Coevolutionary dynamics shape the structure of bacteria‐phage infection networks

Coevolution—reciprocal evolutionary change among interacting species driven by natural selection—is thought to be an important force in shaping biodiversity. This ongoing process takes place within tangled networks of species interactions. In microbial communities, evolutionary change between hosts and parasites occurs at the same time scale as ecological change. Yet, we still lack experimental evidence of the role of coevolution in driving changes in the structure of such species interaction networks. Filling this gap is important because network structure influences community persistence through indirect effects. Here, we quantified experimentally to what extent coevolutionary dynamics lead to contrasting patterns in the architecture of bacteria–phage infection networks. Specifically, we look at the tendency of these networks to be organized in a nested pattern by which the more specialist phages tend to infect only a proper subset of those bacteria infected by the most generalist phages. We found that interactions between coevolving bacteria and phages become less nested over time under fluctuating dynamics, and more nested under arms race dynamics. Moreover, when coevolution results in high average infectivity, phages and bacteria differ more from each other over time under arms race dynamics than under fluctuating dynamics. The tradeoff between the fitness benefits of evolving resistance/infectivity traits and the costs of maintaining them might explain these differences in network structure. Our study shows that the interaction pattern between bacteria and phages at the community level depends on the way coevolution unfolds.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149309/1/evo13731_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149309/2/evo13731.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149309/3/evo13731-sup-0001-TableS1.pd

Computational design of cyclic peptides for the customized oriented immobilization of globular proteins

The oriented immobilization of proteins, key for the development of novel responsive biomaterials, relies on the availability of effective probes. These are generally provided by standard approaches based on in vivo maturation and in vitro selection of antibodies and/or aptamers. These techniques can suffer technical problems when a non-immunogenic epitope needs to be targeted. Here we propose a strategy to circumvent this issue by in silico design. In our method molecular binders, in the form of cyclic peptides, are computationally evolved by stochastically exploring their sequence and structure space to identify high-affinity peptides for a chosen epitope of a target globular protein: here a solvent-exposed site of β2-microglobulin (β2m). Designed sequences were screened by explicit solvent molecular dynamics simulations (MD) followed by experimental validation. Five candidates gave dose-response surface plasmon resonance signals with dissociation constants in the micromolar range. One of them was further analyzed by means of isothermal titration calorimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and 250 ns of MD. Atomic-force microscopy imaging showed that this peptide is able to immobilize β2m on a gold surface. In short, we have shown by a variety of experimental techniques that it is possible to capture a protein through an epitope of choice by computational design

Willingness-to-pay for a COVID-19 vaccine and its associated determinants in Indonesia

How countries, particularly low- and middle-income economies, should pay the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine is an important and understudied issue. We undertook an online survey to measure the willingness-to-pay (WTP) for a COVID-19 vaccine and its determinants in Indonesia. The WTP was assessed using a simple dichotomous contingent valuation approach and a linear regression model was used to assess its associated determinants. There were 1,359 respondents who completed the survey. In total, 78.3% (1,065) were willing to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine with a mean and median WTP of US$57.20 (95$ 54.56, US$59.85) and US$ 30.94 (95%CI: US$30.94, US$ 30.94), respectively. Being a health-care worker, having a high income, and having high perceived risk were associated with higher WTP. These findings suggest that the WTP for a COVID-19 vaccine is relatively high in Indonesia. This WTP information can be used to construct a payment model for a COVID-19 vaccine in the country. Nevertheless, to attain higher vaccine coverage, it may be necessary to partially subsidize the vaccine for those who are less wealthy and to design health promotion materials to increase the perceived risk for COVID-19 in the country

"Conhecendo o cérebro": divulgando e despertando interesse na neurociência

Neurociência estampa capa de revistas e sempre é assunto na mídia. Contudo, nem sempre as informações passadas por elas estão corretas. Há uma necessidade e curiosidade do público em conhecer sobre o funcionamento do cérebro. O presente evento teve como objetivo divulgar e incentivar crianças e adolescentes a conhecerem mais sobre o tema. Para isso realizou um evento no estilo “feira de ciências” tendo o cérebro como foco. O evento contou com estandes norteados no uso dos órgãos do sentido para interagir com o mundo. Os estandes foram divididos em: visão, audição, olfato e gustação, tato, games e cognição, exposição de neuroanatomia, atividades lúdicas (pinte o cérebro, neurobalões) e cantinho da leitura com um livro que divulga neurociência para crianças. Como resultado, mais de 300 pessoas visitaram o local e através das atividades, puderam conhecer um pouco mais sobre o tema

