Drivers of species knowledge across the tree of life

Knowledge of biodiversity is unevenly distributed across the Tree of Life. In the long run, such disparity in awareness unbalances our understanding of life on Earth, influencing policy decisions and the allocation of research and conservation funding. We investigated how humans accumulate knowledge of biodiversity by searching for consistent relationships between scientific (number of publications) and societal (number of views in Wikipedia) interest, and species-level morphological, ecological, and sociocultural factors. Across a random selection of 3019 species spanning 29 Phyla/Divisions, we show that sociocultural factors are the most important correlates of scientific and societal interest in biodiversity, including the fact that a species is useful or harmful to humans, has a common name, and is listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Furthermore, large-bodied, broadly distributed, and taxonomically unique species receive more scientific and societal attention, whereas colorfulness and phylogenetic proximity to humans correlate exclusively with societal attention. These results highlight a favoritism toward limited branches of the Tree of Life, and that scientific and societal priorities in biodiversity research broadly align. This suggests that we may be missing out on key species in our research and conservation agenda simply because they are not on our cultural radar.

The cultivation of rye in marginal Alpine environments: a comparison of the agronomic, technological, health and sanitary traits of local landraces and commercial cultivars

Rye is a secondary crop that is characterized by a higher tolerance to climatically less favorable conditions than other cereal species. For this reason, rye was historically used as a fundamental raw material for bread production and as a supply of straw in northern parts of Europe as well as in mountain environments, such as Alpine valleys, where locally adapted landraces have continued to be cultivated over the years. In this study, rye landraces collected in different valleys in the Northwest Italian Alps have been selected as the most genetically isolated within their geographical contexts and cultivated in two different marginal Alpine environments. The traits concerning their agronomy, mycotoxin contamination, bioactive content, as well as their technological and baking quality were assessed to characterize and compare rye landraces with commercial wheat and rye cultivars. Rye cultivars showed the same grain yield level as wheat in both environments. Only the genotype selected from the Maira Valley was characterized by tall and thin culms and a proneness to lodging, thereby resulting in a lower yield capacity. Among the rye cultivars, the hybrid one presented the highest yield potential, but also the highest susceptibility to the occurrence of ergot sclerotia. However, the rye cultivars, especially the landraces, were characterized by higher concentrations of minerals, soluble fibers, and soluble phenolic acids, and thus both their flours and breads had superior antioxidant properties. A 40% substitution of refined wheat flour with whole-grain rye flour led to a higher dough water absorption and a lower stability, thereby resulting in lower loaf volumes and darker products. Agronomically and qualitatively speaking, the rye landraces diverged significantly from the conventional rye cultivars, thus reflecting their genetic distinctiveness. The landrace from the Maira Valley shared a high content in phenolic acids and good antioxidant properties with the one from the Susa Valley and, when combined with wheat flour, turned out to be the most suitable for bread making. Overall, the results have highlighted the suitability of reintroducing historic rye supply chains, based on the cultivation of local landraces in marginal environments and the production of value-added bakery goods.

Value of the HFA-PEFF and H2FPEF scores in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction caused by cardiac amyloidosis

Aims

The HFA-PEFF and H2FPEF scores have been developed to diagnose heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and hold prognostic value. Their use in patients with HFpEF caused by cardiac amyloidosis (CA) has never been investigated.

Methods and results

We evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic value of the HFA-PEFF and H2FPEF scores in 304 patients from 3 cohorts with HFpEF caused by transthyretin (ATTR)-CA (n=160, 53%) or immunoglobulin light-chain (AL)-CA (n=144, 47%). A diagnosis of HFpEF was more likely using the HFA-PEFF score with 2 (1%), 71 (23%), and 231 (76%) patients ranked as having a low (0–1), intermediate (2–4) or high (5–6) probability of HFpEF, respectively. Conversely, 36 (12%), 179 (59%) and 89 (29%) of patients ranked as having a low (0–1), intermediate (2–5) or high (6–9) probability of HFpEF using the H2FPEF score. During a median follow-up of 19 months (interquartile range 8–40), 132 (43%) patients died. The HFA-PEFF score, but not the H2FPEF, predicted a high risk of all-cause death which remained significant after adjustment for age, AL-CA diagnosis, high-sensitivity troponin T, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and echocardiographic parameters, including left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain, LV diastolic function and right ventricular function (hazard ratio 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.16–1.95, p=0.002 for every 1-point increase in HFA-PEFF).

