The Early Hematological Profile and Its Variations: A Useful Tool in the Prediction of Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Extremely Preterm Infants.

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study to investigate if the early variations in the hematological profile could be a useful tool in the prediction and evaluation of intraventricular hemorrhage. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study conducted between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2022, in a tertiary academic center. In-born infants ≤ 28 weeks of gestation (n = 134) were enrolled. The study group of infants with all grades of IVH was further divided into mild IVH subgroups (grades 1 and 2) and severe IVH subgroups (grades 3 and 4); the control group included infants without IVH. Results: The prevalence of IVH was 35.8% (n = 48 of 134 infants-study group). We identified significantly lower median values of HGB (p = 0.0312) and HCT (p = 0.0172) in all grades of the IVH group at birth as compared with control, followed by a significantly higher drop in MCV (p = 0.0146) and MCH (p = 0.0002) in the fourth day of life. Conclusions: Extremely preterm infants with IVH may have lower HTC and HGB values at birth, together with a decrease in MCH and MCHC and increase in MPV. The predictive model based on logistic regression analysis could predict the probability of the occurrence of IVH according to their values.

Updated Clinical Practice Guidelines in Resuscitation and the Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Extremely Preterm Infants during Two Epochs in Romania: Impact on Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Adequate perinatal management is essential in caring for extremely preterm (EP) infants. We aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of different protocols on short-term outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on EP infants in a Romanian perinatal tertiary center during 2008-2012 and 2018-2022. RESULTS: Data on 270 EP infants (121 in period I, 149 in period II) were analyzed collectively and stratified into two subgroups by gestational age. Initial FiO2 administration (100% vs. 40%% p < 0.001), lung recruitment at birth (19.0% vs. 55.7% p < 0.001), early rescue surfactant administration (34.7% vs. 65.8%; p < 0.001), and the mechanical ventilation rate (98.3% vs. 58.4%; p < 0.001) were significantly improved during period II. Survival rates of EP infants significantly improved from 41.3% to 72.5%, particularly in the 26-28 weeks subgroup (63.8% to 83%). Compared to period I, the overall frequency of severe IVH decreased in period II from 30.6% to 14.1%; also, BPD rates were lower (36.6% vs. 23.4%; p = 0.045) in the 26-28 weeks subgroup. Despite improvements, there were no significant differences in the frequencies of NEC, sepsis, PVL, ROP, or PDA. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing evidence-based clinical guidelines can improve short-term outcomes.

Gene flow and species boundaries of the genus Salmonella.

The genus Salmonella comprises two species, Salmonella bongori and Salmonella enterica, which are infectious to a wide variety of animal hosts. The diversity within S. enterica has been further partitioned into 6-10 subspecies based on such features as host range, geography, and most recently, genetic relatedness and phylogenetic affiliation. Although Salmonella pathogenicity is attributable to large numbers of acquired virulence factors, the extent of homologous exchange in the species at large is apparently constrained such that the species and subspecies form distinct clusters of strains. To explore the extent of gene flow within and among subspecies, and to ultimately define true biological species, we evaluated patterns of recombination in over 1,000 genomes currently assigned to the genus. Those Salmonella subspecies containing sufficient numbers of sequenced genomes to allow meaningful analysis-i.e., subsp. enterica and diarizonae-were found to be reproductively isolated from one another and from all other subspecies. Based on the configuration of genomic sequence divergence among subspecies, it is expected that each of the other Salmonella subspecies will also represent a biological species. Our findings argue against the application of prescribed nucleotide-identity thresholds to delineate bacterial species and contend that the Biological Species Concept should not be disregarded for bacteria, even those, like Salmonella, that demonstrate complex patterns of species and subspecies divergence. IMPORTANCE The Biological Species Concept (BSC), which defines species boundaries based on the capacity for gene exchange, is widely used to classify sexually reproducing eukaryotes but is generally thought to be inapplicable to bacteria due to their completely asexual mode of reproduction. We show that the genus Salmonella, whose thousands of described serovars were formerly considered to be strictly clonal, undergoes sufficient levels of homologous recombination to be assigned to species according to the BSC. Aside from the two recognized species, Salmonella enterica and Salmonella bongori, several (and likely all) of the subspecies within S. enterica are reproductively isolated from one another and should each be considered a separate biological species. These findings demonstrate that species barriers in bacteria can form despite high levels of nucleotide identity and that commonly applied thresholds of genomic sequence identity are not reliable indicators of bacterial species status.

