR angular resolution achieved so far for the central region of IRAS 18264-1152 (∼0.2). We compared the geometry of the NIR outflows with that of the associated molecular outflow, probed by CO (2-1) emission mapped with the Submillimeter Array. Results. We identify nine point sources in the SINFONI and KMOS fields of view. Four of these display a rising continuum in the K-band and are Brγ emitters, revealing that they are young, potentially jet-driving sources. The spectro-imaging analysis focusses on the H2 jets, for which we derived visual extinction, temperature, column density, area, and mass. The intensity, velocity, and excitation maps based on H2 emission strongly support the existence of a protostellar cluster in this region, with at least two (and up to four) different large-scale outflows, found through the NIR and radio observations. We compare our results with those found in the literature and find good agreement in the outflow morphology. This multi-wavelength comparison also allows us to derive a stellar density of ∼4000 stars pc-3. Conclusions. Our study reveals the presence of several outflows driven by young sources from a forming cluster of young, massive stars, demonstrating the utility of such NIR observations for characterising massive star-forming regions. Moreover, the derived stellar number density together with the geometry of the outflows suggest that stars can form in a relatively ordered manner in this cluster

Association of candidate gene polymorphisms with clinical subtypes of preterm birth in a Latin American population

Background. Preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. PTB is often classified according to clinical presentation: Idiopathic (PTB-I), preterm premature rupture of membranes (PTB-PPROM), and medically induced (PTBM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between specific candidate genes and clinical subtypes of PTB. Methods. 24 SNPs were genotyped in 18 candidate genes in 709 infant triads. Of them, 243 were PTB-I, 256 PTB-PPROM, and 210 PTB-M. These data were analyzed with a Family-Based Association. Results. PTB was nominally associated with rs2272365 in PON1, rs883319 in KCNN3, rs4458044 in CRHR1, and rs610277 in F3. Regarding clinical subtypes analysis, 3 SNPs were associated with PTB-I (rs2272365 in PON1, rs10178458 in COL4A3, and rs4458044 in CRHR1), rs610277 in F3 was associated with PTBPPROM, and rs883319 in KCNN3 and rs610277 in F3 were associated with PTB-M. Conclusions. Our study identified polymorphisms potentially associated with specific clinical subtypes of PTB in this Latin American population. These results could suggest a specific role of such genes in the mechanisms involved in each clinical subtype. Further studies are required to confirm our results and to determine the role of these genes in the pathophysiology of clinical subtypes

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in human amnion

The amnion is a specialized tissue in contact with the amniotic fluid, which is in a constantly changing state. To investigate the importance of epigenetic events in this tissue in the physiology and pathophysiology of pregnancy, we performed genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of human amnion from term (with and without labor) and preterm deliveries. Using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation27 BeadChip, we identified genes exhibiting differential methylation associated with normal labor and preterm birth. Functional analysis of the differentially methylated genes revealed biologically relevant enriched gene sets. Bisulfite sequencing analysis of the promoter region of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene detected two CpG dinucleotides showing significant methylation differences among the three groups of samples. Hypermethylation of the CpG island of the solute carrier family 30 member 3 (SLC30A3) gene in preterm amnion was confirmed by methylation-specific PCR. This work provides preliminary evidence that DNA methylation changes in the amnion may be at least partially involved in the physiological process of labor and the etiology of preterm birth and suggests that DNA methylation profiles, in combination with other biological data, may provide valuable insight into the mechanisms underlying normal and pathological pregnancies. © 2013 Jinsil Kim et al.Fil: Kim, Jinsil. University of Iowa; Estados UnidosFil: Pitlick, Mitchell M.. University of Iowa; Estados UnidosFil: Christine, Paul J.. University of Iowa; Estados UnidosFil: Schaefer, Amanda R.. University of Iowa; Estados UnidosFil: Saleme, Cesar. Instituto de Maternidad y Ginecología Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes; ArgentinaFil: Comas, Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas “Norberto Quirno”; ArgentinaFil: Cosentino, Viviana Raquel. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas “Norberto Quirno”; ArgentinaFil: Gadow, Enrique Curt. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas “Norberto Quirno”; ArgentinaFil: Murray, Jeffrey C.. University of Iowa; Estados Unido

Genetic Imbalances in Argentinean Patients with Congenital Conotruncal Heart Defects

Congenital conotruncal heart defects (CCHD) are a subset of serious congenital heart defects (CHD) of the cardiac outflow tracts or great arteries. Its frequency is estimated in 1/1000 live births, accounting for approximately 10–30% of all CHD cases. Chromosomal abnormalities and copy number variants (CNVs) contribute to the disease risk in patients with syndromic and/or non-syndromic forms. Although largely studied in several populations, their frequencies are barely reported for Latin American countries. The aim of this study was to analyze chromosomal abnormalities, 22q11 deletions, and other genomic imbalances in a group of Argentinean patients with CCHD of unknown etiology. A cohort of 219 patients with isolated CCHD or associated with other major anomalies were referred from different provinces of Argentina. Cytogenetic studies, Multiplex-Ligation-Probe-Amplification (MLPA) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis were performed. No cytogenetic abnormalities were found. 22q11 deletion was found in 23.5% of the patients from our cohort, 66% only had CHD with no other major anomalies. None of the patients with transposition of the great vessels (TGV) carried the 22q11 deletion. Other 4 clinically relevant CNVs were also observed: a distal low copy repeat (LCR)D-E 22q11 duplication, and 17p13.3, 4q35 and TBX1 deletions. In summary, 25.8% of CCHD patients presented imbalances associated with the disease

Sex ratio (M/F) changes for types of NTDs between FAF periods.

<p>Sex ratio (M/F) changes for types of NTDs between FAF periods.</p

Number of NTD cases by period (pre- and post- FAF) and sex of newborns.

<p>Number of NTD cases by period (pre- and post- FAF) and sex of newborns.</p

Reduction in NTD rates (per 10,000 births) between pre- and post-FAF periods, by sex and country.

<p>Reduction in NTD rates (per 10,000 births) between pre- and post-FAF periods, by sex and country.</p

Sex ratio changes for NTD cases and total births in Chile, Argentina, and Venezuela (1990–2013).

<p>NTD: neural tube defect; FAF: folic acid fortification; M/F: male/female; Sex ratio (male/female) for neural tube defect cases (full blue line), sex ratio for total births (dashed red line). Sex ratios estimated by multivariate regression models adjusted by hospital.</p