EVENTO "CONOCIENDO EL CEREBRO": DIFUSIÓN Y DESPERTAR EL INTERES EN LA NEUROCIENCIA

Neurociência estampa capa de revistas e sempre é assunto na mídia. Contudo, nem sempre as informações passadas por elas estão corretas. Há uma necessidade e curiosidade do público em conhecer sobre o funcionamento do cérebro. O presente evento teve como objetivo divulgar e incentivar crianças e adolescentes a conhecerem mais sobre o tema. Para isso realizou um evento no estilo “feira de ciências” tendo o cérebro como foco. O evento contou com estandes norteados no uso dos órgãos do sentido para interagir com o mundo. Os estandes foram divididos em: visão, audição, olfato e gustação, tato, games e cognição, exposição de neuroanatomia, atividades lúdicas (pinte o cérebro, neurobalões) e cantinho da leitura com um livro que divulga neurociência para crianças. Como resultado, mais de 300 pessoas visitaram o local e através das atividades, puderam conhecer um pouco mais sobre o tema.The theme Neuroscience is always a subject on media as a headline. The audience are curious to know more about the brain, however, some information given by the media aren´t correct. This way, an extension project titled “Grupo de Estudos em Neurociência – Study Group of Neuroscience” organized an outreach event in style "science fair" having a brain focused. The event was part of the National Week of Science and Technology (2014), promoted by Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia and that was free to the community. The event was structured with several booths explaining how brain operates through the senses of: sight, hearing, touch, smell and tasting. Also there were other booths about research on video games and cognition, neuroanatomy exposure, play activities (paint the brain, neuro-balloons) and reading space with a book that discloses neuroscience for children. This event aimed to disseminate and encourage children and adolescents to know more about the brain. As a result, more than 300 people visited the place and through the activities, might know a little more about the brain and Neuroscience.La Neurociencia cada vez ocupa más portadas de revistas y con más frecuencia se habla de ella en los medios de comunicación. Sin embargo, no toda la información proporcionada por un medio de información es verídica y el público tiene curiosidad en conocer sobre el funcionamiento del cerebro. Por esto, el Proyecto de Extensión Grupo de estudios en Neurociencia organizó un evento de extensión del tipo “feria de ciencias” teniendo al cerebro como objetivo principal. El evento, hace parte de la Semana Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (2014), promovido por el Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología y fue gratuito para la comunidad. El mismo fue estructurado con diversos stands que explicaban el funcionamiento del cerebro a través de los sentidos de la visión, audición, tacto, olfato y gusto. Además de contemplar otros temas como investigaciones con videojuegos y cognición, exposición de neuroanatomía, actividades lúdicas (pinte el cerebro, neuroglobos) y el rincón de la lectura con un libro que divulga la neurociencia para niños. El presente evento tuvo como principal objetivo divulgar e incentivar niños y adolescentes a conocer más sobre el tema. Como resultado, más de 300 personas visitaron el lugar a través de las actividades, pudieron conocer un poco más sobre el tema

EVENTO "CONOCIENDO EL CEREBRO": DIFUSIÓN Y DESPERTAR EL INTERES EN LA NEUROCIENCIA

Neurociência estampa capa de revistas e sempre é assunto na mídia. Contudo, nem sempre as informações passadas por elas estão corretas. Há uma necessidade e curiosidade do público em conhecer sobre o funcionamento do cérebro. O presente evento teve como objetivo divulgar e incentivar crianças e adolescentes a conhecerem mais sobre o tema. Para isso realizou um evento no estilo “feira de ciências” tendo o cérebro como foco. O evento contou com estandes norteados no uso dos órgãos do sentido para interagir com o mundo. Os estandes foram divididos em: visão, audição, olfato e gustação, tato, games e cognição, exposição de neuroanatomia, atividades lúdicas (pinte o cérebro, neurobalões) e cantinho da leitura com um livro que divulga neurociência para crianças. Como resultado, mais de 300 pessoas visitaram o local e através das atividades, puderam conhecer um pouco mais sobre o tema.The theme Neuroscience is always a subject on media as a headline. The audience are curious to know more about the brain, however, some information given by the media aren´t correct. This way, an extension project titled “Grupo de Estudos em Neurociência – Study Group of Neuroscience” organized an outreach event in style "science fair" having a brain focused. The event was part of the National Week of Science and Technology (2014), promoted by Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia and that was free to the community. The event was structured with several booths explaining how brain operates through the senses of: sight, hearing, touch, smell and tasting. Also there were other booths about research on video games and cognition, neuroanatomy exposure, play activities (paint the brain, neuro-balloons) and reading space with a book that discloses neuroscience for children. This event aimed to disseminate and encourage children and adolescents to know more about the brain. As a result, more than 300 people visited the place and through the activities, might know a little more about the brain and Neuroscience.La Neurociencia cada vez ocupa más portadas de revistas y con más frecuencia se habla de ella en los medios de comunicación. Sin embargo, no toda la información proporcionada por un medio de información es verídica y el público tiene curiosidad en conocer sobre el funcionamiento del cerebro. Por esto, el Proyecto de Extensión Grupo de estudios en Neurociencia organizó un evento de extensión del tipo “feria de ciencias” teniendo al cerebro como objetivo principal. El evento, hace parte de la Semana Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (2014), promovido por el Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología y fue gratuito para la comunidad. El mismo fue estructurado con diversos stands que explicaban el funcionamiento del cerebro a través de los sentidos de la visión, audición, tacto, olfato y gusto. Además de contemplar otros temas como investigaciones con videojuegos y cognición, exposición de neuroanatomía, actividades lúdicas (pinte el cerebro, neuroglobos) y el rincón de la lectura con un libro que divulga la neurociencia para niños. El presente evento tuvo como principal objetivo divulgar e incentivar niños y adolescentes a conocer más sobre el tema. Como resultado, más de 300 personas visitaron el lugar a través de las actividades, pudieron conocer un poco más sobre el tema