Alternative Pharmacokinetic Metrics in Single-Dose Studies to Ensure Bioequivalence of Prolonged-Release Products at Steady State-A Case Study.

(1) Background: this article investigates which PK metrics in a single-dose study (concentration at the end of posology interval, Cτ, partial areas under the curve, pAUCs, or half-value duration, HVD) are more sensitive and less variable for predicting the failure of a prolonged-release product at steady-state that was the bioequivalent for Cmax, AUC0-t and AUC0-inf, in the single-dose study; (2) Methods: a cross-over study was performed in 36 subjects receiving desvenlafaxine 100 mg prolonged-release tablets. Conventional (Cmax, AUC0-t and AUC0-inf) and additional (Cτ, pAUCs and HVD) PK metrics were considered after single-dose conditions. Predicted PK metrics at steady state (AUC0-τ, Cmax,ss, and Cτ,ss) were derived using a population PK model approach; (3) Results: the existing differences in the shape of the concentration-time curves precluded to show equivalence for Cτ,ss in the simulated study at steady state. This failure to show equivalence at steady state was predicted by Cτ, pAUCs and HVD in the single-dose study. Cτ was the most sensitive metric for detecting the different shape, with a lower intra-subject variability than HVD; (4) Conclusions: conventional PK metrics for single-dose studies (Cmax, AUC0-t and AUC0-inf) are not enough to guarantee bioequivalence at steady state for prolonged-release products.

Early Surfactant Therapy for Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Very Preterm Infants.

BACKGROUND: It is currently considered that early initiation of nasal continuous positive airway pressure, using a less invasive exogenous surfactant administration and avoiding mechanical ventilation as much as possible to minimize lung damage, may reduce mortality and/or the risk of morbidities in preterm infants. The aim of our study was to quantify our experience and compare different strategies of surfactant administration, to investigate which method is associated with less morbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 135 preterm infants with early rescue surfactant administration for respiratory distress syndrome were included in the study. The infants were treated in an academic, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit over a 3-year period between 1 December 2018 and 1 December 2021. Patients were separated into three groups: those with standard surfactant administration; those with Less Invasive Surfactant Administration-LISA; and those with Intubation Surfactant Administration Extubation-INSURE. As a primary outcome, we followed the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation within 72 h, while the secondary outcomes were major neonatal morbidities and death before discharge. RESULTS: The surfactant administration method was significantly associated with the need for mechanical ventilation within 72 h after the procedure (p < 0.001). LISA group infants needed less MV (OR = 0.538, p = 0.019) than INSURE group infants. We found less morbidities (OR = 0.492, p = 0.015) and deaths before discharge (OR = 0.640, p = 0.035) in the LISA group compared with the INSURE group. The analysis of morbidities found in infants who were given the surfactant by the LISA method compared with the INSURE method showed lower incidence of pneumothorax (3.9% vs. 8.8%), intraventricular hemorrhage (17.3% vs. 23.5%), intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3 and 4 (3.9% vs. 5.9%), sepsis/probable sepsis (11.5% vs. 17.7%) retinopathy of prematurity (16.7% vs. 26.7%) and deaths (3.9% vs. 5.9%). There were no significant differences between groups in frequencies of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis and patent ductus arteriosus. CONCLUSIONS: Less invasive surfactant administration methods seem to have advantages regarding early need for mechanical ventilation, decreasing morbidities and death rate. In our opinion, the LISA procedure may be a good choice in spontaneously breathing infants regardless of gestational age.

Escherichia Coli: What Is and Which Are?

Escherichia coli have served as important model organisms for over a century-used to elucidate key aspects of genetics, evolution, molecular biology, and pathogenesis. However, defining which strains actually belong to this species is erratic and unstable due to shifts in the characters and criteria used to distinguish bacterial species. Additionally, many isolates designated as E. coli are genetically more closely related to strains of Shigella than to other E. coli, creating a situation in which the entire genus of Shigella and its four species are encompassed within the single species E. coli. We evaluated all complete genomes assigned to E. coli and its closest relatives according to the biological species concept (BSC), using evidence of reproductive isolation and gene flow (i.e., homologous recombination in the case of asexual bacteria) to ascertain species boundaries. The BSC establishes a uniform, consistent, and objective principle that allows species-level classification across all domains of life and does not rely on either phenotypic or genotypic similarity to a defined type-specimen for species membership. Analyzing a total of 1,887 sequenced genomes and comparing our results to other genome-based classification methods, we found few barriers to gene flow among the strains, clades, phylogroups, or species within E. coli and Shigella. Due to the utility in recognizing which strains constitute a true biological species, we designate genomes that form a genetic cohesive group as members of E. coliBIO.

Accelerated Weathering Increases the Release of Toxic Leachates from Microplastic Particles as Demonstrated through Altered Toxicity to the Green Algae Raphidocelis subcapitata.

Studies that evaluate the impact of microplastic particles (MPs) often apply particles of pristine material. However, MPs are affected by various abiotic and biotic processes in the environment that possibly modify their physical and chemical characteristics, which might then result in their altered toxic effect. This study evaluated the consequence of weathering on the release of toxic leachates from microplastics. MPs derived from six marine antifouling paints, end-of-life tires, and unplasticised PVC were exposed to UV-C radiation to simulate weathering. Non-weathered and weathered MPs were leached in algae growth medium for 72 h to demonstrate additive release under freshwater conditions. The model organism, green algae Raphidocelis subcapitata, was exposed to the resulting leachates of both non-weathered and weathered MPs. The results of the growth inhibition tests showed that the leachates of weathered microparticles were more toxic than of the non-weathered material, which was reflected in their lower median effect concentration (EC50) values. Chemical analysis of the leachates revealed that the concentration of heavy metals was several times higher in the leachates of the weathered MPs compared to the non-weathered ones, which likely contributed to the increased toxicity. Our findings suggest including weathered microplastic particles in exposure studies due to their probably differing impact on biota from MPs of pristine materials.

Imprinted Gene Expression and Function of the Dopa Decarboxylase Gene in the Developing Heart.

Dopa decarboxylase (DDC) synthesizes serotonin in the developing mouse heart where it is encoded by Ddc_exon1a, a tissue-specific paternally expressed imprinted gene. Ddc_exon1a shares an imprinting control region (ICR) with the imprinted, maternally expressed (outside of the central nervous system) Grb10 gene on mouse chromosome 11, but little else is known about the tissue-specific imprinted expression of Ddc_exon1a. Fluorescent immunostaining localizes DDC to the developing myocardium in the pre-natal mouse heart, in a region susceptible to abnormal development and implicated in congenital heart defects in human. Ddc_exon1a and Grb10 are not co-expressed in heart nor in brain where Grb10 is also paternally expressed, despite sharing an ICR, indicating they are mechanistically linked by their shared ICR but not by Grb10 gene expression. Evidence from a Ddc_exon1a gene knockout mouse model suggests that it mediates the growth of the developing myocardium and a thinning of the myocardium is observed in a small number of mutant mice examined, with changes in gene expression detected by microarray analysis. Comparative studies in the human developing heart reveal a paternal expression bias with polymorphic imprinting patterns between individual human hearts at DDC_EXON1a, a finding consistent with other imprinted genes in human.

Accelerated weathering affects the chemical and physical properties of marine antifouling paint microplastics and their identification by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy.

Microplastics prepared from commercial marine antifouling paints were weathered by UV-C irradiation representing between 25 and 101 days of real-time, outdoor exposure. Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy of the degraded paint particles showed that weathering induced chemical changes in the material, including the release of volatile components and the formation of hydrophilic groups. The chemical changes and increased reactivity of the paint binder were associated with alterations in their physical properties and increased leaching of metals in freshwater conditions. Changes in the spectra obtained from weathered paint samples reduced their match with spectra of unaged materials, resulting in a poorer similarity index, the Score when using automatic identification tools for microplastics. The results suggest that spectra of weathered, as well as pristine paint microplastics, should be consulted when applying analytical pipelines to identify microplastics extracted from natural matrices.

