High-throughput glycopeptide profiling of prostate-specific antigen from seminal plasma by MALDI-MS

An altered total seminal plasma glycosylation has been associated with male infertility, and the highly abundant seminal plasma glycoprotein prostate-specific antigen (PSA) plays an important role in fertilization. However, the exact role of PSA glycosylation in male fertility is not clear. To understand the involvement of PSA glycosylation in the fertilization process, analytical methods are required to study the glycosylation of PSA from seminal plasma with a high glycoform resolution and in a protein-specific manner. In this study, we developed a novel, high-throughput PSA glycopeptide workflow, based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry, allowing the discrimination of sialic acid linkage isomers via the derivatization of glycopeptides. The method was successfully applied on a cohort consisting of seminal plasma from infertile and fertile men (N = 102). Forty-four glycopeptides were quantified in all samples, showing mainly complex-type glycans with high levels of fucosylation and sialylation. In addition, N,N-diacetyllactosamine (LacdiNAc) motives were found as well as hybrid-type and high mannose-type structures. Our method showed a high intra- and interday repeatability and revealed no difference in PSA glycosylation between fertile and infertile men. Next to seminal plasma, the method is also expected to be of use for studying PSA glycopeptides derived from other biofluids and/or in other disease contexts.Proteomic

Physical activity: a strategy to improve antibody response to a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster dose in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Physical activity associates with improved immunogenicity following a 2-dose schedule of CoronaVac (Sinovac's inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine) in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD). This study evaluates whether physical activity impacts vaccine-induced antibody responses to a booster dose in this population. This was a phase-4 trial conducted in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Patients with ARD underwent a 3-dose schedule of CoronaVac. One month after the booster, we assessed seroconversion rates of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG, geometric mean titers of anti-S1/S2 IgG, frequency of positive neutralizing antibodies, and neutralizing activity. Physical activity was assessed through questionnaire. Physically active (n = 362) and inactive (n = 278) patients were comparable for most characteristics; however, physically active patients were younger (P<.01) and had a lower frequency of chronic inflammatory arthritis (P<.01). Adjusted models showed that physically active patients had -2 times odds of seroconversion rates (OR: 2.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.22 to 3.61), -22% greater geometric mean titers of anti-S1/S2 IgG (22.09%; 95% confidence interval, 3.91 to 65.60), and -7% greater neutralizing activity (6.76%; 95% confidence interval, 2.80 to 10.72) than inactive patients. Patients with ARD who are physically active have greater odds of experiencing better immunogenicity to a booster dose of CoronaVac. These results support the recommendation of physical activity to improve vaccination responses, particularly for immunocompromised individuals

No associations between physical activity and immunogenicity in SARS-CoV-2 seropositive patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases prior to and after vaccination.

To investigate the association between physical activity and immunogenicity among SARS-CoV-2 seropositive patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases prior to and following a 2-dose schedule of CoronaVac (Sinovac inactivated vaccine). This was a prospective cohort study within an open-label, single-arm, phase 4 vaccination trial conducted in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In this substudy, only SARS-CoV-2 seropositive patients were included. Immunogenicity was assessed by seroconversion rates of total anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 immunoglobulin G (IgG), geometric mean titers of anti-S1/S2 IgG, frequency of positive neutralizing antibodies, and neutralizing activity before and after vaccination. Physical activity was assessed through a questionnaire. Model-based analyses were performed controlling for age (30 kg/m2), and use of prednisone, immunosuppressants, and biologics. A total of 180 seropositive autoimmune rheumatic disease patients were included. There was no association between physical activity and immunogenicity before and after vaccination. This study suggests that the positive association between physical activity and greater antibody responses seen in immunocompromised individuals following vaccination is overridden by previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, and does not extend to natural immunity

Association between drip loss and physicochemical properties of the longissimus lumborum muscle in fatteners

