Erratum

Evolution des teneurs en polyamines dans les boutons floraux, les fleurs et les jeunes baies de Vitis villifera L. (cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) atteints d'eutypioseVitis 43 (3), 139-144 (2004

The Candida albicans Dse1 Protein Is Essential and Plays a Role in Cell Wall Rigidity, Biofilm Formation, and Virulence

The fungal pathogen Candida albicans is one of the leading causative agents of death in immunocompromised individuals. It harbors an arsenal of cell wall anchored factors that are implicated in virulence such as filamentation inducing factors, adhesins, lipases, proteases, and superoxide dismutases. Dse1 is a cell wall protein involved in cell wall metabolism. The purpose of this study is to characterize the role Dse1 plays in virulence. Dse1 appears to be an essential gene as no homozygous null mutant was possible. The heterozygote mutant exhibited increased susceptibility to calcofluor white, a cell wall disrupting agent, with a subsequent reduction in cell wall chitin content, decreased oxidative stress tolerance, a 30% reduction in biofilm formation, and a delay in adhesion that was mirrored by a reduction in virulence in a mouse model of infection. Dse1 thus appears to be an important protein involved in cell wall integrity and rigidity

Prognostic value of the ratio between prothesis area and indexed annulus area measured by multiSlice-CT for transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures

Background Postprocedural aortic regurgitations following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures remain an is- sue. Benefit of oversizing strategies to prevent them isn’t well established. We compared different level of oversizing in our cohort of con- secutive patients to address if severe oversizing compared to normal sizing had an impact on post-procedural outcomes. Methods From January 2010 to August 2013, consecutive patients were referred for TAVI with preoperative Multislice-CT (MSCT) and the procedures were achieved using Edwards Sapien® or Corevalve devices®. Retrospectively, according to pre-procedural MSCT and the valve size, pa- tients were classified into three groups: normal, moderate and severe oversizing; depending on the ratio between the prosthesis area and the annulus area indexed and measured on MSCT. Main endpoint was mid-term mortality and secondary endpoints were the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC-2) endpoints. Results Two hundred and sixty eight patients had a MSCT and underwent TAVI procedure, with mainly Corevalve®. While all-cause and cardiovascular mortality rates were similar in all groups, post-procedural new pacemaker (PM) implantation rate was significantly higher in the severe oversizing group (P = 0.03), while we observed more in-hospital congestive heart-failure (P = 0.02) in the normal sizing group. There was a trend toward more moderate to severe aortic regurgitation (AR) in the normal sizing group (P = 0.07). Conclusions Despite a higher rate of PM implantation, oversizing based on this ratio reduces aortic leak with lower rates of post-procedural complications and a similar mid-term survival

Comparaison de la teneur en amidon, en glucides solubles et en acide abscissique des bourgeons latents et des entre-noeuds au cours du cycle végétatif de la vigne

Au cours du cycle annuel, l'évolution des teneurs des différents sucres solubles et de l'amidon des bourgeons et des entre-noeuds du Merlot noir est comparable. Les teneurs en glucides solubles totaux (GST), généralement plus faibles dans les bourgeons, diminuent de juillet à la mi-octobre avant de s'accumuler intensément jusqu'au mois de décembre pour chuter jusqu'au débourrement. Selon les périodes du cycle, les teneurs en hexoses des bourgeons sont soit plus élevées, soit pratiquement identiques à celles des entrenoeuds. Un phénomène inverse est observé pour le saccharose, sucre soluble le plus abondant pendant presque tout le cycle. L' accumulation du raffinose, comme celle du saccharose, dès le mois d'octobre semble en relation avec la diminution des températures journalières moyennes, ce qui paraît confirmer leur rôte cryoprotecteur face au froid hivernal. Les teneurs en raffinose des bourgeons, moins élevées que celles des entre-noeuds, diminuent ensuite à partir de la mi-novembre alors que celles des entre-noeuds ne diminuent qu'à l'approche du débourrement.Les teneurs en amidon, généralement moins élevées dans les bourgeons, évoluent la plupart du temps à l'inverse des GST. En présence des feuilles, l'ABA (acide abscissique) des bourgeons semble contrôler cette évolution en agissant comme inhibiteur de son accumulation. Peu avant la chute des feuilles et jusqu'a la mi-février, a diminution des teneurs en amidon des bourgeons paraît être favorisée par la diminution des teneurs en ABA certainement par la levée de l'inhibition de la synthese de l'α-amylase. L'ABA semble agir aussi, de juillet au début février, comme inhibiteur de l'accumulation du saccharose. Enfin, à l'approche du débourrement, la diminution des teneurs en ABA laisse apparaître une évolution inverse à celle de l'amidon mais parallèle à celle du saccharose.Comparison of the contents of starch, soluble carbohydrates and abscisic acid of latent buds and internodes during the vegetative cycle of grapevineIn the course of the annual cycle the contents of various soluble sugars and of starch were determined in buds and internodes of cv. Merlot. In general, the total soluble carbohydrate content was lower in buds compared to internodes; it decreased from July to mid-October, increased intensely until December and decreased again until bud burst. The content of hexoses corresponded to this cycle; in buds they were either higher or equal to those of the internodes. Sucrose behaved inversely. Starting in October, the accumulation of raffinose and sucrose was obviously related to the decrease of the daily average temperatures which possibly confirms their role as cryoprotectors in winter. The contents of raffinose in buds which were lower compared to those of internodes decreased after mid-November while in internodes they decreased only at the onset of bud burst. Generally, the starch content was lower in buds compared to internodes, its alterations were inversely related to the total soluble carbohydrates. In the presence of leaves the abscisic acid (ABA) content of buds appeared to affect this development by inhibiting the accumulation of starch. The decrease of the starch content of buds appears to be associated with the decrease of the ABA content; a decreasing ABA content is assumed to suspend the inhibition of the a-amylase synthesis. From July to the onset of February ABA is suggested to inhibit the accumulation of sucrose. Before bud burst decreasing amounts of ABA indicate a development which is inversely related to starch but runs parallel to the development of sucrose