Toward the Systematic Identification of Microplastics in the Environment: Evaluation of a New Independent Software Tool (siMPle) for Spectroscopic Analysis.

Microplastics (MP) are ubiquitous within the environment, but the approaches to analysis of this contaminant are currently quite diverse, with a number of analytical methods available. The comparability of results is hindered as even for a single analytical method such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) the different instruments currently available do not allow a harmonized analysis. To overcome this limitation, a new free of charge software tool, allowing the systematic identification of MP in the environment (siMPle) was developed. This software tool allows a rapid and harmonized analysis of MP across FT-IR systems from different manufacturers (Bruker Hyperion 3000, Agilent Cary 620/670, PerkinElmer Spotlight 400, and Thermo Fischer Scientific Nicolet iN10). Using the same database and the automated analysis pipeline in siMPle, MP were identified in samples that were analyzed with instruments with different detector systems as well as optical resolutions and the results discussed.

Early efficacy evaluation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) combined to biomaterials to treat long bone non-unions.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP) frequently lack of clinical data on efficacy to substantiate a future clinical use. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy to heal long bone delayed unions and non-unions, as secondary objective of the EudraCT 2011-005441-13 clinical trial, through clinical and radiological bone consolidation at 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up, with subgroup analysis of affected bone, gender, tobacco use, and time since the original fracture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients were recruited and surgically treated with autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells expanded under Good Manufacturing Practices, combined to bioceramics in the surgical room before implantation. Mean age was 39 ± 13 years, 57% were males, and mean Body Mass Index 27 ± 7. Thirteen (46%) were active smokers. There were 11 femoral, 4 humeral, and 13 tibial non-unions. Initial fracture occurred at a mean ± SD of 27.9 ± 31.2 months before recruitment. Efficacy results were expressed by clinical consolidation (no or mild pain if values under 30 in VAS scale), and by radiological consolidation with a REBORNE score over 11/16 points (value of or above 0.6875). Means were statistically compared and mixed models for repeated measurements estimated the mean and confidence intervals (95%) of the REBORNE Bone Healing scale. Clinical and radiological consolidation were analyzed in the subgroups with Spearman correlation tests (adjusted by Bonferroni). RESULTS: Clinical consolidation was earlier confirmed, while radiological consolidation at 3 months was 25.0% (7/28 cases), at 6 months 67.8% (19/28 cases), and at 12 months, 92.8% (26/28 cases including the drop-out extrapolation of two failures). Bone biopsies confirmed bone formation surrounding the bioceramic granules. All locations showed similar consolidation, although this was delayed in tibial non-unions. No significant gender difference was found in 12-month consolidation (95% confidence). Higher consolidation scale values were seen in non-smoking patients at 6 (p = 0.012, t-test) and 12 months (p = 0.011, t-test). Longer time elapsed after the initial fracture did not preclude the occurrence of consolidation. CONCLUSION: Bone consolidation was efficaciously obtained with the studied expanded hBM-MSCs combined to biomaterials, by clinical and radiological evaluation, and confirmed by bone biopsies, with lower consolidation scores in smokers.

Assessing the performance of different approaches for functional and taxonomic annotation of metagenomes.

