Candida albicans fibrinogen binding mannoprotein: expression in clinical strains and immunogenicity in patients with candidiasis

A 58 kDa cell wall-associated fibrinogen binding mannoprotein (mp58), previously characterized by our group in a Candida albicans laboratory strain (ATCC 26555), was found to be also present in the cell wall of clinical isolates of this fungus. Most strains examined appear to have functional mp58 species, as detected by their ability to bind fibrinogen. Western immunoblot analysis, with a monovalent polyclonal antibody generated against the mp58 species from strain ATCC 26555, revealed differences in recognition patterns depending on the strain tested and the culture conditions used. Serum samples from normal and Candida infected individuals were examined for the presence of antibodies against mp58 by Western immunoblotting. None of the sera from control individuals and patients suffering from superficial candidiasis contained antibodies against mp58. However, positive reactivity with this antigen and other cell wall constituents was detected for all sera from patients with confirmed systemic candidiasis. Together, these results suggest that mp58 could play an active role during infection and may be useful as a specific antigenic marker for candidiasis

The hypothesis of the crossing through the Gibraltar strait by hominins in the early Pleistocene revised in the light of new geological and oceanographic data

La discusión sobre las rutas seguidas por los homininos africanos para llegar a Europa durante el Pleistoceno temprano se convierte en un tema controvertido cuando las rutas implican cruzar vías marítimas. Durante décadas, tales vías fueron objeto de un largo debate que continúa hoy, rechazado por buena parte de la comunidad científica. Sin embargo, los descubrimientos recientes, en antiguos sitios arqueológicos tanto del sur de la península ibérica, norte de África, Asia y la Isla de Flores, han proporcionado nuevas perspectivas y han cuestionado seriamente los paradigmas aceptados durante muchos años. Además, los estudios geodinámicos recientes en lugares relevantes, como el estrecho de Gibraltar o el mar de Alborán, han cambiado los conceptos con respecto a si los primeros homininos del Pleistoceno inferior pudieron cruzar estas vías marítimas hacia Iberia y, por lo tanto, hacia Europa. Aquí realizamos una revisión de las rutas mencionadas y proporcionamos nuevos datos publicados recientemente que refuerzan la hipótesis de las migraciones a través de estos trayectos marítimos.The debate on the routes followed by African hominins on their way to Europe during the Early Pleistocene has become a controversial subject when it comes to crossing seaways. For decades, such ways have been a matter of discussion rejected by most of the Scientific Community. However, recent findings at ancient archaeological sites in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, north of Africa, Asia and the Flores Island have provided a new perspective and have seriously questioned those paradigms accepted for a long time. In addition to this, recent geodynamic research at outstanding sites as the Gibraltar Strait and the Sea of Alboran have changed conceptions of Early Pleistocene hominins being able to cross the sea on their way to Iberia and, therefore, to Europe. For this work, we have revisited the forementioned seaways and provided them with new recently-published data which reinforce the hypotheis of migration through these maritime way

Candida albicans fibrinogen binding mannoprotein: expression in clinical strains and immunogenicity in patients with candidiasis

A 58 kDa cell wall-associated fibrinogen binding mannoprotein (mp58), previously characterized by our group in a Candida albicans laboratory strain (ATCC 26555), was found to be also present in the cell wall of clinical isolates of this fungus. Most strains examined appear to have functional mp58 species, as detected by their ability to bind fibrinogen. Western immunoblot analysis, with a monovalent polyclonal antibody generated against the mp58 species from strain ATCC 26555, revealed differences in recognition patterns depending on the strain tested and the culture conditions used. Serum samples from normal and Candida infected individuals were examined for the presence of antibodies against mp58 by Western immunoblotting. None of the sera from control individuals and patients suffering from superficial candidiasis contained antibodies against mp58. However, positive reactivity with this antigen and other cell wall constituents was detected for all sera from patients with confirmed systemic candidiasis. Together, these results suggest that mp58 could play an active role during infection and may be useful as a specific antigenic marker for [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

Physiologic Expression of the Candida albicans Pescadillo Homolog Is Required for Virulence in a Murine Model of Hematogenously Disseminated Candidiasis

Morphogenetic conversions contribute to the pathogenesis of Candida albicans invasive infections. Many studies to date have convincingly demonstrated a link between filamentation and virulence; however, relatively little is known regarding the role of the filament-to-yeast transition during the pathogenesis of invasive candidiasis. We previously identified the C. albicans pescadillo homolog (PES1) as essential during yeast growth and growth of lateral yeast on hyphae but not during hyphal growth. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PES1 is required for virulence in vivo in a Galleria mellonella larva model of candidiasis. Here, we have used a regulatable tetO-PES1/pes1 strain to assess the contribution of C. albicansPES1 to pathogenesis in the commonly used and clinically relevant murine model of hematogenously disseminated candidiasis. Our results indicate that a physiologically controlled level of PES1 expression is required for full virulence in this animal model, with virulence defects observed both when PES1 is overexpressed and and when it is depleted. The pathogenetic defect of cells depleted of PES1 is not due to a general growth defect, as demonstrated by the fact that PES1-depleted cells still kill Caenorhabditis elegans as efficiently as the wild type due to hyphal outgrowth through worm tissues. Our results suggest a critical role of lateral yeast growth in the ability of C. albicans to normally proliferate within tissues, as well as a pivotal role for Pes1 in the normal developmental cycle of C. albicans within the mammalian host during infection

Proyecto y construccion del cierre del ábside de la Sagrada Familia

Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Monitoring the antimicrobial susceptibility of Gramnegative organisms involved in intraabdominal and urinary tract infections recovered during the SMART study (Spain, 2016 and 2017)

OBJECTIVE: Continuous antimicrobial resistance surveillance is recommended by Public Health authorities. We up-dated data from the SMART (Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends) surveillance study in Spain. METHODS: The antimicrobial susceptibility data and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production in isolates recovered from intra-abdominal (IAI) (n=1,429) and urinary tract (UTI) (n=937) infections during the 2016- 2017 SMART study in 10 Spanish hospitals were analysed. RESULTS: Escherichia coli was the most frequently microorganism isolated (48.3% and 53.7%) followed by Klebsiella spp. (11.5% and 21.9%) in IAIs and UTIs, respectively. Figures for Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 9.0% and 6.1%, being more frequently recovered from patients with nosocomial infections. Overall, 9.9% (IAI) and 14.0% (UTI) of E. coli, Klebsiella spp. and Proteus mirabilis isolates were ESBL-producers, being Klebsiella pneumoniae (34.5%) from UTI of nosocomial origin the most frequent. ESBL-producers were higher in patients >60 years in both IAIs and UTIs. As in previous years, amikacin (96.3%-100% susceptibility), ertapenem (84.2%-100%) and imipenem (70.3%- 100%) were the most active antimicrobials tested among Enterobacterales species. The activity of amoxicillin-clavulanic, piperacillin-tazobactam, and ciprofloxacin susceptibility was lower, particularly among ESBL-producers. Ertapenem susceptibility (88.9%-100%) was retained in ESBL-E. coli isolates that were resistant to these antimicrobials but decreased (28.6%-100%) in similar isolates of K. pneumoniae. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous antimicrobial resistance surveillance from the SMART study reveals overall maintenance of ESBL-producers in Spain, although with higher presence in isolates from UTIs than from IAIs. Moreover, ertapenem activity was high in E. coli irrespective of ESBL production but decreased in K. pneumoniae, particularly among ESBL-producers

Adaptive Tracking Techniques in Non-Stationary Environments

The continuously changing environments have been the main challenge for classical GNSS receiver implementations, as they can have a great impact on signal tracking performance and positioning. For this reason techniques capable of mitigating the impact of time-varying phenomena by adapting to changing conditions, thus improving performance are of great interest. This study reports the benefits of using adaptive techniques for standalone GNSS receivers in three different scenarios. The first scenario compares an adaptive Kalman filter against a classical DLL/PLL architecture in interference environments with user dynamics. The second scenario uses a multipath propagation channel to test alternative carrier tracking architectures which provide better results in terms of robustness. The third scenario uses the same multipath propagation channel to test the adaptive switching technique, 2-Step, in order to evaluate its capacity of guaranteeing and maintaining unambiguous tracking for BOC-type modulations. In order to assess the performance of these techniques a semi-analytical platform has been used. The results presented here show the benefits and trade-offs of different techniques taking into account different propagation channels and scenarios

Designing a new science-policy communication mechanism for the UN Convention to Combat Desertification

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has lacked an efficient mechanism to access scientific knowledge since entering into force in 1996. In 2011 it decided to convene an Ad Hoc Working Group on Scientific Advice (AGSA) and gave it a unique challenge: to design a new mechanism for science-policy communication based on the best available scientific evidence. This paper outlines the innovative 'modular mechanism' which the AGSA proposed to the UNCCD in September 2013, and how it was designed. Framed by the boundary organization model, and an understanding of the emergence of a new multi-scalar and polycentric style of governing, the modular mechanism consists of three modules: a Science-Policy Interface (SPI); an international self-governing and self-organizing Independent Non-Governmental Group of Scientists; and Regional Science and Technology Hubs in each UNCCD region. Now that the UNCCD has established the SPI, it is up to the worldwide scientific community to take the lead in establishing the other two modules. Science-policy communication in other UN environmental conventions could benefit from three generic principles corresponding to the innovations in the three modules-joint management of science-policy interfaces by policy makers and scientists; the production of synthetic assessments of scientific knowledge by autonomous and accountable groups of scientists; and multi-scalar and multi-directional synthesis and reporting of knowledge

Bisbibenzyls, a New Type of Antifungal Agent, Inhibit Morphogenesis Switch and Biofilm Formation through Upregulation of DPP3 in Candida albicans

The yeast-to-hypha transition plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of C. albicans. Farnesol, a quorum sensing molecule (QSM) secreted by the fungal itself, could prevent the formation of hyphae and subsequently lead to the defect of biofilm formation. The DPP3, encoding phosphatase, is a key gene in regulating farnesol synthesis. In this study, we screened 24 bisbibenzyls and 2 bibenzyls that were isolated from bryophytes or chemically synthesized by using CLSI method for antifungal effect. Seven bisbibenzyls were found to have antifungal effects with IC80 less than 32 µg/ml, and among them, plagiochin F, isoriccardin C and BS-34 were found to inhibit the hyphae and biofilm formation of C. albicans in a dose-dependent manner. To uncover the underlying relationship between morphogenesis switch and QSM formation, we measured the farnesol production by HPLC-MS and quantified Dpp3 expression by detecting the fluorescent intensity of green fluorescent protein tagged strain using Confocal Laser Scanning microscopy and Multifunction Microplate Reader. The DPP3 transcripts were determined by real-time PCR. The data indicated that the bisbibenzyls exerted antifungal effects through stimulating the synthesis of farnesol via upregulation of Dpp3, suggesting a potential antifungal application of bisbibenzyls. In addition, our assay provides a novel, visual and convenient method to measure active compounds against morphogenesis switch