Celem pracy było oszacowanie zależności pomiędzy wielkością wycieku naturalnego z mięśnia longissimus lumborum (LL – część lędźwiowa mięśnia najdłuższego grzbietu) tuczników a zbiorami właściwości fizykochemicznych, oznaczonych w 1 i 24 h po uboju. Badania przeprowadzono na mięśniu LL 250 tuczników z czterech grup rasowych. Uzyskane wyniki wskazują na znaczną zmienność wielkości wycieku naturalnego z mięśnia LL badanej grupy tuczników. Stwierdzono istotne korelacje pomiędzy wielkością wycieku naturalnego w poszczególnych terminach pomiaru i zdolnością utrzymywania wody własnej a stopniem zakwaszenia tkanki mięśniowej (pH1 i pH24), zawartością kwasu mlekowego i glikogenu, przewodnością elektryczną tkanki mięśniowej (EC24) oraz jasnością mięsa. Na podstawie przeprowadzonej analizy kanonicznej stwierdzono, iż badane parametry fizykochemiczne mięsa w niewielkim stopniu (31-36%) wyjaśniają zmienność wycieku naturalnego z mięśnia LL, co wskazuje na potrzebę dalszych badań biochemicznych mechanizmów tego zjawiska.The aim of the study was to assess the relationships between drip loss from longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle tissue and sets of physicochemical parameters of pork meat determined 1 and 24 h after slaughter. The study was conducted on the longissimus lumborum muscle of 250 porkers from four breed groups. The results obtained indicate substantial variability in drip loss from the LL muscle tissue of these animals. Drip loss and water-holding capacity at each time of measurement were found to be significantly correlated with the acidity level in the muscle tissue (pH1 and pH24), lactic acid and glycogen content, electrical conductivity (EC24) and meat lightness. Canonical analysis showed that the meat quality parameters investigated determine the variability in drip loss from the LL muscle tissue only to a small extent (31-36%). This suggests the need for further research on the biochemical mechanisms of drip loss

Non invasive subsurface imaging to investigate the site evolution of Machu Picchu

The construction history of a site is partially preserved underground and can be revealed through archaeological investigations, including excavations, integrated with earth observation (EO) methods and technologies that make it possible to overcome some operational limits regarding the areal dimensions and the investigation depths along with the invasiveness of the excavations themselves. An integrated approach based on EO and archaeological records has been applied to improve the knowledge of Machu Picchu. The attention has been focused on the first construction phase of Machu Picchu, and for this reason the investigations were directed to the imaging and characterization of the subsoil of the Plaza principal, considered the core of the whole archaeological area. Archaeological records and multiscale remote sensing (including satellite, UAS, and geophysical surveys) enabled the identification and characterization of the first construction phase of the site, including the preparation phases before building Machu Picchu. The interpretative hypothesis on the constructive history of Machu Picchu started from the identification and use of the quarry, followed by the planification and set of the drainage systems and by the next steps based on diverse reshaping phases of what would be the central plaza

European Crohn&apos;s and Colitis Organisation topical review on transitional care in inflammatory bowel disease

Background: This European Crohn&apos;s and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] topical review focuses on the transition of adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] from child-centred to adult-oriented care. The aim was to provide evidence-supported, expert consensus for health professionals taking part in the transition. Methods: An online survey determined the areas of importance for health professionals involved in the transition of adolescents with IBD. Thereafter an expert panel of nine paediatric and five adult gastroenterologists was formed to identify the critical elements of the transition programme, and to prepare core messages defined as &apos;current practice points&apos;. There is limited literature about transition, therefore this review is mainly based on expert opinion and consensus, rather than on specific evidence. Results: A total of 21 practice points were generated before the first [online] voting round. Practice points that reached &gt; 80% agreement were accepted, while those that did not reach 80% agreement were refined during a consensus meeting and subjected to voting. Ultimately, 14 practice points were retained by this review. Conclusion: We present a consensus-based framework for transitional care in IBD that provides a guidance for clinical practice. © 2017 European Crohn&apos;s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO). Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved