Novel Insights into the Diversity of Catabolic Metabolism from Ten Haloarchaeal Genomes

BACKGROUND: The extremely halophilic archaea are present worldwide in saline environments and have important biotechnological applications. Ten complete genomes of haloarchaea are now available, providing an opportunity for comparative analysis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We report here the comparative analysis of five newly sequenced haloarchaeal genomes with five previously published ones. Whole genome trees based on protein sequences provide strong support for deep relationships between the ten organisms. Using a soft clustering approach, we identified 887 protein clusters present in all halophiles. Of these core clusters, 112 are not found in any other archaea and therefore constitute the haloarchaeal signature. Four of the halophiles were isolated from water, and four were isolated from soil or sediment. Although there are few habitat-specific clusters, the soil/sediment halophiles tend to have greater capacity for polysaccharide degradation, siderophore synthesis, and cell wall modification. Halorhabdus utahensis and Haloterrigena turkmenica encode over forty glycosyl hydrolases each, and may be capable of breaking down naturally occurring complex carbohydrates. H. utahensis is specialized for growth on carbohydrates and has few amino acid degradation pathways. It uses the non-oxidative pentose phosphate pathway instead of the oxidative pathway, giving it more flexibility in the metabolism of pentoses. CONCLUSIONS: These new genomes expand our understanding of haloarchaeal catabolic pathways, providing a basis for further experimental analysis, especially with regard to carbohydrate metabolism. Halophilic glycosyl hydrolases for use in biofuel production are more likely to be found in halophiles isolated from soil or sediment

Immuno-metabolic profile of patients with psychotic disorders and metabolic syndrome. Results from the FACE-SZ cohort

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a highly prevalent and harmful medical disorder often comorbid with psychosis where it can contribute to cardiovascular complications. As immune dysfunction is a key shared component of both MetS and schizophrenia (SZ), this study investigated the relationship between immune alterations and MetS in patients with SZ, whilst controlling the impact of confounding clinical characteristics including psychiatric symptoms and comorbidities, history of childhood maltreatment and psychotropic treatments. Method: A total of 310 patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for SZ or schizoaffective disorders (SZA), with or without MetS, were systematically assessed and included in the FondaMental Advanced Centers of Expertise for Schizophrenia (FACE-SZ) cohort. Detailed clinical characteristics of patients, including psychotic symptomatology, psychiatric comorbidities and history of childhood maltreatment were recorded and the serum levels of 18 cytokines were measured. A penalized regression method was performed to analyze associations between inflammation and MetS, whilst controlling for confounding factors. Results: Of the total sample, 25% of patients had MetS. Eight cytokines were above the lower limit of detection (LLOD) in more than 90% of the samples and retained in downstream analysis. Using a conservative Variable Inclusion Probability (VIP) of 75%, we found that elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-7, IL-12/23 p40 and IL-16 and lower levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were associated with MetS. As for clinical variables, age, sex, body mass index (BMI), diagnosis of SZ (not SZA), age at the first episode of psychosis (FEP), alcohol abuse, current tobacco smoking, and treatment with antidepressants and anxiolytics were all associated with MetS. Conclusion: We have identified five cytokines associated with MetS in SZ suggesting that patients with psychotic disorders and MetS are characterized by a specific “immuno-metabolic” profile. This may help to design tailored treatments for this subgroup of patients with both psychotic disorders and MetS, taking one more step towards precision medicine in psychiatry. © 2022 The AuthorsImmuno-Génétique, Inflammation, retro-Virus, Environnement : de l'étiopathogénie des troubles psychotiques aux modèles animauxRéseau d'Innovation sur les Voies de Signalisation en Sciences de la Vi

Les groupes de parole de parents d’enfants déficients visuels: Réflexion sur le dispositif et sur la place du psychologue

International audienceThe present article the authors put forward two approaches to conducting a support group, the first grounded in psychological and behavioural notions, the second within a psychoeducational perspective. From this presentation we will initiate a reflection on the role the role of a psychologist in a group work setting based upon parental discourse from families with a visually impaired child. This discussion stems from observations obtained at a specialist clinic for visually impaired children aged from birth to six years, and their families. In this context the psychologist is simultaneously presented as therapist, mediator, advisor, expert and coordinator. Having studied the transcripts of participants’ interactions, the authors show that the two different perspectives, psychological and educational, are not incompatible and that the psychologist can adopt such different roles without disrupting the group dynamics.Dans cet article, nous allons présenter deux conduites de groupes de parole, la première centrée sur des dimensions psychologiques et la seconde avec une orientation psychoéducative. À partir de cette présentation, nous allons engager une réflexion sur la place du psychologue au sein d’un travail en groupe grâce au discours produit par les familles avec un enfant déficient visuel. Cette réflexion découle des observations recueillies dans un centre d’action médicosociale précoce spécialisé pour déficients de la vue qui accueille des enfants de zéro à six ans et leurs familles. Le psychologue se présente, dans ce cadre, à la fois comme thérapeute, médiateur, conseiller, expert et animateur. Nous montrerons, grâce aux recueils transcrits des interactions entre les participants, que ces deux dimensions psychologique et rééducative ne sont pas incompatibles mais complémentaires et que le psychologue peut mobiliser ces différents statuts pour assurer la dynamique de groupe