POS0825 CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TREATMENT MANAGEMENT OF NON-INFECTIOUS SCLERITIS WITH CORTICOSTEROID-SPARING THERAPY. A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY FROM A TERTIARY EYE CARE CENTER

Background

Non-infectious scleritis refers to a rare and sight-threatening scleral inflammation. An association with an underlying systemic disease is noted in 30% to 40% of cases. Their management may require the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, oral corticosteroids, and sometimes steroid-sparing immunosuppressive agents. Because of the low incidence and prevalence of scleritis, treatment guidelines are currently not available.

Objectives

We analyzed in a retrospective observational study patients with scleritis referred to the Foundation Rothschild Hospital (Paris) from March 2011 to June 2021.

Methods

Characteristics, visual outcomes, ocular complications, associations with systemic diseases and efficacy of treatment were assessed in patients with non-infectious scleritis who needed steroid-sparing immunosuppressive agents.

Results

Among 731 patients diagnosed with scleritis, 54 patients (71 eyes, 7%) were treated by steroid-sparing immunosuppressive agents. Mean follow up was 111.9 ± 84.5 weeks. Mean age was 48.4 years ± 18.3, and 31 patients (57%) were female. Scleritis was anterior in 51 eyes (72 %), including 25 (35%) with diffuse scleritis, 24 (34%) with nodular scleritis and 2 (3%) with necrotizing scleritis. Scleritis was posterior in 20 eyes (28%). Bilateral involvement was noted in 17 patients (32 %). Ocular complications were observed in 52 eyes (73 %): scleral thinning in 25 eyes (35%), anterior uveitis in 24 eyes (34 %), loss of vision in 20 eyes (28%), posterior segment ocular complications in 18 eyes (25%), ocular hypertension in 17 eyes (24%) and corneal involvement in 16 eyes (23%). An underlying systemic disease was identified in 28 patients (52 %), and scleritis was the first manifestation of the systemic disease in 17 out of 28 patients. Rheumatoid arthritis was the most frequently identified disease (n=12), followed by granulomatosis with polyangiitis (n=8) and relapsing polychondritis (n=4). All patients received at least one immunosuppressive agent. Corticosteroid sparing with a daily dose ≤ 5 mg of prednisone was achieved in 85% of patients. Conventional immunosuppressive agents were used as the first steroid-sparing agent in 38 patients (70%) (methotrexate n=33, azathioprine n=4, mycofenolate mofetil (MMF) n=1) and as second steroid-sparing agent in 1 patient (MMF). This treatment led to control scleral inflammation in 23 (59%) patients after a mean delay of 10.0 ± 6.0 weeks. Biologic therapy was used in 33 (61%) patients (TNF alpha inhibitor n=17, IL6-R inhibitor n=7, anti-CD20 n=9), and as the first steroid-sparing agent in 16 (30%) (TNF alpha inhibitor n=4, IL6-R inhibitor n=4, anti-CD20 n=8). This treatment led to control scleral inflammation after a mean delay of 4,9 ± 3,7 weeks in 29 patients (87.9%).

Conclusion

Scleritis is a severe ocular inflammatory disease that requires repeated and thorough ophthalmologic and general examinations given the high frequency of complications and the possibility of an underlying systemic disease. This study reports real-life experience in management of non-infectious scleritis. Biological therapies seemed to be associated with a better outcome and a quicker reponse than conventional immunosuppressive agents. Further studies are warranted to develop specific guidelines

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Exploring new strategies for ozone-risk assessment: A dynamic-threshold case study

Tropospheric ozone is a dangerous atmospheric pollutant for forest ecosystems when it penetrates stomata. Thresholds for ozone-risk assessment are based on accumulated stomatal ozone fluxes such as the Phytotoxic Ozone Dose (POD). In order to identify the effect of ozone on a Holm oak forest in central Italy, four flux-based ozone impact response functions were implemented and tested in a multi-layer canopy model AIRTREE and evaluated against Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) obtained from observations of Eddy Covariance fluxes of CO₂. To evaluate if a clear phytotoxic threshold exists and if it changes during the year, six different detoxifying thresholds ranging between 0 and 5 nmol O₃ m^-2 s^-1 were tested. The use of species-specific rather than more general response functions based on plant functional types (PFT) increased model accuracy (RMSE reduced by up to 8.5%). In the case of linear response functions, a threshold of 1 nmol m^-2 s^-2 produced the best results for simulations of the whole year, although the tolerance to ozone changed seasonally, with higher tolerance (5 nmol m^-2 s^-1 or no ozone impact) for Winter and Spring and lower thresholds in Summer and Fall (0-1 nmol m^-2 s^-1). A "dynamic threshold" obtained by extracting the best daily threshold values from a range of different simulations helped reduce model overestimation of GPP by 213 g C m^-2 y^-1 and reduce RMSE up to 7.7%. Finally, a nonlinear ozone correction based on manipulative experiments produced the best results when no detoxifying threshold was applied (0 nmol O₃ m^-2 s^-1), suggesting that nonlinear functions fully account for ozone detoxification. The evidence of seasonal changes in ozone tolerance points to the need for seasonal thresholds to predict ozone damage and highlights the importance of performing more species-specific manipulative experiments to derive response functions for a broad range of plant species.

Toward stomatal-flux based forest protection against ozone: The MOTTLES approach

European standards for the protection of forests from ozone (O₃) are based on atmospheric exposure (AOT40) that is not always representative of O₃ effects since it is not a proxy of gas uptake through stomata (stomatal flux). MOTTLES "MOnitoring ozone injury for seTTing new critical LEvelS" is a LIFE project aimed at establishing a permanent network of forest sites based on active O₃ monitoring at remote areas at high and medium risk of O₃ injury, in order to define new standards based on stomatal flux, i.e. POD_Y (Phytotoxic Ozone Dose above a threshold Y of uptake). Based on the first year of data collected at MOTTLES sites, we describe the MOTTLES monitoring station, together with protocols and metric calculation methods. AOT40 and POD_Y, computed with different methods, are then compared and correlated with forest-health indicators (radial growth, crown defoliation, visible foliar O₃ injury). For the year 2017, the average AOT40 calculated according to the European Directive was even 5 times (on average 1.7 times) the European legislative standard for the protection of forests. When the metrics were calculated according to the European protocols (EU Directive 2008/50/EC or Modelling and Mapping Manual LTRAP Convention), the values were well correlated to those obtained on the basis of the real duration of the growing season (i.e. MOTTLES method) and were thus representative of the actual exposure/flux. AOT40 showed opposite direction relative to PODY. Visible foliar O₃ injury appeared as the best forest-health indicator for O₃ under field conditions and was more frequently detected at forest edge than inside the forest. The present work may help the set-up of further long-term forest monitoring sites dedicated to O₃ assessment in forests, especially because flux-based assessments are recommended as part of monitoring air pollution impacts on ecosystems in the revised EU National Emissions Ceilings Directive.

Basic and Continuing Education Needs of Nurses Instrument: Development and Validation

AIM

To develop and psychometrically test the Basic and Continuing Education Needs of Nurses Instrument.

BACKGROUND

Nurses need to keep updating their knowledge through engaging in continuing education and professional development activities. Continuing education should be based on needs assessment.

METHODS

Items generated were devised from a comprehensive literature review guided by Morrel-Samuels' guidelines. Psychometric analysis was then performed on data from 3632 registered nurses across 74 Lebanese hospitals. Two-factor structures were evaluated: the one-dimensional structure including all items and a six-dimensional structure proposed by the authors. Reliability, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used. Associations between the total knowledge score and nurses' characteristics were assessed using linear regression.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The total scale had Cronbach's alpha of 0.93 and the six subscales between 0.74 and 0.82. Exploratory factor analysis on the first randomly drawn sample of the data supported the one-factor structure. Confirmatory factor analysis on the second randomly drawn sample revealed that both structures were acceptable with better fit for the six-dimensional structure. Linear regression showed significant associations between total score and nurses' age, income, education and gender. The tool has satisfactory psychometric properties for registered nurses in Lebanon and demonstrated relevance to the Lebanese context of nursing practice.