Conclusions

The HFA-PEFF score has a high sensitivity to diagnose HFpEF caused by CA and holds independent prognostic value for all-cause mortality, while the H2FPEF score does not.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Staging heart failure patients with secondary mitral regurgitation undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair

Background

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) are closely related. Progression of HFrEF-SMR is associated with characteristic pathophysiological changes. Recently, staging of HFrEF-SMR patients showed prognostic value in a SMR cohort on medical therapy. Whether these stages are prognostic for SMR patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (M-TEER) in addition to drug therapy is unknown.

Purpose

The present study aimed at classifying HFrEF-SMR patients undergoing M-TEER into progressive disease stages based on cardiac and extracardiac involvement. We sought to evaluate the impact of the disease stages on survival outcome and symptomatic improvement after M-TEER

Methods

Based on echocardiographic transthoracic evaluation, patients were assigned into one of the following subsequent HFrEF-SMR stages representing disease progression (Figure 1): left ventricular (LV) dysfunction alone (Stage 1, LV end diastolic volume ≥159 ml and/or LV ejection fraction <50%); left atrial (LA) involvement (Stage 2, history of atrial fibrillation and/or indexed LA volume >34 ml/m2); right ventricular (RV) pressure/volume overload (Stage 3, tricuspid regurgitation ≥3+ and/or systolic pulmonary artery pressure >65 mmHg); biventricular failure (Stage 4, RV to pulmonary artery coupling <0.274 mm/mmHg). A Cox regression model was implemented to investigate the impact of HFrEF-SMR stages on two-year all-cause mortality and symptomatic outcome was assessed with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class at follow-up.

Results

Among a total of 849 included patients who underwent M-TEER for symptomatic MR from 2008 until 2019, 9.5% (n=81) presented with LV dysfunction alone, 46% (n=393) with LA involvement, 15% (n=129) with pressure/volume overload and 29% (n=246) with biventricular failure. At baseline and follow-up, successive HFrEF-SMR stages were associated with more severe heart failure symptoms as expressed by NYHA functional class. An increase in HFrEF-SMR stage was associated with increased two-year all-cause mortality rates after M-TEER (Hazard ratio 1.39, confidence interval 1.23–1.58, p<0.01, Figure 2).

Conclusions

Classifying HFrEF-SMR patients undergoing M-TEER into subsequent disease stages provides prognostic value regarding heart failure symptoms and survival.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Alpine constructed wetlands: A metagenomic analysis reveals microbial complementary structure

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are used to water treatment worldwide, however their application at high-altitude is poorly studied. In order to survive mountain winters, CWs rely on native flora and associated microbial communities. However, the choice of plant-microbes pairs more suitable for water treatment is challenging in alpine environments. Using a metagenomic approach, we investigated the composition of prokaryotes and fungal communities, through extensive sampling inside a constructed wetland in the SW-Alps. Best performing plant species were searched among those hosting the most diverse and resilient microbial communities and to this goal, we analysed them in the natural environment also. Our results showed that microbial communities were less diverse in the CW than at natural conditions, and they differed from plant to plant, revealing a clear variation in taxonomic composition between forbs and gramineous plants. Carex rostrata, Deschampsia caespitosa and Rumex alpinus hosted bacteria very active in N-cycles. Moreover, fungal and prokaryotic communities associated to R. alpinus (Polygonaceae) turned to be the richest and stable among the studied species. In our opinion, this species should be prioritized in CWs at high elevations, also in consideration of its low maintenance requirements.

