Diversity of plant parasitic nematodes characterized from fields of the French national monitoring programme for the Columbia root-knot nematode

Plant parasitic nematodes are highly abundant in all agrosystems and some species can have a major impact on crop yields. To avoid the use of chemical agents and to find alternative methods to manage these pests, research studies have mainly focused on plant resistance genes and biocontrol methods involving host plants or natural enemies. A specific alternative method may consist in supporting non-damaging indigenous species that could compete with damaging introduced species to decrease and keep their abundance at low level. For this purpose, knowledge about the biodiversity, structure and functioning of these indigenous communities is needed in order to carry out better risk assessments and to develop possible future management strategies. Here, we investigated 35 root crop fields in eight regions over two consecutive years. The aims were to describe plant parasitic nematode diversity and to assess the potential effects of cultivation practices and environmental variables on communities. Community biodiversity included 10 taxa of plant parasitic nematodes. Despite no significant abundance variations between the two sampling years, structures of communities varied among the different regions. Metadata collected for the past six years, characterizing the cultural practices and soils properties, made it possible to evaluate the impact of these variables both on the whole community and on each taxon separately. Our results suggest that, at a large scale, many variables drive the structuration of the communities. Soil variables, but also rainfall, explain the population density variations among the geographical areas. The effect of the variables differed among the taxa, but fields with few herbicide applications and being pH neutral with low heavy metal and nitrogen concentrations had the highest plant parasitic nematode densities. We discuss how these variables can affect nematode communities either directly or indirectly. These types of studies can help to better understand the variables driving the nematode communities structuration in order to support the abundance of indigenous non-damaging communities that could compete with the invasive species.

A platelet-derived hydrogel improves neovascularisation in full thickness wounds

Platelets are a reservoir of growth factors, cytokines and chemokines involved in spontaneous wound repair. In this study, a platelet-rich and fibrin-rich hydrogel was generated from expired platelet components that would have otherwise been transfused. The material contained physiological concentrations of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1, platelet-derived growth factor AB (PDGF-AB), PDGF-BB, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). The effect of the hydrogel on wound repair was investigated in SKH-1 mice. Full thickness dorsal wounds were created on the mice and treated with the hydrogel at various concentrations. Immunohistochemical staining with CD31 (endothelial cell marker) revealed that wounds treated with the hydrogel showed significantly enhanced vascularisation in the wound bed. Moreover, high levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and KC (IL-8 functional homologue) in treated wounds were sustained over a longer period of time, compared to untreated wounds. We postulate that sustained IL-6 is a driver, at least partly, of enhanced vascularisation in full thickness wounds treated with the hydrogel. Future work is needed to explore whether this hydrogel can be utilised as a treatment option when vascularisation is a critical limitation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The economic cost of wound repair is estimated in billions of dollars each year. In many cases time required to vascularise wounds is a major contributor to slow wound repair. In this study, we developed a blood-derived platelet- and fibrin-rich hydrogel. It contains a number of growth factors actively involved in spontaneous wound healing. This hydrogel significantly improved dermal repair and vascularisation in a full-thickness wound mouse model. This study provides an action mechanism for modulation of localised inflammation.

M1 and M2 mAChRs activate PDK1 and regulate PKC βI and ε and the exocytotic apparatus at the NMJ

Neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) regulate cholinergic exocytosis through the M₁ and M₂ muscarinic acetylcholine autoreceptors (mAChR), involving the crosstalk between receptors and downstream pathways. Protein kinase C (PKC) regulates neurotransmission but how it associates with the mAChRs remains unknown. Here, we investigate whether mAChRs recruit the classical PKCβI and the novel PKCε isoforms and modulate their priming by PDK1, translocation and activity on neurosecretion targets. We show that each M₁ and M₂ mAChR activates the master kinase PDK1 and promotes a particular priming of the presynaptic PKCβI and ε isoforms. M₁ recruits both primed-PKCs to the membrane and promotes Munc18-1, SNAP-25, and MARCKS phosphorylation. In contrast, M₂ downregulates PKCε through a PKA-dependent pathway, which inhibits Munc18-1 synthesis and PKC phosphorylation. In summary, our results discover a co-dependent balance between muscarinic autoreceptors which orchestrates the presynaptic PKC and their action on ACh release SNARE-SM mechanism. Altogether, this molecular signaling explains previous functional studies at the NMJ and guide toward potential therapeutic targets.

High spatial resolution global ocean metagenomes from Bio-GO-SHIP repeat hydrography transects

Detailed descriptions of microbial communities have lagged far behind physical and chemical measurements in the marine environment. Here, we present 971 globally distributed surface ocean metagenomes collected at high spatio-temporal resolution. Our low-cost metagenomic sequencing protocol produced 3.65 terabases of data, where the median number of base pairs per sample was 3.41 billion. The median distance between sampling stations was 26 km. The metagenomic libraries described here were collected as a part of a biological initiative for the Global Ocean Ship-based Hydrographic Investigations Program, or "Bio-GO-SHIP." One of the primary aims of GO-SHIP is to produce high spatial and vertical resolution measurements of key state variables to directly quantify climate change impacts on ocean environments. By similarly collecting marine metagenomes at high spatiotemporal resolution, we expect that this dataset will help answer questions about the link between microbial communities and biogeochemical fluxes in a changing ocean.

P867 Mitral stenosis: from mild to severe in less than a year

We report the case of an 82-year-old woman, with personal history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipemia and permanent atrial fibrillation. In 2013 aortic valve substitution surgery was performed with a mechanic prosthetic valve. In her last echocardiogram in May 2018 a mild double mitral lesion was detected, with a normal aortic valve functioning.

In March of 2019 she was admitted in hospital with symptoms of heart failure and 38ºC fever.

A transthoracic echocardiogram was performed, which revealed a vegetation in the native mitral valve that caused a severe mitral stenosis (area 0.64 cm2). In blood cultures Streptococcus gallolyticycus was isolated.

In this situation, a tranesophagical echocardiogram was performed, which confirmed the diagnosis of an infective endocarditis in the native mitral valve. It also showed spontaneous echocontrast as well as a thrombus in the left atrial appendage, despite anticoagulant medication.

Given these findings, antibiotic therapy was initiated and surgery programmed. Substitution of the native mitral valve for a biological prosthesis was made. In the transthoracic echocardiographic control the prosthesis was normal functioning. A colonoscopy was performed taking into account the strong association between Streptococcus gallolyticus and colonic lesions, which showed no abnormal findings. At the discharge the patient had no signs or symptoms suggestive of heart failure or infection.

Streptococcus gallolytycus is included in the D group of Streptococci. Among hospitalized patients, this group accounts for approximately 5% of streptococcal bloodstream isolates. For humans, the gastrointestinal tract is the most frequent entry point, other potential sources include the hepatobiliary tree and the urinary tract. Clinical manifestations include bacteremia and endocarditis, which is usually highly destructive and frequently bivalvular. Bone infection, meningitis or peritonitis can also be present. Due to the frequent association between this microorganism and colonic neoplasm, colonoscopy is necessary to dismiss pathological findings. Typically D Streptococci can be treated with penicillins, ceftriaxone, carbapenems, vancomycin, daptomycin, and linezolid. The preferred regimen for streptococcal prosthetic valve endocarditis includes a beta-lactam combined with an aminoglycoside, to achieve synergistic effect.

Abstract P867 Figure. Mitral stenosis

Culture and Diagnosis of MCI in Hispanics: A Literature Review

Objective

Hispanics are a rapidly growing and aging segment of the US population. There is a critical need to accurately and efficiently detect those at risk for dementia, particularly those with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). MCI diagnosis typically relies on neuropsychological tests, although cultural and linguistic factors impact neuropsychological test scores. The current study reviews neuropsychological studies on MCI in Hispanics to evaluate the factors in testing for MCI diagnosis.

Participants and Method

Studies were identified from a literature search utilizing Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, using search terms “Hispanic OR Mexican American” and “Mild Cognitive Impairment,” and from the reference sections of studies identified through this search. Studies utilizing neuropsychological tests in the diagnosis of MCI for Hispanics living in the US were identified and reviewed. Approaches for sample characterization (e.g., country of origin and of education, literacy, language preference and proficiency), neuropsychological test methods (e.g., test selection and translation, normative data source), and method of MCI diagnosis were reviewed.