CONCLUSION

We developed a locally adaptable and psychometrically sound instrument to assess the perceived learning needs of Lebanese nurses. Evidence of the validity and reliability of the instrument was provided.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

At a practice level, the Instrument allows nurse leaders to assess knowledge gaps and respond accordingly to nurses perceived learning needs at the national level thus improving practice and protecting people's health. At a policy level, this study has implications for developing policies, regulations and guidelines in support of nurses' continuing education needs and their professional development.

Distinct Roles of Extracellular Domains in the Epstein-Barr Virus-Encoded BILF1 Receptor for Signaling and Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Downregulation

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) BILF1 gene encodes a constitutively active G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that downregulates major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and induces signaling-dependent tumorigenesis. Different BILF1 homologs display highly conserved extracellular loops (ECLs) including the conserved cysteine residues involved in disulfide bridges present in class A GPCRs (GPCR bridge between transmembrane helix 3 [TM-3] and ECL-2) and in chemokine receptors (CKR bridge between the N terminus and ECL-3). In order to investigate the roles of the conserved residues in the receptor functions, 25 mutations were created in the extracellular domains. Luciferase reporter assays and flow cytometry were used to investigate the G protein signaling and MHC class I downregulation in HEK293 cells. We find that the cysteine residues involved in the GPCR bridge are important for both signaling and MHC class I downregulation, whereas the cysteine residues in the N terminus and ECL-3 are dispensable for signaling but important for MHC class I downregulation. Multiple conserved residues in the extracellular regions are important for the receptor-induced MHC class I downregulation, but not for signaling, indicating distinct structural requirements for these two functions. In an engineered receptor containing a binding site for Zn+2 ions in a complex with an aromatic chelator (phenanthroline or bipyridine), a ligand-driven inhibition of both the receptor signaling and MHC class I downregulation was observed. Taken together, this suggests that distinct regions in EBV-BILF1 can be pharmacologically targeted to inhibit the signaling-mediated tumorigenesis and interfere with the MHC class I downregulation.IMPORTANCE G protein-coupled receptors constitute the largest family of membrane proteins. As targets of >30% of the FDA-approved drugs, they are valuable for drug discovery. The receptor is composed of seven membrane-spanning helices and intracellular and extracellular domains. BILF1 is a receptor encoded by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which evades the host immune system by various strategies. BILF1 facilitates the virus immune evasion by downregulating MHC class I and is capable of inducing signaling-mediated tumorigenesis. BILF1 homologs from primate viruses show highly conserved extracellular domains. Here, we show that conserved residues in the extracellular domains of EBV-BILF1 are important for downregulating MHC class I and that the receptor signaling and immune evasion can be inhibited by drug-like small molecules. This suggests that BILF1 could be a target to inhibit the signaling-mediated tumorigenesis and interfere with the MHC class I downregulation, thereby facilitating virus recognition by the immune system.

Increased docosahexaenoic acid and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk from mothers of small for gestational age preterm infants

The study aimed to test whether or not milk fatty acid composition in mothers of small for gestational age (SGA) infants is similar to that in mothers of adequate for gestational age (AGA) infants. Thirty three mothers of SGA preterm infants and 66 mothers of AGA preterm infants were included. Milk and plasma fatty acids were analyzed using capillary gas chromatography. Milk DHA (0.68 ± 0.37 vs. 0.44 ± 0.24; p < 0.01) was higher and n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio (12.0 ± 4.64 vs. 16.0 ± 6.32; p < 0.05) was lower in mothers of SGA infants. Plasma ARA and DHA were increased in mothers of SGA infants and decreased in their infants. Milk ARA or DHA was positively related to the correspondent fatty acid in plasma (r = 0.374, p = 0.010 for ARA and r = 0.690, p < 0.001 for DHA). Breast milk in mothers of preterm infants born SGA is enriched in DHA and n-3 PUFA. Breastfeeding SGA preterm infant with own mother's milk is recommended.