Impact of right ventricular dysfunction after MitraClip treatment as a bridge to heart transplantation: insights from the MitraBridge registry

Background

MitraClip treatment has been recently proposed as a “bridge strategy” solution for advanced heart failure (HF) patients with significant functional mitral regurgitation (MR), who are potential candidates or are waiting for cardiac replacement therapy (LVAD or heart transplantation, HTx). In this clinical scenario, left-ventricular-related right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) represents an important prognostic factor.

Purpose

Our study aimed to investigate the possible prognostic implication of RVD in advanced HF patients treated with MitraClip as a bridge to HTx strategy.

Methods

RVD was assessed using the relationship between tricuspid annular peak systolic excursion (TAPSE) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). All patients from the MitraBridge registry for whom these two echocardiographic parameters were available, were included in the study. A cut-off value of TAPSE/PASP ratio <0.36 was used to defined RVD, as previously reported. The primary outcome was a composite end-point of all-cause death or rehospitalization for HF at 2-year. For patients who underwent LVAD implantation or HTx, follow-up data were censored at the time of those events.

Results

A total of 80 patients were included in the study. The median TAPSE/PASP ratio was 0.35 (25th-75th: 0.27–0.46), with 43 (54%) patients having a TAPSE/PASP ratio <0.36 (RVD group). The latter had a prevalent MR ischemic etiology (49% vs 38%), with a more frequent history of percutaneous coronary intervention (46.5% vs 22%, p=0.02). Except for TAPSE (15.7±3.6 mm vs 19.2±3.7 mm, p=0.001) and PASP (61±14 mmHg vs 39.5±9.5 mmHg, p<0.001), the other echocardiographic characteristics were similar between the two study groups (overall mean left ventricular ejection fraction 26.9±8%, median left ventricular end-diastolic volume index 120.7, 25th-75th: 102.2–146.5 mL/m2). After a median follow-up time of 508 (25th-75th: 160–899) days, elective HTx occurred in 12 patients (7 from the RVD group), while LVAD implantation was performed in 13 patients (7 from the RVD group). The primary outcome occurred in 30 patients (38%) with a 2-year Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from the composite end-point of 41%. At univariate (HR 1.3 95% CI 0.6–2.8, p=0.451) and multivariate (HR 1.6 CI 0.7–3.8, p=0.249) Cox-regression analysis, TAPSE/PASP ratio <0.36 was not identified as an independent predictor of primary outcome. Indeed, at follow-up echocardiographic control (median time 252, 25th-75th: 122–365 days), a significant improvement in TAPSE/PASP ratio was observed in the RVD group (baseline median TAPSE/PASP ratio 0.27, 25th-75th: 0.22–0.32 vs follow-up median TAPSE/PASP ratio 0.37, 25th-75th: 0.28–0.47, p<0.001).

Conclusion

In advanced HF patients with functional MR, MitraClip treatment could prevent or ameliorate left-ventricular-related RVD, allowing safe access to HTx or LVAD.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Plant scientists' research attention is skewed towards colourful, conspicuous and broadly distributed flowers

Scientists' research interests are often skewed toward charismatic organisms, but quantifying research biases is challenging. By combining bibliometric data with trait-based approaches and using a well-studied alpine flora as a case study, we demonstrate that morphological and colour traits, as well as range size, have significantly more impact on species choice for wild flowering plants than traits related to ecology and rarity. These biases should be taken into account to inform more objective plant conservation efforts.

Exploring the Diversity of Fungal DyPs in Mangrove Soils to Produce and Characterize Novel Biocatalysts