BACKGROUND: Metagenomes can be analysed using different approaches and tools. One of the most important distinctions is the way to perform taxonomic and functional assignment, choosing between the use of assembly algorithms or the direct analysis of raw sequence reads instead by homology searching, k-mer analysys, or detection of marker genes. Many instances of each approach can be found in the literature, but to the best of our knowledge no evaluation of their different performances has been carried on, and we question if their results are comparable. RESULTS: We have analysed several real and mock metagenomes using different methodologies and tools, and compared the resulting taxonomic and functional profiles. Our results show that database completeness (the representation of diverse organisms and taxa in it) is the main factor determining the performance of the methods relying on direct read assignment either by homology, k-mer composition or similarity to marker genes, while methods relying on assembly and assignment of predicted genes are most influenced by metagenomic size, that in turn determines the completeness of the assembly (the percentage of read that were assembled). CONCLUSIONS: Although differences exist, taxonomic profiles are rather similar between raw read assignment and assembly assignment methods, while they are more divergent for methods based on k-mers and marker genes. Regarding functional annotation, analysis of raw reads retrieves more functions, but it also makes a substantial number of over-predictions. Assembly methods are more advantageous as the size of the metagenome grows bigger.

Assessment of input of organic micropollutants and microplastics into the Baltic Sea by urban waters.

We assess how different micropollutants and microplastics, connected to wastewater are introduced into the Baltic Sea. The relevance of untreated wastewater, treated wastewater, treated and untreated rain runoff, as well as combined sewer overflow (CSO), is assessed in respect to mass balance, as well as relative inflows of micropollutants and -plastics into the Baltic Sea. To achieve this, modelling based on data on exemplary sewer systems and measured micropollutant concentrations in the single sources were used. Most compounds reach the receiving Baltic Sea via treated wastewater. A few exceptions are compounds that are removed to a very high extent in wastewater treatment plants. For these compounds, the emissions with stormwater (e.g., terbutryn) or untreated wastewater (e.g., triclosan) are dominating. Additionally, compounds that are discharged with the water that is running off urban surfaces are introduced into marine areas via rain runoff. These data are used to forecast a total mass load and concentrations that can be expected in the Baltic Sea. Massloads are expected to be between 0.1 and 5.9 t/a for triclosan and TCPP (tris (2-chloropropyl) phosphate) and 0.2 t/a for microplastic particles. The expected concentrations in open Baltic Sea waters range from 0.01 to 26 ng/L.

Quantification of microplastic mass and removal rates at wastewater treatment plants applying Focal Plane Array (FPA)-based Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) imaging.

This paper presents a method for microplastic (MP) mass quantification using a Focal Plane Array-based Fourier Transform Infrared imaging technique. It discusses the issue that particle number is not a conserved base quantity and hence less suited than mass to compare independent studies on MP in the environment. It concludes that MP mass should be included when quantifying MP pollution in the environment, supplementing the conventional approach of reporting particle numbers. Applying mass as the unit of MP measurement, the paper presents data showing that Danish wastewater treatment plants discharge around 3 t/year of MP in the size range 10-500 µm. This value corresponds to an annual per capita emission from these plants of 0.56 g MP/(capita year). The distribution of polymer types by mass and particle number differed because the size of MP particles of the different material types varied.

Relating genomic characteristics to environmental preferences and ubiquity in different microbial taxa.

BACKGROUND: Despite the important role that microorganisms play in environmental processes, the low percentage of cultured microbes (5%) has limited, until now, our knowledge of their ecological strategies. However, the development of high-throughput sequencing has generated a huge amount of genomic and metagenomic data without the need of culturing that can be used to study ecological questions. This study aims to estimate the functional capabilities, genomic sizes and 16S copy number of different taxa in relation to their ubiquity and their environmental preferences. RESULTS: To achieve this goal, we compiled data regarding the presence of each prokaryotic genera in diverse environments. Then, genomic characteristics such as genome size, 16S rRNA gene copy number, and functional content of the genomes were related to their ubiquity and different environmental preferences of the corresponding taxa. The results showed clear correlations between genomic characteristics and environmental conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Ubiquity and adaptation were linked to genome size, while 16S copy number was not directly related to ubiquity. We observed that different combinations of these two characteristics delineate the different environments. Besides, the analysis of functional classes showed some clear signatures linked to particular environments.

