Biogeochemical Activity of Siderophilic Cyanobacteria and Insights from their Genomes Implications for the Development of New Biosignatures

Verifying the links between genomie features in living organisms and their mineralization/demineralization activity will help to reveal traces of life on Earth and beyond. Among contemporary environments, iron-depositing hot springs (IDHS) may represent one of the most appropriate natural models for insights into ancient life since organisms may have originated on Earth and possibly Mars in association with hydrothennal activity and high [Fe(2+)]. Siderophilic or "iron-loving" cyanobacteria (CB) inhabiting IDHS may have genomic features and properties similar to those of ancient organisms because abundant Fe(2+) in IDHS has a strong potential to increase the magnitude of oxidative stress. That is why specific and/or additional proteins involved in Fe mineralization by siderophilic CB are expected. Inorganic polyphosphates (PPi) are known to increase the viability of prokaryotes Linder heavy metal concentrations and UV stress conditions. PPi have also been proposed as biosignatures. Ancient CB could have also been stressed by occasional migrations from the Fe(2+) rich Ocean to the basaltic land which was almost devoid of dissolved Fe(2+). Thus, the study of the adaptation reactions of siderophilic CB to fluctuation of dissolved Fe level may shed light on the paleophysiology of ancient oxygenic prokaryotes. Moreover, bioweathered Fe, Al, P, Cu, Ti and rare earth elements can be thought of as candidate organomarkers that document the effects of or ganic molecules in weathered rocks. However, the molecular mechanisms of the maintenance of Fe homeostasis in siderophilic CB, the role of PPi for this process and bioweathering activities are poorly understood. Here we present preliminary results describing a new mechanism of Fe mineralization in siderophilic CB, the effect of Fe on the generation of PPi bodies in siderophilic CB, their bioweathering activity and preliminary analysis of the diversity of proteins involved in the prevention of oxidative stress in phototrophs inhabiting IDHS

Targeted disruption of the extracellular polymeric network of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms by alginate oligosaccharides

Acquisition of a mucoid phenotype by Pseudomonas sp. in the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, with subsequent over-production of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), plays an important role in mediating the persistence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) infections. The ability of a low molecular weight (Mn=3200 g mol-1) alginate oligomer (OligoG CF-5/20) to modify biofilm structure of mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NH57388A) was studied in vitro using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with Texas Red (TxRd®)-labelled OligoG and EPS histochemical staining. Structural changes in treated biofilms were quantified using COMSTAT image-analysis software of CLSM z-stack images, and nanoparticle diffusion. Interactions between the oligomers, Ca2+ and DNA were studied using molecular dynamics simulations (MDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Imaging demonstrated that OligoG treatment (>0.5%) inhibited biofilm formation, demonstrating a significant reduction in both biomass and biofilm height (17.8 vs. 5.5 µm; P <0.05). TxRd®-labelled oligomers readily diffused into established (24 h) biofilms. OligoG treatment (≥2%) induced alterations in the EPS of established biofilms; significantly reducing the structural quantities of sugar residues, and extracellular (e)DNA (P <0.05) with a corresponding increase in nanoparticle diffusion (P<0.05) and antibiotic efficacy against established biofilms. ITC demonstrated an absence of rapid complex formation between DNA and OligoG and confirmed the interactions of OligoG with Ca2+ evident in FTIR and MDS. The ability of OligoG to diffuse into biofilms, potentiate antibiotic activity, disrupt DNA-Ca2+-DNA bridges and biofilm EPS matrix highlights its potential for the treatment of biofilm-related infections

EFFECT OF LISINOPRIL ON 24-HOUR BLOOD PRESSURE AND ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN PATIENTS WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Aim. To study effect of 24-week treatment with lisinopril on blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness in patients with arterial hypertension (HT) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Material and methods. Twenty patients with essential HT grade  1-2 and RA (mean age 60.2±7.9 years) were treated with lisinoprilin 24 weeks in open controlled study. Office blood pressure (BP) was 147.2±9.4/87.5±8.6 mm Hg; 24-h mean  BP – 141.8±9.3/82.2±9.6 mm Hg; HT duration was 14.5±9.4 years, and RA duration – 12.3±2.6 years. A high incidence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors was identified: 95% of patients had dyslipidaemia, 45% – obesity, 35% – impaired glucose tolerance. Atherosclerosis of carotid arteries with stenosis less than 25% was diagnosed in 65% of patients. Most patients had a positive rheumatoid factor and cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, as well as moderate RA activity and III-IV radiologic stage of RA. All patients received methotrexate as the basic anti-inflammatory drug, 12 (60%) patients – selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, 6 (30%) patients took corticosteroids equivalent to prednisolone 7.5±5.5 mg per day. Mean  dose  of lisinopril was 12.2±9.8 mg/day. Office BP measurements, 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), and  arterial stiffness evaluation were  performed initially and  at the end of the study. Arterial stiffness was assessed by cardio-ankle vascular index on the right (R-CAVI) and on the left (L-CAVI).Results. After 24-week therapy with lisinopril office systolic and diastolic BP significantly decreased by 16.0±7.2/11.6±9.1 mm Hg (p<0.0001) and 11.6±9.1 mm Hg (p<0.0001), respectively. The target BP was achieved in 16 (83%) patients. According to the ABPM 24-week therapy with lisino pril led to a significant (p<0.002) decrease in BP for all referable periods: by 12.4±9.1/7.6±3.9 mm Hg within 24 hours;  by 13.4±10.1/8.0±6.1 mm Hg for daytime; by 10.1±9.3/7.3±6.3 mm Hg for night-time. After lisinopril treatment, R-CAVI decreased from 8.9±1.7 to 8.4±1.6 relative units (p=0.011), L-CAVI decreased from 8.9±1.6 to 8.4±1.5 relative units (p=0.003).Conclusion. In patients with combination of HT and RA, 24-week therapy with lisinopril had a significant antihypertensive effect and improved the elastic properties of the vessels