Formation of hydrogen peroxide and water from the reaction of cold hydrogen atoms with solid oxygen at 10K

The reactions of cold H atoms with solid O2 molecules were investigated at 10 K. The formation of H2O2 and H2O has been confirmed by in-situ infrared spectroscopy. We found that the reaction proceeds very efficiently and obtained the effective reaction rates. This is the first clear experimental evidence of the formation of water molecules under conditions mimicking those found in cold interstellar molecular clouds. Based on the experimental results, we discuss the reaction mechanism and astrophysical implications.Comment: 12 pages, 3 Postscript figures, use package amsmath, amssymb, graphic

Histological Changes of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and Pulmonary Hypertension: An Autopsy Series of 42 Preterm Infants

Background: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), a significant cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, leads to disrupted pulmonary vascular growth and ultimately pulmonary hypertension (PH). The diagnosis of BPD is made by oxygen requirement for at least first 28 days of life. We hypothesized that histologic changes of BPD are evident before 28 days of age. Methods: All live born preterm infants born \u3c37 weeks of gestational age (GA), who received an autopsy between 2010 and 2017 at Children’s Hospital of Michigan or Hutzel Women’s Hospital, were identified by autopsy records. Infants with major congenital defects were excluded. Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records. Autopsy specimens of lung and heart tissue were examined by a single pathologist, and classified according to presence or absence of defining features of BPD and PH. Results: Of the 42 preterm infants that met the study criteria, 79% were \u3c32 weeks GA, 55% were male, 55% were African American, 33% were SGA, and 17% were twins. Infants that died at \u3c28 days of life were statistically more likely to be African American and receiving high frequency ventilation and were less likely to have preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and an echocardiogram obtained as part of their clinical workup. Of infants \u3c32 weeks GA, 61% died at \u3c28 days of age; histological BPD was observed in 25% of infants and PH was observed in 65%. Of infants \u3c32 weeks GA, 39% died at ≥28 days; histological BPD was observed in 92% and histological PH was observed in 85% of subjects. Of infants ≥32 weeks GA, 78% died at \u3c28 days of age; histological BPD was observed in 0% of infants and PH was observed in 71%. Of infants ≥32 weeks GA, 22% died at ≥28 days; histological BPD and PH were both observed in 50% of subjects. Histological changes of BPD observed in 5 infants born \u3c32 weeks GA who died before 28 days of age were identified as early as 6.73 days of age. Histologic PH was identified in 4 of the 5 infants with the earliest evidence being observed in an infant that died at 6.73 days of age. Conclusion: Histologic changes consistent with BPD and PH were evident in 25% and 65% respectively of postmortem lung samples from infants born \u3c32 weeks GA who received less than 28 days of cumulative oxygen support. These findings suggest that there is a need to develop better clinical criteria and dedicate future research to seeking biomarkers for BPD in extremely preterm infants before 32 weeks GA. Because timely intervention is key to minimizing long-term effects of the disease, research that further refines the timeline of BPD’s pathogenesis is essential. By identifying infants at risk through reliable biomarkers and initiating preventative measures before 28 days of life, clinicians may prevent long-term morbidity and mortality related to BPD

Evolution des teneurs en polyamines dans les boutons floraux, les fleurs et les jeunes baies de Vitis vinifera L. (cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) atteints d’eutypiose

