Decrease in shunt volume in patients with cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) there is evidence supporting the hypothesis of a change in right-to-left shunt (RLS) over time. Proven, this could have implications for the care of patients with PFO and a history of stroke. The following study addressed this hypothesis in a cohort of patients with stroke and PFO.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The RLS volume assessed during hospitalisation for stroke (index event/T0) was compared with the RLS volume on follow-up (T1) (median time between T0 and T1 was 10 months). In 102 patients with a history of stroke and PFO the RLS volume was re-assessed on follow-up using contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler/duplex (ce-TCD) ultrasound. A change in RLS volume was defined as a difference of ≥20 microembolic signals (MES) or no evidence of RLS during ce-TCD ultrasound on follow-up.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was evidence of a marked reduction in RLS volume in 31/102 patients; in 14/31 patients a PFO was no longer detectable. An index event classified as cryptogenic stroke (P < 0.001; OD = 39.2, 95% confidence interval 6.0 to 258.2) and the time interval to the follow-up visit (P = 0.03) were independently associated with a change in RLS volume over time.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>RLS volume across a PFO decreases over time, especially in patients with cryptogenic stroke. These may determine the development of new strategies for the management in the secondary stroke prevention.</p

Passive Mineral Carbonation of Mg-rich Mine Wastes by Atmospheric CO2

Mg-rich process tailings and waste rocks from mining operations can react spontaneously with atmospheric CO2 to form stable carbonate minerals by exothermic reactions. Over the last decade, we have conducted a number of laboratory and field experiments and surveys on both mine waste rocks and different types of mine tailings from Ni-Cu, chrysotile, and diamond mines. The experiments and surveys cover a wide range of time (103 to 108 s) and mass (1-108 g) scales. Mine waste rich in brucite or chrysotile enhances the mineral carbonation reactions. Water saturation, but more importantly, watering frequency, are highly important to optimize carbonation. Adjusting the chemical composition of the interstitial water to favour Mg dissolution and to prevent passivation of the reaction surfaces is crucial to ensure the progress of the carbonation reactions. Preservation of the permeability structure is also critical to facilitate water and CO2 migration in the rock wastes and tailings. In field experiments, CO2 supply controled by diffusion in the mining waste is slower than the reaction rate which limits the capture of atmospheric CO2. Industrial implementation of passive mineral carbonation of mine waste by atmospheric CO2 can be optimized using the above parameters

Fusarium: more than a node or a foot-shaped basal cell

Recent publications have argued that there are potentially serious consequences for researchers in recognising distinct genera in the terminal fusarioid clade of the family Nectriaceae. Thus, an alternate hypothesis, namely a very broad concept of the genus Fusarium was proposed. In doing so, however, a significant body of data that supports distinct genera in Nectriaceae based on morphology, biology, and phylogeny is disregarded. A DNA phylogeny based on 19 orthologous protein-coding genes was presented to support a very broad concept of Fusarium at the F1 node in Nectriaceae. Here, we demonstrate that re-analyses of this dataset show that all 19 genes support the F3 node that represents Fusarium sensu stricto as defined by F. sambucinum (sexual morph synonym Gibberella pulicaris). The backbone of the phylogeny is resolved by the concatenated alignment, but only six of the 19 genes fully support the F1 node, representing the broad circumscription of Fusarium. Furthermore, a re-analysis of the concatenated dataset revealed alternate topologies in different phylogenetic algorithms, highlighting the deep divergence and unresolved placement of various Nectriaceae lineages proposed as members of Fusarium. Species of Fusarium s. str. are characterised by Gibberella sexual morphs, asexual morphs with thin- or thick-walled macroconidia that have variously shaped apical and basal cells, and trichothecene mycotoxin production, which separates them from other fusarioid genera. Here we show that the Wollenweber concept of Fusarium presently accounts for 20 segregate genera with clear-cut synapomorphic traits, and that fusarioid macroconidia represent a character that has been gained or lost multiple times throughout Nectriaceae. Thus, the very broad circumscription of Fusarium is blurry and without apparent synapomorphies, and does not include all genera with fusarium-like macroconidia, which are spread throughout Nectriaceae (e.g., Cosmosporella, Macroconia, Microcera). In this study four new genera are introduced, along with 18 new species and 16 new combinations. These names convey information about relationships, morphology, and ecological preference that would otherwise be lost in a broader definition of Fusarium. To assist users to correctly identify fusarioid genera and species, we introduce a new online identification database, Fusarioid-ID, accessible at www.fusarium.org. The database comprises partial sequences from multiple genes commonly used to identify fusarioid taxa (act1, CaM, his3, rpb1, rpb2, tef1, tub2, ITS, and LSU). In this paper, we also present a nomenclator of names that have been introduced in Fusarium up to January 2021 as well as their current status, types, and diagnostic DNA barcode data. In this study, researchers from 46 countries, representing taxonomists, plant pathologists, medical mycologists, quarantine officials, regulatory agencies, and students, strongly support the application and use of a more precisely delimited Fusarium (= Gibberella) concept to accommodate taxa from the robust monophyletic node F3 on the basis of a well-defined and unique combination of morphological and biochemical features. This F3 node includes, among others, species of the F. fujikuroi, F. incarnatum-equiseti, F. oxysporum, and F. sambucinum species complexes, but not species of Bisifusarium [F. dimerum species complex (SC)], Cyanonectria (F. buxicola SC), Geejayessia (F. staphyleae SC), Neocosmospora (F. solani SC) or Rectifusarium (F. ventricosum SC). The present study represents the first step to generating a new online monograph of Fusarium and allied fusarioid genera (www.fusarium.org)

Stylonectria norvegica (Nectriaceae), a new species fromNorway

Stylonectria norvegica sp. nov. is described from three collections on pyrenomycetous hosts on Quercus, Betula and Alnus in Norway. The fusarium-like asexual state was obtained in culture and the ITS1- 5.8S-ITS2 loci were sequenced. This new species is described and illustrated and its affinities and differences with other species in the genus are discussed. Ascomycota, fungicolous, Hypocreales, ITS, taxonomy

A new species of [i]Ijuhya, I. fournieri,[/i] from french Guiana

A detailed description of [i]Ijuhya fournieri[/i] sp. nov. is presented based on two collections on dead palm leaves in French Guiana. The asexual state has been obtained in culture and sequenced. Molecular data indicate that it is an undescribed species of [i]Ijuhya[/i]. A key to the species of Ijuhya with fasciculate hairs is provided.Une description détaille de [i] Ijuhya fournieri[/i] sp. nov. est présentée, basée sur deux récoltes sur feuilles mortes de palmier en Guyane Française. Le stade asexué a été obtenu en culture et séquencé. Les données moléculaires indiquent qu’il s’agit d’une espèce d’ Ijuhya non décrite. Une clé des espèces d’ [i]Ijuhya[/i] avec des poils fasciculés est fournie

Clonostachys saulensis (Bionectriaceae, Hypocreales), a new species from French Guiana

Appreciation to Parc National Amazonien de Guyane (PNAG) for having organized the field trip to SaülClonostachys saulensis sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on a collection on bark of deadliana in French Guiana. this species is placed in Clonostachys (= Bionectria) based on its clonostachys-likeasexual morph, ascomata not changing colour in 3% Koh or lactic acid and phylogenetic comparison of itSsequences with known species of Clonostachys. Clonostachys saulensis is primarily characterized by nonstromatic,smooth, pale brown, globose ascomata coated with a whitish powdery scurf from base up to halfheight and turning blackish upon drying. Based on comparison of morphological characteristics of sexualasexualmorphs and molecular data with known species, C. saulensis is proposed as a new species..Clonostachys saulensis sp. nov. est décrite et illustrée d’après une récolte effectuée sur écorce deliane morte en Guyane française. cette espèce est placée dans le genre Clonostachys (= Bionectria) d’aprèssa forme asexuée de type clonostachys, les ascomes ne changeant pas de couleur dans Koh à 3% ou dansl’acide lactique et la comparaison phylogénétique des séquences itS avec les espèces connues de Clonostachys.Clonostachys saulensis est principalement caractérisée par des ascomes globuleux, sans stroma, brunpâle, couverts d’une pellicule poudreuse blanchâtre de la base jusqu’à la moitié de la hauteur, devenant noirâtresen séchant. en se fondant sur la comparaison des caractères morphologiques et des données moléculairesavec les espèces connues, C. saulensis est proposée comme une nouvelle espèce

Five new Camillea (Xylariales) species described from French Guiana

Abstract Background The genus Camillea was created in 1849 from collections made in French Guiana with eight species included. Numerous species assigned to Camillea were subsequently discovered, especially in the forests of the Amazon basin, but new discoveries have not been reported from French Guiana since 1849. Recent fieldwork in French Guiana has begun to fill this gap by identifying five new species, most of which were collected in the vicinity of Saül village. Results Based on macro- and micromorphological study of their stromata, including SEM images of ascospore wall ornamentation, five new species were recognized, including C. cribellum, C. heterostomoides, C. nitida, C. rogersii and C. saulensis. Cultures could be obtained for C. heterostomoides and C. rogersii, and ITS and LSU sequences were obtained for all of the five new species. Camillea heterostoma and its variety microspora were shown to be conspecific. Provisional molecular phylogenetic analyses support the possible reinstatement of Hypoxylon melanaspis, currently regarded as merely an applanate form of C. leprieurii. Conclusion The current study is based on a relatively limited fieldwork in its duration and sampling area but was able to substantially increase the number of Camillea species known from French Guiana. This augurs an exceptional and still unknown diversity of the genus in this area and by extension in the adjacent neotropical forests

Goat endothelial cells may be infected in vitro by transmigration of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus-infected leucocytes

International audienceThe caprine arthritis-encephalitis lentivirus (CAEV) causes a lifelong persistent infection in goats, and induces infiltrations of leucocytes and tissue reorganization in target organs, with a cyclical pattern of viral expression. The mammary gland is an important site of infection, associated with mother-to-kid transmission by infected cells in colostrum and milk. The monocyte/ macrophage is the principal target cell, but other cell types, including epithelial and endothelial cells and fibroblasts, are susceptible to in vitro infection with varying levels of viral replication. Such cells, perhaps at specific differentiation states, might play a role in the regulation and transfer of in vivo infection in target organs. In this paper we describe the in vitro infection of endothelial cell monolayers by the transmigration of monocytes carrying the CAEV provirus. The infected endothelial cells progress to expression of the viral p30 capsid antigen, suggesting viral proliferation. Such a process occurring in vivo during angiogenesis and leucocyte homing to the mammary gland in the final third of mammogenesis, might contribute to viral spread in this crucial target organ

Characterization of LE3 and LE4, the only lytic phages known to infect the spirochete Leptospira

International audienceLeptospira is a phylogenetically unique group of bacteria, and includes the causative agents of leptospirosis, the most globally prevalent zoonosis. Bacteriophages in Leptospira are largely unexplored. To date, a genomic sequence is available for only one temperate leptophage called LE1. Here, we sequenced and analysed the first genomes of the lytic phages LE3 and LE4 that can infect the saprophyte Leptospira biflexa using the lipopolysaccharide O-antigen as receptor. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the 48-kb LE3 and LE4 genomes are similar and contain 62% genes whose function cannot be predicted. Mass spectrometry led to the identification of 21 and 23 phage proteins in LE3 and LE4, respectively. However we did not identify significant similarities with other phage genomes. A search for prophages close to LE4 in the Leptospira genomes allowed for the identification of a related plasmid in L. interrogans and a prophage-like region in the draft genome of a clinical isolate of L. mayottensis. Long-read whole genome sequencing of the L. mayottensis revealed that the genome contained a LE4 phage-like circular plasmid. Further isolation and genomic comparison of leptophages should reveal their role in the genetic evolution of Leptospira. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in bacteriophages for their potential use as alternatives to conventional antibiotics 1 , and also in understanding their contribution in evolution of bacteria 2,3. In addition, phages could be used to develop new genetic tools such as replicative vectors from different compatibility groups and phage-delivery systems. Unfortunately, little is known about the diversity of phages among the genus Leptospira. Leptospira are ubiquitous organisms that are found as free-living saprophytes in environmental water and soil, or as pathogens that can cause acute or chronic infections in animals. A third group that is composed of intermediate species (in regards to their pathogenesis) of Leptospira, is phylogenetically closely related to the pathogenic species and can cause mild infections 4. Leptospirosis is an emerging waterborne zoonosis which results in more than one million human cases a year with a fatality rate frequently exceeding 10% 5. To the best of our knowledge, the only phages that have been isolated, purified, and phenotypically characterized in the genus Leptospira are: vB_LbiM_LE1 (renamed 6 , and abbreviated LE1), vB_LbiM_LE3 (LE3), and vB_LbiM_LE4 (LE4) 7. These tailed phages have been isolated from urban sewage and infect the saprophyte L. biflexa. The LE1 temperate phage genome was previously sequenced 8 and an Escherichia coli-L. biflexa shuttle vector was generated by cloning the replication origin of LE1 9. Until now, the virulent phages LE3 and LE4 have not been further characterized at the genomic and proteomic levels. In addition to these three phages, phage-like particles were also observed following mitomycin C induction of a pathogenic strain carrying a circular plasmid with phage-related genes, but these phage-like particles were not purified 10. Recently, comparative analyses of genome sequences have suggested the existence of prophages and genomic islands within the genus Leptospira 11,12. Putative prophages are found in infectious Leptospira species, including pathogenic and intermediate species, and absent in saprophytic Leptospira species, suggesting that phages may have had a major role in the emergence of the pathogens and/or in the acquisition of virulence factors. Analysis of the complete genomes of 20 Leptospira species led to the description of several predicted prophage regions 11 , including LE1-like and Mu-like prophages. In addition, the existence of two other groups of prophages have been proposed: a 22-kb region which was initially described in L. interrogans serovar Lai but that is present in mos