The functional diversity of the New Caledonian mangrove sediments was examined, observing the distribution of fungal dye-decolorizing peroxidases (DyPs), together with the complete biochemical characterization of the main DyP. Using a functional metabarcoding approach, the diversity of expressed genes encoding fungal DyPs was investigated in surface and deeper sediments, collected beneath either Avicennia marina or Rhizophora stylosa trees, during either the wet or the dry seasons. The highest DyP diversity was observed in surface sediments beneath the R. stylosa area during the wet season, and one particular operational functional unit (OFU1) was detected as the most abundant DyP isoform. This OFU was found in all sediment samples, representing 51–100% of the total DyP-encoding sequences in 70% of the samples. The complete cDNA sequence corresponding to this abundant DyP (OFU 1) was retrieved by gene capture, cloned, and heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris. The recombinant enzyme, called DyP1, was purified and characterized, leading to the description of its physical–chemical properties, its ability to oxidize diverse phenolic substrates, and its potential to decolorize textile dyes; DyP1 was more active at low pH, though moderately stable over a wide pH range. The enzyme was very stable at temperatures up to 50 °C, retaining 60% activity after 180 min incubation. Its ability to decolorize industrial dyes was also tested on Reactive Blue 19, Acid Black, Disperse Blue 79, and Reactive Black 5. The effect of hydrogen peroxide and sea salt on DyP1 activity was studied and compared to what is reported for previously characterized enzymes from terrestrial and marine-derived fungi.

Prognostic value of pre-operative atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure and secondary mitral regurgitation undergoing percutaneous mitral valve repair with MitraClip

Background

Limited data are available regarding the independent prognostic role of atrial fibrillation (AF) after transcatheter mitral valve repair with MitraClip.

Aims

We sought to evaluate the real impact of pre-operative AF in a wide series of patients with heart failure (HF) and secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) after MitraClip treatment.

Methods

The study included 605 patients with severe secondary MR from a multicenter international registry. Patients were stratified into two groups according to the presence or absence of pre-operative AF. The overall prevalence of pre-operative AF was 44%. Primary endpoint was 5-year overall death, secondary endpoints were 5–year cardiac death and first re-hospitalization for acute HF.

Results

At 5-year Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis conducted in the entire study cohort, compared to patients without AF those with AF had significantly more adverse events in term of overall death (67% vs. 43%; p<0.001) (KM curve A) and cardiac death (65% vs. 37%; p=0.001) (KM curve B) and, moderately more re-hospitalization for acute HF (64% vs. 50%; p=0.048) (KM curve C). To account for baseline differences, patients were propensity score matched 1:1. After matching, 342 adequately matched patients were identified: compared to patients without AF, those with AF had higher rates of death and cardiac mortality but similar rates of re-hospitalization for acute HF.

Conclusion

In this large 5-year analysis of patients with HF undergoing MitraClip treatment for severe secondary MR, AF is common and associated with higher rates of both overall- and cardiac-death. However, AF doesn't seem to affect the benefit of the procedure in term of re-hospitalization for HF.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Use of MitraClip system for severe mitral regurgitation in cardiogenic shock: results from a multicentre observational Italian experience (the MITRA-SHOCK study)

Background/Introduction

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a medical emergency and a frequent cause of death. CS can be complicated by mitral regurgitation (MR). The presence of at least moderate MR in the setting of shock was associated with about three-times higher odds of 1-year mortality. In the setting of refractory CS, percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) can be a potential therapeutic option.

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous approach of severe MR in patients with CS assessing short-term clinical outcomes.

Methods

In this study we retrospectively included patients with CS and concomitant severe MR treated with Mitraclip system. We enrolled 28 patients from 5 Italian centers between 2012 and 2019. MitraClip implantation was performed according to each hospital standard care. CS was defined utilizing the Diagnostic Criteria of Cardiogenic Shock used in the SHOCK trial. Procedural success was defined as the presence of moderate or less MR after MitraClip implantation.

Results

All patients presented at least severe MR. All treated patients were at high surgical risk (STS mortality score 36.4±11.7%). Procedural success was obtained in 24 patients (86%). A mean of 1.71±0.76 clips per patients were implanted. In-hospital complications occurred in 13 patients (46%): 7 minor bleedings (25% of patients), 7 major bleedings (25%), 8 acute kidney injuries (28%). In-hospital mortality was 25% and the reported causes of death were cardiovascular in all patients. At Cox multivariate analysis procedural success was a strong predictor of in-hospital survival (HR 0.11, CI 95% 0.02–0.67, p=0.017).

Conclusions

PMVR with Mitraclip system in patients with CS and concomitant MR demonstrated high procedural success and acceptable safety. It can be considered a bailout option in this setting of patients with high short-term mortality. Larger prospective studies are needed.

