Calcium and Cell Response to Heavy Metals: Can Yeast Provide an Answer?

Despite constant efforts to maintain a clean environment, heavy metal pollution continues to raise challenges to the industrialized world. Exposure to heavy metals is detrimental to living organisms, and it is of utmost importance that cells find rapid and efficient ways to respond to and eventually adapt to surplus metals for survival under severe stress. This chapter focuses on the attempts done so far to elucidate the calcium-mediated response to heavy metal stress using the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The possibilities to record the transient elevations of calcium within yeast cells concomitantly with the heavy metal exposure are presented, and the limitations imposed by interference between calcium and heavy metals are discussed

In vitro culture for the biodiversity conservation of vegetables

Today, in vitro culture is a strategic tool to support medium and long-term conservation of plant genetic resources by using the slow growth storage of shoot cultures and the cryopreservation of organs and tissues. Over the last 30 years, considerable progresses were made in the development of both techniques that are nowadays considered as ex situ conservation strategies complementary to traditional seed banks and in-field clonal collections. Efficient protocols were developed for the conservation of a large number of crops, including important vegetables of the temperate environment (garlic, artichoke, asparagus, mint, potato, sweet potato, tomato, red chicory, thyme). Conservation in slow growth storage consists in modifying the medium and/or culture conditions to reduce the growth of plant material without affecting the viability and regrowth potential of shoots when moved back to standard culture conditions. The technique allows medium-term crops conservation, with a storage time of vegetables ranging from a few months to two years and more, without recurring subculturing typical of micropropagation. Cryopreservation preserves plant organs and tissues at ultra-low temperature, as liquid nitrogen temperature (-196°C). Currently, various techniques are available, based on cold tolerance induction by cell cytoplasm vitrification during the fast ultra-freezing through in liquid nitrogen immersion of explants. The term "vitrification" refers to the solidification of a liquid without crystallization. If induced in plant cells, it avoids the formation of lethal intra-cellular ice crystals during the ultra-freezing process, keeping tissues at stopped metabolism condition but vital. Working with vegetables, the techniques based on direct immersion of specimens in liquid nitrogen ("one-step freezing", such as the "droplet-method", the "PVS2 vitrification", the "encapsulation-based" and the "cryo plate-based" procedures) are the most used. Further, the "two-step freezing", i.e. the slow explants cooling before immersion in liquid nitrogen, still finds some applications. The experimental activity mainly focused on three economically important species, i.e., Allium sp., potato and sweet potato. Currently, almost 38,000 accessions of garlic, cassava, mint, potato, sweet potato, taro, yam are maintained in 17 genetic resources conservation centers, located in 12 Countries and 5 Continents (Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America). Approximately 4/5 of these accessions are maintained in vitro by means of slow growth storage of shoot cultures, but more recent cryopreservation is constantly growing, and over 7,500 accessions from vegetables are stored at -196 °C. The germplasm of potato (Solanum sp.) is by far the most collected in the world, with almost 17,700 accessions presently maintained in in vitro banks and cryobanks

The effect of mycorrhizal symbiosis on the development of micropropagated artichokes

In this work, microrosettes of Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus Fiori of the "catanese" type were subcultured in a medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0.05 mg l-1). For root induction, indoleacetic acid (IAA), α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-butyrric acid (IBA) were used at three concentrations: 2, 5 and 10 mg l-1. The highest percentage of rooted shoots was aided by the presence of 10 mg l-1IAA. Once transplanted in pots, the plantlets were inoculated with 10 g Glomus viscosum strain A6 (AM fungus). Acclimatisation was clearly facilitated by the addition of the AM fungus. Indeed, the mycorrhizal plantlets registered a survival of between 90 and 95% for the rooting shoots and 60% for the non-rooting shoots. The botanical characterization of the material produced was carried out in field and was based on several morphological and productive parameters. Data collected confirm the characteristics of the original cultivar, the efficiency of the in vitro propagation material and the possibility of using this technique in early types of artichoke. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizae on plant growth, essential oil production and phosphorus uptake of Salvia officinalis L

Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) contribute to the secondary metabolism and production of active ingredients in aromatic and medicinal plants. This symbiotic association is particularly affected by the availability of phosphorus (P) in the soil. This study was conducted on Salvia officinalis L. using two inocula, commercial Symbivit and Septoglomus viscosum (syn. Glomus viscosum), alone or supplemented with two doses of actual P (0.03, 0.06 g kg−1). The effects of these fungi and their combinations with P were determined in relation to the growth of sage plants (Regula variety), to the concentration of P in leaf tissues, and to the quantity and quality of essential oils (EOs). S. viscosum treated plants showed better growth with or without P-supply compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. The plants inoculated with S. viscosum presented the highest dry weight regardless of addition of P. Both AM fungi increased the leaf P content as more P was applied to the soil, whereas the EO content did not change with any of the treatments. Although the EO yield slightly increased with the Symbivit treatment, the chemical composition of the oil was drastically altered by S. viscosum in which the manool was the main component (28.13%), while -thujone decreased (13.09%). These results suggest that AM symbiosis is a good candidate for promoting plant growth and essential oil composition and for improving P uptake in low fertility soils. Thus, mycorrhiza can be considered as a sustainable strategy based on natural resources in order to influence the manool and -thujone content in sage EO composition. These compositions are very important to develop new classes of biocides and contribute to reducing risks to both human health and the environment

High Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Markers in Romanian Adolescents With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We evaluated the frequency of hepatitis coinfection in Romanian adolescents who were diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection prior to 1995.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred sixty-one adolescents (13–18 years of age) with symptomatic HIV infection, but without signs of hepatic dysfunction, and 356 age-matched, HIV-uninfected controls underwent laboratory testing for markers of parenterally acquired hepatitis virus infection.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seventy-eight percent of HIV-infected adolescents had markers of past or present hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, as compared with 32% of controls (<it>P </it>= .0001). The prevalence of HBV replicative markers was more than 5-fold higher in HIV-infected adolescents as compared with controls: 43.4% vs 7.9% (<it>P </it>= .0001), respectively, for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); and 11.2% vs 2.2% (<it>P </it>= .0001), respectively, for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). The prevalence of HBsAg chronic carriers and the presence of HBV replicative markers was significantly higher in patients with immunologically defined AIDS (CD4+ cell counts < 200 cells/mcL): 59.6% vs 34.6% (<it>P </it>= .02) for HBsAg and 22.8% vs 5.7%, (<it>P </it>= .002) for HBV DNA. After 1 year of follow-up, the proportion of those who cleared the HBeAg was considerably lower in severely immunosuppressed coinfected patients: 4.7% vs 37.1% (<it>P </it>= .003). Four additional HIV-infected adolescents became HBsAg-positive over the term of follow-up (incidence rate, 24.9/1000 person-years), despite a record of immunization against hepatitis B.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A substantial percentage of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected Romanian adolescents have evidence of past or present HBV infection. In HIV-infected adolescents, the degree of immunosuppression is correlated with persistence of HBV replicative markers, even in the absence of clinical or biochemical signs of liver disease.</p

High Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Markers in Romanian Adolescents With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We evaluated the frequency of hepatitis coinfection in Romanian adolescents who were diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection prior to 1995.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred sixty-one adolescents (13–18 years of age) with symptomatic HIV infection, but without signs of hepatic dysfunction, and 356 age-matched, HIV-uninfected controls underwent laboratory testing for markers of parenterally acquired hepatitis virus infection.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seventy-eight percent of HIV-infected adolescents had markers of past or present hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, as compared with 32% of controls (<it>P </it>= .0001). The prevalence of HBV replicative markers was more than 5-fold higher in HIV-infected adolescents as compared with controls: 43.4% vs 7.9% (<it>P </it>= .0001), respectively, for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); and 11.2% vs 2.2% (<it>P </it>= .0001), respectively, for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). The prevalence of HBsAg chronic carriers and the presence of HBV replicative markers was significantly higher in patients with immunologically defined AIDS (CD4+ cell counts < 200 cells/mcL): 59.6% vs 34.6% (<it>P </it>= .02) for HBsAg and 22.8% vs 5.7%, (<it>P </it>= .002) for HBV DNA. After 1 year of follow-up, the proportion of those who cleared the HBeAg was considerably lower in severely immunosuppressed coinfected patients: 4.7% vs 37.1% (<it>P </it>= .003). Four additional HIV-infected adolescents became HBsAg-positive over the term of follow-up (incidence rate, 24.9/1000 person-years), despite a record of immunization against hepatitis B.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A substantial percentage of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected Romanian adolescents have evidence of past or present HBV infection. In HIV-infected adolescents, the degree of immunosuppression is correlated with persistence of HBV replicative markers, even in the absence of clinical or biochemical signs of liver disease.</p

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Textbook outcome in urgent early cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis: results post hoc of the S.P.Ri.M.A.C.C study

Introduction: A textbook outcome patient is one in which the operative course passes uneventful, without complications, readmission or mortality. There is a lack of publications in terms of TO on acute cholecystitis. Objetive: The objective of this study is to analyze the achievement of TO in patients with urgent early cholecystectomy (UEC) for Acute Cholecystitis. and to identify which factors are related to achieving TO. Materials and methods: This is a post hoc study of the SPRiMACC study. It ́s a prospective multicenter observational study run by WSES. The criteria to define TO in urgent early cholecystectomy (TOUEC) were no 30-day mortality, no 30-day postoperative complications, no readmission within 30&nbsp;days, and hospital stay ≤ 7&nbsp;days (75th percentile), and full laparoscopic surgery. Patients who met all these conditions were taken as presenting a TOUEC. Outcomes: 1246 urgent early cholecystectomies for ACC were included. In all, 789 patients (63.3%) achieved all TOUEC parameters, while 457 (36.6%) failed to achieve one or more parameters and were considered non-TOUEC. The patients who achieved TOUEC were younger had significantly lower scores on all the risk scales analyzed. In the serological tests, TOUEC patients had lower values for in a lot of variables than non-TOUEC patients. The TOUEC group had lower rates of complicated cholecystitis. Considering operative time, a shorter duration was also associated with a higher probability of reaching TOUEC. Conclusion: Knowledge of the factors that influence the TOUEC can allow us to improve our results in terms of textbook outcome