Acute diverticulitis management: evolving trends among Italian surgeons. A survey of the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery (SICCR)

Acute diverticulitis (AD) is associated with relevant morbidity/mortality and is increasing worldwide, thus becoming a major issue for national health systems. AD may be challenging, as clinical relevance varies widely, ranging from asymptomatic picture to life-threatening conditions, with continuously evolving diagnostic tools, classifications, and management. A 33-item-questionnaire was administered to residents and surgeons to analyze the actual clinical practice and to verify the real spread of recent recommendations, also by stratifying surgeons by experience. CT-scan remains the mainstay of AD assessment, including cases presenting with recurrent mild episodes or women of child-bearing age. Outpatient management of mild AD is slowly gaining acceptance. A conservative management is preferred in non-severe cases with extradigestive air or small/non-radiologically drainable abscesses. In severe cases, a laparoscopic approach is preferred, with a non-negligible number of surgeons confident in performing emergency complex procedures. Surgeons are seemingly aware of several options during emergency surgery for AD, since the rate of Hartmann procedures does not exceed 50% in most environments and damage control surgery is spreading in life-threatening cases. Quality of life and history of complicated AD are the main indications for delayed colectomy, which is mostly performed avoiding the proximal vessel ligation, mobilizing the splenic flexure and performing a colorectal anastomosis. ICG is spreading to check anastomotic stumps' vascularization. Differences between the two experience groups were found about the type of investigation to exclude colon cancer (considering the experience only in terms of number of colectomies performed), the size of the peritoneal abscess to be drained, practice of damage control surgery and the attitude towards colovesical fistula

Infected pancreatic necrosis: outcomes and clinical predictors of mortality. A post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study

: The identification of high-risk patients in the early stages of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is critical, because it could help the clinicians to adopt more effective management strategies. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study to assess the association between clinical risk factors and mortality among adult patients with IPN. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of mortality. We identified 247 consecutive patients with IPN hospitalised between January 2019 and December 2020. History of uncontrolled arterial hypertension (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.135-15.882; aOR 4.245), qSOFA (p = 0.005; 95% CI 1.359-5.879; aOR 2.828), renal failure (p = 0.022; 95% CI 1.138-5.442; aOR 2.489), and haemodynamic failure (p = 0.018; 95% CI 1.184-5.978; aOR 2.661), were identified as independent predictors of mortality in IPN patients. Cholangitis (p = 0.003; 95% CI 1.598-9.930; aOR 3.983), abdominal compartment syndrome (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.090-6.967; aOR 2.735), and gastrointestinal/intra-abdominal bleeding (p = 0.009; 95% CI 1.286-5.712; aOR 2.710) were independently associated with the risk of mortality. Upfront open surgical necrosectomy was strongly associated with the risk of mortality (p < 0.001; 95% CI 1.912-7.442; aOR 3.772), whereas endoscopic drainage of pancreatic necrosis (p = 0.018; 95% CI 0.138-0.834; aOR 0.339) and enteral nutrition (p = 0.003; 95% CI 0.143-0.716; aOR 0.320) were found as protective factors. Organ failure, acute cholangitis, and upfront open surgical necrosectomy were the most significant predictors of mortality. Our study confirmed that, even in a subgroup of particularly ill patients such as those with IPN, upfront open surgery should be avoided as much as possible. Study protocol registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov (I.D. Number NCT04747990)