Author correction: the solute carrier SLC9C1 is a Na(+)/H(+)-exchanger gated by an S4-type voltage-sensor and cyclic-nucleotide binding

© The Author(s), 2020. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Windler, F., Bönigk, W., Körschen, H. G., Grahn, E., Strünker, T., Seifert, R., & Kaupp, U. B. Author correction: the solute carrier SLC9C1 is a Na(+)/H(+)-exchanger gated by an S4-type voltage-sensor and cyclic-nucleotide binding. Nature Communications, 11(1),(2020): 4210, doi:10.1038/s41467-020-18023-5

Control of intracellular pH and bicarbonate by CO2 diffusion into human sperm

Abstract The reaction of CO2 with H2O to form bicarbonate (HCO3 −) and H+ controls sperm motility and fertilization via HCO3 −-stimulated cAMP synthesis. A complex network of signaling proteins participates in this reaction. Here, we identify key players that regulate intracellular pH (pHi) and HCO3 − in human sperm by quantitative mass spectrometry (MS) and kinetic patch-clamp fluorometry. The resting pHi is set by amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ exchange. The sperm-specific putative Na+/H+ exchanger SLC9C1, unlike its sea urchin homologue, is not gated by voltage or cAMP. Transporters and channels implied in HCO3 − transport are not detected, and may be present at copy numbers < 10 molecules/sperm cell. Instead, HCO3 − is produced by diffusion of CO2 into cells and readjustment of the CO2/HCO3 −/H+ equilibrium. The proton channel Hv1 may serve as a unidirectional valve that blunts the acidification ensuing from HCO3 − synthesis. This work provides a new framework for the study of male infertility

Holocene climatic and environmental changes inferred from midge records (Diptera : Chironomidae, Chaoboridae, Ceratopogonidae) at Lake Berkut, southern Kola Peninsula, Russia

A radiocarbon-dated sediment sequence from Lake Berkut in the southern part of the Kola Peninsula, northwest Russia, was investigated by means of midge analysis in order to reconstruct the Holocene climatic and environmental history of the region. Past mean July air temperatures at the study site and hypolimnetic oxygen contents of the lake water were inferred from chironomid-based transfer functions. The early Holocene (c. 10 100 - 8400 cal. yr BP) is characterized by summer temperatures and hypolimnetic oxygen concentrations broadly similar to present-day conditions. The midge records give evidence of a lake- level fall at c. 7000 cal. yr BP, resulting in weakened thermal stratification of the lake water, and improvement of the hypolimnetic oxygen conditions. After c. 4000 cal. yr BP midge assemblages suggest a lake- level rise related to increased effective moisture. A secondary mid-Holocene climatic optimum with inferred mean July air temperatures of c. 12.1 degrees C was recorded between 6000 and 4400 cal. yr BP, followed by minimum values (c. 11.3 degrees C) between 3500 and 1500 cal. yr BP, accompanied by the onset of natural acidification of the lake. The late-Holocene midge assemblages suggest weakly acidic conditions, low hypolimnetic oxygen contents and a general warming trend during the last c. 1500 years, although paludification and natural acidification may have influenced the temperature reconstruction at this stage. However, the modern chironomid-inferred mean July air temperature (12.5 degrees C) is consistent with meteorological data from a nearby station. In general, the midge records reflect relatively warm and moist conditions at Lake Berkut before c. 7000 cal. yr BP, a relatively warm and dry climate at c. 7000 - 4000 cal. yr BP, and a shift to cooler and wetter climatic conditions in the region after c. 4000 cal. yr BP

Human monkeypox virus infection in women and non-binary individuals during the 2022 outbreaks: a global case series

International audienceBackground: Between May and November, 2022, global outbreaks of human monkeypox virus infection have been reported in more than 78 000 people worldwide, predominantly in men who have sex with men. We describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of monkeypox virus infection in cisgender (cis) and transgender (trans) women and non-binary individuals assigned female sex at birth to improve identification and understanding of risk factors.Methods: International collaborators in geographical locations with high numbers of diagnoses of monkeypox virus infection were approached and invited to contribute data on women and non-binary individuals with confirmed monkeypox virus infection. Contributing centres completed deidentified structured case-report spreadsheets, adapted and developed by participating clinicians, to include variables of interest relevant to women and non-binary individuals assigned female at birth. We describe the epidemiology and clinical course observed in the reported infections.Findings: Collaborators reported data for a total of 136 individuals with monkeypox virus infection who presented between May 11 and Oct 4, 2022, across 15 countries. Overall median age was 34 years (IQR 28-40; range 19-84). The cohort comprised 62 trans women, 69 cis women, and five non-binary individuals (who were, because of small numbers, grouped with cis women to form a category of people assigned female at birth for the purpose of comparison). 121 (89%) of 136 individuals reported sex with men. 37 (27%) of all individuals were living with HIV, with a higher proportion among trans women (31 [50%] of 62) than among cis women and non-binary individuals (six [8%] of 74). Sexual transmission was suspected in 55 (89%) trans women (with the remainder having an unknown route of transmission) and 45 (61%) cis women and non-binary individuals; non-sexual routes of transmission (including household and occupational exposures) were reported only in cis women and non-binary individuals. 25 (34%) of 74 cis women and non-binary individuals submitted to the case series were initially misdiagnosed. Overall, among individuals with available data, rash was described in 124 (93%) of 134 individuals and described as anogenital in 95 (74%) of 129 and as vesiculopustular in 105 (87%) of 121. Median number of lesions was ten (IQR 5-24; range 1-200). Mucosal lesions involving the vagina, anus, or oropharynx or eye occurred in 65 (55%) of 119 individuals with available data. Vaginal and anal sex were associated with lesions at those sites. Monkeypox virus DNA was detected by PCR from vaginal swab samples in all 14 samples tested. 17 (13%) individuals were hospitalised, predominantly for bacterial superinfection of lesions and pain management. 33 (24%) individuals were treated with tecovirimat and six (4%) received post-exposure vaccinations. No deaths were reported.Interpretation: The clinical features of monkeypox in women and non-binary individuals were similar to those described in men, including the presence of anal and genital lesions with prominent mucosal involvement. Anatomically, anogenital lesions were reflective of sexual practices: vulvovaginal lesions predominated in cis women and non-binary individuals and anorectal features predominated in trans women. The prevalence of HIV co-infection in the cohort was high

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Musical Time: 2nd international Conference MÚSICA ANALÍTICA

This work is funded by national funds through the FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the project UIDB/00460/2020