XBP1 governs late events in plasma cell differentiation and is not required for antigen-specific memory B cell development

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a stress response pathway that is driven by the increased load of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum of highly secretory cells such as plasma cells (PCs). X box binding protein 1 (XBP1) is a transcription factor that mediates one branch of the UPR and is crucial for the development of antibody-secreting PCs. PCs represent only one class of terminally differentiated B cells, however, and little is known about the role for XBP1 in the other class: memory B cells. We have developed an XBP1fl/fl CD19+/cre conditional knockout (XBP1CD19) mouse to build upon our current understanding of the function of XBP1 in PC differentiation as well as to explore the role of XBP1 in memory cell development. Using this model, we show that XBP1CD19 mice are protected from disease in an autoantibody-mediated mouse lupus model. We also identify a novel developmental stage at which B cells express the traditional PC marker CD138 (syndecan-1) but have yet to undergo XBP1-dependent functional and morphological differentiation into antibody-secreting cells. Finally, we show that memory B cells develop normally in XBP1CD19 mice, demonstrating that XBP1-mediated functions occur independently of any memory cell lineage commitment

Characterization and crystal structure of the type IIG restriction endonuclease RM.BpuSI

A type IIG restriction endonuclease, RM.BpuSI from Bacillus pumilus, has been characterized and its X-ray crystal structure determined at 2.35Å resolution. The enzyme is comprised of an array of 5-folded domains that couple the enzyme's N-terminal endonuclease domain to its C-terminal target recognition and methylation activities. The REase domain contains a PD-x15-ExK motif, is closely superimposable against the FokI endonuclease domain, and coordinates a single metal ion. A helical bundle domain connects the endonuclease and methyltransferase (MTase) domains. The MTase domain is similar to the N6-adenine MTase M.TaqI, while the target recognition domain (TRD or specificity domain) resembles a truncated S subunit of Type I R–M system. A final structural domain, that may form additional DNA contacts, interrupts the TRD. DNA binding and cleavage must involve large movements of the endonuclease and TRD domains, that are probably tightly coordinated and coupled to target site methylation status

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Mercury Accumulation in Food Crops and Phytoremediation Potential of Wild Plants Thriving in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Areas in Uganda

Mercury (Hg) has been used for millennia in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) to extract gold from ore as an amalgam that is heated to recover gold. Since there is hardly any sustainable technology that can be used to recover it, the vast percentage of released Hg finds its way into the environment. Currently, ASGM is the largest source of mercury pollution on Earth. Mercury (Hg) is listed among the top 10 most harmful metals by the World Health Organization (WHO), and it is known to cause several neurological disorders in humans. Thus, Hg levels in environmental systems surrounding pollution hotspots such as ASGM mines need to be monitored to ensure their proper management and protect vulnerable ecosystems and human health. This work was aimed to study the level of Hg pollution in soils and plants thriving around ASGM mines in Eastern Uganda and to evaluate the Hg phytoremediation potential of the plants. The total Hg contents were determined for soils, food crops and wild plants growing around ASGM mines. The results for the pH, organic carbon (OC) and electric conductivity (EC) of the soils in the study area were comparable to those of the control soils. The soils in the studied ASGM areas exhibited high Hg concentrations ranging between 723 and 2067 folds more than those of the control soils. All soils were moderately to heavily contaminated according to geoaccumulation (Igeo) index values that ranged between 1.16 and 3.31. The results of this study also showed that the food crops and wild plants accumulated Hg levels that were above the 20 ng/g (0.02 ppm) permissible limit. This study revealed relatively higher levels of Hg in the aerial parts of the plants compared with the underground organs, which can be attributed to Hg deposition, entry through stomata and foliar adsorption. Mercury levels in 47% of the food crop samples were above the FAO/WHO permissible mercury limit of 0.5 µg/g. Similarly, medicinal plants accumulated Hg to levels that were several folds higher than the 0.2 ppm permissible limit of mercury in herbal materials of Canada. Interestingly, this study showed that some wild plant species, especially sedges, exhibited relatively higher levels of mercury accumulation than others thriving in the same environment, an indication that such plants could be utilized in the phytoremediation of Hg-contaminated sites

SARS的集體遺忘．公共健康．政治．香港的未來 = Public health, politics and Hong Kong’s future

SARS﹐或稱「沙士」、「非典型肺炎」﹐曾經是一種讓所有人對自己的健康和處身的生活環境都產生高度恐懼和不安的「殺手」病毒﹐其所產生的社會和經濟效應﹐更一度成為香港的夢魘。但只是事隔4年﹐我們對於SARS的記憶﹐無論是死亡數字、京華酒店911號房間等相關事實﹐或者是引發出來的公共衛生、危機管理、居住環境設計、人際關係、生活態度等問題的討論﹐似乎已經開始淡忘。 我們是否患上集體遺忘症﹖還是有甚麼事情或公眾論述﹐系統地逐漸抹掉SARS遺留下來的痕跡﹐或告訴我們傷痛已過﹐大可以一起享受經濟復甦帶來的快樂和安全感﹖我們是否需要思考這四年間﹐我們的社會在公眾健康意識及政策上﹐以及對現時生活形態的反思，究竟走前了多少﹖ 公開研討會由嶺南大學文化研究系陳順馨博士主持，講者包括嶺南大學文化研究系博士研究生陳慧燕女士、香港大學比較文學系導師邱穎潔女士、嶺南大學文化研究碩士生吳蓓蒂女士，她們會從文化研究的角度，探討四方面的問題。第一是問責方面﹐特別通過陳馮富珍當選世衛組織總幹事在香港引起了怎樣的討論﹐探討香港政治問責制度與集體遺忘的關係。第二是呈現方面﹐通過對跟SARS相關的影像和文字的分析﹐探討「病」與「健康」是如何被建構的。第三是人際關係方面﹐通過反思SARS期間曾經被改寫的人際關係﹐探討記憶/遺忘的文化含義。第四是日常生活方面﹐探討今天我們是否以對食品安全、不吸一手或二手煙等的追求﹐取代對於甚麼才是健康生活的全面思考﹖這樣的趨勢除了能帶出所謂製造商機、改善經濟的效果外﹐是否忽略了越來越嚴峻的不健康地工作 (如工時越來越長) 和生活 (如污染) 的問題﹖而所謂商機，又是否更加劇貧富懸殊的問題，健康食品成為有錢人的專利、商人謀取暴利的借口？ 此外，這次研討會很榮幸邀請九龍醫院醫院行政總監和九龍中醫院聯網服務總監區結成醫生，對三位講者的發言作出評論。區醫生除了貫通中西醫學外﹐還一直參與公共健康的討論﹐著有《當中醫遇上西醫》、《記得SARS這一年》等書。 相關文章 : 集體遺忘﹖－SARS與公共健康 / 吳蓓

The Press, Volume 13, Issue 17, January 27, 1977

The Press, Volume 13, Issue 17 includes: BUSU Prez T-Jay Waldock asks VP Sue Cybulski to resign, T-Jay denies this, appoints Pat Bushmeyer as new VP; Students vote “no” for BUSU fee increases (523-178); BUSU financial statements: treading on a tightrope