Results

Considerable variability was found across studies with regard to the incorporation – and the method of incorporation – of cultural factors and their consideration in the MCI diagnosis process for Hispanics. For example, several studies did not report their sample’s country of education, source of normative data used for determination of cognitive impairment, or method of test adaptation/translation.

Conclusions

Diagnosis of MCI in Hispanics has been complicated by a dearth of culturally appropriate neuropsychological assessment tools and normative data, which likely contributes to inconsistency across studies. Future studies are needed to further develop culturally appropriate neuropsychological methods to evaluate MCI in Hispanics in the US and to improve diagnostic accuracy in this population.

Impact of agricultural practices and environmental variables on plant-parasitic nematode communities in fields at a landscape scale

Agricultural practices shaping plant-parasitic nematode (PPN) assembly are still unclear, and this limits our understanding of the impact of anthropic disturbances on the resilience of PPN communities and the emergence of agronomic problems. Here the abundance and diversity of PPN in France’s oilseed rape production area was determined by sampling 72 fields over two consecutive years. We identified and counted PPN taxa and collected anthropic and environmental variables for the past 5 years. PPN were assigned to seven genera and one family including PPN that have not been identified to genus level. Using multiple correspondence analyses, we selected the main variables and tested their effect on the abundance of each taxon with mixed generalised linear models. We emphasise that at the landscape scale investigated, crop rotations were no longer a major factor impacting the PPN communities. However, we observed that tillage and pesticides had a significant impact on several taxa.

Long acting injectable aripiprazole: An observational study

Introduction

Several trials have shown the efficacy of long acting injectable (LAI) second-generation anti-psychotics compared with other anti-psychotics. LAI aripiprazole is a novel therapeutic tool in the management of patients with schizophrenia.

Aims

The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients who initiated treatment with LAI aripiprazole, by comparing their clinical outcomes prior and after initiating treatment with LAI aripiprazole.

Methods

This observational, retrospective, mirror study assessed a series of socio-demographic and clinical variables during the 12 months prior to commencing LAI aripiprazole, while on another anti-psychotic medication, and the first 12 months of LAI aripiprazole. The sample included a series of consecutive patients receiving LAI aripiprazole at the Doctor Peset university hospital health area, in Valencia (Spain). The variables analyzed in the study included: emergency room visits, number and average length of hospitalizations, relapse, rate of abandonment of treatment and number of anti-psychotics needed as maintenance treatment.

Results

The preliminary analysis showed a reduction in the rate of emergency room visits and the number of relapse and total hospitalizations while on LAI aripiprazole; however, there is no a reduction of the average length of hospitalizations. A reduction in the number of anti-psychotics as maintenance treatment was not appreciated, however, there was an improvement in treatment adherence.

Conclusions

The preliminary results showed that LAI aripiprazole is an useful option that could suppose a benefit concerning treatment adherence, a decreased in number of relapses and hospitalizations and use of health resources.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Gene Evolutionary Trajectories and GC Patterns Driven by Recombination in Zea mays

Recombination occurring during meiosis is critical for creating genetic variation and plays an essential role in plant evolution. In addition to creating novel gene combinations, recombination can affect genome structure through altering GC patterns. In maize (Zea mays) and other grasses, another intriguing GC pattern exists. Maize genes show a bimodal GC content distribution that has been attributed to nucleotide bias in the third, or wobble, position of the codon. Recombination may be an underlying driving force given that recombination sites are often associated with high GC content. Here we explore the relationship between recombination and genomic GC patterns by comparing GC gene content at each of the three codon positions (GC₁, GC₂, and GC₃, collectively termed GC_x) to instances of a variable GC-rich motif that underlies double strand break (DSB) hotspots and to meiocyte-specific gene expression. Surprisingly, GC_x bimodality in maize cannot be fully explained by the codon wobble hypothesis. High GC_x genes show a strong overlap with the DSB hotspot motif, possibly providing a mechanism for the high evolutionary rates seen in these genes. On the other hand, genes that are turned on in meiosis (early prophase I) are biased against both high GC_x genes and genes with the DSB hotspot motif, possibly allowing important meiotic genes to avoid DSBs. Our data suggests a strong link between the GC-rich motif underlying DSB hotspots and high GC_x genes.