In-hospital mortality predictors

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Predictors of haemodynamic performance in patients with aortic stenosis and small annulus undergoing TAVI with self-expandable valves

Background

Small aortic annular size is one of the most important predictor of poor hemodynamic and clinical outcomes in patients treated for aortic stenosis. Post-hoc analyses of pivotal trials showed that transcatheter aortic valve intervention (TAVI) offer better outcomes then surgery in patients with small aortic annulus, especially with self-expandable valves (SEV). However, data about SEVs comparison in this population are limited.

Purpose

Our aim is to assess how valve design and oversizing, with anatomical and echographic features, impact on the hemodynamic performance of SEVs in TAVI patients with small aortic annulus.

Methods

The TAVI SMALL registry enrolled 859 patients with small aortic annulus (CT-scan annular perimeter≤72 mm or area ≤400 mm2) treated for aortic stenosis with currently available SEVs (Evolut R=397; Evolut PRO =84; Acurate Neo=140; Acurate TA= 61; Portico=177) at 9 European centers between 2011 and 2018. We performed multivariable backward logistic regression analyses to identify predictors of high postprocedural mean gradient, moderate-to-severe PPM, and moderate-to-severe para-valvular leak (PVL).

Results

After adjustment for LVEF, we identified annular perimeter and percentage of oversizing as independent predictors of lower post-procedural mean gradient.

Implantation of intra-annular rather than supra-annular bioprosthesis was the only independent predictor of moderate-to-severe PPM.

Predictors of moderate-to-severe PVL are reported in the Table.

Conclusions

Among patients with aortic stenosis and small aortic annulus treated with transcatheter SEVs, use of supra-annular bioproshtesis and oversizing were associated with improved valve performance.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Integrating Multiple Lines of Evidence to Explore Intraspecific Variability in a Rare Endemic Alpine Plant and Implications for Its Conservation

We studied the ecology, distribution, and phylogeography of Tephroseris balbisiana, a rare plant whose range is centered to the South-Western Alps. Our aim was to assess the extent of intraspecific variability within the nominal species and the conservation status of isolated populations. We studied genetic diversity across the whole species range. We analyzed leaf traits, which are distinctive morphological characters within the Tephroseris genus. A clear pattern of genetic variation was found among populations of T. balbisiana, which clustered according to their geographic position. On the contrary, there was a strong overlap in the morphological space of individuals across the species' range, with few peripheral populations diverging in their leaf morphology. Studying habitat suitability by means of species distribution models, we observed that T. balbisiana range is primarily explained by solar radiation and precipitation seasonality. Environmental requirements could explain the genetic and morphological uniformity of T. balbisiana in its core distribution area and justify genetic, morphological, and ecological divergences found among the isolated populations of the Apennines. Our findings emphasize the need to account for the whole diversity of a species, comprising peripheral populations, in order to better estimate its status and to prioritize areas for its conservation.

The Dark Side of Orchid Symbiosis: Can Tulasnella calospora Decompose Host Tissues?

Photosynthetic orchids associate with mycorrhizal fungi that can be mostly ascribed to the "rhizoctonia" species complex. Rhizoctonias' phylogenetic diversity covers a variety of ecological/nutritional strategies that include, beside the symbiosis establishment with host plants, endophytic and pathogenic associations with non-orchid plants or saprotrophic soil colonization. In addition, orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) that establish a symbiotic relationship with an orchid host can later proliferate in browning and rotting orchid tissues. Environmental triggers and molecular mechanisms governing the switch leading to either a saprotrophic or a mycorrhizal behavior in OMF remain unclear. As the sequenced OMF genomes feature a wide range of genes putatively involved in the degradation of plant cell wall (PCW) components, we tested if these transitions may be correlated with a change in the expression of some PCW degrading enzymes. Regulation of several genes encoding PCW degrading enzymes was evaluated during saprotrophic growth of the OMF Tulasnella calospora on different substrates and under successful and unsuccessful mycorrhizal symbioses. Fungal gene expression in planta was investigated in two orchid species, the terrestrial Mediterranean Serapias vomeracea and the epiphytic tropical Cattleya purpurata. Although we only tested a subset of the CAZyme genes identified in the T. calospora genome, and we cannot exclude therefore a role for different CAZyme families or members inside a family, the results showed that the degradative potential of T. calospora is finely regulated during saprotrophic growth and in symbiosis, often with a different regulation in the two orchid species. These data pose novel questions about the role of fungal PCW degrading enzymes in the development of unsuccessful and successful interactions.

Cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery in adolescents with severe obesity in the UK

Evidence shows that surgery for severe obesity in adults improves health and psychological functioning, and is cost-effective. Data on bariatric surgery for adolescents with severe obesity are extremely limited, with no evidence on cost-effectiveness. We evaluated the lifetime cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery compared with no surgery in adolescents with severe obesity from the UK's National Health Service perspective. Eighteen adolescents with body mass index ≥40 kg m^-2 who underwent bariatric surgery (laparoscopic Roux en Y Gastric Bypass [RYGB] [N = 9], and laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy [SG] [N = 9]) at University College London Hospitals between January 2008 and December 2013 were included. We used a Markov cohort model to compare the lifetime expected costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) between bariatric surgery and no surgery. Mean cost of RYGB and SG procedures were £7100 and £7312, respectively. For RYGB vs. no surgery, the incremental cost/QALY was £2018 (95% CI £1942 - £2042) for males and £2005 (95% CI £1974 - £2031) for females. For SG vs. no surgery, the incremental cost/QALY was £1978 (95% CI £1954 - £2002) for males and £1941 (95% CI £1915 - £1969) for females. Bariatric surgery in adolescents with severe obesity is cost-effective; it is more costly than no surgery however it markedly improved quality of life.

Type 2 diabetes remission 2 years post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy: the role of the weight loss and comparison of DiaRem and DiaBetter scores

AIMS

The comparative efficacy of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy on Type 2 diabetes remission and the role of weight loss are unclear. The DiaRem diabetes remission prediction score uses HbA_1c , age and diabetes medications but not diabetes duration. The aim of this study was to compare the DiaRem with the DiaBetter score that includes diabetes duration, upon combined (complete plus partial) 2-year post-surgery diabetes remission in people following RYGB and sleeve gastrectomy, and to investigate the relationship between weight loss and diabetes remission.

METHODS

A retrospective single-centre cohort study of obese people with diabetes who underwent RYGB (107) or sleeve gastrectomy (103) and a validation cohort study (173) were undertaken. Diabetes remission, % weight loss, DiaRem, DiaBetter scores and areas under receiving operator characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated. The relationship between % weight loss and diabetes remission was investigated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

The proportion of people achieving diabetes remission was highest for those with the lowest DiaBetter and DiaRem scores. Areas under the ROC curves were comparable [DiaBetter: 0.867 (95%CI: 0.817-0.916); DiaRem: 0.865 (95%CI: 0.814-0.915), P=0.856]. Two-year % weight loss was higher post RYGB [26.6 (95%CI: 24.8-28.4)] vs post-sleeve gastrectomy [20.6 (95%CI: 18.3-22.8), P<0.001]. RYGB had 151% higher odds of diabetes remission [OR 2.51 (95%CI: 1.12-5.60), P=0.025]. This association became non-significant when adjusted for % weight loss.

CONCLUSION

DiaBetter and DiaRem scores predict diabetes remission following both procedures. Two-year % weight loss plays a key role in determining diabetes remission.

RNA extraction from decaying wood for (meta)transcriptomic analyses

Wood decomposition is a key step of the terrestrial carbon cycle and is of economic importance. It is essentially a microbiological process performed by fungi and to an unknown extent by bacteria. To gain access to the genes expressed by the diverse microbial communities participating in wood decay, we developed an RNA extraction protocol from this recalcitrant material rich in polysaccharides and phenolic compounds. This protocol was implemented on 22 wood samples representing as many tree species from 11 plant families in the Angiosperms and Gymnosperms. RNA was successfully extracted from all samples and converted into cDNAs from which were amplified both fungal and bacterial protein coding genes, including genes encoding hydrolytic enzymes participating in lignocellulose hydrolysis. This protocol applicable to a wide range of decomposing wood types represents a first step towards a metatranscriptomic analysis of wood degradation under natural conditions.

