Integrated NMR and MS Analysis of the Plasma Metabolome Reveals Major Changes in One-Carbon, Lipid, and Amino Acid Metabolism in Severe and Fatal Cases of COVID-19

Brazil has the second-highest COVID-19 death rate worldwide, and Rio de Janeiro is among the states with the highest rate in the country. Although vaccine coverage has been achieved, it is anticipated that COVID-19 will transition into an endemic disease. It is concerning that the molecular mechanisms underlying clinical evolution from mild to severe disease, as well as the mechanisms leading to long COVID-19, are not yet fully understood. NMR and MS-based metabolomics were used to identify metabolites associated with COVID-19 pathophysiology and disease outcome. Severe COVID-19 cases (n = 35) were enrolled in two reference centers in Rio de Janeiro within 72 h of ICU admission, alongside 12 non-infected control subjects. COVID-19 patients were grouped into survivors (n = 18) and non-survivors (n = 17). Choline-related metabolites, serine, glycine, and betaine, were reduced in severe COVID-19, indicating dysregulation in methyl donors. Non-survivors had higher levels of creatine/creatinine, 4-hydroxyproline, gluconic acid, and N-acetylserine, indicating liver and kidney dysfunction. Several changes were greater in women; thus, patients' sex should be considered in pandemic surveillance to achieve better disease stratification and improve outcomes. These metabolic alterations may be useful to monitor organ (dys) function and to understand the pathophysiology of acute and possibly post-acute COVID-19 syndromes.

Perceptions of change in the environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: Implications for environmental policy

COVID-19 lockdown measures have impacted the environment with both positive and negative effects. However, how human populations have perceived such changes in the natural environment and how they may have changed their daily habits have not been yet thoroughly evaluated. The objectives of this work were to investigate (1) the social perception of the environmental changes produced by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and the derived change in habits in relation to i) waste management, energy saving, and sustainable consumption, ii) mobility, iii) social inequalities, iv) generation of noise, v) utilization of natural spaces, and, vi) human population perception towards the future, and (2) the associations of these potential new habits with various socio-demographic variables. First, a SWOT analysis identified strengths (S), weaknesses (W), opportunities (O), and threats (T) generated by the pandemic lockdown measures. Second, a survey based on the aspects of the SWOT was administered among 2370 adults from 37 countries during the period from February to September 2021. We found that the short-term positive impacts on the natural environment were generally well recognized. In contrast, longer-term negative effects arise, but they were often not reported by the survey participants, such as greater production of plastic waste derived from health safety measures, and the increase in e-commerce use, which can displace small storefront businesses. We were able to capture a mismatch between perceptions and the reported data related to visits to natural areas, and generation of waste. We found that age and country of residence were major contributors in shaping the survey participants ´answers, which highlights the importance of government management strategies to address current and future environmental problems. Enhanced positive perceptions of the environment and ecosystems, combined with the understanding that livelihood sustainability, needs to be prioritized and would reinforce environmental protection policies to create greener cities. Moreover, new sustainable jobs in combination with more sustainable human habits represent an opportunity to reinforce environmental policy.

Positive predictive value of the crusade score for bleeding events in patients with acute coronary syndromes on dual antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel

Introduction

Crusade score (CS) quantifies intrahospital major bleeding (IHMB) risk in patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Hemorrhagic risk after ACS increases with age, although, it's not considered in score estimation.

Purpose

Evaluate CS ability to predict IHBM risk according to different patient ages (higher or lower than 75 years) admitted with ACS diagnosis and submitted to double antiagreggation therapy with acetylsalicylic acid and Clopidogrel.

Methods

A retrospective study based on the Portuguese National Registry of ACS, including patients (pts) hospitalized with ACS and treated with double antiagreggation therapy with acetylsalicylic acid (AAS) and clopidogrel between October 2010 and January 2021 (n=8401). Were excluded patients submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting, with ticagrelor or prasugrel switch to clopidogrel during hospitalization.

Patients were divided into two groups according to their age (above or below 75 years) and then subdivided in 5 groups according to CS category of IHBM risk estimation: very low (CS ≤20, 3,1% risk predicted by the score), low (21 ≤ CS≤30, 5,5%), moderate (31 ≤ CS≤40, 8,6%), high (41 ≤ CS≤50, 11,9%) and very high risk (CS≥51, 19,5%). Then, the incidence of IHMB observed in each group during hospitalization (mean 5 days) was compared to the IHBM risk predicted by the CS.

Results

The IHMB rate was 1.78%, significantly lower than predicted by the Crusade score (7.1%, p<0.001). Bleeding rates in each group of patients (above or below 75 years and according to CS calculation are depicted in Figure 1. CS revealed more power to predict IHMB in the prespecified group of patients older than 75 years, than in the group of patients younger than 75 years (see Figure 2).

Conclusion

As shown in different literature, crusade score overestimate bleeding risk after ACS compared to real-life cohorts. Despite the same trend observed in our cohort of patients, in this retrospective study, CS revealed more power to predict IHMB in the prespecified group of patients older than 75 years, than in the group of patients younger than 75 years in patients submitted to double antiaggregation with AAS and clopidogrel.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Long-term commuting times and air quality relationship to COVID-19 in São Paulo

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic is an unprecedented global health crisis and the effects may be related to environmental and socio-economic factors. In São Paulo, Brazil, the first death occurred in March 2020 and since then the numbers have grown to 175 new deaths per day in April 2021, positioning the city as the epicenter of the number of cases and deaths in Brazil. São Paulo is one of the largest cities in the world with more than 12 million inhabitants, a fleet of about 8 million vehicles and frequent pollutant concentrations above recommended values. Social inequalities are evident in the municipality, similarly to other cities in the world. This paper focuses on transportation activities related to air pollution and associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases especially on people who developed comorbidities during their whole life. This study relates travel trip data to air quality analysis and expanded to COVID-19 disease. This work studied the relationship of deaths in São Paulo due to COVID-19 with demographic density, with family income, with the use of public transport and with atmospheric pollution for the period between March 17th, 2020 and April 29th, 2021. The main results showed that generally passenger kilometers traveled, commuting times and air quality related diseases increase with residential distance from the city center, and thus, with decreasing residential density. PM_2.5 concentrations are positively correlated with COVID-19 deaths, regions with high urban densities have higher numbers of deaths and long-distance frequent trips can contribute to spread of the disease.

Towards sustainable valorisation of Acacia melanoxylon biomass: Characterization of mature and juvenile plant tissues

In Mediterranean area, Acacia melanoxylon biomass is an abundant waste material from non-native and invasive tree species control actions, requiring suitable disposal. Valorisation of such biomass residues requires its complete characterization to best approach the full potential of each plant material that could suit specific applications. This study compares mature and juvenile A. melanoxylon plant tissues (wood and bark) from two stands in different locations, regarding their chemical characteristics and organic growing media properties, such as mineral content and phytotoxicity effect for Lepidium sativum seeds. Juvenile bark (JB) showed greater total extractives (29%) extracted using solvents of increasing polarity (dichloromethane, ethanol, and water), followed by mature bark (MB) (21%). MB revealed the highest lignin content (>50%) suggesting material resistance to microbial biodegradation in horticultural applications. High barks phenolic content proved to be phytotoxic for cress seeds (null JB root index), although the toxic substances may be removed. After 1 week, ageing effect reduced MB phytototoxicity (root index > 60%) improving seed performance. Bark presented more mineral elements availability than wood. Wood high cellulose (>50%), low extractive (<9%) and moderate total lignin (<30%) contents can be attractive for pulp production, while bark growth medium profile may potentiate its application for horticultural uses. The future research on novel uses of A. melanoxylon plant residues can result in economic benefits that may alleviate management costs.

Chemical inhibition of β-glucocerebrosidase does not affect phagocytosis and early containment of Leishmania by murine macrophages

Gaucher disease is a lysosomal storage disease in which a genetic deficiency in β-glucocerebrosidase leads to the accumulation of glycosphingolipids in lysosomes. Macrophages are amongst the cells most severely affected in Gaucher disease patients. One phenotype associated with Gaucher macrophages is the impaired capacity to fight bacterial infections. Here, we investigate whether inhibition of β-glucocerebrosidase activity affects the capacity of macrophages to phagocytose and act on the early containment of human pathogens of the genus Leishmania. Towards our aim, we performed in vitro infection assays on macrophages derived from the bone marrow of C57BL/6 mice. To mimic Gaucher disease, macrophages were incubated with the β-glucocerebrosidase inhibitor, conduritol B epoxide (CBE), prior to contact with Leishmania. This treatment guaranteed that β-glucocerebrosidase was fully inhibited during the contact of macrophages with Leishmania, its enzymatic activity being progressively recovered along the 48 h that followed removal of the inhibitor. Infections were performed with L. amazonensis, L. infantum, or L. major, so as to explore potential species-specific responses in the context of β-glucocerebrosidase inactivation. Parameters of infection, recorded immediately after phagocytosis, as well as 24 and 48 h later, revealed no noticeable differences in the infection parameters of CBE-treated macrophages relative to non-treated controls. We conclude that blocking β-glucocerebrosidase activity during contact with Leishmania does not interfere with the phagocytic capacity of macrophages and the early onset of leishmanicidal responses.

A High-Throughput BRET Cellular Target Engagement Assay Links Biochemical to Cellular Activity for Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase

Protein kinases are intensely studied mediators of cellular signaling. While traditional biochemical screens are capable of identifying compounds that modulate kinase activity, these assays are limited in their capability of predicting compound behavior in a cellular environment. Here, we aim to bridge target engagement and compound-cellular phenotypic behavior by utilizing a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assay to characterize target occupancy within living cells for Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). Using a diverse chemical set of BTK inhibitors, we determine intracellular engagement affinity profiles and successfully correlate these measurements with BTK cellular functional readouts. In addition, we leveraged the kinetic capability of this technology to gain insight into in-cell target residence time and the duration of target engagement, and to explore a structural hypothesis.

Assessment of the potential real pollen related allergenic load on the atmosphere of Porto city

The knowledge of the allergen content in the atmosphere is a useful tool to stablish the risk allergy warnings for the sensitive people. In Portugal the main airborne allergenic pollen come from trees (such as Betula or Olea), grasses or weeds (mainly Urticaceae). The present study sought the quantification of the Bet v 1, Ole e 1, Lol p1 and Par j1-2 aeroallergen concentration as well as how weather variables influence in the pollen and allergen concentration in Porto city. Aerobiological study was carried out by a Hirst-type volumetric sampler for pollen collection and a Burkard Cyclone sampler for the aeroallergens. A regression analysis between pollen and allergens was conducted for the identification the allergenic risk days. High Pollen Allergen Potency in the atmosphere was observed considering the low levels of airborne pollen detected. A significant and positive correlation has been obtained between pollen and aeroallergen values with the temperatures whereas the correlation was negative with relative humidity, rainfall and wind speed. Back trajectory methodology was applied in order to analyse the discordances between pollen and allergen maximum concentrations. The analysis showed that when the pollen and allergen peaks were registered on the same day, air masses always comes from the continent. However, when the peaks do not coincide, the air mass comes from the continent in the case of the pollen peak and from the sea for the allergen peak. This behaviour can be a consequence of the high humidity in the air masses from the sea, which can benefit the allergen release from pollen grains. In our study it was observed that the available traditional information for allergenic Type I patients, corresponding to the amount of pollen grains in the bioaerosol, do not accurately identify the real allergenic load in the air.

Initialization of Single Spin Dressed States using Shortcuts to Adiabaticity

We demonstrate the use of shortcuts to adiabaticity protocols for initialization, read-out, and coherent control of dressed states generated by closed-contour, coherent driving of a single spin. Such dressed states have recently been shown to exhibit efficient coherence protection, beyond what their two-level counterparts can offer. Our state transfer protocols yield a transfer fidelity of ∼99.4(2)% while accelerating the transfer speed by a factor of 2.6 compared to the adiabatic approach. We show bidirectionality of the accelerated state transfer, which we employ for direct dressed state population read-out after coherent manipulation in the dressed state manifold. Our results enable direct and efficient access to coherence-protected dressed states of individual spins and thereby offer attractive avenues for applications in quantum information processing or quantum sensing.

The GM2 ganglioside inhibits iNKT cell responses in a CD1d-dependent manner

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a subset of T lymphocytes that recognize lipid antigens presented on CD1d molecules at the surface of antigen-presenting cells. GM2 is a glycosphingolipid abundant in cellular membranes and known to bind CD1d molecules, but the functional consequences of this binding are not completely clarified. Herein, we analyzed the effect of GM2 in iNKT cell activation. We found that culturing antigen-presenting cells or total peripheral blood mononuclear cells with GM2 did not induce activation of human iNKT cells, implying that this lipid is not antigenic for human iNKT cells. To investigate if this lipid could inhibit iNKT cell activation, we simultaneously incubated antigen-presenting cells with GM2 and the iNKT cell antigen α-Galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) and used them to stimulate iNKT cells. We found that GM2 reduced human iNKT cell activation in a dose-dependent manner. An explanation for this effect could be a direct competition of GM2 with antigenic lipids for CD1d binding. This was demonstrated by the use of an antibody (L363) that stains mouse CD1d:α-GalCer complexes, as in the presence of GM2 the amount of CD1d:α-GalCer complexes are reduced. We further explored the consequences of chronic GM2 overload on human iNKT cells by analyzing iNKT cells in patients diagnosed with GM2 gangliosidoses. We found that pediatric patients present a higher frequency of circulating CD4⁺ iNKT cells and concomitant lower frequency of CD4^-CD8^- iNKTs. A lower percentage of iNKT cells expressing the NK marker CD161 was also observed in these patients. In contrast, in two adult patients studied, no differences on iNKT cell phenotype were observed. Altogether, this study uncovers a new role for GM2 in the modulation of iNKT cell activation, thus strengthening the central role of lipid metabolism in iNKT cell biology.

Range analysis of Eucalyptus globulus bark low-temperature hydrothermal treatment to produce a new component for growing media industry

The use of industrial Eucalyptus globulus bark residues for organic growing media formulation was studied. Hydrothermal treatments were tested using Response Surface Methodology approach. Model design consisted of twelve combinations of temperature (T: 60-140 °C) and residential time (t: 20-60') to evaluate the effect on bark properties. Temperature had a significant effect in C mineralization and N immobilization rates, where the lowest responses (111.8 mmol CO₂ kg^-1 d^-1 and NIR = 4.1 mmol N kg^-1 d^-1, respectively) compared to IEB (214.6 mmol CO₂ kg^-1 d^-1 and 8.9 N kg^-1 d^-1, respectively) were suggested after modeling at 40 °C during 70'. Industrial bark was phytotoxic and treatments were effective for phytotoxicity removal. Industrial bark presented high air content but low water availability; treatments had no effect on bark physical properties and the use of demineralized water may have leached nutrient content. Results from pot experiment recommend the use of 25% (v v^-1) of treated barks in future growing media formulations.

Cortical responses before 6 months of life associate with later autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common, highly heritable, developmental disorder and later-born siblings of diagnosed children are at higher risk of developing ASD than the general population. Although the emergence of behavioural symptoms of ASD in toddlerhood is well characterized, far less is known about development during the first months of life of infants at familial risk. In a prospective longitudinal study of infants at familial risk followed to 36 months, we measured functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) brain responses to social videos of people (i.e. peek-a-boo) compared to non-social images (vehicles) and human vocalizations compared to non-vocal sounds. At 4-6 months, infants who went on to develop ASD at 3 years (N = 5) evidenced-reduced activation to visual social stimuli relative to low-risk infants (N = 16) across inferior frontal (IFG) and posterior temporal (pSTS-TPJ) regions of the cortex. Furthermore, these infants also showed reduced activation to vocal sounds and enhanced activation to non-vocal sounds within left lateralized temporal (aMTG-STG/pSTS-TPJ) regions compared with low-risk infants and high-risk infants who did not develop ASD (N = 15). The degree of activation to both the visual and auditory stimuli correlated with parent-reported ASD symptomology in toddlerhood. These preliminary findings are consistent with later atypical social brain responses seen in children and adults with ASD, and highlight the need for further work interrogating atypical processing in early infancy and how it may relate to later social interaction and communication difficulties characteristic of ASD.

Stroboscopic Qubit Measurement with Squeezed Illumination

Microwave squeezing represents the ultimate sensitivity frontier for superconducting qubit measurement. However, measurement enhancement has remained elusive, in part because integration with standard dispersive readout pollutes the signal channel with antisqueezed noise. Here we induce a stroboscopic light-matter coupling with superior squeezing compatibility, and observe an increase in the final signal-to-noise ratio of 24%. Squeezing the orthogonal phase slows measurement-induced dephasing by a factor of 1.8. This scheme provides a means to the practical application of squeezing for qubit measurement.

Can coastline plant species be used as biosamplers of emerging contaminants? - UV-filters and synthetic musks as case studies

Personal care products, an important class of emerging contaminants, have been frequently detected in different environmental matrices. Included in this category are synthetic musks compounds (SMCs) and UV-filters. Their occurrence in the coastal environment has been poorly studied. Therefore, this work aimed to verify whether five coastline plant species (Carpobrotus edulis, Cakile maritima, Medicago marina, Elymus farctus borealis-atlanticus and Euphorbia paralias) have the ability to accumulate 11 SMCs (cashmeran, celestolide, phantolide, galaxolide, tonalide, exaltolide, musk moskene, tibetene, ambrette, xylene and ketone) and 2 organic UVB filters (3-(4'-methylbenzylidene) camphor and octocrylene), functioning as biosamplers. To accomplish this task, a QuEChERS technique ("Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe") was employed to extract the target compounds from the plant material collected in 15 beaches of Matosinhos and Vila Nova de Gaia (Portugal). The resulting extracts were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Limits of detection ranged from 0.02 ng g^-1 for celestolide and tonalide to 1.32 ng g^-1 for musk ambrette. The obtained recoveries were around 93% and relative standard deviation was generally less than 15%. SMCs were detected at levels ranging from 1.56 to 350 ng g^-1 dw and UV-filters from 2.9 to 264 ng g^-1 dw. Galaxolide and 3-(4'-methylbenzylidene) camphor were the synthetic musk and UV-filter detected in higher concentrations, respectively. Plants with higher water content accumulate better SMCs (hottentot-fig), while those with higher lipid content retain better the UV-filters (sea spurge).

Cow's milk-based beverage consumption in 1- to 4-year-olds and allergic manifestations: an RCT

Background

Nutrients such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), prebiotics and β-glucan have been associated with reduced incidence of respiratory illnesses and allergic manifestations (AM). Our objective was to assess if consumption of a cow’s milk-based beverage with these and other nutrients supports respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin health in otherwise well-nourished, healthy children.

Methods

In this double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, healthy children (1–4 years of age) from two daycare centers in Brazil were fed three servings/day of a cow’s milk-based beverage (CMBB; n = 125) containing DHA, the prebiotics polydextrose (PDX) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS), β-glucan, and other key nutrients, or a control cow’s milk-based beverage (control; n = 131) for up to 28 weeks. Occurrence of respiratory infections, diarrheal disease and AM was assessed by study pediatricians and the number of episodes were analyzed with the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test and the Andersen-Gill model.

Results

The CMBB group had fewer episodes of AM, which included allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis, wheezing, allergic cough, eczema and urticaria, compared to the control group (p = 0.021). The hazard ratio for increased number of episodes of AM was lower in the CMBB group compared to control (HR, 0.64; 95 % CI 0.47–0.89; p = 0.007). There was no difference in the incidence of respiratory infections and diarrheal disease between groups.

Conclusion

A cow’s milk-based beverage containing DHA, PDX/GOS, and yeast β-glucan, and supplemented with micronutrients, including zinc, vitamin A and iron, when consumed 3 times/day for 28 weeks by healthy 1- to 4-year-old children was associated with fewer episodes of allergic manifestations in the skin and the respiratory tract.

Trial registration

registration number: NCT01431469

Effects of CO₂ on Acer negundo pollen fertility, protein content, allergenic properties, and carbohydrates

Atmospheric gaseous pollutants can induce qualitative and quantitative changes in airborne pollen characteristics. In this work, it was investigated the effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) on Acer negundo pollen fertility, protein content, allergenic properties, and carbohydrates. Pollen was collected directly from the anthers and in vitro exposed to three CO2 levels (500, 1000, and 3000 ppm) for 6 and 24 h in an environmental chamber. Pollen fertility was determined using viability and germination assays, total soluble protein was determined with Coomassie Protein Assay Reagent, and the antigenic and allergenic properties were investigated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunological techniques using patients' sera. Also, pollen fructose, sucrose, and glucose values were determined. Carbon dioxide exposure affected negatively pollen fertility, total soluble protein content, and fructose content. The patient sera revealed increased IgE reactivity to proteins of A. negundo pollen exposed to increasing levels of the pollutant. No changes were detected in the SDS-PAGE protein profiles and in sucrose and glucose levels. Our results indicate that increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations can have a negative influence of some features of A. negundo airborne pollen that can influence the reproductive processes as well as respiratory pollen allergies in the future.

Molecular and computational analyses of genes involved in mannose 6-phosphate independent trafficking

The newly-synthesized lysosomal enzymes travel to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and are then driven to the acidic organelle. While the best-known pathway for TGN-to-endosome transport is the delivery of soluble hydrolases by the M6P receptors (MPRs), additional pathways do exist, as showed by the identification of two alternative receptors: LIMP-2, implicated in the delivery of β-glucocerebrosidase; and sortilin, involved in the transport of the sphingolipid activator proteins prosaposin and GM2AP, acid sphingomyelinase and cathepsins D and H. Disruption of the intracellular transport and delivery pathways to the lysosomes may result in lysosomal dysfunction, predictably leading to a range of clinical manifestations of lysosomal storage diseases. However, for a great percentage of patients presenting such manifestations, no condition is successfully diagnosed. To analyse if, in this group, phenotypes could be determined by impairments in the known M6P-independent receptors, we screened the genes that encode for LIMP-2 and sortilin. No pathogenic mutations were identified. Other approaches will be needed to clarify whether sortilin dysfunction may cause disease.

Identification of Plantago lanceolata pollen allergens using an immunoproteomic approach

BACKGROUND

Airborne Plantago pollen triggers respiratory allergies in Mediterranean countries.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to study sensitization in patients with seasonal respiratory allergy and identify proteins of Plantago lanceolata pollen that could be responsible for hypersensitivity reactions in sensitized patients. We also determined the airborne pollen concentration of Plantago species from 2004 to 2011.

METHODS

IgE-binding proteins were analyzed and characterized using 1D and 2D gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting with sera from individuals sensitized to P lanceolata pollen extracts, mass spectrometry analysis, and protein data mining. We used aerobiological methods to study airborne pollen.

RESULTS

P lanceolata pollen accounts for 3% of the annual pollen spectrum in the air of Porto. Of a total of 372 patients, 115 (31%) showed specific IgE levels to P lanceolata pollen extracts. All sera from P lanceolata-allergic patients recognized 8 prominent groups of IgE-reactive allergens. Separation of proteins using 2D gel electrophoresis followed by identification with mass spectrometry revealed the presence of other IgE-reactive components that could be involved in sensitization.

CONCLUSIONS

We detected proteins in P lanceolata pollen extracts that, to our knowledge, have not yet been studied and could worsen sensitization to this weed pollen species. The proteins identified were involved in a variety of cellular functions. By applying 2D electrophoresis and immunoblotting with a pool of 2 sera from different P lanceolata-allergic patients, we obtained a more detailed characterization of the P lanceolata allergen profile.

Resistance exercise modulates lipid plasma profile and cytokine content in the adipose tissue of tumour-bearing rats

Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterised by progressive weight loss, frequently accompanied by anorexia, sarcopenia, and chronic systemic inflammation. The white adipose tissue is markedly affected by cachexia and contributes to this syndrome throught the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors which reach the adjacent tissues and the circulation. A nonpharmacologic intervention that may attenuate cancer cachexia is chronic physical activity, but the effect of resistance training upon adipose tissue inflammation in cachexia has never been examined. For that purpose we designed a protocol in which animals were randomly assigned to a control group (CT, n=7), a Tumour bearing group (TB, n=7), a Resistance Trained group (RT, n=7) and a Resistance Trained tumour bearing group (RTTB, n=7). Trained rats climbed a vertical ladder with an extra load attached to the tail, representing 75-90% of total body mass, 3 times per week, for 8 weeks. In the 6 th week of resistance training, tumour cells (3 × 10(7) Walker 256 carcinosarcoma) were inoculated in the tumour groups. Body, adipose tissue, muscle and tumour mass was determined, as well a blood biochemical parameters, and the hormone and cytokine profile assessed. The glycogen content of the liver and muscle was measured. IL-10, IL-6 and TNF-α protein expression was evaluated in the mesenteric adipose tissue (MEAT) examined. Resistance training increased by 9% body weight gain in RTTB (final weight 310.8 ± 9.8 g), when compared with TB (final weight 288.3 ± 4.9 g). LDL-c levels were decreased in RTTB (0.28 ± 0.9 mmol/L) by 43% when compared with TB (0.57 ± 0.1 mmol/L). HDL-c levels were increased in RTTB (1.31 ± 0.12 mmol/L) by 15% in regard to CT (1.13 ± 0.7 mmol/L) and 22% as compared with TB (1.07 ± 0.07 mmol/L). RTTB testosterone levels (577 ± 131 ng/mL) were 55% higher when compared with CT (254 ± 41.3 ng/mL) and 63% higher when compared with TB (221 ± 23.1 ng/mL). Adiponectin levels were augmented in RT (23 μg/mL) by 43% when compared with TB (11 μg/mL). Protein expression of IL-6 was increased 38% in TB MEAT (5.95 pg/μg), as compared with CT (3.64 pg/μg) and 50% compared with RTTB (2.91 pg/μg). Similar results with respect to TNF-α TB (7.18 pg/μg) were observed: 39% and 46%, higher protein expression in comparison with CT (4.63 pg/μg) and RTTB (3.8 pg/μg), respectively. IL-10 protein expression was found to be increased in TB (4.4 pg/μg) and RTTB (3.2 pg/μg) 50% and 47%, respectively, in comparison with CT (1.2 pu/μg). The IL-10/TNF-α ratio was higher in RTTB in relation to all others experimental groups. The results show a robust effect of resistance exercise training in preventing important symptoms of cancer cachexia, thus strongly suggesting it may appear as an alternative to endurance exercise as a non-pharmacological therapy in the management of this syndrome.

Lysosomal multienzymatic complex-related diseases: a genetic study among Portuguese patients

The functional activity of lysosomal enzymes sialidase, β-galactosidase and N-acetylaminogalacto-6-sulfate-sulfatase in the cell depends on their association in a multienzyme complex with cathepsin A. Mutations in any of the components of this complex result in functional deficiency thereby causing severe lysosomal storage disorders. Here, we report the molecular defects underlying sialidosis (mutations in sialidase; gene NEU1), galactosialidosis (mutations in cathepsin A; gene PPGB) and GM1 gangliosidosis (mutations in β-galactosidase; gene GLB1) in Portuguese patients. We performed molecular studies of the PPGB, NEU1 and GLB1 genes in biochemically diagnosed Portuguese patients. Gene expression was determined and the effect of each mutation predicted at protein levels. In the NEU1 gene, we found three novel missense mutations (p.P200L, p.D234N and p.Q282H) and one nonsense mutation (p.R341X). In the PPGB gene, we identified two missense mutations, one novel (p.G86V) and one already described (p.V104M), as well as two new deletions (c.230delC and c.991-992delT) that give rise to non-functional proteins. We also present the first molecular evidence of a causal missense mutation localized to the cathepsin A active site. Finally, in the GLB1 gene, we found six different mutations, all of them previously described (p.R59H, p.R201H, p.H281Y, p.W527X, c.1572-1577InsG and c.845-846delC). Seven novel mutations are reported here, contributing to our knowledge of the mutational spectrum of these diseases and to a better understanding of the genetics of the lysosomal multienzymatic complex. The results of this study will allow carrier detection in affected families and prenatal molecular diagnosis, leading to the improvement of genetic counseling.

Outdoor allergenic fungal spores: comparison between an urban and a rural area in northern Portugal

BACKGROUND

The frequency and concentration of many airborne fungal spores associated with respiratory allergy symptoms are influenced by geographical and climatic characteristics.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work was to monitor the distribution of 11 potentially allergenic fungal spore types in 2 regions with different urbanization levels in Northern Portugal: Porto (urban area) and Amares (rural area).

METHODS

Airborne fungal spore levels were monitored from 2005 to 2007 using Hirst-type spore traps. The Spearman correlation test was used to analyze the influence of meteorological factors (temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall) on spore concentration. Meteorological data from both areas were compared using the t test, and spore concentrations were compared using the sign test.

RESULTS

In both areas, Cladosporium, Agaricus, Aspergillus/Penincillium, Altemaria, Coprinus, and rusts were the most abundant fungal types observed. Most of the analyzed spore types presented maximum values during the summer months, with the exception of Polythrincium, Stemphylium, and Torula, which reached a peak earlier in the year, whereas Aspergillus/Penicillium and Botrytis showed a wider distribution. Temperature had a positive effect on most spore concentrations, and relative humidity and rainfall negatively influenced concentrations ofAlternaia, Cladosporium, Epicoccum, and Torula.

CONCLUSIONS

The concentration of all selected spore types was higher in the rural than in the urban area, with higher values registe summer and autumn and lower values found during winter and spring. rainfall, influence airborne concentrations of major allergenic fungal spores.

Pollen allergenic potential nature of some trees species: a multidisciplinary approach using aerobiological, immunochemical and hospital admissions data

Trees are considered producers of allergenic pollen. The aims of this work were to characterize the aerobiology of the Platanus, Acer, Salix, Quercus, Betula and Populus pollen, linking it with monthly emergency hospital admissions and to identify the different reactivity levels in sensitized patients. This information would be of great importance to evaluate the convenience of changing the inventory of pollen producer trees related to the risk of allergenic reactions. The study was conducted in Porto, Portugal, from 2005 to 2007. Airborne pollen was sampled using a Hirst-type volumetric trap. The antigenic and allergenic properties of Acer negundo, Betula pendula, Platanus occidentalis, Populus hybrida, Quercus robur and Salix babylonica pollen, collected in public gardens or sidewalks, were investigated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunological techniques using polysensitized-patient sera. Monthly hospital admissions of asthma or dyspnea related with respiratory diseases were obtained from the Emergency Room database of Hospital Geral de Santo António. Tree pollen and hospital admissions were positively correlated. Tree pollen peaked in March which coincides with the hospital admissions maximum. The highest binding affinity was observed with A. negundo, S. babylonica and P. occidentalis pollen extracts and the lowest with P. hybrida. Consistently, Acer and Platanus maximum airborne pollen concentrations were observed during March attaining levels considered moderate to high risk for allergenic reactions. Prominent bands with approximately 71, 35, 31, 22, 19, 16, 14, 13 and 11 kDa were revealed. A 52 kDa band was shared by all analyzed sera. High levels of airborne pollen and emergency hospital admissions were related. High binding affinity of specific IgE to pollen extracts of the most abundant tree pollen present in the atmosphere was observed. Patient sera revealed multiple similar allergenic bands shared by the different extracts. This multidisciplinary approach is useful in day-to-day medical practice to help in diagnostic, therapeutic and allergy alerting system adjusting.

Smooth muscle autoantibodies with F-actin specificity

Autoimmune hepatitis is a rare condition characterized by the presence of autoantibodies, among other features. Anti-smooth muscle autoantibodies with F-actin reactivity have long been considered specific markers of this disease, representing a valuable diagnostic element because they are distinctive of a subtype of autoimmune hepatitis: type 1. Indirect immunofluorescence is considered the best available method for detection of these autoantibodies, mainly because of its elevated sensibility, but it has some flaws: it is highly operator-dependent, and the standardization of the technique has not been achieved until now. We compared ELISA and Immunodot methods for confirming indirect immunofluorescence results in what concerns smooth-muscle autoantibodies' F-actin reactivity and concluded that ELISA is the most useful one. A new substrate is available for indirect immunofluorescence detection of anti-F-actin specificity, and seems to be a promising one, but further evaluation is needed.

The effects of meteorological factors on airborne fungal spore concentration in two areas differing in urbanisation level

Although fungal spores are an ever-present component of the atmosphere throughout the year, their concentration oscillates widely. This work aims to establish correlations between fungal spore concentrations in Porto and Amares and meteorological data. The seasonal distribution of fungal spores was studied continuously (2005-2007) using volumetric spore traps. To determine the effect of meteorological factors (temperature, relative humidity and rainfall) on spore concentration, the Spearman rank correlation test was used. In both locations, the most abundant fungal spores were Cladosporium, Agaricus, Agrocybe, Alternaria and Aspergillus/Penicillium, the highest concentrations being found during summer and autumn. In the present study, with the exception of Coprinus and Pleospora, spore concentrations were higher in the rural area than in the urban location. Among the selected spore types, spring-autumn spores (Coprinus, Didymella, Leptosphaeria and Pleospora) exhibited negative correlations with temperature and positive correlations both with relative humidity and rainfall level. On the contrary, late spring-early summer (Smuts) and summer spores (Alternaria, Cladosporium, Epicoccum, Ganoderma, Stemphylium and Ustilago) exhibited positive correlations with temperature and negative correlations both with relative humidity and rainfall level. Rust, a frequent spore type during summer, had a positive correlation with temperature. Aspergillus/Penicillium, showed no correlation with the meteorological factors analysed. This knowledge can be useful for agriculture, allowing more efficient and reliable application of pesticides, and for human health, by improving the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory allergic disease.

Molecular characterization of Portuguese patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II shows evidence that the IDS gene is prone to splicing mutations

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) is an X-linked recessive lysosomal storage disease caused by a defect in the iduronate-2-sulfatase gene (IDS). Alternative splicing of the IDS gene can occur and the underlying regulatory mechanism may be rather complex. Nevertheless, little information is available on the role of variations at the IDS locus in the splicing process. Here we report that splice mutations at the IDS locus are an important source of MPS II pathogenicity, accounting for almost 56% of Portuguese cases. Among 16 unrelated Portuguese MPS II patients, 15 different mutations were identified: six intronic splice mutations (c.104-2AG, c.241-2A>G, c.241-1G>A, c.418+1G>A, c.880-8AG and c.1181-1G>C); two exonic splice mutations (c.1006G>lC and c.1122C>T); five missense mutations (D269V, D69V, D148N, R88C and P86L); one nonsense mutation (Q465Ter); one total IDS gene deletion; and one rearrangement involving a IDS gene inversion. Furthermore, nine of the 15 detected mutations affected the usual splicing pattern at the locus. Some of them are responsible for dramatic changes in the splicing mechanism. For example, the substitution mutation, c.418+1G>A, revealed the presence of an exonic sequence inside intron 3. Our study provides evidence that the IDS locus is prone to splicing mutations and that such susceptibility is particularly high in exon 3 and neighbouring regions. Consequently, mutation screening of the IDS gene cannot be restricted to gDNA examination. Unless cDNA analysis is also conducted, misclassifications as silent or missense mutations can be produced and even uncharacteristic splice-site mutations can be misinterpreted as classic splicing defects that may generate severe, unconventional splicing alterations.

Incomplete carbohydrate absorption from fruit juice consumption after acute diarrhea

We carried out a double-blind, randomized study in 60 children with acute diarrhea to determine their capacity to tolerate commonly consumed fruit juices. Feedings of juice with high fructose/glucose ratios and sorbitol resulted in incomplete carbohydrate absorption and recurrence of diarrhea during the phase immediately after improvement of the illness.

Coelomomyces numularius sp. nov. (Blastocladiales: Coelomomycetaceae), a new fungal parasite of Anopheles squamosus (Diptera: Culicidae) from Angola, Africa

Coelomomyces numularius sp. nov., a fungus parasitizing the larvae of Anopheles squamosus Theobald in southern Angola, Africa, is described and illustrated, with comments on its diagnosis and host specificity. Because of the general surface ornamentation of the resting sporangia, this new species is placed in group V of Bland and Couch. Resting sporangia can be distinguished from other species in group V by their dimensions, unique wall structure, placement of the dehiscence slit, and symmetrical shape.

On Coquilleitidia crassipes, a new record for Macau, with a key to adults of the subgenera and species groups of the genus

Coquillettidia (Coquillettidia) crassipes is recorded for the 1st time in the Territory of Macau, southern China. The systematics of the genus is examined, new species groups are proposed, and a key to subgenera and species groups of Coquillettidia is provided.

Diarrheal disease in a developing nation

Infants and young children from many developing nations face a serious public health threat from diarrhea. In the northeast region of Brazil, diarrheal disease causes significant morbidity and mortality. Although diarrheal deaths in this region have been declining since the early 1980s, the hospitalization rate remains high. Diarrhea may account for 25% of total healthcare costs in northeast Brazil. Many patients become ill because of poor environmental conditions and because their caregivers lack awareness of basic hygiene. Many also return to the hospital after initial treatment because health workers do not provide appropriate preventive and home care instruction to patients in 99% of cases. Antibiotics have no effect in 85-95% of pediatric diarrheal cases in the region. Improvement of preventive home care management in association with probiotic bacteria, which have been effective against several forms of diarrhea in developing nations, may be useful in managing diarrheal disease in infants.

A clonal Plasmodium falciparum population in an isolated outbreak of malaria in the Republic of Cabo Verde

We present the first parasitological, molecular and longitudinal analysis of an isolated outbreak of malaria. This outbreak occurred on Santiago Island (Republic of Cabo Verde), a region where malaria is hypoendemic and controlled, and thus the population is considered non-immune. Blood samples were collected from the inhabitants over 1 month and during cross-sectional surveys in the following year. The presence and nature of the parasites was determined by PCR. Plasmodium falciparum was the only species detected. Genetic analysis revealed that the circulating parasites were genetically homogeneous, and probably clonal. Gametocytes were found throughout this period. Our data suggest that this represented a focal outbreak, resulting in the infection of at least 40% of the villagers with a clonal parasite line. Thus, P. falciparum infections can persist for at least 1 year in a substantial proportion (10%) of the hosts. Implications for malaria control and the interpretation of epidemiological data are discussed.