Postnatal RBC arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids deficiencies are associated with higher risk of neonatal morbidities and mortality in preterm infants

Arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids are essential for the health and development of the neonate. Red blood cell (RBC) fatty acids were analyzed in 583 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and 274 term infants using capillary gas chromatography. VLBW infants exhibited significantly lower RBC AA (13.0 ± 0.89 vs. 13.5 ± 0.98) and DHA (3.77 ± 0.60 vs. 3.80 ± 0.62), but higher n6:n3 ratio (3.97 ± 0.46 vs. 3.63 ± 0.37) than term infants. In VLBW infants, DHA was lower in those born with small for gestational age (3.69 ± 0.57 vs. 3.86 ± 0.58) and those who suffered from neonatal sepsis (3.73 ± 0.60 vs. 3.86 ± 0.55). Both AA and DHA were significantly lower in infants who developed respiratory distress syndrome or intraventricular hemorrhage, and those who died during the hospital stay. VLBW infants had lower postnatal RBC AA and DHA levels than term infants did. These deficits are associated with higher risk of neonatal morbidities and mortality.

Corrigendum: Differential CCR7 Targeting in Dendritic Cells by Three Naturally Occurring CC-Chemokines

[This corrects the article on p. 568 in vol. 7, PMID: 28018341.].

Differential CCR7 Targeting in Dendritic Cells by Three Naturally Occurring CC-Chemokines

The CCR7 ligands CCL19 and CCL21 are increasingly recognized as functionally different (biased). Using mature human dendritic cells (DCs), we show that CCL19 is more potent than CCL21 in inducing 3D chemotaxis. Intriguingly, CCL21 induces prolonged and more efficient ERK1/2 activation compared with CCL19 and a C-terminal truncated (tailless) CCL21 in DCs. In contrast, tailless-CCL21 displays increased potency in DC chemotaxis compared with native CCL21. Using a CCL21-specific antibody, we show that CCL21, but not tailless-CCL21, accumulates at the cell surface. In addition, removal of sialic acid from the cell surface by neuraminidase treatment impairs ERK1/2 activation by CCL21, but not by CCL19 or tailless-CCL21. Using standard laboratory cell lines, we observe low potency of both CCL21 and tailless-CCL21 in G protein activation and β-arrestin recruitment compared with CCL19, indicating that the tail itself does not improve receptor interaction. Chemokines interact with their receptors in a stepwise manner with ultimate docking of their N-terminus into the main binding pocket. Employing site-directed mutagenesis we identify residues in this pocket of selective CCL21 importance. We also identify a molecular switch in the top of TM7 important for keeping CCR7 in an inactive conformation (Tyr312), as introduction of the chemokine receptor-conserved Glu (or Ala) induces high constitutive activity. Summarized, we show that the interaction of the tail of CCL21 with polysialic acid is needed for strong ERK signaling, whereas it impairs CCL21-mediated chemotaxis and has no impact on receptor docking consistent with the current model of chemokine:receptor interaction. This indicates that future selective pharmacological targeting of CCL19 versus CCL21 should focus on a differential targeting of the main receptor pocket, while selective targeting of tailless-CCL21 versus CCL21 and CCL19 requires targeting of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) interaction.

Signaling via G proteins mediates tumorigenic effects of GPR87

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute a large protein family of seven transmembrane (7TM) spanning proteins that regulate multiple physiological functions. GPR87 is overexpressed in several cancers and plays a role in tumor cell survival. Here, the basal activity of GPR87 was investigated in transiently transfected HEK293 cells, revealing ligand-independent coupling to Gα_i, Gα_q and Gα_12/13. Furthermore, GPR87 showed a ligand-independent G protein-dependent activation of the downstream transcription factors CREB, NFκB, NFAT and SRE. In tetracycline-induced Flp-In T-Rex-293 cells, GPR87 induced cell clustering presumably through Gα_12/13 coupling. In a foci formation assay using retrovirally transduced NIH3T3 cells, GPR87 showed a strong in vitro transforming potential, which correlated to the in vivo tumor induction in nude mice. Importantly, we demonstrate that the transforming potential of GPR87 was correlated to the receptor signaling, as the signaling-impaired mutant R139A (Arg in the conserved "DRY"-motif at the bottom of transmembrane helix 3 of GPR87 substituted to Ala) showed a lower in vitro cell transformation potential. Furthermore, R139A lost the ability to induce cell clustering. In summary, we show that GPR87 is active through several signaling pathways and that the signaling activity is linked to the receptor-induced cell transformation and clustering. The robust surface expression of GPR87 and general high druggability of GPCRs make GPR87 an attractive future anticancer target for drugs that - through inhibition of the receptor signaling - will inhibit its transforming properties.

Fatty acids profile in preterm Colostrum of Tunisian women. Association with selected maternal characteristics

Fatty acids (FA), especially arachidonic (AA, 20:4ω6) and docosahexaenoic (DHA, 22:6ω3) acids are critical for the health and development of infants. Colostrum FA composition has been examined in 101 lactating Tunisian women delivering prematurely using gas chromatography. Among polyunsaturated FA, linoleic acid predominated whereas each of the other polyunsaturated FA accounted for 1% or less of total FA. Colostrum AA and DHA contents were lower in women aged above 34 years compared to those less than 34 years. Preeclampsia was associated with lower DHA (0.40±0.22 vs. 0.53±0.27; p=0.018), but higher AA (1.14±0.44 vs. 0.93±0.30; p<0.006) and AA:DHA ratio (4.31±4.04 vs. 2.29±2.79; p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, colostrum DHA correlated with plasma DHA (β, 0.417; p=0.002), maternal age (β, -0.290; p=0.028) and preeclampsia (β, -0.270; p=0.042). Preterm colostrum FA profile in Tunisian women is comparable to those of other populations. Colostrum AA and DHA levels are altered in aged and pre-eclamptic women.

BVOC responses to realistic nitrogen fertilization and ozone exposure in silver birch

Emission of BVOC (Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds) from plant leaves in response to ozone exposure (O3) and nitrogen (N) fertilization is poorly understood. For the first time, BVOC emissions were explored in a forest tree species (silver birch, Betula pendula) exposed for two years to realistic levels of O3 (35, 48 and 69 ppb as daylight average) and N (10, 30 and 70 kg ha(-1) yr(-1), applied weekly to the soil as ammonium nitrate). The main BVOCs emitted were: α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, ocimene, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT) and hexanal. Ozone exposure increased BVOC emission and reduced total leaf area. The effect on emission was stronger when a short-term O3 metric (concentrations at the time of sampling) rather than a long-term one (AOT40) was used. The effect of O3 on total leaf area was not able to compensate for the stimulation of emission, so that responses to O3 at leaf and whole-plant level were similar. Nitrogen fertilization increased total leaf area, decreased α-pinene and β-pinene emission, and increased ocimene, hexanal and DMNT emission. The increase of leaf area changed the significance of the emission response to N fertilization for most compounds. Nitrogen fertilization mitigated the effects of O3 exposure on total leaf area, while the combined effects of O3 exposure and N fertilization on BVOC emission were additive and not synergistic. In conclusion, O3 exposure and N fertilization have the potential to affect global BVOC via direct effects on plant emission rates and changes in leaf area.

Early and late adjustments of the photosynthetic traits and stomatal density in Quercus ilex L. grown in an ozone-enriched environment

Quercus ilex L. seedlings were exposed in open-top chambers for one growing season to three levels of ozone (O3 ): charcoal filtered air, non-filtered air supplemented with +30% or +74% ambient air O3 . Key functional parameters related to photosynthetic performance and stomatal density were measured to evaluate the response mechanisms of Q. ilex to chronic O3 exposure, clarifying how ecophysiological traits are modulated during the season in an ozone-enriched environment. Dark respiration showed an early response to O3 exposure, increasing approximately 45% relative to charcoal-filtered air in both O3 enriched treatments. However, at the end of the growing season, maximum rate of assimilation (Amax ) and stomatal conductance (gs ) showed a decline (-13% and -36%, for Amax and gs , respectively) only in plants under higher O3 levels. Photosystem I functionality supported the capacity of Q. ilex to cope with oxidative stress by adjusting the energy flow partitioning inside the photosystems. The response to O3 was also characterised by increased stomatal density in both O3 enriched treatments relative to controls. Our results suggest that in order to improve the reliability of metrics for O3 risk assessment, the seasonal changes in the response of gs and photosynthetic machinery to O3 stress should be considered.

Atmospheric benzenoid emissions from plants rival those from fossil fuels

Despite the known biochemical production of a range of aromatic compounds by plants and the presence of benzenoids in floral scents, the emissions of only a few benzenoid compounds have been reported from the biosphere to the atmosphere. Here, using evidence from measurements at aircraft, ecosystem, tree, branch and leaf scales, with complementary isotopic labeling experiments, we show that vegetation (leaves, flowers, and phytoplankton) emits a wide variety of benzenoid compounds to the atmosphere at substantial rates. Controlled environment experiments show that plants are able to alter their metabolism to produce and release many benzenoids under stress conditions. The functions of these compounds remain unclear but may be related to chemical communication and protection against stress. We estimate the total global secondary organic aerosol potential from biogenic benzenoids to be similar to that from anthropogenic benzenoids (~10 Tg y⁻¹), pointing to the importance of these natural emissions in atmospheric physics and chemistry.

Comparing i-Tree modeled ozone deposition with field measurements in a periurban Mediterranean forest

Ozone flux estimates from the i-Tree model were compared with ozone flux measurements using the Eddy Covariance technique in a periurban Mediterranean forest near Rome (Castelporziano). For the first time i-Tree model outputs were compared with field measurements in relation to dry deposition estimates. Results showed generally a good agreement between predicted and measured ozone fluxes (least sum square=5.6 e(-4)) especially when cumulative values over the whole measurement campaign are considered. However at daily and hourly time-step some overestimations were observed in estimated values especially in hot dry periods. The use of different m values in the Ball-Berry formula in the different periods, produced the best fit between predicted and measured ozone fluxes. This suggests that a variable value for the coefficient m accounting for water availability may be appropriate to improve model estimates for Mediterranean and drought prone regions.

Environmental controls on ozone fluxes in a poplar plantation in Western Europe

Tropospheric O3 is a strong oxidant that may affect vegetation and human health. Here we report on the O3 fluxes from a poplar plantation in Belgium during one year. Surprisingly, the winter and autumn O3 fluxes were of similar magnitude to ones observed during most of the peak vegetation development. Largest O3 uptakes were recorded at the beginning of the growing season in correspondence to a minimum stomatal uptake. Wind speed was the most important control and explained 44% of the variability in the nighttime O3 fluxes, suggesting that turbulent mixing and the mechanical destruction of O3 played a substantial role in the O3 fluxes. The stomatal O3 uptake accounted for a seasonal average of 59% of the total O3 uptake. Multiple regression and partial correlation analyses showed that net ecosystem exchange was not affected by the stomatal O3 uptake.

Role of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOC) emitted by urban trees on ozone concentration in cities: a review

Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOC) play a critical role in biosphere-atmosphere interactions and are key factors of the physical and chemical properties of the atmosphere and climate. However, few studies have been carried out at urban level to investigate the interactions between BVOC emissions and ozone (O3) concentration. The contribution of urban vegetation to the load of BVOCs in the air and the interactions between biogenic emissions and urban pollution, including the likely formation of O3, needs to be investigated, but also the effects of O3 on the biochemical reactions and physiological conditions leading to BVOC emissions are largely unknown. The effect of BVOC emission on the O3 uptake by the trees is further complicating the interactions BVOC-O3, thus making challenging the estimation of the calculation of BVOC effect on O3 concentration at urban level.

Active Atmosphere-Ecosystem Exchange of the Vast Majority of Detected Volatile Organic Compounds

Numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exist in Earth’s atmosphere, most of which originate from biogenic emissions. Despite VOCs’ critical role in tropospheric chemistry, studies for evaluating their atmosphere-ecosystem exchange (emission and deposition) have been limited to a few dominant compounds owing to a lack of appropriate measurement techniques. Using a high–mass resolution proton transfer reaction–time of flight–mass spectrometer and an absolute value eddy-covariance method, we directly measured 186 organic ions with net deposition, and 494 that have bidirectional flux. This observation of active atmosphere-ecosystem exchange of the vast majority of detected VOCs poses a challenge to current emission, air quality, and global climate models, which do not account for this extremely large range of compounds. This observation also provides new insight for understanding the atmospheric VOC budget.

Revisiting the harem conspiracy and death of Ramesses III: anthropological, forensic, radiological, and genetic study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the true character of the harem conspiracy described in the Judicial Papyrus of Turin and determine whether Ramesses III was indeed killed.

DESIGN

Anthropological, forensic, radiological, and genetic study of the mummies of Ramesses III and unknown man E, found together and taken from the 20th dynasty of ancient Egypt (circa 1190-1070 BC).

RESULTS

Computed tomography scans revealed a deep cut in Ramesses III's throat, probably made by a sharp knife. During the mummification process, a Horus eye amulet was inserted in the wound for healing purposes, and the neck was covered by a collar of thick linen layers. Forensic examination of unknown man E showed compressed skin folds around his neck and a thoracic inflation. Unknown man E also had an unusual mummification procedure. According to genetic analyses, both mummies had identical haplotypes of the Y chromosome and a common male lineage.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that Ramesses III was murdered during the harem conspiracy by the cutting of his throat. Unknown man E is a possible candidate as Ramesses III's son Pentawere.

Gamma Radiation Hazards and Risks Associated with Wastes from Granite Rock Cutting and Polishing Industries in Egypt

Geological materials usually contaminated with naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) have become a focus of great attention. The gamma radiation in samples of a variety of natural tiling rocks (granites) collected from different factories in Egypt for use in the building industry was measured, employing high-resolution g-ray spectrometry. In order to assess the radiological impact from the granites investigated. The radiological hazard indices, annual effective dose equivalent (outdoor and indoor) (Deff), hazard indices (Hex and Hin), activity utilization indices (Ig, Ia) and excess life time cancer risk (ELCR) were calculated. The radiological hazard indices for most granite samples are higher than the internationally recommended values.

Plasma fatty acids profile and estimated elongase and desaturases activities in Tunisian patients with the metabolic syndrome

This study aimed to determine plasma fatty acids pattern and to estimate desaturases activities in Tunisian subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). A total of 1975 adults were randomly selected from the Great Tunis region (Tunisia). MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids levels and delta 9 desaturase activity were increased, but polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) levels and delta 5 desaturase activity were decreased in patients with MetS. Using multivariate analysis, MetS was found inversely associated with PUFA; compared to first quartile, multi-adjusted odd ratios (95% confidence interval) of MetS were 0.80 (0.54-1.17), 0.47 (0.27-0.81) and 0.32 (0.15-0.68) for second, third and fourth quartiles of PUFA, respectively. Altered fatty acids pattern in MetS is likely related to both dietary and metabolic changes.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids deficits are associated with psychotic state and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia

The study was aimed to examine membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) profile in patients with schizophrenia (SZ) before and after antipsychotic medication and test their association with psychopathology. Erythrocyte membrane fatty acids were analysed by gas chromatography in 36 drug-free patients with SZ and 36 controls. Psychometric evaluation and blood sampling were achieved at baseline and after 3 months of antipsychotic treatment. At enrolment, levels of total PUFAs and arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids were significantly lower, but ω6/ω3 PUFAs ratio was higher in patients. AA and DHA were negatively related to the Andreason's scale for assessment of negative symptoms (SANS) score. DHA was inversely related to "alogia", "anhedonia", "avolition", and "blunted affect" subitems of SANS. After 3 months under typical antipsychotic drugs, fatty acid profile turned into comparable to controls in parallel with psychopathology improvement. Data indicate that PUFAs deficits are associated with psychotic state and negative symptoms of SZ.

Isoprene emission and primary metabolism in Phragmites australis grown under different phosphorus levels

Aquatic plants are generally used for wastewater purification and phytoremediation, but some of them also emit large amounts of isoprene, the most abundant biogenic volatile organic compound. Since isoprenoid biosynthesis requires high amounts of phosphorylated intermediates, the emission may also be controlled by inorganic phosphorus concentration (Pi) in leaves. We carried out experiments to determine the emission of isoprene from Phragmites australis plants used in reconstructed wetlands to phytoremediate elevated levels of phosphorus contributed by urban wastes. Four groups of plants were grown hydroponically in water containing different levels of KH(2)PO(4). High levels of phosphorus in the water resulted in high Pi in the leaves. High Pi stimulated photosynthesis at intercellular CO(2) concentrations lower and higher than ambient, implying higher ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco) activity and higher ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate regeneration rates, respectively. However, isoprene emission was substantially lower at high Pi than at low Pi, and was not associated to photosynthesis rates at high Pi. This surprising result suggests that isoprene is limited by processes other than photosynthetic intermediate availability or by energetic (ATP) requirements under high Pi levels. Irrespective of the mechanism responsible for the observed reduction of isoprene emission, our results show that Phragmites plants may effectively remove phosphorus from water without concurrently increase isoprene emission, at least on a leaf area basis. Thus, Phragmites used in reconstructed wetlands for phytoremediation of urban wastes rich of phosphates will not contribute high loads of hydrocarbons which may influence air quality over urban and peri-urban areas.

Stomatal uptake and stomatal deposition of ozone in isoprene and monoterpene emitting plants

Volatile isoprenoids were reported to protect plants against ozone. To understand whether this could be the result of a direct scavenging of ozone by these molecules, the stomatal and non-stomatal uptake of ozone was estimated in plants emitting isoprene or monoterpenes. Ozone uptake by holm oak (Quercus ilex, a monoterpene emitter) and black poplar (Populus nigra, an isoprene emitter) was studied in whole plant enclosures (continuously stirred tank reactors, CSTR). The ozone uptake by plants was estimated measuring ozone concentration at the inlet and outlet of the reactors, after correcting for the uptake of the enclosure materials. Destruction of ozone at the cuticle or at the plant stems was found to be negligible compared to the ozone uptake through the stomata. For both plant species, a relationship between stomatal conductance and ozone uptake was found. For the poplar, the measured ozone losses were explained by the uptake of ozone through the stomata only, and ozone destruction by gas phase reactions with isoprene was negligible. For the oak, gas phase reactions of ozone with the monoterpenes emitted by the plants contributed significantly to ozone destruction. This was confirmed by two different experiments showing a) that in cases of high stomatal conductance but under low CO(2) concentration, a reduction of monoterpene emission was still associated with reduced O(3) uptake; and b) that ozone losses due to the gas phase reactions only can be measured when using the exhaust from a plant chamber to determine the gas phase reactivity in an empty reaction chamber. Monoterpenes can therefore relevantly scavenge ozone at leaf level contributing to protection against ozone.

Physiological responses of forest trees to heat and drought

The heat wave of summer 2003 was the largest and the most persistent ever experienced in Central Europe and has fuelled concern about the effects of climate change on European ecosystems. Since forests constitute the most important European ecosystems, in this review article we assess current knowledge on the effects of heat and drought on key metabolic processes for growth and productivity of forest trees. In particular, the general consequences of heat and drought on (1) photosynthesis and respiration at the cellular and community level, and (2) on nutrient uptake, partitioning and competition for nutrients are summarized. The latter are a major sink for photosynthetic energy and, therefore, are indirectly but strongly connected to the performance of photosynthesis. In addition, the interaction of heat and drought with stress compensation mechanisms and emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) are discussed, since these processes are directly connected to carbon metabolism. Effects on the emission of BVOC are also included because they constitute an important feedback mechanism on ozone formation and, thus, on atmospheric pollution. As far as available, data collected during the 2003 heat wave are included and discussed.