Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. Methods: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015. Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years, 65 to 80 years, and = 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. Results: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 = 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients =80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%, 65 years; 20.5%, 65-79 years; 31.3%, =80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%, <65 years;30.1%, 65-79 years;34.7%, =80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%, =80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age = 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI = 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88), and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared, the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. Conclusion: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age = 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI), and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Purification in an active form of the phage ø29 protein p4 that controls the viral late transcription

The phage ø29 protein p4, that controls viral late transcription, was highly purified from Escherichia coli cells harbouring a gene 4-containing plasmid. This protein, representing about 6% of the total cellular protein, was obtained in a highly purified form. The protein was characterized as p4 by amino acid analysis and NH2—terminal sequence determination. The purified protein was active in an in vitro transcription assay, allowing specific initiation of transcription at the ø 29 A3 late promoter in the presence of Bacillus subtilis α43 -RNA polymerase holoenzyme.Peer reviewe

Hurricanes and Anomalous Heat in the Caribbean

Co-occurring hazards present unparalleled challenges to development and disaster recovery. In this study, we investigate the relationship between anomalous heat in the aftermath of tropical cyclones in the eastern Caribbean between 1991 and 2020. We analyze the spatial patterns of anomalous heat index (HI) values for 53 tropical storms and hurricanes using a Lagrangian analysis framework. Furthermore, we analyze temporal patterns of 205 city-storms pairings. The spatial patterns displayed distinct and statistically significant areas of anomalously warm conditions regardless of the storm intensity classification. Moreover, all 205 city-storm events had positive HI anomalies following the storms' passage with a maximum of 5°C. The results show that HI anomalies can be high, have a time lag of days, and be observed in locations not directly impacted by the storm. The results have implications for tropical cyclones preparedness, including suggesting that preparedness include informing the public about heat impacts. © 2022. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.6 month embargo; first published: 25 October 2022This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Defining Extreme Events: A Cross-Disciplinary Review

Extreme events are of interest worldwide given their potential for substantial impacts on social, ecological, and technical systems. Many climate-related extreme events are increasing in frequency and/or magnitude due to anthropogenic climate change, and there is increased potential for impacts due to the location of urbanization and the expansion of urban centers and infrastructures. Many disciplines are engaged in research and management of these events. However, a lack of coherence exists in what constitutes and defines an extreme event across these fields, which impedes our ability to holistically understand and manage these events. Here, we review 10 years of academic literature and use text analysis to elucidate how six major disciplines—climatology, earth sciences, ecology, engineering, hydrology, and social sciences—define and communicate extreme events. Our results highlight critical disciplinary differences in the language used to communicate extreme events. Additionally, we found a wide range in definitions and thresholds, with more than half of examined papers not providing an explicit definition, and disagreement over whether impacts are included in the definition.We urge distinction between extreme events and their impacts, so that we can better assess when responses to extreme events have actually enhanced resilience. Additionally, we suggest that all researchers and managers of extreme events be more explicit in their definition of such events as well as be more cognizant of how they are communicating extreme events. We believe clearer and more consistent definitions and communication can support transdisciplinary understanding and management of extreme events

Purification in an active form of the phage phi 29 protein p4 that controls the viral late transcription.

The phage phi 29 protein p4, that controls viral late transcription, was highly purified from Escherichia coli cells harbouring a gene 4-containing plasmid. This protein, representing about 6% of the total cellular protein, was obtained in a highly purified form. The protein was characterized as p4 by amino acid analysis and NH2-terminal sequence determination. The purified protein was active in an in vitro transcription assay, allowing specific initiation of transcription at the phi 29 A3 late promoter in the presence of Bacillus subtilis sigma 43-RNA polymerase holoenzyme

Effects of internal deletions on the priming activity of the phage ø29 terminal protein

