A global analysis of Y-chromosomal haplotype diversity for 23 STR loci

In a worldwide collaborative effort, 19,630 Y-chromosomes were sampled from 129 different populations in 51 countries. These chromosomes were typed for 23 short-tandem repeat (STR) loci (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385ab, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635, GATAH4, DYS481, DYS533, DYS549, DYS570, DYS576, and DYS643) and using the PowerPlex Y23 System (PPY23, Promega Corporation, Madison, WI). Locus-specific allelic spectra of these markers were determined and a consistently high level of allelic diversity was observed. A considerable number of null, duplicate and off-ladder alleles were revealed. Standard single-locus and haplotype-based parameters were calculated and compared between subsets of Y-STR markers established for forensic casework. The PPY23 marker set provides substantially stronger discriminatory power than other available kits but at the same time reveals the same general patterns of population structure as other marker sets. A strong correlation was observed between the number of Y-STRs included in a marker set and some of the forensic parameters under study. Interestingly a weak but consistent trend toward smaller genetic distances resulting from larger numbers of markers became apparent.Peer reviewe

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

STUDIES ON INTERACTIONS OF PARATHYMOSIN WITH CELLULAR PROTEINS

PARATHYMOSIN IS A SMALL ACIDIC PROTEIN WITH WIDE TISSUE DISTRIBUTION. THE AMINOACID SEQUENCE OF THE PROTEIN SHOWS THAT THE ACIDIC AMINOACIDS ARE CLUSTURED INTO THE CENTRAL DOMAIN OF THE PROTEIN, WHEREAS ON THE CARBOXY - TERMINAL THERE IS AN OPERATIVE NLS. THE BIOLOGICAL ROLE OF THIS PROTEIN REMAINS CURRENTLY UKNOWN. THE AIM OF THIS STUDY IS TO IDENTIFY THE MOLECULAR ASSOCIATIONS OF PARATHYHMOSIN, TO INVESTIGATE ITS SUBCELLULAR LOCALIZATION AND STUDY ITS PHOSPHORYLATION AS AN INDICATOR OF POST - TRANSLATION MODIFICATIONS. AT THE FIRST STAGE OF THIS STUDY PARAT WAS ISOLATED AND CHARACTERIZED FROM GOAT LIVER AND A SPECIFIC ANTIBODY AGAINST THE PROTEIN WAS DEVELOPED. THIS ANTIBODY WAS USEDTO IDENTIFY THE SUBCELLULAR LOCALIZATION AND THE PROTEIN WAS LOCALIZED IN THE NUCLEUS. WE DEMONSTRATE THAT PARATHYMOSIN BINDS SPECIFICALLY TO THE LINKER HISTON H1 AND THIS INTERACTION IS ENHANCED BY RINC CATIONS. THIS ASSOCIATION IS MEDIATED BY THE ACIDIC DOMAIN OF PARAT AND THE CENTRAL GLOBULAR DOMAIN OF HISTONE H1. A POTENTIAL ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PARAT CHROMATIN (POLYNUCLEOSOMES)WAS INVESTIGATED BUT NOT SUCH AN INTERACTION WAS OBSERVED. ALSO, IT IS DEMONSTRATED THAT PARATHYMOSIN IS PHOSPHORYLATED BY CASEINE - KINASE II IN VITRO.