The modulation of leaf metabolism plays a role in salt tolerance of Cymodocea nodosa exposed to hypersaline stress in mesocosms

Applying proteomics, we tested the physiological responses of the euryhaline seagrass Cymodocea nodosa to deliberate manipulation of salinity in a mesocosm system. Plants were subjected to a chronic hypersaline condition (43 psu) to compare protein expression and plant photochemistry responses after 15 and 30 days of exposure with those of plants cultured under normal/ambient saline conditions (37 psu). Results showed a general decline in the expression level of leaf proteins in hypersaline stressed plants, with more intense reductions after long-lasting exposure. Specifically, the carbon-fixing enzyme RuBisCo displayed a lower accumulation level in stressed plants relative to controls. In contrast, the key enzymes involved in the regulation of glycolysis, cytosolic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, enolase 2 and triose-phosphate isomerase, showed significantly higher accumulation levels. These responses suggested a shift in carbon metabolism in stressed plants. Hypersaline stress also induced a significant alteration of the photosynthetic physiology of C. nodosa by means of a downregulation in structural proteins and enzymes of both PSII and PSI. However we found an over-expression of the cytochrome b559 alpha subunit of the PSII initial complex, which is a receptor for the PSII core proteins involved in biogenesis or repair processes and therefore potentially involved in the absence of effects at the photochemical level of stressed plants. As expected hypersalinity also affects vacuolar metabolism by increasing the leaf cell turgor pressure and enhancing the up-take of Na+ by overaccumulating the tonoplast specific intrinsic protein pyrophosphate-energized inorganic pyrophosphatase (H(+)-PPase) coupled to the Na+/H+-antiporter. The modulation of carbon metabolism and the enhancement of vacuole capacity in Na+ sequestration and osmolarity changes are discussed in relation to salt tolerance of C. nodosa.Postprin

Establishing research strategies, methodologies and technologies to link genomics and proteomics to seagrass productivity, community metabolism, and ecosystem carbon fluxes

A complete understanding of the mechanistic basis of marine ecosystem functioning is only possible through integrative and interdisciplinary research. This enables the prediction of change and possibly the mitigation of the consequences of anthropogenic impacts. One major aim of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action ES0609 “Seagrasses productivity. From genes to ecosystem management,” is the calibration and synthesis of various methods and the development of innovative techniques and protocols for studying seagrass ecosystems. During 10 days, 20 researchers representing a range of disciplines (molecular biology, physiology, botany, ecology, oceanography, and underwater acoustics) gathered at The Station de Recherches Sous-marines et Océanographiques (STARESO, Corsica) to study together the nearby Posidonia oceanica meadow. STARESO is located in an oligotrophic area classified as “pristine site” where environmental disturbances caused by anthropogenic pressure are exceptionally low. The healthy P. oceanica meadow, which grows in front of the research station, colonizes the sea bottom from the surface to 37 m depth. During the study, genomic and proteomic approaches were integrated with ecophysiological and physical approaches with the aim of understanding changes in seagrass productivity and metabolism at different depths and along daily cycles. In this paper we report details on the approaches utilized and we forecast the potential of the data that will come from this synergistic approach not only for P. oceanica but for seagrasses in general

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Research to Encourage Exercise for Fibromyalgia (REEF): Use of Motivational Interviewing, Outcomes From a Randomized-controlled Trial

Objectives Regular exercise is associated with important benefits in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). Unfortunately, long-term maintenance of exercise after a structured program is rare. The present study tested the efficacy of Motivational Interviewing (MI) to promote exercise and improve symptoms in patients with FM. Methods 216 patients with FM were randomized to 6 MI sessions (n=107) or an equal number of FM self-management lessons (education control/EC, n=109). Co-primary endpoints were an increase of 30 minutes in moderate-vigorous physical activity and improvement in the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Physical Impairment (FIQ-PI) score, assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3- and 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included clinically meaningful improvements in FIQ score, pain severity ratings, and a 6-minute walk test. Results There were no significant treatment group differences in either co-primary endpoint at 6-month follow-up. However, more MI participants than controls exhibited meaningful improvements in FIQ score at 6-month follow-up (62.9% vs. 49.5%, p=0.06). Compared to EC subjects, MI subjects also displayed a larger increment in their 6-minute walk test (43.9 vs. 24.8 meters, p=0.03). Additionally, MI was superior to EC in increasing the number of hours of physical activity immediately post-intervention and in reducing pain severity both immediately after the intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Conclusions Despite a lack of benefits on long term outcome, MI appears to have short-term benefits with respect to self-report physical activity and clinical outcomes. This is the first study in FM that explicitly addresses exercise maintenance as a primary aim

