Manipulation of an Innate Escape Response in Drosophila: Photoexcitation of acj6 Neurons Induces the Escape Response

Background: The genetic analysis of behavior in Drosophila melanogaster has linked genes controlling neuronal connectivity and physiology to specific neuronal circuits underlying a variety of innate behaviors. We investigated the circuitry underlying the adult startle response, using photoexcitation of neurons that produce the abnormal chemosensory jump 6 (acj6) transcription factor. This transcription factor has previously been shown to play a role in neuronal pathfinding and neurotransmitter modality, but the role of acj6 neurons in the adult startle response was largely unknown. Principal Findings: We show that the activity of these neurons is necessary for a wild-type startle response and that excitation is sufficient to generate a synthetic escape response. Further, we show that this synthetic response is still sensitive to the dose of acj6 suggesting that that acj6 mutation alters neuronal activity as well as connectivity and neurotransmitter production. Results/Significance: These results extend the understanding of the role of acj6 and of the adult startle response in general. They also demonstrate the usefulness of activity-dependent characterization of neuronal circuits underlying innat

Investigation of candidate genes involved in the rhodoquinone biosynthetic pathway in Rhodospirillum rubrum.

The lipophilic electron-transport cofactor rhodoquinone (RQ) facilitates anaerobic metabolism in a variety of bacteria and selected eukaryotic organisms in hypoxic environments. We have shown that an intact rquA gene in Rhodospirillum rubrum is required for RQ production and efficient growth of the bacterium under anoxic conditions. While the explicit details of RQ biosynthesis have yet to be fully delineated, ubiquinone (Q) is a required precursor to RQ in R. rubrum, and the RquA gene product is homologous to a class I methyltransferase. In order to identify any additional requirements for RQ biosynthesis or factors influencing RQ production in R. rubrum, we performed transcriptome analysis to identify differentially expressed genes in anoxic, illuminated R. rubrum cultures, compared with those aerobically grown in the dark. To further select target genes, we employed a bioinformatics approach to assess the likelihood that a given differentially expressed gene under anoxic conditions may also have a direct role in RQ production or regulation of its levels in vivo. Having thus compiled a list of candidate genes, nine were chosen for further study by generation of knockout strains. RQ and Q levels were quantified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and rquA gene expression was measured using the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In one case, Q and RQ levels were decreased relative to wild type; in another case, the opposite effect was observed. These results comport with the crucial roles of rquA and Q in RQ biosynthesis, and reveal the existence of potential modulators of RQ levels in R. rubrum

Aircraft Decompression with Installed Cockpit Security Door

A zero-dimensional model of cockpit and cabin decompression with cockpit security door is presented. The hinged panels in the security door were modeled to account for the pressure-equalization dynamics in the case of cockpit decompression. A comprehensive isentropic and isothermal theoretical analysis is presented with many closed-form and asymptotic solutions. New analytical estimates for the total decompression time and the pressure half-time were derived. The simulations for typical corporate and large-transport-category airplanes with different cabin geometries, discharge coefficients, rupture cross-sectional areas, pressure altitudes, and cabin altitudes have been obtained. The case in which the cockpit depressurizes first and its effect on the cabin decompression and on the security door integrity has been extensively studied. The recently required cockpit doors may be hazardous for flight crew in the case cockpit depressurizes first and other venting and blowout panels malfunction or are too slow to respond. The resulting pressure differential between the cockpit and the cabin can create instantaneous forces in excess of 80 kN on the cockpit security door. In addition, this puts the crew in danger due to explosive decompression on the time scale of 100 ms and increases the possibility of the security door being blown out of the frame

Correction: Epidemiology and outcomes of early-onset AKI in COVID-19-related ARDS in comparison with non-COVID-19-related ARDS: insights from two prospective global cohort studies (Critical Care, (2023), 27, 1, (3), 10.1186/s13054-022-04294-5)

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors identified that the collaborating authors part of the collaborating author group CCCC Consortium was missing. The collaborating author group is available and included as Additional file 1 in this article

Stroke in critically ill patients with respiratory failure due to COVID-19: Disparities between low-middle and high-income countries

Purpose: We aimed to compare the incidence of stroke in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) versus high-income countries (HICs) in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and its impact on in-hospital mortality. Methods: International observational study conducted in 43 countries. Stroke and mortality incidence rates and rate ratios (IRR) were calculated per admitted days using Poisson regression. Inverse probability weighting (IPW) was used to address the HICs vs. LMICs imbalance for confounders. Results: 23,738 patients [20,511(86.4 %) HICs vs. 3,227(13.6 %) LMICs] were included. The incidence stroke/1000 admitted-days was 35.7 (95 %CI = 28.4–44.9) LMICs and 17.6 (95 %CI = 15.8–19.7) HICs; ischemic 9.47 (95 %CI = 6.57–13.7) LMICs, 1.97 (95 %CI = 1.53, 2.55) HICs; hemorrhagic, 7.18 (95 %CI = 4.73–10.9) LMICs, and 2.52 (95 %CI = 2.00–3.16) HICs; unspecified stroke type 11.6 (95 %CI = 7.75–17.3) LMICs, 8.99 (95 %CI = 7.70–10.5) HICs. In regression with IPW, LMICs vs. HICs had IRR = 1.78 (95 %CI = 1.31–2.42, p < 0.001). Patients from LMICs were more likely to die than those from HICs [43.6% vs 29.2 %; Relative Risk (RR) = 2.59 (95 %CI = 2.29–2.93), p < 0.001)]. Patients with stroke were more likely to die than those without stroke [RR = 1.43 (95 %CI = 1.19–1.72), p < 0.001)]. Conclusions: Stroke incidence was low in HICs and LMICs although the stroke risk was higher in LMICs. Both LMIC status and stroke increased the risk of death. Improving early diagnosis of stroke and redistribution of healthcare resources should be a priority. Trial registration: ACTRN12620000421932 registered on 30/03/2020