Influence of homology and node-age on the growth of protein-protein interaction networks

Proteins participating in a protein-protein interaction network can be grouped into homology classes following their common ancestry. Proteins added to the network correspond to genes added to the classes, so that the dynamics of the two objects are intrinsically linked. Here, we first introduce a statistical model describing the joint growth of the network and the partitioning of nodes into classes, which is studied through a combined mean-field and simulation approach. We then employ this unified framework to address the specific issue of the age dependence of protein interactions, through the definition of three different node wiring/divergence schemes. Comparison with empirical data indicates that an age-dependent divergence move is necessary in order to reproduce the basic topological observables together with the age correlation between interacting nodes visible in empirical data. We also discuss the possibility of nontrivial joint partition/topology observables.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures [accepted for publication in PRE

Predicting microfibril angle in Eucalyptus wood from different wood faces and surface qualities using near infrared spectra

International audienceThe microfibril angle (MFA) of crystalline cellulose in the wood cell wall along the stem axis has major effects on stiffness and longitudinal shrinkage of wood and is of key importance to timber quality. The aims of this study were: (i) to develop partial least square (PLS) regression models for microfibril angle (measured on tangential sections by Xray diffraction) based on NIR spectra measured on tangential and on radial surfaces; ii) to develop PLS regression models for such wood trait based on radial NIR spectra collected from wood surfaces of different quality; and (iii) to verify the reliability of these PLS-R models by external validations. T values were recorded by X-ray diffraction on tangential section while NIR spectra were taken on tangential and radial wood surfaces. PLS-R calibrations for MFA based on tangential NIR spectra were better (R²p=0.72) than those using radial NIR spectra (R²p=0.64). The key role of the chemical components and the effect of surface quality of wood on NIRS calibrations are discussed. Considering the differences between experimental conditions, these findings showed the robustness of the NIR-based models for predicting MFA in Eucalyptus wood, even using spectra taken from different wood faces, and surface qualities

Guida tecnica alla programmazione del campionamento e alla scelta della strumentazione idonea per lo studio della fauna macroinvertebrata lacustre

No abstract availableQuesta guida nasce dall\u27esigenza crescente a livello nazionale di fornire a coloro che si occupano direttamente del campionamento dei macroinvertebrati in ambiente lacustre, siano essi ricercatori alle loro prime esperienze, studenti od operatori delle Agenzie Ambientali, gli strumenti conoscitivi necessari per poter programmare al meglio l\u27attivit? di campo e di laboratorio e ottenere risultati standardizzati. L\u27adozione di un protocollo comune consente di ottenere la compatibilit? delle informazioni provenienti da siti ed Enti diversi, la confrontabilit? fra siti ed, all\u27interno dello stesso sito, fra stazioni e/o fra anni diversi. Per attuare quanto detto, si ? fatto riferimento ad una vasta letteratura, volumi e singole pubblicazioni datate, non reperibili via internet e quindi non facilmente accessibili, soprattutto a persone che affrontano per la prima volta il campionamento e lo studio del bentos di un lago, senza provocare frustrazioni o dar luogo a risultati dubbi. La guida prende dapprima in considerazione le principali tipologie lacustri riconosciute a livello nazionale, proponendo differenze di approccio e di programmazione a seconda dei diversi ambienti; passa poi in rassegna le strategie di campionamento adatte alle diverse tessiture di substrato, considerando anche l\u27ambiente terrestre ed aereo circostante la conca lacustre, per approfondimenti tassonomici; riassume le metodologie di trattamento dei campioni sul campo ed in laboratorio; ed infine considera anche altre variabili fisico-chimiche dell\u27acqua e dei sedimenti che possono risultare molto utili ai fini della descrizione dell\u27ambiente di studio e di una classificazione di qualit? delle acque. In conclusione, il fine generale di questo lavoro ? la scelta di elementi di base per una corretta impostazione di un\u27attivit? di campo e per la soluzione dei numerosi problemi gestionali nel campo della limnologia, della pianificazione di attivit? di ricerca e monitoraggio, del controllo ecologico, della difesa della qualit? dell\u27ambiente e della conservazione della natura. Attualmente, la normativa vigente ? infatti carente dal punto di vista delle direttive scientifiche e pratiche, si ? quindi pensato di organizzare tali informazioni, formulando proposte per rispondere ai problemi pi? comuni

