Spreading versus biomass production by colonies of the fish pathogen Flavobacterium psychrophilum: role of the nutrient concentration

Colonies of the fish pathogen Flavobacterium psychrophilum have gliding motility in media with low agar concentrations. Although gliding motility, particularly in Flavobacterium johnsoniae, has been well-studied, little is known about its regulation by environmental factors. The work described here shows that the ability of F. psychrophilum to spread over surfaces depends on nutrient availability. In fact, as the nutrient contents of the medium decreased, spreading was favored and the diameter of the colonies increased. Macroscopy examination revealed modifications in colony morphology as nutrient depletion increased: from a dense and defined colony to the formation of microcolonies inside a general colony structure. Additionally, colony expansion dynamics and population density across the colony radius varied inversely with bacterial biomass production. Motility was an immediate response when bacteria were transferred from a rich to a more diluted medium. Our results suggest that, when nutrients are limiting, F. psychrophilum activates a specific growth mode that enables it to colonize surfaces by means of gliding motility. The use of diluted media allowed the differentiation, among previously isolated F. psychrophilum non-gliding mutants, of those completely unable to glide and those with only partially impaired gliding ability. [Int Microbiol 2009; 12(4):207-214

The P2X7 receptor contributes to seizures and inflammation-driven long-lasting brain hyperexcitability following hypoxia in neonatal mice.

Neonatal seizures represent a clinical emergency. However, current anti-seizure medications fail to resolve seizures in ~50% of infants. The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is an important driver of inflammation, and evidence suggests that P2X7R contributes to seizures and epilepsy in adults. However, no genetic proof has yet been provided to determine what contribution P2X7R makes to neonatal seizures, its effects on inflammatory signalling during neonatal seizures, and the therapeutic potential of P2X7R-based treatments on long-lasting brain excitability. Neonatal seizures were induced by global hypoxia in 7-day-old mouse pups (P7). The role of P2X7Rs during seizures was analysed in P2X7R-overexpressing and knockout mice. Treatment of wild-type mice after hypoxia with the P2X7R antagonist JNJ-47965567 was used to determine the effects of the P2X7R on long-lasting brain hyperexcitability. Cell type-specific P2X7R expression was analysed in P2X7R-EGFP reporter mice. RNA sequencing was used to monitor P2X7R-dependent hippocampal downstream signalling. P2X7R deletion reduced seizure severity, whereas P2X7R overexpression exacerbated seizure severity and reduced responsiveness to anti-seizure medication. P2X7R deficiency led to an anti-inflammatory phenotype in microglia, and treatment of mice with a P2X7R antagonist reduced long-lasting brain hyperexcitability. RNA sequencing identified several pathways altered in P2X7R knockout mice after neonatal hypoxia, including a down-regulation of genes implicated in inflammation and glutamatergic signalling. Treatments based on targeting the P2X7R may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for neonatal seizures with P2X7Rs contributing to the generation of neonatal seizures, driving inflammatory processes and long-term hyperexcitability states

Is the long-term mortality similar in COVID-19 and community-acquired pneumonia?

IntroductionThere are no data on the association of type of pneumonia and long-term mortality by the type of pneumonia (COVID-19 or community-acquired pneumonia [CAP]) on long-term mortality after an adjustment for potential confounding variables. We aimed to assess the type of pneumonia and risk factors for long-term mortality in patients who were hospitalized in conventional ward and later discharged.MethodsRetrospective analysis of two prospective and multicentre cohorts of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and CAP. The main outcome under study was 1-year mortality in hospitalized patients in conventional ward and later discharged. We adjusted a Bayesian logistic regression model to assess associations between the type of pneumonia and 1-year mortality controlling for confounders.ResultsThe study included a total of 1,693 and 2,374 discharged patients in the COVID-19 and CAP cohorts, respectively. Of these, 1,525 (90.1%) and 2,249 (95%) patients underwent analysis. Until 1-year follow-up, 69 (4.5%) and 148 (6.6%) patients from the COVID-19 and CAP cohorts, respectively, died (p = 0.008). However, the Bayesian model showed a low probability of effect (PE) of finding relevant differences in long-term mortality between CAP and COVID-19 (odds ratio 1.127, 95% credibility interval 0.862–1.591; PE = 0.774).ConclusionCOVID-19 and CAP have similar long-term mortality after adjusting for potential confounders

Challenge 2: From genes & circuits to behavior

Understanding the brain from genes and circuits to behavior is a major scientific challenge. The large repertoire of cell activities supporting behavior stems from an equally diverse range of specialized cell types, from neuron to glia. To untangle mechanisms underlying brain function, elementary processes should be dissected, from the complex machinery of signaling pathways at the level of single cells and synapses, to the intricate phenomena leading to orchestrated ensemble activity and the establishment of engrams driving memory-guided behaviors. In this chapter we identify the main key tasks required to address some of the open questions in the field, and discuss on the main issues and strategies

