Iridoid glucosides from Pentas lanceolata (Forssk.) Deflers growing on the Island of Sardinia

The ethanolic extract of Pentas lanceolata (Forssk.) Deflers was investigated from a phytochemical point of view and in particular on the monoterpenoid glucosides content. Iridoid glucosides have a taxonomic relevance, e.g., asperuloside and its derivative are characteristic of the Rubioideae subfamily where this species is comprised. In the light of earliest phylogenetic molecular study which proposed to merge P. lanceolata in the Spermacoceae tribe, a phytochemical approach also becomes necessary for a correct classification of this species. A total of 12 compounds were identified in detail, ten of these are iridoid glucosides: asperuloside, asperulosidic acid, tudoside, E-uenfoside and Z-uenfoside previously identified in this genus; whereas, deacetyl-asperulosidic acid, ixoside, griselinoside, 6β,7β-epoxysplendoside were recognized here for the first time from P. lanceolata. Among the non-iridoidic compounds ursolic acid and d-xylose were identified

Hospitalization for pneumonia is associated with decreased 1-year survival in patients with type 2 diabetes results from a prospective cohort study

Diabetes mellitus is a frequent comorbid conditions among patients with pneumonia living in the community. The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of hospitalization for pneumonia on early (30 day) and late mortality (1 year) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Prospective comparative cohort study of 203 patients with type 2 diabetes hospitalized for pneumonia versus 206 patients with diabetes hospitalized for other noninfectious causes from January 2012 to December 2013 at Policlinico Umberto I (Rome). Enrolled patients were followed up to discharge and up to 1 year after initial hospital admission or death. Overall, 203 patients with type 2 diabetes admitted to hospital for pneumonia were compared to 206 patients with type 2 diabetes admitted for other causes (39.3% decompensated diabetes, 21.4% cerebrovascular diseases, 9.2% renal failure, 8.3% acute myocardial infarction, and 21.8% other causes). Compared to control patients, those admitted for pneumonia showed a higher 30-day (10.8% vs 1%, P<0.001) and 1-year mortality rate (30.3% vs 16.8%, P<0.001). Compared to survivors, nonsurvivor patients with pneumonia had a higher incidence of moderate to severe chronic kidney disease, hemodialysis, and malnutrition were more likely to present with a mental status deterioration, and had a higher number of cardiovascular events during the follow-up period. Cox regression analysis found age, Charlson comorbidity index, pH<7.35 at admission, hemodialysis, and hospitalization for pneumonia as variables independently associated with mortality. Hospitalization for pneumonia is associated with decreased 1-year survival in patients with type 2 diabetes, and appears to be a major determinant of long-term outcome in these patients

A needle in a haystack? Catching Pop\ III stars in the Epoch of Reionization: I. Pop\ III star forming environments

Despite extensive search efforts, direct observations of the first (Pop III) stars have not yet succeeded. Theoretical studies have suggested that late Pop III star formation (SF) is still possible in pristine clouds of high-mass galaxies, coexisting with Pop II stars, down to the Epoch of Reionization (EoR). Here we reassess this finding by exploring Pop III SF in eight $50h^{-1} ~ \mathrm{cMpc}$ simulations performed with the hydrodynamical code dustyGadget. We find that Pop III SF ($\sim 10^{-3.4} - 10^{-3.2} ~ \mathrm{M_\odot yr^{-1} cMpc^{-3}}$) is still occurring down to $z \sim 6 - 8$, i.e. well within the reach of deep JWST surveys. At these epochs, $\gtrsim 20 - 30 \%$ of galaxies with $M_\star \gtrsim 3 \times 10^9 ~ \mathrm{M_\odot}$ are found to host Pop III stars, although with a Pop III/Pop II mass fraction $\lesssim 0.1 \%$. Regardless of their mass, Pop\ III hosting galaxies are mainly found on the main sequence, at high SFRs, probably induced by accretion of pristine gas. This scenario is also supported by their increasing SF histories and their preferential location in high-density regions of the cosmic web. Pop\ III stars are found both in the outskirts of metal-enriched regions and in isolated, pristine clouds. In the latter case, their signal may be less contaminated by Pop IIs, although its detectability will strongly depend on the specific line-of-sight to the source, due to the complex morphology of the host galaxy and its highly inhomogeneous dust distribution.Comment: Submitted to MNRAS, comments welcom