Transtornos mentais comuns e consumo de bebida alcoólica e tabaco entre estudantes de enfermagem de uma universidade pública na Amazônia Ocidental brasileira

El objetivo de este estudio es identificar la prevalencia de trastornos mentales comunes y consumo de bebida alcohólica y tabaco entre estudiantes de enfermería de una universidad pública de la Amazonía Occidental brasileña. Se Trata de un estudio exploratorio y descriptivo, utilizándose los instrumentos AUDIT, SRQ-20 y el cuestionario de tabaquismo. Del total de estudiantes, 93,4% afirmó hacer consumo de alcohol de bajo riesgo, pero el 26% afirmó beber en el modelo binge por lo menos una vez al mes. En relación al tabaco, 78,6% afirmó haber usado por curiosidad y deseo de experimentar el 46,1% afirmó que "se siente nervioso, tenso o preocupado" y que tiene "humor depresivo/ansioso". La comparación de los resultados posibilita el planeamiento de programas de prevención más coincidentes con las características y necesidades de cada comunidad.The objective of this study is to identify the prevalence of two common mental disorders, alcohol consumption and tobacco use, among nursing students of a public university in the western Brazilian Amazon. This is an exploratory and descriptive study, using AUDIT instruments, SRQ-20 and smoking questionnaire. Of the total number of students 93.4% said they consume a low-risk amount of alcohol, but 26% said they binge drank at least once a month. As for tobacco, 78.6% claimed to have used it because of curiosity and the desire to experiment and 46.1% said they "felt nervous, tense or worried" and had a "depressive/anxious mood." In comparing these results it allows for a more consistent planning of prevention programs that addresses the needs of this community.O objetivo deste estudo é identificar a prevalência de transtornos mentais comuns e consumo de bebida alcoólica e tabaco entre estudantes de enfermagem de uma universidade pública da Amazônia Ocidental brasileira. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório e descritivo, utilizando-se os instrumentos AUDIT, SRQ-20 e questionário de tabagismo. Do total de estudantes, 93,4% afirmou fazer consumo de álcool de baixo risco, porém 26% afirmou beber no padrão binge pelo menos uma vez ao mês. Em relação ao tabaco, 78,6% afirmou ter usado por curiosidade e desejo de experimentar e 46,1% afirmou que "sente-se nervoso, tenso ou preocupado" e que tem "humor depressivo/ansioso". A comparação dos resultados possibilita o planejamento de programas de prevenção mais condizentes com as características e necessidade de cada comunidade

Adverse Events Post Smallpox-Vaccination: Insights from Tail Scarification Infection in Mice with Vaccinia virus

Adverse events upon smallpox vaccination with fully-replicative strains of Vaccinia virus (VACV) comprise an array of clinical manifestations that occur primarily in immunocompromised patients leading to significant host morbidity/mortality. The expansion of immune-suppressed populations and the possible release of Variola virus as a bioterrorist act have given rise to concerns over vaccination complications should more widespread vaccination be reinitiated. Our goal was to evaluate the components of the host immune system that are sufficient to prevent morbidity/mortality in a murine model of tail scarification, which mimics immunological and clinical features of smallpox vaccination in humans. Infection of C57BL/6 wild-type mice led to a strictly localized infection, with complete viral clearance by day 28 p.i. On the other hand, infection of T and B-cell deficient mice (Rag1−/−) produced a severe disease, with uncontrolled viral replication at the inoculation site and dissemination to internal organs. Infection of B-cell deficient animals (µMT) produced no mortality. However, viral clearance in µMT animals was delayed compared to WT animals, with detectable viral titers in tail and internal organs late in infection. Treatment of Rag1−/− with rabbit hyperimmune anti-vaccinia serum had a subtle effect on the morbidity/mortality of this strain, but it was effective in reduce viral titers in ovaries. Finally, NUDE athymic mice showed a similar outcome of infection as Rag1−/−, and passive transfer of WT T cells to Rag1−/− animals proved fully effective in preventing morbidity/mortality. These results strongly suggest that both T and B cells are important in the immune response to primary VACV infection in mice, and that T-cells are required to control the infection at the inoculation site and providing help for B-cells to produce antibodies, which help to prevent viral dissemination. These insights might prove helpful to better identify individuals with higher risk of complications after infection with poxvirus