An annual survey of bacterial production, respiration and ectoenzyme activity in coastal NW Mediterranean waters: temperature and resource controls

We simultaneously measured bacterial production (BP), bacterial respiration (BR), alkaline phosphatase activity (phos) and ectoaminopeptidase activity (prot) in relation to biogeochemical parameters, nutritive resources and in situ temperature over a 1-year survey at the long-term observatory the SOLEMIO station (Marseille bay, NW Mediterranean Sea). Despite its proximity to the coast, oligotrophic conditions prevailed at this station (yearly mean of Chl a = 0.43 μg dm(-3), NO3 = 0.55 μmol dm(-3) and PO4 = 0.04 μmol dm(-3)). Episodic meteorological events (dominant winds, inputs from the Rhone River) induced rapid oscillations (within 15 days) in temperature and sometimes salinity that resulted in rapid changes in phytoplankton succession and a high variability in C/P ratios within the particulate and dissolved organic matter. Throughout the year, BP ranged from 0.01 to 0.82 μg C dm-(3) h-(1) and bacterial growth efficiency varied from 1 to 39%, with higher values in summer. Enrichment experiments showed that BP was limited most of the year by phosphorus availability (except in winter). A significant positive correlation was found between in situ temperature, BP, BR and phos. Finally, we found that temperature and phosphate availability were the main factors driving heterotrophic bacterial activity and thus play a fundamental role in carbon fluxes within the marine ecosystem.

Adenosine receptors and muscarinic receptors cooperate in acetylcholine release modulation in the neuromuscular synapse

Adenosine receptors (ARs) are present in the motor terminals at the mouse neuromuscular junction. ARs and the presynaptic muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) share the functional control of the neuromuscular junction. We analysed their mutual interaction in transmitter release modulation. In electrophysiological experiments with unaltered synaptic transmission (muscles paralysed by blocking the voltage-dependent sodium channel of the muscle cells with μ-conotoxin GIIIB), we found that: (i) a collaborative action between different AR subtypes reduced synaptic depression at a moderate activity level (40 Hz); (ii) at high activity levels (100 Hz), endogenous adenosine production in the synaptic cleft was sufficient to reduce depression through A1 -type receptors (A1 Rs) and A2 A-type receptors (A2 A Rs); (iii) when the non-metabolizable 2-chloroadenosine (CADO) agonist was used, both the quantal content and depression were reduced; (iv) the protective effect of CADO on depression was mediated by A1 Rs, whereas A2 A Rs seemed to modulate A1 Rs; (v) ARs and mAChRs absolutely depended upon each other for the modulation of evoked and spontaneous acetylcholine release in basal conditions and in experimental conditions with CADO stimulation; (vi) the purinergic and muscarinic mechanisms cooperated in the control of depression by sharing a common pathway although the purinergic control was more powerful than the muscarinic control; and (vii) the imbalance of the ARs created by using subtype-selective and non-selective inhibitory and stimulatory agents uncoupled protein kinase C from evoked transmitter release. In summary, ARs (A1 Rs, A2 A Rs) and mAChRs (M1 , M2 ) cooperated in the control of activity-dependent synaptic depression and may share a common protein kinase C pathway.

Rapid diagnosis and treatment of TIA results in low rates of stroke, myocardial infarction and vascular death

INTRODUCTION

The 90-day risk of cerebral infarction in patients with transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is estimated at between 8% and 20%. There is little consensus as to which diagnostic strategy is most effective. This study evaluates the benefits of early transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with carotid and transcranial Doppler ultrasound in patients with TIA.

METHODS

Prospective study of patients with TIA in an emergency department setting. Demographic data, vascular risk factors, and ABCD(2) score were analysed. TIA aetiology was classified according to TOAST criteria. All patients underwent early vascular studies (<72hours), including TTE, carotid ultrasound, and transcranial Doppler. Primary endpoints were recurrence of stroke or TIA, myocardial infarction (MI), or vascular death during the first year.

RESULTS

We evaluated 92 patients enrolled over 24 months. Mean age was 68.3±13 years and 61% were male. The mean ABCD(2) score was 3 points (≥5 in 30%). The distribution of TIA subtypes was as follows: 12% large-artery atherosclerosis; 30% cardioembolism; 10% small-vessel occlusion; 40% undetermined cause; and 8% rare causes. Findings from the early TTE led to a change in treatment strategy in 6 patients (6.5%) who displayed normal physical examination and ECG findings. At one year of follow-up, 3 patients had experienced stroke (3.2%) and 1 patient experienced MI (1%); no vascular deaths were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

In our TIA patients, early vascular study and detecting patients with silent cardiomyopathy may have contributed to the low rate of vascular disease recurrence.