Active Subjects With Autoimmune Type 1 Diabetes Have Better Metabolic Profiles Than Sedentary Controls

Previous studies in humans with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) and in nonobese diabetic mice have investigated the beneficial immunomodulatory potential of aerobic physical activity. Performing high volume of aerobic exercise may favorably regulate autoimmunity in diabetes. We tested whether increased physical activity is a self-sufficient positive factor in T1D subjects. During a 3-month observational period, active (six males; 40.5 ± 6.1 years; BMI: 24.5 ± 2.1) and sedentary (four males, three females; 35.9 ± 8.9 years; BMI: 25.7 ± 3.8) T1D individuals on insulin pump therapy were studied for metabolic, inflammatory, and autoimmune parameters. At baseline and at the end of a 3-month period, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), autoantibodies (anti-GAD, anti-ZnT8, anti-IA2, and ICA) and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) were evaluated. During the third month of the period, physically active T1D patients showed a significant reduction in the average glucose levels (-9%, p = 0.025, by CGM) compared to the first month values, and even their hyperglycemic episodes (>180 mg/dl) diminished significantly (-24.2%, p = 0.032 vs. first month). Moreover, active T1D subjects exhibited an improved body composition with respect to sedentary controls. No significant changes were detected as to the autoimmune and inflammatory profiles. This study confirms the beneficial role of physical exercise associated with insulin pump therapy in order to improve metabolic control in individuals with T1D. These preliminary positive observations need to be challenged in a prolonged interventional follow-up.

Characterization of transient noise in Advanced LIGO relevant to gravitational wave signal GW150914

On September 14, 2015, a gravitational wave signal from a coalescing black hole binary system was observed by the Advanced LIGO detectors. This paper describes the transient noise backgrounds used to determine the significance of the event (designated GW150914) and presents the results of investigations into potential correlated or uncorrelated sources of transient noise in the detectors around the time of the event. The detectors were operating nominally at the time of GW150914. We have ruled out environmental influences and non-Gaussian instrument noise at either LIGO detector as the cause of the observed gravitational wave signal.

Temporal variation in mycorrhizal diversity and carbon and nitrogen stable isotope abundance in the wintergreen meadow orchid Anacamptis morio

Many adult orchids, especially photoautotrophic species, associate with a diverse range of mycorrhizal fungi, but little is known about the temporal changes that might occur in the diversity and functioning of orchid mycorrhiza during vegetative and reproductive plant growth. Temporal variations in the spectrum of mycorrhizal fungi and in stable isotope natural abundance were investigated in adult plants of Anacamptis morio, a wintergreen meadow orchid. Anacamptis morio associated with mycorrhizal fungi belonging to Tulasnella, Ceratobasidium and a clade of Pezizaceae (Ascomycetes). When a complete growing season was investigated, multivariate analyses indicated significant differences in the mycorrhizal fungal community. Among fungi identified from manually isolated pelotons, Tulasnella was more common in autumn and winter, the pezizacean clade was very frequent in spring, and Ceratobasidium was more frequent in summer. By contrast, relatively small variations were found in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotope natural abundance, A. morio samples showing similar (15)N enrichment and (13)C depletion at the different sampling times. These observations suggest that, irrespective of differences in the seasonal environmental conditions, the plant phenological stages and the associated fungi, the isotopic content in mycorrhizal A. morio remains fairly constant over time.

Probing transport mechanisms of BaFe₂As₂ superconducting films and grain boundary junctions by noise spectroscopy

An important step forward for the understanding of high-temperature superconductivity has been the discovery of iron-based superconductors. Among these compounds, iron pnictides could be used for high-field magnet applications, resulting more advantageous over conventional superconductors, due to a high upper critical field as well as its low anisotropy at low temperatures. However, the principal obstacle in fabricating high quality superconducting wires and tapes is given by grain boundaries. In order to study these effects, the dc transport and voltage-noise properties of Co-doped BaFe₂As₂ superconducting films with artificial grain boundary junctions have been investigated. A specific procedure allows the separation of the film noise from that of the junction. While the former shows a standard 1/f behaviour, the latter is characterized by an unconventional temperature-dependent multi-Lorentzian voltage-spectral density. Moreover, below the film superconducting critical temperature, a peculiar noise spectrum is found for the grain boundary junction. Possible theoretical interpretation of these phenomena is proposed.

Single-incision laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (Br J Surg 2010; 97: 1881-1883)

The Editors welcome topical correspondence from readers relating to articles published in the Journal. Responses should be sent electronically via the BJS website (http://www.bjs.co.uk). All letters will be reviewed and, if approved, appear on the website. A selection of these will be edited and published in the Journal. Letters must be no more than 250 words in length.

A NOTES approach for thoracic surgery: transgastric thoracoscopy via a diaphragmatic incision in a survival porcine model

AIM

Recently the NOTES approach has been extended to mediastinum by a transesophageal access and to the thorax by a transvescical endoscopic approach. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and the safety of transgastric endoscopic approach to the thoracic cavity, with lung biopsy, in a survival porcine model.

METHODS

The study was performed on four 20-30 kg female pigs (Sus scrofus domesticus). Following gastric wall incision, the muscular pars of the left diaphragmatic dome was incised along with the parietal pleura and the endoscope advanced into the thoracic cavity. In all animals, a thoracoscopy was performed as well as peripheral lung biopsy. At the end of the operation the endoscope was withdrawn from the thoracic cavity after pleural sac decompression and the diaphragmatic incision closed by endoscopic clips under maximal expansion of lungs. The gastric incision was finally closed by endoscopic clips. Chest-tube placement was not utilized. Animals were sacrificed by day 15 postoperatively.

RESULTS

The gastroscope was easily introduced into the thoracic cavity that allowed to visualize the pleural cavity and to perform simple surgical procedures such as lung biopsies without complications. There were neither respiratory distress episodes nor surgical complications to report. No adverse event occurred during the survival period. The postmortem examination 15 days after surgery revealed a good closure of the diaphragmatic incision. At necropsy, the lung biopsies were completely healed. There were no signs of infection in both thoracic and peritoneal cavities. The length of follow-up and number of animals studied might have not been sufficient.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the feasibility of transgastric thoracoscopy in porcine model. Long-term follow-up of much larger series will be necessary for provision of more reliable answers if this approach should be adopted in the future and eventually translated for humans with advantages for patients.

Severe obstructive jaundice in a 90-year-old man caused by an annular pancreas. Report of a case

Although the annular pancreas is a rare congenital malformation of the pancreatic glandular parenchyma, this pathology often remains asymptomatic until the adult or old age and can represent an incidental finding during an ERCP or an abdominal Computed Tomography, because the clinical appearance of this condition can be of very various kinds. We present a case of an extra-hepatic jaundice in a 90-year-old man, caused by an annular pancreas constricting coledochus. Description of this case results very interesting and particular for two reasons: the very old age of the patient, probably the oldest recorded, and the unusual clinical appearance: obstructive jaundice as beginning one symptom of this malformation.

FILO (field interaction ligand optimization): a simplex strategy for searching the optimal ligand interaction field in drug design

A method (FILO, Field Interaction Ligand Optimization) for obtaining the optimal molecular interaction field was developed on the basis of the Simplex optimization procedure applied to a matrix of interaction energies obtained by performing a GRID computation on a suitable data set. The FILO procedure was tested on a set of nine HIV-1 protease inhibitors with known crystal structures. The results of FILO consist of the optimal molecular interaction field of a putative new ligand with optimal binding affinity. The final FILO model yields R2 and R2(CV) values of 0.993 and 0.936, respectively, and finds eight negative and four positive interaction nodes for the OH probe taken as an example. The eight H bonding interactions pointed out by FILO identified well the binding site AA-residues Gly A27, Asp A29, water 501, Gly B48 and Asp A25 of HIV-1 protease.