Impact of outdoor air pollution on severity and mortality in COVID-19 pneumonia

The relationship between exposure to air pollution and the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and other outcomes is poorly understood. Beyond age and comorbidity, risk factors for adverse outcomes including death have been poorly studied. The main objective of our study was to examine the relationship between exposure to outdoor air pollution and the risk of death in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia using individual-level data. The secondary objective was to investigate the impact of air pollutants on gas exchange and systemic inflammation in this disease. This cohort study included 1548 patients hospitalised for COVID-19 pneumonia between February and May 2020 in one of four hospitals. Local agencies supplied daily data on environmental air pollutants ($PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, $O_3$, $NO_2$, $NO$ and $NO_X$) and meteorological conditions (temperature and humidity) in the year before hospital admission (from January 2019 to December 2019). Daily exposure to pollution and meteorological conditions by individual postcode of residence was estimated using geospatial Bayesian generalised additive models. The influence of air pollution on pneumonia severity was studied using generalised additive models which included: age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, hospital, average income, air temperature and humidity, and exposure to each pollutant. Additionally, generalised additive models were generated for exploring the effect of air pollution on C-reactive protein (CRP) level and Sp$O_2$/Fi$O_2$ at admission. According to our results, both risk of COVID-19 death and CRP level increased significantly with median exposure to $PM_{10}$, $NO_2$, $NO$ and $NO_X$, while higher exposure to $NO_2$, $NO$ and $NO_X$ was associated with lower Sp$O_2$/Fi$O_2$ ratios. In conclusion, after controlling for socioeconomic, demographic and health-related variables, we found evidence of a significant positive relationship between air pollution and mortality in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 pneumonia. Additionally, inflammation (CRP) and gas exchange (Sp$O_2$/Fi$O_2$) in these patients were significantly related to exposure to air pollution

Efectividad de la psicoterapia breve en los centros de salud mental II: Resultados.

Introducción. El objetivo de la presente investigación ha sido comparar mediante un ensayo clínico la efectividad de una Psicoterapia Breve con el tratamiento habitual de los Trastornos Mentales Comunes en los Centros de Salud Mental (CSM) de Asturias. La introducción general a este estudio se ha descrito por Fernández-Méndez y cols. (2010) y se remite a los lectores a ese artículo para más detalles respecto al fundamento, diseño, tratamientos y procedimientos de la investigación. Sujetos y método. Se seleccionaron al azar 216 personas mayores de 14 años que consultaban por primera vez en seis CSM y que fueron diagnosticadas de trastornos depresivos, de ansiedad y/o de adaptación. Ciento cuarenta y una cumplían los criterios de inclusión y aceptaron participar en la investigación, siendo asignadas al azar a dos grupos: Psicoterapia breve integradora-ecléctica (n = 76) o Tratamiento habitual en los CSM (n = 65). Se han comparado sus resultados a los 6, 12, 24 y 36 meses en diversos índices de mejoría clínica, funcionamiento psicosocial e indicadores sanitarios indirectos. Los datos se han obtenido del Registro de Casos Psiquiátricos, de la Historia Clínica y del propio paciente. Se han usado los siguientes instrumentos: Impresión Clínica Global (ICG, Guy, 1976), Inventario de Discapacidad de Sheehan (SDI, Sheehan, 1996) y Cuestionario de Satisfacción (Moré y Muñoz, 2000). Resultados. El programa de Psicoterapia breve ha sido más efectivo que el tratamiento habitual: Obtiene una mayor tasa de altas y los sujetos muestranmayor satisfacción. Estas diferencias se dan tanto a los seis meses como al año y a los dos años de iniciarse los tratamientos. Además, aunque el número medio de sesiones es igual en ambos grupos (en torno a seis), el tratamiento experimental duró mucho menos tiempo. Conclusiones: La Psicoterapia ha resultado ser un tratamiento viable y efectivo para la mayoría de los casos que consultan en los CSM

Efectividad de la psicoterapia breve en los centros de salud mental II: Resultados.