A series of internal deletions of gene 3, coding for the phage φ29 DNA terminal protein, have been constructed and characterized. In addition, a substitution mutant in the sequence corresponding to amino acids (aa) 49–51 was obtained. The priming activity of the substitution mutant protein, m the formation of the protein p3-dAMP initiation complex, was drastically reduced suggesting that some of the aa present at position 49–51 are essential for p3 function. Deletions of 8 to 33 aa, from aa residue 48 towards the N terminus of the substitution mutant, further decreased the priming activity of the protein. The activity of deletion mutants lacking 15 or 21 aa from residue 57 towards the C terminus, and also containing a point mutation at position 56, was greatly reduced, and no activity was seen when 24 aa were lacking.This investigation has been aided by research grant 5ROl GM27242-09 from the National Insti- tutes of Health, by grant No. PB0323 from’Rireccibn General de Investigaclon Cientifica y Tecnica and by grants from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias and from the Fundacion Ram&n Areces. A.Z. was a recipient of a fellowship from Fondo de Investi- gaciones Sanitarias.Peer reviewe

In vitro oxidation promoted by sarafloxacin antibiotic residues on myosin and chicken meat proteins

Fluoroquinolones are widely employed to treat or prevent respiratory diseases in poultry, and their residues could be present even after slaughtering. Thus, this study aimed to assess the oxidative effect of fluoroquinolones on myosin and chicken meat proteins under in vitro conditions, using proteomics and peptidomics approaches. Myosin was initially exposed to ciprofloxacin and sarafloxacin, which showed an increase in protein carbonylation over time, especially with sarafloxacin. Then, chicken meat was skipped with sarafloxacin to assess its oxidative effect on in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, and the main proteins were isolated and subsequently identified by mass spectrometry in tandem. The proteins more susceptible to oxidation by sarafloxacin were myosin, β-enolase, CK-M-type, and actin. After peptidomics analysis, collagen peptides resulted as most prone to oxidative damage. These findings confirm the potential negative effects of sarafloxacin residues on chicken meat which could affect its nutritional and technological properties.University of Cartagena (Colombia) for financial support to groups (2019 and 2021) and to project 095-2019. Grant AGL2017-89381-R funded by MCIN/ AEI /10.13039/501100011033 (Spain) by “ERDF A way of making Europe” and grant RYC-2016-19635 (L.M.) funded by MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 (Spain) and “ESF Investing in your future” are also acknowledged. The proteomic analysis was performed in the proteomics facility of SCSIE University of Valencia (Spain) that belongs to Proteored, PRB3 and is supported by grant PT17/0019, of the PE I+D+i 2013-2016, funded by ISCIII and ERDF.Peer reviewe

In vitro oxidation promoted by chlorpyrifos residues on myosin and chicken breast proteins

Organophosphate pesticides are frequently used to eliminate or prevent insects in poultry. However, their residues may continue in meat after slaughtering. In this study, proteomics and peptidomics approaches were used to evaluate their oxidative impact on myosin and chicken breast proteins under in vitro conditions. Myosin protein was exposed to diazinon and chlorpyrifos showing an increase in its oxidation by increasing times, especially with chlorpyrifos. Then, chicken breast was contaminated with chlorpyrifos to evaluate carbonylation and the effect of simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Proteins were isolated using size-exclusion-chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry in tandem. Myosin, β-enolase, CK-M-type and actin were identified as main proteins susceptible to oxidation. Also, oxidised peptides obtained before and after simulated gastrointestinal digestion were identified. Collagen peptides the most susceptible to oxidation. These results suggest that the presence of chlorpyrifos residues on meat could have a negative effect on its final quality and nutritional value.Grant AGL2017-89381-R and FEDER funds from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, and Ramón y Cajal postdoctoral contract by L.M. are acknowledged. Also COLCIENCIAS and University of Cartagena for financial support (2019 and 2020) to the project Code 1107-711-50102 are acknowledged. J.M.L. thanks to Colciencias for the scholarship No 647-2014.Peer reviewe