Η ΠΑΡΑΘΥΜΟΣΙΝΗ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΜΙΑ ΜΙΚΡΗ ΟΞΙΝΗ ΠΡΩΤΕΙΝΗ, ΜΕ ΕΥΡΕΙΑ ΙΣΤΙΚΗ ΚΑΤΑΝΟΜΗ. Ο ΠΡΟΣΔΙΟΡΙΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΠΡΩΤΟΤΑΓΟΥΣ ΤΗΣ ΔΟΜΗΣ ΕΔΕΙΞΕ ΟΤΙ ΤΑ ΟΞΙΝΑ ΑΜΙΝΟΞΕΑ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΣΥΣΣΩΡΕΥΜΕΝΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΕΝΤΡΙΚΟ ΤΜΗΜΑ ΤΗΣ, ΕΝΩ ΣΤΟ -COOH ΑΚΡΟ ΥΠΑΡΧΕΙ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΚΟ ΠΕΠΤΙΔΙΟ ΟΔΗΓΟΣ ΣΤΟΝ ΠΥΡΗΝΑ. Ο ΒΙΟΛΟΓΙΚΟΣ ΡΟΛΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΠΡΩΤΕΙΝΗΣ ΠΑΡΑΜΕΝΕΙ ΑΓΝΩΣΤΟΣ. ΣΚΟΠΟΣ ΑΥΤΗΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΑΣ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΝΑ ΜΕΛΕΤΗΘΟΥΝ ΑΛΛΗΛΕΠΙΔΡΑΣΕΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΡΑΘΥΜΟΣΙΝΗΣ ΜΕ ΑΛΛΕΣ ΠΡΩΤΕΙΝΕΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΤΤΑΡΟΥ, ΝΑ ΕΝΤΟΠΙΣΘΕΙ Η ΘΕΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΣΤΟ ΚΥΤΤΑΡΟ ΚΑΙ ΝΑ ΜΕΛΕΤΗΘΕΙ Η ΙΚΑΝΟΤΗΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΝΑ ΦΩΣΦΟΡΥΛΙΩΝΕΤΑΙ. ΣΤΟ ΠΡΩΤΟ ΣΤΑΔΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΜΕΛΕΤΗΣ ΕΓΙΝΕ ΑΠΟΜΟΝΩΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΡΑΘΥΜΟΣΙΝΗΣ ΑΠΟ ΗΠΑΡ ΑΙΓΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΝΑΠΤΥΧΘΗΚΕ ΕΙΔΙΚΟ ΑΝΤΙΣΩΜΑ ΕΝΑΝΤΙ ΤΗΣ ΠΡΩΤΕΙΝΗΣ. ΧΡΗΣΙΜΟΠΟΙΩΝΤΑΣ ΤΟ ΑΝΤΙΣΩΜΑ ΑΥΤΟ ΔΙΑΠΙΣΤΩΘΗΚΕ ΟΤΙ Η ΠΡΩΤΕΙΝΗ ΒΡΙΣΚΕΤΑΙ ΣΤΟΝ ΠΥΡΗΝΑ ΤΩΝ ΚΥΤΤΑΡΩΝ ΠΟΥ ΜΕΛΕΤΗΘΗΚΑΝ. Η ΔΙΕΡΕΥΝΗΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΑΛΛΗΛΕΠΙΔΡΑΣΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΡΑΘΥΜΟΣΙΝΗΣ ΜΕ ΑΛΛΕΣ ΠΡΩΤΕΙΝΕΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΤΤΑΡΟΥ ΕΔΕΙΞΕ ΟΤΙ Η ΠΑΡΑΘΥΜΟΣΙΝΗ ΣΥΔΕΕΤΑΙ ΕΙΔΙΚΑ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΝΗ Η1 ΚΑΙ Η ΣΥΝΔΕΣΗ ΑΥΤΗ ΕΝΙΣΧΥΕΤΑΙ ΑΠΟ ΙΟΝΤΑ ZN^2+. Η ΚΕΝΤΡΙΚΗ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΗ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΡΑΘΥΜΟΣΙΝΗΣ ΚΑΙ Η ΣΦΑΙΡΙΚΗ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΗ ΤΗΣ ΙΣΤΟΝΗΣ Η1 ΣΥΜΜΕΤΕΧΟΥΝ ΣΤΗΝ ΣΥΝΔΕΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΔΥΟ ΠΡΩΤΕΙΝΩΝ. ΕΠΙΣΗΣ ΜΕΛΕΤΗΘΗΚΕ ΠΙΘΑΝΗ ΣΥΝΔΕΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΡΑΘΥΜΟΣΙΝΗΣ ΜΕ ΤΑ ΠΟΛΥΝΟΥΚΛΕΟΣΩΜΑΤΑ ΑΛΛΑ ΔΕΝ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΘΗΚΕ ΑΛΛΗΛΕΠΙΔΡΑΣΗ ΤΟΥΣ. ΚΑΤΑ ΤΗΝ ΔΙΑΡΚΕΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΑΣ ΑΥΤΗΣ ΜΕΛΕΤΗΘΗΚΑΝ ΠΙΘΑΝΕΣ ΜΕΤΑΜΕΤΑΦΡΑΣΤΙΚΕΣ ΤΡΟΠΟΠΟΙΗΣΕΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΡΑΘΥΜΟΣΙΝΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΙΔΙΚΟΤΕΡΑ Η ΙΚΑΝΟΤΗΤΑ ΤΗΣΝΑ ΦΩΣΦΟΡΥΛΙΩΝΕΤΑΙ IN VITRO. ΔΙΑΠΙΣΤΩΘΗΚΕ ΟΤΙ Η ΠΑΡΑΘΥΜΟΣΙΝΗ ΦΩΣΦΟΡΥΛΙΩΝΕΤΑΙ IN VITRO ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΚΙΝΑΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΚΑΖΕΙΝΗΣ ΙΙ