Massive tuberculous exudative pericarditis under the guise of hydropericardium in a patient with non-compaction cardiomyopathy: diagnosis and treatment

The first presentation of the combination of non-compaction cardiomyopathy  with a restrictive-dilated phenotype  and massive chronic tuberculous pericarditis, which for a long time was under  the guise  of hydropericardium  in congestive  heart  failure in a patient of 30 years, is performed. The absence of congestion signs in a large circle of blood circulation became the reason  for diagnosis of agnogenic  pericarditis and pericardial puncture.  A large volume (>1 l) and lymphocytic nature of effusion, its bilateral character, post-tuberculous changes and calcifications in the lungs, and intrathoracic lymphadenopathy  testified  in favor of the tuberculous  etiology of the process. The negative result of all laboratory tests  for tuberculosis  (Diaskintest, exudate  PCR test, fluorescence microscopy, inoculation on liquid media, Ziehl-Neelsen stain) and the high risk of thoracoscopic biopsy did not allow to immediately verify the diagnosis.  It was made only after repeated elimination of 3,5 l of hemorrhagic exudate and the detection of mycobacterial DNA by PCR. As a result of quadruple tuberculostatic therapy, a remission of the process was achieved (there is no fluid in the pericardial cavity)

ACUTE DECOMPENSATION OF HYPERTENSIVE HEART DISEASE IN PATIENT WITH MALIGNANT URINARY BLADDER PARAGANGLIOMA: STAGES OF DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT

Hypertensive heart disease with biventricular cardiac failure is not common in clinical practice. This diagnosis requires an extensive diagnostic search. We present the clinical case of the male patient of 38 aged. He was admitted to the clinic with heart failure 3-4 NYHA class. EchoCG revealed symmetric hypertrophy of the left ventricle up to 18 mm without its dilatation, a decrease in ejection fraction up to 42%, restrictive hemodynamics, overload of the right chambers, severe pulmonary hypertension (60 mm Hg). The clinical status included persistent arterial hypertension (180-220 and 120-150 mm Hg), effusion in both pleural cavities and pericardium, ascites, renal failure. During examination (multispiral computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, scintigraphy with 131I-MIBG), bladder paraganglioma was diagnosed (normatenafrin 1468 μg/day). The resection of the tumor was performed, according to immunohistochemical research – neuroendocrine carcinoma, G1. After 3 months a partial regression of hypertension and cardiac failure was observed with the preservation of a high level of creatinine. The criteria and differential diagnosis of the hypertensive heart disease and the syndrome of primary myocardial hypertrophy, diagnostics of the urinary bladder paraganglioma, complex mechanisms of myocardial damage within the pheochromocytoma and its prognosis are discussed

Memory tourism in a contested landscape : exploring identity discourses in Lviv, Ukraine

The study explores divergent representations and cultural identity in a historically contested landscape. The first form of representations includes politically amended place marketing. It is analysed how public discourse on a city’s development and regeneration articulate inscriptions of local authorities to pursue political-economic agendas. The second form of representations is diaspora’s imaginary of a pedigree place that derives from genealogical research and travel. In this way, genealogy enables counter-memories to uncritical marketing and ‘alternative’ voices in recast of local history. A contested landscape is conceptualized in the framework of politics of past to reflect stakeholders’ present-day preoccupations. Two forms of representations conceptualize spaces of dominance and resistance in Lefèbvre’s (1991) production of space. The empiric study is conducted in Lviv, a city with complicated past and national identity due to interchangeable powers. The fieldwork comprises the ongoing marketing campaign in Lviv launched in connection to Euro-2012, and the Polish, Jewish, and West Ukrainian diasporic representations. The findings show how the national and the Eurocentric meta-narratives embed the identity discourses of the official élite, and how diasporic texts suggest a genre of resistance to the marketing scripts