VERSATILE HYDROGEL AND BIOSENSOR AS A POWERFUL TOOL IN PAPER ARTWORKS CLEANING PROCESS

Paper artworks are difficult item to deal with in a conservation treatment, due to their inherent fragility, their degradation processes and their multi-component composition. Moreover, past restoration treatments can complicate the scenario, as the ancient paper artworks have been often reinforced with inappropriate lining materials like paper scraps, cardboard or wood, directly adhered to the original piece by means of paste or glue. The goal of this work is the development of innovative materials able to remove different contaminants from paper artworks (dust, cellulose degradation by-product and adhesive residues) in an “one step”, simple and not invasive treatment. The materials, based on biocompatible hydrogels, overcome many of the problems usually found by conservators during the cleaning of paper supports. Moreover, a suitable electrochemical tool, coupled with the gel has been developed to monitor the cleaning process. More in detail, this proposed system is based on highly potential electrochemical biosensors, easy to prepare, selective for a specific analyte and therefore useful to know the cleanup extent of the gels used. The gel is highly efficient in removing pollutants and degradation products, and using biosensors it is also possible to know when the cleaning treatment will be completed. To assess the efficacy of our designed system, a multidisciplinary approach, combining non-invasive spectroscopic infrared techniques together with scanning electron microscopy, chromatographic analysis, pH investigations and electrochemical measurements, will be used

VERSATILE HYDROGEL AND BIOSENSOR AS A POWERFUL TOOL IN PAPER ARTWORKS CLEANING PROCESS

Paper artworks are difficult item to deal with in a conservation treatment, due to their inherent fragility, their degradation processes and their multi-component composition. Moreover, past restoration treatments can complicate the scenario, as the ancient paper artworks have been often reinforced with inappropriate lining materials like paper scraps, cardboard or wood, directly adhered to the original piece by means of paste or glue. The goal of this work is the development of innovative materials able to remove different contaminants from paper artworks (dust, cellulose degradation by-product and adhesive residues) in an “one step”, simple and not invasive treatment. The materials, based on biocompatible hydrogels, overcome many of the problems usually found by conservators during the cleaning of paper supports. Moreover, a suitable electrochemical tool, coupled with the gel has been developed to monitor the cleaning process. More in detail, this proposed system is based on highly potential electrochemical biosensors, easy to prepare, selective for a specific analyte and therefore useful to know the cleanup extent of the gels used. The gel is highly efficient in removing pollutants and degradation products, and using biosensors it is also possible to know when the cleaning treatment will be completed. To assess the efficacy of our designed system, a multidisciplinary approach, combining non-invasive spectroscopic infrared techniques together with scanning electron microscopy, chromatographic analysis, pH investigations and electrochemical measurements, will be used

Arthropathies Associated with Basic Calcium Phosphate Crystals

Basic calcium phosphate (BCP) crystals refer to a family of crystals including partially carbonate substituted hydroxyapatite, octacalcium phosphate, and tricalcium phosphate. These crystals have been found in and around joints and have been associated with several forms of arthritis and periarthritis. Identification of BCP crystals remains problematic because of the lack of a simple, reliable analytic procedure. Methods currently in use include alizarin red S staining, labelled diphosphonate binding, scanning and transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, X-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy. Periarthropathies associated with BCP crystals include calcific tendinitis and bursitis. Intra-articular BCP crystal deposition is common in osteoarthritis, often found together with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals. Uncommon conditions in which BCP crystals are found include destructive shoulder arthropathies, acute inflammatory attacks of arthritis, and erosive arthritis. Secondary deposition of BCP crystals has been observed in chronic renal failure, in patients with collagen vascular diseases, following neurologic injury and after local corticosteroid injection