Proteins pattern alteration in AZT-treated K562 cells detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and peptide mass fingerprinting

In this study we report the effect of AZT on the whole protein expression profile both in the control and the AZT-treated K562 cells, evidenced by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and peptide mass fingerprinting analysis. Two-dimensional gels computer digital image analysis showed two spots that appeared up-regulated in AZT-treated cells and one spot present only in the drug exposed samples. Upon extraction and analysis by peptide mass fingerprinting, the first two spots were identified as PDI-A3 and stathmin, while the third one was proved to be NDPK-A. Conversely, two protein spots were present only in the untreated K562 cells, and were identified as SOD1 and HSP-60, respectively

Similar efficacy outcomes with peripheral blood stem cell versus bone marrow for autologous stem cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia: Long-term follow-up of the EORTC-GIMEMA randomized AML-10 trial

we report here the long-term follow-up of the only prospective randomized trial of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) with peripheral blood stem cells (APBSCT) versus auto-HSCT with bone marrow (ABMT) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in first remission (CR). we observed that among patients alive and still in CR 5 years after planned auto-HSCT, approximately 10% of the patients died in the following 10 years. This stresses the need for long-term close surveillance of AML patients after auto-HSCT. further, long-term follow-up of the trial confirms that APBSCT was comparable to ABMT in term of disease-free-survival and overall survival

Bioremediation of 27 Micropollutants by Symbiotic Microorganisms of Wetland Macrophytes

Background: Micropollutants in bodies of water represent many challenges. We addressedthese challenges by the application of constructed wetlands, which represent advanced treatmenttechnology for the removal of micropollutants from water. However, which mechanisms specificallycontribute to the removal efficiency often remains unclear. Methods: Here, we focus on the removalof 27 micropollutants by bioremediation. For this, macrophytesPhragmites australis,Iris pseudacorusandLythrum salicariawere taken from established wetlands, and a special experimental set-up wasdesigned. In order to better understand the impact of the rhizosphere microbiome, we determinedthe microbial composition using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and investigated the role of identifiedgenera in the micropollutant removal of micropollutants. Moreover, we studied the colonizationof macrophyte roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which are known for their symbiotic rela-tionship with plants. This symbiosis could result in increased removal of present micropollutants.Results: We foundIris pseudacorusto be the most successful bioremediative system, as it removed22 compounds, including persistent ones, with more than 80% efficiency. The most abundant generathat contributed to the removal of micropollutants werePseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Variovorax,Methylotenera, Reyranella, AmaricoccusandHydrogenophaga.Iris pseudacorusexhibited the highest colo-nization rate (56%). Conclusions: Our experiments demonstrate the positive impact of rhizospheremicroorganisms on the removal of micropollutants

Clinical characteristics and outcome of ceftazidime/avibactam-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae infections. A retrospective, observational, 2-center clinical study

Background Recently, Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) with resistance to ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA-R) has been described, including KPC variants that restore carbapenem susceptibility. The aim of the study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of infections caused by CZA-R KPC-Kp. Methods From 2019 to 2021, a retrospective 2-center study including patients with infections due to CZA-R KPC-Kp hospitalized at 2 academic hospitals in Rome was conducted. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. Principal outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality. Statistical analyses were performed with Stata-IC17 software. Results Overall, 59 patients were included (mean age, 64.4 & PLUSMN; 14.6 years; mean Charlson comorbidity index score, 4.5 & PLUSMN; 2.7). Thirty-four patients (57.6%) had infections caused by CZA-R and meropenem (MEM)-susceptible strains. A previous CZA therapy was observed in 40 patients (67.8%), mostly in patients with MEM-susceptible KPC variant (79.4% vs 52%, P = .026). Primary bacteremia was observed in 28.8%, followed by urinary tract infections and pneumonia. At infection onset, septic shock was present in 15 subjects (25.4%). After adjustment for confounders, only the presence of septic shock was independently associated with mortality (P = .006). Conclusions Infections due to CZA-R KPC-Kp often occur in patients who had previously received CZA, especially in the presence of strains susceptible to MEM. Nevertheless, one-third of patients had never received CZA before KPC-Kp CZA-R. Since the major driver for mortality was infection severity, understanding the optimal therapy in patients with KPC-Kp CZA-R infections is of crucial importance.Clinical characteristics and outcomes of infections caused by ceftazidime/avibactam-resistant (CZA-R) Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae were analyzed. Ceftazidime/avibactam-resistant and meropenem-susceptible KPC variants accounted for more than half of patients. Infections due to CZA-R KPC-Kp often occur in patients who had previously received CZA, especially in the presence of strains susceptible to meropenem. Nevertheless, one-third of patients had never received CZA before isolation of CZA strains. Infection severity was the only independent predictor of 30-day mortality