Aerobic training improved low-grade inflammation in obese women with intellectual disability

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a major health problem in people with intellectual disabilities. It is also widely accepted that low-grade systemic inflammation associated to obesity plays a key role in the pathogenic mechanism of several disorders. Fortunately, physical activity has shown to improve inflammation in people with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Accordingly, we assessed the influence of aerobic training on pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins in women with Down syndrome.

METHODS

To achieve this outcome, 20 premenopausal obese young women with Down syndrome volunteered for this study. Eleven were randomly assigned to the intervention group and performed a 10-week aerobic training programme, three sessions per week, consisting of a warm-up then a 30- to 40-min treadmill exercise at a work intensity of 55-65% of peak heart rate followed by a cooling-down period. The control group included nine age-, sex- and body mass index-matched women with Down syndrome. Fat mass percentage and fat distribution were measured. Plasmatic levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and fibrinogen were assessed by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. C-reactive protein (CRP) was assessed by nephelometry.

RESULTS

Plasmatic levels of TNF-α (11.7 ± 1.6 vs. 9.2 ± 1.3 pg/ml; P = 0.022), IL-6 (8.2 ± 1.1 vs. 6.1 ± 0.9 pg/ml; P = 0.014) and high sensitive CRP (0.62 ± 0.11 vs. 0.53 ± 0.09 mg/dl; P = 0.009) were significantly reduced in the intervention group. Further, significant correlations between plasmatic and anthropometric parameters were found.

CONCLUSION

A 10-week training programme reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins in obese young women with Down syndrome. Long-term, well-conducted studies are still required to determine whether correction of this low-grade inflammation improves clinical outcomes of women with trisomy 21.

Salivary testosterone and immunoglobulin A were increased by resistance training in adults with Down syndrome

This study was designed to assess the influence of resistance training on salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels and hormone profile in sedentary adults with Down syndrome (DS). A total of 40 male adults with DS were recruited for the trial through different community support groups for people with intellectual disabilities. All participants had medical approval for participation in physical activity. Twenty-four adults were randomly assigned to perform resistance training in a circuit with six stations, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Training intensity was based on functioning in the eight-repetition maximum (8RM) test for each exercise. The control group included 16 age-, gender-, and BMI-matched adults with DS. Salivary IgA, testosterone, and cortisol levels were measured by ELISA. Work task performance was assessed using the repetitive weighted-box-stacking test. Resistance training significantly increased salivary IgA concentration (P=0.0120; d=0.94) and testosterone levels (P=0.0088; d=1.57) in the exercising group. Furthermore, it also improved work task performance. No changes were seen in the controls who had not exercised. In conclusion, a short-term resistance training protocol improved mucosal immunity response as well as salivary testosterone levels in sedentary adults with DS.

The application of microfiltration-reverse osmosis/nanofiltration to trace organics removal for municipal wastewater reuse

The fate of organic micropollutans (MPs) in a membrane system based on microfiltration (MF) and reverse osmosis/nanofiltration (RO/NF) has been investigated for the case of wastewater reuse. Both an operating full-scale water reuse plant and a pilot plant were employed, with 22 individual organic compounds at their ambient concentrations studied for the former and the latter employing two target compounds over a range of feed concentrations. Results revealed removal efficiencies higher than 75% for most compounds in the full-scale plant, though mass flow studies on all streams revealed a significant imbalance of material for some compounds. Rejection efficiencies measured for candidate commercial NF and RO membranes tested at pilot scale challenged with a pharmaceutically active compound (ibuprofen, IBU) and an endocrine-disrupting chemical (nonylphenol, NP) exceeded 99%. Permeate concentrations were 0.005-0.14 microg/L for IBU and below the limit of detection for NP. A mass balance of the MPs for the full-scale plant across the MF and RO stages revealed a significant imbalance associated with the challenge of accurate determination of low concentrations. Differences in pilot plant and full-scale data were otherwise attributed to the impact of membrane ageing (and specifically hydrolysis) on RO rejection of the MPs examined.