Introducción. El objetivo de la presente investigación ha sido comparar mediante un ensayo clínico la efectividad de una Psicoterapia Breve con el tratamiento habitual de los Trastornos Mentales Comunes en los Centros de Salud Mental (CSM) de Asturias. La introducción general a este estudio se ha descrito por Fernández-Méndez y cols. (2010) y se remite a los lectores a ese artículo para más detalles respecto al fundamento, diseño, tratamientos y procedimientos de la investigación. Sujetos y método. Se seleccionaron al azar 216 personas mayores de 14 años que consultaban por primera vez en seis CSM y que fueron diagnosticadas de trastornos depresivos, de ansiedad y/o de adaptación. Ciento cuarenta y una cumplían los criterios de inclusión y aceptaron participar en la investigación, siendo asignadas al azar a dos grupos: Psicoterapia breve integradora-ecléctica (n = 76) o Tratamiento habitual en los CSM (n = 65). Se han comparado sus resultados a los 6, 12, 24 y 36 meses en diversos índices de mejoría clínica, funcionamiento psicosocial e indicadores sanitarios indirectos. Los datos se han obtenido del Registro de Casos Psiquiátricos, de la Historia Clínica y del propio paciente. Se han usado los siguientes instrumentos: Impresión Clínica Global (ICG, Guy, 1976), Inventario de Discapacidad de Sheehan (SDI, Sheehan, 1996) y Cuestionario de Satisfacción (Moré y Muñoz, 2000). Resultados. El programa de Psicoterapia breve ha sido más efectivo que el tratamiento habitual: Obtiene una mayor tasa de altas y los sujetos muestranmayor satisfacción. Estas diferencias se dan tanto a los seis meses como al año y a los dos años de iniciarse los tratamientos. Además, aunque el número medio de sesiones es igual en ambos grupos (en torno a seis), el tratamiento experimental duró mucho menos tiempo. Conclusiones: La Psicoterapia ha resultado ser un tratamiento viable y efectivo para la mayoría de los casos que consultan en los CSM

Efectividad de la psicoterapia breve en los centros de salud mental I: diseño, tratamientos y procedimiento.

Introducción. El objetivo de la presente investigación ha sido comparar mediante un ensayo clínico la efectividad de una Psicoterapia Breve con el tratamiento habitual de los Trastornos Mentales Comunes en los Centros de Salud Mental (CSM) de Asturias. En este artículo se describen la justificación, el diseño y los procedimientos de ese estudio. Los primeros resultados se publican en Fernández-Méndez y cols. (en prensa). Sujetos y método. Se seleccionaron al azar 216 personas mayores de 14 años que consultaban por primera vez en seis CSM y que fueron diagnosticadas de trastornos depresivos, de ansiedad y/o de adaptación. Ciento cuarenta y una cumplían los criterios de inclusión y aceptaron participar en la investigación, siendo asignadas al azar a dos grupos: Psicoterapia breve integradora-ecléctica (n = 76) o Tratamiento habitual en losCSM (n = 65). Se han comparado sus resultados a los 6, 12, 24 y 36 meses en diversos índices de mejoría clínica, funcionamiento psicosocial e indicadores sanitarios indirectos. Los datos se han obtenido del Registro de Casos Psiquiátricos, de la Historia Clínica y del propio paciente. Se han usado los siguientes instrumentos: Impresión Clínica Global (ICG, Guy, 1976), Inventario de Discapacidad de Sheehan (SDI, Sheehan, 1996) y Cuestionario de Satisfacción (Moré y Muñoz, 2000)

Bars in early- and late-type disks in COSMOS

We investigate the (large-scale) bar fraction in a mass-complete sample of M > 10^10.5 Msun disk galaxies at 0.2 < z < 0.6 in the COSMOS field. The fraction of barred disks strongly depends on mass, disk morphology, and specific star formation rate (SSFR). At intermediate stellar mass (10^10.5 < M < 10^11 Msun) the bar fraction in early-type disks is much higher, at all redshifts, by a factor ~2, than that in late-type disks. This trend is reversed at higher stellar mass (M > 10^11 Msun), where the fraction of bars in early-type disks becomes significantly lower, at all redshifts, than that in late-type disks. The bar fractions for galaxies with low and high SSFRs closely follow those of the morphologically-selected early-type and late-type populations, respectively. This indicates a close correspondence between morphology and SSFR in disk galaxies at these earlier epochs. Interestingly, the total bar fraction in 10^10.5 < M < 10^11 Msun disks is built up by a factor of ~2 over the redshift interval explored, while for M > 10^11 Msun disks it remains roughly constant. This indicates that, already by z ~ 0.6, spectral and morphological transformations in the most massive disk galaxies have largely converged to the familiar Hubble sequence that we observe in the local Universe, while for intermediate mass disks this convergence is ongoing until at least z ~ 0.2. Moreover, these results highlight the importance of employing mass-limited samples for quantifying the evolution of barred galaxies. Finally, the evolution of the barred galaxy populations investigated does not depend on the large-scale environmental density (at least, on the scales which can be probed with the available photometric redshifts).Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, updated to reflect version accepted by MNRA