Can Clinical and Surgical Parameters Be Combined to Predict How Long It Will Take a Tibia Fracture to Heal? A Prospective Multicentre Observational Study: The FRACTING Study

Background. Healing of tibia fractures occurs over a wide time range of months, with a number of risk factors contributing to prolonged healing. In this prospective, multicentre, observational study, we investigated the capability of FRACTING (tibia FRACTure prediction healING days) score, calculated soon after tibia fracture treatment, to predict healing time. Methods. The study included 363 patients. Information on patient health, fracture morphology, and surgical treatment adopted were combined to calculate the FRACTING score. Fractures were considered healed when the patient was able to fully weight-bear without pain. Results. 319 fractures (88%) healed within 12 months from treatment. Forty-four fractures healed after 12 months or underwent a second surgery. FRACTING score positively correlated with days to healing: r = 0.63 (p < 0.0001). Average score value was 7.3 \ub1 2.5; ROC analysis showed strong reliability of the score in separating patients healing before versus after 6 months: AUC = 0.823. Conclusions. This study shows that the FRACTING score can be employed both to predict months needed for fracture healing and to identify immediately after treatment patients at risk of prolonged healing. In patients with high score values, new pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments to enhance osteogenesis could be tested selectively, which may finally result in reduced disability time and health cost savings

Expanding the clinical spectrum of hereditary fibrosing poikiloderma with tendon contractures, myopathy and pulmonary fibrosis due to <i>FAM111B </i>mutations

BACKGROUND: Hereditary Fibrosing Poikiloderma (HFP) with tendon contractures, myopathy and pulmonary fibrosis (POIKTMP [MIM 615704]) is a very recently described entity of syndromic inherited poikiloderma. Previously by using whole exome sequencing in five families, we identified the causative gene, FAM111B (NM_198947.3), the function of which is still unknown. Our objective in this study was to better define the specific features of POIKTMP through a larger series of patients. METHODS: Clinical and molecular data of two families and eight independent sporadic cases, including six new cases, were collected. RESULTS: Key features consist of: (i) early-onset poikiloderma, hypotrichosis and hypohidrosis; (ii) multiple contractures, in particular triceps surae muscle contractures; (iii) diffuse progressive muscular weakness; (iv) pulmonary fibrosis in adulthood and (v) other features including exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, liver impairment and growth retardation. Muscle magnetic resonance imaging was informative and showed muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration. Histological examination of skeletal muscle revealed extensive fibroadipose tissue infiltration. Microscopy of the skin showed a scleroderma-like aspect with fibrosis and alterations of the elastic network. FAM111B gene analysis identified five different missense variants (two recurrent mutations were found respectively in three and four independent families). All the mutations were predicted to localize in the trypsin-like cysteine/serine peptidase domain of the protein. We suggest gain-of-function or dominant-negative mutations resulting in FAM111B enzymatic activity changes. CONCLUSIONS: HFP with tendon contractures, myopathy and pulmonary fibrosis, is a multisystemic disorder due to autosomal dominant FAM111B mutations. Future functional studies will help in understanding the specific pathological process of this fibrosing disorder