Oxidant/Antioxidant Status Is Impaired in Sepsis and Is Related to Anti-Apoptotic, Inflammatory, and Innate Immunity Alterations

Oxidative stress is considered pivotal in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Oxidants modulate heat shock proteins (Hsp), interleukins (IL), and cell death pathways, including apoptosis. This multicenter prospective observational study was designed to ascertain whether an oxidant/antioxidant imbalance is an independent sepsis discriminator and mortality predictor in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with sepsis (n = 145), compared to non-infectious critically ill patients (n = 112) and healthy individuals (n = 89). Serum total oxidative status (TOS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured by photometric testing. IL-6, -8, -10, -27, Hsp72/90 (ELISA), and selected antioxidant biomolecules (Ζn, glutathione) were correlated with apoptotic mediators (caspase-3, capsase-9) and the central anti-apoptotic survivin protein (ELISA, real-time PCR). A wide scattering of TOS, TAC, and TOS/TAC in all three groups was demonstrated. Septic patients had an elevated TOS/TAC, compared to non-infectious critically ill patients and healthy individuals (p = 0.001). TOS/TAC was associated with severity scores, procalcitonin, IL-6, -10, -27, IFN-γ, Hsp72, Hsp90, survivin protein, and survivin isoforms -2B, -ΔΕx3, -WT (p p TOS/TAC (0.96 (95% CI = 0.93–0.99)) was higher than AUCTAC (z = 20, p TOS (z = 3.1, p = 0.002) in distinguishing sepsis. TOS/TAC, TOS, survivin isoforms -WT and -2B, Hsp90, IL-6, survivin protein, and repressed TAC were strong predictors of mortality (p < 0.01). Oxidant/antioxidant status is impaired in septic compared to critically ill patients with trauma or surgery and is related to anti-apoptotic, inflammatory, and innate immunity alterations. The unpredicted TOS/TAC imbalance might be related to undefined phenotypes in patients and healthy individuals

Oxidant/Antioxidant Status Is Impaired in Sepsis and Is Related to Anti-Apoptotic, Inflammatory, and Innate Immunity Alterations

Oxidative stress is considered pivotal in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Oxidants modulate heat shock proteins (Hsp), interleukins (IL), and cell death pathways, including apoptosis. This multicenter prospective observational study was designed to ascertain whether an oxidant/antioxidant imbalance is an independent sepsis discriminator and mortality predictor in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with sepsis (n = 145), compared to non-infectious critically ill patients (n = 112) and healthy individuals (n = 89). Serum total oxidative status (TOS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured by photometric testing. IL-6, -8, -10, -27, Hsp72/90 (ELISA), and selected antioxidant biomolecules (Zeta n, glutathione) were correlated with apoptotic mediators (caspase-3, capsase-9) and the central anti-apoptotic survivin protein (ELISA, real-time PCR). A wide scattering of TOS, TAC, and TOS/TAC in all three groups was demonstrated. Septic patients had an elevated TOS/TAC, compared to non-infectious critically ill patients and healthy individuals (p = 0.001). TOS/TAC was associated with severity scores, procalcitonin, IL-6, -10, -27, IFN-gamma, Hsp72, Hsp90, survivin protein, and survivin isoforms -2B, -Delta Epsilon x3, -WT (p &lt; 0.001). In a propensity probability (age-sex-adjusted) logistic regression model, only sepsis was independently associated with TOS/TAC (Exp(B) 25.4, p &lt; 0.001). The AUC(TOS/TAC) (0.96 (95% CI = 0.93-0.99)) was higher than AUC(TAC) (z = 20, p &lt; 0.001) or AUC(TOS) (z = 3.1, p = 0.002) in distinguishing sepsis. TOS/TAC, TOS, survivin isoforms -WT and -2B, Hsp90, IL-6, survivin protein, and repressed TAC were strong predictors of mortality (p &lt; 0.01). Oxidant/antioxidant status is impaired in septic compared to critically ill patients with trauma or surgery and is related to anti-apoptotic, inflammatory, and innate immunity alterations. The unpredicted TOS/TAC imbalance might be related to undefined phenotypes in patients and healthy individuals

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat