Supramolecular Hierarchy among Halogen-Bond Donors

Through a combination of structural chemistry, vibrational spectroscopy, and theory, we have systematically examined the relative structure-directing importance of a series of ditopic halogen-bond (XB) donors. The molecular electrostatic potential surfaces of six XB donors were evaluated, which allowed for a charge-based ranking. Each molecule was then co-crystallized with 21 XB acceptors and the results have made it possible to map out the supramolecular landscape describing the competition between I/Br-ethynyl donors, perfluorinated I/Br donors, and I/Br-phenyl based donors. The results offer practical guidelines for synthetic crystal engineering driven by robust and directional halogen bonds. Copyright 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Large Spatial Scale Variability in Bathyal Macrobenthos Abundance, Biomass, a- and b-Diversity along the Mediterranean Continental Margin

The large-scale deep-sea biodiversity distribution of the benthic fauna was explored in the Mediterranean Sea, which can beseen as a miniature model of the oceans of the world. Within the framework of the BIOFUN project (‘‘Biodiversity andEcosystem Functioning in Contrasting Southern European Deep-sea Environments: from viruses to megafauna’’), weinvestigated the large spatial scale variability (over .1,000 km) of the bathyal macrofauna communities that inhabit theMediterranean basin, and their relationships with the environmental variables. The macrofauna abundance, biomass,community structure and functional diversity were analysed and the a-diversity and b-diversity were estimated across sixselected slope areas at different longitudes and along three main depths. The macrobenthic standing stock and a-diversitywere lower in the deep-sea sediments of the eastern Mediterranean basin, compared to the western and central basins. Themacrofaunal standing stock and diversity decreased significantly from the upper bathyal to the lower bathyal slope stations.The major changes in the community composition of the higher taxa and in the trophic (functional) structure occurred atdifferent longitudes, rather than at increasing water depth. For the b-diversity, very high dissimilarities emerged at all levels:(i) between basins; (ii) between slopes within the same basin; and (iii) between stations at different depths; this thereforedemonstrates the high macrofaunal diversity of the Mediterranean basins at large spatial scales. Overall, the food sources(i.e., quantity and quality) that characterised the west, central and eastern Mediterranean basins, as well as sediment grainsize, appear to influence the macrobenthic standing stock and the biodiversity along the different slope areas

The Impact of Treated Urban Wastewaters and Flood Discharge on the Quality of Bathing Water

What do we know about the Adriatic Sea and the state of its health [...

Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State: A Pragmatic Approach to Properly Manage Sodium Derangements

Although hypovolemia remains the most relevant problem during acute decompensated diabetes in its clinical manifestations (diabetic ketoacidosis, DKA, and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state, HHS), the electrolyte derangements caused by the global hydroelectrolytic imbalance usually complicate the clinical picture at presentation and may be worsened by the treatment itself

the increase in copeptin levels in mild head trauma does not predict the severity and the outcome of brain damage

Aim: To investigate the copeptin prognostic role in mild head trauma. Methods: We enrolled 105 adult patients who entered the emergency room because of recent mild head trauma; we evaluated: clinical picture, imaging and laboratory data (including copeptin). Results: Copeptin resulted higher in mild head trauma patients compared with controls: 29.89 pmol/l versus 7.05 pmol/l; (p = 0.0008). Copeptin failed in identifying patients with or without brain lesions detected by CT scan, and patients with or without adverse events during the 30 days follow-up. Conclusion: We confirmed that mild head trauma patients have a significantly higher copeptin plasma levels compared with controls. Nevertheless, we did not observe a significant role for copeptin in traumatic brain injury patients regarding brain damage and outcome

Occurrence of <i>Chromadorita regabi</i> sp. nov. (Nematoda: Adenophorea), a nematode egg predator of <i>Alvinocaris muricola</i> (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Alvinocarididae) from a deep cold seep area of the Gulf of Guinea

Several individuals belonging to a new species of the genus Chromadorita (Nematoda: Adenophorea) were collected in a cold-seep area in the Gulf of Guinea during two French cruises: BIOZÄIRE 2 (2001) and BIOZAÏRE 3 (2003–2004) on board the R/V L’Atalante. In this area, rich chemosynthetic benthic communities have been discovered at 3150 m depth in the large pockmark field named Regab. Chromadorita regabi sp. nov. was found among the eggs in ovigerous specimens of the shrimp Alvinocaris muricola. The combination of long size (1500–2200&nbsp;µm), nine strong preanal papillae and relatively small dorsal tooth with weak musculature distinguishes this species from all known congeneric ones. An identification key to all known species of Chromadorita is provided

Modelling the Quality of Bathing Waters in the Adriatic Sea

The aim of this study is to develop a relocatable modelling system able to describe the microbial contamination that affects the quality of coastal bathing waters. Pollution events are mainly triggered by urban sewer outflows during massive rainy events, with relevant negative consequences on the marine environment and tourism and related activities of coastal towns. A finite element hydrodynamic model was applied to five study areas in the Adriatic Sea, which differ for urban, oceanographic and morphological conditions. With the help of transport-diffusion and microbial decay modules, the distribution of Escherichia coli was investigated during significant events. The numerical investigation was supported by detailed in situ observational datasets. The model results were evaluated against water level, sea temperature, salinity and E. coli concentrations acquired in situ, demonstrating the capacity of the modelling suite in simulating the circulation in the coastal areas of the Adriatic Sea, as well as several main transport and diffusion dynamics, such as riverine and polluted waters dispersion. Moreover, the results of the simulations were used to perform a comparative analysis among the different study sites, demonstrating that dilution and mixing, mostly induced by the tidal action, had a stronger effect on bacteria reduction with respect to microbial decay. Stratification and estuarine dynamics also play an important role in governing microbial concentration. The modelling suite can be used as a beach management tool for improving protection of public health, as required by the EU Bathing Water Directive

Assessment of spatio-temporal variability of faecal pollution along coastal waters during and after rainfall events.

More than 80% of wastewaters are discharged into rivers or seas, with a negative impact on water quality along the coast due to the presence of potential pathogens of faecal origin. Escherichia coli and enterococci are important indicators to assess, monitor, and predict microbial water quality in natural ecosystems. During rainfall events, the amount of wastewater delivered to rivers and coastal systems is increased dramatically. This study implements measures capable of monitoring the pathways of wastewater discharge to rivers and the transport of faecal bacteria to the coastal area during and following extreme rainfall events. Spatio-temporal variability of faecal microorganisms and their relationship with environmental variables and sewage outflow in an area located in the western Adriatic coast (Fano, Italy) was monitored. The daily monitoring during the rainy events was carried out for two summer seasons, for a total of five sampling periods. These results highlight that faecal microbial contaminations were related to rainy events with a high flow of wastewater, with recovery times for the microbiological indicators varying between 24 and 72 h and influenced by a dynamic dispersion. The positive correlation between ammonium and faecal bacteria at the Arzilla River and the consequences in seawater can provide a theoretical basis for controlling ammonium levels in rivers as a proxy to monitor the potential risk of bathing waters pathogen pollution

Are Baseline Levels of Gas6 and Soluble Mer Predictors of Mortality and Organ Damage in Patients with Sepsis? The Need-Speed Trial Database

Soluble tyrosine kinase receptor Mer (sMer) and its ligand Growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) are predictors of mortality in patients with sepsis. Our aim is to clarify whether their measurement at emergency department (ED) presentation is useful in risk stratification. We reanalyzed data from the Need-Speed trial, evaluating mortality and the presence of organ damage according to baseline levels of sMer and Gas6. 890 patients were eligible; no association with 7-and 30-day mortality was observed for both biomarkers (p > 0.05). sMer and Gas6 levels were significantly higher in acute kidney injury (AKI) patients compared to non-AKI ones (9.8 [4.1–17.8] vs. 7.9 [3.8–12.9] ng/mL and 34.8 [26.4–47.5] vs. 29.8 [22.1–41.6] ng/mL, respectively, for sMer and Gas6), and Gas6 also emerged as an independent AKI predictor (odds ratio (OR) 1.01 [1.00–1.02]). Both sMer and Gas6 independently predicted thrombocytopenia in sepsis patients not treated with anticoagulants (OR 1.01 [1.00–1.02] and 1.04 [1.02–1.06], respectively). Moreover, sMer was an independent predictor of both prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR) > 1.4 (OR 1.03 [1.00–1.05]) and sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) (OR 1.05 [1.02–1.07]). An early measurement of the sMer and Gas6 plasma concentration could not predict mortality. However, the biomarkers were associated with AKI, thrombocytopenia, PT-INR derangement and SIC, suggesting a role in predicting sepsis-related organ damage

Single-cell transcriptomics identifies an effectorness gradient shaping the response of CD4+ T cells to cytokines.

Naïve CD4+ T cells coordinate the immune response by acquiring an effector phenotype in response to cytokines. However, the cytokine responses in memory T cells remain largely understudied. Here we use quantitative proteomics, bulk RNA-seq, and single-cell RNA-seq of over 40,000 human naïve and memory CD4+ T cells to show that responses to cytokines differ substantially between these cell types. Memory T cells are unable to differentiate into the Th2 phenotype, and acquire a Th17-like phenotype in response to iTreg polarization. Single-cell analyses show that T cells constitute a transcriptional continuum that progresses from naïve to central and effector memory T cells, forming an effectorness gradient accompanied by an increase in the expression of chemokines and cytokines. Finally, we show that T cell activation and cytokine responses are influenced by the effectorness gradient. Our results illustrate the heterogeneity of T cell responses, furthering our understanding of inflammation