Estudio de la toxicidad de nanopartículas metálicas biosintetizadas sobre el trofoblasto

Las nanopartículas metálicas –NPs– (10-100 nm) tienen una importante actividad biocida lo cual sugiere posibles aplicaciones biomédicas. La biosíntesis de NPs es una novedosa herramienta que utiliza microorganismos debido asu capacidad de producir materiales inorgánicos en el medio intra y extracelular. A pesar de sus prometedoras capacidades biocidas, aún son necesarios estudios de toxicidad que demuestren la inocuidad para el ser humano. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue investigar la toxicidad de NPs biosintetizadas por microorganismos, en una línea celular humana. Se biosintetizaron NPs de cobre (CuNPs), hierro (FeNPs) y zinc (ZnNPs) utilizando cepas ATCC de Escherichia coli y Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Las NPs fueron caracterizadas por espectroscopía UV-Vis y por microscopia electrónica de transmisión (TEM). La línea celular humana HTR8/SVneo se incubó por 4 y 24 h a distintas diluciones de NPs ([NP]/10, [NP]/5, [NP]/2). Controles: medio de cultivo RPMI 1640 5 % SBF, solución de la sal del metal precursor a 0,1 y 0,25 mM (CuSO4, FeSO4 y ZnSO4 respectivamente), y control de crecimiento bacteriano de biosíntesis(CCB). Se evaluó la viabilidad celular mediante ensayo de MTT y la producción de especies reactivas de oxigeno (EROs) mediante ensayo con NBT. Resultados: 1) Viabilidad celular: a) CuNPs: A 4 h de exposición se observa una reducción significativa de 21 y 43 % a [CuNP]/5 y [CuNP]/2 respectivamente,33 % con CuSO4 0,25 mM, y 29 % con CCB. A 24 h la disminución es de 81 % a [CuNP]/2, 57 y 92 % con CuSO40,1 y 0,25 mM respectivamente; y 44 % con CCB; b) FeNPs: A 4 y 24 h no se observaron cambios significativos en ninguno de los niveles testeados, sin embargo CB presentó una disminución de 29 % a 4 h y 31 % a 24 h;c) ZnNPs: tanto a 4 h como 24 h disminuyó significativamente [ZnNP]/2 (46 y 61 % respectivamente) y con CCB (20 y 24 % respectivamente). 2) Producción de EROs a 24 h de exposición: a) CuNPs: se evidenció un incremento significativo a [CuNP]/2 y con CuSO4 0,25 mM; b) FeNPs: se observa aumento significativo para el control CCB; c) ZnNPs: los niveles de EROs incrementaron con CCB y a [ZnNP]/2.Estos resultados sugieren que CuNPs y ZnNPs son citotóxicas para las células trofoblásticas humanas y que la producción de EROs es el mecanismo implicado en la muerte celular. Por otro lado, FeNPs no muestran toxicidad lo cual representaría una ventaja en su uso.Fil: Lopez Venditti, Eliana Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Confluencia. Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Instituto de Biotecnología Agropecuaria del Comahue | Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Instituto de Biotecnología Agropecuaria del Comahue; ArgentinaFil: Bustos, Pamela Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Confluencia. Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Instituto de Biotecnología Agropecuaria del Comahue | Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Instituto de Biotecnología Agropecuaria del Comahue; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Páez, Paulina Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Guiñazú, Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Confluencia. Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Instituto de Biotecnología Agropecuaria del Comahue | Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Instituto de Biotecnología Agropecuaria del Comahue; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ciencias del Ambiente y la Salud. Departamento de Ciencias del Ambiente; ArgentinaIII Jornadas Patagónicas de BioquímicaNeuquénArgentinaFederación Bioquímica de la PatagoniaColegio de Bioquímicos de Neuqué