Defective glucocorticoid receptor signaling and keratinocyte-autonomous defects contribute to skin phenotype of mouse embryos lacking the Hsp90 co-chaperone p23.

p23 is a small acidic protein with intrinsic molecular chaperone activity. It is best known as a co-chaperone of the major cytosolic molecular chaperone Hsp90. p23 binds the N-terminus of Hsp90 and stabilizes the ATP-bound and N-terminally closed Hsp90 dimer. It is in this configuration that many Hsp90 clients are most stably bound. Considering the important role of p23 in the Hsp90 cycle, it came as a surprise that it is not absolutely essential for viability in the budding yeast or for mouse development. Mice without p23 develop quite normally until birth and then all die perinatally because of immature lungs. The only other apparent phenotype of late stage embryos and newborns is a skin defect, which we have further characterized here. We found that skin differentiation is impaired, and that both apoptosis and cell proliferation are augmented in the absence of p23; the consequences are a severe thinning of the stratum corneum and reduced numbers of hair follicles. The altered differentiation, spontaneous apoptosis and proliferation are all mimicked by isolated primary keratinocytes indicating that they do require p23 functions in a cell-autonomous fashion. Since the phenotype of p23-null embryos is strikingly similar to that of embryos lacking the glucocorticoid receptor, a paradigmatic Hsp90-p23 client protein, we investigated glucocorticoid signaling. We discovered that it is impaired in vivo and for some aspects in isolated keratinocytes. Our results suggest that part of the phenotype of p23-null embryos can be explained by an impact on this particular Hsp90 client, but do not exclude that p23 by itself or in association with Hsp90 affects skin development and homeostasis through yet other pathways.

Cytosolic Hsp90α and its mitochondrial isoform Trap1 are differentially required in a breast cancer model.

The Hsp90 family of molecular chaperones includes the cytosolic isoforms Hsp90α and Hsp90ß, and the mitochondrial isoform Trap1. Hsp90α/ß support a large number of client proteins in the cytoplasm and the nucleus whereas Trap1 regulates oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. Many of the associated proteins and cellular processes are relevant to cancer, and there is ample pharmacological and genetic evidence to support the idea that Hsp90α/ß and Trap1 are required for tumorigenesis. However, a direct and comparative genetic test in a mouse cancer model has not been done. Here we report the effects of deleting the Hsp90α or Trap1 genes in a mouse model of breast cancer. Neither Hsp90α nor Trap1 are absolutely required for mammary tumor initiation, growth and metastasis induced by the polyoma middle T-antigen as oncogene. However, they do modulate growth and lung metastasis in vivo and cell proliferation, migration and invasion of isolated primary carcinoma cells in vitro. Without Hsp90α, tumor burden and metastasis are reduced, correlating with impaired proliferation, migration and invasion of cells in culture. Without Trap1, the appearance of tumors is initially delayed, and isolated cells are affected similarly to those without Hsp90α. Analysis of expression data of human breast cancers supports the conclusion that this is a valid mouse model highlighting the importance of these molecular chaperones.

Cenozoic tectonic and climatic events in southern Iberian Peninsula: Implications for the evolutionary history of freshwater fish of the genus Squalius (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae).

Southern Iberian freshwater ecosystems located at the border between the European and African plates represent a tectonically complex region spanning several geological ages, from the uplifting of the Betic Mountains in the Serravalian-Tortonian periods to the present. This area has also been subjected to the influence of changing climate conditions since the Middle-Upper Pliocene when seasonal weather patterns were established. Consequently, the ichthyofauna of southern Iberia is an interesting model system for analyzing the influence of Cenozoic tectonic and climatic events on its evolutionary history. The cyprinids Squalius malacitanus and Squalius pyrenaicus are allopatrically distributed in southern Iberia and their evolutionary history may have been defined by Cenozoic tectonic and climatic events. We analyzed MT-CYB (510 specimens) and RAG1 (140 specimens) genes of both species to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships and to estimate divergence times and ancestral distribution ranges of the species and their populations. We also assessed their levels of genetic structure and diversity as well as the amount of gene flow between populations. To investigate recent paleogeographical and climatic factors in southern Iberia, we modeled changes-through-time in sea level from the LGM to the present. Phylogenetic, geographic and population structure analyses revealed two well-supported species (S. malacitanus and S. pyrenaicus) in southern Iberia and two subclades (Atlantic and Mediterranean) within S. malacitanus. The origin of S. malacitanus and the separation of its Atlantic and Mediterranean populations occurred during the Serravalian-Tortonian and Miocene-Pliocene periods, respectively. These divergence events occurred in the Middle Pliocene and Pleistocene in S. pyrenaicus. In both species, Atlantic basins possessed populations with higher genetic diversity than Mediterranean, which may be explained by the Janda Lagoon. The isolation of S. malacitanus was earlier and related to the rising of the Betic Mountains. Divergence of its Atlantic and Mediterranean populations was associated with the creation of the freshwater systems of southern Iberia close to the Gibraltar Strait. The presence of S. pyrenaicus in southern Iberia may be the result of recent colonization associated with river capture, as demonstrated our biogeographic reconstruction.

Congenital Heart Disease Requiring Maintenance of Ductus Arteriosus in Critically Ill Newborns Admitted at a Tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital heart diseases (CHD) have been reported to be responsible for 30 to 50% of infant mortality caused by congenital disabilities. In critical cases, survival of newborns with CHD depends on the patency of the ductus arteriosus (PDA), for maintaining the systemic or pulmonary circulation. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and side effects of PGE (prostaglandin E) administration in newborns with critical congenital heart disease requiring maintenance of the ductus arteriosus. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All clinical and paraclinical data of 66 infants admitted to one referral tertiary level academic center and treated with Alprostadil were analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups: Group 1: PDA dependent pulmonary circulation (n=11) Group 2: PDA dependent systemic circulation (n=31) Group 3: PDA depending mixed circulation (n=24). RESULTS: The mean age of starting PGE1 treatment was 2.06 days, 1.91 (+/-1.44) days for PDA depending pulmonary flow, 2.39 (+/-1.62) days for PDA depending systemic flow and 1.71 (+/1.12) for PDA depending mixing circulation. PEG1 initiation was commenced 48 hours after admission for 72%, between 48-72 hours for 6%, and after 72 to 120 hours for 21% of newborns detected with PDA dependent circulation. Before PEG1 initiation the mean initial SpO2 was 77.89 (+/- 9.2)% and mean initial oxygen pressure (PaO2) was 26.96(+/-6.45) mmHg. At the point when stable wide open PDA was achieved their mean SpO2increased to 89.73 (+/-8.4)%, and PaO2 rose to 49 (+/-7.2) mmHg. During PGE1 treatment, eleven infants (16.7%) had apnea attacks, five children (7.5%) had convulsions, 33 (50%) had fever, 47 (71.2%) had leukocytosis, 52 (78.8%) had edema, 25.8% had gastrointestinal intolerance, 45.5% had hypokalemia, and 63.6% had irritability. CONCLUSIONS: For those infants with severe cyanosis or shock caused by PDA dependent heart lesions, the initiation and maintenance of PGE1 infusion is imperative. The side effects of this beneficial therapy were transient and treatable.

Developmental programming mediated by complementary roles of imprinted Grb10 in mother and pup.

Developmental programming links growth in early life with health status in adulthood. Although environmental factors such as maternal diet can influence the growth and adult health status of offspring, the genetic influences on this process are poorly understood. Using the mouse as a model, we identify the imprinted gene Grb10 as a mediator of nutrient supply and demand in the postnatal period. The combined actions of Grb10 expressed in the mother, controlling supply, and Grb10 expressed in the offspring, controlling demand, jointly regulate offspring growth. Furthermore, Grb10 determines the proportions of lean and fat tissue during development, thereby influencing energy homeostasis in the adult. Most strikingly, we show that the development of normal lean/fat proportions depends on the combined effects of Grb10 expressed in the mother, which has the greater effect on offspring adiposity, and Grb10 expressed in the offspring, which influences lean mass. These distinct functions of Grb10 in mother and pup act complementarily, which is consistent with a coadaptation model of imprinting evolution, a model predicted but for which there is limited experimental evidence. In addition, our findings identify Grb10 as a key genetic component of developmental programming, and highlight the need for a better understanding of mother-offspring interactions at the genetic level in predicting adult disease risk.