Development of polyamine levels in flower buds, flowers and young berries of Vitis vinifera L. (cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) infected by eutypiosis fungus, Eutypa lata Effects of eutypiosis on polyamines (PAs) and tyramine contents in flower buds, flowers and young berries of grapevine were studied to determine the relationship between these components and disease development. The study was performed using organs (1) from healthy vines, (2) healthy appearing organs from vines with one symptomless arm and one diseased arm, and (3) diseased organs. Free PAs, conjugated polyamines ( PAs-fpm) and wall-bound polyamines (PAs-mm) were analysed in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon which is sensitive to eutypiosis. An increase of PAs-mm and a decrease of free PAs were observed in diseased organs; particularly putrescine and diaminopropane were concerned. On the other hand these substances were not affected by eutypiosis in the healthy appearing organs. Alterations of free PAs and PAs-mm in diseased organs were correlated with alteration of the flowering process. In contrast, the PAsfpm levels decreased in diseased organs in response to eutypiosis whereas they increased in healthy appearing organs. This group of PAs seems to play an important role in the response to Eutypa lata attacks to prevent the expression of symptoms. Accumulation of the conjugated tyramine in diseased and healthy appearing organs as a response to eutypiosis might be used as marker of Eutypa lata infection

Client Characteristics related Critical Success Factors for Public-Private Partnerships in South Africa

The implementation of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects in South Africa has grown steadily since the late 1990s. However, these partnerships do not realise their potential with a decline in PPP transactions over the past decade. The drivers of success for PPP projects have become a subject of investigation to understand the downward trend. This study evaluates the different critical success factors pertinent to client characteristics that influence PPP projects in South Africa. The study followed a qualitative research inquiry that employs a grounded theory (G.T.) approach involving semi-structured interviews with nine professionals involved in PPP projects selected using a snowball sampling technique. Interviews were conducted on video conferencing and through phone calls. Seven responses were considered relevant to the research, and two were considered irrelevant and were disregarded. An in-depth analysis of the data gathered was conducted through a selective coding process using NVivo. The analysis revealed the research’s emergent themes: client experience and in-house technical capabilities; client risk attitude; client willingness to be involved and trust in the private sector, available financial markets, and political support and stability. By applying the framework established, the chances of success and decline in the use of PPP projects can be considerably improved in South Africa through greater engagement between the public and private sectors in infrastructure investment and delivery. The study’s main limitation is the smallness of the sample size and the use of the snowball sampling technique in which the initial respondents are likely to refer to other respondents who share similar points of view and beliefs. To counter this limitation, the researchers ensured that the convenient sample of initial subjects comprised professionals from different backgrounds

Transient parkinsonism in isolated extrapontine myelinolysis

Extrapontine myelinolysis (EPM) is a rare cause of parkinsonism. In this case report, we describe a 63-year-old woman with parkinsonism due to EPM after correction of hyponatremia. During a 4-year follow-up, both the clinical features of parkinsonism and the changes on magnetic resonance imaging resolved. Parkinsonism due to EPM should be recognized as it has a good prognosis

Prediction of the survival and functional ability of severe stroke patients after ICU therapeutic intervention

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study evaluated the benefits and impact of ICU therapeutic interventions on the survival and functional ability of severe cerebrovascular accident (CVA) patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty-two ICU patients suffering from severe ischemic/haemorrhagic stroke were evaluated for CVA severity using APACHE II and the Glasgow coma scale (GCS). Survival was determined using Kaplan-Meier survival tables and survival prediction factors were determined by Cox multivariate analysis. Functional ability was assessed using the stroke impact scale (SIS-16) and Karnofsky score. Risk factors, life support techniques and neurosurgical interventions were recorded. One year post-CVA dependency was investigated using multivariate analysis based on linear regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The study cohort constituted 6% of all CVA (37.8% haemorrhagic/62.2% ischemic) admissions. Patient mean(SD) age was 65.8(12.3) years with a 1:1 male: female ratio. During the study period 16 patients had died within the ICU and seven in the year following hospital release.</p> <p>The mean(SD) APACHE II score at hospital admission was 14.9(6.0) and ICU mean duration of stay was 11.2(15.4) days. Mechanical ventilation was required in 37.1% of cases. Risk ratios were; GCS at admission 0.8(0.14), (p = 0.024), APACHE II 1.11(0.11), (p = 0.05) and duration of mechanical ventilation 1.07(0.07), (p = 0.046). Linear coefficients were: type of CVA – haemorrhagic versus ischemic: -18.95(4.58) (p = 0.007), GCS at hospital admission: -6.83(1.08), (p = 0.001), and duration of hospital stay -0.38(0.14), (p = 0.40).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>To ensure a better prognosis CVA patients require ICU therapeutic interventions. However, as we have shown, where tests can determine the worst affected patients with a poor vital and functional outcome should treatment be withheld?</p